Bridges

TWO popular destinations with Brits will soon be connected by a series of bridges.

Three bridges will soon connect Spain and Portugal.

The three bridges in Guadiana, Minho and Erges aim to improve connections between the two countries, which will cut travel times as well.

The agreement is reported to be worth €13million (£11.4million).

Guadiana Bridge will connect the towns of Alcoutim in Portugal, with Sanlucar de Guadiana in Spain.

Alcoutim is one of the Algarve’s most peaceful and authentic towns, according to Algarve Tips.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

HOL YES

I’m a travel editor & mum-of-3… my favourite family holidays from just £3pp a night

In the town visitors will find whitewashed and quiet streets, as well as the Castle of Alcoutim, which looks over the river and the town of Sanlucar de Guadiana.

The town is also a popular spot for outdoor activities including heading to Praia Fluvial do Pego Fundo, a river beach.

Kayaking and canoeing along the Guadiana River is popular as well.

In Sanlucar de Guadiana, Spain, visitors can explore several historic sites including the Castillo de San Marcos which sits on a hill.

Nearby you can go on sherry tours too, including at Bodegas Barbadillo.

Guadiana is about three hours and 20 minutes by car from Madrid and just under three hours from Seville.

Erges Bridge will then connect Portugal‘s A23 motorway to an existing Spanish expressway near the border.

This road then leads towards Madrid and officials hope that the bridge will better link the two capitals – Madrid and Lisbon.

Finally, Minho Bridge will cross over the Minho River to connect the town of Caminha in Portugal, with Laguardia in Spain.

Caminha features a mix of sandy beaches and historic charm.

Visitors can head to the Old Town, where they will find medieval walls and the Torre do Relogio clock tower.

For a beach day, head to Moldeo Beach, which is popular for surfing and kitesurfing.

In addition to cutting journey times, it is hoped that the bridges will open up new scenic areas.

However, it is unclear when the bridges will open to the public.

Another two European capitals will be connected via a high-speed train taking just three hours.

Plus, the Eurostar has revealed plans for direct trains from UK to a new European country for first time ever.

DIFF’RENT Strokes star Todd Bridges has split from his wife, after three years of marriage.

The actor, 60, who played Willis on the much-loved 80s sitcom, met his spouse Bettijo on a dating app, but they have now called time on their relationship.

The former child star revealed the news of his marriage break-up, saying he wished his wife “all the best”.

In a statement given to TMZ, the Diff’rent Strokes star told TMZ: “After much thought and mutual respect, we have decided to end our marriage.

“During our time together we shared meaningful moments, but have chosen to go our separate ways.

“I ask for privacy and wish her nothing but love and happiness moving forward.”

Read more on star break-ups

ACE SHAME

Football star splits from wife who accused him of ‘betrayal’ with her BEST FRIEND

The couple’s break-up comes just over three years after the couple got married in a low-key Beverly Hills wedding, which just 40 guests attended.

The pair had a whirlwind romance, which saw them get engaged just six months after meeting on a dating app, and wed three months later.

This was Todd’s second marriage, as he was previously was married to Dori Bridges from 1998 to 2012.

DIFF’RENT STROKES FAME

Known for its catchy theme tune, Diff’rent Strokes aired on NBC and also ABC from 1978 to 1986, running for eight seasons.

The series followed the life of a wealthy businessman, Phillip Drummond, who adopts his housekeeper’s two children after she died.

Along with Todd, the popular sitcom made a star out of a young Gary Coleman, who’s character Arnold Jackson coined the phrase, “Whatchu talkin’ bout, Willis?”

But the show is also remembered for tacking a range of diverse issues, and addressing a host of serious issues, from eating disorders to bullying.

Actor Todd played Arnold’s older brother Willis.

Sadly after the show finished, he had several brushes with the law, and in 1987 was tried and later acquitted of attempted murder in 1988.

Todd also dealt with substance abuse issues, which he talks about in his book about his recovery, Killing Willis.

However, the actor turned his life around and is still a regular face on TV, which includes a stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2022.

