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THE Muppet Show is making a 50th birthday comeback — with pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter joining as a special guest. 

Disney has revealed Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the gang are back for a one-off special, more than four decades after the curtain came down on the beloved original series.

The show will stream on Disney+ from February 4, promising fans “music, comedy and a whole lot of chaos” from the original Muppet Theatre.

In a teaser clip, Kermit’s green arm can be seen turning on the lights of an old studio, before placing down a mug with his name on it.

The show originally ran from 1976 to 1981, with a generation of kids singing along to the theme tune: “It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights.”

The series became so popular that big name stars clamoured to be guests, including Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, John Cleese and Debbie Harry.

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It was broadcast in more than 100 countries and in 1978 Time magazine called the show “the most popular television entertainment now being produced on Earth”.

The series won a host of awards, including Emmy, Grammy and Bafta gongs.

Despite the lights going out on the main series, the Muppets Tonight talk show ran from 1996 to 1998.

Other short-lived TV projects followed, including a mockumentary series in 2015, the Muppets Now short form series in 2020 and The Muppets Mayhem musical comedy series in 2023.

A host of movies included The Great Muppet Caper in 1981 and The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992.

The last film, Muppets Most Wanted, in 2014, starred British comedian Ricky Gervais.

Muppets creator Jim Henson died in 1990 and Disney bought the rights in 2004.

Sabrina, who has had four UK No1 singles and two UK No1 albums, is an executive producer for the new show, as is Canadian comedian and actor Seth Rogen, who was in the 2020 series.

A UK town dubbed the ‘Queen of the English Riviera’ is set to undergo a multi-million pound project.

Torquay in Devon is known for its many palm trees and sprawling beaches, leading it to being compared to the French Riviera.

And soon the town will undergo a number of projects to upgrade multiple areas as well as introduce new attractions.

Via the government’s ‘Pride in Place’ fund, Torquay’s Strand is one area that will be redeveloped.

There are also plans to introduce a ‘Festival of Torquay’ in 2027.

In total, 30 projects have been chosen for further consideration as part of the council’s 10-year aim to spend £20million on schemes that will make the town better, healthier and happier for those who live there.

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Other projects include restoring historic destinations in the town, such as The Royal Lyceum Theatre.

And for younger people, there are ideas of introducing a number of cultural spaces including a ‘Hidden High Street Creative Space’, a children’s society wellbeing hub, a creative and cultural space for young people and a Torbay Creative Exchange.

According to Torbay Weekly, Torbay Council interim place manager JonPaul Hedge said: “There have been so many brilliant ideas.

“And there are some super-quick wins in terms of delivery.”

Tracey Cabache of Torbay Communities said: “We need something to come forward in the first six months that is very visible for everyone to see.”

There will be a number of projects that aim to improve access to services in the town too, such as connecting different places, establishing a town centre drop-in for disabled and vulnerable people, opening a support and wellbeing hub, opening a number of community hubs and launching a homeless hostel.

The town will be tidied up as well, with more community bus information and opportunities to sponsor a path.

The Strand, which looks on to Torquay Harbour, could also see a large hotel in the future.

According to Willmott Dixon, the spot where a former Debenhams store stands could be transformed into an upscale hotel, with shops on the ground floor, a brasserie-style restaurant, a rooftop bar, fitness room and event space.

Willmott Dixon’s site states: “The food and beverage offering will showcase local produce, delivering a ‘Best of Devon‘ experience.

“The rooftop bar, accessible from The Terrace, is designed to become a destination in its own right, offering panoramic views of Torbay.”

Work is also being carried out on Torquay Pavilion, an Art Nouveau building that opened back in 1912 as an entertainment venue for concerts, theatre and cinema.

The Grade II-listed structure closed in 2012 and over the past months Torbay Council has been carrying out assessment works to understand the condition of the Pavilion.

That work is now complete and the council is now coming up with a proposal for the site.

Another site in Torquay that hopefully has a brighter future is where Living Coasts used to be located.

The tourist attraction, home to penguins and seals, closed back in 2020 and has been left abandoned since.

But now, ARC Marine – a reef technology company – has signed a long-term lease to use the site as a world-leading Marine Innovation Hub.

