China bans reality TV and seeks to make male representation more ‘manly’ September 2, 2021 China has reportedly banned reality talent programmes from airing today, in a wide extension of its crackdown on pop culture that Beijing has dubbed as ‘immoral’. The latest bout of hawkish regulation has included broadcasters being ordered to promote more ‘masculine’ representations of men – amid fears of its declining population. Talent shows featuring young [...]
Jump in number of people with long Covid lasting for at least one year September 2, 2021 The number of people in the UK experiencing self-reported long Covid that has lasted for at least a year has risen. The estimate for people in private households in the UK increased to 384,000 from 380,000 a month earlier. The figures, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), are based on responses collected in the [...]
Ex-BBC staffer trapped in Afghanistan: ‘Worst place in the world’ September 1, 2021 An Afghan who worked for the BBC has said his country is currently the “worst place in the world” to be a journalist, as he seeks evacuation to the UK with his wife and baby. Abdullah, whose name has been changed for his security, also criticised the BBC for not helping him to escape, adding [...]
Last chance to join the English Whisky Festival this Friday September 1, 2021 There is still time, if you hurry, to get tickets for the two-day virtual English Whisky Festival, which runs from 3-4 September. Organized by Exploring English Whisky, the event gives you the chance to sample the handiwork of 17 of the country’s 30-plus whisky makers. Some are well known: the St George’s Distillery at Roudham [...]
Clubs infuriated by scant detail of vaccine passport proposals September 1, 2021 Downing Street confirmed it still plans to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs from the end of this month, to the frustration of the late night sector. There had been reports the Government could choose not to introduce the policy at the last minute as a bluff to drive up vaccinations among young people. However, the [...]
Clubs infuriated by scant detail of vaccine passport proposals – CityAM : CityAM September 1, 2021 Downing Street confirmed it still plans to introduce vaccine passports for nightclubs from the end of this month, to the frustration of the late night sector. There had been reports the Government could choose not to introduce the policy at the last minute as a bluff to drive up vaccinations among young people. However, the [...]
Exclusive: City’s venture capital guru on Brexit, ESG fundraising and impact investing August 31, 2021 With Brexit just behind us, and the pandemic gradually being brought under control, it seemed like a good time to measure the temperature of London’s venture capital investment space. City A.M. sat down with David Hall, for his first major interview as chairman of the Venture Capital Trust Association, since succeeding Stuart Veale in January [...]
Major setback for Johnson & Johnson as potential HIV vaccine fails to deliver August 31, 2021 A potential HIV vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson did not provide protection against the virus in a mid-stage study, the pharmaceutical company has said. J&J plans to end the study, which involved young women in sub-Saharan Africa. But researchers will continue a separate, late-stage trial involving a different composition of the vaccine in [...]
Traffic chaos: Extinction Rebellion occupy London Bridge and BoE sites August 31, 2021 Traffic in the heart of London has ground to a halt as Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists stage occupations of key roads during the ninth consecutive day of protests. Helicopters could be heard overhead as Police blocked off London Bridge, the site of an Extinction Rebellion occupation where activists have glued themselves to a bus blocking [...]
Exclusive: Meet the serial entrepreneur on a mission to close the UK’s digital skills gap – CityAM : CityAM August 31, 2021 Businesses across the UK are increasingly sounding the alarm about the growing digital skills gap in the UK and, according to some, the failure of the government to address this issue properly. Earlier this summer, a group of London businesses called on Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to tackle London’s growing skills shortage, warning that the [...]