David Blair's Blog, page 139

Eon hits UK consumers with price rises

Eon, the world's largest privately owned utility, has become the latest company to increase charges for British consumers , raising its electricity price by 9 per cent and gas by 3 per cent.

National Grid fined £8m – but it could have been worse

The £8m fine imposed on National Grid on Thursday means the UK utility has achieved a dubious distinction.

National Grid fined £8m for misreporting

Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, has imposed a fine of £8m on National Grid after the utility admitted exaggerating the progress of its replacement of old gas mains.

Kuwait and Iran stand firm on oil output

Two of Opec's leading members, Iran and Kuwait, have denied that oil prices exceeding $90 per barrel were damaging the global economy, saying there was no need to increase supply.

Ecuador's novel plan to save rainforest

In the verdant underworld of the Amazon rainforest, shielded from the sun's rays by the electric green foliage of towering kapok trees, many hazards can trap the unwary.

Honoured Carr made his name as a raider

The knighthood bestowed on Roger Carr was a perhaps inevitable laurel for a pillar of British business who will assume the presidency of the CBI in June.

Rain hits Queensland mine exports

Torrential rain in the Australian state of Queensland has halted exports from mines accounting for 40 per cent of global coking coal capacity, raising the prospect of higher prices for the key steelmaking ingredient.

N Ireland water crisis to last till new year

Thousands of people across Northern Ireland will continue to endure water shortages until next week, according to the embattled state-owned company facing angry criticism for its handling of the crisis.

Monsoons disrupt Rio Tinto's coal mines

Shares in Rio Tinto , the London-listed miner , fell on Wednesday after heavy rains in the Australian state of Queensland disrupted production at four of the company's coal mines.

40,000 homes without water in N Ireland

Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Northern Ireland are without water after large sections of an ageing mains network burst during the thaw following the province's coldest weather for de cades .