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October is more than halfway over, but there’s still time for investors to snap up some world-class stocks. For those wanting to bet on artificial intelligence (AI), Intel (INTC 2.94%) and International Business Machines (IBM 0.83%) fit the bill. For consumer goods stocks that offer long-term potential, Nike (NKE 0.53%) and Walmart (WMT -0.67%) are great choices. And for something different, Reddit (RDDT 4.00%) looks interesting for investors with more appetite for risk. Here’s why these five stocks are the best of the bunch in October.

Image source: Getty Images.

Intel

Intel’s turnaround is still a work in progress, but a series of deals and developments have pushed the stock up about 90% so far this year. CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took over in March, has been slashing costs and refocusing the company on its best opportunities. Regaining leadership in the PC and server CPU markets after years of market share losses is an imperative, as is justifying the massive expense associated with Intel’s manufacturing efforts by winning external foundry customers.

Tan has proven to be quite the dealmaker. The U.S. government took a nearly 10% stake in the company in exchange for grant money that had yet to be delivered, Softbank invested $2 billion, and Nvidia took a $5 billion stake and partnered with Intel on custom PC and server chips. Pairing Intel and Nvidia technology in PCs and servers could help the company win back market share from AMD.

While Intel still needs to deliver results, market sentiment has certainly shifted in a positive direction, and recent news that Microsoft has reportedly chosen Intel to manufacture a custom AI chip has added fuel to the fire. Intel’s turnaround is going to take time, but the pieces are falling into place. For patient investors, now is a great time to buy the stock.

International Business Machines

It’s taken a while, but IBM has settled into a successful AI strategy that’s helping to accelerate its revenue growth. The company’s pairing of consulting services with an enterprise AI software platform, along with a focus on small, specialized, and cheap AI models tuned for specific tasks, has proven to be a winner.

IBM has booked more than $7.5 billion worth of generative AI-related business so far, with much of that total coming from the consulting business. In the second quarter alone, IBM booked more than $1 billion of generative AI-related consulting business. By offering solutions that combine AI implementation and other services with its AI software platform, IBM is winning over enterprises as they race to deploy AI.

IBM expects to increase revenue by at least 5% this year, adjusted for currency. That growth will come despite weakness in discretionary projects tied to the state of the economy. By leaning into AI, IBM is building a powerful growth engine that can offset sluggish spending in other areas. And because IBM’s AI business is focused on delivering results for its clients in the form of reduced costs or greater efficiency, the business can continue to grow even if the AI boom cools off. For investors looking for a low-risk way to bet on AI, IBM stock is the answer.

Nike

Unforced errors have put footwear giant Nike in an uncomfortable position. The company has lost ground in sports to upstarts like On Holding, and its aggressive push toward direct-to-consumer sales has weakened the brand and hurt relationships with retailers. The stock has been a disaster, down more than 60% from its all-time high.

While attempting to stage a comeback against the backdrop of an uncertain macroeconomic environment will only make things more difficult, green shoots are starting to appear. Wholesale revenue rose by 7% in the company’s latest quarter, and the Nike brand managed to grow in North America. Nike is refocusing on key sports as well as the North American market, and rebuilding wholesale relationships, and progress is clearly being made.

At the same time, Nike CEO Elliott Hill was careful to note that Nike’s progress “will not be linear as dimensions of our business recover on different timelines.” Investors shouldn’t expect miracles in the next few quarters, but for those willing to buy and hold for at least a few years, Nike is positioning itself for a return to consistent growth. With the stock carving out new multiyear lows, now is a great time to bet on an eventual comeback.

Walmart

Inflation, tariffs, and souring consumer sentiment have created plenty of uncertainty for the retail industry. For investors looking for a relatively safe bet no matter what happens to the economy, Walmart is a great choice.

Walmart’s massive scale gives it unparalleled leverage with suppliers, allowing it to keep prices as low as possible and win over consumers struggling with strained household budgets. Walmart grew revenue by nearly 5% year over year in its latest quarter while gross margin remained steady and adjusted operating margin rose. The company’s bet on technology is also paying off, with global e-commerce sales rising by 25%.

Walmart is diving headfirst into the future with its partnership with OpenAI that will enable customers to purchase products from Walmart directly within ChatGPT. While the interplay between AI and commerce is still evolving, getting its products in front of hundreds of millions of ChatGPT users could drive meaningful revenue growth. Walmart isn’t immune to economic conditions, but the company is better positioned than most retailers to ride out the storm.

Reddit

Where people on the internet get information, including recommendations that lead to purchases, is changing. Search engines used to be the only game in town. Then came social media sites like Meta Platforms‘ Facebook and Instagram, which are full of lucrative ads. AI chatbots like ChatGPT are pulling more people away from search engines, and even Alphabet has resorted to inserting AI Overviews at the top of Google search results.

What makes Reddit unique is that it benefits almost no matter what. Plenty of people go directly to Reddit for information; those who search on Google often find Reddit threads among the top results. And AI chatbots and Google’s AI overviews often use Reddit threads as key sources. As the old and the new battle each other, Reddit stands above the fray.

Reddit’s ad revenue is soaring as more people turn to the social media site. Ad revenue jumped by 84% year over year in the second quarter, driven by a 21% rise in daily active unique users and improved monetization. Depending on Google and AI chatbots for traffic does pose a risk, and it could create volatility in traffic and revenue. But there’s no real alternative to the rich source of information Reddit provides. For investors who can handle a riskier stock, Reddit is great choice.

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Published on
21/10/2025 – 9:22 GMT+2

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Kenny Loggins has reacted to Donald Trump using his song ‘Danger Zone’ in the president’s “disgusting” AI-generated video showing himself wearing a crown, flying a “KING TRUMP” fighter jet and bombing a crowd of protesters with feces.

The video was published as a response to the historic “No Kings” protests which took place across the US on Saturday.

The American singer-songwriter recorded the hit song for the soundtrack of the 1986 Tom Cruise movie Top Gun. He has now called for Trump’s video to be taken down on copyright grounds.

In a statement to Variety, Loggins said: “This is an unauthorized use of my performance of ‘Danger Zone.’ Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied, and I request that my recording on this video is removed immediately.”

He continued: “I can’t imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us. Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together.”

“We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic. There is no ‘us and them’ — that’s not who we are, nor is it what we should be. It’s all of us. We’re in this together, and it is my hope that we can embrace music as a way of celebrating and uniting each and every one of us.”

Well put – especially considering the video has provoked widespread outrage online, with many expressing dismay over the way it shows Trump’s clear disdain for people exercising their right to protest.

Social media users accused Trump of having “the maturity and decorum of a 12-year-old boy”, while others commented: “Can’t believe that’s a president of a country.”

Many posts also pointed out that Trump’s “childish” and “disgusting” AI post revealed a transparent representation of his genuine feelings toward the American people. “It tells you everything you need to know about what he thinks about the people of America who are, in fact, America,” one person commented, while another added: “Him taking a dump on the country is the most honest thing he’s ever posted.”

This is far from the first time that Trump and his administration have used artists’ work without authorisation.

There is an extensive list of musicians who have objected to Trump’s authorized use of their songs. These include ABBA, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Neil Young, R.E.M., Woodkid, Beyoncé and Semisonic.

Sinead O’Connor’s estate previously issued Trump with cease-and-desist orders, while Isaac Hayes’ estate sued him for 134 counts of copywright infringement.

Céline Dion also condemned the use of her song from the Oscar-winning film Titanic, ‘My Heart Will Go On’, which was used at one of Trump’s rallies. Dion’s team questioned the song choice, writing: “And really, THAT song?”

Another band which added their name to the ever-growing list of artists who have sued Trump over the illegal use of their songs in campaign videos was The White Stripes. Last year, the rock band highlighted the “flagrant misappropriation” of their hit song ‘Seven Nation Army’. Jack White captioned a copy of the legal complaint in an Instagram post with: “This machine sues fascists.”

The most recent example to date is Metallica, who forced the US government to withdraw a social media video that used their song ‘Enter Sandman’ without authorisation.

This weekend’s “No Kings” protests saw millions of Americans marching against Trump’s administration, opposing the president’s “authoritarian power grab.”

The 18 October protest, the third mass mobilisation since Trump’s return to the White House, drew nearly 7 million people across all 50 states according to organisers. This figure would make it the largest single-day mobilisation against a US president in modern history.

What happened

According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated October 17, 2025, investment management company Capricorn Fund Managers Ltd established a new position in Waystar (WAY 0.46%), acquiring 505,122 shares. The estimated transaction value, based on the average closing price during the third quarter of 2025, was approximately $19.15 million. This addition brings the fund’s total reported positions to 59 at quarter-end.

What else to know

The new position in Waystar accounts for 6.4% of Capricorn Fund Managers’ 13F reportable assets under management. The stock is now the fund’s largest holding by reported market value.

The fund’s top holdings after the filing are:

• WAY: $19.15 million (6.4% of AUM)
• TARS: $14.26 million (4.8% of AUM)
• MSFT: $14.15 million (4.8% of AUM)
• VERA: $13.10 million (4.4% of AUM)
• REAL: $12.64 million (4.2% of AUM)

As of October 16, 2025, shares of Waystar were priced at $36.81, up 34% over the one-year period, outperforming the S&P 500 by 20 percentage points during the same timeframe.

Company overview

Company snapshot

Waystar provides a cloud-based software platform for healthcare payments, including solutions for financial clearance, patient financial care, claims and payment management, denial prevention and recovery, revenue capture, and analytics.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES.

The company serves healthcare organizations as its primary customers, targeting providers seeking to optimize revenue cycle management and payment processes.

Waystar was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, working in the technology sector with approximately 1,500 employees. The company operates at scale in the healthcare technology industry, focusing on streamlining payment processes for healthcare providers through its cloud-based platform.

Foolish take

Capricorn Fund Managers’ new position in Waystar stock merits attention for a few reasons. The investment management company not only deemed Waystar a valuable addition to its portfolio, but the purchase was so big, the stock catapulted to the top of its holdings.

Investing in Waystar makes sense. The business boasts some compelling qualities. It has grown revenue every quarter for the past two years, and the trend continues in 2025.

In Q2, Waystar’s sales rose 15% year over year to $270.7 million. The company expects to hit $1 billion in revenue this year, up from $944 million in 2024.

Waystar also had a solid balance sheet exiting Q2. Total assets were $4.7 billion compared to total liabilities of $1.5 billion. It does have over $1 billion in debt, but the company is slowly paying this down.

The consistent sales growth Waystar is experiencing, and its forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 25, which is reasonable for a fast-growing tech company, explains Capricorn Fund Managers’ big buy of Waystar stock. These factors make the stock a worthwhile investment for the long haul.

Glossary

13F reportable assets under management: The total value of securities a fund must disclose quarterly to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form 13F.

Stake: The ownership interest or investment a fund or individual holds in a company.

Initiated position: When an investor or fund purchases shares of a company for the first time.

Assets under management (AUM): The total market value of investments managed by a fund or investment firm.

Quarter-end: The last day of a fiscal quarter, used for financial reporting and portfolio snapshots.

Outperforming: Achieving a higher return or growth rate compared to a benchmark or index.

Cloud-based platform: Software and services delivered over the internet rather than installed locally on computers.

Revenue cycle management: The process healthcare providers use to track patient care revenue from appointment to final payment.

Denial prevention and recovery: Strategies to reduce and resolve rejected insurance claims in healthcare billing.

Market value: The current worth of an asset or holding based on the latest market price.

Healthcare payments: Financial transactions related to medical services, including billing, claims, and reimbursements.

TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report.

A look at the top 25 high school football teams in the Southland:

Rk. School (record) result; Next game; last week ranking

1. ST. JOHN BOSCO (8-0) def. Santa Margarita, 27-14; vs. Servite, Friday; 1

2. SIERRA CANYON (8-0) def. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 45-10; at Bishop Amat, Friday; 2

3. CORONA CENTENNIAL (6-1) def. Murrieta Valley, 48-20; at Norco, Thursday; 3

4. MISSION VIEJO (7-1) def. San Clemente, 34-16; vs. Edison at Huntington Beach, Friday; 4

5. SANTA MARGARITA (5-3) lost to St. John Bosco, 27-14; vs. Orange Lutheran at Trabuco Hills, Friday; 5

6. MATER DEI (5-2) def. Servite, 29-19; vs. JSerra at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 6

7. LOS ALAMITOS (8-0) def. Edison, 41-22; at San Clemente, Friday; 7

8. SERVITE (5-3) lost to Mater Dei, 29-19; at St. John Bosco, next Friday; 8

9. ORANGE LUTHERAN (4-4) def. JSerra, 63-24; vs. Santa Margarita at Trabuco Hills, Friday; 9

10. CORONA DEL MAR (8-0) def. Villa Park, 21-3; at Tesoro, Friday; 10

11. MURRIETA VALLEY (6-2) lost to Corona Centennial, 48-20; at Vista Murrieta, Friday; 11

12. OXNARD PACIFICA (8-0) def. Camarillo, 42-6; vs. Simi Valley, Friday; 12

13. DAMIEN (7-1) def. Upland, 35-14; at Chino Hills, Friday; 13

14. LEUZINGER (6-1) def. Culver City, 47-7; vs. Mira Costa, Friday; 14

15. SAN JUAN HILLS (7-2) def. Newport Harbor, 47-10; vs. Villa Park, Friday; 15

16. BEAUMONT (5-2) def. Yucaipa, 57-10; at Citrus Valley, Friday; 16

17. VISTA MURRIETA (6-2) def. Eastvale Roosevelt, 42-0; vs. Murrieta Valley, Friday; 17

18. DOWNEY (7-1) def. Paramount, 48-9; vs. Warren, Friday; 19

19. CREAN LUTHERAN (8-0) def. La Habra, 56-21; vs. Huntington Beach, Friday; 21

20. RANCHO CUCAMONGA (4-4) def. Ayala, 41-0; vs. Etiwanda, next Friday; 22

21. EDISON (5-3) lost to Los Alamitos, 41-22; vs. Mission Viejo, Friday; 20

22. JSERRA (3-5) lost to Orange Lutheran, 63-23; vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium, Friday; 18

23. VALENCIA (7-1) def. Golden Valley, 35-7; vs. Hart, Friday; 23

24. AQUINAS (7-1) def. Heritage Christian, 49-7; vs. Capistrano Valley Christian, Friday; 24

25. CHAPARRAL (4-4) def. Norco, 56-28; vs. Eastvale Roosevelt, Thursday; NR

Oct. 17 (UPI) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has expelled nine of his top military generals from the People’s Liberation Army for what China says is corruption, including the country’s number two general.

Gen. He Weidong, one of the two vice-chairs of the Central Military Commission, was fired by Xi. He was the third in command of the PLA and a member of the Chinese politburo.

“The removal of He Weidong is one of the biggest shake-ups within the PLA in decades,” said Lyle Morris, an expert on the Chinese military at the Asia Society Policy Institute, the Financial Times reported. “He was on a fast track to become the next senior vice-chair of the [Central Military Commission], possibly replacing Zhang Youxia, and skipped a grade when he was elevated to the CMC during the 20th Party Congress.”

Another high-ranking official removed in the purge is Miao Hua, the army’s top political officer. He had been suspended in November 2024.

A statement from Xi said those removed are suspected of “grave official misconduct, involving exceptionally large sums of money. The nature of their offenses is extremely serious, and the impact is profoundly detrimental,” Newsweek reported.

Eight of the nine removed were members of the Central Committee, which is scheduled to meet next week to discuss the coming five-year development plan.

When Xi took over the party in 2012, he launched a sweeping corruption probe, and more than 4 million members have been investigated. The campaign accelerated in 2023 as it began focusing on the military and procurement.

Though the crackdown is popular in China, it has also allowed Xi to expel his rivals, Newsweek reported.

A look at the top performers from high school football across the Southland during Week 7.

RUSHING

Garfield running back Ceasar Reyes is lifted up by Angel Jimenez. He rushed for school-record 420 yards in win over South Gate.

(Nick Koza)

• Ceasar Reyes, Garfield: Rushed for a school-record 420 yards in 42 carries and scored four touchdowns in win over South Gate.

• Lenny Ibarra, Los Alamitos: Rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns in win over Edison.

• Jerod Terry, Sierra Canyon: Rushed for 241 yards and two touchdowns in win over Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

• Brian Bonner, Valencia: Rushed for 150 yards in win over Golden Valley.

• Ethan Mundt, Troy: Rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns in win over Anaheim Canyon.

• Domenico Doran, Bishop Amat: The quarterback rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown and passed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in win over Loyola.

• Ronnell Hewitt, Chaminade: Rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns in win over Gardena Serra.

PASSING

• Jaden Jefferson, Cathedral: Completed 14 of 18 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns in win over Paraclete.

• Khalil Abdul-Aziz, Orange Vista: Passed for 402 yards and three touchdowns in win over Vista del Lago.

• Koa Malau’ulu, St. John Bosco: Passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns in win over Santa Margarita.

• Dane Weber, Chaparral: Passed for 291 yards, rushed for 110 yards and accounted for six touchdowns in win over Norco.

• Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo: Passed for 292 yards and one touchdown in win over San Clemente.

• Caden Jones, Crean Lutheran: Completed 19 of 23 passes for 314 yards and five touchdowns in win over La Habra.

• Michael Wynn Jr., St. Genevieve: Passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another, in win over Oakmont.

• Jacob Paisano, Hart: Passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 154 yards and three touchdowns in win over Canyon.

• Ford Green, Westlake: The freshman passed for 287 yards and three touchdowns in double overtime win over Newbury Park

• Thaddeus Breaux, Hamilton: Passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns in loss to Westchester.

RECEIVING

• Zayshawn Washington, Orange Vista: Caught seven passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns vs. Vista del Lago.

• Madden Williams, St. john Bosco: Caught six passes for 113 yards and one touchdown vs. Santa Margarita.

• Jack Junker, Mission Viejo: Caught seven passes for 100 yards vs. San Clemente.

• Ty Johnson, Crean Lutheran: Caught five passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns and returned interception for touchdown vs. La Habra.

DEFENSE

• Dutch Horisk, St. John Bosco: Recorded two sacks vs. Santa Margarita.

• Jaden Walk-Green, Corona Centennial: Had a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown and 95-yard kickoff return in win over Murrieta Valley.

• Somto Nwute, Crespi: Recorded three sacks in win over Salesian.

• PeeWee Wilson, Oxnard Pacifica: Had six solo tackles and 10 overall in win over Camarillo.

• Jordan Hicks, Mission Viejo: Had two interceptions vs. San Clemente.

• Nicholas Stratman, Venice: Had 11 tackles, three for losses, in win over Fairfax.

• Armani Walker, St. Bonaventure: Returned interception for touchdown in shutout win over Oaks Christian.

• Sam Crawford, Bishop Diego: Had two interceptions in win over Simi Valley.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• CJ Wallace, St. John Bosco: Had five booming kickoffs into the end zone vs. Santa Margarita.

• Blue McFarland, Crespi: Contributed a 44-yard run on a fake punt vs. Salesian.

• Caleb Sylvia, Mission Viejo: Kicked field goals from 47 and 25 yards in win over San Clemente.

• Jake Vega, Lakewood: Made a 34-yard field goal for the game’s only points in a win over Long Beach Millikan.

• Oscar Orozco, St. Bonaventure: Made field goals from 45 and 25 yards vs. Oaks Christian.

Arsenal overcame a fierce test at struggling Fulham to squeeze a 1-0 win that maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League, which had been threatened earlier in the day by Manchester City.

Leandro Trossard’s 58th-minute tap-in turned a game that had seen Fulham, now on a three-match losing streak, dominate the first half at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Manchester City had climbed to the top of the table with a 2-0 win at home to Everton, prior to the Gunners’ late kickoff in the London derby in the west of the capital.

The result moves Arsenal three points clear at the top, although defending champions Liverpool can cut that to just a point if they beat Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Fulham, who had lost at Aston Villa and Bournemouth, prior to the international break, enjoyed the better of the early chances with Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson both dragging efforts that should have heavily tested the keeper.

Arsenal, in contrast, enjoyed some nice spells in possession, but failed to test their former keeper Bernd Leno, in Fulham’s goal, in the opening 30 minutes.

Instead, it was the openings Fulham continued to find that nearly upset the odds when Tom Cairney found room from a corner and rifled a drive back across the face, but there were too many bodies in the way, allowing Arsenal to block the goal-bound effort.

