IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Business International

Weak dollar pushes oil over $105

Oil hit a record high near $106 yesterday as a weak dollar helped prices to extend the previous day's gains, which were prompted by a drop in US oil inventories and OPEC's decision to keep output unchanged.

Paint giant's earnings up 42%

Akzo Nobel NV, the world's largest maker of paints, said fourth-quarter earnings increased 42 percent on sales of house paints and chemicals used in the paper and pulp industry.

DHL writedown takes toll on Deutsche Post earnings

Deutsche Post AG, Europe's biggest mail carrier, posted a 61 percent drop in fourth-quarter profit after writing down the value of its DHL Express unit in the United States.

Inflation fears see ECB keep rates on hold

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at a six-year high yesterday to curb inflation, even as the euro's appreciation and a possible US recession threatened to choke economic growth.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Business International

Facebook snaps up Google sales chief

Facebook said on Tuesday it had named Google Inc's global sales head, Sheryl Sandberg, as the social networking site's new chief operations officer, accelerating a decline in Google shares to year lows.

Ask.com ditches ambitions of greatness

In a dramatic about-face, Ask.com is abandoning its effort to outshine Internet search leader Google Inc and will instead focus on a narrower market consisting of married women looking for help managing their lives.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

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