0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Apple launches Lockdown Mode to block spyware attacks on at-risk usersApple has announced a new security feature to protect high-risk users from spyware cyber-attacks.Lockdown Mode will be available in the autumn with the next operating system across all of the company's iPhones, iPads and Macs.The setting blocks certain functions and prevents unknown users from calling.It comes after Apple devices owned by activists, politicians and journalists were infected with spyware.
Boris Johnson will resign as Conservative leader todayBoris Johnson will resign as Conservative leader today - he will continue as Prime Minister until the autumn.A Conservative leadership race will take place this summer and a new Prime Minister will be in place in time for the Tory party conference in October.
Post-Brexit red tape poses threat to cross-Channel pigeon racingExtra paperwork, veterinary checks and expenses could mean thousands have to give up pastime
Trainee pilot died days after being bitten by mosquito, inquest revealsA 21-year-old trainee pilot from the UK died after being bitten by a mosquito on her forehead, according to an inquest hearing.Oriana Pepper from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk had developed an infection that spread to her brain.Pepper was well on her way to becoming a commercial airline pilot and had passed her theory exams on the EasyJet programme in Oxford. She had travelled to Belgium for her instrument ratings.In Antwerp, the inquest heard, Pepper was bitten by a mosquito on her forehead. She was hospitalised on 7 July last year when the infection spread.Doctors prescribed antibiotics which did not help.Two days later, she collapsed in front of her boyfriend.
Boris Johnson and Tory ministers entitled to total £420,000 severance pay for resigningBoris Johnson and his former ministers are being urged to reject nearly half a million pounds in redundancy pay set to be paid to them for resigning.Under the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, MPs leaving office are entitled to 25 per cent of their annual salaries in severance.This benefit applies even if they voluntarily resign from the government, and even if they do so for political reasons – or leave government in disgrace.Over 50 ministers and parliamentary private secretaries have quit their roles in the last 36 hours in a bid to oust Mr Johnson – meaning Tory infighting could land the taxpayer with a bill of over £420,000.Even Chris Pincher, the Tamworth MP whose alleged behaviour ultimately triggered the governemnt meltdown, is entitled to a £7,920 pay-off for leaving his job as deputy chief whip.In some cases ministers were in office for just two days, having been installed by Boris Johnson in the death throes of his premiership, and then quitting.And Boris Johnson himself is in line for a taxpayer handout of £18,860.The payments have raised eyebrows in the past because ministers are not becoming unemployed, but simply returning to the backbenches – where they will still be paid a basic salary of £84,144 a year.Government ministers are paid between £67,505 and £22,475 on top of their MPs' salaries, with the prime minister getting an extra £75,440.Opposition parties are urging the Tory MPs to "do the decent thing" and reject the pay-offs.“Conservative MPs spent months defending Boris Johnson and failed to get rid of him when they had the chance," said Liberal Democrat chief whip Wendy Chamberlain."The public won’t forgive them for keeping him in place for so long.“Now Conservative infighting and sheer incompetence has cost the taxpayer yet more money during this cost of living crisis.“Conservative ministers who resigned should do the decent thing and pass up their payoffs for the good of the country.”
List of UK resignations: All the Tory MPs who have quit Boris Johnson’s governmentDozens of Conservative MPs have followed the chancellor and the health secretary out of the door
Dolphin poo may be vital to coral reefs, researchers sayMarine mammals may be acting as a ‘pump’ to bring nutrients into reefs
Michelle Donelan says she'll donate severance pay to charityMichelle Donelan, who resigned earlier having been appointed Education Secretary less than 48 hours ago, says she will donate her £16,876.25 severance pay to "a local charity".
Threat of BA strike at Heathrow suspended after airline agrees pay dealUnite union to ballot members on ‘vastly improved’ offer for check-in staff – while Jet2 announces 8% salary increasesThe dispute that threatened to cause a walkout of British Airways check-in staff at Heathrow airport during the summer holidays has been suspended, after the airline made a “vastly improved” pay offer.After a day of talks on Wednesday a package was agreed with the Unite union that sources said in effect met its demand to restore the 10% pay cut introduced during the pandemic.A 72-hour strike over pay by one of the four refuelling firms at Heathrow remains in place for the start of the school holiday period, threatening possible further disruption.The holiday airline Jet2 said on Thursday it would be giving its employees an 8% pay rise and a £1,000 cost of living payment this year, as it lashed out at British airports for being “woefully ill-prepared” for the rebound in travel this summer.
‘What happens to Carrie’s wallpaper?’: Twitter reacts as Boris Johnson resigns11 Downing Street received a very controversial (and expensive) makeover in 2021What will happen to Carrie’s wallpaper?The redesign saw what Carrie reportedly said was a “John Lewis furniture nightmare” left by Theresa May turned into a maximalist haven, with vibrant “£840-a-roll” wallpaper, clashing furniture, and geometric-style fixtures.