In the muffled silence all I can hear is the crunch and squeak of snow underfoot. The white path ahead of me meanders skyward through forests of larch and pine, their boughs glittering with snow. When I look back, I can see for miles – an icily beautiful panorama of crags and peaks.
I’m in the Lower Engadine, in remote south-east Switzerland, thanks to a tip shared by my Swiss friend Kaspar, when I was pondering a winter walking holiday away from the crowds. Over two weeks I’ll be exploring this fairytale landscape alone, following well-marked trails.
The Lower Engadine contains few ski slopes, even fewer tourists and Switzerland’s only national park, a fiercely protected 170 sq km of wilderness now inhabited by 36 species of mammal and more than 100 species of bird, including bearded vultures, eagles, wolves, ibex, mountain hares and marmots.
The national park is closed to visitors during the winter, but several Engadine walking trails are close to its borders, meaning anyone can – with luck – spot some of its rare wildlife. The Engadine’s inhabitants speak Romansh (an official Swiss language spoken by less than 1% of the population) and follow a way of life that has barely changed – farmers, shepherds, cheese-makers and, more recently, artists attracted by the extraordinary beauty of this hidden valley.
Without a developed ski scene, it’s all about “slow” tourism here, with small family-run hotels, guided walks and visits to artisanal food producers. “This is a place where Swiss families come to reconnect with nature,” says Kaspar, who has been holidaying here for more than two decades. “In winter that means hiking, snow-shoeing, sledging, travelling in horse-drawn carts, bird-watching and cross country skiing. We come here for peace and quiet, for a reminder of wilderness.”
I base myself in Scuol, the end of the railway line and the largest of the 15 villages in the valley, reached via two connecting trains from Zurich. It is indeed a winter walker’s paradise, with more than 160km (100 miles) of trails kept safely walkable by an army of invisible labourers who spread sawdust on icy tracks and clear paths with snow ploughs while the rest of us sleep.
Many of the region’s houses are decorated with sgraffito scratching. Photograph: Sibylle Kirchen/Alamy
These routes (known as Winter-Wanderwege) are marked on a free map, available from Scuol’s tourist office (also downloadable to your phone). They’re easy to follow, thanks to an efficient system of numbers, signposts and coloured poles, and can be accessed by regular trains and buses.
I decide to tackle the Engadine Way, a 77km route that runs from one end of the valley (Zernez) to the other (Martina on the Austrian border) and can be completed, comfortably, on a series of day hikes. Each morning I take a bus or train (free with a guest travel pass handed out by hotels) up or down the valley and follow one of the routes to the next bus or train stop to head home, walking between five and 16km a day. I give myself a couple of days to “warm up” by following easy paths beside the River Inn that runs through the valley and cuts through Scuol. I need to get used to walking in crampons, with snow baskets on my walking poles, and prepare for the ascents and descents to come.
I’m delighted to discover that every village contains something to astonish the unsuspecting ambler. In Zernez it’s the National Park Centre, which tells me everything I need to know about the wildlife, geography and geology of the area. In Susch it’s the Museum Susch, an old monastery converted into a stunning art gallery dedicated to female artists (Tracey Emin has her own room), while its chic bistro makes a welcome pit stop for mountain-herb tea and EngadinerNusstorte – pastry stuffed with caramelised walnuts.
Author nnabel Abbs on the Engadin Way.
In the villages of Lavin and Tschlin it’s the tiny, gloriously painted churches, while in Guarda it’s a surprise French patisserie (Garde Manger) and a collection of richly decorated houses. In fact, most of the valley’s traditional Engadine houses are flamboyantly decorated – sundials, flowers, animals – using a “scratching” technique known as sgraffito. Several still home cattle and goats in the basement, while the farming families live above, and their chickens roam the streets.
But the walks that leave me the most ecstatic are those that wind deep into the unpeopled mountains – to frozen lakes (Lai Nair and Alp Laisch), or deserted hamlets (Griosch), or remote bistros serving hot chocolate, beer and dumplings (Zuort and Avrona). On these walks, I pass very few people. Deer tracks run ahead of me as my path – neither gritted nor sawdusted – winds through steeply sided forests, past waterfalls to snow-capped pinnacles and crests where bearded vultures and eagles soar in the clear blue sky.
There’s something meditative about walking through snow: it clears the mind like no other landscape. The all-encompassing whiteness absorbs any nagging concerns, leaving me calm and collected. Its luminosity lifts the spirits, its silence allows me to hear every flurry of falling snow, every bird call. Each day I return feeling mentally and emotionally spring cleaned, purged of all brain clutter.
When I need a break from walking, I visit the Tarasp Castle (a 12-minute bus ride from Scuol) with its contemporary art collection, including Picasso and Warhol. I watch a film in a tiny cinema at the Lavin railway station (all films are in English), visit the abandoned bath houses and springs of Nairs – one of which is now a cultural centre (Fundaziun Nairs) – and the ice sculpture park at Sur En.
Engadine has more than 160km of trails. Photograph: Colin Frei
On one overcast day I take the Bernina Express up to the frozen Lago Bianco – a winter wonderland of such brilliant pristine white it makes my eyes ache. I could have done more: the tourist office organises guided snow-shoeing tours, tobogganing trips, visits to knife-making workshops, cheese farms and local breweries. And for skiers, Scuol’s handful of conveniently situated pistes – behind the station – are “dream runs”, says my friend. There’s also Scuol’s legendary mineral baths – six indoor and outdoor pools including a brine pool – but I’m saving that for next time. (If you visit on 1 March, you’ll experience “Chalandamarz”, a Romansh tradition of chasing out winter when village children parade the streets in costume, singing, ringing cowbells and cracking whips.)
Scuol is without any of the usual hotel chains. Instead, this “slow” town has an immaculate youth hostel (double rooms with private bathroom from 120 swiss francs/£112, dorm beds from £41) and several family-run guest houses. I enjoyed delicious meals on the sunlit terrace of the adult-only Hotel Arnica (where architect-designed double rooms start at around £200 B&B) and creamy hot chocolates in the bar of the Scuol Palace hotel, once frequented by European royalty and luminaries such as the artist Paul Klee and writer Robert Musil.
Today’s royalty and celebrities make for Klosters or St Moritz, leaving quiet, sleepy Scuol and its network of glittering, snow-carpeted trails to the likes of … well, me. Or anyone else wanting a convenient, tranquil and friendly town in which to rest weary limbs after a day in the wintry wonderland of the Engadine.
Annabel Abbs travelled independently, with a travel pass courtesy of Travel Switzerland. She is the author of Windswept: Why Women Walk (John Murray) and The Walking Cure (as Annabel Streets, Bloomsbury). Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply
Maya Jama revealed that she was put on an IV drip after falling illCredit: Instagram / @mayajamaShe has been battling the flu this weekCredit: Instagram / @mayajama
“The flu struck,” she revealed alongside a photo of her with the IV drip in her arm.
Maya could be seen getting her makeup done while on set, with her hair in rollers.
As people flocked around the TV star and did her hair and makeup, someone else tended to her IV drip.
Maya explained how the IV drip came to “save the day”.
She later shared snaps of her dinner after heading out for a swanky meal.
It seems Maya is battling through the flu and continuing to work hard despite feeling under the weather.
Maya recently shed light on the mounting speculation over her Love Island hosting role – after we reported she hadn’t signed a contract earlier this year.
Eager to open up on her plans Maya took to social media and referred to the speculation she was about to walk away, before revealing she would be back.
“I did tell you if you were going to hear any news about it, it would come from me and me only,” she said.
“I will be hosting next year, I’ll be back for All Stars in January and then summer series in June and July. We go again, mother lovers.”
She also explained why she is not back hosting US spin-off, Love Island Games, which she presented the first series of.
She added: “Oh and I am obviously not hosting Love Island Games this year, as much as I love the show I physically could not host three Love Island series a year but Ariana [Madix] is doing a great job and I hope you are enjoying that one too.”
It comes as ITV chiefs offered Maya a deal reported to be worth nearly £2million to stay on.
It was believed Maya has been planning to walk away to explore work with streaming giant Netflix.
Music mogul Simon Cowell has finally explained his recent Britain’s Got Talent absence, revealing he suffered a fall that left him with a head injury
Simon Cowell ‘bashes head’ after fainting and falling down steps in latest accident(Image: Trae Patton/NBC via Getty Images)
Simon Cowell has revealed that his recent no-show at Britain’s Got Talent auditions came after he fell down another set of steps – the latest in a series of mishaps for the long-time judge.
The 66-year-old music mogul missed the first two days of filming in Birmingham after the incident, leaving producers to call in Stacey Solomon to temporarily fill his place on the panel.
Cowell then later reappeared on the third day of auditions with a visible graze on his forehead, explaining only that he’d had “an accident.”
His absence was finally addressed during the show’s Blackpool auditions, when a choir made up of ambulance staff took to the stage. Amanda Holden joked: “I thought they might be here in case anything went wrong with you again because you were poorly last week.”
Laughing off the comment, Cowell clarified what actually had happened as he finally shared the truth.
Speaking to the audience at the Winter Gardens, he said: “I fell down some steps, that wasn’t poorly, and I bumped my head, but I’m fine now.
“I wish you had been around a couple of weeks ago when I actually bashed my head. Seriously, no one sang for me then,” he added.
A show insider said the fall was a minor accident. They told The Sun: “Simon bumped his head when he stumbled on some steps. It’s the sort of thing that can happen to anyone. And, thankfully, he’s absolutely fine now.”
The timing of the incident, which occurred on October 1 and just a day before Birmingham auditions were due to begin, forced the show to cancel the opening session.
Rather than pause production entirely, Stacey Solomon was drafted in to maintain the four-judge panel, with Amanda Holden briefly stepping up as head judge.
Cowell later reassured fans via a short video, showing off the mark on his forehead and saying: “It’s Simon, I’m alive and I’m in Birmingham, I just want to say thank you for all your get well messages.”
It’s not the first time Cowell has been injured in a fall. In 2017, he was taken from his London home on a stretcher wearing a neck brace after tumbling down stairs just before The X Factor live shows.
Three years later, he broke his back testing an electric bike in Los Angeles, requiring major surgery and months of recovery.
Despite his latest setback, Cowell appeared in good spirits this week as he joined judges Amanda Holden, KSI, and Alesha Dixon on the red carpet for the Blackpool auditions.
A LOVE Island star opened up about his secret 18-month health battle, saying ‘I felt like my brain was falling out’.
Chris Williamson, 37, featured on the ITV2dating show’s first series in 2015.
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Chris Williamson opened up about his secret 18-month health battleCredit: Youtube/Chris Williamson
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He posted a YouTube v video updating his subscribersCredit: Youtube/Chris Williamson
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Chris appeared on Love Island back in 2015Credit: ITV2
He entered the villa on Day 1, however, he was ultimately “dumped” on Day 19.
Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chris discussed his health with subscribers.
In particular, his experience facing toxic mould exposure, Lyme disease and EBV.
In a clip recorded in September 2024, Chris said: “Struggling, yeah, in the last week.
“Five episodes in three days in New York. Two episodes in two days in Florida, plus travelling. Plus a bunch of meetings.
“It’s felt like my brain is trying to fall out of my ears the entire time.
“Memory is really rough, thoughts are very muddy. Getting confused in the middle of sentences.
“So it’s probably the worst that my mind’s been – just disheartening as I’ve been working on trying to get out of all this.
“Mould, EBV, Lyme, whatever it is, stuff for six months, more.
“It’s disheartening. I’ve no idea how far along I am, it feels like I’m going backward.”
I was on the first series of Love Island but quit reality TV and am now worth millions thanks to new job
Chris also appeared on dating showTake Me Out and has completely reinvented himself following his reality star days and is now a millionaire.
He earned the bulk of his fortune through his podcast, Modern Wisdom.
Chris does not look back fondly on his time on Love Island, stating in a chat with Sadia Khan he was “pretty bored” and having an ‘”existential crisis” while in the villa.
He told the BBC: “I was living this persona of the professional party boy – the big name on campus, the guy with the hair out front [of the club], that wanted people to need him, that thought he had found the culture and industry he belonged in.
“Then I got on to Love Island and had nowhere to hide from people who were the person I was pretending to be.
“I was there with people who were genuinely extroverted, outgoing, party people. And I was just playing a role…
“I’d convinced myself [Love Island] was something that made me finally belong. And I didn’t belong.”
Dogecoin (CRYPTO: DOGE) fell on Tuesday, down 4.2% as of 1:12 p.m. ET, as measured from 4 p.m. on Monday. The move comes as the S&P 500(SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and the Nasdaq Composite(NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) lost 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively.
The meme coin is falling with much of the market as investors anticipate a government shutdown. More speculative assets like Dogecoin tend to see outsized drops when the market is uneasy.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
Crypto investors brace for a shutdown
While a U.S. government shutdown could be avoided, the clock is ticking. Legislators need to pass a funding bill by the end of the day, but both sides of the aisle are playing hardball and refusing to budge. The market seems to be anticipating a shutdown.
Image source: Getty Images.
It wouldn’t be the first time — there have been 14 shutdowns since 1980 — but a shutdown introduces uncertainty, which often leads to a dip in the market. Investors like stability.
Dogecoin is a very risky asset
Dogecoin’s drop today outpaced most of the crypto market because it’s a meme coin with no real value. It is highly speculative and built on hype. It really shouldn’t be viewed as a serious investment; it is more of a bet.
Investors should instead look to cryptos with a proven track record of value and projects with innovative technology. Bitcoin and Ethereum are much smarter plays.
Should you invest $1,000 in Dogecoin right now?
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Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The care facility’s manager described the incident as a “tragic accident” and said an investigation is underway.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the care home and medical provider regulator, is aware of the incident.
Michael Blissett, home manager at Berrycroft Manor, said: “This was a tragic accident, and our thoughts and prayers are very much with the family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to them.
“Everyone here is shocked and saddened by the accident. Investigations are still continuing as to exactly how this has happened.
“Safety here is paramount and we are working with HSE [Health and Safety Executive] and CQC to ensure this never happens again.”
A GMP spokesperson added: “Shortly after 7.30am yesterday (September 29), officers responded to reports of a concern for the welfare of a woman following a fall at a care home on Berrycroft Lane, Stockport.
“Emergency services attended but sadly, a 78-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital later that day.
“Her family are currently being supported. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of her death.”
A CQC spokesperson said: “CQC has been made aware of the death of a resident at Berrycroft Manor in Stockport, and our condolences are with the family at this sad time.
“We are in close contact with the home and police as they look into the circumstances around this incident, so we can understand if there is any regulatory action that needs taken to ensure people are receiving safe care.
“CQC’s priority, at all times, is the health and wellbeing of people using health and social care services, and all information we receive informs our monitoring of services and future inspections.
“We’d encourage anyone who has concerns about a health and social care service to let us know. This can be done by emailing [email protected] or via our customer service centre on 03000 616161.”
September turbulence wiped out over $1.6 billion in crypto.
The cryptocurrency market has had an extraordinary year, with top cryptos like Bitcoin(BTC -4.23%) and Ethereum(ETH -8.20%) setting new all-time highs. That upward trend has stalled recently. As I write this (September 25), Bitcoin has fallen 5% in the last week, Ethereum is down 13% and XRP (XRP -6.93%) has shed over 9% over the same time period.
