JAPAN

The world economy appears headed for several months of sub-par growth, and there is no clear source of strength to lead it back to health.

China's Defense Minister sought to reassure Asia Pacific neighbors on Sunday that his country's growing economic and military power was not a threat, as long-running maritime disputes in the region flare up again, a Reuters report said.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde is most likely to head International Monetary Fund (IMF), with backing of the United States and Japan, the Nikkei financial daily reported on Sunday, citing unidentified global financial industry sources in Washington, reported Reuters.

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde will likely become the next head of the International Monetary Fund , with backing of the United States and Japan, the Nikkei financial daily reported on Sunday, citing unidentified global financial industry sources in Washington.

However the latest challenge for the co-chairs of Sony Pictures Entertainment has nothing to do with their traditional expertise in fostering an environment to create the next hit movie, television show or running the global company's traditional distribution networks.

The president of Toyota Motors <7203.T> said on Saturday he expects the automaker to resume full production globally in November and its Japanese output is expected this month to recover to 90 percent of levels seen before a March earthquake.

Yukio Edano, Japan's chief government spokesman on Saturday told Reuters that detested Prime Minister Naoto Kan would not stay in office till 2012.

A team of activists from the U.S.-based organization called Sea Shepherd Conservation Society departed for Libyan waters on two ships on Wednesday to prevent illegal catch of blue tuna fish in the region.

With the PlayStation Store reactivated and back online after falling victim to a series of well-coordinated cyber assaults, Sony finally introduced its Welcome Back program on Friday to placate the thousands of angry clients.

U.S. employment rose far less than expected in May to record its weakest reading since September, while the jobless rate rose to 9.1 percent as high energy prices and the effects of Japan's earthquake bogged down the economy.

U.S. employers added only 54,000 new workers in May, the fewest amount in eight months while the unemployment rate rose to 9.1, according to the Labor Department.

Employment rose far less than expected in May to record its weakest reading since September, while the jobless rate rose to 9.1 percent as high energy prices and the effects of Japan's earthquake bogged down the economy.

Stock index futures fell on Friday, with many investors expecting the May payrolls report to show more weakness in the economy, confirming recent data signaling the economic recovery is faltering.

U.S. stock index futures fell on Friday, with many investors expecting the May payrolls report to show more weakness in the economy, confirming recent data signaling the economic recovery is faltering.

In a major setback for Sony, hackers have once again broken into the security of Sony Corp's computer networks, this time claiming to have stolen customer data. With this, they have shown that the company's systems still remain attack-prone.

Hacker attacks, real and fake claims on who hacked and who didn’t, and to top it all, speculation regarding who is going to be the next target. While distressed corporations that have been victims of these virtual hooligans in recent days struggle to restore order and gain back control over the dwindling shares, people across the world debate on the next likely target.

Chinese computer maker Lenovo Group Ltd's has agreed to buy Germany's Medion AG in a deal valuing the electronics retailer at up to $900 million, to boost its market share in Europe.

Japan's Sharp Corp forecast an unexpected jump in operating profit as demand for smartphones and tablets boosts sales, but said a temporary production halt at two TV panel plants earlier this year would force it to book an extraordinary charge.

Australia's Qantas Airways said it expects to cut around 350 of its cabin crew jobs, or 5 percent of total, under a voluntary redundancy program as the airline seeks to reduce costs to offset higher fuel prices.

Squabbling continued in Japan's ruling party after Prime Minister Naoto Kan refused to step down, angering rivals who had voted down a no-confidence motion in return for a promise he would quit.

Mazda Motor will cease production in the United States by around 2013 and cancel its joint venture with Ford as the automaker is reviewing its global production system, the Nikkei business daily reported on its website on Friday.