Image copyright Ordnance Survey Mapping organisation Ordnance Survey plans to launch a solar-powered drone to capture higher quality images of the Earth. Its Astigan craft will fly higher than commercial airliners at 67,000 ft (20,400m), and could circle the Earth for 90 days before it needs to land. It will collect images and data for …
Image copyright AFP Image caption The Treasury Committee said the government’s aim of eliminating the budget deficit had “no credibility” MPs have dismissed the chancellor’s forecast of a Brexit “deal dividend” of lower taxes and higher spending. The Treasury Committee said it was “not credible” to describe any resultant economic boost from a Brexit deal …
Image copyright Getty Images Japan’s Nissan has cut its full-year profit forecast in its first results since former chairman Carlos Ghosn’s arrest for financial misconduct. The carmaker lowered its operating profit estimate to 450bn yen ($4.1bn; £3.2bn) from 540bn yen previously. It comes as the Nissan-Renault alliance is being tested by the scandal surrounding Mr …
Image copyright Getty Images All taxi and private hire drivers could have to pass enhanced criminal record checks under government proposals. The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on new licensing guidelines to better protect vulnerable passengers. Last year a government report found that the laws regulating drivers were not “fit for the modern …
Image copyright Getty Images Consumers’ access to cash as an alternative to digital payments should be protected by a dedicated regulator, two influential organisations say. Consumer group Which? and the Federation of Small Businesses say ATM and bank branch closures risk leaving people struggling to pay in shops. Hundreds more cash machines have closed in …
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Orangutans can find their homes destroyed when forests are cleared to make way to grow oil palms Palm oil used in supermarket products is not fully traceable despite it being called “100% certified sustainable”. Research by Radio 4’s You & Yours found Tesco performed the best, yet only 67% …
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The Lord Mayor of London is often a livery company member London’s trade guilds date back a thousand years and have billions of pounds in assets. But have they forgotten one of their original purposes – to spend money on the public good? Among the glass skyscrapers of London’s …
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The talks have been deadlocked on how to deal with undocumented migrants Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement in principle over border security to fund the US government and avert another partial shutdown. Lawmakers said the deal had been struck in a closed-door meeting in Washington. No details …
Image copyright Lydia Campbell-Hill Image caption Dr Lydia Campbell-Hill says offering online consultations gave her more family time at home Would you be happy to see your doctor online? Growing numbers of patients seem to be attracted by the convenience. And doctors are also finding it useful as health services come under pressure from growing …
Image copyright AFP The government is being sued for its decision to charter firms to run extra ferries, including one with no ships, in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel, said the contracts, revealed after Christmas, were decided in a “secretive and flawed procurement process”. The move comes days after Seaborne, …