China gets oil deal

NAIROBI: China inked oil exploration deals with Kenya as visiting president Hu Jintao continued his African quest to quench China’s near-insatiable demand for energy to fuel its booming economy. The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) said the agreement covered production-sharing contracts for six blocks off Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast covering 115,343 square kilometres. — AFP

MS’ cheaper Windows

ABUJA: Microsoft Corp is targeting Africa with a lower-priced operating system, a Windows “Starter Edition” that will work on cheaper machines and have Africa-themed screensavers and background wallpaper among its features. Microsoft said its Windows XP Starter Edition for Africa is scheduled for July, although it didn’t say how many units will be shipped or what the price range will be. — AP

US role in WTO talks

LONDON: The United States needs to be more “realistic” if the Doha round of WTO talks is to succeed, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said on Friday. Speaking on BBC radio as the WTO missed its deadline for sealing a deal, Mandelson deflected blame away from EU by pointing an accusing finger at Washington.—AP

Jobless rate steady

TOKYO: Japan said on Friday its jobless rate held steady at a seven-year low in March while core consumer prices rose for a fifth straight month, stoking talk of an early interest rate hike. Meanwhile the central bank upgraded its outlook for economic growth and prices, saying Japan was set for a “sustained period of expansion”. The unemployment rate remained at 4.1 per cent. —AP