Business News: General

TOKYO (AP) _ Japan's trade surplus in July fell 86.6 percent from a year earlier as imports grew amid higher prices for oil and other commodities, the government said Thursday.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a research company to supply an experimental drug to a 16-year-old Minnesota boy who is terminally ill with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. The decision offers no immediate relief to Jacob Gunvalson. Due to federal regulations, the teen cannot begin taking the drug immediately. PTC Therapeutics plans to appeal the ruling by U.S.

Rupee fell to the lowest in almost 17 months on speculation demand for dollars increased as crude oil prices rebounded from a 15-week low.

The office property markets have continued to post growth over the past few years.

The much-awaited trade in currency futures will commence from August 29 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), India 's biggest stock exchange.

Indian equity markets bounced back on Wednesday, ending their five-day losing streak, on the back of positive cues from Asian and European markets, coupled with fresh buying by investors.

Foreign investors like Goldman Sachs, Fidelity and exchanges like the Inter-Continental Exchange have been given a year's breathing space to reduce their holdings in Indian commodity exchanges.

The promoter of Modern India Ltd (MIL)-erstwhile Modern Mills Ltd-is in the process of divesting its stake in the company from 87% to 75%.

Focus on construction rigs, robust order booking, promising expansion plans and a strong presence in the offshore segment will be the growth drivers for Bharati Shipyard in the coming quarters.

The Bomaby Stock Exchange (BSE) has undertaken a damage-control exercise following a spate of resignations of senior members from its board in last three months.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) _ An anti-corruption court Wednesday formally charged an ex-Bangladeshi prime minister in a case involving the purchase of fighter jets from Russia during her 1996-2001 tenure, a government prosecutor said.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Wednesday spurted by over 134 points to snap its five-day long losing spree with metal, capital goods and realty sectors attracting buying support amid positive cues in Asian bourses.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Wednesday snapped a five-session long losing streak, recovering 160 points in early trade on revival of buying by funds in index-related stocks, tracking firm Asian markets.

The Indian rupee dropped to a nearly one and a half year low at 43.72/73, cheaper by another 13 paise against the US currency in morning trade on Wednesday amid a day-long nationwide public sector bank strike.

HONG KONG (AP) _ Hong Kong stocks rallied Wednesday along with China's market on speculation that Beijing was planning new measures to boost the country's languishing markets.

HONG KONG (AP) _ Most Asian stock markets rebounded Wednesday, led by rallies in China and Hong Kong on speculation that Beijing was planning new measures to boost the country's languishing markets.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) _ Malaysia Airlines said Wednesday it has teamed up with the operator of India's Hyderabad airport to set up an aircraft maintenance hub to capitalize on India's fast-growing aviation market.

SHANGHAI, China (AP) _ Chinese stocks surged Wednesday in their biggest gain in nearly four months on speculation Beijing plans new economic stimulus measures and other policies aimed at reviving the country's languishing markets.

TOKYO (AP) _ Japanese shares fell a bit Wednesday, as continuing concerns about the global economy kept investors at a standstill awaiting new trading cues.

BEIJING (AP) _ Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang will not make a claim against a 100 million yuan (US$14.5 million) insurance policy after an injury forced him to pull out of the Olympics, a team official said Wednesday.