Flutter hits back at Rupert Murdoch in row over US betting firm Fan Duel April 7, 2021 Gambling giant Flutter has hit back at Rupert Murdoch’s Fox in a legal row over a US sports betting firm, accusing the media mogul of trying to take a stake in the company at a cut-price rate. Fox Corporation last night filed a lawsuit against Flutter, which owns brands such as Paddy Power and Betfair, [...]
Ride-hailing giant Grab closes in on largest ever Spac listing April 7, 2021 Asian ride-hailing giant Grab is said to be closing in on the largest ever Spac listing through a deal that will value the company at $35bn (£25bn). The Singapore-based startup, which also offers food delivery and payment services, could finalise an agreement to list in New York via one of Altimeter Capital’s blank-cheque vehicles. Grab [...]
UK launches new competition watchdog for Big Tech crackdown April 7, 2021 Tech giants such as Facebook and Google are facing a tougher regulatory regime in the UK after a new watchdog aimed at curbing their power launched today. The Digital Markets Unit (DMU) will be charged with setting up new rules to give consumers more control over their data, promote online competition and crack down on [...]
Screenshot: Will London ever be ready for tech IPOs? April 2, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Volkswagen’s awkward U-turn **Will London ever be ready for tech IPOs? **Amazon goes bonkers for bots Media Moment of the Week: Volkswagen’s awkward U-turn There are few things as grating as the forced joviality of April Fool’s Day and it should, in this writer’s opinion, be cancelled. That [...]
Glastonbury to be handed cash boost in latest Covid culture funding April 2, 2021 Glastonbury will be handed £90,000 in government support as part of the latest tranche of emergency funding aimed at supporting Britain’s struggling cultural institutions. The iconic festival, which has been cancelled this year but will host a livestream performance in May, is one of more than 2,700 organisations to share in a £400m pot of [...]
UK businesses and researchers team up for £75m technology drive April 2, 2021 UK businesses and researchers have teamed up for a £75m research project aimed at boosting the development of new technologies. The partnerships, led by Unilever, EDF Energy and the Francis Crick Institute, will look to accelerate medical innovations, create greener household products and develop sensor technology for drivers. Backed by a £75m joint investment from [...]
Credit Suisse shares rally after Archegos collapse April 1, 2021 Shares in Credit Suisse pushed higher today, clawing back some of their losses sparked by the collapse of US hedge fund Archegos Capital Management. The bank lost almost a fifth of its value after defaults on margin calls by Archegos, a family office run by billionaire Bill Hwang, prompted a fire sale by banks. Credit [...]
Covid: All customers must sign in at pubs under new rules April 1, 2021 All customers will be required to sign in when pubs, restaurants and cafes reopen in England as part of new rules for lockdown easing. Hospitality venues are set to reopen for outside service only from 12 April in the second stage of the government’s roadmap. However, every visitor aged 16 or over will be required [...]
Facebook’s Giphy takeover to face in-depth competition probe April 1, 2021 Facebook’s takeover of Giphy will face an in-depth competition probe in the UK after the social media giant declined to offer remedies to the regulator’s concerns. The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) last week gave the companies five days to address worries that their deal could harm the digital advertising market and the supply of [...]
SSE to sell contracting division to Aurelius Group for £27.5m April 1, 2021 SSE today said it has secured an agreement to sell its contracting division to asset manager Aurelius Group in a £27.5m deal. The London-listed energy group said the deal consists of a £17.5m up-front payment, which will be adjusted for items such as working capital and separation costs. A further £5m loan note will be [...]
