UK ships ‘on heightened security’ after Iran tries to block tanker July 11, 2019 The UK has reportedly raised security measures for British-flagged ships in Iranian waters to the highest level after the Royal Navy blocked an attempt to seize a British oil tanker. HMS Montrose was forced to intervene when three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats attempted to block the BP-operated British Heritage on its passage into [...]
UK ploughs ahead with digital services tax despite US backlash July 11, 2019 The UK has vowed to plough ahead with a digital services tax on large tech companies, just hours after the US launched a probe into France for a similar levy. The government today published draft legislation for its next finance bill, which includes a new tax aimed tech giants such as Facebook, Amazon and Google. [...]
France passes digital services tax despite US investigation July 11, 2019 France has given final approval to a new digital services tax on tech giants, despite protests from the US that the move unfairly targets American companies. The three per cent levy will apply to digital revenue earned in France by multinational tech giants such as Facebook, Google and Amazon. Read more: France will tax Amazon [...]
Microsoft opens flagship London store on Oxford Circus July 11, 2019 Microsoft opened its flagship store on Oxford Circus today, marking the US tech giant’s first major retail location in Europe. The new store offers a string of hands-on customer experiences, including a McLaren Senna racing car experience, a gaming lounge and a digital learning hub offering coding lessons for children. Read more: Microsoft and Oracle [...]
Allowing Huawei into 5G networks would be fatal, warns former US security chief July 11, 2019 Allowing Chinese tech firm Huawei to participate in the UK’s 5G network would be fatal, a former US security chief has warned. Tom Ridge, former secretary of homeland security, said the incoming prime minister must sit down with American security officials to review the UK’s approach to the controversial company. Read more: US to grant [...]
Chief executive turnover in decline as more firms hire from within July 11, 2019 The turnover rate among chief executives is in decline as blue-chip firms increasingly turn to internal candidates for the top jobs. New figures published today revealed the turnover rate for FTSE 100 chief executives over the past year was just 10 per cent, down from 14 per cent in the previous 12 months. Read more: [...]
Gatwick suspension: Flights resumed but airport warns of delays July 10, 2019 Flights at Gatwick Airport will be heavily disrupted for the remainder of the evening after issues with the air traffic control system led to a two-hour shutdown. Read more: Gatwick Airport train station to get £150m revamp All flights in and out of the south London airport were grounded at 5.08pm after unspecified problems in [...]
Woodford lifts block on investors switching from Hargreaves Lansdown July 10, 2019 Investors who found themselves locked into both Neil Woodford’s suspended fund and Hargreaves Lansdown will now be able to switch to a different stockbroker. Thousands of customers were left stranded after Link Fund Solutions, the authorised fund manager, blocked transfers from Hargreaves Lansdown to other platforms. Read more: Woodford investors blocked from switching from Hargreaves [...]
BT may cut dividend to fund full-fibre rollout July 10, 2019 BT may cut its dividend in the coming years as it prepares to roll out full-fibre broadband across the UK. The telecoms giant opted to hold its dividend for the full-year, despite speculation that the payout might be cut to fund new investment. Read more: Labour plays down BT renationalisation rumour But BT chairman Jan [...]
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit to test rocket for satellite launch system July 10, 2019 Richard Branson’s satellite launch firm Virgin Orbit is reportedly set to release a rocket from a modified Boeing 747 aircraft in mid-air today in a key test of its satellite launch system. The so-called drop test, which will take place over California’s Mojave Desert, is the penultimate test before the company offers commercial satellite launch [...]
