You won’t believe why some think China’s smog is a good thing December 9, 2013 It's not news that Chinese megacities are suffering from some pretty terrible smog, such as Beijing, pictured above as early as 2008. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised it as one of their concerns for the 2008 games. Since then, it's been getting much worse, and many are worried about the health impacts. But it [...]
Are all virtual currencies in danger as China cracks down on Bitcoin? December 9, 2013 The founder of virtual currency Peercoin, Sunny King has warned the he does not rule out the possibility of governments banning virtual currencies. His comments follow Chinese authorities’ recent crackdown on the use of Bitcoin by financial institutions. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, King said: I wouldn’t eliminate possibilities that they [China’s authorities] issue a [...]
If you really care about the environment you should love fracking. Here’s why December 9, 2013 A report released on Friday by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has found that increasing use of shale gas can massively reduce some of the world’s deadliest air pollution. As well as slashing carbon emissions and providing enticing economic prospects the findings of the report should present a compelling case for those who value [...]
UK economy improving but far from cured December 8, 2013 THERE can be no doubt that this Winter Budget – as it should really have been called – was a great win for George Osborne. For the first time since around 2007, Britain is moving in the right, rather than the wrong, direction. Growth has bounced back, the deficit is falling, employment is surging, unemployment [...]
Erratic and arbitrary UK renewable subsidies are likely to end in failure December 8, 2013 WITH Centrica threatening to pull the plug on a £2bn offshore wind farm if the government did not increase already exorbitant subsidies, ministers agreed to do just that. Yesterday, they announced they would slow the planned reduction in the guaranteed strike price for offshore wind by adding £5 to the subsidy – to £140 per [...]
If you really care about the environment you should love fracking. Here’s why December 6, 2013 A report released on Friday by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) has found that increasing use of shale gas can massively reduce some of the world's deadliest air pollution. As well as slashing carbon emissions and providing enticing economic prospects the findings of the report should present a compelling case for those who value [...]
Investors are about to get very frightened as US unemployment drops like a stone December 6, 2013 US unemployment has fallen way faster than expected in November. For once that good news is good news to Wall Street. The headline unemployment rate dropped from 7.3 per cent to seven per cent. Analysts had predicted a fall to 7.2 per cent. You might think that this is unambiguously good news for the US [...]
Problems with Natwest online banking? Here’s one way to get round it December 6, 2013 Natwest is having more trouble with its website this afternoon, and has blamed a cyber attack for the problems. If you're having problems accessing your account, this link may work for you. Here's the update it released this afternoon: Due to a surge in internet traffic deliberately directed at the NatWest website, customers experienced difficulties accessing [...]
Cath Kidston to float at £250m in new year December 6, 2013 Cath Kidston is to be put on the market for more than £250m next year, reports Sky News' City editor, Mark Kleinman. The successful retailer, known for its floral, spotty and generally colourful homeware, is considering a new year sale that could see its eponymous founder net at least £50m. The store has confirmed that [...]
E.On announces average price rise of 3.7 per cent for dual fuel customers December 6, 2013 UK energy supplier E.On has announced a rise in its average duel fuel bill of 3.7 per cent effective from January 2014. E.On said the increase in the dual fuel tariff would amount to an extra £48 being added to customers bills. Those on electricity only variable tariffs will also see a 3.7 per cent [...]