What the other papers say this morning – 12 March 2014 March 11, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Brent crude contract underpinning Slowing output from the North Sea may require IntercontinentalExchange to add oil grades from beyond the offshore European fields to underpin its flagship Brent crude contract. The comments from David Peniket, president of the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, echo growing industry concern that the global crude oil benchmark [...]
Un gin et tonic s’il vous plait as suits hit Mipim March 11, 2014 A NEW day has dawned and with it, the second day of international property wonder-fest Mipim, as yesterday saw real estate bods from all over the world descend on Cannes and its famous Promenade de la Croisette. While some flew EasyJet and others arrived by helicopter, 100-odd from the likes of Knight Frank and Savills arrived [...]
The big independence lie: Why Scotland could keep the pound | City A.M. March 11, 2014 TRUTH is usually the first casualty of political battles, as it is of war. I believe that Scotland and England are individually stronger for being part of the UK, but 25 years in currency markets tell me that the No campaign’s argument that Scotland cannot keep the pound is false. It would certainly be a [...]
The big independence lie: Why Scotland could keep the pound March 11, 2014 Truth is usually the first casualty of political battles, as it is of war. I believe that Scotland and England are individually stronger for being part of the UK, but 25 years in currency markets tell me that the No campaign’s argument that Scotland cannot keep the pound is false. It would certainly be a [...]
Cameron: talk to Ukraine or face sanctions March 10, 2014 PRIME Minister David Cameron has warned of economic sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to meet with Ukrainian government officials in the next few days. The message comes as UK and EU officials begin drafting a plan to freeze the assets of Russian citizens, in a bid to encourage the Kremlin [...]
Forget sanctions: Putin has already traumatised fragile Russia March 10, 2014 AT FIRST sight, Vladimir Putin’s assertion of Russia’s power and influence in Crimea has been a neat operation with low costs. Moscow’s aggression can even look like a nice little earner. While the EU, US and IMF offer aid to Ukraine, Russia gets to keep the undisbursed $12bn (£7.2bn) of its $15bn soft loan to [...]
The New York Times is totally wrong in its attack on London March 10, 2014 AN op-ed in the New York Times slamming the UK’s response to the Ukrainian crisis is making waves. Its author, Ben Judah, makes some decent if unoriginal points about how London depends on Russian cash, but his piece is so full of holes a fisking is in order. Here goes. 1 “On the [Shard’s] top [...]
Asian markets fall as China trade balance slips into deficit March 10, 2014 Asian markets are taking a beating this morning after data showed an unexpected fall in Chinese exports in February, fuelling fears of a slowdown in the world's second largest economy. The disappointing data from China dampened the optimism seen in the wake of Friday's better than expected US job numbers. Investors are remaining cautious as [...]
Hague warns of violent conflict if Putin advances March 10, 2014 FOREIGN secretary William Hague issued a stark message to Russia yesterday, warning there is a “great danger of a shooting conflict” if Putin moves troops out of Crimea and into mainland Ukraine. Hague reiterated the threat of UK sanctions against President Putin’s nation after armed personnel carriers were seen rolling into the country on Saturday. [...]
The New York Times is totally wrong in its attack on London March 10, 2014 AN op-ed in the New York Times slamming the UK’s response to the Ukrainian crisis is making waves. Its author, Ben Judah, makes some decent if unoriginal points about how London depends on Russian cash, but his piece is so full of holes a fisking is in order. Here goes. 1 “On the [Shard’s] top [...]