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Cut back on plans over Christmas, says Whitty

Britain hits record 78,000 Covid cases in a day

Chris Whitty has urged people to scale back their Christmas plans as he warned that a big rise in hospital admissions from Omicron was "nailed on". After Britain recorded its highest number of Covid cases in a single day today, England's chief medical officer said that such records "will be... Chris Whitty has urged people to scale back their Christmas plans as he warned that a big rise in hospital admissions from Omicron was "nailed on". After Britain recorded its highest number of Covid cases in a single day today, England's chief medical officer said that such records "will be... Chris Whitty has urged people to scale back their Christmas plans as he warned that a big rise in hospital admissions from...

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Police intelligence officer 'told to doctor reports' about terrorism informant

A police intelligence officer fabricated reports about a terrorism informant in a highly classified database after allegedly being instructed to by superiors, The Times has learnt. The rogue special branch unit that the detective constable worked for was disbanded after he retrospectively altered intelligence reports for MI5. Phil Moran, a... A police intelligence officer fabricated reports about a terrorism informant in a highly classified database after allegedly being instructed to by superiors, The Times has learnt. The rogue special branch unit that the detective constable worked for was disbanded after he retrospectively altered intelligence reports for MI5. Phil Moran, a... A police intelligence officer fabricated reports about a terrorism informant in a highly classified database after allegedly...

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Christmas party scandal could affect by-election, Tory candidate admits

Voters have reacted with "upset and anger" to recent stories about parties in Downing Street, the Tory candidate in the North Shropshire by-election has said. Neil Shastri-Hurst, 38, a barrister and former army doctor, said that people on the doorstep were "predominantly" concerned with local issues such as... Voters have reacted with "upset and anger" to recent stories about parties in Downing Street, the... Voters have reacted with "upset and anger" to recent stories about parties in Downing Street, the...

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Half of households find Christmas parcel firms fail to deliver

Nearly half of households receiving Christmas deliveries from online retailers have seen them go wrong, a survey suggests, as customers revealed that parcels were being thrown over fences, left in the rain or taken by binmen. Nearly half of households receiving Christmas deliveries from online retailers have seen them go wrong, a survey suggests, as customers revealed that parcels were being thrown over fences, left in the rain or taken by binmen. Nearly half of households receiving Christmas deliveries from online retailers have seen them go wrong, a survey...

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When are you retiring? Don't ask

Asking someone in their sixties when they are going to retire is age discrimination, an employment tribunal ruled. Someone 30 years younger would not be asked about their plans to stop work because they could not start taking... Asking someone in their sixties when they are going to retire is age discrimination, an employment tribunal ruled. Someone 30 years younger would not be asked about their plans to stop work because they could not start taking... Asking someone in their sixties when they are going to retire is age discrimination, an employment tribunal ruled.

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Germany expels Russian diplomats over assassination

Germany is to expel two Russian diplomats after a Russian hitman was sentenced to life in prison for the "Kremlin-sponsored" assassination of an exiled Chechen dissident in central Berlin. Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said the contract killing constituted a "grave violation"... Germany is to expel two Russian diplomats after a Russian hitman was sentenced to life in prison for the "Kremlin-sponsored" assassination of an exiled Chechen dissident in central Berlin. Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said the contract killing constituted a "grave violation"... Germany is to expel two Russian diplomats after a Russian hitman was sentenced to life in prison for the "Kremlin-sponsored"...

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Scholz sends frigate to South China Sea

Tensions between China and the United States and its allies have been ratcheted up after a German warship entered the South China Sea today for the first time in 20 years, underscoring united opposition to Chinese sabre-rattling in the region. The move signals a shift in Berlin's approach under its new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, with Germany... Tensions between China and the United States and its allies have been ratcheted up after a German warship entered the South China Sea today for the first time in 20 years, underscoring united opposition to Chinese sabre-rattling in the region. The move signals a shift in Berlin's approach under its new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, with Germany... Tensions between China and the United States and its allies have been ratcheted up after a German warship entered the South...

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Putin and Xi form a new axis against Nato

President Xi of China has pledged to support Russian demands for guarantees that Nato will not expand any further into eastern Europe, according to a Kremlin aide. The Russian and Chinese presidents vowed to defend one another's interests against the US and its allies during a video call yesterday that underlined... President Xi of China has pledged to support Russian demands for guarantees that Nato will not... President Xi of China has pledged to support Russian demands for guarantees that Nato will not...

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Fed signals three rate rises next year

Most Federal Reserve policymakers believe interest rates will rise at least three times in the US next year after the Fed accelerated plans to taper support for the world's largest economy. The US central bank surprised some commentators with its hawkish stand on rates and bond buying compared... Most Federal Reserve policymakers believe interest rates will rise at least three times in the US next year after the Fed accelerated plans to taper support for the world's largest economy. The US central bank surprised some commentators with its hawkish stand on rates and bond buying compared... Most Federal Reserve policymakers believe interest rates will rise at least three times in the US next year after the Fed...

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Bosses call for financial support as Covid rips through companies

Business leaders have called on the government to move quickly to restore confidence amid the rapid spread of Omicron and fears that a large number of workers will call in sick, creating further disruption to supply chains. Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said at last night's Downing Street press conference that a... Business leaders have called on the government to move quickly to restore confidence amid the rapid spread of Omicron and fears that a large number of workers will call in sick, creating further disruption to supply chains. Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said at last night's Downing Street press conference that a... Business leaders have called on the government to move quickly to restore confidence amid the rapid spread of Omicron and fears...

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Canada hits Cineworld for £720m

Cineworld lost nearly 40 per cent of its value yesterday after the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice ordered the company to pay damages of C$1.23 billion (£720 million) for pulling out of the acquisition of Cineplex, the Canadian cinema group. The British firm, which owns the Regal chain in the United States, wasted... Cineworld lost nearly 40 per cent of its value yesterday after the Ontario Supreme Court of... Cineworld lost nearly 40 per cent of its value yesterday after the Ontario Supreme Court of...

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business commentary

Mooky tops the bill in his own movie

Creating a new film genre is trickier than it looks. But five stars to Mooky Greidinger for giving it a go. The... Creating a new film genre is trickier than it looks. But five stars to Mooky Greidinger for... Creating a new film genre is trickier than it looks. But five stars to Mooky Greidinger for...

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Premier League

Premier League teams hit by Covid chaos as coaches ask for transparency

British sport was back in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday night as the Premier League announced its third postponement in six days. With the government reporting 78,610 new cases — the most in the UK for a single day since the beginning of the pandemic — the rapid spread of the new... British sport was back in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday night as the Premier League announced its third postponement in six days. With the government reporting 78,610 new cases — the most in the UK for a single day since the beginning of the pandemic — the rapid spread of the new... British sport was back in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic on Wednesday night as the Premier League announced its third...

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The Ashes

Cummins to miss second Test after close contact with a Covid case

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Australia's preparations for the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval were thrown into disarray when Pat Cummins, their captain, was ruled out three hours before the scheduled start of the day-night match after being identified as a close contact of a confirmed Covid-19 case while dining in a local restaurant on Wednesday. In the absence... Australia's preparations for the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval were thrown into disarray when Pat Cummins, their captain, was ruled out three hours before the scheduled start of the day-night match after being identified as a close contact of a confirmed Covid-19 case while dining in a local restaurant on Wednesday. In the absence... Australia's preparations for the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval were thrown into disarray when Pat Cummins, their...

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The Ashes | Mike Atherton

Adelaide's spectacular evolution shines harsh light on failures of English game

Considering day-night matches first took place more than 40 years ago, as Kerry Packer moved to shake up the cricket establishment, and that floodlit cricket became such an integral part of the one-day game, it is surprising that day-night Tests came so late. The concept is only six years old and there have been 16... Considering day-night matches first took place more than 40 years ago, as Kerry Packer moved to... Considering day-night matches first took place more than 40 years ago, as Kerry Packer moved to...

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Gift guide

Christmas food gifts

updated

Get serious in the kitchen with our selection of gifts for food lovers. We've got presents for every budget, from a... Get serious in the kitchen with our selection of gifts for food lovers. We've got presents for... Get serious in the kitchen with our selection of gifts for food lovers. We've got presents for...

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TRAVEL

Emily in Paris: the ultimate city break

Unrealistic, clichéd, annoying — these are just some of the criticisms that were levelled at the first season of... Unrealistic, clichéd, annoying — these are just some of the criticisms that were levelled at the... Unrealistic, clichéd, annoying — these are just some of the criticisms that were levelled at the...

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obituary

Pamela Helen Stephen

Creamy voiced mezzo-soprano known for her roles with Opera North and the Royal Opera and for once portraying Mozart

obituary

Ian Curteis

Playwright who exposed the BBC's 'left-wing agenda' when the Falklands war drama he had been commissioned to write was cancelled

obituary

Stu Rasmussen

First openly transgender mayor in America who became the subject of protests and counterprotests and inspired a musical

obituary

David Gulpilil

Actor and dancer who starred in the film Walkabout, promoted Aboriginal culture around the world but became isolated from his roots

obituary

Cedric Robinson

Queen's Guide to the Kent Sands who for 55 years cheerfully led the public across the treacherous tidal flats of Morecambe Bay

Word Watch

Can you spot the real definition among the fakes?

Word Watch

SFO director faces doubts over future

Lisa Osofsky took over as the UK's fraud-buster-in-chief three years ago with an air of glamour and mystery, having been portrayed as bringing hard-nut nous gained from her time as a lawyer for the FBI in Chicago to genteel London. That fascination and expectation was beginning to wear thin even before the Court of Appeal last week quashed the bribery conviction of a... Lisa Osofsky took over as the UK's fraud-buster-in-chief three years ago with an air of glamour... Lisa Osofsky took over as the UK's fraud-buster-in-chief three years ago with an air of glamour...

