News : British Broadcasting Corporation

The UK's inflation rate fell to 2.4% in April, says the Office for National Statistics, down from 2.8% in March.

Luxury air travel in private jets continues despite struggles in the global economy

The first crane egg in southern Britain in more than 400 years has been laid by a nesting bird.

Vodafone's full-year sales slip for the first time in eight years as tough economic conditions in Europe take their toll on customers.

A study showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.

Nick Buckles, the chief executive of global security group G4S, is to step down from his position at the end of May.

Marks and Spencer reports a big fall in annual profits, as troubles in its clothing division continue.

The underwater prowess of the penguin may have cost the bird its ability to fly, scientists believe.

Scientists have used plant samples collected in the 19th Century to identify the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine.

A scheme to help the unemployed find work appears to be failing the most disadvantaged jobseekers, MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee say.

Digs shed light on one of world's oldest civilisations

The UK-based experts in stamp collecting, Stanley Gibbons, recently opened its first office in Singapore to take advantage of growing interest in the hobby in Asia.

Singapore is becoming an attractive destination for Europe's luxury fashion brands - designer Carolina Herrera is hoping to cash in on its interest in high fashion.

The fast pace of development in Dubai has meant that infrastructure has often failed to keep up - but the problem of tackling sewage has been improved by processing firms adopting new technology

Finding profit in poo in the Middle East

Why foreign comedians love the British comedy business

Will Microsoft's new games machine win the next console war?

A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets.

The BBC's new inflation calculator works out your own household's rate

Inflation secrets of the TV families

Apple is accused of being "among America's largest tax avoiders" by a Senate committee, who says the company avoided paying billions of dollars in US taxes.

Tumblr, the blogging site set up by a 20 year old only six years ago, has been bought by the internet giant Yahoo for more than £700 million.

Luxury labels target Singapore's best dressed

Yahoo says its $1.1bn (£723m) purchase of blogging platform Tumblr will boost its revenue as soon as 2014.

Detailed slow-motion footage showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists.