Author: News Desk

Hundreds of thousands without power after Texas storms Severe thunderstorms in Texas have left nearly 600,000 customers without electricity. The storms brought hurricane-force wind gusts up to 77 mph and golf ball-sized hail, compounding the impact of earlier severe weather that killed at least 24 people across five states, including Texas.  The extreme weather, which included tornado warnings in Dallas and surrounding areas, caused significant damage such as flooding, downed trees, and power lines. Dallas County declared a disaster as officials assessed the damage. At the peak of the outages, over 1,070,000 customers were without power, with Dallas County experiencing…

Rishi Sunak promises to create 100,000 high-skilled apprenticeships a year Conservatives’ policy would be funded by scrapping ‘rip-off degrees’ with high drop-out rates and low job progression Rishi Sunak has promised to create 100,000 high-skilled apprenticeships a year by scrapping “rip-off degrees” if he wins the general election. In the latest of a flurry of announcements as the Conservatives try to narrow Labour’s 20-point poll lead, the party pledged to replace “low-quality” university degrees with apprenticeships. Continue reading… https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/may/28/rishi-sunak-promises-to-create-100000-high-skilled-apprenticeships-a-year

Diane Abbott ‘to be banned from standing for Labour’ as it emerges race investigation finished five months ago Diane Abbott is to reportedly be banned from standing as a Labour candidate at the general election – as it emerged a party investigation into her finished five months ago. Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that the party’s National Excecutive Committee will decide whether Ms Abbott, the longest-serving Black MP, will be able to stand for the party in the 4 July general election. But The Times is reporting that the party’s leadership has already made its decision on the 70-year-old,…

Labour pledge to boost sick pay rights for low-paid workers Labour has unveiled its first big general election offering on workers’ rights with a pledge to end discrimination on sick pay facing low-paid employees. Just 24 hours after wooing more than 120 business leaders with their economic plans, the Labour leadership is seeking to calm union concerns that they will water down their promises on workers’ rights. The intervention on sick pay will help an estimated 1.5 million who are not covered by the rules and either have to work through illness or stay at home without financial support. The…

General election 2024: Starmer calls for closer ties with EU as Abbott ‘stopped from standing for Labour’ Rachel Reeves recalls how mother’s upbringing influenced Labour economic policies as the general election campaigns continue for a sixth day Sir Keir Starmer has called for closer ties with the European Union as Diane Abbott will reportedly be banned from standing as a Labour candidate at the upcoming general election. Speaking on the general election campaign trail in Hertfordshire today, the Labour leader said: “I do think that we can get a better deal with the EU than the one we’ve got ……

Wealthy white men are UK’s biggest transport polluters, study finds Wealth Graph showing how transport emissions steadily increase by every decile from most deprived to least deprived. Wealthy white men from rural areas are the UK’s biggest emitters of climate-heating gases from transport, according to a study. Research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looked at transport emissions by income, gender, location, ethnicity and age. The study broke down the transport emissions into international and domestic flights, private road transport and public transport. Wealth The richest 0.1% in Britain emit 22 times more from transport than low earners,…

Lewis Capaldi kicked off Tinder because people thought he was a catfish The musician, who recently announced a new album and a much anticipated European tour, had his profile pulled because it was believed to be fake. The chart-topping sensation, who recently returned to recorded music with his new hit single Forget Me, acknowledged the situation in his usual humourous light. The singer from West Lothian joked that there would be ‘better’ celebrities to catfish people as, adding that his Tinder profile doesn’t “get many bites.” In a G2 interview with the Guardian Lewis said: “Yeah, they thought I was catfishing. If I was…

Glasgow Sonica Festival 2024 announces full line-up The festival will open on September 19 with the Scottish premiere of Nati Infiniti at Tramway, the new live audiovisual work created and performed by Nine Inch Nails touring member, sound artist and the first ever Italian inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Alessandro Cortini. Born in Bologna, the 47-year-old has also worked with the likes of Ladytron, Muse and Jovanotti, who has had three number one singles on the Italian chart. More than half of the events will be free, including the UK premiere of the winner of the Immersive…

Granchies Caribbean takeaway, closes in Newport city centre Granchies Caribbean Takeaway has been a part of Newport city centre and Newport Market since it opened in April 2023, however owner Joseph Henry had to take the “tough” decision to close on Wednesday, May 22. Granchies originally replaced Bake Your Day by Sarah on Upper Dock Street in Newport Market and aimed to bring some uniquely Caribbean flavours to south Wales. Having previously worked as a chef in west Wales, Granchies was Mr Henry’s first business in Newport and had been named after his grandfather, who was from St Kitts and Antigua. The…

Stephen Mulhern reveals he used to ‘look out for police’ for his dad Stephen Mulhern has revealed his youth was spent ‘looking out for police’ to protect his father. The TV presenter, 47, began his career presenting the children’s television shows Finger Tips and Tricky TV. In the years since he’s fronted Britain’s Got More Talent, Deal or No Deal, Catchphrase and Dancing on Ice. However, he’s now revealed his early years saw him helping to keep an eye on approaching authorities while his dad was earning a living. Born in Stratford, East London, Stephen’s parents were market traders whose…