The deal for US company Beam has cost the Japanese company $16 billion and will result in the renaming of the company to Beam Suntory, thus creating the world’s third largest high-end spirits maker. Combined total sales of Beam and Suntory’s spirits business in 2013 amounted to $4.6 billion.

The Xbox One will go on sale in the country from September of this year after the lifting of a 14-year ban this past January. Microsoft will launch the console in collaboration with BesTV New Media Co, a subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group.

By offering voice, data and internet services over a single connection, Neotel has established itself as South Africa’s first converged telecommunications network operator. Founded in 2006 and backed up by the financial and technical clout of global communications company Tata Communications, Neotel has since become a major force within the country’s telecommunications sector.

Following reports that General Electric (GE) may wish to acquire Alstom, the maker of TGV high-speed trains, Siemens approach the board of the French company to signal what it called its “willingness to discuss future strategic opportunities".

It has since been reported in French newspapers that Siemens is offering Alstom half of its train-making business and some cash in return for Alstom’s business that makes turbines for the energy industry, according to the report.

The company begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol LMRMF. US investors can find current financial disclosures and real-time Level 2 quotes for the company on the OTC Markets website.

Having just celebrated its tenth birthday the social network that has come to dominate the online advertising space has taken analysts by surprise by announcing revenues of $2.5 billion for the quarter ending March 31 this year. This represents an increase of 71 percent over the same period a year ago and was the fourth quarter in a row in which Facebook has beaten forecasts.

In addition to the order taking the country’s total F-35 fleet to 72 aircraft, Australia’s government also revealed that it plans to spend more than A$1.6bn on new facilities at two air bases in the states of New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that the purchase would "ensure our edge as a regional power". He added the deal did not involve any new spending and would ensure that Australia’s defences remain strong.