PayPal agree to buy Swedish payments company iZettle for $2.2bn

As of yesterday morning, the Swedish payments company iZettle was all ready for an initial public offering that was expected to value it at more than $1bn. That went out the window last night, when the US giant PayPal announced it had agreed to buy the company for more than double that.

The $2.2bn deal is PayPal’s biggest acquisition to date, and will strengthen the Silicon Valley giant’s business in Europe, especially in the physical realm: iZettle deals in handheld card readers that connect to smartphones, allowing merchants to take transactions.

While both sides seem happy with the deal, in some quarters it could be seen as another example of a European start-up not having the stomach to compete with a US rival.

GOING CASHLESS

Despite the rise of ecommerce, the vast majority of transactions still occur offline, and iZettle’s star has risen as we move to a cashless and contactless economy: its revenues increased by 51% last year. Anecdotally, its card readers are much more visible at the burger vans and market stalls and can also be found in many of London 's Black Cabs.

To PayPal, however, the business will give it much more of a foothold outside of the US: iZettle is mainly big in Europe and South America. The deal also comes at a time when rival payments group Square is moving outside of America.

ANOTHER SURRENDER?

There is another angle to this deal, however: the potential feeling that, once again, a Silicon Valley giant has absorbed one of Europe’s top technology start-ups - and one that could one day be a competitor. Sales of many British tech companies have been seen as surrenders, rather than victories. 

Critics, however, could pay heed to PayPal’s own story. The company was sold to eBay for $1.5bn in 2002, and was since spun off and is now worth more than $90bn. What’s more, the original investors in the company became the “PayPal mafia”, a group including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and Reid Hoffman that funded many of today’s most successful tech companies. 

Perhaps what Europe needs rather than protecting its start-ups, is more investors willing to back them to the end. Maybe in a few years, the iZettle mafia will become a force in European tech

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5* all inclusive week in Kos: Early bird 2019 holiday from £399pp incl. flights & hotel

Make sure you're ahead of the crowd and grab this early bird offer to the Greek island of Kos now Pirates. Jet off to the 5* in May 2019 to beat the pre summer crowds, whilst enjoying an all inclusive board basis. The view from the outdoor pool stretches out across the ocean giving you… GemUK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Video: LEVC study shows taxi drivers are less stressed driving EV vehicles

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May 18, 2018 at 10:40AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Hero cabbie saves pensioners life in Scotland

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A Renfrewshire cab driver has been hailed a hero after saving a pensioners life.

31 year old Brian McClure fought to keep 85 year old Joan Naylor alive after she had suffered a heart attack at the wheel of her vehicle.

Mr McClure jumped into action after Mrs Naylor, who was with her 86 year old husband Brian, had a minor knock in her vehicle.

After Mr McClure went over to Mrs Naylors vehicle he realised that there was something seriously wrong as she was passed out behind the wheel and her lips were turning Blue.

Mr McClure called an ambulance and was then instructed by the emergency services to perform CPR on Mrs Naylor after she was discovered to be not breathing.

An ambulance subsequently arrived within 10 minutes to take Mrs Naylor to hospital where was confirmed that she had suffered a heart attack.

Police confirmed that Mr McClure's actions had saved Mrs Naylors life and was rewarded with a Local Hero Award at the Divisional Commander’s Police Award at the Kibble School.

May 18, 2018 at 10:16AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Super advance Cyprus saver: 7nts from £147pp incl. apartment & flights

Pirates, enjoy island life with 7 nights in snazzy Cyprus from £147pp including the 4* Club Coral View Resort & flights. By booking in advance you can snap up the best rates - and for a deposit of only £49pp too. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 3rd… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Advance spesh in Marrakech: 7nts in top-rated 4* hotel, breakfast & flights from £200pp

Pirates, make your way to Marrakech, Morocco, with 7 nights from £200pp including the top-rated 4* Riad Haraka, breakfast & flights. This property has a redonkulously good score on TripAdvisor so your holiday is in safe hands - book with a deposit of from £49pp. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

A Jaunt to Jersey? Stay at fancy 4* hotel in St Helier from £55pppn incl. fab breakfast

Pirates, treat yourself to a stay at the 4* Hotel de France in St Helier, Jersey from £55pppn. The hotel has a fabulous spa and pool complex to enjoy, and has a picturesque garden. Offer Details: Many travel durations possible - 1 night minimum stay Sample dates spanning November 2018 - January 2019 Example Dates:… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Las Vegas June getaway from £601pp - 7nts hotel, flights & bags (resort fees approx $32 per night)

Pirates, fancy grabbing some sunshine and heading over to Las Vegas for a week? You have come to the right place. We have come across this great holiday in Las Vegas for just over £600 each including accommodation, flights and luggage! Holiday details Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter stays possible) Example date: 25th… Lola POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Uber Talk About It All Going Wrong At Brighton Conference

A top Uber executive is to talk about “what happens when it goes really, really wrong” at a Brighton conference – just weeks after the multinational taxi hailing app company was refused a renewal of its licence here.

Uber’s head of cities, south and east of England Eugenie Teasley is giving the keynote speech at Wired Sussex’s Talent 2018 festival next month.

It’s not known what exactly she’ll be talking about – but Uber’s recent history will give her plenty of PR disasters to choose from.

The loss of its Brighton and Hove licence (pending appeal) followed the loss of its licence in London and York. Brighton and Hove City Council said they did not consider Uber “fit and proper”, flagging a 2017 data breach, the use of drivers from outside the city and accusing the company of misleading councillors.

Transport for London raised concerns about Uber’s corporate responsibility, in particular over safety checks and failure to report serious criminal offences. An appeal hearing is due next month.

Uber is also battling an employment tribunal ruling that its drivers should be considered employees, rather than independent contractors, which means the company would need to pay them minimum wage, holiday and sickness pay – and has also just lost a test case in the EU which makes it more likely it will be liable for VAT in the UK.

It is currently embroiled in a scandal over scores of US drivers being accused of sex attacks – and has only just dropped a requirement for victims to enter into mandatory arbitration and sign confidentiality agreements. A class-action suit from women who were sexually assaulted by drivers is pending in court.

After hundreds of rapes and sexual assaults over the last six years, Uber expect to just say sorry and move on as if they never happened ???

Last year, 20 Uber employees were fired over claims of sexual harassment following an expose by a former female software engineer, a scandal which claimed the scalp of chief executive and co-founder Travis Kalanick, who was accused of not doing enough to address the issue.

The same month, an Uber executive in India was fired after improperly obtaining the medical records of a woman who was raped by one of the company’s drivers. This week, the executive announced he was suing the company for wrongful dismissal, accusing a number of executives – all women – of targeting him.

Ms Teasley is due to speak on Wednesday, 6 June at the Sallis Benney Theatre. Other speakers due to join her include Claire Hopkins of Ideal Networks, Tom Chute from Pragmatic, Caroline Walmsley of Further my Future, Ed Hickey of DabApps, Chris Ricketts of Turn10 Consulting, Rob Verheul of Graphite Digital, Mariam Crichton of Every1 Mobile and Helen W. Kennedy from the University of Brighton

The previous day, a jobs fair is being held at the Brighton Dome from 11am to 4pm, featuring dozens of local employers, with talks from Clearleft, Legal & General, Propellernet, Think Nation, Brightwave, Ocasta, Dabapps, Wired Sussex and Hare Digital

And on Thursday, a portfolio clinic will be held at the Sallis Benney Theatre.

Phil Jones, managing director of Wired Sussex said: “As a regional digital cluster our goal should be nothing less than being the best place in the UK to attract and nurture the talent we need to grow and thrive. Talent2018 demonstrates how we can make that a reality when we work together.”

Richard Dixon, head of digital development, Legal & General said: “We are excited to sponsor Talent2018 and show off L&G’s Brighton digital delivery team! If you care about technology, agile, web security and accessibility, and enjoying what you do, we have a home for you.”

Ed Hickey, commercial director, DabApps said: “Brighton’s digital sector and community continues to thrive. Attracting and retaining the best people is key to all of our future success.

“As a local employer and an active member of this community we are proud to be involved in an event that engages, and focuses on, the next generation.”

http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2018/05/17/uber-talks-about-it-all-going-wrong-at-brighton-conference/

Comment:  It's about time  that everyone wakes up and realises that there is a massive difference between 'Technology' and actually delivering a compliant public transport service that hasn't had its goal to change legislation and local control of the taxi/ph trade the better.

TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT :

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New York early bird break from £499pp: 4nts incl. 4* Times Square hotel & direct flights

The Big Apple is calling you pirates! Be in the heart of the action in New York City - our Holidays Finder has a great price on a 4* hotel just a block from Times Square. Prices start from just £499 per person, based on 2 sharing in January and this includes 4 nights at… Niamh_UK POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

5* Sicily luxury break 3nts from £265pp - incl. flights, top-hotel w. Clarins spa & breakfast

Ahoy mateys! Next up we've spotted this gorgeous Sicily getaway placing you on the west of the island close to some of the island’s finest beaches. You will be staying regally at the refined (and top-rated) 5* Giardino di Costanza situated in a tranquil haven of palm trees and fountains, all surrounded by olive groves… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Luxe 5* Gran Canaria escape 4nts from £360pp - incl. half board, Sheraton hotel & flights

Ahoy mateys! Treat yourself to some scorching sunshine in Gran Canaria! We've spotted this great package holiday to the hillside 5* Sheraton Salobre Resort offering a private beach, luxe spa facilities and no less than 7 pools (!) in popular Maspalomas. Half board is included in this holiday, and you can adjust the duration of… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

J&M insurance release update regarding Alpha’s bankruptcy

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A statement has been released by J&M Insurance which is hoped will clarify misinformation that has been circulating in the media and social networks in regards to bankruptcy of Alpha.

Taxi and private hire drivers across the UK were left insurered after Danish insurance company Alpha went bankrupt last week.

Alpha underwrote policies provided by insurers including Protector, J&M insurance and Cover My Cab.

J&M Grouo Chief Executive, Paul Dodds said:

“Since Tuesday 8th May, immediately after we were informed about the bankruptcy declaration, we have been working tirelessly to support affected customers.After informing all policyholders of the situation by text message, email and letter, we have been helping customers take out like-for-like policies, which we have been able to arrange under a new provider, all whilst liaising closely with the FCA, who have been supportive of our approach.

“As you know, we have been issuing public and private hire insurance certificates under the name of Gefion Insurance since March, whilst Alpha was determined as a solvent liquidation. The rapid change of status, being declared bankrupt in around nine weeks, is quite shocking. This caught everyone by surprise, including the regulator.

“Despite inaccurate media stories, you will know that Gefion Insurance is an independent insurance company based in Denmark. It underwrites various classes of insurance business across Europe, including the UK, but has no connection to Alpha. There may have been confusion connecting the companies due to having ‘A/S’ at the end, the Danish equivalent of ‘Ltd’.

“J & M Insurance Services (UK) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Underwriting Agencies Group Ltd, which continues to serve its customers throughout the country, especially London and the South East. J&M and its associated businesses and brands are fully regulated and authorised by the FCA.

“During our 37-year history serving the public and private community, we have experienced - and successfully navigated - occasional periods of extreme market volatility. However, this unprecedented level of disruption has resulted in an extremely demanding period, with the business having received over 20,000 calls since Wednesday 9th May.

“Nonetheless our long-term commitment to delivering excellence to the public and private hire industry is unwavering. Whilst we recognise that the situation has caused many taxi drivers unnecessary anxiety as they sought to replace their cover, I am pleased to confirm that we have already arranged alternative cover for over 3,000 Alpha policy holders and we remain absolutely committed to working hard to help each and every individual as soon as we can.

“Getting drivers back to work with the right policy at the right price has been, and remains, our absolute priority and I am pleased to confirm that TfL accept Gefion Insurance as legitimate.

“ I hope that this provides you with a measure of comfort and the peace of mind that insurance with J&M is legitimate, valid and FCA approved.

“Should you require any clarification as to the regulatory position, this information can be confirmed on the FCA website (Unhelpfully, there is a business called Cover My Cab Ltd that is not regulated, but this has, and never has had, anything to do with our Cover My Cab brand. That business ceased trading years ago and we don’t believe it ever sold any insurance, and it has never had any connection to our Group).”

May 17, 2018 at 04:25PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Gdansk bargain city break from £84pp - incl. 2nts hotel & flights

Summer will soon be with us pirates, so how about enjoying some of Europe's finest city breaks? Gdansk is a picturesque place on the Polish coast, and with a stay at the 3* Dom Muzyka you'll be walking distance from the action of the Old Town. We're looking at heading out in mid-June, when the… Samcana POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Let's all go to the Algarve: 7nts from £133pp incl. 4* hotel & flights

Pirates, park your patootie in Portugal with 7 nights in the Algarve from £136pp including the 4* Quinta Pedra dos Bicos & flights. These cute apartments are the perfect place to chill before taking a walk to the beach or enjoying a dip in the pool. Holiday details: Travel duration: 7 nights (longer or shorter… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Stylish 4* Croatia mini-break 3nts from £296pp - incl. flights, spa hotel & breakfast

Arrr mateys! Next up we are sending you to Croatia for a luxury stay at the sleek 4* D-Resort Sibenik, flanked by a yacht marina and offering an inviting 220m² swimming pool plus a state-of-the-art spa centre with sweeping views of the Adriatic Sea. Breakfast is included in this deal as well! Details Travel duration:… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Adults Only 5* Tenerife luxury escape 3nts from £308pp - incl. hotel, flights & breakfast

