Telegraph (July 27)
“Brilliant, breathtaking, bonkers and utterly British. Danny Boyle captured the spirit, history, humour and patriotism of an expectant nation last night as he pulled off an Olympic opening ceremony like no other.”
“Brilliant, breathtaking, bonkers and utterly British. Danny Boyle captured the spirit, history, humour and patriotism of an expectant nation last night as he pulled off an Olympic opening ceremony like no other.”
Tags: Danny Boyle, London, Olympics, Opening ceremony
Chicago Tribune (July 27)
In British English, they might say “I was gobsmacked by the Olympic opening ceremony…. In a more proper English teahouse, they might say I quite fancied that. All over the world, they will remember this as the night Britain put on a show that was bloody fantastic…. It was impossible not to be moved. Anybody who tells you differently is just talking rubbish.”
In British English, they might say “I was gobsmacked by the Olympic opening ceremony…. In a more proper English teahouse, they might say I quite fancied that. All over the world, they will remember this as the night Britain put on a show that was bloody fantastic…. It was impossible not to be moved. Anybody who tells you differently is just talking rubbish.”
Tags: London, Olympics, Opening ceremony, UK
The Economist (June 30)
“This is London’s year. In June the city put on damp but impeccably organised Diamond Jubilee celebrations; in July it hosts the Olympics…. the games should reinforce the city’s sense that it is on top of the world.”
Tags: Diamond jubilee, London, Olympics
New York Times (February 27, 2012)
“Official London has panicked over the rising clamor of voices from all over the British Isles suddenly agreeing that the archaic structure of ‘Great Britain’ is overdue for a shake-up — even a breakup.” Scotland has provided the momentum. Will the Welsh follow? The once unthinkable is suddenly possible. “The oldest royal democracy in the world… could split apart.”
“Official London has panicked over the rising clamor of voices from all over the British Isles suddenly agreeing that the archaic structure of ‘Great Britain’ is overdue for a shake-up — even a breakup.” Scotland has provided the momentum. Will the Welsh follow? The once unthinkable is suddenly possible. “The oldest royal democracy in the world… could split apart.”
Tags: Democracy, Great Britain, London, Scotland, Wales
Financial Times (January 17, 2012)
“Great power shifts are accompanied by changes in the global reserve currency.” Might China eclipse London? Quite possibly, but not until the renminbi becomes fully convertible. “The reality is that the renminbi market will remain undeveloped so long as foreign holders remain heavily restricted in what they can do with their renminbi.”
Tags: China, Financial centers, Global reserve currency, Hong Kong, London, UK
The Economist (January 7)
Bank bashing has become routine, but Britain should also “prize” the important contribution of finance. “London is by many measures the world’s biggest financial centre, and weakening it is in nobody’s interest—least of all Britain’s. Better regulation of banks is certainly needed…. But running down one of the world’s most successful (and mobile) commercial clusters is folly—and it is surely not the legacy Mr Cameron would wish to leave his successors.”
Time (May 2)
Urbanization is transforming the global economy and lifting millions out of poverty. A study from the McKinsey Global Institute shows that 20% of the world’s population resides in 600 urban centers, which “account for some 60% of worldwide GDP.” McKinsey believes the mix of urban areas will change dramatically by 2025. Emerging cities, and especially those in China, must be a focus for businesses that want to succeed globally. By 2025, 21 of the 25 top growth cities are forecast to be in the developing world, flanked by Tokyo, New York, London and Los Angeles from the developed world.
Urbanization is transforming the global economy and lifting millions out of poverty. A study from the McKinsey Global Institute shows that 20% of the world’s population resides in 600 urban centers, which “account for some 60% of worldwide GDP.” McKinsey believes the mix of urban areas will change dramatically by 2025. Emerging cities, and especially those in China, must be a focus for businesses that want to succeed globally. By 2025, 21 of the 25 top growth cities are forecast to be in the developing world, flanked by Tokyo, New York, London and Los Angeles from the developed world.
Bloomberg (April 1)
Many concerns over radiation are overblown. In Tokyo, the highest radiation reading of 0.109 microsieverts per hour was taken yesterday in the Shinjuku district. This compares favorably with 0.14 microsieverts in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district. In fact, “many countries have naturally occurring radiation levels that exceed Tokyo’s.” Current radiation in Tokyo is “barely above levels in London and New York.”
Many concerns over radiation are overblown. In Tokyo, the highest radiation reading of 0.109 microsieverts per hour was taken yesterday in the Shinjuku district. This compares favorably with 0.14 microsieverts in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district. In fact, “many countries have naturally occurring radiation levels that exceed Tokyo’s.” Current radiation in Tokyo is “barely above levels in London and New York.”
