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KATIE Price’s family “fear” for her after she “split” from boyfriend JJ Slater.

Rumours of trouble in paradise have been circling for months, but now it is being reported that the couple have “parted ways”, with those closest to Katie, 47, concerned she’ll “jump into another relationship”.

Yesterday it was reported that Katie and JJ have “split”, with the Married At First Sight star “moving out” of her home.

The former glamour girl has a long relationship history, and is known for going from one man to the next.

She has had high profile romances with Peter Andre, Carl woods and Alex Reid, to name but a few.

Despite telling her podcast listeners this week that she “doesn’t need a man”, Katie’s family are reportedly “concerned” that she will jump straight into another relationship now that things are “over” with JJ.

KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED

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SAD CONFESSION

Katie Price admits she ‘doesn’t like the person in the mirror’

A source told the Mirror: “She always says the same thing [about being happy alone and not needing a man in her life] but she’ll be throwing herself into the next relationship.

“She wants to find a husband and can’t cope without being with a partner. It wouldn’t be surprising if she hasn’t got someone lined up already.”

Continuing, the insider added: “It will last three seconds. Her family are concerned she will throw herself deep into another relationship and put the pressure on again to get married, like she has with JJ.

“You can’t force someone to get married, you can’t force someone to love you.”

Addressing the “JJ split”, the source said: “This has been on the cards for a long time.

“She’s been pushing for marriage, wanting a guy that’s marriage material but the writing has been on the wall for a long time.”

Talking about other concerns her family have regarding her endless cosmetic surgery procedures, the source revealed: “Her family are very worried about her.

“There is a real problem there and they are worried she will die on the operating table, because she’s not strong enough.

“She isn’t strong enough for a general anaesthetic, let alone another procedure.”

Katie’s rep told The Sun they had “no comment” on these claims.

JJ ‘SPLIT’

Yesterday it was reported that after months of speculation, Katie and JJ had “split”.

It came after they put on a untied front on Boxing Day, following break-up rumours.

However, according to insiders, they have “broken up” after two years of dating.

A source told the Mail: “Katie has had doubts for some time about whether JJ is husband material, but she hoped those concerns would fade.

“Instead, her fears only grew, and she’s now accepted the relationship will not end with her walking down the aisle for a fourth time.

“JJ was left disappointed and has already packed his bags and moved back to his home in Essex.”

MEETING JJ

Katie and JJ began dating in late 2023, following her split from ex-fiancé Carl Woods.

She reportedly first reached out to him following his time on the E4 show, MAFS, though he’d previously messaged Katie years before calling her “fit”.

There was no overlap between JJ’s romance with ex Ella Morgan.

In February 2024, the duo confirmed that they had begun dating.

Katie Price’s relationship history

We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price’s relationship history.

1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.

1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer when he allegedly cheated on her.

2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with Harvey throughout his life.

2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.

2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.

2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.

2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.

2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.

2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.

2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.

2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.

2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.

2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shine to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.

2024-present: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February this year.

People are being charged up to £1 a minute, new figures revealed

Four major airports have increased their drop-off charges already this year, delivering a fresh blow to air travellers. Depositing loved ones at some of the UK’s biggest airports has grown more costly, as several facilities have raised their fees this week.

From January 6, Gatwick Airport will boost the cost of its drop-off zones by £3 – pushing the minimum charge up to £10.

London City Airport, amongst the final major hubs not to impose a drop-off fee, will also introduce an £8 charge tomorrow for drop-offs lasting up to 5 minutes, plus an extra £1 per minute for extended stays, capped at a maximum 10-minute drop-off period.

This comes after Heathrow’s drop-off fees rose from £6 to £7 on January 1, whilst Southend airport shifted from no charge to £7 last summer.

Emily Barnett, Travel Expert at Compare the Market, commented: “With multiple London airports increasing passenger drop-off charges this year, the cost of a holiday before travellers have even reached the terminal is on the rise. For families trying to save some cash by being dropped off by a friend or family member, these fees can quickly add an extra, unexpected expense to an already costly trip. While solo travellers will have to shoulder the cost alone, it’s wise to plan ahead and assess whether an alternative travel option would suit.

“Taking public transport to get to the airport could be more cost effective if flight times and the journey route permit. For some travellers, using Park and Ride services at Heathrow and Gatwick may be more convenient as they offer passengers frequent shuttle buses between terminals and off-airport parking services for free.

