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Pressure from Trump led to 5G ban, Britain tells Huawei ‘Geopolitical’ factors were behind the move, the company was told, with hints that the decision could be reversed in futureThe British government privately told the Chinese technology giant Huawei that it was being banned from Britain’s 5G telecoms network partly for “geopolitical” reasons following huge pressure from President Donald Trump, the Observer has learned.In the days leading up to the controversial announcement on Tuesday last week, intensive discussions were held and confidential communications exchanged between the government and Whitehall officials on one side and Huawei executives on the other. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus leaves UK firms unprepared for no-deal Brexit A third of companies are in a worse position on facing the post-EU economy than in 2019, says thinktankCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMany companies are now less prepared for a no-deal Brexit than they were a year ago and have yet to make any preparations for such an outcome, ministers are being warned.As a result of the coronavirus crisis, stockpiles have been wound down, Brexit-related staff redeployed and cashflows seriously depleted. Yet a potential no-deal outcome is now less than six months away. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Not in a position to say': Ian Botham refuses to comment on peerage claims Exclusive: Former cricketer says he must respect protocol, following reports he will enter House of LordsIan Botham has refused to comment on speculation he is to be awarded a life peerage as Boris Johnson marks his first year in Downing Street by appearing to reward Brexit supporters.The 64-year-old former England cricketer said he was respecting protocol, meaning he “cannot say anything at this stage”. A report in the Times suggested he would enter the House of Lords after being a high-profile supporter of Brexit. Continue reading... Go to Source

Return to normality depends on how 'alert' people are, says Grant Shapps Minister says Christmas target possible, but Sage member says normality ‘a long way offCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEngland could return to normality by Christmas but it depends on how “alert” people are, according to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps.Shapps made the comments after Boris Johnson unveiled his plans for a “more significant return to normality” by the festive season. The prime minister revealed steps to encourage people back to work in England and sweeping measures that will allow ministers to issue stay-at-home orders to tackle outbreaks. Continue reading... Go to Source

Trump clashes with Fox News interviewer over false claim about Biden Chris Wallace contradicts Trump over Biden’s views on policingPresident requests document that fails to vindicate himAnalysis: Campaign reshuffle shows Trump knows he’s losingDonald Trump has clashed with a Fox News interviewer after the president was challenged about a false claim that Joe Biden wants to defund police. Related: 'The guy stinks and he’s a racist': Anthony Scaramucci on Donald Trump Continue reading... Go to Source

John Lewis, US civil rights hero and Democratic congressman, dies at 80 Lewis helped Martin Luther King organise the March on Washington in 1963 and once suffered a broken skull at the hands of state troopers View from Washington: the legacy of John LewisJohn Lewis, the civil rights hero and Democratic congressman, has died at the age of 80. Related: John Lewis obituary Continue reading... Go to Source

French firefighters bring blaze at Nantes cathedral under control Fire at 15th-century building that destroyed its grand organ and stained glass windows now treated as suspected arsonA fire which broke out in a cathedral in the western French city of Nantes blew out stained-glass windows and destroyed the grand organ in the 15th-century building, officials said.The prosecutor Pierre Sennes said three fires had been started at the site and authorities were treating the incident as a criminal act. Continue reading... Go to Source

Len McCluskey to step down as Unite leader earlier than planned Union general secretary will leave role a year before his term ends in 2022, say reportsUnite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, is reportedly stepping down from the role earlier than planned.McCluskey, a key ally of the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, became general secretary of the trade union in 2010 and was twice re-elected to the position. His term of office finishes in 2022 but a successor will be chosen a year earlier, according to a report by the Times. Continue reading... Go to Source