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 [...]
Culture in the age of Trump: His legacy in theatre, art and film January 19, 2021 Tomorrow marks the inauspicious end to one of the most divisive and controversial Presidencies in American history. Trump’s four-year legacy includes a partially-built wall, the dismantling of decades worth of environmental legislation, and a record-setting second impeachment. But he also had a huge influence over the world of art and culture, with creators across the [...]
Kwarteng confirms UK post-Brexit review of EU workers’ rights regulations January 19, 2021 Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has confirmed his department launched a review into EU workers’ protections post-Brexit, but insisted there will not be a “bonfire of rights”. Responding to reports that the government was preparing to rip up regulations that prevent Britons working more than 48 hours a week, Kwarteng told Westminster’s business select committee today [...]
Scotland extends lockdown until at least mid-February January 19, 2021 Scotland has extended its nationwide lockdown until at least the middle of February, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. The Scottish premier told MSPs that transmission of the virus appeared to be on the decline, but was still too high to lift restrictions. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon said: “The Cabinet decided this morning [...]
Alexei Navalny calls for UK sanctions against Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich January 19, 2021 Detained Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called for the UK to sanction Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and former Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov if he is not released from prison. Navalny’s close associate Vladimir Ashurkov said today that Navalny had written up a list of eight Russian oligarchs that “he felt should be sanctioned if [...]