Treasury accused of ‘being nasty’ to bats in pursuit of growth
Environmentalists have accused the government of “being nasty” to bats and wrongly suggesting that the animals are holding back economic growth. As part of chancellor Rachel Reeves’s “radical shake-up” of red tape to promote growth, officials said on Monday that guidance on protecting bats will be looked at afresh. “It should not be the case that to convert a garage or outbuilding you need to wade through hundreds of pages of guidance on bats,” the Treasury said in a statement. The charity said the change was a “shock”. • How bats became the housebuilder’s enemy No 1Doug
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 15:29 UTC
Starmer ready to deploy troops in Ukraine indefinitely – The Times
Source: The Times, as reported by European PravdaDetails: A source from the UK government told The Times that the deployment of UK-led forces would be indefinite. Around a dozen countries, including the UK, France, Türkiye, Canada and Australia, are discussing plans to send up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine. However, it is currently unclear whether the peacekeeping forces will be authorised to open fire on Russian soldiers in the event of aggression. Background:Russia has repeatedly stated that it will not agree to the presence of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. However, Starmer added that any post-ceasefire plans for Ukraine would need to involve cooperation with the United States.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 15:03 UTC
Chuck Schumer Is Facing a Biden Moment
Lauren Egan: “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s handling of the government funding fight has caused such damage to his standing in the party that even supporters were privately discussing this week whether it represented the nadir of his lengthy political career.”“It wasn’t because they felt Schumer had erred in shepherding a House Republican-authored bill to passage in the Senate. It was how feeble he appeared to be in the process—a leader in title but not spirit.”
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 13:23 UTC
New body to be created to tackle airspace inefficiency
The body of aviation experts working with airports will produce “a step change” in airspace modernisation, the department claimed. The UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS) will initially review London’s airspace, which is the busiest in the UK. Much of how the UK’s airspace is used dates back to the 1950s, when there were fewer flights and aircraft navigated using ground-based beacons. EasyJet published the results of an AI-based study that found airspace inefficiencies increased its CO2 emissions in the year to the end of July 2024 by 10.6%. The DfT and the CAA will consult on changes to the process of making airspace changes by September.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 12:56 UTC
Radlett street named most expensive in East of England
They continued: "But to be representative of the country as a whole, our main list chronicles the priciest street in each individual region." Radlett named most expensive street in East of EnglandLoom Lane in Radlett has an average house price of £4,372,000 based on the properties currently on sale. The Times discussed Loom Lane: "Situated near Watford and St Albans, Radlett was until 30 years ago a homely outer suburb in south Hertfordshire. The outlet adds that Loom Lane offers "bling-tastic gated new-build mansions which some residents feel are garish and out-of-kilter." Recommended Reading:Although named the most expensive street in the East of England, Loom Lane did not make the top 20 list of expensive streets in the UK.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 11:26 UTC
Scientists trapped on Antarctica for 10 more months plead for help after fellow expert 'sexually assaulted and threatened to kill colleagues' at their tiny base
A group of scientists trapped in a tiny base in Antarctica have sent an email pleading to be rescued after they say a member of their team threatened to kill another colleague. A South African research group dispatched to Sanae IV base, a research station in Antarctica, are isolated on their mission for at least 10 more months. The group were living in fear of the man who posed a threat to the entire team, the researcher wrote. A group of scientists trapped in a tiny base in Antarctica have sent an email pleading to be rescued after they say a member of their team threatened to kill another colleague. The base is located in Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica (file photo)Researchers at the Sanae base only have each other for company in the absence of animals, other humans and society as they know it.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 11:09 UTC
‘The UK must continue to recognise the skills of internationally educated nurses’
The SPaRC (SIFE Pathway Registrants Collective) Conference was more than an event; it was a space for learning, reflection, and shared experiences, bringing together 200 internationally educated nurses from across the UK. More than 15,000 internationally educated nurses gained full registration, transitioning into band 5 and higher roles, reclaiming their professional identity and dignity. Unlike conventional conferences, SPaRC was led by the very nurses who had lived this experience. The UK must continue to recognise the skills of internationally educated nurses, not as an afterthought but as an essential component of a sustainable, diverse, and competent workforce. The power of collective action lived experience, and the courage to challenge outdated systems had led to real change.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 09:36 UTC
Army officers to quit as ‘bloated’ top ranks block promotion
British Army officers have been told they must wait until the late 2030s for promotion, amid claims the service is “bloated” by a disproportionate number of senior-ranking soldiers. Younger officers have told The Times they are considering leaving the army due to “bottlenecks” preventing captains and majors progressing through the ranks. The army has shrunk to fewer than 74,000 soldiers but has a large number of senior officers. There are 140 officers with the rank of brigadier but only 32 brigade-level units, analysis of the army’s “Future Soldier” programme suggests. The army has 44 major generals, ten lieutenant generals and three generals: General Sir Roly Walker, chief of the general staff; General Dame Sharon Nesmith, vice-chief of the defence staff; and General Sir Jim Hockenhull,
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 07:41 UTC
St Stephen's Place car park signs altered by vigilante
The St Stephens Place car park has been at the centre of motoring controversy in the town over the course of the past six months. In December, the Times reported that the car park had dropped a controversial parking charge after being ordered to stop issuing penalty notices to customers. Another disabled man who successfully appealed his ticket added that he would never use the car park again after his experience. A closeup of the sign in St Stephen's Place car park. In reporting from December, correspondence seen by the Wiltshire Times indicated that the parking charge for ‘leaving the car park’ – a stipulation that is printed on signs in the car park – had been scrapped.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 07:39 UTC
Brits could earn over £770 a month for watching Netflix
Well now you can turn that dream into a reality thanks to a website called Freecash. The items you should collect to make the most moneyHow to earn £770 a month by watching Netflix and testing appsYou can earn money on Freecash by playing games, testing apps, watching videos and taking surveys, LatestDeals.co.uk explains. There's over 2,700 offers available including taking on a Netflix trial, playing a game called Dice Dreams and signing up to TikTok. The Freecash website says 1000 coins equates to US$1 and some members have been able to earn more than US$1000 (around £772) a month. So far participants have made more than US$50 million (around £38.6 million), through Freecash, according to the website.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 06:21 UTC
Prince Harry to be deported? US Court orders release of UK royal's immigration files after drug use admission
Prince Harry (File photo)UK royal Prince Harry once again is facing deportation possibility as a US court has ruled that Prince Harry's immigration files be disclosed by Tuesday.Judge Carl Nichols has directed the release of documents pertaining to the Duke of Sussex's US visa application, following a Freedom of Information (FOI)request. In his autobiography, Harry revealed: "cocaine didn't do anything for me", and added: "Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me. "The foundation argued that his visa application responses regarding past drug use could raise concerns about governmental procedures. The Duchess of Sussex has openly criticised Trump, describing him as "divisive" and a "misogynist".Read more: Donald Trump thinks Prince Harry has enough problems with 'terrible' Meghan Markle. "Harry relocated to the US in 2020 with Meghan after briefly residing in Canada, following their departure from the Royal Family.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 05:09 UTC
Endometriosis pill approved for NHS in England: What is it, and how does it work?
