ShinyShiny snippets: WhatsApp could be banned in UK, boss warns
WhatsApp could be banned in the UK, its head has warned. The UK’s upcoming Online Safety Bill could force the app to weaken the end-to-end encryption that currently secures messages on the service, said Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp at parent company Meta. If the government forced the company to weaken that security, WhatsApp…
ShinyShiny snippets: Spotify unveils Tik-Tok inspired revamp
It’s the TikTok-ification of Spotify. On Wednesday, Spotify unveiled a massive change to its design which users are not too thrilled about. Now, Spotify’s homepage will include a TikTok-like feed where users can scroll to discover new music, podcasts, books, and more. The homepage will feature vertical videos when possible for music covers and podcasts.…
Top 30 hacks to stop snoring revealed
The top hacks to beat snoring include using extra pillows, drinking water before bed – and even putting a tennis ball in your pyjamas to stop you lying on your back! A study of 2,000 adults found 56 per cent either snore or have a partner who does, with 54 per cent of those resorting…
ShinyShiny snippets: Apple introduces yellow iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
I'm a little disappointed that Apple didn't give a name to the yellow it splashed on its iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. It's just yellow, or Yellow iPhone 14. At least the really deep blue got 'Midnight' but Apple clearly had no interest in something like "Banana Yellow," "Sunflower Yellow," or "Merengue Yellow." The new color variant,…
ShinyShiny snippets: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock ‘immortalised as Barbie Doll’
Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and her Barbie doll. Image: Sky News A British scientist known for her work with the largest space telescope ever made has been honoured with her own Barbie doll. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock has been immortalised as a one-of-a-kind plastic toy in her likeness in recognition of her achievements…
International Women’s Day – 10 stereotypes females still face today
A female version of the 'George and the Dragon' statue has been unveiled ahead of International Women's Day - inspiring a new generation of girls that they can do anything. The ‘Georgina and the Dragon’ model shows a powerful young girl rearing on a BMX bike as she triumphantly slays the dragon, which symbolises several…
Over half of Mums want quality time with family on Mother’s Day
A poll of 2,000 mums found that, more than anything else, 51 per cent simply wish for quality time with their partner and children this mothering Sunday. Exactly a quarter don’t have enough spare time to spend with their kids due to work taking over (65 per cent), having too many chores (58 per cent)…
6 top tips to reduce food waste and save money
Climate action charity Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) found that UK consumers throw out around a sixth of the food they buy. This amounts to 4.5 million tonnes of edible food waste annually, costing each of us £210 a year on average. Not only is food waste a huge environmental issue, but it also…
Shiny Shiny snippets: Hate thriving on Twitter, insiders tell BBC
Twitter insiders have told the BBC that the company is no longer able to protect users from trolling, state-co-ordinated disinformation and child sexual exploitation, following lay-offs and changes under owner Elon Musk. Exclusive academic data plus testimony from Twitter users backs up their allegations, suggesting hate is thriving under Mr Musk's leadership, with trolls emboldened,…
ShinyShiny snippets: Eating disorder hashtags still widespread on TikTok
TikTok videos using hashtags previously identified as hosting eating-disorder content are continuing to attract views, new research by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate has found. A December report by the campaign group identified "coded" hashtags where users could access potentially harmful videos promoting restrictive diets and so-called "thinspo" content, designed to encourage harmful weight loss.…
