It took Arun George half a working life to scrape together £15,000 ($19,460) in savings, which he used to secure a care worker job for his wife in the UK. But in barely a few months, he lost it all. Mr George – not his real name as his wife doesn’t want to be identified within their small community for the shame associated with having returned without a job – paid the money in late 2023 to the managers of Alchita Care. The BBC has seen evidence of the payment to Alchita Care, the private domiciliary care home in Bradford…
Author: Web Desk
Google has agreed to pay $28m (£21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had “reached a resolution” but rejected the allegations made against it. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. The settlement has been given preliminary approval by Judge Charles Adams of the Santa…
A few days after Donald Trump won the US presidential election, Amber Walliser stocked up, spending $2,000 (£1,538) on appliances she believed would get more expensive as the White House started to put new taxes on imports. But that was a temporary splurge. These days, her family is buckling down, worried about job security, and a possible economic downturn, which experts believe could be more likely because of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. It means no new car, or big vacation this year. They have even shelved plans to start trying for a second child. “We are saving as much…
Every time you take a sip from your water bottle, you’re depositing bacteria inside, and over the course of a day, these can multiply by the millions. Here’s what scientists say you can do about it. Carl Behnke had always wondered how clean his reusable water bottle was. When he stuffed some paper towels inside and swirled them around, he was in for a shock. “The towels were white – until I pulled them out,” says Behnke, an expert in food safety at Purdue University in Indiana, US. “I realized that the slippery sensation I felt in the interior of…
Voting as a citizen, enjoying Christmas dinner, and staying fit in zero gravity are just some of the things that have kept Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams busy during their extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). After nine months, the pair are finally making their way home in a SpaceX Dragon capsule. So, what has life been like for the NASA astronauts orbiting 250 miles (400km) above us, and how have they passed the time? Stranded Astronauts Butch and Suni Begin Journey Home Astronauts Reveal What Life Is Like on ISS – and How They Deal with ‘Space…
After nine months in space, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally returned to Earth. Their SpaceX capsule made a rapid and fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere, followed by the deployment of four parachutes for a gentle splashdown off the coast of Florida. A pod of dolphins circled the spacecraft. Once a recovery ship lifted the capsule from the water, the astronauts beamed and waved as they were assisted out of the hatch, alongside fellow crew members astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. How did NASA’s Suni and Butch spend nine months in space? “The crew is…
President Trump’s ambition to quickly broker peace deals is being challenged by the realities of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The simultaneous breakdown of ceasefires highlights the difficulty in achieving lasting peace, as leaders like Putin and Netanyahu prioritize their own political agendas. Critics suggest Trump’s focus on improving relations with Russia may be influencing his approach to the Ukraine war, while his administration is also increasing pressure on Iran in the Middle East. Trump’s ability to pressure these leaders is questioned, as they demonstrate a willingness to pursue their own goals. Both Putin and Netanyahu appear to have…
Despite a recent agreement between Russia and the US for a temporary pause in attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, both sides immediately resumed aerial assaults. This highlights the fragile nature of the agreement and the ongoing conflict. Ukraine accused Russia of violating the pledge, citing significant drone attacks on energy facilities and civilian targets. Russia, in turn, condemned Ukraine’s attacks on its oil facilities, claiming a lack of commitment to peace. A broader 30-day ceasefire, proposed by the US, was rejected by Russia, leaving only a limited pause on energy attacks. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in…
Kherson, a city at the heart of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, is a hauntingly deserted place where fear dominates daily life. Though shelling persists, the constant menace of Russian drones has instilled a unique terror in residents. These drones, used to hunt and attack civilians, have transformed the city into a dangerous zone. The deliberate targeting of innocent people, a clear violation of international law, leaves the population traumatized and struggling to survive. Basic necessities are hard to come by, and even aid distribution is perilous due to the ever-present threat. The city’s hospital is overwhelmed with civilian casualties, a stark…
Following the renewed conflict in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing intense public anger, with widespread protests accusing him of prioritizing political gains over the nation’s safety and the lives of those held hostage. Critics believe he restarted the war to maintain his political power and avoid his corruption trial, leading to deep societal divisions and concerns about the health of Israel’s democracy. While some support his actions, seeing them as necessary for national security, others fear the country is being torn apart. The resurgence of fighting has also caused political shifts, as right-wing parties have rejoined his coalition,…
