Coca-Cola has been found to have financed and promoted 24 bogus studies on childhood obesity. According to a paper published in the Journal of Public Health Policy the soft drinks brand failed to disclose Coke's influence in its research papers on obesity. Studies from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE), funded with a $6.4 million grant from Coca-Cola, found that physical inactivity is a key predictor for childhood obesity, with most causes tied to things other than soda consumption....

A man caught up in the New York blast has told how commuters stampeded “over each other” in a frenzied escape bid. Shaken Michael Avila says “50 or 60” people were caught in a crush trying to flee the scene at rush hour today. At around 7.30am police were called to reports of an incident at Port Authority bus terminal near Times Square in Manhattan. Police sources claim the explosion was caused by a man who detonated a pipe bomb...

A terror suspect is in custody and four people injured- but none critically- after an explosion rocked one of New York’s busiest transport hub. The explosion in the passage way connecting Times Square and Port Authority subway stations was captured on CCTV. https://twitter.com/NYCityAlerts/status/940209031532220418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F12%2F11%2Fnyregion%2Fexplosion-times-square.html And the New York Times are reporting that the bomber had been wearing the explosive device which went off after police officers had partially stripped him. The explosion terrified Monday morning commuters at around 7.30am local time,...

“A good dinner and feasting reconciles everybody”, Samuel Pepys wrote in November 1665. Though best known for first-hand accounts of the Great Fire of London and the plague, kept within his diary, Samuel Pepys also wrote numerous passages on his favourite things to eat – perhaps most notably The Lampery Pye. Within the Apex Hotel City of London, a contemporary hotel on Seething Lane (one of Pepys’ former residences), The Lampery opened in September, serving a ‘Best of British’ menu...

As sterling stumbles, renting, rather than buying, is becoming an increasingly attractive option for those looking to live in the capital. We’re already aware that the millennial generation are doomed to never own their own home (particularly in London, where prices are 14.5 times the average income), but until the market picks back up, those who have their deposits ready and waiting are staying on the fence. Not to mention the fact that the comparative strength of other currencies is...

QuotedData’s economic round up – December 2017 – is a collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken from the comments made by chairmen and investment managers of investment companies – have a read and make your own minds up. Please remember that nothing in this note is designed to encourage you to buy or sell any of the companies mentioned. Kindly sponsored by Martin Currie December Economic and Political Roundup A collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken...

The Scottish Labour Party is making gains on the SNP in a shift that could unlock a Westminster majority for Jeremy Corbyn. According to a political poll for Sunday Post Labour has gained three points on the SNP, with the Conservatives also losing ground. The latest voting intention in Scotland reveals that SNP are on 38 per cent with Labour now on 29 per cent. Based on Martin Baxter’s Electoral Calculus seat predictor that would mean a gain of six seats...

QuotedData investment companies roundup – December 2017 – is our latest roundup of news; price, NAV and discount movements; flows in and out of the sector and report on full year dividends announced over the month of November 2017. Kindly sponsored by Baillie Gifford. December Investment Companies Roundup Money raised and returned in November There were no new issues in November, in fact it seems as though many new funds are struggling to launch at the moment. Nevertheless, existing funds raised considerable amounts...

A motorist has been reported for careless driving after clearing only a small gap in their snow-covered windscreen. The driver could see through less than half of the windscreen after only wiping the glass in front of their seat. Traffic cops pulled over the offending vehicle in Harlow, Essex, shortly before midnight on Sunday. The snow covered car in Harlow, Essex which was pulled over by police.  In a tweet, Insp Matt Allsop wrote: "My officers just came across this...