months

All Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood wants for Christmas is a house to celebrate in. The ’Mr Nasty’ of the glitterball says: “I’ve been living in a caravan for the last year and a half, because my house isn’t ready. I can only fit three people in it comfortably. Hopefully, my house is going to be ready – at least the dining room – because I have invited people over for Christmas Day.”

Engaged to horticulturalist Jonathan Myring, Craig, 61, has been living in temporary accommodation while renovating a historic £2million, seven-bed mansion in King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire, which he bought in 2021. He says: “People have been so generous with me over the time that I’ve been renovating my property. They’ve invited me into their homes.”

Making a few additions to his Christmas list, he continues: “A removal service to help me move into my home. I’d love someone to buy me a tennis court, that’d be nice, but that’s not on the cards anytime soon.”

Once settled into his house, he wants to repay people’s hospitality, saying: “For people that haven’t got a home or are struggling to find somewhere to go for Christmas, I always say, ‘please come to my house’.” Craig, who basked in 40 degree heat during the festivities until he moved to the UK from his native Australia, aged 23, says: “All our chocolates and stockings melted.”

But one constant in his life – and that of the nation – for the last 22 years in the countdown to Christmas has been the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. The only original judge remaining on the show, he says: “Like panto, Strictly is home for me at Christmas. It’s like the ritual of putting the Christmas tree up, isn’t it? It’s that thing. When Strictly does start, it feels like, ‘oh wow, it’s going to be Christmas soon.’”

Very much the panto villain of the Strictly family, he says: “I’ve been in everyone’s front living room for 22 years. So people are very familiar with me – whether they love or hate me on the programme. There’s something quite homely about that and something comforting.”

Drawing in up to 5 million viewers for its 2026 run, Craig is keen to explain Strictly’s success, saying: “It’s won the hearts and minds of the nation.The three-year-olds and the 93-year-olds all love it.” And he sings the praises of the new presenting team, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe taking over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Keenly defending the new format, which has received some criticism from fans, he says: “I really love the presenters. I think the new series is great, too. I love it. Every year it’s completely different for me, because there’s different celebrities. And every year someone will say, ‘oh, I don’t know who that YouTuber is,’ because they’re of another generation.

“But people fall in love with them and celebrate and that’s the beauty of it. It’s about community. It’s about getting people talking, reacting together and giving people a common ground on which to form a conversation.”

Craig is speaking after turning on the Christmas lights in Grey Street, Stalybridge, east Manchester, as part of a community campaign with Fox’s biscuits. He says: “My three times great-grandfather was born here. Ashton-under-Lyne, just next door, is where he started his clog dancing career. He was born in 1840, right round here. He then went to Australia of his own accord, unlike my other great-great-great-grandfather who was a convict.”

Craig discovered his relative’s dodgy past when he appeared on Who Do You Think You Are in 2017 and was told that Moses Horwood had been a petty criminal from England, convicted at the Gloucestershire Assizes and transported to Van Diemen’s Land – present day Tasmania – in 1841.

But his Ashton grandfather was Harry. He continues: “My clog dancing grandad was called Harry Shaw. He named his son, who was born in Australia, Harry Shaw as well, so it was Harry Shaw Jr. And it was that Harry that became Australasian clog dancing champion in 1871.”

Remarking at how local people have come together to admire the 20,000 strong light display on Grey Street, he says: “Community spirit is a good thing. Christmas can be a very lonely time for some people, so it’s nice to try and alleviate that.”

For the past 20 years, Craig has starred in Christmas pantos and he will be playing the vengeful villain, Carabosse, in Sleeping Beauty at the Bristol Hippodrome this year. He says: “I’ve never been lonely, because I do panto. In fact, I’m wishing to be lonely! Two thousand 200 screaming kids a day, just give me at least two hours’ respite.”

When he does get a break, he likes to plan. Craig says: “I have two hours between shows every day, I have quite a bit of time in my dressing room to think about what gift I might want to buy someone, so I enjoy that part of it – trying to find something quirky.”

And he thinks about his bucket list, revealing roles he would love to play one day. He says: “Mama Rose from Gypsy. I would love to play her. I would also love to play King George in Hamilton. They told me I was too old. I might have to have some work done. I might have to have Botox before I go for the audition. I got a face-lift because I want to play King George.”

