Author: News Desk

Casting an eye back to the 70s power cuts, we test the conversational gambit for this winter, ‘what’s in your BOB?’ For Steven Dowd, it’s four head torches and a handsaw. For Ian Welsh, a pack of camping freezer slabs and a pair of slippers, and for Ellie Moss, a community gardener in Eltham, a cheering set of battery-operated fairylights. With warnings that the UK could be subject to planned blackouts for the first time in five decades, the question “what’s in your blackout box (or BOB)?” could become as everyday a conversational gambit this winter as bemoaning the British…

Despite encouraging survey, scientists warn of emergence of serious variant, leading to parallel epidemic Britain’s current wave of Covid-19 cases appears to be peaking at a lower level than previous outbreaks of the Omicron variant of the disease, researchers have revealed. The news is encouraging – though scientists have also warned that a further wave of the disease could sweep the nation before the end of the year. “We need to be vigilant and monitor the data with great care, all the time,” said Professor Mark Woolhouse, of Edinburgh University. Continue reading… ​Despite encouraging survey, scientists warn of emergence of…

Chancellor’s fiscal plan by Halloween would be too rushed and ‘irresponsible’, say officials Senior Whitehall officials are concerned that Jeremy Hunt now risks going too far in cutting public spending and should delay the Halloween statement outlining his austerity plans, the Observer has been told. Simon Case, the cabinet secretary, is understood to have been made aware of concerns that the chancellor risks going too far in cutting back spending if he decides to go ahead with a sweeping programme of reductions. Continue reading… ​Chancellor’s fiscal plan by Halloween would be too rushed and ‘irresponsible’, say officialsSenior Whitehall officials are…

A prank gone quite wrong.

  Steve Baker calls on former PM to do ‘statesmanlike’ thing and pull out of contest Steve Baker calls on former PM to do ‘statesmanlike’ thing and pull out of contest 

  EXCLUSIVE: When Ukrainian troops liberated Izyum and other cities last month, they uncovered atrocities committed by Russian-backed separatists. ​EXCLUSIVE: When Ukrainian troops liberated Izyum and other cities last month, they uncovered atrocities committed by Russian-backed separatists. 

Latest updates: follow all the developments with Penny Mordaunt the only candidate to have declared so far Baker acknowledges that Johnson is popular with voters and members, but the country can’t afford to have his premiership “implode” and another leadership election. Baker says he would not “lay down” his integrity for Johnson, meaning he could rebel over a privileges vote. He tells Ridge he cannot rule it out. Continue reading… ​Latest updates: follow all the developments with Penny Mordaunt the only candidate to have declared so farBaker acknowledges that Johnson is popular with voters and members, but the country can’t…

  There is growing chaos within Russian military ranks as mobilised conscripts become increasingly fed up with Moscow’s treatment of them. ​There is growing chaos within Russian military ranks as mobilised conscripts become increasingly fed up with Moscow’s treatment of them. 

  Boris Johnson’s Churchillian comeback appears to have plateaued as support among MPs for Rishi Sunak soars past the threshold of 100. ​Boris Johnson’s Churchillian comeback appears to have plateaued as support among MPs for Rishi Sunak soars past the threshold of 100. 

  Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotfiy after they stopped being working members of the Royal Family. ​Meghan Markle and Prince Harry signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotfiy after they stopped being working members of the Royal Family.