Old nuclear plant site at Chapelcross targets key hydrogen role
A former nuclear power plant in Dumfries and Galloway is aiming to play a leading role in the development of hydrogen technology in Scotland. It hopes to benefit from a new national “planning hub” to help fast-track local authority decisions on projects across Scotland which is due to open in Livingston. It will initially focus […]
Scots study uncovers trafficking routes for pangolin
Getty Images The pangolin is being smuggled via ivory trade routes Animal traffickers are taking advantage of remote ivory trade routes to smuggle one of the world’s most endangered animals out of Central Africa, new research has found. Pangolins are scaly, ant-eating mammals. Their meat is considered a delicacy and their scales are deemed by […]
‘Lying talent agent left us without cash and hope’
JAMIE FISHER / BBC Opportunities were pouring in: Netflix, soaps and well-paying TV adverts. Actor Thea Beyleveld was excited to see her new talent agent, Archie Purnell, working hard to make her dreams come true. His job was to put her forward for roles and act as the middle-man, negotiating contracts and pay. He then […]
‘We’ve had 20 cancellations in one weekend’
Damian Wawrzyniak Damian Wawrzyniak is worried about the impact on Christmas trading “We had 20 cancellations over the weekend, mostly for Christmas parties. Customers were phoning to tell us they weren’t sure what was going to happen in a few weeks so they’d rather cancel now.” Damian Wawrzyniak, an award-winning chef, is one of many […]
The fight to save Sri Lanka’s natural flood buffers
Nazly Ahmed Thalangama Wetland in Colombo used to be filled with rubbish but is now teeming with life (Credit: Nazly Ahmed) Sri Lanka’s capital is transforming floating garbage patches into biodiverse wetlands which are teeming with life. Pay Drechsel is going for his daily morning walk around Thalangama Wetland, in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo. The Sun […]
Dawson’s creek actor reveals cancer
American actor James Van Der Beek says he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The 47-year-old, known for starring in the TV series Dawson’s Creek and the film Varsity Blues, told People magazine about his diagnosis and treatment. “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve […]
Neighbours prepare for end of power station
BBC The power station has loomed large in Mary Weston-Webb’s life The UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station will close down for good in two weeks, marking the end of an era for people in the East Midlands. Ratcliffe-on-Soar, which has been generating electricity for more than half a century, stands as a sign of […]
Brexit threat to sandwiches
Getty Images Sandwiches would be one of the first victims of a breakdown in the food supply chain in the event of a disorderly no-deal Brexit, according to a senior grocery executive. “If you look at the ingredients – a bit of lettuce, tomato, maybe avocado, chicken with a bit of mayonnaise – all prepared […]
Inside Nepal’s Museum of Stolen Art
Sanjaya Dhakal / BBC Nepali A replica of a Saraswati sculpture sits in Puri’s museum Along a small street in Nepal’s Bhaktapur city sits an unassuming building with a strange name – the Museum of Stolen Art. Inside it are rooms filled with statues of Nepal’s sacred gods and goddesses. Among them is the Saraswati […]
EU shellfish import ban indefinite, UK fishing industry told
Getty Images The EU has told British fishermen they are indefinitely banned from selling live mussels, oysters, clams, cockles and scallops to its member states. As the UK is now a separate country, it is not allowed to transport the animals to the EU unless they have already been treated in purification plants. But the […]