46 h. ago US immigration agency flies drones capable of surveillance over LA protests

CBP claims in statement that they are ‘providing officer safety surveillance when requested by officers’LA protests – live updatesCustoms and Border Protection is flying surveillance drones over the Los Angeles protests, the agency confirmed in a statement on Thursday. The drones in question are MQ-9 Predators, some models of which are equipped with technology that would enable high-altitude surveillance. In a statement to 404 Media, which first reported the presence of the drones, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the drones were deployed to support “our federal law enforcement partners in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with aerial support of their operations”. Ice conducts raids and arrests, activity that has ramped up under Donald Trump’s administration and against which protesters in Los Angeles have been demonstrating.CBP also said in a statement that its air and marine operations were “not engaged in the surveillance of firs...

Events

50 h. ago Northern Ireland minister rejects call to resign as political unity over riots cracks

DUP’s Gordon Lyons criticised for social media post about leisure centre before it was set on fire by masked attackers A minister in Northern Ireland has rejected calls to resign, as the display of political unity amid three nights of violence fractured after a leisure centre in Larne was set on fire.Staff and customers, including children learning to swim, were in the building at the time. The attack coincided with violent scenes amid tensions over immigration in the nearby town of Ballymena. Continue reading...

Politics

54 h. ago Where you've seen Maria's salon customer before including past Coronation Street role

Coronation Street viewers were left distracted during Monday night's episode as they instantly recognised Maria Connor's customer at the salon

Economics

69 h. ago Reuse shop selling signed Rolf Harris now fundraising to 'destroy it' after suggestions

One shop were conflicted after a painting signed by Rolf Harris came up for sale – but decided to consult their opinionated customers on what's best to do – including 'burn it'

Economics

4 d. ago China bans banks from luring customers with popular Labubu dolls

Regulator asks local banks not to give non-compliant perks amid fierce competition as interest rates fallBusiness live – latest updatesChinese authorities have banned domestic banks from luring customers with gifts including the hugely popular Labubu dolls, amid fierce competition among lenders as interest rates and profit margins decline.The Zhejiang branch of China’s financial regulator, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, has asked local banks to refrain from offering non-compliant perks to attract deposits, Bloomberg News reported. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Chaos at IKEA as customers including children in creche evacuated from store

The alarm saw customers and staff at the Warrington branch in IKEA rush from the building

Economics

8 d. ago Asda chaos as bomb fears sparks mass evacuation with shoppers 'screaming' and 'crying'

The Bootle branch of the supermarket giant descended into chaos after reports began circulating of a suspicious man inside the store, sparking an urgent evacuation around 10am.

Events

9 d. ago Shein accused of ‘shaming’ customers into buying more than they can afford

Consumer watchdogs accuse Chinese fashion firm of ‘dark’ practices in formal complaint to European CommissionConsumer watchdogs from 21 countries have filed a formal complaint to EU authorities about alleged “dark” practices by the Chinese fast fashion firm Shein including the “shaming” of customers into buying more than they can afford.The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has submitted a 29-page dossier to the European Commission citing multiple examples of “dark patterns”, or deceptive techniques designed to encourage purchases. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago I'm a travel agent and I'm often asked an odd question about toilet paper

A leading travel agent has revealed the oddest questions she's often asked by her customers before they set off on their holidays - including about toilet paper.

Politics

2 w. ago Man charged over alleged fake plane parts scam which grounded hundreds of flights

Customers included airlines, maintenance providers and parts suppliers

Politics

4 w. ago Dior becomes latest business hit by cyber attack: French luxury brand says hackers have stolen customer data

Hackers are thought to have taken personal details from some Dior customers including full name, gender, phone number, email address, postal address and purchase history.

Economics