Durham Police say the major A-road will be inaccessible to high-sided vehicles at 7pm and all other vehicles at 9pm between Bowes and Brough tonight (Saturday, April 4) due to the storm.
The Met Office has warned of “disruptive and potentially damaging winds” that could reach 60mph from 7pm on Saturday evening to 3am in the early hours of Sunday.
The amber weather warning covering the North East. (Image: MET OFFICE)
An amber weather warning is also in place and extends across the region as the storm is set to hit the North East from 6pm.
A police spokesperson said: “The A66 Trans-Pennine between Bowes and Brough will be closed both ways from 9pm this evening (April 4) owing to Storm Dave – this is due to the high wind gusts – it will likely close to high sided vehicles sooner due to the same.
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“It is worth checking ahead of any scheduled journeys as Storm Dave is likely to cause transport related issues over the next couple of days.”
Initially, the region was placed under a yellow alert but the Met Office now says flying debris could cause a danger to life, power cuts may occur and buildings may be damaged.
Motorists have been advised to drive slower in the blustery conditions, people have been urged to stay indoors and those living along the coast are warned to stay away from large waves.
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Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, added: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west.
“By Saturday afternoon winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60-70mph expected at times across parts of Scotland with the potential for gusts of 80-90mph in exposed coastal locations in Scotland.
“Gusts of 50-60mph are likely more widely in northern Britain.
“As well as strong winds, Storm Dave will also bring heavy snowfall over the hills in northern Scotland where up to 10-20cm of snow could accumulate.
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“Along with the strong winds this will lead to blizzard conditions.
“Elsewhere there will be heavy spells of rain as the system moves through eastwards across the UK.”
*Astro line horoscopes are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390
Scientists say even the smallest lifestyle tweaks could have a meaningful impact on how long we live and how healthy those years are.
A major new study led by researchers in Australia suggests that modest adjustments to everyday habits may be enough to extend lifespan.
Analysing data from tens of thousands of participants, the team found that adding just a few minutes of sleep, a short burst of physical activity and a slight improvement in diet could collectively make a measurable difference.
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The power of tiny daily tweaks
The findings indicate that as little as five extra minutes of sleep, roughly two additional minutes of exercise and a small increase in healthy food intake, such as half a serving of vegetables, may add a year or more to life expectancy.
While each of these changes might seem insignificant on its own, together they appear to have a much greater effect.
In fact, the research suggests that combining these small adjustments produces stronger benefits than making a larger change in just one area.
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“There seems to be a unique synergy” between sleep, movement and diet, said Emmanuel Stamatakis, senior author of the study.
The work adds to a growing body of evidence showing that realistic, manageable improvements can have an outsized impact on long-term health.
“We’re not talking about big, ambitious goals,” Stamatakis said. “We’re talking about four extra pieces of broccoli at dinner tonight, that kind of thing.”
What is SPAN and why it matters?
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The researchers focused on three core pillars of wellbeing, sleep, physical activity and nutrition, sometimes referred to collectively as SPAN.
While each has long been recognised as essential, the study aimed to understand how they interact, and what minimum changes might still deliver benefits.
To explore this, the team analysed data from nearly 60,000 adults, most in their 60s, drawn from the UK Biobank.
This large-scale dataset includes detailed records on lifestyle, including sleep patterns tracked by wearable devices, physical activity levels and dietary habits.
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Using this information, the researchers built a statistical model to estimate how different combinations of habits might influence longevity.
The model suggested that the “optimal” balance included just over seven hours of sleep per night, around 40 minutes of daily activity and a high-quality diet, a combination associated with significantly longer and healthier lives.
However, the more striking finding was how little change was needed to move the needle. Even minor improvements helped lift individuals out of the lowest health category, potentially extending both lifespan and the number of years lived without serious illness.
By contrast, trying to achieve the same benefits through a single behaviour alone required far greater effort. For example, the model suggested that substantially more exercise would be needed to match the effect of small, combined changes across all three areas.
