breaks

Sibiu, Romania’s medieval treasure

Sibiu, the former capital of Transylvania, proved a wonderful place to visit. The city’s old town is on a hill, with every other building in the three main squares and the sidestreets seemingly a historic monument, dominated by the medieval Lutheran cathedral of Saint Mary. The characteristic design of attic windows makes it clear why Sibiu is called “the town of a thousand eyes”, and the Teutsch Haus provides a brilliant history of the region and the Transylvanian Saxons. The old town is crammed full of restaurants and cafes, and down by the river there is a local market with giant aubergines, tomatoes and peppers. For an evening glass, Wine Not has a vast selection of Romanian (and Moldovan) wines, and a black cat to talk to.
Barbara Forbes

Wrocław, Poland’s buzzy student city

Wrocław has the perfect mix of quirkiness and beauty to make for a cracking affordable city break. The hefty student population gives the city a real buzz, from the boat and beach bars along the River Oder (try Forma Płynna beach bar), to the delicious Georgian bakeries (stop at Piekarnia Gruzińska PURI – on Facebook – for pastries on the way to checking out the painted backyards of the Nadodrze neighbourhood). While tourists concentrate around the huge central square, exploring the edge of the old town reaps rewards, like Pub Drukarnia (delicious Litovel Czech beer) or Stacja Breslau bistro under the rail arches on Wojciecha Bogusławskiego street.
Matt Lunt

Helsinki’s world-class architecture

Our knowledge of Helsinki stemmed mainly from the films of director Aki Kaurismäki (Drifting Clouds, The Man Without a Past etc), so discovering it’s not all dockyards and cold war-era bars came as a welcome surprise. Instead, Helsinki features green spaces, coastal views, accessible islands and world-class architecture. It’s the latter we came for: from a church built into rock to state-of-the-art community space Oodi library; from the mid-century Didrichsen museum to architect Alvar Aalto’s organic modernism. But don’t forget to eat – whether it’s brunch at Levain, Michelin-starred invention at Grön or simply an exceptional korvapuusti (cinnamon roll to you and me).
David M

Marseille is fun for all the family

Marseille fitted the diverse requirements for our family city break. Warm weather, beaches, extraordinary street art, sea kayaking and amazing walking in the Calanques satisfied teenagers and parents alike. My favourites were the Mucem (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée), the winding streets of Le Panier and the sense of the place being a melting pot of cultures. We found the locals to be friendly as they encouraged our attempts to speak French, and there\s a good transport system of trams, metro and buses. We got there easily on Eurostar and TGV train and stayed at the Aparthotel Adagio.
Evie

Berlin’s hidden design gems

Although I’ve been travelling to Berlin for nearly 20 years, I’m still making new discoveries. The headlines, like the Brandenburg Gate and the glass dome on the Reichstag, are definitely worth seeing, but there are also hidden treasures, such as the futuristic Ludwig Erhard Haus, designed by Nicolas Grimshaw, whose steel-clad exterior is just the aperitif for some jaw-dropping architecture inside. Or the ruins of St Michael’s church, which was separated from its parishioners by the Berlin Wall. And try to bag a place on the tour of the ESMT business school that once housed East Germany’s elite. The socialist stained glass and GDR coat of arms mosaic are real showstoppers.
James Carson

A dumpling and a beer in Vilnius, Lithuania

We’ve just spent three nights in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius whose old town is easily walkable with plenty of churches, museums and other sights. We indulged in local specialities like kvass, a drink made from fermented rye bread, and cepelinai, which are potato dumplings shaped like airships and filled with minced pork. A half litre of beer (about €5) was ideal with moreish kepta duona, fingers of deep-fried black bread served with a garlic dip. A walk up hundreds of steps to the Three Crosses for views over the city burned excess calories. We stayed at Domus Maria, a former monastery, near the Gate of Dawn.
Helen Jackson

Why Maastricht is a must

A three-hour drive from Calais, or two-hour train journey from Brussels changing at Liège-Guillemins, is the Dutch city of Maastricht. Compact, largely flat (handy for an arthritic retiree) and utterly delightful. As a university town, we enjoyed the friendly, lively vibe but this did not distract from its charm and its history. The cloth market on Wednesdays and the bric-a-brac market at the weekend in the main square are amazing (we bought a milk churn!), the frites at the surrounding cafes were great and the beer was varied and delicious. Boekhandel Dominicanen (a bookshop in a converted middle-ages abbey) was certainly a highlight.
Bruce Horton

Beer spa in Olomouc, Czech Republic

Olomouc in the Czech Republic is an utter delight. Gleaming spires and domes, two old town squares, enchanting cobbled lanes, trams and its own astronomical clock. It also has a Unesco-recognised holy trinity column, which was built to mark the end of a plague in the early 18th century. A two-hour train ride from Prague, Olomouc is markedly less touristy than the Czech capital. Two great places to enjoy a beer were Saint Venceslav’s brewery, where there is a beer spa with a sauna scented with hops; and Twinburg, next to the Moravian cycle path, which serves delicious craft ales. This is a city I felt had been put on Earth specially for me.
Jack Anderton

Polar nights in Tromsø, Norway’s ‘Arctic capital’

As a Scot who once sought drawn-out summer nights, I now lean into the opposite with fervour. Winter in Tromsø, Norway – the “Arctic capital” – is for travellers who embrace the long, dark nights and are keen to meddle with their circadian rhythms. The polar night, when the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon, starts at the end of November and finishes in mid-January. Experience this unworldly extended twilight – the blue hour – from about 9am to 2pm. The Fjellheisen cable car and silent whale-watching with Brim Explorer are two recommended activities.
Aimee Lawrence

Winning tip: blessed are the cheese markets in Alkmaar, the Netherlands

I recently visited Alkmaar, 35 minutes north of Amsterdam by train, which has waterways, picturesque pedestrian-friendly cobbled streets, chiming churches, excellent food (De Heeren Van Sonoy, Stadskaffee Laurens and Patisserie Elhorst include gluten-free options), and markets (don’t miss the cheese market for a true Dutch spectacle). We hired bicycles from Pesie for an easy trip on well-marked paths through beautiful pine forest and the Schoorlse Duinen (Dunes) nature reserve before heading back to town via a well-deserved ice-cream on the beach at Bergen aan Zee.
Nicola

Reality TV queen Kim Kardashian has emotionally revealed that someone close to her allegedly put a ‘hit’ on her life in a shocking trailer for the new Kardashian series

Kim Kardashian has claimed someone close to her put a “hit” on her life in a dramatic admission. The reality TV star, 44, was seen crying as she shared the situation for the first time.

She revealed she learned of the alleged plot through her investigators as the scenes are expected to play out on her family’s reality show. The Kardashian clan have let cameras into their lives once again, but this time things have appeared to take a harrowing turn.

In a trailer for the upcoming series, Kim was left in tears as she opened up on someone wanting her dead. “I got a call from investigators,” she said.

READ MORE: Kylie Jenner steps out in little black dress with famous pals at Paris Fashion WeekREAD MORE: The Kardashians season 7 release date announced as new trailer ‘feels like old times’

“Someone extremely close to me put a hit out on my life.” Short clips of Kim pacing a room and then being left in tears were show as she made the shocking revelation.

Her younger sister Kendall Jenner appeared as she said: “Everybody’s kind of on edge.” The trailer cut to Kylie Jenner, who was sat speaking to her mum Kris, as she recounted: “I heard footsteps walking into my room.”

