London (CNN Business) British taxpayers now officially hold shares in a company that throws sex parties. A government loan provided to Killing Kittens to help it through the pandemic has converted into an equity stake in the company, the British Business Bank confirmed on Tuesday. Killing Kittens, which organizes women-led adult parties in cities including London and New York, secured the investment in 2020 from the UK government's Future Fund, which was designed to help startups survive the coronavirus pandemic. The company was founded by Emma Sayle in 2005, and organizes members-only parties in exclusive venues where "established gender stereotypes" are challenged, according to its website . It recorded a 330% increase in traffic to its website during coronavirus lockdowns, and now calls itself "the fastest-growing adult social network." At one point, the pandemic forced the company to move all its events and workshops online, accelerating … [Read more...] about The UK government has taken a stake in a sex party startup
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Russia Says Putin Will Be Part Of G20 Summit—Setting Stage For Showdown With Western Leaders
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to participate in this year’s Group of 20 Summit, the Kremlin said Monday, setting up a potentially dramatic first meeting between Putin and his critics since he ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February. Key Facts Yuri Asharov, an advisor to Putin, confirmed the plans to Russian state media but said it is still being determined whether Putin will travel to the summit in-person, citing Covid-19 concerns. The G20 Summit will be held in Bali, Indonesia, over November 15 and16 and will bring together leaders from 19 countries and the European Union. Indonesian President Joko Wodido said in April he invited Putin to the summit and also extended a special invite to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country isn’t a member of G20. The meeting would be the first known contact between Putin and Zelensky or President Joe Biden or since the war … [Read more...] about Russia Says Putin Will Be Part Of G20 Summit—Setting Stage For Showdown With Western Leaders
Celebrity-endorsed crypto scams soaring in UK, Santander says
- A + A (June 28): Celebrity-endorsed cryptocurrency scams in the UK are on pace to almost double this year, Banco Santander SA’s local unit said. “Case volumes” jumped 61% in the first quarter from the prior three months, Santander said in a statement on its website on Tuesday. The average value of the scams was £11,872 (US$14,540), up 65% from a year earlier. Around £2 million was lost to such schemes in the quarter, according to the bank. “We’re seeing a worrying rise in ‘celebrity-endorsed’ cryptocurrency scams, where familiar faces are being misused on social media in order to con people out of often life-changing sums of money,” said Chris Ainsley, Santander UK’s head of fraud risk management, said in the statement. Crypto scams are getting increased attention as regulators and politicians grapple with how to encourage technological innovation, while at the same time protecting unsuspecting consumers. Santander said it expects the number of celebrity-endorsed … [Read more...] about Celebrity-endorsed crypto scams soaring in UK, Santander says
UK to cut Heathrow charges after airline protests
Passengers queue inside the departures terminal of Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, June 27, 2022. - A + A LONDON (June 28): London's Heathrow Airport will have to lower landing fees over the next four years after Britain's aviation regulator responded to pressure from airlines over the cost of flying at the hub. Heathrow wanted to double the fee it charges airlines in order to provide a better service to customers while retaining the support of its owners, but the plan drew fury from the likes of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic who said the airport was already among the most expensive in the world. The dispute reflects the pressures in the aviation industry as it recovers from the pandemic, and more broadly the need to limit consumer price rises at a time of soaring inflation while still investing to modernise services. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Tuesday that the average maximum price per passenger would fall to £26.31 … [Read more...] about UK to cut Heathrow charges after airline protests
Your Business Decisions Are Only As Strong As Your Data
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Conal Gallagher is the CIO & CISO at both Flexera and its division Revenera, where he manages IT and information security programs. Clear visibility into the IT estate is a top priority for IT and business leaders. Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to achieve. While many IT asset management (ITAM) practitioners rely on a configuration management database (CMDB), those CMDBs often don’t provide meaningful value or insights. The result? Organizations struggle to gain the clarity about their IT estate that’s required to make effective, strategic business decisions. Sprawl—of software and hardware, within categories (e.g., many applications for the same functionality) and of products (multiple applications of the same category or type)—gets in the way of efficiency. Complications of lifecycle management (end of life and support) and vulnerability tracking can expose the organization to security risks. … [Read more...] about Your Business Decisions Are Only As Strong As Your Data
ASEAN recovery plan: Business as usual?
