Month: October 2026

With four days to go before the United States midterm elections, Democrats are leading in national polls as both parties make their final push for votes.

Meanwhile, a legal dispute threatens to delay the Senate result in Alaska, and President Donald Trump has cancelled two weekend rallies in favour of campaigning by phone.

Here’s what you need to know.

What do the latest US midterm polls say?

Democrats lead Republicans by 51.4 percent to 43.2 percent, according to RealClearPolling, with a difference of 8.2 percentage points.

Charles Franklin, professor of law and public policy and director of the Marquette Law School Poll in the US, said Trump’s declining approval ratings and economic concerns are alarming Republicans.

The latest Marquette Law School poll, conducted in Wisconsin from October 14 to October 22 and released on October 28, put Trump’s approval rating at 37 percent and disapproval at 61 percent.

Only 16 percent of respondents said they were better off financially than a year ago, while 42 percent said they were worse off and another 42 percent said things were about the same.

“Democrats are more enthusiastic and more certain they will vote,” Franklin told Al Jazeera.

“That is giving Democrats an important edge, and reflects Republican disappointment in current national conditions,” he added.

In Arizona, where voters are experiencing increasing living expenses, a retiree told Al Jazeera that the cost of groceries had become a major concern.

“We’re retired, and every time we go to the grocery store, it makes me wonder what the heck is going on,” the voter said.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is polling at 49 percent against Republican Ken Paxton’s 43 percent, according to a CNN survey released on Thursday. In Michigan, the same pollster found Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Republican Mike Rogers, 49 percent to 42 percent.

However, Franklin warned: “Polls are not perfect predictions of outcomes.

“We could see those close races go either way, either due to polling errors or due to voters moving just a little more in one direction or the other.”

In Alaska, however, there is also a complication: a legal dispute that could delay the result of a Senate race.

What is happening in Alaska’s Senate race?

The battle for Alaska’s seat could continue in court after ballots close on November 3. The dispute centres on two candidates named Dan Sullivan: the incumbent Republican senator and an independent candidate with the same name, who is also registered as a Republican.

Trump has accused Democrats of recruiting an independent candidate to confuse voters and take support away from the Republican senator.

“It was a scheme. It was an election fraud. Total election fraud,” Trump said.

The Justice Department has taken legal action over the dispute, while Democrat Mary Peltola denied the accusations.

“I feel like this is yet another diversion from the issue that Alaskans want to talk about, which is affordability,” she said.

Al Jazeera’s US correspondent Alan Fisher said the dispute could have consequences beyond Alaska if the Senate’s control depends on the result.

“If this becomes the key seat in the battle for the Senate, we might not actually know who has control there for several days, maybe even weeks after November 3,” Fisher said.

What has happened on the campaign trail in the past 24 hours?

Trump travelled to South Carolina to campaign for Republican senator Darline Graham – sister of the late Lindsey Graham – who is running against Annie Andrews in a closely contested race.

In Rock Hill, Trump encouraged voters to cast their ballots and cautioned his supporters not to take the election outcome for granted. About Graham, Trump said that she was in the lead but that he still had to campaign there. “In politics you never know, right? So you got to get out and vote.”

He also addressed his supporters directly and asked the crowd to pretend that he was on the ballot.

“And I am on the ballot because all of these things that we’ve done, all of these incredible successes that we have,” he added.

In Texas, Vice President JD Vance attended a rally in Weatherford, near Dallas, alongside Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, as Republicans called on supporters to vote.

“Texas ain’t surrendering. Texas is not becoming California. It’s going to stay Texas, ain’t that right?” Vance told supporters.

Well-known Democrats have also joined the campaign trail.

On Wednesday, former President Barack Obama gave a speech in Georgia supporting Senator Jon Ossoff, criticising Trump’s management of the economy and his approach to the war with Iran.

When Al Jazeera asked about Obama’s visit, Ossoff’s Republican opponent, Mike Collins, said it showed “the desperation of Jon Ossoff because he knows he’s losing”.

“If he was winning so big, he wouldn’t have brought anybody in,” Collins said.

Democrats also campaigned in Texas and Georgia on Thursday.

In Dallas, Senate candidate James Talarico held a rally as part of his final campaign tour, while former Vice President Kamala Harris joined Ossoff at Clark Atlanta University, urging young people to vote.

Harris also campaigned in Macon, Georgia, where she criticised the Trump administration over rising living costs.

“We have a moment now to turn pain into purpose,” Harris told Democratic volunteers. Harris also urged supporters to participate in local and statewide contests.

Later, at Clark Atlanta University, she asked students to stay engaged.

“Don’t overlook those races, because those are the folks who make decisions about your life every day,” she said.

What happens next on the US midterms campaign trail?

Trump has cancelled weekend scheduled appearances in Kansas and Iowa, replacing them with telephone rallies across nearly 20 states in the final days before Tuesday’s elections.

Trump had been set to appear in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday and Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday.

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said the change would allow Trump to reach more voters than he could with in-person appearances.

“Voters across the country want to hear from President Trump before Election Day, and this 72-hour sprint will be a huge boost in the closing days,” Gruters said.

Asked about the cancellations on Thursday, Trump questioned the need to travel to Kansas, where Republican Senator Roger Marshall is facing Democrat Adam Hamilton.

“I don’t feel I have to go to Kansas,” Trump said.

When a Reuters reporter asked whether the decision had anything to do with fatigue from travelling, Trump rejected the suggestion. “I feel perfect,” he said, before insulting the reporter.

Trump is still scheduled to hold a rally at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday at 23:00 GMT.

At the same time, Harris is due to address the Fulton County Democratic Party’s Fulton Forward dinner in Atlanta, Georgia.