It ended with a shot of Kim speaking directly to the camera as she admitted: “I am happy it’s over.” The series is set to feature Kim’s Paris jewel robbery trial as well as brother Rob, who has taken a step away from the spotlight in recent years.

Caitlyn Jenner is also poised to make an appearance as the 75-year-old is seen in the explosive trailer. There are also big changes for the family as they bid farewell to their Hidden Hills mansion, where they filmed Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

They revisited the home for one last time as they prepared for an emotional goodbye. It also left many of the sisters spilling their confessions from life at the property.

The youngest sisters, Kendall and Kylie, admitted to sneaking boys into the home, while Khloe left her family stunned by confessing to having sex in many of the home’s rooms.

The Kardashians teases in their official synopsis: “The Kardashian-Jenners are back, and it feels like old times! Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie are diving head-first into the drama, the hustle, and the heart.

“They must revisit their past as they chase passions that push them further than ever before. Through unforgettable moments and deeply personal challenges, the family continues to evolve and redefine their legacy.”

The upcoming series has been branded a “whole different beast” as viewers are warned: “You better watch out.”

It marks the seventh season of The Kardashians and begins on streaming site Hulu on October 23, with new episodes are shown on Thursdays.

READ MORE: ‘I tested this £28 foundation – it’s a dream and made my face glow all day’

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I KNEW The Life Of A Showgirl was going to be a massive album.

But Taylor Swift has exceeded all expectations by scoring the fastest-selling album of the year — before it’s even been released.

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Music insiders tell me she has so many pre-orders for physical copies of her 12th album, which will finally come out tomorrow, that it is a dead cert for No1 next Friday.

And along with pre-save data from streaming services Spotify and Apple Music, it will instantly surpass Sam Fender’s record of the biggest single-week sales in 2025, which he set with 107,000 copies for February’s People Watching.

An industry source told me: “The reception from fans has been very impressive because the pre-orders for this album have been absolutely massive. She hasn’t even released a song from the album yet so it’s remarkable.

“No one can compete with her in terms of sales.”

Spotify has said The Life Of A Showgirl is the most pre-saved album in the streaming service’s history, with more than 5.5million saving it to instantly appear on their accounts tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Apple Music has said it is her most pre-added album ever, and she is the most “favourited” artist on the service.

In 2022, Taylor shifted 204,500 UK copies of her album Midnights in its first week.

But last year, she blew those sales out of the water when The Tortured Poets Department achieved 270,000 chart units in its first week.

That made it the biggest seven days of sales for an album in the UK for seven years, since her pal Ed Sheeran sold an eye-watering 670,000 copies of Divide in 2017.

There are other records she is breaking, too.

She has become the first solo female artist in American history to have certified album sales in the US of more than 100million, as determined by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Their figures also show her album 1989 is now her biggest-selling album, as it has gone 14-times platinum.

I don’t envy the other artists who have albums out tomorrow. I doubt they’ll get a look in.

Hailey marks another rear

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HAILEY BIEBER put on a flirty display in this yellow negligee – as she missed her wedding anniversary for Paris Fashion Week.

The model posted a string of snaps on Instagram, alongside the caption “bisou”, which means “kiss” in French.

While her husband Justin remained at home in the US, she stayed in Paris on Tuesday, six years since their South Carolina wedding.

The event on in 2019 was attended by friends and family, but they had secretly tied the knot , on September 13 2018.

Perhaps they had already celebrated this year, or maybe the pics were his anniversary gift.

Zara’s stripped off for the main pose

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ZARA LARSSON is on track to score her fourth Top 20 album tomorrow with the release of brilliant new record Midnight Sun.

But the Swedish singer has also been hard at work on clothing and lifestyle brand Main Rose, which she unveiled with this revealing snap of her in a long-sleeved pink leotard.

The Swedish singer, who started the project a year ago, wrote on Instagram: “Building Main Rose is genuinely a lust for me to creatively expand myself.

“To elevate one’s first layer, literally and figuratively, feels like a fun and natural first chapter for me to explore. Afterall, my dream outfit is really just a pair of panties.”

Amal’s looking lawsome

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AMAL CLOONEY stole her husband George’s thunder at his latest movie premiere.

She looked sensational in this designer minidress at the New York launch of comedy drama Jay Kelly.

It remains to be seen whether their twins Alexander and Ella will follow his career path, become a human rights lawyer like Amal, or do something else.

Asked if they had inherited the acting bug, he told E! News: “I don’t know, it’s so hard to tell at eight.

“They’re very funny kids, and they love to get up and sing. But you know, I hope they do exactly what they want to do in life, and that’s all you can hope for.”

On whether they know he’s a big star, George added: “They have some idea. My kid came up to me the other day and said, ‘Papa what’s “famous?” Somebody in my class said you’re famous’. I said, ‘Tell that kid I’m very famous’.”

“They saw Fantastic Mr. Fox. I won’t let them see Batman & Robin, I want them to have respect for me.”

The Becks Factor reaches £73m

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GOLDENBALLS has done it again – enjoying another year of record-breaking profits.

David Beckham’s company racked up revenue of £73.4million, as he goes from “face to founder” with more behind-the-scenes deals than ever.

The latest figures for DRJB Holdings, the umbrella company for his business ventures, show consolidated profits up 24 per cent to £35.1million.

A source said: “David is still an incredibly sought-after face for campaigns, but he has matured into an incredibly impressive and canny businessman, too.

“He really enjoys the boardroom machinations and while he looks as incredible as ever, probably won’t want to be on billboards in his pants for ever.

“Six years after setting up his own brand management operation, he is more hands-on than ever. Right now he’s at a really exciting next stage of evolution, and loves getting involved with new projects.”

This is partly thanks to successful deals with Boss menswear, and a license agreement with Safilo eyewear.

David also branched out into the wellness industry for the first time, with his IM8 supplements.

Other strategic partnerships include deals with speaker makers Bowers & Wilkins, Stella Artois beer and tech firm Shark Ninja.

Meanwhile, the former England captain’s profile has never been higher internationally following his four-part documentary from 2023.

News of his latest commercial success comes ahead of wife Victoria’s own Netflix docu-series, which comes out next week.

I can’t wait to see plenty more Becks on my box.

Stel-Hel Fashion week secret

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STELLA McCARTNEY went to extreme lengths to keep Helen Mirren’s role at Paris Fashion Week show a secret.

The designer secretly enlisted the actress to open her show with a recital of The Beatles classic Come Together.

Helen was driven around the block to give the illusion she had simply arrived to watch the event.

A source said: “It was a full-on military operation. No one knew Helen was taking part.”

Robbie reveals ‘I have Tourette’s’

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ROBBIE WILLIAMS says he has Tourette’s syndrome, but claims his tics are “intrusive” and not verbal.

The neurological condition causes sudden, repetitive and involuntary sounds or movements.

But Robbie, who was previously diagnosed with ADHD, suggested his is different.

He told the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast: “I’ve just realised I have Tourette’s, but they don’t come out. They are intrusive thoughts. I was just walking down the road the other day, and I realised these intrusive thoughts are inside Tourette’s. It just doesn’t come out.

“Not only that, you would think that a stadium full of people professing their love to you would work as (a distraction), but whatever it is, inside me cannot hear it. I cannot take it in.”

Robbie also said he recently took a test to see if he is autistic.

