Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, I enjoyed Libby Purves’s excellent article on the BBC’s Shipping Forecast (“The power of the shipping news”, Saturday Review, Dec 28). It certainly brought back memories, but some of them were not so good. Back in the old days, long before the wall-to-wall sports coverage on television, the only place to listen to “continuous” cricket Test Match commentary was Radio 4. The Shipping Forecast was read out at 5.57pm precisely on that station, which frequently meant that it obscured commentary of the day’s final over. On those days I abhorred the “dratted Shipping Forecast”.

Celebrating the first 100 issues of the St Albans TimesPosted at 10:52h in by admin_albans in FeatureDespite hitting a milestone 100 issues, there was a reluctance at the St Albans Times to appear too self-congratulatory in marking the occasion. Here’s to 100 more issues – and beyond!”Professor Tim Boatswain, chair of Blue Plaques St Albans, said: “Congratulations – for the 100th edition of the St Albans Times. Matt’s tireless efforts, his passion for truth, and his commitment to quality journalism have made the St Albans Times an indispensable part of St Albans’ life. St Albans, an advocate of collaborative planning and locally produced design codes, said: “When you published the first edition of the St Albans Times, I did breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks to the St Albans Times for flying that flag.”Amanda Yorwerth, coordinator of St Albans Friends of the Earth, said: “Congratulations to all at the St Albans Times on the 100th issue.

Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Something went wrong, please try again later. He asked: “I’m hosting a podcast discussion today about BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound programme. Click here for Scottish News, click here for Politics and click here to return to the Home Page.

Scores of objections were submitted to Windsor and Maidenhead council before the plan was refused by council officers over highway safety and flooding risks in March. Ms Lewis said: “This is considered a serious safety issue for Network Rail and one we cannot accept.”Worry over the development’s impact on traffic safety was echoed by The Cookham Society chairman Dick Scarff. In a letter on the application, Mr Scarff said visibility for drivers exiting the access road was poor and could cause problems for pedestrians. Mr McCaffery said the improvements would mitigate the ‘modest increase’ in cars turning into the access road, and ‘directly addresses’ Network rail’s concern. But in a decision notice, the planning inspector upheld the council’s decision to dismiss the application on highways and flooding risk.

In an age of growing patient demand and persistent staff shortages, time has become the most precious resource in radiology – and there’s never enough of it. In our 2024 Future Health Index report, 77% of healthcare leaders reported care delays due to staff shortages. Backlogs in imaging studies risk missed diagnoses, while delays in cancer treatment – which can be life-threatening – have unfortunately become ‘routine’ in some healthcare systems [2, 3]. Instead, we must empower existing radiologists and imaging staff by enhancing their skills and efficiency. However, there’s a catch: in a radiology workflow, every step is interconnected – from gathering and organizing prior patient data to image acquisition, interpretation, reporting, and communicating imaging studies to patients.

The Daily Telegraph carries a warning from business leaders that the chancellor's Budget tax rises are "milking" them. The paper says Rachel Reeves "has six months" to win business over, external, with a string of executives warning that Britain is becoming a less attractive place to invest under Labour. The i newspaper says public spending cuts are on the way from 2026, external, after the chancellor pledged not to put up taxes again during this Parliament. "Britain isn't working, external, admits PM in jobs push," is the headline on the front of the Times. It reports on Sir Keir Starmer's plan to "beat long-term sickness", as the paper puts it.

In other words, it was misleading to claim Vance called for a "federal response" to block travel for abortions. Vance Proposed 'Federal Response' to Stop Women Traveling for Abortions." Vance Proposed 'Federal Response' to Stop Women Traveling for Abortions." "JD Vance Called for 'Federal Response' to Block Women from Traveling for Abortions." "Vance Once Called for 'federal Response' to Traveling for Abortions."

