Libyan unrest could put its oil exports at risk August 3, 2014 A SURGE in violence in Libya has led to Britons being evacuated, with analysts warning that the country’s oil exports hang in the balance. Libya has been in the throes of political instability and social unrest since a coup toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The current flare-up between rival militant groups has led [...]
London Report: West’s sanctions on Russia and Malaysia jet crash hit FTSE July 17, 2014 BRITISH airline shares fell sharply yesterday on news that a Malaysian Airline Boeing 777 had been shot down over eastern Ukraine. The FTSE 100 finished 46.35 points down, or 0.68 per cent, on 6,738.32, while gold added $20 to $1,322 an ounce on increased tensions caused by the west’s tougher sanctions on Russia. British Airways [...]
Wi-Fi in planes set to land in Europe after Inmarsat reveals in-flight plans June 5, 2014 Mobile satellite services operator Inmarsat, has announced plans for an integrated telecommunications network to raise air passenger connectivity services across the EU. European passengers, in the near future, will be able to enjoy an unbroken onboard Wi-Fi service, such as those that have gained popularity in the US. The London-based company confirmed that it was in advanced discussion with British [...]
London Report: FTSE slips from five-day rise as ex-div firms fall August 20, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index yesterday retreated from a three-week high, halting a five-day winning streak, with companies trading without the attraction of their latest dividend putting pressure on the broader market. The benchmark index finished down 0.35 per cent, or 23.83 points, at 6,755.48 points. Despite markets pausing for breath after recent rises, Standard Chartered [...]
Dip in profit at telecom firm KCom June 6, 2014 Telecoms company KCom Group reported a marginal fall in full-year pretax profit and said it expected to see a continued decline in some traditional carrier revenue.KCom Group, which provides communications services for customers such as British Airways and Virgin Group, said pretax profit fell to £49.9m for the year ended 31 March, from £50m a [...]
US extends flight ban to Israel for another 24 hours July 23, 2014 The United States has renewed its ban on airlines flying to Tel Aviv for a further 24 hours, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. A host of major US and European carriers suspended flights to Ben Gurion airport in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday, after a rocket strike on Tuesday is reported to [...]
Park Hyatt New York: First major NYC hotel in over 10 years November 16, 2014 It takes big bucks to open a new luxury hotel in Manhattan – and even bigger cojones. Clearly, the idea has not been tempting for some time. New York’s last mega-launch was the Mandarin Oriental in 2003. Eleven years and one recession later, confidence has finally returned to the Big Apple – and, [...]
London Report: FTSE spooked by euro market fears and LSE stake sale July 10, 2014 UK STOCKS yesterday retreated, with the FTSE 100 index posting its worst four-day slump since January, as London Stock Exchange (LSE) slid while banks extended losses. The FTSE 100 lost 45.67 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 6,672.37, extending its decline this week to 2.8 per cent. The broader FTSE All-Share Index also slid 0.7 per [...]
Europe’s airlines cancel flights ahead of French air traffic control strikes June 23, 2014 European air passengers will be hit with widespread delays and cancellations today and during the rest of the week as the French air traffic controllers hold their fourth strike in the space of a year. France’s aviation authority has asked airlines to cancel a fifth of flights passing through most major French airports. The body [...]
Crillon-le-Brave: Cycle one of the Tour de France’s most feared routes November 2, 2014 The wonderfully named Crillon-le-Brave is a picture postcard Provencal village that lies at the foot of the Mt Ventoux. The village suffix – le Brave – was added by Henry IV in the 14th century in honour of his swashbuckling general Louis des Balbes de Berton de Crillon. He was apparently “the brave of [...]