Finance chiefs at the UK's biggest firms think there is a one in three chance of at least one country leaving the euro in 2012, a report says.

Asian stocks climb on the first full day of trading in 2012 boosted by better-than-expected economic data and European gains.

Oil giant BP asks its contractor Halliburton to pay all costs and damages arising from the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hundreds of Nigerians are marching in the commercial capital, Lagos, to protest at the removal of a fuel subsidy, which has led petrol prices to double.

Greece may have to leave the euro if it does not pass austerity measures and secure its latest bailout, a government spokesperson warns.

Luxury carmaker Bentley, whose cars start at £133,000, reports a sharp rise in sales, claiming demand has returned to pre-recession levels.

The European Central Bank names executive board member Peter Praet as its new chief economist, following the resignation of Juergen Stark.

The price of oil rises by almost 4% on optimism about prospects for the global economy and fears over tensions in the Middle East.