Vance had also planned a news conference with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in St Cloud, Minnesota, on Friday, but the visit was cancelled on Thursday. No reason was immediately given.

Travellers planning flights at the airport will have their plans changed as the hub undergoes a renovation with the hopes to increase footfall in the future

An airport in a popular European city will close in November, leaving busy airlines grounded at Naples Capodichino Airport. The airport is one of the busiest in Italy – but it will shut for major works.

The modernisation works come with the aim to increase passenger numbers. Around 13 million travellers pass through the hub annually, but this is expected to rise to 17.3 million by 2035. Footfall in November will slump however, with major airlines impacted by the closure.

The works include the refurbishment of the runway, a second terminal for non-Schengen flights, which would include flights to the UK, new aircraft stands, a new area for cargo and logistics and a new hotel, with road links and underground connections. The area surrounding the airport will also be redeveloped.

Naples Airport website states: “Naples Airport will be closed in November 2026 for extensive and planned runway upgrades, in compliance with stringent industry regulations and in line with GESAC’s priority commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards.”

Airlines operating out of Naples airport include include easyJet from London Gatwick and Ryanair from London Stansted, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Travellers now need to head to the new Salerno-Pontecagnano Airport for the duration of the closure. The airport is scheduled to reopen on November 30.

GESAC, the company managing the Naples airport, has launched a shuttle bus between Naples Piazza Garibaldi and Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport to help travellers get to the airport.

There will be eight services in each direction per day at a cost of €12 (£10.04) per person. There is also a train from Naples Central to Salerno for £5 per way.

Winning tip: an eerie clifftop castle near Aberdeen

Dunnottar Castle, perched on cliffs above the crashing North Sea, is one of Scotland’s eeriest places. The most haunting part is the Whigs Vault, where more than 160 prisoners were confined in dreadful conditions in 1685. Standing in that dark chamber, it’s impossible not to imagine their fear and suffering. With my Fraser ancestry, the castle’s history feels especially poignant. The names of multiple Frasers are recorded, their details written on the wall. The wind whistles through the stonework, the waves thunder below, and there’s a sense that the past hasn’t quite left. It’s beautiful, tragic and wonderfully spooky, especially beneath Aberdeenshire’s brooding grey skies.

Rosie

A Neolithic burial chamber in Pembrokeshire

My dad and I reached Pentre Ifan on a November evening, just before dark. The burial chamber defies explanation: 16 tons of weathered capstone, barely touching three sharp stone points, as though something unseen was holding it up. There was a low hum from somewhere; I hoped it was the wind spilling over the Preseli hills. As the daylight crept away, the chamber beneath grew darker than the settling dusk around us. My dad, who has an explanation for everything, stood silent. I think we walked back to the car a little faster than we had come.

Tom

Haunted by criminals in Somerset

My recommendation is Shepton Mallet prison, or “the Mallet” as it used to be called, back when it was used as a military prison. It opened in 1625, and you can still crawl through a wall into an original cell. The prison has three Victorian blocks and umpteen stories of past prisoners, including the Kray twins. You can have a daytime tour, or a night-time ghost tour, where you’ll hear stories of spooks and ghouls witnessed by many visitors and staff over the years. You can even stay the night in a real, cold, grim prison cell. The staff are friendly and all great characters, I can’t recommend it enough!

Charlie

Hollowed out tower in West Yorkshire

Perched high above Hebden Bridge in the historic hilltop village of Heptonstall lies the roofless shell of St Thomas à Becket church. Raked into ruin by a storm in 1847, this 13th-century structure was left to decay alongside its 19th-century successor, creating a rare site where two parish churches share a single churchyard. Gaunt, towering arches frame open skies, and the hollowed-out stone tower feels like the Tower tarot card made real. Expect goosebumps!

Finbarre Snarey

A pub night you won’t forget in Staffordshire

The Four Crosses Inn is the most haunted pub in England – and I should know: it was in my mother’s family for many generations! I grew up hearing about all the ghostly goings on. It was also one of the oldest pubs (it’s only open for tours now), and family lore has it Dr Johnson stayed there. On the edge of creepy Cannock Chase moor in Staffordshire, the scene of many murders, it has dank cellars and creaking attics for you to get really scared in.

Rob

Poltergeist stories in County Fermanagh

Cooneen Ghost House, near Fivemiletown, is one of Northern Ireland’s eeriest places. The abandoned farmhouse is private, but it can be glimpsed from the road, which somehow makes its old poltergeist stories feel even more unsettling. Nearby Crocknagrally Forest is perfect for a cold-weather ramble to make a day of it, especially on a misty winter afternoon when the tracks are wonderfully secluded and it all feels very remote and spooky. The kind of walk where folklore seems woven into the landscape: dark trees, lonely roads and an old haunted house just out of reach. There are loads of stories around this place that locals will share.

Christina Hawe

Romantic tragedy on Llŷn peninsula

The once abandoned quarrying village of Nant Gwrtheyrn, on Llŷn peninsula, lies at the foot of Yr Eifl, down a terrifyingly steep and winding road. On a misty autumn day, with the crashing waves below you and the unsettling presence of a wild goat peering down at you from the cliffs above, it can be truly eerie. The woods in the valley are home to the tale of Rhys and Meinir – a traditional prenuptial game of hide and seek gone awry, with the skeletal remains of a bride-to-be revealed by a bolt of lightning. The site is free to visit.

Sioned

Crashing waves and call of rooks in Aberdeenshire

On a cold grey day Slains Castle on the east coast of Scotland, north of Aberdeen, certainly has a spooky air. Although rumours about the castle inspiring Bram Stoker when writing Dracula are apparently untrue, the castle ruins bring to mind bats pouring out of windows and unsavoury aristocrats lurking around corners. It is precariously located on cliffs above the North Sea and the crashing waves and calls of rooks and jackdaws provide an evocatively eerie soundtrack to your visit.