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“We found changes could be more minimal” when combined, Stamatakis said, making them potentially easier to implement. “Putting your phone away a little earlier in the evening might be enough” to help you sleep five minutes more, he said.
“Plus taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work and using whole grain bread on a sandwich. Those small things add up.”
The results underline a simple but encouraging message: improving health may not require a complete lifestyle overhaul, just a few small, consistent steps in the right direction.
Cork & Coffee, based in Seaham, has added the new space to create a relaxed environment where guests can enjoy coffee in the morning or wine and cocktails into the evening.
Danielle Smith and Tam Ali, owners of Cork & Coffee, said: “At Cork & Coffee, we are always looking for ways to refine and enhance the experience we offer.
“With the summer months approaching, it felt like the perfect time to reimagine our outdoor space.
“We have introduced additional table seating along our seafront location, creating a more open and relaxed setting for our guests to enjoy.
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“Whether it is coffee in the morning or wine and cocktails into the evening, the new layout allows people to make the most of the surroundings.”
Cork & Coffee is also planning to launch a new tapas menu soon.
Cork & Coffee in Seaham have expanded. (Image: Cork & Coffee)
Ms Smith and Mr Ali said: “This is a natural step for us as we continue to evolve the space in line with how our customers enjoy Cork & Coffee.
Read more:
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“We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our customers for their continued support.
“It is because of this that we are able to grow, and as we look ahead, we will be exploring opportunities to expand into new locations in the future.”
The outdoor seating area is now open for guests to enjoy.
York Cocktail Week is back for the second year and will celebrate 26 of the city’s finest venues from Friday (April 17) until Sunday (April 26).
Organised by Ma.d Agency, the event will allow people to access hundreds of exclusive deals – with each participating venue offering up its own signature cocktail.
Recommended reading:
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A wide range of £5 to £7 cocktails will be available – a fraction of their original price – through a special York Cocktail Week wristband.
Speaking about this, event organiser Alice Christison said: “Not only is it exciting to be bringing Cocktail Week back to York for the second year but to see so many top venues signing up to join in the fun is fantastic.
“I know first-hand how wonderful these cocktails and mocktails are, delivered by some of the finest mixologists, so I know visitors will have the best experience.”
A full list of participating venues is as follows:
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The Botanist
Bobos Cocktail Bar
Vudu Lounge
DumDum Tiki Bar
Kennedy’s Bar
Impossible
Pink
Manahatta
Ask Italian
Cosy Club
Social8
Brew York Tap Room
Jalou
Whippet Inn
Cicchetti Lounge
Rosa’s Thai
Revolution
Yemen Heaven
Dusk
House of Trembling Madness
Shambles Tavern
Slug & Lettuce (Riverside)
Slug & Lettuce (Swinegate)
Tomahawk Steakhouse
Moxy
Boho Mixologists
Aside from the deals, signature cocktails will be available, along with mocktail options – with a little something for everyone.
Top picks, event organisers say, include This Sh*t Is Bananas from Manahatta, the Amalfi Sunset at Ask Italian, the Katy Berry Cosmo at Brew York Taproom, The Cosy-Cabana at Cosy Club and The Lavender Lady at Kennedy’s Bar.
More on the deals and wristband purchasing options can be found here.
Scotland and parts of northern England are expected to be affected by Storm Dave in the coming hours.
Disruption could be seen on roads, as well as on rail, air and ferry services, so whether you’ve got travel plans or are interested in seeing where the storm is, here’s how you can track it.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️#StormDave brings strong winds across northern England, southern Scotland and northwest Wales
Brits can track Storm Dave via the Met Office website today through to tomorrow.
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The Met Office’s tracker allows you to see the movement of Storm Dave and the impact of the storm.
You can see the rainfall, wind gusts, cloud cover and temperature as the storm moves across the UK.
