NEW WAYS TO BE HANDSOME June 14, 2010 THE idea of “getting a bit of work done” is no longer the preserve of ladies of a certain age – everyone’s at it, including men, from Simon Cowell and Gordon Ramsay to City gents who feel their features wilting under recessionary pressures. Any attempt to revitalise one’s looks should begin with a lifestyle reboot, [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 14, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES MINISTERS URGED TO EXTEND WIND SUBSIDIES One of the biggest investors in UK wind power will warn the government on Tuesday that it must extend subsidies for the industry or risk losing investment as European countries vie to build up wind capacity. ARAB NATIONS URGED TO MEET AID PROMISES Arab countries have been urged to use more of their [...]
Exercises to do seated at your desk June 14, 2010 LAURA WILLIAMS, FITNESS & DIET EXPERT Hone and tone your glutes and prevent back pain with a mini workout you can do while you carry on working. Prevent RSI Prevent Repetitive Stress-type injury by stretching out the muscles that get overworked with lots of mouse use. Keeping your shoulders low and relaxed, extend your right [...]
Boris seeks wider powers June 14, 2010 Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, is proposing he takes on much wider powers covering development, housing, transport and the Olympic legacy in a far-reaching shake-up of the way the capital is governed. The proposals, which will devolve more powers from Whitehall to City Hall, are set to be unveiled today at the first meeting since the [...]
Moody’s junks Greek debt June 14, 2010 Moody’s downgraded Greece’s credit rating to junk yesterday, trimming equity market gains and reigniting fears over the Eurozone region. The American ratings agency moved Greek government debt four notches down from A3 to Ba1, citing economic risks. The move produced muted effects on share indices because it comes after downgrades from S&P and Fitch. Moody’s [...]
BP told to put $20bn into an oil spill fund June 14, 2010 BP’S SHARES took yet another battering yesterday after the US demanded it set up a separate $20bn (£13.5bn) fund to ensure it has enough cash to cover the Gulf of Mexico clean-up costs. Shares tumbled by nine per cent in the UK to close at 355.45p, with investors uncertain over whether the oil major will [...]
Congress nears deal on swaps crackdown June 14, 2010 BANKS looked increasingly likely to face limits on swap trading as a proposal to rein in “risky” business practices gained traction among lawmakers negotiating a landmark Wall Street reform bill. In a rebuke to the banking industry, lawmakers yesterday were warming to a revised proposal from Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln that would force some banks [...]
Q&A: The escrow account June 14, 2010 Q. BP has been asked to put $20bn into an escrow account, what is it? A. An escrow account is a third party account set up to hold funds, usually in a bankruptcy, as a security measure to ensure relevant parties are paid during extraordinary circumstances. Q. Why has the US asked BP to set [...]
IFS: coalition could avoid a VAT increase June 14, 2010 THE government could bring the deficit under control without raising VAT, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS). But a Lib Dem pledge to lower income tax thresholds coupled with Tory promises to ring-fence spending on health and overseas aid means the coalition will probably have to hike taxes. Responding to the Office for [...]
FIRMS WELCOME the OBR June 14, 2010 Business leaders welcomed the inaugural forecasts from the Office of Budget Responsibility yesterday, saying that the independent but official forecaster would help restore trust in public statistics. Richard Lambert, director-general of employers’ organisation the CBI, said: “This report injects a welcome dose of credibility and transparency into the fiscal and economic growth projections. “The forecasts [...]