Joel Rawlings

Unexplained screams on the South Downs

Chanctonbury Ring is an iron age hill fort ringed by beech trees, on the South Downs in West Sussex. Folklore claims that by walking or running around the ring seven times you’ll see the devil. Writer Robert Macfarlane certainly had an unnerving experience there while camping, as recounted in his 2012 book The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot, when awakened in the dead of night by terrifying human-sounding screams high above him in the tree canopy, which seemed to divide and converge before swooping down upon him. Accessible only on foot, who dares follow in Macfarlane’s footsteps to check out the myth?

Kirsty McHattie

Gothic atmosphere in Whitby

My favourite spooky spot is Whitby Abbey, perched high above the Yorkshire coast. Its ruined arches and weathered stone look dramatic in daylight, but imagine them at dusk, with mist drifting in from the North Sea and the wind moving through the empty windows. Whitby’s narrow streets and harbour add another layer of atmosphere, especially when the lamps come on and the town grows quiet. It is easy to see why Bram Stoker found inspiration here for Dracula. I would love to explore the abbey as the light fades, then wander down towards the harbour, listening to the waves and letting my imagination do the rest. The best spooky places are where history, landscape and legend meet – and Whitby has all three. Its magic endures.

Emilio

WHEN Gemma Owen returned to our screens in her family’s new reality show, she was hoping viewers would see a different side to her.

But while the 23-year-old has swapped Love Island bikinis for tweed jackets and early mornings at the stables, her latest career move has delivered a rather less glamorous reality.

Gemma has applied to have her clothing firm G R O Clothing struck off the company register, with the latest accounts showing the business is £10,000 in debt.

The application was submitted on Wednesday, with Gemma and fellow TV star mum Louise listed as the directors authorising the move. The company’s latest accounts were filed on the same day.

It marks a disappointing end for a business that once looked perfectly placed to cash in on Gemma’s sudden fame.

For when she left the Love Island villa in 2022, the footballer’s daughter was tipped to become one of the show’s biggest financial success stories.

“She had the profile, the contacts and the exposure, and people expected her clothing line to take off,” one source tells me.

“To end up having to shut it down, with the company in debt, is obviously disappointing.”

Gemma launched OG Beachwear in 2020 with the help of Louise, two years before she became a household name on the ITV2 dating show.

She wore her own designs in front of millions of viewers during her time in the villa, where she finished as runner-up alongside then-boyfriend Luca Bish.

Among the products was a £72 swimsuit, while a set of bracelets was promoted to fans as the “sought-after Gemma Owen bracelets”.

It was the sort of exposure most young business owners could only dream of.

After leaving the show, Gemma signed a six-figure deal with fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing, describing it as a “dream come true”.

She also had the sort of famous surname that could open doors, with her dad Michael a former England striker who has since become a football pundit and racehorse owner.

But while Gemma’s profile continued to grow, the figures for her own clothing firm told a very different story.

After Love Island, she rebranded OG Beachwear as G R O Clothing and expanded the range to include loungewear. She even got Luca to model some of the pieces alongside her.

Yet the business appears to have struggled to turn the initial buzz into lasting sales.

Accounts filed around two years ago showed the company had made nothing in its latest financial year, following a £1,670 loss in the 12 months before.

The latest accounts show the company is £10,000 in debt.

The decision to close the business will inevitably raise questions about what happened to the fashion ambitions that once looked like a natural next step after Love Island.

A source added: “It’s embarrassing for Gemma because when she came out of Love Island, there was a real expectation that she would turn that fame into a hugely successful business.

“There’s no getting away from the fact that plenty of people who came out of Love Island alongside Gemma have gone on to build very successful careers and businesses.

“She will be aware of that, and it must be frustrating when something she put her name to hasn’t worked out as she hoped.”

And the timing is particularly awkward, as Gemma attempts to relaunch her television career in Meet the Owens, the family’s six-part Prime Video series.

The show follows her alongside Michael, Louise and her younger siblings James, Emily and Jessica, offering viewers a glimpse into their family life and their world of horses.

It is also a surprising move from Michael, 46, who has long been regarded as one of the more reserved figures in football.

Once dubbed “the most boring man in football”, the former striker has largely stayed out of the limelight since retiring from the game.

In the series, he jokes that he is now better known as a “boring p***k” or “Gemma Owen’s dad” after his eldest daughter appeared on Love Island.

But the documentary is not just about family life. Michael has revealed that he has invested between £12million and £13million into Manor House Stables, his horse racing operation in Cheshire, and admits the business still needs investors.

Accounts for his company Owen Promotions show it holds £7,219 in cash and owes £2.3million to creditors, although these are company figures and do not establish his personal wealth.

The stables themselves have assets of approximately £13.6million, but a source has claimed the business remains expensive to run, with no guarantee that the horses bought will go on to win races. Owen hasn’t commented on the claim.

For Gemma, meanwhile, the family’s return to television has brought its own mixed reception.

The star looks a world away from the fresh-faced, bikini-clad teenager who first appeared on Love Island aged 19.

Her social media is now dominated by elegant outfits, sportswear and horse-related events, with tweed jackets, cashmere knitwear and expensive jewellery replacing many of the swimwear snaps that once helped promote her business.

A source previously told The Sun: “Gemma was catapulted into the spotlight on Love Island, but her days of showing off her bikini body in public appear to be long gone.

“Nowadays, she can often be seen dressed head-to-toe in tasteful Holland Cooper outfits and expensive jewellery, which she wears at posh horse-related events.”

She has also thrown herself into equestrian pursuits, having competed in dressage since the age of 11.

