Paul Beckett

Japan’s Condominium Market Booms Ahead of Tax Hike

blogs.wsj.com — By Bradford Frischkorn Japan's condominium market looks poised to keep growing after May sales in the Tokyo area jumped 54.1% from the same time last year, fueled by prospects for economic growth and a desire to get in ahead of a tax hike coming next year.

In Delhi, Developers Imperil Islamic Palace

blogs.wsj.com — By Tom Wright and Saptarishi Dutta From the narrow lanes of Delhi's impoverished Nizamuddin Basti area, it's almost impossible to see the "Lal Mahal," or the Red Palace, which is one of India's earliest Islamic royal dwellings. In many cities, endowed with a lesser bounty of historic buildings, the Lal Mahal may have become a tourist draw.

In India, Surge in Dollar Millionaires

blogs.wsj.com — India's economy is struggling with a weak rupee and widening current account deficit, but the number of dollar millionaires in the country has surged, according to a report on the global distribution of wealthy individuals. In 2012, India had 152,750 dollar millionaires, up 22% from 125,000 in 2011, according to the World Wealth Report 2013, compiled by Capgemini and Royal Bank of Canada.

Analysts Fear Rupee Will Breach 60

blogs.wsj.com — By Khushita Vasant and Kenan Machado The Indian rupee may not be done falling yet. Thursday, the currency hit a record low of 59.94 for one U.S. dollar as global investors broadly pulled out of emerging markets on news that the U.S. could soon start winding down its program of buying billions of dollars of bonds.

Video - Manufacturing Slows, Chinese Banks Warn of More Cautious Lending - WSJ.com

live.wsj.com — China is facing a slowdown as a gauge of manufacturing health hit a nine-month low and as banks become more cautious about lending. The WSJs Tom Orlik tells Michael Arnold what the government needs to do to stimulate growth.

In India, Surge in Dollar Millionaires

blogs.wsj.com — India's economy is struggling with a weak rupee and widening current account deficit, but the number of dollar millionaires in the country has surged, according to a report on the global distribution of wealthy individuals. In 2012, India had 152,750 dollar millionaires, up 22% from 125,000 in 2011, according to the World Wealth Report 2013, compiled by Capgemini and Royal Bank of Canada.

Asia Edition - Wall Street Journal - Latest News, Breaking Stories, Top Headlines - Wsj.com

asia.wsj.com — The allure of record gold prices is propelling a return of gold fever in a remote region in Australia's outback. Subscriber Content Read Preview China's central bank will require banks to hold more types of deposits in reserve, effectively tightening credit conditions further.

A Flat Conversion in Hong Kong

blogs.wsj.com — This property in Hong Kong's Clear Water Bay went from a dingy apartment complex to a three-story home with an infinity pool.

Singapore Air-Pollution Index Hits Record High

blogs.wsj.com — SINGAPORE-Smog in Singapore worsened to a record "hazardous" level Thursday, as smoke from fires in neighboring Indonesia billowed into the island state's worst-ever air-pollution crisis. According to Singapore's National Environment Agency, the city's three-hour Pollutant Standards Index rose to an all-time high of 371 at 1 p.m.