Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour, U2 frontman Bono and billionaire George Soros are among those who will receive America's highest civilian honour from outgoing President Joe Biden.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom will be awarded to 19 people this year, spanning cultural icons, politicians and campaigners.
The have been chosen because are they are "good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world", the White House said.
Biden will present the medals at the White House in a ceremony on Saturday.
Bono, who's real name is Paul David Hewson, has already been awarded the highest cultural honour of France and received an honorary knighthood.
He is known for campaigning against poverty and supporting those with HIV/Aids.
Wintour, one of the most significant players in fashion, has been serving as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 and among other charities helped raised more than $20m for Aids research.
She also raised money for UK arts organisations following funding cuts in 2022.
Billionaire philanthropist and major Democrat donor George Soros and US politician Hillary Clinton are also among recipients.
Clinton, the former US secretary of state, will receive the award just weeks before her former political rival is sworn in as president. She lost to Trump in the 2016 election.
Cultural luminaries - including actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox - will receive the medal alongside football star Lionel Messi, retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr and former Kennedy Center chair David Rubinstein are among the cohort receiving medals.
Other recipients include humanitarian and chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen has helped provide food for civilians in war zones and areas hit by natural disasters; acclaimed British conservationist Jane Goodall and science educator Bill Nye.
Former US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and former Governor of Michigan George W Romney will receive the award posthumously.
Established under former president John F Kennedy, the medal is awarded at the discretion of the president on the advice of an external advisory panel.
Previous recipients of the award include the most decorated gymnast of all time Simone Biles, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and Apple founder Steve Jobs.
Edward Pettifer has been identified by the Metropolitan Police as the British national who was killed in New Orleans on 1 January
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, Buckingham Palace sources say.
Edward Pettifer, 31 - who was named by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday morning - is believed to be the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.
Palaces sources have told the BBC the King has been in touch with Mr Pettifer's family to share his personal condolences.
In a tribute, Mr Pettifer's family described him as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".
"People will say I am the best at the minute but I've said I will never admit I am the best," Littler told BBC Breakfast.
"But, maybe my performances show I am the best."
The teenager was making only his second appearance at the tournament having reached the final on debut 12 months ago, losing to current world number one Luke Humphries.
Since his Alexandra Palace debut in December 2023, Littler has risen from 164th to second in the PDC Order of Merit.
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Media caption,
Watch: 'It's not sunk in,' says teenage darts champion Luke Littler
Since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy, Littler has received congratulations from across the world of sport.
The most meaningful to Littler was from former England captain David Beckham, a hero when he was at Littler's beloved Manchester United.
At last month's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Littler said he wanted Beckham to follow him on Instagram and he has since done so.
"David Beckham messaged me," Littler told BBC Radio 5 Live after his win over Van Gerwen.
"That's the biggest one [I've had]. He said 'well done and wow'."
'I know what I have done for the sport'
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Cycling great Sir Chris Hoy presented Luke Littler with the trophy on Friday night
Littler's World Championship win finishes off a year in which his success has helped the sport grow massively.
In 2024, Littler was the most searched for sports person on Google in Great Britain and the third most searched person overall.
As well as winning the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year award and finishing second in the main award, Littler has featured on TV chat shows and is in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe list, uncharted territory for a darts player.
Dubbed the 'Littler effect', 'The Nuke' is aware of what his success has done for darts, with significant growth in the number of academies for children being formed across Great Britain in the last 12 months.
"It is good to see the family section full with my darts shirts," said Littler.
"I know what I have done for the sport and [it is] good for kids to experience Alexandra Palace.
"Even seeing the darts academy open in Warrington, it is special in my home town."
As well as his older brother, Littler's parents joined him on stage at Alexandra Palace to see him celebrate his World Championship crown.
"They have put the hard work and effort into me but just to get them on stage, and my brother's 21st [birthday] today, it is a good present," Littler said. "My sister didn't want to come on stage.
"It is not a normal 17-year-old's life but it shows what I have done for myself.
"My parents got the right sponsors for me and they have also done a lot for me."
Littler also spoke about the future of the PDC World Darts Championship and its home at the Alexandra Palace in London.
'Ally Pally' has held the competition annually since the 2008 edition, but Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn has suggested in recent interviews that the tournament could leave its iconic home because of the growth in the sport's popularity.
In response, Littler called on the PDC to consider facilities for players when debating whether to move venues.
"The guys at the PDC will do what is best for them," Littler told the BBC.
"But probably one of the main things is you can get an arena of 5,000 or 6,000 easy, but there's also getting the likes of the hospitality tickets [and] the player's practice rooms.
"We need somewhere to have a good practice and obviously, see the family."
The US Department of State has notified Congress of a planned $8bn (£6.4bn) arms sale to Israel, an American official has confirmed to the BBC.
The weapons consignment, which needs approval from House and Senate committees, includes air-to-air missiles to be used against airborne threats, including drones, the official said.
The move comes just over a fortnight before President Joe Biden leaves office. A source familiar with the sale told the BBC: "The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law."
In August, the US approved the sale of $20bn in fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel.
"People will say I am the best at the minute but I've said I will never admit I am the best," Littler told BBC Breakfast.
"But, maybe my performances show I am the best."
The teenager was making only his second appearance at the tournament having reached the final on debut 12 months ago, losing to current world number one Luke Humphries.
Since his Alexandra Palace debut in December 2023, Littler has risen from 164th to second in the PDC Order of Merit.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Media caption,
Watch: 'It's not sunk in,' says teenage darts champion Luke Littler
Since lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy, Littler has received congratulations from across the world of sport.
The most meaningful to Littler was from former England captain David Beckham, a hero when he was at Littler's beloved Manchester United.
At last month's BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Littler said he wanted Beckham to follow him on Instagram and he has since done so.
"David Beckham messaged me," Littler told BBC Radio 5 Live after his win over Van Gerwen.
"That's the biggest one [I've had]. He said 'well done and wow'."
'I know what I have done for the sport'
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Cycling great Sir Chris Hoy presented Luke Littler with the trophy on Friday night
Littler's World Championship win finishes off a year in which his success has helped the sport grow massively.
In 2024, Littler was the most searched for sports person on Google in Great Britain and the third most searched person overall.
As well as winning the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year award and finishing second in the main award, Littler has featured on TV chat shows and is in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe list, uncharted territory for a darts player.
Dubbed the 'Littler effect', 'The Nuke' is aware of what his success has done for darts, with significant growth in the number of academies for children being formed across Great Britain in the last 12 months.
"It is good to see the family section full with my darts shirts," said Littler.
"I know what I have done for the sport and [it is] good for kids to experience Alexandra Palace.
"Even seeing the darts academy open in Warrington, it is special in my home town."
As well as his older brother, Littler's parents joined him on stage at Alexandra Palace to see him celebrate his World Championship crown.
"They have put the hard work and effort into me but just to get them on stage, and my brother's 21st [birthday] today, it is a good present," Littler said. "My sister didn't want to come on stage.
"It is not a normal 17-year-old's life but it shows what I have done for myself.
"My parents got the right sponsors for me and they have also done a lot for me."
Littler also spoke about the future of the PDC World Darts Championship and its home at the Alexandra Palace in London.
'Ally Pally' has held the competition annually since the 2008 edition, but Matchroom Sport president Barry Hearn has suggested in recent interviews that the tournament could leave its iconic home because of the growth in the sport's popularity.
In response, Littler called on the PDC to consider facilities for players when debating whether to move venues.
"The guys at the PDC will do what is best for them," Littler told the BBC.
"But probably one of the main things is you can get an arena of 5,000 or 6,000 easy, but there's also getting the likes of the hospitality tickets [and] the player's practice rooms.
"We need somewhere to have a good practice and obviously, see the family."
Supporters of an 18-year-old Briton jailed for having sex with a 17-year-old British girl in Dubai have staged a protest in central London.
