Peers suggest a VAT reduction for affordable broadband to boost internet access.

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<strong>Peers suggest a VAT reduction for affordable broadband to boost internet access.</strong>

Peers have called for VAT exemption on special internet deals for individuals on benefits to promote digital inclusion. According to a House of Lords committee report, those without internet access face disadvantages in various areas, including job searching. The committee criticised the government for lacking a credible strategy to address digital exclusion.

In response, the government emphasised its commitment to ensuring that nobody is left behind in the digital age and highlighted efforts to provide discounted social broadband and mobile tariffs, starting at £10 per month and covering 99% of the UK. However, the report highlighted that 1.7 million households still lack mobile or broadband internet at home, and approximately one million people have reduced or cancelled their internet subscriptions in the past year.

As more services, including benefits and banking, transition online, access to the Internet becomes crucial. The committee emphasised that 90% of job advertisements are now exclusively posted online. Personal stories were shared to highlight the challenges faced by individuals without internet access. Bella, for example, spoke about her struggles during school without a personal laptop, relying on library access for her homework. Matt, who grew up in care, shared his experience of never having broadband internet in his home. The chief executive of the children-in-care charity Become highlighted the difficulties faced by care leavers.

Individuals who cannot afford data or internet access often face difficulties managing benefits claims and have to navigate challenges like limited library hours for form filling or printing. The report mentioned Lewa, who had to cut back on Wi-Fi expenses after her husband’s passing but later realised the extent to which her family relied on data. The Good Things Foundation, an organisation working to end digital exclusion, ultimately provided Lewa’s family with a tablet and data.

Baroness Stowell, the committee’s chair, emphasised that individuals without internet access miss out on online deals, further exacerbating their cost-of-living challenges. VAT exemption for special internet deals targeting those on benefits would help address these issues and ensure equal access to the benefits of online connectivity.

Advisers say the UK is no longer a “global climate leader.”

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<strong>Advisers say the UK is no longer a “global climate leader.”</strong>

According to the “Climate Change Committee (CCC),” the United Kingdom has relinquished its status as a “global leader” in climate action and is not taking sufficient measures to achieve its net zero emissions target by the middle of the century. In 2019, the UK became the first G7 nation to establish a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, necessitating substantial changes in travel and electricity usage habits among the British population.

However, the CCC’s annual progress report reveals that the current strategies in place are unlikely to generate the necessary reductions in emissions, and the government’s endorsement of new fossil fuel projects last year has tarnished the country’s reputation as a climate frontrunner.

The repercussions of climate change are already evident in the UK, with record-breaking temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) observed last year. CCC Chairman John Gummer expresses concern over the hesitancy displayed by government ministers in leading the country towards the next stage of net zero commitments.

The CCC, an independent advisor on climate action, has identified areas in which Britain has fallen behind, including the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings, the implementation of heat pumps, the reduction of industrial emissions, and the need to double the rate of tree planting by 2025.

Last year’s CCC progress report also highlighted the government’s lack of action in addressing climate change. However, since then, the government has launched its first oil and gas exploration licencing round since 2019 and given approval for a new coal mine. A government spokesperson defended the record of emissions reduction, citing the attraction of billions of pounds in renewable project investments and the support for new industries such as carbon capture and floating offshore wind.

The spokesperson also emphasised the establishment of a new department dedicated to achieving net zero and ensuring energy security, which aims to drive economic growth, create jobs, lower energy costs, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

In contrast, the Labour opposition strongly criticised the government’s approach. “Ed Miliband,” “Labour’s Shadow Climate,” and “Net Zero Secretary” described the CCC’s assessment as the harshest condemnation of a government since the committee’s inception in 2008.

A huge fire consumed a residential high-rise in Ajman, UAE

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<strong>A huge fire consumed a residential high-rise in Ajman, UAE</strong>

According to videos circulating online, a high-rise residential building in the United Arab Emirates was engulfed in a fire early Tuesday. However, the blaze was later brought under control. The incident occurred in Ajman, one of the seven emirates that constitute the UAE, known for its modern cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries resulting from the fire. The videos depicted a section of the building consumed by flames, extending from the ground level to the pinnacle, while debris descended to the street below. Ajman News, a local media outlet, released footage on Instagram showing the charred exterior of the building and firefighters present on the street.

As of now, there has been no official comment from UAE authorities regarding the incident. In recent years, the UAE has experienced several similar fires that have been attributed to the flammable cladding used in many of its ubiquitous high-rises. One notable incident occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2015, when a fire swiftly spread through a luxurious hotel and residential complex located near the Burj Khalifa, the tallest skyscraper in the world. During the evacuation process, approximately 15 people sustained injuries. Dubai police ultimately attributed the blaze to exposed wiring.

