The UK is trying to leave the European club – in Italy, the club is on fire January 31, 2019 After Tuesday’s parliamentary showdown, all eyes are on Westminster. Don’t be misled, though – the real existential threat to the EU lies in Rome. In the UK, we are debating how to leave the golf club. In Italy, the golf club is likely to be swamped by an approaching tsunami. There may not be a [...]
Britain has never understood the fervour for the EU project January 31, 2019 What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? It would appear that we are about to find out in the latest instalment of the Brexit soap opera that has been running since we announced our intention to leave in 2016. For no sooner had MPs voted on Tuesday night to back Sir Graham [...]
DEBATE: After Tuesday’s amendments, is a no-deal Brexit actually more likely now? January 31, 2019 After Tuesday’s amendments, is a no-deal Brexit actually more likely now? John Oxley, a Conservative commentator, says YES. The UK leaves the EU by operation of law at 11pm on 29 March. No deal is the default. The insipid amendment “rejecting” that outcome has no force. Only an agreement with the EU or the revocation or extension [...]
Let it be: London councils should allow offices and shops to be converted into homes January 31, 2019 Amid all the Brexit brouhaha in Westminster it is important that parliamentarians do not forget the many other issues that affect people's day-to-day lives. Bravo, therefore, to MP Chris Philp for reminding Theresa May during yesterday's Prime Minister's Questions that the dream of homeownership remains all too elusive for many young adults – particularly in [...]
Facebook shares soar as it beats estimates on revenue and user numbers January 30, 2019 Shares in Facebook jumped more than eight per cent in after-hours trading tonight, boosted by a welcome set of positive fourth quarter results for the beleaguered social media firm. Revenue at Facebook rose to $16.9bn (£12.9bn) in the three months to 31 December, up 30 per cent compared to the same period last year and [...]
Tesla tops revenue forecasts but profits take a hit January 30, 2019 Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla has posted a smaller profit tonight than in its previous quarter, as fresh legislation and ramped up production costs took a bite out of its success. The firm made a net profit of $139.5m (£106.4m) in the three months ending 31 December, compared with a $311.5m profit in the previous quarter when it still [...]
Cable stabilises above £1.30 support, but the Brexit storm is far from over January 30, 2019 | City Talk The UK parliament yesterday voted against officially blocking a no deal Brexit, but also forced Theresa May to return to the EU to renegotiate the controversial Irish Border backstop. Cable tumbled over 100 pips initially but support at £1.3060 held. But there’s plenty of pain on the horizon for GBP/USD. “Backstop”. It’s a word that [...]
Venezuela braced for more protests as Maduro rules out snap election January 30, 2019 Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro today said he is ready to negotiate with the country’s opposition but dismissed calls for a snap election. The socialist leader said calls for early elections amounted to blackmail and insisted a vote will not take place until 2025, RIA Novosti reported. Read more: Labour leadership accused of 'weasel words' over Venezuela [...]
Bill Browder attacks British establishment for allegedly accepting Russian money laundering bribes January 30, 2019 Financier and prominent Putin critic Bill Browder has launched an incendiary attack on "members of the British establishment" for allegedly accepting bribes linked to Russian money laundering. Browder, the chief executive of Hermitage Capital Management, alleged that an investigation into money laundering had uncovered evidence that members of the House of Lords have received bribes [...]
CBI: Businesses set to accelerate no-deal Brexit planning after parliament vote January 30, 2019 British firms are set to accelerate their no-deal Brexit plans as uncertainty reigns over the nature of the UK’s departure from the EU, a major business body said today. Last night’s decision to reopen negotiations with the bloc will not have reassures businesses, CBI boss Carolyn Fairbairn told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning. [...]