US budget deficit seen at $438bn

According to the latest Capitol Hill estimates, the US government will run a near-record deficit of $407 billion this year. However the actual figure is likely to be much larger than this, because it is not taking into account the recent bailout of the nation's two biggest...

Republican lawmakers kill California budget proposal

The California state assembley had a rare Sunday night session last night, with the state's republicans rejecting a Democratic plan to fix the state's budget shortfall by raising taxes on wealthy citizens and corporations."Assembly Republicans on Sunday blocked a proposed...

UK prisoners offered data cabling training

Screw license plates... if you want to stop recidivism, teach prisoners a real-life skill. In this case, HM Prisons and Cisco are killing two birds with one stone, addressing the aforementioned issue as well as  dealing with brain-drain in the skilled-trades sector of...

Too much rain costs water company dear

"This summer's wet weather has cost Severn Trent millions of pounds, despite giving its reservoirs a welcome boost. The water company said this morning that the unusually high rainfall through July and August significantly cut demand for water. It now believes full-year...

Floods drive up broccoli, carrot and potato prices

"Fresh British-grown vegetables will be in short supply this summer and shoppers can expect hefty price increases, horticulture experts have predicted. The recent floods have damaged thousands of acres of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflowers,potatoes, onions and carrots. Last week...