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Bengaluru Strike Today: Bandhs not the answer, say Bangalore industry chiefs | Bengaluru News – Times of India

by timesofindia.indiatimes.com Leave a Comment

Two bandhs in a week to cost Karnataka Rs 4,000 crore

A farmer protests the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu in front of the Mysuru zilla panchayat office on Monday

BENGALURU: Captains of industry have frowned on the two bandhs called this week — one on Tuesday and another on Friday — over the
Also See: Bangalore Bandh News Live
Industry bodies have pegged losses for the two bandh days at Rs 4,000 crore and point out that that it may cripple the economy, which has just recovered from the pandemic and hurt its chances of becoming a $1 trillion economy anytime soon.

“Bandhs hurt the livelihood of people. They can never be an option for any issue, be it sentimental or political,” said

Prabhakar said economics aside, bandhs will also hurt the credibility of Bengaluru and Karnataka as it will reflect on international orders and commitments. KEA has refused to take a stand on the bandh and has directed its 720 member companies to decide on closing depending on the “local situation”.
The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) said a business entity will need at least a week to recover from losses from a single day of closure.

“One day closure by only the trading community amounts to a Rs 100 crore loss in GST collection to the state exchequer. Consider this multiple times across all spheres of economic activi ties,” said Ramesh Chandra
Considering the cause and sentiments behind the Cauvery issue, some 80% of industries in Bengaluru have agreed to close for a day on Tuesday (September 26) but are wary of closing again on Friday. “We have left it to local industries to decide,” said Lahoti.
The hotelier’s association, which employs some 10 lakh people directly or indirectly, estimates a loss of Rs 100 crore in excise duties alone per day.
“While reports suggest heavier losses, revenue generation in our industry is on a daily basis,” said PC Rao, president, Bengaluru Hotelier’s Association. “Other industries can restart operations the next day and recoup losses, but that’s not possible for hoteliers.” He said the association cannot support the bandh call due to “lack of clarity”.

News digest: Shootings and explosion in one of Bratislava boroughs

by spectator.sme.sk Leave a Comment

Good evening. Here is the Thursday, September 28 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

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Four injured, one dead in Dúbravka shooting

A man, 32, started shooting at people in one of Bratislava boroughs on the night of September 28, 2023. A man, 32, started shooting at people in one of Bratislava boroughs on the night of September 28, 2023. (Source: TASR)

On Fedáková Street in Bratislava’s Dúbravka borough, near the Saratov shopping mall, a man started randomly shooting at people from the window of a block of flats on Wednesday night.

Residents also heard an explosion. The perpetrator, 32, was known for setting off pyrotechnics in the area in recent months.

Three civilians as well as a police officer were injured in the shooting. ​The shooter succumbed to his injuries after a police officer shot him dead.

The police are currently investigating the circumstances and the causes of the incident. Police chief Štefan Hamran has said that the attacker had a clean criminal record. In the past, the police only dealt with him for an offence related to the use of pyrotechnics. The perpetrator worked in the IT field and lived in his parents’ flat. His mother is said to be ill and his father was often on business trips, the Sme daily wrote. In the flat, the police discovered five guns belonging to his father.

For now, the police consider the shooting to be a rash action.

Complaints: Neighbours alerted the police about the problematic behaviour of the attacker several times. They filed nine criminal reports. Hamran confirmed that the police received criminal reports, but no one identified a specific person until August.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

  • Police: Foreigners’ Police has extended their special-mode operation for another week.
  • Ukraine: Slovakia would benefit from Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but enlargement must happen simultaneously with the reform of the Union and must be prepared on both sides so that it turns out to be a success story as opposed to a disappointment, says Slovakia’s deputy MFA Peter Mišík .
  • Travel: In central Slovakia, a small romantic lake can be found. Austrian pensioners have already found it.
  • Good news: This week’s brief overview includes truly unusual celebrities.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY

White Night

Space is the place. Space is the place. (Source: Courtesy of Biela Noc)

The multi-genre festival White Night will transform Bratislava’’sstreets again into a magical night walk during the upcoming weekend. Art works, installations and performances by Slovak and foreign artists will be presented within more than 50 sites and events scattered around the city centre.