“The news of price rises serves as a good reminder for holidaymakers to look for savings on other travel expenses where possible. Booking early could help get a better price, while comparing travel insurance deals and taking a ‘buy when you book’ approach means you’re covered before you even set off should you need to cancel for an unforeseen circumstance. Taking the time to weigh up prices and options could make a real difference to the overall cost of a trip.”

For the latest money saving tips, shopping and consumer news, go to the new Everything Money website

New 2026 airport charges rundown:

London City Airport has ended its reign as the only airport in the capital not charging drivers for dropping off loved ones by introducing an £8 fee. The charge must be paid for parking for up to five minutes – every additional minute after that will cost £1 until you hit the maximum 10-minute stay.

The airport said the fee will help to “maintain efficient access to the forecourt and support the best possible access for everyone”. Blue badge holders and black cabs are exempt from the charge.

Gatwick Airport has become the most expensive airport for drop-offs, increasing its fee from £7 to £10 for 10 minutes.

The airport – Britain’s second busiest after Heathrow – only bumped its charges to £7 in May last year.

It cited rising expenses, including business rates that have more than doubled, as the reason behind the increase.

The airport also informed Money that it was “not aware” of any additional rises planned for this year, or a review of the existing charge.

Guy Hobbs, Which? Travel Expert said: “It’s unsurprising that following Heathrow’s announcement, Gatwick has also pulled the trigger on a drop off price hike in a fresh blow to travellers. These harsh price hikes and oppressive time limits from two of the UK’s busiest airports will only add another layer of stress, frustration and cost to passengers.”

He added: “Fortunately, there are alternative long stay car parks where you can drop off free of charge at all major UK airports.”

London Heathrow bumped its fee from £6 to £7 on New Year’s Day, and brought in a fresh 10-minute rule in drop-off zones, with motorists who overstay facing a penalty.

The airport has stated that no further rises were scheduled for this year.

Bristol Airport lifted its charges from £7 to £8.50 for up to 10 minutes of parking. Motorists staying between 10 and 20 minutes have also witnessed their fee rise from £9 to £10.50.

Blue Badge holders can utilise the drop-off car park for an extended period of 40 minutes, but that will also climb from £7 to £8.50.

The website Travelsupermarket has looked at where families can save hundreds of pounds on their week in the sun this summer

Bulgaria has emerged as the top spot for a bargain summer getaway this year, families have been advised.

With January’s peak booking season in full swing, website TravelSupermarket revealed what it says are the most affordable countries for those planning an all-inclusive sunshine holiday in 2026. Bulgaria claimed the top spot, with an average of £760 per person for a week-long stay. In second place was Morocco, at an average £852 per person for seven nights, then Malta at £862.

The data was based on analysing family holiday searches conducted between October 5 last year and last week, for travel between May and September 2026. It found big price differences across popular destinations.

Looking across 13 popular destinations, the average price of a week in Bulgaria has fallen by £54 per person – or 7% – since last summer. At the other extreme, Cyprus was found to be the most expensive in the selection, at £1,186 per person.

Spain, ever popular with Brits, and including the Balearic and Canary Islands, ranked fourth in this year’s list, at £888 per person, with prices remaining virtually unchanged from 2025. Turkey was in 11th place, costing an average £1,057, with Greece in 12th position at £1,096.

Croatia is 10th cheapest for this summer, at an average £1,046 person. But the cost of typical break to the country has tumbled by 12% since last year, making it £136 cheaper this summer.

Travelsupermarket also looked at where families looking to head long-haul could get the most bang for their buck. It found Cape Verde offered the best value, at £1,247 per person, followed by the United Arab Emirates (£1,297), then the Dominican Republic (£1,664), and Mexico (£1,694).

Chris Webber, head of holidays and deals at TravelSupermarket said: “Bulgaria looks set to reclaim its crown as the go-to bargain all-inclusive destination.

“Despite the increases, Tunisia and Morocco remain firmly in the top five cheapest countries, so families can still find excellent value there. Croatia had been starting to get a reputation as a pricey destination, especially since adopting the Euro in January 2023, so this 12% price drop is really good news for families who were beginning to feel priced out of this beautiful destination.”

Cheapest short-haul summer holiday destinations for 2026

1. Bulgaria £760
2. Morocco £852
3. Malta £862
4. Spain £888
5. Tunisia £934
6. Italy £948
7. Egypt £1,010
8. Portugal £1,017
9. Montenegro £1,037
10. Croatia £1,046
11. Turkey £1,057
12. Greece £1,096
13. Cyprus £1,186

Bulgaria is saying goodbye to the lev and officially adopting the euro, but some citizens worry that shops will round up when changing currencies, making everything more expensive. Al Jazeera’s Aksel Zaimovic explains their concerns.

