PRESS DIGEST - New York Times business news - July 31

July 31 (Reuters) - The following were the top stories in the New York Times business pages on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

* The number of Americans who have seen their full-time jobs chopped to part time because of weak business has swelled to more than 3.7 million - the largest figure since the government began tracking such data more than half a century ago.

* The Food and Drug Administration has ordered Amgen Inc (AMGN.O) to change the labels for its flagship anemia drugs in a way that could further restrict their use in treating patients with cancer.

* High gasoline prices and a slumping economy have put a damper on leisure and business travel, yet a record number of hotels are opening this year.

* The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration new power to regulate tobacco products.

* Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N) on Wednesday became the first major carrier to revamp its frequent-flier program, introducing a three-tier system that will require as many as 60,000 miles for a last-minute domestic coach ticket.

* Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) reported an 8.5 percent increase in profit on Wednesday, showing strong third-quarter results at its media networks and its theme parks.

* Brazil, South America's largest economy, is finally poised to realize its long-anticipated potential as a global player, economists say.

* United Airlines sued its pilots' union on Wednesday, asking it to halt slowdowns that it said had led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the last 10 days.