Decades since it’s release fans continue to hail this 90s sci-fi movie as both ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘breathtaking’ and they can watch it once again on ITV tonight

Film fans have dubbed this 1991 movie as the “best action movie of all time”, scoring it an impressive 91% on the review site Rotten Tomatoes – and it’s on ITV for free tonight.

The classic American science-fiction movie is set to appear on TV tonight,for the perfect slice of nostalgia as you gear up for the Halloween weekend. Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the second instalment in the famed Terminator series, with Arnold Schwarzenegger playing the leading role, in what viewers are calling the best sequel to exist.

In the film, directed by James Cameron, the malevolent artificial intelligence network, known as Skynet, sends a highly advanced killing machine, The Terminator, back in time. It finds itself in 1995, on a mission to kill the future leader of the human resistance while he is still a child in order to protect the future of humanity.

One fan of the film wrote on Rotten Tomatoes: “This is one of those stellar classic action movies, and it was the best action movie of the 1990s. It was significantly ahead of its time! Groundbreaking special effects, a relentless and threateningly powerful villain, humorous and awesome moments, and entertaining action set pieces and sequences that looked convincingly real!”

Another viewer simply says: “In my opinion, this is the greatest action movie of all time. And the greatest movie sequel of all time.” Meanwhile, someone else wrote: “My favourite movie of all time, no notes.”

The film went on to be an instant classic, as a box office boom and critical success, grossing $519–520.9 million. It went on to become the highest-grossing film of 1991 across the globe and the third-highest-grossing film of its time.

Decades later, Terminator 2 is still considered to be one of the best science fiction films ever made, as a trailblazer for visual effects and computer-generated imagery. Not to mention, it has an all-star cast made up of Edward Furlong, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick and Dean Norris.

A viewer praised the cast’s performances in the sequel, writing: “Judgment Day elevates the franchise with groundbreaking visual effects and breathtaking action. Arnold delivers one of his most iconic performances, while Linda Hamilton’s transformation into a fierce and determined Sarah Connor is unforgettable.”

If viewers’ raving reviews aren’t a convincing enough reason to kick back tonight and have a movie night in, the film’s numerous accolades may prove it worthy. Terminator 2 went on to receive an impressive six Academy Awards, as well as a BAFTA Award and four Saturn Awards, honouring its visual effects, hair and makeup and, of course, the best sound effects.

A review says: “Best Terminator movie, period. This is the one that all others are judged on, and it’s a high bar.” If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, flick over to ITV4 tonight at 9pm to see an all-time classic movie from the comfort of your sofa.

Marella Cruises, TUI UK’s ocean cruise line, has announced the return of its hugely popular music-themed cruise, setting sail in April 2027. The adults-only sailing promises the ultimate retro music showdown at sea and is on sale now

It’s time to leave the kids behind and relive two iconic decades in music aboard the ‘Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s’ themed voyage.

Marella Cruises, TUI UK’s ocean cruise line, has announced the return of its hugely popular music-themed cruise, setting sail in April 2027. The adults-only sailing promises the ultimate retro music showdown at sea and is on sale now.

Now in its sixth year, the Electric Sunsets concept celebrates two of the most influential decades in pop culture, bringing guests an immersive experience packed with nostalgia, entertainment, and star-studded performances. The headline acts for the 2027 voyage will be announced early next year, with organisers promising a line-up of top artists from both eras.

While this year’s acts will be different, last year the star-studded lineup featured Irish pop group B*Witched, UK R&B pop group The Honeyz, the iconic DJ SASH! and Ibiza in Symphony – a 10-piece orchestra.

The three-night sailing aboard Marella Discovery will depart Palma on Wednesday, 28 April 2027, calling at Valencia and Ibiza before returning to Palma on Saturday, 1 May 2027. Guests can expect themed parties, live performances, and 80s vs 90s-inspired events across the ship.

Chris Hackney, CEO of Marella Cruises, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the return of our 2027 themed cruise. The battle of 80s vs 90s music remains one of our most anticipated experiences, appealing to both loyal guests and newcomers. Customer feedback shows these eras bring back real nostalgia — and the chance to see top stars perform onboard makes it even more special.”

For those looking to extend their getaway, a limited number of cruise-and-stay packages will be available, featuring hotels in Majorca such as Alua Soul Mallorca Resort, Astoria Playa Hotel, and Hotel Son Matias Beach.

As with all Marella Cruises sailings, the trip is all-inclusive, covering flights, transfers, tips, and service charges. Prices for Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s start from £799 per person, available to book from Thursday, 30 October 2025.

If you’re a cruise fanatic, then it’s not just the cruise ship and destinations that will likely peak your interest. The real cruise nerds enjoy ticking off different ports across the world.

Recent research from the travel experts at AllClear Travel Insurance has highlighted the world’s top 10 most beautiful cruise ports, examining factors such as how quickly they capture passengers’ attention with their incredible views.

The good news is that there are heaps of cruise lines that sail there too including P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to name a few. (Not to mention next year brings new cruise ships for passengers to enjoy ). Check out our full picture rundown of the best.

Tuesday is election day, and, as usual, the pundits are breathless, the predictions are dubious and the consultants are already counting their retainers. But make no mistake: Off-year elections matter. Tuesday’s results will shape the political landscape for 2026 and beyond.

Let’s start in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom has decided to fight Texas Republican gerrymandering with a little creative cartography of his own.

Proposition 50, which began as the “Election Rigging Response Act,” wouldn’t just help level the playing field by handing Democrats five House seats; it would also boost Newsom’s presidential ambitions. Polls suggest it’ll pass.

When it comes to elections involving actual candidates, the main attractions are in New York, New Jersey and Virginia.

In the New York City mayoral contest, Zohran Mamdani — a 34-year-old democratic socialist who seems like the kind of guy who probably buys albums on vinyl — is leading both former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (running as an independent) and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

National Republicans are already making Mamdani the avatar of everything Fox News viewers fear.

President Trump went so far as calling Mamdani a “communist” and threatening to send in the troops if he wins.

One thing is for certain: Mamdani is already a symbol. If he wins, he’ll be evidence for progressives that politics can still be interesting, exciting and revolutionary. To conservatives, he’ll be evidence that Democrats have gone insane.

If you’re paying attention, these arguments are not mutually exclusive.

Across the Hudson, New Jersey Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill (whose resume includes having been a naval officer and a federal prosecutor) is a very different kind of politician — the “I’m a competent adult, please clap” variety.

Her gubernatorial opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, is an ex-state legislator who radiates the kind of energy usually found at bowling alleys and diners. He’s the grandson of Italian immigrants, the son of blue-collar workers and the spiritual heir of every guy in a tracksuit yelling at a Jets game.

Ciattarelli came dangerously close to winning the governorship in 2021, which should be cause for concern for Sherrill, who’s sitting on a slim lead.

The main problem for Ciattarelli is Trump, who, despite his bridge-and-tunnel aesthetic, does more harm than good in a state that hasn’t voted for a Republican president since 1988.

Trump’s termination of the Gateway Tunnel project didn’t help either. It’s one thing to be loud and populist; it’s another to cancel something that would make voters’ commutes slightly less horrible.

Speaking of commutes, a few hours south, down I-95, Virginia will also elect a new governor. Here, Democrat Abigail Spanberger — former CIA officer, former U.S. representative, professional moderate — is coasting toward victory against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the lieutenant governor.

Earle-Sears, a Marine, trailblazer and gadfly, is about to add “failed gubernatorial candidate” to her resume.

Her biggest headline was firing her campaign manager (a pastor who had never run a campaign before), which sounds like a metaphor for today’s GOP. Her best attack on Spanberger involved attempting to tie her to something someone else (the Democratic attorney general nominee) did (sending a violent text about a Republican politician).

Virginia has a history of electing governors from the party that opposes the sitting president, and Trump’s DOGE cuts (not to mention the current government shutdown) have outsize importance in the commonwealth.

Depending on how things shake out in these states, narratives will be set — storylines that (rightly or not) will tell experts and voters which kinds of candidates they should nominate in 2026.

For example, if Mamdani, who represents the progressive wing, wins, but Sherrill and/or Spanberger lose, the narrative will be that cautious centrism is the problem.

If the opposite occurs, the opposite narrative (radicalism is a loser!) will take root.

The postmortems write themselves: “Progressive Resurgence,” “Year of the Woman” and/or “The Return of the Center.” The problem? It’s unwise to draw too many conclusions based on Tuesday’s election results.

