(Alliance News) - Rachel Reeves has warned her Labour colleagues not to "deviate" from her fiscal rules as the party braces for a leadership race that could begin within days. Read More
Ascent Resources PLC - oil and gas exploration and production firm with principal assets in Slovenia and the US - Says that the tribunal in its Energy Charter Treaty arbitration against Slovenia informed it, on Wednesday, that pursuant to ICSID Arbitration Rule 38, the proceeding has been formally closed. Ascent expects the tribunal to render its final award before the end of this month, and says it will issue further updates as appropriate. Ascent filed its claim against the Republic of Slovenia in 2022, alleging that the government had "unfairly targeted and expropriated" its investments. It claims that a 2020 change to Slovenian mining laws, which banned hydrocarbon exploration using fracking, "destroyed the value of the company's investments in the Slovenian energy sector", and sought EUR656.5 million in damages. The parties made their final submissions in July 2025, after which the tribunal was obliged to render its award within 240 days. Read More
Somero Enterprises Inc - Fort Myers, Florida-based concrete-levelling machinery maker - Shareholders at its annual general meeting in Atlantic Mine, Michigan, where Somero has its production centre, vote by more than 50% against all seven resolutions. However, the three directors standing are re-elected under Delaware corporation law. In response to the vote, Somero says its previously announced "thorough review" of the company's governance is "already underway", including consulting with shareholders. "The board also recognises the views expressed by certain shareholders regarding capital allocation and will take those views into account as it continues to assess the appropriate balance between maintaining financial flexibility, investing in the business and returning capital to shareholders," Somero says. Read More
(Alliance News) - Defence Holdings PLC on Thursday announced details of its new 'Meridian' capability acceleration programme, and launched a dedicated digital platform on it. Read More
(Alliance News) - The Bank of England on Thursday left interest rates on hold at it continues to assess the "scale and duration" of the Middle East conflict. Read More
(Alliance News) - Stocks in London fell at midday on Thursday after the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged and warned that the inflation outlook remains uncertain despite recent easing in price pressures. Read More
Pensana PLC - London-based mineral developer - Reports that Sheikh Dr Badr bin Dalhim Al-Faheid Al-Hajri has joined the board of Qatar-backed investor Cascade Natural Resources Ltd. Says he is fully supportive of Cascade's USD165 million strategic investment into Pensana, which the company announced in early March, saying the funds will support the development of its US mine-to-magnet strategy and the Longonjo rare earth project in Angola. Says Badr Al-Hajri's appointment reflects Cascade's growing international standing and the strong backing of Qatar. Pensana Chair Paul Atherley says the investment "will accelerate the development of Longonjo as one of the world's largest rare-earth mines and for the development of our downstream ambitions." Read More
(Alliance News) - Tekmar Group PLC on Thursday cited a positive business momentum with a focus on Project Aurora, as it posted a narrowed interim loss. Read More
(Alliance News) - Water Intelligence PLC on Thursday reported improved annual revenue and profit, as it noted "encouraging" first-quarter momentum in both metrics. Read More
(Alliance News) - Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Ltd on Thursday reported an improved NAV total return in its recent financial year, thanks to an increased dividend, while also naming its next board chair. Read More
Marks Electrical Group PLC - Leicester, England-based online electrical retailer - Agrees to pay a GBP720,000 penalty and consumer redress totalling about GBP600,000 following an investigation by the UK Competition & Markets Authority. PA reports that the consumer redress will comprise an average of GBP15 each for nearly 40,000 customers. Notes that the CMA's probe found that starting April last year, Marks Electrical charged the customers for its 'Recycle Old Appliance' and/or 'Unwrap & Recycle Packaging' services automatically, and without their express agreement. "The law is absolutely clear that automatically opting customers into extra charges is never okay," comments Emma Cochrane, the CMA's executive director of consumer protection, quoted by PA. Marks Electrical notes that the CMA's final infringement notice imposed a GBP1.2 million fine, but this was reduced to GBP700,000 following the application of a maximum available settlement discount. Marks Electrical will use its existing cash resources to pay, and reports a cash balance of GBP4.4 million as of March 31, which will be treated for accounting purposes as an "exceptional item". Read More
Shuka Minerals PLC - Africa-focused mine operator and developer - Completes the fourth drill hole at the number-two ore body at the Kabwe zinc mine in Zambia. Says it has started a fifth deep hole. The first test took place late last month. "Despite terminating the hole slightly shallower than expected, given the intersection with historical mine workings, I am delighted to report yet another positive drill result with excellent grades," Shuka Chief Executive Officer Richard Lloyd says. "The holes of our ongoing campaign continue to deliver some amazing [zinc] grades, with every hole and intersection we are learning more and more about the orebody," Lloyd adds. Read More