Collins Word of the Year 2015: Binge-watch beats clean-eating, manspreading and dadbod November 5, 2015 If you decided to binge on box-sets rather than food this year, you might have inadvertently helped determine the Collins Word of the Year. Binge-watching has been named the word for 2015 after lexicographers saw a 200 per cent increase in its usage, which describes watching "a large number of television programmes (especially all the [...]
How do fireworks work? The science behind why they explode, how they make shapes and get their colours November 4, 2015 Remember remember the fifth of November… that's today, and once again people will gather across the capital to watch fireworks displays in celebration of Bonfire Night. But while we stand around and enjoy the event, the inquisitive among us might take a step back and wonder how on earth a mini, hand-sized rocket can turn [...]
Central banks and quantitative easing: Await the festive fireworks November 3, 2015 Halloween is over and winter is fast approaching. The nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder. In the UK this week, the streets and skies will also be alight with firework displays for Bonfire Night. Next week, India will be doing something similar for its Deepavali celebrations. But this year, the real [...]
Visa Inc share price down as it agrees to buy former subsidiary Visa Europe for €21.2bn November 2, 2015 Visa Inc announced this morning it has reached a deal to buy its former subsidiary Visa Europe for as much as €21.2bn (£15bn). The consolidation of Visa Europe's 500 million card accounts, worth more than €1.5 trillion, will create a single global payments company. The upfront payment comprises of €11.5bn in cash and €5bn-worth of preferred stock (which pays fixed dividends, taking [...]
Ken Clarke: The House of Lords needs to be reined in November 1, 2015 After the House of Lords twice voted to delay the implementation of the government's controversial tax credit cuts, former chancellor Ken Clarke has said the upper house needs to be reined in with new laws. Last week the Lords backed amendments from both Labour peer Baroness Hollis and crossbench peer Baroness Meacher, which frustrated the government's plans. [...]
Halloween asteroid flyby 2015: “Great Pumpkin” TB145 will come spookily close to the Earth on Saturday October 29, 2015 An unexpected asteroid is going to fly scarily close to the Earth on Saturday, just in time for Halloween. Asteroid 2015 TB145, also known as “the Great Pumpkin”, will miss our planet by around 300,000 miles when it comes hurtling past at around 5pm UK time – an incredibly close call in celestial terms. With [...]
Santander UK non-exec Michael Amato jumps ship to join start-up digital bank Tandem October 28, 2015 A new start-up digital bank has poached high-profile directors from two of Britain's largest lenders. Michael Amato, a non-executive director of Santander UK and former Williams & Glyn John Maltby are set to join the board of Tandem, a new digital financial services company that has yet to receive regulatory approval but is nevertheless aiming for an official [...]
Ineos is reportedly in talks with Fairfield Energy over its holdings in the North Sea October 27, 2015 Chemicals firm Ineos is reported to be looking at extending its presence in the North Sea oil and gas business. The group is in advanced talks with Fairfield Energy to buy a stake in the Clipper South gasfield, according to Sky News. The deal bring Ineos' holding in the field up to 75 per cent, [...]
Forbes most valuable sport business brands 2015: Nike beats Adidas and Under Armour as Sky Sports tops UK companies October 23, 2015 Nike has been named the most valuable brand in sport, beating competition from Adidas, Under Armour and Sky Sports. According to Forbes magazine, the sportswear giant is worth almost £17bn – nearly £6bn more than any other sports business brand in the world. Walt Disney-owned ESPN follows with a value of £11bn, while Nike's rivals in [...]
Forex scandal: Barclays, HSBC and RBS agree to £600m fine for foreign exchange rigging October 22, 2015 Three of Britain’s biggest banks were slapped with a $924m (£600m) bill for rigging foreign-exchange markets yesterday. Barclays, HSBC and RBS agreed the bill during a US federal court hearing, according to reports from Sky News. Barclays agreed to pay $384m, HSBC $285m and RBS $255m, people with familiar with the settlements said. French bank [...]