SwayBlog

The ObserverMoneyHow a bougette became the Budget (and a bag a briefcase)Ever wondered where the dollar sign came from or what the Exchequer has to do with checks and cheques? Elaine Saunders gives you the lowdownWhy does the tax year end on 5 April? What is the reasoning behind income tax assessment under different schedules? Why is the Exchequer so called? With the Budget looming, now's the time to delve into some financial trivia for the meaning behind common financial terms and practices.

Italy This article is more than 10 months oldItaly scraps green tax credit scheme as construction sector suffersThis article is more than 10 months oldSuperbonus 110 initiative led to a surge in home renovations but has been blighted by widespread fraud The Italian government has scrapped a generous tax credit scheme aimed at making homes more energy -efficient amid warnings of dire effects on the construction sector. The popular Superbonus 110 initiative, which entitled homeowners to a tax credit of up to 110% on the cost of upgrading their property, led to a surge in home renovations and helped to fuel Italy’s economy after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

A history of vandalism: decorative borders to the medieval Book of Kells, that ‘iconic symbol of Irish culture’, were heedlessly trimmed by a bookbinder in 1825 Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA history of vandalism: decorative borders to the medieval Book of Kells, that ‘iconic symbol of Irish culture’, were heedlessly trimmed by a bookbinder in 1825 Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe ObserverManuscripts and lettersReviewChristopher de Hamel sheds light on the world’s most famous illuminated manuscripts in this sumptuous and readable bookA remote town in southern Italy, Rossano, is home to a sixth-century Greek manuscript illustrating the life of Christ.

PhotographyInterviewNaomi Campbell on Herb Ritts, a photographer and friendInterview by Becky Barnicoat'He wanted to recreate you, to change you, to bring about another image'I started working with Herb Ritts in 1988 when I was 18. Herb always pushed you. He wanted to recreate you, to change you, to bring about another image of you. That's what it was all about for me. Herb Ritts shoots often happened in the afternoon on the roof of his studio on LA's Santa Monica Boulevard – he liked that golden light.

Imran Khan Pakistan’s Imran Khan uses AI-crafted speech to call for votes from prison – video Artificial intelligence allowed Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan to campaign from behind bars on Monday, with a voice clone of the opposition leader giving an impassioned speech on his behalf. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party used artificial intelligence to make a four-minute message from the 71-year-old, headlining a ’virtual rally’ hosted on social media overnight on Sunday into Monday despite internet disruptions that monitor NetBlocks said were consistent with previous attempts to censor Khan

07.42 ESTRussia accidentally drops bomb on Russian-occupied Luhansk region - officialIn the Russian-occupied Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, a Russian warplane accidentally released a bomb on the town of Rubizhne, Leonid Pasechnik, the head of the region’s Moscow-appointed government, said. He said the bomb, an FAB-250 that carries a high-explosive warhead, did not cause injuries, the Associated Press reports. The incident comes only six daysafter Russia accidentally dropped munitions over the village of Petropavlovka in the Belgorod region.

Rugby unionScotland denied another sensational comeback win over FranceFrance 30-27 ScotlandScots rally from 27-10 down before Ramos’s kick seals victoryScotland staged another stirring fightback against France before being edged out by a late penalty from Thomas Ramos on an intoxicating night in the Saint-Etienne heat. Gregor Townsend’s side – who overturned a 21-3 deficit to beat Les Bleus at Murrayfield last week – trailed 27-10 going into the final quarter inside the raucous Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Alps holidaysWinter ski holidays in the Alps can be extortionate but come summer prices tumble and there are bargains to be had on both activities and a huge choice of accommodation A family adventure holiday in the French Alps Toddler treats, Chamonix, FranceChamonix is a great place to take very young children: because it’s a proper, good-sized town it has lots of facilities and activities aimed at residents as well as tourists.

At the end of December, Zoom had 10 million daily users; by March it was 200 million. Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The GuardianAt the end of December, Zoom had 10 million daily users; by March it was 200 million. Illustration: Jamie Wignall/The GuardianLockdown livingZoomVideo calls have become part of daily life since the pandemic hit, helping the locked-down, especially elderly and disabled people, keep in touch. But there are downsides Just before lockdown, 29-year-old Ala Uddin became ill with coronavirus-related symptoms and had to self-isolate in his London flat.