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Take a test to see family at Christmas, says PM

Threat of more Covid curbs before new year

Boris Johnson has urged people to test themselves before meeting relatives for Christmas as he ruled out new Covid-19 restrictions this week. The prime minister left a big question mark over new year celebrations as he said he could not rule out "further measures" next week, pledging to do... Boris Johnson has urged people to test themselves before meeting relatives for Christmas as he ruled out new Covid-19 restrictions this week. The prime minister left a big question mark over new year celebrations as he said he could not rule out "further measures" next week, pledging to do... Boris Johnson has urged people to test themselves before meeting relatives for Christmas as he ruled out new Covid-19...

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Libertarian leadership rivals just look pathetic, say Johnson's allies

Allies of Boris Johnson have turned on "pathetic" leadership rivals, accusing them of using a cabinet debate on coronavirus restrictions to position themselves to succeed him. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, has been accused of "desperate" self-promotion by talking up her opposition to new rules while others in government predict... Allies of Boris Johnson have turned on "pathetic" leadership rivals, accusing them of using a cabinet debate on coronavirus restrictions to position themselves to succeed him. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, has been accused of "desperate" self-promotion by talking up her opposition to new rules while others in government predict... Allies of Boris Johnson have turned on "pathetic" leadership rivals, accusing them of using a cabinet debate on...

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Let people express their views, Patel tells police

Priti Patel will warn police to do more to protect freedom of speech after judges ruled that recording "non-crime hate incidents" risked interfering with people's right to express their opinions. The home secretary will try to enshrine in law a new code of practice that controls the way officers record such... Priti Patel will warn police to do more to protect freedom of speech after judges ruled that... Priti Patel will warn police to do more to protect freedom of speech after judges ruled that...

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Thick of It creator backs right to offend

In three decades pushing the boundaries of comedy, Armando Iannucci has not been afraid to risk upsetting his audience. Now, as comics face censoring their gags or being cancelled, he asks: "What is wrong with being offended?"... In three decades pushing the boundaries of comedy, Armando Iannucci has not been afraid to risk upsetting his audience. Now, as comics face censoring their gags or being cancelled, he asks: "What is wrong with being offended?"... In three decades pushing the boundaries of comedy, Armando Iannucci has not been afraid to risk upsetting his audience.

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Cost of supporting asylum seekers doubles in 3 years

The cost of housing and payment allowances for asylum seekers has almost doubled since 2018, analysis has found. It now costs £430 million per year to provide housing and payments to people who have claimed asylum in the UK and... The cost of housing and payment allowances for asylum seekers has almost doubled since 2018, analysis has found. It now costs £430 million per year to provide housing and payments to people who have claimed asylum in the UK and... The cost of housing and payment allowances for asylum seekers has almost doubled since 2018, analysis has found. It...

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Western experts sent to counter Putin's cyberwar

The US and Britain have sent experts to Kiev to counter any Russian cyberattack on Ukraine's power grid, banking system and other key infrastructure before a potential invasion. US intelligence believes the Kremlin could order a hack to make President Zelensky of Ukraine appear incompetent and undermine his authority, The New York Times reported. American and British... The US and Britain have sent experts to Kiev to counter any Russian cyberattack on Ukraine's... The US and Britain have sent experts to Kiev to counter any Russian cyberattack on Ukraine's...

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Keep hypersonic missiles out of Ukraine, Putin tells US

President Putin has accused the US of planning to deploy hypersonic weapons to Ukraine. "We are extremely concerned... President Putin has accused the US of planning to deploy hypersonic weapons to Ukraine. "We are extremely concerned that elements of the US global missile defence system are being deployed next to Russia," the Russian president told military leaders today. Putin, 69, said the flight time of Nato missiles to Moscow... President Putin has accused the US of planning to deploy hypersonic weapons to Ukraine. "We are extremely concerned that...

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Taxpayer bill for Bulb may rise by £1bn

Supplier exposed as gas prices reach record high

The cost to the taxpayer of running Bulb, the failed energy supplier, could spiral by £1 billion or more as gas prices hit fresh record highs, according to industry estimates. Britain's seventh biggest energy supplier collapsed last month with 1.6 million household customers and was placed in... The cost to the taxpayer of running Bulb, the failed energy supplier, could spiral by £1 billion or more as gas prices hit fresh record highs, according to industry estimates. Britain's seventh biggest energy supplier collapsed last month with 1.6 million household customers and was placed in... The cost to the taxpayer of running Bulb, the failed energy supplier, could spiral by £1 billion or more as gas prices hit...

