Michelle O'Neill 'understands' hurt over Remembrance Sunday event

Michelle O’Neill, the first minister of Northern Ireland, is set to become the first senior Sinn Féin member to participate in an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Belfast. However, more than 100 relatives of victims from the Republican community in County Tyrone have criticised her decision in a letter to The Irish News. The letter… Continue reading Michelle O'Neill 'understands' hurt over Remembrance Sunday event

Buses in England blighted by poor technology and infrequent services

Passengers in England have raised concerns over rural bus services that have reached a historic low frequency, with over 25% of rural routes cut over the decade to 2023, according to a report by the County Councils Network. Furthermore, passengers have also pointed out that the £2 cap on bus fares in much of England… Continue reading Buses in England blighted by poor technology and infrequent services

Emergency service staff who die in line of duty honoured by King

An award for emergency service workers who die in the line of duty has been announced and the first recipients have been revealed. The Elizabeth Emblem, which is named after the late Queen, has been designed in recognition of more than 30 deceased police officers, public servants, and firefighters’ family members. The next of kin… Continue reading Emergency service staff who die in line of duty honoured by King

Orkney island gets broadband via water pipes in UK first

An innovative method of delivering fibre broadband has been launched on the Orkney island of Papa Westray, through an existing water network. Thanks to cables laid within the island’s community-owned water pipes, almost all properties can now enjoy full fibre broadband. Previously, poor connectivity had plagued the island community, preventing residents from accessing remote healthcare… Continue reading Orkney island gets broadband via water pipes in UK first

Skynet-1A: Why did the UK's first satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been?

Skynet-1A, the UK’s oldest satellite, has been discovered to have been moved from its original location over Africa’s east coast to an orbit 22,369 miles above the Americas. Launched in 1969, Skynet-1A was used as a communication relay for British forces. The half-tonne spacecraft died a few years after launch and should have drifted further… Continue reading Skynet-1A: Why did the UK's first satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been?

Are luxury beauty advent calendars a rip-off?

As the festive season approaches, beauty advent calendars are once again making the rounds on social media. But are these high-priced products really worth the money? Social media manager and TikToker Cissy Jones says that the Harrods 12-day calendar is one of the few worth its hefty price tag. Brands market these calendars as unbeatable… Continue reading Are luxury beauty advent calendars a rip-off?

Newspaper headlines: US economy 'overheating' and 'Ukraine fears'

Major news publications have featured headlines on surging US stock markets, which have prompted warnings about an overheating economy and potential reversals. The Financial Times has said that the US economy may experience a downturn following the election of President Trump, who has been associated with record highs in the US equity markets. The publication… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: US economy 'overheating' and 'Ukraine fears'

I gave my DNA to tracking company – then it vanished

An investigation has been launched into the sudden disappearance of DNA-testing company Atlas Biomed amid concerns over customers’ data. The company, which has offices in London, had offered its users insights into their genetic make-up and potential predisposition to certain illnesses. However, users are now unable to access their reports online and the company has… Continue reading I gave my DNA to tracking company – then it vanished

'The attacks live on' – why bands are once again rocking against racism

Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) is being relaunched in the UK, more than 40 years after its predecessor, Rock Against Racism (RAR), first mixed pop music with politics. The move comes after violence flared across the UK fuelled by online misinformation and anti-immigration sentiment, which has angered Lynval Golding, founding member of The Specials. Golding… Continue reading 'The attacks live on' – why bands are once again rocking against racism

Bradley Nelson: Police inquiry after boy shaken as baby dies

Nine-year-old Bradley Nelson has died in hospital, leading to a fresh police investigation into his death. Bradley was left blind, brain-damaged, and unable to walk after being shaken by his father, Darren Spreadbury, in April 2016 when he was just seven months old. Despite being born “fit and well,” Bradley later developed cerebral palsy and… Continue reading Bradley Nelson: Police inquiry after boy shaken as baby dies