Another crisis for Boris Johnson as Tory whip resigns

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2022

Boris Johnson’s government is in crisis as a Tory whip resigned over allegations he groped two men while drunk

In his resignation letter, Chris Pincher admitted he “drank far too much” and “embarrassed myself and other people”.

Mr Pincher said in his letter: “I think the right thing to do in the circumstances is for me to resign as Deputy Chief Whip. I owe it to you and the people I’ve caused upset to, to do this.”

He said that Boris Johnson’s government will continue to have his “full support from the back benches”, adding: “It has been the honour of my life to have served in Her Majesty’s Government.”

According to sources from Downing Street, it’s unlikely Mr Pincher will face any further action, and he will remain as a Conservative MP.

Tory source says Pincher will not face any inquiry or disciplinary process: 'The PM thinks he's done the decent thing by resigning. There is no need for an investigation and no need to suspend the whip' https://t.co/ZhLm1WAhXE
— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) June 30, 2022

The Sun newspaper first reported the resignation, saying he was drinking at the Carlton Club when he is accused of assaulting two other male guests.

The Sun reports that several concerned Tory MPs contacted the Conservative whips’ office to complain about Mr Pincher’s behaviour.

Dozens of people were present in a small room with a bar at the private members club including other MPs, ministers, club officials and people working in public relations.

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

17 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

18 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

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News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

23 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

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