UK

Britain’s ‘secret parliament’ celebrates its 80th birthday

Editorial Bureau June 23, 2021

LONDON (UK) – A secret home built by British lawmakers driven from their debating chamber by World War Two Nazi bombs from where Prime Minister Winston Churchill ran the country’s wartime government is celebrating its 80th year. Unbeknown to the British public, on June 24, 1941,

World

Increased presence of Delta variant coronavirus , easing restrictions may delay

Editorial Bureau June 23, 2021

DUBLIN (IRELAND) – Easing of restrictions in Ireland beyond July 5 in the increased presence of the COVID-19 Delta variant is still under consideration. Ireland’s health minister, Stephen Donnelly made the announcement. Most of the indoor restaurant and bar services are due to resume. “At this point, it’s too early to say,” Stephen Donnelly

Entertainment

British government aims sale of broadcaster Channel 4

Editorial Bureau June 23, 2021

LONDON (UK) – Britain’s Conservative government said on Wednesday it has plans to sell Channel 4, launched 39 years ago as an alternative to the BBC and ITV, to help guard its future as a public service broadcaster. The advertising-funded channel was set up with a remit to provide challenging and distinctive programming for audiences […]

Uncategorized

British minister calls for same rules for streaming services, broadcasters – Times

Editorial Bureau June 23, 2021

Britain’s streaming services and broadcasters should be on a level playing field, as traditional broadcasters have been competing with “one hand tied behind their backs”, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said on Wednesday. Dowden is to unveil plans for a white paper on broadcasting that aims to make streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and […]

USA

US firms to pay less tax than foreign rivals, Biden’s new proposal

Editorial Bureau June 22, 2021

A tax hike proposed by President Joe Biden will make it possible for US companies to pay less income tax than their overseas competitors. The announcement comes as part of the investigation has made by a news agency after analysing filings by hundreds of US and international firms. The analysis undercuts arguments by some company […]

Europe

Portugal ramps up vaccination as COVID-19 infections increase

Editorial Bureau June 21, 2021

LISBON (PORTUGAL) – As the Delta coronavirus variant continues to spread, Portuguese authorities are grappling to contain a spike in cases and said they would ramp up vaccinations and increase testing. Just over 25% of the population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Portugal, a country of 10 million that faced its toughest battle […]

Finance

China stresses on banks, Alipay to clamp down harder on cryptocurrencies

Editorial Bureau June 21, 2021

SHANGHAI (CHINA) -China’s central bank said on Monday it had recently summoned some banks and payment firms, which includes China Construction Bank and Alipay, calling them to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading. The People’s Bank of China’s meeting came after China’s State Council, or cabinet, last month said it would tighten restrictions

Middle East

Syrian drought lands Assad’s ‘year of wheat’ campaign in trouble

Editorial Bureau June 21, 2021

AMMAN (SYRIA) – The ‘year of wheat’ campaign initiated by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is in danger after low rainfall posed a threat of leaving an import gap of at least 1.5 million tonnes, as per preliminary estimates by officials and experts. The agricultural blow and lack of funds to finance the imports will add […]

Europe

Banks, miners prompt European shares to two-week low

Editorial Bureau June 21, 2021

A slide in bank and mining stocks led European shares to a two-week low on Monday after the US Federal Reserve’s surprisingly hawkish stance on monetary policy last week, while Morrisons surged 31% on hopes of a bidding war to buy out the UK grocer. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was flat by 0753 GMT […]

UK

Business minister says new 200 million pound royal yacht is a ‘good idea’

Editorial Bureau June 21, 2021

LONDON (UK) – The British government’s plans to set up a 200 million pound ($276.3 million) successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was retired in 1997, are a good idea, said Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng on Monday. “I think it is a good idea actually,” Kwarteng told Sky, though he said there was still […]