Toast, Trees and a Wassailing Queen: An Ancient English Ritual Is Back

The head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Ben Key, issued a public apology after an investigation revealed "misogyny, bullying, and other unacceptable behaviors" in the submarine service, including reports of rape and sexual harassment towards women. The investigation was prompted by former lieutenant Sophie Brook's allegations of "constant campaign of sexual bullying", with Sir Ben acknowledging the intolerable nature of the findings and offering personal and public apologies to those affected. He emphasized the...

Professional chef Gordon Ramsay has revealed that customers are costing him thousands of pounds by stealing lucky cat models from his new Japanese restaurant, Lucky Cat 22 in London. The 58-year-old chef stated that 477 cat models, priced at £4.50 each, were stolen in one week, resulting in a loss of £2,146. Despite the challenges, Ramsay reflected on his successful culinary career, with over 80 restaurants worldwide and the recent celebration of 24 years at...

Trainee lawyer Anna Sabreze is suing top Knightsbridge plastic surgeon Dr Mike Comins for £75,000, alleging that her liposuction procedure left her with unevenness, dimples, scarring, and an asymmetrical body shape. She claims she was promised a "perfect Instagrammable body" but instead experienced unsatisfactory results, leading her to seek a refund, tens of thousands of pounds for revision surgery, and damages for physical and psychological injuries. Dr Comins denies making the promise and argues that...

The Riyadh talks between Moscow and Washington have sparked controversy by excluding Ukraine and showcasing Trump's alignment with Russian interests, leading to fears of a US-Russia deal at Ukraine's expense. Trump's criticism of Zelensky, push for elections in wartime Ukraine, and economic demands reveal a troubling shift prioritizing great-power politics over Ukraine's sovereignty. This approach has alarmed European allies and could potentially legitimize Russian aggression, leaving Ukraine vulnerable and NATO unity at risk. Full Article

ESMA has released new Questions and Answers on market data, MiFID II, and trade repositories, covering topics such as EMIR, ECSPR, and energy derivatives. The updates include assessments on error notifications, settlement rate options, crowdfunding thresholds, and open interest thresholds in secondary markets. These Q&As aim to provide guidance and clarification on key regulatory issues within the EU securities markets. Full Article

New figures show a 500 percent increase in arraigo permits for formerly undocumented immigrants in Spain over the past decade, with 239,084 foreigners holding one in 2023. The government has reduced processing times for arraigo applications by 35 percent and decreased the required residency period from three years to two years. Despite these improvements, social divides persist for Spain's foreign population, with disparities in salary, school dropout rates, and homelessness compared to native Spaniards. Full...