UNITED KINGDOM

Asian shares rose to fresh eight-month highs on Wednesday, as U.S. home sales data added to optimism that the global economy is through the worst, while the dollar struggled off its latest set of lows for the year.

The spread of H1N1 flu in Australia, Britain, Chile, Japan and Spain has nudged the world closer to a pandemic, the World Health Organisation said on Tuesday.

The first sighting off Brazil's coast of possible wreckage from a missing Air France jet signals the start of what could be one of the most challenging operations ever mounted to retrieve the tell-tale black box.

Global consumer confidence is stabilizing after falling for 18 months, providing a glimmer of hope for a shattered world economy in which three quarters of households cut spending, a survey showed on Tuesday.

British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith plans to resign her government post, media reported on Tuesday, a new casualty of the expenses scandal sweeping through parliament.

Abu Dhabi sold an 11 percent stake in Barclays on Tuesday, making $2.5 billion from an investment that helped the British bank through the financial crisis and raising fears that the rally in bank shares may be over.

Abu Dhabi on Tuesday sold about 3.5 billion pounds ($5.7 billion) of shares in UK bank Barclays , traders said, to reap a near 1.5 billion pound profit in just seven months.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson, founder and president of Virgin Atlantic Airways , said on Tuesday he believes it is unlikely that all big U.S. airlines will survive the next 12 to 18 months.

Improving global manufacturing data lifted Asian shares on Tuesday near levels before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, but the pace of gains slowed as investors pondered how much longer a heady three-month rally will last.

Improving global manufacturing data lifted Asian shares on Tuesday, bringing a regional index near to levels before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, but the pace of gains slowed as investors weighed how much longer a heady, three-month rally will last.

Improving global manufacturing data lifted Asian shares on Tuesday, bringing a regional index near to levels before the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September, but the pace of gains slowed as investors weighed how much longer a heady, three-month rally will last.

British finance minister Alistair Darling apologized on Monday and agreed to repay 350 pounds ($574) after he became the latest minister to be dragged into a scandal over expenses claimed by members of parliament.

The U.S. manufacturing sector showed improvement in May, contracting at a slower rate for the fifth straight month, while consumer spending slipped only slightly in April, according to reports Monday that offered more proof the deep recession is losing its bite.

British singing sensation Susan Boyle was admitted to a London clinic suffering from emotional exhaustion after being beaten in the final of the Britain's Got Talent TV contest, judges on the show said on Monday.

Australian Dollar: Positive sentiment towards the Aussie dollar continued on Friday entering offshore trade marginally above 79 cents amidst continued concern over the 1.75 trillion USD government debt.

British internet singing star Susan Boyle has been admitted to a private clinic after being beaten into second place in the final of the popular Britain's Got Talent television contest, British media reported.

British internet singing star Susan Boyle has been admitted to a private clinic after being beaten into second place in the final of the popular Britain's Got Talent television contest, British media reported.

Internet singing star Susan Boyle has been admitted to a private clinic after being beaten into second place in the final of the popular Britain's Got Talent television contest, media reported.

Street dance troupe Diversity said on Sunday it was still in shock after beating runaway favorite and Internet sensation Susan Boyle in the final of the popular Britain's Got Talent television contest.

Germany heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday over a deal with Canadian auto parts group Magna, General Motors and the U.S. government to save carmaker Opel from the imminent bankruptcy of its U.S. parent.

Germany heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday over a deal with Canadian auto parts group Magna, General Motors and the U.S. government to save carmaker Opel from the imminent bankruptcy of its U.S. parent.