The US and Russia still dominate arms exports, but China’s catching up March 16, 2015 The US is still the world's biggest exporter of arms, according to research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Our western neighbour currently was responsible for 31 per cent of all exports across the world between 2010 and 2014, followed closely by Russia with 27 per cent. All other nations fell a [...]
Iran nuclear programme: Saudi Prince warns that if Iran strikes a deal, his country will want the same March 16, 2015 Prince Trurki al-Faisal of Saudi Arabia says that if the West strikes a nuclear deal with Iran, it is likely that many other countries will demand the same allowances. During an interview with the BBC, he warned that Saudi Arabia was among the nations that would seek the same rights, and that a situation where [...]
Britons who let or sold second homes in France to be paid back millions of pounds following EU court ruling March 12, 2015 British people who own property in France will be eligible for reimbursement of money paid out as taxes following the introduction of a “social charge” by French President Francois Hollande in 2012. The charge meant that around 200,000 non-resident Britons who sold or let second homes in France had to pay an extra 15.5 per [...]
The UK is backing China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Washington isn’t happy about it March 12, 2015 Britain has become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the US is far from impressed. The financial institution poses a threat to western rivals such as the World Bank, and the White House has accused the UK of “constant accommodation” of China according to the FT. The bank was set [...]
General Election 2015: Unemployment is driving some young voters from the Conservatives to Labour March 12, 2015 Some young people who voted for the Conservatives in the last general election are choosing to vote Labour this time, according to Reuters. The news agency spoke to a sample of first-time voters in 2010, and tracked them down again this month to find out how their opinions had changed in the run up to [...]
Budget 2015: Current pensioners could sell their annuities for cash under new rules March 11, 2015 Current pensioners might be able to sell their annuities for cash under new plans due to be discussed by senior government ministers on Friday. According to the FT, if the proposals go ahead retirees would be allowed to sell their annual income contracts to insurers on secondary markets. In return, they would receive a cash [...]
Lego is trying to ban imports of competitor products to the US March 11, 2015 Lego is taking three competitor brands to court in the US, claiming their products infringe patents owned by the Danish company. The lawyers describe the toys as “strikingly and substantially similar” to Lego's according to the BBC, and they have filed lawsuit to the US International Trade Commission. The hope is to have the products [...]
It’s proven: Autism and high intelligence are genetically linked March 11, 2015 For years, evidence has pointed towards a connection between autism and extreme intelligence. Einstein, Mozart and Newton are among those researchers believe suffered from the disorder. But a direct link between the two has been difficult to find, since there are many types of autism and in some cases it has the exact opposite impact [...]
A member of the UK military has tested positive for Ebola in Sierra Leone March 11, 2015 A military health worker from the UK has tested positive for Ebola in Sierra Leone. According to Public Health England (PHE), the unnamed person is being given appropriate care by medical experts. A decision is pending on whether they will be transferred back to the UK for treatment. In a statement, PHE said a [...]
Weibo boasts unprecedented user growth and better than expected results – yet investors aren’t happy March 10, 2015 Weibo's user numbers soared last year and revenue went up, but many investors aren't getting the earnings per share they hoped for. The figures China's answer to Twitter had a good 2014 as far as earnings and user growth were concerned – revenue went up by 77 per cent to $334.2 (£222m), while daily active [...]