The first moment of note came for record-signing Victor Gyokeres, who had endured a painfully slow start due to a lack of service. The Swedish striker found space in the box, but at a tight angle and his low drive was comfortably parried clear.

The best moment was the final kick off the half when Declan Rice struck a trademark drive from range, but the curl from his instep took the ball just wide of the post with Leno cemented to the spot.

Bukayo Saka nearly opened up Fulham immediately at the start of the second period as he shimmied in from the right and stabbed the ball towards goal. Sander Berge stuck out a leg at the ball and nearly deflected it into his own net, but for a Fulham bundle on the line swinging the danger away.

It wasn’t long until the breakthrough came, though, as Gabriel rose highest to flick Saka’s corner to the back post where Trossard turned in with his thigh.

Saka nearly doubled the lead moments later with a low drive, which Leno did well to turn wide, while the England man also had a penalty awarded and overturned after VAR asked Anthony Taylor to review his decision after substitute Kevin clearly played the ball first.

Despite the respite, Fulham were not able to muster the challenge in the second half that they had in the first period.

Another week at the top for @Arsenal 👏 pic.twitter.com/tg5Up9dCgE

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 18, 2025

Man City eye return to the top of the Premier League

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland kept up his torrid scoring pace with two goals in five second-half minutes early on Saturday, which lifted City provisionally top of the table with victory over Everton.

Pep Guardiola’s men moved to 16 points after eight games, dropping Arsenal and Liverpool to second and third, respectively. Everton dropped to 10th on 11 points.

The 25-year-old Haaland – who scored in an 11th consecutive game for club and country for a season total of 23 goals – broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when he leapt to head home Nico O’Reilly’s cross from the left.

The Norwegian doubled City’s lead five minutes later when he latched onto Savinho’s cross and struck a blistering left-foot shot from the middle of the box that was slightly deflected by Everton’s James Tarkowski past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

Haaland was hungry to complete a hat-trick, with three brilliant chances in the dying minutes, with Pickford racing out to save two of them with his legs. Haaland took the ball around Pickford on the third, but his looping shot from an impossibly tight angle dropped wide of the net.

Haaland shook his head in frustration, while the crowd chanted “Haaland! Haaland!” for his efforts.

City’s Phil Foden hailed Haaland for breaking the deadlock, calling the moment “very important”.

“We know he’s got that quality to time his runs to perfection and be in the right position. If they mark him out of the game, he is still capable of scoring, and we know he only needs one chance to score.

“He remained very patient; there wasn’t a lot of space for him today. And as you can see, he is always there for us at the right times; that is the sign of a world-class striker.”

There was no emotional homecoming for Everton winger Jack Grealish, who was ineligible to face his parent club. A TV camera showed Grealish at the game, but the absence of the league’s joint assist leader was a gaping hole for David Moyes’s team.

City, who thoroughly dominated in the second half, had 19 shots to Everton’s five, and seven on target to the visitors’ one.

Everton squandered a handful of chances. Early in the game, Iliman Ndiaye raced down the right side before sending a cross to Beto, who slid to just get his foot on the ball but poked it wide.

City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma tipped a long shot from Ndiaye over the bar later in the first half.

For a “picture-perfect” festive season, this market is a must-visit and has been voted the top destination for a Christmas market

It may only be October, but many of us are already fantasising about a magical Christmas – and perhaps one final quick break before 2025 draws to a close.

And a European Christmas market that’s just over 2 hours from the UK has been declared the number one destination to visit this year for a “picture-perfect” escape.

Europe is celebrated for hosting some of the globe’s most enchanting Christmas markets that have delightful medieval backdrops, snow-covered pavements, sparkling illuminations, and fun festivities.

It’s essential viewing for both wanderlust seekers and anyone who adores the holiday period. Ranking the top 15 across the continent, The Travel Expert declared Krakow, Poland, as the finest to experience, reports Edinburgh Live.

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The expert revealed: “Home to Europe’s largest market square, Krakow is an excellent choice for a Christmas market break. The massive main square in the centre of the old town comes alive with hundreds of market stalls selling handmade gifts and souvenirs as well as traditional local food and mulled wine to enjoy.”

What’s even more appealing, direct flights from UK airports cost as little as £36 via easyJet. If a Christmas escape is on your 2025 wish list, here’s what you can expect on a visit to Krakow.

What does Krakow have to offer?

According to Visit Krakow, the festive market has been staged in the Main Square since the early 14th century. Krakow boasts three principal Christmas markets. The biggest can be found on Rynek Główny, the Main Square, while smaller festive gatherings operate at Plac Wolnica in Kazimierz and outside the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre.

Each market showcases a magnificent selection of seasonal presents and handicrafts, alongside substantial food offerings and warming mulled beverages. “In addition to pierogi dumplings and traditional Polish soups, there are kiosks selling skewers of meat and delicious grilled sheep cheese,” the website said. “Vodkas, liqueurs, and spirits really take the edge off a winter’s night. For pudding, there are waffles, gingerbread biscuits, and Eastern European pastries.”

Beyond food and drink, Krakow provides numerous seasonal activities. The Old Town and Kazimierz markets showcase stages hosting holiday performances throughout December, while the Galeria Krakowska market includes a small ice rink.

A standout feature of the city’s festive customs is the szopki krakowskie nativity scenes. Rather than conventional nativity displays, these vibrantly coloured models draw inspiration from the city’s churches and cathedrals.

A representative from Krakow Christmas’ official website also declared: “Krakow Christmas market is one of the most picture-perfect settings for a Christmas market that you can imagine. Krakow’s Main Square is huge.

“It is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and amongst all the Christmas market stalls is the beautiful twin-towered basilica of St Mary’s. In the centre of the square is the Cloth Hall. In Polish, the Cloth Hall is called Sukiennice (pronounced Sukyenitse). Krakow’s Cloth Hall is THE place to go for souvenirs throughout the whole year, and Christmas-time is no exception.”

The blog page also suggests there may be a chance of a white Christmas for those seeking the perfect winter wonderland. Experts say snow is most likely to fall in southern Poland, and Krakow sits close to the Tatra mountain, offering the city a much stronger prospect of a snowy backdrop – though, as ever, the weather remains unpredictable.

Is Krakow worth a visit?

A travel blogger called The Sunshine Seeker, who lived in Krakow and visited it at least 10 times, shared her view on whether the market is genuinely excellent. She said: “So is Krakow Christmas Market worth visiting? My answer is YES, but… It is worth it because Krakow is worth it.

“Krakow is one of the most beautiful yet affordable weekend getaways in Europe. However, I wouldn’t plan a visit to Krakow just for the Christmas Market, there are better destinations such as Dresden and Strasbourg for that. Or Wroclaw Christmas Market which is the largest in Poland.”

If you’re planning a visit, the 2025 market is set to open on November 28 and will run until December 26, with some stalls remaining open through the New Year. Direct flights from Edinburgh Airport to Krakow cost as little as £35.99 via easyJet. According to the Sunshine Seeker, the Christmas Market is open from around 10:00 until 8:00 pm, and the food stalls are open even later.

