Skype, the internet telephony company, has sacked more than half a dozen of its most senior executives, in a boardroom clear-out ahead of its takeover by Microsoft.

Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer has presided over a decade of stagnation, claims a leading shareholder. Stephen Foley reports

The computing giant's $8.5bn purchase of the internet telephony pioneer has perplexed many analysts

Microsoft and Toyota have agreed to join forces to develop internet-based services for the car manufacturer's customers around the world.

Bill Gates is a ruthless schemer who demeaned his employees and conspired to rip off his business partner, according to a memoir written by the co-founder of Microsoft, Paul Allen.

The chief executive of the fast-growing social networking site Twitter yesterday batted away questions over whether the company was a takeover target and failed to outline how it could make enough money to justify its rumoured $10bn (£6bn) valuation.

Outlook: In the absence of an agreement on how much to cut, a deal on legal backing for a multi-year deficit plan would reassure critics of US fiscal credibility

For the next four days, Barcelona will be dominated not by Antoni Gaudi, Catalan politics or even Lionel Messi – but by mobile phones.

Microsoft has launched its latest assault on the smartphone market with a series of Windows Phone 7 devices.

Business titans line up to challenge gloomy reports on America's prospects

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer touted new tablet-style devices running the Windows 7 operating system from about 20 manufacturers at a conference on Monday, underlining the giant software company's eagerness to counter the explosion of interest in Apple Inc's iPad.

Microsoft has pulled the plug on a new generation of smartphones less than three months after unveiling the devices that were part of its efforts to catch-up with Apple and Google in the fast-growing mobile market.