BUSINESS

As Harry Potter enters 15th publishing anniversary, IBTimes UK looks at how it spawned global franchise.

It’s all wizards, muggles and quidditch in IBTimes HQ, as we take a quick look at the Harry Potter franchise which put a spell on audiences around the world.

The Bank of England governor Mervyn King warned that two new schemes to get banks lending are not guaranteed to work and help pull the UK out of recession.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena or MPS is the first of the Italy’s banks to receive some form of state aid.

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the first Italian bank to receive some form of state aid, after the Italian cabinet have offered to back the banks bonds, similar to Tremonti bonds.

Rupert Murdoch is planning to split News Corp's publishing and entertainment businesses, the company has confirmed.

The Swiss banks plans to slash one third of its senior employees in its European investment banking department (IBD) due to tighter regulation eating into its capital raising quest, say sources

Ocado, the online grocer, posted solid first half sales, but said the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations were disruptive and London 2012 brings uncertainty.

Vassilis Rapanos would have been a key negotiator with EU officials on bailout terms.

Cyprus becomes fifth Eurozone state to seek financial help ahead of 20th Summit since crisis began in 2010

The jobs cull at Credit Suisse is not over - say sources - as the bank is set to axe some of its top directors next month.

Dell's latest attempt resembles a similar effort by the company to acquire data-storage maker, 3Par in 2010 which became unsuccessful in the face of Hewlett-Packard's $1.6 bn bid.

Microsoft has announced the purchase of office networking service Yammer for $1.2bn in cash.

European stocks fell for a third day after a sale of short-term Spanish debt exposed the highest borrowing costs so far this year for Europe’s fourth-largest economy.

Weakening of Spain's credit worthiness and the lower standalone credit assessments of the banks are cited as reasons for the downgrade.

The banking crisis in Spain has deepened, as Moody's, the credit rating agency, has now downgraded 28 Spanish banks, including Banco Santander.

Shares in Italy's largest banks plummet after the head of Italy's banking association called on the European Central Bank to buy bonds

Italy's third largest bank rushes to government for aid, in order to plug €1bn funding gap

Rating agency Standard & Poor's said in a report that British consumers are unlikely to increase their spending and lead the country out of its double-dip recession.

Mass Effect (ME) fans' relentless efforts in campaigning against the controversial ending of the epic-space-shooter trilogy is finally paying off dividends, thanks to BioWare's decision to release the new ending - "Extended Cut" DLC - that promises to bring more clarity to the game ending.

The Reserve Bank of India unveils a number of measures to relax rules and limits on qualified foreign investors investing in India.

UK-BANK CHAOS continues as the Banking giant RBS, which owns NatWest and Ulster Bank, has been forced to extend opening hours again today after a technical glitch last Tuesday prevented many of the banks 7.5m customers from accessing their accounts.

Bank of International Settlements (BIS) official warns that unconventional measures used to stimulate the economy could create problems in the future.

Markets are drifting lower this morning as investors await a crucial meeting of European Leaders in Brussels this week that will set the tone for market direction throughout the summer months.

Despite vowing to improve risk management following the $2bn "London Whale" loss, sources say that JPM's Chief Investment Office will hold and trade many other risk derivatives instruments.

Spain to formally seek bank aid and test debt markets as leaders prepare for Brussels summit.

PM's plan to draw flak from coalition partner Nick Clegg whose party is against drastic welfare cuts.

Coalition government releases policy document to ease strain on citizens who are already feeling pain of austerity measures.

Banks are working during the weekends to deal with customer problems.