Governments should place few if any restrictions on scientific research and development

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’

By Justin Parkinson Published 15 April 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing In 1955 the first McDonald's franchise restaurant opened in the US. Now it is the world's biggest fast food chain, employing 1.9 million people. The word "McJob" has become a term of derision, but what's it like to actually work there? "Hello, can I help you?" asks the smiling young woman behind the counter. Within about 20 seconds of receiving the order, an Egg and Sausage McMuffin is on the counter. The woman smiles again and moves on to the next customer. The restaurant's only part-full but the serving area is still busy. That's the way McDonald's likes it. Staff are set time targets for service. Efficiency and profit margins are key. It's fair to say that, in the 60 years since the first franchised McDonald's restaurant opened, portrayals of its workplaces have not been universally … [Read more...] about What’s it really like to work at McDonald’s?

AIMAN AMERUL MUNER/STUFF Timaru's recycling is taken from the kerbside to South Canterbury's largest resource recovery hub. The long awaited opening of Timaru’s revamped $3.8 million materials recovery facility (MRF) took place on Tuesday, as the region’s biggest resource recovery hub got its public debut. The MRF takes kerbside recycling from Timaru, Waimate, Mackenzie, Ashburton and Central Otago district councils, as well as commercial businesses, and has the capacity to sort five tonnes of material – mixed plastics, aluminium, steel, paper and cardboard – an hour. The three South Canterbury councils came together to award the 15 year, $112m Envirowaste contract in 2020 . The upgraded MRF has been operating since March 2022, but the unveiling was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions and scheduling difficulties. EnviroNZ chief executive Chris Aughton said EnviroWaste has made “intensive investment” in new equipment, technology and processes at the facility. … [Read more...] about Machinery boosts recycling efforts, but residents have role to play

By Richard Black Published 19 February 2012 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The government should increase support for wave and tidal power to preserve the UK's global leadership, say MPs. The Energy and Climate Change Committee says the UK had in the past lost its early lead on wind power through lack of support, and must not make the same mistake again on marine energy. Its report recommends increasing funding and improving links between UK and Scottish programmes. The Carbon Trust recently said marine power could create 10,000 jobs by 2020. By 2050, it said, the global market could be worth £340bn, with the UK claiming about one-fifth of the business. And with the UK possessing seven out of the eight large-scale prototypes deployed anywhere in the world, it was well-placed to lead the global race, the MPs said. … [Read more...] about Wave and tidal power need support, say MPs