HSBC makes Geordies keep memorable word as “Shearer” than use voice activation
HSBC has rolled out voice recognition across the UK to replace the need for passwords, but have by-passed Newcastle-upon-Tyne with the new software. The bank’s Head of new technology James Gittens, 45, said: “It is fool proof and we have spent millions on the software, but we had to draw the line somewhere, give us a chance. “We just want all Newcastle customers to continue to ring in to prove their ID. Our call centre staff don’t understand a word...
VIDEO – Environmental Disaster in Brazil Could be Worst Ever
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor In November 2015, a dam at an iron ore mine burst into the Doce river in Brazil. Toxic mud poisoned with arsenic and mercury flooded the river and land over two states. The Institute for Water Management in Minas Gerais (IGAM) found arsenic levels more than ten times above the legal limit at one section of the mighty river. At least 13 people died when the dam broke and hundreds were displaced. The toxic mud traveled...
TLE Meets…Jena Friedman
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Jena Friedman is a stand up comedian, actor, writer and filmmaker. She has worked as a field producer at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has written for Late Show with David Letterman and is now coming to our shores with her show; TLE caught up with her. You're bringing your show American C**T to London's Soho Theatre, can you tell us a bit about the show? It's an hour of dark, political, feminist...
Every 5 Seconds Someone in World Goes Blind – Fight For Your Sight
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor It is a shocking statistic but every five seconds someone in the world goes blind. Almost two million people in the UK are living with significant sight loss and this number is predicted to rise to approximately 2.3 million by 2020. It’s essential, like any other body organ that you look after your eyes. Whilst it may not be a life threatening disease, sight loss can have a devastating impact on your quality of life. 84% of people...
Stephen Fry Leads Campaign to Speed up the Reporting of Missing Children
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Famous Comedian and intellectual Stephen Fry is urging the public to help save the lives of high risk missing children. The two-week long national campaign is asking people to register for free Child Rescue Alerts, activated when a child has gone missing and police believe their life is in imminent danger. Fry appears in a short animation (watch at bottom of article) and there is a major outdoor advertising campaign launched, developed with pro bono...
Young Londoners Want UK to Remain in Europe
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor New research has revealed that over seventy per cent of young Londoners want the UK to remain in the EU. The survey by YMCA, the largest youth charity on the planet, showed that 71% of 16 to 24-year-olds polled across London said the UK should remain in the EU. Only 14% said they were in favour of a "Brexit." It appears that youngsters in the capital are much more in tune with European project, than the...
Victims of Bedroom Tax Suffer By £66 More Than DWP Predicted
By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Figures that have just been released have revealed that the controversial tax is costing 442,000 poor homes £15.27 a week up from an estimated £14. A lot of money for struggling people living on the breadline. This is a total of £794 a year, £66 higher than the £728 the DWP claimed it would be in the official impact assessment from 2013/14. This is 9 per cent above the original figure. The difference on the...
Restaurant Review – Patara, Berners Street
By Jonathan Hatchman, Food Editor, @TLE_Food London is widely regarded as one of the world’s most exceptional cities for food, with just about everything any hungry foodie could ever crave all available within less than an hour’s tube ride, give or take. And, aside from British food, it’s no secret that some of the most popular international cuisines among city dwellers are Asian. Both Chinese and Indian are often named favourites, so here’s the question: with all the great Chinese...
Cast your vote for the First Time Buyer Awards
By Bea Patel, TLE Property Editor and Director of Shop for an Agent The First Time Buyer Awards is in its seventh year. The industry-recognised awards celebrate initiatives undertaken by UK-wide companies who provide support to first time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder. The judges have announced their short-listed categories for 2016. For the first time, the short-listed awards are now open to a readers vote online through the company's First Time Buyer Magazine. Lynda Clark, editor...