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SHOPPING: Products featured in this article are independently selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, MailOnline will earn an affiliate commission. Amazon shoppers are giving their winter wardrobes a cosy upgrade and keeping their electricity bills down thanks to one sherpa fleece hoodie - and it's under £21. The Sienna Zip Up Oversized Blanket Hoodie is gaining a loyal fan-base thanks to glowing recommendations from wearers who say it's ideal for 'anybody who is trying to save a little on those heating bills'. Sienna Zip Up Oversized Blanket Hoodie The perfect antidote to winter's cold weather and to the soaring energy prices, the Sienna zip-up hoodie blanket is made from a super soft fleece fabric exterior and cosy sherpa fleece lining. The hoodie has a relaxed oversized fit for additional comfort whilst sleeping and relaxing, and is one-size-fits-all. £20.99 Shop The zip-up hoodie blanket is a … [Read more...] about ‘Who needs central heating?’: Amazon shoppers are loving this ultra-soft £21 zip up fleece-lined hoodie

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slightly more Americans filed for jobless claims last week but the labor market remains one of strongest parts of the U.S. economy. Applications for unemployment benefits rose to 230,000 for the week ending Dec. 3, up by 4,000 from the previous week’s 226,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The four-week moving average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, rose by 1,000 to 230,000. About 1.67 million people were receiving jobless aid the week that ended Nov. 26, up 62,000 from the week before. That's the most in 10 months, but still historically low. Jobless claims are seen as a proxy for layoffs, and combined with other employment data, show that American workers are enjoying extraordinary job security at the moment. That's despite an economy some see in danger of tipping into a recession due to the aggressive actions of the Federal Reserve, which is trying to cool the economy by raising interest rates. The Federal Reserve has … [Read more...] about US jobless claims up modestly last week

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping met on Thursday with Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince while on a visit to the kingdom, solidifying ties with a region crucial to his country's energy supplies as sanctions intensify on Russia over its war on Ukraine. Xi arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh and was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's assertive son who stands ready to rule the oil-rich kingdom in the decades to come. Xi shook hands with the prince as an honor guard on horseback carried Saudi and Chinese flags. It wasn't immediately clear what Xi focused on in his discussions, though he wrote in a newspaper column published by Al Riyadh newspaper that “exchanges between China and Arab states date back more than 2,000 years.” The column also quoted a saying by Islam's Prophet Muhammad: “Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China.” “The Arab people value independence, oppose external interference, stand up to power … [Read more...] about China’s Xi at Saudi palace to meet royals on Mideast trip

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 12 WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a high-profile prisoner exchange, as the U.S. released notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. But the U.S. failed to win freedom for another American, Paul Whelan, who has been jailed for nearly four years. The deal, the second in eight months amid tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, secured the release of the most prominent American detained abroad and achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden. But it carried what U.S. officials described as a heavy price. “She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home," Biden said from the White House, where he was accompanied by Griner's wife, Cherelle, and administration officials. Biden's authorization to release Bout, the Russian felon once nicknamed “the Merchant of Death," underscored the … [Read more...] about WNBA star Griner freed in swap for Russian arms dealer Bout

Canada has some wonderful cities. Folks (especially East Coasters) are likely most familiar with Montreal , Toronto and perhaps even Québec City . But my favorite metropolitan area in our neighbor to the north is hands-down Vancouver, a bustling and incredibly diverse seaport on the west coast of British Columbia. With more than half a million residents, it’s one of the most densely populated and exciting urban sprawls in the country. Sitting right on the water, framed by mountains and with views of forested islands, Vancouver exudes a cinematic beauty that’s made it an exceedingly popular filming location for movies and TV shows. Deadpool , Fifty Shades of Grey , Elf, Riverdale and countless others were shot in what’s become known as Hollywood North. The scenic vistas and abundance of green spaces also put it in the rarified category of places that deliver cosmopolitan culture coupled with virtually endless access to nature. Vancouver is a foodie mecca with a … [Read more...] about How to Spend a Perfect Winter Weekend in Vancouver

Animal-themed lantern displays at Chester Zoo (Image: Chester Zoo) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info All funds generated by the experience will help boost Chester Zoo’s mission of preventing extinction, both through its conservation breeding programmes and field projects, in 20 countries around the world. Related articles Harry Potter Forbidden Forest REVIEW The best Christmas days out with the National Trust And The Lanterns event, which launched on November 11th, has already proved so popular, Chester Zoo had to release another batch of tickets to cope with the huge surge in demand. A treat that leaves you all aglow, the popular winter evening experience saw over 90,000 visitors in 2019 before the Covid pandemic … [Read more...] about Chester Zoo to open at night for animal-themed lantern display – how to visit

Learn how to care for Christmas cactus and poinsettias SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Poinsettias are well adapted to the conditions of their native habitat which transfers well to growing as houseplants . However, like a lot of indoor plants, they are sensitive to water, both under-watering and over. Gardening experts have shared the “correct” way to water this festive plant. Related articles Ex-burglar shares how to protect your home from thieves this Christmas Electrician shares curtain trick to keep your home warm in winter Gardening experts from Sutton Manor Nursery explained: “Poinsettias are sensitive plants that are susceptible to being both under-watered and over-watered. “When … [Read more...] about ‘Correct way’ to water ‘sensitive’ poinsettia houseplants – ‘prevent’ root rot now

RSPCA reveal which common toxic plants to AVOID SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Many plants are beautiful, but not all are beneficial in a garden . Some of the most eye-catching cultivars can be invasive, poisonous, or attractive to unwelcome insects - issues you probably don't want to deal with. Gardening experts at NeoGrass have shared several plants to avoid, especially for those who have children or pets. Related articles Alan Titchmarsh shares 10 ‘trouble-free’ plants you ‘can’t kill’ ‘Best spot’ to keep your orchids in winter to keep them ‘strong’ Bluebells According to the pros, bluebells can be “very invasive” and, therefore, they are probably “best avoided entirely” if gardeners … [Read more...] about ‘Very invasive!’ ‘Highly toxic’ UK garden plants to ‘avoid entirely’ – ‘they will spread’

Learn how to care for Christmas cactus and poinsettias SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Chris Bonnett is the CEO of Gardening Express With Christmas just a matter of weeks away, now’s the time to think about festive plants to adorn your home and give as gifts to your nearest and dearest.  Indoor plants make the perfect Christmas gift for friends and family and they look great dotted around your home over the festive season, adding even more colour and interest. Related articles ‘Effective’ household staple to ‘kill’ paving moss without scrubbing ‘Best spot’ to keep your orchids in winter to keep them ‘strong’ There are lots of plants to choose from but nothing says Christmas more than a … [Read more...] about Which festive indoor plant is best for me? Six plants to bring Christmas cheer

Some Tesco stores have introduced turnstiles at exits (Image: Google Maps) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Shoppers have taken to social media to express their dismay after a Tesco Express store introduced a measure that now requires customers to scan a barcode to leave. Posting on Reddit, one shopper shared a picture of a receipt that had a barcode printed on it. Customers are expected to scan the barcode at a turnstile near the exit to be able to leave the store - the only problem being that they’d need to buy something to get the receipt. Related articles The best mince pies you can buy in the supermarkets this Christmas Nearly half of Brits believe cheese causes nightmares The new system was … [Read more...] about Tesco shoppers’ fury as exit barriers require barcode receipt to leave store