What is left to agree in the Brexit Treaty?
Adam Fleming BBC News, Brussels Adam Fleming’s Brexit HQ quiz At a press conference in March the Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier unveiled a slideshow of the Brexit Treaty, with the sections agreed by both sides highlighted green. It amounted to roughly 75-80% of the 129-page document that will […]
The pub bosses that closed their kitchens to stay afloat
Josh Martin Business reporter Ypres Castle Inn In the kitchen at the Ypres Castle Inn in Rye, tables and chairs are stacked where a chef used to cook meals. Jeff Bell is one of many landlords turning away from serving food to save money on energy, wages and ingredients. Family favourites like fish and chips, […]
Six things to look out for in health in 2019
The NHS celebrated its 70th anniversary with tea parties, special church services and a “bumper” funding rise. But while those celebrations may be remembered fondly by those working in the health service as 2018 comes to an end, the storm clouds are gathering as the new year approaches. What does 2019 hold for the NHS […]
Do you have to avoid huggers at work?
Dave Gordon Business reporter Clerkenwell Hugging at work is apparently on the rise Are you a hugger or a hand shaker – or neither? When a work colleague returns from holiday or maternity leave, do you go in for the double bear-hug, or a friendly hello from across the desk? For those people who prefer […]
Legal threat over bee-harming pesticide use
Claire Marshall Environment & Rural Affairs Correspondent Getty Images As a family of chemicals, neonicotinoids cause harm to pollinating insects such as bees The Wildlife Trusts is to take legal action against the UK government over its decision to allow a pesticide that is almost entirely banned in the EU. In 2018, the EU banned […]
Singapore vending machines now dispense salmon, crab and even cacti
Tim McDonald Business reporter, BBC News, Singapore Tim McDonald Vacuum-packed salmon and Wagyu beef – straight out of a vending machine The slightly tired-looking shopping centre in the Singapore neighbourhood of Kovan didn’t seem like an obvious place to shop for salmon or Wagyu beef. And yet, here they both were, available in vending machines […]
How far is Brexit to blame?
Reality Check team BBC News Reuters Some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are limiting sales of tomatoes and other salad items. The government says the shortages, which are expected to last for several weeks, have been “predominantly caused by poor weather in Spain and North Africa where they are produced”. Lots of people on social […]
Companies offer up new solutions
Dougal Shaw Business reporter, BBC News Could this cup help save the planet? The UK’s caffeine addiction sees us drink around 35 billion cups a year, but that comes at a huge environmental cost. We throw away more than 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups annually, and around half a million tonnes of ground coffee waste […]
‘Serious disruption’ feared as Dover halts traffic to France
PA Media The government and trade groups have warned of “serious disruption” after France blocked arrivals of UK passengers for 48 hours over concerns about the new coronavirus variant. Freight lorries cannot cross by sea or through the Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover has closed to outbound traffic. About 10,000 lorries a day travel […]
Lough Neagh Pollan gets special European status
Cliff Mason Lough Neagh Pollan is in season in February and March Lough Neagh Pollan has been awarded special status as “Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)” by the European Commission. Lough Neagh Pollan is a white fish with a bright silver skin caught and processed in Lough Neagh. They are in season in February and […]