In the News

Millions set for early fourth jab

Data confirms Omicron is less severe but warns of fading booster protection after ten weeks

Millions of Britons face having an earlier fourth Covid jab next year after data suggested that protection against Omicron from booster shots starts to wane within three months. An official analysis of real-world cases confirmed that people infected with the new variant were up to 70 per cent... Millions of Britons face having an earlier fourth Covid jab next year after data suggested that protection against Omicron from booster shots starts to wane within three months. An official analysis of real-world cases confirmed that people infected with the new variant were up to 70 per cent... Millions of Britons face having an earlier fourth Covid jab next year after data suggested that protection against Omicron from...

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CORONAVIRUS

Cruises and ski breaks off as borders close to Britons

Tens of thousands of Britons had cruise holidays and New Year ski trips cancelled yesterday as European border restrictions continued to tighten. Crystal Ski, Britain's biggest winter sports operator, cancelled its departures to Austria next week after ministers there toughened their stance on arrivals from the UK. Anyone arriving from... Tens of thousands of Britons had cruise holidays and New Year ski trips cancelled yesterday as European border restrictions continued to tighten. Crystal Ski, Britain's biggest winter sports operator, cancelled its departures to Austria next week after ministers there toughened their stance on arrivals from the UK. Anyone arriving from... Tens of thousands of Britons had cruise holidays and New Year ski trips cancelled yesterday as European border restrictions...

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CORONAVIRUS | Q&A

Will there be another lockdown?

Boris Johnson has ruled out imposing any extra coronavirus restrictions before Christmas, but the decision on whether to lock down England afterwards is hanging in the balance. The prime minister wants a few more days to assess data on London hospital admissions, the severity of the Omicron strain and how well... Boris Johnson has ruled out imposing any extra coronavirus restrictions before Christmas, but the... Boris Johnson has ruled out imposing any extra coronavirus restrictions before Christmas, but the...

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DRINKS

The Christmas cocktail guide: simple recipes from Claridge's

When you serve 53,714 cocktails a year (and 35,425 glasses of champagne), there's not a lot you don't know about... When you serve 53,714 cocktails a year (and 35,425 glasses of champagne), there's not a lot you... When you serve 53,714 cocktails a year (and 35,425 glasses of champagne), there's not a lot you...

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Putin tells US to 'get missiles off my doorstep'

President Putin is seeking an immediate answer to his demand that Nato withdraw its forces from central and eastern Europe, accusing the alliance of deploying missiles on Russia's doorstep. The Russian leader said he was running out of patience despite acknowledging that talks would take place next month on his build-up of more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's border. President Putin is seeking an immediate answer to his demand that Nato withdraw its forces from... President Putin is seeking an immediate answer to his demand that Nato withdraw its forces from...

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Ukraine lovers tie knot on front line

It was a wedding with a difference. In place of a white dress the bride wore a khaki uniform complete with military... It was a wedding with a difference. In place of a white dress the bride wore a khaki uniform complete with military boots. Anna, 30, a make-up artist, married Dmitry, 29, the commander of an artillery battalion, less than 15 miles from the front line in Ukraine's almost eight-year war with Kremlin-backed separatists. It was a wedding with a difference. In place of a white dress the bride wore a khaki uniform complete with military boots. Anna...

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Westons seal £4bn deal to sell Selfridges to Thai-Austrian group

The Weston family have been given an early £4 billion Christmas present after sealing a deal to sell Selfridges to Thai and Austrian billionaires. The sale marks the end of 18 years of ownership of the luxury department store group by the Westons, less than a year after the death of their... The Weston family have been given an early £4 billion Christmas present after sealing a deal to sell Selfridges to Thai and Austrian billionaires. The sale marks the end of 18 years of ownership of the luxury department store group by the Westons, less than a year after the death of their... The Weston family have been given an early £4 billion Christmas present after sealing a deal to sell Selfridges to Thai and...