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Bank sees rush of job applicants after switching to four-day week

Atom Bank says it has had a 500 per cent jump in applications for job vacancies since it introduced a four-day week for staff with no loss of pay. Staff surveys are also showing that employees feel less stressed and that no evidence of a negative impact on customer service or operations has been detected in the two months since the digital... Atom Bank says it has had a 500 per cent jump in applications for job vacancies since it introduced a four-day week for staff with no loss of pay. Staff surveys are also showing that employees feel less stressed and that no evidence of a negative impact on customer service or operations has been detected in the two months since the digital... Atom Bank says it has had a 500 per cent jump in applications for job vacancies since it introduced a four-day week for staff...

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Greencoat bosses set for £478m windfall after Schroders deal

Nine executives behind a renewable energy investment business are set to share up to £478 million after Schroders struck a deal to take control of Greencoat Capital. The majority of the windfall will be split between the four senior partners of Greencoat, including Richard Nourse, a former investment banker who... Nine executives behind a renewable energy investment business are set to share up to £478 million... Nine executives behind a renewable energy investment business are set to share up to £478 million...

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Business commentary

Schroders sees green shoots sprouting

Go where the puck is heading, not where it is now. The aphorism of the ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is frequently... Go where the puck is heading, not where it is now. The aphorism of the ice hockey legend Wayne... Go where the puck is heading, not where it is now. The aphorism of the ice hockey legend Wayne...

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The Ashes | Mike Atherton

Archer undergoes second elbow surgery as England's disastrous tour gets worse

That this Ashes tour has gone horribly wrong needs little affirmation, but it came with the news that Jofra Archer had undergone a second operation on his injured right elbow. The procedure took place ten days ago, just as England were sliding to defeat in the first Test at the Gabba, and... That this Ashes tour has gone horribly wrong needs little affirmation, but it came with the news that Jofra Archer had undergone a second operation on his injured right elbow. The procedure took place ten days ago, just as England were sliding to defeat in the first Test at the Gabba, and... That this Ashes tour has gone horribly wrong needs little affirmation, but it came with the news that Jofra Archer had...

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The Ashes

Frustrated Root told England the truth about their failings, says Silverwood

Joe Root's anger with his players was clear to see in what Chris Silverwood, England's head coach, described as an "honest" debrief following England's 275-run hammering in Adelaide. Root, whose captaincy has been heavily criticised following two dismal losses, had already publicly bemoaned the lengths his bowlers bowled and the... Joe Root's anger with his players was clear to see in what Chris Silverwood, England's head coach, described as an "honest" debrief following England's 275-run hammering in Adelaide. Root, whose captaincy has been heavily criticised following two dismal losses, had already publicly bemoaned the lengths his bowlers bowled and the... Joe Root's anger with his players was clear to see in what Chris Silverwood, England's head coach, described as an "honest"...

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Sporting Heroes of the Year | Rachael Blackmore

'Being the first woman was never a big deal' – Grand National winner and reluctant trailblazer

Now we are at the point of the year when we are looking back, this is what Rachael Blackmore sees. She sees the weighing room at Aintree, with only Irish jockeys in there, because it was Covid and the Irish were bubbled apart. She recalls hoping that someone from that weighing room would come home the winner in the... Now we are at the point of the year when we are looking back, this is what Rachael Blackmore sees. Now we are at the point of the year when we are looking back, this is what Rachael Blackmore sees.

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Cricket | Patrick Kidd

End of an era for 'Bumble', Sky's Ringo Starr of commentary

Start the car! One of the most distinctive and popular voices in cricket is hanging up his microphone after 22 years... Start the car! One of the most distinctive and popular voices in cricket is hanging up his... Start the car! One of the most distinctive and popular voices in cricket is hanging up his...

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Ben Elton — a stimulating look at feeling dazed and confused

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Has the West End ever seen one man mix the clear-sighted and the overheated quite like this? As the lights... ★★★★☆
Has the West End ever seen one man mix the clear-sighted and the overheated quite like... ★★★★☆
Has the West End ever seen one man mix the clear-sighted and the overheated quite like...

