Tokyo  Nikkei  8590.57  -2.21%
Seoul   KOSPI  1766.71  -1.07%
Shanghai SSEC  2470.52  -0.33%
Hong Kong HSI 19710.50  +0.48%
Singapore STI  2774.33  +0.04%
Mumbai    BSE 16862.81  +0.89%
Sydney   AORD  4160.70  -1.50% 
 
1. Asia Stocks Dragged Down by Sell-off in Europe
Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 2.2% after sharp losses in European markets. S Korea's Kospi dropped 1.1%. China's Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.3%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.5% as a late rally offset earlier losses.
 
2. Starbucks Plans to Triple China Coffer Outlets
The coffee retailer aims to operate 1,500 shops by 2015 from a current 470. It also expects to open 700 outlets in S Korea by 2016, up from 370. Starbucks prepares to open its first store in India next year.
 
3. S Korea GDP Grows 0.9% on Quarter
The economic expansion in Q2 was better than expected, but still lower than Q1's 1.3%. On an annual basis, the nation's GDP grew 3.4% in Q2.  
 
4. Nomura Plunges to 37-year Low
The shares of the biggest brokerage firm in Japan dropped 5.5% to close at US$3.79, the lowest since Nov 7 1974, on concern that slowing growth in the global economy may hinder overseas expansion plans.
 
5. Philippine Inflation Climbs 4.7% on Year
The increase in consumer prices in August was down from 5.1% in July. Food and non-alcoholic beverage cost gained 5.1% last month, easing from 5.7% in July. 
 
6. Sands' China to Upsize Loan to US$3.7B
The Macau arm of the Las Vegas gaming giant plans to close the deal at the end of this month. The original size of the loan was US$3.5 billion. About 10% of the loan was sold in general syndication to 16 banks.
 
7. Thailand: 2012 Deficit Won’t Exceed US$13.4B 
Commerce Minister of the nation also expects the annual revenue to US$65.5 billion. The Financial Ministry estimated a budget deficit of US$11.7 billion on Aug 30.
 
8. India Plans to Sell 5% ONGC This Month
The government is expected to sell 427.77 million shares of state-owned oil explorer from Sep 20 to Sep 23. It will sell the shares to institution investors in US, Singapore and Hong Kong.
 
9. S Korea Buying Israeli Rockets to Deter NKorea
Seoul paid US$43 million to buy 67 Spike rockets to protect a front line area attacked by N Korea last year. The move will bolster S Korea's defense while hoping to revive dialogue with Pyongyang. 
 
10. One Dead as 6.6-magnitude Quake Hits Indonesia
A boy was killed when the earthquake struck the nation's Sumatra Island. Falling debris killed the boy as he slept in his home. Another person was seriously injured.