AUSTRALIA

The stock market performance of major stock indices in 2011 may shock you. One of the best-performing markets is the US. That’s right – the lumbering, deficit ridden, and low-growth giant.

United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney unit has won U.S. Navy contract updates totaling about $1 billion to provide engines for the multi-national F-35 fighter jet program, the Pentagon said on Friday.

The Lloyd's of London insurance market will take a $3.8 billion hit from earthquakes and floods in the first quarter, and predicted the high level of catastrophe claims will lift insurance prices this year.

German insurer Allianz's net profit fell 45 percent in the first quarter, hit by damage claims from the earthquake in Japan and other natural disasters.

Asian share markets fell on Thursday after a second big sell-off in commodities in less than a week cut investor appetite for riskier investments and boosted the U.S. dollar, although oil prices clawed back some losses in early trade.

Asian shares firmed on Wednesday as rising global commodity prices boosted energy and resource stocks, while investors largely shrugged off data from China suggesting growth there is starting to slow.

Indian Hindu groups are outraged by an Australian fashion show that featured models wearing swimsuits featuring the Hindu goddess of wealth Laxmi.

As Samoa prepares to jump across the international dateline, a new opportunity arises for tourists.

McDonald's Corp posted a better-than-expected 6 percent global rise in April sales at established restaurants as higher menu prices helped offset rising costs for beef and other ingredients.

McDonald's Corp posted a better-than-expected 6 percent rise in April sales at established restaurants, helped by menu price increases that helped offset higher costs for beef and other ingredients.

Munich Re posted a smaller-than-expected net loss in the first quarter as its tax bill fell in the wake of devastating earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand.

A record-setting rout in commodity prices overnight showed signs of fizzling out on Friday, led by a small pullback in silver, while Asian equities consolidated near the day's lows as market players squared positions before U.S. payrolls data.

A sharp overnight selloff in commodities petered out on Friday, led by a small pullback in silver, while Asian equities clawed back up from the day's lows as market players squared positions before U.S. payrolls data.

Commodity prices fell once again, and Silver Bullion sank for the fourth day in succession, losing 22.5% against the Dollar since Thursday last week - the sharpest plunge since April 1987.

The euro kept close to a 17-month high against the dollar and stock markets hugged recent levels on Thursday as investors waited for the European Central Bank to give hints on future interest rate rises.

Spot silver prices slid for the fifth straight day Thursday to the lowest in a month, while the euro secured gains against the dollar Thursday before the European Central Bank meeting where it is expected to reinforce its hawkish outlook.

Silver nursed losses on Thursday after suffering its biggest three-day drop in five years on heavy profit taking while the euro consolidated gains against the dollar before the European Central Bank meeting where it is expected to reinforce its hawkish outlook.

Electronic Arts Inc, the video game publisher, said its quarterly outlook and revenue rose, driven by sales of games Crysis 2 and Dead Space 2, sending its shares about 1.4 percent higher.

The rich keep getting richer, both here in the United States and especially in the world's emerging markets.

Asian shares fell and the U.S. dollar rose on Wednesday, with falling commodity prices spooking investors and causing a broad pullback in risk taking.

German reinsurer Hannover Re slashed its full-year net profit outlook after heavy claims from earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand took their toll in the first quarter.