First, it’s misguided to assume that what works in New York City could serve as a national model.

Second, even if Sherrill and Spanberger both win, it’s impossible to know if they simply benefited from 2025 being a good year for Democrats.

Still, what happens on Tuesday will have major repercussions. Within a day of the election, everyone with a stake in the midterms and future elections will claim the outcome means what they want it to mean. Within a week, narratives will have congealed, while heroes and scapegoats will have been assigned.

And the rest of us will be right here where we started — anxious, exhausted — and dreading the fact that the 2026 midterm jockeying starts on Wednesday.

Matt K. Lewis is the author of “Filthy Rich Politicians” and “Too Dumb to Fail.”

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is in popular UK city will be back this weekend and will run for just over seven weeks, offering amazing shopping, twinkling lights and Christmas trees

A UK Christmas market rivalling Germany’s festive celebrations is set to make a comeback this weekend, running for just over seven weeks. Kicking off this Saturday, November 1, Birmingham’s yuletide market promises fantastic shopping, sparkling lights and Christmas trees, along with mouth-watering Frankfurt-style meats.

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market, held in the city’s Victoria Square, will feature over 100 stalls for visitors to explore as the entire area buzzes with “something for everyone”. A hit with locals and tourists alike, the festive market will “tempt your tastebuds” with schnitzels, bratwursts, pretzels, and roasted almonds.

Live music and fabulous Christmas shopping opportunities, with stalls spilling from the square into New Street, are guaranteed to get anyone visiting into the holiday spirit this winter, reports the Express.

The Visit Birmingham website painted a vivid picture of the festive event : “Birmingham comes alive every winter with the arrival of the market, a clear sign that Christmas is just around the corner. The stalls on Victoria Square and along New Street offer something for everyone.

“The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market offers a wide range of traditional goods and gifts and a selection of tempting food and drink.”

“Pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, and roasted almonds will tempt your tastebuds, all of which can be washed down with gluhwein, weissbier (wheat beer), or tasty hot chocolate.”

Visit Birmingham described the Frankfurt Christmas Market as the ideal spot to gather with loved ones and “enjoy the live music programme on Victoria Square”.

Shoppers are bound to find “presents for your family and friends” in a festive winter setting, with stalls offering “everything from handcrafted wooden decorations and delicate glass baubles to in the form of the ever-favourite crystal lamps, Sounds of Nature, hand-crafted leatherwork, toys, jewellery” and more besides.

During 2024, guests hailed the market as a “joyful winter wonderland” that turns Birmingham into a hub of “festive magic”.

A couple who visited in December 2024 shared their experience on TripAdvisor, noting: “From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by the cosy scent of bratwurst, roasted nuts, and mulled wine. The market stalls are full of festive charm, offering handcrafted gifts, ornaments, and traditional treats that make for perfect stocking fillers or souvenirs.”

They continued: “The food and drink options are a real highlight – expect hearty German fare, rich hot chocolate, sweet churros, and of course, classic glühwein served in collectable mugs.

“Whether you’re visiting with friends, on a romantic winter date, or enjoying a family day out, there’s a warm, communal atmosphere that makes it all the more special.

“The lights, music, and joyful energy throughout the city centre make this more than just a market – it’s a full festive experience. While it can get very busy at peak times, it’s well worth braving the crowds for the atmosphere alone.”

The Frankfurt Birmingham Christmas Market is renowned for its enchanting ambience – and as the “largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria”, previous visitors describe it as a “must-visit” destination.

The venue buzzes with festive cheer and a traditional magical atmosphere that’s “not to be missed”, bringing the “spirit of Christmas to life in the heart of the Midlands”.

The only contest between these sides this season ended goalless in August.

Motherwell had 66% possession that day but lacked a cutting edge, injury issues meaning they played without a centre-forward.

St Mirren had the better of the chances, but the stalemate means they have won only two of their past 16 league meetings with the Lanarkshire club and are winless in six.

Motherwell may be four points better off in the Premiership and in better form but this feels like a 50-50 affair.

The Fir Park club have won four of their past six matches, including their quarter-final success at Aberdeen.

Across 10 league games, they have scored double the goals of St Mirren (16 to eight) but conceded one more than the Paisley side (13 to 12).

In left-back Emmanuel Longelo and midfielder Elliot Watt, both signed in the summer, Motherwell boast two players who are among the standouts in the Premiership so far this term.

St Mirren, meanwhile, have won once in five matches since dumping out Kilmarnock on penalties in the last eight.

But an impressive showing against league leaders Hearts in midweek showcased all the redeeming features in Robinson’s side, who posed a serious threat from set-plays.

“Really contrasting styles between both sides,” BBC Scotland pundit Neil McCann said on Sportscene.

“If Motherwell get a grip of the game, it’ll be difficult for St Mirren. You could see St Mirren going old school and making Motherwell defend direct balls like they did against Hearts.

“I lean towards Motherwell because of the big pitch at Hampden. I make them favourites. But the way Robinson gets his teams to play, he will come up with a game plan to nullify space.”

Carla grew up witnessing her father’s fight to protect Valencia’s fragile beach ecosystems. Now, as climate change warms the Mediterranean, sea turtles – driven by rising sea temperatures – have begun arriving to lay their eggs on her city’s shoreline. But the beaches they rely on are under threat. Mass tourism, unchecked development, and the recent floods are eroding these vital habitats.

At 27, Carla is an environmental lawyer and conservationist who works with her father to restore the beaches and protect turtle nests, knowing the species’ survival depends on their efforts. After the catastrophic 2024 floods, Carla rallies her community to act fast to restore Valencia’s coastline. With turtle nesting coinciding with peak tourism, Carla urgently needs volunteers to protect each nest – and time is running out.

After the Floods is a documentary film by Adriana Cardoso and Rodrigo Hernandez.

TAKING your kids to see Santa in Lapland is a dream for many parents wanting a truly magical Christmas experience as a family  – but can be very expensive.

So I’ve I found a holiday hack that saved me thousands on a trip to the Christmas village in Finland, as long as you don’t mind an early start.

The Finnish Lapland is a popular holiday destination for a festive holiday, and for my kids Finn, 6, and Isobel, 4, it was seeing Santa.

However, these trips to Finland, especially near to Christmas, can cost as much as £10,000 a week when booking a holiday package for a family of four with hotels, flights and all the activities.

That’s when I discovered that you can go to Lapland for the day. 

Canterbury Travel offers day trips to Enontekio in Finland, flying out of the UK in the morning and getting home that very same evening – and it includes a meet with Father Christmas.

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We wanted to be as close to Christmas as possible, so we booked for December 22, but the lead up is just as exciting.

The holiday provider not only arranges everything, but sends you a special package in the post with a letter from Father Christmas, inviting the children to come and visit him at his house in Lapland. 

Of course, the big day requires a very early start, having to wake the kids up at 4am, although thankfully we live just a short drive from London Stansted Airport to make our 7am flight.

The fun started as soon as we got to check-in. All the staff were wearing Christmas jumpers and tinsel and festive songs were playing. 

What I loved most was the effort that had gone into making it enchanting for families.

The staff were calling it ‘Santa’s magical plane’ and even the information boards had been set up to tell the story, with the board listing the destination as Lapland rather than Enontekio.

Even onboard, we had coffee and breakfast, with kids given activity packs while Christmas songs and games were played over the tannoy.

While the flight was only 3hr30, the sun was already starting to set as the Arctic Circle only has around six hours of daylight this time of year.

It was still magical though – we landed on the snow-covered runway with a magical backdrop pink sky that looked like a Christmas card.

With this package, everything is covered. This includes all meals and drinks and rental of your snowsuit, socks and boots.

Ready for our six-hour day in Finland, we were shown into a barn and sized up for our kit, leaving our own clothes and shoes there until home time before dressing in everything from thermal leggings and tops to the full suits.

The weather in Lapland was -13C during our visit, but we were the perfect temperature and despite concerns, both my kids were warm enough with all of the layers.

Then it was on to the good bit. We were whisked off to Santa’s village on a sleigh and it was thrilling. 

The location is stunning, set in a forest, next to a frozen lake that is like a winter wonderland.

Once at the village, everything is included and activities include learning to drive a snowmobile, toboggans, a snow igloo with stunning ice sculptures and tables made of ice, husky sledging and reindeer sleigh rides.

When you have little children, meeting Father Christmas is of the utmost importance. 

