UK Financial News on 2012-03-31

Investment firm set to save Game
The investment group, Opcapita, will announce on Sunday it is buying the rump of the troubled Game Group out of administration, the BBC understands......

Petrol queues ease at forecourts
Queues for petrol are easing after unions announced there would be no strike over Easter, motoring organisations say......

Eurozone boosts firewall to $1tn
Finance ministers in Copenhagen agree to increase the size of the eurozone's rescue funds to 800bn euros ($1.1tn; 667bn)......

Spain unveils 27bn euros of cuts
Spain cuts 27bn euros ($36bn; 22.5bn) from its budget this year and freezes public sector salaries to try to address its "extreme" economic situation......

BA-owner cleared for BMI purchase
The owner of British Airways and Iberia, IAG, receives approval for the takeover of BMI in return for giving up landing slots at Heathrow......

HMRC 'misleading' on tax credits
HMRC letters sent to 1.3m homes advising on changes to the child tax credit system are 'misleading' says a tax reform charity......

Sino-Forest in bankruptcy filing
Chinese forestry firm Sino-Forest, accused last year of inflating its revenues and exaggerating its holdings, files for bankruptcy protection in Canada......

US to tighten squeeze on Iran oil
Barack Obama approves fresh sanctions on foreign banks still involved in the trading of Iranian oil, saying there are enough alternative supplies......

Blackberry-maker to shift focus
Blackberry-maker Research in Motion says it will refocus on the corporate market rather than consumers, as it reports a loss of $125m......

Ford to invest $1.3bn in Mexico
US car giant Ford announces a $1.3bn investment in its plant in the Mexican town of Hermosillo, creating 1,000 jobs......

Fuel driver hours rules relaxed
Rules on fuel tanker drivers' hours on the road are temporarily relaxed to help transport supplies into filling stations, as Unite says there will not be a drivers' strike before Easter......

US credit firms in breach warning
Visa, Mastercard and Discover warn that details of credit card holders' personal information could be at risk after a security breach......

Online banking delays at Barclays
Some Barclays customers are facing delays trying to log on to the bank's online service as a rebuilt site is phased in......

Portas retail plans get go ahead
The government announces it has accepted "virtually all" the recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets......

Typhoon deal 'sustains' BAE jobs
BAE Systems wins a 446m maintenance contract to offer support services for European Typhoon jets, securing jobs at Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire......

Gas leak 'not due to human error'
Human error did not appear to be to blame for the gas leak at a North Sea platform, according to oil company Total......

Taking dog to work 'cuts stress'
Bringing pet dogs to work can reduce stress and make the job more satisfying for other employees, a study suggests......

Winner for $640m US lottery draw
At least one ticket - bought in Maryland - is a winner in the $640m (400m) Mega Millions lottery, officials say, after the biggest jackpot in history......

Drop in uninsured young drivers
The number of 17-20-year-olds driving without insurance has dropped by more than half in three years, claims the Motor Insurers' Bureau......

Germany retail sales fall again
German retail sales fell in February for the second month in a row, denting hopes that consumer spending will support the economy in the first quarter......

France's deficit shrinks in 2011
France's public sector deficit shrank to 5.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 from 7.1% in 2010, statistics agency Insee says......

Fall in Japan industrial output
Japan's industrial output unexpectedly fell in February, due to lower overseas demand for cars and electronic goods, figures show......

Essex confirm Olympic Stadium bid
Essex CCC and the University of East London apply to become tenants of the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, BBC Essex learns......

Rangers bidders await deal news
A new owner-in-waiting of Rangers could be in place next week, according to a source close to negotiations at the club......

VIDEO: Your Money: Recycling your mobile
Your Money: Recycling your mobile, pet insurance, and the start of the government's new financial year.....

VIDEO: Shard skyscraper nears completion
New footage shows the top of The Shard building as the finishing touches are made to the building......

VIDEO: Portas high street plans get go ahead
The government has announced it has accepted "virtually all" 28 recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets......

VIDEO: Workplace parking levy begins
Companies in Nottingham with more than 10 parking spaces will have to pay a yearly charge to the council from this weekend......

VIDEO: Euro ministers debate firewall
Finance ministers are in Copenhagen to discuss increasing the size of the eurozone's rescue funds......

VIDEO: Towns vie for High Street fund
The government has announced it has accepted virtually all 28 recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets, including a 1m Future High Street fund......

VIDEO: Elgin platform evacuation commended
Total UK's managing director Phillipe Guys has said he wanted to "commend everyone" for ensuring the safety of personnel in the wake of the North Sea gas leak......

Understanding why 'Spain has no choice'
Why Spain is pushing ahead with more austerity.....

Tips for making money from your mobile
Is selling your old phone for cash a good idea?.....

Businesses expressing fuel fears
Some businesses feel the effect of disruption at the petrol pumps.....

Can currency float lift Burma?
Market, not military, to fix rate of Burma's kyat.....

RIM's strategy may be risky business
Why Blackberry's renewed focus on business could prove costly.....

Keep the social media cowboys at bay
Don't let social media cowboys milk your profits.....

Anti-capitalism protests turn violent in Germany
March 30 - Violence erupts in Frankfurt during Europe-wide anti-capitalism day. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).....

Total releases video of leaking gas drilling platform
March 31 - Total releases 3-day old video of the Elgin drilling platform where a North Sea well is leaking gas. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).....

Grocer adds healthy job benefits
March 30 - As the Supreme Court debates the constitutionality of healthcare reform, Connecticut-based grocer Stew Leonard's is spending $200,000 a year on healthcare initiatives and it's already paying off. Jill Bennett reports......

Occupy protesters march on Wall Street
March 30 - Occupy Wall Street marchers converge in front of the NYSE to ring the 'people's gong' at the same time the NYSE rings its closing bell. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).....

