AUSTRALIA

BAE Systems said it expected sales to fall in 2011 as the impact of defense cuts in the UK and U.S. begin to hit home, sending its shares lower.

ASX Group Ltd (ASX.AX) eked out a small first-half profit growth, but focus was squarely on the completion of Singapore Exchange's (SGXL.SI) $7.9 billion bid for the Australian bourse operator, a move to help the bourses fight growing competition.

Asian stock markets rose on Thursday, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and as the Federal Reserve expressed cautious optimism about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.

China is now the world's second largest economy, but hundreds of millions of its people still rely on fouled water that will cost billions of dollars to clean.

Asia's first ever snow polo tournament went into its second day on Wednesday at China's newest and largest polo club, with six top global teams promoting the luxury sport to the nation's new and growing ranks of wealthy.

Global miner BHP Billiton's boss, Marius Kloppers, confirmed on Wednesday he had harboured concerns about Chinese and competitor espionage on his business, citing it as a reason behind his push for market pricing of key commodities.

Legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the coveted Tour de France a record seven consecutive years, has said he's retiring from the sport.

BHP Billiton plans to pour $80 billion into expansion over the next five years rather than chase ambitious takeovers, the world's biggest miner said after booming demand for iron ore and copper helped nearly double its first-half profits.

British PC and video games retailer Game said it is aiming to revive its fortunes by increasing sales over the Internet and converting more visitors to its stores into paying customers.

Global miner BHP Billiton's boss, Marius Kloppers, confirmed on Wednesday he had harbored concerns about Chinese and competitor espionage on his business, citing it as a reason behind his push for market pricing of key commodities.

BHP Billiton , the world's biggest miner, plans to pour $80 billion into expansions over the next five years and return cash to investors rather than chase ambitious takeovers, after nearly doubling its first-half profit to a record.

ING will sell most of its real estate management operations for about $1 billion to U.S.-based property broker CB Richard Ellis Group, helping the Dutch bancassurer to pay down state aid.

Foster's Group , Australia's largest brewer, pushed ahead on Tuesday with plans to split its beer and wine businesses, but it risked dampening bidder appetite for either unit by also reporting soft first-half profits.

Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton once offered to trade intelligence with Washington on China, its most important market, an Australian newspaper said on Tuesday, citing leaked U.S. cables obtained from WikiLeaks.

Some banks' credit ratings will be cut as governments make it easier to wind up failing lenders and force debtholders to pay for rescues, rating agency Moody's said on Monday.

Frustrated with slow mobile Internet speeds and stalling videos, consumers are willing to dole out extra cash for better telecommunicaitons services, allowing more pricing room for operators, a global report showed on Monday.

Global stock exchanges have apparently entered into a new round of consolidation that promises to radically alter trading activities for millions of investors.

China's trade surplus fell to its lowest in nine months in January after imports surged, supporting the government's case ahead of a G20 meeting that it is doing enough to spur domestic demand without speeding up currency appreciation.

Asian stocks rallied on Monday, snapping five straight sessions of losses, as talk of slower-than-expected Chinese inflation helped drive Shanghai's main share index to its best level in seven weeks.

Asian stocks rose on Monday as investors greeted news of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation with relief, while U.S. crude steadied near $85.50 per barrel after falling to 10-week lows as geopolitical tensions eased for now.

The new vessels will be “new generation” ships in many innovative ways - housing exciting new activities and entertainment concepts as well as environment friendly factors.