CHINA

Baidu Inc more than doubled its profit in the first quarter and forecast stronger-than-expected revenue for the second quarter, betting on strong online advertising demand among China's businesses.

Makers of soap, diapers and other household products are spending much more for fuel and raw materials than expected, which means more price increases are on the way for consumers.

Colgate-Palmolive Co posted a drop in first-quarter profit before one-time items on Thursday as higher materials costs cut into margins.

Makers of soap, diapers and other household products are spending much more for fuel and raw materials than expected, which means more price increases are on the way for consumers.

Procter & Gamble Co lowered the high end of its profit forecast for the year on Thursday, as it does what it can to trim expenses and raises some prices to offset rising costs for materials.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) that robust economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region may lead to overheating and rising inflationary pressures.

Top Asian car makers Honda Motor <7267.T> and Hyundai Motor <005380.KS> painted vastly different portraits on Thursday, with Hyundai turning in a stellar quarterly performance while Honda struggled to overcome supply woes after Japan's devastating earthquake.

Honda Motor Co <7267.T> reported a 52 percent fall in quarterly operating profit and refrained from providing an outlook for the new business year as it struggles to measure the speed of its recovery after last month's earthquake in Japan.

Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS> reported a 47 percent jump in quarterly profit on Thursday, sending its shares to a record high, with investors betting earnings will continue to grow as Japanese rivals struggle with a production slump.

Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS> reported a 47 percent rise in quarterly profit on Thursday and said earnings would continue to grow thanks to strong global demand for new models and as Japanese rivals struggle with the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Starbucks Corp warned that rising fuel and dairy costs will take a bigger chunk out of earnings than previously anticipated, and offered a full-year forecast that disappointed Wall Street.

Baidu Inc more than doubled its profit in the first quarter and forecast stronger-than-expected revenue for the second quarter, betting on strong online advertising demand among China's businesses.

Telecoms gear maker Ericsson blasted past first-quarter core profit expectations thanks to surging mobile broadband sales but said it would take until the third quarter to resolve Japan quake supply problems.

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.

China unveiled plans for its own space station, to be completed by 2020, along with a cargo ship to ferry supplies to and from orbit.

Brent oil pared gains to around $124 a barrel on Wednesday and U.S. crude fell as a big rise in U.S. inventories countered support from a weaker dollar before a Federal Reserve statement expected to keep a loose monetary policy.

Businessman and television show host Donald Trump made a statement to reporters at a press conference in New Hampshire ahead of remarks by President Barack Obama on the issue of the President's release of the long-form birth certificate.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday will likely use his first-ever news conference on monetary policy to hammer home the case for a patient approach to withdrawing the central bank's extensive support for the U.S. economy.

Brent crude oil edged above $124 a barrel Wednesday as support from a weaker dollar, ahead of a Federal Reserve statement expected to maintain loose monetary policy, countered rising U.S. inventories.

The President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez said he is meeting with a delegation of Libyan officials in Caracas to seek ways to resolve the crisis in the North African country.

Telecoms gear maker Ericsson blasted past first-quarter core profit expectations thanks to surging mobile broadband sales and hopes to resolve Japan quake supply problems later this year.