What’s behind this lackluster performance? And will so-called Uptober — a term based on data that shows prices often go up in October — turn the crypto tides? Let’s dive in to learn more about three headwinds facing cryptocurrencies right now.
1. Money is flowing out of crypto ETFs
Crypto often suffers from a ‘buy the rumor, sell the news’ syndrome. Speculation drives prices up in anticipation of a big event, and then they fall because investors sell once it actually happens. In the run-up to the Fed rate cut on September 17, crypto prices rallied, and spot Bitcoin ETFs saw solid inflows.
But as investors digested Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s words, they became more cautious. Particularly after a speech this week where Powell spoke of a “challenging situation” in trying to manage employment risks against inflation pressures. Lower rates often make riskier assets more attractive, but not if the benefits are offset by other economic concerns.
Sentiment is important in crypto, and right now, the fear and greed index is firmly in fear territory. That’s reflected in steep outflows from spot crypto ETFs. Per the Block data, there were over $360 million in outflows from spot Bitcoin ETFs on September 22. Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund(FBTC -4.10%) alone reported $277 million in outflows. That’s one of the biggest single-day outflows we’ve seen this year.
2. Over $1.6 billion liquidated in one day
CoinGlass data shows over $1.6 billion was liquidated on September 21 — the largest amount so far in 2025. Over $500 million in Ethereum positions and around $300 million in Bitcoin positions were wiped out. The liquidation highlights how leveraged positions can quickly cascade as falling prices trigger liquidations and push prices even lower.
The use of margin and leverage in cryptocurrencies can amplify price volatility. And leverage levels in crypto are increasing. Investors can use their crypto as collateral and essentially borrow money to take a bigger position. If the market moves in their favor, it can translate into higher returns. However, if prices go the other way and there isn’t enough collateral to back up the loan, the broker may liquidate and forcibly close the position.
3. Crypto treasury companies are faltering
This year has seen a surge in companies adding cryptocurrencies — predominantly Bitcoin and Ethereum — to their balance sheets. Public companies now own about 5% of the total Bitcoin in circulation, per data from BitcoinTreasuries. Their steady accumulation is one of the drivers behind Bitcoin’s incredible price rally.
Pioneered by Strategy(MSTR -8.78%), around 200 companies now hold crypto. Many of them have raised money with the sole purpose of buying more. It can act as a hedge against inflation, and any gains from price appreciation will help their bottom line. However, if Bitcoin’s price falls, so will the value of those holdings. There’s a risk that companies may have to sell their crypto to cover their debt.
Currently, the corporate treasury model is under scrutiny. Companies are buying fewer Bitcoins. And a quarter of Bitcoin treasury companies now have a market cap that’s lower than their crypto holdings, per K33. Some are borrowing money to finance share buybacks, raising questions about the model’s long-term viability.
Image source: Getty Images.
Further volatility ahead
There’s been a lot of talk in the cryptocurrency news about the potential for sentiment to shift in Uptober. That’s because data shows that Bitcoin prices often fall in September and rise in October.
But the factors that are dragging crypto prices down won’t change just because we’re in a different month. Pay attention to jobs and inflation data. Not only will those figures influence Fed decisions about further rate cuts, but they also give us a better idea of whether the economy is slowing.
For all the headwinds, Bitcoin is holding its head above $111,000, and we may see some positive drivers before the end of the year. More rate cuts are likely, as well as SEC approval of a flurry of crypto ETFs. Plus, the government may make further progress with crypto legislation.
Whether or not the bulls can regain momentum, the recent price swings are a reminder of Bitcoin’s volatility. This remains a risky and unpredictable asset, making it important to limit your crypto exposure to only a small percentage of your wider portfolio.
Emma Newbery has positions in Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Cryptocurrencies have struggled all week after a flash crash on Sunday night.
Most cryptocurrencies continued to struggle today after a flash crash earlier this week that may have removed some leverage out of the space. Today, however, investors seem more focused on economic data as they continue to grapple over how many interest rate cuts the Federal Reserve will make between now and the end of 2026.
Since yesterday afternoon, the price of XRP(XRP -5.18%) was roughly 4% lower, as of 12:06 p.m. ET today.
The Fed is cutting rates in a decent economy
Heading into the Fed’s meeting earlier this month, most of the market thought the Fed could potentially cut rates five or six times between now and the end of 2026. But Fed Chairman Jerome Powell called the recent quarter-point cut a “risk management cut” in case the economy were to slow significantly. The majority of Fed members expect another two rate cuts this year and then only one in 2026.
Image source: Getty Images.
While this could certainly change, new economic data this morning still points to a strong economy. Weekly jobless claims showing people filing for unemployment for the first time came in at 218,000 for the week ending Sept. 20, well below estimates and down by 14,000 from the week prior.
Crypto investors were likely looking for weaker data that would lead the Fed to have a longer rate-cutting cycle. Lower interest rates tend to lead to more-speculative investments like crypto.
Not much margin for error
XRP has been a great investment over the past year, but with the market expecting so many rate cuts until recently, crypto prices could be vulnerable if the market’s expectations for cuts continue to come down.
The crypto has a strong technical network and the potential to disrupt the international payments space, but it is still very volatile, so I think XRP is worth a smaller, more speculative investment at this time.
