JO Whiley has revealed the “horrifying” secret ingredient she uses to make the perfect Christmas dinner.
The radio host says that her husband was left disgusted when he realised how she was pulling together the family’s feast.
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Jo Whiley has revealed her ‘horrifying’ Christmas dinner hackCredit: Instagram / digitpodShe told co-host and pal Zoe Ball that she puts ketchup in her homemade gravyCredit: Instagram / digitpod
Talking on her Dig It podcast with co-host Zoe Ball, Jo said: “My secret ingredient has always been a really good dash of ketchup.
“It gives that slightly vinegary and everyone loves it.”
After nearly two decades at Radio 2, Zoe said she will be stepping down in the new year but will return to host specials for the station.
She took on the show after quitting as the voice of the Radio 2 Breakfast show in 2024, which she helmed for six years.
The 55-year-old’s departure followed the news the BBC bosses have lined up a “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters to step into the shoes of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Jo said her husband Steve, whom she married in 1991, was “horrified” by her ketchup admissionCredit: AlamyJo asked fans what strange food combos they do at Christmas timeCredit: Instagram / digitpodJo and Zoe began their podcast earlier this yearCredit: Refer to source
BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive arm on Wednesday warned that it would take action against any “unjustified measures” after the U.S. State Department barred five Europeans it accuses of pressuring U.S. technology firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints.
The Europeans were characterized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “radical” activists and “weaponized” nongovernmental organizations. They include the former EU commissioner responsible for supervising social media rules, Thierry Breton.
Breton, a businessman and former French finance minister, clashed last year on social media with tech billionaire Elon Musk over broadcasting an online interview with Donald Trump in the months leading up to the U.S. election.
The European Commission, the EU’s powerful executive branch and which supervises tech regulation in Europe, said that it “strongly condemns the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions” and that it has requested clarification about the move. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned it.
“If needed, we will respond swiftly and decisively to defend our regulatory autonomy against unjustified measures,” the commission said in a statement, without elaborating.
Rubio wrote in an X post on Tuesday that “for far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose.”
“The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship,” he posted.
The European Commission countered that “the EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values and international commitments.”
“Our digital rules ensure a safe, fair, and level playing field for all companies, applied fairly and without discrimination,” it said.
Macron said that the visa restrictions “amount to intimidation and coercion aimed at undermining European digital sovereignty,” he posted on X.
Macron said that the EU’s digital rules were adopted by “a democratic and sovereign process” involving all member countries and the European Parliament. He said that the rules “ensure fair competition among platforms, without targeting any third country.”
He underlined that “the rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe.”
Breton and the group of Europeans fell afoul of a new visa policy announced in May to restrict the entry of foreigners deemed responsible for censorship of protected speech in the United States.
The four others are: Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of HateAid, a German organization; and Clare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index.
Rubio said the five had advanced foreign government censorship campaigns against Americans and U.S. companies, which he said created “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the United States.
The action to bar them from the U.S. is part of a Trump administration campaign against foreign influence over online speech, using immigration law rather than platform regulations or penalties.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Sarah Rogers, the U.S. under secretary of state for public diplomacy, called Breton the “mastermind” behind the EU’s Digital Services Act, which imposes a set of strict requirements designed to keep internet users safe online. This includes flagging harmful or illegal content like hate speech.
Breton responded on X by noting that all 27 EU member countries voted for the Digital Services Act in 2022. “To our American friends: ‘Censorship isn’t where you think it is,’” he wrote.
Cook writes for the Associated Press. AP journalist Angela Charlton contributed to this report from Paris.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 21.
(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. TV: CBS, NFL Network.
Line: Chargers by 1½. O/U: 39½.
Houston has been a hard matchup for the Chargers, and can turn up the heat on Justin Herbert. But Jim Harbaugh’s team has found new ways to win, and is capable of outscoring the Texans, who are really struggling in the red zone. Low-scoring and physical.
UN experts criticise US blockade for endangering human rights and call for an investigation into alleged violations.
Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025
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Four United Nations human rights experts have condemned the partial naval blockade of Venezuela by the United States, finding it an illegal armed aggression and calling on the US Congress to intervene.
“There is no right to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade,” the UN experts said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
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The US has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and intercepted oil tankers as part of a naval blockade against Venezuelan vessels it considers to be under sanctions.
A blockade is a prohibited use of military force against another country under the UN Charter, they added.
“It is such a serious use of force that it is also expressly recognised as illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly’s 1974 Definition of Aggression,” the experts said. “The illegal use of force, and threats to use further force at sea and on land, gravely endanger the human right to life and other rights in Venezuela and the region.”
US President Donald Trump accuses Venezuela of using oil, the South American country’s main resource, to finance “narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders and kidnappings”.
Caracas denies any involvement in drug trafficking. It says Washington is seeking to overthrow its president, Nicolas Maduro, to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest in the world.
Since September, US forces have launched dozens of air strikes on boats that Washington alleges were transporting drugs. It has yet to provide evidence for those accusations. More than 100 people have been killed.
‘US Congress should intervene’
“These killings amount to violations of the right to life. They must be investigated and those responsible held accountable,” the experts said.
“Meanwhile, the US Congress should intervene to prevent further attacks and lift the blockade,” they added.
They called on countries to take measures to stop the blockade and illegal killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The four who signed the joint statement are: Ben Saul, special rapporteur on protecting human rights while countering “terrorism”; George Katrougalos, an expert on promoting a democratic and equitable international order; development expert Surya Deva; and Gina Romero, special rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Whitby was named the most in-demand UK destination over the summer holidays, but if you prefer to explore at a more relaxed pace then winter is a perfect time for a last-minute getaway
It is the perfect place for a winter break as it has lots of historic sites and breathtaking views (Image: Getty)
Winter often presents an opportunity to take things easy and relax, but if you’ve got some spare time on your hands, it could also be the ideal moment to fit in a spontaneous break before the new year arrives.
The UK boasts numerous stunning destinations, yet during the warmer months, these spots can become swamped with holidaymakers, frequently pushing up costs and making it more challenging to truly savour your travels.
If you’d rather explore without the hustle and bustle, then Emma, a travel specialist and founder of That Travel, has revealed that now is an excellent time to discover Whitby, which earned recognition as one of Britain’s most sought-after staycation destinations.
This past summer, Sykes Holiday Cottages crowned the Yorkshire coastal town as the nation’s top pick for the summer holidays. According to their findings, it emerged as the most coveted destination during the school break, with reservations climbing by 4% compared to the previous year.
She explained: “While Whitby gets masses of crowds in summer, winter remains a pretty peaceful time of year, and they don’t even experience the same Christmas chaos that many other towns and cities in the UK do. In other words? It’s a perfect little Christmas break – just be sure to wrap up warm to survive the crisp sea air.”
Whitby stands out as a distinctive town renowned for its spectacular coastline featuring breathtaking clifftop panoramas, while also carrying an eerie legacy due to its ancient Abbey and links to Dracula. Bram Stoker, the mastermind behind the iconic vampire novel, was so taken by Whitby during his visit in the late 19th century that he wove several of the town’s landmarks into his narrative.