Dec. 24 (UPI) — Americans are not in a jolly mood when it comes to spending for the holidays, with a majority saying it’s been difficult to afford things, according to a CBS News/YouGov survey released Wednesday.

The nationally representative sample of 2,267 U.S. adults was interviewed between Dec. 15 and 17, and asked 16 questions about the holidays and the economy in general.

With items costing more now than they did last year, respondents cut down on gifts, entertainment and travel.

When asked about things to buy for the holiday, 58% said it would be difficult, including 17% “very difficult” and 41% “somewhat difficult.” Conversely, 8% said it will be “very easy to afford” and 34% “somewhat easy.”

Regarding prices compared with last year, 27% said they cost “a lot more,” 44% “a little more,” 24% “the same” and 5% “little less” or “lot less.”

People with lower incomes obviously are struggling more.

For family incomes under $50,00, it is “difficult to afford” for 71% versus 56% for $50,000 to $100,000 versus 58% more than $100,000.

Based on the type of gifts, 42% say they are buying fewer gifts for others, 32% less for food and drinks, 48% for airlines/travel and 50% for entertainment. Of those categories, more spending was 5% for airlines/travel, 6% for entertainment, 16% gifts for others, and 17% food and drinks.

Despite financial concerns, the respondents are more positive this holiday season with 48% saying they feel “grateful,” 43% “happy,” 39% “stressed,” 29% “excited,” 29% “exhausted” and 23% “sad.”

People are preferring to avoid paying for things on credit. It breaks down to 45% using no credit, 30% using some, 16% using mostly credit and 9% using all credit.

People were also asked about the economy in general, with 32% saying it is good and 63% bad.

Thirty-two percent of people said their financial situation was good for them, down from 39% in July. Since January is has been in the 30s.

Compared with past years, 41% said it is worse in 2025, 36% not changed and 22% better.

Inflation is on people’s minds with 76% saying their income hasn’t kept up with their income, which is close to 75% in July and 77% in February. The annual inflation rate in the United States is 2.7% ending in November compared with 3.0% in September 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Respondents were negative about the job market with 5% saying it’s “very good,” 29% “fairly good,” 32% “fairly bad,” 20% “very bad” and 14% not sure. The national unemployment rate was 4.6%, released by the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting the labor market status for November.

Among the bright spots, more Americans rate the condition of the stock market as good than bad, especially for those whom the market’s performance matters a lot to their finances. The stock market was listed as 10% “very good,” 32% “fairly good,” 14% “fairly bad,” 6% “very bad” and 38% “not sure.”

Another good sign is gas prices, with 32% saying they are going down compared with 12% in October. Only 20% say fuel prices are going up vs. 34% in October, with 33% saying the are the same vs. 38% two months ago.

The current average is around $2.85 per gallon for unleaded, compared with $3.04 a year ago, according to AAA. The highest average was $5.02 on June 14, 2022.

The sample was weighted to be representative of adults nationwide, according to gender, age, race and education based on the U.S. Census American Community Survey and Current Population Survey, as well as 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is 2.5 points.

Booking a trip abroad can come with a hefty price tag, but one traveller was left baffled by the cost of food while visiting a European supermarket, as he claimed, ‘food costs more than the flight’

Food in one European country is so expensive that some tourists are packing food in their suitcases.

Iceland is a prime spot to catch the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, offering a spectacular getaway with its stunning Nordic landscapes, mountainous backdrops, and hot springs.

Yet, the European destination is notoriously pricey, to the extent that holidaymakers have resorted to packing their suitcases with food just to avoid the extortionate prices.

One traveller visited the Nordic island in the North Atlantic earlier this year and visited a local supermarket to see just how much the cost of food really was. In a video, @jesusansal explained that tourists often travel to Iceland with their own food stashed in their luggage because “food costs more than the flight.”

He videoed himself heading into a supermarket, and said: “Let’s see if it’s as expensive as people say”. And it didn’t take long before he found some costly everyday items that are almost double the price of what we’d find in an English supermarket.

Firstly, he found that a small pack of strawberries would set him back 800 Icelandic króna, which is around £4.75. For lunch, there was a baguette on offer for 1,065 króna, which is approximately £6.32, or a cheese sandwich for 750 króna (£4.45).

Elsewhere, a medium-sized bottle of olive oil costs 1,300 króna (£7.72), while instant noodles would set someone back 800 króna (£4.75) – a considerable hike compared to the 45p packs you can find in Tesco. “Mari, this is so expensive,” the TikToker said as he walked around the Iceland supermarket, but it didn’t end there.