The projects in Torquay coincide with transformations in the other two towns that form the English Riviera – Paignton and Brixham.

For example, via the Brixham Town Centre Place Vision, Brixham is due to become a vibrant coastal community, according to Torbay Council, with a focus on its historic fishing heritage.

Proposals include more pedestrian links in the town, creating family areas and launching more street food and waterfront activities.

In other regeneration news, a popular London borough to get huge £10billion makeover with parks, restaurants and ‘flower amphitheatre’.

Plus, a historic city centre is set for £2.5billion revamp in the UK’s largest regeneration project.

A daunting rainfall forecast isn’t expected to stop Californians or the rest of the U.S. from traveling in record numbers over the end-of-year holiday season.

An estimated 122.4 million people — more than a third of the entire national population — will travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, according to the American Automobile Assn.

That would represent a 2.2% increase over last year, when a record 119.7 million travelers hit the road or took to the skies for the holidays.

“Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways and tropical vacations,” Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.

Holiday festivities are different for everyone, but “a common thread is the desire to travel, whether it’s returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations,” Barber said.

As always, though, winter weather could pour cold water on some of those festive getaways. A Pacific storm is forecast to bring heavy rain to Southern California over the Christmas holiday — potentially snarling travel and increasing the risk of flooding, said Adam Roser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s San Diego office.

“The storm will move through the region from north to south, starting as early as Tuesday,” Roser said.

Roser said he is confident there will be slick roadways and possible aviation disruptions because of heavy rains.

The peak of the storm for Southern California is likely to start Tuesday and continue through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. In Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego County, light showers may start Tuesday, but the heaviest rainfall is expected to be on Christmas Eve.

Meteorologists say light to moderate showers are forecast for Christmas Day and into the weekend.

AAA expects to see across-the-board increases in modes of travel this holiday season. For example, a projected 109.5 million people will travel by car — a 2% increase compared to last year, according to AAA. For Californians commuting with gas-fueled vehicles, the average price of a gallon of gas this week is $4.33, a 2-cent increase compared to last year.

Approximately 8.03 million travelers will take to the skies to reach their holiday destination, a 2.3% increase compared to last year. AAA said this is the first time more than 8 million domestic air travelers are expected over the end-of-year holiday season.

Boarding passes have burned a hole in many holiday budgets, however. AAA said a round-trip domestic flight is 7% more expensive this year, averaging nearly $900 a ticket.

About 4.9 million travelers will use another mode of transport such as a bus, train or cruise.

Industry is about to return, so now is the perfect time to binge all episodes of the BBC and HBO banking drama

A series once called “TV’s wildest drama” is set to return for a fourth season, and its previous episodes are all available to binge.

Industry first aired on BBC Two and HBO back in 2020, and three seasons down the line, it has garnered a cult following.

The brainchild of former investment bankers Konrad Kay and Mickey Down, it charts the journey of a group of graduates at the fictitious bank Pierpoint. It drew drawing parallels with Skins and Succession, and with just eight episodes per season, it’s ideal for a binge-watch.

With captivating performances from the entire cast, edge-of-your-seat tension and a brutally honest glimpse into their inner struggles, it’s no surprise that Industry has been commissioned for a fourth season, due to premiere on January 11 on HBO and HBO Max, and later in the month on iPlayer.

The narrative kicks off in a pre-Covid world at Pierpoint, a high pressure investment banking setting about to welcome a new batch of graduates.

Among them is Harper Stern, portrayed by Myha’la – an extraordinarily bright yet troubled young woman who will stop at nothing to reach the pinnacle, reports the Express.

Marisa Abela, also known for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse in the 2024 film Back To Black, takes on the role of fellow graduate Yasmin Kara Hanani. She’s fully aware of her privileged status as a ‘nepo baby’ in the professional world, but as the series unfolds, we discover that her life isn’t as straightforward as it appears.

Other key characters include Robert Spearing, brought to life by Harry Lawty, another graduate hailing from a more working class background who is desperate to leave his past behind.

Ken Leung plays Eric Tao, Harper’s unpredictable boss who recognises Harper’s potential and mentors her – a decision that would irrevocably alter his life.

Viewers follow as the employees clinch deals, celebrate at wild parties when things go well, and forge connections with influential figures.

