Celebrity Traitors’ Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns ‘to come to blows’ as they become ‘enemies’
Celebrity Traitors stars Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns could be about to come to blows in the latest episode of the hit BBC show, a body language expert has predicted
Celebrity Traitors stars Jonathan Ross and Cat Burns could be set for fiery scenes in the upcoming episode of the hit BBC show.
The talk show legend, 64, and viral TikTok singer Cat, 25, are both taking part in the hit reality series in which a host of famous faces live in a castle and have to work out which of them is one of the titular Traitors, all guided by Strictly Come Dancing‘s Claudia Winkleman.
Both Jonathan and Cat are in fact Traitors, as is comedian Alan Carr but the other contestants are all Faithfuls, and now body language expert Judi James has explored the ‘subtle but revealing’ signs that things were not right between them during last night’s episode.
Normally, during the part in the show where the Traitors remove their hoods, there is often fits of laughter between them. But explaining what was different this time, Judi explained: “Last night’s meet-up was different though because, for Jonathan and Cat, the masks never came off. They surveyed each other without any signals of relief.”
READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman’s A-list new role after ‘blindsiding’ the BBC revealedREAD MORE: Are the Celebrity Traitors really the ‘worst Faithfuls ever’?
She added: “Their body language was subtle but revealing, proving they, both now recognise they are enemies. Last night’s meet-up was different though because, for Jonathan and Cat, the masks never came off. They surveyed each other without any signals of relief.
“We saw them ignore Alan to stare at each other, and Jonathan performed a thin ‘smile’ of recognition, which was returned by Cat. There was no pretence between them, but no open declarations of war. Jonathan let Cat know he knew what she was doing and she stared him back to let him know she intends to carry on doing it.”
Jonathan adopted a dominant, alpha pose, leaning his weight onto his hands that clutched the rail in front, leaning forward in a way that could be seen as an attempt to to silently ‘threaten’ Cat. What’s more, the singer smiled when she looked at Alan but the smile quickly faded when she clapped eyes on Jonathan.
It’s also been noted that Cat moved her ‘weight from one foot to the other,’ and this can imply a ‘fight or flight’ stance when coming face-to-face with an enemy.
But the body expert also explained how Cat held her own, adding: “Cat even showed higher status to Jonathan, raising her chin and her brows when she spoke to him and looking down her nose while he bowed his head down low.”
At the end of last night’s episode, Stephen Fry was banished from the castle despite being a Faitful. Speaking to his fellow celebrities, Stephen said he had the “best fun for years” and called the group “an extraordinary and wonderful bunch of people”.
Insisting he would hold “no hard feelings” over his banishment, he said that being involved had been a “privilege and an honour” that had filled him with “deep delight”.
On spin-off, Uncloacked, Stephen said he thought Cat, Joe and David were the Traitors, but he got the shock of his life when he found out the truth…
“Jonathan?! FFS!” he said. “Oh he played a blinder, we knew he was a superfan, but he convinced me he wanted to be Faithful!”
“Alan?! What will Paloma say? Wow does he want to end the realtionship?! Alan Carr, I don’t believe it! Two big dogs, and one small Cat!”
The Celebrity Traitors continues on 29 October at 9pm on BBC One.
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‘Beautiful’ UK city turns into walkable ‘autumnal dreamland’
Edinburgh is a stunning city at any time of year, but it’s said to be particularly beautiful during autumn when the leaves turn into shades of yellow, orange, and red.
One travel blogger on Ourcrossings described the city as “beautiful” throughout the year, but particularly stunning during autumn.
There’s reportedly an “extra dose of magic” as foliage transforms into hues of yellow, orange, and red.
The blogger observed: “With colourful leaves framing its every corner, Edinburgh turns into an autumnal dreamland that feels like a world away from the rest of Europe.”
Edinburgh presents a magnificent sight, positioned against the majestic Castle backdrop, and boasts numerous parks for visitors to explore.
Key locations include Princes Street Gardens, where you can stroll towards attractions such as the Scott Monument, Ross Fountain, and the National Museum of Scotland, reports the Express.
Additionally, there’s the Royal Botanic Garden, the adjacent Inverleith Park – merely a three-minute stroll away – and Edinburgh Old Town.
“The Old Town is home to some of Edinburgh’s biggest and best attractions,” highlighted Forever Edinburgh.
Renowned landmarks feature Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Palace serves as the official Royal Residence in Edinburgh where guests can view Mary Queen of Scots’ bedchamber.
Edinburgh has also gained recognition for its guided walks, allowing you to discover stories from historical periods whilst becoming familiar with the ancient city.
Forever Edinburgh suggests Mercy Tours to uncover stories of murder and mystery along the cobblestone streets.
For those who fancy a bit of exploration, GuruWalk’s free walking tours allow you to hop-on and hop-off at various intriguing spots.
Not to mention, the Scottish capital is brimming with snug pubs, delightful eateries and shops just waiting to be discovered.
BNB Governor Radev Explains Bulgaria’s Euro Area Accession
Dimitar Radev, governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, sees new opportunities ahead, along with continued fiscal prudence.
Global Finance: Bulgaria is set to join the euro in January, a significant achievement for the country and the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). What will be the biggest changes for the economy and for the average citizen?
Dimitar Radev: Euro area accession is indeed a strategic milestone for Bulgaria. It crowns years of consistent effort—macroeconomic convergence, institutional development, and responsible policymaking. For the economy, it means deeper financial integration, enhanced investor confidence, and greater resilience to external shocks. For the average citizen, the most immediate effects will be practical: elimination of exchange rate risk with our main trading partners, lower transaction costs and more transparent pricing. In short, membership opens new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity. However, I must emphasize that these benefits will fully materialize only if we continue the disciplined policies that have brought us to this point.
GF: Do you have any concerns about membership?
Radev: There are always risks, but they do not stem from the euro itself—they arise from how we manage our responsibilities within the euro area. The real risk lies in domestic complacency: the mistaken belief that euro membership can substitute for sound national policies. It cannot. On the contrary, participation in the euro area increases the need for fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and strong institutions.
GF: You have stated that Bulgaria will not follow Greece’s example and use lower interest rates to go on a spending spree. How can this be avoided if companies and individuals want to do so?
Radev: Bulgaria has a strong tradition of fiscal prudence, and our low debt-to-GDP ratio—among the lowest in the EU—is proof of that. In recent years, this discipline has been tested by political instability and global volatility, leading to some loosening of the fiscal stance that must now be addressed. It is important to note that pressure for higher spending rarely comes from households or businesses—it originates from political decisions. The temptation to use lower interest rates as a rationale for expansive fiscal policy is well known. That is why Bulgaria’s established institutional framework, anchored in fiscal rules and prudent oversight, is essential. I am confident that fiscal discipline will remain our guiding principle.
GF: Membership in the euro means the BNB loses one of its primary monetary weapons, bank reserve ratio requirements, which are currently set at 12% with no interest paid on these reserves. Is there an alternative you can use?
Radev: Yes, the institutional context will change. Reserve requirements will be harmonized with eurosystem rules, and the BNB will no longer determine them unilaterally. But it’s important to recall that, under our currency board arrangement—apart from reserve requirements—our ability to conduct active monetary policy has already been very limited. From this perspective, euro area accession is not a loss of autonomy, but a strategic upgrade. For the first time, we will have a voice in shaping the euro area’s monetary policy through participation in the ECB’s decision-making bodies. This is a substantial institutional gain. At the same time, the BNB retains full control over macroprudential policy, which remains a powerful and flexible tool. Our participation in the Single Supervisory Mechanism further enhances coordination and oversight. This transition is not about losing instruments—it is about modernizing and embedding them within a stronger and more integrated policy framework.
GF: One of the BNB’s most important tasks is and will remain bank regulation. What impact might euro membership have on Bulgaria’s banks?
Radev: Since 2020, Bulgaria has been part of the Banking Union through the close cooperation framework with the ECB, covering both the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and the Single Resolution Mechanism. Euro area membership will complete this integration. It brings higher standards of supervision, enhanced transparency, and greater consistency across the banking sector. Bulgarian banks are already subject to joint supervision under the SSM, and expectations—especially regarding capital strength and governance—will continue to rise. Some consolidation may follow, particularly among smaller or less competitive institutions. But this reflects broader market dynamics, not the euro itself. The BNB’s role remains unchanged: to safeguard financial stability, protect depositors, and promote the long-term soundness of the banking system.
Asylum seekers face deportation over failure to pay new fees — before being notified
WASHINGTON — Late last month, an immigrant seeking asylum in the U.S. came across social media posts urging her to pay a new fee imposed by the Trump administration before Oct. 1, or else risk her case being dismissed.
Paula, a 40-year-old Los Angeles-area immigrant from Mexico, whose full name The Times is withholding because she fears retribution, applied for asylum in 2021 and her case is now on appeal.
But when Paula tried to pay the $100 annual fee, she couldn’t find an option on the immigration court’s website that accepted fees for pending asylum cases. Afraid of deportation — and with just five hours before the payment deadline — she selected the closest approximation she could find, $110 for an appeal filed before July 7.
She knew it was likely incorrect. Still, she felt it was better to pay for something, rather than nothing at all, as a show of good faith. Unable to come up with the money on such short notice, Paula, who works in a warehouse repairing purses, paid the fee with a credit card.
“I hope that money isn’t wasted,” she said.
That remains unclear because of confusion and misinformation surrounding the rollout of a host of new fees or fee increases for a variety of immigration services. The fees are part of the sweeping budget bill President Trump signed into law in July.
Paula was one of thousands of asylum seekers across the country who panicked after seeing messages on social media urging them to pay the new fee before the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.
But government messaging about the fees has sometimes been chaotic and contradictory, immigration attorneys say. Some asylum seekers have received notice about the fees, while others have not. Misinformation surged as immigrants scrambled to figure out whether, and how, to pay.
Advocates worry the confusion serves as a way for immigration officials to dismiss more asylum cases, which would render the applicants deportable.
The fees vary. For those seeking asylum, there is a $100 fee for new applications, as well as a yearly fee of $100 for pending applications. The fee for an initial work permit is $550 and work permit renewals can be as much as $795.
Amy Grenier, associate director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Assn., said that not having a clear way to pay a fee might seem like a small government misstep, but the legal consequences are substantial.
For new asylum applications, she said, some immigration judges set a payment deadline of Sept. 30, even though the Executive Office for Immigration Review only updated the payment portal in the last week of September.
“The lack of coherent guidance and structure to pay the fee only compounded the inefficiency of our immigration courts,” Grenier said. “There are very real consequences for asylum-seekers navigating this completely unnecessary bureaucratic mess.”
Two agencies collect the asylum fees: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), under the Department of Justice, which operates immigration courts.
Both agencies initially released different instructions regarding the fees, and only USCIS has provided an avenue for payment.
The departments of Homeland Security and Justice didn’t respond to a request for comment. The White House deferred to USCIS.
USCIS spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser said the asylum fee is being implemented consistent with the law.
“The real losers in this are the unscrupulous and incompetent immigration attorneys who exploit their clients and bog down the system with baseless asylum claims,” he said.
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), a national membership organization, sued the Trump administration earlier this month after thousands of members shared their confusion over the new fees, arguing that the federal agencies involved “threaten to deprive asylum seekers of full and fair consideration of their claims.”
The organization also argued the fees shouldn’t apply to people whose cases were pending before Trump signed the budget package into law.
In a U.S. district court filing Monday, Justice Department lawyers defended the fees, saying, “Congress made clear that these new asylum fees were long overdue and necessary to recover the growing costs of adjudicating the millions of pending asylum applications.”
Some of the confusion resulted from contradictory information.
A notice by USCIS in the July 22 Federal Register confused immigrants and legal practitioners alike because of a reference to Sept. 30. Anyone who had applied for asylum as of Oct. 1, 2024, and whose application was still pending by Sept. 30, was instructed to pay a fee. Some thought the notice meant that Sept. 30 was the deadline to pay the yearly asylum fee.
By this month, USCIS clarified on its website that it will “issue personal notices” alerting asylum applicants when their annual fee is due, how to pay it and the consequences for failing to do so.
The agency created a payment portal and began sending out notices Oct. 1, instructing recipients to pay within 30 days.
But many asylum seekers are still waiting to be notified by USCIS, according to ASAP, the advocacy organization. Some have received texts or physical mail telling them to check their USCIS account, while others have resorted to checking their accounts daily.
Meanwhile the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) didn’t add a mechanism for paying the $100 fee for pending asylum cases — the one Paula hoped to pay — until Thursday.
In its Oct. 3 complaint, lawyers for ASAP wrote: “Troublingly, ASAP has received reports that some immigration judges at EOIR are already requiring applicants to have paid the annual asylum fee, and in at least one case even rejected an asylum application and ordered an asylum seeker removed for non-payment of the annual asylum fee, despite the agency providing no way to pay this fee.”
An immigration lawyer in San Diego, who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution, said an immigration judge denied his client’s asylum petition because the client had not paid the new fee, even though there was no way to pay it.
The judge issued an order, which was shared with The Times, that read, “Despite this mandatory requirement, to date the respondents have not filed proof of payment for the annual asylum fee.”
The lawyer called the decision a due process violation. He said he now plans to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals, though another fee increase under Trump’s spending package raised that cost from $110 to $1,010. He is litigating the case pro bono.
Justice Department lawyers said Monday that EOIR had eliminated the initial inconsistency by revising its position to reflect that of USCIS and will soon send out official notices to applicants, giving them 30 days to make the payment.
“There was no unreasonable delay here in EOIR’s implementation,” the filing said. “…The record shows several steps were required to finalize EOIR’s process, including coordination with USCIS. Regardless, Plaintiff’s request is now moot.”
Immigrants like Paula, who is a member of ASAP, recently got some reassurance. In a court declaration, EOIR Director Daren Margolin wrote that for anyone who made anticipatory or advance payments for the annual asylum fee, “those payments will be applied to the alien’s owed fees, as appropriate.”
The Sports Report: Chargers rout the Vikings
From Sam Farmer: The offense topped 30 points for the first time all season.
The defense went from rattled to relentless.
And the special teams? The Chargers kicked three field goals in their 37-10 rout of Minnesota on Thursday night, but it’s what they didn’t do that was most resounding.
For the first time in four years, the Chargers didn’t punt.
What a turnaround for a team that was embarrassed on its home field four days earlier.
“They just set their minds to it that they weren’t going to be denied,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, whose team pulled out of a tailspin in dramatic fashion after losing three of their previous four games.
The wire-to-wire win was sweet redemption for a Chargers defense that faltered in a big way Sunday in a 38-24 loss to Indianapolis.
DODGERS
From Jack Harris: The Dodgers announced Thursday that reliever Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife “navigate a deeply personal family matter,” and manager Dave Roberts said his availability for the World Series is uncertain.
Vesia, who has been the Dodgers’ top left-handed pitcher in the bullpen this season, was not present at the team’s World Series media session on Thursday, and was not seen at the club’s open workout at Dodger Stadium on Monday.
Roberts said that the club was reviewing its options within MLB’s postseason roster rules, but that for now Vesia’s status was considered day-to-day.
‘It’s just in our DNA’: Why Dodgers treat title pressure as routine while chasing dynasty
Shaikin: What might have been if the Angels had signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a decade ago
WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE, RESULTS
All times Pacific
Dodgers vs. Toronto
Friday at Toronto, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
Saturday at Toronto, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
Monday at Dodgers, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
Tuesday at Dodgers, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
*Wednesday at Dodgers, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
*Friday, Oct. 31 at Toronto, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
*Saturday, Nov. 1 at Toronto, 5 p.m., Fox, AM 570, KTNQ 1020, ESPN Radio
*-if necessary
LAKERS
From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: Marcus Smart picking up four fouls in 12 first-half minutes wasn’t the plan Tuesday, but the Lakers guard still saw a purpose behind the maddening calls.
For a team that signed the 31-year-old guard in large part for his tenacity, having Smart set the standard of physicality was the right way to start a season, even if the season-opening result went the wrong way for the Lakers.
“The toughest team,” Smart said, “sets the rules.”
“I’ve been in this league for 12 years and that’s always been the motto,” the former NBA defensive player of the year continued. “You see it. The team that comes out more physical, the momentum is kind of going their way, and that’s how it is. We want to be the toughest team from start to the end.”
NBA GAMBLING PROBE
From Richard Winton and Salvador Hernandez: Federal prosecutors unsealed two indictments Thursday outlining an illegal betting scheme that has rocked the NBA and named current and former players, including former Clippers player and current Portland head coach Chauncey Billups, in one of the most brazen sports corruption schemes since online sports betting became widely legalized in the United States.
Prosecutors are accusing the Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier and Damon Jones, a retired NBA player and friend of LeBron James, of using private insider NBA information, such as when players would sit out, to help others profit in leveraged bets online.
In a separate indictment from the East District of New York, Billups, who played with the Clippers for two seasons and later was a member of Clippers coach Ty Lue’s staff before earning the Trail Blazers head coaching job, is charged with rigging underground poker games that three of New York’s Mafia families backed, authorities said.
