Huge demand for ECB's bank loans
Eurozone banks rush to take out three-year loans offered by the European Central Bank, borrowing 489bn euros......
BoA in record discrimination fine
Bank of America's Countrywide is fined a record $335m by the US justice department to settle charges of discrimination against minority home buyers......
Pension deal negotiations back on
The prospect of a deal on some public sector pensions looked back on after a controversial letter from a minister was withdrawn......
Court blocks solar subsidy cuts
Government plans to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes are ruled legally flawed, after a challenge by two firms and Friends of the Earth......
US rejects EU airline carbon rule
The US "strongly objects" to EU plans for an emissions tax on airlines, saying the international aviation body must deal with the issue......
National Grid fine over gas leaks
National Grid Gas and Northern Gas Networks are fined by regulator Ofgem for not attending gas leaks in time......
Borrowing falls for third month
The government borrowed less in November than it had in the same month last year, figures show, the third drop in a row......
Six jailed over carbon tax fraud
A German court has jailed six men over a 300m euro fraud selling carbon emission permits through Deutsche Bank......
Italian economy shrinks by 0.2%
Italy's economy shrank by 0.2% in the three months to September, the first contraction since 2009, fuelling fears of a recession......
US existing home sales rise again
Annual US used home sales rose 4% to 4.42 million in November, according to the National Association of Realtors......
Property sales 'hit annual high'
Home sales hit their highest monthly level of the year so far in November, figures from HM Revenue and Customs show......
Thorntons issues profit warning
Chocolate maker Thorntons issues a profit warning, blaming weak consumer confidence and high levels of promotional activity......
Nigerian oil field shut by spill
Shell closes Nigeria's offshore Bonga oil field after 40,000 barrels spill into the Atlantic Ocean during a transfer to a tanker......
PPI payouts over 2011 'top 1bn'
More than 1bn has now been paid in compensation this year to people who were mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI), figures show......
Olympus HQ in earnings probe raid
Japanese prosecutors raid the HQ of camera firm Olympus as part of an ongoing investigation into accounting practices......
Bank unanimous over rates and QE
The Bank of England voted unanimously to keep interest rates on hold and quantitative easing at the same level at its meeting earlier this month......
Moody's warns UK of rising risks
Ratings agency Moody's has given the UK high scores for economic governance but warns of "rising challenges"......
Government outlines pension deal
An outline agreement for big changes to public service pension schemes has been achieved, says Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander......
'No return' for cheque guarantee
No case exists for the return of the cheque guarantee card system, according to the body which oversees UK payments......
Banks to scrap some currency fees
Banks and credit card companies agree to scrap some travel money charges, after pressure from the Office of Fair Trading......
Japanese exports continue slide
Japanese exports have fallen again as demand for the country's goods continues to be hit by the strength of the yen and the European debt crisis......
Sweden rate cut on eurozone fears
Sweden cuts its main interest rate for the first time since July 2009, blaming the eurozone debt crisis......
CBI: Little cheer on High Street
Retail sales volumes grew in December for the first time since May, the CBI says, but sales are expected to fall in January......
US Fed in new bank rules proposal
The US Federal Reserve has proposed new rules for the biggest US banks aimed at strengthening the financial system against another collapse......
Nike profits from increased sales
Sportswear maker Nike saw its quarterly income rise, helped by continuing strong demand for its branded products......
MPs attack 'cosy deals' at HMRC
A committee of MPs criticises "cosy" deals between HM Revenue & Customs and large businesses, saying the exchequer has lost out on millions of pounds of tax......
VIDEO: Online shoppers face delivery problems
Online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular way to buy Christmas gifts - but it is not always as straightforward as it seems......
AUDIO: Concern over frankincense production
Dr Frans Bongers of Wageningen University explains why the production of frankincense is in decline......
VIDEO: Banks rush to take ECB loans
Over 500 European banks raced to borrow money from the European Central Bank in its first-ever offer of unlimited three-year loans......
VIDEO: EU to rule on airline carbon tax
EU's highest court is expected to rule on a proposed carbon emissions tax on all airlines flying in Europe......
VIDEO: High court decides on solar subsidies
Environmentalists and solar power firms have launched a legal challenger against government plans to cut subsidies for people who install solar panels......
VIDEO: Simplify planning rules MPs urge
MPs are calling on the government to rewrite its controversial changes to planning rules in England, removing the default "yes" to development......
VIDEO: How has world travel fared in 2011?
