Russia expels 20 Czech diplomats over explosion allegations April 19, 2021 Moscow expelled 20 Czech diplomats on Sunday amid allegations that two Russian spies were behind an explosion that killed two people at a Czech ammunition depot. The same two spies are also accused of a nerve agent poisoning in Britain in 2018. Prague had ordered out 18 Russian diplomats on Saturday, prompting the country to [...]
Leading investors call on banks to set tougher net zero targets April 19, 2021 A group of investors managing $11 trillion in assets is calling on banks to set radically enhanced emissions targets ahead of a key meeting aimed at tackling climate change. The group, which includes Aviva Investors and Legal & General Investment Management, said banks have a “critical role” in aligning the economy with net zero targets. [...]
Melrose Industries to sell Nortek air conditioning unit for £2.62bn April 19, 2021 Melrose Industries said on Monday it has agreed to sell its Nortek Air Management business for £2.62bn and will distribute a portion of the funds to shareholders. The British engineering firm said it plans to use part of the proceeds, which will come from Chicago-based buyer Madison Industries, to cut debt. It added that the [...]
Priti Patel warns Facebook’s encryption plans could harm child safety April 19, 2021 Facebook’s plans to roll out end-to-end encryption across its messaging platforms could mark a setback for efforts to protect children from online abuse, the home secretary is set to warn. The social media giant has unveiled plans to extend encryption — which means only the sender and recipient can view messages —— to Messenger and [...]
HSBC scraps executive floor in Canary Wharf in favour of hot-desking April 19, 2021 HSBC has scrapped the entire executive floor at its Canary Wharf headquarters in the latest change to its post-pandemic working practices. The 42nd floor, which was previously home to executives, will be used for client meeting rooms and collaborative spaces while top managers will hot desk on the open-plan 40th floor. “Our offices were empty [...]
UK banks launch new low-deposit mortgage scheme April 19, 2021 High street banks will today begin offering mortgages with a deposit of just five per cent under a new government-backed scheme. The scheme, first announced in the Budget, is designed to make home ownership more affordable for first-time buyers. Borrowers will be able to secure a mortgage with just a five per cent deposit on [...]
Starling Bank secures £50m investment from Goldman Sachs April 19, 2021 Digital lender Starling Bank has extended its latest funding round with a £50m investment from Goldman Sachs. Last month it announced a £272m Series D funding round led by Fidelity Management & Research which valued it in excess of £1.1bn pre-money. Starling Bank today said Goldman Sachs investment marked an extension of the oversubscribed round, [...]
Public-private partnership must be at the heart of tackling climate change ahead of COP26 April 19, 2021 Later this year, representatives of over 190 governments will gather at COP26 to voice their commitments to tackling the climate crisis, confirm a “landing zone” on net zero and negotiate the intricacies of the Paris Agreement rulebook. But it’s an illusion to think that government commitments are enough to kick-start climate recovery. Since the global [...]
Fan fury as JP Morgan and biggest football clubs team up on European Super League April 19, 2021 The football world has been plunged into chaos after it was announced that six English football teams will join a new breakaway European Super League in what would be the biggest shake-up of the game in recent years. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are among the clubs that are set to [...]
Fintech innovation will be at the heart of London’s recovery April 19, 2021 Over the last week I’ve been out in the City actively showing my support for businesses reopening after lockdown, including getting a long overdue haircut. Local shops, barbers, pubs and restaurants are of course the backbone of places like the Square Mile. But as we look to kickstart a strong, sustainable recovery post-pandemic, what’s also [...]
