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☆ UK's GB News sacks activist Laurence Fox over sexist comments
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Candidate Laurence Fox arrives for the results of the London mayoral election, at the City Hall in London, Britain, May 8, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Britain's GB News channel sacked actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox on Wednesday after it said comments he made about a female journalist on air were "completely unacceptable". Evans said on social media the comments had made her feel "physically sick". GB News said it had ended its "employment relationship" with Fox and presenter Calvin Robinson, who had supported Fox online. The populist political party Reclaim he leads said on social media he had been arrested.

Persons: Laurence Fox, Henry Nicholls, Britain's Fox, Dan Wootton's, Ava Evans, Evans, Fox, Calvin Robinson, Paul Sandle, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: City Hall, REUTERS, Britain's, Fox News, Fox, Metropolitan Police, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, U.S, British, Wootton

☆ Ukraine's counteroffensive raises doubts about whether the US and Western militaries are training their troops for the right kind of war
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Some Ukrainian troops said the training didn't reflect the kind of fighting they faced against Russian forces. That has raised doubts about whether Western militaries are training themselves for the right kinds of operations. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe slow progress of the counteroffensive Ukraine launched in early June led to criticism that Ukrainian troops were failing to apply properly the training they received from Western militaries. But what if the problem isn't with the Ukrainians but rather with Western tactics? Ukraine eventually junked those Western tactics in favor a playbook from the Western Front circa 1917.

Persons: —, HENRY NICHOLLS, Klaus, Dietmar Gabbert, insurgencies, openDemocracy, hasn't, Scott Peterson, it's, Michael Peck Organizations: Western, Russian, Service, NATO, Royal Marine, Ukrainian Army, Getty, Bradley, Getty Images, New York Times, Pentagon, US Air Force, Ukrainian Territorial Defense, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Ukraine, England, Britain, Germany, Russia, China, Ukrainian, Iraq, Afghanistan, Zaporizhzhia Region, Forbes

☆ UK households shoulder 3,500 pound tax hit - IFS
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rows of houses lie in front of the City of London skyline in London, Britain, March 19, 2023. "This is not, for the most part, a direct consequence of the pandemic," Ben Zaranko, a senior IFS research economist, said. "Rather, it reflects decisions to increase government spending, in part driven by demographic change, pressures on the health service, and some unwinding of austerity." The current parliament was likely to represent "a decisive and permanent shift to a higher-tax economy," he said. ($1 = 0.8197 pounds)Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Andy BruceOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Boris Johnson, Ben Zaranko, Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Hunt, William Schomberg, Andy Bruce Organizations: REUTERS, Conservative Party, for Fiscal Studies, Conservatives, Labour Party, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ Everything you need to know about London Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Leah Dolan | Nicole Mowbray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

London CNN —London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday in the glow of a sweltering UK heatwave, and concluded on Tuesday after biblical showers and thunderstorms. More famous faces piled into the London fashion scene over the course of the week. Dave Benett/Courtesy BurberryHowever, some controversial collections and marketing choices brought London Fashion Week outside of the industry bubble and into the wider cultural conversation. Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesErdem's collection was partly inspired by the protected stately home, Chatsworth House, in the North of England. Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty ImagesAshish returned to the London Fashion Week runway after 4 years with a show that was suitably high-octane and glamorous.

Persons: JW Anderson, Erdem, Simone Rocha, Findikoglu, Halpern, Nensi, S.S, Daley, Anna Wintour, Sienna Miller, Jodie Turner, Smith, Princess Eugenie, Kate Winslet, Cole Sprouse, Suki Waterhouse, Charli, Ncuti Gatwa, Alexa Chung, Mo Farah, “, Damon Albarn, Rachel Weiss, Jodie Comer, Kylie Minogue, Burna Boy, Barry Keoghan, Dave Benett, Burberry —, Daniel Lee, —, Mowalola, HARRI, Sam Smith, JW, Kwok, Joe Maher, Crocs, Sinéad O’Dwyer, Molly Goddard, Victor Virgile, Gareth Cattermole, David, David Cronenberg, David Lynch, 16Arlington, Isamaya Ffrench, Jeff Spicer, Richard Quinn, ”, Goddard, Matty Bovan —, Bovan, ” Richard Quinn, Matty Bovan, tulle, Susan Fang, David Koma, David Lee’s Burberry, Giovanni Giannoni, Di Petsa, beading, Susan Fang's, Henry Nicholls, Chet Lo's, Wiktor, Chet Lo, Shane Anthony Sinclair, Stuart Wilson, TOVE, Daniel Lee's, Shutterstock Burberry, Ashish, Poppy Delevingne, Anderson, KNWLS — Organizations: London CNN, London, Burberry, Vogue, JW, Highbury, Fashion, Brit, BFC, Getty, National Theatre, National, Publishing, London's Barbican Center, British Locations: couture, London, North London, Saudi, Hong, Kong, Erdem, AFP, Englishness, Chatsworth House, North, England, Noor

[1/2] Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at a press conference on public sector pay at Downing Street in London, Britain on July 13, 2023. In a highly unusual late-night statement after reports that he was planning to row back on some of the government’s key green policies, Sunak said he would set out an "important long-term decision" about the country's plans to reach net zero. With a general election looming next year, Sunak sees scaling back some green policies as a way to win over swing voters "ahead of a general election expected next year." It would be a striking reversal for Britain which until recently was a self-proclaimed leader in climate policy. Sunak said successive governments "have not been honest about costs and trade offs" of going green policies.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, HENRY NICHOLLS, Sunak, Boris Johnson's, Michael Gove, Elizabeth Piper, William James, Farouq Suleiman, Andrew MacAskill, Paul Sandle, Timothy Gardner, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Britain's, Downing, British, BBC, Labour Party, Conservatives, Labour, Conservative, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

☆ Vogue World: Stars flock to Britain’s answer to the Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nicole Mowbray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

London, UK CNN —It was billed as Britain’s answer to the Met Gala, and last night’s inaugural “Vogue World” at the Theatre Royal on London’s Drury Lane didn’t disappoint. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/APActress and singer Dove Cameron went back to the future in a shiny silver suit and matching bikini top. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/Vianney Le Caer/Invision/APThe late Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter, Princess Eugenie, looked elegant in an emerald silk dress by Fendi. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/APKate Winslet went for casual chic in a loose-fit two-piece white suit with a beige bustier underneath. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/APRita Ora arrived in a black Alaïa mermaid gown sourced from eBay.

Persons: Lane didn’t, Anna Wintour, Edward Enninful —, Sienna Miller, Miller, Beatrice, Eugenie, Richard Quinn, Fendi, Yui Mok, Sadiq Khan, Baz Luhrmann, Kate Winslet, Jared Leto, Jodie Turner Smith, Maisie Williams, Stella McCartney, Christopher Kane, Victoria Beckham, Olivier, Stephen Daldry, John Galliano, Kate Moss, Hongni Wu, Rambert, Stormzy, Sophie Okonedo, Damien Lewis, Cush Jumbo, James Corden, Damian Lewis, James McAvoy, “, Annie Lennox, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Mike Marsland, AJ Odudu, Robert Wun, Vianney Le Caer, Dove Cameron, Queen Elizabeth II's, Princess Eugenie, Fendi . Vianney Le Caer, Princess Beatrice, David M, Alison Mosshart, Alexa Chung, Nicklas Skovgaard, Anna Shaffer, David Fisher, Carrie Mulligan, Henry Nicholls, Jenna Coleman, Peter Pan, May Jagger, Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger, Vivienne Westwood, Tom Daley, Gemma Chan, Louis Vuitton, Rita Ora, Hollie Adams Organizations: UK CNN, Theatre Royal, US, British Vogue, London, London’s, BAFTA, National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Royal Ballet, Southbank Sinfonia, Rambert, Getty, Rodarte’s, MTV, Model, eBay, Reuters Locations: London, UK, British, Invision, AFP

☆ UK sanctions more Iranian officials to mark anniversary of Mahsa Amini death
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

People protest following the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran, in London, Britain October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Britain on Friday imposed sanctions on four Iranian officials to mark the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police. The sanctions target senior decision makers enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab law and were coordinated with similar moves by the United States, Canada and Australia, Britain's foreign ministry said in a statement. Those sanctioned include Iran's minister for culture and Islamic guidance, his deputy, the mayor of Tehran and an Iranian police spokesman, it added. The sanctions impose a British travel ban on those named, block any of their British assets and prevent UK entities from doing business with them.