But Craig, whose debut album Revelations, Songs Boys Don’t Sing was released in 2024, has no plans to release another record any time soon. He says: “I’m going to wait until I’m 70 to release my next one!”

And, despite his extravagant wishlist, he admits he’s already found a priceless present. He says: “The best gift I’ve ever been given is the gift of love. When someone says that they love you. Honestly, you don’t need anything else.”

*Fox’s Biscuits is giving one lucky homeowner the chance of a festive makeover, designed to transform their property into a show-stopping Christmas wonderland. Please see entry details HERE

STAR of Slow Horses Olivia Cooke has revealed how a dibilitating health condition left her unable to work for half of 2026.

The 32-year-old was struck down with the shingles virus at the end of last year, forcing her to take an extended break from her acting jobs.

She contracted the infection while in New York, having to jet back to the UK for treatment.

Olivia subsequently spent weeks holed up in her London home in order to fully recover.

Speaking to GQ Hype, she detailed how much it exhausted her, saying: “I had a two-month period where I couldn’t do small talk.

“Someone was like: ‘How are you?’ And I was like: ‘Yeah, I’ve had shingles’.”

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The House Of The Dragon actress admitted that constantly working contributed considerably to the illness.

“I feel like the past two years, I’ve been, like, jobs, jobs, jobs, and I got really burnt out,” she said. “Your body has a way of flooring you to make sure that you do actually lie down.”

During her rest period, Olivia passed the time cooking and rearranging her house in East London, which she shares with partner Ralph Davis, describing herself as “a real housewife”.

“I was cooking different meals every day and sorting my cupboards out.

“I was like a real housewife, like, horribly, but I enjoyed it.”

It also gave her the opportunity to take time away from social media, deactivating Instagram.

“I was just like, I’m on this too much – it’s not nourishing,” she explained. “I think the celebri-fied nature of being an actor has now snowballed into this monster.

“And I just think we need to get off this train and realise that we make these TV shows and films, yes, for escapism, but also because it’s artful and it’s creative and it’s not for followers or for a brand deal.”

Despite being back on the social media platform, Olivia’s approach to it has changed.

“Even replying to a DM from someone that is semi-famous or wholly famous, that’s anxiety,” she added. “Why do I then now feel like I have to be smart and charming for this person that I don’t know?”

Olivia is currently filming A Talent For Murder, in which she’ll portray an American heiress on the run.

In Slow Horses, she stars opposite Bond contender Jack Lowden.

JEFF Brazier’s ex-wife Kate has gone Instagram official with her hunky new boyfriend, almost a year after her marriage to the TV presenter ended.

The PR executive, 36, shared a string of holiday snaps from South Africa, giving followers their first glimpse of her new man.

In one picture, her dark-haired boyfriend looked relaxed in sunglasses as he enjoyed a ride on the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram.

Another showed him sitting indoors in a black T-shirt and light trousers, holding a bottle as he gazed off to the side.

Kate also shared a romantic picture of the couple standing arm in arm beside a picturesque stretch of water, and she appeared to be making the most of her sun-soaked getaway, posting a snap of herself relaxing beside a swimming pool.

The loved-up pictures come almost 12 months after The Sun exclusively revealed that Kate and Jeff, 46, had separated following seven years of marriage.

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The former couple tied the knot in 2018, having first got together in 2013, but their relationship endured a number of ups and downs.

They previously separated briefly in 2022 before deciding to give their marriage another chance.

However, last November, sources told The Sun that the couple had grown apart following a difficult year, with Kate reportedly moving out of their marital home.

At the time, Jeff hinted at a fresh start of his own, sharing pictures of his new countryside home and telling followers he was embracing a calmer chapter in his life.

The presenter, who raised sons Bobby and Freddy following the death of their mother Jade Goody in 2009, has continued his television career, including his work as a football presenter.

Jeff’s eldest son Bobby, 23, has also carved out a successful showbiz career, starring in EastEnders and reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.

Kate has not yet shared the name or more details about her new boyfriend.

London Underground drivers are to stage a series of 24-hour strikes in the next few months in a dispute over working arrangements, the RMT union has announced.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed said on Wednesday that Michigan voters had rejected “a hateful, spiteful campaign” after months of Republican attacks on his Muslim identity in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.

In an interview with the Associated Press, El-Sayed said he was “running on adrenaline and caffeine” after his race with Republican Mike Rogers was called early Wednesday, giving Democrats another significant victory in a premier swing state as they won a substantial majority in the Senate in Tuesday’s midterms.

Throughout the cycle, Republicans sought to demonize El-Sayed, who was born in the U.S. after his parents emigrated from Egypt. President Trump repeatedly called him a “jihadist” who was “on the side of the terrorists.”

“Michigan proved just how big we are. Rejected a hateful, spiteful campaign that had nothing to say about the issues and only wanted to point to my name and my face,” El-Sayed said. “Michiganders rejected that. Every single county, every single one, pushed against that.”

In a sign of how combative the race had become, Rogers and El-Sayed had not spoken as of Wednesday afternoon, even after Rogers issued a statement conceding the race. In 2024, Rogers called then-Rep. Elissa Slotkin to concede on Wednesday morning, before the AP had even called the race.

El-Sayed, who will become the nation’s first Muslim senator, told the AP by phone that the morning was “a moment of reflection,” including about what his victory would mean to his two young daughters. His 3-year-old, he said, has no idea what happened, while his 8-year-old understands but sees it as normal.

“Now, this is something they read about in the history books,” he said.

With approximately 97% of the vote in, El-Sayed held a lead of 7 percentage points over Rogers. Every county in the state shifted toward Democrats compared with 2024, according to AP voting data.

The AP Voter Poll, an expansive survey of more than 4,500 voters in Michigan, showed that Michigan Senate voters were roughly split on whether El-Sayed’s views were “too extreme,” with about half saying they were.

El-Sayed rose from a double-digit defeat eight years ago in the state’s Democratic gubernatorial election to an upset victory of an establishment-backed candidate in the primary after being outspent by tens of millions of dollars. He said his campaign proved that “old-fashioned politics can work if you’re willing to do the work.”

El-Sayed quickly pivoted, though, toward the future, saying his victory is “not the success” and that “the success is what you’re able to do with the seat.”

He would not commit to supporting Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York for another term, saying he did not yet know who else might run. Schumer is expected to retain the leadership position.

“I do believe we need new leadership and I think people are hungry for it,” El-Sayed added.

Cappelletti writes for the Associated Press. AP reporter Linley Sanders contributed to this report.

Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been barred from driving for six months after a hit-and-run crash into a parked car, prosecutors said.

Paul Pelosi, 86, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of hit-and-run and a traffic infraction of making an unlawful turn in connection with the July crash in Yountsville, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office said.

Under the plea agreement, Napa County Superior Court Judge Scott R.L. Young placed Pelosi on one year of probation and barred him from driving for six months — the maximum time allowed.

The court also ordered Pelosi to complete a 10-day work program and pay fines. As part of the plea agreement, Pelosi paid about $11,200 in restitution to the owner of the damaged vehicle.

During the crash, his brown Maserati convertible collided with an unoccupied Tesla, according to the criminal complaint filed in July.

Authorities at the time said witnesses saw the convertible briefly stop before driving away. The parked car was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.

Prosecutors said they do not typically issue news releases regarding misdemeanor hit-and-run cases involving only property damage, but that the release was being issued due to public interest around the case.

Paul Pelosi has been issued at least eight driving violations over a more than a decade before the Yountville crash, cited for speeding, blowing through several red lights, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street, a New York Times review of court records found.

In 2022, he pleaded guilty to charges of driving under the influence after crashing his Porsche into an oncoming Jeep. He was fined, sentenced to five days in jail, and put on probation for three years.

West Ham United have sacked head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after their disappointing start to the Championship season.

The 52-year-old has been in charge since September 2025 and oversaw the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League last season.

Widely seen as favourites for automatic promotion, the London side are currently eighth in the table, six points behind leaders Middlesbrough.

They have won two of their last six games and have lost back-to-back home matches – a 3-2 loss to Southampton and a 3-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Assistant head coach Rui Pedro Silva and goalkeeper coach Rui Barbosa have also left the club.

Mark Noble, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville will take temporary charge of the side for their Championship trip to Cardiff City on Wednesday night.

“Following a thorough review of the start to the EFL Championship season, the board of directors believe that a change is necessary at this time in order to ensure that the club’s objectives and expectations remain on track,” a West Ham United statement read.

