South Africa demands compensation from UK for economic damage caused by Covid travel red list in response to Omicron variant December 27, 2021 South Africa is calling for compensation from the UK for the economic damage the country suffered after it was placed on Britain’s Covid travel red list in November. South Africa’s Department of International Relations is demanding compensation after the movement of people was severely restricted, saying Africa’s largest economy took a serious beating because of [...]
Half of all UK bank branches have been shut or are scheduled for closure as fintech kills off 736 locations in 2021 alone December 27, 2021 New figures published this morning show that the number of bank branches across the UK is dropping dramatically. In fact, nearly half of all banks’ branches have been lost since 2015, or are scheduled for closure, according to Which? Vulnerable customers are being left at risk of being “cut adrift”, the consumer organisation said after [...]
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial tells club of wish to leave December 27, 2021 Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has told Ralf Rangnick, the club’s interim manager, that he wishes to leave the club. The Frenchman joined the Old Trafford club from Monaco in 2015 for £36m – then a transfer record for a teenage footballer. Since then, he has played 268 times for United, netting 79 times. Rangnick [...]
Christmas flight cancellations surge amid Omicron concerns December 27, 2021 This weekend around 7,500 flights were cancelled worldwide amid concerns over the spread of the Omicron variant. According to data tracking website FlightAware, just yesterday 3,273 flights were slashed, with half of cancellations affecting US routes. Today, around 1,925 cancellations were recorded – with Chinese and US routes among the worst hit. China Eastern was [...]
Ashes: Talking points as Aussies edge closer to retaining the urn December 27, 2021 If you’re still falling victim to that bloated feeling after Boxing Day, don’t expect the latest goings on in the Ashes to make you feel any better. At stumps after day two of the third Test match in Melbourne, England finished on 31-4, 51 runs behind Australia. The Baggy Greens are tantalisingly close to retaining [...]
Merciless Omicron beating: Retail sector in shock as Boxing Day sales in central London plummet by nearly 70 per cent December 27, 2021 Retailers in central London and across the UK are in shock as the number of bargain hunters looking for Boxing Day sales on the high street plummeted to almost half of pre-pandemic levels. In central London, footfall was 67 per cent lower than 2019 numbers, while it was 58 per cent below 2019 in other [...]
Pubs could stay open until 1am to celebrate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee December 26, 2021 Pubs, clubs and bars could be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours during the bank holiday weekend marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Boris Johnson considers new Covid-19 measures as Omicron variant spreads December 26, 2021 Boris Johnson will weigh up whether or not to bring in new restrictions in a crunch meeting with his cabinet and scientific advisers tomorrow.
Yamal-Europe pipeline reports reverse flows for sixth day running as Europe’s energy crisis deepens December 26, 2021 The Yamal-Europe pipeline has been sending fuel eastwards for the sixth day running as fears over energy shortages this winter continue to rise.
2021 Queen’s Christmas Day message: in full December 26, 2021 In her Christmas Day address to the nation, the Queen movingly spoke about her late husband as she empathised with families missing loved ones. But she also gave hope for the future. Here is the Queen’s message, which she penned herself, in full. “Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, [...]