IBT Staff Reporter

The US Army signed a five-year contract with Computer Systems Center Incorporated for an estimated total amount of $10 million for application analysis and technical programming, the company said on Wednesday.

The World Bank announced on Wednesday that it would give a $70 million grant for a trust fund for Lebanon to support the country's reconstructions efforts in the aftermath of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Nissan Motor Co Ltd will start selling light commercial vehicles in North America soon, aiming for a market share at least as great as taken by the Japanese group's passenger cars.

Ethanex Energy Inc., a renewable energy company, said on Wednesday it has formed an alliance with the Industrial Investment Council, an investment agency funded by the German government. The IIC will work with the energy company to establish bio-ethanol facilities in Germany.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates agreed to adopt IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) for transporting live animals to and from the country.

ImClone Systems Inc. shareholders on Wednesday elected billionaire Carl Icahn and two of his associates to its board, according to CNBC.

Internet juggernaut Google Inc. gained search market-share over its rivals for the month of August, while its closest competitor Yahoo Inc. lost slight share, latest research indicates.

Three of the largest computer graphics manufacturers were pitted in intense competition through the first quarter of 2006, however latest data indicates that Nvidia Corp. rose above its rivals in the lucrative discrete graphics segment.

Ford Motor Co. will offer three buyout programs to U.S. salaried workers in an effort to cut 10,000 white-collar jobs by end of first quarter 2007, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Chrysalis Group Plc today announced its pre close period update ahead of its announcement for the group's preliminary results for the year ended 31st August 2006.

Biomet Inc., an orthopedic medical specialist, reported on Wednesday an increase of 5 percent in its net sales for its first quarter which ended August 31.

Land Securities Group Plc has announced that the City of London Planning Committee resolved to grant it planning permission for its proposed development at 20 Fenchurch Street.

Three of the largest computer graphics manufacturers were pitted in intense competition through the first quarter of 2006, however latest data indicates that Nvidia Corp. rose above its rivals in the lucrative discrete graphics segment.

Chairman of Photo Me International Plc, Vernon Sankey announced at the company’s AGM on the company’s current trading situation and a strategic review update.

Morgan Stanley on Wednesday said quarterly earnings rose on strong trading and merger activity, as the largest U.S. investment bank continued its turnaround from a tumultuous 2005.

Ulster Television Plc (UTV) has today announced that it has written to the Board of SMG Plc to say that it will no longer be continuing with its merger proposal with them.

A U.S. business group urged China on Wednesday to suspend new regulations governing foreign media, saying they were a step backward in China's goal of building an information-based economy.

Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said on Wednesday it would start selling two new Blu-ray DVD recorders in Japan on November 15, heating up a format battle for next generation optical disc technology.

Political risk has returned to central Europe as riots in Budapest and shaky governing coalitions elsewhere remind investors that joining the European Union guarantees neither wealth nor stability.

Hewlett-Packard conducted feasibility studies on placing spies in news bureaus of two publications as part of an investigation into leaks from its board, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

An executive at Scania , object of an unsolicited bid from Germany's MAN, has rejected market speculation that Scania may be too small to remain independent and successful over the long term.

Two thirds of the baby boom generation have made no provision for their future care, despite warnings that care homes cost an average of 21,000 pounds a year

Microsoft Corp. said on Wednesday it would launch an HD DVD player for its Xbox 360 game console on November 22 in Japan for 20,790 yen ($177), matching rival Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 in high-definition DVD functions.

Production at Japanese auto makers' factories in Thailand was disrupted on Wednesday after the country's armed forces seized power in Bangkok, with Nissan Motor Co., Mazda Motor Corp. and others calling off work for the day.

Boots has been ordered to withdraw an eerie and surreal television advertisement for a sun cream which showed tanned young children sunbathing.

The country's biggest gas storage site, Rough, returned from maintenance as planned on Wednesday

The East African Community member states and Rwanda have sought a loan from World Bank, under which the regional revenue authorities have designed sophisticated methods to boost revenue.

Russia's ambassador to Japan said on Wednesday that Royal Dutch Shell's $20 billion (10.6 billion pound) oil and gas Sakhalin 2 project, which hit new environmental hurdles this week, could start operating early if Gazprom joined it.

CLS Holdings Plc has announced today the completion of the acquisition of a portfolio of properties in Germany with a total consideration of £18,740,074, inclusive of all costs. All three properties are located in the Munich area.