No trousers day: Pants-free passengers on London subway turn heads
Organisers emphasised its lighthearted nature.“There’s so much bad, so much not fun going on. Some tourists appeared baffled by the spectacle, while others exchanged grins and took selfies with the trouser-less commuters.The No Trousers Tube Ride is inspired by a stunt created by New York comedian Charlie Todd. Speaking to the BBC, Todd explained, “The goal of this event is to amuse other people, to give people a laugh. Hopefully, the spirit of that continues.”London hosted its first version of the event in 2009, and it has since become a regular fixture. Miriam Correa, a 43-year-old chef, wanted to make a statement about body positivity .
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 09:05 UTC
Newsflation: Online news subscriptions in UK stay level as print cover prices surge
Of the 21 major news websites included both this year and last year in our research, 11 kept their annual subscription charges the same and two others changed only slightly, possibly due to currency fluctuations. The annual rate of ‘newsflation’ for digital content stands at 3% according to our research (broadly inline with the official UK inflation rate which stands at 2.5%). By contrast, newsstand cover prices for the UK’s national newspapers have risen 12% in the past year and 135.8% in the past decade. Where applicable, we took the most comparable standard digital subscription prices rather than premium packages with extra components. Most of the news publishers had a trial price or offer available but Press Gazette compared full-price costs for our main analysis.
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 08:39 UTC
Tulip Siddiq: UK minister linked to Hasina graft probe quits govt
Late last year, transport minister Louise Haigh quit after acknowledging a minor criminal offence before she entered govt.Siddiq was handed the portfolio for financial services policy after the election, a role that included responsibility for measures against money-laundering. In a statement, Siddiq said although an investigation into her financial affairs found she had not breached the ministerial code of conduct, her position was "likely to be a distraction from the work of the govt". "I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position," she said. The anti-corruption commission alleged financial irregularities worth billions of dollars in the awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract, saying Hasina and Siddiq may have benefited. After facing further scrutiny over the use of properties in the UK tied to Hasina and her supporters, Siddiq referred herself to the govt's independent ethics adviser.
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 06:22 UTC
Tulip Siddiq Resignation: Tulip Siddiq resigns as UK economic secretary amid corruption allegations
UK anti-corruption minister and ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's niece Tulip Siddiq announced her resignation amid growing calls.Last week, the British Bangladeshi minister in charge of tackling corruption in the UK financial markets as Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister had referred herself to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests over allegations of corruption and a lack of transparency surrounding her use of properties in London .In her resignation letter released by 10 Downing Street, Siddiq pointed out that the watchdog had not found her in breach of the Ministerial Code and noted that she had not "acted improperly". "I want to assure you that I acted and have continued to act with full transparency and on the advice of officials on these matters. However, it is clear that continuing in my role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury is likely to be a distraction from the work of government… I have therefore decided to resign from my ministerial position," reads Siddiq's letter to Starmer.The British Prime Minister responded by accepting her departure from his government "with sadness", and Labour MP Emma Reynolds was confirmed as Siddiq's replacement by Downing Street. "I appreciate that to end ongoing distraction from delivering our agenda to change Britain, you have made a difficult decision and want to be clear that the door remains open for you going forward," reads Starmer's letter to Siddiq. "In accepting your resignation, I also wish to be clear that Sir Laurie Magnus as Independent Adviser has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part," he said.
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 05:52 UTC
Times letters: Plan for an independent football regulator
Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, Martin Samuel (“The Premier League doesn’t need a regulator”, Jan 13) is right that a more interesting feature of English football than its occasional bankruptcies is the survival of so many original clubs when the industries those towns were built on have disappeared. However, in his enjoyably provocative piece complaining that the introduction of a football regulator stems from a government predisposed to over-regulation, he makes no mention of the Football Association, the sanctioning body of the Premier League and its de facto regulator. Leaving aside the fact that the present proposal was introduced by the last Tory government, and that “the former MP Tracey Crouch” was, more explicitly, a former Conservative minister, English football has always had a
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 02:24 UTC
The British Public Dislikes Elon Musk. He Can Still Sway Politics.
“The British press and the broadcasters, to a degree, fell all over themselves to give Elon Musk publicity,” said David Yelland, a former editor of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloid, The Sun. This is plain old Fleet Street bias.”Claire Enders, a London-based media researcher and founder of Enders Analysis, likened Mr. Musk to Mr. Murdoch, the insurgent media baron from Australia who upended the London newspaper industry in the 1970s. “He’s American, he’s a multibillionaire, and he’s close to Trump.”Mr. Musk, however, is not interested in taking over the British press so much as discrediting it. The Times of London published a major investigation of the scandal, and the slow response to it by the police, in 2011. “The idea that there is a media blackout on this, and we needed Elon Musk to uncover it, is nonsense.”
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 02:22 UTC
Number of cars damaged by potholes falls but repair costs rise
Incidents down, but repair fees riseThe number of pothole incidents last year may have fallen but it coincides with a rise in repair costs, according to the AA. Repairs from potholes typically involve the tyres, wheels, steering and suspension, and cost £579 million in 2024 — an average of £300 per annum, up from £250 the year before. More than 1,700 drivers a day have their vehicles damaged by road defects, according to the Pothole Partnership’s figures. The government has listened to the Pothole Partnership and is beginning to instigate policies that should lead to longer-term fixes rather than the recent patchwork approach. Potholes and road surface-related defects are extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders.
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 00:03 UTC
Ranting Saba chief Boaz Weinstein digs himself a hole
People try myriad ways to influence investors. So credit to Boaz Weinstein for coming up with something new: sitting in a room by himself and hurling abuse for an hour and a half via a webinar. His rant was entertaining and exhausting in equal measure too. Yet, there was no proper Q&A — just some planted questions. And by the end of it, the big puzzler remained unanswered: what exactly would he do to generate heaps of extra value
Source:The Times
January 15, 2025 00:02 UTC
King Charles's biggest regret: He hardly knows grandkids Archie and Lilibet, children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 20:20 UTC
Like Liz Truss, is UK's Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves heading the lettuce way? Reports say she may be fighting for her job
ReutersDisclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 19:39 UTC
Frome’s ‘People of the Year’ honoured with awards
The winners of Frome Times’ Person and Group of the Year 2024 are dedicated fundraiser Radek Evans and the volunteer team behind the esteemed Memorial Theatre. Person of the Year, Radek Evans, was nominated for his outstanding service and support of Frome’s charities, most notably for completing 24 half marathons throughout the year for charity. The volunteers at the Memorial Theatre in Frome were nominated for the Group of the Year award due to their unwavering commitment to keeping the theatre thriving. The winners of the competition, run by the Frome Times, were chosen by the town’s mayor, Cllr Andy Jones and the paper’s editor Ian Drew. Above: Radek Evans (Dumbo the elephant) receiving his award from editor Ian DrewAbove: Frome Times editor Ian Drew with Memorial Theatre volunteers
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 19:34 UTC
‘A big pile of ash’ – LA residents assess ruined homes
One week after fires erupted in LA, the danger remainsChristal HayesReporting from Los AngelesExactly one week ago, two of the LA area's most destructive fires ignited - the Palisades fire and Eaton fire. Seeing the containment numbers on these fires go up each day has given all of us hope. Officials warn the next 24 hours will be dangerous and there's a potential for new blazes to flare up. They're already warning people in fire-prone areas to leave - even if an official evacuation alert hasn't been issued. But each day we get closer to this ending - a day when we can focus on healing and rebuilding our communities.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 18:54 UTC
Tony Slattery, Beloved Comedian from 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?', Dies at 65
Tony Slattery death: A Prolific Career in Comedy and ActingTony Slattery death: Personal Struggles and AdvocacyTony Slattery death: Tributes and LegacyFAQs:(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelTony Slattery, a British comedian and actor known for his quick wit on the improvisational show 'Whose Line Is It Anyway? ', has died from a heart attack at 65.Born on November 9, 1959, in London, Slattery's comedic journey began at the University of Cambridge, where he was a contemporary of Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson. As president of the esteemed Footlights comedy society, he honed his improvisational skills, leading to his prominent role 'Whose Line Is It Anyway? ' He openly discussed these issues in the BBC's Horizon special 'What's The Matter With Tony Slattery? In recent years, he remained active in the comedy scene, touring shows and launching a podcast titled 'Tony Slattery's Rambling Club'.Slattery's partner of nearly four decades, Mark Michael Hutchinson, confirmed his passing, stating, "It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 18:53 UTC
Tulip Siddiq, U.K. Anticorruption Minister, Resigns
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain suffered a new blow on Tuesday when his anticorruption minister, Tulip Siddiq, quit her post weeks after being named in an embezzlement investigation in Bangladesh. Ms. Siddiq, 42, is the niece of Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, who resigned last year after 15 years in power and fled the country amid a broad student-led protest movement against her repressive rule. A junior minister in Mr. Starmer’s government, Ms. Siddiq had previously referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics adviser for investigation after questions arose over whether she had benefited financially from her ties to Ms. Hasina. Ms. Siddiq has dismissed the allegations against her as politically motivated and insisted that she did nothing wrong. But in an official letter of resignation to Mr. Starmer on Tuesday, she wrote that the media focus on her risked diverting attention from the government’s political agenda.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 16:38 UTC
Soaring Bond Yields Put U.K. Government’s Economic Plan at Risk
Governments around the world are uncomfortably watching their borrowing costs rise, following the lead of the U.S. Treasury market. British government bonds, known as gilts, are suffering a particularly harsh sell-off, as investors recoil from the country’s low economic growth, stubborn inflation and high debt levels. The yield on 10-year gilts, the benchmark rate, reached 4.9 percent on Tuesday, the highest since 2008, while yields on 30-year bonds were the highest since 1998. The surge in borrowing costs puts the British government’s plan to revive economic growth, by allocating more money for public services and greater investment, at risk less than three months after it was announced. “At a time when yields are rising everywhere, global investors are looking at the U.K. like the weakest link in the chain,” said Hugh Gimber, a strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Source:The Times
January 14, 2025 13:06 UTC