The UK government must remember to tackle corruption at home as Cameron’s anti-corruption summit gets underway in the wake of the Panama Papers May 12, 2016 The Prime Minister's invitation to representatives of other governments to attend an Anti-Corruption Summit in London looked like a good idea when he announced it a year ago. Before, that is, he chose to insult two of the guests. The gaffe has already drawn quick rebuttals from the two countries, with the Nigerian President claiming [...]
London is still the world’s most luxurious property market while Auckland is the “hottest” city according to Christie’s International Real Estate May 12, 2016 This may come as little surprise, but London has retained its title as the world's most luxurious property market for the fourth year in a row, according to Christie's International Real Estate. The capital topped the list of 100 cities surveyed, beating Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles and Singapore to the real estate top [...]
Global alcoholic drinks consumption drops for the first time in a decade, according to Euromonitor International May 12, 2016 Global sales volumes of alcoholic drinks declined a sobering 0.7 per cent in 2015, entering negative territory for the first time in more than a decade. This fall translated into a loss of 1.7bn litres of alcoholic drinks sales since 2014, according to research from Euromonitor International. Worldwide volumes were derailed by the effects of [...]
The next great tax reform: Universal Basic Income May 12, 2016 Radicalism and popularity rarely march in step. Yet, there is one policy that the Chancellor has pursued, urged on by the Liberal Democrats when in coalition, that has achieved both: the expansion of the personal tax allowance. By the end of this parliament, the personal allowance is likely to have nearly doubled in cash terms [...]
London house prices broke the £600k barrier for the first time in April, according to the latest House Price Index from Your Move and Reed Rains May 12, 2016 London house prices broke through the £600,000 barrier for the first time in April, while the value of homes in the capital has almost doubled over the past seven years. Property prices in London have risen 11 per cent (£59,605) since this time last year, surpassing all other regions of England and Wales, according to the latest House [...]
Antonio Banderas to star in equity crowdfunded Hollywood film: Salty May 11, 2016 The award-winning Spanish actor Antonio Banderas has been announced as the star of one of the world's first equity crowdfunded Hollywood movies. The Mask of Zorro and Desperado star will play the lead character Turk Henry in "Salty", which received £1.9m via crowdfunding platform SyndicateRoom. Described as "The Hangover meets Spinal Tap", the film is the largest [...]
These are the strangest items Londoners have tried to take on planes in the last year, according to London City Airport May 11, 2016 Posh dog shampoo, furry handcuffs, a wooden meat hammer and snow globes: an unlikely bunch of items, but all products that passengers have tried to take onto flights as hand luggage in the past year. London City Airport has revealed its list of the 10 most unusual items confiscated at its security check-in, as well [...]
Supermarket wines from Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and others uncork victory at International Wine Challenge May 11, 2016 Supermarket wines won big yesterday at the 2016 International Wine Challenge (IWC), with budget grocers Aldi and Asda joining premium brands such as Waitrose and Marks & Spencer in the gold-winning big leagues. Gold medals were award to 28 wines created for supermarkets in total at the world-renowned competition, which included offerings from Aldi, Asda, [...]
