Hong Kong protests: Activist shot as clashes overshadow China’s National Day October 1, 2019 A Hong Kong protester has reportedly been shot in the chest by a live police round, overshadowing China’s celebrations of its 70th anniversary of Communist rule. First aid workers were seen tending to an injured man on the street, according to South China Morning Post, which reported that police hit a demonstrator in the chest [...]
Government rubbishes Hammond’s hedge fund Brexit conspiracy theory September 30, 2019 The government has hit back at aBrexit conspiracy theory that Boris Johnson is colluding with currency traders by forcing a no-deal Brexit, claiming Labour is causing greater yet market uncertainty. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell demanded answers from the Conservatives, after former chancellor Philip Hammond wrote an article for The Times which claimed that speculators had [...]
Jamie Oliver bags £5.2m payday despite restaurant chain collapse September 30, 2019 Jamie Oliver took home £5.2m last year as his business empire suffered a slump in profit following the collapse of his restaurant chain. The chef’s food and media business increased sales to £43.5m in the year to December 2018, but pre-tax profit almost halved to £7.8m. Read more: SSP buys three Jamie Oliver restaurants saving [...]
Markets mixed on US-China trade war worries September 30, 2019 Markets globally were mixed today, with fears of a growing trade was between the US and China hitting confidence. The Ftse 100 rose two points to 7,428 points this morning, but the FTSE 250 and FTSE 250 both fell. Read more: Oil prices fall on possible limit to China investments Asian markets were affected by [...]
Uncanny valley: Explaining the rise of virtual influencers September 30, 2019 I have fallen down a social media rabbit hole. I’ve been scrolling through the feed of an online influencer called “Lil Miquela”, and watching her videos on YouTube. Her Instagram is just like any other influencer account. There are pictures of her on nights out with friends, several of her posing in trendy clothes, even [...]
Interview: City Football Group marketing chief Nuria Tarre on innovating at Manchester City and the future of the sports industry September 29, 2019 “My ultimate objective – day-to-day, the reason I wake up and enjoy doing the work that I do – is because I truly think we want to be there for the fans in an authentic way,” says Nuria Tarre, chief marketing officer of City Football Group. Since joining CFG in 2015 from her role running [...]
Boris Johnson set to unveil £5bn full-fibre broadband boost September 29, 2019 Boris Johnson is said to be preparing a subsidy of up to £5bn in a much-needed boost for his plans to roll out full-fibre broadband across the UK by 2025. The Prime Minister could unveil the fresh funding at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week, the Sunday Telegraph reported, citing industry and Westminster [...]
Ukraine corruption investigators probe gas firm – but not Hunter Biden September 27, 2019 Ukraine’s anti-corruption bureau has said changes to a Ukrainian energy firm’s board in May 2014, when Democrat Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden joined, are not under investigation. In a statement the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) revealed that changes to the board at that time, which saw the son of former vice-president Joe Biden and other foreign [...]
Boost for broadcasters as young viewers flock to live shows September 26, 2019 Live events are still the most watched TV programmes among young audiences, new data has revealed, marking a much-needed boost for traditional broadcasters. Live TV favourites such as reality shows, talent shows and sports fixtures made up more than half of the top 30 most-watched programmes among 18 to 24-year-olds, according to figures from the [...]
Broadband firms pledge to cut prices after Ofcom review September 25, 2019 Major UK broadband providers have pledged to cut prices for out-of-contract customers after Ofcom carried out a review into the market. Sky, BT and Talktalk have all agreed to allow customers whose initial contracts have ended to get the same deals as new customers when they renew their contracts. Read more: BT leads push for [...]