The warning comes as new figures revealed the number of people in hospital with flu have increased by more than half in just one week. Catch up as it happened: NHS warns of 'worst-case scenario' as 'super flu' surges Latest figures show: • An average of 2,660 patients were in hospital per day with flu last week • This is the highest ever for this time of year and up 55% on last week • At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402 Health service bosses are warning the number of flu patients in hospital has already increased sharply since the week covered by this data - with no peak in sight. Read more: Why is flu season worse this year? Virus outbreaks coincide with doctors' strikes Weekly flu numbers in England peaked at 5,408 patients last winter and reached 5,441 over the winter of 2022/23, the highest level since the pandemic. Alongside rocketing flu, the number of norovirus patients in hospital has also risen by 35%. The NHS is now warning winter viruses are starting to "engulf hospitals". Demand for A&Es and ambulance services is also soaring. New monthly figures show A&E attendances were a record for November at 2.35 million - more than 30,000 higher than November 2024. In addition, there were 48,814 more ambulance incidents (802,525) compared with last year (753,711). Some hospitals across the country have asked staff, patients and visitors to wear face masks to cut the spread of flu, while others have gone in and out of critical incident status due to the high number of people attending A&E. The record-breaking demand on the NHS coincides with a resident doctors' strike from 17 to 22 December over pay and jobs - sparking fears of major disruption for patients in the run up to Christmas. People are being advised to attend any planned appointments scheduled during the strikes unless they have been contacted to reschedule. Flu vaccinations on the up... who can get one? The NHS is urging anyone eligible to get their flu vaccination to help prevent them getting seriously ill. Latest figures show more than 17.4 million people have been vaccinated so far this year, more than 381,000 higher than last year. You can get it if you: • Are 65 or over in England, Wales and Northern Ireland • Are 50 or over in Scotland • Are pregnant • Live in a care home • Are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive carer's allowance • Live with someone who has a weakened immune system • Are a frontline health and social care worker • Are of school age • Have certain medical conditions (the NHS has a full list) Wes Streeting, the health secretary, warned of a "tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals". "We are working with the NHS to make sure it is able to cope with this as best as possible," he said. Warning 'extremely challenging few weeks ahead' Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned the health service faces "an extremely challenging few weeks ahead" with "staff being pushed to the limit". She said: "With record demand for A&E and ambulances and an impending resident doctors' strike, this unprecedented wave of super flu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year - with staff being pushed to the limit to keep providing the best possible care for patients. "The numbers of patients in hospital with flu is extremely high for this time of year. Even worse, it continues to rise and the peak is not in sight yet, so the NHS faces an extremely challenging few weeks ahead." She added: "We have prepared earlier for winter than ever before, and stress-tested services to ensure people have a range of ways to get the help they need and avoid needing to go to A&E. "For non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place, and use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries." Read more from Sky News:US accused of 'piracy'Flights diverted in Moscow Mr Streeting has offered the British Medical Association (BMA) a last-minute deal in the hope doctors will call off the walkout, which starts next Wednesday. The doctors' union has agreed to put the offer to members over the coming day, and is expected to announced a decision on Monday, just two days before the planned strike. The offer includes a fast expansion of specialist training posts as well as covering out-of-pocket expenses such as exam fees, but does not include extra pay.

The company said the agreement with Walt Disney was part of a push to ensure the rights of creators in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) space amid growing concerns over copyright, fakes and misinformation. It forms part of a $1bn Disney investment in OpenAI, that will see the entertainment firm roll out ChatGPT to its staff and grow its AI capabilities. Money latest: Urgent warning over tumble dryers The initial three-year licensing deal will allow Sora users to generate and share videos based on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters. These include Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Luke Skywalker. Sora allows people to quickly create realistic clips based merely on text prompts. Disney and OpenAI said they were committed to responsible use of AI amid the backlash from critics who have pointed to widespread misuse of generative AI in the social media space - a practice known as AI slop. Some have depicted fake messages from celebrities and even used the dead. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said: "This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences. His counterpart at Disney, Bob Iger, added that the partnership would "extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works". As part of the deal, some user-generated Sora videos will be made available on the Disney+ streaming service.

