Duke of Marlborough charged with three counts of intentional strangulation

The Duke of Marlborough, who is also known as Jamie Blandford, has been charged with three counts of intentional strangulation, Thames Valley Police said.

The Duke, whose real name is Charles James Spencer-Churchill, who is related to Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, is accused of three offences between November 2022 and May 2024, Thames Valley Police said.

The three charges of non-fatal intentional strangulation are alleged to have taken place in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, against the same person.

The 70-year-old, who was first arrested on May 13 last year, is set to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Spencer-Churchill, who is well known to have had a long battle with drug addiction in the past, is the 12th Duke of Marlborough and a member of one of Britain’s most aristocratic families. The wartime prime minister Winston Churchill is his first cousin, three times removed.

His ancestral family home is the 300-year-old Blenheim Palace – Sir Winston’s birthplace – in Woodstock. But he does not own the 18th-century palace.

Spencer-Churchill has no role in the running of the residence and vast estate, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

In 1994, the late duke brought legal action to ensure his son and heir would not be able to take control of the family seat.

Blenheim is owned and managed by the Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation.

A spokesperson for the foundation said: “Blenheim Palace Heritage Foundation is aware legal proceedings have been brought against the Duke of Marlborough.

“The foundation is unable to comment on the charges, which relate to the duke’s personal conduct and private life, and which are subject to live, criminal proceedings.

“The foundation is not owned or managed by the Duke of Marlborough, but by independent entities run by boards of trustees.”

The King hosted a reception at Blenheim Palace for European leaders in July 2024, and the Queen, then the Duchess of Cornwall, joined Spencer-Churchill for the unveiling of a bust of Sir Winston in the grounds of Blenheim in 2015.

The palace was also the scene of the theft of a £4.75m golden toilet in 2019 after a gang of thieves smashed their way into the palace during a brazen heist and ripped out the fully-functioning 18-carat gold lavatory.

Trump to unveil 2026 agenda in address to nation as approval ratings hit new low

President Donald Trump announced he will address the nation Wednesday evening as his job approval rating on the economy hit a new low amid concerns about soaring prices.

The president didn’t elaborate on what he would cover in the 9 p.m. ET prime-time address.

But White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday that he plans to “talk a lot about the accomplishments over the past 11 months, all that he’s done to bring our country back to greatness, and all he continues to plan to do to continue delivering for the American people over the next three years.”

Trump will give the address hours after a new poll found that his economic job approval rating has plummeted to a new low — the lowest in either of his terms.

Just 36 percent of Americans say they approve of how the president is handling the economy, while 57 percent disapprove and 8 percent say they are unsure, according to a new Marist poll. In July, Trump’s approval rating on the economy was 39 percent.

His overall job approval isn’t much higher. Only 38 percent of Americans approve of the job he is doing, while 54 percent disapprove.

Rare pink fog descends on the UK as Met Office issues weather warnings

Many Britons woke up on Wednesday to find a pink fog had descended in a rare weather phenomenon.

People in London and the southeast of England reported seeing the rosy skies, which occurs when sunlight passes through layers of fog during sunrise or sunset.

The Met Office explains that when the sun is low on the horizon, its light travels through more of the atmosphere.

Because fog is essentially a cloud at ground level made up of tiny water droplets, shorter wavelengths (blue and green light) are scattered out, leaving the longer red wavelengths to dominate.

When this filtered light shines through fog, it gives the fog a pink or rosy hue, which is “purely an optical effect it does not indicate any unusual weather hazard beyond normal fog risks, such as reduced visibility”.

The blanket of pink fog comes as forecasters are warning of potential flight disruption and cancellations after fog alerts were issued across London and other parts of the UK.

The Met Office has said parts of the country have seen “dense fog” on Wednesday with visibility as low as 100m in places, causing a number of flight cancellations and delays.

Thousands of passengers are experiencing disruption after seven flights to and from London City Airport were cancelled. Flights inbound to Southampton have also been heavily delayed by the fog.

It comes as low-pressure systems move across the UK, bringing unsettled weather, fog and heavy showers. Forecasters warned the weather could lead to “difficult travel conditions”, particularly across the east Midlands and Cambridgeshire.

