Disappointing UK growth data offset by strong trading – London Report May 28, 2015 BRITAIN’S top share index outperformed pan-European equities yesterday despite disappointment over first-quarter UK growth data, thanks to some positive trading updates and an improving corporate earnings outlook. The FTSE 100 index closed 0.1 per cent up at 7,040.92, compared to a 0.6 per cent fall on the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index that took a hit [...]
US investors still uncertain – New York Report May 28, 2015 STOCKS eased yesterday as mixed messages about Greece’s debt talks kept investor uncertainty high along with a sharp drop in Chinese shares after brokers tightened margin rules. Investors also were cautious ahead of today’s reading on US gross domestic product. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 36.87 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 18,126.12, the [...]
The London Powerhouse: Universities are at the heart of the capital’s success May 28, 2015 Dreaming spires and cloistered courtyards: the image of Oxbridge has for centuries defined excellence in Britain’s global higher education offering. But in the twenty-first century, it is London’s elite universities that are tearing up the script. Last September, Imperial College shared second place with Cambridge in the QS World University Rankings, with Harvard just [...]
Nigeria’s new President Muhammadu Buhari promises to supercharge the African economic giant May 28, 2015 Criticism of Nigeria as a place to do business is widespread but misplaced. The scaremongers say that the country is unstable, with a crumbling economy and threats from terrorist groups. They point to oil shortages, collapsing crude prices, the ferocity of the Boko Haram terrorist group, and rampant corruption. But these snapshots do not paint [...]
Cheap money: Reports of the death of cash have been greatly exaggerated May 28, 2015 A landmark proposal has seen the Danish government consider ending the obligation of retailers to accept cash, a global first, with the implication that paper notes and coins could soon lose their grip on their status as legal tender. Figures from the Payments Council released last week, meanwhile, showed that cashless transactions have overtaken the [...]
As the Fifa corruption crisis continues, should sponsors be considering pulling back cash? May 28, 2015 Roger Barker, director of corporate governance at the Institute of Directors, says Yes Matters have come to a head at Fifa. The investigations and accusations that have been circulating for years have become charges and indictments. Sponsors have expressed concerns several times, but it is now time for those who pour millions into Fifa’s coffers [...]
Who owns ideas in the workplace? May 28, 2015 There are several grey areas, but employers can take steps to stop staff lifting material. The film The Social Network dramatises the story behind the setting up of Facebook. Early in, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, is asked by fellow Harvard students the Winklevoss twins to help them set up a [...]
Theatre review: Merry hijinks lacking passion in The Beaux’ Stratagem May 28, 2015 Olivier Theatre | ★★★☆☆ George Farquhar’s The Beaux’ Stratagem is not quite your typical Restoration comedy. While his contemporary William Congreve took the genre to a new level of metropolitan licentiousness, Farquhar headed to the provinces. Though still based around amorous adventures, his later works check their horseplay with a tragicomic seriousness. The Beaux’ Stratagem [...]
Something for the weekend May 28, 2015 DANCE! BENJI B Internationally renowned DJ Benji B continues his residency at XOYO. If you’ve ever tuned in to his Radio 1 show – and if you haven’t, you should – you’ll recognise the eclectic mix of the best electronic sounds. Saturday, £13.50, visit xoyo.co.uk. SHOP! CLERKENWELL VINTAGE FAIR Need to revamp your wardrobe in [...]
Blatter remains defiant despite engulfing crisis May 28, 2015 DEFIANT president Sepp Blatter refused to quit his position at the top of the scandal-ridden world governing body yesterday as the shockwaves from the Fifa corruption scandal continued to reverberate throughout football. Uefa counterpart Michel Platini demanded that Blatter resign, while failing to rule out further challenges to the 79-year-old’s authority should he win today’s [...]
