Emily Spaven

BP has reported underlying profits of $8.45bn (£6.9bn) for the three months to June, more than triple the amount it recorded for the same period last year. It is also the highest quarterly figure in 14 years. This brings the energy giant's half-year profits to $14.6bn. The news comes as research firm Cornwall Insight predicts household energy bills will reach more than £3,600 a year this winter.

Kipochi launches M-Pesa integrated bitcoin wallet in Africa Global bitcoin wallet service Kipochi has launched a product that allows people in Africa to send and receive bitcoins, plus convert them to and from the Kenyan currency M-Pesa. This will allow Kenyans to transfer money in an easier, faster and more cost effective way than is currently offered by banks and money transfer companies, such as Western Union and MoneyGram.

Bitcoin and Soylent meal replacement: new currency meets new nutrition A new product has come to the bitcoin table offering dieters and those strapped for time and cash the chance to exchange digital currency for a food substitute. Soylent, which was created by entrepreneur Rob Rhinehart from Atlanta, Georgia, is a mixture of powdered starch, grape seed oil, compounds such as ferrous gluconate (iron) and vitamins, including vitamin C and vitamin D.