Economic recovery in US 'fragile'
Although the US economy is improving, it is too early to say that the recovery will last, Fed chairman Ben Bernanke says.

Greece warned about credit rating
Concerns about Greece's economy continue to grow as the country is warned it may have its credit rating cut.

China car sales pass 12 million
Chinese annual car sales and production both exceeded 12 million units in the first 11 months of the year, state media says.

Google launches real-time search
Google search results will now display information from news organisations, blogs and Twitter as soon as it is published.

Iceland's economy shrinks further
Iceland's recession deepened in the third quarter as figures show output plunged at the fastest pace on record.

German factory orders slip back
Orders to German factories fell unexpectedly in October from the previous month, official figures show.

Dubai economy 'will bounce back'
In a BBC interview, president of the airline Emirates predicts Dubai will bounce back more quickly than the UK.

JAL shares jump on loan reports
Shares in Japan Airlines surge 7% after reports suggest the government is to guarantee billions of yen in loans to the carrier.

India's Tata launches water filter for rural poor
The Indian industrial conglomerate Tata launches a new low-cost water purifier, aimed at the rural poor.

Silverstone deal saves British GP
Silverstone agrees a 17-year deal to host the British Grand Prix from 2010, ensuring the race remains on the Formula 1 calendar.

England vaunts 2018 World Cup bid
England officials say they believe they could deliver the most "commercially successful" 2018 World Cup.

World Cup 2010: The man in charge
Dr Danny Jordaan is confident that South Africa will be ready for the world cup, but admits he's "feeling the tension".

Poor lose out
Tankers bring water to those who can pay the price

Goodbye Dubai?
Economic pause as workers leave the emirate

Tough choices
How to best sort out the UK's public finances

Cost of beauty
Romanians struggle to get by working in High Street chain

City Diaries
Update on the mood in the UK financial world

Natural wonders
Bhopal wants tourists to look past the gas leak

Banks criticise windfall tax plan
Banking chiefs criticise reports the Treasury is planning to levy a windfall tax on the bonuses paid to some UK-based bankers.

Dubai stock market slumps again
Dubai's shares fall again, as a minister says it is up to Dubai World to sell assets to cover its debt, not the government.

'NI recession is over' says bank
The recession is over in Northern Ireland according to the chief economist at one of NI's 'big four' banks.

Report criticises offset schemes
Less than 30 pence in every pound spent on carbon offsets goes directly to projects to reduce emissions, a report claims.

Online retailers 'extremely busy'
Amazon says business has been "extremely busy" on the day when online retailers are expected to take record sales.

MPs 'unsure' over Stansted runway
Thought should be given to building an extra runway at Gatwick rather than Stansted, a report by MPs suggests.

Zimbabwe predicts economic upturn
Zimbabwe's first budget since its unity government began sharing power 10 months ago predicts a healthy economic future.

Eskom to get loan for power plant
South African energy firm Eskom gets a 1.86bn euro loan ($2.77bn) to finance the building of a new power plant.

US jobless rate eases to 10%
The US unemployment rate fell back in November to 10%, from 10.2% in October, the US Labor Department says.

GM plans new small car for India
General Motors plans to form a new venture with its Chinese partner, SAIC, to focus on the small car market in India.

Japan mulls further JAL support
The Japanese government will guarantee 700bn yen in loans and other funds in order to keep Japan Airlines going, reports say.

Anger over N Korea currency move
North Koreans angered by currency reform have been setting fire to piles of outdated money, a report says.

Talks between UK and France off
A scheduled meeting between the UK and France, which may have addressed the EU banking regulation dispute, is off.

1,700 jobs to go at Corus plant
Steelmaker Corus says it will curtail production at its Teesside Cast Products factory, putting 1,700 people out of work.

Four Dubai banks have ratings cut
Ratings agency Standard & Poor's cuts the credit ratings of four Dubai-based banks because of their exposure to Dubai World.

UAE tries to reassure investors
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, moves to try to reassure investor sentiment.

World's cheapest car to go green
India's Tata Group says it is planning to produce hybrid versions of its Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car.

India's economy continues to grow
India's economy grew at a faster-than-expected rate of 7.9% in the three months to September, boosted by government spending.

Gas supply firms warned on bills
The UK energy regulator is warning gas supply firms that customers must benefit from any fall in wholesale prices.

Extra £5 notes for cash machines
The Bank of England is to urge banks to increase the availability of £5 notes in their cash machines.

Irish bank error hits UK clients
The Belfast office of Anglo Irish Bank is at the centre of an investigation after it inadvertently released information on 500 UK customers.

Savings 'static in downturn'
The amount people save has remained relatively static despite the changing economic picture, a survey finds.