Government pledges £8.3bn to repair UK roads
This fund, Westminster says, is enough to resurface over 5000 miles of road and will be allocated to councils across the country for projects over the next 11 years.
It is the biggest road-specific fund to ever be announced in the UK.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed today that each local authority will now receive £150 million, followed by a further £150 million for 2024/2025. The rest of the funding was allocated through 2034.
Of the cash, £3.3 billion has been allocated for those in the North West, North East, and Yorkshire & Humber; £2.2 billion for the West Midlands and East Midlands; and £2.8 billion for East of England, South East, South West and, for the first time in 8 years, London.
“For too long politicians have shied away from taking the right long-term decisions to make life easier for families - tackling the scourge of potholes being a prime example,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket.”
Harper added: “Most people travel by road and potholes can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow, and dangerous journeys.
“Today’s biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster, and safer trips - as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
The new cash follows from a further £70 million earmarked for updating 20mph zone guidance to “help prevent inappropriate blanket use”, and measures to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle charging.
The fund has been welcomed by some of the UK's biggest insurers and motoring groups.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams claimed smoother, well-maintained roads could save drivers up to £440 each in repair costs from pothole damage.
Welcoming the news, he said: “Drivers’ biggest bugbear of all is the poor condition of local roads, so the fact the Government has found a significant additional pot of revenue should give councils the certainty of funding they need to plan proper long-term road maintenance, something we have been calling for many years.
“We hope local authorities will use the money in the most effective way possible by resurfacing the very worst roads, keeping those in reasonable condition in better states for longer through surface dressing, and filling potholes as permanently as possible wherever necessary.
“This should in time go a considerable way to bringing our roads back to a fit-for-purpose state and saving drivers hundreds of pounds in the process from not having to fork out for frustrating repairs to their vehicles.”
His thoughts were backed by Edmund King OBE, AA president, who also welcomed the cash: “Perilous roads blighted by potholes are the number one concern for drivers and a major issue for bikers, cyclists and pedestrians. So far this year The AA has attended more than 450,000 pothole-related breakdowns. The damage caused can be a huge financial burden for drivers but is also a major safety risk for those on two wheels.
“The £8.3 billion plan can make a considerable difference in bringing our roads back to the standards that road users expect, especially if councils use the cash efficiently to resurface our streets. As well as safer roads, eliminating potholes gives confidence to people wanting to cycle and instills pride of place within local communities.”
Source- Autocar
Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson, Chance the Rapper co-owners of historic Chicago theatre
Iconic music producer Quincy Jones and entertainers Jennifer Hudson and Chance the Rapper are now co-owners of the historic Ramova Theatre on Chicago's South Side.
Their ownership was announced Wednesday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Ramova has been closed for nearly four decades. Developer and co-owner Tyler Nevius bought the property and an adjacent lot from the city in 2017 for $1, the newspaper reported.
Jones, Hudson, and Chance the Rapper, whose real name is Chancelor Bennett, are Chicago natives.
“My mother always taught us to take care of home first, so to support the rehabilitation of this extraordinary theater with such a rich history in Chicago means more to me than one could imagine,” Hudson said.
Bennett says “Chicago will always be part" of who he is.
“I joined the team at Ramova to give back to the city that’s given me so much and to provide a stage to showcase the incredible talent Chicago has to offer," he said.
The Ramova opened in 1929 as a single-screen movie palace. It had shut down by 1985 and was spared demolition. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
When it reopens, the renovated theater will feature a 1,500-seat live music venue and beer garden and grill. No opening date has been announced.
New York-based Other Half Brewing also is a partner in the venture.
“With Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the country’s most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to America’s Second City," Jones said.
Source- Independent
Bermuda Premier defends move towards full membership of CARICOM
Premier David Burt Monday said that there were “broad benefits” to gain from Bermuda seeking full membership of the regional integration grouping, CARICOM, even as he acknowledged it “is not something that has been on the front burner”.
