Latest news from BBC Business
Fixed retirement age to be axedPeople reaching the age of 65 will no longer be forced to retire from October next year, under plans announced by the government.Industry toasts beer sales riseGood weather and football's World Cup is thought to have given a boost to beer sales in the UK, industry figures suggest.Gambling firms reveal merger planThe UK's Partygaming and Austrian firm Bwin unveil plans to merge and create the world's largest online gaming business.Oil firms' profits almost doubleOil giants Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil see profits almost double in the week rival BP suffered record losses.Jailed Enron boss requests bailThe former chief executive of Enron, Jeffrey Skilling, has applied for bail. His lawyer says his conviction for fraud will be overturned.Toyota announces fresh car recallToyota is recalling almost 430,000 vehicles in the US and Japan amid concern over steering problems.House price inflation eases againUK house prices fell 0.5% in July, the Nationwide says, cutting the annual rate of house price inflation to 6.6% from 8.7%.Citigroup agrees $75m fraud fineBanking giant Citigroup agrees to pay $75m to settle civil charges that it misled investors over potential losses from subprime mortgages.FSA tightens bankers' pay rulesThe Financial Services Authority announces plans to update its guidelines on bankers' pay, affecting 2,500 firms.BSkyB profits on high definitionSatellite TV group BSkyB reports a sharp jump in profits, driven by new subscriptions, particularly for high definition services.California in 'fiscal emergency'California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares a fiscal state of emergency, putting pressure on lawmakers to pass a budget.Scottish review warns of job cutsUp to 60,000 people working in the public sector in Scotland could lose their jobs, according to an independent review commissioned by ministers.New High Street bank opens doorsThe first High Street bank to launch in the UK for more than 100 years opens its doors for the first time.China allows IMF report releaseChina allows the publication of an International Monetary Fund staff report on its economy for the first time since 2006.Fugitive tycoon Nadir seeks bailFugitive Polly Peck tycoon Asil Nadir, who fled to northern Cyprus in 1993, begins a legal bid to be granted bail ahead of a UK theft trial.Aldi's 'elusive' billionaire co-founder diesThe billionaire co-founder of budget supermarket Aldi, Theo Albrecht dies, aged 88.Beer giant loses fight for Budweiser nameGlobal brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev suffers a defeat in a long-running battle over the rights to the Budweiser beer brand.Landmark ruling on divorce moneyA "ground-breaking" Court of Appeal judgement removes the protection previously given to thousands of people in divorce proceedings.Warning on local council pensionsCouncil workers across England face having to retire later or pay more into their pension scheme, the public spending watchdog warns.Rise in number of fake £1 coinsNearly two million counterfeit £1 coins were returned to the Royal Mint in the last financial year, figures show.Greek police clash with hauliersGreek police fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of lorry drivers protesting in Athens against a government order to end their strike.Cameron launches India trade pushDavid Cameron begins a two-day visit to India with the aim of strengthening relations and creating jobs back in Britain.House prices 'now at 2006 levels'House prices in England and Wales are now at similar levels as seen in the summer of 2006, says the Land Registry.Results boost AstraZeneca sharesShares in AstraZeneca rise more than 3% after the drug company reports a rise in profits after strong sales of key drugs.China agrees Guinea mining dealMining giant Rio Tinto completes a deal with Chinese firm Chalco to enter a joint venture in West Africa.Lufthansa hurt by ash and strikeLufthansa Group reports a net loss after disruption caused by the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano and a pilots' strike.P&G in London 2012 Olympics dealConsumer products giant Procter & Gamble becomes the 11th big firm to sign an Olympics sponsorship deal covering London 2012.Extent of Barcelona debt revealedA new audit into Barcelona's finances reveals the club's debt is 442m euros (£369.5m) after a loss of more than 77m euros (£64.36m) last season.London 2012 eyes business backingSmall and medium-sized firms are asked to help raise funds for the British 2012 Olympic and Paralympic teams.'Retirement rules work for employers'Plans to scrap the default retirement will 'raise concerns' according to David Yeandle of the Engineering Employers Federation.Tehran's tactics to beat ship sanctionA look at how Iran's shipping industry stays one step ahead to minimise the impact of international sanction.Where to fight BP oil spill battle?As BP's rivals count the cost of a ban on offshore drilling, the tide of lawsuits arising from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has washed up in a federal courtroom in Idaho.'Older workers can pass on skills'The government is planning to scrap the default retirement age in the UK from October 2011.Green shoots of recovery in Europe?A raft of European firms have announced bumper profits, fuelling hopes that the economy is on the right track following the recession.Graphic novel finds audience in IndiaGraphic novels are finding new markets in India.Metro Bank's first customers speakThe first High Street bank to launch in the UK for more than 100 years has opened its first branch in Holborn in London.Sony back in profit as TV sales soarJapanese electronics giant Sony is back in profit, after large losses in 2009/10.Picking up Penguins for 75 yearsA colourful history of the famous book publisherHit by sanctionsBlack market boom as Dubai curbs trade with IranPensions timebombRussians fear the benefits system will cease to existNew faceCan the new Metro Bank really shake up High Street banking?Filling the gapWhy British businesses still need immigrant workersSuper-jet settersRussian planemakers eye global marketsBright futureElectric motoring boosted by plug-in subsidy promise
http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline_uk_edition/business/rss.xml