KINGS
Adrian Kempe scored 37 seconds into overtime and the Kings beat Dallas 3-2 on Thursday night, handing the slumping Stars their fourth consecutive loss. It was the second game in a row in which Kempe scored the winning overtime goal.
Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves, and former Stars Corey Perry and Cody Ceci also scored as the Kings won in regulation for the first time this season.
Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson scored power-play goals for the Stars, and Johnston also had an assist. Jake Oettinger stopped 22 shots.
DUCKS
Troy Terry snapped a tie in the third period, and the Ducks held off the Boston Bruins for a 7-5 victory Thursday night.
Mikael Granlund had two goals and three assists for the Ducks in their second straight win. Terry and Jacob Trouba each had a goal and an assist, and Nikita Nesterenko had four assists.
Boston dropped its sixth straight game after opening Marco Sturm’s coaching tenure with three wins in a row.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1943 — The Green Bay Packers grab nine interceptions, seven off Frank Sinkwich, in a 27-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.
1948 — Chicago’s Bill Blackburn returns two interceptions for touchdowns to highlight a 35-point third quarter as the Cardinals beat the Boston Yanks 49-27.
1959 — Wilt Chamberlain plays in his first NBA game with the Philadelphia Warriors. Chamberlain plays his entire career — 1,045 consecutive games — without a disqualification.
1965 — Fran Tarkenton of the Minnesota Vikings passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 42-41 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
1976 — The New York Marathon is run through the streets of the five boroughs for the first time. Bill Rodgers wins the race in 2:10:10, beating Olympic gold and silver medalist Frank Shorter. Miki Gorman wins the women’s division in 2:39:11, the 70th-fastest time over all.
1998 — Ricky Williams of Texas becomes the leading scorer in NCAA Division I history with 428 career points, scoring two touchdowns in a 30-20 victory over Baylor.
2003 — Se Ri Pak becomes the first woman to make the two-round cut in a men’s golf tournament since Babe Zaharias in 1945. Pak shoots a 2-over 74 on the Korean tour for a 2-over 146 halfway through the $250,000 SBS Super Tournament. Pak finishes tied for 29th place.
2008 — Make it 9-for-9 for the unstoppable Zenyatta. The 4-year-old filly, ridden by Mike Smith, stays perfect in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic at Santa Anita, roaring from last to first around the turn to win the race.
2010 — Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall ties an NFL single-game record with four interceptions, including a 92-yard interception-return touchdown, in the Redskins’ 17-14 win at Chicago.
2013 — A majority-female officiating crew works a college football game in an apparent first. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference bills it as the first time it’s happened in an NCAA game. Head linesman Yvonda Lewis, line judge Tangela Mitchell, field judge Sebrina Brunson and back judge Krystle Apellaniz are part of the seven-person crew for the Division II game between Miles and Lane. Miles wins 38-26.
2015 — Montreal beats the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 to extend their season-opening winning streak to nine games. The Candiens break the NHL record for most consecutive regulation wins to begin a season, set by Buffalo in 1975-76.
2015 — Lance Austin returns a blocked field goal 78 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game, giving Georgia Tech a stunning 22-16 upset of No. 9 Florida State.
2021 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady becomes the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 600 touchdowns in a 38-3 win over the Chicago Bears.
Compiled by the Associated Press
THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1992 — The Toronto Blue Jays take baseball’s championship outside the United States for the first time, beating the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in 11 innings in Game 6 of the World Series.
2012 — Pablo Sandoval becomes the fourth player to hit three home runs in a World Series game to lead the San Francisco Giants over the Detroit Tigers 8-3 in the series opener.
Compiled by the Associated Press
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
I visited the world’s smallest Wetherspoons that’s built on the remains of a 2000-year-old palace
WHO can say no to a Wetherspoons? And what if I told you the smallest one in the world is just as good as the rest, if not better.
Not only is it the smallest Spoons, but it is also in a rather bizarre location – a train station.
Of course, some UK airports have Wetherspoons, but I have never come across one in a train station before.
Sat at one end of Cannon Street Station in London, you will find the Sir John Hawkshaw, complete with just 42 tables.
Whilst that might sound a lot, compared to the usual London Spoons, this is considerably less.
And the obscurities about this spot just continue – if you need to use the toilet, well then you’ll need to head to the other end of the station and down a set of stairs.
Read more on travel inspo
I tested out the journey myself, and it took me around one minute (no good if you’re desperate!).
For those who love to train spot, sit outside on the terrace, which is essentially like sitting on one of the platforms.
The boozer opened back in 2014 and is named after one of the co-designers of the original station building, which first opened in 1866.
Inside, it does have a more cosy feel than most Wetherspoons pubs I have visited.
With Halloween fast approaching, the interior was decked out with cobwebs and pumpkins.
But keen to experience the pub-slash-train-station experience, I opted for a table on the terrace to enjoy my nachos.
Despite its small size, the pub still features Spoons’ extensive menu and the service isn’t impacted either.
To learn more about the pub, look for a blue plaque on the veranda.
It states: “The station had eight platforms under a single span arch roof.
“Far below the station are the remains of a Roman palace, built in the first century.”
At another point, the ‘Steelyard’ was used by German and Flemish merchants.
However, in 1666, it was then destroyed during the Great Fire of London.
A quarter of a century later, and the Company of Plumbers built their Livery Hall on the site, which remained there until the 1860s.
I sat peacefully enjoying my chips, nachos, chicken strips and raspberry lemonade, coming to a grand total of £18.
Whilst eating I noticed how the pub also has a unique soundtrack – clinking glasses mixed with the clack-clack of trains running over metal rails.
In all, I found myself feeling like I was in a quiet bubble in the middle of the hustle and bustle of commuters and tourists.
It felt as if I was in an airport, enjoying a drink whilst people watching – but with no pressure that I was going to miss my flight.
For the tired and sore commuter, this spot is ideal for a post meeting drink, before hopping on a Southeastern train home.
And of course, in typical Spoons style, your pocket won’t be stretched either.
Whilst to most, this may feel like another typical Wetherspoons spot, it somehow manages to fit all the character you get with Spoons into a small venue.
For Wetherspoons fans, there is also good news as a new location has opened inside an abandoned UK attraction.
Plus, take a look inside the best-loved Wetherspoons in the UK from converted theatres to underground bank vaults.
The 10 most beautiful Wetherspoons in the UK
SOME of the prettiest Wetherspoons pubs can be found in old cinemas and even bingo halls – here are the top spots…
- Opera House, Royal Tunbridge Wells: The former opera house in Royal Tunbridge Wells first opened its doors to the public back in 1902.
- The Winter Gardens, Harrogate: The Winter Gardens used to be part of the Royal Baths in Harrogate and provided a place where people could relax.
- The Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds: The Grade I listed building started life as a location for merchants and Victorian farmers to trade back in 1862.
- The Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate: Ramsgate’s Royal Victoria Pavilion holds the title of the world’s biggest Wetherspoons.
- The Velvet Coaster, Blackpool: The pub is named after one of Blackpool’s most famous historical fairground rides, in which thrill-seekers of the past sat in velvet-lined carriages that rolled along a wooden track.
- The Caley Picture House, Edinburgh: The art-deco insides of the Caley Picture House in Edinburgh make it look like like it could feature in the Great Gatsby.
- The Palladium, Llandudno: The Palladium in Llandudno, in North Wales, is another Wetherspoons that used to be a cinema.
- The Counting House, Glasgow: The ex-Bank of Scotland building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style and visitors can even have a drink in its underground vault.
- Hamilton Hall, London: Outside of London’s Liverpool Street Station is Hamilton Hall, which at one stage was a ballroom in the Great Eastern Hotel.
- The Knights Templar, London: Elsewhere in London, The Knights Templar can be found inside a former Union Bank building.
US allies seek to keep Trump “invested” in Asia trip talks
Analyst Patricia M Kim says some Asian countries hope to show Trump they are valuable partners to the US.
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Carney’s Asia Gamble: Building New Alliances to Free Canada from U.S. Grip
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to begin his first official trip to Asia to strengthen trade and security ties, as the country aims to reduce its heavy reliance on the U. S. and seek new markets. During his week-long visit, he may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to improve a previously strained relationship impacted by a trade conflict. Analysts emphasize the need for Carney to convey that Canada has its own independent agenda and is moving away from strict alignment with the U. S., especially as U. S. President Donald Trump has made remarks about annexing Canada.
Carney’s trip follows Canada’s recent trade agreement with Indonesia, which aims for duty-free access for most goods. Canada is also targeting trade agreements with the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. He will participate in the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, have meetings in Singapore, and attend the APEC summit in South Korea. Despite Carney’s focus on diversifying exports, Canada is still highly dependent on the U. S., with about 75% of its exports heading there.