Marcus Fakana from Tottenham is serving a one-year prison sentence after being convicted of having sex with the girl, who has now turned 18, when they were both on holiday.
The girl's mother reported him to the Dubai authorities after seeing messages between the two when she had returned to the UK.
The age of consent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is 18.
'Unfathomable sentence'
Fakana's friends and family gathered in Westminster to demand the release of the teenager.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting a British man in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Fakana had been on bail since his arrest in September, staying in temporary accommodation in Dubai.
His parents returned to London to resume their jobs, in a warehouse and as a cleaner, to help pay for their son's accommodation.
According to the UK-based campaign group and charity Detained in Dubai - which helps foreigners abroad and is an international authority on UAE law - Fakana is in Al Awir prison, a jail for adult men on the eastern outskirts of Dubai.
Radha Stirling from the charity previously told the BBC Fakana's sentence was "unfathomable".
She said: "It does not warrant a year in jail, doesn't warrant tearing this family apart and ruining this young 18-year-old's life.
"I'm confident that, on appeal, the custodial sentence will be overturned and he will be allowed to return home.
"The question is how long is that going to take and how much effort is that going to take, whether that's British intervention or the public support in telling Dubai this is unacceptable?"
Edward Pettifer has been identified by the Metropolitan Police as the British national who was killed in New Orleans on 1 January
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, Buckingham Palace sources say.
Edward Pettifer, 31 - who was named by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday morning - is believed to be the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.
Palaces sources have told the BBC the King has been in touch with Mr Pettifer's family to share his personal condolences.
In a tribute, Mr Pettifer's family described him as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".
Tiarnán was "much loved and popular," his school says
Tributes have been paid to a 13-year-old boy who died after a quad bike crash near Newry.
Tiarnán Trainor was injured in the incident on Low Road just outside Killeavy on Thursday.
He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast but later died from his injuries.
St Paul's High School in Bessbrook described Tiarnán as a "much loved and popular year 10 pupil" who had recently been elected to serve on its student council.
St Paul's has opened its oratory for pupils to come together and mourn the loss
In a statement, the school said Tiarnán had "an infectious personality" and was well known throughout the school as a "lorry fanatic".
It announced that the school oratory would be open on Saturday and Sunday for pupils and their families to come together to remember Tiarnán.
"Following the return of pupils to school next week, the Education Authority's Critical Incident Team, as well as school staff, will be available to help and support pupils at this very sad time," the school added.
Jonesborough Primary School, which Tiarnán previously attended, said: "As a community we stand in compassion with Tiarnán's family, understanding that words cannot soothe the heartbreak of loss nor grief, especially when a life ends so prematurely.
"Tiarnán was a lively and spirited boy, who will be fondly remembered by all."
Tiarnán Trainor died in hospital after the incident on Low Road
Killeavy GAA club said it was "heartbroken" by the death of Tiarnán, who had been a player for its under-14 boys team.
The 12th Armagh Slieve Gullion Scouts said its leaders and members "are deeply saddened" to learn of the death.
"We have many fond memories of him in Cubs" the group added.
Armagh Summer School, where Tiarnan regularly attended its Gaelic Games camps, described the news as "heartbreaking".
"Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends, may he rest in peace".
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) MLA Justin McNulty described the incident as "horrendous".
"We are all just shocked by this horrible news, especially at this time of year," he said.
"We are just so devastated for the young boy's mother and father."
Edward Pettifer has been identified by the Metropolitan Police as the British national who was killed in New Orleans on 1 January
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, Buckingham Palace sources say.
Edward Pettifer, 31 - who was named by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday morning - is believed to be the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.
Palaces sources have told the BBC the King has been in touch with Mr Pettifer's family to share his personal condolences.
In a tribute, Mr Pettifer's family described him as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".
This article includes some discussion of the first episode of The Traitors, but does not contain major spoilers such as who the new traitors are or who gets murdered or banished.
Plot twists are happening already in Traitors season three, as one contestant from London lifted the lid on her charming - but false - Welsh accent.
Charlotte, 33, has lived in London her whole life but has decided to pretend she is from Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire, to maximise her chances of survival.
"I've been putting on a Welsh accent because my mum's from Wales, it's one of the most trustworthy accents," she told the camera on New Year's Day.
But is a Welsh lilt really the key to gaining people's trust as a faithful in the show?
The reality show centres around "traitors" selected by host Claudia Winkleman, who must deceive and gain the trust of other contestants, who are "faithfuls".
Sociolinguistics professor at Cardiff University, Dr Mercedes Durham led research into the likeability of the Welsh accent and found people associate the accent with being friendly - but not necessarily clever.
"They genuinely appreciated it, they find it funny, attractive and friendly, but they didn't take it seriously or associate it with intelligence," said Dr Durham.
But friendliness and trustworthiness are linked, says Dr Durham, so there could be a method behind the mask.
Inspiration may have come from previous Welsh contestants Andrew Jenkins from Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Amanda Lovett, from Swansea, who both eliminated faithfuls and narrowly missed out on the Traitor trophy in series one and two.
Amanda sailed through the very first series of Traitors in 2023, with her opponents swearing hand on heart that the humble character could never be a traitor.
"I think the Welsh accent is very relaxing, it definitely played a role in people trusting me in being a motherly figure," said Amanda.
"Maybe they didn't think I would be sharp enough, or the type capable of murdering, that I was too naive maybe," she added.
"But I don't know if I agree with pinching our Welsh accent," Amanda laughed, "we are very proud of our Welsh heritage".
Getty Images
Amanda Lovett says her warm accent helped her make it to the end of the Bafta winning series in 2023
Amanda said Traitors fans may even be wary of Welsh contestants this time, as both her and Andrew took their charming accents to the very end.
Andrew agreed the Welsh accent is trustworthy, but said he would have spotted Charlotte's duff Welsh accent from a mile off.
"Oh I think it's terrible, she keeps dipping in and out of her London accent," he said.
"I just think the Welsh are lovely, friendly, trusting people, I went in and was authentic.
"I tried to make as many friends as I could and be myself to be honest, I think that helped."
Lamberty Paul Chappells
Andrew Jenkins says Charlotte's fake welsh accent isn't convincing, and believes being authentic is the best way to go
Charlotte is not the only Welsh person in the game this year, as Cardiff-based Elen is from north Wales and Leanne, is from Holywell in Flintshire.
There is a lot of variation in Welsh accents, and people tend to relate more to certain regions, according to Dr Durham.
"The main association of people outside of Wales is the south Wales valleys and Barry Island in the Vale of Glamorgan, thanks to Gavin and Stacey," she said.
"Possibly more than the other two contestants, it's an accent outsiders will associate the most with Wales."
BBC/PA
North Wales born Elen was thrilled to discover Charlotte as a fellow Welsh person in the game
The Welsh accent has enticed new contact centres to set up or expand in Wales in recent years, including Starling Bank, Capital on Tap, Veezu and TCH Group.
Sandra Busby, chief executive of Cnect Wales, which supports contact centres, said Wales has always been an attractive location for many reasons with accents "playing their part".
"Over the years the Welsh accent always comes in the top three regional accent surveys for friendliness and for being trustworthy," she added.
What accents rival the Welsh accent?
The Welsh accent took top spot for the most relaxing accent across the UK in 2024, in a study by the University of Sheffield and Spa Seekers.
The public have a soft spot for all Celtic accents, Irish and Scottish included, thanks to their friendly connotations, said Dr Durham.
Received pronunciation, also known as "Queen's English" does well to gain people's trust, but mainly because of its social prestige.
But Birmingham, Liverpudlian and Cockney accents often aren't favoured and can be found in the lower half of popularity polls.
Mercedes Durham
Prof Mercedes Durham is leading research into Welsh accents
Trust in accents can change over time depending on our social circles and daily relationships, according to a study by Ilaria Torre from Plymouth University.
Participants heard either a standard southern English accent or a "lesser trusted" Liverpudlian accent, and attitudes changed depending on first impressions and judgements.
