Surge testing in another London borough for South African Covid

'I'm not stupid' says woman who moved next to A446 then complained about noise

Oil Extends Gains On Drawdown In US Stocks

Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday to extend gains from the previous session on signs of inventory drawdown and after OPEC raised its forecast for growth in world oil demand this year.

Brent crude for June settlement jumped 1.8 percent to $64.81 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 1.8 percent at $61.26 per barrel.

Prices remained supported after the OPEC raised its demand forecast by 190,000 barrels a day from its March estimate.

The group said in its monthly report that it expects consumption to average 96.46 million barrels a day this year on the back of economic stimulus programs and a further easing of lockdown measures.

Meanwhile, industry data showed U.S. oil inventories declined more than expected.

The American Petroleum Institute (API) on Tuesday reported a draw in crude oil inventories of 3.6 million barrels in the week ended April 9, compared with estimates for a decline of about 2.9 million barrels for the week.

As optimism grows over economic recovery in China and the United States, investors shrugged off concerns over stalled vaccine rollouts worldwide and soaring Covid-19 infections in India and Brazil.

NATO is likely to join the US in withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in September, German defense minister says

• Germany’s defense minister said NATO would likely withdraw troops from Afghanistan later this year.
• US officials said Tuesday that Biden plans to withdraw remaining troops by September 11, 2021.
• Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said NATO would likely choose to do the same at its Wednesday meeting.
• See more stories on Insider’s business page.

Germany’s defense minister has said that NATO would likely follow the US in withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan in September.

US officials said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden plans to withdraw remaining troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said on Wednesday that NATO would likely choose to do the same on Wednesday, when leaders are due to meet.

“We always said: we’ll go in together, we’ll leave together,” she told ARD public television, according to Agence France-Presse.

“I am for an orderly withdrawal and that is why I assume that we will agree to that today.”

She said it was important “for us in NATO to synchronize our planning with the US planning.”

AFP reported that there are 9,600 NATO troops in Afghanistan, including 2,500 from the US.

Harry and William 'to reunite on morning of funeral while Kate keeps the peace'

Hooker Furniture Q4 Profit Rises

Hooker Furniture Corporation (HOFT) reported fourth quarter net income of $8.53 million compared to $7.02 million, prior year. Earnings per share increased to $0.71 from $0.59.

Fourth quarter net sales declined to $155.26 million from $164.88 million, last year. The consolidated sales decrease was driven by a $20.2 million sales decline in the Home Meridian Segment, where global supply chain disruptions constrained the segment’s ability to ship strong orders and backlogs.

“Demand is strong, and we are experiencing significantly increased order rates so far in fiscal 2022 compared to last year this time,” said Jeremy Hoff, CEO.

European Commission Extends Deadline For Aon/Willis Towers Deal – Quick Facts

The European Commission has extended deadline for Aon plc/Willis Towers Watson deal by ten working days to July 27, 2021. The transaction was notified to the Commission on 16 November 2020. In December, the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition, under the EU Merger Regulation.

Last year, Aon plc (AON) and Willis Towers Watson (WLTW) agreed to combine in an all-stock deal with an implied combined equity value of approximately $80 billion. Upon completion, Aon shareholders will own approximately 63% and Willis Towers Watson shareholders will own approximately 37% of the combined company. Closing was anticipated in the first half of 2021.

Gold Slips As Yields Rebound From Three-week Low

Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as Treasury yields rose, offsetting the dollar’s weakness.

Spot gold slipped 0.1 percent to $1,742.39 per ounce while U.S. gold futures were down 0.3 percent at $1,742.50.

U.S. yields moved higher after marking a fresh three-week low on data showing a tamer-than-expected increase in U.S. underlying inflation.

Overnight data showed that U.S. consumer prices rose 0.6 percent in March after rising by 0.4 percent in February. Economists had forecast an increase of 0.5 percent.

Philadelphia Fed Bank President Patrick Harker said on Tuesday that even though the economic situation is improving, recovery is still premature, and there’s no cause to withdraw support yet.

Harker added that there were no signs of inflation running out of control.

Investors will be watching Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech at the Economic Club of Washington due later in the day for further direction.

Vaccine news also remained in focus after the United States of America, South Africa and European Union temporarily stopped the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson Covid jab.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss J&J’s vaccine later today.