snap

A MAN has shared the reality of holidaying in Lapland’s coldest snap in a decade – including cancelled activities and how even his eyelashes are froze.

Lapland in Finland is currently experiencing one of the coldest snaps in a decade with temperatures plunging to as low as -40C.

Even for a region known for its snow, the current weather is significantly below the average causing hundreds of flights to be cancelled.

Caleb Chaplin, 28, told Sun Travel he feared he wouldn’t even make it to the winter wonderland as Amsterdam Airport (where he was getting a connecting flight) was closed until the night before he was due to fly.

However, the airport reopened on the Wednesday night, allowing the Australian – who has lived in London for three years -and his friend to reach Finland.

He said: “It was fine for us but I knew a lot of other people that couldn’t actually get into Lapland itself.”

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Lapland is usually associated with kids and Christmas, but the destination has a lot for adults too and isn’t just about the festive period.

He said: “We had a few adventures booked for like snowmobiling and stuff like that.

“They all got cancelled due to temperatures being too cold.”

In addition to snowmobiling, the duo were meant to head off husky sledging and see reindeer – but the bone-chilling temperatures were even too harsh for them.

Though, each time something was cancelled, the pair received a refund either immediately or within 24 hours.

Caleb added: “We then tried to book three different snowmobile tours, with the third finally getting accepted.

“Eventually we got to snowmobiling on a Friday, which we had to have like three different pairs of socks, three gloves, three different layers for.

“It was so cold, we even got frost on our fingers – my thumbs felt like they were going to come off.

“It felt like they had frostbite underneath my two pairs of gloves and the gloves that they give you.

“In fact, they gave us overalls and an extra pair of gloves and it was still cold.

“I had heat warmers in my gloves and heat warmers in my shoes – it was an unreal experience.

“But being -35C for a long period of time, they’re not used to these temperatures at the moment.”

Average temperatures for Lapland during January sit around -14C and if they reach -30C it is usually only for a couple of days, however the even chillier drop has been going on for around 10 to 12 days.

On New Year’s Day, temps sat around -38.4C and by January 5, a new low was recorded in Eastern Lapland of -39.9C.

On January 9, the cold worsened, hitting -42.8C in Savukoski – the coldest temperature of Lapland’s winter so far.

Caleb even joked that when he spoke to his parents, who live in Sydney, they were experiencing 39C, while he was experiencing -39C.

He continued: “Most of the instructors had frost on their noses.

“So they were wearing heat warmer gloves and had them under their balaclavas too.”

The 28-year-old did share though how staff were doing all that they could to help people, including giving them additional clothing, to ensure they still had a good Lapland experience.

The bar manager has been documenting his trip on his Instagram account, @calebchapin, where he has even ventured out for runs in the snow.

He revealed: “Two minutes after running your face is pretty much covered with frost or snow – my face, eyes, eyelashes were all frozen.”

The snow hasn’t ruined Caleb’s holiday though – he has managed to see the Northern Lights most days and added that “it’s just been a once in a lifetime opportunity”.

“The scenery of everything is like a white Christmas, it’s incomprehensible to look at,” he added.

Over the weekend, flights in and out of Kittila were cancelled, with one flight out of Rovaniemi also cancelled on Sunday.

Caleb also mentioned how there are no car rentals available and that Rovaniemi Airport was packed when they landed.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

Stormy weather across the UK also caused lots of flights to be cancelled last week after Storm Goretti closed airports.

Plus, why bad weather could make your flight faster – and land up to an hour earlier than planned.

Wet and windy weather has begun to replace the wintry conditions which hit most of the UK this week, spelling an end to early January’s cold snap.

An amber warning for snow and ice in north-western Scotland has been downgraded, joining a series of yellow warnings for rain and wind across much of the country – all of which are due to expire by Monday morning.

Sunday is forecast to bring rain and blustery conditions to most of the UK as mild air moves in from the west after a cold week.

