British Airways (BA) has said it will take on fewer people next year as a result of the government's decision to continue with a planned rise in Air Passenger Duty.

The UK government has launched a consultation on new rules which would force banks to declare executive pay and bonus levels.

US banking giant, Citigroup, says it is to cut 4,500 jobs around the world in an effort to reduce its costs.

Greece's parliament passes the 2012 austerity budget submitted by its coalition government aimed at preventing a default on the country's huge debt.

UK shop price inflation fell to its lowest level for a year in November, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Australia's economy grew by more than expected in the third quarter of 2011, driven by building and mining activity.

The number of permanent job placements fell at its fastest rate in November since July 2009, says the Recruitment and Employment Confederation

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's downgrades the long-term credit grades of a string of major banks including Barclays and HSBC.