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☆ UK passport control hit by outage causing long waits at airports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People queue to check in at Heathrow Airport in London, England. Long queues were building at British airports on Tuesday night, including the biggest Heathrow, after the country's Border Force suffered a nationwide technical issue that affected passport control. One traveller described border officials rushing to manually process passport holders. Videos posted on social media platform X showed long queues of passengers at passport desks in airports including London's Stansted and Heathrow. "We are aware of a technical issue affecting e-gates across the country," a Home Office spokesperson said.

Persons: Sam Morter Organizations: Heathrow Airport, country's Border Force, Border Force, London's Stansted Locations: London, England, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sri Lanka

☆ A plane used to fly VIPs like King Charles made an emergency landing after windowpanes fell off
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Airbus plane had previously been used by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other UK officials. AdvertisementA plane used by VIPs like King Charles and Queen Camilla had to make an emergency landing after three windowpanes fell out mid-flight. The lights, used to convey a sunrise, had been aimed at the windows for several hours at a time, the report said. A hole burned through one of the windows while five other windows were deformed after 2,000W lights were used, the report said. If high-intensity lights were used, it suggested keeping use to a minimum and away from windows.

Persons: King Charles , Queen Camilla, —, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Charles, Camilla, Charles III, Tim Rooke, Rishi Sunak, James Organizations: Titan Airways, Airbus, Service, Air, Investigation, Telegraph, Airport, British, Business, Investigation Branch, Boeing Locations: London, Orlando, British, France, Paris, Buckingham

☆ 700 passengers were left stranded and without toilets for 8 hours after a Eurostar train broke down
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hundreds of passengers traveling to Amsterdam were stuck on a Eurostar train in London for hours. AdvertisementSome 700 passengers were left stranded after a Eurostar train broke down 30 minutes after leaving London's St Pancras station on Thursday, reported the BBC. Ben Williams, a passenger on the train, told The Independent that four or five hours after the train broke down, passengers were each offered one free item of food. AdvertisementIt's not the first time passengers were left stranded after a train broke down. In August 2022, passengers were stranded in the undersea Eurotunnel for five hours after a Le Shuttle train broke down.

Persons: —, Ben Williams, Ashleigh Furlong, Furlong Organizations: Eurostar, Service, London's St Pancras, BBC, Independent, Politico, Business, Amtrak, Le Shuttle Locations: Amsterdam, London, London's St, England, France, St Pancras

☆ A commercial plane took off with 2 missing windows and reached 10,000 feet before anyone realized there was a problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The plane climbed more than 10,000 feet before anyone realized there was a problem. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementA commercial plane took off with two missing window assemblies and reached more than 10,000 feet before anyone realized something was wrong, according to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe plane continued to climb to an altitude of 10,000 feet and the seatbelt signs were switched off, according to the bulletin. It was agreed that the aircraft should return to Stansted, and the plane landed 36 minutes after taking off, the bulletin said.

Persons: —, AAIB, It's Organizations: Airbus, London Stansted, Service, Air, Investigation, London's Stansted Airport, Orlando International, Stansted, The Independent Locations: London, London's, FL100

☆ Europe is minting red hot AI startups like DeepL and Synthesia. Meet 15 of the most prolific investors backing the region's breakout stars.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | Tasmin Lockwood | Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Meanwhile, Andreessen Horowitz has poured cash into the AI-voice-intelligence startup ElevenLabs and the Nordic AI startup Sloyd. Some of Europe's most prolific AI investors are national funds and startup accelerators. London's Phoenix Court, the parent company of the VC firm LocalGlobe, took the top spot for total investment value — with $713 million poured into AI startups since 2020. MMC Ventures, also in London, followed suit with $628 million in investments in AI startups. Insider has profiled 15 investors at these firms who have spearheaded investments into European AI startups, in no particular order.

Persons: ChatGPT, Andreessen Horowitz, LocalGlobe Organizations: Venture, Lightspeed, New, Nordic, Court, MMC Ventures Locations: French, New York, Europe, London

GSK on Friday said the settlement reflected its desire to avoid distraction related to protracted litigation in this case. It did not admit any liability and said it would vigorously defend itself in any other Zantac cases. The trial was due to start on July 24, the first test of how Zantac cancer claims would fare before a jury. Lucy Coutts, investment director at wealth management firm JM Finn, which holds GSK shares, said the Goetz settlement could create a precedent to settle other cases. "It also removes the distraction of any protracted litigation as the company must focus on its future pipeline which is where value will be created for shareholders," she said.

