Russian gas monopoly Gazprom reports a threefold surge in profits for the first three months of the year, despite a sharp fall in gas prices.

Canada’s economic growth slowed sharply in the second quarter of the year, official statistics show.

Diageo, the world’s biggest drinks maker, saw pre-tax profits increase by 12% to £2.24bn in the year to the end of June.

Lenders are predicting a slow mortgage market for the rest of the year despite reporting a 5% lift in loans in July.

Celtic chairman John Reid insists the club is financially secure despite posting debts of £5.85m to the year ending June 2010, up from £1.5m.