Forbes to go public through $630m Spac deal August 26, 2021 The publisher behind Forbes magazine has unveiled plans to go public through a blank-cheque deal that will value the company at $630m (£460m). The merger with Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited will raise around $600m for the business information brand. The deal also includes $400m in Pipe [private investment in public equity] funding that includes funds [...]
Relx snaps up Leeds software firm TruNarrative in £130m deal August 25, 2021 Relx has snapped up Leeds-based software group TruNarrative as the FTSE media giant continues to beef up its business through a string of acquisitions. TruNarrative, which was founded in 2016 and offers software that helps customers reduce risk and financial crime, will merge with the company’s LexisNexis Risk Solutions division. The company did not disclose [...]
Afterpay marketing costs double in bid to secure US payments market August 25, 2021 Australian transactions firm Afterpay has watched its losses widen in the past year, as it ramped up costs in a bid to secure the US market. Marketing costs more than doubled in the year to June, as the firm attempted to capitalise on the pandemic-induced buy now, pay later (BNPL) services boom – which accompanied [...]
Ruby Tuesday: The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts passed away aged 80 August 24, 2021 The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has died at the age of 80, his publicist has said. The musician, who marked his 80th birthday in June, had been a member of the rock group since 1963. A statement from his London publicist Bernard Doherty to the PA news agency said: “It is with immense sadness [...]
Hong Kong’s new censorship rules will ban some films based on ‘national security’ August 24, 2021 Hong Kong authorities have proposed a series of law changes to scrutinise previously approved films and new productions which it deems threats to national security. The city’s government announced today to amend the Film Censorship Ordinance, which requires censors to assess a product’s impact on national security before offering their endorsement. The new arrangement will [...]
As dating apps soar, doxing and revenge porn go through the roof August 23, 2021 During three strict lockdowns, doxing, revenge porn and slut shaming have shut up as more and more people shared intimidate images online or signed up to an online dating platform. In fact, one in four UK internet users have shared nude or explicit material with people they have never even met. Moreover, a third of [...]
Hong Kong: Quarantine-exempted Nicole Kidman’s trip may be ‘costume fitting’ August 23, 2021 Hong Kong’s commerce minister defended today his decision to exempt Hollywood star Nicole Kidman and other crew members from serving mandatory Covid quarantine. Local media reported that the Oscar-winning actress was shooting in a crowded street market in Kowloon for the new Amazon Prime Video series Expats, highlighting the lives of wealthy and glamorous ex-pats. [...]
Anti-vaccine protesters storm ITN headquarters August 23, 2021 Anti-vaccine protesters have stormed the London headquarters of ITN, the production giant that produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Footage posted on social media showed dozens of anti-vaxxers in the reception of ITN’s offices on Grays Inn Road. An image shared by ITV journalist Dan Rivers also showed large numbers of [...]
High Court victory for Sex Pistols in legal battle with former frontman Johnny Rotten August 23, 2021 Two former Sex Pistols have won a High Court battle with former frontman Johnny Rotten over the use of the punk band’s songs in a forthcoming television series. The punk group’s former drummer Paul Cook and guitarist Steve Jones sued the band’s ex-singer Johnny Rotten, real name John Lydon, to allow their songs to be [...]
BBC set to tap Jess Brammar as news chief despite ‘bias’ row August 23, 2021 The BBC is poised to appoint Jess Brammar as its new head of news despite an online backlash against so-called ‘left-wing’ views. Brammar, former editor-in-chief of Huffpost UK and previously deputy editor of Newsnight, is expected to be appointed to a new role overseeing the broadcaster’s news output. It comes despite criticisms that the news [...]