Liverpool

BARELY three months ago, we knew very little about Boris Johnson’s young girlfriend. But a week, let alone 12 of them, is a long time in politics. In that time she has showed off her glamorous side at the launch of his leadership campaign, posed with him in a “staged” photo following their explosive row at her flat, and been ring shopping in Notting Hill, West London — handily  captured by a paparazzo. The 31-year-old girlfriend of the PM-in-waiting is now set to be one of the most powerful women in Britain as she takes her place beside him in Downing Street.But if Boris, with his colourful private life, threatens to take  baggage across the No10 threshold, then so too does Carrie. There have been accusations she fiddled her expenses in her former job as Tory communications chief, and took excess time off to campaign against the release of black cab rapist John Worboys, who targeted her  in 2007. She had been a passenger in rapist John Worboys' … [Read more...] about Carrie Symonds – why Boris Johnson’s lover Carries a lot of emotional baggage

From sauces to soups – and those famous beans – Heinz products are global staples. The iconic brand began its march into kitchens around the world 150 years ago this year. In 1869, 25-year-old Henry John Heinz, from a German-American family in Pennsylvania, produced his first offering, a horseradish sauce made from his mum’s recipe. Within seven years, Heinz goods were selling at top shops in the UK. It has since created everything from pizzas to spaghetti hoops. And its success just grows. Some 1.5 million cans of Heinz beans sell in the UK every day. Such is their popularity that a pop-up museum opened in Covent Garden, London, to celebrate Heinz’s special birthday. Here we look at the facts behind one of the world’s can-do giants.... A star is bean Fortnum and Mason began selling Heinz beans in 1901 for around 9d for a large can (£2.15 in today’s money). They were originally marketed as a luxury item. Secret ingredients Heinz beans are mainly … [Read more...] about Heinz celebrates 150 years – secrets and history of the food giants

A British couple were subjected to a brutal three-minute assault after they wre set upon by thugs while on a romantic break in Paris. Christopher Williams, 27, says he was dragged for 50 metres behind a car after confronting thugs who heckled girlfriend Rebecca Kevan's bunny outfit. The pair had been out for Halloween when a car suddenly pulled up beside them. Christopher, who was dressed a Grim Reaper, had asked the thugs to stop catcalling Rebecca, but was pulled through the front passenger-side window. Rebecca, 21, was herself punched in the face several times, suffering head trauma and a fractured finger. During the three-minute attack, both their noses were broken, Rebecca suffered heavy facial bruising and Christopher's tooth was chipped. Christopher, from Liverpool, described the attack as an "unexpected, aggressive assault on two innocents enjoying a night in Paris". He said: "It was without doubt the scariest moment of our lives to date - we've never experienced anything so … [Read more...] about Couple beaten up by thugs who catcalled girlfriend’s fancy dress bunny outfit