Chris Baraniuk Technology Reporter Getty Images Subsea cables are critical to the operation of the internet The diver had found the fibre optic cable lying on the seabed of the North Sea. He swam closer, until it was near enough to touch. He reached out his hand. But someone could tell he was lurking there. … Read more
Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Getty Images Yoga mats are in, while modern technology also gets a new representation Some may use yoga mats and virtual reality headsets to mentally escape the daily grind but now statisticians are using them to chart the rising cost of living. Both items have made their way into … Read more
Frank Gardner Security correspondent Getty Images Germany’s military deployed two air defence units to Poland in January to protect supply routes to Ukraine – Germany has been Europe’s main donor of weapons What happens today, here in Berlin, will impact the entire future of Europe’s defence and its ongoing support for Ukraine. Germany’s Parliament, the … Read more
Philippa Roxby and Dominic Hughes Health correspondents Getty Images About 6,000 community pharmacies in England are, for the first time, being advised to start “working to rule” in two weeks, unless an agreement can be reached with the government on a new NHS contract. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is urging its members to limit … Read more
Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, the film production company behind franchises such as The Matrix, Ocean’s and the Joker, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, according to a filing with a Delaware court. The firm has blamed its financial troubles on a legal battle with its former partner Warner Bros (WB) and a “failed … Read more
Getty Images Beijing hopes that welfare measures and deep discounts can encourage spending The Chinese government has promised new child care subsidies, increased wages and better paid leave to revive a slowing economy. That is on top of a $41bn discount programme for all sorts of things, from dishwashers and home decor to electric vehicles … Read more
Suzanne Bearne Technology Reporter Getty Images Storm Babet caused flooding across the UK in October 2023 When Storm Babet hit the town of Trowell in Nottingham in 2023, Claire Sneddon felt confident her home would not be affected. After all, when she bought the property in 2021, she was told by the estate agent that … Read more
Tesco will lift pay for its store staff by 5.2% but will scrap the extra pay for working on Sunday. The UK’s biggest supermarket chain said the hourly rate will go up by 43p to £12.45 from 30 March after reaching a deal with unions. It will raise pay again to £12.64 from the end … Read more
Getty Images Changes to a key disability benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are being considered by the government as it tries to cut welfare spending. PIP is paid to people who have difficulty completing everyday tasks or getting around as a result of a long-term physical or mental health condition. Sir Keir Starmer is … Read more
One of the founders of betting firm Paddy Power says new government rules to protect punters playing online slots don’t go far enough. Stewart Kenny, who helped found the Irish company in the 80s, believes online slot games spin too fast, which contributes to them being addictive. He thinks new government rules limiting the stakes … Read more