Direct | Common News Update

Mar112021 by adminNo Comments

First $1,400 stimulus checks will go to those with direct deposit

Finance

Ting Shen/Xinhua via Getty ImagesThe federal government will issue the first batch of $ 1,400 stimulus checks to Americans who gave direct deposit information when they filed taxes for 2019 or 2020, a Treasury Department official confirmed to NBC.The $ 1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan offers one-time direct payments to those who qualify — the third round of stimulus checks since the pandemic began.President Joe Biden signed the Covid relief bill on Thursday.More from Personal Finance:New $ 1,400 stimulus checks could be garnished for unpaid debtsWhat to know about unemployment benefits in the American Rescue PlanDisabled Americans may want to save their stimulus money in this accountSome Americans will receive stimulus checks as soon as this weekend, the White House said Thursday.The i...

Sep162020 by adminNo Comments

Madonna to direct and co-write film about her life story

Entertainment

Madonna is set to co-write and direct a film about her life and career, Universal Pictures has announced.Madonna has said she wants the film to "convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer - a human being, trying to make her way in this world". She added: "The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive. Image: This will be the third film Madonna has directed, following 2008's Filth and Wisdom, and 2011's WE "There are so many untold and inspiring stories and who better to tell it than me. It's essential to share the roller coaster ride of my life with my voice and vision."The pop icon will be co-writing the film with Diablo Cody, the Oscar-w...

Mar272020 by adminNo Comments

Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley ‘deeply apologetic’ for virus blunders

Business

Retail tycoon Mike Ashley says he is "deeply apologetic" following a series of mistakes in his company's handling of the coronavirus outbreak.The boss of Frasers Group, which has Sports Direct and House of Fraser in its stable of companies, published an open letter on Friday morning in which he expressed regrets but also offered use the company's truck fleet to the NHS for the delivery of supplies to fight COVID-19. He was roundly criticised by MPs for emails to the government, as the country was placed on lockdown, in which the company claimed Sports Direct was essential for keeping the nation active. Image: Sports Direct's website remains open for sales It later moved to defend its stance in further correspondence before backi...

Mar182020 by adminNo Comments

Scammers may try to steal direct payments to Americans for coronavirus relief

Finance

boonchai wedmakawandFinancial scammers will likely try to steal money offered to Americans suffering from the negative economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic — and the public should be on its guard, federal officials warned on Wednesday.The White House has proposed making direct payments to American households as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on broad swaths of the U.S. economy."We predict that the scammers are gearing up to take advantage of this," wrote Jennifer Leach, associate director of the Division of Consumer and Business Education at the Federal Trade Commission, in a blog post published today.The Trump administration has called for $ 500 billion in near-term relief to Americans, as part of a $ 1 trillion financial relief package, according to reports.The siz...

Feb262020 by adminNo Comments

2,000 jobs to go as Virgin Money, Lloyds and Direct Line all slash roles

Business

Virgin Money, Lloyds Banking Group and Direct Line have announced job cuts totalling more than 2,000 on a bleak day for financial services workers.The three companies all partly blamed ongoing changes to customer behaviour for the cuts - including the fact that many bank customers choose to go online rather than visit branches. Direct Line is slashing around 7% of its workforce with 800 jobs going, while Lloyds is cutting 780 roles and Virgin Money will lose 500.In a statement published on Wednesday afternoon, Virgin Money - which is based in Norwich - said the move was partly the result of a shift to online banking and also part of ongoing changes following its merger with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. Image: The banks said that mobile and onl...