PRESS DIGEST-Financial Times, Wall St Journal Asia editions

SINGAPORE, July 18 (Reuters) - The Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal carried the following stories in their Asia print and/or Web site editions on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

FINANCIAL TIMES (www.ft.com)

-- China's growth rate slowed again in the second quarter of the year due to weaker export markets and restrictions on lending, although the economy is still expanding at double-digit rates in the face of a global slowdown.

-- The corporate sparring between India's Ambani brothers intensified after arbitration proceedings were started against Reliance Communications (RLCM.BO), a move that could derail the company's proposed tie-up with South African's MTN Group (MTNJ.J)

-- India's inflation rate rose slightly to 11.91 percent for the 12 months ending July 5, highlighting the economic pressure on the Congress-led coalition government as it fights for its survival ahead of a crucial confidence vote next week.

-- Emerging economies must make the fight against inflation their "top priority", the International Monetary Fund said as it sharply raised its forecast for price increases in the developing world this year and next.

-- Investors upset over falling Pakistan share prices smashed windows of the Karachi Stock Exchange on Thursday during a day of protests that led to scuffles between traders and investors demanding the temporary closure of the stock market.

-- PT Bumi Resources (BUMI.JK), Indonesia's biggest coal miner, has won control of Australia's Herald Resources LTD (HER.AX), ending a seven-month takeover battle to secure zinc and lead mines.

WALL STREET JOURNAL (www.wsj.com)

-- Malaysian police investigating sodomy allegations against opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim released the politician on bail, less than a day after he was arrested, but police warned they might detain Anwar again and force him to give a DNA sample as part of their investigation.

-- Taiwan said it will remove restrictions on investments in China by the island's largest companies and will raise investment ceilings for smaller firms.

-- Hong Kong market regulators scored their first criminal conviction for insider trading, after a court gave a finance manager a suspended six-month prison sentence and fined her 200,000 Hong Kong dollars ($25,640) for relying on inside knowledge to dispose of shares in her company.