In the News

Huge Covid rebellion stuns Johnson

Nearly 100 Tory MPs vote against new curbs

Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership last night as nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against plans for Covid passes and some of them openly questioned his future. Almost half of Tory backbenchers voted against new curbs that will require people to show proof of... Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership last night as nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against plans for Covid passes and some of them openly questioned his future. Almost half of Tory backbenchers voted against new curbs that will require people to show proof of... Boris Johnson suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership last night as nearly 100 Conservative MPs voted against plans...

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Coronavirus

Christmas in isolation for more than 1m people

More than a million people are likely to be isolating with Covid-19 on Christmas Day after the chief medical officer for England warned that Omicron was spreading "unbelievably fast". The scale of infections led to supermarkets warning of more supply chain problems yesterday as they confronted the prospect of mass staff absences. Ministers... More than a million people are likely to be isolating with Covid-19 on Christmas Day after the chief medical officer for England warned that Omicron was spreading "unbelievably fast". The scale of infections led to supermarkets warning of more supply chain problems yesterday as they confronted the prospect of mass staff absences. Ministers... More than a million people are likely to be isolating with Covid-19 on Christmas Day after the chief medical officer for...

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Tory rebellion | Analysis

PM must watch his back after very public rebellion

Tonight's rebellion by more than 98 Tory MPs against the government's plan B Covid-19 restrictions is not only the largest revolt that Boris Johnson has ever faced, but also the most significant. On one level it has no practical implications, as Labour votes meant that the measures themselves were easily passed. But... Tonight's rebellion by more than 98 Tory MPs against the government's plan B Covid-19... Tonight's rebellion by more than 98 Tory MPs against the government's plan B Covid-19...

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Make Dad end riot, Don Jr texted White House chief

As supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol on January 6, his eldest son was pleading with the White House chief of staff to tell his father to rein in the mounting violence. "He's got to condemn this shit ASAP," Donald Trump Jr, 43, texted to Mark Meadows. "We need an Oval... As supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol on January 6, his eldest son was pleading with the White House chief of staff to tell his father to rein in the mounting violence. "He's got to condemn this shit ASAP," Donald Trump Jr, 43, texted to Mark Meadows. "We need an Oval... As supporters of President Trump stormed the US Capitol on January 6, his eldest son was pleading with the White House chief of...

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Crew of $100m narco sub refuse to name their paymasters

Three men caught piloting a "narco-submarine" across the Atlantic have admitted taking three tonnes of cocaine from the Amazon to northwest Spain, but refused to reveal the masterminds. Their arrest was the first time European authorities succeeded in capturing a submarine used to bring drugs from South America. However, the three men, a... Three men caught piloting a "narco-submarine" across the Atlantic have admitted taking three tonnes of cocaine from the Amazon to northwest Spain, but refused to reveal the masterminds. Their arrest was the first time European authorities succeeded in capturing a submarine used to bring drugs from South America. However, the three men, a... Three men caught piloting a "narco-submarine" across the Atlantic have admitted taking three tonnes of cocaine from the Amazon...

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UN alarm over record high of 38C in Siberia

The United Nations has officially recognised a temperature of 38C measured in Siberia last year, sounding "alarm bells" over climate change. The new high was recorded on June 20, 2020, in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk, marking the highest temperature ever recorded within the Arctic Circle, the World Meteorological... The United Nations has officially recognised a temperature of 38C measured in Siberia last year... The United Nations has officially recognised a temperature of 38C measured in Siberia last year...

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IMF warns Bank of England against inaction on interest rates

The International Monetary Fund has told the Bank of England that it cannot wait much longer to raise interest rates as it warned that inflation could hit a 30-year high next year. In its annual report on the British economy, the fund said the UK had staged a stronger than expected recovery from... The International Monetary Fund has told the Bank of England that it cannot wait much longer to raise interest rates as it warned that inflation could hit a 30-year high next year. In its annual report on the British economy, the fund said the UK had staged a stronger than expected recovery from... The International Monetary Fund has told the Bank of England that it cannot wait much longer to raise interest rates as it...

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Lenders given 'free pass' over misconduct as thousands of firms suffer

The City regulator gave a "free pass" to banking misconduct when it "wrongly" excluded about 10,000 businesses from a redress scheme for the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products, an independent review has found. John Swift QC concluded that the Financial Services Authority failed in its duties when it implemented an eligibility cap... The City regulator gave a "free pass" to banking misconduct when it "wrongly" excluded about 10,000 businesses from a redress scheme for the mis-selling of interest rate hedging products, an independent review has found. John Swift QC concluded that the Financial Services Authority failed in its duties when it implemented an eligibility cap... The City regulator gave a "free pass" to banking misconduct when it "wrongly" excluded about 10,000 businesses from a redress...

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Ministers to protect BT from raider

The government has warned that it would "not hesitate to act" to protect Britain's critical national infrastructure after a Swiss-based telecoms billionaire increased his control over BT. Patrick Drahi, the founder of Altice, the French telecoms group, and the owner of Sotheby's, has raised his voting rights in... The government has warned that it would "not hesitate to act" to protect Britain's critical... The government has warned that it would "not hesitate to act" to protect Britain's critical...

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Rat-catcher scents blood in the US

Knowing what to serve the shareholders at Christmas can fox some chief executives. Not Rentokil Initial's Andy Ransom. Knowing what to serve the shareholders at Christmas can fox some chief executives. Not Rentokil... Knowing what to serve the shareholders at Christmas can fox some chief executives. Not Rentokil...

