| Investigation cloud on Sky's horizon over stake in ITV as broadcaster signs up large number of subscribers
SOME of the UK's biggest companies will come to the market this week at the start of the busiest few weeks of the year for corporate results. Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell will set another profits record when it posts full-year results on Thursday. Soaring oil prices mean broker UBS expects a net income figure in the region of £12.22bn, which far exceeds Shell's previous best of £11.67bn set last year. But the performance in the fourth quarter, when profits are likely to be marginally lower, will carry the most interest for investors. Oil prices have eased by 30% since hitting $77 in August, meaning Shell's production record will be brought into focus. It is likely that output fell marginally in the year, following attacks on its production facilities in Nigeria.
Heart attack strikes NY paramedic during class
A training session for fire department paramedics turned into a real-life drama Friday when one of the students went into cardiac arrest. Three paramedics from Long Island and a lieutenant from Howard Beach sprang into action and stabilized the student, Jeffrey Sanger, possibly saving his life. Sanger, 39, of the Bronx, was in stable condition Friday night at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park. "The guy was in the right place at the right time," said Lt. Arthur Lester of Howard Beach. .
Don't downplay chest pains
My son recently died of a heart attack. I heard people at work and a relative knew he was having chest pains hours before. Apparently, he said it was stress. He was told he should see a doctor, but no one called 911 or offered to take him to the hospital. I understand ambivalence, that at 45 a heart attack seems unlikely, that it might be embarrassing to call 911 and find that it was only indigestion. But heart pain and heartburn have the same symptoms. Medical professionals sometimes are hard-pressed to tell the difference. The consequence of inaction may be deadly. Stuart was acting odd, so I asked him three times if he was OK. Each time, he said everything was OK. On my way to bed, I knocked on his door and asked him again. He said, cheerily, "I'm fine. Good night, Mom." My family tells me he didn't want to worry me! Please, please, don't try to protect your family.
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