Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens’ scientists discovered 74 new plant and 15 fungal species last year, with a number of them in unexpected locations. These discoveries need immediate protection, but at least one is predicted to have gone extinct. Three-quarters of these plants face extinction. Species protection could start with the naming of a new species,… Continue reading Mysterious plants and fungi named new to science
Category: UK News
Rape complainants warned pre-recording evidence could backfire
A recent study conducted by University College London has suggested that rape complainants who utilise “special measures,” such as pre-recording their evidence, could be harming their chances of securing a conviction at trial. By allowing complainants to be interviewed and cross-examined before the trial and away from the defendant, special measures were introduced in 2016.… Continue reading Rape complainants warned pre-recording evidence could backfire
Chris Mason: Justice at last, but plenty more questions remain
In the past week, the UK government has announced a significant change in the law that has far-reaching constitutional, political, practical, and financial implications. This comes after the ITV drama on the Post Office scandal and its aftermath noticed widespread attention from the public, leading the government to take action. It is a rare moment… Continue reading Chris Mason: Justice at last, but plenty more questions remain
Homeschooling: Merthyr girl says it helps her mental health
An 11-year-old girl from Merthyr Tydfil, Millie-Rae, has spoken out about her decision to leave school due to anxiety and pursue home education instead. Millie-Rae’s mother, Seana-lee, began homeschooling her daughter in September of last year, around the start of the UK’s second wave of COVID-19. She has struggled with the school environment since returning… Continue reading Homeschooling: Merthyr girl says it helps her mental health
Post Office scandal victims in Scotland to be cleared
After years of battling a faulty computer system that wrongly accused sub-postmasters across the UK, those convicted in Scotland as part of the Post Office Horizon scandal will be cleared, says First Minister Humza Yousaf. Up to 100 sub-postmasters were prosecuted in Scotland as part of the scandal that saw more than 700 people across… Continue reading Post Office scandal victims in Scotland to be cleared
US and UK hint at military action after largest Houthi attack in Red Sea
The United States and the United Kingdom have suggested that they may take military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels after they reportedly thwarted the most extensive attack on Red Sea shipping to date. Carrier-based jets and warships successfully managed to bring down 21 drones and missiles launched by the Iran-backed group on Tuesday night. The… Continue reading US and UK hint at military action after largest Houthi attack in Red Sea
Craft beer giant Brewdog abandons real living wage for employees
Craft beer behemoth, Brewdog, has recently announced that it will no longer pay its employees the real living wage. Instead, workers will receive the UK government’s national minimum wage of £11.44 per hour from April. This rate falls below the £12 cost of living-based rate. The Aberdeenshire-based firm cited the move as “necessary” in an… Continue reading Craft beer giant Brewdog abandons real living wage for employees
HS2 to Birmingham may cost £65bn, railway boss says
The building of the High Speed 2 (HS2) railway between London and Birmingham could cost more than £65bn at current prices due to rising materials costs such as steel and concrete, according to Sir Jonathan Thompson, the CEO of the company building the infrastructure. The rise in materials costs in recent years has resulted in… Continue reading HS2 to Birmingham may cost £65bn, railway boss says
London school attendance hubs launched
London is introducing new “attendance hubs” to combat persistent absences in schools. The Department for Education (DfE) will coordinate with nine London schools with the best attendance records to share ideas with other schools across England, with the aim of reducing absenteeism. In addition, the DfE is providing £15m towards a scheme to offer support… Continue reading London school attendance hubs launched
Post Office victims to have convictions overturned
The UK government has announced that it will introduce an emergency law to reverse the convictions of individuals embroiled in the Post Office scandal. Postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake asserted that over 900 convictions were linked to the scandal over the course of 16 years. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised swift exoneration and compensation for… Continue reading Post Office victims to have convictions overturned