Oh, balls: Sir Richard Branson reignites five-year-old bet with Willie Walsh promising a “knee in the groin” December 12, 2017 One of the most high profile rivalries of the skies was reignited yesterday, threatening the manhood – and perhaps the pockets – of Britain’s two largest airline personalities. The sensational stand-off came to a head when Sir Richard Branson claimed he had won a five-year-old bet against rival Willie Walsh. Walsh, the boss of British [...]
Apple acquires music app Shazam: Deal pleases early investors despite “unicorn” valuation loss of tech startup December 11, 2017 Apple is acquiring music discovery app Shazam, saying it is a “natural fit” and has “exciting plans in store” for the nearly two-decade-old British startup. The value of the deal was not disclosed by the tech giant but has been reported to be worth around the $400m mark. Apple said in a statement confirming earlier [...]
Football Association chiefs to probe Old Trafford tunnel fracas December 11, 2017 Football chiefs have launched an investigation into the fracas in the Old Trafford tunnel which marred Sunday’s derby between Manchester United and runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City. City coach and former Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta suffered a cut to the head and milk and water was thrown in the direction of United boss Jose [...]
Business as usual: Chancellor Philip Hammond to take LSE boss on China trade mission December 11, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond will this week lead a trade mission to China along with City representatives – including a senior executive from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) ahead of a crunch shareholder vote. Hammond will be joined by HSBC chairman Mark Tucker, City of London Corporation policy chair Catherine McGuinness, and Square Mile grandee and [...]
Ostersunds’ English manager Graham Potter welcomes Arsenal Europa League tie December 11, 2017 The unheralded Englishman who has helped to transform Ostersunds from Swedish fourth division side to Europa League contenders has welcomed the prospect of a David and Goliath tie against Arsenal. The Gunners have been drawn against giant-killing Ostersunds in what is – on paper at least – one of the mismatches of the Europa League [...]
BMW M5 review: By giving it a four wheel drive for the first time, BMW has made the M5 relevant again December 11, 2017 The previous BMW M5 was a disappointment. Sure, it was supercar fast, but it wasn’t supercar fun. The fact BMW had to feed artificial engine noise into the cabin from a sound symposer says it all. The latest in a famed line of iconic cars, dating back to 1984, was a damp squib. Had BMW [...]
UK investment firm Man Group has just become the first foreigner to set up a quantitative hedge fund in China December 11, 2017 Man Group, the City-headquartered investment firm, has just launched its first hedge fund in China. The fund will follow a quantitative investment strategy, meaning it will choose where to place money by relying on algorithms or systematic programming. Man’s foray to the east will be the first time that a foreign firm has ever set [...]
Live: Theresa May confirms Brexit divorce bill will be £35-£39bn, says transition period will be agreed early next year December 11, 2017 Theresa May has confirmed the UK will pay the EU somewhere between £35bn and £39bn to leave the bloc – but said that money would be taken “off the table” if a trade deal is not agreed. The Prime Minister has also said she believes a transition, or implementation period, will be agreed early next [...]
Ineos is shutting down its huge Forties pipeline to fix a crack December 11, 2017 One of the oldest and largest pipeline systems in the North Sea will be shut down due to a cracked pipe. The Forties pipeline system (FPS) carries about 40 per cent of North Sea oil and gas. Ineos, which completed its $250m (£187m) acquisition of the FPS from BP at the end of October, said [...]
HSBC, JP Morgan and American Express back cyber startup Menlo Security in $40m series C | City A.M. December 11, 2017 A cyber security startup has won backing from several top financial institutions amid the growing threat of hacking and data breaches. HSBC, JP Morgan and American Express’s venture arm are among investors in a $40m series C funding round for Menlo Security, a Silicon Valley startup which provides protection against malware. Ericsson Ventures also participated, [...]