cityam--2020-12-27--10 video games that defined the strange year that was 2020

In a year that blockbuster movies were delayed en masse and people were confined to their homes for months at a time , video games played a more important role than ever in our lives .
Read more : Christmas is cancelled : Five festive traditions scuppered by Covid With the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 finally making an appearance last month , 2020 was also a last hurrah for a generation of consoles , a time when developers had worked out how to squeeze every ounce of power and efficiency from the hardware to create the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In no particular order , here are the games that brightened our days during endless afternoons of lockdown , and , in some cases , helped push the medium of video games to new artistic heights .
From the vantage point of December , the hysteria that surrounded the Spring release of the Animal Crossing : New Horizons – a game about establishing yourself in a town full of amiable villagers – already seems like a relic of a mysterious bygone era .
Was my Twitter timeline really filled with people negotiating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did Elija Wood and Stephen Fry really drop into people ’ s digital villages to cheer them up ?
Was there really a serious debate in ostensibly serious publications over whether the game ’ s cheerful shop manager Tom Nook – a raccoon , for what it ’ s worth – was secretly pushing a neoconservative agenda on the world ’ s children ?
Yes , yes and yes .
What is also strange about Animal Crossing : New Horizon was how quickly it disappeared from our lives , as if we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addictive brand of monotony .
Perhaps this really is the game that best defines 2020 .
The Last of Us Part 2 Few games have been so hotly anticipated as the follow-up to 2013 ’ s The Last of Us , a slow-burn , cinematic zombie thriller that managed to conjure a near-perfect blend of writing , graphics and gameplay .
Remarkably , few people were disappointed with its sequel , which drove forward the original game ’ s fierce blend of horror and tragedy , taking the story in dark new directions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to draw in players who don ’ t usually spend their evenings hunched in front of a PlayStation .
A true video game milestone , this will be held as a high-watermark of the medium for years to come .
It ’ s perhaps appropriate the one of the best games of 2020 was actually released back in the relative health and prosperity of 2018 .
The sleeper hit from Supergiant Games , which emerged from Early Access this year , is a cartoonish roguelike dungeon-crawler set amid the pantheon of Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free yourself from Hades and the overbearing influence of your father , who happens to be the literal ruler of the underworld .
While the gameplay is frenetic and progress system subtly rewarding , it ’ s the writing that makes this one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences of the last few years , drip-feeding more meaningful dialogue than you can eke out during a single play-through , and making you feel like a real part of this fascinating , claustrophobic world .
Although not yet technically released , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CD Projekt Red ’ s Cyberpunk 2077 , a game that will finally be in the hands of fans later this week following a string of high-profile delays .
Perhaps the most ambitious open-world game ever created , it sees your character negotiate the future-dystopia of Night City , interacting with its bizarre denizens and forging a narrative of your own making over potentially hundreds of hours .
Whether it can live up to the promise of the developer ’ s last game , The Witcher 3 – considered one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen .
Gamers have been clamouring for a follow-up to the seminal Half Life series since it was left on a cliffhanger in 2007 .
What nobody asked for was for that follow-up to be a virtual reality-only adventure using the developer ’ s proprietary hardware Valve VR .
Until it was released , that is , and it was… really good .
Like , genuinely pretty great , not just ‘ decent for a VR game ’ .
While virtual reality remains a nascent medium , Half Life : Alyx is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a must-play for anyone who ’ s invested in a headset .
The final release of this fan-made game is one of the more heart-warming stories of 2020 .
A remake of the original 1998 Half Life – sanctioned for commercial release by IP holder Valve – has been in some form of development for 16 years .
Repeatedly dismissed over that time – not unfairly , I must say – as one of those projects destined to fail , developers Crowbar Collective took everyone by surprise in 2019 when they announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more surprising is how brilliant it is , a ground-up redesign of the original game that completely overhauls the much-maligned final “ Xen ” levels .
Beyond anything you could reasonably expect of a fan collective , this is an essential title whether you ’ re old enough to have played the original ( guilty ) or a younger player yet to experience one of the most important releases in the medium of video games .
Following the frankly absurd success of Fortnight ( and to an only slightly lesser extent PUBG , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA ) , the online battle royale genre seemed to have been explored in all of its permutations .
We had a “ serious shooter ” version in Apex Legends , a zombie version in Dying Light : Bad Blood , and even a Tetris version in Tetris 99 .
So Fall Guys surprised even its own developers when over the summer it became the title on every Twitch-streamers screen .
The goofy series of It ’ s a Knockout-style minigames saw players take control of glitchy , imprecise avatars and fling them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that relied as much on luck as skill .
Exactly the kind of mindless fun we all needed this year .
Another game that ’ s actually a throwback to the before-times , Demon ’ s Souls is a remake of From Software ’ s 2009 title , which went on to inspire the world-conquering Dark Souls series .
But there are remakes , and there are remakes from Bluepoint , the developers who rebuilt Shadow of the Colossus in spectacular fashion back in 2018 .
This is another huge win for Bluepoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the laps of modern gamers .
Brutal , inscrutable and so mysterious people still debate its nuances more than a decade after release , this is the title that birthed the “ souls-like ” genre , where players learn through repeated and unforgiving death to foes that at first seem utterly invincible .
This remake brings fresh and startling beauty to the ravaged land of Boletaria , making it the first essential next-gen title .
Confined to our sofas for months on end , we all needed a little escapism this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in spades .
Set in ancient Japan , Sucker Punch Productions ’ game provided a vast and beautiful world for you to roam at your leisure , a place filled with potential samurai mischief like hiding in long grass and hacking people to pieces with a sword .
While it pushed few barriers in terms of writing or gameplay , Ghost of Tsushima is beautiful a playground in which to lose yourself , and a source of more screenshots than any game I can remember .
In what was something of a running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fifth and final act of Kentucky Route Zero marked the end of a long-running project that dated back to 2013 .
If The Last of Us Part 2 is a smart blockbuster , Kentucky Route Zero is an indie darling , a surreal , elegiac pixel-art exploration of what happens to those left behind in the wake of economic ruin .
Set in a dreamlike version of the US state , in which a whisky conglomerate essentially owns the local workforce , it ’ s a sad , touching and resolutely slow-paced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video game and art project .
Wonderfully soundtracked by Ben Babbitt , this is one of the most original and innovative games ever made , and one that should have pride of place on your digital shelf .

10 video games that defined the strange year that was 2020
A still from Kentucky Route Zero, one of the games that defined 2020
In a year that blockbuster movies were delayed en masse and people were confined to their homes for months at a time, video games played a more important role than ever in our lives.
With the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 finally making an appearance last month, 2020 was also a last hurrah for a generation of consoles, a time when developers had worked out how to squeeze every ounce of power and efficiency from the hardware to create the most advanced games we have seen to date.
In no particular order, here are the games that brightened our days during endless afternoons of lockdown, and, in some cases, helped push the medium of video games to new artistic heights.
The Last of Us Part 2
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Kentucky Route Zero
Cyberpunk 2077
Ghost of Tsushima
Fall Guys
Half Life: Alyx
Black Mesa
Demon’s Souls
Hades
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
From the vantage point of December, the hysteria that surrounded the Spring release of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – a game about establishing yourself in a town full of amiable villagers – already seems like a relic of a mysterious bygone era.
Was my Twitter timeline really filled with people negotiating over the price of virtual turnips? Did Elija Wood and Stephen Fry really drop into people’s digital villages to cheer them up? Was there really a serious debate in ostensibly serious publications over whether the game’s cheerful shop manager Tom Nook – a raccoon, for what it’s worth – was secretly pushing a neoconservative agenda on the world’s children? Yes, yes and yes.
What is also strange about Animal Crossing: New Horizon was how quickly it disappeared from our lives, as if we’d been inoculated against its strange, addictive brand of monotony. Perhaps this really is the game that best defines 2020.
The Last of Us Part 2
Few games have been so hotly anticipated as the follow-up to 2013’s The Last of Us, a slow-burn, cinematic zombie thriller that managed to conjure a near-perfect blend of writing, graphics and gameplay.
Remarkably, few people were disappointed with its sequel, which drove forward the original game’s fierce blend of horror and tragedy, taking the story in dark new directions while keeping the stripped-back gameplay that was able to draw in players who don’t usually spend their evenings hunched in front of a PlayStation. A true video game milestone, this will be held as a high-watermark of the medium for years to come.
Hades
It’s perhaps appropriate the one of the best games of 2020 was actually released back in the relative health and prosperity of 2018. The sleeper hit from Supergiant Games, which emerged from Early Access this year, is a cartoonish roguelike dungeon-crawler set amid the pantheon of Greek gods.
It sees you battle to free yourself from Hades and the overbearing influence of your father, who happens to be the literal ruler of the underworld. While the gameplay is frenetic and progress system subtly rewarding, it’s the writing that makes this one of the most unforgettable gaming experiences of the last few years, drip-feeding more meaningful dialogue than you can eke out during a single play-through, and making you feel like a real part of this fascinating, claustrophobic world.
Cyberpunk 2077
Although not yet technically released, it would be remiss not to give a passing mention to CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077, a game that will finally be in the hands of fans later this week following a string of high-profile delays.
Perhaps the most ambitious open-world game ever created, it sees your character negotiate the future-dystopia of Night City, interacting with its bizarre denizens and forging a narrative of your own making over potentially hundreds of hours.
Whether it can live up to the promise of the developer’s last game, The Witcher 3 – considered one of the finest games ever made – remains to be seen.
Half Life: Alyx
Gamers have been clamouring for a follow-up to the seminal Half Life series since it was left on a cliffhanger in 2007. What nobody asked for was for that follow-up to be a virtual reality-only adventure using the developer’s proprietary hardware Valve VR.
Until it was released, that is, and it was… really good. Like, genuinely pretty great, not just ‘decent for a VR game’. While virtual reality remains a nascent medium, Half Life: Alyx is now one of its poster children, and a must-play for anyone who’s invested in a headset.
Black Mesa
The final release of this fan-made game is one of the more heart-warming stories of 2020. A remake of the original 1998 Half Life – sanctioned for commercial release by IP holder Valve – has been in some form of development for 16 years.
Repeatedly dismissed over that time – not unfairly, I must say – as one of those projects destined to fail, developers Crowbar Collective took everyone by surprise in 2019 when they announced a finished product was close. Even more surprising is how brilliant it is, a ground-up redesign of the original game that completely overhauls the much-maligned final “Xen” levels.
Beyond anything you could reasonably expect of a fan collective, this is an essential title whether you’re old enough to have played the original (guilty) or a younger player yet to experience one of the most important releases in the medium of video games.
Fall Guys
Following the frankly absurd success of Fortnight (and to an only slightly lesser extent PUBG, from which it borrows much of its DNA), the online battle royale genre seemed to have been explored in all of its permutations. We had a “serious shooter” version in Apex Legends, a zombie version in Dying Light: Bad Blood, and even a Tetris version in Tetris 99.
So Fall Guys surprised even its own developers when over the summer it became the title on every Twitch-streamers screen. The goofy series of It’s a Knockout-style minigames saw players take control of glitchy, imprecise avatars and fling them around assault courses trying to win tournaments that relied as much on luck as skill. Exactly the kind of mindless fun we all needed this year.
Demon’s Souls
Another game that’s actually a throwback to the before-times, Demon’s Souls is a remake of From Software’s 2009 title, which went on to inspire the world-conquering Dark Souls series.
But there are remakes, and there are remakes from Bluepoint, the developers who rebuilt Shadow of the Colossus in spectacular fashion back in 2018. This is another huge win for Bluepoint, bringing the formerly hard-to-find software crashing into the laps of modern gamers.
Brutal, inscrutable and so mysterious people still debate its nuances more than a decade after release, this is the title that birthed the “souls-like” genre, where players learn through repeated and unforgiving death to foes that at first seem utterly invincible. This remake brings fresh and startling beauty to the ravaged land of Boletaria, making it the first essential next-gen title.
Ghost of Tsushima
Confined to our sofas for months on end, we all needed a little escapism this year, and Ghost of Tsushima has that in spades. Set in ancient Japan, Sucker Punch Productions’ game provided a vast and beautiful world for you to roam at your leisure, a place filled with potential samurai mischief like hiding in long grass and hacking people to pieces with a sword.
While it pushed few barriers in terms of writing or gameplay, Ghost of Tsushima is beautiful a playground in which to lose yourself, and a source of more screenshots than any game I can remember.
Kentucky Route Zero
In what was something of a running theme this year, the release of the fifth and final act of Kentucky Route Zero marked the end of a long-running project that dated back to 2013.
If The Last of Us Part 2 is a smart blockbuster, Kentucky Route Zero is an indie darling, a surreal, elegiac pixel-art exploration of what happens to those left behind in the wake of economic ruin.
Set in a dreamlike version of the US state, in which a whisky conglomerate essentially owns the local workforce, it’s a sad, touching and resolutely slow-paced adventure that tiptoes the line between narrative video game and art project.
Wonderfully soundtracked by Ben Babbitt, this is one of the most original and innovative games ever made, and one that should have pride of place on your digital shelf.


cityam--2020-12-28--Shirley film review: Elizabeth Moss chills again in strange horror

Having chilled us earlier this year with breakout hit The Invisible Man , Elisabeth Moss plays American horror author Shirley Jackson in an interesting non-biopic .
Read more : The best films to watch on a Tier 4 Christmas day Odessa Young and Logan Lerman play Rose and Fred , a young couple expecting a baby who come to live with Jackson and her husband Stanley Hyman ( Michael Stuhlbarg ) , an academic and Fred ’ s new boss .
As their stay goes on for longer than expected , Rose is asked to do jobs around the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a follow up to her wildly successful work The Lottery .
Initially cold toward her , Shirley forms a connection with Rose and draws her into her fascination with the recent disappearance of a young woman .
However , the writer ’ s mind games begin to make Rose question everything around her .
While all the elements suggest this is a biopic , this is far from the story of Jackson ’ s life .
It ’ s a fictional story featuring real people , told in the unsettling style of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moss plays Jackson as the worst kind of intellectual bully , belittling Rose with remarks about her marriage before drawing her in when she finds some creative use for her .
Young ’ s character is also coaxed into becoming a de facto housekeeper for Jackson and Hyman , given the former ’ s bouts of agoraphobia and reluctance to leave bed .
Reasons are given for her behaviour , particularly the manipulation of Hyman , but there ’ s little debate that this isn ’ t a flattering portrait .
Fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is also very far from accurate .
A hard-working mother of four ( she is childless in the story ) , the real Jackson shared the film version ’ s alcoholism and the mental strain of Hyman ’ s infidelity .
However , she seemed to be nowhere near the vindictive puppet master we find in Decker ’ s film .
So , the portrayal may be inaccurate , but it ’ s hardly the first film do play fast and loose with the truth .
The Greatest Showman , Shakespeare In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrap real life figures around completely fictionalised plots .
What makes Shirley so interesting is that it feels like a story Jackson might tell , and in that sense is remarkably faithful to her writing legacy .
Mixing disorientating camera angles with a creepy soundtrack , there ’ s a sense of unease that grows as we observe the four leads unravel .
Young is complex and intriguing as the audience ’ s point of view , an expectant mother whose quiet discontent is recognised by Jackson ( “ let ’ s pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the world is far too cruel to girls ” ) .
While her castmates have far more showy roles to dig into , the Australian actor develops in more subtle ways .
Logan Lerman is the picture of 50s male privilege , feeling entitled to advancement at his job , which Hyman gleefully denies him .
One of the most underrated character actors around , Stuhlbarg initially seems like a more jovial version of his role in Call Me By Your Name , welcoming Fred and Rose into their home and papering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s terse nature .
As the film goes on , it ’ s revealed he is the tormenter , an egotistical philanderer prodding at Jackson to produce more content and imposing himself on his young house guests for his own ends .
He may be the life of the party , but we ’ re left in no doubt as to where much of Shirley ’ s trauma stems from .
Read more : The top films of 2020 , from Parasite to Mank Of course , all of performances orbit around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful lead , as Jackson she is far from likeable , but as things progress , we begin to understand where this behaviour comes from .
Bedevilled by drink , mental health issues , and the restriction imposed on women at the time , she commands your attention every moment she appears on screen .
Shirley ’ s unconventional nature may be too much for the casual viewer , as it refuses to be put in any kind of clean category .
However , an unsettling tone and marvellous acting ensure it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biopics .
Shirley is available On Demand .

Shirley film review: Elizabeth Moss chills again in strange horror
Elizabeth Moss in Shirley
Having chilled us earlier this year with breakout hit The Invisible Man, Elisabeth Moss plays American horror author Shirley Jackson in an interesting non-biopic.
Odessa Young and Logan Lerman play Rose and Fred, a young couple expecting a baby who come to live with Jackson and her husband Stanley Hyman (Michael Stuhlbarg), an academic and Fred’s new boss. As their stay goes on for longer than expected, Rose is asked to do jobs around the house while Shirley works on her new story, a follow up to her wildly successful work The Lottery.
Initially cold toward her, Shirley forms a connection with Rose and draws her into her fascination with the recent disappearance of a young woman. However, the writer’s mind games begin to make Rose question everything around her.
While all the elements suggest this is a biopic, this is far from the story of Jackson’s life. It’s a fictional story featuring real people, told in the unsettling style of one of the author’s stories. Moss plays Jackson as the worst kind of intellectual bully, belittling Rose with remarks about her marriage before drawing her in when she finds some creative use for her.
Young’s character is also coaxed into becoming a de facto housekeeper for Jackson and Hyman, given the former’s bouts of agoraphobia and reluctance to leave bed. Reasons are given for her behaviour, particularly the manipulation of Hyman, but there’s little debate that this isn’t a flattering portrait.
Fans of the author will point out that this is also very far from accurate. A hard-working mother of four (she is childless in the story), the real Jackson shared the film version’s alcoholism and the mental strain of Hyman’s infidelity. However, she seemed to be nowhere near the vindictive puppet master we find in Decker’s film.
So, the portrayal may be inaccurate, but it’s hardly the first film do play fast and loose with the truth. The Greatest Showman, Shakespeare In Love, and The Social Network all wrap real life figures around completely fictionalised plots.
What makes Shirley so interesting is that it feels like a story Jackson might tell, and in that sense is remarkably faithful to her writing legacy. Mixing disorientating camera angles with a creepy soundtrack, there’s a sense of unease that grows as we observe the four leads unravel.
Young is complex and intriguing as the audience’s point of view, an expectant mother whose quiet discontent is recognised by Jackson (“let’s pray for a boy” Moss proposes, “the world is far too cruel to girls”). While her castmates have far more showy roles to dig into, the Australian actor develops in more subtle ways. Logan Lerman is the picture of 50s male privilege, feeling entitled to advancement at his job, which Hyman gleefully denies him.
One of the most underrated character actors around, Stuhlbarg initially seems like a more jovial version of his role in Call Me By Your Name, welcoming Fred and Rose into their home and papering over the cracks caused by his wife’s terse nature. As the film goes on, it’s revealed he is the tormenter, an egotistical philanderer prodding at Jackson to produce more content and imposing himself on his young house guests for his own ends. He may be the life of the party, but we’re left in no doubt as to where much of Shirley’s trauma stems from.
Of course, all of performances orbit around Moss’ central character. Ever the powerful lead, as Jackson she is far from likeable, but as things progress, we begin to understand where this behaviour comes from. Bedevilled by drink, mental health issues, and the restriction imposed on women at the time, she commands your attention every moment she appears on screen.
Shirley’s unconventional nature may be too much for the casual viewer, as it refuses to be put in any kind of clean category. However, an unsettling tone and marvellous acting ensure it is far more memorable than a hundred by-the-numbers biopics.
Shirley is available On Demand.


