COMPANIES

There are only four days left for what is expected to be the release of Apple's next-generation tablet - the popularly named iPad 3... and the rumour mills are spinning faster than ever, with expected features and leaked specs hogging the limelight.

The latest reports that have surfaced have to do with possible pricing strategies of the next generation iPad.

BP still faces several settlement cases from the affected parties in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill such as the US government, Gulf states and drilling partners.

Apple's new iPad to be called iPad HD, technology bloggers speculate.

Frenchman claims image made him laughing stock of village.

Glencore International, the supplier of metals, minerals, energy and agriculture products, remains affirmative about the long term global economic prospects and is scheduled to release its preliminary results on March 5, 2012.

Acer to steal MacBook Air's crown with world's thinnest ultrabook, the Aspire S5

Laird, the global technology company, has reported its results for the financial year ending 31 December 2011 with an increase in revenue from continuing businesses by 19% at £491.3 million compared to 2010. Organic revenue growth rose 12%.

Petrofac Limited, the provider of facilities solutions to the oil and gas production and processing industry, with continued growth, high levels of backlog, exceptional revenue visibility is scheduled to report its preliminary results on March 5, 2012.

Watchdogs 'deeply concerned' about changes that have been implemented by search engine giant.

BBA Aviation, the provider of global aviation support and aftermarket services expects to deliver a positive underlying progress achieving a full year result in line with the board's expectations. The group is scheduled to report its final results for the year ending on 31 December, 2011 on March 2, 2012.

Game Group shares tumble 16 percent after EA and Nintendo stop supplying some stock to chain

Top Three Smartphones at 2012 MWC

Apple to develop smaller iPad to rival Amazon's Kindle Fire later this year, sources claim.

WPP, the largest communications services provider, has reported a rise in its full year revenues by 7.4% to £10.022 billion and pre-tax profit of £1.00 billion for the first time

Laird, the supplier of products and technology solutions is confident to deliver underlying earnings of not less than 16 pence per share for the year as a whole. The group is expected to release its preliminary results on March 2, 2012 with its increase customer base and expanding technology portfolio.

Man Group, the alternative investment management company, has reported its final results for the nine months to December 31, 2011 which are in line with expectations.

Britain’s FTSE 100 index ended lower 56.40 points or 1 per cent at 5,871.51 on Wednesday, though investors digested the latest second round of a European Central Bank long term liquidity operation.

Microsoft has rounded off Mobile World Congress in Barcelona by demonstrating the consumer preview of Windows 8 for tablet and PC.

Man Group, the alternative investment management company is confident to deliver the positive performance as markets are normalised and trading opportunities re-emerged.

Complete review of MWC, with Alastair Stevenson reporting from Barcelona and Alistair Charlton from London, for International Business Times UK.

U.S. Prefers Google over Facebook, Says Poll

Fujitsu gets some quad-core action and announces a waterproof, dust-proof superphone.

Despite challenging economic environment, WPP, the communications services provider continues to focus on its long-term plans and strategic goals of improving operating profits by 10-15 percent per annum.

French authorities, on Tuesday, confirmed their belief that Google Inc.'s new unified privacy policy (slated to come into effect on 1 March) appears to violate European Union (EU) data protection laws.

Apple's media invite suggests the launch of the iPad 3 on 7 March. That feeling is strengthened by the fact that Best Buy is now offering $50 discounts on the iPad 2.

Standard Chartered, the retail and commercial banking giant has reported a 11percent rise in its annual profit before tax at $6,775 million for the year ended on 31 December, 2011.

HTC Announces One X at 2012 MWC, Challenges Rumoured Samsung Galaxy S3

Apple has confirmed what we have all predicted for some time, that there will be an iPad 3 announcement on 7 March.