Total power outage in Lebanon: Entire country down, may last for several days October 9, 2021 The electricity grid in Lebanon has reportedly cut off electricity in the entire country as the two main power stations ran out of fuel. The blackout in the country of almost six million is expected to last for several days, a government source told various regional media. The al Zahrani and the Deir Ammar power [...]
Nick Clegg says Facebook is ‘pleased’ with historic tax deal, even if it means paying more October 9, 2021 Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, said today the social media giant welcomes the corporate tax agreement that 140 countries around the world agreed this week. “We are pleased to see an emerging international consensus,” Clegg said in a statement sent to City A.M. this afternoon. Under the agreement, countries would enact a [...]
After Brexit comes Pexit? Poland ‘takes back control’ by placing national law first October 9, 2021 Fears of a Polexit have been stoked by a court ruling that decisions by the EU’s highest court are incompatible with the nation’s constitution. In a serious legal challenge to the EU’s authority the Polish court ruled that in certain cases the Court of Justice of the European Union “violates the principle of rule of [...]
First wealthy parents convicted in the college admissions scandal that rocked America October 9, 2021 Late last night UK time, in the first case to go to trial in the notorious college admissions cheating scandal in the US, two wealthy parents were convicted of buying their children’s way into school as athletic recruits. Gamal Abdelaziz, a former casino executive, and John Wilson, a former Staples executive, were found guilty after [...]
Ireland scraps low corporation tax to fall in line with global peers October 8, 2021 Ireland is set to hike its corporate tax rate from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent, as the country signs up to a global tax reform for minimum rate internationals. Its low tax rate had previously drawn in tech giants like Apple and Facebook, who both centre their European operations there. The reform, finalised [...]
COP26: UK and global accountancy bodies aim for net zero emissions October 8, 2021 The UK professional body for accountants has joined global peers in making a public commitment to net zero emissions. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) yesterday announced it will sign a commitment to net zero emissions and create plans to achieve this, alongside a network of global accountancy bodies. The 13 [...]
Chaos in the Canary Islands: La Palma airport closed due to volcanic ash buildup October 7, 2021 A buildup of ash and dust from the erupting Cumbre Vieja volcano on the runway forced authorities in Spain’s La Palma to close the island’s airport today, air traffic operator AENA said.
Watch as Russian authorities probe prison torture and sexual assault videos October 7, 2021 Russian authorities said they have fired five senior prison officials and opened a slew of criminal investigations into alleged torture and sexual assaults at a jail in the Saratov region. Warning: This edit contains graphic footage.
Brits given unprecedented access to reactor 4, the heart of Chernobyl’s disaster zone October 7, 2021 British researchers have been granted unprecedented access to Chernobyl’s reactor 4, which triggered the worst nuclear disaster the world has seen, to test systems developed to aid the decommissioning process. The team led by University of Bristol scientists have tested a new radiation scanning system at the heart of the Chernobyl disaster zone. The group [...]
Brexit exclusive: UK firms face IBAN discrimination across EU as GB payments are refused October 7, 2021 As the clocks turned 2020 into 2021 the UK left the European Union after 47 years. The decision divided the country, and businesses everywhere were forced to adapt to, and comply with, new regulations. Certain industries were more affected than others, and businesses which had some sort of international presence benefited from a smoother transitioning period, [...]