Apple UK sells iPhone 18 Pro from £1,199 and iPhone 18 Pro Max from £1,299, pre-orders open at 1:00 pm BST on Saturday 12 September, and the phones go on sale on Friday 18 September. In the UK that headline figure is the whole price, with no carrier attached to it. That is the real […]

The post Buying iPhone 18 Pro in the UK: £1,199 Is the Whole Price, and £455 Is Apple’s Only Trade-In Number appeared first on The Mac Observer.

Apple has published one trade-in figure for the iPhone 18 Pro launch in the UK: customers trading in an iPhone 16 Pro or later can get £455 in credit instantly. That is the whole of it. There is no per-model UK table on any Apple page, and Apple’s own UK trade-in page shows no values […]

The post iPhone 18 Pro UK Trade-In: The One Number Apple Publishes appeared first on The Mac Observer.

There is no carrier-by-carrier comparison to make for the iPhone 18 Pro in the UK yet, because the terms do not exist in published form. No EE, Vodafone, O2 or Three offer appears on any Apple page, and every carrier credit figure Apple does publish is attached to an American network. What is published for […]

The post iPhone 18 Pro Deals on EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three: What Has Actually Been Published appeared first on The Mac Observer.

Nordic Spirit has partnered with Co-op Live, one of the UK’s major entertainment venues, in a move that puts a nicotine pouch presence in the UK inside a high-profile live entertainment environment.

The partnership is particularly notable because the UK’s rules governing the advertising and sponsorship of nicotine products are about to change significantly. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 introduces a much broader framework covering the promotion and sponsorship of vaping and nicotine products, with the government intending the new advertising and sponsorship restrictions to take effect on June 1, 2027.

That makes the timing of the Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live deal more interesting than a conventional venue partnership. It arrives during a period when nicotine brands are still able to operate within the existing rules, while preparing for a substantially more restrictive marketing environment.

What Is the Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live Partnership?

Nordic Spirit, a nicotine pouch brand, has entered into a partnership with Co-op Live that gives the brand a presence at the Manchester entertainment venue.

Rather than being simply a retail arrangement, the partnership places Nordic Spirit within an entertainment setting where brand visibility and audience engagement are important parts of the commercial relationship.

For Nordic Spirit, the deal provides another way to establish brand awareness among adult nicotine consumers . For Co-op Live, the agreement represents a commercial partnership with a nicotine brand during a period of significant regulatory change across the UK nicotine market.

The timing is therefore an important part of the story.

Why the Timing Matters

The UK nicotine market is approaching a major change in how products can be promoted.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 extends advertising and sponsorship restrictions to nicotine products as well as vaping products. The government’s Department of Health and Social Care says it intends the comprehensive advertising and sponsorship ban to begin on June 1, 2027.

The legislation goes beyond traditional advertising. Section 131 covers sponsorship agreements involving vaping products and nicotine products where contributions are made under an agreement and activities resulting from that agreement promote those products in the UK.

This is important because sponsorship is different from placing a conventional advertisement in a newspaper or on a website.

A sponsorship arrangement can connect a brand with a venue, event, sports organisation or other public-facing activity. Under the new framework, those relationships can therefore become subject to much greater scrutiny when they promote a nicotine product.

What Changes Under the Tobacco and Vapes Act?

The new law represents a substantial expansion of the UK’s approach to nicotine marketing.

The government says the future restrictions will cover advertising, promotion and sponsorship involving vaping and nicotine products. They are intended to apply across the UK.

The legislation also makes clear that sponsorship restrictions can apply when a sponsorship agreement results in activities intended to promote a vaping or nicotine product.

That distinction matters for businesses because the question is not simply whether a company has purchased a conventional advertisement.

The wider issue is whether a commercial arrangement results in promotional activity for a product that falls within the scope of the legislation.

Does the New Law Automatically Make the Co-op Live Deal Illegal?

Not necessarily.

This is an important distinction that should not be overlooked.

The government has stated that it intends the comprehensive advertising and sponsorship restrictions to come into force from June 1, 2027. However, the explanatory notes to the legislation state that the commencement of Section 131 is to be specified by regulations.

That means it would be inaccurate to conclude simply that the existing Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live partnership is already prohibited.

Instead, the more useful question is how the arrangement will be treated as the new rules take effect and whether any existing contractual or promotional activity needs to change.

The final practical impact will depend on the commencement regulations, implementation details and guidance available to businesses.

