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2025-01-25
Minister demands rapid rates reform: Reynolds urges Reeves to act as High St morale collapses By CALUM MUIRHEAD and JESSICA CLARK Updated: 17:25 EST, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments A cabinet minister has called for business rates to be reformed ‘as soon as possible’. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’s comments came as a growing Budget backlash from corporate Britain piles pressure on the Government to act. The High Street has been left reeling by a £7billion hit from the National Insurance tax raid and the inflation-busting rise in the minimum wage announced by Rachel Reeves last month. In a further setback for retailers and hospitality, the Chancellor failed to fulfil her promise to replace business rates with a fairer system – and instead left firms facing higher bills from April. The scale of the disappointment across the industry was underlined yesterday as a survey by business lobby group, the CBI, showed confidence on the High Street fell at the fastest pace for two years after the Budget. Labour has faced a barrage of criticism since Reeves announced £40billion of tax hikes last month, which critics say broke a manifesto pledge not to raise National Insurance and was anti-business and will cost jobs. Overhaul: Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (pictured) has called for business rates to be reformed ‘as soon as possible’ The High Street was only one area of the economy to be hit. Retailers are demanding fundamental reform of the business rates system to soften the blow. The British Retail Consortium estimates that 17,300 shops will close over the next decade unless the rates regime is overhauled. The issue has been highlighted by the Mail’s Save Our High Streets campaign. Quizzed about the situation by MPs yesterday, Reynolds said: ‘I want business rates reform as soon as possible and as expansive as possible. ‘The kind of conversation we want has to cover not just the future structure of business rates but also some of the wider points and avoidance problems.’ Speaking to members of the House of Commons business committee, he added: ‘I really recognise just how significant this is for all of us, regardless of where you represent the health of High Streets and the future of business rates are a major part of that.’ RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Reeves fails the credibility test: One can no longer take... Royal Mail edges closer to foreign takeover as Business... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account The CBI’s report found confidence on the High Street fell at the fastest pace for two years in the wake of the Budget as retailers reeled from an onslaught of higher costs. ‘The last time retailers felt this gloomy was back in November 2022, at the peak of the inflation shock,’ CBI lead economist Ben Jones said. ‘The stark rise in employers’ National Insurance next year will hit retailers hard.’ The list of companies warning the tax hikes would hit their prospects also continued to grow. Bike and motor repair chain Halfords, online giant AO World and building materials store Topps Tiles yesterday became the latest major retailers to warn of the impacts of Reeves’ Budget, saying it will add millions of pounds’ worth of costs. AO World estimated that its wage bill will go up by around £8million due to the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions and next April’s wage rise. Founder and chief executive John Roberts said the chain was likely to have to raise prices and make savings to mitigate the impact. He added: ‘This whole Budget is extremely inflationary for retailers. Is anyone naive enough to think that will not follow into pricing?’ Meanwhile, Halfords said it faces a £23million hit from Budget measures and may need to raise repair garage prices. The firm said the cost implications were ‘particularly acute’ given its workforce of more than 12,000. Just £9million of the extra cost burden was already included and mitigated in its plans for 2025-26. Boss Graham Stapleton said: ‘The cost implications from the Budget are particularly acute for a specialist retailer that provides expert advice and assistance to customers, face to face.’ Topps Tiles also said it expects £4million of extra costs from next April. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. 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Title: Who Would Have Thought! Beijing Guoan's New Manager Setien Suffered His Biggest Defeat 4 Years Ago with Barcelona Losing 2-8 to BayernIn the end, perhaps it is fitting that 'The Journey of Dust' is left with only one player, for in that solitude lies a story of resilience, identity, and the enduring spirit of the human heart. And as RainbowWarrior's footsteps fade into the virtual horizon, they leave behind a legacy that will continue to resonate with players long after the game itself becomes a mere memory—a legacy of courage, hope, and the beauty of being unapologetically true to oneself.SAN ANTONIO — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to complete their college careers in the Alamo Bowl rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount of insurance coverage each received, citing privacy laws. Coach Deion Sanders and athletic director Rick George both said it was the largest in college football history. "We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft," Sanders said Monday. "We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football." While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and two-way star Hunter received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft. "It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of," George said. "So, we worked together on that. We're excited about it. We think it's great that all our players are playing in the game. That's what all bowl games should be like." Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday. While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster. "It's more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State)," Colorado linebackers coach Andre' Hart said. "They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it's beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it's going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that's excellent." Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps. "They've taken care of us, everybody," Colorado running back Micah Welch said. "It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they're taking care of us." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!



