Sad sign of the times as rough sleeper beds down in snow-hit Stoke-on-TrentThis shocking image was captured at 9am today as temperatures to -6C overnightView Image A rough sleeper outside Sandon Road Supermarket this morningThe plight of Stoke-on-Trent's rough sleepers has been highlighted as a homeless man bedded down on a snow-covered pavement. The city council spent £1.06 million on hotel rooms for homeless people in one year. "Using hotel accommodation just isn't sustainable. ‌Local authorities have a legal duty to assist people facing homelessness, and this can often mean placing them in emergency accommodation on a short-term basis. In addition to the use of hotel accommodation, the city council also has its own homeless units.

We have just issued this YouTube short, recorded in the snow this morning:The transcript is:If you want to understand Britain's future, look at how Trump is dealing with Venezuela. It's democracy, it's statehood, power, all of them are subject to US control as far as he's concerned. We gave up our influence in Europe, which was enormous, by leaving the European Union. We are capable of exploitation and control just as Venezuela is. The Trojan horse that they have to influence European policy in US favour.

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The Times and Sunday Times addresses uncertainty in next iteration of brand platform'Times change. The Times remains' was created by Mosaic, T&P’s and VML’s on-site agency for News UK. by Eszter Gurbicz

Industry reports suggest that as AI-native workflows become standard, traditional metrics overlook key factors like collaboration patterns in distributed teams. Similarly, The Guardian’s outlook on 2026 tech trends highlights data center expansions and AI integrations, warning that without updated metrics, inefficiencies could balloon. Teams using traditional benchmarks might score high on code output but low on innovative problem-solving in remote settings, leading to misguided investments. Their data shows that while cost metrics remain vital, optimizing for emerging technologies like big data systems requires a broader view. HardwareZone Singapore’s trends for 2026, including AI and smart glasses, call for predictions that factor in user-centric performance.

We received a 28 years old patient in septic shock at the emergency ward during a night shift sometime last year. Unfortunately, the results of the urine culture and sensitivity test revealed bacterial resistance to all tested antibiotics. She passed away a week later and that is when it dawned unto me that anti microbial resistance is real and it is not a joke. Limiting over-the-counter access to antibiotics can also significantly reduce Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Seattle (WA): IHME; 2023. : https://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Cameroon.pdfAbout the authorMIENDJIEM KEMO Hilary Ségolène is a 6th-year medical student at Université des Montagnes, Bangangté.

I don’t know why I can’t share them with you. I don’t know why I sometimes think of them on quiet morning walks with my dog or why they pop up in my mind unbidden on Sunday afternoons. As I head toward perimenopause, I’m feeling something I didn’t expect: occasional sadness about not having children. One, who we’ll call Sam, who is in her late 40s, married and never wanted kids. There were long stretches of time where I would not think of kids at all—not my hypothetical kids, not other people’s kids.

Open letter: UK must not abstain on UN Venezuela vote5 January 2026Signatures:To: Keir StarmerReports today say that the UK intends to abstain in any vote at the UN Security Council over the US’s illegal action in Venezuela. The Times reports that the UK does not want to “risk offending Trump”. But when international law has been violated so blatantly, the British government needs to stop cowering and stand up to this tyrant. The UK must support international law, in actions not just words, and vote to condemn Trump’s US. Add your signature

Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, announced that Venezuelan nationals living in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are eligible to apply for refugee status. Florida, which hosts over half of these Venezuelan TPS holders, has become a focal point for legal disputes as many affected individuals face the loss of work permits and legal status. Key Points on TPS and Refugee Status TransitionVenezuelans previously under TPS may apply for refugee status to maintain legal protection. Florida hosts the majority of Venezuelan TPS holders affected by this policy change. The availability of refugee status applications provides a legal pathway for Venezuelans to maintain protection after TPS revocation.

