| AstraZeneca to Slash Jobs Despite Growth
AstraZeneca PLC announced it will slash 3,000 jobs over the next three years despite reporting its third successive year of earnings growth Thursday, stressing that it still needs to improve its weak pipeline of future drugs. The drug maker, which is facing patent challenges and escalating generic competition, revealed the job cuts as part of a US$500 million (euro384.02 million) three-year revamp of its supply chain as it said that sales growth would continue at a slower pace this year. Net profit for the three months to Dec. 31 rose 17 percent to US$1.4 billion (euro1.08 billion), from US$1.2 billion a year earlier, AstraZeneca said. Revenue rose 14 percent to US$7.2 billion (euro5.56 billion). For the full year, profits rose 28.5 percent to US$6.04 billion (euro4.66 billion), while revenue lifted 11 percent to US$26.8 billion (euro20.69 billion), marking the third year of growth since the expiration of a number of key patents in 2003.
Health and fitness tips to tame that pesky paunch
We've all struggled with the difficult choice between satisfying our taste buds and preventing a long night of digestive discomfort. The stomach and digestive system are hard to ignore. Whether there's bloating and pain because of something you ate or emotional distress because of width, your belly demands attention. .
Contract review hiatus hampers state's work
MONTGOMERY -- A more than two-month break in meetings by the state's contract review committee is causing headaches for state departments and agencies in need of products and services, according to lawmakers. Legislators attribute the lull to a problem with state law and an attorney general's opinion from four years ago. State Rep. Neal Morrison, a Cullman Democrat who served as vice chairman of the committee the last four years and was reappointed as a member for the next four, said several state agencies have called him expressing a concern about the interval since the last meeting and he is aware it has caused a problem for some of them. An attorney general's opinion states the committee cannot meet between the General Election, which was Nov.
Fury over Street star's drink-drive ban appeal
ROAD safety campaigners lashed out at Coronation Street star Simon Gregson after he launched an appeal against a ban for drink driving. Gregson, who plays cab boss Steve McDonald, was banned for 16 months and fined £3,000 in August last year after driving his Jaguar XKR the wrong way down a one-way street. Tests showed he was nearly twice the legal limit. But yesterday, Macclesfield magistrates agreed to suspend the punishment after his solicitor launched an appeal based on the legitimacy of the tests. .
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