Stocks sizzle in early 2012 rally
March 30 - Wall Street closes out its best first quarter since 1998 and its best quarterly performance in more than two years, but the second quarter may be tough as earnings season and the Presidential campaign pose potential risks to the rally. Con.....

U.S. Week Ahead: Job numbers could be a double-edged sword
Correspondent Jason Lange......

800 billion euros to the rescue
March 30 - Euro zone finance ministers agreed to boost a financial firewall to 800 billion euros, as leaders try to contain the region's debt crisis. Conway G. Gittens reports......

A new Titanic rises in Belfast
March 30 - Once regarded as a no-go zone for tourists, Belfast is hoping its new 155 million dollar visitor center 'Titanic Belfast' will lure a new wave of tourists eager to learn about the iconic ship in the place that it was built. Matt Cowan repo.....

U.S. shoppers undeterred by gas price
March 30 - Consumer sentiment rose in March to a more than one-year high and February's rise in consumer spending was the strongest in seven months. Conway G. Gittens reports......

Spain unveils tough austerity budget
March 30 - Spain has presented a budget that aims to save more than 27 billion euros in 2012 through spending cuts and revenue increases, reassuring markets that the country would stick to austerity. Ciara Sutton reports......

Music launch stirs Moshi 'mania'
March 30 - The children's entertainment brand Moshi Monsters is moving in a musical direction with the launch of a new album called Moshi Monster Music Rox. Hayley Platt reports......

Trading at Noon: Stocks headed for strong finish of Q1
U.S. Markets Editor David Gaffen......

Breakingviews: Worse, not worst for Research in Motion
Mar 30 - Rob Cox and Breakingviews columnists discuss RIM's lackluster results and what it means for the future of the BlackBerry maker......

Greek city on brink of humanitarian crisis
March 30 - The residents of a once thriving shipbuilding town are on the brink of a humanitarian crisis according to aid agency Doctors of the World. Hayley Platt reports......

EMEA Week Ahead: European stocks end first quarter on a high
Mar. 30 - The ECB fuels a stockmarket rally in the first three months of the year with cheap loans to banks......

FACTBOX: Apple's Very Good Q1
Mar. 30 - Apple became the biggest company in the U.S. in the first quarter, its stock crossed both the $500 and $600 mark, and sales of the latest iPad topped 3 million units in just the first weekend......

Wealth Strategies: ETF assets will grow 15% - 20% this year
Mar. 30 - Debbie Fuhr, partner at ETF Global Insight, says that ETFs, which allow exposure to multiple asset classes, will continue to grow assets and feels that non-equity ETFs will attract the most interest......

3XSQ: Apple labor deal, lottery madness
Mar. 30 - Apple and Foxconn are working together to tackle labor violations in Chinese factories, and lottery fever spreads across the U.S., with people buying tickets for the Mega Millions jackpot......

U.S. Morning Call: Apple to change labor conditions
Mar. 30 - Apple and Foxconn are agreeing to tackle labor violations of the 1.2 million Chinese workers manufacturing Apple's devices......

Can equity bulls stay in charge in Q2?
asks London market players......

Euro zone set to boost firewalls
Mar.30 - Euro zone finance ministers are likely to agree to temporarily almost double their financial backstops on Friday as one of the final moves to end the sovereign debt crisis, although Germany continues to favour a smaller increase. Ciara Sutto.....

Market Pulse: Dax the winner on European stocks board
Mar. 30 - Frankfurt's blue-chip Dax index significantly outperforms other major European stockmarkets going into the second quarter of the year......

Corruption: Monti's biggest reform hurdle
Mar. 30 - Italy is the most corrupt of Europe's major economies, according to a new report by the anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International.....

Breakingviews: Bailout fund figure fiddling not fooling IMF
Breakingviews......

FACTBOX: Apple's "New Deal" in China
Mar. 30 - A crescendo of criticism aimed at Apple's China operations wins results: a new deal by Apple and Foxconn, promising to cut illegal worker overtime and improve safety......

Alan Miller's SCM Private venture is a family affair
Alan Miller's latest project is a husband and wife venture that aims to shake fund management 'dinosaurs'.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9e164/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><.....

Musto seeks cash boost after covenant breach
Nautical clothing retailer Musto is looking for external investment following a breach of its banking covenants.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9f1cd/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/&g.....

New Look opts for expensive bank refinancing
New Look's private equity owners have turned down attempts by founder Tom Singh to restructure the company's balance sheet in favour of an expensive bank refinancing.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/.....

Chancellor George Osborne hopes for an Indian summer after a winter of discontent
Can British patience pay off for the Chancellor on his latest visit to India?<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9daaa/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.....

Gil Baldwin's Tunstall is making sure your online doctor will always have time to see you
Telehealth group Tunstall is ready for doctors to manage patients online.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9daab/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com.....

Rainmaker: Twin peaks regulation gets a poor review
Twin peaks. No, not the edgy, and at times downright weird, David Lynch television drama from the early 1990s, but the slightly less edgy but far more important separation of regulation at the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to help build up an ea.....

Sir Mervyn - come clean on the bank crisis
To learn from any crisis, financial or otherwise, two essential things must happen. There must be a full and frank admission of what went wrong and there must be a fundamental change in the ways of behaving to ensure - as far as is possible in an imp.....

Why Diageo wants a tequila sunrise down Mexico way
Diageo owns the popular Guinness, Johnnie Walker, and Smirnoff brand but now it wants the Jose Cuervo tequila brand.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dab0/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><b.....

Government squeezes suppliers for savings of 5bn
Tough contract negotiations with private sector suppliers and a demand that they must cut contract costs will save the Government more than 5bn this year, Francis Maude has revealed.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c.....

James Murdoch 'on brink' over BSkyB chairmanship
James Murdoch is on the brink of making what has been described as a "fine line" decision on his future as chairman of BSkyB.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dab1/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/.....

