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Brussels praises Greek cuts vote: The European Commission welcomes Greece's approval of tough austerity measures, needed for a huge bailout package, which sparked riots.

Bank lending fell for all of 2011: Bank of England figures show that net lending from the UK's five largest banks fell every quarter last year, as the Project Merlin commitments come to an end.

First-time buyer numbers pick up: The number of mortgages agreed for first-time house buyers picked up at the end of 2011, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said.

Rangers makes administration move: Rangers Football Club lodges legal papers signalling its intention to go into administration.

Apple stock price surpasses $500: Shares in Apple cross $500 a share for the first time - capping a remarkable turnaround for the maker of the iPhone and iPad.

Obama budget plan to tax the rich: US President Obama unveils a $3.8 trillion budget, with plans to raise taxes on the wealthy, prompting an election year fiscal fight with Republicans.

UK economy 'to avoid double-dip': The UK will avoid a double dip recession, the employers organisation the CBI says, but two surveys suggest the economy may worsen.

EU 'risks trade war' over carbon: The European Union's carbon trading scheme may spark a trade war, according to one of the world's biggest planemakers.

Nigerians living in poverty rise: Poverty rises in Nigeria, with almost 100 million people living on less than a $1 a day, despite strong economic growth, statistics show.

Celtic announces big profits fall: Celtic Football Club announces a big fall in pre-tax profits for the second half of 2011, making only £180,000.

Printers vote for 13.5% pay cut: Workers at the Goodhead Group, one of the UK's biggest magazine printing firms, have voted to accept a 13.5% cut in their basic pay rates.

Cable & Wireless up on bid hopes: Share in telecoms company Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW) jump 29% on Monday after Vodafone says it is considering bidding for the firm.

China's Xi Jinping in US visit: The man likely to become China's next leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, is set to begin a closely watched visit to the United States.

Italian short-term debt cost dips: Italy successfully sells 12bn euros (£10bn) of short-term Treasury bills at a lower price than in a similar auction in January.

Japan economy worse than forecast: Japan's economy shrinks more than expected between October and December as a rising yen and floods in Thailand hurt businesses.

'Worthless' car warranty warning: A car warranties firm has collapsed leaving some customers with worthless policies, a BBC Wales investigation finds.

Pensioners miss weather payments: Up to 1.6 million pensioners are failing to claim benefits they are entitled to - including financial help during the cold snap.

'Energy literacy' to be examined: The "energy literacy" of gas and electricity billpayers will be tested during an inquiry by MPs to see if more education is needed from the industry.

Imports increase US trade deficit: Record imports contributed to a 3.7% increase in the US trade deficit in December, official figures show.

Small business loan target missed: The five main UK banks missed their Project Merlin target for lending to smaller firms, but exceeded the overall lending target, BBA figures show.