French ban on plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables begins
Getty Images The measures are part of a slate of environmental rules introduced by President Emmanuel Macron A new law banning plastic packaging on most fruit and vegetables comes into effect in France from New Year’s day. Cucumbers, lemons and oranges are among the 30 varieties banned from being wrapped in plastic. Larger packs as […]
The scenic Indian villages devastated by deadly landslides
Arun Chandra Bose Massive landslides hit Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad district on Tuesday A loud noise shook Ajay Ghosh awake at his home in the southern Indian state of Kerala in the early hours of Tuesday. At first, the salesman, who lives in Wayanad district’s Mundakkai village, did not quite understand what caused the […]
Shutting down the software scammers
Getty Images The scammers often prey on older people unfamiliar with technology It’s a common experience. The phone rings at home, and somebody claiming to be from Microsoft tells you there is something wrong with your computer and they can fix it. But usually this is a scam called computer software service fraud – and […]
Warwickshire man to walk 120 miles to attend cancer check-up
James Neal James Neal wanted to raise money by walking 120 miles to attend his oncology appointment A man from Warwickshire is undertaking a 120 mile (193km) walking challenge to help raise money for research into types of eye cancer. James Neal, 42, is planning to walk from his home in Stockton to the Royal […]
Boosting rice production in Nigeria
AFP Rice is a staple in Nigeria, and the country consumes almost 7 million tonnes of it a year. That’s a lot of rice, and in order to keep up with demand, the country has imported huge amounts of the grain. But it’s not alone – according to the African Development Bank, about $35bn is […]
More people able to access full fibre broadband across Norfolk
A growing number of people can access full fibre broadband in Norfolk – although coverage varies around the county, new figures show. According to the regulator Ofcom, almost three quarters of people living in north Norwich can now get the fastest internet connections, up from 48.8% last year. But in north Norfolk, less than 17% […]
Maui fires fan tensions on Hawaiian island
Holly Honderich/BBC Many of Maui’s tourists heeded calls to leave the island. Others remained After wildfires devastated parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, officials warned visitors to stay away. But thousands remained and others continued to fly in, angering residents in the wake of […]
Businesses deny Gove claims on no-deal preparation
Michael Gove: “The automotive sector said they were ready” UK firms present at a meeting with no-deal Brexit minister Michael Gove this week have denied his claim that industry told him it is “ready” for no-deal Brexit. In the resumed Commons session, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said: “The automotive sector, who I […]
Video games strike rumbles on in row over AI
Getty Images Actors from the world of gaming went on strike last week, in a row about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the threat it poses to their livelihoods. It has reignited the debate about how the entertainment industry is adapting to new technology. When actor Jennifer Hale talks, you listen. Her delivery […]
The uncertain future of Britain’s offices
Getty Images Empty offices are obviously a problem if you are an offices supplies firm As David Brent made clear in the hit TV comedy The Office, there is a rich and rewarding career to be had in servicing the needs of other offices. Or at least there was before the pandemic hit, and everyone […]