Johnson and his team were triumphant last week when he won a commanding majority of 80 at an early election he said he was forced to call to break the Brexit deadlock. Winning over many traditionally Labour voters in northern and central England, Johnson has proclaimed he will lead a “people’s government”. First, the Conservative leader must make good on his often-repeated promise to “get Brexit done” and then turn to realising another priority - to increase funding into Britain’s much loved but struggling public health service, a pledge he plans to enshrine in law. “I can absolutely confirm that we will have an opportunity to vote on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill in relatively short order and then we will make sure that it passes before January 31st,” Gove told Sky News. Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a statement in Downing Street after receiving permission to form the next government during an audience with Queen Elizabeth II at … [Read more...] about UK PM Boris Johnson eyes Brexit vote by Christmas
Eu competition policy
Strengthening the Asia-Europe partnership
On December 15 and December 16, I am chairing ASEM, the “Asia-Europe Meeting”. What might seem to be a rather bureaucratic acronym, actually is a highly relevant event for our continents. I had offered to host this meeting in Madrid when I was still Foreign Minister of Spain and now I will be chairing it as European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. It underlines my personal interest in the fast-moving continent that is Asia today.ASEM brings together 53 partners made up of the 28 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland and the EU, and on the Asia side, 21 countries and the ASEAN secretariat. Together we represent 55% of global trade, 60% of global GDP, 60% of the global population and 75% of global tourism.Simply bringing countries together does not, of course, guarantee any results. But it creates opportunities. In recent years, ASEM has become increasingly relevant and strategic. This ASEM meeting will be an important opportunity to … [Read more...] about Strengthening the Asia-Europe partnership
Trainer David Hayes determined to go out on top with Victorian autumn before Hong Kong post
The return of stable stars Constantinople, Cape Of Good Hope, Harlem and So Si Bon has Lindsay Park’s senior trainer excited about a departing tilt. Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly > Hayes will relocate in July to Hong Kong, where he was twice champion trainer and a permanent top-four presence from 1996-2005. And, if the early signs are anything to go by, Hayes’ can expect to slot seamlessly back into Hong Kong racing. “The response has been really good,” Hayes said after a recent visit to Hong Kong. “I ran into a lot of my old clients and they’ve either got horses for me or want to buy horses for me. “A lot of people have approached me to train their horses. “I’m hopeful there are a couple of nice horses that will come my way at the end of the season but they (owners) … [Read more...] about Trainer David Hayes determined to go out on top with Victorian autumn before Hong Kong post
City offers Tesla ‘template for future growth’
Shanghai strives to build global industrial cluster of new energy vehicle companies Working for a boss as aspiring as Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk could be one of the most difficult jobs one could ask for, as high turnover at the top at the electric carmaker is no secret. He has been happy with the China team's work though, in particular at the company's Shanghai factory, the first outside the United States, describing it as a "template for future growth". This is not surprising. The $2 billion plant broke ground in January and started trial production in October, and Tesla said it was around 65 percent less expensive to build than an equivalent facility in the US. Tao Lin, vice-president of Tesla, said the company had made a great choice to build the plant in Shanghai. "Thanks to the outstanding business environment in Shanghai, many of our innovative ideas have become a reality," Tao told reporters in early November. Tesla is not the only representative of its industry that has been … [Read more...] about City offers Tesla ‘template for future growth’
Transatlantic tensions mean Europe more dependent on China trade
Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO, have gathered in London this week to mark the organization's 70th anniversary, and ponder how it might deal with one of the biggest threats it faces: United States President Donald Trump. On matters of mutual defense, as in the areas of trade and climate protection, Europe appears increasingly estranged from a US administration that has replaced belief in international cooperation with the doctrine of "America First". France's President Emmanuel Macron has warned that European countries can no longer rely on the US to come to the defense of its NATO allies, suggesting the transatlantic alliance was undergoing "brain death". Last month he told The Economist magazine that Europe stood on the edge of a precipice, and needed to start thinking of itself strategically as a geopolitical power or it would no longer be in charge of its destiny. On a range of issues and policies, Europe now finds itself at odds with the … [Read more...] about Transatlantic tensions mean Europe more dependent on China trade