demands | Common News Update

Feb262021 by adminNo Comments

BA parent firm demands digital health passes to help reopen skies as it dives to £6.5bn loss

Business

The parent firm of British Airways has called for the introduction of digital health passes to help reopen the skies while revealing a €7.4bn (£6.5bn) annual loss as a result of coronavirus pandemic disruption.International Airlines Group (IAG) demanded a global approach, with common testing standards, as the travel industry reels from a disastrous 12 months that has largely grounded fleets and led to tens of thousands of job losses. The operating loss revealed by the company, which also includes Iberia and Aer Lingus among its stable of airlines, compares with profits of €2.6bn (£2.2bn) during 2019 - before COVID-19 struck its operations.Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Much of the bottom line loss was blamed on a pre-tax charge of just over €3bn (£2.6bn) on fuel an...

Feb92021 by adminNo Comments

Aviation sector demands urgent help as COVID restrictions tightened

Business

Britain's beleaguered aviation industry has issued a fresh plea for state help as the government set out plans to quarantine travellers from 33 countries in hotels and tightened COVID testing rules for all arrivals.Travel shares fell after the announcement from Health Secretary Matt Hancock dampened hopes for a return to normality in time for the summer holiday season. The airline Jet2 said it was extending the suspension of its flights, caused by coronavirus restrictions, to 14 April. Image: Revenues in the sector have been almost wiped out Hours earlier, holiday giant TUI said it had taken more than 2.8 million bookings for this year's summer period, despite official advice that it was too soon to plan getaways over the summer.Detai...

Jan272021 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus: EU demands UK-made AstraZeneca vaccine doses

World

The EU has urged pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca to supply it with more doses of its Covid-19 vaccine from UK plants, amid a row over shortages.The company has infuriated the bloc by saying it can deliver only a fraction of the doses it promised for the first quarter of the year.It blames production issues at European plants, but the EU says doses made elsewhere should make up the shortfall.The EU has been criticised for the slow rollout of its vaccinations.The contract between the EU and AstraZeneca contains a confidentiality clause but the EU has asked the company to release the details nevertheless.Reports said last week that the EU would get 60% fewer doses of the vaccine than promised for January-March 2021.The EU reiterated its position after the two sides met on Wednesday evening to...

Aug42020 by adminNo Comments

Donald Trump demands US gets ‘large percentage’ of any TikTok sale

Technology

Donald Trump has said the US should receive a "large percentage" of the proceeds from any sale of TikTok to Microsoft.The US president argued America will make a buyout of the Chinese-owned short-video app possible, and so deserved a share of the deal. Washington argues the firm poses a national security risk because of the personal data it handles and Mr Trump has warned he will ban the service in the US next month without a sale.TikTok has become a further source of heightened tensions between the US and China. An editorial in state-backed English-language newspaper China Daily has warned Beijing will not accept the "theft" of a Chinese technology company. ...

Jul32020 by adminNo Comments

Tesco demands supplier price cuts in discount battle

Business

Tesco has reportedly asked suppliers to agree price cuts as it steps up its battle with budget supermarkets.The move is part of its shift to an "everyday low pricing strategy", which will see it use fewer promotions.A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are committed to open, fair and transparent partnerships with all of our suppliers."Tesco has given suppliers a deadline of 10 July to agree, according to the Grocer.Several suppliers told the trade publication that they faced pressure from the supermarket to lower their prices.Some raised concerns over the timescale of the demands, as well as a lack of clarity over how the change in promotions would work in practice. Tesco shoppers buying more during fewer trips Tesco sells Polish supermarket business Tesco laun...