Business News
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Climate shifts may hike chocolate costs due to cocoa issues
In recent months, intense dusty seasonal breezes from the Sahara have obstructed the sunlight required to develop cocoa bean pods in West Africa. Heavy precipitation from the prior year has also disseminated a decaying disease throughout cacao trees. Undoubtedly, chocolate specialists have observed that eggs cost more this Easter. As a result of the impact that shifting climate patterns have on cocoa supplies in West Africa, the price of chocolate may now rise.
Ramadan 2024: From where do you obtain your dates?
During the Muslim sacred month of Ramadan, as the sun sets, numerous adherents break their fasts with a sweet, dried fruit with an ancient history in the region. To attain a higher state of "taqwa," or awareness of God, able-bodied, devout Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations during daylight hours for the duration of these 29 to 30 days.
Bun and cheese: Jamaica’s hot cross bun counterpart
Restaurants and lunch counters in Jamaican communities worldwide decorate their glass pastry cases annually with buns infused with cinnamon and nutmeg, in anticipation of Easter. Concurrently, Caribbean markets stock their shelves with vibrantly coloured preserved cheese. While the onset of spring may be formally marked by the emergence of milder temperatures and blossoming plants, I consider the season to have truly begun – having been raised in a Caribbean household – when these two elements converge to create bun and cheese.
Farage attacks Travers Smith for debanking report
The law firm that investigated NatWest's closure of Nigel Farage's accounts, according to Farage, is "trying to hide the truth" as his legal team escalates the debunking dispute that began a year ago. As he fired another salvo in his debunking campaign, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage demanded that a major city law firm disclose the information it held about him, accusing it of "trying to hide the truth."
Chinese smartphone powerhouse Xiaomi challenges Tesla
Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has begun accepting reservations for its first electric vehicle (EV). Lei Jun, chief executive officer of the technology behemoth, announced at the event that the base price of the SU7 would be 215,900 yuan ($29,872; £23,663), while the Max model would cost 299,900 yuan.
Thames Water CEO doesn’t rule out 40% bill hikes
The water company has disclosed that the £500 million in shareholder financing that was expected to arrive by the end of this month will not materialize. Customers may experience bill increases of up to 40%, the CEO of Thames Water has stated, as the beleaguered company attempts to secure its future.
Baltimore: Bridge collapse prompts $600m rebuilding, trade concerns
The bridge collapse "will not be resolved quickly," preventing the port of Baltimore from operating for an extended period. To reopen "one of the nation's largest shipping hubs," US President Joe Biden has pledged to "move heaven and earth" to reconstruct the collapsed bridge in Baltimore. Experts say this endeavour could cost more than $600 million (£474 million).
JD Wetherspoon wants 1,000 UK pubs as revenues rise
In the past, the firm's branch openings caused a "rush of blood to the head," according to chairman Sir Tim Martin, but the company is now expanding its estate more strategically. JD Wetherspoon anticipates opening its one-thousandth pub in the United Kingdom shortly, following another profit increase. Presently boasting over 800 locations, the chain affirms that its "best estimate" indicates the possibility of an additional 200 branches within the next few years.
Rapid growth prompts Gail’s owners to plan selling
Next year, we may see the sale of Bread Holdings, which includes the cafe chain, following the company's proprietors' rapid expansion since 2021. The proprietors of the coffee shop and bakery chain Gail's are gearing up to engage the services of financial advisors in preparation for a sale that would significantly increase its value beyond the £200 million it was sold for almost three years ago.
Marmite may be sold by Unilever?
A month ago, when the newly-appointed Dutch CEO of Unilever, Hein Schumacher, addressed analysts, his discontent with the largest ice cream company in the world was evident. Despite the worldwide warming phenomenon, iconic brands, including luxury connoisseur Magnum, eccentric Ben & Jerry's, and traditional Wall's, she endured a disastrous year. Although sales volumes had decreased by 6 per cent, the value had increased.
Trump to make billions in stock market deal
It appears that Donald Trump is in a financial bind, scrambling to pay a $464 million (£365 million) fraud sanction. Might the stock market be able to save him? Trump Media, the operator of the social media platform Truth Social, is on the verge of becoming a publicly traded organisation following Friday's majority vote of Digital World Acquisition Corp shareholders to acquire it.
Sachdev may replace Staunton, fired Post Office chairman
Kemi Badenoch is considering a limited number of candidates, including Neil Sachdev, the chairman of the state-owned Land Registry, for the position of interim chair of the Post Office. Ministers are contemplating the chairman of the Land Registry as a possible successor to Henry Staunton, the departing chairman of the Post Office, who was removed from his position earlier this year.