Experts believe that Asia presents greater business opportunities for Canada than Europe. However, any agreements with China could be affected by the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U. S. and China. The prime minister may find it challenging to resolve existing disputes with China without improved relations between the two superpowers. Canadians themselves are hesitant about closer ties with China, with a significant portion viewing the country negatively.
Under Carney’s leadership, who has international experience and banking credentials, there is hope for credibility in negotiations with China. He recently spoke with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and anticipates further discussions with senior Chinese leaders. Observers note the importance of Carney’s demeanor in his meetings, particularly with Xi Jinping, as it can influence perceptions of strength and diplomacy.
With information from Reuters
First new rail station for 100 years to draw fans and historians for 7am train
Rail buffs and historians getting up early on Sunday to see first new railway station to open for 100 years
Railway historians and fanatics will flock to a town in Essex at 7am on Sunday morning to see the first new train station on the Eastern main line for 100 years.
Beaulieu Park is the first station to open on this part of the UK network since the 1920s. And rail chiefs are expecting a huge amount of interest from trainspotters and rail buffs alike.
They are particularly pleased because the £175m station is opening four months early. The first train will pull in at 7.20am on Sunday.
And already some excited passengers have bought their tickets for the Colchester to London Liverpool St train to be part of history when it stops at the new station.
Andy Cross, 47, said: “I just want to be part of history. It will be great arriving at the first station on the Eastern mainline in such a long time. I’m sure there will be lots of photographers at Beaulieu Park to capture the moment.”
The station is part of a new super green initiative project near Chelmsford. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of Beaulieu Park station, the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.
“Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two trains per hour during off peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers.”
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said: “Essex is pioneering the type of infrastructure-supported growth that’s on the national agenda, being bold and ambitious in our commitment to future-proofing the county and putting investment where it’s most needed.
“The new Beaulieu Park station is testament to this, and the role it will play in transforming travel in this part of Chelmsford and surrounding areas will have a positive impact for years to come.
“The progress being made to build the station is remarkable and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to get the project to this stage. I’m very much looking forward to the station opening.”
The new station is set to transform travel north of Chelmsford as it will eases pressure on the existing busy Chelmsford train station and reduces car journeys into the city centre.
The station is planned to be a significant addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods in the north of the city, which form the first phases of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.
4,350 homes already have planning permission as part of the Garden Community. This includes 1,989 new homes which have already been built, along with the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre providing local shops, community and health services.
This is in addition to the Beaulieu Park School – the first all-through primary and secondary school in Essex.
Beaulieu Park Station will provide easier and quicker access to jobs, helping the economic development of the area and encouraging further investment.
Beable added: “We expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.”
Brits visiting popular Spanish islands could face £13-a-day ‘deterrent’ tax
A union secretary said they wanted to send the message that “there’s no room for more people here during the high season” and that the tax was intended as a deterrent for potential visitors
Brits planning a break in the Balearic Islands next summer have been warned they could face a tourist tax hike.
The CCOO, a major trade union on the Spanish islands, have proposed hiking the current tourist tax to €15 a day (approximately £13.08). This would affect Brits visiting holiday hotspots such as Majorca, Ibiza, and Menorca. The proposed tax would apply for stays during July and August, the busiest months on the Mediterranean islands.
The Balearic Islands already have a tourist tax in place, which is between €0.5 and €4 a day (approximately £0.44 and £3.49). The amount of tax paid depends on whether tourists visit during the peak or low season, and the type of accommodation they stay in.
Children under 16 are exempt from paying the current tourist tax, and there’s a 50% discount for longer stays, which is applied after the eighth night. According to the government of the islands, this tax is used for purposes such as sustainable tourism initiatives and preserving cultural heritage.
The proposed increase would mean a seven night break in peak season would see each adult charged approximately £91.52 in tourist taxes.
READ MORE: UK village ‘frozen in time’ with car-free roads where people return year after yearREAD MORE: UK city ‘everyone laughs at’ named one of the best places in the world
The CCOO made clear that the higher tax being proposed wasn’t for the benefit of the islands, but rather to keep people away. According to Majorca Daily News, General Secretary José Luis García said: “This is not an increase aimed at raising revenue, but rather a deterrent, so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there’s no room for more people here during the high season.”
He added: “To reduce summer overcrowding, it’s not enough to curb demand; we must also act on supply.”
The news outlet also reported that the CCOO is asking the government to put a hold on new tourist accommodation places, aiming to cut visitor numbers but attract higher-value tourists. Due to the housing crisis in the Balearics, they also want the island declared a “stressed area” and for 40,000 public housing properties to be created.
The move is the latest in a long line of proposals aimed at reducing the pressure of tourism on the popular Balearic Islands. Over the summer, Majorca was named the most unwelcoming spot for British tourists in Europe, with anti-tourism protests cited among the reasons for the dubious honour.
Summer 2024 and 2025 were marked with protests across the islands, but especially in Majorca, where protestors occupied beaches while waving anti-tourist banners. A number of Mirror readers revealed they’d be ditching Spain due to the protests and what they dubbed “anti-British sentiment”.
Speaking to the Mirror over the summer, Kevin Durkin who visited various Spanish destinations over 30 years said: “Over the last few years, the anti-British sentiment has just grown. Some bar owners have put up signs telling the British to keep away and some hotel owners don’t want us either.
“I do not need Spain, they can keep their latest charges and hatred of the British. I will not be back, neither will my friends or family. Adios.”
While Linda Munro revealed that overcrowding at border control at the airport had made her summer trip to Majorca stressful: “My husband and I got through the scanners, no problem. However, the rest of the family had to queue for an hour and a half.
“On the way back, it was worse, as people were worried they might miss their flights home. Our family just made it on time. They all said they wouldn’t be back abroad anytime soon.”
Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].
Who is Michael McIntyre’s wife Kitty and do they have kids?
MICHAEL McIntyre is a familiar face on TV and the comedy circuit, often using his family life as a source for his hilarious material.
Here we get to know his beloved wife Kitty Ward, who was no stranger to the spotlight even before she got together with the famous funnyman.
Who is Michael McIntyre’s wife Kitty?
Kitty Ward is the wife of world-famous comedian Michael McIntyre.
She is the daughter of the late film star Simon Ward and sister of Young Sherlock Holmes actress Sophie Ward.
But unlike her celebrity relatives, Kitty keeps her private life under wraps.
She reportedly works as an aromatherapist in London.
Read more on Michael McIntyre
Kitty has provided plenty of comedic material for her husband over the years – the most famous being his hilarious sketch about Kitty trying to put her tights on.
Michael and Kitty live together in Hampstead, London,
When did they get married?
Michael and his wife Kitty tied the knot in 2003.
He wrote in his 2010 book Life and Laughing: “She was the girl I had been looking for. In the romantic comedy that was my life, this would have made a good ending.
“We would fall happily ever after. Within moments of seeing her and chatting to her I was totally up for that ending. Unfortunately, she wasn’t.”
But the comedian managed to woo Kitty, and the pair began dating.
He revealed on Desert Island Discs that his family found it difficult to accept he had a girlfriend.
McIntyre said: “Unfortunately my grandma didn’t really like it when I got a girlfriend. She was trying to break us up which was funny for a while but then it became quite vicious, an untenable situation.”
However, Michael developed a strong relationship with Kitty’s own parents – Alexandra and Simon Ward, an actor who starred in Young Winston.
After he passed away in 2012, Michael revealed: “He was one of my closest friends. He would come to my gigs in the early days.”
Do they have any children?
The pair have two sons together named Lucas and Oscar.
Both of Michael’s sons have been the subject of his comedy sketches.
In a sketch about the nightly struggle of putting his sons to bed, the comedian joked: “You never love your children more than when they’re unconscious, but still breathing.”
In another gag about his kids, he said: “My son’s got two words: car and map, that’s all he can say. ‘Car, car, map, car!’
“I’m fairly worried he’s trying to escape. So if the next word is passport, we’re in serious trouble.”
When is the Wheel back on TV?
The Wheel is spinning its way back onto BBC One and iPlayer.
Hosted by Michael, three contestants and seven celebrity experts will once again be answering questions for cash prizes as the show enters its sixth season.
The new series kicks off on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 8.20pm.
U.S. senators intensify Palisades fire probe. Eaton is mostly ignored
The firestorms that broke out in January ravaged two distinctly different stretches of Los Angeles County: one with grand views of the Pacific Ocean, the other nestled against the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
But so far, a push from congressional Republicans to investigate the Jan. 7 firestorm and response has been focused almost exclusively on the Palisades fire, which broke out in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades and went on to burn parts of Malibu and surrounding areas.
In a letter to City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, two U.S. senators this week intensified that investigation, saying they want an enormous trove of documents on Los Angeles Fire Department staffing, wildfire preparations, the city’s water supply and many other topics surrounding the devastating blaze.