Following that incident, regulations were implemented to ensure that all cladding in similar structures would be replaced with flame-resistant materials. These measures aim to mitigate the risk of fire incidents caused by flammable cladding. Despite these efforts, the recent fire in Ajman serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges faced in safeguarding high-rise buildings in the UAE.

While the immediate response to the fire resulted in its containment, authorities may further investigate the cause of the incident. It remains crucial for ongoing efforts to prioritise building safety standards and regulations to prevent such devastating fires from occurring in the future. The UAE, renowned for its architectural marvels and futuristic cityscapes, must continue to address and mitigate the risks associated with fire hazards in its high-rise structures.

Sunak advises staying calm amidst interest rate changes.

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<strong>Sunak advises staying calm amidst interest rate changes</strong>.

The UK Prime Minister has urged individuals who own homes or have borrowed money to remain calm and composed as interest rates increase in an effort to combat persistent inflation. Rishi Sunak emphasised the need to stay resolute, adhere to the established plan, and trust that the country will overcome these challenges.

“The Bank of England” recently raised interest rates to their highest level in 15 years, resulting in increased mortgage payments for millions of people. Additionally, renters may face higher rent or the possibility of landlords selling their properties due to the rate hike, as reported by the “National Residential Landlords Association.”

Despite criticism from some Conservative members who believe the Bank of England has not done enough to bring inflation back to its target of 2%, Mr. Sunak continues to support the institution. Despite the Bank having raised interest rates 13 times since December 2021, inflation, which measures the pace of price increases, remained at 8.7% in May. Mr. Sunak acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but emphasised the existence of a comprehensive plan that will lead the country through these tough times.

Leading up to the interest rate hike, banks and building societies began withdrawing mortgage offers in anticipation of the changes. Consequently, the average interest rates for two-year and five-year fixed residential mortgages have risen to 6.19% and 5.82%, respectively. In comparison, rates were around 3% in June of the previous year. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently met with “UK banks,” reaching an agreement that enables borrowers to temporarily modify their mortgage terms. This voluntary measure allows homeowners to pay only the interest on their mortgages without affecting their credit scores.

“The Labour Party” has demanded that these agreements become mandatory and be implemented across the entire banking sector. Without this change, Labour’s housing secretary, Lisa Nandy, estimates that approximately two million people will not benefit from these adjustments. On the other hand, the Liberal Democrats propose the creation of a targeted Mortgage Protection Fund. This fund would provide monthly grants of up to £300 to homeowners with the lowest incomes or those experiencing the most severe increases in interest rates.

Ashes 2023: Matthew Hayden Urges Australia to Embrace England’s Swashbuckling Bazball Approach for Cricket Success

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<strong>Ashes 2023: Matthew Hayden Urges Australia to Embrace England’s Swashbuckling Bazball Approach for Cricket Success</strong>

Australia’s victory in the first Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston may have been a positive outcome, but former opener Matthew Hayden believes that the Australian cricket team can still learn a few things from England’s bold and aggressive Bazball approach to the game. Despite their triumph, Hayden suggests that Australia could benefit from adopting some aspects of England’s playing style in the longest format of the game.

Captain Pat Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia’s thrilling two-wicket victory, scoring an unbeaten 44 runs and leading a match-winning ninth-wicket partnership of 55 runs with Nathan Lyon (16 not out). This successful chase of 281 runs on the final day of the match was made possible, in part, due to England’s daring first-innings declaration on 393/8 on day one, a move that caught the attention of Hayden.

Hayden highlighted England’s unwavering determination to play their game, as expressed by Ben Stokes in a press conference. Stokes emphasized that despite not achieving the desired result, England would continue to pursue their preferred approach to cricket. Hayden believes that Australian cricket can draw inspiration from this mindset, referring to it as the Bazball approach.

Reflecting on the Edgbaston Test, Hayden noted that Australia found themselves restrained during their innings, despite Usman Khawaja’s significant contributions with the bat. Hayden suggests that Australia should strive to improve their ability to score runs freely and be inspired by the boldness demonstrated by the Bazball approach. He specifically mentioned Usman’s innings, stating that there was a moment where he needed to embrace BazBall himself and seek inspiration from it.

Hayden also evaluated the performances of several senior Australian players. He praised David Warner’s positive attitude and body language, highlighting his impact on the game. Hayden acknowledged Khawaja’s ability to occupy the crease but also urged him to find an additional gear to relieve pressure from other players. He commended Alex Carey’s fantastic performance and emphasized that Marnus Labuschagne needed to work on adopting the Bazball mentality to enhance his game. Hayden further mentioned that Steve Smith and Labuschagne tended to be more defensive than attacking, expressing his desire to see them explore a more aggressive approach.

