Chinese human rights lawyer trial ends with no verdict announced, sparking anger among activist groups December 26, 2018 The trial of a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer for subversion ended on Wednesday with no verdict announced, sparking outrage among human rights groups. Wang Quanzhang, who handled allegations of police torture and defended followers of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, went missing in mid 2015 amid a crackdown on human rights activists. Most [...]
Local councils to bid for share of £675m funding boost to Britain’s high streets December 26, 2018 Local councils are being urged to bid for a share of a £675m fund in a bid to give Britain’s hard-pressed high streets a shot in the arm. The so-called Future High Streets fund, announced in Philip Hammond’s October budget, opened on Boxing Day, and is aimed at helping councils improve transport and access to [...]
Londoners flock to the country, snapping up £30bn of property outside the capital in 2018 December 26, 2018 Londoners left the capital in their droves this year, buying £30bn worth of property outside the city as they sought to sidestep expensive house prices. The value of property bought outside the capital by Londoners was at its highest level since 2007 when the figure was £37bn, the highest on record. This year, 74,350 Londoners bought [...]
High street hopes for Boxing Day boost as spending expected to hit £4.75bn December 26, 2018 High street retailers will have their fingers crossed for a festive boost as shoppers take to the streets for the Boxing Day sales, while online sales are expected to rise 20 per cent year-on-year. British consumers are set to spend £4.75bn today, with £3.71bn of that expected to come from physical sales, according to research [...]
Japan confirms it will quit international agreement to resume commercial whaling December 26, 2018 Japan has sparked international criticism by announcing it will resume commercial whaling in July, after decades of trying to persuade governing body the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to allow it to do so. The government – which usually stresses multilateralism in diplomacy – said on Tuesday it would pull out of the commission so it could restart [...]
Chinese tech giant Ant Financial in talks to buy WorldFirst December 24, 2018 Chinese tech giant Ant Financial is in advanced talks to buy currency exchange start-up WorldFirst in a deal that could be worth up to $700m (£550m). Ant Financial, part-owned by China’s biggest internet tech company Alibaba, could complete the takeover within weeks, Sky News reported. The company has been in talks with WorldFirst for months and [...]
The Restaurant Group confirms £559m Wagamama takeover and thanks shareholders after narrow vote December 24, 2018 The Restaurant Group has confirmed its £559m takeover of Wagamama and thanked shareholders who narrowly voted through the deal. The Frankie and Benny's owner had been set for a shareholder showdown after a number of investors voiced their intentions to vote down the proposed acquisition to buy Wagamama from private equity firm Duke Street last [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital ready to compete ‘at the highest levels’ after confirming Mightyhive takeover December 24, 2018 Sir Martin Sorrell’s new company S4 Capital has completed a merger with US advertising group Mightyhive and is now “in a position to compete at the highest levels.” The company announced the closing of the merger today and welcomed three new board members, Mightyhive principals Pete Kim and Chris Martin and Stanhope chief executive Daniel [...]
Euronext tables €625m takeover offer for Norwegian stock exchange operator Oslo Bors December 24, 2018 Pan-European exchange Euronext has approached the board of Norwegian stock exchange Olso Bors with a €625m (£563m) offer. Euronext already has support from shareholders representing 49.6 per cent of shares and has tabled the cash offer for the outstanding shares, it said today. It expected to start a tender off of 145 Norwegian kroner (£13) [...]
FTSE 100 falls in Christmas Eve trading after Wall Street selloff dashing hopes of a Santa rally December 24, 2018 The FTSE 100 has fallen in Christmas Eve trading as Wall Street troubles dash hopes of a late Santa rally. The blue chip index dropped 0.8 per cent in early trading at the beginning of a half-day session. A partial US government shutdown, trade tensions between the US and China and reports President Donald Trump [...]