Latest news with #postCovid-19
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
JK Rowling slams ‘hapless' NHS bosses who suspended nurse for complaining about trans doc using female changing rooms
AUTHOR JK Rowling has slammed "hapless" NHS bosses for suspending a nurse who challenged a trans doctor in the female changing rooms. was Advertisement 4 JK Rowling has slammed NHS bosses for their 'hapless and unprofessional' behaviour Credit: twitter/jkrowling 4 Sandie was suspended from work in January 2024 Credit: Iain Masterton 4 Dr Upton - a biological male - made an allegation of bullying and harassment Credit: Alamy Sandie was suspended from work at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in January last year after made an allegation of bullying and harassment. But she was The Writing on social media, Rowling fumed: "This is Nicola Sturgeon's legacy. Advertisement Read more News "... a government that publicly backs the hapless, unprofessional, ideologically captured health board that's persecuting a nurse for asserting her legal right to a single-sex changing room." Ms Peggie's solicitor Margaret Gribbon said that the nurse - who has worked at the health board for 30 years - was "relieved and delighted" after being cleared of the allegations. In a statement, Ms Gribbon said: "On Tuesday 14 July, the evening before the resuming of her tribunal, Sandie Peggie received confirmation from Fife Health Board that following a disciplinary hearing, none of the gross misconduct allegations against her were upheld. "This follows a disciplinary hearing on 25 June, which considered four gross misconduct allegations: two relating to patient care failures, one of 'misgendering' Dr Upton, and one relating to her encounter with Dr Upton in the workplace female-only changing room on Christmas Eve 2023. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "Sandie is relieved and delighted that this 18-month-long internal process has concluded and cleared her of all allegations." It comes as an employment tribunal brought by Ms Peggie against the health board is set to resume this week. has been a prominent women's rights campaigner and has often been vocal on what she calls "sex-based rights" for several years. The Advertisement Gender row nurse cleared of gross misconduct She joked she had a "new favourite BBC presenter" after Martine overruled her autocue which referred to "pregnant people" being at risk during the recent hot weather . Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people. In 2020, the esteemed author slammed the growing trend of replacing "biological sex" with "gender identity". Her stance, that declared "sex is real", led to death threats, but also moulded her into a figurehead for the "gender-critical" movement. Advertisement Activists accused her of transphobia in 2020 when replying to an article with the headline: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate." She tweeted: "'People who menstruate'. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" Her remarks led to criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, who ignored the fact her books had made them famous to launch a string of attacks. Advertisement It was Rowling's beloved group For Women Scotland which also launched a long-running legal battle with the Scottish government over how a "woman" was defined in Scottish law. The Scottish government had argued people with gender recognition certificates (GRCs) should be protected from sex-based discrimination, meaning a transwoman would be considered a woman. However, campaign group For Women Scotland claimed this only applied to people born as a female. In April, the Supreme Court's landmark judgement ruled that it was unanimously determined "sex is binary" and that female-only spaces must be protected on the basis of biology. Advertisement 4 Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
JK Rowling says she and Stephen Fry were NEVER friends after he said Harry Potter author was ‘radicalised by TERFs'
The author posted the brutal dig on her social media JK HITS BACK JK Rowling says she and Stephen Fry were NEVER friends after he said Harry Potter author was 'radicalised by TERFs' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AUTHOR JK Rowling has hit back at Sir Stephen Fry amid the pair's public trans row. It comes after Fry, who has previously referred to the Harry Potter creator as a "friend of mine", called her out for her views on trans women. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 JK Rowling has sensationally claimed that the pair were never friends Credit: Getty 4 The author denied suggestions she was pals with Fry Credit: X 4 The 67-year-old presenter accused Rowling of being a 'lost cause' Credit: The Mega Agency The 67-year-old presenter, who narrates the popular Harry Potter audio books, turned his back on Rowling, 59, accusing her of being a "lost cause". The comedian said: "She has been radicalised I fear and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs. "It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. "I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting. "Then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now. "I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. "She seems to be a lost cause for us." His words were then reposted on social media by barrister Jo Maugham - prompting a brutal response from the author. But in response to the tweet, Rowling denied claims that the pair were close. Posting on X, she said: "It is a great mistake to assume that everyone who claims to have been a friend of mine was ever considered a friend by me." The author is no stranger to such comments and has long stood firm in the face of online pressure. Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people. PM backs JK Rowling in war with trans activists and says 'we should not criminalise people saying common sense things' In 2020, the esteemed author slammed the growing trend of replacing "biological sex" with "gender identity". Her stance, that declared "sex is real", led to death threats, but also moulded her into a figurehead for the "gender-critical" movement. Activists accused her of transphobia in 2020 when replying to an article with the headline: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate." She tweeted: "'People who menstruate'. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" Her remarks led to criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, who ignored the fact her books had made them famous to launch a string of attacks. It was Rowling's beloved group For Women Scotland which also launched a long-running legal battle with the Scottish government over how a "woman" was defined in Scottish law. The Scottish government had argued people with gender recognition certificates (GRCs) should be protected from sex-based discrimination, meaning a transwoman would be considered a woman. However, campaign group For Women Scotland claimed this only applied to people born as a female. In April, the Supreme Court's landmark judgement ruled that it was unanimously determined "sex is binary" and that female-only spaces must be protected on the basis of biology. Hailing the landmark decision, Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Saying 'trans women are women' was never true in fact, and now isn't true in law either. "This is a victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. "Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex."
