Latest news with #GeorgeBrown
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
FTSE 100 pauses after three-day rally; GDP data in focus
Aug 14 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 was nearly flat on Thursday as advances in defence stocks offset declines in energy and mining shares, while investors assessed the country's latest GDP figures. As of 1018 GMT, the blue-chip index (.FTSE), opens new tab was down 0.06%, after three consecutive sessions of gains, while the domestically focused midcap (.FTMC), opens new tab index also declined 0.1% Investors parsed Wednesday's British GDP data for the second quarter, which showed the economy slowed less than expected despite U.S. trade tariffs and a weaker jobs market. Much of the slowdown is due to manufacturers frontloading goods in the previous quarter to avoid tariffs, said George Brown, senior economist at Schroders. "This drag should ease in the third quarter, even against a tougher global trade backdrop," he said. "We expect the Bank of England to keep rates on hold for the remainder of the year." The energy sector (.FTNMX601010), opens new tab was the main drag on the FTSE 100, down 1.3% Harbour Energy (HBR.L), opens new tab led the losses, falling 4.5%, while oil majors Shell (SHEL.L), opens new tab and BP (BP.L), opens new tab each fell over 1%. Industrial metal miners (.FTNMX551020), opens new tab also retreated 1% amid weakness in copper and iron ore prices. The aerospace and defence (.FTNMX502010), opens new tab index led the gains, up 2.2%. Among individual stocks, British Gas owner Centrica (CNA.L), opens new tab rose 2.5% after announcing it will jointly buy National Grid's (NG.L), opens new tab Grain LNG terminal with U.S.-based Energy Capital Partners for about 1.5 billion pounds ($2.04 billion). Insurer Aviva (AV.L), opens new tab jumped 3.5% to a 17-year high after raising its interim dividend and reporting a 22% rise in half-year operating profit, boosting the life-insurer's index (.FTNMX303010), opens new tab 1.6%. The non-life insurers index (.FTNMX303020), opens new tab also advanced 1.3%, with Admiral Group (ADML.L), opens new tab rising 4.8% after reporting a 67% jump in half-year pretax profit. Technical products distributor Diploma (DPLM.L), opens new tab fell 3.4% after finance chief Chris Davies stepped down over personal conduct issues. ($1 = 0.7365 pounds)
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Berkshire farmers' concerns for crops in drought weather
A farmer who planned to harvest his crops at the end of June is hesitating due to the risk of wildfires which has delayed his work by three weeks. Colin Rayner uses combine harvesters and balers and said that when the fields are dry the machines may cause a spark which will set fire to the crops. "If the fire gets out of control it will leave my farm and get into people's houses and we have schools surrounding our fields."Another farmer George Brown is concerned about the quality of his oats and barley as he had to collect them early. Mr Rayner has been a farmer for 51 years in his family farm in Maidenhead which was established in grows barley, wheat, maize, sunflower, oilseeds rape and has some cattle and Rayner hesitated to harvest these crops which he planned on the 30 June "The risk was too great for my men and machinery and the public at wide and the fire and rescue service."The farmer had two minor fires this year and has delayed harvest till the land is less dry "luckily it didn't spread too quickly."If there is rain in the coming days Mr Rayner hopes to harvest next week which would be a three-week delay in harvest when timing is crucial for farmers. Hot and dry weather have caused farmers in Berkshire to harvest up to a month earlier than usual - having an impact on yields and quality of the Brown who grows porridge oats, spring barley and white clover on Priors Farm in Peasemore near Newbury shares the same concerns as Mr Rayner."We had a very wet winter, and it kept raining till the end of February, so planting was difficult this spring and ever since February we had almost no rain in the farm."His concern is the quality of the crops."Just the massive amount of dry weather there is concerns whether they have actually fully ripened [...] we can't really tell until we harvest it." Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue service said after the dry weather, the risk of wildfire across the country is 'substantial'. In the past few days they have responded to "a significant number of fires in the open, especially in rural areas." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
City of Wilkes-Barre holds Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
Jul. 5—WILKES-BARRE — The United States' 249th birthday was observed under the sun at Kirby Park on Friday with the city's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. Food and craft vendors, amusement rides, carnival games, musical performances, and an enormous firework display in the evening were open to the crowd, which came from a variety of areas to celebrate American independence in Wilkes-Barre. The United States Army Field Band performed a free concert on Tuesday, July 1, at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, and, earlier on July 4, the traditional Bernie's Run benefited the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA. At the free concert, veterans in the audience were saluted for their service. It's these kinds of community actions that Mayor George Brown considers when thinking about the Fourth of July. "Today, seeing everybody out and enjoying the beautiful day, knowing that today we're going to have great music, great vendors, and then, at the end, we're going to have a great fireworks display... That'll be the culmination of the Independence Day weekend...," Brown said. "I'm very proud to be an American." Brown, who noted that his father served during World War II in the South Pacific, was chatting with passersby throughout the afternoon, whether they were from the city or not. "What happens in Wilkes-Barre pulls in people from different townships," Brown said of the all-encompassing nature of the Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. David Harter, of Mountain Top, was one of the residents who came to Wilkes-Barre from elsewhere in Luzerne County. The main draw to Kirby Park was the music. "The groups," Harter answered when asked about why he chose to come to the Wilkes-Barre for the Fourth of July for the second year in a row. Triple Fret, Eddie Day & TNT, Fuzzy Park, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic were on Friday's performing schedule. "The only suggestion that I would have is to put some shade trees out there," Harter added, pointing to a large sunny spot in the field in front of the Kirby Park stage. In addition to the musical performances, Harter was looking forward to the fireworks at night and the assortment of food options situated behind him. "I think after we're done listening, we're going to do a walk-through to check out the vendors," he said. Other celebrants came from even further away to experience Wilkes-Barre. Kenneth Jones, of New York, said he walked around Kirby Park and the River Common on Thursday night, and realized that Friday would be an exciting day for the community. That's why he was back for the holiday, keeping cool in the shade and watching over the Kirby Park pond. Jones said that most of his time in Northeast Pennsylvania has been spent in the Poconos, but is now realizing that Wilkes-Barre has a lot of history and nature to explore. In the context of the modern era, the admirable bonding displayed by the people in Kirby Center for the Fourth of July taps into some much-needed community-building. "We were just saying every community should have it," Jones said of the Fourth of July celebration. "It brings community together. Especially in the times we're living in now, we need all the community fun we can have while we can have it."
