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Direct flights between India and China have resumed as relations between the countries appear to be thawing.

IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata landed in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Monday, carrying about 180 passengers.

Flights between the two countries were first suspended during the Covid pandemic in early 2020 and did not restart after a deadly clash in a disputed Himalayan border area escalated tensions.

But the two countries have been steadily rebuilding relations, and last year they reached a landmark agreement on border patrols.

The Indian government had said the resumption of direct flights would “facilitate people-to-people contact” and help “the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges” in a statement announcing the development earlier this month.

It is part of a series of developments that indicate a gradual normalisation of ties between the neighbours.

In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, meeting President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Earlier that month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited India and discussed “de-escalation, delimitation and boundary affairs” with officials in Delhi.

In July, India had also restarted issuing visas for Chinese tourists.

According to travel data provider OAG, the two countries operated around 2,588 scheduled flights in 2019 before services were suspended.

At the Kolkata airport on Sunday evening, airline staff lit brass oil lamps to mark the resumption of direct flights as IndiGo passengers checked in.

A senior Chinese consular official, Qin Yong, told reporters at the airport that it was a “very important day for the India-China relationship”.

Passengers expressed happiness that the time taken to reach China would now reduce.

Krishna Goyal, who said he was travelling for business to China, told ANI news agency that direct flights would boost trade and relations between the countries.

“Earlier, we had to change two or three flights [to reach China]. We used to go to Singapore from Kolkata and from there to China,” he said.

China Eastern Airlines is set to launch a flight connecting Shanghai and Delhi next month. It will fly three times a week from 9 November, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India posted on X.

Additional reporting by Neyaz Farooquee in Delhi

This city is considered a ‘hidden gem’ as it gets fewer tourists than hotspots such as Barcelona or Malaga, but it could be the perfect combination city and beach break for autumn

Ryanair have launched a new direct flight from London Stansted to a Spanish city that has been dubbed ‘underrated’ and a ‘hidden gem’.

The budget airline will now operate a London to Murcia flight four times a week, with the journey taking just under three hours. Murcia, which is set in Spain’s southeast, just over an hour from Alicante, is a lesser-known region, but once you step off the plane you can choose to explore the city or head to the nearby coast.

The timing of the new route is perfect for those who are already a little sick of the autumn weather. This week, Murcia has seen highs of 31C, while in November it can hit up to 21C. While it’s not the hottest destination in December and January, with highs of 18C and 17C respectively during the day, it tends to be mild and have low rainfall. However, it’s worth packing cosy pyjamas, as it can get cold at night.

The city of Murcia is packed with things to do, and it’s a must for history buffs, having been settled by the Romans and the Moors. Visit Murcia Cathedral, an ornate, Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline, or the Santa Clara Museum which was once a Muslim palace, that became a Monastery in the 14th-century.

You’ll also find a wide variety of museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico de Murcia, which is full of treasures, and the Salzillo Museum, dedicated to the locally born sculptor Francisco Salzillo, who made dramatic religious artworks.

Murcia also has amazing shopping. The huge Centro Comercial Nueva Condomina has lots of big Spanish and European brands from Bershka to Zara, while Centro De Artesania De Murcia is full of handcrafted and artisanal items that make great gifts. It’s no wonder Murcia was dubbed ‘underrated’ by National Geographic.

Just over 20 minutes from the airport is the port city of Cartagena, famed for its Roman Amphitheatre. It’s also packed with historic sights such as the Roman Forum Museum and the Punic wall dating back to the 3rd century BC.

Cartagena is also perfect for a beach break. Visit Cala Cortina, an unspoilt beach surrounded by rugged cliffs. It has soft sands, and because it’s set in a bay, the waters are calm for swimming.

Another beach destination close to Murcia is La Manga, just over half an hour from the airport. This unique spot sits on a strip that’s 13 miles long, but only 100 metres wide, with a lagoon on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. This means you’ll never struggle for a place on the long sandy beach, and pretty much all hotel rooms have either a sea or lagoon view. There’s also a large marina with lots of restaurants and boat hire if you want to take to the water.

Whether you’re planning a city break, or want to hit the beach, it’s worth considering Murcia instead of one of the bigger, more touristy Spanish cities. Despite its numerous historic attractions and close proximity to amazing beaches, Murcia only received 1.16 million visitors last year, compared to 26 million who chose Barcelona. But tourist numbers are on the rise, so plan your visit before it gets discovered by the crowds.

