UAE asked Matthew Hedges to spy on the UK, freed academic says December 5, 2018 British student Matthew Hedges, who was sentenced to life in prison in the United Arab Emirates, was asked to turn double agent and spy for the gulf state, he revealed in his first interview since being pardoned. The 31-year-old was interrogated for up to 15 hours a day, sometimes stood up in ankle cuffs, and [...]
Podcast platform Acast secures $33m funding amid rise in on-demand listening December 5, 2018 Podcast startup Acast has secured $33m (£25.9m) in Series C funding as it cashes in on the surging popularity of on-demand listening. Acast, which helps podcast makers distribute and monetise their content, said the funding will be put towards growth as the platform looks to expand internationally. “This has been the biggest year in our [...]
Ryanair faces enforcement action after rejecting compensation claims for strike disruption to flights December 5, 2018 Ryanair faces enforcement action over its refusal to reimburse customers for strike disruption over summer, it emerged this morning. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it decided to act after the budget airline decided to terminate its relationship with a body designed to resolve customer complaints. Passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed by industrial [...]
Joules shines amid retail gloom as it prepares for Brexit December 5, 2018 Fashion retailer Joules has bucked the gloomy trend in retail with a strong first half as it prepares for Brexit. Joules, which sells colourful styles inspired by English country life, grew revenue 17.6 per cent to £113.1m in the 26 weeks to 25 November, compared to the same period last year. In a pre-close trading [...]
The EU has hit a home run with the most one-sided treaty in history December 5, 2018 In baseball, a game unfamiliar to many in the UK, when a player hits a home run it is normally considered good manners – and a sign of respect for your opponent – not to gloat, but to run the bases quickly without admiring the ball as it clears the fences, and certainly without making [...]
DEBATE: In light of the ongoing court case, should ‘ethical veganism’ count as a protected belief? December 5, 2018 In light of the ongoing court case, should “ethical veganism” count as a protected belief? Beth Hale, technical director at CM Murray, says YES. It is likely that Jordi Casamitjana, the claimant in this case, will be successful in persuading the tribunal that “ethical veganism” is a protectable belief under the Equality Act 2010. Provided he can show [...]
From Northern Rock to lunch tables, no one is immune from the herd mentality December 5, 2018 The Bank of England and Federal Reserve held a two-day conference last week in London on big data and machine learning. All very interesting stuff. There was an intriguing vignette as we emerged from the conference room for the frugal lunch on the first day. Straight ahead was a table with sandwiches, fruit and the like. [...]
Let’s look beyond Brexit to a world of British opportunities December 5, 2018 Today, we assume our positions leading Britain’s £40bn maritime sector and count ourselves among its 1,000,000 employees. Britain is an island, a maritime nation, and our sector fuels trade with the rest of the world – some 95 per cent of imports and exports, worth over £500bn. For almost three years, national debate has been [...]
Fixing the rail system means putting passengers first December 5, 2018 The headlines yesterday that Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR) must spend £15m on passenger improvements to hold onto its franchise will be welcome if overdue news for the droves of commuters whose lives were made hell during the timetable chaos earlier this year. The Department for Transport labelled GTR’s performance “unacceptable”, and has not only decreed [...]
Broker Numis takes 17 per cent profit hit after boosting headcount December 5, 2018 Broker Numis has today announced profit before tax for the year ended 30 September dropped 17 per cent to £38.3m. Numis said an investment in staff that led to a 16.2 per cent increase in headcount as well as increased technology cost and costs incurred applying with the new Mifid II regulations had dented profits, [...]