Space SPAC: Seraphim-backed satellite firm Spire makes New York debut August 18, 2021 Space investor Seraphim has announced its portfolio company Spire, which provides satellites for space, has debuted on the New York Stock Exchange after becoming the latest space company to close a merger via SPAC. Spire has merged with special acquisition company NavSight Holdings, which valued the satellite firm at $1.6bn in equity. The new combined [...]
Fintech Lanistar risks financial collapse as it fails to pay managers and faces legal action August 18, 2021 Payments startup Lanistar is reportedly facing a series of employment tribunal cases over unpaid salaries from current and former staff, including members of its senior management team. The company has had problems with securing funding, has been accused of mistreating staff, and has not yet launched any of its payment cards. Despite this, it has [...]
AstraZeneca scientists begin trials for plague vaccine August 18, 2021 The scientists behind the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine have given the first trial volunteers a jab for the plague. The phase-one trial involves 40 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 55 who will help to assess side effects of the jab and determine how well it produces a protective antibody response. The plague vaccine will [...]
Citi re-hires Obama aide Nathan Sheets as global chief economist August 18, 2021 Citi has re-hired Nathan Sheets as global chief economist, seven years after his departure from the bank to work under former President Obama. Sheets will return to Citi to oversee the global economics team in New York and lead research across all areas of economics. He is set to replace Catherine Mann, who left in [...]
Free Guy review – finally a video game movie it’s ok to like August 18, 2021 Pre-Pandemic, Ryan Reynolds was on a hot streak. The Canadian star, once considered a likeable actor who never quite broke through, made the big time with R-Rated hero Deadpool. Suddenly, everything he touched turned to gold, making unexpected hits from The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Detective Pikachu, going viral with ads for his gin company featuring [...]
UK inflation drops to two per cent in July August 18, 2021 Inflation in the UK dropped in July, driven by sharp falls in prices for clothing and footwear as retailers sought to stimulate demand by slashing prices amid the traditional summer sale season, according to official figures released today. The Office for National Statistics said prices rose two per cent over the last year, down from [...]
98 per cent of London schools in areas with toxic air quality August 18, 2021 Almost every London school is in an area where air pollution levels exceed World Health Organisation limits, a City Hall analysis suggests. According to the 2016- 2020 report, the average concentration of particulate matter was a third higher at schools in London than in the rest of England. Figures show 98 per cent of schools [...]
Bolt investors TMT post positive half-year results August 18, 2021 TMT Investments has posted strong first half results that sees it recover to a healthy position of profit after a difficult 2020. The data published by the firm shows how the half-year up to 30 June 2020 had been difficult, with the uncertainty of the pandemic greatly impacting investments and investors. However, since then it [...]
Man hunt? No, job hunt: Cressida Dick to be offered contract extension before exiting Met police August 18, 2021 Home secretary Priti Patel is reportedly planning to offer Metropolitan police commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick, a contract extension as commissioner candidates run dry. Dick’s successor will be tasked with overhauling Britain’s biggest police force after a string of controversies. Although no final decisions have yet been made, sources from the Home Office told The Times [...]
Persimmon forward sales up 9 per cent from pre-pandemic levels August 18, 2021 Housebuilding business Persimmon reported a 64 per cent leap in profits in the six months to June 30th, posting £480.1m in earnings up from £292.4m in the same period last year. The company expects a “good” forward sales of £2.23bn, up 9 per cent compared to £2.05bn from the same period in 2019. Forward sales [...]
