Trump...brilliant idea...turn Gaza into another Monaco....kick out Irans Hate...job done...Civilisation. Henry Smith [Gaza] A six mile deep stretch of prime waterfront property - with a world class beachA young population who should be eager workers in the tourism businessA climate perfect for growing produceA border with the wealthiest Nation in the regionTens of billions of dollars in aidWhat have they done with it ?Build rockets, build tunnels, allow themselves to be consumed by anti-Semitic hatred.. Daily Telegraph |
He's barking mad alright but I'd rather have him in my kennel! |
 Santander has revealed annual profits tumbled by nearly 40% in the UK as speculation continues to swirl over the future of the British business.
The Spanish-owned high street banking giant reported a 38% drop in pre-tax profits to £1.33 billion for 2024 after taking a hit from provisions for possible motor finance mis-selling and higher savings rates.
It comes as questions remain over the future of the UK business, despite efforts by Spanish owner Banco Santander to quash rumours that the lender is considering pulling out of the UK.
Santander executive chair Ana Botin insisted recently that “we love the UK” and that Britain remains a core market for the firm.
While challenges remain, and there have been mixed signals about the UK’s recent economic performance, the outlook for our business has improved
But it is understood a sale of the high street bank would still be considered if a buyer came forward with a high enough offer, according to the Financial Times.
Reports first emerged last month that it was considering quitting the UK, with the British arm seen on a weaker footing than in other locations in Europe and a potential crisis facing the motor finance sector also looming over the UK bank.
Santander UK’s annual profit tumble follows the group’s move to put by £295 million in its third quarter to cover potential payouts as well as legal costs following a major court decision on car finance commission last autumn.
The group’s result was also affected by the high cost of savings products and a rush of demand earlier in the year, although the group cut rates later in 2024 to make them less attractive.
It also saw fourth quarter profits drop 8% on a year earlier to £383 million.
Mortgage lending fell 5% to £167.2 billion, while customer deposits also decreased by 5% to £183.4 billion.
But the group forecast a “gradual return” to growth in mortgage lending over the year ahead as it pencilled in more interest rate cuts, which it expects will see the base rate fall to 3.75% by the end of 2025.
Annual house price growth will ease to 3% from 4.5% in 2024, it added.
Mike Regnier, chief executive of Santander UK, said: “While challenges remain, and there have been mixed signals about the UK’s recent economic performance, the outlook for our business has improved.
“We will continue to work with Banco Santander to harness the best of our local and global capabilities.”
The wider Banco Santander group reported a 16% jump in pre-tax profits to 19.03 billion euros (£15.83 billion) as revenues climbed 7.8%.
It unveiled a new plan to buy back 10 billion euros (£8.32 billion) worth of shares from 2025 and 2026 earnings.
In the UK, the group said “transformation through simplification and automation of our business” would drive down costs.
Banco Santander revealed last October that the group was cutting more than 1,400 jobs across its UK business in 2024 amid ongoing efforts to reduce costs. |
Trumps final solution for Gaza.
Kick the survivors out then turn it into a top resort with Trump Hotels and Casino's.
A lovely beach front property.
American owned.
Beginning to worry about Donald, he seems mad. |
Trump's intrigue continues>>>;>>>>>;
"As President Donald Trump dropped his bombshell announcement that the United States should take ownership of Gaza, a hundred hands in the East Room of the White House flew up!" |
Sail past Famagusta which remains abandoned since the Turkish invasion in 1974. The population left in such a hurry they left their washing out on the line, never to return! |
I'm thinking about booking a cruise over in the Eastern med in a few years time, apparently Gaza's on the itinerary. |
Military operation in Ukraine 4 Feb, 13:18
FACTBOX: Ukraine hits school bus with drone in Zaporozhye Region
Five children and the driver were injured in the attack, Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said
MELITOPOL, February 4. /TASS/. The Ukrainian armed forces attacked a school bus in the Zaporozhye Region with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), according to the region's governor, Yevgeny Balitsky, who reported the incident on his Telegram channel.
The latest reports indicate that five children and the driver were injured in the strike. Investigators have launched a criminal case.
TASS has gathered the key details of the incident.
Circumstances of the attack
- The Ukrainian army attacked a school bus with a drone in the Vasilyevsky district of the Zaporozhye Region.
- The bus was carrying 20 children.
The victims
- Five children and the driver were injured in the attack, Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky said.
- The injured children are in stable condition. Three of them have been sent to Melitopol regional hospital for further care, the region's health ministry said.
- The Federal Disaster Medicine Center of the Russian Health Ministry is coordinating assistance to the children, the ministry said.
The investigation
- Investigators have initiated a criminal case over the attack.
- According to preliminary data, Ukraine used a foreign-made drone in the attack, presumed to be US-made, the region's emergency response services said.
- Experts will further examine the drone to determine the exact model used.
Russia's reaction
- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted the "strategic silence" of international bodies after the attack.
- The drone was clearly targeting the school bus, Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large in charge of overseeing the Kiev regime’s crimes, said. |
Trump could install someone with a bit of glamour like Stormy Daniels as Prime Minister to bring the dreary inuits into the 21st century. |
Denmark should consider selling the yanks Greenland. They're a tinpot little nation who have relied US to defend the island and spend FA on defence they've literally got a couple of dog sledges to defend it. Trump has a good case. |
I write posts without reference to Google at all.
I go in memory.
Have checked populations etc.
Recently I have been playing around with AI to get a feel for it.
It really is impressive and impartial.
Just to test it I asked it what was `Putin's argument for invading Ukraine.
The answer was minus the usual bullish*t, it was as though I was talking to Vlad himself.
Impressive.
Looking at recent posts on this thread I must ask Ai what is wrong with someone who prefers stormy Daniels to Lady Victoria Starmer. |
I see Sweden is enjoying the benefits of extending 'Compassion and Empathy' towards those poor asylum seekers. Let them all in.......Sport.
'Britain should take-in at least 5,000 refugees each year and make it easier for families to be reunited, a cross-party group of MPs has told the government.
Former child refugee and Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs is among parliamentarians calling for the government to improve safe and legal routes for refugees to come to the UK alongside its efforts to stop people smuggling gangs' |
careless
seems u have a knowledge of the past which would win mastermind/ win a million.
Just be like all the other geeks on phones - be honest - FGS you did not have all u have said without a google aid.
What u dont know and seek to impress by using AI will never serve u well - |
Nowt like a woman scorned to shove the knife in! Perhaps Mr Trump is having a dossier put together, and will use it for control? |
Starmfurhers wife?, I thought she had dumped the liar? Now wouldn't she be a great source for dishing the dirt on the monster! |
Agreed Trumps main contribution will to change attitudes.
He will roll back Woke which will be his main legacy. |
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