Monday newspaper round-up: TTIP, Saudi Aramco, Theresa May
Talks to conclude a trade deal between the United States and European Union will resume after the German elections in September, America’s chief trade negotiator has said. Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, said that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was an "important negotiation" for America and that there were "lot of reasons to do it". - The Times
Some of the City’s most powerful institutional investors have abandoned their opposition to a London listing of Saudi Aramco after a political lobbying drive and an apparent compromise proposal suggested by the regulator, according to reports. Institutions including Royal London Asset Management and the Investment Association had taken exception to a local listing of what is considered to be the world’s most valuable company because it would flout London’s listing rules and risk disenfranchising investors. - The Times
Theresa May will offer to give Europeans living in the UK the same residency, employment, health, welfare and pensions rights as British citizens, but demand that “serious and persistent” criminals may be more easily deported than at present. The prime minister’s 15-page package, which will be published on Monday alongside a statement to parliament, will be designed to give people who arrived in Britain before an agreed cut off date settled status. - The Guardian
A retail investment fund backed by Mikhail Fridman, the Russian billionaire, has struck its first deal, agreeing to buy Holland & Barrett for £1.77bn. L1 Retail is expected to confirm today that it is buying the health retailer from Nature’s Bounty, an American maker of vitamins and health supplements owned by Carlyle, a US private equity group. Holland & Barrett is Europe’s largest health and wellness retail chain, with more than 1,150 shops and an online business. - The Times
Power and water company bosses were facing criticism last night after raking in millions despite complaining of out of control costs and missing leak targets. Gas and electricity provider SSE provoked an outcry when it handed boss Alistair Phillips-Davies, 49, a 72 per cent pay rise – weeks after he railed against a cap on bills. Iain Conn, 54, the boss of British Gas owner Centrica, also took home £4.1m while warning that a price cap could force the company to put up prices. - The Daily Mail
The Russian government is suspected of being behind a cyber-attack on parliament that breached dozens of email accounts belonging to MPs and peers. Although the investigation is at an early stage and the identity of those responsible may prove impossible to establish with absolute certainty, Moscow is deemed the most likely culprit. - The Guardian