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Ministers hope tobacco and vapes bill, which will become law next week, will create a 'smoke-free generation'A bill banning anyone born after 2008 from buying tobacco in the UK has completed its progress through parliament in a move that ministers hope will create a “smoke-free generation”.Under the tobacco and vapes bill anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to be legally sold tobacco across the UK, in an effort to save lives and reduce the burden on the NHS. Continue reading......

Outgoing CEO took stood up for users in battle with FBI but concessions abroad undermine claims of protecting 'fundamental right'In his 15 years as Apple's top executive, Tim Cook has projected an image of the company as a champion of privacy rights. As he prepares to leave that role in September, that legacy has come back into focus. Cook trumpeted the iPhone maker's commitment to privacy at home in the US and the EU, calling privacy “a fundamental right” but his acquiescence to government demands abroad call his dedication to protecting users into question.Cook cemented Apple's pro-privacy reputation in 2015 when he resisted the FBI's demands to unlock the iPhone of a mass shooter in San Bernardino, California. The company played up that public image in 2019 with playful ads that read, “Privacy. That's iPhone”, positioning Apple as the obvious choice for people who cared about privacy. In 2021, Apple added a feature, App Tracking Transparency, that allowed iPhone owners to limit an app's...

Under settlement, Sackler family will pay state, local and Native American tribal governments, individual victims and othersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA judge is expected to sentence the OxyContin maker, Purdue Pharma, to forfeit $225m to the US justice department on Tuesday, clearing the way for the company to finalize a settlement of thousands of lawsuits it faces over its role in the opioid crisis.The penalty was agreed to in a 2020 pact to resolve federal civil and criminal investigations it was facing. If the judge signs off, other penalties will not be collected in return for Purdue settling the other lawsuits. Continue reading......

About 500 farmers challenge Green Gen Cymru in high court over alleged disregard for landowners and biosecurityA group of 500 Welsh farmers have brought a landmark legal claim to the high court over the alleged conduct of a green energy developer planning to build electricity pylon routes across their land.The court will hear allegations that Green Gen Cymru “unlawfully sought entry to private land, intimidated landowners, and showed disregard for biosecurity and basic rights”, as well as examine laws that force landowners to sell property to utility companies, in a hearing on Tuesday and Wednesday. Continue reading......

Conservatives and former provincial premiers among those PM names to advisory committee on economic relationsCanada's prime minister, Mark Carney, says his new advisory committee on economic relations with the United States will draw on the “best advice and the broadest perspectives” as the country braces for what many expect will be tense trade negotiations with its southern neighbour.The 24-member advisory committee, announced on Tuesday, shows the prime minister's eagerness to reach across the political spectrum to ensure Canada is “well positioned to advance its interests” at the looming trade talks. Continue reading......

IFR budget has risen from £10m previously projectedLevy imposed on clubs will be tiny fraction of revenuesPremier League clubs are increasingly unhappy at the Independent Football Regulator's (IFR's) costs and uncertainty about how much each club will be made to pay.Premier League and EFL clubs have repeatedly asked the IFR for an update on its operating budget, which is believed to have risen significantly from the annual £10m projected by the previous government, and been frustrated by the limited response. Continue reading......

State attorney general said inquiry will look into whether AI tool offered 'significant advice' to campus shooting suspectSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxFlorida's top prosecutor is to launch a criminal investigation into how the tech company OpenAI and its software tool ChatGPT may influence users' threats of harm to themselves or others, including whether it “offered significant advice” to a gunman accused of conducting a mass shooting in the state last year.State attorney general James Uthmeier said at a news conference on Tuesday that his office is expanding an examination of OpenAI, saying a “criminal investigation is necessary” and the state had issued subpoenas to the $852bn California-based tech firm. Continue reading......

Kevin Warsh says 'we need to take politics out of monetary policy' as Elizabeth Warren calls him Trump's 'sock puppet'Donald Trump's nominee for US Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, faced a tumultuous hearing in Washington on Tuesday, fielding scrutiny over his wealth and his ability to operate independently of the president who appointed him.Should he be confirmed, Warsh will hold one of the most powerful roles in the US federal government, with massive influence over the global economy and the ability to move markets. Continue reading......

Brady departs after 16 years as club's vice-chairKretinsky and Sullivan to buy Gold shares and share powerKarren Brady has stepped down as West Ham's vice-chair after 16 years but David Sullivan has no intention of following his longtime ally out of the door despite the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky moving to match his fellow owner's control of the club.After Brady's shock announcement of her departure sparked a day of major change at the London Stadium, it emerged that Sullivan and Kretinsky have lined up deals to buy a portion of the Gold family's 25.1% stake and are poised to share power in the boardroom. Continue reading......

Karren Brady, who is stepping down as vice-chair at West Ham after 16 years, leaves a questionable legacy The “No More BS” campaign led by dissenting West Ham fans needs an update. One half of the double act has left the building but the protesters do not see it as job done. They are celebrating the departure of Karren Brady, who has stepped down as vice-chair after 16 years, and will not stop pushing for change in the way their dysfunctional club is run until David Sullivan has followed her out of the door.That, though, is not happening yet. No sooner had Brady's departure been announced than some fans started predicting that Sullivan would not be far behind. But a move by the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky to increase his West Ham stake by lining up a deal to buy a chunk of the Gold family's shares is not expected to lead to Sullivan going. Kretinsky, it is said, is merely strengthening his hand. Sullivan, who is also planning to buy some of the Gold shares, is not going anywhere. Kretinsky w...

