Bbc news business reporter

The increasing dominance of tech giants "is limiting competition and consumer choice and innovation", a new independent review has warned the government. However, the review's lead author stopped short of supporting Senator Elizabeth Warren's plan to split up the tech companies, saying the UK "can do better". Former Barack Obama economic adviser Jason Furman was asked by the Treasury in September 2018 to lead an investigation into competition in the digital marketplace. His review, which is published today, concluded that the lack of competition for tech monopolies such as Facebook, Amazon and Google was harming consumers. "A few companies are dominating lots of markets," Mr Furman told Sky News, "and when you don't have a lot of competition you don't have much consumer choice, you don't have as much quality you don't have as much innovation." Advertisement Asked if that meant the tech giants should be broken up, Mr Furman doubted whether the UK was … [Read more...] about ‘Bullying tactics’ by tech market leaders harms consumers – report

Another 65 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK - the second day running that the number has been below 100. It compares to 82 posted on Sunday , which was the first time the tally had fallen to double figures since 9 October, when 79 fatalities were recorded. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world There have been another 4,712 confirmed coronavirus cases, compared to 5,177 on Sunday. It is the first time since 28 September that daily cases have been below 5,000, when 4,044 were recorded. The latest death and infection numbers are down on last Monday's totals of 104 and 5,455 respectively. Advertisement Meanwhile, 22,377,255 people have now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine - an increase of 164,143 - and 1,142,643 have had their second jab, up by 20,241). The daily statistics will be watched ever more closely in the coming weeks, as all four home nations begin to ease lockdown restrictions. … [Read more...] about COVID-19: UK reports under 100 new coronavirus deaths for second day running

A US Congressman has hailed Meghan Markle for 'bringing down an empire' with her bombshell Oprah interview. Democrat Mondaire Jones tweeted: 'Meghan Markle is bringing down an entire empire tonight, and I'm here for it.' Last night, the 39-year-old American who married Prince Harry made a series of sensational claims about the British royals, including that her son Archie was denied the title of prince because he is mixed-race. Jones was not alone in celebrating the interview, in which Harry claimed that the heirs to the throne, his father Charles and brother William, were 'trapped' by the monarchy. Meghan McCain, daughter of late Republican statesman, tweeted: 'Monarchy has been an archaic and toxic concept since 1776.' Democrat Congressman Mondaire Jones claimed that Meghan Markle brought down 'an entire empire' last night in her interview with Oprah (pictured: Jones, left, the Queen with Meghan in July 2018) The Duke and … [Read more...] about Democrat congressman Mondaire Jones says Meghan Markle is ‘bringing down an empire’ with her bombshell Oprah interview

The decision to slash the aid budget to war-torn Yemen would see thousands die and damage the UK's global influence, a top UN official has reportedly warned. In a stinging attack on UK policy the head of the UN’s Office for Humanitarian Affairs said ministers had chosen to 'balance the books on the backs of the starving people of Yemen.' According to reports the former permanent secretary at the Department for International Development Mark Lowcock described the budget reduction to the country an act of 'self-harm.' It comes as the government prepares to slash aid to help those devastated by the brutal civil war by half. In a widely condemned move that sparked outrage the UK will provide just £87 million to Yemen relief efforts this year, compared to £164m the previous year. The conflict in Yemen is now the world's worst humanitarian disaster and the six-year war has left 80 per cent of the population reliant on aid. The Guardian reports that Mark Lowcock described the … [Read more...] about Top UN official slams heartless bid to slash aid budget to war-ravaged Yemen

The billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has married a science teacher. MacKenzie Scott, who is the 22nd richest person in the world, has tied the knot with Seattle teacher Dan Jewett. The marriage was mentioned in a letter to The Giving Pledge, an organisation which encourages ultra-rich people to give away their billions. "Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them," Bezos said in a statement. Jewett said he would be signing on to Scott's commitment to give away most of her wealth. Since Scott, 50, split from the Amazon founder after 25 years of marriage in 2019 and became worth $53billion (£38billion) according to Forbes, she has set about donating. In December, Scott said she had donated over $4.1billion (£2.96billion) in the four months prior to food banks and emergency relief funds amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That followed donations of $1.7billion (£1.23billion) last year to causes including racial equality, LGBTQ rights, … [Read more...] about Billionaire MacKenzie Scott marries teacher 2 years after split from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos