Chemical firm also aims to boost presence in Asian construction marketLUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany ― Chemical plants have been associated with toxic materials harming the air, water and ecosystem, a major hurdle to the industry’s sustainable growth. BASF, a leading global chemical firm, shows how technology, strategy and devotion to the community can tackle these challenges. The company based in Ludwigsh

IndustryMarch 13, 2011

Reports of Japan's devastation by a strong earthquake sent many South Koreans online to deliver messages of goodwill, condolences and offers of aid for a third day on Sunday. An urban area devastated by tsunami is seen in Minami Sanriku, Miyagi, northern Japan Sunday, March 13, 2011 after Friday's catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. (AP-Yonhap)The 8.9-magnitude earthquake, the strongest ever in J

TechnologyMarch 13, 2011

  WASHINGTON, March 12, 2011 (AFP) - US nuclear experts warned Saturday that pumping sea water to cool a quake-hit Japanese nuclear reactor was an "act of desperation" that may foreshadow a Chernobyl-like disaster. (Yonhap News)   Several experts, in a conference call with reporters, also predicted that regardless of the outcome at the Fukushima No. 1 atomic plant crisis, the accident will serious

TechnologyMarch 13, 2011

Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee is causing a stir with his remarks apparently disparaging the government’s policy performance and castigating a former prime minister’s drive for profit sharing between large and small firms.Asked to assess the Lee Myung-bak administration’s economic policies, he had said on Thursday, “I am not satisfied but still won’t give out a failing mark since the eco

IndustryMarch 11, 2011

Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world’s top shipbuilder, appointed Kim Oi-hyun as co-chief executive during its shareholders’ meeting on Friday.The former shipbuilding division head will replace Min Keh-sik, who had led the firm for the past 10 years. Kim Oi-hyunKim, 57, will oversee management as vice chairman and chief executive, alongside Lee Jai-seong, who became president and chief executiv

IndustryMarch 11, 2011

Samsung Electronics is looking to hire Chris Bangle, former chief designer for BMW Group, in pursuit of more stylish products, a company official said.If the two parties reach consent, he is likely to take charge of designing mobile phones, netbooks, home appliances and other devices for Korea’s top electronics manufacturer.“Samsung has been trying to offer him an advisory job, not an exclusive co

IndustryMarch 11, 2011

LONDON (AFP) ― The Bank of England on Thursday held its key interest rate at a record low 0.5 percent, where it has now stood for two years, as it balanced strong inflation against a fragile economic recovery.“The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee today voted to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.5 percent,” the central bank said in a statement after a

IndustryMarch 11, 2011

Pricier oil dampens consumer spending and cuts into economic growthWASHINGTON (AP) ― Higher oil prices are slowing global economic growth, and the impact is likely to spread in coming months.Oil prices helped raise the U.S. trade deficit to a seven-month high in January, when crude prices were $87.50 a barrel. Oil is now trading at more than $100 a barrel, suggesting the gap will widen in coming m

IndustryMarch 11, 2011

South Korea's top court on Thursday found Lone Star Korea's chief guilty of manipulating the stock price of a former credit card firm, in a ruling that overturned a lower court ruling that acquitted its head in a controversial 2003 deal.Yoo Hoi-won, also known as Paul Yoo, who led Lone Star's South Korean operations, was indicted on charges of driving down the share price of Korea Exchange Bank (K

March 11, 2011

　It has been found that a single bite from the world’s most poisonous spider can give men a four-hour erection, British paper the Metro reported on Tuesday.　The Medical College of Georgia in the U.S. found that the Brazilian wandering spider’s toxin can be an effective treatment on impotence in rats. The research team is further looking into whether the wandering spider’s poison can treat erectile

TechnologyMarch 11, 2011

A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Because strokes occur rapidly and require immediate treatment, a stroke is also called a brain attack. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke). Other strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke).When the symptoms of a s

TechnologyMarch 10, 2011

Central bank governor sees high inflationary pressureKorea’s central bank raised its key interest rate for the second time in three months Thursday as it steps up efforts to control inflation.The Bank of Korea lifted its benchmark base rate to 3 percent from 2.75 percent at a monthly meeting. The rate influences a variety of borrowing costs, including those on overnight loans between financial ins

March 10, 2011

Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., on Thursday lashed out at a recent proposal by former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan for large businesses to share their excessive profits with smaller companies.The rare attack from usually reticent Lee, 69, came as he was on his way to a monthly meeting of the executive board of the Federation of Korean Industries, the largest business lobby in Kor

March 10, 2011