News24
18-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Reversal: Petrol, diesel prices now on track for hikes amid Israel-Iran conflict
With oil prices up 10% since Israel's launched attacks on Iran, South Africa's diesel and petrol prices are now on track for hikes in July. Last week, before the attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, South African diesel and petrol prices were still heading for cuts in the first week of July, according to data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF). This changed following the attacks on Friday, which have killed more than 240 people in Iran and 24 in Israel. While key oil sites have so far not been hit and Iranian oil only makes up 3.5% of global supply, there are concerns that growing tensions in the Middle East – which provides a third of the world's oil - may disrupt production. Last month, Brent crude oil was trading around an average of $64 a barrel. On Wednesday, it was above $74. If the US gets involved in the conflict, oil could immediately break above $80 a barrel, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group told Bloomberg. But George Brown, senior economist at Schroders, said the US and several Middle Eastern nations (including those which have already condemned the attacks, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia) have no interest in a flare-up of tensions in the region. 'Nor do they wish for disruption to global oil markets. Previously they have intervened to calm situations like this. Israel has stated that the operation will continue for 'as many days' as it takes to remove the Iranian threat. But hostilities could settle if Middle Eastern countries and the US mediate a resolution.' Brown added that the likelihood of Iran taking any action in the Strait of Hormuz, the often-touted 'disaster scenario' for oil markets, appears remote. A fifth of the world's oil and a fifth of global liquefied natural gas flows through the strait, which is located between Oman and Iran. 'Such action would impact flows for the other Middle East nations, which are aiming to mediate the situation, while inflicting little harm on Israel.' Apart from the international oil market, local fuel prices are also determined by the rand-dollar exchange rate, as oil is priced in the US currency. As investors across the world dumped riskier assets amid the Middle East conflict, the rand and other emerging market currencies have come under pressure. Before the attacks, the rand was trading below R17.70/$, but on Wednesday was closing in on R18.05. The latest data from the CEF shows that petrol (95 unleaded) is on track for an increase of 18c a litre on the first Wednesday of July, while the wholesale diesel price could be hiked by 25c. This is a sharp reversal - diesel was on track for a 25c cut just over than a week ago. However, there are still almost two weeks left before diesel and petrol prices are fixed. The Gauteng wholesale diesel price is currently around R18.53 a litre, while on the coast it's R17.70 - the lowest levels since October last year. Gauteng petrol now retails for R21.35 a litre, while on the coast it's R20.52, the cheapest it's been since November last year.
Malaysian Reserve
09-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Construction Trailblazer Geoff Smith Appointed Chancellor of George Brown College
Former EllisDon CEO brings decades of industry leadership and a bold vision to Toronto's premier college, helping shape the future of education and the workforce. TORONTO, June 9, 2025 /CNW/ – George Brown College proudly announces the appointment of Geoff Smith, former President and CEO of EllisDon, as its new Chancellor. A transformative figure in Canada's construction industry and a vocal champion of innovation, Smith will be officially installed during George Brown's Convocation Week, June 9 to 13th, 2025, at Meridian Hall. Smith brings a wealth of experience from a career spent leading one of Canada's largest construction services and technology companies through major industry shifts, from advancement of technology to a stronger focus on sustainability. In his new role, he aims to help students navigate these changes by promoting adaptability, continuous learning, and strong interpersonal skills. Smith's longstanding connection to the college spans years and includes hiring graduates, supporting student placements, contributing philanthropically, and supporting senior leadership in overseeing the construction of George Brown's first Waterfront Campus facility. Under his previous leadership, EllisDon became a fully employee-owned company and a recognized force for progressive change in the industry. 'It brings me great honour to be given this opportunity to be George Brown College's incoming Chancellor,' said Geoff Smith, Executive Chairman of EllisDon's Board of Directors. 'This role is one I do not take lightly and truly hope to inspire current students and graduates to learn, grow, be agile, and be inspired to make a positive impact in our community.' 'Geoff's commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence aligns perfectly with our values,' said George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon. 'As Chancellor, his perspective will help us better equip students with the skills, mindset, and adaptability needed to thrive in a changing world, and to drive economic growth in Toronto and beyond. We're excited to welcome him and to collaborate on the impact he'll bring to our community.' Smith follows in the footsteps of Noella Milne (2019–2025) and Sally Horsfall Eaton (2012–2018), continuing a tradition of distinguished leadership at George Brown College. About George Brown College Toronto's George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples. George Brown prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, research and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 175 full-time programs and 182 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 30,100 full-time students and receives more than 53,900 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. About EllisDon Corporation EllisDon is an employee-owned global construction services and technology company with a purpose to redefine the construction industry. EllisDon is focused on innovation and sustainability while delivering the future of construction by empowering people to push beyond traditional construction boundaries. With thousands of salaried and hourly employees across fifteen national and international offices, EllisDon has become a leader in every sector and nearly every facet of the construction industry. For more information, please visit
