cityam--2020-12-18--Post-Christmas lockdown for Northern Ireland

Health Minister Robin Swann said the lockdown is “ in large part ” the same as “ the sustained lockdown ” of last March .
Non-essential shops will close after Christmas Eve , and close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians will have to shut .
Pubs , cafés and restaurants will be restricted to takeaway service .
No sporting events will be permitted at all , and people will be urged to leave their home only for essential reasons .
Read more : Priti Patel urges Brits to stay at home this Christmas Places of worship can remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not resume , but “ stronger advice ” will be issued .
Tighter restrictions will be in place for the first week of the lockdown , from Boxing Day until 2 January with essential shops closing and no gathering permitted between 8pm and 6am .
Mr Swann said he was “ very mindful ” of the effect the last year has had on lives , and that the new measures were being brought in “ with a heavy heart ” .
He added that the “ short , sharp interventions ” put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not worked , so the executive was returning to what had worked earlier in the year .
The reproduction number in Northern Ireland is currently between 1 and 1.2 , but there are fears it could rise to between 1.4 and 1.8 over Christmas .
Northern Ireland ’ s chief scientific officer Professor Ian Young told BBC Radio Foyle that without the new lockdown , the number of deaths and hospital admissions would have been severe .
“ While there will be huge pressures on this hospital system in January it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said there have only been five days since 21 October where hospital occupancy has been below 95 % .
He added : “ When occupancy goes above 90 % there ’ s an increased risk of harm to patients .
“ This is really serious , it does not get anymore serious than it is now .
Don ’ t wait for restrictions to begin , we all need to act now to get this virus under control .
”

Post-Christmas lockdown for Northern Ireland
In BELFAST, a bar looks to get rid of kegs that will not be replaced for four weeks as the province heads into a local lockdown – a so-called circuit breaker. The announcement was made by Arlene Foster this morning.
Northern Ireland will enter a strict six-week lockdown from Boxing Day.
Health Minister Robin Swann said the lockdown is “in large part” the same as “the sustained lockdown” of last March.
Non-essential shops will close after Christmas Eve, and close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians will have to shut.
Pubs, cafés and restaurants will be restricted to takeaway service.
No sporting events will be permitted at all, and people will be urged to leave their home only for essential reasons.
Read more: Priti Patel urges Brits to stay at home this Christmas
Places of worship can remain open under strict conditions. Formal shielding will not resume, but “stronger advice” will be issued.
Tighter restrictions will be in place for the first week of the lockdown, from Boxing Day until 2 January with essential shops closing and no gathering permitted between 8pm and 6am.
Mr Swann said he was “very mindful” of the effect the last year has had on lives, and that the new measures were being brought in “with a heavy heart”.
He added that the “short, sharp interventions” put in place in the autumn in Northern Ireland had not worked, so the executive was returning to what had worked earlier in the year.
The reproduction number in Northern Ireland is currently between 1 and 1.2, but there are fears it could rise to between 1.4 and 1.8 over Christmas.
Northern Ireland’s chief scientific officer Professor Ian Young told BBC Radio Foyle that without the new lockdown, the number of deaths and hospital admissions would have been severe.
“While there will be huge pressures on this hospital system in January it should allow our colleagues to cope,” he said.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said there have only been five days since 21 October where hospital occupancy has been below 95%.
He added: “When occupancy goes above 90% there’s an increased risk of harm to patients.
“This is really serious, it does not get anymore serious than it is now. Don’t wait for restrictions to begin, we all need to act now to get this virus under control.”


cityam--2020-12-18--Triller: Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg and the TikTok rivalling video app's big plans to shake up sports br

Triller: Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg and the TikTok rivalling video app's big plans to shake up sports broadcasting

Three weeks ago in Los Angeles , a 54-year-old Mike Tyson fought a 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr in a boxing match that was unusual not only for the age of its participants .
Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson showed glimpses of his old power and speed as the judges surprisingly scored the eight-round contest as a draw .
Instead of leading US boxing broadcasters Fox , Showtime and DAZN , Tyson vs Jones aired exclusively on a video service that had no prior history of showing live sport .
Read more : Supersizing DAZN : Why a UK launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streaming service ’ s global ambitions The name Triller might not mean much to most Brits or Americans , but this exhibition fight marked the beginning of the tech start-up ’ s ambitious plan to increase its live sports coverage .
Triller is a video-led social media application with 65m monthly active users , according to its founders .
It offers a similar service to ByteDance ’ s TikTok app , although Triller is more reliant on sophisticated AI technology that helps users edit their videos .
Unlike TikTok , which is headquartered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was formed in 2015 and Los Angeles-based film production company Proxima Media acquired a controlling stake in the firm in October 2019 .
Proxima ’ s principal Ryan Kavanaugh , a veteran movie producer and president of Warner Bros who has financed over 200 films , is said to have been instrumental in Triller ’ s $ 50m acquisition of the rights to the Tyson vs Jones fight .
Kavanaugh ’ s own Hollywood background – he once described his Moneyball approach to film financing as “ we ’ ll never let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – seemed to inform how Triller sold the fight to consumers .
Rapper Snoop Dogg provided colourful co-commentary , while hip-hop artists Wiz Khalifa , French Montana and YG all performed at the event .
On the fight ’ s undercard , high-profile YouTuber Jake Paul knocked out former professional basketball player Nate Robinson .
The event ’ s key players praised the broadcast ’ s production values .
Kavanaugh said that Triller and Proxima “ treated the event like the set of a film , an award show , and a pro-sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that had never been done before ” .
“ It was like watching a Tarantino film , the Super Bowl , Rocky , and Woodstock all in one , ” said Snoop Dogg .
And the expensively-produced boxing exhibition has brought in significant revenue for Triller , helping to establish the tech firm as a potential player in the world of live sports broadcasting .
According to Kavanaugh , 1.6m people watched the fight , which cost $ 49.99 on pay-per-view platforms .
If those figures are accurate , then Tyson vs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost $ 80m .
Triller has big plans for its new Fight Club Shortly after the fight , Triller announced that Tyson vs Jones marked the start of a new venture .
Triller has partnered with Snoop Dogg to found a new boxing league called The Fight Club , which will stage between five and eight shows a year .
Snoop Dogg is to be celebrity host and MC for Fight Club events , a role that will also involve selecting fighters and musical acts .
Immediately after Tyson vs Jones , several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interest in fighting in similar exhibition bouts .
Floyd Mayweather announced that he would be fighting American YouTuber Logan Paul on 20 February 2021 .
Paul lost to British internet personality KSI in a six-round professional white-collar boxing match in November 2019 .
Content creators such as KSI and the Paul brothers are attracting a new , younger audience to the sport of boxing , and Triller hopes that it can establish itself as the main platform for these high-profile fights .
“ Where these apps can play a role is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Minal Modina , consumer research lead at data and market research firm Ampere Analytics .
“ Our consumer polling shows that 18-24 year olds consistently under-index in their enjoyment of sport , and if these video platforms can provide a way of engaging this group… they can actually be very complementary to most sport leagues.
” Since KSI and Logan Paul first fought in February 2018 , some boxing traditionalists have worried that these celebrity contests draw attention away from more important fights and create the impression that it is easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Triller ’ s Fight Club will not necessarily threaten the status of high-profile world championship boxing matches .
“ A platform like Triller is exciting because it shakes up the status quo , but I don ’ t think it will have an immediate impact on sports broadcasting , ” says Modina .
“ A lot of sport audiences are still a lot older and prefer to view via a TV .
“ Where this can have a role to play is in introducing new and younger audiences to sports to help grow @ @ @ @ @ @

Triller: Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg and the TikTok rivalling video app’s big plans to shake up sports broadcasting
Triller made its first foray into sport by staging and showing Mike Tyson’s (R) fight against fellow veteran Roy Jones Jr (L) last month
Three weeks ago in Los Angeles, a 54-year-old Mike Tyson fought a 51-year-old Roy Jones Jr in a boxing match that was unusual not only for the age of its participants.
Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Tyson showed glimpses of his old power and speed as the judges surprisingly scored the eight-round contest as a draw.
Instead of leading US boxing broadcasters Fox, Showtime and DAZN, Tyson vs Jones aired exclusively on a video service that had no prior history of showing live sport.
The name Triller might not mean much to most Brits or Americans, but this exhibition fight marked the beginning of the tech start-up’s ambitious plan to increase its live sports coverage.
What is Triller?
Triller is a video-led social media application with 65m monthly active users, according to its founders.
It offers a similar service to ByteDance’s TikTok app, although Triller is more reliant on sophisticated AI technology that helps users edit their videos.
Unlike TikTok, which is headquartered in Beijing, Triller is American-owned.
It was formed in 2015 and Los Angeles-based film production company Proxima Media acquired a controlling stake in the firm in October 2019.
Proxima’s principal Ryan Kavanaugh, a veteran movie producer and president of Warner Bros who has financed over 200 films, is said to have been instrumental in Triller’s $50m acquisition of the rights to the Tyson vs Jones fight.
Kavanaugh’s own Hollywood background – he once described his Moneyball approach to film financing as “we’ll never let creative decisions rule our business decisions” – seemed to inform how Triller sold the fight to consumers.
Rapper Snoop Dogg provided colourful co-commentary, while hip-hop artists Wiz Khalifa, French Montana and YG all performed at the event.
On the fight’s undercard, high-profile YouTuber Jake Paul knocked out former professional basketball player Nate Robinson.
Triller’s emphasis on the show as a spectacle reflects the video app’s links to Hollywood
The event’s key players praised the broadcast’s production values. Kavanaugh said that Triller and Proxima “treated the event like the set of a film, an award show, and a pro-sports event, because we wanted to produce something that had never been done before”.
“It was like watching a Tarantino film, the Super Bowl, Rocky, and Woodstock all in one,” said Snoop Dogg.
And the expensively-produced boxing exhibition has brought in significant revenue for Triller, helping to establish the tech firm as a potential player in the world of live sports broadcasting.
According to Kavanaugh, 1.6m people watched the fight, which cost $49.99 on pay-per-view platforms.
If those figures are accurate, then Tyson vs Jones will have earned Proxima and Triller almost $80m.
Triller has big plans for its new Fight Club
Shortly after the fight, Triller announced that Tyson vs Jones marked the start of a new venture.
Triller has partnered with Snoop Dogg to found a new boxing league called The Fight Club, which will stage between five and eight shows a year.
Snoop Dogg is to be celebrity host and MC for Fight Club events, a role that will also involve selecting fighters and musical acts.
Immediately after Tyson vs Jones, several high-profile retired boxers and content creators expressed an interest in fighting in similar exhibition bouts.
Floyd Mayweather announced that he would be fighting American YouTuber Logan Paul on 20 February 2021.
Paul lost to British internet personality KSI in a six-round professional white-collar boxing match in November 2019.
Content creators such as KSI and the Paul brothers are attracting a new, younger audience to the sport of boxing, and Triller hopes that it can establish itself as the main platform for these high-profile fights.
Snoop Dogg curated the musical acts at Triller’s debut event and is partnering with the company for its Fight Club venture
“Where these apps can play a role is in bringing in younger audiences to sports,” says Minal Modha, consumer research lead at data and market research firm Ampere Analytics.
“Our consumer polling shows that 18-24 year olds consistently under-index in their enjoyment of sport, and if these video platforms can provide a way of engaging this group… they can actually be very complementary to most sport leagues.”
Since KSI and Logan Paul first fought in February 2018, some boxing traditionalists have worried that these celebrity contests draw attention away from more important fights and create the impression that it is easy to become a world-class boxer.
But Triller’s Fight Club will not necessarily threaten the status of high-profile world championship boxing matches.
“A platform like Triller is exciting because it shakes up the status quo, but I don’t think it will have an immediate impact on sports broadcasting,” says Modha.
“A lot of sport audiences are still a lot older and prefer to view via a TV.
“Where this can have a role to play is in introducing new and younger audiences to sports to help grow their future fan bases.”


