Germany passes grim milestone of 100,000 Covid deaths as Coronavirus cases continue to climb November 25, 2021 Germany has become the latest country to pass the grim milestone of 100,000 deaths from Covid-19 since the pandemic began, official figures show this morning. Germany’s disease control agency says it recorded 351 additional deaths in connection with the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, taking the total toll to 100,119. Germany is the fifth [...]
Rising insurance costs could be ‘last straw’ for struggling small businesses November 24, 2021 Half of small and mid-sized UK businesses have seen increases in pandemic-related exclusions in their cover, according to broker Marsh, as insurers try to stop their £1bn bill from mounting further.
Millions dished out to inactive or new companies under covid loan scheme November 24, 2021 Lenders reportedly dished out a whopping £130m to questionable companies under a government Covid support scheme that issued loans up to £5m.
One in four Brits admit to at least one rule-breaking activity during isolation November 24, 2021 One in four people carry out at least one Covid-19 rule-breaking activity while self-isolating, according to new data today. Around 25 per cent of surveyed Brits admitted to leaving their homes or having visitors for reasons that go against the pandemic measures. However, the majority of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the first [...]
Covid-19 global pandemic to be ‘regional epidemic’ by next year, says AstraZeneca boss November 23, 2021 AstraZeneca boss Pascal Soriot said that he expects the global Covid-19 pandemic to become a regional epidemic by next year, after the pharmaceutical giant decided to start profiting from its vaccine. The chief executive of the pharmaceutical giant told Sky News that by 2022, “essentially most of the world at that point will be in [...]
Spanish researchers share Covid antibody test tech in ‘huge precedent’ for vaccine manufacturers November 23, 2021 Spain’s National Research Council (CSIC) said this afternoon it will share its Covid antibody test tech with external partners. The CSIC said it will openly licence their vaccine through the WHO’s Covid-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) knowledge-sharing platform. “By sharing their diagnostic with the WHO’s Covid-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), the Spanish National Research Council [...]
Across the Channel: French prime minister tests positive for Covid-19 as Coronavirus cases climb November 23, 2021 The office of France’s prime minister confirmed early this morning that he has tested positive for Covid-19, hours after returning from a visit to neighbouring Belgium and just as France is seeing a nationwide resurgence of infections. Jean Castex will adapt his schedule for the coming 10 days to continue his activities in isolation, his [...]
Vaccine firms’ shares surge after Europe battered by rising Covid cases November 22, 2021 Pharmaceutical companies behind coronavirus vaccines saw shares lift on Monday, against a backdrop of rising infections in Europe. Moderna and Novavax shares were both up 8 per cent after countries on the continent have cracked down on soaring infections in recent days. BioNTech saw a jump of 10 per cent while Pfizer marked a 1 [...]
Collision of pandemic and Brexit pushes £18bn loss in travel services trade November 22, 2021 The collision of the pandemic and leaving the European Union (EU) has tipped an £18bn loss in travel services trade, according to the latest figures. While total service exports and imports grew in the second quarter, trade in services remained well below levels seen prior to Covid-19, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. Weaker [...]
HMRC to recoup less than half of the £5.8bn lost from pandemic fraud and mistakes November 21, 2021 HM Revenue & Customs (HRMC) have admitted it will struggle to recoup the the estimated £5.8bn it paid out incorrectly during the pandemic, through fraudulent claims or departmental mistakes.