The optimal time to experience Krakow Christmas Market is during the week when it’s dark as it will allow you to soak up the atmosphere. Sundays are extremely busy. Krakow is a walkable city, meaning tourists can stroll to the Christmas Market from most hotels.

“I always recommend you stay in Kazmierz, my favourite neighbourhood in Krakow, or somewhere along the park that encircles the Old Town,” said the blogger. She continued: “I find Krakow Christmas Market one of Europe’s most affordable.

“The market has some more expensive items; however, Krakow, and Poland in general, is still quite affordable. You can expect to pay €3 – €10 for food, €4.5 for a draft beer and $5.5 for mulled wine.”

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LONDON’S biggest port is a confusing place.

First of all, it’s in Essex not London, and it’s bizarrely a regular filming destination for Hollywood directors – doubling up for everything from Venice to Gotham City.

From Batman to Indiana Jones and even Paddington Bear, the port town of Tilbury in Essex is a big star of the screen.

When Christian Bale was Batman, he spent time filming at the docks while it doubled up as Gotham City, as well as the nearby Coalhouse Fort on the edge of the River Thames.

The Coalhouse Fort was built in the 1860s to protect the Thames – and in the movie was made to look like a prison.

Christian Bale isn’t the only mega star to have spent time in Tilbury, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery and director Steven Spielberg visited the docks to film the third Indiana Jones movie; Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

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They even used the docks as the background for a boat chase, which they pretended was Venice.

And perhaps the most famous star of them all – Paddington Bear.

Tilbury featured in the first Paddington Bear film, at the beginning of the movie when the bear migrates from Peru and ends up heading into London.

Tilbury Dock is located in Tilbury Town, which features a star-shaped, 16th century fort on the waterfront that was built to defend the river against enemy ships.

It was in nearby West Tilbury that Elizabeth I rallied her army, awaiting the Armada in 1588.

You can now visit Tilbury Fort, as it’s managed by English Heritage, tickets for adults cost £8.60 and tickets for children are £5.

Meanwhile, the train station in Tilbury Town has been shortlisted as one of the most life-changing stations in the country.

It’s part of the World Cup of Stations Competition where a group of shortlisted stations in Britain battle it out head-to-head in a public vote.

People have shared their own stories about the train stations to celebrate 200 years of British railway.

Tilbury Town has been hailed as a “key point of arrival for people journeying to Britain.

“From emigrants and returning servicemen to post-war migrants seeking fresh opportunities, Tilbury became a symbol of hope and renewal.

“One of its finest moments came in June 1948, when the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean.”

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For more on trains , these two UK towns are getting new stations for the first time in over 60 years for £45million.

Plus, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns to get new train station revamp in huge ‘spruce up’.

York Knights and Toulouse Olympique will play in an expanded 14-team Super League next season after being selected to join rugby league’s top flight by an independent panel.

Bradford Bulls were promoted to Super League on Thursday having taken the place of financially troubled Salford Red Devils thanks to jumping from 16th to 10th in this year’s grading system, meaning three Championship teams will move up to the top flight from 2026.

Earlier this year, Super League’s 12 current clubs voted to expand the competition to 14 teams from next season – the first time the league will have operated with that number since 2014.

York will play in Super League for the first time while Toulouse will return to the top tier for the first time since their one-season stint in 2022.

Nine applications were submitted and considered by a panel which was chaired by Lord Jonathan Caine as well as two non-executive Rugby Football League (RFL) directors Abi Ekoku and Dermot Power, RFL chief executive Tony Sutton, interim head of legal Graeme Sarjeant, RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Super League (Europe) board member Peter Hutton.

The panel judged applications against each club’s financial performance in 2025, as well as their financial performance and sustainability forecasts for 2026 to 2028 and their ability to “field a competitive team in 2026 and beyond”.

Freddie Flintoff was injured in the crash which happened at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Cranleigh in Surrey, where the former cricketer had been filming for BBC One’s Top Gear

Freddie Flintoff has told how his two-year-old son wouldn’t go near him after his horror Top Gear crash.

The former professional cricketer, 47, said he became “a snappy mess” following the smash which happened during filming for the BBC One programme at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Cranleigh, Surrey. The three-wheeled Morgan supercar overturned on the track and Freddie, who played cricket for England for 11 years, dragged his face along the ground, cutting open the side of his nose, cheek and lips, and shattering his jawbone and teeth.

But he has spoken this week of how traumatic the mental injuries were, revealing for the first time how the ordeal impacted his children. Freddie, who had PTSD following the accident, said: “(After the crash) I would get snappy and angry.

“The kids were incredible… It was the younger one, Preston, because he would have been about two, two and a half, at the time and he wouldn’t come near me to begin with because I was a mess.”

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Top Gear was shelved following the crash, and Freddie reportedly received £9m in compensation from BBC Studios, who make the show. Yet, the star has spoken since at how the experience changed his life, including how he wouldn’t leave his home – except for medical appointments – for six to eight months in the wake of it.

But the former fast bowler, a Lancashire Cricket Club legend, has now said he is on the road to recovery, to a great extent thanks to wife Rachael Wools, whom he wed in March 2005.

Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Freddie said: “I have flashbacks and nightmares, but I’ve probably got more of an acceptance of them now.

“I suppose that the biggest thing it did do, was brought me back to cricket. Family and friends and cricket have been things that now, have probably helped me more than anything. It’s all good now. But Rachael was strong. I suppose she had to be for both of us.”

Freddie, originally from Preston, Lancashire, has returned to TV work in recent months too. A second series of Freddie’s Field of Dreams – in which he creates a brand-new cricket team with a group of promising teens and inspires a fresh generation – aired on the BBC in 2024. The BBC has given the green light for a third series, it is understood.

And the dad was chosen to front the revival of game show Bullseye, which returned as a trial on Christmas Day last year on ITV. It became so popular ITV commissioned Bullseye for a full series, which is set to broadcast before the year is out.

Watch Freddie’s full interview on Thursday on Piers Morgan Uncensored on YouTube.

Exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing removes the guesswork from portfolio construction. Rather than researching dozens of companies and hoping your picks outperform, ETFs deliver instant diversification across hundreds or thousands of stocks with a single purchase. The costs stay low — often just a few dollars per $10,000 invested each year — and ETFs eliminate the mistakes that hurt individual stock pickers who panic during market drops or chase hot stocks at the wrong time.

Among fund families, Vanguard deserves special attention. Fund investors actually own the management company itself, which means Vanguard works for shareholders instead of outside profit-seekers. This setup keeps costs far below what most competitors charge. Lower costs mean more money stays in your account, and those savings add up to significantly higher returns over decades.

Image source: Getty Images.

Three Vanguard ETFs stand out as core holdings for investors building wealth over time. Here’s a brief overview of each fund and how it may fit into a well-diversified portfolio.

