Britain's economy faced a sharp slowdown in the first quarter of 2015, halving its growth rate from the previous three months, unrevised official data showed Thursday.

Gross domestic product expanded by 0.3 percent between January and March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed in a second estimate. That compared with 0.6 percent in the final quarter of 2014

Greece's fourth-largest party, pro-EU To Potami, on Thursday pledged to back a new deal between the country and its creditors that could face a rocky ride through parliament.

"Whichever agreement comes to parliament, all To Potami lawmakers will vote for it, without haggling, because the country needs oxygen," party leader Stavros Theodorakis told Skai TV.

The dollar soared to its highest level against the yen in more than 12 years on Thursday, powered by expectations for a U.S. interest rate hike and more monetary easing from Japan's central bank.

The greenback briefly touched 124.30 yen in Tokyo midday trading, its highest level since late 2002, before settling back to 123.82 yen. That compares with 123.63 yen in New York late Wednesday.

Etihad Airways net profits surged by more than half in 2014 to $73 million, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said Thursday, buoyed by increased passenger numbers and further expansion into the European market.

Revenue for the fast-growing carrier rose 26.7 percent to $7.6 billion, with net profits increasing 52.1 percent from $48 million in 2013, Etihad said in a statement.

A court in New Delhi on Wednesday ordered  authorities to unfreeze Greenpeace India's local bank accounts in a partial victory for the environmental campaigner in its ongoing battle against the government.

In an interim ruling, the High Court said Greenpeace could also receive local donations into those two accounts, handing the group a lifeline which would allow its operations to continue in India for now.

The European Union and Switzerland signed a major accord Wednesday that will end banking secrecy for EU residents and prevent them from hiding undeclared income in Swiss banks, the European Commission said.

The agreement deals "another blow against tax evaders, and (represents) another leap towards fairer taxation in Europe," said Pierre Moscovici, the EU commissioner for tax issues.

The dollar was sitting around eight-year highs against the yen Wednesday following upbeat U.S. data, while the euro came under further selling pressure over growing fears Greece will default on its debt obligations.

In Tokyo, the greenback bought 123.08 yen, little changed from 123.09 yen in New York, where it passed the 123.30 yen level at one point, its highest since mid-2007.

The Greek government, struggling to keep up its debt repayments,  announced on Tuesday that any dormant public sector accounts holding less than 100 euros ($109) should be emptied and the funds handed over to the central bank.

"It covers bank accounts which on March 15 held a total of 0-99 euros," the finance ministry said in a decree.

Africa has long been the El Dorado just over the horizon for airlines, but sustained economic growth and the emergence of a middle class on the continent may finally clear the obstacles from the runway.

"Today, Africa accounts for just a small portion of global air traffic: less than 3 percent of passengers when it has 15 percent of the world's population," said Bertrand Mouly-Aigrot, an air transport expert at Archery Strategy Consulting. 

Oil prices rose in Asia Wednesday on bargain-hunting following sharp falls in the previous session triggered by a strong U.S. dollar and continued concern over the global supply glut, analysts said.

U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for July delivery gained 44 cents to $58.47 while Brent crude for July gained 30 cents to $64.02 in afternoon trade.