What is a lobbying firm

Pizza Express has announced that KFC boss Paula MacKenzie will take over the reins at the restaurant chain next month. Ms MacKenzie will join the business as chief executive on June 6, taking the role after David Campbell stepped down last October. The experienced hospitality boss joins Pizza Express from KFC parent firm Yum Brands, where she has led the fried chicken brand’s UK and Ireland business as managing director. She worked for the group for 11 years, having previously worked at brands including Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Innocent. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The appointment comes as Pizza Express continues its turnaround following a major restructuring after the impact of the pandemic. The chain slashed more than 70 restaurants and around 2,400 jobs as it also came under pressure from its heavy debt burden. Last … [Read more...] about Pizza Express poaches KFC boss Paula MacKenzie to lead recovery

A number of Republicans are still scheduled to attend a National Rifle Association event in Houston, Texas, just days after the Uvalde school shooting. The NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Leadership Forum will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Friday to Sunday. The annual event by the pro-gun lobby group is being held as the debate on gun reform in the country has been reignited in the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School , which left 19 children and two teachers dead, as well as criticism of the influence the NRA has over lawmakers in the country. As with previous years, the NRA meeting will feature a number of Republicans as guest speakers, as well as the NRA's head, Wayne LaPierre, and Jason Ouimet, the executive director of the group's lobbying arm. The biggest name scheduled to speak is Donald Trump , who confirmed he will still be attending the event despite it being held just days after the Uvalde massacre. … [Read more...] about NRA convention 2022 attendees—Full list of Republicans appearing in Texas

Of the things Donald Trump has said since he began hinting at a presidential candidacy, the one that most requires challenging is his assertion that people keep asking him to run. Journalists are vigilant defenders of truth when the subject is President Obama's birthplace or OPEC prices. They are credulous when it comes to explaining populist movements. They assume the impetus always comes from the demand side. People are "fed up"! There is an "anti-incumbent sentiment" in the air! Such demand-side sentiments can explain a lot—but not why certain members of the public might wish to be governed by a billionaire yahoo. For that, it is just as important to look at the supply side. Trump's candidacy comes from a sociological fact—the steady rise of plutocracy over the last quarter century—as well as a public sentiment. The truth is not universally enough acknowledged that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of political influence. Diversifying one's portfolio to include … [Read more...] about Donald Trump and the Rise of Plutocracy

Johnny Depp's high-profile court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard is set to come to an end on Friday, after several weeks of testimonies placed an often uncomfortable spotlight on their tumultuous relationship. Depp, 58, has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard, 36, over an op-ed published by The Washington Post in 2018, in which she stated that she was a domestic abuse survivor. Heard did not name Depp in the article, but his lawyers have argued that it was obvious she was referring to the actor. Heard is countersuing for $100 million. As each star took the stand at Virginia's Fairfax County Circuit Court, they made a host of allegations against one another, including drug and alcohol use , explosive confrontations, and even a claim that Heard defecated on the couple's bed. Depp and Heard, whose divorce was finalized in 2017, have also accused one another of domestic abuse . Both have denied the allegations made against them. Since the trial began last month, a … [Read more...] about Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard: What to expect during closing statements

Moody’s Investors Service has lowered India’s growth forecast for calendar year 2022 to 8.8% from 9.1% projected in March, citing the rise in crude oil, food and fertilizer prices that will weigh on household finances and spending even as interest rate increases to curb inflation will slow the momentum in demand recovery. Moody’s said it expected inflation to average 6.8% through 2022, but added that the Indian economy seemed strong enough to maintain solid growth momentum — unless global crude oil and food prices rise further. “Although we expect headline inflation rates to ease through next year, price levels remain high and will weigh on consumer demand,” Moody’s said about global price pressures, noting that inflation and rising rates would temper India’s economic growth as well. “High-frequency data suggest that the momentum from Q4 2021 [October to December] carried through into the first four months of this year because of strong reopening momentum,” the firm said about … [Read more...] about Moody’s pares India’s 2022 growth hopes to 8.8%

