Touch down on Mars
Nasa’s robotic lander, Insight, touched down on the surface of Mars on Monday. Its first action, according to Reuters, was to transmit a grainy “selfie” of the probe’s surroundings. It is carrying instruments to detect planetary seismic movements. Read more on The Guardian.
BDO merger
A fifth major accountancy firm is set to enter the UK stage following merger talks between BDO and Moore Stephens. The Guardian reports that the new firm would be larger than Grant Thornton. The UK government called for a comprehensive review of Britain’s auditing industry after a series of scandals brought audit firms under increased scrutiny. In a separate article published on Monday, Guardian columnist Nils Pratley writes that a bigger BDO would do well if the CMA and government shake up the industry.
Cancellation mechanism axed
Luxembourg and Irish regulators have ruled out using a mechanism to cancel shares, a move which will prove unpopular with asset managers. According to the Financial Times, the CSSF told money market funds they won’t be allowed to use the share cancellation mechanism under European rules. The calls come after a letter from Brussels to pan-European financial regulator the European Securities and Markets Authority saying the mechanism breached new regulations.
Luxembourg wealth exhibition
The FT also features photos by photographer Ezio d’Agostino, documenting the sources of Luxembourg’s wealth. Artful images of Deutsche Bank, one of the 340 firms embroiled in the Lux Leaks scandal, an ArcelorMittal steel site and a mass spectrometer at List, feature in the report which highlights an exhibition at the CNA from 16 March to 9 June, 2019.
Martial law
The Ukraine parliament introduced martial law for 30 days in areas vulnerable to attack from Russia. The vote came after Russia seized three Ukrainian boats: two small armoured artillery vessels and a tugboat, which it said illegally entered its waters in the Black Sea. Euronews provides a good round-up as does Politico.
Suspected spy in Senate
A senior French civil servant has been arrested on suspicion of spying for North Korea, The Guardian reports. It cites a judicial source as saying that Benoit Quennedy, also president of the Franco-Korean friendship society, was being investigated for collecting and delivering information to a foreign power likely to undermine the fundamental interests of the nation. The story first broke on daily programme Quotidien.
Gruesome killing
Six people including five members of the same family were murdered in a remote village in south-west Japan. The Guardian reports the victims appear to have been stabbed. A seventh body was found in a river about three kilometres away.