He added: “It turns out I’m not, but I’ve got autistic traits. And it’s around social stuff, it’s about interaction.”

Dua’s in Bruise control

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DUA LIPA has had a lucky escape after accidentally injuring her shoulder while on tour in America.

The New Rules singer was spotted with a deep bruise, leading fans to fear she could have seriously hurt herself.

But I’m told while the mark does look bad, Dua hasn’t been hugely harmed.

More importantly, while she is due to undergo physio to make sure of a full recovery, it also means her US tour can carry on without a hitch.

A source said: “The injury happened while Dua was enjoying some down time from her show.

“It’s been painful but after being checked over by a radiologist, she’s been given the all clear.

“The tour will still be going ahead as planned. It’s just one of those things.”

While it’s no secret Dua loves a holiday and has previously joked about her life being one big vacation, she is also one of the hardest working women in music.

I just hope she is looking after herself too.

It’s a Slim volume

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FATBOY SLIM is releasing his first book, with the brilliant title It Ain’t Over . . .  ’Til the Fatboy Sings.

It documents his 40 years in showbiz through photos, flyers and stories and is out on October 16.

But fans can also see him at the Theatre Royal in Brighton on October 14 for a Q&A about it.

The DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, said: “This year I’ll have been in showbiz for 40 years, and to celebrate that we thought we’d create a big book full of stuff which I’ve kept over the years. I’m really excited to appear in one of my favourite venues for something a little different this time.

“It’ll be nice to get up close and personal with the audience in a beautiful setting and to share some of my stories.”

A Gaza-bound aid flotilla is currently sailing toward the enclave, entering a high-risk zone where previous missions have faced attacks and interceptions.

On Wednesday, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli military is preparing to “take control” of the flotilla with naval commandos and warships. Israel wont tow all 50 vessels however and will sink some at sea, Kan said.

Israel intends to detain hundreds of activists on naval ships, question them then deport them via the port of Ashdod.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Spain on August 31, is the largest maritime mission to Gaza to date. It brings together more than 50 ships and delegations from at least 44 countries, as part of an international effort to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.

The map below shows the latest location:

So, is Israel entitled to board ships that are in international waters? The answer is no, here’s how territorial and international waters work.

Which waters does a country control?

Coastal countries control the waters closest to their shores, called territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (22km) from the coast. In this zone, the state has full sovereignty, just like over its land.

Beyond that, they have rights over up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) of ocean, including the water and seafloor. This area is called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In the EEZ, countries can regulate activities such as fishing, mining, drilling, and other energy projects, while still allowing other countries freedom of navigation.

France has the largest EEZ, covering approximately 10.7 million square kilometres (4.2 million sq miles), thanks to its overseas territories. It is followed by the US, Australia, Russia, and the UK.

Where are international waters?

Covering about 64 percent of the ocean, the high seas lie beyond any country’s territorial waters and economic zones and are not controlled by a single state, with their use governed by international agreements.

What are the laws of the high seas?

The laws of the high seas are governed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It stipulates that all states can enjoy freedom of movement of ships in the high seas and aircraft can fly freely.

It also allows the laying of subsea cables and pipelines, as well as fishing, scientific research and the construction of islands. All three of which are subject to international agreements and laws.

Ships that are on the high seas are subject to the jurisdiction of the flag they fly, except those conducting piracy and other unauthorised activities.

Israel has attacked previous flotillas in international waters

Several Freedom Flotilla vessels have attempted to break the blockade of Gaza since 2010. All were intercepted or attacked by Israel, mostly in international waters where it has no territorial rights.

The most deadly occurred on May 31, 2010, when Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara in international waters. The commandos killed 10 activists, most of them Turkish, and injured dozens more, sparking global outrage and severely straining Israel-Turkiye relations.

The map below shows the approximate locations where prominent flotillas were stopped, some encountering deadly Israeli forces.

In 2024, amid ongoing flotilla missions delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, UN experts stated that: “The Freedom Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters, and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law.”

The Sumud Flotilla had been sailing through international waters and into Palestinian territorial waters, where it has the legal right to navigate and deliver humanitarian aid.

According to Stephen Cotton, the General Secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), representing more than 16.5 million transport workers globally, “The law of the sea is clear: attacking or seizing non-violent, humanitarian vessels in international waters is illegal and unacceptable.”

“Such actions endanger lives and undermine the basic principles that keep the seas safe for all. This is not only about seafarers, it’s about the safety of everyone at sea, whether on a commercial ship, a humanitarian vessel, or a fishing boat. States cannot pick and choose when to respect international law. The seas must not be turned into a theatre of war.”  Cotton told Al Jazeera.

According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the mission is not only lawful but also protected under a comprehensive set of international legal instruments. Including:

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – Guarantees freedom of navigation on the high seas
• San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea – Prohibits blockades that cause starvation or disproportionate suffering and forbids the targeting of neutral humanitarian missions
• UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2728 – These binding instruments demand unimpeded humanitarian access and the removal of all barriers to aid delivery
• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – Includes the prevention of acts deliberately endangering civilians
• Fourth Geneva Convention – Imposes an obligation to permit the free passage of humanitarian aid and prohibit interference with relief operations and the targeting of civilian infrastructure
• Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court – Criminalises the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and willful obstruction of humanitarian aid.

MARRIED At First Sight expert Paul C Brunson tonight slammed a bride over her awful behaviour towards her groom, as she broke down in tears.

Over the past week viewers have been left fuming after Sarah has openly slammed her husband Dean for not being her usual type – and last night’s dinner party was no different.

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Tonight the experts called Sarah out at the first Commitment Ceremony.

They were left disgusted at her behaviour during last night’s dinner party, as they thought she had acted disrespectfully towards Dean, after she complained to the other couples about her husband’s appearance.

It came after Sarah told everyone she spoke to that there was “no spark” or “attraction there” and doesn’t think there ever will be.

The girls confirmed that she had the “ick” while the boys persuaded her to give him a chance as he is a “lovely guy”.

But Sarah was having none of it.

This evening, viewers watched as Married At First Sight expert Paul pulled her up on her behaviour.

“What are you willing to change?,” he asked Sarah.

“Do you think that you were rude while talking about your partner at the dinner party?”

Not holding back Paul continued: “| get the challenge around physical attraction, but where you absolutely lost me is when you went around gossiping about your husband to other people and you were laughing at it.”

But Sarah didn’t take well to the criticism and she started to cry after she and Dean made the decision to “stay” in the experiment.

Sobbing she said: “It was really hard to hear what Paul had to say and I apologize, and yeah, I’m sorry, it’s not me, it’s not who I am.

“And maybe if I did have that spark, I wouldn’t have said anything like that because I wouldn’t have.

But there’s not the spark there, so that’s, that was the only reason why I said it.”

Fully crying now, Sarah continued: “I haven’t meant it maliciously at all. I don’t want to hurt anyone.

“I’m being true to myself, but then it’s coming across really badly.”

This is not the first time that Sarah has landed herself in hot water on the show due to the alleged ‘fat shaming’.

On her wedding day, she admitted that Dean wasn’t her dream man – as she branded him “over the top” and saying she “didn’t fancy him” or want to “rip his clothes off”.

Sarah confessed on their honeymoon that she has never dated anyone as “big” as Dean, which came as a huge blow.

In order to feel a “spark” with Dean, Sarah said he would have to “get some tattoos, lose some weight,” as droves of viewers slammed her cruel delivery.

