Amazon founder Bezos says American tabloid tried to blackmail him
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, has accused the US tabloid newspaper National Enquirer and its publisher AMI of “extortion and blackmail”. Bezos said it threatened to publish “intimate photos” unless he stopped a private investigation into how the publication obtained text messages between him and a former TV presenter. AMI has not commented. Reported by the Guardian, Reuters and Washington Post.
France recalls ambassador to Rome over yellow vest meeting
Weeks of diplomatic tensions between France and Italy (mainly over migration) have escalated. Paris recalled its ambassador to Rome after the Italian deputy PM Luigi Di Maio met with anti-government gilets jaunes (yellow vest) protestors. Paris said it was interference in domestic politics; Di Maio said his meeting was “fully legitimate”. Reported by Ansa, the BBC and DW.
49 days till Brexit deadline
The British PM Theresa May made no progress in her bid to renegotiate the UK’s Brexit deal during “robust but constructive” talks with EU leaders in Brussels, but both sides agreed to hold further talks. Reported by the AFP, BBC and DW. Meanwhile, the Financial Times said that UK officials are developing “Project After”, a plan to stimulate the British economy in case of a no-deal Brexit.
Thai king’s sister named PM candidate in unprecedented move
The older sister of Thailand’s king, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Varnavadi, said she would stand for prime minister, the first time a senior royal has run in a Thai election. She’ll face the current PM and ex-army chief who led the coup against Thailand’s last democratically elected government, in 2014. Reported by the BBC, Reuters and Straits Times.
Arcelor posts 22% jump in earnings
The steelmaker ArcelorMittal posted its highest profits in a decade, earning $10.3bn in Ebitda (a standard measure) last year, reported the Financial Times, Marketwatch and Reuters. The Luxembourg-based group warned growth would slow in 2019.
Luxembourg fund admin blockchain tech tested by big Swiss bank
Credit Suisse Asset Management said it successfully testing blockchain technology to process trades using Luxembourg-based FundsDLT’s platform. Reported by Funds Europe, Global Custodian and Reuters.
Facebook data gathering restricted by German competition watchdog
Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has blocked Facebook from combining user data from subsidiaries like Instagram and third party sites, reported the Associated Press, Financial Times and New York Times. Facebook said the “decision misapplies German competition law” and, per Reuters and Seeking Alpha, said it would appeal. The antitrust agency’s ruling only applies to German residents.
Google pays $900m more in EU penalties than in taxes
Alphabet, the company that owns Google, paid more in European Commission fines ($5.1bn) than in corporate income tax ($4.2bn) last year, observed Computing magazine.
Body identified as Sala
The body recovered from a plane wreck in the Channel has been identified as the Cardiff City football player Emiliano Sala. Reported by the AFP, Guardian and Sky Sports.
How hackers created “5 minutes of sheer terror” for family in San Francisco suburb
Hackers broke into a California family’s Nest surveillance camera and sent a fake warning of an incoming North Korea missile attack. The story from the San Jose Mercury News.
Listen up
Researchers at MIT have developed lasers that can deliver audio messages directly to one person and cannot be heard by anyone else, according to MIT Technology Review.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald