Latest news with #Blain
CNBC
14-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
With an exodus of millionaires, businesses and workers, has London lost its spark?
London, the jewel in the crown of the U.K.'s economy and national culture, has taken a bit of a battering lately, with big business looking to expand elsewhere, workers looking for more affordable places to live and a flock of millionaires fleeing the city. A new tax regime targeting the "non-dom" status of the London-based super rich prompted an estimated 10,000 millionaires to flee the city in 2024 in search of safer havens for their cash. For the have-nots, high living costs — and a post-pandemic reevaluation of what makes for quality of life — have prompted many people of working age to leave the city, data shows, as it becomes prohibitively expensive to stay. London's pride as a business hub has also been dented in recent years as homegrown firms have looked elsewhere to base themselves or expand, increasingly looking to IPO abroad or moving their primary listing away from the U.K. So, is it all doom and gloom for the Big Smoke? Not necessarily. While the streets might not be paved with gold, London still has an irresistible pull for millions of people looking for work, study and play, with an estimated 20 million tourists visiting the city in 2023. CNBC asked several U.K.-based analysts for their thoughts on whether the city is on downward trajectory, or just experiencing some bumps in the road. Here's what they had to say. London's crown has been slipping "for years" when it comes to its business appeal and affordability for ordinary folk, Bill Blain, market strategist, former investment banker and author of the "Blain's Morning porridge" newsletter, told CNBC. He said doing business in the capital is "just not nice anymore," and the atmosphere in the affluent City of London and Canary Wharf, the capital's financial districts, is even worse. "There is not the buzz that we used to have in the City, in Canary Wharf," Blain said, lamenting "how quickly London is becoming relevant." "You name me a single significant U.K. investment bank? You name me a single significant U.K. private capital market firm? They're all big American firms," Blain said. "When it comes to the banks, you've got the Europeans, the French and the Germans, who are there just by the skin of their teeth. But there's nothing left for the U.K. You go into the City today and take a look around, and it's dire. There's lots of people there, but they're all insurance clerks, or whatever. They're not the investment bankers of a previous generation. My generation were the last who got it good," he said. Blain blamed over-regulation for the City's demise, believing that "the number of people who are involved in compliance and regulation and form filling vastly outnumbers the number who are on the front line of finance." Blain said he believes it lost its global reputation for having a relatively stable political establishment, with six prime ministers in the last 10 years, and that it was also tarnished in the wake of the tumultuous departure from the European Union five years ago. After a landslide election win last year, the current Labour government, and Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, find themselves under heightened pressure to stick to self-imposed rules on debt and borrowing, while trying to increase public spending and to promote much-needed growth. "In the past, you could look at the U.K. and say, yes, it's no longer the biggest economy in the world, but it's generally stable in [terms of] competence, so you invest in it. But these things are now beginning to be questioned, and that's the big risk for the U.K.," Blain said. Barret Kupelian, chief U.K. economist at PwC was keen to point out it's not all gloom and doom for the capital in the long term. "If I focus on the fundamentals that make London, London the first thing is the rule of law, and then you've got all the intangibles like history, culture, diversity, talent, innovation, regulation, time zone, probity, infrastructure, etc. These things haven't changed in a massive manner in the past few years," Kupelian told CNBC Wednesday. "We see London actually having a quiet, stable, soft infrastructure, and businesses are still here, large businesses that are in London, because of the quality of regulation," he said. Kupelian defended London's status as a hub for financial services but said it's also adapting and evolving. "One of the things that's happening quite in the background is that our goods exports are stagnating, partly because of the trading environment we're in right now, tariffs and what have you ... but services exports are growing quite strongly and a lot of it is being driven by business services," he said. "We always thought FS [financial services] was the crown jewel in London, and it is, but actually, in terms of growth rates, if you take a look at the export side of the ledger, a lot of it is being driven by business services," he noted. PwC, in conjunction with pollster Demos, produces an annual "Good Growth for Cities Index" which measures the economic well-being of British cities and looks beyond economic output, considering factors like jobs, income, health, skills and work-life balance. It found in 2024 that while London was expected to see strong economic growth in 2025, it compared much less favorably with other British cities in terms of livability factors. That includes the lack of affordable housing and creaking transport infrastructure — as anyone on a hot, dirty and cramped Central Line tube on their morning commute to work will attest. "This is the story relative to the rest of the country, but then what about relative to the rest of the world?" Kupelian remarked, noting that "there's always been intense competition between the large metropolises of the world," such as New York, Paris, Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo. "I think London is feeling that competition on a much more intense level now," Kupelian said, with the city needing to look at its counterparts, and itself, with a more critical eye to see what it could do better. Prescribing "targeted interventions" rather than a "complete reinvention," he said London is well placed to keep attracting a talented, skilled workforce, businesses and growth. "Businesses are still here, large businesses that are in London, because of the quality of regulation. I think that that's one of the main appeals of London. [Policymakers should] re-emphasize those points and just keep at it. I don't think there's one thing that would flick the switch leading to fortune and success, but I think there's these smaller things that probably need tweaking rather than complete reinvention — that London can do."