Married at First Sight airs Sunday to Thursday at 9pm on E4.

BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay were left emotional on Tuesday’s show as they spoke to a grieving mum who is still fighting for answers after her son died

BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay shared some heartbreaking news on Tuesday’s programme following the tragic death of a young lad.

The hosts paused to honour Jools Roome, who died three years ago, whilst his mum, Ellen, continues her battle for answers surrounding her son’s death.

Kicking off the devastating segment, Jon explained: “Now, from today, social media sites and tech companies will have to preserve data relating to the online activity of a child who has died if requested to do so by a coroner.”

Sally added: “Yes, it’s the latest part of the Online Safety Act to be rolled out, but some parents who’ve lost their children say the measures simply don’t go far enough.”

Following some footage of Jools before his passing, Jon and Sally welcomed Jools’ mother, Ellen, who made a gut-wrenching appeal, according to the Express.

Jon observed, “So it’s an important day. It’s a change. But for you, it’s not a change enough, just explain.”

Ellen responded: “So as of today, there’s something called data preservation notices, which gives the coroner the right to preserve the data. So they’d have to go to Ofcom to preserve online social media data.

“I spoke to two new bereaved parents last night who are in this position. The police are… what happens when an inquest happens is that the inquest is opened and usually suspended and handed back to the police for investigation.

“The problem is the police are then saying, ‘well, we don’t have the power to do that’, then the coroner is not in control, so they can’t use that law. So it seems ridiculous, unless it’s automatic, then the coroners can’t use that law, and then we’re waiting months or potentially years.”

She continued, “The thing that bothers me is that there’s not enough training for police and coroners as well, so the coroner needs to understand what information to ask for. Do all coroners know how TikTok works, or other apps that kids are using, or what information to ask from Snapchat, and so Ofcom needs to help the coroner understand what information to request.”

Ellen went on to reveal that she remains “planning to go to the High Court” in an attempt to “piece together what information was missing” surrounding Jools’ death.

The devastated mum became visibly emotional as she declared, “I think I’m three and a half years down the line. I could get emotional now, but I don’t know why my child’s not here, and I want to try for answers.

“And I think as a parent, I should have the right to try to look at social media, and I get we may be too late now, and this law will help other parents, which is great, but I want to try to understand what happened to my son.”

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.

Explore Van Gogh’s Provence

There’s nothing sweeter than leaving London on the Eurostar in the morning and to be sipping something cold and pink in Provence by aperitif time (tip: switch to the TGV in Lille to avoid having to change stations in Paris).

Just 10 minutes in a taxi from Avignon TGV station, Le Moulin d’Aure is a charmingly restored mas (farmhouse) on the edge of the village of Graveson. The best of the 19 bedrooms have balconies or terraces overlooking the olive trees, while in the large garden there’s a pool and plenty of quiet corners.

Local bike hire companies can deliver bikes for the 30-minute ride to pretty Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, with its Wednesday morning market. This is where Vincent Van Gogh was a patient in the Saint-Paul de Mausole psychiatric hospital after cutting off part of his left ear. It is where he painted The Starry Night, among other works, and there’s a signposted tour around town, taking in landscapes that inspired the artist.

Back at Le Moulin, its Italian restaurant Tutti Quanti dishes up fresh pasta beneath the pergola, while for more variety Graveson, 15 minutes’ walk away, has a handful of restaurants on its long central square.
Doubles from €75 room-only, breakfast about €18, hotel-moulindaure.com

Sleepy, leafy Normandy

In the Orne region of Normandy, Le Perche nature park is the kind of rural idyll Parisians decamp to in order to explore sleepy villages and quiet forests. Just half an hour by train from the French capital to L’Aigle, then a 30-minute taxi to Mortagne, Trama en Perche is the new four-bedroom guesthouse of two former Parisian restaurateurs, Marion Trama and Paul Hayat.

Breakfast is a highlight, served in the garden when the sun is out. Local produce (sheep’s milk cheeses, freshly baked bread, fruit jams) feature alongside brioche French toast and blinis with crab remoulade.

Marion and Paul are also a fount of local knowledge, and can arrange bike hire (an autumnal favourite includes a detour to family-run cider producer La Maison Ferré) or recommend walkable restaurants, such as La Biscuiterie for salads and cakes or La Vie en Rouge for natural wine and small plates.

Much of the decor at Trama en Perche has been sourced from the area’s antique and brocante shops, and there are numerous stores around Mortagne to rummage in.
Doubles from about €170 B&B, tramaenperche.fr

Beach life in Zeeland, the Netherlands

There’s a quiet, wild beauty to coastal towns in autumn, and with its wide beach looking out to the North Sea, Zeeland’s Cadzand is a perfect example. Strandhotel, on a dune just back from the golden sands, is a lovely vantage point to watch whatever weather rolls in. It’s a great time right now for kite- and windsurfing offshore, or stick to dry land and beachcomb at low tide for the fossilised shark teeth that part of the coast is famous for.

Just a couple of miles north of the Belgian border, the easiest route here is via Brussels, changing for a direct train to Knokke-Heist (about 1½ hours), where you can pick up a taxi across to Cadzand (30 minutes). This being the Netherlands, there are excellent cycle paths, and bike hire across the street from the hotel. The nearby Zwin nature reserve offers good birdspotting – you can also explore the salt flats and polder behind the dunes.

Back at the hotel, there’s an indoor pool and saunas to unwind in, while the three restaurants range from Michelin-starred Demain to laid-back Beach Boy, which overlooks the marina and serves Zeeland oysters.
Doubles from €212 B&B, strandhotel.eu

Family-friendly forest fun near Paris

A former royal hunting estate on the south-west fringes of Paris, the 14,000-hectare Fôret de Rambouillet sprawls across the capital’s commuter belt. Cycle tracks and walking trails cut through thickets of oak and pine trees and, in autumn, mushrooms and chestnuts. In among it all, Le Barn is a modern country house for city-weary citizens (train to Dourdan or Rambouillet from Paris; from there it’s a 15-20 minute taxi).

The hotel shares an estate with the renowned Haras de la Cense horsemanship schools and equine activities are a big part of the appeal. They include children’s first rides, proper hacks through the woodland (riding from about £13) and horse whispering sessions (complimentary on daily activity schedule). Other options are yoga, archery, rowing boats on the lake – with some spooky extra fun over Halloween weekend.

There’s also a spa for grownups, and a restaurant serving classic French fare – and with no checkout deadline on Sundays, there’s plenty of time to get stuck in.
Doubles from about £175 room-only, including a daily programme of activities, lebarnhotel.com

Yoga, eco-living and a garden restaurant in Wallonia, Belgium

Many British travellers don’t venture far beyond Belgium’s circuit of cities (canal-crossed Bruges, funky Ghent, fashionable Antwerp), but those who do find dense forests, ancient castles and historic villages to explore.

The battle of Waterloo took place at the village of the same name in the rolling Wallonia countryside south of Brussels, and 10km further south again is Indrani Lodge, a wonderfully peaceful bolthole on the fringes of Genappe (take a train from Brussels to Nivelles, then a 15-minute taxi). A former medieval farm, it’s now a 12-bedroom eco-minded yoga hotel.

