Skip Header
Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.

Friday newspaper round-up: Amazon, Barclays, Epstein

(Sharecast News) - Amazon announced plans to spend $200bn on artificial intelligence and robotics this year, the latest tech giant to vow fresh enormous investments in the artificial intelligence arms race. The news of the investment comes one day after the Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced it was cutting approximately a third of employees. - Guardian Barclays has reportedly cut ties with the lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson, after intense scrutiny of the founders' dealings with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Vodafone has also said it is reviewing its contract for public affairs services with Global Counsel, which Mandelson co-founded in 2010 after Labour lost the general election. - Guardian

A barrister has been suspended from one of London's most prestigious legal chambers over links to Jeffrey Epstein. Matthieu de Boisséson has been suspended by Littleton Chambers pending an investigation after he appeared in documents released by the US department of justice (DoJ) related to the paedophile financier. Mr de Boisséson denies any wrongdoing. - Telegraph

Two businessmen charged by the Serious Fraud Office in its investigation into suspected fraud at Safe Hands Plans have been accused of agreeing a "dishonest plan" to take control of the customer trust via the Cayman Islands to "enrich themselves". In a hearing on Thursday at Westminster magistrates' court, Richard Wells, 39, a former director of the pre-paid funeral business's holding company, and Neil Debenham, 43, were alleged to have used trust money to buy luxury £1 million homes. - The Times

Jeffrey Epstein was introduced to Ghislaine Maxwell by her brother Kevin as part of a plan for the paedophile financier to help the Maxwell family "move money", according to a previously undisclosed account of the origins of the scandal. Kevin Maxwell, once Britain's biggest bankrupt, was "instructed to meet Epstein by his father", Robert Maxwell, according to FBI records of conversations with a former business associate of the Maxwells that have been released by the US Department of Justice. - The Times

Share this article

Related Sharecast Articles

Tuesday newspaper round-up: Index of corruption, net zero, small businesses
(Sharecast News) - It would take 137 years for lower-income families in the UK to see their living standards double at the current rate of growth, according to a thinktank. A two-decade stagnation in disposable incomes has created a "mood of unease" across the country, the Resolution Foundation says, warning of the risk of "further political disruption" unless pay growth accelerates. In the 40 years to 2005, the typical disposable income of working-age families in the poorest half of the population doubled, after growing by 1.8% a year on average once adjusted for inflation, according to the thinktank. In the final decade of that period, growth in disposable incomes rose by 4% a year and looked on course to double within 18 years. - Guardian
Monday newspaper round-up: Train drivers, bank chairs, Ocado, cash ISAs
(Sharecast News) - Labour will introduce legislation to lower the minimum age for train drivers to 18 in the House of Commons this week, as figures show fewer than 3% of drivers on Great Britain's railways are under 30. The government is pressing ahead with its proposals for teenage recruits, lowering the minimum age from 20, in a move that ministers hope will stave off a potential shortage of thousands of drivers. - Guardian
Thursday newspaper round-up: Bond markets, Nike, ElevenLabs
(Sharecast News) - A government minister has defended long delays to a military spending plan that are also stalling the UK's next-generation Tempest fighter jet programme, but refused to say when it will be complete. The defence investment plan (DIP), originally expected last autumn, has faced repeated postponements amid warnings that the military faces a £28bn funding gap over the next four years. - Guardian

Important information: This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice. When you are thinking about investing in shares, it’s generally a good idea to consider holding them alongside other investments in a diversified portfolio of assets. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Award-winning online share dealing

Search, compare and select from thousands of shares.

Expert insights into investing your money

Our team of experts explore the world of share dealing.