Yahoo! News: World - Britain

Burberry 1H net rises, shares fall on outlook (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:36 AM CST

AP - British luxury goods company Burberry Group PLC on Tuesday reported a 13 percent rise in first half net profit, but its shares plummeted as it added that second-half business was proving more difficult, particularly in the United States.

easyJet profits plunge as boardroom row erupts (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:24 AM CST

AFP - Low-cost airline easyJet announced a 45-percent slump in annual profits on Tuesday, as a row erupted between its Greek founder and top management.

Plumbing giant to axe 2,300 more jobs (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:23 AM CST

AFP - Wolseley, the world's biggest distributor of plumbing and heating products, said on Tuesday it planned to cut more than 2,300 jobs, mainly in Britain but also in the Nordic region, as its profits slump.

Inflation falls to 4.5 percent in October: official (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:17 AM CST

AFP - Annual inflation fell sharper than expected to 4.5 percent in October from a 16-year high of 5.2 percent in September as fuel prices weakened, official data showed on Tuesday.

British Energy posts 2Q loss, but outlook positive (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:13 AM CST

AP - British Energy Group PLC, the nuclear power producer being taken over by Electricite de France SA, on Tuesday posted a second-quarter loss after the company suffered from power station shutdowns.

UK plumbing supplies firm Wolseley cuts 2,000 jobs (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:03 AM CST

AP - Wolseley PLC, the world's largest distributor of plumbing products, said Monday it would shed 2,000 jobs and close 200 branches in Britain and Ireland to adjust to the economic downturn.

British inflation falls to 4.5 percent in October (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:01 AM CST

AP - Inflation in Britain fell in October for the first time in 14 months largely because of cheaper transport costs amid sliding petrol prices, official figures showed Tuesday.

Britons appeal sex on Dubai beach ruling (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 03:58 AM CST

AFP - Two Britons found guilty of having sex on a beach in Dubai earlier this year challenged their conviction in a court Tuesday.

Lonmin's profit up 45 pct, but cutbacks to come (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 03:55 AM CST

AP - Lonmin PLC, the world's third largest platinum producer, said Tuesday annual net profit rose 45 percent on high sales prices, but warned it would have to cut some production and jobs because platinum's market value has plummeted since its midyear high.

Barclays' proposed Gulf investors amend injection plan (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 03:35 AM CST

AFP - Barclays said on Tuesday that proposed investors from the oil-rich Gulf would dispose of shares worth 500 million pounds should its capital injection win the support of existing shareholders.

Barclays lets shareholders in on Mideast stock (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 03:26 AM CST

AP - Barclays PLC bowed to shareholder protests Tuesday, saying it will let existing stockholders in on a share issue originally earmarked for private Middle Eastern investors.

easyJet full-year profit down 45 percent (AP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 03:23 AM CST

AP - Budget airline easyJet PLC reported a 45 percent drop in full-year profits on Tuesday as higher fuel costs offset a strong gain in revenue. Some of the accounts, however, were criticized by the company's founder, who said newly acquired assets were being overvalued.

easyJet annual net profit slumps 45% (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 02:40 AM CST

AFP - Low-cost airline easyJet said on Tuesday that its net profit tumbled 45 percent in 2007/08 to 83.2 million pounds, weighed down by a surge in fuel costs.

Former top judge condemns advice for Iraq war (AFP)

Posted: 18 Nov 2008 02:28 AM CST

AFP - A former top judge said that legal advice given to then prime minister Tony Blair before the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was fundamentally "flawed".

British FM says Syria 'essential' to Mideast stability (AFP)

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 08:49 PM CST

AFP - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband stressed Syria's importance in bringing stability to the Middle East ahead of a meeting here Tuesday with President Bashar al-Assad.

ETA member arrested in Northern Ireland (AFP)

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 03:09 PM CST

AFP - A convicted member of the Basque separatist group ETA was arrested in Northern Ireland Monday after surrendering to authorities here acting on an extradition request from Spain, police said.

British experts reject change to organ donation (AP)

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 12:48 PM CST

AP - Britain should not change its organ-donation law to automatically designate every person a donor unless they or their survivors opt out, an expert panel recommended Monday.

Brown warns of deflation risk (AFP)

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 11:04 AM CST

AFP - Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Monday warned of a risk of deflation, a protracted general fall in prices, next year, echoing a recent similar prediction made by the Bank of England.

Failed bombing suspect admits he is a 'terrorist' (AFP)

Posted: 17 Nov 2008 09:37 AM CST

AFP - An Iraqi doctor accused of plotting failed car bombings last year in London and Glasgow admitted Monday to being a terrorist -- but accused the government of terrorism too.