Jobs in the UK business of Prudential looked under threat today after it was reported the insurer planned to announce a major outsourcing drive.

Insurer Prudential agreed to part company with banking group Egg for £575m (€871m) today – just a year after it took complete control of the business.

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Norwich Union owner Aviva was today said to be planning to bolster its pursuit of Prudential after its rival rejected a £17bn (€24.5bn) takeover bid.

The new boss of insurance giant Prudential passed a major test today by meeting expectations for new business wins.

Insurance giant Prudential sought complete control of internet bank Egg today by pledging to spend £200m (€293m) on buying out fellow shareholders.

The FTSE 100 Index ended a choppy week in positive mood today as it broke through the 5200 barrier buoyed by a strong session on Wall Street and impressive gains by drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline.

The new boss of Prudential mapped out his plans for the British insurer today with a pledge to retain ownership of the internet bank Egg.

The new boss of UK insurance giant Prudential today unveiled a 31% hike in half-year profits and revealed that a review of the business was underway.

US investment bank Citigroup is pondering a potential £1bn (€1.45bn) bid for internet bank Egg, it was reported today.

US credit card firm MBNA was today reported to be lining up a £900m (€1.3bn) bid for online bank Egg.

The ousted chief executive of insurance giant Prudential is set to receive a payoff of up to £1.8m (€2.6m), it was reported today.

London shares received a pre-Easter boost today when insurance giant Prudential led the FTSE 100 Index to a positive end to the week.

Prudential shares soared 5% today after the insurance giant stunned investors by announcing the departure of chief executive Jonathan Bloomer.

NORTHAMPTON are ready to close in on an unlikely Heineken Cup quarter-final place tonight, with skipper Steve Thompson vowing: “We will give it our all.”

An obese woman and her eight-month-old foetus died of complications 18 months after a stomach-stapling operation – an apparent first that has prompted warnings about the risks of pregnancy soon after such surgery.

THE world’s first sub four-minute miler, Sir Roger Bannister, was in Tullamore on Saturday to witness the first sub four-minute mile ever run on the Harriers track.

IRISH flanker Johnny O’Connor has been handed a place in the starting line up tonight as English champions Wasps put their Heineken Cup ambitions on the line against a fledgling Welsh team formed barely six months ago.

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The new Zurich Premiership season began with a bang as Northampton staged a dramatic late fightback to earn a draw with Sale at Edgeley Park.

Dean Richards has dismissed the prospect of tomorrow’s Zurich Championship play-off clash between Leicester and Bristol developing into a grudge match.

Northampton coach Wayne Smith has threatened changes for his side’s Powergen Cup semi-final against Newcastle on Saturday.

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