Explainer-in-brief: Energy strategy won’t push prices down for years to come April 11, 2022 When asked about the effect the newly unveiled energy strategy would have on prices, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng replied“the impact could be very soon”. By very soon, he specified, he meant three or four years. Now, we know a transition to sustainable energy produced here takes time. No government could simply do some magic and [...]
Pret A Manger plots dozens of new sandwich shops in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland debut April 11, 2022 Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has announced plans to open up stores in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for the first time. The new openings follow an agreement of terms being reached with franchise partner Carebrook Partnership Ltd. Some 20 Pret shops will be opened across the island, creating some 500 jobs, the [...]
Japan demands companies top up LNG to stave off supply shortages April 11, 2022 Japan has demanded domestic power companies top up liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserves and share energy resources.
Goldman Sachs launches European assets to over £460bn with latest £1.4bn deal April 11, 2022 Goldman Sachs has launched its assets under management north of $3 trillion, after taking over a Dutch investment firm. The Wall Street giant has snapped up NN Investment Partners from the NN Group for €1.7bn (£1.4bn). As part of the transaction, Goldman Sachs Asset Management will manage an around $180bn (£138bn) portfolio of assets for [...]
UK warns Russia may use phosphorous bombs during assault on besieged city of Mariupol April 11, 2022 The UK has warned Russia may use phosphorous during its continued assault on the besieged city of Mariupol, based on its “prior use” while attacking the Donetsk. In an intelligence statement by the Ministry of Defence, it said previous usage of the chemical weapon “raises the possibility of their future employment”, as fighting over the [...]
Walgreens faces losing billions on Boots sale as former suitors CVC and Bain suggest lower price tag April 11, 2022 The US pharmacy giant behind Boots could lose out on billions after the chemist was valued much lower than initially hoped. Walgreens has been eyeing a £7bn sale of the UK company, however a consortium involving private equity firms CVC and Bain withdrew from takeover talks in March. According to The Telegraph, the two former [...]
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe urges Kwasi Kwarteng to approve fracking test site April 11, 2022 Billionaire industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe has asked Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng for permission to drill a shale test site.
Elon Musk turns down Twitter board after asking 80m followers: ‘Is it dying?’ April 11, 2022 Elon Musk, the man behind Tesla and SpaceX, has turned down a spot on Twitter’s board, after being revealed as the platform’s majority shareholder. New Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal confirmed this morning: “Elon has decided not to join our board. “I believe this is for the best.” Musk was due to step onto the board [...]
Heathrow marks highest passenger numbers since start of Covid April 11, 2022 Heathrow Airport revealed the number of passengers in March hit its highest level since the start of the pandemic. After the government scrapped all travel restrictions earlier this year, enthusiasm to travel rebounded strongly, the airport said this morning. Demand was being driven by “outbound leisure at weekends and during school holidays, as Brits make [...]
Travel and tourism firms drive February GDP growth as pace slows April 11, 2022 The UK marked a slower pace of GDP growth in February versus the month prior, with drops in production and construction. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in February 2022, after 0.8 per cent growth in January. The services industry, which grew 0.2 per cent, [...]