Businesses provide the means by which goods and services are exchanged and the basis for the economy on a local, national, and global scale.  They may provide consumer products, consumer services, durable goods such as refrigerators and televisions, capital goods such as machinery and commercial vehicles, raw materials such as wheat and corn, semi-finished goods such as computer components, finished goods such as cars and trucks, or business services such as insurance and banking.  Business has always been strongly influenced by the economic climate and world events.  In turn, the health of the business sector greatly influences the economy.

Browse the headlines below to find relevant and up-to-date business news from around the globe.

• Amazon Unlocks The Value Of Fan Fiction With 'Kindle Worlds'
  
  In a funny way, fan fiction is the purest form of literary art there is, the one most untainted by commerce. ...
  By Jeff Bercovici.  Forbes.  Wed, 22 May 2013 18:01:00 GMT.
• Electricity bills to increase by 18%
  
  Power NI announces that electricity bills for households and small businesses are to increase by 18% from July.
  BBC News.  Wed, 22 May 2013 17:39:10 GMT.
• Sony sees slower device sales (Mobile Minute)
  
  Sony’s entertainment business is outperforming its electronics business. Today the company trimmed its smartphone sales forecast and said it would consider a shareholder proposal to sell part of its entertainment business. ...
  Martha Degrasse.  RCR Wireless.  Wed, 22 May 2013 17:13:38 +0000.
• Tajik Opposition Leader Ordered Held In Pretrial Detention
  
  A leading Tajik opposition figure and businessman has been been ordered held in pretrial detention for up to two months.
  Radio Liberty.  Wed, 22 May 2013 13:28:53 +0000.
• Africa: Africa Lags Behind for Lack of Linkages
  
  [EA Business]Kigali -Commodity-based industrialisation has been championed as the best way for African countries to grow their economies.
  All Africa.  Wed, 22 May 2013 12:12:44 GMT.
• Germans, French eye plan to create jobs for young
  
  Germany and France are preparing to launch a drive to combat the problem of high European youth unemployment, which officials in Berlin say will center on trying to get business involved and make better use of already-pledged public money.
  Miami Herald.  Wed, 22 May 2013 11:56 EDT.
• 'Cash Mob' Phenomenon Supports Local Business
  
  The U.S. economy posted a solid growth in the first quarter, in part due to the biggest consumer spending surge since the end of 2010. A trend sweeping the country is helping to push more of that spending toward local businesses. ...
  Voice of America.  Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:46 -0400.
• VIDEO: Singapore's ethical jewellery outlet
  
  Design Up Asia is a hand-made jewellery business with a difference - its products are sold online but many of its staff are women who work from home.
  BBC News.  Wed, 22 May 2013 10:26:38 GMT.
• Turkey lifts customs restrictions for Bulgaria
  
  The two-day strike by Bulgarian truck drivers at the border ended with the restrictions being lifted. Also in business news: Greece's economy is expected to register positive growth next year.
  Southeast European Times.  2013-05-22.
• Oklahoma Tornado Victims Share Stories of Survival
  
  The deadly tornado that ripped through the midwestern state of Oklahoma on Monday left entire neighborhoods flattened, homes, businesses and schools destroyed. ...
  Voice of America.  Tue, 21 May 2013 12:28:36 -0400.

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