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Sally Ann Howes

Much-married singer and actress best known for playing Truly Scrumptious in the musical-fantasy Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Chuck Close

Super-realist artist whose portraits of subjects including Lou Reed and Bill Clinton stare inscrutably from his giant canvasses

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Commander Tony Higham

Naval officer who competed in many ocean-going races and led the fundraising for flood defences in his Hampshire village

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Jonathan Cooper

Highly original human rights barrister who fought discrimination around the world

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Carlos Marín

Spanish baritone who rose to fame in the UK with Il Divo, the chart-topping pop opera group formed by Simon Cowell

Word Watch

Can you spot the real definition among the fakes?

Word Watch

Festivals put on hold amid unease over Covid curbs

Fears the limits will last longer than three weeks

Events organisers have cancelled concerts into February owing to fears that new coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will extend beyond the present three-week timetable. In what Nicola Sturgeon conceded was a "distressingly similar" address to that which preceded the lockdown imposed last... Events organisers have cancelled concerts into February owing to fears that new coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will extend beyond the present three-week timetable. In what Nicola Sturgeon conceded was a "distressingly similar" address to that which preceded the lockdown imposed last... Events organisers have cancelled concerts into February owing to fears that new coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will...

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Ex-justice secretary criticises calls to scrap rape trial juries

A former SNP justice secretary has urged ministers to reject growing calls from influential prosecutors and women's groups to scrap juries in rape trials. Kenny MacAskill, a qualified lawyer who is now an MP for the Alba Party, said that the Scottish government needed to "come clean" about whether it was allowing others to lay the ground... A former SNP justice secretary has urged ministers to reject growing calls from influential prosecutors and women's groups to scrap juries in rape trials. Kenny MacAskill, a qualified lawyer who is now an MP for the Alba Party, said that the Scottish government needed to "come clean" about whether it was allowing others to lay the ground... A former SNP justice secretary has urged ministers to reject growing calls from influential prosecutors and women's groups to...

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Minibus service falls prey to ransomware hackers

When the Colonial Pipeline in Texas suffered a ransomware cyberattack in May this year hackers demanded that the petroleum company hand over millions of dollars. The same month the Irish health service's IT systems were held hostage by a criminal group in a "major disaster" which caused appointments to be cancelled... When the Colonial Pipeline in Texas suffered a ransomware cyberattack in May this year hackers... When the Colonial Pipeline in Texas suffered a ransomware cyberattack in May this year hackers...

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Home fires blamed for spike in winter pollution

Spikes of unsafe air pollution that are likely to have been caused by the burning of fossil fuels were recorded in a number of Irish towns last week including Ennis, Tipperary and Naas. The environment watchdog said the level of particulate pollutants — PM10 and PM2.5 — in the air was a concern. Spikes of unsafe air pollution that are likely to have been caused by the burning of fossil fuels were recorded in a number of Irish towns last week including Ennis, Tipperary and Naas. The environment watchdog said the level of particulate pollutants — PM10 and PM2.5 — in the air was a concern. Spikes of unsafe air pollution that are likely to have been caused by the burning of fossil fuels were recorded in a number of...

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Don't criticise younger people - boost them, says expert

Younger people who received the single-dose Janssen vaccine should be "boosted immediately" as breakouts in this age group have continued to rise in recent weeks, an immunologist has said. Christine Loscher, immunology professor at Dublin City University, said younger people have been blamed by some for the high transmission levels among 16... Younger people who received the single-dose Janssen vaccine should be "boosted immediately" as breakouts in this age group have continued to rise in recent weeks, an immunologist has said. Christine Loscher, immunology professor at Dublin City University, said younger people have been blamed by some for the high transmission levels among 16... Younger people who received the single-dose Janssen vaccine should be "boosted immediately" as breakouts in this age group have...

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Tennis | Paul Rowan

Tennis Ireland undermined by its own top-down flaws

There could be any number of amusing puns applied to the civil war in Irish tennis at the moment, with Munster hemmed in by the three other provinces in the ongoing power struggle. With no Irish player in the top 500 of world tennis, it is hardly surprising that the turmoil has been largely ignored in the club... There could be any number of amusing puns applied to the civil war in Irish tennis at the moment... There could be any number of amusing puns applied to the civil war in Irish tennis at the moment...

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