cityam--2020-12-18--London-based cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO celebrates seven years of innovation and growth

2013 was the year Bitcoin came of age as an investment vehicle .
At the start of 2013 the digital currency was trading at around $ 13.50 per Bitcoin .
By the end of November 2013 , Bitcoin was trading at over $ 1,075 .
At that time the cryptocurrency industry in the UK was new and still small and yet to experience the exponential growth it has enjoyed in recent years .
( According to the FCA ’ s Cryptoasset consumer research note in June 2020 , 5.35 % of the UK population hold or held cryptocurrencies , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of approximately 1.2 million people . )
Parallel to the advent of Bitcoin as a transformative medium of finance is the journey of the cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO which first opened for business in 2013 and celebrated its seventh birthday on 1 November .
Founder Oleksandr Lutskevych had an ambitious vision for CEX.IO from the outset : to provide a gateway into the world of an open financial system and make it accessible for everyone .
“ We didn ’ t enter this business to improve it insignificantly , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ transformation.
” Oleksandr first became aware of the potential for blockchain and Bitcoin to become a widespread payment method a decade ago .
In 2012 , together with some former classmates , he developed one of the first mining algorithms .
Through GHash.IO , Oleksandr and his team were the first in the world to offer cloud mining services .
GHash.IO was the first pool in history to approach 51 % of Bitcoin ’ s capacity , which would have allowed them full control of the blockchain network .
Instead , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability and decentralization and the mining pool reduced its capacity , strengthening the industry instead of threatening it .
GHash.IO formed the origins for CEX.IO .
Seven years after founding CEX.IO , Oleksandr is still the CEO of the firm .
But CEX.IO has transformed from a small enterprise into a game-changing global financial holding group of companies – one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchange groups based in London .
CEX.IO has nearly 3 million users on its trade platform seeking to buy and sell currencies , trade crypto assets or exchange them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The firm has provided services in over 220 countries and territories and has offices in the UK , USA , Cyprus , Gibraltar and Ukraine .
In the United States of America CEX.IO now operates in 47 states .
Just as Bitcoin offers a new way of doing business , in being a digital currency taking advantage of open source technology to facilitate instant payments , CEX.IO has been innovating since 2013 .
CEX.IO was the first cryptocurrency exchange to implement purchasing cryptocurrency via a debit or credit card , enabling Visa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within minutes .
CEX.IO has also been at the forefront of committing the cryptocurrency sector to enforce the highest standards of compliance and regulatory procedures .
The firm was a founding member of CryptoUK , the association dedicated to developing a major regulatory operating framework for cryptocurrency businesses , placing them on a par with banks and financial institutions .
In the last seven years , Oleksandr has transformed CEX.IO from a cryptocurrency exchange into an extensive group of companies with licences and registrations in multiple jurisdictions .
The Covid-19 pandemic has understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEX.IO continued to innovate and consolidate , unveiling new services and improving existing ones .
This year the CEX.IO Group opened up CEX.IO Broker to the public , a cryptocurrency margin trading platform which offers professional trading tools to the public providing operational flexibility and top-level security .
The group launched CEX.IO Loan , a cryptocurrency-backed loans service .
Instead of waiting hours or days for your money or worrying about your previous credit history , the product allows you to receive loans in a few minutes by using your cryptocurrency as collateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch CEX.IO Staking which turns the dream of making money for doing nothing into a reality.The CEX.IO team has simplified a fundamentally complex and time-consuming process of staking to make it accessible for a wide audience .
Users just need to hold stake-able cryptocurrency on their CEX.IO accounts and receive staking rewards — a sort of passive income — through coins issued by the given blockchain .
CEX.IO ’ s role as being one of the most secure , reliable , capable and regulated international cryptocurrency exchanges was confirmed in July 2020 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CryptoCompare Top 10 , scoring an A grade .
CEX.IO received the highest mark in the Security category , as evaluated by the CryptoCompare Exchange Benchmark rating , and was also ranked highly in categories such as Team/Exchange , Market Quality and Legal/Regulation .
For the next seven years , and beyond , CEX.IO will continue to innovate and grow , adding more coins and markets to achieve its mission of helping its users thrive in the world of open finance .
CEX.IO will carry on working tirelessly to obtain new registrations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As well as continuing its US and European expansion , this year CEX.IO applied for a regulated crypto licence with the Monetary Authority of Singapore ( MAS ) and opened an office in the country , signifying its ambition to make an impact in the growing Asian cryptocurrency market .
CEX.IO will also be seeking to replicate its success in the retail market by capitalising on the increasing interest in cryptocurrency from institutional investors , such as hedge funds and asset managers .
Look out for new CEX.IO products to be launched in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clientele that will help the firm achieve exponential growth in the coming years .
While the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve in new and exciting ways , CEX.IO ’ s purpose remains as consistent and constant as ever : to be one of the most reputable , efficient , innovative and dynamic international cryptocurrency exchanges .
These might be unusual times we are presently living in because of the pandemic , but it continues to be business as usual for CEX.IO .

Partner Ad Feature is produced by an advertiser with the specific intent to promote a product and is not produced by the City A.M. team.
London-based cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO celebrates seven years of innovation and growth
2013 was the year Bitcoin came of age as an investment vehicle. At the start of 2013 the digital currency was trading at around $13.50 per Bitcoin. By the end of November 2013, Bitcoin was trading at over $1,075.
At that time the cryptocurrency industry in the UK was new and still small and yet to experience the exponential growth it has enjoyed in recent years. (According to the FCA’s Cryptoasset consumer research note in June 2020, 5.35% of the UK population hold or held cryptocurrencies, up from 3% in 2019 – an increase of approximately 1.2 million people.)
Parallel to the advent of Bitcoin as a transformative medium of finance is the journey of the cryptocurrency exchange CEX.IO which first opened for business in 2013 and celebrated its seventh birthday on 1 November.
‘We want to enact a radical transformation’
Founder Oleksandr Lutskevych had an ambitious vision for CEX.IO from the outset: to provide a gateway into the world of an open financial system and make it accessible for everyone. “We didn’t enter this business to improve it insignificantly,” he says. “We want to enact a radical transformation.”
Oleksandr first became aware of the potential for blockchain and Bitcoin to become a widespread payment method a decade ago. In 2012, together with some former classmates, he developed one of the first mining algorithms. Through GHash.IO, Oleksandr and his team were the first in the world to offer cloud mining services.
GHash.IO was the first pool in history to approach 51% of Bitcoin’s capacity, which would have allowed them full control of the blockchain network. Instead, the company took measures to maintain Bitcoin’s stability and decentralization and the mining pool reduced its capacity, strengthening the industry instead of threatening it. GHash.IO formed the origins for CEX.IO.
Seven years after founding CEX.IO, Oleksandr is still the CEO of the firm. But CEX.IO has transformed from a small enterprise into a game-changing global financial holding group of companies – one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchange groups based in London.
‘Innovating since 2013’
CEX.IO has nearly 3 million users on its trade platform seeking to buy and sell currencies, trade crypto assets or exchange them for traditional finance (fiat) money. The firm has provided services in over 220 countries and territories and has offices in the UK, USA, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Ukraine. In the United States of America CEX.IO now operates in 47 states.
Just as Bitcoin offers a new way of doing business, in being a digital currency taking advantage of open source technology to facilitate instant payments, CEX.IO has been innovating since 2013.
CEX.IO was the first cryptocurrency exchange to implement purchasing cryptocurrency via a debit or credit card, enabling Visa or Mastercard holders to become Bitcoin owners within minutes.
CEX.IO has also been at the forefront of committing the cryptocurrency sector to enforce the highest standards of compliance and regulatory procedures. The firm was a founding member of CryptoUK, the association dedicated to developing a major regulatory operating framework for cryptocurrency businesses, placing them on a par with banks and financial institutions.
In the last seven years, Oleksandr has transformed CEX.IO from a cryptocurrency exchange into an extensive group of companies with licences and registrations in multiple jurisdictions.
‘Consolidation during Covid-19’
The Covid-19 pandemic has understandably disrupted many businesses. Yet in 2020 CEX.IO continued to innovate and consolidate, unveiling new services and improving existing ones.
This year the CEX.IO Group opened up CEX.IO Broker to the public, a cryptocurrency margin trading platform which offers professional trading tools to the public providing operational flexibility and top-level security. The group launched CEX.IO Loan, a cryptocurrency-backed loans service. Instead of waiting hours or days for your money or worrying about your previous credit history, the product allows you to receive loans in a few minutes by using your cryptocurrency as collateral.
2020 also saw the CEX.IO Group launch CEX.IO Staking which turns the dream of making money for doing nothing into a reality.The CEX.IO team has simplified a fundamentally complex and time-consuming process of staking to make it accessible for a wide audience. Users just need to hold stake-able cryptocurrency on their CEX.IO accounts and receive staking rewards — a sort of passive income — through coins issued by the given blockchain.
CEX.IO’s role as being one of the most secure, reliable, capable and regulated international cryptocurrency exchanges was confirmed in July 2020 when the firm made it into the prestigious CryptoCompare Top 10, scoring an A grade. CEX.IO received the highest mark in the Security category, as evaluated by the CryptoCompare Exchange Benchmark rating, and was also ranked highly in categories such as Team/Exchange, Market Quality and Legal/Regulation.
For the next seven years, and beyond, CEX.IO will continue to innovate and grow, adding more coins and markets to achieve its mission of helping its users thrive in the world of open finance.
CEX.IO will carry on working tirelessly to obtain new registrations and licenses in different regions and territories. As well as continuing its US and European expansion, this year CEX.IO applied for a regulated crypto licence with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and opened an office in the country, signifying its ambition to make an impact in the growing Asian cryptocurrency market.
‘Appealing to institutional investors’
CEX.IO will also be seeking to replicate its success in the retail market by capitalising on the increasing interest in cryptocurrency from institutional investors, such as hedge funds and asset managers. Look out for new CEX.IO products to be launched in 2021 that will appeal to large-scale institutional clientele that will help the firm achieve exponential growth in the coming years.
While the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve in new and exciting ways, CEX.IO’s purpose remains as consistent and constant as ever: to be one of the most reputable, efficient, innovative and dynamic international cryptocurrency exchanges.
These might be unusual times we are presently living in because of the pandemic, but it continues to be business as usual for CEX.IO.
http://linkedin.com/in/olutskevych


cityam--2020-12-18--The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:31 Ascot, Haydock & Hong Kong

There ’ s some great jumps action this weekend at Ascot & Haydock , where the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle is the feature at the Berkshire course .
Trainer Emma Lavelle is our guest , discussing the chances of Paisley Park who runs on Saturday afternoon at Ascot .
City AM racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of the jumps action this weekend , whilst Hong Kong racing expert Wally Pyrah looks at the best of the Sunday ’ s Hong Kong card .
Hosted by Chris Barnett .
‘ The Punter ’ has been City AM ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decade with a primary focus on horseracing .
Throughout the season ‘ The Punter ’ will preview the weekend ’ s action every Friday along with in-depth coverage of all the major racing festivals .
In a partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club , ‘ The Punter ’ also previews every midweek Wednesday Hong Kong meeting as well as all the major meetings .
Every Friday , and for all major racing Festivals , the City AM racing podcast will give you in-depth analysis of the action .
Featuring interviews with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the podcast is hosted by well-known racing broadcaster Chris Barnett who is joined by Bill Esdaile and Hong Kong racing expert Wally Pyrah City AM ’ s racing editor Bill Esdaile has written for the paper since 2008 .
He had previously written for publications including the Sporting Life , Racing Post and The Sportsman .
Each week he picks out his best bets for the weekend ’ s big racing action .
Chris Barnett has been a broadcasting specialist for over two decades , specialising in radio , video and podcast presentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Betfair Radio , Timeform Radio , Royal Ascot , Glorious Goodwood , Cheltenham Festival Radio and more recently , Arena Racing , Chris has always been at the forefront of the top sporting events , grabbing interviews with those that matter .
Having spent most of the last decade out in Hong Kong working as a racing expert for the Hong Kong Jockey Club , Wally has teamed up with City AM to share his expert opinions on the weekly racing action .
He picks out his best bets for the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The City A.M. Punter Podcast EP:31 Ascot, Haydock & Hong Kong
There’s some great jumps action this weekend at Ascot & Haydock, where the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle is the feature at the Berkshire course.
Trainer Emma Lavelle is our guest, discussing the chances of Paisley Park who runs on Saturday afternoon at Ascot.
City AM racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of the jumps action this weekend, whilst Hong Kong racing expert Wally Pyrah looks at the best of the Sunday’s Hong Kong card. Hosted by Chris Barnett.
The City A.M. Punter Podcast
‘The Punter’ has been City AM’s dedicated sports betting section for over a decade with a primary focus on horseracing. Throughout the season ‘The Punter’ will preview the weekend’s action every Friday along with in-depth coverage of all the major racing festivals. In a partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, ‘The Punter’ also previews every midweek Wednesday Hong Kong meeting as well as all the major meetings.
Every Friday, and for all major racing Festivals, the City AM racing podcast will give you in-depth analysis of the action. Featuring interviews with leading trainers, jockeys and owners, the podcast is hosted by well-known racing broadcaster Chris Barnett who is joined by Bill Esdaile and Hong Kong racing expert Wally Pyrah
Bill Esdaile
City AM’s racing editor Bill Esdaile has written for the paper since 2008. He had previously written for publications including the Sporting Life, Racing Post and The Sportsman. Each week he picks out his best bets for the weekend’s big racing action.
Chris Barnett
Chris Barnett has been a broadcasting specialist for over two decades, specialising in radio, video and podcast presentation and production. Since working at SIS, Betfair Radio, Timeform Radio, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, Cheltenham Festival Radio and more recently, Arena Racing, Chris has always been at the forefront of the top sporting events, grabbing interviews with those that matter.
Wally Pyrah
Having spent most of the last decade out in Hong Kong working as a racing expert for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Wally has teamed up with City AM to share his expert opinions on the weekly racing action. He picks out his best bets for the weekend’s Hong Kong racing action.


cityam--2020-12-18--US trade chief believes next WTO director-general should have 'real experience'

The US trade chief Robert Lighthizer has implied that the process to find the next World Health Organisation ( WTO ) director-general should be re-opened .
In Lighthizer ’ s first ever international interview , he told the BBC on Wednesday that the next WTO director-general should be ” someone with real experience in Trade.
” Lighthizer goes on to say that the WTO “ is massively in need of reform ” .
Read more : Pound hits two-year high as hopes of Brexit trade deal rise The comments suggest US rejection for Nigerian candidate , ex-finance minister Ms Okonjo-Iweal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her candidacy .
The WTO has been without a leader since Roberto Azevedo resigned from the post in August .
The other finalist for one of the top jobs in international trade is South Korea ’ s trade minister Yoo Myung-hee .
“ We need to start negotiating again , we need to start making headway .
So I ’ m glad you brought up the WTO , it ’ s been clearly a focus for us and to us its an organisation that started off as a good idea and basically isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that can be sorted out also , ” Lighthizer concluded .
If a new WTO director-general is not appointed before Joe Biden ’ s inauguration as US President on 20 January , it is likely the process will be delayed for several months .
Read more : UK set to halt US tariffs in bid for post-Brexit trade deal

US trade chief believes next WTO director-general should have ‘real experience’
The US trade chief Robert Lighthizer has implied that the process to find the next World Health Organisation (WTO) director-general should be re-opened.
In Lighthizer’s first ever international interview, he told the BBC on Wednesday that the next WTO director-general should be ”someone with real experience in Trade.”
Lighthizer goes on to say that the WTO “is massively in need of reform”.
The comments suggest US rejection for Nigerian candidate, ex-finance minister Ms Okonjo-Iweal, despite other wide-spread international support for her candidacy.
The WTO has been without a leader since Roberto Azevedo resigned from the post in August.
The other finalist for one of the top jobs in international trade is South Korea’s trade minister Yoo Myung-hee.
“We need to start negotiating again, we need to start making headway. So I’m glad you brought up the WTO, it’s been clearly a focus for us and to us its an organisation that started off as a good idea and basically isn’t functioning very well, but I think that can be sorted out also,” Lighthizer concluded.
If a new WTO director-general is not appointed before Joe Biden’s inauguration as US President on 20 January, it is likely the process will be delayed for several months.


cityam--2020-12-18--Hammerson seeks secondary Irish listing amid Brexit worries

Shopping centre giant Hammerson has sought admission to Dublin ’ s stock exchange to maintain access to the European market .
As Brexit talks reach the “ moment of truth , ” according to Michel Barnier , the real estate giant is looking to guarantee an EU equivalent trading venue for its shares .
The retail giant , whose UK sites include outlets such as Bicester Village , owns £1.2bn-worth of properties in France as well as £800m in Ireland .
European investors own around 27 per cent of Hammerson ’ s shares as of November .
Read more : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours left ’ to seal Brexit deal Hammerson expects that its shares will start trading on the main market of the Euronext Dublin as soon as 23 December .
The company statement said it has sought the listing “ given the importance and scale of its investor base and operations in continental Europe and the Republic of Ireland.
” In August , 58 per cent of shares traded in the City were in the shares of EU companies , according to Cboe Global Markets .
More of these companies might turn to European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messy Brexit .
Warehouse group Segro also launched a secondary listing in Paris last month .
Read more : London retains finance jobs as Brexit fails to deliver blow to the City

