TV tonight: could this Aussie comedy be the next Colin from Accounts?

Big W brings back its massive toy sale with up to 50 per cent off - here are the top items expected to sell out

Daily Mail

an hour ago

Daily Mail

Big W brings back its massive toy sale with up to 50 per cent off - here are the top items expected to sell out

Big W has launched its annual toy sale, with shoppers racing into stores to grab best-selling items. The retailer's 'Big Whopping Toy Sale' features more than 500 popular toys with prices slashed - making it the perfect time for budget-conscious parents to start their Christmas shopping early for their kids. With prices on some of the hottest toys - including brands like LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels and Bluey - reduced by more than 50 per cent, Aussie shoppers have already shared their excitement about stocking up on bargain buys. 'Get ready - time to do that Christmas lay-by for the kids,' read one comment on the Big W Mum's Facebook page. 'I can't wait for this,' added another. Speaking to FEMAIL, Big W's Chief Toy Buyer Christine Faulkner has highlighted this year's predicted best-selling toys and the best discounted items to look out for. For toy car lovers, the Hot Wheels City Ultimate T-REX Transporter is tipped to be a great pick-up following a huge price reduction from $119 to $59. The T-REX transporter has the ability to 'gobble' and 'haul' over 20 toy cars at once, and is enhanced by lights and sounds – including glowing eyes and chomping noises. Parents' of dinosaur-obsessed kids will also want to check out the Jurassic World Chaos Theory All-Out Attack T-REX Figure, now priced at $40, offering a $49 saving. Inspired by the Jurassic World: Chaos Theory movie, the battery-powered action figure springs to life with roaring sounds while thrashing its neck and chomping its teeth. An under $20 bargain buy that's sure to delight Barbie fans is the Barbie Party Unboxed Pet Birthday Surprise, which has been reduced by more than half price to $19. The perfect birthday gift, this lucky-dip style of toy contains '10 surprises in one package' – including one of three Barbie dolls: Birthday Bows, Shimmerin' Hearts or Party Stars. Ms Faulkner also highlighted mega savings on a toy from the iconic Furby range in the Furby Tie Dye Interactive Toy, marked down from $100 to $49. The electronic plush toy adorably responds to voice commands and physical interaction, with one five-star review describing it as a 'blast from the past'. For the littlies, timeless children's toy brand Fisher Price's Little People Ultimate Gift Set has been marked down to $69. The farm-themed set offers hours of playtime fun with interactive playsets, vehicles, figurines, animals and accessories – all perfect for small hands and designed to encourage early learning. Toddler parents' will also want to check out the Toniebox Playtime Puppy Starter Set, which is an audio system that plays children's songs and is built to withstand both snuggles and rough play. The pricey gadget has been reduced to $149, with one gushing review from a 'toddler mum' describing it as their 'saviour'. 'My toddler is obsessed with it, uses it to dance daily or relax for quiet time!' they added. Finally, bigger kids and grown-ups-who-are-kids-at-heart will want to check out the large-scale LEGO projects included in the sale. Both the LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car and the LEGO Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R have been each knocked down by 20 bucks, respectively priced at $249 and $179. Meanwhile, the LEGO Disney Classic Angel 784 piece kit from the Lilo & Stitch movies has been marked down from $99 to $79. For those that love a LEGO challenge, these bigger construction sets have all been discounted. From L-R: LEGO Technic Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car $249, LEGO Disney Classic Angel $79 and the LEGO Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R $179 Ms Faulkner said shoppers would be pleased see 'some of the classic brands, from LEGO to Barbie and Hot Wheels' featured in this year's sales and anticipated to be among the biggest sellers. 'If it's building, collecting or adventuring, there's a toy on the list to pique every kind of interest,' she told FEMAIL. Budget-conscious shoppers planning ahead for Christmas also have the option of snapping up the toy sale bargains early by utilising the store's lay-by option. The mass retailer offers $3 extended lay-by, which enables customers to pay off purchases over 21 weeks. Lay-by purchased toys are then stored at the shop, with collection only required by November 7, 2025. Ms Faulkner described the lay-by option alongside the reduced toy sale prices as 'the ultimate parent hack.' 'Customers can budget ahead of the Christmas rush by starting their shopping in June and paying off their purchases throughout the year with our extended 21 week lay-by option, making it easier than ever to shop big without splurging all at once,' she said.

