UK bank losses to hit public finances
Losses suffered by large UK banks because of the credit crunch will add further pressure on public finances by cutting the amount of corporation tax paid by financial services
Centrica warns profits to fall
The owner of British Gas warned that higher wholesale gas and electricity prices would lead to a fall in first half operating profits and hinted at price rises for its business and residential customers later this year
Shell and Repsol drop Iran gas project
Pair's withdrawal from the $10bn-plus development deals heavy blow a blow to Tehran's attempts to expand its energy exports in the face of US and international sanctions
Germany urges higher food import standards
Germany believes China, India and the US should be forced to adopt higher environmental and health standards if they want to export food products to the European Union, says Horst Seehofer, Germany's farm minister
Westpac in A$15bn offer for St George
Proposed all-share deal could lead to formation of Australia's biggest bank, with a market value of about A$65bn, and prompt a wider financial services shake-up in the country
"Over the years of Calbarrie offering various services, we have found the Company committed to the task, providing experience and quality to this specialist service industry"