cityam--2020-12-28--Love Island woos viewers as reality show tops ITV streaming charts

Love Island topped the rankings for ITV ’ s most streamed shows this year as the pandemic helped drive up the broadcasters ’ viewing figures .
The most recent series of the wildly popular reality TV show , which was filmed in South Africa , racked up 130m requests on the channel ’ s on-demand platform ITV Hub .
This topped the list and marks the highest number of views ever recorded on the streaming service .
Love Island ’ s runaway success eclipsed viewing figures for ITV ’ s daytime favourites Good Morning Britain and This Morning , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here !
, which was this year filmed in a castle in North Wales rather than its traditional setting in Australia , bagged 26m views .
ITV also enjoyed success for dramas such as White House Farm and Liar , which recorded 13m and 11m requests respectively .
Des , a three-part drama starring David Tennant as notorious serial killer Dennis Nilsen , achieved the platform ’ s biggest ever audience average , with 2.4m viewers per episode within 28 days of catch-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost to ITV as it looks to shake off a coronavirus-induced advertising slump and shift its focus towards streaming .
The broadcaster last month said revenue to September had dropped 16 per cent to £1.9bn , but forecast a rebound in ad spend in the crucial fourth quarter .
However , ITV is looking to double down on its on-demand services amid a decline in traditional TV viewing and growing pressure from streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon .
The company has unveiled plans to set up a new business division dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint streaming service with the BBC .
Read more : ITV to launch streaming unit and cut London office space in restructuring plan Rufus Radcliffe , managing director of ITV On Demand , hailed a “ milestone ” year for the channel ’ s streaming platform .
“ These viewer requests and average audience figures demonstrate the strong appetite for our content across genres and we look forward to further expanding our offering on the service as we go into 2021 .
”

Love Island woos viewers as reality show tops ITV streaming charts
Series six of Love Island racked up record online viewing numbers
Love Island topped the rankings for ITV’s most streamed shows this year as the pandemic helped drive up the broadcasters’ viewing figures.
The most recent series of the wildly popular reality TV show, which was filmed in South Africa, racked up 130m requests on the channel’s on-demand platform ITV Hub.
This topped the list and marks the highest number of views ever recorded on the streaming service.
Love Island’s runaway success eclipsed viewing figures for ITV’s daytime favourites Good Morning Britain and This Morning, which pulled in 42m and 28m requests respectively.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which was this year filmed in a castle in North Wales rather than its traditional setting in Australia, bagged 26m views.
ITV also enjoyed success for dramas such as White House Farm and Liar, which recorded 13m and 11m requests respectively.
Des, a three-part drama starring David Tennant as notorious serial killer Dennis Nilsen, achieved the platform’s biggest ever audience average, with 2.4m viewers per episode within 28 days of catch-up.
The figures will come as a boost to ITV as it looks to shake off a coronavirus-induced advertising slump and shift its focus towards streaming.
The broadcaster last month said revenue to September had dropped 16 per cent to £1.9bn, but forecast a rebound in ad spend in the crucial fourth quarter.
However, ITV is looking to double down on its on-demand services amid a decline in traditional TV viewing and growing pressure from streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon.
The company has unveiled plans to set up a new business division dedicated to ITV Hub and Britbox, its joint streaming service with the BBC.
Rufus Radcliffe, managing director of ITV On Demand, hailed a “milestone” year for the channel’s streaming platform.
“These viewer requests and average audience figures demonstrate the strong appetite for our content across genres and we look forward to further expanding our offering on the service as we go into 2021.”


cityam--2020-12-28--Rescue New Year's Eve 2021 with these Bacardi cocktails

The government ’ s pandemic policy has left New Year ’ s plans in disarray , and millions of Britons asking if there is any way the holidays can be saved .
Fortunately , the creative team at Bacardi have invented a range of festive cocktails to help lift the mood .
Read more : Our ultimate guide to last-minute Christmas spirits , including our whiskies of the year So raid your liquor cabinet or book a delivery slot , because in the dying days of a year that most of us would be happy to forget , these recipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things to come .
You might not be meeting with friends or visiting family this holiday season , but you can still be in good spirits with these easy to assemble , but delicious drinks .
The perfect way to see in 2021 .
Combine all of the ingredients over ice in a Collins glass .
Stir gently .
Garnish with a lemon twist , orange wedge , and star anise .
Simply combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker .
Shake , strain and then garnish with candy cane before serving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shake , strain and then garnish with whipped cream and a cherry on top .
Add gingerbread syrup , Angostura bitters and lemon juice into a tall glass .
Add cubed ice and a 50ml ( double shot ) measure of Grey Goose vodka .
Top up your glass with Maple Soda and stir it all together .
Take your gingerbread man with icing and buttons and hook onto the rim of your glass .
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker .
Shake , strain and then garnish with a brandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( can be prepared in a wine glass too ) .
Crush candy canes onto a small plate .
Wet the rim of your glass and gently dip the rim onto the plate , ensuring it gets a nice coating .
Fill a cocktail shaker with a 50ml ( double shot ) measure of Grey Goose vodka , espresso , and candy cane syrup .
Shake and strain the liquid into your glass and enjoy !
Combine Martini Fiero , Bombay Bramble and Blackcurrant syrup in shaker , shake and strain into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , garnish with lemon twist and blackberry .
Add Grey Goose , agave syrup , grapefruit juice and pineapple juice to a shaker with ice .
Shake and strain into a glass with ice cold ginger ale , then garnish with grapefruit peel .
Perfect to see in the New Year .

Rescue New Year’s Eve 2021 with these Bacardi cocktails
Save New Year’s Eve with these festive cocktails
The government’s pandemic policy has left New Year’s plans in disarray, and millions of Britons asking if there is any way the holidays can be saved. Fortunately, the creative team at Bacardi have invented a range of festive cocktails to help lift the mood.
So raid your liquor cabinet or book a delivery slot, because in the dying days of a year that most of us would be happy to forget, these recipes offer a glimmer of hope for better things to come. You might not be meeting with friends or visiting family this holiday season, but you can still be in good spirits with these easy to assemble, but delicious drinks. The perfect way to see in 2021.
St Germain Festive Spritz
Ingredients:
40 ml of St Germain elderflower liqueur
60 ml of Martini Prosecco
60 ml of sparkling water
1 twist of lemon peel
1 orange wedge
1 star anise
Method:
Combine all of the ingredients over ice in a Collins glass. Stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist, orange wedge, and star anise.
Patron Rockin’ Stockin’
Ingredients:
35ml Patron Reposado Tequila
100ml Chocolate milk
10ml Caramel syrup
Method:
Simply combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake, strain and then garnish with candy cane before serving.
Bacardi Spice ‘n’ All Things Nice
Ingredients:
25ml Bacardi Añejo Cuatro rum
15ml Cherry Heering cherry liqueur
50ml Cranberry
1 dash Angostura orange bitters
10ml Sugar syrup
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake, strain and then garnish with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Festive Fact: According to research, vodka is the number one spirit for cocktail making this season, so Bacardi have provided several cocktail recipes showcasing the versatility of Grey Goose vodka.
Grey Goose Spiced Gingerbread Man
Ingredients:
50ml Grey Goose vodka
120ml Maple soda
15ml Gingerbread syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 squeeze of lemon wedge
1 Gingerbread man
Method:
Add gingerbread syrup, Angostura bitters and lemon juice into a tall glass. Add cubed ice and a 50ml (double shot) measure of Grey Goose vodka. Top up your glass with Maple Soda and stir it all together. Take your gingerbread man with icing and buttons and hook onto the rim of your glass.
Grey Goose Vanilla Coffee Snowball
Ingredients:
25ml Grey Goose La Vanille vanilla flavoured vodka
30ml Advocaat egg cream liqueur
20ml Filter coffee
50ml Lemonade
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake, strain and then garnish with a brandy snap for a truly festive feel, (can be prepared in a wine glass too).
Grey Goose Candy Cane Lane
Ingredients:
50ml Grey Goose vodka
30ml Fresh espresso
20ml Candy cane/peppermint syrup
Crushed candy canes
Method:
Crush candy canes onto a small plate. Wet the rim of your glass and gently dip the rim onto the plate, ensuring it gets a nice coating. Fill a cocktail shaker with a 50ml (double shot) measure of Grey Goose vodka, espresso, and candy cane syrup. Shake and strain the liquid into your glass and enjoy!
Festive Fact: Bacardi’s data reveals that berries are the most popular ingredient for festive serves.
Fiero Berries Royale
Ingredients:
25ml Martini Fiero orange vermouth
25ml Bombay Bramble blackberry and raspberry gin
10ml Blackcurrant Syrup
Martini Prosecco
1 twist of lemon peel
1 blackberry
Method:
Combine Martini Fiero, Bombay Bramble and Blackcurrant syrup in shaker, shake and strain into a flute glass. Top with Martini Prosecco, garnish with lemon twist and blackberry.
Grey Goose Countdown
Ingredients:
35ml Grey Goose vodka
15ml light agave syrup
25ml yellow grapefruit juice
25ml pineapple juice
Ginger ale
1 piece of grapefruit peel
Method:
Add Grey Goose, agave syrup, grapefruit juice and pineapple juice to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass with ice cold ginger ale, then garnish with grapefruit peel. Perfect to see in the New Year.


