Irn-Bru maker facing ‘increased challenges’ with lorry driver shortages August 3, 2021 AG Barr has said it faces “increased challenges” with its haulage fleet while expecting to report a revenue of some £134m for the first half of the financial year. Bosses have warned August will be a pinch point for the shortage of qualified HGV drivers, which was exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic, as supermarkets [...]
Travel chaos as Heathrow’s computer system crashes and staff forced to isolate August 3, 2021 Passengers arriving at Heathrow are being forced to queue in lines as long as a quarter of a mile due to a combination of isolating staff and the repeated failure of a new £372m computer system. An outbreak of coronavirus cases among Border Force staff meant that more than one in four of them was [...]
Ever Given docks in Felixstowe after blocking Suez Canal August 3, 2021 Ever Given finally docked at the Port of Felixstowe on Tuesday after blocking the Suez Canal earlier this year. The ship was stuck for six days in the major shipping lane in Egypt, causing mass disruption to the global supply chains in April. Ever Given’s mooring at the Port of Felixstowe today has attracted dozens [...]
Covid app update ‘pretty pathetic’, says boss of Mr Fogg’s amid pingdemic staff shortages August 3, 2021 A modification to the NHS Covid 19 app has been dubbed “pretty pathetic” by one of the co-founders of Inception Group, who said isolation alerts had “changed the playing field” for London hospitality. Fewer Covid contacts are to be notified to self-isolate with individuals now notified if they have been in contact with someone in [...]
Johnson meets with Lukashenko’s opposition after disputed election August 3, 2021 Prime minister Boris Johnson met with the leader of the Belarusian opposition party today as tension between the country, its people and the rest of Europe swells. Meeting at Downing Street earlier today, Johnson condemned current leader Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and persecution of opposition voices like Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and her husband. Tikhanovskaya ran as the [...]
Amazon meddled with a union election, US labour watchdog says August 3, 2021 E-commerce giant Amazon has meddled with a union election by not ensuring ballot privacy and handing out paraphernalia that discouraged organising, according to the US labour watchdog. The National Labour Relations Board (NLRB) had been investigating a number of alleged illegal actions during Amazon’s union drive. In its latest report, the NLRB issued recommendations that [...]
US stocks struggle for direction amid weakening economic outlook August 3, 2021 US stocks opened broadly flat on Tuesday morning as investors tempered trading activity amid a weakening economic outlook. While the Nasdaq dipped 0.34 per cent, the blue-chip S&P 500 edged 0.03 per cent higher and the Dow Jones added 0.18 per cent. The reinstating of Covid curbs in many states of America, including mandating mask [...]
Vauxhall owner Stellantis boosts full year guidance after roaring off the line August 3, 2021 Stellantis charged out of the blocks in its first ever half year results, boosting its full year profit margin guidance despite the current semiconductor shortage. The car giant, which formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot owner PSA in January, posted revenue of €8.6bn for the first half, smashing analyst predictions of €5.9bn. [...]
Oil prices plummet on surging Covid cases August 3, 2021 Oil prices plummeted on Tuesday as the resurgence in Covid cases globally driven by the Delta variant fuelled concerns that restrictions on economic activity may be reimposed. Global benchmarks WTI and Brent Crude slid 1.39 per cent and 1.12 per cent to hit $70.41 and $72.22 respectively – WTI briefly dipped below $70. Prices have [...]
Credit Suisse to stand trial over ‘tuna bonds’ involvement August 3, 2021 Credit Suisse is set to face a 13-week trial in September 2023 over its involvement in the “tuna bonds” scandal, according to reports on Tuesday. Sources familiar with the matter said the Swiss bank will be scrutinised for its involvement in the scandal that saw funds raised through debt issuance spent on purchasing military equipment [...]