Stacey Solomon was joined by her ex-boyfriend Dean Cox on the latest episode of her BBC series Stacey & Joe, as they celebrated her son Zach’s 17th birthday
Stacey Solomon shares her eldest son Zach with her ex
Stacey Solomon showed a lovely example of a happy blended family on the latest instalment of her reality TV show as her ex, and father of her eldest son, made a cameo on screen.
The 35-year-old mum-of-five used first-born son Zach’s 17th birthday to recall on the moment she found out she was expecting him at the age is he now and how her loved ones reacted to her teen pregnancy.
The BBC One series, Stacey & Joe, which also stars the Loose Women star’s husband Joe Swash, follows the happy couple and their busy lives. Stacey shares her three youngest children, daughters Rose, three, and Belle, two, and son Rex, six, with the former EastEnders actor.
Stacey, who discovered she was expecting her first child at the age of 17, also shares Zach with ex boyfriend Dean Cox, and 12-year-old Leighton with former fiancé Aaron Barnham.
On Tuesday night’s episode of Stacey & Joe, the pair invited Dean into their home to mark Zach turning 17. As the blended family enjoyed fish and chips they looked back on when Stacey discovered she was pregnant at the same age Zach had just reached.
When asked how old he was at the time, Dean responded: “I was just 18.” Speaking about learning she was set to become a teenage mum when she was 17, Stacey recalled: “My step-mum was the first person who knew I was pregnant, because she guessed it.
“We were at a cafe, me, her and my dad, and I was like, ‘oh, my God, your onions stink, Dad’. And he didn’t even have any onions. Someone, like, at the other end of the cafe had onions, and I remember her pulling me to the side and being like, ‘When was the last time you had a period?’ I was like, ‘I don’t know.'”.
“She immediately made me tell my dad straight away. And then my dad made me ring my mum, and then everyone else that was in the house, Jemma, Matthew, everyone, my brothers and sisters, were all there to hear the fallout.”
Tuesday night’s instalment of Stacey & Joe was actually filmed back in March, coinciding with Zach’s real birthday. The doting mum took to Instagram at the time to celebrate her son’s 17th birthday with an emotional tribute to her first-born.
Stacey has previously spoken about the ‘rocky road’ she and husband Joe faced when blending their families. In addition to Stacey’s two older children from previous relationships, Joe shares his eldest child Harry, 16, with ex-partner Emma Sophocleous.
“The blended family situation has been a rocky road,” Stacey admitted on the Parenting Hell podcast in 2022. “That has never been easy. We have always had to work really hard to make sure everyone feels secure.”
She went on to reveal how wedding a few months earlier, where her and Joe’s four eldest son’s made speeches, made her feel more reassured about her blended family and confessed the kind words from their children left her in floods of tears.
“It was so funny we didn’t say to the boys you need to do a speech,” she recalled, before adding: “Joe was an emotional mess the whole day. People coming up to me saying ‘Joe is a mess down there’.”
Shares of Dave & Buster’s pulled back after a disappointing earnings report.
Shares of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment (PLAY -16.12%) were taking a dive today after the “eatertainment” chain missed estimates on the top and bottom lines.
As of 10:08 a.m. ET, the stock was down 16.2% on the news.
Image source: Getty Images.
Dave & Buster’s falls behind
The arcade operator reported flat revenue in the quarter at $557.4 million, which missed estimates at $562.7 million. Comparable sales fell 3% in the period, showing that D&B appears to be losing customers.
On the bottom line, the results also disappointed as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) fell from $151.6 million to $129.8 million. Adjusted earnings per share, meanwhile, fell from $1.12 to $0.40, which was well below the consensus at $0.92.
Dave & Buster’s brought on a new CEO toward the end of the quarter. Tarun Lai comes to the company after serving as an executive at Yum! Brands for 25 years, most recently as president of KFC.
Lai said, “My immediate focus is clear: reinforce our guest-first culture, deliver memorable experiences, and drive meaningful growth in sales, cash flow, and shareholder value.”
What’s next for Dave & Buster’s
Looking ahead, Dave & Buster’s didn’t offer guidance in the earnings release, but the appointment of a new CEO should offer some hope for a turnaround.
Restaurant chains have been broadly struggling this year due in part to weak consumer sentiment, concerns about tariffs, and a softening labor market, so that may partly explain Dave & Buster’s challenges. However, the stock has struggled for years despite being the leader in its category.
If the new CEO can return the company to growth, the stock has significant upside potential, but that’s likely to take time, if it happens.
Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
A WOMAN killed by a falling tree branch has been named and pictured as her family paid a heartbreaking tribute.
Jen Higgins, 49, died at the scene in Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, on August 30 following the freak incident.
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The fallen tree branch in Barlow Moor Road last monthCredit: MEN Media
In a statement, Jen’s family said: “The family of Jen Higgins are heartbroken to confirm she lost her life in a sudden and tragic accident.
“She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, and aunt – a vibrant and supportive friend to many; and a dynamic and widely respected member of the Manchesterbusiness community.
“You will no doubt empathise with the deep and profound shock we are feeling at this moment and ask for privacy while we grieve. A further statement will be issued when we feel able.”
Died at the scene
Emergency services rushed to the road following a call at around 7.15pm but Jen died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said at the time: “At around 7.15pm on Saturday, August 30, we were called to reports a tree had fallen onto a woman on Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury.