This connection has given birth to the renowned Whitby Goth weekend, a biannual event where the town dons black attire to celebrate alternative cultures through music festivals and various activities.
While Whitby might not be your typical winter getaway, it’s known for its eccentric festivals and hosts an array of intriguing events around the Christmas period.
One such unique activity is the town’s Krampus Run, a parade where participants dress as the mythical creature from folklore.
The festival boasts fire breathers, drummers, and other eye-catching performances, culminating in an effigy burning on the cliffside to ward off the winter chill.
Additionally, the North Yorkshire Moors will be operating a Santa Express this year, offering a stylish way to appreciate the surrounding countryside and partake in a festive sing-along.
For those who relish Christmas tunes, Whitby Abbey will host numerous carol services and be adorned with stunning decorations, allowing visitors to marvel at the vibrant light display.
A winter visit to Whitby provides a stark contrast to the bustling summer season. For those seeking a more tranquil, cosy experience, securing last-minute accommodation during this time is often a breeze.
With its quaint cobbled streets, striking coastline, and delightful independent shops, Whitby is a picturesque destination and an ideal pick for a spontaneous winter getaway.
A Colorado mother who is accused of murdering two of her children has been extradited from the UK to the US, authorities say.
Kimberlee Singler, 37, is alleged to have carried out the attack in Colorado before fleeing to London, where she was arrested in December 2023.
She challenged her extradition at Westminster Magistrates Court – reportedly on the basis that her sentence, if she was convicted, would break European human rights law. But she was unsuccessful.
A district attorney in Colorado confirmed on Tuesday that Ms Singler was back in the US and was in custody. She was being held without bond and was expected to appear in court “in the coming days”.
The district attorney, Michael Allen, said Ms Singler was facing charges of two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, three counts of child abuse and one count of assault.
At the extradition hearing in London, the court heard that Ms Singler’s alleged crimes were “committed against the backdrop of acrimonious court proceedings” relating to the custody of her children with her ex-husband.
Prosecutor Joel Smith said police in Colorado Springs responded to a 911 call reporting a burglary at a Colorado residence at 00:29 local time (06:29 GMT) on 19 December 2023.
When officers arrived at the defendant’s address, they found her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son dead and a “blood-stained handgun”, which was discovered on the floor of the bedroom.
Mr Smith said DNA tests were carried out on the gun and a knife which revealed the presence of mixed profiles matching the children and Ms Singler.
A third child, who has not been named, was found with a serious injury to her neck. She was taken to hospital and survived.
Mr Smith said Ms Singler blamed her husband for the attack, but it was found he had been driving a “GPS-tracked truck” in Denver, giving what the prosecutor described as a “complete and verifiable alibi”.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Adrian Vasquez, the Colorado Springs police chief, said the extradition of Ms Singler was “a significant milestone” in the investigation.
Chief Vasquez added: “I know these acts have deeply impacted this community, and our hearts remain with the victims.”
A FORMER Nickelodeon child star has laid bare his life on the streets, revealing a staggering list of drugs he says he is taking even as his mother urges fans not to help him financially.
Tylor Chase, 36, once a fresh-faced teen actor on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, is now roaming the streets of Riverside, California, picking up cigarette butts and discarded Christmas cards.
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Chase revealed he is taking several drugs, including Prozac, Adderall, and ZoloftCredit: TiktokChase appeared on Ned’s Declassified School Survival GuideCredit: Nickelodeon
When reporters found Chase behind a 7-Eleven on Monday, he was digging in the dirt, dressed in a torn jacket, a scruffy LA Raiders polo and pants patched with characters from Rugrats.
His hands were cut and blistered, dirt packed under his fingernails.
Offered food, Chase instead asked for marijuana.
“I could use maybe a joint or a bong. Do you guys smoke weed?” he told the Daily Mail.
He also revealed the list of drugs he says he is taking while living on the streets.
“I like to vape,” Chase said, adding that he takes “Prozac, Adderall, Sudafed, Wellbutrin or also Zoloft,” which he claimed were prescribed by a psychiatrist, though he denied having any diagnosed mental health conditions.
Chase rose to fame at 15 playing brainy Martin Qwerly on the Nickelodeon hit from 2004 to 2007.
After the show wrapped, his acting career fizzled and his life slowly unraveled.
In 2014, he posted bleak poetry online hinting at his mental state.
In one poem titled Bipolar, he wrote: “I’m a leaf in a running gutter with the inevitable fate of ending up in a drain… Perhaps I am doomed. Perhaps I have done nothing. Perhaps I am nothing.”
The former actor eventually moved to Riverside “about seven to nine years” ago, where his mother lives.
He tried to pursue art, self-publishing two fantasy novels in 2020 and continuing to post poetry online until 2021.
But Chase also began spending more time on the streets and racked up a long rap sheet.
Riverside County court records show 12 criminal cases since August 2023, including eight this year.
His most recent arrests involve alleged shoplifting and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Both cases are ongoing.
Riverside Police say Chase is not wanted for any crimes.
Police spokesman Ryan Railsback told the Mail that during all interactions with cops, Chase “has been cordial and cooperative”.
He added that officers offer him shelter, treatment and mental health services weekly, all of which he has declined.
The former Nickelodeon star is living on the streets of Riverside, CaliforniaCredit: TikTokHis mother, Paula Moisio, urged fans not to donate money, stating he needs medical attentionCredit: TikTok
Despite his appearance, Chase insisted he is not homeless.
“I stay around here locally. My mom is here,” he said.
“I have a lot of good people helping me.
“It’s not too shabby. A lot of people help out. It goes a long way.”
Chase said he may move back to Georgia to live with his father and enter a housing assistance programme.
“I’m not really active homeless at this time,” he said.
“I’m thinking that I would like to go see my dad… Probably a housing assistance program in Georgia most likely.”
After videos of Chase looking unrecognisable went viral, a GoFundMe raised more than $1,200.
But his mother, Paula Moisio, demanded it be taken down.
“Tylor needs medical attention not money. But he refuses it,” she wrote in messages shared online.
“Money would not be a benefit to him. He can’t manage money for his meds by himself.”
Chase pictured during his time as a child actorCredit: Nickelodeon
Christmas is a Christian holiday that observes the birth of Jesus. But did you know that the earliest followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth? Or that Santa Claus is inspired by the acts of kindness of a fourth-century Christian saint? And have you heard about the modern-day Japanese tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas?
Since the early 20th century, Christmas has evolved from a religious holiday to a hugely popular cultural holiday observed by Christian and secular people across the globe who gather with families, exchange gifts and cards and decorate Christmas trees.
Here’s a look at the history, beliefs and the evolution of Christmas:
Origins and early history of Christmas
Early followers of Jesus did not annually commemorate his birth but instead focused on commemorating their belief in his resurrection at Easter.
The story of the birth of Jesus appears only in two of the four Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew and Luke. They provide different details, though both say Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
The exact day, month and even year of Jesus’s birth are unknown, said Christine Shepardson, a professor at the University of Tennessee who studies early Christianity.
The tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birth on Dec. 25, she said, only emerged in the fourth century.
“It’s hard to overemphasize how important the fourth century is for constructing Christianity as we experience it in our world today,” Shepardson said. It was then, under Emperor Constantine, that Christians began the practice of gathering at churches instead of meeting at homes.
