U.K. Says Time Running Out for Brexit Preparation By Companies

The U.K. government is urging companies to step up preparations for leaving the European Union trading bloc without a new deal in place in eight weeks.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Minister Michael Gove will speak to business leaders on Monday and ask them to redouble their efforts, the government said in a statement. The Treasury is also writing to 200,000 traders about new customs and tax rules.

Talks between the U.K. and the EU are on the rocks, and Johnson said there’s no point in continuing them unless the EU changes its position. Michel Barnier, the EU chief negotiator, is due to come to London next week to continue the negotiations.

“Make no mistake, there are changes coming in just 75 days and time is running out for businesses to act,” Gove said.

U.S. official visited Syria seeking release of U.S. citizens – newspaper

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A White House official traveled to Damascus for secret meetings with the Syrian government seeking the release of at least two U.S. citizens believed held by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

The newspaper, citing unnamed Trump administration officials, said Kash Patel, a deputy assistant to U.S. President Donald Trump and the top White House counterterrorism official, flew to Damascus earlier this year.

Crown Resorts facing AUSTRAC investigation over money laundering breaches

Crown Resorts is being formally investigated by the financial crimes watchdog over potential breaches of anti-money laundering laws in its flagship Melbourne casino.

The ASX-listed casino giant, which counts billionaire James Packer as its largest shareholder, told investors on Monday morning that it had received a notice from AUSTRAC about potential "non-compliance" and that the regulator had referred the matter to its enforcement team.

Crown Casino in Melbourne. Credit:Joe Armao

AUSTRAC's concerns were identified in a compliance assessment that began in September 2019 and examined "Crown Melbourne’s management of customers identified as high risk and politically exposed persons."

More to come.

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Dysons Sell Singapore Three-Story Penthouse for S$62 Million, Business Times Reports

The Dysons behind the British consumer electronics company are selling their triplex penthouse for S$62 million ($45.7m) — less than the record purchase price of S$73.8m in 2019 — Business Times reported, without citing people.

Singapore’s tallest penthouse, on the top three levels of the 64-story Guoco Tower in Tanjong Pagar, is nearly S$3,000 per square foot on the strata area of 21,108 sq ft; it comes with its own infinity pool and private lift lobby from the basement car park.

The Dysons’ purchase of the Wallich Residence penthouse last year set a record for Singapore penthouses.

• Buyer is an Indonesia-born tycoon Leo Koguan who is a US citizen and Texas resident and co-founder and chairman of IT provider SHI International
• The property has been held under Dyson Ltd. founder James Dyson’s wife, Deirdre
• NOTE: Dysons also bought a bungalow near the Singapore Botanic Gardens last year for S$50m, which they still own

Mobile phone that looks like a kids' toy promises to help OAPs confused by tech

A MOBILE phone that looks like a kids’ toy has been designed for the elderly — so OAPs are not confused by the tech.

It features three speed dial buttons on the front with name labels for key contacts.

There is also an SOS button which sends out a GPS location in case of emergency.

Maker Doro, which specialises in gadgets for over-65s, was asked by customers for a simple phone that put ease of use over the latest tech.

The Doro 780X is set up for older people by someone more savvy with gadgets, such as relatives or a carer.

They are able program in the phone numbers for the big speed dial buttons.

Aside from the speed dial buttons, there are big red and green buttons to answer or end calls.

There are other buttons to access the menu for those setting up the phone or if OAPs get confident – but the idea is that they don’t use them.

Peter Marsen, Doro boss, said: “This phone is perfect for our customers who favour simplicity over the latest gadgets and gizmos.’’

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Tom Brady outplays Aaron Rodgers as Buccaneers rout Packers – The Denver Post

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Speculators Reverse Big Nasdaq Short

Hedge funds have pulled back from one of the biggest short positions in U.S. tech stocks in over a decade, in a near-record buying spree of Nasdaq futures last week.

Net speculative positions in Nasdaq 100 mini contracts surged by the most in more than 13 years in the week through Oct. 13, according to the latest Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. The increase was the second biggest on record in data going back to 1999 and left speculators net long the futures for the first time since the beginning of last month.

The buying frenzy comes after fast-money accounts had driven net short bets to the highest since before the financial crisis during September.

The U.S. tech gauge has risen over 9% from its Sept. 23 low amid signs of a return of bullish options activity that helped push it to an all-time high earlier that month. It remains about 5% below that record.