A yellow weather warning for fog was in place this morning covering south-east England and the east Midlands, while a yellow warning for rain has been issued in the South West.

The fog warning was in place until 10am on Wednesday, but it is still impacting flights in and out of London City Airport. Its runway is only 19ft above mean sea level, is adjacent to the River Thames and is often affected by poor visibility.

Gatwick Airport told The Independent that no flights have been impacted by the fog.

In the South West and south Wales, a yellow warning for rain is in place until 11.59pm on Wednesday. Forecasters have warned that heavy rain, especially over high ground, may cause travel disruption and flooding.

The Met Office said 10 to 20mm of rain is likely widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales.

Heavy rain is expected to push eastwards on Thursday. Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for rain across south-west England and south Wales until 7pm, and a separate yellow warning for the southern counties of England between the hours of midnight and 9pm.

It added that within this warning area, 15 to 25mm of rain is possible widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over the Downs.

Forecasters urged people to check road closures and travel disruptions ahead of journeys and prepare for strong winds, particularly in coastal areas.

Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “We’re set to see an unsettled week as low-pressure systems push fronts across the UK. With recent heavy rain, further wet conditions will increase the risk of flooding.

“With that in mind, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecast and warnings and remember to never drive through floodwater.”

Looking ahead to Christmas week, Mr Armstrong said another low-pressure system could bring further rainy and unsettled conditions over the weekend before higher pressure takes over.

The Met Office said drier and milder weather is expected as we move closer to Christmas Day next Thursday, with some frost and mist overnight.

Outbreaks of heavy rain and brisk winds will move eastwards through the day on Wednesday, with southeast England staying dry until after dark.

A yellow warning for rain is in place all day on Wednesday for south-west England and south Wales. Heavy rain, especially over high ground, may cause travel disruption and flooding. 10 to 20mm of rain is likely widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over Dartmoor and the hills of south Wales.

Heavy rain is set to move north-east across much of the country on Thursday, with a further yellow warning for rain in place across south-west England and south Wales through the day.

A separate yellow warning for rain is in place for the southern counties of England between midnight and 9pm. Within this warning area 15 to 25mm of rain is possible widely, with 40 to 60mm possible over the Downs. Strong winds are expected too, gusting over 50mph in exposed coastal areas, which may exacerbate impacts.

Friday will bring frequent blustery showers, typical for the time of year, with a brief calmer spell before another low-pressure system arrives. This could bring further heavy rain and unsettled conditions into the weekend.

Angelina Jolie reveals mastectomy scars to raise cancer awareness

Angelina Jolie has revealed her double mastectomy scars for the first time more than a decade after her surgery.

The Oscar-winning actor, 50, posed for a photoshoot with Time France to raise breast cancer awareness and to honor survivors of the deadly disease. Jolie showed her bare chest on the magazine’s cover of its very first issue, revealing the mark from when she went under the knife in 2013.

“I share these scars with many women I love,” Jolie told the outlet in an interview published Monday. “I’m always moved when I see other women share theirs.” She continued, “I wanted to join them, knowing thatTIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention and knowledge about breast cancer.”

Praise poured in online for the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider actor following the magazine cover reveal, with one fan writing on X: “Angelina jolie is the perfect choice for a cover story, she embodies strength and compassion.”

Another added, “A fitting choice for a first cover, she’s one of those rare figures whose influence goes well beyond film.” A third chimed in: “Angelina looks absolutely ethereal here. Iconic! Nathaniel Goldberg captured her well.”

Jolie underwent the surgery to remove both of her breasts following the death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, from breast and ovarian cancer in 2007. The actor then tested positive for a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which meant her chances of getting breast and ovarian cancers were significantly higher.

Two years after her double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, the Maleficent star also removed her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a preventative measure.

Her decision went on to massively raise awareness for breast cancer in what was called the Angelina Jolie effect: an immediate uptick in screenings and more women seeking to understand their options for breast reconstruction.

“Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices,” Jolie told Time France. She covered the magazine while promoting Alice Winocour’s film Coutures, out in February, where she plays a filmmaker who is diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history,” she added.

Jolie wrote about her decision to have the surgery in a piece for The New York Times at the time of her procedure. The mom-of-six explained she had initially been given an estimated 87 percent risk of breast cancer and 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer.

“My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under five percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer,” she wrote.

“I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt. I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn’t live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among American women, with about one in eight women being diagnosed in their lifetime.

Tech firm admits error that gave Australia edge in Ashes test

BBG Sports, the company which makes the Snicko technology used for decision reviews in the Ashes, has apologised after a mistake during the first day of the third Test cost England and helped Australian batter Alex Carey to a crucial century.

England appealed confidently when Carey, on 72, swiped at a Josh Tongue delivery and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. England’s slip cordon were convinced they heard a noise and appealed immediately, but umpire Ahsan Raza was unmoved.

England reviewed the decision and Snicko showed a clear spike, but – not for the first time in the series – the noise tremor failed to match with the picture on screen, spiking two frames before the ball passed the bat.

Carey later admitted he felt a “feather” on the ball. “Snicko obviously didn’t line up, did it,” he said, after going on to secure an important ton for Australia. “That’s just the way cricket goes sometimes, you have a bit of luck, and maybe it went my way today.”

BBG Sports’ founder Warren Brennan told Australian publication The Age: “Given that Alex Carey admitted he had hit the ball in question, the only conclusion that can be drawn from this is that the Snicko operator at the time must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing.

“In light of this, BBG Sports takes full responsibility for the error.”

England’s bowling coach David Saker said England were ill-served by the technology.

“The boys are pretty confident he hit it, I think the calibration of the Snicko is out,” the Australian told reporters after England toiled through a sweltering day in the field. “It was a pretty important decision. Those things hurt. You’d think in this day and age the technology’s good enough to pick things up like that.”

Saker said England had been unhappy with the technology throughout the series, without elaborating on specific instances, and might raise the matter with match officials.

“After today, that may go a bit further,” he said of complaints within the England camp. “It should be better than that. It is what it is.”

Australia, missing key man Steve Smith who dramatically withdrew at the eleventh hour citing “nausea and dizziness”, posted 326-8 after winning the toss on a pitch that promised big runs. Jofra Archer was the standout England bowler with three for 29 while Zak Crawley contributed a fine one-handed catch.

But Carey’s ton gave Australia a foothold in the game and leaves the match well balanced into what is expected to be a brutally hot day two in Adelaide.

The contentious incident came two years after Carey was cast as the villain of the 2023 Ashes, when he threw down Jonny Bairstow’s stumps in the second Test at Lord’s. The run-out was legal but triggered a “spirit of cricket” debate, and enraged England fans jeered Carey for the rest of the drawn series.

Wednesday’s escape may do little to boost his popularity in England but, in Adelaide, Carey had the home crowd chanting his name and he savoured a standing ovation when he reached his century.

“You’re not always going to be liked. Sometimes it depends which side of the fence you’re on,” said Carey. “There’s always heroes and villains.”

Pit-Smoked and Bourbon-Soaked: how to eat in Kentucky like a pro

What’s a drop of Bourbon or a foot tapping beat without the perfect dish to accompany them? There’s more to the Bluegrass State than whiskey and music alone. Though those things are important. Vital actually.

In Kentucky, the good times come served with a side of soul-enriching food, from fine dining, to time-honed traditions passed down through generations. A combination of Southern know-how, bountiful farmland and top-notch ingredients, plus modern culinary talent combine to make Kentucky a truly world-class culinary destination.

So get your fingers sticky with the sweet tang of BBQ, find the ultimate comfort food at a ma and pop shop on the roadside, or pull up a chair beneath a crisp linen tablecloth. It’s all here. Let us guide you to the top spots.

Louisville

Home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, and with deep roots in the world of whiskey making, Louisville is a place where tradition is respected. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t reinterpreted, reinvented, and well, shaken up.

Kentucky’s largest metropolis, which straddles the slow running waters of the Ohio River, was built on whiskey. But as the new food hub of the South, it’s writing a new, distinctly delicious chapter.