We’ll tell you what you should definitely see . Bonus: Here are 3 things to do in Bratislava for free .

EVENT FOR FRIDAY

Something for little researchers

European Researchers’ Night is an annually organised event throughout Europe, including Slovakia. Events will be held throughout Friday, September 29, in Bratislava , Košice , Žilina , Poprad and Banská Bystrica .

Here’s what it felt like to take part in the event in 2022:

In other news

  • In Slovakia, the share of households that cannot afford to maintain an adequate temperature in the home has increased. It is one of the most obvious indicators of energy poverty, according to the Institute for Strategies and Analyses.
  • If next year’s state budget were to be balanced, the economy would collapse by almost 6.5 percent, wages would drop by 4 percent, and the unemployed would increase by 130,000 people, according to the macroeconomic forecasts of the Finance Ministry.
  • Sewage and oil flowed from five Slovak ships straight into the Danube , said the Slovak Environment Inspectorate.
  • The election campaign in Slovakia has ended . A moratorium has been in effect since midnight. During it, no activity in favour or against political parties, movements and coalitions is allowed. The moratorium lasts until the end of voting on election day, September 30.

WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: No bad news, just clear skies and hot weather. ( SHMÚ )

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at [email protected].

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook , Instagram (@slovakspectator) and Twitter (@slovakspectator).

During door-to-door campaign, Lucknow power supply body finds irregularities | Lucknow News – Times of India

by timesofindia.indiatimes.com Leave a Comment

During door-to-door campaign, Lucknow power supply body finds irregularities

LUCKNOW: Under the ongoing door-to-door campaign of
A team of LESA led by Trans-Gomti chief Anil Kumar Tiwari on Thursday visited at least three different locations—two in Bakshi ka Talab ( BKT) and one in Gomti Nagar division. During the public outreach drive, the team found five major irregularities that included improper meter readings and misuse of residential electricity service connections for commercial use.
In Gomti Nagar, the officials found that a commercial establishment was running on a domestic connection. Thereby, causing overloading and line losses. Likewise, in Aadil Nagar in the BKT division, 14000 kwh unrecorded meter reading was caught.
“We believe that there should be more commercial connections but due to underreporting many establishments are still using domestic connections. By our estimates, 20% of connections in the Gomti Nagar area should be commercial. And in our drive, including the one we conducted today, we are identifying such irregularities and correcting them,” said LESA Trans-Gomti chief Anil Kumar Tiwari.

Besides catching these irregularities and correcting them on the spot, LESA also listened to the complaints of the residents and took their feedback on the services. The officials listened to challenges faced by the consumers in bill payment and offered easy solutions. One of them included seamless QR code-based payments.
“We do print QR codes on the bills that are generated through the machines at the time of meter reading. However, there were some issues in the thermal print bills where the QR code worked but the print disappeared over time. In impact print bills, there were some glitches with scanning the code. So, we are offering QR codes which consumers can put up in their houses and just scan to pay in easy steps,” Tiwari added.

Other than that, the team also pulled out all the meters that were inside the homes and installed them at the doorstep. “This helps us in seamless reading and also catch hold of any suspected rigging,” he added.

Andrew Cuomo Resignation Latest Updates: Politicans, Others React to News

by www.newsweek.com Leave a Comment

Live Updates

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is again in the headlines Tuesday after announcing his resignation from office one week after the state attorney general released a reporting stating he sexually harassed at least 11 women while holding New York’s highest office.

Cuomo’s resignation goes into effect in 14 days. He will be replaced by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, who will be New York’s 57th governor and the first female to hold the office.

Hochul was one of the first politicians to react to the announcement, posting on Twitter that she agreed with Cuomo’s decision to step down.