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Loeb hits out at activists' 'juvenile' acts

The American corporate raider Dan Loeb has hit out at activist investors after the resignation of the chairman of his London-listed fund, calling them a stain on the City and accusing them of engaging in "juvenile antics". Third Point Investors (TPIL), based in Guernsey, said that Steve Bates, 64, had resigned yesterday after pressure in... The American corporate raider Dan Loeb has hit out at activist investors after the resignation of the chairman of his London-listed fund, calling them a stain on the City and accusing them of engaging in "juvenile antics". Third Point Investors (TPIL), based in Guernsey, said that Steve Bates, 64, had resigned yesterday after pressure in... The American corporate raider Dan Loeb has hit out at activist investors after the resignation of the chairman of his...

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Charlotte Tilbury is made up after sales grow

Online shoppers treating themselves to pots of Magic Cream and Pillow Talk mascara helped to boost sales at Charlotte Tilbury last year, prompting the cosmetics brand to return £3.2 million in furlough support. The business, founded by celebrity make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury eight years ago, was sold last year to... Online shoppers treating themselves to pots of Magic Cream and Pillow Talk mascara helped to... Online shoppers treating themselves to pots of Magic Cream and Pillow Talk mascara helped to...

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business commentary

Italian job looks like a good bet

Just the thing to bring some irreverent oomph to the National Lottery: a potential new owner in the shape of Flutter... Just the thing to bring some irreverent oomph to the National Lottery: a potential new owner in... Just the thing to bring some irreverent oomph to the National Lottery: a potential new owner in...

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The Ashes | Mike Atherton

It is ridiculous to ask undercooked Crawley to open at the MCG

As you walk to the imposing sporting coliseum that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as tens of thousands of supporters will do on Boxing Day morning, it is impossible not to be reminded of cricket's central place at the heart of the Australian summer. Invented tradition it may be to some extent —... As you walk to the imposing sporting coliseum that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as tens of thousands of supporters will do on Boxing Day morning, it is impossible not to be reminded of cricket's central place at the heart of the Australian summer. Invented tradition it may be to some extent —... As you walk to the imposing sporting coliseum that is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as tens of thousands of supporters will do...

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Football

Guardiola urges players to threaten a strike over congested schedule

Pep Guardiola has told Premier League footballers that they must threaten to go on strike if their concerns over player welfare are to be taken seriously. Guardiola accused the Premier League, fellow managers, and broadcasters of putting money before the interests of top-flight players, who will have to play more matches in the second half... Pep Guardiola has told Premier League footballers that they must threaten to go on strike if their concerns over player welfare are to be taken seriously. Guardiola accused the Premier League, fellow managers, and broadcasters of putting money before the interests of top-flight players, who will have to play more matches in the second half... Pep Guardiola has told Premier League footballers that they must threaten to go on strike if their concerns over player welfare...

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Matt Dickinson | Ally McCoist interview

'I always look for magic – but you can't kid the viewers'

Ally McCoist is on the other end of the Zoom call, which means that we have barely had time to say hello before he is off and running with a story. McCoist talks of the recent memorial service for his mentor Walter Smith at Glasgow Cathedral and the wonderful yarns that were swapped between the grand old men of... Ally McCoist is on the other end of the Zoom call, which means that we have barely had time to... Ally McCoist is on the other end of the Zoom call, which means that we have barely had time to...

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obituary

Joan Didion

American writer of the New Journalism school, known for her unsparing dissection of politics, grief and the counterculture

Joan Didion was like JD Salinger robbed of his ill nature; or Mark Twain without a smile; or Hemingway denied a gun licence. Her prodigious literary output, rooted in disappointment, chaos and loss, encouraged Americans to re-evaluate their country's celebrated emphasis on the positive and to acknowledge the central place of decline and eventual oblivion in human affairs. Joan Didion was like JD Salinger robbed of his ill nature; or Mark Twain without a smile; or... Joan Didion was like JD Salinger robbed of his ill nature; or Mark Twain without a smile; or...