Bermuda became a CARICOM associate member on July 3, 2003, and Burt, speaking at a news conference here, said public consultations will be held before any decision is taken to seek full membership of CARICOM as this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
He said at the last CARICOM summit that was held in Trinidad and Tobago, which he attended “there were a number of other Caribbean Overseas Territories…who had expressed their desire to go ahead and to advance for full membership.
“We think there are social benefits that could come from that full membership of CARICOM…and so that is something we will undertake in that consultative process as other Caribbean Overseas Territories are looking to advance from Associate members to full members along with Montserrat.
“This is something the government will consider. I can’t say that this is something that was particularly on the front burner but I can that it is something that was discussed at the recent CARICOM heads of government conference. It is something that the government should consider, and look to a view to see whether or not it makes sense.
“I think there are broad benefits to being a full member of CARICOM. I think it is a signal of our deeper integration into the region,” Burt told reporters, adding “I think it could be helpful for us as we continue to advance and develop our institutions”.
Governor Rena Lalgie, who last weekend delivered the traditional Throne Speech, told legislators that full membership in CARICOM was a vision of former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith who desired the island nation to “strengthen the historic, familial and cultural ties to the Caribbean.”
She said that beginning discussion now, on the process of gaining full membership in CARICOM is right, as the country is marking 20 years as an associate member.
“In this anniversary year, the Government will renew the vision of Dame Jennifer, initiating a consultation process leading to full membership in CARICOM,” Lalgie said.
Montserrat is the only British Overseas Territory that has full membership of CARICOM, having been among the founding member countries of the regional integration grouping.
Premier Burt told reiterated that it was important for Bermuda to seek full membership of CARICOM, reminding reporters that “other jurisdictions are examining their relationship with CARICOM.
“I think it is perfectly good for Bermuda to go ahead and do the same. And so from that aspect, there are a number of institutions that we can participate in as an Associate Member. But there are also other institutions and discussions that we aren’t able to participate in.
“There are certainly more benefits to being a full member than an Associate member and those are all things we will discuss and explore during the consultative process,” he said, adding “What I am not trying to do is to get into …is to start to prejudge the thing.
“We will engage in broad consultative processes that is what we will do and I am certain there will be plenty of opportunities to offer those questions you are asking,” he told reporters.
Asked what he believes would be the benefits for Bermuda in gaining full membership, Premier Burt responded by saying “As associate members of CARICOM though we get to attend meetings we do not participate in any decision-making process which may be a part of those things and that is what full membership entails…but those are matters to be spelled out during the consultation”.
He reminded reporters that there are various treaties that members “may sign up to and may not sign up to as well and those are all things that would have to be discussed with the UK government and our CARICOM partners.”
Burt said that Government House, the official residence of the British Governor had an “advance sight of the Throne” speech where the matter was raised “but these are things that have been discussed with other overseas territories, with the UK government regarding a path forward.
“We will conduct our consultative process first to find out whether or not this is the direction we wish to ultimately take,” he added.
Source- Caribbean Loop News
Lead singer of Liverpool band The Night Cafe dies aged 26
Tributes are being paid to the lead singer of an indie band who has died.
Sean Martin from The Night Cafe has died suddenly, aged 26, the Liverpool band has announced in an Instagram post.
The group said they were "devastated" by the death of their bandmate and "childhood best friend".
Indie rock band, The Wombats, who The Night Cafe toured with, said Martin was "literally the nicest, most lovely guy to have around on tour".
In April last year, he revealed he had been struggling with his health and would be having some surgery.
Martin was a member of The Night Cafe with Josh Higgins, Arran O'Connell Whittle, and Carl Dillon, which formed in 2014 when they were still at school.
The band said: "We are devastated to share the sudden passing of our best friend Sean.
"Words can't describe the pain we are feeling right now, we're still struggling to process it all."
They added: "Sean was not just our bandmate, he was our childhood best friend that we shared so many memories with before the band even started.
"We made so many more memories along the way and achieved things we only dreamt of that we will cherish forever."