Hammerson seeks secondary Irish listing amid Brexit worries
Shopping centre giant Hammerson has sought admission to Dublin’s stock exchange to maintain access to the European market.
As Brexit talks reach the “moment of truth,” according to Michel Barnier, the real estate giant is looking to guarantee an EU equivalent trading venue for its shares.
The retail giant, whose UK sites include outlets such as Bicester Village, owns £1.2bn-worth of properties in France as well as £800m in Ireland. European investors own around 27 per cent of Hammerson’s shares as of November.
Hammerson expects that its shares will start trading on the main market of the Euronext Dublin as soon as 23 December.
The company statement said it has sought the listing “given the importance and scale of its investor base and operations in continental Europe and the Republic of Ireland.”
In August, 58 per cent of shares traded in the City were in the shares of EU companies, according to Cboe Global Markets. More of these companies might turn to European stock markets in the event of a messy Brexit.
Warehouse group Segro also launched a secondary listing in Paris last month.


cityam--2020-12-18--Pound falls back from recent high amid Brexit doubts

The pound has fallen back from a more than two-year high after post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and EU ran into trouble at a crucial juncture .
Negotiations are now in a “ serious situation , ” according to a Downing Street spokesperson last night .
They urged the EU to change its position “ substantially ” .
Read more : Michel Barnier : ‘ Just a few hours left ’ to seal Brexit deal In a separate call European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said “ big differences ” between the two sides remained .
The pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.352 as traders reassessed whether a deal would be reached .
Sterling was off by 0.4 per cent against the euro at €1.103 .
It had risen to a 31-month high yesterday of more than $ 1.358 when it appeared negotiators were making progress in Brexit talks .
Yet the situation soured overnight .
Two key issues – state-aid rules and fishing rights – again appear to be blocking the path to a deal .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the EU ’ s €750bn ( £680bn ) coronavirus recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules , the Financial Times reported .
Yet the pound was still trading at around its highest level in two years .
Many analysts said they still expect a deal .
“ We think that there are still hopes for a trade agreement before year end , hopes that may allow the British currency to rebound again , ” said Charalambos Pissouros , senior market analyst at JFD Group .
Read more : Friday fizz : FTSE 100 creeps north as markets eye Brexit and stimulus Neil Wilson , chief market analyst at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market still believes a deal is coming although odds on a no-deal have shortened in the last 24 hours.
” A lower pound helped the FTSE 100 , which was up 0.3 per cent to 6,570 points .
The overseas earnings of FTSE companies do better under weaker sterling .

Pound falls back from recent high amid Brexit doubts
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesperson yesterday said Brexit talks were in a ‘serious situation,’ hurting the pound
The pound has fallen back from a more than two-year high after post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and EU ran into trouble at a crucial juncture.
Negotiations are now in a “serious situation,” according to a Downing Street spokesperson last night. They urged the EU to change its position “substantially”.
In a separate call European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said “big differences” between the two sides remained.
The pound was last down 0.5 per cent to $1.352 as traders reassessed whether a deal would be reached. Sterling was off by 0.4 per cent against the euro at €1.103.
It had risen to a 31-month high yesterday of more than $1.358 when it appeared negotiators were making progress in Brexit talks.
Yet the situation soured overnight. Two key issues – state-aid rules and fishing rights – again appear to be blocking the path to a deal.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the EU’s €750bn (£680bn) coronavirus recovery fund must not be exempt from competition rules, the Financial Times reported.
Yet the pound was still trading at around its highest level in two years. Many analysts said they still expect a deal.
“We think that there are still hopes for a trade agreement before year end, hopes that may allow the British currency to rebound again,” said Charalambos Pissouros, senior market analyst at JFD Group.
Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said: “The spot market still believes a deal is coming although odds on a no-deal have shortened in the last 24 hours.”
A lower pound helped the FTSE 100, which was up 0.3 per cent to 6,570 points. The overseas earnings of FTSE companies do better under weaker sterling.


cityam--2020-12-18--Friday fizz: FTSE 100 creeps north as markets eye Brexit and stimulus

The FTSE 100 edged higher along with other European indices on Friday morning , as excitement about vaccines and stimulus won out against worries about rising coronavirus cases and Brexit .
London ’ s main stock index was up 0.6 per cent in the morning session , touching 6,592 points .
The FTSE 250 , which is more domestically focused , slipped 0.2 per cent .
Read more : Michel Barnier : ‘ Just a few hours left ’ to seal Brexit deal The FTSE 100 was helped by a falling pound , which helps the overseas earnings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.6 per cent to $ 1.35 , after trading at more than two-year highs on Wednesday and Thursday .
“ European markets opened on a more cautious note , before edging cautiously higher , ” said Michael Hewson , chief market analyst at CMC Markets .
He said markets were taking stock of “ uncertainty about the timing of a US stimulus deal and an EU/UK trade deal , prompting some lightening of positions heading into the weekend ” .
“ We ’ ve seen early weakness in the usual suspects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks and other sectors that might see some damage from tighter restrictions as well as a disruptive no deal outcome , ” he added .
On the FTSE 100 , retailers JD Sports , Next , B & M , Tesco and Associated British Foods all fell .
It came after figures showed retail sales dropped 3.8 per cent month on month in November .
England was in a month-long lockdown over much of the period .
Yet more internationally focused firms like miner Rio Tinto and Intercontinental Hotels rose .
The rollout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has boosted sentiment .
In Europe , Germany ’ s Dax climbed 0.4 per cent and France ’ s CAC 40 was up 0.1 per cent .
The European Stoxx 600 was 0.2 per cent higher .
Read more : Consumer confidence jumps on back of vaccine news US stocks were set to open marginally higher , according to futures prices .
The dollar gained as other major currencies like the pound and euro slipped .
Aside from the EU-UK Brexit trade deal , investors ’ eyes will be trained on US lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards a stimulus bill .

FTSE 100 and US stocks slip as market optimism dips
The City of London and the FTSE 100 are caught between new coronavirus restrictions and vaccine optimism
The FTSE 100 fell along with European and US stocks as optimism faded on trading floors, with doubts creeping in about a US stimulus bill and fresh tensions with China.
London’s main stock index was down 0.2 per cent in the afternoon session to 6,539 points. The FTSE 250, which is more domestically focused, fell 0.7 per cent.
The FTSE 100 was held up somewhat by a falling pound, which helps the overseas earnings of the index’s companies. Sterling dropped 0.8 per cent to $1.348, after trading at more than two-year highs on Wednesday and Thursday.
Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said markets were taking stock of “uncertainty about the timing of a US stimulus deal and an EU/UK trade deal, prompting some lightening of positions heading into the weekend”.
On the FTSE 100, retailers JD Sports, Next, B&M, Tesco and Associated British Foods all fell. It came after figures showed retail sales dropped 3.8 per cent month on month in November, when England was in a month-long lockdown.
However, more internationally focused firms benefitted. They included Coca-Cola HBC, Rio Tinto, and Intercontinental Hotels.
US stocks and FTSE slip with stimulus bill uncertain
In Europe, Germany’s Dax was flat after spending the morning in the green. France’s CAC 40 was down 0.4 per cent and the European Stoxx 600 was 0.2 per cent lower.
US stocks slipped at the open. The S&P 500 was off by 0.4 per cent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq was 0.1 per cent down.
The dollar gained as other major currencies like the pound and euro slipped, and as investors sought the safe-haven asset.
Sentiment on Wall Street dipped after the US Commerce Department said it will blacklist more than 60 Chinese companies to “protect US national security”. They included Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.
A stimulus bill was also yet to materialise, with signs of fresh tensions. Investors have cheered progress in talks over the last few days, but the role of the Federal Reserve and aid to states have become key sticking points, according to reports.
However, markets could be boosted by the US approving Moderna’s Covid vaccine for use. This, and stimulus progress, would be likely to lift European markets like the FTSE 100, too.


cityam--2020-12-18--New mutation could see tougher restrictions as soon as this weekend: Reports

The Prime Minister is tonight discussing the possibility of tougher restrictions with fellow Ministers after assessing the virulence of the @ @ @ @ @ to numerous reports .
The emergency of the new mutation was revealed by Health Secretary @ @ @ @ @ , who said the number of those identified with the new strain was “ increasing @ @ @ @ @ largely concentrated in the South East but any spread would be exacerbated by the coming @ @ @ @ @ Christmas .
Read more : Tier 3 : What does it mean for you ?
@ @ @ @ @ plunged into Tier 3 restrictions this week but it is believed that Government is considering @ @ @ @ @ with some reports suggesting travel curbs are being mulled .
A source told the Telegraph @ @ @ @ @ news , that “ the evidence that the new strain of the virus more easily @ @ @ @ @ another has hardened up.
” The number of people believed to be positive in the @ @ @ @ @ 125,000 , according to new data .