If a person who spoke in a "trusted" accent went on to behave fairly, then this first impression of trustworthiness increased.
Yet if they went on to behave unfairly, they were seen as less trustworthy than those who had both a lesser trusted accent and behaviour.
Participants "were punishing them, so to speak, for not living up to the participants' expectations", said Ms Torre.
On the opposite side, those who were seen as sounding "untrustworthy" with a Liverpudlian accent but acted nicely were able to reverse negative preconceptions.
So, while a Welsh lilt might start you off in good stead as a trusted contestant, the odds are still all to play for.
With a mixture of different accents from across the UK, how will the Welsh ones do?
You can find out - the first three episodes of The Traitors are now on BBC iPlayer.
The series airs on BBC One at 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
Ms Itooka was born in May 1908 – six years before the World War One and the same year that the Ford Model T car was launched in the US.
She was verified as the world's oldest person in September 2024 and was presented with the official GWR certificate on the Respect for the Aged Day, which is a Japanese public holiday celebrated annually to honour the country's elderly citizens.
Ms Itooka, who was one of three siblings, lived through world wars and pandemics as well as technological breakthroughs.
As a student, she played volleyball and climbed the 3,067-metre (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.
In her older age, she enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a milky soft drink popular in Japan, according to the mayor's statement.
She married at 20, and had two daughters and two sons, according to Guinness.
During World War Two she managed the office of her husband's textile factory. She lived alone in Nara after her husband died in 1979.
She is survived by one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held with family and friends, according to officials.
As of September, Japan counted more than 95,000 people who were 100 or older - 88% of whom were women.
Of the country's 124 million people, nearly a third are 65 or older.
Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka and is 116, is now believed to be the world's oldest person.
Shortly after Mike Johnson appeared to come up two votes shy of retaining the speakership of the House of Representatives on Friday, Marjorie Taylor Greene – the loyal Trump ally and firebrand Republican congresswoman from Georgia – stood in the middle of the House chamber, intently speaking on her mobile phone.
Although she covered the device with her hand, a sharp photographer for Reuters news agency, Evelyn Hockstein, captured the name of the person on the other end of the conversation – incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
It was a tangible sign of the enormous interest President-elect Donald Trump was taking in this vote. Trump had enthusiastically endorsed Johnson to be speaker for the incoming session of Congress earlier this week, and defeat in the first round of balloting would have been an embarrassment.
Behind the scenes, however, wheels were furiously turning – setting up a chaotic interlude in the House after Johnson had initially appeared headed to at least a temporary defeat.
At one point, Johnson walked out of the chamber, followed by two of the men who had opposed him, Ralph Norman of North Carolina and Keith Self of Texas. Meanwhile, other members of the House and their families milled about and chatted, waiting to see what happened next.
When Johnson ultimately returned, he was all smiles.
Trump himself had made a direct appeal to Norman and Self to back Johnson via speakerphone conversation, Republican sources told news outlets including Politico.
Because the vote had not been officially declared to be closed, Norman and Self were able to switch their votes to the Louisianian, putting him at just the 218 mark necessary to retain the speaker's gavel. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie was the lone Republican holdout.
Getty Images
Both Norman and Self told reporters after the vote that they had spoken to Trump during the course of the day.
Norman said he conversed with Trump twice on Friday. The first during a several-minute phone call when fellow Republican Nancy Mace handed him her phone and the president-elect was on the other line.
The second time was a longer, 15-minute call that included Norman, Johnson and Self, he said, without confirming the exact timing.
"Trump was exactly right when he told me Mike is the only one who has the likeability factor," Norman said.
He went on to describe Trump as "enthusiastic" about the Republican trifecta in Washington - control of the House, Senate and presidency.
"I said, 'Mr President I agree with you, I'm just hoping Mike has got the oomph to pull this off,'" Norman said.
Self also said he spoke with Trump several times on Friday.
"We had a discussion about the entire process," he said of his conversation with the president-elect.
Ultimately, embarrassment was avoided – even if Trump publicly appeared to be more focused on other things.
In the midst of the voting, as the names of House members were called in alphabetical order, the president-elect was complaining on social media about the possibility that US flags would be at half-staff during his 20 January inauguration – part of the traditional mourning process following the death of former president Jimmy Carter.
Friday afternoon's proceedings underscored just how tenuous the Republican majority in the House of Representatives will be over the course of the coming months.
Besides the three initial Republican votes against Johnson, another five hard-line conservatives – who have objected to the compromises Johnson has made with Democrats in the past - delayed casting their ballots during the initial roll call. While they ultimately relented, it was a very obvious shot across the speaker's bow.
After the final vote, the House Freedom Caucus – some of whom were among the temporary holdouts – released a statement explaining that they ultimately backed Johnson because of their support for Trump.
"We did this despite our sincere reservations regarding the speaker's track record over the past 15 months," they wrote.
For now, the party holds a 219 to 215 edge over Democrats - but that could shrink by two if Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York and Michael Waltz of Florida fill administration jobs Trump has offered them. It will be months until special elections determine their replacements.
That means Trump will have to hold his entire House Republican membership together if he wants to pass key pieces of his legislative agenda early in his presidency, including hardline immigration reforms, new tariffs, and tax and spending cuts.
As Friday demonstrated, this could be a tall task.
A sleepsuit and either a sleeping bag or a sheet and/or blanket should be fine.
It says if you're using a sleeping bag and feel like your baby is cold, add an extra layer of clothing - but not extra blankets.
If you're using sheets and/or blankets, use lightweight cellular blankets. Avoid thick, fleecy or padded blankets.
Also remove hats when a baby is inside.
You should keep your baby's head warm when going outside, and use mittens or gloves to stop heat loss.
In the car, for safety reasons, you should keep thick jumpers and coats to a minimum, so there is not too much padding between your child and the car seat straps.
If necessary, you can lay a blanket on top of them once they are safely strapped in. Remove any extra layers when you come back inside.
Like humans, animals can be at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.
Veterinary charity PDSA, external advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months. Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens.
The charity also recommends extra playtime for pets to make sure they keep active if they are spending less time outside. Indoor toys can help.
Consider keeping cats inside overnight and provide an indoor litter tray.
A sudden drop in temperature can also have a big impact on outside pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs. They should be given extra bedding for warmth and, if possible, moved to a more sheltered space or even brought inside.
But you should make sure they have enough indoor space to exercise safely.
Can I walk my dog in cold weather?
Dogs still need walks during cold weather. Usually, their fur will keep them warm.
Drying clothes on radiators is a common practice in the winter.
But it can mean turning on heating in parts of the home you are not using. You may also risk making your home damp, which can cause mould.
Image source, Getty Images
One option is to use a dehumidifier, which takes water out of the air. Some have laundry settings and can be run for several hours next to wet clothes on a drying rack.
The financial journalist Martin Lewis has previously pointed out on his BBC podcast that running a dehumidifier is generally "far, far cheaper" than putting on the heating in a room.
What's the best way to de-ice your car?
Many drivers waking up to freezing temperatures have to de-ice their cars.
But motorists are warned not to use boiling water from a kettle - hot water can crack the glass and the water will only freeze again on the screen or on the ground.
Instead, the AA recommends turning on the engine - ensuring the wipers are off to avoid damage - and directing warm air to the windscreen.
You should also turn on your rear windscreen heater, and use air-con if you have it to ensure your windows don't fog up.
The next step is to clear any snow with a soft brush, before using a scraper and liquid de-icer.
How can you use plug-in heaters and electric blankets safely?
Many people use portable heaters as an alternative to switching on the central heating, but they can pose a serious fire hazard if not used carefully.
Firefighters and safety managers from the Electrical Safety First charity say you should place your heater on a flat surface to ensure it will not fall over.
It should be at least 3ft (1m) away from anything flammable. You should not let curtains, clothes, blankets, duvets or armchairs lean against it.
