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Designs for many of the nation’s most sensitive advanced weapons systems have been compromised by Chinese hackers, according to a report prepared for the Pentagon and to officials from government and the defense industry.

Among more than two dozen major weapons systems whose designs were breached were programs critical to U.S. missile defenses and combat aircraft and ships, according to a previously undisclosed section of a confidential report prepared for Pentagon leaders by the Defense Science Board. Experts warn that the electronic intrusions gave China access to advanced technology that could accelerate the development of its weapons systems and weaken the U.S. military advantage in a future conflict. The Defense Science Board, a senior advisory group made up of government and civilian experts, did not accuse the Chinese of stealing the designs. But senior military and industry officials with knowledge of the breaches said the vast majority were part of a widening Chinese campaign of espionage against U.S. defense contractors and government agencies.

On May 17, the European trade commissioner, Karel De Gucht, accused Huawei and another Chinese equipment maker, ZTE, of violating the antidumping and subsidies laws of the European Union.

De Gucht called for negotiations between the European Union and China to avoid an investigation that could lead to punitive customs duties. Now the two sides appear set to meet in an attempt to work out their differences. China has asked that De Gucht hold an informal meeting with its vice commerce minister, Zhong Shan, in Brussels. “It appears that the commission is using the telecom equipment situation as some kind of a stick and bargaining chip against China,” said Stuart Newman, an antidumping expert at the Foreign Trade Association, a Brussels group that represents European trade associations. Newman said the Europe-China trade relationship had become more difficult over the last two years, driven by disputes over solar panels and now, telecom equipment.

Sony is best known as a consumer electronics company, making PlayStation game consoles and televisions. And it loses money on almost every gadget it sells.

Sony has made money making Hollywood movies and selling music. That profitable part of the business is what Daniel S. Loeb, an American investor and manager of the hedge fund Third Point, wants Sony to spin off to raise cash to resuscitate its electronics business. But as Loeb pressures Sony executives to do more to revive the company’s ailing electronics arm, some analysts are asking, Why bother? Sony, it is suggested, might be better off just selling insurance. Or just making movies and music. But not electronics. A new report from the investment banking firm Jefferies delivered a harsh assessment of Sony’s electronics business. “Electronics is its Achilles’ heel and, in our view, it is worth zero,” wrote Atul Goyal, consumer technology analyst for Jefferies, in the report.

The board at News Corporation approved a proposed split into two companies, and authorized a $500 million stock buyback for investors in the soon-to-be-formed publishing business. It also announced appointments to the board for both of the companies.

The company is expected to complete its separation on June 28, with publishing assets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post and HarperCollins, and a handful of Australian pay television units, forming a company that will retain the name News Corporation. Fox Broadcasting, Fox News, FX and the Hollywood film and television studio will form an entertainment company to be called 21st Century Fox.

The announcement may do little to dispel criticism that the News Corporation board is too heavily made up of members of the Murdoch family. After the division Rupert Murdoch will serve as chairman of both companies. He will maintain his role as chief executive of 21st Century Fox. Murdoch’s two sons, James and Lachlan, will be directors of both companies. But the boards will also include new faces. Robert Thomson, as chief executive of the new News Corporation, will join the publishing company’s board, as will Ana Paula Pessoa, a partner at the public relations firm Brunswick Group; Masroor Siddiqui, managing partner of the investment firm Naya Management; and John Elkann, chairman of Fiat. Joel I. Klein, chief executive of News Corporation’s fledgling Amplify education division, will maintain a role on the company’s board.

Chase Carey, president and chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox, will join several new directors — Delphine Arnault, a French businesswoman and deputy general manager at Christian Dior Couture; Jacques Nasser, a former chief executive of the Ford Motor Company; and Robert S. Silberman, executive chairman of Strayer Education Incorporated — on the entertainment company’s board.