IBT Staff Reporter

A new report from computer security firm McAfee has identified five multinational oil and gas companies, whose networks were broken into by Chinese hackers, most probably with an intention to steal bidding plans and other important proprietary information.

PetroChina is purchasing half of a prolific shale gas project from Canada's Encana Corp for C$5.4 billion ($5.4 billion), marking the largest Chinese investment yet in a foreign natural gas asset.

AT&T, which is losing its hold on the iPhone to Verizon, has introduced a new feature to its customers that offers unlimited calling to any mobile number in the United States. AT&T's new offer is an attempt to counter an impending switch of iPhone customers to Verizon, which will be debuting iPhone 4 starting today.

Google stands the risk of being disconnected from its primary source of bread and butter, the internet, if there is any bite to Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) warning that chides Google for copyright infringement.

Activision's move to end Guitar Hero has left several grieving online. As fans pay tribute to the beloved game, 'RIP Guitar Hero' is trending on Twitter.

Musical games no longer viable.

European consortium Eurofighter expects the global combat aircraft export market to reach 800 units in 20 years, and it expects to deliver 250 of those planes, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Leon Russell has landed in the spotlight with Elton John album, appearance on David Letterman, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2011 induction and inclusion in Bluesfest lineup.

Wall Street was set for a lower start on Thursday, with futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq futures were down 0.4 to 1 percent at 1010 GMT.

The Hong Kong stock exchange, the world's most valuable market operator, said it will consider international alliances after Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext announced plans to form a global trading powerhouse.

Is our iPhone data safe? This is the ultimate question to be answered when an iPhone or iPad or for that matter any smartphones or tablets are lost, especially when it contains our critical data like passwords.

Catholics cannot confess via iPhone and technology is not a substitute for being present when admitting sins to a priest, the Vatican spokesman said on Wednesday.

A wave of stock exchange consolidation globally has thrown the spotlight on Asia's bourses, sparking a rally in shares of Australia's ASX , which is trying to convince politicians to support a $7.9 billion takeover bid from Singapore Exchange .

The Hong Kong stock exchange, the world's most valuable market operator, said it will consider international alliances after Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext announced plans to form a global trading powerhouse.

Disappointing corporate earnings weighed on global stock markets on Thursday, pushing major indexes lower, while shifting interest rate expectations lifted the dollar and put Britain's pound on edge.

A group of 100 faculty members has written to the Orange County district attorney requesting him to drop the charges against the students, saying that they have already been sufficiently penalized and disciplined by the University administration for their misdemeanor.

India's food inflation eased in end January on moderating prices of fruits and vegetables but annual headline inflation in January is still expected to remain high.

Environment ministry has given state-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) approval to mine iron ore at Chiria in Jharkhand, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

In wake of the Chris Lee 'shirtless' adventures online, the slideshow recalls some of the non-presidential political sex scandals of the past in photos.

Global miner Rio Tinto surprised investors by more than doubling its full-year dividend and promising to return $5 billion to shareholders by 2012, looking to soak up bumper cashflows after it reported a record second-half profit.

Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent struck an upbeat tone for 2011, keeping an ambitious free cash flow target and reassuring investors on its profitability as it nears the end of its turnaround plan.

Global miner Rio Tinto reported a record second-half profit on Thursday, more than double a year earlier, bolstered by surging iron ore and copper sales.

The Hong Kong stock exchange said on Thursday it will consider international alliances after Deutsche Boerse and NYSE Euronext announced plans to form the world's biggest trading powerhouse.

Global miner Rio Tinto reported a record second-half profit on Thursday, more than double a year earlier, matching forecasts as its biggest customer, China, snapped up iron ore, coal and copper.

Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent struck an upbeat tone for 2011, keeping an ambitious free cash flow target and reassuring investors on its profitability as it nears the end of its turnaround plan.

Construction of a world's fastest car designed to set a land speed record of 1,000 mph has begun in Britain.

Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent set an adjusted operating target of 5 percent of 2011 sales, the lower end of what it had previously told investors it would achieve.

NEW YORK - Freddie Mac said its Chief Operating Offier is resigning on Wednesday, effective immediately.

Asian stocks suffered a second session of sharp losses on Thursday, while the dollar struggled to make much headway after the U.S. central bank chief signaled the recovery in the world's biggest economy was still fragile.