Things worth reading: 9th March 2010

Things we're reading today include ...

Today's must read:

• 1.5 billion - the number of £20 notes (worth £30 billion) in
  circulation,
  of which an estimated 150 million (worth £3 billion) are Elgar notes.
• £48 billion - the total value of bank notes in circulation, up by £10
  billion in the last two years alone.
• 1024 A.D., the year the first use of a paper banknote was recorded
  in
  China
• 1694 - the year the Bank of England issued its first note
• 830 million - the number of notes, worth £11.4 billion, taken out of
  circulation and destroyed last year because they had become so poor
  quality
• 2,529 - the number of requests received by the Bank of England from
  consumers to replace notes – worth £82,000 – that were damaged because
  they
  had been "washed".

Companies
I am not a criminal, insists billionaire behind Icesave
- The Telegraph
Virgin Money to charge customers - BBC
UBS to set up dark pool in Europe - Financial Times

Markets

UK promises flexibility after Iceland shouts 'no' -
The Independent
Markets must be able to punish Lord Myners says - The Telegraph
Treasury 'risks damaging shareholders in banks' - The Independent

Regulations

Britain in final push to tone down EU hedge fund rules
- The Independent
British banks given a year's grace on liquidity - The Telegraph
Brussels to mull 'European IMF' - BBC

Bonuses

US senators try to impose a one-off 50pc bonus tax
- The Telegraph
City workers face highest tax bill from next month -
The Independent
Broker admits court’s tax ruling has put paid to City
exodus - The Times

Technology

Internet access 'a human right' - BBC