In terms of strategy, Hayden urged Warner to take on England’s Ollie Robinson, who lacked significant pace and had displayed a confrontational attitude by giving a fiery send-off to Khawaja in Australia’s first innings. Hayden encouraged Warner to confront Robinson head-on, asserting Australia’s dominance. He described Robinson as a forgettable cricketer and suggested that Warner, with his aggressive style, should exploit the bowler’s lack of pace.

Hayden’s insights into England’s Bazball approach and his suggestions for the Australian team provide valuable food for thought. As the Ashes series progresses, it will be interesting to see if Australia incorporates some elements of England’s style into their own game, thereby creating a more dynamic and aggressive approach on the field.

Biden labels China’s Xi Jinping a ‘dictator’ ahead of PM Modi’s visit.

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<strong>Biden labels China’s Xi Jinping a ‘dictator’ ahead of PM Modi’s visit.</strong>

China swiftly criticised President Joe Biden’s recent remarks, where he referred to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a “dictator” and highlighted China’s “real economic difficulties.” These comments have opened up a new rift between the two countries, just after they had agreed to tentative measures to stabilise their relationship. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, condemned Biden’s remarks as “extremely absurd and irresponsible.”

This clash of words follows “Secretary of State Antony” Blinken’s recent visit to Beijing, which aimed to improve the strained relationship between the two nations. While the talks were seen as productive, they did not result in any significant breakthroughs, except for an agreement to return to a broad agenda for cooperation and competition.

China’s quick response to Biden’s remarks raises questions about whether his comments will undo the limited progress achieved during Blinken’s visit or if both sides will move forward. Biden’s characterization of China comes as the campaign for the next presidential election is gaining momentum, with “Republicans” criticising him for being weak on China. Additionally, Biden was preparing to host Indian PM Narendra Modi in Washington, where a shared wariness of China would be a central theme.

During a “fundraiser in California,” Biden referred to an incident involving a Chinese spy balloon that overflew the US for two weeks earlier this year. The incident strained relations between the “two countries” and caught the attention of the “American public.” Biden depicted Xi as out-of-touch and embarrassed by the balloon incident, which ended with the US Air Force shooting it down.

Tensions between China and the United States have been mounting over trade disputes, global influence, and issues such as US tariffs, sanctions, and Taiwan. The US is urging China to establish direct communications between Biden, Xi, and other senior military and civilian leaders to defuse tensions and prevent incidents from escalating.

Despite the Bidennnchin administration’s diplomatic efforts to improve relations, analysts point out the pressure from Republicans and Biden’s tendency to deviate from scripted remarks when criticising Xi. While Xi holds significant power in China as the head of state, military commander, and leader of the ruling “Communist Party,” his authority faces no term limits and is not open to challenge.

Dates for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” have been announced for the UK, Europe, and Asia.

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<strong>Dates for Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” have been announced for the UK, Europe, and Asia.</strong>

Taylor Swift has unveiled her highly anticipated international tour dates for the “Eras Tour,” which is set to take place in 2024 across the UK, Europe, and Asia.

In the UK, the pop star will perform a total of nine shows, including concerts in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, and London. There is also speculation that Swift will fill the headline slot at Glastonbury on its final night, a performance she missed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The demand for tickets was so overwhelming that Ticketmaster’s systems were unable to handle the traffic, leaving thousands of fans unable to secure seats. This led to Ticketmaster facing scrutiny from US senators regarding their handling of the event.

To register interest for the UK dates, fans were instructed to visit Swift’s website, but many encountered long queues when attempting to do so after the announcement. Once registration closes, fans will receive a purchase link for tickets. The London dates will go on sale on July 18, followed by Edinburgh on July 19 and Cardiff on July 20.

Eras marks Swift’s first world tour since 2018, during which she has released four studio albums, including the critically acclaimed Folklore, which won multiple Grammy Awards.

Swift’s international fans have eagerly awaited news of the tour extension, and their reactions on social media have been ecstatic, especially from her devoted fanbase known as “Swifties.” The Asian leg of the tour will begin in Tokyo, where she will perform for four consecutive nights starting on February 7. She will then travel to Australia, spending two nights in Melbourne and three nights in Sydney.

The UK leg of the tour will commence at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on June 7 and conclude with two nights at Wembley Stadium in London in August. While there appears to be a scheduling conflict with Glastonbury’s first two nights, Swift has an available slot on June 23, which potentially positions her to close the festival with a headline performance on the Pyramid Stage.

UK lawmakers support the report accusing Boris Johnson of ‘party gate’ violations.

