South Africa’s illegal mining industry: Gang-controlled ‘towns’ grow underground
Getty Images Along with about 600 other men, Ndumiso lives and works in a small gang-controlled “town” – complete with markets and a red light district – that has grown up deep underground at a disused gold mine in South Africa. Ndumiso told the BBC that after being laid off by a big mining firm, […]
The rise of ‘art house’ gaming
(Picture: Journey – 2012) Recent games concerned with mood and psychology rather than tasks and thrills have been likened to art house cinema. But is it a helpful comparison? Video games are still carving their identity in the worlds of entertainment and culture, and media coverage often looks to other industries for points of reference. […]
£90m fine due to low investment says water boss
Lawrence Gosden, chief executive of Southern Water, says the company has failed to invest adequately in its sewage system The chief executive of Southern Water has said a £90m fine for dumping raw sewage in the sea came about because the company had not invested enough. Lawrence Gosden told BBC South East that, following repeated […]
How Warhol’s work influenced our wardrobes
Andy Warhol Foundation/ARS, NY/Licensed by Campbell’s Soup Co. All rights reserved Warhol’s 1962 work Campbell’s Soup Cans (Credit: Andy Warhol Foundation/ARS, NY/Licensed by Campbell’s Soup Co. All rights reserved) Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans was mocked when first exhibited – but the work went on to have a lasting impact not only on the history […]
Wishy-washy centrism wrong for Labour, warns Lord Hain
Getty Images Jeremy Corbyn at a rally in Colwyn Bay last weekend Labour must not resort to “wishy-washy centrism” after its disastrous general election showing, ex-Welsh secretary Lord Hain has said. The party had its worst UK performance since 1935 and lost six seats in Wales, leaving it with 22 of Wales’ 40 MPs. Lord […]
Apple, Lyft and feel-good tech
Getty Images I’ve got a proposition for you. Would you like to invest in my tech firm? It’s never made a profit – oh, and there is the small matter of the $911m (£700m) it lost in 2018. Well, that sums up the fortunes of ride-share firm Lyft, a rival to Uber that isn’t yet […]
Northern Ireland face tough Gold Coast challenge
How that reflects in medals it is difficult to predict – four to six should be considered a good return – the increase in top eight finishes, finalists and personal bests will be a stronger barometer of the achievement of the team. Under the guidance of John Conlan the 13-strong boxing squad (nine men and […]
New leader expects ‘tough challenges’
The new leader of a council that has faced financial pressures said he expected to make decisions that would “not be popular”. Nick Mannion was elected as the leader of Cheshire East Council following the resignation of Sam Corcoran. The authority has faced significant financial issues, with a report earlier this month warning it could […]
Is nuclear power regaining energy?
Getty Images A number of countries including the UK are building new nuclear power stations A decade ago, it seemed as though the global nuclear industry was in an irreversible decline. Concerns over safety, cost, and what to do with radioactive waste had sapped enthusiasm for a technology once seen as a revolutionary source of […]
New Zealand reveals milk formula 1080 poison threat
New Zealand authorities say a national farming body and dairy giant Fonterra have been sent letters threatening to poison milk formula. Federated Farmers and Fonterra received the anonymous letters in November, said officials, along with sachets of contaminated product. The letters appeared to be a protest over the use of the pesticide 1080 in agriculture. […]