Apple shares surged to a record high on Tuesday helping to drive shares on Wall Street up for a second consecutive day.

Australia's Woodside Petroleum sees a 27% jump in first half profit, mainly driven by higher prices for its key product - liquefied natural gas.

Exports from Japan show a surprise pick-up in July, reigniting hopes of growth for the world's third largest economy.

Construction firm Balfour Beatty rejects a third takeover approach, worth more than £2bn, from rival Carillion.

China levies a record fine totalling 1.24bn yuan ($202m; £121m) on twelve Japanese car parts companies for price-fixing.

Two members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to raise interest rates in August, the first time in three years that policymakers have done so.

An emotional President de Kirchner says proposed legislation will return control of its debt to the government.

A total of £19.1bn is advanced to homebuyers in July, the Council of Mortgage Lenders says, amid warnings that the property market may face headwinds.