Want to make it in the Republican party? Pledge allegiance to the Big Lie | Robert Reich
After a Trump-backed purge of the RNC this month, promoting the 2020 stolen election lie has become a litmus test for loyaltyIf you’re seeking employment at the Republican National Committee (RNC), you’re likely to be asked in your job interview if you believe the 2020 election was stolen. And if you say no, well, you might as well seek a job with George Santos.After a Trump-backed purge of the RNC this month, agreeing to the false claim has become a kind of litmus test for gaining employment – no less than it’s become a litmus test for running for public office as a Republican. Continue reading...
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Gogglebox star George Gilbey dies at 40 in workplace accident
TV personality also starred in Celebrity Big Brother, and made it to the reality show’s finalGogglebox’s George Gilbey has died aged 40, a spokesperson for the show said. The reality star was best known for appearing on the Channel 4 series alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 in 2021. He also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.Gilbey reportedly died following an accident at work on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Channel 4 show said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete. Continue reading...
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The experts: perfumers on 20 ways to make you, your house and your laundry smell fabulous
From picking a perfect fragrance to spraying your radiators and getting rid of the worst stinks, here is how to make sure your life always smells sweetFrom a fancy fragrance to a simple bowl of oranges, scent can transform how you feel about yourself, another person or a place. But how can you work out what suits the moment? And the best way to get rid of a stink? Perfumers reveal how to make your world smell fantastic.1. Smell is an extreme sensation“Scent provokes a visceral reaction,” says Ezra-Lloyd Jackson, a perfumer and artist who makes wearable fragrances under the brand name deya and creates scent installations for art exhibitions. What fascinates him about working with scent is the process of transforming “something that is grotesque or alarming into something that is familiar and comforting, or vice versa”.2. Your reaction to a smell is linked to memoryMaya Njie makes perfumes inspired by her Swedish and Gambian heritage. She tried to capture this feeling in other artistic forms before realising that what she really wanted was to portray the way it smelled. “We know that our sense of smell is directly linked to the part of the brain where our memories are stored,” she says. “So it makes a lot of sense that fragrance and smells are connected to our memories. If you smell something that someone has worn, or you go to a house that belongs to your grandparents, smelling makes you feel way more emotional than a photo ever could.” Jackson describes this as “internal time travel. It is another form of communication that isn’t linguistic.”3. It is possible to train your nose“That is what perfume is all about,” says Jackson. He didn’t have a very orthodox route into perfumery: “I went straight into a laboratory and got to work, but most people will train at one of the schools in France, where the first year is all about learning 500 smells.” Brighton-based French perfumer Elodie Durande, who works for Somerset label Ffern, honed her craft at the University of Montpellier. “You start out by working on your olfactory skills, remembering smells and describing smells,” before receiving a wide-ranging education about the perfume industry, she says. Continue reading...
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Literary Theory for Robots by Dennis Yi Tenen review – the deep roots of AI
A secret history of machine intelligence, from 14th century horoscopes to 1930s ‘plot genies’ for coming up with storylinesHark. The end is nigh. “In the industrial age, automation came for the shoemaker and the factory-line worker,” writes Dennis Yi Tenen near the start of Literary Theory for Robots. “Today, it has come for the writer, the professor, the physician, the programmer and the attorney.” Like the end-of-the-planet movies that pelted the multiplexes at the turn of the millennium, newspapers and – increasingly – bookshops are awash with economists, futurologists and social semioticians talking up, down and about artificial intelligence. Even Henry Kissinger, in The Age of AI (2021), spoke of “epoch-making transformations” and an imminent “revolution in human affairs”.Tenen, a tenured professor of English at New York’s Columbia University, isn’t nearly as apocalyptic as he initially makes out. His is an oddly titled book – do robots need literary theory? Are we the robots? – that has little in common with the techno-theory of writers such as Friedrich Kittler, Donna Haraway and N Katherine Hayles. For the most part, it’s a call for rhetorical de-escalation. Relax, he says, machines and literature go back a long way; his goal is to reconstruct “the modern chatbot from parts found on the workbench of history” using “strings of anecdote and light philosophical commentary”. Continue reading...
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The planetary health diet: ‘People mustn’t feel meat is being taken from them’
A group of hospitals in Germany serve up a menu rich in plants and light in animals – and say they have had few complaintsPatrick Burrichter did not think about saving lives or protecting the planet when he trained as a chef in a hotel kitchen. But 25 years later he has focused his culinary skills on doing exactly that.From an industrial park on the outskirts of Berlin, Burrichter and his team cook for a dozen hospitals that offer patients a “planetary health” diet – one that is rich in plants and light in animals. Compared with the typical diet in Germany, where the cuisine is best known for bratwurst sausage and doner kebab, the 13,000 meals they rustle up each day are better for the health of people and the planet. Continue reading...
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Rayner denies wrongdoing over council house sale amid police review
Labour deputy leader says she can provide tax advice given at time following Tory complaint to Manchester forceAngela Rayner has said she did “absolutely nothing wrong” when she sold her council house after the police announced they were reviewing a decision not to investigate.The deputy Labour leader told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she was confident she had not broken any rules. Continue reading...
