February, 2021

• 7 February

  Rolls-Royce eyes Africa as new energy market

  Bloomberg Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc is betting on expanding in Africa to grow the power-systems division after its main business building and maintaining wide-body jet engines was derailed by the coronavirus. The continent’s abundant natural resources, fast-growing economies and increasing urbanisation make it a promising market for the unit, Rolls-Royce Strategic Marketing Director Ben Story said. “We’ve got our eyes open, ...

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• 7 February

  Hershey plans to raise prices this year

  Bloomberg That chocolate Santa will cost a bit more this Christmas. Hershey Co plans to raise prices on bags of kisses, miniature chocolate bars and other seasonal treats shaped like snowmen and Santas starting in the 2021 holiday season, Chief Executive Officer Michele Buck said in an interview. Prices for these items had not been increased since the 2014 holiday ...

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• 7 February

  Blinken presses China on human rights, Hong Kong

  

  Bloomberg The US and China’s top diplomats sparred on democracy and human rights in a phone conversation which was the highest level of communications between the two countries since the Biden administration began. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “stressed” to Yang Jiechi, who sits on the Communist Party’s 25-member Politburo, that the US will keep standing up for human rights ...

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• 7 February

  Biden says Trump should not receive intelligence briefings

  

  Bloomberg President Joe Biden said his predecessor, Donald Trump, should not receive the intelligence briefings that are typically given to former presidents because of his “erratic behaviour.” “I think not,” Biden said when asked during an interview with CBS News if Trump should still be briefed. “Because of his erratic behaviour unrelated to the insurrection,” he added, referring to Trump’s ...

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• 7 February

  Merkel urges Belarus to end repression

  

  Bloomberg Germany and the European Union will continue to hold the Belarus government responsible for ongoing violations of human rights in the country, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her weekly video message. The elections in the country six months ago were not free, fair or transparent and neither Germany nor the EU accept Alexander Lukashenko as the winner, Merkel said, ...

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• 7 February

  Somalia faces political crisis without deal over election

  

  Bloomberg Somalia’s leaders failed to reach consensus after a three-day meeting to address obstacles to holding presidential elections next week, raising the prospect of a political crisis in the Horn of Africa country. The outcome of the meeting in the city of Dhusamareeb is a clear indication it won’t be possible to hold elections as scheduled, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Mursal ...

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• 7 February

  India’s internet ban fuels anger as farmers block highways

  

  Bloomberg Tens of thousands of protesting Indian farmers have blocked highways across the country in defiance of the government’s internet and phone blackout, facing off against a heavy security deployment stationed behind rows of razor wire and concrete blocks. They’re demanding a repeal of laws pushed through parliament by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government last year that they claim favour ...

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• 7 February

  RBI rejects bids for benchmark bond in India as yields surge

  

  Bloomberg India’s central bank rejected all bids for its benchmark bond at an auction after yields jumped on concern the regulator’s measures to support the debt market fell short of expectations. The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond rises to its highest in over five months in early trading while corporate notes had their biggest weekly loss since May. Traders ...

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• 7 February

  Banks not finished shifting $970bn of assets out of UK

  

  Bloomberg Big banks still had 810 billion euros ($970 billion) of capital markets-related assets to move from the UK to the European Union at the end of September, underlining the extent of the moves ahead as they adjust to operating after Brexit. International banks have agreed to shift a total of about 1.2 trillion euros of assets to European units, ...

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• 7 February

  Ex-Commerzbank CEO plans European SPAC

  

  Bloomberg Ex-Commerzbank AG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Martin Blessing is planning to raise funds for a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) targeting deals in the European financial industry. Blessing has been speaking with potential partners about listing a blank-check company in Amsterdam. He’s seeking to raise about 300 million euros ($359 million), they said. Credit Suisse Group AG is advising on ...

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