Equinor ASA: Notice of annual general meeting 14 May 2024

The Telegraph
How Putin’s gas empire crumbled
Vladimir Putin is throwing everything he has got at ramping up Russia’s war machine.
The Telegraph
Gazprom swings to £5bn loss in blow to Putin
Kremlin-owned natural gas giant Gazprom has plunged to its worst loss in at least 25 years in a blow to Vladimir Putin’s war economy.
The Independent
‘The decisions you’re making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground’: Inside the Boeing catastrophe
‘They were always caught flat-footed by some terrible problem that many people in the workplace knew would happen... And that happened over and over and over and over and over again.’ Io Dodds reports on a corporate nightmare
AFP
Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed
Russian energy giant Gazprom said Thursday it suffered a record annual loss last year as the European market was practically shut to its gas exports due to sanctions over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine.Exports to Europe have long been Gazprom's top earnings source, but following the start of the conflict in Ukraine European nations sought to reduce their reliance upon Russian natural gas.
Reuters Videos
EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China
STORY: Light-up emojis. Music for pedestrians outside. In China, electric carmakers are offering up luxury tech – without the luxury price tag – in the battle for buyers. Cars are being loaded with once-expensive interior features and technology for as low as $20,000 – less than half the cost of the average new car in the U.S. Analysts say that poses a big challenge for foreign heavyweights like Tesla and Volkswagen. This is the Nammi – on display here at the Beijing auto show. It’s made by state-owned automaker Dongfeng and sells for under $10,000. That’s around the same as BYD’s Seagull EV – China’s fourth best-selling electric vehicle. The market is also crowded with electric and plug-in vehicles that splash luxury technology. Xpeng is planning to offer an EV with high-level self-driving features – for under $21,000. Analysts say the price of specialized components like sensors needed for self-driving and screens for onboard entertainment has tumbled. That's making competition in the world’s largest auto market all the more fierce… And chipping away at the halo that once hung over foreign brands. That’s according to an outlook from McKinsey analysts released in March. Take Zeekr, for instance. It's the carmaker with those emojis. Here’s its Shanghai head of design, Javier-Garcia Gallardo: “When we see the differences between our product launch in China versus our product launch in Europe and, you know, the technical details are as important as the design and the brand. And this integration of technology is essential for the Chinese customer.” Still, German automakers say they’re not backing down. Here’s Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius: “We have a dedicated digital tech team here all the way down to providing things like in the new E-Class, you can sing karaoke. Maybe you don't have that feature in Germany. Maybe you should. But here, customers love it.” Mercedes, as well as Volkswagen, both told Reuters they’re working to deliver those so-called “wow effects” for Chinese buyers.
Bloomberg
BHP’s Biggest Rivals Sit on the Sidelines of Anglo M&A Drama
(Bloomberg) -- Two of BHP Group’s biggest rivals are sitting on the sidelines for the moment as they watch to see how a takeover offer for Anglo American Plc will play out.Most Read from BloombergSaudi Arabia Steps Up Arrests Of Those Attacking Israel OnlineApple Rallies Most in 18 Months on Upbeat Forecast, BuybackEverything Apple Plans to Show at May 7 ‘Let Loose’ iPad EventTrump Auditions VP Picks Before Wealthy Donors in Palm BeachTurkey Confirms All Trade Halt With Israel Over War in GazaBo
The Telegraph
£7-a-bottle of olive oil ‘unlikely to come down in price’
Britain is at risk of olive oil shortages as the industry is wracked by a production crisis.
Reuters
Anglo CEO meets S.Africa mines minister after BHP's takeover proposal
Anglo American CEO Duncan Wanblad is meeting on Friday South African mines minister Gwede Mantashe for the first time since the miner rejected BHP Group's $39 billion takeover bid, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. BHP, the world's biggest-listed mining group, is privately talking to investors as it weighs up its next move after Anglo's rejection of its initial proposal. BHP has proposed that Anglo sell its shares in units Anglo Platinum (Amplats) and Kumba Iron Ore as an option to exit the South African assets it does not want included in the deal.
Reuters
US law firm Mayer Brown to split from Hong Kong partnership
U.S. law firm Mayer Brown said on Thursday that it plans to separate from its current Hong Kong operations, as many international law firms rethink or reduce their presence in China. Chicago-founded, 1,800-lawyer Mayer Brown said it plans to continue to operate in Hong Kong through a new partnership focused on corporate and other work. Mayer Brown said its Hong Kong partners plan to reestablish their firm as Johnson Stokes & Master (JSM), which was the name of the Hong Kong-based entity that merged with Mayer Brown in 2008.
The Telegraph
North Sea oil drilling to continue for a decade after net zero deadline
Oil drilling in the North Sea is to continue for up to a decade beyond Britain’s net zero deadline after dozens of new licences were granted to fossil fuel companies.
Reuters
HSBC has no plans to dispose of further businesses, Chairman says
LONDON (Reuters) -HSBC has no current plans to sell more assets, its chairman Mark Tucker said on Friday at the annual shareholder meeting of the bank, which has scaled back its presence in Western markets in recent years as part of a sweeping overhaul. HSBC shareholders met in London days after the bank's CEO Noel Quinn announced his surprise retirement following a five-year tenure which saw HSBC sell retail banking operations in France and the U.S., and its entire Canadian unit, as it pivots towards Asia. The chairman's comments hint at a likely shift in direction for whomever succeeds Quinn, as the bank turns its focus away from shrinking its global empire to trying to grow its business in its remaining markets.
Bloomberg
Teen Clothing Retailer rue21 Files Bankruptcy for Third Time
(Bloomberg) -- Teen clothing retailer rue21 has filed bankruptcy to close its stores and sell its brand, marking the third time the business has sought court protection and the latest sign of trouble for mall-based outlets.Most Read from BloombergSaudi Arabia Steps Up Arrests Of Those Attacking Israel OnlineTurkey Confirms All Trade Halt With Israel Over War in GazaHuawei Secretly Backs US Research, Awarding Millions in PrizesBiden Calls Ally Japan ‘Xenophobic’ Along With China, RussiaIn Jamie D
Salisbury Journal
LIDL reveals list of locations for potential new stores - including Salisbury
Lidl has revealed a list of locations for potential new stores in the South, which include Salisbury. The supermarket company has been trading for 30 years since opening its first GB store in 1994. Lidl, which provides high quality products and scored behind Aldi on the cheapest supermarket of 2023. The retail chain which sells a range of grocery items, meat, dairy and miscellaneous bargain deals has over 960 stores across the UK.
Associated Press
US employers scaled back hiring in April. How that could let the Fed cut interest rates
The nation’s employers pulled back on their hiring in April but still added a decent 175,000 jobs in a sign that persistently high interest rates may be starting to slow the robust U.S. job market. Friday’s government report showed that last month’s hiring gain was down sharply from the blockbuster increase of 315,000 in March. The Fed has been delaying any consideration of interest rate cuts until it gains more confidence that inflation is steadily slowing toward its 2% target.
PA Media: Money
UK services sector grows at fastest pace for nearly a year after spending boost
The S&P Global UK services PMI survey scored 55.0 in April, up from 53.1 in March and the highest level since May last year.
Bloomberg
Huawei Lab Barred by US FCC as Part of Crackdown on China
The US Federal Communications Commission is barring a Huawei Technologies Co. laboratory from approving telecommunications gear for use in the US. The regulator is also proposing similar moves against other providers including Chinese companies. Peter Elstrom reports on Bloomberg Television.
The Northern Echo
New North East partnership to deliver £62million changes to social housing
A multi-million-pound contract to improve social homes across the north east of England will be delivered by a new strategic partnership.
Bloomberg
Banking Giants Race to Riyadh as MBS Steps Up Pressure Campaign
(Bloomberg) -- When Deutsche Bank AG last month brought back its former CEO for the Middle East and Africa, the reappointment came with a twist: Unlike his prior stint at the German lender, Jamal Al Kishi will no longer be based in Dubai, the region’s traditional business hub known for swanky villas and expat comforts. Instead, he will be based in a far less glamorous Middle Eastern city — Riyadh. Most Read from BloombergUS and Saudis Near Defense Pact Meant to Reshape Middle EastSaudi Arabia St
OK! Magazine
Alison Hammond on getting For the Love of Dogs job
Alison Hammond on getting For the Love of Dogs job
Reuters
Morgan Stanley, Frasers settle UK lawsuit over $1 bln margin call
British retail tycoon Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has withdrawn its London lawsuit against Morgan Stanley over a nearly $1 billion margin call, a spokesperson for the Wall Street bank said on Friday. Frasers had sued Morgan Stanley for about 47 million euros ($50.5 million) after the bank imposed the margin call – security to cover possible losses – on the retailer's trading position in German fashion group Hugo Boss in May 2021. Ashley, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes to be worth $5.1 billion, gave evidence at the trial at London's High Court in February that the demand for collateral left him in "total shock".

