Samsung Electronics plans to slash its investment in semiconductor chips by more than 50% this year. The world's biggest computer chip maker is considering reducing its investment in semiconductor chips to two-three trillion won, sources told The Korea Times. Samsung invested 6.2 trillion won in chips in 2008, down from its earlier plan of seven trillion won.

Taiwanese semiconductor company ASE Group plans to invest about one billion yuan in a Chongqing factory for consumer electronic products and components in April 2009, reports China Business News. However, ASE has denied the paper.

The US holiday shopping season is the worst since at least 1970 due to the recession, heavy discounting and harsh winter weather just before Christmas, the International Council of Shopping Centers said Tuesday.

Democratic lawmakers want to pass a far-reaching bill to save the economy by Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. That's the goal, but the reality may be a little different. The reason: The measure will be big and complex--exceeding US$700 billion by some estimates.

Fears of a prolonged recession in China have triggered a sharp increase in divorce inquiries addressed to lawyers and financial advisers, state media reported on Monday, with timing a key issue.

Debt-laden Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductor will not go bankrupt, though some of its peers may fall by the wayside, its chief executive told a Dutch newspaper as the sector endures a crippling downturn. "This will keep us going for a very long time. NXP will not go bankrupt," he was quoted on Monday as saying.

Wachovia Capital Markets analyst David Wong said Micron should take action to raise cash over the next two to three quarters. The Boise, Idaho, maker of semiconductor devices had US$1.03 billion in cash and short-term investments and US$2.9 billion in debt at the end of its fiscal 2009 first quarter, ended Dec. 4, according to Wong.

Taiwan's ex-President, Chen Shui-bian, has been returned to prison pending his trial on corruption charges, after a court reversed a bail order. The Taipei District Court judges are reported to have said there was a risk he could collude with other suspects, destroy evidence and flee the island.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it believed the minimum wage should not be increased until economic situations had significantly improved.