The talks, aimed at removing trade and investment barriers, come at a time when tensions remain raised over claims surrounding the actions of the US National Security Agency.

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel was keen to stress on Thursday however that the talks remain the "highest priority".

The Group has announced that it is planning to buy a controlling stake in Thailand's Bank of Ayudhya. Japan's biggest lender has agreed to buy a 75 percent stake in the Thai bank for up to $5.6 billion.

The deal would also see General Electric end its investment in Ayudhya, which goes back to 2007 when it bought a 33 percent stake in the bank.

Japanese financial firms have been increasingly expanding into South East Asia, attracted as they are to strong growth opportunities.

With an estimated 40 trillion cubic feet (tgf) of liquid natural gas (LNG) contained in its contracted exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Cyprus hopes to establish itself as an energy hub for the eastern Mediterranean, its primary export market being Europe.

As one of the world’s fastest growing senior gold producers, with operations and development projects located in some of the safest and most stable countries in the Americas Goldcorp is riding on the crest of a wave. Its operating assets include five mines in Canada and the USA, three in Mexico, and three across Central and South America, namely the Marlin mine in Guatemala, Alumbrera in the Argentine, and its newest and largest project Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republic.

You want to grow your business and you’re pretty clear on what you need from your employees. Hard work. Efficiency. Innovation. Motivation. Results. But what do your employees need from you? If you’re thinking in practical terms—a steady paycheck, a quiet workspace, more training—you’re wrong. Well, at least you’re only partly right. Before they can meet your deepest needs, you have to meet theirs.

• Safety
• Belonging
• Mattering

To many, natural gas is thought of as being the most important energy source of the future. The abundance of natural gas coupled with its environmental soundness and multiple applications across all sectors, means that it will continue to play an increasingly important role in meeting demand for energy in the years to come.

Private equity firm Kohlberg & Co will spend $438 million for the 160-year old business. Steinway Musical Instruments also produces Bach Stradivarius trumpets, Selmer Paris saxophones, and CG Conn French horns, and holds more than 127 patents for musical instruments.

Kohlberg will pay $35 per share, 15 percent more than the stock's closing price on Friday of $30.43.

"Our agreement with Kohlberg represents an exceptional valuation for our shareholders," said Michael Sweeney, chairman and interim chief executive.

Nokia will pay 1.7 billion euros for the stake. This comes as NSN starts to show profits following a series of cost cutting exercises.

The company hopes that with its complete takeover of NSN, which makes telecom network equipment, it can expand its reach into major growth areas including broadband technology.