‘New Southern Cuisine’, that’s the term coined for this new spirit of reverent playfulness where chefs across the city are putting new unique twists on traditional Southern fare from Hot Browns to Benedictine.

At 610 Magnolia, in the heart of Old Louisville, for chef and owner Edward Lee that means seasonal, multi-course menus that combine surprising global flavours into locally-inspired, often Bourbon laced dishes. Think seared scallops with kimchi or a sweet pea risotto with rock shrimp and magnolia.

Jack Fry’s is an institution. Behind its shutter board and mullioned window exterior, live jazz accompanies Southern flavours prepared with classic French techniques since 1933. Where once bootlegging occurred in a backroom, today spicy fried oysters, Bourbon braised short ribs, and peach cheesecakes laden the tables.

Don’t Miss:

Walk the distilleries and tasting rooms of Whiskey Row. This is mandatory. The imposing cast iron and red brick facades of Main Street once fronted the offices and warehouses for the burgeoning Bourbon barons. Today, they’re a playground for whiskey enthusiasts with exclusive bottlings, tastings and more to explore.

Follow Whiskey Row – and the Urban Bourbon Trail – across multiple blocks, and you’ll find NuLu (New Louisville). The East Market District of downtown draws an artsy crowd hang out to its neighbourhood murals, street art, galleries, and innovative eateries from Biscuit Belly to Royal Hot Chicken.

Lexington and the Bluegrass region

Combine fine dining with authentic Bluegrass charm in Lexington and beyond, where a visit to the world famous Keeneland Rack Track isn’t all about the horses. Yes, Lexington is a race horse capital, but sometimes the food is the main event.

Arrive purposefully hungry, and get amongst the smell of turf, saddle leather and smoked meats as jockeys, trainers and spectators alike head to the Track Kitchen. A morning staple and one of the city’s best-kept secrets, its home-style food feels like a hug. But careful, pace yourself.

Trackside concession stalls, only open during the races, beckon with their many culinary delights. From Keeneland’s signature Bourbon Bread Pudding to Kentucky Beer Cheese and the refreshing Keeneland Breeze cocktail, the food and drink here are as much a part of the experience as the races themselves. Classic Southern comfort meets local flair.

Don’t Miss:

Head out to the countryside, where the morning mist sits low on the pastures of Thoroughbred farms. Culinary star, Chef Ouita Michel may have just pioneered farm-to-table dining over the past 15-plus years. With all that high-quality produce in abundance surrounding Lexington, it just made sense to make the most of it.

Visit all eight of Ouita’s famous restaurants – or just a few – on a culinary tour. Honeywood at Fritz Farm is all about the locally-grown specialities, from sweet potato beignets to duck-fat basted New York strip. Meanwhile, Smithtown Seafood is a quintessential taste of the south with wild-caught fried catfish, fresh-shucked oysters and blackened catfish.

Owensboro

Breathe in the sweet smell of smoke and molasses. When you catch the scent of a true pit master at work, you follow it.

In Owensboro, Kentucky’s undisputed BBQ capital, a passion for flavour and a dedication to time-honed techniques, means you’re in for a treat.

In this city located on the south side of a deep bend in the Ohio River, BBQ is more than just a dish, it’s a tradition. With a history dating back to the 1830s, the area has developed its own unique style of pit BBQ, where vinegar-based sauces are mopped over the meat during a lengthy smoking process. Think tangy, tender, and melt-in-the-mouth.

Sure you’ll find chicken, beef, et al. But with sheep historically more plentiful, the main event here is mutton. Burgoo who? Look out for local dish Burgoo, a stew similar to Irish or Mulligan stew, most often served with a generous wedge of cornbread. Well, this is Kentucky.

Don’t get us wrong. BBQ is a year-round way of life with secrets passed down generations. Head to the Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, where smoked meat has been slung since the 1950s. Or Old Hickory BBQ, where the grills have been firing since 1918.

But once a year Owensboro becomes the global BBQ capital. At the International Bar-B-Q Festival, BBQ and Barrels, held every second weekend in May, 80,000 assemble for two days of BBQ heaven, while teams fiercely compete over secret recipes and sizzling coals.

