Easyjet paint job makes fuel bills less of a drag

This is an example of how macro external factor (technology) can impact operations. It is an interesting one because nano-technology is always an uncertainty for scenario planning.

Easyjet paint job makes fuel bills less of a drag
By Jonathan Sumberg Transport reporter, BBC News

How to cut the costs of flying? It's one of the key questions facing the aviation industry.
With the price of a barrel of oil at about $100, airlines are having to think of new - and often ingenious - ways to save money.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12428667

Britain's changing High Street

Interesting facts and figure. Some of these could be sources of uncertainty particularly on the socio-cultural front.

Britain's changing High Street
The UK economy continued to grow, according to the latest figures, but consumer spending has slowed and retailers across the country are still feeling the effects of the recession. And research commissioned by the BBC into the number of vacant shops in England, Wales and Scotland suggests our changing consumer habits, as well as the downturn, are transforming the face of our High Streets.

Read the whole article at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11915437

China reassures US on key 'rare earth' minerals

Could rare earth materials availability become an uncertainty for the future of some industries?

China reassures US on key 'rare earth' minerals
China has reassured the US it has no intention of withholding "rare earth" minerals from the market, the US Secretary of State has said.
China suspended export of the metals, key to the global high-tech industry, to Japan after a diplomatic spat.

Read the whole artile at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11657982

Terrorism and cyber attacks among top threats to UK

For businesses that rely on online transactions, the cyber-terrorism is a significant uncertainty for the future.

Terrorism and cyber attacks among top threats to UK

Terrorism and attacks on computer networks are among the biggest threats to the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May has said ahead of the publication of a new National Security Strategy
The strategy will form the background for Tuesday's Strategic Defence Review, setting out the shape of UK forces after expected budget cuts of 8%.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11562969##

“Straddling” bus–a cheaper, greener and faster alternative to commute

Not really an uncertainty as the key word indicates, but for those working on scenario planning it may provide some inspiration on uncertainty regarding forms of transportation, urbanisation, city life development, technology etc.

“Straddling” bus–a cheaper, greener and faster alternative to commute

A big concern on top of urban transportation planner’s mind is how to speed up the traffic: putting more buses on the road will jam the roads even worse and deteriorate the air; building more subway is costly and time consuming. Well, here is an cheaper, greener and fast alternative to lighten their mind up a bit: the straddling bus, first exhibited on the 13th Beijing International High-tech Expo in May this year. In the near future, the model is to be put into pilot use in Beijing’s Mentougou District (bjnews). (The official site of the high-tech expo put it as 3D fast bus, which I think is more confusing, for now I’ll just call it the straddling bus.)

Read the whole article at: http://www.chinahush.com/2010/07/31/straddling-bus-a-cheaper-greener-and-faster-alternative-to-commute/

Climate Change Study

Climate change and/or global warming are regularly considered as Macro-External Environmental (-uncertainy) factors. This is a report by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, which acknowledges the need to go beyond mitigation strategies and to take into consideration adaptation and remediation (=direct air carbon capture, geo engineering).


Read the whole article at: http://www.imeche.org/NR/rdonlyres/77CDE5E4-CE41-4F2C-A706-A630569EE486/0/IMechE_MAG_Report.PDF

John Paulson’s Hedge Funds Return 19% in a Down Market

A good example that the uncertainty of the future is not necessarily a threat.

John Paulson’s Hedge Funds Return 19% in a Down Market
Investors said the Paulson Advantage Plus fund was one of the best performers so far this year, with a net return of 19.44% for the year to the end of August. The fund made 158.75% last year and, through a combination of investment gains and new capital, has grown from about $100m (€70m) at the start of 2007 to almost $9bn, Financial News Online can exclusively reveal.

Read the whole article at: http://www.efinancialnews.com/homepage/content/2452026834