Media mogul Richard Desmond is reviving plans for a controversial £1bn housing development in London’s docklands even after the Government blocked the scheme. Accounts filed this week revealed the businessman has held early-stage discussions with lenders to bankroll the Westferry Printworks scheme on the Isle of Dogs. Mr Desmond’s holding company, Northern & Shell, said bankers had signalled their support for the project. Ministers blocked the 1,500-home development in November last year, overturning the decision of former housing secretary Robert Jenrick. Mr Jenrick’s verdict, which contradicted the advice of the planning inspector, was quashed after a High Court case filed by Tower Hamlets found “apparent bias” in favour of the businessman. The minister had exchanged text messages with Mr Desmond, a former adult magazine tycoon, shortly before the plans were approved. That approval came a day before Tower Hamlets Council brought in a new tax that would have cost the … [Read more...] about Richard Desmond revives £1bn Isle of Dogs development blocked by Government
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Prince Harry joins Hamilton cast, pretends to be king – then says “not going to happen”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle threw themselves into their royal duties Wednesday, attending a special performance of the hit musical Hamilton in London, with the prince briefly treading the boards himself. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Hamilton creator Lin Manuel-Miranda at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London for a charity performance of the Alexander Hamilton biographical. After the show, Harry took to the stage to address the audience and cast members, the BBC reported. One of the characters in the show is British King George III. While speaking to the audience after the show, Harry began to sing one of George III's songs—"You'll Be Back"—in which the monarch warns colonial rebels they will regret their uprising and "remember you belong to me." The prince quickly stopped, assuring attendees, "That's definitely not going to happen." According to Sky News, Miranda spoke to reporters ahead of the performance, noting, "The prince's sixth-great-grandfather is a … [Read more...] about Prince Harry joins Hamilton cast, pretends to be king – then says “not going to happen”
Meghan Markle’s dad is “deeply embarrassed” by staged photo claims, his son says
Meghan Markle's father is still set to walk his daughter down the aisle for her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday, despite allegations he posed for staged paparazzi photos with U.S.-based photographer Jeff Rayner. Thomas Markle was left "deeply embarrassed" by claims he had posed for pictures while being measured for a wedding suit and googling news of his daughter's impending nuptials, his son Thomas Jr. told The Daily Mail . And Markle is reportedly intending to privately apologize to his daughter and her fiancé before the ceremony, which will take place at St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle at noon GMT. Speaking to British newspaper The Mirror , Thomas Jr., 51, said his father will "apologize sincerely to Meg" for the pictures, which were taken after he claimed he was being harassed by snappers. "People are quick to judge but they have no idea how much scrutiny we live under," Thomas Jr. told The Mirror . "Ever since Meg's relationship with … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle’s dad is “deeply embarrassed” by staged photo claims, his son says
Russian officials said the deadly Sturgess poisoning is part of an “international hate campaign” launch by the U.K.
The Amesbury poisoning incident that killed a woman was an "anti-Russian provocation" likely conducted by British government officials, according to the Russian Embassy. Both the Russian Embassy to the U.K. and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are rejecting U.K. government officials' claims blaming them for the Sunday death of 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess. Russia's official Foreign Affairs Twitter account called the accusations an absurd part of the "Russians did it" mantra. According to the U.K.'s top anti-terrorism official, the A-234 Novichok nerve agent is the same chemical used in March on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia just a few miles away in southwestern England. British police told Reuters they believe Sturgess and partner Charlie Rowley handled an item contaminated with the Novichok nerve agent poison this weekend. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson blamed Russia for the " Novichok death " but police said they have no evidence to connect the … [Read more...] about Russian officials said the deadly Sturgess poisoning is part of an “international hate campaign” launch by the U.K.
Will Theresa May still be prime minister when Donald Trump visits the U.K?
The political chaos of Brexit is threatening to bring down British Prime Minister Theresa May , a matter of days before she is due to host President Donald Trump on his controversial first visit to the U.K. The sudden resignation of Brexit Minister David Davis over May's roadmap for leaving the European Union left the prime minister facing attacks from both inside and outside her Conservative Party. Trump's visit already threatens to embarrass May as Trump is kept away from massive protests, forcing the president to spend most of his time outside London . But with the latest cabinet emergency, it is possible May will not even be prime minister when the unpopular president arrives. The resignation of the Brexit minister threatens to open a chasm in May's Conservative—or Tory—government, with moderates calling for a "soft" Brexit on one side and extremists lobbying for a "hard" Brexit on the other. The split between the two camps has been evident since May replaced David … [Read more...] about Will Theresa May still be prime minister when Donald Trump visits the U.K?
