Scot gets dream job as lighthouse keeper on Australian island
The Scot in charge of an Australian lighthouse A Scottish man has landed his “dream job” as a lighthouse keeper on a remote Australian island. Sandy Duthie, 42, jumped at the chance when the previous lighthouse keeper decided to retire after 25 years on Gabo Island, off the coast of Victoria. Sandy, from Aberdeenshire, visited […]
NI hotels to reopen on 20 July
BBC Hotels and tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland will be allowed to reopen on 20 July. The Northern Ireland Executive has confirmed the move as part of the relaxation of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. It has been welcomed by the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation (NIHF) as a “step forward for the industry”. In May, the government […]
EU faces ‘existential’ problems, Brussels warned in Mario Draghi report
The EU faces an “existential challenge” unless it vastly increases investment and reforms its industrial policy, a report ordered by the European Commission has warned. The wide-ranging and long-awaited review, which was led by former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi, said the bloc must increase spending by €800bn (£675bn) per year or face being […]
Israel’s Netanyahu shows who calls the shots with Gallant sacking
Reuters Benjamin Netanyahu (R) said “trust had cracked” between him and Yoav Gallant (L) We’ve known for months that there is no love lost between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his now former Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant. But this year, there have been reports of stand-up rows and shouting matches between the two men […]
Lincolnshire students urged to help pick fruit and veg
PA Media Government department Defra is encouraging people across the UK “to help bring the harvest in” Students are being urged to spend their summer holidays working on farms to help keep Britain fed during the coronavirus crisis. Farms are struggling after lockdown lead to a shortage of migrant workers. Sixth-form, college and university students […]
Rachael Gunn retires from breaking after Olympic backlash
Getty Images Australian breaker Rachael Gunn has announced she will retire from competition, citing the viral response to her performance at the Paris Olympics. Gunn – who is known as B-girl Raygun – failed to get on the scoreboard in all three of her competition rounds in August, with a routine that included unorthodox moves, […]
Moldova cleans up it act to attract foreign businesses
Luc Vocks Dutch entrepreneur Luc Vocks runs his business from Moldova The Eastern European country of Moldova is continuing efforts to attract overseas firms, as it tries to move past political uncertainty. “I went with a backpack, and set up a business,” says Dutch entrepreneur Luc Vocks, recalling how he moved to Moldova in 2007. […]
Businesses affected by Covid offered grants
Economy Minister Ken Skates announces £140m fund to help business Businesses in Wales hit by coronavirus will be offered £140m in grants, Economy Minister Ken Skates has said. Nearly two-thirds of Wales’ population are now living under lockdown after new measures were brought in at 18:00 BST. Neath Port Talbot (NPT), Torfaen and Vale of […]
Titanic maker Harland & Wolff to run out of cash within weeks
Getty Images Belfast shipbuilder Harland & Wolff is running out of cash, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, the BBC understands. The firm, famed for building the ill-fated Titanic, is in crisis talks to save it from collapse. One of the unions representing workers at the shipyard has sent a memo to its members suggesting […]
Abductions and expulsions taint safe haven image
AFP Over 3,000 refugees are currently seeking protection for different reasons in Kenya, a rights group says Once regarded as a safe haven for refugees, Kenya is slowly becoming a hostile place for some of those seeking protection from political persecution and war, rights groups say. Their concerns come after masked men abducted at gunpoint […]