BETHLEHEM — An developer said it is trying to have the former headquarters of Bethlehem Steel declared a blighted structure. That would open up sources of funding to help with a condominium project in the Martin Tower.

Bethlehem-based Ashley Development received city approval to build 266 condos in the tower building and 580 town houses around it — an estimated $300 million project.

Bethlehem economic and community development director Tony Hanna said Ashley didn't originally expect to seek public funds. But the company could use the money for expenses such as an estimated $7.4 million worth of asbestos removal.

Several parts of Bethlehem are already designated as blighted, including its Center City area.

TOKYO — Sony is slashing 8,000 electronics jobs around the world, or 5 percent of its global work force in that sector, as the Japanese company tries to boost the profitability of its core business amid a global downturn.Sony said it will cut the jobs from its electronics operations, which employ about 160,000 workers, by the end of March 2010. It did not give a country breakdown for the planned reductions.Sony has been trying to adjust production and lower inventories to cope with the global economic downturn but more efforts are needed, it said.