The World Bank urges countries to allocate more resources to the extreme poor because economic growth alone is not enough to end poverty.

The United Nations is likely to warn governments that a "dash for gas" will not solve climate change, the BBC's Roger Harrabin reports.

Shares of Japan's Fast Retailing tumble in Tokyo trade after the company revises down its full year profit forecasts due to sluggish sales at home.

More than 600,000 people change their current accounts in the first six months of a scheme designed to make switching banks easier.

The Co-operative Bank has confirmed it has made a loss of £1.3bn for 2013 and said it will not pay out £5m to former executives.

The US accuses Russia of using gas supplies to try to control Ukraine, as Nato defends the accuracy of satellite images of Russian troops near the border.

Asian markets end Friday's session lower as investors take their cue from the US market and dump technology stocks.

A US court accepts a $1.8bn (£1.07bn) settlement for insider trading by US hedge fund group SAC Capital Advisors.