Meeting the big guy was about as stress-free as you can imagine. When we arrived, we were given a time slot to go up to Santa’s cottage and everyone will get the chance to meet him. 

There are no lines or jostling to get in so it perfectly executed.

When it’s your time to go up to the cottage, which is nestled on a hill in the woods,  you’re invited to wait in a log cabin with a roaring fire. 

Then, a cheerful Elf came in to talk to the children, ask them what they want for Christmas and whether they wanted to ask Santa anything specific. 

My kids were fully immersed in the magic and it was so heart-warming. 

The elf explained what would happen next and then we were shown to a snowmobile sleigh that would whisk us up the hill to Santa’s house. 

Father Christmas was waiting inside the beautiful cabin, which was decorated with fairy lights and a huge Christmas tree. 

The experience was so relaxed and we never felt rushed or like we were being hurried along. 

Santa talked to the kids for ages and even did a magic trick, which they loved. Then he gave them a little gift, which was a reindeer teddy bear with ‘love from Santa’ sewn into the foot. 

It was one of the loveliest experiences I have ever had with my children and I will remember it for a lifetime. 

With the main ‘attraction’ ticked off, it was time to have an adventure in the alpine village and we had such a great day. 

Lunch is available in the main cabin throughout the day, so you can eat when you want and as many times as you want to.

The buffet is a choice of soup, baked potatoes with either a meat or vegetarian filling or pasta, as well as pancakes with jam for desert, alongside drinks of mulled wine, or tea, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks.

By this time, the sun had set in Enontekio but the village was completely lit up with fairy lights to keep the magic in the darkness.

Despite the holiday package only being around six hours, I was still amazed by how much else we managed to fit into the day.

We went on a slow cruise through the forest on a reindeer sleigh, which allowed some quiet time as a family.

A quick pit stop for a hot chocolate was enough to recharge our batteries and then we headed to the husky dog sledge ride, the ice castle and the snow mobile driving school.

There are full size adult snowmobiles and mini children one for kids under a certain height.

I really liked the fact that everyone has the chance to do everything and no one is left out.

Our last stop of the day was the snow sledging hill. We had so much fun going up and down and racing each other to the bottom.

It was even more special as just before we were about to say goodbye to Lapland and head back to the airport, the Northern Lights appeared in the sky above the village.

There is a coach transfer back to the airport and after dinner on the plane, we all fell asleep, landing in London at back to our car by 11pm.

I’d been worried that an extreme day trip from London to the arctic circle would be a lot for Isobel, who was only four.

And while she was certainly flagging by the end of the day, there was enough to distract her to keep her occupied.

The village also isn’t suitable for buggies so if you think you may have to carry younger ones, I recommend bringing a baby carrier or sling if you have one.

I was sceptical that we wouldn’t be able to do and see everything but it is so well organised that we didn’t miss anything and the whole day was very relaxed.

We saved money not staying overnight and got to do everything we wanted on the extreme day trip.

It does cost a bit extra to do a package trip like this than a DIY one, but we would never have been able to Lapland in a day if we hadn’t have booked this with a specialist company.

It’s a slick operation and very well executed with happy staff.

As parents we could thoroughly enjoy it too, without worrying about finding our way around, working out what to do and finding places to eat and drink in the show with two kids in tow.

Since we don’t often go on cold-weather holidays, I also liked that we didn’t have to buy snow suits and weather-proof outfits for the whole family. This saved us a few hundred quid it itself.

Usually, I love planning holidays and I’m someone who books everything separately myself to save money and create the exact itinerary that I want, but this was a great way to save money and do it right to make it magical for kids.

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Canterbury Travel still has some availability for the Enchanting Lapland day trips for 2025 with departures from Bristol, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, and Gatwick.

Prices start from £629 per person but includes return flights, in-flight meals and all activities, including transfers from the airport to the designated Christmas village by sleigh.

Sitting on the border of England and Wales, this quaint town has open bookshelves in the streets and independent bookshops lining the roads, drawing in readers from across the UK

Nestled beneath the ruins of a picturesque castle, with open bookshelves lining the streets and independent bookshops at every turn, Hay-on-Wye is an avid reader’s dream come true.

This quaint town, largely dedicated to the joy of reading, has been a haven for book lovers since 1961 when Richard Booth opened his first shop. It quickly transformed into a literary hotspot.

Today, it boasts over 20 bookshops and hosts an annual festival that attracts some of the world’s most esteemed authors and thinkers. The Hay Festival spans ten days from May to June each year.

The inception of the Hay Festival in 1988 put the town firmly on the global map as a literary sanctuary. Past guest speakers have included renowned actors such as Judi Dench and Jude Law, and even former US president Bill Clinton.

Among the castle ruins lies a unique book spot where visitors can browse open-air shelves brimming with books. Operating on an honesty system, tourists are expected to leave money in a payment box after selecting their books, which typically range from £1 to £6.

A TripAdvisor review says: “This is a very interesting place to visit with fabulous guides who have so much knowledge of the castle and it’s history…. there is also a very good gift shop with an amazing array of history books and gifts of all kinds. I would definitely encourage you to visit.”

Book lovers will find plenty to explore amongst the town’s beloved independent shops. The original Richard Booth Bookshop remains one of Hay’s largest, offering both new and second-hand titles alongside welcoming nooks where visitors can settle in with a good read.

For something different, the Hay Cinema Bookshop occupies a former picture house spread across two storeys. Its extensive collection is made easier to browse thanks to helpful signage throughout the sprawling sections.

Castle Bookshop earns high praise from bibliophiles and ranks amongst TripAdvisor’s must-visit destinations in the town. One review notes: “Best place in Hay for all types of books, with many bargains to be had. Has a lovely selection of old as well as new books.

“The only bad mark is it is not good for the disabled, as everything is up and down steps and tight walkways. But if you are a book fan, you must give it a visit.”

VICK Hope looked incredible as she made a return to work after giving birth to her first child with Calvin Harris.

The TV and radio host, 36, welcomed son Micah with the Scottish DJ in an Ibiza home birth back in July, and returned to the spotlight at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards last night.

The mum-of-one, who looked radiant in a strapless pink satin gown, admitted she was “bricking it” as she stepped out on the red carpet for the first time since giving birth.

She pleaded that the crowd “be gentle” with her as she took to the stage to cheers following her return from maternity leave.

The star said she hadn’t slept for 13 weeks, and admitted that she’d been covered in “bright yellow s**t” since giving birth.

And addressing a graphic snap of her placenta, posted by hubby Calvin, she joked: “‘It was posted by my husband but placentas are amazing. I am keen to celebrate motherhood after what my vagina has done – it’s f***ing majestic. 

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“And now you’ve all seen my placenta too!”

The placenta pic was included in a series of snaps he posted, as he announced the birth of his son on Instagram back in August.

The post, which included images of Vick in a birthing pool, had snaps of her placenta with capsules, suggesting they had it encapsulated, which is an increasingly popular trend.

He wrote in the caption: ““20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here! My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah.”

Last week, Vick posted a series of summer highlights on Instagram, and looked radiant as she cradled the couple’s three-month-old son Micah at the couple’s sprawling Spanish residence.

Calvin, 41, bought the stunning 138-acre farm, known as Terra Masia, back in 2022, and the couple have spent much of the summer there, with Vick giving birth in the Ibiza property back in July.

Vick shared a series of snaps with hubby Calvin, along with close family and friends, as she marked the end of summer.

The Radio 1 host was still pregnant in a large chunk of the pics, before sharing adorable snaps with Micah post-birth.

In the caption, she wrote: “A womb with a view, a summer of love and another trip around the sun [sunshine emoji]”.

In one of the pics, Vick is seen cradling her huge baby bump in the Spanish sunshine, with a number of the snaps showcasing her and Calvin’s life as new parents.

The pair are seen pushing young Micah in a pram on the farm residence, along with Calvin holding their son during a seaside walk.

Vick is then seen beaming as she holds their three-month old, wearing a green and yellow halterneck one-piece bikini.

The post received over 40,000 likes as celeb pals and fans showered the new mum-of-one with love in the comments section.

The snaps also reveal a deeper look into Calvin’s huge rural Ibiza property, which he bought after selling his two multi-million pound mansions in Los Angeles.

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The chart-topping DJ and producer’s swanky pad is the largest organic farm in the White Isle.

It can produce veg, eggs, wine and farm-to-table meals, and also hosts special events such as weddings.

These days, a night at one of SoCal’s most popular haunted attractions usually begins with attendants scanning digital tickets at a clearly marked entrance.

