Usain Bolt welcomes Russia ban as country nears total exclusion from Rio Olympics July 21, 2016 Track superstar Usain Bolt has welcomed the decision to uphold a ban on Russian athletes at next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday rejected an appeal by Russia’s Olympic committee and 68 of the country’s athletes against their suspension following allegations of a doping conspiracy. The [...]
Decision over blanket Rio ban on Russia delayed as International Olympic Commitee opt to seek legal advice July 21, 2016 Russia must wait to learn its fate after the International Olympic Committee delayed a decision on whether to enforce a blanket ban on the nation’s athletes competing at next month’s Games in Rio. Following a four-hour meeting, the IOC confirmed it would “explore their legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian [...]
Lockheed Martin’s space chief rubbishes claims that Brexit could spell the end for the UK’s extraterrestrial ambitions July 21, 2016 Vice president for Space Systems International Jim Crocker says the Brexit vote will have little impact on Britain’s ability to collaborate on upcoming space missions. This follows comments in the lead-up the referendum made by former UK Minister of Science Lord Paul Drayson suggesting the UK could be grounded if we voted to leave the EU. [...]
Volkswagen shares jump on surprise trading update showing operating result ahead of expectations July 20, 2016 Motor manufacturer Volkswagen boosted its share price today with an ad-hoc trading update containing positive profit news. The company said its operating results before special items is "significantly higher than market expectations for the first half of 2016" at €7.5bn (£6.3bn), "despite the ongoing economic impact from the diesel issue". Volkswagen was engulfed in scandal last [...]
Here’s how much of a house €200,000 will buy you in countries across Europe July 19, 2016 It's hardly big news UK house prices are among the most expensive in Europe – but what does that actually mean, practically speaking? This chart from Statista, using data from Deloitte, lays out exactly what you can expect to get with in different countries with the same amount of cash – €200,000 (£167,690). And while London is [...]
Philip Morris International’s share price hit as the tobacco giant chokes on earnings below analyst expectations July 19, 2016 Big Four tobacco firm Philip Morris International's (PMI) share price was down almost four per cent on the New York Stock Exchange after it missed analyst expectations in its second quarter results today. The figures The Marlboro maker's cigarette shipment volume fell 4.8 per cent compared to the second quarter of last year, to 209.3bn [...]
Defence secretary Michael Fallon: Trident renewal is a “very cheap insurance policy” July 18, 2016 The world is a dangerous place and as such renewing Trident is a cost-effective insurance policy, defence secretary Michael Fallon has said. Ahead of a House of Commons vote on the issue later today, Fallon said it is not possible to foresee with any great accuracy the threats that might be faced in the future, [...]
Opec has warned that the Brexit vote will weigh on European oil demand as it pumps more oil than at any time in recent history July 12, 2016 Diminished former oil cartel Opec has cautioned the UK's recent vote to quit the European Union could dampen oil demand across the continent. The warning comes alongside data that showed Opec countries between them pumped more oil than at any time in recent history, sparking fears the supply glut may not clear in the second half of the year. The [...]
Foreign currency: With sterling down against the euro and US dollar, here’s how to make your holiday money go further this summer July 12, 2016 Unless you’re holidaying in South Africa, Brazil, Russia or a number of other countries whose currency has fallen more steeply than sterling this year, you should brace yourself for considerable increases in the cost of hotel rooms, car hire and dining out. Market uncertainty around Brexit has led sterling to fall against a basket of other [...]
The South China Sea is a powder keg with disturbing echoes of 1914 July 11, 2016 With all the Brexit drama, it is easy to forget that on the other side of the world a contest for primacy is brewing that will probably do more to tell the tale of what our multipolar world evolves into than anything presently happening in Europe. If the US and China manage their emerging geostrategic [...]