‘No justice’: Mike Ashley voices anger as Debenhams thwarts his takeover bid March 29, 2019 Mike Ashley has railed against Debenhams’ move yesterday to thwart his takeover offer, saying “if there were any justice in the world the majority of the advisors would be put in prison”. Read more: Debenhams bondholders back £200m rescue loan in blow to Ashley bid The billionaire owns a 30 per cent stake in the department [...]
Brexit live: MPs to vote on May’s withdrawal agreement tomorrow March 28, 2019 Welcome to our Brexit live blog. Please manually refresh this page for the latest updates. Follow this page throughout the day for the latest Brexit news as the world reacts to yet another day of deadlock in parliament. MPs failed to reach a majority last night on a series of indicative votes intended to provide an [...]
Icelandic airline Wow Air closes operations as it fails to secure rescue deal March 28, 2019 Debt-ridden Wow Air shut operations and grounded planes this morning after a last-minute fight for funding failed, leaving thousands stranded and seeking alternative transport. The struggling Icelandic airline told customers it has now ceased operation, cancelling all flights. Read more: Boeing's Ethiopian Airlines crash fallout: Everything you need to know While tickets were still being [...]
Dignity welcomes watchdog’s probe into high funeral prices March 28, 2019 Dignity has welcomed a competition probe into the funeral sector announced today. Read more: Dignity shares slide after regulator proposes funeral competition probe The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will carry out a full market investigation into the industry after voicing concerns over high prices and a lack of competition. Dignity, the UK’s [...]
Government firmly rejects ‘Revoke Article 50’ petition despite debate next week March 27, 2019 The government has dismissed the possibility of revoking Article 50 – and thereby cancelling Brexit – despite a petition to do so amassing 5.85m signatures in the last week. The 'Revoke Article 50' petition quickly surpassed the 100,000 signatories needed to be considered for debate in parliament, and is now the best-supported proposal in the history [...]
Police raid Swedbank headquarters amid money laundering probe March 27, 2019 Police raided the headquarters of Swedbank this morning as part of a probe into insider trading. Read more: Minister blasts Swedbank money laundering report “The Economic Crime Authority can confirm media reports that a raid is ongoing at the Swedbank headquarters,” the body said. “The raid is being carried out by police from from the [...]
Advertising giant M&C Saatchi hikes profits as new business grows margins March 27, 2019 Advertising giant M&C Saatchi boosted profits last year as it signalled a confident outlook for 2019. The figures Profit before tax grew 16 per cent year on year to £32.3m as net revenue rose two per cent to £255.3m compared to 2017. Saatchi’s profit margin also ticked up one per cent to 12.3 per cent [...]
Commuters face fresh rush hour misery with severe Tube delays March 27, 2019 Overrunning engineering works have left commuters facing a miserable commute this morning as a key Tube line suffered disruption. The late finish left the Circle Line with severe delays in a clockwise direction, while Londoners travelling the other way face minor delays this morning. Transport for London (TfL) advised passengers their tickets would be accepted [...]
European Parliament passes controversial EU Copyright Directive March 26, 2019 The European Parliament has voted for a controversial copyright directive that critics claim could harm the future of the internet. Read more: EU agrees draft copyright reform in blow to tech giants The Copyright Directive passed today with 348 MEP votes, compared to 278 voting against it. The law includes ill-received elements such as making [...]
Fevertree profits fizz despite UK sugar tax hit to margins March 26, 2019 The glass was half full at Fevertree today as it reported a surge in profits and revenue for 2018. Read more: Fevertree sales fizz as tonic maker cheers bumper summer The figures Profit after tax rose 26 per cent year on year to £61.8m in 2018, even as the profit margin was squeezed almost two [...]