Rajan Datar looks back on a year marked by economic unrest, political turmoil and natural disasters - plus the countries that have weathered the storm to become hot spots for 2012......
AUDIO: 'HMRC were brutal and ruined me'
A caller to Radio 5 live Victoria Derbyshire's programme described being chased for money he did not owe HMRC......
Modern car lights 'could save lives'
Could daytime car lights save lives?.....
A guide to charitable bonds
How charities are looking to investors to raise new cash.....
Cheap 'knock-offs' threaten Canada's Icewine and cider
Why Canada's icewine vintners fear cheap rivals.....
From slum dweller to 'Foodking'
The Indian entrepreneur who dreams of ending hunger.....
Viewpoint: North Korea's economy
Rich minerals, cheap labour, high hurdles.....
Will Asia be pricier in 2012?
Will Asia see further price growth in 2012?.....
Voice technology comes of age
Telling your microwave, fridge and TV what to do.....
U.S. Day Ahead: Blah Q3, but brighter Q4 on the horizon
Correspondent Pedro Da Costa says with the final third-quarter GDP read expected to come in at 2%, that could set the U.S. up for stronger growth by the end of year......
U.S. home sales hint at recovery after deeper slump
Dec. 21 - Though previous years of data on existing home sales in the U.S. were revised down, the latest increase in November suggests the residential housing market is in recovery......
How to play movie-related stocks
Dec. 21 - Box-office receipts in the United States have slumped in the weeks since Thanksgiving, but this week Hollywood is counting on several big movies hitting the big screen to reinvigorate its business......
Europe foils markets again
Dec 21 - Summary of business headlines: Stock markets in the U.S. and Europe struggled to build on the solid gains seen the day before as worries about the euro zone resurfaced. Conway G. Gittens reports......
Airlines to pay carbon emissions tax to enter Europe
Dec. 21 - Europe's highest court has given its backing to an EU law which will see airlines charged for carbon emissions on flights to and from Europe, a decision likely to escalate tension with its trading partners. Joanne Nicholson reports......
Olympus offices raided in Tokyo
Dec. 21 - Multiple sites are searched by prosecutors in an ongoing probe into a $1.7 billion accounting scandal at Olympus which has raised doubts about the future of the 92-year-old company. Matt Cowan reports......
Morning Briefing: Egyptians back at polls, ECB offers loans
Dec. 21 - Egyptians return to the polls today in a staggered parliamentary election after five days of violence in Cairo, and banks take 489 billion euros in 3-year loans from the ECB......
Charity helps Italians through 'crisis Christmas'
Dec. 21 - As Italy's government goes into the final stages of approving its austerity package, some families already facing an austere Christmas are receiving food handouts from a church charity. Joanne Nicholson reports.....
Demand for ECB loans surpasses expectations
Dec. 21 - The European Central Bank's first-ever loan offer of 3-year funding proves to be a big hit with banks, which have borrowed a bigger than expected 489 billion euros. Joanna Partridge reports.....
U.S. Morning Call: Oracle forecast may push tech stocks down
Dec. 21 - Oracle could lead tech stocks lower today after becoming the latest firm in the sector to issue a weak forecast......
Bird flu bug hits HK chicken trade
Dec. 21 - A cull is underway and trade in live chickens suspended after a bird tested positive for the deadly H5N1 flu strain in Hong Kong......
Reuters Breakingviews: UK retains credibility despite pensions fudge
Breakingviews says the UK government has retained its credibility even though it has compromised on public sector pensions......
Inside the News: ECB tender could ease credit crunch fear
Dec. 21 - The ECB's first ever three-year loan offer is expected to ease credit crunch fears and bolster bond and money markets......
Chinese farmers swap pigs for e-shops
Dec. 21 - Dongfeng village is Chinas poster child for e-commerce success. But it is starting to show symptoms of the industrys growing pains as an over-crowded market forces out smaller players. Jane Lanhee Lee reports......
Asian stocks recoup all losses
Dec. 21 - Asian stocks jump, recovering all of Monday's losses after upbeat German and U.S. data; Japan exports disappoint. Arnold Gay reports......
Banks hoover up 489 Bln in 3 year ECB loans
Dec. 21 - Banks have taken a huge 489 billion euros in the European Central Bank's first ever offering of three-year funding. Charles Diebel of Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets offers his analysis......
Electronic Arts shoots for the stars
Dec. 20 - Summary of business headlines: Electronic Arts launches "Star Wars: The Old Republic" its most expensive game; U.S. housing starts hit 1-1/2 year high; NYC Penthouse sells for record $88 million; Wall Street surges 3 percent after housing d.....