Some theories say the date coincides with existing pagan winter solstice festivals, including the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus, or the “Unconquered Sun,” on Dec 25.
While most Christians celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, some Eastern Orthodox traditions celebrate the holy day on Jan. 7. That’s because they follow the ancient Julian calendar, which runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, used by Catholic and Protestant churches as well as by much of the secular world.
Rowdy medieval celebrations
For centuries, especially during the Middle Ages, Christmas was associated with rowdy street celebrations of feasting and drinking, and for many Christians, it “was not in good standing as a holiday,” said Thomas Ruys Smith, a professor of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia in England.
“Puritans,” he said, “were not fond of Christmas.”
But in the 19th century, he said, Christmas became “respectable” with “the domestic celebration that we understand today — one centered around the home, the family, children, gift-giving.”
The roots of modern-day Christmas can be traced back to Germany. In the late 19th century, there are accounts of Christmas trees and gift-giving that, according to Smith, later spread to Britain and America, helping to revitalize Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic.
Christmas became further popularized with the publication of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens in 1843, and the writings of Washington Irving, who was a fan of St. Nicholas and helped popularize the celebration of Christmas in America.
The first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was put up by workers in 1931 to raise spirits during the Great Depression. The tradition stuck as the first tree-lighting ceremony was held in 1933 and remains one of New York City’s most popular holiday attractions.
America’s secular Santa is inspired by a Christian saint
St. Nicholas was a fourth-century Christian bishop from the Mediterranean port city of Myra (in modern-day Turkey). His acts of generosity inspired the secular Santa Claus legend.
The legends surrounding jolly old St. Nicholas — celebrated annually on Dec. 6 — go way beyond delivering candy and toys to children. He is believed to have interceded on behalf of wrongly condemned prisoners and miraculously saved sailors from storms.
Devotion to St. Nicholas spread during the Middle Ages across Europe and he became a favorite subject for medieval artists and liturgical plays. He is the patron saint of sailors and children, as well as of Greece, Russia and New York.
Devotion to St. Nicholas seems to have faded after the 16th century Protestant Reformation, except in the Netherlands, where his legend remained as Sinterklaas. In the 17th century, Dutch Protestants who settled in New York brought the Sinterklaas tradition with them.
Eventually, St. Nicholas morphed into the secular Santa Claus.
It’s not just Santa who delivers the gifts
In the U.K., it’s Father Christmas; in Greece and Cyprus, St. Basil (who arrives on New Year’s Eve). In some parts of Italy, it’s St. Lucy (earlier in December) and in other Italian regions, Befana, a witch-like figure, who brings presents on the Epiphany on Jan. 6.
Instead of a friendly Santa Claus, children in Iceland enjoy favors from 13 mischievous troll brothers, called the Yule Lads. They come down from their mountain cave 13 days before Christmas, according to folklore.
Christian traditions of Christmas
One of the oldest traditions around Christmas is bringing greenery — holly, ivy or evergreen trees — into homes. But determining whether it’s a Christian tradition is harder. “For many people, the evergreen can symbolize Christ’s promise of eternal life and his return from death,” Smith said. “So, you can interpret that evergreen tradition within the Christian concept.”
The decorating of evergreen trees is a German custom that began in the 16th century, said Maria Kennedy, a professor at Rutgers University—New Brunswick’s Department of American Studies. It was later popularized in England and America.
“Mistletoe, an evergreen shrub, was used in celebrations dating back to the ancient Druids — Celtic religious leaders — some 2,000 years ago,” Kennedy writes in The Surprising History of Christmas Traditions.
“Mistletoe represented immortality because it continued to grow in the darkest time of the year and bore white berries when everything else had died.”
Other traditions include Christmas services and Nativity scenes at homes and churches. More recently, Nativity scenes — when erected on public property in the U.S. — have triggered legal battles over the question of the separation of church and state.
Christmas caroling, Kennedy writes, can also be traced back to European traditions, where people would go from home to home during the darkest time of the year to renew relationships within their communities and give wishes for good luck, health and wealth for the forthcoming year.
“They would recite poetry, sing and sometimes perform a skit. The idea was that these acts would bring about good fortune to influence a future harvest,” Kennedy writes.
Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas in Japan
Among the many Christmas traditions that have been adopted and localized globally, there’s one that involves KFC.
In 1974, KFC launched a Christmas campaign where they began to sell fried chicken with a bottle of wine so it could be used for a Christmas party.
KFC says the idea for the campaign came from an employee who overheard a foreign customer at one of its Tokyo restaurants saying that since he couldn’t get turkey in Japan, he’d have to celebrate Christmas with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
“That really stuck,” Smith said. “And still today, you have to order your KFC months in advance to make sure that you’re going to get it at Christmas Day.”
ONE little-known holiday park has scooped up two awards for its accommodation and it’s right next to a UK theme park.
Sundown Adventureland is a popular spot for families with over 30 rides and attractions as well as a huge soft play – and the adjoining holiday village is now award-winning.
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The accommodation in Sundown Adventureland has won two awardsCredit: Sundown AdventurelandThe theme park its next to caters for families with kids 10 years old and underCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Wild Acre Village in Retford won two awards at the recent Hoseasons’ Diamond Awards.
The accommodation came first place in the categories ‘Best in Britain – Holiday Park’ and ‘Relax & Explore – Heart of England – Small Park’.
Winners were chosen using reviews and ratings from Hoseasons’ own customers, who share their views after their visits.
Debs Griffin, director at Sundown Adventureland said: “When we opened the lodges, we knew there would be a demand for staying overnight at Sundown Adventureland.
“But we never could’ve anticipated that three years on, we would be consistently fully booked with so many of our customers returning for repeat visits.
“Offering families a good value, very clean, comfortable and entertaining stay has been central to the success of Wild Acre Village, and our team works extremely hard to ensure every guest has a memorable stay, wants to keep coming back and laps up the magic and exciting nature of Sundown Adventureland.”
While Sundown Adventureland first opened its doors in 1968, Wild Acre Village just three years ago in 2022.
The self-accommodation style village was built after feedback from visitors who said they couldn’t fit all their exploring into one day.
As Sundown Adventureland is catered towards families with children 10 years old and under – the accommodation is too.
There are single cabins which sleep five people with a king-size bed for the adults and triple bunk beds for the kids.
The cabins are catered for families with spacious bedrooms and living areasCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Double cabins can sleep ten people and are ideal for multiple generations holidaying together with interconnecting doors.
Each cabin and lodge has a living and dining area, bathroom and well-equipped kitchen.
There are outdoor patio areas with picnic benches and disposable BBQ stand – some even have hot tubs.
Currently, Wild Acre Village has offers from £299 for a three-night break, which includes free park tickets for guests.
Over at Sundown Adventureland, families can enjoy over 30 rides and attractions that are specially designed for younger children.
One popular attraction is the Crash Landings soft playCredit: Sundown AdventurelandThe Lillipoppet Castle smells of liquorice inside
Inside there’s also a newly extended cafe with hot food, snacks and drinks.
Rides include the Giddy Piggies to the Jolly Pirate Boat Ride to Robin Hood’s Merry Adventure.
