German rail operator Deutsche Bahn said Thursday that profits rose sharply last year as passenger numbers hit record levels in face of soaring petrol prices.

British retail sales jumped 2.1 percent in February, official data showed on Thursday, after dropping by 0.7 percent in January when snow caused shoppers to avoid the high street.

Asian markets were mixed Thursday as Chinese data showing manufacturing activity in the world's number two economy picked up in March, while Tokyo was lifted by renewed weakness in the yen.

Cyprus was on Thursday fine-tuning a "Plan B" aimed at securing a eurozone bailout that the European Central Bank warned should be adopted by the weekend to avoid a banking meltdown on the debt-hit island.

PetroChina on Thursday reported that 2012 net profit fell 13.3 percent, despite increased production, as the oil giant was hit by a slowdown in the growth rate of the Chinese economy.

Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem said Thursday that the Cyprus debt crisis poses a "systemic risk" that threatens to ricochet right through the eurozone.

Chinese netizens praised the US Treasury chief for eating a cheap dumpling lunch after meeting new President Xi Jinping, comparing his modest bill to the lavish spending habits of domestic officials.

The meeting of BRICS leaders in Durban next week could uncharitably be described as a summit of the world's emerging economic powers, plus South Africa.

Cypriot leaders are to decide on Thursday on a newly drawn up plan aimed at securing a bailout for the near-bankrupt eurozone member, after parliament rejected a controversial tax on savings.

Manufacturing activity in China improved in March after expanding at its slowest pace in four months in February, HSBC said on Thursday, lifting hopes for a pick-up in the world's number two economy.

The government will stick firmly to a barrage of austerity measures, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne insisted in a budget that also slashed economic growth forecasts, while offering plans to boost the weak economy as the eurozone crisis reignites.

Japan logged another trade deficit in February, this time of $8.1 billion according to the latest figures, reversing a year-earlier surplus and underscoring the uncertain state of the world's third-largest economy.

Britain will stick firmly to a barrage of austerity measures, finance minister George Osborne insisted in a budget that also slashed economic growth forecasts, while offering plans to boost the weak economy as the eurozone crisis reignites.

Japan logged a trade deficit of $8.1 billion in February, reversing a year-earlier surplus as a weaker yen pushed import costs up, according to the latest government data.

New Zealand's economic growth reached a four-year high in 2012, the best since the country went through a recession that it has long struggled to shake off, official data showed Thursday.

West and Central African ministers have pledged to cooperate to halt the spread of sea piracy in the region at a meeting in Benin, West African bloc ECOWAS said Wednesday.

President Barack Obama notified Congress Wednesday that it would launch trade talks with the European Union aimed at forging the world's largest free-trade area.

US online retail giant Amazon began selling its advanced Kindle Paperwhite e-reader in Brazil this week, tapping into the biggest consumer market in Latin America.

US stocks recorded solid gains Wednesday as the Federal Reserve held steady on its policy of economic stimulus.

The Federal Reserve kept its easy monetary policies in place Wednesday, saying high unemployment and the government's sharp spending cuts remain barriers to full recovery from the 2008 crash.