FTSE 100 up on the day

The UK stock index, the FTSE 100, ended 2.47% higher today. So far this year has fallen around 10% but, barring a real meltdown in China and a resurfacing of the Greek issue, I suspect it will regain some of the lost ground later in the year. Nothing is certain though. Basically, the UK economy is recovering after the crash and traders are "willing" it higher.

VW - in deep ****

Well it looks like VW have got themselves in deep deep ****. OK, they may have defences (for their own good I really hope they have) but to the casual observer it looks as if the Company is in a real mess legally. Who in their right mind would deliberately cheat? Surely they knew the consequences if found out? This looks like corporate suicide. They were fools - no ifs, no buts.

7 inch x 5 inch glossy photo paper

I have just bought 30 sheets of 7 x 5 inch glossy photo paper via Amazon for £1.38 including 99p delivery. This is an incredible bargain. For this price it is hard to go wrong. Even if the paper turns out to be rubbish it is far less than a cup of coffee in a cafe.

Saudi Arabian deaths yet again

Many are reported killed in the latest tragedy in Saudi Arabia. This comes on top of the recent disaster when a crane toppled over killing and injuring many Muslim pilgrims.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34346449 .

VW head man resigns

The BBC is reporting that the chief executive at Volkswagon has resigned. He had little choice and could still be in deep legal trouble in the USA. I would have thought that the entire board at VW could face prison in the USA. To be caught cheating is simply unacceptable corporate behaviour.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34340997 .

House Martins at Anglesey Abbey today

Well, there are still house martins around. We saw at least 6 this afternoon at Anglesey Abbey. These may be the stragglers or young ones. They will soon be gone to warmer climes. We also heard long tail tits and saw a buzzard.

The grounds here are very large and there is always something to see at any time of the year. The picture shows pompoms hung in trees made from old dahlia heads. They dig up the dahlia bed Oct 4th. The dahlias have been splendid for a couple of months.

More on the brewing VW (and others?) scandal

At the last count 11 million VW cars are involved. VW are in trouble big time and it is all their own fault. The executives and many at the top will rightly have to "carry the can" for this mess up. Surely, they had no need to blatantly cheat?

Sorry, but I have absolutely no sympathy for this unethical business behaviour. They deserve to suffer for deliberately deceiving the public and the testers. It would not surprise me if some senior executives get lengthy prison sentences.

As investigations continue, I expect we will hear of others (not VW) involved in similar cheats.  I have no sympathy as there is absolutely no place for unethical "carrying ons" like this in the 21st century. VW should have been above this sort of behaviour. They got caught cheating and have to take the consequences. This means money and prison.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34332452 .