Hannah Fry is a Professor in the Mathematics of Cities, a bestselling author, and an award-winning science presenter. Soon, another billion people will be online, mostly from developing nations.
2024 (MMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2024th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 24th year of the 3rd millennium and the 21st century, and the 5th year of the 2020s decade. The year saw the continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war, and the Islamist insurgency in the Sahel.
It's back to work day for most in the UK, Keir Starmer included. If he had any sense, he'd have one priority for 2025, which is making the UK government work again.
Millions of patients in England will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster under a new plan to tackle hospital backlogs. Millions more appointments to be created through plan to get people the treatment they need quicker.
As Britain moves into deepest darkest winter, the debate around energy costs remains high on the political agenda. Energy bills remain well above their pre-crisis levels - typical bills are set to be more than £1,700 in Q1 2025 compared with just under £1,300 in late 2021 - and the position of some pensioners has deteriorated following the Government's announcement to means test Winter Fuel Payments.
63% of businesses say tax, including national insurance, is now a concern, following the Chancellor's Budget - the highest level since 2017. Business confidence has slipped to its lowest level since the aftermath of the mini-Budget in Autumn 2022.
he UK's cold snap will continue this week, with low pressure remaining in charge bringing below-average temperatures and the potential for disruption in places. National Severe Weather Warnings for snow and ice are currently in place and are likely to be updated through the week.
Shobha Shetty from the World Bank look at progress for farming in third world countries. After working most of my career in the regions, I took on the role of Global Director for Agriculture and Food in July.
Thousands of UK personnel will continue to deploy to Europe in the next two months to spearhead a major NATO exercise. UK leading contribution with over 2600 personnel and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO's eastern flank.
Wes Streeting has made clear that no action on social care will be taken during this parliament by setting up a commission to report on the issue by 2028, when it will be too late to do anything about it. Is that because he just hasn't got the ability to think about issues this big? The UK Government Announcement - New reforms and independent commission to transform social care.
Public urged to prevent further ‘new year spread' by following good hygiene and taking up 'final chance' vaccines where still available. Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency shows the anticipated increase in flu activity over the festive season, as people are urged to protect themselves this New Year.
Post-Christmas returns soared by 6.8% yesterday compared to the same day last year, says Parcelhero. Parcel shipments rose 555% over last Thursday (Boxing Day) as around £1.51bn worth of items headed back to retailers.
Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013. People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.
The later timing of Black Friday in 2024 meant that it falls into December's, rather than November’s figures, while the reverse was true in 2023. This worsens November figures and improves the December figures.
The UK has the highest domestic energy prices in Europe, and it's all down to poor regulation, political dogma, and the fact that we haven't got nationalised energy companies. .
Suspected people smugglers will face travel bans, social media blackouts and restrictions on phone usage under tough new laws to dismantle organised immigration crime networks. In a major upgrade to Serious Crime Prevention Orders, new Interim Orders will allow immediate action to disrupt and deter suspected serious criminality.
In the UK 37 shops a day closed during 2024 in one of the worst trading periods in recent years. The Centre for Retail Research latest report shows small businesses operating between one and five stores, accounted for 84.1% of all store closures during 2024 as those shutdowns soared by more than 45% The latest data on store closures suggests that during the 2024 calendar year 13,479 shops in high streets, main shopping destinations, towns and villages, as well as small shopping parades, closed for good - up 28.4% on the 10,494 shops that closed in the previous year.
Northern regions see higher price growth than southern regions. Northern Ireland best performing area for second year running, with prices up 7.1% over 2024.
UK sports industry companies are seeing a boom in demand from the Gulf, as the UK progresses its trade deal negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council. UK companies see soaring demand for sports services in the Gulf.
The claims economics makes about itself as a subject for study can in no way be matched with the value-laden, neoliberal way in which much of it is now practised. It's the practice that needs reform.