Ocado Group update on exclusivity with international partnersOcado Group reported: "Ocado Group has announced that mutual exclusivity has now ended with retailers in the majority of markets where Ocado's technology is currently live, including the USA with Kroger". The new Verification Savings Program offers eligible shoppers 20% off fruits and vegetables, as well as reduced pricing on Boost, Kroger's paid membership program. Best-selling products included cheese truckles, hand-cooked crisps in flavours such as baked camembert and hot honey, and seasonal fruit and vegetables, it said. Aldi also saw strong demand for home-grown produce, with sales of British-sourced meat and vegetables up as customers supported British during their Christmas shop at Aldi. As a result, shoppers bought 56mln potatoes, 37mln carrots, and half a million turkeys - all sourced from Aldi's long-standing British supplier partners".

Man United handed new AFCON blow as Bryan Mbeumo braced for twistManchester United star Bryan Mbeumo has been playing for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ruben Amorim missing his goals and creativity at Old TraffordView 2 Images Bryan Mbeumo has been away at the Africa Cup of Nations for Cameroon (Image: SmartFrame/SportImage)Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo is set to have his return to Old Trafford delayed after Cameroon won their last 16 game at the Africa Cup of Nations. It means that either Mbeumo or fellow United star Noussair Mazraoui will be knocked out by the other and head back to M16. Before a group stage game against Mozambique, Cameroon head coach David Pagou admitted Mbeumo was, potentially, putting too much pressure on himself to succeed. "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. I know that my name is not Tuchel, it's not Conte, it's not Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United.

This includes icy driveways and frozen windscreens, which can make driving things challenging for Brits on their commute to work or school drop-off. A household item that can be bought for £2 in supermarkets has been revealed as a key weapon in the war against icy driveways this winter. A 10-litre bag of cat litter at Aldi costs £2.18. More expert tips to help make winter driving saferCat litter isn’t the only home-based hack that can make winter driving safer and less stressful, according to Select Lease Car. "This will give you the extra traction to get moving," Select Car Leasing added.

Nicolás Maduro is not an innocent bystander swept away by history. His claim to the presidency has been deeply contested, and credible reporting raises serious doubts about the legitimacy of his mandate. Yet even a flawed or illegitimate presidency does not grant the United States the right to bomb a capital, seize a head of state, and announce itself as the country’s temporary ruler. Trump said the United States would “run the country” until a leadership transition could take place and openly stated that U.S. oil companies would move into Venezuela. We can acknowledge that Nicolás Maduro’s presidency is credibly disputed and that his government has silenced rivals, eroded institutions, and inflicted real harm.

Ruben Amorim aired his grievances following Sunday's draw at Leeds UnitedManchester United maintain that Ruben Amorim was dismissed purely due to insufficient progress on the field and have refuted claims of any power struggle at Old Trafford, despite the Portuguese manager exposing such tensions publicly in recent days. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTHowever, according to the Manchester Evening News, United insiders maintain the decision was based exclusively on results. They are said to have dismissed suggestions of any internal power battles or that Amorim had issued an ultimatum seeking additional control. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT They assert the 40-year-old retained the 'unwavering support' of all club personnel, but insufficient advancement meant his continuation in the role was untenable. The club maintains that manager Ruben Amorim was fully supportive of this recruitment strategy, favouring an enhanced attack over midfield reinforcements.

The Hoddington Arms in Upton Grey was featured on The Times’ list of the '24 best new hotels in the UK,' following the launch of five new guest rooms in November. The Hoddington Arms (Image: The Hoddington Aems)They include super king-size mattresses, premium linens, elegant ensuite bathrooms, and luxurious touches such as Bramley toiletries and Nespresso coffee machines. The Hoddington Arms saidin a post on Facebook: "Absolutely delighted to be listed as one of The Times' 24 best new hotels in the UK for the year ahead! Fallon Barnes, co-owner of The Hoddington Arms, said: "We've always wanted our guests to feel at home here. Their efforts have earned The Hoddington Arms recognition in both The Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide every year since opening.