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How Recent Legislation Threatens Global Entertainment in CubaUtter the words ‘Trafford Centre’ during the festive period and you'll get a couple of different reactions. The first is more akin to a glint in the eye - the serious shoppers who are happy to take on the mammoth queues whether it’s Christmas Eve or the crack of dawn on Boxing Day. Then there’s those that would rather be tucked up in bed re-watching Gavin and Stacey and picking at the remnants of the Quality Street tin than heading out to the shops at this time of year. Each to their own, but this Boxing Day I was interested to see what would transpire as the Trafford Centre opened its doors for the annual sales event. In 2024, shoppers are expected to spend £3.7bn on Boxing Day. This is only up 1.3% on 2023, with many opting to snap up their bargains online. Here , many sales begin at midnight on Christmas Eve rather than 7am or 9am, so shoppers don’t even have to leave the comfort of the sofa to grab the latest smart watch or designer bag. It matches a trend for last year, where a rise in online shopping is offset by a fall in those heading out to the shops. And while for some families it may be a time-honoured tradition to go to the Trafford Centre for a day out following lots of food and drink on Christmas Day, there’s no denying that habits have changed over the last few years. Boxing Day Sales 2024 at the Trafford Centre (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) It comes just days after it was confirmed that the UK economy flatlined between July and September and may be on track to have stagnated over the entire second half of the year. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed growth in the third quarter was revised down to zero, after an initial estimate of 0.1%. Growth in April to June was also adjusted down from 0.5% to 0.4% with the ONS saying the downgrades were driven by bars and restaurants, as well as legal firms and advertising companies, performing less well than anticipated. It’s a word that I have never used to describe the Trafford Centre in all my years of visiting, but arriving just after seven thirty this morning, it was totally peaceful. Its marble aisles virtually empty except for a large queue forming outside the bath bomb store, Lush, it almost felt like somewhere I wanted to be. The Lush sale at the Trafford Centre, Boxing Day 2024 (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) Give it a few hours, and the serene atmosphere would give way to the usual order of screaming children, shoppers packed like sardines and long queues for the biggest stores. But for a couple of hours, the Trafford Centre might just have been the calmest place in Greater Manchester. At the front of the queue for Lush was Julie who got up at 5am to make her way down to the shopping centre. Unlike other stores, Lush’s calling card is that it only does one big sale a year and offers 50%, which means it attracts big crowds. Someone savvy to this is Julie, who knows exactly how to work the sale. “I’ve come for the past three years specifically for Lush as it offers 50%,” she tells me as if letting me into a big secret. The Lush sale at the Trafford Centre, Boxing Day 2024 (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) It may be plastered on the window behind us, but she knows how to get in and out and back home before the masses arrive. “The Snow Fairy - it’s the scent they bring out from September to Christmas - and they sell it off half price after Christmas. “Yes I do stockpile it a bit, I buy enough for the year and I still have a little bit left. I never really do the sales really except maybe for NEXT when my children were younger. I can’t deal with all these people, you just grab what you need and get out.” While the majority of shops are open this year, there are a few exceptions. This year, M&S, NEXT and Beaverbrooks are all closed, while John Lewis is open for the first time in three years and is one of only two in the UK open today. Georgia and Katie were first in line for the Selfridges Boxing Day sale (Image: MEN) That said, there’s not a queue outside the retailer. Early doors, other than Lush, it’s Selfridges where we find people ready and waiting to grab a bargain. Front in the queue are Georgia and Katie who are here to try and get some handbags. From Ramsbottom and Macclesfield respectively, they've been coming down every Boxing Day for over a decade now. "There's no brand really in mind, it's just a free-for-all really," they tell me. Leon with his Boxing Day purchases (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) "It used to be heaving in here and it would say 'almost free' on the windows here because the discounts were so good but they're not as big anymore. It's still nice to get a discount though." Once done here, they'll head to the Selfridges in Manchester City Centre too, to see if they can grab anymore bargains. Meanwhile, Leon passes us on his way out of the shop full of beans with his purchases from the morning. He's bought himself some clothes from Zara, a tracksuit from JD Sports, and two pairs on trainers. "One thing about me is I love shopping on Boxing Day, Christmas Day is for kids, so this is my Christmas," he beams before skipping off to the next shop." Megan Bell bagged to bargains from Lush, Boots and Zara (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) Also here to bag a bargain is Megan Bell and her mother-in-law who come every year. She's bagged a Men's Valentino set from Boots, which should have been £73 and was reduced to £43. "We got here at 7am and I've also spent £101 in Lush on the Snow Fairy stuff, set, shower gels and saved 50%." She admits that while they enjoyed it, the Boxing Day sales have changed a lot. "I think the shopping experience has changed since Covid really, people shop online a lot more now. "It's early but it's pretty quiet now, people can get deals before and after Christmas as well." Boxing Day Sales 2024 at the Trafford Centre (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) Her views are shared by Sharon from Liverpool who is here visiting her daughters. "I love coming here but we've just been saying it's not the same as it used to be," she says. "It used to be hammered in here, rammed with people, but I got in really easily today." Some reckon it's a case of retailers launching sales earlier than before. As well as Black Friday deals, some shops are launching their sales on Christmas Eve. There's also lower consumer confidence and people spending less due to to the cost-of-living crisis. Sapna Kumar is shopping with a friend and tells me they've always come down to the sales since the Trafford Centre opened, but she's noticed a big shift over the last few years. Boxing Day Sales 2024 at the Trafford Centre (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) "Consumer buying is not happening, people do not have the money," she explains. "People do not have the disposable income so they're not splurging as much. The sales also started a lot earlier this year and a lot of people will have bought online. " I think people are scared to spend because things have become so much more expensive but also the quality had dropped." Her sentiments are echoed by Aashiyana and her daughter, who