Taipei- Taiwan's stocks ended 2.39 per cent higher as investors hunted for bargains following Wall Street's overnight gains, dealers said.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific Friday increased fares for first and business-class passengers by up to 15 per cent to counter soaring oil price rises.

The airline, which issued a profit warning earlier this month over the impact of rising fuel prices, is expected to impose its biggest rises on routes to Europe, Canada and Australia.

The fare rises ranging from 3 to 15 per cent will come into effect from Friday, the airline said in a statement. There will be no fare increases for economy class passengers.

Announcing the fare rises, Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler said: "We regret having to charge passengers more, but the increase in our fuel bill is too great for us to absorb.

Sydney - Unemployment in Australia fell to 4.2 per cent in June, government figures released Thursday showed.

Tokyo - Japan's current account surplus in May fell 5.9 per cent to 2 trillion yen (18.64 billion dollars) from a year earlier, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

Singapore - Singapore's economy grew at a slower-than- expected pace in the second quarter as manufacturers cut production amid a decline in demand, Trade Ministry data said Thursday.