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Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Former Premier Palaszczuk’s Partner in Ongoing Investigation

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Annastacia Palaszczuk

BURLEIGH HEADS, Australia — Queensland Police declared a crime scene and seized items from a luxury beachfront apartment owned by prominent weight-loss surgeon Dr. Vahid Reza Adib on Thursday, thrusting the long-term partner of former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk into the spotlight of an active investigation.

Annastacia Palaszczuk
Annastacia Palaszczuk

Officers, including forensic specialists, arrived at the Norfolk building unit in Burleigh Heads around 11 a.m. and spent hours examining the property, removing evidence bags and inspecting areas including the balcony and barbecue. Witnesses described multiple police vehicles outside the high-end beachside complex as the search unfolded.

Police have not revealed the nature of the investigation, laid any charges or named any suspects. Authorities stressed that Palaszczuk herself is not believed to be involved and may have no knowledge of the raid. Dr. Adib, 59, was not present at the time of the search.

The development marks a dramatic turn for the couple, who have maintained a relatively private relationship since going public in 2021 while Palaszczuk was still premier. Adib, a respected bariatric surgeon, has faced previous scrutiny in professional settings, including an inquest into the death of a patient in 2022, but Thursday’s police action appears unrelated to those earlier matters.

Palaszczuk served as Queensland premier from 2015 until stepping down in 2023 after leading the state through the COVID-19 pandemic. She and Adib have been photographed together at public events, though both have largely stayed out of the media glare since her departure from politics.

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The raid has sent shockwaves through Queensland’s political and medical circles. Sources close to the former premier described her as blindsided by the events. Police have declined to provide further details, stating only that inquiries are continuing as part of an ongoing probe.

The luxury apartment, located in one of the Gold Coast’s desirable beachside enclaves, offers sweeping ocean views and is part of a premium development popular with high-net-worth residents. Forensic teams were seen methodically working through the property, a sign that investigators are treating the location as significant to their case.

Dr. Adib is well-known in Queensland’s medical community for his work in obesity surgery. He operates clinics specializing in weight-loss procedures and has built a reputation for treating complex cases. The surgeon maintains a low public profile despite his high-profile relationship.

News of the search spread rapidly on Thursday, sparking intense speculation on social media and among political observers. Some drew connections to past controversies involving medical practitioners, while others noted the timing amid broader scrutiny of high-profile figures. Authorities have urged caution against unfounded rumors.

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Queensland Police issued a brief statement confirming the search but provided no timeline for when more information might be released. “No further information is available at this time,” a spokesperson said, emphasizing the active status of the investigation.

The incident highlights the intense public interest that follows former political leaders and their families even after they leave office. Palaszczuk’s tenure as premier was marked by strong public approval during the pandemic but also criticism over certain policies. Her personal life has occasionally drawn media attention, though she has generally kept it separate from her professional role.

Legal experts note that searches of this nature often relate to serious matters such as fraud, misconduct or other criminal allegations, though without official confirmation, all possibilities remain open. The declaration of a crime scene suggests investigators found reason to treat the property with heightened forensic protocols.

Neighbors expressed surprise at the heavy police presence in the normally quiet, upscale building. One resident told reporters that officers were professional and methodical, spending several hours inside before departing with seized materials. The crime scene designation means the unit remains under police control for the immediate future.

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Palaszczuk has not issued a public statement on Thursday’s events. Her office and representatives for Dr. Adib have not responded to requests for comment. The former premier maintains a low profile since leaving politics, occasionally appearing at community events or offering commentary on state issues.

The raid comes against a backdrop of ongoing challenges for Queensland’s health sector, where surgeons and specialists face increasing regulatory oversight. Adib’s professional history includes participation in coronial inquests, but those matters concluded without criminal findings against him.

Political analysts say the situation could prove awkward for the current Queensland Labor government, which succeeded Palaszczuk’s administration. Opposition figures may seek to question any perceived links, though police have been careful to separate the investigation from political matters.

As details slowly emerge, the public and media will watch closely for any charges or further developments. High-profile investigations involving partners of former leaders inevitably attract intense scrutiny, raising questions about privacy, due process and the lingering public interest in political figures’ private lives.

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For now, the focus remains on the Burleigh Heads apartment, where forensic work continues. Queensland Police have appealed for anyone with relevant information to come forward while urging restraint in speculation that could compromise the investigation.

