UK researchers criticise WHO e-ciggie paper September 4, 2014 BRITISH researchers yesterday claimed a World Health Organisation (WHO) report into e-cigarettes contained errors, misinterpretations and misrepresentations, causing policymakers to ignore their potential health benefits. The WHO’s report last month called for stiff regulation of e-cigarettes, as well as bans on indoor use, advertising and sales to minors. However, Ann McNeill, a researchers at the national [...]
Service sector in US sees growth at record pace September 4, 2014 America’s service sector unexpectedly gained more momentum in August, according to data released yesterday by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). And the ISM’s employment index hit a multi-year high ahead of the government’s payrolls report, due out today. The ISM’s non-manufacturing purchasing managers index increased to 59.6 in August from 58.7 in July. The [...]
Carl Icahn sells stake in discounter Family Dollar and earns $200m September 3, 2014 Activist investor Carl Icahn yesterday sold his stake in deep discounter Family Dollar, earning $200m (£121m) in the process, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the issue. The sale comes after Icahn pushed Family Dollar’s management into putting it up for sale, igniting a bidding war. In July, rival Dollar Tree offered to pay $8.5bn [...]
American Apparel ad banned for inappropriate portrayal of young women in schoolwear promotion September 3, 2014 US clothes retailer American Apparel was yesterday reprimanded by the advertising watchdog for an advert showing a girl leaning over and revealing her underwear. The image had been designed to promote the brand’s schoolwear. The Advertising Standards Agency said the adverts had the “potential to normalise predatory sexual behaviour” towards young women. It is the [...]
Building revival helps Ashtead to raise forecast September 3, 2014 BRITISH industrial equipment hire group Ashtead yesterday raised its full-year guidance after posting a 33 percent rise in first-quarter pre-tax profits on strong demand from the United States and the UK. Chief executive Geoff Drabble said he now anticipated the company’s full year results would be ahead of previous expectations and increased its plans for [...]
Full-year profit growth forecast shortfall weighs on Hargreaves September 3, 2014 UK FINANCIAL adviser Hargreaves Lansdown yesterday saw its share price fall by almost six per cent after it reported that full-year profit growth was lightly short of expectations. While revenues rose eight per cent to £291.9m, they were short of the £342m expected by the market. Pre-tax profit, up seven per cent at £195.2m, lagged [...]
Boris Johnson unveils £913m plan to protect London cyclists with Crossrail for bikes September 3, 2014 London Mayor Boris Johnson yesterday unveiled plans for two urban cycleways across London dubbed “Crossrail for the bike.”. They will offer cyclists protection from other road traffic and are the centrepiece of a £913m project to convince more Londoners into using two wheels to get around. The north-south route will run from Elephant & Castle in [...]
Uber to be driven off track in Germany after court ban September 2, 2014 Worldwide cab firm Uber yesterday vowed to fight on in Germany after a court issued a temporary injunction against the app-based service, saying its drivers lacked the necessary commercial licences to pick up passengers. The ruling by Frankfurt regional court last week came after a challenge brought by the German taxi industry for non-compliance with [...]
Swiss economy catches cold as EU sneezes September 2, 2014 SWITZERLAND’S economy unexpectedly flatlined in the second quarter as trade took a hit from stagnation in its main export market, Europe, and a dip in construction spending. The data, missing forecasts of a 0.5 per cent increase from the previous quarter, was the weakest reported by the country’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in [...]
Fall in PPI complaints leads to 42pc fewer disputes with banks September 2, 2014 A DECLINE in the number of disputes about the mis-selling of loan insurance in the first half of 2014 has led to a fall of nearly 42 per cent in total complaints against British banks, figures released yesterday by the banks’ ombudsman reveal. The Financial Ombudsman Service said it received 191,000 new complaints during the period, compared [...]
