European banking shares drop following President Barack Obama’s plans to curb the activities of big US banks.

US President Barack Obama proposes sweeping new rules to curb the size and risk-taking of big banks.

The number of people unemployed in the UK has fallen unexpectedly for the first time in 18 months, official figures show.

Job losses at Cadbury are an “inevitability” after its takeover by US giant Kraft Foods, the UK firm’s chairman says.

Kraft Foods is expected to raise its offer for Cadbury to a level that is accepted, BBC business editor Robert Peston learns.

A study warns the UK faces a decade of “painful readjustment” as it moves away from debt-led consumer spending.

BT says it will cut the cost of viewing premium sports content, if an Ofcom probe orders Sky to drop its wholesale price to rivals.

A US-style levy on British banks part-owned by the taxpayer is ruled out by Chancellor Alastair Darling.

Wall Street bank JP Morgan Chase reports profits of $3.3bn (£2bn) for the last three months of 2009.

President Barack Obama unveils a plans for a $117bn fee to be levied on bailed-out banks, and criticises their bonuses.

Millions of pounds have been handed out in cold weather payments as the cold spell continues to grip the UK.

Internet giant Google says it may end operations in China after hackers targeted Chinese human rights activists’ e-mail accounts.

The UK’s biggest retailer Tesco says it had its strongest Christmas performance for three years, after seeing a rise in sales.

Manchester United says it plans to raise £500m through a bond issue to refinance its debts, as it reports annual profits of £48.2m.

Retailers face a difficult 2010, despite posting upbeat Christmas sales figures, the British Retail Consortium warns.