Mario Draghi defends ECB policy decisions after QE rollout March 23, 2015 European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Draghi yesterday hit back at claims that new monetary policy measures would reduce the need for governments to undertake reforms, ultimately harming growth prospects. “Do you really think a high level of interest rates would form an incentive for a government to improve its education system, or judiciary, or [...]
Yanis Varoufakis cancels City Week speech to go to Athens March 23, 2015 Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has pulled out of City Week, cancelling his plan to speak to City and global investors about Greece. Just last week his office was confirming that the high profile former professor would be giving a presentation, titled “Future of Europe: the Greek perspective” this afternoon. But instead he is [...]
Beware a taper tantrum after ECB QE – CNBC Comment March 23, 2015 Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things in life, especially when it is to a good friend who has brought you joy, peace of mind and, yes, profits. For investors over recent years, that friend has been easy monetary policy. St Louis Fed president James Bullard told CNBC yesterday that there was the potential [...]
Tsipras and Merkel sound conciliatory tone after Berlin meeting March 23, 2015 Greece took its negations for EU cash all the way to Berlin today, where Prime Minsiter Alexis Tsipras met the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. The meeting appeared to go well, with both sides appearing keen to find common ground and there did seem to be genuine warmth between the two leaders. Looks like it was [...]
General Election 2015: I’ll step down after second term, says David Cameron March 23, 2015 David Cameron will not serve a third term as Prime Minister if he is reelected. The Conservative leader told the BBC he would lead the country for the full five years of another parliament and then step down. After 10 years in power, he said, “it will be time for new leadership”. When asked about [...]
Labour MP for Rochdale Simon Danczuk: Ed Miliband is more of a toff than Cameron March 23, 2015 Ed Miliband faced a scathing attack today – from a member of his own party. Simon Danczuk, the Labour MP for Rochdale, said Miliband was a liability and failed to connect with voters – many of which thought him a “f*****g knob.” The Labour leader, he said, was more of a toff than Cameron, while [...]
Draghi says Euro area economic recovery “gaining momentum” March 23, 2015 European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi issued a bright outlook for the Eurozone economy, saying that it would benefit from low oil prices, a hefty stimulus package and favourable exchange rate movements. "The basis for the economic recovery in the euro area has clearly strengthened," he said in a speech to the European Parliament. [...]
Rangers end Mike Ashley loan agreement but take £1.5m from Three Bears consortium March 23, 2015 Cash-strapped Rangers will receive a boost after Douglas Park, George Letham and George Taylor agreed to provide £1.5m loans to the football club. The loans from the group known as the "Three Bears consortium" are being made available until 31 December 2015 for working capital requirements and will be provided on an unsecured basis, meaning [...]
Busk in London: Mayor Boris Johnson unveils plans to make London “busking capital of the world” – including National Busking Day March 23, 2015 Ditch the headphones and start tuning into the real-live music on London's streets. The capital is about to become a whole lot more musical. Mayor Boris Johnson has launched a new scheme to make it easier for people to busk in the capital alongside a busking “code of conduct”. The Busk in London scheme, [...]
Greek crisis: European markets dip ahead of meeting between Alexis Tsipras and Angela Merkel March 23, 2015 Germany's Dax lead European markets down, falling 0.93 per cent as Chancellor Angela Merkel prepared to thrash out a deal with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras this afternoon. France's Cac 40 fell 0.56 per cent, while the FTSE 100 – which on Friday hit 7,000 points for the first time – fell back 0.27 per [...]