#StormDave has been named and is forecast to bring damaging winds across northern parts of the UK, with some disruptive snow possible in northwest Scotland later on Saturday and into Easter Day #WeatherAwarepic.twitter.com/J0NZYD2SPC
Up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall, with the Met Office issuing a yellow severe weather warning in Scotland for heavy snow and blizzards, causing some travel and power disruption.
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Meanwhile, an amber weather warning for wind has been issued for parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales tonight.
The Met Office has upgraded a severe yellow weather warning for wind to amber, meaning flying debris could lead to “injuries or danger to life”.
What different Met Office weather warnings mean
The amber warning covers parts of Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, North Wales and Scotland, and comes into effect at 7pm this evening and is due to remain in place until 3am on Sunday.
When is Storm Dave expected to hit the UK?
The warnings are in place this evening and tomorrow morning, with the storm expected to hit during this period.
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Storm Dave will hit hardest on Saturday evening, before beginning to weaken on Sunday as it moves into the North Sea.
Recommended reading:
The Met Office has issued multiple warnings for wind covering the whole of mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland, parts of northern England and North Wales from Saturday evening into Sunday.
Greg Dewhurst, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “There is cold air across Scotland at the moment and, as the rain pushes across this afternoon, it is going to turn to snow.
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“We’ll see heavy snow forming across parts of the Highlands as we go through the rest of the afternoon into the evening time and early hours, as much as 20 to 30 centimetres could fall over the higher ground, and five to 10 centimetres over lower ground.”
Will you be tracking Storm Dave? Let us know in the comments.
Nick Woltemade only joined Newcastle United last summer (Picture: Getty)
Dietmar Hamann has described Nick Woltemade’s struggles at Newcastle United as ‘remarkable’ and says it has presented Eddie Howe with a ‘really tricky situation’.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a bright start to his St James’ Park career, however, scoring six goals before the start of November and impressing with his all-round play.
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But Woltemade’s contributions began to fall away over the winter period and the German has now scored just once in his last 22 appearances in all competitions.
The towering forward has even been used slightly deeper by an increasingly desperate Howe but Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has dismissed the notion he can play in midfield.
Hamann insists his compatriot’s drop-off is ‘very strange’ and has raised the possibility that Woltemade will now be sold after just one season.
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Woltemade enjoyed a bright start to his Newcastle career (Picture: Getty)
‘I couldn’t believe the developments in the last few weeks and months regarding Nick Woltemade,’ Hamann told BoyleSports.
‘There was a story in one of the German papers that he hasn’t settled in the North-east, which I personally think is a paradise for a footballer, because if you’ve got a bit of success, they treat you as a hero.
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‘He had a great start and was adored by the faithful, adored by the fans. It’s obviously a very strange situation because if you had told me this after six or eight weeks, where he scored a few goals, I would have said he’s going places and he’ll be one who might be there for a few years, who is loved and adored by the people.
Eddie Howe is faced with a ‘really tricky situation’ (Picture: Getty)
‘To have the turnaround now in a short space of time is really remarkable. What you hear and what you see probably makes me think that there might be a summer exit, which is obviously not a good situation for the club because they paid an awful lot of money.
‘Do you force him to stay here? Is that a good solution? And who’s going to pay the money for him now?
‘So, yeah, I think it’s a really tricky situation for both of them, for both parties, but especially for the club.’
If Newcastle do end up selling Woltemade, Hamann believes former Manchester United and Chelsea transfer target Victor Osimhen would be the ‘perfect’ replacement.
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Victor Osimhen has long been linked with a Premier League move (Picture: Getty)
Osimhen has scored an impressive 56 goals in 70 games since joining Galatasaray in 2024 and helped Napoli win the Serie A title before his move to Turkey.
‘I think Victor Osimhen is one of the top five centre forwards in Europe,’ ex-Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich midfielder Hamann added.
‘I couldn’t believe that he ended up in Turkey. Obviously, Napoli paid an awful lot of money for him, but I’m very surprised that none of the English teams signed him, because they all struggled for centre forwards in the summer.
