Latest news with #MCR
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
My Chemical Romance drops 'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' deluxe version
Emo kids, rise! My Chemical Romance just released a deluxe version of their 2004 album, 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge.' The album includes newly mixed versions of some of MCR's most popular songs like 'Helena,' 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise),' and 'The Ghost of You.' These were all mixed by Rich Costey. It also has four live tracks from the BBC in 2005, which were never released before. 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge' also features new artwork, showcasing a rosary. It is now available on CD and digitally. My Chemical Romance is set to go on a North American stadium tour in July. More of their best known songs include "Welcome to the Black Parade," "I Don't Love You," and "Teenagers." —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Lanarkshire MSP welcomes payouts over forced prepayment meter fitting
A total of £74million is being paid out by eight energy firms. This includes Scottish Power, EDF, Octopus, Utility Warehouse, Good Energy, Tru Energy and Ecotricity. A Lanarkshire MSP has welcomed the news that thousands of energy customers are due to receive payouts of up to £1,000 each over the forced fitting of prepayment meters. A total of £74million is being paid out by eight energy firms. This includes Scottish Power, EDF, Octopus, Utility Warehouse, Good Energy, Tru Energy and Ecotricity. It comes after energy regulator Ofgem launched an investigation into often vulnerable customers being switched to prepayment meters after they fell behind on bills. Ofgem's Market Compliance Review (MCR) required suppliers to examine their practices of involuntary PPM installation, including both meters that were installed under warrant and smart meters that were remotely switched to prepayment mode. At least 40,000 customers are expected to benefit from the new measures following a review carried out by the energy regulator. Motherwell and Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson said: 'I am glad to see some compensation for forced installations. I repeatedly raised cases from constituents with Ofgem and energy companies. 'Some companies dismissed the practice, and others said it was only used as a last resort. But my team and I have helped many people facing a range of unfair billing practices including forced installations. 'Ofgem's review has shown that multiple companies fell short of their obligations, and it was people in Motherwell and Wishaw, and struggling households across the country, that were at the sharp end of those failures. 'We still need to see further and faster regulatory action. My constituents face a raft of unfair energy practices: historical energy debt; so-called 'self-disconnection'; errors in debt calculation; and the unjust standing charge. 'Even the availability of the cheapest tariffs is often down to payment method and postcode. This disproportionately impacts the people on low incomes and drives fuel poverty. 'We need stronger regulatory enforcement across the energy sector so that my constituents, and people across Scotland, are not penalised by unfair practices. 'While there is good exploratory work in Scotland on a long-overdue social tariff, energy policy is reserved to Westminster. 'I welcome Ofgem's review, and today's announcement, but it is a small part of the system. The UK energy market is rife with inequity and Labour inaction on these longstanding problems is costing people in every community.' Energy suppliers can no longer forcibly install a prepay meter on the highest risk customers, including households where someone is over the age of 75, those with children under the age of two, and households where someone has a severe health condition. Dhara Vyas, chief executive of Energy UK, which represents energy firms, said: 'Involuntary installations have been a last - but necessary - resort for cases where repeated attempts to address debt with the customer through other means have been unsuccessful. 'It's bad for customers to fall further and further into arrears, and bad debt ultimately drives up the prices that is paid by all customers.' UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Justice is finally being delivered to many of the families, lots of them vulnerable, who were affected by the scandal of energy suppliers wrongly forcibly installing pre-payment meters. 'The government has campaigned tirelessly on this issue and are pleased to see the level of compensation increase to £18.6 million, up from £420,000 under the previous government. 'Consumers must come first, which is why we are reforming the energy market to stamp out bad practice and make it easier to access proper redress when things go wrong, through our comprehensive review of Ofgem. 'This increased compensation package is a good start, and we will be announcing further reforms in the weeks ahead as we deliver our Plan for Change.' It comes after it was revealed that energy bills will go down again this summer. The Ofgem energy price cap is being reduced by seven per cent - taking the typical annual bill from £1,849 to £1,720. The price cap for someone paying by pre-payment meter is falling from £1,803 a year to £1,672, and the yearly charge for someone who pays on receipt of bill is going down from £1,969 to £1,855.
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Wheatley Group housing pilot taking place in Glasgow
The new research project, carried out by the Wheatley Group, aims to reduce energy bills and transform social housing construction. The group, in collaboration with MAST Architects and CCG, is conducting a first-of-its-kind trial at the new Shandwick Street development in Easterhouse. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Wheatley Group staff become mentors for MCR Pathways The trial involves six newly built homes, each designed, constructed, and insulated using different technology methods. The energy consumption and efficiency of these homes will be monitored over the course of a year to determine if they meet or exceed current Passivhaus standards. The results of this study will be used to help create new housing regulatory standards in Scotland. Lindsay Lauder, director of development and regeneration at Wheatley Group, said: "As the largest provider of social housing in Scotland, we have an important role to play exploring new thinking and technology to address the issue of rising fuel bills. "Each of the six properties in the research have received unique enhancements, including upgraded fabrics for insulation, enhanced levels of airtightness, and a reduction in the levels of non-repeat thermal bridging." The Scottish Government plans to introduce a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, an international energy performance standard for buildings. (Image: Supplied) The Wheatley Group, which manages over 64,000 homes for social rent, was named the UK's biggest builder of social housing in 2024. The group and MAST Architects commissioned Dr Richard Atkins, an environmental and sustainability architect, to create a report detailing the technical standards applied to the six homes. Dr Atkins said: "The intention is that a rigorous quality assurance process is carried out during construction of the blocks, like those undertaken on Passivhaus projects, to ensure the houses are constructed as designed. "This will ensure the performance gap, which often exists between buildings as designed and constructed, is minimised and to also understand any additional requirements this poses on the project team." The six new homes are part of a larger new-build development in Easterhouse, which includes 47 new two-storey houses and cottage flats built for Wheatley Homes Glasgow, part of the Wheatley Group, for social rent. Read more: Plans for 29 affordable homes in Glasgow submitted Construction of the pilot houses was completed in March 2025. David Wylie, CCG managing director, said: "With a focus on a just net zero transition and the potential introduction of the Scottish Passivhaus Equivalent, this research is incredibly important to understanding how enhanced building standards can be practically delivered at scale, while continuing to address localised housing needs. "We share Wheatley's enthusiasm and foresight and look forward to working with them and MAST Architects in the months ahead.'
Metro
09-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Final look of London's iconic BT Tower before sale to hotel for £275,000,000
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The BT Tower, once the heart of the country's most modern of technology, is being internally dismantled and sold to a hotel chain. Work has just started to move out the now aging wires, telephone exchanges and switchboards in place for beds and ensuites by 2030. Although a 620 ft piece of British history, the site, has been somewhat limited to the public since a bomb went off in one of the viewing galleries in 1971. No one was injured, but it meant the days of fine dining and spontaneous trips up to the 34th floor came to an end. Now the sale to hotel chain MCR may mean the public will have greater access to one of London's most iconic buildings. Anne Archer, archivist at BT, told Metro: 'No matter what, the history of this building will always be preserved – there is no other building like this. 'But the new owners may be able to make the most of it more now. If a restaurant opens up inside the new hotel, more people will be able to come again.' So Metro took one last look at the tower before evidence of its hay day is moved out. BT confirmed they simply didn't have use for the building anymore, as modern communications has come in, and full-fibre broadband is tucked away in the little green boxes dotted around street corners. The 14th floor of the building is essentially a time capsule, which technology from the 1960s and 1970s in a layer of dust. Even a forgotten salt shaker and handbook sit at a desk after its previous owner put them down – but never came back up to the floor again. BT said it hasn't quite been decided what happens with all the old equipment. But it is possible the metal will be recycled, MCR will choose to keep it or it will be preserved in the archives. The 34th floor of the BT Tower is one of the few areas of the building which looks like it has been touched the 21st century. It offers a view of London which 'cannot be beaten anywhere else' – and it even revolves. Anne said: 'Because of its function, the building had to be erected at a considerable height and have nothing obstructing it so as not to interrupt communication waves. 'So it offers this stunning panoramic view.' The space is mainly used for private booked events, meaning tourists are unable to simply book a ticket and take the lift up to have a look. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The BT sits in the middle of Fitzrovia in central London. The main structure is 581 ft high, with a further section of aerial rigging bringing the total height to 620 ft. After it was built in 1964, it became the tallest structure in London until 1980, when it was surpassed by the NatWest Tower. BT Group has agreed to the sale of the tower for £275 million to MCR Hotels. The chain is planning on preserving the iconic building, which is firmly apart of London's skyline. BT said they did not want to 'hang on to something they no longer need', with many once-important features such as microwave aerials being removed more than a decade ago. Brent Mathews, Property Director, BT Group said: 'The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we've been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984. More Trending 'It's played a vital role in carrying the nation's calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we're delivering content and communication via other means.' MCR said they want to preserve the building as much they can, with the hope more people will now be able to access it. Tyler Morse, CEO and owner of MCR Hotels, said: 'We are proud to preserve this beloved building and will work to develop proposals to tell its story as an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I won the £4,500,000 Omaze London house — goodbye, studio flat MORE: British Airways pilot caused plane to catch fire after mixing up left and right MORE: 12 best things to do in London including 'stunning' London rooftop bars and terraces worth booking
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Europe's ‘sunniest' country revealed - and it's not Spain
While many Brits flock to Spain for some sunshine, it's not Europe's hottest holiday hotspot. There are two other, less-visited destinations which pip the popular holiday destination to the post. A new map reveals which European countries get the most sunny days per year - and while Spain ranks high, Cyprus and Malta fared better. READ MORE: Greece travel alert issued by UK Foreign Office Cyprus had more than 300 days of sunshine per year, according to the map created by MCR using data World Weather Online and Cyprus's location - in the east Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and west of Syria - explains why it gets considerably hot and sunny weathe. In May, the country sees temperatures which average at around 26C. Heading into summer, the mercury rises further, with highs of 29C in August. Popular destinations for tourists in Cyrpus include Paphos, Limassol and Ayia Napa, known for their scenic beaches and vibrant nightlife. Meanwhile, Malta - a small island just south of Italy - also experienced more than 300 sunny days throughout the year. Spain claimed third place with an average of 300 sunny days per year, while Portugal was third as data revealed it had 290 days of sunshine each year. Italy and Greece followed suit with 280 sunny days per year, The Express reports. Other European countries with a considerable amount of sunshine include Croatia with 250 and France with 230. The UK was on the lower end of the scale with just 150 sunny days per year. Ireland, Belgium and Lithuania also saw a similar amount of sunshine. Iceland was the country that received the smallest number of sunny days per year, with data stating it had 120.
