Shameless Boris Johnson has told friends he will "smash on" despite a string of resignations. The Prime Minister is said to have declared "I'm not going anywhere” despite Rishi Sunak , Sajid Javid and his Solicitor General all resigning last night. But MPs have other ideas - with a string of Tories from across the spectrum reading him the “last rites”. While the Cabinet are now mostly firm, the PM is being rocked by a string of junior resignations from government. Between 6pm on Tuesday and 2pm on Wednesday 21 MPs resigned from the government - nine ministers, nine parliamentary private secretaries, two trade envoys and one Tory vice chair. Back bench MPs across the spectrum, from moderate ex-ministers Chris Skidmore and Nick Gibb to culture war Red Wallers Jonathan Gullis, Tom Hunt and Lee Anderson, have charged over the top. For so many MPs, the revelation the PM knew about claims against MP Chris Pincher, then promoted him repeatedly, then “forgot” he’d been told, is … [Read more...] about All the Tories brutally turning against Boris Johnson’s leadership as MPs ‘read last rites’
Left wing nuts
Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that at least 77 people have lost their lives as monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country, with 39 deaths reported from Balochistan alone. The current monsoon rains left hundreds of homes destroyed and hampered rescue operations in remote areas of the country. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister termed the casualties a "national tragedy" and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared a national contingency plan to deal with the situation during the monsoon season. The NDMA has also called on people to stay alert to prevent further damage, she added. “We need a comprehensive plan to avert these [deaths and devastation] as all of this destruction is taking place due to climate change." The rains have not stopped and will continue till July 8, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has also warned of water logging in low-lying … [Read more...] about Sherry Rehman terms rain casualties ‘national tragedy’ as death toll climbs to 77
Elle Macpherson sends pulses racing with captivating photos
Elle Macpherson cut a glamorous figure as she was spotted in London after being trolled for 'editing' her snaps during PFW. She was at several Paris Fashion Week shows including Dior and ALAÏA. Following her jaunt to the French capital, Elle was seen arriving at the Eurostar terminal at Kings Cross St Pancras in London on Wednesday. The supermodel, 58, looked typically stylish in a red suede jacket and white jeans, which were embroidered with a gold cross print and left fans mesmerized with her unending beauty. Fans are blown away by Elle’s chic look as she styled her daytime attire with a white T-shirt and printed silk scarf, while she also added a pair of studded beige Birkenstocks. The mother of two completed her outfit with a pair of black aviator sunglasses and a selection of gold jewellery. On Monday, Elle joined A-listers Naomi Watts and Zoe Saldana at the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Dior show. Although she put on several stunning displays while in Paris, … [Read more...] about Elle Macpherson sends pulses racing with captivating photos
Auberon Waugh
Auberon Waugh's death at the age of 61 is more sad than surprising. His immediate heredity wasn't promising - his father died at 62, his mother at 57 - and he suffered from ill-health all his life, partly resulting from severe wounds sustained during National Service at the age of 18. That may, in part, have accounted for the acidic personality which made him the most verbally brutal journalist of his age. Everyone who met him remarked on the contrast between his ferocity in print and his personal geniality, but this was hard to explain to those who didn't know him, especially if they had been on the rough end of his pen. Apart from health, his background shaped his career in one other respect. He spent much of his life trying to escape from the shadow of his father, the greatest English novelist of his age. This provided an obvious weapon for Auberon's enemies. Philip Larkin joked about "my projected series, Talentless Sons of Famous Fathers - Waugh, Amis, Fuller...", and for … [Read more...] about Auberon Waugh
Deconstructing Tony
If the Sopranos, which returns this week for its fourth series, is arguably the most accomplished drama in television history, there is no doubt at all that it's the most analysed. Never before has a programme been subject to such extensive interpretation. While the story concerns a New Jersey mafia boss and his middle-class suburban family, no self-respecting critic would ever say that's what it was about. Ever since he first appeared on US television back in January 1999, Tony Soprano, the show's monumental anti-hero played by James Gandolfini, has been a gift to the metaphorically minded. He is the American Everyman, the embodiment of ruthless free-market capitalism, the defining figure of balding fat manhood in midlife crisis, and much else besides. It's no wonder Gandolfini stoops, carrying that weight of symbolism around on his shoulders. That Tony also visits a shrink to discuss his problems, and that shrink in turn visits another shrink to discuss the problem of seeing … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Tony