The Irish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
JK Rowling says she and Stephen Fry were NEVER friends after he said Harry Potter author was ‘radicalised by TERFs'
AUTHOR JK Rowling has hit back at Sir Stephen Fry amid the pair's public trans row. It comes after Fry, who has previously referred to the Harry Potter creator as a "friend of mine", called her out for her views on trans women. 4 JK Rowling has sensationally claimed that the pair were never friends Credit: Getty 4 The author denied suggestions she was pals with Fry Credit: X Advertisement 4 The 67-year-old presenter accused Rowling of being a 'lost cause' Credit: The Mega Agency The 67-year-old presenter, who narrates the popular The comedian said: "She has been radicalised I fear and it may be she has been radicalised by TERFs. "It is unhelpful and only hardens her and will only continue to harden her I am afraid. Advertisement "I am sorry because I always liked her company. I found her charming, funny and interesting. Read more News "Then this thing happened and it completely altered the way she talks and engages with the world now. "I am not saying that she not be called out when she says things that are really cruel, wrong and mocking. "She seems to be a lost cause for us." Advertisement His words were then reposted on social media by barrister Jo Maugham - prompting a brutal response from the author. Most read in The Sun But in response to the tweet, Rowling denied claims that the pair were close. Posting on X, she said: "It is a great mistake to assume that everyone who claims to have been a friend of mine was ever considered a friend by me." The author is no stranger to such comments and has long stood firm in the face of online pressure. Rowling has come under fire for comments made in the past towards trans people. Advertisement PM backs JK Rowling in war with trans activists and says 'we should not criminalise people saying common sense things' In 2020, the esteemed author slammed the growing trend of replacing "biological sex" with "gender identity". Her stance, that declared "sex is real", led to death threats, but also moulded her into a figurehead for the "gender-critical" movement. Activists accused her of transphobia in 2020 when replying to an article with the headline: "Opinion: Creating a more equal post Covid-19 world for people who menstruate." She tweeted: "'People who menstruate'. I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. "Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" Advertisement Her remarks led to criticism from Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, who ignored the fact her books had made them famous to launch a string of attacks. It was Rowling's beloved group For Women Scotland which also launched a long-running legal battle with the Scottish government over how a "woman" was defined in Scottish law. The Scottish government had argued people with gender recognition certificates (GRCs) should be protected from sex-based discrimination, meaning a transwoman would be considered a woman. However, campaign group For Women Scotland claimed this only applied to people born as a female. In April, the Supreme Court's landmark judgement ruled that it was unanimously determined "sex is binary" and that female-only spaces must be protected on the basis of biology. Advertisement Hailing the landmark decision, Tory Leader "This is a victory for all of the women who faced personal abuse or lost their jobs for stating the obvious. "Women are women and men are men: you cannot change your biological sex." 4 The author is no stranger to such comments and has long stood firm in the face of online pressure Credit: Simon Jones
New Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Business group wants government to ease SMEs' burden from Fomema policy changes
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA) has urged the government to address the challenges faced by the small and medium enterprises following policy changes by the Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema). FMBA chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Malik Abdullah said the changes were made "without adequate stakeholder consultation" and were a major shift in Malaysia's foreign worker regulations. "These unexpected expenses posed a substantial burden on SMEs, which often operate with tight margins, especially in the era of post Covid-19, when many SMEs are still struggling to keep afloat." In December 2023, Fomema mandated annual medical exams for foreign workers, replacing the previous biennial requirement. Fees rose from RM190 to RM207 for male workers (an increase of 8.9 per cent) and from RM207 to RM217 for female workers (an increase of 4.8 per cent). "The announcement of these changes came just one day before implementation, leaving many SMEs unprepared for the sudden costs and operational adjustments required." Malik said the new policy increased administrative workload of SMEs and was particularly challenging for smaller businesses with limited human resource capabilities. He said Fomema also deemed foreign workers with "uncontrolled non-communicable diseases (NCDs)" as an unsuitable for employment. "NCDs like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol are prevalent among working Malaysian adults, who contribute to the productivity and growth of the nation. "NCDs are also treatable and controllable. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, India and China do not impose this requirement." Malik said FMBA had raised their concerns with the Health, Home, and Investment, Trade and Industry Ministries. "Currently, employers and foreign workers lack access to medical records from screenings, which should be provided to both parties. "Employers, having funded these screenings, should have rights to relevant health information. "In this regard, FMBA recommends that a copy of the medical examination report be prepared and provided to the employer." Malik said the examination costs were compounded by other recent policies, including a multi-tiered foreign worker levy, higher minimum wage, mandatory Employee Provident Fund contributions and Employment Injury Scheme and Invalidity Scheme under the Social Security Organisation.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South African real estate sector shows remarkable resilience amidst 2025's volatile start
