WFP ends initial talks with N. Korea, 'hopeful' of presence
January 13, 2006The World Food Program, which has been contemplating a possible pullout from North Korea, has concluded initial talks with the North Korean government and is now hopeful it will be able to maintain its presence there, a WFP spokesman said Friday. But under the fresh plan, the U.N. food agency will have a smaller operation in the country with fewer international staff, Gerald Bourke said.
Proton shares plummet after Volkswagen calls off tie-up plan
January 13, 2006Shares of Malaysian automaker Proton Holdings Bhd. nosedived Friday after Volkswagen AG scrapped a joint venture plan to build and sell its cars for the Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets, and analysts are painting a bleak future for Proton. Proton's share price opened at 5.10 ringgit (about $1.36), the lowest in four years. It was down 1.25 ringgit, or 19.6 percent, from Thursday's closing price of 6.35 ringgit at Bursa Malaysia, the Malaysian exchange. The stock price ended Friday at 5.65 ringgit.