Business News
The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.
Updated: 5 min 15 sec ago
Xstrata halts spending in tax row
Xstrata halts investment in two Australian projects due to a proposed tax on mining profits, putting 3,250 new jobs at risk.
Gulf oil 'nears Florida beaches'
Oil from the Gulf of Mexico is seen off the coast of Florida, as the latest effort to cap the well continues.
Huge order for Iridium spacecraft
The mobile satellite services provider Iridium orders 81 spacecraft to upgrade its global network in a $2.9bn project.
Change in the air
Green energy is all the rage, but who pays for reforms?
Home and car sales lift US stocks
US stocks rise strongly after an increase in pending home sales and demand for cars lifts confidence in the US economy.
Prudential abandons bid for AIA
UK insurer Prudential confirms that its plans to buy AIA, the Asian business of US insurer AIG, have been scrapped.
Spain to stick with labour reform
Spain's government vows to move ahead with labour market reform, even it it does not reach a deal with unions and employers.
Red Knights' Man Utd bid shelved
The Red Knights group of wealthy supporters mulling a takeover of Manchester United shelves plans to make a bid for the club.
BP shares recoup earlier losses
Shares in BP bounced back despite an early fall prompted by the launch of a criminal investigation into the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.
Bank Governor gets 3% pay rise
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, saw his pay package rise 3% last year.
Buffett defends rating agencies
Warren Buffett defends credit rating agencies for failing to spot the US mortgage bubble that sparked the financial crisis.
EU plans rating agency regulator
Europe announces plans for a new financial regulator, responsible for supervising much-criticised credit rating agencies.
Approval for Will writers' code
A code that ensures that people organising a Will are treated properly by professionals has been officially approved.
Greece plans public sector sale
Greece outlines plans to part-privatise a number of publicly-owned companies to raise funds to boost government finances.
Flotilla business
Trade continues between Israel and Turkey despite spat
RBS announces 500 more job cuts
Royal Bank of Scotland's three year restructuring plan adds another 500 job cuts to the 2,600 it axed in May.
Pipeline politics
Russia vies with rivals for Central Asia energy
Own goal: How World Cup fans can build up huge mobile bills
Holidaymakers leaving the EU - including football fans going to the World Cup - are being warned about mobile phone fees.
Taking the tablets
How Taiwan's Acer is preparing to counter the iPad
Ex-Vivendi boss appears in court
The former chief executive of French media giant Vivendi Universal has appeared in court on fraud charges.
