Letter bombs leave United States reeling
The FBI is analysing bomb packages that were sent to the homes of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Democratic congresswoman Maxie Waters and the offices of broadcaster CNN on Wednesday. Other bombs targeting former vice-president Joe Biden and former attorney general Eric Holder were intercepted. They followed the discovery of a bomb near the home of billionaire George Soros on Monday. Reports of another package being sent to the White House were later revealed to be incorrect. The Guardian and CNBC have the full story. Fox News looks at the reaction of CNN network president Jeff Zucker, saying he “rips” president Donald Trump and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. Zucker said they failed to understand the “seriousness of their continued attacks on the media” or that “their words matter”. The BBC reports on a rally held by president Trump on Wednesday evening in which he decried the attacks, vowed to catch those responsible, and called on the media to "stop endless hostility" and those involved in politics “stop treating political opponents as being morally defective.”
Saudi crown prince condemns Khashoggi murder
The bombs in the United States threatened to overshadow all other news. But the unsolved murder of Jamal Khashoggi still makes headlines. Fortune and Aljazeera are among the media reporting that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman finally broke his silence and called the murder, which many observers believe he may have ordered, “a heinous crime that cannot be justified.” The crown prince has promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Deutsch Bank income falls
CNBC reports on a Deutsche Bank’s third quarter fall in income and profits that saw shares in the bank drop by as much as 5% on Wednesday. Net income of €229 million, compared to €649m in the third quarter of 2017, was higher than the €149 million forecast by Reuters poll of analysts. But CEO Christian Sewing said the results showed Deutsche Bank was on its way “to becoming a sustainably profitable bank.”
Barclays on the up
Over at Barclays, meanwhile, third quarter pre-tax profit rose to £1.46 billion, CNBC says. That is up from £1.1 billion in the same period in 2017 and way better than the £723 million expected by data firm Refinitiv amid macro-economic and Brexit uncertainty. “2018 is proving to be a year of delivery on our strategy,” said CEO Jes Staley.
Apple and Samsung fined in Italy
Smart phone makers Apple and Samsung have been found guilty of employing “planned obsolescence” by Italy’s competition authority. The Guardian reports that the companies used “dishonest commercial practices” by encouraging users of older phone models to download operating system updates that slowed them down, thereby spurring customers to buy new phones. Apple was fined fined €10m and Samsung €5m.
MEP gives Moscovi papers a shoeing
Italian MEP Angelo Ciocca caused outrage at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday when he took off his shoe and slammed it on papers belonging to European Commissioner for economic and financial affairs Pierre Moscovici. Video of the event emerged on Wednesday and has been cited by France24, RT, and The Belfast Telegraph
Mega Millions jackpot
The sole winner of the second biggest ever lottery jackpot in the United States has still not been identified. CBS reports that the winning ticket for the $1.537 billion Mega Millions prize was purchased in South Carolina--at the KC Mart #7 in Simpsonville to be precise. 36 other players have tickets that match 5 of the 6 winning numbers, and they will collect $1 million each.
‘Baby One More Time’ at 20
If any of our readers are feeling old, we can confirm that is the case. Verification came on Tuesday when Britney Spears tweeted thanks to her fans for all their support over the 20 years since her first smash single ‘Baby One More Time’ was released. The BBC reports that streaming service Dweezer reckons more than a quarter of Britney’s current fans weren't even born when the song was released.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts