Tensions over N Korea could take the wind out of Asia's sails

Singapore

THE World Bank warned on Wednesday that surging tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme could be a threat to robust growth in Asia.

The bank predicted that developing East Asia and the Pacific would expand 6.4 per cent this year, 6.2 per cent next year and 6.1 per cent in 2019, slightly better than their last forecasts in April.