Tag Archives: london

Forget the recession, live like a rock star in new hotel

London’s newest hotelier Mark Fuller is showing commendable bravado for someone about to open a luxury hotel during a global recession. “F*** the recession, let’s get on with it,” he says, while sitting on the roof terrace of the Sanctum Soho, a 30-room establishment dubbed the rock’n’roll hotel, as much for its “anything goes” service philosophy as the pedigree of its owners, which include the co-managers of heavy metal band Iron Maiden. “We do not recognize there is a credit crunch because we believe you should battle through it,” Fuller says, adding “If you get panicky and scary about things like this you’re no man at all.” Besides, he admits, three years ago when he started working on the concept of an ‘alluring haven of hedonism’ (as the hotel is described on its Web site), the credit crunch didn’t exist

Kenyan corruption book spirited into country

A book detailing a culture of corruption in Kenya is making booksellers and government officials uneasy, but for different reasons. The fear of reprisals is keeping sellers from stocking it, while top officials named in the book are threatening to sue for libel. The book, “It’s Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower,” by Michela Wrong, focuses on John Githongo, whom the Kenyan government hired in 2003 to head an anti-graft unit.

Lawyer accuses queen’s police of trading porn and taking steroids

Police officers responsible for protecting the British royal family handled firearms when drunk, traded pornography and steroids and sat on Queen Elizabeth II’s throne in comical poses, it has been alleged in a London court. The allegations were made Tuesday by John Cooper, the lawyer for former royal protection officer Paul Page, who is accused of defrauding colleagues and friends to fund a life of luxury, The British Press Association reported.

For new World Barista title winner, a latte hard work

A Briton bested competitors from 51 other countries to win the recent World Barista Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. Winner Gwilym Davies said the caffeinated competition was more difficult than other events he has participated in. “In sports, I was able to run harder, or tackle harder ..

Russia Rearms

Russia’s leaders are getting used to cutting budgets this year. As the country sinks deeper into recession — unemployment, according to some estimates, is as high as 12% and the economy is predicted to shrink by about 4.5% in 2009 — the government is slashing spending at most of its ministries. The Energy Ministry’s budget is down by 33%, and that of the Transport Ministry by 30%

Thinner is better to curb global warming, study says

Here’s yet another reason to stay in shape: Thinner people contribute less to global warming, according to a new study. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published a study showing that, because of food production and transportation factors, a population of heavier people contributes more harmful gases to the planet than a population of thin people

Tesco posts $4.5 billion profits

British retail giant Tesco has announced pre-tax profits of £3.1 billion ($4.5 billion), up 10 percent from the previous year. Overall sales for the year were up by 13 percent to £59.4 billion ($86.55 billion) — taking sales to an incredible £1 billion ($1.45 billion) a week. Its performance abroad — particularly in Asia — was equally promising, as overall international sales grew by 11.9 percent