St Helena aims for tourism boost despite airport woes January 25, 2017 It became famous in the 1800s as the home of the exiled French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, but in recent times St Helena has attracted more attention for the cost of its new airport. Last year it was revealed that the Department for International Development had spent £285 million on an airport at a site that [...]
Uber hasn’t destroyed jobs according to a new study – although taxi driver wages have suffered January 25, 2017 Uber has created more jobs than it has destroyed, according to a new study, despite regularly being characterised as one of the villains of the so-called sharing economy. The number of self-employed drivers rose by 50 per cent in cities where Uber started operations, more than compensating for jobs lost in the taxi sector, researchers [...]
No haggis for Trump as 45-year import ban remains in force January 25, 2017 Not even half-Scottish US President Donald Trump will be able to tuck into an authentic haggis this year as the 45-year ban on haggis imports continues. Trump will be amongst the roughly 10 million Americans that claim Scottish heritage deprived of their national dish on the 258th birthday of Robert Burns. The US Department for [...]
Could vanity be your downfall? Skiers warned of selfie injuries January 25, 2017 Millions of Brits heading to the mountains to play in the white stuff this winter have been warned that taking an innocuous selfie could ruin their holiday. A startling 51 per cent of people have injured themselves while trying to photo their exploits – and 28 per cent of these have been carted off by medical services [...]
Bank of England governor Mark Carney warns fintech’s democratic revolution poses risk to financial system January 25, 2017 The fintech revolution poses significant risks to the stability of the financial services sector, according to Bank of England governor Mark Carney. Fintech’s assault on the business models of traditional banks could increase liquidity risks for the broader financial system, Carney warned in a speech delivered at a G20 conference in Wiesbaden, Germany. “The opening [...]
Is blockchain a “new operating system for the planet”? Barclays vice chairman Jeremy Wilson thinks so January 25, 2017 Blockchain has the potential to become “a new operating system for the planet” in a generation’s time, while mainstream commercial use is likely to happen within the next decade, one of Barclays’ top executives believes. “I don’t think I’ve heard it mentioned as anything other than a significant opportunity,” said its corporate banking vice-chairman Jeremy Wilson. [...]
Oil production is set to outpace demand while overall global energy demand increases into 2035 January 25, 2017 Global energy demand is set to rise by 2035, but oil prices are likely to remain low while production increases faster than demand. In the next 20 years, energy demand will increase around 30 per cent across the globe, although it will be offset by rapid gains in energy efficiency, according to an analysis of long-term energy trends. BP's annual Energy [...]
City of London grants planning permission for new City skyscraper, 1 Leadenhall January 25, 2017 Another skyscraper has moved one step closer to becoming part of the capital's skyline, after the City of London's planning and transport committee granted planning permission this morning. The committee approved a resolution to grant permission for 1 Leadenhall, which is set to tower over Leadenhall Market. The resolution was approved following a consultation with the [...]
This is how much disposable income the UK had in December January 25, 2017 UK households celebrated a rise in disposable incomes in December last year – but it is thought spending on non-essentials will slow in 2017 as inflation starts to bite. Families had an average £202 of disposable income in December 2016, a rise of 4.4 per cent (or £8.57) on the same month a year before, [...]
Novartis launches $5bn share buyback and mulls spin-off of eyecare business Alcon January 25, 2017 Novartis may spin off its struggling Alcon eye care business as it looks at ways to boost growth The Swiss drugmaker also plans to buy back up to $5bn (£4bn) of shares over the next year in a bid to return to growth by 2018. Alcon has slumped to a $120m loss as fourth-quarter sales dipped. Novartis could consider floating, [...]