UK service sector sees strong growth, PMI figures show

The UK's dominant service sector grew at its fastest rate since March 2011 in January, according to a key survey. The Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose from 54 to 56. Any figure above 50 indicates growth. Markit also…

Motorola makes Apple pull iPads and iPhones in Germany

Apple has pulled several iPad and iPhone models from its German online store after Motorola Mobility enforced a patent injunction against its rival. The move follows a December ruling that Apple had failed to license one of Motorola's wireless…

Megaupload co-founder’s bail appeal rejected by court

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's bail application appeal has been rejected in New Zealand. The High Court in Auckland said it agreed with an earlier ruling that Mr Dotcom - a German national - might try to flee the country. The file-sharing site…

Facebook unveils $5bn stock market flotation plans

The world's largest social networking site, Facebook, has announced plans for a stock market flotation. Facebook said it would seek to raise $5bn (£3.16bn, 3.8bn euros), about half the amount many analysts expected. But the initial public offering…

Sony reports further losses as Thai floods hit sales

Japanese electronics giant Sony has reported another quarterly loss after sales were hit by lower production following the floods in Thailand. The company reported a net loss of 159bn yen ($2.1bn; £1.3bn) for the final three months of 2011,…

Caribbean Export launches regional business competition at UK-Caribbean Forum in Grenada

Two regional companies, SMAKS the West Indian Tea Company and David Weekes and Associates are the first winners of the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Break Point. The regional business competition, which utilizes the Caribbean…

Deutsche Bank chief Ackermann fears ‘social time bomb’

The chief executive of Deutsche Bank has warned of a "social time bomb" from wealth and income inequality. Josef Ackermann, who also heads the Institute of International Finance which represents the world's banks, told the BBC that bankers had a…

India court cancels 122 telecom licences

India's Supreme Court has cancelled 122 telecommunications licences awarded to companies in 2008. The licences were issued by former minister A Raja, who is accused of mis-selling bandwidth in what has been called India's biggest corruption…

UK and Czechs refuse to join fiscal compact

Twenty-five of the EU's 27 member states have agreed to join a fiscal treaty to enforce budget discipline. The Czech Republic and the UK refused to sign up. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said his government would act if the treaty threatened UK…

Honda sees sharp drop in profit

Japan's third biggest carmaker, Honda, has announced a 41% drop in quarterly profit, as it continues to feel the impact of Japan's March disasters, the floods in Thailand, and the high yen. Net profit for the third quarter fell to 47.6bn yen…