Britain's government has secured a legal victory in its lawsuit against PPE Medpro, with London's High Court awarding £122 million in damages over a disputed contract for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care sued the company in 2022, alleging breach of a June 2020 contract to supply 25 million sterile surgical gowns. Judge Sara Cockerill ruled in the government's favor, finding that the gowns were not properly validated as sterile and therefore could not be used in healthcare settings.

The case centers on PPE procurement during the pandemic's peak, when the Conservative government faced repeated criticism over deals awarded to companies with political connections. PPE Medpro, linked to Conservative peer Michelle Mone, was among firms that secured contracts through what became known as a VIP lane. The government argued it was entitled to reject the gowns and recoup its expenditure, while the company maintained the equipment met contractual requirements and accused officials of experiencing "buyer's remorse."

Michelle Mone has publicly denounced the court's decision, describing it as "shocking but all too predictable" in a social media statement. The Tory peer and her husband, businessman Doug Barrowman—identified as PPE Medpro's "principal backer"—claim they have been "scapegoated" for broader procurement failures. Mone asserted that the company had offered to settle the case and accused the government of orchestrating a campaign to distract from what she called "catastrophic mismanagement of PPE procurement."

The financial recovery remains uncertain, as PPE Medpro's most recent accounts show net assets of less than £700,000. The company filed a notice to appoint an administrator ahead of the ruling, signaling potential insolvency. While the government sought additional storage costs of £8.6 million, Judge Cockerill rejected this claim. The outcome highlights ongoing scrutiny of pandemic-era procurement practices and the challenges of recouping public funds from contractors facing financial difficulties.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.

The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.

Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.

Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.