Boeing machinists to strike as talks fail

The 27,000-strong machinists’ union at the plane maker declared it would strike at midnight on Friday, as Boeing failed to improve its contract offer after two days of emergency talks

• Boeing grounded
• Boeing faces possible imminent strike

GE may face action over derivatives accounting

General Electric said US securities regulators might take civil action against the conglomerate following an investigation into its accounting methods on derivatives

• GE launches radical shake-up
• Abu Dhabi aims to join GE shareholders

Dell eyes plan to outsource and sell factories

Dell, the world’s second-biggest personal computer maker, is considering a plan to sell its factories, according to people familiar with the matter

Critics leave Google’s Android phone on hold

When the first of Google’s long-anticipated Android mobile phones hit the stores in a matter of weeks, they will land with a fizzle rather than a bang, according to developers and executives who have followed the roll-out’s progress

Altria closes in on $10bn UST deal

Altria is in late-stage talks over the takeover of US chewing tobacco maker UST for about $10bn

Asset management arms for disposal

A raft of bank-owned asset management groups looks set to come on to the market, as institutions hit by the credit crunch search for ways to rebuild their capital bases

GM plans website to dispel ‘misinformation’

Fed up with what it sees as unfair and inaccurate criticism, General Motors launched a website designed, in its words, “to make a distinction between the facts and rumours surrounding the company”

Samsung considers buying SanDisk

Samsung Electronics said it was considering buying, or forming a strategic alliance with, SanDisk to strengthen its dominance of the digital memory storage market