Author: BBC

14 hours agoBy Kevin Keane, BBC Scotland environment correspondentPA MediaSurfers in Aberdeen stage a protest on the beach calling for an end to new oil and gas licensing”Do you support new oil and gas licences, yes or no?”That’s the binary question which has been at the centre of the political debate in Scotland since parties began preparing to fight the general election.Political leaders have been hurling accusations that 100,000 jobs in Scotland will be at risk if no more licences are issued.But that figure is 40,000 more than the total number of people in Scotland whose roles currently rely directly or indirectly…

An urgent warning has been issued to people seeking cosmetic procedures including Brazilian butt lifts and breast augmentation – amid fears unregulated surgery is taking place in local hotel rooms.Manchester Council issued the warning on Wednesday, saying procedures “may be taking place this week in Manchester in non-clinical settings”. Medical experts have cited the risk of infection in non-clinical settings, where it can be difficult to prevent contamination.A statement urged people who are only notified of their surgery’s location shortly before treatment to contact the environmental health department at the council.“The council has been made aware that certain cosmetic procedures…

A Welsh artist has unveiled a new series of pieces including a depiction of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as historical royals. Dan Llywelyn Hall has produced 10 new portraits inspired by royalty throughout history for the Society of Antiquaries as part of an new exhibition in London. Prince Harry is depicted as Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, while Meghan is portrayed as Dame Elizabeth Grey, Queen of England by marriage. Mr Llywelyn Hall said he sees the “subject of royalty utterly irresistible and rich succour for art”.He added: “In Harry’s case, I have entered the…

South Africa’s main coalition partners are at loggerheads just weeks after agreeing to share power, as President Cyril Ramaphosa accuses Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen of trying to create a “parallel government” in breach of the constitution.He is said to have made the explosive allegation in a letter to Mr Steenhuisen on 25 June, which has been seen by local media.Markets have slumped with the news of the deepening rift, at a time when Mr Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) and the DA are supposed to be divvying up cabinet posts and settling into office.When the ANC failed to…

England’s European Championship games may not have been exciting viewing so far, but the boss of Currys hopes the Three Lions stay in the tournament to continue a boost in sales of big TVs.The electricals chain said UK sales were up by more than 30% in the past month, with boss Alex Baldock adding so-called “supersize” screens – 85 inches and above – were proving popular.”Long may England and Denmark stay in the Euros – that’s doing well for us,” Mr Baldock said.As well as strong UK sales in the run-up to the tournament, which also featured Scotland, the retail…

2 hours agoBy Karl Mercer, Political correspondent, BBC London BBCStreatham GP Lucy Goodeve-Docker said the situation had been “incredibly tricky”Doctors’ surgeries in London have continued to struggle with the impact of a cyber attack that knocked out pathology services across the area.Synnovis, an agency which manages labs for NHS trusts and GPs in south-east London, was the victim of a hack on 3 June.It has led to the cancellation of thousands of operations and appointments.Blood testing remains at a fraction of its former capacity, with only urgent and critical cases being processed.Lucy Goodeve-Docker, a GP in Streatham, said the situation had been…

The second day of Glastonbury saw people doing workouts, dressing like lobsters and tying the knot.Joe Wicks led a workout session from the stage at Glastonbury, while performers took part in a parade to celebrate the Stag Beetle.Sian Barklem, 25 and Johnjo Smith, 24, got engaged at Glastonbury last year and held a handtying ceremony at this year’s festival, which they said is their “favourite place on Earth”. Michael Eavis, co-creator of the festival, took to the stage to speak to the crowd. Source link

Wildfires are once again ravaging the Arctic Circle, the EU’s climate change monitor – Copernicus – is reporting.It is the third time in the past five years that high intensity fires have swept across the region.In a statement released on Thursday, Copernicus reported higher air temperatures and drier conditions in Sakha, Russia, which are rendering the ideal conditions for wildfires once there is a spark.Scientists are concerned that smoke from the flames will hinder the ability of the Arctic ice to reflect solar radiation – which would mean both the land and sea absorb more heat. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring…

The US Supreme Court has struck down a part of the bankruptcy deal for Purdue Pharma that would have shielded members of the Sackler family from future lawsuits over their role in fuelling the opioid crisis.The Sacklers, who owned and operated the Oxycontin-maker for decades, had agreed to pay $6bn (£4.7bn) toward a wider settlement in exchange for sweeping protections against civil claims related to the addictive opioid.But the nation’s top court ruled that granting such protections to those who did not themselves declare bankruptcy was not authorised under bankruptcy law.It is a victory for the US government, which had…

4 hours agoBy Lewis Adams, BBC News, at Chelmsford Crown CourtGetty ImagesPictures of TV presenter Holly Willoughby were posted in an online group called “Abduct Lovers”, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court heardAn undercover police officer feared there was an “imminent threat” to Holly Willoughby after pictures of the TV presenter were posted in an online group called “Abduct Lovers”, a court has heard.Gavin Plumb, 37, from Harlow, Essex, is accused of using the messaging app Kik to find others to help him abduct, rape and murder Ms Willoughby.The officer – who is based in the US and gave his evidence by…