However, each character has their own shortcomings. The show is rife with pain, weaving themes of sexism, abuse, discrimination, and death throughout its narrative.

When the third series hit screens last year, The Guardian hailed it as “TV’s wildest drama”, likening it to the cult favourite Succession. The Independent lauded it as “millennial Mad Men with plenty of swagger” and a “thrillingly fresh” series that only graces our screens every so often.

Industry airs on the BBC

A HUGE airport that is set to become a central hub in Poland in the next six years has been renamed.

Work is still yet to begin on the major airport that was originally called Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, or CPK.

Last week, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the previous name for the country’s upcoming airport, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny, will no longer be used.

He said: “We won’t be using a name that our predecessors discredited,” adding that the planned new airport is intended to serve as “the largest hub in this part of Europe.”

Instead, the airport will be referred to and renamed as Port Polska.

Mr Tusk added: “Everyone who lands there, everyone who uses this airport, everyone who shops there should know: yes—this is the heart of Europe, yes—this is Port Polska.”

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The airport hub has been in the planning stages for many years with work set to begin in 2026 with the first stage of completion set for 2032.

The Polish government estimates put the total cost of the Port Polska project, including the airport and associated rail links, at around PLN 131 billion (£27billion).

The enormous hub will be built in Baranów which is about 25 miles from Warsaw where the current biggest airport in the country is; Warsaw Chopin Airport.

Eventually, Warsaw Chopin Airport will be replaced by Port Polska.

The 450,000sqm airport will have just two runways at first – a third will open by 2045, with plans for long-haul flights.

Inside, the passenger terminal will operate across three levels. On level two will be ticket and baggage check-in, security control, arrivals and departures for the Schengen zone.

Level one will be home to most of the arrivals and departures for the Non-Schengen zone, transfer centres, and passport control.

Level zero will have coach gates for both Schengen and non-Schengen zones, baggage reclaim and an arrivals hall.

It expects to welcome around 34million passengers in its first year, but will grow to as many as 60million.

Building work is set to start next year, and the airport has been designed by Foster + Partners – behind London‘s the Gherkin and the Battersea Roof Gardens.

The huge airport will have other transport links too like an underground train network which will connect it to Warsaw and Lodz.

Holidaymakers in Warsaw will be able to get to the airport in just 20 minutes by train – the airport will also open a bus station for travellers.

Once open, Port Polska will take on some of the world’s biggest transport hubs like London Heathrow which welcomed a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024.

And Dubai International Airport handled 70.1 million passengers by late 2025.

This airport will be the world’s biggest airport – with 185million passengers a year…

King Salman International Airport in Saudi Arabia is set to surpass all other airports in size, including the current biggest airport in the world which is also in the country.

The 22sqm airport will feature six runways – up from two – parallel to each other and will be built around the existing King Khalid International Airport.

It will approximately be the same size as Manhattan in New York – or twice the size of the city of Bath, in the UK.

And now the airport has moved into its construction phase. The airport will be designed by Foster + Partners, a UK firm which is behind London‘s famous Gherkin.

Inside, travellers will be able to explore 4.6sqm of shops. A lot of features in the airport are set to include high tech, such as climate-controlled lighted.

Travellers will have plenty of seating, indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery and vast glass windows, ideal for a bit of plane spotting.

Foster + Partner’s is also developing the Wadi Loop, which will connect the airport to other developments allowing travellers to access different sites more easily.

It will eventually accommodate up to 120million passengers each year, which is then expected to rise to 185million by 2050.

And the number of aircraft takeoffs will rise from 211,000 per year to over one million.

In total, the project is estimated to cost around $30billion (£22.5billion).

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Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to join Dutch giants Ajax on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The Japan international is scheduled to undergo a medical on Tuesday.

BBC Sport revealed in July that Tomiyasu and Arsenal had reached a mutual agreement to terminate the versatile defender’s contract a year early, making him a free agent.

Arsenal signed defenders Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera in the summer, meaning Tomiyasu’s first team opportunities would be limited.

The 27-year-old has been completing a rehabilitation programme following knee surgery in February, but is now back training and poised to restart his career in Amsterdam, provided he passes a medical.