Todd is the last of the main and original Diff’rent Strokes stars who is still alive today.

His much-loved co-star Gary was plagued with health problems, and sadly died of a brain hemorrhage on May 28, 2010. He was 42.

CO-STAR DEATH

Todd’s marriage split comes just weeks after another one of his Diff’rent Strokes’ co-star Melanie Watson passed away.

She played Arnold’s pal Kathy Gordon on the 1980s TV show Diff’rent Strokes, appearing in four episodes of the hit show.

The actress had been in hospital where she quickly deteriorated, TMZ reported.

Robert Watson, Melanie’s brother told the outlet that she died on December 26.

He said his sister had been suffering bleeding, and that doctors did their best to help her.

Melanie was born in Dana Point, California, with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes bones to fracture easily.

The Syrian army has declared a rural area east of Aleppo a “closed military zone” amid fears of renewed clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. A military source said the SDF destroyed three bridges connecting areas it controls with government-controlled areas. Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi has the latest from Aleppo.

A travel influencer has shared a viral video of one city in France which is described as like ‘walking through a fairytale’, with followers calling the lakeside city ‘so beautiful’

If you’re still mulling over your holiday plans for 2026 and fancy a French escape with a difference, then this travel blogger’s suggestion might just catch your eye. A globetrotting enthusiast has turned to Instagram to rave about a charming city tucked away in the French Alps, describing it as akin to ‘walking through a fairytale’. The magical spot she’s championing? The delightful Annecy.

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the Alps’, Annecy is a breathtaking lakeside town located in France‘s southeastern Haute-Savoie department. Sitting just 45 minutes south of Geneva by car, it’s celebrated for its dazzling turquoise alpine lake, towering snow-dusted peaks, and elaborate system of historic waterways.

Wendy, who boasts 100,000 Instagram followers under the handle @nomadicfare, posted a mesmerising video highlighting the town’s most spectacular attractions. Her accompanying post read: “Walking through a fairytale.”

She went on to explain: “A dreamy sunset-to-night wander in Annecy. We started golden hour along the lakefront, then grabbed gelato while crossing the many flower-covered bridges of the old town. The perfect summer night.”

Wrapping up, she posed the question to her audience: “Is this town on your bucket list?”

The clip proved a massive hit, racking up over 195,000 likes from impressed viewers.

One admirer enthused: “Great photo-tour. Makes me dream of visiting Annecy.”

Meanwhile, another shared their memories: “Annecy is so beautiful! Visited the town as a side trip from Geneva, Switzerland.”

A third commended Wendy’s talent for capturing the spirit of the location, remarking: “Love how you capture not just the place, but the feeling of being there.”

Annecy’s key sights and attractions

• Vieille Ville (Old Town): A pedestrianised maze of cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses lined with flower boxes.
• Palais de l’Isle: This iconic 12th-century “ship-shaped” castle sits in the middle of the Thiou Canal. It has served as a lord’s residence, courthouse, and prison, and now houses a local history museum.
• Lake Annecy: Widely considered one of the purest urban lakes in Europe, it offers activities like boating, swimming, and paddleboarding.
• Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge): A romantic iron bridge connecting the Jardins de l’Europe to the Pâquier esplanade, offering stunning views of the lake and mountains.
• Château d’Annecy: A restored medieval fortress overlooking the city that served as the home of the Counts of Geneva; it now features a museum of regional history and art.

Best way to travel to Annecy

Visitors can reach Annecy from London by plane (quickest and often most affordable), train (scenic and comfortable), or bus (cheapest but longest).

By air

The most convenient choice means flying from a London airport (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, or City) to Geneva Airport (GVA). The flight time is around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Once in Geneva, travellers can take a bus service to Annecy, taking about 70 minutes. At present, no direct flights operate to the smaller Annecy Airport (NCY).

Train

One alternative is catching the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, then changing to Paris Gare de Lyon and boarding a high-speed TGV train to Annecy. The journey typically takes between 7-10 hours.

Though slower than flying, it provides a beautiful trip through the French countryside.