He also found slices of Serrano ham for 500 króna (£2.97) and a small jar of the traditional Icelandic delicacy, hákarl, for 1,300 króna (£7.72). When it comes to making a basic breakfast during a stay in Iceland, the influencer found that it would cost someone around 2,000 króna (£11.87), which includes a couple of doughnuts, water, and juice.

Research from The Drinks Business found that Iceland is the most expensive place in Europe to purchase a bottle of wine, with the average cost of a mid-range wine setting someone back £18.30. This is compared to the European average of around £7.17 for the same quality of wine.

Having been left baffled by the prices of essential items, the Spanish traveller ended his video with: “Iceland may have spectacular views, but it’s quite expensive.” And he’s not the only one who feels this way.

Commenting on his TikTok video, one follower wrote: “What surprised me most was definitely the bread.” Another asked: “Can you get a mortgage at the supermarket?”

However, others noted the reason behind the higher prices could be due to their higher salaries. One commented: “In Iceland, the basic monthly salary is €6,000, so I even consider it cheap.”

One more added: “Well, the ham seems cheap to me, and the individual hams there will be five times more expensive than ours.” Another compared the prices to those in Europe and said: “The price of oil and ham is almost the same as in Spain.”

While you can find cheap flights to Iceland and affordable accommodation during your stay, the cost of food items can quickly add up. However, if you keep a budget for food each day and have this in mind before your trip, it’s still well worth a visit.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

On June 12, Peggy Orenstein’s inbox flooded with booking requests for her Inglewood Airbnb.

The date seemed random, but after a quick search, the influx of interest became clear. It was exactly a year before one of the biggest events in American soccer history, when the U.S. will kick off its World Cup in a match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, and Orenstein had set up the system to only accept booking requests up to a year in advance.

Orenstein’s rental sits just across the street from the venue. Suddenly, her Airbnb became one of the hottest homes in the Southland.

She hadn’t adjusted the prices yet to reflect the rabid demand, so she declined the requests and tweaked the rates. Typically, a two-night stay at the house would cost around $1,000. For a two-night stay during the Americans’ opening match June 12, it’ll now cost more than $10,000.

Roughly 6.5 million people are expected to travel to North America during the 2026 World Cup, and many of them will be heading to L.A., where SoFi Stadium is hosting eight games, including two U.S. matches during the group stage. Airbnb hosts are viewing the games as a gold mine, hoping soccer fans will shell out thousands to stay near the stadium.

The World Cup rental market will serve as a test case for the 2028 Olympics, when an estimated 15 million people are expected to visit Southern California.

For the night of the opening match June 12, more than 70% of short-term rentals in Inglewood have already been booked, according to data site Inside Airbnb. That’s a 58% increase compared to typical reservation rates on normal days.

Rates are rising as well. On June 1, the average booked rate for an Airbnb in L.A. is $245, according to data platform AirDNA. On June 12, when the U.S. plays Paraguay, it’s $382 — a 56% jump.

In Inglewood, prices are even wilder. Homes that normally rent for hundreds are listed for thousands. The nightly price for a one-bedroom apartment a block from SoFi is typically around $400. On June 11, the day before the game, it’s $713. On June 12, the day of the game, it’s $1,714.

“It’ll be interesting to see how much people will pay,” Orenstein said.

Some hosts use an algorithm to determine their nightly rates, but Orenstein sets the prices herself. She arrived at the $10,000 number by looking at nearby hotels, which are mostly sold out for the nights of the eight World Cup matches.

“The Lum Hotel had a suite available during the World Cup for $1,943. Meanwhile, our house can accommodate eight guests with four bedrooms, plus a kitchen and yard,” she said.

There are classic amenities such as a grill and hot tub, but the biggest amenity is proximity. Orenstein is banking on visitors ponying up for the convenience of parking at the property and walking to the stadium while everyone else navigates traffic jams and long rideshare waits.

“It gets crazy out there,” she said. “I’ve had people offer to pay me $40 to use the bathroom while walking by during a Taylor Swift concert. Our neighbor sold parking spots for $1,000 during the Super Bowl.”

David (pictured) and Peggy Orenstein, run an Airbnb across the street from SoFi Stadium.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Colin Johnson has been renting out his home near SoFi Stadium for two years. It’s his actual residence, meaning when someone stays there, he has to book a hotel or crash on a friend’s couch. But he said the payouts are worth it.

“There are so many events and venues around us, why wouldn’t we take advantage?” he said.