A large part of the gardens is turned over to permaculture, growing produce that makes its way on to plates in the Petits Éléments restaurant. In autumn that might include Jerusalem artichoke, pumpkin and butternut squash, alongside eggs from Indrani’s chickens, honey from its bees and apple juice from its orchards.

There are numerous yoga classes each day (iyengar, vinyasa, hatha), as well as retreats and twice-monthly Sunday Slow Days, which include two classes, brunch and a workshop (ceramics, flower arranging). Or slow down under your own steam with a massage, or a dip in the geothermally heated pool in the old barn.
Doubles from €163 B&B, indranilodge.com

Cycling – and tastings – in the vineyards in Burgundy

Tom Kevill-Davies knows a thing or two about cycling and eating. In 2005 he set off from New York and rode 12,000 miles to Rio de Janeiro in search of the perfect meal. After writing a book about his experience, he settled in Burgundy and added wine to the equation, turning a derelict 17th-century water mill in the village of Auxey-Duresses into The Hungry Cyclist Lodge. Guests can set off each day to pedal around the surrounding vineyards, winding between tastings and lunches, and relax back at the lodge (which has a swimming pool).

Bring a bike on the train (TGV from Paris to Dijon), then a short connection to Beaune and a 10km bike – or taxi – ride from the station. Or rent one when you get there (€22 a day for a hybrid). Next door to the lodge is a small vineyard of Gamay, where Tom’s family produce around 500 bottles a year of their Vin Du Moulin. Try it over a dinner that Tom whips up from fruit and veg grown in the garden and meat from the local butcher – in autumn this might include guinea fowl roasted over raisins and tarte tatin with fig leaf ice-cream.
Doubles from €170 B&B, dinner €40pp excluding wine, thehungrycyclist.com

Sometimes, you just want to be able to arrive in a place with the least amount of hassle and instantly switch off and relax. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to think about potential traffic snarl-ups en route or missing connections? Just jump on a direct train and arrive fresh.

That’s what these brilliantly accessible boltholes in the UK deliver – they’re all within easy reach of a train station and with everything you might need for a stress-free break on the doorstep.

A wild swimming cabin in Essex

Ffion Francis and Ollie Speck quit their jobs in London to renovate a 15th-century former hunting lodge near the village of Thorpe-Le-Soken in north-east Essex. Alongside bringing the house back to life, the couple have built two cabins. The latest addition, The Lakeside Lodge, sits on the edge of a natural swimming pond surrounded by reeds and trees. From London, it’s a direct train (under 90 minutes) from Liverpool Street or Stratford, then a 20-minute walk down a quiet country lane.

The aim is to rest and reset, and there’s a host of pros to help: yoga and breathwork teachers, sound healing, reiki and reflexology (from £55). Simpler still is a cold plunge in the pond, followed by a session in the sauna pod, or a warm soak in the hut’s outdoor cast-iron bath. An English breakfast hamper with bacon and sausages from the local butcher and eggs from their rescue hens can be dropped off (£25 for two), and on chilly evenings snuggle down in bed to watch classic films on the projector.
Sleeps 2 (and a dog for an extra £20) from £210 a night, coolstays.com

An arty seaside hideout in Cornwall

With sweeping views out to St Michael’s Mount, it’s hard to believe that the (now) beautifully decorated, glass-fronted Little Pembroke was once a rundown garage. The cabin’s mezzanine bedroom is the spot to hole up and take in the seascape these days – there’s even an easel and art supplies, should inspiration strike (the big house, Pembroke Lodge, was home in the 1800s to Walter Langley, pioneer of the Newlyn art school).

Alighting in Penzance from the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to a morning blast of sea air is the loveliest way to arrive, even better followed by a dip in the Jubilee Pool (seasonal opening, check website), but the station is also served by direct trains from Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds and even Edinburgh. It’s a 10-minute taxi to Little Pembroke, or there’s a bus that stops just down the road.

The cabin is tucked peacefully between Newlyn and Mousehole, and there’s gallery hopping and coastal walks to be had. Pick up a Beryl (the Cornish equivalent of a Lime bike) around Newlyn or Penzance to whizz off further afield. A welcome hamper includes Trink milk, local butter, sourdough bread (breakfast sorted) and it’s only a short stroll to Sunday lunch by the fire at historic maritime pub The Tolcarne Inn, or Mackerel Sky for lemon sole katsu and crab nachos.
Sleeps 2 (plus a baby and/or dog) from £230 a night, littlepembroke.com

Sand and castles in Northumberland

Anyone who has travelled on the East Coast Main Line will have glimpsed Northumberland’s spectacular coastline when the train curves towards the North Sea, giving those on the east side of the carriages a front-row seat. But rather than speeding on through, hop off at the village of Alnmouth (3½ to four hours from London, one from Edinburgh, two from Leeds) with its pastel houses and seabirds wading in the Aln estuary.

Overlooking the golf course to the sandy beach, two-bedroom Marine House Cottage is only a five-minute taxi from the station (or a mile’s walk; swing by Scott’s deli for supplies). Outside there’s a raised terrace that looks out to sea, while the window seat in the main bedroom is the spot for wave-watching and book-reading.

Bikes (standard or e-bikes) can be delivered to the house, and from there the traffic-free Aln Valley cycleway runs over to Alnwick (kids will love the Harry Potter-inspired broomstick training sessions at the castle) or pedal south to Warkworth Castle on the Coast and Castles route. North of England and southern Scotland cottage specialists Crabtree and Crabtree also have a little black book of extra services, from private chefs to spa treatments at home.
Sleeps 4 from £765 for seven nights, crabtreeandcrabtree.com

Funky country house spa in Berkshire

Hotel spa breaks can be unrelaxingly expensive or busy hen party conveyor belts, but not so The Retreat at Elcot Park, part of funky, affordable hotel group the Signet Collection. In the countryside between Hungerford and Newbury, it’s a direct train from London Paddington to Kintbury, two miles away (pre-book a taxi).

There’s little need to leave, with hefty breakfasts and two restaurants, and the hotel has recently pumped up its wellness focus, adding outdoor cold plunge tubs, wood-fired hot tubs and a tented yoga studio to its Himalayan salt sauna, hydrotherapy pool and aroma steam room inside the spa (full use of the spa facilities is included in room rates; massages and treatments from £105).

Outside there’s a heated pool, tennis court and 6.4 hectares (16 acres) of grounds. Borrow some boots from the welly wall for autumn rambles through nearby woodlands, along the Kennet and Avon Canal or nearby vineyard Winding Wood. Dogs and kids are welcome; there are family bunk rooms, with home-baked cookies and snack pantries to raid for a midnight feast.
Doubles from £120 B&B, retreatelcotpark.com

Sustainable bothy near Stirling

With 400 hectares of semi-ancient woodland, heather-covered heath and wet meadows, the Brucefield Estate feels like deeply remote Scotland, although it’s actually less than an hour from Glasgow (direct train to Alloa, then a 12-minute taxi) and half an hour longer from Edinburgh (including a change at Stirling).

Squirrelled away in the woods are three sustainably built bothies, named after Scots terms for animals found there: Tod (fox), Brock (badger) and Mertrick (pine marten). Inside, the mezzanine bed has a duvet made from plastic bottles, and the sleek, all-Scottish design includes Amy Britton tweeds, SkyeSkyns sheepskins and organic Siabann body products.