“Despite the best efforts of emergency workers, a woman in her 40s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
A member of staff at Barlow Moor petrol station, who asked not to be named, described seeing the tree “snap” moments before the tragedy unfolded.
They said: “The tree just snapped, it was a big branch and just fell. A woman was walking underneath.
“The weather was a bit windy but not strong. A few locals came out and some of them were doctors so they were trying to help her.
“Then the ambulance came and police closed the road.
“It is a big tree and it was a massive branch that fell – blocking off all the road. It was two or three thick branches that fell at once.”
An inquest into Jen’s death is due to open at Manchester Coroners’ Court on September 23.
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Jen Higgins was killed by a falling tree branchCredit: Carousel PR
Snap(NYSE: SNAP) is losing social media accounts from the most lucrative part of the world.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »
*Stock prices used were the afternoon prices of Aug. 29, 2025. The video was published on Aug. 31, 2025.
Should you invest $1,000 in Snap right now?
Before you buy stock in Snap, consider this:
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The entire crypto sector struggled today, led by Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
Since late afternoon Friday, the price of Shiba Inu(SHIB -3.47%) traded close to 7% lower, as of 11:53 a.m. ET today. There is no obvious reason behind the move, but the token is likely struggling along with the broader crypto market.
Crypto is always unpredictable
Coming off a dovish speech from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday in Jackson Hole, many would have expected cryptocurrencies to be surging right now because the sector has historically benefited from lower interest rates.
Image source: Getty Images.
However, a Bitcoin whale over the weekend sold 24,000 Bitcoin, according to media outlets, triggering a “flash crash” that appears to be impacting the sector right now.
Whales are crypto investors that hold a large amount of any one token. A flash crash is an event that forces an asset price to fall very quickly. These are usually followed by recoveries, but can also trigger forced liquidations. Viewed as a bellwether for crypto, Bitcoin’s daily moves up and down tend to influence the entire sector.
What to make of Shiba Inu
Launched as a meme token in 2020, Shiba Inu has largely been viewed as a viral sensation, opposed to offering any real-world utility. The token launched as an ERC-20 token, meaning it was built on Ethereum’s network.
In recent years, the developers have added more depth to Shiba Inu, particularly through Shibarium, a Layer-2 blockchain solution that processes transactions off chain, and incorporates a burning mechanism, which will help decrease Shiba Inu’s massive supply.
While that’s certainly progress, I still find the token to be too speculative and lacking in real-world utility compared to peers. I would avoid Shiba Inu, or only invest a small amount that you don’t mind losing.
Bram Berkowitz has positions in Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres’ bullpen is considered one of the best in baseball. Their lineup, revamped by a couple of key trade deadline acquisitions, at least rivals the recently inconsistent version the Dodgers have gotten out of theirs.
But this weekend, with first place on the line in the teams’ final meeting this season, the Dodgers were supposed to have one distinct advantage.
Their starting rotation was healthy, fresh and lined up to throw three of its best arms at Petco Park.
The Padres, on the other hand, were banged up and starting three veterans with a collective earned-run average north of 5.00.
Yeah … so much for all that.
For the second-straight night on Saturday, in San Diego’s 5-1 win, a Padres starter unexpectedly dominated the Dodgers, while a Dodgers starter disappointingly stumbled in the fourth inning. This time, it was Nestor Cortes who was in cruise control, spinning six scoreless innings while retiring his first 16 batters. On the other side, it was Tyler Glasnow who ran into trouble, yielding three runs in the fourth to leave the Dodgers for dead.
Just like that, what was a two-game division lead for the Dodgers (73-57) at the start of this week, coming off their sweep of the Padres in Los Angeles last weekend, is a one-game advantage for San Diego in the National League West standings, with the Padres (74-56) primed to sweep the Dodgers right back.
A night after managing just one run and one hit off Yu Darvish on Friday (after he entered the game with an ERA close to 6.00), the Dodgers looked even more overmatched by the left-handed Cortes — who was out for redemption after giving up Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in the World Series while playing for the New York Yankees last season.
Since that fateful October night, Cortes has switched teams twice. In the offseason, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he made two early starts before suffering an elbow injury. At the deadline, he was one of seven players the Padres acquired to bolster their roster for the stretch run.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes delivers against the Dodgers in the third inning Saturday.
(Derrick Tuskan / Associated Press)
Cortes had offered minimal help in his first three Padres outings, giving up seven runs in 15 innings while averaging barely 90 mph with his fastball.
But on Saturday, he found a rhythm with his trademark cutter, throwing it more than any other pitch while recording at least one out with it in all six innings he pitched.
The Dodgers hardly threatened in the first, with Shohei Ohtani leading off with a strikeout and Mookie Betts rolling over a center-cut cutter to third base. In the second, Cortes won his rematch with Freeman; throwing a down-and-in fastball all so similar to the one that landed in the right-field pavilion of Dodger Stadium last year — only to turn and watch another deep drive die at the warning track, this time to straightaway center field at Petco Park.
From there, the outs kept coming.
In the sixth inning, Miguel Rojas finally broke up the no-no, adjusting to yet another cutter for a line-drive single to right.
But by then, Glasnow had already dug a hole too deep for the Dodgers’ slumping lineup to climb out of.
