It may have won the best show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show , but Monty Don has questioned whether Rewilding Britain’s beaver-themed exhibit was a “real garden”. The installation - designed by Adam Hunt and Lulu Urquhart, first-time Chelsea exhibitors - was an unexpected winner of the top prize on Tuesday, beating long-time show garden designers including Andy Sturgeon and Sarah Eberle. The decision has divided audiences at the prestigious flower show, including Joe Swift and Monty Don, presenters of the BBC’s Gardeners’ World programme . Referring to Mr Sturgeon’s more traditional mental health-themed Mind Garden, Mr Don said: “I think they’re both fantastic. The question it raises to me - Rewilding Britain was beautifully done - was it a garden? “It is a show garden and therefore has a right to win, whether it is a real garden or not, I’m not sure.” Mr Swift added: “Andy Sturgeon’s is a beautiful garden. The other one - to me it’s a landscape, a recreation. … [Read more...] about Monty Don asks: Was Chelsea Flower Show winner a ‘real garden’?
MP Claudia Webbe loses appeal against conviction for harassing partner’s ex-girlfriend
Former Labour MP Claudia Webbe has lost her appeal against her conviction for harassing a love rival. Webbe, who represents her Leicester East constituency as an independent after being expelled from the party, targeted Michelle Merritt, 59, between September 2018 and April 2020. Prosecutors said the 18-month harassment campaign was driven by "obsession" and "jealousy" over her boyfriend Lester Thomas's relationship with executive assistant Ms Merritt. The victim told how Webbe branded her a "slag" who "should be acid" and threatened to reveal naked photographs to her family in a string of phone calls. Webbe, a former adviser to the National Police Chiefs' Council on firearms, was found guilty of harassment by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring and handed a 10-week suspended jail sentence following a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court last year. On Thursday, following an appeal hearing at Southwark Crown Court, she was again found guilty by Judge Deborah Taylor and two … [Read more...] about MP Claudia Webbe loses appeal against conviction for harassing partner’s ex-girlfriend
Boris Johnson revives hopes for Heathrow’s third runway
Boris Johnson has opened the door for Heathrow to build its third runway as ministers commit to support necessary airport expansion. Mr Johnson once pledged to “lie down in front of the bulldozers” to prevent construction going ahead. missed a Commons vote on Heathrow’s expansion in 2018 that rubber-stamped the project. Last year Robert Jenrick, the then housing secretary, backed London Mayor Sadiq Khan ’s building plan for the capital that opposed expansion at Heathrow airport. Taking aviation back to the skies By Robert Courts MP, aviation minister For over 100 years, aviation has been at the very centre of British life, from the famous military aircraft which helped us win two world wars, to commercial flight connecting us with the rest of the world. Today, we are explaining how this vital industry will move into the future; a future which is greener, but a future that is one of flying nonetheless With every take-off, every world leading airport or … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson revives hopes for Heathrow’s third runway
Inflation crisis will give tech titans even more power
Technology companies are living through a market rout not seen since the embers of the dotcom crash. The Nasdaq has fallen for seven consecutive weeks, the longest losing streak since 2002, and is down 30pc this year. Investment bankers who were busier than ever this time last year during the Spac frenzy are twiddling their thumbs. Bitcoin, once marketed as a hedge against inflation, has crashed too. Elon Musk’s $44bn (£35bn) agreement to buy Twitter a month ago is looking more ill-timed by the day . The superstars at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week are not youthful internet entrepreneurs but nonagenarian diplomats and financiers. A combination of a global inflationary crisis and the subsequent rise in interest rates has been a sharp rejoinder to any tech worker under the age of 35, who has only ever experienced their employers becoming richer and more powerful. Such an environment is starting to take its toll on most. This week, Snapchat’s parent company warned … [Read more...] about Inflation crisis will give tech titans even more power
Platinum Jubilee concert: Diana Ross and Sam Ryder among the full line-up of performers
To celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, the Platinum Jubilee will encompass a wide-ranging itinerary of events scheduled across the long weekend. The central celebration is the Platinum Party at the Palace concert, which will see some of the world’s biggest entertainers come together for a performance at Buckingham Palace. The event is set to feature an impressive line-up, including global music stars with a live orchestra, as well as actors from many a well-known film and TV show. A number of pop-cultural figures will take to the stage to tell stories that will celebrate some of the most culturally significant moments across the Queen’s seven-decade reign. Tickets to the show were balloted and that ballot, unfortunately, closed on March 23 2022. For viewers keen to watch this special concert, here are full details of how to incorporate it into the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations . When is the Platinum Party at the Palace? The Platinum Party at the Palace … [Read more...] about Platinum Jubilee concert: Diana Ross and Sam Ryder among the full line-up of performers
Bernie Ecclestone arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying gun on private plane to Switzerland