Don’t Miss:

What goes better with a smoked slice, than the twang of strings? Owensboro is the Bluegrass world capital too. Stop by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of this soulful, uniquely American genre.

How Venezuela sends oil around the world despite sanctions

Donald Trump has ordered a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers from Venezuela as part of an ongoing pressure campaign against president Nicolas Maduro’s government.

Hundreds of US troops and ships have been stationed near the Venezuelan coastline, where US forces last week seized an oil tanker in the latest attempt to inflict economic damage on Caracas.

In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump boasted that Venezuela was “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America”, warning that “it will only get bigger”.

He demanded that Venezuela “return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us”.

Caracas described Trump’s announcement as a “grotesque threat”.

Venezuela has control over the largest known oil reserve in the world, producing around 1 million barrels a day.

Its oil reserves are found primarily in the Orinoco Belt, a region in the country’s east which covers around 55,000 sqkm.

The country’s proven reserves are estimated at more than 303 billion barrels, which is the largest reserve worldwide – trumping Saudi Arabia’s 297.7 billion barrels.

Venezuela’s crude oil reserves are six times larger than that of the US, which as of 2023 had 46 billion barrels.

In 2009, the United States Geological Survey estimated that the Orinoco Belt alone contains 900 to 1,400 billion barrels. Of this, it said between 380 and 652 billion barrels are recoverable.

The belt holds heavy crude oil, which is harder and more expensive to extract than conventional oil. Advanced technology is required to produce usable oil from this region.

Despite its natural resources, Venezuelan exports stood at just $4.05bn in 2023, according to figures in the Observatory of Economic Complexity. This is a fraction of the $122bn exported by Russia and $181bn by Saudi Arabia the same year.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA sells most of its exports at a steep discount on the black market in China – because the country has been locked out of global oil markets due to US sanctions imposed by Trump.

Since the US imposed its first energy sanctions on Venezuela in 2019, traders and refiners buying Venezuelan oil have resorted to using a “shadow fleet” of old tankers that disguise their location. They tend to have mysterious ownership and operate without standard insurance. Many have been sanctioned for transporting oil to Russia or Iran.

As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Last week, the US intercepted The Skipper vessel off Venezuela’s coast – the first time Washington has ever captured Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019.

Francisco Monaldi, a Venezuelan oil expert at Rice University in Houston, said that about 850,000 barrels of the 1 million daily production is exported. Around 80 per cent of that goes to China, 15 to 17 per cent goes to the US, and the remainder goes to Cuba.

Venezuelan oil is loaded at port terminals on its north Caribbean coast, such as the Puerto José.

Without a US blockade, Venezuelan ships have direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, from which they can travel through to South Africa, through the Indian Ocean and towards China.

Tankers travelling to the US will advance north through the Caribbean sea towards the Gulf of Mexico, before they are unloaded at US Gulf Coast ports including Pascagoula (Mississippi), St Charles (Louisiana), and Freeport (Texas).

Although the Trump administration has said The Skipper was heading for Cuba, analysts have said it was likely destined for China given its sheer size. The vessel, which is 20 years old, can carry around 2 million barrels of oil.

The Trump administration has been ramping up tensions with Venezuela in recent months, with growing signs that Trump is pushing for regime change.

The US military has recently carried out a series of military strikes on Venezuelan boats in international waters in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific that it claimed – without evidence – were carrying drugs to the US.

However, Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles appeared to suggest that ousting Maduro was also an aim for Trump in an interview with Vanity Fair.

Trump “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle”, Wiles said.

The amount of crude oil which Venezuela has been able to export to the US has since significantly dwindled and limited its access to international markets.

Regime change in Venezuela, in favour of a president more aligned with US interests, would provide Washington an increased access to Venezuelan crude oil, which is cheaper than crude oil from other countries due to its dense, viscous nature.

It could allow major US oil companies, including Chevron – which already produces oil in Venezuela – to expand its operations into the country. This would allow the US to reduce its reliance on oil from the Middle East or Russia.