“West Ham United would like to thank Nuno, Rui and Rui for their hard work and commitment during their time at the Club, and wish them all the very best for the future.

“The process of recruiting a new head coach is already under way.”

More to follow.

More to follow.

BIG Brother star Liam McGough has revealed he’s set to become a dad for the first time just months after tying the knot in New Orleans. 

Tree surgeon Liam, 42, shot to fame on the eighth series of the reality show in 2007 and had a seven-month romance with actress Emily Atack in 2022. 

Now he and wife Sloane Coe have shared the exciting news they’re expecting their first child together – telling fans they’re having a baby girl. 

Liam took to social media to share a sweet snap of him cradling Sloane’s bump as he embraced her from behind. 

He wrote: “Huge news!! Biggest ever tbh. Me and Sloane are going to have a baby girl. 

“It’s been so hard to keep it quiet. Even harder for my dad who hasn’t managed haha. I found out on day 3 of the fringe. Never felt prouder in my life.”

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In August Liam opened up to The Sun about their incredible wedding in the Deep South, confessing he’d “never experienced anything like it”. 

He said: “The wedding was amazing — small and intimate, with only close friends and family. We got married right in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, and it was incredible. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

The celebration was so romantic and personal, and then, for the party afterwards, we were marched around the area by a full brass band in what’s called a Second Line.

“We had a police escort blocking the roads as we danced through the streets, with four huge motorbikes and two massive police trucks accompanying us.

“The contrast between the intimate ceremony and this unique, extravagant spectacle left all of our heads spinning in the most amazing way.”

Liam previously dated Inbetweeners star Emily for seven months, with The Sun revealing their split in October 2022. 

PLANS for a musical based on the songs of late chart superstar George Michael have been confirmed.

His lifelong best friend David Austin has told The Sun that preparations are in motion for the stage show to help keep George’s legacy alive.

Those involved have set their sights on Broadway — with a West End run almost certain to follow if the project proves ­popular enough.

George shot to fame in 1980s pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley and became one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.

Speaking at the world premiere of concert film George Michael: The Faith Tour at the BFI IMAX in London, David said: “There is talk about Broadway. We’ve got our fingers in a lot of pies.”

The confirmation comes six months after The Sun first told the world of the secret plans.

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In April, we revealed that George’s sister Yioda Panayiotou, 64, had held confidential talks with producers.

A source said at the time: “As things stand, it’s all in the very early development stage, but the plan is to tell the story of George’s life and career with some of his hits mixed in.

“Right now it’s not a Mamma Mia! situation where his songs soundtrack a new story — this is about his life.”

The production is already being workshopped in New York, with seven-time Olivier Award nominee Maria Friedman in talks to direct.

George, died aged 53 on Christmas Day 2016 at home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.

A BUSY UK train station is set to CLOSE for seven months for a major upgrade.

City Thameslink station in London has confirmed the next year closure, for a multi-million pound project to replace ten escalators.

The closure will take place from May 17, 2027 until late December 2027.

Thameslink trains will continue to run as normal but will not stop at the station.

Network Rail is recommending travellers to use Blackfriars as an alternative, which is around a six- minute walk away.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, said: “We know closing City Thameslink is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause.

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“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We have looked long and hard at every possible option and, although none of them are without impact, a single closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.

“City Thameslink’s escalators are at the end of their operational life. By replacing them now we’re tackling the root causes of access disruption for passengers in one go.

“This means that when City Thameslink reopens in December 2027, customers will benefit from completely renewed escalators, designed to provide safer, more dependable and accessible journeys through this important station on our network.”

The current escalators have been at the station for around 35 years, but recent flooding damaged them.

The station, which opened in 1990, welcomes around 7.6 million people a year, as it is near popular attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral.

A full closure of the station was decided on instead of a partial closure for safety reasons.

Management highlighted FDA decision dates of November 27, 2026, for BBP-418, February 4, 2027, for infigratinib, and May 8, 2027, for encaleret. It expects traditional full approval for infigratinib and does not anticipate that a citizen petition will affect its review timeline or label.

MOLLY-MAE Hague shared an emotional video about ‘blocking out’ the first months after daughter Bambi’s birth.

The former Love Islander, 27, became a mum for the first time when she gave birth to her baby girl on January 23 2023.

Molly-Mae and fiance Tommy, also 27, welcomed their second child, son Midas, into the world back in June.

