With passenger cars consuming about 15 per cent of thediesel, the government on Thursday indicated that it might do away with thesubsidy enjoyed by such vehicle owners.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has written to President Pratibha Patil, recommending changes in the Union Council of Ministers and requesting that the oath of office and secrecy be administered at 5 pm on Tuesday.

The shares of Muthoot Finance were lower on Wednesday, underperforming a firm broader market. At 3.20 pm, Muthoot Finance shares were down nearly 3 per cent at 160.05, while the Sensex was up nearly 1 per cent at 18,697.40.

Office 365 is now available in 40 markets, and it brings together Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft Lync Online in an always-up-to-date cloud service, at a monthly subscription.

The BSE benchmark Sensex on Monday surged 172 points on sustained buying of energy sector stocks on prospects of a boost in their earnings after the government raised prices of petroleum products on Friday.

Biting the bullet, government on Friday hiked the price of diesel by Rs 3 a litre, kerosene Rs 2 a litre and cooking gas by a steep Rs 50 a cylinder to raise Rs 21,000 crores, and slashed customs and excise duties on petroleum products, sacrificing Rs 49,000 crore a year.

The Tatas may not be known for being on stock-based rich lists, but market dynamics have led to the conglomerate overtaking the combined market wealth of the two Ambani groups put together.

Opposing her plea, the CBI said original documents regarding the illegal financial transaction of Rs 200 crore to DMK chief's family-run Kalaignar TV was yet to be recovered and the accused might tamper with evidence if released on bail.

The long-awaited response to Apple's iPad, PlayBook went on sale in the United States and Canada on April 19. It will be priced at about Rs 32,000 in India, depending on the version.

UK-based oil major BP said on Wednesday that China moved to the top in 2010 with 20.3 per cent of global demand, ahead of the US at 19 per cent.

Car maker Maruti Suzuki on Monday sacked 11 workers employed at its Manesar facility, which has been crippled by a strike since Saturday.

Analystssaid the uptick is mainly due to short-covering and low-level buying by theinvestors, but negative sentiment still hovers.

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday told a special court that Tata Teleservices has followed all rules while seeking licenses to offer telecommunication services, news reports said.

Brokers said investors turned cautious on concerns over rising inflation and interest rates, and preferred to book profits in heavy-weight stocks after two-session of gains, reversing an early firm trend.

Air India said the government owed the airline Rs 450 crore for its services and it would clear the oil companies' dues on the receipt of this amount.

The BSE Sensex on Monday sunk below the 18,000 mark for the first time in two months to 17,993, down 333 points, as funds sold heavyweights on persistent concerns about inflation and high interest rates amid weak global cues.

Continuing its rally for the fourth straight session, shares of SKS Microfinance spurted by 5 per cent on Thursday amid a flattish broader market sentiment.

Continuing its rally for the third straight session, shares of SKS Microfinance spurted by 10 per cent to touch the upper limit during intra-day trade on the BSE on Thursday.

Microsoft Corp has confirmed that it will buy internet phone firm Skype Technologies for for $8.5 billion - the most aggressive move yet by the software giant to play in the increasingly converged worlds of communication, information and entertainment.

Jaguar says the fourwheel-drive supercar will put it on a par with Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini, while its technology will be used in future models, including a successor to E-Type.