 | BBC News | Business | UK EditionLast updated at Sat, 17 May 2008 12:11:49 GMT |
| British Airways profits soar 45% British Airways reports a sharp jump in annual profits to £883m but its boss says he will not accept a bonus. |
| Oil edges towards $128 a barrel Oil prices hit a record approaching $128 a barrel for the first time on fresh worries about global supplies. |
| Plastic bag policy 'a diversion' Plans to tackle use of plastic bags are a diversion from the real environmental issues, a government adviser says. |
| New rail ticket system to start Rail passengers will see the first phase of changes to the ticketing system introduced on 18 May. |
| Phones4U facing mis-selling probe Regulator Ofcom says it will spend six months investigating Phones4U over alleged mis-selling. |
| CPI target to 'crucify' consumers Consumers will be "crucified" unless ministers change the target for fighting inflation, a leading economist warns. |
| Home construction picks up in US Construction of new US homes increased in April, raising hopes that the housing market may be recovering. |
| US consumer confidence falls US consumer sentiment is now at its lowest level in almost 28 years, says a closely-watched survey. |
| GE to 'switch off' appliance unit US conglomerate General Electric is set to quit the household appliances market after 100 years. |
| Bharti African talks 'continue' Indian mobile firm Bharti Telecom is in talks about buying South Africa's MTN, reports say. |
| Battle over new Bangalore airport A row breaks out over Bangalore's new international airport, as it gets ready to open on 23 May. |
| Abbey reduces some of its rates The Abbey becomes the second big lender this week to make slight cuts to some of its mortgage rates. |
| Market rumours fuel BHP shares Shares in the world's largest miner BHP Billiton rise on speculation about investment from China. |
| Fewer people facing bankruptcy The number of people facing bankruptcy in England and Wales falls compared with a year ago. |
| WTO scrutinises US trade policy The US should lower trade barriers and grow exports to boost its economy, the World Trade Organization says. |
| Eurozone sees March trade deficit A strong euro and soaring oil prices create a surprise trade deficit across the eurozone in March. |
| Water competition proposed Watchdog Ofwat is recommending that the water and sewerage sector be opened to competition. |
| GTA lifts US video game sales US sales of video game consoles and software were up 47% in April from a year ago, a research firm says. |
| Yahoo rebuffs plan to oust board The net portal fires back at a billionaire investor who wants to oust the present board of directors at Yahoo. |
| Hope of rice exports cuts prices Rice prices fall as Pakistan says it will permit exports of the staple grain, easing fears of a global food shortage. |
| House building in England slumps House building has slumped under the impact of the credit crunch and is heading to its lowest level for 10 years. |
| Pension buy-outs gathering pace The insurance firm Friends Provident becomes the latest big company to off-load part of its pension scheme. |
| Huge fine for financial adviser The Thinc Group is fined £900,000 for poor record-keeping when selling sub-prime mortgages. |
| MPs call for simpler tax forms A committee of MPs says tax payers should be given more help to understand and fill in their tax forms. |
| Exports bolster Japan's economy Japan's economy grew at a brisk annual rate of 3.3% in the first three months of 2008, official figures show. |
| Fed auctions $7bn in securities The US central bank auctions $7bn in securities, far less than was available, showing credit markets are improving. |
| Euro growth better than expected Economic growth in Europe during the first three months of 2008 was better than expected, official data shows. |
| Global food prices fall in April Average food prices fall in April, the first time they have done so for 15 months, according to a UN agency. |
| British Energy mulls bid offers Nuclear power firm British Energy says it has received a number of takeover proposals from interested parties. |
| CBS buys tech website CNET Television company CBS agrees to buy online technology news and entertainment website CNET. |
| Investor challenges Yahoo A billionaire investor announces he will fight to oust the present board of directors at Yahoo. |
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