Meanwhile, the National Grid said it was continuing work to resolve power outages affecting thousands of properties still without power in parts of England and Wales.

National Rail has warned that disruption to travel is possible until Monday, while the Met Office advised those covered by yellow warnings to prepare for delays and possibly dangerous road conditions.

Forecaster Craig Snell said next week would still see wind, rain and “unsettled” conditions, but the UK would be “saying goodbye to the really cold weather”.

Temperatures between 9-11C are expected in the south and about 6-8C elsewhere.

Milder temperatures could spell a risk of flooding in places as snow from Storm Goretti melts, with the public urged to check local flood warnings.

The storm brought days of heavy snow, ice and strong winds to most parts of the UK.

When it arrived on Thursday, the Met Office issued a rare red warning for wind in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Wind speeds of up to 99mph (159km/h) were later recorded in the region.

Police have since said a man was killed in the Mawgan area of Helston after a tree fell onto his caravan.

Cornwall Council said the storm had been “one of the most severe” the county had experienced “in living memory”, with crews working around the clock to clear fallen trees and carry out emergency repairs.

Meanwhile, areas across the country have struggled with power outages.

On Saturday, the National Grid said more than 20,000 properties remained without electricity – with the south-west of England continuing to face the most outages.

The National Grid said it was working “tirelessly” and had restored power to almost 170,000 properties.

Hundreds of schools across the UK were also forced to close ahead of the weekend as heavy snow caused travel disruption.

ZARA McDermott has shared a rare loved-up snap with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson after taking a “huge step” in their relationship.

The One Direction singer, 34, whom she started dating in March, made it onto an Instagram image carousel of the Love Island alum’s best bits of 2025.

It came after The Sun exclusively revealed they had spent Christmas together at his Hertfordshire home.

The cheery image showed the duo in Costa Rica in what she described as “the most magical trip of my life”.

The lovebirds were seen all smiles as the posed for a selfie in the wing mirror of a safari van.

Zara, 29, could be seen wearing a tan Miu Miu baseball cap and gold earrings while Louis, who was behind the wheel, donned a white T-Shirt and sunglasses.

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She captured a leafy backdrop in her shot and wrote: “Went to Costa Rica, a country I’ve wanted to visit since I was a teenager.

“The most magical trip of my life!!”

Back in May, we told how the pair “couldn’t stop snogging” after they were spotted on the trip.

At the time, The Sun revealed that Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa on the coast in Santa Teresa where he was recording new music.

Zara, who split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson last January, was then seen locking lips with her new pop star beau.

Following Zara’s recent upload Louis’ sister Lottie – who has previously broken her silence on the pair’s romance – was quick to reply to the upload with red love heart Emoji icons.

One fan then put of the pair: “He’s smiling u make him so happy Zara.’

A second posted: “Oh sob I love seeing him happy.”

A third put: “Louis finally is happy omg.”

Other images included Zara’s work achievements for her BBC Three documentaries and her fashion brand Rise, as well as her posing in stylish dresses and capturing her family travelling on a private jet for their 30th wedding anniversary.

NEXT STEPS

Last month, we told how the couple had progressed their relationship by spending the festive period together.

Zara joined the Night Changes hitmaker, his son Freddie, and his extended family including sister Lottie and twins Phoebe and Daisy, for the special time.

On their new podcast, Tea With The Twins, Phoebe and Daisy said: “This is a big Christmas this year — it might be our biggest Christmas. Everyone is coming. 

“The new baby this year is Flossy [Lottie’s second child with fiancé Lewis Burton] as she was born in January, so we already have a new member. 

“And we’ve got another new member as our brother’s got a new girlfriend so that will be nice. I think there will be 16 of us in total.” 

A source close to the former One Direction singer and TV presenter confirmed they would be together for Christmas. They added: “Louis and Zara are still totally in the honeymoon period and try not to be apart for too long. 

“Their relationship is serious, it’s not a flash in the pan. It’s going the distance. 

“Zara gets on so well with Louis’ family, especially his sisters, so he wanted her to be there with them, celebrating. 

“They’ve both had work commitments recently so they’re looking forward to spending proper quality time together.” 

Our mole added: “As it’s Louis’ birthday on Christmas Eve, the plan is for Zara to spend that with him and then Christmas Day with the Tomlinsons. After that they will go and see Zara’s family. 

“They both love their families so much, it is something that attracted them to each other, so it will be a Christmas to remember.” 

Dec. 31 (UPI) — SNAP users in some states face additional limits on what they can buy that take effect Thursday.

At least 18 states are banning sodas, sugary drinks and candy from being purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds.

The new rules in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia. The other 13 states have later start dates.

“President Trump has made it clear: we are restoring SNAP to its true purpose — nutrition. Under the [Make America Healthy Again] initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

“America’s governors are answering that call with courage and innovation, offering solutions that honor the generosity of the taxpayer while helping families live longer, healthier lives.

“With these new waivers, we are empowering states to lead, protecting our children from the dangers of highly processed foods and moving one step closer to the President’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”

About 42 million people, about 12% of the U.S. population, used SNAP benefits each month during the 2024 federal fiscal year, the Department of Agriculture said.

States had to request waivers from the federal government for rules governing how people can spend their SNAP benefits.

Anti-hunger advocacy group Food Research and Action said the new laws in some states are too vague and put the burden to decide what’s allowed on retailers and shoppers.

“The items list does not provide enough specific information to prepare a SNAP participant to go to the grocery store,” the group said in a Monday blog post about Iowa’s new law.

The post pointed out that while a Snickers bar is not eligible, a Twix bar is because it contains flour. It said candy-coated fruit or nuts, including barbecue-coated peanuts and yogurt-coated raisins are not allowed, but cakes and cookies are.

“These restrictions will do nothing to make healthy food more affordable,” said blog authors Luke Elzinga and Gina Plata-Nino of Food Research and Action. “Instead, it will increase stigma for SNAP participants, create confusion at checkout counters [and] raise grocery prices for us all.”

SNAP users have also expressed concern.

“I agree, I would love to eat vegetables, I would love to eat hamburger, but I can’t store it,” said Marc Craig, a homeless Iowa man, USA Today reported. “And if you’re in a shelter, you can’t bring in outside food.

Soft drinks and “sweetened beverages” will be banned in all 18 of the states, though some call them “unhealthy drinks” or add energy drinks to the list.

Candy is banned in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Iowa specifically bans any taxable food item, which eliminates vitamins and minerals. Iowans also can’t purchase drinks with 50% or less fruit or vegetable juice.

Florida and Missouri also ban “prepared desserts.”

China’s latest live-fire drills around Taiwan include a simulated blockade of the island — a strong possibility should Beijing seek to retake what it describes as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited. As well as potentially reflecting, at least in part, Beijing’s existing planning for a future invasion of Taiwan, the exercises come at a time of notable tensions between China and the United States, as well as Japan.

This morning, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theater Command sent elements from its navy, air force, rocket force, and coast guard to surround Taiwan, as part of a surprise exercise called Justice Mission 2025. The maneuvers began less than an hour after they had been officially announced, and assets said to be involved include destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers, drones, and long-range missiles. The photo at the top of this story, showing a PLA J-16 Flanker multirole fighter, was released today by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, reportedly obtained via the targeting pod of a Taiwanese F-16. It may, however, originate from an earlier occasion.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command released a video on its official Weibo account that purportedly shows a view of the Taipei 101 skyscraper, as seen from a drone.

Most significantly, the live-fire drills involve a simulated blockade of major Taiwanese ports. As we have described in the past, an aerial and maritime blockade of Taiwan could potentially be an attractive option for Beijing to use its hard power, with the aim of choking the island into submission, while holding back from a full-scale invasion.

At the same time, Justice Mission 2025 has involved training for other kinds of contingencies, including attacking different types of maritime targets, and responding to international “interference” — a tacit reference to dealing with the U.S. military and other nations that might be expected to come to Taiwan’s aid in a crisis.

In the PLA’s words, its forces are conducting their drills “in close proximity” to Taiwan, to test “sea-air coordination and precise target hunting and neutralization,” including attacks on submarines and other maritime targets.

As of Monday afternoon, local time, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said it had detected 28 PLA Navy and coast guard ships, including two that entered Taiwan’s contiguous zone.

Very notable that the majority of the PLA vessels marked in this map are inside Taiwan’s contiguous zone and pushing against the boundary of Taiwan’s territorial waters.

Five of the exercise zones and live-fire areas violate the territorial waters. https://t.co/j1S4IIGNjz

— Ben Lewis 🇺🇦 (@OfficialBen_L) December 29, 2025

At least 89 PLA aircraft were also reported, the largest daily tally for more than a year. In a break from previous exercises, a significant number of PLA aircraft reportedly had their transponders switched on, meaning that they were visible on flight-tracking software, reflecting Beijing’s apparent decision to conduct the drills more in the public eye.

So close, so beautiful, go to Taipei at any time …
《这么近 那么美 随时到台北》
伸手可掬日月潭水，迈步可登阿里山顶

Latest footages: Aerial view of Taipei #101 skyscraper from the perspective of a drone of the Chinese #PLA
【解放军无人机俯瞰台北101大厦】 #ChinaMilBugle… pic.twitter.com/UdW1jbuFnc

— China Military Bugle (@ChinaMilBugle) December 29, 2025

Taiwan also stated that a formation of four amphibious assault ships, with embarked helicopters, was spotted 160 nautical miles west of Taiwan’s southern tip.

Compared to previous large-scale exercises, Justice Mission 2025 appears to be making use of a larger area, according to published maps of air and maritime warning areas. At least some of these zones also overlap with Taiwan’s territorial border, which extends to 12 nautical miles off its coast.

Col. Shi Yi, the spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, described the exercise as “a stern warning against ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and external interference forces.”

Beijing has also issued messages intended for U.S. consumption.

In particular, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian claimed that unnamed “external parties” were pushing the region closer to war. “Any sinister schemes to obstruct China’s reunification are doomed to fail,” Lin added.

More pointedly, China’s Ministry of Defense said today that “relevant countries” should “abandon illusions of using Taiwan to contain China.”

For its part, Taiwan has condemned the latest Chinese exercises.

Taipei accused Beijing of escalating tensions and undermining regional peace. In response to the PLA maneuvers, Taiwan said that it dispatched “appropriate forces” to respond and conduct counter-combat-readiness exercises of its own.

In response to today’s #PLA aircraft and naval activity, the #ROCArmedForces conducted Rapid Response Exercises and closely monitored the situation. Joint sea and air operations with all services and the Taiwan Coast Guard remain on high alert. #FullAwareness pic.twitter.com/urRlOh4cUL

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 29, 2025

“Defending democracy and freedom is no provocation, and the existence of the Republic of China [Taiwan’s formal name] is not an excuse for aggressors to disrupt the status quo,” the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense said.

We strongly condemn the PRC’s irrational provocations and oppose the PLA’s actions that undermine regional peace.
Rapid Response Exercises are underway, with forces on high alert to defend the Republic of China and protect our people.#ROCArmedForces#PeaceThroughStrength pic.twitter.com/uPw0Qm9Upn

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 29, 2025

The backdrop to Justice Mission 2025, of course, is Beijing’s aspiration to reunify Taiwan with the mainland.

Many have floated 2027 — which also marks the centenary of the founding of the PLA — as the year China could be capable of invading the island, including U.S. officials. While the Chinese leadership has expressed its preference for a unification achieved through peaceful means, the PLA has also been instructed to be prepared to conduct a successful invasion of Taiwan no later than 2027.