Dillon shared a series of photos and posted a string of broken heart emojis, writing "Love you so much, Sean".
The Wombats commented: "So sorry to hear this guy, he was literally the nicest, most lovely guy to have around on tour.
"Not to mention how talented and amazing he was.
"Our thoughts are with you all and Sean's closest. Lots of love and fond memories, The Bats x"
In April 2022, Martin revealed he had been struggling with his health and would be having surgery, prompting the band to pull out of some shows with The Wombats.
He wrote at the time: "Thankfully though I've recently had a diagnosis which explains what's been going on, but unfortunately it means I need to go into surgery next week (on my birthday)."
He said the band was "wounded" by the cancellation but added they were "excited to finally be able to move forward properly with nothing in our way".
The Night Cafe released their debut EP Get Away From The Feeling in 2017 and their debut album, 0151, was released in 2019.
The band said Martin's memory would "live on forever in our hearts and through the music he put out into the world for you all".
Source- BBC
Backed into a legal corner, Donald Trump comes out swinging in court
Donald Trump's day in court was never going to go any other way.
On the stand for a landmark fraud trial, he approached his testimony just as he had his real estate business and political career: ignoring the rules and technicalities, and blustering and bragging his way through it.
His aggressive and freewheeling appearance on Monday showed how he may behave as a defendant in the four upcoming criminal cases against him.
The former president repeatedly angered Judge Arthur Engoron by refusing to directly answer the questions put to him by the attorney general's office.
Yes-or-no questions about accounting documents and dates became extended riffs on the incredible values of his properties or the partisan leanings of the judge and prosecutors.
At one point, Mr Trump declared: "This is a very unfair trial...and I hope the public is watching."
While cameras were not allowed inside, dozens of reporters gathered in the courtroom to transmit his testimony to the outside world.
Likely understanding this fact, Mr Trump used his time on the stand to ardently defend himself with the same language he has used in social media statements and stump speeches to rile up his base. His Truth Social account even posted an attack on the judge during an afternoon break.
The attorney general's office and other prosecutors "were coming after me from 15 sides", he said in response to one question.
"All Democrats, all Trump haters, all cases that are not good," he said. "Weaponisation, they call it."
At times his responses were boastful, or simply odd.
To a question from Kevin Wallace of the attorney general's office about his brand's valuation, Mr Trump bragged: "I became president because of my brand."
In response to questions about his golf course in Scotland, Mr Trump reverted to his political opposition to windfarms, one of which was built offshore from his club. "I'm not a windmill person," he said.
Evasive and partisan answers continued on like this all morning.
"Can you control your client?" Judge Engoron asked Mr Trump's attorneys at one point. "This is not a political rally."
It was one of several reprimands issued from the bench throughout the morning.
Witnesses usually do not speak without prompting, let alone at such length. But Mr Trump is no average defendant.
His lawyer Chris Kise admitted as much after the umpteenth admonishment from Judge Engoron.
"It's an unusual situation," he said, arguing that Mr Trump should be allowed to speak due to his unique position.
The judge, however, was determined to treat Mr Trump like any other defendant.
Returning from the afternoon recess, Mr Trump was notably more subdued. Although there was one outburst about Ms James that the prosecution simply ignored, he stuck to shorter answers.
The attorney general's office has accused Mr. Trump, his top employees, and his companies of fraudulently inflating the value of their assets on statements of financial condition, or balance sheets, to get more favorable loans.
While on the stand, the 45th president tried to seize the opportunity to boast about the value of his brand - a path he used to great effect when launching his political career nearly a decade ago.
In between outbursts, Mr. Trump tried to hammer home a defense that his assets were actually worth far more than the numbers on paper and that the banks he allegedly defrauded were paid back in full.
He claimed his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago was worth a "huge number", far in excess of the one listed on his statements of financial condition.
And he boasted that Trump Tower, his Fifth Avenue skyscraper, occupied the "best location in New York".
