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House Speaker vote puts GOP unity to the test
Deirdre Walsh Republicans are taking the first steps Friday to usher in a new era of full GOP control in Washington as Congress comes into session. But the usually ceremonial process in the House is already bogged down in political infighting over who should be elected Speaker of the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La,…
Laura Ashley bought by US owner of Ben Sherman
British clothing and home furnishings brand sold by Gordon Brothers to Marquee Brands Laura Ashley has been acquired by New York-based Marquee Brands, the owner of 17 businesses including Ben Sherman and Martha Stewart. The clothing and home furnishings brand, best known for its floaty floral frocks, has been sold by Gordon Brothers. Gordon Brothers…
Badenoch’s department wrote to Treasury after Dyson lobbying over potential tax break
Business department raised issue of patent box benefit after meeting that took place last June, documents show Kemi Badenoch instructed her department to write to the Treasury about a potential tax break after an intervention from Dyson, documents have revealed. In the minutes of a meeting during her time as business secretary last June, seen…
Dress codes for high-end restaurants may not be as strict as you think they are
By Hosts Many restaurants — even the high-end ones — are ditching dress codes for diners. LEILA FADEL, HOST: Maybe this has happened to you. You go out to eat at a restaurant you haven’t tried before. But you’re not sure about the vibe, so you don’t know what to wear. So you worry, will…
‘We’d be stuck’: alarm as UK’s last braille typewriter repairer ponders retirement
Alan Thorpe is Britain’s last certified fixer of the Perkins brailler, a machine vital for teaching blind children to read and write Alan Thorpe runs his fingers over the braille note attached to the latest repair job to arrive at his doorstep in Sheffield. Reading from the tactile note, he says: “The paper won’t wind…
Lidl enjoys record £1bn UK sales in run-up to Christmas
Discount grocer records 7% increase in four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve Lidl made more than £1bn in sales in the run-up to Christmas for the first time in the three decades the discount grocer has been operating in the UK as cash-strapped shoppers cut costs. The German-owned discounter, which is close to overtaking…
Neil Young pulls out of Glastonbury and says it is ‘under corporate control’
Rock star Neil Young has announced he will not be performing at this year’s Glastonbury, saying he believes the festival, which is partnered with the BBC, is “now under corporate control”. The 79-year-old Canadian wrote on his website that he and his band the Chrome Hearts “were looking forward to playing Glastonbury, one of my…
UK house prices rise for fourth month in a row, says Nationwide
Cost of average home in December reaches £269,426, with value increasing over year by almost £12,000 House prices rose for a fourth consecutive month in December, ending 2024 on a “strong footing”, Nationwide said, with the cost of an average home hitting £269,426. The building society’s monthly tracker found prices in December rose 0.7% on…
Centrelink payments increase, higher passport fees and pay rises: all the 1 January changes in Australia in 2025
Bigger Austudy and carer allowance payments, higher Medicare safety net thresholds and mandatory corporate reporting on climate also in 1 Jan changes With the new year come new policies, laws, taxes and reforms. Here’s everything to know about changes on 1 January, 2025 that could affect you. Centrelink payments, including youth allowance, Austudy and carer…