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

South Wales Guardian

2 hours ago

South Wales Guardian

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

The paper, published by the Woodland Trust on Tuesday, found the quantity and variety of wildlife is plummeting despite a marginal rise in tree cover. This is due to the deteriorating ecological condition within UK woodlands, the environmental group said. Abigail Bunker, director of conservation and external affairs at the Woodland Trust, said findings show the UK's 'once rich, complex woodlands have become simpler and less biodiverse over time'. While woodland cover has increased from 13.2% of UK land area in 2020 to 13.5% in 2024, just 45% of the Government's woodland creation targets have been met by the UK over those years, the report said. To hit the UK's net zero targets, the authors cited the Climate Change Committee's assessment that current tree planting rates need to double by the end of this decade. Pulling together a range of different scientific studies, the report outlines findings that point towards a significant loss in woodland wildlife in recent decades. These includes a 47% decline in butterflies between 1990 and 2022, as well as a 37% reduction in the number of woodland birds in the past 50 years, and 15% in the past five. The population of dormice in surveyed woodland fell by 70% between 2000 and 2022, and the richness of different plant species has reduced by 22% over the past 50 years, more research found. And only one in 50 native woodlands were found to have more than one veteran tree per 200,000 metres squared, which are especially valuable to wildlife thanks to their damage and decay features that provide food and habitat. While approximately one quarter of all forest species depend on deadwood for their lifecycles, almost half (46%) have no deadwood at all, it was also found. Ms Bunker said: 'UK woodlands lack open spaces, such as glades, which allow light to reach the forest floor and young trees to grow. 'There are also fewer older trees, which, along with their soils, lock in carbon from the atmosphere. Alarmingly, many British woodlands have very few – if any – ancient and veteran trees left.' Other threats identified in the paper include 121 different species of pests which have been introduced to UK native trees, many from the international plant trade. The report predicts that climate change will allow these, and potentially other pest species to further thrive, to the detriment of British trees, with the UK spending an estimated £919.9 million per year managing only six of these pests. The Woodland Trust also warned that healthy woodlands are key to UK plans for tackling and mitigating the effects of climate change, such as flooding and sequestering carbon. Sensitive management of woodlands can help to make them more resilient to the escalating suite of threats, it added. Elsewhere, the report focused on the impact woodlands have on wellbeing and communities. It highlighted poll findings that suggest nine in 10 people agree woodland biodiversity has a positive impact through features such birdsong or the sound of rustling leaves. The richest woodlands for wellbeing were also found to be very unevenly distributed across the UK, with lower value woodlands found in more deprived areas Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery – whose players supported the report, said: 'Trees and woodlands are a huge part of our nation's wellbeing and heritage, so it's fantastic our players were able to support this important report, which uses such a breadth of scientific evidence to reveal what we need to do to ensure UK woodlands survive and thrive for people and nature.' Ms Bunker said: 'We are calling on the Government and others to invest in the management of our woodlands, so that people and wildlife can experience the benefits of these precious ecosystems, particularly in mitigating the effects of climate change. 'It's also vital that the government start hitting their tree-planting targets, so that there is time to grow the veteran trees of the future and help shape woodlands to better withstand challenges like new diseases, or rising temperatures.' An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: 'Trees are at the forefront of our plans to reduce emissions and help reverse biodiversity loss. 'This Government is investing up to £400 million in tree planting and peatland restoration over the next two years, and have announced the Western Forest as the first new National Forest in 30 years. 'We're also taking action to bring more existing woodlands into sustainable management, helping to restore nature-rich habitats and support wildlife.'