Starting from ‘island encirclement’ drills by H-6 bombers from 2016, when Taiwan’s independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen took office, China’s gray-zone operations directed against the island have been progressively stepped up to frequent incursions into its southwestern corner of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) since 2020.

Another significant turning point was the August 2022 visit to Taiwan by a U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This provided Beijing with further justification to escalate. Significant numbers of PLA aircraft were sortied over the tacitly agreed median line of the Taiwan Strait while warships sailed into its contiguous zone. 

Justice Mission 2025 is now the sixth major PLA military exercise targeting Taiwan since Pelosi’s visit.

On the one hand, large-scale military maneuvers, and especially live-fire exercises, are a critical element of routine readiness training for the PLA.

On the other hand, Beijing has frequently timed these maneuvers, or otherwise promoted them, in response to perceived acts of provocation by Taiwan or the United States.

With that in mind, it’s likely no coincidence that the apparent snap drills come soon after the U.S. government approved a record $11-billion arms package for Taiwan. This includes offensive as well as defensive equipment — including additional examples of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) — which has long been a particular issue for China.

There has also been a notable uptick in critical articles in Chinese state media in recent days regarding the U.S. position toward the so-called ‘First Island Chain.’

The First Island Chain is a boundary defined by archipelagos opposite mainland East Asia, extending from the southern end of the Japanese home islands all the way to the South China Sea.

For long, the United States has highlighted the strategic importance of defending the First Island Chain against primarily Chinese aggression.

Beijing has also voiced displeasure with recent statements from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has called for increased defense spending to counter what he described as China’s “intensifying” threats.

Japan, too, has been highlighted by Beijing, specifically after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her country would likely become militarily involved if China were to attack Taiwan.

As such, the timing for a high-profile military exercise of this kind is very much right, as far as Beijing is concerned.

It is notable, however, that on this occasion the signaling as well as the scenarios being practiced focus not only on dealing with Taiwan, but also deterring international involvement, something that is now being referenced more explicitly by Beijing.

Speaking after a major exercise in April of this year, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that “America is committed to sustaining robust, ready, and credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, including across the Taiwan Strait.”

Now, with the PLA’s second major exercise during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, Beijing will be keeping a close eye on Washington’s response to the drills.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

The Trump administration made work requirements for low-income people receiving government assistance a priority in 2025.

The departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development have worked to usher in stricter employment conditions to receive healthcare, food aid and rental assistance benefits funded by the federal government.

The idea is that public assistance discourages optimal participation in the labor market and that imposing work requirements not only leads to self-sufficiency, but also benefits the broader economy.

“It strengthens families and communities as it gives new life to start-ups and growing businesses,” the Cabinet secretaries wrote in a New York Times essay in May about work requirements.

Yet many economists say there is no clear evidence such mandates have that effect. There’s concern these new policies that make benefits contingent on work could ultimately come at a cost in other ways, from hindering existing employment to heavy administrative burdens or simply proving unpopular politically.

Here is a look at how work requirements could affect the millions of people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and HUD-subsidized housing:

SNAP

What President Trumprefers to as his “Big Beautiful Bill” in July expanded the USDA’s work requirements policy for SNAP recipients who are able-bodied adults without dependents.

Previously, adults older than 54, as well as parents with children under age 18, at home were exempted from SNAP’s 80-hours monthly work requirement. Now, adults up to age 64 and parents of children between the age of 14 and 17 have to prove they’re working, volunteering or job training if they are on SNAP for more than three months.

The new law also cuts exemptions for people who are homeless, veterans and young people who have aged out of foster care. There are also significant restrictions on waivers for states and regions based on how high the local unemployment rates are.