Persons: drugmaker, James Goetz, Emily Field, Lucy Coutts, JM Finn, Goetz, Dado Ruvic, Boehringer Ingelheim, Zantac, Natalie Grover, Eva Mathews, Dhanya Ann Thoppil, Barbara Lewis Organizations: GSK, Barclays, GlaxoSmithKline, REUTERS, Pfizer, Sanofi, Companies, Bank of America, FDA, Thomson Locations: U.S, British, California, Delaware, London, Bengaluru

☆ At recovery summit, UK's Sunak to unveil major Ukraine support
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

At the beginning of the two-day Ukraine recovery conference in London, Sunak will outline a package which will also include 240 million pounds ($306 million) of bilateral assistance and an expansion of British International Investment in Ukraine. "I'm proud that today we're announcing a multi-year commitment to support Ukraine's economy, and over the next three years, we will provide loan guarantees worth $3 billion." The United States is also expected to set out "a new, robust" assistance package for Ukraine on Wednesday. His office said he would also launch the London Conference Framework for War Risk Insurance at the summit and that some major companies had already signed up to the so-called Ukraine Business Compact, a statement of support for Ukraine's recovery. ($1 = 0.7851 pounds)Reporting by Elizabeth Piper Editing by Alexandra HudsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Ajay Banga, Elizabeth Piper, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: British, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, Bank, British International Investment, World Bank Group, Ukraine, Wednesday, Insurance, World Bank, European Commission, United Nations, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Hiroshima, Japan, Ukraine, London, Britain, Russia, United States, Ukrainian

☆ Russia says Ukraine used Storm Shadow missiles from Britain to attack Luhansk
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Russian ministry said the missiles had hit a plant producing polymers and a meat-processing factory in Luhansk on Friday. "Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kyiv regime by Britain were used for the strike, contrary to London's statements that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets," the ministry said. It also said Russia had downed two Ukrainian warplanes - an Su-24 and a MiG-29 - that had launched the missiles. "The units of the Airborne Forces provided support to the assault units and pinned down the enemy on the flanks," it said. The ministry often uses the term "assault units" to denote the Wagner private militia, which has been spearheading the assault on Bakhmut at great cost in casualties.

To revive its fortunes, the government late last year published its Edinburgh Reforms agenda comprising over 30 proposed changes to existing rules. "There are a variety of factors that keep somewhere attractive in terms of investment, listing and being an international finance centre." "We want the UK to be the world's most innovative and competitive global financial centre," the spokesperson added. CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONSSupporters of a more vibrant UK stock market are also increasing pressure on bankers managing IPO processes to challenge assumptions about London's poorer liquidity or post-IPO performance, relative to rival venues. Proposed changes to UK listings are encouraging, but may not be enough, said Steve Bates, BIA CEO.

☆ UK police well prepared for King Charles's coronation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Muvija M | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, May 3 (Reuters) - More than 11,000 police officers will patrol London's streets for King Charles' coronation on Saturday, the biggest ceremonial event staged in the British capital for 70 years, and they are well prepared to handle any incident, officials said on Wednesday. However, demonstartions are also planned by anti-monarchists in Trafalgar Square and along the procession route. Security Minister Tom Tugendhat told Times Radio the event was one of the most important security operations the country has ever mounted. [1/4] A police officer keeps guard ahead of King Charles' coronation, in London, Britain, May 3, 2023. "Republic will not be deterred and we will be protesting on Trafalgar Square and along the route of the coronation procession on Saturday," Smith said in a statement.

The London Stock Exchange and British officials are ramping up efforts to build a robust pipeline of Chinese firms, trading on London's status as Europe's deepest capital market. Edwards said he thought London was "an obvious choice" for many Chinese companies "given the issues around the U.S.-China relationship." However, the China-Switzerland Connect - an eight-month-old rival scheme - is gaining more traction among Chinese companies, partly due to a relatively easier process. The London Stock Exchange is "actively looking at how they can address some of the issues," Edwards said. Edwards said officials have identified hundreds of Chinese companies that could potentially issue GDRs in London and "are actively approaching them at the moment."

Credit Suisse staff had already been seeking to jump ship in recent weeks, sources told Reuters. "Many Credit Suisse bankers had already been talking to a lot of people for a while [about leaving the Swiss bank]. An executive at a rival London-based wealth manager said they had seen a steady flow of CVs coming in from Credit Suisse bankers. UBS told Credit Suisse wealth bankers on Monday that it was weighing financial sweeteners for them to stay, as it seeks to reassure key staff. Some experts have said Britain's financial services industry could ultimately benefit from recent bouts of turmoil in the United States and Switzerland.

[1/3] People walk over Millennium Bridge amidst early morning fog, as the sun rises beyond the City of London financial district in the background, in London, Britain, February 8, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File PhotoLONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - Investors Aviva (AV.L) and M&G (MNG.L) on Thursday joined calls for Britain to press ahead with financial reforms and give high-growth sectors such as technology companies more support to keep London's markets competitive. Andrea Rossi, chief executive of asset manager and insurer M&G, said Britain needed to better support new companies to attract them to London's stock market. Rossi said while he was "bullish" on Britain's prospects, the country needed regulatory and political stability after a turbulent end to 2022. ($1 = 0.8408 pounds)Reporting by Iain Withers in London and Sinchita Mitra in Bengaluru, Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fighter jets escorted a plane into a London airport after it lost communications and may have caused a 'sonic boom'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Fighter jets escorted an aircraft to an airport in London after it lost communications, per BBC News. This came shortly after people heard a "loud bang," which some thought was a sonic boom. Some plane spotters believe it might have been a sonic boom caused by the fast movement of the RAF jets. Essex Police tweeted that a plane heading from Iceland to Nairobi, Kenya was escorted into Stansted at about 12.50pm UK time. Departures from another London airport were reportedly suspended for around 15 minutes, per BBC News.

