By Steven McIntosh Published 41 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The Kite Runner has become the first show on Broadway to require audiences to wear masks at certain performances. The move is particularly notable as the show's weekly mask-only night will be on Fridays - one of the most popular nights in New York's theatre district. Fans who are disabled or have other health vulnerabilities have long called for theatres to host mask-only nights. But the major theatres in London's West End have yet to introduce such a scheme. 'Audience demand' In England and Wales, the mask mandate was lifted in January, in line with a significant fall in Covid cases and deaths following the rollout of the vaccine. As a result, it has become increasingly rare in recent months to see audience members wearing facemasks at the vast majority of West End … [Read more...] about The Kite Runner: Broadway show first to adopt mask-only nights
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France whale: Hopes fading for lost mammal stuck in River Seine
By Leo Sands & George Wright Published 2 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing French rescuers desperately trying to save a beluga whale trapped in the River Seine say there is little hope it will survive. Rescuers had hoped to help the lost whale regain its appetite and the energy needed to return to sea. The visibly malnourished mammal was first spotted in the river on Tuesday, around 70km (44 miles) north of Paris. After failed attempts to encourage it to swim out, rescuers are pessimistic about its chances of survival. So far rescuers have offered up frozen herring and live trout for the four-metre whale to eat, but the animal does not appear to have accepted either. Authorities have considered injecting the stranded animal with vitamins to stimulate its appetite and help it to make the long 160km (100 mile) return journey back down the river … [Read more...] about France whale: Hopes fading for lost mammal stuck in River Seine
Mark Drakeford: From Latin degree to Wales’ leader
Published 7 January 2019 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing After years at the heart of government, Mark Drakeford today starts in the top job. BBC Wales' political correspondent Daniel Davies has spoken to friends, colleagues and opponents of the Welsh Labour leader about his politics, personality and the sort of first minister he will be. Mark Drakeford's political awakening came early. Nationalist fervour swept his home town of Carmarthen when Gwynfor Evans was elected as Plaid Cymru's first MP in 1966. At grammar school, Mr Drakeford remembers groups of pupils marching around chanting political slogans. English-only road signs lay piled on the ground, torn down the night before. The political climate fired the imagination of the young Drakeford, a clarinet-playing cricket fan. Trashing road signs was, he thought, a "fantastic thing to be doing", he told me. … [Read more...] about Mark Drakeford: From Latin degree to Wales’ leader
Some McDonald’s and KFC branches are banning under-18s for anti-social behaviour
Published 1 March 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Some branches of McDonald's and KFC are banning under-18s from eating inside because of anti-social behaviour. It's after a fight broke out between 20 teenagers near the Meir Park area of Stoke-on-Trent a few weeks ago. Eight people were arrested after police sent armed officers and a helicopter to reports of a fight and gunshots. They've now been bailed. Now it means under-18s will only be able to dine with an adult. Otherwise they'll have to take their food away. McDonald's says the ban is to protect other customers and it'll stay in place for the "time being". The company insists it's not specifically targeting young people but wants to address the problem, which, in this case are under 18s. Newsbeat went to Stoke-on-Trent to find out what people think about it. Scott is 26 and thinks McDonald's … [Read more...] about Some McDonald’s and KFC branches are banning under-18s for anti-social behaviour
Covid: Pop-up campsite rules ‘harming communities’
By Rachel Flint Published 15 August 2021 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic There are fears rules making it easier for pop-up campsites to open during the Covid pandemic have led to a "free-for-all", harming rural communities. Landowners can open campsites for up to 56 days without planning permission, after rules were relaxed. While owners say the sites are boosting tourism, some residents claim their communities have been damaged after campsites "sprang up overnight". The Welsh government said the rules were helping the tourism sector. With more people holidaying within the UK this summer, because of Covid rules on travel abroad, demand for camping in parts of Wales has risen , with reports of popular sites being booked up for months. During the pandemic the Welsh government temporarily relaxed planning … [Read more...] about Covid: Pop-up campsite rules ‘harming communities’