What can they do?
Saudi women took to the wheel in defiance of laws preventing them from driving. Some recent freedoms Saudi women have gained:
— From this year they have been allowed to ride bicycles, although only around parks and recreation facilities and when accompanied by their official male guardian.
— From this year sports have been introduced to girls’ schools for the first time.
— From 2015 they will be allowed to vote (and stand as candidates) in municipal elections for the first time.
— Laws requiring women to ask their male guardian for permission to marry, get a job, open a bank account or have surgery were officially abolished in 2008, although tradition still demands that they do.
— Women are now accepted in university courses in pharmacy and law.
Net gains
Ofcom criticised broadband connection speeds, in spite of heavy investment by the government. Is there a relationship between average broadband speeds and economic growth?
Ave. broadband speed (Mbps) | |
South Korea | 13.3 |
Japan | 12 |
Switzerland | 11 |
Hong Kong | 10.8 |
Latvia | 10.6 |
Netherlands | 10.1 |
Czech Republic | 9.8 |
US | 8.7 |
Sweden | 8.4 |
UK | 8.4 |
Economic growth in 2012 | |
South Korea | 2% |
Japan | 1.9% |
Switzerland | 1% |
Hong Kong | 1.5% |
Latvia | 5.6% |
Netherlands | -1% |
Czech Republic | -1.3% |
US | 2.2% |
Sweden | 0.7% |
UK | 0.3% |
Source: Akamaii/World Bank
When the wind blows
The Met Office forecast the worst storm in years. How did the strongest gust (of 99mph measured on the Isle of Wight) compare with other storms?
Fraserburgh, Scotland, 1989 | 142mph |
Rhoose, Glamorgan, 1989 | 124mph |
Gwennap Head, Cornwall, 1979 | 118mph |
Shoreham by Sea, 1987 | 115mph |
Needles, Isle of Wight, 1998 | 115mph |
Source: Met Office
Health and wealth
Jeremy Hunt criticised excessive salaries in the NHS. Which NHS staff have done the best over the past four years?
Average basic pay this year | |
Doctors | £58,813 |
Nurses | £30,619 |
Infrastructure support | £27,565 |
Senior managers | £75,759 |
% increase on 2009 | |
Doctors | 5.5% |
Nurses | 7.5% |
Infrastructure support | 10% |
Senior managers | 13% |
Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre

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