Hollywood’s highest paid star Leonardo DiCaprio earns three times average FTSE 100 boss (but no one can touch Martin Sorrell) March 26, 2015 Hollywood's highest paid stars earn up to three times more than the average FTSE 100 chief executive, proving that pursuing a career in the arts isn't always financially foolhardy if you can claw your way to the top. Research from trade magazine The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Hollywood's biggest stars' salaries are once again reaching [...]
Thomas Piketty and Russell Brand named among the world’s top 10 “thinkers” March 26, 2015 It seems Russell Brand's lectures about the many advantages of not voting were more than just the fevered rantings of a "pound shop Ben Elton". The comedian-cum-"revolutionary" has just been listed among the world's top 10 world thinkers. It turns out someone's actually taking him seriously… even though it wasn't that long ago that the [...]
Blue and Red Ukip profiled: The two tribes at the heart of Nigel Farage’s party March 26, 2015 Ever since Ukip began to breach double digits consistently in the polls and win over councillors and MEPs beyond its southern heartlands, the makeup of Ukip supporters has shifted. Back in the old days Ukip voters were almost entirely made up of ex Conservatives and those who hadn't voted before. But with an increasingly aggressive [...]
Boris Johnson appoints new deputy Roger Evans as his return to parliament nears March 25, 2015 Boris Johnson appointed Roger Evans as statutory deputy mayor for London yesterday. He will stand in for Johnson on occasions when the Mayor himself cannot be present. Evans, will take up the new role on 13 May, shortly after Johnson is expected to been elected as an MP. There has been speculation about how Johnson [...]
David Cameron rules out VAT rise at last PMQs before the General Election March 25, 2015 David Cameron has vowed that if the Conservative Party wins the General Election there will be no rise in VAT. The Prime Minister made the announcement at the last Prime Minister's Questions of this Parliament. The surprise move will head off the Labour charge that the Tories will hike VAT if they return to government. [...]
Kraft shares jump 30 per cent as Warren Buffett and 3G Capital confirm plans to merge it with Heinz in $40bn takeover March 25, 2015 Ketchup and cheese single sandwich, anyone? Warren Buffett has confirmed plans to merge processed cheese maker Kraft with Heinz, creating the Kraft Heinz Company, pushing shares in the company up more than 30 per cent in after-hours trading. Last night it was rumoured Brazilian private equity giant 3G Capital, which joint-owns Heinz with Buffett's Berkshire [...]
As Cameron and Miliband prepare for final face-off check out PMQs Top Trumps March 25, 2015 David Cameron and Ed Miliband will clash at Prime Minister's Questions today for the last time before the General Election. The two men have spent close to five years duelling in the House of Commons, attempting to catch a spot on the six o'clock news with a withering put-down or witty comeback. Both men have [...]
Bank levy here to stay forever, says Osborne March 24, 2015 BRITAIN’S lenders face having to pay the bank levy forever, as the chancellor yesterday revealed that the crisis-era tax was here to stay. The levy was initially presented as a way to make banks pay for the crash, and to encourage them to shrink back down to a manageable size. But even when the deficit [...]
Mayor Boris Johnson and London Underground pledge “faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys” for passengers using District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines March 24, 2015 London Underground and mayor Boris Johnson are promising commuters “faster, more frequent and more reliable journeys” for millions of passengers who use the District, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines. The two have parties have unveiled plans to modernise the creekiest parts of the Tube network, introducing a modern train control system across [...]
French minister Ségolène Royal rebukes George Osborne’s “spiteful” mockery of Hollande’s economy March 24, 2015 During last week's Budget, George Osborne's jokes at France's expense played well in the chamber of the House of Commons – at least among Tory MPs. The chancellor mocked the opposition for wanting to emulate the French economic model in operation under Francois Hollande. France is beset with high unemployment and low growth and has struggled [...]