News And Announcements
EU approves AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
The European Union drug regulator said on Friday that it has approved the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 for use in adults.
CMA launches inquiry into Uber's Autocab acquisition
Uber’s acquisition of Autocab is the subject of the new inquiry by the UK’s competition watchdog that was launched on Friday.
UK grants Hong Kong citizens route to British passports
Britain on Friday announced it would be offering Hong Kong citizens a route to citizenship but China said it would no longer recognise special British passports.
Elon Musk changes Twitter bio, sends Bitcoin surging
Bitcoin surged on Friday after Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk changed his Twitter bio to just "#bitcoin".
France and Spain beat GDP forecasts in fourth quarter
France and Spain's economies beat expectations in the fourth quarter, suggesting eurozone will produce a positive surprise with many countries under strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Shop vacancies rise as pandemic continues to weigh heavily - BRC
The number of empty shops in the UK rose during the last three months of 2020, industry data showed on Friday, as the Covid-19 pandemic closed stores and weighed heavily on customer demand.
Germany recommends AstraZeneca vaccine only for use in those under 65 years
German health officials recommended only administering the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University to people under the age of 65, citing "insufficient data".
UK competition watchdog opens probe into Facebook Giphy deal
UK’s competition watchdog on Thursday launched its initial investigation into Facebook acquisition of GIF website Giphy.
UK car manufacturing slumps to 36-year low
UK car manufacturing slumped last year to levels not seen since the start of the 1980s, industry data showed on Thursday, after Covid-19 shut factories and depressed demand.
Lockdowns cost hospitality £200m a day in 2020
The lockdowns imposed due to the pandemic caused British pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels nearly £200m a day in sales in 2020.
Boeing 737 Max to resume service in Europe - EASA
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) gave its approval for the return to service of a modified version of the Boeing 737 Max in Europe after a nearly two-year ban.
IMF warns of heightened risks from slow rollout of vaccines in developing countries
The world's financial stability watchdog warned governments that emergency economic measures needed to be retained in order to stave off the risk of a "correction" in stock markets.
Boris Johnson delays reopening English schools
Boris Johnson said English schools would not reopen until 8 March at the earliest and that people arriving in the UK from 22 countries would be quarantined because of Covid-19.
Covid-19 cause for loss of 400,000 jobs in events sector
Around 400,000 jobs have been lost in the events industry during the coronavirus crisis, an industry group told Sky News on Wednesday.
German consumer confidence slumps in lockdown
German consumer confidence slumped as households in Europe’s biggest economy put spending on hold during a second severe Covid-19 lockdown, a survey showed.
Post-Christmas lull and lockdown weigh on shop prices
Shop prices eased in January, industry data showed on Wednesday, fuelled by the post-Christmas sales and national lockdown.
IMF downgrades expectations for UK economic recovery in 2021
The International Monetary Fund updated its World Economic Outlook forecasts on Tuesday and said it now expects the UK's economic recovery to be weaker than previously forecast in 2021 as the country takes longer than others to return to pre-Covid-19 levels.
Sweden’s EQT to buy US-based Exeter Property Group for $1.9bn
Swedish private equity firm EQT has agreed to buy US real estate investment manager Exeter Property Group for $1. 9bn in cash and shares.
Shortage of construction materials could delay UK housebuilding
An increasing shortage of construction materials in Britain is set to delay housebuilding in 2021.
CBI retail sales gauge slides to lowest level since May
UK retail sales fell to their lowest level in January since May 2020 as lockdown takes its toll, according to the latest survey from the Confederation of British Industry.