Persons: Mahsa, Henry Nicholls, James, Farouq Suleiman, Sachin Ravikumar, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Thomson Locations: Mahsa Amini, Iran, London, Britain, United States, Canada, Australia, Tehran

☆ Malan ton leads England to series victory over NZ
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( John Mehaffey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Good run, especially scoring some runs here at the home of cricket and leading into a World Cup. It was a bit slow, when they built pressure I found it hard to score," Malan said. We had to get off to a good start with the ball and we did that.”Butler said his team were in a good position for the World Cup. England's victory will give them a boost ahead of their World Cup title defence. The teams will then meet in the opening match of the 50-overs World Cup in India on Oct. 5.

Persons: England's Dawid Malan, Matthew Childs, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, Malan, Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Buttler, Henry Nicholls, Moeen snuffed, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran's, Tim Southee, He'll, Tom Latham, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, " Malan, I've, Captain Buttler, ” Butler, ” Ravindra, Root, Harry Brook, Aadi Nair, John Mehaffey, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: New Zealand, England, Thomson Locations: England, New, London, Britain, New Zealand, Moeen, Ireland, Bangladesh, India, Bengaluru

☆ Record Stokes ton leads England to huge win over New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Stokes, who last month reversed his retirement from ODI cricket, hammered a 124-ball 182 to record England's highest individual score in the 50-overs format, bettering Jason Roy's previous record of 180. "Coming back into the team after a while out, it's nice to come back and help the team," Stokes said. We weren't able to build partnerships," New Zealand captain Latham said. There's levels that we can keep achieving, there's more in the tank," England captain Buttler said. The series is crucial for both sides' preparations as they look ahead to next month's Cricket World Cup in India.

Persons: Ben Stokes, Will Young, Benjamin Lister, Stokes, Jason Roy's, Glenn Phillips's, Rachin Ravindra, Chris Woakes, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley, Latham, Trent Boult, Jonny Bairstow, Boult, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Malan, Jos Buttler, England's tailenders, Ben Lister, Buttler, Lister, Adam Milne, Aadi Nair, Toby Davis Organizations: New Zealand, New, Zealand, Lord's, Thomson Locations: England, New, London, Britain, New Zealand, Livingstone, India, Bengaluru

☆ Global companies to hike security spending as threats rise - survey
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Kate Holton | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The survey, by the American security and staffing company Allied Universal, found companies were losing high-end goods and intellectual property both internally to staff and externally, with North America badly affected. The World Security Report survey, the first time Allied has collated and published the thinking of so many large companies, questioned executives overseeing a combined $660 billion in security budgets in 2022, or 3.3% of their global revenue. That would add to the growing cost that companies around the world have been grappling with, on everything from wages to energy. It listed economic unrest stemming from high inflation and deteriorating living standards, along with climate change and social unrest as issues that can lead to security breaches. Asked about future spending, 42% of respondents said they intended to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-powered surveillance to spot threats more quickly.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Steve Jones, Kate Holton, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Allied Universal, North, Allied, Reuters, Thomson Locations: City, London, Britain, North America

☆ Bank of England bond sales creating a 'selling gold at the bottom' moment, strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

People walk outside the Bank of England in the City of London financial district, in London, Britain, January 26, 2023. Henry Nicholls | ReutersLONDON — The Bank of England's rapid pace of bond sales is creating a "selling gold at the bottom" moment for investors, according to Christopher Mahon, head of dynamic real return at Columbia Threadneedle. Now, despite the fact that the value of gilts has fallen dramatically since then, the central bank is unwinding those holdings, and fast. In late July, the central bank estimated that it would require the Treasury to indemnify £150 billion ($189 billion) of losses on its asset purchase facility (APF). The Bank of England, for its part, disputes that the asset sales are affecting markets in any substantive way.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Christopher Mahon, Mahon, BOE, it's, Dave Ramsden, Ramsden Organizations: Bank of England, Reuters LONDON, Columbia, U.K . Treasury, Treasury, U.S . Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank, U.K, . Bank of England, CNBC, Monetary, BNP Locations: City, London, Britain