The story has dominated headlines across Australian media outlets on Thursday, with live updates and helicopter footage capturing police activity at the beachfront location. It serves as a reminder that even after leaving public office, the lives of former leaders and those close to them can suddenly intersect with law enforcement in unexpected ways.

As inquiries progress, authorities maintain their silence on specifics, leaving many questions unanswered. Dr. Adib’s professional standing, the couple’s relationship and the precise nature of the police interest will likely become clearer in coming days or weeks as the investigation unfolds.

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Why Subscription Creep Is Becoming a CFO Problem

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Five Things a Good Small Business Accountant in London Saves You

Managing a company budget used to be simpler. You had big, predictable costs like rent, payroll, and hardware. But today, the financial landscape has shifted.

There is a silent leak in almost every modern balance sheet, and it goes by the name of subscription creep. This happens when small, monthly software costs slowly add up, eventually becoming a massive, unmanaged expense.

For many growing businesses, keeping track of these recurring fees is a full-time job. This is exactly why savvy firms often leverage Virtual CFO Services to gain professional oversight and stop financial leakage before it impacts the bottom line. By using Outsourced Financial Services, companies can identify these hidden costs and ensure every dollar spent on software actually delivers a return on investment.

Beyond the Monthly Bill: What Exactly Is Subscription Creep?

In the world of finance, we often talk about SaaS-Wildwuchs or SaaS sprawl. This refers to the uncontrolled growth of software subscriptions across different departments. It starts small, with a $20 monthly fee for a design tool here and a $15 seat for a project management app there. Because these costs fall under operating expenses (OpEx) rather than large capital expenditures (CapEx), they often bypass the rigorous approval processes reserved for big purchases.

The problem is that these “micro-costs” are designed to be invisible. They are small enough to stay under the radar but frequent enough to cause significant budget drift. Over time, these individual subscriptions create a web of recurring revenue leakage that erodes your profit margins. For a CFO, this isn’t just about the money; it is about a lack of financial transparency. If you cannot see where the money is going, you cannot manage your cash flow effectively.

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The Silent Growth of SaaS Sprawl: How It Sneaks Into Your Budget

Why does this happen so easily? The answer lies in the “low-friction” nature of modern software. In the past, installing software required IT approval and a physical disk. Today, anyone with a corporate credit card can sign up for a new tool in seconds. This has led to the rise of Schatten-IT, or Shadow IT.

Shadow IT occurs when employees or department heads buy software without the knowledge or permission of the IT or Finance departments. While these tools are often bought with good intentions, to solve a quick problem or improve productivity, they create massive departmental silos. When every team has its own “special” tool, the company loses the ability to negotiate bulk licensing or maintain a unified technology stack. This decentralized procurement culture is the primary driver of subscription creep, turning a flexible budget into a rigid wall of monthly bills.

The Three Hidden Leaks Draining Your Profit Margins

To solve the problem, a CFO must first understand where the water is leaking. It usually boils down to three specific types of software waste that impact operational inefficiency.

The Ghost License: Paying for People Who No Longer Work There

One of the most common pain points is the “zombie” account. When an employee leaves the company, their email might be deactivated, but their user seat management often remains active. These orphaned subscriptions continue to bill the company month after month for a service that no one is using. Without a strict employee offboarding process that includes a license utilization audit, you are essentially throwing money away on inactive accounts and wasted IT resources.

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The Redundancy Trap: Paying Twice for the Same Feature

Does your marketing team use Asana while the development team uses Jira and the sales team uses Trello? This is a classic case of overlapping functionality. When different departments use different tools that perform the same basic task, you are paying for feature duplication. A thorough technology stack audit often reveals that a company is paying for three or four different “communication” or “storage” tools when one consolidated platform would do the job better and cheaper.

The Auto-Renewal Loop: The High Price of “Set It and Forget It”

The SaaS business model thrives on automatic renewal traps. Many contracts include price escalation clauses that allow the vendor to raise prices by 5% to 10% every year without notice. If your finance team isn’t practicing active contract lifecycle management, these increases go unnoticed. You lose your negotiation leverage the moment a contract auto-renews because you’ve missed the window to discuss license rightsizing or better terms.

The CFO’s Playbook: A 4-Step Strategy to Regain Control

Regaining control of your corporate fiscal health requires more than just cutting costs; it requires a new system of financial governance. For many growing businesses, leveraging Outsourced Financial Services provides the high-level expertise needed to implement these controls and manage technology expense management without the cost of a full-time internal department. Here is how a professional CFO approaches the problem.”

