IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Asians to get boost at NY auto show

Nissan Motor Co, Honda Motor Co and their Asian peers may get a bigger sales boost than their US rivals from vehicles introduced at the annual New York auto show this week.

Apple considers iTunes shakeup

Apple Inc is mulling a plan to upend its iTunes business by giving people unlimited free access to the music library if they are willing to pay more for the iPod and iPhone devices they use for playing and storing the digital media, according to a published report.

Intel to increase availability of cheap laptops

Intel Corp said sub-$300 laptops initially designed for poor children will soon be available to US and European consumers in a move that could further push down computer prices.

Rentokil CEO, chairman get their marching orders

Rentokil Initial Plc, the world's largest pest-control company, fired Chief Executive Officer Doug Flynn and Chairman Brian McGowan, three weeks after forecasting a drop in profit this year.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Spector keeps $382m as Bear Stearns implodes

Warren Spector, forced out as president of Bear Stearns Cos last August, may have outdone his former mentor James Cayne as the 85-year-old brokerage firm imploded.

Morgan Stanley earnings drop 42%

Morgan Stanley, which reported the first loss in its history three months ago, said earnings fell 42 percent, less than analysts estimated, as investment banking fees dwindled and loan values declined.

BoE 'unaware' of UK bank woes

The Bank of England said it isn't aware of a problem at any UK bank, in a rare response yesterday to market speculation that HBOS or another big name faced trouble as the financial market crisis deepens.

Hands predicts 'many' LBO writedowns

Guy Hands, chief executive officer of Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd, said buyout firms will have to slash the value of "many" of their investments as turmoil in the credit markets and an economic slowdown bite.