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 [...]
Fifa film United Passions flops as it takes just $607 at US box office June 8, 2015 After arrests, resignations and allegations, Fifa's hellish fortnight got even worse this weekend with a box office bomb. United Passions, the Fifa-financed film which tells the story of the governing body and the World Cup, made a measly $607 on its opening weekend in the US – a pathetic return that looks even worse in [...]
Air passengers in UK face highest flight taxes across entire world June 7, 2015 Brits flying off on long haul holidays this summer will pay nearly £50 more tax than travellers from other G7 nations, a new ranking of air passenger levies has found. UK travellers will pay £71 each in tax for a long haul economy flight, compared to an average £23 levied in France, Germany, Italy, Japan [...]
Qatar and Russia could no longer host the World Cup if bribery evidence is found June 7, 2015 Russia and Qatar will not be allowed to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups if evidence is found that they offered bribes during the bidding process, a Fifa official has said. Domenico Scala, head of Fifa's audit and compliance committee, told Swiss newspaper Sonntagszeitung: "If evidence should emerge that the awards to Qatar and [...]