Pep up a bland turkey with Yotam Ottolenghi’s ancho chilli gravy. Food styling: Emily Kydd. For Claire Dinhut, author of The Condiment Book, it’s all about staying within the confines of the traditional Thanksgiving menu, but giving each dish some extra zhoosh. Add the cabbage mix, press down, then pour in some red wine and top with sliced apple (pink lady, for preference). Carrots are another Thanksgiving must, though Dinhut breaks from tradition by roasting hers with maple syrup and pumpkin spice blend ( cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves).

An ultranationalist, Moscow-friendly Nato critic will face a centre-right candidate in the runoff of Romania’s presidential elections after a shock first-round result that has upended the country’s politics and could jeopardise its support for Ukraine. With 99.98% of votes counted, Călin Georgescu, an independent who has praised Vladimir Putin as 'a man who loves his country', was on 22.9%, with the reformist Elena Lasconi, of the Save Romania Union, second on 19.17%. In Bucharest, students held a rally in University Square to protest against Georgesu's pro-Russian stance

Ayer’s Repairs at the corner of Chapala and Victoria Street closed after 40 years. Their website is now redirecting to a tire shop that’s not in the area. Is this business going to take over the shop or did they simply buy their site? I’m curious what edhat reader’s experience was with Ayer’s and if they’ll miss the downtown mechanic.

China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has praised the restoration of trade between both nations, saying it's helping to reduce cost-of-living pressures. He has also suggested Australia should do more to improve military ties with the People's Liberation Army.

Footage shows players from Lydney Town AFC in Gloucestershire heading the ball and swimming in waist-deep floodwaters as they refused to let Storm Bert stop them from taking to the pitch. The club shared the footage on social media alongside the caption: 'Can’t believe I’m saying this … but GAME ON! Teams are out and kick off is imminent'

Source: ekathimerini.comBelgian food prices rising fasterAverage food prices in Belgium rose by 27% between October 2021 and last month, which is a faster pace than that in Luxembourg (+ 21.4%), France (+ 22.9%), Italy (+ 24.3%) and the Netherlands (+ 24.9%). For his latest report, Eric Dor (Director of Economic Studies at the IÉSEG School of Management) compared the increase in food prices between Belgium and other Eurozone countries from October 2021 to October 2024. Source: retaildetail.euAldi Ireland's pre-tax profits dip but sales up 3.4%Discount retailer Aldi Ireland has reported higher sales figures for 2023 but lower profits for the year. Aldi Ireland said its sales rose by 3.4% to €2.102bln from €2.032bln in 2022. Source: supermarketnews.comUS: DoorDash adds 5 regional grocersLast-mile delivery service DoorDash has brought five more grocery chains into the fold, announcing new partnerships with regional chains Fresh Encounter, Fruitful Youth, Plum Market, Robért Fresh Market, and Stew Leonard's.

This study focuses on China’s prioritization of domestic soft power through the hosting of sports mega-events; the stance we take is, necessarily, western-centric viewpoint. We do so by drawing on two major sporting events that also contribute to an understanding of China’s broader ‘soft power strategy’. Although the political context had changed between 2008 and 2022, China’s penchant of prioritizing domestic soft power while showcasing ‘external propaganda’ (duìwài xuānchuán) using sport mega-events did not. Concluding remarksIt is evident that sports, and specifically sports mega-events, are central to China’s soft power strategy, its ‘external propaganda’ (duìwài xuānchuán), and its purpose is primarily for regime legitimacy. In this paper we have posited the notion that China’s state-led soft power strategy using sports mega-events is ‘unique’, that is, it does not follow Joseph Nye’s understanding of the concept, but rather the emphasis is much more on domestic soft power.

Donald Trump has said he will sign an immediate executive order imposing a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on China. Trump said the tariffs would remain in place until the US’s two neighbors clamp down on drugs, particularly fentanyl, and people crossing the border illegally. “A tariff is basically a sales tax, raising the price of almost everything you buy,” said Robert Reich, a secretary of labor under Bill Clinton. Canada, Mexico and China account for about 40% of the goods the US imports each year, according to official statistics. Here’s how the war ramped up recently: In October, Israel launched a ground invasion and accelerated bombing across Lebanon.