Singapore Airlines said its net profit in the year ending March "improved" 12.

Japan's economy, the third largest in the world, grew at a faster than expected pace in the first quarter led by robust private consumption and a rebound in exports on the back of the government's radical policies to reflate the economy.

Chelsea's Champions League failure had a happy ending Wednesday when they defeated Benfica to win the Uefa Europa League.

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic says its net loss reached $7.

The Japanese yen has breached the 100 yen to the U.

Royal Dutch Shell is pressing ahead with the world's deepest offshore oil and gas production facility by drilling almost two miles underwater in the politically sensitive Gulf of Mexico.

Electronics giant Sony has reported an annual profit for the first time in five years thanks to stronger sales and a weakening yen.

Fast food giant McDonald's says that "global comparable sales" slipped again in April, citing challenging economic conditions.

Toshiba says its quarterly net profit has fallen 62 percent from last year, with a decline in demand for its televisions, computers and other digital products.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in the history of British football, is to retire at the end of the season.

India's largest mobile phone operator, Bharti Airtel, announced on Friday that it has agreed to sell a five percent stake in itself to the Qatar Foundation Endowment (QFE).

Internet giant Alibaba has bought an 18 percent stake in Twitter-like Weibo.

China's April manufacturing PMI, released by HSBC, slowed in April, adding to concerns about the country's economic recovery.

Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso has warned that economic recovery is at least a "few years" away and it may take longer than the targeted two years to reverse the country's deflation.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel won the Baharain Grand Prix on Sunday, his second win in four races this year.

Iconic British fashion group Burberry says sales jumped nine percent in the second half of its financial year thanks to a rise in Chinese demand for its products.

Car hire firm Hertz has agreed a deal to buy a 20 percent stake in China Auto Rental, as it looks to expand its presence in China.

China has approved commodities trader Glencore's $64 billion merger with mining group Xstrata.