In July, Gemma made her amateur jockey debut in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Goodwood, finishing fourth out of 12 after months of gruelling training.

She has spoken about wanting to continue with both dressage and racing, telling Horse & Hound magazine: “If I can do both, I will. Racing in the morning, dressage in the afternoon.”

But the demanding schedule has fuelled whispers that her family and horses leave little room for a wider social life.

One source previously said: “Family and horses are everything to Gemma, and both take up so much of her time there’s not much left over for friends who aren’t involved in horses.”

And since returning to television, she has faced a fresh wave of criticism from viewers.

One online commenter cruelly wrote: “Seen more charisma in a fly tipped mattress.”

Another claimed: “Gemma isn’t a natural onscreen with her monotone voice.”

The comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding her attempt to establish herself beyond the dating show that made her famous.

An insider says: “Gemma has had to contend with some pretty cruel comments since returning to television.

“She’s come back into the spotlight hoping people will see a different side to her, but the reaction has been mixed.

“When you’re trying to establish yourself beyond the show that made you famous, the last thing you want is for people to be questioning whether you have the personality or the business nous to succeed.

The closure of G R O Clothing does not mean Gemma has run out of commercial opportunities.

She has continued to secure brand partnerships with PrettyLittleThing, country outfitter Holland Cooper and jewellery firm Abbott Lyon, while her media work and other deals are handled through a separate company, OG Promotions.

But they do highlight the difference between the opportunities available to Gemma as an influencer and the performance of the clothing label she built around her own name.

A recognisable face can help sell a product, but turning that attention into a sustainable business is another challenge altogether.

And as Gemma focuses on horses, family life and her return to television, her fashion venture appears to have reached the end of the road.

“Gemma is at a point where she needs to work out what she really wants her career to look like,” the source says.

“She has the advantage of a recognisable name and plenty of opportunities, but she needs to find the things that genuinely work for her.”

Gemma’s representatives were contacted for comment.

The European destination might be best known for its luxury watches and expensive reputation, but this city break has far more to offer than meets the eye

Geneva may be most famous for its high-end timepieces, global standing and eye-wateringly costly way of life, but there’s far more to this Swiss city than first appears. Nestled on the banks of Lake Geneva, with the Alps forming a stunning backdrop, it offers a blend of historic streets, independent chocolatiers, and picturesque lakeside strolls.

In contrast to Zurich, Geneva has a calmer and more unhurried feel, making it an attractive option for a city escape without the crowds of a larger destination. It’s also easy to explore over a weekend, with many of its sights within easy reach of each other.

I travelled there to uncover what makes Geneva worthy of a visit and discovered a quiet, historic city, while staying at one of the most legendary hotels. The journey also took just over an hour from London to Geneva, making it incredibly convenient and swift to reach.

Following a trip to Zurich last year and becoming enchanted with Switzerland overall, I set myself the goal of discovering some of the less-visited destinations.

This led me to Geneva, which proved to be unlike what I’d anticipated. While it has a rich history, it didn’t feel overly crowded, and there’s a more relaxed rhythm to wandering its streets and along its waterside walkways.

The city is positioned where the Rhône River flows out of Lake Geneva, with the iconic Jet d’Eau fountain shooting spectacularly from the water. It’s one of the most instantly recognisable sights in the city, propelling a towering column of water skyward and creating a stunning backdrop for photos.

Strolling along the waterfront is perhaps the simplest way to soak up the scenery, with boats gliding across the lake and views stretching out towards the mountains on a clear day.

What makes this city particularly attractive is that you don’t need a jam-packed schedule to make the most of it. You can happily spend time meandering around the lake, popping into a café, browsing the shops and admiring the architecture without feeling the need to dash between sights.

Old town

No trip to Geneva would feel truly complete without a wander through its Old Town, known locally as La Vieille Ville. Perched on a hill above the city centre, this historic quarter is brimming with cobbled streets, charming squares, independent boutiques and cafés nestled within older buildings.

It’s a delightful area to explore on foot, especially if you enjoy uncovering hidden alleyways and one-of-a-kind shops.

The standout landmark here is St Pierre Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century and towers prominently over the Old Town. Visitors are welcome to explore inside and, where access permits, scale the towers for sweeping panoramic views across the rooftops and out towards the lake.

It’s also home to the world’s longest wooden bench, measuring 120 metres. Constructed in 1767, it’s certainly worth seeing.

Another attraction worth discovering is Geneva’s celebrated Flower Clock, located at the entrance to the Jardin Anglais alongside the lake. Established in 1955 as a homage to the city’s distinguished watchmaking heritage, the clock merges Swiss precision with botanical craftsmanship, featuring thousands of plants and flowers to form its vibrant face.

Chocolate shops

Switzerland and chocolate are inseparable, so naturally, sampling some local chocolate was a priority during my visit to Geneva. The city boasts a rich chocolate-making heritage, with established chocolatiers and independent boutiques offering everything from bars to truffles to pralines.

Some notable names include Favanger, as well as other specialist chocolate shops scattered throughout the city. Each provides a slightly different experience, whether you’re after traditional Swiss chocolate, more intricate handcrafted delights or something special to bring back.

The Lindt shop located in the city centre is also worth popping into.

Cheese fondue

Chocolate aside, fondue is another Swiss staple worth carving out time for. Traditionally prepared with melted cheese served in a communal pot, it’s a comforting dish that feels wonderfully warming after a chilly day of sightseeing.

I chose to eat at Restaurant Les Armures in the heart of the Old Town and savoured a traditional fondue accompanied by crunchy bread and potatoes. Menus and recipes differ, but the dish is typically prepared with a blend of cheeses, white wine, and seasonings.

Hotels

Geneva boasts plenty of luxury hotels, but the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues stands as one of the city’s most iconic addresses. Established in 1834, it possesses a rich heritage overlooking Lake Geneva and combines the splendour of a historic hotel with the amenities and service expected of a modern five-star establishment.

The hotel sits in a prime city centre location, making it an ideal base for discovering Geneva on foot. The lakefront lies just beyond its doors, while the Old Town and upmarket shopping districts are easily accessible.

It’s the kind of spot that lets you spend the day touring before retreating to somewhere that feels detached from the city’s rhythm.

The hotel ranked among the most remarkable I’ve experienced, from its refined surroundings to the complete package. It brought another layer to my journey and afforded me the opportunity to witness Geneva’s most opulent side directly.

Rather than seeming like somewhere to merely rest between excursions, it felt like a destination in itself. The interiors strike a balance between timeless elegance and modern elements, fostering an ambience that feels sophisticated while preserving the building’s historic charm.

Its guest rooms and suites showcase unique design features and overlook the city, courtyard, and lake. The hotel also boasts an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and Spa Mont Blanc, providing numerous opportunities to relax after a day of sightseeing.

While the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are celebrated for their opulence, it’s not actually the priciest hotel in Geneva.

The most expensive hotel in Geneva is the Hotel President Wilson, a Luxury Collection Hotel, renowned for housing the world’s most expensive hotel suite. It’s a well-known luxury destination for diplomats, heads of state and international travellers.

Restaurants

Unlike expansive culinary centres such as Paris, London or Tokyo, Geneva is comparatively compact, which can make it challenging to locate restaurants. Fortunately, the Four Seasons houses several restaurants and bars, offering guests choices without needing to leave the hotel each evening.

It’s also incredibly popular with passers-by, too.

Amongst its dining venues are II Lago, which specialises in Italian cuisine, and Izumi, which serves Japanese-inspired cuisine. The hotel’s selection of restaurants and bars enhances its appeal to travellers who want their accommodation to be part of the complete experience, rather than merely a place to sleep at night.

Naturally, the Four Seasons is positioned at the premium end of the spectrum, so it won’t be within everyone’s price range. However, for a memorable occasion like my visit, or a getaway where the accommodation is meant to be a centrepiece in itself, it’s a remarkable choice to bear in mind.

Nearby destinations

One of the highlights of my journey was a day excursion to Annecy, a charming town just over the French frontier. I got there by FlixBus from Geneva, which proved a convenient way to discover somewhere new without needing to rent a vehicle.

Renowned for its meandering waterways, vibrant historic structures, and a stunning lake encircled by peaks, Annecy felt like entering a storybook.

With delightful lanes to explore, independent boutiques to peruse and numerous spots to pause for a crêpe or coffee, it provided a wonderful alternative to Geneva and was certainly worth dedicating a day to.

KATIE Price has issued a heartbreaking update on her seriously ill mum Amy after previously revealing fears she had just days left to live.

The former glamour model, 48, discussed her mother’s condition with sister Sophie during an emotional conversation on their joint podcast, The Katie Price Show.

Katie insisted her mum was still fighting despite her ongoing health struggles, declaring: “But mother is strong.” The sisters also discussed visiting Amy, with Katie revealing she’d picked up a thoughtful present for her.

She said: “They had a bright pink cardigan so I bought it for mum because I know she’ll love it.” Sophie then asked whether Katie was planning to visit their mother in the coming days.

She said: “Are you going up there this week? I’m going up Thursday or Friday this week.” Katie replied: “Well when she goes, you know, what we know is happening, I’ll be there all the time, staying over. So I’ll do that.”

Sophie responded: “Yeah, nice.” The emotional exchange comes after Katie told Lewes Crown Court earlier this month that her mum had only days left.

real deal

Upset Katie Price reveals Harvey has piled weight back ON amid fat jabs

KATIE’S HEARTBREAK

Katie Price hit by ‘devastating news’ saying ‘cherish every moment’

She said at the time: “My mum’s dying at the moment and I haven’t been able to see her (because) I’ve got a cold… she’s got days.” Katie added: “I did promise my mum I’d see her tomorrow.”

Amy, 74, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017, a rare condition that causes irreversible scarring of the lungs. She underwent a lifesaving lung transplant in 2023 after falling into a coma and coming close to death.

Katie previously revealed her mum was in hospital and “very poorly”, and begged her to “find the strength to stay” in an emotional Instagram post.

The mum-of-five also admitted she feared losing Amy while filming her Sky documentary Katie Price: Nothing to Hide earlier this year.

Katie recently sparked concern after sharing a cryptic Instagram message revealing she had received “devastating news”.

However, she was quick to reassure followers that the upsetting news was not about Amy, writing: “No it’s not my mum.”

Quinton Byfield scored at 3:37 of overtime and the Kings beat the Ottawa Senators 6-5 on Thursday night after blowing a four-goal lead in the third period.

Byfield beat goalie Samuel Ersson with a snap shot from the high slot, with Drew Doughty picking up his third assist of the night on the play.

Erik Haula tied it for the Kings (4-6-2) on a first-period power play and Trevor Moore, Mikey Anderson, Joel Armia and Artemi Panarin scored in the second to make it 5-1. Panarin capped the run on a power play after Ottawa’s Hayden Hodgson was tossed for boarding defenseman Brandt Clarke.

Clarke missed the rest of the game because of an upper-body injury.

Ottawa roared back in the third, with Shane Pinto tying it 5-5 with 1:40 left and Ersson off for an extra attacker.

Dylan Cozens scored twice in the period and Drake Batherson also connected. Cozens and Batherson struck in a 33-second span, and Cozens cut it to a goal with 7:26 remaining. Tyler Kleven opened the scoring for Ottawa (8-5-1) in the first period.

