Week in review

In the news... Movie Disappointments hit Walt Disney

Profits at entertainment giant Walt Disney fell by 46 per cent, as some of its films disappointed at the box office, the company announced this week.

Films such as Confessions of a Shopaholic, Bolt, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua performed poorly at the cinema and in DVD sales, it said.

Disney made net profits of $613 million in the first three months of 2009, down from $1.13 billion a year ago. The recession has also hurt its theme parks.

However, its results beat Wall Street forecasts and its shares rose.

"After posting strong results last year, studio performance was disappointing," said Chief Executive Bob Iger. Operating profit at Disney's studio division fell 97 per cent to $13m.


Good week

Ben Southall The 34-year-old Briton was this week appointed the new caretaker of an Australian tropical island, a six-month position described as "the best job in the world".

A charity fundraiser from Hampshire emerged from a field of more than 34,000 applicants.

His new job requires him to live and report from Hamilton Island on Queensland's Great Barrier Reef. The application process gave a global profile to Australian tourism, which has gone into decline amid the worldwide recession. Southall was chosen from among 16 finalists competing for the A$150,000 position.


Bad week

Easyjet The budget airline this week saw its half-yearly losses more than double – but it said it expected to be profitable for the full financial year.

The carrier reported a pre-tax loss of £129.8 million for the six months to March 31, compared with a £48.4m loss a year ago.

Easyjet said the loss had been driven by an increase in fuel costs and the fact that Easter fell later this year.

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