“It is the right thing to do and in the best interest of New Yorkers,” Hochul said.

In his resignation, Cuomo again rejected the findings of the investigative report and said he was the target of a “politically motivated” attack on him.

“The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government,” said Cuomo.

He called Hochul “smart and competent” and said, “this transition must be seamless.”

The live updates for this blog have ended.

Cuomo Gives COVID-19 Updates as Others React to His Resignation

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave COVID-19 updates for New York following his announced resignation as governor while others reacted to the news including President Joe Biden.

Cuomo again rejected the state attorney general’s report that found he sexually harassed at least 11 women as he resigned in a taped message that is now pinned to his Twitter account. Since then, he has posted Twitter updates on COVID-19 cases in New York and the state’s vaccination rates.

“Sadly, there were 17 fatalities,” Cuomo said of the numbers reported Monday.

He noted that out of the 91,020 tests reported in New York, 3,222 were positive and hospitalizations due to the virus stand at 1,345.

In a separate tweet, Cuomo said 76.7 percent of adult citizens in New York have received at least one COVID-19 shot and 69.3 percent were fully vaccinated as he cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Speaks on Biden’s Comments About Cuomo

After President Joe Biden addressed New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, White House press secretary Jen Psaki issued a Twitter statement regarding the president’s comments.

Biden said during a press conference that he respects Cuomo’s decision to resign as governor. He also commented on Cuomo’s work and said “he’s done a hell of a job—both on everything from access to voting to infrastructure to a whole range of things” before saying “that’s why it’s so sad.”

Psaki tweeted that Biden “responded to a specific question today about @NYGovCuomo work on infrastructure.”

“He also made clear it was right for @NYGovCuomo to step down, reiterated his support for women who come forward, and made clear you can’t separate personal behavior from other work,” Psaki said.

Attorney for Charlotte Bennett Says Cuomo Had ‘No Choice but to Resign’

An attorney for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former aide Charlotte Bennett, one of the women who made sexual harassment allegations against him, said the governor had “no choice but to resign” in a statement.

Bennett herself has not issued public comments following Cuomo’s resignation Tuesday but retweeted posts on Twitter regarding the move including New York Attorney General Letitia James’ tweet that said “today, closes a sad chapter for all of New York, but it’s an important step towards justice.” James’ report released last week that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women included Bennett’s allegations.

Attorney Debra S. Katz said Cuomo’s resignation “is a testament to the growing power of women’s voices since the beginning of the #MeToo movement.”

“When Lindsey Boylan first publicly accused Governor Cuomo of sexually harassing her, the Governor’s well-oiled political machine worked overtime to discredit her,” Katz said. “Our client, Charlotte Bennett, was not willing to sit idly by while the Governor smeared Lindsey in the press. She knew that Lindsey was telling the truth because the Governor also sexually harassed her.”

Katz mentioned how Bennett shared with investigators “voluminous documentary evidence” in the form of “contemporaneous text messages and emails” as well as her sworn testimony that showed how Cuomo “sexually harassed her at work.”

“We are humbled by Charlotte’s and the other complainants’ remarkable courage in coming forward,” Katz said.

President Joe Biden Says He Respects Andrew Cuomo’s Decision to Resign

President Joe Biden said he respects New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to resign after White House press secretary Jen Psaki said earlier that the move was an “outcome” Biden “called for.”

“I respect the governor’s decision and I respect the decision he made,” Biden said during a press conference.

The president called for Cuomo to step down after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report last week that found the governor sexually harassed at least 11 women.

When asked about the impact of Cuomo’s resignation on the Democratic party, Biden said “the impact is all on Andrew Cuomo.”

In regards to Cuomo’s work as governor, Biden said “he’s done a hell of a job—both on everything from access to voting to infrastructure to a whole range of things.”

“That’s why it’s so sad,” Biden added.