Darcy Kuemper made 17 saves for the Kings.

Jonas Johansson stopped 12 of 16 shots before giving way to Ersson in the second. Ersson made 20 saves on 22 shots.

Up next for the Kings: vs. the Buffalo Sabres at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.

US District Judge Richard Stearns sided with 25 states and the District of Columbia which sued the administration.

A federal judge has ruled against enforcing a new rule by the administration of US President Donald Trump that would require chronically ill people on Medicaid, a public health insurance programme for low-income individuals, to prove themselves “medically frail” to qualify for work exemptions.

US District Judge Richard Stearns blocked the rule on Thursday, siding with 25 states and the District of Columbia, which had sued the Trump administration in June over the change, arguing that it unlawfully limits exemptions for people with serious medical conditions.

The law says the definition of medically frail must include people who are blind or disabled, have substance use disorders or disabling mental disorders, have certain disabilities that significantly impair daily activities, or have serious or complex medical conditions.

‘Significantly impair’ abilities

But the administration’s rule went further, requiring people in those categories to show that their conditions also “significantly impair” their ability to comply with the law’s work requirements.

The plaintiffs argued that the stricter rule would prevent eligible Americans from accessing the care they need, and that it oversteps the law’s text.

“The states have met their burden of showing irreparable harm for which monetary damages would provide inadequate compensation – they face the burden of costly and intensive alterations to their eligibility verification systems,” Stearns said in his 16-page ruling.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the agency that adopted the rule, declined to comment.

Medicaid is a public health insurance programme for low-income people, funded by state and federal governments.

Two restrictions upheld

Starting January 1, 2027, Medicaid expansion enrollees aged 19 to 64 must show that they work or do community service at least 80 hours a month, or are in school at least half the time. There are exceptions for those considered medically frail or in addiction treatment programmes, among others.

Notably, while the ruling will make it easier for some Medicaid recipients with qualifying medical conditions to obtain an exemption from the new work requirements, Stearns’s decision does not strike down the work requirements as unlawful.

Stearns serves in the District of Massachusetts and was appointed by President Bill Clinton.

His ruling upheld two other federal restrictions on how states can verify medical frailty that the states and the District of Columbia had also contested.

Nobel Peace Prize winner returns to Venezuela from exile, pressing for elections and criticising a controversial US oil deal with Caracas.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has thanked US President Donald Trump’s administration for opening the “floodgate to freedom” by abducting President Nicolas Maduro in January.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Thursday also called for elections to be held in Venezuela next year, in her first public remarks since returning from more than 10 months in exile.

“Thanks to their vision, their courage, and their action on January 3, the floodgate to freedom has been opened,” Machado told a news conference in Caracas, naming Trump, his administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio “has set out a sequence of events aimed at moving toward a democratic transition that makes clear the holding of presidential elections in 2027”, she said.

Machado has praised Trump before, presenting the president with her Nobel medal – a prize he feverishly coveted for himself in 2025.

A longtime activist, Machado fled Venezuela for Oslo in December to accept the Nobel Peace Prize. On Thursday, she said she had come home to “mobilise society”. US special forces veterans with an organisation called Grey Bull Rescue helped Machado escape by boat after she spent a year in hiding from Maduro’s regime.

Since Maduro’s abduction in January, the country has been ruled by his former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

Machado was greeted by cheering supporters as she travelled in her motorcade after she returned to Venezuela on Sunday. Rodriguez voiced distaste for the fanfare.

“The show could have been avoided – the airports are right here,” she said on state television.

When asked about a possible meeting with Rodriguez, the opposition leader said she had not received any message from her or from Washington.

Shortly before Machado’s statements on Thursday, Rodriguez assured the nation that elections would be held in Venezuela “with the world as witness” but did not specify a date.

Her return comes just weeks after a controversial US oil deal that will see Venezuela hand over 20 percent of its vast oil reserves.

“This agreement does not reflect the levels of transparency that Venezuelan society wants,” Machado said, criticising the deal.

The Cotswolds village is often nicknamed the prettiest village in England, but it’s becoming increasingly busy

Castle Combe is frequently hailed as one of the most beautiful villages in England, boasting honey-coloured cottages, a centuries-old stone bridge and winding lanes that appear to have stood still in time. Nestled in Wiltshire on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, it has grown into a hugely popular destination for visitors hoping to soak up the charm of a quintessentially English village.

Yet despite its undeniable beauty, I discovered that the reality of a visit was rather different from the picture-perfect scenes that have made it so famous. Even on what I anticipated would be a quiet morning, there’s little question that this is gradually becoming one of the most crowded villages in the Cotswolds.

Visiting the village

Castle Combe is a historic Wiltshire village long dubbed the prettiest in England. Its reputation stretches back decades, with its traditional stone houses, old-fashioned windows, and flower-filled gardens conjuring up the kind of setting you’d expect to see in a period drama.

However, that very same charm is precisely what draws so many visitors to the village. What ought to feel like a tranquil stroll through a historic setting can instead leave you feeling as though you’re wandering through a film set.

Having visited numerous times over the years, whether passing through on short walks or staying at nearby hotels, it’s clear the crowds are growing with every visit.

It also got me thinking about the village’s residents, particularly those living in the stunning cottages overlooking the stone bridge. Castle Combe’s own visitor guidance urges people to be respectful of residents’ privacy, and to refrain from photographing homes or obstructing roads and gateways.

Parking

Parking is another potential headache if you’re not local. The village’s narrow, historic streets were never built to accommodate heavy volumes of traffic, and parking in the centre is extremely limited.

Visitors are directed to the designated car park at Dunns Lane, from where it’s a short walk down into the village. Parking right in the heart of the village isn’t a realistic option for most visitors, and spaces can fill up quickly during the summer months.

Things to do

Castle Combe is undeniably picturesque and a joy to stroll through, but it is also incredibly compact. Unlike other Cotswold villages, there is no bustling high street lined with independent shops to explore.

The key attractions include the historic Market Cross, St Andrew’s Church, the stone bridge spanning the By Brook and the charming cottages lining the village street.

You can take a leisurely wander, admiring the architecture, grab a bite to eat and explore the surrounding footpaths, though a couple of hours is really all you need.

Is it worth visiting?

Castle Combe is the kind of village that feels truly unique in England. It’s a place that draws a great many visitors, yet it doesn’t always deliver the most satisfying experience.

If you’re already making your way through the Cotswolds, a brief stop to take in the village could be worthwhile — but it wouldn’t justify a dedicated trip on its own.

James on his exit

“The idea of doing that got me through the whole experience because you feel as a Traitor sometimes, when you see people have real life reactions that are bigger than the game, you feel bad, and I would have to remind myself they don’t have a game without you, literally, if no one’s doing this stuff, they can’t play, and they all want to play,” he said.
“So you are doing an important job here, so they all have something to do, and when they catch you, they’ll be really happy and they’ll like it, and it will feel good to just tell them and see that reaction.”

To ensure this doesn’t happen in the future, please enable Javascript and cookies in your browser.

If you have an ad-blocker enabled you may be blocked from proceeding. Please disable your ad-blocker and refresh.

However, Cameron Norrie fell short of his best victory of the season when world number five Daniil Medvedev saved match point to win their last-16 match.

A frustrating year has seen Norrie drop to 41st in the world rankings and exit each of the past three Grand Slam tournaments in the first round.

But the 31-year-old showed his key attributes – tenacity, athleticism and controlled aggression – to threaten a huge upset against Medvedev.

Third seed Medvedev, fresh from winning the Almaty title last week, was left angrily punching the surface when he fell a break down in the deciding set.

Norrie served for the match at 5-3 40-30, but Medvedev picked off his opponent’s serve-volley attempt and fought back to win 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-1).

Second seed Alcaraz also progressed with a 6-1 7-6 (13-11) win over Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic’s hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals were harmed by a second-round defeat at the Swiss Indoors event in Basel.

The 24-time major champion, 39, lost 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-7 (5-7) to Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who produced some inspired tennis to beat the Serb for the first time in nine attempts.

Four children drowned in bodies of water, while another man died in a car accident caused by the floods.

Heavy rains have been pouring over several Syrian provinces, leaving at least five people dead, including four children, in northern and eastern regions.

The four children all drowned in bodies of water across Raqqa and Deir Az Zor governorates, the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said in a statement on Thursday.

A man also died when his car was caught in floodwaters near al-Salmani Bridge in the western Raqqa countryside.

Five others, including two children, remain missing in the storms that have drenched the country.

Bridge collapse

Thursday marked the second day the ministry recorded responses to flooding across the country. It continues to issue situation updates on its X account.

The ministry reported infrastructure damage and disruptions to several bridges in affected areas: Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir Az Zor, Hasakah and Homs.

State news agency SANA said al-Salmani Bridge, west of Tabqa, collapsed in the flooding, shutting the road linking Raqqa to Aleppo.

Emergency teams also reported rescuing 15 civilians whose vehicles were trapped by floodwaters. The ministry said it evacuated approximately 375 families from three camps on the rural outskirts of Raqqa.

This is not the first time the country has faced the threat of heavy rains and the flooding that follows.

UNICEF reported in June that 17,000 people had been adversely affected by flooding so far in the year. At the time, the UN agency said 700 families had been displaced, including around 2,000 children, and that 49 water treatment plants in Deir Az Zor and Raqqa governorates had also gone out of service.

As Star Trek captain Jean-Luc Picard and X-Men leader Professor Charles Xavier, he was the epitome of calm leadership under pressure.

But actor Sir Patrick Stewart, who has passed away aged 86 after a secret health battle with Alzheimer’s, spent his life fighting his own personal demons, coming to terms with his abusive childhood.

His father Alf was one of the last men evacuated from Dunkirk and then parachuted into Italy to fight in the brutal Battle of Monte Cassino where 54,000 Allied troops were killed or injured.

Back home in Mirfield, Huddersfield, he subjected the seven-year-old’s mother to brutal beatings.

Often, the young child would stand between his father’s fists and his mother in a desperate attempt to shield her.

“As a child I witnessed his repeated violence against my mother, and the terror and misery he caused was such that, if I felt I could have succeeded, I would have killed him,” he said. “If my mother had attempted it, I would have held him down.

‘INVINCIBLE GRACE’

Full heartbreaking statement after Patrick Stewart’s death at 86

ICON GONE

Hollywood icon Sir Patrick Stewart dead aged 86 after legendary career

“For those who struggle to comprehend these feelings in a child, imagine living in an environment of emotional unpredictability, danger and humiliation week after week, year after year, from the age of seven.

“My childish instinct was to protect my mother, but the man hurting her was my father, whom I respected, admired and feared.”

It was on stage where he found a way to break free from his home life and forge his own path.

“I managed to find my own refuge in acting,” he said. “The stage was a far safer place for me than anything I had to live through at home – it offered escape.

“I could be someone else, in another place, in another time.

“However, whenever the role called for anger, fury, or the expression of murderous impulses, I was always afraid of what I might unleash if I surrendered myself to those feelings.”

Born on July 13, 1940, in Mirfield, near Huddersfield, life was bliss until his father Alf returned home from war with what would now be called post-traumatic stress disorder.

