
Youth experience in Britain on a charity worker visa
There is already a form of youth experience programme (EU may accept 12-month work visas for 'youth experience' scheme with UK, 25 April), not only for EU citizens but for any nationality to come to the UK. It's the non-renewable one-year charity worker visa. Many charities, including religious communities such as mine in Dorchester, value the enthusiasm and international experience these young volunteers bring. Brother Hugh CobbettSociety of St Francis, Hilfield Friary
Bee Wilson's article (Death, divorce and the magic of kitchen objects, 29 April) reminded me that the only thing my daughter has specifically asked me to leave her in my will is her great-grandmother's potato peeler, which still works efficiently after at least 70 years.Gina ColeBurgate, Suffolk
I have a small, round board roughly engraved with 'Bread' – a wedding gift to my mother in 1942 from her grandmother. The donor, wife of a charcoal burner and mother of 17 children, was making the most important wish she could for a 19-year-old bride: may you always have bread on your table. It worked. I can't bear to get rid of it.Vivien BaileySt Albans
Were it not for the amore divinos (to name but one) at Savino's in Emmanuel Street, Cambridge, I would surely follow Susan Sayers' daughter to Bologna for wonderful gluten-free treats (Letters, 28 April).Dr Jane Frances Cambridge
This is not just a cyber-attack – it's an M&S cyber-attack (Report, 29 April).David ShannonAshton under Hill, Worcestershire

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Radio Free Europe still hopes for Congress funds after US financing halt
PRAGUE, June 13 (Reuters) - U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is seeking to build bi-partisan support in Congress to keep operating when approved financing ends later this year, its president Stephen Capus said. Started in 1950 to broadcast to communist-run countries during the Cold War, RFE/RL still reaches millions in eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as central Asia and the Middle East. However, it is caught in efforts to down-size government under U.S. President Donald Trump. The administration froze Congress-approved federal grants in March, leaving RFE/RL to fight in court for appropriated funds. RFE/RL received funds for May on Thursday after a court order, Capus said, and continues to seek over $50 million appropriated by Congress for its fiscal year ending September while seeking ways to fund operations ahead. "After September 30th, there is still a possibility of receiving funds from Congress," he told Reuters during the Globsec Forum in Prague on Thursday. "We've got very strong bipartisan support... We have confidence that can happen." The funding rows have forced the station to furlough about 350 staff, out of around 1,200, Capus said, and it has reduced some programming. It also let go "hundreds and hundreds" of freelancers and contractors, and some senior staff have left. The Czech Republic has searched for solutions with European Union partners and others to help RFE/RL. Last month, the EU said it would donate 5.5 million euros ($6.33 million). The station has so far not accepted outside funds and wants to see where talks and U.S. court decisions lead. Capus said some form of funding from U.S. and European sources might be an option, given Europe's rising focus on security, including in the information space. Nothing was on the table now, he said, but "it's an idea worth exploring." ($1 = 0.8692 euros)


Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Irish leaders ‘deeply concerned' by air strikes on Iran
Israel launched strikes on Tehran early on Friday, targeting the country's nuclear programme and rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and it was reported on Friday morning that drones had been launched. The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Irish premier Micheal Martin said that stability was needed and called for diplomacy. 'I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation,' the Taoiseach said. 'The region and the world need stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.' Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said further escalation would risk 'regional spillover', which would be 'disastrous'. 'I am deeply concerned about the reports of extensive military air strikes by Israel on Iran overnight,' the Tanaiste said. 'The Middle East desperately needs peace and stability. 'Further escalation would bring a very real risk of regional spillover. This would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region. 'I urge restraint and de-escalation by all involved, and for those with influence to use it positively at this critical moment. A negotiated solution is needed to address Iran's nuclear programme. 'My officials are in touch with our embassy in Tehran regarding the safety of the small Irish community in Iran and we are in close contact with our EU partners.'


Belfast Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Irish leaders ‘deeply concerned' by air strikes on Iran
Israel launched strikes on Tehran early on Friday, targeting the country's nuclear programme and rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and it was reported on Friday morning that drones had been launched. The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Irish premier Micheal Martin said that stability was needed and called for diplomacy. 'I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation,' the Taoiseach said. 'The region and the world need stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.' Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said further escalation would risk 'regional spillover', which would be 'disastrous'. 'I am deeply concerned about the reports of extensive military air strikes by Israel on Iran overnight,' the Tanaiste said. 'The Middle East desperately needs peace and stability. 'Further escalation would bring a very real risk of regional spillover. This would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region. 'I urge restraint and de-escalation by all involved, and for those with influence to use it positively at this critical moment. A negotiated solution is needed to address Iran's nuclear programme. 'My officials are in touch with our embassy in Tehran regarding the safety of the small Irish community in Iran and we are in close contact with our EU partners.'