The Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas said, UK would be facing significant risks, if giant databases of personal information are created.

Thomas is of the view that it might raise the risk of data going missing and bad decisions made based on people's files.

As of now, 30 "serious" breaches of data protection law by the government and other bodies are being investigated by Mr Thomas. Thomas is planning to advise that the least amount of data possible should be held, at his speech at the Royal Society of Arts in London.

On Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. revealed its plans to soon initiate Web-based versions of some of its most popular office software including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, providing users with the ability to work with documents through a Web browser or mobile phone whenever the PC is not available.

These Web-based programs, which are described as "lightweight versions"of the Microsoft Office programs that are installed on PCs, actually have been initiated to over show Google.

It seems that India already has made a good name in the big league of space missions. Recently, to contribute in the US' manned space missions, an Indian-born American's company tied up with aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

In harsh times where social networking sites are badly hit and are fighting hard to keep afloat, popular business oriented social networking website LinkedIn has registered a decent profit. The company has 370 employees and some 30 million members on their website.

Berlin - German unemployment fell in October, defying the economic gloom facing the nation, analysts say.

Tokyo - The Tokyo stock market opened more than 3 per cent higher Thursday after the US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate to spur the economy.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average gained 318.87 points, or 3.88 per cent, to 8,530.77.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was up 25.51 points, or 3.07 per cent, to 855.83.

Japan's central bank withdrew 1.5 trillion yen (15.41 billion dollars) from the money market Thursday after the key short-term interest rate fell below the official target.