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The Ashes | Mike Atherton

Frail support cast must ease burden on 'Atlas' Root

"Atlas" they called George Headley, because he carried the weight of West Indies' batting on his shoulders. Modern nicknames tend to the prosaic and England's captain goes by "Rooty" but he carries a burden no less than the great George, as captain of a team who have won one Test in ten and as a... "Atlas" they called George Headley, because he carried the weight of West Indies' batting on his shoulders. Modern nicknames tend to the prosaic and England's captain goes by "Rooty" but he carries a burden no less than the great George, as captain of a team who have won one Test in ten and as a... "Atlas" they called George Headley, because he carried the weight of West Indies' batting on his shoulders. Modern nicknames...

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Premier League

Ramsey stars for Villa as Gerrard rules over Smith

Jacob Ramsey's fine solo goal and a late second from Ollie Watkins earned Aston Villa a deserved victory as they continued to prosper under Steven Gerrard. For his predecessor and Villa fan Dean Smith, however, it was the ultimate in bittersweet experiences. Norwich City lost no time in hiring Smith last month, eight days after he had been... Jacob Ramsey's fine solo goal and a late second from Ollie Watkins earned Aston Villa a deserved victory as they continued to prosper under Steven Gerrard. For his predecessor and Villa fan Dean Smith, however, it was the ultimate in bittersweet experiences. Norwich City lost no time in hiring Smith last month, eight days after he had been... Jacob Ramsey's fine solo goal and a late second from Ollie Watkins earned Aston Villa a deserved victory as they continued to...

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Premier League

Premier League players to take daily Covid tests from their cars in bid to limit spread

The Premier League will respond to an escalation in Covid-19 cases by introducing daily mandatory lateral-flow tests for players and staff, asking them to remain in their cars at the training ground until they return a negative result. On a day when the government introduced new guidelines that will enable stadium... The Premier League will respond to an escalation in Covid-19 cases by introducing daily mandatory... The Premier League will respond to an escalation in Covid-19 cases by introducing daily mandatory...

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ARTS

Has Spidey got his web in a twist?

Our universe is expanding. This year, scientists from the University of California estimated that for every 3.3... Our universe is expanding. This year, scientists from the University of California estimated that... Our universe is expanding. This year, scientists from the University of California estimated that...

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obituary

David Gulpilil

Actor and dancer who starred in the film Walkabout, promoted Aboriginal culture around the world but became isolated from his roots

obituary

Cedric Robinson

Queen's Guide to the Kent Sands who for 55 years cheerfully led the public across the treacherous tidal flats of Morecambe Bay

obituary

Hester Solomon

Psychoanalyst and teacher who after fleeing poverty in America became a leading proponent of the ideas of Carl Jung

obituary

Sir Graham Burton

British high commissioner in Nigeria who had an unconventional career in the diplomatic service, including once being summoned by a whistle

Word Watch

Can you spot the real definition among the fakes?

Word Watch

Get ready for Christmas queues as Covid restrictions come back

Queuing outside supermarkets and shops is set to return for the busiest week of the year after Nicola Sturgeon announced the reintroduction of crowd control measures. The social distancing rules for retailers and hospitality companies, which are underpinned by law, were part of a package of... Queuing outside supermarkets and shops is set to return for the busiest week of the year after Nicola Sturgeon announced the reintroduction of crowd control measures. The social distancing rules for retailers and hospitality companies, which are underpinned by law, were part of a package of... Queuing outside supermarkets and shops is set to return for the busiest week of the year after Nicola Sturgeon announced the...

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Wet, wet, wetter: Climate change gives Glasgow 12 days more rain

Glasgow endures an extra 12 days of rainfall a year compared with 60 years ago, according to Met Office records. The wetter weather has coincided with an increase in temperatures across the UK in recent decades. Analysis comparing two 30-year periods — 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 — reveals that the UK's average temperature has risen by 0.8C... Glasgow endures an extra 12 days of rainfall a year compared with 60 years ago, according to Met Office records. The wetter weather has coincided with an increase in temperatures across the UK in recent decades. Analysis comparing two 30-year periods — 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 — reveals that the UK's average temperature has risen by 0.8C... Glasgow endures an extra 12 days of rainfall a year compared with 60 years ago, according to Met Office records. The wetter...

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Farmer fined £18,000 for destroying ancient cairn

A farmer from Skye who destroyed a cairn dating back thousands of years because he wanted to take its topsoil has been fined £18,000. Duncan MacInnes was accused by experts of ruining ancient materials and diminishing the importance of the monument after he dug it up using a mechanical digger. It contained a grave... A farmer from Skye who destroyed a cairn dating back thousands of years because he wanted to take... A farmer from Skye who destroyed a cairn dating back thousands of years because he wanted to take...

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Pledge to ramp up booster campaign and testing over Omicron fears

The government is to ramp up the delivery of vaccine booster shots and Covid testing capacity amid fears that Omicron could become the dominant strain of the virus in Ireland as early as next week. Micheál Martin, the taoiseach, said HSE testing capacity would increase from between 220,000 and 230,000 tests a week to 300,000 by the end of the year, and senior health... The government is to ramp up the delivery of vaccine booster shots and Covid testing capacity... The government is to ramp up the delivery of vaccine booster shots and Covid testing capacity...

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EU plans for new emissions taxes and charges 'will hurt aviation sector in Ireland'

EU plans to address the aviation sector's impact on climate change with new taxes and charges will drive up the price... EU plans to address the aviation sector's impact on climate change with new taxes and charges will drive up the price of flying and have a significant effect on the sector's economic value in Ireland, according to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Ireland's island status and a lack of... EU plans to address the aviation sector's impact on climate change with new taxes and charges will drive up the price of flying...

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