The biologist-run estate has a 10-year plan to protect and enhance biodiversity, which visitors can learn about on a history and wildlife tour (£40pp). There’s oodles to do: cycling on gravel tracks, outdoor yoga sessions (from £65pp), walks through neighbouring Devilla Forest (look out for red squirrels) or through birch trees to a picnic set up in the woods (from £65 for two). After a day’s exploring, nearby Polly’s Pantry delivers hampers, or chef Douglas MacNair can pre-prepare a feast of local produce to cook over the bothy’s firepit (£75 for two).
Mertrick sleeps 2 from £145 a night, kiphideaways.com

New budget hotel in the Lake District

Compared with most rural regions, the Lake District is brilliantly accessible by public transport. Oxenholme, on the West Coast Main Line, is less than three hours from London, under two from Glasgow and just over an hour from Manchester, with plentiful local rail and bus routes from there. It’s 20 minutes by train from Oxenholme to Windermere, and just a two-minute walk to The Penn, a new room-only (no reception, no restaurant) hotel concept in a 19th-century stone house in the heart of the town.

Check-in by keypad keeps prices down; the smallest doubles are snug, but roomier ones with rolltop baths are only around £30 a night more. From cosy crashpads to a suite with an extra bed for a child, each is done out in earthy colours with jazzily tiled bathrooms. There’s a Nespresso machine, kettle and mini-Smeg fridge filled with soft drinks in bedrooms, but it’s only an amble to Homeground Cafe or Toast for breakfast, followed by the lake shore for a swim, or up Orrest Head (Wainwright’s first Lakeland hike). To venture deeper into the Lakes, Total Adventure Bike Hire is a couple of doors down from The Penn, or take the scenic 555 bus, which connects through Ambleside and Grasmere to Keswick.
Doubles from £102 room-only, the-penn.com

A walk and the best chips, Saint-Malo

The overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo is hard to beat. After work, we board the ship, enjoy a drink in the bar and wake up to the sunrise over the harbour. The scenic coastal path that runs along the Brittany coast winds through woodlands and secluded coves. A swim in the clear water and then on to the restaurant La Guinguette des Marmouz near Plouër-sur-Rance. The best chips we’ve ever had in a very laid-back spot along the estuary. We’d stumbled across something pretty special.
Kate

Hull to Rotterdam and North Sea camping

The cost of a P&O ferry from Hull to Rotterdam (starting at about £500 return for four people and a car) may seem steep, but so are four return flights and two nights in an airport hotel. We camped in our own tent at Camping Sollasi, a mile or two from the beautiful dunes. There were fresh croissants every morning and we were a short hop from bustling Noordwijkerhout, where every possible combination of cycles was available from Rent-A-Bike Van Dam. Truly memorable.
Martin

Fantastic holiday park near the Hook of Holland

Only 40 minutes from the Hook of Holland, where the ferry from Harwich goes, we found Landal de Reeuwijkse Plassen to be a great family-friendly holiday park with playgrounds, an indoor pool, a beach by the lake and plenty of watersports. It’s only a short bike ride or bus journey from Gouda, famous for its cheese but with a good town market and also the home of stroopwafels (syrup waffles). A great base for exploring the rest of the Netherlands.
James Melia

A gourmet break in Honfleur, Normandy

Take the ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre, and drive 35 minutes to the beautiful, charming small city of Honfleur, which sits overlooking the mighty River Seine as it empties into the English Channel. My tip: spend a Saturday eating entirely from the city-wide market – Normandy cider, fizzing with crisp and juicy apples; the freshest oysters, shucked before your eyes and eaten right there and then; and topped off, of course, with the famous Normandy cheeses camembert and Pont-l’Évêque. It’s France at its best.
Aaron

Picos and tapas in Santander, Spain

Hop on a ferry from Plymouth to Santander (with a spot of whale watching en route). Twenty hours later, the rugged cliffs and crashing waves of northern Spain struck us as reminiscent of the Cornish coast, and temperatures were delightful – warm and sunny but not too hot. Despite its beauty and golden sand city beaches, fantastic seafood and tapas, Santander doesn’t feel particularly touristy. With easy access to the prehistoric El Castillo cave paintings, Picos de Europa national park and the bustling Bilbao, this is an ideal ferry break.
Eloise

Great scoff in Roscoff, Brittany

Roscoff, overnight from Plymouth, is a great destination in Brittany. The old town is lovely with a good boulangerie (open early, just as you get off the ferry) and an ancient harbour. We drove 40 minutes south-east to stay on the coast near Morlaix, another old town with an amazing viaduct, lovely bars, creperies and fantastic museums. Also nearby, at Barnenez, is the oldest and one of the largest burial cairns in Europe, an amazing place with panoramic views of the coast. Head to nearby Carantec for superb markets.
Ben Jennison-Phillips

Belle epoque is alive and well in Deauville

Deauville on the Normandy coast is just a short drive from Caen after a ferry crossing from Portsmouth. It’s an elegant, chic resort – similar to the riviera towns but without the hassle of a long drive to get there. Art deco cabins named after movie stars line the boardwalk behind the soft, sandy beach, which goes on for miles. Locals and Parisians enjoy promenading with parasols, so my husband and I joined them – and felt like we were in a gentle Renoir painting. Sunbathing and swimming are popular on the lovely beach, or you can shop and sip coffee in the town with its stylish belle epoque buildings in the background.
Gina

A whale of a time on the ferry to Bilbao

The ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao is almost as fun as the holiday itself. With a journey time of around 30 hours, there’s plenty of time to relax and watch the Bay of Biscay go by (we saw whales and dolphins, as well as a beautiful Atlantic sunset). Once you arrive in Bilbao it’s fairly obvious you should check out the Guggenheim, wander the old town and eat pintxos. But it’s also really worthwhile to take a boat trip up the river to see where the urban regeneration stops and where there are reminders of the city’s industrial heritage.
Katie

The mini-Amsterdam with a buzz

Leiden – between the Hook of Holland and Amsterdam – is a fantastic destination easily reached by ferry, whether from Newcastle, Hull, Harwich or Dover. It offers everything Amsterdam does but on a smaller scale and with canals visitors can enjoy. It’s easily reached by road and rail, and has great places to stay, eat and enjoy. The mainly pedestrianised and historic town centre is beautiful, with a fantastic Saturday market along the canals. The large student population gives it a really nice buzz, all year round.
Ruud Jansen Venneboer

My teenage boys and I went from Newhaven, East Sussex, to Dieppe, Normandy, in late August. We found Dieppe to be a smart resort town with some great cafes, restaurants, history. Then it was on to Le Havre to catch the Ligue 1 football match between Le Havre AC and Nice. The home team’s club song is the same tune as God Save the King – chosen by the expat Brits who formed the club in 1872. The atmosphere in the Stade Océane was fantastic – we stood in the home end with the (friendly) ultras, waving flags and singing songs. Le Havre itself has incredible architecture, great shopping, culture, seafood and a decent beach.
James

JIMMY Kimmel returned to his show on Tuesday night after ABC yanked him from the air nearly a week ago.

Kimmel, 57, addressed his audience after his show was pulled last week over controversial comments he made about political activist and influencer Charlie Kirk’s shooter.

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During his opening monologue, Kimmel took the time to speak out about free speech and the political climate in America.

The late night host took to the stage as he was welcomed with a standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy.”

The comedian opened the show with a crack, “If you’re just joining us, we are preempting your regularly scheduled encore episode of Celebrity Family Feud to bring you this special report.”

