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Toyota in global recall of PriusToyota recalls thousands of Prius cars worldwide because of braking problems, in a new blow to the world's largest carmaker.City regulator to step downHector Sants, chief executive of the Financial Services Authority, announces he is to step down as head of the City regulator.January chill for housing marketActivity in the UK housing market was frozen by the icy weather in January, surveyors say, but prices continued to rise.Euro bounces back against dollarThe euro strengthens against the pound and the dollar ahead of a meeting of EU leaders later this week.Barclays boss defends big bankingThe chief executive of Barclays, John Varley, defends the role of big banks in the global financial system.Regional papers sold in £44m dealThe Manchester Evening News (MEN) is to be sold off by the Guardian Media Group (GMG) as part of a £44.8m deal.Pension fund deficits rise againThe deficit in final salary pension schemes in the private sector rose in January, the Pension Protection Fund says.Lloyds and RBS 'failing to lend'Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds are criticised by MPs for failing to lend enough to homeowners and businesses.Bad weather hits January salesUK retail sales described as 'awful' as icy weather and the unsteady economy keep shoppers at home.Former BP boss admits fears about publicly revealing his sexualityFormer BP chief Lord Browne, admits knowledge of his sexuality could have prevented him from landing the top job at the oil firm.StephanomicsIf Europe had a Lehmans, who would pay?Price of loyaltyDo shoppers or retailers gain the most?Dave HarveyAre Kraft too late to save some Cadbury workers?Ghosn's goalNissan-Renault's head plans an electric-car futureExpert adviceHow to go about getting the mortgage you wantHewitt on EuropeIs the euro being stretched to breaking point?Opel plans 11bn euro investmentGeneral Motors' Opel unit announces plans to invest 11bn euros ($15bn; £9.7bn) in new cars over the next five years.Trade deficit widens in DecemberThe UK's goods trade deficit with the rest of the world widened in December, figures show, after imports rose faster than exports.Greece 'to ban early retirement'Greece's government intends to raise the pension age and ban early retirement as it tackles its budget crisis.Alert on sending money abroadPeople transferring money abroad should only use authorised or registered services, the City regulator warns.Swiss bank UBS returns to profitSwiss bank UBS reports its first quarterly profit for a year, helped by lower costs and a large tax creditNissan reports return to profitJapanese carmaker Nissan has reported a return to profit for the last three months of 2009.About 100 jobs to go at Mini baseAbout 100 jobs are set to go at BMW's Mini plant in Swindon where the firm said there was an surplus of workers.BSkyB to sell most of ITV stakeThe pay-TV group BSkyB has given up its court fight over ITV and has cut its stake to meet competition rules.Ofgem label shows 'green' powerThe power regulator, Ofgem, is bringing in a new scheme that forces supplier to prove they are cutting emissions.Olympic firms in £1bn loan pledgeLloyds Bank says it is earmarking a special fund to alert businesses around the country to Olympic-related opportunities.Administration for Ethel AustinClothing retailer Ethel Austin and its sister firm Au Naturale go into administration, raising fears about the future of 3,700 staff.Ex-Merrill boss takes over at CITThe former chief executive of Merrill Lynch, John Thain, was at the heart of the bonus row - now he has a new job as boss of US lender CIT.Pensioners warned on tax codesPensioners have been warned to look out for mistakes in tax code notices being sent out by HM Revenue & Customs.UK firms 'cut dividends by £10bn'Shareholders in UK companies saw their dividend payments cut by £10bn last year, according to a report.Santander fault hits customersA power cut knocked out cash machine and online services for customers with Santander bank on Sunday.IT glitch causes more tax errorsRevenue staff tip off Radio 4's Money Box that there are more tax code problems than their bosses are admitting to.Indian economy 'to grow by 7.2%'India's fast economic growth forecast for this year raises the chance that state support could be withdrawn.More pay freezes expected in 2010Workers face a second year of pay freezes despite rising inflation and the UK's emergence from recession, a report says.Ex-IMF economist warns on UK debtBritain should be seen in the same category of highly indebted countries such as Greece, a leading economist says.Xstrata resumes dividend paymentsMining group Xstrata is to resume dividend payments despite reporting a drop in full-year profits.SAP chief Leo Apotheker resignsThe chief executive of SAP unexpectedly resigns after his contract is not renewed, the company says.Japanese brewers call off mergerJapanese brewing and food groups Kirin and Suntory call off merger talks having failed to agree terms.Super Bowl breaks ratings recordThe New Orleans Saints' victory in the Super Bowl is the most-watched programme in US TV history, early figures show.Palace sale advertised in the FTFinancially-stricken Crystal Palace advertise the sale of the club in a national newspaper as their search for a buyer continues.Guidelines for financial journalists
