World leaders call for restraint as Iran promises revenge for killing January 3, 2020 World leaders have urged calm amid simmering tensions after the US confirmed it was responsible for an air strike which killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, said that harsh revenge awaited the “criminals” who killed Soleimani. Read more: European stocks falter after US kills top Iranian general [...]
US says threat of ‘imminent attack’ triggered air strikes against Iran January 3, 2020 US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has claimed that the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was carried out to prevent an “imminent attack” that would have endangered US citizens in the region. Speaking to CNN and Fox News, Pompeo said that the attack was based on an “intelligence based assessment”, but refused to say [...]
French police shoot knife attacker in suburb of Paris January 3, 2020 French police have shot and killed a man who had attacked several people with a knife in a suburb of Paris, French media have reported. The attacker, who was reportedly wearing an explosive vest, stabbed four people, killing one. The attack happened in a park in Villejuif, about four miles south of the French capital. [...]
Employment tribunal rules ethical veganism is a philosophical belief January 3, 2020 A UK judge has ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and should receive the same protections as religion in UK workplaces. The ruling comes after Jordi Casamitjana brought a landmark case against his former employers, the League against Cruel Sports, who he claimed had sacked him due to his ethical beliefs. Read more: [...]
Carlos Ghosn escape: Turkish jet firm says ex-Nissan boss used planes illegally January 3, 2020 A Turkish private jet firm said today that ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn used two of its planes illegally to escape Japan, where he was awaiting trial for financial misconduct. MNG Jet said it had filed a criminal complaint over the incident, a day after Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, as part of [...]
Bovis Homes completes £1.1bn Galliford Try acquisition January 3, 2020 UK housebuilder Bovis Homes this morning announced it has completed the £1.1bn purchase of two Galliford Try businesses, in a deal which could reshape the UK housing market. The agreement to buy Linden Homes, as well as Galliford Try’s own partnerships and regeneration business will create a top five housebuilder with the ability to provide [...]
Next raises forecast after Christmas sales beat expectations January 3, 2020 Clothing retailer Next continued its strong progress as the company beat its internal forecast for its Christmas performance by 1.1 per cent. In a trading statement, the company said that total full price sales for the fourth quarter were up 5.2 per cent, with sales for the full year up 3.9 per cent. Read more: [...]
UK house prices end decade on a high with 1.4 per cent growth January 3, 2020 House prices were 1.4 per cent higher year-on-year in December, the first rise of more than one per cent for 12 months. According to research from Nationwide, after seasonal factors had been considered prices rose by 0.1 per cent in December. Read more: Rightmove: Tory election win will boost house prices by 2 per cent [...]
European stocks falter after US kills top Iranian general in Baghdad January 3, 2020 European markets faltered this morning amid rising tensions after the US confirmed that it had killed one of Iran’s top military officials in an air strike. In the UK, the FTSE 100 opened 0.5 per cent down, with the biggest fallers being the travel groups and airliners EasyJet, IAG and TUI Group. Read more: Donald [...]
Greggs releases vegan Steak Bake January 2, 2020 Bakery chain Greggs released its vegan Steak Bake to great fanfare today. The product was released in Newcastle last night, drawing long queues at the official launch. Read more: From Greggs to Franco Manca – Britain’s favourite restaurants revealed The new product is made from dairy-free pastry, meat alternative Quorn, onions and meat-free gravy. The [...]