They are the twin questions with which City executives have been grappling for some time. The first concerns the extent to which Brexit might reduce London's influence and status as a global financial services centre. The second, raised during the pandemic, concerns the extent to which employees in the financial services sector will want to return to the office once life returns to normal. Wednesday morning saw Citi, one of the world's biggest banks, give its answers to those questions. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:12 Citi backs City's future with major investment In an emphatic vote of confidence in both London as a financial centre and in the future of office working, the Wall Street giant - which employs 9,000 people in the capital and a further 3,200 in Belfast - announced a major refurbishment of its headquarters in Canary Wharf. Advertisement The amount it is spending has not been disclosed but is … [Read more...] about Big vote of confidence in the City of London as Citi dismisses Brexit threat
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Omicron spike dampens PH’s economic recovery momentum, think tanks say
FILE PHOTO: The word “COVID-19” is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration//File Photo MANILA, Philippines — The spike in COVID-19 cases at the start of this year dampened expectations for Philippine economic recovery in 2022 after momentum picked up in late 2021, think tanks said. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday revised downward the third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth figure to 6.9 percent year-on-year. In November 2021, the PSA reported a higher 7.1-percent third-quarter growth rate. The PSA said its updated third-quarter figure reflected slower-than-earlier-announced growth in financial and insurance activities, professional and business services, as well as real estate and ownership of dwellings. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) nonetheless jacked up its 2021 growth forecast to 4.6 percent from 3.2 percent previously to “reflect the better-than-expected … [Read more...] about Omicron spike dampens PH’s economic recovery momentum, think tanks say
US Navy races to recover crashed F-35 fighter jet in South China Sea – fifth mishap on ship in three months
close Video China has covered up COVID for almost 2.5 years: Morgan Ortagus 'Special Report' All-Star Panel analyzes the coronavirus lab leak theory. Something is wrong in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy reported yet another incident Monday involving a high-tech aircraft that is now missing somewhere in the depths of the South China Sea . The military is now launching efforts to reclaim the valuable warplane, and experts are wondering how the same carrier has had five accidents in just a few months. "An F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, had a landing mishap on deck while USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea, Jan. 24," the Navy said in its shot memo on the mishap. CHINA FLIES DOZENS OF WARPLANES NEAR TAIWAN It began as a routine landing on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson – a U.S. aircraft carrier stationed in the waters off the coast of East Asia. But … [Read more...] about US Navy races to recover crashed F-35 fighter jet in South China Sea – fifth mishap on ship in three months
AJ Odudu lands new presenting role after dropping out of Strictly Come Dancing final
Strictly’s AJ Odudu reveals she is suffering from an allergic reaction Don't miss the best new TV releases for 2022 and behind the scenes news SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info By her own admission, AJ Odudu was "devastated" to have dropped out of the Strictly Come Dancing tour following an injury. The 33-year-old presenter had to bow out of the BBC competition hours before the Grand Final after sustaining an ankle injury which has left her unable to dance in the tour. However, things are now looking up for the Blackburn presenter who has confirmed she's going to be fronting a Channel 4 series. Related articles Coronation Street twist as Lydia Chambers' first victim unveiled? Sally Nugent slammed … [Read more...] about AJ Odudu lands new presenting role after dropping out of Strictly Come Dancing final
New-found species risk extinction due to illegal wildlife trade and climate change
An estimated 250 langurs are left in the wild (Image: Putu Sayoga/Getty and Suchiwa Panya/AFP/Getty) Sign up for FREE for latest news plus tips to save money and the environment SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A monkey, an iridescent snake and the world’s first succulent bamboo are among 244 “unusual species” found in the Greater Mekong area of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in 2020. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has said habitat loss, deforestation and unsustainable trade puts some of the 155 plants, 16 fish, 17 amphibians, 35 reptiles and one mammal discovered at risk. Related articles 'Strategic mess’ Nigel Farage unravels the loopholes in Boris’s stand Britain to be buried in 30in of snow as … [Read more...] about New-found species risk extinction due to illegal wildlife trade and climate change
House panel backpedals after pushing raps vs DOH, FDA chiefs
FILE PHOTOS Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Undersecretary Eric Domingo. MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives’ committee on good government and public accountability has recommended that charges be brought against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Eric Domingo over issues in the government’s pandemic response, including their “openly negative view” on ivermectin as a drug to treat COVID-19. But in a voice vote on Wednesday, the House reconsidered the adoption of the committee’s report calling for the filing of charges. The committee chair, Diwa Rep. Michael Aglipay, said in a statement that it would conduct more hearings “or get the side of Secretary Duque” in order “to get the full picture.” In its report dated Dec. 16, 2021, but released to the media only on Wednesday, the committee said Duque and Domingo had violated Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical … [Read more...] about House panel backpedals after pushing raps vs DOH, FDA chiefs
Climate change: Key crops face major shifts as world warms
By Matt McGrath Published 10 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics COP26 The parts of the world suitable for growing coffee, cashews and avocados will change dramatically as the world heats up, according to a new study. Key coffee regions in Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam and Colombia will all "drastically decrease" by around 50% by 2050. Suitable areas for cashews and avocados will increase but most will be far from current sites of production. The authors say that greater efforts must be made to help farmers adapt. Buried treasures threatened by climate change Carbon offsetting 'not get-out-of-jail-free card' 'Fragile win' at COP26 climate summit under threat Coffee is one of the world's most important crops, not just as key beverage but as a livelihood for millions of small farmers. And thanks to growing … [Read more...] about Climate change: Key crops face major shifts as world warms