Marks and Spencer announced it was accelerating the closure of 68 stores across the UK – but could not comment on the future of stores in Aberdeen and Inverness.
The company said it was “grasping the nettle” and preparing for “stormy weather” with a “simpler leaner business” as it revealed a slump in profits.
It said some of its 248 large stores had “low productivity” and that its online sales had not reached expected profitability levels.
Its turnaround plan involves closing larger underperforming department stores and concentrating on smaller outlets where its food halls are given priority.
Plant protection
A daring team of abseilers worked for three weeks to clear an invasive shrub species threatening a rare plant on a 120-metre high cliff in the Highlands.
The rather attractive Pyramidal bugle has thrived on Migdale Rock in Ledmore and Migdale Woods, Sutherland, for years but is being crowded out by the Cotoneaster which was brought from Asia to the UK in 1879.
Birds dine on the Cotoneaster’s red berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings, posing a problem when it takes over valuable habitats.
Drones were used to direct the abseilers who cut, bagged and removed around 60 cubic metres of the invasive plant in what was described as “a very tricky job”.
Here for the beer
BrewDog added its voice to the condemnation of the Qatar World Cup, saying it won the right to host the competition “through bribery on an industrial scale”.
The brewery announced it will become a World Cup “anti-sponsor” by donating the profits of its Lost Lager to human rights charities as it claimed to give “two fingers to anyone who thinks a World Cup in Qatar makes sense”.
It criticised the country’s practice of homosexuality being illegal, the use of flogging as a punishment and the reported 6,500 deaths of migrant workers since Qatar won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago.
The beer brand will still be showing the live matches at its venues.
Cracking on
King Charles carried on regardless after he and the Queen Consort were pelted with eggs in York.
As they arrived in the city, a protestor booed them and threw four eggs in their direction, all of which missed.
The protester was heard shouting “this country was built on the blood of slaves”.
The unflappable Charles continued shaking hands with dignitaries as the eggs flew in his direction, pausing to look at the shells cracked on the ground.
North Yorkshire Police said a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
War weary
Russia’s military announced it was withdrawing from the Ukrainian city of Kherson but this was initially treated with caution by President Zelenskyy.
“Actions speak louder than words,” said a presidential adviser, adding that Ukraine was “liberating territories based on intelligence data, not staged TV statements”.
By lunchtime yesterday however, Ukrainian flags were being flown in Kherson and Ukrainian soldiers were seen being hugged in the city after the Russian withdrawal appeared to be complete.
Optimism with vigilance
The World Health Organisation said a nearly 90% drop in Covid-19 deaths globally compared with nine months ago provides “cause for optimism” but urged vigilance against the pandemic as variants continue to crop up.
Last week just over 9,400 deaths linked to coronavirus were reported to the WHO, compared to February when weekly deaths topped 75,000 globally.
Bullying claims
The PM said Sir Gavin Williamson was right to resign amid bullying claims and said his behaviour had been “unacceptable”.
Williamson said he will clear himself of “any wrongdoing” after being accused of sending abusive messages to a Tory MP and of bullying a civil servant.
Bird flu brainstorm
Experts from all around the UK got together for the first time to brainstorm how best to respond to bird flu.
An online forum was hosted by The British Trust for Ornithology and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which has staff based in Aberdeen.
Thousands of seabirds have died in one of the UK’s largest ever outbreaks this year and the situation isn’t limited to wild birds, with turkey farmers warning of a shortage this Christmas due to the crisis.
Conversation