Latest news with #AA
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Phone thieves' e-bikes to be crushed hours after they are caught
Police will receive powers to destroy e-bikes and e-scooters hours after they are seized in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and snatch thefts. Officers will no longer have to give a warning to an offender before seizing and destroying a bike, scooter or car that has been driven in an anti-social way or used to perpetrate the theft of a mobile phone or bag. Instead of waiting 14 days before being able to dispose of them, police will have powers to destroy them within 48 hours. Ministers said the current 14-day deadline made it easier for offenders to reclaim their bikes, scooters or vehicles, which provided a limited deterrent to repeat offending. While e-bikes and scooters have become an increasing source of irritation for pedestrians, they are, along with mopeds and scooters, being increasingly used in snatch thefts. The number of snatch thefts, where devices or personal items are grabbed from a person by a thief, rose from 58,000 in 2023 to 99,000 last year – the highest level since 2003, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said: 'Anti-social and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks. 'By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we're giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve. 'As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that anti-social behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.' Labour is also looking to increase the fines for the cost of seizing, towing and crushing vehicles. A previous consultation recommended that it should be increased by the rate of inflation since the fees were last raised in 2008. This would cover the cost of recovering vehicles. The problem of nuisance driving has become so bad that some forces have launched dedicated operations to combat it. Operation Vulcan in Oldham has been targeting e-bikes, four of which were seized after their drivers were arrested for drug supply. Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs' Council's lead for roads policing, said: 'Anti-social use of a vehicle, such as street racing, street cruising or off-road use is more than a matter of noise pollution. 'It can have long-term effects on a neighbourhood, with the criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.' Edmund King, the AA president, said: 'Illegal car meets and street racing are not just anti-social, but also present road safety problems which have resulted in needless injuries and fatalities. 'This is a positive step that should make people think again before joining illegal car cruises.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Dear Girlies...": Flight Attendant Shares Meghan Markle's Handwritten Note
Meghan Markle left a handwritten note for an attendant on an American Airlines flight, and it's safe to say it made her day. Nina Vida, who served Ms Markle on board, has posted a video in which she explained how thrilled she was to receive a personal note from the Duchess of Sussex. Ms Vida, brimming with excitement, said, "You guys will not believe who I had on my flight, who I had the pleasure of serving. The queen, the princess, the Duchess of Sussex." Recounting the interaction, Ms Vida said that she and her fellow crew members wrote a note for her saying, "It's a pleasure serving you! Love you real bad," signed by "AA girlies." To their surprise, Ms Meghan responded with a thank-you note, writing, "Dear AA girlies, thank you for the love, hospitality and handwritten note - you know me well." She signed off the note with, "As ever, Meg." Ms Vida described her as beautiful in person and praised her for being so sweet. She complimented Ms Markle's handwriting, saying it gave rich vibes, and looked expensive and princess-like. She also said that Ms Markle even complimented her nails, which her previous captain criticised. "She also said she loved my nails, and the captain on my last flight said they were intense," she added. "But it doesn't matter what you think. The queen says she likes them." Nina Vida flight attendant for #AmericanAirlines had the pleasure of meeting the #DuchessofSussex on her flight and even received a thank you note from her #MeghanSussex #flightattendant #RoyalNews — (@blakjaxx) May 23, 2025 She captioned her TikTok video, "No picture, but I love a handwritten note." Ms Markle earlier shared her love for handwritten notes. In her old blog, 'The Tig', she once wrote that she thought handwritten notes were a "lost art." She said it felt special when someone took the time to write something by hand. "The idea of someone taking the time to put pen to paper is really special," she wrote.
eNCA
21 hours ago
- Business
- eNCA
Levy hike offsets fuel price drop
JOHANNESBURG - Motorists can expect a slight reprieve at the pumps in June. But the increased fuel levy will offset this. According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund, petrol could decrease by a few cents. WATCH: Budget 3.0 | AA warns consumers will feel fuel levy pain However, diesel motorists could see a more than 30 cents per litre decrease. The June fuel price adjustment will come into effect on Wednesday, 4 June. But this will give little relief to cash-strapped consumers after the Finance Minister announced a fuel levy hike.
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Restoration of RoDTEP benefits to boost MSMEs, enhance investors' confidence: Assocham
New Delhi: The restoration of benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme by the government will also benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), improve export logistics and enhance investors' confidence in India's industrial corridors, Assocham said on Wednesday. The leading industry chamber commended the Centre for restoring the benefits under the RoDTEP scheme for exports from Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), effective June 1, 2025. The restoration ensures that key contributors to India's exports are not excluded from critical incentives, especially at a time when global competitiveness and domestic industrial resilience are of utmost importance. 'Assocham has consistently advocated for the extension of RoDTEP to all exporting entities, including those operating in SEZs and under AA and EOU frameworks. This move will correct the gap that created cost disadvantages for such units and is aligned with India's WTO commitments,' said Manish Singhal, Secretary General, Assocham. As of March 31, 2025, total disbursements under the RoDTEP scheme have crossed Rs 57,976.78 crore, underscoring its significant role in supporting India's merchandise exports. For the financial year 2025–26, the government has allocated Rs 18,233 crore under the scheme. The RoDTEP scheme, in place since January 1, 2021, reimburses embedded taxes and duties not refunded under other schemes, thus promoting fair pricing and helping exporters to stay competitive. The latest notification reinstates these benefits which were available until February 5. 2025, creating uncertainty and financial strain for many exporters. The extended benefit will now cover over 10,795 HS lines applicable to AA, SEZ, and EOU exports, providing a much-needed boost to sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals and textiles that operate heavily through these frameworks, said Assocham. The RoDTEP scheme is compliant with World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms and is implemented via a comprehensive end-to-end digital platform to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
Car rams into Liverpool fans celebrating Premier League title in city centre
GENEVA/LONDON - A man was arrested after a car ploughed into a group of Liverpool fans celebrating the club's Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, British police said. Merseyside Police said they were alerted shortly after 6pm local time (1700 GMT) following reports that a vehicle had collided with several pedestrians on Water Street, where crowds had gathered in celebration, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Police officers investigate the scene of an incident in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win, in Liverpool, north-west England on May 26, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) "The car stopped at the scene and a male has been detained. Emergency services are currently on the scene,' the police said in a statement. In a later update, authorities confirmed the suspect as a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area. Police urged the public not to speculate on the motive or circumstances, adding that "extensive enquiries' were ongoing. Videos shared on social media showed chaotic scenes as fans were reportedly dragged by the vehicle before it came to a stop. Screams and panic ensued as emergency crews responded. The North West Ambulance Service said it was working closely with other emergency services and assessing the situation. "Our priority is to ensure that anyone in need receives medical assistance as quickly as possible,' the service said. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as "appalling' and extended his thoughts to those affected. "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response to this shocking incident,' he posted on X, formerly Twitter. "I'm being kept updated on developments and ask that we give the police the space they need to investigate,' he added. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU
