Fact Check: Yes, Trump's Defense Secretary Pick Pete Hegseth Once Said 'Germs Are Not a Real Thing'Claim:Pete Hegseth said "Germs are not a real thing. Hegseth did say these words in a Feb. 10, 2019, edition of "Fox & Friends Sunday." Following through on that promise, he told his co-hosts that he had not washed his hands in 10 years because "germs are not a real thing. As reported by The Guardian, Hegseth largely walked back his comments, deriding the media for taking his words seriously:On Twitter ..., Hegseth gave mixed messages. "'Germs Are Not a Real Thing': Fox News Host Says He Hasn't Washed Hands in 10 Years."

In the week since the United States presidential election, Elon Musk has used X, the social media platform he owns, to reiterate his support for President-elect Donald J. Trump. Some of the platform’s users have decided that they would rather post elsewhere. Among the largest beneficiaries of that desire is Bluesky, a rival service that has gained more than a million new users in the week since the election, a company spokeswoman, Emily Liu, said on Tuesday. The majority of the new users live in the United States, Canada and Britain, she added. “We’re seeing increased activity levels across all different forms of engagement,” she said in an email.

The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said president-elect Donald Trump and Joe Biden had a 'substantive' two-hour meeting on Wednesday, as Biden prepares the transition process for Trump to assume the presidency

Stephen Doughty, the Foreign Office minister, said the UK would ‘allay’ any US concerns over a deal agreed this year for the Chagos Islands to be returned to Mauritius. Doughty responded to a question from Nigel Farage, when he explained that an agreement with Mauritius was 'inevitable' after the UN’s top court ruled that the UK did not have sovereignty over the Indian Ocean archipelago. Doughty told MPs: 'We’re looking very forward to working with [the incoming Trump administration], and I’m sure that they will be being briefed on the full detail of this deal. And I am confident that the details of this arrangement will allay any concerns'

A likely push towards more oil and gas drilling under President Trump could help ease supply chain shortages that have hampered a faster rollout of renewables on the UK system, but weaken the availability of parts for gas-fired plants, the boss of electricity supplier SSE has said. Donald Trump’s election win is expected to boost the American oil and gas industries and diminish the buildout of renewables, which had been accelerated by President Biden’s $369 billion stimulus package for clean power and transport. “Though we in Europe, and particularly the UK, may benefit from him doing less renewables and having more access to [the] renewable supply chain, I think we’ll struggle to get access to a gas-fired supply chain,” Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE’s chief executive, said.

Stephen Flynn kickstarted the attempted exodus on Tuesday, and has been joined by two of his fellow MPs. Mr Flynn wants to unseat an incumbent SNP MSP Audrey Nicoll in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine despite Nat rules calling for more women politicians. The pair spoke at the weekend, where Mr Flynn laid out his plans, shortly before Monday’s deadline to submit applications. The Westminster leader was publicly slated by SNP MSP Emma Roddick who said: "Party members set this rule for good reasons. I hope Stephen Flynn rethinks.

Keir Starmer avoided answering a question about council tax from the leader of the opposition during PMQs on Wednesday. Kemi Badenoch earlier said the prime minister had made unilateral commitments at Cop29 that would make life more expensive for everyone and pressed Starmer on whether he would keep the cap on council tax. The prime minister preferred to focus on his appearance at the climate summit instead, saying he was proud of the fact that he was restoring leadership on the crisis, and talking about his 'huge order' for blades for offshore wind for Hull

In its statement, the Guardian cited the presence of offensive content on the platform, such as racist and conspiracy-driven materials. With a following of 10.7 million on X, the Guardian becomes the first prominent media organization in the United Kingdom to opt out of X. Critics argue that Elon Musk, the owner of X, fails to address the issue of harmful content on his platform. The report partly read: "We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). According to reports by Reuters, British law enforcement agencies have ceased posting on X, and several others are reviewing their involvement.

The Guardian has announced that it is quitting Elon Musk’s social media platform X, and that the site’s coverage of the US presidential election had solidified its decision. The newspaper added that reporters would also be able to continue using the platform for news gathering purposes. “Social media can be an important tool for news organisations and help us to reach new audiences but, at this point, X now plays a diminished role in promoting our work. Our journalism is available and open to all on our website and we would prefer people to come to theguardian.com and support our work there,” said the Guardian. “We think that the benefits of being on X are now outweighed by the negatives.

The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert this year, Kensington Palace has announced. Pictured at the 2022 service'The invitations are fresh off the press for this year's Together At Christmas Carol Service, which will be returning to Westminster Abbey on Friday 6 December. It will be the fourth time Kate has staged her Together At Christmas carol service, which is supported by The Royal Foundation. The Princess of Wales has been inspired by the strength she has taken from her family during a difficult year for her annual carol service next month. She met aides to discuss staging her annual Christmas carol service in December, and held meetings on her early years work.

The Guardian has announced it will no longer post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, from its official editorial accounts. “We wanted to let readers know that we will no longer post on any official Guardian editorial accounts on the social media site X,” the Guardian said. Concerns over disturbing content drive decision The Guardian cited the "often disturbing content" on X as the main factor behind the move, signaling a shift away from the platform. The newspaper also emphasized that its official accounts on X, which have a combined following of approximately 27 million, would no longer be used for direct posting. The Guardian, which operates over 80 accounts on X, also reassured followers that individual reporters would still be permitted to use X, within the guidelines already set by the organization.

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich says he and his team-mates should not have "expressed political opinions" during the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar. "We wanted to convey the message that Fifa is silencing teams," then head coach Hansi Flick said after the game. Speaking before Germany's upcoming Uefa Nations League games, Kimmich said he regretted making the gesture. We expressed political opinions and it took a bit away from the joy of the tournament. After all it is our duty to do our best when nominated because we are measured on results," Kimmich said.

NEW DELHI: Indians continue to get the maximum number of UK visas, a trend that started post Covid. Britain will from next year start implementing a “digital by default” immigration system by 2025 and introduce eVisas. UKVI will never request payment by email, at a VAC, or into a personal bank account. Pay all associated costs, including visa fees and premium services, online on GOV.UK or partner websites,” it cautioned, adding, “Beware of fake agents who promise to expedite UK visas or request payments to personal accounts. New permanent UK VACs have been added in Lucknow, Jaipur, Gurugram and Mysuru, taking their number from 14 to 18.

In the last months of his life, he was worshipping at an Anglican church, St Martin’s, in Cape Town. During this period, a survivor was urgently seeking assurance that efforts were being made to prevent further abuse in South Africa but was told that no further action could be taken. Bishop Conway told her that he had attempted “several times to make direct bishop-to bishop contact and had no response either”. Ms Quirk — who has apologised for not taking further action — told the victim that she had “no power to compel agencies in South Africa to respond to my concerns”. It would not have applied to Smyth, who is not recorded as having applied to undertake authorised ministry in South Africa.

Despite the health challenges she has faced this year, Kate set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service this year. Members of the royal family will gather with the princess as some 1,600 people fill the abbey in London to see musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter. People have been nominated by charities associated with the royal family and by Lord Lieutenants, the King’s representatives in counties across the UK. Recommended reading:The Middleton family, who is said to have been a great source of support to Kate during her illness, usually attends. Last year, Kate and William were joined by their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.