India’s military chief dies in freak accident as army helicopter crashes in country’s far south December 8, 2021 India’s air force said that an Indian army helicopter carrying the country’s military chief has crashed in the southern Tamil Nadu state. Officials did not say whether chief of defence staff Bipin Rawat was injured in the accident. Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati said three injured people were taken to a hospital. Television images showed the [...]
Omicron hit to economy expected: India braces itself for ‘massive’ third Covid wave of Coronavirus infections December 8, 2021 Fears are growing rapidly in India that a massive third wave of Covid infections is building, as coronavirus infections may yet again spiral out of control, largely driven by the new Omicron variant. Last night local time, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a warning to the country’s government that a third wave is inevitable [...]
German parliament electing Olaf Scholz as chancellor marks Angela Merkel’s last day as leader of Europe’s largest economy December 8, 2021 Germany’s parliament has opened a new era for the European Union’s most populous nation after Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure by electing Olaf Scholz as the country’s ninth post-war chancellor. Scholz’s government takes office with high hopes of modernising Germany and combating climate change, but faces the immediate challenge of handling the country’s toughest phase yet [...]
End of an era: Taylor Wimpey CEO Pete Redfern stepping down after 14 years December 8, 2021 Taylor Wimpey said this morning that Pete Redfern will step down as CEO, after more than 14 years in the role. The company said he will leave the business once a successor has been appointed ” to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.” The board said it will consider both internal and external candidates. Pete [...]
Outrage growing over alleged Downing Street Christmas party during lockdown as Covid victims’ families hit back December 8, 2021 The latest Downing Street Christmas party development has been called a “bullet to the chest” of families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic. Dr Saleyha Ahsan, from the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, told BBC Breakfast this morning the saga was “an example of how the Government have run this from the start: [...]
Australia joins US in boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics as China hits back: ‘They violate Olympic spirit’ December 8, 2021 Australia’s prime minister said this morning the country will join the US in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights concerns. Scott Morrison said it should come as no surprise that Australian officials would boycott the event after the nation’s relationship with China had broken down in recent years. He added [...]
South Africa upbeat as battle of the Covid mutations rages: Omicron deaths still zero despite new coronavirus variant spreading twice as fast as deadly Delta December 8, 2021 Scientists and policy makers in South Africa and across the region are cautiously optimistic that the rapidly spreading Omicron variant is not going to cause a bloodbath as, so far, no deaths have been linked to the new Covid mutation. Despite a record number of new infections – more than 40,000 people tested positive in [...]
Exclusive: Deal-making to surge due to ‘perfect storm of returning optimism, loosening restrictions and undervalued firms’ December 7, 2021 The market for mergers, acquisitions and other deals has, in the past two years, weathered periods of quiet during lockdowns and periods of boom as the economy reopened and optimism returned. This high demand looks set to continue well into 2022 with a new survey indicating that 90 per cent of dealmakers expect stronger activity [...]
Zopa pulls out of P2P consumer lending as it blames cowboy firms for ‘damaging customer trust’ December 7, 2021 Peer-to-peer giant Zopa has started to inform customers it is closing down its P2P consumer investment division, transferring its loan portfolio to its relatively new bank unit. In an email to customers, Natasha Wear, peer-to-peer CEO at Zopa, wrote that “after 16 years of peer-to-peer consumer investments at Zopa, we’ve taken the difficult decision to [...]
Cost of Christmas turkey rising fast as inflation pushes up food prices December 7, 2021 The cost of a typical turkey Christmas dinner has risen by 3.4 per cent as rocketing inflation pushes up food prices, according to new figures. Kantar said this morning that the average cost of a Christmas meal for four, with a frozen turkey and all the trimmings, is now £27.48. The figures show wider grocery [...]