Step 1: Conduct a Radical SaaS Audit

You cannot fix what you cannot see. The first step is to create a complete subscription register. This involves looking at every line item in your ledger analysis and credit card statements to find every single recurring charge. This creates total spend visibility and allows you to build an audit trail for every tool the company owns.

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Step 2: Establish Clear Tool Ownership

Every subscription needs a “parent.” By assigning tool ownership to specific department leads, you create accountability. These owners are responsible for proving the ROI of software within their team. If they cannot explain how a tool helps the company grow, it should be on the chopping block.

Step 3: Consolidate Your Stack and Renegotiate

Once you have an inventory, look for ways to cut the “dead weight.” Move toward vendor consolidation by choosing one primary tool for each function. This gives you more power during procurement negotiation. Often, you can secure volume discounts simply by moving all users onto a single platform rather than having them scattered across three different ones.

Step 4: Automate Governance for Sustainable Growth

Manual tracking is a losing battle. High-performing companies use SaaS Management Platforms (SMP) to track usage in real-time. These tools can send automated alerts when a seat is unused or when a renewal date is approaching. By using procurement automation, you turn cost control from a periodic headache into a continuous, scalable workflow.

Shifting the Goal: From Simple Cost-Cutting to Strategic Reinvestment

The goal of managing subscription creep isn’t just to save money; it is to increase business agility. When a CFO identifies $5,000 a month in wasted software fees, that money doesn’t just disappear into a vault. It can be redirected into high-impact investments like R&D, marketing, or better employee benefits.

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This is where the CFO evolves from a “budget balancer” into a true business partner. By improving financial resiliency, you ensure the company has the “dry powder” needed to survive economic shifts. Optimizing your technology stack is actually a form of value creation. It makes the company leaner, faster, and more competitive.

Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Bottom Line in a Subscription-First World

Subscription creep is a modern problem that requires a modern solution. It is no longer enough to look at the budget once a year. In a world of “software-as-a-service,” ongoing vigilance is the only way to ensure long-term fiscal health.

By addressing Schatten-IT, eliminating zombie licenses, and automating your financial transparency, you protect your cash flow from the thousands of small cuts that threaten your profitability. The CFO of the future isn’t the one who says “no” to every new tool, but the one who ensures that every tool the company uses is a strategic asset, not an invisible cost centre. Taking the time to perform a regular Abo-Audit today can save your company from a massive financial headache tomorrow.

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Hindustan Labs, RK Steel get Sebi nod to launch IPOs

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Hindustan Labs, RK Steel get Sebi nod to launch IPOs
Indian pharmaceutical firm Hindustan Laboratories has received observations from capital markets regulator Sebi, clearing a key step toward its proposed initial public offering (IPO). The IPO comprises a total issue size of up to 14.1 million equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 each. This includes a fresh issue of up to 5 million shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 9.1 million shares by existing shareholders.

According to the filing, the company intends to use the net proceeds from the fresh issue primarily to fund its working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes.

Hindustan Laboratories operates in the generic pharmaceuticals segment, focusing on the large-scale manufacturing and supply of affordable medicines. Its portfolio mainly consists of generic formulations, drugs whose patents have expired and are typically priced lower than branded alternatives, making them widely accessible.

The company’s business model is largely business-to-government (B2G), with a strong presence in public procurement systems. It supplies medicines under contracts for central government projects routed through agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as well as various state government bodies. These government institutions form the bulk of its customer base.

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The IPO is being managed by Choice Capital Advisors Private Limited, which has been appointed as the book-running lead manager for the issue.


Apart from Hindustan Labs, RK Steel has also received the nod from regulator to launch the issue.
Incorporated in 2006, RK Steel Manufacturing is a prominent manufacturer of welded structural steel tubes and pipes. The company boasts a diverse product portfolio, including Pre-Galvanised Pipes (GP), Hot Dip Galvanised Pipes (GI), Hot Rolled Pipes (HR), and Cold Rolled Pipes (CR), alongside value-added products like GP Coils and CRFH Coils.

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US national debt surpasses GDP for the first time since World War II era

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US national debt surpasses GDP for the first time since World War II era

The U.S. national debt has now surpassed the size of the U.S. economy, a historic threshold that hasn’t been crossed since the conclusion of World War II.

Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on Thursday showed that the national debt held by the public reached $31.27 trillion as of March 31, while nominal gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated at $31.22 trillion for the 12-month period ending in March.

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That pushed the debt held by the public as a percentage of GDP above 100%, meaning that the public debt is now larger than the size of the U.S. economy. Public debt as a share of GDP is a measure preferred by economists in assessing a country’s government debt burden because it excludes debt held in government accounts.

With the latest data showing the public debt eclipsing the size of the U.S. economy, the federal government is quickly approaching the all-time record debt to GDP percentage of 106%, which was set in 1946 as the U.S. was in the process of demobilizing after the end of World War II.

US DEBT SET TO CRUSH WORLD WAR II RECORD AS ANNUAL DEFICITS EXPLODE TO $3T WITHIN DECADE

The US Capitol seen from the street during springtime

The national debt held by the public as a share of GDP topped 100% at the end of March, and the debt now exceeds the size of the economy. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a 10-year budget and economic outlook earlier this year that projected the U.S. will break the post-WWII record in 2030 with the debt held by the public estimated at 108% that year. A decade from now, debt held by the public as a share of GDP is projected to reach 120%.

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Making the budget picture even worse, the CBO estimates that the debt held by the public is expected to grow faster than U.S. GDP as projected in the years ahead, which could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s fiscal and economic outlook. 

It said that dynamic could slow economic growth and reduce private investment, while hiking interest costs from servicing the debt.

US NATIONAL DEBT BREACHES $39 TRILLION MILESTONE FOR FIRST TIME AMID SPENDING SURGE

“With debt now above 100% of GDP, it’s only a matter of time until we pass the all-time record of 106% reached in the immediate aftermath of World War II,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB). 

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“This time, the borrowing isn’t borne from a seismic global conflict, but rather a total bipartisan abdication of making hard choices.

“The higher we allow our debt to grow, the more we erode our own prosperity and that of future generations. Rising debt compromises affordability by slowing income growth, pushing up interest rates, and increasing inflationary pressures,” MacGuineas added.

“Debt squeezes our budgets with massive interest costs. It exposes us needlessly to challenges from geopolitical rivals. And without corrective action, rising debt could spark a devastating fiscal crisis.”

BUDGET DEFICIT HITS $1 TRILLION IN FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF FISCAL YEAR: CBO

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Washington debates over national debt ceiling

The national debt has surpassed a World War II-era milestone. (iStock)

MacGuineas added that lawmakers “need to stop the bleeding” to get the country’s fiscal outlook on a more sustainable path, urging them to reject new borrowing as well as offsetting new spending or tax cuts twice over to reduce budget deficits.

She also said that to stabilize and reduce the national debt as a share of the economy, the U.S. will need to go further and reduce budget deficits by about $10 trillion in the years ahead.

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“One option among many is to follow the bipartisan momentum towards bringing deficits down to 3% of GDP, which would help bring the debt below 100% of GDP over time. What’s most important is turning this pattern of inaction around. There is no time to lose,” MacGuineas said.

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Finder to raise $30m

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Finder to raise $30m

Damon Neaves-led Finder Energy has announced plans to raise $30 million, as it aims to further accelerate activities at its KTJ oil project off the coast of Timor Leste.

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Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Q1: 2026-04-30 Earnings Summary

EPS of $1.20 beats by $0.01

 | Revenue of $439.58M (0.50% Y/Y) beats by $13.58M

Integer Holdings Corporation (ITGR) Q1 2026 Earnings Call April 30, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

Company Participants

Kristen Stewart – Director of Investor Relations
Payman Khales – CEO, President & Director
Diron Smith – Executive VP & CFO

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Conference Call Participants

Matthew O’Brien – Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Brett Fishbin – KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Research Division
Richard Newitter – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Nathan Treybeck – Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division
Andrew Cooper – Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Research Division
Travis Steed – BofA Securities, Research Division
Joanne Wuensch – Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Suraj Kalia – Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Research Division

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Presentation

Operator

Good morning, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Integer Holdings Corporation’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. My name is Kate, and I will be your conference operator today. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Kristen Stewart, Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

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Kristen Stewart
Director of Investor Relations

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to Integer’s First Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. With me today are Payman Khales, President and Chief Executive Officer; and Diron Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. This morning, we issued a press release announcing our first quarter 2026 financial results. We have posted a presentation to accompany today’s call on the Investor Relations page on our website at integer.net. On today’s call, Payman will provide opening comments. Diron will then review our adjusted financial results for the first quarter of 2026 and our financial outlook. Payman will provide his closing remarks, and then we’ll open the line for your questions.

