Today’s news sees the inflation rate hit 5.2% – 5.6% if mortgage payments are taken into account. The UK government’s quantatitive-easing programme (printing more money) is believed to be one of the factors, along with rising energy costs.
The official report into Liam Fox’s conduct has found he broke Ministerial guidelines by allowing close friend Adam Werritty to attend meetings and to give the impression he was an official advisor.
Today’s news sees the inflation rate hit 5.2% – 5.6% if mortgage payments are taken into account. The UK government’s quantatitive-easing programme (printing more money) is believed to be one of the factors, along with rising energy costs.
The official report into Liam Fox’s conduct has found he broke Ministerial guidelines by allowing close friend Adam Werritty to attend meetings and to give the impression he was an official advisor.
One of John Lennon’s teeth is to be auctioned by the former Beatle’s housekeeper, it is expected to fetch in the region of £10,000.
These stories, and many more featured on the news wires here and across the globe. So, as most of Scotland sleeps, feel free to post your opinions and views on those stories listed below or any others that interest you.{jcomments on}
- Israeli soldier freed in prisoner exchange
An Israeli soldier held captive by Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza strip returned home today. Gilad Shalit, who has been detained since 2006, was welcomed home by family and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said: “Hello Gilad, welcome back to Israel. It’s so good to have you back home”. Israel had promised to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange, a process which has now begun.
- Japanese pi record broken again
No, it’s not a spelling mistake! A Japanese man has broken his own record to calculate pi to 10 trillion digits. Sigeru Kondo, 56, set the previous record last August with 5 trillion digits, and smashed it on Sunday using a homemade computer. The impressive feat, however, didn’t please his wife much. “We could dry the laundry immediately but we had to pay Y30,000 (£249) a month for electricity,”she said.
- David Cameron joins LinkedIn
In another attempt to appear more accessible and in touch with the people of the UK, David Cameron has joined LinkedIn. This follows other forays into “connecting with the public” by senior politicians: Ed Milliband holds question and answer sessions on Twitter, as does William Hague.
- Tram finally turns up late
The first of 27 trams for the problematic Edinburgh line arrived at the Gogarburn depot yesterday. Manufactured in Spain by CAF, the tram travelled by land and sea via Amsterdam and Newcastle to reach its destination. Not everyone was excited, though. A local woman who did not wish to be named said “I just hope it’s worth the disruption and misery it’s caused to all of us who live here”.
- 500 apply for 20 Poundland jobs
If ever a reminder were needed about the state of the economy, this is surely it. The 500 applicants to the Walsall store included graduates, in a bid to find employment anywhere they can. TUC general secretary said: ‘People are desperate to work but there are simply not enough jobs to go round”.
- Sanctuary owner honoured
Juanita Wilson, who owns Mossburn Community Farm near Lochmaben in the Borders is to be given an award for her work by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Ms Wilson, who started the sanctuary in 1987 looking after one sick horse, has now saved the lives of thousands of animals over the years. The awards ceremony takes place in the House of Lords. Ms Wilson said: “I am bewildered but happy to be receiving an award that I sincerely hope will bring positive benefits to the centre I manage.Although small charities like mine only scratch the surface in helping animals, if enough of us scratch away we do make a difference.”
- New type of motorbike inspires toilet humour
The Toilet Bike Neo, developed in Japan, includes a modified loo and a “mobile laboratory for processing”. It is hopes that the bike will reduce CO2 emissions by 50% in six years. It is due to arrive in Tokyo on November the 2nd after a tour round Japan.