Report to show Russia tried to interfere in Scottish and Brexit referendums July 19, 2020 A long-delayed report on Russian interference into UK politics is expected to show the Kremlin tried to influence the results in both the Brexit and Scottish independence referendums. The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) will release the Russia report next week before parliament rises for a six-week summer break. The report comes as it was [...]
Chinese ambassador slammed for denying ‘chilling’ ethnic cleansing claims July 19, 2020 China’s ambassador to the UK has been widely criticised by MPs this morning for denying claims of ethnic cleansing against Uyghur Muslims in Northern China and instead drawing attention to the “beautiful” scenery in the region. Liu Xiaoming was shown footage during a BBC interview of hundreds of chained Uyhurs being loaded onto trains headed [...]
Steve Coogan’s ‘perfect’ Jaguar E-Type up for sale July 19, 2020 As Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan refused to drive a Rover 100 (“They’ve rebadged it, you fool!”) and lusted after a Lexus (“the Japanese Mercedes”). Later, as Tommy Saxondale, he cherished his Ford Mustang Mach 1, but drove a Renault Kangoo (“Grab a pew in the Kangoo”) for work. In real life, Coogan has rather more [...]
Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 review: The joy of six July 18, 2020 I was blissfully ignorant at the time, but this would be my final fling. A few days later, the UK entered lockdown, and the freedom to simply go for a drive was abruptly revoked. In the weeks and months that followed, I often thought about that afternoon. Confined to Croydon, sealed off from friends and [...]
Fast Ford icon: Rare Sierra RS Cosworth heads to auction July 18, 2020 “A working class hero is something to be,” declared John Lennon. Anyone who grew up idolising the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth would surely agree. With its wide wheelarches and whale tail wing, the ‘Cossie’ looked brilliant on a bedroom wall. And its 204hp turbocharged engine offered Porsche-baiting pace: 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and a top [...]
Coronavirus roadmap: When will England’s lockdown end? July 18, 2020 Boris Johnson has outlined a roadmap for the end of England’s lockdown, giving hope that coronavirus social distancing could end before Christmas. Johnson changed tack on government guidance to work from home where possible in a speech on 17 July. Instead employers will be asked to discuss with employees whether and how they can safely [...]
How to: the perfect weekend BBQ – and how to heat it up July 18, 2020 Finally the weather is on the up – so for those amateur chefs up and down the country firing up the barbecue this weekend, here’s your chance to turn pro. Award-winning Kentucky bourbon brand Buffalo Trace – it’s the Deep South, they know their BBQ – have teamed up with Spitalfields’ based grillers Hotbox to [...]
More SMEs eligible for coronavirus loans under rule change July 17, 2020 An abrupt U-turn in lending rules means SMEs banks previously rejected for coronavirus loans may now be able to get the vital cash they need to survive. Small businesses with fewer than 50 staff and less than £9m in annual turnover will no longer be considered “undertakings in difficulty” under EU state aid rules amid [...]
Met Office mistakes huge swarm of flying ants over London for rain July 17, 2020 Flying ants have once again taken to the skies of London, with swarms so big that the Met Office weather radar has mistaken them for rain. On Sunday, millions of the bugs filled the skies across the country on what is known as “Flying Ant day”. Undeterred, the winged insects have returned in huge swarms [...]
Andrew Bailey says an uneven economic recovery has begun July 17, 2020 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has said the UK economy is starting to recover from April’s lockdown, although he stressed that the rebound had been uneven so far. Bailey said activity was resuming “quite strongly” in the housing and car markets. But he said the hospitality and entertainment sectors were still struggling. His comments [...]
