Nigerians cautious as restrictions eased in Lagos and Abuja
Reuters Nigerians in the capital, Abuja, and Lagos have to wear face masks in public In Nigeria, some businesses have reopened on the first working day after the easing of a lockdown imposed on key urban areas in a bid to restart Africa’s largest economy. But the main doctors’ association described the move as “very […]
Ukraine stops transit of Russian gas to EU in end of era
Russian gas has stopped flowing to EU states via Ukraine after a five-year deal expired, marking the end of a decades-long arrangement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that his country would not allow Russia to “earn additional billions on our blood” and had given the EU a year to prepare. The European Commission said […]
What we know about H-1B visas Trump supporters are clashing over
Reuters An immigration row has erupted between Donald Trump’s supporters over a long-standing US visa programme. The feud is about H-1B visas, which allow US-based companies to bring in skilled workers from abroad into certain industries. Critics say the scheme undercuts American workers – but proponents say the visas allow the US to attract the […]
McDonald’s runs out of milkshakes in England, Scotland and Wales
Getty Images McDonald’s has run out of milkshakes and some bottled drinks at restaurants in England, Scotland and Wales. The fast-food chain said it was facing supply chain issues affecting the availability of shakes and bottled drinks at its 1,250 outlets. An updated statement said it was “working hard” to limit the impact on deliveries […]
What’s it like to be in the 1% of female lorry drivers?
Wincanton With the UK facing a chronic shortage of lorry drivers, some haulage firms are trying to attract more women to the profession, as currently only 1% of truck drivers are female. Shanalee Johnson, who drives for one of the country’s largest logistics firms, Wincanton, is part of that 1%. The 28-year-old, who received her […]
Salford man caring for wife tells of bills squeeze
Jeffrey McCarthy is facing over a £1,000 rise in bills but will only see a £2.10 a week increase in his carer’s allowance A man who gave up his job to care full-time for his wife has described feeling “deflated” as he struggles with the rocketing cost of living. Jeffrey McCarthy, whose wife has dementia, […]
Scotch whisky industry leader Karen Betts to leave role
SWA Karen Betts was appointed head of the SWA in 2017 The first woman to lead the Scotch Whisky Association is leaving the industry body after four years in the post. Karen Betts will take on a new role as head of the Food and Drink Federation. The SWA said Ms Betts had successfully steered […]
‘We’re considering death all the time’
Universal Pictures Willem Dafoe in Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers, who said he was inspired by the original vampire legends When I meet Willem Dafoe on Zoom to discuss his latest movie Nosferatu, we get on to mortality fast. The four-time Oscar-nominated actor is talking to me for Radio 4’s Today programme about Robert Eggers’ […]
Scotland’s first ‘enclosed’ salmon farm to open on Loch Long
FIIZK An artist’s impression shows what the containers will look like in the loch – on the surface they will look much like current fish pens An innovation in salmon farming – to tackle pollution and the spread of parasitic lice – will mark a first for Scotland at a new fish farm in Argyll. […]
Call for UK ban on ‘grotesquely sugary’ freakshakes
People in Manchester explain why “freakshakes” hold such appeal The campaign group Action on Sugar is demanding a ban on freakshakes and all milkshakes with more than 300 calories. It surveyed milkshakes sold in restaurants and fast food shops in the UK and found they contained “grotesque levels of sugar and calories”. Freakshakes are milkshakes […]