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A former Apple engineer has been charged with stealing the company's self-driving car technology, almost five years after he fled to China. Prosecutors accuse Weibao Wang, 35, of stealing thousands of files containing proprietary information while secretly working for an unnamed Chinese company. Six counts of theft or attempted theft of trade secrets are in the indictment. This is the third time an ex-Apple employee has been accused of stealing autonomous tech secrets for China. The justice department alleges Mr Wang stole documents containing the source code for the software and hardware behind the self-driving systems. Mr Wang joined Apple in March 2016 as a member of the team that developed technology for autonomous systems, the justice department said. He signed a confidentiality agreement about the project, which was at the time known to very few people within the company. Mr Wang left Apple on 16 April 2018, the indictment said. Unbeknownst to the firm, he had accepted an offer more than four months earlier to work as an engineer at another company developing self-driving cars, said US prosecutors. That company, unnamed in the indictment, is based in China, said prosecutors. Law enforcement searched Mr Wang's home in Mountain View, California, in June 2018 while he was there. He told authorities he had no plans to leave the US. That same day, he bought a one-way ticket from San Francisco to Guangzhou, China, the justice department said. An analysis of the devices seized from Mr Wang's home showed he had stored large quantities of Apple data on self-driving car technology. In a press conference, the US Attorney for the Northern District of California, Ismail Ramsey, said Mr Wang remained in China. If he were ever extradited and convicted, he could face 10 years in prison for each of the six charges. Apple did not respond to BBC's request for a comment. Two other former Apple employees have previously been charged in similar cases involving the theft of trade secrets. Xiaolang Zhang pleaded guilty last year in a court in San Jose, California. He was arrested in 2018 as he tried to board a flight to China. Another ex-Apple employee, Jizhong Chen, faces similar charges.

Guiding Optimism in the Face of Challenges in the Journey the Global Energy Transition

The oil and gas industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the global energy transition. Despite being a hydrocarbon-producing industry, many companies have made declarations about their plans for net-zero targets and incorporating ESG metrics into corporate performance assessments. Regulations, financial return, and brand considerations are factors driving CO2 reductions. Data access is a significant hurdle to CO2 reduction plans, but companies with superior digital competencies are likely to be leaders in the energy transition. Achievability of targets remains uncertain, but industry leaders view many of these challenges as achievable yet challenging. The future is now for the industry, and oil and gas leaders need to embrace the transformation.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/11/30/guiding-optimism-in-the-face-of-challenges-in-the-journey-the-global-energy-transition/

The number of adults struggling to pay their bills and debts has soared to nearly 11 million, new figures show. Some 3.1 million more people faced difficulties in January than they did in May last year, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said. It found that 11% of adults had missed a bill or loan payment in at least three of the previous six months. The FCA encouraged people to ask for help as household budgets were squeezed by the rising cost of living. "Our research highlights the real impact the rising cost of living is having on people's ability to keep up with their bills, although we are pleased to see that people have been accessing help and advice," said Sheldon Mills, its executive director of consumers and competition. "We've told lenders that they should provide support tailored to your needs," he added. What do I do if I can't afford to pay my debts?What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill? Energy, food and fuel prices have jumped in the last 18 months, putting pressure on personal finances. Prices for most things have been rising and inflation, the rate at which prices go up, is at 10.1%, meaning goods are more than 10% more expensive on average than they were a year ago. Researchers found that 29% of adults with a mortgage and 34% of renters had seen their payments increase in the six months to January this year. The team also saw signs that some people had reduced or cancelled their insurance policies as a way of easing the pressure on their budgets. The FCA said it had repeatedly reminded firms of the importance of supporting their customers and working with them to solve problems with payments and bills. But Helen Undy, chief executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said the regulator needed to do more by cracking down on "aggressive" debt collection practices and limiting the number of times lenders could contact people who had missed a payment. "Those actions would go a long way in mitigating the mental health impacts of the crisis, and could even save lives," she said. The FCA said its survey suggested around half of UK adults (about 28.4 million people) felt more anxious or stressed due to the rising cost of living in January than they did six months earlier. The body said it had reminded 3,500 lenders of how they should support borrowers in financial difficulty and added it had told 32 lenders to "make changes to the way they treat customers". The FCA said this work had led to £29 million in compensation being secured for over 80,000 customers. UK Finance, the trade association for the UK banking and finance industry, said lenders were contacting customers and would "always work with them to find the right solution for their particular needs and circumstances". It urged people worried about their finances to contact their lender, and said discussing options would not affect a person's credit rating. The FCA released its latest figures after gathering more than 5,000 responses as part of a UK-wide survey of people aged 18 and over.

UN officials are in last-ditch negotiations to make sure a deal which allows Ukraine to export grain by sea is renewed before it expires on 18 May. Thanks to the agreement between the UN, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia, more than 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been shipped out of the Black Sea through a safe corridor. However, Russia is threatening to pull out of the deal because it says Western sanctions are hampering its own agricultural exports. Ukraine is a major global exporter of sunflower, maize, wheat and barley. When Russia invaded in February 2022, its naval vessels blockaded Ukraine's ports, trapping some 20 million tonnes of grain. That sent global food prices rocketing. Food supplies were particularly threatened in Middle Eastern and African countries which rely heavily on Ukrainian grain. The UN says prices of staple foods rose across these regions by an average of 30%. It warned that 44 million people in 38 countries were facing "emergency levels of hunger". "UN officials were worried about the Horn of Africa, where drought was already pushing countries towards famine conditions, and a lack of grain was making things worse," says Richard Gowan from The International Crisis Group, which works to prevent conflict. Ukraine grain deal needed to feed world – WFP head The arrangement is meant to be extended for 120 days at a time, and was last renewed on 18 March. However, Russia only agreed to a 60-day extension,and is now threatening to pull out altogether. It wants Russian producers to export more food and fertiliser to the rest of the world, but says Western sanctions are getting in the way. There are no specific sanctions against Russian agricultural exports, but Moscow argues other restrictions mean international banks, insurers and shippers are reluctant to do business with its exporters. UN officials are trying to broker a compromise. Russia previously withdrew from the deal in November 2022, accusing Ukraine of launching a "massive" drone attack on its fleet in Crimea from vessels in the safe shipping corridor. However, it rejoined a few days later. On 22 July 2022, Russia and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with the support of the UN and Turkey. It let cargo ships pass safely through the Black Sea to and from the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. The first grain shipments started in early August, using a corridor 310 nautical miles long and three nautical miles wide. According to the UN's Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), which oversees the scheme, more than 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been shipped from Ukraine, as well as fertiliser. These extra supplies were a major factor in lowering world food prices. Prices started falling in spring 2022, ahead of an expected deal, and are now lower than they were before Russia's invasion. Ukraine is exporting 30% less food that it did before the Russian invasion, according to its agriculture ministry. This is partly because farmers are producing less, due to the fighting across large parts of the country. However, Ukraine's government says Russia has been delaying cargo ships heading to ports to pick up produce. Under the deal, Russia has the right to inspect ships to make sure they aren't bringing cargo into Ukraine, such as weapons. "Ukraine has accused it of being overly picky with the inspections," says Bridget Diakun, from the shipping journal Lloyds List. "There is usually a queue of about 100 ships in the entrance to the Black Sea." Only about a quarter of Ukraine's food exports have been going to the world's poorest countries, according to UN figures: 47% has gone to "high-income countries" including Spain, Italy and the Netherlands 26% has gone to "upper-middle income countries" such as Turkey and China27% has gone to "low and lower-middle income countries" like Egypt, Kenya and Sudan Russian president Vladimir Putin has criticised Ukraine for not exporting more of its foodstuffs to developing countries. However, the UN says the exports have benefited needy people around the world because they calmed international food markets, bringing food prices under control. In 2022, more of half of the wheat grain procured by the United Nations World Food Programme came from Ukraine. Between August 2022 and the end of the year, it sent 13 ships from Ukraine carrying a total of over 380,000 tonnes of wheat to Ethiopia, Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia and Afghanistan. Pictures provide evidence of Russian grain theft Correction 17 March 2023: A reference to the volume of the WFP's wheat grain procurement was amended.

A court has ruled that disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes must report to prison while she appeals against her fraud conviction. Holmes, 39, had asked a judge to remain free while she fought against her jail sentence for a blood-testing hoax. She was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after a jury last year found her guilty of defrauding investors. In a separate ruling, US District Judge Edward Davila also ordered Holmes to pay $452m (£363.8m) to victims. She will split the multi-million dollar payment with her former romantic and business partner, ex-Theranos boss Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani. A judge will set a new date for Holmes to go to prison. The BBC has reached out to Holmes' attorneys for comment. Balwani was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being convicted on 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy last year. He began serving his sentence in April after losing his own attempt to remain free while appealing against his conviction. The court has recommended Holmes serve her time behind bars at a federal minimum-security women's prison in Bryan, Texas. Elizabeth Holmes: From tech star to convicted fraudsterThe prison experience Holmes is desperate to avoid Holmes had asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to delay her sentence days before she was supposed to report to prison in April. The Theranos founder had said that she would raise "substantial questions" about her case that could warrant a new trial, an argument that Mr Davila had rejected. "Contrary to her suggestion that accuracy and reliability were central issues to her convictions, Ms Holmes's misrepresentations to Theranos investors involved more than just whether Theranos technology worked as promised," he said at the time. Holmes' attorneys also argued she should remain free while appealing against her case to care for her children. The mother of two has been living in San Diego, California, with her partner, hotel heir William Evans, as well as their one-year-old son William and three-month-old daughter Invicta, Once hailed as the "next Steve Jobs", Holmes was said to be the world's youngest self-made billionaire. She started Theranos after dropping out of Stanford University. During her time leading the company, Holmes was able to raise millions of dollars from high-profile investors, including media mogul Rupert Murdoch, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Oracle founder Larry Ellison. But the start-up crashed in 2018 after investigations revealed its technology did not work. The blood-testing device was purported to be able to run a multitude of tests from just a few drops of blood. The company's infamous downfall was documented in a TV series, an HBO documentary and a podcast.

The world's largest collection of original Banksy artworks is set to go on display once again. Featuring more than 110 pieces from the anonymous Bristol-based artist, The Art of Banksy will open at 84-86 Regent St, London, in July. The artworks include some of his best-known pieces such as Girl With Balloon and Flower Thrower. The exhibition, which is not authorised by the artist, has toured across the world. It has welcomed visitors in Melbourne, Chicago, San Francisco, Sydney, Washington DC, Boston, Tel Aviv, Auckland, Toronto, Miami and Gothenburg. In 2022 it was also on show in Salford in a purpose-built structure. Rude Copper, which depicts a policeman holding up his middle finger, will also be included in the display. Rising to fame by creating stencilled designs around his home city of Bristol in the early 1990s, despite worldwide following, Banksy's identity remains unknown. The exhibition, which has not been authorised by the graffiti artist, with all the works included having been loaned by private collectors, will also include art that is going on display for the first time. Organisers say the London exhibition will, for the first time, see close associates of the artist share their personal stories and give unique insight into some of the famous images. The anonymous testimonials will also share details of how the street art stunts were devised. In 2022 Banksy hinted his fans should shoplift from clothing store Guess in Regent Street, after he accused the company of using his art on their garments without permission. Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk

A restaurant chain is using waste heat generated from its kitchen to heat water and buildings following trials. The success of the year-long trial at Nando's Didsbury branch in Manchester has been rolled out to 14 other stores. The system created by Lancashire energy firm Dext Heat Recovery uses a heat exchange - a box on the roof which collects the heat produced by cooking. Instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, the heat is filtered and recycled. Prof Karl Williams, director of the centre for waste and resource management at the University of Central Lancashire, said he was excited about ways to recover energy to combat the climate emergency. "There's lots of technology out there to recover energy for example from sewers, but every bit helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels," he said. Prof Williams added: "The main challenge I see with this is cost, to have a real impact it needs to go into smaller businesses on our high streets because there are a lot more of them than big chains. "They'd find it difficult to invest as it would take them longer to get payback as they don't generate as much heat as larger chains." The amount of heat produced in the average Nando's kitchen a year is enough to heat more than 30 homes for a year. Dext has been working with Nando's since 2009 when they started collecting the heat from its grills to heat water- a system which is now used to save energy in 300 branches. Director of Dext Heat Recovery Neil Bracewell said he believed it could be a game changer for the restaurant industry. "We work with Sheffield Hallam University where we developed and researched the heat exchanger to cope with dirty air from restaurant kitchens. Wind is main source of electricity for first timeGreen energy projects worth billions stuck on holdIs the UK on track to meet its climate targets? "Nando's have helped us financially and by allowing us to test our equipment." He added it was still a "learning curve", but they were "saving money and reducing CO2 emissions". Mr Bracewell said their systems currently start at about £20,000 but estimated the outlay could be made back in 18 months depending on the size and use of the kitchen. Sam McCarthy, Nando's head of sustainability for the UK and Ireland, said they were keen to share this technology with other restaurant chains. "We have a net zero target of 2030 and this new technology is proving to be a success reducing the impact on the planet and saving money on energy bills which we want to reinvest in the future of our restaurants. "We're always looking to trial new technology to help us with this and it's great to support and work with a small business like Dext." Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk

Why You Should Add Location to Your Data Strategy

Location and geospatial intelligence should be part of every enterprise's strategy as it adds value to software and the enterprise overall. Recent research shows that 74% of data buyers use location data, and at least 25% of enterprises are using more location data than they did 1-3 years ago. Fit for purpose tools are needed to turn this data into insight, and more database vendors are including geospatially compatible structures at no additional cost. SaaS buyers are willing to pay more for applications that include location and/or geospatial capability. The context of where something is happening unlocks greater value by unlocking meaning that hadn't been taken into consideration previously.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/09/16/why-you-should-add-location-to-your-data-strategy/

Evolving Current Economic Scenario and Its Impacts on Asia Pacific Technology Spending

Global risk of recession is increasing due to central banks raising interest rates to control inflation. A recent poll by IDC of 100 CIOs globally indicated that 79% expect a recession in their countries or important buyer countries next year, but mostly mild or moderate. Inflation, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and weakening local currencies contribute to "Storms of Disruption." Japan's economy is doing the opposite of other developed economies by not increasing interest rates. IT leaders in APeJC are concerned about inflation and timely access to products/services due to supply chain disruptions. Consumer IT spending has slowed, while enterprise IT spending remains stable. Investments in digital infrastructure resiliency programs appear at the top of enterprises' priority list.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/08/26/evolving-current-economic-scenario-and-its-impacts-on-asia-pacific-technology-spending/