Argentina threatens to sue banks helping Falklands oil explorers as trade war with Britain escalates
A group of British and American banks have been threatened with legal action by the Argentine government for advising and writing research reports about companies involved in the Falkland Islands' 1.6bn oil industry.<img width='1' height='1' src='.....

Falklands oil: who's drilling where
There are five small British oil explorers drilling for oil in the Falklands Islands.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dab3/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.fee.....

Grannies will shape the global economy of the future
The Chancellor's misreading of demographics and the Granny Tax ambush it triggered was the unexpected highlight of this year's Budget.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dab4/mf.gif' border='0'/&g.....

Lord Wolfson: Why an easy exit from the euro is impossible
Lord Wolfson says switching a new currency is anything but simple.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dab6/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1305.....

Argentina's Falklands oil threats: the letter to banks in full
Here is the letter sent by the Argentine government to around 15 British and American banks threatening them with legal action for advising companies exploring for oil in the Falkland Islands. It has been translated from Spanish into English. The nam.....

Alan and Gina Miller - the husband and wife team shaking up the investment industry
Alan Miller and his wife Gina are shaking up the investment industry.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dabb/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1.....

Pump panic highlights the West's slavery to crude oil
Advance countries can't do without crude - witness petrol panic in Britain and US gasoline prices nearing the politically deadly "four bucks a gallon" - and claims of US energy independence just don't ring true.<img width='1' height='1' src='http:.....

Nursing homes caught up in bank rate swap scandal
Nursing homes caring for several thousand people have been caught up in allegations that banks mis-sold complicated interest rate swaps despite the fact that the homes did not understand what they were buying.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://.....

Osborne to press case for Typhoon in India
George Osborne is to tell the Indian government that its decision not to choose the BAE-backed Typhoon Eurofighter as its new strike plane is a mistake as the Typhoon is a more cost-effective option.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......

Sir John Buchanan to quit Vodafone to be ARM chairman
The deputy chairman of Vodafone, Sir John Buchanan, is preparing to resign after taking up the chairmanship of ARM, the semi-conductor design company which produces chip designs for much of the world's mobile phone market.<img width='1' height='1'.....

Trouble flares over oil that lies beneath the Falklands
Argentina's legal move raises fears of battle over natural resources.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dabd/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1.....

Are the lights about to go out all over Britain?
Blow to nuclear sector raises doubts over UK's energy strategy.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df9dabf/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1305771.....

Lord Myners urges tax clampdown on private equity
Lord Myners, the former City minister, has called for an investigation into a tax loophole being used by private equity managers amid concerns that they are paying too little to HM Revenue and Excise.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.....

Diageo tells Goldman to seal $3bn Cuervo tequila deal
Diageo has instructed Goldman Sachs to close ongoing talks about taking a stake in Jose Cuervo, which will value the Mexican tequila brand in the region of $3bn (1.88bn)<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/5683.....

European Central Bank urges more resources for IMF
The International Monetary Fund needs more resources to tackle challenges in the global economy, not just Europe, European Central Bank vice-President Vitor Constancio said on Saturday.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.co.....

UK Financial News on 2012-03-30

Spain unveils 27bn euros of cuts
Spain cuts 27bn euros ($36bn; 22.5bn) from its budget this year and freezes public sector salaries to try to address its "extreme" economic situation......

Eurozone boosts firewall to $1tn
Finance ministers in Copenhagen agree to increase the size of the eurozone's rescue funds to 800bn euros ($1.1tn; 667bn)......

BA-owner cleared for BMI purchase
The owner of British Airways and Iberia, IAG, receives approval for the takeover of BMI in return for giving up landing slots at Heathrow......

Sino-Forest in bankruptcy filing
Chinese forestry firm Sino-Forest, accused last year of inflating its revenues and exaggerating its holdings, files for bankruptcy protection in Canada......

US to tighten squeeze on Iran oil
Barack Obama approves fresh sanctions on foreign banks still involved in the trading of Iranian oil, saying there are enough alternative supplies......

Blackberry-maker to shift focus
Blackberry-maker Research in Motion says it will refocus on the corporate market rather than consumers, as it reports a loss of $125m......

Ford to invest $1.3bn in Mexico
US car giant Ford announces a $1.3bn investment in its plant in the Mexican town of Hermosillo, creating 1,000 jobs......

Fuel driver hours rules relaxed
Rules on fuel tanker drivers' hours on the road are temporarily relaxed to help transport supplies into filling stations, as Unite says there will not be a drivers' strike before Easter......

US credit firms in breach warning
Visa, Mastercard and Discover warn that details of credit card holders' personal information could be at risk after a security breach......

Online banking delays at Barclays
Some Barclays customers are facing delays trying to log on to the bank's online service as a rebuilt site is phased in......

Portas retail plans get go ahead
The government announces it has accepted "virtually all" the recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets......

Typhoon deal 'sustains' BAE jobs
BAE Systems wins a 446m maintenance contract to offer support services for European Typhoon jets, securing jobs at Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire......

Gas leak 'not due to human error'
Human error did not appear to be to blame for the gas leak at a North Sea platform, according to oil company Total......

Drop in uninsured young drivers
The number of 17-20-year-olds driving without insurance has dropped by more than half in three years, claims the Motor Insurers' Bureau......

Apple hit by China Foxconn report
Apple says it will work to improve conditions at its manufacturer's plants in China, after an independent probe it requested found "significant issues"......

France's deficit shrinks in 2011
France's public sector deficit shrank to 5.2% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 from 7.1% in 2010, statistics agency Insee says......

Taking dog to work 'cuts stress'
Bringing pet dogs to work can reduce stress and make the job more satisfying for other employees, a study suggests......

Mega Millions jackpot tops $640m
Lottery fever sweeps the US hours before the draw for a $640m (400m) Mega Millions prize, the biggest jackpot in world history......

