Restaurants should face same restrictions as fast food, say public health professionals August 8, 2014 Eating in a snazzy restaurant can be worse for your health than fast food, according to a US study published in the journal Public Health Nutrition The 12,500 adults surveyed consumed on average 194 calories more on days they ate fast food and 205 calories more when they ate in a restaurant instead of eating at home. [...]
Lib Dems vow to abolish prison sentences for drug users August 8, 2014 Those caught with drugs intended for personal use will not be sent to prison if the Liberal Democrats win next year's general election. Nick Clegg's party will pledge that if no other offence has been committed then offenders should be subject to alternative sentences. The party believes that transferring the issue of drug use from [...]
Without currency union independent Scotland’s banks would be at risk – Niesr August 8, 2014 Scottish banks may not have the option of a government bailout if the country decides to go independent and has no formal currency union with the UK, according to a report from the National Institute of Social and Economic Research (Niesr). Without the formal arrangement Scotland enjoys at the moment, the Scottish banking system would [...]
Britcoin vs Scotcoin: The UK cryptocurrency battle August 7, 2014 In the aftermath of George Osborne's announcement that the Treasury will investigate what role digital currencies can play in the UK financial system and the heated debate between Alex Salmond and Allister Darling on Scottish independence, could there be a better time to examine the fortunes of two competing UK cryptocurrencies? In the red corner, [...]
Rio Tinto share price climbs on rising profits August 7, 2014 Shares in mining giant Rio Tinto have risen two per cent after the FTSE 100 company beat market expectations and reported a profit before tax of £6bn for the six months to 30 June. Revenues were also ahead of consensus, reaching $24.4bn, with underlying earnings rising by 21 per cent to $5.1bn. City broker Numis [...]
Rio Tinto mines increased profits after massive cost reduction August 7, 2014 Mining giant Rio Tinto has smashed expectations and reported profit before tax of over £6bn for the six months to 30 June – almost double what it was the previous year. The Anglo-Australian FTSE 100 company beat market forecasts through deep cuts in capital spending rapid efficiency savings, while hiking iron ore output. Net debt [...]
Aviva boasts rising profits in first half of the year August 7, 2014 Aviva has reported a four per cent rise in profit before tax reaching over £1bn for the half-year to 7 August. Furthermore, the insurance provider's operating expenses are £129m lower, at £1.4bn. However, while the company acknowledged encouraging macro-economic trends, it said it would not be waiting for markets to spur improvement in results. Aviva [...]
Walgreens’ £6bn takeover of Alliance Boots confirmed August 6, 2014 US pharmacy giant Walgreens is set to buy the remaining 55 per cent stake in high street chemist Alliance Boots. The Walgreens board will now ask shareholders to approve the £6bn deal. The company is hoping to cut £600m of costs over the next three years. The combination would establish the world's largest pharmaceutical wholesale [...]
Osborne announces plans to explore the future of Bitcoin August 6, 2014 George Osborne has announced plans to explore how cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin can play a role in the UK financial system. The chancellor has commissioned the Treasury to produce a report on digital currencies, examining their potential benefits and risks, which is set to be published in the Autumn. Osborne said he aims to make the UK [...]
Stephen Kelly announced as Sage CEO August 6, 2014 Software company Sage Group has announced that Stephen Kelly will succeed Guy Berruyer as group chief executive officer with effect from 5 November 2014. The new role will land Kelley with a basic annual salary of £790,000 and he will be part of the company's annual bonus and performance share plan. Furthermore, Kelly will receive [...]
