Trade union leaders will decide on Friday whether to support a co-ordinated campaign of industrial action to oppose the governments spending cuts.

China introduces its first property tax for home buyers in an attempt to curb record house prices and tame inflation.

Demand for smartphones helps South Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics to a strong fourth quarter profit.

French economic minister Christine Lagarde says the EU's financial bail-out fund - used to rescue the Irish Republic - could be enlarged if necessary.

Holiday camp company Pontin's has been bought by Britannia Hotel Group, saving 850 jobs, administrators say.

Google's Eric Schmidt explains his new role as executive chairman and tells the BBC about his ambitions in China.

Ireland's lower house of parliament passes a finance bill seen as key to meeting conditions of an 85bn euro EU and IMF rescue package.

Amazon announces that it sold more Kindle downloads in the US than paperbacks, but says its profit margins slid.