Calls for diplomatic talks to end Gulf crisis
FlightRadar24.com Flight tracking technology by the FlightRadar24 website shows the limited route being taken by Qatar Airways flights on Tuesday morning Qatar is backing plans for talks with its regional rivals as a diplomatic row gathers pace. Several countries have cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism in the Gulf region. Neighbours including […]
How the soaring cost of living is hitting Sri Lankans hard
Anbarasan Ethirajan BBC News, Colombo BBC Ms Dilrukshi now cooks on her outdoor porch, to avoid smoke filling the house “Cooking gas cylinder prices have almost doubled and we cannot afford it anymore,” says Niluka Dilrukshi. The 31 year-old mother-of-four has always cooked with gas to prepare food for her family, but now says firewood […]
How businesses in Bedford are adapting to stay ‘relevant’
Alex Pope & Phil Shepka BBC News, East BBC Bedford town centre before the third lockdown on 17 December when non essential shops were still open Lockdown, the growth of online shopping and a general decline in High Street trade has combined to make it a tough time for retailers. As a new report predicts […]
Drakeford accuses Johnson of failing to protect England
Wales’ first minister said England was a “global outlier” when it came to coronavirus Mark Drakeford has accused Boris Johnson of failing to take the necessary action to protect people in England from Covid. “The one country that stands up as not taking action to protect its population is England,” said the first minister. The […]
Whisky and salmon boost food and drink exports
Scottish Salmon Company Scotland’s food and drink exports have grown by more than 10% in a year, new figures show. Sales hit £1.2bn in the first three months of 2017, up £124m (11%) on the same period in 2016. Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon topped the UK export chart in the first quarter of 2017. […]
Israel PM says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages
Israel’s prime minister has warned it will terminate the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting “if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon”. Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the Israeli military to amass troops inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until […]
China bans British beef again over mad cow disease
Getty Images China has banned British beef imports of cattle under 30 months of age after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, in the UK last month. The ban took effect from 29 September, according to a statement from the General Administration of Customs. China has yet to restart buying […]
Government discusses fuel bill support
Simon Jack Business editor Getty Images After a two hour meeting with senior energy industry leaders, the idea of targeted financial support for fuel bills – along the lines of the current Warm Homes Discount scheme – is emerging as a frontrunner to tackle a cost of living squeeze which could see households £1,200 a […]
Sri Lanka plans to pay off Iran oil debt with tea
Getty Images Sri Lanka plans to settle a debt for past oil imports from Iran by paying it off in tea, a government minister said. Ramesh Pathirana said his country hoped to send $5m (£3.8m) worth of tea to Iran each month to clear a $251m debt. Sri Lanka is experiencing a severe debt and […]
Is UK being left behind in global fight for investment?
Faisal Islam Economics editor Getty Images When the US Congress passed Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act last summer, the bill seemed built on good intentions. Designed to boost America’s green economy and tackle climate change, the act included billions of dollars of subsidies for the purchase of electric cars and other eco-friendly products. But a […]