Russia’s biggest bank Sberbank thrown out of SWIFT while EU moves to ban 90 per cent of Russian oil May 31, 2022 Most Russian oil imports into the EU will be blocked by year-end as part of new sanctions on Moscow, European leaders agreed late last night. The compromise was made at a two-day summit focused on helping Ukraine with a long-delayed package of new financial support. The embargo covers Russian oil brought in by sea, allowing [...]
Leaders right to call on government to reset relationship with London May 30, 2022 Londoners are not typically known for their patience, but in truth the leaders of this city have shown a remarkable ability in recent years to bite their tongue amid unprecedented attacks on the capital. That patience appears finally to have worn thin, at least judging from last night’s speeches at the Mansion House from both [...]
S4 Capital revenue surges as Martin Sorrell confident about digital ad sector despite economic slowdown May 30, 2022 Ad giant S4 Capital posted buoyant gross profit of £171.1m this morning, despite Martin Sorrell’s brainchild battling macroeconomic challenges and accounting delay woes. In results published on Monday for the first quarter, reported revenue was up 70 per cent to £206.8m and gross profit/net revenue up 64.6 per cent to £171.1m. S4 Capital said it [...]
Boris Johnson fighting frantically behind the scenes to appease dozens of critical Tories as partygate refuses to go away May 30, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly working around the clock to appease critical Conservative rebels as the partygate affair threatens to reignite over new rule-breaking claims. Fresh allegations have surfaced that senior civil servant Sue Gray was told about a potential gathering in the Downing Street flat on the evening of the Prime Minister’s 56th [...]
US financial watchdog raises questions around Musk’s Twitter stake acquisition May 28, 2022 The US Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) has cast doubts over the legality of Elon Musk’s failure to properly disclose his acquisition of a 9.2 per cent stake in Twitter for $2.6bn, before launching his bid to takeover the social media firm. In an April 4 letter to the richest person in the world – [...]
Russian Army is ‘chewing through ground’ in Donbas as Kremlin makes ‘palpable progress’ in Ukraine this week May 28, 2022 Vladimir Putin’s Russian Army is making “palpable progress” in the Donbas region after abandoning the attempt to encircle Kyiv, Boris Johnson said this morning. Johnson argued, in an interview with Bloomberg, that more offensive weapons including long-range multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRSs) are needed. He stressed the “vital” need to provide Ukraine with fresh military support [...]
Partygate: MP quits top role over Sue Gray report citing ‘toxic culture’ creating ‘deep mistrust’ May 27, 2022 An MP has resigned from his role in the government over the partygate, citing the “toxic culture” in Downing Street which has created a “deep mistrust” of Boris Johnson’s administration. Paul Holmes, who represents Eastleigh, announced in a statement on Friday he had quit his role as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Home Office. The [...]
Twitter shareholders sue Elon Musk over ‘illegal’ bid May 27, 2022 Twitter’s shareholders have sued serial entrepreneur Elon Musk over his “illegal” takeover bid. Investors said that Musk’s decision to put on hold his initial $44bn bid brought Twitter’s value down, allowing him to either walk away from the deal or negotiate a lower price. The billionaire initially announced his intention to buy Twitter in late [...]
Sunak denies using £21bn support package to deflect from No 10 lockdown parties May 27, 2022 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has rejected the notion that the timing of handing out £21bn worth of cost-of-living support to deflect from the controversy over Downing Street lockdown parties. The Chancellor bowed to demands for the UK Government to step in and help households to deal with ballooning energy bills and rising shop prices, which are [...]
Turns out London Mayor Sadiq Khan is a big fan of ABBA May 27, 2022 It was confirmed yesterday that the Swedish band ABBA is bringing its Voyage show to London. The announcement led to City Hall putting out a statement, in which Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “incredibly proud” to welcome ABBA to London. Khan said: “I am incredibly proud that, more than forty years since their last [...]