From Danish sperm and Ukip voters to banking stress tests and Tesco’s criminal probe: 10 things we learned this week October 31, 2014 There was plenty keeping us busy this week, and not all of it was Halloween related. What were the top 10 things we learned? 1. An inadvertent comment by a Royal Bank of Canada employee cost the firm several million dollars. The bank had been working on the record-breaking Alibaba IPO but voluntarily withdrew [...]
Game Group “pay as you stay” appeal rejected by Supreme Court October 31, 2014 Game Group's appeal against a landmark decision forcing retailers to pay rent even after they have filed for administration has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The test case was brought by landlords British Land, Hammerson, Land Securities and Intu, and the February ruling in their favour paved the way for so-called “pay as [...]
UK weather: Has this autumn been warmer than normal? Turns out October 2014 has been colder than the 20-year average October 31, 2014 Has this October really been “unseasonably warm”? This week two retailers have blamed the weather for poor sales. First up it was Next, which has become renowned for generally being so cautious on its guidance that it surprises on the upside. It was forced to lower its full year guidance, however, saying autumn had [...]
Sir Ian McKellen receives Freedom of the City of London for “tireless” LGBT work October 30, 2014 He's fought Sauron and Professor Xavier, waited for Godot and offered his kingdom for a horse, but it is Sir Ian McKellen's work as a gay rights activist that saw him receive the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall today. The actor, whose credits range from Shakespear to blockbuster action films, is [...]
Vice Media partners with Rogers in $100m deal to create content for “holy trinity” mobile, TV and web October 30, 2014 Vice Media has agreed a $100m joint venture with Canadian wireless communications group Rogers to produce “the holy trinity” of content for TV, web and mobile. The Toronto-based Vice Canada Studio will form part of the joint venture, producing news, drama, documentaries and fact-ent programming covering food, tech, sports and fashion. It will [...]
Why did Tesco’s share price barely register the SFO criminal investigation? October 30, 2014 Not only did Tesco's share price hardly move when it was confirmed that the Serious Fraud Office had launched a formal criminal investigation into the supermarket, it actually ended the day higher. It closed 1.4 per cent up at 173.3p per share yesterday, with the SFO announcement registering as a minor blip in what, [...]
Pumpkin shortage threatens to ruin Halloween October 30, 2014 If you've left it until today to pick up a pumpkin to carve for Halloween, you might be out of luck. Owing to what farmers have described as the worst harvest in years, some shops have started reporting that they have sold out of the seasonal squash. Apparently it is this year's wet [...]
David Somers takes executive role at Rangers after Wallace’s sudden exit October 30, 2014 David Somers has become executive chairman of Rangers International Football Club, following the departture of two directors this week. Somers, who was non-executive chairman, takes on the new role with immediate effect. According to a statement he will “liase directly with senior staff within the club about the operation of the business, and he [...]
Fiat Chrysler share price soars as Ferrari IPO spin-off plans revealed October 30, 2014 Fancy owning a chunk of one of the best known luxury sports car brands out there? Ferrari is being spun off by its parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) as it looks to ensure the group's “long-term success”, it was revealed today. The spin off will include an IPO, with around 10 per [...]
These beautiful pictures show how the fall of the Berlin Wall is being commemorated October 29, 2014 It's 25 years since the Berlin Wall came down, arguably one of the most significant moments of the late 20th century. Most people will remember the images of people joyfully climbing across from East to West Berlin for the first time in nearly 30 years, or of those on both sides finally destroying the [...]
