Whatever the CIA says, the west could turn a blind eye over Khashoggi’s murder November 21, 2018 The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has put a strain on political and economic relations between Saudi Arabia and the west. On Sunday, word came that the CIA blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder, with sources close to the agency saying that it had assessed the evidence in detail. The [...]
Should other countries take a leaf out of Trump’s economic playbook? November 20, 2018 | City Talk Global growth in 2017 was characterised by synchronised expansion by the world’s major economies. This was largely because robust global trade growth created a rising tide that lifted all boats. Since global trade has waned in 2018, economic growth has become less coordinated. While China, Europe and Japan have all seen their growth rates cool, [...]
Ivanka Trump reportedly sent hundreds of White House emails from private account November 20, 2018 Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails about government business from a personal email account, it is reported. President Trump’s daughter, who works as an adviser to her father in his administration, reportedly breached federal records rules with many of the messages sent to White House aides, officials and her assistants. The Washington Post said yesterday [...]
Russia wants to destabilise Interpol, warns Putin critic Bill Browder November 19, 2018 Bill Browder, the US-born investor and Putin critic, struck back today against new allegations made against him by Russia, accusing the country of attempting to use its international influence to destabilise Interpol. Prosecutors in Moscow claimed Browder's fund shareholders used illegal profits made in the country to fund donations to the Democratic Party, and claimed he may [...]
US threatens to double down on China tariffs at Asian summit unless Beijing bows to demands November 17, 2018 The US government today refused to back down from its ongoing trade dispute with China, warning it would double existing tariffs on Chinese imports if the country refuses to heel to its demands. US vice president Mike Pence issued a stark warning to China at an Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Papua New Guinea [...]
White House temporarily reinstate CNN correspondent’s press pass after court ruling November 17, 2018 The White House have reinstated CNN correspondent Jim Acosta's press pass after a judge ruled in the network's favour on Friday. Acosta, CNN's chief White House correspondent, had been banned from the building after a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump at a press conference last week following the midterm results. "In response to the [...]
CIA pins the blame on Saudi Crown Prince for Khashoggi death November 17, 2018 The CIA believes the head of Saudi Arabia's royal family, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is directly responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Reports suggest that sources close to the US intelligence agency have assessed evidence of Khashoggi's murder in detail, and have informed other parts of US government, including Congress, of its [...]
Judge orders White House to hand back CNN correspondent’s press pass after tiff with Trump November 16, 2018 CNN correspondent Jim Acosta has won the battle to have his White House ban lifted – temporarily at least. After lawyers from CNN and the Trump administration battled it out for over two hours in court today, Judge Timothy Kelly granted the network's requests for Acosta to be allowed back into the White House. CNN had requested [...]
Six reasons you should care about share buybacks November 15, 2018 | City Talk Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor, recently hit the headlines with the announcement that he plans to spend almost $1 billion buying back shares in his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway. This practice has been increasingly common over recent years, with major implications. Buybacks have fundamentally altered the investment landscape over recent years. However, this is not [...]
US midterm elections: Is gridlock good? November 14, 2018 | City Talk Further tax cuts unlikely but will Trump strike a deal on trade? Keith Wade, Chief Economist, says: “The midterm elections restored some faith in opinion polls with the Democrats taking the House of Representatives and the Republicans holding the Senate. Conventional wisdom has it that a gridlocked Congress is good for markets as it prevents [...]