Study: Two doses of Astrazeneca jab could be 90 per cent effective May 20, 2021 Two doses of the Oxford/Astrazeneca jab could be around 85 to 90 per cent effective, a new study has shown, suggesting its real-world protection is higher than in clinical trials. The study, published by Public Health England (PHE), showed the estimated effectiveness of the jab was 89 per cent, compared to unvaccinated people. That compares [...]
Snap launches new video editing app in bid to take in Tiktok May 20, 2021 Snap today unveiled plans for a new standalone app offering professional levels of video editing as it looks to challenge the dominance of rivals Tiktok and Instagram. The US tech firm, which owns Snapchat, said Story Studio will give social media stars powerful editing tools to make professional content for mobile. It will also introduce [...]
Oprah-backed startup Oatly raises $1.4bn in stock market debut May 20, 2021 Swedish vegan milk startup Oatly, which is backed by US talk show star Oprah Winfrey, has raised $1.4bn (£987m) in its initial public offering in New York. The company, which is also backed by Natalie Portman, Jay Z and former Starbucks boss Howard Shultz, today said it priced 84.4m shares at $17 each — the [...]
BBC ‘covered up’ failings over Martin Bashir’s bombshell Diana interview May 20, 2021 The BBC has been blasted over its handling of a 1995 interview of Diana after reporter Martin Bashir used “deceit” to gain access to the Princess of Wales. A damning report into the incident, published today, concluded that the broadcaster had covered up the tactics used by the journalist to secure the interview. It said [...]
Fintech firm Pipe secures $2bn valuation after funding round May 19, 2021 Pipe, a startup that allows companies to sell their recurring revenue streams, has secured a valuation of $2bn (£1.4bn) following a fresh funding round. The fintech firm today said it had raised a further $250m in a round led by venture capital firm Greenspring Associates. New investors such as Morgan Stanley’s investment arm Counterpoint Global, [...]
Covid-19: Surge testing and vaccines to be introduced in Hounslow May 19, 2021 Surge testing and additional vaccines will be rolled out in Hounslow amid concerns about the spread of Indian Covid-19 variant. Health secretary Matt Hancock today told MPs that cases of the new Covid variant now stood at almost 3,000 after increasing by almost a quarter since Monday. As a result, surge testing and extra vaccine [...]
EU to demand tougher pledges from tech giants over fake news May 19, 2021 Tech giants such as Facebook and Google will be forced to make firmer pledges to crack down on misinformation on their platforms on new rules being prepared by the EU. The European Commission is planning to hold social media firms more responsible for curbing the money they make through advertising placed next to false information. [...]
Croydon tram crash: Driver may have had ‘micro-sleep’ May 19, 2021 The driver of a tram involved in a fatal crash in Croydon in 2016 may have been “disorientated” following a so-called micro-sleep, an inquest has heard. Simon French, chief inspector for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), said there was evidence the driver thought he was travelling in the wrong direction. He told an inquest [...]
Aviva Investors to shutter property fund over liquidity concerns May 19, 2021 Aviva Investors will shutter its suspended UK property fund this summer over concerns about liquidity and the value of the portfolio. The asset manager suspended the fund in March last year after the outbreak of Covid-19 sparked uncertainty over its valuation. In a statement today Aviva said it had become “increasingly challenging to generate positive [...]
US law firm eyes City skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate for new headquarters May 19, 2021 A US law firm is said to be eying up office space in the new 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper, marking a major show of confidence in the City after the pandemic. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is closing in on a deal to lease several floors in the building, which is the largest building in [...]
