Russian hackers condemned as private medical files of Serena Williams and Simone Biles leaked September 13, 2016 The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have condemned a group of Russian hackers who call themselves the “Fancy Bears” after they accessed and leaked medical data for Rio 2016 stars such as Serena Williams and Simone Biles. The hackers published what they said were the therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) – [...]
Syria crisis: US and Russia reach truce deal and plan to tackle Isis with joint airstrikes September 10, 2016 The US and Russia have reached a breakthrough deal on Syria's peace process that will begin with a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" from sundown on Monday. The two countries, who have been at odds with one another over the five-year conflict and backed opposite sides, have agreed to launch coordinated air strikes against Isis and other [...]
Brent crude heads back towards $47 despite Saudi Arabia-Russia cooperation September 6, 2016 Brude crude turned lower this morning, despite yesterday's cooperation pledge by two of the world's biggest oil producers. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell as much as 0.61 per cent to 47.34 per barrel in early morning trading. Its US counterpart, West Texas Intermediate, fared better swelling 1.35 per cent to $45.04. Read more: Experts warn North Sea corporation [...]
In from the cold: Russia’s Chinese strategy could hurt European stocks September 5, 2016 Since the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, western sanctions have choked the Russian economy. Though Russia is considered to be the biggest loser from these trade and service restrictions, the sanctions are thought to have cost western firms billions of dollars in lost business too. And with the greatest share of Russia’s market, it [...]
Oil prices soar despite muted Russia-Saudi Arabia statement September 5, 2016 Crude oil prices soared on hopes for an output freeze which could accelerate the stricken crude market's recovery, despite some gains being parred by a muted statement from oil kingpins Russia and Saudi Arabia. Brent crude, the global benchmark, shrugged off earlier losses to swell as much as 5.49 per cent to $49.40 per barrel in late morning trading. [...]
The Juno probe has begun its scientific orbit around Jupiter: We speak to the man who helped build it about the challenges of reaching the red giant September 5, 2016 As the Juno space probe approached Jupiter, the massive gravitational pull of our solar system’s largest planet accelerated the craft to a speed of 265,000km/h. That made it the fastest man-made object in history. At its top speed, Juno could travel from Brighton to Aberdeen in under ten seconds. Juno gathered speed by slingshotting around the [...]
Read like an investment banker: 11 titles from Goldman Sachs’ back to school book list September 1, 2016 If you've ever wanted to get into the mindset of an investment banker, here's one thing that can help (besides avoiding brown shoes): Goldman Sachs has just published its annual back to school reading list. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Bill Gates, the list is compiled by some of the bank's most senior people [...]
WhatsApp only SIM card comes to the UK September 1, 2016 Telecoms startup FreedomPop has launched the first ever WhatsApp only mobile SIM in the UK. The SIM card gives free, unlimited data when using the popular Facebook-owned messaging app and offers an additional 200 megabytes of general data, as well as 100 voice minutes per month. Earlier this week FreedomPop made headlines when Russian billionaire [...]
AstraZeneca pays out $6m to settle US bribery case August 31, 2016 AstraZeneca will pay $5.5m (£4.1m) to resolve a foreign bribery probe in the US. The payment settles an alleged bribery case at the drugmaker’s Chinese and Russian units going back as far as 2005. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claims Astra staff made payments and gave other benefits to state-employed doctors and other [...]
An eye for an eye, a hack for a hack: The global cyber arms race is heating up August 30, 2016 Many will be familiar with the biblical adage “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. Underpinning the Book of Exodus, this principle of even-handed justice formed the kernel of Old Testament law. Yet contemporary followers of the book allowed it to transmute into a justification for personal vengeance. It wasn’t until Jesus [...]