Robert Mugabe dies and Boris Johnson shifts battleground to Scotland
Reuters Robert Mugabe dies aged 95 Zimbabwe’s first post-independence leader, Robert Mugabe, has died at the age of 95 after a battle with ill health, his family has told the BBC. Mr Mugabe was ousted from power in a military coup in November 2017, ending his three-decade reign. His time in office had been overshadowed […]
Rise in cash-only spenders driven by cost of living crisis
Getty Images The number of people mainly using cash for day-to-day spending hit a four year high during the cost of living crisis, research suggests. Some 1.5 million adults mainly used cash in 2023 – marking the first rise since 2019, according to UK Finance. UK Finance’s head of research Adrian Buckle said: “This is […]
Beloved Bristol record store Idle Hands reopens in new location
Chris Farrell Chris Farrell said he was “very grateful” for the support he has had from customers A beloved record store that specialises in local music has reopened, two years after shutting its doors. Chris Farrell who runs Idle Hands in Bristol, announced in 2022 that his shop on City Road would have to close […]
Hemp makes a comeback in the construction industry
Cânhamor Elad Kaspin co-founded Cânhamor after years of travelling Weary of his life as a computer engineer, in 2010 Elad Kaspin packed his bags and travelled the world. Mr Kaspin wanted a break from Israel, describing life in the country as complicated. “I knew I didn’t want to live there, in spite of having a […]
The indigenous community protecting Himalayan sacred cattle in India
Millo Ankha The mithun, a sacred cattle species in the Himalayas, is threatened by deforestation and climate change. An indigenous community is building “living fences” to protect this endangered species. In the eastern foothills of India’s Himalayas, livestock farmer Yang Ering Moyong slips on a baggy shirt and trousers and heads out in the early […]
‘Playing Elphaba and munchkin was like a fairytale’
Lauren Kelly Harriet Ryan, nine, and Karis Musongole, 10, worked with stars including Arianna Grande in the movie A pair of best friends have told how being cast in the new blockbuster movie version of Wicked was “like a fairytale”. Young stars Harriet Ryan, nine, and Karis Musongole, 10, worked closely with the likes of […]
Netanyahu arrest warrant damned by Israel, welcomed by Palestinians
Reuters The announcement of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israel’s current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has triggered a furious response from leading Israelis across the political spectrum. By contrast it has been welcomed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and ordinary citizens in Gaza. Leading Israeli […]
How King Charles helped save British farmhouse cheese
Getty Images The Prince of Wales tasting traditionally made Cheshire cheese in 1995 King Charles III is famous for his support of environmental and social causes over the years, but did you know he played a decisive role in the renaissance of traditional artisan cheese in the UK? It is a perfect example of the […]
Brexit not inevitable and must be stopped
Sir Vince Cable: “Brexit… can and must be stopped.” “Brexit is not inevitable – it can and it must be stopped,” Sir Vince Cable has told his party’s annual conference. The Lib Dem leader said 29 March next year – the date the UK is set to leave the EU – was “only a maybe”. […]
London 2012: Heather Watson handed late place in singles
Great Britain’s Heather Watson has been handed a place in the women’s singles in the Olympic tennis tournament. Alona Bondarenko, of Ukraine, has withdrawn through injury meaning 20-year-old Watson will take her place in the singles alongside fellow Britons Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha. Watson, who reached the third round at Wimbledon, is also competing […]