Author: 5hspx

Getty ImagesMost of India's 1.4 billion people live in villagesSmall villages in the state of Haryana, in India's rural northwest, find themselves in the spotlight these days.Farmers' houses in hamlets around the industrial town of Rohtak are suddenly in high demand and are also used as movie sets. Alongside the mooing of cows, it is not uncommon to hear a director shouting “lights, camera, action”. A new start-up, called STAGE, has given birth to a burgeoning film industry in this hinterland.“Batta,” a high-octane drama about power and injustice, is just the latest of half a dozen films in production in…

Getty ImagesThe Peace Bridge between Port Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York, carries more than a million trucks and more than five million cars each year.As Americans prepare to vote for their next president, Canadians and Mexicans are watching nervously.For some Canadians living near the U.S. border, politics is not a topic often discussed.“You don't talk about politics and you don't talk about religion,” says Ernie, 85, who lives in the Canadian town of Fort Erie, just across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York.Yet for others in Fort Erie, Ontario, politics can arise, especially after a few beers, and…

The Serious Fraud Office is investigating the construction of a hotel and conference center owned by one of the UK's biggest unions, the BBC can reveal.Unite the Union spent a total of £112 million of its members' money on the Birmingham project.The building has since been valued at just £29million, suggesting £83million was wasted.An investigation by KC and commissioned by Unite general secretary Sharon Graham also identified a missing £14 million, described as a “mystery” and not included in the project’s final accounts.Unite told the BBC that the matter was “now with the Serious Fraud Office” and that Ms Graham,…

Harrods told the BBC it was settling more than 250 compensation claims brought by women who allege historical sexual misconduct by Mohamed Al Fayed.The department store said women had come forward since a BBC documentary was broadcast more than four weeks ago. The investigation revealed decades of serious sexual abuse allegations against the former Harrods owner.Harrods has previously said it has already settled a number of claims.Fayed owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010. Its new owners said they were “appalled” by allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed and have been investigating since last year whether any current members of…

Labour's plans to improve workers' rights will cost businesses up to £5 billion a year, according to the government's own analysis.The new measures would have a disproportionate impact on small businesses, which employ 13 million workers, according to the impact assessment report.However, the £5 billion was a “modest” amount, less than 1.5% of the total amount businesses spent on hiring staff, the report said.Additionally, the “wellbeing” benefits of the measures, which include challenging the use of zero-hours contracts and increasing sick pay, would amount to £3 billion, the study found.The economic assessment report was prepared for MPs ahead of the…

Getty ImagesThe Mentawai Islands are considered a surfer's paradiseTributes have been paid to a surfer who died after being impaled by a swordfish in Indonesia.Giulia Manfrini, 36, from Turin in northern Italy, was surfing in the waters of the Mentawai Islands regency in West Sumatra province before Friday's incident, according to reports.Two witnesses reportedly attempted to provide first aid to Ms Manfrini – who was later taken to a medical center – after a swordfish struck her in the chest.James Colston, who set up a travel company with Ms Manfrini, said on Instagram: “Even with the courageous efforts of her…

“You are not my king”: moment when King Charles is heckled by an Australian politicianLidia Thorpe is no stranger to controversy and this isn't the first time she has expressed her views on the British monarchy.The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman has been a Victoria senator since 2020, the first Indigenous senator from that state.Before that, she had a history of Indigenous activism – she also worked as chair of Naidoc (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) for Victoria, an organization that works to recognize and teach Australians First Nations cultures and their stories.In 2022, while taking the…

Vulnerable people who owned cars through a loan scheme with Volkswagen's finance arm had their cars confiscated with “limited to no” warning, a watchdog has ruled.A customer told Volkswagen Finance he had attempted suicide, but the company showed a “lack of empathy”, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).Around 110,000 customers will receive a share of the £21.5 million compensation. The FCA said VW Finance must pay for its failures.The FCA also fined the company £5.4 million for the behavior. The company said it has since made “significant adjustments” to its business.He added that he acknowledged his shortcomings and apologized…

Getty ImagesThe first Labor budget for 14 years will be presented by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday October 30. She warned it would involve “difficult decisions”.Government sources told the BBC the budget would include tax rises and spending cuts worth £40 billion.What is the budget?Every year, the chancellor – who is in charge of the government's finances – makes a budget statement to MPs in the House of Commons.It outlines the government's plans to raise or lower taxes. It also involves important decisions about spending in areas such as health, schools, police and other public services.The previous Conservative chancellor, Jeremy…

Getty ImagesChancellor Rachel Reeves has warned her first Budget will involve “difficult decisions” on tax, spending and benefits.Shortly after Labor took power, Reeves said the government would have to raise taxes to plug what he claimed was a £22 billion “hole” in the public finances. Earlier this month, government sources said the chancellor was considering tax rises and spending cuts worth £40 billion in the Budget, which takes place on October 30 .Labor has ruled out raising taxes on “workers”, including VAT (value added tax), income tax and national insurance. So, what taxes could increase?1. A “stealth tax”One option, however,…