What got us talking this week – including the Paris attacks reaction, Black Friday, the Autumn Statement, Cross Boris in Crossrail revelations, Adele’s new album and Eddie Jones
It was a week where Boris Johnson found a tunnel under his house, we heard petrol could dip under £1 a litre and we asked how financially literate you are.
Paris attacks – the reaction
While the market's immediate reaction was subdued, the emotional outpouring following the Paris attacks has been palpable – in France, Europe and across the world.
Anyone at the England vs France game at Wembley this Tuesday, only four days after the attacks, will note how genuinely friendly a fixture it was; a truly special occasion. Especially when more than 70,000 English rose to belt out a stirring rendition of one of their traditional rivals’ national anthems. Indeed, La Marseillaise will also be played before all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
As attacks on a hotel in Mali, and security alerts throughout this week showed, these are nervy times. The government has updated its guidance for how people should respond to a terrorist attack in the UK. The advice? Run, rather than hide.
We took this moment to look at the economic impact of terrorism – and it continues to climb.
Black Friday cometh
It's one week to go to Black Friday, and this year's shopping event is set to be the biggest yet – if this chart is anything to go by.
Shoppers appear to be gearing up, with UK retail sales dropping steeply in October.
Some retailers have already revealed a selection of their offers. Here’s a round-up of the Black Friday deals we’ve seen so far.
A third of retailers are saying the sales bonanza is unprofitable – although the chief executive at Shop Direct was keen to say why he can't wait.
If you are intending to brave the hordes, this game-slash-advert might just give you some tips for how to survive the Black Friday madness.
Have you started thinking about your Christmas wish list yet? Here's one for consideration – the new iPad Pro. We think Apple's ridiculously massive tablet is the greatest iOS device they've ever made. Here's why. But maybe wait for the Cupertino company to fix this bug first.
The Autumn Statement looms
It's a big day next Wednesday – the sixth annual City A.M. Awards will be taking place that evening – celebrating those who have helped put the City of London at the centre of the world's financial markets.
At 12.30pm, however, George Osborne will be taking to the despatch box, to give his combined Autumn Statement and Comprehensive Spending Review.
Should you worry? Here's everything we know so far.
The chancellor himself may well be worrying, after UK government borrowing figures for October were revealed to be the worst in six years.
Cross Boris in Crossrail revelations
It was a week of discoveries for Crossrail. Transport for London unveiled the design of their slick new trains, built by Bombardier in Derby. You can see the trains for yourself here.
Meanwhile, London Mayor Boris Johnson found out the proposed route for Crossrail 2 will go 20 metres under his £3m Islington town house – discovering the news in an automated letter he sent out himself. Although there may be some comfort for Mr and Mrs Johnson – the impact on his house price may in fact be positive – if our infographic from last year is anything to go by.
Leisurely reads
Lady Barbara Judge talks first impressions and why moderation is boring
This Thursday saw the fifth issue of our monthly Money magazine. If you missed it, you can view an enhanced pdf version here. Of the many interesting reads, our lunch with Lady Barbara Judge is worth a look. As is this piece, on how you can make cash your king, with these top current accounts.
Infographic of the week
From The Pinnacle to 22 Bishopsgate: A short history of the City of London's next skyscraper
Great reads from elsewhere
Adele's monster new album is now available. Although you won't find it on any streaming services. So, while you won't be able to listen to the album without paying, we can instead offer you her first interview in three years with i-D.
Her way with words has made Adele a global superstar – and singing in English is certainly not holding her back. Here, Aeon explains why English really is weirder than pretty much every other language.
The last word
Eddie Jones rules out overseas-based players rule change