Hospitality sector urges Sunak to extend business rates and VAT support January 20, 2021 Hospitality bosses have again issued an urgent call for the government to extend business rates and VAT support in the March budget as the sector remains closed due to coronavirus restrictions. In a letter to the chancellor, industry body UK Hospitality asked him to extend the VAT cut to five per cent for a further [...]
Biden mulls creation of competition tsar amid tech probes January 20, 2021 The administration of incoming US President Joe Biden is said to be mulling the creation of a new White House role focused on competition issues amid a string of probes into tech giants. The Biden administration is still weighing up the role, which could be based in the White House or focus on coordinating actions [...]
EU chief Von der Leyen calls for ‘democratic limits’ to Big Tech power January 20, 2021 European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen has called for a crackdown on the “untrammelled” power of tech giants following violent riots at the Capitol earlier this month. In a speech marking the inauguration of Joe Biden, Von der Leyen welcomed the new US president, adding: “After four long years, Europe has a friend in [...]
Hair Force Gone: Donald Trump says goodbye to Washington January 20, 2021 Donald Trump has this afternoon left the White House for the final time with wife Melania Trump, telling an assembled crowd at a Maryland air force base that “we will be back in some form”. Speaking at the air base, Trump thanked his family, friends and staff, while also lauding his achievements in office. He [...]
White Tiger review – a thrilling adaptation of the best-seller January 20, 2021 Netflix’s film output can be a mixed bag. The streaming giant sinks a lot of money into expensive, star driven vehicles that are average at best (see last year’s Rebecca, Hillbilly Elegy, and The Midnight Sky). However, it has also provided a platform for interesting stories that in ordinary times may have struggled for breathing [...]
Teacher’s pet: Pearson shares lead the FTSE gainers after return to sales growth January 20, 2021 Teacher's pet: Pearson shares lead the FTSE gainers after return to sales growth
US says China has committed genocide against Uyghur Muslims January 20, 2021 The US has declared that China has committed “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” against Uyghur Muslims in the country’s northern province of Xinjiang. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo made the announcement yesterday, less than 24 hours from when Donald Trump’s term as President ends. Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state Tony Blinken said [...]
Jack Pot: Arrests made after huge cannabis farm discovered in Square Mile January 20, 2021 City of London Police have made two arrests after discovering a huge cannabis factory in the basement of a commercial property in the Square Mile. The 826 plant farm was the first cannabis factory ever found in the City, with the unusually quiet streets of the financial district providing a discreet location. However police were [...]
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, [...]
Return of the Ma: Alibaba’s Jack is back after three-month lack January 20, 2021 Alibaba founder Jack Ma has made his first appearance today since disappearing from the public eye in October, driving up shares in the e-commerce giant. Speaking to a group of teachers over a video call, Ma eased concerns over his absence following Beijing’s regulatory crackdown on his e-commerce empire. Alibaba has been subject to an [...]