Image source, Getty Images
You should not use your heater to dry your washing, or leave it unattended for long periods of time, or overnight.
Experts also warn against plugging heaters into extension leads, as this could cause a fire.
You should not use an electric blanket at all if any of the heating wires are visible, there is damage to the power cord or control unit, or it gives off a smell when switched on.
Using gas heaters also carries the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so you should have a working carbon monoxide alarm in the same room.
When it is cold outside, people tend to spend more time indoors, where it can be easier to catch an infection.
For example, coughs and sneezes in an enclosed space with little or no ventilation (windows closed, doors shut) can quickly spread illnesses from person to person.
Practising good hygiene - using and then binning a tissue for coughs and sneezes and washing your hands - can help prevent this.
That was the praise lavished on Luke Littler by his beaten rival Michael van Gerwen after the 17-year-old became darts' youngest world champion.
Littler crushed the Dutchman 7-3 in the PDC World Championship final to cap off an incredible 12 months in which he has helped the sport's profile rocket and become a household name.
So, what makes him so good? We look at the combination of mindset, skill and talent that has taken 'The Nuke' to the very top.
Mentality: 'Cool, calm and collected under pressure'
Darts is a sport where you just cannot afford nerves to get to you - a tremble is often the end of a treble.
What sets Littler apart from his rivals is the fact he has been able to master essential calmness at such a young age - and amid an explosion of interest in the sport and him as a direct result of his arrival on the big stage a year ago.
"It's like water off a duck's back really, the way he just sort of takes it all in his stride," sports psychologist and former women's world number one darts player Dr Linda Duffy told BBC Sport.
"It's almost like he's not really 100% sure of what's going on around him. He's in that sort of bubble where he's just thinking about what he needs to do, which is fantastic.
"He's certainly very cool, calm and collected under pressure.
"What a lot of people who don't play darts don't understand is how difficult it is to play. You've got all this adrenaline, all the emotions whirling round inside you and you have to stay as steady as a rock to throw that dart properly at the target."
Littler admitted he had felt nervous after going 2-0 up in Friday's final but told himself to "just relax".
The only time he has really let any pent-up emotions spill over in the past year was after his opening win over Ryan Meikle last month, when he became tearful during his post-match interview and sought out hugs from his parents.
It was, perhaps, one of the few times he has looked more like his age.
His lifestyle away from the oche, though, is much more in line with plenty of teenagers - video games, football, fast food - and it is this that could also be playing a part in his mental strength, according to Duffy.
"This all helps him when it comes to having to cope with pressure because he knows how to relax and get some downtime in," she said.
Littler's mental approach is founded on a "very deep and absolute trust" in his ability, according to sports psychologist Martin Perry.
"What he's doing all the time, he's trying to fine-tune the feeling to get into the quality of focus and concentration where it feels like everything's happening automatically," he said. "You're playing unconscious darts and you're scoring big and making checkouts.
"Luke's calmness is really invaluable in allowing him to stay in a bubble of high-focus concentration, which means he can repeat high-scoring sequences regularly."
This video can not be played
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Media caption,
Watch: 'It's not sunk in,' says teenage darts champion Luke Littler
Relentless scoring power - despite 'terrible' maths
It is Littler's scoring power when under pressure which has stood out in this tournament.
If trebles are for show and doubles for dough, he has both bases covered.
Even that rare bout of nerves in the 3-1 win over Meikle culminated in him creating more history.
The teenager was in tears through a mixture of relief and satisfaction after hitting a record 140.91 set average – taking 32 darts to complete the set, when the minimum possible is 27.
His pace of play and shot selection, sometimes taking an alternative route to the norm, has even caught out seasoned darts 'spotters' on TV coverage as they alert directors to the next camera angle.
He hit four nine-darters last year, including in the Premier League final – one of 10 titles in his debut professional season – and revels in taking out the highest possible checkout of 170, a crowd-pleasing treble 20, treble 20 and bullseye known as 'The Big Fish'.
Littler is lethal on double 10, which also acts as a back-up shot if he misses double tops, while others might prefer double eight or 16 on the opposite side of the board.
Despite his quick thinking, he has admitted to being "terrible" at maths at school.
"It's just the longer you practise, the quicker you get to know checkouts, scoring and finishing up and laying up your shots and you know what to go for. So the more you play, the more you get used to it," he said.
There has been plenty of play, having started throwing magnetic darts aged just 18 months and moving to a proper board by the age of five.
Smashing the stats
Despite his young age, Littler was only the seventh player to reach back-to-back PDC world finals.
And after competing in two tournaments at Alexandra Palace, only seven other players have more 100-plus averages in matches.
He has won 12 of his 13 matches on the biggest stage, hitting the three-dart ton figure in 10 of those.
Last year, he smashed the overall record for maximum 180s, hitting a total of 771 since the last World Championship concluded to top Michael Smith's mark of 714 in 2022.
He has comfortably hit the most 180s in this year's competition, with 64 before the final being five more than the combined total of fellow semi-finalists Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting.
"He really is a breath of fresh air, and he's given me the enthusiasm to watch darts again because I didn't watch it for a few years after I retired, I wasn't interested," 16-time world champion Phil Taylor told BBC Radio Four.
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Media caption,
Watch: Littler's night of glory as he is crowned darts champion
Putting in the hours despite 'not practising much'
Littler has said in the past that he does not practise much, sometimes training for as little as 20-30 minutes a day.
But that does not mean he has not put in the hours to get to where he is and make the most of his natural talent.
"He's spent thousands of hours losing against seasoned campaigners in darts and county players," his former coach Karl Holden said, when asked what had made Littler so good.
"You need to learn to win, and to win you've got to learn to lose, and when you lose you don't like it. That's when you start winning."
Duffy also pointed to those hours as being one of the keys to Littler's calmness.
"They say 'oh Luke Littler is so young, he's so good, he's only 17'. We've seen footage of him playing darts since he could barely walk... so he's been playing darts for about 15 years," she said.
"As soon as he was old enough to go into junior tournaments, development tour tournaments, his parents let him go and play. He's got a wealth of experience, although he's only young.
"People think he's just walked out of his front room and, you know, gone to the Ally Pally stage and he's beating everyone. It isn't really that, there has been a build-up to this point.
"The more you play, the more you learn to control your nerves."
'£500,000 richer, but feet firmly on the floor'
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Luke Littler won the Premier League Darts, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Finals among a trophy-laden 2024
Littler's journey at last year's PDC World Championship captured the public's imagination, with the final becoming the most-watched sports event outside football in Sky Sports' 34-history.
A media whirlwind ensued, endorsements soon followed and youngsters began picking up arrows at a rapid rate.
He firmly took the limelight from those at the top of the sport, with world number one Luke Humphries joking people kept realising they were talking to the 'wrong Luke' when speaking to him.
Littler earned more than £1m in prize money last year in a trophy-laden season but appears to have remained grounded - even if his eyes widened considerably while he took in the announcement of the £500,000 prize he banked on Friday.
"It sounds a bit cliche but the family will never forget where they've come from. He's earned a lot of money really fast but has his feet firmly on the floor," said Garry Plummer, the boss of sponsors Target Darts, who first signed a deal with Littler's family when he was aged 12.
"There are two Luke Littlers. He's quiet and he's humble, and then he gets on that stage and he wants to entertain. He's like a seasoned pro."
What next, and when are 2025's other big darts events?
Darts never stops - meaning Littler has plenty of opportunity to add to his growing silverware collection. Here are the dates for your diary:
Edward Pettifer has been identified by the Metropolitan Police as the British national who was killed in New Orleans on 1 January
King Charles is deeply saddened by the death of a British man who was killed in the vehicle attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, Buckingham Palace sources say.
Edward Pettifer, 31 - who was named by the Metropolitan Police on Saturday morning - is believed to be the stepson of Alexandra Pettifer, known as Tiggy, who looked after Prince William and Prince Harry when they were children.