South Africa's persistently high interest rates, the lingering effects of the post Covid-19 recovery, and muted domestic growth in South Africa continue to stifle the local real estate sector. Image: Henk Kruger African News Agency (ANA) While the South African real estate sector has not been insulated from the various macroeconomic challenges, the sector has shown notable resilience. This was as this year got off to a volatile start with significant movements across global markets, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and ongoing volatility driven by persistent macroeconomic headwinds. Despite global pressures, South Africa's real estate market faces significant domestic headwinds. These include stubbornly high interest rates, the continuing impact of the post-Covid-19 recovery, and overall weak economic growth, according to Simon Fiford, senior vice president for Real Estate Coverage at Standard Bank. These factors have impacted each asset class differently. Across these categories, performance has varied. 'According to Standard Bank's internal estimates, the South African commercial real estate sector is currently valued at approximately R1.9 trillion. This represents a significant increase from the R1.3 trillion recorded in 2015, highlighting the sector's growth over the past decade. "If we add to this the estimated value of the residential property market (R6.9 trillion), the market size exceeds R8.8 trillion (as of the end of 2024),' Fiford said. The African bank with assets at around R3.3 trillion as of the financial year of 2024 and has a footprint in 20 African markets, monitors and analyses real estate trends. The senior VP said it is important to note that these valuations may not fully capture the entire market, as certain segments like government-owned properties, hospitals, hotels, and multi-dwelling residential units might be underrepresented in municipal data. 'This significant figure affirms the enduring relevance of physical real estate assets, even as digital and virtual platforms proliferate.' The local real estate sector comprises multiple, highly differentiated asset classes: office, retail, residential, industrial and alternative real estate assets-including data centres, cold storage facilities, and student accommodation, among others. The bank's data office rentals have shown surprising resilience, with the national weighted decentralised vacancy rates for grades A+, A and B office space decreased to 12.6% in the last quarter of 2024, down from 14.4% in the last one of 2023. The shift back to physical workplaces has gathered momentum, as hybrid fatigue sets in, and companies prioritise in-person collaboration. The retail sector has experienced a remarkable recovery as footfall and occupancy rates have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels in several key African markets. The asset class was said to be also seeing low vacancy rates (5.5% FY 2024), as well as increased adoption of solar PV initiatives which are being used to manage operational costs. Furthermore, the financier said they have witnessed the rise of urban consolidation which has led to innovative precinct developments, which blend residential, retail, and cultural spaces in one environment. However, it said the structural undersupply of affordable housing in the country remains a challenge. According to the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa, the total value of South Africa's residential property market reached R6.9 trillion in 2024, encompassing 6.91 million properties. Residential assets represent 89.3% of total property volume, thereby underscoring their centrality to household wealth. Importantly, government-subsidised housing (GSH) makes up 32% of total residential units, or about 2.18 million homes. This indicates massive potential for scalable investment and impact. Encouragingly, the financial institution said the residential market is showing lower vacancy rates, increased investment in build-to-rent and build-to-sell developments, and a steady rise in rental yields. The standout performer across the board was said to continue to be the industrial sector. This asset class benefits from booming e-commerce, the reshoring of supply chains, and demand for warehousing solutions. Vacancy rates have dropped by 2.1%, while rental growth has exceeded 5% year-on-year. 'We are also seeing a surge in tenant-driven developments and sale-and-leaseback structures, enabling manufacturers to remain focused and unlock capital to invest in core operations.' Data centres, cold storage, and student accommodation were said to continue to emerge as strategic sub-sectors. Their rise was linked to shifts in technology, food logistics, and urbanisation, pointing to new investment opportunities. Fiford said that however, for many across the continent, physical infrastructure remains essential. 'Whether it is visiting a favourite retail store, collaborating in an office, or living in secure housing, real estate continues to shape our daily lives.' Sandile Mpanza, the head of commercial property finance Africa region at Absa CIB, said in 2023, a financing deal quietly redrew the boundaries of East Africa's real estate playbook. Acorn Holdings Limited secured KES 6.7 billion from Absa Group and Absa Bank Kenya to develop ten purpose-built student accommodation sites across Nairobi. He said on paper, it was a domestic transaction. 'In substance, it marked three precedents: the first time a development Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) had been bank-financed through a bilateral loan in Sub-Saharan Africa; the first sustainable finance facility for commercial property outside South Africa; and a decisive shift in where-and how-real estate value is now being constructed,' Mpanza said.
