A judge approves the California city of Stockton's bankruptcy filing, making it the most populous US city ever to enter bankruptcy protection.

The UK will avoid a triple dip recession thanks to the performance of the service industries and strong exports, says the British Chambers of Commerce.

Chancellor George Osborne is to defend benefits and tax changes in a speech later, saying "this month we will make work pay".

The rate of unemployment in the eurozone hit 12% in February, a record high, official figures show.

Some 15,000 customers with funds in the UK arm of Cypriot bank Laiki will escape a levy on their accounts, which will be moved to Bank of Cyprus in the UK.

The recent rapid growth of Scotch whisky exports has stalled, according to figures for last year.

The Building Societies Association (BSA) says its lending to homebuyers has risen by nearly a third in the last year.

Cypriot Finance Minister Michalis Sarris resigns after completing talks on a controversial bailout deal.