Mr Trump has been on the stand before. In fact, Judge Engoron put him there briefly earlier in the trial, after he made remarks that the judge believed referred to his clerk.
But he is doing so as a former president, the current frontrunner for the Republican nomination, and a defendant in four separate criminal trials that, unlike this case, come with jail time. Those trials will play out one by one next year in tandem with the US presidential election.
With the threats against him mounting, Mr Trump has grown more aggressive in his rhetoric, reverting to the political street brawler that saw him seize the 2016 Republican nomination from establishment lawmakers.
He has attacked prosecutors directly by name and lashed out at court staffers.
Judge Engoron placed Mr Trump under a gag order in early October after he made disparaging comments about his clerk, who sits to his right. So far, he has fined Mr. Trump $15,000 (£12,150) and put his attorneys under a gag order as well, after they claimed the clerk was biased.
Midway through his morning testimony, Mr Trump dared to take a swipe directly at the judge.
"I'm sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me," Mr Trump said.
"You can attack me, you can do whatever you want," Judge Ergonon said. "But answer the question."
Source- BBC
Fortnite maker Epic Games takes Google to court
The maker of the popular video game Fortnite has begun its legal battle with Google in a San Francisco court.
The firm accused Google of acting as a monopoly - charging 30% commission on in-app purchases on Google Play store.
Epic Games accused Google of turning its back on its "Don't be Evil" motto, which the company coined when it was founded in 1998.
Google however argued that there were plenty of other ways to download apps on Android phones.
The company has long said that it competes with Apple - and rejects the idea Google Play is monopolistic.
The trial opens up another anti-trust front against Google. The company is also defending itself in a court in Washington - where the US Justice Department has accused the company of holding an illegal monopoly over search.
If Epic's arguments sound familiar, they are. Epic took Apple to court in 2021 with a very similar case.
In 2020, the company pulled Fortnite from Google Play and the App Store, saying the charges were "taxes" on developers.
The judge in that case rejected the idea that Apple was a monopoly, however did allow apps to steer users away from Apple's in-app charges.
Epic argues that Google has "eliminated competition in the distribution of Android apps using myriad contractual and technical barriers."
However, Google argues there is more competition when it comes to apps than on any other operating system.
"Android is the only major mobile platform that gives developers multiple ways to distribute apps," the company says.
Source- BBC
VISIT OF UK HOME OFFICE MINISTER LORD SHARPE OF ESPSOM OBE AND MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MINISTER MIKE FREER MP TO THE TCI
Her Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Premier are pleased to announce the joint visit of UK Home Office Minister Lord Sharpe and Ministry of Justice Minister Mike Freer MP to the Turks and Caicos Islands this week.
· A key focus of their visit is national security and justice. Lord Sharpe will visit the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Marine Branch, the Maritime Operations Centre, and the Regiment and meet National Security Council members. Mr Freer MP will hold meetings with the Honourable Chief Justice, the Honourable Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
· Both Ministers will receive briefings from border security leads, the Irregular Settlement Unit and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the Turks and Caicos Islands.
· Additionally, Mr Freer MP will visit the nation’s capital Grand Turk, where he will learn about the ambitious Technical and Vocational Education and Training initiatives to support rehabilitation at His Majesty’s Prison.
· Lord Sharpe arrives on Wednesday 1 November and Mr Freer MP arrives on Thursday 2 November.
Italy to seize $835m from Airbnb in tax evasion inquiry
An Italian judge has ordered the seizure of €779.5m ($835.5m; £676.8m) from short-term rental giant Airbnb, over alleged tax evasion.
Prosecutors say the firm failed to collect a tax from landlords on around €3.7bn of rental income.
Landlords in Italy are required to pay a 21% tax on their earnings.
Airbnb told the BBC that it was "surprised and disappointed at the action announced by the Italian public prosecutor".
Airbnb spokesperson Christopher Nutly said the firm's European headquarters had been working to resolve the matter with the Italian tax agency since June.
Mr Nutly added, "We are confident that we have acted in full compliance with the law and intend to exercise our rights with respect to this issue."