cityam--2020-12-28--Soho House founder sells $20m of stake after pandemic hit

The founder and chief executive of Soho House has cashed in $ 20m ( £14.8m ) of his stake after the private members ’ club was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Nick Jones , who established the exclusive club in 1995 , has sold a one per cent stake to Ron Burkle , the US billionaire businessman who already owns roughly 60 per cent of the company .
Read more : Soho House founder : ‘ If we were desperate for cash we ’ d let in our 50,000 waiting list ’ The sale was completed at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100m this summer , the Times reported .
The deal leaves Jones with a stake of less than 10 per cent .
Behind Burkle , Soho House ’ s second biggest investor Richard Caring , the tycoon behind Annabel ’ s and the Ivy restaurant chain .
Soho House , which is billed as an exclusive haunt for bigwigs in the creative industries , has expanded rapidly from its first venue on Greek Street and now operates 27 clubs around the world .
But like many hospitality businesses it has suffered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic and has forecast a steep decline in profit for the full year .
The group has cut 1,000 jobs from its global workforce of 8,000 , cut ties with suppliers and asked landlords for rent holidays after lockdown measures caused temporary closures .
Despite this , Jones has insisted that Soho House will bounce back following the pandemic .
“ If we were desperate for cash , we would let in our huge waiting lists , ” he said in an interview with the Telegraph last month .
The exclusive members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of roughly 50,000 people .
The sale strengthens the control of LA billionaire Burkle , who controls investment firm Yucaipa .
Read more : ‘ We will lose £400k ’ : The cost of Tier 3 for the hospitality sector Burkle hit the headlines last week after he snapped up Michael Jackson ’ s infamous Neverland ranch for $ 22m .
The 2,700-acre estate , which boasts a theme park and zoo , was originally listed for $ 100m but saw its price repeatedly slashed after failing to attract buyers .

Soho House founder sells $20m of stake after pandemic hit
Membership Collective Group, which owns 28 clubs around the world, announced in a statment this morning that it had sold 30m shares for $14 each – the bottom margin of the previously marketed range of $14 to $16.
The founder and chief executive of Soho House has cashed in $20m (£14.8m) of his stake after the private members’ club was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nick Jones, who established the exclusive club in 1995, has sold a one per cent stake to Ron Burkle, the US billionaire businessman who already owns roughly 60 per cent of the company.
The sale was completed at the same £2bn valuation at which the group raised $100m this summer, the Times reported.
The deal leaves Jones with a stake of less than 10 per cent. Behind Burkle, Soho House’s second biggest investor Richard Caring, the tycoon behind Annabel’s and the Ivy restaurant chain.
Soho House, which is billed as an exclusive haunt for bigwigs in the creative industries, has expanded rapidly from its first venue on Greek Street and now operates 27 clubs around the world.
But like many hospitality businesses it has suffered a blow to trading as a result of the pandemic and has forecast a steep decline in profit for the full year.
The group has cut 1,000 jobs from its global workforce of 8,000, cut ties with suppliers and asked landlords for rent holidays after lockdown measures caused temporary closures.
Despite this, Jones has insisted that Soho House will bounce back following the pandemic.
“If we were desperate for cash, we would let in our huge waiting lists,” he said in an interview with the Telegraph last month.
The exclusive members’ club currently has a waiting list of roughly 50,000 people.
The sale strengthens the control of LA billionaire Burkle, who controls investment firm Yucaipa.
Burkle hit the headlines last week after he snapped up Michael Jackson’s infamous Neverland ranch for $22m.
The 2,700-acre estate, which boasts a theme park and zoo, was originally listed for $100m but saw its price repeatedly slashed after failing to attract buyers.


cityam--2020-12-28--Rail services to be axed under Government plans: reports

Reports have emerged overnight suggesting as many as one in five train services could be axed to reduce financial pressure on the network .
The Treasury has been propping up rail services throughout 2020 as lockdown restrictions cut passenger numbers .
The Telegraph reports that officials want to bring rail capacity down by a fifth to reduce the strain on the nation ’ s purse strings .
Read more : Mayor says London faces worst crisis since WWII It is expected that so-called Tier 4 restrictions will remain in place for at least a month or possibly two as vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ work from home where possible ’ is likely to last until the end of Q1 , experts reckon .
Business bodies have called for train companies and the Department for Transport to introduce carnet ticket options to respond to new flexible working patterns as the nation goes back to its desk .
Season tickets are viewed as prohibitively expensive if workers are commuting only two to three days a week as they return .
London Conservatives have called for a similar scheme to be introduced on TfL services .
Read more : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen to supercharge Square Mile recovery

Rail services to be axed under Government plans: reports
(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Reports have emerged overnight suggesting as many as one in five train services could be axed to reduce financial pressure on the network.
The Treasury has been propping up rail services throughout 2020 as lockdown restrictions cut passenger numbers.
The Telegraph reports that officials want to bring rail capacity down by a fifth to reduce the strain on the nation’s purse strings.
Read more: Mayor says London faces worst crisis since WWII
It is expected that so-called Tier 4 restrictions will remain in place for at least a month or possibly two as vaccines are gradually rolled out.
Guidance to ‘work from home where possible’ is likely to last until the end of Q1, experts reckon.
Business bodies have called for train companies and the Department for Transport to introduce carnet ticket options to respond to new flexible working patterns as the nation goes back to its desk.
Season tickets are viewed as prohibitively expensive if workers are commuting only two to three days a week as they return.
London Conservatives have called for a similar scheme to be introduced on TfL services.
Read more: Calls for Waterloo & City Line to reopen to supercharge Square Mile recovery


cityam--2020-12-28--Chancellor: City can 'do things differently' in post-Brexit era

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has sought to calm fears that the City will be hamstrung by a lack of progress on equivalence with the European Union .
The post-Brexit trade deal signed by PM Boris Johnson last week does not go as far as many wanted in ensuring UK-based firms can work with continental partners .
The PM said it “ did not go as far as we would have liked.
” However , Sunak told Sky News that “ now that we ’ ve left the European Union , we can do things a bit differently.
” “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example examining how we can make the City of London the most attractive place to list new companies anywhere in the world , ” he said .
Read more : Post-Brexit deal will require future negotiations to ensure access Some believe that the regulatory freedoms allowed by the UK ’ s departure may allow the City to become a sandbox for new approaches on fintech and data use .
Treasury sources have told City A.M. that freeing British businesses from certain red tape could allow new businesses to flourish .
On Boxing Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK was set to remain the world ’ s fifth largest economy for some time and that it would race ahead of France in the decade to come .
Douglas McWilliams , Deputy Chair of the CEBR , who compiled the report , pointed to the UK ’ s strengths in digital and creative services as evidence of the country ’ s future-proofed economy .
“ We have a huge competitive advantage in this tech-based sector which the pandemic has kicked forward .
Most of this is pretty Brexit-proof provided the UK continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Read more : UK economy set to surge past French in decade to come

Chancellor: City can ‘do things differently’ in post-Brexit era
(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has sought to calm fears that the City will be hamstrung by a lack of progress on equivalence with the European Union.
The post-Brexit trade deal signed by PM Boris Johnson last week does not go as far as many wanted in ensuring UK-based firms can work with continental partners.
The PM said it “did not go as far as we would have liked.”
However, Sunak told Sky News that “now that we’ve left the European Union, we can do things a bit differently.”
“We’re embarking on that journey, for example examining how we can make the City of London the most attractive place to list new companies anywhere in the world,” he said.
Read more: Post-Brexit deal will require future negotiations to ensure access
Some believe that the regulatory freedoms allowed by the UK’s departure may allow the City to become a sandbox for new approaches on fintech and data use.
Treasury sources have told City A.M. that freeing British businesses from certain red tape could allow new businesses to flourish.
On Boxing Day, a respected annual report said the UK was set to remain the world’s fifth largest economy for some time and that it would race ahead of France in the decade to come.
Douglas McWilliams, Deputy Chair of the CEBR, who compiled the report, pointed to the UK’s strengths in digital and creative services as evidence of the country’s future-proofed economy.
“We have a huge competitive advantage in this tech-based sector which the pandemic has kicked forward. Most of this is pretty Brexit-proof provided the UK continues to attract talented people,” he said.
Read more: UK economy set to surge past French in decade to come


cityam--2020-12-28--Trump signs coronavirus relief and spending bill

US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $ 2.3 trillion ( £1.7 trillion ) coronavirus aid and spending package , averting a partial government shutdown .
The outgoing president plunged the government into chaos after refusing to sign the stimulus bill , which was approved by Congress last week .
Read more : Trump brands stimulus deal a disgrace as months of work hang in balance Trump criticised “ wasteful spending ” and called for payouts to struggling Americans to be increased from $ 600 to $ 2,000 .
The delay meant unemployment benefits were temporarily halted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who leaves office on 20 January after losing the election to Joe Biden , today backed down and signed the bill following pressure from both Democrats and Republicans .
The president had a deadline of midnight tonight to sign the bill , after which a partial government shutdown would have begun , putting millions of government workers ’ incomes at risk .
It is not immediately clear why Trump , who spent the weekend playing golf at his beach resort , changed his mind .
He said he was signing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed ” .
The measures include a $ 900m relief package , as well as $ 1.4 trillion in spending to fund government agencies .
The relief package also extends a moratorium on evictions that was due to expire at the end of the year , refreshes support for small business payrolls , provides funding to help schools reopen and aid for the transport industry and vaccine distribution .
It follows months of wrangling between Democrats and Republicans over a pandemic stimulus package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
US futures were trading higher this morning , with the Dow Jones on track to hit record highs again .
Read more : US finally passes $ 900bn stimulus deal as hopes for recovery increase Republican senator Mitt Romney said he was “ relieved ” the emergency legislation had finally been signed .
“ Help is now on the way to workers , families , and small businesses across the country who are desperately in need , ” he wrote in a tweet .