At Coffin Creek, things were a little different.

Those who made the journey to Corona’s annual haunt entered an eerie scene the moment they veered off the 71 Freeway and down the desolate roads to Riverview Recreation Park, where Coffin Creek made its home. In the parking area, the dust kicked up by the vehicles created its own layer of fog, and sounds could be heard in the darkness — faint screams, the echo of chain saws and the nervous chatter of the hauntgoers. There was always a sense of mystery and excitement: With its independent, grassroots vibe, Coffin Creek — one of the longest-running Halloween attractions in Southern California — was the little haunt that could.

Coffin Creek has had its final run. Its founder and operator, Gary Shireman, passed away last month at the age of 74. But its legend lives on in the community of Halloween enthusiasts.

Coffin Creek, situated at Riverview Recreation Park, had a rustic feel, which added to the spookiness.

(Warren So)

While Coffin Creek, which at times went by the name Crossroads Haunted Village, was essentially a destination populated by several independently owned and operated haunted mazes, Shireman was the head of the operation. An electrician by trade and a longtime horror fan, Shireman launched the enterprise in 2007 after spending years searching for a location. He landed upon 180 acres of a park in Corona near the Santa Ana River. And as he soon discovered, it was already haunted, perhaps.

The backstory of the Coffin Creek locale — at least as it’s told through a newspaper story on the haunt’s website — is that in 1938, a massive flood hit Southern California, unearthing 13 coffins in Corona from an abandoned cemetery. Only some of the human remains from those coffins were recovered, and soon people in the area began seeing and hearing strange things at night.

Local artists and volunteers worked all year to open Coffin Creek, which was never a production as flashy or refined as Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm or any of SoCal’s well-established haunted maze destinations — but that was part of the allure. The darkness of the woods and muddy terrain was just as effective scenery as any of the bedsheet drapery or wooden flats that had been set up. While a discerning guest may have noticed that some of the haunted set pieces were missing a little paint or not lighted all that well, the cackling heard from the dark spaces in between reminded folks that it was all about the final thrill. One could never tell when a chain-saw-wielding madman was about to jump out from behind a wall.

The sign for the Coffin Creek Manor maze.

(Scott Feinblatt)

“Gary’s mazes were very old-school and very low-tech, and he was a big proponent of that,” said Warren So, a contributor for Hollywood Gothique, an online guide to all things horror in L.A. “He felt that all we need is a good old-school scare. As long as people scream, then it’s successful.”

In one 2011 interview, Shireman said he would work all year for that “first scream of the season.” Some attendees would take one step through the front door and come right back out.

The mazes at Coffin Creek had names like Chambers of the Mausoleum, Labyrinth of Lost Relics, Bog of the Abyss, the Dark Realm and Coffin Creek Manor, the legend’s namesake. One of the most endearing aspects of the destination was that several of the mazes took residence in the permanent structures that composed the medieval-inspired village of the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival on the park’s grounds.

A scare actor ready for his next victim.

(Scott Feinblatt)

Actors played all types of ghoulish creatures, including orcs and vampires. Uncle Zed’s Zombie Safari, which was one of several haunted hayride-style attractions that appeared over the years, even featured something of a community-sourced collection of monsters, all of which originated from independent contributions to the Secure, Contain, Protect (SCP) horror subgenre. Guests of this Coffin Creek attraction were carted along from one breached containment scenario to the next, with roving monsters periodically surprising them in the darkness between the scantily lighted vignettes.

Steve Biodrowski, the owner and operator of Hollywood Gothique, said Shireman worked tirelessly behind the scenes, dealing not only with the haunt’s creation but also with all the red tape that came with operating at the Corona park. Biodrowski recalled Shireman telling him about the complex nature of its ownership. “There were like four different owners,” Biodrowsky explained. “One was federal, and I believe it had something to do with the Army; then there were state and local departments involved. Getting everybody to sign on to a deal or agree to allow the haunted village to operate was just near impossible.”

Clowns haunted the premises — and visitors’ dreams.

(Scott Feinblatt)

Over the years of Coffin Creek’s various incarnations, a number of ancillary attractions complemented the mazes: a magic show, horror merchandise vendors and food stands. Some of the haunts included higher production value effects — Chambers of the Mausoleum, for instance, featured inventive animatronics from its principal operator, Figment Foundry. Even by the mid-2010s during a proliferation of local haunted attractions, the village downsized but the mazes never lost their charm. By continually utilizing veneers and components from past maze builds, the distinctive landscape and the talents of passionate, volunteers, Shireman continued to conjure an entertaining enterprise.

His passion for haunted attractions did not end at Coffin Creek. In 2022, Shireman partnered with haunt producer Jason Thompson to host the Haunt X convention at the Fairplex in Pomona. The event provided independent haunt owners and artisans an opportunity to network, learn trade techniques and showcase their enterprises and goods with one another and with their fans.

“He wasn’t just into haunted houses,” So said of Shireman. “He was always bouncing ideas about other Halloween stuff that was family-friendly — not scary — for the kids.” Additionally, So said that Shireman was generous with the community. “He loved talking to you about your haunt and his haunt and sharing ideas. I think everybody would agree that he was always willing to help. Another buddy of mine was building his haunted house, and even though it had nothing to do with Gary, he was down to help out and build out in the heat, in the desert. And Gary did not benefit one single cent. That’s just the guy he was — he doesn’t ask for anything and just wants to make a friend and help make a good haunt.”

The legend of the Coffin Creek location is that a flood hit Southern California, unearthing 13 coffins from an abandoned cemetery.

(Scott Feinblatt)

Shortly before his death, Shireman expressed enthusiasm about Coffin Creek’s future. He had announced that the haunt would be moving to a new Riverside location, the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, where it would operate in tandem with the Perris Pumpkin Patch. That couldn’t happen, but the Perris Pumpkin Patch has been operational this season and remains a family-friendly destination.

And while the haunt may have ended, like with any good maze, there may always be something more lurking ahead.

Nicey Nash-Betts has only ever lived in Los Angeles — and she’s proud of that.

“I’m an OG Angeleno,” says the Academy Award-winning actress who’s lived all over the county, from Compton to Palmdale. When I ask her why she’s stayed, she says, “The weather.” And also: “My family is here and I feel like as a whole, people who are from L.A. are a lot more down to earth. It’s the transplants who come here with some weird energy. But the people who are from L.A. are just lovely.”

In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.

Starting Tuesday, Nash-Betts will star in Ryan Murphy’s new Hulu show, “All’s Fair,” which follows a crew of female divorce attorneys as they leave their male-dominated firm to launch their own practice. It’s a role she almost didn’t take.

“I was just coming off of doing ‘Grotesquerie,’ so I was like, “Ooo. It sounds like it might be a lot work,” says Nash-Betts, whose credits include “Claws,” “The Rookie: Feds” and “When They See Us.” “So I waited a little bit and then I slipped in at the last minute and was like ‘OK, I’m in!’ “

She joins a star-studded glamorous cast of badass women including Sarah Paulson, Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Naomi Watts and Teyana Taylor. What was it like working with them?

“We don’t just genuinely like each other, but we have respect for each other,” Nash-Betts says. “And when you respect somebody’s time, their talent, their effort, you know that you’ll always have one of your sisters to lean on that day even if you’re going through something in your personal life.”

When Nash-Betts isn’t on set, she can be found bopping around the city with her “hersband” singer-actor Jessica Betts, whom she married in 2020, and spending time with her three adult kids. Her perfect Sunday in L.A. involves hitting up the farmers market, getting a couple’s massage and ending the night in the same way she did when she won her first Emmy in 2024.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

7:30 a.m.: A slow morning

It depends on how early I want to get to the farmers market, so I may wake up around 7:30 a.m. and then just slow roll the day. Make my spouse a cup of coffee. We’re not big eaters in the morning. Occasionally I will get up and make an omelet with all the things and some smothered potatoes, and bring it upstairs on a cart with some juice. Now, I’m telling you the truth. “Baby, am I telling the truth?” [Looks back and screams out to Betts in another room].

9:30 a.m. Get my essentials at the farmers market

I’d grab a shower and say, “Let’s get dressed and go outside, and see what the world has for us today.” I love to go by the farmers market. It’s where we get all of our peppers and vegetables. We like the eggs, the fresh pressed juices and we get our dog snacks from there. I like to go to the farmers market on Saturdays at the Commons in Calabasas, but if I’m going on a Sunday, it’s the one in Westlake. I just think that it’s a one-stop shop for everything that we’re looking for and typically the vendors are really kind. I don’t know if that’s because they want you to buy their stuff or that’s just who they are, but either way, I’ll take it.

