Image of the week: Red apple
On Monday, the normally white logos at Apple stores such as this one on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, were illuminated in red in order to mark World Aids Day, while staff wore red T-shirts for the day. "The purchases you make through our holiday shopping events and through Apps for (RED) can create a lasting impact," Apple said in its Black Friday / Cyber Monday marketing. Part of the proceeds were allocated to Bono's Project (RED), a global fund that aims to fight Aids in Africa, to which it has already contributed more than $75 million. The company also sent iOS users an unsolicited push notification alert in connection with the campaign, contravening its own developer guidelines in the name of a good cause. Some people, with little else to be doing, complained. Photograph: Reuters/Carlo Allegri
In numbers: seasonal shopping
€528 million
Sum that Irish consumers will spend on food and drink this Christmas, according to research by ecommerce company Webloyalty. That's a lot of Brussels sprouts . . . oh no, wait . . . It's mainly whiskey and Curly-Wurlys.
47
Percentage of people in the 1,500-person survey who said a box of chocolates such as Roses or Quality Street is “an essential purchase” for the festive season. Otherwise Christmas is ruined.
28
Percentage of people who say seasonal alcoholic beverages “such as Baileys and eggnog” are must-haves on their shopping lists. Eggnog? Really?
The Lexicon: 4pc Consols
The "4pc Consols" were UK government bonds first issued by Winston Churchill in 1927, partly to refinance National War Bonds originating from the First World War. "Consols" comes from "consolidated", as these perpetual bonds also included bits and pieces of debt from the Crimean War, from the Napoleonic Wars and even the South Sea Bubble of the 1720s, all lumped together. Now some £218 million of the 4pc Consols will be refinanced to more conventional bonds, as will another £1.9 billion war loan from 1932. "This is a moment for Britain to be proud of," said UK chancellor George Osborne, channelling his best Churchillian rhetoric. We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds; we shall fight on the basis that we want to "take advantage of the low yield environment".
Getting to know: Elvira Nabiullina
The first female central bank governor of a G8 country (she got in there ahead of Janet Yellen), Nabiullina heads up the Bank of Russia, where life is very exciting – perhaps too exciting – these days. The rouble has been sinking fast against the dollar, prompting populist politician Evgeny Federov to call for a criminal investigation to be launched against the central bank, which he regards an “enemy of the nation”. Its leaders stand accused by Federov of betraying their country, or “doing maximum evil”. Naturally, it is feminism that is to blame for this treacherous monetary policy. Its critics say the institution has been taken over by “feminist liberals”. Yes, shockingly, Nabiullina’s deputy governor is also a woman.
The list: Weapon slogans
In further proof that satire is dead, Kalashnikov, the maker of AK-47 assault rifles, has taken the opportunity to rebrand under the slogan "protecting peace". But how do other manufacturers of killing machines advertise themselves?
1 Glock There’s no messing around with Austrian weapons company Glock. Its tagline is quite simply “Perfection”. But perfection at what? Probably best not to ask.
2 Armalite The US firearms maker’s strapline is “The style of technology”, though its website is notable chiefly for advising anyone sending back weapons for repair to please “make absolutely sure the firearm is unloaded!!!”
3 Uzi “Experience the legend . . . shop Uzi knives,” it declares on the website for the Israeli company, best known for its submachine guns. Also: “The pen is mightier than the sword . . . shop Uzi tactical pens.” How very, scarily, Bond.
4 Sig Sauer The handgun manufacturer, of Swiss origin, has opted for the slogan “When it counts”.
5 Thompson “Your pursuit of excellence starts with ours,” says the US company. Unfortunately, its site also carries details of an “important safety recall notice”.
