Oilers vs bills

Republican senators want to bar U.S. app stores including Apple and Google from hosting apps that allow payments to be made with China's digital currency , amid fears the payment system could allow Beijing to spy on Americans. (Sign up to our Technology newsletter, Today’s Cache, for insights on emerging themes at the intersection of technology, business and policy. Click here to subscribe for free.) The bill, unveiled Thursday and first reported by Reuters, states that companies that own or control app stores "shall not carry or support any app in app store(s) within the United States that supports or enables transactions in e-CNY." It is sponsored by Senators Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio and Mike Braun. Also Read Bill targeting Apple and Google approved by U.S. Senate panel According to Cotton's office, digital yuan could provide the Chinese government with "real-time visibility into all transactions on the network, posing privacy and security concerns for … [Read more...] about U.S. bill would bar Google, Apple from hosting apps that accept China’s digital yuan

The energy crisis has increased the number of people who are thinking about upgrading their homes to ensure that less heat leaks out, new data show. The Office for National Statistics found that 26% of adults in the UK are considering changes to their homes’ energy efficiency, up from 19% last autumn when it asked the question. Energy bills soared by 54% for the average household on a standard variable energy tariff at the beginning of April when the price cap on bills was changed. In October bills are expected to go up more than £800 again to around £2,800, considerably more than double their levels from just a few months ago. The ONS found that among those thinking about the energy efficiency of their homes, 42% were considering improving their insulation, 21% think solar panels might be an option and 32% say they might make other improvements. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs … [Read more...] about More people thinking about insulation as energy bills soar, says ONS

Pakistan’s National Assembly on May 26 passed a bill to abolish the former Imran Khan government’s election reforms giving expats the right to vote through I-Voting and the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the country. The Elections (Amendment) Bill 2022 presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Murtaza Javed Abbasi was passed with a majority vote in the lower house, with only members of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) opposing it. Mr. Abbasi, before presenting the bill, presented a motion to allow the bill be sent directly to the Senate for its approval, bypassing the relevant standing committee. The bill is expected to be sent to the Senate on May 27. The current National Assembly would complete its five-year term in August next year, which would be followed by the general elections. However, the prime minister can dissolve parliament any time and call fresh elections. Describing the bill of “immense significance”, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) … [Read more...] about Pakistan’s National Assembly approves bill to bar overseas citizens’ from voting, stop use of EVMs

Three-homes Rishi Sunak today said he "doesn't need" up to £1,200 in energy bills help from his own government - and will give it to charity. The Tory Chancellor admitted he is borrowing another £10bn for a £400-per-household discount from October that the wealthiest do not need. People with second homes will even get £800 and people with third homes £1,200 - if they pay all those homes' energy bills. But instead of denying them a payment, Mr Sunak challenged them to "set an example" and donate the money to charity. Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have entered the Sunday Times Rich List as the 222nd-wealthiest people in Britain with a joint £730m fortune - mostly thanks to his wife's shares in her father's firm. They are thought to have three UK homes - a listed manor with a swimming pool in Yorkshire, and a flat and townhouse in London. The Tory Chancellor admitted he is borrowing another £10bn for a £400-per-household discount that the wealthiest do not need ( … [Read more...] about Three-homes Rishi Sunak ‘doesn’t need’ bills help and will give it to charity

Johnny Depp's high-profile court battle with ex-wife Amber Heard is set to come to an end on Friday, after several weeks of testimonies placed an often uncomfortable spotlight on their tumultuous relationship. Depp, 58, has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard, 36, over an op-ed published by The Washington Post in 2018, in which she stated that she was a domestic abuse survivor. Heard did not name Depp in the article, but his lawyers have argued that it was obvious she was referring to the actor. Heard is countersuing for $100 million. As each star took the stand at Virginia's Fairfax County Circuit Court, they made a host of allegations against one another, including drug and alcohol use , explosive confrontations, and even a claim that Heard defecated on the couple's bed. Depp and Heard, whose divorce was finalized in 2017, have also accused one another of domestic abuse . Both have denied the allegations made against them. Since the trial began last month, a … [Read more...] about Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard: What to expect during closing statements

