Is there a cure for Ebola? These companies are trying to beat the virus August 22, 2014 There is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment available for the deadly Ebola virus, but a handful of companies are racing to create a cure for the disease as it spreads across West Africa at an unprecedented rate. Until now, the main barrier to developing an effective treatment has been a lack of potential [...]
Troubled Co-op Bank slashes pre-tax losses in the first half August 22, 2014 Are the Co-operative Bank's troubles finally over? After a dire 2013, the bank announced this morning it had cut pre-tax losses to £75.8m in the six months to the end of June. That's less than a tenth of last year's £844.6m. Last summer, the bank went into a period of crisis after it uncovered [...]
Police clash with Ebola protesters in Liberian capital Monrovia August 21, 2014 Clashes have broken out between police and protesters against restrictions imposed to limit the spread of Ebola in the Liberian capital Monrovia. Liberian authorities imposed a quarantine on the West Point neighbourhood of the city earlier this week in order to prevent the spread of the disease, but residents have retaliated by throwing stones [...]
WH Smith says it expects strong results for the year August 21, 2014 WH Smith announced this morning that it expects positive results for the year ending 31 August. In a pre-close trading update released today, the British book/newspaper/stationery retailer said its high street, railway and airport businesses had all performed well over the last year. It added that its new store opening programme remains on track, [...]
UK public sector borrowing: Deficit of £200m in July August 21, 2014 In July 2013, the UK's public sector balance was in deficit of £200m, according to data released today by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This represented a reduction of £800m compared with July 2013, when net borrowing was £1bn. The figure is the first deficit recorded since January this year. Excluding transfers [...]
Is there life on Mars? Nakhla meteorite indicates it’s possible August 20, 2014 The question of whether there is – or ever was – life on Mars has rumbled on for centuries, but a meteorite that landed on Earth more than 100 years ago could offer scientists new clues about the environment of our neighbouring planet. The Nakhla meteorite, which landed in Egypt back in 1911, has [...]
Islamic State in Europe: Nine suspects detained in Austria August 20, 2014 Nine people have been arrested in Vienna, Austria, for intending to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria. According to the Austria Press Agency, the individuals were being questioned and a decision on whether to place them in investigative custody was pending. The news was reported by prosecutors in Austria on [...]
Eurozone construction declines for second month running August 20, 2014 Construction output in the Eurozone has fallen yet again. From May to June, output went down by 0.7 per cent according to Eurostat, the statistical office for the European Union. This follows May's similarly disappointing result, when construction fell 1.4 per cent compared to April. Before that, the Eurozone had seen largely positive [...]
Hikma Pharmaceutical revenue up 16pc August 20, 2014 Hikma pharmaceutical has reported a positive start to the year, with revenue rising 16 per cent during the six months to 30 June. Shareholder profit went up by 44 per cent to $176m, compared to $122m the year before, and net cash flow from operating activities increased by $64m to $200m. The multinational [...]
Independence for a healthy Scotland: Yes campaign focuses on national health service August 19, 2014 Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is focusing on the benefits that an independent Scotland could bring to the country's National Health Service. Saving the Scottish NHS from the effects of an increased private sector role in the English health service is now a top priority for Salmond, according to the FT. The fact [...]