After retiring his first six batters, Glasnow started losing his command in the third. He issued a leadoff walk to Ramón Laureano, another to Fernando Tatis Jr., and only escaped the jam after a 10-pitch at-bat against Luis Arraez ended in a grounder.
In the fourth, the Padres wouldn’t come away empty-handed again.
Walks to Manny Machado (on four pitches to lead off the inning) and Xander Bogaerts (on a string of fastballs that missed the zone) were sandwiched around a single from Ryan O’Hearn. Then, with the bases loaded, Laureano lined a two-run single to right. Jake Cronenworth tacked on a sacrifice fly. And just like on Friday, the Dodgers stared down the deficit — and found no way to erase it.
Cortes stranded Rojas, with the inning ending on a fly out from Ohtani. After that, the Padres’ talent-rich bullpen kept things at an arm’s length, with a pinch-hit home run from Alex Freeland (his second in as many nights) representing the Dodgers’ only scoring for a second-straight night.
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow delivers against the Padres in the fifth inning Saturday.
(Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
To do some quick math so far this weekend…
The Padres’ two starters have combined for 12 innings, one run and two hits compared to the 12 innings and five runs the Dodgers’ rotation has allowed.
The Dodgers have totaled five hits, three walks and 14 strikeouts. The Padres have 10 hits, eight walks and only 10 Ks against Dodger pitching.
And, most critically, the Padres have two wins — putting them back alone in first place by one game, and on the verge of a sweep that (at least based on the pitching matchups) few would have seen coming.
A WOMAN has died after falling from a 32-floor skyscraper in London’s financial district.
Police were scrambled to Sirocco Tower in Canary Wharf this morning following the horror.
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The woman fell to her death in Canary WharfCredit: BPM
The woman, aged in her 20s, tragically could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
The Met Police have now launched a probe into the tragedy.
A spokesperson said: “At around 06:39hrs on Wednesday, 13 August police responded to calls that a person had fallen from height in Harbour Way, Canary Wharf.
“Police and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene but sadly a woman in her 20s was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Her next of kin have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers.“
At this time her death is being treated as unexpected and enquiries continue.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Distressing video shows the moment a 15-year-old boy was killed by a falling aid pallet in Gaza. Aid agencies warn airdrops cannot deliver food safely or quickly enough to address starvation in Gaza, which has now killed 100 Palestinian children.
Officials say the workers were conducting an emergency inspection of sewage pipes when the accident took place.
Four workers have died in Japan after falling into a manhole near Tokyo as they inspected sewage pipes, according to public broadcaster NHK, quoting police.
NHK reported on Sunday that the incident in the city of Gyoda in Saitama Prefecture, north of the Japanese capital, happened on Saturday, as the four men, all in their 50s, and other co-workers were inspecting a sewage pipe.
City officials say the workers were conducting an emergency inspection of sewage pipes that the central government had ordered municipalities to carry out, after a huge road cave-in in January.
Police were quoted by NHK as saying that during the inspection, one of the workers fell down the manhole, followed by three of his co-workers who were trying to save him.
According to police, the manhole is 60cm (24in) in diameter and more than 10 metres (33ft) in depth.
The fire department from the area also confirmed the incident to the AFP news agency.
Video clips published by NHK showed several emergency and rescue personnel near the manhole.
The department said rescuers detected hydrogen sulfide – a gas toxic in high concentrations – coming out of the manhole.
But city officials refused to be drawn on the cause of the initial fall.
“Detailed circumstances leading up to the accident are still unknown, so it’s too early for us to say anything about our responsibility,” a Gyoda city official told AFP, on condition of anonymity.
The four workers were retrieved and taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead, according to local media reports.
About 10 workers were at the scene of the inspection, ordered to clean the pipes of wastewater and sludge if necessary.
In May, Japanese rescuers recovered the body of a dead 74-year-old truck driver months after he was swallowed by a road collapse in Saitama prefecture.
NEW YORK — President Trump is lashing out at his own supporters as he tries to clamp down on criticism over his administration’s handling of much-hyped records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which Trump now calls a “Hoax.”
“Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this “bull——,” hook, line, and sinker,” Trump wrote Wednesday on his Truth Social site, using an expletive in his post. “They haven’t learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years.”
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he went on.
The rhetoric marks a dramatic escalation for the Republican president, who has broken with some of his most loyal backers in the past, but never with such fervor.
The schism centers on his administration’s handling of the Epstein, who was found dead in his New York jail cell in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on sex trafficking charges. Last week, the Justice Department and the FBI acknowledged that Epstein did not maintain a “client list” to whom underage girls were trafficked, and they said no more files related to the investigation would be made public, despite past promises from Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi that had raised the expectations of conservative influencers and conspiracy theorists.
Bondi had suggested in February such a document was sitting on her desk waiting for review. Last week, however, she said she had been referring generally to the Epstein case file, not a client list.
“It’s a new administration and everything is going to come out to the public,” she had said at one point.
Trump has since defended Bondi and chided a reporter for asking about the documents.
“I don’t understand what the interest or what the fascination is,” he said Tuesday.
The blowup comes after Trump and many figures in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino, have spent years stoking dark and disproved conspiracy theories, including embracing QAnon-tinged propaganda that casts Trump as a savior sent to demolish the “deep state.”