Doctors plan May pensions ballot
Doctors will vote on industrial action in May, if talks over planned changes to their pensions do not resume, the British Medical Association says......

House prices 'fell 1% in March'
House prices are lower than a year ago for the first time in six months after prices fell by 1% in March, the Nationwide says......

Isa deadline looming for savers
Savers should not wait until the last minute to use their tax-free Isa annual allowance for the year, an ombudsman says......

Germany retail sales fall again
German retail sales fell in February for the second month in a row, denting hopes that consumer spending will support the economy in the first quarter......

Fall in Japan industrial output
Japan's industrial output unexpectedly fell in February, due to lower overseas demand for cars and electronic goods, figures show......

OECD predicts recession in the UK
The UK economy will contract in the first three months of 2012, taking the country back into recession, an international think tank suggests......

German firms halt UK nuclear plan
The government's nuclear power strategy has been hit after German energy giants RWE and E.On abandon plans to build two new plants......

Exxon loses crown to PetroChina
US oil giant Exxon Mobil loses its crown as the world's biggest listed producer of oil to PetroChina, figures suggest......

Scottish Water enters Polish deal
Scottish Water International announces a partnership agreement with Polish engineering firm ECM Group Polska......

Essex confirm Olympic Stadium bid
Essex CCC and the University of East London apply to become tenants of the Olympic Stadium after London 2012, BBC Essex learns......

Rangers bidders await deal news
A new owner-in-waiting of Rangers could be in place next week, according to a source close to negotiations at the club......

Widnes chairman gives Bulls 10k
Widnes chairman Steve O'Connor donates 10,000 to help the Bradford Bulls in their bid to stave off administration......

VIDEO: Shard skyscraper nears completion
New footage shows the top of The Shard building as the finishing touches are made to the building......

VIDEO: Portas high street plans get go ahead
The government has announced it has accepted "virtually all" 28 recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets......

VIDEO: Workplace parking levy begins
Companies in Nottingham with more than 10 parking spaces will have to pay a yearly charge to the council from this weekend......

VIDEO: Euro ministers debate firewall
Finance ministers are in Copenhagen to discuss increasing the size of the eurozone's rescue funds......

VIDEO: Towns vie for High Street fund
The government has announced it has accepted virtually all 28 recommendations from Mary Portas in its bid to rejuvenate UK High Streets, including a 1m Future High Street fund......

VIDEO: Elgin platform evacuation commended
Total UK's managing director Phillipe Guys has said he wanted to "commend everyone" for ensuring the safety of personnel in the wake of the North Sea gas leak......

VIDEO: Firms halt UK nuclear plans
Two companies have pulled out of plans to develop a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK......

AUDIO: Blackberry goes back to its roots
The company that makes Blackberry smartphones says it is refocusing its attention back onto business customers......

Understanding why 'Spain has no choice'
Why Spain is pushing ahead with more austerity.....

Businesses expressing fuel fears
Some businesses feel the effect of disruption at the petrol pumps.....

Can currency float lift Burma?
Market, not military, to fix rate of Burma's kyat.....

RIM's strategy may be risky business
Why Blackberry's renewed focus on business could prove costly.....

Keep the social media cowboys at bay
Don't let social media cowboys milk your profits.....

Blackberry maker's Asia boss remains optimistic about Indonesia
Blackberry maker faces more hurdles in Indonesia.....

U.S. Week Ahead: Job numbers could be a double-edged sword
Correspondent Jason Lange......

A new Titanic rises in Belfast
March 30 - Once regarded as a no-go zone for tourists, Belfast is hoping its new 155 million dollar visitor center 'Titanic Belfast' will lure a new wave of tourists eager to learn about the iconic ship in the place that it was built. Matt Cowan repo.....

U.S. shoppers undeterred by gas price
March 30 - Consumer sentiment rose in March to a more than one-year high and February's rise in consumer spending was the strongest in seven months. Conway G. Gittens reports......

Spain unveils tough austerity budget
March 30 - Spain has presented a budget that aims to save more than 27 billion euros in 2012 through spending cuts and revenue increases, reassuring markets that the country would stick to austerity. Ciara Sutton reports......

Music launch stirs Moshi 'mania'
March 30 - The children's entertainment brand Moshi Monsters is moving in a musical direction with the launch of a new album called Moshi Monster Music Rox. Hayley Platt reports......

Trading at Noon: Stocks headed for strong finish of Q1
U.S. Markets Editor David Gaffen......

Breakingviews: Worse, not worst for Research in Motion
Mar 30 - Rob Cox and Breakingviews columnists discuss RIM's lackluster results and what it means for the future of the BlackBerry maker......

Greek city on brink of humanitarian crisis
March 30 - The residents of a once thriving shipbuilding town are on the brink of a humanitarian crisis according to aid agency Doctors of the World. Hayley Platt reports......

EMEA Week Ahead: European stocks end first quarter on a high
Mar. 30 - The ECB fuels a stockmarket rally in the first three months of the year with cheap loans to banks......

FACTBOX: Apple's Very Good Q1
Mar. 30 - Apple became the biggest company in the U.S. in the first quarter, its stock crossed both the $500 and $600 mark, and sales of the latest iPad topped 3 million units in just the first weekend......

Wealth Strategies: ETF assets will grow 15% - 20% this year
Mar. 30 - Debbie Fuhr, partner at ETF Global Insight, says that ETFs, which allow exposure to multiple asset classes, will continue to grow assets and feels that non-equity ETFs will attract the most interest......

3XSQ: Apple labor deal, lottery madness
Mar. 30 - Apple and Foxconn are working together to tackle labor violations in Chinese factories, and lottery fever spreads across the U.S., with people buying tickets for the Mega Millions jackpot......

