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Large parts of England and Wales are battling gusty winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning – as thunderstorm warnings come into effect.

The first of three Met Office warnings this weekend, which is in effect from 12pm until 8pm on Friday, stretches from the West Midlands to the South East and includes the South West. It also covers a large part of Wales, including Cardiff and Swansea.

The weather agency says lightning strikes during the storms will probably cause damage to buildings.

And with the possibility of up to 40mm (1.5in) of rain in three hours, it said driving may be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail. Power cuts are also likely, it added, with delays to trains possible.

Pic: Met Office
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The areas of England and Wales that are covered by the warning on Friday. Pic: Met Office

A woman battles with her umbrella during rain in Winchester, Hampshire, on 5 September. Pic: PA
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A woman battles with her umbrella during wind and rain in Winchester, Hampshire, on 5 September. Pic: PA

“A few thundery showers may be present across southern and southeast England early on Friday, but from the middle of the day they are expected to develop more widely within the warning area,” the Met Office said.

“Whilst some places will remain dry, where thundery showers do occur, they will bring frequent lightning, gusty winds, potentially some large hail, as well as brief spells of heavy rain.”

It added that there was “a very small chance of 30-40mm falling in three hours” across South West England.

A second thunderstorm warning for Saturday is in place for 23 hours, from 1am until midnight, and applies to an even larger area – covering the whole of Wales, and stretching as far as Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester and all of Cornwall.

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Saturday's yellow weather warning. Pic: Met Office
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Saturday’s yellow weather warning. Pic: Met Office

The Met Office says thunderstorms and heavy showers are expected to cause disruption.

“Hail and frequent lightning may accompany the most intense storms, especially during Saturday afternoon and evening in parts of the Midlands, southern England and east Wales,” the Met Office said.

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Officials say there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded rapidly, with fast flowing or deep floodwater causing “danger to life”.

They also warned there was a small chance some communities become cut off by flooded roads, with possible power cuts and cancellations to train and bus services.

On Sunday, a yellow warning for rain has now come into place for the East Midlands, east of England, London and South East, northwest England, southwest England, Wales, and the West Midlands.

The Met Office has warned of “significant” delays or cancellations to train and bus services, flooding, and difficult driving conditions.

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Mosquito bite warning after rise in chikungunya cases in travellers returning to UK

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Mosquito bite warning after rise in chikungunya cases in travellers returning to UK

Travellers are being warned about mosquito bites on holiday after a rise in chikungunya infections in people returning to the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also said the first cases of the emerging oropouche virus had been recorded.

Chikungunya typically causes sudden fever and joint pain, which can be debilitating, and lasts from a few days to weeks.

The name comes from a word in a Tanzanian language meaning “that which bends up”, owing to the joint pain associated with it.

Most people recover but in some cases the symptoms can last several months or even years.

It’s spread by mosquito bites in tropical and subtropical regions, and most of the 73 cases reported in the UK so far this year were in London and linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India, and Mauritius.

Only 27 cases were reported in the same January to June period last year.

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Chikungunya can’t spread directly from person to person – so if someone becomes ill in the UK, they can’t pass the infection on, and the mosquitos responsible aren’t present here.

Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said it can be a “nasty disease” and the increase in cases was “worrying”.

“It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling,” he said.

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“Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.”

Chikungunya is mainly found in Asia and Africa, but cases have been reported in Europe and North America this year.

Two vaccines to guard against the infection are available in the UK from private travel clinics.

The first cases of the Oropouche virus have also been confirmed in Britain, according to the UKHSA.

It’s spread by midge and mosquito bites and the three cases are all linked to travel to Brazil.

Oropouche was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s and had been mainly confined to the Amazon area.

However, cases have been increasing since 2023 and have shown up in places such as the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Peru.

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Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone who gets such symptoms after being in Central and South America or the Caribbean is advised to get urgent medical advice.

Most people recover on their own, but it can cause severe disease in the very elderly or those with a weak immune system.

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Man staying at hotel that has been focus of protests denies sexual assault charge

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Man staying at hotel that has been focus of protests denies sexual assault charge

A man staying at a hotel that has been the focus of a series of protests has denied a charge of sexual assault and faces a trial next month.

Mohammed Sharwarq, a 32-year-old Syrian national, was arrested after police were called to the Bell Hotel on the Epping High Road in Essex yesterday, police said.

Sharwarq, who is alleged to have kissed a man on the neck, indicated a plea of not guilty to a charge of sexual assault at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today.

He indicated guilty pleas to six further charges concerning four complainants – with two counts of common assault and four of assault by beating.

Sharwarq is alleged to have punched a man in the face, thrown an object at a man, slapped a third man in the face and attempted to punch a fourth.

Sky News understands the alleged offences took place inside the hotel between 25 July and 12 August.

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District judge Lynette Woodrow remanded Sharwarq, who was assisted in court by an Arabic interpreter, in custody until his trial on 30 September.

The arrest followed weeks of protests outside the hotel.

Neil Hudson, the Conservative MP for Epping Forest, said last month that the protests were a crisis that “risks boiling over”.

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UEFA Super Cup: Spurs let slip 2-0 lead to lose to PSG on penalties

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UEFA Super Cup: Spurs let slip 2-0 lead to lose to PSG on penalties

Tottenham let slip a two-goal lead before losing a penalty shootout to Paris St Germain (PSG) in the final of the UEFA Super Cup.

Spurs defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero scored from set pieces to put the north London side on their way to winning the trophy, in what was manager Thomas Frank’s first game in charge.

However, Champions League winners PSG, who were thrashed in the Club World Cup final by Chelsea last month, produced a stunning response after Kang-in Lee pulled one back with five minutes left.

Tottenham's Cristian Romero scores his side's second goal. Pic: AP
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Tottenham’s Cristian Romero scores his side’s second goal. Pic: AP

PSG striker Goncalo Ramos, who was brought on in the 77th minute, forced the game to penalties after scoring a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The Super Cup final, played each year between the winners of the Champions League and Europa League, does not feature extra time – meaning the game went straight to spot kicks.

Tottenham players react during the penalty shootout. Pic: AP
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Tottenham players react during the penalty shootout. Pic: AP

Europa League winners Tottenham initially had the advantage when Vitinha missed PSG’s first kick – but it was followed by Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failing to score their penalties.

PSG, managed by Luis Enrqiue, went on to win 4-3.

PSG's players celebrate after winning the final. Pic: AP
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PSG’s players celebrate after winning the final. Pic: AP

The PSG players poured on to the pitch in celebration, knowing they had etched their names into history as the first French side to lift the trophy.

“It’s incredible to win like this. This team once again showed character, even if we’re not at our physical best,” PSG defender Marquinhos said.

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PSG's Marquinhos lifts the trophy. Pic: AP
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PSG’s Marquinhos lifts the trophy. Pic: AP

“We managed to get the goals we needed through the substitutions, and in the shootout we have players who take their penalties well and a goalkeeper who helped us.”

Tottenham, who finished 17th in the Premier League last season, were unable to win what would have been their second trophy in 17 years – with the first one coming when they beat Manchester United in Europe’s second-tier competition in May.

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