Worst September since records began as industry body warns of spending slowdown amid ‘spectre of no-deal Brexit’ October 7, 2019 Retailers have endured their worst September since records began, according to an industry body that has blamed “the spectre of a no-deal Brexit” for lower spending. Total sales fell by 1.3 per cent in September, compared with a rise of 0.7 per cent in the previous year. Read more: How business rates can help to [...]
No 10 calls on US to ‘reconsider its position’ over diplomat’s wife October 7, 2019 Downing Street has called on the US government to “reconsider its decision” to give immunity to a diplomat’s wife who is wanted by British police over a fatal road crash. The case is “extremely concerning”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said this morning. “The justice process should be allowed to take place and we urge the [...]
Extinction Rebellion shuts down Westminster roads: 21 arrests made October 7, 2019 Extinction Rebellion has blocked several roads around Parliament this morning, as the first of several days’ demonstration kicks off. Police have already made 21 arrests in connection with the protests, which are expected to choke off major roads and bridges in central London for the next fortnight. The climate change protest group, which caused chaos [...]
Shareholders tell HKEX to up its offer October 6, 2019 HONG Kong’s stock exchange has reportedly been told to find another £4bn in its war chest if it wants to acquire its London rival. Top shareholders are demanding that the Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing (HKEX) raises the value of its blockbuster offer for the London Stock Exchange (LSE), according to the Mail on Sunday. [...]
FTSE 100 claws back losses as sterling drops October 4, 2019 The FTSE 100 clawed back some of its losses today after a turbulent week of trading. The blue chip index climbed one per cent to roughly 7,150 this afternoon, ending a major selloff which has pushed the London market into one of its worst weeks in recent years. Read more: CMC Markets forecasts jump in [...]
US economy adds 136,000 jobs in September as unemployment rate falls to 50-year low October 4, 2019 The US economy added more than 130,000 jobs in September, with unemployment falling to its lowest rate in half a century. After a week of warning signs about a global financial slowdown, the US reported today that roughly 136,000 jobs were made last month. Read more: Global stocks bleed red The unemployment rate, which has [...]
Report: Probe into VIP Westminster paedophile ring caused by ‘poor judgement’ October 4, 2019 A Met Police probe into claims of a Westminster VIP paedophile ring was caused by “poor judgement”, according to a new report. Scotland Yard searches of the homes belonging to wrongly-accused suspects in a paedophile case were “unlawful”, a review by retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques has concluded. Read more: Poll – Sterling [...]
New car sales edge up after torrid year October 4, 2019 New car sales climbed in the 12 months to September, as manufacturers recovered slightly following a turbulent spell of trading last year. According to SMMT new car sales rose 1.3 per cent year-on-year to September, marking the first rise since February. However, 2019 was the second weakest September – after 2018 – for new car [...]
FTSE 100 heading for worst week in three years October 4, 2019 THE FTSE 100 is braced for its worst week in more than three years following a mass investor sell-off in the wake of mounting global uncertainty. The blue-chip index, which edged up 0.3 per cent this morning, has shed roughly 4.7 per cent in value over the last week. Read more: Trump says he wants [...]
Hong Kong: Government bans face masks in protest crackdown October 4, 2019 The leader of Hong Kong has banned face masks as the clashes between protesters and police intensify. Chief executive Carrie Lam has deployed emergency powers to prevent activists from masking their faces at demonstrations in the latest crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Read more: Hong Kong – police charge protester shot by officer The colonial-era emergency [...]