Author: News Desk

Spanish floods force some UK sellers to buy oranges from southern hemisphere as trade supplies are disrupted in the country. British suppliers have started sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America as farmers in Spain struggle to harvest and ship following the devastating floods that hit country this last month. Some British retailers and wholesalers have been forced to switch to sourcing oranges from South Africa and South America early after last month’s catastrophic floods in eastern Spain left farmers struggling to harvest and ship their crops. Companies in the UK have moved to buying fruit from the southern…

For some time a psychologist had been following her to treat the post-natal depression she suffered after the birth of her daughter Perla, ten months ago. Yesterday Carola Finatti, 34 years old, was found by her husband in the bathroom of her house, in Nole Canavese, in the province of Turin, wounded in the neck and with a kitchen knife next to her. In the tub there was Perla, now lifeless. Carola and Antonio Parrinello, parents of little Perla He, Antonio Parrinello, 36 years old, immediately called for help and on the phone with 118 he desperately tried to resuscitate…

But on Friday she announced she would be stepping down due to a “sudden change in personal circumstances,” saying she was “truly sorry at what has happened”. The shock resignation followed a report by the Daily Record which revealed her Colinton property had been put on the market on November 15th, the day after the by-election, for offers over £730,000. It is especially bruising for the Lib Dems as the campaign to defeat Labour and get Spence elected centred on her credentials as a local resident, and criticised other candidates who weren’t. Leaflets promised voters she would be “a local…

She vacated the stage for Ruth Davidson, who took the party into opposition for the first time at Holyrood. But Ms Goldie wasn’t done with politics – joining the House of Lords and serving in the UK Government for four years. Last night she shared her wisdom with her political colleagues, journalists and guests who attended The Herald’s awards, given in association with Scottish Power, in Prestonfield House, Edinburgh. Annabel Goldie: The handbag-wielding ‘matron’ of Scottish politics In her maiden speech as leader of the Tories in Scotland, Ms Goldie had warned against disloyalty in her party, taking a leaf…

The war in Ukraine is entering a “decisive phase”, with Vladimir Putin’s launch of a new ballistic missile showing that the threat of global conflict is “serious and real”, Poland’s prime minister has said, whilst failing to acknowledge the Ukrainian strikes inside Russia which escalated the war. Donald Tusk’s warning came as Nato and Ukrainian officials convened emergency talks over the hypersonic ballistic missile strike against Dnipro. The Nato allies are worried, this warning by Russia may make them a target, especially Poland. Our editor provides insights to the Ukraine conflict in this weeks world news briefing. Threat of world…

The King was seen laughing at impression of Donald Trump at Royal Variety Performance at teh Royal Albert Hall. The King seemed amused as he watched a comedian’s impression of Donald Trump at the Royal Variety Performance on Friday. Charles was seen laughing as British comedian Matt Forde poked fun at the US president-elect on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Forde referenced the unfounded claims Mr Trump repeated during his presidential debate against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris earlier this year, that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating locals’ pets in the small Ohio city of Springfield. Forde exclaimed in…

Too many buildings remain unsafe after Grenfell disaster, housing minister warns the Lords. Wajid Khan tells House of Lords remediation work is yet to start on half of properties with unsafe cladding. Far too many buildings remain unsafe after the Grenfell disaster, with dangerous cladding remaining on at least 2,400 blocks, a housing minister has warned. Wajid Khan, a Labour peer and housing minister, said on Friday that remediation work had not started at approximately 50% of properties being monitored for their unsafe cladding. Continue reading – Netanyahu, Starmer and war criminals – World News Briefing Too many buildings remain unsafe…

In a newly released report, the European Investment Bank (EIB) reveals that Africa’s fintech sector has nearly tripled in size since 2020, bringing vital financial services to underserved communities across the continent. However, the report, Finance in Africa 2024, also underscores significant barriers to growth: high funding costs and limited capital, which are hindering Africa’s climate and digital transitions. “Fintech is revolutionizing the way we think about finance in Africa,” noted EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “By leveraging technology, we can improve access to finance for millions and foster sustainable economic growth.” The rapid expansion of digital finance solutions is…

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeals to allies for updated air-defence systems to meet the new threat from Russia, involving an experimental hypersonic missile, FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee welcomes Retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of US Army Europe. Lt. Gen. Hodges asserts that, despite numerous threats, Russia will never start a nuclear war “because there are zero positive upsides,” including the US threat of “catastrophic consequences.” Lt Gen Hodges (ret): Putin’s war on Ukraine ‘could’ve ended last year’ had West provided ‘the tools’

Two Turkish opposition mayors were removed from office, Ankara said Friday, after they were convicted of “terrorism” for belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The pair are the fifth and sixth pro-Kurdish mayors to be dismissed on similar charges over the past two months, including the mayor of Istanbul’s most populous district. What do we know about the firings? Tunceli’s elected mayor Cevdet Konak, and Mustafa Sarigul, mayor of Ovacik in Tunceli province, in Turkey’s southeast, were found guilty of membership in the PKK, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies. The PKK has waged a guerilla insurgency against the Turkish state since…