‘They tried for players like Benjamin Sesko, and other players who have come in are only just starting to adapt now because they obviously needed some time.
‘I think he’s an outstanding player and I think he’s probably the reason why Galatasaray is doing well in the league.
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‘I love watching him and I think, if he were to play in the Premier League, there are teams he would make much better.
‘Obviously, Liverpool have got two players there now, so he won’t end up there, but he’s an outstanding player. He’s got pace, he’s got power, he can finish, a wonderful player.
‘If Newcastle do sell Nick Woltemade, he could be the perfect fit.’
Motorists are being urged to avoid the area if possible
Peter Hennessy UK & World News Editor
03:55, 05 Apr 2026
A busy road has been closed by police after a serious crash.
Police Service of Northern Ireland [PSNI] have urged drivers to avoid the area if possible after the collision on Castlecat Road, Dervock in the early hours of Sunday, April 5.
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Police say the road has been closed until further notice and drivers should use alternative routes if they are able to.
A spokesperson for PSNI said: “Road users are asked to avoid the Castlecat Road, Dervock, which is closed due to a serious one vehicle road traffic collision.
“Diversions are in place, and motorists should seek an alternative route where possible.”
A missing U.S. fighter pilot who was shot down in Iran has been rescued, Donald Trump has announced.
“WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History,” the president posted on Truth Social late Saturday night.
New VAT and Insurance Premium Tax rules will increase costs for Motability Scheme applications from 1 July 2026, with changes to mileage allowance and tyre replacement limits
The Motability Scheme is set to undergo significant changes as updated regulations drive up costs from July. The alterations stem from tax adjustments announced in the Labour Government’s Autumn Budget last year, which will have a direct impact on the scheme.
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From 1 July 2026, VAT and Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will apply to leases on the DWP Motability Scheme. Consequently, leasing a vehicle will become considerably more expensive, and the overall cost of delivering the Scheme will rise substantially.
There are several key points to note. The changes apply to new applications submitted on or after Tuesday, July 1 2026. The organisation states: “When considering changes, priority has been given to protecting what matters most to disabled people, reducing the impact of the tax changes as far as possible and providing good value.
“Alongside Motability Operations, we remain dedicated to providing the Motability Scheme now, and for years to come, with a continued strong focus on customer service, affordability and choice.”
VAT
For those who currently hold a lease, Motability officials confirm that nothing will change for the time being, reports Birmingham Live.
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Where VAT is applied to a lease, it will not affect the lease payments deducted from your mobility allowance. Rather, VAT will be charged at the standard rate on other lease costs including your Advance Payment, excess mileage fees and early termination charges.
Mileage allowance
Regarding mileage allowance, new leases will feature:
Cars: 30,000 miles across three years
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: 50,000 miles across five years
Officials report that roughly three-quarters of customers travel within this revised allowance, with a typical annual mileage of around 7,500 miles. Those who exceed this limit will have the option to purchase additional miles, the foundation confirms.
It added: “We recognise that some customers may need to drive more miles for a variety of reasons, and we are currently looking at ways we may be able to mitigate the impact of these changes for customers in some limited exceptional circumstances.”
Tyre replacement
On tyre replacement, from 1 July, a Scheme lease will cover:
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Up to six tyres during a three-year lease, with up to four replacements available for accidental damage
Up to 10 tyres during a five-year lease, with up to six replacements available for accidental damage
Most customers require two tyre replacements over the course of a three-year lease, and these updated limits have been set to reflect what the vast majority of drivers need through standard use, the foundation states. With regard to EU breakdown cover, drivers will still be permitted to take their vehicle abroad, but must request a VE103 form from the RAC and pay an administration fee.
EU breakdown cover
In the previous year, fewer than one per cent of customers made use of EU breakdown cover. For those already holding a lease, Motability representatives confirm that nothing will change during your current agreement at this stage.
They stress that these modifications apply solely to new applications made from 1 July 2026 onwards.