Food banks are having to buy groceries at high prices because donations fail to meet demand from families in need. The Trussell Trust said 13% of food in emergency parcels was bought, compared with none before the pandemic. Organisers say some shoppers are now splitting multipacks of cans because they cannot afford to donate it all. But new software may be helping solve the dilemma, by telling people exactly which items are running low in their local food bank. Paul McMurray, from North Shields, has created Donation Genie - a website that displays the items that are most needed at each specific food bank across the UK. Visitors to the site simply enter a postcode or name of the area and it will show the addresses of the four nearest food banks and which items are top of their list of requirements. The service does not ask for, or make, any money. It is similar to some other services, but draws on public data, including information provided on individual food bank's own websites. That means they do not need to sign up to benefit. "Food banks are already busy. We don't want to give them extra things to do," said Mr McMurray, a software engineer at Accenture, who used company's charity days to develop the idea. "We want to use the simplicity of technology and kindness of people, then join them together to direct the right food to the right people." That could lead to "less hunger, less waste, and less food poverty", he said. The need is clear from data in his area. There was a 54% rise in food parcels handed out in the North East of England in 2022-23 compared with the previous year, among a record three million across the country, according to The Trussell Trust - the UK's largest food bank provider. Close to Mr McMurray, the network of 36 food banks in County Durham and Sunderland provided food to 2,000 people at the start of last year. By this March, that had risen to more than 4,000 individuals, with children accounting for more than a third of them. Rising demand for help and fewer donations are the result of food prices rising at their fastest rate for 45 years, having gone up by 19.1% in a year, according to official statistics. Those trends shows no sign of stopping, despite predictions of a slowdown in price inflation, according to Paul Conlon, distribution manager for Sunderland and County Durham food banks. "Food prices have really affected donations," he said. "Month-on-month, donations are decreasing - less food is coming in to the warehouse from the public. At the same time, the number of people using food banks is increasing." It is the same story at the other end of the country. In Bromley, south east London, the Living Well food bank spent more than £5,000 in April on produce to give out. Before Covid it ran on donated food alone. Among those who need it now are families with working parents, included one who has three jobs. Elsewhere, figures from surveys by the Charities Aid Foundation show that financial donations to food banks peaked in the run-up to Christmas, then slumped in February, although there has been some recovery since. Food banks told the charity that donated supplies had been "erratic" at best. Mr Conlon, from the Durham food banks network, said any donations were welcome but, in general, there was a greater need for toiletries, as well as tinned meat and fish. People were more likely to drop pasta, cooking sauce and tins of beans in the collection baskets at supermarkets and churches. Evidence of the mismatch was all around him in a warehouse where a team of volunteers were sorting items primarily given by the public. The solution, he said, was to think more creatively. Human-centric technology like Donation Genie is one example of that, community spirit is another. Warning prices to be higher for longer as rates riseHow much are prices rising for you? Try our calculator A few miles away in Gateshead, some of the residents of Bensham Court are playing bingo. Hot dog sausages and tins of coffee are the prizes, signalling the shift in what may be considered a lucky luxury as prices soar. In this sheltered accommodation, one flat has been converted into am emergency food bank. It is a lifeline for some of the 135 residents, all of whom are aged over 50. However, there is such togetherness, that they are planning to top this up with food grown in a new allotment in the grounds of the 1960s tower block. According to Julie Bray, social prescribing link worker at the local GP practice, such activities are bringing health as well as financial benefits. Both have been affected by Covid lockdowns and the rising cost of living. "That keeps them away from their GPs, it stops them from taking medication, and is making them resilient again." Poonam lives here, has struggled financially, but said she had received vital help and support since she moved in, making her feel part of a family - and that was priceless. Look at your cupboards so you know what you have alreadyHead to the reduced section first to see if it has anything you needBuy things close to their sell-by-date which will be cheaper and use your freezer Read more tips here

The Negative Impact of Inflationary Pressures on Cloud ROI

Companies are increasingly turning to cloud computing to overcome macroeconomic pressures, with those with existing cloud deployments benefiting the most. The COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary pressures have further led to increased adoption of cloud services. However, increasing costs are impacting the value businesses receive from their cloud services, with many companies overspending on cloud services in the last year. Late adopters of cloud are seeing an increasing role being played by the company's finance department in signing off on early cloud deployments. Cost and savings are now the second-highest area of concern for organizations dealing with increasing macroeconomic pressures.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/04/26/the-negative-impact-of-inflationary-pressures-on-cloud-roi/

SaaSPath 2023: Banner Books for CPQ, Digital Commerce, Employee Experience, Facility Management, Field Service Management, PIM/PXM, and Procurement

IDC Pivot Table banner books contain data for IDC's SaaSPath 2023 program, covering 7 of the 23 application categories, including digital commerce, CPQ, employee experience, facility management, field service management, PIM/PXM, and procurement. The coverage includes various aspects such as adoption, deployment models, budget plans, purchasing preferences, packaging options, pricing options, vendor reviews and ratings.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50646523&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

Top 4 Effective Changes A Budget-Conscious IT Organization Can Make In 2023

IDC suggests improving software development with a limited budget. Shift focus to creating new business value, analyze tasks for improvement, prioritize features for value, get insight into portfolio dependencies, and facilitate team sharing of common building blocks. These steps can lead to increased predictability, better use of resources, and cost savings. Organizations can also benefit from standard building blocks and decreased security vulnerabilities.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/01/12/top-4-effective-changes-a-budget-conscious-it-organization-can-make-in-2023/

Plans for a 5G mast which conservationists said would "damage" an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle have been scrapped following a backlash. More than 320 objections were lodged against the proposed 17m (56ft) structure on Johnston Terrace, which passes below the castle. Mobile network Three UK originally said the mast would not spoil the view. However it has withdrawn its application following a review and said it was trying to find a suitable site. Plans for 5G mast in Edinburgh 'will damage iconic castle view' A spokesperson for Three said: "We want to offer a great network experience in the area and our planners determined that a new site was required to deliver it. "Following a review, we have withdrawn our application and are working with the city planning team to try to find a suitable location for the mast." The firm added that 5G rollout is vital for residents, visitors and businesses in the centre of Edinburgh. The mast was proposed by CK Hutchison Networks to help provide coverage for Three UK's network. It proposed to build the structure on Johnstone Terrace at the top of Granny's Green Steps - which is just below the castle rock. Historic Environment Scotland, which manages Edinburgh Castle, said it had not been consulted about the plans. Many city tours stop in the Grassmarket area so visitors can capture the view looking up at the landmark. Terry Levinthal, director of Scotland's oldest conservation charity the Cockburn Association, welcomed news of the plans being withdrawn. He previously told the BBC it was "unacceptable" to erect a mast in such a significant location. On Tuesday, he said: "It has to be appropriate for the place. Some places have 5G masts that are not necessarily pretty, but are not having an impact - but in some places, it is. "There is is a duty in any planning application to make sure any proposal preserves the character and appearance of the area. "What we hope for in future is for operators, the city council and other interested parties to sit down and begin thinking of the best way of doing this and what are the sensitive areas." Mr Levinthal added he was happy to have discussions with companies who wanted to develop in conservation areas. In Edinburgh alone 50 areas have been granted the status, which recognises parts of special architectural or historic interest.

IDC Market Note: 2023 OCP Regional Summit Prague

The 2023 OCP Regional Summit in Prague showcased various technology demos and announcements related to IT ecosystem, edge, security, chiplet, and datacenter infrastructure. It featured participation from vendors, datacenter owners, and other organizations.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50619923&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

Four Impacts of the National Digital Plan on the Acceleration of Digital Businesses in China

China has revealed its plan for digital development, outlining 13 key goals to be completed by 2025 and 2035. The plan will promote digital businesses and provide opportunities for ICT vendors, while also supporting the building of a modern socialist country. The framework of "2522" guides the development of the economy and society, with specific guarantee measures in place. The plan will be used as a reference for evaluating leading officials' performance.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/03/20/four-impacts-of-the-national-digital-plan-on-the-acceleration-of-digital-businesses-in-china/

Facebook parent company Meta has begun rolling out a paid verification service in the UK. Similar to Elon Musk's Twitter Blue, the service gives Facebook and Instagram users a blue tick from £9.99 per month. Subscribers must be at least 18 years old and submit a government ID to qualify. The feature is already available in the US, Australia and New Zealand. People who registered interest in Meta Verified will receive a notification when it becomes available to them. It is rolling out to others in the UK in the coming weeks. Those approved by Meta will get a verified badge, which the tech firm says will give them more protection from impersonation, in part because it will monitor their accounts to check for fakers. It says verified users will also get "access to a real person" if they have any issue with their account. The move comes after Mr Musk implemented the premium Twitter Blue subscription in November 2022. The service proved controversial at the time as it replaced the previous system, where blue ticks were used to verify that high-profile accounts belonged to the people they claimed to be. Mr Musk removed what became termed "legacy" verification ticks from account holders on 20 April - reserving the "verified" blue badge for those who had paid for Twitter Blue, and authenticated their phone number. The blue tick removal process led to mass confusion as high-profile users like Hillary Clinton lost their verification badges and subscribers were able to edit their own username to impersonate them. Twitter later chose to return blue ticks to a number of celebrities, governments and organisations for free. Both Facebook and Instagram already have a verification system for notable figures, and Meta does not appear to be planning to scrap this anytime soon. According to the support pages for the platforms, as well as subscribing to Meta Verified, users can still apply for a verified badge if they are "a public figure, celebrity or brand and meet the account and eligibility requirements". The decision to add a paid-for verification system amounts to a change of direction for Facebook and Instagram, which have previously both been free to use in all circumstances since they rose to prominence. The services have relied on advertising income, which makes up the vast majority of Meta's revenue. While both can still be used for free, the decision to add a paid tier which increases prominence is an attempt to find other ways of monetising the platforms. It comes six months after the company announced 11,000 job losses as a result of what it said was over-investment during the pandemic. At the time, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg said he had predicted an increase in the company's growth but that ultimately had not happened.

IDC Market Glance: Future of Work — Space/Place, 2Q23

IDC Market Glance shows current state of Future of Work technology landscape for "space/place" pillar, which will account for 60% of FoW spending in 2023. Organizations invest in on-premises workplaces and intelligent digital workspaces to support hybrid workforce and work culture. "Space" vendors include hardware, software, and service providers as well as IaaS and enterprise hardware vendors. Expect new players, M&A activity, and evolving platforms to meet employee needs.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US49961323&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

At Prime Minister's Questions, Rishi Sunak described Labour as "a party that stands for higher council tax". Earlier in the day, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat told BBC News: "[Council] tax in Labour areas... is about £80 more than in Conservative areas". But Labour is running a tweet in which it claims: "Conservative councils already charge £345 more than Labour ones." They are talking about council tax rates in England, where many areas are holding elections in May 2023. There are also elections due in Northern Ireland, but they have a separate domestic rating system, not council tax. So which is correct? It is very difficult to say, as other organisations have concluded in the past. There are several questions to answer if you try to do this sort of calculation, which have considerable impact on the answer. Council tax: What is it and how much has it gone up by?Local elections 2023: When are they and who can vote?Have the Conservatives increased council tax by 15%? The first question is whether you are only including councils in which one party has an overall majority. Many councils do not, in which case sometimes one party will try to run it with a minority administration and sometimes there will be a coalition. We asked the Conservatives about their calculation and they told us they were only looking at councils with an overall majority that are up for election in May 2023. We asked Labour for their methodology and they did not get back to us. But they told the Telegraph that if the Conservatives had looked at all council areas then Labour would have turned out to be cheaper. In that article, the Conservatives also claimed that Tory-run councils charge £21 less than ones run by the Liberal Democrats. We asked the Liberal Democrats to comment and they told us: "Liberal Democrats have long called for more powers and funding for local authorities, yet year after year, out-of-touch Conservative ministers have slashed budgets and left people with no choice but to raise council tax." The Conservatives are comparing the bills paid by people living in a Band D property. In England, bands are based on the value of a property in April 1991 - the higher the value the higher the band and so the higher the council tax. The Band D comparison for a household with two adults is widely used as a way of comparing what people in similar circumstances across different areas are paying. But it is not a typical bill because that would be affected by the housing stock in an area, for example. To take that into account, some people instead compare the average bill per household. There are different types of councils: town or parish councils, district councils, county councils and unitary authorities. It is important to compare like with like. The Conservatives have averaged the taxes across these tiers. But there are considerable difficulties in this. Consider, for example, someone living in St Albans. For every £1 they pay in council tax: 77p goes to Hertfordshire County Council, which has a Conservative majority9p goes to St Albans City and District Council, which has a Liberal Democrat majority11p goes to the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, who is a Conservative 3p goes to parish councils, which are not necessarily political. So, in this case, while the majority of the charges on the council tax bill will have been set by Conservatives on the county council, some will also have been set by Liberal Democrats on the district council. Some parts of a council tax bill may also go to fund adult social care or a mayor, for example, and crucially they may be set by members of a different party to the one that sets your main council tax. So how do you allocate these parts of the bill? The decisions you take about any of these questions can make a big difference to the answer, which means you cannot say definitively which party has the cheapest council tax. What claims do you want BBC Reality Check to investigate? Get in touch Read more from Reality Check

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Process Manufacturing Execution Systems 2023 Vendor Assessment

IDC MarketScape's report on MES software providers serving process manufacturing subindustries, part of a four-report series. Asset-intensive producers face challenges from raised energy costs, regulations, and customer pressure. Factory leaders should evaluate their future MES to make the best decisions.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=EUR150526323&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

U.S. Business Use Smartphone Forecast, 2023-2027

IDC's study forecasts the growth of corporate-liable device shipments by 8% over the next five years, indicating a growing dependency on mobility in the enterprise.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50480223&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

Worldwide Smartphone Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC study predicts 1.19 billion smartphone shipments globally in 2023, with a CAGR of 2.6% till 2027. Q1-Q2 of 2023 will see a dip in sales, followed by growth in Q3-Q4 due to flagship launches.

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Nara Ward says keeping track of her kids' spending when they are playing their favourite computer games is a full-time job. Ms Ward lives in Barbados with her husband and sons, Finn, 14, and Leif, 12. When Leif started playing Roblox, he began asking for robux - the game's currency - that allows players to upgrade their character or buy virtual items. So his grandparents gave him $200 (£159) Apple credit for Christmas. "To my shock, he spent all of it in a matter of days," says Ms Ward. "After that, I gave him no more than $10 worth of robux per month. He quickly became frustrated and bored with the game." Leif moved on to World of Tanks, which also requires players to upgrade their weaponry using PlayStation credit. "However, this game has the option to watch ads to gain credit," says Ms Ward. "He would do that out of desperation when he had used up his monthly gaming allowance." Ms Ward says her younger son has yet to learn self-control or money-sense. "It's something that I have to police constantly." Rather than profiting from the initial sale of a video game, many of today's gaming companies rely on revenue generated by in-game purchases, or microtransactions. The content purchased can be purely aesthetic - dance moves, skins or clothing. Alternatively, in-game purchases can provide a tactical advantage to the gameplay - extra lives, character upgrades or weapons - providing a lead over players who did not purchase the additional content. The global online microtransaction market is forecast to grow from $67.94bn in 2022 to $76.66bn in 2023. However, there are signs of a backlash from experts and consumers alike. Also, some companies are promising new releases that are in-game purchase-free. Gaming companies use behavioural psychology to manipulate users into spending, says Prof Sarah Mills, and the link between gaming and gambling is becoming "increasingly blurred", she explains. Ms Mills is professor of human geography at Loughborough University. Her research found gambling techniques make gamers play for longer and spend more money, and drive repeat buying. Vicki Shotbolt, chief executive of Parent Zone, an organisation which helps parents navigate the digital world for their children, is more specific about how games incentivise players to part with their money. By spending players can "avoid the grind" - where making an in-game purchase means you avoid hours of monotonous gaming to progress to another level. "Fun pain" is where you risk losing something important if you don't make a purchase. Meanwhile, "obfuscation techniques", like in-game currencies, make it hard to see how much you're really spending. Another tactic is the use of "loot boxes". Players buy a box without knowing what's inside. It could contain a game-changing item - but more often than not the prize is nothing more than a mediocre customisation. "Young people recalled senses of shame when they reflected on the amount they spent trying to gain a rare item, even if they were successful," says Prof Mills. And - despite many children saying they dislike in-game purchasing - spending money on microtransactions has become an expectation. While spending on games has risen, some argue that playing games can benefit young people and fears are exaggerated. Gaming as a form of play has been found to relieve stress, help develop cognitive skills and combat loneliness. As a teenager Zhenghua Yang, from Colorado, spent two years in hospital. "I played a lot of video games. The single-player games made me feel like a hero. The multiplayer games connected me to other people. I made life-long friends all over the world." In 2014, Mr Yang founded Serenity Forge, a gaming company on a mission to help others. To date, more than 20 million people have played the firm's games. "We are in the business of expanding people's horizons," says Mr Yang. Serenity Forge does not use microtransactions but, says Mr Yang, that could change in the future if they found them to contribute to "meaningful, emotionally impactful games that challenge the way you think". The impact of microtransactions, says Mr Yang, depends on the vulnerability of the user. "Like a credit card can be dangerous for someone in an inappropriate context, so too can microtransactions. However, credit cards can also serve an important function and in-game purchases can be important to a gamer engaging with their favourite game." Sarah Loya's son Andrew, 14, spends almost all his pocket money on gaming but, she says, that isn't a problem and gaming makes him happy. "He plays daily, after school and on the weekends. I don't really see much of a negative. He's a smart kid and knows the difference between reality and fantasy." Ms Loya lives in Texas with Andrew, and his brother Rex, 6. "My bank account is linked to Andrew's subscription, so I would see if he purchased something without permission," says the 43-year-old, "but he always asks me before making a purchase." More technology of business: Teaching robots to blink is hard but importantWhy there is serious money in kitchen fumesThe tech entrepreneur betting he can get youngerHow LinkedIn is changing and why some are not happyThe remote Swedish town leading the green steel race While it can be difficult for parents to keep track of registered emails, passwords and payment cards across various platforms and devices - there are ways that you can protect your teen and your bank account. Child accounts and parental controls can be used to disable purchases or set a spending limit. Parents can set up email notifications to flag purchases, and use gift cards rather than credit cards. Perhaps most importantly, adds Mr Yang, talk to your child. "In my experience, friction stems from a lack of parental presence," he says. "I now have two kids and, instead of using games as a babysitting tool, I make sure I'm present in their lives as they consume media." Back in Barbados, Ms Ward has set up screen time limits and passcodes to keep Leif gaming safely. "My password is needed to make any purchases and if he wants money added to his account he has to ask me. Microtransactions are annoying but this is a life lesson." If parents are worried about a young person struggling with gaming or potential gambling-related harms, please visit the Parent Hub website by YGAM (Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) for support and resource.

