Hamilton retracts claims Vettel’s success is a turn-off for F1 fans October 8, 2013 BRITISH driver Lewis Hamilton has backtracked on claims the dominance of world championship leader Sebastian Vettel is sending Formula One fans to sleep. Vettel won his fourth consecutive Grand Prix in Korea on Sunday and can win his fourth straight world title in Japan this weekend. Hamilton, who finished fifth in Yeongam, said the Red [...]
Even Middle England must admire Murray January 13, 2013 IT’S still going on. The complete refusal of certain parts of Middle England to accept that Andy Murray is a national asset to be cherished and revered. On the 11.27 out of Waterloo on Saturday night, I was approached by a man (sober) who inquired if I was going to the Australian Open. “Yes”, I [...]
Why we need a radical solution to the crisis in our education system December 3, 2013 THE NEWS that UK pupils have failed to make the global top 20 in the OECD’s Pisa tests in maths, reading and science has sparked suggestions that Britain should adopt East Asian teaching and assessment models. But we don’t need to look to the East for answers. East Asian pupils do indeed perform the best, [...]
London Report: Carney likely to bear good news about inflation November 10, 2013 GOVERNOR of the Bank of England Mark Carney is likely to be the bearer of good news when he presents his inflation report on Wednesday, with the growth rate heading up and the unemployment rate coming down. Carney pledged in August not to raise rates until unemployment fell to at least seven per cent, a [...]
Chinese giant puffer fish tower causes angst September 27, 2013 In China, a 90-metre long sculpture-come-viewing tower that is shaped like a giant puffer fish has come under fire online. Encrusted in almost 9,000 copper scales, the 70m yuan (£7.1m) brass arrangement has prompted wrangling over government decadence. The fish is on an island in Yangzhong county, eastern Jiangsu province, and stands 15 storeys above [...]
Letters to the Editor – 21/10 – Royal Mail sale, Prince Charles, Best of Twitter October 20, 2013 Royal Mail sale [Re: Cable pens another defence of Royal Mail selloff as shares soar to 500p, Friday] Vince Cable is right to say that it is too soon to criticise the government’s pricing of Royal Mail. Only half of the government’s stake has been sold so far, and the shares have just been trading [...]
Bottom Line: A global web player that is best of British September 19, 2013 ANYONE who said there was no space in the internet retail revolution for British business may have to start eating their words. On the heels of Ocado’s return to form thanks to a licensing deal with Morrisons comes this startling set of numbers from Asos. They confirm the online fashion retailer’s extraordinary achievement. In little [...]
US health president to take over as NHS England chief executive October 24, 2013 UNITED Healthcare global health president Simon Stevens has been appointed to lead NHS England, the most powerful body in the national health service. Stevens, who takes over from Sir David Nicholson in April, has previously worked as a health advisor to Labour. Upon his appointment Stevens has offered to take a voluntary 10 per cent [...]
Mix it up: Absinthe cocktail is cultural gem in heart of Mayfair October 15, 2013 @philip_salter OLD HABITS die hard. But after more than a decade in London, I’ve finally managed to offload most of the dingy pubs, sleazy bars and uninspiring restaurants that I frequented when I first landed in the capital. It’s time you did the same. Let those dodgy establishments serving stale beer and saccharine cocktails slip [...]
Wenger mulling over making move for Mata August 27, 2013 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger last night admitted his interest in Chelsea outcast Juan Mata after seeing his men march into tomorrow’s Champions League group stage draw. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored twice as the Gunners beat Fenerbahce 2-0 to secure a 5-0 aggregate play-off victory and a spot in the competition for the 16th successive season. [...]