Midlands Engine shifts up a gear as Highways England announces progress on major regional schemes November 16, 2016 Don't get too excited, but it looks like it could just be full steam ahead for the Midlands Engine after Highways England announced major progress on multi-million pound projects. The plan to invest in the region's infrastructure and businesses has been boosted by Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan announcing significant developments on a number of projects. He also [...]
BBC World Service launches 11 new language services with new government funding November 16, 2016 The BBC World Service has announced plans to expand with 11 new language services next year. The growth is being funded by a government pledge, announced last year, to pump £85m a year into enhancing BBC services into areas such as Russia, North Korea, the Middle East and Africa. Read more: Government launches hunt for [...]
Super Mario Nintendo bounce helps Nikkei to nine-month high November 16, 2016 Never underestimate the power of Mario. Japan’s main stock index, the Nikkei 225, enjoyed a Super Mario boost as share prices rose for video game maker Nintendo and Japanese banks. The delightful dungareed character is delivering the goods for Nintendo. The company announced the release date of the new Super Mario game for the iPhone yesterday (15 [...]
“You talkin’ to me?” Why language skills remain vital to businesses November 16, 2016 | City Talk Global sales and marketing solutions provider, Televerde, is living proof of why companies are drawn to Scotland's rich talent pool and thriving business process outsourcing sector. Scotland's cabinet secretary for the economy and jobs, Keith Brown, has visited the US-founded firm in Glasgow to endorse the company's business plan of growing in Scotland. Mr Brown will take a 'look behind the scenes' [...]
Prosecco vs Fish and Chips? An Italian minister says Boris Johnson’s Brexit talks are “insulting” November 16, 2016 An Italian minister has pleaded with the British government to “put its cards on the table” over Brexit, complaining that foreign minister Boris Johnson has reduced debate to “insulting” levels. Speaking to Bloomberg, Italy's economic development minister recalled that Johnson had told him Britain would be granted easy access to Single Market “because you don't [...]
Blast from the past: There’s now a santa’s grotto for adults, featuring selfies and free booze November 16, 2016 Santa Claus is coming to Canary Wharf today- although he’s done away with the cheap toys and false beard, and things have become rather more grown up. Yep, after research revealed 76 per cent of Londoners think Christmas is not the same when you are no longer a child (probably because we’re buying more gifts [...]
Brexit planning is proving “a considerable challenge” for Whitehall, according to a former senior civil servant November 16, 2016 The government has yet to prepare a central plan for Brexit, according to the one of the most senior civil servants at the Foreign Office. Sir Simon Fraser, who served as permanent under-secretary until 2015, told MPs today that he understood drawing up Brexit plans was proving “a considerable challenge”. “The government has not yet [...]
The world will reach peak oil within years, the IEA warns, as it declares the era of fossil fuels is “far from over” November 16, 2016 The world could reach peak oil and face a supply shortage within years, causing it to enter a new phase of boom and bust prices, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned. Investment in crude oil development fell to its lowest level since the 1950s in 2015 and 2016 data so far shows no signs of [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan backs legal action against Heathrow expansion November 16, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has stuck by his pledge to stand against Heathrow expansion, saying he will support a legal challenge to the government's decision. He has directed Transport for London (TfL) to provide advice and assistance to affected borough councils, including Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead as they prepare for a joint [...]
British Land posts a loss as Brexit vote hits asset values November 16, 2016 British Land's share price fell in morning trading after the company posted a loss due to the Brexit vote hitting UK commercial property prices. The figures The company behind the "Cheesegrater" announced a loss of £205m in the six months to the end of October as compared to the same period last year, down from £823m [...]