European

The political chaos of Brexit is threatening to bring down British Prime Minister Theresa May , a matter of days before she is due to host President Donald Trump on his controversial first visit to the U.K. The sudden resignation of Brexit Minister David Davis over May's roadmap for leaving the European Union left the prime minister facing attacks from both inside and outside her Conservative Party. Trump's visit already threatens to embarrass May as Trump is kept away from massive protests, forcing the president to spend most of his time outside London . But with the latest cabinet emergency, it is possible May will not even be prime minister when the unpopular president arrives. The resignation of the Brexit minister threatens to open a chasm in May's Conservative—or Tory—government, with moderates calling for a "soft" Brexit on one side and extremists lobbying for a "hard" Brexit on the other. The split between the two camps has been evident since May replaced David … [Read more...] about Will Theresa May still be prime minister when Donald Trump visits the U.K?

Boris Johnson’s move to extend tariffs on imported steel by two years — a probable breach of World Trade Organisation rules — was welcomed by protectionist MPs from both sides of the political aisle. Industry also predictably lauded the decision, saying it will be protected from artificially cheap imports. Much like fishing, steel carries with it a disproportionate amount of political focus compared to its size — in 2020 the £2bn it contributed to the economy was the equivalent of just 0.1pc of total economic output and 1.2pc of manufacturing. But as the industry likes to point out: everything is made of steel. The metal goes into cars, aircraft, new buildings and the machinery that forms almost everything else. Without it, steel insiders say the logic of having a manufacturing industry in the UK would be considerably weaker — a fact that will not be lost on the Prime Minister. The move was pegged as an effort to “protect the steel sector”, Trade Secretary Anne-Marie … [Read more...] about With the Tories in turmoil, steel helps Boris Johnson show his mettle

The Amesbury poisoning incident that killed a woman was an "anti-Russian provocation" likely conducted by British government officials, according to the Russian Embassy. Both the Russian Embassy to the U.K. and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are rejecting U.K. government officials' claims blaming them for the Sunday death of 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess. Russia's official Foreign Affairs Twitter account called the accusations an absurd part of the "Russians did it" mantra. According to the U.K.'s top anti-terrorism official, the A-234 Novichok nerve agent is the same chemical used in March on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia just a few miles away in southwestern England. British police told Reuters they believe Sturgess and partner Charlie Rowley handled an item contaminated with the Novichok nerve agent poison this weekend. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson blamed Russia for the " Novichok death " but police said they have no evidence to connect the … [Read more...] about Russian officials said the deadly Sturgess poisoning is part of an “international hate campaign” launch by the U.K.

One of the biggest burning questions in Hollywood is who will be the next James Bond , since Daniel Craig is hanging it up as 007, though author Leona Flowers has a suggestion: her grandson, Miles Teller. Flowers, who wrote the 2020 book Pages from Grandma's Notebooks: Selected Essays and Poems, took to Twitter on Wednesday to pitch her grandson as the new 007. The tweet received over 5,000 likes as the writer interacted with a number of fans... including those who thought an American isn't right to play the famous British spy character. Grandson: One of the biggest burning questions in Hollywood is who will be the next James Bond, since Daniel Craig is hanging it up as 007, though author Leona Flowers has a suggestion: her grandson, Miles Teller 'They’re looking for an actor to replace Daniel Craig for future 007 movies,' Flowers began. 'I think my grandson, Miles Teller, has proven that he has everything they’re looking for- talent, looks, strength, worldwide … [Read more...] about Miles Teller’s grandmother Leona Flowers thinks her grandson could be the next James Bond: ‘He has everything they’re looking for’

FERNANDO TORRES shared a brilliant throwback photo on the eve of his final professional appearance. The striker, 35, will play one last time tomorrow before hanging up his boots for good. From the start to the end, getting the most out of every single moment. @saganofficial17 @Atleti pic.twitter.com/1IdQDCDIeK — Fernando Torres (@Torres) August 22, 2019 His Sagan Tosu side take on Vissel Kobe in their J1 League clash, which is an important game with both sides at serious risk of relegation. In a bizarre twist of fate, Torres will go up against two of his long-term international team-mates with Andres Iniesta and David Villa set to play for Kobe, who also have Thomas Vermaelen and Lukas Podolski in their squad. The trio helped Spain win Euro 2008 - their first major trophy for 44 years - and then the World Cup in 2010. Torres and Iniesta were both part of the Euro 2012 squad, too, with the striker bagging in successive European Championships finals. 'El … [Read more...] about Fernando Torres posts amazing throwback picture on eve of last ever game for the ex-Liverpool and Chelsea star

