The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

By Jerry Maglunog Investing in the power sector is one that has the fewest risks if one can get the huge capital required. 

Beijing—China’s imports fell by an unexpectedly wide margin in September, in a new sign of weakness in the world’s second-largest economy. 

Frankfurt, Germany—Volkswagen’s (VW) flagship brand plans to change its diesel technology in Europe and North America, as well as develop new hybrid and electric vehicles in response to its emissions scandal. 

Washington—Hillary Rodham Clinton’s polished performance in the first Democratic debate served more than anything as a warning to the chaotic Republican field about her likely strength in a general election. 

Washington—US Secretary of State John Kerry appealed last Wednesday for the release of a Chinese Christian human-rights lawyer detained ahead of a planned meeting with the top US envoy in late August. 

By Rob Harris / The Associated Press Bern, Switzerland—The corruption scandal sweeping world soccer engulfed Germany as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) said it would investigate “very serious allegations” that voters were bribed to win the 2006 World Cup bid. 

Las Vegas—Lamar Odom has regained consciousness, and is communicating—speaking and even giving a thumbs-up sign from his hospital bed — just days after being found in extremely critical condition at a Nevada brothel, loved ones said.

By Paul Newberry / The Associated Press Around the world, thousands of Olympic athletes are training intensely for the biggest moment of their lives. 

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has introduced a streamlined procedure for its Individual Medical Assistance Program (Imap) that eliminates the interview portion of requests for financial assistance.

Asian healthcare platform Practo announced recently that it had acquired Qikwell, a leader in appointment scheduling at hospitals, making the former the world’s largest appointment-booking platform with nearly 40 million appointments managed every year. As a result, Practo gets a fantastic product that delivers a great consumer experience in hospitals and clinics by providing smooth appointment booking, significantly reducing waiting …