☆ UK watchdog to 'ramp up' checks on how banks assess risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Huw Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Britain's financial watchdog told banks on Friday it would "ramp up" checks on whether they were properly assessing and managing risks from large customers to avoid any liquidity crunch in stressed markets. "We are ramping up our testing programme to look at how banks are controlling these risks, including more in person supervisory assessments." Under pressure from the European Central Bank, bankers have moved from London to staff these hubs, raising questions about sufficient staff in UK units. "While there are various booking and organisational arrangements underpinning these activities, there should be appropriate oversight for any business booked into the UK," Walls said. The FCA said it may also check how banks deal with non-financial misconduct, such as sexual harrasment.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Liz Truss, Simon Walls, Huw Jones, Emelia Sithole Organizations: REUTERS, Financial, Authority, Bank of England, European Union, Brexit, European Central Bank, Thomson Locations: London, Britain

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. The hugely ambitious project sees China strengthening trade ties with large infrastructure spending in countries along the historic Silk Road route via Asia to Europe and beyond. "China is willing to work with Italy to continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, explore opportunities for potential trade and investment... and promote further development of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership," said He Yadong, a commerce ministry spokesperson. SENSITIVE DIPLOMACYItaly's trade deficit with China grew by 22.3 billion euros ($23.9 billion) between 2019 and 2022, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So far, 90 countries have confirmed attendance, China's foreign ministry announced on Thursday.

Persons: Antonio Tajani, Henry Nicholls, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, Italy's, Tajani, Joe Cash, Ryan Woo, Giselda Vagnoni, Alvise Armellini, Federico Maccioni, Kim Coghill, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Italy's, Conference, Rights, Initiative, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RAI, American Enterprise Institute, AC Milan, Inter, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, Rights BEIJING, China, Italy, Beijing, Asia, Europe, Rome, Inter Milan

Fundraising and deal-making have dropped sharply at European private debt funds, new data shows. Faisal Ramzan, a partner at law firm Proskauer Rose who advises private credit funds, said he was not seeing default. "There's plenty of dry powder," said Fidelity International's head of private credit strategies Michael Curtis, referring to capital raised already. Joanna Layton, managing director of European private credit at Alcentra, one of Europe's largest private debt managers, added there was "no rush" to deploy capital. High rates have also made private credit less appealing to institutional investors, analysts said.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Francesco Sandrini, BoE, Andrew Cruickshank, Cruickshank, Pictet, Patrick Marshall, Faisal Ramzan, Proskauer Rose, Michael Curtis, Joanna Layton, Mark Brenke, Ardian, Chris Sier, Sier, Dhara Ranasinghe, Catherine Evans Organizations: City, REUTERS, Reuters Graphics Reuters, The Bank of, European Central Bank, Graphics, Deloitte, Fitch, Federated Hermes, Fidelity International, ClearGlass, Thomson Locations: London's, London, Britain, The Bank of England

☆ Partnership with China more important than Belt and Road-Italy's Tajani
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Sept 6 (Reuters) - A strategic partnership between Italy and China would be more valuable than a deal such as the Belt and Road initiative, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday addressing Parliament. "A strategic partnership involves all sectors, so it is more important than single bilateral agreements such as the Silk Road (Belt and Road), which so far is unsatisfactory in terms of exports and investment," Tajani said. On Wednesday Tajani repeated that the Italian government would consult parliament before finalising its position on the issue. After meeting Tajani in Beijing this week, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said cooperation with Italy had been fruitful despite Italian scepticism.

