All posts tagged: services

Even Streaming Services Might Be Hurt by Trump’s Tariffs

Even Streaming Services Might Be Hurt by Trump’s Tariffs

Published by skeptic

If the US is headed for a recession, or even if Americans think it might be, the amount of income they want to spend on monthly streaming subscriptions might see a dip, analysts tell WIRED. Last week, President Donald Trump rolled out a policy that places a blanket 10 percent tariff on goods coming from most of America’s trading partners and additional hefty import duties on countries in key regions like Europe and Asia. Mostly, these costs will affect consumer products like cars and sneakers, but they may also make it harder for people to justify subscriptions they only use once or twice a week when there’s a new episode of The Last of Us or Severance.. Generally, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are just that: services, not goods, so they don’t face any kind of markup when they cross borders. But at a time when the stock market is in “chaos” the economic uncertainty caused by Trump’s tariffs is sure to have impacts on those services—and how much people are willing to …

UK invests £20m in flying taxis and drone services

UK invests £20m in flying taxis and drone services

Published by skeptic

The UK is gearing up for a transportation revolution, with flying taxis and large-scale drone services set to become a reality. In a landmark move, the UK Government has announced over £20m in funding to accelerate the development of next-generation aviation technology. Announced by the UK Aviation Minister Mike Kane, this funding aims to break down regulatory barriers, enhance public services, and propel the country toward a greener, more efficient future in air mobility. Minister Kane explained: “I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world. “That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic, and potentially saving lives. “Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight industry group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen.” Unlocking barriers to innovation The funding will help streamline regulations, allowing the aviation sector to embrace futuristic solutions like electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and autonomous …

Services PMI Soars In March, Manufacturing Tumbles Into Contraction As Inflation Fears Rise

Services PMI Soars In March, Manufacturing Tumbles Into Contraction As Inflation Fears Rise

Published by skeptic

The morning started off on the bright side with stocks higher (Trump de-escalating tariffs), and then The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) surged +0.18 in February (dramatically better than the -0.17 decline expected). This surge was driven by a big move in ‘Production and Income’… 47 of the 85 monthly individual indicators made positive contributions, while 38 indicators affected the index negatively. But all eyes were on S&P Global’s preliminary March data for any signs of a rebound after December and January’s plunge in Services. The good news is that there was a bounce in Services from 51.0 to 54.3 (well above the 51.0 exp) – the 26th consecutive month above 50. The bad news is that there was a sudden plunge in Manufacturing PMI into contraction (from 52.7 to 49.8 – below 50)… Source: Bloomberg Commenting on the flash PMI data, Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said:  “A welcome upturn in service sector activity in March has helped propel stronger economic growth at the end of the first …

Parents in England: share your experiences of NHS dental services for your children | Dentists

Parents in England: share your experiences of NHS dental services for your children | Dentists

Published by Sam

According to a government report, nearly 50,000 tooth extractions took place last year in NHS hospitals in England for 0 to 19-year-olds, with 62% of those having a primary diagnosis of tooth decay. We would like to hear from parents in England about their experiences of accessing NHS dental services for their children. Were you able to find somewhere locally or do you have to travel further afield? How easy have you found it to access care? We’re also interested in hearing from those whose children have had hospital tooth extractions recently. Your responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For true anonymity please use our SecureDrop service instead. Source link

NSS: Civil society ‘reset’ must protect secular public services

NSS: Civil society ‘reset’ must protect secular public services

Published by skeptic

The Government must protect secular public services as it embarks on a ‘reset’ with civil society organisations (CSOs), says the National Secular Society. In October the Government launched a ‘Civil Society Covenant Framework’ to “reset the relationship with civil society and build a new partnership that can harness civil society’s full potential to rebuild our country”. The covenant will “apply to all” CSOs, and will support them to “to speak out in line with their purpose”. Extremism Responding to a consultation on the covenant, the NSS said it was “imperative” the Government does not collaborate with organisations which “express views inimical to fundamental British values”. Amongst others, the NSS cited the example of the Islamic charity Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre. In a lecture published on the charity’s YouTube account in August, the mosque’s imam said it is “important and an obligation” upon a woman that she “makes herself available for her husband as it relates to the physical intimacy”. The charity also provides “domestic abuse support”. Last year the Government awarded a £2.2m …

