UK Business News

Online bookseller wages price war

Amazon is in conflict with the Hachette Group over terms and discounts and is refusing to sell its titles

Luminar makes approach for Jongleurs owner

Regent Inns, owner of Walkabout and Jongleurs, received an informal bid approach from Britain's biggest nightclub company

• Jongleurs approach obviously a matter of good timing

• Luminar clubs demand drink price crackdown

House prices tipped to fall 20% in two years

Economic observers predict that, as number of buyers drops, the market will fall further and not recover until at least 2010

• Home sales fall to lowest level in 30 years

• Mortgage lending slumps 44%

Threat from lack of gas capacity, expert says

A lack of adequate gas storage has left Britain's energy market like a 'house of cards', highly vulnerable to supply shocks

World Business News

Steelworks' move lets Beijing breathe

The Chinese capital is so keen to cut pollution in time for the Olympics that it has moved one of its plants 140 miles away

Pawnbrokers are busy as rich hit hard times

With America's banks refusing to lend money to even wealthy customers there is increased demand for the traditional alternative

• Don't pay through the nose for quick cash

Taxman seizes India's private aircraft

At least ten luxury aircraft belonging to the super-rich have been impounded by Indian customs officers in the past fortnight

• US billionaire saves low-cost Indian airline

• Indian shares hit by junk credit rating threat

Citigroup takes hit but adds to optimism

America's biggest financial services group reports further losses of $14.2bn but its shares rise more than 11 per cent

Analysis

Need cheering up? Let's play Pollyanna

The past decade and a half have seen an historic, most extraordinary and extended boom. It is essential that we grasp this fact

• Another 90s' throwback we can well do without

• Cameron aides might consider the handover

Resume of a reformed joker

Their is just one problem with enforced business jocularity, put simply, corporate culture and comedy are fundamentally opposed

Tempus: Kier ... Anite ... Global Mena

Kier Group shows builders how to hang out the bunting ... Anite sees its stock shrink ... Global Mena raises £252 million

Money 

Is there anywhere left to make money?

With shares plunging into a bear market, many people are on the lookout for new opportunities

• Comment: William Kay

• Should shareholders take up banks' rights issues?

Five tips on protecting your family in a recession

Some insurers are refusing cover to builders, estate agents and those in financial services

• Flood-risk homes will be insured under new deal

• Is private medical insurance worth it?

Payment shock gets nasty

Borrowers were warned last week that the mortgage payment shock is set to escalate

Law 

SFO to allow company plea-bargains over fraud

New director wants 'radical re-think' over corporate fraud and corruption and adoption of American-style strategy

• SFO blow as Goldshield case collapses

• SFO dropped inquiry for 'national security'

Relatives of disabled win groundbreaking victory

Mother denied time off work to look after her disabled son wins landmark EU case that that will force employers into rethink

Millionaire puts divorce deal online

Gary Dean decided that the way to silence critics was to post the details of his wife’s £3.7 million settlement on the internet

business travel 

When business trips get dangerous

Despite new legislation on corporate responsibility, many firms show a worrying disregard for their business travellers

Review: Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour

This all-suite five-star property is right by the Thames between Heathrow and the City

Profile: Dominic Lowe of Green & Black's

How does the boss of a company which wears its green credentials on its sleeve justify travelling around the world on business?