The new mum has been very honest with fans and shared the ups and downs of motherhood on social media over the years.

The Maebe owner has previously admitted she felt like her ‘life was over’ after giving birth to Bambi and opened up about the ‘really low lows’.

Molly-Mae recently took to her TikTok account to open up about different her two postpartum experiences have been.

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The video started with star giving Midas a kiss on the cheek, followed by a clip of a younger Molly-Mae bottle feeding Bambi on the sofa in her pyjamas.

Molly-Mae told fans: “For the mums who need to know that no two postpartums have to look the same.

“I didn’t realised how much of my first postpartum I’d blocked out until having Midas and realising I could barely answer questions about it.”

Fans rushed to the comments section to share the love.

One said: “You’re doing absolutely amazing.”

Another wrote: “The best mummy.”

“This makes me cry, well done mama,” a third chimed in.

A fourth added: “The difference is unbelievable, you should be so proud of yourself Molly. You’re a true inspiration.”

A fifth said: “I love that you’re showing the raw and real side of becoming a mummy.”

Molly and fiance Tommy shot to fame on Love Island in 2019.

The pair placed second on the series and moved in together after returning to the UK.

Then in September 2022, they announced that they were expecting their first child together and she gave birth the following January.

The happy couple got engaged in June 2023.

Then in August 2024, they announced that they had split, but in May 2025, they were back together.

Molly-Mae and Tommy later revealed that they were expecting their second child, and gave birth to Midas in June this year.

Since 2010, Burnley have won promotion to the Premier League on five occasions and of their five subsequent relegations they have bounced back immediately three times – but achieving that for a fourth time is looking increasingly unlikely.

After Scott Parker’s departure towards the end of last season, Nicky Hayen was finally brought in as Burnley’s new head coach less than a month before the new Championship campaign started, after a move for Wales boss Craig Bellamy fell through.

“I think there is an element of sympathy among the fans for Hayen but two things can be true at the same time – you can sympathise and also think he’s out of his depth,” said Joe Redmond, creator and host of the Turfcast podcast., external

“He was brought in after pre-season had started, has been forced to work with some coaches left over from Scott Parker and had his main striker, Zian Flemming, sold from under him on transfer deadline day.

“These are clearly errors from the hierarchy but at the same time he clearly isn’t getting the best out of this squad – I’m sure there’s a decent manager in there somewhere but I don’t think he’s what we need right now.”

A total of 11 new players arrived under Hayen during a busy summer of transfer activity with 10 heading for the exit as the Belgian overhauled the squad.

What has followed has been nothing short of a horror show in the lead up to Halloween.

“I look at that squad and it’s been scattergun,” former Watford and Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff, now an EFL pundit, told the BBC’s podcast 72+.

“They bounce up [to the Premier League], come down, go up, come down and they haven’t handled that well enough – we all knew Flemming was going but you leave it right until the end of the window and you’re killing the manager.

“Then you get [Jamie] Vardy in. I love him but he’s 39 and you cannot expect him to be your main man all season, he’s going to come on and chip in and be great around the dressing room.”

“At the very minimum we should be battling it out at the top end of the table,” added Redmond.

“This squad has proved it’s not good enough for that so far this season but one coming down from the Premier League should be able to compete, and if it can’t then something has gone seriously wrong.”

London, United Kingdom – There was a moment towards the end of Andy Burnham’s conference speech in Liverpool that, through silence, spoke volumes.

The new prime minister and Labour leader fell quiet.

For 20 seconds he stood, saying nothing. He hadn’t forgotten his words. He was gathering his emotions for a passage of the speech he hadn’t been able to make it through in rehearsals without crying.

Burnham’s father had died just a couple of weeks before, and this was the section where he’d talk about it.

As the audience realised what was coming they stood, applauding, and urging him on with shouts of “Come on, lad!’ and “Come on, Andy!”

Thanking them, he composed himself and continued.

Conference speeches are theatre, and contemporary British political standards require that a leader be relatable. But there’s little doubt that Andy Burnham handled this moment with an emotional register that struck many as genuine.

His predecessor Keir Starmer sometimes came across as wooden, almost robotic and uncomfortable in front of cameras. Burnham, the seventh prime minister in 10 years, is more emotional.

He talks big ideas and grand solutions and relishes the opportunity to communicate.

