Signal down: Messaging app stops working after surge in new users January 15, 2021 Messaging app Signal has stopped working in the wake of a huge surge in new users. The social media platform, which bills itself as a more privacy-focused alternative to the incumbent tech giants, suffered glitches this afternoon that prevented messages from sending. There was a spike in users reporting problems with connection and logging in [...]
Marvel show WandaVision Episode 1 and 2 double bill review January 15, 2021 While it wasn’t the original plan, we are finally getting more of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Of course, cinemas are largely unavailable at the moment, so the first Marvel Cinematic Universe story will be on the small screen in the form of WandaVision, a spin-off for Avenger Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and computer-based hero [...]
Why climate change is creating a 1929 moment January 15, 2021 The battle against Covid-19 has been brutal, inflicting a terrible cost on society. But it will be overcome; scientific endeavour will prevail. Looking decades ahead, my greater concern is climate change. By 2050 we may find the effects of the pandemic will be dwarfed by the consequences of unchecked global warming. The future actions of [...]
Satellite firm Oneweb secures $400m in fresh Softbank-led funding January 15, 2021 Oneweb, the satellite broadband firm bailed out by the UK government last year, has raised a further $400m (£294m) in a fresh funding round led by Softbank. The Japanese conglomerate will also take a seat on the board of Oneweb, which was rescued from bankruptcy in November by the government and Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti [...]
Amazon hit with class-action lawsuit over ebook price-fixing January 15, 2021 Amazon has been slapped with a class-action lawsuit over accusations it colluded with publishers to fix ebook prices. The lawsuit, filed in a New York district court, alleges that Amazon and the so-called Big Five publishers — Penguin Random House, Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster — agreed to price restraints that cause [...]
Citigroup and JP Morgan beat expectations after releasing loan reserves January 15, 2021 American banks Citigroup and JP Morgan’s fourth quarter earnings beat analysts’ expectations helped by the release of a pile of cash set aside for loans. Citigroup reported a seven per cent decline in the fourth quarter profit to $4.63bn, down from $5bn a year earlier. Earnings equated to $2.08 per share, higher than the analyst [...]
Meggitt posts revenue fall but hopes vaccine roll-out will boost air travel January 15, 2021 Aerospace engineer Meggitt is “well placed” for recovery after it secured £1.7bn in revenue, in one of the toughest years for air travel. Despite a revenue fall of £500m compared to last year, a spokesperson for Meggitt said that it remained “well placed” for recovery. The vaccine roll-out, coupled with cabin fever, has provided Meggitt [...]
Norton Rose Fulbright cuts over 100 London jobs January 15, 2021 Norton Rose Fulbright has cut 132 roles in its Europe, Middle East and Asia division, with London the worst affected city. The international law firm has made 114 redundancies in London, largely of secretarial and business service functions, including some contractors and 19 individuals of counsel and associate level. Norton Rose Fulbright has contacted those [...]
Supreme Court rejects insurers’ claims in landmark business insurance case January 15, 2021 The Supreme Court has largely ruled in favour of policyholders and the City regulator in the landmark business interruption insurance case. In a judgment handed down today, the court said it “substantially allowed” the appeal by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and campaign groups Hiscox Action Group and Hospitality Insurance Group Action. The insurers Arch, [...]
Blackrock sells $200m China Telecom stake after US ban January 15, 2021 Blackrock has offloaded almost all of its stake in China Telecom at a significant discount following a new ban on US investment. China Telecom is one of a number of tech firms subject to a Trump administration executive order blocking American investors from owning companies deemed to have links with the Chinese military. The move [...]
