Just months ago, Russian officials were adamant that Russia was immune from the current financial crisis. Since then, the Russian stock market has plunged 70 percent, oil prices fell by two-thirds and the crisis has started to hit the real economy.

Northern Ireland's councils have debts totalling almost £400m, Environment Minister Sammy Wilson reveals.

A man is taken to hospital after the car he was driving crashes through a fence and over a cliff in Dorset.

Shares in Citigroup, one of the biggest banks in the US, fell on Friday amid uncertainty about the firm's future.

Wall Street plunges more than 5% on Wednesday to its lowest level in over five years on rising economic worries.

A high-achieving scientist jumped from a cliff at a Dorset beauty spot, an inquest hears.

A group of kayakers filmed sliding down a 300ft dam are criticised by the site owners.

A man dies after falling into the River Wear while out celebrating his birthday in Durham.

US retail sales fall sharply in October, recording the biggest monthly decline since 1992, as hard-up consumers avoid the shops.

A woman is in hospital after her car plunges off the docks into the water at Lowestoft.

The UK's biggest milk and cheese producer, Dairy Crest, sees shares plunge 27% after warning its profits will be down 10%.

A 94-year-old woman plunges 13,500ft in a skydive to raise money for charity.

Jersey states pension fund falls in value by £61m after stock markets worldwide plunge.

Half-year profits at British Airways fall 91.6% to £52m, with the airline blaming "incredibly difficult trading conditions".

Shares in Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific plunge 14% after it warns of falling revenue and fuel hedging losses.

Police in India say 45 people have been killed after a bus in which they were travelling plunged down a deep gorge.

A drunk teenager killed himself by throwing himself through a sixth-floor window, an inquest rules.

A witness who pulled open the doors of a sinking car saved the lives of a man and two children inside, Humberside Police has said.

With the economy plunging into recession and growing fears of large scale job losses, shoppers are keeping a tighter grip on their purse strings. But shopping centres have always been one step ahead in getting the consumer to splash cash. How?

At least 12 people die in eastern China when the lift they were travelling in plunged to the ground.