And every now and then, I might find a little bop, a little sundress, a little something to throw on, drop the things back off and then head down into the city.

Noon: Stroll around the Grove

If the weather is great, we’ll take something out of the garage that’s a convertible because there’s nothing like the L.A. sunshine. Then depending on what time we can get spa appointments, we might go to the Grove first and walk around. I like the shops that are there. Sometimes you might get a little sweet treat when you’re walking around, but you can always impromptu decide you want to go to the movies and push your plans a little later. It’s just centrally located and it has all of the good things that I like.

2 p.m. Couples massage and a cocktail

Next, we’d head to the Four Seasons for a couple’s massage and a cocktail. Sometimes we’ll go to the Four Seasons Westlake. Sometimes we’ll go to the Four Seasons on Doheny [Drive], but we like to get a spa room, which is in the back. It’s like a suite with a fireplace and a bed in there. You can relax. You have your own private plunge pool and we get our services in the suite. We both always get deep tissue.

5 p.m.: Thai food for dinner

Afterward, we’d drive down to Farmhouse Thai in West Adams because we love it there and we have come to love the owner. I always get the crab fried rice, the whole cripsy fish, the cup of ramen noodles with the short rib on top and spring rolls. That’s the standard order. But if I don’t go out to dinner, I will make crabs every weekend. So sometimes, my kids will come over and eat. If I get to lay my eyes on them during the weekend, that’s always a good time.

9 p.m.: Skinny dipping and champagne

When we get back, we are definitely getting in the pool. Skinny dipping and champagne is how we’re going to end the day. We do this often. Even when I won my Emmy for “Dahmer,” people asked, “How will you celebrate?” and I said, “Skinny dipping and champagne.” And it just so happened, we found a hotel downtown that had a full-sized swimming pool inside the room, so there’s pictures on my Instagram of us in that pool, skinny dipping and drinking champagne. I think that night, we were probably drinking Perignon.

11 p.m.: Hang in the pool until I get sleepy

If I have to get up early on Monday morning, then I might try to lay down around 11 p.m., but if I don’t have to get up and be anywhere, it’ll maybe be around 12:30 or 1 a.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

First Round

DIVISION 2
Chino Hills 8, Redlands East Valley 7
Etiwanda 11, Santa Monica 10
La Habra 13, Alta Loma 10
Los Alamitos 22, Walnut 13
Orange Lutheran 11, San Marino 10
El Segundo 17, Edison 16
Damien 14, Crescenta Valley 11
Crean Lutheran 21, Carpinteria 13
Redondo Union 12, La Serna 8
Royal 11, Riverside King 10
Ventura 11, Corona Santiago 6
Aliso Niguel 16, Dana Hills 13
Capistrano Valley 17, Woodbridge 6
Anaheim Canyon 6, Murrieta Valley 5
St. John Bosco 11, Portola 9
Riverside Poly 14, Cate 9

DIVISION 3
Camarillo 11, Flintridge Prep 5
Burbank 13, Agoura 9
Trabuco Hills 21, Eastvale Roosevelt 13
Bonita 17, Brentwood 3
Temple City 19, Redlands 13
Arcadia 8, Yorba Linda 7
Glendora 15, Troy 10
Malibu 14, Millikan 8
Santa Barbara 11, Valley View 9
Hoover 9, Elsinore 8
Pasadena Poly 9, Schurr 7
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 18, Villa Park 8
Irvine University 11, Fullerton 9
Great Oak 14, Long Beach Poly 10
Brea Olinda 11, Rancho Cucamonga 9
Cathedral at Temecula Valley

DIVISION 4
Charter Oak 18, Webb 8
Santa Ana 11, Tustin 9
Garden Grove Pacifica at La Canada
Placentia Valencia 15, Temescal Canyon 8
Aquinas at Buena Park
Anaheim 15, La Quinta 8
Palm Desert 13, Los Altos 11
Hemet 21, Paloma Valley 9
Glendale 22, La Salle 15
Western 16, Estancia 15
Mission Viejo 10, Sunny Hills 6
Culver City 21, West Covina 12
Liberty 15, West Torrance 3
Sonora 14, Don Lugo 10
South Torrance at Xavier Prep
Garden Grove at Corona

DIVISION 5
Fontana 21, Bolsa Grande 7
Edgewood 13, Lakeside 9
Ramona 17, Heritage 7
Chino 6, Los Amigos 5
Warren 19, Cerritos 4
Westminster 16, Summit 10
Rowland 14, Pioneer 13
Norte Vista 21, Artesia 9
Montebello 16, Nogales 3
La Mirada 5, Chaffey 4
San Bernardino 21, Westminster La Quinta 11
Hillcrest 21, Indio 10
La Palma Kennedy 22, Riverside Notre Dame 6
Nordhoff 16, Savanna 12
Santa Fe 9, California 8
Baldwin Park 21, West Valley 7

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 5 p.m. unless noted)

First Round

DIVISION 1
Servite at Loyola
San Marcos at San Juan Hills
Huntington Beach at Buena
San Clemente at Dos Pueblos
Downey at Mater Dei
Sage Hill at Yucaipa
Westlake at Beckman
Foothill at Harvard-Westlake

Note: Open Division Pool Play second round Nov. 1 at higher seeds; Divisions 2-5 second round Nov. 4; Open Division Pool Play third round Nov. 5 at higher seeds; Division 1 quarterfinals Nov. 6; Divisions 2-5 quarterfinals Nov. 7; Open Division crossover round Nov. 8 at higher seed; Divisions 2-5 semifinals Nov. 11; Open Division semifinals Nov. 12 at Woollett Aquatics Center; Division 1 semifinals Nov. 12; Finals (all divisions) Nov. 15 at Mt. San Antonio College.

Oct. 31 (UPI) — The Trump administration will permit a record-low 7,500 refugees into the United States during the 2026 fiscal year, with most spots allocated to White South Africans.

The number, a drastic drop from the 125,000 that the previous Biden administration had set for 2025, is expected to be swiftly challenged by Democrats and human rights and immigration advocates.

The announcement was made Thursday, with the presidential determination being published in the Federal Register.

According to the document, the Trump administration said the number “is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.”

The document specifies that “admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners,” in line with President Donald Trump‘s February executive order that sought to penalize South Africa over a land expropriation law allowing the government to confiscate land if it was in the public interest and in a few specific cases without compensation.

Trump has claimed, without evidence, that Black-majority South Africa would use the law to take land from White Afrikaners. He has said that they were victims of “racial discrimination” and “large-scale killings.”

South Africa has repeatedly refuted the characterization.

In May, the first 49 Afrikaners granted refugee statues by Trump arrived in the United States.

About two weeks later, tensions flared between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Trump at the White House as the American leader said he had heard “thousands of stories” about violence against White South Africans in the country.

The International Refugee Assistance Project criticized the Trump administration for issuing the decision without consultation with Congress, as required by law. It also rebuked the administration for reserving admissions mostly for Afrikaners, at the expense of at-risk refugees.

It said the Trump administration was valuing “politics over protection.”

“Today’s announcement highlights just how far this administration has gone when it comes to abandoning its responsibilities to displaced people around the world,” IRAP President Sharif Aly said in a statement.

The 7,500 is the lowest since Trump set the refugee limit at 15,000 for fiscal year 2021, during his first term.

Earlier this year, Ya Jalo Mustapha stayed with her two sons, Ali and Bor, in Njimiya, a village in Sambisa Forest, Borno State, North East Nigeria, an area under the governance of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). 

In Njimiya, as in other villages under its control, ISWAP’s authority is absolute — enforced through rules, fear, and constant surveillance.

One day, Ya Jalao’s sons went out and never returned. No one could say where they had gone or whether they were alive. In the weeks that followed, rumours spread that some men from nearby settlements had been seized by the military during raids.

Such disappearances are not uncommon in Borno State, where years of insurgency have blurred the lines between civilians and suspects. In one well-known case, 42 men from Gallari village were arrested by the military on suspicion of being Boko Haram members and detained for 12 years without trial; only three were recently released. Other times, the insurgents also abduct and forcibly recruit young men. 

In October, five months after their disappearance, Ya Jalo’s daughters-in-law remarried Boko Haram terrorists. 

