One of the European Union's top officials, Michel Barnier, intervenes in the controversy over a potential huge US fine on BNP Paribas bank.

Intel delivers a rare piece of good news for the shrinking PC market after the chipmaker says it expects better revenue growth on stronger personal computer sales.

Oil prices rise to a nine-month high, and global stock markets decline, amid concerns that developments in Iraq may hurt global supplies.

London's top shares slide in early Friday trade, with housebuilders dragging the market down after hints that interest rates might rise this year.

Credit ratings agency Fitch gives South Africa a negative outlook following a five-month platinum strike in the country.

Canada's Amaya is to buy the owner of Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker for $4.9bn, creating the world's biggest publicly listed online gaming company.

The pound nears a five-year high after the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, signalled interest rates may rise this year.

Mortgage lenders say that a cap on the size of mortgage loans is unlikely to be "the first tool in the box" to cool the housing market.