Three people who held managerial roles at Airbnb from 2017 to 2021 were also under investigation, Milan Tribunal prosecutors said in a statement.
In 2022, Airbnb challenged the Italian law requiring the company and other short-term rental providers to withhold 21% of the rental income from landlords and pay it to tax authorities.
The firm argued that Italy's requirements on taxation contravened the European Union's principle of freedom to provide services across the 27-country bloc.
The EU's top court later ruled that Airbnb should abide by the requirements.
In recent years, Italian authorities have increased scrutiny of the tax practices of major companies like Airbnb, which has been operating in the country since 2008.
Italian prosecutors have launched tax-related inquiries against Netflix and Meta, according to media reports.
Last month, Italian politicians said they planned to crack down on landlords who did not pay taxes on short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb.
The co-ruling Forza Italia party said the country would move to introduce a national identification code for short-term rentals.
"That code will bring out the revenue of those who rent flats without declaring them," Forza Italia leader and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters.
Politicians estimate that the move could boost Italy's fiscal revenue by €1bn.
Source- BBC
Tottenham 1-4 Chelsea
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou recently spent a night in London's West End watching King Lear at the invitation of Spurs-supporting actor Sir Kenneth Branagh.
It is hard to imagine the action in Theatreland matched the dramatic production his side staged alongside Chelsea on an utterly chaotic night in north London.
The fatalistic Tottenham fans who viewed their superb start to the season as too good to be true had their worst fears realized in this crazy, controversial 4-1 defeat.
No one can accuse Spurs or Postecoglou of doing things by halves. Not after this.
This was the first time things have really gone seriously wrong for Spurs this season - and they went wrong in the most spectacular fashion in one of the most mind-boggling Premier League games of recent memory.
Spurs fans rolled up the High Road buoyed by the optimism and positivity brought by Postecoglou, knowing victory would put them back on top of the Premier League.
Instead, the wreckage of ill-discipline, red cards, injuries to key players, and a painful loss with nine men piled around Postecoglou's feet like rubble.
It leaves the Australian, who has made such an outstanding start since moving to Spurs from Celtic, facing the biggest challenge of his short time in north London.
The infamous Battle of the Bridge between these two sides in 2016 was brought to mind, especially in a wild first half lasting nearly an hour, and it is Spurs and Postecoglou who have been left counting the cost.
In that period alone, four goals were disallowed, Spurs defender Cristian Romero was sent off and conceded a penalty, and Micky van de Ven and James Maddison went off injured.
It all started so well when Dejan Kulusevski's deflected shot put Spurs ahead after six minutes but it went into reverse at alarming speed from the moment Romero returned to his reckless ways.
The Argentine was fortunate to escape a sending-off for kicking out at Levi Colwill but could not resist following through on international team-mate Enzo Fernandez, picking up a red card and allowing Cole Palmer to equalize from the spot.
Spurs' night went rapidly downhill from then on as Van de Ven, one of the Premier League players of the season after his arrival from Wolfsburg, collapsed clutching his hamstring as he raced back to halt a Chelsea attack before Maddison also went off after appearing to pick up an ankle injury.
Van de Ven and Maddison are very near the top of the list of players Postecoglou could not afford to lose. The Dutchman's injury looked serious while Spurs will hope Maddison is not sidelined for too long.
Like Romero, Destiny Udogie was lucky to escape a red card for an early lunge on Raheem Sterling but a rash, late dive into another tackle early in the second half on the same player left referee Oliver no option but to send him off.
This meant that, after just over an hour of play, only three of the outfield players who started the match for Spurs were still out there.
Postecoglou gambled on maintaining a high line even with nine men. It would have been miraculous had it survived intact. Sterling and Nicolas Jackson found a way through with only 15 minutes left, the striker helping himself to a hat-trick as Spurs ran out of steam.
If there is any good Postecoglou can take from a very bad night, it is the spirit shown by Spurs as they tried to hold on, backed by a vociferous home crowd who appreciated the character shown in difficult circumstances.