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F1 owners Liberty Media ‘on verge of £3.5bn deal for MotoGP’
Liberty Media are eyeing a deal to buy the Madrid-based company that owns the motorcycle racing series
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Angela Rayner challenges Tory critics over her tax affairs: ‘If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine’
The Labour deputy leader has been under increased scrutinty recently over the 2015 sale of her council house in Stockport, Greater Manchester
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Watching Billie Piper play me in Scoop was ‘bonkers’, says Prince Andrew interview producer Sam McAlister
Having Billie Piper play her in Scoop, a new Netlifx film about 2019's infamous Prince Andrew interview, was "bonkers", former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister has said.
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Scoop director reveals Prince Andrew Newsnight interview complications
Scoop director Philip Martin has revealed the unique complications of casting actors to play real-life people in his new film telling the story of Prince Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview.
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Disgraced crypto boss Sam Bankman-Fried faces up to 110 years in prison at sentencing on fraud charges today
Former FTX head was found guilty on seven charges that carry maximum sentencing of 110 years
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Queen Camilla's heartwarming moment on latest visit as fan gushes 'she made my girl's day'
The Queen was visiting Shrewsbury yesterday and one little girl experienced a moment she will always cherish.
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Easter travel live: Drivers warned of long traffic delays as millions to hit roads for bank holiday weekend
Journeys on popular routes such as the M25 are expected to take twice as long
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'I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong!' Furious Angela Rayner breaks silence over latest row
Angela Rayner is facing questions about whether she paid the right amount of tax on the 2015 sale of her council house.
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Gogglebox pays tribute to George Gilbey after star’s tragic death in ‘workplace accident’
Gilbey was on the Channel 4 show for eight series
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JD Sports back up running after January profit warning
JD Sports says it is still battling a “challenging” market with “elevated promotional activity” by rivals.
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'National disgrace': Oxford coach laments pollution in the Thames ahead of Boat Race
The coach of Oxford’s crew taking part in the Boat Race has described the pollution in London’s River Thames as a “national disgrace.”
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West Ham: Kalvin Phillips given lifeline with three games to salvage England dream
The midfielder has been a miserable loan signing and now faces a last chance to make the Euro 2024 squad
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US human rights official resigns and tears into Biden’s Gaza policy ‘betrayal’
Annelle Sheline wrote that America’s credibility as an ‘advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began’
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Most workers unaware of change in law on flexible working requests, says Acas
A survey of 1,000 workers by the conciliation service Acas found seven out of 10 do not know about the change coming into force on April 6
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Hollyoaks legend confirms return amid devastating news of cast cuts
She's back!
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Schoolgirl kicked out of class for wearing Nike trainers despite having doctor's note
Skyla Tomlin, 13, was diagnosed with a stage three ingrown toenail - and was prescribed penicillin to take four times every day until the surgery. But she was still sent out of class
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Fans stunned by Hollyoaks star Nikki Sanderson’s real age as she celebrates milestone birthday
A special day for Nikki.
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10 ways to kit out your kitchen for a quickie makeover
From tableware to cookware and appliances, these handy helpers will make mealtimes that much more fruitful, says Sam Wylie-Harris.
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Laurence Fox barred from London mayoral election after submitting 'invalid' papers
London Elects, the body that oversees the City Hall elections, has said Fox’s application to stand in the May 2 election was ‘not valid’
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‘It’s mission impossible’: fear grows in Kenya over plan to deploy police to Haiti
Deal to send hundreds of officers to Caribbean country amid spiraling gang violence is facing intense public and legal scrutiny Haiti’s raging gang insurrection has prompted growing concern in Kenya over plans to deploy hundreds of paramilitary police officers from the East African country on a UN-backed multinational mission to counter the violence.“If they come back in body bags, what will [Kenyan President William Ruto] tell the nation?” said Ekuru Aukot, leader of the opposition Thirdway Alliance, who last year filed a legal challenge against the deployment. Continue reading...
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Coronation Street star unrecognisable in new role four years on from Cobbles exit
Matilda Freeman played the original Summer Spellman on Coronation Street from 2017 until 2020, when she was replaced by current actress Harriet Bibby
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Moment Palestine mob storm Tesco as they demand bewildered shoppers boycott supermarket
The pro-Palestine protesters screamed that Tesco's profits are "covered in Palestinian blood" as they urged shoppers to boycott the supermarket giant.
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Woman faces seven years in jail because she said tomato puree was too sweet
A Nigerian woman is facing seven years in prison for writing a critical online review of a tomato puree.
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Billie Piper puts the power in powersuit with trouserless red carpet look for Netflix series
She plays a now-famous BBC producer.
