Business

Insurers paid out £650m from 335,000 claims made as a result of damage caused by the wintry weather in the UK.

Brazil exploits potential as web use spreads

The extra ordinary life of the man from the Pru

Why intellectual property is not a luxury

The Independent could be free under a new owner

The US government records a budget deficit of $221bn (£147.6bn) in February - the largest monthly deficit in its history.

Mexican Carlos Slim Huan overtakes Bill Gates as the world's richest man, according to the Forbes 'rich list'.

Talks between British Airways and Unite aimed at averting strike action by cabin crew break down without agreement.

Gordon Brown warns of economic storms ahead but vows not to "let you down" as the date of the Budget is announced.

Administrators at Portsmouth FC start to make employees redundant, with 85 people losing their jobs.

Further stress-testing of UK banks will take place to ensure they can survive a 'double-dip' recession, regulators say.

British Gas workers are to vote in a strike ballot over allegations of bullying by management, and on changes to working conditions.

Talks aimed at averting strike action by BA cabin crew are continuing at the TUC, after a deadline was extended.

Bank accounts which charge fees for extra benefits may be being mis-sold, the Financial Services Authority has warned.

Small firms may be exempted from having to draw up and lodge annual accounts, after MEPs approve changes to European Union rules.

A Shanghai company denies it used sweatshop labour to produce World Cup mascots, as Fifa suspends its contract.

The UK economy grew by 0.3% in the December to February period, says the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia offer to give up take off and landing slots in London and New York, say EU watchdogs.

Thousands of top-earning public sector workers, including judges and NHS managers, will have their pay frozen next year.

Mobile technology that could allow prying bosses to monitor every movement of their staff is developed in Japan.