Northern Ireland to Introduce Graduated Driver Licensing for Young Drivers
Northern Ireland is set to become the first region in the UK to implement graduated driver licensing reforms aimed at reducing fatal road crashes involving young people. The new rules, primarily targeting 17 to 23-year-olds, are scheduled to be introduced in October and represent the most significant changes to driving regulations in 70 years, according to BBC News NI.
The graduated driver licensing system, already in place in countries like Australia, the US, and the Republic of Ireland, will introduce new restrictions for new drivers. These include a six-month waiting period for learner drivers before they can take their practical test.
Julie McCullough of BBC News NI reported that the reforms are designed to address the disproportionate number of accidents involving young drivers. The specific details of the additional restrictions to be placed on new drivers were not detailed in the provided source material.
This move comes as other issues are also developing across the UK. Nearly fifty Labour MPs have appealed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to halt a planned increase in business rates for music venues, warning of an "existential threat" to these establishments, according to the BBC. The proposed revaluation of business rates, effective from April, could increase music venues' bills significantly, with potential increases ranging from 45% to 275%. Reeves is reportedly working on a support package for pubs in response to pressure from the hospitality industry and Labour backbenchers.
Meanwhile, in the UK, Valve Corporation will face a £656 million lawsuit over alleged unfair pricing practices on its Steam online store. The legal action, brought by digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt on behalf of up to 14 million Steam users in the UK, accuses Valve of abusing its market dominance by imposing restrictive terms on game publishers and locking players into using Steam. The case was given the go-ahead by a tribunal ruling, according to BBC Technology.
Elsewhere, airlines are facing scrutiny for initially rejecting compensation claims from passengers for flight delays and cancellations, only to pay out millions of pounds after escalation to an independent adjudicator. According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), almost £11 million was paid out in the year leading up to October 2025 to passengers whose claims were initially rejected or unresolved. Customers told the BBC that airlines had "tried to confuse" them to deter them from pursuing their claims. Airlines UK stated that its members "take their consumer responsibilities seriously and always look to provide compensation when it is due."
In Australia, firefighters in Victoria are battling at least six major fires amidst a record-breaking heatwave. Two fires are currently at an "emergency level," according to ABC News, prompting emergency warnings for several communities to evacuate, watch and wait, or shelter in place. Fire officials have warned that the situation is rapidly changing and urged locals to stay updated with the latest warnings. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that some parts of the state have experienced all-time temperature highs.
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