4 h. ago 'Blackout' alert for 26 areas as Met Office issues new Christmas Day warnings

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for winds of up to 65mph on Christmas Day affecting 26 areas across South West England and Wales from 4am to 11.59pm

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5 h. ago Met Office Christmas Day weather warning with 'blackout' alert for 26 areas

Residents were warned that 55-65 mph winds could bring power cuts during Christmas Day, sparking fears of a Christmas blackout for millions of homes in Wales and the south west of England

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5 h. ago Weather warning issued for Wales on Christmas Day with power cuts expected

The yellow weather warning for parts of Wales will be in place from 4am until midnight on Thursday

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6 h. ago Toys sold at Sainsbury's and Argos in urgent recall over 'serious' choking risk

Orchard Toys has issued a recall on its Jungle Heads and Tails toy sold at Sainsbury's and Argos, with warnings it 'presents a serious risk of choking' hours before Christmas Day

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7 h. ago Christmas weather forecast as cold health alert and frost warnings issued

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow cold health alert for parts of England from Christmas Day evening through to Boxing Day, warning of an impact on health services

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12 h. ago Five big Boxing Day Ashes Tests: Botham, Pietersen and Warne

Opening salvos before a huge MCG crowd are often among the most memorable meetings between Australia and England – here are five crackersIn the first session Australia set off at a lick, surging to 102 without loss with David Warner’s 83 the crux. Warner would go on to notch his 21st Test century, but not without a spot of drama when one run shy. Pity poor Tom Curran, who thought he had claimed Warner on 99 after the batter had spooned to mid-on and the eager hands of Stuart Broad. However, a replay revealed the England bowler had overstepped and his maiden Test wicket was snatched from his grasp. Continue reading...

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12 h. ago Evil serial killer Joanne Dennehy's gruesome plot to escape prison with guard's severed fingers

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Joanna Dennehy, 42, went on a 10-day killing spree in 2013 in Peterborough - earning herself the nickname of 'the ditch killer' - before being jailed for life

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13 h. ago Millions of UK dog owners issued £1,000 Christmas Day warning

A vet has issued a stark warning

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29 h. ago Health officials issue Christmas warning over 'deadly' risk and key sign to look out for

The six symptoms anyone cooking with gas this Christmas should watch out for

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35 h. ago Bad Bad Girl by Gish Jen review – why was my mother so cruel to me?

The American author uses fiction to explore the life of her Chinese mother as she seeks to understand the violence that marked their relationshipAt first glance, the protagonist of Gish Jen’s latest novel seems like many of the other Chinese American immigrants Jen has portrayed so astutely in her decades-long career. Loo Shu-hsin is born into privilege in 1924 – her father is a banker in the largely British-run International Settlement of Shanghai – but her life is marked by her mother’s constant belittlement. “Bad bad girl! You don’t know how to talk,” she’s told, after speaking out of turn. “With a tongue like yours, no one will ever marry you.” Her only solace in the household is a nursemaid, Nai-ma, who vanishes one day without warning – a psychic wound that lingers even as she grows up, emigrates to the US and enrols in a PhD programme.In one striking way, however, Loo Shu-hsin is different from Jen’s previous protagonists: she happens to be Jen’s own mother. Bad Bad Girl...

Politics

51 h. ago Last chance warning to drivers filling up at Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons this week

CHRISTMAS is a busy time for many, with lots of people travelling to meet friends and family to celebrate the big day. But drivers have been warned not to make one big mistake before they set off for their turkey dinners. Customers hoping to fill up at a petrol station on Christmas Day have been...

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52 h. ago NHS issues flu warning to Greater Manchester ahead of Christmas Day and New Year

NHS Greater Manchester has issued instructions on what to do if you or someone else gets ill this week

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58 h. ago Smug because you love your job? Idealising your career can backfire

The saying goes, if you find a job you love you'll never work a day in your life. But an expert has now warned that this can backfire.

Economics

66 h. ago UK drivers to face busiest day of traffic yet as experts warn of millions taking Christmas trips

The week is expected to see over eight million journeys on roads across the country as poor weather is likely to continue to cause disruption for drivers ahead of festivities

Events

5 d. ago Met Office issues Christmas forecast with frosty conditions on horizon

Sadly the national forecaster still says there are 'no strong signals' of a White Christmas.

Politics

6 d. ago Post Office issues warning ahead of last posting dates for Christmas

Post Office and Royal Mail have issued a reminder to customers, advising them to check the last recommended posting dates for domestic mail services this week to avoid disappointment

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6 d. ago Will it snow this Christmas? Met Office issues latest verdict

The threshold for a ‘white Christmas’ requires just a single snowflake to be observed falling on Christmas Day, anywhere in the UK, say the Met Office

Politics

7 d. ago What you need to know as Met Office issues white Chirstmas snow verdict

The Met Office has issued its latest forecast ahead of Christmas

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7 d. ago Dog expert issues 7 day Christmas warning to millions of pet owners

Dog behaviour expert Colin Tennant warns that festive elements like strong scents, loud noises, high temperatures and bright lights can cause stress for dogs during Christmas celebrations

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7 d. ago Everything you need to know as warning issued ahead of UK airport’s busiest day

Three million pepople are due to fly from UK airports in the run-up to Christmas

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