Why Venue Partnerships Are Becoming More Important to Watch

The Nordic Spirit deal illustrates a broader issue in the nicotine industry.

For years, brands have used different forms of visibility to establish consumer awareness, including retail presence, digital communication, events and sponsorships.

The upcoming UK restrictions could significantly reduce the number of channels available for commercial promotion.

That makes existing partnerships particularly interesting.

A venue partnership can involve more than a logo on a wall. Depending on the agreement, it may include branded areas, promotional material, digital exposure, event-related activity or other forms of brand association.

Under a regulatory framework that specifically addresses sponsorship and promotion, businesses will need to assess those elements individually rather than treating the entire arrangement as a simple advertising purchase.

Nicotine Pouches Face a Different Regulatory Landscape

Nicotine pouches have also become increasingly visible in the UK nicotine market.

Unlike traditional tobacco products, nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco. However, the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 specifically brings nicotine products within the broader advertising and sponsorship framework. The government’s explanatory notes describe the new rules as extending advertising, promotion and sponsorship restrictions to nicotine products as well as vape aerosol products.

This is a significant development for pouch brands.

It means that the industry’s marketing environment cannot be assessed only by looking at traditional tobacco regulations. Companies selling nicotine pouches will also need to consider the new restrictions that apply specifically to nicotine products.

The government has also announced separate changes affecting the sale and promotion of vaping and nicotine products. From October 29, 2026, new age-of-sale and related restrictions will apply, including restrictions on free distribution intended to promote vaping or nicotine products.

What This Could Mean for Future Brand Partnerships

The Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live agreement may become a useful example of the transition taking place in the UK nicotine market.

For brands, the challenge will not simply be finding another advertising channel. Companies will need to reconsider how they build awareness when conventional promotional and sponsorship opportunities become more restricted.

For venues and commercial partners, the issue is equally important.

A partnership involving a nicotine company may require closer review of branding, promotional activity, event integration and contractual obligations. The regulatory question may extend beyond the presence of a brand name to what consumers actually see or experience as a result of the commercial relationship.

That could make compliance more complicated than simply removing an advertisement.

What Consumers Should Take From the Partnership

For adult consumers, the most relevant point is that the nicotine pouch market is entering a period of significant regulatory transition.

The Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live partnership itself is only one commercial arrangement. Its wider significance comes from the timing: it demonstrates how nicotine brands are continuing to explore mainstream commercial partnerships while the UK is preparing to impose broader restrictions on advertising and sponsorship.

The government says the future restrictions are designed to reduce the promotion of nicotine and vaping products, particularly in the context of protecting younger people from exposure to marketing.

As implementation approaches, businesses will need to understand not only what products they can sell, but also how those products can legally be promoted.

Final Thoughts

The Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live partnership is noteworthy because it sits directly within a changing UK nicotine marketing landscape.

The agreement does not, by itself, mean that the partnership is already prohibited. Instead, it highlights the transition from today’s rules toward a system in which advertising and sponsorship of nicotine products are expected to face much tighter restrictions.

The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 provides the legal framework for that change, while the government currently intends the wider advertising and sponsorship restrictions to take effect on June 1, 2027.

For nicotine brands, venues and other commercial partners, the key issue over the coming months will be understanding exactly how existing and future agreements fit within the new rules.

That makes the Nordic Spirit and Co-op Live partnership worth watching—not simply as a brand deal, but as an example of how the UK nicotine industry’s approach to marketing may change before the new restrictions take effect.

The post What the Nordic Spirit-Co-op Live Deal Means for UK Nicotine Sponsorship Rules appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Reform doesn't have the dignity of the Tories' grand history, but its lack of historical baggage means it has more freedom to set out radical new policies, says Prof James Alexander. Together, they would be unstoppable.

The post It’s Time for a Conservative and Unionist and Reformist Party appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

Facilities likely to employ 10,400 workers, compared with 40,000 in industry estimates, thinktank says

Datacentres in the UK will create just a quarter of the jobs predicted by the tech sector, while consuming vast amounts of energy, according to new research.

Environmental thinktank Verdant predicts that all the datacentres currently planned are likely to directly employ 10,400 workers – compared with the more than 40,000 cited in projections by the industry lobby group TechUK.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Facilities likely to employ 10,400 workers, compared with 40,000 in industry estimates, thinktank says

Datacentres in the UK will create just a quarter of the jobs predicted by the tech sector, while consuming vast amounts of energy, according to new research.