Book it

There are direct flights to Murcia from several UK airports available this October from £15.

MANCHESTER and Birmingham could soon get Channel Tunnel trains.

Virgin has revealed that it wants to operate services from Manchester and Birmingham to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, if it wins the bid to run cross-channel services.

If the routes were launched, the trains would need to run via the West Coast Main Line and then divert across north London to join the Channel Tunnel route at Stratford.

A Virgin spokesperson said: “Reopening the stations to be able to accommodate international services requires commitment and resources from all parties and potential competitors involved.

“But if the stations are opened, Virgin will stop in Kent.”

Virgin has also pledged to reopen Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International stations, which have both been closed since 2020.

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Virgin would then run 20 services each day from London St Pancras to Paris and Amsterdam via Brussels, within the next five years.

In the future, Virgin said it could also add services to Germany and Switzerland too.

In August, Virgin signed a deal for 12 new high-speed trains.

The “binding exclusivity” with Alstom means Virgin would get a dozen Avelia Stream trains to use for journeys into mainland Europe.

Virgin is just one of several companies bidding to run services across the channel; other companies include Gemini Trains and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS).

The latter has said they would look to restart train routes from Ashford International Station as well.

If Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane was successful in its bid to gain a Channel Tunnel contract, they’d launch trains from between London and Paris from 2029 onwards, with a stop in Ashford.

Meanwhile, Gemini Trains has revealed plans to launch 10 trains from the UK to Europe, including routes to Paris and Brussels.

The ORR will make a decision about the future of cross-channel services, by either allowing a new operator to run services or allow Eurostar to grow its services.

If Eurostar did expand, the operator has expressed that it would like to run services to a number of new destinations, such as Frankfurt and Geneva.

A final decision is set to be made on October 31.

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WHILE a second operator on the channel tunnel could only be a positive move for travellers, there are significant challenges before this could become reality.

Eurostar currently has a monopoly on the route and competition would potentially bring more choice, lower prices and new routes.

Eurostar itself is a shadow of the company it was in its glory days with direct routes to Disneyland Paris, Lyon, Avignon and Marseille plus its fabulous ski train to the Alps.

While the pandemic brought the company almost to its knees, it has been steadily getting back on its feet and the merger with Belgian operator Thalys has opened up fast train services to Germany.

But the constrictions on space at St Pancras and the maintenance depot at Temple Mills plus the potential disruption when the new European Entry Exit System finally arrives mean there are still significant problems that need to be addressed.

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Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has expressed interest in running trains between London and Paris with a stop in the southeastern county of Kent, meaning an extra direct train route to Europe

A new train service would provide a second direct route from the UK to Europe.

At the moment, if you want to get from the UK to Europe by train (and you aren’t in your own vehicle), the only option is to go on the Eurostar from St Pancras International in London.

Eurostar trains used to make stops in Kent, but service was halted in 2020. Services stopped operating at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they never returned when international travel did.

Earlier this year, Eurostar said just 4% of passengers travelled from Ashford, or Ebbsfleet, which is also in Kent. At peak times, it says there were 50 passengers from Ashford on each 900-seat train.

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That hasn’t stopped the Kentish people from expressing their dismay at the scrapped service. Around 80,000 of them have signed a petition to get their European link back. Jean-Claude Cothias, a Frenchman who moved to Ashford due to its connections with the Continent, has even considered leaving the town now that Eurostar doesn’t stop there.

“That connection, if it’s not there, it is hugely detrimental to the economic environment in the town and to its attractiveness,” he told the BBC.

It seems that their protests have worked. Italian operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has expressed interest in running trains between London and Paris with a stop in the southeastern county.

The competitor is one of several train companies competing to run a cross-Channel route. Its plans include a £1 billion investment into the British economy, and the construction of an ‘innovation hub’ at Ashford station, according to the Times.

Virgin, German-owned organisation Deutsche Bahn, and startup Evolyn have been gearing up to make bids for access to the Channel Tunnel.

A Virgin Group spokesperson said: “Virgin is talking to Kent County Council and other stakeholders about stopping at both Ebbsfleet and Ashford as it set out in its ORR submission. Reopening the stations to be able to accommodate international services requires commitment and resources from all parties and potential competitors involved – but if the stations are opened, Virgin will stop in Kent.”