Palaces sources have told the BBC the King has been in touch with Mr Pettifer's family to share his personal condolences.
In a tribute, Mr Pettifer's family described him as a "wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend to so many".
Incredible Luke Littler etched his name into darting history with a crushing 7-3 victory over Michael van Gerwen to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner.
The 17-year-old was in unstoppable form as he raced into a 4-0 lead, and despite Van Gerwen getting three sets on the board, he never really threatened a comeback and was always in Littler's rear mirror.
Van Gerwen was the previous youngest champion when he won the first of his three world titles in 2014 aged 24, but darting phenomenon Littler smashed that record just as easily as he dealt with the Dutchman on the Alexandra Palace stage.
Warrington teenager Littler averaged just over 102 and threw 12 180s in a darting masterclass as he claimed the £500,000 first prize and lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.
With the way he handled the pressure of being the favourite and the manner of his performances still three weeks short of his 18th birthday, it surely is just the first of many.
That was the praise lavished on Luke Littler by his beaten rival Michael van Gerwen after the 17-year-old became darts' youngest world champion.
Littler crushed the Dutchman 7-3 in the PDC World Championship final to cap off an incredible 12 months in which he has helped the sport's profile rocket and become a household name.
So, what makes him so good? We look at the combination of mindset, skill and talent that has taken 'The Nuke' to the very top.
Mentality: 'Cool, calm and collected under pressure'
Darts is a sport where you just cannot afford nerves to get to you - a tremble is often the end of a treble.
What sets Littler apart from his rivals is the fact he has been able to master essential calmness at such a young age - and amid an explosion of interest in the sport and him as a direct result of his arrival on the big stage a year ago.
"It's like water off a duck's back really, the way he just sort of takes it all in his stride," sports psychologist and former women's world number one darts player Dr Linda Duffy told BBC Sport.
"It's almost like he's not really 100% sure of what's going on around him. He's in that sort of bubble where he's just thinking about what he needs to do, which is fantastic.
"He's certainly very cool, calm and collected under pressure.
"What a lot of people who don't play darts don't understand is how difficult it is to play. You've got all this adrenaline, all the emotions whirling round inside you and you have to stay as steady as a rock to throw that dart properly at the target."
Littler admitted he had felt nervous after going 2-0 up in Friday's final but told himself to "just relax".
The only time he has really let any pent-up emotions spill over in the past year was after his opening win over Ryan Meikle last month, when he became tearful during his post-match interview and sought out hugs from his parents.
It was, perhaps, one of the few times he has looked more like his age.
His lifestyle away from the oche, though, is much more in line with plenty of teenagers - video games, football, fast food - and it is this that could also be playing a part in his mental strength, according to Duffy.
"This all helps him when it comes to having to cope with pressure because he knows how to relax and get some downtime in," she said.
Littler's mental approach is founded on a "very deep and absolute trust" in his ability, according to sports psychologist Martin Perry.
"What he's doing all the time, he's trying to fine-tune the feeling to get into the quality of focus and concentration where it feels like everything's happening automatically," he said. "You're playing unconscious darts and you're scoring big and making checkouts.
"Luke's calmness is really invaluable in allowing him to stay in a bubble of high-focus concentration, which means he can repeat high-scoring sequences regularly."
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Media caption,
Watch: 'It's not sunk in,' says teenage darts champion Luke Littler
Relentless scoring power - despite 'terrible' maths
It is Littler's scoring power when under pressure which has stood out in this tournament.
If trebles are for show and doubles for dough, he has both bases covered.
Even that rare bout of nerves in the 3-1 win over Meikle culminated in him creating more history.
The teenager was in tears through a mixture of relief and satisfaction after hitting a record 140.91 set average – taking 32 darts to complete the set, when the minimum possible is 27.
His pace of play and shot selection, sometimes taking an alternative route to the norm, has even caught out seasoned darts 'spotters' on TV coverage as they alert directors to the next camera angle.
He hit four nine-darters last year, including in the Premier League final – one of 10 titles in his debut professional season – and revels in taking out the highest possible checkout of 170, a crowd-pleasing treble 20, treble 20 and bullseye known as 'The Big Fish'.
Littler is lethal on double 10, which also acts as a back-up shot if he misses double tops, while others might prefer double eight or 16 on the opposite side of the board.
Despite his quick thinking, he has admitted to being "terrible" at maths at school.
"It's just the longer you practise, the quicker you get to know checkouts, scoring and finishing up and laying up your shots and you know what to go for. So the more you play, the more you get used to it," he said.
There has been plenty of play, having started throwing magnetic darts aged just 18 months and moving to a proper board by the age of five.
Smashing the stats
Despite his young age, Littler was only the seventh player to reach back-to-back PDC world finals.
And after competing in two tournaments at Alexandra Palace, only seven other players have more 100-plus averages in matches.
He has won 12 of his 13 matches on the biggest stage, hitting the three-dart ton figure in 10 of those.
Last year, he smashed the overall record for maximum 180s, hitting a total of 771 since the last World Championship concluded to top Michael Smith's mark of 714 in 2022.
He has comfortably hit the most 180s in this year's competition, with 64 before the final being five more than the combined total of fellow semi-finalists Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting.
"He really is a breath of fresh air, and he's given me the enthusiasm to watch darts again because I didn't watch it for a few years after I retired, I wasn't interested," 16-time world champion Phil Taylor told BBC Radio Four.
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Media caption,
Watch: Littler's night of glory as he is crowned darts champion
Putting in the hours despite 'not practising much'
Littler has said in the past that he does not practise much, sometimes training for as little as 20-30 minutes a day.
But that does not mean he has not put in the hours to get to where he is and make the most of his natural talent.
"He's spent thousands of hours losing against seasoned campaigners in darts and county players," his former coach Karl Holden said, when asked what had made Littler so good.
"You need to learn to win, and to win you've got to learn to lose, and when you lose you don't like it. That's when you start winning."
Duffy also pointed to those hours as being one of the keys to Littler's calmness.
"They say 'oh Luke Littler is so young, he's so good, he's only 17'. We've seen footage of him playing darts since he could barely walk... so he's been playing darts for about 15 years," she said.
"As soon as he was old enough to go into junior tournaments, development tour tournaments, his parents let him go and play. He's got a wealth of experience, although he's only young.
"People think he's just walked out of his front room and, you know, gone to the Ally Pally stage and he's beating everyone. It isn't really that, there has been a build-up to this point.
"The more you play, the more you learn to control your nerves."
'£500,000 richer, but feet firmly on the floor'
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Luke Littler won the Premier League Darts, Grand Slam and World Series of Darts Finals among a trophy-laden 2024
Littler's journey at last year's PDC World Championship captured the public's imagination, with the final becoming the most-watched sports event outside football in Sky Sports' 34-history.
A media whirlwind ensued, endorsements soon followed and youngsters began picking up arrows at a rapid rate.
He firmly took the limelight from those at the top of the sport, with world number one Luke Humphries joking people kept realising they were talking to the 'wrong Luke' when speaking to him.
Littler earned more than £1m in prize money last year in a trophy-laden season but appears to have remained grounded - even if his eyes widened considerably while he took in the announcement of the £500,000 prize he banked on Friday.
"It sounds a bit cliche but the family will never forget where they've come from. He's earned a lot of money really fast but has his feet firmly on the floor," said Garry Plummer, the boss of sponsors Target Darts, who first signed a deal with Littler's family when he was aged 12.
"There are two Luke Littlers. He's quiet and he's humble, and then he gets on that stage and he wants to entertain. He's like a seasoned pro."
What next, and when are 2025's other big darts events?
Darts never stops - meaning Littler has plenty of opportunity to add to his growing silverware collection. Here are the dates for your diary:
In the UK's Whitley Bay, a shining waxing crescent Moon glows with Venus to the right
Stargazers around the globe were treated to a stunning celestial scene on Friday as Venus appeared shining brightly above a crescent Moon.
