Scientists come a step closer to creating the world’s first male contraceptive pill – but there’s a strong chance the pharma industry won’t be thrilled October 2, 2015 For years, scientists have attempted to create a male version of the contraceptive pill. They haven't quite managed it yet, but a new discovery by a group of researchers at Osaka University in Japan has given them a big push in the right direction. By carrying out tests in mice, they managed to [...]
Government launches clampdown on nuisance calls from claims management companies October 2, 2015 The government is launching a review into how claims management companies (CMCs) are regulated, in an attempt to prevent them bombarding people with nuisance calls and text messages. In a statement today, the Ministry of Justice said it was calling for evidence of how the companies are monitored and controlled. Consumers, regulators, banks [...]
Oil price pushed up by escalating tensions in Syria October 2, 2015 The price of oil has risen for the second day in a row, pushed up by an escalation of military action in Syria. In early trading, WTI was up at $45.67 per barrel – a 2.1 per cent increase from yesterday, while Brent was 1.5 per cent higher at $48.39 per barrel. Today, [...]
FirstGroup share price rises on positive expectations October 2, 2015 FirstGroup shares edged up this morning after the transport company said it was on track to meet its expectations. In a trading update for the six months to 30 September, it said it experienced strong revenue growth in both its rail and bus businesses and that the other parts of its operations were also [...]
Why we need to stop countries developing killer military robots before it’s too late October 2, 2015 The prospect of human-killing robots walking among us on our streets is a very scary one, and while it was once stuck firmly in the realms of science fiction, it is now becoming a distinct possibility. It's no wonder, then, that thousands of scientists and artificial intelligence researchers signed an open letter calling for [...]
UK construction PMI: Housebuilding increases at its fastest pace in a year October 2, 2015 Housing crisis? What housing crisis? Demand may be vastly outweighing supply in the UK's housing market at the moment – but the signs are looking increasingly encouraging, after new figures showed the UK's construction sector had one of its best months of the year in September, with growth hitting a seven-month high and – housebuilding [...]
Farming industry braces for potential Mad Cow Disease impact October 1, 2015 The UK's farming industry is bracing itself after a dead cow tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as “Mad Cow Disease”, on a farm in Wales. The location of the farm has not yet been identified, but Rebecca Evans, deputy minister of farming and food, said in a statement that the [...]
“Mad cow disease” Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy found in dead Welsh cow on British farm October 1, 2015 A dead cow on a farm in Wales was infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), also known as “Mad Cow Disease”, the Welsh government has confirmed. The location of the farm has not yet been identified, but Rebecca Evans, deputy minister of farming and food, said the case was "isolated" and posed no health [...]
Oil price rises on news of higher global demand October 1, 2015 Oil prices received a boost this morning as data revealed an increase in global demand over the first half of the year. Yesterday, estimates from the Joint Oil Data Initiative (JODI) showed across 59 countries, which combined account for between 75 and 80 per cent of global consumption, an average of 71.4m barrels were [...]
Teva bags another acquisition: Drugs giant buys Mexican firm for £1.5bn October 1, 2015 Drugs giant Teva Pharmaceuticals has made its second major acquisition in two months. The Israeli company today struck a $2.3bn (£1.5bn) deal to take over Mexican firm Representaciones e Investigaciones Medicas SA de CV (Rimsa), as it pushes forward with its plan to expand into emerging markets. Rimsa, which brought in a revenue [...]
