Buzzfeed founder hints at media mega-merger as the publisher launches new membership scheme November 20, 2018 Buzzfeed’s chief executive has said he would consider a merger with other media organisations as the publisher launches a shake-up of its business model. Jonah Peretti, who co-founded the website in 2006, said on Monday a series of mergers between online media companies could be the answer to the current challenges faced by news organisations. [...]
Weekly sales slump at John Lewis ahead of crucial Christmas period November 20, 2018 John Lewis Partnership has suffered its second consecutive week of tumbling sales, in a downturn that the retailer will be hoping to reverse as it enters Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season. Britain’s largest department store chain said today that total sales in the week to 17 November had plunged 6.8 per cent year-on-year, [...]
Max fac is back to help solve Irish backstop worries, Downing Street reveals November 20, 2018 Theresa May is reviving plans to use technology to prevent a hard border with Ireland in a bid to win support for her under-fire Brexit deal. The so-called maximum facilitation proposal – dubbed ‘max fac’ – was one of the customs arrangements considered by the Government last year before being dismissed. It has support among [...]
Jacob Rees-Mogg admits no confidence letters are drying up in plot to oust Theresa May November 20, 2018 Jacob Rees-Mogg has admitted the ousting of Theresa May may have to wait until next month after the Brexiter plot ran out of steam this week. The high-profile Brexiter, chairman of the European Research Group of Tory MPs, used an impromptu press conference last Thursday to announce he would be putting in a letter of [...]
Ivanka Trump reportedly sent hundreds of White House emails from private account November 20, 2018 Ivanka Trump sent hundreds of emails about government business from a personal email account, it is reported. President Trump’s daughter, who works as an adviser to her father in his administration, reportedly breached federal records rules with many of the messages sent to White House aides, officials and her assistants. The Washington Post said yesterday [...]
Spain threatens to reject draft Brexit deal unless Gibraltar is excluded from EU talks November 20, 2018 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said his country will reject the draft Brexit deal unless it makes clear that talks regarding the status of Gibraltar will be considered separately. Spain holds a claim to Gibraltar, which came under Britain's control following the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. The BBC reported that Spain has said it [...]
Bill Browder calls for Russia to be barred from Interpol system after ‘serial abuse’ November 20, 2018 Hermitage Capital boss Bill Browder called today for Russia to be barred from the Interpol system ahead of the potential election of a Russian head of the international policing body. At a press conference in London today, Browder and exiled Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky described Russian abuse of the Interpol system to pursue them overseas. [...]
UK pharmaceutical company BTG shares soar as Boston Scientific announces £3.3bn takeover November 20, 2018 Shares in UK pharmaceutical company BTG soared more than 34 per cent this morning after US-based Boston Scientific proposed a £3.3bn takeover of the company. The London-listed company, which focuses on cancer, vascular conditions and emphysema treatments, saw shares jump from 620.5p to 826.01p following the announcement. BTG said the offer was “fair and reasonable” and [...]
Johnston Press sale under scrutiny as pensions put at risk November 20, 2018 The new owner of publishing group Johnston Press is facing scrutiny from MPs and the pensions watchdog over its handling of a rescue deal that puts pensions at risk. Work and pensions committee chair Frank Field yesterday wrote to the Pensions Regulator to express concerns about Johnston Press’ pension scheme, which is being assessed by the [...]
TfL gets green light to sign £1.5bn contract with Siemens for Piccadilly Line upgrade November 20, 2018 Transport for London (TfL) has signed a £1.5bn contract with Siemens to design and build a new fleet of Piccadilly Line trains after the High Court lifted a temporary restriction that had put it on hold. TfL first announced it was awarding Siemens with the contract in June, but its ability to sign the contract was put [...]