The everything U.S. stock fund

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI 0.47%) tracks nearly 100% of the investable U.S. equity market through ownership of roughly 3,500 stocks spanning large-cap giants down to tiny specialists. The fund captures the full range of American business — from Nvidia powering the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution at 6.5% of assets to small regional banks and industrial firms that barely move the needle individually but collectively represent substantial economic activity.

The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF sports an expense ratio of just 0.03% annually while delivering a 1.11% annualized yield and 14.7% average returns over the past 10 years. That outstanding performance reflects the advantage of owning everything rather than trying to pick winners.

Furthermore, the fund automatically adjusts as companies grow or shrink, ensuring Microsoft and Apple earn their positions through market performance rather than manager guesswork. For investors seeking one fund that covers the entire U.S. market, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF delivers complete coverage at rock-bottom cost.

The global diversification play

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS 0.86%) covers what U.S.-only portfolios miss. The fund holds over 8,600 stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the U.S., creating exposure to economies and industries where American companies operate less.

Top holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing at 2.46% — the world’s leading chip manufacturer — along with Chinese tech giants Tencent and Alibaba, European leaders like ASML and SAP, and thousands of mid-sized firms across Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF costs just 0.05% per year, delivers a 2.78% yield that runs well above most domestic funds, and has posted 8.4% average annual returns over the past 10 years. International stocks have trailed U.S. returns recently, but these markets trade at cheaper prices and offer diversification benefits when domestic momentum eventually reverses.

The fund’s massive holding count prevents too much concentration in any single company, while the higher yield provides current income that can be reinvested or spent. For portfolios weighted too heavily toward U.S. stocks, this fund provides geographic balance.

The technology concentration play

Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT 0.77%) narrows its focus to the main sector driving market returns — technology. The fund holds roughly 316 stocks classified under information technology — software, hardware, semiconductors, and IT services — with Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple combining for about 44% of total assets. That concentration creates higher ups and downs but also captures the ongoing shift toward digital infrastructure, AI, and cloud computing that defines modern economic growth.

The Vanguard Information Technology ETF charges 0.09% annually, yields just 0.4% as tech companies reinvest cash into growth rather than paying dividends, and has delivered exceptional 23.4% average annual returns over the past 10 years. That performance reflects tech dominance — technology now makes up roughly 30% of the benchmark S&P 500, and this fund provides pure exposure without watering it down with utilities or consumer staples.

The risk comes from concentration. When tech sells off, this fund falls harder than diversified alternatives. But for investors who believe software continues taking over more industries and AI represents real change rather than hype, this fund offers direct access to the companies building that future.

A look at this week’s top high school football games in the Southland:

THURSDAY

Los Alamitos (7-0) vs. Edison (5-2) at SoFi Stadium, 5 p.m.

The Alpha League begins with a terrific matchup. Los Alamitos hasn’t played since Sept. 26, so the Griffins might start slow, but their offensive line has been key for quarterback Colin Creason and running back Kamden Tillis. Edison needs a big game from quarterback Sam Thomson, who has nine touchdown passes with one interception. The pick: Los Alamitos.

FRIDAY

St. John Bosco (7-0, 2-0) vs. Santa Margarita (5-2, 2-0) at Trabuco Hills, 7 p.m.

The Trinity League title could be decided in this game. Few teams this season have been able to deal with St. John Bosco’s high-scoring offense and aggressive defense. Santa Margarita showed last week in a 7-6 win over Mater Dei that it has an elite defense. The Eagles will need offensive improvement under first-year coach Carson Palmer. The pick: St. John Bosco.

The top travel trends of 2026 have been revealed including “Fan Voyage”, “Hotel Hop” and “Salvaged Stays” according to a new report.

The Unpack ‘26 report, released by Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, polled 24,000 respondents across 18 countries and found a growing number of people booking trips specifically to see local immersive experiences.

“Fan Voyage” journeys see travel combined with unique, regional sporting activities, according to Expedia, including Sumo Wrestling in Japan or curling in Canada.

While people on a “Salvaged Stay” aim to mix historical architecture with modern amenities, checking into upcycled retreats such as former schoolhouses, train stations, and banks.

As a result, Hotels.com has seen an increase in searches for these types of stay – for example, Bodmin Jail Hotel, in Cornwall, is up by 110 per cent.

And this part of the group also found 59 per cent of British millennial travellers are making every trip count by booking multiple hotels within a single destination.

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This emerging trend – dubbed Hotel Hop – is driven by travellers’ desire to explore different neighbourhoods (58 per cent) and keep trips varied (52 per cent).

Expedia also released its 2026 Destinations of the Year list powered by real-time data from millions of daily visitors to its site and app.

Six of these hotspots also meet the criteria for the brand’s new Smart Travel Health Check, a first-in-travel framework, inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

It recognises destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences and proactively manage tourism in a sustainable way, helping to ease the strain on the world’s most overvisited cities.

And the top spots included Big Sky in Montana, USA, Okinawa in Japan, Hobart in Australia and Savoie in France, which has seen a 51 per cent search increase.

Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-travelled destinations.

“We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”

Christopher Imbsen, vice president policy at WTTC, added: “Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check is an innovative initiative that reflects the urgent need to embrace responsible growth models that safeguard communities, protect cultural and natural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of destinations.”

Research conducted on behalf of the Vrbo arm of the company found trips in 2026 are fuelled by 91 per cent who are seeking getaways focused on reading, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones.

As #BookTok continues to dominate social media, interest in literary-themed travels, ‘Readaways’ is also surging with Pinterest searches for “book club retreat ideas” up 265 per cent.

And reading-related terms in the holiday let company’s guest reviews have nearly tripled.

The slow travel movement is gaining ground, with 84 per cent of travellers expressing interest in staying on or near a farm.

They are searching for starlit skies over busy city lights in 2026.

Set-Jetting is back – and bigger than ever – with interest in travelling to destinations inspired by TV shows and movies accelerating.

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And 53 per cent of global travellers say their desire to take a set-jetting trip has increased in the past year.

With The White Lotus’s next location in France still to be officially confirmed, the 2026 Set-Jetting Forecast reveals the next wave of cinematic escapes – including Tuscany, Italy inspired by Jay Kelly and Yorkshire, inspired by Wuthering Heights and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Expedia has released its top travel trends for 2026 – including ‘Fan Voyage’, ‘Salvaged Stays’, and ‘Hotel Hop’ – and the destinations to visit for a ‘smart’ holiday

The ‘Unpack ’26’ report from travel giants Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo has revealed the top holiday trends for the year ahead, including ‘Fan Voyage’, ‘Hotel Hop’, and ‘Salvaged Stays’. The report, which surveyed 24,000 people across 18 countries, shows a growing trend of travellers booking trips specifically to experience immersive local activities.

‘Fan Voyage’ holidays combine travel with unique regional sporting activities, such as Sumo Wrestling in Japan or curling in Canada, according to Expedia. Meanwhile, ‘Salvaged Stay’ sees holidaymakers blending historical architecture with modern amenities, opting for upcycled retreats like former schoolhouses, train stations, and banks. As a result, Hotels.com has seen a surge in searches for these types of stays.

