Gadgets, Restructuring | featured news

Struggling BlackBerry maker Research In Motion said Wednesday it has started laying off employees as part of its restructuring plan aimed at saving about $1 billion this year.

Nokia Siemens Networks is slashing 17,000 jobs worldwide by 2013 — nearly 23 percent of its work force — as it strives to cut costs by €1 billion ($1.35 billion). The mobile infrastructure company said Wednesday the measures are part of “an extensive global restructuring program,” which includes streamlining the organization to improve long-term competitiveness and profitability.

Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp forecast an annual net loss of 420 billion yen ($5.5 billion), its biggest in a decade, as restructuring costs ballooned, and a soaring yen and weak demand in the United States and Europe eroded income.