A typical two-night stay in the three-story townhouse runs about $600. For the U.S. opening match, it costs more than $3,000.

Johnson said demand is roughly 60% Americans and 40% foreigners, but he expects foreign interest to pick up as the games get closer.

Demand isn’t limited to Inglewood. Luxury rentals across Los Angeles are being booked for eye-popping numbers, according to Mokhtar Jabli, founder of luxury rental platform Nightfall Group.

He’s booked two so far. The first was rented by a Florida client coming to Los Angeles to see Iran play two matches at SoFi Stadium against New Zealand and Belgium. The modern home in Hollywood Hills, complete with an infinity pool overlooking the city, rented for $33,000 for seven nights from June 15 to 22.

The second was booked by a New York client coming to see the U.S. play Paraguay. The 7,000-square-foot mansion in Malibu comes with a movie theater, butler, security and full-time staff. For 10 days, it rented for $100,000.

Jamie Lane, chief economist for AirDNA, expects a surge across L.A. County — not just in demand, but in supply.

“There’s a lot of interest right now in what you can make as a host,” Lane said. “In most cities, there won’t be enough lodging, so that pushes rates higher.”

He added that since Airbnb is the official “Alternative Accommodations and Bookings Platform” of the World Cup, the company is urging people to host. AirDNA has hosted multiple bootcamps around the country for people interested in renting out their homes during the World Cup, teaching them how to furnish homes, how to set prices during the games and more.

Lane expects a boost in listings early next year, which would mirror Paris in the months leading up to the 2024 Olympics, when active listings soared by 40%.

It’s unclear how proactive Southern California cities will be in cracking down on illegal listings as homeowners look to make a quick buck by renting out their rooms. Many cities have strict short-term rental regulations, but haven’t taken the steps necessary to enforce them.

Last year, the L.A. Housing Department estimated that 7,500 short-term rentals were violating the city’s Home Sharing Ordinance, but the city only issued 300 citations.

Orenstein said it won’t be easy in Inglewood.

“You have to jump through hoops to have an Airbnb,” she said. “Apply for permits, do inspections, pay your taxes every month. It has to be done right.”

United States President Donald Trump announced new agreements aimed at lowering prescription drug prices.

On Friday, alongside leaders from Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, and Merck, among other leading pharma giants, the president announced deals that would cut prices on their medications to match that of the developed nation with the lowest price.

“Starting next year, American drug prices will come down fast and furious and will soon be some of the lowest in the developed world,” Trump said.

“This is the biggest thing having to do with drugs in the history of the purchase of drugs.”

Under the deals, each drugmaker will cut prices on some of the drugs sold to the Medicaid programme for low-income people, senior administration officials said, promising “massive savings” on widely used medicines without giving specific figures.

“We were subsidising the entire world. We’re not doing it anymore,” Trump said at a White House news conference, flanked by nine pharma executives.

Mehmet Oz, the director of the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Service, said Regeneron, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie would visit the White House after the holidays for the launch of the government’s TrumpRx website.

US patients currently pay by far the most for prescription medicines, often nearly three times more than in other developed nations, and Trump has been pressuring drugmakers to lower their prices to what patients pay elsewhere.

The details of each deal were not immediately available, but officials said they included agreements to cut cash-pay direct-to-consumer prices of select drugs sold potentially through the TrumpRx.gov website, to launch drugs in the US at prices equal to – not lower than – those in other wealthy nations and to increase manufacturing. In return, companies can receive a three-year exemption from any tariffs.

Drug prices fall

Merck said it will sell its diabetes drugs Januvia, Janumet and Janumet XR – set to face generic competition next year – directly to US consumers at about 70 percent off list prices. If approved, its experimental cholesterol drug enlicitide will also be offered through direct-to-consumer channels.

Enlicitide is one of two Merck drugs expected to receive a speedy review under the FDA’s new, fast-track pathway, the Reuters news agency has previously reported.

Amgen said it will expand its direct-to-patient programme to include migraine drug Aimovig and rheumatoid arthritis medicine Amjevita, offering both at $299 a month – nearly 60 percent and 80 percent below current US list prices.

In July, Trump sent letters to leaders of 17 major pharmaceutical companies, outlining how they should provide so-called most-favoured -nation prices to the US government’s Medicaid health programme for low-income people, and guarantee that new drugs will not be launched at prices above those in other high-income countries.

So far, five companies have struck deals with the administration to rein in prices. They are Pfizer, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk and EMD Serono, the US division of Germany’s Merck.

A portion of revenues from each company’s foreign sales will also be remitted to the US to offset costs, officials said.

