大象传媒

News and views from the business world with Jeremy Naylor and Andy Verity.

In an attempt to stem the flow of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, BP have put a funnel-shaped cap on the pipe at the head of the oilwell, which is the source of the spill. We ask Bil Loth, past president of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology how difficult this kind of operation is.

Taxpayers will be able to find out how many of their contributions are sent from a new government database. The Combined Online Information System (COINS) will list spending on items worth over 拢25,000. Professor Nigel Shadbolt is a member of the government's new public sector transparency board, and explains what information will be most sought after.

Both BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward and Prudential boss Tidjane Thiam are facing testing times in their respective companies. We ask Nigel Risner, a business coach who teaches CEOs leadership skills, what his advice would be.

South Africa's platinum mines could face a power shortage, as the country will focus its resources on the fast-approaching World Cup. Shamim Mansoor, head of precious metal sales at the broker ETF Securities, explains whether or not blackouts will be a possibility.