Persons: Antonio Tajani, Henry Nicholls, Tajani, Xi Jinping, China Tajani, Wang Yi, Francesca Piscioneri, Keith Weir, Federico Maccioni, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Conference, Rights, Italian, Tajani, China's, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, Italy, China, China's, Beijing

☆ Global business activity showed signs of slowdown in August -PMIs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Jonathan Cable | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Germany's services sector contracted for the first time this year and France's shrank more than first estimated. Japan proved an outlier as service sector activity expanded there at its quickest pace in three months, underpinned by robust consumer spending as inbound tourism regained momentum. "August's services PMI pointed to a contraction in UK private sector activity. ASIAN PAINChina's Caixin/S&P Global services PMI dropped to 51.8 in August from 54.1 in July, the lowest reading since December when COVID-19 confined many consumers to their homes. The data broadly aligned with the official services PMI released last week, which showed the sector continued to trend downwards.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Adrian Prettejohn, Martin Beck, Duncan Wrigley, Jonathan Cable, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, RBC, P Global, Capital Economics, PMI, Bank of Japan, Pantheon, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, India, Japan, Asia, July's, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, COVID

☆ GLOBAL ECONOMY Global business activity showed signs of slowdown in August -PMIs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Jonathan Cable | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

☆ The UK economy is bigger than we thought. It still has ‘a growth problem’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

London CNN —The UK economy recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic much faster than previously thought, according to major revisions of official statistics that have erased Britain’s laggard status overnight. The ONS had said as recently as last month that UK GDP had still not reached its pre-pandemic size by the second quarter of this year. “UK growth has still been very sluggish, even if it’s not at the bottom,” said Prof. Huw Dixon, who leads research in economic measurement at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. So while the size of the economy is bigger than we thought, Britain still has a growth problem.”Richer dataIn 2020, the UK economy suffered its biggest slump in more than three centuries, recovering sharply the following year off a low base. Annual GDP growth for 2021 was also revised up by 1.1 percentage points to 8.7%.

Persons: ” Ruth Gregory, “, ”, Huw Dixon, ” Dixon, ” John Springford, Richer, That’s, Frost, Darren Morgan, Henry Nicholls, Jeremy Hunt, Gregory, Nomura Organizations: London CNN, Office, National Statistics, ONS, Capital Economics, National Institute of Economic, Social Research, CNN, Centre, European Reform, Getty Images, Bank of England Locations: Germany, United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, France, Britain, Petticoat Lane, AFP, United Kingdom

☆ ABBA's Agnetha to release new single 'Where Do We Go From Here?'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Agnetha Faltskog of the Swedish music band ABBA arrives for the opening performance of the "ABBA Voyage" concert in London, Britain May 26, 2022. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSTOCKHOLM, Aug 30 (Reuters) - ABBA star Agnetha Faltskog said she will release a new single on Thursday, relaunching her solo career at the age of 73. Faltskog, lead singer alongside Anni-Frid Lyngstad of the hugely successful Swedish pop band which formed in 1972, released her last solo album a decade ago. on @bbcradio2 with @zoetheball - tune in on Thursday 31st August from 8:30am (BST)," she said on the social media platform late on Tuesday. ABBA won legions of fans around the world with enduring hits such as "Dancing Queen" and "Fernando" and triumphed at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with their performance of "Waterloo".

Persons: Agnetha Faltskog, ABBA, Henry Nicholls, relaunching, Faltskog, Anni, Frid, Fernando, Anna Ringstrom, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Swedish, London, Britain, Rights STOCKHOLM, Waterloo

☆ BoE's Broadbent: Rates may have to stay high 'for some time yet'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Bank of England's Deputy Governor, Monetary Policy, Ben Broadbent speaks at a press conference at the Bank of England, London, Britain, May 11, 2023. The BoE said earlier this month that borrowing costs were likely to stay high for some time as it raised rates for the 14th time in a row. Investors expect another increase in the BoE's Bank Rate to 5.5% from its current level of 5.25% on Sept. 21, after the next scheduled meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee. Broadbent said the BoE's stance on interest rates would respond to "the evidence on spare capacity, and to indicators of domestic inflation, as and when it comes through." The chair of the Federal Reserve, Jay Powell, told the Jackson Hole gathering of central bankers on Friday that the Fed may need to interest rates further.

