Taiwan: The technology of freedom January 15, 2025 This week, Tom Tudgendhat spoke at the Taiwan Institute for National Defence and Security Research. Here he makes an impassioned case for the island’s outward-facing, innovative economic model – and argues it is an essential partner for the West Visiting Taipei, a city striving at the forefront of innovation, even as it upholds Chinese traditions and [...]
Home REIT: Beleaguered property fund value falls 60 per cent January 14, 2025 Scandal-hit housing investor Home REIT has published its long-delayed 2023 annual results, revealing its property portfolio has been valued at just 40.7 per cent of its original purchase cost. The results for the year to 31 August 2023 revealed that the value of Home REIT’s assets had decreased by more than a third in a [...]
Lloyds Bank ties bonuses to office attendance January 14, 2025 The Guardian reported that Lloyds is reviewing office attendance as part of its bonus targets for around 60,000 of its most senior employees.
Trouble for B&M as millions wiped off value despite huge pay day January 14, 2025 Despite reporting increased sales and a huge dividend of more than £150m, shares in B&M plunged in the aftermath of its latest trading update last week. Shares in the Liverpool-headquartered discount retailer slumped from 360p to 316p following the publication of its third quarter results. B&M’s price has hardly recovered in the days since, with [...]
Skoda Superb iV Estate review: A family car with no compromises January 14, 2025 Finding a family estate used to be an easy process, with almost every car manufacturer offering a ‘longroof’ version of its hatchback or saloon models. Fast-forward to the present day, however, and finding a new wagon can feel trickier than having a balanced argument on social media. We can thank the exponential rise of the [...]
The week’s best wine: sod Dry January – why I’m doing ‘Try January’ instead January 14, 2025 City AM’s wine columnist Libby Brodie on the best wine to buy this week, and where she’s been drinking it Last week I touted the Damp Lifestyle and this week I recommend exchanging Dry January for Try January. The beauty of wine is that it offers a kaleidoscope of flavours from all over the world, [...]
Ryanair’s airport booze ban is a bootleggers and baptists problem January 14, 2025 Ryanair has reiterated calls for a two-drink limit in airport bars. Like the prohibition-era bootleggers who lobbied for Sunday closing laws, they’re just trying to increase their own sales, says Christopher Snowdon The budget airline Ryanair has called for a two-drink limit in airport bars to create “a safer travel experience for passengers and crews”. [...]
For your next career opportunity, look beyond the boardroom January 14, 2025 After a successful career in business, Sir Rod Aldridge stepped onto the board of the North’s leading arts institution The Lowry. Here explains why the best career moves are sometimes the most unexpected When I was approached about the role of chair at The Lowry, the North West’s leading arts institution, I’ll admit it felt [...]
‘Nothing off the table’: Public spending cuts to be ‘ruthless’, cabinet warned January 13, 2025 Public spending cuts are set to be “ruthless”, the Treasury has reportedly warned cabinet ministers. Departments will have to make “difficult” decisions on their budget priorities, according to an internal letter from No11 about the spending review, the Telegraph reported. While the Prime Minister’s official spokesman confirmed “there’s nothing off the table when it comes [...]
Investec Champions Cup: Leinster, Glasgow and Toulon secure home ties January 13, 2025 There may be a round of Investec Champions Cup matches to go but for some clubs their future has already been decided. For South African side the Bulls, it’s done and dusted with the Pretoria-based outfit unable to reach the round of 16 in April, no matter how good or bad their result against Stade [...]