News headlines provided by... BBC NEWS

EU urges faster cut of UK deficit

Government plans to cut the UK's budget deficit are not ambitious enough, a European Commission report will warn this week.

European car sales up in February

New car sales in Europe rose by 3.2% in February from a year earlier, but fell 30% in Germany as its scrappage scheme ended.

Petrol price 'to hit record high'

Petrol prices in the UK could hit a record average high of £1.20 a litre in the next few weeks, according to the AA.

Delay for hedge fund rules vote

European finance ministers delay plans to vote on a new regulation of hedge funds and venture capitalists.

S&P backs Greece deficit measures

Greece receives some positive news from the financial markets as ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) backs its economic recovery plans.

Snow storms chill US construction

Construction of new US homes fell in February, with blizzards in some parts of the country being partly blamed.

Nest charges set at 0.3% of funds

Members of the forthcoming new state pension scheme - the National Employment Savings Trust - will be charged 0.3% of their funds each year.

Nord Stream secures bank funds

The consortium behind the planned Nord Stream gas pipeline from Russia to Europe has secured a 3.9bn euro funding deal from 26 banks.

Winter 'cost small firms £7bn'

The worst winter in decades has cost the UK's small and medium-sized companies about £7.3bn, a study says.

Expats lose pension freeze case

More than half a million UK pensioners living overseas will continue to have their pensions frozen after a court decision.

US plans high-speed net for all

US regulators have unveiled the nation's first plan to give every American super-fast broadband by 2020.

Security fear over end of cheques

The abolition of cheques will push elderly people back into hoarding cash at home, campaigners tell MPs.

Europe ministers agree Greek plan

European finance ministers say they have agreed how they would help Greece in its financial crisis, but reveal few details.

US bank regulation bill unveiled

Democrat senators have unveiled proposed new laws that will give the US Federal Reserve more regulatory powers over US banks.

US industrial output rises again

US factory output has gone up for the eighth month in a row, despite winter storms that affected industry in the north east.

Tories 'preparing to unveil cuts'

The Conservatives are preparing to outline spending cuts they would make this year if they are elected, the BBC understands.

UK credit rating viewed as safe

The credit ratings of major AAA governments including the US and the UK are well positioned, says Moody's Investors Services.

China denies yuan undervalued

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao rejects criticism that Beijing keeps the yuan undervalued in order to boost exports.

China oil demand is 'astonishing'

Oil demand in China rose by an "astonishing" 28% in January compared with a year ago, the International Energy Agency says.

US retail sales in surprise rise

US retail sales showed a surprise rise in February as consumers braved extreme bad weather to get to the shops

Eurozone industry grows strongly

Factory output in the eurozone rose 1.7% between December and January, the biggest monthly rise since records began.

Champagne sales 'losing fizz' but UK is still top market

The UK is still the world's largest export market for Champagne despite a fall in sales, industry figures say.

New gloss on inflation as basket of goods displays changing tastes

Lip gloss and hair straighteners replace lipstick and hair dryers in the typical basket of goods used to calculate inflation.

IMF in Europe

What would a European Monetary Fund look like?

Open all hours

Are UK workers being force to work part-time?

Shanty town

How the internet is helping the poorest Brazilians

Fighting poverty

How Malawi hopes social enterprise will help

Booting up Brazil

Brazil exploits potential as web use spreads

Stephanomics

Activist PM is no fan of 'letting things take their course'