It would also be a strategic win on the geopolitical stage, with Maduro currently allied with many of the US’ adversaries, including China, Iran and Russia.

Should a young healthy person like me get a flu jab?

Ginger shots, clementines, 10-hour sleeps, soup, spice, surplus hydration, supplements – for the past three weeks, I’ve tried just about everything and anything to stop myself getting sick. Still, as hard as I fight, I can feel something brewing in the background; achy limbs, heavy head, elevated body temperature. While it’s not yet the horrendous H3N2 flu strain out in full force, something is decidedly not right.

It’s hardly surprising. Cold and flu levels in the UK are absurd right now. An average of 2,660 patients per day were in a hospital bed with flu last week, with the sick being urged to wear masks if they have to go outside to tackle the wave. Inevitably, this has also seen a surge in Covid lockdown flashbacks, and turned my mind more specifically to December 2020, when we were advised to see our loved ones in a “limited and cautious” way, while the Alpha B117 variant was spreading rapidly across the country.

Flu for Christmas wouldn’t be fun for me – but it almost certainly wouldn’t be fatal. The same can’t be said for my 87-year-old nana, who’s firmly in the high-risk realm. Although she’s protected by the flu vaccine, that doesn’t make her invincible to the hopped-up H3N2 strain, and I worry about contaminating her. For the price of £21.95 at Boots, could it be worth getting jabbed even if the NHS doesn’t dictate to?

“If you’re a young person who doesn’t have an underlying condition that makes you eligible, you should still consider having the flu jab,” says Dr Nisa Aslam, a NHS GP, who points to the local pharmacy, Boots or Superdrug as one of the many high street locations you can book a vaccine appointment with ease or difficulty – depending on whereabouts in the UK you live. Currently, in south London, it’s a struggle.

This is frustrating, as Dr Aslam says it’s essential to get booked in ASAP if you want protection for Christmas – but that’s, of course, easier said than done. “For most people, it takes around 10 days to two weeks for the protection to kick in,” she explains.“It could be a bit longer. Or, it could be a bit less. So, the most practical thing to do is get your flu jab as soon as you can.”

And it’s not just your loved ones you could be protecting, either. “The other group you’re protecting are individuals in the community who are unable to have the flu vaccines, so this could be transplant, organ transplant recipients,” Dr Aslam says. “It might be people who’re allergic to ingredients in the flu vaccine. So, there are lots of good reasons to go and have the flu vaccine, essentially.”

Superflu has also pushed the NHS to the brink, with leading medics warning of severe hospital overcrowding, countless staff members struck down with illness and a worrying number of cases among children. “We’ve had more hospitalisations at this time of the year compared to previous years,” says Dr Aslam.

And it’s important to remember that just because you don’t feel sick, it doesn’t mean you’re not carrying the virus. “You can basically be infectious for 24 hours before you first develop symptoms,” Dr Aslam warns. “Then, you can continue to be infectious for up to a week afterwards.”

“Maybe, if someone is very frail, undergoing chemotherapy or a very young baby, for example, then try to keep your distance,” the GP suggests. “Don’t get too close, and remember things like hand hygiene, disposing of any used tissues, and ventilating the room that you’re going to spend time in, because all of those things mean that you can still see your loved ones but you’re taking measures to protect them.”

It’s important to note that even if you and your loved ones have had the flu vaccine, it can still be worth following these measures to avoid infecting somebody vulnerable.

“It’s hard to know,” acknowledges Dr Aslam of the gamble many of us will take this festive season. “You can’t make hard and fast rules, because we have to balance protecting loved ones from mental health [issues] with things like loneliness.” Notably, a recent Age UK study found that more than a million older people could be spending Christmas alone, while five per cent won’t see or speak to anyone during the entire day.

So, at the risk of sounding like we’ve stepped back into a time machine, there appears to be an obvious answer here: “The one thing that the pandemic taught us is that if you can comfortably tolerate a mask, then it’s going to help,” says Dr Aslam. “These viruses are spread through respiratory droplets, and masks absolutely do provide a layer of protection.”

Ho, ho, oh no, here we go again.