Roundup of regional news - 18 October 2006

The Star

PM Abdullah ready to meet his predecessor Tun Mahathir

A fresh attempt is being made to get Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to end their feud ahead of Hari Raya and the Umno general assembly next month. Dr M said he was ready to meet Abdullah before Hari Raya to tell him about “all my grievances and after that, it is up to the Prime Minister”. (Read more...)


China Daily

Middle class have the biggest smiles

Having more money in your pocket doesn't necessarily make you happier.

A happiness index of Beijing residents believed to be China's first such poll has revealed that despite income contributing to happiness, people in the middle-income band are among the city's most content.

According to the index, released by the city's statistics bureau, 83 per cent of those who earn around 6,000 yuan (US$750) per month are happy with their lives.

Meanwhile only 70 per cent of those earning between 10,000 (US$1,250) and 15,000 (US$1,875) yuan per month are happy the same as those who earn between 1,000 and 1,500 yuan per month. (Read more...)


Bangkok Post

Shin probe to go forward

Any share sale by Temasek Holdings of its holdings in Shin Corp would not affect an ongoing criminal investigation into whether illegal nominees were used to break the 49% foreign shareholding limit, according to the Commerce Ministry. ''A sale by Temasek allowing Thais to increase their shareholdings [in Shin] in the future would be a positive move. But regardless, the investigation into whether wrongdoing occurred will continue,'' said Karun Kittisataporn, the ministry's permanent secretary. (Read more...)