LG rolls out new AI services to help consumers with daily tasks

LG rolls out new AI services to help consumers with daily tasks

Published by skeptic

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More LG kicked off the AI bandwagon today with a new set of AI services to help consumers in their daily tasks at home, in the car and in the office. The aim of LG’s CES 2025 press event was to show how AI will work in a day of someone’s life, with the goal of redefining the concept of space, said William Joowan Cho, CEO of LG Electronics at the event. The presentation showed LG is fully focused on bringing AI into just about all of its products and services. Cho referred to LG’s AI efforts as “affectionate intelligence,” and he said it stands out from other strategies with its human-centered focus. The strategy focuses on three things: connected devices, capable AI agents and integrated services. One of things the company announced was a strategic partnership with Microsoft on AI innovation, where the companies pledged to join forces to shape the future of AI-powered spaces. One …

Ex-Starmer aide Sue Gray gets House of Lords consolation prize – POLITICO

Ex-Starmer aide Sue Gray gets House of Lords consolation prize – POLITICO

Published by Sam

In her old life, she led the investigation into lockdown-busting parties in Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Downing Street at the height of the Covid pandemic. But Gray became a lightning rod for internal criticism in the wake of Labour’s victory, with colleagues blaming her for a myriad of issues including communications failures, the slow appointment of ministers and low pay for special advisers. She quit the job in October and was replaced by Morgan McSweeney, a close political aide of Starmer seen as helping propel him to power. A promised job of envoy to the nations and regions was not taken up. As a member of the House of Lords, Gray — who gained a reputation as a fear-inducing Whitehall ethics investigator before taking on the Labour job — will be entitled to claim a daily attendance allowance, shape legislation and grill ministers. Under the U.K.’s political system, prime ministers can appoint life peers to the House of Lords. Labour is in the process of thinning the thinning the ranks of peers eligible to …

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust latest to use Bristol’s Solarsense services

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust latest to use Bristol’s Solarsense services

Published by skeptic

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has hailed its work with Bristol-based solar energy firm Solarsense. The latter has been adding solar panels to the Trust’s list of green measures. The wildlife organisation cares for nearly 50 reserves across 1,000 hectares and works with over 500 volunteers across the south west county. The Trust’s facilities manager Lenka Cmelakova said: “We had considered solar too expensive, even though we knew energy costs at our head office and visitor centre in Robinswood Hill Country Park make up the biggest part of the bill. “But Solarsense proved us wrong, and demonstrated we will see a seven-year return on the investment, and huge savings for decades after that. It’s estimated our annual bill (taking into account all seasons) will be reduced by around 25 per cent.” She added: “The team were so sympathetic to our needs and ambitions. We work hard to reconnect our visitors with nature, and to show them ways they can help make a difference. And now we’ve added solar as a way to make a business sustainable …

How English council budget cuts are affecting domestic violence services – and those who need them

How English council budget cuts are affecting domestic violence services – and those who need them

Published by Sam

Late one Friday afternoon, Jess, who works with a major UK-based domestic abuse support organisation, had a phone call from her local homelessness office. They had a woman with them, Mary, who was anxious, but determined to leave her violent husband of over 40 years. It would take Mary over an hour to get to the organisation. Jess had been about to leave the office to pick up her daughter but instead, she stayed to wait for Mary. “I phoned my mum,” she told us, when we spoke to her in 2023. “That’s what we do. I said, ‘OK, give her my name, tell her I’ll be here waiting.’” One in three women face domestic abuse during their lifetimes, according to global figures. Around 47,000 worldwide were killed by family members or partners in 2020. Specialist services dedicated to helping these women are increasingly under-resourced. In the UK, Women’s Aid, has called on the UK government to invest around £400 million annually on these services. Insufficient, short-term funding, that is not ringfenced, means organisations are …

The Budget Is A “Critical Moment” For Drug And Alcohol Rehab Services

The Budget Is A “Critical Moment” For Drug And Alcohol Rehab Services

Published by Sam

4 min read29 October The UK’s largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment services has described the Budget as a “critical moment” for the sector with any reduction in funding risking an “unravelling” of rehabilitation provision. Last year, 5,448 drug poisoning deaths were registered, representing an 11 per cent increase rise from 2022 — the highest figure since records began in 1993. The drug posioning death rate has also almost doubled since 2012.  Change Grow Live, which supports recovery services across local authorities and prisons nationwide, receives its core funding through contracts as well as grant funding as part of government’s National Drug Strategy.   As Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver the Labour Government’s first Budget today (Wednesday), the organisation has expressed concern that the latest funding cycle, due to end in spring 2025, has not yet been earmarked for renewal. Executive Director at Change Grow Live, Vicki Markiewicz, said the sector was “waiting with baited breath” to learn whether Reeves had agreed to renew current funding levels, as any fall in financial support would have severe consequences for rehabilitation services. She said the funding through the …