China calls US, UK cyber attack allegations ‘groundless and irresponsible’ July 20, 2021 China has denied US-led accusations of orchestrating a global cyber hacking campaign against tech giants including Microsoft. The US and a coalition of allies, including the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Nato, on Monday accused China behind the “systematic cyber sabotage”, including a major hacking of Microsoft earlier this year. China hit [...]
‘Severe consequences’: Israel warns Unilever against Ben & Jerry’s West Bank boycott July 20, 2021 Israel has warned consumer goods giant Unilever of “severe consequences” if its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s upholds its decision to boycott the West Bank. Vermont-based ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s said it plans to stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied territories yesterday. However, Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett urged the US to invoke anti-boycott [...]
Over 1 million children out of school last week due to ‘pingdemic’ July 20, 2021 More than 1 million state school children were off school last week because of coronavirus-related reasons, government figures revealed. The estimated number of 1.05 million school students not in class on 15 July, is a record high since all children returned to school in March, and up 11.2 per cent on figures from just one [...]
Some businesses to be eligible for exemption to self-isolation rules July 20, 2021 Businesses will be able to apply for exemptions to the government’s self-isolation rules amidst fears the so-called pingdemic will cripple the economy. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said vital businesses that maintain the supply of food or medicines, like supermarkets and pharmacies, could be eligible for the exemption. It comes as up to 1m people [...]
Number 10 slaps down London minister for saying people can ignore Covid app July 20, 2021 Downing Street has quickly slapped down London minister Paul Scully for saying it is optional to self-isolate after being pinged by the NHS Covid Test and Trace app. A Number 10 spokesperson said it is “crucial people isolate when they are told to do so” in a clear rebuke to Scully. The minister said this [...]
Hong Kong leader brushes off fears of exodus from the territory July 20, 2021 Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday brushed off the recent scenes at the city’s airport packed with thousands of Hongkongers leaving for Britain. The city’s leader said emigration is a personal choice, and her government held no official position on the phenomenon. “Every now and then in the history of Hong Kong, there [...]
Parliamentary inquiry into Cameron Greensill saga says lobbying rules are ‘insufficient’ July 20, 2021 A parliamentary committee looking into the Greensill saga blasted ex-prime minister David Cameron for the “significant lack of judgement” he showed in his support for the failed firm. The “Lessons from Greensill Capital” report by the Commons Treasury Select Committee found that the current ministerial lobbying rules are “insufficient” and “there is a good case [...]
Cummings: Johnson resisted lockdown as Covid deaths only among elderly July 20, 2021 Dominic Cummings has alleged that Boris Johnson was reluctant to introduce stricter Covid restrictions amid a surge in cases last autumn because he thought the disease was only killing the over 80s. “I no longer buy all this NHS overwhelmed stuff” Cummings said the prime minister had messaged him. Cummings claimed that Johnson wanted to [...]
Vaccine passport compulsory for nightclubs and large events from September July 19, 2021 Vaccine passports are set to be made mandatory for nightclubs and mass events from September amidst low vaccine take-up among younger age groups. Boris Johnson said once all adults have been given the chance to get both jabs by September they will be forced to show proof they are fully vaccinated to enter mass events. [...]
Hong Kong’s parliament expected to pass controversial ‘anti-doxxing’ law July 19, 2021 A new law proposed by Hong Kong’s government would give the city’s privacy watchdog the power to request malicious sharing of individuals’ information be removed from websites, even if the content is hosted outside Hong Kong. Hong Kong authorities revealed details of the bill on Friday, effectively criminalising doxxing activities – disclosing personal information without [...]