Business Sentiment Improves in Asia at Different Speeds

Air Quality in Hong Kong Seen as Possible Liability

By BETTINA WASSENER

HONG KONG — Frustration is growing in Hong Kong with the perpetually poor air quality and the commercial implications for a city with big aspirations.

For Toyota, It’s Business as Usual at Auto Show

By MICHELINE MAYNARD 46 minutes ago

Toyota’s display at the New York Auto Show was a vision of normalcy as the automaker was back to its business-as-usual approach.

• Slide Show: 2010 New York Auto Show
• Complete Coverage of New York Auto Show

U.S. Trade Office Criticizes China in Report

By REUTERS

The report, along with two new spotlights on technical barriers to manufactured goods and farm exports, comes at a time of rising economic tensions with China.

Hedge Fund Managers’ Pay Roars Back

By NELSON D. SCHWARTZ and LOUISE STORY 46 minutes ago

The recovery of big banks did not benefit just the bankers. It also created huge paydays for hedge fund managers.

• Slide Show: Hedge Fund Leaders for 2009

President of E.C.B. Expects Confidence in Greece to Grow

By DAVID JOLLY

PARIS — The European Central Bank chief put a brave face on the country’s financial prospects, even as Moody’s downgraded five Greek banks.

Unemployment and Inflation Inch Up in Europe

By MATTHEW SALTMARSH

PARIS — The jobless rate in the 16-nation euro area inched up to double digits in February, while inflation accelerated by more than economists had forecast.

Pfizer Chief Says Growth Is Imminent

By DUFF WILSON

Producing new drugs and adjusting to the changing health care system are two of the tests facing the drug giant.

• Pfizer Gives Details on Payments to Doctors

News Analysis

Risk Is Clear in Drilling; Payoff Isn’t

By JOHN M. BRODER and CLIFFORD KRAUSS 4 minutes ago

WASHINGTON — In proposing oil and gas development, President Obama set out to attract bipartisan support while increasing oil production. It is not clear that the plan will do either.

• Video: John M. Broder | CNBC Video: Obama
• Times Topics: Offshore Drilling and Exploration

Successes (and Some Growing Pains) at Hulu

By BRIAN STELTER and BRAD STONE

Hulu has brought television watching on the Web into the mainstream, but it is coming under increasing pressure from the companies that supply its content.

Release of Client Names Is a Step Closer for UBS

By LYNNLEY BROWNING

The move is a shift by the Swiss government, which is eager to resolve a simmering feud with the I.R.S.

Moment of Truth for Emission Permits in E.U.

By JAMES KANTER

BRUSSELS — Emissions data for Europe is expected to show that a trading system for carbon isn’t living up to its promise.

German Cabinet Agrees on Bank Tax for Bailouts

By MATTHEW SALTMARSH

PARIS — France’s economy minister gave the proposal, which would raise more than $1.3 billion a year, a cautious thumbs-up.

BlackBerry’s Maker Misses Estimates

By BLOOMBERG NEWS 9:52 PM ET

Research In Motion’s BlackBerry subscriber base grew and smart phone shipments increased.

Sheik Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s Chief, Dies at 41

By REUTERS

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Sheik Ahmed led one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds in Abu Dhabi.

Google Links Web Attacks to Vietnam Mine Dispute

By BETTINA WASSENER

HONG KONG — Google says it has identified cyber attacks aimed at silencing critics of a Chinese-backed bauxite mining project in Vietnam.

• Journalists’ E-Mails Hacked in China

Macarthur Coal Rejects $3 Billion Bid From Peabody Energy

By CHRIS V. NICHOLSON 4:05 AM ET

Macarthur Coal said Wednesday that the offer from the U.S. company did not fully value the Australian coal miner's significant growth prospects.

Former France Télécom Official Says ‘Outsiders’ Exploit Suicides

By DAVID JOLLY

PARIS — Outsiders have used the wave of suicides at France Télécom to push their own agenda, a former top executive claimed in an interview.