Author: Nana Media

Introduction to the Issue Poole in Dorset, known as the ‘Palm Beach of Britain’, is facing a crisis in its pub industry. The area has 58 pubs in the parliamentary constituency alone, making it a paradise for beer drinkers. However, many pub landlords in Dorset have joined a bitter backlash against rises in business rates of up to £30,000 following the November Budget by Rachel Reeves. The Backlash It is claimed that up to 1,000 publicans across the UK have even banned Labor MPs from their pubs after the Chancellor scrapped a 40% discount introduced in the wake of the…

Flu Cases in England Begin to Fall The amount of flu circulating has started to fall in England, latest data suggests. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was encouraging news heading into Christmas, but warned the virus could always bounce back in the new year. Monitoring Flu Rates The UKHSA uses a range of different measures to monitor flu rates, including sample testing in hospitals and in GP practices. The latest data covers last week up to Sunday with the UKHSA concluding the virus was circulating "at medium levels". Trends in the UK Similar trends are being seen…

Introduction to Vegan Beauty Vegan beauty is arguably in its best phase yet. Once associated with boring packaging and random formulas, vegan products now compete with – and often outperform – their traditional counterparts. The definition of vegan is: “A product contains no animal ingredients or animal products. [which is] Plus, they’re cruelty-free – so no animal testing," explains Karen Spinner, sales and marketing director at Vegan Trademark. Common Animal Derivatives in Beauty Products Many animal derivatives are used in the beauty industry. Common ingredients that can upset people include “squalene,” an extract from shark liver that is commonly found…

Introduction to Deutsche Bahn’s Crisis In mid-December, Evelyn Palla, the newly appointed CEO of Deutsche Bahn (DB), presented a comprehensive restructuring plan for the German state railway operator, which is due to come into force in 2026. After receiving approval from DB’s supervisory board, Palla said the company would cut around 30% of its senior positions to slim down management, decentralize decision-making, and improve timeliness and efficiency through a more agile organization. Punctuality Issues The renovation marks a low point for Deutsche Bahn’s performance. This fall, punctuality fell to a new record low: Only 55% of long-distance trains arrived less…

Introduction to Luxury Resale Macy’s, a popular department store, has made a significant move in the fashion world by selling used Hermès Birkin bags on its website. The Birkin bag is considered the most exclusive and elite handbag in the fashion industry, with prices ranging from $10,000 to over $20,000. This move has raised eyebrows among economists and fashion enthusiasts, as it seems unconventional for a department store like Macy’s to sell such a luxury item. The Partnership with Rebag Macy’s has partnered with Rebag, a luxury resale platform, to sell pre-owned Hermès Birkin bags. The prices of these bags…

Nigeria Wins Against Tanzania Introduction to the Match Nigeria started Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations with a win, earning three points after a challenging match against Tanzania. The game, played in Fes, was marked by rain and saw the Super Eagles face stubborn opponents. The Turning Point Ademola Lookman’s long-range strike proved to be the decisive factor, securing Nigeria’s victory. Despite missing several chances, the team managed to lift themselves past their opponents, overcoming a brief moment of shock in the second half. Match Overview The rain-soaked clash was intense, with both teams exhibiting determination. However, it…

Britain’s Economy Growth Third Quarter Growth Britain’s economy grew just 0.1% in the third quarter of this year, weaker than the 0.2% GDP growth in the previous three months. The value of 0.2% for April to June was again revised downwards from its previous estimate for the period of 0.3 percent. Impact of Cyber Attack on Jaguar Land Rover The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover that paralyzed production for weeks appears to have played a role in the July-September slowdown. Growth in the services sector was partially offset by declines in manufacturing, with a significant decline in automobile manufacturing.…

Introduction to Bertie’s Story A toddler who has spent most of his life in the hospital is preparing to spend his first Christmas at home after finally being discharged. Nineteen-month-old Bertie suffered serious health problems when he was born prematurely at 24 weeks, weighing just 0.7kg. Health Complications It was discovered that in addition to needing help breathing, he also suffered from a life-threatening intestinal disorder. He underwent five surgeries – the first was just 10 days old. After spending more than 500 days in hospital, Bertie is now at home with his parents, who say he is "making really…

Introduction to the Case Two burglars who used the dating app Grindr to trick victims into letting them into their homes have been jailed. Rahmat Khan Mohammadi, 23, and Mohammed Bilal Hotak, 27, arranged to meet the victims at their London properties and persuaded them to give up their phone passwords by asking to play music on YouTube. The Crime Spree Mohammadi targeted 11 victims in his five-month crime spree between October 24, 2024 and March 24, 2025. Hotak committed multiple offenses between October 24, 2024 and December 23, 2024. The Afghan refugees then stole the devices and left the…

£2.5bn Takeover Battle for Evelyn Partners Introduction to the Takeover Two of Britain’s major banks are engaged in a £2.5bn takeover battle over Evelyn Partners, the asset management group. The bidders, including Barclays and NatWest Group, were informed last week that they had progressed to the second round of the Evelyn auction. Bidders and Their Interests The Royal Bank of Canada is also reportedly poised to buy Evelyn, while several private equity firms have made offers for the company. Lloyds Banking Group was considering an offer for Evelyn, although its current interest is unclear. Strategic Significance for Bidders For Barclays…