India and Indonesia have Asia's highest levels of consumer confidence in the face of the global economic slump, according to a survey published Friday.
India ranked first in the global survey of consumer confidence conducted in September and October while Indonesia finished third behind Denmark, the South China Morning Post reported.
Australia ranked fifth in the survey of 52 countries and territories while New Zealand was joint eighth, Vietnam ninth and mainland China joint 10th.
The survey was conducted by the market research company Nielsen and ranked consumer confidence on a scale of one to 200. India scored 114, Denmark 112 and Indonesia 110, compared with an average of 84.
Other countries in the top 10, which included 18 countries because of a high number of tied positions, were the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Brazil, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Columbia and Venezuela.
Shares fell 2.1 per cent Friday on the Seoul stock exchange on general recession fears. South Korea's won dropped against the dollar.
When the Spirit rover landed on Mars five years ago, no one expected it or its sister rover Opportunity to make it to their first birthdays, let alone their fifth.
Amelie Mauresmo fell victim to a leg injury after less than half an hour on court Friday to hand over a 4-0 victory which put French compatriot Marion Bartoli into the final of the Brisbane International.
Mumbai-based movie Slumdog Millionaire won five prizes Thursday night at the Critics Choice Awards, cementing its position as a surprise favourite just as the Oscar season moves into high gear.
After the Taipei Zoo received two giant pandas from China, another Taiwan zoo said Friday it is seeking to receive a pair of pandas from China.