Political News
Hackers linked to Beijing targeted Covid-19 vaccine firm Moderna
Hackers linked to the Chinese governmenT targeted US biotech company Moderna which is currently focusing on developing a Covid-19 vaccine, with the aim of stealing valuable data.
UK furloughed workers to get full redundancy pay under law change
Furloughed workers who lose their jobs during the coronavirus crisis will be eligible for redundancy pay based on their normal wages under new laws that will take effect on Friday.
Heathrow chief calls on UK government to introduce passenger Covid-19 tests
The chief executive of Heathrow airport asked the UK government on Wednesday to urgently introduce passenger testing after reporting a 96% fall in passenger numbers during the second quarter.
China orders US to close Chengdu consulate
China’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday that it is revoking the license for the US consulate in Chengdu.
US orders closure of China consulate in Houston
Tensions between the US and China were heightened after the State Department ordered the closure of the Chinese consulate in the Texas city of Houston.
UK government close to giving up on Brexit deal - report
The government is understood to be abandoning hopes of striking a post-Brexit trade deal in time to meet Boris Johnson’s July deadline, it was claimed on Wednesday.
UK failed to probe Russia interference in Brexit vote - MPs
The British government and intelligence services failed to assess the Russian threat to the 2016 Brexit referendum, a long-delayed security committee report said on Tuesday.
EU leaders agree €750bn Covid fund after fractious 5-day summit
A bad-tempered European Union summit ended early Tuesday after almost five days, with leaders agreeing finally on an historic stimulus plan worth €1. 8trln to save their coronavirus-ravaged economies.
EU Summit deal main points
Here are the main points from the agreement reached by European Union leaders on Tuesday to revive their economies after the coronavirus pandemic:.
UK June public sector borrowing eases but set to top 20% of GDP
UK public sector borrowing hit a quarterly record in June as the government battled the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with some economists forecasting it was on course to hit 20% of gross domestic product during the current fiscal year.
Over 25% of financial services will continue working from home despite urge for return to normality
Financial services of the City of London will not return to offices due to coronavirus concerns despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging a return to normality.
UK expected to suspend Hong Kong extradition treaty
UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab is set to announce the result of a review on Monday over a possible suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest over the new national security law imposed on the special administrative area by Beijing.
Some EU leaders see path to deal on Reconstruction Fund, talks to resume later
Some European Union leaders believe a deal on the bloc's Reconstruction Fund was now in sight after the four countries which had been holding out for greater conditionality signalled their agreement with the proposed split between grants and low-interest loans.
Russia still expects to ink deal with Astra Zeneca for Covid-19 vaccine
Russia still expects to conclude a deal with AstraZeneca to manufacture the Covid-19 vaccine that it is working on with Oxford University.
Govt to lift England work-from-home restrictions on Aug 1
Work-from-home restrictions in England will be lifted on August 1, the government said on Friday as it aimed for a post-coronavirus return to "normality" by Christmas despite fears from scientists and employer groups.
White House mulls travel ban for Chinese Communist Party members - report
The White House is mulling a ban on Chinese Communist Party members travelling to the US, it was reported on Thursday, the latest salvo in the escalating hostilities between the two countries.
China continues criticism of UK over Huawei ban
China hit back again at the UK over the "discriminatory" decision to bar Huawei from the country's 5G network as the controversy between the two countries ran on.
Trump ends Hong Kong special status; China threatens retaliation
US President Donald Trump said he had signed an order ending preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong, after China imposed a controversial security law in the territory.
China to impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin over Taiwan arms deal
China is to impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin after the US government gave the green light to a sale of missile parts to Taiwan.
Sunak to focus on budget deficit after post-Covid outlook clears
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said he would focus on restoring public finances and the deficit once he had more clarity around the post-Covid-19 economic recovery.