In this issue

February 04, 2023

Comedian claims embattled Raab 'can't tell Asians apart'

Embattled Dominic Raab appeared to be in retreat yesterday as he responded publicly to claims that he had launched an \"abusive attack\" on Gina Miller - and faced fresh accusations of racial insensitivity towards a BBC comedian, who backs Ms Miller's version of events.

4 mins

How bullying allegations have mounted against Raab

Dominic Raab is facing fresh allegations of bullying, with proRemain campaigner Gina Miller becoming the latest to accuse the deputy prime minister of such behaviour. Ms Miller, who helped secure a court procedure over the legality of Brexit, said Mr Raab had \"bullied and demeaned\" her, calling her \"stupid\" and \"naive\" during what she called an \"aggressive\" encounter at the BBC in 2016.

4 mins

Missing Nicola Bulley fell into river, police believe

Police believe missing Nicola Bulley is likely to have fallen into a river while walking her dog and do not think there is any criminal involvement or third party involvement.

3 mins

Sex Pistol's ode to wife was a worthy Eurovision entry

But after all the hype, Lydon lost to a young Dublin band

2 mins

Johnson: Sunak must cut taxes to kick-start economy

Boris Johnson has suggested that Rishi Sunak should cut taxes to \"get the economy growing again\" - even though the prime minister has repeatedly said his priority is bringing down inflation and the UK's debt.

2 mins

Good heavens ... no satire has ever been this absurd

There are many, many reasons why you don't just give a chat show to a demonstrable idiot with absolutely no relevant experience whatsoever but they do now at least distil down to two short words: Nadine Dorries.

4 mins

The prospect of a 1997-style defeat is haunting Tory MPs

What’s uppermost in the minds of Conservative MPs? The cost of living crisis, the endless waves of strikes or the parlous state of our NHS? No, they are obsessing about whether next year’s general election will be like 1992, when John Major defied the opinion polls to win a surprise victory, or 1997, when the Tories suffered a crushing defeat.

3 mins

Everett: I know who took Prince Harry's virginity

Actor Rupert Everett has claimed he knows the identity of the older woman to whom the Duke of Sussex lost his virginity.

2 mins

Disabled teenager found dead in bedroom 'lived in squalor and degradation'

New pictures from the bedroom in which a 22-stone teenager died have revealed the squalor and degradation” she lived in.

2 mins

Aldi copied M&S light-up gin bottle, High Court rules

Aldi could soon be forced to remove a popular \"copycat\" products from its shelves after losing a legal battle. The supermarket was accused by M&S of \"copying\" the design of its light-up snow globe gin bottle, with the High Court ruling that Aldi's version infringed on M&S's original design.

1 min

Crossbow-wielding intruder admits plan to kill Queen

A man has admitted treason after taking a loaded crossbow to Windsor Castle and threatening to kill the Queen while dressed \"like something out of a vigilante movie\". Jaswant Singh Chail was caught in the private grounds of the royal residence on Christmas Day in 2021 and \"informed officers at the scene that he intended to kill the Queen\", prosecutors said.

3 mins

Paying £199 to see Beyoncé live? It's definitely worth it

\"Release your job!\" bellowed New Orleans rapper Big Freedia on Beyoncé's summer 2022 single \"Break My Soul\". Mere months later, some fans have jokily expressed their regret at taking this advice to heart.

3 mins

Hundreds complain to BBC over Mescal text blunder

Corporation called Irish actor 'British' in Oscar coverage

1 min

Plan to house migrants at holiday park is abandoned

The government has abandoned its plans to house asylum seekers in a Pontins holiday park in Merseyside. Located just outside Southport, the facility was reportedly being assessed by the Home Office as an alternative to housing asylum seekers in hotels whilst waiting for their claims to be assessed.

2 mins

Glitter freed from jail after only serving seven years

Paedophile Gary Glitter has been released from jail after serving half of his sentence for sexually abusing three young schoolgirls.

2 mins

Home news in brief

Lyne Barlow faked cancer while defrauding holidaymakers and her own mother

3 mins

Blinken cancels Beijing summit as Chinese 'spy' balloon flies over USA

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken cancelled his first official visit to Beijing on Friday following the discovery of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon over United States airspace, as Pentagon officials tracked the aircraft eastwards across the country.

3 mins

How the spy balloon could affect US-China relations

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has postponed his trip to China this weekend, with a high-altitude Chinese spy balloon currently making its way across the US. The drama is the latest in a number of diplomatic spats between the two nations so what happens now?

3 mins

Zelensky receives reality check over EU membership

Ukrainians will fight \"for as long as we can\" to hold the eastern city of Bakhmut, president Volodymyr Zelensky promised yesterday as he hosted European Union leaders to discuss further sanctions on Russia and Kyiv's prospects for joining the EU.

