Your Route to Real News

All news by author: Lawrence Matheson

416
Marks & Spencer to launch repair service amid demand for sustainable fashion
The company is teaming up with Sojo, a repair and tailoring startup established in 2021, to roll out the service via its website
1430
5 banks suffer app outage affecting millions including Barclays, HSBC & Lloyds
HSBC apologised after some were left locked out of their online banking on what is commonly payday for workers across the country - services at Virgin Money, Nationwide, Barclays and Lloyds also seemed to be experiencing difficulties on Friday morning
586
Uber and Lyft will pay drivers $32.50 an hour in landmark US settlement
'Today's agreement holds Uber and Lyft accountable, and provides their drivers, for the very first time in Massachusetts, guaranteed minimum pay, paid sick leave, occupational accident insurance, and health care stipends'
909
Heathrow predicts record-breaking 82.8m passengers as holiday demand soars
There's been a surge in consumer interest for overseas holidays since the start of the year, but prices have also remained high as travel companies capitalise on post-pandemic demand
794
Tata plans to shut down Port Talbot blast furnaces early due to strike action
The company had been planning to shut down one of the blast furnaces by the end of June and the second one by September
1328
Morrisons and Iceland ditch pineapples from Kenyan farm over human rights abuses
Morrisons and Iceland join Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Waitrose, who had already stopped selling pineapple products sourced from a Del Monte plantation in Kenya
983
Grandparents help fund school trips as parents face financial strain - survey
A Zurich Municipal survey of parents with children aged five to 16 found that some 23% had to cut back on essentials to pay for trips, and the 'bank of gran and grandad' also played a big role
1204
Bar owner Nightcap plans to quit stock market and issues profit warning
Nightcap, which runs bar chains including Dirty Martini and the Cocktail Club, said that its valuation 'does not reflect' its potential and that it would re-register as a private company
625
Czech Republic's central bank cuts key interest rate for fifth time
The Czech economy grew by 0.2% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, and increased by 0.3% compared with the last three months of the previous year
1398
US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a 1.4% annual rate
Consumer spending grew at just a 1.5% rate, down from an initial estimate of 2%, in a sign that high interest rates may be taking a toll on the economy
510
Boots sees UK sales growth as parent company announces US store closures
The pharmacy chain revealed higher sales across its pharmacy and retail businesses, although total sales growth slowed to 1.6% as it was impacted by store closures
1462
Moonpig profit jumps to £46m as it signs up 500,000 paying subscribers
The company reported sales amounting to £341.1million, marking a 6.6% increase from last year. Moonpig attributed its sales growth to an increase in orders and a 5% rise in average selling prices
1158
Rivian shares surge after VW pledges to pump $1bn into the troubled EV maker
Shares of Rivian soared before the markets opened today after Volkswagen vowed to invest $1billion in the struggling electric vehicle maker immediately, and a potential total of up to $5billion as part of a software development agreement
696
Bank of England warning as 400,000 to see 'very large' hikes in mortgage costs
Currently, around 35% of households with mortgages, equating to over three million, are paying below 3% and are expected to see an increase between now and the end of 2026
1238
GM brings in new chief executive to help steer troubled Cruise robotaxi service
General Motors, which had hoped Cruise would be generating $1billion in annual revenue by 2025, has since scaled back its massive investments in the robotaxi service
399
Cheap Chinese electric cars could flood US and devastate car industry
Chinese car manufacturers could establish bases in Mexico, taking advantage of North American trade rules, and flood the US market with extremely cheap electric vehicles
1025
Currys reveals AI phones and 85-inch TVs are among the most sought-after tech
The electricals retailer highlighted the best-sellers after reporting weaker demand for its electronics and appliances over the past year
704
H&M hails 'best results for many years' but warns of June sales hit from weather
The group reported a 3% rise in net sales to £4.5billion for its second quarter to the end of March, helping operating profits lift to £530million compared with £351million a year earlier
1301
Surge in demand for gold as Poles seek stable investment during troubled times
The Mint of Poland has seen a surge in demand for gold bars and coins as Poles - who have long seen gold as a safe haven - seek financial security amid the war in Ukraine and a migration crisis at the border with Belarus
1481
Shares are down in most Asian markets ahead of a key US inflation report
The latest updates on inflation could sway the central bank's decision on when to start reducing interest rates, which are currently at their highest level in over two decades and are having a global impact
644
Amazon stock hits $2trillion for the first time as shares continue to rise
Amazon shares have gained 52% in the past 12 months, partly driven by enthusiasm for the company's investments in artificial intelligence
369
Halfords has revealed a slump in profits amid falling demand for bikes
The group reported an 18.3% drop in underlying pre-tax profits to £36.1million for the year to March 29, which includes its tyre supply chain business, which it has offloaded as part of an outsourcing deal
697
Currys swings to annual profit as shoppers use credit to fund tech purchases
The electricals retailer saw a boost in its financial performance after turning around its loss-making Nordics business and selling off its Greek arm, but saw slower sales in the year
1081
Sensodyne maker Haleon to sell nicotine replacement brands outside US for £500m
The healthcare giant announced that it is selling its nicotine replacement therapy business to a division of Indian pharmaceutical company Dr Reddy's Laboratories