Sunlight reduces effect of chemical used to disperse oil spills
The Deepwater Horizon disaster turned into one of the biggest environmental tragedies in history - because of the sun, suggests new research. Dispersants used to clean up major oil spills are almost a third less effective in sunlit waters - such as those in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the study. Researchers found that crude oil floating on the surface is chemically altered within days - or even hours. Dr Collin Ward, of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the...
Banking heiress Kate Rothschild victim of £500,000 jewellery raid
Banking heiress Kate Rothschild had hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery stolen as her children slept at their London home. The haul taken from the £3.5 million property in leafy Barnes, south west London, included the 35-year-old's wedding and engagement rings, according to reports. Ir is understood that intruders scaled a wall at the back of the house near Barnes Common before grabbing a large jewellery box containing valuables, including an antique diamond dragonfly brooch as well as...
PT could have been gunned down as revenge for testifying against a horrific gang rape
A personal trainer could have been gunned down outside his home as revenge for testifying in a horrific gang rape trial, murder squad detectives suggest. Abraham Badru, 26, was given a bravery award by police for intervening in the attack and testifying in court against the gang in 2007. But on March 25 he was murdered when a man blasted him in the chest with a shotgun. He had parked his AMG Mercedes near his family home in Ferncliff Road,...
Ukrainian e-marketing automation system eSputnik won the first prize at E-Commerce Berlin Expo 2018
E-Commerce Berlin Expo is one of the most important events in the world of e-Commerce. Each year this exhibition demonstrates the best solutions, and latest innovations in e-commerce. On February 15, 2018 more than 4000 visitors, 120 brands’ representatives and 32 speakers took part in E-Commerce Berlin Expo. This year, the competition categories were the following: The best financial services provider The best analytic solutions The best platform / store software The best logistic solutions The best tool to generate...
Despair for EU nationals as Settled Status app doesn’t work on iPhones
EU nationals invited to test the new Settled Status app have revealed their despair after finding it doesn't work on iPhones. Home Office officials yesterday confirmed that the mobile phone app for EU nationals seeking to stay in the UK after Brexit – claimed to be as user-friendly as “an online account at LK Bennett” by Amber Rudd – will not work on devices used by more than half of the adult population in the UK. One said the Home office...
Film Review: Avengers – Infinity War
Warning: Though this review is spoiler free, the film’s set-up is referenced throughout. “It’s not overselling it to say that the future of the universe is at stake,” declares Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange with a solemn tone. He’s referring, of course, to the coming of Thanos (Josh Brolin), a galactic warlord with an unhealthy violet complexion, towering height and intimidatingly chunky chin, who supposedly wishes to bring balance to the universe by destroying half of it. The Sorcerer Supreme, however,...
Man who filmed dog giving Nazi salute starts a GoFundMe page – and raises over 75K
A man fined £800 after he filmed a pet dog giving Nazi salute set up a GoFundMe page to pay for his appeal - and has raised over £75,000. Mark Meechan was found guilty of a hate crime in communicating a video which was "grossly offensive". Meechan, from Coatbridge, Scotland, taught his girlfriend's pug to react to the words "gas the Jews". The 30-year-old was given six months to pay the fine. But in a new video, named "The Price...
Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry’s key findings so far: political reputations and institutions still prioritised over victims
“All too often institutions are prioritising the reputation of political leaders or the reputation of their staff, or avoiding legal liability, claims or insurance implications, over the welfare of children and tackling child sexual abuse,” the inquiry established to examine how institutions in England and Wales handled their duty to protect children from sexual abuse has found. “The UK Government must demonstrate the priority and importance of tackling child sexual abuse through its actions,” warns the report. “Children are still accused of ‘child prostitution’,...
A loving farmer spent all night carving a proposal message into a hill – with 300ft letters
A loving farmer spent all night carving a proposal message into a hill - with 300ft letters. Romantic Ben Wolfe spent all night meticulously carving "Marry Me" in giant letters on one of his hills to surprise girlfriend Lacey Jordan. Ben, 29, kept the whole scheme under wraps for days, and took veterinary nurse Lacey on a romantic walk first thing in the morning - so he could pop the question. The entire plan was accidentally revealed by pilot Dave...