La Senza goes bust again July 1, 2014 LA SENZA, the lingerie chain, has fallen into administration for the second time in two and half years, putting 752 jobs at risk. Marnixheath, the retailer’s parent company, yesterday appointed PwC as the administrators for 55 stores and three Pinkberry outlets. The firm will continue to operate while PwC tries to find a buyer.
Hong Kong pro-democracy protest is largest in ten years July 1, 2014 Hong Kong residents took to the streets in the region’s largest pro-democracy rally in more than a decade yesterday. The protest followed an unofficial vote on how to select the Chinese region’s chief executive. Three weeks ago, authorities in Beijing reasserted their right to control over the city.
Three African nations to be watched July 1, 2014 New measures of three of Africa’s largest economies will be released in the year ahead, providing monthly indicators of business conditions as they happen. MNI Indicators, which is part of Deutsche Boerse, and Standard Chartered, will collaborate to draw up the new indices, for Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.
Ukraine hits pro-Russian sites July 1, 2014 Ukrainian forces struck at pro-Russian separatist bases in eastern regions with air and artillery strikes yesterday after President Petro Poroshenko said he would not renew a ceasefire but go on the offensive to rid Ukraine of “parasites”.
Isis leader speaks out on Iraq July 1, 2014 The leader of the al Qaeda offshoot now calling itself the Islamic State yesterday called on Muslims worldwide to take up arms and flock to the “caliphate” it has declared on captured Syrian and Iraqi soil. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the group formerly calling itself the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis) proclaimed [...]
Astrazeneca boss Pascal Soriot buys £2m shares July 1, 2014 The chief executive of Astrazeneca has put his money where his mouth is and invested in £2m-worth of shares in the drugs company. Pascal Soriot purchased 46,200 shares at a cost of 4,345p each. The drug giant turned down a £55-per- share takeover bid from the US’s Pfizer in May.
Vodafone sells off stake in Fiji operations in £51m deal July 1, 2014 TELECOMS giant Vodafone yesterday announced that it had sold its entire stake in Vodafone Fiji for £51m. Vodafone said it had sold its 49 per cent of the company to the Fiji National Provident Fund, which now had a combined and indirect stake in the company of about 79 per cent. Vodafone said it planned [...]
Sharp aims to boost profit rather than seek new issue July 1, 2014 TROUBLED Japanese electronics firm Sharp yesterday announced that it would bolster its depleted finances by boosting profits rather that consider a public share offering. A Japanese newspaper report from April said that the firm was considering an issue to secure an additional ¥200bn (£1.15bn) to improve its finances. However, Sharp president Kozo Takahashi said this [...]
Allianz launches infrastructure fund July 1, 2014 Allianz Global Investors yesterday said it had launched its UK infrastructure debt fund, aiming to raise up to £500m to provide funding for government projects such as roads and schools. “This new fund will allow the broadest possible church of institutional investors… access to the long-term, stable cash flows projects like this provide,” said the [...]
Fastjet loses its finance boss July 1, 2014 Low-cost African airline Fastjet yesterday announced the departure of chief financial officer Angus Saunders, who is stepping down due to personal reasons. The Aim-listed company said that Nick Caine, currently CFO of Fiji Airways, would take over Saunders’ position at Fastjet on 11 August, and that the two would work together during the next two [...]