U.S. Morning Call: Apple to change labor conditions
Mar. 30 - Apple and Foxconn are agreeing to tackle labor violations of the 1.2 million Chinese workers manufacturing Apple's devices......

Can equity bulls stay in charge in Q2?
asks London market players......

Euro zone set to boost firewalls
Mar.30 - Euro zone finance ministers are likely to agree to temporarily almost double their financial backstops on Friday as one of the final moves to end the sovereign debt crisis, although Germany continues to favour a smaller increase. Ciara Sutto.....

Market Pulse: Dax the winner on European stocks board
Mar. 30 - Frankfurt's blue-chip Dax index significantly outperforms other major European stockmarkets going into the second quarter of the year......

Corruption: Monti's biggest reform hurdle
Mar. 30 - Italy is the most corrupt of Europe's major economies, according to a new report by the anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International.....

Breakingviews: Bailout fund figure fiddling not fooling IMF
Breakingviews......

FACTBOX: Apple's "New Deal" in China
Mar. 30 - A crescendo of criticism aimed at Apple's China operations wins results: a new deal by Apple and Foxconn, promising to cut illegal worker overtime and improve safety......

Reuters Today: Apple, Foxconn revamp China conditions
Mar. 30 - Apple tackles working conditions in China, shares end Q1 on a strong note & the euro zone set to boost debt-crisis firewalls......

Asia Week Ahead: All eyes on China factory data
Mar. 30 - China's official PMI is expected to show factory activity dipped in March, while South Korean exports are forecast to show a slide in March growth......

Greek city on brink of humanitarian crisis
Mar.30 - The residents of a once thriving shipbuilding town are on the brink of a humanitarian crisis according to aid agency Doctors of the World. Hayley Platt reports......

Stocks end mixed; RIM disappoints
Mar 29 - Summary of business headlines: Dow breaks losing streak but S&P 500, Nasdaq down for third day; Report finds labor violations at China factories of Apple supplier Foxconn; Research In Motion posts disappointing quarterly results. Conway G. G.....

Smaller may be best for Best Buy
Mar 29 - Best Buy, faced with slower than expected sales, needs to focus on smaller stores, online sales and partnering with product innovators as it faces strong headwinds in the consumer electronics space, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Peter K.....

Apple still shines despite dark side
Mar. 29 - Apple's business keeps growing despite reports critical of its labor and environmental record especially at its Chinese supplier Foxconn......

FTSE 100 claws back most of 2011 losses
UK's leading index of shares wipes out two-thirds of 2011 losses.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df3576b/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/13057.....

Mugging companies is a sure way to lose investment, India
India's decision to introduce retrospective tax on foreign investors is surprising. But the threat to the profits of Vodafone, Kraft, SAB Miller and others is nought compared with the threat to India itself.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://te.....

SFO blasted by OECD for settling cases instead of going to court
The Serious Fraud Office has come under fire for making secret settlements in foreign corruption cases rather than prosecuting companies through the courts.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df368bc.....

Laxey Partners demands 3i sells assets, returns cash and halts investing
Just 24 hours since the shock registration of its chief executive Michael Queen, 3i has been told to sell off its investments and hand back cash to shareholders.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df.....

British Airways eyes Asian routes after owner IAG given green light to buy bmi
International Airlines Group plans to use some of the 42 extra Heathrow slots gained from its takeover of bmi to increase British Airways' exposure to Asia, after the deal was approved by the European Commission.<img width='1' height='1' src='http.....

Former Tottenham Hotspur vice-chairman Paul Kelmsley sued by Barclays over 5m bank loan
Paul Kemsley, the recently-bankrupt former Tottenham Hotspur vice-chairman and property tycoon, is being sued by Barclays for repayment of a 5m loan.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df35c23/mf.gif.....

Pasty tax: JJB Sports founder Dave Whelan sells Pooles Pies for 5m
George Osborne wants to tax them - though he can't remember when he last ate one. David Cameron likes to eat them - though he's forgotten where he last did. Now JJB Sports founder Dave Whelan has decided to flog them - all 1m of them.<img width='1.....

Total 'dismissed safety concerns from workers' about risk of gas leak on Elgin platform
Total dismissed safety concerns raised by workers about the risk of a gas leak on its Elgin platform, a union official has claimed.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df35c26/mf.gif' border='0'/>&.....

Former RBS trader Tan Chi Min claims hedge fund asked UK bank to change Libor
One of Europe's largest hedge funds is alleged to have asked Royal Bank of Scotland to alter the London interbank borrowing rate (Libor) five years ago, according to a court filing by a former trader at the lender.<img width='1' height='1' src='ht.....

US consumer spending rises as unemployment falls
Hope that better jobs data are giving Americans more confidence to spend.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df2fae6/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com.....

'Furious' Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker ends key meeting early
A meeting of eurozone finance ministers ended in acrimony as its 'furious' chairman Jean-Claude Juncker brought proceedings to a close early, overshadowing a move to strengthen the region's rescue funding.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://tele.....

Total could start drilling relief wells at Elgin platform within 10 days
Total said it could begin drilling two relief wells at its abandoned Elgin field within 10 days, in an attempt to deal with a gas leak that shows no signs of abating.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/.....

BP accuses US of 'withholding evidence' on Gulf spill
BP has accused the US government of trying to suppress documents that may show the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was smaller than prosecutors claim.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1def754f/mf.gif' bord.....

Spain unveils 'most austere' Budget in democratic history
Spain unveiled "the most austere budget in democratic history" with 27bn of cuts and a 7pc rise in utility bills but still failed to win over economists.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df1ea76/mf.....

Eveden lingerie company sold to Japan's Wacoal for 144m on national cleavage day
Eveden, a lingerie company backed by Lloyds Banking Group, has been sold to Japan's Wacoal for 144m.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df28d1d/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href.....

