The Business Matrix: Saturday 20 July 2013

BP is told to keep paying for oil spill

A US judge has blocked BP's bid to suspend payments to people and businesses claiming damages over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, while an investigator looks into possible misconduct in the payout process. BP agreed to make the payments as part of a settlement last year.

Former RP Martin brokers in court

Two former brokers from RP Martin appeared in court on fraud charges yesterday and were bailed until a hearing on 30 July. Terry Farr and James Gilmour are accused of conspiring to manipulate Libor rates with employees at banks including as UBS, HSBC and Citi.

Vodafone revenue dips 4.5% to £1.5bn

Vodafone said cut-throat competition and weak consumer confidence were hitting its UK operations. The world's second-biggest mobile operator said Britons were sticking to fixed-price tariffs. Its UK revenues fell by 4.5 per cent to £1.52bn in the three months to June.

GSK execs fly out to China crisis

GlaxoSmithKline has sent its head of emerging markets and two other senior executives to China to lead the drug-maker's response to an unfolding crisis over alleged bribery and corruption. GSK said it was deeply concerned by the allegations, which it called "shameful".