A prank left in tatters: Banksy reveals auction shredding did not go to plan October 18, 2018 The art world was captivated earlier this month when a painting by Banksy was partially shredded at an auction. Now, however, it seems that the infamous stunt was not one that went according to plan. A new video released today reveals that Banksy’s intentions had been to destroy the entire artwork, known as Girl with Balloon, [...]
Russia to deploy hypersonic missiles which can evade defence systems ‘within months’ October 18, 2018 Vladimir Putin has said Russia will deploy new state-of-the-art missiles “within months”, putting the country ahead of its rivals in the West. The new hypersonic missiles could evade western defence systems. Read more: Kremlin says Dutch expulsion of Russian agents was a "misunderstanding" “We have overcome all our partners and competitors, so to speak, in [...]
Facebook shareholders call on Zuckerberg to step down as chairman October 17, 2018 Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is facing pressure to resign his post as chairman following a series of scandals. Several US public funds who own shares in the company have called for Zuckerberg to step down from the role after the social media giant “mishandled” a series of controversies. Facebook was at the centre of [...]
Regulator blocks Danske Bank’s pick for chief executive after €200bn scandal October 17, 2018 Danish authorities have blocked the appointment of a new chief executive at Danske Bank, piling more misery on the firm which is reeling from a €200bn (£176bn) money laundering scandal. The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) turned down the appointment as chief executive of the bank’s head of wealth management, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, because of lack [...]
The unspoilt ski slopes of Gudauri in Georgia are Europe’s best kept secret October 12, 2018 The Georgian Military Highway winds its way from Tbilisi towards the Russian border, passing UNESCO churches, scenic reservoirs, and the somewhat over optimistically named Friendship Monument, a late 1980s celebration of Georgian-Soviet relations. As the road climbs higher, the forests cloaking the slopes grow thinner until you emerge above the treeline and they’re replaced completely [...]
Mystery woman who spent £16m in Harrods revealed as wife of jailed Azerbaijan banker October 10, 2018 The mystery woman who spent £16m in Harrods and was hit with the UK's first ever 'unexplained wealth order' has been identified as the wife of a jailed Azerbaijan banker. Zamira Hajiyeva lost an appeal last week against a High Court ruling forcing her to reveal how she was able to afford two properties in [...]
One Hyde Park flat becomes Britain’s most expensive home after £160m sale October 9, 2018 A penthouse apartment in the luxury One Hyde Park development has become Britain's most expensive home after being sold for £160m. The penthouse apartment in the Candy brothers' high-end London block was bought for the record amount in May, Land Registry documents revealed. It was sold to two offshore companies PHB London Holdings Ltd and PHB [...]
EU bank watchdog launches inquiry into Denmark’s handling of Danske Bank amid DOJ probe October 8, 2018 The European Union's banking supervisor has launched preliminary inquiries into Denmark's financial watchdog in relation to allegations of money laundering at Danske Bank through its Estonia branch. European Banking Authority chair Andrea Enria today informed the European parliament that it had launched a "preliminary breach of union law inquiries on … the Danske bank case in [...]
Kremlin says Netherlands’ expulsion of Russian agents was a “misunderstanding” October 8, 2018 Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov today dismissed the charges against four Russian military intelligence (GRU) agents in the Netherlands as a "misunderstanding". The four agents were arrested by Dutch authorities in the middle of an attack on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in April, and were later expelled from the country. "There [...]
Getting into the flow of it: Cuadrilla’s CEO on safety, earthquakes and political hypocrisy as the company gears up to start onshore fracking October 8, 2018 Not since the debate about nuclear power has an energy issue proven as controversial as fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, the process of blasting a mix of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth to extract shale oil and gas, has riled parliament, rallied campaigners and grabbed headlines. But ask the boss of the first company [...]