FDA set to give both Pfizer and Merck Covid pills the green light this week December 21, 2021 The US Food and Drug Administration is poised to authorise two pills developed by Pfizer and Merck for the treatment of Covid as early as Wednesday this week. Continuing a trend for rapid drugs innovation in the fight against Covid this year, the US watchdog is set to announce the authorisation of the new pills [...]
Boris Johnson rules out any further restrictions before Christmas December 21, 2021 The Prime Minister has confirmed that the government will not introduce any further Covid restrictions in England before Christmas, but cautioned that the situation remains “finely balanced” thereafter. In a video posted on Twitter from Downing Street, Boris Johnson delivered a message ensuring “people can go ahead with their Christmas plans” and said that the [...]
PM to make lockdown decision by Christmas Eve December 21, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement in the next 48 hours on whether to impose "circuit-breaker" restrictions in England to stem the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Biden to focus on testing and vaccines instead of lockdowns this winter December 21, 2021 US President Joe Biden reportedly has no intention of pushing for a lockdown this winter, despite the reintroduction of restrictions across Europe.
Covid-19: South Africa records fall in cases for third day in a row and fewer hospital admissions December 21, 2021 The number of daily Covid cases in South Africa have fallen for the third day in a row, while hospital admissions also dropped in the country where the Omicron variant was first detected one month ago. While cases climb in both the UK and France, which shut its borders to Brits last week, there is hope that the latest [...]
Sunak’s announces £30m boost for theatres and museums to buffer Omicron cancellations December 21, 2021 Rishi Sunak has announced this afternoon that there will be £1bn in support for businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK, including £30m further funding through the Culture Recovery Fund to help support theatres and museums. The government will be allowing more cultural organisations in England to apply for support during the winter, and [...]
Money in COVID Times: A perfect storm forming for central banks? December 21, 2021 | City Talk The COVID-19 crisis is but the latest episode in a drama docuseries on economics depicting a world in which unorthodox monetary policy is becoming the norm rather than the exception. How have central banks become the de facto lender and market maker of last resort in a financial market ecosystem in which market-based finance has [...]
Home transactions up in November as eyes turn to Omicron’s impact on market December 21, 2021 Transaction numbers gained pace in November, up 24.3 per cent on the previous month, following an initial dip after the end of the stamp duty holiday. According to the latest HMRC data, there were 96,290 housing transactions in November, 16.4 per cent lower than November 2020, but up on the prior month. The figure for [...]
Hospitality sector ‘bleeding out’ with looming £1.5bn Christmas Eve rent bill December 21, 2021 A £1.5bn rent bill and the sudden drop in seasonal shopping means the hospitality sector faces a flood of bankruptcies in the new year, according to reports. The £1.5bn payment for rent is due on Christmas Eve, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the news. But a third of pubs, bars and restaurants have [...]
New lockdown measures are a balance between ‘protecting lives and livelihoods’ says government minister December 21, 2021 Cabinet minister Steve Barclay, told BBC Breakfast this morning, "there is a balance to be struck between protecting lives and livelihoods", after Boris Johnson refused from confirm any new measures yesterday evening, but said “we will rule nothing out”.