U.S. Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) asked for records related to several issues raised during and after the Palisades fire, including an empty reservoir and the failure to fully extinguish a previous fire that was later identified as the cause.
In contrast, the letter only briefly mentions the Eaton fire, which broke out in the unincorporated community of Altadena and spread to parts of Pasadena. That emergency was plagued by delayed evacuation alerts, deployment issues and allegations that electrical equipment operated by Southern California Edison sparked the blaze.
Both fires incinerated thousands of homes. Twelve people died in the Palisades fire. In the Eaton fire, all but one of the 19 who died were found in west Altadena, where evacuation alerts came hours after flames and smoke were threatening the area.
Scott and Johnson gave Harris-Dawson a deadline of Nov. 3 to produce records on several topics specific to the city of L.A.: “diversity, equity and inclusion” hiring policies at the city’s Fire Department; the Department of Water and Power’s oversight of its reservoirs; and the removal of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley by Mayor Karen Bass earlier this year.
Officials in Los Angeles County said they have not received such a letter dealing with either the Palisades fire or the Eaton fire.
A spokesperson for Johnson referred questions about the letter to Scott’s office. An aide to Scott told The Times this week that the investigation remains focused on the Palisades fire but could still expand. Some Eaton fire records were requested, the spokesperson said, because “they’re often inextricable in public reports.”
The senators — who both sit on the Senate’s Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs — opened the probe after meeting with reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who lost a home in the Palisades fire and quickly became an outspoken critic of the city’s response to the fire and subsequent rebuilding efforts. At the time, the senators called the Palisades fire “an unacceptable failure of government to protect the lives and property of its citizens.”
The investigation was initially billed as a look at the city’s emergency preparations, including the lack of water in a nearby reservoir and in neighborhood fire hydrants the night of the fire. The Times first reported that the Santa Ynez Reservoir, located in Pacific Palisades, had been closed for repairs for nearly a year.
The letter to Harris-Dawson seeks records relating to the reservoir as well as those dealing with “wildfire preparation, suppression, and response … including but not limited to the response to the Palisades and Lachman fires.”
Officials have said the Lachman fire, intentionally set Jan. 1, reignited six days later to become the Palisades fire. A suspect was recently arrested on suspicion of arson in the Lachman fire. Now, the senators are raising concerns about why that fire wasn’t properly contained.
The sweeping records request also seeks communications sent to and from each of the 15 council members and or their staff that mention the Palisades and Eaton fires. At this point, it’s unclear whether the city would have a substantial number of documents on the Eaton fire, given its location outside city limits.
Harris-Dawson did not provide comment. But Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who serves on the council’s public safety committee, made clear that he thinks the senators are confused by Southern California’s geography — and the distinctions between city and county jurisdictions.
“MAGA Republicans couldn’t even look at a map before launching into this ridiculous investigation,” he said. “DEI did not cause the fires, and these senators should take their witch hunts elsewhere,” he said in a statement.
Officials in L.A. County, who have confronted their own hard questions about botched evacuation alerts and poor resource deployment during the Eaton fire, said they had not received any letters from the senators about either fire.
Neither Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger — who currently serves as board chair — nor Supervisor Lindsey Horvath had received such a document request, according to their aides. Barger represents Altadena, while Horvath’s district includes Pacific Palisades, Malibu and unincorporated communities affected by the Palisades fire.
Monday’s letter also seeks records “referring or relating to any reports or investigations of arson, burglary, theft, or looting” in fire-affected areas, as well as the arrest of Jonathan Rinderknecht, the Palisades fire arson suspect. It also seeks documents on the council’s efforts to “dismantle systemic racism” — and whether such efforts affected the DWP or the Fire Department.
Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, a nonprofit group based in Harris-Dawson’s district, said he too views the inquiry from the two senators as a witch hunt — one that’s targeting L.A. city elected officials while ignoring Southern California Edison.
“There’s been reports that Edison was responsible for the Eaton fire, but there’s [nothing] that shows any concern about that,” he said.
Residents in Altadena have previously voiced concerns about what they viewed as disparities in the Trump administration’s response to the two fires. The Palisades fire tore through the mostly wealthy neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu — home to celebrities who have since kept the recovery in the spotlight. Meanwhile, many of Altadena’s Black and working-class residents say their communities have been left behind.
In both areas, however, there has been growing concern that now-barren lots will be swiftly purchased by wealthy outside investors, including those who are based outside of the United States.
Scott, in a news release issued this week, said the congressional investigation will also examine whether Chinese companies are “taking advantage” of the fire recovery. The Times has not been able to independently verify such claims.
Sheffield Wednesday: Championship club file for administration
Sheffield Wednesday have filed a notice to be placed into administration after it was revealed His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs were set to issue a winding-up petition against the club.
A notice was filed with the insolvency and companies court at the High Court on Friday morning and the Championship club will now face a 12-point deduction.
Staff have been briefed, while administrators also held a meeting with players. The Owls host Oxford United at Hillsborough on Saturday (15:00 BST).
BBC Sport has contacted Sheffield Wednesday and the EFL for comment.
The news comes following increased supporter protests at Hillsborough, with fans boycotting the game against Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
Going into administration would effectively end Dejphon Chansiri’s decade-long ownership of the club.
The Owls are bottom of the Championship and a points deduction will leave them 15 points adrift of safety.
Dutch voters hit polls as immigration fears propel far right towards power | Elections News
As the Netherlands gears up for a snap parliamentary election on October 29, less than halfway through parliament’s usual four-year term following the collapse of the ruling coalition, the likelihood of another win for the country’s far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) is mounting.
An outright win is next to impossible. The Netherlands has always had a coalition government formed by a minimum of two parties due to its proportional representation electoral system, under which seats in parliament are awarded to parties in proportion to the number of votes they win.
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The PVV, headed by Geert Wilders, also won the most votes in the last election in November 2023. It then partnered with three other far-right parties – the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), New Social Contract (NSC), and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) – to form a coalition government.
But in June, PVV made a dramatic exit from the coalition government over a disagreement on immigration policy. PVV had wanted to introduce a stricter asylum policy that included closing borders to new asylum seekers and deporting dual nationals convicted of crimes, but the other parties demanded further discussions.
In a dramatic move, Wilders took to X to announce that the failure by other parties to agree to PVV’s plans meant it would leave the coalition.
Coalition partners slammed this decision and accused Wilders of being driven by self-interest. VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz said at the time that Wilders “chooses his own ego and his own interests. I am astonished. He throws away the chance for a right-wing policy”.
Following the pull-out, Prime Minister Dick Schoof – an independent – announced that he would resign and a snap election would be held this month.
Then, in August, the NSC’s Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also resigned after he failed to secure support for new sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in Gaza City. In solidarity with Veldkamp, other NSC party members left the coalition, leaving only two parties remaining.
Now, with an election imminent, opinion polls suggest the PVV will secure the most seats in the 150-seat parliament. While a winner needs 76 seats to form a government, no single party ever makes it to that figure, which has led to a history of coalitions.
According to a poll by the Dutch news outlet, EenVandaag, on October 14, the PVV is projected to secure 31 seats. The centre-left Green-Labour alliance (GroenLinks-PvdA) is polling at 25 seats, and the centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) is polling at 23.
PVV’s former coalition partner, the centre-right VVD, could take 14 seats and the BBB, four. So far, the NSC is not projected to secure any seats at all.
Immigration fears
At the end of September, EenVandaag polled 27,191 people and found that the main sticking point between voters – and, hence, between the leaders, PVV and GroenLinks-PvdA – is immigration. Half of all voters said it was the key issue on which they would be voting this year. Housing was the second-most important issue at 46 percent, and “Dutch identity” came third at 37 percent.
While the PVV is firmly anti-immigration and wants to impose a much stricter border policy and asylum laws, GroenLinks-PvdA would prefer to allow a net migration figure of 40,000 and 60,000 migrants per year.
Tempers are running high over this issue. Last month at The Hague, a right-wing activist known as “Els Rechts” organised an anti-migration protest that attracted 1,500 attendees. According to reports, protesters threw stones and bottles at the police, set a police car alight and smashed windows of the left-wing Democrats 66 (D66) party offices.
While left-wingers argue that the immigration issue has been wildly hyped up by the far right, they are losing control of the narrative.
Esme Smithson Swain, a member of MiGreat, a Dutch non-governmental campaign group that calls for freedom of movement and equal treatment for migrants in the Netherlands, told Al Jazeera that the far right in the Netherlands and in the United Kingdom, more widely, had “constructed a narrative that there is a migration crisis”.
