Tom Tugendhat has been cut from the race to replace Boris Johnson amid an increasingly personal contest to become UK PM
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat is no longer in the running – as four Conservative MPs continue to vie for Britain’s top political office.
Rishi Sunak is emerging as the favourite among Conservative MPs as they vote to replace Boris Johnson
In the latest round of votes, Tugendhat scored just 30 party backers, the lowest of the five remaining candidates – ending his chances at a tilt at Britain’s prime ministership.
Although it wasn’t to be today, I am immensely proud of the positive vision we put forward for our country.
It comes as a debate scheduled to take place on Tuesday with UK broadcaster Sky News was cancelled amid reports Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss refused to attend.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss
The contest has become increasingly personal.
Conservative voices have aired their concerns that the candidates are beginning to attack each other – instead of appearing as a united party.
Broadcaster ITV’s Sunday evening debate saw former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss appear increasingly frustrated, even hostile, attacking each other’s tax promises.
Meanwhile, in Westminster, the UK government called a “confidence vote” on itself in a bid to stave off pressure from Labour and Boris Johnson’s critics.
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer has voiced his desire to see Boris Johnson out of Downing Street immediately – concerned that Mr Johnson will continue to have all the trappings of prime ministerial power for weeks and weeks.
But the tactic is likely little more than a political manoeuvre.
Mr Johnson is likely to win the vote of confidence his party brought on him on Monday – guaranteeing he stays in the top job until September 5.
Simon is a ticker NEWS corespondent in London.
Simon started his career in his hometown of Sydney as a news video producer for NineMSN, then moved to the UK with Good Morning Britain on ITV, followed by a TV reporter for a local news service in Manchester in England’s north. Simon joins ticker News after several years in the London headquarters of ITN Productions as a news producer, and as an assistant news editor for ITV News.
Fashion giant Zara has withdrawn one of its advertisements from the front page of its website after facing calls for a boycott over its alleged insensitivity to the situation in Gaza.
The controversy erupted when Zara featured an ad showcasing its latest collection on its website’s front page, coinciding with a period of heightened tensions in the Gaza Strip. Critics argued that the timing was inappropriate, given the ongoing conflict and suffering in the region.
Social media campaigns and online petitions quickly gained traction, with thousands of people expressing their disapproval and calling for a boycott of Zara products. The hashtag #BoycottZara trended on various platforms, putting immense pressure on the clothing retailer.
In response, Zara issued a statement announcing the removal of the controversial ad. The company expressed regret over any offense caused and reaffirmed its commitment to corporate responsibility.
However, this incident has sparked a broader debate about the intersection of fashion and political sensitivity in an increasingly interconnected world.
The world-renowned South Korean megaband BTS has announced an indefinite hiatus, with all seven members set to fulfil their mandatory military service obligations.
The news has sent shockwaves through the global entertainment industry and left fans wondering what the future holds for the chart-topping group.
This decision comes after the septet’s unprecedented rise to fame, conquering international music charts, and amassing a dedicated fan base known as the ARMY.
The group’s management agency, Big Hit Entertainment, released a statement confirming that the hiatus is aimed at allowing each member to complete their military service without interruption. This move is seen as a testament to their commitment to fulfilling their civic duties despite their immense success.
While BTS fans are undoubtedly disappointed by the hiatus, it raises intriguing questions about the group’s future. Will their time away from the spotlight allow them to explore new musical directions?
Alexei Navalny, the prominent Russian opposition leader, has reportedly disappeared within the intricate web of Russia’s prison system, according to his team.
The sudden vanishing act has raised concerns and fueled speculation about his well-being and safety.
Navalny’s supporters and legal team have been unable to establish contact with him for several days, sparking fears that he may be facing dire circumstances behind bars.
His imprisonment had already drawn international condemnation, with accusations of political persecution.
The enigma surrounding Navalny’s whereabouts intensifies the already strained relationship between Russia and the West.
As the world watches, questions linger about the transparency and fairness of Russia’s justice system, leaving many to wonder if Navalny’s voice will continue to be silenced.