AFP - Google's chief executive admitted Thursday there was a "defensive component" to the Web search giant's launch of its own Internet browser, thereby pitting it against Microsoft's dominant software.

Reuters - Stephenie Meyer, author of the best-selling young adult "Twilight" books, has put the fifth and final installment in the series on hold in protest after a partial draft was posted on the Internet.

Reuters - Asia will continue to deliver strong growth in the mobile phone market due to sustained demand from China and India, the world's two biggest markets of such services, industry officials said.

AP - The new Web browser that Google Inc. released Tuesday is designed to expand its huge lead in the Internet search market and reduce Microsoft Corp.'s imprint on personal computers.

AP - Being a trendsetter can be pricey. As any fashionista or gadget hound knows, the latest frocks and tech toys don't pay for themselves. But a new Web site is trying to make it profitable for music lovers to stay ahead of the curve — by paying them when other people purchase MP3s they've bought.

AFP - Online giant eBay announced Wednesday it was launching an ethically sourced marketplace selling "products that have a positive impact on people and the planet."

AFP - Greece wants to invest in a new fibre optic network that will drastically upgrade its broadband and cable television capabilities, the Greek economy and telecoms ministers said on Wednesday.

AP - Google Inc.'s new Web browser, called Chrome, does much of what a browser needs to do these days: It presents a sleek appearance, groups pages into easy-to-manage "tabs" and offers several ways for people to control their Internet privacy settings.

PC Magazine - Google on Tuesday released the beta version of its new open-source Chrome Web browser. Google executives gave the press a tour, and addressed the first questions of how it will compete with more established offerings.