Wallonia deadlock broken, putting EU-Canada trade deal back on track October 27, 2016 The Belgian government has finally struck a deal with regional representatives from Wallonia to push forward with the landmark EU-Canada trade deal this morning. After a week of talks and multiple failures to negotiate a settlement, the news puts the EU back on course to formally sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) with [...]
Currency markets aren’t prepared for a Donald Trump victory October 27, 2016 We are less than a fortnight away from the culmination of arguably the most divisive US presidential campaign in history and currency markets are currently preparing themselves for another political spasm. Needless to say, in the same way that sterling was used as a pressure point in the run up to the EU referendum and [...]
Google’s gearing up to spin off its self-driving cars business October 27, 2016 Google's self-driving cars are getting a life of their own. X lab, the autonomous vehicle project, is becoming a standalone unit of Google's parent company Alphabet; possibly the first step on its journey to becoming an independent company. The wheels were set in motion at the beginning of the year when Alphabet started separating the [...]
Britain must deploy its vast soft power reserves to prove to the world it remains globally engaged October 26, 2016 The precise ramifications of the Brexit vote will take a while to shake out, but many people overseas have interpreted it as the UK pulling up the drawbridge and retreating from its international role. This is both unfortunate and troubling. We must show everyone that we are more committed than ever to international cooperation economically, militarily [...]
Montei dei Paschi to cut 2,600 jobs October 25, 2016 Italian bank Monte dei Paschi is planning to cut 2,600 jobs and close 500 branches as part of rescue plans aimed at building a "de-risked and well-capitalised bank". Monte dei Paschi will cut the number of branches to 1,500 by 2019, from the 2,000 it currently owns. Meanwhile, the job cuts are expected to reduce personnel [...]
As Wallonia blocks the EU’s trade deal with Canada, should Britain be concerned about its own prospects in Brexit talks? October 24, 2016 Denis MacShane, the UK’s former minister of Europe, author of Brexit: How Britain Left Europe, and senior adviser at Avisa Partners, Brussels, says Yes. Europe (including the UK) has 7 per cent of the world’s population, but 30 per cent of its trade and 30 per cent of its foreign direct investment. In 1950, global trade amounted to [...]
Chinese firm HNA takes 25 per cent stake in Hilton Hotels October 24, 2016 Chinese conglomerate HNA Group have announced it will buy 25 per cent of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc from Blackstone Group L.P for $6.5billion dollars. The latest move by a Chinese company into Western assets will see HNA pay $26.25 per share in cash for the stake, 15 per cent above Hilton's closing stock price on [...]
No deal: Belgium shuts down EU-Canada trade agreement over Wallonia concerns October 24, 2016 A landmark EU-Canada trade pact was thrown into chaos last night after Belgium failed to strike a deal with its rogue Wallonia region, prompting one of the country’s leading politicians to brand it a “laughing stock”. The impasse left the EU scrambling to save the ambitious trade agreement which had been seven years in the making. Last [...]
The weirdest things and most unlikely people Donald Trump has insulted on Twitter October 24, 2016 Today the New York Times took two WHOLE pages to print 281 people, places and things Donald Trump has insulted on Twitter. The full list is quite something. As the race enters its final few weeks, many have suggested that the polls are closer than they seem. If true, that means there are sure to [...]
Five die in Malta plane crash October 24, 2016 Five people died in plane crash in Malta this morning. Malta Airport has confirmed that the crew members aboard the Fairchild Metroliner were killed in a crash. Captured this moments after #Luqa plane crash;all shocked pre take off.sharing this via data @pinkdixie22 @rebeccagyeo @BBCBreaking #Malta pic.twitter.com/PxpErWH8yX — Edward De Gaetano (@eddydeg) October 24, 2016 Read more: London [...]