Virgin billionaire Richard Branson is taking up Hyperloop One chairman role December 18, 2017 Virgin entrepreneur Richard Branson is taking up a top leadership position at Virgin Hyperloop One, the transportation startup he recently invested in and rebranded under his empire’s name. The billionaire businessman will become chairman at the US company which hopes to build high speed transport based on a technology concept created by Elon Musk around [...]
Finally, a British centurion: London Stock Exchange notches up 100 floats for the year December 18, 2017 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) today notched up its 100th company flotation of 2017 this week, breaking the century barrier for the first time in three years thanks to a strong international showing and a proliferation of investment fund listings. Northern Irish healthcare firm Fusion Antibodies and Israeli miner Shefa Yamim were this morning admitted [...]
Russian navy could cut cables between US and NATO nations including the UK December 15, 2017 Russian submarines could cut off communications cables between the US and the UK, a defence chief has warned. Sir Stuart Peach, chief of the British defence staff, said that Russian ships have been spotted close to Atlantic cables which are essential for international commerce and the internet. A report by think tank Policy Exchange estimated [...]
Twitter response to Russia Brexit meddling questions slammed as “inadequate” by MP Damian Collins December 14, 2017 A leading MP has slammed the boss of Twitter Jack Dorsey over the disclosure that only six adverts on the platform during Brexit were linked to Russia. Damian Collins, chair of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee, branded the information “completely inadequate”. MPs investigating fake news demanded information from Twitter and Facebook last [...]
Russian President Vladimir Putin ditches his party United Russia to run for re-election as an independent December 14, 2017 Vladimir Putin has ditched the United Russia party to run as an independent candidate in the country’s election next year. The Russian President has a huge amount of personal support, with approval ratings over more than 80 per cent, according to Russia’s only pollster. Read more: The government has issued a warning over Russian anti-virus [...]
Emma Thompson on the importance of activism and why Greenpeace made her braver December 14, 2017 Emma Thompson may be best known for her Academy Award-winning roles on the silver screen but she is also a passionate and dedicated activist. When her hectic acting schedule affords her some precious time, she is frequently vocal in championing a more green and just world. City A.M. recently caught up with her to speak [...]
Facebook says no more than 200 UK viewers saw Russia’s Brexit ads December 13, 2017 Facebook has found just three adverts posted by Russian accounts in its attempt to investigate potential meddling by the country in last year’s Brexit vote. The Electoral Commission had asked the social media giant to look into any interference with the referendum last year. In a letter to the commission, Facebook said the trio of [...]
London Stock Exchange bounces back to top Europe’s IPO charts December 11, 2017 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is set to end the year atop the European podium for company floats, bouncing back from a weak 2016 at a crucial time for the exchange. Proceeds from initial public offerings (IPOs) on the London market have been 75 per cent higher than 2016, according to data from accountants PwC. [...]
Property of the week: Serena Rees Agent Provocateur CEO’s house in Cumberland Terrace, Regent’s Park, goes on sale for £14m December 8, 2017 If you’re running out space in your socks drawer, there’s sure to be plenty of space for your unmentionables in the home of Serena Rees, the co-founder of luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur. Cumberland Terrace, Regent’s Park, £13.95m (Click or tap on the images to see them in full screen) The self-contained basement studio The [...]
Editor’s Notes: Conspiracy theorists will always join the dots they want to see, bitcoin’s energy boom and the LSE row has left everyone weaker December 8, 2017 Before the fortuitous turn of events that took me into journalism, I did a lot of work with think tanks. These organisations come in all shapes and sizes – some are small, scrappy policy shops while others are quite grand, well-funded institutions. What they all tend to have in common is a staff of smart, [...]