Ahoy pirates! Tenerife is up next with a luxury escape to the sophisticated 5* Iberostar Sabila in the popular Costa Adeje. Here you can enjoy an Adults Only vibe right on the beach with a host of luxury amenities at your disposal, including a gorgeous infinity pool with Balinese beds, with breakfast included in your… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

New powers to combat illegal taxi and private hire activity in London

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Transport for London’s Taxi and Private Hire Compliance Officers have been granted new powers by the Metropolitan Police to carry out road stops without police presence for the first time. This will enable more enforcement against illegal and non-compliant activity to be carried out, improving the safety of taxi and private hire passengers while freeing up valuable police resources.

TfL’s TPH Compliance Officers are now being specially trained with powers to stop any TPH vehicle for inspection, testing and verification of licensing conditions without the presence of police – this could include checking for valid insurance, inspecting the driver’s licence or photo ID, and inspecting the vehicle for any defects. For the first time compliance officers will have the powers to pull a driver off the road and stop them driving if they’re breaching their licence.The new powers will help deal with the rapid growth of the capital’s private hire industry, which has seen an increase from 59,000 licensed drivers in 2009/10 to around 113,000. The new powers also allow officers to better tackle private hire vehicles that have been licensed by another authority, known as cross-border hiring, and address the increased safety risk that such private hire vehicles can pose.Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said “The safety of Londoners is my number-one priority, and with the growth of the private hire industry in London it is essential we give our compliance officers real powers to clamp down on illegal activity, and take action against unsafe and unlicensed vehicles. The majority of taxi and private hire drivers provide a good and safe service for Londoners, but drivers who haven’t got a valid licence or are breaching the terms of their licence shouldn’t be on London’s streets.

“Having increased the number of compliance officers across London last year, I’m delighted they will now have the powers to pull over vehicles and take action against drivers breaking the rules and putting the safety of Londoners at risk.”Following a successful trial at Heathrow, with over 800 vehicles checked, TPH Compliance Officer-led enforcement will increasingly take place across London as more officers are trained in the Community Safety and Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). With the enhanced powers, six or more TPH Compliance Officers can cordon off a ‘stop’ area to pull over a vehicle and undertake safety checks. Stops are carried out as quickly as possible so if there are any passengers on board, they are not held up unnecessarily. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act if a driver a fails to stop when directed by a CSAS-accredited officer, which may lead to a criminal conviction and TPH licensing action being taken.Steve Burton, TfL's Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: “Our Compliance Officers are at the forefront of combatting unsafe and unlicensed taxi and private hire drivers, who not only pose a serious risk to passenger safety, but undermine licensed, law abiding drivers. These new powers will allow officers to stop and check vehicles without the police present, which will significantly increase levels of enforcement so we can robustly deal with dangerous drivers and vehicles.” These new powers are part of the Mayor of London’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, which includes a range of far-reaching improvements that will drive up standards, boost the quality of service for Londoners and will help deliver the greenest taxi fleet in the world.As part of our efforts to strengthen our enforcement approach we will also be making more effective use of our powers to prosecute drivers and operators for illegal and non-compliant TPH activity. The increase in the number of compliance officers has significantly increased our capacity to detect driver, vehicle and operator non-compliance. As a result we are putting systems in place to ensure that appropriate enforcement action is taken on all offences reported by TPH Compliance officers where evidence supports this.Inspector Jas Sandhu from the Met’s Taxi and Private Hire Policing Team, said: “These new powers under CSAS will give TfL the resilience to conduct more spontaneous road stops which will help enforcement against illegal and non-compliant activity in the trade.”

May 17, 2018 at 12:21PM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Cyprus sizzler: 7nts family holiday in July from £208pp incl. hotel & flights

Pirates, if you're looking for inspiration for your summer holidays, hit up this deal: 7 nights in Cyprus in peak-season July from £208pp including the 3* Marion Hotel & flights. This rate is based on a family of four, but you can change the amount of people and time of year to suit your needs.… jcrdawes POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT

Hotel misprice: 4* Laura Ashley designer hotel from £5 per night

Ahoy mateys! Drop what you are doing and check this out. We've stumbled over a crazy cheap rate over at the top-rated 4* Laura Ashley Hotel in Elstree, Hertfordshire for as little as £5 per night! You can stay on other selected dates in July, August and October for £85 per night, which works out… Cee POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT