weekend

The Tom Cruise-led movie “Digger” cratered at the box office this weekend, limping to a fifth-place finish with $8 million in the U.S. and Canada in its theatrical debut.

The Warner Bros. film was expected to do poorly after polarizing reviews from critics and a challenging marketing campaign. The film had a production budget of about $125 million. Worldwide, the film brought in just $20 million in its opening weekend, meaning the studio will probably post a significant loss from the release.

A representative of Warner Bros. did not respond to a request for comment.

Amazon MGM Studios’ “Verity,” starring Anne Hathaway, easily lapped “Digger,” coming in first at the domestic box office with a haul of $32.6 million. The film made $62.5 million worldwide.

The underwhelming performance from “Digger” marks a rare misfire from the usually bankable Cruise and adds to a difficult year for Warner Bros.’ film studio, whose lineup of movies has struggled to connect with audiences. That’s in stark contrast to 2025, when the studio ran up a string of hits such as “Sinners” and “Weapons.”

It also comes as Paramount Skydance’s $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is set to close Tuesday. As part of the merger, there have already been several management shake-ups, including the exit of Warner Bros. film chiefs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca. The duo oversaw the studio for the last four years, providing a mixed bag of hits and misses for the Burbank-based studio.

The deal is expected to dramatically reshape Hollywood by combining two of the major studios, a move that is expected to lead to massive layoffs. Paramount has already told Wall Street that it’s planning $6 billion in cost cuts.

“Digger” is the result of nine years of work, as director Alejandro González Iñárritu started on the project before the pandemic. The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair.

In a post-screening, onstage discussion last week, Cruise noted the carefully handcrafted props and sets.

“Everything is practical,” he said. “It was so beautiful, and I just have to say … AI can’t do that.”

Sony Pictures’ “Resident Evil” came in second at the box office this weekend with $12.5 million in its third weekend in theaters. Paramount’s “Heart of the Beast” ($11 million) and A24’s “Primetime” ($8 million) ranked third and fourth.

As of last week, Warner Bros.’ domestic box-office haul this year was $437.7 million, representing about 5.6% of the total theatrical revenue in the U.S. and Canada, according to Rentrak data.

Last year, Warner Bros.’ total at this time was $1.8 billion, aided by back-to-back successes starting with “A Minecraft Movie,” which went on to become the highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office during that calendar year.

The studio does not have any film in the top 20 of domestic box-office earners this year, with Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” ranking at 21 with $84 million. Bets on films such as Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” cratered, while DC Studios’ “Supergirl” misfired.

AUTUMN definitely is here but the wet, wind and cold isn’t quite yet, which is great news as it means we can spend more time outside.

And with that in mind, the UK has tons of outdoor days out that are ideal for making the most of dry and warmer 22C autumn days.

From woodland activity trails to grand pumpkin patches, you don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the autumn sun.

So here’s our top free autumn days out across the UK:

Richmond Park, London

National treasure David Attenborough recently said that Richmond Park is “both a refuge and a source of inspiration” and that he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else despite having travelled the globe.

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And with all there is to do in Richmond Park, it isn’t surprising.

Visitors can see ancient oaks and herds of deer as well as head off on autumnal walks.

For a change of scene, from the park you can head into the town too and explore independent shops or walk along the river spotting the swans and ducks.

The Wye Valley & Forest of Dean

Sitting across the English and Welsh border, the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean is known as one of the UK’s most enchanting regions.

The site is actually an ancient hunting ground with over 20 million trees.

For visitors there are woodland walks, historical ruins and river adventures.

If you want a challenging walk, head up to Symonds Yat Rock or the Devil’s Pulpit.

Mam Tor, The Peak District

Mam Tor in the Peak District boasts panoramic views of the Hope Valley, and in the autumn it is even more special to visit with the leaves turning brown and yellow.

For a calm walk, there is a three-mile circular route that takes around two hours to complete and includes heading to the summit as well as the Great Ridge and Windy Knoll.

The Scottish Borders

Up in the north, the Scottish Borders has numerous free walking trails to head off on with historic woodlands and ruined abbeys.

There are plenty of free places to explore across the Scottish Borders area, including St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve where there are numerous walking trails.

Or head to Kelso Town Centre with a historic cobblestone market square and loads of independent shops.

Moors Valley Country Park & Forest

Located in Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park & Forest has an interactive play trail with famous characters including the Gruffalo and Zog.

There are a number of different play areas too, including the Snake Pit with giant wooden snakes that kids can scramble through.

The park is home to a lot of paid-for activities too, including Go Ape.

But if you only want to spend a few quid, then there are activity trail sheets you can pick up or craft workshops.

Heartwood Forest, Hertfordshire

Heartwood Forest is a Woodland Trust site that is free to visit and also has free parking.

Wander through the ancient bluebell woods and see newly planted trees.

On October 10, there’s even a short guided walk at Heartwood Arboretum.

You’d see 60 species of trees on the free walk, but you will need to book in advance.

Dalby Forest, North York Moors

Dalby Forest is spread over 8,000 acres, so there is plenty to explore with several miles of easy walking trails.

Make sure to look out for the free Gruffalo orienteering markers hidden among the trees.

There’s currently a sculpture trail at the forest too, along the Adderstone Rigg Trail.

Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Want to feel as if you have stepped into the likes of Wuthering Heights or Sense and Sensibility? Then head to Dartmoor.

This sprawling 368-square-mile national park in Devon is home to the most beautiful walks in the county, in my opinion.

From rock formations that look more like mythical beasts to river spots with giant stepping stones, the park boasts tons of possible days out.

And if you are lucky, you’ll be able to spot some Dartmoor ponies.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest near Farnham is thought to be one of the best family woodlands to visit in the south, with trails ideal for buggies and little ones.

The park also has a small café ideal for grabbing a cuppa if there is a chill in the air.

Charleton Fruit Farm

In Angus, Scotland, Charleton Fruit Farm is home to a huge pumpkin patch from October 9 that is completely free to visit.

There’s lots of other stuff to do at the farm as well for free, including the play park with go- karts, trampolinesand sandpitt.

You can also pick seasonal fruit at the farm, but this isn’t free – you’ll be charged according to the weight of what you pick.

Doddington Hall and Gardens

Doddington Hall and Gardens is another spot with a free pumpkin patch, where there are more than 30 types of pumpkins, squashes and gourds to choose from.

If you do want to buy one though, you of course will need to pay for this, with prices usually starting from £4.

Throughout the patch though, there will be some pumpkins with golden bottoms – if you find one, it means you’ll win the pumpkin, as well asa family ticket to Christmas in the Hall as well as a homegrown Christmas tree.

Wings, Wonders & Wildlife Trail at Sandilands

At National Trust‘s Sandilands in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, you can head off on a free trail where families learn about six winter visitors.

Along the trail, visitors will test their knowledge with interactive challenges.

The trail is great for all ages and is self-led through the nature reserve.

Turns out Ed Sheeran, whose Loop tour became embroiled in controversy this month, won’t perform at billionaire Robert Kraft’s Gillette Stadium this weekend, either.

The “Shape of You” pop star’s Friday and Saturday shows at the Foxborough, Mass., venue have been canceled “due to severe weather warnings” in the region, Messina Touring, the Loop tour’s promoter, announced Friday in a statement shared on Instagram. The touring group said it made the “difficult decision” to cancel the upcoming shows after consulting with local officials. A powerful nor’easter is expected to bring strong winds, coastal flooding and heavy rain to much of the East Coast over the weekend, with wind gusts potentially reaching 50 to 55 mph around Boston and 35 to 40 mph farther inland, the Associated Press reported.

“The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the show as the top priority,” the statement continued, adding that fans can now receive refunds for their tickets.

Sheeran’s Loop tour hits its latest snag after weeks of turmoil. Earlier this month Sheeran and his touring team faced pressure to remove former opening act Macklemore from future shows. The Grammy-winning “Thrift Shop” rapper drew criticism from a handful of Jewish advocacy groups over his pro-Palestinian messaging during his opening sets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Within days of the concerts, Messina Touring dismissed Macklemore from the shows. While Sheeran denied having a role in Macklemore’s departure, he confirmed that he spoke with Kraft, who was among the stadium owners expressing concern about Macklemore’s continued involvement in the tour.

Shortly after Macklemore’s dismissal, the remaining supporting acts for Sheeran’s tour, including Grammy winner Finneas and folk band Beoga (Sheeran’s backing band), quit the Loop tour in solidarity. Sheeran proceeded with his tour over the weekend.

News of Sheeran’s canceled shows also comes on the heels of Macklemore’s announcement of his Free Palestine tour. The rapper, who has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause, revealed three concerts set to take place in late October in Dublin, Paris and London. Though additional details have yet to be revealed, Macklemore said he will be joined by artists “who have shown up and used their stages to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Macklemore also announced that dates for U.S. tour stops will come in a later announcement and that the entirety of proceeds from his tour will go to a handful of charities supporting the Palestinians amid Israel’s war in Gaza. Macklemore announced last week he would donate all $1 million of his earnings from his time on Sheeran’s tour to numerous pro-Palestinian charities.

Sheeran is next expected to perform Oct. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

THINGS seem to be going from strength to strength for Olivia Attwood and Pete Wicks as they enjoyed a loved-up weekend together after spending time apart.

The couple cuddled up for a mirror selfie in a lift, with Pete holding up his phone as Olivia leaned into him.

Shared by Pete on Instagram, the presenter’s £26k Hermès bag could also be seen at her side as they posed for the cosy snap.

Olivia, 35, recently spent time in New York for Fashion Week while Pete, 37, remained in the UK.

The pair had made their red carpet debut as a couple at the National Television Awards just days before she flew out.

They shared a kiss in front of the cameras at London’s O2 Arena, after keeping their romance a secret from fans for months.

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Olivia and Pete were first pictured kissing in March, following her split from footballer husband Bradley Dack in January.

Pete finally made their relationship Instagram official in July with a series of cosy snaps from a trip to Ibiza. Alongside them, he wrote: “I guess someone has to go first.”

Their romance grew out of a long friendship, and the pair previously hosted The Sunday Roast together on KISS. 

Olivia has described being with the former Towie star as “the easiest thing I’ve ever done”.

And their latest loved-up picture suggests the couple are definitely pleased to be back together after Olivia’s trip across the Atlantic.

THE price of a big night out in the UK costs on average £74 per person when you factor in food, travel and drinks.

When you’re looking at those kinds of numbers, it makes way more sense to splash the cash on the latest trend for Brit holidaymakers – all inclusive weekenders in a hot country.

I searched every autumn weekend across October and November to find the absolute cheapest two-night all-inclusive packages for two adults – including return flights.

Somehow, you can jump on a plane, sleep in a hotel, eat three meals a day, enjoy unlimited drinks, and soak up some sunshine for little more than the cost of a couple of nights out at home. Grandparents, get the babysitting schedule ready.

Cala Millor, Majorca – £180pp in October

Cala Millor is one of the best places for international date nights, with its immaculate sandy beach and a flat, palm-lined promenade if you fancy stepping outside the hotel gates for an evening wander.

Early October still feels properly summery in Majorca, with temperatures around 25C – warm enough for poolside lounging without the oppressive August heat.

And you can lock in two nights all-inclusive at the BLUESEA Don Jaime for £180pp.

The outbound flight leaves Birmingham at 7.35pm on Friday and lands in Palma at 11.05pm, so there’s no need to sacrifice a full day’s annual leave.

Even better, the return flight doesn’t leave Palma until 11.15pm on Sunday, landing back in Birmingham at 12.50am – giving you almost all of Sunday on the island.

The hotel sits close to Cala Millor’s main strip and around five minutes’ walk from the seafront, with an outdoor pool, sun terrace and buffet restaurant to eliminate virtually all food-related admin for the weekend.

Alanya, Turkey – £195pp in October

If serious heat is your primary objective, Alanya takes the top spot on the shortlist.

The Turkish Riviera regularly stays in the mid-twenties throughout October, while its beaches, bars and resorts remain alive and kicking long after the British summer has packed up.

I found two nights all-inclusive at Sun Star Beach Hotel for £195pp, with the flight leaving London Stansted at 7.55pm on Friday meaning you can complete the working week before heading to the airport.

The return flight then leaves Antalya at 4.30pm on Sunday and lands back at Stansted at 6.55pm, so you’ll still get most of Sunday in Turkey without arriving home in the middle of the night.

The hotel sits in Mahmutlar and has its own beach area, an outdoor pool with waterslides and an on-site Turkish bath and spa.

For knackered parents, that means you can spend the weekend alternating between the hammam, the beach and the all-inclusive bar. A demanding schedule.

Calas de Mallorca, Majorca – £180pp in October

We’re heading back to Majorca for mid-October, but this time to the more peaceful east coast where it sits at 24C mid-October.

Calas de Mallorca is built around a series of sheltered, dramatic coves rather than one enormous resort strip, making it ideal if your perfect child-free weekend involves making as few decisions as humanly possible.

You can grab two nights all-inclusive at HSM Canarios Park for £180pp.

The outbound flight leaves Birmingham at 7.35pm on Friday, so you can work the day before setting off, and the Sunday flight leaves at 11.15pm, unlocking virtually the whole weekend without using a full day of annual leave.

The real trade secret at HSM Canarios Park is its free shuttle bus, which drops guests at Cala Antena Beach.

The hotel also has three outdoor pools, mini golf, tennis courts and a poolside bar – so you can get competitive before a post-workout tipple.

Lloret de Mar, Spain – £225pp in October

Late October on the Costa Brava loses the peak-summer surge of tourists while keeping hold of pleasant daytime temperatures of around 22C.

I hunted down two nights all-inclusive at BLUESEA Copacabana for £225pp.

The flight leaves London Luton at 7.40pm on Friday, allowing you to finish work before disappearing to Spain.

The return departs Barcelona at 4.10pm on Sunday and lands back at Luton at 5.35pm, getting you home at a surprisingly sensible time while still giving you the chance to spend the morning and early afternoon wringing every last drop out of the all-inclusive bar.

The hotel is close to Lloret de Mar town centre, putting you within easy reach of its shops, seafront promenades, tapas bars and beaches.

It may still be difficult to peel yourself away from the hotel’s sun terrace and outdoor pool, though – particularly once you’ve established a steady flow of all-inclusive drinks and snacks.

Agadir, Morocco – £150pp in November

This is the single best deal on the entire list, for me.

While the UK drops into its usual grey drizzle, Agadir serves up temperatures in the mid-twenties and miles of golden sand.

And for anyone who thinks Morocco is too far for a couple of nights, the outbound flight takes less than four hours.

It leaves London Stansted at 3.45pm on Friday and lands in Agadir at 7.35pm, meaning you may only need to take Friday afternoon off work.

And the return flight leaves Morocco at 7.30pm on Sunday and lands back at Stansted at 11.25pm, giving you almost all of Sunday in the sunshine.

You can secure two nights all-inclusive at El Pueblo Tamlelt for a frankly ridiculous £150pp.

It’s a sprawling, traditional Moroccan-style resort surrounded by gardens, with several pools, restaurants and bars.

And Agadir’s enormous beach and seafront promenade are only a short walk away, too.

El Arenal, Majorca – £155pp in November

El Arenal sits on Majorca’s southern coast, delivering a wide, flat seafront promenade, easy beach walks and plenty of open cafes, bars and restaurants.

November is mild here, with temperatures around 20C, making it a brilliant low-cost escape from the weather, household chores and anything requiring a packed lunch.

The flight leaves London Gatwick at 5.05pm on Friday and lands in Palma at 8.25pm.

Even better, the Sunday return doesn’t leave Palma until 10.45pm, landing back at Gatwick at 12.15am, giving you another full day on the island.

I found two nights all-inclusive at BLUESEA Mediodia for just £155pp.

The hotel sits only around 80m from the sand and right in the heart of El Arenal, meaning you can fit in an early-morning beach walk before heading back for an unlimited breakfast.

Albufeira, Portugal – £175pp in November

Albufeira is a really smart late-autumn pick because its Old Town remains open and lively long after summer ends.

You get historic cobbled streets, cliff-backed beaches and seafront restaurants without fighting half of Britain for a table – and temperatures up to 20C in the day.

And yes, there is a greater chance of rain than in summer, but there’s also every chance of blue skies, alfresco drinks and wondering why you ever considered the local cinema.

The outbound flight leaves Newcastle at 5.20pm on Friday, fitting neatly around the working day.

And the return leaves Faro at 5.25pm on Sunday, so you still get most of Sunday in Portugal without rolling through the front door after midnight.

You can book two nights all-inclusive at the four-star Grand Muthu Forte da Oura for £175pp.

The hotel is close to Oura Beach and the lively Areias de Sao Joao area, with a large outdoor pool and spacious terrace surrounded by gardens.

Perfect for an Aperol Spritz-fuelled wander before heading down to the beach.

Torremolinos, Costa del Sol – £180pp in November

Closing out November, Torremolinos delivers mild 20C Andalusian weather, a gorgeous seafront and excellent fresh seafood in the historic La Carihuela district.

I spotted two nights all-inclusive at the four-star BLUESEA Al-Andalus for £180pp.

The flight leaves Dublin at 5.05pm on Friday, so there’s no need to lose your entire Friday.

And the return doesn’t leave Málaga until 10.30pm on Sunday, meaning you can squeeze the maximum possible amount of sunshine out of a two-night stay.

The hotel is set in peaceful subtropical gardens, with an outdoor pool and sun terrace and within walking distance of La Carihuela Beach – famous for its long promenade and plenty of dangerously tempting seafood restaurants.

That is a four-star all-inclusive escape for less than some couples spend on dinner, drinks and a taxi home. No-brainer.

THE UK is set to see the last of the summer sun this weekend, so where better to enjoy it than Cornwall’s Saint Tropez?

One charming coastal village has been compared to the French glamorous resort town thanks to its incredible beaches, high-end restaurants and royal visitors.

The village in question is called Rock which sits on the Camel Estuary and has incredible views across from the well-known town of Padstow.

The upscale hotspot has numerous celebrity homeowners and even Prince William and Prince Harry have enjoyed a holiday of two there.

The princes first visited Rock in the late 1990s as teenagers for family holidays and were spotted enjoying nearby beaches and surfing in Polzeath.

Other celebrities that have been known in the area include Gordon Ramsay who owns a multi-million-pound waterfront property there.

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He’s even been filmed arriving to the village by helicopter.

Chef Paul Ainsworth owns the local pub called The Mariners, where you can get some of the best fish and chips in the area.

Other top spots include Four Boys which is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch.

Fee’s Food is a deli where you can pick up quiches, freshly baked loaves, pastries – they also specialise in pies and curries.

Of course, no visit to Cornwall is complete without a trip to the beach, and Rock has a great one.

Rock Beach has described as being called “world class” by previous visitors, and another called it the “best beach I’ve been to in a long time.”

The sandy beach stretches on for around half a mile with views across the estuary to Padstow.

If you fancy venturing a little further afield, Porthilly Cove which is a secluded sandy beach is just around the corner.

The St Enodoc Hotel in Rock recently underwent a multi-million-pound renovation – it was closed for 10 months but had a grand reopening in July.

Along with 21 rooms, there are two restaurants to choose from – the Estuary Grill which serves lots of local seafood or the Flour Garden which dishes up hand-made pizzas.

The hotel has beautiful gardens too with lawn games, deck chairs and Maurice, a charming vintage French truck, with a mix of drinks including Guinness on-tap.

When it comes to getting there, the easiest way is to catch the ferry from Padstow – single journeys cost £3 for adults and £1.50 for children.

WASHINGTON — President Trump on Monday headed into a week full of high-stake meetings with world leaders after spending a 72-hour period banning reporters from the White House, mulling whether it was time to “blow … up” Iran, and proposing to house military drones and snipers in his triumphal arch in the nation’s capital.

The weekend — which also included the announcement of a security deal over Greenland and the creation of a new “A.I. Force” — captured an American president operating unpredictably across multiple fronts even as each one drew friction. The actions now stand to color the backdrop of a week that will feature meetings with world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.

Each of those moves carries its own political weight ahead of the diplomatic talks, but also ahead of the midterm elections, where these topics are front and center in key races.

Trump’s handling of the Iran war, its subsequent shocks to the global economy, his push to fast-track the development of artificial intelligence and the Greenland agreement are likely to come up in meetings with world leaders. His deal with Denmark to bolster U.S. military presence in Greenland, a territory Trump has repeatedly tried to annex, is expected to be signed Tuesday in New York, though action is still needed by the Danish and Greenland governments before it can be enforced.

While all the details of the Greenland deal are not public yet, Trump has said it is a “dream come true for the United States of America.”

“This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland and all of our Allies,” Trump wrote on social media Friday. “We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land. We will be very protective of it.”

In an interview Sunday, Trump also indicated that he was trying to make a decision on Iran as the war stretches into its eighth month. The president said he would “probably be open” to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the U.N. General Assembly.

“My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up?” Trump told Fox News. “They better behave.”

Of all the actions Trump took, the press dispute has become the most contentious and drawn an immediate legal response. Three major news outlets — CNN, MS NOW and Politico — sued the Trump administration Monday for banning their reporters from the White House grounds, and major television networks suspended their pool coverage of the president’s activities.

In a joint statement, the organizations said the White House has acted “without notice or process” and called the arbitrary decision a “blatant violation” of the 1st Amendment.

Trump, meanwhile, argued Monday that the banned news outlets are “corrupt” and a “threat to our national security.”

Vice President JD Vance defended the press ban.

“He’s not banning media outlets. What he’s doing is saying we’re not going to give you special access to the White House if you engage in what is effectively propaganda,” Vance said Monday, arguing that the three outlets push out “negative” coverage of Trump.

The tense showdown between Trump and the White House press corps led to audio problems during the president’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new helipad on the South Lawn. Without television cameras and microphones set up by the major TV networks, it was impossible to hear what Trump was saying through the White House’s official YouTube stream, signaling further technical difficulties in the week ahead.

Behind the public displays of control, news reports have painted a picture of a president increasingly frustrated by the lack of credit he feels he is owed. At a recent closed-door meeting, reported by the Wall Street Journal, Trump told advisors he was aggravated that his allies hadn’t lauded him enough for his efforts to take over the Kennedy Center or other accomplishments made during his second term.

Trump has tried to put his name on the building’s facade and run into resistance from Democrats, arts patrons and a federal judge who blocked the move last week. Trump was then photographed aboard Air Force One looking at a large printout appearing to show demolition plans for the center.

Over the weekend, Trump posted on social media a link to a news article that claimed he was seeking to fix “safety hazards” at the performance center. He then posted an image of him watching the Western Hemisphere with the words, “His Hemisphere,” and wrote that his proposed triumphal arch near the National Mall would be used as a military complex for drones and snipers.

Trump also announced that he would be creating the “A.I. force,” modeled after the Space Force he launched during his first term, to ensure the country does not “in any way hinder or stifle the growth of the industry.” The announcement came amid growing backlash to data centers and the fast-paced development of artificial intelligence, an issue that in recent weeks has prompted stark warnings about the technology’s power and its threats to humanity.

Tech executives, including Dario Amodei and Sam Altman, have even called for a slowdown on the technology’s advancement and last week, four leading AI companies — Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI and Google — faced a lawsuit claiming they made an illegal deal to slow the pace of their respective AI development.

Trump’s announcement over the weekend comes as lawmakers, including congressional Republicans in tight races, have called for new guardrails on the technology.

Despite technology becoming a political flashpoint during the midterms, Trump has dismissed concerns about AI as a hoax and asserted that those who oppose data centers are intent on being “backwards and poor.”

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is among the lawmakers who have called for action on regulating the technology, and he has warned that not doing so could come at a cost on Nov. 3.

“We really need to send a memo around explaining we’ve got midterm elections coming,” Kennedy told Politico. “I may send that out.”

A weekend in Europe might seem like an expensive option in the run up to Christmas, but these festive weekend breaks could be cheaper than the train fare to another UK city and offer unforgettable Christmas market experiences

While the UK has some great Christmas markets, the ones found in Europe tend to be bigger and more traditional. If you’re dreaming of drinking mulled wine and wandering around wooden chalets to buy gifts, you don’t need to drain your bank account to enjoy a festive weekend away.

Here are some Christmas market breaks coming in at around £100 per person. Prices are correct at the time of going to press, but can change, especially air fares which are likely to become more expensive as the Christmas dates book up.

Christmas in Tivoli – Copenhagen – £96.50

Many Christmas markets are set in town squares, but Christmas in Tivoli takes over Copenhagen’s historic amusement park, turning it into a winter wonderland. Its beautifully decorated gardens are full of wooden stalls, often dusted with snow, and there are festive rides, freshly-baked Danish treats, and serious hygge vibes. Head to Christmas in Tivoli for its opening weekend, November 13, and you can take return flights from Bristol for £56 on Ryanair.

With just a two hour flight time it’s perfect for a weekend break, and you can return on Sunday to avoid taking extra annual leave. Generator Copenhagen is about a 15-minute walk away, or a quick metro ride, and has a lively bar, restaurant, and terrace. Stays start at £23.81 for a dorm. Another unique option, if you’d like a little more privacy, is the Urban Camper Hostel, which has indoor tents that come with twin or double beds and lockers. Prices start at £40.50 per person for the weekend based on two sharing. If you prefer a hotel, you can find stays from £82 for two nights with Kayak.

Spitalerstrasse Christmas Market – Hamburg – £99.34

If traditional Christmas markets are your thing you can’t go wrong with Spitalerstrasse in Hamburg, which is basically a blueprint for every festive city centre event in Europe. Wooden chalets line the streets, vendors sell gingerbread, bratwurst, and mugs of glühwein, and it’s all set amid a backdrop of glorious medieval buildings covered in twinkly lights.

Hamburg has fewer options for direct flights from the UK – only London and Manchester offer this route – but there are bargains to be found. For example, if you travel between November 20 and 22, a return from London-Stansted costs £48, and the 90 minute flight time makes it perfect for a weekend away.

Next to Hamburg’s central station is the Generator Hamburg has basic dorms from £25.67 a night. Other budget options in the centre include the unique CAB20, which offers inexpensive cabin-style rooms for £164 for two nights based on two sharing.

Plaza Mayor Christmas Market – Madrid – £84.50

Enjoy Christmas with a Spanish flair at the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, which runs from late November to December 31. The Spanish capital’s stunning historic square is the perfect backdrop for more than 100 red stalls, lit by fairy lights, where you can buy handcrafted nativity figures, unique decorations, and gifts. Enjoy freshly roasted chestnuts, turrón nougat, or churros with proper hot chocolate.

The cool weather means December tends to be an inexpensive time to visit Madrid, and if you fly from Bristol on Friday December 4, coming back Sunday, you can pick up flights from £38. If you’d like to stay in the city centre, one option is the Capsule Inn Madrid where couples can share a double capsule for £93 for two nights. Although it’s an extremely cosy space so you’d need to ensure you don’t fight at the airport before arriving.

Campo Santo Stefano Christmas Market – Venice – £94.56

Venice’s Campo Santo Stefano Christmas market kicks off on November 17, so it’s perfect for an early festive break. Stick to November dates and you can avoid the tourist crowds, and browse a wide range of Italian and European Christmas foods, artisan gifts, and canals lined with lights.

You can book flights from November 27 to 29, departing London-Luton on Wizz Air from £43, while the Generator Venice , housed in a historic building on Giudecca Island, has beds from £25.78 a night on those dates. Giudecca Island is about a 20-minute walk to the Christmas market, taking you across Venice’s bridges, or you can take a boat and enjoy the festive canal views. Meanwhile on Skyscanner you can find hotels with stays from £92 for two nights over a December weekend.

RAW Christmas Market – Berlin – £109.94

Berlin’s RAW Christmas Market is a unique experience. Set in a former railway repair yard in the hip, alternative neighbourhood of Friedrichshain, it has a medieval theme giving it vaguely Ren Faire vibes. Taking place from November 12 to December 22, you can enjoy this creative market which includes a wooden Ferris wheel, street entertainment, and lots of artistic stalls.

You can fly with Ryanair from London-Stansted to Berlin on November 20 to 22 from £51, making it an ideal time to visit the city. Continue the cool arty theme with a stay at Generator Berlin Mitte , a design-led hotel that has dorms, sleeping pods, and private rooms, from £18.99 a night. A single pod is £29.47 a night, if you’re feeling brave and not claustrophobic, while a private twin ensuite room for the weekend costs £92.82 a night.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Butlin’s is known for its redcoats and fun-filled entertainment but it is the first time that I have visited the holiday site for a themed weekend

If you grew up in the 1990s, there’s something rather special about spending a weekend surrounded by the music, fashion and nostalgia of the decade. That’s exactly what I found at Butlin’s 90s Weekend in Bognor Regis — a fun-filled break that brought back plenty of memories, while offering all the comforts of a modern resort.

We stayed at the Ocean Hotel, which was one of the highlights of the weekend. Our room was comfortable, modern and, best of all, came with views overlooking the sea. Waking up to that view certainly made getting out of bed a little easier, and the hotel provided a relaxing base between all the entertainment and activities.

Our stay also included Premium Dining, with breakfast and dinner included. There was a good variety across the weekend, including Mexican food on Saturday and Indian food on Friday, while Sunday brought the ultimate comfort food in the form of a traditional roast dinner.

Breakfast was very much what you would hope for from a hotel buffet, with a full English, pastries and the usual selection of cereals, fruit and other breakfast favourites. There was plenty of choice, so nobody was going to leave the restaurant hungry.

One of the highlights was Saturday morning’s bottomless brunch, which gave us two hours of food and drinks. It was a great way to start the day and fitted perfectly with the party atmosphere of the weekend.

The entertainment was, of course, a huge part of the experience. On Friday evening, we watched a Madness tribute act, which had the crowd up and enjoying plenty of classic hits.

Saturday night brought a Take That tribute act, providing another dose of 90s nostalgia and plenty of singalong moments.

One part of the weekend that we noticed was a pop up celebrating friendship. Dubbed the UK’s very first Celebrant of Friendship, it saw friends get together in a series of marriage-style vows to turn “we should catch up” into “we do”.

There were a number of ‘Frien-do’ ceremonies in a Chapel of Friendship that we witnessed at the Big Weekenders with many people celebrating and happy to pose for a photo.

I even joined in at one stage holding a plaque that “we do” with two of my friends on the weekend away.

One thing I did miss was the silent disco, which saw people making their way around the resort.

From what I could see, it looked like one of the most entertaining activities of the weekend, with plenty of people getting involved. It was probably the one thing I wished I had made time for.

There was also something wonderfully nostalgic about simply being at Butlin’s for a 90s-themed weekend.

Between the music, entertainment, food and atmosphere, it felt like a chance to switch off from everyday life and have a bit of fun.

For me, the Ocean Hotel room and sea view were another major highlight, giving the weekend a comfortable and relaxing element alongside all the lively entertainment.

Overall, Butlin’s 90s Weekend delivered exactly what I was hoping for: nostalgia, entertainment, plenty of food and a great excuse to relive some of the best music of the decade.

Whether you’re a committed 90s fan or simply looking for a fun weekend away, it’s an experience that’s difficult not to enjoy.

A major rule will come into force this weekend (Sunday, 20 September) for anyone travelling by train – and it’s good news, with the freedom to board other services

There’s nothing worse than your train being cancelled, even more so when you know the next one isn’t for another hour or two, or perhaps that was the last one of the day. Travellers risk being fined if they’re caught on board a railway line or route that differs from their original ticket, with others opting to fork out for a last-minute train ticket on another line, just so they can get home for the evening.

However, this travel dread is about to ease, as passengers will easily be able to board an alternative service with another train operator for free if their original train has been cancelled. The significant change will launch on Sunday, 20 September, in hopes of making rail travel easier, as more train operators are involved in the new scheme, as confirmed by the government.

While cross-operator ticket acceptance is already available across publicly owned train operators, from Sunday, four major railway companies will join the scheme: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and Great Western Railway. This means that a total of 17 train operators will be part of the initiative from this weekend, with East Midlands Railway also set to join, although a date has yet to be confirmed.

What train companies are involved in the scheme?

• c2c
• Gatwick Express
• Greater Anglia
• Great Northern
• LNER
• London Northwestern Railway
• Northern
• Southeastern
• Southern
• Thameslink
• South Western Railway
• Transpennine Express
• West Midlands Railway
• CrossCountry
• Great Western Railway
• Avanti West Coast
• Chiltern Railways

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “This is a simple, common-sense change that puts passengers first. No one should be left stranded because of a fragmented railway when their journey is disrupted. We’re fixing the railway from the ground up, making it simpler, fairer and easier to use, as we move towards Great British Railways and put public service back at the heart of our railways.”

What do I need to do?

If your original train and route are cancelled, you can simply use that same ticket to board another service with a rival railway operator included in the scheme. There’s no need to buy another ticket or to fork out for any additional fees. It’s important to note that the alternative train you’re boarding must depart two hours before or after your originally booked service. Additionally, the service must be a “direct or reasonable alternative route”.

Are there any other changes to train travel?

Elsewhere, new pay-as-you-go services will be launched across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the south-east at more than 100 train stations by next year. This is due to a £156 million investment from the government as part of a ticketing scheme.

A new Great British Railways website and app are also in the works, in hopes of making train travel that much easier. Alex Robertson, chief executive of the independent watchdog, Transport Focus, said: “When passengers are delayed, they just want to get where they need to be, not worry about whether their ticket will be accepted on another train.

“This is a welcome change that we have long called for and should make it easier for people when services are cancelled. The key now is making sure passengers get clear information about their options whenever disruption occurs.”

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

IF YOU are looking for your next weekend adventure, then you’re in luck as a huge £12million attraction set to become the largest of its kind in the UK, is opening in just days.

A new 160-acre outdoor attraction is opening in Oldham, Greater Manchester this weekend and it will be the country’s largest urban farm and eco-park.

Called Northern Roots, the new attraction will open on Saturday, September 19 and boast a Welcome Building, Forestry Skills Centre, outdoor amphitheatre, café and shop and play area.

Part of the attraction is also Snipe Clough Farm – a four-acre farm where produce is grown for the café.

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The café will feature food by award-winning chef, Mary-Ellen McTague and serve breakfast and lunch.

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Dishes currently on the menu include seasonal soup, mezze, tarts, cheese and onion pie, sandwiches, cakes and sweet treats baked on site.

Surrounding the site, there are meadows and a woodland with different trails to explore.

The attraction will host different events, guided walks and arts and wellbeing activities at the destination.

And if you head there this weekend, there will be a huge opening event with fairground rides and performers.

Works on the attraction started five years ago and it sits on land that once used to be home to cotton mills, a coal mine and even a council tip.

By 2030, the £12million attraction aims to be the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.

In the future, the attraction will open additional experiences.

The attraction is also next to the Grade II-listed Alexandra Park and is around a 20-minute walk from Oldham town centre.

Anna Da Silva, Chief Executive of Northern Roots, said: “This project has been built on the belief that nature can be a powerful force for positive change, particularly in urban communities that have historically had less access to green space and opportunity.

“What makes Northern Roots different is that we’re not simply creating a visitor destination.

“We’re creating a place that improves lives, supports businesses, restores habitats, develops skills, strengthens communities and delivers measurable social value.

“When we open our buildings in September, we hope people will see not only what Northern Roots can achieve for Oldham, but what it could teach us about the future of urban regeneration across the UK.”

EUROPE’S biggest pumpkin festival is kicking off in the UK this weekend.

Fans of all things autumn are in for a major treat as the annual event returns for 2026.

Tulleys Farm in West Sussex hosts its epic festival every year, with 100 acres of sprawling pumpkin picking fields, food, rides, entertainment and more on offer.

Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is returning to the farm in a matter of days, as it prepares to open up to the public once again on September 19.

Tickets are available now for the entire seasonal run, which will draw to a close on November 1.

The farm offers both daytime and night sessions, with kids and adult’s tickets both starting from as little as £9.95.

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The pumpkin fields have produced over one million pumpkins and gourds for visitors to pick from this autumn, with everything from shiny, round orange ones to knobbly, unique ones planted all over the patch.

Once fans of fall have secured their pumpkin haul, exploring the festival’s attractions, including the new Pumpkin Village is a must.

It’s the perfect place for adorable photo opportunities. Nestled within the “heart of the festival”, you can explore “winding paths, with wooden bridges leading across gentle streams and peaceful ponds”.

Guests can soar to heights of 108 feet during a ride on the observation ferris wheel or enjoy a spin on the Vintage Carousel, before checking out the themed entertainment dotted around the farm.

There’s dressed-up performers, roaming musicians and quirky street theatre to enjoy.

And for those who love nothing more than a tasty festival treat this time of year, there’s no shortage of food and drink offerings.

Grab a boozy beverage at the Cauldron Bar or a cup of something warming at the Coffee House.

Visitors can toast marshmallows and cheese on open fires or indulge in pasta, pizza, foot-long hotdogs, burgers, Greek delights and much more.

NEW YORK — Donald Trump Jr.’s new wife, Bettina, is confirming that her May wedding weekend celebration was partially funded by a man with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a post on her Instagram page Monday morning signed by the couple, Bettina Trump wrote that the man, Umar Kremlev, was a “dear friend,” who “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding.”

“It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something for which we were and remain incredibly grateful,” it went on.

ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative website, reported earlier Monday that the wedding between Trump Jr. and socialite Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas was heavily funded by Kremlev, a Russian oligarch who heads the International Boxing Association. ProPublica reported that Kremlev “footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses,” including paying to rent out one of two private islands where the three-day party was held and a fireworks show.

In the post, Bettina Trump said that she and the president’s son were married in a private ceremony “surrounded ONLY by our family,”

“The weekend that followed had actually been planned well in advance as a fun weekend with friends. It was never intended to be our wedding weekend. When our original wedding plans changed, we simply decided to get married before it and arrived at an already planned weekend as newlyweds,” it went on. “It’s unfortunate that something so personal and happy can be recast as something political or sinister simply because of who someone is or where they come from. Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda. And sometimes a wedding gift is simply a wedding gift.”

That gift comes as Russia remains at war following its invasion of Ukraine and as the president has failed to broker a promised peace deal between the nations.

Kremlev was recently honored with the Order of Friendship by Putin, according to the International Boxing Association, and accompanied Putin to China as part of a Russian delegation, according to the Chinese state media cited by the outlet.

Trump Jr. has previously been scrutinized over his Russian ties. During the 2016 campaign, his meeting with Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya in Trump Tower was the subject of intense scrutiny by federal and congressional investigators probing whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to meddle in the election.

The meeting had been billed as an opportunity to discuss potentially incriminating information about the president’s then-Democrat opponent, Hillary Rodham Clinton, as part of the Russian government’s efforts to help Trump Jr.’s father win the White House.

Colvin writes for the Associated Press.

A NEW train ticket rule will be rolled out this weekend, allowing passengers to switch to rival operators for free.

The changes look to make disrupted journeys smoother for travellers and mean they won’t be forced to purchase last-minute pricey tickets.

Those left stranded after a train cancellation will be able to travel on services run by different operators at no additional charge, the government has announced.

The changes are set to be introduced on Sunday, September 20, and promise a smoother travel experience for those facing disrupted journeys.

Many travellers will be aware that cross-operator ticket acceptance is already available across all publicly owned operators.

However, as of Sunday, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast and Chiltern Railways will all become part of the scheme too.

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Passengers travelling on any of the services included in the scheme can hop onto the next train if their original route is cancelled, even if it is a different service run by a different operator, without needing to buy a new ticket.

It must be departing two hours before or after your original cancelled service, and the new journey must be a “direct or reasonable alternative route”.

All that is required to complete a journey is showing customer support staff your original ticket to serve as proof of purchase.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “This is a simple, common-sense change that puts passengers first.

“No one should be left stranded because of a fragmented railway when their journey is disrupted.

“We’re fixing the railway from the ground up, making it simpler, fairer and easier to use, as we move towards Great British Railways and put public service back at the heart of our railways.”

It is just one of the moves that comes as part of the government’s overhaul of the rail system.

Ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways, travellers can also expect to see pay-as-you-go services rolled out across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the south-east thanks to a £156million investment by the Government into new ticketing scheme.

A new GBR website and app is also being designed to act as a “one-stop shop” for those heading out on a rail journey.

SINGAPORE: Commodity vessel ‌transits through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a single digit per day at the weekend, preliminary shiptracking data showed on Monday, well below a 10-day average of 14.

Over the weekend, four vessels exited the Gulf through the strait, including a Handysize vessel sailing in ballast, a Handy vessel carrying LPG, a Supramax carrying fertilizer and a Suezmax laden with crude or condensate.

Ten vessels entered the Gulf, ‌including a ‌mini-bulker carrying minor bulk commodities, a Handymax ‌carrying grain, a Panamax carrying metals and a Supramax carrying dry bulk cargo, the data showed.

The figures exclude any vessels that might have crossed the strait with their Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.

A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United ‌Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said ‌early on Sunday.

It said the crew’s status, damage assessment ‌and environmental impact were unknown.

Meanwhile, the vital East-West ‌oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which has helped relieve the logjam in the Strait of Hormuz, was temporarily shut down by a drone attack coming from Iraq, ‌Saudi officials said.

Before the Iran war started on February 28, the strait typically handled about 125 large, commercial vessels per day, including tankers, gas carriers, bulkers and container vessels, accounting for some 20% of the world’s daily crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply.

A US blockade of Iran-related shipping has halted Iranian crude oil exports since it was reimposed in mid-July. In the Bab el-Mandeb strait, 24 and 27 commodity vessels travelled through respectively on Saturday and Sunday, tracking data showed, compared with an average of around 27 ships over the last 10 days.

AS I sit on the train from London Kings Cross to Skipton, my stomach lurches.

I am about to spend the weekend with 16 complete strangers and I’m nervous. In fact, I’m really nervous. The introvert in me wants to fake a stomach bug and slope off home.  

But as soon as I stumble out of my carriage to meet the first arrivals from Outdoor Adventure Girls, a community for women who love hiking, adventure and getting alfresco, my nerves calm as upbeat chatter fills the space.

And by the time dinner rolls around – a tasty veggie lasagne served with garlic bread, at our digs The Kettlewell Hostel – the women are already starting to feel like friends, which is lucky really considering I’m sharing a room with one of them (Thekettlewellhostel.co.uk). 

Hill Start 

The next morning, we don’t let the rain dampen our enthusiasm as we head off to quaint Malham village, 40 minutes’ drive away, to begin our guided 5-mile circular hike.

We’re led by a fully qualified hill leader, the knowledgeable Ginette, and as we walk, we get to know each other better – the youngest in the group is in her early 20s, the eldest in her 60s, and many are trying a walking weekend for the first time.  

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The hike, with its breathtaking vistas across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, takes us around four hours, snaking up past Malham Cove, a 70-metre high, gently curving cliff of white limestone made famous by Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and on to Gordale Scar, a magical hidden limestone gorge.

And for the hardy among us – I am the only taker – there is an opportunity to take a refreshing and invigorating dip in Janet’s Foss, an idyllic waterfall along the route (Yorkshiredales.org.uk). 

By early afternoon, we are all puffed out and head back to the hostel for a chilled paint-and-sip session where we tap into our inner artists to turn canvases into masterpieces.

I create a picture of my new kitten, Siggi, as a take-home present for my fiancé – with the help of a few glasses of prosecco.

Later, we round off the evening with a fun general knowledge quiz night and, for those who are game, a trip to the local pub The King’s Head just three minutes’ stroll away for a last glass of malbec (Kingsheadkettlewell.co.uk).  

The Grassington is greener 

The next morning, an early breakfast of yoghurt, fresh berries and toast with jam kicks things off, before we drive to the nearby market town of Grassington, home to bustling shops, cafes and a farmers market, to begin our second walk of the weekend: a 7km hike through rolling fields and past the picturesque River Wharfe.  

Handily, we finish up at The Fountaine Inn in Linton, where we tuck into a comforting roast of honey roast gammon with garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, maple roast carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens and a hefty Yorkshire pudding, £18.95 (Fountaine innatlinton.co.uk). 

Some 48 hours and a bunch of new friends later, I’m a hiking-weekend convert and make a promise to push myself out of my comfort zone more often. After all, that’s where all the best adventures start, isn’t it? 

BRITAIN’S oldest lido is set to open to the public this weekend for the first time in years.

The historic swimming facility will be open for just one day, giving fans the chance to get a rare peek at 200-year old pool.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, is set to reopen this Sunday for the first time in over three years.

It was first built in 1815 and is the oldest of its kind to exist in the UK, but closed in 1984.

A huge campaign and a £10million refurbishment saw it reopen for just four months in 2023 before it was forced to close again due to flood damage.

The public have not had a chance to visit the Grade II listed lido up until now, with Cleveland Pools Trust running an open day for the public.

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It is important to note that the pools are not currently open for swimming.

So while this is not a chance to have a swim, you will have a chance to hear talks on the future of the site.

Visitors will be able to meet the trustees and volunteers to hear about their vision for the site.

The free event will also have children’s activities and heritage walks around the site.

“This Open Day is an opportunity to shape the future of the pools as we explore a viable and appropriate route to re-opening,” a note on the trustee website explains.

It is running from 10:30am to 4pm, on Sunday, September 13 at Cleveland Pools, Hampton Row, Bath, BA2 6QS.

DUBLIN — President Trump is taking a break this weekend from the pressures of the Iran war and American voter anger over the conflict’s economic fallout by indulging in one of his favorite pastimes: golf.

After observing the somber 25th anniversary on Friday of the 9/11 attacks that killed more than 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, Trump plans to fly to Ireland for a weekend at his eponymous golf resort in Doonbeg on the country’s Atlantic coast. Trump International Golf Links is hosting the Irish Open, which kicked off Thursday.

The president is an avid golfer who hits the links at clubs he owns in Florida, New Jersey and Virginia just about every weekend. Prime Minister Micheál Martin invited Trump to watch the Irish Open during a St. Patrick’s Day trip to Washington in March, and Ireland’s political leaders will most likely see the visit as a chance to maintain warm relations despite differences over trade and foreign policy.

Daniel Mulhall, a former Irish ambassador to the United States, said Irish and U.S. officials will see Trump’s trip “as a happy opportunity for him to have a little bit of R&R in a place that he really loves, which is his golf course in Doonbeg.”

“The relationship with America is on an even keel, which is great because not every country in the world can say that,” he said.

There will be a bit of politics, then golf

Trump plans to sit down on Saturday to talk about trade and international issues with Martin and will also have a brief meeting with President Catherine Connolly, a progressive campaigner who was elected Ireland’s ceremonial head of state last year. He’ll give remarks to business leaders at the U.S. ambassador’s residence, the White House said. Then he’ll travel to Doonbeg to attend the tournament, and possibly present the winner’s trophy on Sunday.

The U.S. and Ireland share ties of history — 30 million Americans claim Irish heritage, and more than 1 million Americans visit Ireland every year — and strong economic bonds. The Irish Treasury takes in billions in corporate tax from U.S. technology and drug companies operating in Ireland, and American firms employ more than 200,000 people in the country.

Ireland is a member of the European Union, a frequent target of Trump’s ire, but so far the country’s lucrative pharmaceutical sector has avoided steep levies.

The Middle East is a potential source of friction. Ireland has recognized a Palestinian state and banned goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, both positions eschewed by the Trump administration.

Martin, who leads a center-right coalition government, struck up a cordial relationship with Trump during his St. Patrick’s Day visits, though Trump said in the Oval Office in March 2025 that “of course” Ireland was among countries taking advantage of the United States.

Not everyone in Ireland is welcoming Trump’s visit. More than 150 Irish lawyers signed a letter objecting to the visit, alleging that through support for conflicts in Gaza and Iran Trump is “executing and enabling war policies which are illegal, causing death and destruction on a massive scale.”

A collection of left-leaning opposition parties, anti-military groups, pro-Palestinian organizations, environmentalists and others plans to demonstrate in Dublin on Saturday.

Trump has forged a role as sports fan-in-chief

Trump’s attendance at the Irish Open continues his trend of appearing at prominent sporting events — and having a hand in organizing some of them in ways that benefit his family business. His clubs in Doral, Fla., and Bedminster, N.J., have each hosted professional golf tournaments this year.

In July, Trump marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence from Britain by staging a UFC fight night on the South Lawn of the White House and sanctioning the first IndyCar race ever held on the streets of Washington.

Since beginning a second term in office in January 2025, he’s attended the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, the FIFA Club World Cup final and the U.S. Open men’s tennis final. He recently announced that he will be at the Presidents Cup golf tournament in late September near Chicago in the traditional role as honorary chairman of the matches.

Last summer, he visited his golf courses in Scotland, meeting then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the trip.

The president’s visit has brought a huge security operation to the rural area 175 miles west of Dublin, complicated by the presence of some 20,000 golf fans attending the Open.

Local councilor Rita McInerney, who owns a shop in Doonbeg, said Trump’s purchase of the golf course in 2014 has been a mixed bag for the town.

She said Doonbeg has been “vilified” by some in Ireland because of its Trump connection, but that the resort is a major employer and a responsible member of the local business community.

The area draws many American tourists, some of whom come because “they love the golf more than they hate Trump,” she said.

“And then there’s a group of people that will come because they follow Trump or they like Trump or they support him in the U.S.,” she said. “And then there’s other people that will avoid the place because he owns it.”

Superville and Lawless write for the Associated Press.

HUNDREDS of thousands of British holidaymakers have faced travel misery this week after a massive air traffic control meltdown left them stranded.

A technical glitch on Tuesday (September 8) triggered chaos at major hubs across the country, leading to the cancellation of more than 2,000 flights arriving or departing the UK.

With the weekend fast approaching, families are wondering: “Will my holiday still go ahead, and who is footing the bill?”

Here is everything you need to know about the current travel situation, why flights have still been grounded, and what aviation bosses are saying.

Will flights be back to normal by the weekend?

The good news for weekend travellers is that the disruption has significantly eased.

Aviation analytics company Cirium confirmed that cancellations are slowing down, with schedules expected to return to normal later today (September 10).

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While 399 flights were cancelled or did not fly on Wednesday, only a “handful” of flights have faced the axe today.

Provided there are no further technical hiccups, weekend flight schedules should run as planned.

Why are airports still cancelling trips?

Even when an air traffic control system is fixed, the aviation network takes time to recover.

Tuesday’s four-hour outage meant that by Wednesday, planes and flight crews were stuck in the wrong locations across the globe.

This creates a “knock-on” effect that airlines have to untangle before schedules can get back on track.

London Heathrow was the worst affected airport on Wednesday, with 79 out of 666 departure flights disrupted.

British Airways (BA) took the biggest hit among airlines, seeing 88 of its 507 scheduled departures affected.

What are airlines and airports saying?

Airlines are furious about the disruption.

BA said it was “sorry” to its customers, but stressed the meltdown was “out of our control”.

Taking a swipe at air traffic bosses, a BA spokesperson said: “Our customers and colleagues are tired of dealing with these issues, time after time. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Meanwhile, Heathrow has assured passengers that it is working with airlines to ensure the majority of flights operate normally.

But the west London hub advised all passengers to double-check with their airline for the latest information before travelling to the airport.

Will I get compensation?

If your flight was cancelled or delayed due to the outage, you’re unlikely to see a payout.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said that the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) meltdown is considered an “extraordinary circumstance”.

Under passenger rights rules, this means airlines do not legally have to pay out compensation for delays or cancellations caused by the incident.

But airlines are still legally required to “look after” passengers, meaning they must provide food, drink, and overnight accommodation if you’re severely delayed or rebooked onto a flight the next day.

Who is to blame?

NATS chief executive Martin Rolfe is facing mounting pressure to resign over the fiasco, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary branding Rolfe’s position as “untenable”.

Despite the backlash, Downing Street has said it still has confidence in Rolfe, who stated he takes “full responsibility” for the outage.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the outage was due to a technical issue at NATS’ Swanwick site, ruling out a cyberattack.

She told MPs she did not believe the issue was “unavoidable” and ordered the CAA to conduct an independent, six-month review into what went wrong.

Welcome to Bunker Talk. This is a weekend open discussion post for the best commenting crew on the net, in which we can chat about all the stuff that went on this week that we didn’t cover. We can also talk about the stuff we did or whatever else grabs your interest. In other words, it’s an off-topic thread.

This week’s caption reads:

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vincenzo Morrison, right, a metal worker, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Opper II, an engineer equipment officer, both with 1st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Combat Readiness Regiment, 1st Marine Logistics Group, utilize an underground bunker to repair a drone’s flight controller during a field exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 19, 2026. The FEX focused on increasing proficiency in tactical communication networks, analog processes, field intermediate maintenance and supply operations, as well as refining Marine combat skills in an expeditionary environment in order to prepare for Exercise Steel Knight 27 at the end of the year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Desiree Ruiz) 

PRIME DIRECTIVES:

• If you want to talk politics, do so respectfully and know that there’s always somebody that isn’t going to agree with you. 
• If you have political differences, hash it out respectfully, stick to the facts, and no childish name-calling or personal attacks of any kind. If you can’t handle yourself in that manner, then please, discuss virtually anything else.
• No drive-by garbage political memes. No conspiracy theory rants. Links to crackpot sites will be axed, too. Trolling and shitposting will not be tolerated. No obsessive behavior about other users. Just don’t interact with folks you don’t like. 
• Do not be a sucker and feed trolls! That’s as much on you as on them. Use the mute button if you don’t like what you see.  
• So unless you have something of quality to say, know how to treat people with respect, understand that everyone isn’t going to subscribe to your exact same worldview, and have come to terms with the reality that there is no perfect solution when it comes to moderation of a community like this, it’s probably best to just move on. 
• Finally, as always, report offenders, please. This doesn’t mean reporting people who don’t share your political views, but we really need your help in this regard.