Taxing ‘gossip’ on the internet
AFP The tax proved unpopular with internet users in Uganda, some of whom took to the streets to protest Claim: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to impose a tax on “gossip” on social media has led to drop in usage. Verdict: The tax has had a negative impact on access to social media and is […]
‘I hope the new government can heal divisions’
BBC Lifelong Labour voter Gavin Craig said divisions in the party had left him questioning his vote More than a century has passed since David Lloyd George made his famous ‘homes fit for heroes’ speech in Wolverhampton ahead of a December election he went on to win. As another winter election looms, what are the […]
Organised crime chronic and corrosive to the UK
NCA The threat of organised crime is “chronic and corrosive” to the UK and more money is needed to tackle it, according to the National Crime Agency. Head of the agency Lynne Owens said organised criminals were killing more citizens per year than terrorism, war and natural disasters combined. She said offenders took advantage of […]
Train firms bet on mindfulness to lure commuters back
Getty Images The journey to work is set to be a whole lot more relaxing than before for commuters hopping back on the train. That at least is the plan: the rail industry is offering free hot drinks, access to a mindfulness app and other perks to lure people back on board. It’s part of […]
Uber loses licence to operate in London
Jamie Heywood, who manages Uber’s UK operation, says the firm will appeal Uber will not be granted a new licence to operate in London after repeated safety failures, Transport for London (TfL) has said. The regulator said the taxi app was not “fit and proper” as a licence holder, despite having made a number of […]
Syria rebel leader vows to shut down notorious Assad prisons
Reuters Thousands of prisoners were released from Saydnaya prison, pictured above, on Sunday Syrian rebel forces have said they plan to close the notoriously harsh prisons run by ousted president Bashar al-Assad and hunt those involved in the killing or torture of detainees. Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, also said […]
Premier League delays decision on summer transfer deadline
Europe’s top-flight clubs will lose 3.6bn euros (£3.2bn) up to the summer of 2021 because of the impact of coronavirus. It is also projected the wage-to-revenue ratio for 2020-21 will be 70.1%, significantly above the 62.9% it was estimated to be before football shut down in March. The projected figure rises to 76% if the […]
Three things the US and China will never agree on
Getty Images Trade talks between the US and China wrapped up this week with some optimism, but a deal still seems well out of reach. The lack of any specifics from the meeting shows how difficult it is for Washington and Beijing to resolve the most complex issues between them: intellectual property, technology transfer and […]
Prince Charles tells RAF graduates of ‘shock’ over Ukraine war images
Danny Lawson/Pool via Reuters Prince Charles said “much will be asked” of new graduates from the RAF’s Cranwell College in Lincolnshire The war in Ukraine is a “stark reminder” there is “no substitute for credible defence”, the Prince of Wales has told newly graduated RAF pilots. Prince Charles made his comments at a graduation parade […]
Three sites secure environmental protection
Alan Price North East of Farnes Deep – in the North Sea – teems with starfish The first three Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) have come into force. Allonby Bay off the Solway Firth, Cumbria, North East of Farnes Deep off Northumberland, and Dolphin Head, West Sussex, have been chosen. Marine minister Lord Benyon called […]