The tech giant’s new system for scanning iPhones in the US could enable the massive expansion of state surveillanceLast week, Apple announced two backdoors in the US into the encryption that protects its devices. One will monitor iMessages: if any phot…
VAT: from Covid tests to child car seats, there are calls to ‘scrap the tax’
The ‘tampon tax’ was the most high-profile campaign but now, with 20% on coronavirus kits, others are gaining paceThe start of 2021 brought with it the end of the “tampon tax”. After years of campaigning, the government finally accepted the argument th…
UK universities open vaccination centres on campus to encourage student uptake
Institutions offer to train staff and students as volunteers in joint operation with NHS Universities are setting up their own vaccination centres in an attempt to make campuses as safe as possible for the autumn term. And with millions of students arr…
Why the new era of British fashion is all about the factory
As consumers’ environmental awareness grows, designers are beginning to share the spotlight with those who make the clothesOn the factory floor at Pittards in Yeovil, Marta, Gabbie and Gabriella are working together on a new product. They fasten streng…
Groupon customers could be due cash refunds after UK watchdog warning
CMA says sometimes only credits were offered, and it wants swift change or court action could followCustomers of the deals website Groupon who were told by the firm they had to accept a credit note could be due cash refunds after the UK’s competition w…
UK dog owners warned about thieves staking out parks and luring puppies
Blue Cross cautions about black market for popular breeds as government reportedly considers new offence of pet abduction‘World turned upside down’ as boy’s therapy dog stolenStalking parks in affluent areas and luring puppies out of gardens with treat…
Councils seek funds to fight rise in children’s type 2 diabetes in England and Wales
Local authorities urge minister to step up investments to meet target of halving childhood obesityCouncils are calling for more support to meet the government’s target of halving childhood obesity after recording an “extremely worrying” 60% increase in…
Digested week: could anti-vaxx protesters be any dimmer?
An anti-media demo outside a block of flats in west London the BBC left eight years ago tells you how clued up these protesters areAnti-vaxxers gathered outside the BBC today to protest against – well, the clue’s in the name, but specifically this time…
Ministers launch review to weed out ‘cowboy’ Covid travel test firms
Sajid Javid cuts price of NHS test and trace package for international arrivals by a fifthCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMinisters have launched a review of the misleading costs of Covid travel tests from “cowboy” providers…
Deceit review – Rachel Nickell drama probes the ethics of entrapment
Niamh Algar puts in a phenomenal performance in this four-parter about the controversial undercover police operation which followed Nickell’s death, and events that beggar beliefIt is an indicator of almost everything that was wrong with the Rachel Nic…