Trump signs coronavirus relief and spending bill December 28, 2020 US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $2.3 trillion (£1.7 trillion) coronavirus aid and spending package, averting a partial government shutdown. The outgoing president plunged the government into chaos after refusing to sign the stimulus bill, which was approved by Congress last week. Trump criticised “wasteful spending” and called for payouts to struggling [...]
Astrazeneca vaccine could help ease Covid restrictions, minister says December 28, 2020 Regulatory approval of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Astrazeneca and Oxford University could accelerate the easing of lockdown measures, the government has said. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said there would be a “significant increase” in jabs available if authorities give the green light to the British vaccine candidate. This would allow ministers to ease [...]
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce review: a very Italian affair December 28, 2020 Alfa Romeo has updated the Giulia with improved quality and new tech. We drive the sporty 280hp Veloce version
Brits warned of Brexit disruption despite trade deal December 28, 2020 Brits will face “some disruption” when the UK leaves the EU this week despite a last-minute trade deal, the government has warned. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said businesses and citizens must prepare for “practical and procedural changes”, warning that time to adapt to the new rules was very tight. Gove hailed the UK’s post-Brexit [...]
From Mini to McLaren: our favourite new cars of 2020 December 28, 2020 The cars that surprised and delighted us this year, including the Aston Martin DBX, Land Rover Defender and Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD.
Why women’s sport will hit £1bn and the tech tools trusted by pros will go overground in 2021 December 28, 2020 Paul Lee, global head of technology, media and telecommunications research at Deloitte, forecasts two major growth areas for sport in 2021. Women’s sports Deloitte predicts that revenue from women’s elite sports will be almost £1bn in 2021. The start of the 2021-22 season will kick off a record period for women’s sport attendance, TV audiences [...]
The top gadgets of 2020, from the iPhone 12 to the first next gen console December 27, 2020 It already feels like a cliche to describe 2020 as a year we’d rather forget. But it was also a year we found different ways to communicate with each other, and sought solace in digital escapism. In no particular order, here are our favourite gadgets of 2020, with links to our full reviews. Xbox Series [...]
The top films of 2020, from Parasite to Mank December 27, 2020 The absence of cinema releases for much of 2020 gives this year’s ‘best of’ film list a strange new context, as the industry shifts from reliance on the opening week box office and cinema fans focus on what they miss about the big screen. Here’s our pick of this year’s best movies, comprised of titles [...]
Mayor bids for developer levy to fund replacement cladding work December 27, 2020 Sadiq Khan has called on Whitehall to introduce a £3bn levy on private housing developers to fund replacement cladding work. Thousands of Londoners, both in the private and social housing sector, are still awaiting replacement cladding work on their properties after the Grenfell Tower disaster exposed serious safety issues. Read more: Mayor warns of toughest [...]
Wine drinkers toast Brexit deal as French clarets, German rieslings and UK sparkling wine escape regulatory burdens December 27, 2020 Wine drinkers will have reason to celebrate at least one aspect of the Brexit deal, industry insiders say, after it emerged it will cut red tape for wine exporters and importers. Insiders had feared that the UK’s departure would entail an additional, costly regulation – in the form of the VI-1 certificate – after the [...]