London Report: Stocks brush off referendum and get a lift from ECB September 18, 2014 LONDON traders yesterday set aside concerns over the Scottish referendum result and reacted positively to European Central Bank moves to strengthen Eurozone lenders. The blue-chip FTSE 100 closed up 38.39 points, or 0.57 per cent, at 6,819.29 points. Low-cost airline EasyJet’s shares rose 0.45 per cent to 1,344p after it announced that it would increase its [...]
Would Andy Murray, Alex Ferguson, Barack Obama, Boris Johnson and Groundskeeper Willie vote for independence in the Scottish referendum? September 18, 2014 It’s crunch time in the Scottish independence debate as Scots finally head to the polls today. In a campaign that’s been going on longer than we can remember, feelings about Scottish independence- for and against- have emerged, from economists, business leaders, celebrities and sports stars. Even fictional Scots have taken a side. Have you been [...]
Boris Johnson on Scottish independence: “I want Scotland to wake up to a full English” September 18, 2014 We’ve arrived at one of the most important days in Great Britain’s history and what better way to start such a day than with a big breakfast – well, that’s what Mayor Boris Johnson did this morning, hosting the London’s Biggest Breakfast charity campaign at City Hall with Magic FM and The Mayor's Fund. [...]
Scottish independence referendum: Barack Obama urges Scots to vote No September 18, 2014 US President Barack Obama has urged Scots to vote No and preserve the Union in the Scottish Independence Referendum. With just hours to go until polling stations open, Obama took to Twitter to express his hope that Scotland remains with the UK. Obama described the UK as “a force for good in an [...]
Chuka Umunna on Scottish independence vote: Businesses threatened with financial hit for backing No September 17, 2014 Businesses in Scotland have been threatened with dire financial consequences if they openly back the No campaign during the Scottish referendum, Labour’s shadow business secretary exclusively told City A.M. yesterday. A number of businesses north of the border have been told by Yes campaigners that they will suffer a financial hit if they publically side [...]
Elon Musk’s SpaceX wins Nasa commercial flight contract September 17, 2014 It’s a good day for PayPal founder Elon Musk; his SpaceX corporation has been selected by Nasa as one of the two firms to design crew capsules for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The Commercial Crew Development programme has awarded SpaceX and Boeing a combined sum of $6.2bn to develop the capsules. [...]
Boris Johnson will be the Conservative candidate in Uxbridge September 13, 2014 Cameron's star player will be on the field in 2015, after he was selected to contest the safe Tory seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Johnson professed himself "thrilled" and said he expected the Tories to win in the general election in 2015. The Mayor of London, currently serving his second term in the post, [...]
What is Formula E? Your guide to Leonardo DiCaprio and Richard Branson’s favourite new motorsport September 12, 2014 Racing goes on the grid for the first time this weekend, as the debut season of Formula E gets underway in Beijing this weekend. Formula E is the electricity powered alternative to the more gass-guzzling versions of motorsports, backed by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and an array of famous faces including Leonardo DiCaprio and [...]
Incoming Barclays chairman John McFarlane to face “very challenging requirements” September 12, 2014 Aviva chairman John McFarlane will face "very challenging requirements" in his new role as chairman of Barclays, said the man who recruited him today. McFarlane, who is one of Scotland's most senior businessmen, will pick up the reins at Barclays' next AGM next April when incumbent Sir David Walker steps down. He is [...]
The five questions Obama must answer to prove Iraq disasters won’t be repeated September 11, 2014 We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.” – John F Kennedy, Profiles in Courage I HAVE a theory about those of us engaged in politics or political analysis; each of us will have a “Profiles in Courage” [...]