Exclusive - Amazon weighed buying RIM
M&A Correspondent Nadia Damouni says Research In Motion recently turned down takeover overtures from Amazon.com as it tries to engineer a turnaround......
House debates payroll tax cuts vehemently
Dec. 20 - The House vociferously debates the payroll tax cut extension that will impact 160M Americans. House Republicans are holding out for one-year extension while Democrats will accept a 2-month plan......
A showdown over taxes in Washington, D.C..
Dec. 20 - U.S. President Obama and the leadership in the House battle over terms for extending the payroll tax cut. Deborah Lutterbeck reports......
U.S. Day Ahead: Home sales drama expected, IFR says
Dec. 20 - IFR says Existing Home Sales should rise but revisions to past data might show the recession was worse than initially thought......
Wealth Strategies: Use market swings to rebalance portfolio
Dec. 20 - Charles Schwab Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders gives an upbeat outlook for stocks going into 2012, but investors must use market volatility to their advantage......
Top tech holiday gifts
Dec. 20 - Tech gifts are expected to be among the top sellers this holiday season for the young and young at heart. Elizabeth Koraca reports......
Markets shoot higher in U.S., Europe
Dec. 20 - A stock market rally stretched from Wall Street to Europe's main bourses as economic data on both sides of Atlantic provided some holiday cheer. Conway G. Gittens reports......
Hunting health care fraud
Health care fraud is a multi-billion dollar scam spreading across the United States. Alanna Lavelle, an investigator for the insurance company WellPoint, reveals who runs the fraud rings and which cities have become hotspots......
EXCLUSIVE: Twitter Censorship Firestorm Rages on as New Accusations, Denials Emerge
Instances of alleged censorship of Twitter profiles aligned with controversial topics such as Occupy Wall Street, SOPA and NDAA continue to be exposed, and leading Web experts are scrambling to debunk the claims......
Low Calorie Diet Leads to Longevity and Better Brain Function, Study
A new study finds that limiting food intake can activate genes linked to longevity and brain function, which could lead to new treatments to extend life, improve memory and reduce risk of dementia......
Global Markets Overview - 12/22/2011
From Morrison Securities Pty Ltd.:U.S. stocks fell as questions about loans to euro-zone banks and some earnings disappointments cut into Tuesday&s optimism. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 30 points, or 0.3%, to 12073, the Standard & Poor&s 50.....
FX Market Commentary 22nd December 2011
A primary focus overnight was a tender by the ECB in an effort to encourage bank lending and shore up balance sheets......
Keys for UK & GBP Public Finances, Growth Outlook, Credit Rating
It was in late November that the Office for Budget Responsibility in the UK downgraded its forecasts for growth in the economy and said that the government&s plan to cut its budget deficit would take longer than originally estimated......
Gold Respects 38.2% Retracement During Pullback; Time for Bearish Continuation?
The 1H chart for XAU/USD or gold, shows a market that did follow through with the double bottom formation and has developed a corrective rally to 38.2% retracement of the decline from 1762.70 to 1560.29. This correction developed in the form of a ris.....
Caribbean on a Budget: Affordable Vacation Destinations
If you&ve always wanted to go to the Caribbean, but thought you could never afford it- it&s time to rethink with these great budget-friendly accommodations......
Oracle miss sparks Wall St fears of spending cuts
Oracle Corp&s dismal quarterly results sent shock waves across the technology sector as investors feared they may have overestimated the resilience of corporate tech spending in a deteriorating global economy......
Kim Jong-Il: Into the North Korean Leader's Mind
Kim Jong-Il died on Dec. 17, 2011, ending his brutal reign over North Korea. Experts have determined that he exhibited the so-called 'big six' personality disorders that include being sadistic, antisocial, paranoid, narcissistic, schizoid, and schizo.....
SEC Amends Net Worth Standard under Dodd-Frank Act
The value of a person&s home will be excluded from net worth calculations used to determine whether an individual may invest in certain unregistered securities offerings, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday as it moves to adopt new .....
Verizon says it fixed 4G network problem
Verizon Wireless said it had fixed a data service problem that started early on Wednesday, the second high-profile service problem this month for the company that boasts it is the 'most reliable.'......
Heungkuk drops Timberwolf lawsuit against Goldman
Heungkuk Life Insurance Co has withdrawn a lawsuit accusing Goldman Sachs & Co <GS.N> of secretly betting against a collateralized debt obligation the bank had sold to its clients......
