Heathrow passenger numbers fall for eighth straight month November 11, 2020 Passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport fell for the eight month in a row in October as the government’s travel quarantine regime continued to hammer aviation. The number of people passing through the UK’s largest airport fell 82.4 per cent last month to just 1.2m passengers. The figures came with warnings that November would see an [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Moreira’s supporters could be Smiling again November 10, 2020 RACING makes a quick return to Happy Valley on Wednesday after the city track hosted a 10-race programme last Sunday. It’s worth noting that the newly laid winter grass on the circuit may have had something to do with the winning times in all the races on Sunday being above average, indicating the track was [...]
New law to probe foreign takeovers to be unveiled this week November 10, 2020 A new law which will enable ministers to scrutinise foreign takeovers of companies deemed of national importance will be published on Wednesday. Sky News reported that the National Security and Investment Bill will list 17 sectors of strategic significance that will need governmental approval for transactions. Sources told Sky that these would include nuclear energy, [...]
Premier League confirms plans to scrap controversial pay-per-view model November 10, 2020 The Premier League has confirmed it will scrap its controversial pay-per-view model after a fierce backlash from fans. The new model, which was introduced following the international break in October, means fans have to cough up £14.95 to watch games not selected for regular broadcast. The move sparked anger among supporter groups, who raised hundreds [...]
UK government to NHS: be ready for (optional) vaccine from next month November 10, 2020 The UK government has asked the NHS to be ready to deploy any Covid-19 vaccine from early next month. Once it starts rolling out the medication, the most vulnerable will be first in line, health secretary Matt Hancock said this morning. “I have asked [the NHS] to be ready from the start of December,” Hancock [...]
BBC licence fee negotiations kick off as ministers ramp up pressure over funding November 10, 2020 The government today kicked off negotiations with the BBC over how much the TV licence will cost in the future, dialling up the pressure on the embattled public service broadcaster. The talks will determine the level of the licence fee, which is currently set at £157.50, for at least five years from 2022. Culture secretary [...]
Winners and losers: Stocks soaring AND plummeting as Pfizer reports Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough November 9, 2020 US pharma giant Pfizer reporting today that early studies of its Covid-19 vaccine are 90 per cent effective has sent markets into a frenzy, with travel and hospitality stocks shooting up while food delivery services and video conferencing software providers plummeted. Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce saw the biggest change on the FTSE 100, surging 43 [...]
Love at first sight? Kylie takes stake in UK music streamer Roxi November 9, 2020 Kylie Minogue has taken a stake in Roxi as the music streaming service plots an initial public offering in London. The Australian pop legend joins Robbie Williams, Alesha Dixon and Sheryl Crow as a major shareholder in the company, and will front its new TV advertising campaign. Roxi, which offers a fully-licensed music catalogue through [...]
Tech and the City: Listing rules set for revamp to lure unicorns November 8, 2020 Rules governing public listings are reportedly set for a huge overhaul in a bid to lure tech giants to the City. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is next week set to announce a review into stock market listings to encourage tech unicorns, firms valued at over $1bn, and other high-growth companies to list in London rather than [...]
Boris Johnson says UK ‘well prepared’ for no-deal Brexit November 6, 2020 The prime minister said today he hoped a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union could be agreed, but the country was well prepared if final-stage talks with the bloc did not succeed. “I very much hope that we will [get a deal], and obviously that depends on our friends and partners across the Channel,” [...]