In January Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “keen” to see international services reinstated to Ashford “as soon as possible”, when responding to Ashford MP Sojan Joseph’s question in the House of Commons. Like Ashford and Ebbsfleet, Eurostar no longer stops at Calais’s international station – Calais Frethun.

Ashford Borough Council invested £25m for the infrastructure of the town’s international station, which opened in 1996. It also spent £8.5m more to upgrade signalling in 2020, so newer Eurostar trains could access the station.

Council leader Noel Ovenden has been a vocal critic of both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet stations lying unused by direct European services. “We want it open now, not in another five years. We need to keep banging the drum, louder and louder, and push hard to get this station reopened,” he told the BBC.

A UK train station that lost its direct routes to Europe during the pandemic could soon welcome them back.

Eurostar rival Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) said they were likely to restart train routes from Ashford International Station when they launch.

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The Italian train operator revealed plans earlier this year to take on Eurostar with UK-Europe routes.

And it has since confirmed a £1billion investment into the UK economy which would include reopening the Kent station.

Initial plans include an “Innovation Hub” in Ashford International Station by early 2026, the Times reports.

The first trains to Europe will then launch in 2029 from London to Paris, which includes a stop in Ashford.

Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy also backed the return of European connections at Ashford International.

He said earlier this year: “I firmly believe that competition offers the best prospect of international services returning to Kent stations.”

Eurostar scrapped all trains from Ashford back in 2020, as well as trains at Ebbsfleet International.

Despite a campaign with more than 75,000 signatures for trains to return to Ashford, Eurostar has yet to confirm if they will.

Initial suggestions of reopening it in 2026 have been quashed.

The Eurostar has been the only railway line to use the Channel Tunnel since 1994.

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However, other operators have since revealed plans to take them on.

Virgin has revealed plans to launch trains from the UK to Europe by 2030.

This would include routes from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam – similar destinations to Eurostar.

Another rival is Gemini Trains, who has teamed up with Uber.

The new train operator recently bought 10 high speed trains ahead of plans to launch from both London and Ebbsfleet to Paris and Brussels by 2029.

Evolyn, a new start up, expressed plans for London-Paris trains back in 2023, with initial plans to launch next year.

And Eurostar themselves has revealed huge expansion plans, with potential new European destinations.

When it comes to France, it could relaunch train routes to Marseille and Bordeaux, having previously once stopped there.

And the CCO said they could also one day stop in cities in both Germany and Switzerland.

This could include places like Cologne and and Frankfurt, as well as Geneva and Zurich.

Here are four Eurostar routes that have been scrapped over the years.

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Latest move underscores efforts to normalise ties and draw closer in wake of Trump’s policies, stiff tariffs.

India and China plan to resume direct flights this month between some of their cities after a five-year suspension as relations between the two countries begin to thaw, Indian authorities have announced.

The closer ties come in the face of the United States President Donald Trump administration’s aggressive trade policies.

Direct flights between the two countries were suspended during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and did not resume as Beijing and New Delhi engaged in prolonged border tensions.

On Thursday, India’s embassy to China said in a post on social media platform WeChat that flights between designated cities will resume by late October, subject to commercial carriers’ decisions.

The resumption is part of the Indian government’s “approach towards gradual normalization of relations between India and China,” the embassy added.

India’s largest carrier IndiGo announced on Thursday that it would resume flights from Kolkata, India, to Guangzhou, China, from October 26.

The resumption comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years to attend last month’s meeting of regional security bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

There, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that India and China were development partners, not rivals, and discussed ways to strengthen trade ties amid global tariff uncertainty fuelled by Trump.

The US president raised the tariff rate on Indian imports to a stiff 50 percent last month, citing the nation’s continuing purchases of Russian oil. He also urged the European Union to slap 100 percent tariffs on China and India as part of his efforts to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

Relations between China and India plummeted in 2020 after security forces clashed along a disputed border in the Himalayan mountains. Four Chinese soldiers and 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the worst violence in decades, freezing high-level political engagements.

When it gets to the colder, wetter months, and the garden’s being used less often, it’s handy to have somewhere to store all your tools.

The 3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage has been reduced from £219.99 to £149.99 – but an extra discount takes another £7.49 off.

