Brexit plan on immigration

Firefighters were in tears and turned their backs on a senior commander at a debrief as they sought answers from senior officers about why they had not been deployed to the scene of the Manchester Arena attack, the inquiry has heard. The inquiry was told that a tearful paramedic approached firefighters and asked why they were "just stood around" at a fire station a mile from the attack . Group Manager Alan Topping, duty command support officer on the night of the attack, told the inquiry that firefighters were ashamed and emotional in the aftermath of the attack in which the service did not arrive at the scene until two hours after the explosion. The officer, who had 29 years of experience, is the first who was present on the ground to give evidence to the inquiry and said that by the time firefighters arrived it was too late to help. John Cooper QC, for the victims' families, asked about a "hot" debrief soon after the attack with Assistant Chief Fire Officer Geoff … [Read more...] about Manchester Arena inquiry: Firefighters were ‘in tears’ after failing to attend 2017 bombing which killed 22

The Isle Of Wight Festival has announced it will go ahead this year, but is moving from June to September following the government's roadmap out of lockdown announcement. It was originally due to run from 17 to 20 June, just ahead of the date of 21 June given by Boris Johnson as the earliest possible to lift all COVID-19 restrictions in England. There are fears many festivals planned even for after that date will still be forced to cancel due to the uncertainty over dates and large-scale events, and on Monday, organisers for rock festival Download announced they were calling it off for a second year. But Isle Of Wight organisers have decided to postpone instead, announcing on Tuesday: "The Isle of Wight Festival is a summer staple and two years without being together on the island is too long. "That's why we're so excited to announce that we're moving the festival to 16 to 19 September 2021. Advertisement "We're thrilled to be able to … [Read more...] about Isle Of Wight Festival confirms it will go ahead – but moves from June to September after lockdown roadmap announcement

A group of Virgin Active landlords are exploring moves to end their relationship with the health and fitness chain as it tries to thrash out a rescue deal that could involve steep haircuts for creditors. Sky News has learnt that the owners of a handful of Virgin Active's UK sites have appointed Coffer Corporate Leisure to canvas interest from potential alternative tenants. The five gyms include its clubs in Notting Hill and Wandsworth in London, Northampton and Nottingham - equating to around 10% of its operations in Britain. One industry source said the landlords were preparing contingency plans in the event that they could not agree revised terms with Virgin Active, which is trying to shore up its balance sheet after being hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The identities of the relevant landlords was unclear on Tuesday. Advertisement Negotiations have been taking place for weeks between the company's shareholders, who include Sir Richard Branson's … [Read more...] about Virgin Active landlords plot exit amid talks over new funds

Six Dr Seuss books will no longer be published because of racist and insensitive imagery, the business that preserves the author's legacy has said. The six books are And to Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, and The Cat's Quizzer. "These books portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong," Dr Seuss Enterprises told the Associated Press in a statement that coincided with the late American author and illustrator's birthday. "Ceasing sales of these books is only part of our commitment and our broader plan to ensure Dr Seuss Enterprises' catalogue represents and supports all communities and families." The decision to cease publication and sales of the books was made last year after months of discussion, the company added. Advertisement "Dr Seuss Enterprises listened and took feedback from our audiences including teachers, academics and specialists in the field as part of … [Read more...] about Dr Seuss: Six books to cease publication over ‘hurtful and wrong’ racist imagery

A HONEYMOON in the Maldives has always been a bucket-list trip that risks breaking the bank . . . until now. The island of Dhiffushi offers the palm-lined beaches and crystal-clear waters newlyweds would expect from a holiday to the atoll nation — but at a fraction of the cost. Rooms at a top-rated 3H hotel on the Indian Ocean island are from just £99.39pp for a week. That is cheaper than a single night on most resort islands. So what’s the catch? Unusually for the Maldives, Dhiffushi is a residential island where locals live alongside tourists. A decade ago, the mile-long stretch of land became the first non-resort island in the Indian Ocean to host holidaymakers after its government opened up local islands to tourism. The Maldives is a Muslim country and, unlike resort islands, alcohol is prohibited on local islands. For visitors after a taste of the real ­Maldives, the trade-off is worthwhile. But you need not detox entirely: Guests can visit a floating … [Read more...] about Take a trip to the Maldives’ palm-lined beaches and crystal-clear waters for just £14pp a night