“They’ve managed to construct this idea of a crisis, and that distracts our attention away from populism, away from arms trades, away from social services and the welfare state being sold off.”
Whatever its merits, the right-wing message that immigration is at the root of many social ills seems to be taking hold. The far-left, pro-immigration BIJ1 party, which rejects this message, is not projected to win any seats at all in this election.
Immigration “is a key term especially for right-wing political parties to win the election”, Noura Oul Fakir, a candidate for the BIJ1 party, told Al Jazeera. “We don’t focus on it because we look at everything that’s been going on from a systemic point of view, that every form of oppression is interlinked … This fight for equality and justice, it’s about more than just immigration, but it’s also interlinked with other issues that we see nowadays.”
People ‘more emboldened to express racist views’
By January 1, 2024, the Netherlands was hosting 2.9 million migrants (16.2 percent of the population), compared to the average across European Union member states of 9.9 percent (44.7 million people in total).
Similarly, Germany hosts 16.9 million migrants (20.2 percent of the population); France, 9.3 million (13.6 percent of the population); Spain, 8.8 million (18.2 percent of the population); and Italy, 6.7 million (11.3 percent of the population), according to figures from the EU.
Mark van Ostaijen, an associate professor in public administration and sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, explained that immigration has become a mainstream talking point in “housing, care, educational and cultural policy domains”.
For instance, the Netherlands is currently short of 434,000 homes, including for 353,000 asylum seekers and 81,000 Dutch first-time buyers, according to figures commissioned by the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO).
Immigration has, therefore, been blamed for what is seen as a housing crisis.
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 316,000 migrants arrived in the country in 2024, 19,000 fewer than in 2023. But CBS also found that population growth is still mainly down to net migration, with the largest number of migrants coming from Ukraine and Syria.
“I think this is indeed something that will continue the electoral legitimacy of far-right parties, or right-wing parties, even more, given the fact that the Netherlands was already quite leaning towards the conservative angle,” van Ostaijen told Al Jazeera.
“This will be a topic that will haunt our politics and our democratic decision-making and discourse for quite a while,” he said.
Anecdotal evidence bears this out. Fakir has noticed a change in the experiences of immigrant residents she and her colleagues have spoken to in the country following the growth of the PVV.
“In their personal life [they have seen] a noticeable shift where people feel more free or emboldened to express racist views, both online and in real life. Others are telling them those classic things of ‘go back to your own country, or you’re not Dutch’,” she said.
For Nassreddin Taibi, a recent graduate who works as a political analyst and plans to vote for GroenLinks-PvdA, the anti-immigration protests at the Hague “further cemented polarisation among Dutch voters” and have caused centrist parties to fall into line with the right-wing narrative.
“These protests have influenced the discourse in the sense that centrist parties now say that cutting immigration is necessary to win back trust of voters in politics,” he said.
Nearly half of voters still undecided
While the far-right PVV is projected to win the most seats in this election, it will still face an uphill journey to form a government, as other parties such as the centre-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) have ruled out joining a coalition government.
Furthermore, the PVV’s leader, Wilders, has not escaped controversy with his Islamophobic comments and anti-migration stance despite the rise in anti-immigration sentiment across the country as a whole.
Notable incidents over the years include Wilders’ likening of Islam to Nazism in 2007 and his reference to the Muslim holy book, the Quran, as “fascist” in a letter to a Dutch news outlet. His letter and comments led to Wilders being prosecuted for inciting hatred and discrimination, which he denied. In 2011, he was acquitted by a judge who ruled that his comments had fallen within the scope of free speech.
More recently, in August this year, Wilders posted an image on X that depicted a smiling, blonde and blue-eyed woman, representing the PVV; and a wrinkled, angry-looking elderly woman wearing a headscarf, representing the PvdA. It was accompanied by the words: “The choice is yours on 29/10.”
Aan U de keuze op 29/10 pic.twitter.com/royhcInDlm
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) August 4, 2025
Fake news and misinformation have also driven the rise in far-right narratives, analysts say.
The Facebook page ‘Wij doen GEEN aangifte tegen Geert Wilders’ (We are NOT filing charges against Geert Wilders), which claims to be a PVV supporters’ page boasting 129,000 followers, said it does not intend to be “discriminatory, hateful, or incite violence”, but has nevertheless posted AI-generated images of this nature.
In one such image, which received 1,700 likes, a white family is seemingly being harassed by men of colour.
In another, a white woman is seen in a supermarket paying for groceries while surrounded by Muslim women wearing hijabs and niqabs, with the caption: “No mass immigration, no Islamisation, no backwardness of the Dutch.” The post received 885 likes.
While the outgoing home affairs minister, Judith Uitermark, has said the government is examining new ways to combat fake news, she added that the Netherlands is somewhat protected from the rise of extremism by its proportional representation system, under which no one party ever wins a majority.
Still, the Dutch Data Protection Authority has warned voters not to use AI chatbots to help them decide who to vote for.
And a large number are still deciding. EenVandaag found that some 48 percent of voters are still undecided about which candidate they will choose. If the GroenLinks-PvdA can disengage from right-wing talking points and, instead, focus on its own policies more, it may perform better than expected, analysts say.
This will be no easy task, however.
“We find ourselves doing this also as a civil society organisation, as campaigners, trying to fight off the narrative and fight off the kind of populist ideals of the far right faster than we can push for our own agenda as well. And I think a lot of the time that leaves left-wing parties in the Netherlands seeming a bit hollow,” Swain said.
Still, she says that she is holding out hope for this election, despite what feels like a “vast and growing far-right bulk of the population”.
“I think it’s very easy to kind of feel that division between ‘us and them’. Us campaigning on the left and this growing mass of the far right,” Swain said.
“We need to tackle fighting the influence of lobbying and of fake news in our political structures. And I think that becoming more united as a population would naturally fall from that.”
Rashford wants permanent Barcelona move from Manchester United | Football News
England international Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from childhood club Manchester United in July.
Published On 24 Oct 2025
Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford says he hopes to remain at the Spanish club beyond his loan spell from Manchester United, describing the move as the change he needed after spending his entire career in England.
Barcelona are covering Rashford’s wages during this season-long loan after the Manchester-born player accepted a pay cut with an option to buy set at about 30 million euros ($35m).
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Rashford’s United contract runs through 2028, but his future at Old Trafford appears bleak after falling out with manager Ruben Amorim last year. The 27-year-old has since rediscovered his form under Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.
“For sure,” Rashford told ESPN on Thursday when asked if he wanted to remain in Barcelona. “I’m enjoying this football club, and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour.”
The England international, who first revived his form during a short loan spell at Aston Villa last season, has gone a step further at Barcelona, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances across all competitions.
Before what would be his first El Clasico on Sunday, Rashford said his move abroad has given him a new perspective.
“People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United. So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me, and I’m enjoying everything,” he said.
A guide to Highland Park: The best things to do, see and eat right now
Let’s just kick the elephant out of the room right away. It’s hard to write a guide to Highland Park without addressing the “G” word. The neighborhood has been described as a poster child of gentrification, and for anyone who spends time there, it’s easy to see why.
Get to know Los Angeles through the places that bring it to life. From restaurants to shops to outdoor spaces, here’s what to discover now.
Within the Northeast neighborhood nestled between downtown L.A. and Pasadena, you’ll see the Highland Park of the past: find remnants like the stone castle that was once the home of Charles F. Lummis, a poet and journalist who famously walked from Cincinnati to Highland Park — yes, you read that correctly — to accept a job at the Los Angeles Times in the mid 1880s. (He later went on to found the Southwest Museum, L.A.’s first museum, close by.)
You’ll see the Highland Park that remains: a working-class hub where bandas practice outside for all to hear, the smell of street tacos fills the air, multigenerational families play together at the park and iconic fixtures like the 22-foot-tall Chicken Boy statue that hovers over North Figueroa like a friendly mascot.
And you’ll see the Highland Park that’s emerging: an L.A. hot spot where young people flock to sip on fancy cocktails along York Boulevard and hang out at a chic Prohibition-era bowling alley.
Somehow, all these versions exist together. These days, it’s common to see luxury companies like Le Labo, which sells candles for upward of $90, move next door to small businesses such as the beloved Mexican family-owned Delicias Bakery & Some that has been serving fresh pan dulce for nearly 35 years. The community collectively mourned when its 100-year-old historic movie theater closed last March.
As one of L.A.’s first suburbs, Highland Park began the 20th century as an artsy oasis that was dotted with charming Craftsman homes. By the 1960s, the neighborhood had transformed into an epicenter for Latino life. The evolution of Highland Park has brought all the usual tensions between longtime residents and newcomers, many of whom were priced out of areas like Silver Lake and South Pasadena.