Robbie Middleton: Family Awarded $150 Billion in Personal Injury Case [VIDEO]
A judge has ordered that a man accused of burning Robbie Middleton in a deadly gasoline attack when he was a boy pay the family more than $150 billion in damages......
Walgreen unlikely to make up with Express Scripts
Walgreen Co <WAG.N> still believes it can succeed even if it stops filling prescriptions for Express Scripts Inc <ESRX.O> on January 1, and its stance suggests that the odds of the drugstore making up with the pharmacy benefits manager be.....
Yahoo to weigh deals for Asian assets: sources
Yahoo Inc is discussing a plan to slash its stakes in China&s Alibaba Group and its Japanese affiliate as part of a complicated share transaction valued at roughly $17 billion, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday......
Saab Cars North America appoints administrator
Saab Cars North America said it hired a financial adviser to administer its operations, after its Swedish parent was declared bankrupt by a court on Monday......
Jawbone, Maker of UP Bracelet, Nets $40M From Investors
Accessory maker Jawbone raked in $40 million in funds from a new group of investors, just two weeks after the company&s CEO pulled the UP bracelet from shelves and offered full refunds for the product......
Kobe Bryant Divorce: Should Vanessa Bryant be Surprised by Cheating?
Vanessa Bryant decided to file for divorce from husband Kobe Bryant after more than 10 years of marriage last Friday, but there are still more questions than answers available right now......
Steve Jobs Statue Unveiled (PHOTOS)
A Hungarian sculptor and software company have found a way to honor the late technology guru Steve Jobs......
Kobe Bryant Wrist Injury: Lakers Guard Could Miss 3-4 Weeks: Report
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has a torn right wrist ligament that could take more time to heal if found to be a severe tear, according to ESPN.com......
Japan Earthquake, Tsunami Cause Jump in Honda, Nissan Prices: Analysis
The Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 caused a drastic drop in vehicle production and a near-6 percent rise in vehicle pricing for a key Honda model. That&s according to analysis from ALG, a leading automotive residual values and analytic.....
KB Home margins fall, shares drop
KB Home <KBH.N> posted a lower fourth-quarter profit on reduced margins, sending shares down as much as 8.5 percent, but said orders for new homes surged and home prices rose in another sign that the beleaguered housing market was gaining a foo.....
New Zealand GDP
New Zealand&s economy released the data for the GDP for the third quarter, where it widened to 0.8%, compared with the prior reading of 0.1%, also it came above expectations of 0.6%.On the other hand, the data of the annual GDP for the third quarter .....
Spain's Rajoy picks economic duo to fight crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy opted for a mix of public and private experience in naming separate economy and treasury ministers on Wednesday, splitting what had been one cabinet post into two as Spain faces a deep economic crisis......
Markets Mixed as the ECB Offers Loans to Stabilise Europe | December 22, 2011.
Asian Markets are set to open flat after a mixed night on overseas markets. US Stocks were well off the session lows and ran into the close as the Dow and S&P500 ended in positive territory......
Yahoo Shares Surge 6 Percent on Alibaba Divestiture Report
Shares of troubled search engine and media developer Yahoo surged nearly 6 percent late Wednesday after a report the company may unload its stake in Chinas Alibaba Group for about $17 billion......
Rick Santorum News: Can He Win the Iowa Caucuses?
Rick Santorum has been a sideshow for most of the Republican presidential campaign. Now, two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, he has nabbed endorsements from two evangelical leaders, Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley. But is it too little, too late?......
Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus: Five Ways $200 BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet is Better
Even though BlackBerry PlayBook cannot access the Android Market for apps, it&s still better than the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. That might be PlayBook&s biggest drawback because it&s got the same size screen as the Galaxy Tab, better front and rear-facing.....
Oracle drags tech shares; euro off after ECB
The euro fell on Wednesday as doubts set in over whether fresh lending by the European Central Bank would be used to buy struggling euro-zone debt, while Oracle&s weak earnings weighed on technology stocks and kept Wall Street mostly flat......
Manchester United Dominate Fulham at Craven Cottage, 5-0
Nani and Ryan Giggs helped lift the Red Devils to a road victory......
Civil servants shouldn't stick to the rules
Public sector red tape is preventing the sort of risk-taking that could speed Britain's recovery, argues Gus O'Donnell.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b293b8c/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/>&l.....
Five million workers to take a fortnight off for Christmas
Workers enjoying longer holiday because business is so slow<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b293b8d/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/12158519033.....