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Pay rockets for regional lawyers

It has been one of the busiest years in memory for recruiters because regional commercial law firms have... It has been one of the busiest years in memory for recruiters because regional commercial law firms have "aggressively" boosted the salaries of newly qualified solicitors, often by about 20 per cent, experts claim. Osborne Clarke's Reading office recently increased salaries by £11,000 to £65,000 — and pay at ... It has been one of the busiest years in memory for recruiters because regional commercial law firms have "aggressively" boosted...

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COMMENT | ANDREW TETTENBORN

Raab's human rights plan offers significant advantages

Many people will not like Dominic Raab's announcement earlier this week about a government consultation on plans to... Many people will not like Dominic Raab's announcement earlier this week about a government... Many people will not like Dominic Raab's announcement earlier this week about a government...

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LAWYER OF THE WEEK

Lawyer of the week: Tim Spring, who acted for Evie Toombes, a showjumper with spina bifida, who sued her mother's GP for 'wrongful conception'

Tim Spring, a solicitor at Moore Barlow, represented Evie Toombes, a 20-year-old showjumper who has spina bifida. Tim Spring, a solicitor at Moore Barlow, represented Evie Toombes, a 20-year-old showjumper... Tim Spring, a solicitor at Moore Barlow, represented Evie Toombes, a 20-year-old showjumper...

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School absences double in two weeks after guidance changes

Pupil absences linked to coronavirus have more than doubled in a fortnight since guidance changed to insist that children must stay home when a family member tests positive. About 26,500 absences were recorded in Scottish schools for Covid reasons on Monday, up from 12,000 on November 29... Pupil absences linked to coronavirus have more than doubled in a fortnight since guidance changed to insist that children must stay home when a family member tests positive. About 26,500 absences were recorded in Scottish schools for Covid reasons on Monday, up from 12,000 on November 29... Pupil absences linked to coronavirus have more than doubled in a fortnight since guidance changed to insist that children must...

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Coronavirus

Teachers 'face pressure' to reschedule jabs

One in ten young teachers are not yet double-jabbed, fuelling claims they have been pressurised to reschedule vaccination appointments to cover staff shortages. Nearly 3,500 teachers have not had two doses of vaccine and are going to work with wholly unprotected schoolchildren, most of whom are not eligible for a vaccine. Uptake is lowest... One in ten young teachers are not yet double-jabbed, fuelling claims they have been pressurised to reschedule vaccination appointments to cover staff shortages. Nearly 3,500 teachers have not had two doses of vaccine and are going to work with wholly unprotected schoolchildren, most of whom are not eligible for a vaccine. Uptake is lowest... One in ten young teachers are not yet double-jabbed, fuelling claims they have been pressurised to reschedule vaccination...

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Coronavirus

Hospital backlogs predicted to surge thanks to Omicron

Patients have been warned that treatment backlogs are likely to grow in Scotland as hospitals cancel appointments to make way for an expected wave of Omicron sufferers, according to a leading surgeon. Mike McKirdy, new president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, said if the variant spread... Patients have been warned that treatment backlogs are likely to grow in Scotland as hospitals... Patients have been warned that treatment backlogs are likely to grow in Scotland as hospitals...

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Half of children hospitalised by virus were under five

Almost half of all children who were hospitalised with Covid-19 during the fourth wave were under five, according to official health data. Health Protection Surveillance Centre figures provided to The Times show that 483 people under 18 have been hospitalised with the disease since the Delta... Almost half of all children who were hospitalised with Covid-19 during the fourth wave were under five, according to official health data. Health Protection Surveillance Centre figures provided to The Times show that 483 people under 18 have been hospitalised with the disease since the Delta... Almost half of all children who were hospitalised with Covid-19 during the fourth wave were under five, according to official...

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Reform bureaucratic HSE now or watch waiting lists grow, warns Sinn Fein

Sinn Fein has urged the health minister not to wait until the Omicron wave of the pandemic has passed before publishing plans to break the HSE into regional structures. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's health spokesman, said failure to reform the "excessively bureaucratic" HSE would mean that treating 900,000 patients waiting for medical... Sinn Fein has urged the health minister not to wait until the Omicron wave of the pandemic has passed before publishing plans to break the HSE into regional structures. David Cullinane, Sinn Fein's health spokesman, said failure to reform the "excessively bureaucratic" HSE would mean that treating 900,000 patients waiting for medical... Sinn Fein has urged the health minister not to wait until the Omicron wave of the pandemic has passed before publishing plans...

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Lotto hopes to cap jackpot rollovers

The company that runs the Lotto has applied to the regulator to cap the number of times a jackpot can roll over before the €19 million prize is distributed among the next highest winning tickets. Andrew Algeo, chief executive of Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI), confirmed that he had applied to Carol Boate, the... The company that runs the Lotto has applied to the regulator to cap the number of times a jackpot... The company that runs the Lotto has applied to the regulator to cap the number of times a jackpot...

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