UK Business News

Guardian group offloads regional newspaper arm

GMG announces it is selling its regional newspapers to Trinity Mirror, bringing to an end an 85-year relationship

Tracker rates at record low as 90% loans return

Rates on tracker mortgages hit a record low last month, while borrowers with small deposits returned to the market

• Mortgage approvals fall for first time in a year

• Taxpayers’ banks put the squeeze on mortgages

Office cuts take Vauxhall UK job losses to 500

General Motors is cutting another 154 Vauxhall administrative jobs as well as nearly 400 at its Luton van plant

British Land sees revival 'across the board'

Britain's second biggest developer says the autumn property recovery accelerated in the last three months of the year

• British Land fights for every inch

• British Land uses £3bn war chest for acquisitions

World Business News

UBS fund withdrawals rise amid secrecy row

The Swiss bank suffered a big increase in withdrawals as governments applied pressure to reveal the names of clients

Allen & Overy expands to Australia

The firm's arrival in Sydney and Perth will be followed by a recruitment drive aimed at hiring more than 40 junior lawyers

• Allen & Overy adapts to encourage women

• Allen & Overy income falls as law firms suffer

Xstrata chief halts growth through takeovers

Mick Davis says mining company now has a sufficiently attractive internal pipeline for it to concentrate on organic growth

Biggest Boeing 747 takes off a year late

Boeing's giant 747-8 freighter, due to enter service late this year, will target Airbus in the air cargo transport market

• Boeing takes $1bn charge from 747-8 jumbo

• Boeing brought the world to everyone's door

Analysis

Greek bailout looks increasingly likely

The rest of the eurozone may have to come to the rescue amid a flight to the dollar and dark mutterings about speculators

• Miners need perfect timing

• Toyota’s boss wears ‘L’ plates

Islamic finance offers a unique opportunity

Islamic financial products offer a strong ethical dimension to non-Muslims seeking an alternative to a financial system

Tempus: St Modwen stranded in land of the lost

Its dividend is gone and the short-term returns of the mid-cap property developer leave a lot to be desired

Law  

Doctors and lawyers fight over meteorite

4.6 billion year-old rock at the centre of legal struggle for ownership involving one of America's leading museum and research bodies

Unlawful terror powers planned for 2012 Games

Police are planning to use legislation criticised by the European Court of Human Rights during the Olympics

Serial claimant's bonanza from 'ageist' job ads

John Berry, 54, has initiated actions against at least 60 firms over three years even though he does not apply for the jobs

Money  

Capital One customers face rate hike

Credit card provider dramatically increases the interest rate on outstanding balances because of the "economic environment".

Fund stars bet against Britain

Philip Gibbs has revealed that he is betting against UK stocks and sterling amid concern that shares will fall sharply this year

• Don’t fall for a fad if you want to beat downturn

• Business big shot: John Chatfeild-Roberts of Jupiter

Commodities: more than just pork bellies

In the first of a new series on where to invest this year's Isa, Times Money looks at the outlook for commodities

• How to make money in a recession

• Spread-betting: 'Infuriating but great fun'

business travel  

Business travellers want high-speed rail over Heathrow third runway

Survey shows strong support for a new rail link with connections to airport

Continental adds extra Heathrow-New York services

Competition on key transatlantic business route will increase from March

At last: introducing beds in economy class

After two years in a secret research facility, the ‘Skycouch’ is the first lie-flat bed for passengers who turn right