In spite of that, Highland Park has managed to hold onto its roots and small-town charm. This is in part thanks to nonprofits like the Highland Park Heritage Trust and community members who have been working to preserve the neighborhood’s rich history and cherished cultural hubs.
“A lot of the identity is still here, things that just make it feel like home,” says Michael Nájera, 35, whose family has lived in the neighborhood for three generations. He and his wife co-founded a running club called Tofu Scramble that meets at local coffee shops on Friday mornings.
“There’s a strong sense of community here. Even with everything going on these days, it’s amazing to see people out — some of us because we can, and others at risk because they have to,” he adds, referring to the recent ICE raids. “And still, this feels like a place where it’s OK to be brown and to be outside.” It’s common to see local businesses displaying Know Your Rights cards in support of their neighbors.
Rocio Paredes, a director and photographer who attended Franklin Middle School and High School in Highland Park, adds that “Chicanoism is very engraved in our DNA here.” You can see the culture’s influence in spaces like the Centro de Arte Público and the Mechicano Art Center, both of which were home to Highland Park’s Chicano Arts Collective, an organization that helped advance the political aims of L.A.’s Chicano movement in the 1970s. And also at local restaurants. At Las Cazuelas, a family-run Salvadoran pupuseria that’s been open since 1985, Parades says, “It’s like a f— time capsule.”
From historic Craftsman homes, beautiful hills, bountiful green spaces, cuisine from various cultures, vintage shops of varied prices and a vibrant nightlife scene, there’s so much to appreciate about Highland Park.
What’s included in this guide
Anyone who’s lived in a major metropolis can tell you that neighborhoods are a tricky thing. They’re eternally malleable and evoke sociological questions around how we place our homes, our neighbors and our communities within a wider tapestry. In the name of neighborly generosity, we may include gems that linger outside of technical parameters. Instead of leaning into stark definitions, we hope to celebrate all of the places that make us love where we live.
Our journalists independently visited every spot recommended in this guide. We do not accept free meals or experiences. What L.A. neighborhood should we check out next? Send ideas to [email protected].
The Caribbean island that is surging in popularity has active volcanoes, black sand beaches and rainforests
WHEN it comes to a real-life paradise, the closest you’ll probably get to it is the Caribbean.
And there’s one destination that’s seeing more tourists than ever which is developing new hotels so visitors can enjoy the hot weather and beautiful beaches.
St Vincent and the Grenadines is the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Caribbean with 17.3 percent more visitors in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Jamaica and Barbados are the Caribbean islands most visited by Brits – but St Vincent and the Grenadines has the potential to be your next holiday spot.
You can get there by flying to Argyle International Airport on St Vincent – and then, from there you can explore the 32 islands and cays.
The country’s capital is Kingstown in St Vincent, where visitors explore historical sites like Fort Charlotte and the Gothic cathedrals.
The capital has Botanical Gardens, waterfalls, and plenty of opportunities to try out water activities like boat tours, snorkelling, and diving.
The waters have plenty of marine life like whales, dolphins, green sea turtles and lots of reef fish.
Of course being an island, St Vincent has some incredible beaches from Indian Bay, Villa Beach and Mt. Wynne Beach – which has volcanic black sand.
St Vincent is home to the country’s largest volcano called La Soufrière.
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It’s active too, with the last explosive events happening in 2021.
The island has rainforests as well and visitors can hike through the Vermont Nature Trail and the Cumberland Forest Reserve.
The island country is a great for fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise which was filmed across its beaches and rainforest.
It was even rumoured that St Vincent would open a theme park to honour the films.
St Vincent and the Grenadines is one of the best spots for winter sun, as throughout the whole year the temperature averages between 24-27C.
The rainy season runs from June through November, with the wettest months typically being October and November.
The island country consists of eight other inhabited islands; Young Island, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Union Island, Mayreau, Petit St Vincent and Palm Island.
To get to the other most popular islands, visitors can use ferries or take regional flights.
Here you’ll find white-sand beaches and plenty more swimming spots in the bright blue Caribbean sea.
To accommodate the increasing number of visitors in St Vincent and the Grenadines, there are four new projects across the islands and all are set to open by 2027.
The first is called Peter’s Hope Resort Development Project, which is a 280-room beachfront Marriott Autograph Collection hotel.
Another is the Beaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines which will be a 360-room resort focusing on families that will be built at Mt. Wynne.
The Palm Island Development is a new project with phase one scheduled to open in December 2026.
And the Cumberland Bay Resort Development Project will be a 150-room beachfront resort set to have pretty overwater bungalows, cottages, a hotel and small marina.
Virgin Atlantic connects St. Vincent with a stopover at the neighbouring island of Barbados taking around 11 hours.
You can fly from London Heathrow to St Vincent with return fares from £574.92.
This island in St Vincent and the Grenadines is known as ‘turtle island’…
CANOUAN sits between St Vincent and Grenada, and it’s one of the smallest measuring at three square miles and has a population of around 2,000.
Known for its abundance of turtles, tortoises and beautiful beaches, the little-known island doesn’t get many tourists, which means it’s a hotspot for celebs.
Thanks to it being lesser-known, the island of Canouan has been known to be a popular Caribbean spot for celebrities.
Due to its privacy, the likes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Downey Jr., and Cindy Crawford have all been seen there.
Another reason for its popularity amongst the famous is the amount of luxury resorts there – and the fact that they all allow use of the ‘invisible key’, which means you can use facilities across all of them.
The island is known for being peaceful and quiet, but is rising in popularity amongst travellers.
It has a nickname too, Canouan is sometimes referred to as ‘Turtle Island’.
As you might have guessed this is because the island is a natural sanctuary for green sea turtles which swim off the coast.
During the months of May and October, the turtles hatch along the beach, so if you stick around until dawn, you might spot tiny hatchlings make their way from the sand to the sea.
Here’s another Caribbean island that only a few thousand Brits visit is getting a new airport – with UK flights.
Plus, Caribbean’s safest island is ‘back on map’ as 2025 holiday spot – thanks to stunning beaches and region’s longest pool.
I visited magical Christmas market with no crowds
In Tallinn, Estonia, you will find the most beautiful Christmas market in the world
Last Christmas, Life reporter Christopher Megrath opted to forgo the typical British yuletide markets and venture to a less frequented European destination steeped in history. Christopher is chuffed he did because the Old Town Christmas market in Tallinn, Estonia, was hands down the most stunning one he has ever seen.
Unlike its renowned Christmas market competitors in cities like Vienna, Cologne, or Salzburg, Tallinn’s market is humble in size. He had never heard it brought up in chats about Christmas markets, nor did he know anyone who had even set foot in the country, yet what it lacks in global recognition it more than compensates for with its captivating setting, snug atmosphere and magical allure.
The Tallinn Christmas Market is nestled in the Town Hall Square. At its heart is the Christmas tree, which holds the title of the most significant Christmas tree in Estonia and has been erected in Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever to be showcased in Europe.
The Town Square is relatively compact – you could stroll from one side to the other in a brisk minute. Christopher managed to clock up more than an hour during his visit thanks to the plethora of stalls, live music and scrumptious food on offer.
Just like a scene out of a film, snow gently started to fall and accumulate on the ground throughout the day. The warm glow of lights draped across the square felt snug in an otherwise frosty wonderland, with the 15th-century Town Hall Tower dominating the backdrop of every snapshot, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The Christmas market has everything you could possibly want – handcrafted baubles, sweet delights like chocolate and toffee, tree ornaments and cosy winter wear like hats, scarves and gloves. As per his personal tradition, Christopher made sure to bring back a good assortment of knick-knacks for his foreign holiday memento collection, including a miniature cathedral and town hall for around €20.
You don’t have to go far for some genuine Estonian grub, as Christopher managed to get verivorst (blood sausage) without even leaving the square. Although it’s not something he would recommend, there’s a vast array of truffles, gingerbread and sweets to indulge in if you’re more inclined towards sugary treats.
After several rounds of the market in search of new finds, Christopher found myself settling on the designated sideline benches with a hot cup of glögg – the Estonian term for mulled wine. A stage was erected at the front of the square where children performed and music filled the afternoon, contributing to an already festive atmosphere.
Christopher couldn’t fathom how picture-perfect the Christmas market was until he witnessed it firsthand. The quintessential depiction of the winter experience is brought to life by Tallinn, from the scenic setting to the festive food, drink and goods available.
The gentle snowfall throughout the day felt like it could’ve been a hired actor at this point.
Moreover, once you’ve had your fill of the market, there’s a wealth of attractions in the surrounding area. You’ll find yourself amidst contemporary shopping venues and eateries, ideal for a brief respite or a return to normality.