Chris Huhne points out that the UK is not limited to a choice of North Sea drilling or more imports of liquefied natural gasNils Pratley is right to highlight the continuing role of gas in the UK energy system and the risks of growing dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (The UK needs more North Sea gas, not greater reliance on US imports, 14 April). As he notes, gas will remain essential for heating and power system resilience for years to come, and relying on volatile global markets leaves the UK exposed to price shocks and disruption.But the choice is not limited to more North Sea drilling or more imports. There is a third, often-overlooked option that supports farmers and rural communities while using our waste to make secure homegrown energy. Produced from organic wastes and injected into the existing gas grid, biomethane is fully domestic, low carbon, storable and dispatchable when needed. Continue reading......

Former Wall Street banker faces questions at confirmation hearing – but his biggest backer is also his biggest liabilityOn the face of it, Kevin Warsh looks like an ideal candidate to chair the Federal Reserve, the world's most important central bank. The 56-year-old Ivy League economist, former Wall Street banker and presidential adviser ticks all the boxes. Unfortunately for Warsh, as he faces what could be a fraught nomination hearing, his biggest backer is also his biggest liability.In his second term, Donald Trump has attacked the Fed in a manner both unprecedented and unseemly. He has called current chair Jerome Powell – whom he also appointed – a “jerk” and “a stubborn MORON”, and repeatedly threatened to fire him. Continue reading......

Despite surprise fall in unemployment, weak wage growth and inflation pressures put the squeeze on workersUK unemployment shows surprise fall to 4.9%Business live – latest updatesDespite a surprise fall in the unemployment rate, the latest jobs data show the labour market in a fragile state, even before the Iran war threatened to derail the UK's nascent economic recovery.At 4.9% in the three months to February, the unemployment rate was down from 5.2% in the previous three months, according to the Office for National Statistics. Continue reading......

Analysts say next boss John Ternus should diversify tech giant away from iPhones and raise its game in AIJohn Ternus takes over from Tim Cook as chief executive of Apple in September. A company insider, Ternus is moving up from his role as head of engineering to take control of the entire $4tn (£3tn) business.Apple is a vast, successful tech company and one of the most recognised brands in the world. But it faces challenges nonetheless. Here is a look at Ternus's in-tray. Continue reading......

There is growing international concern as the fragile two-week ceasefire reaches its Wednesday deadline. Whatever happens next, the poor will payMore than 3,300 Iranians, including 383 children, have been killed since the US and Israel launched their illegal war, authorities said this week. Asked about Wednesday's ceasefire deadline, Donald Trump said that he expected to resume bombing “because I think that's a better attitude to go in with”, though his rhetoric can shift within minutes. Whatever happens – or doesn't – with the US-Iranian peace talks due to take place in Islamabad, the costs of this disastrous conflict will keep growing. The only thing that the sides have in common is that each needs peace, but thinks that it can force the other into significant concessions.Iran has deployed its drones and missiles to punishing effect, but knows that its chief weapon is the economic pain it can inflict, primarily through control of the strait of Hormuz. The International Monetary Fund warn...

Ministers also asked to alter compensation rights and suspend emissions trading scheme amid Middle East warAirlines are lobbying the UK government to relax environmental and noise rules, modify passenger rights and cut taxes on flying, as they prepare for higher costs and a possible shortage of jet fuel because of the war in the Middle East.A list of policy requests submitted to ministers and the aviation regulator includes suspending the emissions trading scheme and relaxing limits on night flights, it has emerged. Continue reading......

The government plan to de-link gas and electricity prices will have a modest effect – more promising are plans on EVs and heat pumpsIt's a holy grail of UK energy policy – de-linking gas and electricity prices. After all, we've been told endlessly that one reason why our energy bills are so high is because “gas sets the price of electricity”. And here it comes: “decisive action” from the government to “break the link”. So, tell us, by how much can we expect bills to fall?Energy secretary Ed Miliband and colleagues didn't offer even a tentative answer. The big announcement was a prediction-free zone on bills for two reasons. First, because the outcome won't be clear until older wind and solar projects with legacy subsidies, the target of the reform, have been shuffled on to fixed-price contracts next year with a prod from the chancellor in the form of a higher rate of windfall tax if they stay on their current set-up. Continue reading......

Government has shaken up the way electricity is priced as British costs are among the highest in the worldElectricity generators threatened with higher windfall taxes in bid to ensure stable pricesThe second global energy crisis of this decade has reignited questions about Britain's grid strategy, specifically: why does it continue to have one of the most expensive electricity markets in the world?Despite the growing role of domestically generated renewable power, electricity wholesale prices in the UK have more than doubled since the war in Iran triggered a global squeeze on seaborne gas shipments from the Gulf. Continue reading......

Government looks to rush through laws allowing pavement 'charging gullies' to help boost EV take-up and cut dependence on fossil fuelsUK to appeal against tax ruling cutting VAT on public EV chargers to 5%Households without off-street parking could soon be able to charge their electric vehicles from home under new government plans to help households cut their need for expensive fossil fuels.The government has promised to pass legislation this summer that will allow motorists to run power cables through a charging “gully” built into the pavement outside their home without the need for planning permission. Continue reading......

Prime minister details efforts to attract investment and sign trade deals with other countries in 10-minute video addressCanada's strong economic ties to the United States were once a strength but are now a weakness that must be corrected, the country's prime minister has warned.In a 10-minute video address, Mark Carney spoke about his government's efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy by attracting new investments and signing trade deals with other countries. Continue reading......