News : British Broadcasting Corporation

A report from the UK government's former chief scientist, Sir David King, says Britain should be recycling nuclear fuel to generate more power.

Consumers took a slightly bolder approach to debt in February with increases in mortgage and unsecured borrowing, figures show.

The UK economy shrank by 0.5% in the last three months of 2010, revised figures show, which is less than previously thought.

Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has reported a big rise in sales and profits and is opening 20 new stores, despite rising commodity prices and a tough climate on the high street.

Building and heating materials group Wolseley reports a return to profit for the six months to 31 January and reinstates its dividend.

Outsourcing group Mouchel rejects takeover bids from construction firm Costain and support services company Interserve.

Amazon has unveiled an online music service that lets users upload songs and play them from a range of devices.

There is a risk of a "deadly collision between urbanisation and climate change" if no action is taken to curb emissions, a UN report warns.

Tour operator Thomas Cook says it expects the disruption caused by the political unrest in Egypt and Tunisia to cost it £20m.

Speculation is growing that the Japanese government could begin talks to nationalise the company that owns the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japanese PM vows to redouble efforts to tackle damage at a nuclear plant where radioactive water has leaked creating a "maximum alert".

South Korea's biggest companies are involved in a bidding race as they submit preliminary bids for a stake in logistics firm Korea Express.

Metal 'books' could hold vital details about early Christianity

Mining giant Rio Tinto is negotiating with a major shareholder in Riversdale Mining in a last ditch effort to salvage its takeover bid for the company.

Ratan Tata and Anil Ambani will appear before a parliamentary committee probing a multi billion dollar telecom scandal.

Will a new law help reduce conflict over rare minerals?

Government plans to help start-ups get a mixed reception

Internet advertising breaks through £4bn barrier and now accounts for one pound in every four spent.

Boat Race title sponsor Xchanging is to end its financial backing of the Oxford and Cambridge event when its contract expires in 2012.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is to return full time to lead product development, three years after he was pushed out of the company as chief executive.

China is on course to overtake America in scientific output possibly as soon as 2013, far earlier than expected, a UK study suggests.

EBay buys digital marketing and e-commerce company GSI Commerce for $2.4bn (£1.5bn) to expand online operations.

The Supreme Court in Bangladesh is set to resume a hearing on the appeal by Grameen Bank's Muhammad Yunus against his firing.

Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa is expected to see an end to losses at its third generation mobile phone business.

An Irish minister says the government wants to impose losses on some senior bondholders to the country's banks.