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Government facing pressure to rethink China stance
By Nick Eardley BBC chief political correspondent The government is facing pressure to take stronger action against Beijing, after a parliamentary researcher was arrested amid accusations he spied for China. Senior Conservative MPs have called for China to be categorised as a threat, a move backed by some cabinet ministers. Rishi Sunak raised concerns about…
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Egypt angry as Ethiopia fills Nile dam reservoir amid water row
By Laurence Peter BBC News Egypt has voiced anger after Ethiopia announced it had filled the reservoir at a highly controversial hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile river. Ethiopia has been in dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the megaproject since its launch in 2011. Egypt relies on the Nile for nearly all its water…
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Why are CEOs still so intent on taking worker attendance?
In the ongoing return-to-office battle, showing up to your desk is becoming a performance metric – just like it was in grade school. Employers have dangled all sorts of perks – free food, concerts and on-site yoga – to entice employees back to the office, with varying degrees of success. Now, some are taking a…
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Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth
By Gideon Long BBC Money & Work President of Guyana Irfaan Ali has acknowledged “time is not on our side” as the South American country scrambles to make the most of its newfound oil wealth before it is too late. Over the past decade, Guyana has found huge amounts of oil and gas under its…
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The alternative ivory sources that could help save elephants
Despite international bans, thousands of African elephants are illegally killed each year for their tusks. Could finding a human-made alternative be the answer? My parents often talk about their safari honeymoon to the Serengeti National Park in 1972. Mum reminds me that they didn’t have “fancy cameras with zoom lenses back then” and that the…
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Hip-hop’s rise to the top of fashion
From street style to cultural dominance – it’s been quite a journey. Precious Adesina talks to Tommy Hilfiger, Dapper Dan and others to find out why. In February it was announced that Pharrell Williams would be the new men’s creative director of Louis Vuitton – a role that became vacant after the unexpected death of…
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How India overcame bitter G20 divisions over Ukraine
By Vikas Pandey and Soutik Biswas G20 summit, Delhi The G20 joint declaration in Delhi is being described as a significant diplomatic win for India. The agreement of a joint statement looked almost impossible a few days ago, given how sharply divided the group was over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the end, we had…
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Italy’s classic pasta e patate (pasta and potatoes) dish
This comforting and creamy blend of pasta, potatoes and melted cheese is a perfect example of Italy’s humble form of peasant cooking known as “cucina povera”. Literally meaning “poor kitchen”, cucina povera is a traditional style of Italian cooking that embraces a frugal, no-waste philosophy. Created out of necessity, cucina povera is considered poor in…
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US and Vietnam get a friendship upgrade
By Laura Bicker BBC News, Hanoi President Joe Biden has denied that the US is attempting to stem China’s international influence, after signing a new strategic partnership with Vietnam. More than 50 years since the last American soldier left Vietnam, Mr Biden travelled to Hanoi to sign the agreement that will bring the former foes…
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Mobile cinema at risk after 25 years on the road
A mobile cinema that has been in operation for 25 years is at risk of closing. The Screen Machine, a lorry with a small cinema inside its trailer, tours the Highlands and Islands, Argyll and Bute and North Ayrshire. The service’s purpose-built vehicle is out of action due to breakdowns. A replacement has been leased…