Webwire: Foxconn denies no-suicide pacts; Globe hit with cable cut

Foxconn has denied fresh claims from a new report into working conditions at its manufacturing plants that it makes its workers sign no-suicide pacts and employs excessive disciplinary measures.

A subsea cable cut in the Philippines - which may have been caused by recent tropical storms - disrupted text messaging, telephony and internet services for Globe Telecom subscribers in two regions yesterday. 

Apple has overtaken Google to claim the top spot by brand value, according to research which estimates the Apple brand is worth $153 billion.

South Africa's MTN grew its subscriber base by 4% sequentially in the March quarter to 147.2 million, but ARPU fell 10% in South Africa and 6% in Nigeria. The company has agreed to pay around $21.5 million to settle its license fee dispute with the Guinea government.

Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries is banking on businesses including its upcoming wireless broadband venture to stimulate growth over the next few years, chairman Mukesh Ambani has told shareholders.

NVIDIA has acquired UK-based SDR specialist Icera Semiconductor for $367 million as it seeks to expand its presence in mobile processors.

Google's YouTube has announced it will add content from major Hollywood studios to its movie rental store, with terms similar to the rental services offered by rivals including Apple and Amazon.

LinkedIn prices IPO at a relative bargain
LinkedIn has priced its IPO at a comparative bargain compared to the recent IPO of Chinese social networking site RenRen, valuing the company at $3 billion, in a sign investors are growing cautious that social media valuations are artificially inflated.