British engineers have developed a new cement that absorbs carbon dioxide and uses significantly less energy in its manufacture than the traditional Portland variety.

During the manufacture of Portland cement, a raw material such as limestone is heated to extreme temperatures,

Russia today reduced it's gas flow to Europe via the Ukraine to a quarter of normal levels. Russian energy firm Gazprom said the cut was designed to compensate for the gas it claims Ukraine is illegally siphoning off. Ukraine denies the allegations.

Whilst the recent falls in oil prices may appear to be a welcome relief in difficult economic times, they may ultimately prove to do more damage than good. As falling oil prices today cause oil companies to invest less in new production to meet future demand, prices will increase once more.

A plan to create more than 10,000 jobs in the UK construction industry by insulating homes in the private and public sectors will be announced by Alistair Darling in today's pre-budget report, The Guardian reports.

The UK government will apparently bring forward future capital spending

Over-priced oil could have negative impact on environment 

The Guardian's environment editor, John Vidal,  poses an interesting question: are rising oil costs really good for the environment?

Vidal's piece comes as some environmentalists have trumpeted the idea that

Teacher training centre wins recognition

Build.ie is reporting that the Orchard, a new building at Stranmillis University College in south Belfast has won two awards.

The building, at Stranmillis University, lifted a Wood NI Award, as well as gaining a commendation in

State asked to pick up the pieces as PPP schemes flounder

Desperate builders develop social conscience? 

Housebuilder McInerney Holdings has warned it is facing difficult conditions in both its Irish and UK markets and that, as a result, it is delaying new site starts and focusing on its affordable

Ireland not alone in collapsing property market

The Times reports that house prices in Britain are likely to fall by seven per cent in the next year alongside a 40 per cent fall in sales.

Interestingly, Britain is currently suffering from an acute housing shortage with

Mintel survey says 'times is tough' 

 The Irish Times reports that 67 per cent of Irish consumers are now more mindful of rising living costs.

 

The Mintel Ireland survey, Irish

Now over US$127 per barrel 

As if we weren't bored hearing about oil prices, BBC News Online is reporting that the commodity is now over US$127 a barrel, an all-time high.

Oil prices have hit a record high above $127 a barrel on speculation that China will

Half of Ireland's construction companies have stopped building houses while they attempt to offload existing properties.

A report published today by Merrion Capital said that the current housing oversupply will take more than twelve months to clear up.

"The overall conclusion

Housing slump hurts construction kingpin

The Cavan-based Kingspan Group will see lowered earnings as a result of the construction slowdown.

The group, which includes Kingspan Century, Ireland's largest timber-frame building manufacturer issued a statement saying trading over the first four months of the

At US$125

The Irish Times reports that oil prices have stabilised at around US$125 this week while there has been a larger than expected inventory of stocks.

Meanwhile, today's Seattle Times is reporting 

But not in the fast lane

Construction down but finances up in Ireland of the future.

 The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has announced that the Irish economy could grow by 3.75 per cent annually over the next decade.

 

A report from the government-founded think tank says that, despite significant short-term problems, the economy

Prices for gas in the south and coal in the north both heading north

Heating bills are set to soar later this year after Bord Gáis confirmed it was seeking to increase prices by almost a fifth.

Next month the company will ask the Commission for Energy Regulation to allow an increase in consumer prices of up to nineteen