Asian hornets: Race against time as queens emerge in South East

Bee inspectors in the South East of England are racing against time to destroy Asian hornet nests before new queens emerge before the end of the month. The country has already seen a total of 10 nests found in the regions of Kent and Sussex. These areas have recorded the highest sightings of the invasive… Continue reading Asian hornets: Race against time as queens emerge in South East

Second homes: Trebling of properties for sale in Pembrokeshire since tax hike

The number of second homes for sale in Pembrokeshire, Wales has tripled since the introduction of a 200% council tax increase. In July, figures showed that there were 135 second homes on the market compared to 38 the previous year. Estate agents have reported high levels of houses going on the market, causing damage to… Continue reading Second homes: Trebling of properties for sale in Pembrokeshire since tax hike

Pupils to be shown assembly on respect after riots

As students in the UK return to school following a summer of riots, schools are welcoming children with an assembly promoting “respect and tolerance”. The streamed assembly will highlight some of the positive stories of communities coming together in the aftermath of the unrest. The former teacher leading the assembly said she hoped it would… Continue reading Pupils to be shown assembly on respect after riots

Newspaper headlines: Kyle 'just the host' and a royal beard

Several stories are making headlines in the Friday papers. The Guardian reports that prosecutions for those affected by the Grenfell fire may not happen until the end of the decade. Former chief prosecutor Ken Macdonald warns of the slow justice system, stating that justice is “a very long way away” unless the processes are expedited.… Continue reading Newspaper headlines: Kyle 'just the host' and a royal beard

Moral imperative to stop small boat gangs, says Yvette Cooper

The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that there is a “moral imperative” to stop people-smuggling gangs from helping migrants cross the English Channel in small boats. Her comments were made ahead of a meeting with intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies and ministers. The gathering happened only three days after twelve individuals, including six children… Continue reading Moral imperative to stop small boat gangs, says Yvette Cooper

How airline seats became key tech products

Northern Ireland is home to one-third of the world’s aircraft seat manufacturing facilities. Thompson Aero Seating, headquartered in Banbridge, specialises in producing first class and business class seats with built-in entertainment systems and individual enclosures. Tests are carried out day and night, with robots opening and closing airplane meal tables as quality control measures. The message… Continue reading How airline seats became key tech products

Puffins increase on Farne Islands despite bird flu

A recent count of the puffin population on the Farne Islands off the coast of Northumberland has revealed that the birds’ numbers are in fact increasing despite initial fears that avian flu had caused damage. The endangered species has increased by 15% since 2019, with around 50,000 breeding pairs now believed to reside on the… Continue reading Puffins increase on Farne Islands despite bird flu

Call to tighten law enabling sex abusers to work as tutors

Private tutors in the UK have been convicted of sexual offences involving children more than 90 times over the past two decades, according to research by the BBC. Such incidents have led the children’s commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, to call for changes to the system, under which people are not required to… Continue reading Call to tighten law enabling sex abusers to work as tutors