Manchester United have a number of transfer options open to them as we head towards the summer window
As Manchester United prepare to cement their place in the top four, attention has begun to turn to their summer business. The club may have some lofty ambition in the transfer market but there are also some deals which could be much easier to wrap up.
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In recent windows, United have opted to include buy-back clauses when offloading some of their players. They haven’t always exercised them – as an example, they allowed Real Madrid a free run at Alvaro Carreras when the defender left Benfica – but they have options this summer.
If Michael Carrick is able to deliver Champions League qualification, it could make the club a more attractive proposition for incoming players. It could also leave the higher-ups feeling they have no choice but to hand the interim boss the reins on a permanent basis.
However, there are some players who United may be able to land relatively easil if they want to set up reunions. We’ve taken a look at four of those players here.
Academy midfielder Hannibal impressed when he came through the ranks and got a first team chance. His tenacity and fighting spirit earned plaudits but he couldn’t quite kick on.
The Tunisian scored his first United goal in a defeat to Brighton under Erik ten Hag early in the 2023/24 season but a loan spell at Sevilla in the second half of the campaign didn’t go to plan. He left permanently at the end of the campaign, joining Burnley in a deal worth up to £9.4million.
According to the MEN, United have a buy-back clause worth an undisclosed amount and also have a matching rights deal. This means if Burnley accept a bid for Hannibal from another club then his former employers are entitled to present an identical bid to the Clarets.
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United are also believed to have a 50 per-cent sell-on clause for the 23-year-old. Burnley are on the verge of relegation from the Premier League this term but Hannibal – who played 37 league games in last season’s promotion campaign – has impressed despite the team’s struggles.
Mason Greenwood
United are not believed to have planned a return for Mason Greenwood when the forward joined Marseille for a shade under £30m in 2024. Even so, The Telegraph reported at the time that a buy-back clause was included in the deal despite ‘no expectation or intention’ of any return.
The Premier League club decided long before then that Greenwood didn’t have a future at the club. However, those reports of a clause left some wondering if the door was ajar.
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He had spent a season on loan at Getafe before making a permanent move to Marseille. He has scored 47 goals in 74 appearances for the French club, playing for them in this season’s Champions League.
In addition to the buy-back clause, United inserted a sell-on clause in Greenwood’s Marseille move. Reports vary on the amount, though it’s believed to be between 40-50 per-cent of any profits made by the Ligue 1 outfit.
Facundo Pellistri
Uruguayan winger Pellistri joined United in 2020 but had to wait more than two years for his senior debut for the club. He spent time on loan at Alaves in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons and played for his country at the 2022 World Cup before finally making it onto the pitch in United’s EFL Cup victory over Charlton in January 2023.
He played a total of 25 matches for the Old Trafford club, the last of those appearances coming in the 2024 Community Shield. A move to Panathinaikos followed, with the Greek club paying just over £5m plus potential add-ons.
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At the time, the MEN reported that a three-year buy-back clause was included in the deal. United are also understood to have a 45 per-cent sell-on clause if the Greek side opts to cash in.
Now 24, Pellistri played his 50th Panathinaikos match earlier this season. He has scored four goals for the club, including one against Chelsea in last season’s Conference League.
Willy Kambwala
Young defender Kambwala was thrust into first-team action amid an injury crisis during the 2023/24 season. He started league games against West Ham, Liverpool and Bournemouth and made a further seven substitute appearances.
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His form under Erik ten Hag prompted interest from the continent. After the French youth international rejected a new deal, Villarreal came in with a bid worth up to £9.6million.
According to The Guardian, United made sure to include a buy-back clause in that deal and in the sale of left-back Carreras earlier in the same window. Carreras joined Benfica for £5m and joined Real Madrid for close to £50m just one year later after United opted not to trigger their £25m option.
Kambwala played 19 league games for Villarreal last season as they finished fifth in La Liga and qualified for the Champions League. He has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury but recently returned to the bench for a pair of league matches in March.
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