NBA slammed for ‘shameful retreat’ over Hong Kong protest tweet October 7, 2019 The National Basketball Association (NBA) has come under fire after distancing itself from comments made by one of its team’s senior executives in support of protests in Hong Kong. Daryl Morey, general manager of the Houston Rockets, was forced to apologise after his hastily-deleted tweet sparked anger in Beijing. Read more: Hong Kong: Government bans [...]
Weaker European market expected to be at centre of potential HSBC job cuts October 7, 2019 HSBC’s under-pressure European business is expected to bear the brunt of potential job cuts being made by the bank. The lender is understood to be looking at cutting between 5,000 and 10,000 jobs as part of a cost-cutting drive under interim boss Noel Quinn. Read more: The next BofE governor must be prepared for a [...]
M&G Prudential backs London with £875m investment in City skyscraper October 7, 2019 M&G Prudential has backed London with a multimillion pound investment in a new Square Mile skyscraper development. The firm has invested £875m to buy and develop the 40 Leadenhall site – nicknamed Gotham City – which is expected to be constructed in the next four years. Read more: Batman-inspired skyscraper set for approval M&G Prudential [...]
UK insolvency rates tipped to grow by 10 per cent in 2019 October 7, 2019 Global insolvency rates are rising for the first time since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash with the UK expected to be the worst hit, according to a multinational insurance company. An insolvency outlook report by Atradius forecasts business failure rates will increase by 10 per cent this year in Britain and by 2.7 [...]
Map: Where are Extinction Rebellion protesting in London? October 7, 2019 Climate change activists Extinction Rebellion began demonstrations across London this morning, kicking off a fortnight of action targeting the government and the capital’s transport links and financial institutions. Blockades are planned across the capital during the two-week protest, which is part of an international movement. Read more: Extinction Rebellion London protests live: Climate change activists [...]
Boris Johnson urges EU to ‘thrash out’ Brexit deal as weekend deadline looms October 7, 2019 Boris Johnson has urged the EU to “thrash this thing out” with both sides admitting there is just a handful of days left to break the Brexit impasse and secure a deal. Last week the UK government published its proposal – initially described as a “final offer” – which has met with criticism from Brussels, [...]
Court dismisses attempt to force PM to seek Brexit extension October 7, 2019 The Edinburgh Court of Session has said it will not act to force Boris Johnson to comply with the law that says he must seek an extension to Brexit if no deal is agreed by 19 October. The court said the PM’s unequivocal assurances that he will comply with the Benn Act means action at [...]
Worst September since records began as industry body warns of spending slowdown amid ‘spectre of no-deal Brexit’ October 7, 2019 Retailers have endured their worst September since records began, according to an industry body that has blamed “the spectre of a no-deal Brexit” for lower spending. Total sales fell by 1.3 per cent in September, compared with a rise of 0.7 per cent in the previous year. Read more: How business rates can help to [...]
No 10 calls on US to ‘reconsider its position’ over diplomat’s wife October 7, 2019 Downing Street has called on the US government to “reconsider its decision” to give immunity to a diplomat’s wife who is wanted by British police over a fatal road crash. The case is “extremely concerning”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said this morning. “The justice process should be allowed to take place and we urge the [...]
Extinction Rebellion shuts down Westminster roads: 21 arrests made October 7, 2019 Extinction Rebellion has blocked several roads around Parliament this morning, as the first of several days’ demonstration kicks off. Police have already made 21 arrests in connection with the protests, which are expected to choke off major roads and bridges in central London for the next fortnight. The climate change protest group, which caused chaos [...]