During the OFT inquiry, the group commissioned its own survey which found a multi-million pound mark-up on prices north of the Highlands line.

BBC: Highlands fuel cost-cut plan

And we do mean hefty -- this laptop apparently tips the scales at 1.88 Kg, which puts it a touch over the four pound mark. 4.1 pounds certainly isn't shoulder busting, but it's a solid half a pound more than you'd expect from a machine of this size.

ENGADGET: Acer launches 11.6-inch Sandy Bridge TravelMate B113

Between 1980 and 1985, the U.S. dollar had appreciated 50% against the Yen, Deutsche Mark, French Franc and British Pound.

FORBES: Connect

D-mark between 1996 and 1998, worry that the pound will not be stable, especially against the euro.

ECONOMIST: John Bull stays at home

The author Mark Twain wrote a short story, The Million Pound Bank Note (later made into a film starring Gregory Peck), in which a penniless sailor is given the note, little knowing he is the subject of a bet between two brothers.

BBC: Britain's ?1m and ?100m banknotes

These codes will help sort the new state's international post, mark out its citizens in immigration databases and allow the South Sudan pound to feature on international exchanges when it launches in July.

ECONOMIST: How to start a nation: Trappings of state | The

"It is a multi-billion pound business, because nobody has to pay any royalties to the author, " explains solicitor Mark Stephens.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Of course, none of these issues affect the 800-pound gorilla in the IPO market, a certain social networking firm run by a Mr. Mark Zuckerberg.

FORBES: The IPO Class Of 2012: Facebook And Beyond