☆ London Stock Exchange urges rapid UK reforms after Arm's snub
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - The London Stock Exchange said on Friday that chip designer Arm's decision to pursue a U.S.-only listing this year rather than return to London's stock market showed Britain needed to speed up plans for regulatory and market reforms. Arm, owned by Japan's SoftBank (9984.T), is to pursue a U.S.-only listing this year, dashing the British government's hopes that the tech giant would choose London. "Arm is a great British company and a world leader in their field which we continue to believe can be very well served by the UK capital markets," said Julia Hoggett, chief executive of London Stock Exchange plc, part of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG.L). Arm has not completely ruled out an eventual London listing and has said it intends to consider a subsequent IPO there in due course, without providing further details. On Thursday, Dublin-based building materials group CRH (CRH.L) had announced a decision to its primary listing from London to the United States.

[1/2] A man is reflected in an electronic board showing Britain's FTSE 100 outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan, June 27, 2016. REUTERS/Toru HanaiLONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Britain's blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) index hit a record high on Friday, in what could mark a potential turning point for UK assets, which have been dogged by a floundering economy. The FTSE 100 rose to 7,906.58 at 1545 GMT, surpassing a previous record high of 7,903.50 hit on May 22 2018. "Is it realistic that the FTSE being at an all-time high when we consider the state of the UK economy? The FTSE 100 closed Friday up 1.04% higher and has rallied 4.9% so far this year.

☆ How London became the divorce capital of the world for the mega-rich
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-26 | by ( Bill Bostock | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A UK judge ordered Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai to pay a $679 million divorce settlement to his ex-wife. Princess Haya had filed for divorce in London, known as "the divorce capital of the world." It also reaffirmed London's status as the de facto "divorce capital of the world," at least for the rich and famous. The often-cited case — "White v White" — concerns Martin White and Pamela White, farmers from Somerset who filed for divorce in 1994. Lawyers for Khoo told the court that his case had enhanced "the ill-gotten reputation of this country for being the divorce capital of the world."

☆ Iran imposes sanctions on U.K. institutions, individuals for 'inciting riots'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Iran designated several British people and institutions on Wednesday for their "deliberate actions in support of terrorism, incitement of violence, and human rights violations," Iran's foreign ministry said. "The listed natural and legal persons have, among other things, carried out activities that have led to unrest, violence and terrorist acts against the Iranian nation," the ministry said. BBC Persian, the intelligence organisation Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), and people such as Conservative politicians Stephen Crabb and Tom Tugendhat appear on Tehran's list of sanctions. On Oct. 10, Britain placed sanctions on senior Iranian security officials and the "Morality Police", saying the force had used threats of detention and violence to control what Iranian women wear and how they behave in public. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Dubai Newsroom; editing by Grant McCoolOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Jet2 flight lands safely in London after potential security threat
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 13 (Reuters) - British low-cost airline Jet2.com, a unit of Jet2 Plc (JET2.L), said late on Wednesday that a flight from Turkey to Manchester was diverted to London's Stansted airport under the direction of UK authorities over a potential security threat. The aircraft landed safely and taxied to a remote stand, the airline said in a statement on Twitter, adding that the incident was later downgraded and declared as over. loadingEssex Police led the safety operation after receiving a report of potential threat on board Wednesday night. Officers were then able to establish there was no threat on board," the police tweeted. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Urvi Dugar and Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Queen Elizabeth's coffin reaches Windsor chapel ahead of burial
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The hearse carrying the coffin of Britain's Queen Elizabeth is escorted along the Long Walk towards Windsor castle in the funeral procession, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in Windsor, Britain, September 19, 2022Later the attention switched to St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, where some 800 guests attended a committal service ahead of her burial. The coffin entered to lines of scripture set to a score used at every state funeral since the early 18th century. The casket was taken from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch and transferred to a hearse to travel to Windsor, where more big crowds waited patiently. Among the crowds who came from around Britain and beyond, people climbed lampposts and stood on barriers and ladders to catch a glimpse of the royal procession. "I've been coming to Windsor for 50 years now," said Baldev Bhakar, 72, a jeweler from the nearby town of Slough, speaking outside Windsor Castle.

☆ 6 times Queen Elizabeth II showed strength and empathy during her reign
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-09 | by ( Marguerite Ward | Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has prompted a review of her 70-year reign. Though imperfect, she showed strength and empathy through her domestic and international leadership. The death of Queen Elizabeth II at 96 on Thursday wasn't a surprise, yet it still came as a shock. Known for her unwavering dedication to the throne, the Queen was an imperfect leader and one whose legacy is complicated by racism and the UK's stain of colonization. Here are six times the Queen was credited with showing courage and empathy as a leader.

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