Andrew Cuomo Accuser Lindsey Boylan Speaks Out After His Resignation

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo aide Lindsey Boylan, the first woman to accuse him of sexual harassment, spoke out on Twitter after his resignation announcement and wrote that “from the beginning,” she “simply asked that the Governor stop his abusive behavior.”

Boylan made her allegations against Cuomo in December of last year and was included in the New York attorney general’s report that concluded the governor sexually harassed at least 11 women. Cuomo has denied the sexual harassment allegations and Boylan wrote in a blog post Monday that Cuomo was “gaslighting and revictimizing us.”

On Tuesday, she tweeted she is “thankful for the Attorney General, the investigators and all those who have pursued the truth despite intimidation and threats of retaliation,” in a thread following his resignation.

“Most importantly, I am in awe of the strength of the other women who risked everything to come forward,” Boylan wrote. “My hope always has been that this will make it safer for other women to report their own harassment and abuse. I will continue the fight to make that happen.”

Boylan’s tweets garnered many replies thanking her for her courage to speak up.

New York State Police Union Says Cuomo Made the ‘Right Decision’ to Resign

The New York State Police Investigators Association, a union representing state troopers, said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the “right decision” to resign on Tuesday “as he could no longer effectively lead the state.”

The union’s comments followed its public call for the governor to resign Monday after a state trooper’s allegations against Cuomo was included in the state attorney general’s report that found he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

“While we appreciate that he apologized to our fellow trooper, it is unfortunate that it took him so long to do so,” a statement from the union’s president, Tim Dymond, said. “We hope that he, other elected officials and everyone can learn from this sad episode in New York’s history.”

The state trooper that made allegations against Cuomo was assigned to his protective unit and told investigators that she experienced “flirtatious” and “creepy” behavior from him, the Associated Press reported.

New York Attorney General Calls Cuomo’s Resignation a ‘Step Towards Justice’

New York Attorney General Letitia James said Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation Tuesday is a “step towards justice” after she released a report last week concluding Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women.

Cuomo again denied the report’s findings in his resignation announcement.

“Today, closes a sad chapter for all of New York, but it’s an important step towards justice,” James wrote in a Twitter thread.

“I thank Governor Cuomo for his contributions to our state,” James added. “The ascension of our Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul, will help New York enter a new day.”

“We must continue to build on the progress already made and improve the lives of New Yorkers in every corner of the state,” she wrote.

James said New York will be in “good hands” with Hochul as governor after Cuomo’s resignation takes effect in 14 days.

Shortly before James took to Twitter, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued his own reaction on the platform to Cuomo’s resignation.

“Make no mistake, this is the result of survivors bravely telling their stories. It was past time for Andrew Cuomo to resign,” the mayor said, calling Cuomo’s resignation for “the good of all New York.”

White House Says Cuomo Resignation ‘Outcome’ Biden ‘Called For’

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s resignation was an “outcome” President Joe Biden “called for,” when asked for Biden’s reaction to Cuomo’s announcement that he will step down as governor.

Psaki said Biden has not spoken to Cuomo since before New York’s attorney general released a report that found Cuomo sexually harassed at least 11 women. She also noted the White House did not have a heads up about his resignation.

“Our view is that this is a story about these courageous women who came forward, told their stories, shared their stories,” Psaki said.

After New York Attorney General Letitia James issued her report last week, Biden said “I think he should resign,” at a press conference.

TV historian Tessa Dunlop warns Laurence Fox on GB News of ‘baiting women for clicks’ in newly emerged clip

by www.dailymail.co.uk Leave a Comment

Suspended GB News host Laurence Fox was previously blasted for ‘baiting women for clicks’ by a former guest on his show.

Fox was suspended on Wednesday a fter he was condemned for saying ‘Who would want to s**g that?’ in a series of sexist comments about a female political journalist.

The fallout led to GB News also suspending star presenter Dan Wootton, who was hosting the programme when the lewd remarks were made.

