Waterstones to stack Kindles on its shelves May 21, 2012 WATERSTONES yesterday unveiled a partnership with Amazon that will see the iconic British bookshop sell the Kindle e-reader and e-books. The high street retailer, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, said the deal is part of its major refurbishment programme, which will see its stores decked out with new coffee shops, free wifi access and [...]
Cranswick gets a new boss as profit goes up May 21, 2012 BRITISH pork products supplier Cranswick yesterday reported a three per cent rise in full-year profit. The British company also announced that chief executive Bernard Hoggarth would step down at the company’s annual general meeting on 1 August. Hoggarth will take up a part-time role as commercial director while the company added that his stepping down [...]
A Mexican adventure in high style May 13, 2012 The last time I came to central America was 15 years ago on my gap year. Bed for the night tended to be a hammock, or mosquito-infested beach shack if we were pushing the boat out. Clothes were stuffed in a backpack, made heavier by my inspired first day purchase of a 5kg granite pestle [...]
Boris in race to boost London’s growth by 2020 May 10, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday issued a rallying cry to his staff, demanding they do everything possible “to create jobs and growth” in the capital, in a speech seen exclusively by City A.M. Addressing employees of the Greater London Authority (GLA) at City Hall, the mayor asked them to produce a “2020 vision” for London that will [...]
The alternative summer blockbusters May 9, 2012 Blockbuster movies arrive in the summer, when the kids are off school and people aren’t forced into hibernation by inclement weather. The big games, though, hit shelves in the autumn, in time for Christmas. This year will see titles including Grand Theft Auto V, Halo 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Assassin’s Creed III, [...]
Airline bomb plot is thwarted May 7, 2012 A plot similar to previous attempted bombing attacks by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula using a redesigned underwear bomb for use on aircraft was thwarted and no airline was ever at risk, two US counter-terrorism officials said yesterday. “This device has the hallmarks of previous AQAP bombing attempts,” one official said on condition of [...]
Folly which crippled Greece will be repeated in socialist France May 7, 2012 HOLLANDE’S victory was the most predictable election contest I can remember. No poll in recent months ever suggested that Sarkozy was in front. I have been keeping an eye on a US betting website – Sarkozy never traded above a 40 per cent chance of winning, and that was before Christmas. He was doomed. Of [...]
Aquarius posts a loss as prices and output fall April 30, 2012 MINER Aquarius Platinum yesterday posted a net loss for the third quarter, hit by weaker prices and a drop in production on the back of poor ground conditions, continuing safety stoppages and worse than usual absenteeism after the Christmas holidays. The company, which has been hit along with the rest of the sector by a [...]
THE EXTRAORDINARY ART OF JAPANESE WHISKY April 30, 2012 The meticulous attention to detail and blending of art with nature is a defining characteristic of Japanese culture. For almost 90 years, Japanese whisky distillers have evolved an approach defined as the Art of Japanese Whisky. It can be discerned through such distinctive whiskies as the Yamazaki and Hakushu 12 year old single malts or [...]
John Pluthero interview: The controversial telco boss on life after the C-suite April 30, 2012 Discussing abstract art with controversial executive John Pluthero is a slightly surreal experience, akin to ballroom dancing with Tony Hayward, or playing Twister with Steve Jobs. Pluthero is showing me around an exhibition he helped to curate at the Kings Place Gallery in Islington. Bright swirls of colour adorn every wall, each one accompanied by his impassioned commentary. He [...]