Trump’s comments so far have not been enough to quell those who are still demanding answers.
“For this to go away, you’re going to lose 10%” of the “Make America Great Again” movement, former adviser and Steve Bannon said during a gathering of young conservatives recently.
Far-right commentator Jack Posobiec has said he will not rest “until we go full Jan. 6 committee on the Jeffrey Epstein files.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also appeared to break with Trump, calling for the Justice Department to “put everything out there and let the people decide.”
“The White House and the White House team are privy to facts that I don’t know. This isn’t my lane. I haven’t been involved in that, but I agree with the sentiment to put it out there,” Johnson told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
Which, surprisingly, was partly the way coach Mauricio Pochettino wanted it. Because the monthlong tournament was never really about results for the U.S. It was about finding heart, grit, determination and dedication. It was about taking the pulse of his player pool a year before soccer’s biggest event returns to North America.
And those are things not easily measured by results alone.
So while Mexico deservedly won Sunday’s battle 2-1, the larger war, Pochettino believes, rages on.
U.S. defender Chris Richards celebrates with Alex Freeman, Patrick Agyemang, Malik Tillman and Diego Luna after Richards scored against Mexico in the Gold Cup final Sunday.
(Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
“That,” he said after Sunday’s final, “is the way we want to build our journey into the World Cup.”
When Pochettino gathered his team for the tournament in early June, it was missing as many as six first-choice starters for a variety of reasons. Some had club duties, some were injured. Others preferred rest over the honor of playing for their country.
So Pochettino called up a roster that averaged just 25 years of age and 14 players with fewer than five international caps and challenged them to prove they belonged. That was the team that rolled into Sunday’s final unbeaten (barely) in five Gold Cup games. That was the team that entered the final 15 minutes against a veteran Mexico squad even on the scoreboard.
If this was Pochettino’s “C” team, nobody bothered to tell the players.
“It’s an honor,” midfielder Diego Luna, who had played for the U.S. just four times before the Gold Cup, told reporters about wearing the crest. “I think every single one of these players thinks about it the same way I do. It’s the No. 1 dream that we’ve had as kids and we’re going to fight for this to have as many chances to wear it was we can.”
Credit Pochettino for taking the lemons he was handed and turning them into lemonade. After the USMNT’s listless and uninspired performance in last March’s Nations League final four, where it scored just once in back-to-back losses to Panama and Canada, the coach learned the majority of his first-choice lineup planned to pass up the Gold Cup, the team’s final competition matches before the World Cup.
If the U.S. had lost its identity, had lost its way, by the end of the Nations League, the absences of veterans Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie this summer gave Pochettino an unexpected opportunity to redefine what it meant to be a national team player. He pushed his young, inexperienced roster of fringe national team players to show how much they cared, to show they really wanted to be part of the program.
And it worked.
United States players pose for a team photo before the team’s CONCACAF Gold Cup final soccer match against Mexico in Houston on Sunday.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
Luna thrust himself into contention for a World Cup roster spot through grit and hunger alone. Others such as goalkeeper Matt Freese, midfielders Sebastian Berhalter and Malik Tillman and forward Patrick Agyemang also shone brightly enough that the coach said his roster for his team’s September friendlies with South Korea and Japan, much less the World Cup, is wide open.
“All the American players have the possibility for September to be on the roster,” he said Sunday. “It’s still one year from the World Cup. But now we need to build a roster for September. We need to analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.
“Don’t worry. We are people that are very open, and not closed. And who deserves to be [there] will be [there.]”
Pochettino’s message is that desire and national pride are as much a requirement to play for the national team as talent. It’s partly a bluff, of course. He won’t go far in the World Cup with Luna and Berhalter playing in place of Pulisic and McKennie because all the star-spangled celebrations in the world can’t hide the fact the team Pochettino fielded this summer was deeply flawed.
It prepared for the Gold Cup by getting outscored 6-1 in losses to Turkey and Switzerland, running the team’s losing streak to four games, its longest since 2007. The U.S. rebounded with narrow wins over Saudi Arabia and Haiti to advance out of the tournament’s group stage and in the knockout stage it beat Costa Rica on penalty kicks, then had to hold off Guatemala for a one-goal win to reach the final.
Of those six opponents, only Switzerland ranks in the world’s top 20, according to FIFA. Guatemala isn’t even in the top 100. And the loss to Mexico was the fifth in as many games against top 30 teams since Pochettino took over nine months ago.
That won’t get it done in the World Cup.
If heart, effort and belief really do matter, so does talent. That makes Pochettino’s task during the next year a simple one: he must find a way mesh the intangibles developed this summer with the talent he’ll need to win next summer.
As the players shuffled out of Houston’s NRG Stadium after Sunday’s loss, that fusion was already taking place.
“There’s a few non-negotiables now,” defender Chris Richards told reporters. “This was kind of a game-changer. … When the guys come back, these are some things that we have to hold each other accountable for. And hopefully moving forward we can add a little bit more quality to it, as well, and we’re going to be a really tough team to beat.”
⚽ You have read the latest installment of On Soccer with Kevin Baxter. The weekly column takes you behind the scenes and shines a spotlight on unique stories. Listen to Baxter on this week’s episode of the “Corner of the Galaxy” podcast.
