CRAIG BROWN says Hugo should be Foreign Secretary… he’s been to St Barts

May 13, 2010 The call from Downing Street comes as we are choosing new curtains for the country house at this darling little shop in the darkest reaches of Belgravia. David C. asks Hugo if he wouldn’t mind being Minister of State in Northern Ireland ‘Northern Ireland …’ replies Hugo. ‘Remind me. Is it the … Read more

UK loses its top spot as Spain’s most important foreign tourism market

Britain has been knocked off its traditional top spot as Spain‘s most important foreign tourism market for the first time in decades. More French holidaymakers picked Spain in July than Brits or Germans in a historic reversal of the sunshine destination’s overall tourism figures. The Covid-19 pandemic has been blamed for the dent in the … Read more

Rishi Sunak ‘wants to divert billions from foreign aid budget to pay for drones and cyberweapons’

Rishi Sunak ‘wants to divert billions from foreign aid budget to pay for spies, drones and cyberweapons’ UK has a legal obligation to spend 0.7 percent of GDP (£15.8bn this year) on aid  But a review of foreign, defence and security policy could see priorities shift Sunak has told Cabinet any boost for defence will … Read more

Britons shun foreign holidays amid quarantine chaos

Britons are shunning international travel sending holiday prices plummeting as more nations are put on the UK’s quarantine list. The cost of holidays to quarantine-free Turkey and Greece has plunged by 28 per cent on average while a week-long trip to Italy has halved in price, comparison website Travel Supermarket found. Experts fear the last-minute … Read more

£6.85m foreign aid scheme accused of ‘funnelling aid to firms’

New £6.85million foreign aid scheme to help workers supplying UK chains like M&S and Primark is accused of ‘funnelling aid into the pockets of wealthy firms’ Scheme promises to help workers in poorer countries during the pandemic But critics say it uses taxpayer money to ‘pick up the bill’ for rich corporations Others who will … Read more

Foreign Office says of British embassy workers suffered ‘non-life-threatening’ injuries in Beirut

Foreign Office says ‘small number’ of British embassy workers suffered ‘non-life-threatening’ injuries in Beirut blast Explosion in Port of Beirut has killed dozens of people and devastated the city Foreign Office confirms some British embassy staff were injured in deadly blast  Boris Johnson said Government is ‘ready to provide support in any way we can’  … Read more

Singapore is making foreign visitors wear electronic tags to ensure they follow quarantine rules 

Singapore is making foreign visitors wear electronic tags to ensure they follow quarantine rules Those given the devices will be allowed to isolate at home instead of in a facility  Any attempt to leave the home or tamper with the device will alert authorities  Singapore has so far seen more than 53,000 Covid-19 cases but … Read more