The most shocking video to come out of Ukraine yet February 19, 2014 As government forces continue to crack down on Ukrainian dissidents, things took a turn for the worse overnight. Protests have been ramping up since Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich rejected a deal with the European Union, favouring to take $2bn of aid from Russia instead. Opposition leader (and former world heavyweight boxing champion) Vitali Klitschko said [...]
West calls for order in Kiev as violent clashes continue February 18, 2014 VIOLENT protests in Ukraine continued throughout the night as politicians failed to reach an agreement and put an end to the bloodshed in the capital city Kiev. Clashes between authorities and protesters began after riot police stormed an anti-government camp in Kiev yesterday. Reports suggest around 25,000 people were in the camp at the time. [...]
Video: We take a look around Europe’s first Bitcoin shop February 18, 2014 Bitcoin had a pretty rough time of it last week. The Apple app store banned it, so did Russia, $2.7m worth of the cryptocurrency was nicked from Silk Road 2 and its value fell to half of what it was two weeks before. But here’s some good Bitcoin news. Europe’s first physical Bitcoin [...]
Russia aims for privatisation plan February 17, 2014 Russia’s prime minister said yesterday he hoped to raise more than $5.5bn this year by selling stakes in state companies, reviving a delayed privatisation programme that could spur a flagging economy. At a meeting with deputy prime ministers, Dmitry Medvedev also sounded a note of caution, saying the sale of shares in companies such as [...]
Murdoch vows not to waste lifeline in Sochi February 17, 2014 BRITISH skip David Murdoch knows his rink have been handed a lifeline to reach the curling semi-finals and has vowed not to waste it in today’s tiebreaker with Norway. Team GB suffered a 6-5 defeat to China in their final round robin match in Sochi yesterday, but a surprise 5-3 loss for Norway against Denmark [...]
How energy bills are threatening export hopes of UK businesses February 17, 2014 BRITAIN risks missing the government’s export targets because high energy bills make it hard to compete overseas, manufacturing group EEF warned today. George Osborne wants UK firms’ exports to hit £1 trillion per year in 2020, a target requiring growth of nine per cent each year. But by that stage the government expects taxes to [...]
Ultimate breaks: This week’s top luxury trips February 16, 2014 EXTREME HOLIDAYS For those looking for extreme adventure on their holiday, check out Abercrombie & Kent’s Pioneer’s Collection. The extreme holidays include the chance to test your nerve flying a supersonic fighter jet in Russia, ascend Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, by the most challenging route or push yourself to the limits with a skiing expedition [...]
We must come out tough, says skip Murdoch February 16, 2014 BRITISH skip David Murdoch has called on his team-mates to hold their nerve and seal a place in the curling semi-finals with victory in today’s last round-robin match against China. A 7-6 defeat to Norway yesterday leaves Britain tied with the Scandinavians in the fourth and final qualifying position and needing victory over third-placed China [...]
Cheshire spends night in hospital after suffering concussion in fall February 16, 2014 TEENAGE halfpipe skier Rowan Cheshire spent last night in hospital after suffering concussion in a heavy fall during training at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi, Team GB confirmed. Cheshire, 18, is due to compete on Thursday when qualifying begins at 2.30pm British time, but it is yet to be determined whether she will be [...]
SocGen profits jump after cost cutting success February 12, 2014 FRENCH bank Societe Generale hiked its dividend payouts to shareholders yesterday after profits jumped in 2013. The bank saw modest profit growth in its French retail arm, despite the wider economy’s poor performance, and it was bolstered by growth in markets like Russia. Profits came in at €322m (£236.9m) for the fourth quarter of 2013, compared [...]