Now a newly emerged clip has revealed how the controversial right-wing activist was previously confronted by TV historian Tessa Dunlop on his show in December.

Sharing the clip on X, formerly Twitter , Dr Dunlop tells Fox: ‘Generally you like to poke with a stick. You go as far as you can, you push the right-wing envelope. You men have disproportionately large platforms. You get little me on, a doctor incidentally but nonetheless, just a little woman, and you bait us for clicks.’

TV historian Doctor Tessa Dunlop (pictured) previously warned Laurence Fox he ‘baited women for clicks’

Dr Dunlop was appearing on Fox’s GB News show in December when she made the comments

A clip from the show has since re-emerged after the controversial right-wing activist was suspended on Wednesday by GB News

Fox (right) spoke about Ava Evans during Dan Wootton (left) Tonight on Tuesday

In her post on social media, she added: ‘ I warned Laurence Fox against “bear baiting” women for clicks. (What was said yesterday went far further than that). Why are right-wing men given disproportionate platforms from which to spew their filth?’

She appeared on Fox’s show to discuss Jeremy Clarkson’s comments on Meghan Markle in his newspaper column at the time, in which the ex-Top Gear host wrote about dreaming of seeing the Duchess of Sussex being forced to ‘parade naked’ through a UK town.

On Wednesday, GB News suspended ex-Lewis star Fox following his comments about journalist Ava Evans, in a segment broadcast during Dan Wootton Tonight.

The broadcaster apologised for Fox’s remarks about Ava Evans, the political correspondent for news website Joe, on Tuesday.

Political activist Fox told the show: ‘Show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman, ever, ever, who wasn’t an incel?

‘Who would want to sh*g that?’

Ms Evans shared a clip of the comments on X, with the caption: ‘Laurence Fox just did a whole speech on GB News on why men apparently won’t s**g me?’

The clip has been viewed more than 28 million times already. In a follow-up tweet to her 100,000 followers, she added the footage made her feel ‘physically sick’.

Dr Dunlop lashed out on social media after Fox was suspended for making lewd comments about journalist Ava Evans

Ms Evans told Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show that she is ‘really hurt’ by Fox’s comments

It comes after she made comments about men’s mental health and suicide on the BBC’s Politics Live on Monday, in which she dismissed calls for a dedicated minister on the issue

Media regulator Ofcom said it had received an unspecified number of complaints about the comments, which its team would now assess against its broadcast rules.

But Fox doubled down yesterday, saying that he ‘stands by every word of what I said’ and he ‘wouldn’t want to s**g a hyper offended fourth wave feminist and not apologise’.

During Tuesday’s discussion on GB News, the strapline on the screen read: ‘Smirking Face of Disdain’, with the text under it reading: ‘Hard-left commentator slammed for shrugging off male suicide crisis.’

What did Laurence Fox say on GB News?

Laurence Fox: ‘We’re past the watershed so I can say this: show me a single self-respecting man that would like to climb into bed with that woman, ever, ever, who wasn’t an Incel?

‘That little woman has been fed, spoon-fed oppression day after day after day… starting with the lie of the gender wage gap, and she’s sat there and I’m going, if I met you in a bar and that was like sentence three, chances of me just walking away are just huge.

‘We need powerful strong amazing women who make great points for themselves, we don’t need these sort of feminist 4.0… they’re pathetic and embarrassing.

‘Who would want to s**g that?’

It comes after Ms Evans made comments about men’s mental health and suicide on the BBC’s Politics Live on Monday, in which she dismissed calls for a dedicated minister on the issue.

Fox told Wootton: ‘That little woman has been fed, spoon-fed oppression day after day after day… starting with the lie of the gender wage gap, and she’s sat there and I’m going, if I met you in a bar and that was like sentence three, chances of me just walking away are just huge.

‘We need powerful, strong, amazing women who make great points for themselves, we don’t need these sort of feminist 4.0… they’re pathetic and embarrassing.’

