Major international brands connected to one of the largest cases of illegal rainforest clearance ever
A new report released today has exposed one of the largest cases in recent years of ongoing, illegal clearance of tropical rainforests in Borneo, with several international brands implicated. Currently, 10,000 hectares of peat forest have been cleared illegally for future palm oil plantations, despite Indonesian regulations and company commitments against further peat development and deforestation. Two palm oil plantation companies are responsible for the clearance, and both are controlled by or associated with business tycoon Mr. Anthoni Salim. Mr....
Beer of the Week: Sharp’s Brewery Offshore Pilsner
Established in 1994, Sharp’s Brewery has become the largest brewer of cask beer in the South West - based in Rock, Cornwall. Also owner of the UK’s number one cask beer brand, Doom Bar, the brewery is also a proud sponsor of the Blue Flag initiative; with five pence from every limited release sold donated to the charity, to help protect beaches in Cornwall for the enjoyment of all. True to the award-winning brewery’s Cornish roots, Sharp’s has launched Offshore...
Police numbers and violent crime: An open letter to Amber Rudd
Chris Hobbs is a former officer of the Metropolitan Police who served for 32 years Well Home Secretary, you certainly stirred up a hornet’s nest with your carefully timed statement over the weekend that spiralling violent crime involving shootings and stabbings is not as a result of reductions in police numbers. This of course, was paving the way for your pre-violent crime strategy launch on the Monday. I could almost see those cops on the front line sitting in their canteens...
Film Review: Genius, Picasso
“I’d rather starve than paint inside the box.” It’s rare that you get a chance to see such an amazing collection of art at the same time as watching a genius work, but last night in the Tate Modern, that happened. Pablo Picasso needs no introduction, his work has been seen, adored and critiqued by the world. But having died in 1973 at the age of 91, how much did we truly know about the man behind the paintbrush, the...
Theresa May sends OAPs letter asking for donations to the Tory party addressed “Dear Mr F***ingjoking.”
An elderly couple have received a letter from Theresa May asking for their support in the upcoming local elections addressed “Dear Mr Fuckingjoking." Their neighbour posted it on social media, along with the enclosed form asking for a donation to the Conservative Party that she says accompanied the rude missive. “Trying to argue they can run the country when they can’t even work mail merge,” said Laura McCormack, adding, “my elderly neighbours were more than a little upset to be...
Brexit museum to tell the story of Britain’s tumultuous 45-year journey to sovereignty
Plans for a Brexit Museum have been embraced by prominent Leave politicians, with calls for it to be built "big enough to include the iconic red Brexit bus". The first steps towards the creation of the so-called "Museum of Sovereignty" were announced yesterday as Eurosceptics began assembling the memorabilia, texts of speeches and newspaper cuttings that tell the story of Britain’s "tumultuous 45-year journey to leaving the EU". The museum will celebrate Eurosceptic heroes who challenged Britain’s EU membership, from Labour...
Theresa May makes world’s most admired list for the first time: but who else is on the list?
Bill Gates and Angelina Jolie have once again topped YouGov's most admired people in the world poll. US President Donald Trump made the list too, but way behind his predecessor Barack Obama, and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. UK PM Theresa May has made the most admired women list for the first time, though behind other politicians Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel, as well as Her Majesty The Queen who is in fourth place, just behind Oprah Winfrey: Most admired...
Are we ignoring the lessons from tower block fires?
The Grenfell Tower tragedy shocked the nation, and a full enquiry is underway. But, if lessons from the Lakanal Tower block fire in Camberwell in 2009 didn’t effect change, what hope can we have that Grenfell will? Are the lessons from social housing tower block fire tragedies being ignored? Many aren’t convinced that lessons have been learned, and confidence in the Grenfell Inquiry amongst the surviving local community is at an all-time low. Musician, and Grime star, Stormzy brought renewed...
Donald Trump tells Russia “get ready we’re coming”
Donald Trump issued a provocative tweet this morning telling Russia to get ready for US missiles just hours after Moscow's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzia warned the US against military action. The US President tweeted: "Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. "Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!" His tough rhetoric comes as Western leaders agree...