NUMB with grief, Voletta Wallace looked out at the crowds lining the streets of Brooklyn to pay their respects to her son, Christopher - but didn’t shed a tear. The single mother had just buried her only child - known to the world as the Notorious B.I.G - after his tragic death at the age of 24. But, as she reveals in the new Netflix documentary Biggie: I Have A Story To Tell, it was not until she heard his album, prophetically named Life After Death, that she was able to cry. “Coming from that funeral I felt I was in a dream,” she says. “I wasn’t crying. That day it was just too heavy. I never shed a tear. I didn’t have any. “I saw the crowd. And thought ‘Oh my God, this kid was well loved. That’s when I saw the love.’ “It only really hit me when I listened [to his album]. I only listened to his album once, I didn’t want to listen twice. Then the tears came.” With exclusive access to family and childhood friends, the documentary looks at the life of B.I.G, … [Read more...] about Biggie Smalls’ mother reveals why she didn’t cry at his funeral as Netflix doc charts his rise from drug dealing teen
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Banks warn over fraud risk as Sunak prepares £100 contactless limit
Some of Britain's biggest banks are sounding the alarm bell over an increase in the contactless payment limits to £100 amid expectations that Rishi Sunak will unveil it as part of a 'Brexit dividend' in this week's Budget. Sky News has learnt that a number of major high street lenders are urging the government and regulators to stagger the hike from the current limit of £45 and to curb the number of times contactless cards can be used on any single day because of the growing fraud risk Industry sources believe the chancellor will confirm the proposed move to £100 on Wednesday as part of a package of post-Brexit measures enabling the UK to diverge from the European Union. The current limit of €50 is set by the European Commission. Boris Johnson was told by business leaders earlier this year that an increase would be a potent symbol of Britain's ability to go it alone, and is even said to have made a passing reference to the limit going as high as £1000. … [Read more...] about Banks warn over fraud risk as Sunak prepares £100 contactless limit
UK economy will ‘recover rapidly’ as vaccines are rolled out this year, Bank of England predicts
The Bank of England has forecast a rapid recovery for the economy as vaccines are rolled out - but downgraded its growth outlook for the year as a whole. GDP is expected to shrink by around 4% in the current first quarter, holding back Britain's recovery from the coronavirus crisis, as a result of latest lockdown measures. That will drag on growth for 2021 as a whole, which the Bank forecasts will be just 5%, compared to a previously-predicted 7.25%. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world But the quarterly monetary policy report suggests a sunnier outlook for much of the rest of the year. Advertisement "GDP is projected to recover rapidly towards pre-COVID levels over 2021, as the vaccination programme is assumed to lead to an easing of COVID-related restrictions and people's health concerns," it said. For 2022, the Bank predicts growth of 7.25%, up from a previously forecast 6.25%. More from Business Budget: Stamp … [Read more...] about UK economy will ‘recover rapidly’ as vaccines are rolled out this year, Bank of England predicts
Budget: Stamp duty, furlough, tax rises – here’s what to expect in Wednesday’s announcement
What's going to be in the budget? A lot of the big announcements have already been revealed, leaked, or guessed at. Here's what to expect: Housing A mortgage guarantee scheme will help home buyers purchase properties worth up to £600,000 with a deposit of just 5% with the government underwriting the other 95%. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Rishi Sunak could also reportedly extend the stamp duty holiday announced last summer on homes worth up to £500,000, currently due to run until the end of March. Advertisement Tax Plans to begin to increase corporation tax from 19% to 23% by the next general election will reportedly be set out. More from Budget 2021 Budget 2021: Lord Hague throws his weight behind calls for Rishi Sunak to raise taxes to deal with COVID spend Budget 2021: Sunak prepares to pump cash into COVID recovery as tax rise debate continues Budget 2021: Rishi Sunak plans £520m Help … [Read more...] about Budget: Stamp duty, furlough, tax rises – here’s what to expect in Wednesday’s announcement
Delight your taste buds with recipes that give you a burst of blush
GET tickled pink for spring by boosting lunchtimes with meals that give you a burst of blush. Morrisons has slashed the price of 250g beetroot from 85p to 69p – and 400g plums from £1 to 69p. Add berries, pomegranate seeds or shiny red apples to give your plate a cheerful glow. And give the rose-tinted recipes below a go. Baked stuffed apples Serves four – 83p per serving Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes YOU NEED: 4 apples, we recommend Cox’s when they are in season but Gala have a longer season and work perfectly for this recipe ½ lemon, juice only 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 100g goat’s cheese, leave rind on 2 tbsp red onion, peeled and finely diced 75g chunky, fresh breadcrumbs 1 tbsp hazelnuts, roughly chopped METHOD: Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut the top off four apples and use a spoon to scoop out the core, leaving the apple whole. Take a small slice off the bottom of each apple so it … [Read more...] about Delight your taste buds with recipes that give you a burst of blush