The companies pledged together to invest more than $150bn in the US for R&D and manufacturing, according to officials, although it was unclear whether that included earlier commitments. Several also agreed to donate drug ingredients to the US strategic reserve.

Trump has long focused on the disparity between drug prices in the US and other wealthy countries, which have government-run health systems that negotiate price discounts.

The spectre of tighter price controls by the US government initially spooked investors, but the terms of the deals announced so far have calmed many of those fears.

Analysts have noted that Medicaid, which accounts for only approximately 10 percent of US drug spending, already benefits from substantial price discounts, exceeding 80 percent in some cases.

WASHINGTON — President Trump made dozens of promises when he campaigned to retake the White House last year, from boosting economic growth to banning transgender athletes from girls’ sports.

But one pledge stood out as the most important in many voters’ eyes: Trump said he would not only bring inflation under control, but push grocery and energy prices back down.

“Starting the day I take the oath of office, I will rapidly drive prices down, and we will make America affordable again,” he said in 2024. “Your prices are going to come tumbling down, your gasoline is going to come tumbling down, and your heating bills and cooling bills are going to be coming down.”

He hasn’t delivered. Gasoline and eggs are cheaper than they were a year ago, but most other prices are still rising, including groceries and electricity. The Labor Department estimated Thursday that inflation is running at 2.7%, only a little better than the 3% Trump inherited from Joe Biden; electricity was up 6.9%.

And that has given the president a major political problem: Many of the voters who backed him last year are losing faith.

“I voted for Trump in 2024 because he was promising America first … and he was promising a better economy,” Ebyad, a nurse in Texas, said on a Focus Group podcast hosted by Bulwark publisher Sarah Longwell. “It feels like all those promises have been broken.”

Since Inauguration Day, the president’s job approval has declined from 52% to 43% in the polling average calculated by statistician Nate Silver. Approval for Trump’s performance on the economy, once one of his strongest points, has sunk even lower to 39%.

That’s dangerous territory for a president who hopes to help his party keep its narrow majority in elections for the House of Representatives next year.

To Republican pollsters and strategists, the reasons for Trump’s slump are clear: He overpromised last year and he’s under-performing now.

“The most important reasons he won in 2024 were his promises to bring inflation down and juice the economy,” Republican pollster Whit Ayres said. “That’s the reason he won so many voters who traditionally had supported Democrats, including Hispanics. … But he hasn’t been able to deliver. Inflation has moderated, but it hasn’t gone backward.”

Last week, after deriding complaints about affordability as “a Democrat hoax,” Trump belatedly launched a campaign to convince voters that he’s at work fixing the problem.

But at his first stop, a rally in Pennsylvania, he continued arguing that the economy is already in great shape.

“Our prices are coming down tremendously,” he insisted.

“You’re doing better than you’ve ever done,” he said, implicitly dismissing voters’ concerns.

He urged families to cope with high tariffs by cutting back: “You know, you can give up certain products,” he said. “You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don’t need 37 dolls.”

Earlier, in an interview with Politico, Trump was asked what grade he would give the economy. “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus,” he said.

On Wednesday, the president took another swing at the issue in a nationally televised speech, but his message was basically the same.

“One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead,” he said. “Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. … Inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down.”

Republican pollster David Winston, who has advised GOP members of Congress, said the president has more work to do to win back voters who supported him in 2024 but are now disenchanted.

“When families are paying the price for hamburger that they used to pay for steak, there’s a problem, and there’s no sugarcoating it,” he said. “The president’s statements that ‘we have no inflation’ and ‘our groceries are down’ have flown in the face of voters’ reality.”

Another problem for Trump, pollsters said, is that many voters believe his tariffs are pushing prices higher — making the president part of the problem, not part of the solution. A YouGov poll in November found that 77% of voters believe tariffs contribute to inflationary pressures.

Trump’s popularity hasn’t dropped through the floor; he still has the allegiance of his fiercely loyal base. “He is at his lowest point of his second term so far, but he is well within the range of his job approval in the first term,” Ayres noted.

Still, he has lost significant chunks of his support among independent voters, young people and Latinos, three of the “swing voter” groups who put him over the top in 2024.

Inflation isn’t the only issue that has dented his standing.

He promised to lead the economy into “a golden age,” but growth has been uneven. Unemployment rose in November to 4.6%, the highest level in more than four years.

He promised massive tax cuts for the middle class, but most voters say they don’t believe his tax cut bill brought them any benefit. “It’s hard to convince people that they got a tax break when nobody’s tax rates were actually cut,” Ayres noted.

