Many changes took place with the pandemic hit. While everyone was dealing with the pandemic to the same level, the virus was affecting younger individuals and those with no solid educational qualifications in a significantly worse way. The Government had to implement social assistance and risk-sharing mechanisms to safeguard the vulnerable from future economic hardships.
Category: Britain Freelancing Global Gigs
Britain Freelancing Global Gigs
Standard Chartered Misses Profits, Resumes Dividends
Standard Chartered Group announced that as of the end of December last year, its statutory profit before tax was $2.51 billion, down 56.56% year-on-year. This fell short of analysts’ estimates of $2.55 billion. The group resumed its dividend and paid a final dividend of 9 cents per share.
HSBC Exits U.S. Retail Banking Business
HSBC Holdings will announce its 2020 annual results on Tuesday, and the investment community is concerned about the results of its strategic review. The British Financial Times quoted a person familiar with the matter as saying that HSBC will revisit its “pivot to Asia” business strategy and withdraw from retail banking in the United States.
UK — Amazon Accused of Treating Workers Unfairly
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has decried this move adding that the employees have been treated as disposable labor and have been left with a struggle to clear their bills. It also said that workers received fewer shifts than what was indicated in the advertisement.
Harry and Meghan Family Divorce
Buckingham Palace announced following Harry’s confirmation to his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, that he and Meghan would formally and finally step away from their royal duties just weeks before a 12-month trial separation was set to end.
Uber Eats It – Drivers are Employees, UK Court Rules
Uber must consider its drivers in the United Kingdom as employees, and not as independent contractors, the country’s Supreme Court ruled on Friday. The ruling dismisses an appeal by the company against a previous ruling, noting that Uber sets ride rates and exerts significant control over the drivers who use the app.
UK — January Retail Sales Worse than Expected
The United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics announced that retail sales in the United Kingdom decreased by 8.2% month-on-month in January, which is expected to decrease by 2.5%. The year-on-year decrease is 5.9%, which is expected to decrease by 1.3%. During the period, retail sales excluding energy decreased by 8.8% month-on-month.
Updates on the European Union and Russia
Last week, very strong statements were made by the Kremlin regarding the possibility of ending all ties with the European Union. The tensions between Russia and the European Union are ongoing. Nevertheless, the recent events with Alexey Navalny, and the response by the West, is pushing Russia too far.
Russia — Putin May Disable Foreign Internet Service Providers and Social Media
The Russian president Vladimir Putin stated on February 14th that he does not rule out disabling all foreign internet service providers and the social media. The measures could come into effect, if there will be disguised attacks on Russia and the new sanctions.
Disney Takes Substantial Hit, Still Profitable
Disney’s performance in the last quarter was unexpectedly profitable. In the first quarter of this fiscal year, it recorded a profit of $17 million, a year-on-year decrease of 99%. After deducting special items, the profit per share was 32 cents, which was better than the market’s expected loss of 41 cents.
UK Economy Suffers Worst Contraction Since 1709
The United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics announced that last year’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 9.9%, the biggest decline in recent records. In the fourth quarter of last year alone, it recorded a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1% to avoid falling into a technical recession again.
5 Ways Brexit Has Impacted British Imports and Exports to the EU
Ever since the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016, British businesses have had to deal with many uncertainties. Even as Brexit drew closer, there was little indication of what form it would take, or how trade would be affected.
A withdrawal agreement which kept the UK within the EU’s single market until 31st December 2020 prevented new regulations being created during this time, and a post-Brexit trade deal was finally struck by EU and UK negotiators on December 24th 2020.
BP and Total Aim to Invest Billions in Wind Farms
BP and Total have joined forces to build new offshore wind farms and help countries gain access to cleaner fuel sources. The two companies claim that by joining forces, they can help many countries develop cleaner fuel sources. This is all part of BP’s cooperation with the French oil company Total.
UK — Retailers Pay More Taxes Than Amazon
The recent controversy concerning Amazon’s UK business tax rate has been quite a big buzz in the corporate world. Amazon has been one of the most successful and popular online retail sites. Amazon has many branches in different countries around the world, and they have been doing quite well financially.
Rolls-Royce Announce Short Shutdown in Response to Impact of COVID19
Rolls-Royce is planning to briefly shutter their jet engine plants for two weeks this summer in order to save money, representing the first time it has been pushed into such a dramatic decision since it became a public corporation in the 1980s due to the impact in the industry over Covid-19.
Russia Boots Three Diplomats
The Kremlin announced that three diplomats were ordered to leave Russia on February 5th after participating in protest. The diplomats expelled are from the Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Poland and Germany. That was the date, when Alexei Navalny and his team urged the public to take to the Russian streets and protest.
Amazon to Use AI-Equipped Cameras on Deliveries
Amazon has decided to install artificial intelligence cameras inside its delivery cars in order to monitor the activities of its drivers and see if they fully adhere to road safety regulations. The cameras are designed to watch the road and the driver, noting concerns as well as good practices, according to a tutorial video.
