Fierce fighting broke out in early July in eastern Myanmar, collapsing a ceasefire between the military and a coalition of three ethnic armed groups that had banded together in October last year against the junta. Reports indicate that the ethnic armed groups have captured key regional towns, while the tatmadaw – as the Myanmar armed forces are known – has employed heavy weapons, including artillery and airstrikes. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands more displaced. The situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since the military overthrew the elected government in February 2021 and imprisoned its leaders, including…
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Raja Usman and his wife Khair Un Nisa were directors of Umbrella Care Ltd, a Derby-based company which provided workers to the care sector Investigations revealed the company under-declared more than £30 million in tax to HM Revenue and Customs between 2017 and 2020 Usman was banned as a company director for 14-and-a-half years this month and Nisa signed an 11-year disqualification undertaking in 2023 Umbrella Care was wound-up in 2020, with liquidators having recovered more than £12 million in assets from the pair since then The directors of a company supplying NHS workers to the care sector have…
“We are only halfway through the monsoon season, yet the rainfall, damage and destruction have been devastating,” Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, said in a news release. In Nepal, 109 people, including children, have died due to floods and landslides this monsoon season. This includes 65 people who were on two buses pushed into a swollen river by landslides in July. Similarly, in Afghanistan, flash floods last week swept away several hundred homes, claiming at least 58 lives and leaving hundreds of families homeless, further exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Climate crisis impacts “These erratic weather events, worsened…
UK Export Finance provided £8.8 billion in new financing last year, helping 650 UK companies to export. Up to 41,000 jobs and £3.3 billion to national GDP supported by UKEF’s provision of financial support for UK exporters. Detailed in UKEF’s new annual report for 2023 to 2024, support for UK businesses helps turbocharge the economy and deliver growth opportunities across the country. Hundreds of UK businesses benefited from £8.8 billion in support underwritten by UK Export Finance (UKEF) in the financial year 2023/24. As the UK government’s export credit agency, UKEF provides loans, guarantees and insurance to help businesses sell…
The report, covering the financial year 2023-24, showcases the TRA’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of a rapidly changing global trade environment. The TRA has seen a significant rise in new trade remedies cases, progressing six new dumping or subsidy investigations – a record high since the UK’s departure from the EU customs union. “This record of delivery is down to the hard work of our people,” said Oliver Griffiths, the TRA’s Chief Executive. “We have continued to build up the expertise and specialism required to achieve our vision of being a globally respected trade remedies body.” …
We’re changing the way the Minimum Wage is set so it keeps in line with the cost of living. For the first time, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) will factor the cost of living when deciding the rate of the Minimum Wage and Living Wage, in a move to put more money in working people’s pockets. We’re also taking the first steps towards making rates the same for everyone, regardless of age, by narrowing the gap between the National Minimum Wage, for 18–20-year-olds, and the National Living Wage. In addition to the cost of living, the remit of the LPC…
Following hours of delays, incumbent Nicolás Maduro was formally declared winner of the disputed presidential election held on Sunday, securing a third term in office. “We have taken note of the announcement made by the electoral authorities as well as the concerns expressed by political actors and members of the international community,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York. Appeal for moderation “The Secretary-General calls for complete transparency and encourages the timely publication of the election results and a breakdown by polling stations,” he said. “The Secretary-General trusts that all electoral disputes will be addressed and resolved peacefully…
Government to fix the foundations with an overhaul of the planning system that will see new mandatory targets for councils Review of the greenbelt to identify ‘grey belt’ land and meet local housing needs, with ‘golden rules’ driving 50% delivery of affordable homes New system will ensure every area must have local housing plans – with government ready to take the tough decisions to step in if areas fall off track An overhaul of the planning system has been announced today, as government sets out tough decisions necessary to fix the foundations and grow the economy. All councils in England…
Government takes first step to deliver on the promise of a genuine living wage for working people. Ministers overhaul the Low Pay Commission’s remit to factor in the cost of living when recommending minimum wage rates. Discriminatory age bands set to be removed so that all adults can benefit as work gets underway on the plan to Make Work Pay. In a move to put more money in working people’s pockets, the government has today [Tuesday 30th July] overhauled the remit of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). This will, for the first time, ensure the independent body takes into account…
In its recent opening weekend, Twisters marked the biggest start ever for a natural disaster movie with US$80.5 million in North American box office revenue. The popularity of the film indicates disaster movies remain an important popular culture phenomenon. As an associate professor of disaster and emergency management, I recently was a panellist at a Natural Hazards Workshop on a session titled, Now Streaming: Representations of Disasters in Film and Television. Disaster studies scholars have considered disaster movies from many perspectives including their value for teaching people about disaster management and how these films shape the meaning and experience of…