JAPAN

The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) reduced its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year to 4.58 percent from its previous 5.02 percent estimate.

Thursday's cancellation of the Hulu auction had less to do with the $2 billion sale price and more to do with a shift in strategic perspective among the owners.

The International Monetary Fund may need a capital injection of about $350 billion to give it more firepower to fight economic crises, an emerging market G20 source said on Friday.

Despite Microsoft's initial announcement in May of acquiring Skype for $8.5 billion, the deal was finally sealed on Friday after both companies received approval from the European Commission.

Apple opened the floodgates of iPhone 4S on Friday, at 8 a.m. local time in US, UK, Canada, France and Germany following Japan and Australia in rolling out the company's flagship phone in retail stores.

Apple Inc.'s iPhone 4S sales in stores began in Japan, Australia, France, UK, Germany, Canada and the U.S. on Friday, with fans snapping up the final gadget unveiled during Steve Jobs' lifetime.

iPhone 4S launch is shaping up as the mother of all launches. Apple Stores worldwide have come alive in a celebratory mood, shaking off the gloom that Steve Jobs' death created , gingerly welcoming the last iPhone that had the dead icon's signature on.

The Eurozone debt crisis will dominate a summit of G20 finance chiefs and central bank heads in Paris, with a downgrade of Spain's credit rating highlighting the risk of a much larger economy than Greece coming under threat.

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson will focus entirely on the booming smartphone market, going head to head with rivals like Apple and underlining the importance of a tie-up with Sony amid reports the electronics giant is preparing a buyout.

After the pre-orders record breaking sales queues are formed outside many Apple stores this week with customers keen to get hold of the new iPhone 4S.

Suzuki Motor Corp accused Volkswagen of breaching a partnership pact by withholding hybrid technology it promised to share, pushing their two-year-old alliance to the brink of disintegration.

The BSE Sensex pulled higher on Friday after a sluggish start as investors awaited monthly inflation, which would set the tone for the RBI's monetary stance.

G20 finance chiefs and central bank heads from the world's biggest economies meet in Paris on Friday needing to find a solution to a deepening euro zone debt crisis that has fanned fears of a global recession.

G20 finance chiefs and central bank heads meet in Paris on Friday urgently needing to find a convincing solution to a deepening euro zone debt crisis that has fanned fears of a global slide into recession.

Asian shares inched down on Friday, tracking New York and European shares lower as weak Chinese trade data raised concerns about the global economy, while the euro eased after another sovereign debt ratings downgrade.

Asian shares inched down on Friday, tracking New York and European shares lower as weak Chinese trade data raised concerns about the global economy, while the euro eased after another sovereign debt ratings downgrade.

Fast Retailing Co Ltd's <9983.T> Uniqlo is launching its U.S. expansion this week with the opening of a flagship store in Manhattan that will anchor a global push to rely less on its home market of Japan.

Reports that Sony could take control of Sony Ericsson are likely to overshadow the handset maker's third-quarter results on Friday, when it is expected to show that a beefed-up smartphone line helped it to make a small profit.

Gap plans to focus on international expansion, closing stores in North America while opening them in Asia.

Gap Inc is looking to simplify its clothing offerings, dab in more color, and de-clutter its North American namesake stores to help boost sluggish sales at the chain.

Britain's Andy Murray became overwhelming favorite for an Asian hat-trick as main rival Rafa Nadal was beaten in the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Thursday.