Voters across Northern Ireland go to the polls on 18 May to choose new councillors for the first time in four years. The elections give people the chance to decide who is responsible for a range of local issues - such as leisure services, bin collections and the rates bills paid by every household. A total of 462 seats will be contested in all of Northern Ireland's 11 councils. The elections have been pushed back by two weeks due to the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May. To find out who is standing in your area, type your postcode into the bar below. The elections use the single transferable vote (STV) system, the same as is used for elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Voters mark the ballot paper in order of preference - with a 1 beside their favourite candidate, a 2 beside their second-favourite and so on. Voters choose councillors in their district electoral area (DEA). Each DEA is represented by five, six or seven councillors. There are three ways to vote: In person at a polling station (often in places such as schools and community centres)By postal voteBy nominating a proxy to vote on your behalf You will get a polling card before election day telling you where your polling station is. You do not need this card to vote. Voters must be: Aged 18 or overRegistered at an address in the area where they want to voteA British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen or eligible Commonwealth citizenNot legally excluded from voting You need photographic ID to vote, such as a passport or driving licence. A full list of acceptable ID is available on the Electoral Office website. The big story of the 2019 local elections was the rise in support for the Alliance Party, which gained 21 seats across all councils to claim a total of 53. It remained the fifth-largest party overall but closed the gap on the Social Democratic and Labour Party, which dropped by seven seats to 59. The Democratic Unionist Party won 122 seats - a drop of eight - to remain the largest party while Sinn Féin was second with 105, unchanged from the previous election. The Ulster Unionist Party was third with 75 seats - a drop of 13. Smaller parties the Greens and People Before Profit both gained four seats each while the Traditional Unionist Voice dropped by seven to hold six overall. Council elections are also often used by voters to give their opinion on the various political parties, even on issues which are not directly related to councils, so the results can often be a sign of things to come. For example Alliance's strong performance was followed by its success in European, Westminster and Stormont elections over the course of the following three years. Councils are responsible for a range of services, including: Leisure servicesCemeteriesWaste collection and disposalLocal planning Dog control They also look after some local tourism, off-street parking and elements of heritage such as managing conservation areas. These services are paid for by rates. Every council votes each year on what the district rate will be in their area, which is added to the regional rate set by Stormont and sent out to every eligible household as a rates bill. The elections will decide the make-up of each council, which has an impact on their approach to the services run by each local authority. Earlier in the year, all 11 councils agreed their highest rate rises since local government reform in 2015, so the upcoming election will be a chance for voters to give their views on that, as well as on candidates' plans for rates in the future. Voters may also use the elections to give a verdict on the parties' approaches to the Windsor Framework - the amended Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Animals - apart from assistance dogs - are not usually allowed in polling stations. However, as dogs aren't specifically mentioned in UK electoral law, they are admitted to polling stations at the discretion of the local authority. Voters are encouraged to bring children to polling stations to help educate them about democracy, but they are not allowed to mark your ballot paper. Counting of the votes begins on Friday 19 May, the day after the election. In 2019, counting continued past midnight and into the next day.

Worldwide Business Use Tablet Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC predicts a slowdown in business tablet deployments due to device life cycle increases and reprioritization of mobility software spending by IT departments.

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Billions of pounds' worth of green energy projects are on hold because they cannot plug into the UK's electricity system, BBC research shows. Some new solar and wind sites are waiting up to 10 to 15 years to be connected because of a lack of capacity in the system - known as the "grid". Renewable energy companies worry it could threaten UK climate targets. National Grid, which manages the system, acknowledges the problem but says fundamental reform is needed. The UK currently has a 2035 target for 100% of its electricity to be produced without carbon emissions. Last year nearly half of the country's electricity was net-zero. Where does the UK get its energy and electricity?Wind generated a record amount of power in 2022 But meeting the target will require a big increase in the number of renewable projects across the country. It is estimated as much as five times more solar and four times as much wind is needed. The government and private investors have spent £198bn on renewable power infrastructure since 2010. But now energy companies are warning that significant delays to connect their green energy projects to the system will threaten their ability to bring more green power online. A new wind farm or solar site can only start supplying energy to people's homes once it has been plugged into the grid. Energy companies like Octopus Energy, one of Europe's largest investors in renewable energy, say they have been told by National Grid that they need to wait up to 15 years for some connections - far beyond the government's 2035 target. There are currently more than £200bn worth of projects sitting in the connections queue, the BBC has calculated. Around 40% of them face a connection wait of at least a year, according to National Grid's own figures. That represents delayed investments worth tens of billions of pounds. "We currently have one of the longest grid queues in Europe," according to Zoisa North-Bond, chief executive of Octopus Energy Generation. The problem is so many new renewable projects are applying for connections, the grid cannot keep up. The system was built when just a few fossil fuel power plants were requesting a connection each year, but now there are 1,100 projects in the queue. Torbay Council has been hit by the delays. The diggers are already clearing the ground for a 6-hectare solar plant it is building in Torquay. It is due to be finished next year. The council plans to use money raised from selling the energy to help fund local services, but it has been told the plant will not be connected for five years. And even that date is not certain. "Worryingly, there are some indications that that could slip into the mid 2030s", said Alan Denby from Torbay Council. "That's a real problem for the council in that we declared that we wanted to be carbon neutral by 2030." With projects unable to get connections, construction is either being paused or projects are being completed but are unable to produce any power. National Grid, which is responsible for moving electricity across England and Wales, says it is tightening up the criteria for projects to apply so only the really promising ones join the queue. But a huge new investment is also required to restructure the grid so it can deal with more power sources, says Roisin Quinn, director of customer connections. "Fundamental reform is needed," she told the BBC. "More infrastructure is needed. We are working very hard to design and build at a faster pace than we ever have done before." Energy Networks Association represents the UK's network operators, such as DNOs, which connect people's homes to the main system owned by National Grid. It says that the government needs to speed up the planning process so electricity infrastructure can be built more quickly. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "We have connected the second highest amount of renewable electricity in Europe since 2010 but we recognise the challenge of connection delays." The government is due to announce a new action plan for speeding up connections later this year. The energy regulator, Ofgem, which oversees the operators, said that all stakeholders were playing catch-up with the government's targets. Rebecca Barnett, director of networks at Ofgem, said: "The targets have been increasing in the last two or three years dramatically and there is a long lead in investment time that is needed to commit, develop, and deliver these really big assets. "I think that has caused a real problem; we definitely need to catch up. The incremental approach of the past is not fit for purpose." Ofgem says it has agreed to allow the National Grid to raise an additional £20bn over the next 40 years from customer bills to pay for the huge upgrades the grid needs. Customers have seen household prices soar over the last year following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and a run-on gas. But Ms Barnett said this new investment will have a minimal impact on customers bills and will help shoulder the burden of some of the volatile energy prices. "The future is for green, more secure and in fact cheaper energy. We know there is some investment cost needed to get us there, but in the long run it is going to be cheaper for us all," she said.

Worldwide Business Use Smartphone Forecast, 2023-2027

This IDC study presents the five-year forecast for the worldwide business use of smartphone shipments by operating system (Android and iOS) and user type (consumer, individual liable, and corporate liable). It is part of IDC's continuing research on mobile devices. Findings in this document are based on information gathered from primary and secondary sources during the past six months."Business use smartphone shipments are expected to remain stable over the forecast period, with a five-year CAGR of 2.9%, and YoY volumes will only see a modest 1.0% reduction worldwide," said Bryan Bassett, research manager, IDC's Enterprise Mobility: Workspace and Deployment Strategies program. "Despite the impacts of geopolitical stress and global inflation, businesses remain increasingly dependent on mobile-centric workflows, making smartphones pivotal to the ongoing success of global business strategies."

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Worldwide Mobile Phone Forecast, 2023–2027

Mobile phone shipments worldwide will reach 1,403 million units in 2023, down 2.4% from 2022, but will grow to 1,516.6 million units by 2027. The decline in 2023 is a recovery from the painful decline in 2022. The first and second quarters of 2023 will see a drop of 9.3%, but there will be a nice turnaround with 4.6% growth in the second half of the year due to new flagships and holiday sales.

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A music festival has been cancelled less than a month before it was due to take place, with the organisers blaming "spiralling" costs. Detonate was due to be held at Colwick Park in Nottingham on 10 June, headlined by a DJ set from electronic duo Chase & Status. Some people who have already booked hotels have complained on social media about the festival being cancelled. The organisers said they were "gutted" to "postpone" the festival. They have said it "will be back soon", despite also saying that costs of putting on the festival have increased. A statement posted online said: "We're completely gutted, but a number of factors mean that it now feels impossible for us to put on the festival to the expected standard. "Everything that's needed to put on a festival has gone up massively, and costs are continuing to spiral as we get closer to the event. "We're unable to pass these costs on to ticket buyers in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis." The organisers said refunds would be given to all those who had bought tickets. "This isn't a decision we've taken lightly, and we know it's disappointing for the thousands of you that have tickets," the statement said. The festival is held every year at Colwick Park. Organiser James Busby told BBC Radio Nottingham they had no plans to stop but changes may need to be made for future events. "What we need to do at this point is find a more sustainable model that works for how things are now. "What we've been doing is the same model as pre-pandemic, which perhaps is no longer a workable thing," he said. In 2016 a Halloween Detonate event was shut down three hours ahead of the scheduled end time due to health and safety fears. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.

IDC PlanScape: Digital Sovereignty for Policymakers

The IDC PlanScape guides policymakers in deciding the level of sovereignty to mandate, involving stakeholders, investments, and risks. Digital sovereignty strategies require consideration of all attributes and collaboration with the industry for effective regulations, according to Massimiliano Claps, IDC EMEA research director.

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Vietnam has recorded its highest ever temperature, just over 44C (111F) - with experts predicting it would soon be surpassed because of climate change. The record was set in the northern province of Thanh Hoa, where officials warned people to stay indoors during the hottest times of the day. Other countries in the region have also been experiencing extremely hot weather. Thailand reported a record-equalling 44.6C in its western Mak province. Meanwhile Myanmar's media reported that a town in the east had recorded 43.8C, the highest temperature for a decade. Both countries experience a hot period before the monsoon season but the intensity of the heat has broken previous records. In Hanoi, climate change expert Nguyen Ngoc Huy told AFP that Vietnam's new record was "worrying" given the "context of climate change and global warming". "I believe this record will be repeated many times," he said. "It confirms that extreme climate models are being proven to be true." The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments make steep cuts to emissions. In Vietnam's central city of Danang, farmer Nguyen Thi Lan told AFP the heat was forcing workers to start earlier than ever and finish by 10:00. Vietnam's previous record temperature of 43.4C was set in central Ha Tinh province four years ago. Further west, the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka recorded its highest temperature since the 1960s while Indian authorities said parts of the country were experiencing temperatures that were three or four degrees above normal. In April, Spain recorded its hottest-ever temperature for that month, hitting 38.8C at Cordoba airport in the south of the country. In March climate scientists said a key global temperature goal was likely to be missed. Governments had previously agreed to act to avoid global temperature rises going above 1.5C. But the world has already warmed by 1.1C and now experts say that it is likely to breach 1.5C in the 2030s. In its report, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said "every increment of global warming will intensify multiple and concurrent hazards".

A mother says she watched her terrified seven-year-old son ride a rollercoaster without the safety bar down. Emma Underhill said she was unable to sleep after watching James ride the Nessi rollercoaster at the Rhyl Family Fun Fair in the Children's Village. Ms Underhill, 27, said she was horrified when she realised James was not strapped in. A Rhyl Family Fun Fair spokesperson said an internal investigation was ongoing. It was not the family's first time at the park, but it was the first time James had been allowed on the rollercoaster by his mother. Once off the ride, Ms Underhill said her son was "shaking and petrified". Theme park's 'sadness' over rollercoaster injuries "He said: 'Mummy, I thought I was going to fall out and die'," the mum from Greenfield, Flintshire, said. "I can't sleep. I'm getting upset talking about it. I can still see his face on that ride now. I had to watch him go around that whole track once, knowing he wasn't strapped in. As a parent who has always kept my children safe, it was terrifying." The theme park said it was treating the complaint "very seriously", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed the matter was passed to their concerns team and North Wales Police said they attended the incident. Ms Underhill, was at the theme park on 13 May with her partner Daniel Badrock, 28, James and their other son George, two. She said: "It was Daniel's birthday, so we thought we'd take the children out. James wanted to go on the Nessi rollercoaster on his own. He was very excited, thinking he was brave. Bless him. "James sat on the rollercoaster waiting to go. We were watching when he screamed: 'I'm not strapped in'. "My partner and I were literally screaming to the ride operator that James wasn't strapped in, and he replied: 'Yes, he is'," Ms Underhill claimed. "I watched petrified as the rollercoaster moved. The ride goes around twice, but the operator didn't stop it until after the first lap, and it was then he noticed the safety bar wasn't down on James. "James had just been holding on to a handrail the whole way around with no safety bar. I ran up and got James off the ride. I was in a panic, and James was screaming the whole time around. "There are signs on the rollercoaster saying the safety bar will be put down immediately, but there was no safety-bar check. It's not a slow rollercoaster - it has some speed to it." "He's lucky there were no physical injuries, but psychologically our anxiety has gone through the roof," she said. A Rhyl Family Fun Fair spokesperson said: "There was a complaint that was brought to our attention on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Although there were no injuries sustained, we have launched an internal investigation which is currently ongoing." They also said due to the investigation they could not comment further, but that the park has health and safety measures including safety checks. It said they were taking the complaint "very seriously". The family are waiting for a call back from the doctor on how to manage James' stress levels, his mother said. She also reported the matter to Denbighshire County Council and the HSE. She said there was "no apology from the ride operator or the owner". "We are meant to be going to Thomas the Tank Engine Land in a couple of months. James has said he doesn't want to go on a rollercoaster for the rest of his life." Ms Underhill said the incident had left them "angry and upset". A police spokesperson said: "We were called shortly after 1pm on Saturday, May 13 to report a dispute in the Children's Village area of Rhyl. Officers attended the area to speak with those involved as well as staff members at the site." The council said fairground safety concerns were the responsibility of the HSE.