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obituary

Lucía Hiriart

One evening in June 1973, General Augusto Pinochet, preoccupied by a monumental decision he needed to take, told his... One evening in June 1973, General Augusto Pinochet, preoccupied by a monumental decision he needed to take, told his wife, Lucía Hiriart, that he was heading for bed. She stopped him, explaining that first he needed to see something. Quietly, she led him to a room in their Santiago home, where their two youngest... One evening in June 1973, General Augusto Pinochet, preoccupied by a monumental decision he needed to take, told his wife...

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announcements

Births, marriages and deaths

AND there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the... AND there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. AND there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

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Word Watch

Can you spot the real definition among the fakes?

Word Watch

Military sends in reinforcements as Omicron cases surge

Another 90 troops are being drafted in to support health boards as figures showed that the number of care home residents with Covid is rising sharply in Scotland. The Scottish government said that they would help NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Grampian and Lanarkshire. They will begin inductions in a... Another 90 troops are being drafted in to support health boards as figures showed that the number of care home residents with Covid is rising sharply in Scotland. The Scottish government said that they would help NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Grampian and Lanarkshire. They will begin inductions in a... Another 90 troops are being drafted in to support health boards as figures showed that the number of care home residents with...

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Head of state-funded bank awarded £40,000 bonus in first four months

The chief executive of Scotland's national development bank has been awarded a bonus of almost £40,000 for her first four months in the job. Eilidh Mactaggart joined the state-funded Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) in November last year and her £37,000 payout is revealed in its first annual report. The Scottish government... The chief executive of Scotland's national development bank has been awarded a bonus of almost £40,000 for her first four months in the job. Eilidh Mactaggart joined the state-funded Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) in November last year and her £37,000 payout is revealed in its first annual report. The Scottish government... The chief executive of Scotland's national development bank has been awarded a bonus of almost £40,000 for her first four...

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political sketch

Sturgeon needs reality check

Now more than ever and as the pandemic enters its third year, received wisdom requires one to swallow whole the proposition that no politician in these islands is as formidably on top of their brief as Nicola Sturgeon. Say what you will about the first minister — and that remains legal for the time being, even... Now more than ever and as the pandemic enters its third year, received wisdom requires one to... Now more than ever and as the pandemic enters its third year, received wisdom requires one to...

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comment

Show Some Class

After 14 years in government even voters inclined to judge the SNP generously might accept that the party has had... After 14 years in government even voters inclined to judge the SNP generously might accept that... After 14 years in government even voters inclined to judge the SNP generously might accept that...

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Beware of £750m funding gap, ministers told

Scottish ministers face a £750 million funding gap as a result of welfare spending pledges, MSPs said. Members of the... Scottish ministers face a £750 million funding gap as a result of welfare spending pledges, MSPs... Scottish ministers face a £750 million funding gap as a result of welfare spending pledges, MSPs...

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We can't just keep giving booster jabs, says vaccine expert

Giving people a booster jab every few months to combat new variants and waning protection is not "plausible", a vaccine expert has said. Dr Anne Moore, a University College Cork vaccine specialist, said the rollout of a fourth dose is likely in the coming months as the UK considers an additional dose for older people and Israel offers the second booster shot to... Giving people a booster jab every few months to combat new variants and waning protection is not... Giving people a booster jab every few months to combat new variants and waning protection is not...

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Green Party leader reveals hidden talent to taoiseach

Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party, paints his own Christmas cards, the taoiseach has revealed. Speaking at... Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party, paints his own Christmas cards, the taoiseach has revealed. Speaking at the annual roundtable with political journalists this week, Micheál Martin said he gets on well with his coalition partners and trusts Leo Varadkar, the tanaiste, "so far". He said his personal... Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party, paints his own Christmas cards, the taoiseach has revealed. Speaking at the annual...

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