Gates to end daily Microsoft role Bill Gates insists he is not retiring Speech highlights Bill Gates has announced he will end his day-to-day role as head of software giant Microsoft by July 2008. Mr Gates said the move would allow him to spend more time on health and education work at his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "This is a hard decision," said Mr Gates, adding that he was not retiring but "reordering [his] priorities". Mr Gates will continue to serve as the company's chairman and advise on key development projects after July 2008. "I'm not leaving Microsoft," said Mr Gates. The change we're announcing today is not a retirement - it's a re-ordering of my priorities Bill Gates Chairman, Microsoft Timeline: Bill Gates Bill Gates's long farewell Send us your comments "What's happening now is we're starting the transition plan... I'll be working as hard as I ever have during these next years." The firm said it would take two years to make sure the transition takes place smoothly. Mr Gates said there was a "common thread" between his work at Microsoft and the foundation. How Microsoft's market value compares "I'm very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging," he said.
Mr Forgeard has been one of the driving forces behind the A380
Inside the A380 The boss of EADS has denied he did anything wrong in the months before a profit warning caused by delays in production at its Airbus business. Shareholders have questioned the timing of the news and many are calling for a probe into claims of insider trading.
The claims arose after it emerged that co-chief executive Noel Forgeard and other staff sold EADS shares in March.
That was followed this week by the company announcing delays in production of the new Airbus A380 superjumbo.
EADS shares slumped 26% on the news and some shareholders are unhappy about the way they were kept informed.
VW denies report of more job cuts VW wants to boost its productivity A senior Volkswagen executive has denied a report that the firm may cut an extra 10,000 jobs, but admitted the situation at the company was "serious". VW personnel chief Horst Neumann insisted he had never suggested any plans to extend February's warning of a possible 20,000 cuts over three years. "There is no reason to panic, and certainly no reason to create panic," he told the Reuters news agency. VW has warned that 20,000 job cuts may be needed to boost productivity. Most of the cuts are expected at its core VW car business, where it is continuing with a three-year restructuring plan, and has said some of its German plants are currently too expensive. Voluntary agreements Mr Neumann made his comments to Reuters after German news magazine Spiegel said an additional 10,000 jobs could be at risk because high costs meant production of the next generation Golf model could be moved out of VW's Wolfsburg facility. VW said in February that it had no plans to shut any of its plants, including the six in western Germany. It has also promised that any job cuts in Germany would be through early retirement or voluntary agreements. Like almost all major carmakers, VW is suffering from tough competition and price cuts in the face of stagnant sales.
Six killed in head-on car crash Six people died - five of them from the same extended family - in a head-on crash between two cars. A couple, their four-month-old baby and the man's two sisters, were in a Ford Escort that was in collision with a Toyota Prius near Penrith, Cumbria. An elderly man in the Toyota also died and a woman, believed to be his wife, was taken to Carlisle Infirmary with critical injuries. The accident took place at 1440 BST on the A6 between Plumpton and Stoneybeck. The occupants of the Escort come from the Penrith area. Inspector Sean Murphy, of Cumbria Police, said: "It was a horrendous accident. An investigation is under way to find out exactly what happened. "Our prime concern is to notify the next-of-kin. Officers are currently tracking down various family members to inform them of what's happened."
The reported deal relates to infrastructure, not handsets Nokia and Siemens are to merge their mobile and fixed-line phone network equipment businesses to create one of the world's biggest network firms Both companies will have a 50% stake in the infrastructure company, to be based in Nokia's home country of Finland.
Last Updated: Monday, 19 June 2006, 17:36 GMT 18:36 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Crisis talks over Airbus troubles Mr Forgeard says problems with the A380 should be put in perspective The management of embattled aerospace group EADS has met for the first time since the Airbus-owner announced a severe profit warning. The firm's shares plunged 26% when it reported further delays in the delivery of its Airbus A380 superjumbo. EADS also faces allegations of insider dealing, after co-chief Noel Forgeard sold shares in the firm in March. Opposition politicians in France have called for Mr Forgeard's position at the head of the firm to be reviewed. Executives present Mr Forgeard insists he sold the shares before he knew of delays to the plane and did nothing wrong. Internal divisions are causing difficulties for the Franco-German group with reports that changes in senior management could be imminent. I sold the shares in a completely transparent manner Noel Forgeard, EADS co-chief executive Check EADS' share price The company confirmed a management meeting took place on Monday but downplayed its significance, saying it was not a formal board meeting. According to unconfirmed industry sources, the firms four most senior figures - co-chairmen Arnaud Lagardere and Manfred Bishchoff, Mr Forgeard and fellow chief executive Tom Enders - were all present. Mr Enders has acknowledged that the current situation constituted a crisis for EADS which had extended beyond Airbus.
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 12:45 GMT 13:45 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Heiress's killer given jail term Richard George Holtby admitted strangling Ms Healey A man who admitted the manslaughter of the daughter of one of the UK's richest men has been jailed. Suzy Healey, whose father Malcolm used to own Hygena Kitchens, was strangled by Richard Holtby when she told him their relationship was over last year. The 38-year-old, of South Cave, denied murder at his trial at Hull Crown Court but had admitted manslaughter. Ms Healey, 39, ran an abandoned animals sanctuary at her home at Ellerker Hall in East Yorkshire. During his trial, the jury of six men and six women heard Holtby "snapped" after he realised Ms Healey - his ex-fiancee - had slept with another man. Ms Healey lived alone in the village Sentencing Holtby to eight and a half years in prison, Mr Justice Wilkie said he had been subjected to a "low degree" of provocation by Ms Healey. He told him: "It is clear from all who spoke of her, Suzy Healey was a demanding person to befriend or become involved with.