The Lillipoppet Castle is a huge, sweet-inspired castle with an ice cream centrepiece, and it even smells of liquorice.
Storybook Village is based on popular fairytales like Humpty Dumpty and the Three Little Pigs.
Across the theme park are eight themed play areas like Shotgun City, a wild west town with a traditional saloon and an animatronic sing-song show.
The theme park even has its own Wild West townCredit: Sundown Adventureland
Here’s the English theme park with world-first rides crowned best in the UK…
ThemeParks-UK.comannounced the winners of this year’s best parks around the country with this one scooping up awards across 10 categories…
The theme park in question is Paultons Park which has over 70 rides and attractions, as well as Peppa Pig World.
Found in Hampshire just outside of the New Forest, the theme park has nine Peppa-themed rides as well as rollercoasters, splash parks and even an animal park.
At the recent UK Theme Park Awards 2025, Paultons Park was crowned Theme Park of the Year beating the likes of Thorpe Park and Legoland.
Not only that, but it also scooped up nine other awards including Best New Attraction for Ghostly Manor.
It also topped the two categories for Best Theme Park for Families and Best Theme Park for Toddlers.
It will be a viking-themed world with the park’s first inverting rollercoaster, called Drakon.
Drakon will be the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists taking riders upside down.
Also in the Viking world will be the Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, two brand new thrill rides, retheming of Cobra – a famous ride at Paultons Park, into a bobsled adventure.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen says Peter Wright should retire following his emphatic defeat in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
Van Gerwen said he was “not surprised by his performance” given the Scotsman’s inconsistent recent record and added that “it’s time for him to retire anyway”.
The 36-year-old Dutchman beat William O’Connor to reach the third round at Alexandra Palace.
Wright, who became world champion in 2020 and 2022, has not made it past the quarter-finals of any televised ranking tournament in the past two years.
The 55-year-old last won a European Tour event in 2024 and a Players Championship in 2022.
Wright was not selected for the 2025 Premier League Darts season and failed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts for the first time since 2012.
Former EU Commissioner for the Internal Marker Thierry Breton was the chief target of a U.S. travel ban imposed by Washington on European activists campaigning for online safety. File photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE
Dec. 24 (UPI) — The United States imposed travel bans on former European Union technology commissioner Thierry Breton and four other campaigners against online hate and disinformation, alleging they had forced U.S. social media platforms to limit Americans’ first amendment rights.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Tuesday that the five had “led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize and suppress” the views of Americans with whom they disagreed.
“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states — in each case targeting American speakers and American companies,” added Rubio who described the five as “agents of the global censorship-industrial complex.”
Beton was singled out by U.S. Under Secretary of State Sarah Rogers as the “mastermind” of European laws that require social media that operate in the 27-country bloc to adhere to content moderation and other standards to protect users, and children in particular, from harm.
That affects the big U.S. tech players, including Google and Meta, by requiring stricter monitoring of content or face fines up to 1% of global annual turnover.
Rogers named the others banned from entering the United States as Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of Berlin-based non-profit HateAid, Clare Melford, co-founder of the London-headquartered Global Disinformation Index, and Briton, Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
Breton, who served as the commissioner for the EU’s internal market from 2019 to 2024, likened the move to McCarthyism in the late 1940s and early 1950s and pointed out that the Digital Services Act was voted into law by 90% of MEPs.
“To our American friends: ‘Censorship isn’t where you think it is,” he said.
Brussels condemned the visa bans, saying Wednesday that freedom of expression was a core value that Europe shared in common with United States, but that the EU had sovereignty in regulating economic activity and that its digital laws were fairly applied without prejudice.
The visa bans also came under strong criticism from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who said that safeguards on Europe’s digital space, which had been adopted by democratic means in Europe, could not be dictated from the outside.
He insisted the legislation contained no extraterritorial provisions and therefore had no impact on the United States.
The dispute dates back to an August 2024 warning Breton issued to Elon Musk that an interview with then presidential candidate Donald Trump that he planned to stream on his X platform must not breach the Digital Services Act.
According to Rogers, Breton’s letter contained a sinister recap of X’s legal duties under the DSA and referenced ‘formal proceedings’ for alleged ‘illegal content’ and ‘disinformation.'”
The number of passengers passing through UK airports will be the most ever seen on any Christmas Eve since records began in 1972, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
It projects over 335,000 people will be flying in the UK on Wednesday, which is up 5% from Christmas Eve in 2024, though minimal disruption is expected.
Britain’s roads are also expected to see one of the busiest Christmas Eves since records began said the RAC, though another motoring lobby says traffic peaks for the season have passed.
The RAC said the worst time to travel on Wednesday is from 1pm to 7pm as millions hit the road to get home before Christmas Day on Thursday, with delays expected on major routes.
Manchester airport said on Christmas Eve it expects around 75,000 passengers passing through, with 208 flights leaving the UK, but that number will halve on Christmas Day. Its most popular destinations on Christmas Eve are Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin.
Heathrow meanwhile says it is expecting its busiest December period ever, including 152,000 passengers using it on Christmas Day. EasyJet said 558 flights will depart on Christmas Day, part of “its busiest festive season ever”.
Stansted Airport said Christmas Day for it, meanwhile, will be relatively quiet.
The busiest single day of the festive period for air travel was Friday 19 December.
Getty Images
The RAC meanwhile said particular tight spots on the roads will be the clockwise northern and western sections of the M25 from mid-morning, and the M5 north from Gloucestershire towards the West Midlands later in the afternoon.
While millions will travel by rail, earlier last-train times mean many may take to the road, making them even more congested.
Several rail routes will be restricted or closed over the Christmas period for maintenance.
National Express coaches says it is running on Christmas day to 96 destinations.
The RAC’s mobile servicing and repair’s team leader Nick Mullender said 2025 was “looking to be the busiest getaway period since our records began” in 2013.
He said this year’s Christmas Eve would be the busiest, with workers saving on annual leave days and heading off on getaways at the last minute.
Meanwhile the AA, which provides traffic updates across the UK, said 19 December was the busiest part of the season.
For Christmas Eve, it warned the M27 will close in both directions between Junction 9 (Whiteley/Park Gate) and Junction 11 (Fareham East/Gosport) from 8pm until 4am on 4 January for major works at Junction 10.
This closure affects road journeys between Southampton and Portsmouth.
Drivers are advised to check tyres, expect delays and ensure oil and coolant levels are correct. It expected a rise in breakdowns as the weather becomes colder and 4.2 million journeys will be taken on roads.
From Thuc Nhi Nguyen:Austin Reaves returned from a left calf strain that sidelined him for three games, but the Lakers’ second-leading scorer did nothing to fix the team’s most glaring weakness.
The Lakers’ defense collapsed in a 132-108 loss to the Suns on Tuesday at Mortgage Matchup Center, giving up a season-high field goal percentage (59%) and tying their mark for most points allowed this season. Led by a combined 17-for-29 shooting from star guard Devin Booker (21 points) and Dillon Brooks (25 points), the Suns easily eclipsed the 56.5% they shot against the Lakers on Dec. 1.
“The theme with our team again is like these young teams that move, we just can’t move,” said coach JJ Redick, whose team is 1-2 against the Suns (16-13). “So it’s like we’re stuck in mud.”