Resident doctors, formerly junior doctors, will walk out from 7am on 17 December until 7am on 22 December. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has appealed to doctors to accept the government's latest package. The British Medical Association (BMA) said it will consult members by surveying them online on whether or not the deal from the government is enough to call off next week's walkout. The poll will close on Monday - just two days before the five-day strike is set to start. The union said the new offer includes new legislation to ensure UK medical graduates are prioritised for speciality training roles. It also includes an increase in the number of speciality training posts over the next three years - from 1,000 to 4,000 - with more to start in 2026. Funding for mandatory Royal College examination and membership fees for resident doctors is also part of the deal. It does not address resident doctors' demand for a 26% salary rise over the next few years to make up for the erosion in their pay in real terms since 2008 - this is on top of a 28.9% increase they have had over the last three years. Mr Streeting warned a resident doctors' strike over Christmas would have a "much different degree of risk" than previous walkouts. It coincides with pressures facing the NHS, with health chiefs raising concerns over a "tidal wave" of illness and a "very nasty strain of flu". A new strain of the flu virus is thought to be much more infectious than previous strains and has already led to a record number of patients needing urgent hospital care. The union's mandate to strike is set to expire shortly, but Mr Streeting has offered to extend it to allow the medics to take action later in January if they reject his offer. He called the union's decision not to take it up "inexplicable". Last week, NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey branded the decision by doctors to strike as "something that feels cruel" and which is "calculated to cause mayhem at a time when the service is really pulling all the stops out to try and avoid that and keep people safe". Read more from Sky News:US accused of 'piracy'Flights diverted in Moscow BMA resident doctors committee chair Dr Jack Fletcher said the latest government offer "is the result of thousands of resident doctors showing that they are prepared to stand up for their profession and its future". "It should not have taken strike action, but make no mistake: it was strike action that got us this far," he said. "We have forced the government to recognise the scale of the problems and to respond with measures on training numbers and prioritisation. "However, this offer does not increase the overall number of doctors working in England and does nothing to restore pay for doctors, which remains well within the government's power to do."

As things stand, Liverpool have not received any approach for the player. Clubs including Al Ittihad and Al Hilal have tried to sign Salah over the past two years but he has never shown the firm desire to leave the highest level of club football in Europe and move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL). SPL clubs have changed strategy and are now targeting younger players rather than stars approaching the end of their careers, but an exception would always be made for Salah. Got Sky? Watch Liverpool games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔 Al Ittihad made a £150m verbal offer to sign Salah in September 2023 but the move was made very late in the window when the chances of a deal were slim. There was a real prospect of Salah moving to the SPL before he signed a new Liverpool contract in April, but talks were also held about a free transfer with rival clubs in the Premier League and Europe. The door has not been closed on Salah playing for another club in the Premier League, which may be an indication he still believes he has more to offer in Europe, and may feel this is not the right time to move to the SPL. Either way, Salah's explosive interview after he was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Leeds and later branded a "disgrace" by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, has dramatically changed the dynamic around his future just eight months after signing that two-year deal. "I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season," he told reporters at Elland Road. "Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. "It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. "I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can't say they keep the promise. "I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club." Read a full transcript of Mo Salah's bombshell interview hereJamie Carragher: Mo Salah comments a disgraceMo Salah removed from Liverpool selectionArne Slot: I have no clue if Salah has played final game The club decided to leave the 33-year-old out of the travelling squad for Tuesday's Champions League win at Inter Milan following his outburst. Though no disciplinary action has been sanctioned, it remains to be seen if he is involved against Brighton on Saturday. Ahead of that victory in Italy, head coach Arne Slot said he had "no idea" whether Salah had played his final game for the club. Mo Salah outburst cannot mask poor form - but Arne Slot also to blameMo Salah's Cristiano Ronaldo-esque powerplay pits him against SlotLiverpool news & transfers🔴 | Liverpool fixtures & scoresSalah a Saudi target - but not everyone is convinced Omar Mugharbel, the chief executive of the Saudi Pro League, confirmed that Salah is a target for some of their clubs, telling the World Football Summit: "Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players. "For sure Salah is one of them [a target]." However, Ben Harburg, the chairman of Al Kholood, said Salah has "underperformed massively" since signing his new Liverpool deal and suggested Saudi clubs should target younger players. "There's already, even among the public, much more apprehension around his coming into the league," Harburg said. "He's 33 years old, he got paid a boatload and has underperformed massively since then. "I'm sure some people like his star power, he's from the region, but my sentiment is that he is not a fit for our league. If it were between him and Vinicius [Junior], I'd take Vinicius. "I'm hoping we go after those 25-year-old next-wave players rather than guys like Salah, who definitely this would be the last stop of his career." Carra: I hope Salah plays for Liverpool again despite 'disgraceful' comments Carragher labelled Mohamed Salah's bombshell interview "a disgrace" but hopes he has not played his final game for Liverpool. Carragher, who was also name-checked by Salah in his interview, believes the forward's intervention was premeditated and potentially intended to get Slot sacked after Liverpool twice blew a lead in the 3-3 draw at Leeds. "I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game," Sky Sports pundit Carragher said on Monday Night Football. "Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst, I don't think it was. "Whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he's done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it's choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position." He added: "He's chosen this weekend to do this now and he's waited, I think, for a bad result for Liverpool. "You can see the last-minute goal, Liverpool supporters, the manager, everyone involved in the club feels like they're in the gutter at the moment and he's chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe try and get him sacked."

