Cyber committee urges government to do more to combat security risks November 19, 2018 The UK government is in dire need of political direction on responding to national cyber security threats, as current efforts have left the country's infrastructure and businesses "wholly" unprepared for another attack. The joint committee on the national security security strategy warned today that the UK's critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, health services and water, face a [...]
Germany’s Merkel calls for creation of European army November 13, 2018 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the creation of a European Army, stressing that such an effort would not mean an end to the US-led Nato. The announcement, marking a seismic change in the EU’s common defence policy, comes amid tensions with Russia and worsening relations with US President Donald Trump’s more inwards-looking administration. [...]
Is central bank independence even a thing? November 13, 2018 Parents often find it tough to let go of the control they have on their children’s lives, no matter how old they are. While children usually tend to wriggle out of these constraints, the constant jostling between two often opposing opinions is a worldwide phenomenon. And such is the relationship between the government and the [...]
Oil prices rebound as Saudi Arabia pledges to cut production by 500,000 barrels per day November 12, 2018 Saudi Arabia has pledged to cut oil production in December, sending oil prices surging this morning. Energy minister Khalid al-Falih said the kingdom would reduce oil supply to global markets by 500,000 barrels per day in December compared with November. Brent crude oil rose more than two per cent to $71.69 per barrel, having sunk [...]
Donald Trump has labelled French president Emmanuel Macron ‘very insulting’ for EU army comments November 10, 2018 Donald Trump has criticised French President Emmanuel Macron for comments he made about Europe needing an army to protect itself from the US, among other countries. Trump called the comments "very insulting" as he arrived in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the first world war with other world leaders. On Tuesday, Macron called for [...]
Oil prices drop below $70 per barrel as slide continues for tenth consecutive day November 9, 2018 Oil prices have dropped below $70 per barrel falling 20 per cent from the four-year peak of last month. Brent crude fell to $69.85 as supply fears as a result of US sanctions on Iran eased and production rose. The price of brent crude has now fallen for ten consecutive days 20 per cent down [...]
Impeaching Trump would be disastrous for the Democrats November 9, 2018 It took the President mere hours after holding his post-midterms press conference to drop the inevitable bombshell. After months of lambasting Jeff Sessions, the attorney general was being fired, replaced with the more amenable Matthew Whitaker. Why such ire towards Sessions, when he had been one of Donald Trump’s fiercest supporters on the campaign trail? [...]
How emerging markets have changed over the past 20 years November 8, 2018 The transformation of emerging markets has been remarkable. The countries and companies that dominated 20 years ago have changed dramatically, influenced by the major geopolitical, economic and demographic changes that have taken place over this time. Navigating these changes can be complex, but these developments underline the importance of taking a flexible, active approach and [...]
Shares fizz as Coca-Cola bottler reports rising revenue November 8, 2018 Shares at Coca-Cola HBC climbed five per cent in morning trading as the fizzy drinks bottler posted rising revenue on the back of higher demand in its international markets. The Swiss-based firm, which is the world’s second-largest Coca-Cola anchor bottler, led the FTSE 100 this morning after reporting revenues of €1.87bn (£1.63bn)in the third-quarter, rising [...]
Facebook blocks 115 ‘inauthentic’ accounts over election interference fears as midterm elections start November 6, 2018 Facebook has blocked more than 100 accounts displaying suspicious activity on the eve of the US midterm elections, raising concerns of voting manipulation. The social network is investigating whether 30 Facebook accounts and 85 Instagram accounts might be connected to Russia’s Internet Research Agency, which was at the heart of attempts to use social media [...]