Political News
UK MPs approve Brexit trade deal with EU
British lawmakers on Wednesday approved a deal governing the UK's trade relationship with the European Union.
EU ambassadors approve provisional application of Brexit deal
Ambassadors of European Union governments in Brussels approved on Monday the provisional application of the new Brexit trade deal from 1 January 2021.
Trump signs Covid-19 relief package preventing government shutdown
US President Donald Trump signed a bill on Sunday to approve the $2. 3tn pandemic and spending package that would restore benefits to millions of American citizens.
UK, EU agree Brexit deal
Britain and the European Union finally agreed a trade deal on Thursday, after four-and-a-half years of tortured negotiations.
Lufthansa airlifts fruit, veg to supply-strapped Brits
Germany’s Lufthansa has airlifted 80 tonnes of fruit and vegetables to panicked Britons as fears of festive-season supermarket shortages grew despite France lifting its Covid-19 blockade.
Trump demands changes to $900bn US stimulus bill, suggests veto
US President Donald Trump attacked the $900bn pandemic relief package that passed by Congress on Monday night, calling it a “disgrace” and demanded changes before he signed the bill.
Trump signs temporary bill to avoid government shutdown
US President Donald Trump signed a temporary spending bill on Sunday night to avoid a government shutdown, the White House said in a statement.
Brexit talks at 'moment of truth', Barnier warns
Michel Barnier has warned that trade talks with the UK are at a "moment of truth" with only hours left to secure a deal to prevent potential chaos in the new year.
Alibaba 'dismayed' by its ethnicity profiling algorithm
Alibaba said it was “dismayed” after learning that Alibaba Cloud had developed facial recognition technology to identify ethnicity and thus profile “Uyghur” muslims.
US to blacklist Chinese companies including SMIC - report
The US is ready to add dozens of Chinese companies including chipmaker SMIC to a trade blacklist on Friday, according to a report.
Chancellor extends furlough, business loan schemes
The government’s furlough scheme has been extended to the end of April 2021, the Chancellor announced on Thursday, with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages.
'Stumbling blocks' remain in EU-UK trade talks, but progress being made - Barnier
Michel Barnier has said that "good progress" has been made on securing a trade deal with the UK, despite outstanding issues remaining.
Industries call on MPs to hold port delays inquiry
Britain's retailers and food manufacturers have asked MPs to hold an inquiry into disruption of ports and shipping in the important pre-Christmas trading period.
Von der Leyen sees 'path' to Brexit deal
The president of the European Commission raised hopes of a Brexit trade deal on Wednesday but the UK urged caution as talks continued.
US lawmakers edge towards agreement on fresh stimulus package
Hopes were growing on Tuesday that Washington could be close to agreeing pandemic relief worth $748bn after a compromise package of fiscal measures was presented by a group of bipartisan lawmakers.
New online safety law in UK set to curb illegal content
The UK’s new Online Safety Bill looks to block illegal and harmful content on the web.
London to enter tier 3 as new Covid-19 variant spreads
London will move into the strictest tier 3 category for Covid-19 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday morning to combat a new form of the virus, the health secretary told MPs.
EU regulators approve €30bn scheme to reduce CO2 emissions
Competition regulators in Brussels approved a €30bn scheme on Monday that will support projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands.
Barnier sees Brexit agreement after UK 'concession' - report
A post-Brexit trade and security deal could be sealed as early as this week after the UK reportedly made a key concession over the weekend, the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier told the bloc’s ambassadors in Brussels on Monday.
Brexit: Pound up as UK, EU agree to 'go extra mile' on trade deal
The UK and European Union have agreed to extend Brexit trade talks into this week, although British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the two sides were "still very far apart" on key issues.