Los Angeles fires: This city is always on the edge of catastrophe
People love — or detest — Los Angeles because it is the opposite of New York. Then there’s all the wonderful hardcore nature of mountains, deserts and ocean within a few hours’ drive. Add in the endless sunshine and you have the ingredients for a laid-back, outdoor life. But this idyllic intermingling of the urban and nature is also inherently blighted — and reached nightmarish intensity last week. As LA rock prophets the Doors put it: “Strange days have tracked us down.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 12:41 UTC
Worcester is best place to live in county: The Times 2025
The Times ranked Worcester 60th out of 284 narrowly beating Malvern Hills for the top spot in the county after using data such as crime rates, Ofsted reports and GP satisfaction. Councillor Allcott said: "Our faithful fantastic city is full of history and has a big heart. "It absolutely doesn't surprise me that The Times has ranked us the best in the county. "The city boasts top-rated schools, including excellent state options and prestigious independents like RGS Worcester and The King’s School. "Both schools recently appeared in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2025, ranking 4th and 9th for A-level and GCSE results in the West Midlands, with RGS being recognised as the best independent school in the region.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 11:08 UTC
Kate Middleton to issue royal warrants after resuming public duties: Report
What does a royal warrant mean for businesses? What are royal warrantsPrincess of Wales , Kate Middleton , is set to grant royal warrants for the first time as she gradually resumes her public duties following a challenging year battling cancer. She looks after them well and whenever she re-wears them there is another uplift," she added.Royal warrants, valid for five years, enable companies to join the Royal Warrants Holders Association and display royal arms alongside their work. Recent modifications implemented by the King require warrant holders to demonstrate sustainable practices.Nearly 400 companies were featured in the December round of Royal Warrants issued by the King and Queen. Queen Camilla's recent warrant recipients include her hairdresser Jo Hansford and the official Tabasco sauce supplier.A royal warrant significantly benefits British companies domestically and internationally.Royal warrants, originating in medieval times, were standardised in the 15th century by Lord Chamberlain.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 07:34 UTC
I sorted my life out with Stacey Solomon's decluttering tips
From clothes, books, shoes, bags, beauty items and little trinkets, my home ends up looking like a jumble sale by the end of December. Using the wise words and advice of Stacey and her Sort Your Life Out team, I began Mission Declutter 2025. On the left the organised socks and the right, the dumped out pile. Organise itAway from dumping out drawers and sorting through my clothes, Stacey often shares the importance of organising your home and the items within them. So, I got all my beauty items together, reorganised and ended up with a space that feels organised and simple.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 05:53 UTC
Why Richmond is worth a visit in 2025
We’ve rounded up some of the reasons why we think Richmond is worth a visit this year, if you fancy seeing this popular riverside borough for yourself. Richmond offers travel links by Underground, Overground and National Rail, as well as by bus and even Thames riverboat services from Richmond Landing Stage pier. Richmond is home to 22 Green Flag Parks as well as the very popular Richmond Park, known for its 650 roaming deer. Another pub worth visiting is the very famous one that you might have seen on TikTok – The White Cross in Richmond. Another pub worth visiting is the very famous one that you might have seen on TikTok – The White Cross in Richmond.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 05:08 UTC
US, UK unveil widespread sanctions against Russia's energy sector
"At the same time, the UK government announced sanctions against the two companies, saying their profits were "lining (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war chest and facilitating the war" in Ukraine. "Taking on Russian oil companies will drain Russia's war chest -- and every ruble we take from Putin's hands helps save Ukrainian lives," UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement. "Among those it designated were people involved in Russia's metals and mining sector, "and senior officials of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom. "The move sparked condemnation from Rosatom, which called it "unreasonable and unlawful" in nature. "The sanctions are perceived as an element of unfair competition on the part of unfriendly states," Rosatom said in a statement published by several Russian news agencies.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 02:39 UTC
Newspaper headlines: 'Cold bites' gas supply and 'Dementia shock'
No 10 and the Treasury are reported to believe that significant reductions are needed in the welfare budget, including Personal Independence Payments. Officials are said to be exploring the possibility of tightening the rules around what proof is needed to receive disability payments. But the chancellor writes in the Times, external that Britain "has no choice at all" but to engage with Beijing to boost growth. In a comment piece for the paper, Reeves argues that national security and growth are not opposed. She argues that Britain can not ignore the fact that China is the world's second-biggest economy, and the UK's fourth-biggest trading partner.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 02:11 UTC
UK must ‘engage confidently with China’ on trade, says Reeves
The Treasury has said that making Britain better will be “at the forefront of the Chancellor’s mind” as she embarks on the visit. The UK must engage confidently with China in areas of trade that benefit the UK’s national interest and be equally confident in expressing our real economic and trade concerns to the Chinese, including market access and wider market-distorting practices.”Ms Reeves later added: “This engagement also needs to advance broader UK interests. Yields on 10-year gilts hit the highest point since 2008 on Thursday, at 4.89%. The yield on 30-year gilts briefly touched 5.43%, just below the peak of Thursday’s sell-off, which was the highest point since 1998. It has promised to “challenge” Mr Xi’s administration where necessary amid long-standing human rights concerns about the treatment of Uighur Muslims, constraints on freedoms in Hong Kong and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Source:The Times
January 11, 2025 00:13 UTC
'I was a contestant on Masterchef... disaster left me nervous of cooking fish'
Emily and Rachel’s debut cookbook, Kitchen Table: Simple Things Made Well will be published in March 2025. Here, Emily Cuddeford takes on our weekly chef's Q&A. ADVERTISEMENTPictured: Emily Cuddeford and Rachel Morgan, Twelve Triangles co-founders (Image: Supplied)What was your first kitchen job? My first kitchen job was in Edinburgh working in a little family fun cafe called Annabelle's. Roast chicken in any way, shape or form, but I love the recipe for the whey brined roast chicken in our new cookbook Kitchen Table.