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3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage
£142.49 (was £219.99)

In the autumn, wet and windy weather is more common, and it makes sense to want to keep everything safely stashed away indoors in preparation.

A garden shed is an easy solution for organising your outdoor space – but the useful addition doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

Buy Sheds Direct has become a popular retailer to choose from a huge range of garden storage options, and there’s currently a sale on.

The Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage now costs £142.49 as there’s an extra 5% off automatically applied when you check out, and it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

With 600L capacity, it’s compact but worth investing in if you don’t have a huge garden and need a shed that doesn’t take up too much space.

You could use it to keep gardening tools tucked away from rain to avoid weathering and rusting, but it could also fit a small lawnmower depending on size.

Made from natural timber, the shed would easily blend in with its outdoor surroundings, but it’s also pressure treated to protect it from damage, with a 15 year anti-rot guarantee.

Double doors make it easy to fill and access your essentials, so you can quickly reach what you need without having to sift through everything.

Keeping your house clean is also a benefit, as none of your dirty tools are being taken inside.

There’s no need to worry about security either, because the shed is built with a clasp for you to add your own padlock, so you lock everything away out of sight.

It’s also sensible to opt for a shed with a pent roof, because it allows water and snow to run-off easily, rather than sitting on top.

3’6 x 2′ Forest Pent Midi Wooden Garden Storage
£142.49 (was £219.99)

If your garden equipment is in need of an upgrade, The Sun Shopping’s best cordless lawn mowers range from budget to more premium options – and we’ve tested them all.

The best chainsaws are worth a look too, whether you’re investing in one to tackle hedges or overgrown weeds.

The Caribbean is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts. It is located South-East of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, and north of South America.

The Caribbean is a treasure trove of cultural gems, offering a unique charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. Indeed, the vibrant culture of the Caribbean is its biggest draw, showcasing a mix of architectural wonders, colourful festivities, and historical treasures.

It’s a dream destination for those seeking a tranquil getaway, with pristine white sandy beaches and a tropical climate.

Tourism is a key pillar in the economies of all Caribbean islands, which welcome visitors with open arms. One island, in particular, has won over many British holidaymakers, offering the ultimate tropical retreat.

Barbados, an eastern Caribbean island neighbouring Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent, is considered one of the safest islands in the region.

This popular cruise ship port is also famed as a foodie paradise, with delicious food and rum at the heart of its culture, reports the Express.

In fact, several annual Food and Rum Festivals are held here, attracting visitors who return year after year to enjoy its delights.

With direct flights from London and an average temperature of 29C in September, Barbados is the perfect autumnal escape.

Surrounded by coral reefs, the island’s crystal-clear waters are warm and invigorating, and the mostly flat terrain is ideal for leisurely strolls to soak up the tropical atmosphere.

The region boasts delightful temperatures all year round, seldom going above 30C or below 22C.

Navigating the island is a doddle, with a top-notch road network and an international airport situated near the southern coast.

Barbados is an outdoor lover’s dream, featuring mountains, rainforests, beaches and coral reefs.

The area is famed for its sugarcane fields, tropical trees and rich wildlife.

Don’t be surprised if you come across dolphins, monkeys, mongooses, barracudas, and even flying fish during your journey.

The national dish of Barbados is Cou Cou and fried flying fish, with pudding and souse also being popular choices.

No Caribbean holiday would be complete without a refreshing rum punch, a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

With a plethora of activities on offer, including swimming with turtles, catamaran cruising, monkey feeding, rum tours and kayaking, this island retreat promises to rejuvenate and refresh any weary traveller.

A far-flung holiday destination is stealing the limelight due to its white sand beaches, lush jungle and volcanic landscapes – and it’s hot in Autumn.

The volcanic island chain of Cape Verde, nestled in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa, epitomises the idyllic island life – boasting year-round warm temperatures, sandy beaches, lush, mountainous areas and a volcanic landscape, reports the Express.

Cape Verde -also known as Cabo Verde- enjoys glorious weather for most of the year. In September, typically the hottest month, temperatures can climb up to a sizzling 35C. By October, you can still expect balmy weather with temperatures hovering between 26 and 28C, peaking at around 30C. Even in the cooler months of January and February, temperatures rarely dip below a pleasant 21C.

This cluster of 10 islands lies hidden in the eastern Atlantic, directly opposite the small African nation of Senegal.