The Lakers (19-9) remain in the top half of the competitive Western Conference, but with blowout losses to Atlanta, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, L.A. is clinging to a plus-1.1 in point differential. They lost consecutive games for the first time Tuesday and limped into a marquee Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets with a multitude of injuries.
Playing without Luka Doncic, who is day to day with a left leg contusion he sustained Saturday against the Clippers, LeBron James led the Lakers with 23 points on seven-for-14 shooting. Deandre Ayton had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double while Reaves came off the bench for the first time in two seasons and scored 17 points with two assists and three turnovers.
Redick said Reaves was not on an official minutes restriction after his weeklong absence, but that the team would monitor his workload “in real time.”
“It’s hard for me to start, at the rotation that Bron has, for me to stay around that 20-25 minute mark,” said Reaves, who played 21 minutes and 46 seconds. “So [coming off the bench] got brought up in my shooting time. I said I was open to whatever. Definitely felt weird coming off the bench, but it’s basketball at the end of the day.”
Mick Cronin tinkers with UCLA’s lineup ahead of rout
UCLA forward Tyler Bilodeau makes a move to the basket against UC Riverside forward Osiris Grady on Tuesday.
(Jan Kim Lim / UCLA Athletics)
From Ben Bolch: Facing an overmatched opponent that allowed him to freely tinker with his lineups, UCLA coach Mick Cronin tried plenty of mixing and matching Tuesday afternoon.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway was that a three-guard lineup might be the way to go after the continued struggles of centers Xavier Booker and Steven Jamerson II.
“We’ve got to find a way to play our best players and win, whoever they are, because it’s not Little League,” Cronin said after his team’s 97-65 victory over UC Riverside at Pauley Pavilion. “You’ve either got to give us some rebounding and defense or somebody else has got to play.”
The leading candidates for a larger role based on what happened against the Highlanders appear to be reserves Trent Perry, Jamar Brown and Brandon Williams.
Kings coach Jim Hiller watches from the bench during a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
(Luke Hales / Getty Images)
From Kevin Baxter: January has traditionally been the harshest time of the year for the Kings, who haven’t had a winning record in that month the last three seasons. But winter grew dark and gloomy a little earlier than usual because December has hardly been a walk in the park.
With Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, the Kings head into the NHL’s three-day Christmas break having lost six of their last seven. And things aren’t getting easier any time soon: when the team returns to the ice Saturday, it will play host to the Ducks, who lead the Pacific Division in wins, before closing out 2025 Monday on the road against the Colorado Avalanche, who lead the NHL in wins.
“It’s not going the way we all want to,” forward Kevin Fiala said. “But you know, that’s going to happen for everybody. So it’s us who have to do something about it. Who can pull us out of it? Nobody else.
“I’m not worried. Like, I’m sure we’re gonna get out of this. But it’s not acceptable right now.”
Leonard shot 16 for 23 from the field and four for five from long distance as the Clippers won consecutive games for just the second time this season. The Clippers were coming off a 103-88 win over the Lakers on Saturday that broke a five-game skid. The Clippers also won consecutive games Oct. 24-26, against Phoenix and Portland.
Harden, who shot seven for 14 from the field and three for eight from long distance, was helped by 12-for-13 shooting from the line.
John Collins and Kobe Sanders added 13 points apiece and Kris Dunn scored 11 for the Clippers (8-21), who shot 54% (20 for 37) from three-point range.
Stafford, 37, has passed for a league leading 4,179 yards and 40 touchdowns, with five interceptions, for a Rams team that is 11-4 and currently seeded sixth for the NFC playoffs. The Rams play at the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night in the second-to-last game of the regular season. Stafford also made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2023.
Quarterbacks Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks and Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys also made the NFC roster.
Herbert, receiving Pro Bowl recognition for the second time, is the third player in NFL history to begin a career with six consecutive seasons with at least 3,000 yards passing and 20 touchdowns.
Lindsey Vonn qualifies for the Winter Olympics at 41
U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn competes in a World Cup super-G race in Val d’Isere, France, on Sunday.
(Pier Marco Tacca / Associated Press)
From Steve Henson: It’s been one surprise after another lately from Lindsey Vonn. And the announcement that the 41-year-old slopes queen has qualified for the Milano Cortina Olympics in February isn’t the last of it.
It might have been her post on Instagram that stated unequivocally that this will be the end.
“I am honored to be able to represent my country one more time, in my 5th and final Olympics!” Vonn said.
Vonn’s remarkable and inspiring comeback from injuries and a seven-year hiatus from top-level competitive skiing has injected the U.S. team narrative with an irresistible story line. That her quest will culminate in the mountains of northern Italy just two months from now will make it must-watch television and social media video.
Venus Williams competes in a quarterfinal doubles match at the U.S. Open in September.
(Heather Khalifa / Associated Press)
From Andrew J. Campa: Tennis legend Venus Williams wed Danish model and actor Andrea Preti over the weekend in Florida, the new bride announced in a shared post.
An Instagram post from Vogue Magazine’s Weddings section announced the nuptials, with the message garnering more than 30,000 likes as of Tuesday afternoon.
“We all love each other so much,” Williams, 45, said in the Vogue post. “It was just the happiest, most beautiful, sweetest day.”
The post was scant on details other than the event took place over five days in and around the couple’s home in Palm Beach Gardens.
An aerial view of the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, shown during 1930 World Cup tournament.
(Associated Press)
From Kevin Baxter: Next summer’s World Cup will be the largest, most complex and most lucrative sporting event in history, with 48 teams playing 104 games in three countries. The tournament is expected to draw a global TV audience of nearly 5 billion and FIFA, the event’s organizer, is hoping for revenues of between $10 billion-$14 billion — which is why lower-bowl tickets for Iran-New Zealand at SoFi Stadium cost nearly $700.
All that seemed unlikely after the first tournament in 1930, when the idea of a soccer World Cup was nearly killed in the cradle, the victim from lack of planning, lack of money and lack of interest. That the competition survived, much less thrived, is nothing short of a miracle, says English writer and podcaster Jonathan Wilson, author of the deeply researched “The Power and Glory: The History of the World Cup.”
“1930, it’s incredibly amateurish in many ways,” Wilson said. “It’s got that sort of almost like a school sports day feel to it.”
1950 — Cleveland’s Otto Graham throws four touchdown passes, despite icy footing in Municipal Stadium, and Lou Groza kicks a 16-yard field goal with 28 seconds left to give the Browns a 30-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL title in their first year in the league.
1961 — George Blanda’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Billy Cannon gives the Houston Oilers a 10-3 victory over the San Diego Chargers for their second AFL title.
1967 — New York’s Joe Namath becomes the first player to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. Namath passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 42-31 win at San Diego. Namath finishes the year with 4,007 yards.
1997 — In one of the biggest upsets in college basketball, Division II American-Puerto defeats the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks 64-59 in the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.
2000 — Marshall Faulk breaks Emmitt Smith’s NFL record for touchdowns, scoring three times to give him 26 for the St. Louis Rams. Faulk’s three touchdowns and 220 yards fuels a 26-21 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
2003 — Steven Jackson ties a bowl game record with five touchdowns, and Oregon State’s defense overwhelms mistake-plagued New Mexico in a 55-14 win at the Las Vegas Bowl.
2006 — Colt Brennan sets the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes at 58, throwing five in the second half to lead Hawaii to a 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Hawaii Bowl. Brennan, 33-of-42 for 559 yards, breaks the previous mark of 54 set by Houston’s David Klingler in 1990.
2011 — David Akers kicks his way into the NFL record book and the San Francisco 49ers hold off Seattle for a 19-17 win. Akers makes four field goals to give him 42 this season, breaking the NFL mark of 40 set by Neil Rackers in 2005 with Arizona.
2014 — Western Kentucky holds on to defeat Central Michigan 49-48 in a wild inaugural Bahamas Bowl. Central Michigan trails 49-14 entering the fourth quarter before Cooper Rush engineers a comeback. He throws four touchdown passes in the final minutes, and the Chippewas get the ball back at their own 25 with one second remaining. Rush completes a pass to Jesse Kroll, and the ball is lateraled three times before Titus Davis dove into the pylon for a touchdown with no time remaining. CMU elects to go for two, only to have the pass drop incomplete.
2016 — With a 41-3 rout of the New York Jets, Bill Belichick earns his 200th regular-season victory in New England, making him the fifth coach in NFL history to reach the milestone with one team.
2016 — Cleveland survives a last-second field-goal attempt and gets its first victory after 14 losses by beating the San Diego Chargers 20-17. When San Diego’s Josh Lambo misses a 45-yard field-goal attempt as time expires, the Browns (1-14) win for the first time in 377 days.
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 houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
THE Canary Islands are one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits with Tenerife and Gran Canaria being some of the most well-known.
However, there’s one island that most won’t have visited or perhaps even heard of with ragged coastlines, black sand beaches and natural pools.
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El Hierro is known for its natural landscape with high mountain peaks and small villagesCredit: Getty ImagesThe island receives much fewer visitors than its neighbours
Unlike its neighbours, the island of El Hierro offers a peaceful, nature-filled break rather than one for parties and cheap bars.
Off the coast of the island are diving reserves, natural pools and further inland, you can hike up volcanic trails.
The island will be much less busy than the other Canary Islands too as it only gets between 20,000 to 30,000 visitors each year.
In comparison, Tenerife attractions around 7million tourists each year, while Gran Canaria welcomes around 4.7million.
As Brits we often seek out sun, and El Hierro is sunny and warm for most of the year as it sits on theMorocco-Western Sahara border.
Temperatures tend not to dip below 15C and in January it can be as hot as 20C – in comparison it tends to sit between 3-6C in the UK.
Timon van Basten has lived in Spain for the last five years and works as a tour guide in the country and he recommends a trip to El Hierro.
Timon told Euro News: “The tiny, remote island has an end-of-the-world vibe with lava flows, volcanic craters, and lush cliffs plunging into the Atlantic.
Most read in Beach holidays
“Explore at your own pace, with quaint towns, secluded beaches, and tranquil hiking trails to discover.”
When it comes to popular attractions on the island, a top one is the El Tamaduste Pool.
Along the coastline are natural swimming pools like Charco AzulCredit: Alamy
It’s a natural swimmingpool in a sheltered bay in the village of Tamaduste.
Visitors can take a dip in the pool while being protected by the strong sea waves. Aside from swimming, visitors can also enjoy water sports like diving or paddle boarding.
Another natural pool is Charco Azul which is one of the most famous and sits on the north of the island with a huge rock acting as the barrier between the pool and the sea.
Another is the viewpoint called Mirador de la Peña which overlooks a huge landslide valley with views across the sweeping coastline.
Of course there are plenty of beaches, some of the most popular are Playa de Tacorón, which is ideal for families.
There’s alsoPlaya del Verodal, the largest beach the island which has incredible sunset views, but not so good for swimming due to strong currents.
The beaches have either red or black sandCredit: Alamy
There aren’t any white or golden sandy beaches on the island because of volcanic activity.
El Hierro’s sands are rich in iron, causing it to turn red, and the black granules are created from volcanic glass.
Cala de Tacorón beach is the hidden gem of the island with soft red sands and as it’s in a cove, has much calmer waves.
If you fancy getting a souvenir, there are stalls and street markets dotted around El Hierro where you can buy jewellery, homemade gifts, as well as locally produced honey, wines and cheeses.
To get to El Hierro from the UK, you’ll need to fly to another Canary Island like Tenerife or Gran Canaria and take a connecting flight.
From Tenerife to the neighbouring island, flights take just 40-minutes, or 55-minutes from Gran Canaria.
Another option is to take a connecting ferry which from Tenerife takes just over two hours.
Here’s why one man loves the Canary Islands from award-winning restaurants to its beautiful beaches…
One man who has visited over 100 countries reveals that the one place he always goes back to is the Canary Islands…
“It’s the world’s most varied archipelago – on Tenerife alone you can party at the world’s second biggest carnival, bash around the world’s best waterpark (Siam Park) and climb a mountain almost three times higher than Britain’s Ben Nevis.
“La Graciosa could be on a different planet. There are no tarmac roads, nevermind an airport.
“It’s a brilliant escape from the modern world, hiking and cycling around rough tracks, up volcanoes and out to windswept beaches.
“You can still tuck into British comfort food across the resorts, but there is far more to savour today. Lanzarote and Gran Canaria boast Michelin star restaurants and foodies flock to Tenerife to dine at eight Michelin star restaurants.
“Tenerife boasts more Michelin stars than Wales and the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort has more stars than any hotel in Spain with four. And Tenerife just keeps winning stars. This year Il Bocconcino snared a star.
“Tenerife is not my favourite island for beaches – I prefer the third largest isle, Fuerteventura.
“The Parque Natural de Corralejo boasts mile upon mile of Sahara-esque dunes and gorgeous beaches.
“It’s just south of Corralejo, a resort popular with Brits and is easily my favourite Canarian resort.”
Justice Minister Chung Sung-ho and Unification Minister Chung Dong-young exchange greetings during a plenary session at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Asia Today
Dec. 23 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s Unification Ministry said Tuesday it will move quickly to decide and implement a change to the official term used for North Korean defectors, replacing it with “North Korean migrants.”
A Unification Ministry official told reporters the ministry plans to reach a conclusion and proceed “as soon as possible” on the terminology change.
The ministry previously said in a work briefing for President Lee Jae-myung on Friday that it would pursue revising the designation. During that briefing, Lee, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and Unification Minister Chung Dong-young used the term “North Korean migrants” instead of “North Korean defectors,” according to the report.
Chung said at the meeting that defectors broadly reject the current term “defector,” but the report said a significant number are also voicing opposition to “North Korean migrants.”
The Unification Ministry publicly raised the idea of changing the designation in September and conducted opinion polling, but the results have not been released, the report said.
Tips for flying with a toddler that I actually found useful as a first-time mum – The Mirror
Need to know
There are so many tips for flying with a toddler out there so when I took my toddler on our first solo flight together I listened – here are the ones that I actually found useful
Some tips from fellow parents came in handy(Image: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)
Useful tips for flying with a toddler
As a first-time mum, the idea of flying with my toddler for the first time was quite daunting – but a few travel tips from fellow parents were absolute game changers.
