Weather warnings issued for strong winds and heavy rain
On Friday, yellow warnings for strong winds will be in effect from 6am to 10am for eastern parts of Northern Ireland and from 8am to 3pm for southwest Scotland and parts of Wales.
The Met Office has warned that winds could reach 70mph on exposed coasts and 60mph more widely in the affected areas. (Representational image: Getty)
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THE MET Office has issued yellow weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain across parts of the UK later this week, with gusts of up to 70mph and travel disruption expected.
On Friday, yellow warnings for strong winds will be in effect from 6am to 10am for eastern parts of Northern Ireland and from 8am to 3pm for southwest Scotland and parts of Wales.
The Met Office has warned that winds could reach 70mph on exposed coasts and 60mph more widely in the affected areas.
A separate yellow warning for rain will be in place from 6am to 6pm for southwest and northeast Scotland, with forecasts of 30-40mm of rainfall in some areas and up to 70mm over higher ground.
The Met Office has warned of possible travel disruption, power cuts, and flooding.
Mike Silverstone, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said: "The weather will be turning milder for much of the country from Thursday, but this transition heralds the start of some potentially more impactful wind and rain."
Saturday is expected to be drier, though the South East may see some lingering rain.
More rain and wind are forecast from Sunday, and the Met Office has said there is potential for further warnings as details are confirmed in the coming days.
Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.
Creating cultural belonging
Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.
Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.
Empowerment through experience
I couldn't talk about the festivals we celebrate, the type of Indian food we have, and also the clothes we wear for special occasions," Patel told BBC."I felt that I couldn't express my individuality, which in turn affected my confidence and self-worth." She realised that lack of cultural belonging represented an untapped market.
The business model centres on experiential events that blend tradition with social connection. The first workshop held on September (20) focused on bento cake decorating, a trendy format paired with south Asian networking. Patel aims for attendees to "feel empowered and inspired."
With South Asian Heritage Month highlighting the importance of cultural spaces, The Empowered Desi positions itself at the intersection of community building and commercial viability. Patel's betting that others share her experience and are willing to pay for a sense of belonging.
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