Prince Harry, growing up without Princess Diana
In 1997, Newsweek reported extensively on the untimely death of Princess Diana and its aftermath. In this piece, Jerry Adler and Donna Foote report on how the tragedy will affect Diana's children, Prince William and Prince Harry. We are republishing the piece on the occasion of Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle. She had tried, she often said, to give her two sons as normal a life as possible. So when Prince William said he'd like to meet one of the world's most beautiful women, Diana did what any mother of a teenage boy would do—phoned Cindy Crawford, whom she barely knew, and invited her to tea. Arriving at Kensington Palace, the supermodel found herself alone in a room with William, where they chatted for a few minutes until Diana joined them, and, noticing her son blushing, confided to Crawford: "He's just like me; when he runs out of things to say, he just blushes." In a few years, when he adds to his titles that of World's Most Eligible Bachelor, William (now 15) … [Read more...] about Prince Harry, growing up without Princess Diana
Queen fed up with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘drama’ and wants ‘line drawn’
Meghan Markle: Royals 'don't want to ruffle feathers' says Nicholl Sign up for FREE royal alerts SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info It emerged earlier this week that the findings of a Buckingham Palace investigation into bullying claims made by royal staff against Meghan will never be published. A royal insider claimed the Queen did not want the investigation made public as there has been "enough drama" surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are living in California after quitting royal duties. Related articles Royal Family LIVE: Harry and Meghan ‘damage control’ comes ‘too late’ Harry and Meghan 'raised eyebrows' with solo moment at Jubilee event The source told Vanity Fair: “It was … [Read more...] about Queen fed up with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘drama’ and wants ‘line drawn’
Brexit: IDS slams ruling elites for ‘locking to Europe’ in masterplan to slash red tape
Iain Duncan Smith says UK needs to focus on 'growth' Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The former leader of the Conservative Party recently co-authored a report for the Centre for Brexit Policy, which argued that the establishment is holding the country back from unlocking its true potential. Instead of viewing the UK as a declining international force, the report argues Brexit gives Britain the chance to become a dominant global power now it is free from the EU’s shackles. Related articles IDS crushes Sturgeon's Indyref2 as ‘ridiculous’ distraction Iain Duncan Smith's cost-cutting masterplan to avoid 'disaster' In an … [Read more...] about Brexit: IDS slams ruling elites for ‘locking to Europe’ in masterplan to slash red tape
Carol Kirkwood issues ‘huge apologies’ to BBC Breakfast viewer over forecast mishap
Carol Kirkwood says pollen levels are high across the UK Sign up for FREE for the latest news from the world of showbiz SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood took to Twitter this morning to issue an apology to an unhappy viewer who took issue with a tweet the host posted about pollen levels. The BBC host, 60, apologised for the mishap after she gave the pollen count for England when a disgruntled social media user quickly called her out for ignoring Wales. Related articles Andy Murray and Kim Sears in U-turn at home as he rules out more kids Ulrika Jonsson, 54, recreates Kendall Jenner's completely NAKED snap Noooo I AM SO SORRY Carol Kirkwood … [Read more...] about Carol Kirkwood issues ‘huge apologies’ to BBC Breakfast viewer over forecast mishap
Transcript: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on “Face the Nation,” July 3, 2022
The following is a transcript of an interview with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that aired Sunday, July 3, 2022, on "Face the Nation." MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and welcome to Face the Nation. Thank you for joining us this holiday weekend. We begin today with immigration and the win for the Biden administration last week in the Supreme Court; that of the ending of President Trump's remain in Mexico policy. To discuss that and more we want to welcome Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to this broadcast. Mr. Secretary, good morning to you, happy early Fourth of July. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS: Good morning and the same wish to you, Margaret. Thank you. MARGARET BRENNAN: So what happens now that "remain in Mexico" is going away? Are you ending this policy immediately? And what happens to those individuals in the encampments waiting right across the border? SEC. MAYORKAS: Margaret, we were very pleased with the Supreme … [Read more...] about Transcript: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on “Face the Nation,” July 3, 2022