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a sunbed addict and I've got scary moles all over — but I can't stop tanning
A teenager admitted that she regrets becoming addicted to tanning beds — and is now warning others against following in her footsteps after a cancer scare. Megan Blain, 19, traded out fake-tan bottles for sunbeds so she could achieve a darker tan year-round, lying on the beds every day for two years and often staying under the UV lights for as long as half an hour. 6 Megan Blain admitted she regrets her addiction to tanning beds. Kennedy News and Media Advertisement She even injects herself with tanning shots five times a week before going to the tanning beds to get an even darker hue. 'I just liked how I looked with a tan. I'm a person that wears bright colors and liked how it made the colors pop,' she told Kennedy News and Media. Two years later, the student from Seaham, England, admitted that she feels 'addicted' to tanning and she never feels like she's dark enough. Advertisement On top of that, she had a bit of a cancer scare after she noticed a questionable patch on her skin recently — but that still hasn't made her stop. 'I've noticed a patch on my skin which keeps changing size. I've tried to go to the doctors, like, five times, but keep freezing at the door,' Blain said. She added in a video posted by Truly, 'I started noticing moles on my back, my hands – I've got moles all over, but you do get moles off the sunbed. I didn't know if the moles were cancerous.' 'I'm one of those people that will worry over anything, so for me not to be worried about potentially having melanoma I noticed a few months ago, and still abuse the sunbeds, has made me realize this is an addiction. Advertisement 'I just never think I'm dark enough.' Despite her saying that she worries over everything, the addiction to tanning overpowered her fear of cancer. 'It doesn't even faze me that I could have melanoma and could turn into something life-threatening, it doesn't scare me at all.' 6 Megan Blain noticed a questionable patch on her skin recently — but that still hasn't made her stop tanning. Kennedy News and Media Advertisement Blain admitted that before she started tanning, she didn't know much about it, and now she's gotten addicted — regardless of how physically sick it makes her. 'I didn't know much about sunbeds when I first started. So for the first year, I used to go on for half an hour at a time covered in baby oil. It made me feel really confident at first,' she said. 'I started seeing results and how good it made me look and started going on more often. Next thing I know I'm stuck in a cycle of abusing sunbeds and taking tanning injections which make me feel sick and sometimes unable to eat.' 6 Blain admitted that before she started tanning, she didn't know much about it, and now she's gotten addicted. Kennedy News and Media Now, Blain is finally starting to wean herself off of the tanning beds, going four times a week rather than every day — and she's sharing her journey on TikTok to warn others not to make the same mistakes she did. 'After two years, my views on sunbeds have changed. If I could go back in time, I would've never started,' she shared. 'I just feel like I have to go on the sunbeds — it's not even a case of wanting to be tanned anymore.' 'The younger generation seem to be using [sunbeds] more than the older generation which is concerning because If I got addicted without even realizing it then the same could happen to other people.' 6 Megan Blain was using tanning beds daily. Kennedy News and Media Advertisement Blain shared that she wants to stop using tanning beds 'one day' — but she can't imagine herself not going. 'I find it hard to turn the sunbed off once I'm on. I don't even like going on sunbeds, I dread it, but I feel like I physically have to go on,' she said. 'I wouldn't recommend anyone to do this. You could end up addicted without even realizing like me.' In the Truly video, Blain shared that she sometimes cries after using the tanning bed because of all the damage it's doing, but she believes she is 'too far gone.' Advertisement 6 'If I could go back in time, I would've never started,' she shared. Kennedy News and Media The tanning addict has gotten looks from strangers on the street, as well as internet trolls who have labeled her a 'burnt chip.' 'Everywhere I go, I see people staring at me,' she said. 'When people say I'm dark, I actually find that hard to believe. I don't feel dark whatsoever — it's like I'm physically blind.' One internet user compared Blain's skin color to 'the chips that fell off the tray in the oven and I forgot about.' Advertisement 'Did [the sunbeds] cremate you?' another said. 6 Blain is finally starting to wean herself off of the tanning beds, going four times a week rather than every day. Kennedy News and Media Blain admitted that her family also said she's too dark, and she does care about what people online think. 'I've received hate through TikTok. I thought the video that went viral looked nice at the time and wondered why I received so much hate, but now I realize why and that the video actually didn't look nice at all.' Advertisement However, amid all the hate, Blain received some nice comments as well, encouraging her on her journey to let go of the addiction. 'You're beautiful either way don't let anyone tell you any different,' one said. 'You're gorgeous in every way possible. Don't let anyone tell you different. So proud of you,' another added.
