Times Letters: Heavy-handed policing and hate crime laws
Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, Libby Purves is right: it is not for publicly funded police forces to enter the fray between dissatisfied parents and offended primary schools (“Police do us all an injustice with these arrests”, Mar 31). If a school does not like what its parents are saying then it can simply block undesired emails or it can make its case to a civil judge and ask for an injunction to be granted, if it can establish sufficient grounds. However, seeking the arrest of parents for the (perhaps excessive and vociferous) care for their children is not appropriate: it merely adds cost to the public purse and grist to JD Vance’s mill when he talks about civil liberties in the UK.
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 11:55 UTC
Mother and daughter drive together at Stagecoach depot in Workington
As a child, Chloe-Lea would often ride the bus alongside her mother, fascinated by the world of transport and the role she played in keeping the community connected. Inspired by her mother’s dedication, she knew from an early age that she wanted to follow the same path. Now, years later, Chloe-Lea has stepped into the driver’s seat herself, carrying on the family legacy. Marie, who has been a bus driver since the age of 18, has passed down her passion for the profession to her daughter, Chloe-Lea, who officially qualified as a bus driver in January of this year. Reflecting on their shared journey, Marie said: “I’m very proud of Chloe-Lea for choosing to build her career in this industry.
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 10:07 UTC
Moaning federal workers make disgusting discoveries as they return to office after Trump ended WFH
Thousands of federal employees who were forced to return to their offices in recent weeks have made some disgusting discoveries - including a lack of toilet paper and rodents. Donald Trump promptly ended work from home options for federal workers upon taking office, saying anyone who does not 'show up to the office on time and on schedule' will be fired. Ever since, federal employees across the country have found themselves in cramped offices where they have been forced to clean toilets and take out the trash, according to the New York Times. Together, the unidentified employees have said the Trump administration's efforts to bring back federal workers has been marred by a lack of planning and coordination, leading to confusion and even more inefficiency. At times, the federal workers are even forced to share office space with people from other agencies - creating chaos as they all try to video conference at different times.
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 10:06 UTC
India junks NYT claim of HAL transferring sensitive tech to Russia
NEW DELHI: The Indian govt has described as factually incorrect and misleading a New York Times report claiming that an Indian firm - state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - facilitated transfer of sensitive British equipment and technology from a Reform UK party donor to Russian arms agency Rosoboronexport.According to the report, the Indian company received equipment from HR Smith group, which donated £1,00,000 (just under $1,30,000) to Reform UK last year, and, within days, sent parts to Russia with the same identifying product codes.Govt sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the report was factually incorrect and misleading, and has tried to frame issues and distort facts to suit a political narrative. "The Indian entity mentioned in the report has scrupulously followed all its international obligations on strategic trade controls and end-user commitments. India's robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade continues to guide overseas commercial ventures by its companies," said an official. "We expect reputed media outlets to undertake basic due diligence while publishing such reports, which obviously was overlooked in the instant case," added the official.The report said that the components have civilian and military uses and have been flagged by the British and American authorities as critical to Russia's war effort in Ukraine. "Officials have urged exporters to carry out detailed checks to ensure that their clients are not redirecting restricted equipment to Moscow,'' it said.
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 07:36 UTC
Pre-tax profits halve at Sunday Times owner News UK & Ireland amid ‘reduced operations’
CompaniesPre-tax profits halve at Sunday Times owner News UK & Ireland amid ‘reduced operations’Staff costs reduced from £111.4 million to £103.1 million amid a reduction in headcount
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 03:24 UTC
British Hindus object to 'police report' claiming they are aligned with far right
They also plan to file an FOI (freedom of information) request to see the report. This article is making Hindus feel less safe in the UK," their spokesperson said.Neeraj Patil, chair of Hindus for Labour, said: "No credible Hindu organisation in the UK, or major Hindu confederation, has aligned itself with any right-wing British group. These narratives are part of an anti-Hindu agenda promoted by certain elements who resent the growing influence of British Hindus. "Kuldeep Shekhawat, president of OFBJP-UK, which campaigned against Labour in the 2019 UK election, said: "We are British Hindus so we can campaign for who we like. The Hindu Community Organisation Groups Leicester has written to the Mail calling the article inflammatory and misleading, adding it could marginalise the entire community and links to Breivik are "offensive".
