Club

Chicagoans come together for cathartic and communal screaming experience as activity gains traction across USPeople strolling along North Avenue Beach, a sandy strip on Lake Michigan, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, are apt to see something unusual on Sunday evenings.That’s because Chicago’s “Scream Club” meets there every week during the city’s warmer months, bringing together a community of up to 300 people who like to scream out over the water – and it’s an activity that seems to be spreading across the US. Continue reading...

Performer on trial on six charges of sexually penetrating a 20-year-old woman without consentA British YouTuber and musician accused of violently raping a fan after a gig never asked his alleged victim if she wanted sex, a court has been told.Rapper Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, is fighting six charges of sexually penetrating a 20-year-old woman without consent in a Perth hotel room in September 2024.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

Other charges, including assault against Abraham Diaw, dropped as guilty plea averts trialThe R&B singer Chris Brown has pleaded guilty to affray after a confrontation at a central London club.The 37-year-old had been facing trial later this year over an allegation he attacked a former friend with a bottle at the Tape private members’ club in Mayfair in 2023. Continue reading...

The prime minister said the £100m package would mean the typical pub would save around £1,100 in the next financial yearGood morning and welcome to the UK politics live blog.Andy Burnham will cut business rate bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues in England by 20% from next April.For too long, governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets – the beating heart of our communities – and that’s what we will do.The new chancellor, John Healey, said the government would return to its commitment to overhaul the wider business rates system, including small business rates relief, at the budget.Ministers also plan to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, putting them at an unfair advantage over those that do, and is consulting on measures to make those marketplaces more responsible for this.Burnham announced that the government would cut VAT on electricity bills, reducing them by an average of £45 a year from October. This would be funded, officials said, by his decision to scrap the digital ID scheme.The prime minister also announced he would reduce the fare cap from £3 a journey to £2 next year, funded mainly by changing international climate donations into repayable loans.Burnham is immersed in a deepening political row after ordering a review of plans for the early release of thousands of killers, rapists and sex offenders from prison in September.Victims of crime have accused ministers of making “cheap jokes” about releasing prisoners early after Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were caught on camera “ribbing” about the scheme.Scottish Labour’s rivals in Holyrood have slammed Anas Sarwar’s shock decision to resign as leader to sit in Andy Burnham’s new government, calling him a “chancer” and accusing him of lying to voters.The Conservatives have asked HMRC to investigate whether Nigel Farage should have paid tax on the £5m gift he received from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Continue reading...

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as government says it will review reliefs for ‘anti-social’ businessesA bit more from the Night Times Industries Association lobby group, which is also wary of the small print – while welcoming the broad policy.Michael Kill, its chief executive, said he wanted to know in particular which live music venues would be excluded. He said:We are still awaiting the full details and eligibility criteria, which are expected to be announced at the autumn Budget. We will also seek clarity on the proposed exclusion of the largest live-music venues and continue to press for the final scheme to provide the broadest possible support.The government is undoubtedly making the right noises. We look forward to continuing this constructive dialogue and ensuring these commitments translate into tangible and inclusive support for businesses throughout the night-time economy.We welcome this as a positive down payment on the PM’s commitment to support hospitality and his pledge to return to look at this again at the budget. While support for pubs, bars and live music is welcome, [it misses out] the restaurants, cafes and hotels which are the heart of our communities and backbone of the high street.So if the PM truly wants to to deliver a high street renaissance and growth in every postcode then we need to look at a business rates cut for the whole of hospitality and tackle the broader cost of doing business. We’ve seen £6bn extra taxes across the sector in the last two years so we need more. Continue reading...

No 10 announces reprieve after Andy Burnham previously pledged to raise tax from e-commerce warehouses and channel it to cutting hospitality sector’s billsBusiness rates will be cut by 20% for pubs, clubs and live music venues across England from April next year, Downing Street has announced.The discount will apply to nearly 32,000 hospitality businesses and is expected to save a typical pub about £1,100 annually, but will not be available to the very largest live music venues. Continue reading...

• The Athletic provided a comprehensive recap of the most significant developments at every Premier League club during the World Cup break. • Key updates include transfer activity, such as Victor Munoz joining Liverpool and Andrey Santos's expected move to Manchester United. • The reports cover a range of critical club matters, including new head coach appointments, contract renewals, ground upgrades, and UEFA sanctions.