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Equinor ASA: Notice of annual general meeting 14 May 2024

Latest stories

How Putin’s gas empire crumbled

Gazprom swings to £5bn loss in blow to Putin

‘The decisions you’re making are going to end with a smoking hole in the ground’: Inside the Boeing catastrophe

Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed

EVs are getting smarter and cheaper in China

BHP’s Biggest Rivals Sit on the Sidelines of Anglo M&A Drama

£7-a-bottle of olive oil ‘unlikely to come down in price’

Anglo CEO meets S.Africa mines minister after BHP's takeover proposal

US law firm Mayer Brown to split from Hong Kong partnership

North Sea oil drilling to continue for a decade after net zero deadline

HSBC has no plans to dispose of further businesses, Chairman says

Teen Clothing Retailer rue21 Files Bankruptcy for Third Time

LIDL reveals list of locations for potential new stores - including Salisbury

US employers scaled back hiring in April. How that could let the Fed cut interest rates

UK services sector grows at fastest pace for nearly a year after spending boost

Huawei Lab Barred by US FCC as Part of Crackdown on China

New North East partnership to deliver £62million changes to social housing

Banking Giants Race to Riyadh as MBS Steps Up Pressure Campaign

Alison Hammond on getting For the Love of Dogs job

Morgan Stanley, Frasers settle UK lawsuit over $1 bln margin call