The contents of the purported letter dated 2019 were released by the DoJ early on Tuesday and had appeared to have been written by Epstein to Nassar and discussed a love of “young ladies”. Nassar was the US Olympics gymnastics team doctor and was convicted in 2017 and 2018 of multiple crimes related to sexual abuse. The letter, now exposed as a fake, said: “As you will know by now, I have taken the ‘short route’ home,” the letter, which appears to have been signed from Epstein to Nassar, reads. The letter is postmarked 13 August 2019, notably three days after Epstein died in custody in what was ruled a suicide. To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.

In hospitality terms, Mad Swans represents a 180-degree handbrake turn for the company. I perk up immediately, partly because the Mad Swans team are so endearingly warm and friendly but also because signs of Surrey swankiness are everywhere. Farrington Gurney, a 30-minute drive southwest from Bath Insider tip Dinner in the hotel restaurant, the Potting Shed, is fantastic value Who will love it? “We’re trying to make Mad Swans a place for people who hate golf,” he tells me. I thoroughly enjoy my time at Mad Swans, no ifs and, sadly, no putts either.

The Metropolitan Police announced on Tuesday that prosecutors charged the 50-year-old “Get Him to the Greek” and “Rock of Ages” star with another count of rape and another count of sexual assault. Brand was charged in April with two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in connection to four separate alleged incidents involving different women from 1999 to 2005. He also allegedly indecently assaulted a second woman in 2001, orally raped and sexually assaulted a third woman in 2004 and sexually assaulted the fourth woman between 2004 to 2005. Sexual assault and rape allegations against Brand notably became public in September 2023, when the Times of London published its joint investigation with “Dispatches,” a news program on Britain’s Channel 4. Numerous women alleged at the time that they were sexually assaulted by Brand between 2006 and 2013.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THE CEASEFIRE IS NOT STOPPING THE HEROES OF THE IDF FROM DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST!! The Israeli military killed six Palestinians, including a baby, who were in a school that sheltered displaced people in Gaza City on Friday, hospital officials have said. The attack brings the number of Palestinians killed by Israel to 401 since the October ceasefire took effect. Israeli troops fired over the ceasefire line which they have withdrawn to, killing the Palestinians and wounding a number more, the Palestinian civil defence said in a statement. Dozens gathered at Gaza City hospital to mourn those killed, with five body bags placed outside the hospital and a man cradling an infant wrapped in a white shroud.

This year there was a complication to that tradition: she has her own house now. I can’t say how long this will go on, but we’ll enjoy it while it does. I know she has a lot of cool stuff planned for 2026 and I’m glad to get to be part of some of them. In the meantime: She’s great and I love her. If you want to wish her a happy birthday in the comments, that would be swell.

Kate Winslet, the Oscar-winning actress and timeless cinema icon, has recently shared shocking revelations about her difficult teenage years and the beginning of her acting career. The Bitter Words of a Drama Teacher: “Settle for Fat Girl Roles!”In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Kate Winslet recalled a painful memory from her school days. Pointing to her success today, the acclaimed actress addresses those critics saying: “Look at me now!”Devastating Impact on Mental Health and Extreme DietsThe bitter experiences of her teenage years left deep scars on Kate Winslet’s physical and mental health. She says: “I didn’t let them ruin the path I had set for myself.”In recent years, Kate Winslet has become one of the leading advocates for “natural beauty” in cinema. A Look at Kate Winslet’s Recent ActivitiesThe talented actress, who recently completed her directorial debut with the film Goodbye June, continues to break stereotypes.

BUDGET supermarket Lidl has revealed the opening hours for all of its branches across the UK during the Christmas period. When is Lidl open over Christmas and Boxing Day? Customers cutting it close can still shop on Christmas Eve, with stores open from 7am until 6pm. These handy tools show up‑to‑date opening and closing times, helping Christmastime customers avoid wasted journeys during the busy holiday period. Lidl’s official festive-hours statement reads: “As in previous years, all Lidl stores will be closed on Christmas Day.

This site is made possible by member support. 💞Big thanks to Arcustech for hosting the site and offering amazing tech support. When you buy through links on kottke.org, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting the site! home of fine hypertext products since 1998.

Act now to keep your subscriptionWe've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.

Russell Brand has been charged with two further offences including one count of rape, the Metropolitan Police has said. In a new statement, the police force said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised an additional charge of rape and a charge of sexual assault relating to two further women. The broadcaster, comedian and actor previously pleaded not guilty to five charges including two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault in relation to four women. Mr Brand, 50, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 20 January 2026 in relation to the two new charges.

Heading down from Walla Crag to Keswick (Image: Workington Rambling Club)To the northeast, Great Mell Fell was just visible, poking through the cloud. Ribblehead Viaduct 01 Heading down from Walla Crag to Keswick 5 January 2025 (Image: Workington Rambling Club)Early autumn brought clear vistas over Coniston from the Old Man. Views on the way to Great Carrs (Image: Workington Rambling Club)Another outing from Bootle to Silecroft took place in thick mist. Workington Rambling Club offers a choice of low-level, medium, or more challenging hill walks. Clough Head summit (Image: Workington Rambling Club)Coach walks take place every other Sunday with pickups from High Harrington, Great Clifton, Cockermouth, and Workington.

Institute chairman Bill Anderson insists the club will continue to rise to every challenge moving forward after navigating a “strange year” both on and off the pitch for the north-west club. It has been a roller coaster year for the Brandywell-based club as, on the pitch, they finished seventh in the Playr-Fit Championship before losing manager Kevin Deery to Ruaidhri Higgins coaching staff after taking over at Coleraine.

Controversial non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) are set to be scrapped under “common sense” proposals that will be presented to the Home Secretary next month. Following a review, the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs’ Council have concluded that recording “information about non-crime incidents on a crime system is not the right solution”. The new ‘PLANE’ guidelines instruct police officers to consider five keywords before only logging serious incidents as “intelligence” reports: Proportionate, Legal, Accountable, Necessary and Ethical. ‘Policing tweets’Chairman of the College of Policing, Lord Herbert of South Downs, told The Daily Telegraph: “NCHIs will go as a concept. That system will be scrapped and replaced with a completely different system.

Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementIn fall 2025, a rumor circulated that a city in Sweden was using trained crows to pick up cigarette butts as litter. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.