EU referendum: Process stories about ‘purdah’ rules distract us from the real European Union debate – The City View September 8, 2015 It probably isn’t too much of a stretch to say that for the vast majority of people, “purdah” might as well be a brand of cat food. And yet this arcane device (limiting the activity of government during a campaign period) is currently at the heart of what passes for the debate around the [...]
Peak Internet is here: Japan’s new Cat Street View map lets you explore the world like a cat September 4, 2015 It’s finally happened: peak internet is here, in the form of a Cat Street View map. Being a cat seems pretty great. Who wouldn’t want to nap all day, get gullible humans to play with you when you’re bored, or be able to take adventurous five-storey leaps and land squarely on your feet? We may [...]
The refugee crisis, the EU referendum and London’s skyline: Here’s what got us talking this week September 4, 2015 There was a fine wine scam. There was a Circle Line travelator (in the making). And somewhere in Japan, people started seeing the world from a cat's perspective. Here's what got us talking this week 1) The refugee crisis Disturbing images of dead toddler Aylan Kurdi galvanised the world into action over the Syrian refugee [...]
Government could relax rules for Cayman Islands disclosures September 4, 2015 A GOVERNMENT minister has indicated that the UK has eased up on its efforts to get the Cayman Islands to create a register of company ownership. Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to overseas territories last year, pushing them to consider publishing a list of beneficial ownership. He argued that public access to a list of [...]
As global markets selloff continues, here’s what seven analysts think of today’s market turmoil August 26, 2015 Market turmoil is widespread today, with gains being wiped off indices in Asia, European markets opening lower, and the FTSE 100 edging towards 6,000. What do analysts make of the developments? Here's a round-up: 1. "The news propped up a malaise in markets" – Bernard Yaros, Moody’s Analytics The release of the weakest Chinese manufacturing [...]
Hotel Chantelle needs to earn its place on the culinary map August 26, 2015 Hotel Chantelle 23 Orchard St, W1H Tel: 020 7299 2522 FOOD ★★☆☆☆ VALUE ★★☆☆☆ ATMOSPHERE ★★☆☆☆ Hotel Chantelle is terribly exclusive. It has a bouncer, who is in charge of fastening and unfastening a red velvet rope, like you remember from nightclubs in the 1990s. It has a lady in a pencil skirt who stands next to [...]
As Labour purges leadership election voters, will its next leader struggle for legitimacy? August 25, 2015 Tom Mludzinski is head of political polling at ComRes, says Yes No matter who wins, the next Labour leader will have a difficult job in uniting the party. If, as many commentators are predicting, Jeremy Corbyn is victorious, one of his biggest challenges will be to get the Parliamentary Labour Party behind him. Many have [...]
Putin is about to win his cynical bet in Ukraine: The West is truly dead August 23, 2015 I am becoming worryingly convinced that Vladimir Putin must be a big fan of this column. Just a few days on from me revealing that he is odds-on favourite to become the super-villain in the next Bond caper, the Russian President confirmed my worst suspicions. Falling back on one of his late-Roger-Moore-era stunts, Putin piloted [...]
Can shipping brokers ride out the rougher seas? August 18, 2015 Commodity turmoil could blow the shipping industry off course. The wider effects of stormy conditions in the global commodities market are emerging as more companies reveal tumbling earnings. Shipping company Clarksons yesterday published profits of £6.2m, down 36.7 per cent on the first six months of the previous year, citing “severe challenges faced by the [...]
Jaguar’s XF is a practical beast August 17, 2015 When Jaguar launched the XE, it brought London to a standstill. It was helicoptered over the Thames, chased by a flotilla of speedboats, then escorted through the city by classic Mark II Jaguar police cars. Arriving at a celeb-packed Earls Court, it was serenaded by pop princess Emeli Sande, who performed a new song written [...]