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) on Friday revived Build Back Better negotiations with Republican senators ahead of the November midterm elections. The negotiations, which stalled between Manchin and the White House in December, include increasing the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 25 percent, provisions meant to address global warming, and subsidies for the green energy sector, Axios reported. Manchin is negotiating with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) but not with President Joe Biden, a key individual in the dealmaking process. “There are options that are going to be there that you might have to consider… I was as honest as I could be,” the West Virginia senator said after meeting with a number of GOP senators, most of whom are closely associated with the Republican establishment. So far the negotiations between the establishment Republicans and the Democrats have been “respectful” and “encouraging, to a certain … [Read more...] about Joe Manchin Revives ‘Build Back Better’ Talks with GOP Before Midterms

Rishi Sunak has refused to rule out a further emergency cost-of-living package next year despite alarm among some Tories at the impact on the public finances of the latest measures. The Chancellor responded to weeks of mounting pressure over soaring energy bills with the announcement of a £21 billion giveaway to households, partly paid for by a £5 billion levy on the profits of oil and gas companies. In the Commons on Thursday he told MPs the Government could not “sit idly by” while families across the country struggled to make ends meet. However there was anger from some Conservatives , who said the “windfall tax” on the energy giants – which Labour had been pressing for since the start of the year – was “throwing red meat to socialists”. There were also concerns that a £400 discount on energy bills for every household in the country, regardless of how well off they are, would further fuel inflation which is already heading towards 10%. Recommended … [Read more...] about Sunak refuses to rule out new cost-of-living support next year

Pizza Express has announced that KFC boss Paula MacKenzie will take over the reins at the restaurant chain next month. Ms MacKenzie will join the business as chief executive on June 6, taking the role after David Campbell stepped down last October. The experienced hospitality boss joins Pizza Express from KFC parent firm Yum Brands, where she has led the fried chicken brand’s UK and Ireland business as managing director. She worked for the group for 11 years, having previously worked at brands including Diageo, GlaxoSmithKline and Innocent. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The appointment comes as Pizza Express continues its turnaround following a major restructuring after the impact of the pandemic. The chain slashed more than 70 restaurants and around 2,400 jobs as it also came under pressure from its heavy debt burden. Last … [Read more...] about Pizza Express poaches KFC boss Paula MacKenzie to lead recovery

A man with autism is taking Sainsbury ’s to court after the supermarket refused to allow his support cat into one of its shops. Ian Fenn trained his black cat Chloe to help him with his daily life. He said Sainsbury’s decision not to allow the feline into its store had limited his independence. Sainsbury’s said it is working with its environmental team to try to find a way for Mr Fenn and his cat to visit safely. Mr Fenn, a designer from London, was recently diagnosed with autism. He struggles with noisy and busy environments. “I get sensory overload in busy environments and tend to shut down. But with Chloe I can focus on her, he told the BBC. Recommended Seven treated for breathing problems after incident at Sainsbury’s store Two in hospital after shoppers suffer breathing problems at Sainsbury’s supermarket Sainsbury’s sued after banning autistic man’s assistance cat from store “She brings structure to my life, she … [Read more...] about Man with autism taking Sainsbury’s to court after refusing entry to his assistance cat

Boris Johnson has said the Government’s emergency cost-of-living support package is a “big bazooka” which will support families until the surge in energy prices abates. The Prime Minister acknowledged the country still faced a “bumpy time” due to the soaring costs of oil and gas, but said he was confident it would emerge in a “much, much stronger position”. Earlier, Chancellor Rishi Sunak – who on Thursday announced a further £21 billion of support for households – indicated that he could not rule out the need for further measures if global prices remain high. But speaking during a visit to Stockton-on-Tees, Mr Johnson appeared to suggest the measures set out in the Commons – with up to £1,200 for eight million homes across the country – should be enough. “What we are doing now is making sure we support people through tough times. It’s a big bazooka,” he said in a pooled clip for broadcasters. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the … [Read more...] about ‘Big bazooka’ support package will get UK through energy crisis, says PM