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BBC News
26 minutes ago
- BBC News
Chinese university students told to spy on classmates, report says
Chinese students at UK universities are being pressured to spy on their classmates in an attempt to suppress the discussion of issues that are sensitive to the Chinese government, a new report UK-China Transparency (UKCT) think tank says its survey of academics in China studies also highlighted reports of Chinese government officials warning lecturers to avoid discussing certain topics in their comes days after a new law came into force placing more responsibility on universities to uphold academic freedom and free Chinese embassy in London called the report "groundless and absurd", adding that China respects freedom of speech in the UK and elsewhere. The regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), says freedom of speech and academic freedom are "fundamental" to higher new legislation, which came into force last week, says universities should do more to actively promote academic freedom and freedom of speech, including in cases where institutions have agreements in place with other could be fined millions if they fail to do so, the OfS has the UKCT report says some universities are reluctant to address the issue of Chinese interference because of their financial reliance on Chinese student fees. The report alleges that some Chinese academics involved in sensitive research had been denied visas by the Chinese government, while others said family members back in China had been harassed or threatened because of their work in the sensitive topics can range from science and tech to politics and humanities, the report says, such as alleged ethnic cleansing in China's Xinjiang region, the outbreak of Covid or the rise of Chinese technology academics reported intimidation by visiting scholars or other Chinese officials, as well as by staff at Confucius are partnership organisations operating at several UK universities, which bring together institutions in the UK and China, as well as a Chinese government agency which provides promote Chinese culture and language on UK campuses, but have been criticised over alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party. OfS chief executive Susan Lapworth previously said she expected Confucius Institutes to be looked into under the new free speech laws, over concerns that they could present a threat to free speech on OfS already has powers to ensure free speech is upheld by universities, including against any threats from the influence of foreign states or powers are due to be strengthened with a new complaints system, in which university staff members and visiting speakers will be able to raise issues directly with the regulator also said universities should amend or terminate any agreements which threatened free speech on campus, including scholarships or schemes funded by foreign BBC understands the OfS expects universities to have "an appropriate level of curiosity" about any such arrangements, regardless of any potential loss of income for the university.A Chinese embassy spokesperson said the country had always adhered to its policy of not interfering with other countries' internal the UKCT says its survey responses from academics suggested some students from China had told their lecturers they had been asked to spy on their peers by Chinese students, of various nationalities, reported being uncomfortable discussing issues in class deemed sensitive to the Chinese government, and were reluctant to pursue further academic interest in these subjects, the report Minister Jacqui Smith said any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK "will not be tolerated". "We are also working directly with the Office for Students to support universities in safeguarding free speech and tackling any form of harassment on campus," she said academic freedom was "non-negotiable in our world-leading institutions", adding that the implementation of the new legislation made that "explicitly clear".The record £585,000 fine handed down by the OfS earlier this year has "put universities on notice" that they must do their part to protect these freedoms, she added, or they will "face the consequences".Additional reporting by Education Editor Branwen Jeffreys
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I lost 18st without fat jabs – I didn't cheat my way to a new body by secretly using Ozempic, I put the effort in
Kate Evans, 40, a full-time mum from Buckinghamshire, weighed 29st at her heaviest & is frustrated people think she resorted to fat jabs. Here's her secret... NO WEIGH I lost 18st without fat jabs – I didn't cheat my way to a new body by secretly using Ozempic, I put the effort in OPENING my 10th can of cola of the day and gorging on a Chinese takeaway, I felt utterly miserable. Weighing 29st and a size 32, I was practically housebound and struggling to care for my children. It was a conversation with my husband in early 2023 that would shock me into finally losing weight, after years of it spiralling out of control. 5 At 10st 13lb, Kate's happier and healthier after losing 18st without using weight loss injections 5 Kate with husband Dan at her heaviest weight of 29st Today, I'm more than 18st lighter, but to my frustration, there are people who don't believe I lost the weight through diet and exercise. They accuse me of secretly using fat jabs and say I cheated my way to a new body. When my husband Dan told me that day that he was scared I was going to die, I knew his fears were justified. At 38, I was pre-diabetic and could barely walk, with aching joints and breathlessness. I agreed to join a slimming club, but had no idea how I'd lose the excess weight. All my life, I've been big. At 10, I weighed 9st, the weight of an adult woman, because I had a big appetite. BIG APPETITE As a teenager, when I had more independence and money to spend, I'd buy crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks. I did try a few times to lose weight in my 20s, but always gave up and put it back on, and more. When I met Dan online in 2013, after having my first child in a previous relationship, I was a size 24. He didn't care, though, and saw past my weight. He loved me as I was, and we got married in 2016. I treated food like an emotional crutch. No matter how I was feeling, I turned to it. I look back with horror at what I'd consume daily – litres of fizzy drink, greasy takeaways, piles of buttered toast and chocolate. By the time Dan had that emotional conversation with me, I was only leaving the house once a week to go to the supermarket, and I slept downstairs because getting up to our bedroom was too hard for me. 