The Pew Research Center, citing the most recent census survey data from 2023, notes 61% of adult SNAP recipients had not been employed that year, and that the national average benefit as of May was $188.45 per person or $350.89 per household.

Ismael Cid Martinez, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, said the people who qualify for SNAP are likely working low-wage jobs that tend to be less stable because they are more tied to the nation’s macroeconomics. That means when the economy weakens, it’s the low-wage workers whose hours are cut and jobs are eliminated, which in turn heightens their need for government support. Restricting such benefits could threaten their ability to get back to work altogether, Martinez said.

“These are some of the matters that tie in together to explain the economy and [how] the labor market is connected to these benefits,” Martinez said. “None of us really show up into an economy on our own.”

Angela Rachidi, a researcher at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute, said she expects the poverty rate to decline as a result of the work requirements but even that wouldn’t ultimately affect the labor force.

“[E]ven if every nonworking SNAP adult subject to a work requirement started working, it would not impact the labor market much,” Rachidi said by email.

Medicaid

Trump’s big bill over the summer also created new requirements, starting in 2027, for low-income 19- to 64-year-olds enrolled in Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion or through a waiver program to complete 80 hours of work, job training, education or volunteering per month. There are several exemptions, including for those who are caregivers, have disabilities, have recently left prison or jail or are pregnant or postpartum.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has predicted that millions of people will lose healthcare because of the requirements.

Nationally, most people on Medicaid already work. The majority of experts on a Cornell Health Policy Center panel said that new national requirements won’t lead to large increases in employment rates among working adults on Medicaid, and that many working people would lose healthcare because of administrative difficulties proving they work.

Georgia is currently the only state with a Medicaid program that imposes work requirements, which Gov. Brian Kemp created instead of expanding Medicaid. The program, called Georgia Pathways, has come under fire for enrolling far fewer people than expected and creating large administrative costs.

Critics say many working people struggle to enroll and log their hours online, with some getting kicked out of coverage at times because of administrative errors.

And research released recently from the United Kingdom-based research group BMJ comparing Georgia with other states that did not expand Medicaid found Georgia Pathways did not increase employment during the first 15 months, nor did it improve access to Medicaid.

Kemp’s office blames high administrative costs and startup challenges on delays because of legal battles with former President Biden’s administration. A spokesperson said 19,383 Georgians have received coverage since the program began.

HUD

HUD in July also proposed a rule change that would allow public housing authorities across the country to institute work requirements, as well as time limits.

In a leaked draft of that rule change, HUD spells out how housing authorities can choose to opt in and voluntarily implement work requirements of up to 40 hours a week for people getting rental assistance, including adult tenants in public housing and Section 8 voucher-holders.

HUD also identified two states — Arkansas and Wisconsin — where it could trigger implementation based on existing state laws if and when the HUD rule change is approved. The proposal remains in regulatory review and would be subject to a public comment period.

HUD spokesman Matthew Maley declined to comment on the leaked documents, which broadly define the age of work-eligible people being up to age 61, with exemptions for people with disabilities and those who are in school or are pregnant. Primary caregivers of disabled people and children under 6 years old are also exempted.

HUD’s proposed rule change also notes that it is only defining the upper limits of the policy, allowing flexibility for local agencies to further define their individual programs with additional exemptions.

In a review of how housing authorities have tested work requirements over time, researchers at New York University found few successful examples, noting only one case where there were modest increases in employment — in Charlotte, N.C. — as compared to seven other regions where work requirements were changed or discontinued “because they were deemed punitive or hard to administer.”

Ho and Kramon write for the Associated Press.

Gogglebox stars Sue and Steve Sheehan have celebrated a special family milestone

Gogglebox stars Sue and Steve Sheehan have stunned fans with a snap of their rarely-seen daughter.

The married couple first joined the cast of the Channel 4 show back in 2019, and have since become fan favourites with their witty commentary from the comfort of their stunning South London home.

