Self-appointed anti-disinformation groups threaten freedom of speech
Partly funded at one time by the British government, the GDI engages in 'shadow banning'. Sir Paul Marshall, the hedge fund manager and owner of The Spectator, highlighted the dangers of what he termed the 'misinformation industry' in a lecture on Tuesday. Sir Paul's targets were the
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Reuters
9 minutes ago
- Reuters
Premier League CEO Masters pleads for patience in Man City case
Aug 13 (Reuters) - Premier League chief executive Richard Masters defended the league's judicial process on Wednesday amid criticism over the slow pace of Manchester City's disciplinary case involving 115 charges of alleged financial rule breaches. Speaking at a Premier League season launch event in Liverpool, Masters said that once charges are brought forward, the matter is handed over to an independent panel, which operates autonomously. "It's an independent judiciary essentially," Masters told Sky Sports. "They are then in charge of the process and its timings. They hear the case, they decide the outcome and we have no influence over it or its timing." Masters refrained from speculating on when a decision might be reached, but acknowledged the frustration surrounding lengthy legal processes. "My frustration is irrelevant really, I just have to wait. Legal processes rarely take less time than you anticipated. But we have to be patient," he said. Masters also addressed speculation around staging Premier League matches abroad, after LaLiga's plan for a game between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami received approval from the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Monday. He said the controversial "Game 39" concept of an extra competitive match hosted outside of Britain remained off the table. "I think that (LaLiga) match that's been talked about, there's a long road to go yet about whether that will actually happen," Masters said. "It hasn't changed our view about matches abroad. We did look at the 39th game way back when with lots of controversy... Our objective at the time was how to grow the Premier League around the world. We've been able to do that through different means," he said. Masters also responded to concerns over the competitiveness of newly promoted clubs, after all three teams relegated last season - Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton - had only just come up. The same thing happened in the 2023-24 campaign when Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United returned to the second-tier after only one season in the top-flight. Masters pointed to success stories like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham, who were promoted for the 2022-23 season and are "performing extremely well in the Premier League three years later". "It's never going to be easy... The Premier League is becoming more competitive. The Championship is a fantastic division. We want it to be successful. We want there to be an influx of different clubs coming in and out. So it's something we need to keep an eye on." Masters also confirmed that the newly established independent football regulator is expected to begin operations in October or November. "We are the first country, major football nation to be regulated in this way," he said. "The Premier League operates in a global environment. So naturally we have some concerns, but the main thing is that I think the regulator doesn't start from the position that football is somehow broken in this country... "All of the key indicators are really positive for the whole of the pyramid, for the England teams, men's and women's. So, I think there is lots to be really proud about and the regulator should really be intervening where absolutely necessary." The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday when defending champions Liverpool host Bournemouth.
Reuters
10 minutes ago
- Reuters
Shadow tanker fleet grows more slowly as Western sanctions target Russian oil
LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Dozens of tankers have joined the shadow fleet this year compared with hundreds in previous years as the harshest Western sanctions yet target Russia's oil exports and add to the difficulty of finding suitable vessels, shipping sources said. The European Union and Britain last month imposed further sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine. Together with U.S. restrictions, they mean more than 440, opens new tab shadow fleet tankers face sanctions, including tankers Moscow needs to ship oil to its biggest buyers, China and India. The shadow fleet of vessels is used by Venezuela and Iran, as well as Russia to evade Western sanctions. Typically, the vessels are old, their ownership is opaque, and they sail without top-tier insurance cover to meet international standards for oil majors and many ports. Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, the shadow fleet has been especially used by Russia, which has relied on oil revenues to help finance its war effort. In addition to the sanctions, the Group of Seven countries has imposed a cap over what price level Russian oil can be sold at, adding to trade complexities. The size of the fleet is between 1,200 and 1,600 tankers, according to estimates from industry sources and analysts, including Lloyd's List Intelligence and shipbroker Gibson. This represents an estimated fifth of the overall global tanker fleet. That compares with a few hundred vessels operating before the Ukraine war, but sources say its growth has slowed year-on-year as the list of sanctions has grown and sales of second-hand ships have been under more scrutiny from authorities and legal compliance teams. The estimate of the shadow fleet's size does not include hundreds of smaller coastal tankers, which are not ocean-going but have transported oil, chiefly for Russia. "Regulators are closing the net," Anna Giacomello, analyst with British maritime cyber defence and risk intelligence company Dryad Global, said in a July report. For all the risks, the potential for profit remains a lure for some. "Operators may still enter the shadow fleet because it can be highly lucrative," said Leigh Hansson, sanctions partner at law firm Reed Smith, who advises shipping and trading companies on oil sanctions compliance. But she said the major established players would stay away and that only those with little experience of the shipping market may be willing to engage in risky operations, with older vessels that major ship insurers will not cover.
The Independent
11 minutes ago
- The Independent
Around 2,150 jobs at risk as Claire's Accessories to appoint administrators
Fashion accessories chain Claire's is set to appoint administrators for its UK and Ireland business, putting around 2,150 jobs at risk. The US parent firm for the high street retailer said it has filed a formal notice to administrators from advisory firm Interpath. The move will raise fears over the future of its 306 stores across the UK and Ireland. Administrators are set to seek a potential rescue deal for the chain, which has seen sales tumble in the face of recent weak consumer demand. Will Wright, UK chief executive at Interpath, said: 'Claire's has long been a popular brand across the UK, known not only for its trend-led accessories but also as the go-to destination for ear piercing. 'Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern for as long as we can, while we assess options for the company. 'This includes exploring the possibility of a sale which would secure a future for this well-loved brand.'