Former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was arrested in Brazil late on Wednesday for illegally carrying a gun while boarding a private plane to Switzerland, local police said. The Brazilian police found an undocumented LW Seecamp .32 gun in Ecclestone’s luggage during an X-ray screening, police said in a statement, adding that he was then arrested and taken to a facility at Viracopos airport in Campinas. Ecclestone acknowledged owning the gun, but said he was unaware it was in his luggage at the time, police said. The Briton paid bail and was freed to travel to Switzerland. Ecclestone, 91, is married to Brazilian-born Fabiana Ecclestone, an FIA vice-president and member of the World Motor Sport Council. They attended several events in the South American country in May, including a local Stock Car race in the countryside near Sao Paulo and a meeting with triple world champion Nelson Piquet in Brasilia. Recommended F1 LIVE: Toto Wolff plays down … [Read more...] about Bernie Ecclestone arrested in Brazil for illegally carrying gun on private plane to Switzerland
F1 LIVE: Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco GP hopes as Charles Leclerc aims to end curse
Vettel Puts Focus On Climate Change At Miami GP Team boss Toto Wolff has played down Mercedes’ chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, citing their lack of historical success around the iconic street circuit. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are yet to win a race this season but showed genuine cause for optimism with improved pace last weekend in Barcelona. However, Monaco has typically been a tricky track for the team, with only one win in the past four grands prix in Monte Carlo, and Wolff has warned they may struggle once more. “Monaco in the past wasn’t our most happy place,” said Wolff. “Maybe because the car was the size of an elephant! I will be curious to see where we are this weekend. My expectations are lower than any other circuit... it’s going to be a learning point at least, to bring us back into the game.” The Mercedes duo are hoping to challenge at least after that improved performance in Barcelona last weekend, where Max Verstappen … [Read more...] about F1 LIVE: Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco GP hopes as Charles Leclerc aims to end curse
Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco Grand Prix hopes
Toto Wolff has set expectations low for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix as he admits the track isn’t Mercedes ’ “happy place”. The team have not been up to their usual standard this season but are still in the mix. Their latest outing at the Spanish Grand Prix was a boost for Mercedes with George Russell finishing third and Lewis Hamilton claiming fifth. But the team prinicpal isn’t predicting a similar points haul in the upcoming race. “We’ve seen another big step, probably we’ve halved the advantage to the front-runners,” Wolff told Sky . “But still there’s lots of way to go in order to be in the fight.” Mercedes have only won one Monaco race in the last four seasons and so Wolff has evidence in his predictions. But he has conceded while he isn’t expecting much, he is “curious” about how they will do. Recommended Toto Wolff excited after Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes take ‘another step’ ‘You bet we can’: Toto Wolff talks up … [Read more...] about Toto Wolff plays down Mercedes’ Monaco Grand Prix hopes
Former U.S. Ambassador: ‘Ukrainians are fighting for our freedom as well’
As the deadliest European war in decades enters its third month, Newsweek spoke with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch about the deeper implications of the conflict — for Ukraine itself, but also for the wider world. Yovanovitch, whose recently released memoir, Lessons From the Edge, details both her 33-year diplomatic career and her firing by former President Donald Trump in 2019 following an extensive smear campaign against her, sees Ukraine as a key battleground in the global contest between democracy and autocracy. In her interview, Yovanovitch stressed the importance of understanding the effect that regime type has on a given country's policies, both foreign and domestic. From her perspective, the current hot war in Ukraine is not a battle over materialistic geopolitical interests or expanding alliance structures, but an attempt by an authoritarian Russian leadership to remake the world in its own image. It is a fight that, if Russia is permitted to win, … [Read more...] about Former U.S. Ambassador: ‘Ukrainians are fighting for our freedom as well’
Herschel Walker’s chances of beating Raphael Warnock, according to polls
Herschel Walker, Georgia's GOP Senate candidate, will officially go head-to-head with Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock after both candidates won their primaries on Tuesday—and the former football star appears well positioned to pose a strong challenge to the incumbent. Warnock, a pastor, hopes to maintain his seat, which he won in January 2021 in a runoff special election, flipping it blue after President Joe Biden became the first Democratic presidential candidate to win in Georgia since 1992. Walker has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump , who continues to hold a grudge against GOP leaders in the state after they refused to help him unconstitutionally overturn Biden's victory there. While Democrats won big in the presidential and runoff elections, also flipping Georgia's other Senate seat blue, it's unclear whether that momentum will hold during the midterm race this November. Recent polls suggest that Walker is slightly favored to beat Warnock, … [Read more...] about Herschel Walker’s chances of beating Raphael Warnock, according to polls