British Gas owner Centrica won't give senior directors a bonus
The owner of British Gas, which has come in for criticism for raising energy prices, has suggested its most senior directors have failed after stating that 'executive pay is based on performance'.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.fee.....

Tesco 'hasn't invested enough in UK', says Morgan Stanley analysts Edouard Aubin and Gillian Robb
Tesco's management are not prepared to take the bold steps needed to turn its business around, analysts at Morgan Stanley have said.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df218a4/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....

India's tax change could be death knell for inward investment
It is hard to overestimate the effect India's proposed tax changes will have on the country.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df218a5/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http:/.....

Ministry of Defence relaxes grip on QinetiQ
The Government's grip on defence technology group QinetiQ has been relaxed to give the company more commercial freedom to allow it to compete with rivals.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df218a6/m.....

Made in London: the city's local entrepreneurs in profile
Anoosh Chakelian profiles the London entrepreneurs currently finding success in the capital.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df1ac4e/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http:/.....

Made In London: the capital's boom in entrepreneurship
As the recession continues, Anoosh Chakelian meets the experienced entrepreneurs and enterprising individuals setting up shop in London.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df1ac4f/mf.gif' border='0'/.....

Billionaire Hong Kong property owners Kwok brothers arrested
The billionaire owners of Asia's largest real estate development company were arrested on suspicion of corruption, wiping nore than $5bn (3.1bn) off the market value of Sun Hung Kai Properties today.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph......

India could face constitutional crisis over tax proposals
India could be facing a constitutional crisis, after the government proposed new legislation which would overrule the courts and tax companies for deals retrospectively.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/5683.....

Ministry of Defence loosens grip on QinetiQ
The Government's grip on defence technology firm QinetiQ was relaxed today, giving the company more commercial freedom to allow it to compete with rivals.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df0d768/m.....

Canary Wharf owner Songbird hit by downturn
Songbird Estates, the property company behind Canary Wharf, saw rents slip 36m to 251m as it was hit by lease surrenders and the sale of two properties.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1df099ae/mf......

UK Financial News on 2012-03-29

China factory report blames Apple
An independent probe finds "significant issues" over working hours, pay and safety on Apple production lines in China, but says improvements will be made......

Blackberry maker posts $125m loss
Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion reports a quarterly loss, due in part to falling revenues on the back of weak smartphone shipments......

German firms halt UK nuclear plan
The government's nuclear power strategy has been hit after German energy giants RWE and E.On abandon plans to build two new plants......

OECD predicts recession in the UK
The UK economy will contract in the first three months of 2012, taking the country back into recession, an international think tank suggests......

Co-op Lloyds deal 'not certain'
Co-operative chief executive Peter Marks says there are significant issues to be overcome if the deal to buy 632 branches of Lloyds is to go ahead......

Exxon loses crown to PetroChina
US oil giant Exxon Mobil loses its crown as the world's biggest listed producer of oil to PetroChina, figures suggest......

Bus group warns of weak UK market
Aberdeen transport firm, FirstGroup warns that margins at its UK bus division will be squeezed this year causing shares to slide......

Seven bids for three rail lines
The government says a total of seven firms want to become the next operators of the Great Western, Thameslink and Essex Thameside railway lines......

House prices 'fell 1% in March'
House prices are lower than a year ago for the first time in six months after prices fell by 1% in March, the Nationwide says......

Hong Kong billionaires arrested
Thomas and Raymond Kwok, who run one of Hong Kong's biggest property companies, are arrested on suspicion of corruption......

Clinton Cards cuts profit outlook
Troubled retailer Clinton Cards warns that the outlook for its full-year results is worse than it had previously expected......

Isa deadline looming for savers
Savers should not wait until the last minute to use their tax-free Isa annual allowance for the year, an ombudsman says......

US Q4 GDP growth confirmed at 3%
The US economy grew at an annualised rate of 3% in the fourth quarter of 2011, government figures have confirmed......

Charities to leave Work Programme
Charities are leaving the government's 5bn Work Programme, claiming the upfront payments they receive do not cover the cost of helping jobseekers......

Spain police and protesters clash
Police clash with protesters in Barcelona on the day of a general strike called to denounce the government's labour market reforms......

H&M profits hit by higher costs
Profits at clothing retailer H&M edge up after higher purchasing costs weighed on the company's performance......

London and New York 'top cities'
London and New York will remain the most important world cities for wealthy individuals over the next decade, research suggests......

Magic Johnson to buy LA Dodgers
The LA Dodgers baseball club is to be sold to a consortium that includes the former basketball star Magic Johnson......

Fraud 'costs the UK 73bn a year'
Fraud is estimated to cost the country 73bn a year, according to a watchdog's new report......

EU to end 'rip off' roaming fees
From July this year roaming charges will fall to 24p per minute to make a call and 59p per megabyte of data......

Financial complaints 'up by 21%'
Financial institutions received more than 12,000 complaints a day in the second half of 2011, driven by worries over payment protection insurance......

Burma gives currency float detail
Burma gives details of how it will implement a managed float of its currency from 1 April to attract foreign investors......

Price of oil dips on reserve talk
The price of oil falls as a number of key nations discuss releasing reserves to increase supplies and US inventories jump......

US durable goods orders rise 2.2%
Orders for durable goods in the US rose by 2.2% in February, recovering partly from a sharp drop in January, the Commerce Department says......

Tepco needs $22bn more for claims
The power company behind Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant disaster asks for another 1.85tn yen ($22.4bn; 14.1bn) in aid......

Hutchison Whampoa profits double
Hutchison Whampoa, owned by billionaire Li Ka-shing, sees its annual profits more than double after spinning off its container port business......

Natural catastrophes hit Lloyd's
The insurance market Lloyd's of London announces a loss for 2011, saying it was its worst year for catastrophe claims......

