Priti Patel deflects blame for UK’s death toll onto scientists January 20, 2021 Home secretary Priti Patel has tried to shift blame for the UK’s world-leading Covid death rate onto government scientists. When questioned today about why the UK’s death rate was so high she said “there was no one reason”, before saying “government has listened to a range of advice, and followed advice, from professionals and advisers, medical, scientific, [...]
City analysts discuss what a Biden administration may hold for financial markets January 20, 2021 In the final hours of Donald Trump’s presidency, investors are turning the spotlight on Joe Biden. As Biden is about to enter the White House, several City-based analysts discuss what the new administration may have in store for different markets and parts of the economy. US Dollar US Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen reaffirmed her [...]
Joe Biden to enact series of executive orders today to undo Trump legacy January 20, 2021 Joe Biden will today action a series of executive orders that will undo some of Donald Trump’s most controversial policies on immigration, climate change and Covid. Biden’s team laid out a list of day-one executive orders for the President-elect, including re-joining the Paris climate agreement, re-connecting with the World Health Organisation and immediately ceasing construction [...]
British lawyer pulls out of high-profile Hong Kong case following ‘pressure’ from UK January 20, 2021 A British prosecutor set to lead the case against media mogul Jimmy Lai and several pro-democracy activists has withdrawn after ‘pressure’ from the UK, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice said this morning. Hired by the Hong Kong government, David Perry QC indicated that “the trial should proceed without him”, the Department of Justice said in [...]
Before the Bell: It’s Biden’s time as Trump leaves the stage January 20, 2021 The return of US markets from the Martin Luther King holiday saw stocks drive higher as the US gets ready to swear in today a new President for the next four years, CMC Markets UK chief market analyst Michael Hewson tells City A.M. this morning, adding that optimism that the pledge to act big on [...]
Trump vows ‘movement is just beginning’ and pardons Bannon before leaving Washington January 20, 2021 Donald Trump has pardoned his former adviser Steve Bannon, who is facing fraud charges, in one of his final acts as President of the United States. Prosecutors said Bannon and three others defrauded hundreds of donors in connection with Trump’s wall campaign, which raised $25m. It was alledged Bannon then used at least $1m to [...]
BBC warned to ready itself for lower licence fee income by public spending watchdog January 20, 2021 The BBC has been warned to match its priorities and future strategy with an assumption that licence fee income may fall further still.
Tory rebellion to stop UK trade deals with ‘genocidal’ regimes fall short January 19, 2021 A Tory rebellion in the House of Commons that tried to stop the UK government from being able to to sign future trade deals with genocidal governments has fallen just short. The amendment, which was brought forward by the House of Lords, lost by just 11 votes, 319 to 308, this evening. Thirty-four Conservative MPs [...]
Janet Yellen urges US senators to ‘act big’ on coronavirus relief package January 19, 2021 Janet Yellen, US President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for treasury secretary, today urged senators to “act big” on the next coronavirus relief package. Yellen said the benefits of a bold stimulus package will outweigh the costs of a higher debt burden. She told the Senate Finance Committee that her main focus on appointment will be to [...]
London schools could be first to reopen in ‘regional return’ for pupils, says medical adviser January 19, 2021 Schools in London could be among the first to reopen after England’s third national lockdown as infection rates across the capital continue to decline, the deputy chief medical officer has said. Speaking to MPs at an education committee meeting, Dr Jenny Harries said there would “likely” be regional differences in Covid measures once England exits [...]