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The establishment of the Application Algorithm Department comes at a time when Xiaohongshu is experiencing rapid growth and expanding its reach both domestically and internationally. By investing in advanced algorithms and data analytics capabilities, Xiaohongshu is poised to stay ahead of the curve and meet the evolving needs of its increasingly sophisticated user base.In the wake of the fire incident, Alibaba reinforced its commitment to data security and operational excellence. The company leveraged the incident as an opportunity to enhance its emergency response protocols and reaffirm its dedication to customer trust. By addressing the issue head-on and implementing proactive measures, Alibaba demonstrated its resilience and ability to navigate challenges with integrity and accountability.To start, the guide introduces the basic keyboard controls commonly used in "Infinite Warmth," including movement keys, action keys, and shortcut keys. Female players are encouraged to practice using these keys in a controlled setting to build muscle memory and improve response time during intense gameplay situations. Additionally, the guide provides tips on customizing key bindings to suit individual preferences and playstyles, empowering female gamers to tailor their gameplay experience according to their needs.

Senate Leader, Bamidele, greets Nigerians at Christmas2. Delayed Deliveries: Under Lord Postalis's watch, there have been numerous reports of delayed and lost mail, leading to widespread discontent among the citizens of Tenghaal.

As China continues to grapple with the issue of corruption within its ranks, the role of the CCDI and other anti-corruption agencies remains crucial. The fight against corruption is not only about punishing wrongdoers but also about building a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within the party and government. Only by addressing the root causes of corruption and holding officials accountable can China truly achieve its goal of a clean and efficient governance system.The United States’ Air Force ( USAF ) is pursuing the ambitious Next Generation Air Dominance ( NGAD ) program to fulfill its goal of developing the first sixth generation fighter jet. The NGAD is meant to ensure that the American military can establish air superiority and dominate the skies over any battlefield. The role of air power is more vital than ever in the 21st century and with near-peer adversaries gaining ground in every defense sector, the future can’t wait. 5 Affordability Projected to be one of the most costly fighter jet programs in US history, the NGAD program has raised significant questions regarding both the procurement and sustainment affordability. The program's expenses surpass even the high costs of the F-22 and F-35 platforms, with per-unit costs estimated to exceed $200 million. The Department of Defense (DOD) must balance funding the NGAD with other modernization priorities like unmanned aerial systems and hypersonic weapons. The debate over NGAD has sparked scrutiny as funding the project is feared to squeeze out resources for other initiatives. Finding the money without compromising other areas of the defense strategy can be difficult. The cost pressure may result in a smaller fleet size, similar to how the B-2 Spirit production ended. As the program continues to develop, the Air Force is attempting to wrangle the risk of budget inflation to ensure unanticipated expenses don't bloat program costs. 4 Emerging technologies For NGAD development, like all projects that demand invention, the engineers and craftsmen who construct this revolutionary new aircraft must integrate bleeding-edge technology that has never seen the battlefield. In order for the sixth-generation jet to be safe to fly and lethal in its mission execution, all of that new technology must work together seamlessly. DefenseScoop reported that the Air Force seeks to integrate unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) with the NGAD to enhance operational flexibility. Air Force Secretary Kendall remarked on this combined strategy, saying, "threat changes; because of financial constraints; because of the development of technology, including the introduction of CCAs [autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft]," he said, "it would be imprudent to commit to a single design before reconsidering all available options." The B-21 Raider might be able to fit at least some of NGAD's role as a penetrating command center controlling advanced drones. Producing a real and tangible fighter that can do everything asked of it will be intensely complex and call for a deep investment of intellectual power from the American industrial sector. All of the usual prime contractors are interested, including Collins Aerospace , Raytheon, Lockheed Martin , Boeing and Northrop Grumman . Without exceptional minds and skills, it will be impossible for the NGAD to ever take flight. 