Barclays Share Discussion Threads

[johnwise] 04/12/2024 07:31

Shein was refused a listing on the New York Stock Exchange

Congress presses Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein on forced labor



City watchdog paves the way for £50bn Shein float despite human rights concerns

[johnwise] 04/12/2024 04:50

Warner Brothers did the right thing. Why take a chance on an unhinged actor, when the studio needs to make money to cover their investment.


Robert De Niro's Downfall After Losing Millions Of Dollars As His Worst Comments Backfire

Video

[johnwise] 04/12/2024 04:40

President Trump will cancel this deal:


UK Government denies lack of US support for deal over strategic Chagos Islands


The UK's deal to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is "strongly supported" by the United States, according to the Government.

In October, it was confirmed the islands would once again come under Mauritian control, although Diego Garcia would remain a military base for the US and UK – with Britain maintaining a 99-year lease over it.
MORE

[johnwise] 04/12/2024 04:21

Video

Sean Hannity: This pathetic chapter in US history is coming to an end

Fox News

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 23:58

VIDEO

“You’re Saying She ISN'T Guilty” Dr David Bull Challenges Barrister on Lucy Letby



VIDEO

Interview with Lucy Letby’s lawyer: Is she Innocent? | Barrister Mark McDonald speaks out

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 22:29

‘World’s largest investigative journalism organization’ secretly controlled by US government – report

The OCCRP’s funding and its ties to Washington raise serious questions about the use of investigative journalism as a foreign policy tool

The US government secretly controls around half of the funding for the world’s largest investigative journalism network, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a joint investigation by Mediapart, Drop Site News, Il Fatto Quotidiano, and others has revealed. The probe also found that the US exerts veto power over OCCRP's leadership and editorial direction.

Launched in 2008 and initially focused on exposing corruption and organized crime in the Balkans, the OCCRP now operates with a budget of €20 million and a team of 200 journalists worldwide, and works with over 70 media partners, including big names such as the New York Times, The Guardian, and Der Spiegel.

It has grown into the world's foremost international investigative journalism player, known for work such as The Panama Papers and the Pegasus Project.

The investigation, led by Mediapart and published on Monday, reveals that Washington not only provides substantial financial support - $47 million from US state sources since its inception - but has the power to control leadership appointments.

US influence extends to steering the group’s investigations towards specific countries such as Russia and Venezuela, the report adds.

Drew Sullivan, the OCCRP’s co-founder and publisher, confirmed that the US government remains its largest donor, with USAID and other federal agencies also contributing millions to the organization over the years.

“I’m very grateful to the US government,” Sullivan told German state broadcaster NDR in September 2023, when the Hamburg-based channel's own investigation into the OCRP prompted it to suspend cooperation with the organization.

US funding is crucial to OCCRP operations, Sullivan admitted. The money, however, comes with conditions.

The US government has the right to veto key personnel at the OCCRP, including Sullivan himself. Washington also requires the organization to use its funds for investigative projects targeting specific countries, such as Russia, Venezuela, and other geopolitical interests.

For example, OCCRP received $2.2 million to work on “Balancing the Russian media sphere,” a project aimed at investigating Russian media, and $2.3 million to investigate corruption in Cyprus and Malta, which could be used against Moscow.

The US government has also weaponized OCCRP’s reporting by fueling judicial investigations, sanctions, and lobbying based on the organization’s findings. The Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC), created in 2016 and co-funded by the US, uses OCCRP’s investigations to drive sanctions advocacy and legal initiatives against countries and individuals deemed corrupt by Washington.

According to USAID’s Mike Henning, the OCCRP’s work is seen as a key tool for advancing US foreign policy. “We’re proud that […] the US government is the first public donor to OCCRP,” he said. “Funding must be aligned with and advance United States foreign policy and economic interests,” he added, pointing to the strategic nature of such investments.

However, critics argue that the close relationship with the US government compromises the organization’s editorial independence. “It makes the US seem virtuous and allows them to set the agenda of what is defined as corruption,” said a director of a South American media outlet that worked with the OCCRP, as quoted by Mediapart.

READ MORE: Union slams UN for ignoring murders of Russian journalists
Despite its claims of editorial independence, critics argue that the OCCRP’s reliance on US government funding compromises any neutrality it could possibly claim.

The US government’s influence over OCCRP’s finances has led to concerns about the organization’s ability to operate independently and prompted state-level media partners to cease cooperation, according to Mediapart, particularly when it comes to reporting on US-related corruption or similar issues.

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 21:39

Must Watch

VIDEO

Outspoken MP Rupert Lowe sits down with Winston to discuss Britain in crisis.

MP Rupert Lowe SPEAKS OUT: “It's Lethal!” - How Labour Is DESTROYING Britain | Rupert Lowe

[estienne] 03/12/2024 15:37

It was really motoring this morning

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 14:18

Full list of Arla Foods' Bovaer 'contaminated' products boycotted by customers: from Lurpak to Cravendale and even Starbucks, as controversial cow feed additive sparks backlash

Bovaer, which will be introduced to cattle food, is designed to reduce the amount of methane they produce in digestion, a gas that contributes to climate change.

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 14:10

VIDEO

“Ed Miliband Is The Most Dangerous Man In Brtiain” | Green Energy Plans Under Fire

TalkTV

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 12:35

Dollar losing appeal as reserve currency, Kremlin reiterates

Dmitry Peskov stressed it’s not just with BRICS countries that this trend can be seen

MOSCOW, December 2. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sees the dollar's "erosion" intensifying.

His comment came in response to a TASS question about whether US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to force countries to continue using the dollar in international trade settlements is an element of a trade war.

"The dollar is becoming less and less attractive as a reserve currency for a number of countries. This is a process of erosion of the dollar's attractiveness, it is really happening and intensifying," Peskov said.

The Kremlin spokesman stressed it’s not just with BRICS countries that this trend can be seen.

"In general, more and more countries are starting to switch to using national currencies in trade, economic and foreign economic activities. This is a process that is gaining momentum all over the world," he concluded.

Earlier, Trump said he would impose 100% tariffs on goods from BRICS countries if they created a new currency or abandoned the dollar. He said any country that tried to replace the dollar in international trade could "say goodbye to America.".

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 12:33

Military operation in Ukraine3 Dec, 06:58

Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk, says military expert

The Ukrainian military is attempting to regain control of the road section, which is important in terms of logistics, Andrey Marochko noted

LUGANSK, December 3. /TASS/. Russian troops have broken through Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk in the Kharkov Region and placed a key section of the Dvurechnaya-Kupyansk road under their gunfire control, military expert Andrey Marochko told TASS on Tuesday.

"In the course of successful liberation operations, our forward units have managed to break through the enemy’s defensive line northwest of Masyutovka and gain more advantageous lines and positions. The infiltration into the defense of Ukrainian armed formations have enabled our troops to establish gunfire control of about 2 km of the key Dvurechnaya-Kupyansk road actively used by Ukrainian militants until recently," the military expert said.

The Ukrainian military is attempting to regain control of the road section, which is important in terms of logistics, he added.

For this purpose, the Ukrainian military has deployerd additional forces and capabilities to areas near the settlements of Figolevka, Dvurechnaya and Zapadnoye, he added.

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 12:30

Military operation in Ukraine 3 Dec, 12:25

Georgian mercenary hit with criminal charges, POWs: situation in Kursk Region

Strikes by operational-tactical aircraft and artillery fire hit enemy manpower and hardware in the Kursk and Sumy regions


MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. Over the day, Kiev lost more than 300 people in the Kursk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

In total, the enemy has lost over 37,655 people since fighting began in the region.

Military investigators have filed charges against a Georgian mercenary who committed a series of crimes against civilians in the Kursk Region within Ukraine’s armed formations.

TASS outlines the key development in Kursk.

Operation to destroy Ukrainian formations
- Units of the battlegroup North defeated Ukrainian servicemen near Alexandriya, Viktorovka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Plekhovo, Sverdlikovo and Yuzhny.

- Strikes by operational-tactical aircraft and artillery fire hit enemy manpower and hardware in the Kursk and Sumy regions.

- The operation to destroy Ukrainian formations continues.

Ukrainian losses
- Over the past day, the enemy lost more than 300 troops, two tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, including two US-made Bradley's, 17 armored combat vehicles, 14 automobiles, three artillery pieces and six mortars.

- Since the beginning of hostilities in the Kursk Region, Kiev has lost over 37,655 personnel, 228 tanks, 165 infantry fighting vehicles, 123 armored personnel carriers, 1,223 armored combat vehicles, 1,079 automobiles, 308 artillery pieces, 40 multiple rocket launchers, including 11 HIMARS and six US-made MLRS, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport and loading vehicles, 70 radar and electronic warfare stations, 13 counter-battery radars, four air defense radars, 27 pieces of engineering and other equipment, including 13 engineering demolition vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearance vehicle, as well as six armored repair and recovery vehicles and a command and control vehicle.

Case against a mercenary
- Military investigators have filed criminal charges against Lasha Chigdadze, a mercenary from Georgia, who committed a number of crimes against civilians in the Kursk Region within the Ukrainian armed formations, the press service of the main military investigative directorate of the Russian Investigative Committee told TASS.

- It noted that Chigdadze has been engaged in training mercenaries for a long time and is directly involved in the armed conflict. In September 2024, he illegally crossed the border and entered the Kursk Region.

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 12:28

Military operation in Ukraine3 Dec, 12:16

Settlement of Nadiya in LPR up for grabs as Kiev retreats — Russian expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the Ukrainian army was fighting with all its might to beat back Russian forces near the settlement of Belogorovka, hoping to prevent them from making gains and increasing Russia’s pressure on the northern section of the frontline

LUGANSK, December 3. /TASS/. The settlement of Nadiya in the Lugansk People’s Republic can now be called a "grey zone," meaning it is open for the taking, amid the pullout of Ukrainian troops from the area, military expert Andrey Marochko told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station.

"According to the information I have, the settlement of Nadiya has now become a so-called grey zone. Ukrainian militants are trying to withdraw their troops and weapons from there because the area has been surrounded from the west and the east. The group is now facing the risk of being trapped in a kill zone," he noted.

Marochko added that the Ukrainian army was fighting with all its might to beat back Russian forces near the settlement of Belogorovka, hoping to prevent them from making gains and increasing Russia’s pressure on the northern section of the frontline.

[stonedyou] 03/12/2024 12:26

Military operation in Ukraine3 Dec, 11:17

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 370 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot over the past day, the ministry reported


MOSCOW, December 3. /TASS/. Russian troops liberated two communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Zaporozhye Region over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

"Battlegroup South units liberated the settlement of Romanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of decisive operations… Battlegroup East units liberated the settlement of Novodarovka in the Zaporozhye Region as a result of active operations," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts over 40 casualties on Ukrainian army in Kharkov area
Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 40 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy artillery system in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Kharkov direction, Battlegroup North units inflicted losses on formations of the Ukrainian army’s 95th air assault and 13th National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Neskuchnoye and Slatino in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to more than 40 personnel, two motor vehicles and a 122mm Gvozdika motorized artillery system, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts 460 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day
Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 460 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two US-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units improved their tactical position and inflicted damage on manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 44th mechanized, 25th airborne and 115th territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Kupyansk and Lozovaya in the Kharkov Region and Ivanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. They repelled 11 counterattacks by assault groups of the 1st and 4th National Guard and 113th territorial defense brigades," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 460 personnel, two motor vehicles, a 122mm D-30 howitzer and two US-made 105mm M119 artillery guns, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed an Anklav-N electronic warfare station and three field ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 370 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day
Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 370 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot over the past day, the ministry reported.

Over the past 24 hours, Battlegroup South units "inflicted casualties on formations of the Ukrainian army’s 46th airmobile, 79th air assault and 37th marine infantry brigades in areas near the settlements of Konstantinovka, Dachnoye and Slavyansk in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 370 personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, five motor vehicles and an electronic warfare station, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed a field ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army, the ministry said.

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts over 555 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day
Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 555 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Center units improved their frontline positions and inflicted damage on manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 59th mechanized, 38th marine infantry and 14th National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Shevchenko, Grodovka and Dimitrov in the Donetsk People’s Republic. They repulsed 12 counterattacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 42nd and 100th mechanized, 56th motorized infantry, 71st jaeger and 35th marine infantry brigades," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to more than 555 personnel, four armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles, a 152mm Msta-B howitzer and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts 155 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day
Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 155 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and four armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

Over the past 24 hours, Battlegroup East units "inflicted casualties on formations of the Ukrainian army’s 33rd mechanized, 127th and 241st territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Razliv, Komar and Oktyabr in the Donetsk People’s Republic. They repelled two counterattacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 155 personnel, a tank, four armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles and a 152mm Akatsiya motorized artillery system, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts 60 casualties on Ukrainian army over past day
Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 60 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted damage on manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 124th and 128th territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Molodyozhnoye and Nikolskoye in the Kherson Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 60 personnel and three motor vehicles, it specified.

Russian troops strike power facilities of Ukraine’s military-industrial sector over day
Russian troops struck power facilities of Ukraine’s military-industrial sector and military airfields over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck power facilities of Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, infrastructure of military airfields and amassed enemy manpower and military equipment in 142 areas," the ministry said.

Russian air defenses destroy 40 Ukrainian UAVs over past day
Russian air defense forces shot down 40 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down 40 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, including four UAVs outside the area of the special military operation," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 649 Ukrainian warplanes, 283 helicopters, 37,122 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 surface-to-air missile systems, 19,600 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,497 multiple rocket launchers, 18,897 field artillery guns and mortars and 28,957 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 10:25

VIDEO

We’re joined by the owner of a 135-year-old steel-maker who says he won’t be able to pass his business down to his children due to Labour’s changes to inheritance tax.

Is Labour destroying family businesses?

The Telegraph

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 10:06

Trump promises to block Nippon’s $14.9 billion bid for ‘the once great and powerful’ U.S. Steel

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday said he would “block” a planned takeover of U.S. Steel by Japanese company Nippon Steel, a deal worth $14.9 billion including debts.

“I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company, in this case Nippon Steel of Japan,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“Through a series of Tax Incentives and Tariffs, we will make U.S. Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! As President, I will block this deal from happening.”

[johnwise] 03/12/2024 09:57

Hedge fund majors profit from November Trump trades


Several large hedge fund firms, including Balyasny Asset Management and Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, capitalised on the market turbulence triggered by Donald Trump’s re-election last month, positioning the industry for its best annual performance in four years, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The gains came from so-called ‘Trump trades’ which benefitted from sharp moves in US stocks, Treasury bonds, the dollar, and bitcoin following Trump’s election win. Investors are betting that his administration’s policies—focused on tax cuts, deregulation, and tariffs—will drive economic growth, corporate profits, and inflation.