Environmental thinktank Verdant predicts that all the datacentres currently planned are likely to directly employ 10,400 workers – compared with the more than 40,000 cited in projections by the industry lobby group TechUK.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Datacentres should generate their own power and control their emissions, writes Richard Lamming, while Michael McClelland says we should reduce our digital communication. Plus a letter from Malcolm Fraser

The case of future datacentres demanding more electricity than the entire United Kingdom (Two planned datacentres will have higher UK carbon emissions than ExxonMobil, analysis finds, 25 August) is an example of corporates transferring their problems to society and the electorate. This must not be allowed to happen.

One solution would be to make each datacentre responsible for generating all its own electricity and for reducing its CO₂ emissions to zero. These installations will have vast areas of roofing and car parks that could be covered in solar panels, space for wind generation and battery storage, and for emissions scrubbers.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: mikkelwilliam/Getty Images

© Photograph: mikkelwilliam/Getty Images

© Photograph: mikkelwilliam/Getty Images

Government says Green leader’s proposed moratorium on ‘energy-guzzling’ AI projects would be disaster for economy

Labour has rejected calls to pause construction of major AI infrastructure in Britain after the Green party leader, Zack Polanski, said it was time to “slam the brakes on these energy-guzzling, water-guzzling datacentres”.

The government hit back at the opposition party’s proposal of a “moratorium other than [for] local-scale datacentres for the local community”, saying it “would be a disaster for jobs and national security”.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

If you are trying to reduce your nicotine spending in 2026, one question naturally comes up: is vaping cheaper than smoking cigarettes?

For most adult smokers who switch completely to vaping, the answer is still yes. However, the size of the saving depends on how much you smoke, what type of vape you use, how frequently you replace pods or coils, and where you buy your products.

In the UK, the cost gap is also being influenced by changes to tobacco taxation and the introduction of the Vaping Products Duty (VPD) from October 2026. Even with the new vape tax, vaping is expected to remain less expensive than smoking for many users.

Vaping vs. Smoking: The Quick Answer

For a regular smoker, vaping can cost substantially less than buying cigarettes every day.

The NHS says that, once the initial vape kit has been purchased, vaping has been estimated to cost about one-third as much as smoking.

The exact saving will vary, though. A refillable pod system with e-liquid can have a very different running cost from frequently buying premium disposable or prefilled products.

Here’s a simplified comparison:

Cost factor	Smoking	Vaping
Initial equipment	None	Vape device required
Main consumable	Cigarettes	E-liquid/pods
Replacement parts	None	Coils/pods may be required
Daily cost	Generally higher	Generally lower
Long-term cost	High	Usually lower
UK tax pressure in 2026	Very high	Increasing
Potential savings	—	Significant for many smokers

Why Smoking Is So Expensive in 2026

The biggest reason cigarettes are expensive is taxation.

UK cigarette prices include tobacco duty and VAT. The government increased tobacco duty in November 2025, and another increase is scheduled for 1 October 2026. From that date, the cigarette duty rate will rise to £394.09 per 1,000 cigarettes plus 16.5% of the retail price, subject to the minimum excise duty of £518.75 per 1,000 cigarettes.

For someone smoking every day, these costs add up quickly.

Example: A Pack-a-Day Smoker

Imagine an adult smoker buying one 20-cigarette pack every day.

At a hypothetical retail price of £15 per pack, the spending would be:

• £15 per day
• £105 per week
• £450 per 30 days
• £5,475 per year

This is only an example because cigarette prices vary by brand and retailer. If the price of a pack rises, the annual cost rises accordingly.

The important point is that smoking creates a recurring expense that is difficult to reduce without cutting consumption.

Why Vaping Can Be Cheaper

Vaping separates the cost of the device from the cost of the consumable.

A reusable pod system or vape kit may require an upfront purchase, but the device can then be used repeatedly. The ongoing expenses generally involve:

• E-liquid
• Replacement pods
• Replacement coils
• Occasionally a replacement battery or device

This can make the running cost considerably lower than buying a new packet of cigarettes every day.

The NHS specifically states that vaping costs much less than smoking and estimates that, after purchasing a kit, vaping can cost around one-third as much as smoking.

The Cheapest Vaping Setup in 2026

If your primary goal is reducing ongoing costs, a reusable refillable vape is generally worth considering rather than treating vaping as a series of disposable purchases.

