Bluetongue. Farmers want livestock imports paused to stop disease
BBC There have been 70 confirmed bluetongue cases in England Farmers have called for a pause on all livestock imports to the island of Ireland due to the risk of bluetongue disease. The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) and Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) say there would be “significant consequences” for farmers if an outbreak was detected […]
Northern to roll out sign language announcements on all trains
A rail company operating across the north of England will introduce sign language announcements on all of its services. Northern has trialled technology which means interpreters appear on trains’ on-board screens, for example to let passengers know about the next stop. The system, piloted on trains between Manchester, Leeds and York last year, will be […]
Former registry office now home to 15 art studios
An empty Somerset office block that was once a registry office has been turned into studios for 15 artists run by a charity. Somerset Council granted charity Interim Spaces use of the former registry office for births, deaths and marriages in Shepton Mallet, which has been closed since 2017. The new Commercial Road Studios can […]
‘Unsung’ Concorde heroes honoured in new street names
The Watts family Brian Watts, (L), was the senior engineer on Concorde’s maiden flight in 1969 The senior engineer on Concorde’s maiden flight and other unsung heroes from the UK’s aviation past are to be immortalised in new street names. Three women, who worked at the former Filton Airfield, Bristol, are amongst the “ordinary people” […]
New technology helps crane operator with fear of heights
BBC Gagan Kakad, who is scared of heights, said he used to have to stop at every level Tower cranes that can be operated from the ground are in use at a construction project in Birmingham – and have already helped an operator who is scared of heights. The Skyline Cockpit ground command system has […]
Liam Payne praised by Buckinghamshire neighbour after intruder incident
PA Media Thomas Evans said the death of Liam Payne “doesn’t feel real”. A teenager who was neighbours with Liam Payne praised the late star who he said once came to his aid after an attempted home invasion. Thomas Evans, 17, who lives in St Turners Wood Drive, Chalfont St Giles, said the former One […]
Drought hits hydro-powered Kariba Dam
BBC / Kennedy Gondwe Kariba Dam was built in a gorge between Zambia and Zimbabwe holding back the Zambezi River to create a man-made lake Despite having the mighty Zambezi River and the massive hydro-powered Kariba Dam, Zambia is currently grappling with the worst electricity blackouts in living memory. The crisis is so severe that […]
Datacentre construction: Worker shortage hampers boom
Datalec Datacentre floorspace has almost doubled in Europe since 2015 If someone had asked Billy Keeper five years ago what a datacentre was, he admits: “I would not have had a clue.” The 24-year-old joined specialist electrical firm Datalec Precision Installations as a labourer straight from school. He’s now an electrical supervisor for the UK-based […]
Rory Gallagher’s guitar to be donated to National Museum of Ireland
Getty/ Fin Costello / Staff Rory Gallagher is widely considered to be one of the world’s greatest ever guitarists The iconic guitar that Irish rock and blues legend Rory Gallagher played throughout his career has been sold at auction for more than £889,000. Gallagher, widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, […]
Scrap law making schools serve meat, says Labour donor Vince Dale
PA Media Major Labour donor Dale Vince says he wants to talk to the new government about scrapping compulsory meat and dairy in school meals in England. The green entrepreneur, who has donated more than £5m to Labour, says vegan meals are healthier and better for the environment. He is campaigning for an end to […]