Europe's traditional phone companies are about to face more competition from a group of Nordic start-ups that will offer low-cost mobile calls and other services.

Investcorp is seeking a loan of more than $500 million to help refinance debt due in 2013. Investcorp, a Bahrain-based investment company, is seeking a loan of more than $500 million to help refinance debt due in 2013 as it looks to head off any potential refinancing risk next year, four sources familiar with matter said on Thursday.

China's outbound investments accelerated to $21.4 billion in the first three months of 2012 after stalling last year.

Resource deals dominated China's outbound investment of $21.4 billion in the first three months of 2012.

European citizens, concerned about the deepening euro zone crisis, are flocking to New York to buy real estate as safe assets.

Blackstone Group has raised its exposure to former Citadel trader Nick Taylor by putting up another $50 million to co-invest with his Asia-focused hedge fund.

A flock of "vulture" funds is gathering in Madrid in the hope that a banking sector shakeout will finally deliver a bonanza of real estate and distressed company assets at rock bottom prices.

News and developments in Asia private equity from Reuters News for the week ending June 1. News and developments in Asia private equity from Reuters News for the week ending June 1.

Billionaire investor George Soros has received regulatory approval to enter the Brazilian telecom fray.

Private equity property funds run by Blackstone and Morgan Stanley have agreed to pay A$640 million ($621 million) to acquire a A$1.9 billion portfolio of distressed property loans in Australia.