In the vibes-denominated currency of modern political discourse, this matters.

The polls speak for themselves. Politico’s Poll of Polls had the Labour Party retake top spot shortly after Burnham became PM – a position it has not relinquished since. At the end of September, Ipsos found Andy Burnham to be the only politician with a positive net favourability rating.

YouGov’s polling also judges him the most popular politician in the UK at the moment.

But to keep up, Burnham must deliver tangible change before the next general election. Unless he calls one early, that will be 2029.

According to political analyst Sam Freedman, “So many in Westminster keep coming back to an early election, despite Burnham ruling it out … No one can quite figure out how Burnham keeps the hope vibe going for three more years with relatively little visible progress.”

‘Going back to what Labour was in the 50s’

In the Welsh town of Port Talbot, terraces of workers’ cottages cluster beside the UK’s largest steelworks.

Like much of Wales, Port Talbot did vote Labour for a century – until elections for the Senedd Cymru or Welsh Parliament in May.

Labour was beaten to an unprecedented third place behind Plaid Cymru’s nationalists, and the anti-immigration Reform UK.

But that was before Burnham took over.

Myles Lewis, who organises social walks for the town’s elderly, told Al Jazeera that Labour had not convinced people on immigration, and Starmer’s communication wasn’t good enough.

“[But now], it’s kind of going back to what Labour was in the 50s and 60s, where they actually looked after the working-class people. I do believe Andy Burnham can get there because I think he has the interests of the working-class people.”

In his first weeks in power, Burnham delivered a quick flurry of eye-catching, domestic, cost-of-living-focused policies.

He capped bus fares, cut the value-added tax (VAT) on electricity bills, and cut business rates for pubs.

He said that he would end street homelessness, reindustrialise the country, take services back into public control, and start the biggest build-out of social housing since World War II.

The mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years, Burnham supports the devolution of powers from Westminster to the UK’s nations and regions.

In July, he announced mayors could keep a share of business rates from April 2027 and of income tax from 2028.

And his conference speech in September set out the contours of some big political battles to come, including a national social care service, free at the point of use, paid for by changing the UK pensions’ triple lock from 2030. It would arrive next parliament. Burnham also pitched a national commission on electoral reform, with a manifesto commitment to overhaul the voting system. And he delivered a blunt verdict on Brexit: that it “has done more harm than good”. He wouldn’t rule out an in-out referendum, or a pledge for the UK to rejoin the European Union, in Labour’s next manifesto, he said.

On foreign affairs, there is less blue water between Burnham and his predecessors.

When he travelled to Ukraine in August, the UK’s new prime minister came with a headline-grabbing gift – British know-how to build the long-range SCALP missile. He was the fourth British prime minister to visit Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and pledge steadfast support.

On Gaza, he has said the Labour government “didn’t get it right” and should have called for a ceasefire earlier. And in September, the Burnham government announced a sanctions package against illegal West Bank settlements.

But there has been no genocide declaration, and no full arms embargo against Israel. And Burnham hasn’t overturned the Starmer government’s proscription of the Palestine Action protest group as a “terrorist” organisation.

Defence spending is also a looming problem.

The government’s formal defence pledge is 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, and Burnham has declined to say whether he’d pay for it with tax rises or welfare cuts.

John Healey, who resigned as the UK’s defence secretary in June over underfunding, is now chancellor of the exchequer, and will not commit to the 3-percent-by-2030 target he set himself.

Burnham’s first budget comes at the end of this month. A full spending review follows next year. Much will be clearer after these.

His biggest pledges – reindustrialisation, control of public services, a new social care system – are expensive.

Burnham certainly has the vibes. The public likes them, for now. The budget will show whether he can afford them.

The work will take four months and see the airport shut over the festive period with local authorities and business owners urging the for the dates of the work to be changed

A Greek airport will close for four months as major runway upgrades are completed.

Chios Island National Airport in Greece will close between November 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027 for the work to take place.

The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority say the project will extend the runway to 1,799 metres to accommodate larger aircraft ahead of the 2027 tourist season.

The work will see all commercial flights canceled. Emergency operations, including medical evacuations and search and rescue flights, however, will continue using helicopters operating from the parking apron.

As well as extending the runway to the north, the upgrades will also see an overall improvement of the airport’s operational infrastructure.