Cabinet to hold emergency meeting to discuss rising concerns of new mutant Covid strain – reports
(Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
An emergency cabinet meeting is taking place at 1pm today to discuss the coronavirus restrictions in the wake of a mutant coronavirus strain.
In the early afternoon Michael Gove spoke with heads of the devolved nations. Following the call Arlene Foster, first minister of Northern Ireland, tweeted the new strain of coronavirus was “very concerning”.
Last night the Prime Minister discussed the possibility of tougher restrictions with fellow Ministers after assessing the virulence of the new Covid-19 mutation.
The emergency of the new mutation was revealed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier this week, who said the number of those identified with the new strain was “increasing rapidly.”
The strain is largely concentrated in the South East but any spread would be exacerbated by the coming relaxation of the rules over Christmas.
Read more: Tier 3: What does it mean for you?
Much of the region was plunged into Tier 3 restrictions this week but it is believed that Government is considering whether to go further, with some reports suggesting travel curbs are being mulled.
A source told the Telegraph, who first reported the news, that “the evidence that the new strain of the virus more easily transmits from one person to another has hardened up.”
The number of people believed to be positive in the capital alone is now around 125,000, according to new data.


cityam--2020-12-18--Facebook UK notched up £1.1bn in sales last year

Facebook UK reported a staggering £1.1bn in sales last year and boasted of further growth as it increased its headcount .
Revenues rose 28 per cent in 2019 from £797m to £1.1bn , of which the vast majority came from sales support , marketing services and engineering support services .
Read more : UK to regulate social media firms such as Facebook and Twitter over content removal The social media platform also said its advertiser reseller revenue grew from £68m in 2018 to £77.5m .
Facebook acts as a reseller of advertising services to designated UK customer – its revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaying ad products on FB , Instagram , Messenger and third-party affiliated websites .
Despite this record growth the social media platform paid just £28.5m in corporation , reporting £87m in profit after tax for the year .
The company spent £336.8m on wages and salaries , up from £230.2m the year previous , after it increased its headcount by 38 per cent .
Facebook UK has grown from 1,965 employees to 2,710 in 2019 , according to today ’ s filings .
Facebook said its operations had experienced “ limited disruption and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities.
” “ As the scale and duration of these developments remain uncertain , it is difficult to quantify the financial impact of the evolving situation.
” Read more : Facebook facing multiple lawsuits that could splinter the tech firm and render acquisitions illegal Facebook ’ s US division reported better-than-expected revenue for the third quarter as higher user numbers during the pandemic helped drive up revenue .
The social media platform posted revenue of $ 21.5bn ( £16.6bn ) in the three-month period , up from $ 17.7bn last year .
Net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.8bn .

Facebook UK notched up £1.1bn in sales last year
Facebook UK reported a staggering £1.1bn in sales last year and boasted of further growth as it increased its headcount.
Revenues rose 28 per cent in 2019 from £797m to £1.1bn, of which the vast majority came from sales support, marketing services and engineering support services.
The social media platform also said its advertiser reseller revenue grew from £68m in 2018 to £77.5m.
Facebook acts as a reseller of advertising services to designated UK customer – its revenues consist primarily of advertising revenues generated by displaying ad products on FB, Instagram, Messenger and third-party affiliated websites.
Despite this record growth the social media platform paid just £28.5m in corporation, reporting £87m in profit after tax for the year.
The company spent £336.8m on wages and salaries, up from £230.2m the year previous, after it increased its headcount by 38 per cent.
Facebook UK has grown from 1,965 employees to 2,710 in 2019, according to today’s filings.
Facebook said its operations had experienced “limited disruption and has remained engaged in performing its principal activities.”
“As the scale and duration of these developments remain uncertain, it is difficult to quantify the financial impact of the evolving situation.”
Facebook’s US division reported better-than-expected revenue for the third quarter as higher user numbers during the pandemic helped drive up revenue.
The social media platform posted revenue of $21.5bn (£16.6bn) in the three-month period, up from $17.7bn last year. Net income rose from $6.1bn to $7.8bn.


cityam--2020-12-18--President Trump ‘could lift UK travel ban’  from next week

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering lifting the US travel ban on the UK and Europe from next week .
It followed a recommendation from the US Department of Homeland Security , according to the Telegraph , which has also won support from members of the White House coronavirus task force and other public health agencies .
The President could authorise the move through an executive order next Tuesday , but he is yet to make a final decision .
Since the start of the pandemic almost all non-US residents have been banned from entering the country if they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to their arrival .
There have been some exemptions with selected investors , academics , students and journalists allowed in .
It is unclear whether European countries would reciprocate given coronavirus cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks .
Most EU countries have banned American travellers from entering while the UK and Ireland will allow them in as long as they quarantine for two weeks .
Earlier this month the UK government announced “ high value ” business travellers who arrive in England will no longer have to self-isolate .
Read more : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24 hours ’ This week cases surpassed 17 million in the US and 309,334 Americans have died with coronavirus .
The Telegraph reported that administration officials argued lifting restrictions would be a boost to US airlines , which have suffered from the effective standstill in international travel .

President Trump ‘could lift UK travel ban’ from next week
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering lifting the US travel ban on the UK and Europe from next week.
It followed a recommendation from the US Department of Homeland Security, according to the Telegraph, which has also won support from members of the White House coronavirus task force and other public health agencies.
The President could authorise the move through an executive order next Tuesday, but he is yet to make a final decision.
Since the start of the pandemic almost all non-US residents have been banned from entering the country if they have been in Europe in the 14 days prior to their arrival.
There have been some exemptions with selected investors, academics, students and journalists allowed in.
It is unclear whether European countries would reciprocate given coronavirus cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks. Most EU countries have banned American travellers from entering while the UK and Ireland will allow them in as long as they quarantine for two weeks.
Earlier this month the UK government announced “high value” business travellers who arrive in England will no longer have to self-isolate.
This week cases surpassed 17 million in the US and 309,334 Americans have died with coronavirus.
The Telegraph reported that administration officials argued lifting restrictions would be a boost to US airlines, which have suffered from the effective standstill in international travel.


cityam--2020-12-18--Natwest buys Metro Bank’s £3bn mortgage portfolio

Natwest is set to buy Metro Bank ’ s £3bn mortgage portfolio in a deal which will see 13,000 customers transferred over to the lender .
The deal comes after the high street bank returned to profit after taking a £.21bn hit from the pandemic in the first half of the year .
Read more : Natwest returns to profit as virus loan charges fall “ Growing our mortgage book is an important strategic priority as we build a bank that delivers sustainable returns for shareholders , ” said Natwest chief executive Alison Rose .
“ The addition of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth that we continue to achieve.
” It comes after news Natwest would resume offering loans worth up to 90 per cent of a property in a boost for first-time buyers .
Mainstream lenders have been cautious since the housing market reopened over the summer amid concerns that falling house prices could leave borrowers in negative equity .
Natwest , formerly RBS , tonight announced it had entered into an agreement with Metro to buy the portfolio , which consists of owner occupied residential mortgages with a weighted average current loan to value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more : Natwest and Lloyds signal willingness to bring back dividends And in some rare good news for Metro Bank , the £3.1bn purchase price represents a 2.7 per cent premium on the gross book value .
The challenger bank swung to a £240m loss in the first six months of the year , having been forced to take provisions to cover pandemic-related loan impairments .
Its share price has collapsed since the bank became involved in an accounting scandal in January last year .

Natwest buys Metro Bank’s £3bn mortgage portfolio
Metro Bank
Natwest is set to buy Metro Bank’s £3bn mortgage portfolio in a deal which will see 13,000 customers transferred over to the lender.
The deal comes after the high street bank returned to profit after taking a £.21bn hit from the pandemic in the first half of the year.
“Growing our mortgage book is an important strategic priority as we build a bank that delivers sustainable returns for shareholders,” said Natwest chief executive Alison Rose.
“The addition of this loan book will supplement the strong organic growth that we continue to achieve.”
It comes after news Natwest would resume offering loans worth up to 90 per cent of a property in a boost for first-time buyers.
Mainstream lenders have been cautious since the housing market reopened over the summer amid concerns that falling house prices could leave borrowers in negative equity.
Natwest, formerly RBS, tonight announced it had entered into an agreement with Metro to buy the portfolio, which consists of owner occupied residential mortgages with a weighted average current loan to value of c. 60 per cent.
And in some rare good news for Metro Bank, the £3.1bn purchase price represents a 2.7 per cent premium on the gross book value.
The challenger bank swung to a £240m loss in the first six months of the year, having been forced to take provisions to cover pandemic-related loan impairments.
Its share price has collapsed since the bank became involved in an accounting scandal in January last year.


cityam--2020-12-18--PM ‘hoping to avoid’ post-Christmas lockdown

Boris Johnson has not ruled out a post-Christmas lockdown following a surge in infections driven by London and the South East .
In a visit to Bolton , the Prime Minister failed to eliminate the prospect of following Wales and Northern Ireland into lockdown after Christmas .
Read more : Covid : London now has highest proportion of positive tests in the UK “ Obviously , we ’ re hoping very much that we ’ ll be able to avoid anything like that but the reality is that the rates of infection have increased very much in the last few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland announced a new lockdown would start on Boxing Day , which will see non-essential shops , pubs and restaurants shut again .
Close-contact services like hair salons , which have been allowed to open in England ’ s Tier 3 restrictions , will also have to shut .
Wales will also begin a lockdown on 28 December while the Scottish government has refused to rule it out .
It comes after figures showed a significant uptick in the number of infections , mainly driven by a surge in London and the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 infections are there in your local borough ?
Figures from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) showed that around 1.4 per cent of London ’ s population tested positive for the virus last week – equivalent to around 125,750 people .
The data also showed one in 95 people in England tested positive last week , equivalent to just over half a million people across the country .
The government has still pressed on with plans to allow up to three households to mix over the Christmas period despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to consider their elderly relatives and “ avoid spreading the disease ” over Christmas .
In a tweet earlier in the day , he said it was vital for those forming Christmas bubbles “ to minimise contact with people from outside your household ” .

