Why have oil prices dropped? Gulf states blame non-Opec members December 21, 2014 Arab Gulf ministers have argued that tumbling oil prices are not the fault of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), and maintain that their countries will not cut oil production to counteract the fall. The permanent, intergovernmental organisation comprises 12 member states, many of which are in the Middle East. The group [...]
A bad year for predictions: Number of UK company profit warnings reaches highest point since middle of financial crisis December 21, 2014 It has been a bad year for UK companies trying to accurately predict their profits. According to a report by financial services firm EY, the number of profit warnings issued by the UK's largest listed companies in 2014 was higher than in any year since the height of the financial crisis. During the [...]
Did North Korea hack into Sony Pictures? Obama considers putting Pyongyang back on terror list following release of private emails and film script December 21, 2014 In 2008, the White House took North Korea off its terrorism watch list when Pyongyang agreed to a full verification of its nuclear sites. Until that point, the country's covert attitude had led to suspicion in the West that the sites were being used to develop nuclear weapons. But now the US is considering reversing [...]
Winter solstice 2014: Why is today the shortest day of the year? December 21, 2014 Today is the winter solstice 2014, meaning the time between sunrise and sunset is less than on any other day of the year. Once darkness sets in this afternoon, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere will have been exposed to total 7 hours and 50 minutes of sunlight. By comparison, yesterday we [...]
Sony hack: Idris Elba to play James Bond? December 21, 2014 Idris Elba could be the new James Bond according to information in a Sony email leaked by hackers. Amy Pascal, the co-chairperson of Sony pictures, which makes Bond films, was clear “Idris should be the new Bond,” she wrote. This isn’t the first time the British actor, famous for his compelling performance as Mandela as [...]
Ukip and Nigel Farage’s popularity drops in new poll as Labour enjoys surge December 21, 2014 After accusations of snobbery and a woeful conference season, there is finally some good news for Labour. In a new poll by Opinium for the Observer, Labour’s lead over the Conservatives came out at a healthy seven per cent. This lead, should it be translated into seats in the general election, could mean Labour secures [...]
Panic Saturday: Consumers to splash out £1.2bn in run up to Christmas December 20, 2014 In the last Saturday before Christmas 13m shoppers are set to shell out £1.2bn, according to the Centre for Retail Research. The research claims this year's shopping bonanza will see a seven per cent rise in spending compared to last year. Consumers will be spending £2.1m every minute the equivalent of £92.31 per person. Sales [...]
North Korea offers joint probe with US over Sony hack December 20, 2014 In a new twist in the Sony hack story, North Korea has apparently extended an olive branch to US offering to help investigate the attack. The Communist state has denied any involvement with the hacker group Guardians of the Peace that threatened Sony with violence unless it pulled The Interview, a comedy film about the [...]
Ukip’s poll numbers won’t translate into large number of MPs, Plymouth University research claims December 20, 2014 Next year's general election could prove tougher for Ukip than the current opinion polls suggest, according to new research from Plymouth University. The study looked at over 500,000 votes cast in more than 1,000 local council by-elections since the last general election. Since the 2013 local elections, Nigel Farage's party have fought 346 council by-elections [...]
Sony just reversed its position on dropping The Interview after North Korea hack: Here’s what you need to know December 20, 2014 In a dramatic reversal of policy, Sony Pictures has announced that it is investigating ways to play The Interview, the North Korea comedy film starring Seth Rogan and James Franco. The company originally cancelled playing the film on 25 December following threats by a hacker group calling itself Guardians of the Peace. Sony said it [...]