Strangling capacity constraints chokes US economic growth August 23, 2021 The US economic rebound from the Covid crisis slowed sharply this month as severe constraints on capacity led to businesses struggling to scale production, according to a closely watched survey released today. IHS Markit’s latest flash composite output index for the US slid to 55.4 in August, down from 59.9 in July, hitting a fresh [...]
UK government secures deal for 35 million Pfizer vaccines August 23, 2021 The UK government has agreed a contract for 35 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to “future proof” the country from the threat of Covid-19. The deal, announced today, will ensure that more vaccines are available in the second half of 2022 to protect against current and future variants of the virus. Health and Social [...]
Hong Kong: Quarantine-exempted Nicole Kidman’s trip may be ‘costume fitting’ August 23, 2021 Hong Kong’s commerce minister defended today his decision to exempt Hollywood star Nicole Kidman and other crew members from serving mandatory Covid quarantine. Local media reported that the Oscar-winning actress was shooting in a crowded street market in Kowloon for the new Amazon Prime Video series Expats, highlighting the lives of wealthy and glamorous ex-pats. [...]
Extinction Rebellion: Giant climate talk table set up in Trafalgar Square August 23, 2021 Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion have erected a giant pink table in the centre of London today, in their bid to ensure everyone gets a seat at the table of discussion when it comes to the warming climate and its impacts. The four-metre structure, which reads “come to the table” and has been fit [...]
Turn off Zoom: London City airport exec bullish on the return of business travel August 23, 2021 Business travel is expected to quickly rebound in 2022, as executives ditch Zoom calls and return to Europe, the US and beyond to press the flesh, a London City airport executive said today. So far, business travel has lagged behind leisure travel in recovery, as technological alternatives has proven cheaper and more resilient to the [...]
Anti-vaccine protesters storm ITN headquarters August 23, 2021 Anti-vaccine protesters have stormed the London headquarters of ITN, the production giant that produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Footage posted on social media showed dozens of anti-vaxxers in the reception of ITN’s offices on Grays Inn Road. An image shared by ITV journalist Dan Rivers also showed large numbers of [...]
Beer delivery strike suspended after fresh pay offer August 23, 2021 A nationwide strike by beer draymen has been suspended after an improved pay offer from GXO Logistics Drinks. Draymen – based at 26 sites across the country – will now vote on a pay offer instead of taking industrial action on Tuesday August 24 and Thursday September 2. Unite union has recommended the employees accept [...]
Chinese EV maker BYD’s shares rise despite chip-making unit’s IPO plan pausing August 23, 2021 Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD has been forced to suspend the proposed listing of its computer chip-making unit amid a regulatory probe into the law firm advising the company. BYD Semiconductor applied to list on Shenzen’s Nasdaq style market ChiNext in May and sought to raise at least $421m from the sale of shares. The [...]
Pfizer to buy blood cancer drugmaker for $2.3bn August 23, 2021 Pfizer has announced it will buy all the shares of Trillium Therapeutics, an oncology biotech, for $2.3bn (£1.7bn), as the pharmaceutical invests in blood cancer therapies. The US drugmaker, which acquired a $25m stake in the Canadian oncology biotech last year, has agreed to purchase the remaining shares at $18.50 per share, representing a 203.8 [...]
McKinsey wins govt contract worth up to £3m: fights off competition from EY, Bain and Boston Consulting August 23, 2021 McKinsey & Company has won a contract worth up to £3m to consult the government on digital, data and technology services ahead of the annual spending review, according to reports. The firm fought off competition from EY, Bain and Boston Consulting Group, according to reports, which suggest that the contract, valued at £53,571 per day, [...]