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Starmer praises ambition behind Boris Johnson’s levelling up agenda and blames Sunak for blocking it – politics live
Labour leader and deputy Angela Rayner hail parts of former prime minister’s flagship domestic policy priority and say Sunak ‘killed it at birth’ while chancellorOfficial figures have confirmed that the UK economy went into recession at the end of last year, after the latest estimate found it contracted in the last two quarters of 2023, Phillip Inman reports.Good morning. Keir Starmer is launching Labour’s local elections campaign this morning, and to mark the event he has discovered his inner Boris Johnson. He has written a joint article with Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, praising the ambition behind levelling up, Johnson’s flagship domestic policy priority.Where you are born often dictates where you end up. That people from Blackpool have a life expectancy of ten years fewer than those in Westminster is a travesty. Instead of pitting areas against one another and relying on the square mile of the City of London to keep the UK economy afloat, we’ll tackle Britain’s regional divide and match the ambition people have for their community. It will be at the heart of our mission-led government.It’s understandable that working people might have become disillusioned or cynical, because one of the biggest tragedies of the past 14 years is the sense that things can’t change. But they can and they will.Whitehall under the Tories has become too passive and overly centralised. We will turn that on its head, delivering a far more active central government willing to give local leaders the levers needed to turbocharge their areas. We will change the relationship. Partnership in pursuit of common national missions, not buck-passing and division.Our Take Back Control Act will entrust power to local leaders, who know their area best and have skin in the game. We will widen English devolution so that every community is taking advantage of the opportunities it brings. We will deepen devolution so combined authorities have a path to gaining powers over transport, skills, housing and planning, employment support, energy and can get a long-term integrated funding settlement in return for exemplary frameworks for managing public money. This will enable local leaders to develop powerful local growth plans that attract specialist industries and enhance their local strengths. Continue reading...
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Why is Ben Mitchell leaving EastEnders and was actor Max Bowden axed from the BBC soap?
EastEnders viewers will be waving goodbye to Ben Mitchell, played by actor Max Bowden, this week on the BBC soap after the character and star were seemingly axed by bosses
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Fury as hated new SNP law compared to 'Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia'
The Hate Crime Act has been torn to shreds from all quarters, but it's poised to come into effect within days.
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Roman Kemp fights tears as he thanks Capital FM listeners for saving his life amid depression battle
Capital Breakfast host Roman Kemp has marked his final day at Global Radio after ten incredible years and the presenter has thanked listeners for 'saving his life' amid his mental health battle
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Get a PS5 Slim with 'free' GTA5 in Very Easter sale deal that saves nearly £90
Very has dropped prices on a range of Sony PlayStation 5 bundles, including Grand Theft Auto 5, while Amazon is offering a whopping £90 discount on a PS5 Slim console
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Scene where Gogglebox’s George Gilbey died in ‘work accident’ cordoned off by police
Emergency services rushed to the scene.
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Gran, 93, makes 'miraculous recovery' in hospital after staff allow her dog to visit
Dora Scrivener, 93, was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate after a fall - but made a 'miraculous recovery' after being reunited with her dog
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'I made crucial red passport error and got hit by £3k bill - don't make the same mistake'
Huw, 69, from Porthcawl in Bridgend county, and his partner, Patricia, 70, were looking forward to a "dream week" in Sofia, Bulgaria to see an opera. But all their plans were dashed due to one minor error.
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Gogglebox stars no longer with us - tragic ends and last wishes as George Gilbey dies at 40
Reality TV star Celebrity Big Brother finalist George Gilbey has become the latest Gogglebox star to tragically die aged just 40
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Mum finally diagnosed after seeing 20 doctors in 18 years about pain after sex and heavy periods
At age 18, Dearbhail was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and fibromyalgia because of her fatigue, but still felt like something was not right
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Royal double cancer blow 'spells end for Meghan and Harry's plans' - expert
Following the launch of their new website and Meghan's lifestyle brand, the couple have been accused of trying to use a rebrand to rival the Royal Family - but they risk their popularity plummeting, according to an expert
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George Gilbey's tragic last post after 'working hard to turn his life around'
The Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star was a loving father to his seven-year-old daughter, whom he frequently made into the star of his social media posts.
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Man missing presumed dead in Baltimore bridge collapse 'came to US to accomplish dreams'
As the search efforts turn to body recovery, family members of the missing construction workers who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed are waiting for news
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Urgent warning issued to pet owners issued ahead of Easter
Chocolate is a higher risk to dogs and cats throughout the Easter weekend
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Mamma Mia star replaced by AI for BBC role in ‘grim’ and worrying time for industry
'We won't need Sara anymore.'
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Prince Harry's failed legal bid to restore his security protection 'could cost taxpayer over £500k'
Prince Harry's failed legal bid to reinstate his round-the-clock security on UK trips is said to have cost over £500,000
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Sam Thompson emerges with three-word message after sister Louise sparked major news with girlfriend Zara McDermott
It came as he revealed he was back to work with This Morning after sister Louise's question to her brother on her birthday
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House sellers slash £10,000 off asking prices to achieve sale, says Zoopla
The average discount of 3.9% recorded in March is a "marked improvement" compared with an average discount of £14,250 or 4.5% recorded in November 2023, Zoopla said
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