Simone Galimberti (The Jakarta Post) Kathmandu ● Wed, January 27, 2021 2021-01-27 01:44 518 0920e6703081f028872405a52611af54 3 Opinion ASEAN,COVID-19,recovery,plan,sovereignty,ASEAN-secretariat,EU Free With the ASEAN recently presenting its own pandemic recovery plan, officially the ASEAN “Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan”, the entire region has a unique opportunity to reboot its integration process. Fully enforcing the recovery plan would certainly provide impetus to the idea that the wellbeing of the people living in the region is intrinsically linked to an ASEAN that, as an institution, must necessarily be stronger and far more united than it is now. Are the leaders of the region aware that the long-term implications of having the recovery plan realized might foresee a new scenario requiring more integration and consequentially a possible erosion of their nations’ sovereignty? Perhaps the heads of government and state … [Read more...] about ASEAN recovery plan: Business as usual?
When the push for ‘cultural fit’ creates a DEI blindspot
When you’re hiring new candidates, how much do you prioritize cultural fit? Your answer to this question may depend on whether you’d consider your company’s culture a broth or a gumbo. advertisement advertisement A broth has exactly one consistency and flavor, while a gumbo features distinct ingredients, each one retaining its unique flavor while contributing perfectly to the overall taste. In my years within the DEI space, I’ve observed quite a few companies adopt a “broth” recruiting approach, vetting candidates based on how seamlessly they believe they’ll fit into their existing corporate culture. Ideally, this practice should revolve around assessing how well candidates align with a company’s values and vision. In reality, it may mean something more arbitrary—using the same jargon and lingo, laughing at the same jokes, adopting the “right” business casual look, etc. Some diverse candidates do check these boxes but many others do not—and their … [Read more...] about When the push for ‘cultural fit’ creates a DEI blindspot
G-7 Pledges Billions To Help Ukraine Rebuild And Reveals Plan To Tackle Food Security As Summit Ends
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The Group of Seven nations (G-7) outlined plans for the reconstruction of Ukraine, resolving the global food security crisis, securing energy supply and tackling climate change as a two-day summit of the countries’ leaders in Germany concluded on Tuesday. Key Facts In a summary of its official communiqué issued after the summit, the G-7 reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s “courageous” defense of its “sovereignty and territorial integrity” and vowed to punish Russia further by coordinating more sanctions and reducing its revenue from energy exports. The G-7 nations pledged a total of $29.5 billion in financial aid for Ukraine’s reconstruction in 2022, plans for which will be made in partnership with Kyiv through an international reconstruction conference. Blaming Russia’s invasion for steep energy prices around the globe, the leaders said they will take immediate steps to secure energy supply … [Read more...] about G-7 Pledges Billions To Help Ukraine Rebuild And Reveals Plan To Tackle Food Security As Summit Ends
Russia Strikes Central Ukraine Mall With More Than 1,000 People Inside, Zelensky Says
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Russia on Monday struck a mall in central Ukraine that had more than 1,000 people inside, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said , sharing a video that appeared to show massive fires at the shopping center, as G-7 leaders are gathered to discuss future plans to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Key Facts At least 10 people died, while more than 40 were injured in the rocket strike in Kremenchuk, a city of roughly 215,000, Dmytro Lunin, the regional governor, wrote on Facebook . In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said the number of victims is “impossible to imagine,” adding rescuers were attempting to put out the fires. The mall was of “no strategic value” to the Russian army and only concerned people trying to “live a normal life,” Zelensky said. Key Background The rocket strike comes after Russia carried out a host of attacks across Ukraine, including in the capital of … [Read more...] about Russia Strikes Central Ukraine Mall With More Than 1,000 People Inside, Zelensky Says
At Least 18 Dead After Russian Strike On Ukrainian Mall Decried By Zelensky As ‘Terrorist Attack’
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The death toll from Russia’s missile strike on a shopping mall in central Ukraine on Monday rose to 18 as rescuers continued to search for dozens of missing individuals on Tuesday after the deadly attack on a civilian site drew a wave of condemnation from both Ukrainian and Western officials. Key Facts Dmytro Lunin, the governor of the Poltava region where the attack took place, confirmed the death toll on Telegram and added that 36 people were missing. In a Facebook post , Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported that 59 people were injured in the attack, 25 of whom remain in critical condition. In his daily address on Monday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky labeled the Russian strike “one of the most defiant terrorist attacks in European history.” Zelensky said he has appealed to the United States to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism following this incident and … [Read more...] about At Least 18 Dead After Russian Strike On Ukrainian Mall Decried By Zelensky As ‘Terrorist Attack’