Low income families are being exploited by so-called rent-to-buy deals on household appliances, a children's charity warns.

The Hungarian government has abandoned part of a planned bond auction and seen interest on the debt it did issue rise.

The US confirms the sale of nearly $30bn of fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, saying the deal would send a "strong message" to countries in the region.

Debt experts warn young people not to delay seeking help if Christmas has tipped them into unmanageable debt.

China's Alibaba Group hires US lobbying firm fuelling further speculation it is preparing a bid for internet giant Yahoo.

Spain's Iberia cancels more than a third of its flights as pilots hold a one-day strike over plans for a new low-cost airline.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti calls for a 'united response' to the eurozone debt crisis as he outlines plan to get Italy out of recession.

China says it will withdraw support for foreign investment in the country's car industry to help domestic carmakers, according to state media.