Latest news from BBC Business
Diamond to be new Barclays chiefBob Diamond is to become chief executive of Barclays, while HSBC chairman Stephen Green steps down to become a government trade minister.Housing group 'near administration'Connaught, the property services group that specialises in social housing, is on the brink of going into administration, the BBC learns.EU's Barroso laments jobs crisisThe European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, highlights unemployment as a major challenge, in his first "state of the union" speech.Tax error letters start to arriveUK tax authorities are bracing themselves for a deluge of complaints and enquiries after sending out fresh tax calculations.Most believe 'retirement is over'Seven out of 10 people believe retirement as we know it will not be possible in the future, a BBC Newsnight poll finds.Ocado sees 30% rise in food salesOnline grocery retailer Ocado sees sales rose nearly 30% in the last quarter, but fails to prevent further share price falls.Scam fear over electricity creditCriminals have managed to clone prepayment meter keys in order to make money by offering discounted credit to customers.School clothes boost retail salesRetail sales rose in August, partly thanks to strong sales of children's clothing ahead of the new school year, figures suggest.Oracle hires HP's ex chief execTech stars join forces as Oracle's Larry Ellison brings in former HP boss Mark Hurd to replace Charles Phillips.France strikes over pension plansFrance is braced for disruption as a strike over pension reform gets under way, with parliament also debating a ban on full face veils and a security bill.Kabul Bank investors' cash frozenAfghanistan's central bank follows its promise to back Kabul Bank by freezing the assets of leading investors.Greek PM reshuffles his cabinetGreek PM George Papandreou reshuffles his cabinet but leaves the key post of finance minister unchanged as his government battles a debt crisis.Key Asian interest rates on holdThe cost of borrowing in Australia stays at 4.5% and Japan at near zero amid continuing global economic uncertainty.Strike severely disrupts TubeSome services resume on the London Underground following severe disruption on the first morning of a series of 24-hour strikes.US firm buys Realtime Worlds gamePart of collapsed computer games firm Realtime Worlds has been bought by an anonymous American company, administrators confirm.Obama unveils $50bn building planPresident Barack Obama announces a $50bn infrastructure plan as part of efforts to jump-start the faltering US economy.Demand for Equitable Life payoutPensioners hit by the Equitable Life scandal are making a final attempt to persuade the government to pay them full compensation.Tax holiday for UK firms kicks inA scheme offering up to 400,000 new firms a chance to trim their tax bill has come into effect.Shift in home loan availabilityThe cost of mortgages is continuing to fall and they are becoming more accessible to some borrowers, figures show.UK slipping down graduate leagueThe UK is slipping behind international rivals in university places, according to figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.Germany extends nuclear lifespanGermany's government agrees to extend the life span of the country's nuclear power plants by an average of 12 years, officials say.SA public sector strike suspendedSouth African trade unions suspend a nationwide strike which has paralysed schools and hospitals for 20 days.Union warns BA of fresh strikesUnion leaders warn BA faces fresh strike action by cabin crew unless a settlement is reached to end the long-running dispute.UK mobile firms to merge networksCustomers of Orange and T-Mobile will soon be able to hop between the two mobile networks as the firms merge their networks.Chinese pilots lied about recordsChina is checking the qualifications of all its commercial pilots, after it emerged that more than 200 of them lied about their experience.Rovers takeover man left UK debtsThe Indian businessman hoping to buy Blackburn Rovers, Ahsan Ali Syed, left a trail of debt from his time in the UK, 5 live Investigates reveals.Delhi loses patience with Commonwealth GamesThe 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 saleThe British company behind the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology used in tennis and cricket is to be put up for sale.Retail: "Good news for savvy shoppers"High street sales have picked up slightly driven by sales of computers and school uniforms ready for the new academic year.What to do if you get a tax letterThousands of people will find out if they have been undercharged or are overpaid by the taxman. Up to six million people have been paying the wrong amount and the treasury says it cannot afford to write off the money.Robert Peston on new Barclays chiefOne of the world's best-paid bankers, Bob Diamond, is to become the chief executive of Barclays.EU to appoint bank regulatorsBen Shore and Stuart Fraser analyse Europe's attempts to further regulate its financial sector.BA boss reveals takeover ambitionBritish Airways and Iberia have drawn up a shortlist of up to 12 airlines which they hope to buy or merge with once their own tie-up has been completed.Strike over French pension reformsFrance faces serious disruption in a nationwide strike to fight proposals to raise the retirement age.Savvy tourists bag Ramadan dealsSince the credit crunch Dubai has been attracting tourists with massively discounted prices at luxury hotels but during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan the city is having to work even harder to entice tourists.Equitable Life compensation bidPensioners hit by the Equitable Life scandal are to make a final bid to persuade the government to pay them full compensation.Past is the futureLacemaking factory goes back to traditional methods to surviveXML error: EntityRef: expecting ';' at line 654
