ECONOMY

Mortgage approvals are down as house prices continue to rise rapidly.

Hometrack survey shows demand rising 6.6% in March against 1.9% supply growth.

Budget airline aims to increase capacity by around 20% over coming year at Luton Airport.

But firms are becoming more concerned that a shortage of staff may limit their business over the next year.

China uses Xing Hui and Hao Hao to foster better relations

Ministry of economy says it has received offers from foreign institutions for providing loans to country.

Economists forecast better US nonfarm payrolls and ISM data for March.

ECB scheduled to meet on 3 April, when bank expected to leave rates untouched.

Conditions set for application, allocation, use and rent of public housing.

OPEC shipments in four weeks to 12 April to decline by 620,000 barrels per day.

Lower bullion prices could now boost physical demand.

Exploration and production of Spain's natural gas reserves can create 755,000 jobs.

Parties may agree on currency union eventually, a minister at heart of pro-union campaign told Guardian.

Just 1.55 job seekers competed for each advertised vacancy in February

Iraq's economy predicted to be one of best performers in the Middle East despite security threats

UAE is dealing directly with the Egyptian military on a number of development projects.

Washington has been accused of inconsistency in its Middle East policy but it has consistently upset Saudi Arabia.

Oculus Rift, Runescape and Second Life makers join raft of experts who support Games Tax Relief

The US government is set to pass a new round of sanctions against Russian officials.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says economy strong enough to repulse potential risks.

IBTimes UK studies pensions industry reaction to government's radical retirement reforms.

Supreme court asked N Srinivasan to step aside over alleged involvement in spot-fixing.

Eurozone is focusing on fast-tracking delayed payments under existing rescue packages, Reuters reported.

The pension industry is due for a massive shakeup as the fallout from George Osborne's budget continues to hit home.

The optimism index has increased over the last year by a staggering 22 points.

Staff in the services and manufacturing sectors were £127 and £161 respectively worse off in real terms.

Government's DECC said sharp drop in crude production from the North Sea is to blame for rise in imports

Former RBS boss and chairman of Toscafund and five others support independence

Prospect of further sanctions on Russia would hurt Moscow but knock-out blow looks unlikely.