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Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Cliché is close but no cigar in Commons gay banter
After the Supreme Court's trans ruling, many Pride events have banned political parties this year, so some MPs made do with a Monday night debate on the subject. Cue a bravura performance from the arts minister Sir Chris Bryant, below, who was in his element as he began: 'The Daily Mail once referred to me as an 'ex-gay vicar'. I am an ex-vicar, but the other stuff is coming along quite nicely.' He marked both progress made and the need for more, challenging stereotypes as he went. 'Not all gay men like musicals — I don't understand this, but I've met a few — and apparently not all lesbians enjoy tennis or smoke cigars,' he said. At which, the LGBT MP Rachel Taylor, an ex-line judge at Wimbledon, felt compelled to intervene. In a moment of pure Carry On Commons, she said: 'I would like to put on record that I have never enjoyed a cigar.' An at-first disappointing and then disconcerting sign appeared on Monday at parliament's Jubilee Cafe, which was spotted by Sidney Baginsky. It notified diners of an early closure for a Westminster Hall event, but then added 'we apologies for the incontinence this may cause' (sic). Better not ask what it is in the food that would normally prevent this. With innumerable challenges facing the nation, readers will be reassured to know that our representatives are keeping their eyes on the important things. Politico reports that MPs are obsessively sharing the new Westminster Spotlight League table — a measure of how often they are being mentioned in major publications. Reform are punching above their weight, with two MPs and an ex-MP in the top ten. Kemi Badenoch is the only Tory in that group, while the PM comes third behind Nigel Farage and the chancellor Rachel Reeves. A reminder that not all publicity is good publicity. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick came 11th in that list, but he deserves a mention for his completion of the Three Peaks Challenge last weekend, in which he climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours (he completed it with ten minutes to spare). Speaking to PopCon UK on Monday night, he said he was 'a little achy and had eaten a lot of Kendal mint cake'. He may be a climber, but will he get another chance to make a final assault on the summit of the Tory greasy pole? The novelist Tracy Chevalier doesn't often have the pleasure of her husband's company when she researches her novels, which, of late, have been set in places such as Dorset and suburban Washington. She told the Oldie literary lunch that, in a rare exception, he agreed to join her for a jaunt to Winchester, but it seems that Mr Chevalier is hard to please. As they left the ancient and beautiful English city, he said to her: 'Do you think you could set a book some place we actually want to go to?' Happy to report that all is well with the couple, and that Chevalier's latest book is set in Venice.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
QUENTIN LETTS: One Labour MP sat with pen poised to write down all the Chancellor's thrilling announcements. It was soon lowered
, sleek if subdued, intoned that she was 'allocating the envelope I set out in the spring'. Treasury ministers had been 'crunching the numbers, looking at the assets and the liabilities'. Bob Blackman (Con, Harrow East): 'Who's the liability?' That drew Cabinet laughter – more than was entirely healthy for Ms Reeves. She grimaced and blinked, momentarily thrown. In the middle of the crowded Commons cockpit, faces craning at her from all sides, she was not so much a figure reduced as a figure that has never exuded complete authority. The birdlet that has never fully flapped its wings. Save perhaps in those first days after the general election, her Chancellorship has yet to have its time of pomp. Will it ever? Behind her throughout the statement sat a ministerial aide, Becky Gittins (Lab, Clwyd East), looking exceptionally glum. When you hope to project confidence and political pzazz, you really don't want a wet dishcloth like Ms Gittins in shot behind you. Ennui was evident elsewhere. To the back of the chamber Rachel Taylor (Lab, North Warwickshire) sat initially with pen poised over notebook, to write down all the thrilling announcements. The pen was soon lowered. 'Bozo' Bill Esterson (Lab, Sefton Central) peered into the foggy middle-distance. A woman possibly from Linlithgow chewed gum. At the far end of the House, Toby Perkins (Lab, Chesterfield) rested his Flintstones chin on one paw. He may well have been dreaming of his nosebag. This spending review had been so heavily pre-briefed that when it came to the parliamentary delivery, dramatic jeopardy was absent. There was no tingle of the unknown, no excitement, no danger. This matters not simply because it spoils the event as performance art. It matters because it robs a chancellor of the aura of power. Everyone knew what was coming. There was little sense that these announcements were in Ms Reeves's personal gift. She was merely a reporter of outcomes. Beside her sat Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones, clasping and unclasping his fingers. He had taken his place a minute before the start of PMQs, which preceded the statement, and for a few moments his cabinet colleagues did not make room for him. Perhaps they have come to dislike poor Darren in recent days. He very nearly sat on top of that human porcupine Bridget Phillipson. She glowered. But then, she always does. Ms Reeves's 45-minute statement – pretty long for a spending review – was contained within a slender red folder. She wore a sage-green trouser suit. Gulping from a water glass, she held her scissored hair out of the way, to stop it becoming wet. In her first paragraph she deployed the old '£22billion black hole' line of blame on the Tories. It generated little reaction from the benches behind her. A blunt axe. The only moment Labour MPs gave a spontaneous, feral roar of approval was when she mentioned, once again, the tax hit on independent schools. Class war still works for the Starmer party, even though many of its MPs, like the PM himself, attended fee-paying schools. Other passages garnered merely Opposition derision: claims such as 'we are renewing Britain' and 'we are starting to see the results'. At PMQs, a Labour doctor had rhapsodised about the therapeutic benefits of laughter. By that gauge, the endorphins should have been zooming everywhere. Nigel Farage (Ref, Clacton) was singled out for two attacks by the Chancellor. A squad of beery-looking Labour blokes – Gateshead's Ferguson, Hartlepool's Brash, Chatham's Osborne and that fidgety Woodcock from Banbury – booed and jeered the Reform contingent. Could have been at a football match. Ellie Reeves, minister without portfolio, watched sister Rachel closely and did much twitching. Mel Stride, for the Tories, made the customary response. Tax rises were inevitable, he feared. He may also have called Ms Reeves 'a cork bobbing on the waves' but I can not swear to it, such was the wall of Labour noise. They are good at screaming, at least.
