The secret to scrummy seasonal seafood is a click away December 21, 2016 Why did the fish get bad grades? Answer: Because he was below sea level… Ka-boom! You may grimace, but have you considered clipping the wings of the traditional Christmas game or fowl this year in favour of a seafood feast? Serving up a little fishy on your dishy will put you in the same school of thought as many [...]
Wanted for 2017: A leader with a strong moral compass December 21, 2016 It feels like 2016 is never-ending. As I sit here writing my final column of the year I’m looking at the news: 12 killed in a lorry attack on a Berlin Christmas Market and the Russian ambassador shot dead in Turkey. In the last 12 months, the UK voted to leave the EU, Donald Trump was [...]
Rejoice: Christmas is about to get much less manic for City parents December 21, 2016 For many mums and dads working in the City, the pressure gauge is now banging against the red zone. On the work side, Christmas brings client drinks parties, office shindigs, annual appraisals, bonus dramas, mystery Santas, week-long hangovers and projects with a “before Christmas” deadline. On the family side, December means nativity plays, parents’ evenings, last-minute Christmas [...]
Why you should serve a magnum on Christmas day December 21, 2016 Yes, Yes, Christmas is a time for giving. But it is also a time for a decent glass of wine or two and sharing them with friends and family. One of the greatest pleasures in collecting and appreciating wine is choosing the wines that will work just right with the occasion and the planned menu [...]
Calls for Alastair Cook to quit as Test skipper after latest England flop December 20, 2016 England skipper Alastair Cook insists he will take time to consider his future after conceding that stagnation has crept into the side this year as the harrowing series in India climaxed with another spectacular implosion. The tourists were hammered by an innings and 75 runs after being dismissed for 207 as India completed a 4-0 series [...]
Flying high: 48-hour walkout by airport staff called off December 20, 2016 Strikes by airport staff which had been planned for 23 and 24 December have been called off. More than 1,500 workers at Swissport, including baggage handlers, cargo crew and check-in staff across 18 airports, had been due to start a 48-hour walkout on Friday in a row over pay. This has now been cancelled following successful [...]
Spot gold prices shed recent gains as investors steer clear of safe havens despite deadly attacks in Germany and Turkey December 20, 2016 Spot gold prices slid lower today, shedding gains made in the previous two sessions. The price of the yellow stuff fell 0.9 per cent to $1,127.94 an ounce in afternoon trading London time, according to data from Bloomberg, after optimistic remarks on the US labour market by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen strengthened the possibility of further interest rate [...]
John Lewis hits out at Labour MP over Christmas jingle December 20, 2016 The John Lewis Partnership has hit out at a campaigning Labour MP after she produced a Christmas jingle criticising the retailer for how it treats its staff. Labour MPs, led by Siobhain McDonagh, recently recorded a song – titled "National Living Rage" – to highlight how retailers are cutting staff benefits in response to the national living wage. Read more: [...]
From crackers to cranberry sauce: 10 Christmas items that’ll be confiscated if you sneak them into hand luggage December 20, 2016 Don't get too too swept away in the spirit of Christmas. At least not to the extent where you're trying to shuffle onto a flight to visit family with a handbag stashed with mincemeat and brandy butter. That's what's London City Airport is warning anyway as it's compiled a list of the top 10 Christmas [...]
The Southern rail strike saga has cost the economy £300m already, says university study December 20, 2016 The Southern rail strikes are costing the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds, according to new research from the University of Chichester. A study, led by Dave Cooper, professor of management and economic development, has put the cost of the strike saga to the country's GDP at as much as £300m. The industrial action, carried [...]