Benetton Group SpA

Mercedes have insisted they do not plan to ease off in the final four races of the Formula One season to concentrate on the arrival of Lewis Hamilton from McLaren next year to replace German "fighter" Michael Schumacher.

Michael Schumacher was on Thursday lauded as the "driver of the century" after the seven-time Formula One champion announced the end of his stellar, although often controversial career, after a lacklustre return.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher on Thursday said that he will retire at the end of the season, bringing a definitive close to a stellar career after a less-than-successful comeback.

IndyCar Series champion Ryan Hunter-Reay will line up against Formula One stars Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel at the Race of Champions in Bangkok on December 15-16, organisers announced.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher announced on Thursday that he will retire for the second time at the end of 2012.

One of the worst-kept secrets in motor racing was finally made official on Friday when Lewis Hamilton confirmed he was leaving McLaren for Mercedes.

Will he stay with McLaren - or will he go?

Michael Schumacher dismissed suggestions on Sunday that had already decided to leave Formula One again at the end of the season after he finished a strong seventh in his 300th race, the Belgian Grand Prix.

Italy's Luciano Benetton handed over the reins of his fashion empire on Tuesday to his son, who must relaunch a struggling brand known for its controversial ad campaigns.

Luciano Benetton was set on Tuesday to hand over the reins of his fashion empire to his son, charged with relaunching a struggling brand famous for its controversial ad campaigns.

Luciano Benetton was set on Tuesday to hand over the reins of his fashion empire to his son Alessandro, charged with relaunching the brand famous for its controversial ad campaigns.

The decision by high-end retailer Victorinox to open a store in Havana left many people scratching their heads.

LONDON (Reuters) - Jarno Trulli's abrupt departure from Formula One Friday triggered no shockwaves around the world but the Italian's exit was still a significant moment for the glamour sport and the home of Ferrari.

LONDON (Reuters) - Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone operator, missed quarterly revenue forecasts on Thursday as increasingly tough trading in Spain and Italy overshadowed solid performances in emerging markets and northern Europe.

A campaign from clothier the United Colors of Benetton has caused controversy for manipulating images of world leaders kissing. A campaign from clothier the United Colors of Benetton has caused controversy for manipulating images of world leaders kissing, including President Barack Obama locking lips with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Benetton's Unhate campaign also includes manipulated images of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu smooching Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Pope Benedict XVI kissing Ahmed el Tyyeb, imam of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo. ?We want to reaffirm the value of the brand. We are going back to the tradition of [Benetton] and will make the most of this,? Benetton CEO Alessandro Benetton told The Independent. ?At this time, when something bad is happening in the world, we want to focus people's eyes on the positives. This campaign is about reconciliation and acceptance.? (An Unhate campaign promotional video is embedded in the right panel of thi

The eurozone debt crisis is stoking growing fears of spillover in the small and vulnerable economies of the Balkans, with stricken Italy and Greece close neighbours and major trade partners.

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Benin to a joyous welcome from thousands Friday in a nation considered a voodoo heartland and warned against "unconditional submission" to the market and finance.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Benin on Friday, marking his second visit to Africa in a nation considered the heartland of voodoo and after his 2009 trip to the continent led to an outcry over condoms.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An advertising campaign that depicts President Barack Obama kissing two male world leaders on the mouth drew a critical response from the White House on Thursday.

The Vatican said Thursday that it was taking legal action to prevent the publication of a photo montage showing the pope kissing a leading imam as part of a Benetton advertising campaign.