“I’m happy to be here tonight,” he added.

“I’m not sure who had a weirder 48 hours, me or the CEO of Tylenol,” he said with a chuckle.

Kimmel took the time to thank a slew of friends, including his “fellow late-night talk show hosts, my friend Stephen Colbert who found himself in this predicament. My friend, John Stewart, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon.”

He also thanked the many people who don’t align with his political leanings but who still stood up for his right to say it.

He thanked Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, and then said “and even my old pal Ted Cruz,” before running a sound bite from the Texas senator.

Kimmel then continued “Some of the things they say even make me want to throw up but it takes courage for them to speak out against this administration. They did it. They deserve credit for it.”

ON HIS COMMENTS ON CHARLIE KIRK’S KILLER

The late-night host’s voice cracked as he opened up about the murder of activist Charlie Kirk and cleared the air, denouncing his killing unequivocally.

He continued, “I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human and that is you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said as he fought back tears.

“I posted a message on Instagram the day he was killed, sending love to [Kirk’s] family and asking for compassion, and I meant it, and I still do, nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.”

“That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make. But I understand that to some that felt either it was ill-timed or unclear or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset,” he continued.

“If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I’d have felt the same way. I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all, I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone.

“This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution and it isn’t it ever and also, selfishly, I am the person who gets a lot of threats. I get many ugly and scary threats against my life, my wife, my kids, my co workers because of what I choose to say, and I know those threats don’t come from the kind of people on the right who I know and love.”

“So that’s what I wanted to say on that subject,” he continued.

ON RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH

Kimmel then turned to the First Amendment, explaining that he’s spoken with comedians in countries like Russia and the Middle East who said they’d be thrown in jail or worse for making fun of those in power.

“They know how lucky we are here.

“Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country, and that’s something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend Steven [Colbert] off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show in the cities that you live in to take my show off the air.

“That’s not legal. That’s not American. That is un-American.”

He then turned his sites to Federal Communications Chairman, Brendan Carr.

“Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC, telling an American company, We can do this the easy way or the hard way,’ and that these companies can find ways to change conduct and take action on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead, in addition to being a direct violation of the First Amendment, is not a particularly intelligent threat to make in public,” Kimmel said.

The late night host then shared a clip of President Donald Trump vehemently heralding free speech in a quote in 2022.

He then played another quote from the president, which was from this week, in which he said of Kimmel “Look, he was fired. He had no talent. He’s a whack job, but he had no talent. More importantly, then talent, because a lot of people who have no talent get ratings, he had no ratings,” to which the audience booed.

Kimmel then joked “He tried, did his best to cancel me instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show which backfired ‘bigly.’

“He might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this now,” to which his audience erupted in raucous applause.

RATINGS BOOST?

As The U.S. Sun previously revealed, ABC execs are expecting Tuesday night’s show will prove a ratings boom.

The source said, “Everybody is excited about Kimmel’s expected ratings boost this week.

“Jimmy is becoming an icon for free speech… and now he’ll be even more secure as long as he plays his cards right.”

However, the late night host’s big return wasn’t aired in all markets.

Affiliate carriers, Sinclair and Nexstar, said they wouldn’t be airing Kimmel’s return on their stations.

“There are ongoing talks this morning [Tuesday] between Nexstar, Sinclair, and Disney, but Disney has drawn the line and is prepared for the fight,” an insider revealed.

On Monday night, Sinclair Broadcasting Group announced its decision to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across its ABC affiliate stations, replacing the program with local news.

However, an insider pointed out that affiliate stations have contractual obligations to carry ABC programming, including advertisements that have already been sold.

The source alleged, “The affiliates are basically posturing for the White House,” while suggesting that the companies may be attempting to breach their contracts with ABC.

NEXSTAR’S BIG MOVE

Nexstar is seeking approval from the Trump administration’s FCC for an unprecedented acquisition of its competitor, Tegna, according to The New York Times.

If approved, the deal would likely surpass the current cap on households a single media company can reach.

An insider told The U.S. Sun that Disney is ready to take on Sinclair and Nexstar in the ongoing dispute over the suspension of Kimmel Live!

“Disney legal is prepared to fight it out, and right now, from a brand perspective, they’ve got nothing to lose by fighting,” the source said. “Disney holds the cards here.”

When reached for comment by The U.S. Sun, Nexstar declined to respond.

ABC and Sinclair were also contacted for comment.

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LATE NIGHT DRAMA

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended after backlash erupted over controversial comments the comedian made regarding the suspected assassin of activist and influencer Charlie Kirk.

Just hours before his scheduled return on Tuesday night, Kimmel broke his silence.

The comedian posted a photo of himself with his late friend and producer Norman Lear, captioned, “Missing this guy today.”

KIMMEL RETURNS

On Monday afternoon, ABC issued a statement confirming that “thoughtful discussions” had taken place with Kimmel following his suspension.

The statement read, “Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.

“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.

“We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

CHAOS ON SET

As The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed last week, the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! was made just minutes before taping began on Wednesday, September 17th.

“Things transpired very fast. Word filtered down to the individual stations around 3 pm that Jimmy would get pulled, and it sent station heads panicking,” an insider shared.

“Jimmy and the crew were getting ready to film when, at 3:45 pm, news broke widely, and that’s how the crew found out. They were shocked.”

Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, described Kimmel’s remarks as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

KIRK’S MURDER

Charlie Kirk was killed on September 10th while speaking with students at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Tyler Robinson, 22, allegedly fired a single shot at Kirk, according to officials.

Robinson turned himself in 33 hours later after confessing the crime to his family, Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed.

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Full men’s rankings

Here are the rankings of the top 30 men’s players in the world…

30. Michael Olise

29. Florian Wirtz

28. Virgil van Dijk

27. Declan Rice

26. Erling Haaland

25. Denzel Dumfries

24. Fabian Ruiz

23. Jude Bellingham

22. Alexis Mac Allister

21. Serhou Guirassy

20. Lautaro Martinez

19. Joao Neves, Paris Saint-Germain

18. Scott McTominay, Napoli

17. Robert Lewndowski, Barcelona

16. Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid

15. Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal

14. Desire Doue, Paris Saint-Germain

13. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich

12. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris Saint-Germain

11. Pedri, Barcelona

10. Nuno Mendes, Paris Saint-Germain

9. Gianluigi Donnarumma,  Paris Saint-Germain

8. Cole Palmer, Chelsea

7. Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid

6. Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain

5. Raphinha, Barcelona

4. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

3. Vitinha, Paris Saint-Germain

2. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona

1. Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain

It is not too difficult to work out why the aviation routes between the UK and Dublin are so well used, given the large number of people born in Ireland who now live in the UK

Dublin has been unveiled as the most popular international destination for UK air travellers in the first six months of 2025.

According to new analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by air passenger rights experts, AirAdvisor, over 4.8 million passengers flew between the UK and the Emerald Isle’s major airport, Dublin Airport, between January and June 2025.

In previous years, Palma De Mallorca in Spain and the Dutch capital Amsterdam claimed the top spot in the frequent flights ranking.

Other destinations that frequently welcome large numbers of UK travellers include Alicante, Malaga, Faro, and Dubai. European capital cities, including Madrid, Paris, and Lisbon, also experience significant traffic to and from the UK.

AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko said: “Ireland is an extremely popular destination for UK travellers due to the two countries’ historic connections. It’s a busy route for holidaymakers between the nations’ major cities and also people visiting family members based either side of the Irish Sea.

