Lenovo buying back mobile phone business

BEIJING — Personal computer maker Lenovo Group said Friday it is joining the race to develop products that link phones and PCs by buying back a mobile phone business that it sold last year.

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AP might charge some customers to get news earlier

HONG KONG — The Associated Press is considering whether to sell news stories to some online customers exclusively for a certain period, perhaps half an hour, the head of the news organization said Tuesday.

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China trade ruling helps US, but piracy a problem

LOS ANGELES — American companies counting on a favorable trade ruling against China to boost sales of CDs, DVDs, books and video games will need a crackdown on rampant piracy before they can reap big benefits.

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European stocks recoup losses on Wall Street hopes

LONDON — European stock markets recouped earlier losses Thursday as Wall Street futures turned higher on another batch of stronger than expected corporate earnings and hopes of an improvement in a closely-watched U.S. housing report.

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Chinese worker commits suicide over missing iPhone

GUANGZHOU, China — Chinese worker Sun Danyong was responsible for handling the prototypes of one of the world's hottest products — the iPhone. When one of the gadgets went missing and his company began investigating him, he jumped off his apartment building and killed himself.

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Asian markets rise after Goldman, Intel earns

SEOUL, South Korea — Asian stock markets rose for a second day Wednesday, underpinned by better-than-expected U.S. earnings and optimism the regional economy is on the mend. European shares were higher.

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A look at economic developments around the globe

A look at economic developments and stock market activity around the world Thursday:

TOKYO — Electronics giant Sony Corp. reported its first annual net loss in 14 years and forecast a bigger loss this year, saying the pressure from sliding sales, competition in gadget prices and a strong yen was expected to continue. Meanwhile, Sanyo Electric Co., which is being acquired by larger Japanese rival Panasonic Corp., reported an annual loss because of declining sales, the strong yen and rising material costs, but expects to muster a small profit this fiscal year.

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European stocks steady despite US cheer over Apple

LONDON — European stock markets were little changed Thursday ahead of an expected solid opening on Wall Street, where investors appear to have been cheered by upbeat earnings from technology firm Apple Inc.

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Spokesman: Jackie Chan comments out of context

HONG KONG — Jackie Chan's comments that freedom may not be good for China were taken out of context, his spokesman said Tuesday, while Facebook users and Chinese scholars condemned the veteran actor on the Internet in a spreading backlash.

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