If the pandemic had a partner in crime, it must be the global chip shortage. The duo has hit established economic systems world-wide, and made several organisations scale back production and rework their manufacturing and supply chain processes. Toyota Corporation on Tuesday apologised to its suppliers and customers a third time in less than two months for delaying making new vehicles and changing production plans for the June ending quarter. On March 17, the Japanese automaker said it is pressing the brakes on production targets to rework a plan that will not max out factory capacity, push employees to their limits, and make do through overtime work. A month later, the Japanese automaker cut its global production target for the period between April and June by 1,00,000 to 7,50,000 vehicles in May. And then again, on May 24, it said ,“Due to the impact of semiconductor shortages, we have adjusted our production plan by tens of thousands of units globally from the number provided to … [Read more...] about Knotty supply chains deepen global chip shortage

Apple Inc has raised the pay for its hourly U.S. employees, the iPhone maker said on Wednesday, as companies face a tight labour market, a surge in unionisation efforts and rising inflation. (Sign up to our Technology newsletter, Today’s Cache, for insights on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, business and policy. Click here to subscribe for free.) The starting pay for hourly workers in the United States will rise to $22, or higher based upon the market, a 45% jump from 2018 levels, Apple said in a statement to Reuters . Also Read Apple looks to boost production outside China "This year as part of our annual performance review process, we're increasing our overall compensation budget," a company spokesperson said. Apple has informed some workers their annual reviews would be advanced by three months and the new pay will take effect in early July, the Wall Street Journal , which first reported the changes in compensation, said. … [Read more...] about Apple to increase pay for U.S. workers

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) on Wednesday reported an 82% decline in net profit to ₹2,130.53 crore for the quarter ended March as the firm held retail prices of fuel despite a rise in cost. Revenue from operations rose 25% to ₹1.23 lakh crore on higher oil prices but losses on petrol, diesel and domestic LPG sales dented the financials. BPCL and other public sector oil companies held petrol and diesel prices for a record duration despite a surge in the cost of crude oil to a 14-year high. Oil marketing firms began raising fuel prices from March 22 but ceased within 16 days. Even after an increase of ₹10 per litre in petrol and diesel prices between March 22 and April 6, oil companies continued to make losses as international crude oil prices remained above $100 per barrel. Cooking gas LPG too witnessed the same trend, where prices were raised by ₹50 per cylinder on March 22; but this was not enough to cover the gap between the cost of production and the sale price. … [Read more...] about BPCL Q4 net drops 82% on losses due to holding fuel prices

The India Cements Ltd. has forged a strategic collaboration with city-based deep tech start-up Tvasta Manufacturing Solutions, which specialises in construction 3D printing, marking the beginning of an ‘age of sustainability’ in the Indian construction industry. The pact between the two firms is a first-of-its-kind for the construction industry in India. It is also well-aligned with the ‘Nation Building Initiative’ for India advocated by ICL Managing Director N. Srinivasan, the company said in a statement. The MoU was signed on Wednesday by ICL whole-time director Rupa Gurunath and Tvasta co-founder and COO Vidyashankar C. The collaboration will see India Cements and Tvasta engaging in dedicated R&D and synergetic exchange of technology-centric efforts to develop new raw material formulations used in 3D printing applications and offering mutual strategic support for key projects that offer cost and time-effective, dwelling solutions to the diverse strata of society, it said … [Read more...] about India Cements forges strategic alliance with Tvasta Manufacturing

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday said it would raise ₹2,000 crore through sale of 10-year bonds. This will be the first market borrowing done by the State in the current fiscal year 2022-23. The auction would be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on May 31, the State Finance Department said in a statement. As per the information released by RBI, the State government had indicated that it would borrow ₹23,500 crore in the first quarter (April-June) of fiscal 2022-23. States, including Tamil Nadu, borrow from the market through auction of bonds known as State Development Loans (SDL). The Centre has allowed States to borrow 3.5% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2022-23. An additional borrowing of 0.5% of GSDP is allowed, based on fulfilment of power sector reforms and further based on their contributions into the National Pension System for government employees. Additionally, there has been a change in guidelines with respect to the Centre granting … [Read more...] about Tamil Nadu to raise ₹2,000 crore on May 31