The US economy created 243,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, official figures show.

Virgin Atlantic is forcing successful job applicants to pay for their own criminal record checks, Radio 4's Money Box reveals.

Freezing weather sweeping across Europe is causing a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, officials say.

Hungarian airline Malev ceases trading after 66 years after being ordered by the EU to repay state aid it has received.

Apple is granted a suspension of a sales ban imposed on some of its iPads and iPhones in Germany.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit China next week to discuss the future of Canada's oil products.

The eurozone's service sector grows for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy continue to struggle.

Motorola forces some 3G iPhones and iPads to be pulled from Apple's German online store after enforcing a patent injunction.

Japanese electronics giant Panasonic forecasts a record net annual loss of $10bn for the year to March.

Kim Dotcom's bail appeal is rejected by a New Zealand Court, as US campaigners hint at legal action to prevent files being deleted.

The UK's service sector grew at its fastest rate since March 2011 in January, according to a closely watched survey.

Oil production is set to start in Uganda after a deal is signed between the government and London-based Tullow oil, which also draws in Chinese and French firms.

Swiss authorities investigate 12 US, European and Japanese banks over claims they have been fixing their interbank lending rates.

Telecoms group BT reports a sharp rise in profits, thanks largely to a jump in the number of broadband users.

Hong Kong's Hutchison 3G agrees to buy Orange Austria in a bid to expand it presence and boost market share in the country.

The UK will enter recession in the first half of the year as households continue to cut back, says the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

An advertising agency for BMW pays to name Europe's cold weather "Cooper" in Germany, after the firm's Mini Cooper car, but the stunt backfires.

China's box office takings surged 29% to $2.1bn in 2011 and are forecast to rise by around 20% this year, new figures show.

Japanese carmakers report a jump in their US sales in January boosted by new models and the restoration of supply chains.

The loss-making parent company of American Airlines says it will shed 13,000 jobs - around 15% of its workforce.

Single-family home prices in the US dropped by 0.7% in November, amid weaker consumer confidence.

Drugs firm AstraZeneca announces a further 7,300 job cuts over the next two years as part of a new restructuring programme.

Deutsche Bank reports a sharp fall in profits as the eurozone debt crisis takes its toll on the company's investment banking division.

Royal Dutch Shell has said it will launch a major investment drive in an effort to boost falling production.

The International Monetary Fund warns of a possible 20-30% spike in oil prices if Iranian exports are disrupted.

South Sudan agrees a deal with Kenya to build an pipeline to Lamu, potentially reducing its dependence on its northern neighbour Sudan to export its oil.

EU foreign ministers formally agree to an oil embargo against Iran, as Western powers reinforce their naval presence in the region.

Chinese mining group Zijin says it expects a 20% jump in profits for 2011 boosted by higher gold prices during the year.

Air India assures it will pay its dues for jet fuel to three state-owned oil firms by Friday after its fuel supplies are cut.

Japanese electronics giant Sony reports another quarterly loss after sales were hit by lower production following the floods in Thailand.

The Premier League and the importers of foreign satellite TV decoder boxes and cards are both claiming victory after their latest court battle

Harry Redknapp's admission of lying to a News of the World reporter is "extremely telling", a court is told.

Tourist bookings for visits to Scotland around the time of the London Olympics are rising, it is claimed.

India’s Tirupati Temple has adopted a range of green technologies - and the shrine is now trading carbon credits.

Threat landscape is constantly evolving, says McAfee chief technology office.

The world’s first hybrid-powered ferry fleet in Hong Kong is a proving ground for technology that could transform the future of marine travel

What is the secret behind the high number of successful business start-ups in the US? We talk to three American business people.

During a financial crisis the instinctive reaction is to take cover but, according to some people, that is the perfect time to take risks.

Jacqueline De Biase, 49, describes how an idea to start making her own bikinis at home 30 years ago blossomed into one of Brazil's leading bikini brands.

The way annuities are sold is costing half a million retirees each year as much as £1bn in future pension income, the National Association of Pension Funds says.

Just over one million taxpayers face a penalty of £100 for failing to submit their self-assessment tax returns on time, HM Revenue and Customs says.

Fewer people were declared insolvent in 2011 in England and Wales than in 2010, but the number of companies going bust increased.

The Middle East's experts on maritime security are meeting in Abu Dhabi this week and talk of Iran's threats of closing the Strait of Hormuz will feature prominently.

The manufacturing sector in United States has been contributing to the improving labour market in the world's largest economy.

Tope level international cricket is being played in the UAE - but will it make money?

The BBC's Jamie Robertson on growth in the eurozone - and Spanish plans to raise more capital.

Just how good is the state of UK-India trade?

Poland's Finance Minister, Jacek Rostowski, tells Stephen Sackur why his country has yet to join the Eurozone.

Rolls-Royce will open a new half a billion dollar plant in Singapore later this month.

Sweden is often referred to as one of the most equal societies in the world, however in the challenging economic climate, many wonder if it can retain this quality.

Credit unions hope a new law will boost membership numbers

Do the super-rich pay their way?

Why is the England-Pakistan Test match not bowling fans over?

Out of reach of regular internet searches is a secret online world

Rolls-Royce starts up engine production in Singapore

Wrestling one of the UK's most invasive pests

Decoding Mark Zuckerberg's letter to investors

Google's Sebastien Marotte on radical changes work