The items were taken from Bristol Museum's British Empire and Commonwealth collection on 25 September, Avon and Somerset Police said. The force described the burglary as involving "high-value" artefacts, as they appealed for the public's help in identifying people caught on CCTV. It is not clear why the appeal is being issued more than two months after the burglary occurred. The break-in took place between 1am and 2am on Thursday 25 September when a group of four unknown males gained entry to a building in the Cumberland Road area of the city. Read more from Sky News:Rare chance to see Mary Queen of Scots' last letterPlan to tackle rough sleeping unveiled Items stolen in the raid include a ship lantern, an ivory Buddha and a waist belt plate mount.Detectives say they hope the four people on CCTV will be able to help them with their enquiries. They are described as: • Male one: white, of medium to stocky build, wearing a white cap, black jacket, light-coloured trousers, and black trainers• Male two: white, of slim build, wearing a grey-hooded jacket, black trousers, and black trainers• Male three: white, wearing a green cap, black jacket, light-coloured shorts, and white trainers, and appears to walk with a slight limp in his right leg• Male four: white, of large build, wearing a two-toned orange and navy/black puffed jacket, black trousers, and black and white trainers The officer leading the investigation, Detective Constable Dan Burgan, said: "The theft of many items which carry a significant cultural value is a significant loss for the city. "These items, many of which were donations, form part of a collection that provides insight into a multi-layered part of British history, and we are hoping that members of the public can help us to bring those responsible to justice. "So far, our enquiries have included significant CCTV enquiries as well as forensic investigations and speaking liaising with the victims. "If you recognise the men pictured or have seen any of the possible items being sold online, please call us." The British Empire and Commonwealth Collection at Bristol Archives documents the links between Britain and nations in the British Empire from the late 19th century to recent times. It includes household belongings, souvenirs, photographs and papers.

The writer, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, revealed last year she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022. A statement posted to her Instagram account read: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy). She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy. "We can't imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life. "Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed - to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career. She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. "She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking." 'Made you feel better about yourself' Kinsella's novels have sold more than 45 million copies in more than 60 countries, and have been translated into more than 40 languages. Speaking to The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee, fellow author Jojo Moyes, who was friends with Kinsella for decades, described her as a "graceful", "kind" and "encouraging" mentor. Those who knew her "will always be grateful to have had her in our lives", she said. Her characters "were flawed and messy, but they were also relatable, and you always finished a Sophie Kinsella book feeling better about yourself". "If the thing that you are remembered for is joy and grace and kindness, as well as your talent, what more can any of us ask?" In a post on social media last year, Kinsella revealed she had been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy at London's University College Hospital, and had undergone "successful" surgery. She said she "wanted for a long time to share with you a health update, and I've been waiting for the strength to do so". "At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer," she said. "I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our 'new normal'. "At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before! "I am so grateful to my family and close friends who have been an incredible support to me, and to the wonderful doctors and nurses who have treated me." Kinsella's most recent book is What Does it Feel Like?, published in October 2024 and which "is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date", the author wrote on her website. Other books by the London-born author include The Burnout, released in October 2023, Can You Keep A Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess. The first two novels in her hit eight-book Shopaholic series, The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic and Shopaholic Abroad, were adapted into the 2009 film Confessions Of A Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher. She is survived by her children, four sons and a daughter, and her husband Henry Wickham. Read more:'Unacceptable' prostate ads bannedDavid Cameron treated for prostate cancer Bill Scott-Kerr, publisher at Transworld, the publishing home of Kinsella for the past 30 years, said: "She has been such an unshakeable pillar of our publishing at Transworld for so many years that the thought of a year without a Sophie Kinsella to publish is inconceivable." He added: "Maddy leaves behind a glorious and indelible legacy: a unique voice, an unquenchable spirit, a goodness of intent and a body of work that will continue to inspire us to reach higher and be better, just like so many of her characters. "On a personal level Maddy was the embodiment of joy, an extraordinarily clever, funny, sassy, impish, kind and generous collaborator who brought light into our lives. She was as part of this company as anyone, and we will all truly miss her."

