UK Business News

Tesco reports lowest growth since 1993

World's third-largest retailer reported third-quarter sales growth of 2 per cent, its weakest growth since last recession

EMI management lose jobs after £760m losses

Senior management put in place by Guy Hands’ Terra Firma will leave the record company bought for £3.2bn in 2007

• Lord Birt sounds a harsh note at EMI

• Guy Hands sues Baker Tilly over tax advice

Thomas Cook predicts holidays will still sell

Europe's second largest travel firm reported a 32% increase in profits and expects to see a similar increase in 2009

New Star battles to stop exodus

The fund manager is trying to retain its star managers as it attempts to negotiate terms on its £240 million debt burden

• New Star: arguments at the breakfast table

• New Star's profits fall as £1.1bn pulled out

World Business News

Time Out up for sale as investors exit

The New York edition of the weekly title is for sale as its founder, Tony Elliott, cannot afford to buy out his partners

Euler Hermes says premiums may rise

World's biggest credit insurer profit warning sends shares into freefall as claims from Woolworths' suppliers flows in

• BBC meets with Woolworths amid pension fears

• Will anyone scoop up worthless Woolies?

Former AOL boss seeks funds for Yahoo! deal

Jonathan Miller, with private equity investors and sovereign funds, may bid up to $22 per share for the internet company

Goldman falls on rumour of $2.7bn loss

Several analysts raise their estimates of potential Goldman Sachs’s fourth-quarter loss set to be announced within weeks

• Goldman Sachs withholds bonuses

• $1bn loss for Goldman Sachs

Analysis

Downturn clears path for air deals

An airline listed in London and Sydney with separate boards would not be very manoeuvrable but it would pack some punch

• Rivals and regulators resist Gallic charm

• Nice words but banks have wriggle room

Desperate times call for zero rates

The data seem to be getting worse, meaning that the present mildly optimistic official forecasts look increasingly vulnerable

Tempus: Tesco ... Thomas Cook ... EcoSecurities

Analysts shelve fears of Tesco warning ... Thomas Cook defies the gloom ... EcoSecurities dogged by project delays

Money 

RBS plans overdraft fees refund

The group has a team working on 'careful contingency plans' in case banks lose test case

Q&A: New Star crisis

As the share price of the troubled fund manager crashes to new lows we answer the questions being asked by nervous investors

• Debt threatens Duffield's control of New Star

• New Star halts redemptions from property fund

Why are lenders not lending?

Home loans could dry up unless the government acts fast to boost lending

Law 

Mother loses libel battle against 'Ugly' daughter

Constance Briscoe-Mitchell, 74, had argued that her daughter's 'misery memoir' was a work of fiction, not fact

• Hospital letters in libel case 'fakes'

• Author tells court: I drank bleach to kill myself

Total faces criminal charges over Buncefield blast

The French giant is one of five companies facing prosecution by the Environment Agency over the fire at the oil storage depot

• Early payout for Buncefield victims

• Buncefield victims set for 'generous' payout

Ruling strengthens employment rights for carers

Thousands of people who care for disabled or elderly relatives will benefit from a decision by Europe's highest court

business travel 

Would your company know if you were in a Mumbai hotel?

Traveller tracking systems have become very sophisticated since they first became widespread after 9/11 but they don't know everything

Rumours of new airline giant in Middle East

Western airlines on alert as speculation mounts that Abu Dhabi Government is ready to buy 30 per cent stake in Emirates

Eurostar faces disruption after strike vote

Unions vote for action over shift patterns introduced after Channel Tunnel fire

Birmingham loses key business air links

Bmibaby to end sevrices to Rome, Milan, Madrid, Lisbon and Bordeaux