Anti-poverty advocates have asked the British government to investigate the offshore tax arrangements of Alliance Boots, alleging that the pharmacy chain operator has underpaid by as much as £1.3bn (€1.6bn).

US stocks ended higher today after another record high for gold lifted shares of minerals companies.

Wall Street began a holiday-shortened week with a moderate pullback today as investors recoiled at bleak news from Toyota and drugstore operator Walgreen.

Wall Street began 2005 with a loss today as investors shored up portfolios and abandoned risky positions taken during the post-election rally.

Oil prices reached a new high in New York and sent US stocks lower today, pushing the Dow Jones industrials back below 10,000.