Scotland's national clinical director said the easing of face mask rules in care homes and healthcare settings was a "good thing". Prof Jason Leitch said Covid would be treated like any other respiratory disease. The return to pre-pandemic guidance comes more than three years on from the start of Covid face mask restrictions. Some individual health and social care settings may still ask people to wear masks for infection control reasons. The change comes two weeks after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency". Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Prof Leitch said the move allowed countries to make risk-based choices. "One of the things we had was extra rules about face coverings for Covid - now we're going back to standard rules," he said. "Everyone is fatigued with a global pandemic. "But I've been in environments where alcohol gel has re-appeared. Vaccination numbers would suggest that the country still cares enough to know that the principal protective route is available and people are still staying off a bit more when they're sick. "We're downgrading the use of face coverings [in healthcare settings]. That's a good thing for communication, for families and for most people." Covid: Law on wearing face masks in Scotland is liftedCovid global health emergency is over, WHO saysFace coverings now compulsory in Scotland's shops Face coverings were first recommended in healthcare settings in June 2020. The requirement to wear them in other places, such as on buses and in shops, was then introduced later as the country opened up after Covid lockdown measures. This legal requirement ended in April last year but guidance for health and social care settings was kept in place. Now staff, patients, service users and visitors will no longer be routinely asked to wear face masks in these settings. The BBC has heard from people with health conditions who have concerns about the latest relaxation of the rules. Brian Keeley, from Aberdeen, had a heart transplant in 2013 and takes medication every day to suppress his immune system and prevent organ rejection. Although he expects medics in immunotherapy settings will continue to wear masks, Brian frequently has appointments in other healthcare settings where he fears people may not be as careful. He said: "I go to clinic every six months, but I also have to go to the GP, to respiratory appointments, local clinics to give blood samples, vaccinations clinics that are full of people. "These are things we have to do anyway and nobody there knows the level of vulnerability of people. "I was at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary recently and everyone there was wearing face masks. It was all very safe and reassuring but from today that may not be the case." Brian said he felt things were moving on without consideration for people who are still "effectively shielding" given the prevalence of Covid. The latest Public Health Scotland figures show one in 40 people have Covid - which is down from a peak of one in nine in March. "I think we've got used to the fact that in settings where people have a choice then the majority of people are well vaccinated," said Brian. "It's great that vaccination has been so successful. "But for those of us where vaccination has a limited effect, we still have to live our lives as if we've never been vaccinated. "It's a lonely place to be." First Minister Humza Yousaf said the change to rules on face masks was an "evolution of the guidance" but stressed that "Covid isn't over". He added: "People may themselves have had Covid recently or had a family member have Covid recently. "It's really important we follow all of those guidelines in order to keep ourselves safe and the public safe." Chief nursing officer Alex McMahon added: "Due to the success of vaccines in protecting people, and the availability of treatments, now is the right time to revise the advice on wearing masks in health and social care settings and return to pre-pandemic guidance." While he said some staff "may have concerns" about the change, Mr McMahon said organisations would carry out individual occupational health assessments and risk assessments as appropriate. He added: "We continue to be vigilant in our response to Covid-19 and encourage everyone to make sure they are up to date with the boosters available to them." Officials at the WHO said the status of Covid had changed after the global estimated virus death rate dropped from a peak of more than 100,000 people per week in January 2021 to just over 3,500 on 24 April. But the organisation warned the removal of the highest level of alert did not mean the danger was over and said the emergency status could be reinstated if the situation changed.

How Important Is Web3 and Decentralization to Industry Ecosystems?

Web3 is a collection of open technologies supporting decentralized data, knowledge, and value. It utilizes DAOs, blockchains, NFTs, and smart contracts to establish immutable transactions. Web3 can serve as the foundation for industry ecosystems and the metaverse. While interest in Web3 and the metaverse is strong, IT investments have not followed suit. Organizations are still figuring out how to implement it, but there are opportunities for every enterprise to incorporate it as a complement to their existing way of working. Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) present an opportunity for existing organizations to enhance their operations. By 2028, consortium-based DAOs will be the standard for industry ecosystem ventures. IT investments for industry ecosystems are still at a fundamental stage. Organizations see the value in finding optimal use cases across industry that complement the current Web2 approach of centralized control of data and applications.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/04/12/how-important-is-web3-and-decentralization-to-industry-ecosystems/

Worldwide and U.S. Hosted Application Management Services Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC predicts spending on hosted application management services will increase from 2022-2027, with cloud and hybrid cloud models becoming more common. Organizations will choose service providers based on scalability, speed, data security, and cost reductions.

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Worldwide DRAM Demand and Supply Forecast, 4Q22–4Q23 and 2023–2027: Down Cycle Extends

IDC study predicts a market correction for DRAM industry due to an inventory surplus causing pricing to fall below cash cost, leading to players struggling for survival. The correction is expected to continue for a year, with the next upcycle starting in 2025.

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A mayor who denied there was "industrial-scale corruption" at a multimillion-pound redevelopment has said he would support a full investigation being carried out.Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has faced concerns over the transfer of millions of pounds of assets at Teesworks to private developers.Labour shadow secretary for Levelling Up Lisa Nandy said there were "serious questions" that "remained unanswered".Mr Houchen said: "I want this nipped in the bud once and for all". It followed reports land, potentially worth millions of pounds, at the former steel works site in Redcar were handed to private investors for £100.Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald had accused developers of financially benefitting from land that had seen millions of pounds of taxpayer investment.Tees Valley mayor denies Labour MP's Teesworks corruption claimsMs Nandy said the Labour Party had called on the National Audit Office to investigate. She cited the Financial Times, which she said "raised questions about the use of public money, the oversight, transparency and accountability of public money"."We're calling on the NAO to launch an investigation to ensure those decisions are being taken for the benefit of the people, and not just used to line the pockets of a small handful of people", she said.Ms Nandy said she believed there had been a breakdown of "local scrutiny arrangements". Mr Houchen maintained claims of wrongdoing were "untrue" and the site was being "smeared."He said : "What they [Labour] are trying to do is pull down work that, not just me, but my officials and the team have done to deliver those jobs."I am quite happy to put all that to bed and allow the Labour Party to have an investigation".Mr Houchen later submitted a letter to the NAO, which does not currently have the remit to review decisions made at the site, asking for an exception to allow them to investigate. The government previously said the allegations were false and independent audits of accounts had "not raised any concerns".The NAO previously said it had made inquiries into the government funding that was within its remit, and found funding had been used as intended.It said it would be liaising with relevant government departments and that no decision on whether to conduct a more detailed audit had yet been taken. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

Police officers in the Indian state of Assam are being asked to lose weight in a few months or leave the force. A top state police official said that the body mass index (BMI) of all officers will be "professionally recorded" starting mid-August. Officers in the "obese" category will then be given time until November to reduce weight or voluntarily retire. People with medical conditions will be exempted, said GP Singh, Assam's director general of police. Mr Singh said in a tweet that he would be the first in the force to get his BMI recorded. A few weeks ago, Assam's chief minister had said that around 300 police personnel in the state would be asked to retire early because they were "habitual drinkers" and "physically unfit". He said it was part of an exercise to "cut the deadwood out of the police force". Heavy drinkers told to leave India police force Studies have found that Indian police officers often work long, irregular hours without proper rest or breaks. In 2018, reserve police officers in Karnataka state were also asked to lose weight or face suspension. A top official had told the BBC at the time that the decision was taken because several officers had died due to "lifestyle-related diseases" such as cardiac problems and diabetes in the past 18 months. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight by the square of their height, and is used by many doctors, health service providers and insurers around the world to decide whether an individual is healthy, overweight or obese. But its is also highly controversial - several experts have argued that using BMI as a measure of health is flawed as it is inaccurate, unscientific and and designed for white, European men. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. To kiss or not - the taboo around public affection in IndiaThe officer accused of asking for bribe from Shah Rukh KhanThe remarkable reinvention of cricket icon Dhoni at 41 Dozens held in India after Islamic State film rowThe life of India's gangster-politician killed on live TV

Greggs says sales have gone up nearly a fifth compared to this time in 2022, saying its food remains "compelling" to customers in the cost-of-living crisis. The bakery chain, which opened its first shop in Newcastle in 1951, opened 63 new shops this year and extended some opening hours. The company said hot food like chicken goujons, wedges and pizza were popular, adding total sales were up 17% on 2022. But it said inflation and pressures on incomes remained challenging. It said though it was confident its "outstanding value proposition continues to be compelling". In the past year Greggs has opened the new shops but closed 25 franchises, leaving it now with more than 2,360 outlets. The rise in 2023 was partly because the beginning of last year was impacted by the Omicron variant of coronavirus, Greggs said. The bakery announced in March plans to open 150 shops and extend opening hours. Greggs' chief executive Roisin Currie said customers were "loving the versatility" of hot and cold options. "It's all about offering that choice, so people can come in more frequently," she said. "They can come in time and time again and try lots of different things, as well as they favourites that they love." The company said sales growth was likely to "normalise" throughout 2023 if inflation started to ease. But it said it was still expecting cost inflation to reach about 9% to 10% this year, driven by staff pay pressures and higher energy costs. The national average price of its takeaway sausage roll is currently £1.20, up from £1 at the start of 2022. The company is increasingly targeting busy commuter areas, with new shops opening in London's Canary Wharf station and Cardiff and Glasgow airports. Ms Currie added the company had launched another two new Tasty cafes in Primark stores, including Bristol, to attract customers "on the go". The group is also currently choosing a location to trial a 24-hour drive thru, she added. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

A host of celebrities have joined an art campaign that supports palliative care nurses. Run by Sobell House Hospice Charity, the My Lovely Postcards project uses art from creatives and well-known figures to raise money in memory of an Oxford woman who died of bowel cancer. Beth's Bursary Fund was set up in memory of Beth Foreman who died aged 32 in 2016. Celebrities involved include Judi Dench and Mel Giedroyc. The project has more than 180 original artworks, including those by well-known figures. They will feature in an exhibition and be available to buy via an online auction. Veronica Brooks, who was a friend of Ms Foreman, said they wanted to "appropriately honour" the fashion design graduate's creativity, describing her as "such a lively, creative young woman". The money raised will go towards helping to pay for additional skills training for specialist palliative nurses and palliative care staff. Jonas Foreman, Beth's brother, said that the fund will help nurses access vital training courses that they would otherwise have to pay for themselves. He said: "Whilst being at the hospice, we discovered how tough it is for nurses to access the training they want to do to develop. "If we can increase the chance of someone else getting access to the kind of care that Beth got, then that is a small win for life in general." Mary Walding, Lead Specialist Nurse for Palliative Care, at Sobell House Hospice Charity said there is "stiff competition" for funding. The exhibition will take place at St John the Evangelist Arts in Oxford on 20 and 21 May and from 24 to 28 May. Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.

How Intelligent Automation Services Help Organizations Improve Enterprise Intelligence

Intelligent automation is becoming increasingly important for enterprises seeking to improve their overall intelligence. This requires a variety of technologies and solutions, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and business process modeling. IDC research suggests that investment in AI/ML-based automation is a nascent but highly differentiating part of enterprise intelligence initiatives. However, organizations must overcome challenges such as data quality and management issues, lack of support and maintenance resources, insufficient skills or willingness of employees to use intelligent automation technologies, and unclear use cases or business benefits. Successful engagement with an intelligent automation services provider requires ten key attributes, including expertise in strategy, architecture, process optimization, and change management.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/07/19/how-intelligent-automation-services-help-organizations-improve-enterprise-intelligence/

IDC PlanScape: Future IT — Security Resource Optimization

IDC PlanScape advises CIOs to exercise caution and adopt security resource optimization practices to avoid negative impact on profitability, reputation, customer relationships, and employee well-being.

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Sorry, there is no text provided for me to summarize. Please provide me with a text to summarize.

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Saltivka, in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, has been relentlessly bombarded by the Russians. Among the ruins, a few residents are trying to survive. When Russian shells began raining down on Saltivka in February, life in the neighbourhood's numbered apartment blocks became a lottery - one block hit, the next spared. Inside each building, the residents of each apartment survived by their own luck - one apartment turned to ash, the next untouched. As the bombardment of Kharkiv went on - March, April, May, June - fewer and fewer buildings in Saltivka were spared. Now the neighbourhood is a ghost town. Everywhere you look, deathly black burn marks rise up from the windows where shells hit. There are multi-storey gashes in the sides of the buildings. There are neat circular holes in the roofs where shells punched through but didn't detonate. There are personal possessions strewn over the pathways between the buildings - ejected from the flats above with terrible force. And the shells are still falling. When they land they shake the ground and send a boom bouncing off the buildings and echoing across the empty green spaces and playgrounds. The different shells and rockets have distinctive sounds and leave distinctive pieces of shrapnel that locals have become adept at recognising. They include remnants of widely banned cluster munitions and unguided rockets. None of the weapons are precisely targeted, so nowhere in the neighbourhood is safe. When there is no shelling, Saltivka falls silent. "Saltivka is like Chernobyl now," said Serhiy Khrystych, 44, as he washed his face with water from a plastic bottle, in building 80. "Of course there was the radiation in Chernobyl, but it was not destroyed. We do not have the radiation but everything here is destroyed," he said. "It is impossible to live." Yet there are people living here, eking out an existence in buildings with no gas or water, in some places just one or two residents in a block of 60 or more flats. The electricity has been switched back on in some buildings in the past week, and a few people have returned from the metro stations or other shelters. But it is still a tiny fraction of Saltivka's pre-war population. At its height, the neighbourhood - a Soviet era development for the city's industrial workers and their families - was home to somewhere between 500,000 and 800,000 people. It was full of family life. "It was a beautiful area, there was a beautiful park and there was light in the park, and benches and a fountain," said Tamara Koneva, a 70-year-old pensioner living on the ground floor of a half-destroyed building. "Now there is nothing left," she said. Tamara's husband died in March, a month after the invasion. "Because of the stress," she said. So she is mostly alone in their apartment, and nearly alone in the building. "I miss him," she said. "I don't even have the desire to go outside." There is one other person in Tamara's part of the building - a 53-year-old car mechanic called Valeriy Ivanovych, who has lived here for 20 years. His flat has been spared, so far, save for small pieces of shrapnel that broke his windows and punctured his washing machine, kitchen cupboard and bedroom wall like bullets. "Barely anybody lives in this building anymore, there is only one couple, a man, a woman and me," Valeriy said. "People sometimes come to collect belongings but they don't stay." The flats on Tamara and Valeriy's side of the stairwell were relatively undamaged, but a shell hit the other side directly and the apartment opposite Valeriy's was only ash, collapsed concrete and charred possessions. "Maybe the building will have to be destroyed, because the second part of it is destroyed and the third part is very much destroyed," Valeriy said. He has no work now and nowhere else to go. He shrugged. "This is my home, I have lived here all my life," he said, staring out his kitchen window over the trees. "It will be a great sadness if all these houses are destroyed because I am very used to this place." With no utilities available in their apartments, some of the residents still living in Saltivka have created makeshift outdoor kitchens where they cook food and sit together for company. Once a day, volunteers from the food charity World Central Kitchen make their way around the neighbourhood and hand out meals in styrofoam boxes. "Saltivka is a desert now," said Leon Petrosyan, a 50-year-old engineer who was carefully navigating a beaten-up black Volga around shell craters and debris, in order to hand out the food. "The people who are left here have nowhere else to go," he said. "They are trapped." Leon stopped for a break and lit a cigarette. The food deliveries are a lifeline for the few residents in Saltivka. There are no shops open here now and for many it is the only meal they eat each day. Serhiy Zhuravliov, a 51-year-old, lifelong Saltivka resident who was helping deliver the food, said he had stayed in the neighbourhood throughout the invasion and the worst of fighting nearby, when Ukrainian troops were stationed in the residential buildings and the frontline was on the doorstep. "At first we felt fear. Later, we got used to the sound of the shelling," he said. "Now we can't go to sleep without it." Looming over Leon and Serhiy as they smoked was a 16-storey tower gouged and burned by direct hits. Up on the 16th floor, Larisa Enina looked out carefully from her hallway on to the high open air, through a gap where part of the wall used to be. There were about 15 people left in the 143-apartment building, Larisa said. The apartment she shares with her husband and daughter was relatively undamaged, save for shrapnel holes in the windows. "The apartment near ours burned down completely and ours remained intact," she said. "It is a miracle." But Larisa was worried about something else. There were big cracks in the walls on the 11th floor, she said, and she thought the building could collapse. "It is a risk even to stand on the balcony now," she said. It's also a risk to stand below. The shell hits dislodge slabs of concrete the size of cars from the top floors that slam into the pavements below with terrifying force. If you look up from the ground, you can see slabs that have been loosened but not fallen, and they sit precariously above the remaining residents. Directly outside the entrance to one building, a massive slab had gone through four feet of pavement and earth and smashed a thick water pipe below. Roman Grynchenko, a 48-year-old car mechanic who has lived in Saltivka for 20 years, was stepping around the water-filled crater as he went in and out of the building. Roman eats one free meal a day now and, like most people here, gets by on government assistance - £55 per month for him, £55 for his wife, and £83 for their daughter. "I've been living here for 20 years," Roman said. "Saltivka was a peaceful district ..." A deafening crack cut him off - the first of three shells landing nearby. "Now there is a war," he said. "You hear explosions." The Russians attempted to seize Kharkiv in the early days of the invasion and Saltivka bore the brunt of the assault. The invaders were eventually pushed back, and the frontline now sits about 12 miles from the city centre. But Saltivka remains well within Russian artillery range, a reality made impossible to ignore by the daily shelling. At the edge of the neighbourhood, there are still trenches where the Ukrainians dug in for the defence of the city, and chewed curbstones where their tanks mounted the pavements. They used the residential buildings for rest and for sniper positions, residents said - turning the neighbourhood into a target. Few residents seemed to begrudge their presence. The soldiers went from building to building at the beginning asking those with children to evacuate, said Claudia Chubata, a 65-year-old resident of 33 years. "They are our soldiers," she said. "They needed to do something here for the war and they needed somewhere to rest." But Kharkiv is just 20 miles from the Russian border, a traditionally Russian-leaning, Russian-speaking city, and there are pockets of sympathy towards the invaders. "Where there is no Ukrainian military, the Russians do not shoot," said Boris Rustenko, a 63-year-old glass miller, born in the Soviet Union, whose building was badly damaged and burned. "If Russia had not attacked Ukraine, Ukraine would have attacked Russia, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk," Boris said. "It is very simple, Russia is just ahead." Boris, like many residents of Saltivka, has relatives in Russia. In cities like Kharkiv, the Russian-backed violence that began in 2014 and the recent invasion have created smaller conflicts among family and friends. "This is Russia, we were brothers," said Oleksiy, a 69-year-old builder, who didn't want to give his last name. "We don't understand why they invaded. We have relatives there, and now what?" Russia alone was not to blame, Oleksiy thought. The West should "stop giving Ukraine weapons", he said, because it was only prolonging the war. As Oleksiy was talking, another resident standing next to him started to cry. "We were so happy to have flats here," said Halyna, a 62-year-old pensioner. Her windows, directly above where she stood, were smashed. "We were told to replace them ourselves," she said. The repairs would cost five times her monthly pension. Less than 10 miles away from where Halyna stood was the frontline. There are fears that Russian troops might return to Kharkiv. Vadym Denysenko, an adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, said on Sunday that Russia was once again "trying to make Kharkiv a frontline city". Outside Halyna's building, a few neighbours from buildings nearby were coming up to collect their daily free meal from a bench. It was late afternoon. Halyna looked on, a tear still under her eye. "How many have been killed now?" she said, shaking her head. "And just boys, 18 years old. They had only just begun to live." Rita Burkovska contributed to this report.

