The number of 16 to 24-year-olds on zero hours contracts more than doubles since the start of the economic downturn, new figures show.

More transparency is needed in how natural resources are managed, a report says, as mismanagement and corruption often stops the wealth generated getting to citizens.

Global clothing retailers face a 15 May deadline to sign a legally binding agreement to improve safety standards at garment factories in Bangladesh.

After buying the e-reader Kobo, Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce company, is looking for other areas in which to expand.

Japan's Nikkei climbs past 15,000 for the first time since January 2008 as the yen's continued decline is seen boosting earnings potential for Japanese exporters

Boeing says it has resumed deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner, after two incidents involving the lithium ion batteries led to a worldwide grounding.

Has Sir Mervyn done a good job as Bank of England governor?

MPs and motoring groups call on UK regulators to investigate claims that oil giants may have been linked to price-fixing for more than a decade.

Firms which write to the dead asking 'why did you leave?'

There is still one British firm still manufacturing carbon paper - York Haven in the West Midlands.

The Conservative MP, Robert Halfon, says the OFT should look again at the oil market after the offices of several firms were raided by European Commission officials.

Prince Harry and David Cameron were presented with dolls of themselves at a British business launch in New York.

Marks and Spencer unveils a new clothing collection and strategy that it hopes will reverse falling sales.

US hedge fund manager Daniel Loeb says Sony should spin off up to 20% of its entertainment business and shore up its struggling electronics arm.

The Bank of England calls the data snooping activities at financial news agency Bloomberg "reprehensible" and says it will liaise with other central banks.

Retail guru Mary Portas's review into how to rejuvenate struggling town centres has had mixed reviews.

EU officials have raided the offices of several companies involved in the oil market, as part of an investigation into price-fixing.

RBS shareholders at the bank's annual general meeting in Edinburgh approve its remuneration report which includes bonuses totalling more than £600m.

European Union finance ministers have agreed to start talks with five none-EU countries in a bid to tighten rules on bank secrecy and tax evasion.

Ratings agency Fitch upgrades Greece's credit rating, citing progress in cutting its budget deficit.