A typical cost-conscious setup might include:

1. A reusable pod kit
2. A bottle of e-liquid
3. Replacement pods or coils
4. A charger if required

Once the device has been purchased, you only need to replace the consumables.

This is particularly important because the UK has already prohibited the sale or supply of disposable vapes. The NHS notes that disposable vapes can no longer legally be sold or supplied in the UK, while reusable and refillable products remain available.

What About the New Vaping Tax?

One of the biggest changes affecting the vaping-versus-smoking calculation in 2026 is the UK’s new Vaping Products Duty.

From 1 October 2026, the duty on vaping liquid will be £2.20 per 10ml. HMRC’s guidance confirms that the duty is calculated according to the volume of vaping product.

For example:

• 10ml of e-liquid → £2.20 duty
• 20ml → £4.40 duty
• 30ml → £6.60 duty
• 50ml → £11.00 duty
• 100ml → £22.00 duty

This tax is incorporated into the supply chain and can ultimately affect the retail price paid by consumers.

The government has also increased tobacco duty at the same time. It announced a £2.20 increase per 100 cigarettes alongside the introduction of the £2.20-per-10ml vaping duty, with the stated aim of preserving the price difference between vaping and tobacco.

So while vaping is becoming more expensive, cigarettes are also facing substantial tax increases.

Refillable Vapes vs. Disposable Vapes

When comparing vaping costs, it is important not to treat every vape product as equally economical.

Refillable Pod Systems

Refillable pod systems can be one of the more economical approaches because you purchase e-liquid separately and reuse the device.

Their costs include:

• Initial device
• E-liquid
• Pods or coils
• Occasional replacement device

For someone who vapes regularly, spreading the cost of the hardware over many months can reduce the effective daily cost.

Prefilled Pods

Prefilled pod systems are convenient because there is less maintenance and no need to manually fill a tank.

However, convenience can come with a higher cost per unit of nicotine or e-liquid compared with buying larger quantities of refillable e-liquid.

Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes were once popular partly because of their simplicity, but they are no longer a legal retail option in the UK. The NHS confirms that disposable vapes cannot legally be sold or supplied.

For UK consumers in 2026, therefore, cost comparisons should focus mainly on reusable and refillable vaping products.

A Simple Annual Cost Comparison

Let’s use an illustrative example rather than claiming a universal retail price.

Suppose a smoker spends £15 per day on cigarettes:

£15 × 365 = £5,475 per year

Now suppose a hypothetical vaping setup costs £5 per day on average, including e-liquid, pods/coils and the annualised cost of the device:

£5 × 365 = £1,825 per year

That would represent a potential saving of:

£5,475 − £1,825 = £3,650 per year

The numbers are illustrative rather than a prediction of what every vaper will spend. Your actual cost could be considerably higher or lower depending on consumption and product choice.

The NHS’s estimate that vaping can cost around one-third as much as smoking provides useful context for why these savings can be substantial.

What Can Make Vaping More Expensive?

Vaping is not automatically cheap.

Your spending can increase if you:

• Buy premium devices frequently
• Use high quantities of e-liquid
• Replace pods or coils unnecessarily often
• Buy expensive prefilled products
• Keep multiple devices
• Upgrade hardware frequently
• Vape continuously throughout the day

Someone who regularly buys new devices and premium products may spend much more than someone using a basic refillable pod system.

In other words, your vaping style matters almost as much as the product itself.

What Can Make Smoking Even More Expensive?

Smoking costs can also rise beyond the price of cigarettes.

A smoker may spend additional money on:

• Lighters
• Cigarette cases
• Tobacco accessories
• Travel-related purchases
• Convenience-store premiums
• Tobacco price increases

More importantly, smoking is a daily expense. Even a relatively small increase in the price of a packet can translate into hundreds of pounds of additional spending over a year.

With further tobacco duty increases scheduled for October 2026, this pressure is unlikely to disappear.

Is Vaping Worth It Just to Save Money?

For an existing adult smoker, switching completely from cigarettes to vaping may reduce nicotine-related spending while also reducing exposure to many toxic substances found in cigarette smoke.

The NHS states that vaping is not risk-free, but that nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking and exposes users to a smaller fraction of the risks associated with smoking.

However, the financial calculation should not be interpreted as a recommendation for non-smokers to start vaping.

If you do not smoke, starting vaping simply to save money does not make financial or health sense. The NHS advises that non-smokers should not vape.