Rangers fans to pay debt to Pars
Rangers' debt to Dunfermline will be paid by a fans fighting fund, but it will not do the same for Dundee United......

Hearts pay delayed March salaries
Hearts pay their players the salaries they were due to receive in mid-March, BBC Scotland learns......

AUDIO: Is wine a good ISA investment?
Peter Shakeshaft, founder of wine investment firm Vin-X, reflects on how wine can be a good investment for people with ISA accounts......

VIDEO: Firms halt UK nuclear plans
Two companies have pulled out of plans to develop a new generation of nuclear power plants in the UK......

VIDEO: A tour of Google Campus in London
The BBC's Stephanie McGovern takes a tour of Google's Tech Campus in Old Street, London......

VIDEO: Brics nations discuss trade links
The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are meeting in Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen their trade links......

VIDEO: Co-op Lloyds deal 'not certain'
The chief executive of the Co-operative Group, Peter Marks, says the deal to buy 632 branches from Lloyds Banking Group "may not go ahead"......

VIDEO: For Sale: Seaside lifestyle
Steve Graham is selling his seaside lifestyle by putting on the market his Whitstable home, ice cream shop and beach hut in one package......

VIDEO: 'Pasty tax' confusion continues
The decision to add VAT to the price of all food sold at "above ambient temperature" has confused and angered many......

VIDEO: 'Panic buying' at petrol stations
Queues formed at some petrol stations as demand for fuel shot up after ministers called for people to top up in case of a tanker drivers' strike......

Q&A: Pain in Spain
What caused the economic pain in Spain?.....

Blackberry maker's Asia boss remains optimistic about Indonesia
Blackberry maker faces more hurdles in Indonesia.....

Kickstarter's crowdsourced cash
How a video game maker raised over $3m from its fans.....

Missing pieces of small business tech
Three missing ingredients of small business technology.....

Should Indonesia raise fuel prices?
Should Indonesia raise fuel prices and axe subsidies?.....

Uefa scores with football TV rights
Uefa changes sale of international football TV rights.....

Apple still shines despite dark side
Mar. 29 - Apple's business keeps growing despite reports critical of its labor and environmental record especially at its Chinese supplier Foxconn......

U.S. Day Ahead: Supreme Court takes secret vote in Obamacare
Mar. 29 - Supreme Court justices will take a preliminary secret vote on how they plan to rule in Pres. Obama's healthcare law. In economic data, personal income numbers are expected to raise......

BRICS bank hard to cement: Zoellick
March 29 - Outgoing World Bank President Robert Zoellick says a joint development bank being planned by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) will be difficult to implement given competing interests. Conway G. Gittens reports......

Obama calls for end to Big Oil's tax breaks
March 29 - U.S. President Barack Obama challenges Congress to repeal billions of dollars in tax breaks for the biggest U.S. energy companies, saying they are raking in record profits while Americans struggle with higher gasoline prices. Rough Cut (no.....

3XSQ: Facebook's May plan, Goldman goes to India
, Facebook is planning its public debut in May, and Goldman Sachs' board holds its annual meeting in India......

Trading at Noon: U.S. stocks down; Facebook IPO plans
Mar. 29 - U.S. stocks are negative on disappointing jobless claims data, and a source says Facebook's IPO may debut in May......

Breakingviews: Artful Dodgers sale
Mar 29 - Jeffrey Goldfarb and Breakingviews columnists discuss how professional sports teams, despite their trophy asset status, have been outpacing nearly any other investment......

Spain gripped by general strike
March 29 - A day of protest marches in Spain as part of a general strike over government austerity reforms. Simon Hanna reports......

Europe lagging in recovery: OECD
March 29 - Euro zone nations are falling far behind the United States and Canada as a fragile recovery takes root in advanced economies, the OECD said on Thursday, advising central banks to keep easy money flowing so the rebound does not prove short-.....

Oil prices steady on reserve supply talks
March 29 - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon says there is high probability that Europe and the United States will strike a deal on the release of strategic oil reserves in a bid to bring down prices and prevent a shortage. Hayley Platt reports......

Animation shows North Sea gas leak
March 29 - Animation from a Taiwanese company illustrates French energy company Total's gas leak from its North Sea Elgin platform. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)......

Big guns battle for Champions League glory
Mar. 29 - The Champions League's big names come to the fore in the battle for a semi-final spot. Plus a battle of words in the Premier League title race......

Rebrand Goldman? Only if you're a muppet
Mar. 29 - Goldman Sachs has serious reputational risks to address after muppetgate, but doesn't need a rebranding, says Wolff Olins brand strategist Charlie Stott......

Boards behaving badly
& Klout 50 Most Influential Execs tweeter, reveals the deadly sins of the boardroom......

Breakingviews: Oil sanctions serious blow to Iran
Breakingviews......

700 bln euro zone firewall not enough - OECD
Mar. 29 - The OCED's chief economist tells Insider he's not ruling out a slide back into recession in some euro zone countries......

Reuters Today: Saudi oil minister attacks high prices
Mar. 29 - Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi mounts a direct attack on high oil prices. Plus Facebook's chief visits China and Japan......

Why your next phone might not be an Apple
Mar. 29 - Chinese smartphones are grabbing global market share. The worlds #6 handset maker Huawei now says it has created the fastest and slimmest phones ever. Their top designer tells us more......

BRICS leaders gather for summit
Mar. 29 - BRICS leaders gather in India for summit; Brazil may push partners to denounce monetary policies in rich nations. Rough Cut (No reporter narration).....

Apple's Cook gets China IP protection promise
Mar. 29 - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang assures Apple's Tim Cook China will boost intellectual property protection. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).....

Top job split talk as Goldman meets
March 29 - The board of directors of embattled Goldman Sachs holds a meeting in India, amid reports that senior executives have talked about splitting the roles of chief executive and chairman, both held now by Lloyd Blankfein. Sonia Legg reports......

