By Toni Vorobyova. LONDON | Thu May 23, 2013 7:22am EDT. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top shares slid from 13-year peaks on Thursday, battered by weak Chinese economic data and signs the U.S.

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.

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.

The new regulator said the unit was unable to show it was giving clients the right advice. "Although no detriment to customers has been identified to date, the failings exposed customers to the risk that they would be given incorrect advice and inappropriate ...

Thursday 14.30 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.

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.

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.

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.

MailOnline, the popular celebrity-fuelled website of DMGT, reported a surge in advertising revenues in the six months to the end of March, as the publisher of the Daily Mail newspaper ramps up its efforts to increase digital revenues.

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 ...