BUSINESS

Japan says it had successfully extracted natural gas from frozen methane hydrate off its central coast, in what it says is a world first.

As voting opens in a competition to find Europe's most dangerous financial product, the Today programme speaks to Sven Giegold, who is co-ordinating the prize.

South Sudan and Sudan agree to resume pumping oil after a bitter dispute over fees which saw production shut down more than a year ago.

South Korea says North Korea cannot scrap the armistice that ended the Korean War and calls on Pyongyang to tone down its rhetoric.

A court has blocked a ban on the sale of large sugary drinks - including soda - from restaurants in New York City, a day before the law was to take effect.

At least 20,000 jobs have been created to deal with claims over mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), employment group Manpower says.

The Chinese government should acknowledge and investigate cyber crime from China, US National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon says.

For many Nepalese, working abroad is the best way to secure their economic future.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks for some of the world's biggest miners in Mongolia?

Advocates of remote health monitoring point to lessened strain on hospitals - but recent studies suggest it is not all good news.

UK house sales hit their highest level in more than two-and-a-half years in February, but the figures do not signal a housing boom, surveyors say.

A lack of computer skills could be damaging the career chances of young people, the Prince's Trust charity warns.

Musician Will.i.am is encouraging young people to engage with science, technology, engineering and maths.

Illinois agrees to settle federal charges alleging the state misled investors about the financial health of its public pension system, regulators say.

A court blocks an "arbitrary and capricious" ban on the sale of large sugary drinks in New York City, a day before the law was to take effect.

Can Asia fuel its own growth?

Liverpool FC supporters say planned season ticket rises are pricing loyal fans out of a seat.

Computer maker Dell opens up its books to the scrutiny of activist investor Carl Icahn, who opposes plans by founder Michael Dell to buy out the firm.

The presidents of Pakistan and Iran are inaugurating the Pakistani phase of a gas pipeline linking the neighbours, despite US warnings of sanctions.

President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have inaugurated a controversial gas pipeline linking the two neighbours.