Artificial sweetener aspartame used in drinks like Diet Coke is ‘possible’ cause of cancer – WHO July 14, 2023 An artificial sweetener used in thousands of products including diet fizzy drinks, ice cream and chewing gum has been ruled a “possible” cause of cancer by the World Health Organisation (WHO). But a panel of experts has said the sugar substitute aspartame is safe in limited quantities. In a report released late on Thursday, the [...]
Wall Street winning streak continues as US inflation continues to fall way past UK July 14, 2023 Wall Street’s winning streak barrelled into a fourth day following the latest signal that inflation is easing its chokehold on the economy. The S&P 500 rose 0.8 per cent on Thursday for its highest close since April 2022. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1 per cent , and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.6 per [...]
US regulator investigates ChatGPT maker over potential harm to consumers July 13, 2023 The US Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, on claims it has run afoul of consumer protection laws by putting personal reputations and data at risk, according to an FTC demand for information sent to the company. The move marks the strongest regulatory threat to the Microsoft-backed startup [...]
Howden to sponsor British & Irish Lions shirt on 2025 Aussie tour July 13, 2023 Howden, the London-headquartered insurance group, has signed a deal to become a principal partner of the British & Irish Lions for the next four years, including the Australia tour in the summer of 2025. The insurance group, which offers broking and underwriting services across a number of brands, will become the main shirt sponsor – [...]
Easyjet CEO to meet with transport secretary over summer flight cancellations July 13, 2023 The aviation minister is “meeting with the CEO of easyJet later today” the Transport Secretary has said, amid the company’s announcement over summer flight cancellations. Conservative chair of the Transport Committee Iain Stewart called on Mark Harper to give assurances the transport system “is going to be resilient” over “concerns that industrial action in Europe [...]
Unions win court fight with government over agencies filling in for strikers July 13, 2023 Unions have won a High Court fight with the government after challenging law changes they said let agencies supply employers with workers to fill in for striking staff. More than 10 unions, including Aslef, Unite and Usdaw, had taken legal action against ministers claiming the changes undermined the “right to strike”. They argued that the [...]
China targets UK ‘prolifically and aggressively’, Westminster’s spy agency watchdog warns July 13, 2023 China targets the UK “prolifically and aggressively” in a way that poses a “challenge” for British intelligence agencies, Parliament’s spy agency watchdog has said. A new and wide-ranging report by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) is critical of the UK Government’s response to the threat posed by China, questioning the trade-off between economic interest [...]
Truss suggests mini-budget may have paid off in the long-term July 12, 2023 Liz Truss appeared to suggest her mini-budget may have paid off long-term as her new taskforce warned the UK risks lagging behind other nations unless it tackles stagnation. Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister likened sluggish growth in recent years to a “boiling a frog situation” as she attended an event to launch the Growth Commission. Members [...]
Channel 4 bosses decline pay rise as staff battle cost of living crisis and revenues dip July 12, 2023 Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon said the broadcaster’s top executives declined a pay rise and deferred their bonuses to stay “in line” with staff who are battling the cost-of-living crisis amid a “tough downturn” in the advertising market for the channel. The broadcaster’s annual report published on Wednesday said it had to “significantly” tighten the [...]
Royal Mail workers accept deal to end dispute over pay and conditions July 11, 2023 Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal to end a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Members of the Communication Workers Union backed the agreement by 75 per cent. The union said the vote signals the end of the dispute, which saw more than 115,000 workers take 18 days of strike [...]