As London passes the peak and transport reopens, could it really be a happy new year? January 10, 2022 London may be emerging from the worst of the new Covid-19 peak, with the capital’s public health boss saying London appears to be past the peak of infections and vital transport infrastructure kicking back into gear today. Professor Kevin Fenton, London’s public health director, said the data suggests “we may have passed or are at [...]
Hong Kong flight ban strands executives and risks curbing economic growth January 9, 2022 Hong Kong’s flight ban has left exeutives stranded outside of the global finance hub, which Fitch Ratings has said could curb its economic growth prospects. The two-week circuit breaker comes after the city recorded its first Covid-19 cases at the end of December, after three months without community transmission. “We believe the tightening of restrictions [...]
Covid-19: London may have passed latest peak over New Year January 9, 2022 London’s latest wave of the pandemic may have passed its peak over the New Year period, the city’s regional director for public health has said. His comments follow the UK’s deaths from Covid-19 surpassing 150,000, as the prime minister admits the “terrible toll” the pandemic has had on the country. “We think we may have [...]
Tory chairman Ben Elliot tables plans to sell off Quintessentially January 9, 2022 Tory chairman Ben Elliot has reportedly tabled plans to sell his Quintessentially, as several business eye the luxury concierge business for takeover. While advisers have not yet been appointed, Quintessentially has hopes of securing a deal as soon as possible, the Telegraph reported, after the company hit rocky waters last year as lockdown restrictions [...]
Cirque du Soleil sees ‘much more’ momentum than expected after blistering two years January 9, 2022 Cirque du Soleil has seen “much more” post-lockdown momentum than expected, the executive vice chair of the circus group has said, after revenues collapsed amid pandemic restrictions. Revenue plummeted from $1bn to zero in just 48 hours, Daniel Lamarre said, as Cirque returns to London this week – with a show at the Royal Albert [...]
China central bank needs carbon goals in new policies, says ex-IMF lead January 9, 2022 China’s central bank should consider carbon neutrality goals when making monetary policies, a former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund has said today. Speaking at the New Financial Forum in Beijing on Sunday, Zhu Min advised the Bank to add carbon neutrality to its monetary goals’ third pillar – which also includes [...]
EU’s nuclear power plans needs €500bn investment, says market commissioner January 9, 2022 The European Union’s new generation nuclear power plans will require a €500bn investment by 2050, according to the bloc’s internal market commissioner. The regeneration plan forms part of the bloc’s bid to decarbonise its energy grid, with Thierry Breton urging that the EU’s labelling of nuclear energy as ‘green’ alternatives will be vital for drawing [...]
Asda forgoes British beef pledge for cheaper Irish imports January 7, 2022 Asda has ditched its 100 per cent British beef pledge in favour of cheaper, Irish exports, prompting backlash from farmers. The pledge was just three months old before the supermarket chain reeled back on the ambition after prices rose in the UK. “Whilst we continue to work hard to keep prices as low as possible [...]
Aston Martin sales spike as pandemic pushes the pedal on luxury purchases January 7, 2022 Aston Martin sales swelled more than 80 per cent last year, after the pandemic pushed the pedal on the luxury carmaker’s success. The luxury carmaker sold a little over 6,180 vehicles in the 12 months period, with an increase of affluent buyers investing in cars and private jets amid the pandemic’s travel restrictions. Shares lifted [...]
McDonald’s shrinks portions amid ‘unstable’ shipping supply in East Asia January 7, 2022 McDonald’s will have to shrink portions for its Japanese customers for the next month, as the fast-food chain has been hit by supply chain issues. Shipping problems due to flood damage at a Vancouver port, as well as with other disruptions to potato supply from North America, have combined with global shipping hang-ups as a [...]