The emerging trend of ‘Hotel Hop’ is being driven by two thirds of British millennial travellers who are making every trip count by booking multiple hotels within a single destination. This is fuelled by a desire to explore different neighbourhoods (58%) and keep trips varied (52%).

Expedia has also unveiled its 2026 Destinations of the Year list, based on real-time data from millions of daily visitors to its site and app. Six of these hotspots meet the criteria for the brand’s new Smart Travel Health Check , a first-in-travel framework, inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

It acknowledges destinations that strive to provide meaningful travel experiences whilst proactively managing tourism in a sustainable manner. The leading locations featured Big Sky in Montana, USA, Okinawa in Japan, Hobart in Australia and Savoie in France, which has witnessed a 51% surge in searches.

Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-travelled destinations.

“We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”

Christopher Imbsen, vice president policy at WTTC, added: “Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check is an innovative initiative that reflects the urgent need to embrace responsible growth models that safeguard communities, protect cultural and natural heritage, and ensure the long-term resilience of destinations.”

Research carried out on behalf of the Vrbo division of the firm discovered that trips in 2026 are driven by 91% who are pursuing breaks centred on reading, relaxation, and precious time with family.

As #BookTok continues to rule social media, fascination with literary-themed journeys – ‘Readaways’ – is also soaring, with Pinterest searches for “book club retreat ideas” climbing 265%. And reading-related phrases in the holiday rental firm’s guest reviews have almost trebled.

The ‘slow travel’ trend is on the rise, with a whopping 84% of holidaymakers keen to stay on or near a farm. Meanwhile, ‘Set-Jetting’, travelling to locations inspired by TV shows and films, is making a big comeback.

While we’re still waiting for official confirmation of The White Lotus’s next filming location in France, the 2026 Set-Jetting Forecast has unveiled the next hotspots for film-inspired getaways – including Tuscany, Italy, brought to life by Jay Kelly, and Yorkshire, made famous by Wuthering Heights and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Here are the top holiday trends for 2026:

1. Fan Voyage (Expedia) – Mixing travel with unique sporting activities
2. Salvaged Stays (Hotels.com) – Seeking out hotels with distinctive architecture but modern amenities
3. Hotel Hop (Hotels.com) – Holidays featuring more than one accommodation venue
4. Readaways (Vrbo) – Breaks based on reading-related themes like ‘reading retreat’
5. Farm Charm (Vrbo) – Holidays centred around terms like ‘farm’ or ‘homestead’ for a cosy escape
6. Set-Jetting Forecast (Expedia) – Holidays inspired by TV shows and films

A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday to decide whether maneuvers used by the Trump administration to install Bill Essayli as acting United States attorney in Los Angeles are improper — and, if so, what should be done about it.

During a Tuesday hearing in downtown L.A., Senior Judge J. Michael Seabright — who flew in from Hawaii for the proceeding — wondered how to proceed after defense attorneys sought to dismiss indictments against three clients and to disqualify Essayli “from participating in criminal prosecutions in this district.”

Essayli, a former Riverside County assemblyman, was appointed as the region’s interim top federal prosecutor by U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi in April.

His term was set to expire in late July unless he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate or a panel of federal judges. But the White House never moved to nominate him to a permanent role, instead opting to use an unprecedented legal maneuver to shift his title to “acting,” extending his term for an additional nine months without any confirmation process.

Seabright was selected from the District of Hawaii after L.A.’s federal judges recused themselves from the proceedings. He questioned the consequences of dismissing any charges over Essayli’s title.

“If I did this for your client, I’ll have to do it for every single defendant who was indicted when Mr. Essayli was acting under the rubric of acting U.S. attorney, correct?” Seabright said to a deputy federal public defender.

“I don’t think you will,” replied James A. Flynn. “This is a time-specific, case-specific analysis and the court doesn’t need to go so far as to decide that a dismissal would be appropriate in all cases.”

“Why not? You’re asking for a really draconian remedy here,” Seabright said, before questioning how many indictments had been made since Essayli was designated acting U.S. attorney at the end of July.

“203, your honor,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Alexander P. Robbins responded.

In a court filing ahead of the hearing Tuesday, lawyers bringing the challenge against Essayli called the government’s defense of his status a handbook for circumventing the protections that the Constitution and Congress built against the limitless, unaccountable handpicking of temporary officials.”

During the nearly two-hour hearing, Flynn cited similar legal challenges that have played out elsewhere. A federal judge ruled in August that Alina Habba has been illegally occupying the U.S. attorney post in New Jersey, although that order was put on hold pending appeal. Last month, a federal judge disqualified Nevada’s top federal prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, from several cases, concluding she “is not validly serving as acting U.S. attorney.”

The judges who ruled on the Nevada and New Jersey cases did not dismiss the charges against defendants, instead ordering that those cases not be supervised by Habba or Chattah.

Flynn argued that the remedies in other states “have not been effective to deter the conduct.”

“This court has the benefit of additional weeks and has seen the government’s response to that determination that their appointments were illegal and I submit the government hasn’t gotten the message,” Flynn said.

Flynn said another option could be a dismissal without prejudice, which means the government could bring the case against their clients again. He called it a “weaker medicine” than dismissal with prejudice, “but would be a stronger one than offered in New Jersey and Nevada.”

The hearing grew testy at times, with Seabright demanding that Assistant U.S. Atty. Robbins tell him when Essayli’s term will end. Robbins told the judge the government believes it will end on Feb. 24 and that afterward the role of acting U.S. attorney will remain vacant.

Robbins noted that Essayli has also been designated as first assistant U.S. attorney, essentially allowing him to remain in charge of the office if he loses the “acting” title.

Bondi in July also appointed him as a “special attorney.” Robbins told the judge that “there’s no developed challenge to Mr. Essayli’s appointment as a special attorney or his designation as a first assistant.”

“The defense challenge here, the stated interest that they have, is Bill Essayli cannot be acting,” Robbins said. “But they don’t have a compelling or strong response to Bill Essayli is legitimately in the office and he can be the first assistant … he can supervise other people in the office.”

Seabright asked both sides to brief him by Thursday on “whatever hats you believe [Essayli’s] wearing now” and “whether I were to say he wasn’t legitimately made acting U.S. attorney … what hats does he continue to wear.”

“If I understand the government’s proposed remedy correctly … it would essentially be no remedy at all, because they would be re-creating Mr. Essayli as the acting United States attorney, he’d just be wearing a first assistant hat,” Flynn said.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in L.A. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked by a Times reporter last month about the motion to disqualify him, Essayli said “the president won the election.”

“The American people provided him a mandate to run the executive branch, including the U.S. attorney’s office and I look forward to serving at the pleasure of the president,” he said during a news conference.

