Author: Sam Allcock

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are entangled in a widening fraud investigation over military uniform procurement. A Turkish company is expected to formally join the investigation as a victim, with former bureaucrats already implicated in the case. On 27 November, the National Police of Ukraine carried out a series of operations across 38 locations. These targeted a network accused of making illicit profits under a 2022 contract signed between Sinclair and Wilde and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, involving alleged price inflation. According to a news released by the National Police of Ukraine, among the detained suspects are Roman Balykin, an…

Hisense, the global consumer electronics and home appliance giant has announced a new partnership with FIFA for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™. The deal was formalised at an event in Shanghai Tower, attended by high-profile figures including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and Hisense Group Chairman Jia Shaoqian. FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Hisense, a global market-leading brand, as an Official Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. Hisense’s commitment to innovation and technology aligns with our vision for this tournament, which will bring together…

Global gaming commerce company Xsolla has announced a partnership with AurumDust, the developer of Ash of Gods: The Way, to support the charity Games For Change. In a unique campaign, Xsolla will donate 50% of the proceeds from sales of the complete edition of the game to the organisation. Running until 31 December, the initiative aims to combine the reach of gaming with philanthropy, demonstrating Xsolla’s commitment to social impact. Chris Hewish, Chief Strategy Officer at Xsolla, commented on the purpose behind the collaboration, underscoring the role of gaming as a driver for social good. “Gaming is not just about…

South Africa’s leading cloud provider, Global Micro, is set to make its first major international expansion by opening offices in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. With over 30 years in the cloud services industry, the company aims to support organisations facing growing challenges in regulatory compliance, particularly around Microsoft’s licensing and GDPR requirements. JJ Milner, Managing Director of Global Micro, explained the decision behind the expansion, saying that “there is a significant demand for assistance in meeting the compliance requirements of regulations such as GDPR and NIS 2, especially with the European Union’s recent commitment to stricter…

The NHS will receive a substantial funding boost to increase the number of elective procedures, aiming to deliver an additional 40,000 appointments per week. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced the new funding today, with more details to be unveiled in the upcoming Budget. The goal is to help reduce the NHS backlog, with over seven million people currently on waiting lists across England, and 280,000 of those waiting over a year for treatment. The funding package includes £1.5 billion to establish new surgical hubs and purchase diagnostic scanners, as well as £70 million earmarked for advanced…

McDonald’s is spicing things up with the re-launch of its Saver Menu, introducing a brand-new Chilli Double Cheeseburger available in all UK and Ireland restaurants starting Wednesday, 6th November. Priced at just £2.49, the new offering promises to be a delicious addition for burger enthusiasts without straining the wallet. The Chilli Double Cheeseburger features two 100% British and Irish beef patties, two slices of cheese, onions, jalapenos, pickles, and a spicy relish, all nestled in a soft, toasted bun. The new burger is expected to excite customers looking for bold flavours at an affordable price point. In addition to the…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a £240 million investment aimed at addressing the UK’s rising economic inactivity rates, which currently exceed pre-pandemic levels. The funding, unveiled ahead of the upcoming Budget, seeks to enhance support services for those unable to work due to long-term illness or disability. With 2.8 million people currently out of work owing to long-term sickness, the UK stands alone among G7 nations with higher levels of economic inactivity than before the pandemic. The government’s initiative is expected to drive down these figures by accelerating the rollout of local services tailored to help people return to the…

A new event in Shropshire aims to help local businesses secure a share of construction work on significant infrastructure projects across the county. The Meet the Buyer event, scheduled for 29 October, will bring together local sub-contractors, supply chain companies, and public sector procurement teams to explore current and upcoming construction opportunities. The event, organised by Shropshire Constructing Excellence and the Constructing Excellence Midlands Shropshire Club, will take place at Telford College in Wellington from 8.30am to 11am. It will offer local businesses a chance to connect with key contractors and decision-makers involved in major projects, including the regeneration of…

The Marrakech Air Show 2024, a leading event on the global aviation industry calendar, is set to take place from 30 October to 2 November at Morocco’s Royal Air Force Training Base. This year’s edition, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, marks the seventh instalment of the show, highlighting Morocco’s growing role in the international aerospace sector. With 12,500 square metres of exhibition space, the Marrakech Air Show (MAS) expects over 200 exhibitors and 50 official delegations from around the world, bringing together prominent figures from the aeronautics, defence, and aerospace industries. Notable companies such as…

Experts Urge New Government to Radically Address Teacher Retention Crisis Academics at the University of Manchester are calling for the new Labour government to adopt a more ambitious approach to address the persistent teacher recruitment and retention crisis in England. In a recent article published by Policy@Manchester, Dr Louisa Dawes and Professor Andrew Howes argue that the government’s current plan to add 6,500 teachers is insufficient for tackling a problem they describe as severe and worsening. Based on their research, the academics report that England’s teacher attrition rate, currently at an average of 9%, is notably higher than in other…