2 d. ago Islam increases its share of the global population as the world's fastest

Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world, according to a new study. 

Politics

3 d. ago Vape shop customers 'rushed to buy disposables to sell on the black market like drugs'

The UK's nationwide ban means shops can no longer sell the single-use options which left some vape stores having to clear stock as customers rushed to buy it - possibly to sell on

Economics

8 d. ago From ‘Tudo bem?’ to ‘Gracias,’ a growing share of US residents speak a language other than English

New figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that 22% of U.S. residents spoke a language other than English at home

Politics

9 d. ago A Family Matter by Claire Lynch review – powerful debut about lesbian mothers in the 80s

A woman is forced to rethink her childhood after she learns that her mother was denied custody, in a decade blighted by homophobiaFor a writer, the 1980s bear rich, dark fruit. The social and political turbulence of the decade provides the perfect landscape for Claire Lynch’s dual-timeline debut novel A Family Matter, which alternates between 1982 and the present day. On the surface, it is the story of a father-daughter relationship. Heron – an elderly man deeply fond of rules and routine – has recently received a terminal cancer diagnosis, but rather than share it with his grownup daughter, Maggie, who now has a family of her own, he chooses to bear the burden alone. As we learn that Heron raised Maggie by himself, it’s clear this urge to shield his only child from harm is a continuous theme. There is no mention of another parent, just that Heron was divorced many decades ago; it’s only when Lynch takes us back to 1982 that we discover the true story.When Maggie was a toddler,...

Society

1 week ago China accuses US of ‘seriously violating’ trade war truce; UK factory output shrinks again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsToday’s UK PMI report (see 9.52am) also shows that business confidence at British factories remained ‘subdued’ last month.Manufacturers continued to raise concerns that turbulent trade conditions, the weak economic outlook and rising cost burdens will make market conditions tough during the year ahead.Weak global market conditions, trade uncertainty, low customer confidence and cost pressures resulting from recent increases to UK employer NICs and minimum wages also contributed to clients’ reluctance to spend. That said, a recent bout of good weather did boost sales at some manufacturers. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Tennent’s to ‘excite customers with new things’ as market share grows further

“Tennent’s is an amazing brand. One in every two pints of lager sold in Scotland is Tennent’s.” – Roger White, C&C Group chief executive

Economics

4 w. ago Parents of boy cruelly nicknamed 'Mickey Mouse' over giant growths caused by treatment for rare skin condition share their joy as he makes amazing transformation

A three-year-old boy once cruelly dubbed 'Mickey Mouse' over giant 'ears' caused by treatment for a rare skin condition has shown off his amazing recovery.

Politics