To Do List
TRENDING THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
Many happy returns to Kate, right, who turns 40 tomorrow. However there will be no wild partying. It has been reported that the mother-of-three will have a “low-key” celebration of her milestone birthday amid the ongoing threat of coronavirus.
IONA
The tiny Scottish island in the Inner Hebrides, has been voted the UK’s top tourist hidden gem. It topped a list of 20 lesserknown beauty spots in a survey of 2,000 people for Sykes Holiday Cottages. Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, and Lundy Island in Devon, came in second and third place.
SKATEBOARDING
Research has revealed that the sport helps middle-aged people navigate depression and bond with their children, and also gives them ‘spiritual meaning’. Dr Paul O’Connor, a researcher at the University of Exeter came to the conclusion after interviewing middle-aged skateboarders in the US and Canada and observing skateboarding in Hong Kong and the UK.
THE TOURIST
The explosive BBC thriller set in the Aussie outback and starring Fifty Shades of Grey heartthrob Jamie Dornan is winning over critics and viewers with its twisting actionpacked plot. Binge the whole series on iPlayer now if you haven’t already.
SIR KEIR STARMER
The Labour leader tested positive for Covid this week leading to him having to miss Prime Minister’s Questions. It is the second time the MP has tested positive – he missed the Budget in October because of a positive Covid result.
FOLLOW-UP PCR TESTS
The tests are being temporarily axed for people who test positive for Covid with no symptoms. Currently, anyone who tests positive using a lateral flow test (LFT) has to get a follow-up PCR to confirm the result. The change came in this week for Scotland and Wales and applies from January 11 in England. People who test positive still have to isolate for seven days.
CLASSIC BLACKBERRY PHONES
Once popular for its QWERTY keyboard among other features, the classic BlackBerry smartphone has typed its last text. The Canadian company announced on Tuesday that its early devices will “no longer reliably function” and will not receive calls or texts. Later Android-powered models will be unaffected.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Instead of practising for the Australian Open, the tennis number one will spend the weekend in a detention hotel in Melbourne after the Australian government revoked his visa amid a backlash over his Covid vaccine exemption. A court will decide on his deportation on Monday.