The planet was visible to the naked eye from the UK to the US, Turkey and China.
Venus is often called the Evening Star or Morning Star because, when it is prominent, it appears like the brightest "star" in the sky.
More astronomical delights are expected this new year, as January 2025 is going to be a good month to spot both Venus and Saturn. Make sure to take a look up into the sky on 18 January, as those planets will be appear just 2.2° apart.
Reuters
A crescent Moon and the planet Venus straddle a cross on top of Quebec Baptist Church in Ellaville, Georgia
Getty
In Turkey's capital Ankara the Moon and Venus are seen together alongside the Kocatepe Mosque
Stargazers may also be able to spot shooting stars blazing across the skies, as the Quadrantid meteor shower continues.
This shower, which is expected to peak on Saturday, has been visible since 26 December and will continue until 12 January.
Dr Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society in the UK, said observers hoping to catch a glimpse of the celestial fireworks after sunset will need to get "as far away from light pollution as possible".
"If you have the time to look out and the weather is good, then do take a look because it's a perfect new year treat."
Getty Images
Venus appears beside a crescent Moon in the night sky in Kolkata, India.
Getty Images
Quadrantid meteor shower is observed in the night sky over the Great Wall on January 4, 2025 in Beijing, China.
Nimisha Priya is currently lodged in the central jail of Yemen's capital Sanaa
Family members of an Indian nurse who is on death row in war-torn Yemen say they are pinning their hopes on a last-ditch effort to save her.
Nimisha Priya, 34, was sentenced to death for the murder of a local man - her former business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi - whose chopped-up body was discovered in a water tank in 2017.
Lodged in the central jail of capital Sanaa, she is set to be executed soon, with Mahdi al-Mashat, president of the rebel Houthis' Supreme Political Council, approving her punishment this week.
Under the Islamic judicial system, known as Sharia, the only way to stop the execution now is securing a pardon from the victim's family. For months, Nimisha's relatives and supporters have been trying to do this by raising diyah, or blood money, to be paid to Mahdi's family, and negotiations have been going on.
But with time running out, supporters say their hopes rest entirely on the family's decision.
With the presidential sanction coming in, the public prosecutor's office will once again seek consent from Mahdi's family and ask if they have any objections to the execution, said Samuel Jerome, a Yemen-based social worker who holds a power of attorney on behalf of Nimisha's mother.
"If they say they do not want to or can pardon her, the sentence would be immediately stopped," he said.
"Forgiveness is the first step. Whether the family accepts the blood money comes only after that."
Under Yemen's laws, Nimisha's family cannot directly contact the family of the victim and must hire negotiators.
Subhash Chandran, a lawyer who has represented Nimisha's family in India in the past, told the BBC that the family had already crowdfunded $40,000 (£32,268) for the victim's family. The money has been given in two tranches to the lawyers hired by the Indian government to negotiate the case (a delay in sending the second tranche affected the negotiations, Mr Jerome says).
"We now need to explore the scope for discussions with the [victim's] family, which is possible only with the Indian government's support," Mr Chandran said.
India's foreign ministry has said they are aware of Nimisha's situation and are extending all possible help to the family.
Her family is anxious but also hopeful.
"Nimisha has no knowledge of what is happening beyond the gates of prison," said her husband Tony Thomas, who spoke to her hours before the approval of the death sentence. "The only thing she wants to know is if our daughter is fine."
Nimisha's mother is currently in Sanaa, having travelled there last year after a court in India allowed her to go to the region controlled by Houthi rebels. She has met her daughter twice in prison since then.
The first reunion was very emotional. "Nimisha saw me... she said I had become weak and asked me to keep courage, and that God would save her. She asked me not to be sad,'' her mother Prema Kumari told the BBC.
The second time, Ms Kumari was accompanied by two nuns who held prayers for her daughter in prison.
Mr Thomas hopes they can arrive at a settlement and save Nimisha's life
Nimisha was barely 19 when she went to Yemen.
The daughter of a poorly-paid domestic worker, she wanted to change her family's financial situation, and worked as a nurse in a government-run hospital in Sanaa for some years.
In 2011, she returned home - Kochi city in southern India - and married Mr Thomas, a tuk-tuk driver.
The couple moved to Yemen together shortly afterwards. But financial struggles forced Mr Thomas to return to India with their baby daughter.
Tired of low-paying hospital jobs, Nimisha decided to open her own clinic in Yemen.
As the law there mandated that she have a local partner, she opened the clinic jointly with Mahdi, a store owner.
The two were initially on good terms - when Nimisha briefly visited India for her daughter's baptism, Mahdi accompanied her.
"He seemed like a nice man when he came to our house, " Mr Thomas told the BBC.
But Mahdi's attitude, Mr Thomas alleged, "suddenly changed" when the civil war broke out in Yemen in 2014.
At that time, Nimisha was trying to finalise paperwork so her husband and daughter could join her again.
But after the war broke out, the Indian government banned all travel to Yemen, making it impossible for them to go be with her.
Over the coming days, thousands of Indians were evacuated from the country, but Nimisha chose to stay, as she had taken out huge loans to open her clinic.
Getty Images
Nimisha's family challenged the death sentence in Yemen's top court but the plea was rejected
It was around then that Nimisha started to complain about Mahdi's behaviour, including allegations of physical torture, Mr Thomas said.
A petition in court, filed by a group called Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, alleged that Mahdi snatched all her money, seized her passport and even threatened her with a gun.
After Mahdi's body was discovered in 2017, the police charged Nimisha with killing him by giving him an "overdose of sedatives", and allegedly chopping up his body.
Nimisha denied the allegations. In court, her lawyer argued that she had tried to anaesthetise Mahdi just to retrieve her passport from him, but that the dose was accidentally increased.
In 2020, a local court sentenced Nimisha to death. Three years later, in 2023, her family challenged the decision in Yemen's Supreme Court, but their appeal was rejected.
Even with so many twists and turns, the family is not willing to give up hope.
"My heart says that we can arrive at a settlement and save Nimisha's life,'' Mr Thomas said.
More than anything, he said he was worried about their daughter, now 13, who had "never experienced a mother's love".
"They speak on the phone every week and my daughter gets upset if she misses the call," Mr Thomas said.
"She needs her mother. What will she do without her?"
Sub-zero temperatures are hitting the UK just as gas and electricity prices have risen for millions of households.
Energy bills are about 50% higher than pre-Covid levels, leaving many struggling to cover the cost alongside other financial demands.
So what can you do to stay warm while keeping costs down?
Prioritise staying safe
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression, according to the NHS.
Pensioners, children under the age of five, people with health conditions and those who are pregnant are most at risk.
So, staying safe and healthy must take priority, even when it puts pressure on the finances. That extends to checking gas appliances are safe to use when they may rarely be switched on.
Family, friends and neighbours can play their part by ensuring anyone who is more vulnerable takes care when going out on icy pavements, or is well stocked up with food and medicines at home.
Many charities and councils run warm hubs in locations such as libraries, for those short of money to have somewhere to go - but it is important to take care if walking to these spots in icy or snowy weather.
How to heat your home efficiently
Before having an argument between family or flatmates about the heating, try touring the property to work out how to save energy.
That may include turning off radiators in unused rooms, switching lights off when they are not needed, and not leaving electrical appliances on standby.
Curtains should be open during the day, then drawn at dusk.
Manage your draughts by putting a black bag with scrunched up paper up an unused chimney, or try limiting other draughts around the home. You can easily make your own draught excluders. Cold, hard floors can be covered by a rug if you have one.
Layer up with clothes, safely use a hot water bottle, and make sure you have warm nightwear.
Getty Images
When it comes to heating, there is much debate about whether it is more efficient to keep it permanently on low, rather than switch it on and off when needed.
Experts don't have a clear answer on that, as it often depends on circumstances in the home, but it probably isn't the best option for most people.
Generally, a room temperature between 18C and 21C is ideal for most, but turning it down one degree can save money.
