Why Shell/BP takeover rumors are back
By CNBC’s Catherine Boyle
The evergreen rumor that Shell could be looking to buy BP returned to the market Tuesday — and sent share prices of both companies higher.
Ever since Lord Browne, BP’s former chief executive, confirmed in his 2010 memoir that cautious talks to this effect took place in 2004, the potential megamerger of the two London-listed oil giants has whetted appetites in the markets.
Yet BP and Shell declined to comment on the rumor, and industry sources were sceptical of the deal. Neither company appears to have retained new banking advisers, often a sign that a deal may be on its way.
By John Donovan
Beyond Business: An Inspirational Memoir from a Visionary Leader
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
