Judge approves Britain’s first ever deferred prosecution agreement in Serious Fraud Office bribery case involving Tanzanian division of ICBC Standard Bank November 30, 2015 Britain’s first deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) has been approved today in a bribery case involving ICBC Standard Bank and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). A DPA is a type of plea deal where legal proceedings against a company are suspended in return for other conditions, such as agreeing to pay a fine. The London division [...]
Why Batman V Superman is nowhere near as bad as everybody says March 22, 2016 Batman v Superman (12A) | Dir. Zack Snyder★★★★☆ Batman v Superman may contain two of the most bankable super heroes in existence, but don’t let that fool you: this is a huge bet by Warner Bros and DC Films. If this movie flops, it heaps an unbelievable amount of pressure on this summer’s upcoming villain-caper Suicide Squad. [...]
EU referendum: It is not surprising that Home Secretary Theresa May gave Prime Minister David Cameron her backing on EU reform February 3, 2016 Should European leaders agree the draft agreement on EU reform published by Donald Tusk yesterday, I believe it will make our membership of the European Union work even better for Britain. I am encouraged that even those traditionally more sceptical about the EU such as Theresa May see the draft as “a basis for a [...]
Draft Investigatory Powers Bill will put legal professional privilege at risk, warns Law Society December 22, 2015 The Law Society today warned that the draft Investigatory Powers Bill could put an end to legal professional privilege as we know it. The Society, which responded to the draft Investigatory Powers Bill Joint Committee consultation today, has called for the new legislation to include explicit protection for those who want to receive confidential advice from their [...]
Libor rate scandal: US courts convict two British bankers of conspiracy and wire fraud November 5, 2015 American courts have handed down their first convictions in connection with the Libor-fixing scandal, finding two former Rabobank traders guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud. Anthony Allen, Rabobank’s former global head of liquidity and finance, and Anthony Conti, a former senior trader, were found guilty by a federal jury in New York City earlier today [...]
Brazil: Between the rule of law and the rule of politics March 31, 2016 President Dilma Rousseff's hope of surviving a looming impeachment are becoming dimmer each day. On Monday, the Brazilian Bar association filed a new process to remove her from power on the grounds of accounting fraud. Yesterday, her party, PT, lost their largest ally in the Brazilian Congress as centrist party PMDB, presided by vice-president Michel Temer, withdrew their support [...]
Million Mask March: Several people arrested after Anonymous protest in London turns violent November 6, 2015 Police arrested 50 people last night during the Million Mask March after the Anonymous protest turned violent. Three police officers were hospitalised with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, and a police horse was injured near Buckingham Palace, throwing its rider. The rider was taken to hospital as a precaution and the horse returned to stables [...]
RBS share price dives to lowest level since 2012 as it announces £2bn provision for fines and £498m write-down for Coutts private banking January 27, 2016 The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced a £2.5bn hit on its profits, thanks largely to a £1.5bn provision for claims in the US relating to mortgage-backed securities. The bank's share price was down 3.72 per cent to 251.2p just after markets opened this morning – its lowest since 2012. The bank will make a loss in 2015: [...]
UK smugglers’ gold jewellery could fetch £2.5m at action next week in Belfast October 25, 2015 Almost 150 kilos of smuggled gold jewellery, worth more than £2.5m, is set to be auctioned off next week. HMRC seized the loot in 2012 from a gang trying to smuggle it into the UK, as part of a £9m plot. The haul includes Asian gold rings, bangles and necklaces, along with a statue and [...]
Rand Paul 2016: Here’s what you need to know about the Kentucky senator’s bid for the US Presidency April 7, 2015 It's happening: Kentucky senator Rand Paul has officially launched his bid for the Presidency of the United States. The libertarian-leaning Republican wrote on his website: I am running for President to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government. Paul will launch his campaign with a speech at the Galt hotel in Louisville, [...]