‘Festival of Brexit’ can play ‘powerful role’ in healing UK, organiser says
PA Media The man behind Hull 2017 UK City of Culture is now overseeing Festival UK 2022 The organisers of a £120m national festival to be staged in 2022 have put out a call for creative minds to come up with “daring, new and popular” ideas to bring the UK together after Brexit. The event, […]
Free Salford light festival to illuminate waterfront
A free light festival set to shine in Greater Manchester is said to be the “best yet”. Lightwaves Salford is a trail of light art installations at outdoor locations across Salford Quays and MediaCity after dark. No booking is needed for the event, which runs from 5 to 8 December. This year celebrates the 11th […]
Why the cruise industry is still navigating choppy waters
Getty Images The MSC Virtuosa was the first cruise ship to take passengers in UK waters in more than a year Maureen Pepper just couldn’t wait to get back on a cruise ship. She and her husband Richard have been going on cruising holidays for the past 25 years, to Australia, New York and the […]
Government art collection heads to Bradford for UK City of Culture
Getty Images The exhibition will be part of Bradford’s UK City of Culture 2025 celebrations A selection of artworks from the government’s private collection are to go on show in Bradford next year to celebrate its 125th anniversary. A free public exhibition featuring 125 pieces selected by young people from across the district will go […]
Barnier downfall threatens to set a pattern for what lies ahead
France’s political crisis is worse than normal political crises. Normally when a democratic country passes through turbulence, there is some prospect of the turbulence coming to an end. Not today in Paris. If anything, the downfall of Michel Barnier – toppled in parliament by a no-confidence motion – threatens to set a pattern for what […]
Plastic-stemmed cotton buds now banned in Scotland
Fidra Johnson and Johnson’s iconic blue cotton bud stems are no longer made from plastic New laws have come into force in Scotland banning the sale and manufacture of plastic-stemmed cotton buds. Most major retailers switched to paper-stemmed buds in the months leading up to the ban following a campaign. A similar ban – also […]
Heathrow airport drone investigated by police and military
PA The military is helping police after sightings of a drone temporarily halted flights at Heathrow airport on Tuesday. Scotland Yard said a “full criminal investigation” had been launched into the incident – and that officers were among those to see the drone. Departures from the west London airport were suspended for about an hour. […]
Top US senator calls for probe into KSI and Logan Paul energy drink
Prime Logan Paul and KSI have around 48 million YouTube followers between them US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on regulators to investigate an energy drink promoted by high-profile YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul. Mr Schumer alleges the drink is being targeted at children despite its high caffeine content. Prime Energy contains 200mg […]
Health minister says app should roll out by winter
BBC A government minister has said the NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app is “not a priority” and he was not sure it would be out by winter. The app, which has been trialled on the Isle of Wight, was initially expected to launch nationally weeks ago. The BBC can also reveal that the project’s two lead […]
‘More powers’ for social housing tenants and pension scam losses revealed
Social housing plan ‘to help tenants’ Getty Images Social housing tenants are being promised more power as the government announces a “new deal” for renters in England. Ministers say residents will have more control to hold their landlords to account, with proposals including publishing league tables to highlight poor performance by landlords, and greater powers […]