Japan's PM befriends Facebook founder
March 29 - Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg meets Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, looking to strengthen his company's commitment in Japan. Rough Cut (no reporter narration)......

U.S. Morning Call:Facebook plans May IPO; Cook tours Foxconn
that Facebook plans to go public in May, and Apple's CEO Tim Cook visits Foxconn's iPhone plant in China......

Wealth Strategies: Emerging market financials in good shape
Mar. 29 - Geoffrey Dennis, Citigroup's global emerging market strategist, says fundamentals for the EM financial sector are very strong and is overweight the group as well as materials and discretionary cos......

Oil leads Wall Street drop
Mar 28 - Summary of business headlines: Stocks fall on economic jitters; Oil stumbles amid growing talk of reserve release; Basketball star Magic Johnson leads record purchase of LA Dodgers baseball team. Conway G. Gittens reports......

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion to focus on business customers after revenue falls 25pc
Struggling BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) has said it will cede most consumer markets and focus on business customers after revenue fell 25pc.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1deb1400/mf.....

Apple's Chinese staff work 60 hours a week, independent audit finds
Workers who assemble iPads put in more than 60 hours per week and often work for a week straight, according to the first independent report into the Chinese factories where Apple products are made.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.fe.....

EU to extend 'big bazooka' EFSF bail-out fund at Copenhagen meeting
Eurozone finance ministers are expected to extend part of the "big bazooka" bail-out fund in Copenhagen on Friday, but defy international demands to radically boost the size of its firewalls.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedspor.....

Ministers must get their priorities right
Telegraph View: The Government must get Britain's economy growing again.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1deab404/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/.....

Germany launches strategy to counter ECB largesse
Country preparing raft of measures to safeguard economy from LTRO.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea9e92/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/1305.....

Did our Government know RWE and E.ON's interest in nuclear power had cooled?
Compare and contrast the following statements.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1deaaabd/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/130577067717/u/3/f/56830.....

E.ON and RWE scrap UK nuclear power plans
German utility giants E.ON and RWE have scrapped their plans to build new nuclear plants in the UK, leaving the country's plans for future energy security "in tatters".<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/56830.....

GDF Suez offers 6bn for remaining International Power stake
French energy giant GDF Suez is preparing a 6bn bid for the remaining 30pc stake in International Power that it does not already own.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea1b1a/mf.gif' border='0'/>.....

The pain in Spain may not enough
What will eurozone leaders do to Luis de Guindos this time? Last time Spain's finance minister met with fellow finance ministers, a photographer snapped him being throttled by Jean Claude Juncker, the head of the eurogroup.<img width='1' height='1.....

Spain on strike: 104 injured as protesters clash with police
Tear gas and rubber bulletts were fired and a Starbucks and rubbish bins set on fire as workers vented their fury in Barcelona, while an estimated 900,000 people took to the streets in Madrid.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedspo.....

Spain on strike: nine injured as protesters clash with police
Tear gas and rubber bulletts were fired and a Starbucks and rubbish bins set on fire as workers vented their fury in Barcelona, while an estimated 900,000 people took to the streets in Madrid.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedspo.....

Total says Elgin gas leak originated from 'pockets under seabed'
Leak at Total's Elgin platform originated 2.5 miles below seabed.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea134f/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/13057.....

3i chief Michael Queen to step down
Michael Queen, head of 3i Group, has quit against a backdrop of backbiting by senior directors at the private-equity company.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea1350/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/.....

UK's 'double-dip recession' should already be over
Let's face it, the OECD couldn't have picked a better day to utter the dreaded R-word.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea1351/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.fe.....

British Airways owner IAG considers buying stake in Japan Airlines
International Airlines Group could buy a stake in Japan Airlines.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea0bb9/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/13057.....

Britain back in recession, OECD says
Britain is back in recession, European economic forecasters say.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1dea0bba/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/130577.....

Mouchel shares slump on 'significant' fundraising
Shareholders in beleaguered infrastructure group Mouchel are to see the value of their holdings cut further in a "significantly dilute equity raise".<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1de8244c/mf.gif.....

UK is back in recession, says OECD
Britain has plunged back into a recession, as the economy continued to shrink in the first three months of the year, according to a leading global authority.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1de633a.....

News Corp's 2,000 payment to Surrey Police 'a key issue for US authorities'
Payments to police by a former News Corporation subsidiary will become a key issue for anti-corruption investigations in the US, a former Department of Justice lawyer has claimed.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32.....

House prices fall as stamp duty holiday ends
House prices recorded a monthly fall of 1pc in March - its worst monthly fall in two years - as the stamp duty holiday for first-time buyers came to an end, the Nationwide reported.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/.....

FirstGroup shares fall 14pc on profit warning
Shares in FirstGroup have tumbled 14pc after it suggested a growing North-South divide in Britain and a cut to Government subsidies for bus travel could knock 50m off its operating profit in the next financial year.<img width='1' height='1' src='h.....

BRICs attack QE and urge Western leaders to be 'responsible'
The world's leading emerging economies have urged Western governments to pursue "responsible" economic policies, as they renewed their attack on the quantitative easing policies adopted by the US and Britain.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://t.....

Co-op says Lloyds branch deal is 'not a certainty'
There is "no certainty" the Co-operative Group will complete the purchase of 632 branches from Lloyds Banking Group, according to the mutual's chief executive, Peter Marks.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/5.....

Elgin gas leak in North Sea explained
This animation illustrates the gas leak from French energy company Total's North Sea Elgin platform.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568300/s/1de8eb3d/mf.gif' border='0'/><br/><br/><a href.....

UK gas imports outstrip production for first time since 1967
The UK imported more natural gas than it produced in 2011 - the first time this has happened since 1967 - while oil production fell to the lowest levels since the 1970s.<img width='1' height='1' src='http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/5683.....