Boris Johnson ‘deeply concerned’ by Jimmy Lai arrest August 10, 2020 The government has accused China of using its new security law to “silence opposition” in Hong Kong after media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested today. Lai, 71, is one of the most prominent democracy activists in the Chinese-ruled city and an ardent critic of Beijing. He has become the most high-profile victim of a Beijing-backed [...]
FTSE 100 climbs on economic recovery hopes August 10, 2020 The FTSE 100 pushed higher today as investors shrugged off concerns about ongoing tensions between China and the US and focused on positive signs of economic recovery. The blue-chip index was up 0.93 per cent at 6,087 points in early trading, before dipping to a 0.42 per cent rise shortly before 3pm. The positive start [...]
Twitter wades into bidding war for Tiktok’s US operations August 9, 2020 Twitter is said to have expressed interest in buying Tiktok’s US operations, as the short-form video app continues to hold talks with Microsoft about a sale. However it is far from certain that Twitter would be able to outbid Microsoft, and complete a deal within the 45-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump, two [...]
Tiktok threatens legal action over Trump executive order August 7, 2020 Tiktok has said it is considering legal action after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the app in 45 days’ time. The short-form video app said it was “shocked” by the order. It added that it would it would “pursue all remedies available” to “ensure the rule of law is not discarded”. [...]
FTSE 100 flatlines as Trump order ramps up US-China tensions August 7, 2020 The FTSE 100 flatlined on a choppy morning of trading after US President Donald Trump signed executive orders hitting Chinese firms Tiktok and Wechat, and Congress and the White House failed to agree on a stimulus plan. London’s blue-chip index was roughly flat at 6,027 points at midday. The FTSE 250 of mid-cap firms rose [...]
Gold consolidates near record highs as US-China tensions escalate August 7, 2020 Gold climbed further as demand for the precious metal surges against a backdrop of escalating US-China tension. The price of gold per ounce teetered between small gains and minor losses during the Asia session but seems to have stabilised around the $2,060 mark. It rose to new record highs in the early part of the [...]
Trump issues executive order against Tiktok and Wechat over China links August 7, 2020 US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising a ban on Chinese-owned apps such as Tiktok and Wechat within 45 days. The two apps must be removed from Apple and Google’s app stores and all business ceased with US companies by the deadline. Tiktok owner Bytedance is currently in negotiations over a sale [...]
Tory MPs in China Research Group targeted by phishing attacks August 6, 2020 Cybersecurity experts have slammed Parliament’s online security training as “appalling” after members of the Sino-sceptic China Research Group of Conservative MPs have been targeted by phishing attacks. China Research Group Tom Tugendhat, chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and co–founder of the China Research Group, last week revealed he believed Chinese state-sponsored hackers were [...]
Pompeo pushes to ban Tiktok, Wechat and other ‘untrusted’ Chinese apps August 6, 2020 The Trump administration is pushing to purge “untrusted” Chinese apps including Tiktok and Wechat from US app stores, amid increasing tensions across the Pacific. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo yesterday signalled that the US may soon order Apple and Google to remove certain Chinese apps over national security concerns. Pompeo said apps linked to [...]
Government wasted £150m on unusable face masks bought from banker August 6, 2020 The government is facing calls to investigate its procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, after it emerged ministers spent at least £150m on unusable face masks from a family investment firm. The face masks, which were part of a £252m government contract with investment firm Ayanda Capital signed in April, were deemed [...]