PM ‘hoping to avoid’ post-Christmas lockdown
(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Boris Johnson has not ruled out a post-Christmas lockdown following a surge in infections driven by London and the South East.
In a visit to Bolton, the Prime Minister failed to eliminate the prospect of following Wales and Northern Ireland into lockdown after Christmas.
“Obviously, we’re hoping very much that we’ll be able to avoid anything like that but the reality is that the rates of infection have increased very much in the last few weeks.”
On Thursday ministers in Northern Ireland announced a new lockdown would start on Boxing Day, which will see non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants shut again.
Close-contact services like hair salons, which have been allowed to open in England’s Tier 3 restrictions, will also have to shut.
Wales will also begin a lockdown on 28 December while the Scottish government has refused to rule it out.
It comes after figures showed a significant uptick in the number of infections, mainly driven by a surge in London and the South East.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that around 1.4 per cent of London’s population tested positive for the virus last week – equivalent to around 125,750 people.
The data also showed one in 95 people in England tested positive last week, equivalent to just over half a million people across the country.
The government has still pressed on with plans to allow up to three households to mix over the Christmas period despite the concerning rise in infections.
Johnson asked people to consider their elderly relatives and “avoid spreading the disease” over Christmas. In a tweet earlier in the day, he said it was vital for those forming Christmas bubbles “to minimise contact with people from outside your household”.


cityam--2020-12-18--Nike to score sales increase on digital fitness demand in lockdown

Sportswear giant Nike is expected to buck the retail trend to report a jump in second-quarter sales this evening , profiting from a surge in demand for health and fitness products .
Analysts have forecast that the retailer will report a 2.2 per cent rise in sales in the second quarter .
Nike ’ s stock has risen around 40 per cent this year and it reported an 82 per cent increase in digital sales in its first-quarter results in September .
While most retail companies suffered this year due to widespread store closures during the coronavirus pandemic , Nike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more : Boohoo and Nike grilled over supply chain links to slave labour in China The brand – which already had a strong digital presence – actively engaged with changing health and fitness trends during lockdowns .
It launched campaigns such the “ living room cup ” at the height of lockdown in April .
The contest involved Nike-sponsored athletes , such as Cristiano Ronaldo , posting Instagram videos completing various fitness challenges and challenging their followers to beat them .
The firm also made its Nike Run Club app free , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November , according to Sensor Tower .
Meanwhile , the retailer ’ s web traffic has soared 66 per cent this year as more consumers switched to online shopping .
Read more : Retail sales dip in November as lockdowns bite Michael Faherty , portfolio manager at Sielern Investment Management , told Reuters : “ Early in the pandemic , Nike made in-app workouts for its Nike Training Club app free .
“ This was a masterstroke… They know everything – exactly what you ’ re searching , where you live , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much you ’ re willing to pay.
” Nike is also able to use this information to determine if shoppers will tolerate higher prices , according to Mary Hildebrand , head of Lowenstein Sandler ’ s privacy and cybersecurity practice .

Nike to score sales increase on digital fitness demand in lockdown
Nike is suing retailer StockX for allegedly selling unauthorized Nike NFTs.
Sportswear giant Nike is expected to buck the retail trend to report a jump in second-quarter sales this evening, profiting from a surge in demand for health and fitness products.
Analysts have forecast that the retailer will report a 2.2 per cent rise in sales in the second quarter.
Nike’s stock has risen around 40 per cent this year and it reported an 82 per cent increase in digital sales in its first-quarter results in September.
While most retail companies suffered this year due to widespread store closures during the coronavirus pandemic, Nike has largely ridden out the storm.
The brand – which already had a strong digital presence – actively engaged with changing health and fitness trends during lockdowns.
It launched campaigns such the “living room cup” at the height of lockdown in April.
The contest involved Nike-sponsored athletes, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, posting Instagram videos completing various fitness challenges and challenging their followers to beat them.
The firm also made its Nike Run Club app free, resulting in 15.4m downloads between January and November, according to Sensor Tower.
Meanwhile, the retailer’s web traffic has soared 66 per cent this year as more consumers switched to online shopping.
Michael Faherty, portfolio manager at Sielern Investment Management, told Reuters: “Early in the pandemic, Nike made in-app workouts for its Nike Training Club app free.
“This was a masterstroke… They know everything – exactly what you’re searching, where you live, what your credit card details are, how much you’re willing to pay.”
Nike is also able to use this information to determine if shoppers will tolerate higher prices, according to Mary Hildebrand, head of Lowenstein Sandler’s privacy and cybersecurity practice.


cityam--2020-12-18--How many Covid-19 infections are there in your local borough?

London recorded 7,378 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of positive cases since March to 230,720 .
Latest data from Public Health England showed that London ’ s infection rate now stands at 360.5 per 100,000 in the past seven days — the highest in the country — while the South East ’ s rate is 263.6 .
Read more : London and southeast in Tier 3 : What are the rules ?
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show London is now tied with the East Midlands as having the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Figures show around 1.4 per cent of the capital tested positive for coronavirus last week .
Figures released by Public Health England showed that Redbridge and Newham have overtaken Ealing as the worst-affected boroughs , recording more than 10,000 positive cases .
Read more : Capital Punishment : London to enter Tier 3 on Wednesday Redbridge recorded 349 cases in the past 24 hours , bringing the total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic to 11,325 .
Newham has recorded 10,745 confirmed cases , after recording 273 new cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ levelling off ’ across England ahead of three-tier system Ealing reported 252 new cases in the last 24 hours to climb to 9,916 in total .
Havering saw the biggest daily spike in east London recording a staggering 349 cases in the past 24 hours , bringing the total to 11,325 .
Several other boroughs in East London have recorded a high rate of new cases , with Dagenham and Tower Hamlets also reporting spikes in infections .
Enfield is starting to see a spike in infections too having recorded a further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases overall .
Read more : Two-thirds of London boroughs launch their own local contact tracing systems It comes as the UK recorded a further 35,383 coronavirus cases , bringing the total number of people who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to almost two million .
The official UK death toll officially passed the 60,000 mark last week , with a further 532 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours down from 612 a day earlier .
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Data sourced from Public Health England , accurate as of 4pm on Monday 14 December Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data

How many Covid-19 infections are there in your London borough?
London has seen a sharp drop in the number of recorded coronavirus cases over the past few days, after figures released on Friday showed the capital currently has the lowest R rate in the country.
A further 629 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of positive tests in London since the start of the pandemic to 697,278.
It marks a significant drop since a record 19,871 daily cases were recorded on 29 December, as lockdown measures continue to drive down infections.
Several areas in the capital have seen case numbers drop threefold over the past fortnight, which in turn has pushed down the spread of infection.
Most boroughs in the capital now have a seven-day rate below 100 new cases per 100,000, but that figure is below 50 in some areas in central London.
Twenty-nine London borough areas, including the whole of east London which was hardest hit by the second wave, have a seven-day case rate below 100 new confirmed cases per 100,000.
Meanwhile, Southwark, Westminster, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea all recorded seven-day rates below 50. Lewisham saw the lowest case rate in the capital in the week to 24 February, with an average of 43 people infected per 100,000 population.
Meanwhile, Ealing currently has the highest case rate, with 123 cases per 100,000, followed by Hounslow at 115 and Hillingdon on 97.
Health chiefs have said all London boroughs need to get below a case rate of 100 before restrictions can begin to be lifted, starting with the reopening of schools on 8 March.
It comes after figures released last Friday showed London’s R rate remains at a best estimate of 0.6 to 0.8 — the lowest in the country, alongside the east of England and the South West.
The figure means infections may be falling anywhere between five and eight per cent each day.
However, separate figures released last week showed the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus in London remains the highest of any English region.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed around 1 in 63 Londoners were infected with the virus last week.
That compares to an estimated 1 in 80 people who contracted the virus in England as a whole in the week to 6 February, according to ONS figures.
Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
London coronavirus cases by borough (in alphabetical order)
Data sourced from Public Health England, accurate as of 4pm on Tuesday 2 March
Boroughs Rate of infection per 100,000 people in last 7 days Total confirmed cases since start of pandemic Barking and Dagenham 86 22,925 Barnet 75 29,569 Bexley 58 21,812 Brent 91 27,577 Bromley 48 23,857 Camden 42 13,683 Croydon 73 30,213 Ealing 123 29,807 Enfield 48 29,217 Greenwich 55 21,769 Hackney and City of London 57 21,234 Hammersmith and Fulham 76 12,564 Haringey 58 20,345 Harrow 95 19,917 Havering 65 26,383 Hillingdon 97 25,287 Hounslow 115 23,817 Islington 43 14,574 Kensington and Chelsea 43 8,643 Kingston upon Thames 47 11,764 Lambeth 49 23,625 Lewisham 39 21,226 Merton 79 15,719 Newham 61 34,574 Redbridge 72 31,965 Richmond upon Thames 55 10,430 Southwark 42 21,947 Sutton 80 15,509 Tower Hamlets 53 28,074 Waltham Forest 52 24,325 Wandsworth 63 21,377 Westminster 41 13,577
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data


cityam--2020-12-18--Government urged to increase support for retail firms after EU State Aid rule changes

The government has been urged to increase the financial support available to retail and hospitality businesses after the European Commission confirmed that the UK is able to apply a revised state aid framework .
The EU said earlier this week that the UK can implement the revised Covid-19 State Aid Temporary Framework , which increased the limit from €800,000 per company over three years , to €3m .
Read more : Next mulls bid for Sir Philip Green ’ s collapsed retail empire Arcadia Due to previous restrictions , larger retailers were unable to claim enough relief to keep stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , business rates experts at property consultancy Colliers International said .
The new framework allows aid to be granted to businesses that suffered a decline in turnover between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 of at least 30 per cent compared to the same period in 2019 .
Companies that apply for financial help need to give detailed accounts of their losses , and aid should not exceed €3m per business .
Colliers has called on the government to allow properties with a rateable value of less than £15,000 to receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colliers ’ proposed changes , premises with a rateable value over £15,000 could receive £25,000 per property It suggested that the grants could be funded by money left over from the original grant scheme and the windfall after supermarkets repaid more than £2bn in business rates .
John Webber , head of business rates at Colliers , said : “ The current government grant schemes have become complicated , particularly when combined with regional variations depending where you live in the country- adding to confusion and red tape .
Read more : Retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Whilst we support the Government in creating grant schemes and are relieved that the limits to receive State Aid have been increased , we campaign for simplicity and immediate help now .
“ We hope the lifting of State Aid rules has not come too late for many hard-pressed retail and hospitality businesses , who may have already made difficult decisions over closing stores and jobs .
With the latest news about London entering Tier 3 , there is no time to lose if we want to see such businesses survive into @ @ @ @ @

