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* FTSE 100 down 0.4%, FTSE 250 down 0.7%
* Anglo American biggest loser on blue-chip index
* NMC, Finablr tumble after shareholders sell stake
Jan 8 (Reuters) - British shares slipped on Wednesday as
tensions in the Middle East threatened to boil over after Iran
retaliated by launching missile strikes at U.S. forces in Iraq,
driving investors away from risky assets and into safe-haven
holdings.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 0.4% and the FTSE 250 .FTMC shed
0.7% following news that Iran has hit back in response to the
killing of a top Iranian commander by the United States last
week. Anglo American AAL.L led losses on the main board,
dropping 2% after saying it was in advanced talks to buy
fertiliser maker Sirius Minerals SXX.L . Sirius' shares soared
39% to their highest level in nearly four months. NMC Health NMC.L slumped 18% and Finablr FINF.L 12%
after major shareholders of the two firms sold stakes. Finablr's
unit Travelex also separately confirmed it was hit by a software
virus attack.