1. Duit (3 x 15)

1. Duit (3 x 15) Asian monies up, but intervention fears linger Asian monies up, but intervention fears linger

Asian currencies were stronger on Friday in the wake of the dollar's overnight weakness against major rivals, especially the yen, which provides broad direction to regional units.

Buoyant equity markets also helped support Asian currencies.

But gains were tempered by Japanese government warnings against the yen's rise. Market players also kept a wary eye on intervention by central banks in the region.

2. Soft (2 x 33) Microsoft to pay $750m for Netscape; makes deals with AOL Microsoft to pay $750m for Netscape claim; makes deals with AOL

Microsoft will pay US$750 million to AOL Time Warner to settle a suit claiming the software giant used its monopoly to crush Netscape Communications, now a part of the AOL group, the firms announced on Thursday.

The two companies, longtime rivals in the tech sector, also announced plans to work together in several areas in an effort to bury the hatchet.

Netscape, the onetime Internet star and the most visible victim of Microsoft in the "browser wars," filed suit in January 2002 claiming its woes were the result of "anticompetitive conduct."

3. Stock (2 x 20) Asian stocks hit highs on Nasdaq rally

Asian stocks hit multi-month highs on Nasdaq rally

Asian stocks clambered to multi-month peaks on Friday after hopes for a U.S. economic recovery shoved the Nasdaq Composite Index to a near-one-year high on Wall Street.

Tokyo's Nikkei stock average racked up its highest close since March 24, firming 0.6 percent to 8,424.51, as technology shares tracked gains in their U.S. peers.

4. Asia (1 x 44) China, India lead in dominating urban landscape China, India lead Asia's charge to dominate urban landscape

China and India are poised to stamp Asia's reputation as being one of the most exciting and prosperous regions to live, an industry monitor said on Thursday.

Of the 24 cities singled out as future rising urban stars, eight are in China and three are in India, property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle said.