3 mins

Ukraine's EU dream might still be a long time coming

The raid on the home of billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky is the latest action in a highly publicised anti-corruption crackdown that has been carried out recently by Volodymyr Zelensky's government. The Ukrainian security service, the SBU, was quick to push out images of the 59-year-old oligarch looking bemused, standing with his arms folded and wearing a tracksuit, as his home in Dnipro was searched by investigators.

5 mins

Visionary fashion designer Paco Rabanne dies aged 88

Paco Rabanne, the Spanish-born designer known for his space age aesthetic, died yesterday at the age of 88. The eponymous label he exited more than two decades ago hailed him as \"among the most seminal fashion figures of the 20th century\".

2 mins

Thousands arrested for child marriage in India

More than 1,800 men have been arrested across India’s northeastern state of Assam for marrying, or arranging marriages to, underage girls, as the local government launches what it says will be a sustained crackdown.

1 min

World news in brief

Pope Francis arrives in Juba yesterday for a three-day visit to the war-torn South Sudan

3 mins

In one sense at least, Sunak is definitely the heir to Blair

Rishi Sunak is good at interviews. He is quick, fluent and explains himself in ways that people can understand even if they don't agree. He is truly the heir to Blair.

3 mins

Why crime could be the issue that decides the next election

It has recently become close to impossible to turn on the news and not hear the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Mark Rowley, either apologising for something appalling that one of his officers has done, or committing to fixing the policing system.

3 mins

An apology by Kyrgios does not excuse domestic abuse

If the rise in interest rates and news of the obscene profits of energy companies hasn't ruined your weekend, then look up the responses to Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who assaulted his former girlfriend, Chiara Passari. The court dismissed the charges - meaning that even though he pleaded guilty, he wasn't convicted. And many on social media seem to think that's fine.

2 mins

Energy firms need court scrutiny, says npower boss

Intervention comes as home meters forced on customers

2 mins

Service sector still weak as consumers tighten belts

The service sector saw its weakest performance for two years at the start of this year as businesses battled dampened consumer spending and corporate budgets, according to an influential survey.

1 min

Indian tycoon's multibillion losses spark calls for a probe

Losses for the troubled Adani Group, India's second-largest conglomerate, deepened yesterday as shares in its flagship company tumbled another 25 per cent, extending more than a week of declines that have wiped out tens of billions of dollars in market value.

2 mins

Chelsea missing spark despite record spending

If the argument from Chelsea is that this is all a long-term investment, this game against Fulham certainly made it feel like it. Over £300m worth of January investment still offered up another 0-0 draw, that tested attention levels more than Financial Fair Play regulations. Enzo Fernandez, who came straight into the starting XI after his British record deadline day signing, admittedly looked tidy. But £106m warrants more than tidy.

3 mins

Six Nations gives rugby a chance to sidestep crises

Brain injuries, financial plight and WRU's harassment case leaves governing bodies desperate for a timely distraction

3 mins

Serrano-Taylor focus the spotlight on women's game

In the grand ring of kings, the very best queens of the boxing game will take away the glorious prizes tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

3 mins

How robots could soon be building your new home

With the construction industry in crisis, more AI-powered machines are filling human vacancies than ever before, says Pranshu Verma. What can they do - and what are the risks?

5 mins

Sri Lanka's cancer patients struggle in economic crisis

Priyantha Kumarasinghe starts his day in the small Sri Lankan town of Maharagama with a breakfast of two biscuits and a small glass of tea, followed by a round of cancer medicines.

3 mins

Are 'wet lease' planes safe?

Simon's Aer Lingus flight from Belfast to London this weekend will be on a BA plane

1 min

GOING VIRAL

Eloise Hendy investigates the online claims that Covid vaccines are causing people to have body convulsions

8 mins

Dental tourism is leaving people with a sour taste

A rise in customers travelling abroad to get 'Turkey teeth' has left behind a trail of botched surgeries. Ellie Muir finds out why thousands are willing to risk it to get the perfect smile

6 mins

Large and on charge...

The Citroën ë-SpaceTourer Business Edition represents the future of driving for large families, writes Sean O'Grady

3 mins

'I am not an A-plus person that's like most of us, right?"

Jason Segel, the star of 'How I Met Your Mother', talks with Adam White about fleeing Hollywood, his return to TV and the true-to-life nature of his role in new series 'Shrinking'

7 mins

The Whale and Hollywood's unhealthy new obsession

Extreme physical transformations can be an actor's ticket to Oscar glory - but there is a price to pay, says Louis Chilton

3 mins

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