United Kingdom — to Join Trans-Pacific Partnership CPTPP
The United Kingdom will apply for membership of the Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement – Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – the British Ministry of International Trade announced on Saturday. International Trade Minister Liz Truss will officially ask for the UK to join this free trade agreement on Monday.
Russian — Space Program Launches 2021
The 2020 was not a good year for the Russian space program. Even though, Russia continues to be in the top 3 nations pertaining the space launches. Roscosmos is showing a negative trend. The US remains at the number 1 spot, followed by China. Chinese launches in majority were not successful. Last year, Russia only had 4 out of 11 flights to the International Space Station (ISS).
Norther Ireland — EU Restricts Coronavirus Vaccine
The European Union has applied a special article of the annex to the Brexit treaty to impose restrictions on the supply of coronavirus vaccines from the EU-member Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom Causing a sharp reaction in the UK.
ASOS PLC — Adding Miss Selfridge and TopShop Labels
The Arcadia Company is going to sell its British department stores Topshop and Miss Selfridge to British online apparel retailer, Asos PLC for about $411 million. Asos may confirm on Monday. Arcadia was bought over by a large company, resulting in 13,000 workers being placed at risk. Asos PLC and the managers of Arcadia did not have comments.
Side Hustle – How to Turn Your Ideas into Money
If this is the first time you’re hearing of a side hustle, let me elaborate – generally speaking, a side hustle is something you do “on the side” that brings in extra money, in addition to your mainstream of income. The income your side hustle brings in is often directly related to the effort you put in. It can involve spending 1 to 2 hours a week completing surveys or using rebate programs, or it can be a full-fledged business that you grow in the evenings and weekends, spending 10 to 15 hours a week. Side hustles can bring in anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand a month!
West Warns Iran Against Uranium Metal Production
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have asked Iran to renounce the production of uranium metal, which violates the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. The United States, for its part, has announced a new round of sanctions. Meanwhile, Tehran continues its military exercises, firing ballistic missiles at targets in the Indian Ocean.
IRAN — IAEA Announces Another Iran Nuclear Breach
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN agency that is responsible for ensuring that Iran and other nations use nuclear energy for peaceful means has announced that Tehran has breached the guidelines by starting the production of uranium metal.
Russia Withdraws From Open Sky Treaty
The Russian government decided to withdraw from the Open Sky Treaty. The Open Sky Treaty is an important tool for the intelligence gathering purposes by the signatory nations, which include military inspections from the air. The Treaty was signed in Finland in the 1992 by the 27 members.
Coronavirus — Tracking Vaccines Around the Globe
Russia is to start production of the Sputnik V Coronavirus Vaccine in Brazil this week. Currently, Russia has seven factories that are producing two Russian-developed vaccines. The Brazilian Pharmaceutical company Uniao Quimica partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to produce the vaccine in Brazil.
Coronavirus — Iran Announces Ban on Western Vaccines
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday announced a ban on COVID-19 vaccines originating from the United States and the United Kingdom. The Supreme Leader said that he has no iota of trust in the two countries. Notably though, Tehran says it is currently developing its own vaccine.
World Leaders Condemn “Attack on Democracy” at U.S. Capitol
Top world leaders have strongly condemned the assault on the United States Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump Wednesday as the victory of Joe Biden in the presidential elections was being ratified. The leaders have called for a “peaceful” transition in the United States and have denounced “an unprecedented assault on American democracy.”
Coronavirus — Johnson, Sarkissian Stuck in London
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has postponed an official trip to India, scheduled for January, which would have been his first major trip abroad after the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, Downing Street announced today. As a reason for his cancellation, Prime Minister Johnson cited the need to oversee the pandemic response at home.
Coronavirus, Brexit Catch British Travelers in Spanish Red Tape
Citizens from the United Kingdom, with a residence in Spain, have been stopped from flying to Spain this weekend. Spain has strict COVID-19 regulations that prevented some Britons from flying to and from Spain. Several travelers have had trouble returning to their home countries after airlines refused to accept their proof of national travel cards.
Germany — Lawmakers Suggest Three Week Lockdown Extension
Germany’s lockdown steps are having no affect when the nation still suffers from elevated rates of diseases and mortality. The lockout would end by the end of January, Bavarian state premier Markus Soder announced to the German publication, Bild on Sunday.
Iran — Uranium Enrichment and War
The Iran addressed the Coronavirus pandemic this weekend during the National Committee meeting. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani said: “Coronavirus infection is not a common disease, but a historic test for the peoples and leaders of the world.”
Coronavirus — UK New Record 57,725 New Cases in 24 Hours
According to the latest official data released today by the British Ministry of Health, in addition to chaining five consecutive days with more than 50,000 infections per day, another 445 deaths from the disease were recorded, a slightly lower number than the 613 reported yesterday.
