IBT Staff Reporter

Samsung Electronics' first tablet computer, the Galaxy Tab, will go on sale in two weeks, it said on Thursday, turning up the heat on Apple Inc's iPad.

Boeing Co reiterated on Thursday that it expects North America airlines to take delivery of about 7,200 new planes over the next 20 years at a value of about $700 billion.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders began direct peace negotiations on Thursday, sitting down for U.S.-brokered talks even as hard-liners on both sides vowed never to accept a deal.

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Thursday he could not have legally saved Lehman Brothers from bankruptcy and the firm's catastrophic failure in 2008 was a source of sadness.

A recent study indicates that millions of low- and middle-income people in most part of the globe will go down below poverty line for buying expensive yet essential medicines.

Apple Inc introduced a new version of Apple TV on Wednesday with shows from just two networks, underscoring its struggles to win over a media industry worried about losing control over the pricing of its programs.

Mozambique's government deployed troops to clear barricades in the capital as angry protesters blocked roads and looted shops on Thursday, the second day of riots caused by soaring bread prices.

A monthly gauge of U.S. online labor demand dropped 1 percent in August, but rose 12 percent from a year ago.

Burger King Holdings Inc , the No. 2 U.S. fast-food chain, agreed to be bought by investment firm 3G Capital for $24 per share, or about $3.26 billion (2.12 billion pounds).

Royal Bank of Scotland announced thousands of new job cuts on Thursday as the part-nationalised bank continues with its drive to trim costs and improve its profitability.

The euro edged up on Thursday supported by healthy results at Spanish and French bond auctions and stable global equities, but investors remained cautious ahead of a key reading on the U.S. labor market on Friday.

Pakistan tightened security in the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday after three bomb attacks killed 33 people and wounded 171 and pressured the U.S.-backed government already overwhelmed by floods.

Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes rebounded unexpectedly in July and new claims for jobless benefits fell last week, helping dampen fears the economy could face a double dip recession.

Stocks rose and U.S. Treasuries fell on Thursday as U.S. data showed strength in the economy, but investors were mainly focused on Friday's closely followed U.S. unemployment report for economic clues.

A buyout deal for Burger King Holdings Inc <BKC.N> by investment firm 3G Capital is being valued at $24 per share, or about $4 billion (2 billion pounds), cable business channel CNBC reported on Thursday.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced on Thursday, building on their best day in eight weeks in the previous session as data showed an improvement in pending home sales and a drop in initial jobless claims.

A buyout deal for Burger King Holdings Inc by investment firm 3G Capital is being valued at $24 per share, or about $4 billion (2 billion pounds), cable business channel CNBC reported on Thursday.

The following are highlights from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony on Thursday to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission on the problem of financial institutions that are too big too fail.

Panasonic Corp is aiming to grab a 50 percent share of the European 3D television market this year as demand outstrips expectations and the technology wins converts worldwide, its head of Europe said on Thursday.

Pakistan withdrew test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif from the tour of England on the advice of the International Cricket Council, a source in the team said on Thursday.

The following are highlights from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony on Thursday to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission on the problem of financial institutions that are too big too fail.

Powerful Hurricane Earl bore down on the U.S. East Coast on Thursday on a path towards North Carolina's barrier islands, which it was expected to lash with dangerous winds and pounding surf.

The European Central Bank held interest rates at a record low on Thursday and extended its liquidity safety-net in response to a lopsided recovery and worries about vulnerable banks.

U.S. retailers posted sales that beat modest expectations in August as consumers sought out bargains during the key back-to-school selling season.

A buyout deal for Burger King Holdings Inc by investment firm 3G Capital is being valued at $24 per share, or about $4 billion (2 billion pounds), cable business channel CNBC reported on Thursday.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained on Thursday, building on their best day in eight weeks in the previous session as data showed an improvement in pending home sales and a drop in initial jobless claims.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai strongly condemned an air strike by NATO-led forces which he said killed 10 campaign workers for this month's election, a sour note as U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates arrived for talks.

Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose unexpectedly in July, an industry group said on Thursday, suggesting a tax credit-related housing market decline was close to bottoming.

Automaker General Motors Co plans to begin courting investors for its initial public offering immediately after the November 2 U.S. midterm congressional elections.