He kept his promise to launch the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history — but many voters complain that he has broken his promise to focus on violent criminals. In Silver’s average, approval of his immigration policies dropped from 52% in January to 45% now.

A Pew Research Center survey in October found that 53% of adults, including 71% of Latinos, think the administration has ordered too many deportations. However, most voters approve of Trump’s measures on border security.

Republican pollsters and strategists say they believe Trump can reverse his downward momentum before November’s congressional election, but it may not be easy.

“You look at what voters care about most, and you offer policies to address those issues,” GOP strategist Alex Conant suggested. “That starts with prices. So you talk about permitting reform, energy prices, AI [artificial intelligence] … and legislation to address healthcare, housing and tax cuts. You could call it the Affordability Act.”

“A laser focus on the economy and the cost of living is job one,” GOP pollster Winston said. “His policies on regulation, energy and taxes should have a positive impact, but the White House needs to emphasize them on a more consistent basis.”

“People voted for change in 2024,” he warned. “If they don’t get it — if inflation doesn’t begin to recede — they may vote for change again in 2026.”

FIFA announced an affordable admission pricing tier for every nation that’s qualified for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The supporter entry tier will make tickets available at a fixed price of $60 for every match, including the final, for each nation’s participating members associations.

The new tier comes after supporters’ groups from Europe called out FIFA on the dynamic pricing of tickets, which changes the value based on the popularity of the teams playing in each match.

“In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely supporter value tier (40%) and the supporter entry tier (10%),” FIFA said in a statement on Tuesday. “The remaining allocation is split evenly between the supporter standard tier and the supporter premier tier.”

FIFA will also waive the administrative fees for fans who secure participating member association tickets, but their teams do not advance and they seek refunds.

Tickets sales were rolled out by FIFA in phases, with a third of the tournament’s inventory claimed during the first two phases. The third phase started on Dec. 11 and will go through to Jan. 13. During this period, fans have the opportunity to allocate tickets for a match based on a random selection draw.

Before the new tier was introduced, the cheapest ticket for the World Cup final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey would cost fans more than $4,000. The high prices raised concerns among European supporters.

“The prices set for the 2026 World Cup are scandalous, a step too far for many supporters who passionately and loyally follow their national sides at home and abroad,” the FSA, an organization of supporters for England and Wales, said in a statement posted on its website on Dec. 12. “Everything we feared about the direction in which FIFA wants to take the game was confirmed — Gianni Infantino only sees supporter loyalty as something to be exploited for profit.”

FIFA previously stated it adopted the variable pricing because it was common practice for major North America sporting events.

“What FIFA is doing is adapting to the domestic market,” a FIFA official said in the conference call. “It’s a reality in the U.S. and Canada that events are being priced as per the demand that is coming in for that event.”

A FIFA official told reporters before the first tickets went on sale that world soccer’s governing body expects to make more than $3 billion from hospitality and tickets sales and is confident the tournament will break the all-time World Cup attendance record set in 1994, the last time the competition was held in the U.S.

That 1994 World Cup featured just 24 teams and 52 matches. The 2026 tournament will be twice as large, with 48 teams and 104 games.

FIFA said it received 20 million requests during the random selection draw sales.

SoFi Stadium will host eight matches, beginning with the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12. The Americans will finish group play in Inglewood on June 25, playing the winner of a March playoff involving Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey and Romania. Two Group G matches — Iran vs. New Zealand on June 15 and Iran-Belgium on June 21 — also will be played in SoFi, sandwiched around a Group B match between Switzerland and the winner of another European playoff, this one featuring Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Northern Ireland.

The teams for the three knockout-stage games to be played at SoFi Stadium — round-of-32 games on June 28 and July 2 and a quarterfinal on July 10 — haven’t been determined, but the possibilities include Mexico, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Austria and Algeria.

Staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.

Dec. 16 (UPI) — U.S. crude fell below $55 a barrel Tuesday to its lowest since early 2021 as markets reacted to surplus concerns and potential peace deal in Ukraine.

West Texas Intermediate fell to a low of $54.98 a barrel to its weakest level since early February 2021, and recently traded near 55.16, down about 2.9%.

Brent crude, meanwhile, slipped to $58.88 a barrel in a nearly 3% drop. It slid roughly 21%, marking its weakest year since 2020.

U.S. crude was down about 23% this year at its steepest annual drop since 2018.

The AAA reported that U.S. gasoline had fallen below $3 a gallon, the lowest in four years.

Oil prices were sliding as OPEC boosted output after years of restraint, while investors bet on easing geopolitical tensions as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for some kind of Russia-Ukraine peace deal.

It also arrived as the Trump administration advances drilling licenses on public lands in opposition to environmental groups.

“Oil markets will be watching developments closely, given the significant supply risk from sanctions on Russia. While Russian seaborne oil exports have held up well since the imposition of sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, this oil is still struggling to find buyers,” two ING commodity strategists wrote Tuesday in a note.

The president has stated a deal supposedly could be “closer now than we have been ever.”

“The result is a growing volume of Russian oil at sea. India, a key buyer of Russian oil since the Russia/Ukraine war began, will reportedly see imports of Russian crude fall to around 800k b/d this month, down from around 1.9m b/d in November,” they added.

Looking for a new way of life, one family said goodbye to their Yorkshire town and moved across the Atlantic to a country which has its own British community and nickname

Would you sell your home and uproot everything to start again abroad?

For an increasing number of Brits, the answer to that question is ‘yes’. Since 2023, there has been an almost 10% increase in Brits relocating abroad for a new way of life, with 639,000 people reportedly leaving the country last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In the hope of a fresh start, one family just that and uprooted their lives to an area across the Atlantic packed with Brits and ‘insane’ prices.

Jack Masterson, 36, and his wife Natalie, 35, moved from the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield to a vibrant Canadian city. “For years, Natalie and I both had this nagging question in the back of our minds, ‘what if we moved elsewhere?’ Then the conversation quite quickly became ‘where and when,'” videographer Jack said.

“We just wanted something new from old England for our two children, and that’s when we came across the Canadian Express Entry visa.” As Natalie was a former NHS nurse, the Yorkshire couple, along with their two children, were able to pack up their lives in the UK and move to Canada in just six months on the category-based Express Entry visa.

This type of visa falls under six categories, with healthcare professionals making up the majority. It was launched in 2023 and aims to address the national shortage of healthcare professionals across Canada, with thousands of Brits reportedly moving to Canada in the last two years.

Jack shared: “With this option available to our family, Canada became a no-brainer. They’re short on nurses over here. So, Natalie came across in March, followed by the kids and me a month later – if you can do it and want an adventure, look no further.

“Life here is such a drastic change from Yorkshire. I used to run a videography business in England; so, since the move, I’ve been slowly building up a Canadian client base. On the flip side, it’s given me the opportunity to explore, ski, and hike around Lynn Canyon Park with the family. But what has really surprised us is the number of Brits we’ve encountered in the area.”

Having relocated to North Vancouver, south of Grouse Mountain in British Columbia, Jack discovered that it’s become an increasingly popular destination for other Brits seeking a new way of life. In fact, a common phrase among locals is, ‘There’s a reason it’s called British Columbia, it’s because there are so many Brits here.’

There’s even a specific nickname for Brits living in the Great White North, which is ‘limey’. The term originated in the 19th century and was originally a reference to the practice of giving sailors lime or lemon juice; however, it is now slang for a British person.

“We’ve got quite the limey community here in Lynn Valley,” Jack said. “But while there are a lot of Brits here, we’re missing one thing: English drinking culture and pubs.

“They’ve got a lot of microbreweries here, which is ace, but the pub is a British institution; I mean, they don’t even sell beer in the supermarkets in British Columbia – you must go to these special government liquor stores. Some Brits and I have been joking around about eventually opening a pub out here and staking our own claim on Lynn.”

However, when reflecting on the major differences, despite supermarket price increases in the UK due to inflation, Jack noted that a loaf of bread in Canada is pricey. “While the taxes tend to be lower out here than back home, it’s the prices of everyday items that are insane. A loaf of bread can cost you about CA$5, so about £2.50 – which is a hell of a lot more than it costs in a Tesco or Sainsbury’s,” he revealed.

However, it’s been well worth the move as Jack added: “Life in Vancouver has certainly been an adjustment, but one I wouldn’t change for the world. In comparison to Yorkshire, you’re just in a prettier place in Canada. People are more welcoming, and the kids love it.

“While the strange culture around tipping is something I’m still not used to, you can’t beat just hopping in the car and going for a hike with the family in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.”

Simon Hood, relocation expert and Executive Director of the company the pair used to move to Canada, John Mason International, added: “What Jack says is certainly true. Questions around affordability and a general cost-of-living crisis are rife in Canada since COVID. They’re experiencing many of the same issues we are here in the UK.

“But at John Mason International, clients are telling us they’re relocating to Canada not for affordability, but because they feel it offers something more: sometimes the intangible is a bigger push than the economics.”

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