Accountant Mohamed Osman has been forced to pick up an AK-47 rifle for the first time in his life to defend his neighbourhood as the conflict in Sudan escalates, inflaming racial tensions between Arabs and other groups in the country's volatile Darfur region. Mr Osman lives in El Geneina, historically a symbol of black African power in Darfur, that has been shelled, burnt and looted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Arab militiamen. Their notoriety has earned them the nickname Janjaweed, an Arabic word for "devils on horseback" . "I've never seen such a thing in more than 20 years of war in Darfur. It's awful," Mr Osman, 38, said. We have changed his name for his own safety. "Whenever there is an attack by the Janjaweed here in El Geneina, their fellow tribesmen come with their arms from across the border in Chad on motorbikes and on horsebacks to assist them," he told the BBC from his home in the northern Ardamata neighbourhood. Mr Osman's office, in the city centre, is a burnt-out wreck. "I can't go there, let alone work," he noted, in a matter of fact way. Another resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the city had been taken over by the RSF and Janjaweed, with snipers positioned in buildings and gunmen on streets. "They're just shooting every place. If you go outside you'll be killed. You can't move, even 200 or 300 metres," Mr Ibrahim told the BBC. His name has also been changed. Medics reported that at least 280 people have been killed and 160 have been wounded in El Geneina in the last few days alone. The latest violence is seen by analysts as a clear breach of the 11 May Saudi-brokered agreement between the RSF and the Sudanese army to alleviate the suffering of civilians, while talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire continue in Jeddah. Mr Osman said that as the fighting advanced closer to Ardamata in recent days, he and many other men in his neighbourhood got AK-47 rifles and began carrying out 24-hour patrols in shifts. This was something he never imagined doing, as his life used to revolve around keeping track of the finances of his clients. "We have no choice but to arm ourselves and defend our city," Mr Osman said, pointing out that he could not risk exposing his family - including his mother, sisters, nieces and nephews - to the much-feared paramilitaries and militiamen. Asked how he acquired his Soviet-made Kalashnikov rifle, he replied wryly: "The cheapest thing you can buy here is a weapon." In contrast, food has become scarce and prices have rocketed as the RSF and Janjaweed set markets ablaze. "They even burnt the food and flour that was stored in the markets, as if they want the survivors of bullets to die of hunger," said Ishaq Hussein, a former worker at a non-governmental organization in El Geneina. The BBC has been unsuccessful in attempts to reach the RSF for comment. With a population that was put at around 170,000 in the last census in 2010, El Geneina is the traditional capital of the Massalit kingdom, making it a target for the Janjaweed. They have long been accused of ethnic cleansing against non-Arab groups in Darfur. "The Janjaweed are killing all the African people starting with the Massalit," Mr Ibrahim said. Conflict first erupted in Darfur in 2003 when mostly non-Arabs took up arms against the government, complaining about discrimination and a lack of development. The government retaliated by mobilising the Janjaweed, and later welding them into an estimated 80,000 to 100,000-strong paramilitary force that has now turned on Sudan's military ruler Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the army he commands. The RSF launched an assault on the capital Khartoum on 15 April, with the military retaliating with daily air strikes in a bid to regain control of the city. But in El Geneina, there is no attempt to fight back against the RSF and the Janjaweed. "There's a zero presence of the army or any other government body to protect the civilians," Mr Ali said. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) estimates that about 100,000 people have fled their homes in the city, and remain "at the mercy of the relentless violence, with settlements once again being reduced to ashes". "We are still unable to deliver emergency aid," NRC added in a statement. Mr Ibrahim said that water supplies had also been cut. "Water is a big problem for everyone, even for the donkey," he said. He made a desperate plea for international help, saying the city has been under attack for 23 consecutive days. "A lot of injured people don't have any type of treatment, more than hundreds and hundreds and hundreds," Mr Ibrahim said. He added that he was alone at home, having sent his wife and family to safety. "I have kids and it's difficult for them to be hearing these guns every day. That's why I sent them out," he said, pointing out that families tend to leave in guided groups before sunrise, when the risk of being confronted by the RSF and Janjaweed is less. Mr Osman said that if the security crisis deepens, he too will flee to Chad to live in make-shift camps. "If this does not stop by the mercy of Allah, I will take my family and run to Chad to stay in a shelter built with our clothes rather than being killed here," he said.

Worldwide Video Surveillance Camera Market Shares, 2022: Increasing Competition and a Focus on Business

IDC's study on the 2022 worldwide video surveillance camera market shares shows that market growth is driven by business analysis applications rather than safety and security. The market has major competitors and smaller ones, with Chinese vendors occupying less of the overall market.

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Hundreds of British nationals have been evacuated from the fighting in Sudan. But when she was asked whether the UK was going to "start looking at safe routes for refugees from Sudan [who are not British nationals]", Home Secretary Suella Braverman replied: "We have no plans to do that." The prime minister confirmed the government's current priority was getting British nationals out. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick was later asked in Parliament what "safe and legal" routes to the UK would be available to a young person wanting to flee the conflict in Sudan. He said: "The United Nations is operating in most, if not all, of the countries surrounding Sudan," adding that "the best advice clearly would be for individuals to present to the UNHCR. We already operate safe and legal routes with them." The UNHCR is the UN's refugee agency. But the SNP's Alison Thewliss pointed out that the UNHCR had earlier issued a statement saying: "There is no mechanism through which refugees can approach UNHCR with the intention of seeking asylum in the UK." Mr Jenrick rejected her comments: "Whatever the honourable lady may be quoting from her iPhone, I would prefer to take at face value what I have heard in discussion with the assistant commissioner [of the UNHCR]." Mr Jenrick and Ms Thewliss were both referring to the UNHCR's resettlement scheme. Under this, the UNHCR identifies refugees who are considered to be "particularly at risk" in the countries to which they have initially fled. These are people who cannot integrate in the country where they have initially sought refuge but also cannot return home. These "refugees at heightened risk" are then resettled in partner countries such as the UK, but it is UNHCR officials who recommend where they should go. That route is only available to about 1% of refugees worldwide. "Although a critical and lifesaving mechanism, resettlement is not a solution for most refugees, and does not replace the right to seek asylum itself," the UNHCR said. Seeking asylum generally involves going to a country and claiming asylum once you are there. Resettlement involves moving people from the first country where they sought refuge to another country that is more suitable. Refugees generally have to be registered with the UNHCR to be considered for resettlement. But the UNHCR told the BBC that the UK is only currently accepting Afghan nationals for resettlement. This means that registering with the UNHCR would not provide a route for anyone else to come to the UK. So Mr Jenrick's suggestion that people in Sudan wanting to escape to the UK should "present to the UNHCR" was not correct. What are the legal routes to the UK?Migration bill passes as Tory rebellion defused We asked the Home Office about the UNHCR statement and the government's current position on safe and legal routes from Sudan. We were pointed towards the comment from Ms Braverman quoted above, and told there was no further comment at this point. According to UK statistics, last year 218 people from Sudan came to the UK under the UNHCR resettlement scheme, but almost all of those came from pre-pandemic applications. What claims do you want BBC Reality Check to investigate? Get in touch Read more from Reality Check

Worldwide Unified Communications and Collaboration Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC study shows customer spend estimates on UC&C technologies, which benefits employee and customer experience, delivers cost-effectiveness and agility in business activities, and enables flexible work. Future-proofed solutions that support interoperability with major UC collaboration environments and future AI innovations will be the most successful.

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A man who witnessed his mother being abused by his father as a young child has welcomed a new initiative to support child victims of domestic violence. Paul - not his real name - is now 28 years old, and some of his earliest memories include hearing arguments between his parents. When he was six he witnessed his father hit his mother for the first time. Paul said he struggled at school trying to deal with what he had experienced. A scheme to support young children who witness domestic violence at home will now be extended to schools across Northern Ireland. Operation Encompass enables police to tell school staff if a pupil has been affected by domestic abuse. The partnership between the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Education Authority (EA), the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and schools was launched in 60 County Down schools in 2021. It was later extended to cover 400 other schools in County Down, County Armagh and County Tyrone. It has been in operation in police forces in England and Wales for a number of years. Police said that since the start of the 2021 school year, officers attended 2,121 domestic incidents with 3,774 children affected. A total of 3,160 referrals have been made by officers to the designated teacher at the relevant school as a result. From Wednesday, the scheme will be rolled out in all of Northern Ireland's 1,162 schools. If an officer attends a domestic violence call out where children are present, they will contact the child's school before 09:00 the following morning to share this information with the school's safeguarding team. This is to ensure the correct support can be put in place. Paul said the scheme would have helped him when he was younger. "To know as a child that a teacher was aware of it - if I am having a real issue then I could go and speak to them - that would have been great," he told BBC News NI. "Whereas back then it was just me, no-one else knew, I hardly told any of my friends." Despite attempts from his mother to shield him from the violence, Paul remembers the fighting between his parents from a young age. "I've loads of memories of loads of yelling. "I remember one time coming into the kitchen and seeing him throw a cereal bowl at her and her trying to make a joke out of and [that] it was just an accident. "Parents convince themselves that the kids don't know, but we do, but I didn't comment on it or anything like that. "I would find a spot somewhere and just sit...frozen, having to listen to it - and then there was always the disconnect when my mum would have tried to make light of it or I'd be pretending I didn't hear it." Det Supt Lindsay Fisher said police responded to about 90 domestic abuse calls each day and children were often present. "Operation Encompass really recognises children as unseen victims of domestic abuse," she said "We know the impact of the trauma that children experience from seeing, overhearing or coming back into a house where there has been a domestic abuse incident. "The scheme allows us to share information with schools in quick time so that we can best protect and support children through times that are incredibly difficult for them." She said the support and understanding that teachers could provide should never be underestimated.

A Chinese comedy troupe has been slapped with a 14.7m yuan ($2.1m; £1.7m) penalty over a joke about the military that invoked a slogan from President Xi Jinping. The quip, which likened the behaviour of a comedian's dogs to military conduct, irked authorities. They said Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media Co and comic Li Haoshi had "humiliated the people's army". The company accepted the penalty and terminated Mr Li's contract. The offending remark was made during a stand-up performance in Beijing on Saturday, when Mr Li alluded to two canines he had adopted which were chasing a squirrel. "Other dogs you see would make you think they are adorable. These two dogs only reminded me of... 'Fight to win, forge exemplary conduct'," said Mr Li, whose stage name is House. The punchline is part of the slogan that President Xi unveiled in 2013 as a goal for the Chinese military. In an audio recording of the performance shared on China's Twitter-like platform Weibo, audience members can be heard laughing at the joke. But it was much less welcome on the internet, after a member of the audience complained about it. Beijing authorities said they launched an investigation on Tuesday. They then confiscated 1.32m yuan of what was deemed to be illegal income, and fined the company another 13.35m yuan, according to Xinhua. Shanghai Xiaoguo's activities in the Chinese capital have also been indefinitely suspended. "We will never allow any company or individual use the Chinese capital as a stage to wantonly slander the glorious image of the PLA [People's Liberation Army]," said the Beijing arm of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism Bureau. The audio went viral, with some nationalists saying they were deeply offended and state media also piling on. But others questioned if the reactions were over the top. "I am patriotic and really don't like others to humiliate our country... But I really don't like this atmosphere where every word about politics is sensitive," reads a post liked 1,200 times. Mr Li apologised to his more than 136,000 Weibo followers. "I feel deeply shamed and regretful. I will take responsibility, stop all activities, deeply reflect, learn again." His Weibo account has since been suspended. The incident sheds light on the challenging climate for Chinese comedians, who have been targeted by authorities and netizens alike. In late 2020, stand-up comedian Yang Li was accused of "sexism" and "man hating" after making jokes about men. A group claiming to defend men's rights also called on netizens to report her to China's media regulator.

Five Cost Management Tips for IT Leaders

IT leaders must prioritize cost-saving measures to maximize efficiency and enable investment in innovative technology solutions. This can be achieved through a Cloud Center of Excellence, implementing FinOps, benchmarking IT costs, conducting staffing assessments, and addressing technical debt. By doing so, IT leaders can identify cost-saving opportunities and become business enablers and innovation drivers instead of just cost centers.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/04/21/five-cost-management-tips-for-it-leaders/

What Does It Mean to be a Sustainable Organization in an ESG-regulated Asia?

