MELBOURNE: Australia experienced one of the strongest housing markets in the world during 2010, new research shows.

But likely interest rate hikes will slow the market in 2011, the Global Real Estate Trends report predicts.

The report, released by Canada's Scotiabank, tracks the housing markets in 12 advanced economies throughout 2010.

BEIJINGL China will not tolerate speculative buying in its red-hot property market and will keep up a slew measures to calm prices, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang was quoted by state television as saying on Tuesday, Dec 28.

KUALA LUMPUR: Leading Penang property developer Tambun Indah Land Bhd is finalising the acquisition of two pieces of land in the northern state to add to its current landbank of more than 200 acres while planning to venture into the Klang Valley in the near future.

KUALA LUMPUR: Country Heights Holdings Bhd (CHHB) will completely redeem its 1996/2011 RM150 million 3% to 8% redeemable secured bonds ahead of their extended maturity date at Dec 31, 2011.

KUALA LUMPUR: Jaks Resources Bhd wholly-owned subsidiary Jaks Sdn Bhd has secured a construction contract worth RM201 million from MNH Global Assets Management Sdn Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to develop its first flagship project in Johor, Sunway City Bhd (SunCity) is acquiring parcels of land in the southern state measuring a total 2.81 million sq ft for a consideration of RM134.53 million, it announced to Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, Dec 28.

KUALA LUMPUR: House prices in the UK are likely to remain under downward pressure for the first half of the year 2011. Weak demand, lack of mortgage finance and falling consumer sentiment are trends that will continue into 2011, according to Hometrack director of research Richard Donnell.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Raya Developments Bhd (BRDB) is nearing completion of the first phase of a mixed development project which involves a total investment of US$437 million (RM1.35 billion) over a nine-year period in Pakistan.

KUALA LUMPUR: Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) will redevelop the land in Petaling Jaya that has been housing its dairy manufacturing plant since 1959 to feature commercial and residential properties with gross development value (GDV) of at least RM1 billion.

LAWAS: Hotel Seri Malaysia Lawas, the latest in the chain of hotels under Hotel Seri Malaysia Sdn Bhd, will start operating in this nothernmost town of Sarawak in February next year.