Political News
Global economy could recover in 2021 if stimulus kept up - OECD
The global economy could return to growth next year as better outlooks from the US and China combined with a “massive response” to the Covid-19 pandemic from other nations lessened GDP contraction, the OECD said on Wednesday.
US and UK to enter 4th round of trade talks this week
The resumption of trade talks between the US and the UK later this week will come at a pivotal moment for London as it tries to establish its future relationship with the European Union.
ByteDance rejects Microsoft offer for TikTok, partners with Oracle instead
Chinese tech company ByteDance has decided to reject Microsoft's bid to buy video app TikTok and partner with Oracle instead.
Cameron joins ex-Tory PMs' criticism of Brexit bill
David Cameron has become the third former Tory prime minister to express concerns about the government's proposal to break international law over Brexit - though in weaker terms than John Major and Theresa May.
University of Oxford and AstraZeneca restart Covid-19 vaccine trial
The University of Oxford and AstraZeneca will resume trials of their Covid-19 vaccine candidate after receiving clearance from the UK's Medicines Health Regulatory Authority.
UK, Japan sign free trade deal
Britain and Japan agreed a free trade deal on Friday, the first since the UK left the European Union in January.
US cancels visas for over 1,000 Chinese nationals
The United States revoked visas for over 1,000 Chinese nationals, denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks, the State Department said on Wednesday.
Fitch now assumes UK will quit Europe without trade deal - report
Credit ratings agency Fitch has changed its outlook and now believes the UK with leave the European Union without a trade deal in place, it emerged on Wednesday.
Scotland and Wales warn new internal market bill harms UK unity
Scotland and Wales warned on Wednesday that the new internal market bill that was proposed by the British government will undermine the UK’s unity as it will steal power from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Government legal chief quits over proposed Brexit agreement changes - report
The pound dropped sharply on Tuesday, after reports that one of the government’s most senior legal experts had resigned over Downing Street proposals to challenge parts of the 2019 Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
Global pharma bosses vow to put science first in race for Covid-19 vaccine
The bosses of nine of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies pledged to put science and safety first in the race to find a vaccine for Covid-19.
Spain calls for harmonisation of travel restrictions
Spanish foreign minister Arantxa González Laya called for the harmonisation of European travel measures on Tuesday to limit problems for tourists and tourism operators during the pandemic.
Julian Assange fights US extradition in London 'stop court
WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, is fighting against his extradition to the US in London’s top court this week after failing to delay the hearing on Monday.
Brexit trade talks resume as EC president warns UK to respect International law
The president of the European Commission has warned the UK to respect international law as increasingly fraught trade negotiations between London and Brussels resumed on Tuesday.
Chinese owner plans Thomas Cook revival
Travel company Thomas Cook could be relaunched in the near future as reports claim its Chinese owner is planning a revival of the name.
Pound slips as UK threatens to undermine Brexit withdrawal deal
The UK government is drawing up new laws that would that would override part of last year's EU withdrawal agreement as Downing Street threatened to collapse trade talks.
Oil companies to ramp up plastic supply to counter shift to renewable energy
Oil companies are set to ramp up their plastic production in a move to offset the shift towards renewable energy sources.
Whatsapp reveals new vulnerabilities in platform
Facebook-owned messaging app Whatsapp revealed six previously undisclosed new vulnerabilities that it has now fixed.
Sunak rejects City plan to refinance crisis loans - report
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is ready to reject a City of London proposal for a state-backed body to refinance tens of billions of pounds of loans made to businesses during the Covid-19 crisis, according to a report.
US services sector activity cools a little in August
The pace of services sector activity in the States ebbed a bit last month, as the rate of incoming new orders slowed, the results of a closely-watched survey showed.