Sony is warning users of its PlayStation network that their personal information, including credit card details, may have been stolen.

There has been a huge rise in the proportion of home buyers paying for their new homes in cash, according to figures seen by the BBC.

Key UK economic growth figures are published later that will show whether the economy has rebounded or fallen into a double-dip recession.

Standard & Poor's has cut Japan's sovereign rating outlook to negative saying high reconstruction costs will increase debt.

South Korea's economy grows at a better-than-expected pace in the first three months of the year buoyed by rising exports.

Retail sales in Japan plunged in March as consumers stayed away from shops in wake of last month's earthquake and tsunami.

Oil giant BP reports a slight fall in first quarter profits as it continues to be affected by the Gulf of Mexico clean up costs.

UK bank Barclays reports a 9% fall in pre-tax profits for the first three months of the year to £1.66bn.