For smokers considering switching, the greatest financial benefit comes from switching completely rather than maintaining both habits.

Dual Use Can Destroy the Savings

One of the biggest mistakes in a vaping-versus-smoking comparison is assuming that someone will completely replace cigarettes with vaping.

For example, if you continue smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day while also vaping, you are paying for two nicotine products.

That can result in:

Cigarette spending + vaping spending = higher total nicotine spending

A complete switch can therefore be much more economical than simply adding vaping to an existing smoking habit.

The NHS also notes that smokers only get the full benefits of switching when they stop smoking completely.

Vaping vs. Smoking: Which Is Cheaper in 2026?

For most adult smokers, vaping remains the cheaper option in 2026, particularly when using a reusable refillable device and buying e-liquid efficiently.

The cost advantage is being narrowed somewhat by the introduction of Vaping Products Duty from October 2026, but tobacco products are also facing higher taxation. The UK government’s policy continues to maintain a price differential between vaping and tobacco.

The Bottom Line

If you’re comparing the two purely on running costs:

Smoking: High and continually rising cost, largely driven by tobacco duty.

Vaping: Lower potential running cost, but affected by device, e-liquid and replacement-pod expenses.

Refillable vaping: Usually the most cost-conscious vaping approach.

Disposable vapes: No longer legally sold or supplied in the UK.

Dual use: Can eliminate much of the potential financial saving.

For a regular smoker, switching completely to a reusable vaping system can potentially save hundreds or even thousands of pounds per year, depending on previous cigarette consumption and vaping habits.

However, cost is only one part of the decision. Vaping is not harmless, and non-smokers should not start vaping. For smokers who want to quit, both financial considerations and health considerations should be taken into account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vaping cheaper than smoking in 2026?

Generally, yes. The NHS estimates that vaping can cost about one-third as much as smoking once the initial vape kit has been purchased.

Will vaping become more expensive in October 2026?

Yes. The UK is introducing Vaping Products Duty at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid from 1 October 2026.

Are cigarettes getting more expensive in 2026?

Yes. UK tobacco duty is scheduled to increase again on 1 October 2026, including higher cigarette duty and a higher minimum excise duty.

Are disposable vapes legal in the UK in 2026?

No. The NHS states that disposable vapes cannot legally be sold or supplied in the UK. Reusable and refillable products remain available.

Is vaping completely safe?

No. Vaping is not risk-free. However, NHS guidance says nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

What is the cheapest way to vape?

For an adult smoker who chooses to switch, a reusable refillable pod system can generally provide a lower ongoing cost than repeatedly buying prefilled or single-use products. Actual savings depend on e-liquid consumption, hardware costs and purchasing habits.

The post Vaping vs. Smoking: Which Is Cheaper in 2026? appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.

Labour has edged ahead of Reform for the first time in 18 months as more of its 2024 voters return to the fold, with Reform meanwhile leaking support to the Conservatives.

The post Labour Overtakes Reform in Polls for First Time in 18 Months as 2024 Voters Return appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

More than 20 years ago, King's Cross was one of the seediest area's in London. Now it's sprouting something new.

A discovery by archaeologists at the Pre-Pottery Neolithic site of Çemka Höyük in southeastern Turkey is extending the accepted timelines on the origins of ancient ceramic technology.

The discovery, detailed in a new study that appeared in the journal Antiquity, provides some of the earliest evidence yet uncovered for intentionally fired pottery in Southwest Asia. The findings appear to show that the first experimentation with ceramic technology began thousands of years earlier than once believed.

At the heart of the findings are a collection of more than 45 low-fired clay fragments, representing at least nine separate vessels, which researchers unearthed at the site of Çemka Höyük in Mardin Province. The fragments date to approximately 9,350 BC, placing them in a period that predates the widespread adoption of pottery during the seventh millennium BC by nearly two millennia.

The discovery offers an unprecedented glimpse into the earliest stages of ceramic innovation, adding to past discoveries that include early agricultural innovations and remarkably sophisticated monumental architecture associated with famous sites in the region like Göbekli Tepe.

An Ancient Experiment in Ceramics

Rather than evidence of full-scale pottery production, the new study by researchers Ergül Kodaş, Natalia Petrova, Maria Daghmehchi, and Rana Özbal argues that a period of experimentation seems to have begun around 11,500 years ago.

