Portugal’s election race overshadowed by political risk September 20, 2015 Portugal's election race is taking place amid mounting political risk, which could jeopardise the country's recovery from its debts crisis, as polls suggest that no party is on course to achieve a majority government. Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho has accused the main opposition Socialist leader, Antonio Costa, of "promising instability". Costa has vowed to [...]
Greek Election sesults: Alexis Tsipras’ Syriza returns victorious but will it honour promises of stability and sea-change? September 20, 2015 This weekend Alexis Tsipras’ Syriza secured another resounding endorsement – the third in nine months – despite his about-turn which saw him sign a tough bailout memorandum, lighter versions of which he – and the electorate – had previously opposed. In total 24 political parties contested yesterday’s elections, the fifth in six years and the [...]
Chancellor George Osborne is optimistic about the slowing Chinese economy September 20, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne has said he isn't worried about China's slowing economy, which is undergoing a period of very challenging but necessary transformation. Renewed fears over the health of the world's second biggest economy rippled through global financial markets this summer. "Black Monday" wiped nearly $300bn (£193bn) off the value of Chinese shares, while US, Europe, Japan [...]
US and China seek armistice for cyberspace September 20, 2015 The United States and China are in talks to agree a deal which will prevent them from conducting cyber attacks on each other's critical infrastructure during peacetime. The deal would protect power stations, banking systems, mobile networks and hospitals from crippling cyber attacks, however, it wouldn't extend to US government and commercial targets. The United States [...]
Battle of Britain memorial flypast: Spitfires and Hurricanes fly over London in honour of 75th anniversary as Westminster Abbey service takes place September 20, 2015 A flypast of WWII planes commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain has taken to the skies above London, as a service was held at Westminster Abbey. The memorial flight of Hurricanes and Spitfires made there way over Westminster and across London at lunch time on Sunday, as part of a service honouring [...]
UK weather: Indian summer forecast with three weeks of hot and sunny weather into October September 20, 2015 If you've enjoyed the surprisingly warm weekend weather, then get ready for more of the same. Forecasters are predicting an Indian summer stretching into October, with temperatures hitting as high as 25 degrees. Forget picking out a winter coat as we head into the autumn months, and put away that brolly. The Met Office says [...]
Network Rail could be privatised, says HS1 boss Nicola Shaw September 20, 2015 Network Rail could be speeding towards future as a private company, after the boss brought in to shake up the company following serious failures said privatisation was "on the table". "It can't not be" said Nicola Shaw, speaking to the BBC, about the future prospects of Network Rail, which is responsible for the upkeep of [...]
Greek election September 2015: Alexis Tsipras seeks re-election as Greece votes for third time this year September 20, 2015 For the third time this year, Greeks are heading to the polls. Millions have begun voting in Greece's General Election, in which Alexis Tsipras is seeking re-election after resigning as leader of the country last month. Tsipras is seeking a new mandate from the people for austerity measures imposed as a result of the Syriza [...]
Scottish independence: The Barnett formula has outstayed its welcome September 19, 2015 By any objective measure, the Barnett formula’s time is up. It was a temporary solution that was never intended to last thirty years and the time to do away with it was reached long ago. Scottish independence will probably not happen any time soon, but the Barnett formula remains and continues to allocate a premium [...]
Jeremy Corbyn does not look like a future Prime Minister, according to poll September 19, 2015 Almost three quarters of voters do not believe Jeremy Corbyn, the new Labour party leader, looks like a Prime Minister in waiting, according to a poll. Just 28 per cent of people agreed with the statement “Jeremy Corbyn looks like a Prime Minister in waiting”, with some 72 per cent having disagreed. The ORB poll [...]