Sources have indicated his agreement with Ajax does not include an extension option.

Tomiyasu, who joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, made 84 appearances for the Gunners. His final game for the club was in October 2024 in a 3-1 win over Southampton.

Ajax are currently fourth In the Eredivisie.

NEXT year, England will be home to the world’s longest coastal path.

The King Charles III England Coast Path sweeps across the country through pretty seaside towns from the north to the south of the UK.

Whether it’s summer or winter, walks are a popular way to explore the coastline – and this walk will make it a lot easier too.

Brits have probably already started exploring the King Charles III England Coast Path as over two thirds are open to the public already.

When it’s completed, which is set to be in spring 2026, the coastal path will be the longest of its kind in the world at 2,700-miles long.

Hikers travel from its northernmost point in Berwick-upon-Tweed all the way down to Land’s End in Cornwall.

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Time Out even named it as ‘one of the best new things to do in the world in 2026’.

Time Out’s UK news editor Ed Cunningham said: “The trail, which has been in the works since way back 2009, will follow the entire coastline of England, spanning 2,674 miles (4,303 km) of cliffs, beaches, cities, national parks and more. Once complete, it’ll be the longest (managed) coastal trail in the entire world.

“More than just a few signposts, the King Charles III Coastal Path will link up legendary seaside spots with stretches of coast that have never before been properly accessible.”

There are still works underway including Silverdale to Cleveleys in Lancashire.

Another section yet to be finished is Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth in Devon and the path connecting Wootton Bridge to the Medina on the Isle of Wight.

There are plenty of beautiful spots around the UK where you can pause along the coastal path to take in the sights of some of the prettiest seaside towns.

Depending on where you live, the walk starts, or ends on Berwick-upon-Tweed and along that stretch of Northumberland coast are beautiful beaches and little towns.

Northumberland was voted a trending county of 2025 with spots like Embleton Bay and Low Newton-by-the-Sea being sought out by travellers.

Further down in the East of England are pretty seaside towns like Cromer, which is a favourite of Travel Reporter Alice Penwill thanks to its plentiful pubs and Victorian Pier.

Down in Kent, the path wraps around from Margate, to Broadstairs and down to Folkestone – Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has plenty of recommendations of what to do there.

Further south are the classic towns of Brighton, Worthing and Bognor Regis – as well as the Isle of Wight.

Then the coastal path wraps around to Durdle Door which was named as one of the most iconic and must-see beaches in the world by National Geographic.

It’s a favourite of Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski who says “the horseshoe-shaped pebble bay has turquoise waters that could rival those in the Caribbean” – during the summer of course.

Along the South West Atlantic path is the most southern point at Land’s End, it then heads through Penzance, Newquay and Bude – all the way up to Bristol.

Turning the corner, it heads from Liverpool up to the Lake District passing along seaside towns like Ravenglass, Seascale and Workington.

Natural England has aimed to keep the path as continuous as possible – although there are sections hikers simply can’t walk through.

For example, Brits will need to board a ferry to cross the Mersey.

For more costal paths, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding is a Devon local and reveals what The Salt Path movie doesn’t show about the South West Coast Path.

Plus, here are the UK’s best seaside walks revealed including a secret celeb-loved island.

As if Simi Valley coach Jim Benkert doesn’t have enough things to do, he’s taken on the task of putting on the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame high school all-star games Dec. 20 at Simi Valley High.

At 4 p.m. there will be a flag football game featuring players from the San Gabriel Chapter against the Coastal Valley Chapter. At 7, players from Ventura County will take on Los Angeles County in an 11-man game.

Agoura’s Dustin Croick is coaching the West team that includes his outstanding quarterback, Gavin Gray. Taft’s Thomas Randolph is coaching the East team that has a strong group of quarterbacks, including Michael Wynn Jr. of St. Genevieve.

Simi Valley High will be the site for all-star football games on Dec. 20.

(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)

Tickets are $10 and will help pay for the growing costs of all-star games, from uniforms to insurance.

Benkert, one of the winningest coaches in state history with more than 300 victories, said he’s determined to make it work.

“We’re trying to keep all-star games alive,” he said. “If we don’t do it, there’s nothing.”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Around 1:30 a.m. on a Saturday last month, two masked men approached a black Cadillac Escalade idling outside a Northridge apartment building.

One held a shotgun, the other a handgun. A surveillance system captured the sounds of what happened next: A gang challenge, confusion, a demand for property.

Then six shots and sounds of the Escalade speeding off.

In the passenger seat was Maria De La Rosa, 22, with a gunshot wound to the chest. A musician who performed as DELAROSA, she had a growing following at the time of her death on Nov. 22.

Authorities said De La Rosa was killed during a robbery but revealed little else about the case. The Times recently reviewed a search warrant affidavit written by the Los Angeles Police Department detective who investigated the homicide. According to the document, De La Rosa was set up by her friends — two of three people now charged with her murder.

Arrested the day after the homicide, Francisco “G Boy” Gaytan told police he’d known De La Rosa since they were teenagers, Det. Siranush Simonyan wrote in the affidavit.

Gaytan said his friend, Benny “Player” Gomez, made plans to meet De La Rosa on Bryant Street for a “drug buy,” but the plan was to rob the musician, the affidavit said.

Gaytan, Gomez and the two alleged gunmen are from Bryant Street, a gang in Northridge, according to the affidavit.

Gaytan claimed he took no part in the robbery, but after he consented to a search of his phone, Simonyan said she found text messages sent to one of the alleged gunmen, Eduardo “Active” Lopez.

“Go get ski mask,” Gaytan allegedly told Lopez five hours before De La Rosa was killed.

Gaytan’s lawyer didn’t return a request for comment.

Gomez was interviewed the day after Gaytan spoke to police, Simonyan wrote. He too said he was “childhood friends” with De La Rosa.

Gomez told detectives he met up with De La Rosa after going to a club. He was talking with her outside Gaytan’s apartment building when two masked men walked up and opened fire. He ducked and ran, he said, and only learned that De La Rosa had been killed when her mother called him.

Gomez insisted he had nothing to do with the shooting. His lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Gomez’s account was belied by surveillance video, Simonyan wrote. Cameras fixed to a nearby apartment building showed Gomez speaking with Lopez and the second suspected gunman minutes before De La Rosa arrived.

According to the affidavit, Gomez shook their hands and made a Bryant Street hand sign before gesturing for them to walk down an alley, Simonyan wrote.

De La Rosa called Gomez as he walked to greet her, the detective wrote. Meanwhile, the two alleged gunmen approached the Escalade from the alley, pulling a shotgun and handgun from their pants.

“This is Bryant gang, n—,” one said, according to the affidavit.

After De La Rosa was shot and the Escalade sped away, a voice — Gomez’s, detectives suspect — can be heard in surveillance video asking, “Why’d you shoot them, fool?”

After stashing their guns in a Chevrolet Astro van, Lopez and his accomplice got into Gaytan’s BMW 328i, Simonyan wrote. As he stepped into the sedan, the detective wrote, Lopez dropped a key piece of evidence — a court document with his name and case number.

Gaytan appeared to argue with the alleged shooters inside the car, the detective wrote. When he opened his door, surveillance cameras captured him saying, “Get out of here.”

“You fools are dumb,” Gaytan said. According to the affidavit, he could he heard saying what sounded like, “What you fools did — I told you what to make it look like.”

The alleged shooters got out of Gaytan’s car and sped off in a Honda Civic, presumably to Mexico, Simonyan wrote. About 13 hours after De La Rosa died, Gomez allegedly wrote in a text to Gaytan: “We good they left to tj.”

Gaytan and Gomez have yet to enter pleas to charges of murder and attempted robbery. Prosecutors also announced charges against Lopez, but it’s unclear if he’s in custody. Authorities have not said if the second alleged gunman is charged with De La Rosa’s murder, and his whereabouts are unclear.

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.

Senators rejected a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts — an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1.

Ahead of the votes, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York warned Republicans that if they did not vote to extend the tax credits, “there won’t be another chance to act,” before premiums rise for many people who buy insurance off the ACA marketplaces.

“Let’s avert a disaster,” Schumer said. “The American people are watching.”