Debt crisis: live
Fitch warns it may follow Standard & Poor's lead and downgrade America from its AAA rating, attacking the country's high and rising government debt burden.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b224.....
South African tycoon Nathan Kirsh buys Tower 42
South African tycoon Nathan Kirsh has completed a deal to buy one of London's most distinctive skyscrapers, Tower 42, for 282.5m.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b291446/mf.gif' border='0'/><.....
ECB's 489bn loan to eurozone banks fails to calm markets
Banks gorged on 489.19bn of cheap loans offered by the European Central Bank (ECB) - but the gargantuan refinancing effort still failed to decisively address the raging debt crisis.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/.....
Seymour Pierce hit with record fine
Seymour Pierce has been hit with the biggest fine in the 16-year history of the London Stock Exchange's junior AIM market for failing to properly advise companies under its stewardship.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.co.....
Essar chairman Ravi Ruia to stand down
Ravi Ruia, chairman of oil refiner and power plant operator Essar Energy, is to temporarily step down while Indian authorities investigate his alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar telecoms scandal.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://tel.....
Savills moves home
The boom in prime London residential property has allowed the upmarket estate agent Savills to move home.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b28cc78/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a.....
Eurozone zombies follow Mario Draghi's cheap money
Mario Draghi donned his plague suit on Wednesday and urged European banks to "Bring out your dead". But rather than financial corpses it was 489bn (408bn) of zombie debt from zombie banks that emerged blinking into the daylight.<img width='1' heig.....
National Grid fined 4.3m over slow gas leak responses
National Grid Gas has been fined 4.3m and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) fined 900,000 by energy regulator Ofgem for failing to attend to gas leaks on time.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b282730/mf.....
Hardy heats up as Beazley eyes second approach
Dealmakers in the Lloyd's of London insurance sector have been kept busy this year and there was scant sign of the pace of consolidation slowing as Beazley revealed it was eyeing a fresh tilt at Hardy Underwriting.<img width='1' height='1' src='ht.....
Insolvency profession told to tackle excessive fees
A Government review has concluded the profession should be given a chance to improve before it loses its ability to self regulate<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b27da2d/mf.gif' border='0'/><.....
Thorntons profit warning highlights retail woe
Chocolate maker Thorntons has issued a profits warning because of weak consumer spending and rival retailers offering large discounts.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b233ae0/mf.gif' border='0'/&g.....
US growth at risk from new paralysis in Washington
US economic growth risks being significantly dented next year unless Congress finds a way to extend an emergency tax cut in the next 10 days, economists have warned.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s.....
Shell shuts its huge Bonga oil field after leak
Royal Dutch Shell has been forced to shut its 200,000 barrel-a-day Bonga oil field off the coast of Nigeria after up to 40,000 barrels of crude oil leaked into the ocean.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568.....
Solar tariff cuts 'are illegal'
Government plans to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes were today ruled legally flawed by the High Court.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b279402/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/>.....
Rate alert: where best to save and borrow?
A round up of new market-leading savings and mortgage deals.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b2716f2/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1215851664.....
Unfair sacking payouts to rise in 2012
The price of sacking someone unfairly is to get more costly in the new year as the maximum payout for unfair dismissal will rise by 5.6pc to 72,300, officials have confirmed.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f.....
Savers to suffer from low interest rates until 2014
Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously in favour of a Bank Rate freeze<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b2709eb/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http:.....
Number of empty houses rises by 12,000
The number of empty houses in England has risen by nearly 12,000 to stand at 662,105, according to Halifax figures, pushing down house prices in the worst-affected areas.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568.....
Business to cut investment in blow to George Osborne's hopes for growth
Business poised to deal Chancellor a blow over his hopes for growth after a BoE survey uncovered a further sharp slowing in companies' investment intentions as MPC minutes show door open for more QE.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......
Employment rights now split the political parties
The Conservatives and Labour have both turned to private equity donors for insights on the burdens on business but their conclusions differ markedly<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b26245e/mf.gif'.....
Regions 'must sharpen up to win investment'
Foreign investment in the UK remains strong but the English regions need to stake their claim for the money, says the head of UK Trade & Investment<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b25318f/mf.g.....
Investors hit by bumper losses after a year in which every stock market index lost money
The UK was the ninth best performing market, falling by 11pc, according to Standard & Poor's.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b253191/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....
Italy recession fears as growth contracts
Italy's economy contracted by 0.2pc in the third quarter, raising fears that the eurozone's third largest country is slipping into recession.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1b253193/mf.gif' border.....
