US carmarkers General Motors and Ford report record sales in China for 2011, despite a slowdown in the market in that country.

Olympus has confirmed to the BBC that it is suing 19 current and former executives after a $1.7bn accounting cover-up at the firm.

A "smart" internet-connected television that has the ability to have its hardware upgraded every year has been unveiled by Samsung.

Growth in China's exports and imports slows in December because of sluggish demand from the US and Europe.

There is no sign of the UK property market picking up in the coming months, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says.

The first phase of a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham is expected to be given the go-ahead by the government later.

Marks and Spencer reports a modest rise in UK sales over the Christmas period, thanks in part to stronger demand for its food.

Dutch group Philips Electronics says that weak demand in Europe has hit its fourth quarter results.