Winding cobbled streets will guide you uphill to Tallinn’s Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Eastern Orthodox marvel where visitors can glimpse its breathtaking interior. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a plethora of hidden treasures if you’re up for the hunt, such as Maiasmokk, Tallinn’s oldest café dating back to 1864, and Pierre Chocolaterie nestled in the secluded Masters’ Courtyard.
Christopher would suggest simply losing yourself in the labyrinthine streets and secret pathways, allowing them to lead you to ancient castle walls and stunning town vistas.
If you’re on the hunt for a unique Christmas experience that still retains the holiday spirit, a trip to Tallinn’s Old Town Christmas market won’t disappoint.
Return flights to Tallinn from Manchester Airport are available for approximately £217, with a stopover in Helsinki en route. However, during his own visit, Christopher opted to stay in the Finnish capital and took a same-day return ferry to Tallinn for around €40, creating a relatively laid-back excursion that combined two holidays in one.
High school girls’ volleyball: Southern Section playoff results
SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Second Round
DIVISION 2
San Marcos d. Rancho Christian, 25-15, 25-21, 25-20
Long Beach Poly d. Corona Centennial, 25-16, 11-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-10
Redlands d. San Clemente, 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 14-25, 15-11
Santa Margarita d. Chaminade, 25-11, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22
JSerra d. Thousand Oaks, 3-1
Bishop Montgomery d. Murrieta Mesa, 25-15, 25-16, 25-20
West Ranch d. Eastvale Roosevelt, 25-10, 25-14, 35-18
Orange Lutheran d. Marina, 3-0
DIVISION 4
Marlborough d. Diamond Bar, 25-14, 25-13, 22-25, 25-19
La Canada d. Portola, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 25-9
Dana Hills d. Quartz Hill, 3-0
Corona Santiago d. Crossroads, 3-0
Linfield Christian d. San Jacinto, 25-21, 25-17, 25-14
Oak Park d. Ridgecrest Burroughs, 3-0
Ventura d. Yucaipa, 25-23, 25-23, 25-8
Paloma Valley d. Cerritos, 3-1
DIVISION 6
Garden Grove Pacifica d. Oakwood, 3-0
Pasadena Marshall at Norwalk
Arrowhead Christian d. South Hills, 3-0
Cantwell-Sacred Heart d. St. Paul, 3-2
Wiseburn Da Vinci d. Bishop Diego, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-20
Burbank Providence d. Lakewood, 22-25, 23-25, 29-27, 26-24, 18-16
Capistrano Valley Christian d. Norte Vista, 3-0
Valley View d. Barstow, 3-0
DIVISION 7
Bell Gardens d. Wildomar Cornerstone Christian, 25-14, 25-18, 25-15
DIVISION 8
Foothill Tech d. Rancho Alamitos, 25-19, 25-22, 27-29, 25-19
Malibu d. Wildwood, 3-1
Arroyo Valley d. Victor Valley, 3-0
Schurr d. Whittier, 3-2
Paramount d. Canoga Park AGBU, 3-1
Loma Linda Academy d. Katella, 3-1
Vistamar d. Lighthouse Christian, 3-1
Artesia d. de Toledo, 3-0
DIVISION 9
Miller d. Victor Valley Christian, 3-0
DIVISION 10
Colton d. River Springs Magnolia, 3-1
Thacher d. Edgewood, 3-1
Anaheim d. Hueneme, 3-0
Rosemead d. Indian Springs, 25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18
San Luis Obispo Classical d. Desert Hot Springs, 25-21, 21-25, 25-16, 20-25, 15-10
Mesa Grande d. Lakeside, 3-2
Moreno Valley d. Bassett, 3-0
Glendale Adventist d. Pacific Lutheran, 3-1
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Matches at 6 p.m. unless noted)
Second Round
DIVISION 3
Crescenta Valley at Lakewood St. Joseph
North Torrance at Flintridge Prep
Burbank Burroughs at Corona del Mar
South Pasadena at Foothill
Pasadena Poly at Saugus
El Dorado at St. Margaret’s, 5 p.m.
Long Beach Wilson at Cypress
Millikan at Village Christian
DIVISION 5
Ontario Christian at Downey
Culver City at San Marino
Orange County Pacifica Christian at Gahr
Sacred Heart LA at Santa Barbara
Placentia Valencia at Alta Loma
Royal at Valencia
El Toro at San Gabriel
Corona at Chadwick
DIVISION 7
Elsinore at Ontario
San Jacinto Leadership Academy at Esperanza
Faith Baptist at West Valley
Eisenhower vs. Wildomar Cornerstone Christian/Bell Gardens
Cate at Castaic
Santa Fe at Tustin
Pasadena at Coastal Christian, 4 p.m. at Lifepoint Church Gym
CAMS at Geffen Academy
DIVISION 9
Beacon Hill at Westminster La Quinta
Tarbut V’Torah at Avalon
United Christian Academy at Santa Ana Valley
Lawndale at Nogales
Estancia at Nordhoff
Buena Park at Fairmont Prep
Riverside North vs. Miller/Victor Valley Christian
South El Monte at Loara
Note: Division 1 quarterfinals Oct. 28; Divisions 2-10 quarterfinals Oct. 29; semifinals Nov. 1; finals Nov. 8.
UK city ‘everyone laughs at’ named one of the best places in the world
Hull was once mocked and named the worst place to live in the UK. However, it has now been included on the Naitonal Geographic’s best place to visit – the only UK destination to get the nod
A UK city that has long been the butt of the public’s jokes has been named one of the best places in the world to visit.
Hull has rightly been included in National Geographic’s list of ‘the best places in the world to travel to in 2026’, the only UK destination to make the list. Despite excelling itself as the country’s City of Culture in 2017, it’s fair to say Hull receives a disproportionate—and unfair—amount of jibes.
When I lived in York, which is just 37 miles away across Yorkshire, the snobbery directed towards the city of 267,000 was rife and rarely concealed. Many of the jokes came from those who had never visited Hull. Had they taken the time to hop on a train and made the hour-long journey from North to East Yorkshire, I’m sure their eyes would’ve been opened.
Back in 2003, an extremely well-publicised hardback book proclaimed Hull the UK’s most awful hellhole. The Idler Book Of Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places To Live In The UK wrote of the town: “No matter what happens to me in later life, no matter where I live, or how bad things are, I will know that it can never, ever be as bad as living in Hull”
READ MORE: Tourists say charming UK village ‘frozen in time’ with car-free streetsREAD MORE: Underrated European hotspot is named one of world’s best places for 2026
Writing in National Geographic, Lorna Parkes explains quite how wrong some people are when it comes to Hull, and some of the joys that await those yet to visit.
“At the edge of the North Sea, Hull was one of the world’s busiest whaling ports in the 19th century and a fishing and shipping hub until the 20th, before falling on hard times. Over the past decade, the city has undergone significant revitalization,” she writes.
“Warehouses around Humber Street’s old waterside Fruit Market are now lively independent bars, restaurants, and art galleries. There’s also a spectacular performance amphitheatre, called Stage@TheDock, overlooking River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary; and a former shipyard has for over 20 years been the base for The Deep, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly respected aquariums and marine conservation centres.”
There are good things on the horizon for Hull. Next year, a £40 million project to promote Hull’s maritime heritage wraps up. A network of new interpretive sites aims to bring 800 years of seafaring history to life. Among them are the Hull Maritime Museum, the North End Shipyard two-storey visitors centre, and two permanently docked museum ships: the 1960s Arctic Corsair cod trawler and the Spurn lightship.
A new Maritime Heritage Trail now winds through the city’s Georgian Old Town, which takes in new green spaces and public art inspired by the city’s ties to the sea.
The Express’s Samantha Teasdale visited Hull this summer. “Despite its notorious reputation as the ‘worst place to live’, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the charm of Hull,” she wrote.
“As I meandered through the lively streets under the warm sun, cooled by a gentle breeze, I was delighted I’d made the trip. The sight of pride flags fluttering on numerous buildings added to the allure. The streets were buzzing with chatter, but it wasn’t until I heard the popping of prosecco bottles that I realised why the area was so bustling.
“Graduates in their gowns and hats filled every pub, restaurant, and street corner. Memories of my own graduation brought a smile to my face.”
Samantha’s favourite part of the city was the marina. “There, I unearthed a treasure trove of hidden gems – quaint cafés, charming restaurants and other businesses that you wouldn’t stumble upon unless you dared to venture past the construction works,” she continued.
“Happily perched on a bench by the marina, next to the aquarium, I found myself gazing out at the sea and musing over how Hull seemed rather delightful. Could it really be such a dreadful place to reside?
“Hull has a lot to offer, and while I may not have ventured into the ‘rough parts’, I believe it’s a city that is often misunderstood and is striving to reinvent itself. I’m eager to return.”
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