UNITED KINGDOM

Around four fifths of manufacturers have seen their fuel bills rocket at least 30 percent in the last year

India has strongly urged Australia to change its nuclear policy and supply uranium to power its booming economy.

Billionaire Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson on Thursday committed an estimated $ 3 billion over the next 10 years, or all of the profits from his airline and rail businesses, to combating global warming.

The FTSE 100 fell on Friday, with Wall Street seen extending losses after a Philadelphia Federal Reserve survey sparked concerns over U.S. growth and corporate profitability

Fund managers are keeping their cool in the face of Russian political risk as western oil majors come under pressure and state control of business grows.

If the prospect of air travel is no longer alluring for security, environmental or other reasons, check in at www.seat61.com, an online travelogue that has evolved into an information bank on alternatives to air.

Nike Inc., the world's No. 1 sport shoe and apparel maker, on Thursday posted quarterly earnings above Wall Street targets, boosting its shares nearly 6 percent and easing some fears that pricey styles bearing its signature swoosh were losing their luster.

New Star Asset Management said on Friday its assets under management rose 7 percent in the six months to the end of June

VAT cheats stole 12.6 billion euros, nearly 8.5 billion pounds, from the Treasury in the year to June, five times more than any other European Union country

MFI Furniture Group has agreed to sell its loss making retail operations to private equity group Merchant Equity Partners (MEP) for a nominal 1 pound

Billionaire Richard Branson on Thursday committed to spending all the profits from his airline and rail businesses an estimated $3 billion (1.6 billion pounds) over the next 10 years on combating global warming.

Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening down 26 to 28 points on Friday, financial bookmakers said

Government funded energywatch today issued a statement on energy price speculation.

Norwich Union will be offering a new tranche of its guaranteed fund it was announced today.

Consolidation in Europe's drugs sector gathered steam on Thursday as Germany's Merck unveiled a $13.3-billion deal to buy Europe's top biotech firm Serono, and Denmark's Nycomed won the drugs unit of Altana.

Britain's FTSE 100 pushed ahead on Thursday, buoyed by strong results and bullish earnings forecasts, but gains were capped by continued weakness in crude prices, hitting oil heavyweights and utilities.

Scottish and Southern Energy has confirmed today that it will keep its energy prices the same until the beginning of 2007.

Today the Department of Transport announced changes to airport security restrictions.

Takeover target Gondola Holdings said more restaurant openings were on the menu on Thursday after it posted a 4.1 percent rise in annual like for like sales.

Laura Ashley , the British retailer famed for its floral fabrics, said on Thursday it returned to profit and enjoyed strong sales in the first half of the year thanks to further cost cuts and strong demand.

Wm Morrison Supermarkets posted a return to profit in its first half and said on Thursday the second half had started well, sending its shares up 4.3 percent to a 28 month high.