As a reminder, the results and data we discuss today reflect the consolidated results of Integer for the periods indicated. During our

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Turning Ideas Into Real-World Impact

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Turning Ideas Into Real-World Impact

Big ideas are easy to talk about. Bringing them to life is harder. Karan Gupta has built his career on doing both. He works at the intersection of technology, design, and storytelling. His focus is simple. Build things that people actually use and care about.

“I’ve always been interested in how ideas move from concept to reality,” Karan says. “Execution is where most ideas either succeed or fall apart.”

His journey shows how that mindset developed over time.

Early Life: Growing Up Around Innovation

Karan Gupta grew up in San Francisco. The environment around him played a big role in shaping his thinking. He was exposed to technology, creativity, and constant change at a young age.

“I didn’t see innovation as something abstract,” he explains. “It was part of everyday life.”

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This early exposure sparked his interest in how products are built and how people interact with them. It also helped him see that technology is not just about tools. It is about people.

UC Berkeley: Learning by Building

Karan attended the University of California, Berkeley. He studied Media Studies and Entrepreneurship. But his most important lessons came outside the classroom.

During college, he launched a digital magazine and a city-focused podcast. These projects gave him real experience in building and managing ideas.

“I wanted to test what I was learning in real time,” he says. “You learn a lot faster when you actually put something out into the world.”

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The digital magazine focused on content and audience engagement. The podcast explored local culture and community stories. Both projects required consistent effort and adaptability.

“These weren’t just school projects,” Karan explains. “They were experiments in understanding what people respond to.”

Through this work, he learned how to create, manage, and grow an audience. He also learned how to handle feedback.

“If people don’t connect with what you’re building, you need to adjust,” he says. “That’s part of the process.”

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Career Path: Building in Technology and Creative Industries

After graduating, Karan moved into roles across the technology and creative industries. His work focused on digital strategy, user experience, and brand storytelling.

He became known for combining creativity with structure. This allowed him to turn ideas into clear, usable products and campaigns.

“Creativity is important,” he says. “But without structure, it doesn’t go anywhere.”

Over time, he took on leadership roles. He worked with teams to develop campaigns and build products that reached different audiences.

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“People don’t engage with complexity,” Karan explains. “They engage with clarity.”

His approach is based on simplifying ideas. He focuses on making sure that users understand what they are seeing and why it matters.

How Karan Gupta Brings Ideas to Life

A key part of Karan’s work is execution. He believes that ideas only matter if they are carried through to completion.

“Anyone can have a good idea,” he says. “The challenge is following through.”

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He focuses on a few core principles:

  • Start with a clear goal
  • Understand the audience
  • Build, test, and adjust

“These steps sound simple,” he says. “But they require discipline.”

His experience with early projects helped shape this mindset. Launching a magazine and podcast taught him that progress comes from action, not planning alone.

“You can’t wait for everything to be perfect,” he adds. “You have to start.”

Leadership Style: Building Strong Teams

As Karan’s career grew, so did his role as a leader. He now focuses on building teams that can execute effectively.

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“My role is to help people do their best work,” he says.

He believes in clear communication and shared direction. He also values collaboration.

“Good ideas can come from anywhere,” he explains. “You need to create space for that.”

His leadership style is practical. He focuses on results, but also on process.

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“If the process is strong, the outcomes usually follow,” he says.

Mentorship and Giving Back

Outside of his main work, Karan spends time mentoring young creatives and entrepreneurs. He sees this as a natural extension of his career.

“I had guidance early on,” he says. “It made a difference.”

He now shares what he has learned with others. His focus is on helping people build skills and confidence.

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“Talent is important,” he says. “But mindset is what drives long-term growth.”

He encourages young professionals to stay curious and take action.

“Don’t overthink the first step,” he adds. “Just start building.”

Life Outside Work: Staying Creative

Karan’s personal interests reflect his professional mindset. He enjoys photography, travel, and exploring new ideas.

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“Seeing new places helps you think differently,” he says.

He also spends time exploring San Francisco and experimenting with food. These activities help him stay creative.

“Taking a step back often leads to better ideas,” he explains.

A Career Built on Execution and Clarity

Karan Gupta’s career is not defined by one role or title. It is defined by a consistent approach. Start with an idea. Build it. Improve it. Repeat.

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“I try to focus on what actually works,” he says. “Not just what sounds good.”

His work shows that success often comes from simple principles applied well. Clear thinking. Strong execution. And a focus on people.

In a fast-moving industry, those fundamentals continue to matter. And for Karan, they remain at the center of everything he builds.

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This Venerable Stock Pays a 10% Dividend Yield. Why It Looks Like a Trap.

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This Venerable Stock Pays a 10% Dividend Yield. Why It Looks Like a Trap.

This Venerable Stock Pays a 10% Dividend Yield. Why It Looks Like a Trap.

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MP urges Prime Minister to help with ‘disgusting Calne pong’

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Business Live

Sarah Gibson has raised the issue of the Hills Waste “rotten egg smell” in Parliament

Sarah Gibson MP speaking at PMQs about the smell in Calne

Sarah Gibson MP speaking at PMQs about the smell in Calne(Image: UK Parliament / Youtube)

A Wiltshire MP is urging the Prime Minister to help provide answers on a “disgusting egg-like smell” that is impacting people living near a landfill site in the county. Thousands of people have complained about the “Calne pong” coming from the Hills Waste site in Lower Compton, with residents reporting headaches and breathing difficulties.

Liberal Democrat minister Sarah Gibson raised the issue with Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs this week, saying she wanted to “reassure” residents of the town “they are not suffering from ill health”.

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“We have a landfill site in Calne that is producing sulphurous smells that are causing residents to need to close their windows, causing children to have sore throats and yet I am not getting any answer except that the Environment Agency (EA) itself admits that controls may not be working effectively,” Ms Gibson said.

“Like my constituents I find it really disappointing that we are not getting any serious response. This is not the kind of thing you expect in the UK. You do not expect the air you breathe not to be safe and I would like to urge the PM to help me in getting a response from Defra and from the EA on what measures can be put in place to reassure my constituents.”

The Prime Minister thanked Ms Gibson for raising the issue in Parliament.

“I will make sure I will go away and chase up that she gets the reply, and importantly, that they are entitled to,” Sir Keir said in response.

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‘It’s very worrying’

Emily, a mum-of-two who lives in Calne, said she had “woken up gagging from the smell”.

“We smell it every day and it’s disgusting,” she said. “My mum stayed at our house and said it smelt like a drain had burst. My daughter has noticed it too; it’s just vile. I want to be able to enjoy these lovely spring mornings, but you can’t breathe in or outside your house.”

Another Calne resident who lives near the waste site said the “rotten-egg stink” was “revolting” and she was concerned it would get worse in the hot weather.

“It’s very worrying,” she told Business Live. “It’s good to hear the issue has been raised in Parliament, but something needs to be done soon. The smell is horrible.”

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Last year, the EA confirmed the landfill site was likely to be responsible for the odour after an investigation lasting months – and it served Hills with an enforcement notice ordering a programme of landfill capping to reduce smells escaping from the site.

But since the beginning of 2026 the EA has received nearly 3,000 more complaints about the odour. In March and April, the government agency carried out more than 60 inspections of the Lower Compton area and it is understood the main source of the smell is a current open landfill cell on the site. The EA has acknowledged the increase in complaints this year suggests the current site controls are not working effectively.

It has said there is “no indication of an immediate risk to people’s health”, however.

“The community should not have to tolerate odours that significantly affect their environment, and we are continuing to investigate complaints made in Calne and the surrounding area, alongside our partners Wiltshire Council and the UK Health Security Agency,” an EA spokesperson said.

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“While landfills and other waste activities will generate smells, the impact should be minimal, and the recent increase in odour reports indicates controls may not be working effectively.

Hills Waste, Lower Compton Calne

Hills Waste, Lower Compton Calne(Image: Google Maps)

“We have traced landfill gas odour to a specific part of Lower Compton Landfill and have required the operators to provide an action plan identifying how they will minimise odour. Several mitigation measures are already in place, including changes to daily cover materials, installation of temporary gas wells, connection of additional gas collection points, and extensive soil covering.”

As Business Live understands, Hills is co-operating fully with the EA and has developed proposals to tackle the problem, including changing how waste at the site is covered up.

“Hills is aware of a recent increase in complaints relating to odour in the Calne area,” a spokesperson for the company told Business Live.

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“We take this matter very seriously, and where this is attributed to our landfill activities at Lower Compton, we would like to apologise.