IDC research suggests that stricter regulations and more supportive policies for Environmental, Social, Governance commitments are emerging in the Asia Pacific region. Countries are categorized as Pacesetters, Emerging Leaders, or Watchers based on their sustainability maturity level. Sustainability/ESG reports will become a regular part of business operations, with specific disclosure of information, standard metrics, and third-party audits. Organizations must establish commitments towards environmental and social development goals and report on progress made annually. Greater incentives to comply with public sector sustainability standards will lead to the adoption of green procurement and greater demand for green suppliers. Organizations will need to invest in upskilling existing personnel to take up wider roles related to sustainability.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/03/13/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-sustainable-organization-in-an-esg-regulated-asia/

Elon Musk has named a new chief executive of Twitter, just over six months after his controversial takeover of the social media company. The billionaire said Linda Yaccarino, the former head of advertising at NBCUniversal, would oversee business operations at the site, which has been struggling to make money. He said she would start in six weeks. Mr Musk will remain involved as executive chairman and chief technology officer. "Looking forward to working with Linda to transform this platform into X, the everything app," he wrote on Twitter, confirming the decision a day after he had stoked speculation by writing that he had found a new boss without revealing their identity. Mr Musk - who bought the social media platform last year for $44bn - had been under pressure to find someone else to lead the company and refocus his attention on his other businesses, which include electric carmaker Tesla and rocket firm SpaceX. With fewer than 10% of Fortune 500 tech companies headed by women, Ms Yaccarino will become that rare example of a woman at the top of a major tech firm, after rising steadily through the ranks of some of America's biggest media companies. Ms Yaccarino was raised in an Italian-American family. After graduating from Penn State, she worked at Turner Entertainment for 15 years before joining NBCUniversal, where she oversaw roughly 2,000 people, and was involved with the launch of its streaming service. Her work has been marked by close collaborations with big brands, finding opportunities for product placement and convincing them to advertise alongside television shows - even ones with a reputation for edgy content, such as Sex and the City when it first launched. She has also built relationships in new media with the likes of Apple News, Snapchat and YouTube. A 2005 profile in an industry publication portrayed her as a busy, married mother-of-two children, then aged 13 and 9. "I have absolutely no hobbies," she said at the time. Business Insider's Claire Atkinson has followed Ms Yaccarino's career for two decades and said her background in advertising could help Twitter, which has seen its ad sales drop sharply since Mr Musk's takeover. "If Twitter are looking to monetise better than they have been, then that would be the place to start and Linda would be the ideal person to make that happen," the chief media correspondent said. "She's the kind of person that I can imagine Elon Musk needs," Ms Atkinson added. "She won't be rolled over." Indeed, her negotiating style within the industry earned her the nickname the "velvet hammer", according to the Wall Street Journal in 2012. Ms Yaccarino will face the challenge of running a business that has struggled to be profitable, while facing intense scrutiny over how Twitter handles the spread of misinformation and manages hate speech. When Mr Musk first started discussing his plans for Twitter last year, he said he wanted to reduce the platform's reliance on advertising and make changes to the way it moderated content. He also said he wanted to expand the site's functions to include payments, encrypted messaging and phone calls, turning it into something he called X. But Mr Musk courted controversy when he fired thousands of staff upon his takeover, including people who had been tasked with dealing with abusive posts. He also overhauled the way the service authenticates accounts, charging for blue ticks in a move critics said would facilitate the spread of misinformation. Some of the changes raised concerns among advertisers, worried about risks to their brands, who subsequently halted spending on the site. Mr Musk has acknowledged "massive" declines in revenue, though he told the BBC last month that companies were returning. At an advertising conference last month Ms Yaccarino interviewed Mr Musk and pressed him on what he was doing to reassure firms that their brands would not be exposed to risk. "The people in this room are your accelerated path to profitability," she said. "But there's a decent bit of sceptics in the room." There has also been some instant scepticism at Ms Yaccarino's appointment on social media, where many were looking for clues to her politics, which reportedly lean conservative. Her work for the World Economic Forum, an organisation viewed negatively as "globalist" by those on the right, has not been well-received in some quarters along with her role in a coronavirus vaccination campaign featuring Pope Francis. Others on the left have questioned her political involvement in a White House sports, fitness and nutrition council under former President Donald Trump. Mr Musk, who has also put women in senior positions at SpaceX and Tesla, is known to be a notoriously unpredictable and demanding boss. Even the announcement unfolded in an unusual manner, after media reports sparked by Mr Musk's post that identified Ms Yaccarino appeared to catch her bosses at NBCUniversal off guard. As of mid-Friday in the US, Ms Yaccarino had still not commented publicly on the move. Industry watchers will be curious to see how the relationship develops between the New Yorker and the until now hands-on Mr Musk. Ms Atkinson said the two Twitter executives would be facing "difficult conversations" about how to handle moderation, especially with the 2024 presidential election approaching in the US. "How long Linda can last under these tricky management situations is anyone's guess," Ms Atkinson said.

An art show raising awareness of men's mental health has opened. Life by Numbers includes work from six artists and will be spread across the walls of the Arnolfini Café in Bristol throughout May. Street artist Stewy said the exhibition was about the importance of talking and "not hiding away" from mental health issues. Prints and merchandise of the pieces will be on sale, with proceeds going to Bristol charity Talk Club. The charity - which was launched in Bristol in April 2019 and now has more than 70 groups worldwide - encourages men to speak openly about their feelings. Stewy said he wanted to raise awareness of men's mental health after witnessing his father "go in and out of mental health institutions" as a child. "It manifested itself more as depression as we know it now. Very quiet, very thoughtful, it wasn't happy but I didn't know anything else," he said. The 50-year-old told BBC Radio Bristol he hoped his work would show children who may be witnessing their parents struggling that it is "not their fault." "There's nothing to be ashamed of," he said. Stewy believes street art has helped his mental health and his work includes paintings of Bristol-based punk band Idles and local legend DJ Derek. Artists Big Jeff, Tozer, Farrah, Sickboy and #DTFE are also taking part in the exhibition. Alongside their pieces, biographies of the artists involved will also be at the exhibition, including information about how they have been affected by mental health. Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk

A new play will transform a community centre in an area synonymous with 1990s rave culture into a nightclub and take audiences on a night out.Club Revolution tells the story of two young people growing up in Luton from 1997 to the present day. It will be staged by Revolution Arts, external at Marsh House Community Centre in Marsh Farm from Thursday to Saturday."The audience are going to be at the centre of the action," assistant director Tiarnan Doherty said. The venue has been chosen because it is the area of town that served as a base for the Exodus Collective - a community movement and sound system formed in 1992 that organised parties and raves.It was the subject of a BBC Radio 1 documentary, external.However, the comedy drama centres around the lives of two young people, Lu and Tone, who went through school and university in an era after the explosion of rave culture in the late 1980s and early 90s."They both have these big dreams and it's about exploring the idea that people who come from Luton or towns like Luton are often told the narrative that they maybe can't achieve those dreams," said Doherty. "I think it's really going to resonate with young people."The play was written by James McDermott who spoke to young people from Luton during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns, including Doherty."James learnt about what our experiences were like growing up in Luton and then, from our responses, he would then take bits and pieces of those and he crafted them all into this story," said the assistant director."The story is very literally taken from the direct experiences of people like me." Marsh House Community Centre will be transformed into "Club Revolution" for the play.Mr Dohety said: "The idea is that we take the audience on a club night out."The audience will come in and they'll be on the dance floor with the characters dancing with them, interacting with them and they will follow us on this journey."That's what's unique about it because people can come and see the show and they'll get a totally unique experience compared to maybe a different audience member." Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and Twitter, external. If you have a story for us, email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external

A kitchen garden which once produced food for the Earls of Enniskillen is now providing food for the soul. The garden at Florence Court in County Fermanagh has been restored to its former 1930s glory with the help of a team of volunteers. Two glasshouses which were demolished in the 1970s have been reinstated by the National Trust. They will be used to grow soft fruits and provide a space to nurture an interest in horticulture and heritage. The walled garden was created during the late 18th century and was once the heart of the Florence Court estate, the home of the Earls of Enniskillen. It was at its most productive from the late 1890s up to the Second World War, with 12 full-time gardeners cultivating fruit, vegetables and flowers. However, it fell in to decline following the departure of the last head gardener in 1947. After the estate was gifted to the National Trust in 1995, parts of the two-acre garden were restored, including the rose garden and apple orchard. The senior gardener at Florence Court, Ian Marshall, said the kitchen garden project is "about building a community as much as a garden". There are just over 30 volunteers who work in the garden for a day or two each week. "They are a hard-working and dedicated bunch, and without them the garden wouldn't exist," said Mr Marshall. "I think we have the peace, the tranquillity, but also the craic in here." One of the volunteers Deirdre McSorley believes working in the garden is "better than going to the gym". "It's a learning exercise, it's also very therapeutic, and you are getting exercise," she said. "I've got a garden at home with very little growing in it, so I'm learning here. "So when you do something like propagate seeds I know to do it at home," she added. Mr Marshall said new volunteers are always welcome. "It's a great social activity, you're meeting great people, great weather, though not all the time, and also you build up a bit of knowledge. "That's what I think people are here for, they come to learn new skills but they also come to meet new people and have a bit of fun." The two new glasshouses were installed following an award of £410,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the garden to its original character and atmosphere. One will be used to grow fruits and plants and the other will be a community hub for hosting lectures, training workshops and skill-sharing.

U.S. Virtual Reality Market Shares, 2022: Meta Claims Nearly 100% Market Share

IDC reports that the U.S. virtual reality market faced challenges in 2022, resulting in double-digit declines for most companies, including Meta. Continued macroeconomic headwinds may prevent a stronger recovery in 2023.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50554623&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Discrete Manufacturing Execution Systems 2023 Vendor Assessment

IDC MarketScape examines software providers in MES for discrete manufacturing. The focus is on creating experience ecosystems that transform the product into a platform for new digital products and services. The importance of the factory remains crucial. Companies must develop necessary production capabilities to compete in the digital economy.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US49435422&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

5 questions about ChatGPT, answered

ChatGPT is a language tool that uses unsupervised machine learning to generate new text similar to existing data. It can boost productivity, content creation, and conversational interaction. It can automate tasks like scheduling meetings, generating event reminders, and responding to emails and reviews. It's limited to the information it has been trained on but can be used for research and generating ideas. It's a great tool for employee training and was recently updated to prevent hallucinations.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/03/29/5-questions-about-chatgpt-answered/

U.S. Smart Earwear Market Shares, 2022: Apple Maintains Leadership

The U.S. smart earwear market in 2022 has shifted from new users to replacement opportunities, which brands should be mindful of due to cost concerns amidst the challenging macroeconomic environment. This is according to a study by IDC.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50567923&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

To help tackle climate change, the UK has pledged to reach "net zero" - where no further planet-warming greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere - by 2050. To achieve this, much less energy needs to be generated by fossil fuels and much more needs to come from renewable sources and low-carbon technologies. Experts say increasing the use of renewables would also improve the UK's energy security. Energy is used for various purposes, including heating and powering homes, businesses, transport and industry. In 2022, the majority of the energy (79.1%) used within the UK came from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). This is down from 87.2% in 2012, mainly due to the declining use of the dirtiest fossil fuel, coal. Around one-fifth (20.1%) of UK energy use was from "low-carbon" sources in 2022 - up from 12% in 2012. "Low-carbon" includes renewables (wind, solar, hydropower and bioenergy) and nuclear. Nuclear is not considered renewable, but is classed as low-carbon because power stations do not directly release greenhouse gases during their operation. The output from nuclear energy has actually fallen by around a third in the past decade due to ageing reactors. Electricity generation accounted for around a third of the UK's total energy use in 2022. Of the electricity generated in the UK in 2022: 40.8% came from fossil fuels56% from low-carbon sources - including 41.4% from renewables and 14.6% from nuclear By comparison, of electricity generated in 2012: 67.6% came from fossil fuels30.7% came from low-carbon sources, including 11.3% from renewables and 19.3% from nuclear. In particular, power generation from coal has fallen sharply, although natural gas usage remains high. The use of both wind and solar power has increased rapidly. In the first three months of 2023, for instance, for the first time wind generated more electricity than gas. To meet the UK's legally-binding target to be "net zero" across the economy by 2050, the government has said that all electricity should be generated from "clean" sources by 2035. Remaining non-electric energy use will have to be net zero by 2050. Since electricity can be generated by low-carbon sources rather than fossil fuels, demand for it is expected to grow by 40-60% by 2035. Ensuring electricity is generated as cleanly as possible will therefore be increasingly important to meet the overall net zero goal. The government has announced various ambitious targets to decarbonise energy and electricity. These include increasing the capacity of offshore wind, nuclear, carbon capture and hydrogen, all of which are low-carbon technologies. It is also encouraging people to use electric heat pumps instead of gas boilers, and will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Green energy projects worth billions stuck on hold Recent reports by the government's independent climate advisers the Climate Change Committee (CCC), the National Audit Office and a cross-party group of MPs have all warned that the UK risks missing its 2035 "clean" electricity target without increased effort from Whitehall. Key recommendations include: reducing natural gas usage more quicklyimproving homes' energy efficiencychanging planning laws to speed up renewable projectsreforming the electricity grid to pass on the cheaper running costs of renewables to consumers Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets? In 2022, the UK imported about 37% of its energy. That represents a drop from nearly 50% in the early 2010s, but the figure is still higher than in the late 1990s, when the UK was a net exporter - meaning it sent more energy abroad than it imported. The UK imports proportionally less of its electricity - typically about 5%. In 2022 it was a net electricity exporter for the first time in 44 years, but this was largely because of French nuclear plant maintenance. The importance of energy security was highlighted when Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted the gas market. The reduction in Russian supplies increased demand for other countries' gas resources, causing global prices to soar, and pushing up consumer bills. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss opened applications for new North Sea oil and gas exploration licences, which the government said would boost the UK's energy security. Rishi Sunak has not confirmed whether he backs his predecessor's plan. The International Energy Agency and other bodies warn that any new oil and gas projects would go against existing commitments designed to avoid the most harmful impacts of climate change. The CCC and environmental think tanks Green Alliance and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit argue that the best way to lower bills for customers and boost energy security would be to cut fossil fuel use. This is not least because North Sea supplies are dwindling, and gas from any newly granted licences would not enter the market until around 2050. By contrast, they say a decarbonised electricity system would be more reliable, secure and cost-effective by protecting the UK from volatility in fossil fuel prices.

Court orders to protect domestic violence victims from their attackers are "not worth the paper they're written on", the BBC has been told. Survivors have called for tougher measures, including electronic tagging, saying a lack of enforcement means orders provide little deterrent. BBC analysis of government data showed prosecutions for breaching some orders have fallen by 40% in recent years. Senior police officers have apologised, saying: "We want to do better". Victoria, not her real name, was forced to move counties to get away from her violent ex-husband. During their six-year marriage she was isolated from her family and friends and subjected to physical attacks, one of which led to a miscarriage, she said. At one point, she was "only eating three digestive biscuits a day" to try to fulfil her husband's idea of what her body shape should be. When she finally left him in 2016, she had three non-molestation orders (NMOs) put in place consecutively. But, she said, the orders were "absolutely pointless" with her abuser repeatedly turning up at her house. "It took a lot of courage to leave him. I had to uproot my life and move. I shouldn't have to do that, I should be protected," she said. "There's been no support from any professionals and police didn't take the orders seriously." Victoria said when her ex appeared in court after being arrested for a breach he was told by the judge not to do it again and freed. That set the tone for a string of breaches, which went unpunished, she said. Restraining, non-molestation, and occupation orders are all civil orders designed to protect victims from their abusers. It is a criminal offence to breach the terms of these orders. A domestic violence protection notice (DVPN) is issued by police to provide immediate protection while police officers apply to the magistrates for a domestic violence protection order (DVPO). However, a breach of a DVPN or a DVPO is a civil rather than a criminal offence. When granted by a court, terms can include bans like stopping an offender contacting a person or being within a certain distance of their home or workplace. The Home Office is set introduce a two-year pilot scheme for a civil Domestic Abuse Protection Order in 2023, to replace the DVPN and DVPO in a bid to "provide longer-term protection for victims", the government said. Under the scheme, electronic monitoring or tagging could be imposed to monitor a perpetrator in complying with certain terms of the order. Kath, also not her real name, left her husband following nine years of physical and coercive abuse and has had an NMO in place since December, which he breached, she says. "That non-molestation order isn't worth the paper it's written on," she said. "It don't make any difference whatsoever because it's certainly not made him stay away." She also cited a lengthy wait for legal aid funding as one of the obstacles in obtaining the order promptly. Deborah Jones, from Barnsley, who set up support group Resolute to help survivors, said the orders were failing victims because there was "no deterrent at all for a perpetrator to breach them numerous times, over and over again". "They get clever and very aware of the legal system," she said. "They know that there's no real consequences to breaching them. "Things need to change. There needs to be tougher consequences if an order is breached, perpetrators should be tagged." According to data gathered by the BBC, figures from the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and the Ministry of Justice show: About a quarter of DVPOs issued have been breached every financial year between 2018/19 and 2020/21.Convictions for breaching domestic violence-related NMOs have dropped by 7% in the last five years, despite the number granted rising by 48% in the same period.There has been a year-on-year drop in prosecutions, convictions and sentences for breaches of restraining orders between 2017 and 2021. The Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) charity said many survivors felt breaches "are not acted upon", which in in turn undermined their confidence in the police and prevented further breaches from being reported. IDAS's Carmel Offord said a 2018 review led by the charity found the way authorities worked left "significant safeguarding black holes". The charity has been working alongside North Yorkshire Police on a pilot scheme, which allows officers to record orders centrally on the police national database and access relevant details when breaches occur, says Ms Offord. "I think it really comes down to everybody working in collaboration with the safeguarding of victims, survivors and their children at the heart," she said. "We can't just assume that a perpetrator isn't high risk because there isn't violence or they haven't done something that we would deem to be risky." Emma, not her real name, said she was subjected to "seven years of absolute cruelty and torment" by her ex-husband. She had a DVPO and then an NMO put in place from 2017 but, she says, he repeatedly breached them. She said "nothing was done" when she reported the breaches to police and he even rented a flat as close as he could get to her home without breaking the terms of the NMO. "My ex-husband had made threats to kill me," the mother-of-two said. "I was just constantly looking over my shoulder all the time. "Pulling into a car park, if his van or car was there, I would have to drive away. Just constantly living like that. "We were just petrified, fearing for our lives. We didn't feel safe whatsoever. We were just waiting for something to happen." The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for domestic abuse, Louisa Rolfe, said she was sorry that victims "have not had a service they should expect and deserve from policing so far". "But we are working on this. It is a priority, and we want to get so much better at it," she added. Ms Rolfe, an assistant commissioner with the Metropolitan Police, said forces were using DVPOs effectively and a domestic abuse training programme meant officers nationally were being equipped to understand and "identify high-risk behaviour". Breaches required a multi-agency approach, including the Crown Prosecution Service, she said. "We want to support victims. We want to ensure their safety. This is a huge priority for policing, and we are really clear that we expect officers to take positive action." If you've been affected by the issues raised in this report, details of organisations offering information and support are available via BBC Action Line. However, the Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ) said they had seen little improvement from UK forces following recommendations it had put forward since lodging a super-complaint in April 2019. The action addressed alleged failings by police in their use of protective measures to safeguard victims and was subsequently upheld by three policing bodies. The charity has asked Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs to approach all police and crime commissioners (PCC) to hold forces to account. Ms Jacobs said she was "very concerned about poor enforcement of protective orders". The CWJ is also calling for improved data gathering around breaches. When the BBC submitted freedom of information (FOI) requests to all 46 UK police constabularies, of the 34 who provided data each responded with differing or partial information. The NPCC said the use of different IT systems by police forces meant collating statistics was a "challenge" but added that there was a "move to a more digital justice system". Nogah Ofer, a solicitor at the CWJ, said there was also a lack of "measurable outcomes" and police training on domestic abuse did not include protection orders. "It's not really apologies that we're looking for," she said. "We're just looking for improvements on the ground and for victims to get a better service."