Cape Verde secured independence from Portugal in 1975, though the islands’ heritage endures today through landmarks like the Monumento de Diogo Gomes – a monument to the Portuguese explorer – and the Presidential Palace, constructed during the 19th century for the Portuguese governor.

Cape Verdean culture is a rich blend of Portuguese and West African influences.

The republic boasts its own distinctive music and dance, collectively named Morna – which is most often sung in Cape Verdean Creole, a language that is commonly spoken throughout the islands, in addition to the official language of Portuguese.

Fogo Island stands as the clearest testament to the archipelago’s volcanic heritage, with Fogo meaning “fire” in Portuguese.

The cone-shaped peak of Pico do Fogo soars to 2,829 metres and last erupted in 2015 – though this doesn’t appear to concern the nearly 36,000 residents. Chã das Caldeiras, a settlement of roughly 700 people, sits within the volcano’s crater.

Visitors can explore the hauntingly deserted Esperadinha Airport, situated on the south-westernmost island of Brava. The airport is situated on the only flat pieces of land, a precarious location on a narrow promontory near the water’s edge.

The terminal opened its doors in 1992 but had to cease operations in 2004 due to the strong winds that made it perilous for planes to land.

Nowadays, one can wander across the abandoned tarmac and inside its dilapidated buildings. There are two other defunct airports in the archipelago – Agostinho Neto Airport, in Santo Antão and Mosteiros in Fogo.

Flights are between five and a half to six hours long, with direct connections from the UK to Sal or Boa Vista primarily operated by TUI Airways and easyJet from various UK airports like London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol.

Those willing to make the trip to this far-flung paradise, however, will be rewarded with sun, sand, fascinating culture and stunning views.

Trains from London are planned to stop in this beautiful seaside town in the north of England, marking the destination’s first and only direct rail connection to the capital

Plans are progressing to establish a new direct rail link from London to the stunning Durham coastline in northern England.

Starting December 2025, trains will begin calling at the town of Seaham in County Durham, renowned for its striking cliffs, sandy beaches, and fascinating maritime heritage. Visitors should arrive with an appetite too, as the town boasts no fewer than 10 fish and chip shops, according to Google Maps.

The railway service will be operated by the Open Access operator Grand Central, supported by transport firm Arriva. Operators such as Grand Central remain outside the Labour government’s nationalisation proposals, utilising their own finances, reports the Express. It comes after images show the cheapest seaside spot in England is full of abandoned £40k homes ‘nobody wants’.

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Grahame Morris, the MP for Easington said: “I’m delighted to share that the Office of Rail and Road has confirmed that Grand Central Trains will begin stopping at Seaham Station from December 2025 to December 2026. [There will be] four stopping services per day in each direction.”

Home to roughly 21,500 inhabitants, Seaham is a bustling harbour town along the Durham Coast, boasting award-winning hotels, an extensive array of cafés and breathtaking clifftop vistas.

Seaham Beach features a combination of rocky and sandy shoreline, extending roughly one mile along the town’s coast, from the harbour wall to the northern edge of the settlement. Seaham is famous for vibrant sea glass – manmade glass that was previously discarded at sea before being tumbled and shaped by the water over several years and eventually washing ashore.

A visitor said on Tripadvisor this past April: “Lovely beach with beautiful coloured pebbles and sea glass. There are car parks along the seafront – only cost £3 for the whole day. Town is within walkable distance and has a number of good fish and chips shop. Bell’s fish restaurant has plenty of seating inside when the weather’s cold. There’s also a market. Great for a relaxing day out.”

The news emerges as UK rail regulators approved extended track access rights for Grand Central’s current operations through to 2038. The trains will be manufactured at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe plant, the company’s British manufacturing hub.

Arriva officially submitted an application to the UK Office of Rail and Road, the appropriate authority, to broaden its Grand Central operations into Lincolnshire from 2026. The operator is also pursuing approval for plans involving two additional daily return journeys between Bradford and London, plus an early morning and late evening return from York to London, along with connections to Seaham, which would mark the town’s first and only direct link to London.

Morris added: “Although the approval is currently for a one-year period using 5-car trains, I’m confident that these services will be well-used by residents across our community.

“This means that our constituency will now have direct rail links to York and London, alongside increased capacity to local destinations such as Sunderland and Hartlepool.”