IBT Staff Reporter

The Office of National Statistics is seeking an explanation from the prime minister's office about remarks Tony Blair made on Tuesday predicting a fall in unemployment

A court in China has used a software program to help decide prison sentences in more than 1,500 criminal cases, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Wednesday.

BMW will roll out the world's first hydrogen-burning car in serial production early next year, the German premium automaker said on Tuesday, eager to put its stamp on cars with green credentials.

Film studio owner Pinewood Shepperton plc, famed for the James Bond and Harry Potter films, unveiled a joint venture to develop its business as it reported a big jump in first half profits.

Japan's Softbank Corp said on Wednesday it has begun offering an Apple Computer Inc. iPod nano packaged with one of its own mobile phones.

After a full year of delay, Vivendi Games finally will ship Scarface: The World Is Yours on October 3.

Mobile communications firm Motorola has high hopes for the mobile version of WiMAX broadband, the company's technology head said in a newspaper interview.

The New York Times Co. said Tuesday that it intends to sell its group of nine network-affiliated TV stations in order to concentrate on its newspaper and digital businesses.

Fund managers remain convinced the dollar is expensive and will fall against the Japanese yen

Yahoo Inc.and Intel Corp. said on Tuesday they are teaming up to pipe sports statistics to TV screens, targeting fans who devour data about real-world players to manage their fantasy teams.

German retailer Metro won a long running battle over a trademark with Tesco on Wednesday when Europe's second highest court ruled in its favour.

MyTravel Group said on Wednesday its annual profit would be less than previously expected following difficult trading conditions

Clothing retailer Next Plc posted a 3.6 percent increase in first half protect profits on Wednesday, as a surge in its catalogue and Internet business helped offset a drop in samem store sales.

BAE Systems said on Wednesday its core first half earnings rose by 39 percent helped its U.S. operations, including a one off accounting gain there.

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday, led by Next after it reported results well ahead of consensus estimates, but weighed down by miners after a decline in metal prices.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners missed mortgage payments last year, with young borrowers most at risk, a charity survey said on Wednesday.

Hewlett-Packard Co. said on Tuesday that George Keyworth resigned from its board after he admitted being a source of information for boardroom press leaks.

Best Buy Co. Inc. on Tuesday reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit, boosted by new store openings and sales of high-priced electronics, easing fears that consumers were pulling back on spending.

Japan's Canon Inc. said on Tuesday it would recall more than 140,000 personal copiers because they could produce smoke or catch fire, costing the office equipment maker about 200 million yen ($1.7 million).

Dell Inc. plans to open its own retail stores on a city-by-city basis and does not expect to sell its personal computers through shops like Best Buy Co., a senior executive said on Tuesday.

Apple Computer Inc. said on Tuesday its iTunes online music store would begin selling movies from Disney, Pixar, and Touchstone as the company makes its most aggressive move yet into the digital home.

A recent survey on consumer trends shows that male shoppers between the ages of 25-39, who are identified as the “Xoomer” generation, are creating a significant impact on the retail market place.

SABMiller PLC announced on Tuesday that is has finalized the acquisition of the Foster brand and business in India for $120-million.

Chile has been ranked as Latin America's most sustainable and ethical nation according to a study of more than 50 economic, social, corruption, legal, political and environmental indicators, which compare eight major Latin American countries.

Patricia Dunn will be stepping down as chairman of Hewlett Packard. Her resignation comes following a scandal in which an investigator allegedly obtained phone records improperly in an attempt to identify boardroom leaks.

Nokia, the largest cell phone manufacturer, is teaming up with Electronic Arts, the largest video-game publisher to offer games for its next generation handsets, the companies announced on Tuesday.

Investor sentiment on semiconductor stocks have been low across the summer, however recent data from analysts reveals the trend may be turning.

Budget airline easyJet announced today that its forward bookings had returned to normal levels. However there was still concern that the increase in security demands

Semiconductor designer and manufacturer, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), announced on Tuesday an online virtual-trade room, allowing users listen to keynote speeches and explore exhibits from their computer screens.