Boris Johnson vows to fight on despite a flood of resignations
Beleaguered Boris Johnson has vowed to stay on as the UK's prime minister after a flood of resignations left him clinging on to power. He was rocked by the resignation of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and health minister Sajid Javid within minutes of each on Tuesday. Facing MPs today, Johnson said “the job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances, when you’ve been handed a colossal mandate, is to keep going". What happened during PMQs? The debate was quickly switched to the events that had sparked the resignations: Chris Pincher. Johnson appointed him as deputy chief whip earlier this year, despite being aware of misconduct allegations against him. But some MPs have said they are more frustrated by the changing line from 10 Downing Street over what Johnson did and didn't know about Johnson. On Wednesday, Johnson said he acted swiftly after hearing the allegations against Pincher. Opposition leader Keir Starmer called his response pathetic and … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson vows to fight on despite a flood of resignations
Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says
Ferne McCann shows off stunning ring days after announcing engagement to Lorri Hanes
Ferne McCann has shown of her huge engagement ring on the red carpet this evening just days after announcing her whirlwind romance had become an engagement. The 31-year-old former TOWIE star announced her engagement to Lorri Haines on Sunday, after the 30-year-old Dubai-based property developer got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife during a trip to France. And the newly engaged couple stepped out in public together this evening as they strutted their stuff at the premiere for the new Marvel movie, Thor: Love and Thunder. Just seven months after going public with their romance, the loved up pair beamed as they posed for the cameras. Ferne looked stunning in a figure hugging white gown which showed off her toned stomach with a cut out section at her midriff. The dress featured sequin detail across the shoulders and down the sleeves – the perfect compliment to the glittering rock on her left hand. Newly engaged couple Ferne McCann and Lorri Haines ( … [Read more...] about Ferne McCann shows off stunning ring days after announcing engagement to Lorri Hanes
Rylan shares mum Linda’s health update after worried Gogglebox fans spotted her drip
Gogglebox star Rylan Clark has given fans an update on his mum’s health after Channel 4 viewers noticed she was using a drip during her latest appearance on the show. The 33-year-old TV personality appears on the celeb version of the hit show alongside his mum Linda and both have become fan favourites. Channel 4 viewers were left concerned on Friday, when many noticed that the 69-year-old had a drip connected in her arm. Celebrity Gogglebox fans then took to Twitter to ask Rylan for a health update on his mum after the scenes, with one tweeting: “Rylan is Mum ok? Saw the drip on." The former Big Brother contestant quickly responded, writing: “Had a lot of people ask, mum is fine, she has a tpn line for a feed… to do with her crohns. V normal. Thanks for asking xx.” Gogglebox fans then took to Twitter to ask Rylan for a health update ( Image: Channel 4) The Essex duo took a year off the Channel 4 series due to Linda’s battle with Crohn’s disease, which is a … [Read more...] about Rylan shares mum Linda’s health update after worried Gogglebox fans spotted her drip
Dentist’s urgent warning to Brits thinking of going overseas for cheap ‘Turkey teeth’
A dentist has issued a stark warning to Brits thinking of going overseas for cheap 'Turkey teeth'. The latest cosmetic dental trend of travelling abroad to get cheaper treatment is becoming increasingly popular as in the UK alone - 63% of those considering treatments are aged between 18-34, Liverpool Echo reports. However, experts say people committing to a lifetime of unnecessary, expensive and painful treatments could be at risk as many don’t even know what work they’ve had done when going for veneers, which is a wafer-thin covering for the front of the tooth. And coming away with a far more invasive outcome like crowns, where the surgeon will file down the existing teeth and add a fake tooth cap, or crown, could see patients walk away with 'Turkey teeth'. Dentists are warning Brits not to end up with 'Turkey Teeth' ( Image: Getty Images/Stock Image) While it may be cheaper in the short-term to travel abroad for the treatment, it could end up costing … [Read more...] about Dentist’s urgent warning to Brits thinking of going overseas for cheap ‘Turkey teeth’