UK Bids Farewell to Coal after 142 Years

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After 142 years,** the UK will finally shut down its last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, on Monday. This marks the end of an era, with coal accounting for 80% of the country's power needs in 1990. However, the transition to renewable energy has come at a cost, with the UK having the highest industrial power prices in the developed world. The closure of coal plants has filled the void with green alternatives, such as solar and offshore wind. The Labour government is seeking to hit net zero emissions from electricity generation by 2030 through efforts like lifting the de facto ban on onshore wind farms. **Goodbye, coal. Hello, renewable energy!

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Buckle up for a wild New Year's celebration!** The UK is bracing for a week of extreme weather, with multiple yellow weather warnings in place from Monday to Thursday. Gusts of up to 70mph and heavy downpours could lead to travel disruptions, flooding, and blizzard conditions. Hogmanay celebrations are at risk, and up to 25cm of snow is expected in some areas. Stay informed, check for updates, and secure loose items outside your home.

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Nigel Farage has offered to help Lord Mandelson, the incoming US ambassador, in his new role by using his connections with the Trump administration. Despite their political differences, Farage believes he could be a useful asset for fostering good US-UK relations. He is particularly willing to assist with talks on trade, tariffs, intelligence-sharing, and countering terrorism, as many members of the president's cabinet are his friends. However, he fears that the government may be too split to take up his offer. Mandelson has been warned that he will need a thick skin to weather regular attacks from Trump's allies, but with his experience in the hard world of diplomacy, he is expected to succeed as ambassador to Washington.

Prince Andrew's 'Close Confidant' Linked to Chinese Spy Scandal: Summary

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Prince Andrew's 'Close Confidant' Linked to Chinese Spy Scandal
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A fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Franklin Fire, has forced evacuations in eastern Malibu, California. The blaze has burned over 1,800 acres, threatening structures and causing power outages. High winds have made the fire difficult to contain, with 6,000 people under evacuation orders. This comes as California faces increased wildfire risk due to climate change.

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A man in Canada** suffered severe injuries after jumping onto a polar bear to protect his wife from an attack in the early hours of Tuesday. The couple had been looking for their dogs when they encountered the bear in their driveway. The bear lunged at the woman, but the man intervened, taking the brunt of the attack and suffering injuries to his arm and legs. A neighbor arrived and shot the bear, which later died from its wounds. Climate change is causing temperature fluctuations in the ocean, affecting how far bears can roam inland, making such attacks more common.Polar bears rarely attack humans, but when they do, it's often because they're hungry, young, or unwell. The community maintained patrols to ensure no other bears were present.

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Biden's Amazon Adventure: A Call to Protect the Rainforest
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  • Mercenaries and Arms Suppliers Targeted: The sanctions also target Russian mercenary groups and companies supplying arms to Russia for use in Ukraine.
  • Public Inquiry Underway: A public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess is currently underway.

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Devastating flooding in Spain's Valencia region claims at least 95 lives, with many more missing.

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  • The European Union has activated its Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate rescue teams.
  • Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for three days of national mourning and promised to deploy necessary resources for recovery.
  • King Felipe VI expressed condolences to the victims' families.

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Clues to Mount Everest's First Ascent Unearthed?

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What if the first climbers to conquer Mount Everest weren't Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay?
A documentary team found human remains on Mount Everest that might belong to Andrew Irvine, who went missing in 1924 while attempting to reach the summit with George Mallory.

  • Climate change has exposed the bodies of many mountaineers who died on the mountain.
  • The discovery of a boot and sock could provide clues to Irvine's and Mallory's fate.
  • The Irvine family offered to share DNA samples to confirm the identity of the remains.

Could this be the final piece to solving one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries?

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CALL TO ACTION:** Over 100 artists, curators, and art historians are rallying for leniency towards two protestors who threw tomato soup at Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Will the court listen?

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