Michael Gove suggests government could ignore rebels’ anti-no deal law September 1, 2019 Cabinet minister Michael Gove has hit back at Tory rebels by suggesting the government could ignore any new law they pass to thwart a no-deal Brexit. Gove, who is in charge of the government’s no-deal Brexit preparations, was asked by the BBC whether the government would abide by any legislation that MPs might be able [...]
Hong Kong protests: Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow charged as China clamps down August 30, 2019 Two prominent pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been charged with unlawfully organising a public meeting outside police headquarters as the authorities continue a crackdown on ongoing political protests. Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, who had been arrested earlier on Friday, were both released on bail, with their case adjourned until November. Read more: Joshua [...]
Joshua Wong and other leading activists arrested in Hong Kong protest crackdown August 30, 2019 Three leading pro-democracy activists have been arrested in Hong Kong as part of a clampdown by authorities on the ongoing political protests that have plunged the city into its worst crisis in decades. Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow, former student leaders of the pro-democracy protests Hong Kong saw in 2014, were arrested on Friday. Police [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan calls for more devolution August 30, 2019 London mayor Sadiq Khan has renewed calls for more devolution of power from Westminster to City Hall. The mayor’s office today will release a report calling on “wholesale reform” of council tax and business rates so revenues from each stay with local authorities to spend on public services, education and housing. Read more: Mayor power: [...]
US prosecutors probe fresh allegations of technology theft by Huawei August 29, 2019 US prosecutors are reportedly investigating new instances of alleged technology theft by Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. The firm has been accused of stealing intellectual property from individuals and companies over several years and recruiting employees from its rivals, the Wall Street Journal reported. Read more: Britain to make 5G decision on Huawei in autumn The [...]
PPI mishap shows tech vulnerabilities of the banks August 29, 2019 The deputy chief executive of a global bank recently summed up what he saw as the sector’s biggest challenge: “Our chief concern is no longer how to attract the best bankers. It is how to attract the best IT staff.” This evening’s shambolic payment protection insurance (PPI) deadline once again put a spotlight on that [...]
Banks buckle under strain of PPI claims August 29, 2019 Some of Britain’s biggest banks came under fire today after suffering a series of IT failures in the run-up to a long-awaited payment protection insurance (PPI) deadline. A number of major high-street lenders were rushing to fix website glitches and jammed phone lines this evening following an 11th-hour stampede of consumers making complaints for mis-sold [...]
Market sell off as Argentina asks to ‘reprofile’ $100bn of debt August 29, 2019 Investors have sold off Argentine currency and bonds after the government announced it would seek more time to pay off its $100bn (£82bn) in debts, raising fears of a default. Read more: Global stock markets spooked by Hong Kong and Argentina The Argentine peso has plunged over 20 per cent since market-friendly President Mauricio Macri [...]
Burford Capital’s shares fall on fresh criticism from Canaccord analysts August 29, 2019 Shares in Burford Capital fell a further six per cent today as analysts at broker Canaccord Genuity unleashed a fresh barrage of criticism at the embattled litigation funder. Burford Capital’s shares lost 40 per cent of their value earlier this month after shortseller Muddy Waters blasted its accounting practices and governance. Read more: Burford left [...]
Central and Victoria Line strikes suspended August 29, 2019 Strike action that was due to take place on the Central and Victoria lines next week has been called off. Train drivers who are members of the RMT rail union were due to strike on the two busy London Underground lines from 8pm on Tuesday 3 September to 8pm on Wednesday 4 September following a [...]