Scandi wines hope to win over drinkers
BBC Climate change and more resilient grapes are helping Denmark and Sweden build a winemaking sector Sipping a glass of local wine is likely not what springs to mind when visiting Scandinavia, but this colder, northerly region is emerging as a new wine frontier. Hundreds of commercial vineyards are now dotted across Denmark, Sweden, and […]
Social media given ‘last chance’ to tackle illegal posts
Online platforms must begin assessing whether their services expose users to illegal material by 16 March 2025 or face financial punishments as the Online Safety Act (OSA) begins taking effect. Ofcom, the regulator enforcing the UK’s internet safety law, published its final codes of practice for how firms should deal with illegal online content on […]
Brilliant beards aim to be a cut above at festival
John Thompson While facial hair is the focus, fancy dress, as worn by Mick Wallage, is encouraged There will be stubble trouble for anyone with a razor at an event being held in Derbyshire this weekend. About 80 competitors from across the UK are assembling to compete at Beardon 22 in South Normanton. The charity […]
Poultry farmer feels ‘conned’ over energy scheme
BBC Colin Watt said he was “paying the price” of mistakes made by others A County Tyrone poultry farmer has said he feels “conned” by the government over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. Colin Watt borrowed £380,000 to invest in the technology. He said he did it on the strength of promises and encouragement […]
Russian general killed in Moscow explosion
A high-ranking general in the Russian armed forces has been killed in an explosion in Moscow. Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC), was leaving a residential block early on Tuesday when a device hidden in a scooter was detonated, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. It added that Kirillov’s assistant […]
The Hundred: Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave & Birmingham Phoenix set for Lord’s final
After 31 days and 66 games The Hundred reaches its finale on Saturday at Lord’s – the historic home of cricket. Four teams – two men’s and two women’s – meet in two finals, each bidding to be crowned the first champions of The Hundred. Weather permitting (more on that later), favourites Southern Brave meet […]
Target to cut Scottish suicide rate by 20% by 2022
The parents who lost sons to suicide The Scottish government has set a target of reducing the country’s suicide rate by 20% by 2022. Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey announced the target alongside a new suicide prevention action plan. Ms Haughey insisted Scotland has “made real progress in reducing deaths by suicide”, but said there […]
Women’s Ashes: Australia clinch T20 series against England with another win
Although they have insisted at each stage (securing the Ashes, clinching the overall series, winning the T20 series) that they want to take it one game at a time, Lanning’s side are within touching distance of going the entire series unbeaten. Since the Women’s Ashes was switched to a multi-format points-based series in 2013, no […]
Ozzy Osbourne’s diagnosis and Trump climate row
AFP Activist Greta Thunberg watched on as President Trump decried climate “prophets of doom” The irony of making climate change a key issue at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos is not lost on some newspapers. The Daily Telegraph’s main cartoon shows dozens of the world’s elite scrambling from their private jets at the […]
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa lead nominations
Getty Images Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa lead the nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards. Beyoncé leads the field, with nine nominations overall, including four for Black Parade, a protest anthem released at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests this summer. Swift, with six nods, could win album of the year for […]