Russia to send more warships to battle Somali pirates (AFP) [15 mins] AFP - Russia announced Thursday it would send more warships to combat piracy in the waters around Somalia, as the Saudi owners of the Sirius Star negotiated with the pirates holding their oil tanker.
Global stocks hit 5-1/2 year lows (Reuters) [16 mins] Reuters - A 6 percent fall in Asia pushed world stocks to their lowest in 5- years on Thursday, while oil fell below $53 and safe havens such as the yen gained on fears the global recession and a financial crisis will get uglier.
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Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce says it plans to cut up to 2, 000 jobs in 2009, including 140 in the UK.
Panama has arrested a Colombian suspected of running a collapsed pyramid finance scheme, reports say.
Woolworths could sell its 800 High Street stores for just 1 to a US company that specialises in takeovers of distressed businesses.
Banks will be forced to increase their lending to small firms under plans due to be unveiled on Monday.
A council has launched a probe into social services after a murdered woman's child was 'ignored' for more than a month after telling her teachers 'My mum isn't at home'.
A 24-year-old man is being questioned by police on the suspicion of murdering a teenage girl and the attempted murder of a 22-year-old man.
Northern Ireland Water is found guilty of breaching its operating licence and must improve, the Utility Regulator says.
A Taleban commander in Pakistan's tribal region of Waziristan pulls out of a peace deal with the government.