Trump signs coronavirus relief and spending bill
US President Donald Trump plunged the government into crisis after refusing to sign the stimulus bill
US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $2.3 trillion (£1.7 trillion) coronavirus aid and spending package, averting a partial government shutdown.
The outgoing president plunged the government into chaos after refusing to sign the stimulus bill, which was approved by Congress last week.
Trump criticised “wasteful spending” and called for payouts to struggling Americans to be increased from $600 to $2,000.
The delay meant unemployment benefits were temporarily halted for 14m people across the country.
But Trump, who leaves office on 20 January after losing the election to Joe Biden, today backed down and signed the bill following pressure from both Democrats and Republicans.
The president had a deadline of midnight tonight to sign the bill, after which a partial government shutdown would have begun, putting millions of government workers’ incomes at risk.
It is not immediately clear why Trump, who spent the weekend playing golf at his beach resort, changed his mind.
He said he was signing the bill with “a strong message that makes clear to Congress that wasteful items need to be removed”.
The measures include a $900m relief package, as well as $1.4 trillion in spending to fund government agencies.
The relief package also extends a moratorium on evictions that was due to expire at the end of the year, refreshes support for small business payrolls, provides funding to help schools reopen and aid for the transport industry and vaccine distribution.
It follows months of wrangling between Democrats and Republicans over a pandemic stimulus package that has sparked volatility on Wall Street.
US futures were trading higher this morning, with the Dow Jones on track to hit record highs again.
Republican senator Mitt Romney said he was “relieved” the emergency legislation had finally been signed.
“Help is now on the way to workers, families, and small businesses across the country who are desperately in need,” he wrote in a tweet.


cityam--2020-12-28--Astrazeneca vaccine could help ease Covid restrictions, minister says

Regulatory approval of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Astrazeneca and Oxford University could accelerate the easing of lockdown measures , the government has said .
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said there would be a “ significant increase ” in jabs available if authorities give the green light to the British vaccine candidate .
Read more : Bosses beg for help as new Tier 4 restrictions shutter 50,000 businesses This would allow ministers to ease strict coronavirus restrictions , which have wreaked havoc for British businesses .
“ If we do get the authorisation for that vaccine , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be able to progressively lift some of the restrictions , which have made life so difficult for so many , ” Gove told Sky News .
The UK this month became the first country in the world to launch a Covid-19 vaccination programme after regulators approved the Pfizer/BioNTech candidate .
Britain has ordered 40m doses of the vaccine — enough to inoculate 20m people .
The treatment , which requires two jabs three weeks apart , is being administered to the oldest and most vulnerable Brits first .
But hopes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine , of which the government has ordered 100m doses .
This could be the key to lifting stringent restrictions put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Large swathes of England were moved into the toughest tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day amid a surge in infections .
The recent rise in cases has been blamed on a new more contagious variant of the disease spreading across the UK .

Astrazeneca vaccine could help ease Covid restrictions, minister says
Large swathes of England were moved into the strictest tier 4 measures on Boxing Day
Regulatory approval of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Astrazeneca and Oxford University could accelerate the easing of lockdown measures, the government has said.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said there would be a “significant increase” in jabs available if authorities give the green light to the British vaccine candidate.
This would allow ministers to ease strict coronavirus restrictions, which have wreaked havoc for British businesses.
“If we do get the authorisation for that vaccine, and the rollout goes according to plan, then we will be able to progressively lift some of the restrictions, which have made life so difficult for so many,” Gove told Sky News.
The UK this month became the first country in the world to launch a Covid-19 vaccination programme after regulators approved the Pfizer/BioNTech candidate.
Britain has ordered 40m doses of the vaccine — enough to inoculate 20m people. The treatment, which requires two jabs three weeks apart, is being administered to the oldest and most vulnerable Brits first.
But hopes are also pinned on the success of the Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine, of which the government has ordered 100m doses.
This could be the key to lifting stringent restrictions put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Large swathes of England were moved into the toughest tier 4 restrictions on Boxing Day amid a surge in infections.
The recent rise in cases has been blamed on a new more contagious variant of the disease spreading across the UK.


cityam--2020-12-28--Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce review: a very Italian affair

I didn ’ t ‘ get ’ Alfa Romeo until the Giulia Veloce launch in 2017 .
My Damascene conversion took place at the Museo Storico near Turin , where many of the great cars from the marque ’ s history are on show .
And what a history it has !
There ’ s the 1935 Bimotore , a racer with two 270hp straight-eight engines that even Alfa ’ s official guide book describes as ‘ cantankerous and difficult to tame ’ .
Or the Disco Volante ( ‘ Flying Saucer ’ in English ) , a voluptuous vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wild , wedge-shaped 1968 Carabo concept , which inspired the Lamborghini Countach .
Then there are the production cars .
The decadent 8C 2900 Lungo of 1938 , the Montreal coupe of 1970 ( designed to embody ‘ man ’ s utmost automotive aspiration ’ ) and the knee-trembling 33 Stradale of 1967 – a strong candidate for the most beautiful car ever made .
We followed our museum tour with lunch in a trattoria on the shore of Lake Como , before heading for the hills .
At this point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have punctured my newly swollen heart with a dagger of disappointment , but the Giulia lived up to its looks .
At the time , I said : ‘ My only real criticism relates to its interior , which feels a little low-rent in places… Alfa has hit the spot , proving middle-ground doesn ’ t have to mean middle of the road.
’ Now there ’ s an updated Giulia Veloce and – guess what ?
– the improvements focus on the interior .
Sadly , I ’ ve traded sun-drenched Como @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Covid-19 ) , so igniting that passione may prove tougher this time .
Let ’ s see… I ’ m not sold on the new ‘ GT Junior Ocra ’ paint colour in these press photos ( my car was the much lovelier Misano Blue ) , but the Giulia remains a fine looking machine .
Its shield grille and offset front number plate are unmistakably Alfa , while its taut curves err more towards elegance than aggression .
The Veloce also gains matt-black badges , sportier bumpers and an upswept rear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made of aluminium – and the cabin feels classier than before .
The horrible , plasticky gear lever has been banished for something more solid ( although you ’ ll still prefer using the long , slender paddles , which are deliciously tactile ) and infotainment is much improved .
The 8.8-inch screen has a clearer interface and now offers clickwheel and touch control , along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility .
OK , so quality isn ’ t as ‘ German ’ as the Giulia ’ s key rivals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving .
Its steering is fast and flighty like a Ferrari , while its rear-driven chassis feels superbly balanced , aided by a modest 1,429kg kerb weight and 50/50 weight distribution .
On December roads , the back end felt coltishly keen to step out , although the stability control reins it in quickly .
As for the ride , it ’ s on the firm side of comfortable , partly thanks to enlarged – and gorgeous – 18-inch ‘ teledial ’ alloys .
The 280hp Veloce is the middle rung on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the 190-200hp Super , Sprint and Lusso models , and the fearsome 510hp Quadrifoglio .
Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four serves up 0-62mph in a brisk 5.7 seconds and 149mph flat-out .
I only wish it sounded more musical ; the marque that made the operatic Busso V6 can do better .
Nonetheless , while the Quadrifoglio is ( deservedly ) splashed across magazine covers and desktop wallpapers , the Veloce feels like the sweet-spot of the range .
It offers ample performance to enjoy on the road and a genuine split personality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA ’ dial .
In N-for-Normal mode it feels settled and easygoing , then switching to D-for-Dynamic draws out its claws .
Throttle response is sharper , the ( optional ) adaptive dampers stiffen and the systems allow more slip .
In the real world , you ’ ll rarely want for more .
Alfa Romeo ’ s reputation for reliability – or lack of it – continues to impact resale values , meaning the Guilia costs more on monthly finance than many rivals .
The £42,575 Veloce , for example , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £6,999 deposit .
Yet according to the latest What Car ?
survey , Giulia reliability , while hardly exceptional , is no worse than some of its German competitors .
In the ‘ executive cars up to five years old ’ class , it finished 14th out of 19 models , ahead of the Mercedes C-Class , Volkswagen Passat and Audi A4 diesel .
Motoring Research founder Peter Burgess owned a Giulia Veloce until recently and told me : “ Another Audi or a BMW would be such a boring choice , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply loved it – 280hp is enough to give a really stimulating drive .
The Giulia was comfortable , handled well and , yes , it was as reliable as my Audi .
With the improved dashboard on the facelifted version , I ’ d have another at the drop of a hat .
Oh , and this was my first Alfa.
” The circumstances were very different , but my second date with the Giulia Veloce didn ’ t extinguish the spark .
It ’ s the kind of car you turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I can ’ t imagine ever doing that with an Audi A4 .

Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce review: a very Italian affair
I didn’t ‘get’ Alfa Romeo until the Giulia Veloce launch in 2017. My Damascene conversion took place at the Museo Storico near Turin, where many of the great cars from the marque’s history are on show. And what a history it has!
There’s the 1935 Bimotore, a racer with two 270hp straight-eight engines that even Alfa’s official guide book describes as ‘cantankerous and difficult to tame’. Or the Disco Volante (‘Flying Saucer’ in English), a voluptuous vision of the future from 1952. Or the wild, wedge-shaped 1968 Carabo concept, which inspired the Lamborghini Countach.
Then there are the production cars. The decadent 8C 2900 Lungo of 1938, the Montreal coupe of 1970 (designed to embody ‘man’s utmost automotive aspiration’) and the knee-trembling 33 Stradale of 1967 – a strong candidate for the most beautiful car ever made.
We followed our museum tour with lunch in a trattoria on the shore of Lake Como, before heading for the hills. At this point, many Alfa Romeos from recent history would have punctured my newly swollen heart with a dagger of disappointment, but the Giulia lived up to its looks.
At the time, I said: ‘My only real criticism relates to its interior, which feels a little low-rent in places… Alfa has hit the spot, proving middle-ground doesn’t have to mean middle of the road.’
Now there’s an updated Giulia Veloce and – guess what? – the improvements focus on the interior. Sadly, I’ve traded sun-drenched Como for simply drenched Croydon (thank you, Covid-19), so igniting that passione may prove tougher this time. Let’s see…
I’m not sold on the new ‘GT Junior Ocra’ paint colour in these press photos (my car was the much lovelier Misano Blue), but the Giulia remains a fine looking machine. Its shield grille and offset front number plate are unmistakably Alfa, while its taut curves err more towards elegance than aggression. The Veloce also gains matt-black badges, sportier bumpers and an upswept rear diffuser.
Open the light door – made of aluminium – and the cabin feels classier than before. The horrible, plasticky gear lever has been banished for something more solid (although you’ll still prefer using the long, slender paddles, which are deliciously tactile) and infotainment is much improved. The 8.8-inch screen has a clearer interface and now offers clickwheel and touch control, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
OK, so quality isn’t as ‘German’ as the Giulia’s key rivals, but that matters less when you start driving. Its steering is fast and flighty like a Ferrari, while its rear-driven chassis feels superbly balanced, aided by a modest 1,429kg kerb weight and 50/50 weight distribution. On December roads, the back end felt coltishly keen to step out, although the stability control reins it in quickly. As for the ride, it’s on the firm side of comfortable, partly thanks to enlarged – and gorgeous – 18-inch ‘teledial’ alloys.
The 280hp Veloce is the middle rung on the Giulia ladder, filling the yawning chasm between the 190-200hp Super, Sprint and Lusso models, and the fearsome 510hp Quadrifoglio. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four serves up 0-62mph in a brisk 5.7 seconds and 149mph flat-out. I only wish it sounded more musical; the marque that made the operatic Busso V6 can do better.
Nonetheless, while the Quadrifoglio is (deservedly) splashed across magazine covers and desktop wallpapers, the Veloce feels like the sweet-spot of the range. It offers ample performance to enjoy on the road and a genuine split personality, thanks to Alfa’s ‘DNA’ dial. In N-for-Normal mode it feels settled and easygoing, then switching to D-for-Dynamic draws out its claws. Throttle response is sharper, the (optional) adaptive dampers stiffen and the systems allow more slip. In the real world, you’ll rarely want for more.
Alfa Romeo’s reputation for reliability – or lack of it – continues to impact resale values, meaning the Guilia costs more on monthly finance than many rivals. The £42,575 Veloce, for example, is currently £399 a month with a hefty £6,999 deposit.
Yet according to the latest What Car? survey, Giulia reliability, while hardly exceptional, is no worse than some of its German competitors. In the ‘executive cars up to five years old’ class, it finished 14th out of 19 models, ahead of the Mercedes C-Class, Volkswagen Passat and Audi A4 diesel.
Motoring Research founder Peter Burgess owned a Giulia Veloce until recently and told me: “Another Audi or a BMW would be such a boring choice, while the Alfa seemed tantalisingly leftfield. I simply loved it – 280hp is enough to give a really stimulating drive. The Giulia was comfortable, handled well and, yes, it was as reliable as my Audi. With the improved dashboard on the facelifted version, I’d have another at the drop of a hat. Oh, and this was my first Alfa.”
The circumstances were very different, but my second date with the Giulia Veloce didn’t extinguish the spark. It’s the kind of car you turn and look back at after walking away. I can’t imagine ever doing that with an Audi A4.
Tim Pitt writes for Motoring Research
PRICE: £42,575
0-62MPH: 5.7sec
TOP SPEED: 149mph
CO2 G/KM: 195
MPG COMBINED: 32.8


cityam--2020-12-28--Brits warned of Brexit disruption despite trade deal

Brits will face “ some disruption ” when the UK leaves the EU this week despite a last-minute trade deal , the government has warned .
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said businesses and citizens must prepare for “ practical and procedural changes ” , warning that time to adapt to the new rules was very tight .
Read more : Wine drinkers toast Brexit deal as French clarets , German rieslings and UK sparkling wine escape regulatory burdens Gove hailed the UK ’ s post-Brexit trade deal as “ a fantastic free trade agreement ” , but that with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge and opportunity ” .
He urged Brits travelling to the EU to take out comprehensive travel insurance and check possible roaming charges with their mobile network provider , the BBC reported .
“ The nature of our new relationship with the EU — outside the Single Market and Customs Union — means that there are practical and procedural changes that businesses and citizens need to get ready for , and time to make these final preparations is very short , ” Gove said .
“ We know that there will be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doing business with the EU , so it is vital that we all take the necessary action now.
” It comes after the UK secured a post-Brexit free trade agreement with the EU on Christmas Eve , covering £660bn of trade .
European ambassadors will meet later today to discuss the deal before it is put before the European Parliament for formal approval .
MPs will then be recalled to parliament to vote on the deal on Wednesday .
The vote is expected to pass , with Labour backing what it describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to avoid a no-deal scenario .
Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has urged MPs and peers to abstain from the vote , warning the deal would inflict “ lasting damage ” on the UK .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted the treaty will withstand scrutiny from fervent Brexiters on his back benches .
Read more : Gove : Free ports and smart regulation the prize of Brexit deal Meanwhile , trade secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade deal with Turkey this week .
The agreement was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade deal with the EU , as Turkey is in a customs union with the bloc .

Brits warned of Brexit disruption despite trade deal
British travellers have been warned of disruption when the UK leaves the EU this week
Brits will face “some disruption” when the UK leaves the EU this week despite a last-minute trade deal, the government has warned.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said businesses and citizens must prepare for “practical and procedural changes”, warning that time to adapt to the new rules was very tight.
Gove hailed the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal as “a fantastic free trade agreement”, but that with “big change” comes both “challenge and opportunity”.
He urged Brits travelling to the EU to take out comprehensive travel insurance and check possible roaming charges with their mobile network provider, the BBC reported.
“The nature of our new relationship with the EU — outside the Single Market and Customs Union — means that there are practical and procedural changes that businesses and citizens need to get ready for, and time to make these final preparations is very short,” Gove said.
“We know that there will be some disruption as we adjust to new ways of doing business with the EU, so it is vital that we all take the necessary action now.”
It comes after the UK secured a post-Brexit free trade agreement with the EU on Christmas Eve, covering £660bn of trade.
European ambassadors will meet later today to discuss the deal before it is put before the European Parliament for formal approval.
MPs will then be recalled to parliament to vote on the deal on Wednesday.
The vote is expected to pass, with Labour backing what it describes as a “thin” deal in order to avoid a no-deal scenario.
Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has urged MPs and peers to abstain from the vote, warning the deal would inflict “lasting damage” on the UK.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted the treaty will withstand scrutiny from fervent Brexiters on his back benches.
Meanwhile, trade secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade deal with Turkey this week.
The agreement was not possible until the UK struck a trade deal with the EU, as Turkey is in a customs union with the bloc.