Government urged to increase support for retail firms after EU State Aid rule changes
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The government has been urged to increase the financial support available to retail and hospitality businesses after the European Commission confirmed that the UK is able to apply a revised state aid framework.
The EU said earlier this week that the UK can implement the revised Covid-19 State Aid Temporary Framework, which increased the limit from €800,000 per company over three years, to €3m.
Due to previous restrictions, larger retailers were unable to claim enough relief to keep stores mothballed and prevent long term job losses, business rates experts at property consultancy Colliers International said.
The new framework allows aid to be granted to businesses that suffered a decline in turnover between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 of at least 30 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
Companies that apply for financial help need to give detailed accounts of their losses, and aid should not exceed €3m per business.
Colliers has called on the government to allow properties with a rateable value of less than £15,000 to receive a grant of £10,000 per site.
Under Colliers’ proposed changes, premises with a rateable value over £15,000 could receive £25,000 per property
It suggested that the grants could be funded by money left over from the original grant scheme and the windfall after supermarkets repaid more than £2bn in business rates.
John Webber, head of business rates at Colliers, said: “The current government grant schemes have become complicated, particularly when combined with regional variations depending where you live in the country- adding to confusion and red tape.
“Whilst we support the Government in creating grant schemes and are relieved that the limits to receive State Aid have been increased, we campaign for simplicity and immediate help now.
“We hope the lifting of State Aid rules has not come too late for many hard-pressed retail and hospitality businesses, who may have already made difficult decisions over closing stores and jobs. With the latest news about London entering Tier 3, there is no time to lose if we want to see such businesses survive into the New Year.”


cityam--2020-12-18--Costcutter snapped up by Bestway after strong year of sales

Wholesaler Bestway has bought Costcutter from Bibby Line for an undisclosed sum in a significant move in independent retail .
Under the deal Costcutter will become part of Bestway Wholesale ’ s retail division and operate as normal .
Read more : Grocery sales on track for bumper Christmas after reaching record high in November “ The acquisition of CSG by Bestway Wholesale enables us to further build on our solid foundations in Independent Retail , allowing us to expand on our already established , and highly respected , fascias and national network of stores , ” Bestway ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has had a strong year with sales rising 10 per cent to £426m , while Ebitda increased by more than £9m to £5.1m .
Approximately 1,500 of Costcutter ’ s stores will join Bestway ’ s brands which include Bargain Booze , Best-One and Wine Rack .
“ Clearly , there will be benefits of joining forces for our retailers , for shoppers and for suppliers , ” Pervez added .
Costcutter is currently supplied by Nisa but it is unclear how this will be affected following the acquisition .
Bibby Line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has owned the convenience store chain for nine years .
In 2018 Bibby Line reportedly rejected a £15m offer for Costcutter from Co-op but left the door open for further talks .
Read more : Grocery sales surge in lockdown as shoppers go online “ Over the last two years , CSG has transformed itself into a profitable and much stronger business , ” said John Cresswell , chief executive of Bibby Line .
“ This is also positive news for Bibby Line Group , completing the planned strategic realignment of our portfolio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for future investment.
” The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021 following approval from the Financial Conduct Authority .

Costcutter snapped up by Bestway after strong year of sales
Costcutter store in New Ollerton, United Kingdom, 5th September 2018. Photo by Glenn Ashley.
Wholesaler Bestway has bought Costcutter from Bibby Line for an undisclosed sum in a significant move in independent retail.
Under the deal Costcutter will become part of Bestway Wholesale’s retail division and operate as normal.
“The acquisition of CSG by Bestway Wholesale enables us to further build on our solid foundations in Independent Retail, allowing us to expand on our already established, and highly respected, fascias and national network of stores,” Bestway’s managing director Dawood Pervez said.
Costcutter has had a strong year with sales rising 10 per cent to £426m, while Ebitda increased by more than £9m to £5.1m.
Approximately 1,500 of Costcutter’s stores will join Bestway’s brands which include Bargain Booze, Best-One and Wine Rack.
“Clearly, there will be benefits of joining forces for our retailers, for shoppers and for suppliers,” Pervez added.
Costcutter is currently supplied by Nisa but it is unclear how this will be affected following the acquisition.
Bibby Line, a financial services and shipping group, has owned the convenience store chain for nine years.
In 2018 Bibby Line reportedly rejected a £15m offer for Costcutter from Co-op but left the door open for further talks.
“Over the last two years, CSG has transformed itself into a profitable and much stronger business,” said John Cresswell, chief executive of Bibby Line. “This is also positive news for Bibby Line Group, completing the planned strategic realignment of our portfolio, further strengthening our Group balance sheet for future investment.”
The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021 following approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.


cityam--2020-12-18--Landlords approve Leon's rescue plan to save 670 jobs

Healthy fast food chain Leon has secured backing from its landlords to implement a rescue plan which will save 670 jobs .
The company announced this evening that 90 per cent of creditors approved the company voluntary arrangement proposals , which will allow Leon to switch to turnover-rents during the coronavirus pandemic .
Read more : Leon launches restructuring plan due to steep drop in sales during pandemic Leon ’ s branches , which are predominantly in city centres and travel hubs , have suffered a sharp drop in sales due to a reduction in office workers and people using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 44 sites in the UK , secured £76.3m in revenue last year and had planned to open 30 new restaurants in 2020 , before the pandemic hit in March .
Andrew Andronikou , managing director at Quantuma , which is overseeing the CVA process , said : “ Given the struggles of the retail and casual dining sectors as a result of the pandemic , and being in the run up to Christmas , securing 670 jobs at Leon is a real positive to end the year .
“ We are pleased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposals , which will enable us to work with the business as it recovers and provide a strong foundation from which it can return to the strong growing business it was in 2019 .
“ The CVA has been structured in a way to support Leon while it continues to be affected by reduced footfall and the ongoing uncertainties as measures continue to be deployed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic , whilst delivering the best possible outcome for creditors .
”

Landlords approve Leon’s rescue plan to save 670 jobs
Leon has plans to expand into drive-thru stores.
Healthy fast food chain Leon has secured backing from its landlords to implement a rescue plan which will save 670 jobs.
The company announced this evening that 90 per cent of creditors approved the company voluntary arrangement proposals, which will allow Leon to switch to turnover-rents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Leon’s branches, which are predominantly in city centres and travel hubs, have suffered a sharp drop in sales due to a reduction in office workers and people using public transport.
The chain, which has 44 sites in the UK, secured £76.3m in revenue last year and had planned to open 30 new restaurants in 2020, before the pandemic hit in March.
Andrew Andronikou, managing director at Quantuma, which is overseeing the CVA process, said: “Given the struggles of the retail and casual dining sectors as a result of the pandemic, and being in the run up to Christmas, securing 670 jobs at Leon is a real positive to end the year.
“We are pleased that the majority of creditors have supported the proposals, which will enable us to work with the business as it recovers and provide a strong foundation from which it can return to the strong growing business it was in 2019.
“The CVA has been structured in a way to support Leon while it continues to be affected by reduced footfall and the ongoing uncertainties as measures continue to be deployed to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, whilst delivering the best possible outcome for creditors.”


cityam--2020-12-19--UK still not ready for Brexit, MPs warn

UK still not ready for Brexit, MPs warn

With just seven working days until the Brexit transition period comes to an end , “ significant concerns ” remain , MPs have said .
A cross-party parliamentary report has warned of a potentially challenging start to 2021 , as businesses , traders and the general public adjust to a life outside of the European Union .
Read more : Johnson urges EU to ‘ see sense ’ as Brexit trade talks enter 48-hour crunch time The report warned the government must have contingency plans ready to deal with any disruptions that could surface as a result of Brexit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union , said the government was still unable provide businesses , traders and citizens with certainty about what will happen in all the areas affected by the negotiations .
“ We are worried about the consequences of trucks not having the right paperwork , traffic disruption around ports , and the UK ’ s security being affected by loss of access to EU law enforcement databases , ” he said .
“ It is also disappointing that an agreement on the Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that some issues have been deferred.
” Trade talks between the UK and EU will continue this weekend , marking another critical 48 hours for the negotiations as the end of the transition period looms closer .
The two sides remain stuck on issues that have plagued them for months , including fisheries , so-called level playing field arrangements and state aid .
Read more : Brexit talks in a ‘ serious situation ’ ahead of deadline The transition period ends at 11pm on the evening of 31 December .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides by then , the UK will automatically revert to WTO trading rules , meaning tariffs would be applied to goods and services moving between the UK and EU .