The Journal
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam elected as new Lord Mayor of Dublin
LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago FINE GAEL COUNCILLOR Ray McAdam has been elected as Dublin's newest Lord Mayor. At this evening's Annual Council meeting, McAdam was elected to succeed his party colleague Emma Blain, who had served as Lord Mayor since 18 December. He will now serve as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin until 29 June next year. McAdam, a Cavan native who has previously acted as a Parliamentary Assistant to Paschal Donohoe, is a North Inner City councillor and was first elected in 2009. He has been re-elected at subsequent Local Elections in 2014, 2019 and again in 2024. Speaking following the election, McAdam thanked those who elected him as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin, his family and his colleagues in the chamber. Congratulations to Councillor Ray McAdam who was Elected as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin 🎉 — Lord Mayor of Dublin (@LordMayorDublin) June 30, 2025 McAdam also paid tribute to his predecessor Blain, who he said brought 'empathy and purpose to the role'. 'Let this become the place where ambition meets action,' McAdam said, adding that celebrating Dublin 'will be the guiding star' of his term as Lord Mayor. 'We will celebrate Dublin, not only as it is, but as it can become. Because to truly celebrate something is also to shape it, to lift it up, to call it forward, to demand that it live up to its best self.' McAdam then outlined five key initiatives for her term as Lord Mayor – including the rejuvenation of O'Connell Street, tackling dereliction, a 'get Dublin moving' sports initiative, a Dublin disability inclusion drive and a 'young Dubliners speak' initiative. He also pledged to install a new statue on O'Connell Street within the year honouring 'the women of the revolution'. O'Connell Street. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'I am grateful for the courage, the leadership and the sacrifice of the women who shaped Ireland's revolutionary past, and I will do my part to ensure they are remembered not only with dignity and with respect, but in full view of the city they helped to build,' McAdam said. He went on to say that the council knows the challenges facing the city – including housing, safety, climate change and socioeconomic barriers. 'These challenges are real, but they demand action, not avoidance. They demand leadership, not lament,' McAdam said. Advertisement 'Even in the face of these realities, I firmly believe in this city, not only because of what it has been, but because of what it can still be.' Ahead of the election, Blain was invited to address her former Dublin City Council colleagues, where she thanked staff at the Mansion House on Dawson Street, her family and fellow councillors, and recalled some of the many 'memorable moments' during her tenure. 'Thank you for your belief in what Dublin can be,' Blain said. 'It was the greatest honour of my life'. Former Lord Mayor Emma Blain. 'Dublin is in a good place. There's a renewed energy and a sense that we've turned a corner, and I've been glad to play a small part in that work,' she added. 'There is still work to do, but we're building strong foundations with talented and committed people leading the way.' Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe congratulated his constituency and party colleague. 'A glorious moment as my wonderful friend Ray McAdam arrives at the Mansion House having been elected as the 358th Lord Mayor Dublin,' he said in a post on X. 'Ray is one of the hardest working people I know. He is ambitious for the role and will do a magnificent job. I wish him all the luck in the world.' In addition to the support of his Fine Gael party, McAdam also got the backing of Fianna Fáil, Labour and Green party councillors. This is because Dublin City councillors from these parties entered into a political agreement last year , which is set to run until 2029. The position of Lord Mayor is set to be rotated among these parties as part of the agreement. There are 63 councillors within Dublin City Council and 31 councillors belong to this pact. Ray McAdam received 34 votes during the election this evening. Sinn Féin, which has nine councillors elected to Dublin City Council, nominated Councillor Kourtney Kenny as their candidate for Lord Mayor. Sinn Féin is part of a newly-formed 'Progressive Alliance' which includes the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and independent councillors Pat Dunne, Cieran Perry, and John Lyons. This alliance contains 24 councillors who supported Kenny's bid. Kenny received 22 votes this evening. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Dublin Live
