Cutting the number of its high street stores helped Mothercare narrow losses in its UK division as the retailer attempted to yank its struggling home market into profitability by 2015.

Thu May 23, 2013 8:04am EDT. * Yen rises versus dollar, euro as Nikkei tumbles. * Worries Fed may taper QE, weak China PMI hit stocks.

The updated figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that the UK's dominant services sector, which accounts for three quarters of national output, drove the recovery - growing 0.6pc over the three months.

LONDON | Thu May 23, 2013 1:16pm BST. LONDON (Reuters) - Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it has fined a wealth management unit of U.S.

Thursday 12.30 BST. Global stocks are in sharp retreat, led by a savage plunge in Tokyo, as traders are spooked by the prospect of reduced central bank support and a slowing Chinese economy.

China's manufacturing is contracting in May for the first time in seven months, adding to signs that economic growth is losing steam for a second quarter.

Business leaders and politicians have raised concerns over the future of Inverness's links with London Gatwick. A three-times-a-day service operated by Flybe is in doubt following the airline's decision to sell all of its take-off and landing slots at Gatwick.

The benefits of UK investment in renewable power that will add �100 a year to household energy bills are in jeopardy and should be bolstered with an approach that would add a further �20, the government's climate watchdog has said.

By Neil Maidment. LONDON | Thu May 23, 2013 7:19am EDT. LONDON (Reuters) - Cycles-to-car-parts retailer Halfords (HFD.L) has cut its dividend by a third to help fund a multi-million pound investment program, warning this would keep earnings below last ...

LONDON�SABMiller PLC warned weaker demand for lager in the U.S. and volatile markets in Latin America are putting pressure on its beer sales, echoing comments from other major brewers about the industry's prospects.