Persons: Ben Broadbent, Henry Nicholls, JACKSON, Broadbent, BoE, Jay Powell, Jackson, William Schomberg, Paul Sandle, Christina Fincher Organizations: of England's, Monetary, Bank of England, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, , Wyoming, United States, Ukraine, BoE's, Russia

☆ U.S. band the Killers apologises for bringing Russian fan on stage in Georgia
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

American band The Killers perform the Saturday headline slot at Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, Britain June 29, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 16 (Reuters) - An American alternative-rock band, the Killers, has apologised for bringing a Russian drummer on stage during a show in Georgia and for describing fans as "brothers and sisters," which prompted boos from the audience. "We recognise that a comment, meant to suggest that all of the Killers' audience and fans are 'brothers and sisters,' could be misconstrued," it added. The reference was to a remark band leader Brandon Flowers made to the crowd, saying he did not want the situation to turn "angry". "I see you as my brothers and my sisters," Flowers added to the sound of boos and whistles in a video published by the Russian state RIA news agency.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Brandon Flowers, Lidia Kelly, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Glastonbury Festival, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Somerset, Britain, American, Georgia, Ukraine, Black, Batumi, Russian, Las Vegas, Warsaw

People walk outside the Bank of England in the City of London financial district in London, Britain, March 23, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File PhotoLONDON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - A handful of small UK commercial lenders are offering interest-free loans to high-risk borrowers, as part of a government-backed scheme to support people through the cost of living crisis. Reuters has confirmed that Social Credit, a collaboration between commercial startup lender Plend and two nonprofit organisations, has been delivering interest-free loans as part of the scheme. A hole in the credit market, caused by the collapse or exit of many payday lenders such as Provident and Quickquid, has left millions unable to access loans. HARD TIMESFair4All told Reuters a portion of the 45 million pounds would be used to fund no-interest loans, and the rest allocated to other financial support measures.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Fair4All, TotallyMoney, Tom Lake, John Cronin, Cronin, Rishi Sunak's, Martin Coulter, Muvija, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Bank of England, REUTERS, Fair4All Finance, Reuters, South Manchester Credit Union, Provident, Quickquid, Customers, Conservative, Thomson Locations: City, London, Britain, British

Latvia's Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERSRIGA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced his resignation on Monday, blaming a breakdown in relations with parts of his multi-party governing government. Karins' New Unity party plans to select its candidate for prime minister on Wednesday, he said. President Edgars Rinkevics has responsibility for giving a mandate to a new prime minister to try to form a government. Latvia's next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2026.

Persons: Krisjanis Karins, Henry Nicholls, Karins, Aivars Lembergs, Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's, Janis Laizans, Andrius, Terje Solsvik, John Stonestreet Organizations: Latvia's, Conference, REUTERS, Latvian, European Union, NATO, Unity, National Alliance, Progressives, Greens, Farmers Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, REUTERS RIGA, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Ventspils

REUTERS/Henry NichollsNEW YORK, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Symphony Technology Group (STG) is nearing a deal to acquire media editing software maker Avid Technology Inc (AVID.O) for close to $1.4 billion, including debt, according to people familiar with the matter. Palo Alto, California-based STG is a mid-market private equity firm focused on technology investments. Earlier this year, STG struck a deal to take Momentive Global Inc, the parent company of SurveyMonkey, private in a $1.5 billion deal. STG currently manages about $10 billion of assets and has invested in more than 50 companies in the technology industry. Reporting by Milana Vinn and Anirban Sen in New York; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Henry Nicholls, STG, Milana Vinn, Anirban Sen, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Technology, Avid Technology Inc, Avid, Reuters, Impactive, Momentive, Inc, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Burlington , Massachusetts, Palo Alto , California, New York

☆ UK lender Virgin Money sticks to annual outlook despite mortgage pressures
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Signage on display outside of a Virgin Money store in central London, Britain, July 27, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File PhotoAug 2 (Reuters) - British challenger bank Virgin Money UK (VMUK.L) on Wednesday maintained its full-year outlook and reported stable net interest margin (NIM) in the third quarter despite pressure from its mortgages business. Virgin Money has been restructuring itself as it grapples with a drop in footfall and transaction volumes. Virgin Money said higher interest rates were offset by spread pressure in mortgages and continued deposit migration. The London-listed lender also announced its plans to buyback shares worth 175 million pounds ($159.58 million) in fiscal year 2023 and more in 2024.

Persons: Henry Nicholls, Yadarisa, Rashmi Organizations: Virgin, REUTERS, British, Virgin Money, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, Bengaluru

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