Since taking office, Essayli has doggedly pursued Trump’s agenda, championing hard-line immigration enforcement in Southern California, often using the president’s language verbatim at news conferences. His tenure has sparked discord in the office, with dozens of prosecutors quitting.

BROOKS Nader has showcased her bare breasts in an entirely see-through top while leaving a talk show appearance in New York City.

Photos obtained by The U.S. Sun captured the reality star donning the sexy ensemble.

Brooks, 28, paused to acknowledge the cameras, showing off her sheer black top, exposing her boobs, and a short black skirt.

She completed the look with a black blazer, pointed-toe black high heels, and her blonde hair flowing straight down.

The pictures were taken outside of Sherri Shepherd’s talk show, where Brooks is a guest on Wednesday’s show.

The TV star regularly rocks daring outfits and wore a very similar ensemble last week while attending Paris Fashion Week.

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Photos again captured the star wearing no bra and putting her breasts on display in a sheer top and miniskirt.

She was seen departing the famed Siena party hours after wearing an even more revealing number at the Grand Palais party with her sister, Sarah Jane.

Brooks rocked a form-fitting gold dress, zipped in the front, which proved dangerous as she kept falling out of it.

She also experienced an unexpected moment when a big gust of wind came, revealing she’d gone commando that night.

The week before, the Hulu star wore another sexy dress with an extremely low-cut neckline while at Milan Fashion Week.

Brooks became a household name after winning the Sports Illustrated Swim Search competition in 2019, which skyrocketed her modeling career.

Dancing With The Stars fans would also remember her from last season, when she competed with her partner, Gleb Savchenko.

The pair were eliminated after reaching ninth place, but their names continued to circulate in the media due to the romance that blossomed during their partnership.

However, their relationship ended not long after when Brooks accused Gleb of cheating on her, which he vehemently denied.

Brooks is now romantically linked to Spanish professional tennis player Carlos Alcaraz.

In addition to her modeling career and stint on DWTS, Brooks stars on the new reality TV series, Love Thy Nader, which premiered on Hulu earlier this year.

The show follows Brooks and her sisters —Mary Holland, Grace Ann, and Sarah Jane —as they navigate building careers in the Big Apple.

There’s been no word on whether a Season 2 of the series is on the horizon, as per this writing.

BRAVE Amanda Holden takes to the Britain’s Got Talent red carpet wearing the top that almost saw her flash the show’s audience at auditions.

But an onlooker said the 54-year-old “was being much more careful this time round.”

4

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4

Show judge Amanda — in a lop-sided strapless top — nearly exposed herself by lifting her left arm to wave at the crowd as she strutted on stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday.

After adjusting her clothes to preserve her modesty she sat down.

Then, gesturing to her boob, she admitted: “This keeps slipping out every time I raise my arms.”

Yesterday The Sun revealed a small production team were quickly put on “nipple watch” to ensure there were no surprise appearances during filming of the ITV ­talent contest.

Undeterred, Amanda wore the strapless top again.

Our observer reported: “She waved with her left hand, where her top had more coverage than on the right-hand side, and kept her other hand firmly in her pocket most of the time.

“Amanda didn’t want any wardrobe malfunctions again. She was probably already feeling the chill in blustery Blackpool.”

Also dressed for sunnier climes was head judge Simon Cowell in shades, and fellow panellist Alesha Dixon wearing sunglasses and a crop-top.

Only hosts Ant and Dec and new judge KSI — taking over from Bruno Tonioli — looked ready for Lancashire weather.

Auditions for the 19th series of BGT, due to air next year, continue in the seaside town until the end of this week.

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Earnings season is right around the corner, and several of tech’s biggest names look to keep their momentum going. Each of these companies posted strong results last quarter, and there are good reasons to believe that strength can continue into the final stretch of the year. These stocks look attractive, not just heading into earnings, but for the long haul as well.

1. Nvidia

Nvidia (NVDA 2.87%) has been at the center of the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and last quarter’s results showed just how strong demand for its chips has been. Its data center revenue surged 56% year over year, despite the company lacking access to the Chinese market, as companies and governments around the world continue to rapidly build out their AI infrastructure.

That trend does not look like it’s slowing, with cloud computing companies continuing to spend big on data center infrastructure and Oracle announcing massive AI data center spending plans. Nvidia, meanwhile, continues to dominate the AI infrastructure market, where its graphics processing units (GPUs) are used to power AI workloads and have an over 90% market share. Its CUDA software platform continues to give it a wide moat in the space, as most early AI code was written on it, and developers favor it.

With data center spending remaining strong and AI demand still outpacing supply, Nvidia’s growth trajectory looks intact. The company has already proven that it can deliver consistent upside surprises, and it’s positioned better than any of its peers to capture profits from the next leg of the AI infrastructure buildout.

2. Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms (META 1.25%) has transformed itself into one of the biggest AI beneficiaries in tech, and that evolution showed up clearly in its last earnings report. The company posted 22% revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by an increase in ad impressions and higher prices. The number of daily active users across its family of apps also climbed by 6% year over year to 3.48 billion, proving that it can still draw in new users despite the maturity of its platforms.

AI has been the key driver behind Meta’s resurgence. It has been using AI to improve how its algorithms recommend content, which is keeping users more engaged. That, in turn, increases the amount of ad inventory it can sell. At the same time, its AI tools for advertisers are helping companies create and target their marketing campaigns more effectively, which boosts Meta’s ad pricing power.

Meanwhile, it is just starting to introduce ads to its biggest untapped assets, WhatsApp and Threads, both of which have huge growth potential. All these things should help keep the company’s earnings momentum going.

Meta also isn’t sitting still when it comes to innovation. It recently debuted its new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, sales of which could give its Q4 revenue a boost. These augmented reality glasses could also be a precursor to its eventual vision for things like “superpersonal intelligence” and the metaverse, which are longer-term bets.

Image source: Getty Images.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft (MSFT 0.77%) capped off its fiscal 2025 with one of its best quarters in years, showing just how well it’s executing across both cloud computing and AI. In its fiscal Q4, which ended June 30, revenue from its Azure cloud platform jumped by 39%, marking its eighth straight quarter of growth above 30%. Meanwhile, its Intelligent Cloud division as a whole grew by 26% to nearly $30 billion. That strength is being driven by companies accelerating their AI spending, with Azure being one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s early investments in OpenAI continue to give it an edge. Its Copilot AI tools, now integrated across Office products, are increasingly being adopted by enterprises to increase worker productivity. These products are still in their early innings, which means there’s plenty of runway for growth left. Revenues from Microsoft 365 rose more than 20% last quarter, and even the company’s personal computing segment saw renewed growth, led by Xbox and search advertising.

Microsoft is spending aggressively to expand its data center capacity to meet the flood of AI demand, which should keep growth strong in the quarters ahead. With Azure continuing to increase its sales in a rapidly growing cloud market, and with Copilot adding a valuable new layer of recurring revenue, Microsoft looks like one of the most reliable performers heading into this earnings season and a top long-term holding for investors.