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BBC Business News

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:35:41 GMT

Budget airline Ryanair reports record annual profits as fare rises help to offset a sharp rise in fuel costs.

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:24:33 GMT

A growing number of people are failing to save anything for their retirement - leaving them in a "precarious" position, a pensions provider says.

HSBC machines hit by IT failure

Sun, 20 May 2012 21:10:24 GMT

UK customers of HSBC report problems using cash machines, making card payments and online transactions, but the bank says the problem is fixed.

Yahoo agrees $7.1bn Alibaba deal

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:48:58 GMT

US internet company Yahoo says it has reached a deal to sell part of its stake in China's biggest internet company Alibaba Group.

Waterstones to sell Amazon Kindle

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:31:36 GMT

UK bookseller Waterstones plans to sell Amazon's Kindle e-book reader and other Kindle digital services.

China clears Google Motorola bid

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:07:28 GMT

Chinese regulators approve Google's $12.5bn purchase of US phone maker Motorola Mobility, the final hurdle for the deal to go through.

Greek election 'is vote on euro'

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:48:25 GMT

Prime Minister David Cameron believes the Greek elections amount to a referendum on Greece's membership of the euro, sources close to him say.

Single 30% income tax rate urged

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:47:53 GMT

A single 30% rate of income tax is needed in order to boost growth in the UK, according to a report by a campaign group and business leaders.

Balls warns of cuts 'catastrophe'

Sun, 20 May 2012 10:21:05 GMT

Labour's Ed Balls warns the world economy faces a "catastrophe" unless Germany abandons pressure on eurozone countries to cut public spending.

Report 'to urge cutting red tape'

Sun, 20 May 2012 15:22:43 GMT

The prime minister is this week expected to back a plan to help boost growth by cutting employment red tape.

Thai growth rebounds after floods

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:23:24 GMT

Thailand's economy rebounds sharply as factories boost production recovering quickly from last year's floods.

Qantas cuts 500 maintenance jobs

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:31:59 GMT

Qantas says it will cut 500 jobs as it relocates its heavy maintenance and engineering work out of Melbourne.

China's Wanda to buy AMC cinema

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:35:27 GMT

Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group agrees to buy US Cinema chain AMC Entertainment for $2.6bn, making it the biggest movie theatre owner globally.

Euro banks 'in tatters' - Clarke

Sun, 20 May 2012 13:23:41 GMT

Former chancellor Ken Clarke says Europe's banking system is "in tatters" and warns the UK is "heavily exposed" to potential problems.

Obama: EU 'must focus on growth'

Sun, 20 May 2012 06:09:32 GMT

US President Obama wraps up a G8 summit saying that leaders agree economies must focus on jobs and growth to boost recovery.

Merkel 'suggests Greek euro vote'

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:13:41 GMT

Greek officials say Germany's Chancellor Merkel has suggested a euro referendum, but Berlin denies the report.

Facebook boss in surprise wedding

Sun, 20 May 2012 02:16:38 GMT

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ends a hectic week by getting married to long -time girlfriend Priscilla Chan in a surprise ceremony at his home.

Inside world's ‘priciest house’

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:36:24 GMT

The first pictures are released showing inside the "world's most expensive house", owned by the Ambani family in Mumbai.

£9k fees 'to push debt up £100bn'

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:38:12 GMT

A study suggests public sector debt will be pushed up by £100bn over next two decades by higher university fees.

Private rents 'increasing again'

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:00:49 GMT

Private rents in England and Wales went up by 0.5% in April, according to letting agency group LSL Property Services.

HMRC defends child benefit plan

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:00:43 GMT

Asking people to reveal financial information to their partners is legal, HM Revenue & Customs says, despite claims it breaks confidentiality rules.

China property prices fall again

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:19:33 GMT

Chinese property prices continued to fall during April after the government kept policies in place to curb speculation.

EU 'plans for Greek exit option'

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:19:23 GMT

The EU Commission and European Central Bank are making contingency plans for a possible Greek exit from the euro, an EU commissioner says.

Spain's cost of borrowing jumps

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:16:17 GMT

The cost of borrowing on the international money markets rise sharply for Spain as investors fear further financial turmoil in Europe.

Facebook shares see modest debut

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:49:36 GMT

Facebook shares end a volatile first day of trading at $38.23, barely above the company's initial pricing, having initially jumped more than 10%.

N Rock rescue 'could cost £2bn'

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:00:31 GMT

The taxpayer could lose about £2bn once the assets of collapsed bank Northern Rock are wound down, the National Audit Office estimates.

JP Morgan boss to testify in US

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:01:13 GMT

JP Morgan chairman and chief executive Jamie Dimon will appear before a Senate committee to explain the bank's $2bn trading loss on a failed hedging strategy.

Ticketus deal 'being terminated'

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:36:51 GMT

Charles Green says administrators at Rangers have told Ticketus they are terminating its contract over future ticket sales.

Debt-ridden Glens to get IFA loan

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:54:59 GMT

Glentoran's cash flow crisis is expected to be eased by a loan from the Irish Football Association.

Sierra Leone league resumes

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:25:07 GMT

Sierra Leone's football league resumed on Friday, less than a week after suspending operations because of a shortage of funds.

VIDEO: Apple and Samsung patent row talks

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:34:50 GMT

Samsung and Apple will hold negotiations in the US on Monday, aimed at resolving a lengthy dispute over patents, a row which led to more than 50 lawsuits in 10 countries.

VIDEO: Zac Posen targets Asia for growth

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:16:21 GMT

Fashion guru Zac Posen, who has created gowns for stars like Gywneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey, has designs on Asia.

AUDIO: Peston: Rock loss 'not a disaster'

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:26:06 GMT

A report published by the National Audit Office into the creation and sale of Northern Rock reveals that the government is likely to lose £2bn overall by the time all the assets are wound down. The BBC's business editor Robert Peston has the details.

VIDEO: EU 'taking all neccessary action'

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:10:01 GMT

EU Economic Commissioner Olli Rehn has said the eurozone is taking "all necessary action in order to overcome" the debt crisis.

VIDEO: Eurozone in spotlight at G8 talks

Sat, 19 May 2012 17:36:28 GMT

The leaders of the G8 group of the world's most powerful economies say they want debt-stricken Greece to remain in the eurozone.

VIDEO: Facebook shares see modest debut

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:11:10 GMT

Facebook shares ended their first day of trading at $38.23, barely above the company's initial pricing of $38.

VIDEO: Should Britain build a spaceport?

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:24:53 GMT

A new report is recommending that the UK builds its own spaceport, to enable tourists to go into space.