He said: ”My parents’ bedroom had a partition built into it, which is where my old brother Trevor and I slept. No hot water, no cooking facilities, no toilet, bathroom. Just an open fire and a gas ring.

“I’d never known anything else.”

Reflecting the violence at home, Stewart’s own anger was close to the surface and he struggled to contain it at school.

He said: “I was beaten with a cane by my headmaster when I was 14, when I was innocent of what he was accusing me of.

“It was one of the hardest moments ever, because I wanted to attack him. I would have killed him.

“If I’d actually got my hands on him, I don’t think he’d have made it out.”

His salvation came in the form of English teacher Cecil Dormand who put a copy of Shakespeare in his hands and encouraged him to perform.

It was the Mirfield Secondary Modern School drama club that gave him a glimpse of something beyond the confines of his terraced home and violent abuse.

He said: “The first moment that I walked onto the school stage I felt safe — it was the safest place I’d ever been.

“For one thing I wasn’t Patrick Stewart because I didn’t like Patrick Stewart very much.

“And it was a different world, it wasn’t my world — because I didn’t like that very much either.”

He got another dreaded summons to his headmaster’s office. But this time instead of a caning he saw Mr Dormand and someone from the West Riding County Council who offered him an eight-day residential drama course.

It was there he met a young Brian Blessed, who he would later perform with in the classic TV drama I, Claudius.

Years later they bumped into each other together at a glitzy awards ceremony in Los Angeles:

“There we were: two working-class boys from Yorkshire, walking down the red carpet.”

He left school at 15 and got a job as a junior reporter on his local paper the Mirfield & District while dedicating every moment to acting, much to the annoyance of his editor.

He said: “There were about a dozen amateur dramatic societies in my community. Every church, every chapel had one — even if it only meant doing a pantomime once a year.

“The editor eventually said ‘You’ve got to give it all up, this acting business, and learn to be a journalist. If you don’t, you can get off my paper.’

“So I went upstairs, packed up my typewriter and left.”

He got a scholarship to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and in 1966 joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, a relationship that would last for nearly three decades.

He went on to win two supporting actor Olivier Awards for his Shakespeare performances, for Antony and Cleopatra in 1979 and Hamlet in 2009.

He was awarded a knighthood for services to drama in 2009 and was knighted by the late Queen in 2010.

The stage was his true love despite one appearance on Coronation Street in 1966 and playing John Le Carre’s Russian spy Karla in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley’s People.

But in 1987 he was tempted by what he thought would be a quick Hollywood cash grab and be back home on the stage in a few months.

But Star Trek: The Next Generation became a global smash and his cultured, thoughtful Picard became an iconic role.

The sci-fi TV series ran for seven years, with Sir Patrick starring in Star Trek Generations in 1994, Star Trek: First Contact in 1996 and Star Trek: Insurrection in 1998 and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

He said: “I was contemptuous. I knew of the original Star Trek, of course… I thought, ‘This is not what I do. I’m a classical actor.’

“I thought I’d just go to California for a year, get a tan and earn some money.

“I came to love Jean-Luc Picard and to admire him, and he has had an effect on me. Some of his qualities, I believe, have rubbed off on me.

“The sense of responsibility, the sense of duty, the determination that you will not be compromised.”

In 2000, he was cast as powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier in the film adaptation of Marvel‘s X-Men comics.

He would come back to the series in 2014’s X-Men: Days Of Future Past, 2017’s Logan, 2022’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness and 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine.

Again, his thoughtful, nurturing persona and his rivalry with old friend Sir Ian McKellen’s Magneto became cinema legend.

He said: “I love him deeply. So does my wife. He married us — he performed the ceremony in a Mexican restaurant.”

Singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell was Stewart’s third wife and eyebrows were raised at their 38-year age gap.

He had two children, Daniel, 59, and Sophie, 54, with his first wife Sheila Falconer who he married in 1966 and divorced 24 years later.

He was briefly married to producer Wendy Neuss in 2000 then he met and married Sunny in 2013.

The couples’ fun Instagram posts of the Shakespearean actor in hilarious situations, like being dressed as a lobster, burst his rather serious Shakespearean public face.

Making home in Los Angeles, where he watched every game of his beloved Huddersfield Town, he started having weekly therapy sessions to deal with his traumatic childhood.

Stewart said: “It wasn’t until I came to California and people would say, ‘You’re not in therapy? Let me recommend somebody.’ I was introduced to a brilliant woman with whom I did therapy weekly for about six years.

“It was thanks to her that all this stuff came out and I realised that acting was an escape for me.”

In 2006 a routine check up discovered an 85 per cent blockage in his heart and he underwent emergency surgery to fix it by having a stent inserted.

He said: “I was diagnosed very unexpectedly during my annual physical by my cardiologist, who said ‘What are you doing this afternoon?’

“To which I said ‘Well actually, I’m going for lunch.’ And he said, ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’

“And in five minutes I was on a gurney giving details of my next of kin and so it was rather dramatic.

“I didn’t have time to brood on it, but what I did know was that I was in the best possible hands I could’ve been in and I was going to be taken care of whatever the outcome.

His mother Gladys died in 1977, three years before Alfred. After turning 80 in 2020 and with the pandemic and lockdown in full swing he began to think about his own mortality.

He said: “When my father was living alone, I believe he missed her badly.

“And perhaps he might even have regretted aspects of their married life.

“I was already older than both my parents when they died, but I think it was the coronavirus. It did something to me.

“It made me feel so vulnerable.”

In a final video posted on Instagram before his death, Sir Patrick reflected on love and the emotions evoked by his performances of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

He said: “I hope it has brought pleasure and curiosity but more than anything else I want it to have communicated all the multiple features that love might have.”