Boris Johnson to approve controversial 700-apartment development October 2, 2014 Boris Johnson is expected to approve plans to develop London’s largest brownfield site in Islington tomorrow, despite thousands of local residents campaigning against it. The site – the former Royal Mail sorting office at Mount Pleasant, off Farringdon Road – has been highly controversial, with both Islington and Camden councils rejecting the plans, before the [...]
Sports Direct now owns 11 per cent of Debenhams October 2, 2014 Sports Direct has just upped its exposure to underperforming department store chain Debenhams, buying a further £33m-worth of shares. The move comes months after the Mike Ashley-owned retailer took its original punt on the high street business, which was ultimately converted into a put option valued at £64m. The new investment equates to a 4.6 [...]
US jobs benefit claims unexpectedly drop October 2, 2014 The number of Americans making new claims for unemployment benefits has fallen more sharply than expected last week, reaching pre-recession levels and nearing a 14-year low. Data released by the US Labor Department this afternoon showed that initial claims for state unemployment benefit had fallen 8,000 to 287,000 for the week ending September 27, [...]
US Ebola patient came into contact with more than 80 people October 2, 2014 More than 80 people may have been exposed to a Texas man diagnosed with Ebola, according to the Dallas Public Health Department. While only 12 to 18 people came into direct contact with the patient, 62 – 68 may have crossed paths with the secondary few. The group is being monitored and the 80 are [...]
Warren Buffett admits he made “a huge mistake” on Tesco as share price tumbles again October 2, 2014 Warren Buffett has admitted making a “huge mistake” by investing in Tesco, as the supermarket's share price continued to fall today. The legendary investor, and second richest man in the world, is currently the third largest shareholder in Tesco, through his venture Berkshire Hathaway, which owns a 4.1 per cent stake. He first [...]
Where is the best place to retire in the UK? Christchurch in Dorset apparently October 2, 2014 We all know the UK is faced with issues around its ageing population – but where are the oldest (and youngest) constituencies in the country? Figures out today from the Office for National Statistics suggest that Great Britain's older population is “concentrated primarily in coastal areas” – while the young bucks tend to live [...]
Ebola outbreak: Man quarantined in Hawaii hospital October 2, 2014 A man suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus has been quarantined at a hospital in Hawaii. He is currently being treated in isolation at the island's Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, where health officials said he was sent after showing symptoms of the disease. However, spokespeople said the team was being [...]
Mario Draghi: ECB to start buying covered bonds this month October 2, 2014 Mario Draghi, the president of the ECB, has said the Bank will be prepared to take on below investment grade asset-backed securities (to BBB-), opening the door to Greek and Cypriot banks. The central bank will start buying covered bonds and asset-backed securities this autumn, starting with the bond programme in mid-October. The programme will last [...]
Ageing workforce could lead to closure of GP practices October 2, 2014 The large number of GPs reaching retiring age in England has put hundreds of practices at risk of closure, the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has claimed. According to the professional body, at 543 of the country's 8,000 GP practices, 90 per cent of doctors are over 60. That means seven per cent [...]
Sol Campbell may join Tories in battle against Labour’s mansion tax October 2, 2014 Sol Campbell may join the Tories to fight against Labour's mansion tax. The former England football player recently made his opposition to the tax known via Twitter but has gone into even further detail about the problems with the policy advocated by both the Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Speaking to the Telegraph, he slammed [...]