Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest reigning monarch: Here are the key facts and events that show just how different 1952 and 2015 are September 10, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II has become the longest-reigning monarch in the UK's history. Today marks the 63rd year, seventh month and second day she has ruled over the country, beating her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Back when she ascended to the throne, the world was a very different place. The UK was at war (in Korea), tensions [...]
Virgin Galactic to unveil its SpaceShipTwo “within months”, says chief executive September 10, 2015 After years in the making, is Virgin Galactic's answer to leisurely space travel finally on its way? The SpaceShipTwo, which wannabe space tourists shave been waiting for for years, could be unveiled “within months”, George Whitesides, chief executive of Richard Branson's ambitious space tourism company, said today. “The last few months have been [...]
Microsoft Office 2016 release date confirmed for 22 September, with key updates in Outlook and cloud computing September 10, 2015 Microsoft has just confirmed Office 2016 for Windows, announcing that the software will be available from 22 September. The release isn’t entirely unexpected, as rumours have been floating around, but today Microsoft officially announced the rollout of the first new version since Office 2013 was launched nearly three years ago. These are the key features [...]
It’s official: The Hobnob is Parliament’s favourite biscuit September 10, 2015 From expenses to their voting records, MPs are used to having every aspect of their lives heavily scrutinised – but it's only now that research has shed light on one of the most crucial areas of life in Westminster: biscuit choice. The research, by researcher Nicole Otero, found MPs' biscuit of choice was surprisingly humble: [...]
European Central Bank chief economist Peter Praet says low interest rates reflect “economic malaise” September 10, 2015 The European Central Bank's (ECB) chief economist Peter Praet has that low interest rates are due to "economic malaise" in the euro area and across world. He said the central bank's hand was forced by uncomfortably low inflation across the single currency bloc, as well as persistent weakness in the economy. "Low interest rates are ultimately [...]
How technology could help alleviate London’s housing crisis September 10, 2015 With no end in sight for London’s housing crisis, London’s major landowners and councils need to think differently about how tenants can access and use space. Technology is changing the way we consume products on a day-to-day basis, enabling individuals to share everything from cars to clothing on a temporary basis. So far this idea [...]
Apple’s iPhone 6s Upgrade Program is its secret weapon to get people buying the latest model release September 10, 2015 At a company event in San Francisco yesterday, among new hardware announcements, Apple introduced a new iPhone financing plan called "iPhone Upgrade Program" This new instalment plan is a direct response to the sudden prevalence of equipment instalment plan (EIPs) in which devices are paid for via instalments rather than through subsidies embedded in fixed-term [...]
Prime minister David Cameron loses parliamentary vote over EU referendum rules September 10, 2015 Prime minister David Cameron was handed a bruising defeat late last night, as a coalition of Labour, SNP and Eurosceptic Conservatives rejected the government’s latest proposals surrounding the EU referendum. In this government’s first defeat in the House of Commons, 312 MPs voted against the government’s amendment to the EU referendum bill, while 285 MPs [...]
New iPhone 6s release 2015: What 3D Touch and Apple’s new iPhone means for banking and the financial services industry September 10, 2015 The long-awaited iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus are finally here and, despite being somewhat overshadowed at yesterday’s launch by the iPad Pro and Apple TV, they certainly hold much promise for the banking sector. In particular they have the potential to significantly improve mobile banking, thanks to several new and updated features. Improvements in [...]
Tour of Britain 2015 route map: How to watch the cycling race live avoiding traffic chaos and road closures September 10, 2015 The Tour of Britain arrives in London this Sunday, as top cyclists from around the world compete for the first spot in the UK’s largest professional cycle race. If you fancy catching a glimpse of the cyclists whizzing through the capital on the final stretch of the eight-day race, we’ve rounded up the best spots [...]