MPs set to vote on Magnitsky legislation which would see assets of human rights’ abusers frozen February 20, 2017 The House of Commons will vote tomorrow on the Magnitsky legislative initiative which seeks to freeze the UK assets of alleged human rights violators from anywhere in the world. The initiative is presented as an amendment to the Criminal Finances Bill which was introduced to the parliament last October to strengthen and improve the enforcement of [...]
Sutton United primed for their big moment against Premier League Arsenal February 20, 2017 Fifth-tier Sutton United and fame may be ships which pass in the night but, whatever happens against Arsenal on Monday, beacon-like memories have been made which will sparkle long after the limelight vanishes. The minnows have certainly made their mark during a giant-killing extravaganza which may or may not reach its conclusion in the fifth [...]
Founding Fathers 1, populists 0: The US constitution is taming Trump February 20, 2017 “Through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory.” – John Adams to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776, after Congress voted for Independence “Good people don’t go into government.” – Donald Trump Donald Trump’s first month in office ended with a bizarre, rambling press conference that made incompetence into a [...]
Former BP Russia boss lined up for top nuclear decommissioning role February 19, 2017 David Peattie, the former boss at BP’s Russian operations, is the front runner to take over at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), according to reports in the Sunday Times. Tasked with managing Cumbria’s Sellafield estate, the NDA is a state-owned body that receives £3bn a year in public money, which amounts to 25 per cent [...]
American commitment to Nato is “unwavering” says US vice president Mike Pence February 18, 2017 American vice president Mike Pence has told world leaders the US would remain committed to Nato, after President Donald Trump questioned the worth of the military alliance. Pence offered “unwavering” commitment to Nato and said the US “is now and will always be your greatest ally” to delegates including German chancellor Angela Merkel at a security [...]
The best Twitter reactions to Donald Trump’s press conference February 17, 2017 Donald Trump held a press conference last night – and nobody really knows what happened. The US President dismissed concerns over connections between the White House and Russia, and launched another attack on the media. The President fired his national security officer, Mike Flynn, earlier this week after it emerged that Flynn had lied to vice [...]
Shares in the leading Coca-Cola bottling firm are fizzing as profit shoots up February 16, 2017 Leading drinks bottler Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC) today reached the top spot on the FTSE 100 risers' board as it announced its profit beat expectations yet again. The figures The soft drinks bottler's net profit jumped 22.5 per cent to €343.5m (£292.3m) from €280.3m for the year ended 31 December 2016. Net sales revenue lifted three per cent [...]
Russia’s Aeroflot trumps American heavyweights as the world’s most powerful airline brand February 14, 2017 Forget Emirates, American Airlines and British Airways. When it comes to the world's most powerful airline brand, another name has taken the crown. According to Brand Finance, which recently announced its annual Global 500 list featuring Lego, Google and co., Russian carrier Aeroflot is the world's most powerful airline brand. It carries an AAA brand rating [...]
The Bundesbank conspiracy: Why Germany is really repatriating its gold February 13, 2017 An official announcement last week that the Bundesbank had pretty much repatriated half its gold reserves ahead of schedule has once again sent the rumour mill into overdrive. Fans of the precious metal – not shy of a good conspiracy theory – have been deliberating over the move ever since Germany detailed it back in 2013. Initially, [...]
Here are four reasons why the Russian ruble is at its strongest level against the US dollar since July 2015 February 13, 2017 One of the best performing currencies of 2016 was the Russian ruble. In fact, having edged up a further 0.5 per cent against the US dollar overnight, the currency is at its strongest level against the greenback since July 2015. But what is driving the change? The answer is a mixture of actual changes and market [...]