cityam--2020-12-29--UK tech jobs bounce back as investment hits record high

UK tech job vacancies have bounced back strongly as Britain ’ s booming tech sector shrugged off the Covid-19 pandemic to attract record levels of investment .
While job vacancies in the industry dropped sharply at the height of the crisis in July , they have since climbed 50 per cent and are now accumulating at a rate of 2.6 per cent per month , according to new figures from Tech Nation .
Read more : Johnson meets tech firm chiefs to talk listing in London The recovery highlights the resilience of the UK ’ s digital economy , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all job openings .
Despite the impact of the pandemic , venture capital investment in UK tech firms rose to fresh highs in 2020 as Britain continues to lead the way in Europe .
Tech companies raised $ 15bn ( £11bn ) this year , a slight increase on the $ 14.8bn achieved in 2019 and higher than the rest of Europe combined , according to data from Dealroom .
This was spurred on by a number of big-ticket fundraising rounds by companies including fintech firm Revolut and digital insurance provider Ki , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding .
Go Cardless and Octopus Energy also bagged significant cash injections in the final weeks of the year .
In addition , UK-based venture capital firms also smashed previous records by raising $ 8.2bn this year , up from $ 5.5bn in 2019 .
The bumper investment helped spur on the UK ’ s track record in creating unicorns — private companies valued at $ 1bn or more .
Seven new unicorns were created this year , including Gousto , Gymshark and Cazoo , taking the country ’ s total to 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK also boasts more than 130 tech firms valued at between $ 250m and $ 800m , signalling a strong pipeline of future unicorns .
Writing in City A.M. today , culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the UK tech sector had shown a “ remarkable ability to adapt ” .
“ The 2020 report is hugely positive , and it brings clear tidings for 2021 : the health of our tech sector and our overall economy are now inextricably linked , ” he wrote .
Dowden promised “ another huge tech push ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that new regulation of digital companies would bring “ exciting new innovators and disruptors into the fold ” .
Read more : Exclusive – Fintech tsar Charlotte Crosswell : ‘ Our sector is not a fair and inclusive place ’ The new data showed that UK tech job vacancies are now at their highest level since May after suffering a steep fall as a result of Covid-19 .
Job openings had reached just over 75,353 by November , up from a low of just over 50,000 in July , according to data compiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 106,000 IT-related vacancies recorded in March , rapid growth suggests the sector is on track for a full recovery in the coming months .
According to the latest ONS data , the digital tech economy employs 2.98m people , after growing 11 per cent over the last two year .
While London makes up nearly one-fifth of all tech vacancies , the south east comes second with 15,038 and north west England has over 7,000 available jobs .
The most in-demand role remains software developer , which has more than 31,000 vacancies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of available jobs are in non-digital roles , including HR , marketing and legal .
Salaries in the tech industry are considerably higher than the national average at £53,318 , up four per cent on 2019 figures despite low inflation .
Read more : Europe lays out new rules that could force the breakup of big tech “ Today ’ s positive job and investment figures offer further proof that the UK ’ s tech ecosystem has an important role to play in the recovery and the opportunity to build back a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura Citron , chief executive of London & Partners .
Suranga Chandratillake , partner at Balderton Capital , added : “ Attracting $ 15bn worth of investment is an astounding feat for the UK ’ s tech industry .
“ It ’ s great to see the success of the industry spanning both different areas of the UK , and different sectors , including fintech , e-commerce and green energy .
”

UK tech jobs bounce back as investment hits record high
Challenger banks are picking up customers on the back of better savings rates
UK tech job vacancies have bounced back strongly as Britain’s booming tech sector shrugged off the Covid-19 pandemic to attract record levels of investment.
While job vacancies in the industry dropped sharply at the height of the crisis in July, they have since climbed 50 per cent and are now accumulating at a rate of 2.6 per cent per month, according to new figures from Tech Nation.
The recovery highlights the resilience of the UK’s digital economy, which now accounts for 10 per cent of all job openings.
Despite the impact of the pandemic, venture capital investment in UK tech firms rose to fresh highs in 2020 as Britain continues to lead the way in Europe.
Tech companies raised $15bn (£11bn) this year, a slight increase on the $14.8bn achieved in 2019 and higher than the rest of Europe combined, according to data from Dealroom.
This was spurred on by a number of big-ticket fundraising rounds by companies including fintech firm Revolut and digital insurance provider Ki, which both secured $500m in fresh funding.
Go Cardless and Octopus Energy also bagged significant cash injections in the final weeks of the year.
In addition, UK-based venture capital firms also smashed previous records by raising $8.2bn this year, up from $5.5bn in 2019.
Britain’s unicorn farm
The bumper investment helped spur on the UK’s track record in creating unicorns — private companies valued at $1bn or more.
Seven new unicorns were created this year, including Gousto, Gymshark and Cazoo, taking the country’s total to 80. According to the report, the UK also boasts more than 130 tech firms valued at between $250m and $800m, signalling a strong pipeline of future unicorns.
Writing in City A.M. today, culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the UK tech sector had shown a “remarkable ability to adapt”.
“The 2020 report is hugely positive, and it brings clear tidings for 2021: the health of our tech sector and our overall economy are now inextricably linked,” he wrote.
Dowden promised “another huge tech push” from the government next year, adding that new regulation of digital companies would bring “exciting new innovators and disruptors into the fold”.
Digital job drive
The new data showed that UK tech job vacancies are now at their highest level since May after suffering a steep fall as a result of Covid-19.
Job openings had reached just over 75,353 by November, up from a low of just over 50,000 in July, according to data compiled by Adzuna.
While this remains below the 106,000 IT-related vacancies recorded in March, rapid growth suggests the sector is on track for a full recovery in the coming months.
According to the latest ONS data, the digital tech economy employs 2.98m people, after growing 11 per cent over the last two year.
While London makes up nearly one-fifth of all tech vacancies, the south east comes second with 15,038 and north west England has over 7,000 available jobs.
The most in-demand role remains software developer, which has more than 31,000 vacancies. However, more than a third of available jobs are in non-digital roles, including HR, marketing and legal.
Salaries in the tech industry are considerably higher than the national average at £53,318, up four per cent on 2019 figures despite low inflation.
“Today’s positive job and investment figures offer further proof that the UK’s tech ecosystem has an important role to play in the recovery and the opportunity to build back a more sustainable, fairer society,” said Laura Citron, chief executive of London & Partners.
Suranga Chandratillake, partner at Balderton Capital, added: “Attracting $15bn worth of investment is an astounding feat for the UK’s tech industry.
“It’s great to see the success of the industry spanning both different areas of the UK, and different sectors, including fintech, e-commerce and green energy.”


cityam--2020-12-28--Wall Street hits record high after Trump signs stimulus bill

Wall Street rose to record highs as markets opened this afternoon after US President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited coronavirus stimulus bill .
The S & P 500 rose 0.7 per cent in early trading , while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq were also up 0.69 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively .
It comes after Trump belatedly signed into law a $ 2.3 trillion ( £1.7 trillion ) coronavirus aid and spending package .
The president had previously refused to sign the bill , plunging the government into chaos and sparking the risk of a partial shutdown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down following fierce pressure from both Democrats and Republicans .
The move prompted relief among politicians and buoyed trading on the main US indices .
Airline stocks were among the top risers as the package is expected to provide much-needed relief to the battered sector .
In addition to stimulus optimism , investor confidence was boosted by the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations across Europe and the UK ’ s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU .
“ Now that the uncertainty has ended over the US stimulus package and Brexit deal , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heading into record territory in the run up to the New Year , ” said Raffi Boyadjian , senior investment analyst at XM .

Wall Street hits record high after Trump signs stimulus bill
US stocks rose to record highs after Trump signed a coronavirus stimulus bill
Wall Street rose to record highs as markets opened this afternoon after US President Donald Trump signed a long-awaited coronavirus stimulus bill.
The S&P 500 rose 0.7 per cent in early trading, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq were also up 0.69 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively.
It comes after Trump belatedly signed into law a $2.3 trillion (£1.7 trillion) coronavirus aid and spending package.
The president had previously refused to sign the bill, plunging the government into chaos and sparking the risk of a partial shutdown in Washington.
But Trump this morning backed down following fierce pressure from both Democrats and Republicans.
The move prompted relief among politicians and buoyed trading on the main US indices.
Airline stocks were among the top risers as the package is expected to provide much-needed relief to the battered sector.
Banks, including Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs, also pushed higher.
In addition to stimulus optimism, investor confidence was boosted by the rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations across Europe and the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
“Now that the uncertainty has ended over the US stimulus package and Brexit deal, there’s nothing stopping stock markets from heading into record territory in the run up to the New Year,” said Raffi Boyadjian, senior investment analyst at XM.


cityam--2020-12-28--Brexit: Boris Johnson hails ‘new starting point’ in UK-EU relationship

Prime Minister Boris Johnson today hailed a “ new starting point ” for the UK ’ s relationship with the EU after the two sides agreed a post-Brexit trade deal .
In a call with European Council president Charles Michel this afternoon , Johnson welcomed the agreement as a fresh start “ between sovereign equals ” .
Read more : Brits warned of Brexit disruption despite trade deal “ We looked forward to the formal ratification of the agreement and to working together on shared priorities , such as tackling climate change , ” the prime minister added .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member states unanimously approved the trade deal , which was secured on Christmas Eve just days before the 31 December deadline .
The approval means the trade deal can take effect provisionally , though the European Parliament will formally vote on it in January .
MPs will be recalled to parliament to vote on the agreement on Wednesday .
Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has urged MPs and peers to abstain from the vote , warning the deal would inflict “ lasting damage ” on the UK .
Labour has also criticised what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said his party will support the deal , meaning it is expected to be approved and come into force on 1 January .
Read more : Chancellor : City can ‘ do things differently ’ in post-Brexit era Meanwhile , trade secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade deal with Turkey this week .
The agreement was not possible until the UK struck a trade deal with the EU , as Turkey is in a customs union with the bloc @

Brexit: Boris Johnson hails ‘new starting point’ in UK-EU relationship
Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to European Council president Charles Michel this afternoon
Prime Minister Boris Johnson today hailed a “new starting point” for the UK’s relationship with the EU after the two sides agreed a post-Brexit trade deal.
In a call with European Council president Charles Michel this afternoon, Johnson welcomed the agreement as a fresh start “between sovereign equals”.
“We looked forward to the formal ratification of the agreement and to working together on shared priorities, such as tackling climate change,” the prime minister added.
It came after ambassadors representing the 27 EU member states unanimously approved the trade deal, which was secured on Christmas Eve just days before the 31 December deadline.
The approval means the trade deal can take effect provisionally, though the European Parliament will formally vote on it in January.
MPs will be recalled to parliament to vote on the agreement on Wednesday.
Tory grandee Lord Heseltine has urged MPs and peers to abstain from the vote, warning the deal would inflict “lasting damage” on the UK. Labour has also criticised what it described as a “thin” deal.
However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said his party will support the deal, meaning it is expected to be approved and come into force on 1 January.
Meanwhile, trade secretary Liz Truss said she expects to sign a continuity trade deal with Turkey this week.
The agreement was not possible until the UK struck a trade deal with the EU, as Turkey is in a customs union with the bloc.


cityam--2020-12-29--Mobile roaming: Will I be charged for using my phone in the EU after Brexit?

