London Stock Exchange shareholders give green light for $27bn Refinitiv deal November 26, 2019 The London Stock Exchange has been given an overwhelming nod from its shareholders to push ahead with a $27bn (£21bn) takeover of data giant Refinitiv. More than 99 per cent of voting investors backed the acquisition and supported the LSE’s plan to issue shares as a way of helping to finance the blockbuster move. Read [...]
White House ‘on lockdown’ over unauthorised aircraft November 26, 2019 The White House was put on lockdown this afternoon after unauthorised aircraft reportedly entered Washington D.C. airspace. CNBC reported that fighter jets were scrambled. Read more: Uber ban: London business groups mourn ‘dark day’ The lockdown lasted 20 minutes, with the North Lawn of the White House being cleared, according to NBC News. Reporters were [...]
Economists give Labour a boost by backing spending plans November 26, 2019 Labour’s economic credibility has received a boost this morning after a group of 168 economists signed a letter supporting the party’s plans for much higher government investment in the economy. Published in the Financial Times, the letter said Labour has “understood the deep problems we face,” which include “10 years of near zero productivity growth” [...]
Sports Direct to rebrand as Frasers Group as Mike Ashley attempts to elevate image November 25, 2019 Sports Direct International has announced it will rebrand as Frasers Group as retail tycoon owner Mike Ashley attempts to improve the company’s image. The proposed rebrand, which will be voted on by shareholders on 16 December, follows the announcement that the company is planning to launch a chain of of luxury high street stores named [...]
No emissions peak in sight as greenhouse gas levels hit record high in 2018 November 25, 2019 The levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have hit a new record high, according to new data from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The WMO greenhouse gas bulletin showed that average concentrations of carbon dioxide reached 407.8 parts per million in 2018, up from 405.5 parts per million in 2017. Read more: Coal powered [...]
UK marketing budgets hit five-year low as Brexit uncertainty weighs November 25, 2019 Marketing budgets at UK firms have fallen to their lowest level in more than five years as ongoing political uncertainty continues to take its toll. On average, marketing budgets slipped to 9.3 per cent of overall company revenue this year, down from 11.4 per cent in 2018, according to research firm Gartner. Read more: AI [...]
Mo Robinson pleads guilty to assisting illegal immigration in Essex lorry deaths case November 25, 2019 Lorry driver Mo Robinson, who is accused over the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants, has pleaded guilty to plotting to assist in illegal immigration. Appearing by video link at the Old Bailey this morning, the 25-year-old from Craigavon in Northern Ireland, whose full name is Maurice Robinson, was asked not to enter a plea to [...]
General Election: Boris Johnson promises to ‘forge a new Britain’ post-Brexit November 24, 2019 Boris Johnson has promised a “pent-up tidal wave of investment” post-Brexit at today’s Conservative manifesto launch in order to “forge a new Britain”. The Prime Minister launched the party’s manifesto today in the marginal constituency of Telford, which promised £23bn of increased public spending and tax cuts. However, Johnson’s speech itself focussed heavily on the [...]
Northern Ireland man arrested in Essex lorry deaths probe November 22, 2019 A Northern Irish man has been arrested by police in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals who were recently discovered in a lorry in Essex. Thames Valley Police have detained a 23-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic people and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. It marks the sixth arrest in the [...]