German defence chief QUITS after heavy criticism of Russia-Ukraine war handling January 16, 2023 German defence minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned following persistent criticism of her handling of military modernisation programmes and the country’s arms deliveries to Ukraine. Lambrecht said she had submitted her resignation request to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, saying that “months of media focus on my person” had stood in the way of a factual debate about [...]
Fintech: City minister Andrew Griffith says UK must “raise our aspirations” in growth race January 16, 2023 THE City minister Andrew Griffith has said it is time to raise the “aspirations” of the United Kingdom in order to create a more innovative, growing economy. Griffith, a former Sky exec, writes in City A.M. today that the “stunning success of UK fintech, which supports tens of thousands of jobs,” can provide a roadmap [...]
The Notebook: Reforming the NHS, how the world got rich, and tax breaks for the over-50s January 16, 2023 The notebook is a place for interesting people to say interesting things. Today, it’s the turn of John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance Reforming the NHS no longer so unsayable? As the NHS endures its annual winter crisis – before it moves into its inevitable summer crisis – thousands of doctors are reportedly [...]
Brexit opportunities? Labour says it will explore ‘full potential’ of life outside EU January 15, 2023 The Government has not explored the “full potential” of what the UK can do outside the EU’s single market, Labour leader Keir Starmer has suggested. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle claimed his party would aspire to make more of a success of Brexit. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer meanwhile insisted that leaving the EU [...]
Porn-watching former MP Neil Parish may stand for Parliament again again January 15, 2023 A former MP who quit after admitting watching pornography in the Commons said he is thinking of standing again at the next general election. Neil Parish resigned from his Tiverton and Honiton seat after declaring that he was the politician who other MPs had spotted watching X-rated material in Parliament. But in a candid interview, [...]
A present for Putin: Sunak reportedly agrees to deliver squadron of tanks to Ukraine January 14, 2023 Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reportedly agreed to deliver a squadron of tanks to Ukraine to aid the country’s efforts in re-taking territory lost to Russian forces. Four British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks will reportedly be sent to eastern Europe immediately, with eight more to follow shortly afterwards. According to The Sun, a [...]
Donald Trump rape accusation from columnist can proceed, US judge rules January 14, 2023 A columnist can proceed with lawsuits alleging she was raped by former president Donald Trump a quarter of a century ago, a federal judge ruled, upholding a temporary New York state law letting adult victims of sexual abuse sue their abusers. Judge Lewis A Kaplan said lawsuits alleging rape and defamation and seeking unspecified damages [...]
Russians relaunch attacks on Kyiv as Putin doubles down on Ukraine war tactics January 14, 2023 Russian missile attacks hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv and the eastern city of Kharkiv on Saturday morning, officials said, and the governor of another region warned that a massive missile strike could follow in the coming hours. Reuters journalists heard a series of blasts in Kyiv before the air raid siren even sounded, which is [...]
Who was Alireza Akbari, the dual-national executed by Iran on spy charges January 14, 2023 Iran has executed British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari, the judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported on Saturday, after sentencing the former Iranian deputy defence minister to death on charges of spying for Britain. Here are some details about Akbari and his case: – He served as deputy defence minister when Ali Shamkhani was minister from 1997 to [...]
Scotland set for Westminster-led unionist push – as Sunak vows to keep country together January 14, 2023 Rishi Sunak has said he wants to “tangibly and visibly” demonstrate the UK Government’s presence in Scotland. The Prime Minister has been in Inverness this week as part of a two-day trip north of the border, during which he announced two new green freeports in Scotland. On Thursday night, he met with First Minister Nicola [...]