Social media ban for under-16s ‘on the table’ says UK government
Getty Images A possible ban on social media for under-16s in the UK is “on the table”, the technology secretary Peter Kyle has told the BBC. Speaking on the Today programme, on BBC Radio 4, he said he would “do what it takes” to keep people and in particular children safe online. He also announced […]
How would parties spend the Apple tax windfall?
Getty Images The EU’s highest court ruled that Apple had to pay more than €14bn (£11.8bn) to the Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland’s general election will be held on Friday – and the parties vying to form the next government have been making promises about how they will spend a huge tax windfall […]
US colleges warn foreign students over Trump immigration crackdown
US universities have been emailing international students and staff advising them to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January, amid concerns over his plans for mass deportations. “All international students are worried right now,” University of Colorado Denver professor Chloe East told the BBC. Trump, a Republican, has pledged to enact […]
What could Google search monopoly ruling mean for you?
Getty Images The tech world is paying close attention to what happens to Google after a judge ruled in August that it illegally monopolised online search. A potentially seismic ruling for the industry and landscape of web search, it may have similarly seismic consequences for Google. The US government has asked the judge in November […]
Yorkshire Dales National Park hydro plant could power 140 homes
Listed building consent has been applied for as part of proposals to construct a hydro power plant at a reservoir in the Yorkshire Dales. Ellegreen Hydro has already been granted planning permission for the plant at Winterburn Reservoir in Malhamdale. The firm said once constructed it would generate enough energy to power about 140 homes. […]
Baildon leisure centre to close in money-saving bid
Google Baildon Recreation Centre in Bradford only has a “small number” of people using it, the council says The closure of a leisure centre in West Yorkshire will help a cash-strapped council save about £500,000 in the next two years, a review has found. Baildon Recreation Centre in Bradford was “no longer viable” as it […]
December sales provide little cheer for retailers
Getty Images Shoppers spent more in December compared with the year before but it wasn’t enough to make up for an overall lacklustre year for retailers, new figures suggest. Doing particularly well over Christmas were gifts including beauty advent calendars, jewellery and AI-enabled tech, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. December’s growth of 3.2% was […]
Tanzanian incoming WHO Africa director dies at 55
The incoming director of the UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) in Africa, Tanzania’s Dr Faustine Ndugulile, has died, just three months after he was elected to the position. Ndugulile, a 55-year-old lawmaker and a medical doctor, died on Wednesday morning in India while undergoing treatment, Tanzania’s speaker of parliament said. He is known for having […]
How to avoid being a toxic friend
Javier Hirschfeld/ BBC/ Getty Images A few simple steps to improve your relationships can help make sure you are the kind of friend you would wish to have yourself. Human beings are notoriously inept at recognising our failings. We may complain about another person’s arrogance, ignorance or stupidity, without ever considering the enormous flaws that […]
Northern trains boss admits Southport service unacceptable
Northern rail services in one part of Merseyside were among “the worst performing in the country”, according to one of the firm’s bosses. Matt Rice, chief operating officer at Northern, said its services operating from Southport were “unacceptable”. He added the operator has “under-delivered” for passengers across the Liverpool City Region (LCR), with about 20 […]