Rhyl Journal

2 hours ago

Rhyl Journal

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

The paper, published by the Woodland Trust on Tuesday, found the quantity and variety of wildlife is plummeting despite a marginal rise in tree cover. This is due to the deteriorating ecological condition within UK woodlands, the environmental group said. Abigail Bunker, director of conservation and external affairs at the Woodland Trust, said findings show the UK's 'once rich, complex woodlands have become simpler and less biodiverse over time'. While woodland cover has increased from 13.2% of UK land area in 2020 to 13.5% in 2024, just 45% of the Government's woodland creation targets have been met by the UK over those years, the report said. To hit the UK's net zero targets, the authors cited the Climate Change Committee's assessment that current tree planting rates need to double by the end of this decade. Pulling together a range of different scientific studies, the report outlines findings that point towards a significant loss in woodland wildlife in recent decades. These includes a 47% decline in butterflies between 1990 and 2022, as well as a 37% reduction in the number of woodland birds in the past 50 years, and 15% in the past five. The population of dormice in surveyed woodland fell by 70% between 2000 and 2022, and the richness of different plant species has reduced by 22% over the past 50 years, more research found. And only one in 50 native woodlands were found to have more than one veteran tree per 200,000 metres squared, which are especially valuable to wildlife thanks to their damage and decay features that provide food and habitat. While approximately one quarter of all forest species depend on deadwood for their lifecycles, almost half (46%) have no deadwood at all, it was also found. Ms Bunker said: 'UK woodlands lack open spaces, such as glades, which allow light to reach the forest floor and young trees to grow. 'There are also fewer older trees, which, along with their soils, lock in carbon from the atmosphere. Alarmingly, many British woodlands have very few – if any – ancient and veteran trees left.' Other threats identified in the paper include 121 different species of pests which have been introduced to UK native trees, many from the international plant trade. The report predicts that climate change will allow these, and potentially other pest species to further thrive, to the detriment of British trees, with the UK spending an estimated £919.9 million per year managing only six of these pests. The Woodland Trust also warned that healthy woodlands are key to UK plans for tackling and mitigating the effects of climate change, such as flooding and sequestering carbon. Sensitive management of woodlands can help to make them more resilient to the escalating suite of threats, it added. Elsewhere, the report focused on the impact woodlands have on wellbeing and communities. It highlighted poll findings that suggest nine in 10 people agree woodland biodiversity has a positive impact through features such birdsong or the sound of rustling leaves. The richest woodlands for wellbeing were also found to be very unevenly distributed across the UK, with lower value woodlands found in more deprived areas Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery – whose players supported the report, said: 'Trees and woodlands are a huge part of our nation's wellbeing and heritage, so it's fantastic our players were able to support this important report, which uses such a breadth of scientific evidence to reveal what we need to do to ensure UK woodlands survive and thrive for people and nature.' Ms Bunker said: 'We are calling on the Government and others to invest in the management of our woodlands, so that people and wildlife can experience the benefits of these precious ecosystems, particularly in mitigating the effects of climate change. 'It's also vital that the government start hitting their tree-planting targets, so that there is time to grow the veteran trees of the future and help shape woodlands to better withstand challenges like new diseases, or rising temperatures.' An Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson said: 'Trees are at the forefront of our plans to reduce emissions and help reverse biodiversity loss. 'This Government is investing up to £400 million in tree planting and peatland restoration over the next two years, and have announced the Western Forest as the first new National Forest in 30 years. 'We're also taking action to bring more existing woodlands into sustainable management, helping to restore nature-rich habitats and support wildlife.'

TV tonight: could this Aussie comedy be the next Colin from Accounts?

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Big W brings back its massive toy sale with up to 50 per cent off - here are the top items expected to sell out

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

TV tonight: could this Aussie comedy be the next Colin from Accounts?

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Try Our AI Features

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Big W brings back its massive toy sale with up to 50 per cent off - here are the top items expected to sell out

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, study finds

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