Republicans have argued that Affordable Care Act plans are too expensive and need to be overhauled. The health savings accounts in the GOP bill would give money directly to consumers instead of to insurance companies, an idea that has been echoed by President Trump. But Democrats immediately rejected the plan, saying that the accounts wouldn’t be enough to cover costs for most consumers.

Some Republicans have pushed their colleagues to extend the credits, including Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who said they should vote for a short-term extension so they can find agreement on the issue next year. “It’s too complicated and too difficult to get done in the limited time that we have left,” Tillis said Wednesday.

But despite the bipartisan desire to continue the credits, Republicans and Democrats have never engaged in meaningful or high-level negotiations on a solution, even after a small group of centrist Democrats struck a deal with Republicans last month to end the 43-day government shutdown in exchange for a vote on extending the ACA subsidies. Most Democratic lawmakers opposed the move as many Republicans made clear that they wanted the tax credits to expire.

The deal raised hopes for bipartisan compromise on healthcare. But that quickly faded with a lack of any real bipartisan talks.

The dueling Senate votes are the latest political messaging exercise in a Congress that has operated almost entirely on partisan terms, as Republicans pushed through a massive tax and spending cuts bill this summer using budget maneuvers that eliminated the need for Democratic votes. They also tweaked Senate rules to push past a Democratic blockade of all of Trump’s nominees.

An intractable issue

The votes were also the latest failed salvo in the debate over the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature law that Democrats passed along party lines in 2010 to expand access to insurance coverage.

Republicans have tried unsuccessfully since then to repeal or overhaul the law, arguing that healthcare is still too expensive. But they have struggled to find an alternative. In the meantime, Democrats have made the policy a central political issue in several elections, betting that the millions of people who buy healthcare on the government marketplaces want to keep their coverage.

“When people’s monthly payments spike next year, they’ll know it was Republicans that made it happen,” Schumer said in November, while making clear that Democrats would not seek compromise.

Even if they view it as a political win, the failed votes are a loss for Democrats who demanded an extension of the benefits as they forced a government shutdown for six weeks in October and November — and for the millions of people facing premium increases on Jan. 1.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said the group tried to negotiate with Republicans after the shutdown ended. But, he said, the talks became unproductive when Republicans demanded language adding new limits for abortion coverage that were a “red line” for Democrats. He said Republicans were going to “own these increases.”

A plethora of plans, but little agreement

Republicans have used the looming expiration of the subsidies to renew their longstanding criticisms of the ACA, also called Obamacare, and to try, once more, to agree on what should be done.

Thune announced earlier this week that the GOP conference had decided to vote on the bill led by Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, the chairman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, even as several Republican senators proposed alternate ideas.

In the House, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has promised a vote next week. Republicans weighed different options in a conference meeting on Wednesday, with no apparent consensus.

Republican moderates in the House who could have competitive reelection bids next year are pushing Johnson to find a way to extend the subsidies. But more conservative members want to see the law overhauled.

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) has pushed for a temporary extension, which he said could be an opening to take further steps on healthcare.

If they fail to act and healthcare costs go up, the approval rating for Congress “will get even lower,” Kiley said.

Jalonick writes for the Associated Press. AP writers Kevin Freking and Joey Cappelletti contributed to this report.

BRITS are ditching popular Greek spots for less-visited parts of the country for better value holidays, says TUI.

According to new data, Brits are heading to quieter spots in Greece including Samos, Preveza, Kefalonia and Halkidiki.

TUI is dubbing this surge in bookings to lesser-visited islands as the ‘Hidden Greece Revolution’.

Here are the ones you need to know about.

Samos

Samos is leading this change with bookings up by a staggering 118 per cent year-on-year.

TUI believes this is in part due to the extra weekly TUI flight from London Gatwick Airport.

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Samos is known for relaxing beaches, serene water and traditional tavernas, like Welcome Bar Restaurant, a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for 2025, where tourists can grab fresh seafood dishes including grilled cod and octopus.

One popular thing to see on the island is the monuments of Kings’, Priests and other significant figures.

And there are two UNESCO monuments on the island, including the ancient city of Pythagoreion and the ancient Temple of Hera, Heraion of Samos.

The island is also a great spot for keen hikers, with mountains, caves and ravines to explore.

For example, you could head to Mount Kerkis, which stands 1400 metres above sea level.

