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[ad_1] The use of PFI deals increased significantly under Tony Blair’s Labour government as a way of investing in public buildings without the government borrowing money up front. Under the deals, long-term agreements between the private and public sector were made.In Stoke, the contract mainly covered maintaining existing school buildings, with a bit of new build. Elsewhere, completely new schools were built under PFI.In 2018, the Conservative government scrapped the controversial PFI model after growing concerns it did not provide value for public money. But around 570 PFI contracts, including many to maintain and update school and hospital buildings, remained…

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[ad_1] Tokyo, Japan skyline with the Tokyo TowerChunyip Wong | E+ | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets traded higher Thursday, breaking ranks with Wall Street that fell overnight as a stronger-than-expected U.S. inflation reading diminished prospects of policy easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve.Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.26%.Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.1% while the Topix climbed 0.91%. South Korea’s Kospi traded 0.71% higher, while the small-cap Kosdaq traded around the flatline.Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index climbed 0.58% while mainland China’s CSI 300 traded flat.Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 tumbled and bond yields spiked after consumer prices rose more than expected in January.The…

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[ad_1] JSE-listed Mantengu Mining has acquired Masorini Iron Beneficiation’s (MIB’s) iron beneficiation plant in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, for R18.97-million. Mantengu says this strategic move positions the company to become a leading producer of high-quality, low-cost metallic iron, addressing critical gaps in the scrap metal supply chain and capitalising on the growing demand for sustainable steel production. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Breadcrumb Trail LinksNewsEconomyWhile tariffs may only amount to a few cents per can, the costs for the industry will be millions of dollarsAuthor of the article:The Canadian PressIan BickisPublished Feb 12, 2025  •  Last updated 9 hours ago  •  3 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The 25 per cent tax on aluminum and steel coming into the United States starting March 12, and the possibility of retaliation tariffs, is expected to have cost ripples for buyers of beer, soup and everything else producers seal up in metal.…

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[ad_1] The rise in the cost of Government borrowing in January dented people’s appetite to buy and sell houses during the winter month, a new survey of estate agents suggests. Housing demand and sales were broadly flat last month compared to December, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which pointed to the recent spike in gilt yields as a potential reason. Respondents indicated that interest in home buying was roughly the same as the previous month, while agreed sales rose only “very marginally”. Housing sales are still expected to accelerate significantly this year, despite a frosty start…

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[ad_1] Local labor organizers celebrate at a United Auto Workers vote watch party on April 19, 2024 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With over 51% of workers voting yes the UAW won the right to form a union at the plant. Elijah Nouvelage | Getty ImagesFive unions sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, seeking to block what they called the possible mass firing of hundreds of thousands of federal employees who resist pressure to accept buyouts.In a complaint filed in Washington, D.C. federal court, the unions accused the White House and others in the Executive Branch of undermining Congress’ role in creating and funding a federal workforce, violating separation of powers principles.The plaintiffs include the United Auto Workers,…

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[ad_1] Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a whirlwind of changes to critical federal programs, including those that affect scientific research. In an unprecedented move, the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine abruptly canceled at least nine transportation research projects focused on building inclusive, equitable mobility systems. The terminations were announced in late January. These contracts represented $3.8 million in research funding. Many projects were near completion, with their final reports ready to publish. Others were just getting off the ground or in progress. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg—researchers…

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