Breckland Council's 'shocking' work from home policy sparks row
A Norfolk council’s working from home policy has been branded ‘utter madness’ by a councillor who said he ‘regularly struggles to find anyone in the building’. “Of course there are exceptions to any rule, but to have an entire workforce on this policy is utter madness.”Breckland Council. Picture: LDRSBreckland first moved towards a remote working policy around a year before the pandemic. Rob Walker (right), has defended the council's policy. The concept, which has been discussed by 25 councils across the UK, has come under significant criticism in recent months.
Source:Express
December 24, 2025 11:41 UTC
Council looks to crack down on ticket touting at Royal Ascot
Police and community wardens could be given new powers to tackle ticket touting in Ascot to protect residents and visitors during Royal Ascot. Ticket touting is selling, offering for sale, or advertising event tickets without the express written permission of the event organiser, and approaching members of the public with the intention of selling or exchanging tickets. A new consultation by RBWM looks at creating a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) – a common tool used to tackle antisocial behaviour – to crack down on this. If introduced, it would give police officers and community wardens the power to challenge anyone ticket touting or engaged in unauthorised selling. Before going ahead with this, the Borough is launching a public consultation to see if residents agree.
Source:Express
December 24, 2025 11:38 UTC
King’s pilgrimage-themed Christmas message filmed in Westminster Abbey
Charles will deliver the fourth festive message of his reign on Christmas Day, and the second staged outside a royal residence. In the background of the broadcast are Christmas trees that have been repurposed from the Princess of Wales’ Together at Christmas carol concert, staged at the abbey earlier in December before the King’s message was filmed. It has seen a surge in visitor numbers for exhibitions and open days since the broadcast on Christmas Day 2024. The King’s message is one of the rare occasions when he does not turn to the Government for advice and is able to voice his own views. The message will be transmitted on both television and radio at 3pm on Christmas Day.
Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 10:14 UTC
Are banks open on Boxing Day? Opening times for all the main banks on Friday, December 26
NationwideNationwide has confirmed that its branches will not open on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. A statement from the bank said: “Nationwide branches will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day for the bank holidays. All branches will close completely on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. SantanderSantander will close early on Christmas Eve at 3pm, and remain shut over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It has confirmed that all of its UK locations will be closed over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 10:06 UTC
England vs Australia Fourth Test LIVE: UK times, toss, scorecard and where to watch Boxing Day clash
England vs Australia Fourth Test LIVE: UK times, toss, scorecard and where to watch Boxing Day clashEngland take on Australia in the fourth Ashes Test aiming to restore some pride in what has been a disastrous series Down Under. Australia captain Pat Cummins will miss the fourth Test as will spinner Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazelwood. England vs Australia: Date and how to follow fourth TestThe fourth Test in this edition of The Ashes is running from Friday, December 26 to Tuesday, December 30. 6 90,000 spectators are expected to cram into the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing DayThe Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the fourth Test and there is expected to be close to 90,000 people in attendance. That will be available on talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel.
Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 09:58 UTC
McDonald’s Christmas opening times: What time do restaurants open & can I get McDelivery?
When is McDonald’s open over Christmas and Boxing Day? Can I get McDelivery over Christmas and Boxing DayMcDelivery generally operates when participating restaurants are open, with available times matching the outlets’ business hours. However, for Christmas Day, whether McDelivery is available depends entirely on each of the few open stores’ decisions, as well as delivery partner availability in the area. On Boxing Day, McDelivery resumes widely as most restaurants return to standard operations. Only a handful of McDonald’s restaurants open on Christmas Day McDonald'sNew MenuMcDonald’s is set to reveal a new ‘secret menu’ in January 2026, complete with FIVE brand new items.
Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 09:21 UTC
Managing Arsenal: £61m star signs as Andrea Berta lands 'next Maldini'
Arsenal are confident that their current squad has the mettle to clinch the Premier League title, viewing the January transfer window as a chance to invest in future talent. Following a successful summer of recruitment, Arsenal now boast a robust squad, enhancing their chances of maintaining their league-leading position. Read our Privacy PolicyRepeat Saliba transfer trick Young AC Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi has been linked with a move to the Emirates ahead of the transfer window. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Sky Sports claim that Arsenal have been scouting the attack-minded full-back with a view to a potential transfer. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT In 2019, Arsenal secured the signature of Saliba, a promising teenage centre-back from Saint-Etienne.
Source:Express
December 24, 2025 09:15 UTC
AI Bubble and Its Implications on Global Economy and Society
15 hours agoNews SummaryThe article from The Guardian discusses the potential burst of the AI bubble, driven by massive investments from major tech companies like Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. These companies are heavily investing in AI, contributing to an economic bubble similar to past industrial frenzies. The global AI race between the US and China is also highlighted, with China focusing on widespread AI implementation. The article warns of the risks associated with AI, including the need for regulation to prevent harm to society. The piece argues for a balanced approach to AI development, emphasizing the importance of using AI for humanity’s benefit rather than allowing it to dominate society.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2025 08:03 UTC
Defence boss: we could pull out of making helicopters in Britain
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Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 07:24 UTC
Powerful Imperial Valley farmer arrested on suspicion of killing his estranged wife in Arizona
A prominent California farmer was arrested Tuesday in the Imperial Valley on suspicion of murdering his estranged wife, who was found mortally wounded in November in Arizona. AdvertisementMichael Abatti was booked into the Imperial County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and is awaiting extradition to Arizona. AdvertisementThe couple lived in El Centro before Kerri Ann Abatti left in 2023 for Pinetop-Lakeside, Ariz. — her hometown in the eastern White Mountains. He also thanked other agencies that had worked on the case, including the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, Imperial County Dist. In return for 50% of the book’s proceeds, the couple provided approximately $60,000 in 2023 to Morgan’s endeavor — roughly one month before Kerri Ann Abatti moved to Arizona.
Source:The Times
December 24, 2025 07:23 UTC
How the Guardian reported 2025, with editor-in-chief Katharine Viner
It has been a year dominated by Donald Trump. It has not yet even been 12 full months since his return to the White House in January but already the changes he has wrought – both in the US and around the world – seemed scarcely conceivable in 2024. Katharine Viner, the Guardian’s editor-in-chief, tells Annie Kelly what it has looked like from the editor’s chair: from the deployment of the national guard on American streets, to the humiliation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, to the erosion of the rules that once governed peace and war. In the UK, she describes a Labour government failing to tell its story and missing chance after chance to tackle the rise of Reform and the far right. Support the Guardian today: theguardian.com/todayinfocuspod
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2025 07:19 UTC
Ben Stokes pledges support for under-fire England opener Ben Duckett
He took a mental health break from the game in 2021 and later released a documentary which detailed his personal struggles. Ben Duckett (right) in conversation with Rob Key (left) at the MCG (Robbie Stephenson/PA)“I am obviously aware of the reports and everything circulating around. Supporting them and letting them know that I will be there for them through thick and thin is very, very important, and Ben Duckett knows that. It’s not a nice place to be.”With no reserve openers on tour, Duckett was never likely to be stood down in Melbourne, but as expected Ollie Pope has finally run out of road at number three. He now faces a return to county cricket and a long road back after 64 Tests.
Source:Express
December 24, 2025 06:57 UTC
Anticipation builds as Diss family business Preservation Equipment Ltd prepares for big move to new site in Vince’s Road
A family business based in Diss is eagerly anticipating its major move to a new site following the approval of a warehouse extension. The business is currently spread across four units in the industrial estate in Vince’s Road. Once the major extension is completed, PEL will move all of its units into the new space. He said: “We’ve been looking for a larger building for a long time, so it’s great to finally have this opportunity. PEL has had a planning application approved for an extension to a warehouse in Vince's Road, Diss.
Source:Express
December 24, 2025 05:03 UTC
Trump Administration to Promote Loyal Diplomats Following Recall of 30 Ambassadors, Sources Say
The Trump administration has recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and senior diplomats from overseas posts as part of a plan to elevate loyal appointees within the State Department, diplomatic sources reveal. This move marks an unusual break from tradition, as career foreign service officers typically remain in place after an administration change due to their nonpartisan roles. Several current and former diplomats confirmed the recall of these ambassadors, many of whom head embassies in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) voiced strong concerns that this process politicizes the diplomatic corps. Diplomats worry that these changes will erode the professionalism and apolitical nature of the foreign service.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2025 04:30 UTC
US Military Presence in Puerto Rico Is No Deterrent for the Drug Trade
In partnership withOpinion for The Latino NewsletterUS Marine Corps helicopters fly above a U.S. Navy landing craft in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. A U.S. colony since 1898, Puerto Rico is now a pawn in U.S. military actions against Maduro. Clearly, these interests do not include the people of Puerto Rico. It’s as if whatever happens to Puerto Rico is simply collateral damage in Trump’s pursuit of regional empire-building. The Drug Scourge“I think the war on drugs is a big, big problem for us in Puerto Rico on many different levels.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2025 03:37 UTC