George HW Bush in Houston hospital after suffering breathing difficulties December 24, 2014 George HW Bush has been admitted to a hospital in Houston Texas after suffering breathing difficulties. The former US President "will be held for observation… as a precaution", according to his spokesman James McGrath. At 90 years of age, old George Bush senior is the oldest living former President. He succeeded Ronald Reagan as President, [...]
Uber apologises for Sydney siege surge pricing December 24, 2014 Uber has apologised for the sharp rise in prices that occurred in the midst of the Sydney siege. Uber's prices quadrupled thanks to a massive surge in demand during the crisis that resulted in the deaths of three people. The taxi app's surge pricing policy is triggered automatically by way of an algorithm. On the [...]
City A.M.’s Quiz of the Year – how well do you remember 2014? December 24, 2014 Did Russell Brand (and/or Nigel Farage) really say that? Was Tesco's profit overstatement really that big? Did North Korea actually start dictating the films that Hollywood releases? Surely the Scottish referendum wasn't that close… It's been quite a year and, after all the highs and lows, we're about ready for some festive fun. But before you [...]
Dow Jones stock exchange closes at highest level ever following rise in US economic growth December 23, 2014 The Dow Jones stock exchange in the US closed at its highest level ever today, as investors felt encouraged by a rise in economic growth. During the third quarter the US economy grew at its fastest rate in 11 years, with an annual growth rate of five per cent. Previous estimates had placed the [...]
North Korea and Sony Pictures hack: The Interview will be screened on Christmas Day, after all December 23, 2014 The Interview, a film depicting the fictional assassination of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, will be screened in cinemas the day after tomorrow. Last week Sony Pictures decided not to go ahead and show its new comedy film on Christmas Day, following anonymous threats made against cinema-goers in the US. The US then [...]
Northern Ireland talks: Agreement reached with UK government on welfare and financial reforms December 23, 2014 Cross-party talks being held in Northern Ireland to discuss the country's welfare and financial reforms have come to fruition, after a broad agreement was reached with the UK Treasury. All of Northern Ireland's five political parties were involved in the talks, which took place over the past 11 weeks. According to Irish foreign [...]
Ukip’s 2014: Resignations, suspensions and expulsions December 23, 2014 Ukip has had a great year in terms of forging ahead as a political party of real repute – but troubles over eccentric comments made by its candidates and councillors have also been coming thick and fast. As all parties gear up for next year's general election, said to be the most unpredictable in a [...]
One chart showing why Apple thinks you need a gold iPad December 23, 2014 Just weeks after the months of Apple rumours were laid to rest with the launch of the iPhone 6, speculation has now turned to the iPad. Apple is said to be making a gold version of the iPad in a bid to boost flagging sales of the device. The new colour option, likely to be [...]
Dow Jones hits 18,000 as US growth is revised to its highest in a more than a decade December 23, 2014 Here's a nice early Christmas present for Barack Obama: the Dow Jones Industrial Average smashed past 18,000 for the first time ever today, as third-quarter US growth was revised up to five per cent – the country's fastest pace of growth in 11 years. The Dow jumped 0.3 per cent to 18000.24 in early trading, [...]
Ronnie Scott’s evacuated as fire starts in nearby restaurant December 23, 2014 Legendary Soho jazz venue Ronnie Scott's has been evacuated after a fire broke out in a restaurant nearby. Six fire engines and 35 firefighters were called to the scene in Frith Street, central London, at about 12.30pm. https://twitter.com/CharlyBrough/status/547375742435471360 The London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was "not yet known" It is believed [...]