Sconty empire

Amazon raises minimum wage for UK and US staff after working conditions criticised  UK,   Tuesday   02   October   2018 Image: Amazon currently operates a network of 16 UK fulfilment centres. File pic         Amazon has raised the minimum wage for all its employees in the UK and US, after facing stinging criticism over the wealth of its founder and working conditions. From 1 November, workers in London will see their pay rise to £10.50 an hour, while those outside the capital will see their pay increased to £9.50 an hour. More than 17,000 employees and 20,000 seasonal employees will benefit from the changes. Currently, the hourly wage offered by Amazon UK is £8 an hour, while the voluntary "real" living wage is £10.20 an hour in London. The online retail giant is also raising the minimum wage in the US to $15 (£11.57) for more than 250,000 employees. Image: Working conditions in Amazon's war...

294 stranded as ferry breaks down in Baltic Sea UK,    Tuesday   02   October   2018 Image: The ferry will be towed to the port town of Klaipeda in Lithuania. File pic A Danish ferry operator said 294 passengers were stranded after the engine broke down on one of its ships in the Baltic Sea. The Lithuanian military had earlier reported that there was a fire on the vessel because of an explosion in the engine room. The country's air force said it had sent a helicopter and two more were on standby. Ferry operator DFDS has since said the malfunction aboard the Regina Seaways produced smoke, which triggered the fire extinguishing system in the engine room. No passengers or crew members have been injured, according to a statement. DFDS had said that passengers were assembled at emergency points in preparation for a possible evacuation, but it was not necessary because the "situation is under control".