UNITED KINGDOM

This week seven leading mobile operators have united to create a new organization, known as the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) initiative

First time homebuyers are stretching their finances more than ever before to get a foot on the property ladder, a survey shows.

GUS, set to split into two FTSE 100 companies next month, reported a slight slowdown in growth at its credit information business

U.S. buyout giant Blackstone looked poised on Thursday to win a 1.7 billion pound takeover battle for United Biscuits

Strong sales of household goods and a penchant for home shopping helped retail sales rebound in August, suggesting last month's interest rate rise did not deter shoppers.

Shares in AWG jumped more than 11 percent on Thursday after the water company said it had received an approach that could lead to an offer being made for the 2.2 billion pound firm.

Retailer John Lewis Partnership on Thursday posted an 11 percent increase in group sales to 3.0 billion pounds

A new agreement was announced today between BP and Gazprom Marketing and Trading, the UK subsidiary of energy giant OAO Gazprom.

BT Group announced growth targets on Thursday for its Global Services business, which provides IT network services and is the former state monopoly's fastest growing division.

Europe's largest home improvement retailer Kingfisher on Thursday posted a smaller than expected fall in pretax profit and said its UK business should return to profit growth in the second half.

The country's largest insurer Aviva Plc said it would cut 4,000 jobs at its Norwich Union business and deliver annual cost savings of 250 million pounds in 2008.

The government is likely to announce an easing of air travel rules next week after security was tightened last month

Today it was announced that the British Government will be introducing legislation to ensure that the London Stock Exchange will continue to be governed by what Treasury Secretary Ed Balls described as a “light touch risk based regulatory regime.”

The FTSE was flat on Wednesday as a rise in retailers led by Next and Marks & Spencer failed to inspire and as a lacklustre performance from heavyweight mining and oil stocks weighed.

Film studio owner Pinewood Shepperton plc, famed for the James Bond and Harry Potter films, unveiled a joint venture to develop its business as it reported a big jump in first half profits.

MyTravel Group said on Wednesday its annual profit would be less than previously expected following difficult trading conditions

Clothing retailer Next Plc posted a 3.6 percent increase in first half protect profits on Wednesday, as a surge in its catalogue and Internet business helped offset a drop in samem store sales.

BAE Systems said on Wednesday its core first half earnings rose by 39 percent helped its U.S. operations, including a one off accounting gain there.

The FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday, led by Next after it reported results well ahead of consensus estimates, but weighed down by miners after a decline in metal prices.

Budget airline easyJet announced today that its forward bookings had returned to normal levels. However there was still concern that the increase in security demands

McDonald's announced on Tuesday its worldwide restaurant comparable sales have increased by 6 percent in August from 3.4 percent last year.