Low-Key Celebrations Mark End of 2020
On New Year’s Day, almost all parts of the world are quieter than in previous years, without large-scale celebrations or amazing fireworks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the atmosphere is very different from previous years. People will usher in 2021 with the desire to end the new coronavirus pandemic.
Brexit, Actually: UK, EU Officially Break Up
The UK’s Brexit transition period came to an end on the last day of 2020, which means that the UK will completely break away from the European single market and customs union. Big Ben in London rang at midnight when Britain officially left the European Union, symbolizing the opening of a new chapter in British history.
IPOs Hit 13-Year High in 2020
When the epidemic swept through Europe and the United States earlier this year, companies scrambled to seek to raise funds, and some companies turned to the stock market to increase liquidity and tide over uncertain times. Subsequently, when central banks actively supported the financial market, the stock market rebounded.
Brexit — Johnson Signs Trade Deal After MPs’ Backing
On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the free trade and cooperation agreement reached on Christmas Eve between the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU). The agreement will govern the future relationship between both parties from January 1.
EU Purchases More Vaccine, Approves Trade Deal
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter that the EU will purchase an additional 100 million doses of the new coronavirus vaccines, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer. The EU will have a total of 300 million doses of the vaccine. The vaccine has been administered throughout the EU and is considered safe and effective.
House Approves Bigger Checks, EU Approves Brexit Deal
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Monday that would issue $2,000 checks, an increase from the $600 stimulus checks already going out in the pandemic relief bill. Democrats and moderate Republicans voted for a proposal supported by President Donald Trump.
Self Care Tips for Self Employed and Freelancers in 2021
Self-care does not mean taking sweet foods and wearing protecting clothes like face masks, but it means setting aside enough time to put the focus, energy, and resources on yourself. This is important mostly for freelancers who do churn out eye-catching work and usually end up against unresponsive clients and low rates.
EU to Establish Brexit Adjustment Reserve
The European Commission today proposed the establishment of a Brexit Adjustment Reserve to help member states and departments deal with the economic losses and social impacts caused by Brexit, and to support affected businesses and employment-damaged fields. The total budget is €5 billion.
2021 — Pessimism or Optimism
The 2020 has been the worst year of this century. The Coronavirus pandemic has crippled the majority of the global economies. The Covid-19 lockdowns still continue and there is a talk of the third wave coming in the spring of the 2021. The realism suggests that the position of the leaders of an individual states is not differing from the past experience.
WHO Tadros — Claims Climate Change Causes Pandemic
The head of the World Health Organization, President Tadros Adhanom believes that the world can be completely free from the danger of disease only when humanity becomes more sensitive to the urgent issues of the planet. Otherwise, he said, more pandemics await humanity.
Japan — Handling Decontamination of Fukushima Nuclear Plant
The Japanese government decided to halt plans pertaining the extraction of the molten and the damaged fuel from the Fukushima Diichi nuclear power plant in the 2021. The information was released on the December 27 via the Asahi Shimbun publication. In 2011, following the earthquake that led to the tsunami that caused a nuclear disaster on the Fukushima Diichi nuclear plant.
George Blake, The True Communist, Died at 99 in Russia
Russia is mourning a great loss of life. The legendary Soviet intelligence officer and former ex-British intelligence officer from the MI6 George Blake died at the age of the 99 on the December 26. The announcement via the Russian foreign intelligence press service.
France — Detects Case of UK’s COVID 19 Strain
The French Ministry of Health on Friday announced that a first case of the new strain of the coronavirus that recently appeared in the United Kingdom has been detected in the country. The infected person, a Frenchman living in the United Kingdom, is asymptomatic and has been isolated at home.
Brexit — A British Mistake During the Pandemic?
The European Commission announced that after January 1st, the United Kingdom will be added to the EU’s third countries list. The list depicts travel restrictions from other countries to EU member nations due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The UK will no longer be part of the EU after December 31.
Is There a Future for the UK?
The British economy is experiencing challenging times. In 2021, it is plausible that the British economy will enter recession and could even lead to a depression. The majority of British nationals will have Christmas in isolation, and the British developed-Coronavirus vaccine is still pending.
Coronavirus — European Travel Ban Strands British Trucks
The new travel ban between several European countries and the United Kingdom left thousands of trucks stuck in huge traffic jams at the port of Dover, on the south coast of England, on Tuesday. The traffic jam was particularly caused by France’s move to close its borders with the United Kingdom on Sunday.
Coronavirus — Italy Detects New Variant, Bans Flights from UK
Italian health authorities have detected the first case of infection with the new variant of the deadly coronavirus identified in the United Kingdom, Italy’s Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday. The new coronavirus strain has spread across the UK and, according to the British government, can be up to 70% more contagious than the known previous variants.
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