Far from being unlucky, home insurance claims actually go down on Friday 13th November 11, 2015 Friday the 13th may have a reputation for being unlucky – but it turns out that doesn't ring true when it comes to household mishaps. Home insurance provider Policy Expert has discovered that claims on home insurance actually go down on the traditional day for bad luck, with claims on some of the most recent Friday 13ths coming [...]
Wada’s report on Russian athletics shows it’s been too easy to corrupt current anti-doping system November 10, 2015 The long-awaited independent commission report of an investigation into allegations first revealed in a German TV documentary shocked but does not surprise those who remember state institutionalised doping of the 1970s. The documentary itself was controversial, alleging doping practices, bribery and corruption in the Russian national anti-doping system involving national doping control officers, laboratory scientists, [...]
New research sheds light on why we believe in superstitions despite knowing they are irrational November 10, 2015 See a penny on the floor during a particularly busy rush hour at Bank station and still feel compelled to pick it up? A new research by University of Chicago Booth School of Business has discovered the reason why normally rational people sometimes do illogical things in the name of superstition. In her paper, Professor [...]
From Sharm el-Sheikh and John Lewis’ Christmas advert to Remembrance Sunday and interest rate rises: Here’s what got us talking this week November 6, 2015 There was a march that turned violent. Middle age somehow got that bit longer. And in darkest Hounslow, people went nuts for bargain-basement housing. The Cenotaph service is open for anyone to attend (Source: Getty) 1) It's Remembrance Sunday this weekend How will you be commemorating the fallen? We have some ideas for you here. And [...]
Laggard no more? A look at what European markets offer investors and why platforms are peering across the Channel November 5, 2015 If you want to keep up with alternative lending, you should probably be looking to the continent. Last week, Seedrs announced a partnership with ING, which will see the platform become the bank’s equity crowdfunding partner in Belgium and Luxembourg. ING will refer businesses to Seedrs if it thinks a firm could benefit from funding [...]
Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce laments defending as Sunderland ship six against Everton at Goodison Park November 1, 2015 Everton 6, Sunderland 2 Dejected Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce insists a treacherous road lies ahead unless his side dispel the kamikaze defending which underpinned their annihilation at Everton. The Black Cats twice struck the post before forwards Gerard Deulofeu and Arouna Kone gave Everton a two-goal lead, which was subsequently wiped out by Jermain Defoe and [...]
EU referendum: “UK is yet to reveal details of renegotiation”, say European leaders October 29, 2015 As Prime Minister David Cameron met with eight other European leaders in Iceland yesterday, two revealed the United Kingdom has not yet laid down concrete plans on what it wants to achieve in a renegotiation with the European Union. Cameron has previously said he will announce a full set of proposals in November, adding that "negotiations [...]
Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson are among the celebs earning more than you, even when they’re dead October 27, 2015 Since he died in 2009, Michael Jackson has earned a cool $1bn (£654m) – $115m in 2015 alone – placing him on top of the list of dead celebrities who haven't lost their earning power. Elvis, Bob Marley, Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon, and Albert Einstein all feature on Forbes' list of 13 top-earning dead celebrities this year. Jackson has earned triple-digit [...]
Boardroom battle between Electra and Sherborne Investors boss Edward Bramson continues October 26, 2015 The boardroom cat-fight between Edward Bramson and Electra rumbles on, with yet more letters when Electra released its full year results yesterday. Electra reported net asset value (NAV) per share return of 25 per cent in the year to September 30, with £259m realised from the portfolio. NAV per share return (the best measure of [...]
Spectre film review: a hollow ghost of a Bond movie October 22, 2015 Cert 12A | ★★☆☆☆ There’s an old episode of The Simpsons where a Bond parody escapes death using an improbable device. It’s funny because we recognise its ridiculousness, having seen it played out countless times in the classic pre-scowly Daniel Craig days. It’s less funny when it happens in director Sam Mendes’ Spectre; one scene [...]