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 20:41 UTC
Pixalate’s December 2024 UK Publisher Rankings for Mobile Apps, Websites, and CTV: Independent.co.uk, ‘Zen Word®’, Pluto TV Among Top-Ranked Publishers and Apps For Open Programmatic Ad Traffic Qualit
PixalateAccording to Pixalate’s December 2024 rankings, independent.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, and thetimes.co.uk were the top three websites for programmatic ad quality in the United Kingdom; ‘Zen Word®’ (Apple App Store) and ‘Vita Mahjong’ (Google Play Store) ranked No. 1 among mobile apps; SAMSUNG TV (Samsung Smart TV) and Pluto TV (Apple TV & Amazon Fire TV) were among No. This index evaluates apps across various platforms, including the web, the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, CTV apps, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Apple TV app stores. In addition to the report for the U.K., Pixalate has also released Publisher Trust Indexes for the U.S., Germany, Canada, and Brazil. Pixalate’s methodology can be found at Publisher Trust Index: MethodologyStory Continues
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 20:30 UTC
Reddit users share their favourite comfort TV shows
There’s nothing like getting cosy and watching your favourite comfort TV shows that make you feel better no matter what the day has thrown at you. Comfort TV shows you can watch to forget the world around youThe comfort TV shows mentioned in the Reddit discussion include Downton Abbey, a very popular series in the UK. Brilliant.”Brooklyn 99 is another popular TV series for those looking to escape the world for a bit. I’m a straight male who has this at the top of my list for comfort tv. Was your favourite comfort TV show mentioned here?
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 20:18 UTC
U.K.’s First Drug Consumption Center Is Set to Open in Glasgow
How will the drug consumption room work? Users will have access to clean syringes, needles and swabs, and will be allocated one of eight booths. Lynn Macdonald, service manager at the Thistle, told Scotland’s public broadcaster, STV, that users “don’t have to show us what drugs they are going to use.” But they will be asked to do so, she added, “so we can talk to them about harm reduction. In the using space, there will be nurses who will supervise injections.”Each booth has a mirror that is slightly tilted so that staff can observe the injection is taking place safely, without being too close to the person. “This also gives them a bit of dignity,” Ms. Macdonald said.
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 18:58 UTC
My boyfriend’s been in prison 5 times, I’m raising our daughter alone while he’s locked up, folk say I’m crazy to stay
Read on for more prison brides in the UKJAIL BIRD My boyfriend’s been in prison 5 times, I’m raising our daughter alone while he’s locked up, folk say I’m crazy to stayA PRISON girlfriend has revealed what it's like raising her child alone while her boyfriend is locked up. Valery, from the UK, says her partner has been jailed five times leaving her to raise their daughter alone. "When Mo got out of prison, he wanted to do something exciting and fun," she explained. The pair started dating when they were 19, and within six months of their relationship Mo was behind bars. UK Prison Brides Tracey Bottomley married double murderer Ernest Otto Smith in the US after meeting through a prison pen pal initiative.
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 16:53 UTC
Ocean Colour Scene to headline Saturday night at Sign of the Times Festival in Little Hadham
Britpop legends Ocean Colour Scene will top the bill at Sign of the Times on Saturday night, completing the three-day festival’s headline announcements. Ocean Colour SceneSinger Simon Fowler said a career highlight came in 2018 when they took Martha Reeves and The Vandellas on tour. He said: “We couldn’t quite believe that Martha Reeves was supporting us, it seemed absurd. But our crowd loved it, she went down really well.”Sign of the Times organisers said: “We are delighted to have such a legendary name headline Sign of The Times on Saturday June 21. Sign of the Times 2025“In a year which is huge for Britpop, to have Ocean Colour Scene join us is a real coup and we can’t wait for the weekend to be here!”10cc will headline the first day of the festival, on Friday June 20, and Embrace will close it on Sunday June 22.
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 16:38 UTC
Workington death notices from the Times And Star last week
As well as appearing in print, our death notice pages will remain online as a lasting tribute to the memory of those we have lost. Anyone who wishes to send their own message of condolence can do so by visiting the deceased's death notice page. Here are the most recent notices placed in the Times And Star:Enid HUDDARTPeacefully at her home on Monday 16th December. Read Shirley FRASER née Fletcher's full death noticeCatherine (Rena) RICHARDSONPassed away peacefully after a short illness on 18th December 2024, aged 90 years. Read Catherine (Rena) RICHARDSON 's full death noticeMore death noticesYou can see all our death notices here, or you can place a death notice here.
Source:The Times
January 10, 2025 16:19 UTC