Nelson Mandela, who led his country to democracy after serving 27 years in prison, has died aged 95. President Zuma of South Africa said in a televised address: "The founding father of our nation has departed. May his soul rest in peace. God bless Africa." Mr Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon who became his country's first black president, died peacefully in his home with his family at his bedside. - The TimesRoyal Dutch Shell has dropped plans for a multibillion-dollar flagship plant in the US that would have converted natural gas into diesel and jet fuel, amid concerns over the costs of the $20bn-plus project. It said the gas-to-liquids plant was "not a viable option for Shell in North America", citing the likely cost, "uncertainties on long-term oil and gas prices and differentials", and the company's strict capital discipline. - Financial TimesMarks & Spencer has dropped PwC as its book-keeper after a relationship spanning nearly 90 years as lawmakers in Europe continue to deliberate over a radical shake-up of the market for auditing elite companies. In a surprise move, Deloitte will become the first new auditor of the high street retailer since 1926. - The TimesHouse prices will rise by almost a fifth in the next four years, Treasury forecasters have said, adding to fears of a new housing bubble. The estimates from the Office for Budget Responsibility led to warnings that Britain is at risk of repeating the boom and bust that preceeded the last financial crisis. - The TelegraphLance Batchelor, the Chief Executive of pizza delivery chain Domino's, is to leave the listed business next year after deciding to join a private-equity backed firm. The former head of Tesco Mobile joined the board of Domino's as a non-executive director in July 2010 and took the helm two years ago. - The Scotsman Qantas has had its credit rating downgraded to junk status, following the beleaguered airline's decision to sack 1,000 workers amid heavy financial losses. Leading credit agency Standard & Poor's has revised Qantas's rating from BBB-(outlook stable) to BB+(outlook negative), which is below the lowest investment grade. - The GuardianAB
Last checked at 
