This is how urban London became one of the world’s megacities in 100 years- in one gif October 8, 2014 London’s population has grown by more than three million, expanding the capital’s urban centre further than ever over the last century. In 1914, London was a modern bustling city being shaken up by the Suffragette movement – and halfway through the year, its men started taking up arms in the First World War. The City [...]
Is there a cure for cancer? New understanding of the disease’s origins could help scientists fight it October 8, 2014 Before there were complex multicellular organisms like humans, there were single-celled organisms. For these much simpler beings, the uncontrollable multiplication of a cell would have posed no threat to their health. In fact, a group of scientists at the Arizona State University in the US say it could have provided a form of protection – it [...]
Has China overtaken the US as the world’s largest economy? October 8, 2014 It's been coming for a while, but is China now the world's biggest economy? Maybe. The IMF seems to think so: based on its calculations (which are admittedly estimates after 2013) China's economy is effectively larger than that of the US, because a dollar in China goes substantially further. If you need to see it [...]
Nick Clegg’s conference speech: Here’s what you need to know October 8, 2014 A beleaguered Nick Clegg has delivered his final party conference speech before the next election and possibly of his career. Clegg began his speech castigating Islamic State and paying tribute to Alan Henning and David Haines, who were beheaded. The deputy prime minister warmed the hearts of Lib Dem activists with strong criticisms on Ukip, [...]
Rouble falls to a new low against dollar and pound as sanctions bite October 8, 2014 President Putin celebrated his birthday yesterday, but it's just as well he is a tee-totaller because Russia's currency is probably giving him enough of a headache to worry about. The rouble has fallen to a new low against both the dollar and the pound today, as sanctions and falling oil prices continued to hit [...]
Not pleased as Punch: Pub group share price plummets as restructure completes October 8, 2014 Punch Taverns' share price plummeted more than seven per cent today, a 21-month low, after its much-anticipated restructure finally happened. The pub group has cancelled £600m-worth of debts after it was given the go-ahead to restructure by the Royal Bank of Scotland yesterday. The debt-for-equity deal will result in shareholders retaining just 15 [...]
Government’s draconian visa policy ‘baffles’ Oxford’s vice-chancellor October 8, 2014 The UK is shooting itself in the foot with its hardline approach on student visas, according to the vice-chancellor of Oxford University. Professor Andrew Hamilton told an audience of academics that he was constantly asked when he travelled abroad why the UK visa system so hostile to student entry. "I do my best to answer [...]
New space weather centre to protect UK businesses against solar flares October 8, 2014 The Met Office is opening the Space Weather Operations Centre in Exeter later today – a forecasting unit which will aim to protect the UK's economy and infrastructure against solar flares and other forms of extreme space weather. The centre will analyse images and solar activity data recorded by UK and US satellites and ground-based [...]
Airline Jet2 flies to Manchester after Blackpool Airport confirms closure October 8, 2014 Airline carrier Jet2 has shifted its flights from Blackpool Airport to Manchester, after the Balfour Beatty-owned airport confirmed its closure yesterday afternoon. Although Blackpool will stay open until October 15, Jet2.com said it would relocate from this Friday (October 10). An announcement by parent company Dart Group this morning explained: "As a result [...]
Mobile network Three fined £250k by Ofcom for failing to handle customer complaints correctly October 8, 2014 Mobile network Three has been hit with a £250,000 fine by the telecoms watchdog for failing to handle customer complaints correctly. Ofcom ruled that Three had not handled complaints in a fair and timely manner, and left customers unaware they were also able to raise their complaints with an independent service. The regulator found Three [...]