It comes as the government published its new plan to tackle rough sleeping in Britain, which pledges £3.5bn of funding to crackdown on the issue. But charities have said Labour's National Plan to End Homelessness "falls short" and contains "important gaps", meaning the party will not be able to achieve their stated goal of halving the number of homeless people by 2029/30. Politics latest - follow live Crisis, an organisation that supports the homeless, also argues that only £100m of the funding announced in the strategy is new. Meanwhile, Labour MP Paula Barker, who co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for ending homelessness, has told Sky News that the strategy has a "depressing lack of meat on the bone", looks like it has been "rushed out", and has left her "disappointed". It comes as Shelter warns that 382,618 people in England - including a record 175,025 children - will be homeless this Christmas, equivalent to one in every 153 people. What does the government's plan to reduce rough sleeping involve? The government has made three key pledges in its new plan, unveiled on Wednesday evening. It says that it is aiming to halve the number of long-term rough sleepers by the end of the parliament, reduce the time families spend living in bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), and prevent more people from becoming homeless in the first place. To achieve this, the party has set out numerous new measures, schemes and extra funding. A new £124m supported housing scheme is also being established, and the government hopes that it will help get 2,500 people in England off the streets. Housing Secretary Steve Reed said homelessness is "one of the most profound challenges we face", and suggested that the strategy will build "a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and not repeated". How has the plan been received? Ms Barker told Sky News she welcomes "the scale of investment", but is "disappointed by what I have seen". The Labour MP explained: "From what I have seen so far, it leaves more questions than it answers - where are the clear measures around prevention? Where is the accommodation for people sleeping rough coming from - has it already been built? What about specialised provision for those fleeing domestic abuse? "We needed this strategy to be bold." Meanwhile, organisations working to support those on the streets have welcomed the plan for its focus on the issue, but warn it leaves it "almost impossible" for many families to avoid homelessness. Matt Downie, the chief executive of Crisis, said: "Housing benefit remains frozen until at least 2030; there is no coherent approach for supporting refugees and stopping them becoming homeless; and we hear no assurances that the new homes government has pledged to build will be allocated to households experiencing homelessness at the scale required. "There is a long way to go. Ministers are taking steps in the right direction, but falling short of what's desperately needed to end Britain's homelessness crisis." Sarah Elliott, head of Shelter, also warned the proposals do not go far enough, saying: "Until a lot more of these social homes are built, one of the only ways to escape homelessness is if you can afford to pay a private rent. "We know from our frontline services this is almost impossible to do when housing benefit remains frozen, and that is where the homelessness strategy falls short." Centrepoint, a charity that supports young people facing homelessness, said that the strategy is "an important step", and could be "transformative". But it added that "gaps in the government's approach remain", and said increases in funding "don't face up to the scale of homelessness". The Conservatives have said that the strategy means Labour "has completely failed on homelessness". Paul Holmes, shadow housing minister, said the number of households and children in temporary accommodation has risen to "record levels", and pointed to the government's "abysmal record on house-building" and tackling immigration.

