US shares rise sharply as investors take comfort from the pledge by French and German leaders to protect European banks from the debt crisis.

Slovakia will vote later on measures to bolster the powers of the eurozone bailout fund, seen as vital to combating the bloc's debt crisis.

Shares in China's big banks have moved higher, after the country's sovereign wealth fund announced it was increasing its stake in them.

The UK economy deteriorated in the third quarter and is showing signs of stagnation, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

The mortgage market showed "welcome signs of life" in August, lenders say, although it remained far from signalling a housing boom.

The UK's manufacturing output was 0.3% lower August than in July, according to official government figures.

Struggling Dubai Bank is taken over by Emirates NBD under orders of Dubai's ruler.

India unveils a draft telecoms plan which reforms the sector and boosts consumer rights, the first such move since a corruption scandal hit the industry.