Wootton replied: ‘Well, look, she, I’m just going to provide a touch of balance from her because she did actually respond to this earlier today, saying that she regretted her comments but she didn’t apologise.’

Wootton added: ‘And she’s a very beautiful woman, Laurence, very beautiful woman.’

The discussion came after Ms Evans, a former producer at LBC, appeared on BBC ‘s Politics Live on Monday and made comments about men’s mental health.

That BBC debate featured Evans alongside comedian Geoff Norcott, who spoke about how suicide remains the biggest cause of death for men under 50.

During the discussion on GB News, the strapline on the screen read: ‘Smirking Face of Disdain’

Fox made the comments about Ava Evans (pictured), a correspondent for online news site Joe

Ms Evans shared a clip of the comments on X, which has been viewed more than 28 million times

The discussion came after Ava Evans (pictured) appeared on BBC ‘s Politics Live on Monday

When the host mentioned a Conservative MP’s suggestion for a dedicated minister to look at these issues, Ms Evans said: ‘I think that it feeds into the culture war a little bit, this minister for men argument.

What has Laurence Fox said after the backlash?

Comments posted by Laurence Fox on social media platform X this morning:

‘Morning, morning.

‘First of all, don’t take a pop at @danwootton for something I said. That’s not fair.

‘Secondly. I stand by every word of what I said. If a woman wants to go on television and belittle male suicide, she is totally within her rights to do so and not apologise, just as I am totally within my rights to say that I wouldn’t want to sh*g a hyper offended 4th wave feminist and not apologise, just as people are totally within their rights to be offended by my stating I would run a mile in the opposite direction from women like her, should our paths cross in a bar.

‘It’s called free speech.

‘I realise that the new woke world is low on laughter and high on offence, but it’s still worth trying to find the lighter moments in this joyless new cancel culture which has been created for us.

‘This lady has said on air that she wants men to be “frightened” and “terrified”. Tumbleweed from the media at her premeditation and malevolence. Because it’s not a man saying it. Which rather proves my point.

‘You are totally entitled to find my mockery of the insane hypocrisy in this world not to your taste, but that’s me, and I will continue to be me, as a wise man once said: “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

‘So you keep trying to cancel away in your state of permanent offence, I’ve been cancelled already and may well be again, but I don’t care one bit, and I will keep defending my right to have an opinion on issues which concern me.

‘Without free speech and the presumption of innocence we are not free. We aren’t quite communist Eastern Europe yet. We may very close, but not quite there. It’s still worth fighting for.

‘So if you are expecting a grovelling apology, I suggest you don’t hold your breath. I won’t ever apologise to the mob.

‘Have a lovely day.

‘In this self censoring world, speak your mind.

‘Live strong and free.’

‘[Mental illness] is a crisis that’s endemic throughout the country, not specific to men. And I think a lot of ministers bandy this about to – I’m sorry – make an enemy out of women.’

Ms Evans later said on X : ‘I was a little rash on my anti-minister for men comments which I do regret and am actually very interested in a brief for a minister on young men’s mental health.’

This morning, Ms Evans was asked about Fox’s comments during an appearance on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show. She confirmed someone had sent the clip to her and she did not see it live.

Questioned over how she felt about what Fox said, Ms Evans told Vine: ‘I don’t… I think the clip speaks for itself. I don’t have anything to say about it at all.

‘I’m actually a journalist rather than a commentator and I’d much rather be judged or asked about my work than have people talking about my body. I don’t… sorry, I’m a bit speechless, I just don’t really know what to say.’

After fellow panellist Carole Malone asked if she was hurt by it, Ms Evans added: ‘I’m really hurt by it, I am. I’m shocked about by it actually, I’m shocked that it went out.

‘Actually do you know this is the sort of talk that you worry that men have about you when you’re not in the room. There is always sort of a worry in the back of your mind which is: “Are people actually interested in what I’m saying or what I’m doing?”

