Sprinklers could save 500-year-old tree that had branches cut off without authorisation in April, says expert The restaurant chain Toby Carvery is being urged to pay for life support for an ancient oak tree that its owner had chainsawed last spring to widespread public dismay. Experts say the trunk of the 500-year-old tree, on the … Read more
Director general under pressure after release of memo criticising reporting on Trump, trans rights and Gaza Boris Johnson and figures linked to him are engaging in an effort to undermine the BBC’s leadership, insiders fear, after the leaking of a memo criticising its reporting of Donald Trump, trans rights and Gaza. Tim Davie, the BBC’s … Read more
North Sea oil and gas rig staff need to be under 124.7kg so they can be safely winched on to helicopter in emergency Thousands of North Sea oil and gas workers risk losing their jobs on offshore rigs unless they lose weight within the next year. Workers who weigh more than 124.7kg (19.5 st) fully … Read more
Dispute began with Dutch government takeover of Nexperia and China halting exports, threatening car production The vital flow of chips from China to the car industry in Europe looks poised to resume as part of the deal struck last week between Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. The Netherlands has signalled that its … Read more
Experts say hi-tech Fujian will help expand country’s military influence and reach farther beyond its own waters China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier officially entered service this week, signalling a new era in Chinese military expansion after a ceremony overseen by the country’s leader, Xi Jinping, state media has confirmed. The Fujian is China’s … Read more
From night walks with children to switching off streetlights and rewilding areas, naturalists are working to save Europe’s dwindling populations An hour or so after sunset, green twinkles of possibility gleam beneath the hedgerows of Westbury-sub-Mendip in Somerset. Under an orange August moon, the last female glow-worms of the season are making one final push … Read more
Droughts and heatwaves causing water in some areas to reach 41C, killing fish and endangered dolphins, say researchers Amazonian lakes are being transformed into simmering basins hotter than spa baths as severe heatwaves and drought grip the region, research shows. The temperature of one lake exceeded 40C (104F) as water levels plummeted under intense sunlight … Read more
Participants ask for their films not to be shown at IndieChina event, which was due to launch this weekend An independent film festival due to start in New York this weekend has been cancelled after several film-makers pulled out due to harassment from the Chinese authorities, raising concerns about transnational repression. The inaugural IndieChina film … Read more
Robert Purkiss appears in court after his arrest in relation to the death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 A man has appeared in court as extradition proceedings began in the case of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman who was killed near a British army base in 2012. Robert Purkiss, 38, who is originally from … Read more
Making Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire appears to fit a US investment culture of backing high-flying innovators For all the headlines about an on-off relationship with Donald Trump, baiting liberals and erratic behaviour, Tesla shareholders are loath to part with Elon Musk. Investors in the electric vehicle maker voted on Thursday to put the … Read more