Batman returns with a bang: Box office debut hits £97m March 6, 2022 Batman well and truly returns this weekend, with “The Batman” raking in $128.5m (£97.1m) in its box office debut. The blockbuster has not only had the best opening weekend of 2022 so far, but it has also followed in the footsteps of Sony’s superhero hit “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, which broke records with its $260m (£197m) [...]
Sunak under pressure to drop NI rise in wake of Ukraine invasion March 6, 2022 Rishi Sunak is under increased pressure to drop his 1.25 percentage points increase of National Insurance next month in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is expected the war will lead to higher inflation than expected due to Europe’s large reliance on Russian gas and Ukrainian agricultural products, like wheat. Annual growth in [...]
Anti-corruption campaigner Bill Browder warns buying Russian stocks is akin to buying ‘German equities during Holocaust’ March 6, 2022 An anti-corruption campaigner has warned people considering buying de-valued Russian stocks that it is akin to buying “German equities during the Holocaust”. Bill Browder in a tweet told people today to avoid Russian equities and bonds and to “have some decency”. London-listed stocks that have exposure to Moscow have collapsed in value since Russian troops [...]
Caretech founders gear up for privatisation takeover March 6, 2022 Founders of Caretech Farouq and Haroon Sheikh are gearing up to make an offer, which could see the residential care company delisted from the London market. According to reports from Mark Kleinman for Sky News, the brothers are in financing talks to launch a takeover bid for the firm. The Sheikhs, who are executive chairman [...]
Johnson promises Ukraine more defensive weapons in call with Zelensky March 6, 2022 Boris Johnson has promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky more “defensive equipment” to fight off the Russian invasion in a call today. A Number 10 spokesperson said the pair “discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ukraine, precipitated by Russia’s indiscriminate attacks and ceasefire breaches” and “the increasing threat Russia’s barbaric attacks pose to Ukrainian civilians and [...]
Russia unlikely to meet debt obligations as Western sanctions bite, Moody’s warns March 6, 2022 One of the world’s top credit rating agencies has raised concerns over Russia’s ability to service its debt as Western sanctions hobble Moscow’s economy. Moody’s said its move to downgrade Russian debt to the second-lowest rung on its ratings ladder was “driven by severe concerns around Russia’s willingness and ability to pay its debt obligations”. [...]
John Lewis chair doubles down on profit comments: ‘You need to do well to do good’ March 6, 2022 The chair of the John Lewis Partnership has reiterated her thoughts that companies do not have to sacrifice a pursuit of profit in order to contribute positively to society. Writing in The Mail On Sunday, Sharon White reiterated comments made in a speech to the Resolution Foundation think tank last month. In her column, White [...]
Payment giants join Russia exodus March 6, 2022 The world’s top payment providers have pulled out of Russia in response to Moscow’s assault on Ukraine. American Express, Mastercard and Visa debit and credit cards issued by Russian banks will be booted out of their networks, the trio announced over the weekend. Cards issued outside of Russia will no longer work at ATMs in [...]
TUI chief: Holiday bookings fly back to pre-pandemic levels March 6, 2022 Travel giant TUI said it expects holiday bookings to rise towards pre-pandemic levels as the industry gets back on its knees.
Zara and Burberry shut shops in Russia while John Lewis looks to ‘mitigate exposure’ to country March 6, 2022 Fashion powerhouses have halted trading in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, citing “operational challenges”. Luxury goods maker Burberry has temporarily shuttered its three stores in Russia, The Times reported. According to the newspaper, the designer brand’s spokesperson said Burberry would continue to monitor developments and declined to address the invasion directly. It comes after [...]