Stranded with her four grandchildren, Ya Jalo knew she could not remain in Njimiya. Her eleven-year-old granddaughter, Magana, was next in line to be forced into marriage. “A suitor was already chosen for her,” Ya Jalo told HumAngle. “I was at the risk of losing her, too.”

Staying in the villages is rarely a sign of loyalty. For most families, it is because they risk execution if they flee, while staying at least allows them to eat from their farms.

Every day brought a deeper fear for Ya Jalo. She worried that her grandsons would slowly absorb the teachings of the insurgents. With no schooling except the sermons of Boko Haram, the risk of their indoctrination weighed heavily on her.

She kept her plan secret until the morning of her escape. That day, Ya Jalo informed neighbours that she was visiting a relative in a nearby settlement with her grandchildren. That began the three-day trek to Bama town. They travelled through bush paths, walking mostly at dawn and dusk until they reached the camp. 

“The journey was full of risks and uncertainty,” she said. “Even the children don’t know where we’re heading.” They eventually arrived. 

A different kind of struggle

For families fleeing Boko Haram-held villages, arriving at the Bama IDP Camp feels like stepping out of a nightmare. Many come with the hope that they are walking into safety, a place where food, shelter, and healing will finally be waiting. 

But what they find is a different struggle altogether. The displacement camp has exceeded its capacity, with hundreds of people living there. In early 2025, the government relocated about 3,000 persons to Dar Jamal, a small fraction that barely reduced the camp’s congestion. 

New arrivals, like Ya Jalo, often sleep in the open because no shelters are available. Since she was with children, Ya Jalo moved in with a relative who lives nearby. 

At the camp, individuals are required to register with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), which forwards the information to ZOA International. The organisation provides breakfast and lunch for five days and a cash token of ₦11,450 per person for three months. 

However, there is no provision for education, healthcare, and psychosocial support.  

Several others who are fleeing their homes for refuge at the camps are confronted with this reality. “We thought this would be a place to rest, but it is only another kind of struggle,” Hajja Kura lamented. She fled Zarmari in October, another Boko Haram stronghold, in early July to the Bama displacement camp.

The absence of proper shelter and long-term care leaves many returnees questioning whether their escape was worthwhile. Some, disillusioned, quietly return to their villages, where the danger of insurgents still lurks.

Children at risk

In Bama, Ya Jalo’s fears for her grandchildren continue in new ways. She often worries about how years of exposure to insurgent preaching may have shaped their minds.

“The children are like wet clay,” said Abba Kura, a community leader at Bama. “Whoever holds them first will shape them. In many of those villages, it was Boko Haram who held them first.”

The effect is visible across the camp. When HumAngle visited, ten-year-old Modu Abbaye recalled lessons he learned in the forest. “Boko Haram are kind,” he said. “They always preach to us not to cheat people, to be kind, and not to insult others.”

Even though the group killed his parents and his friend’s father, a schoolteacher, Modu still speaks of them with a child’s innocence. He has never attended a formal school and insists he never will because “it is forbidden”.

“I don’t want to go to school,” said Modu. He lives with a relative at the camp.

Due to the absence of structured education and psychological support at the camps, many children remain caught between conflicting identities, victims and vessels of the very ideology that uprooted them.

“Children growing up in displacement camps or conflict zones suffer disrupted education, delayed development, and persistent anxiety. They often struggle to imagine futures beyond survival,” said Mohammad Usman Bunu, an educator at Future Prowess School for displaced and vulnerable children in Maiduguri.

For Ya Jalo, that future feels uncertain too. As she watches her grandchildren adjust to life outside of their hometown, she is haunted by the same questions: what kind of lives will they build without their fathers and mothers, and will they ever know peace again? Her thoughts often drift to Ali and Bor, the sons who vanished months earlier.

“I also came here to wait for news of my sons,” she said. “I feel closer to them in Bama. I believe they are with the military, and one day I will be reunited with them.”

In Borno’s camps, stories like hers echo everywhere. Families are displaced, divided, and still holding on to hope that the war has not taken everything from them.

Ten nightmares – one night – Kelly Williams’ favourites in a gauntlet of unforgettable hell at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2025 where she screamed herself hoarse

I’d been anxiously counting down the days until the opening of Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights and finally, it had arrived.

The air in the park felt electric – thick with fog, echoing with screams and a primal promise that tonight, my nightmares would come alive.

Suddenly, I didn’t feel so brave as my heart jumped into my throat at the sound of chainsaws buzzing in the distance. Before I’d even reached the 10 haunted houses, I found myself in a hunting ground of bloodthirsty zombies as panicked victims urged me to run.

But there was no turning back…

Five Nights at Freddy’s

I started with a childhood-unravelled – the eerie animatronics of Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy lurking at every turn of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop creations looked terrifyingly real, and when Freddy reached forward with his blazing eyes, I jolted.

The flickering cameras, the dim corridors, it was like stepping into a haunted bedtime story that always ends badly. And just as I thought I was safe, a flicker of a poster caught my eye near the exit. The design didn’t quite fit—newer, sharper, like it was whispering about horrors still to come in a sequel I wasn’t ready for.

El Artista: A Spanish Haunting

19th-century Spain never looked so menacing at this original concept house. I wandered into a country manor alive with bloody paintings, possessed by tortured spirits, where artist Sergio Navarro’s vision turned against him and dragged me into madness.

Figures chanted in candlelight, and I was swallowed by pitch-black hallways so disorienting I had to grope along the walls, certain something was right behind me (it was). The Gothic atmosphere and haunting visuals were beautiful yet utterly terrifying.

WWE Presents: The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks

If every other house had been pure terror, this one was theatrical dread, despite the fact that my WWE knowledge is limited, to say the least. Entering, I passed through a twisted lantern-lit stage into a tunnel filled with the distorted faces of 27 WWE icons, including Bray Wyatt tributes.

The surreal realm of Uncle Howdy, Mercy the Buzzard, Abby the Witch – it was like a haunted wrestling dreamscape laced with sorrow and nightmares. I felt both unnerved and strangely reverent. This house was surprisingly one of my favourites.

Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters

This was raw, fiery chaos – an Old West torn apart by lava demons melting everything in sight. I dodged demonic assaults and swampy lava flows as bounty hunters hunted the chaos, while heat and horror raged around me.

Try as I might, I couldn’t look away, even though behind every corner was a scare actor waiting to spring. My heart jumped into my throat, and I laughed nervously, realising this was just the beginning.

Dolls: Let’s Play Dead

Suddenly, I was doll-sized, trapped in a nightmarish toy world as burnt, stitched, malformed dolls limped from shadows. A twisted little girl named Lyla giggled as I ran, chased by cursed playthings. The scenes were harrowing, and strangely childlike – a grotesque playroom with a dark twist.

Dolls had been tortured in a way that made Sid from Toy Story look like Willy Wonka. Pure nightmare fuel.

Grave of Flesh

I barely had time to steady my breath before I was dropped into my own funeral. In tight, cavernous tunnels, flesh-eating creatures pursued me relentlessly. The narrative is that flesh-eating zombies feast on our corpses when we die and drag our souls into a relentless world of horror.

Panic, claustrophobia, the feeling of being buried alive – it was hell incarnate, and I crawled out trembling.

Gálkn: Monsters of the North

Finally, a Norse-myth horror – ice, fjords, and ancient beasts stirring deep beneath a northern village. I raced through fjord fiends and a monstrous resurrection that felt like stepping into a brutal saga where survival was never guaranteed.

My voice was hoarse from screaming and laughing hysterically at the same time. My group huddled tighter together, knowing the scares came harder when we split apart.

Fallout

Next, I plunged into a decaying Vault 33 that opened into the blasted wasteland of post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Rad-roaches scuttled by while Lucy’s voice echoed in my head.

Raiders, The Ghoul, even Maximus in his T-60 power armour – every element pulled me deeper into survival terrain, like a living nightmare in the world of Fallout.

Jason Universe

Here’s where I felt my heart really start pounding. Walking through the haunted woods, past the creaking lodge and into the decaying cabins of Camp Crystal Lake – Jason stands silent, relentless, a gauntlet of killers from the Friday the 13th films from 1 to 8.

It pulled me through scenes that felt cinematic, each room ratcheting up the dread, with Jason’s mum even making an appearance.

It wasn’t just nostalgia; it was a matter of being hunted. I bolted out, breathless and, somehow, triumphant that I’d survived what felt like endless corridors of hell – even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

Terrifier

Terrifier pushed horror into the realm of the visceral with an intense sensory overload. Art the Clown’s gruesome funhouse assaulted my senses with blood-soaked corridors and a hacksaw kill recreated in sickening detail.