‘Or are they just looking at me… physically and I think that that clip proves that there are some men who are.’

Scotland First Minister Humza Yousaf branded Reclaim Party leader Fox a ‘vile Neanderthal’ over his comments.

Mr Yousaf said on X: ‘What a vile Neanderthal @LozzaFox is, and an example of bystander behaviour enabling such misogyny from the presenter.

‘I’m so sorry @AvaSantina had to listen to this. It is why men have to step up and challenge misogynistic abuse wherever we see it. Pleased Ofcom investigating.’

Within ten minutes, Fox had responded, saying: ‘The feeling is entirely mutual, you vile Neanderthal.’ Fox’s post included a clip of Mr Yousaf speaking at Holyrood while justice secretary, pointing out that the majority of those in powerful positions in Scotland were white.

Last night’s comments drew a strong reaction on X, with broadcaster telling Ms Evans: ‘Please know that ALL decent people are on your side. We’re grateful for your voice. Do not let them bully you. I know only too well how difficult that can be. But we ARE winning. All of us together.’

Political commentator Usama Ijaz said: ‘I am glad that Ava is standing up to Fox and calling him out for his misogynistic behavior. It is important to hold people accountable for their actions, and Fox deserves to be called out for his misogyny. Love you, Ava. We will always support you.’

In a statement posted to X this morning, GB News said: ‘GB News has formally suspended Laurence Fox while we continue our investigation into comments he made on the channel last night.

Laurence Fox: From screen actor to founder of the Reclaim Party

Actor Laurence Fox rose to fame through various acting roles and is most well-known for portraying DS James Hathaway in the long-running TV series Lewis, which came to an end in 2015.

The actor, 45, has credits in films that include the 2001 production of Gosford Park, the 2007 TV movie A Room With A View and the recent 2022 film My Son Hunter, in which he plays the lead role of Hunter, the son of American president Joe Biden.

Born into an acting dynasty, Fox is related to a slew of famous thespians, including his cousin Freddie Fox, who starred in the 2011 film The Three Musketeers and Netflix series The Crown, playing former prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s son Mark.

Laurence Fox married fellow thespian Billie Piper in 2007 and the pair split in 2016

Sister to Freddie and cousin to Laurence is Emilia Fox, known for her role as Dr Nikki Alexander in BBC TV series Silent Witness.

The trio are grandchildren to actor and theatrical agent Robin Fox whose son James is father to Laurence and has starred in Downton Abbey, Sherlock Holmes, Midsomer Murders and New Tricks, among other TV series.

Fox married fellow thespian and Doctor Who star Billie Piper in 2007 and the pair split in 2016. They share two sons together, Winston and Eugene.

Fox has credits in films that include the 2007 TV movie A Room With A View

In 2020, Fox appeared on BBC Question Time and was involved in a debate over Meghan Markle, white male privilege and racism which led to the actor saying he would take a break from social media.

Following his appearance, the actor founded political party the Reclaim Party in October 2020, and the website says he did so after his appearance led to him being ‘cancelled’ from a 22-year-old acting career.

After he set up the Reclaim Party, Fox unsuccessfully stood for London mayor during the mayoral election of 2021.

Fox appeared on BBC Question Time in 2020 and was in a debate over Meghan Markle, white male privilege and racism

His manifesto included promises to deliver ‘free travel on the Tubes and buses for six months’ and ‘tough New York style community policing to target petty crime’.

According to the Reclaim Party website, the party exists ‘for patriotism and believes hard work should be rewarded.’

Reclaim is strongly associated with the ‘culture wars’ and Fox has previously expressed scepticism about the Covid vaccine and opposed lockdowns during the pandemic.

Fox has been a presenter on GB News and according to the broadcaster’s website he ‘tackles the issues of the day’ with a ‘unique and outgoing style’.

‘Mr Fox’s suspension is effective immediately and he has been taken off air. We will be apologising formally to Ms Evans today.’