Business Wire
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Archer Review Bridges the Preparation Gap for NCLEX Test Takers
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The NCSBN has released the NCLEX pass rates for Q1 of 2025 (January - March). Compared to Q1 of 2024, NCLEX pass rates have dropped in all categories. With large scale drops in both first time test takers and with internationally educated test takers. Archer Review Bridges the Preparation Gap for NCLEX test takers. Students using Archer Review continue to pass at 99+% compared to dropping NCLEX pass rates across the rest of the market. When the NCSBN first launched Next Generation NCLEX (or NGN), pass rates jumped substantially. But now with rates slipping again, it showcases that these newer cohorts of students need additional assistance in preparing for the NCLEX, especially those that are repeat test takers or were internationally educated. First time US Educated test takers saw a drop of 5.78% from 94.15% to 88.37% First time Internationally educated test takers saw a drop of 12.22% from 58.77% to 46.55% Internationally educated repeat test takers saw the largest drop of 13.90% from 44.05% to 30.15% Because of the high NCLEX pass rates when Next Generation NCLEX was first launched, many students and schools assumed that only a question bank (or qbank) was needed to properly prepare the exam. However, with the significant drop in pass rates it is important to note that other study tools can help students pass at higher rates. Archer Review not only offers a comprehensive qbank but also has a variety of other prep products to help raise students' confidence, cover areas there may be education gaps and to help support students with different learning styles. Additionally Archer Review has a 99% pass rate for students that score at least 'high' on 4-consecutive readiness examinations. 'Every student deserves a fair shot at success, no matter where they start,' said Director of Nursing at Archer Review Rachel Taylor, 'That's why we're committed to dismantling barriers in nursing education with accessible tools and inclusive strategies that meet learners where they are." Sure PASS includes Qbank access, 65 unfolding case studies, access to live rapid review webinars, and a fully structured study path to help students know exactly where to start when prepping, We also offer private tutoring for students that may need more 1-on-1 education opportunities. With dozens of free webinars and other products like intense prep, Archer Review hopes to help bridge the gap for students that may feel less than confident going into their NCLEX exam. "Innovation in nursing education isn't about flash but function,' said Morgan Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer at Archer Review, 'It's about giving students what actually works when they need it most. Archer Review blends technology, mentorship, and strategy to deliver real outcomes, not just promises." Reports on NCLEX statistics are presented by the NCSBN on a quarterly basis to review the previous quarter's performance results. The next quarter, April through June, will present results from the greatest number of students that take the test throughout the year, including the most recent graduates from the spring 2025 semester. Archer Review, along with OnlineMedEd, is a leading provider of nursing and medical exam preparation resources, and is dedicated to empowering health care learners at every stage of their academic and professional journeys. With a comprehensive suite of study materials, expert tutoring, and personalized support, Archer Review helps students achieve their goals and succeed in health care careers. Archer Review has been recognized for three consecutive years by Inc. 5000 and for two years by Deloitte Technology Fast 500 as one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States. The company also ranks No. 5 on the 2024 Financial Times list and No. 3 on the Inc. Southwest Regionals list for high growth companies. Archer Review is based in Dallas, Texas. About Leeds Equity Partners Leeds Equity is a New York-based private equity firm dedicated exclusively to partnering with management teams in the education, training and information, and data management services industries (the 'Knowledge Industries'). Founded in 1993, the firm currently manages approximately $6 billion in capital across a diverse portfolio of companies within the Knowledge Industries. Leeds Equity leverages its deep sector expertise and market insights to create long-term value for its partner companies and investors.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Taylor to guide Lightning defence after Sale exit
Former Sale Sharks women's head coach Rachel Taylor will join Loughborough Lightning to guide their defence for the 2025-26 season. The ex-Wales back five forward saw Sale win only once as they finished bottom of the English Premiership in 2024-25. Taylor, 41, announced her decision to step down from that role before the campaign ended with Tom Hudson later brought in as her successor. "I tried my hand at being a head coach which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I still feel I have a lot to explore and develop as a coach," said Taylor. "I feel this environment will encourage and support me to do that." Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said Taylor "came with fresh ideas and a determination to improve and to be a success within the team". He added: "I feel the areas in which she will focus on are areas we need improvement on and I am looking forward to working with her."
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Taylor to guide Lightning defence after Sale exit
Former Sale Sharks women's head coach Rachel Taylor will join Loughborough Lightning to guide their defence for the 2025-26 ex-Wales back five forward saw Sale win only once as they finished bottom of the English Premiership in 41, announced her decision to step down from that role before the campaign ended with Tom Hudson later brought in as her successor."I tried my hand at being a head coach which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I still feel I have a lot to explore and develop as a coach," said Taylor. "I feel this environment will encourage and support me to do that." Lightning head coach Nathan Smith said Taylor "came with fresh ideas and a determination to improve and to be a success within the team". He added: "I feel the areas in which she will focus on are areas we need improvement on and I am looking forward to working with her."