Optimal time of year to visit Annecy

The ideal time to visit Annecy really depends on your personal preferences and the activities you’re keen to partake in.

Summer (July to August): This is when Lake Annecy truly comes alive, offering perfect conditions for swimming, boating, and cycling.

The city buzzes with various festivals, including the spectacular Fête du Lac fireworks display in August.

However, be ready for larger crowds and a spike in prices.

Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October): These are the seasons for those seeking a more peaceful experience, with mild weather and fewer tourists. Spring brings beautiful blossoms, while autumn showcases stunning fall foliage around the lake.

Winter (December to March): Annecy oozes charm during the winter months, with Christmas markets and a festive atmosphere. Its close proximity to several ski resorts makes it an ideal base for winter sports enthusiasts.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia — In Dar es Salaam’s train station, hundreds of passengers sat amid piles of luggage as a listless breeze blew through the open windows. Shortly before their scheduled 3:50pm departure on the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority’s (TAZARA) Mukuba Express train, an update crackled over the tannoy: the train would be leaving two hours late.

A collective groan rippled through the crowd, and under the soaring roof of the station, pigeons darted back and forth, disappearing into holes left from rotted-out ceiling tiles. But nobody was really surprised. Given the train’s reputation for unreliable service, the passengers knew a two-hour delay for the TAZARA was practically on time.

The railway runs from Tanzania’s largest city through the country’s southern highlands and across the border into Zambia’s copper provinces, finally pulling into the town of Kapiri Mposhi some 1,860 kilometres (1,156 miles) away. It’s a journey that, according to official timetables, should take about 40 hours.

For regular passengers, it’s a cheap way to reach parts of the country that are not located near main highways. For foreign tourists, it’s a unique way to see Tanzania’s landscapes far from the bustling cities and overcrowded safari parks, provided they are not in a hurry. A first-class sleeper car all the way to Mbeya, a travel hub and border town just to the east of Zambia, surrounded by lush mountains and coffee farms, is just over $20.

This year, the railroad celebrated its 50th anniversary, but it has struggled for most of its existence, requiring foreign investment for basic upkeep and failing to haul the amount of freight it was built to carry. Inconsistent maintenance and limited investment have seen its infrastructure and cars deteriorate from decades of use.

It’s hard to determine exactly where a trip on the TAZARA will be at any given time, due to the myriad delays and breakdowns that randomise each journey. Simple derailments from poorly loaded cars and deteriorating tracks are common, and then there’s the occasional unfortunate brush with nature — in August, service was cancelled after a passenger train struck an African buffalo while passing through Tanzania’s Mwalimu Julius Nyerere National Park.

But since the beginning of 2025, the TAZARA has been plagued by more serious incidents — and fatalities — that reveal the desperate need for an overhaul of both ageing infrastructure and poor safety management. In April, two locomotives being moved from Zambia to a workshop in Mbeya for repairs derailed at a bridge in southern Tanzania, killing both drivers.

Two months later, in June, a train derailed in Zambia and was then struck by the “rescue train” dispatched to assist it. The collision killed one TAZARA employee and injured 10 staff and 19 passengers, according to a media release from the railway.

Citing “unexpected operational challenges,” passenger service was briefly suspended in early September. As it turned out, the few operational locomotives the TAZARA could field were stuck in Tanzania, after a fire damaged one of the hundreds of bridges along the track.

But big improvements for TAZARA are on the horizon, thanks to a major investment by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which has pledged $1.4bn to refurbish the ageing rail line over the next three years. Though the continuation of passenger service is mentioned in the agreement, construction work will necessitate some pauses to regular service as the project is completed.

Most of the money will be spent on rehabilitating the tracks, but $400m will go toward 32 new locomotives and 762 wagons, “significantly increasing freight and passenger transport capacity,” according to a TAZARA statement. In return, the Chinese state-owned corporation will receive a 30-year concession to run the TAZARA railway and recoup its investment before turning day-to-day management back over to Tanzanian and Zambian authorities.