This followed another statement last night, in which GB News said: ‘Comments made tonight on GB News by Laurence Fox were totally unacceptable.

‘What he said does not reflect our values and we apologise unreservedly for the comments and the offence they have caused. We have launched an investigation and will be apologising to the individual involved.’

But Fox refused to apologise and posted a lengthy statement on X this morning, saying: ‘First of all, don’t take a pop at Dan Wootton for something I said. That’s not fair.

‘Secondly. I stand by every word of what I said. If a woman wants to go on television and belittle male suicide, she is totally within her rights to do so and not apologise, just as I am totally within my rights to say that I wouldn’t want to sh*g a hyper offended fourth wave feminist and not apologise, just as people are totally within their rights to be offended by my stating I would run a mile in the opposite direction from women like her, should our paths cross in a bar. It’s called free speech.’

He added that the ‘new woke world is low on laughter and high on offence, but it’s still worth trying to find the lighter moments in this joyless new cancel culture which has been created for us’.

In the post, Fox included a clip of Ms Evans saying on Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV that ‘men should be frightened to touch women in a way they’re not comfortable with’.

Fox added in his statement: ‘You are totally entitled to find my mockery of the insane hypocrisy in this world not to your taste, but that’s me, and I will continue to be me, as a wise man once said: “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”

‘So you keep trying to cancel away in your state of permanent offence, I’ve been cancelled already and may well be again, but I don’t care one bit, and I will keep defending my right to have an opinion on issues which concern me.

‘Without free speech and the presumption of innocence we are not free. We aren’t quite communist Eastern Europe yet. We may very close, but not quite there. It’s still worth fighting for.

‘So if you are expecting a grovelling apology, I suggest you don’t hold your breath. I won’t ever apologise to the mob. Have a lovely day.’

Signing off the message he said: ‘In this self censoring world, speak your mind. Live strong and free.’

Following his suspension, Fox followed this post up with a claim that he had done a ‘pre interview’ with the channel ‘so they knew exactly what I intended to say’.

While sharing a screenshot which appeared to look like an exchange about news stories he was being asked to comment on, Fox wrote: ‘A phone call might have been polite.’

But Wootton apologised for a ‘very unfortunate lapse in judgment’, in a follow-up post to an earlier apology.

He wrote on X: ‘I want to reiterate my regret over last night’s exchange with Laurence on GB News. Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments.

‘I reacted as I did out of shock and surprise in an off-guard moment while working out how to respond as he continued to speak by searching for tweets @AvaSantina had sent earlier in the day while having them read out in my ear at the same time. However, I should have intervened immediately to challenge offensive and misogynistic remarks.

‘I apologise unreservedly for what was a very unfortunate lapse in judgment on my part under the intense pressure of a bizarre exchange. I know I should have done better. I’m devastated that I let down the team and our supportive GBN family.

‘We seek to tackle the issue and not the person, which I intend to stress again on air tonight.’

In an earlier message last night to Ms Evans, he had said: ‘I think you’re brilliant. Earlier tonight I was attempting to find your tweets to read back from my iPad and couldn’t locate them.

‘I apologise for what was said during the course of my show and should have done this immediately on air. This is not what our channel is about.’

Dan Wootton was later suspended by GB News shortly after Fox shared what appeared to be a private text exchange about the segment between himself and Wootton featuring laughing emojis.

Posting the conversation, Fox wrote: ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ The apparent exchange began saying: ‘Making you giggle is my weekly joy.’ And then a response which said: ‘You can imagine them freaking out in the gallery!!!!!’

GB News then announced just before 4pm that Wootton had also been suspended.

A spokesman said: ‘GB News has suspended Dan Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night. This follows our decision earlier today to formally suspend Mr Fox. We are conducting a full investigation.’

Today a spokesperson for dmg media said: ‘Following events this week, dmg media can confirm that Dan Wootton’s freelance column with MailOnline – which had already been paused – has now been terminated, along with his contract.’