Steve, a retired black cab driver, and Sue, who is semi-retired, have been married for nearly 47 years. They have two daughters, Leah and Kate, as well as a grandson named Roman.

Sue and Steve took to Instagram on Saturday (December 27) to share a rare photo of their youngest daughter Kate as she celebrated her 40th birthday.

“Our 2nd born 40th birthday today. Happy Birthday my darling, celebrations later,” the caption read, alongside several photos of Kate over the years.

Sue later shared a throwback photo of their daughter when she was younger, as well as one of her 40th birthday cake.

“The beautiful retro cake made by @claires_cakes5 and the old holiday photo,” she wrote.

On Monday (December 29), the stars went on to share more photos of a celebratory dinner for their daughter, which took place at Boys Hall restaurant in Kent.

The caption read: “A good time was had by all @boys.hall sharing a special birthday with the family.”

Several Gogglebox fans have shared their well wishes in the comments section, with one person writing: “Beautiful young woman, happy happy birthday. Best wishes to your gorgeous daughter.”

Another added: “Happy birthday to your lovely girl,” while a third said: “What a beautiful girl happy birthday.”

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: “Stunning girl you have!” with another similarly sharing: “Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. You have every reason to be proud.”

The news comes after Sue announced that she had Bell’s Palsy, which causes temporary weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face.

After an extended break from Gogglebox, the star told viewers that she had to “relearn” a couple of things since the diagnosis, explaining: “One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”

Steve then joked: “I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined. I’ve gotta say, you haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?”

“No, it’s sharper than ever actually,” Sue quipped in response.

Gogglebox is available to stream on Channel 4

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website

The Balkan nation votes again as PM Albin Kurti seeks majority to break the stalemate and form a government.

Kosovo is voting to elect a new parliament for the second time in 11 months, as nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s party seeks a majority to end a yearlong political deadlock.

Polls opened at 7am local time (06:00 GMT) and will close at 7pm (18:00 GMT) on Sunday, with exit polls expected soon after voting ‌ends.

The snap parliamentary vote was called after Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination Movement (LVV) party failed to form a government despite winning the most votes at a February 9 ballot.

Failure to form a government and reopen parliament would prolong the crisis at a critical time. Lawmakers must elect a new president in April and ratify 1 billion euros ($1.2bn) in loan agreements from the European Union and ‍World Bank that expire ⁠in the coming months.

The Balkan country’s opposition parties have refused to govern with Kurti, criticising his handling of ties with Western allies and his approach to Kosovo’s ethnically divided north, where a Serb minority lives.

Despite international support, the country of 1.6 million has struggled with poverty, instability and organised crime. Kurti’s tenure, which began ‌in 2021, was the first time a Pristina government completed a full term.

To woo voters, Kurti has pledged an additional month of salary per year for public sector workers, 1 billion euros per year in capital investment and a new prosecution unit to fight organised crime. ​Opposition parties have also promised to focus on improving living standards.

Opinion polls are ‌not published in Kosovo, leaving the outcome uncertain. Many voters say they are disillusioned.

“There wouldn’t be great joy if Kurti wins, nor would there be if the opposition wins. This country needs drastic changes, and I don’t see that change ‌coming,” Edi Krasiqi, a doctor, told Reuters news agency.

Tensions with Serbia

Formerly a province of Serbia, Kosovo, whose population is almost exclusively Albanian, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following an uprising and NATO intervention in 1999.

It has been recognised by more than 100 countries, but not by Russia, Serbia, Greece or Spain. It is seen as a potential candidate for accession to the EU.

Tensions with Serbia flared in 2023, prompting the EU to impose sanctions on Kosovo.

The bloc said this month it ‍would lift them after ethnic Serb mayors were elected in northern municipalities, but the measures likely cost Kosovo hundreds of millions of euros.

Kosovo remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. It is one of the six Western Balkan countries striving to eventually join the EU, but both Belgrade and Pristina have been told they must first normalise relations.