The public are not to blame for the second lockdown November 11, 2020 Justice secretary Robert Buckland last week blamed the public for England’s new lockdown. In particular, the fault was with people failing to self-isolate properly. Of course, in a purely technical sense Buckland is right. The virus spreads by contact with an infected person. If people do not self-isolate, Covid-19 will continue to percolate across the [...]
Government blasted over ‘half-baked’ plans to ban online junk food adverts November 10, 2020 The government has come under fire over “severe and disproportionate” proposals to roll out a total ban on online ads for junk food. Ministers today launched a consultation on whether online ads for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) should be banned in a bid to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity. [...]
The Toyota GR Yaris is a thrilling rally car for the road November 10, 2020 Toyota took its next WRC race car, then made it road-legal. The result is the bespoke and ballistic GR Yaris – our hot hatchback of the year.
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 [...]
Serena’s coach: Tennis is long, slow and too clean November 6, 2020 Tennis may have virtually ground to a halt this year, but one of the world’s most celebrated coaches, Patrick Mouratoglou, has rarely been busier. Mouratoglou, like his clients Serena Williams, Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas, has had to adjust to life without much of the usual circuit. His academy on the French Riviera also suffered [...]
Sport rights set for devaluation as the industry reaches its Napster moment November 2, 2020 Alongside all the other ways Covid has disrupted our economy and lives, it might be set to have a dramatic impact on the value of sport rights. Some 83 per cent of executives, representing 4bn sports fans globally, believe that media rights have reached a high-water mark, a recent Seven League study found. These executives [...]
A hidden mental health epidemic is threatening our children October 30, 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown restrictions have given rise to a mental health epidemic that has swept through the UK. The restrictive measures imposed earlier this year have already adversely affected children’s mental health, and continue to intensify the glaring disadvantages experienced by those living in some of the country’s poorest communities. The figures [...]
Ashley set to enter bidding war for Jaeger October 25, 2020 Controversial High Street titan Mike Ashley is readying a bid for struggling retailer Jaeger, reports emerged today. Ashley’s Frasers Group, one known as Sports Direct, is understood to be interested in adding Austin Reed, Jacques Vert and Jaeger to his expanding portfolio. The news was first reported by the Sunday Times. Read more: Ashley plots [...]
Netflix subscriber numbers fall short as Covid-19 lockdown boost fizzles October 20, 2020 Netflix tonight posted the weakest new subscriber numbers in four years as streaming competition increased, lockdowns eased and live sports returned to television. The company added 2.2 million paid Netflix subscribers globally during the quarter to 30 September, missing Wall Street’s target of 3.4 million. Earnings per share also landed below analyst expectations at $1.74. [...]
Boohoo kicks off search for new auditor as PwC steps down October 19, 2020 Controversial fast fashion retailer Boohoo (BOO) has launched a search for a new auditor, with PwC stepping down in the wake of a report into abuses in the clothes company’s supply chain. Boohoo said in a statement that it had “recently launched a competitive tender process for the group’s audit”. It said that PwC – [...]