Business News: General

SHANGHAI, China (AP) _ Chinese stocks fell Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropping 3 percent as investors disappointed by the lack of market boosting policy moves sold banks and other market heavyweights.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) _ Australia threatened Monday to withhold uranium for Russian nuclear reactors unless Moscow respects Georgia's sovereignty and withdraws its forces from the country.

SINGAPORE (AP) _ Oil prices rose Monday in Asia near US$117 a barrel as Hurricane Gustav advanced on Louisana, prompting companies to shut down drilling and refining operations in the Gulf Coast coast region.

Floods have spelt bounty for boat makers in the flood hit Bihar state. The boat makers are making good money as the demand for boats has increased manifolds emerging as the only means of transport in the inundated area.

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ Australia's aviation agency on Monday ordered Qantas Airways to improve its maintenance system following a review prompted by a series of safety problems that have plagued the airline in recent months.

TOKYO (AP) _ Major Japanese drug maker Shionogi and Co. said Monday it would buy U.S. pharmaceutical company Sciele Pharma Inc. for US$1.4 billion in a bid to expand its business operations in the American market.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ South Korea's ruling party pledged Monday to ratify the country's stalled free trade deal with the United States as part of a plan to revive the country's sagging economy.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) _ Taiwan's main stock index fell 3.3 percent Monday following Friday's slide on Wall Street and concerns over weaknesses on regional bourses.

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ BHP Billiton Ltd, Australia's largest oil and gas producer, has shut down production and evacuated personnel from its operations in the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Gustav took aim at the region.

Sensex is set to fall on Monday tracking lower Asian markets, while a rise of more than $1 in oil prices is likely to stoke inflation expectations.

World oil prices rose by less than one dollar in Asian trade on Monday after Hurricane Gustav forced the shutdown of almost all oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, analysts said.

Investors seeking to participate in the real estate sector through the mutual fund route may have to wait more.

Individual sectors have outperformed the stock markets every year since 2001, according to a study.
The sector that outperformed the markets has been different in different years. It was auto in one year or banks in another or metal or oil and gas. But gains made by that sector were far greater than the markets, the study said.

The Indian equity market has made a comeback after hitting a low of 12,595 on July 16. The BSE Sensex has gained around 11% since, the best amongst the Bric nations and other leading markets.

MIAMI (AP) _ Falling gas prices might not be enough to entice people to travel this Labor Day weekend, with some keeping a wary eye on dangerous Hurricane Gustav, which is threatening the Gulf Coast.

Kolkata, Aug 31 (PTI) The complete succession plan of the Rs 10,000-crore K K Birla Group is likely to be known next week, when the will is opened.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ Hynix Semiconductor Inc. expressed disappointment Sunday that Japan has decided to maintain punitive tariffs on its computer memory chips, saying it would ask the South Korean government to consider retaliatory measures.

Chennai, Aug 30 (PTI) Putting an end to speculation that Tata might opt for Tamil Nadu if it relocates Nano manufacturing unit from Singur, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said there was no

Mumbai, Aug 30 (PTI) Gold eased on mild offerings from stockists on the back of lower global advices on the bullion market here today, while silver inched up on mild industrial demand.

Mumbai, Aug 30 (PTI) The city-based Vaidya Sane's Ayurvedic Panchkarma Center has said its non-invasive solution for coronary blockages has been recognised as a procedure of treatment by the