Low quality Wales homes ‘pumping money out of door’
BBC Solar panels are one way to reduce heating bills Poor quality homes in Wales are “pumping money out of the door”, according to a government adviser. The country’s old and inefficient houses are among the worst in western Europe. It means householders are spending far more on bills than they need to, and causing […]
Government contracts ‘killing off’ construction industry
Getty Images Government and council contracts provide around half of the construction industry’s work The construction industry in Scotland is being “killed off” by government contracts that drive down prices, a senior figure has said. Andrew Richards, of the Scottish government’s construction industry leadership board, said unsustainable pricing forced firms out of business. He told […]
Yahoo appoints Google exec Marissa Mayer as new CEO
Technology firm Yahoo has appointed leading Google executive Marissa Mayer as its next chief executive. Ms Mayer, 37, will become the firm’s third CEO in the space of a year. In a statement released by Yahoo, Ms Mayer said she was “honoured and delighted” to lead the company. In May CEO Scott Thompson stepped down […]
Turner prize winner ‘used objects’ to make Scottish Sikh connections
Jasleen Kaur, an artist celebrating the Scottish Sikh community, has won this year’s Turner Prize. The 38-year-old won the award for her Alter Altar exhibition at Glasgow’s contemporary arts venue Tramway. The exhibition featured a vintage Ford Escort, worship bells and Irn-Bru. The judges noted the “considered way in which she weaves together the personal, […]
Uber sells South East Asia operations to rival Grab
Getty Images Grab operates in 190 cities in South East Asia including Phnom Penh Uber is selling its South East Asia ride-share and food delivery businesses to regional rival Grab. Both firms describe the deal as a win for their passengers, but analysts warn it could mean higher prices. Grab is South East Asia’s most […]
Top China Bitcoin exchange to stop trading
Getty Images One of China’s biggest Bitcoin exchanges has said it will stop trading, after a government warning over virtual currencies. BTCC said it would stop buying and selling on 30 September in response to tightening regulation. It comes after authorities banned initial coin offerings on 5 September. The country has seen an explosion of […]
Thousands attend first day of Lincolnshire Show
BBC Organisers say this year visitors can use a phone app to tour the showground Thousands of people have attended the first day of one of the UK’s best-known agricultural shows. The 138th Lincolnshire Show is taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground – north of Lincoln. Organised by Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS), the show aims […]
‘Livid’ Michael Gove rips up EU customs partnership report
REUTERS/Simon Dawson Brexiteer Michael Gove objects to the customs partnership favoured by Theresa May Environment Secretary Michael Gove physically ripped up a report on Theresa May’s preferred option for a new customs partnership with the EU. He was said to have been “livid” as he felt the government document downplayed his objections to the proposal. […]
French PM to resign after government collapse
France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier is expected to tender his resignation today, hours after being ousted in a no-confidence vote. Barnier’s government collapsed after MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion against him, just three months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron. The prime minister is likely to stay on as caretaker […]
Tesco out-of-date food fine ‘a warning’ to other chains
Birmingham City Council Birmingham City Council said mould was seen on grapes on sale at a Tesco store in Birmingham A £7.56m fine handed to Tesco will be used to “warn” other supermarket chains against selling food past its “use by” date, experts said. Mr Simpson, who runs a food safety consultancy, said the judgement […]