AP - The Czech Republic on Thursday slashed its economic growth forecast for 2009 to 3.7 percent from the previous estimate of 4.8 percent to account for the impact of the global financial crisis.
AP - Bank of England policy maker David Blanchflower said the bank must cut its interest rate soon, and by a significant measure, to ward off the threat of deflation as the British economy enters a recession.
AP - It took Ella Jenkins and two teenage pals less than 15 minutes to give a thumbs up to London's biggest mall, which opened Thursday despite the gloomy economic climate that threatens to dampen vital Christmas sales.
AP - British American Tobacco PLC, Europe's largest cigarette maker, said Thursday net profit rose 9.5 percent in the third quarter on better sales of global brands, particularly in emerging markets, and a gain from changes in currency values.