Originally the work was expected to take five months but it is now scheduled to only take four.

The plans have been strongly objected to by local authorities and business leaders, who see the winter closure as ‘economic strangulation’ for the small island.

They have come up with an alternative timeline that allows the airport to remain open during the Christmas and New Year Holiday.

The mayor of Chios, Giannis Malafis, said it was crucial the island’s airport remained open during the festive period.

He insisted that any decision on the future of the project should be taken in consultation with local bodies and Chios society.

Island representatives are still seeking clear answers on the duration of the shutdown and how this is expected to impact the local economy.

The contractor has pledged to make every effort to speed up the works, with the aim of getting the project done by 28 February.

However, this does not make any difference to the holiday season that is creating concerns for locals.

The HCAA notes that its goal is to limit the runway closure to the shortest possible period.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Trump on Sunday announced plans to close a historic public golf course in the nation’s capital for 15 months and redevelop it despite an ongoing court challenge to his long-sought renovation.

Trump posted on social media about his intent to shut the East Potomac Golf Course, not far from the White House, starting Nov. 15 to make it “one of the Best and Most Spectacular Golf Courses anywhere in the World.”

A judge last week, however, ordered a halt to his redevelopment plans until at least Oct. 26 after scolding the government for starting a large-scale tree removal at the course over a holiday weekend while providing little notice to the court or the plaintiffs trying to stop the makeover.

Trump did not acknowledge the legal fight in his post, which included an artist’s rendering for the course redesign.

“When completed, it will be open to the Public while, at the same time, designed to the Highest Level of Golf and able to hold World Class Tournaments such as the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, and the Presidents Cup,” Trump wrote.

Democracy Forward, which is representing the plaintiffs challenging his renovation plans, responded by saying that the course is part of a national park and recreation facility that is meant for everyone to enjoy.

“Our litigation is intended to protect this community jewel for the people and communities it serves and we will continue to work with our plaintiffs to defend it from unlawful and harmful intrusion,” Skye Perryman, the president and chief executive of the group, said in a statement.

The judge in the case took notice of Trump’s online message and ordered the government to notify her by 8 p.m. Eastern time Sunday whether its position had changed from a court filing Friday that said “at most” Trump has given “preliminary thought” to the rebuilding plan and “there is no final agency action.”

Extensive makeover

Trump, a golf aficionado who plays often, already had announced plans to makeover the links as part of his broader project to renovate and refurbish places around Washington, including the White House and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Many of his projects, including plans for a huge ballroom at the White House, the installation of his own name on the Kennedy Center and construction of a massive arch, have been challenged in courts.

The 106-year-old park and course has been the subject of many emergency hearings as the president has sought to renovate it. Although it has been open to Washingtonians of all income levels, opponents of Trump’s plans to turn it into a high-end course have argued that it will alter the character of the space and make it less affordable.

Trump in his post echoed arguments he has made to justify his plans to remake the Kennedy Center, arguing it is in such dangerous condition that it needs to close.

“The current Course is old, broken, dilapidated, and of no further use or effect. It is in very poor condition, with falling, dangerous, and disease infested trees and, importantly, a collapsing and hazardous seawall,” Trump wrote.

Debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing to make way for his ballroom project also has been dumped on the grounds. The National Park Service has said the debris tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals.

Trump also sought to justify the National Park Service’s removal of hundreds of trees that the judge paused, writing in his announcement that when the golf course was originally built, “it was famous for no trees, with views of Washington, D.C., for all to see, but now, it is completely overgrown, dysfunctional, and unsafe.”

Case returns to court

Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes has ordered key members of the administration to testify on the recent tree cutting and whether those actions are tied to the president’s plans for the historical public links.

The administration on Friday asked for Reyes to be replaced on the case, questioning her impartiality and citing what it called “egregious” behavior from the bench in response to an emergency hearing Oct. 12. Her frustration boiled over in a three-hour hearing when she lambasted the government’s attorney for the lack of notification she and the plaintiffs received before the trees were chopped down.

At the upcoming hearing, the judge is expected to address the request that she step aside. Meanwhile, over the weekend the plaintiffs asked that she grant them a more long-standing preliminary injunction in the case and/or a stay.

Price writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report.

Chelsea recorded their first Premier League clean sheet for nine months, since a 2-0 win against Brentford in January.