If hiking isn’t your thing though, there is plenty more to explore on Samos including the town, where you’ll find neoclassical buildings.

The island has several beaches too, including Tsamadou Beach, which is lined with pine trees and features clear water.

Alternatively, head to Kokkari Beach, which is located in a charming village.

A meal on Samos is likely to set you back around €10 (£8.76) and a beer around €4 (£3.50).

Preveza

Meanwhile, Preveza has also seen an increase in bookings, up 10 per cent.

It is the ideal destination for reaching Lefkada, meaning travellers can experience two destinations in one trip.

Preveza is located at the edge of the Amvrakikos Gulf and features a number of ancient sites as well as stunning landscapes.

In the Old Town, visitors can explore the historic port and get lost in a number of narrow, cobbled alleys that lead away from the harbour, with several traditional buildings too.

One key spot worth discovering is Saitan Bazar, which is a historic lane featuring tiny independent shops and cafes, that are covered in vines and known for having lively atmospheres.

For beaches, there is plenty of choice too, including Monolithi – which is one of Europe‘s longest sandy beaches, stretching between 13.5 and 15.5 miles long.

One recent visitor said: “Monolithi Beach is a long, beautiful, and mostly empty beach – perfect for those who enjoy peace and quiet by the sea.

“There is plenty of space to relax without crowds, as well as lots of natural shade near the parking area.”

A meal in Preveza is likely to set you back around €8 (£7.01) and a beer around €3 (£2.63).

Kefalonia

Kefalonia has seen growth, especially with couples and families visiting.

Caroline McGuire, The Sun’s Head of Travel – Digital, said: “I visited Kefalonia on a family holiday a few years ago, after looking for the ideal Greek island for a trip with a three year old. 

“The island in the Ionian Sea — a Hollywood star in its own right thanks to the 2001 film version of Louis de Bernieres wartime novel — ticked all the boxes and boasts what is often claimed as Greece’s best beach. 

“We spent a week on the island in mid-May and enjoyed everything it had to offer — without spending too much money. 

“Our timing (outside of school holidays) meant we were one of the few tourist groups on the island. 

“The weather was still perfect though. The average is highs of 21C in May and the same in October.

“There were no crowds, either. Looking out at Myrtos beach, which is regularly named one of Greece’s top five, it felt like we were being let in on a great secret.”

A meal on Kefalonia is likely to set you back around €13.50 (£11.82) and a beer around €4.25 (£3.81).

Halkidiki

In Halkidiki, another island seeing a boom, there are more stunning beaches, as well as secluded coves.

An amazing spot to explore is Mount Athos, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important centres of Orthodox monasticism.

It is known as the ‘Holy Mountain’ and is home to 20 historic monasteries, including ones that date back over 1,000 years.

In this region you can expect a meal at an inexpensive restaurant to set you back around €7 (£6.13) and a beer around €2.75 (£2.41).

Commercial director at TUI UK & Ireland, Chris Logan said: “What we are seeing is Brits exploring Greece in a whole new way.

“These picturesque islands offer incredible beaches, amazing food and fantastic value without the crowds allowing people the chance to truly relax and indulge.

“The demand shows travellers are ready to go beyond the classics and discover Greece’s hidden gems and TUI makes it simple, with flights, transfers, hotels and 24/7 support all sorted.”

For other places worth visiting in Greece, there is an island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular.

Plus, Wizz Air to launch six new routes with cheap flights to Greek islands and the capital of wine.

Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has signed a new contract with Cardiff and is set to return to action this weekend.

The 36-year-old signed a short-term deal at the start of the season, initially as a kicking coach, with the intention of returning to play once he recovered from a calf injury.

Halfpenny, who will turn 37 just before Christmas, has now agreed a contract to continue at the Arms Park as a player-coach.

He is fit for selection and available for Saturday’s Challenge Cup home match with Ulster (20:00 GMT) in which he could play in a Cardiff side for the first time in more than 11 years.

If Halfpenny is selected, it will be 4,347 days since his previous appearance for the Blue and Blacks, having left the club for Toulon in 2014.

“We are blessed to have some quality full-backs at the club, but to add Leigh’s experience to the mix is brilliant,” said Cardiff Rugby coach Corniel van Zyl.