For older people, and those with health conditions, it is best not to let temperatures drop below 18C in rooms used regularly.
Making sure curtains are not sitting in front of radiators will help ensure the heat stays in, as will pushing furniture away from radiators.
It is more important than ever to eat and drink properly, even with little motivation while stuck at home.
Age UK says warming foods, like soup and stews, and hot drinks like tea can help keep you warm. People should try to have at least one hot meal a day and as many hot drinks as possible. Supermarket-branded tins may be cheaper, so keep a close eye on prices. Food banks can also help if you are short of money.
Take care not to overfill the kettle by measuring out what is needed to keep costs down. Batch cooking can also help. Don't forget fruit and vegetables - the latter can be cooked with a steamer on one hob, rather than using different ones.
When washing up, if your hot water is too hot to wash your hands in, then your setting is probably too high so turn the boiler down. Wash clothes at 30C, not 40C.
Keep moving as much as you can between meals. That is likely to help your mental, as well as physical, health.
As tempting as it is to soak in the shower for ages, experts suggest limiting the time to four minutes. A playlist of four-minute songs may help.
Claim all the help you're entitled to
If you are struggling financially, then local councils and energy suppliers should be able to offer some assistance.
In fact, a supplier is obliged to help if you are falling behind on your energy bill.
Anyone on a prepayment meter who can't afford to top up, can ask for a fuel voucher from their supplier, or through their council.
Local authorities may also be able to provide cost-of-living assistance through the household support fund. You can find your local council here.
There are various other grants and benefits which people may be entitled to, but are not claiming. During an extended period of sub-zero temperatures, Cold Weather Payments will be made.
Grants are available for longer-term work ranging from insulation to upgrading heating systems, but time should be taken researching such work and applicants should stay alert to scams.
Cockapoo Luna (left) and Daisy play in the snow during a walk at Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
Cold weather has marked the arrival of 2025, with snow and ice warnings in place for much of the country.
Many of us will be opting for our thickest coats and gloves when we venture outside. But what about our pets?
How do I keep my pet warm indoors?
Like humans, animals can be at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.
Veterinary charity PDSA advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months and a few extra spaces to curl up around their home.
Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens.
The charity also recommends extra playtime for pets to make sure they keep active if they are spending less time outside. Indoor toys can help.
Should I still walk my dog?
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Despite the cold weather dogs still need walks to help keep them active
Image caption,
Cocker spaniel Elio, 4, enjoys rolling around in the snow while wearing a green fleece to keep him a bit more warm
Dogs still need walks during cold weather. Usually, their fur will keep them warm.
But some dogs, particularly those with shorter fur, will need extra help staying warm on their walkies.
"For most dogs, their own lovely fur coat is insulation enough, but those with thin fur, or who are unwell, very old or young, may benefit from a good winter coat," PDSA Veterinary Nurse Gemma Renwick said.
"Look for something well-fitting, waterproof but with a comfy lining."
As the temperatures drop, plan for shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long distance hike daily and f your dog gets wet, always dry them off with a towel as soon as you get home.
Any build-up of salt, grit, dirt or snow can be painful - so be sure to check and rinse their paws.
Image caption,
Cavapoo Reggie, 2, takes a break from chasing squirrels to catch some snow in Chester
What about my rabbit and guinea pig?
Smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets can also feel the cold.
The PDSA says a sudden drop in temperatures can be a shock to the system for the animals, and advises moving them if they live in hutches outside.
Dr Burke says: "A shed or car-free garage is ideal for protecting them from the draught, rain or snow. A cooler room is better .
"If you don't have that, maybe a room where you can turn the radiators off where it's a bit cooler - not a big jump from the outdoor to indoor temperature."
If there is no other option, the charity advises placing a blanket or piece of carpet over their outside living quarters.
Should I keep my cat inside?
Image source, Angela/ BBC Weather Watchers
Image caption,
A cat looks out the window to a snowy Bridgend, Aberdeenshire
Our feline furry friends love to roam the outdoors, but ideally they should stay inside overnight during cold weather.
But if your pet is determined to explore despite the snow and cold, the PDSA advises you ensure they can get back inside through a cat flap, or have warm shelter they can go to.
During the day, cats should be given the choice to go out if they're used to going outside.
The charity also says it is a good idea to provide your cat with litter trays inside, even if they always like to toilet outside. This gives them the option of keeping warm indoors.
Caring for chickens in winter
Chickens and hens are incredibly resilient and will cope with a bit of cold weather just fine, the British Hen Welfare Trust, external says.
However, the charity has advice to keep the cold at bay in extreme conditions.
These include ensuring your birds have shelter and any hen houses are insulated.
Check water regularly to make sure it hasn't frozen and if you have a larger hen house, pop a cardboard box on its side in the coop for your hens to sleep in.
Finally, ensure you are as predator safe as possible by checking boundaries regularly. Fence posts may become loose in wet weather, giving foxes or badgers an easy target to dig at.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric (centre) pictured on 27 December 2024 aboard the icebreaker ship Almirante Vial on its inaugural Antarctic mission
Chile's President Gabriel Boric has become the first leader in the Americas to visit the South Pole, after arriving at a US base there.
The president said his visit to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station reaffirmed Chile's own claim to sovereignty over part of the Antarctic.
"This is a milestone for us," Boric said in footage shown on Chilean television, before adding "it's the first time a Chilean president has come to the South Pole and talked about Chile's Antarctic mission".
Boric travelled with a group of scientists and several cabinet members, including ministers for the armed forces and the environment, his office said.
Boric said his visit underlined Chile's determination to play a key role in scientific projects in the area, especially those involving climate change.
In a statement, the government said research centres, universities, diplomats and the armed forces had united to ensure that Chile becomes the world's gateway to the Antarctic.
Only two other world leaders had visited the South Pole before Boric: the prime ministers of New Zealand and Norway.
Several countries, including Chile, the UK, France, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, have laid claim to parts of Antarctica and many more have a presence there.
Antarctica is not a country: it has no government and no indigenous population. Instead, the entire continent is set aside as a scientific preserve.
The Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in 1961, enshrines an ideal of intellectual exchange.
Cockapoo Luna (left) and Daisy play in the snow during a walk at Sixmilewater Park in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland
Cold weather has marked the arrival of 2025, with snow and ice warnings in place for much of the country.
Many of us will be opting for our thickest coats and gloves when we venture outside. But what about our pets?
How do I keep my pet warm indoors?
Like humans, animals can be at risk of hypothermia if they become too cold.
Veterinary charity PDSA advises giving dogs and cats extra blankets for their beds over the winter months and a few extra spaces to curl up around their home.
Raised beds can keep older dogs away from draughts, while cats may like high-up dens.
The charity also recommends extra playtime for pets to make sure they keep active if they are spending less time outside. Indoor toys can help.
Should I still walk my dog?
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Despite the cold weather dogs still need walks to help keep them active
Image caption,
Cocker spaniel Elio, 4, enjoys rolling around in the snow while wearing a green fleece to keep him a bit more warm
Dogs still need walks during cold weather. Usually, their fur will keep them warm.
But some dogs, particularly those with shorter fur, will need extra help staying warm on their walkies.
"For most dogs, their own lovely fur coat is insulation enough, but those with thin fur, or who are unwell, very old or young, may benefit from a good winter coat," PDSA Veterinary Nurse Gemma Renwick said.
"Look for something well-fitting, waterproof but with a comfy lining."
As the temperatures drop, plan for shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long distance hike daily and f your dog gets wet, always dry them off with a towel as soon as you get home.
Any build-up of salt, grit, dirt or snow can be painful - so be sure to check and rinse their paws.
Image caption,
Cavapoo Reggie, 2, takes a break from chasing squirrels to catch some snow in Chester
What about my rabbit and guinea pig?
Smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets can also feel the cold.
The PDSA says a sudden drop in temperatures can be a shock to the system for the animals, and advises moving them if they live in hutches outside.
