The health impact of living near a fossil gas leak
Getty Images Leaked methane is helping scientists map toxic threats to health. At the very base of the United States, straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico, lies the Permian Basin. Formed around a billion years ago, the region’s ancient deposits of organic matter have, in modern times, provided a vast reserve of oil […]
Market flooded by unsafe vapes aimed at children
The BBC filmed a Trading Standards undercover operation Trading standards in England and Wales say the market is being flooded by unsafe, disposable vapes aimed at children. The colourful, sweet-flavoured devices are growing in popularity among teens. Children are at risk from vaping, and more should be done to protect them from illegal and unregulated […]
Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed wins
Reuters Abiy Ahmed became Ethiopia’s prime minister in April 2018 The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who made peace last year with bitter foe Eritrea. He was awarded the prize for his efforts to “achieve peace and international cooperation”. Mr Abiy’s peace deal with Eritrea ended a […]
Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020: ‘Covid-critical’ broadband engineers awarded
TalkTalk Managers Andrew Miller and Peter Harding were on 24-hour call at the height of the coronavirus outbreak Two engineers who were on call “day and night” to ensure hospitals, care homes, surgeries and other critical sites stayed online in the early days of the Covid crisis are to be appointed MBEs. Peter Harding and […]
The Color Purple stars ‘want to make Oprah Winfrey proud’
Warner Bros Singer Fantasia Barrino is making her feature film debut The stars of a new musical film version of the novel The Color Purple have said they want to make Oprah Winfrey, who acted in the previous film adaptation, proud. Fantasia Barrino and Danielle Brooks, who act as Celie and Sofia respectively, are taking […]
Wolverhampton’s main library remains open as restoration work begins
Wolverhampton Central Library will remain open as work begins to restore its roof and exterior, as part of multi-million pound plans for a new learning quarter in the city. The £61m scheme will also see internal remodelling, new rear entrance lobby and landscaping of the Grade II listed building later in the year. Adult Education […]
Storm Bert flooding, Sir Rod Stewart and Bristol Cars
Avon Fire and Rescue Five people and two dogs had to be rescued from Bathampton Mill, near Bath, after the River Avon burst its banks Widespread flooding was one of the big stories this week after Storm Bert swept through the West, bringing more than 80% of November’s average monthly rainfall in less than 48 […]
The mystery buses behind Brazil Congress attack
BBC Authorities seized a fleet of about 40 buses after the riot Hundreds of the protesters who stormed Brazil’s Congress have been arrested but mystery still surrounds the identity of the people pulling the strings. Could a fleet of buses seized by police hold the key? Two months ago, 60-year-old Odair boarded a bus in […]
Griselda Blanco and the female drug barons of Latin America
Alamy The new Netflix series Griselda casts light on a lesser-known figure in drug trafficking, and is part of a growing awareness of the women who run drug cartels in Latin America. “The only man I was ever afraid of was a woman named Griselda Blanco.” This disquieting quote, which opens up Netflix’s latest narco […]
Coldplay gift of studio time for young musicians in Frome
BBC Coldplay rehearsed for their headline set at Glastonbury in the Cheese and Grain in Frome Young musicians will be given an opportunity to record music in a professional studio thanks to a £14,000 donation from Coldplay. The world famous band caused excitement earlier this year in Frome, Somerset, when they rehearsed their headline set […]