Britains bot talent

LONDON: Britain's swimmers are battling against the current heading into the delayed Tokyo Olympics but world record holder Adam Peaty will make light of choppy waters to retain his 100m breaststroke title, according to his predecessor Duncan Goodhew. Peaty was Britain's only swimming gold medallist at the Rio Olympics, emulating Goodhew's feat at the 1980 Moscow Games in the same event, but has been forced to train in a tank in his garden because of the closure of the country's swimming pools. While Goodhew says he is concerned at the impact the closure of swimming pools will have on elite and recreational swimmers, he believes Peaty's prospects will not be effected. "He is extremely competitive and he is prepared to hold his hand in the fire longer," Goodhew, president of the Swimathon Foundation which is helping the British swimming community stay afloat during the pandemic, told Reuters on Tuesday. Goodhew won his gold in a time of 1:03 but Peaty's world record is 55.41 … [Read more...] about Swimming: Goodhew tips Peaty for Tokyo gold, worried by COVID-19’s lost generation

As the live music industry’s return remains fairly nebulous amid the ongoing pandemic, Mint Talent Group — a booking agency started last year by former CAA, William Morris Endeavor, and Paradigm agents — is working with ticketing platform Lyte to set up a reservation system for a swath of its artists’ upcoming shows, the companies tell Rolling Stone. It marks Lyte’s first agency-wide deal. Mint represents 180 clients, including notable legacy artists such as Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples and Art Garfunkel. Thirty of those artists, including Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite and Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers Band, have already signed on to offer reservations, and Mint says it looks to bring on more artists going forward in the longer term as more of its artists show interest in getting involved. Financial specifics on the deal weren’t disclosed. Related Stories Live Nation's Stock Reaches All-Time High While Revenue Sits at Historic Low Rock 'N' Relief Live Stream: Foo … [Read more...] about Dozens of Artists Are Taking Reservations for Their First Post-Covid Shows

HE’S sold over 40 million books and been responsible for many reluctant readers enjoying stories - and for this year’s World Book Day, David Walliams is presenting a free virtual World Book Day School Assembly. Dad of one, David, 49, will be in conversation with Blue Peter’s, Lindsey Russell on Thursday where he will talk about the joy of reading, as well as reading an extract from Fing, which has just been released in paperback. David published his first book in 2008, The Boy in the Dress - about Dennis, who would rather wear girls' clothes instead of boys. Since then, he’s written 29 more books including Code Name Bananas that came out in November 2020 - and not since Roald Dahl, who wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the BFG and Matilda, has an author captured children’s imaginations in such a way. Walliams, who for the last two years has written FOUR BOOKS a year, says; “Although schools are still closed for this year’s World Book Day I think it’s important to … [Read more...] about David Walliams to host FREE World Book Day assembly as he encourages kids to get reading

VILNIUS: Thanks in part to Brexit, Lithuania is becoming a fintech hub as a growing number of UK-linked digital financial companies are getting licences there so they can continue to operate in the European Union. The Baltic eurozone state with a population about a third the size of London is now leading the EU in fintech with over 230 companies, according to the Invest Lithuania government agency. About two dozen have links to Britain. One of the first to come after the 2016 Brexit referendum was London-based Revolut bank. "Lithuania is currently a hub for our European operations after Brexit," Virgilijus Mirkes, CEO of Revolut Bank in Lithuania, told AFP. "We opened our Vilnius office in 2017 after considering the fintech-friendly business environment," he said, pointing to a speedy licencing process and good local talent. READ: UK economy suffers record 9.9% slump in 2020 after COVID-19 hit Invest Lithuania estimates that the sector employs more than 4,000 people … [Read more...] about UK fintechs seek ‘cure for Brexit’ in Lithuania

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's security and police chiefs said "terrorism" was growing in the city, as government departments rallied on Monday behind Beijing's plans to introduce national security laws after thousands took to the streets to protest against the move. The security legislation, which could see Chinese intelligence agencies set up bases in Hong Kong and aims to tackle secession, subversion and terrorist activities, has sent shockwaves through the business and diplomatic communities. READ: Hong Kong - nearly a year of unrest "Terrorism is growing in the city and activities which harm national security, such as 'Hong Kong independence', become more rampant," Secretary for Security John Lee said in a statement. "In just a few months, Hong Kong has changed from one of the safest cities in the world to a city shrouded in the shadow of violence," he said, adding national security laws were needed to safeguard the city's prosperity and stability. Police said they arrested … [Read more...] about Hong Kong security, police chiefs warn of growing ‘terrorism’ as China security laws loom