Russia R&D in Transition

Russia’s R&D Sector has six main challenges the country needs to resolve if it is to be a world leader in technology:

1. A shortage of innovators with business skills
2. Insufficient domestic business opportunities
3. Problems in the country’s research and education sectors
4. Insufficient investment
5. A hostile business environment
6. Until recently little government support

Russia, today, has a great number of past and current technological achievements, of which to be proud. Such Russian achievements include the AK-47 assault rifle, the Soyuz rockets and Eugene Kaspersky’s world beating anti-virus software.

Italy Power Sector Report 2010

Is Italy’s Power Sector Facing a Risorgimento?

The Italian power sector faces six main issues:
1.high electricity prices
2.slow pace of market reform
3.insufficient investment in capacity
4.dependence on imports
5.a lack of domestic nuclear power
6.until recently a lack of a comprehensive energy policy

Italian consumers today, pay amongst the highest electricity prices in Europe reports Italy’s AEEG (Anti-trust Authority for Electricity and Gas). This is due, in part, to the high usage of natural gas and weak competition in the market. There are several reasons for this situation including the dominance of natural gas as a fuel supply, the slow pace in fully implementing market reforms under previous Italian governments, the lack of domestic nuclear power and insufficient domestic investment in generating and distribution capacity. All these factors have led to making Italy one of the world’s largest importers of electricity. Consequently, it is not surprising that at least 5 million Italians endure fuel poverty, notes EPEE (European Partnership in Energy and the Environment).

Premium Bonds Results

NEW MILLIONAIRE FROM SURREY IN JUNE’S JACKPOT DRAW
01 June 2010
June’s Premium Bond millionaire
A woman living in Surrey
Bond Number: 84HR655137
Winning Bond bought in July 2005
Total holdings: £30,000

In Surrey over 515,000 people hold Premium Bonds worth more than £1 billion.

June’s prize fund rate and odds

LOCAL AUTHOR WINS MAJOR Food Writing Award

The World Cheese Book written by local author Juliet Harbutt has won the 2010 Food Book of the Year at the Guild of Food Writers Awards in London.

Published by Dorling Kindersley the World Cheese Book is the ultimate guide to the cheeses of the World and includes insightful reviews of some 750 cheeses sourced from some 25 countries. Representing 25 years research, 9 months of writing and bringing together work from some 20 international contributors the book is the ultimate resource for anyone with a passion for cheese.

Oxfordshire Youth Games

The fifth annual Oxfordshire Youth Games takes place on Sunday 27 June.

The event, which is part of Lloyds TSB National School Sports Week, is being hosted in Oxford at the Iffley Road Stadium.

The day is a celebration of sport; the youth games are fun and promote the benefits sport can bring to people’s lives, as well as the positive work that can be done by working together in Oxfordshire.
http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/Oxford-Sport.html