Will Political and Economic Uncertainty Derail Growth of Consumer Content Creation?

Political and business developments are putting independent content creators' revenue at risk, with a potential ban on TikTok and Meta discontinuing its Reels Play Bonus Program payouts. However, independent content creation is expected to experience continued user growth worldwide, with the number of people creating content increasing at a CAGR above 12% from 2021 to 2026. While this creates concern for creators, it also creates opportunities for other platforms and app developers pursuing the next big thing. Platforms that offer revenue and exposure opportunities hold a competitive advantage for attracting creators, and IDC's CMM can help identify emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/04/19/will-political-and-economic-uncertainty-derail-growth-of-consumer-content-creation/

Generative AI: Mitigating Data Security and Privacy Risks

Generative AI is becoming increasingly popular, with $2.6 billion invested in start-ups last year. There are various foundation models available to improve different aspects of your business, but it's important to mitigate potential data security and privacy risks. When fine-tuning or prompt augmenting an existing model, ask providers about their support for opt-in/opt-out options, the ability to delete data, who has access to the data, and how it's used. If creating a proprietary model, ensure adherence to corporate policies to mitigate data privacy and security risks.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/05/05/generative-ai-mitigating-data-security-and-privacy-risks/

Worldwide Enterprise WLAN Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC study analyzes trends in enterprise WLAN market with high growth rates for two years. Wi-Fi remains important technology for enterprises and consumers. WLAN will continue to be important for enterprise wireless connectivity initiatives to meet digital and network transformation goals.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50598623&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

Worldwide and U.S. IT Outsourcing Services Forecast, 2023–2027

IDC forecasts worldwide and U.S. IT outsourcing services spending for 2023-2027, taking into account changing buyer needs, exogenous events, and public cloud providers becoming the locus of IT services. Managed SPs must create a robust governance structure, utilize an intelligent multicloud management platform, build a new operating model, implement an integrated matrix in using public cloud partners, and structure the ecosystem of partners into a cohesive and integrated system to succeed in this disruptive age.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US49162423&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

The Future Consumer is Emerging Right Before Our Very Eyes – Are You Ready?

The pandemic and the habits of Gen Z and Millennials are driving massive changes in the consumer technology marketplace. Businesses must anticipate and understand these changes to find growth opportunities, or risk being left behind. Online shopping, content creation, and tech-enabled income generation are on the rise, with consumers increasingly connecting previously separate areas of their lives. The younger generations' attitudes towards food, travel, and healthcare are also reshaping the marketplace. Companies that understand and meet their needs will cultivate their trust and build relevance, while those that do not risk becoming stagnant or irrelevant.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/03/01/the-future-consumer-is-emerging-right-before-our-very-eyes-are-you-ready/

An autistic and deaf man has been recognised by the Royal Photographic Society for his talents with a camera. CJ Ware, 30, from Paignton took up photography 13 years ago and has now obtained a Licentiate qualification from the society. He had three heart attacks as a teenager and requires a wheelchair much of the time. Mr Ware said: "I feel I hide behind my camera - it's like a comfort blanket". "It's sort of my safety net. "If I am getting a bit uncomfortable somewhere I will get the camera out, take some photos, and it helps me feel a bit more relaxed and calm." To achieve a Licentiate, a photographer must submit 10 photos that reflect their ability, using a variety of techniques. About 13 years ago he teamed up with professional photographer Clive Figes, who mentored him and quickly noticed his talent. "I learned to treat CJ as a human being, a human being with gifts that I haven't got. "To treat him like a decent person, to show interest in him", Mr Figes said. Mr Ware explained his photographic style: "I like to do weird imagery. I spot things that people often overlook." Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk

Navigating Through the Storms of Disruption

IDC categorizes the current economic environment as a storm of disruption, with high inflation, a tumbling stock market, and a potential global recession. Tech buyers are anticipating a recession and may adjust their spending accordingly. IDC expects IT spending to grow 4% in 2023, compared to the current forecast of 6.3%, with buyers being selective about where they cut. The previous recession playbook may not be as effective as technology becomes more service-oriented and digital business models become more prevalent.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/10/24/navigating-through-the-storms-of-disruption/

The Problem, Potential and Promise of a Data Revolution in Agriculture

Agriculture has always had a data problem, but the invention of writing and accounting provided a solution to this issue. Today, Agriculture 4.0 has increased the amount of data being harvested from fields, with farmers generating 500,000 data points every day. However, not all of this data is valuable and much of it goes unused or is simply wasted. The process of analyzing this information is too cumbersome for the average farm, meaning most data is either not collected or goes unused sitting in data silos losing value. The value of the information gathered on farm can be increased by associating it with the physical product itself, allowing farmers to distinguish their product and target premium markets. Increasing data collection and sharing will benefit every stage of the supply chain, increase efficiency, lower costs, and reduce waste. The carbon offset market may be a tipping point for data in agriculture as it decouples farm data from crops and gives it intrinsic value. As more primary producers realize the economic benefits of collecting and sharing data those industry partners that understand the potential of data will be the next winners in the agriculture 4.0 revolution.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/10/12/the-problem-potential-and-promise-of-a-data-revolution-in-agriculture/

A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 5 and 12 May. Send your photos to scotlandpictures@bbc.co.uk. Please ensure you adhere to the BBC's rules regarding photographs that can be found here. Please also ensure you take your pictures safely and responsibly. Conditions of use: If you submit an image, you do so in accordance with the BBC's terms and conditions. Please ensure that the photograph you send is your own and if you are submitting photographs of children, we must have written permission from a parent or guardian of every child featured (a grandparent, auntie or friend will not suffice). In contributing to BBC News you agree to grant us a royalty-free, non-exclusive licence to publish and otherwise use the material in any way, including in any media worldwide. However, you will still own the copyright to everything you contribute to BBC News. At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe the law. You can find more information here. All photos are subject to copyright.

How Can Agriculture Support More Than 5 Billion People?

The Fourth Agricultural Revolution (Agriculture 4.0) is incorporating IoT, automation, data collection, and analysis into food production systems at scale. This revolution is enabling food producers to do more with less and create new digital commodities, revolutionizing the way we produce and distribute food. The Fourth Agriculture Revolution will be the collection, movement, processing, packaging, and marketing of data at scale, resulting in better, cheaper, and environmentally friendly foods. Technologies like computer vision, autonomous machinery, and data analysis are being incorporated at every level of food production to reduce food waste, improve production practices, and fight climate change. The potential for building a better world has agriculture and technology companies hungry to work together.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/07/27/how-can-agriculture-support-more-than-5-billion-people/

IT Outsourcing Pricing Trends and Labor Inflation for Technology Buyers

IT buyers need to plan for the impact of inflation and recession on demand and supply. IDC's research shows that labor rates for outsourced IT services have been impacted by inflation and price reductions have reduced substantially. Digital transformation initiatives continue to grow, increasing demand for DX skills. Labor is a key element of any IT managed service deal, but tools and automation are also important. Professional services costs continue to rise due to high demand and IT skills shortages. Technology buyers should expect prices to continue rising, but service providers can offset the impact with offshoring, automation, and efficiencies from standard offerings.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/03/03/it-outsourcing-pricing-trends-and-labor-inflation-for-technology-buyers/

Twenty three beaches in Devon and Cornwall have achieved the internationally recognised Blue Flag award for 2023. A total of 77 sites around the UK were awarded the Blue Flag award this year. Oddicombe beach in Torbay has scooped the award every year since it was launched 36 years ago. Torridge District Council looks after Westward Ho! and said the award from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy was considered the "gold standard". Westward Ho! beach has won the award for more than 20 consecutive years. Summerleaze beach in Cornwall and Beer beach in East Devon were first-time Blue Flag winners this year. Keep Britain Tidy describes the Blue Flag Award as an "international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes". Sean Kearney, head of communities and place at Torridge District Council, said the beach and the burrows at Westward Ho! offered a "fantastic location for recreation and connecting with nature". Mr Kearney said: "We're very lucky in Torridge to have such a fantastic beach right on our doorstep. "Right next door Northam Burrows forms an integral part of North Devon's Unesco Biosphere Reserve and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest." To qualify for the Blue Flag award, beaches must satisfy standards in four categories with 33 individual targets covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services. Blue Flag beaches also have to run a minimum of five educational activities each year making people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment. Keep Britain Tidy's chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton said: "Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards." Ms Ogden-Newton said the Blue Flag was the "world's most recognised award for beaches and marinas". She added: "We'd therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. "The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded." Speaking about six Torbay beaches receiving the award, Carolyn Custerson, CEO of English Riviera BID Company Ltd, said: "These awards highlight the outstanding quality of the English Riviera as a destination and the exceptional visitor experience, they offer. "As one of the most scenic coastlines in the UK, with 22 miles to explore by land or from the sea there's plenty to discover and enjoy all year round. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the English Rivera this summer." Carbis Bay - Cornwall Crooklets - Cornwall Gyllyngvase - Cornwall Porthmeor - Cornwall Polzeath - Cornwall Porthtowan - Cornwall Trevone Bay - Cornwall Widemouth Bay - Cornwall Summerleaze - Cornwall Beer - Devon Exmouth - Devon Seaton - Devon Sidmouth Town - Devon Dawlish Warren - Teignbridge Breakwater Beach - Torbay Broadsands - Torbay Meadfoot Beach - Torbay Preston Sands - Torbay Oddicombe - Torbay Torre Abbey Sands - Torbay Westward Ho! - Torridge Croyde Bay - Devon Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

IT As A Value Adder Instead Of A Cost Center

Organizations often complain about IT costs and struggle to demonstrate their value. To show value, IT should distinguish between "run" and "change" parts of the budget, simplify technology, and improve user satisfaction. Engaging employees through logistical processes like on-site support and onboarding can also add value at no additional cost. A transparent dialogue about costs can shift the relationship from cost-based to value-based.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/07/15/it-as-a-value-adder-instead-of-a-cost-center/

A man has embarked on a 3,000km (1,864 miles) kayak voyage in icy waters as part of a "poo-centric expedition". Mike Keen, from Suffolk, is almost a month into his three-month paddle from Qaqortoq in the south of Greenland - to Qaanaaq in the north. Along the way, he is collecting poo samples from sea mammals to check the levels of microplastics. He is also only eating a Greenlandic diet - food that can foraged or hunted - as part of a microbiome study. Mr Keen, who set off on 20 April and expects to complete his journey at the end of July/early August, described his mission as a "poo-centric expedition". He said the "tough bit" so far had been the cold. The 53-year-old chef, from Holton St Mary, near East Bergholt, has been rough camping and relying on the generosity of locals along the way. "Getting up in the morning, putting all your wet gear on for an eight-hour paddle in a kayak is pretty tough going but once you're out on the water it's OK," he said. He said he has had to haul his kayak across frozen fjords as he makes his journey up the west coast of Greenland. The high fat and protein diet of fish, seal, shrimp and reindeer also "took some time getting used to," he said. The samples of sea mammal poo he is collecting will be sent back to laboratories in Greenland's capital - Nuuk - to be analysed for microplastics. Samples of his own faeces will be sent back to a team of microbiologists to see what effect the diet has on his gut microbiome, his physiology and mental wellbeing. Murals aim to inspire climate change actionGreenhouse farmers call for support for homegrownCouple complete Atlantic charity row challenge Mr Keen said he was not looking forward to the sea ice as he continues to head north - and added that he "may need to think up a plan B" for getting through it. He said he wanted to raise awareness of climate change in the Arctic and the two scientific research projects he would be carrying out were "important". Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

A BBC investigation has found evidence suggesting some results from Nigeria's presidential election may have been manipulated. The winner Bola Tinubu is due to be inaugurated on 29 May but the opposition is challenging this. The BBC has uncovered significant anomalies in Rivers state, a key battleground, although not sufficient to change the overall national outcome of the election, which took place in February. There are also questions over the identity of an election official who read out some of the unexplained results. On 25 February, Nigerians cast their votes at thousands of polling stations across the country. At each polling station, the votes for the party of each candidate were publicly announced and the results sheets taken for collation first at the ward level, then at local government (LGA) centres. An election official from each LGA then travelled to the state capital, where these results were officially declared. For the first time in a Nigerian election, photographs of the polling station results sheets were published online by the electoral commission. This made it possible to add up all the polling station sheets and to compare them with the results declared at the state level. We added up the voting tally sheets from over 6,000 polling stations in Rivers state, where many of the opposition complaints had been made. While the official result in this state gave a clear majority to Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), our tally suggested that Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) had actually received most votes in the state by a wide margin. We found an increase of just over 106,000 in Mr Tinubu's vote in the official declaration when compared with our polling station tally - almost doubling his total in the state. In contrast, Mr Obi's vote had fallen by over 50,000. It's important to make clear that although we searched through the election website for every single one of the 6,866 polling stations in Rivers state, we were not able to obtain results from all of them. Some were incorrectly uploaded, others were missing, even after a month from the date of polling. For about 5% of polling stations, the photos of tally sheets were too blurred for us to read. It's reasonable to assume that the official count would have included these as they would have had the original documents. In another 17%, there were no results at all. Many of these would have been places where no voting took place due to security issues or the non-arrival of voting materials. Others had technical problems preventing officials uploading the documents. So there clearly would have been more polling stations included in the final official results that weren't included in the BBC investigation. However, these additional tally sheets would have increased the totals for each party, not decreased them. And what we found was that the votes for Peter Obi's Labour Party had decreased sharply in Rivers state. So how can the sharp fall in votes for Peter Obi - in the official result - be explained? Two areas stood out. The first was the Oyigbo local government area, where we found: The vote for Bola Tinubu was six times larger in the officially announced results compared with the BBC's polling station count Peter Obi's votes had been cut in half The second local government area where we found major discrepancies was in nearby Obio/Akpor: The official result for Mr Tinubu was 80,239 votes, but we counted just 17,293 votes from polling station talliesThe count for Mr Obi was announced officially as just 3,829 votes, but the BBC counted 74,033 votes for him on the tally sheets As explained earlier, all the polling station sheets are collated at local government (LGA) headquarters. We found an official election document with these collated votes for the Oyigbo area, signed by an election official and some of the party agents. Several different photographs had been taken of it and uploaded on social media accounts. The numbers in this document closely matched our own tallies for the two leading candidates (Obi and Tinubu). This would have been one of the 23 collation sheets from LGAs in Rivers state taken to the state capital, Port Harcourt, for the official declaration. Broadcast live on television on 27 February, in front of a bank of microphones, Oyigbo election official, Dr Dickson Ariaga, announced his name and that he worked for the Federal College of Education in Omoku. On the recording, the word "Omoku" is indistinct, but there is only one Federal College of Education in Rivers state. Dr Ariaga then read out the results for each party in alphabetical order, including for all the smaller parties. They all matched those on the collation sheet the BBC had obtained. But when he reached Mr Tinubu's APC, instead of saying 2,731 as written on our photograph of the sheet, he read out "16,630". Then for Mr Obi's party (LP) the figure changed again - instead of the 22,289 seen on the sheet, he announced "10,784", more than halving his vote. We asked the electoral commission if we could speak to Dr Ariaga, but they would not give us his details or reach out to him for us. We spoke to the election official seated next to Dr Ariaga, but she told us she wasn't authorised to talk to the press. So we sent a reporter to the Federal College of Education in Omoku, about two hours drive north of Port Harcourt, where he'd said he worked when introducing himself. The Deputy Provost Moses Ekpa told the BBC: "From our records, both from our payroll and from our human resources, there is no such a name in our system and we don't know such a person." We tried tracking him down on social media and eventually came across another Facebook account for someone in Port Harcourt, whose profile details had the name Dickson Ariaga. When we compared an image from this account to the television pictures of Dr Ariaga using Amazon Rekognition software, we achieved a match of 97.2%, indicating a very high probability they're the same man. Dr Ariaga did not respond to messages sent by us to this account. By reaching out to his Facebook friends we did finally manage to speak to a man who said he was a relative, who was at first willing to help us but then didn't return our calls. We put these findings to Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec). Johnson Sinikiem, Inec's regional spokesman in Port Harcourt, told us that due to a "gross shortage of time and personnel" they had needed to take on some people without verifying their identity documents. Referring to Dr Ariaga, he said: "If he had presented himself as a lecturer from [the college in Omoku] and it's otherwise, then he is dishonest." We also approached Inec's headquarters in Abuja for a response to our findings of discrepancies in the results in Rivers state. We were told that they were unable to comment due to ongoing legal challenges. This is just one case in one state in southern Nigeria where the evidence points to the results having been manipulated. On their own, these altered results would not have decisively swayed the outcome of the presidential election. Bola Tinubu won the national presidential vote by 1.8m votes over his nearest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. We're still looking for Dr Ariaga to respond to the findings in this report. Additional reporting by Liana Bravo, Jemimah Herd, Jake Horton and Kumar Malhotra Edited by Dan Isaacs

IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Future of Intelligence 2023 Predictions

Several companies, including UPS, Con Edison, Michiana Hematology Oncology, and Texas Department of Transportation have invested in enterprise intelligence programs and have seen positive business outcomes. IDC's benchmarking research shows that top-performing companies in enterprise intelligence are more likely to experience strong revenue growth and accelerated time to market for new products and services. Investing in enterprise intelligence can make companies more digitally resilient, agile, innovative, and dynamic. The article includes 10 predictions for the future of enterprise intelligence.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/12/02/idc-futurescape-worldwide-future-of-intelligence-2023-predictions/

Scaling Empathetic Customer Experience Outcomes Profitably Using Zero- and First-party Data

Delta Airlines offered free WiFi as a value-add to the onboard customer experience. Customers are required to sign up for their loyalty program to access the service, providing Delta with firsthand information about their flyers. The use of zero- and first-party data allows for more contextualized offers and services, but it is crucial for enterprises to maintain customer trust and treat customer data as a currency. Owned customer insights based on zero- and first-party data enable organizations to innovate in a profitable manner and achieve customer empathy at scale.

https://blogs.idc.com/2023/04/07/scaling-empathetic-customer-experience-outcomes-profitably-using-zero-and-first-party-data/

IT Inflation:  Where it is Headed, and What To Do About It

IT hardware, software, and services prices have been increasing dramatically due to COVID supply chain disruptions, shortages of certain raw materials, and the war in Ukraine. The price rises differ greatly depending on hardware and software category, vendor, IT service supplier, geographic region, and volume. IT procurement professionals can manage these increases by extending replacement cycles for end-user and data center hardware, monitoring prices on a deal-by-deal basis, rationalizing software estate, practicing brutal prioritization of IT and software dev projects, checking alignment with current market rates and quality levels of existing outsourcing agreements and internal service provision. They can also optimize IaaS cloud deployments to avoid overspend with effective tools and an actionable roadmap. IDC expects 18 to 24 more months of elevated rates of IT inflation followed by a moderation to slightly below average rates in the 2 to 3 years following that.

https://blogs.idc.com/2022/06/08/it-inflation-where-it-is-headed-and-what-to-do-about-it/

IDC Innovators: Integration and API Management Tools and Technologies, 2023

IDC Innovators study profiles five emerging integration and API management vendors with innovative approaches to a rapidly growing market. The study outlines each vendor's strengths and challenges, including embedded event-driven API capabilities and platform pricing flexibility.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US49316822&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

U.S. Augmented and Virtual Reality Hardware Forecast, 2023-2027: CY 2Q23

IDC study forecasts steady growth for U.S. AR/VR hardware market from 2023 to 2027 after a dip in 2022.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50545023&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

Industrial sites in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire are aiming to set up a network of pipes to collect carbon dioxide emissions and pump it to be stored under the Irish Sea. The "Peak Cluster" group is made up of five cement and lime plants plus a waste power plant near Northwich. The aim is to have the pipelines up and running by 2030 with units set up at those sites to capture the emissions. It could cut three million tonnes of emissions each year, the group claimed. Progressive Energy, the firm behind the project, said it would help the UK achieve "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The cement and lime plants in the Peak District and Staffordshire Moorlands are owned by Tarmac, Breedon, Lhoist and Aggregate Industries. The would be joined by the Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant plant in Cheshire, due to become operational in 2025. The underground pipes will feed into one of two existing storage sites in the Irish Sea, at locations which once held natural gas. Project director John Egan from Progressive Energy said the scheme was still in its early stages, but would make a "crucial contribution" to driving down harmful emissions. Seabed sites for storing captured carbon, to remove climate damaging gases from industrial sites, are seen by many scientists as important in reducing emissions to net-zero. But there have been warnings about the potential for CO2 leakage if the correct sites are not chosen. Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk

Tidal flood defences must be raised 15 years earlier than expected as sea levels rise, the Environment Agency says. An updated plan is designed to ensures communities in London and the wider Thames Estuary are ready to adapt to the impact of climate change. It sets out how it will protect more than 1.4 million people and £321 billion of property from tidal floods. The plan says defences must be raised upstream of the Thames Barrier by 2050. The Environment Agency has assured Londoners that the Thames Barrier continues to operate reliably and effectively as part of the wider flood defence system. It expects the barrier to continue to protect London until 2070. However, to further protect the capital it has committed to deciding an end-of-century option by 2040. The plan also calls for riverside strategies to be embedded into local planning frameworks by 2030 to ensure that new developments factor in future flood defence requirements. Julie Foley, the Environment Agency's FCRM Strategy & National Adaptation Director, said: "Sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate across the Thames Estuary, and it is therefore essential that we act now to respond to the changing climate. "Our updated plan recognises that defence raising needs to start earlier than originally thought - by some 15 years. "Alongside, the plan also requires greater investment in habitats and natural flood management to support nature recovery. "We cannot deliver the ambitions of the updated Thames Estuary 2100 Plan on our own. "That is why we will continue to work with many partners to deliver a green and resilient estuary." Wandsworth Bridge to close to vehicles for 10 weeksThames Water told to fix leaks by Environment AgencyThames flood defence scheme 'to be built by 2027' Last summer over 1,000 properties across London were severely flooded during intense storms. A report found that Thames Water was slow to respond to the floods because it had struggled to understand what caused them and their impact. It added that the company did not plan for the storms properly, gave customers unclear messages about what to do, and failed to update local councillors and MPs about what was happening. Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

Firefighters who were involved in a fifth convoy to Ukraine have returned home. Avon Fire and Rescue Service joined its first convoy by sending two former fire engines and six members of staff on the journey. The members of the convoy transported essential kit and medical equipment to aid firefighters in Ukraine. Ross Larner, a firefighter from Clevedon Fire Station, said there was a "great sense of camaraderie". The six firefighters embarked on their five-day journey from Avonmouth to the Ukrainian border in Poland on 2 May. Prior to leaving the country, they met with other members of the convoy from around the UK. In total, 25 vehicles and 80 crew members transported 8,000 pieces of equipment across the continent. Mr Larner said the team were told that more than 70 men had been killed on the front line and more than 350 fire stations and 1,500 trucks had been destroyed as a result of the conflict. He added that although the convoy was not directly helping, their donations would help keep civilians safe. Mr Larner said he and his colleagues felt a "great sense of achievement" when they met the Polish and Ukrainian fire services at the border. "You do get very run down and tired and it's not the greatest conditions to be in, but it is worth it - and it's nothing compared to what the Ukrainians are going through", he added. Mr Larner said that he would "definitely" be open to joining a similar scheme in the future. "I feel quite privileged to have had the experience," he said. "A few people have been on previous convoys which is a testament to what a good experience it is." Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk

A teacher who found her daily tipple had turned into three bottles of wine is one of the increasing numbers of professionals seeking help for addiction. During the pandemic, rehab and recovery services said they saw an increase in white-collar workers turning to them for support. BBC News spoke to the people who have received treatment and those trying to break the cycle of addiction. "I couldn't cope for a day without alcohol," says Sally Cusworth. "The harder I found my job, the worse it got." The 46-year-old former teacher from Leeds had always enjoyed a glass of wine or two but she noticed her social habit had become a daily distraction. "The more I got promoted, the more pressure I was under regarding Ofsted. And it's that building-up of anxiety that I really struggled with," she said. "I drank throughout my career, but I was trying to control and monitor it." Ms Cusworth's alcoholism spiralled into self-destruction when she took sick leave in 2019. She became physically dependent on alcohol, eventually being diagnosed with stage four fibrosis of the liver and near to death. The former secondary school head of department was caught up in a daily cycle of buying bottles of wine as she headed home from work, only to "drink in isolation". "I was slowly committing suicide really. It's a slow suicide on the sofa." Ms Cusworth was among the 3,500 people who accessed addiction charity Forward Leeds' service during the first year of the pandemic. Entering rehab in June 2020, she thought it was "for down-and-outs, kind of like criminals" but two years on and she is now working with charities to help others. Photos of her past are a pertinent reminder that "I don't have that choice to drink alcohol because that's where I will go back to". Ruth Bradford, from Forward Leeds, said alongside alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and ketamine users were contributing to the "substantial rise in individuals needing support". Meanwhile in Doncaster, staff at Aspire Drug & Alcohol Services said referrals to their centre in the city had increased by more than 200% over the past two years, with demand from white-collar workers "going up". Aspire chief executive Tim Young said: "There's still high demand for our services despite people going back in the office after the pandemic. "What we're seeing is people who wouldn't normally come to our service, so we're working with employers across all industries." For former sales executive Neil Firbank, a sense of purpose, hope and acceptance are the underlying principles of recovery. Mr Firbank's recreational use of cannabis, MDMA and amphetamine developed into a heroin addiction after a conscious decision to try the opiate. His urge for a 'hit' resulted in him "turning up at my dealer's house, still wearing my suit" straight from work. He eventually lost his job, home and family as his dependency on the drug spiralled out of control. The 46-year-old now supports others to get back on track at Aspire, where he was treated more than 20 years ago. Rehabilitation service UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT), which runs residential centres in England, said 65% of all admissions to its eight facilities last year were middle class users. Nuno Albuquerque, a senior treatment consultant at UKAT, said almost two thirds of the 3,507 people admitted for treatment in 2021 were professionals, ranging from teachers to managing directors and CEOs in industries such as finance and healthcare. In 2020, half of the 2,872 referrals were from white-collar professions, he said. Forward Leeds and fellow addiction charity We Are With You painted similar pictures in Leeds and Lincoln. Shaaron Jackson, from Guiseley, West Yorkshire, says she has been an alcoholic for "most of my life" with her addiction stemming from childhood trauma. The 54-year-old former actress says recognising the issue is the hardest step in getting help. "I think it's because still, even now, we see it as a failing. We see it as a weakness and that's how it's still viewed by society. "I think that's why this kind of misuse is going on behind closed doors. People are afraid to talk openly about it. "In recovery, we have very honest conversations. But then, if you go out into the rest of society, it becomes difficult." Ms Jackson was drinking "two litre-bottles of vodka a day" before the death of her mother and a suicide attempt sparked her wake-up call in 2020. Latest government figures show 275,896 adults were using drug and alcohol services between April 2020 and March 2021, compared to 270,705 the previous year. However, there was a drop in those entering treatment with 130,490 in the pandemic period of 2020-2021 down from 132,124 in 2019-2020. The view from the ground suggests the opposite. Mr Firbank said: "On average 40 new people approach us each week for issues with both drugs and alcohol, more than double the numbers presenting pre-pandemic." The pandemic has also changed how people are able to access addiction support. Ruth Bradford from Forward Leeds said they had "had to adapt." "We're being very much more flexible to the needs of the individuals who come to our service. "When they're on their lunch break we can have a telephone or a Zoom intervention with them, and we know that it's been as effective as having these face-to-face consultations. "It's helped them to engage more with us and complete their treatment journeys." While the move to digital support services has encouraged user numbers, the stigma of people accessing support still exists, says Dan Hunt, a community engagement coordinator at the We Are With You charity. "There's a lot of work still to be done around drug and alcohol and I think we've got to start treating it as a health condition. "There's such a stigma attached to drug and alcohol services about a specific type of people accessing them, that people are afraid to come in or seek the help because they don't feel they belong to that same group of individuals." Ms Jackson backed this view up saying: "People view addiction [as though] it's somebody on the streets begging or they look dishevelled and they think, 'that's the face of addiction'. Actually it's not. "Addiction doesn't discriminate, that's the thing. It's not just poor people who are living on the breadline, it goes right to the very top." If you, or someone you know, have been affected by the issues covered in this article the BBC Action Line has details of organisations which may be able to help.

Worldwide Smartwatch Forecast, 2023–2027: CY 2Q23

The worldwide smartwatch market will see slower growth in the coming years due to macroeconomic challenges and the market transitioning from connecting new users to replacement opportunities for returning users. Brands should focus on retaining their user bases with sticky experiences and ecosystems.

https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US50545123&pageType=PRINTFRIENDLY

A residential home for elderly and vulnerable people is to close amid "unsustainable" pressures and the cost of living crisis.Shotley Park Care Home in County Durham has called in liquidators after it was "unable to meet its financial obligations".The privately-run site, in Shotley Bridge near Consett, is home to almost 40 residents and more than 60 staff.Durham County Council is taking "immediate steps" to ensure residents are "offered alternative" housing. The home, which is due to close in the coming weeks, has informed residents and staff.It said its owners, who are in their 80s and 90s, had tried to keep the business running for years but had been unable to do so.This included through failed attempts to seek external investment and efforts to sell the business."The directors have put in a tremendous effort to keep the home open over the years," Martyn Pullin of liquidator FRP said."Unfortunately, the pressures on Shotley Park’s finances have become too great and unsustainable and the business simply can’t continue trading any further".It said that it is working with the Care Quality Commission and council to "ensure a smooth transition" for residents. Neil Jarvis, the council's senior commissioning delivery manager, said it was supporting residents and staff.He said its teams had started work on finding alternative accommodation for those who required it.Meanwhile, he said it would be supporting affected staff who may wish to work at remaining locations in the sector. Mr Pullin added: “We understand that this will be a difficult time for residents and their loved ones, but also the dedicated staff at Shotley". Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.

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