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1. Gavin Williamson: Students ‘deserve’ top A-level grades
Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, has defended this year’s A-level results despite concerns over record levels of grade inflation, saying students “deserve to be rewarded” after a year of disruption.
On Tuesday, thousands of teenagers will receive their marks, which will be based on teachers’ predictions after exams were cancelled for a second year because of the Covid pandemic. Read the full story.
2. Is the Sussexes’ love affair with the Obamas over?
The Secret Service had set up a no-fly zone to ensure total privacy as hundreds of A-listers descended on Martha’s Vineyard for the post-pandemic party of the year.
Revellers at Barack Obama’s 60th birthday celebrations on Saturday night were treated to hand-mixed martinis, gourmet cuisine and live entertainment at the former US President’s £12 million Massachusetts mansion. But the Duke and Duchess were conspicuous by their absence. Read the full story.
3. PCR swabs pile up on the streets as travel testing descends into an ‘absolute mess’
One of Britain’s biggest private test firms has been hit by an angry backlash from travellers after pictures emerged of dozens of its swabs piled up in plain view on streets.
The images of its overfull metal drop boxes with completed test kits balanced on top of them and awaiting collection were branded a “symbol of the absolute mess that PCR testing has become”. Read the full story.
4. More cash for green boilers as humanity faces ‘code red’ warning on climate change
Carbon taxes and more money to help homeowners switch to green boilers are under consideration by ministers, as a landmark UN report heaped fresh pressure on the Government by warning human activity is leading to irreversible climate change.
The Government is examining proposals to extend both the cash amount and the eligibility of a £4,000 “clean heat grant” due to launch next April to help households with the upfront cost of replacing a gas boiler, The Telegraph can reveal. Read the full story.
5. Epstein victim files lawsuit against Prince Andrew in New York
A victim of Jeffrey Epstein filed a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in New York on Monday, seeking damages for allegedly sexually abusing her when she was underage.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre claims in the suit that she suffered “intentional infliction of emotional distress” following the alleged rape. Read the full story.
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