In the UK, millions of new pets have been purchased during the pandemic. And now that holiday-season is upon us, it seems owners don't want to be apart from the newest members of their families. As Natalie Powell reports, accommodation providers are experiencing a spike in searches for pet-friendly stays.

#UKhospitality #PetVacation #DogLovers

Zambia's veteran opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in as the new president. Hichilema won what observers say was a peaceful election. But with the country facing its worst economic crisis in decades, Zambians expect him to follow through on his promises for change and to do it quickly. TRT World's Irem Koca has more.

#HakaindeHichilema #ZambiaElections #ZambiaEconomy

McDonald's has become the latest chain restaurant to be hit by the UK's truck driver shortage, with no milkshakes or bottled drinks available at any of its British locations. Meanwhile, the British government has rejected calls from UK trade and retail bodies to recruit more truck drivers from Europe. There's a serious shortage because thousands of drivers went home during the COVID-19 crisis and haven't returned. New Brexit immigration rules make it much harder for new drivers to work in the UK, and it's led to warnings of possible shortages of basic supplies across all parts of the economy. Francis Collings has more.

#Trucking #Logistics #Transport

As the world marks Slavery Remembrance Day, national lockdowns and the inability to travel have increased the risks of exploitation of vulnerable groups. UK-based NGO Minority Rights Group says regulation, prosecutions and punishments of modern slavery have been disrupted or delayed during the pandemic. Many governments have relaxed or suspended labour and social protections to cope with the economic fallout. And that's left workers vulnerable to abuse.

#COVID19 #ModernSlavery #Pandemic

Lebanese will pay 66-percent more for petrol, as the government has raised prices to ease a crippling fuel shortage. The decision follows an emergency meeting over the weekend. The exchange rate used to price petroleum products has been adjusted - resulting in the cost surge. But up to 225-million dollars will be reserved to subsidise imports.

#Petrol #Lebanon #FuelCrisis

The Taliban has appointed an acting governor of the central bank to ease the growing economic turmoil. According to a statement, Haji Mohammad Idris has been tasked with 'organising institutions' in the war-crippled country.

#CentralBank #Afghanistan #Taliban

US President Joe Biden says commercial aircraft will now be helping to fly people fleeing Afghanistan to both the US and other host countries. Airlines won't be flying into Kabul itself but will transport evacuees out of US bases in Germany, Bahrain, and Qatar. Those locations have been getting so crowded that flights out of Kabul were temporarily suspended last week. US airlines that volunteer for the airlift could be handsomely rewarded with future defence contracts, as Yasmine El-Sabawi reports.

#US #AfghanistanEvacuations #CommercialFlights

For many people, their wedding day is the best day of their lives, but it can also be the most expensive. Which may be why wedding dress rentals are soaring in the UK, as couples not only think about their wallets but also the environment. Natalie Powell reports.

#UKweddings #Pandemic #DressRentals

Viral video platform TikTok is becoming a major money-spinner for some of its popular users. Many content creators are using their followings as leverage for brand endorsements. TikTok's latest sensation, Khaby Lame, aims to do just that, by drawing millions of followers without ever saying a word.

#TikTok #KhabyLame #ContentCreators

Lebanon's energy crisis has hit breaking point. Fuel shortages are now having catastrophic effects: Beirut is in near darkness at night, some hospitals are on the brink of closure, and an explosion has taken the lives of more than 30 people trying to collect fuel. Imogen Kimber reports. We spoke to Sami Nader in Beirut. He's Director of the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs.

#Lebanon #FuelShortages #Economy