International Democracy Day: Eric X Li, Paul Krugman and Richard Dearlove debate the future of the West, but is democracy the best guarantor of human rights? September 17, 2015 Delegates from the worlds of politics, business, media, civil society, and academia considered burning issues on the universality of democracy, challenges of poverty, religious extremism and the digital age. The “West” accounts for only 12 per cent of the world but consumes 60 per cent of resources and seeks to export its value-systems against increasingly [...]
The UK will soon run out of diesel and become reliant on foreign markets, warns RAC Foundation September 16, 2015 The UK will soon be unable to produce enough diesel to satisfy domestic demand, according to the RAC Foundation, putting it at risk of becoming completely dependant on foreign markets. In its latest report, the motoring research group said the number of diesel-run cars in Britain had increased from 1.6m in 1994 to 11m [...]
More charges set to be brought in Fifa probe September 15, 2015 FURTHER charges are set to be brought as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption by football’s world governing body Fifa, according to United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch yesterday. Fourteen Fifa officials and sports marketing executives were indicted by the United States justice department in May as part of a widespread investigations into [...]
Federal Reserve US interest rates hike: This is no Doomsday for emerging markets – The City View September 14, 2015 The prospect of a Federal Reserve rate hike looms large. On Thursday we will learn whether nearly 10 years of record low interest rates in the world’s largest economy are finally over. The date is a landmark because for much of this year consensus among economists has been for a September lift-off. The [...]
Jeremy Corbyn is Labour leader: But there are four reasons why he fails to convince me on his business policies September 14, 2015 Previously a life-long supporter, on Saturday I turned my back on Labour for good. Admittedly the rot started under Ed Miliband: I voted Conservative for the first time in May 2015 as I thought an Ed-led government would be disastrous for the economy and for business. Corbyn’s election as Labour leader meanwhile is [...]
Ikea enjoys record year fuelled by Chinese and Russian shoppers September 10, 2015 Furniture giant Ikea reported another record year yesterday after enjoying strong demand for its flat-pack furniture across all markets. The Swedish company reported an 11 per cent increase in full-year sales to a record €31.9bn (£23.2bn) compared with the previous year. Sales at stores open more than a year grew by 5.1 per cent in [...]
With Russia upping its military presence in Syria, is it time that the West put boots on the ground there? September 10, 2015 Michael Rubin, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, says Yes Make no mistake: no Western nation wants to put boots on the ground inside Syria. Risks would be high, costs immense, and logistics complex. The question, however, is whether there is any choice. On the anniversary of the 9/11 [...]
Nuclear power can now sweep the developing world – safely September 9, 2015 With everyone fixated on the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, it is regrettable but perhaps understandable that the world has missed a crucial moment in the history of nuclear non-proliferation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the government of Kazakhstan and a host of other international actors have agreed a deal to create the [...]
Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein accuses rivals of lacking guts after declaring Fifa candidacy September 9, 2015 Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein accused his potential rivals of being weak for failing to challenge Sepp Blatter after announcing his intention to stand for the presidency of world governing body Fifa yesterday. The 39-year-old forced a second round of voting in May’s election before standing aside, and will now bid to defeat Uefa president [...]
Flower Power: Laura Ashley plots expansion in India and China September 9, 2015 Laura Ashley is plotting its first foray into India and mainland China, where it believes its floral prints and home accessories will be a hit with shoppers. The retailer is in talks with a number of potential partners in both countries with the view of having its first stores up and running within two years, [...]