Georgia was the post-Soviet beacon of hope for democracy but political turmoil could unravel it all April 1, 2021 Georgia, for so long a beacon of hope for democracy and the rule of law in the post-Soviet world, is now once more mired in a political crisis. It is a tragedy for Georgia, where polling by the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) shows that the overwhelming majority of people want their country to be [...]
US jobless claims rise again despite signs of recovery April 1, 2021 New claims for unemployment benefits in the US rose unexpectedly despite the vaccine rollout and a huge fiscal support driving market recovery. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits came in at 719,000, according to the Labor Department. Last week claims fell to 684,000, their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. While the number [...]
Teletubbies prank the crypto world with TubbyCoin joke – all for charity April 1, 2021 Popular kids’ TV show the Teletubbies gave a chuckle to the crypto community after charitable April Fool ruse.
Best of travel: Mauritius is paradise, but not as you know it April 1, 2021 While we wait for the world of international travel to reopen, we’re reposting classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Steve Dinneen’s journey to Mauritius, the most unusual of tropical paradises. ••• Mauritius offers the cliched white sands and blue seas, but there’s more to discover at this most unusual of holiday destinations. [...]
Test and Trace: Impact of £37bn scheme ‘limited’ as Brits shun self-isolation April 1, 2021 The Government has responded to a damnig report which found the effectiveness of the UK’s £37bn Test and Trace programme is “limited” due to the widespread failure of Brits to recognise Covid symptoms and self-isolate. A large study examining the NHS system found that fewer than one in five people request a Covid-19 test if [...]
We must help grassroots sport clubs at risk of collapsing April 1, 2021 While kids across the country could barely contain their excitement this week with the resumption of grassroots sport, the sad reality is that many local community clubs which bring opportunity, escape and structure to the lives of young people are on the brink of financial collapse. Over the last year, young people have felt the [...]
‘Worldwide Hide’ Cadbury advert finds its audience March 31, 2021 Ahead of the Easter weekend, the confectionary brand Cadbury has significantly boosted its Ad Awareness among parents with children at home and the general population alike. As the Easter Bank Holiday looms, many parents will be wondering how best to keep their young ones entertained – and with some Covid-19 restrictions still in place, what [...]
Pfizer vaccine ‘100 per cent effective’ in children as young as 12 March 31, 2021 The Pfizer/Biontech Covid vaccine is safe and 100 per cent effective in children as young as 12, the company has announced. The two pharmaceutical giants carried out trials of the vaccine on 2,260 children aged between 12 and 15 in the US. Preliminary data showed there were no cases of coronavirus among fully vaccinated adolescents [...]
Hong Kong’s democratic dreams have been trashed by Chinese power grab – the UK must use Magnitsky sanctions March 31, 2021 The Chinese government’s actions in Hong Kong are a textbook case study of an authoritarian power-grab. Redefine national security. Exercise emergency powers in the name of national security and use these powers to take total control. Lock up the opposition. Rig the elections. Rewrite the constitution. The details of Beijing’s electoral reforms for Hong Kong [...]
Athletic Bilbao: Two Copa del Rey finals, one unique philosophy, and the roles of identity and loyalty in sporting success March 31, 2021 Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino Garcia Toral could be forgiven for using the old cliche about every game feeling like a cup final. That’s because, due to a quirk of pandemic rescheduling, Athletic are about to play in the final of Spain’s domestic cup competition twice in a fortnight. On Saturday, a year later than planned, [...]