HSBC scandal: MPs launch inquiry following claims that the bank helped clients dodge tax February 9, 2015 The Public Accounts Committee is launching an investigation following claims that HSBC helped wealthy clients "evade" tax. The committee, which was set up to oversee government expenditures, will require HSBC to give evidence to a panel of MPs. Margaret Hodge, chair of the committee, said during a speech at the House of Commons [...]
Samsung admits its smart TVs can listen to viewers’ conversations and pass them on to third parties February 9, 2015 If you have a Samsung Smart TV in your home, it's time to put an end to any incriminating conversations you might be having. It turns out the product's screen can listen to what you say and pass information on to third parties. Part of the company's privacy policy for its Smart [...]
Wiltshire police apologise for requesting information about Charlie Hebdo purchasers February 9, 2015 Wiltshire Police have apologised after asking a newsagent for details of people who had bought an edition of Charlie Hebdo magazine. After a letter in the Guardian suggested that a newsagent in Corsham had been paid a visit by Wiltshire Police after selling editions of Charlie Hebdo issued following the massacre of 12 members [...]
ESA races ahead in space travel with Europe’s first space taxi launch February 9, 2015 Until its Space Shuttle programme was closed down in 2007, the US was the dominant force in the development of space taxis. Operated by Nasa, the 40-metre-long vehicles delivered satellites into space, conducted science experiments in orbit and helped construct the International Space Station. At the time, Europe had created nothing capable of [...]
HSBC takes responsibility after report claims it helped clients hide millions of pounds from tax authorities February 8, 2015 HSBC has been accused of helping clients to hide huge sums of money from tax collectors, according to documents obtained by French newspaper Le Monde. Thousands of pages spanning from 2005 to 2007 show how the Swiss arm of the world’s second largest bank not only failed to identify and report clients evading taxes, [...]
How to become a banker: Barclays launches apprentice scheme just for people over 50 February 8, 2015 A couple of generations ago, many people would have been planning retirement by the time they reached their 50s. But now that we are living longer, we also have to work longer to support ourselves. In some cases, that means starting on a new career path late in life. Barclays is about to [...]
Greek Prime Minister stands by pre-election pledge and calls for a bridge loan February 8, 2015 Greece's new Prime Minister has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to bring the country out of austerity, despite unsuccessful talks with other Eurozone member states so far. During a parliamentary speech on Sunday, Alexis Tsipras said he felt a duty “not to disappoint” those who had voted him into power. “We realise that negotiations [...]
Oil price drop: Bosses at top US firms won’t have their pay cut February 8, 2015 The dramatic fall in oil prices since the middle of 2014 will not affect the pay of those working at the top of the industry. According to compensation consultants and investors who spoke to Reuters, the chief executives at the largest oil companies in the US will not experience reductions in their total pay, [...]
Warren Buffett criticised for disclosing too little information about Berkshire Hathaway February 8, 2015 Analysts have urged Warren Buffet to make the financial reports of Berkshire Hathaway more thorough, arguing that they currently offer too little information for a company of its size. The super-investor's $370bn multinational organisation is a holding company, made up of subsidiary businesses ranging from the insurance sector to retail and manufacturing. Among others, [...]
A Greek exit from the Eurozone is unavoidable, warns ex-head of US central bank February 8, 2015 Greece will eventually have to leave the Eurozone, according to the ex-chairman of the Federal Reserve. Alan Greenspan, who was head of the US central bank from 1987 to 2006, told the BBC he did not believe the other members would continue to make concessions for the struggling nation. Since the radical left-wing [...]
