Poor outlook for growth could limit scope for budget tax cuts
<?xml encoding="utf-8" ??> A £30 billion boost to the government’s finances is likely to be wiped out by a downgrade in forecasts for economic growth at next month’s budget, a think tank has warned. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said Jeremy Hunt
Book Bodega of Ramsgate turns new page with Twitter SOS
<?xml encoding="utf-8" ??> Independent bookshops are a cornerstone of many high streets, offering cosy reading nooks and personalised recommendations to those willing to venture into town for their next paperback. But running one is no easy feat. Sapphire Bates feared she would
HK ends one of world’s longest mask mandates after 945 days
HONG KONG will stop requiring masks to be worn in public places from Wednesday, drawing to a close the prolonged Covid era that damaged its economy and standing in the world. Masks will no longer be needed outdoors, indoors or on
High airfares here to stay, AirAsia’s Fernandes says
HIGH AIRFARES are here to stay as airlines take advantage of the post-pandemic travel boom to lock in higher charges, Capital A Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said. “The fare environment is very good,” Mr. Fernandes said in an interview with
UK salad crisis: Gov’t tells grocers to re-examine farmer relationships
LOUIS HANSEL-UNSPLASH LONDON — As Britain entered a third week of shortages of salad items, the government told big supermarket groups to re-examine their relationships with farmers. On Monday, Lidl GB followed market leader Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Aldi in imposing customer
Ex-CIA director sees ‘slow-balization’ from geopolitical shocks
THE GEOPOLITICAL crisis over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing US-China tensions have led to “slow-balization,” where global integration is happening at a slower pace, according to retired General David Petraeus. “We are in an era of renewed great power rivalries,
Thailand sees 2.14 million foreign visitors in January as tourism rebounds
FACE MASKS are seen on statues of Buddha at a monastery in Pathum Thani, Thailand May 8, 2020. — REUTERS BANGKOK — Thailand recorded 2.14 million foreign visitors in January, tourism ministry data showed on Monday, down slightly from the previous
WB estimates quakes caused $34.2 billion in damage in Turkey
A woman stands near a collapsed building after an earthquake in Kahramanmaras, Turkey Feb. 6, 2023. — REUTERS WASHINGTON — The two major earthquakes which hit Turkey on Feb. 6 caused about $34.2 billion in direct physical damage, but total reconstruction
As China’s birth rate slumps, political advisor urges single women to freeze their eggs
A WOMAN wearing a mask carries a baby as they arrive from Guangzhou, China, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay, Philippines, Jan. 23, 2020. — REUTERS HONG KONG — A member of China’s top political advisory body said she
Reuters reporters’ online accounts faked to approach China activists
HONG KONG – Two Reuters journalists had their identities faked by an unknown person or people who then used sham social media accounts to engage with Chinese activists on several online platforms over several months. The false representations of the two journalists, Shanghai bureau chief Brenda Goh and Hong Kong-based correspondent Jessie Pang,