China Taxes Condoms Amid Declining Birth Rate
China will impose a 13% VAT on condoms and contraceptive drugs from January 1, ending a 30-year exemption. Experts warn of risks to public health as social media users ridicule the move.
Category : Search result: UK construction decline
Saudi 2034 World Cup stadium plans face delays
Saudi Arabia's ambitious 2034 World Cup stadium projects are experiencing delays and cost-cutting, with architects asked to redesign expensive plans. Read the latest on the budget pressures.
Tech Stocks Fall on Oracle Data Centre and AI Debt Concerns
US tech stocks led a market sell-off after Oracle lost backing for a $10bn data centre, fuelling investor anxiety over massive AI infrastructure debt. Discover the full impact.
Video Game Industry In Crisis As Console Sales Plunge
GameCentral readers express deep concern over plummeting console sales, the struggles of Call Of Duty, and the future of major publishers. Is the gaming bubble bursting?
China Taxes Condoms in Bid to Reverse Falling Birth Rate
China ends a 30-year tax exemption on contraceptives, imposing a 13% VAT from 1 January. This 'carrot-and-stick' approach aims to boost the birth rate, but experts doubt its effectiveness. Explore the policy shift and public reaction.
Canada's population falls amid student visa crackdown
Canada's population fell by 0.2% in Q3 2025, a rare decline driven by a government crackdown on international student numbers. Explore the data and economic impacts.
Council ignored warnings on builder before firm collapsed
Westminster City Council continued to contract a financially unstable builder, Geoffrey Osborne, which later collapsed, leaving homes unfinished and costing taxpayers an extra £27.5m. Discover the full investigation.
River Island to close 33 stores by 2026 after £33.2m losses
British fashion chain River Island is closing 33 profitable branches by January 2026, risking hundreds of jobs. The move follows £33.2m losses and a shift to online shopping. See the full list of affected stores.
HS2: A Decade of Disruption and Soaring Costs
Ten years on from its proposal, we walk the route of the HS2 high-speed rail line to uncover the real impact on communities, landscapes, and the project's spiralling budget. Discover the stories behind the world's most expensive railway.
Construction Suffers Sharpest Slowdown Since Covid Lockdown
UK construction activity contracted at its fastest pace since May 2020 in November, with the PMI hitting 39.4. Experts suggest budget uncertainty skewed the data. Read the full analysis.
Construction suffers worst downturn in over five years
New data reveals a severe slump in UK construction, with the PMI hitting 39.4. This rapid decline poses a major challenge to Labour's 1.5m homes target. Read the full analysis.
The 3,000 Unsung Heroes Who Built the Empire State Building
A new book reveals the forgotten stories of the 3,000 daredevil workers who built the Empire State Building in just 13 months, defying death daily. Discover their history.
Hong Kong high-rise fire: 13 arrested, death toll 151
Hong Kong police arrest 13 over deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, with 151 dead and 40 missing. Substandard materials and failed alarms cited in city's worst blaze since 1948.
Argos loses £223m as over 2,000 jobs cut
Argos reports a £223.2m pre-tax loss for the year, with over 2,000 jobs axed. The retailer blames a tough market and poor summer weather. Read the full analysis.
PFI NHS Buildings: Design Flaws & High Costs
Architect Martin Cook warns against repeating PFI mistakes for NHS buildings, citing poor design quality and escalating maintenance costs. Learn why this procurement model failed.
Young Women Reject Marriage As Gender Expectations Shift
Survey data reveals a growing gender gap in marriage aspirations among young people. Discover why women are increasingly opting out of traditional relationships and what this means for modern partnerships.
Couple save £100k building polystyrene block home
Hannah and Charlie Bird are building their own £190,000 home in Somerset using polystyrene ICF blocks, saving £100,000 and doing 80% of the work themselves. Discover their inspiring self-build journey.
Theatre crisis: New plays decline despite audience demand
New report reveals 30% decline in new play productions since 2019, while audience attendance for new work surges by 50%. Discover why theatres must embrace bold programming now.
Hong Kong fire kills 128, hundreds missing
A devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong has killed at least 128 people, with 200 missing. Questions mount over safety standards and alleged corruption in the construction sector.
Hong Kong tower block fire kills 128, dozens missing
Deadly fire rips through Hong Kong tower blocks wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, killing 128 and leaving 79 injured. Three construction officials arrested for manslaughter.
Lower Thames Crossing gets £891m funding for 2026 start
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms £891m funding for Lower Thames Crossing, with construction starting in 2026. The 14.5-mile route will feature Britain's longest road tunnel.
Hong Kong fire kills 65, hundreds missing in high-rise blaze
At least 65 people have died and nearly 300 are missing after a devastating fire swept through a Hong Kong residential complex. Police arrest three over suspected manslaughter.
Hong Kong fire: 44 dead, police blame negligence
Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades kills 44 at Wang Fuk Court. Police arrest construction company employees for gross negligence over unsafe scaffolding materials. Latest updates and investigation details.
Hong Kong fire kills 36, bamboo scaffolding blamed
A devastating Hong Kong tower block fire claims 36 lives as bamboo scaffolding accelerates spread. Investigation underway into one of city's deadliest blazes in decades.
NHS PFI Protest: Didcot Health Centre Funding Crisis
Campaigners protest NHS private finance schemes as Didcot's Great Western Park health centre faces 10-year delay over developer return demands. Read the latest developments.
Pets at Home profits dive 33.5% in half-year results
Pets at Home reports 33.5% profit drop to £36.2m as retail business falters. Interim CEO announces urgent action needed to return to retailing roots. Read the full analysis.
Yorkshire family masters lime mortar for home restoration
A North Yorkshire family discovers the sustainable magic of traditional lime mortar in a hands-on workshop, learning to repair their historic home with breathable, eco-friendly materials. Unlock the secrets of heritage building preservation.
NSW Pattern Books Aim to Accelerate Apartment Building
New South Wales launches architect-designed pattern books for mid-rise apartments, aiming to deliver 112,000 homes faster while maintaining design quality and heritage appeal.
Tech Critic Explains Internet 'Enshittification'
Discover why the internet feels worse, from Amazon to Instagram. Tech critic Corey Doctorow explains his three-step 'enshittification' theory and what can be done to stop it. Listen now!
Teen Vogue's closure signals end of progressive youth media
The folding of Teen Vogue into Vogue marks the end of an era for feminist journalism under Trump's administration. Discover how political pressures and advertising boycotts silenced progressive voices.
Page 2 of 4