President Barack Obama reluctantly ordered an $85 billion austerity drive that could slow the US economy and slash jobs, after blaming Republicans for refusing to stop the "dumb" spending cuts.

President Barack Obama reluctantly ordered an $85 billion austerity drive that could slow the US economy and slash jobs, after blaming Republicans for refusing to stop the "dumb" spending cuts.

WPP on Friday announced a small drop in the global advertiser's annual net profits as European financial strains offset strong growth in emerging markets, while the company forecast a tough year ahead.

Lloyds Banking Group on Friday posted annual losses of £1.43 billion, hit by huge insurance mis-selling compensation, while it awarded its boss a bonus linked to an eventual sale of the government's stake.

Lloyds Banking Group on Friday posted annual losses of £1.43 billion, hit by huge insurance mis-selling compensation, while it awarded its boss a bonus linked to an eventual sale of the government's stake.

Workers at Spanish airline Iberia plan a second five-day strike against mass job cuts from Monday, forcing the cancellation of 1,370 flights, the company and unions said.

WPP on Friday announced a small drop in the global advertiser's annual net profits as European financial strains offset strong growth in emerging markets, while the company forecast a tough year ahead.

Britain's state-rescued Lloyds bank on Friday posted a 2012 net loss of £1.43 billion, rocked by huge compensation for insurance mis-selling, but awarded its boss and staff a large round of bonuses.

The highly anticipated return to rugby league of former All Black Sonny Bill Williams was approved by Australian officials on Friday, just days before his first scheduled game.

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams's highly anticipated return to rugby league is yet to be approved by Australian officials, just days away from his first scheduled game, a report said Friday.

Questions by team representatives regarding sexual orientation to collegiate players hoping for a multi-million-dollar National Football League career have prompted an investigation by the league.

New claims for US unemployment benefits fell last week to 344,000, in line with the recent trend after the previous week's spike higher, government data released Thursday showed.

Bailed-out Spanish banking giant Bankia suffered a loss of 19 billion euros ($25 billion) in 2012, it said in an earnings statement Thursday.

A nationwide strike left Bangladesh paralysed Thursday, ahead of a verdict against a senior Islamist opposition leader accused of genocide during the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

Elba Esther Gordillo, the head of Mexico's powerful teachers union and an influential political figure, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling millions of dollars for personal use, including plastic surgery and shopping sprees, authorities said.

Elba Esther Gordillo, the head of Mexico's powerful teachers union and an influential political figure, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling funds for personal use, including plastic surgery and shopping sprees, authorities said.

Telecommuting, a growing trend in the US workplace, is coming under fresh scrutiny following news that Yahoo! is curbing the practice.

India's biggest software outsourcer TCS has agreed to pay $30 million to settle a lawsuit filed by two former employees in the US relating to unpaid wages, media reports said Wednesday.

Telecommuting, a growing trend in the US workplace, is coming under fresh scrutiny following news that Yahoo! is curbing the practice.

Protesters on Sunday blocked the doors to Cairo's main administrative building as part of a growing campaign of civil disobedience around the country against Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.