“As a responsible business, we continually monitor and seek to improve operations at our Lower Compton landfill site. Working with the Environment Agency, we have agreed an action plan of immediate and longer term works to help reduce fugitive emissions of landfill gas.”

The EA is continuing to carry out assessments around the site, including early in the morning and in the evening when “the pong” is most commonly reported.

It has also installed an air-quality monitoring station within the community and is planning to provide the data to the UK Health and Security Agency for analysis.

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Meanwhile, it is understood Hills is using a water-based system to reduce odour molecules being emitted from the site and is preparing to carry out more regular capping – a process that involves sealing a closed landfill with material such as clay to create a barrier and isolate waste from the environment.

The company is planning to start a 13-week programme of works on May 11 to cap over certain sections of the site. Other actions include the installation of extra gas collection points and covering large areas of the site in soil.

“We recently welcomed Sarah Gibson MP on a tour of the Lower Compton site to explain our action plan, and we will be keeping Sarah and other local elected representatives regularly updated on the progress of these works,” the Hills spokesperson added. “Updates will also be shared on our website.”

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US stocks today: US market ends higher, S&P 500, Nasdaq notch biggest monthly gains in years

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US stocks today: US market ends higher, S&P 500, Nasdaq notch biggest monthly gains in years
U.S. stocks advanced on Thursday and the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq logged their biggest monthly gains in years as solid corporate earnings offset the war-related oil supply shock that has rattled markets and sent crude prices to four-year highs.

But oil prices eased and economic data showed the U.S. economy continues to grow at a healthy pace, helping as investors geopolitical tensions and close the book on a month of solid gains.

The rally ‌gained momentum throughout the ⁠session, pushing all ⁠three major U.S. stock indexes sharply higher.

“A lot of the economic data calmed investors’ fears,” said Paul Nolte, senior wealth adviser & market strategist at Murphy & Sylvest in Elmhurst, Illinois. “Beyond that, you’ve got some pretty good earnings from a lot of different companies, and we’re seeing that broaden out today.”

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“Until we see some changes to the market dynamic, as well as the economy, the momentum is on the bullish side,” Nolte added.


Industrials, powered by Caterpillar shares, put the Dow out front, while technology limited the Nasdaq’s gains in the wake of a spate of high-profile quarterly results released late Wednesday.
Four members of the Magnificent Seven group of artificial intelligence-related megacaps reported late Wednesday: Alphabet , Amazon, Meta Platforms and Microsoft. Alphabet jumped ⁠after reporting ‌a record quarter for its cloud unit. Meta and Microsoft shares slid on concerns over artificial intelligence-related expenditures.

“The spending continues to be at pace,” Nolte said. “They’re seeing still very robust growth and some are starting to report a return on the investment, which ⁠is new.”

Apple, another Magnificent Seven constituent, was slated to report after the bell.

According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 gained 74.29 points, or 1.04%, to end at 7,210.24 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 223.15 points, or 0.90%, to 24,890.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 796.27 points, or 1.63%, to 49,658.08.

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CRUDE PRICES, INFLATION AND THE FED

A raft of economic data showed the U.S. economy grew by 2.0% in the first three months of 2026, while initial jobless claims dipped to their lowest since 1969 and soaring energy prices kept year-on-year inflation above 3%, thwarting hopes of near-term rate cuts from the Federal Reserve as Jerome Powell’s eight-year tenure as chair draws to a close.

“For now, we can label (inflation) as transitory,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan ‌Capital Securities in New York. “However, if the war continues and energy prices do not come down from the present levels, that transitory inflation will become constant inflation and certainly a major headache for the Federal Reserve.” On Wednesday, in its most divided vote since 1992, the central bank let its key interest ⁠rate stand, while acknowledging uncertainties related to heightened crude prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. That conflict showed no sign of abating, with Iran warning of retribution if the United States abandons its ceasefire and renews its attacks, suggesting that efforts to negotiate a peace deal have hit an impasse. Top U.S. military leaders were expected to brief President Donald Trump on potential military action in Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters.

The possibility of protracted war, long-term disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and the prolonged pressure on energy prices have dampened hopes for near-term policy easing from monetary policymakers. Eli Lilly surged after the drugmaker raised its annual profit forecast on sustained weight-loss drug demand. Caterpillar shares jumped to a record high following the company’s reported rise in first-quarter profit due to strong demand for its power generation and construction equipment.

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