3 Industrial constraints The NGAD program's demands on the capacity of the US defense-industrial base has raised the curtain on the complexity of modern weapons manufacturing. Successfully completing this program and realizing the potential of many innovative concepts will demand a vast array of highly specialized components, materials, and production processes. Bottlenecks in the supply chain have recently been further exacerbated by the global pandemic, conflict, and competition, especially for rare earth materials. All of these threaten to slow production timelines and increase costs. The US Air Force is concerned about proceeding with its Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program unless the fighter jet is cheaper than the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which costs between $80 and $100 million each. The US Air Force aims for NGAD to replace the F-22 Raptor. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall suggested that the F-35 is the cost ceiling for the future fighter program during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air Space Cyber conference in September.“We are looking at what we need in order to achieve air superiority in a manner consistent with the increased threat, the changing character of war in the most and the most cost and combat effective way,” he said. The estimate for NGAD’s original concept was three times the price of an F-35, which led the US Air Force to reconsider the contract, which should have been awarded this year. Still, Secretary Kendall also stressed the urgency of the 6th Generation Fighter Jet project's deliverables.Some believe the Air F 2 Unmanned vs manned systems The US sixth-generation fighter program will adopt a dual approach to future air power. That means manned and unmanned systems will work together on the battlefield to complement each other. This doctrine represents a significant shift in air combat strategy. Incorporating the CCA unmanned platforms in support of high-risk roles such as electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and targeting will free up manned jets and improve pilot safety. The Washington Times reports that the Air Force wants to start with “200 NGAD fighters and 1,000 unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), assuming the use of two CCA platforms for each NGAD fighter and another two for each of the 300 F-35 fifth-generation fighters.” Developing such a dynamic and hazardous human-machine interface introduces unknown challenges. The CCA's and NGAD’s AI algorithms must make split-second decisions while remaining in sync with human commands or actions. Ensuring that unmanned systems effectively complement piloted aircraft and don’t pose any risk will require rigorous testing and development to thoroughly vet and verify. 1 Policy risks Significant political, policy, and programmatic obstacles threaten the NGAD timeline. The schedule and technological goals are in jeopardy of compromise or interference from a multitude of other actors who are vying to draw resources away to their own ends. Delays have called the program's viability into question, raising doubts about the Air Force's ability to deliver the platform on time. The Aviationist reported on the program status after the Air Force paused NGAD reviews to reassess priorities: “From a requirements perspective, what I would say is we’re going back and starting at the beginning with ‘What is the thing we’re trying to do?’” said the Vice Chief of Staff James C. Slife. “‘How do we achieve air superiority in a contested environment?’ would be one way to frame the question. A different way to frame the question would be, ‘How do we build a sixth-gen manned fighter platform?’ I mean, those are not necessarily the same question.” Proposed NGAD Features Stealth capabilities with enhanced radar evasion Modular airframe design to enable adaptability High-speed propulsion with potential hypersonic integration Advanced networking for multi-domain operations Unmanned systems integration with AI-driven autonomy Enhanced electronic warfare capabilities Increased payload capacity for diverse mission types The NGAD program aims to define the future of air dominance by integrating manned and unmanned platforms and a host of sixth-generation technical innovations that would put the US Air Force leaps and bounds ahead of its adversary's capabilities. The resolution of strategic issues that are crippling progress depends on overcoming challenges in procurement areas such as supply chain resilience, affordability, technological integration, and strategic alignment. Whether the NGAD program realizes its transformative potential or encounters compromises that undercut its lofty objectives will depend on how well it navigates these complexities while keeping an eye on the future.

Title: "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ring" Peaks at 12,000 Concurrent Players on Steam! Is Battling Ghosts a Thrilling Experience?

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