Shell to sell operations in Finland April 6, 2010 ROYAL Dutch Shell has confirmed it is planning to sell its operations in Finland, as it looks to focus its operations on bigger markets. The company said in a statement: “We believe that the possible selling of our Finnish operations is an attractive opportunity to investors.” Shell is also selling its Swedish assets, as part [...]
Australia raises interest rates April 6, 2010 AUSTRALIA’S central bank has raised interest rates to 4.25 per cent from four per cent as it attempts to slow inflation and rises in house prices. The move is the fifth rate rise since October, and the bank has indicated there are further increases to come. Glenn Stevens, the Governor of the central bank, said: [...]
50p tax rate on high earners is triggered April 6, 2010 A NEW 50p tax rate for top earners has been triggered as the new financial year begins. The new income tax rate on taxable incomes above a £150,000 has been attacked by business leaders who claim it will dent business confidence and stifle entrepreneurial spirit, The Institute of Directors also warned that foreign investors could [...]
Northgate chief Smith steps down April 6, 2010 NORTHGATE chief executive Steve Smith will step down after 23 years at the van hire company. Smith had agreed to stay on as chief beyond his original retirement date of 1 August last year because of the trading conditions last summer and the group’s debt refinancing, a placing and rights issue. Paul Tallentire, deputy chief [...]
Wall Street rallies on growth spurt April 5, 2010 The bulls were out in force in the US markets yesterday as its economy received the strongest sign yet that it is on the road to making a full recovery. The Dow Jones soared close to the 11,000 mark, reaching its highest point in over 18 months, following five weeks of consecutive growth. It climbed [...]
Gordon Brown calls 6 May election April 5, 2010 GORDON Brown has called the general election for 6 May, firing the starting gun on a four-week campaign to overturn the growing Conservative lead in the polls. The prime minister travelled to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve parliament on 12 April. The contest for the 650 seats is likely to be the [...]
iPad mania grips US as sales begin April 5, 2010 APPLE’S latest must-have gadget stormed into US homes yesterday as more than 300,000 people snapped one up on its first day on sale. The highly-anticipated iPad tablet notebook pushed Apple’s shares to its highest ever level after it rose 1.1 per cent. It attracted the usual flurry of add-on sales, with users downloading over 1m [...]
Tories support bribery bill April 5, 2010 PROPOSED amendments by the Conservative Party to the UK’s bribery bill have been withdrawn as Parliament prepares to pass new anti-corruption laws making it harder for UK businesses to get away with mis-conduct. Instead, the Tories have said they will fully support the bill when it comes before Parliament. A statement from the Tory office [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING April 5, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES DUBAI WALTH FUND BUY-OUT HEAD SWITCHES TO CARLYLE Carlyle, the US-based private equity group, has poached Eric Kump, head of Dubai International Capital’s European private equity team, leaving the sovereign wealth fund with a troubled portfolio and lacking funds for new deals. Mr Kump will on Tuesday be unveiled by Carlyle as a [...]
Britain’s election battle starts today April 5, 2010 LET the battle commence. Gordon Brown will today go to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen to dissolve parliament, paving the way for a general election on 6 May. It will be a hugely important and exciting contest; it will be the first time since 1992 that a general election will be monitored so closely [...]