Diageo buys Don Papa Rum as drinks maker continues drive to re-stock drinks cabinet with premium brands January 17, 2023 Alcohol giant Diageo has swooped in for super-premium brand Don Papa Rum for £230m. The London-listed drinks company is putting up the cash with a possible £157m consideration through to 2028, subject to performance. The maker of Jack Walker whisky said the dark rum brand had annual growth of 18 per cent in Europe and [...]
Why Jeremy Clarkson’s Meghan Markle apology falls short – or does it? January 16, 2023 He’s trying, but he’s not there yet. Jeremy Clarkson has publically apologised after calling for Meghan Markle to be paraded around naked with fruit thrown at her in a recent Sun column. It’s not surprising: backlash included 60 MPs expressing concern as well as thousands of complaints from viewers. His farm show, Clarkson’s Farm, is [...]
Marks and Spencer shells out £480m as it revamps UK stores in bid to become leading ‘omnichannel’ retailer January 16, 2023 Marks and Spencer (M&S) is to plough nearly £0.5bn into an accelerated UK-wide investment drive which will result in 20 new larger and improved stores across the UK in the next financial year. The retailer also aims to create over 3,400 new jobs whilst providing shoppers with a “seamless” customer experience. M&S said it was [...]
Brits switch to social media for music as concerts go meta, says Brit Awards sponsor Mastercard January 16, 2023 Younger Brits are more likely to get their music recommendations from social media with TikTok and Instagram the most popular platforms. According to a new report by Mastercard 56 per cent of those aged 16-24 found their favourite music online. The report by the Brits Awards sponsor claims social media is overtaking physical concerts and [...]
Why bear watching is better when you see no bears January 15, 2023 In some ways, going on a bear hunt is exactly how I’d imagined it would be. Approaching a clearing at the edge of a forest, I’m instructed to creep on tip- toes, avoiding the menacing crunch of leaves which could be loud enough to send a Marsican brown running for the hills. I can’t help [...]
Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland, charged with domestic violence, sent sexual, offensive Twitter messages to musician January 14, 2023 A day after Rick and Morty creator Justin Roiland was charged with domestic violence, American musician Allie Goertz tweeted a series of graphic, sexual and offensive private Twitter messages she received from the cartoon-maker. One undated message read: “Can you write a song about 9 dicks of different sizes and ethnic origins hanging over your [...]
The riddle of the Nursing Assistant: Twitter user solves viral case January 13, 2023 For the last year Twitter has been racking its collective brain to try to unravel what has become known as The Riddle of the Nursing Assistant. Last December a Tik Tok user called @thisis_bex cross-posted a rather thirsty picture of what we assume to be herself alongside the cryptic caption: “Imagine how good your life [...]
Where to celebrate Burns Night in London: Bars and restaurants serving haggis and drams January 13, 2023 Burns Night, the birthday of the great Scottish bard Robert Burns is one of the highlights of the London restaurant scene, with venues across the capital laying on special spreads and keeping the city’s bagpipe community in work. Expect a lots of readings of the tongue-twisting Address to a Haggis as well as the consumption [...]
Elvis star Austin Butler’s Golden Globes speech declaring “love” for Lisa Marie Presley goes viral January 13, 2023 Elvis star Austin Butler declared his “love” for Lisa Marie Presley just two days before she tragically passed away aged 54. In a passionate speech upon accepting his Best Actor award at the Golden Globes, Austin Butler leant into his adoration for Elvis’ family and how they had supported and guided him throughout the filming [...]
Apple promises more transparency on removal of apps from App Store January 12, 2023 Apple and its investors have agreed to provide clarity on why apps are removed from its App Store, following criticisms about its lack of transparency. This means that the company has committed to providing a clear explanation of the number, categories, relevant authorities and applicable laws or policies when it comes app removals from the [...]