Tokyo 2020 six months to go: How Japan is looking to Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst for modernisation and regeneration January 22, 2020 The contorted face of the godfather of sumo wrestling, Nomino Sukune, glowers from a mosaic at Tokyo’s New National Stadium. A few metres to the right, a Greek goddess with a laurel wreath is depicted in a similar monochrome mural. Both artworks were salvaged from the previous national stadium, centrepiece of the 1964 Olympics, and [...]
HS2: Grant Shapps says problem is with capacity ahead of February decision January 22, 2020 Grant Shapps has placed more doubt over the future of the HS2 rail line, saying the problem is about capacity rather than speed. The transport secretary said that while a final decision would be made in February, he was examining alternatives. Shapps said it was vital that the government get the facts right before embarking [...]
John Manzoni to step down as chief of the civil service January 22, 2020 The chief executive of the civil service, Sir John Manzoni, is stepping down from his role ahead of looming Whitehall reforms. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “As has been planned for some time, Sir John Manzoni will step down from his post at some point this year.” Sky News first reported that Manzoni told senior colleagues of [...]
RBS’ digital banking chief to step down in coming months January 21, 2020 The chief executive of Bo, RBS’ digital banking platform, is one of a number of executives who will leave the company in the coming months as part of a reshuffle under new boss Alison Rose. Mark Bailie, who was considered a potential challenger to Rose before her appointment in the autumn, will step down just [...]
Talktalk sells broadband business to Cityfibre for £200m January 21, 2020 Broadband provider Cityfibre this morning announced the acquisition of Fibrenation, Talktalk’s fibre networks rollout business, for £200m. The deal, which was delayed in November after Labour announced plans to nationalise BT, means that Cityfibre’s rollout target has risen from 5m up to 8m premises in the UK. As a result of the purchase, Talktalk, which [...]
‘Intruder’ Fifa is a threat to European club football, says Spanish league boss Javier Tebas January 20, 2020 Javier Tebas, the man who accused Paris Saint-Germain of “peeing in the pool” and flouting football’s financial rules, is know for shooting from the hip and now it is Fifa in the outspoken Spanish league chief’s crosshairs. Specifically, LaLiga president Tebas is disturbed by his Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino’s apparent determination to transform the Club [...]
Uber boss Khosrowshahi met with TfL commissioner to discuss London ban January 20, 2020 Uber’s chief executive met privately with TfL’s boss in recent days amid a brewing legal battle over the US ride-sharing firm’s future in the capital. Dara Khosrowshahi met TfL commissioner Mike Brown to discuss the dispute, Sky News reported. The meeting, which had not been disclosed, happened while Khosrowshahi was on his way to Davos [...]
Dom Bess and Ollie Pope the stars as England thrash South Africa in third Test to take unassailable 2-1 series lead January 20, 2020 The back-slapping may have been delayed, and the winning moment may have come in an oddly subdued fashion against a worn-out side on their last legs, but England’s crushing victory over South Africa in the third Test was no less momentous. When Sam Curran threw down the stumps at the non-strikers’ end to run out [...]
Reiss owner mulls selling high street retailer January 20, 2020 The private equity owner of high street retailer Reiss is mulling putting the fashion chain up for sale following a period of strong performance. Warburg Pincus has appointed investment bank Rothschild to launch a review of strategic options for the business, which could involve a sales process, Sky News reported. If the US firm decides to [...]
Tory chairman James Cleverly confirms House of Lords move may be on the cards January 19, 2020 The Conservatives’ party chairman has confirmed the government is considering a proposal to permanently move the House of Lords to York. The Sunday Times reported today that Boris Johnson has begun a review into the feasibility of the move, with disused land already identified as a potential location. Another initiative under discussion is holding House [...]