The US midterms show that mixing politics and advertising makes a volatile concoction November 5, 2018 The US midterm elections tomorrow are set to be a significant milestone. With record voter attendance expected and the structural balance of Congress at stake, these midterms will either reduce Donald Trump’s power, or give him a mandate to pursue his political goals. It is of no surprise then, with so much on the line, [...]
Softbank boss condemns Khashoggi killing but won’t cut ties with Saudi Arabia November 5, 2018 The chief executive of Softbank has condemned the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but said the Japanese tech giant would not cut financial ties with Saudi Arabia. Masayoshi Son withdrew from a controversial Saudi investor conference last month after the Washington Post columnist was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom's sovereign wealth [...]
Belfast has big plans to become the home of the Titanic and a top TV shooting location. But will that help the property market? November 2, 2018 A couple of weeks ago, a consortium of hedge funds clubbed together to raise $19.5m to buy bric-a-brac from the bottom of the ocean. At first glance, these 5,500 items bore no relation to each other; a bowler hat, the sleek curves of a bronze angel, a steel door. Their immense value derives solely from [...]
Criminal investigation launched into claims of antisemitism within Labour Party November 2, 2018 Met Police have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of antisemitic hate crimes within the Labour Party. An internal Labour party document detailing 45 cases of alleged antisemitism was handed to Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick by radio station LBC during a regular phone-in slot in September, the force said. She told the BBC her [...]
Monzo considers office outside UK to maintain passporting rights after Brexit November 2, 2018 The digital bank Monzo is considering opening an office outside the UK to maintain its passporting rights post Brexit. The fintech challenger bank's chief executive, Tom Blomfield, said he had been approached by the local government in Frankfurt on Thursday about opening an office in the German city. “It is something we are considering, whether it's [...]
Accounting firm Sage shares lift as it appoints CFO to CEO role in wake of Stephen Kelly’s departure November 2, 2018 Sage has named its finance boss Steve Hare as its new chief executive, two months after former chief Stephen Kelly agreed to leave his post. Chief financial officer Hare will perform both his current role and the top job while the board searches for a replacement CFO. Hare said: “It is an honour to be [...]
Sofa, so good: Ikea growth driven forward by deliveries and online November 2, 2018 Ikea grew revenues by almost six per cent in the financial year, as online sales helped expand the top line. The furniture giant grew UK revenues by 5.9 per cent to £1.97bn for the financial year ending August. It increased market share to 8.4 per cent from eight per cent last year. While nearly 60m [...]
Business leaders could become UK’s new ambassadors in radical plan by Jeremy Hunt October 31, 2018 Business leaders could be among a wave of new ambassadors under plans by Jeremy Hunt to open up the diplomatic service. In a speech on Wednesday, the foreign secretary is expected to say that for the first time non-civil servants could represent the UK government overseas. The creation of the 335 new diplomatic positions will [...]
Turkey: Khashoggi was strangled in Saudi consulate before his body was dismembered October 31, 2018 Dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate before his body was dismembered and disposed of, according to a Turkish prosecutor. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Office confirmed publicly for the first time how the Washington Post columnist supposedly died, after he had entered the consulate in early October [...]
Asian legal giant King & Wood Mallesons positioning itself for post-Brexit trade with China as it rebuilds in London October 30, 2018 Asian legal giant King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) is betting on post-Brexit trade with China and Australia as it rebuilds in London following the collapse of its European arm in January 2017. The firm’s London managing partner Darren Roiser said: “Given the nature of our client base and the fact we want to be building [...]