“Amsterdam remains a popular city break spot for UK travellers while those looking for year-round sun often opt for destinations like Dubai and Tenerife.”

It is not too difficult to work out why the aviation routes between the UK and Dublin are so well used.

According to the Office for National Statistic’s anual population survey, there were approximately 412,000 people who were born in the Republic of Ireland living in the UK as of June 2021. The number of people of Irish ancestry in the UK is significantly higher, with estimates suggesting around six million people have at least one Irish grandparent.

Many of those people still have connections to the Irish capital, giving them a very good reason to hop on a Ryanair or Aer Lingus flight and head back. It is often cheap. A flight from the UK to Dublin can be booked for as little as £16 next week. Kayak also has rooms for from £37 a night.

For those who don’t have such a connection, there are plenty of reasons to hop on the hour long flight from the UK and visit Dublin.

A trip to the Guinness Storehouse is a must for most visitors — and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Whether you join a guided tour or take your time exploring solo, you’ll get a fascinating look at how the iconic Irish stout is brewed — and of course, there’s a tasting involved.

History enthusiasts will feel right at home at Malahide Castle. Set in picturesque surroundings, the castle invites you to step back in time with guided tours and stories from centuries past. Afterwards, wander through the serene gardens for a relaxing stroll.

Another historic highlight comes in the Book of Kells Exhibition, where you can view one of the most famous illuminated manuscripts in existence.

There are plenty of museums in the city, including:

• Kilmainham Gaol: This former prison offers powerful insights into Ireland’s complex past.
• Dublin Writers Museum: A literary pilgrimage for fans of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and other Irish greats.

• The Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum is a treasure trove of memorabilia and a hit with music lovers.
• The Little Museum of Dublin showcases the city’s modern history, with an entire room dedicated to U2.
• The Irish Whiskey Museum, where you can learn all about one of Ireland’s most beloved exports.

If you’re keen to indulge in a little retail therapy, Dublin has you covered. Grafton Street and Henry Street are the main shopping thoroughfares, packed with everything from designer brands to high-street favourites.

For something more unique, Dublin’s street markets are full of character. One standout is the Dublin Flea Market, offering everything from vintage clothes to quirky collectables and furniture. Just note: it only runs on the last Sunday of each month.

The latest break between the two foremost military and political leaders risks igniting civil war again for the embattled nation.

South Sudan has started holding a trial for First Vice President Riek Machar, who has been sacked by his decades-long rival, President Salva Kiir, and charged with murder, treason and crimes against humanity in relation to rebellion and an attack by a militia linked with ethnic tensions.

Machar and seven others who have been charged alongside him, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, were seen sitting inside a barred cage in the court on Monday during a live broadcast on national television.

Machar has been held in house arrest at his residence in the capital, Juba, for months following investigations by the government of his allies.

The Trial of Dr. Riek Machar Teny https://t.co/3T7CVp2ZDR

— South Sudan Eagles Media (@ssemtv) September 22, 2025

Earlier this month, a decree read on state radio said Kiir suspended the first vice president due to charges stemming from his alleged involvement in attacks by the White Army against federal forces in March.

The White Army, a loose band of armed youths, attacked a military base in Nasir, northeastern South Sudan, and killed more than 250 soldiers on Machar’s orders, according to the government.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of South Sudan activist group Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, told local media that the trial must be transparent and fair to build up trust in the judicial system.

He urged both leaders and their parties to “adhere to the principle of resolving political misunderstanding through dialogue” rather than violence, which would benefit no one.

Machar’s party, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-in Opposition (SPLM/IO), has called the charges “fabricated” and said its members were arrested illegally. Machar’s lawyer on Monday said “an incompetent court” that lacks jurisdiction is judging him.

Fears of a return to ruinous civil war

After the vice president’s arrest, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) called on all parties to exercise restraint and warned that they risked losing the “hard-won gains of the past seven years” and returning to a state of civil war.

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country and also one of its most impoverished.

In 2013, two years after the country gained independence from Sudan following decades of war, oil-producing South Sudan descended into a civil war.

The devastating conflict, which scarred the country and left some 400,000 people killed, pitted Kiir and his allies from the ethnic Dinka group against Machar, who is from the Nuer, the second-largest ethnic group in South Sudan.

More than four million people, or about one-third of the population, were displaced from their homes before a 2018 peace deal saw the pair form a “national unity” government.

But they never fully saw eye-to-eye, leaving the country in a state of limbo.

Both leaders held on to their armed factions that were never fully integrated and unified despite agreements, while reforms were delayed, and presidential elections were repeatedly postponed.

Armed clashes have erupted in several parts of the country over the past months, with both sides accusing each other of breaking ceasefire agreements.

Authorities in South Sudan are, in the meantime, plundering billions of dollars in public funds as the impoverished country also deals with a deepening food crisis, according to the UN.

“The country has been captured by a predatory elite that has institutionalised the systematic looting of the nation’s wealth for private gain,” the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said last week.

The US senator has labelled Carr’s comments ‘dangerous as hell’ and something ‘right out of Goodfellas’.

A prominent Republican senator has joined the Democrats in criticising threats made by the government of the United States against Disney and local broadcasters for airing Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Ted Cruz, who leads oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said on Friday that FCC chair Brendan Carr’s threat to take regulatory action against networks over the content of their shows sets a dangerous precedent.

Speaking on his podcast, Cruz labelled Carr’s comments “dangerous as hell” and something “right out of Goodfellas”, referring to Martin Scorsese’s iconic gangster movie.

“That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here. It would be a shame if something happened to it’,” Cruz said.

Carr had threatened to fine broadcasters or pull the licences of those who aired Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday, prompting television network ABC – which is owned by Disney – to suspend the late-night talk show.

The owners of dozens of local TV stations affiliated with ABC also said they would no longer air the show.

Carr’s threat came in response to the host’s opening monologue on Monday discussing the murder of Charlie Kirk – a friend and political ally of the president – which caused uproar among President Donald Trump’s supporters.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said, speaking of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.

Cruz’s criticism of Carr marks a rare example of a prominent member of Trump’s own party publicly criticising his administration, highlighting deepening bipartisan concerns over attacks on free speech.

“We shouldn’t be threatening government power to force him off air,” Cruz said on his podcast. “It might feel good right now to threaten Jimmy Kimmel, but when it is used to silence every conservative in America, we will regret it,” he added.

Trump, however, said he disagreed with Cruz and called Carr “an incredible American patriot with courage”.

Trump has himself slammed Kimmel’s Kirk monologue, while he also suggested on Thursday that broadcasters critical of his administration should have their FCC-issued licences revoked.

“I’m a very strong person for free speech,” he told reporters at the Oval Office on Friday, when asked to clarify his earlier comments.

But he continued that broadcasters were so critical of him that they represent an extension of the Democratic Party, something he said was “really illegal”.

“That’s no longer free speech … That’s just cheating, and they cheat,” he said.

Prominent Democrats and civil rights groups have condemned the Trump administration’s pressure to punish Kimmel and networks that air his show.

Democrat and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Carr is “one of the single greatest threats to free speech America has ever known”, as he called for him to resign or for Trump to fire him.

Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Friday also asked the FCC’s inspector general to investigate Carr’s actions and comments.

The future of Jimmy Kimmel Live remains unclear and Kimmel is yet to publicly comment on his suspension.