Ikea to repay furlough wages June 15, 2020 Ikea has announced its plan to repay salaries issued by international governments under furlough schemes, as the furniture giant’s stores start to reopen around the world. The Swedish-based retailer is set to repay nine governments, including the US, Ireland and Spain, as it said it feels “hopeful” about trade returning to pre-coronavirus levels. Although Ikea [...]
How global markets will cope with a second wave June 13, 2020 Fears of a second wave of coronavirus have stubbed out hopes of swift economic recovery around the world, as the possibility of further lockdowns hangs heavy on global markets. While many countries seem to have a grip on the coronavirus crisis, the prospect of new infections in the US hinted in Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting [...]
Black Lives Matter unveils Westminster billboard to highlight ‘scale of racism’ in UK June 12, 2020 Black Lives Matter has unveiled a huge billboard in central London in an attempt to “expose the scale of UK racism”. Activists from the group’s UK operation joined anti-racism campaigners this afternoon to erect the poster on 91 Westminster Bridge Road. The billboard, which reads “I can’t breath”, echoes the last words of George Floyd, [...]
Ex-chancellor George Osborne quits as Evening Standard editor after three years June 12, 2020 George Osborne is to step down as editor of the Evening Standard after three years in the role, it was announced today. The former chancellor of the exchequer said: “After three wonderful years I’m stepping down at the Evening Standard to become editor-in-chief. Thanks to the team who’ve made the paper a must read and [...]
Boris Johnson urges public to avoid ‘hijacked’ London protests and defends Churchill statue June 12, 2020 Boris Johnson has urged the public to stay away from Black Lives Matter protests planned in London this weekend amid fears of violence after being “hijacked by extremists”. Black Lives Matter organisers have cancelled London protests that were set to start at 1pm in Hyde Park tomorrow after right-wing groups planned to join. Today’s protest [...]
Churchill statue and the Cenotaph: London monuments boarded up ahead of protests June 12, 2020 London’s iconic statue of Sir Winston Churchill and the Cenotaph have been boarded up as fears of violence grow over Black Lives Matter protests set to take place this weekend. Protective fences were placed around both memorials overnight as officials anticipate they could become hotspots for clashes between protesters during demonstrations this weekend. London mayor [...]
UKTV removes classic ‘Don’t mention the war’ Fawlty Towers episode June 12, 2020 BBC-owned streaming service UKTV has removed the ‘Don’t mention the war’ episode of sitcom classic Fawlty Towers, as broadcasters continue to cull content perceived to be insensitive from their platforms. The episode of the 1970s sitcom in which hotel proprietor Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, goose-steps while shouting “Don’t mention the war!” has been [...]
Pearson shares rocket as Cevian Capital snaps up stake June 12, 2020 Pearson shares surged almost 10 per cent this morning after activist investor Cevian Capital unmasked a 5.4 per cent stake in the firm. A regulatory filing in the US yesterday showed Stockholm-based investor Cevian Capital has taken a stake of 40.6m shares in Pearson. Shares in the educational publisher were up 9.7 per cent to [...]
Hong Kong lashes out at UK’s ‘biased’ remarks June 12, 2020 The Hong Kong government today hit back at the UK’s criticisms over Beijing’s move to impose national security laws on its neighbour, saying the report was “inaccurate and biased”. The British government earlier this week said Beijing’s plans to introduce legislation against separatism and subversion of state power in Hong Kong was a violation of China’s [...]
City Pub Group posts strong results to weather coronavirus June 12, 2020 City Pub Group saw a strong increase in revenue in 2019, it revealed this morning, but suspended its dividend as the company bolsters itself against the potential impact of the coronavirus crisis. The figures The pub operator’s revenue surged 31 per cent to £60m in the year ended 29 December 2019, up from £45.7m the [...]