The hype around the teenager from Warrington as he looks to defend his world championship title is unmatched. Many see him winning it as a foregone conclusion. Others see it as a chance to prove the punters, pundits and bookmakers wrong by backing one of the other horses. To call anyone 'unbeatable' is just a fictitious statement - even the great Phil Taylor lost, occasionally! You can be on an unbeaten run, you can seem like you are unstoppable. But everyone has an off day, everyone has their weaknesses, everyone can have an off night. Worlds schedule revealed with Littler headlining opening nightWorld Darts Championship 2026: Dates, format, how to watchGot Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺 But, with Littler, it takes a long time of mulling over to decide what could stop him in his tracks at the Worlds. A format that suits him? Tick! A stage he thrives on? Tick! A draw that leaves the bigger boys competing over the longer format? Tick! Littler himself will know that the pressure is on to deliver, to become the first back-to-back world champion since Gary Anderson in 2016, to become only the fourth alongside Taylor, Anderson, and 'Jackpot' Adrian Lewis. "My form says that I could beat anyone right now," said Littler. "Ten years ago, Gary Anderson won back-to-back titles, and ten years later, I'm standing here as the current champion and I'm looking to go back-to-back myself. "I've got that number one spot now and hopefully I can have another tournament to remember this time around. "I've won the last three big majors and there's only one more to go in the year. It was my first big tournament at the Worlds, and with the crowd behind me, it feels like home at Ally Pally." On Thursday night, his defence begins against Lithuanian arrowsmith Darius Labanauskas, live on Sky Sports, and in just three weeks' time, the question will be answered as to whether the world No 1 is going to take himself to even further dizzying heights. "It could have been easier, but it could have been tougher. Now it's laser-focus on that first game," Littler revealed. "No matter what I average, I just want to get that first win under my belt and then hopefully I can come back and win it again." Runner-up, champion, now better than ever? Not many boast a world championship record quite like Littler. A runner-up on his debut to Luke Humphries in a tournament that started what is now known as the 'Luke Littler' effect. Then, he betters that on attempt number two as he beat Michael van Gerwen in the final to complete the journey from future star to the start of the moment. Dare I say, he enters the 2026 competition in even scarier form after another year to remember. Littler is also now officially the youngest ever PDC world No 1 at 18 years and 299 days, with the previous record being held by Michael van Gerwen at 24 years and 251 days in 2014. Not only that, in 2025 five more major titles - the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, UK Open, Grand Slam, and Players Championship Finals - were secured, with Littler also savouring success at the Australian Darts Masters, New Zealand Darts Masters, Belgian Darts Open, Flanders Darts Trophy, and Players Championship 32. When he gets into the longer format, when he gets into the big finals, every top-level player has left scratching their head at how to beat him. That sets some precedent heading into the biggest dance of them all... The challenge ahead... However, Littler is more than aware he has a challenge ahead of him. His biggest rival, Humphries, declared war on him. "When I get to the Worlds I'll be fighting hard to take it back off him. It's war now! I'm going to try and take it back," Humphries said at the Grand Slam. "I'm ready for the Worlds now. I'm going to win the Worlds. "I am [declaring war] because I'm obviously disappointed to lose the last three finals, but I'm playing good and the tiredness crept in at the end there. "One game a day suits me. We're going to go to war. World Championships, me and him in a final. We're going to see who's the number one there." Not only that, everybody already has their eyes on a potential quarter-final clash between Littler and Gerwyn Price. Price boasts a strong record against the world No 1. They have played each other on 19 occasions and Price has won seven of them, Littler picking up 12. The 'Iceman' has put in strong stints against Littler, at one point claiming a six-match unbeaten streak against the 'Nuke' and so he will have the confidence that if they meet, he can challenge him. However, he is not meeting the Littler of 18 months ago, he is meeting the Littler of now who has a strong head on his shoulders, has matured personally and in his game, and is "motivated" to keep making more history. "I was nervous when I wasn't champion, and now I'm coming in as a reigning champion, there's just going to be a bit of nerves, but once I get a few legs on the board, I think I'll be good to go," Littler said. "I wouldn't say worse, because I know what to expect. If I am nervous and start getting the shakes or something, I know what to do, just got to compose yourself, drink your water backstage. Like I said, there's going to be nerves, 100 per cent. "It has been 10 years since someone won this back-to-back, so that's what's on my mind, and then I think about the money." The big question: How to beat him? So, how exactly do you beat him? That is the question everyone would like answered. Littler himself has some thoughts... "Obviously, some people say there isn't (any weaknesses). "Obviously for myself, it's a double in percentage, it's if my arms there, and my fingers aren't balanced enough. "So you've got to get better at them doubles and you've got to be able to do that in the first round." Statistically, the earlier in a competition you meet Littler, the more likely you are to beat him. Over to you, Labanauskas! There have also been occasions on which he has had slow starts or the crowd being against him has gone against him. The thing about him is, though, he will always recover. You not only have to pounce but sustain your control and if someone can do that, they will pull off the biggest win of the Worlds. The Littler effect: How 'Littlermania' keeps pushing darts to new levelsCan anyone stop him? For Colin 'Jaws' Lloyd, his trajectory has been something special to watch unfold and now the talk will turn, already, to how he backs it up in 2026. "In one word, frightening. Yeah, absolutely frightening. He's 18 years old," former world No 1 Lloyd said on the Love the Darts podcast. "He's just turned to adulthood. And what he's achieved in the game. "You really wouldn't have thought it was possible because of all the class players that are out there like James Wade, Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries and Johnny Clayton. "There's so many players you can pick from that have had the opportunities to stop him. But unfortunately on the day, they haven't been good enough." There is no denying that there is a raft of talent projected to meet Littler along the way. The question is whether they can step up to the calibre that is required to neutralise 'The Nuke'. Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 11 to January 3 on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407 from December 10). Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.