There’s going to be a blue moon tonight July 31, 2015 They weren't joking when they came up with the saying about things only happening once in a blue moon. Tonight will be the first blue moon since 2012 – and the last until 2018. Astronomers say it will only occur 12 times between now and 2043. Sadly it doesn't mean the moon will [...]
Balfour Beatty named as preferred bidder on £460m Hinkley Point contract July 31, 2015 Balfour Beatty has been appointed the preferred bidder to construct nuclear power plant Hinkley Point C in a multi-million pound contract. The construction group has been named alongside engineering group NG Bailey in a 50-50 joint venture as the firms expected to deliver the critical infrastructure behind the station. The contract with EDF Energy [...]
Greece crisis: After six months in power Alexis Tsipras’ Syriza government has left the country with a veritable Mount Olympus to climb July 30, 2015 Alexis Tsipras’ six-month old left-wing Syriza government has put the country through a breath-taking roller-coaster of ideological hysteria, politico-economic gambles, and farcical constitutional experiments. Now it faces a rockier path ahead than the one it inherited. Perversely, at the time they lost power, the previous government was beginning to boast financial indicators pointing [...]
Former Apprentice star Stuart Baggs “the brand” found dead aged 27 July 30, 2015 Former Apprentice star and telecoms entrepreneur Stuart Baggs has been found dead at a house on the Isle of Man. Police were called to the 27-year-old's property at 9am this morning. A spokeswoman said the cause of death was “unknown” but not thought to be suspicious. A statement issued today said: "Police can now confirm [...]
British Gas’ “plumbing superheroes” are all fur coat and no knickers July 30, 2015 We’ve all seen the flash adverts on television – the ones where British Gas engineers literally fly to the rescue of their customers like plumbing superheroes, saving the world one boiler at a time. Lovely piece of television that, and a real favourite for the kids. Who wouldn’t enjoy watching the animated characters in [...]
MH370: Code on Reunion debris suggests it came from Boeing 777, while suitcase washed up on nearby coastline July 30, 2015 Update: A code has been found on wreckage washed up on an Indian Ocean island last night, adding weight to the view that it belongs to a Boeing 777 – potentially the missing flight MH370. A two-metre-long (6ft) piece of wreckage washed up on the French Indian Ocean island, which sits 370 miles east [...]
Thomas Cook’s share price drops after confirming £25m earnings hit followingTunisia attacks and ongoing Grexit fears July 30, 2015 Thomas Cook's share price fell this morning after confirming the terror attack in Tunisia and ongoing concerns around a possible Grexit could lower full year earnings by £25m. The figures The holiday group has reported its 12th consecutive quarter of improved profitability for the three months to 30 June, with operating profit up £53m, while [...]
Royal Dutch Shell share price soars as it confirms 6,500 job cuts while £47bn takeover of BG Group “progresses well” July 30, 2015 Royal Dutch Shell's share price climbed this morning after confirming it is cutting 6,500 jobs while revealing a 35 per cent drop in profits for the three months to 30 June. The figures The oil giant is struggling amid falling prices and heightened competition. Profits were down more than a third to $3.4bn for [...]
British Gas owner Centrica’s share price drops after revealing plans to cut 4,000 jobs as it focuses on “simplification” July 30, 2015 British Gas parent company Centrica's share price fell this morning as the energy giant revealed it was cutting 4,000 jobs as part of a strategic review. The figures Group adjusted profits were down three per cent in the first half of the year, as lower profit from upstream gas and power businesses dampened the higher [...]
A quiet tech revolution is happening – not in Shoreditch or Birmingham – but in Croydon July 30, 2015 I read Nick Holzherr’s recent article championing Birmingham’s Silicon Canal with a mixture of interest and a large degree of scepticism. As the founder of Croydon Tech City, I agree that the UK’s technological future doesn’t lie solely with the denizens of Old Street. But I argue vehemently with his alternative. If you want [...]
