HANOI: Beginning this April 26, all purchases or construction of offices abroad worth US$10 million (RM33.26 million) or more, which will be used by State budgets, will have to get a nod from the Prime Minister, a new regulation said.

HONG KONG: A family of seven spanning three generations lives like sardines, crammed into a 700 sq ft Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flat in Shau Kei Wan. But despite the crowded living conditions, the Huang family has no plans to look for a bigger flat. The reason is simple: they cannot afford to.

KUALA LUMPUR: The court will announce its decision today (March 16) on whether it could consider granting an injunction to block Ho Hup Construction Co Bhd’s EGM planned for tomorrow (March 17).

KUALA LUMPUR/TOKYO: Bank Negara Malaysia said it may increase interest rates further to avert asset bubbles and discourage risky investments by people seeking better returns, even as inflation will likely remain “modest” this year.

BOSTON: The US housing market is poised to withstand the removal of government and US Federal Reserve stimulus programmes and rebound later in the year, contributing to annual economic growth for the first time since 2006.

SYDNEY: Centro Properties Group, the Australian developer that posted a A$3.5 billion (RM10.6 billion) loss last year, is selling its Surfers Paradise mall after failing to attract investors to replace those withdrawing funds.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd (KPS) has entered into a sales and purchase agreement with SAP Holdings Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Bhd (KHSB), to acquire Wisma SAP for RM7 million on March 15.

LONDON: Upmarket British retailer Liberty is selling its distinctive mock Tudor department store building in London's West End for 41.5 million pounds ($62.9 million) to pay off debt, it said on Monday (March 15).

KUALA LUMPUR: Bina Puri Norwest Sdn. Bhd, a member of Bina Puri Group of companies has entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Quill Buildings Sdn Bhd to acquire a piece of land measuring 145,658 sq ft land for RM11,652,692 on March 15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Central Malaysian Properties Sdn Bhd (CMP) is expected to launch its Lido Residences project with gross development value of RM1.5 billion by the second half of this year.