AUSTRALIA

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.

Shark diving brings approximately US$18 million annually to the Palauan economy, approximately eight percent of the country's gross domestic product. Shark tourism can be a viable economic engine.

The dollar rebounded from three-year lows and U.S. crude slid more than 1 percent on Monday on the back of news that a U.S.-led operation killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Here is a selection of comments from prominent global figures on news of the death of Osama Bin Laden:

Google recently wrote off concerns about its mobile devices sending precise user location data back to its servers, but recently uncovered emails illustrate that user location is instrumental in its strategy.

The Australian share market closed lower amid concerns about a tough upcoming federal budget, strong local dollar and possible interest rate rises sparked by higher inflation figures.

The U.S. dollar plumbed a near 3-year low against other major currencies on Wednesday before a Federal Reserve decision where it is expected to reinforce its ultra-easy policy stance while stocks in Asia's developed markets rose, tracking a strong close on Wall Street.