Sam Francis

United Kingdom

Staff Writer at Robotics & Automation News

Articles

Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for British MP Tulip Siddiq

1 week ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Bangladesh issues arrest warrant for British MP Tulip SiddiqSam FrancisPA MediaBangladeshi authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the British MP and former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq. The country's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has been investigating allegations Siddiq illegally received land as part of its wider probe of the regime of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, who was deposed as prime minister in August.
Reynolds refuses to say if steel furnaces can keep running

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Sam Francis

The business secretary has refused to confirm if the government can get the sufficient raw material supplies in time to keep the blast furnaces at British Steel running, after it took control of the Chinese-owned plant. Emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament on Saturday to prevent owners Jingye shutting down its two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe.
Green Party aims for 'record-breaking' local elections

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Green Party aims for 'record-breaking' local electionsSam FrancisGetty ImagesThe Green Party of England and Wales is aiming for a "record" number of councillors as it looks to increase its power base for an eighth election in a row, party co-leader Adrian Ramsey has said. The local elections in England on 1 May will be a major test for the Greens who quadrupled their number of MPs to four at last year's general election - but have failed to match the poll increases seen by Reform UK.
UK draws up list of US products it could hit with tariffs

3 weeks ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Kate Whannel |Sam Francis

UK draws up list of US products it could hit with tariffsBourbon whiskey is among the US products that could face import taxes [Getty Images]The UK government is drawing up a list of US products it could hit with retaliatory tariffs after President Donald Trump announced a wave of new import taxes. This is a toughening of the government's stance as ministers seek to finalise a trade deal with the US.
UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariff

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

UK to keep pushing for deal after Trump imposes 10% tariffReutersThe government will keep pushing for a deal to avoid a "trade war" after US President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs globally, the UK business secretary has said. Trump announced fresh levies on goods coming into his country including 10% on all UK imports and 20% on those from the European Union.
Minister to review sentencing council after 'two-tier' row

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Sentencing council to be reviewed after two-tier rowSam FrancisReutersJustice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said she will review the role of the Sentencing Council following a "two-tier" justice row over its latest guidelines. Labour and the Conservatives have criticised the council's plan to advise judges in England and Wales to seek extra information before deciding how to punish offenders from certain minority groups.
What is council tax and how much did it go up in April?

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Sam Francis

Council tax bills rose rise for millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 April. Council finances are "extremely challenging" and there could be further cuts to services, the Local Government Association has warned. What is council tax and who pays it? Council tax is a compulsory charge on properties in England, Scotland and Wales. AdvertisementIt is set by local authorities to raise money for providing services.
Reform UK launches 'most ambitious' local election campaign

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Sam Francis

Reform UK has launched its "most ambitious" local election campaign with a major rally as the party looks to turn momentum in the opinion polls into council seats. The party has been neck and neck with Labour and ahead of the Tories in some polls but has been destabilised by a row that saw Rupert Lowe, one of the five Reform MPs elected last year, expelled from the party.
Reform UK to launch local election campaign

3 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sam Francis

Reform UK to launch local election campaignSam FrancisPA MediaSince winning its first ever MPs at the July general election, Reform has surged in polls and claims to have signed up over 200,000 members. One of the new recruits is former junior Tory minister Andrea Jenkyns who defected last summer and is now the Reform candidate for the new mayorship of Greater Lincolnshire.
Credible harassment claims against MP Lowe, report finds

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Sam Francis

A lawyer investigating suspended Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has found "credible evidence" he and his staff mistreated two female team members in ways that "seem to amount to harassment". Jacqueline Perry KC, employed by Reform to investigate after complaints were raised in February, found evidence of "victimisation, constant criticisms and discriminatory behaviour". Parliamentary officials have launched a separate bullying probe into Lowe.