Bezos accused of ‘wilful blindness’ over use of unlicensed music on Twitch August 10, 2020 Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has found himself under fire by the music industry for an “apparent unwillingness” to counteract use of unlicensed music on streaming platform Twitch. In a letter, seen by City A.M., non-profit organisation the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) accused Bezos of being ignorant of copyright issues on Twitch, having submitted more than [...]
Sadiq Khan: Saving London’s shops and cafes is ‘urgent priority’ August 10, 2020 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said keeping London’s hospitality businesses and venues open should be an “urgent priority” during the pandemic, or the city risks a downturn it may not recover from. Speaking to City A.M., Khan responded to calls from hospitality businesses to lobby for more support as London gets back on its [...]
Pret A Manger to cut staff hours in coronavirus restructuring August 9, 2020 Pret A Manger has asked thousands of its staff to work fewer hours, as the lunch chain restructures its business after the coronavirus pandemic. Staff will work 20 per cent fewer hours on average, as footfall remains low. It follows an announcement by Pret last month that it would be closing 30 outlets and cutting [...]
Daily UK coronavirus cases jump to highest since June August 9, 2020 The number of coronavirus cases reported in the UK today rose to its highest since June, surpassing 1,000 daily cases for the first time in almost two months. The UK recorded 1,062 new positive tests for coronavirus, the highest daily case rise since late June, as local lockdowns in some areas rise. The rate was [...]
BBC boss apologises over broadcast of racial slur August 9, 2020 BBC director general Lord Tony Hall has apologised and said the broadcaster made a mistake, after a news report containing a racial slur was shown last month. The N-word was used in full in a report by social affairs correspondent Fiona Lamdin about a racially aggravated attack in Bristol, aired by Points West and the [...]
Trump signs coronavirus relief orders after Congress talks break down August 9, 2020 US President Donald Trump signed executive orders over the weekend that partially restored increased unemployment benefits for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic. The US has now surpassed more than 5m cases and 160,000 deaths from Covid-19. Unemployment figures improved slightly in July, but failed to match the growth rates of May and [...]
Major shareholder lambasts AA takeover approach August 9, 2020 The AA’s largest shareholder has criticised the firm’s approach as it enters into takeover talks, saying it had “jeopardised” its own leverage position by being downcast about its situation. The roadside assistance firm said last week it has opened talks with two parties about a potential deal: Centerbridge Partners and TowerBrook Capital on one side, [...]
Natwest set to scrap top bankers in management cull August 9, 2020 Natwest is said to be preparing to oust three of its senior management team, as it trims down on costs during the pandemic. Three executives at the helm of its Natwest Markets division — which has 5,000 staff in total — are to stand down this week, the Sunday Times reported. It comes as chief [...]
PM Boris Johnson says schools must open in September August 9, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said reopening schools in September is imperative, insisting they will be able to teach children safely despite the coronavirus pandemic. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Johnson said restarting schools was a “national priority” for the government. The move follows a study earlier this month which warned that the UK [...]
Twitter wades into bidding war for Tiktok’s US operations August 9, 2020 Twitter is said to have expressed interest in buying Tiktok’s US operations, as the short-form video app continues to hold talks with Microsoft about a sale. However it is far from certain that Twitter would be able to outbid Microsoft, and complete a deal within the 45-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump, two [...]