Russia will consider lifting its grain export ban only after the next year's harvest has been reaped, Vladimir Putin says.

Burger King is being sold to private equity firm 3G Capital in a deal valued at $3.26bn (£2.1bn), it has been announced.

Hewlett Packard yet again increases its offer to win data storage company 3Par ahead of rival Dell computing.

The head of Afghanistan's Central Bank tells the BBC he will not allow the country's biggest commercial bank to collapse.

Zara starts selling its clothes online for the first time following similar moves from Gap and Banana Republic last month.

Samsung has become the latest manufacturer to enter into the tablet computer market with its Galaxy Tab.

Apple launches a music-based social network called Ping as part of its latest upgrade to the iTunes music software.

Sony has unveiled its own music and video download in an announcement timed to coincide with an Apple media event.

Pernod Ricard says it will spend more on marketing to encourage consumption as the drinks market begins to recover.

Russian gas monopoly Gazprom reports a threefold surge in profits for the first three months of the year, despite a sharp fall in gas prices.

Positive manufacturing data from America and China eases concerns over the strength of the global economic recovery.

The former head of Lehman Brothers, Dick Fuld, blames regulators for the collapse of the Wall Street investment bank.

UN says international food prices have risen to levels not seen since 2008, partly because of drought in Russia.

The British company behind the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology used in tennis and cricket is to be put up for sale.

Luxury carmaker Ferrari recalls all of the 458 Italia cars made this year, following reports of the supercars catching fire.

Germany's Deutsche Bahn will test a high-speed train in the Channel Tunnel in a bid to rival Eurostar.

The US financial regulator decides to drop possible fraud charges against rating agency Moody's over a computer glitch.

The US government decides to drop an investigation of China's currency policy, avoiding a possible trade dispute.

Minutes from its August meeting reveal the US Federal Reserve will buy up more debt if conditions worsen "appreciably".

The eurozone economy grew by 1% between April and June, driven by strong German growth, official figures confirm.

Artists such as Lady Gaga cannot stop sales falling at Universal Music but its owner Vivendi reports a rise in profit.

Nationalised lender Anglo Irish Bank has announced the largest corporate loss in the history of the Republic of Ireland.

South Africa's government increases its wage offer to more than a million striking public sector workers, but it is below the union's demand.

South African unions threaten to call a nationwide strike across all sectors in support of public workers, who marched through the country's cities.

Nigeria is to sell off the state power monopoly PHCN, President Goodluck Jonathan announces.

Australia's economy grew for its sixth straight quarter hitting 1.2% thanks to high demand for commodities.

The US government prepares to decide on Tuesday whether to escalate a dispute with China over its currency policy.

Japanese stocks have seen sharp falls in response to the Bank of Japan's attempts to curb the rising yen.

Spending by English Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window has tumbled 22% from last year, a report says.

A Bahrain-based company run by the man behind a £300m takeover bid of Blackburn Rovers has been instructed to cease trading by Bahrain authorities.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power reports a 54% rise in half year profits, with £15m made from losing punters at the football World Cup.

House prices fell for the second month in a row in August, according to the Nationwide building society.

All banks and building societies have put in place plans to begin dispensing £5 notes from the cash machines, a report reveals.

The UK should have addressed its public deficit back in 2005, former Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the BBC.

Royal Bank of Scotland is planning to cut 3,500 jobs from its technical and back office division.

Four of the "big six" UK energy suppliers are to be investigated amid concerns of mis-selling to customers, the regulator says.

Although firms are replacing employees who have left, they are not creating new jobs, the UK's largest recruitment company warns.

The drug company Alliance Boots is dissolving one of its two final-salary pension schemes to 'ensure long-term security'.

Banks have written off a record amount of credit card debt despite charities reporting a fall in calls from worried borrowers.

Millions of graduates will now start paying interest on their student loans again as new interest rates come into effect.

Indian cities are getting bigger and there is a growing need for more housing, business space and public facilities.

Tatarstan has discovered a new money-making opportunity: providing services to its Muslim community.

The property market in Brazil is booming, as the country enjoys rapid economic growth - and it has enabled thousands of people to buy their first home.

An island off Peru is making money from selling bird poo to use as organic fertiliser.

Online clothes shopping is expected to grow to $144 billion by 2014 in western Europe according to market research company

Apple has launched a new social network feature called Ping for its iTunes software.

The US government made a mistake in allowing Lehman Brothers to fail according to the former chief executive of the bank.

Canadian mining firm Potash has hit back at pressure over a potential takeover, accusing its would-be buyers of acting unethically.

The back-breaking, ear-splitting work on Peru's guano islands

After years of building for others, Sergio has bought his own home

Can Cadbury and Fairtrade help Ghanaian farmers?

Art makes money but when does money make art?