UK still not ready for Brexit, MPs warn
Britain’s EU negotiator David Frost will travel to Brussels for talks with the EU Commission on Thursday.
With just seven working days until the Brexit transition period comes to an end, “significant concerns” remain, MPs have said.
A cross-party parliamentary report has warned of a potentially challenging start to 2021, as businesses, traders and the general public adjust to a life outside of the European Union.
The report warned the government must have contingency plans ready to deal with any disruptions that could surface as a result of Brexit.
MP Hillary Benn, who is chair of the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union, said the government was still unable provide businesses, traders and citizens with certainty about what will happen in all the areas affected by the negotiations.
“We are worried about the consequences of trucks not having the right paperwork, traffic disruption around ports, and the UK’s security being affected by loss of access to EU law enforcement databases,” he said.
“It is also disappointing that an agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol could not be reached before now and that some issues have been deferred.”
Talks continue
Trade talks between the UK and EU will continue this weekend, marking another critical 48 hours for the negotiations as the end of the transition period looms closer.
The two sides remain stuck on issues that have plagued them for months, including fisheries, so-called level playing field arrangements and state aid.
The transition period ends at 11pm on the evening of 31 December. If a deal is not secured between the two sides by then, the UK will automatically revert to WTO trading rules, meaning tariffs would be applied to goods and services moving between the UK and EU.


cityam--2020-12-19--Johnson meets tech firm chiefs to talk listing in London

Boris Johnson held a roundtable with executives from Britain ’ s fastest growing tech start-ups to get ideas on how @ @ @ @ @ s tech sector and persuade firms to list on London ’ s stock markets .
@ @ @ @ @ , Oxford Nanopore and Revolut were among those invited to the meeting at Number 10 @ @ @ @ @ Europe lays out new rules that could force the breakup of big tech According to @ @ @ @ @ centred on Britain ’ s technology ambitious , and why London has lagged behind other @ @ @ @ @ attracting leading tech firms .
Downing Street did not respond to The Telegraph ’ s @ @ @ @ @ least some of the firms present at the meeting are heading for a public listing @ @ @ @ @ has been long rumoured to be prepping for a float , having recently appointed experienced @ @ @ @ @ within the company .

Johnson meets tech firm chiefs to talk listing in London
Schneider purchased a 40 per cent stake in Aveva in 2017
Boris Johnson held a roundtable with executives from Britain’s fastest growing tech start-ups to get ideas on how to grow the UK’s tech sector and persuade firms to list on London’s stock markets.
Bosses from Darktrace, Deliveroo, Oxford Nanopore and Revolut were among those invited to the meeting at Number 10 yesterday.
According to The Telegraph, the discussion centred on Britain’s technology ambitious, and why London has lagged behind other markets when it comes to attracting leading tech firms.
Downing Street did not respond to The Telegraph’s request for comment.
At least some of the firms present at the meeting are heading for a public listing.
Takeaway delivery app Deliveroo has been long rumoured to be prepping for a float, having recently appointed experienced senior executives to key roles within the company.


cityam--2020-12-19--It wasn't all bad: 2020 hindsight reveals some good things, too

Once upon a time , it was popular in the corporate world to have a “ 2020 Vision ” .
It was a snappy title for glossy brochures laying out long-term strategies .
It suggested clarity , foresight and forward thinking .
Sodexo , Siemens , the NHS , the Grand Union Housing Group and the University of Chester all published their own “ 2020 Vision ” .
Ironically , the World Health Organisation had one too .
But none foresaw it would end like this – the nation locked down again ; large swathes of the economy in tatters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by diktat of a Conservative Government .
Read more : What can we learn from this strange , unique year ?
But as the “ bah humbug ” pathogen takes grip , it ’ s worth considering , “ Was there anything good about 2020 ?
” The truth is there were a few roses among the thorns of a year to forget .
The business community showed agility and pace that couldn ’ t be imagined in the normal course of corporate life .
A new mindset was set free – one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million people in The City were shifted to home working in an instant .
Services which normally required face to face meetings were beamed into the virtual world by the necessity to keep revenues flowing .
Fitness training , beauty treatments , leadership development , medical appointments , wine tastings , schools and universities all went to Wi-Fi .
John Lewis became a virtual consultancy rather than shut up shop .
Thousands followed .
Bricks and mortars retailers , restaurants and pubs re-invented themselves as home delivery services .
Big pharma created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of decades .
Massive field hospitals were constructed in weeks instead of years .
A decade of digital transformation was delivered in a summer .
How powerful would it be if we could recreate this pace of change and this mindset in corporate Britain as we re-build from the crisis ?
There were other positive outcomes .
People realised that in some roles they could work from anywhere .
Barbados is now offering a special visa for digital nomads to combine beach life and Zoom working .
The life shortening misery of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For some it will never return .
The purgatory of the office Christmas party was avoided too .
Many re-discovered community spirit .
Others rediscovered their families .
Some got fitter .
Others got fatter .
Amid the Armageddon of economic disaster , stock markets did quite nicely , thank you .
Our pensions remain intact .
Sure , there is the looming risk of Brexit ; the black hole of youth unemployment ; and rapidly widening inequality questioning the basis of trickle-down economics .
Yes , the bill still needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we still need to vaccinate another 60 million people .
But as the turkey draws nigh , it is a time to look on the bright side and conclude – it could be a lot worse .

It wasn’t all bad: 2020 hindsight reveals some good things, too
(Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)
Once upon a time, it was popular in the corporate world to have a “2020 Vision”. It was a snappy title for glossy brochures laying out long-term strategies. It suggested clarity, foresight and forward thinking.
Sodexo, Siemens, the NHS, the Grand Union Housing Group and the University of Chester all published their own “2020 Vision”. Ironically, the World Health Organisation had one too.
But none foresaw it would end like this – the nation locked down again; large swathes of the economy in tatters; the elderly incarcerated in solitary confinement by diktat of a Conservative Government.
Read more: What can we learn from this strange, unique year?
But as the “bah humbug” pathogen takes grip, it’s worth considering, “Was there anything good about 2020?” The truth is there were a few roses among the thorns of a year to forget.
The business community showed agility and pace that couldn’t be imagined in the normal course of corporate life.
A new mindset was set free – one that could think the unthinkable. Half a million people in The City were shifted to home working in an instant.
Services which normally required face to face meetings were beamed into the virtual world by the necessity to keep revenues flowing. Fitness training, beauty treatments, leadership development, medical appointments, wine tastings, schools and universities all went to Wi-Fi.
John Lewis became a virtual consultancy rather than shut up shop. Thousands followed.
Bricks and mortars retailers, restaurants and pubs re-invented themselves as home delivery services. Big pharma created and tested a vaccine in months instead of decades.
Massive field hospitals were constructed in weeks instead of years. A decade of digital transformation was delivered in a summer. How powerful would it be if we could recreate this pace of change and this mindset in corporate Britain as we re-build from the crisis?
There were other positive outcomes. People realised that in some roles they could work from anywhere. Barbados is now offering a special visa for digital nomads to combine beach life and Zoom working.
The life shortening misery of the daily commute shuddered to a halt. For some it will never return. The purgatory of the office Christmas party was avoided too.
Many re-discovered community spirit. Others rediscovered their families. Some got fitter. Others got fatter. Amid the Armageddon of economic disaster, stock markets did quite nicely, thank you. Our pensions remain intact.
Sure, there is the looming risk of Brexit; the black hole of youth unemployment; and rapidly widening inequality questioning the basis of trickle-down economics.
Yes, the bill still needs to be paid for over the next few decades and we still need to vaccinate another 60 million people. But as the turkey draws nigh, it is a time to look on the bright side and conclude – it could be a lot worse.


cityam--2020-12-19--Johnson urges EU to 'see sense' as Brexit trade talks enter 48-hour crunch time

Trade talks between the UK and EU will continue this weekend , marking another critical 48 hours for the negotiations as the end of the transition period looms closer .
The two sides remain stuck on issues that have plagued them for months , including fisheries , so-called level playing field arrangements and state aid .
Yesterday the EU ’ s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said there were just “ hours ” left to seal a Brexit deal .
“ It ’ s the moment of truth , ” Barnier told the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the path to such an agreement is very narrow.
” Johnson said Britain would keep talking but that he would not compromise on taking back control of its laws and its fishing waters , which has become a major point of contention between the two sides .
“ Our door is open , we ’ ll keep talking but I have to say things are looking difficult , ” said Johnson .
“ We hope that our EU friends will see sense and come to the table with something themselves – because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Read more : Brexit talks in a ‘ serious situation ’ ahead of deadline The transition period ends at 11pm on the evening of 31 December .
If a deal is not secured between the two sides by then , the UK will automatically revert to WTO trading rules , meaning tariffs would be applied to goods and services moving between the UK and EU .
The continuation of talks comes after Michael Gove earlier this week said the UK is not prepared to sign a trade deal with the EU unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fishing waters around the isle .
Speaking at a meeting on the future relationship with the EU , Gove said it is the UK ’ s “ intention ” that British fishermen will have exclusive access to fish in waters located six to 12 nautical miles from Britain ’ s coastline post-Brexit .
Brussels is concerned the UK is trying to have its cake and eat it , wanting preferential access to EU markets but with the advantage of setting its own rules .

Johnson urges EU to ‘see sense’ as Brexit trade talks enter 48-hour crunch time
Trade talks between the UK and EU will continue this weekend, marking another critical 48 hours for the negotiations as the end of the transition period looms closer.
The two sides remain stuck on issues that have plagued them for months, including fisheries, so-called level playing field arrangements and state aid.
Yesterday the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier said there were just “hours” left to seal a Brexit deal.
“It’s the moment of truth,” Barnier told the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday. “There is a chance of getting an agreement but the path to such an agreement is very narrow.”
Johnson said Britain would keep talking but that he would not compromise on taking back control of its laws and its fishing waters, which has become a major point of contention between the two sides.
“Our door is open, we’ll keep talking but I have to say things are looking difficult,” said Johnson. “We hope that our EU friends will see sense and come to the table with something themselves – because that’s really where we are.”
The transition period ends at 11pm on the evening of 31 December. If a deal is not secured between the two sides by then, the UK will automatically revert to WTO trading rules, meaning tariffs would be applied to goods and services moving between the UK and EU.
The continuation of talks comes after Michael Gove earlier this week said the UK is not prepared to sign a trade deal with the EU unless British fishermen have “sole rights” to fishing waters around the isle.
Speaking at a meeting on the future relationship with the EU, Gove said it is the UK’s “intention” that British fishermen will have exclusive access to fish in waters located six to 12 nautical miles from Britain’s coastline post-Brexit.
Brussels is concerned the UK is trying to have its cake and eat it, wanting preferential access to EU markets but with the advantage of setting its own rules.