French presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron says he will be “tough” on the UK in Brexit talks February 14, 2017 One of the leading candidates in the French presidential election has vowed to be tough on the UK when it comes to Brexit talks later this year. Emmanuel Macron, whose En Marche movement is gaining ground with just over ten weeks to go before the first vote, has told Channel Four News that France must [...]
The government just responded to a Donald Trump petition signed by 1.8m people February 14, 2017 Theresa May's government has just responded to an anti-Donald Trump petition signed by 1.8m people. The petition, launched in late January, called on the government to scrap plans to invite Trump to the UK for a state visit. MPs are set to debate the petition next week, but the government has today issued its own response, stressing [...]
35 psychiatrists have warned Donald Trump’s mental state makes him “incapable of serving safely as President” February 14, 2017 Donald Trump may not be the most popular President ever to set foot in the Oval Office – but now a group of psychiatrists have warned his mental state is so unstable, he shouldn't be in the White House at all. A letter to the New York Times signed by 35 psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers [...]
One in five startups is planning to set up in Europe because of Brexit February 14, 2017 One in five startups is planning to set up in another county in Europe because of Brexit, but the majority intend to keep their headquarters in the UK, new figures reveal. Just one per cent of the startups surveyed by Silicon Valley Bank said they will move their HQ to somewhere else in Europe, and [...]
Want a more equal society? Be careful what you wish for February 14, 2017 Consider this thought experiment. You have been transported back to 1912 and have the power to change the course of history. You foresee a century ravaged by the effects of two catastrophic World Wars, with a resulting 100m casualties. You also know the effects of violent communist revolution and rule, with a death toll almost [...]
Older people must shoulder their share of government spending cuts February 14, 2017 Given general improvements in technology and prosperity, younger generations should, in theory, always be better off than their parents. But with pensioner households now earning more than their working age equivalents, according to a new report from the Resolution Foundation, this can no longer be taken for granted. It is of course good news that older [...]
Steven Mnuchin confirmed as US treasury secretary February 14, 2017 Donald Trump’s pick for US treasury secretary has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee in a vote that divided strictly along party lines. Mnuchin’s nomination was beset by attacks from Democrats and centred on the foreclosure record of OneWest, a bank where Mnuchin acted as CEO. The Democratic senator, Elizabeth Warren, accused Mnuchin of [...]
Philip Hammond wants the “best and brightest” of the private sector to work with Britain’s cyber spooks February 14, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond is to call on the private sector to help Britain's spooks battle cyber attacks. Speaking at the launch of the UK's new National Cyber Security Centre, Hammond will unveil a new scheme inviting industry to dispatch their “best and brightest” personnel to be embedded in the anti-hacking operation to collaborate in tackling [...]
Many City bosses disapprove of Trump’s presidency, but would be happy to see Dodd-Frank reformed February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has finally appointed a Treasury Secretary, with former Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin confirmed by the Senate last night. Mnuchin joins former Goldman Sachs number two Gary Cohn who has been filling the vacuum since becoming Trump’s head of the National Economic Council, and is believed to have already exerted broad influence [...]
Canadian PM Trudeau promises not to “lecture” the US over Trump’s travel ban February 13, 2017 President Donald Trump has shared an occasionally tense first encounter with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, with both men largely avoiding their differences on immigration. Trudeau has made it clear he opposes Trump's attempted bans on Syrian refugees and migration for passport holders from seven predominantly Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. However, the [...]