Train delay compensation: How the new rules will make it more confusing for commuters to claim back for disrupted rail journeys July 20, 2015 Yesterday changes were announced to the National Rail Conditions of Carriage – the rules governing rail travel in the UK. The idea was to make it easier for commuters to claw back refunds for delayed and cancelled trains. All train operators are now obliged to offer passengers cash compensation rather than rail vouchers.That must [...]
Russian billionaire Yuri Milner promises $100m to search for alien life July 20, 2015 Venture capitalist investor slash Russian billionaire Yuri Milner has got into the race to find alien life, pledging $100m (£64.3) of his own money to help answer the question of whether we are alone in the cosmos. In a philanthropic(ish) effort, the internet entrepreneur announced through a live webcast at The Royal Society in London that [...]
Travelodge owners are preparing for £1bn sale or stock market floatation July 20, 2015 The owners of Travelodge are preparing to sell the hotel chain for a reported £1bn or otherwise float shares, according to the Daily Telegraph. Deutsche Bank have been appointed to advise the owners – investment bank Goldman Sachs and hedge funds Avenue Capital and GoldenTree Asset Management – on a potential sale or stock market [...]
London mayor election 2016: Most people want to have the option of voting online July 20, 2015 The majority of Londoners would like the option to vote online in next year's mayoral elections. Read more: Who will be the next Boris Johnson? Runners, riders and potential candidates In a YouGov survey of 1,047 adults in the capital, 59 per cent of those already online said they would support its introduction to [...]
London Conservative mayoral hopeful Ivan Massow wants to stay over at your place July 20, 2015 Conservative mayoral hopeful Ivan Massow has a new strategy to help him understand the lives of ordinary Londoners: he wants to stay at your place. Read more: Ivan Massow’s mayoral bid evokes Thatcher spirit – entrepreneur explains why he’s the Tories’ best bet to replace Boris In a video released today, Massow explains: “I want to [...]
Scientists have identified a sixth taste, and it could be the reason we become fat July 20, 2015 Carrying a few extra pounds? Blame oleogustus – which scientists reckon is the "taste of fat", according to a new study in the journal Chemical Senses. In fact, along with sweet, salty, bitter, sour and savoury, the study suggests oleogustus should be factored in as a key part of the human taste palate. Read more: Fat [...]
As rental prices soar, where do Londoners move to when they quit the city? Broadstone and Brentwood top the list July 20, 2015 London rental prices are soaring, forcing some Londoners to look move from the capital in search of cheaper lodgings. But where do they tend to go? While the commuter belt soaks up the majority (50.3 per cent of those leaving the capital stay in the south east, according to Homelet) of former Londoners, it is [...]
Disruption is the main concern that keeps chief executives awake at night – although global confidence is returning July 20, 2015 What with Uber, Airbnb and their ilk wreaking havoc in their respective industries, you can't help but sympathise: a new study has shown the main worry keeping chief executives awake at night is the prospect of disruption in their industry. According to the Global CEO Outlook Study, by accounting giant KPMG, 74 per cent of chief [...]
Bank of England governor Mark Carney would be wrong to hike interest rates this year, and the next move should be a cut July 20, 2015 At a time when central banks all around the world are stimulating their economies through monetary easing and/or quantitative easing, it's madness that the Bank of England is considering raising interest rates – and if anything the next move should probably be a cut to 0.25 per cent. The Bank of Canada cut rates last [...]
Gold loses its gleam as talk of a US interest rate hike encourages investors July 20, 2015 Gold lost some of its shine this morning, as the precious metal's price fell four per cent to as low as $1,088.05 (£697) an ounce during early trading in Asia – its lowest level since March 2010. Additionally, the price of platinum dropped five per cent in its weakest trade since the global financial [...]