says they can't find 'good things to buy', and that she's surprised that there's not any 'good deals'. Aashiana and her daughter outside Selfridges (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) " I think it’s been better in previous years. I honestly think it’s the worst year I’ve seen. It used to be really good in previous years, but this year we can’t see anything." Despite it being quieter, it hasn't stopped shoppers from picking up some some bargains or simply spending the Christmas money burning a hole into their pockets. Tom and Tori are heading to Iceland tomorrow so needed coats. They picked up one from Patagonia inside Selfridges for full price, while over at Sephora Tori manages to get a perfume for £70 instead of £130 as a gift. Elsewhere, Nicole and her daughter Peyton have nabbed a very fine looking Moncler coat for £750, which was reduced by £500. Tom and Tori were out looking for coats ahead of a trip to Iceland (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News) As the morning progresses, the shopping centre begins to take on a more familiar look and feel. The usual queues form with those who fancy a day out shopping rather than bagging a bargain. In fact, the biggest queues into the afternoon are for coffee shops like Blank Street and Starbucks, while the food court is packed out. There's no doubt some of the early worms will have bagged a bargain today, but the Boxing Day sales of today, are very different to the ones some of us will have been used to growing up. Now, with the early arrival of online sales - and the general move to online - it doesn't quite feel like you're getting the same bargain, especially when you can now access sales before Christmas Day. When I used to go to Kendals on Deansgate with my mum and gran growing up, it felt like a real sense of occasion. Yes, it could be a little mad, with people clambering over one another to grab the last designer bag or limited-edition fit, but with smaller stock and genuinely good deals to be had, it was all part of the fun. Today, with sales starting earlier, the migration to online retail and less disposable income all round, it feels a little flat. By midday, it's certainly busy inside the Trafford Centre, but it's no worse than a Saturday afternoon at any other time of year. It's left me wondering if the mad Boxing Day sales are quickly becoming a thing of the past.Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away

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As the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon moves closer to its final chapters, the announcement of its renewal for Seasons 3 and 4 has stirred up excitement among fans. Season 4, which will bring the story to its conclusion, is already confirmed, but questions about its release timeline and plot remain. Here’s everything we know so far about the much-anticipated final season of House of the Dragon. When Will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 4 Be Released? Following the renewal announcement in August 2023, which confirmed Seasons 3 and 4, fans are eager to know when the final season will hit the screen. The production timeline for Season 3 is expected to begin in early 2025. 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Consequently, the final season, Season 4, may not arrive until 2028, unless filming for both seasons is done consecutively to expedite the proces, as per a report by TV Insider. With filming for Season 2 taking nearly six months, and Season 3 still in pre-production, a two-year gap between seasons seems plausible unless production moves swiftly. Also Read : Big and final insult to Benjamin Netanyahu? Biden picks up anti-Israel book during Black Friday shopping, author says 'it's too late' What Will Happen in Season 4 of ‘House of the Dragon’? While much of the plot for Season 4 remains under wraps, fans can expect dramatic developments based on the trajectory set by Fire & Blood, the book on which the series is based. Season 3 will begin with the explosive Battle of the Gullet, a major event in the war between Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) forces and Aemond’s (Ewan Mitchell) army. This battle, fought both in the air and at sea, will set the stage for the brutal escalation of the war, which will carry over into Season 4. Season 4 will likely continue this conflict, focusing on the devastating consequences of the Targaryen civil war, also known as the Dance of the Dragons. With Rhaenyra and Daemon (Matt Smith) reconciling in Season 2, their joint struggle to retain the throne will lead to even more treacherous and violent confrontations, in keeping with the brutal nature of House of the Dragon. As the war intensifies, alliances will shift, and casualties will mount, culminating in a bloody conclusion. The Production Timeline for Seasons 3 and 4 The production process for House of the Dragon is set to continue at a similar pace as previous seasons. While Season 1 had 10 episodes and Season 2 was trimmed to 8, it is expected that both Seasons 3 and 4 will follow the same episode count, as mentioned in a report by TV Insider. Co-creator Ryan Condal has emphasized that the dramatic pacing and quality of the storytelling will remain consistent throughout these final seasons, ensuring that the stakes continue to rise. Filming for Season 2 concluded in September 2023, with the season slated for release in June 2024. If the same production cadence continues, fans might see Season 3 premiere in 2026, followed by the final season in 2028, as per a report by TV Insider. However, this timeline could shift if the production team decides to film both seasons back-to-back. Also Read : This bearded man with a $10 million bounty on his head could be the next trouble maker in the Middle east; who is he? Here's all about him What to Expect from the Final Season While much of the plot for Season 4 remains speculative, House of the Dragon will undoubtedly deliver the high-stakes drama and political intrigue that have defined the series. The tension between Rhaenyra and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) will continue to shape the narrative, with both sides seeking ultimate power. As the civil war rages on, the final season will likely witness the collapse of the Targaryen dynasty and the catastrophic consequences of their internal strife. The Legacy of ‘House of the Dragon’ House of the Dragon has quickly become a fan-favorite series, drawing viewers back to the brutal world of Westeros. With the promise of a compelling conclusion, Season 4 is set to deliver the epic final act of this Targaryen saga. Fans can expect more dragons, more bloodshed, and a fitting conclusion to the Targaryen civil war that will leave a lasting legacy in the Game of Thrones universe. FAQs How long until season 3 of House of the Dragon? With Season 2 of House of the Dragon now concluded, fans are eagerly awaiting Season 3, which is expected to premiere in 2026. The new season will see the return of beloved cast members, including Emma D'Arcy and Matt Smith. How do Game of Thrones and House of Dragons connect? There are roughly eight generations of Targaryens separating the main characters in House of the Dragon from their descendants in Game of Thrones. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )