add add * Google China market share climbs in last six months

STAFF WRITER 18:14 HRS IST

New York, Jan 14 (PTI) The search engine giant Google, which has threatened to wind up operations in China, saw its share in the search engine market in that country rise significantly in the last six months.

Google had on Tuesday said it might be forced to shut shop in China, following hacking, targeting human rights activists, and web censorship.

According to web analytics firm StatCounter, the Internet major had a search engine market share of 43 per cent at the end of 2009, while its rival Baidu held 56 per cent.

"Google has made impressive gains in China since July last when it was at 30 per cent against Baidu's 68 per cent.

"Our analysis suggests that given Google's recent strong performance, market share is certainly not the reason behind its threat to leave China at this time," StatCounter chief executive Aodhan Cullen said in a statement yesterday.

Inflation jumps to 7.31 per cent in Dec

STAFF WRITER 12:59 HRS IST

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) Wholesale prices-based inflation leaped to 7.31 per cent in December, shooting past RBI's forecast of 6.5 per cent-level by this fiscal end, as food items such as sugar, potatoes and pulses turned costlier.

Overall inflation in November was 4.78 per cent.

However, food inflation (prices of non-processed food articles) measured separately for the week ending January 2, eased a bit to 17.28 per cent from 18.22 per cent a week ago.

If this trend in food inflation continues in the weeks ahead, then overall inflation may also fall.

Sugar, whose prices have become a cause of concern for the government with retail prices nearing Rs 50 a kg, rose 53.98 per cent in December year-on-year. Yesterday, the government announced a slew of measures to tame sugar prices.

In the month of December, food inflation stood at 19.

Yamaha today said it will introduce scooters in the Indian market

NEW DELHI, Jan 10 (PTI): Japanese two-wheeler maker Yamaha today said it will introduce scooters in the Indian market in order to tap the potential in segment.

The company is currently conducting a feasibility study on the scooter market, which is expected to be complete by the middle of this year.

"We are studying the market to enter the scooter segment, but we have not finalised the product line yet. However, one thing is sure that we will launch scooters in India," India Yamaha Motor National

Business Head Pankaj Dubey told PTI at the 10th Auto Expo here. The feasibility study is focusing on areas such as the model to be introduced and possible timeframe of launching the product in the country, he added.

Dalai Lama to inaugurate Buddhist monastery in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Jan 10: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will be visiting Orissa Monday to inaugurate a newly-constructed Buddhist monastery in Gajapati district, an official said Sunday. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will arrive in state capital Bhubaneswar Monday on a four-day visit. He will fly to Chandragiri in Gajapati district in a chopper. During his stay in the Tibetan settlement, the Dalai Lama will inaugurate a five-storeyed monastery named Padma Sambhav Mahavira. “We are geared up for the arrival of the Dalai Lama. During his four-day stay, he would also inaugurate the new monastery,” spiritual leader of Chandragiri Ven Jigme Rimpoche said. The entire Buddhist settlement in Chandragiri is decked up for the occasion. (IANS)