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<strong>UK lawmakers support the report accusing Boris Johnson of ‘party gate’ violations.</strong>

In a decisive vote of 354 to seven, British Members of Parliament (MPs) have given their approval to a report by the House of Commons committee. This report concludes that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson intentionally deceived Parliament regarding COVID lockdown violations that took place during parties at Downing Street. Despite repeated inquiries in the Commons, the 59-year-old Johnson consistently denied any breaches of lockdown rules within government premises.

Upon learning of the findings of the Privileges Committee report, Johnson has already resigned as the Member of Parliament for West London. Consequently, he will no longer enjoy the privileges granted to former MPs, including special access to Parliament. The report’s revelations prompted a gathering of many of Johnson’s colleagues and members of the opposition in the Commons on Monday, where the majority expressed condemnation of the former prime minister’s actions.

Interestingly, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with several other Tory MPs, chose not to participate in the debate or provide commentary on the report’s findings. This absence was highlighted by several opposition Labour Party MPs during the extended session.

While Johnson’s loyal supporters rallied to defend him and criticised the cross-party Privileges Committee, the former prime minister himself referred to it as a “kangaroo court” engaged in a “witch hunt” against him at the time of his resignation earlier this month. One of Johnson’s staunch allies, Mr. Rees-Mogg, argued that it is entirely legitimate to critique the conduct and composition of the Privileges Committee, as politics in the UK is inherently adversarial. He emphasised the paramount importance of freedom of speech outside the parliamentary chamber, stating that individuals are allowed to express their opinions freely.

The committee’s report shed light on specific instances during 2020 and 2021 when the House of Commons may have been misled by Johnson’s assertions that no rules or guidance had been violated during successive COVID lockdowns in the UK.

Wyndham Clark triumphs over Rory McIlroy, clinching inaugural LA major

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Wyndham Clark triumphs over Rory McIlroy, clinching inaugural LA major

Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited fifth major victory will have to wait as he narrowly lost to Wyndham Clark by just one shot at the US Open in Los Angeles. Clark, a 29-year-old American, shot a level-par 70 to secure his first major title at 10 under par, along with the substantial winner’s prize of $3.6 million (£2.8 million).

McIlroy’s quest for another major has been elusive for nine years now, with his last triumph occurring at the US PGA Championship in 2014. Whether it was at Southern Hills, Torrey Pines, Augusta National, St. Andrews, or now at the exclusive north course of the Los Angeles Country Club, the Northern Irishman consistently falls just short. He has accumulated an impressive 19 top-10 finishes in majors, including the past five US Opens.

After finishing with a score of nine under par following a final round of 70, McIlroy expressed his determination to continue putting himself in contention for major victories, confident that success will eventually come his way.

As the world number three in golf, McIlroy has already accomplished virtually everything else in the sport. However, this week will undoubtedly be added to his list of missed opportunities. Nevertheless, it is difficult to find fault with his final round performance, which consisted of one birdie, one bogey, and 16 pars, much like his performance at the 150th Open Championship last summer.

McIlroy’s only regret may be his inability to put enough pressure on Clark, despite hitting more greens in regulation than any other player. The treacherously fast and dry putting surfaces presented challenges, with a missed four-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole and a messy bogey on the 14th being particularly pivotal moments in the round.

Clark’s victory at the US Open is quite a remarkable feat, considering his previous major championship performances, where he had only made the cut twice in six attempts, with a 75th-place finish at the 2021 US PGA Championship being his best result.

Amid simmering tensions between China and the United States, Bill Gates holds a meeting with Xi Jinping.

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<strong>Amid simmering tensions between China and the United States, Bill Gates holds a meeting with Xi Jinping.</strong>

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions between China and the United States, Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This encounter took place amidst a series of visits to China by “high-profile” American business leaders following the reopening of Chinese borders.

During their meeting, President Xi referred to Gates as “the first American friend” he had met in Beijing that year, as reported by Chinese state media. This marks President Xi’s first meeting with a foreign business figure in recent years, as he refrained from international travel in 2020 due to the pandemic. Their previous meeting took place in 2015.

Notable figures such as Elon Musk of Tesla, Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan, and Tim Cook of Apple have also visited China this year. While they held meetings with senior Chinese officials, they did not have the opportunity to meet with President Xi directly. Gates, in his capacity as co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a non-profit organisation he established with his former wife, is currently in China.

Since stepping down from Microsoft’s board in 2020 to focus on the foundation’s initiatives in global education, climate change, and health, Gates has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts.”

In the midst of these developments, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit China this weekend. However, expectations for significant progress on the numerous disputes between the US and China are low. Blinken’s visit marks the first time a US cabinet official has travelled to China since 2019, highlighting the strained relations between the two countries.

In 2019, Gates visited China and met with the “first lady,” Peng Liyuan, to discuss efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS under the “Gates Foundation.”

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