Invest in a travel pram: If you’re going to be travelling regularly, a pram that can easily be unfolded one-handed or zip through narrow airport queues etc makes all the difference. I had the Stokke YOYO which was brilliant as it was easy to manoeuvre, not to mention it didn’t take long when airport security needed to scan it. Most airlines let you take the pram up to the gate, but as I was solo parenting, I decided to pay extra to have it in the cabin on my easyJet flight, a choice which proved handy when we landed and my son just wanted to run off in every direction.
Lean on cabin crew if you need to: I was so worried that I’d be an annoying passenger, but crew were actually really helpful in helping me put my pram in the overhead lockers, and assisting with explaining how the baby’s extender belt worked. The most stressful part for me was boarding/getting off the plane, and asking for help was daunting but staff were more than happy to accommodate (I suspect because it then made the process smoother as I wasn’t blocking other passengers).
Distraction is key: Pack fidget toys and snacks, as well as toys that can be ‘stuck’ to the tray table and not hurled across the aisle. One fellow mum told me to remember that the airport/plane is an exciting and stimulating place for toddlers – so I leant on that too, and it turned out that the highlight of my toddler’s flight was intently staring at the safety card in the plane seat!
Ears popping: A tricky one here as it depends on your child, but I had come prepared with a bottle of milk and a sippy cup, which I encouraged him to drink during take-off and landing to help ease the sensation.
Don’t stress about other passengers: This was easily the best advice I was given. I was so conscious of getting in the way/my child being loud/trying to stop him disturbing others. The reality is that, unless you’ve got a kid who’s actively kicking someone’s chair, most passengers don’t care. In fact, a lot of people around me turned into free babysitters because they pulled faces at my child and chatted to him. I was conscious to make sure he wasn’t in their way, but most people on a flight are in their own little world anyway!
Beware the baby change: Annoyingly, in a lot of airports, baby change facilities don’t necessarily have toilets in them for adults. That meant that once I’d changed my toddler’s nappy, I then had to navigate the queue into the ladies’ toilets, and then figure out where to leave my pram and bags outside the cubicle. One mum previously suggested putting key valuables in a smaller handbag that was on my person, so at least I could leave the bulkier bags outside in the pram.
Have you got any great travel tips to share for parents? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com .
IF you’re off on a £9.50 Holiday with the family to Sussex, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s plenty to keep your whole crew entertained.
Of course, you can easily spend your time on the beaches, which don’t cost a penny to visit.
There’s a whole raft of family-friendly activities near your holiday park by the coast, including Brighton Palace PierCredit: Getty
West Wittering, Brighton Beach and Camber Sands are among the top-rated beaches for families.
But if the weather doesn’t play ball, or if you’ve already had your fill of sandcastle building, then there’s a whole raft of family-friendly activities near your holiday park by the coast.
Maybe the arcades and fun fair rides of Brighton Palace Pier are calling you, or perhaps it’s the animals and all-ages play areas at the top-rated Drusillas Park.
We’ve chatted to local experts and Sun readers who have already enjoyed a £9.50 Holiday in Sussex to get their top tips on the family attractions that are worth visiting.
From thrilling water parks to pirate festivals, here’s what they recommend…
Make a splash
If you have older kids in tow, why not let them burn off steam with something that will really get their adrenaline pumping?
Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park recommends Rye Water Sports.
She said: “It’s an action water park that’s really close to us. They have a variety of water sports, like sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.”
The location will also put parents’ minds at ease – lessons take place on a safe inland lake between Rye and Camber Sands.
The centre runs everything from board hire (from £20) to holiday clubs for children aged eight to 15 (one day from £85 including sailing, windsurfing and paddle boarding).
Meanwhile, in West Sussex, Chichester Watersports has an aqua park, complete with inflatable slides and jumps in the water. Suitable from age seven, a 50-minute session costs £20.
Hastings Pirate Weekend is packed with family-friendly activities, like a treasure hunt, free kids’ tattoos and craft workshopsCredit: Getty
Get on your bike
For something that will burn energy without burning a hole in your pocket, head to one of the brilliant cycle paths in Sussex.
If you have your own bike, they are also completely free to explore, and the traffic-free terrain also works well for families with prams.
The South Coast East route takes you along the seafront – you could start at Worthing and extend it to Shoreham, Lancing or Brighton depending on how far you want to go.
Alternatively, start at Shoreham-by-Sea and head inland past woods, streams and rivers on the Downs Link.
For a quick trip, you can hire a Donkey Bike via the app (from £1.80 for 30 minutes), or try Riverside South Downs who rent bikes from £20 for two hours.
Meet pirates in Hastings
Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, recommends visiting Hastings during the annual Pirate Festival.
She said: “Hastings is brilliant for live music, with lots of events on the seafront like the pirate festival.
“It’s very popular, and you can pop into one of the nice pubs along the front – the best are located in the Old Town like The Crown and Ye Old Pumphouse.
“Some of the pirate events happen in these pubs like live music and themed roast dinners.”
Hastings Pirate Weekend is packed with family-friendly activities, like a treasure hunt, free kids’ tattoos and craft workshops.
To learn more about pirates, head to The Shipwreck Museum. It’s free to enter and kids will love touching artefacts from many ships wrecked in the English Channel.
In East Sussex, take the family for a ride on a railway that’s been in use for over 100 years, the Kent and East Sussex RailwayCredit: Getty
Spark their curiosity
Museums don’t have to be boring – especially if they have children’s activities on tap. Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham recommends The Novium Museum for families.
Built on top of the remains of a Roman bathhouse in Chichester, it’s free to enter (though donations are welcome) and has oodles to make learning fun, such as hands-on workshops about everything from the Stone Ages to the Saxons.
Kids can try on costumes, handle real artefacts and even join in organised sleepovers at the museums, complete with torchlit treasure hunts and bedtime stories.
There’s nothing like a train ride to keep the kids entertained.
And there’s a whole host of options near your £9.50 Holiday in Sussex.
Sue Mercer recommends taking the kids to Hotham Park in Bognor Regis, which has a miniature railway, plus a boating lake, crazy golf and Alice in Wonderland wooden sculptures.
Meanwhile, in East Sussex, take the family for a ride on a railway that’s been in use for over 100 years, the Kent and East Sussex Railway (£53 for a family of four).
West Wittering, Brighton Beach and Camber Sands are among the top-rated beaches for families in SussexCredit: Getty
WITH its wide open beaches, vibrant seaside towns and cathedral-studded cities, Lincolnshire makes for a perfect UK getaway.
Add to that brilliant food and drink options, incredible natural wonders and family-friendly attractions, and it’s no wonder the East Midlands county is one of the top destinations for 9.50 holidaymakers.
Thanks to beaches like Mablethorpe, pictured, Lincolnshire is one of the top destinations for 9.50 holidaymakersCredit: GettySeaside towns like Mablethorpe, Skegness, Cleethorpes (pictured) and Ingoldmells are consistently highly rated and hark back to traditional bucket-and-spade holidaysCredit: Getty
In fact, there are so many great places to explore near your £9.50 Holiday park that the hardest question will be: where to visit first?
The coast is unmissable. Long, sandy beaches ripple for more than 50 miles along the eastern shore of England from the Humber to the Wash.
