Business News
The latest stories from the Business section of the BBC News web site.
Updated: 59 min 28 sec ago
Tube workers begin 24-hour strike
Severe disruption is expected on London Underground as the first workers begin a 24-hour strike.
Obama unveils $50bn building plan
President Barack Obama announces a $50bn infrastructure plan as part of efforts to jump-start the faltering US economy.
Union warns BA of fresh strikes
Union leaders warn BA faces fresh strike action by cabin crew unless a settlement is reached to end the long-running dispute.
Barclays bank to create 600 jobs
Banking giant Barclays announces it is to expand its presence in Glasgow, creating 600 jobs.
End UK rebate - EU budget chief
The EU budget commissioner says he sees no grounds for the UK to keep its budget rebate.
SA public sector strike suspended
South African trade unions suspend a nationwide strike which has paralysed schools and hospitals for 20 days.
Strike starts at S African mine
Thousands of South African platinum miners at the Northam mine begin a strike in support of a 15% pay claim.
Germany extends nuclear lifespan
Germany's government agrees to extend the life span of the country's nuclear power plants by an average of 12 years, officials say.
UK mobile firms to merge networks
Customers of Orange and T-Mobile will soon be able to hop between the two mobile networks as the firms merge their networks.
Tax holiday for UK firms kicks in
A scheme offering up to 400,000 new firms a chance to trim their tax bill has come into effect.
Russia signals end to export ban
Russia's grain export ban will be lifted as soon as it is clear how much has been harvested, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.
Wheat worries after Russia fires
Poor grain harvests around the world, and especially in Russia, have seen a steady rise in prices
Bank customers in 'dire poverty'
Banks are accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Mozambique arrests for food riots
Police in Mozambique arrest 142 people over last week's riots which led to 10 deaths in the capital, Maputo.
Chinese pilots lied about records
China is checking the qualifications of all its commercial pilots, after it emerged that more than 200 of them lied about their experience.
Overseas demand 'boosts UK firms'
Rising overseas demand has created buoyant conditions for manufacturers in the UK, an industry report suggests, though threats remain.
Demand for Equitable Life payout
Pensioners hit by the Equitable Life scandal are making a final attempt to persuade the government to pay them full compensation.
Russia's Severstal back to profit
Severstal, Russia's largest steel producer, returned to profit in the last quarter, but missed analysts' expectations.
BA boss reveals takeover ambition
British Airways and Iberia draw up a shortlist of 12 airlines which the firms hope to buy or merge with.
Kabul Bank is offered state aid
Afghanistan's central bank promises to back Kabul Bank as customers continue to take out their savings.
