Another European Champions Cup Saturday and another underwhelming day for English Premiership clubs as former winners Wasps and Bath lay down with barely a whimper while Saracens flexed their muscles as we thought they might. It hasn’t been a complete disaster for English clubs in Europe’s premier competition yet, with Saracens unbeaten in pool three and Newcastle Falcons the surprise package of pool five, but it’s shaping up to be another pretty underwhelming year. Saracens stand alone. We already knew that. Mark McCall’s men ground out another workmanlike win over Cardiff Blues in desperately tough conditions in the Welsh capital to make it four wins from four courtesy of Owen Farrell’s sublime piece of second-half skill and Jamie George’s happy knack of scoring vital late tries. Join Indpendent Minds For exclusive articles, events and an advertising-free read for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial Get the best of … [Read more...] about Saracens aside, English clubs are no longer big players on the European stage
The ultimate way to put lights on a Christmas tree, according to experts
Christmas is a time for festive frivolity, garish jumpers, Baileys-induced hangovers, and feasting on chocolate-coated everything. However, it’s also synonymous with last-minute present wrapping debacles, hurried scribbles on Christmas cards, family arguments, and the on-going debate of how to dress a Christmas tree. Earlier this week, Google revealed its top UK search trends in 2018 and the question ‘how to put lights on a Christmas tree?’ featured in the top 10 list. Join Indpendent Minds For exclusive articles, events and an advertising-free read for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial Get the best of The Independent With an Independent Minds subscription for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial Get the best of The Independent Without the ads – for just £5.99 €6.99 $9.99 a month Start your free trial It would appear, then, that regardless of whether you fork out on a real fern over … [Read more...] about The ultimate way to put lights on a Christmas tree, according to experts
Pilot filmed aborting landing at UK airport during fierce Storm Deirdre winds
Dramatic video footage captured the moment planes arriving at Manchester Airport were forced to abort landing amid Storm Deirdre's fierce winds. The blustery weather presented challenging conditions for pilots throughout Saturday. Footage showed planes looking set for a rocky landing on the runway, wobbling from side to side. Although some pilots landed their first attempt, other planes were caught on camera touching down for just a split second before being forced to take off again. Planes landing at Manchester Airport had to battle crosswind gusts of up to 33 knots as they touched down, Manchester Evening News reports. The footage filmed by aviation enthusiast Aviation Up Close, observed aircraft crews performing the go-around manoeuvre. It is a standard landing procedure to take the jet around for another go at approaching the runway if it's not completely lined up to land or experiences a late, sudden gust of wind, which stormy conditions often bring. The 10 minutes of footage … [Read more...] about Pilot filmed aborting landing at UK airport during fierce Storm Deirdre winds
Snow, ice and wind warnings issued by Met Office for today as Storm Deirdre hits
Storm Deirdre has struck the UK, bringing snow, ice and wind as the Met Office issues multiple weather warnings for today. People heading out on Sunday morning have been warned of a risk of icy conditions in parts of the country after Storm Deirdre swept through overnight bringing heavy snow, freezing rain and gales. The storm hit one of the last major shopping days before Christmas on Saturday, causing havoc on the roads and misery on the high street for retailers hoping for a festive sales boost. But ice and lying snow has remained overnight, making for some dangerous conditions first thing in the morning, before gusts and showers hit from west to east by lunchtime. A series of weather warnings is due to expire as the morning progresses, with improved conditions expected as Sunday goes on, although some rain and wind will persist. With yellow warnings for snow, ice and wind still in place, the Met Office warned of "dangerous travelling conditions," with possible delays or … [Read more...] about Snow, ice and wind warnings issued by Met Office for today as Storm Deirdre hits
Grieving family distraught as priest uses teen’s funeral to condemn his suicide
A family grieving from their son's suicide were left outraged after the priest presiding over his funeral 'called him a sinner' and said he might not go to heaven, they claim. On December 4, 18-year-old sports star and straight-A student, Maison Hullibarger from Temperance, Michigan, tragically took his own life. But, when they were supposed to be grieving for their loss, the Hullibarger family say their heartbreak was only added to at his December 8 funeral, because Reverend Don LaCuesta wouldn't stop mentioning his cause of death. 'It was his time to tell everybody what he thought of suicide, [and] we couldn’t believe what he was saying' said Jeff Hullibarger, Maison’s father, to the Detroit Free Press . 'He was up there condemning our son. He wondered if he had repented enough to make it to heaven. He said suicide upwards of six times'. 'There were actually a couple of younger boys who were Maison's age who left the church sobbing,' Hullibarger said. Maison’s … [Read more...] about Grieving family distraught as priest uses teen’s funeral to condemn his suicide