Hospitals across Britain face rises in power bills running into millions of pounds as the spiralling cost of living crisis hits NHS trusts. As household fuel bills climb to unprecedented levels, the health service also faces soaring charges as a result of the escalating cost pressures. A survey of NHS trusts across England and Scotland shows they are facing rises of up to £29 million in the three financial years to date. Sharp rises in energy costs caused by factors including the end of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are also hitting the NHS, figures obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests by Metro.co.uk show. In Nottingham, costs for gas, electricity and oil combined rose from £8.8 million in 2020 and 2021 to £15.8 the following year. The budget, and therefore forecast, for the current financial year is £37.9 million. At St George’s Trust in London , which runs one of the largest hospitals in the UK, the bill for gas and electricity is due … [Read more...] about Soaring fuel bills add to ‘dire’ cost pressures facing NHS

When German electronic band Kraftwerk released the iconic song "Autobahn" in 1975, they were celebrating freedom of movement on freeways where drivers could speed without limit. But these mythical superhighways are today a source of increasing division as the climate crisis demands countries curb road transport emissions. Though the autobahn's origins are wrongly ascribed to Hitler — he completed the first highways with forced labor, but they were a Weimar-period invention — today their legend is associated with Germany's failure to meet its climate obligations. Transport generates over 20% of German greenhouse gases. It was also one of only two sectors to fail its annual emission reduction targets in 2021.  Yet new road construction projects — as opposed to low-emission electric railways or bicycle highways — dominate the 2030 federal transport plan. Some 850 kilometers (528 miles) of autobahns are on the drawing board. Activists call out autobahn 'disaster' Opposition … [Read more...] about Autobahn: Germany’s roads to nowhere

Four Chinese airlines have placed a mega-order for 292 single-aisle A320 family aircraft from airbus. The deal, for Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Shenzhen Airlines, total nearly $37 billion (€35.4 billion) at the rarely applied list price. Despite air traffic being paralysed in China by the pandemic, the need for aircraft remains immense. For Airbus, these orders, which have yet to be finalised, "demonstrate the positive recovery momentum and prosperous prospects of the Chinese aviation market. China Eastern will acquire 100 A320neo Family aircraft, while China Southern will acquire 96 of the same model. Air China and its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines will acquire 64 and 32 A320neo aircraft respectively. The airlines did not specify the A320 family models involved, but according to a source close to the matter, these include both A320s and A321s capable of carrying more passengers, as well as some smaller A319s. All deliveries are scheduled to take … [Read more...] about Airbus secures mega-order from four Chinese airlines

Published 27 June 2013 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Two works by British artist Francis Bacon, including the first painting he ever sold, have fetched more than £21m at a London auction. Head III, which sold for £150 at Bacon's first solo show 54 years ago, was bought for £10.4m by an American private collection. It had been estimated to sell for between £5m and £7m. A 1966 triptych portrait of Isabel Rawsthorne - Bacon's friend, muse and lover - went for £11.3m. Bacon and Rawsthorne became acquainted during preparations for their first solo shows at London's Hanover Gallery in 1949. The work had been estimated to sell for somewhere in the region of £10m to £15m. Other items included in Sotheby's contemporary art sale included David Hockney's colourful tribute to his home country, Double East Yorkshire, which fetched £3.4m - £400,000 more than its … [Read more...] about Francis Bacon paintings make £21m at London auction

Linda Yueh Published 16 January 2014 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing When worried about cheap cash eroding the value of fiat money and potential inflation, art is a real asset that investors turn to. Like bricks and mortar, it's the tangibility and physical supply of fine art which gives it appeal as an investment class. But, is it a good investment? According to one index, art has only returned 2% last year against a backdrop of global stocks rising by 10%. That was, of course, largely before the looming end of the era of cheap money. Ben Bernanke signalled it last May, and the US Federal Reserve has begun to taper or cut back its cash injections from this month. Yet, the most expensive piece of art ever sold was a Francis Bacon painting for more than $142m (£86.8m) last year. And, it's not classical pieces but rather those … [Read more...] about Is art a good investment?