IBT Staff Reporter

The battle for the favours of the world's ultra rich is heating up as more banks seek a piece of what they see as the fastest growing sector in the financial industry.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is pushing to create a cheaper, more flexible work force by capping wages, using more part-time workers and scheduling more staff on nights and weekends, The New York Times reported on Monday.

Customers picking up the latest MP3 players this fall are getting much more than just a device. Increasingly, they're getting free music as well.

The battle for control of UK water firm AWG Plc heated up on Monday despite the company's agreement of a 2.2 billion pound ($4.1 billion) offer from an investment group called Osprey.

House prices rose at their fastest annual pace in two years in September, a survey showed on Monday

Morgan Stanley said on Monday it has acquired China's Nan Tung Bank, a deal that would give the Wall Street giant a coveted onshore commercial banking license in China ahead of U.S. investment bank rivals. The deal allows Morgan Stanley to apply immediately to offer yuan-denominated products.

The FTSE 100 index was flat on Monday with utilities leading the way but online gambling firms plummeting after the U.S. Congress passed legislation to ban online gaming there.

British Airways shares rose over 2 percent in early trade following a newspaper report that two Middle Eastern groups considered bidding for the airline earlier this year.

Mobile phones that emit a piercing scream that will give all but the deafest thieves pause for thought was launched in Britain on Monday in a bid to tackle crime which costs millions of pounds each year.

Online gambling firms faced their biggest-ever crisis on Monday after U.S. Congress passed legislation to end Internet gaming there, threatening jobs and wiping 3.5 billion pounds ($6.5 billion) off company values.

The world's biggest mobile phone handset maker Nokia unveiled a patent licensing deal with technology firm Trimble Navigation on Monday

Water firm AWG said on Monday it has agreed a 2.2 billion pound takeover offer from Osprey, an investment group including Canadian, Australian and British firms.

Get ready for the bells and whistles - the Howard government is planning a $20 million advertising blitz to sell its Telstra float.

Fresh fruit producer Chiquita Brands South Pacific Ltd has rejected an increased takeover bid by Tradefresh Pty Ltd, saying it still undervalues the business.

Federal ministers Amanda Vanstone and Kevin Andrews are at odds over plans by American Express to have Japanese workers take jobs at a Sydney call centre.

Macquarie Bank will invest $US150 million ($200 million) for a minority stake in the aircraft leasing arm of New York listed transport group GATX Corporation.

As more and more people turn to the Internet to pay bills and shop for goods and services, Dutch financial services group ING has carved out a lead in what was once considered the most elusive of online services: banking.

AWB could face terrorism-related charges amid claims some of its staff knew money being funnelled to Saddam Hussein's government could have been funding atrocities against his own people.

India has awarded coal bed methane gas blocks to firms including British oil major BP Plc, Australia's Arrow Energy and India's Reliance Energy Ltd and Tata Power Co Ltd.

Fitch Ratings agency has affirmed its ratings for Australia and says its outlook is stable.

An investment group is expected to announce Monday that it has struck a deal to buy British water utility AWG PLC for about $4.12 billion (2.2 billion pounds), a source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Sunday.

China Network Systems, Taiwan's largest cable TV operator, has decided to sell itself to MBK Partners, in a deal expected to fetch up to $1.6 billion, according to media reports on Monday.

Top women executives do slightly better at U.S.-based healthcare and pharmaceutical companies than in other industries, but 35 percent of big drug companies do not have a single female director, according to a new survey.

The dollar hit a 5- month high against the yen on Monday as investors dumped the Japanese currency after it failed to hold on to gains following the BOJ tankan survey, which showed confidence at big manufacturers hitting a two-year high.

European aerospace group EADS will unveil restructuring measures aimed at saving 2 billion euros ($2.53 billion) a year this week after new delays in deliveries of its A380 superjumbo, financial daily Les Echos reported, without quoting sources.

Changes could be coming for retailers like Gap Inc. and Pier 1 Imports Inc. that have struggled with falling same-store sales, while other retailers, like jeweler Zale Corp. will be watched to see if they can rebound from missteps during last year's holidays.

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who arrived in South Africa on Saturday, will, during his four-day visit, discuss major UN reforms with the South African President Thabo Mbeki, besides signing a number of bilateral agreements on a wide range of subjects including one on preferential trade, investment and energy cooperation.

India has surged ahead in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2006 index of world's most competitive economies, leaving behind nations like China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa and Kuwait.

This week, Dell introduced free recycling program for its U.S customers, offering a way for users to easily and safely get rid of their older Dell systems.