Standard Bank has further extended its positioning as a global emerging-markets specialist with the conclusion of a sizable, mortgage-backed securitisation transaction in Hong Kong. Standard Bank Asia, the Asian arm of the Standard Bank Group, has closed a landmark securitisation transaction for Hong Kong-based Pan Asian Mortgage Company.

It is one of the surprise hits of the year, restoring a legendary artist to the top of the charts after a break of more than 40 years. Last week it received the United States music industry’s ultimate accolade, nominations for Grammy awards in the two big categories, album of the year and record of the year.

Ukrainian MPs are seeking a parliamentary investigation into allegations that money from the United States government was used to help fund the opposition during the recent electoral campaign. The US state department last week said it had spent -million over the past two years financing groups in support of democracy in Ukraine.

The new face of Les Halles, arguably the ugliest scar to disfigure the world’s most beautiful city, will finally be unveiled this week when the mayor of Paris announces which of four competing projects he has chosen to revamp the sprawling concrete and glass monstrosity.

Although United States companies operating in South Africa were more positive about the local economy, there was now more concern over forced local equity than crime, a survey revealed on Sunday. Black economic empowerment ”negatively affected investment decisions” according to an overwhelming 74% of respondents surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce in SA.

At least 13 people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday when a large explosion ripped through a Christmas market in the southern Philippine city of General Santos. Shoppers fled in panic when the apparently home-made device destroyed the stall it was thought to be hidden in and wrecked most of the surrounding area.