ePrivacy: a fatal blow to the diversity of information in Europe? December 8, 2017 “There’s what you see and what you don’t.” This line by French economist Frédéric Bastiat illustrates perfectly the controversy surrounding the EU’s planned “ePrivacy” regulatory package. Expected to come into force in May 2018, the draft is currently being discussed by the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament. “What you see” are [...]
Snapchat chairman Michael Lynton joins Pearson’s board of directors December 8, 2017 Pearson has appointed Michael Lynton, the chairman of Snapchat and former chairman and chief executive of Sony Entertainment, to its board of directors. He takes up the role on 1 February 2018. Lynton led Sony Entertainment held from 2012 to 2017, and before that served as chairman and chief exec of Sony Pictures Entertainment from [...]
National Audit Office criticises universities for “mis-selling” courses December 8, 2017 The UK’s public spending watchdog has criticised universities for essentially mis-selling courses to students, saying they would be accused of such if they were regulated like financial services. A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) found only 32 per cent of students in higher education think their course offers value for money, down [...]
Sheffield suspends Uber licence after it fails to respond to council December 8, 2017 Uber has lost its licence in another UK city, just days before its next hearing in a battle to remain in London. Sheffield, the UK’s fourth-largest city, has become the latest local authority to clamp down on the ride-hailing app. It has had its licence suspended, from 18 December onwards, after it failed to respond [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan praises Theresa May’s “u-turn” in Brexit talks December 8, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed this morning’s move forward with Brexit talks, but said this progress should have been achieved months ago. He also applauded an “apparent u-turn” by Theresa May on the rights of EU citizens living in the UK. Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed this morning that Brexit talks can move on to the [...]
Brexit deal: Here’s how British politicians reacted December 8, 2017 After months of wrangling and a few near-misses, Jean-Claude Juncker and Theresa May finally confirmed this morning that “sufficient progress” had been made in Brexit talks to begin the second phase. The decision was welcomed by many, although Juncker said “we still have a lot to do”. Here’s what Theresa May’s rivals in Westminster (and [...]
Mirriad native in-video advertising confirms price for £62m float on Aim December 8, 2017 A company which brings a whole new meaning to product placement is to float on London’s junior market, giving it a value of more than £60m. Advertising company Mirriad uses 3D technology to superimpose advertising into film and TV, a method known as “native in-video advertising”. This means, for example, that posters in the background [...]
Bitcoin price (BTC) tumbles, having risen as high as $17,000 December 8, 2017 The value of bitcoin reached as high as $17,000 early this morning before dropping back down to below $15,000 a coin. At the time of writing, the volatile digital currency was trading 3.47 per cent below its opening price at $16,272.49, according to Coindesk’s aggregate index. Yesterday, bitcoin broke through numerous milestones, rising thousands of [...]
Brexit phase two confirmed: Here’s how businesses are reacting to the news December 8, 2017 Business groups have given today’s breakthrough in Brexit negotiations an unequivocal thumbs up – but stressed that the hard work is only just beginning. Theresa May and Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed that the deadlock over the Irish border, divorce bill and citizens rights had finally been broken this morning, allowing the EU side to grant “sufficient [...]
Brexit: Sufficient progress reached, Jean-Claude Juncker confirms – meaning trade and transition can finally be discussed December 8, 2017 Jean Claude Juncker has confirmed that Brexit talks can move onto the second phase after a “break through” was made early this morning. That means negotiators can finally move onto discussing post-Brexit trade and transition – sneaking in ahead of the year-end deadline that businesses warned must not be missed. The move will give reassurances [...]