More Covid restrictions lifted: China and Hong Kong scrap need for PCR test to travel between authorities February 3, 2023 Travel between Hong Kong and China will no longer require Covid PCR tests or be limited, authorities have announced. Hong Kong’s tourism industry has suffered since 2019 after months of political strife that at times turned into violent clashes between protesters and police, as well as harsh entry restrictions implemented during the pandemic. “From Monday, [...]
Apple’s first reported revenue drop in four years adds to tech woes with Google also reporting a decline in sales February 3, 2023 Apple posted its first quarterly revenue drop in nearly four years after pandemic-driven restrictions on its China factories curtailed sales of the latest iPhone . The company’s sales of $117bn (£96bn) between October and December period were down five per cent on the same quarter the previous year, a deeper downturn than analysts had projected. [...]
‘Robin Hood powers’: Here’s what a football regulator WILL and WON’T be able to do, according to reports February 2, 2023 A new independent football regulator will be given powers to step in and resolve the sport’s financial row, according to a report. The regulator will also oversee a more robust owners’ and directors’ test and introduce a licensing system paid for by clubs to ensure they are being run sustainably, The Sun reported. The newspaper [...]
The Square Mile and Me: Lloyd’s of London’s Dawn Miller on her favourite City spots February 2, 2023 We dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. This week, Lloyd’s of London’s Commercial Director Dawn Miller tells us why she’s never too far from the market… WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? My first internship was for my state representative from Georgia when I was in University. He was a former [...]
Sony bumps up veteran CFO to president before elected decline in earnings February 2, 2023 Sony has appointed a veteran executive as its president to lead the Japanese electronics and entertainment conglomerate through times of change. Hiroki Totoki, Sony’s chief financial officer, will become president and chief operating officer, Sony said in a statement. Kenichiro Yoshida remains chairman and chief executive, signalling continuity at the Tokyo-based maker of PlayStation consoles, [...]
Fibre advancing ‘like fury’ but will £5bn infrastructure spend turn round BT’s share price woes? February 2, 2023 BT reported a solid third quarter of the year in a statement to markets this morning, with boss Philip Jansen hailing a “transforming” firm. Revenue in the three quarters to the end of December crept up to £15.6bn, a small fall on last year which the firm put down to inflationary headwinds and legacy product [...]
Strikes: Labour MPs including Tarry, Lavery and Osborne defy Starmer’s order not to joint picket line – but no action taken yet February 1, 2023 A number of Labour MPs have joined picket lines to support striking workers, despite party leader Keir Starmer previously saying no MP should be on a picket line “if they want to be in government”. The official Conservative Party press office account shared tweets from 13 Labour MPs such as Richard Burgon, Ian Lavery and [...]
FCA must increase staff pay or it risks failing the public, Unite says February 1, 2023 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) needs to offer its staff a better pay package or it risks becoming unable to deliver in the public interest, union Unite said. The FCA, which regulates the conduct of around 50,000 financial services businesses, has been in dispute with its workers over pay and conditions. It said it told [...]
Ukraine: Putin preparing major offensive in eastern region of Luhansk to mark anniversary of Russia’s war, officials say February 1, 2023 Russia is mustering its military might in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, local officials said, in what Kyiv suspects is preparation for an offensive in the eastern area as the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion approaches. The Kremlin’s forces are expelling local residents from their homes near the Russian-held parts of the front line so [...]
Flat owners win Supreme Court privacy case over Tate Modern viewing platform February 1, 2023 The owners of four flats overlooked by the Tate Modern in London have won a Supreme Court privacy bid over the use of the gallery’s viewing platform. Residents of the Neo Bankside development on the capital’s South Bank took legal action against the gallery’s board of trustees in a bid to stop “hundreds of thousands [...]