The European Central Bank (ECB) won't make its first move on pushing up interest rates until 2021, David Zahn, head of European fixed income at Franklin Templeton Investment Management said on Tuesday, adding he had pushed back his forecast from the previous 2020.

Britain must urgently come up with a new plan to avoid leaving the European Union without a deal in just over 70 days' time and destabilise markets, finance leaders said on Tuesday.

Pernod Ricard will meet activist hedge fund Elliott this month as the family-backed spirits firm faces pressure to improve its margins, sources familiar with the situation said.

Two of the biggest donors to the Brexit campaign say they now believe the project they championed will eventually be abandoned by the government and the United Kingdom will stay in the European Union.

Britain's parliament is debating whether to support Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, a decision which will define Britain's departure from the European Union and set the course for the country's economy.

Britain will have implemented the necessary legislation for Brexit before the country leaves the European Union in March, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokeswoman said on Friday after a newspaper quoted a minister as saying the exit could be delayed.

Sterling should strengthen more than 5 percent from current levels to $1.36 and 85 pence per euro as consensus builds for a second referendum on Britain's European Union membership, BNP Paribas said on Thursday.

China's data-driven "flash boys" - hedge fund managers who for years have been handicapped by government curbs on tools to short-sell stocks - are dusting off high-speed trading products as Beijing revives the country's financial derivatives market.

Richard Buxton, who led a management buyout of Merian Global Investors from Old Mutual as part of the insurer's break-up is to step down as chief executive, the asset manager said on Tuesday.

Britain's finance ministry said on Wednesday it had banned "cold callers" or scammers who use the phone, post or email to persuade people to part with their pension pots.

British inflation hit its lowest in nearly two years in December as fuel prices fell, leaving the Bank of England under no pressure to carry on raising interest rates as uncertainty over Brexit dominates the economic outlook.

If British Prime Minister Theresa May wants a cross-party compromise on Brexit the first thing she needs to do is to extend the March 29 time limit, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May could eventually get a Brexit deal through parliament if she negotiated a compromise with the opposition Labour Party, the second most powerful man in the party told Reuters on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday will try to forge consensus in parliament on a Brexit divorce agreement after the crushing defeat of her own deal left Britain's exit from the European Union in disarray 10 weeks before it is due to leave.

Austria would support granting Britain more time for negotiations to avoid it crashing out of the European Union with no exit deal, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Wednesday, though he stressed the current deal could not be renegotiated.

Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday rejected claims his company is used by the Chinese government to spy and said he missed his daughter, who is being held by Canadian authorities, the Financial Times newspaper reported.

With the clock ticking ahead of Britain's scheduled exit from the European Union at the end of March, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday the "time for playing games" was over after London's rejection of a withdrawal agreement.

British lawmakers defeated Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit divorce deal by a crushing margin on Tuesday, triggering political chaos that could lead to a disorderly exit from the EU or even to a reversal of the 2016 decision to leave.

Kenyan security forces have killed the militants who stormed an upscale Nairobi hotel compound, taking at least 14 lives and forcing hundreds of others to make terrifying escapes, the government said on Wednesday.

The European Union could be willing to rework its ideas for post-Brexit trade relations with Britain if London asks for something different, the EU executive indicated on Wednesday after the British parliament rejected an existing deal.

British inflation hit its lowest in nearly two years in December as fuel prices fell, leaving the Bank of England under no pressure to carry on raising interest rates as uncertainty over Brexit dominates the economic outlook.

The cost of a comprehensive motor insurance policy fell 6 percent in Britain in 2018, according to a survey, which indicated potential trade barriers brought on by the country's looming exit from the European Union would hurt prices in 2019.

Big British banks have been criticised by lawmakers for pressing ahead with plans for a new complaints service for small firms wronged by lenders, which they argue is too soft.

Tens of thousands of mortgage "prisoners" in Britain could be freed after the financial regulator said on Thursday it would ease affordability checks required by home loan providers when remortgaging to a cheaper deal.

Britain's finance ministry said on Wednesday it had banned "cold callers" or scammers who use the phone, post or email to persuade people to part with their pension pots.

British house prices rose more than expected in December but the property market remains subdued ahead of Brexit, mortgage lender Halifax said on Tuesday.

The earnings of Britain's top bosses will match a typical worker's entire annual salary even faster than last year, hitting the mark by Friday lunchtime, a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and High Pay Centre said.

LONDON, Jan 4 - Lending to British consumers grew at its slowest pace in nearly four years in November and the number of mortgage approvals fell, Bank of England data showed, adding to signs of a pre-Brexit slowdown in the economy.

British house prices took a pre-Brexit hit in December, falling by the most in monthly terms since mid-2012 and rising by their slowest pace in nearly six years in annual terms, according to data from mortgage lender Nationwide.

Britain's energy market regulator Ofgem has banned independent supplier Economy Energy from taking on new customers until the company resolves its customer service issues.

A blast struck near a U.S.-led coalition patrol in Syria's northern Manbij on Wednesday, a witness and the Manbij Military Council militia that holds the town said.

Greece's deputy prime minister said the government would emerge stronger after winning a confidence vote later on Wednesday and be able to secure parliament's endorsement for an accord to end a dispute over Macedonia's name.

Kenyan security forces have killed the militants who stormed an upscale Nairobi hotel compound, taking at least 14 lives and forcing hundreds of others to make terrifying escapes, the government said on Wednesday.

Rebel commander Adnan Abu Faisal and his army are encamped near the frontline in northern Syria, waiting to launch an offensive on his home city of Manbij.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman on Wednesday called for the

Its books have been looted and walls blown out, but a school in war-torn southern Yemen is hopeful that the resumption of regular salary payments can keep teachers and children in classrooms.

The presidential candidate for Nigeria's main opposition party said on Wednesday he was committed to privatising the state oil company, weeks ahead of the election that will determine who runs Africa's top crude-producing country.

Disgraced former U.S. cardinal Theodore McCarrick is almost certain to be defrocked in the next few weeks over allegations against him, including sexual abuse of minors, two Vatican sources said.

Iran will keep military forces in Syria, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday, defying Israeli threats that they might be targeted if they do not leave the country.

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court on Wednesday asked judges to bar former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo from returning to his homeland, a day after he was acquitted on charges of crimes against humanity.

Huawei's [HWT.UL] founder Ren Zhengfei on Tuesday rejected claims his company is used by the Chinese government to spy and said he missed his daughter, who is being held by Canadian authorities, the Financial Times newspaper reported.

As a golden era for its exporters fades, Germany is scrambling to secure its interests in Beijing, but China's transformation from customer to competitor is forcing Europe's largest economy to make changes at home.

A brand new combine harvester buzzes up and down a field in eastern China without a driver on board, chopping golden rice stalks and offering a glimpse of what authorities say is the automated future of the nation's mammoth agricultural sector.

Facebook Inc told Reuters on Tuesday that it would extend some of its political advertising rules and tools for curbing election interference to India, Nigeria, Ukraine and the European Union before significant votes in the next few months.

Verizon Communications Inc said on Tuesday it will include free Apple Music subscriptions in some of its top-tier U.S. data plans, deepening its ties with the iPhone maker.

Global automobile and auto parts makers which want to capitalize on electric and autonomous vehicles need to cut back investments and forge more partnerships instead, the chief executive of global parts supplier Magna International said Tuesday.

Chief Financial Officer Tim Stone will be leaving Snap Inc less than a year after taking the job, the company said on Tuesday, the latest in a string of executive departures from Snap over the past year.

Netflix Inc is raising monthly fees for its U.S. subscribers by between 13 percent and 18 percent, the video streaming pioneer's first price increase since 2017 as it spends heavily on original content and international expansion.

Volkswagen AG and Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday they will join forces on commercial vans and pickups and are exploring joint development of electric and self-driving technology, actions meant to save the automakers billions of dollars.

Drugstore chain Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Microsoft Corp said on Tuesday they have entered a seven-year agreement to research and develop new methods of delivering healthcare services through digital devices.

A television documentary about the rise and fall of Theranos Inc will include deposition tapes from founder and former Chief Executive Elizabeth Holmes and other key players in the downfall of the high-tech blood-testing company.

Rihanna has sued her father for trading on her Fenty brand name and suggesting that a business venture he set up in 2017 is associated with her.

Netflix Inc is raising monthly fees for its U.S. subscribers by between 13 percent and 18 percent, the video streaming pioneer's first price increase since 2017 as it spends heavily on original content and international expansion.

Comfy puffer jackets, brightly printed tops and sleek goggles gave Berlin a cool start to its fashion week late on Monday, with German brand Bogner mixing ski and clubbing for its latest looks.

Carol Channing, who won over audiences with her giddy, guileless charm in signature roles in Broadway's "Hello, Dolly!" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," died in her California home on Tuesday at the age of 97, according to her publicist.

Rockers The Killers have teamed up with film director Spike Lee to make the music video for their latest song, "Land Of The Free", a protest against President Donald Trump's planned wall on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are expecting a fourth child - again using a surrogate, according to multiple media reports on Wednesday.

The largest actors union in the United States on Monday accused the organizers of the Oscars of trying to intimidate celebrities not to present at rival award shows.

OSLO Reuters) - Norwegian police said on Monday they were investigating allegations that some listening numbers at Tidal Music, owned by Jay-Z, Beyonce and other stars, were artificially inflated.

Renowned Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a subordinate over a period of six months in 2018.

German second seed Angelique Kerber easily won the battle of left-handers against big-hitting Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2 6-3 to stroll into the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Andy Murray has criticised Britain's Lawn Tennis Association for failing to build on his success and grow the game over the last decade.

Eleven years after their first meeting in the Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will take a trip down memory lane on Thursday to renew their rivalry in the second round in Melbourne.

A look at the records of Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before their second-round match at the Australian Open on Thursday (prefix number denotes seeding):

Highlights of Wednesday's third day of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year (all times GMT):

Double defending champion Roger Federer weathered a stern test from the impressive Dan Evans and paid the British battler the ultimate compliment after prevailing 7-6(5) 7-6(3) 6-3 to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Injuries to key players has forced Scotland coach Gregor Townsend to select seven uncapped players in his 39-man squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday.

FIFA says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini football player arrested in Thailand in November over a prison sentence in his homeland.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been granted permission to construct two new stands at Lord's to replace the existing Compton and Edrich stands and increase the stadium's capacity to 31,000, it said on Wednesday.

Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki set up a potential third-round showdown with Maria Sharapova after easing past Johanna Larsson 6-1 6-3 in a one-sided clash at the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Jan 16 (OPTA) - Standings of the Big Bash League on Wednesday P W L T Ded RR PTS Perth Scorchers 10 8 2 0 0 .154 16 Adelaide Strikers 10 7 3 0 0 .801 14 Melbourne Renegades 10 6 4 0 0 .297 12 Hobart Hurricanes 10 5 5 0 0 -.291 10 […]

Jan 16 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at close of play of match 32 between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades on Wednesday at Sydney, Australia Melbourne Renegades win by 7 wickets Sydney Sixers 1st innings Jack Edwards c Cameron White b Daniel Christian 11 Daniel Hughes c Sam Harper b Kane Richardson 0 James Vince b Harry […]

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been granted permission to construct two new stands at Lord's to replace the existing Compton and Edrich stands and increase the stadium's capacity to 31,000, it said on Wednesday.

West Indies have recalled top-order batsman Darren Bravo for the first test against England in Barbados on Jan. 23 after a more than two-year absence, the country's cricket board said.

Australia's top-ranked player Ashleigh Barty beat Wang Yafan 6-2 6-3 in a straight-forward affair on Wednesday, propelling the home country's leading prospect into the third round.

Manu Sawhney, the former managing director of ESPN Star Sports, has been appointed as International Cricket Council's (ICC) new chief executive, the sport's governing body announced on Tuesday.

Virat Kohli smashed his 39th one-day international century as India claimed a dramatic six-wicket victory over Australia at a sweltering Adelaide Oval on Tuesday to level up the three-match series at 1-1.

Jan 15 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at close of play of 2nd odi between Australia and India on Tuesday at Adelaide, Australia India win by 6 wickets Australia 1st innings Alex Carey c Shikhar Dhawan b Mohammed Shami 18 Aaron Finch b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 6 Usman Khawaja Run Out Ravindra Jadeja 21 Shaun Marsh c Ravindra […]

Jan 15 (OPTA) - Scoreboard at close of play of match 31 between Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes on Monday at Melbourne, Australia Hobart Hurricanes win by 59 runs Hobart Hurricanes 1st innings Matthew Wade c Ben Dunk b Tom O'Connell 41 D'Arcy Short Not Out 96 Jake Doran c&b Liam Bowe 7 Ben McDermott […]

The emergence of Duanne Olivier to bolster South Africa's impressive fast bowling stocks was a major catalyst in the 3-0 test series victory over Pakistan and provides a glimpse into the future for teams visiting the country.

Injuries to key players has forced Scotland coach Gregor Townsend to select seven uncapped players in his 39-man squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday.

Wales included Leigh Halfpenny in their Six Nations squad on Tuesday, despite the fullback having not played rugby since he was concussed against Australia in November.

Wales included Leigh Halfpenny in their Six Nations squad on Tuesday, despite the fullback having not played rugby since he was concussed against Australia in November.

Ireland flyhalf Johnny Sexton has been voted the Rugby Union Writers' Club personality of the year for 2018.

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau is set to miss the Six Nations after suffering another broken arm, British media reported on Monday.

Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster believes the crushing disappointment of failing with England at the 2015 World Cup has made him a better leader.

Three arm fractures in the space of 10 months have left Billy Vunipola both "scared" and scarred, but the England number eight has identified a major cause for his repeated injuries and is taking steps to ensure they do not recur.

Players were twice as likely to be injured when training with England last season than the average since 2002 and those injuries kept them out of the game five times longer, the RFU's latest report on injury data revealed on Wednesday.

Former Hull KR rugby league player Thomas Minns has been banned for 16 months after testing positive for cocaine, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) said on Wednesday.

Wales full back Leigh Halfpenny is a doubt for the opening two rounds of this year's Six Nations Championship as he continues his recovery from a concussion, the coach of his Scarlets club Wayne Pivac has said.

The LPGA season kicks off on Thursday for a season that will comprise 34 events and distribute some $70 million in prize money, a record amount for the circuit although it is still barely one-fifth on offer on the PGA Tour.

Jan 14 (OPTA) - The PGA Fedex Cup Rankings on Dec 16 Rnk Prv Total 1. (1) Brooks Koepka (US) $1,826,000 2. (2) Xander Schauffele (US) 1,782,150 3. (3) Gary Woodland (US) 1,449,500 4. (4) Charles Howell III (US) 1,407,350 5. (5) Marc Leishman (Australia) 1,381,600 6. (6) Matt Kuchar (US) 1,311,260 7. (7) Kevin […]

Jan 14 (OPTA) - The World Rankings on Jan 13 Rnk Prv Total 1. (1) Justin Rose (England) 446.66 2. (2) Brooks Koepka (US) 404.36 3. (3) Dustin Johnson (US) 359.25 4. (4) Justin Thomas (US) 388.66 5. (5) Bryson DeChambeau (US) 366.77 6. (6) Xander Schauffele (US) 333.69 7. (7) Jon Rahm (Spain) 317.86 […]

Jan 14 (OPTA) - The LPGA Rankings on Jan 7 Rnk Prv Total 1. (1) Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) 404.16 2. (2) Sung Hyun Park (Korea Republic) 332.26 3. (3) So-Yeon Ryu (Korea Republic) 291.51 4. (4) Inbee Park (Korea Republic) 200.54 5. (5) Lexi Thompson (US) 233.38 6. (6) Minjee Lee (Australia) 295.36 7. (7) […]

Matt Kuchar overcame early wobbles to race home to his second victory in two months, a four-shot triumph at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday.

Jan 14 (OPTA) - Scores from the PGA Tour Sony Open in Hawaii on Sunday -22 Matt Kuchar (USA) 63 63 66 66 -18 Andrew Putnam (USA) 62 65 67 68 -17 Corey Conners (Canada) 68 67 64 64 Marc Leishman (Australia) 67 64 68 64 Chez Reavie (USA) 65 65 66 67 Hudson Swafford […]

Matt Kuchar went bogey-free again to earn a two-stroke lead over Andrew Putnam after the third round at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Saturday.

Jan 13 (OPTA) - Scores from the PGA Tour Sony Open in Hawaii on Saturday -18 Matt Kuchar (USA) 63 63 66 -16 Andrew Putnam (USA) 62 65 67 -14 Keith Mitchell (USA) 68 65 63 Chez Reavie (USA) 65 65 66 -11 Dominic Bozzelli (USA) 71 64 64 Corey Conners (Canada) 68 67 64 […]

Jan 12 (OPTA) - Scores from the PGA Tour Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday -14 Matt Kuchar (USA) 63 63 -13 Andrew Putnam (USA) 62 65 -10 Stewart Cink (USA) 68 62 Chez Reavie (USA) 65 65 -9 Marc Leishman (Australia) 67 64 Ted Potter Jr (USA) 66 65 -8 Shugo Imahira (Japan) 65 […]

Matt Kuchar, in some of the best form of his career at age 40, vaulted to the lead after the second round at the Sony Open in Hawaii on Friday.