WHO declares public health emergency as coronavirus escalates January 30, 2020 The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. Following an emergency committee meeting in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom, WHO director general, said: “We don’t know what sort of damage this [coronavirus] could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health [...]
Avast to shut controversial data analytics division affecting hundreds of jobs January 30, 2020 Cybersecurity business Avast said today it would shut down its controversial Jumpshot business after media reports revealed it was selling data on its users to clients. Avast said it would terminate the provision of data to Jumpshot “with immediate effect” with more than 200 jobs in the business at risk. Speaking to City A.M. chief [...]
TSB recovers from IT meltdown to return a profit January 30, 2020 TSB returned a profit and a healthy balance sheet in 2019 after it stemmed losses from its failed IT migration. The bank reported that profit before tax for the year to 31 December 2019 was £46m, compared to a pre-tax loss of £105.4m in 2018. It said it was “primarily driven by the non-recurring effect [...]
Deloitte fined £1.8m and reprimanded over Comet administration failures January 30, 2020 Big Four accountancy firm Deloitte was today ordered to pay a fine and costs of £1.8m and “severely reprimanded” by regulators in connection with the administration of retailer Comet in 2012. Professional body the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) said today that Deloitte failed to comply with its code of ethics [...]
Airbus set to agree £3bn fine tomorrow to settle corruption probe January 30, 2020 European plane maker Airbus’s £3bn plea deal with prosecutors is expected to be approved in court tomorrow, settling a long running corruption probe. The deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and Airbus has been agreed in principle and is set to be approved by the President of the Queen’s Bench Division [...]
Exclusive: Politicians slam House of Fraser for continuing to sell Presidents Club clothing line January 30, 2020 Politicians, businesswomen and equality campaigners have called on House of Fraser to stop selling a clothing line appearing to reference the Presidents Club dinner where businessmen allegedly groped hostesses. The Presidents Club annual dinner was plunged into scandal in 2018 after details emerged of attendees’ behaviour and revealing dresses hostesses were told to wear. The [...]
Javid confirms National Insurance cut from April January 30, 2020 Chancellor Sajid Javid has today confirmed the government will raise the threshold for National Insurance contributions (NICs) from April, saving the average worker more than £100. The threshold at which people start paying NICs will be raised by more than 10 per cent to £9,500, according to new legislation laid in parliament today. It was [...]
Facebook valuation takes a $50bn hit after growth slump January 30, 2020 Shares in Facebook fell as much as eight per cent as Wall Street opened this afternoon, following a disappointing set of a results from the tech giant last night. More than $50bn was wiped off Facebook’s market capitalisation as a result of the slump, though shares have since recovered to be down 6.8 per cent. [...]
Rate decision announcement from the Bank of England January 30, 2020 | City Talk For many investors the outcome was too close to call, and therefore offered potential heightened currency volatility. Foreign exchange markets had attributed a 50/50 chance of an interest rate cut, leaving the pound with a burden of uncertainty in the run up to the decision. It also meant it traded with a softer tone over [...]
Coca-Cola toasts vintage 2019 as drinks maker beats expectations January 30, 2020 Coca-Cola’s trademark soft drink proved its timelessness today as the firm said sales of the drink had helped it beat revenue expectations in the final quarter of 2019. Although the firm has been putting increasing focus on expanding its range of coffees, teas and low-sugar drinks, its most famous product saw its value grow six [...]