News

BBC Business News
Six million facing new tax bills - HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.
UN calls special food price talks - The United Nations' food agency calls a special meeting of policy makers to discuss the recent rapid rises in food prices.
HSBC threatens to quit London HQ - HSBC may quit its London headquarters if the UK government decides to break up big banks, a senior executive says.
Petrobras files $65bn share offer - The Brazilian state oil company, Petrobras, unveils plans to sell up to $64.5bn of new stock, in one of the world's largest share offers.
BP says oil spill cost up to $8bn - BP says the cost of its Gulf of Mexico oil spill has risen to $8bn - a rise of more than $2bn in the last month alone.
Bank customers in 'dire poverty' - Banks are accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Industry fears over cheaper coins - Vending machine companies warn cheaper "steel" 5p and 10p coins being considered by the Treasury could cost the industry millions of pounds.
Nigerian economy 'to grow by 10%' - Nigeria's economy will hit double-digit growth by the end of 2011 or early 2012, the country's finance minister says.
Shift in home loan availability - The cost of mortgages is continuing to fall and they are becoming more accessible to some borrowers, figures show.
US sees 54,000 jobs go in August - The US economy shed another 54,000 jobs in August, the third month in a row that jobs have been lost, official figures show.
UK builders and services falter - New data shows new construction orders contracted in the second quarter, while the services sector slowed sharply in August.
'Big drop' in alcohol consumption - Alcohol consumption has fallen faster than ever, figures from the British Beer and Pub Association suggest.
Europe agrees finance watchdogs - The European Union agrees to reform financial supervision, with new agencies to oversee banks, insurers and financial markets.
Chinese consider rival Potash bid - Chinese investors approach Canadian pension fund over a possible rival bid for the fertiliser giant Potash Corporation.
Andean gold in $3bn bidding war - Rival Canadian gold mining companies, Goldcorp and El Dorado, lock horns in a $3bn fight to buy up Andean Resources.
Four power firms face sales probe - Four of the "big six" UK energy suppliers are to be investigated amid concerns of mis-selling to customers, the regulator says.
House prices fall again in August - House prices fell for the second month in a row in August, according to the Nationwide building society.
Plans for more £5 notes in ATMs - All banks and building societies have put in place plans to begin dispensing £5 notes from the cash machines, a report reveals.
Russia extends grain export ban - Russia will consider lifting its grain export ban only after the next year's harvest has been reaped, Vladimir Putin says.
ECB ups eurozone growth forecasts - The European Central Bank raises its forecast for eurozone growth for this year and next year, and keeps interest rates on hold.
Mozambique prices 'irreversible' - The government of Mozambique says price rises which have led to deadly riots are "irreversible", as Maputo residents are urged to continue their protests.
Burger King is sold for $3.26bn - Burger King is being sold to private equity firm 3G Capital in a deal valued at $3.26bn (£2.1bn), it has been announced.
Dell pulls out of battle for 3Par - Dell withdraws its bid for 3Par after rival Hewlett-Packard raises its offer for the data storage company to $2.1bn.
RBS to cut a further 3,500 jobs - Royal Bank of Scotland is planning to cut 3,500 jobs from its technical and back office division.
Delhi loses patience with Commonwealth Games - The Commonwealth Games were meant to showcase Delhi, but the Indian capital is struggling to be ready on time amid accusations of poor planning, reports the BBC's Geeta Pandey.
Hawk-Eye firm lined up for sale - The British company behind the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology used in tennis and cricket is to be put up for sale.
Premier League spending tumbles - Spending by English Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window has tumbled 22% from last year, a report says.
Cairo literary business booming - Egypt's literary scene is thriving, with a new generation of writers and poets taking advantage of an increasing number of small publishers and social networking sites to get their work noticed.
Banks leave customers in 'poverty' - High Street banks have been accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Wrong tax bill for millions in UK - Almost six million people in the UK have paid the wrong amount of income tax in the past year, with some facing a bill of up to £1,400 - although others can expect a rebate.
Shopping malls: saviour or curse? - Meadowhall in Sheffield was one of the first giant shopping centres in the UK. What sort of effect has it had on the local area?
3D cameras and web TVs on show - Rory Cellan-Jones tries out 3D video equipment and looks at the latest ultra thin and bright OLED TVs.
Travel compensation and charges - Travel expert Simon Calder has more advice for people doing battle with airlines and agents.
Global food prices reach 20 year high - Global food prices have reached a 20 year high and there are concerns they could climb even further after Russia decided to extend its ban on wheat exports.
The mint with a whole lot of food miles - A British discount store is buying in Polo mints from Indonesia even though the same mints are being manufactured just a mile up the road in York.
Past is the future - The lacemaking factory going back to traditional methods to survive
Massive Mini - How far can BMW stretch the brand before it snaps?
Rush to buy - Fear sparks stockpiling of food in Russia as prices soar
Paying the price - PayPal's co-founder worked so hard he would sleep in the office
Expert views - Economists remain divided over the merits of spending cuts
Stock market gloom - August was tough, but there were glimmers of hope
Bird business - The back-breaking, ear-splitting work on Peru's guano islands

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Did you know?
Before the 19th century, and the spread of the industrial revolution around the globe, nearly all offices were small offices and/or home offices, with only a few exceptions. Most businesses were small, and so was the paperwork that went with them. (source Wikipedia)