Telstra's recent network failure, mirroring Optus's in 2025, underscores Australia's policy prioritizing competition over essential service reliability. The article argues for a national essential services network (ESN) for resilience.
Telstra's recent network failure, mirroring Optus's 2025 incident, has reignited debate over Australia's telecommunications policy. The article argues that prioritizing competition over essential service reliability, a legacy of 1990s reforms, has led to patchy networks and service failures, including for triple zero calls. A call for a national essential services network (ESN) is made.
The Guardian launched an extensive investigation into private equity's role in the UK economy, revealing one in eight workers are employed by PE-controlled firms. The project faced challenges due to opacity and complex ownership structures, requiring innovative data journalism and on-the-ground reporting to uncover impacts on public services and individuals.
Analysis suggests a UK-US trade deal agreed last December will force the NHS to divert £45bn from essential services to pay for new medicines by 2036, potentially causing over 200,000 avoidable deaths. Ministers defend the deal, while health experts and campaign groups express alarm over its impact on patient care.
Andy Burnham outlines vision for UK transformation, promising to improve living standards, rebalance power from Whitehall, and restore trust in politics, ahead of his expected takeover as Prime Minister.
Andy Burnham, widely expected to be Britain's next prime minister, is challenging the power of bond markets by advocating for state control of national assets. He recognizes the need for radical overhaul in financial systems, as governments struggle with underfunded budgets and increasing debt.
Ladakh Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for the first model border village at Chumur, located at 16,700 feet along the India-China border. The project aims to develop infrastructure, generate employment, and integrate civilians and defense forces.
Karachi, Pakistan, faced severe disruptions during Eid-ul-Adha due to water shortages, gas outages, and power cuts, leading to protests and struggles for residents to cook, bathe, and preserve food amid intense heat.
Banks in several Indian states will be closed between May 26-28, 2026, for holidays including Kazi Nazrul Islam's birth anniversary and Eid-ul-Adha. Customers are advised to check local branch status and utilize digital banking services.
A fault at a 220kV substation in Sector 72 caused a major power outage in Gurgaon on Friday evening, plunging large parts of the city into darkness. The blackout exacerbated the impact of soaring temperatures and disrupted Rapid Metro services.
Cultural obligations and essential services are being impacted by the cost of fuel in Australia's most remote communities.
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council says it cannot afford to be caught off-guard if a diesel shipment does not arrive, and must reserve fuel for essential services like road grading or red bin collections.
The Upper Lachlan Shire Council says it cannot afford to be caught off-guard if a diesel shipment does not arrive, and must reserve fuel for essential services like road grading or red bin collections.
As the 2026 census approaches, residents in Lightning Ridge fear inaccurate calculations of their population will affect the provision of essential services.
