Switzerland files criminal complaint over alleged use of crypto tech for US spying March 1, 2020 The Swiss government has filed a criminal complaint over the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) allegedly using a Swiss crypto company as a front to spy on foreign governments. The complaint is against unnamed persons for alleged breaches of the law governing export controls, Reuters reports. Swiss company Crypto AG was secretly owned by US [...]
Tuning in: Has the City undervalued the podcast craze? March 1, 2020 With podcasts steadily shoring up their position as a mainstay of the modern media landscape, canny distributors have been biding their time. But now Aim-listed podcast platform Audioboom seems ready to cash in on the booming popularity of on-demand listening. Last month the Nicky Candy-backed audio firm, which distributes podcasts including nerdy QI favourite No [...]
Bank of England three times passed press conference scandal company March 1, 2020 The Bank of England scrutinised a company three times before it was subsequently found to have provided early access to the Bank’s press conferences to paying clients. Threadneedle Street carried out diligence on Encoded Media three times between 2008 – when it first hired the firm as a technology partner – and 2019. Encoded’s status [...]
Sky closes in on bumper £300m Six Nations broadcasting deal March 1, 2020 Sky is said to be closing in on a £300m deal for the broadcast rights to the Six Nations in a controversial move that could wipe the rugby tournament from terrestrial TV. The tender process for the new broadcasting contract is set to close when this year’s tournament wraps up on 14 March, with Sky [...]
New John Lewis boss to launch strategic review March 1, 2020 Struggling department store chain John Lewis is expected to launch a strategic review in a bid to rescue the business as it announces its full-year results later this week. Former Ofcom boss Sharon White, who took over as chairman of John Lewis and Waitrose last month, and newly appointed strategy and commercial development director Nina [...]
Debenhams denies lenders’ support is wavering over debt restructuring March 1, 2020 Debenhams today denied that the commitment of its lenders to a debt for equity swap is wavering, as the beleaguered retailer responded to reports that securing a debt restructuring is dependent on landlords granting steep rent cuts. The high street chain could be forced to close further stores if it is unable to negotiate lower [...]
Lloyds faces fresh police probe over fraud claims March 1, 2020 Lloyds Bank is reportedly facing a fresh police investigation over allegations of fraud against small business. The Sunday Telegraph first reported that Avon and Somerset Police are investigating allegations made against the bank by property investor Kashif Shabir. Shabir lost his business after Lloyds foreclosed on his loans and appointed a receiver to sell his [...]
Sir Keir Starmer in bullying row with his Constituency Labour Party March 1, 2020 Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of being complicit in the bullying of local party members in what has been described by some as a smear campaign against the Labour leadership frontrunner. A complaint has been made by the Holborn and St Pancras Constituency Labour Party (CLP) to party general secretary Jennie Formby, claiming Starmer’s [...]
Handel & Hendrix in London March 1, 2020 | Sponsored Handel & Hendrix in London promotes the awareness and enjoyment of Handel and his music to as wide a public audience as possible. They strive to inspire, educate and inform through the interpretation of the Georgian house at 25 Brook Street, where Handel lived and composed for 36 years, through live music performances, educational and [...]
Government set to scrap entrepreneurs’ relief in £2.7bn tax grab March 1, 2020 Plans have been drawn up by the Treasury to hit businesses with a £2.7bn tax rise in this month’s budget. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to scrap entrepreneurs’ relief, which gives a capital gains tax cut to people who start their own businesses. The scheme cuts the amount of capital gains tax paid, when they [...]