Times | Common News Update

Jan222021 by adminNo Comments

Spitting cobras have evolved the same venom three different times

Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Evolution has yielded tremendous biodiversity, proof that there's no one right answer. But occasionally, life's challenges inspire the evolution of the same solution -- over and over and over again. According to a new survey of spitting cobras, published Thursday in the journal Science, the deadly snakes have evolved the same instantly painful venom on three different occasions. Advertisement This example of convergent evolution, scientists argue, offers proof that spitting cobras evolved their venom for defensive purposes, undermining theories that snakes exclusively develop venom for predation. All spitting cobras use a similar delivery mechanism to spray venom at distances of up to eight feet. The snakes aim their instantly-painful venom at the eyes of potentially thre...

Jan152021 by adminNo Comments

Migrant caravan on the move in Honduras in uncertain times

World

Honduran migrants began walking toward the Guatemalan border before dawn, driven by deepening poverty and the hope of a warmer reception if they can reach the United States borderBy CLAUDIO ESCALON Associated PressJanuary 15, 2021, 8:08 PM• 4 min readShare to FacebookShare to TwitterEmail this articleSAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- Honduran migrants began walking toward the Guatemalan border before dawn Friday, driven by deepening poverty and the hope of a warmer reception if they can reach the United States border.They quickly dispersed along the heavily-trafficked highway to the border town of Agua Caliente, but estimates of their number ranged from 2,000 to more than twice that. Around 4 a.m., young men and entire families carrying sleeping children set out. Some quickly caught rides while

Sep292020 by adminNo Comments

Greggs warns of tough times for ‘foreseeable future’ as it plans cuts

Business

Greggs has warned that trading will remain "below normal for the foreseeable future" as it plans cost-cutting measures that could see jobs go.The high street bakery chain said sales were recovering but were still almost 25% below last year's levels in recent weeks, following an even tougher August. Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world 'Majority of Gr...

Sep272020 by adminNo Comments

Donald Trump paid no income tax in 10 of last 15 years, NY Times claims

World

Donald Trump has paid no income taxes in 10 of the last 15 years , according to a report in the New York Times.Citing tax-return data, the newspaper also claimed the US president paid just $ 750 (£590) in federal income taxes in 2016, the year he was elected, and the same figure again in his first year in office. The claims come just weeks before a divisive election, with early voting already under way.When asked about the report in his daily briefing, Mr Trump said: "It's totally fake news, made up, fake."Actually I paid tax." Advertisement

Sep242020 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus: Test turnaround times getting longer in England

Health

People are waiting longer for test results from England's community Covid testing centres, figures show.Only 28% of tests carried out in these venues came back in 24 hours in the week up to 16 September.That is down from one in three last week, and two in three the week before, NHS Test and Trace said.Just over 5% of tests took more than three days to turn around. It comes as the government is struggling to increase lab capacity to process tests.Access to community testing has had to be rationed because the network of five Lighthouse Labs, which process tests done in the community, are struggling to keep up with demand.The opening of a sixth lab in Newport has been delayed from August.The government said that lab and a seventh in...