Although Alonso said he was “not obsessed” with keeping a clean sheet, his side, who had conceded a league-high 13 goals before kick-off, were keen to address that record after a much-improved 5-1 win over Bournemouth following the international break.

There had also been discussion about Chelsea being a “soft” team, particularly away from home in the north of England, having lost 19 of their previous 41 matches north of Luton over the past four years.

Last season, Chelsea lost 3-0 at Everton during Liam Rosenior’s five-match winless run, a sequence that ultimately cost him his job. The Blues had also won just one of their past nine matches at the Toffees.

This time, however, Everton managed just six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game since recording five against Arsenal last December.

Chelsea also conceded only one clear-cut opportunity and allowed their lowest expected goals against (xG) figure against top-flight opposition this season at 0.45.

They started with a back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, while goalscorer Neto and Jorrel Hato, who provided the assist, operated as wing-backs.

The midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo, returning from international duty, and new signing Jordan Henderson also brought much-needed solidity and experience.

It was £117m club-record signing Morgan Rogers, however, who set the tone for a combative display, squaring up to Everton defender James Tarkowski during an eventful first half.

“We needed to show that we can win in this way,” Alonso added. “We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control.

“In the first half there were difficult periods with throw-ins, corners and pressure from Everton. You have to overcome those moments.

“In the Premier League it is very hard to have complete control in an away game, but you cannot lose your shape or your conviction.”

Rachel Duffy, joint winner of The Traitors UK series four, has wowed fans after debuting a glamorous new makeover months after winning the iconic BBC reality show

A former champion of The Traitors has left people totally wowed as she showed off a super glam makeover. Rachel Duffy is primarily recognised for jointly winning series four of the BBC reality contest The Traitors UK in January 2026, and it’s fair to say life has changed for her a few months down the line.

Now commanding over 200,000 Instagram followers, she recently admitted she took part in a photoshoot, even though she was a bit nervous at first. However, it’s clear people thought she didn’t need to be, as they told her she looked absolutely sensational and showered her with kind words.

It comes after Rachel had a very tough start to the year. Months ago, she announced the death of her beloved mum who drove her to victory.

Alongside the pictures, she wrote: “FULL transparency. I was petrified doing this shoot! I mean I couldn’t sleep properly the night before. I even Googled how to pose for a magazine.

“I was so chuffed when @jackmurphyjewellers asked me to be their cover girl for @ulstertatler but it sent me into a spiral of self doubt. They should have asked someone younger, thinner, prettier – all these terrible thoughts that go through our heads when we don’t feel we belong.”

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She added: “Some days I have sooooo much confidence in myself and my ability but, on days like this shoot, it was very wobbly! I’m so grateful for the fabulous team at Jack Murphy’s for making me feel at ease, to @gemmamurphyjewel for hyping me up and covering me with the most beautiful diamonds (not to mention doing my zips b/c of my gammy hand), to Charlotte and Tara for being the best wing women and keeping me right and cheering me on behind the camera and to @jamierobb for being so chilled out and making it fun!

“There’s a huge difference between the first shots taken on the day and the last video here. I could have done it all over again.

“Point to my post – I overcame a lot of self doubt on the day and I am beyond happy at how these photos turned out. I’m getting the cover shot printed on my duvet. I’m very proud of myself for pushing through the doubt and encourage you to do the same.

“Here’s to backing ourselves more! A big thank you to @wearonceloved, @salon_602_ and @emzobeauty for making me look so pretty. You’re the best.”

In the photographs, Rachel can be seen wearing a sleek, off-the-shoulder black dress. Beautifully figure-hugging, she looked absolutely breathtaking in every shot.

She styled her hair in an elegant half-up-half-down look, also modelling a chic black jumpsuit. Finished off with a delicate smoky eye and a touch of lipstick, she looked utterly stunning as she confidently worked the camera.

The post has since amassed more than 8,000 likes, with fans rushing to the comments section to share their reactions. They had plenty to say, clearly blown away by the stunning transformation.

One said: “Damn. Hot.” Another added: “I hope you feel as just as incredible as you look in these photos.”

A third replied: “You are simply gorgeous. One hot lady.”

Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Wow, Rachel! You take my breath away! Go girl!”

Someone else also responded: “You look amazing. We are so good at putting ourselves down and filling our heads with negativity. Beautiful photoshoot.”