Nauseating smells – faeces, bleach, salted flesh – clung to everything. With 35 bodies and six gallons of “blood” this is Universal’s first “unrated” house. I wanted to look away, but the narrow corridors kept pushing me deeper.

Victims can choose to take the ‘dry path’ or the ‘blood bath’ at the end of the maze. I chose the latter so the finale drenched me in warm, iron-scented water as I staggered out, sticky, unsettled with adrenaline crackling in my veins.

By the time I stumbled out of the last maze, I thought I’d finally be able to breathe. But instead of relief, I was plunged into more horror.

Neon lights from food stalls flickered, barely cutting through the haze. That’s when the sound hit me first—wet dragging footsteps, a low snarl, and then the unmistakable rattle of chains. Zombies appeared from nowhere, their skin mottled, their eyes glazed with hunger.

One carried a dismembered leg on a plate as he shuffled toward me. Another creature, something less human – its body twisted and barnacle-covered like it had risen straight from the depths – lurched over my shoulder.

Everywhere I turned, more figures emerged: a beautifully terrifying woman with teeth sharpened to jagged points, a gruesome gargoyle, and frantic villages begging me to turn back.

I forced myself forward, weaving between the monsters, my pulse hammering as one leaned close enough for me to feel its breath down my neck. And then – just as suddenly as it began – the creatures melted back into the fog, swallowed whole by shadows.

I found myself shaking, my skin damp with sweat and mist, and I realised Halloween Horror Nights didn’t let you escape when you left a house. No, they followed me to my bed that evening, where I relived the horrors all over again.

But in that moment, standing there under the Florida sky, with the distant shrieks of other brave souls echoing around me, I realised I’d done it. Ten houses. Ten nightmares survived. My nerves were fried, my legs ached, but I couldn’t stop grinning.

Halloween Horror Nights wasn’t just about the scares – it was about being fully alive in the middle of the madness.

Book it

Virgin Atlantic Holidays offers seven nights on a room-only basis at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando, starting at £1,719pp, including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights. Find out more and book at virginholidays.co.uk.

It’s no surprise that many Latinos are obsessed with all things haunted, deathly and Halloween. From the celebration of the deceased known as Día de los Muertos, to the foreboding thrills and life lessons underpinning Latin America’s fiendish folklore, spooky things are as revered as they are feared.

In the past few decades, the “espooky” community has only been strengthened by a multicultural, multigenerational exposure to the arts, especially music. Many grew up with parents sharing the allure of goth, new wave, punk and metal (as well as their dark aesthetics), all of which became more discoverable thanks to the internet. There’s also been a surge of nostalgia for slasher films and scary movies — and a new crop of entertainment inspired by them, such as the 2025 reboot of “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” This enthusiasm to connect with like-minded film and music freaks online has bred a new dark subculture that simply won’t die.

If Jenna Ortega’s devious dance to the Cramps in Netflix’s “Wednesday” felt like a cultural moment, social media solidified it. Today, Instagram and TikTok are filled with influential figures in the space who also happen to be Hispanic. In Los Angeles, creator access to the entertainment industry has helped many build powerful profiles that brands and entertainment companies want on red carpets, at themed events and at home, unboxing or modeling their products. And it’s not just about tapping into Latin consumer spending power; these black-garbed creatures of the night are having a ball as they build monstrous followings from all walks of life, year-round.

Victoria Venin

With her vixen vibes and campy catchphrases, Victoria Venin, whose real name is Victoria Perez, has built an avid following online that, in the wake of the pandemic, has ballooned to 709,000 followers on Instagram and more than 54,000 followers on TikTok. Aside from conducting on-the-spot interviews at conventions such as Midsummer Scream and Monsterpalooza, and modeling for brands like Hot Topic and Romwe, Venin is best known as the main fashion fiend and model for Kreepsville, the local goth-glam clothing brand with a flagship store, Monster-A-GoGo, in East L.A.

She’s expanded her wicked world into the music scene as of late, hosting ticket giveaways for major bands and music promoters —most recently, Social Distortion and Morrissey at Toyota Arena. The Mexican American actress and model came to L.A. from San Diego to pursue her dreams and tapped into the power of social media after her partner, Danny Morales (of Pomona’s long-running new wave dance party Club Rock It!), got behind the camera to capture her adventures.

“I just started taking pictures, going out every day, and tagging all the brands and it really took off when I met Danny,” says Venin, who first became attracted to the dark side while seeing the film “Bride of Chucky” as a kid. “I remember seeing Tiffany, played by Jennifer Tilly, and thinking she looked so pretty. I thought, ‘I want to be like that when I grow up.’ I’ve always loved horror, all things spooky-cute, so I was able to use that, but make it glamorous.”

Venin’s advice for building a following online? “Work hard, go to all the events, make connections and put yourself out there,” she says. “Be the best version of yourself possible and don’t put yourself in a box. Being Latina is not something I’m trying to be, it’s just something that I am. Victoria Venin the brand isn’t limited to being Latina — she’s for everyone worldwide. I want to inspire everybody.”

Hauntina

Tina Estrella, a.k.a. Hauntina, has been celebrating horror and Halloween-related content online for over a decade, touting the “spooky side of life.” Tellingly, her most viral moments have melded her heritage with her horror sensibilities, such as a recent hit clip in which she cooked albondigas in a cauldron.

“I built a community of like-minded people, especially in Southern California, who feel the same year-round excitement for the spooky season,” says the creator, who counts 67,000 followers on Instagram and more than 109,000 on TikTok. “I think my following grew because I’ve always stayed true to myself and treated horror and Halloween as more than a phase; it’s a lifestyle.”

The Mexican American creator, who was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Inland Empire, cites her middle school years as formative for her love of alternative music and culture. “It led me into Gothic literature, especially Anne Rice’s ‘Vampire Chronicles,’” she shares. “That opened up a whole new world for me, and soon I was obsessed with horror films, especially slashers like ‘Scream’ and ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’”

Today, she says Guillermo del Toro is her biggest inspiration, noting the filmmaker’s fantastical worlds and macabre beauty. “His work made me feel seen and inspired me to embrace my own love for the eerie and the extraordinary,” she says. “I believe that Latinos put so much into alternative spaces like the spooky community and we deserve to be seen and highlighted, so I’m always grateful to attend events where people who look like me aren’t typically invited or celebrated.”

Backstitch Bruja

Social media began as a fun way for South Gate native Yvette Aragon-Herrera to promote her clothing line, Backstitch Bruja. But ultimately, it spawned something bigger — soon she became the brand, building a following of 144,000 on Instagram and more than 142,000 on TikTok.

“It was very organic,” the designer says. “I was posting DIY [tutorials] online as a plus-size creator about seven years ago. There weren’t a lot of spooky plus-size clothes and accessories that were affordable … it started snowballin, so I turned it into an actual side hustle and it ended up being my main business.”

Inspired by her time as a UC Santa Barbara Chicano Studies major and retail jobs at stores like MAC Cosmetics, her gender inclusive and ethically made “Mexi-goth” brand was a hit out the gate. But she soon realized that her followers enjoyed not just her clothes — available via the website she started in 2019 and inside a San Dimas brick-and-mortar store she opened two years later — but her whole witchy aesthetic. As she started sharing more, her numbers grew, which led to invites to a wider array of invites and events.

“When movie studios and PR companies were like, ‘Hey, do you want to come to this movie premiere?’ I was like, ‘I’m not an influencer,’” she reflects. “But they were like, ‘No, you are.’ So now I’m at all these cool things.”

In addition to fashion and movie promo, Aragon-Herrera prioritizes her culture, especially on her Instagram stories. “I think it’s very important to share the Latino experience, current events, things that are affecting us,” she stresses, noting that her most popular posts were from her Halloween wedding in 2022 and out at protests. “We should be politically aware about what’s going on. I know a lot of my customers do enjoy my shop, but they enjoy me as a person, so I just try to keep it very authentic.”

Pinup Doll Ashley Marie

(Pinup Doll Ashley Marie)

On social media, where niche means everything, successfully melding multiple subcultures into content creation can be tricky, but Ashley Herrera has done it with style. Known as Pinup Doll Ashley Marie, the Mexican American creator’s social media ascent began with vintage hair and fashion tutorials. But soon her love of horror, DIY and storytelling helped her expand her audience. Her content has yielded her 668,000 subscribers on YouTube, more than 190,000 on TikTok and 198,000 on Instagram.

“I love having my hands in multiple passion projects, which is why I mixed my two favorite loves, 1950s glamour and horror,” she says. “The vintage and pinup community was tiny online, so it became this beautiful, supportive space. As I evolved, I brought my followers along for every phase — the fashion, the home projects, the Halloween builds. In my neighborhood, [my house is] the Halloween house, because I create large elaborate decorations that you can’t buy in stores.”

The Santa Ana native’s horror content also includes her AshleysFreakyFriday channel for paranormal tales, inspired by familial storytelling and “La Mano Peluda,” which was her grandfather’s favorite radio show. “People would call in and give their accounts of all the paranormal sightings they would see,” she recalls. “The mix of folklore and fear sort of became comfort for me. It connected me to my roots and my imagination. I was also born on Nov. 1, so my birthday was often celebrated on Halloween day — so it’s naturally been my favorite holiday since I was a child.”

Ghoul Daddies

Chicano couple Matthew Chavana and Paul Silva, who call themselves the Ghoul Daddies, have been covering haunts and scream scenes ever since a very eventful first date at an extreme haunt in Fullerton — now in Buena Park — known as the 17th Door.

“They threw cockroaches in my face, then they tazed us and drowned us,” recalls Chavana of the experience, which requires signed waivers to enter. “Paul filmed it, and the rest is history.”

Silva says that after his post went viral, he realized that “haunts, paranormal investigations and celebrating Halloween year-round wasn’t very common, [but] a lot of people related to it.”

Sharing their dates from the dark side since 2021, the pair both grew up in La Mirada and have built a robust fanbase online from their photos and videos, which explore the eerie side of life (and death) in L.A. and beyond. They have garnered more than 14,000 followers on Instagram and roughly 38,000 on TikTok, many of whom also belong to the LGBTQ+ community.

Chavana says it’s all in the familia. “This is all because of my mom,” explains Chavana, who often brings his mother, Mary Alice, along to outings to help film them. “She would go all out on decorations every Halloween and took me to every haunt in L.A. since I was 5 years old and it really stuck with me.”

From ambassador gigs with Fangoria magazine to podcast appearances talking all things scary, the duo stays busy year-round, but this is obviously their favorite time of year. They’re currently hitting smaller home haunts across the city, but Silva says, if you go to just one this season, make it Reign of Terror. “It just has a special feel to it,” he says. “You can tell how much they love Halloween — like we do.”

The highest railway in the UK, which reopened in February this year after a £25million refurbishment, offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape

There’s nothing quite like gazing at the stunning panorama from a mountain summit, yet not everyone possesses the ability, stamina, time or inclination to climb one. If any of those circumstances describe you, then worry not as a recently launched Scottish mountain railway offers you jaw-dropping highland views, without requiring any mountaineering whatsoever.

Digital content creator Chris Paul Lawlor, who’s renowned for discovering Scotland, posted on his Facebook page to share a brief video all about the Cairngorms Mountain Railway, situated in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. His footage began with a first-person perspective clip from the railway, which reopened in February this year following a £25million renovation, to demonstrate to his audience what they would witness if they journeyed on it.

Additional picturesque shots of the magnificent location were then displayed, as overlay text stated: “Did you know that in Scotland there is a railway on a mountain just newly reopened taking you to a restaurant at the top with breathtaking views.”

Besides being Scotland’s sole mountain railway, it’s also the loftiest railway in the UK, ascending to a summit station at 1,097 metres (3,599 ft) above sea level.

In addition to travelling on the railway itself, Chris mentioned you could “make a day of it” by embarking on a trek to the pyramid in the Cairngorms National Park, which lies a 35-minute drive away. Officially known as Prince Albert’s Cairn, this pyramid is a monument erected by Queen Victoria in 1862 on the Balmoral Estate to honour her husband, Prince Albert.

It’s the grandest of 11 Royal cairns in the vicinity, perched atop a hill that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and national park.

To reach the cairn, visitors can embark on a hike through woodland trails, choosing between a shorter, direct walk or a longer circular route that takes in other cairns.

While there’s no fee to visit Prince Albert’s Cairn itself, parking charges apply. Expect to pay around £5 for a car and £10 for a motorhome or van for the day.

The car park is conveniently located near the A93 road at the start of the walk.

The expert also recommended a trip to the Green Loch, famed for its unusually green water. This unique hue is due to a combination of algae in the water and the reflection of the surrounding pine trees.

However, local folklore suggests that fairies washing their clothes in the loch are responsible for its colour.

Chris also suggested a visit to Loch Morlich before heading to the railway. This freshwater loch near Aviemore is renowned for its sandy beaches and awe-inspiring mountain scenery.

It’s a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering activities like kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, with a dedicated watersports centre on site. Visitors can also explore walking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Glenmore Forest Park.

Chris’s post about the railway and surrounding suggestions, captioned “An autumn day out idea in Scotland,” was a hit with fans, garnering 4,800 likes.

One follower gushed: “Oh my God this makes me want to come back even more. We visited Scotland 11 years ago for our honeymoon. Now my 8-year-old wants to go.”

Another fan lauded the “wonderful scenery”.

A third chimed in: “Glad the railway is open again, it makes the beautiful mountain summit more accessible to all people.”

While a fourth added: “Wow, what a place and view.”

A day pass for the Cairngorms Mountain Railway costs £17.00 for an adult and £9.50 for a junior (aged 6-17) if booked in advance online. On-the-day prices are £19.00 for an adult and £11.50 for a junior. Prices are also available for seniors and students.

ONE of the world’s most luxurious trains is set to return in 2027.

The Orient Express – often known for being the site of the Poirot’s most famous fictional case – went out of operation 16 years ago.

But now, it is set for a comeback.

The train will relaunch in 2027, using 17 original carriages from the 1920s which were previously lost before a team of historians tracked them down and refurbished them.

Inside each carriage, there will be the same Art Deco elements experienced in the 1920s.

As for the bedrooms, each will have a double bed and feature a Cartier clock.

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In the Bar Car, passengers will have a vaulted ceiling with original pieces recovered from the Nostalgie-Istanbul Orient Express.

There are also large windows for passengers to watch the landscape whizz by.

In the Dining Car, there is a mirrored ceiling that features several arches.

Armchairs offer comfier spots to eat and watch chefs at work behind a large glass wall.

As for The Suites, guests can enjoy rail motifs and opulent features, such as dark wood and a leather wall.

In the daytime, there will be a sofa for guests to relax on, then there will be ‘the Great Transformation’ in the evening, which is when the cabin will be changed into the ‘night’ room configuration.

Each suite also has a bathroom with sliding doors and a dressing room.

For the ultimate luxury, passengers can book the Presidential Suite, which occupies an entire car with its own living room, bedroom and bathroom.

Ticket fares are yet to be announced, but it is more than likely it will be a small fortune.

On its website, The Orient Express states: “The Orient Express will invite travelers to relive the legend aboard 17 original Orient Express cars dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, adorned with exceptional décor – a set of cars formerly known as the ‘Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express’.”

The new service launching next year follows the relaunch of the Orient Express brand which saw its La Dolce Vita Orient Express train head off on its first journey this year.

The brand is owned by Accor, Europe‘s largest hospitality company, and has also launched its first hotel called La Minerva, which can be found in Rome, Italy.

There are also plans to open a second site in Venice, in April 2026.

The Orient Express used to be loved and used by the upper classes and operated between Istanbul and Paris from 1883 to 2009.

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Plus, passengers can now travel on UK trains without buying tickets.

Chris Wood, Dilane Bakwa, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ola Aina remain unavailable for Nottingham Forest.

Wood could return from a knee injury in time to face Leeds United next weekend.

Back-up goalkeeper Angus Gunn has also been after damaging knee ligaments during training.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has returned to full training following nine months out with a knee injury although he is not in contention to travel to the City Ground.

“He [Martinez] wants to go to this one, he is not going to this one, he is going to take time,” said United boss Ruben Amorim.

“He is really good, he is really good, and he gives us that edge in every training session and that is also really good for us.

Harry Maguire is a doubt after missing the 4-2 win against Brighton last weekend due to a knock and Leny Yoro could once again deputise.

Players out: Nottingham Forest – Gunn, Wood, Bakwa, Zinchenko, Aina Manchester United – Martinez

Doubts: Nottingham Forest – none Manchester United – Maguire

Key FPL notes: