LANZen technology and strategy blog (Free subscription) | 27/11/2008
I wondered when it would happen and which bank would blink first with a social networking website. I guess its no surprise, given their listen to our customer’s talking stance that Internet bank first direct should launch the UK’s first mainstream banking social networking site. first direct say nearly a third of its customers join through personal [...]
Banking Times: Daily Banking News (Free subscription) | 9 hours ago
HSBC has announced that it is cutting 500 jobs in the UK, with the majority of staff affected working at locations in the London area. The bank has been undertaking a review of its business, including mortgage subsidiary First Direct and its M&S Money operations, in a response to current economic conditions. UK managing director, Paul [...]
India eNews (Free subscription) | yesterday
... 52 km east of Sikkim's capital Gangtok, as part of a broader rapprochement.The move marked the first direct trade link between the nuclear-armed neighbours since a bitter border war in 1962.'Formal trade for the current year ended Thursday,' the official said.Trade would resume from May 1, 2009.Under an agreement reached between the two countries, trade takes place four days a week...
The Finanser (Free subscription) | 29/11/2008
I also posted a link to my latest on the subject from an official interview at last week's BAI Show, and there are also many other comments worth reading, such as Neil Robinson's reference to First Direct's new social media space, .
The Strategist (Free subscription) | 29/11/2008
... was launched from abroad, perhaps Karachi.... In short, the view that this was al Qaeda’s first direct strike on India must be taken seriously. The theory that this was a toxic new partnership of al Qaeda, the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET) and Indian jihadists makes frightening sense." Paul Cruickshank : "If capability and track record are anything to go by, it is likely that...
Edinburgh Evening News (Free subscription) | 29/11/2008
The special diesel rail charter will leave Rawtenstall station in Lancashire, east Lancashire's own heritage railway, for Edinburgh on January 3.This will be the first direct train in its history heading to Edinburgh.Councillors, the Lord Provost and tourist information staff will greet the train when it arrives in Edinburgh at around noon with 600 passengers – all members of UK pipe...
News Scotsman (Free subscription) | 29/11/2008
The special diesel rail charter will leave Rawtenstall station in Lancashire, east Lancashire's own heritage railway, for Edinburgh on January 3.This will be the first direct train in its history heading to Edinburgh.Councillors, the Lord Provost and tourist information staff will greet the train when it arrives in Edinburgh at around noon with 600 passengers – all members of UK pipe...
FILMdetail (Free subscription) | 28/11/2008
... and Eastwood directs with his customary taste, tact and intelligence. Interestingly, this is the first film made by Clint for a studio other than Warner Bros since Absolute Power in 1997 and is his first directed for Universal since The Eiger Sanction in 1975. Universal will hope the Jolie factor will attract female audiences and that discerning males will be intrigued by the Eastwood’s...
a Public Defender (Free subscription) | 28/11/2008
... cars.” Theories are, of course, the products of fertile imaginations. Unless they’re tested out - directly or indirectly. Which is why I write again. This week brought the coincidental juxtaposition of two stories dealing - directly and indirectly - with the broken windows theory. The first direct test of this theory comes from some enterprising researchers...
The Observer (Free subscription) | 28/11/2008
The Islamist militants who seized two luxury hotels in Mumbai were well trained, highly prepared and "remorseless" in their actions, one of the commandos who flushed them out said today.In the first direct account of the bloody, close-quarters fighting inside the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, the head of the naval commando unit that stormed the Taj described the horrific scenes inside.The...
Fool.co.uk (Free subscription) | 27/11/2008
... if you switch your bank account to them before 15th December, they will give you £100.It’s not the first time a bank has offered potential customers a golden handshake to join. For example, will also give you £100 if you switch to its 1st Account.Financially backed by HSBC, First Direct is renowned for its excellent customer service, and may be a better alternative for those...
Milk Milk Lemonade (Free subscription) | 25/11/2008
Another Monday evening is at hand and we find ourselves sorting through plenty of brand new/unreleased music to share here on the blog. This time, however, we have an amazing offering from almost a full year ago that deserves the serious attention of anyone who may have overlooked it over the past several months. is a Thousand Oaks/Los Angeles, California based duo who first met in 2004 while...
Financial Time (Free subscription) | 25/11/2008
The intervention - the first direct support for companies after the federal government's Dh50bn ($13.6bn, €10.5bn, £9bn) injection into UAE banks - came as senior Dubai officials indicated that further consolidation and federal backing could be necessary as the region's trade and finance hub manages the impact of the global financial crisis.
TravelDailyNews.com (Free subscription) | 25/11/2008
... June next year, with fares starting from £60.99 one way inclusive of taxes. Jet2.com will be the first airline to offer scheduled flights to Albert in the Picardie region of France, most famous for the Battle of the Somme, and home to the city of Amiens with fantastic links to the city of Lille. Interest in visits to war graves and battlefield sites has risen sharply in recent years fuelled...
