The FINANCIAL -- President Shimon Peres had talks with Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias during a key visit to the island on Thursday, discussing gas finds in the eastern Mediterranean, a discovery that has sparked a crisis between Turkey and Greek Cyprus.

The FINANCIAL -- Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne came under increasing pressure Wednesday to introduce tax cuts in next month's budget, with a leading business lobby group and a former government minister adding their voices to the growing chorus urging action to stimulate the economy.

The FINANCIAL -- IHG, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with brands such as Holiday Inn,announced it is creating nearly 3,000¹ new jobs across its 275 UK hotels over the next three years, including over 1,100² new jobs this year. IHG also announced the launch of its newest hospitality training Academy in London.

ThE financial -- Zurich Financial Services Group announces the appointment of Francis Bouchard to the position of Group Head of Government and Industry Affairs, effective April 1, 2012. Mr. Bouchard, currently Global Head of Sales, Distribution and Marketing for Zurich's Global Corporate business, succeeds Peter Buomberger who will retire at the end of June 2012.