Bringing African folktales to life
Harthor Rao Maimouna is trying to get audiences interested in folktales again Folktales and the art of traditional storytelling are in danger of being lost and Nairobi-based performer Maïmouna Jallow is on a mission to reverse the trend. But on her journey to revive the art she has also discovered the relevance of performing contemporary […]
Chancellor Philip Hammond’s ‘no unemployed’ remark attacked
“There are no unemployed people. We’ve created 3.5 million new jobs since 2010.” Opposition parties have criticised Chancellor Philip Hammond after he said “there are no unemployed people” during a BBC interview. Mr Hammond made the comment as he played down the threat posed to people’s jobs by new technology. He later insisted the government […]
Gerard Butler gears up for ‘fighting family Christmas’
Sky Cinema Gerard Butler is the voice of St. Nick in The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland Action hero Gerard Butler’s latest character role may share his bearded look, but the similarities between the two end there. The Scot plays Santa Claus in a new TV animation, The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland. But while […]
Olive tree killer disease still poses risk to Europe
EPPO The invasive pathogen has affected thousands of hectares of olive plantations in Puglia, southern Italy Southern Europe countries are said to be at the greatest risk from a deadly disease described as a “very serious threat” to the EU’s olive industry. The European Food Safety Authority (ESFA) says computer modelling has helped understand how […]
Rowland Phillips: Former Wales women’s coach relishing rugby return
Phillips has also been watching the return to the Wales set-up of his daughter Carys, who spent a couple of years in the international wilderness. Carys Phillips has been awarded one of the 12 full-time professional contracts, while there are a dozen more retainer contracts. “From a father’s point of view, I am very pleased […]
Canadian jailed for 11 years in China on spying charges
Reuters A file photo of Michael Spavor from 2014 A court in China has convicted a Canadian businessman of espionage and sentenced him to 11 years in prison. Michael Spavor has been detained since 2018, after being arrested with fellow Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig. The verdict will test a strained relationship between the Canadian and […]
Pig farmers say butcher shortage could lead to cull of animals
BBC Farmer Sophie Hope said she hoped a cull would not be needed Pig farmers are calling for help from the government to address a shortage of butchers which is leading to a backlog of pigs on farms. Some farmers say a lack of workers in processing plants has left them “desperate” and could lead […]
Emma Hayes: Relief season over as ‘hardest yet’ ends in Chelsea winning WSL title
For most of the season, Hayes says she has just been “surviving”, adding: “I’m keeping my head above water while everyone is chasing.” With Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all wanting a slice of the pie, Chelsea had to find new ways to win this season to fight off competition. As well as Hayes’ […]
Momentum for marine power
Alamy Anstruther was rarely noted for its use of Gaelic, but within five years – on a reasonably fine day – the village in the East Neuk of Fife will have a whole lot of Neart Nan Gaoithe on the horizon. To Gaelic speakers, the name means “power of the wind”. For the phonetic, it’s […]
Beyoncé, Mick Jagger and Elton John honour ‘total legend’
Getty Images Tina Turner in 2009 Celebrities and fans have paid tribute to Tina Turner, the soul star behind hits like The Best and What’s Love Got to Do With It, who has died aged 83. Beyoncé said she was the “epitome of passion and power”, while Sir Mick Jagger called her a “wonderful friend” […]