Syria crisis: Security Council adopt UN resolution for Syria peace process December 19, 2015 The UN’s Security Council has reached a rare agreement backing an international plan for a Syria peace process. The council adopted a resolution late last night, having previously been divided on the issue of the civil war that has ravaged the country for nearly five years, with China and Russia vetoing a number of Western [...]
Ukip break up? Douglas Carswell calls on Nigel Farage to step down as leader December 18, 2015 Ukip are facing the threat of civil war after its only MP Douglas Carswell called on leader Nigel Farage to step down. Clacton MP Carswell argued that the party needed a "fresh face" in charge to go to "the next level" after its comprehensive Oldham by-election defeat – but ruled out making a bid for the [...]
Prime Minister David Cameron issues plea to EU leaders to back his reform proposals December 18, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron used a working dinner in Brussels last night to make an impassioned plea to European leaders to back his proposals for “substantial” reform of the European Union. In a lengthy appeal to European heads of state and government from all 27 other EU member states, Cameron said that if the leaders wanted the [...]
London mayoral election 2016: Sadiq Khan says he wants Tech City to be in the hands of City Hall as he matches Zac Goldsmith pledge for super-fast broadband December 18, 2015 Labour City Hall hopeful Sadiq Khan will today call for Whitehall to devolve certain powers relating to “Tech City” to the mayor of London. “London has made a great fist of carving out a leading position as a centre of tech but there’s much more to do to ensure we build on this success,” Khan [...]
Security Council adopt UN resolution to choke off funding for Islamic State December 17, 2015 The 15 finance ministers of UN Security Council nations have moved to starve funding for the so-called Islamic State (Isis) and other terrorist groups. At tonight’s meeting, the first of finance ministers since the Security Council was formed in 1945, a resolution was adopted urging countries to “move vigorously and decisively to cut the flow [...]
UN Security Council urged to do more as George Osborne vows to choke off funding for Isis December 17, 2015 In an unprecedented move, chancellor George Osborne met with finance ministers from members of the UN Security Council in New York today as part of an international effort to choke off sources of funding for the so-called Islamic State (Isis) and other terrorist groups. But while the meeting – the first of finance ministers since [...]
Treasury is considering giving more powers to Bank of England over the buy-to-let market December 17, 2015 The Treasury is looking for feedback on giving the Bank of England more powers to control the housing market. Treasury officials announced today that they have opened a new consultation on the powers the Bank should have over the UK buy-to-let mortgage market in particular. The Bank's financial policy committee (FPC) is responsible for identifying, monitoring [...]
IMF chief Christine Lagarde ordered to face trial over Bernard Tapie affair December 17, 2015 International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief executive Christine Lagarde has been ordered by a French court to face trial for alleged negligence over her handling of a controversial €400m payout to French business tycoon Bernard Tapie during her time as finance minister. The case will be heard by France’s Court of Justice of the Republic, a court spokesperson confirmed, although [...]
Christmas came early: Here are all of the gifts foreign leaders gave Prime Minister David Cameron this year December 17, 2015 Two rugs, alcohol, a glass art platter and bronze coins: these are just some of the presents Prime Minister David Cameron has received from foreign leaders this year. Government papers published today reveal that Cameron received more than a dozen gifts from foreign leaders between April and September of this year. Too bad he can't [...]
EU referendum: What Jean-Claude Juncker and other business figures have said ahead of tonight’s EU negotiation summit dinner December 17, 2015 President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said morning that the EU was looking for a "fair deal" with Britain, just ahead of Prime Minister David Cameron's two-day meeting with leaders, including a summit dinner tonight. & @JunckerEU "We want a fair deal with Britain and it has to be a fair deal for the other 27 too" — Faisal [...]