New Delhi / AFP India flagged off its fastest-ever train on Tuesday as part of a major modernisation of the crumbling railway system — but its top speed is only half of those in China and other countries. Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu hailed the Gatimaan Express, running from New Delhi to the Taj Mahal and boasting hostesses and bone china ...

Bangkok / DPA Mitr Phol Group, Thailand’s biggest sugar and bio-energy producer, has budgeted 50.4 billion baht (US$1.43 billion) to invest in five major areas between now and 2020: sugar, renewable energy, wood-substitute materials, overseas ventures, and logistics. President and chief executive officer Krisda Monthienvichien-chai told a news conference on the weekend that 28 billion baht would be spent on ...

Beijing / Bloomberg A Chinese steelmaker whose chairman was found dead by hanging last month defaulted on bonds a second time in two weeks. Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., based in the northeastern city of Dalian, said it missed payment on 1.01 billion yuan ($156 million) of principal and interest on notes due Tuesday, according to a statement posted on ...