IBT Staff Reporter

Users of Microsoft Corp's Sidekick mobile phone may have permanently lost data such as contacts, photos and calendar entries due to the failure of a Microsoft server computer.

A Chinese court in the restive far western region of Xinjiang on Monday sentenced six people to death for murder and other crimes committed during ethnic rioting in July in which almost 200 people died.

Shares of Digital River Inc slumped 41 percent, after the e-commerce services provider said its top customer Symantec will not extend an existing contract to manage its online traffic.

North Korea test-fired short-range missiles on Monday, South Korean media reported, sparking consternation just as the reclusive state had been signaling to the outside world it might return to nuclear talks.

Philips Electronics said it had still not seen a recovery in most of its markets and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays would be a key test of whether shoppers' confidence has returned.

Germany's biggest digital frequency auction -- set to generate up to 5 billion euros ($7.4 billion) -- can go ahead next year as planned despite complaints from the European Union and small operators.

Britain froze business ties with an Iranian bank and state-run shipping firm Monday, citing fears that they were involved in helping the Islamic Republic to develop nuclear weapons.

British pest control to parcel delivery company Rentokil Initial has chosen Google to manage its electronic communications, making it the largest company to deploy Google's Apps worldwide to date.

Chinatrust, in final talks to buy AIG's Taiwan unit Nan Shan, has attracted more foreign interest than expected to subscribe to its T$44.3 billion ($1.4 billion), private placement, an executive said.

U.S. regulators on Friday asked Google Inc to explain how the Internet giant's Voice service blocks expensive calls to some rural areas, after lawmakers demanded an investigation.

Tool maker Black & Decker Corp doubled its profit estimate for the third quarter, citing better-than-expected shipments buoyed by a rebound in the U.S. housing market, sending its shares up 10 percent.

Stocks advanced on Monday on a sign of renewed interest in initial public offerings and a weaker U.S. dollar that drove commodities prices higher, boosting energy and materials shares.

Oil jumped more than 2 percent toward $74 a barrel Monday, the highest in over six weeks, on optimism about the pace of global economic recovery and indications of stronger oil demand.

A rising population will make it harder for the United States to make 2050 cuts in greenhouse gas emissions than for Russia and some other rich nations with shrinking populations, a Reuters survey showed.

Google said on Monday that Arthur Levinson had resigned from its board following increased regulatory scrutiny over his membership as a director of both the top Internet search company and Apple Inc.

Oil jumped more than 2 percent on Monday to touch a six-week high on optimism about the pace of global economic recovery and as cold weather across the United States boosted fuel demand.

Britain said Monday progress was being made in negotiations over the future of GM Opel car plants in Britain but there were still issues to be settled.

GB Auto (AUTO.CA) is considering issuing five-year bonds worth one billion Egyptian pounds ($183 million) to fund regional expansion and new service centres in Egypt, the company said on Monday.

Tool maker Black & Decker Corp raised its profit outlook for the third-quarter, citing better-than-expected sales, operating margin and tax rate, suggesting an improvement in the company's end markets.

Acer , the world's No.3 PC brand, said on Monday that it expected third quarter revenue to be up about 5 percent due to a rebound in tech demand as the global economy shows more signs of recovery.

New York City will join the celebration of Columbus Day with the 65th Annual Christopher Columbus Day Parade on Monday beginning at 11:00 am EST.

Oil rose by more than $1 a barrel to a six-week high above $73 on Monday, supported by optimism about the pace of global economic recovery and indications of stronger oil demand.

LG Electronics Inc said on Monday a U.S. International Trade Commission judge has ruled it has not infringed Whirlpool Corp's patent for ice storage bins placed in refrigerator doors.

Israeli chip maker Tower Semiconductor Ltd (TSEM.O) said on Monday it would be the exclusive manufacturer of power automotive devices for C&S Technology in South Korea.

Stocks rose on Monday as continued optimism over the economy lifted energy and other commodity prices, which were also helped by a weaker U.S. dollar.

India's auction of exploration blocks evoked a tepid response as the economic slump, valuations and a corporate battle over the sale of natural gas from Reliance Industries' field put off investors, officials and analysts said.

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd (0175.HK) said on Monday that it posted record sales of 32,053 cars in September, more than double the same month last year and up 40 percent from August.

General Motors GM.UL is on track to sign a contract this week to sell a majority stake in European carmaking arm Opel to a Canadian-Russian consortium, Opel labor leader Klaus Franz told Reuters.

A senior Iranian energy official said on Monday the value of a possible new liquefied natural gas development deal with France's Total had fallen to $7.5-8 billion, state broadcaster IRIB reported.