26-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Dublin Live
Fourteen of Dublin's centenarians celebrated at special event
Fourteen of Dublin's centenarians were celebrated at a special event today. Lord Mayor Emma Blain welcomed some of Dublin's oldest and wisest to the Mansion House and presented them with a framed scroll, inviting them to sign a Dublin Centenarians Ledger. The oldest person honoured today is 104 years old. The 'Dublin City Centenarians Project' was originally started in the 1990s and used to compliment the President's national recognition of centenarians. Ms Blain revived the tradition this year, and earlier this month invited those born in Dublin who are 100 years old or over to get in touch. The original idea for the 'Dublin City Centenarians Project' was conceived by Dublin City Council Senior Housing Welfare Officer Frank Goodwin, who is now retired and in his 80s. Frank joined the city's Centenarians today at the Mansion House. The Lord Mayor said: 'I am delighted to have revived this lovely tradition of recognising and honouring our older citizens. They have such a wealth of life experience and great stories to share with us all. "I loved meeting with them today at the Mansion House, hearing their wonderful memories and getting their advice for a long life which universally was to keep active and just get on with it!" Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Woman flashes obscene gesture as mob forces accused baby killer out of her home
Nicole Blain is set to appear in court next year after she was alleged to have killed her baby daughter by shaking just three weeks after she was born at a flat in Greenock, Inverclyde A woman was seen making an obscene gesture towards a baying mob as an accused baby killer was forced to leave her home. Police have charged Nicole Blain, 29, over the death of three-week-old Thea June Wilson at a property in Greenock, in Inverclyde Scotland, on July 14 2023. Prosecutors have alleged she shook the child and inflicted blunt force trauma by unknown means before her death. She denies the charges, and is set to appear before the court in a trial scheduled for April 2026, but the case has already caught significant local attention, with police called to her home after a baying mob materialised outside her flat. Footage obtained by the Daily Record outside of the flat in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, shows officers guarding the property as people gather outside, with shouts of "get her out" as the crowd grew. Other chants of "get her into the back of the van" and "you are lucky that the cops are here" could be heard as two women emerged from the home. In response, one of the pair could be seen flipping up their middle finger at the crowd as the they were bundled into the back of a police van. The curbside protest followed a local social media campaign in which residents of Johnstone have called for "support" to remove her from the area. Videos showing her being moved from the home have been hailed by supporters of the fervent campaign, which has built up across multiple social media accounts, mainly on Facebook. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said however that the crowd dispersed a short time after officers arrived to collect Blain. A spokesperson for the service said: "Around 7.25pm on Monday, 9 June, 2025, we received a report of a crowd gathered outside a property in Floorsburn Crescent, Johnstone. "Officers attended and the crowd dispersed a short time later." Blain's legal team has pleaded not guilty on her behalf following an initial hearing at Glasgow High Court on May 8, with a special defence of incrimination lodged as the defence and prosecution agreed to said they were prepared for a trial. The case, when it comes before the court next year, is expected to last around six days, and several "professional witnesses" are set to be allowed to provide evidence remotely. A fundraiser was launched in the wake of baby Thea's death in a bid to raise roughly £1,200 for the three-week-old's funeral costs. But the page has since been suspended, with donations no longer allowed.
