IBT Staff Reporter

An unexpected jump in oil prices and the potential for further tightening of fiscal policy suggest less economic momentum than previously believed, according to the March 2011 Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae's (OTC Bulletin Board: FNMA) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group.

Hewlett-Packard Co said on Tuesday it is assessing the impact to its business of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan earlier this month and that its office in Sendai, near the quake's epicenter, remains closed.

Research In Motion's long-awaited tablet, the BlackBerry PlayBook, will go on sale in the United States and Canada on April 19 at a base price of $499.

Variety reports that Gordon-Levitt will play Alberto Falcone, also known as The Holiday Killer. Alberto Falcone is the son of Gotham city's crime boss, Carmine Falcone.

A U.S. Air Force Strike Eagle F-15E jet crashed near the eastern city of Benghazi in Libya late Monday as part of a mission to protect civilians from forces led by Col. Muammar Gaddafi, United States Africa Command said on Tuesday.

(Corrects number in para 3 to ... 830 billion yen, ... not ... 830 yen)

RadarOnline.com is reporting that troubled actor Charlie Sheen will not be allowed to see his twin boys, Bob and Max, until he submits to a psychiatric exam.

Sony Corp <6758.T> cut output at five more plants and Toyota Motor <7203.T> delayed restarting assembly lines, as the global supply of parts and products began to feel the full impact of Japan's catastrophic earthquake.

McLaren-Mercedes' driver Lewis Hamilton has geared up for the new Formula One season with a jibe at last season's double world championship winning Red Bull team, saying they're just a drinks company.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) and sanofi-aventis (NYSE: SNY) terminated plans to combine their animal health businesses, citing increasing complexity of implementing the proposed transaction.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho are the richest men in football according to a survey conducted by the France Football magazine.

U.S. stocks were set to open little changed on Tuesday as geopolitical concerns in Japan and Libya kept investors nervous.

An anti-gay app for the iPhone is creating a whirlwind of controversy as the professor whose work the authors cite wants it pulled

U.S. and its allies continue to work towards enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.

Pacific Investment Management Co , the manager of world's largest bond fund, has raised more than $1.5 billion for a new fund to buy assets from banks looking to strengthen their balance sheets, Bloomberg said, citing two people with knowledge of the fundraising.

Oil prices slipped on Tuesday, with Brent crude falling below $115, as investors betting oil prices would rise with western involvement in Libya's civil war took profits in anticipation of a slowdown in air strikes.

U.S. firms are increasingly vexed over growing Chinese red tape that prevents them from expanding quickly in China's vast market, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce showed on Tuesday.

Charlie Sheen made a surprise visit on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel to drop what could be deciphered as a hint on his rumored association with Fox, besides laying a big smooch on the host's lips.

China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it did not accept accusations from Google Inc that the Chinese government was making it difficult for Gmail users to use the service in the country.

Apple Inc has sued Amazon.com Inc in a bid to stop the online retailer from improperly using Apple's APP STORE trademark, according to a court filing.

Twitter celebrates fifth birthday even as the microblogging site grows into something bigger than expected in global influence.

Professor Yuko Aoyama from Clark University Geography Department says the collective spirit in Japan is very high at the moment, in an interview to IBTimes on Japan's earthquake and the resultant tsunami and their impact on the world's third largest economy.

U.S. firms are increasingly vexed over growing Chinese red tape that prevents them from expanding quickly in China's vast market, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce showed on Tuesday.

Japan tried to keep the yen in check on Tuesday as it grapples with the aftermath of a deadly earthquake and tsunami, warning markets that Tokyo was keeping a close watch on the currency and would act together with its G7 partners if needed.

Brent dropped by as much as 0.5 percent on Tuesday to stay below $115, as investors betting oil prices would rise with western involvement in Libya's civil war took profits in anticipation of a slowdown in air strikes.

Dell Inc's annual revenue in India is nearing $2 billion and the world's No. 2 maker of personal computers plans to add more staff in the country, its chief executive said.

Japanese shares rose almost 4 percent on Tuesday while government bond futures slipped as reports of progress to contain radiation leaks at a quake-hit nuclear plant prompted investors to buy back risky assets.

Japanese stocks jumped more than 4 percent on Tuesday amid reports of progress in stabilizing an earthquake-damaged nuclear plant and the yen edged up, putting traders on heightened alert for more central bank intervention.

Brent crude futures were steady near $115 on Tuesday, supported by a spreading unrest in the Middle East, while uncertainty about demand from the world's No. 3 consumer Japan capped gains.