Coca-Cola bottler core profits fizz February 14, 2019 A soft drinks bottler led the FTSE 100 market fallers this morning after analysts noted that finance costs had offset strong organic growth, which has been boosted by a rise in appetite for sparkling beverages and a return to growth in its key Russian market. The figures Coca-Cola HBC AG said this morning that profits before [...]
Chelsea face a season-defining fortnight starting with a Europa League trip to Malmo, but they are yet to win away in 2019 February 13, 2019 On the back of Chelsea’s worst defeat in Premier League history, Maurizio Sarri faces a battle to galvanise his side for a season-defining fortnight. The Blues meet Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday night, Manchester City, who humiliated them 6-0 last weekend, in the EFL Cup final a week on Sunday, [...]
Saudi Arabia added to EU dirty money blacklist but Russia omission blasted February 13, 2019 Saudi Arabia has been added to the European Commission’s dirty money blacklist as part of a crackdown on money laundering and terrorism financing. Four US territories along with Nigeria and Panama were also added to the 23-country list, designed to protect the EU financial system in the wake of several money laundering scandals. Read more: [...]
Future in doubt for Formula One’s iconic races with Silverstone and Monza deals set to expire this year February 12, 2019 Just four weeks remain until the new Formula One season begins, yet doubts still linger over the future of some of the sport’s most iconic tracks beyond this year. Britain’s Silverstone has led the revolt against F1 owners Liberty Media as one of five races whose contracts are set to expire. Also among them is [...]
The Great Russian Firewall: Putin’s unplugging his country from the internet February 11, 2019 Russia is preparing to detach itself from the rest of the world by briefly disconnecting from the internet, as it readies for future cyber warfare. The test, due to be held before 1 April, will keep all data circulating between Russian citizens and organisations within the country's borders rather than passing through international routes. The move [...]
Three themes for 2019 – and some black swans February 8, 2019 2018 was a challenging year for investors with US equity and government bond markets both returning less than cash. Two factors were instrumental in delivering this outcome: disappointment with global growth and less cash flowing through the global economy (tighter liquidity). These factors will continue to influence markets in the year ahead. We have identified [...]
Kamikaze Brexiteers may end up in a hell of their own making February 8, 2019 Hell hath no fury like a Brexiteer scorned. From the backlash this week, you would have thought that European Council president Donald Tusk had suggested that the EU get custody of the Queen in the Brexit divorce. “I’ve been wondering what that special place in hell looks like, for those who promoted Brexit, without even a [...]
Renault will alert prosecutors over costs for Carlos Ghosn’s Versailles wedding February 7, 2019 French car firm Renault will alert prosecutors over a sponsorship deal with the Palace of Versailles which included a €50,000 (£43,720) benefit to its ousted boss Carlos Ghosn. Renault’s internal probe, launched after Japanese authorities arrested Ghosn in November, has “identified that Mr Ghosn was accorded a personal benefit valued at €50,000 under the terms [...]
Putin suspends missile treaty and pledges to build more weapons February 2, 2019 Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Russia has suspended a cold war era treaty to limit missile building after a similar move by the US. Putin told a meeting with foreign and defence ministers that Russia had suspended the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty which limits land-based missiles with ranges of 310–3,420 miles. Putin [...]
US to withdraw from Cold War nuclear missile treaty with Russia February 1, 2019 The US confirmed today that it will pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that came about in the wake of the Cold War, after repeatedly claiming that Russia has violated the agreement. The pact, signed between the US and Soviet Union in 1987, bans production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and [...]