The nine vessels represented by the fragments uncovered at Çemka Höyük showcase simple slab-building techniques, where plant material, and even animal dung was sometimes mixed into the source clay to help improve its performance during the firing process. Further analysis of the samples indicated that they were intentionally heated in controlled, low-heat fires that reached temperatures of roughly 600 to 700 degrees Celsius, which produced permanent ceramic transformation, rather than mere accidental burning.

A Surprise Discovery

Along with the pottery fragments, archaeologists also discovered an unusual variety of clay objects at Çemka Höyük: a type of clay coating that may have once covered organic objects, along with an attachment formed from the same material that seems to have been used for enlarging the capacity of a vessel made from another material, such as stone or wood.

Altogether, the diversity of the artifacts the team uncovered points to strong evidence that early Neolithic communities in the region were already experimenting with clay in a range of different ways, before the widespread adoption of ceramic technologies for pottery production.

This is significant, since the discoveries challenge existing ideas about the emergence of pottery, which suggested that it was quickly adopted as a fully developed technology.

“This new evidence points to an early implementation and demonstrates that ceramic innovation emerged before widespread production and adoption,” the team writes, “developing regionally and progressively rather than through a single invention event.”

“Our analysis of the fired clay items from Çemka shows that the inhabitants of the site experimented with pottery production by selectively using organic temper, low-temperature firing technologies, and slab-construction techniques,” they add.

Ceramic Technology in the Ancient World

The study also places Çemka Höyük within a broader network of early clay experimentation across Southwest Asia. While similar finds have been reported from sites in Türkiye, Syria, Jordan, Iran, and Israel, the Çemka discoveries are now recognized as being among some of the oldest known examples of intentionally fired ceramic technology ever identified in the region.

Even beyond the technical implications of what the team outlines, the new study offers deeper perspectives on the social aspects of such innovations in the ancient world. For instance, to become successful, technologies must offer more than just functionality by becoming ingrained in the everyday lives of a culture.

The evidence suggests that at Çemka Höyük, use of clay underwent gradual transitions from use as a construction material to a medium used for storage and food preparation. This reflects changes in the culinary practices of the era, as well as certain community activities right down to the daily routines of Çemka Höyük’s ancient residents.

Thus, the early experiments outlined in the new study helped to lay the foundation for the sophisticated pottery use and other traditions that would ultimately make their way throughout the region, revolutionizing the ancient Near East with the arrival of one of its earliest technological revolutions.

The team’s new study, “Understanding a first attempt at pottery: early fired containers at Çemka Höyük,” appeared in the journal Antiquity.

Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. A longtime reporter on science, defense, and technology with a focus on space and astronomy, he can be reached at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow him on X @MicahHanks, and at micahhanks.com.

Apple has filed a legal complaint with the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal seeking to overturn a secret government order requiring the company to enable access to encrypted customer data stored in its cloud services.The challenge, reported in early March 2025, targets a technical capability notice (TCN) issued by the Home Office in January under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. The notice reportedly directed Apple to create the technical means for UK law enforcement and intelligence agencies to access data protected by the company’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature: an optional end-to-end encryption layer for iCloud backups, photos, notes and other files that even Apple itself cannot normally decrypt, according to Financial Times.

Apple responded by withdrawing ADP for UK users rather than comply, stating that it would not build a “back door” or master key into its products or services. The company has long argued that creating such access points would undermine security for all users and could be exploited by malicious actors. Standard iCloud encryption remains available and is accessible to Apple when presented with a valid legal warrant, but ADP provides a higher level of protection that the firm says it cannot and will not weaken.

The case is understood to be the first major legal test of the Investigatory Powers Act’s provisions allowing authorities to compel technology companies to maintain capabilities to access encrypted material. The tribunal, an independent body that reviews complaints against the UK’s security and intelligence agencies, could quash the notice if it finds the order unlawful. Proceedings were expected to begin relatively quickly, though the government was anticipated to seek restrictions on public disclosure on national security grounds.

The dispute highlights the long-running tension between tech firms’ commitment to strong encryption and governments’ desire for lawful access in cases involving terrorism, serious crime or national security. Privacy advocates have warned that any mandated vulnerability in widely used systems could have global repercussions, while UK authorities maintain that such powers are essential for public safety and are subject to legal safeguards.Apple has consistently maintained that it has never built backdoors into its systems and will not do so. The outcome of the tribunal challenge could set an important precedent for how encryption and government surveillance powers interact under UK law.