Source:The Times
April 01, 2025 00:38 UTC
UK companies set to spend $650bn bringing their factories home
UK companies are set to spend $650 billion over the next three years moving their supply chains and manufacturing closer to home, as business leaders fret about the effect of President Trump’s tariffs. A survey of 1,400 major global businesses, all with annual revenues in excess of $1 billion, also found international companies plan to shift more of their operations to the UK amid a growing preference to have more of a presence in “allied” countries and to be closer to their end customers. Since the pandemic disrupted global supply chains and led to shortages of some products, companies have been exploring how to make their operations more robust. Much of that has focused on moving some of their manufacturing back to the UK, known
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 22:46 UTC
Protective screens over Cocker Bridge, Cockermouth will be removed
A WEST CUMBRIAN bridge will re-open to pedestrians- as work to remove protective screens over the route following the partial collapse of the Old Courthouse will start this week. Following a new survey carried out by specialist structural engineers working on behalf of Cumberland Council, work to start removing the screens will start tomorrow, April 1. The Cocker Bridge reopened to two-way traffic last July but with restrictions for pedestrians were kept in place. Since it was installed the partially collapsed Old Courthouse building has been subjected to at least three named storms, none of which have resulted in debris coming from the building into the safety netting provided. “Following specialist advice, work will start on the removal of the bridge screens.”The Old Courthouse building remains in private ownership.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 22:44 UTC
Scientists hunting great white shark in Irish and UK waters
Well, US non-profit research organisation Ocearch believe great whites do indeed roam the depths around Ireland and Britain. "It would be the shark heard around the world," Chris Fischer, founder of Ocearch, previously told Sky News. For decades, the possibility of great whites in British or Irish seas has remained a mystery. There has never been a confirmed great white shark sighting in British or Irish waters; however, scientists believe the conditions are perfect. Shark expert Dr Nick Payne, assistant professor at Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences, is the lead Irish scientist on the new Ocearch expedition.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 20:55 UTC
Oxford University prof has work cited in UK Supreme Court
These include international dispute settlement, human rights, international organisations law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law. READ MORE: Oxford University prof wins prestigious international awardProfessor Philippa Webb. It referred to The Law of State Immunity (Oxford University Press, 2015) by Professor Webb and Lady Fox KC four times. A statement published by Exeter College on Monday said: "Congratulations to Exeter College Fellow, Professor Philippa Webb. The news comes after another Oxford University professor won a prestigious award.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 17:31 UTC
Losses shrink at The Sun as Times reports £60m profit
However, Times Media marginally increased its profits while News Group Newspapers, which reports results for The Sun, reduced its operating losses. Times digital advertising and subscriptions upTimes Media revenues, which include The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio, were down 0.6% to £383.4m in the year to 30 June 2024 while its operating profit and profit before tax were up 0.2% to £61m. The Times said it reached 13.7 million readers per month in the UK across both print and digital in H1 2024. The Times and The Sunday Times had 594,000 paid digital subscriptions at the end of the financial year, making up 84% of total subscriptions. (Times digital subscribers have since grown to 616,000 according to more up-to-date News Corp results.)
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 15:44 UTC
Netflix Adolescence to be available in all high schools
The harrowing programme follows the story of a 13-year-old schoolboy named Jamie who is accused of murdering a female classmate. Hit Netflix show Adolescence captures 'national mood'Anne Mensah, Netflix VP UK Content, said: “Adolescence has captured the national mood, sparking important conversations and helping articulate the pressures young people and parents face in today’s society. Director shares thoughtsIs Adolescence based on a true story? Stephen Graham explains new Netflix seriesHow was Adolescence filmed? Netflix shares behind the scenes of new showHe said: “As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you – it hit home hard.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 12:52 UTC
London Police Arrest Gaza Protest Planners at Quaker House
Quakers in Britain are reeling from what they say is an unheard-of violation of one of their places of worship by police officers who forced their way into a meeting house in London and arrested activists gathered there to plan Gaza war protests. “No one has been arrested in a Quaker meeting house in living memory,” Paul Parker, the recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said in a statement issued after the raid. But on Thursday evening, the pacifist group said, more than 20 uniformed police officers, some armed with tasers, forced their way into the meeting house in Westminster, breaking open the front door “without warning or ringing the bell.”The officers searched the building and arrested six women at a gathering of Youth Demand, an unaffiliated activist group that was renting a room to meet in, the Quakers in Britain said.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 12:30 UTC
BBC to ‘open up conversation’ with AI providers and invest further in Tiktok
BBC News on iPlayer and BBC Tiktok video featuring Marine Le PenThe BBC has said it will open new talks with AI providers, invest in short-form video, expand BBC Verify and revamp its news coverage on iPlayer in 2025/26. BBC short-form news video, Verify and iPlayer expansionThe BBC also teased investment of its short-form and video output this year, expanding its presence on Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram. The BBC said it will expand BBC Verify, which launched in 2023 with a team of more than 60 journalists and the aim of building audience trust by showing how its journalists know what they are reporting is true. Currently BBC Verify largely publishes more responsive fact-checks in an ad-hoc fashion. Former BBC director of news and current affairs James Harding said the plan would “drain advertising away from journalism”.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 12:19 UTC
UK Weather: Sunny and dry weather to see high temperatures
Much of the UK is set to enjoy highs of 17-18C, which may even climb to 20C by Thursday, with the south east of the UK expected to enjoy the best of the sunshine. Some short-lived rain and cloudiness may be possible in Northern Ireland, Scotland and north-west England on Monday. However, the weather is generally expected to remain dry and sunny across the country into next weekend. Here's your 4cast for tomorrow 👇 pic.twitter.com/slm62FVFZp — Met Office (@metoffice) March 30, 2025See the full forecast via the Met Office. UK to heat up as higher temperatures and sunshine arriveSimon Partridge, a meteorologist at the Met Office, explained: “High pressure is building over the UK.
Source:The Times
March 31, 2025 12:18 UTC