Fighting dirty: The most outrageous US election advertising hit jobs February 17, 2020 Earlier this month, millions of Americans were treated to six identical seconds of election advertising from two opposing political parties. “America demanded change,” booms a Don LaFontaine-esque Hollywood trailer-style voice over. “And change is what we got.” The clip featured first in Donald Trump’s Super Bowl re-election TV ad on 2 February, which touted the President’s [...]
46 of the best London home delivery restaurant kits reviewed May 11, 2021 Restaurants with terraces may be open again, but bagging a reservation is another matter. With the best part of a year’s worth of pent up demand, that outdoor space is at a premium and those who don’t book ahead are likely to be disappointed. But don’t panic: you can get restaurant quality food delivered straight [...]
Standard Chartered unveils $1bn share buy back plan April 30, 2019 Shares in Standard Chartered rose this morning after the bank unveiled plans for an up to $1bn (773.2m) share buy back and posted a 10 per cent jump in profits for the first quarter of 2019. Underlying profit before tax was up 10 per cent to $1.4bn, the bank announced today, as it revealed that [...]
If nothing else, the Lords at least offers some good debate September 6, 2019 Watching a debate in the House of Lords can lift the spirits. Admittedly, this isn’t always the case. After all, the place is so rammed with political cast-offs and the dregs of quangoland that following its proceedings can often feel like a punishment. However, during moments of great constitutional or legal significance it is to [...]
Is wanting Rory Stewart to be the next Prime Minister just a pipe dream? May 31, 2019 The world has moved on from Bill Clinton’s infamous line 26 years ago that, though he may have experimented with marijuana in his youth, he never inhaled. Yesterday, international development secretary and Tory leadership hopeful Rory Stewart told Sky News that he made a “very stupid mistake” by smoking opium at a wedding in Iran [...]
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil prices drop from recent highs despite concerns over Iran sanctions April 30, 2018 Oil prices have dropped off recent highs this morning following a strong April rally as the US revealed a rising rig count last week, signalling increasing production. Benchmark Brent crude was down 1.03 per cent to $73.87 (£53.65) a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were nearly one per cent lower at $67.46 [...]
Standard Chartered prepares for potential $1bn sanctions penalty April 8, 2019 Standard Chartered is expected to cough up more than $1bn (£770m) as it settles with US authorities over sanctions-busting claims. The payment could be agreed as early as tomorrow morning, sources told Reuters. Read more: Standard Chartered to build new virtual bank in Hong Kong It would be the culmination of a years-long investigation into [...]
Shell in talks with BP over $250m stake in North Sea oil and gas field Shearwater April 24, 2019 Shell has entered talks to buy BP’s stake in a North Sea oil and gas field, according to reports, as oil majors continue to offload assets in the basin. The deal is valued at around $250m (£193m), sources told Reuters, and will almost double Shell’s share in the Shearwater venture. Read more: North Sea explorers get [...]
US targets 70 Iranian financial institutions in latest sanctions round November 5, 2018 More than 70 Iranian financial institutions have been targeted in the latest round of tough US sanctions in a bid to put the government under "unprecedented pressure". Lenders including Bank Melli – Iran’s largest financial institution – will be affected by the sanctions aimed at banks the US claims are connected to international terrorism, weapons [...]
Unexpected rise in US oil stockpiles steals the wind from Opec’s sails April 3, 2019 Oil prices ended a three-day winning streak today despite edging close to the $70 per mark in the morning. International standard Brent crude reached up to $69.95 per barrel at around 9.20am, its highest point since November, before slowly giving back gains. Read more: Oil price hits 2019 peak as Trump moots new sanctions against [...]