Netherlands expels two Russians after uncovering ‘espionage network’
Getty Images Dutch officials said the two alleged spies worked at the Russian embassy in The Hague The Netherlands has expelled two alleged Russian spies who were working in the country as diplomats, its intelligence service says. They are accused of targeting the high-tech sector and building a “substantial network of sources” in the industry. […]
Chinese tourists pave a new route across Europe
Lovers of William Shakespeare head to Verona, the Italian city that was the backdrop for the play Romeo and Juliet. (BBC) An increase in Chinese travellers to Europe puts off-the-beaten-path destinations, like Verona, Italy and Trier, Germany, on the map of a new Grand Tour. China now sends more tourists abroad than any other Asian […]
Israeli and Hezbollah strikes test truce limits
Getty Images Lebanese people have been returning to their homes following the ceasefire agreement The latest exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah is testing the limits of last week’s already fragile ceasefire deal. Hours after Hezbollah fired two mortar shells at an Israeli military outpost on Monday, Israel carried out its largest series of […]
China spending and employment hit
Getty Images China’s consumer spending fell and unemployment rose last month as Covid lockdowns confined millions of people to their homes, official figures show. Joblessness reached the highest level since the early part of the pandemic. However, overall the country’s economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the first three months of this […]
How tourism can alleviate poverty
Maasai Kenya village tour Visitors to developing countries often want to do something about the poverty they’re exposed to. But the mere act of travelling can make a difference. Visitors to developing countries often want to do something about the poverty they’re exposed to. But the mere act of travelling can make a difference. The […]
Royal United Hospital illuminated flowers in place until New Year
RUH Bath The team at Jigantics design, make and install huge illuminated flower sculptures in public spaces Organisers of a new art display featuring giant illuminated flowers say they hope it will brighten up Christmas for hospital patients. The colourful displays at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Somerset, will be in place from now […]
Drought highlights dangers for electricity supplies
Getty Images Drought in Spain is exposing villages that were submerged by the building of dams and reservoirs The ongoing drought in the UK and Europe is putting electricity generation under pressure, say experts. Electricity from hydropower – which uses water to generate power – has dropped by 20% overall. And nuclear facilities, which are […]
Caffeination: Australia’s coffee culture
Global coffee house chains were surprised when they failed to take root in Australian cities, seeming not to have noticed there was a fully formed coffee scene in place. Strike up a conversation with an Australian abroad and you will inevitably uncover a national quirk: the obsessive quest for a “decent” coffee. It will usually […]
Charlie Burridge’s family overwhelmed by wheelchair support
Brian Burridge Charlie Burridge relies on assisted technology to communicate A father who criticised what he called unacceptable delays in securing the right wheelchair for his daughter said he had been “overwhelmed” by support. Charlie Burridge, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, uses an NHS chair but it does not support her head, which she needs to […]
South Africa’s Trans-Karoo express
Chugging out of Johannesburg’s razor wire-wrapped suburbs on the Trans-Karoo Express, and looking forward to an overnight journey to Cape Town, is an exhilarating experience. Chugging out of Johannesburg’s razor wire-wrapped suburbs on the Trans-Karoo Express, and looking forward to an overnight journey to Cape Town, is an exhilarating experience. Much of the 26-hour trip […]