Marlboro boss defends cigarette giant’s diversification into health market July 30, 2023 The boss of cigarette company Philip Morris International, Jacek Olczak, has said he thinks he can “come up with an even better business”, as the Marlboro maker steams ahead with plans to amp up its selling of smoke-free products. “We need to do something. I think we can come up with an even better business,” [...]
Fresh kicks: Fund manger builds stake in ailing Dr Martens July 30, 2023 An activist fund manager has reportedly been building a stake in struggling bootmaker Dr Martens. Sparta Capital has bought stock worth “tens of millions of pounds” in the London-listed footwear brand, according to reports by Sky News. It is said that Sparta is also engaging in talks with the board to help the brand as [...]
Apple set for a sales dip – but will that hurt its record-high share price? July 30, 2023 Analysts predict that Apple will report a dip in sales on Thursday, but are unsure if this will stop its record-breaking share price surge. It is anticipated the tech giant will report a two per cent year-on-year dip in sales down to $81.7bn (£63.5bn) this third quarter, as consumers cut back or hold of on [...]
UK and India could sign trade deal this year, says official July 29, 2023 The UK and India could sign a long-awaited trade deal before the end of the year, according to a senior Indian official. The country’s commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters on Friday: “We want to finalise the deal at the earliest.” He also said that it was possible that the deal could be agreed “much [...]
Crystal Cruises announces new ships and significant expansion plans July 29, 2023 Heritage cruise company Crystal Cruises has announced a significant expansion to their operation in the form of four new ships. Two expedition cruise ships and two classic ships are due by 2029, hopefully earlier, Christina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group said. “Our aim is to have four new builds by the end of 2029. [...]
Two hour Dover delays on one of ‘most popular mornings of summer’ July 29, 2023 Travellers are facing waits of up to two hours at the Port of Dover during one of the most popular mornings of the summer, officials have said. A nine-lane-wide queue stretched alongside the white cliffs throughout Saturday morning on the approach to the border where French guards were checking passports. Port of Dover officials said [...]
Not helpful if NatWest chair quits over Farage feud, says City minister July 29, 2023 It would not be “helpful” for the NatWest chairman to quit now as the bank seeks to rebound from the crisis over Nigel Farage’s Coutts bank account, the City minister has said. Andrew Griffith, who has led the Government’s response to the row, offered his backing to Sir Howard Davies after days of pressure on the [...]
Mick Lynch accuses government of preventing settlement as Saturday strike begins July 29, 2023 The leader of the biggest rail workers’ union has accused the Government of preventing a settlement to the long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, which is causing fresh travel disruption on Saturday. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union walked out for the day, leading to the widespread cancellation of train services. The [...]
The Crown Jewels play, review: Even Al Murray’s Pub Landlord can’t save this mess July 28, 2023 The Crown Jewels review and star rating: ★★ Al Murray made a career out of playing a working class pub landlord, but it turns out he’s funnier, and certainly more natural, playing a Hooray Henry. In The Crown Jewels Murray is King Charles II, and he’s royally good at it, gesticulating about the place and [...]
Ex Fed chair Ben Bernanke to lead review into Bank of England forecasting July 28, 2023 Ben Bernanke, ex-chair of the Federal Reserve, has been appointed to lead a review into the Bank of England’s forecasting during times of significant uncertainty. The review aims to strengthen the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) approach to forecasting during times of uncertainty, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bernanke, a Nobel prize winning economist [...]