Summer in Chamonix: Celebrating 150 years of climbing in the Alps June 15, 2015 Birthplace of the Winter Olympics and home to some of the Alps’ most challenging pistes, the Chamonix valley in France is a magnet for snow-sporting types throughout the winter months. But as warmer weather arrives and the snow disappears, so do most of the tourists, and the thousands of skiers are replaced by a [...]
Russian central bank slashes key interest rate June 15, 2015 The Central Bank of Russia has slashed its main interest rate by one percentage point to 11.5 per cent, amid a strengthening currency and inflation risks. It's slowed the pace at which it was cutting rates – the central bank cut the main interest rate by two percentage points in January, one percentage point in March and [...]
Investors give thumbs up to British assets June 14, 2015 JUNE saw the largest climb in investor sentiment toward UK shares for over two years, according to one of Britain’s biggest banks. Net sentiment toward UK shares hit 40.2 per cent in June, up from 26.3 per cent in May, figures released today by Lloyds Bank show. Net sentiment is the difference between the percentage [...]
UK is “feeble” in the face of military threats from around the world, former commanders warn June 14, 2015 The UK is weak against military threats from around the world, according to four former commanders of the Armed Forces. Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, Admiral Lord Boyce, Field Marshal Lord Walker and Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire said in a joint letter that Britain's global influence is declining, and expressed their concern at [...]
UK forced to move its spies as Russia and China crack documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden June 14, 2015 British spies have been removed from potentially dangerous operations after Moscow and Beijing managed to crack files leaked by US whistleblower Edward Snowden. The documents reveal how British and American intelligence agents operate and could lead to their identification by other countries, according to senior figures in the security services and Downing Street. [...]
Kazakhstan to join World Trade Organisation after 20 years of talks June 11, 2015 Kazakhstan has completed negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation, after 20 years of negotiations. After spending the entire lifetime of the 20-year-old WTO trying to join the Geneva-based trade body, Kazakhstan is now on course to become its 162nd member. The country's candidacy gathered momentum after Russia, its neighbour, joined in 2012. It is [...]
Fifa crisis: World Cup 2026 bidding process suspended, says general secretary Jerome Valcke June 10, 2015 Fifa has suspended the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup, according to secretary general Jerome Valcke. The bidding process for the 2026 tournament which is due to be awarded at the 2017 Fifa Congress in Kuala Lumpur, will now be postponed as Fifa wrestles with the fallout of the US Department of Justice investigation [...]
McDonald’s cannot drive through turnaround plans quick enough June 8, 2015 MCDONALD’S served up yet more disappointing sales figures for May, the food icon said yesterday. McDonald’s worldwide sales declined by 0.3 per cent in May, but still beat expectations thanks to strong performances in the UK. Sales in Europe rose 2.3 per cent in May. Strong results in western Europe were partly offset by slightly [...]
Global turbulence to rock UK: Trouble in the Eurozone, Fed rate hikes and a Chinese slowdown could hit markets June 8, 2015 Yesterday, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) revised its UK economic growth forecasts to 2.4 per cent and 2.5 per cent for 2015 and 2016 respectively, down from 2.7 per cent and 2.6 per cent. It wasn’t troubles at home that concerned the business organisation. The CBI cited economic instability in Greece, a sluggish Eurozone, [...]
The UK is building a new Royal Navy ship to defend against “Russian aggression”, says defence secretary Michael Fallon June 8, 2015 The UK is getting a new Royal Navy ship to guard against “Russian aggression”, defence secretary Michael Fallon has confirmed. Speaking at BAE's Govan shipyard in Glasgow, he said the HMS Medway would build on Britain's commitment to global security amid a rise in threats from Russia and elsewhere. "In recent months you have [...]