Symptoms of endometriosisSevere period pain, that stops you from doing your normal activities. Women’s Mental Health: Balancing Careers, Caregiving, and Societal Expectations Amidst a Growing Mental Health CrisisHow much does the pill cost? The first daily pill for treating endometriosis symptoms has been approved for use on the National Health Service (NHS) in England. They include:The new pill approved by the drug assessment body the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is called relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo. This combination drug - relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone is the first long-term daily pill licensed to treat endometriosis.The newly approved medication, relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone, works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to the progression of endometriosis.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 05:03 UTC
UK finance minister Reeves to set out action plan to slash 'red tape'
Live Events(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelThe UK's Labour government will on Monday set out details of how it plans to slash red tape to boost business, as it struggles to deliver growth nine months after winning power. Chancellor Rachel Reeves ' shake-up comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer took aim at the nation's "flabby state", sparking anger from unions who called on him to avoid the "incendiary rhetoric" of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) in the US.The finance ministry said regulators would be summoned to the prime minister's Downing Street office on Monday to hear Reeves announce her "action plan to deliver on the pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter".The "radical" plan would cut "costly red tape" such as the "hundreds of pages of guidance on protecting bat habitats which goes far beyond legal requirements", said a statement, referring to the £100 million ($130 million) spent on a bat tunnel by the company building Britain's new high-speed HS2 train line The tunnel has become a lightning rod for criticism of the planning system, with the Prime Minister describing it as "absurd".The number of regulators will also be cut under Reeves' plan, saving businesses "billions of pounds", the statement added.Starmer on Thursday announced that he was axing NHS England which has run the state-run National Health Service in that nation since 2012, in a move seen as a dramatic move to the right.The government has dubbed NHS England "the world's largest quango" (quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation).Its abolition was the "beginning not the end" and more health-related quangos would also face the chop, Health Secretary Wes Streeting wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.Labour ousted former prime minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government in a landslide election victory last July but has seen its popularity ratings fall during a bumpy start.It is under pressure to deliver on its election promise to kickstart economic growth while keeping prices under control amid a prolonged cost of living crisis.The central bank in February slashed its forecast for UK economic growth and warned that inflation would rise more than expected this year, blaming global risks amid US tariff threats and deteriorating business confidence in the UK.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 04:09 UTC
UK must try to understand migrant worker surge, watchdog says
Moreover, sweeping efforts to curb the program were implemented last year with little research into the potential consequences on businesses, the NAO said.“The Home Office and departments must make better use of data to understand the impacts of changes to the skilled worker visa route, improve customer experiences and prevent the exploitation of visa holders,” said NAO Comptroller and Auditor General Gareth Davies. Ministries should work with other government bodies to better understand how to address skills shortages, the watchdog said. “This will link our immigration, skills and visa systems so we can grow our domestic workforce and end the reliance on overseas labour to boost economic growth.”More than 900,000 foreigners have been granted skilled worker visas in the five years since then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government created the program. The Conservatives, Johnson’s party, have also adopted a harder line on immigration since going into opposition and electing Kemi Badenoch as leader.The skilled worker route allows companies in certain industries where there is a shortage of workers to sponsor migrants, offering them a job that is tied to that employer. The government was not operating in a “joined-up” fashion when tackling these issues, the report added.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 04:09 UTC
Christina Ricci: I still feel very influenced by Wednesday Addams
Picture Credit: XHollywood star Christina Ricci says the dark, rebellious character of Wednesday Addams had a huge influence on the actress and her career.The 45-year-old actress played the role of Wednesday Addams in 'The Addams Family ' when she was just 11 years old in 1991 and later played a teacher in the 2022 Netflix spin-off series 'Wednesday. 'Ricci told Britain's HELLO! "I spent a ton of time identifying with her and I'm happy that Wednesday is still a huge part of my life. It's almost as if she doesn't view herself as a real human being. Not giving anything away, but the body count is really high.
Source:The Times
March 17, 2025 03:48 UTC