The smartphone designer

At 35, Eguchi Shunjiro is Nokia's top designer. Behind the ever-smiling face, he posses a sharp sense of aesthetics and reasoning to churn out award-winning mobile set models.

US auto rescue wins backing

US legislators approved a massive government lifeline for the ailing auto industry as fresh economic data on Thursday offered evidence of a deep and painful global recession. The House of Representatives raised hopes on Wednesday by approving a package worth 14 billion dollars to keep the three biggest auto makers afloat - potentially the most far-reaching intervention in US industry in years.

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China's monthly exports drop for first time in 7 years

Exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) both fell in November because of shrinking demand overseas, sending fresh signs of economic weakness and prompting calls for more measures to bolster the economy. Exports dropped 2.2 per cent to $114.99 billion last month, the first monthly decline in seven years, Customs authorities said Wednesday. And FDI fell 36.52 per cent year-on-year to $5.3 billion, the Ministry of Commerce said.

Russia, China bribe most to win business abroad

Companies based in emerging economies such as China, India and Russia are perceived to routinely engage in bribery while doing business abroad, according to Transparency International's 2008 Bribe Payers Index (BPI).

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