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.

The boss of Flybe has hit out at "punitive" charges and taxes that have pushed the troubled regional airline to end flights in and out of London from next March.

LONDON�Weak wage growth, rising prices and economic uncertainty are keeping U.K. consumers from spending their cash, according to data released Thursday, raising concerns about the prospects for retailers and the wider economy this year.

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 ...