CANBERRA (Reuters Life!) - With its beaches, outdoor lifestyle and friendly schools, Australia has been voted the world's best country to bring up children by expatriate parents working there, an HSBC bank survey shows. Australia provided the best environment for healthy and active children, with more than three quarters of expat kids spending more time outdoors than in their home ...

The Singapore-based operator of a chemical tanker hijacked by pirates off the coast of Madagascar said Saturday it was trying to make contact with the vessel. The UBT Ocean's Singaporean operator, Nautictank Pte Ltd, said it had received no word from the vessel since it was boarded late Friday. "We are doing everything we can to establish contact ...

A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Friday: ___ BEIJING — China's Premier Wen Jiabao promised strong growth this year and said the government will combat inflation and risks to banks to keep the rebound in the world's ...

A rise on Wall Street and reports that the Bank of Japan may further loosen monetary policy helped Asian shares higher Friday, ahead of the release of key US jobs data. However, apprehension remained as China warned it would slash lending in a bid to tame asset prices, as Beijing tries to balance rapid economic expansion with a delicate transition ...