British spies urged to use artificial intelligence to fight security threats April 27, 2020 British spooks will need to use artificial intelligence (AI) to fight a range of threats to national security, according to a report published today. Intelligence agencies have been urged to use the technology to detect and block cyber attacks, analyse video and audio evidence, and automate administrative tasks. However, AI is unlikely to predict upcoming [...]
Coronavirus: Greggs to start reopening branches for takeaway and delivery April 27, 2020 High street bakery chain Greggs is preparing to reopen to provide a takeaway service during the coronavirus lockdown. All of the cafe chain’s stores are currently closed due to the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. However, the government restrictions allow cafes and restaurants to remain open for takeaway and delivery services. The company said it will trial [...]
Norwegian Air says planes set to remain grounded until April 2021 April 27, 2020 Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air does not expect to begin ramping up its number of flights until next April at the earliest, according to a proposal published ahead of a key stakeholder meeting this week. Unless the airline gets approval for its proposed rescue plan, it warned that it could run out of cash by mid-May. [...]
UK tech sector launches industry body to tackle online harms April 27, 2020 The UK tech sector has teamed up with government agencies to launch a new trade association aimed at cracking down on harmful material posted online. The Online Safety Tech Industry Association (OSTIA), launched today, will bring together more than a dozen tech firms that focus on online safety, as well as organisations such as the [...]
FTSE 100 pushes higher as Europe prepares to relax coronavirus lockdowns April 27, 2020 The FTSE 100 moved higher today as traders reacted to positive signs that European countries were preparing to ease coronavirus lockdown measures. The UK blue-chip index posted a rise of 1.4 per cent , or 81 points, to 5,833 by around 11.30am. The FTSE 100’s upbeat start to the day was more than matched by [...]
Cameron’s ex-adviser: Row over Dominic Cummings attending Sage meetings is ‘bonkers’ April 27, 2020 The recent furore over Dominic Cummings’ attendance at the government’s scientific advisory meetings is “bonkers”, according to a former Downing Street adviser to David Cameron. Daniel Korski told City A.M.’s daily podcast The City View today that it was standard for senior Number 10 advisers to attend high-level meetings. He added it was important Cummings [...]
Airlines call on government to extend furlough scheme beyond June April 27, 2020 The UK’s airlines have written to chancellor Rishi Sunak warning him that carriers could face a “renewed cash crisis” if the coronavirus job retention scheme is not extended beyond June. In a letter, Tim Alderslade, chief executive of sector body Airlines UK, said: “There is a danger that should the CJRS be withdrawn prematurely, carriers [...]
Coronavirus: Government must be more imaginative to save small businesses April 27, 2020 The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILs) was launched to much fanfare, with people lining up to praise the far-sighted, generous nature of the programme and proclaim how much it would do for small business. A staggering £330 billion was set aside for interest-free loans, with the Government willing to sit behind 80 per cent [...]
Car insurer Admiral suspends special dividend on regulatory pressure April 27, 2020 Car insurer Admiral said today it would suspend its special dividend after regulatory pressure from the Bank of England. Admiral said it would go ahead with its standard dividend payment of 56.3p per ordinary share on 1 June, but said it would not pay its previously recommended special dividend of 20.7p per ordinary share. The [...]
Boris Johnson: Lifting UK lockdown too early would spell ‘economic disaster’ April 27, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today warned the UK could face an “economic disaster” if the lockdown ends too early, urging businesses to be patient as he returned to Downing Street. The Prime Minister said the UK was “beginning to turn the tide” on coronavirus. But he cautioned against lifting the coronavirus lockdown restrictions too early, [...]