Keeper Guglielmo Vicario was heroic, racing from his goal on several occasions to act as an emergency sweeper, but in the end, even his resistance was broken.
Spurs left the pitch after the final whistle to rousing applause but this was a chastening experience that left Postecoglou with his first real session of problem-solving.
He will await medical bulletins on his injured duo while also knowing Romero faces a three-match ban - made more significant by Van de Ven's injury - while Udogie will miss one game.
Spurs have a visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers coming up, followed by a home game against Aston Villa before a trip to face league leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Postecoglou's calm demeanor has won him a host of admirers at Spurs and beyond this season, and the time-honored warning about bumps in the road had been mentioned even before it all went off the rails here.
The ordered, pragmatic - but always positive - approach that has served him so well will be required because a bump in the road is one thing, but being faced with a mountain of unexpected problems is another.
Nobody has ever suggested managing Spurs is as easy as Postecoglou has made it look, and this almost surreal night delivered compelling proof.
Source- BBC
Chiefs beaten in Denver and 49ers lose third in a row
Defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a shock 24-9 defeat at the Denver Broncos on another intriguing NFL Sunday.
The Philadelphia Eagles own the league's best record after grinding out a seventh win, but the San Francisco 49ers lost their third game in a row.
The Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys enjoyed blowout wins, while the Carolina Panthers finally got their first victory of the season.
A win at the Pittsburgh Steelers means the Jacksonville Jaguars are the form team in the league, rookie quarterback Will Levis made a spectacular NFL debut for the Tennessee Titans, and veteran Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins may have had his season ended by injury.
Denver had lost 16 games in a row against the Chiefs but broke that streak in style, becoming the first team to score more than 21 points against the impressive Kansas City defense this season.
Patrick Mahomes failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in 30 games in a bad day all around for the Chiefs, with their star quarterback suffering from illness in frigid conditions at Mile High Stadium.
The Broncos forced five turnovers as they secured their first win over Mahomes in 13 attempts and first win over their divisional rivals for 2,965 days - and they could not resist sending Travis Kelce and his team off the field to the sound of Taylor Swift's Shake it Off.
The defeat leaves the Chiefs on 6-2 and tied at the top of the AFC with the Baltimore Ravens, Jaguars, and Dolphins, all of whom won in week eight.
A 20-10 success in Pittsburgh made it five wins in a row for the Jaguars, who started their run with two victories in London.
The Ravens' 31-24 success in Arizona was their third in succession thanks to a strong defensive display and three rushing touchdowns for Gus Edwards, with Lamar Jackson not at his best.
The 49ers were the best team in the league after a 5-0 start, but they have now lost three straight games after a 31-17 home defeat by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Christian McCaffrey scored for the 17th consecutive game to tie Lenny Moore's NFL record from the 1963-64 season, but that was as good as it got as the 49ers stuttered on both sides of the ball.
In contrast, Cincy is heading in the opposite direction with a third straight win after Joe Burrow, who looks to be over a calf injury, threw three touchdowns.
Jalen Hurts suffered a knee injury but still threw four touchdowns as the Eagles again did just enough to beat the Washington Commanders 38-31.
AJ Brown made a stunning one-handed touchdown grab as he carved out a slice of NFL history with six straight games recording at least 125 yards, helping Philly to 7-1 and the best record in the league.
Bill Belichick has won 300 games as a head coach, but he cannot find a way to beat Tua Tagovailoa, the fourth-year quarterback who led Miami to a 31-17 victory to move to 6-0 against the New England Patriots.
The Cowboys emerged refreshed from their bye week to smash the Los Angeles Rams 43-20 behind four touchdown throws from Dak Prescott and some smothering defense that included DaRon Bland running back his third pick six of the season.
At 5-2 and with the 49ers struggling, the Cowboys are back in the conversation about who will be the biggest challengers to the Eagles in the NFC.
Source- BBC