'No shortcuts exist' I'm an Irish teen who lost almost 60 pounds in 16 weeks following a routine that works wonders He had to take on more than his share, and I could never take the kids to the park or on a day trip. Had Dan not confided his fears in me, I'm not sure if I'd have ever given myself that push to lose weight. Stepping on to the scales at my first slimming club meeting in February 2023, I felt mortified. At 29st 4.5lb, I was by far the biggest person there. But for Dan and my children's sake, I knew I needed to try. So, using the club's plan as a starting point, I began learning about nutrition. I started having fruit and yoghurt for breakfast, a wrap with salad for lunch, and chicken with veg for dinner. I stopped having takeaways and gradually weaned myself off sugary drinks. Attending a weekly meeting and being weighed kept me accountable, and as I started to see the number on the scales go down, I felt motivated to keep going. I began to introduce walking, too. At first, even short distances left me with sore joints and out of breath, but I persevered and it became more enjoyable. 5 Kate ended up practically housebound and struggling to care for her children due to her weight 5 Kate lost the weight to be a better mum 5 Kate's husband Dan was scared she was going to die because of the excess weight Dan was so supportive and relieved I was taking care of myself. By April 2024, I'd lost 17st. I decided to keep going and now weigh 10st 13lb. I don't plan to lose any more, but still attend my weekly club meetings. It's surreal when I walk into a clothes shop and can pick out size-12 dresses. People I haven't seen in a while have walked past, not recognising me, and there was even a rumour in our area Dan was having an affair, because he was spotted with another woman. But that was me! What frustrates me is, after all the effort I've put in, I've been accused of secretly using weight-loss jabs. I've seen it happen online to celebrities, such as TV presenter Alison Hammond, who's lost 11st without jabs, too. Personally, I think it's cheating to use them to lose weight. I put the pounds on and it was up to me to lose them, not rely on pharmaceuticals. When I look back at old photos, I don't recognise that unhealthy, unhappy woman. I've saved my life and am the active, happy wife and mum I always dreamed of being. And I did it all by myself.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Medical conditions that could make you exempt from paying council tax
You could be exempt from paying council tax if you suffer from one of several medical condition (Image: GETTY) You could be partially or completely exempt from paying council tax if you suffer from one of several medical conditions. Hundreds of thousands of people across England, Scotland and Wales could be entitled to this reduction without realising it, according to MoneySavingExpert (MSE). The average annual band D bill - the standard measure of council tax - stands at £2,280 per year in total - meaning being eligible for a council tax reduction could see households save hundreds of pounds annually. This comes after council tax bills were hiked in April, with nearly all councils pushing bills up by close to, or at, the maximum rate allowed. On average, council tax bills have risen by 5.1% over the past two years. This comes after news of state pension payment changes for August as people told to 'be aware' . READ MORE: Universal Credit changes 'may see lower payments for people with six conditions' READ MORE: Brits warned over 'simple mistake' after pension pot is hit by £80,000 blow Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK could be entitled to this reduction without realising it (Image: Getty Images) Since April 1, the average annual band D bill - the standard measure of council tax - totals £2,280 per year. That represents a £109 jump from last year and a 20% surge from five years ago when the average bill stood at £1,898. However, people who are classified as "severely mentally impaired" may be able to claim up to 50% off their bill - or in the most severe cases have the entire bill scrapped completely, reports the Manchester Evening News. According to the Government, there are two criteria a person needs to meet to qualify for the discount: They must have a certificate from a medical professional confirming that they're "severally mentally impaired" (i.e. GP) They must be able to prove they're claiming certain benefits The government does not define what it means by "severely mentally impaired" but MSE suggests there are several conditions that may qualify for the discount. According to MSE, the following conditions may qualify: Dementia (including Alzheimer's) Parkinson's Severe learning difficulties Multiple sclerosis Cerebral palsy Severe stroke Schizophrenia However, whether the discount is granted or not will depend on an individual's own circumstances and a diagnosis of one of the above does not necessarily mean the discount will be granted. MSE explains: "You can be diagnosed as SMI as a result of a range of conditions – which could include things like dementia, Schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, having had a stroke, or having had an accident which permanently affects your intelligence and social functioning." "Many conditions can underlie being SMI, but no condition means a person is definitely also SMI. Being SMI is a doctor's diagnosis in its own right." To be eligible for the reduction, a GP must supply a certificate confirming that the patient is "severely mentally impaired". Under the law, a person may be classified as such if they have "a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent". READ MORE: HMRC warning as people risk fines with deadline fast approaching To be eligible for the reduction you must also be able to demonstrate you are receiving certain benefits, or in some cases, just that you are entitled to them. Eligible benefits may include: Attendance Allowance Universal Credit Disability Living Allowance Income Support Personal Independence Payment Additional details can be found on the website and local councils can provide complete eligibility requirements for the reduction on their websites. If you live alone then your council tax reduction will be 100% - meaning you won't have to pay any council tax. You could potentially receive a 50% discount on your council tax bill if you only live with individuals who are 'disregarded' from council tax - those not counted when determining the number of people in a household, such as individuals under 18, those on certain apprenticeship schemes, full-time students, live-in carers and diplomats. If you reside with one other individual who is not discounted, then you can obtain a 25% discount. Depending on the local council to which you pay your tax, you might also be eligible for back payments. As per MSE, some councils will retroactively apply the discount by six years, but each council has its own policy and they are not legally required to backdate the discount.
