Letters to the Editor – 14/03 – Splitting debts, Best of Twitter March 13, 2014 Splitting debts [Re: The big independence lie: Scotland could keep the pound, Wednesday] Is Scotland walking away from its “share” of UK debt really that absurd? Did the Baltic states take any Russian debt after the breakup of the Soviet Union? No. Of course, independence supporters have proposed that Scotland would indeed take on its [...]
Hand-painted, wall-to-wall art for the home March 13, 2014 Meet the designer bringing back affordable, quality wallpaper MOVING house is said to be one of the most stressful things you can go through. But one busy professional turned her decorating frustrations into an idea for a business start-up that brings ancient Chinese art into London homes. Over a year ago, Nina Tryon, formerly head [...]
Exclusive: Ecclestone: I’m surprised teams haven’t quit F1 March 13, 2014 FORMULA One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes teams have emerged unscathed from a financial crisis last year but warned that several outfits almost brought the sport into disrepute by not paying their drivers. Lotus endured financial difficulties, including a failed attempt to bring in a major new investor and a high-profile pay dispute with driver Kimi [...]
Gold touches 6-month high on Ukraine and China fears March 13, 2014 Rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia and growing concern about Chinese economic growth have seen gold climb to a six-month high today. The safe-haven asset rose 0.4 per cent to $1,373/oz, up for the third day in a row. It’s currently up 0.1 per cent. Tumbling exports and a recent bond default have sent equities [...]
Asian markets rise as investors await Chinese data March 13, 2014 Asian markets are making moderate gains after a tepid day on Wall Street and positive regional data helped to calm investors fears after Wednesday's two week low. Markets responded positively to Hong Kong premier Li Keqiang's pledge to head off systemic risks in the financial system. However, investors are remaining cautious ahead of Chinese factory [...]
Referendum for Crimea spurned by G7 countries March 12, 2014 THE G7 nations will not accept the results of any referendum in Crimea, and has told the Russian government to halt its work on the vote, which is set to take place in three days. In a communique yesterday, the leaders from advanced economies said: “Any such referendum would have no legal effect. Given the [...]
Ukraine pleads for action from UK and America March 11, 2014 THE NEW government in Ukraine has called on leaders in the UK and America to uphold their end of a bargain made in 1994 to protect the troubled state. The desperate call came as Russia said yesterday it would recognise the outcome of the vote in Crimea on Sunday, said to be a line in the [...]
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 [...]