By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor A poll claims that no Icelanders under 25 think God created the Universe and over 90 per cent of the respondants believe that the big bang theory created the universe. The Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association, who commissioned the poll, said 93.9 per cent in the under 25 category were favourable to the big bang theory. None of the respondents believed that the universe had been created by God or any religious entity. 6 per cent...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor A woman from the USA has told how a group of Syrian refugees helped her during the shocking amount of sexual assaults that occurred on New Year's Eve in Cologne, Germany. The victim, 28-year-old Caitlin Duncan, a student from Seattle had lost her boyfriend in the crowded square outside the main railway station and cathedral. She told of a man robbing her hat then another "grabbed" her from behind, rifling through her pockets. If that...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Since moving into Downing Street in May 2010 to take up his role as Prime Minister, he has been renting out his home in the astronomically expensive Notting Hill, in London. It has been claimed that Cameron has earned almost half a million pounds in rent on this property while living at Number 10. These claims have arisen only days after the Tory Government voted against a proposed amendment to the new Housing Bill, which...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor One might expect an enlightened Scandinavian country to have banned tobacco but not so; the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan has actually taken the revolutionary step. In a country where life expectancy is just 65 years, it could be seen as a positive policy decision. The news must be taken with a note of caution as it is a tightly controlled nation and the media is totally owned by the Government. Reporters Without Borders rates...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Jeremy Corbyn has taken a tough stance against businesses who pay dividends to shareholders, but don't pay their workers the living wage at the same time. He said a Labour Government could ban companies carrying out this practice, if they were elected to form a Government. Corbyn believes that too much profit from the UK economy is passed to the upper echelons of society and not to the majority of workers. He wants to "institutionalise...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Before I begin I have a confession to make, I love this part of the world – North Cornwall. I am also half Cornish, not that you would tell by my rough Geordie accent. My mother was born in Port Isaac (the village the TV show Doc Martin is filmed in) So I was sold on this excursion, before I even got there. I even used to come to this hotel when I was a...

By Mark Turnbull  The Florence Gastropub in Herne Hill is a great place for diners and drinkers alike to visit. Owned by the well-regarded Metropolitan Pub Company, its website suggests that “The Flo” is great for its craft beers. It is, but tonight we were as interested in its food. Serving a wide range of classic and mouth-watering dishes with a modern twist, those with a passion for beautiful tasty food will find so many deliciously tempting plates to ruminate...

By Amy Sharpe Like most people, I spend most Mondays feeling desperate for a detox – cursing myself for sloshing too many vinos and overdosing on cheese at the weekend. So I couldn’t have been happier rolling up to the Reynold’s Retreat in Sevenoaks, Kent, to sample one of their 'Two's Company' pamper packages one rainy Monday in November. The weekend’s alcohol sweats started dissolving the second I laid eyes on the place. A glorious stately home with woodland views, it...

By Rose Taylor A hospital in Nepal that has barely emerged from the ravages of last April’s earthquake is struggling to stay open because of the continuing fuel shortage caused by a trade blockade. Operations have been cancelled at Anandaban Leprosy Hospital as have outreach clinics held in remote villages where patients affected by leprosy receive diagnoses, treatment and after-care. Shovakhar Kandel, Nepal Country Director with The Leprosy Mission, which supports the hospital said: “Many operations have been cancelled, including...