MacDailyNews Take: We’ve been fairly clear on this subject for many years:

It’s not enough that every Brit alive has a government camera shoved up their ass 24/7/365? The UK has already slipped far down the slope that they ought to rename the place Airstrip One. – MacDailyNews, November 3, 2015

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. – Benjamin Franklin

The current batshit insane “leadership” of Airstrip One is having yet another crisis of confidence. – MacDailyNews, February 7, 2025

Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. – Potter Stewart

MacDailyNews Note: Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud is an optional setting that offers Apple’s highest level of cloud data security. If you choose to enable Advanced Data Protection, the majority of your iCloud data — including iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes, and more — is protected using end-to-end encryption. No one else can access your end-to-end encrypted data, not even Apple, and this data remains secure even in the case of a data breach in the cloud.

How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

On Mac

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings.
2. Click your name, then click iCloud.
3. Click Advanced Data Protection, then click Turn On.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to review your recovery methods and enable Advanced Data Protection.

On iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name, then tap iCloud.
3. Scroll down, tap Advanced Data Protection, then tap Turn on Advanced Data Protection.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to review your recovery methods and enable Advanced Data Protection.

More info about Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud here.

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The post Apple launches legal challenge to UK demand for access to encrypted user data appeared first on MacDailyNews.

How one founder house is betting work-life balance can beat burnout .

Apple on Monday announced AppleCare One — a new way for customers to protect multiple Apple devices under one simple plan — is available in the UK. Starting at £16.99 per month, AppleCare One covers up to three products, with the flexibility to add more at any time for £4.99 per month per device.

With AppleCare One, customers receive comprehensive, one-stop service and support from Apple experts across every product in their plan — delivering affordable peace of mind. Beginning August 4th, customers in the UK can sign up for AppleCare One at apple.com or their nearest Apple Store. Those who already have an AppleCare+ plan can also sign up directly on their iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

“At Apple, we’re focused on creating and delivering exceptional experiences,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in a statement. “With AppleCare One, customers in the UK can now enjoy the trusted protection of AppleCare+ in a way that’s simpler and more flexible than ever before — one plan, one price, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing all their eligible products can be covered.”

One Plan, Incredible Value

AppleCare One includes all the benefits of AppleCare+, including fast and unlimited repairs for accidental damage, battery replacement service, and 24/7 priority access to Apple experts. All repairs are performed using genuine Apple parts at Apple Store locations and the vast network of Apple Authorised Service Providers.

Customers can enroll their eligible Apple products in the plan for the same great price, meaning a customer protecting their iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch together can save up to £11.48 per month compared to maintaining separate AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plans for each device.

Protect Already-Owned Eligible Devices

AppleCare One gives customers greater flexibility to protect the devices they already have. Eligible products that are up to four years old can be added to a plan, provided they are in good condition, opening up coverage well beyond the current 60-day window to purchase AppleCare+.

Coverage That Evolves with Users

AppleCare One is built to keep pace with customers’ changing needs. When customers upgrade by trading in a covered product and purchasing a new product directly from Apple, the old product is automatically removed from the plan and replaced with the new device — so customers never have to think twice about staying protected. And as a monthly subscription, AppleCare One makes it simple to maintain coverage across as many products as customers want, for as long as they want, with the ability to add or remove devices from their plan at any time.

AppleCare+ Plans Add Theft and Loss Coverage for iPad and Apple Watch

Alongside the launch of AppleCare One, Apple is also bringing AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss to iPad and Apple Watch in the UK. The single-device plan option is now available for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, protecting customers against up to two incidents of theft or loss per year on top of battery replacement service, priority support from Apple experts, and unlimited repairs for accidental damage.
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MacDailyNews Take: Learn more about AppleCare One and sign up by visiting apple.com/uk/applecare.

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The post Apple brings AppleCare One to the UK, streamlining coverage appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Reuters reports: Incoming British prime minister Andy Burnham will scrap the government's troubled plans for a digital ID scheme when he enters office on Monday, a spokesperson for the new Labour Party leader said. Resources devoted to the scheme, deemed a "fiasco" by a cross-party committee of lawmakers, will be redirected to Burnham's priorities, the spokesperson said... "All the time and resource that was going to be spent on a national ID scheme will go instead to where it's most needed, such as helping with the cost of living," Burnham's spokesperson said. In November, the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog estimated the cost of the digital ID scheme at around £1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) between financial years 2026/27 and 2028/29.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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