United kingdom

UK public sector borrowing rose more than expected in October, raising doubts over the coalition government's ability to meet its spending cut estimates.

Investec Plc, the specialist bank and wealth manager, posted a "strong" operational performance in the first half, with five of its six core businesses recording a substantial increase in earnings. Third party assets under management grew 4.9 percent to 77.8 billion pounds.

Britain's Prince William and his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton ended speculations about their future by announcing their engagement on Tuesday but triggered a new speculation over whether the couple will opt for a prenuptial agreement.

Registration of European passenger cars slumped by 16.6 percent in October against the numbers recorded in the corresponding period a year ago

The number of unemployed people in the UK fell by 9,000 to 2.45 million during three months to September, bringing the unemployment rate down by 0.1 percent to 7.7 percent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Wednesday.

Prince William’s royal wedding with his longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, can boost UK tourism, a top UK tourism official has predicted. The speculation is being made as the couple announced their engagement on Tuesday.

Federal officials urged states to take action on passing traffic safety laws on Tuesday, as a new study found the United States was lagging in reducing traffic fatalities compared with other high-income nations.

British Land Co Plc reported a lower first half underlying pretax profit as the year-ago period benefited from the release of credit risk provision.

Beer can manufacturer Rexam Plc said trading for the period since July 1 has been in line with its expectations, and it expects second half results to be similar to those of the first.

The euroarea reported a trade surplus for the month of September, according to a report by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Majestic Wine Plc, UK's largest wine warehouse chain, reported a 20 percent rise in first-half pretax profit as sales rose on substantial increase in active customers, and the company lifted its interim dividend by 17.9 percent to 3.3 pence.

Israel is expected to provide favorable environment for the companies which are planning to roll out electric cars.

A team of U.K. scientists found evidence suggesting that the risk of childhood asthma associated with prenatal paracetamol exposure may depend on antioxidant genes in the mother.

MetLife Inc., the largest life insurer in the U.S., said it plans to discontinue the sale of new Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) coverage next year, citing ongoing financial challenges facing the LTCI industry.

U.K. real estate investement trust Land Securities Group Plc swung to a pretax profit for the first half, helped by a valuation increase on its portfolio of 3.4 percent. Net assets per share rose 6 percent.

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