Classic Layout

Lenders seize Debenhams in snub to Ashley

Bloomberg Debenhams Plc, the 241-year-old UK department-store chain that anchors many of the country’s troubled shopping streets, was taken over by lenders after rebuffing a last-minute offer from billionaire Mike Ashley. The retailer entered a form of UK insolvency proceedings that allowed US hedge funds and other lenders to take control. Stores employing about 26,000 people will continue to operate ...

Read More »

UK consumer spending declines over Brexit deal

Bloomberg Consumer spending declined in March as concerns over Brexit and the late timing of the Easter holiday held back shoppers. Total retail sales decreased by 0.5 percent, compared to a 2.3 percent gain a year earlier when the holiday was in March, the British Retail Consortium and KPMG said. That’s below the three- and 12-month averages. On a like-for-like ...

Read More »

Burger King follows D&G with chopsticks ad blunder

Bloomberg Burger King is the latest brand to spark criticism on social media with an ad depicting diners struggling to eat western food with chopsticks. The fast-food chain showed a video clip of diners trying to eat its new “Vietnamese Sweet Chilli Tendercrisp Burger” with large red chopsticks. Social media users say the ad, which was posted on Instagram, is ...

Read More »

‘Martyrs Mosque’ opens in Dubai

DUBAI / WAM Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of His Highness the Ruler’s Court in Dubai, officially opened the new ‘Martyrs Mosque’ located at Muhaisnah area in Dubai. The mosque was built following a generous donation from HH Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister ...

Read More »

Mubadala sells stake worth $4.8bn in Cepsa to Carlyle

Abu Dhabi / AGENCIES Mubadala Investment Company and Carlyle Group on Monday announced that funds affiliated with Carlyle will acquire a significant minority interest in Compania Espanola de Petroleos, Cepsa, from Mubadala. Carlyle Group LP plans to buy a stake valued at as much as $4.8 billion in Cepsa from Mubadala Investment Co. The US company will acquire 30 percent ...

Read More »

Dubai non-oil private sector sees faster growth in March

DUBAI / Emirates Business Dubai’s non-oil private sector economy expanded at a faster rate in March, while the total business activity (output) increased at the fastest rate since January 2015. Two of the three key monitored sectors — travel & tourism and wholesale & retail — posted series record increases in activity. With new business growth also accelerating, expectations for ...

Read More »

Oil hits 5-month high on weak dollar, Libya crisis

Bloomberg Oil spiked to its highest level in five months as a drop in the US dollar and conflicts from Iran to Libya helped make the barrel look like an increasingly strong bet for investors. Crude futures rallied as much as 2.1 percent in New York on Monday. The dollar fell, improving the lure of commodities priced in the greenback. ...

Read More »

Khalifa Fund to support SMEs at AIM Startup

ABU DHABI / WAM The pavilion of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development at AIM Startup 2019, which is being held in conjunction with the 9th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), is attracting a large number of representatives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and consultants. The fund is showcasing its innovative services and financing solutions for national SMEs. It ...

Read More »

Saudi Aramco order book at $40 billion for dollar-bond sale

Bloomberg Saudi Aramco started the sale of its debut dollar bonds, drumming up an orderbook of about $40 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The oil giant is offering six-tranche debt, according to people familiar with the matter. The world’s most profitable company is tapping the market ahead of a planned $69 billion acquisition. Demand for the most ...

Read More »

‘5G is the ‘future of connectivity’ for telecom sector’

Dubai / Emirates Business Etisalat’s pioneering efforts in 5G will pave the way for the ‘Future of Connectivity’ with innovation and digital transformation taking centre stage and leading the company to play a greater role in the digital lives of consumers and enterprises, said Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Etisalat International at 5G Mena 2019. Bamatraf was the keynote ...

Read More »
Send this to a friend