Since 2017 , Brits travelling in the EU have been able to enjoy using their mobile phone without racking up any additional roaming charges .
The UK has now secured a post-Brexit trade deal with the bloc , ensuring a smoother transition after the transition period ends on 31 December .
But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove this week warned there would still be some disruption , and warned Brits to check possible roaming charges with their mobile providers before travelling .
So will mobile users now be charged to use their minutes , texts and data abroad ?
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite trade deal Under EU laws , consumers have been able to use their mobile phones in other member states with no additional charges — provided they stick to fair use policies .
During the transition period , which started on 31 January this year , these rules have remained in place .
But once the transition ends on 31 December , they will no longer apply .
What ’ s more , the post-Brexit trade deal does not guarantee free mobile roaming throughout the bloc .
This means that mobile operators could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in EU countries .
However , the agreement urges providers to charge “ transparent and reasonable rates ” for roaming .
The government has already put some safeguards in place to ensure consumers are not charged extortionate rates .
These include : • A £45-per-month cap on data roaming charges before customers are required to opt in for further use • Operators must inform customers when they have reached 80 per cent and 100 per cent of their data allowance • Operators must take “ reasonable steps ” to ensure customers are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( e.g .
if a phone connected to a signal originating in the Republic of Ireland ) The government has told consumers to check with their operator for any potential new charges .
What have the mobile operators said ?
The changes mean the onus is on the mobile operators to decide whether or not to introduce roaming charges for EU customers .
But just because the companies are now able to hike fees , it doesn ’ t mean that they will .
All four UK networks — O2 , Vodafone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no plans to introduce roaming charges .
This means Brits can keep using their phones without the worry of hefty bills .
However , there is no guarantee that they will maintain this policy indefinitely .
“ Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe and beyond , and we don ’ t have any plans to change this based on the Brexit outcome , ” an EE spokesperson said .
“ So our customers travelling to the EU will continue to benefit from inclusive roaming.
” O2 said : “ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connectivity and value when they travel outside the UK .
We currently have no plans to change our roaming services across Europe.
” A spokesperson for Vodafone said the company had no plans to introduce roaming charges .
Three said : “ Three is the global leader in international roaming and already offers roaming at no extra cost for its customers in over 70 destinations including the US , Australia and New Zealand .
We will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations allowing our customers to continue using their phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Mobile roaming: Will I be charged for using my phone in the EU after Brexit?
Will mobile users now be charged to use their minutes, texts and data abroad?
Since 2017, Brits travelling in the EU have been able to enjoy using their mobile phone without racking up any additional roaming charges.
The UK has now secured a post-Brexit trade deal with the bloc, ensuring a smoother transition after the transition period ends on 31 December.
But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove this week warned there would still be some disruption, and warned Brits to check possible roaming charges with their mobile providers before travelling.
So will mobile users now be charged to use their minutes, texts and data abroad?
Will roaming charges return?
Under the terms of the post-Brexit trade deal, the guarantee of free mobile roaming throughout the bloc will end
Under EU laws, consumers have been able to use their mobile phones in other member states with no additional charges — provided they stick to fair use policies.
During the transition period, which started on 31 January this year, these rules have remained in place. But once the transition ends on 31 December, they will no longer apply.
What’s more, the post-Brexit trade deal does not guarantee free mobile roaming throughout the bloc.
This means that mobile operators could introduce fees for Brits using their phone in EU countries.
However, the agreement urges providers to charge “transparent and reasonable rates” for roaming.
The government has already put some safeguards in place to ensure consumers are not charged extortionate rates. These include:
A £45-per-month cap on data roaming charges before customers are required to opt in for further use
Operators must inform customers when they have reached 80 per cent and 100 per cent of their data allowance
Operators must take “reasonable steps” to ensure customers are not charged for accidental roaming in Northern Ireland (e.g. if a phone connected to a signal originating in the Republic of Ireland)
The government has told consumers to check with their operator for any potential new charges.
What have the mobile operators said?
All four UK mobile operators said they had no plans to introduce roaming charges
The changes mean the onus is on the mobile operators to decide whether or not to introduce roaming charges for EU customers.
But just because the companies are now able to hike fees, it doesn’t mean that they will.
All four UK networks — O2, Vodafone, EE and Three — said they had no plans to introduce roaming charges.
This means Brits can keep using their phones without the worry of hefty bills. However, there is no guarantee that they will maintain this policy indefinitely.
“Our customers enjoy inclusive roaming in Europe and beyond, and we don’t have any plans to change this based on the Brexit outcome,” an EE spokesperson said. “So our customers travelling to the EU will continue to benefit from inclusive roaming.”
O2 said: “We’re committed to providing our customers with great connectivity and value when they travel outside the UK. We currently have no plans to change our roaming services across Europe.”
A spokesperson for Vodafone said the company had no plans to introduce roaming charges.
Three said: “Three is the global leader in international roaming and already offers roaming at no extra cost for its customers in over 70 destinations including the US, Australia and New Zealand. We will retain this great customer benefit regardless of Brexit negotiations allowing our customers to continue using their phones when they travel within the EU.”


cityam--2020-12-29--Boris Johnson under pressure to cancel school reopenings

Boris Johnson is under pressure from senior cabinet ministers to delay next week ’ s planned school reopenings as the UK recorded more than 40,000 new Covid cases yesterday – a new record .
Health secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove are pushing Johnson to cancel the planned reopening of schools next week for students in primary school , year 11 and 13 , according to The Times .
Read more : Fashion-forward : Is Covid the final nail in the coffin for City-formal ?
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) has also warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to stop the current wave of Covid infections unless all secondary schools are closed .
The group is reportedly urging the government to implement a third national lockdown .
The government has said that the plans are now under review , however Johnson and education secretary Gavin Williamson are reportedly not keen on keeping all students at home next week .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data Williamson and Johnson want schools to remain open so that disadvantaged pupils are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been suggestions at cabinet that the term could be extended into the summer if it begins later .
It comes as another 357 people in the UK died of Covid yesterday , which brings the seven-day total to 3,493 – an 8.6 per cent rise from the previous week .
The total death toll is now 71,109 .
The number of hospital beds now taken up by coronavirus patients in England has also exceeded the number during the country ’ s first peak .
Speaking to the BBC today , University College London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I think we are entering a very dangerous new phase of the pandemic and we ’ re going to need decisive , early , national action to prevent a catastrophe in January and February .
“ A 50 per cent increase in transmissibility means that the previous levels of restrictions that worked before won ’ t work now , and so Tier 4 restrictions are likely to be necessary or even higher than that.
” London , the east of England and the entire South East are currently in lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investing after Covid vaccine success ?
A swathe of other locations – including Birmingham , Leeds , Sheffield , Manchester and Newcastle – are in Tier 3 , putting them in a semi-lockdown .
Only a small part of the country is in Tier 2 and just the Isles of Scilly remain in Tier 1 .

Boris Johnson under pressure to cancel school reopenings
Boris Johnson is under pressure from senior cabinet ministers to delay next week’s planned school reopenings as the UK recorded more than 40,000 new Covid cases yesterday – a new record.
Health secretary Matt Hancock and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove are pushing Johnson to cancel the planned reopening of schools next week for students in primary school, year 11 and 13, according to The Times.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has also warned the Prime Minister that he will not be able to stop the current wave of Covid infections unless all secondary schools are closed.
The group is reportedly urging the government to implement a third national lockdown.
The government has said that the plans are now under review, however Johnson and education secretary Gavin Williamson are reportedly not keen on keeping all students at home next week.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
Williamson and Johnson want schools to remain open so that disadvantaged pupils are not left behind, however there has been suggestions at cabinet that the term could be extended into the summer if it begins later.
It comes as another 357 people in the UK died of Covid yesterday, which brings the seven-day total to 3,493 – an 8.6 per cent rise from the previous week.
The total death toll is now 71,109.
The number of hospital beds now taken up by coronavirus patients in England has also exceeded the number during the country’s first peak.
Speaking to the BBC today, University College London professor of infectious diseases Andrew Hayward said: “I think we are entering a very dangerous new phase of the pandemic and we’re going to need decisive, early, national action to prevent a catastrophe in January and February.
“A 50 per cent increase in transmissibility means that the previous levels of restrictions that worked before won’t work now, and so Tier 4 restrictions are likely to be necessary or even higher than that.”
London, the east of England and the entire South East are currently in lockdown.
A swathe of other locations – including Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle – are in Tier 3, putting them in a semi-lockdown.
Only a small part of the country is in Tier 2 and just the Isles of Scilly remain in Tier 1.