Dr Burke says: "A shed or car-free garage is ideal for protecting them from the draught, rain or snow. A cooler room is better .
"If you don't have that, maybe a room where you can turn the radiators off where it's a bit cooler - not a big jump from the outdoor to indoor temperature."
If there is no other option, the charity advises placing a blanket or piece of carpet over their outside living quarters.
Should I keep my cat inside?
Image source, Angela/ BBC Weather Watchers
Image caption,
A cat looks out the window to a snowy Bridgend, Aberdeenshire
Our feline furry friends love to roam the outdoors, but ideally they should stay inside overnight during cold weather.
But if your pet is determined to explore despite the snow and cold, the PDSA advises you ensure they can get back inside through a cat flap, or have warm shelter they can go to.
During the day, cats should be given the choice to go out if they're used to going outside.
The charity also says it is a good idea to provide your cat with litter trays inside, even if they always like to toilet outside. This gives them the option of keeping warm indoors.
Caring for chickens in winter
Chickens and hens are incredibly resilient and will cope with a bit of cold weather just fine, the British Hen Welfare Trust, external says.
However, the charity has advice to keep the cold at bay in extreme conditions.
These include ensuring your birds have shelter and any hen houses are insulated.
Check water regularly to make sure it hasn't frozen and if you have a larger hen house, pop a cardboard box on its side in the coop for your hens to sleep in.
Finally, ensure you are as predator safe as possible by checking boundaries regularly. Fence posts may become loose in wet weather, giving foxes or badgers an easy target to dig at.
Elon Musk (L) and Nigel Farage at Donald Trump's Mar-A-Lago home in Florida last month
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Elon Musk's support for jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
The tech multi-billionaire added his voice to calls to release Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed in October after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee.
Farage has been proud to show off the support of Musk, flying to Florida to meet the owner of social media site X, who helped President-elect Donald Trump win the US election.
But Musk's support for Yaxley-Lennon is uncomfortable for Farage, who has made it clear over a number of years that he does not want him in his political party.
PA Media
Musk has voiced support for the jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson
Speaking to Reform UK's East Midlands conference in Leicester on Friday, Farage said Musk had "a whole range of opinions, some of which I agree with very strongly, and others of which I am more reticent about".
Nevertheless, Farage described Musk as a "remarkable new entrant" into American politics.
Musk, he said, was a "hero" for buying Twitter. "At least with Elon, we've got free speech back," he added.
Farage said: "Whether we like everything he says or not, he is a hero."
With Musk said to be minded to give Reform UK a sizeable donation, Farage believes he remains "very helpful" to the party's cause.
Musk had posted a series of messages on X, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of failing to prosecute gangs that systematically groomed and raped young girls, and calling for safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to be jailed.
Asked about his comments, Streeting said the government took "the issue of child sexual exploitation incredibly seriously".
The Tories have also criticised Musk for "sharing things that are factually inaccurate".
This article includes some discussion of the first episode of The Traitors, but does not contain major spoilers such as who the new traitors are or who gets murdered or banished.
Plot twists are happening already in Traitors season three, as one contestant from London lifted the lid on her charming - but false - Welsh accent.
Charlotte, 33, has lived in London her whole life but has decided to pretend she is from Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire, to maximise her chances of survival.
"I've been putting on a Welsh accent because my mum's from Wales, it's one of the most trustworthy accents," she told the camera on New Year's Day.
But is a Welsh lilt really the key to gaining people's trust as a faithful in the show?
The reality show centres around "traitors" selected by host Claudia Winkleman, who must deceive and gain the trust of other contestants, who are "faithfuls".
Sociolinguistics professor at Cardiff University, Dr Mercedes Durham led research into the likeability of the Welsh accent and found people associate the accent with being friendly - but not necessarily clever.
"They genuinely appreciated it, they find it funny, attractive and friendly, but they didn't take it seriously or associate it with intelligence," said Dr Durham.
But friendliness and trustworthiness are linked, says Dr Durham, so there could be a method behind the mask.
Inspiration may have come from previous Welsh contestants Andrew Jenkins from Talbot Green, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Amanda Lovett, from Swansea, who both eliminated faithfuls and narrowly missed out on the Traitor trophy in series one and two.
Amanda sailed through the very first series of Traitors in 2023, with her opponents swearing hand on heart that the humble character could never be a traitor.
"I think the Welsh accent is very relaxing, it definitely played a role in people trusting me in being a motherly figure," said Amanda.
"Maybe they didn't think I would be sharp enough, or the type capable of murdering, that I was too naive maybe," she added.
"But I don't know if I agree with pinching our Welsh accent," Amanda laughed, "we are very proud of our Welsh heritage".
Getty Images
Amanda Lovett says her warm accent helped her make it to the end of the Bafta winning series in 2023
Amanda said Traitors fans may even be wary of Welsh contestants this time, as both her and Andrew took their charming accents to the very end.
Andrew agreed the Welsh accent is trustworthy, but said he would have spotted Charlotte's duff Welsh accent from a mile off.
"Oh I think it's terrible, she keeps dipping in and out of her London accent," he said.
"I just think the Welsh are lovely, friendly, trusting people, I went in and was authentic.
"I tried to make as many friends as I could and be myself to be honest, I think that helped."
Lamberty Paul Chappells
Andrew Jenkins says Charlotte's fake welsh accent isn't convincing, and believes being authentic is the best way to go
Charlotte is not the only Welsh person in the game this year, as Cardiff-based Elen is from north Wales and Leanne, is from Holywell in Flintshire.
There is a lot of variation in Welsh accents, and people tend to relate more to certain regions, according to Dr Durham.
"The main association of people outside of Wales is the south Wales valleys and Barry Island in the Vale of Glamorgan, thanks to Gavin and Stacey," she said.
"Possibly more than the other two contestants, it's an accent outsiders will associate the most with Wales."
BBC/PA
North Wales born Elen was thrilled to discover Charlotte as a fellow Welsh person in the game
The Welsh accent has enticed new contact centres to set up or expand in Wales in recent years, including Starling Bank, Capital on Tap, Veezu and TCH Group.
Sandra Busby, chief executive of Cnect Wales, which supports contact centres, said Wales has always been an attractive location for many reasons with accents "playing their part".
"Over the years the Welsh accent always comes in the top three regional accent surveys for friendliness and for being trustworthy," she added.
What accents rival the Welsh accent?
The Welsh accent took top spot for the most relaxing accent across the UK in 2024, in a study by the University of Sheffield and Spa Seekers.
The public have a soft spot for all Celtic accents, Irish and Scottish included, thanks to their friendly connotations, said Dr Durham.
Received pronunciation, also known as "Queen's English" does well to gain people's trust, but mainly because of its social prestige.
But Birmingham, Liverpudlian and Cockney accents often aren't favoured and can be found in the lower half of popularity polls.
Mercedes Durham
Prof Mercedes Durham is leading research into Welsh accents
Trust in accents can change over time depending on our social circles and daily relationships, according to a study by Ilaria Torre from Plymouth University.
Participants heard either a standard southern English accent or a "lesser trusted" Liverpudlian accent, and attitudes changed depending on first impressions and judgements.
If a person who spoke in a "trusted" accent went on to behave fairly, then this first impression of trustworthiness increased.
Yet if they went on to behave unfairly, they were seen as less trustworthy than those who had both a lesser trusted accent and behaviour.
Participants "were punishing them, so to speak, for not living up to the participants' expectations", said Ms Torre.
On the opposite side, those who were seen as sounding "untrustworthy" with a Liverpudlian accent but acted nicely were able to reverse negative preconceptions.
So, while a Welsh lilt might start you off in good stead as a trusted contestant, the odds are still all to play for.
With a mixture of different accents from across the UK, how will the Welsh ones do?
You can find out - the first three episodes of The Traitors are now on BBC iPlayer.
The series airs on BBC One at 21:00 GMT on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
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