Apple delays plan to scan iPhones for child abuse
Reuters Apple announced the new technology last month but has faced a lot of negative feedback Apple has delayed plans to roll out detection technology which would have scanned US users’ iPhones in search of child sexual abuse material. It follows widespread criticism from privacy groups and others, worried that the on-device tracking set a […]
Education secretary defends system for schools
PA Media England’s education secretary has defended the Covid-19 testing system for schools, saying they can now order tests from the NHS directly. Gavin Williamson said schools were being prioritised, amid claims by head teachers of problems accessing tests. He stressed pupils sent home due to a Covid-19 case at their school should only seek […]
Doctor Who’s Russell T Davies gets his ideas by brushing his teeth
Getty Images Russell T Davies has revealed how he comes up with ideas Some writers creative juices start flowing once they bounce ideas about with a pal. Others might come up the magic staring out of the window of a bus. Now Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has revealed the secret to his success […]
‘Value for money’ review of £1.3bn university funding
Getty Images Universities in England are to face a “value for money” review of how £1.3bn per year of funding might give more support to “priority” subjects. Higher education watchdog the Office for Students (OFS) is understood to be launching the review in the spring. But it will not consider tuition fees – with the […]
Buffalo shooting victims sue social media platforms and gun distributors
Getty Images The shooting took place in a majority black community in Buffalo, New York A lawsuit has been filed against social media companies, body armour manufacturers and a gun shop over a mass shooting at a New York supermarket that left 10 people dead. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump alleged the companies had helped […]
Twitter’s blue ticks disappear as Musk attacks NY Times
Getty Images The New York Times has lost its blue tick on Twitter after it said it would not pay to remain verified. Twitter has started removing verification badges from accounts which already had a blue tick, after announcing they would be part of a paid subscription from 1 April. The New York Times, along […]
Grace Dent to replace Gregg Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef
Food critic Grace Dent is to host the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, after Gregg Wallace stepped back from presenting the show after allegations against him. Author and podcaster Dent has appeared regularly as a guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics. In a statement, Dent said […]
I should have invaded Ukraine earlier, Putin tells Russians in TV marathon
Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia should have launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine earlier and been better prepared for the war. In his end-of-year press conference on Thursday, Putin said, with hindsight, there should have been “systemic preparation” for the 2022 invasion, which he refers to as a “special military operation”. […]
‘Google acquires Apple’ news was ‘error’
Getty Images The fake news appeared on the Dow Jones financial newswire for two minutes A bombshell appeared on the Dow Jones financial newswire on Tuesday: “Google to buy Apple for $9bn”. But the story, that the acquisition had been suggested in the will of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, was bogus. It was removed after […]
Huawei’s £1bn research centre near Cambridge approved
Reuters Huawei plan to build a research and development centre near Cambridge Chinese firm Huawei’s plans for a £1bn research centre in the UK have been approved. The tech giant, which is under a security review that could lead the UK government to ban use of its 5G network kit, has received backing for the […]