If you prefer your wildlife-watching somewhere cosy with a cuppa, the North Sea Observatory is free to enter and makes for a brilliant wet weather option, too.
Keen to dabble in history? Then Lincoln Castle, around an hour’s drive from the coast, should be top of your list.
It contains one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta, as well as having medieval walls, dungeons and towers to explore.
While in the city, you can soak up more history at the Cathedral or swing by Louth with its historic market.
It may be the birthplace of the Lincolnshire sausage, but there’s far more to this county on a culinary level.
Of course, you’ll find a decent carvery like The Beck in Mablethorpe and budget-friendly cafes like Cosy Corner Cafe in Skegness.
But there are also cafes with quirky touches you won’t find elsewhere, like the 1940s-style Blitz Tea Room.
Top chippies are hard to whittle down in this part of the world, but good places to start include Salts Fish & Chip Shop in Skegness and The Marina Fish & Chips in Chapel St Leonards.
Meanwhile, Hardys Fish & Chips and Meggies, both in Cleethorpes, are also highly rated chip shops – with prices that won’t break the bank.
A top tip for a pint on the beach is to make for somewhere like the Admiral Benbow, which has a bar in a boat on the sand at Chapel St Leonards.
For families seeking a day out, there’s everything from seal sanctuaries and wildlife parks to explore.
Hubbard’s Hills is a good budget option, costing just £1 to park before you access picnic areas, dog walking trails and a cafe with a play area.
Meanwhile, Rand Farm Park not only offers indoor and outdoor play areas and a variety of animals to meet and help feed, it also offers childcare should you need some time to yourself on your holiday (book ahead).
Lincoln Castle, around an hour’s drive from the coast, contains one of only four surviving original copies of the Magna CartaCredit: GettyLong, sandy beaches ripple for more than 50 miles along the eastern shore of England from the Humber to the WashCredit: Alamy
Barin Kayaoglu, of the Social Sciences University of Ankara, says that a Libyan general’s plane crash in Turkiye is unlikely to impact the broader framework of Turkiye’s role in Libya.
If it began to sound a lot like Christmas earlier than usual this year, it wasn’t your imagination.
Halloween wasn’t even over before Spotify users began curating songs about mistletoe, snow and presents under the tree.
Holiday playlists created on Spotify in the U.S. jumped 60% in October over last year, the Swedish audio company said. Some Spotify users started crafting holiday playlists as early as summer.
“It’s a combination of wanting to feel good and nostalgia, and these are testing times,” said Talia Kraines, editorial lead for pop at Spotify. “Somehow Christmas music brings comfort and I think that’s a real part of it.”
Indeed, eight of the top 10 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for the week that ended Saturday were Christmas songs, with the top five being familiar holiday classics, including Mariah Carey’s 1994 hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Brenda Lee’s 1958 recording of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” released in 1984.
On-demand streams for holiday music in the U.S. increased 27% to 8.3 billion this year, compared to a year ago, according to L.A.-based data firm Luminate.
The popularity of music streaming has helped to fuel a surge in users seeking out more holiday music, and earlier in the year.
The change has been driven by technology. In the pre-streaming era, consumers would play Christmas music through CDs and, records or catch tunes on the radio during the winter months.
But the rise of Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming services opened the floodgates by offering large libraries of songs on demand.
The new platforms created and marketed holiday playlists, making it easier for consumers to discover seasonal songs and add new ones to their own song collections.
“You used to have a bunch of Christmas albums around and rotate them through as you’re decorating the house or wrapping the presents,” said Dave Bakula, vice president of analytics and data insights at Iconic Artists Group. “The availability of all the music, all the time is such an incredible gift that streaming services have given us.”
For musicians and record labels, holiday music also has taken on growing importance.
Vince Szydlowski, executive vice president of commerce at Universal Music Enterprises, the centralized global catalog division of Universal Music Group, said he starts planning the year’s campaign for holiday music in January.
“For UMG and many of the artists that you associate with holiday music, it will be the most important time of the year, without a doubt,” Szydlowski said. “In some cases, especially with certain legendary artists, it could make or break their year.”
Artist Brenda Lee performs at the “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2015.
(Laura Roberts / Invision / AP)
One campaign Universal Music Enterprises worked on was promoting Elton John’s 1973 holiday song “Step into Christmas.” The song was featured in Amazon Prime Video’s holiday movie “Oh. What. Fun,” starring Michelle Pfeiffer.
John posted viral social media videos with the song playing in the background that drew more than 100 million views.
Those efforts helped boost the track’s consumption by 44% this year compared to last year, according to Universal Music Group, citing data from Luminate.
“It’s a very comprehensive campaign in which to continue to boost that track visibility among the holiday perennials,” Szydlowski said.
Many of the popular Christmas songs in the U.S. date back decades, making it challenging for new, original holiday songs to break through.
The holidays are an important time for older artists like Brenda Lee, whose rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” remains a winter hit.
In November 2023, Lee’s version of the song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for the first time, 65 years after the song’s debut, making Lee, then 79, the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, according to UMG.
Then there are artists like the late Nat King Cole, known for hits like the holiday classic “The Christmas Song,” and Dean Martin, who died in 1995 and whose rendition of “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” is especially popular during winter months.
Nat King Cole in 1963. “The Christmas Song” became one of his enduring hits.
(Capitol Records Archives)
Another source of appeal for Christmas music is that it‘s timeless.
It isn’t really affected by trends and the songs highlight themes like love, hope, joy and family that remind us of our friends, family and past Christmases, said Jimmy Edwards, president of Iconic Artists Group.
“It’s the one music that you can share it together from any age. As Nat would say, from one to 92, right?” Edwards said, referencing a lyric from Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” “Those emotional bonds you have with that music stay with you forever … It promotes the best of us and all the good things. That’s why people love it so much.”
Ben Stokes admitted he is going through his “toughest time” as England captain as he called for “empathy” towards this team-mates.
The tourists’ awful Ashes series has been dogged by reports of excessive drinking.
England are already 3-0 down after three Tests against Australia, with the chance of regaining the urn gone and the risk of a humiliating clean sweep in the final two Tests.
Later on the same day, a video emerged on social media appearing to show opener Ben Duckett drunk.
The BBC has not verified the video, while the England and Wales Cricket Board said it would “establish the facts”.
With England preparing to play the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day, Stokes told BBC Sport: “This is probably the toughest time right now as an England captain that I’ll have.
“I’m not going to run away from it. I feel like I will lead for the rest of this trip how I think I can help guys get through it.”
Stokes would not be drawn on the allegations about Duckett.
Asked about the scrutiny on his team-mates, he added: “We’ve got other guys who play all three formats and spend a lot more time away from home than others.
“It is very gruelling and it is tough when you’re here, there and everywhere.
“I know people have got things a lot worse than what we do. You have to deal with the emotions of being away [and] the scrutiny that you are under, in particular when things aren’t going well.
“Everything just gets heightened, but there needs to be a little bit of empathy towards stuff that people might not quite understand, but I guess if you’re not in it and you’re not amongst it, it is hard to understand that.
“But just in this moment right now, I think a little bit of empathy from everyone would be not too hard to think about, if that makes sense.”
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