years

ONE Brit has shared her top spots in Majorca, after she was due to stay there for just six months… yet is still there 26 years later.

Diana Winskill originally left the UK for Spain back in 1999, for what was supposed to be a short stint as a TUI rep.

Yet, fast forward 26 years, she is still in Majorca.

She said: “I came here when I was 23 for what was supposed to be six months.

“I met my English born husband Chris here, we had two daughters, Imogen and Amelia and I’ve now lived in Majorca longer than I ever lived in the UK.”

She has even seen in that time what Brits love to do when in Majorca, including the all-inclusive holiday options.

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She added: “And then there’s bingo.

“Without fail, we have our loyal customers who love their bingo every evening.

“That’s never changed in my 26 years.”

When it comes to her favourite things to do in Majorca, Diana recommends heading to Sant Elm, which is a quiet coastal village in the south west of the island.

Diana said: “Sant Elm has a very relaxed vibe and beautiful turquoise waters.

“You can relax on the small sandy beach, enjoy lunch and sangria in one of the small restaurants or hop on a boat to Dragonera, a protected uninhabited island where you can find unique wildlife and great hiking routes.”

Another top spot for the TUI rep is Palma city.

She said: “You can’t miss the spectacular cathedral, but many people don’t know about the 11th century Arab baths just around the corner.

“It’s well worth the small entrance fee to experience this little piece of history and interesting architectural elements.”

She added that if you happen to visit Palma on the last Saturday of every month, then you can see the changing of the guard at the Almudaina Palace – which is next to the cathedral.

“This is a fantastic sight where soldiers from the Light infantry regiment of Palma recreate the historical guard shift wearing historical 18th century uniforms,” Diana revealed.

The ceremony includes muskets, sabres and drums and it takes place at midday and 7:30pm in July and August.

For another hidden spot, head to Inca, which is known for having the biggest weekly market on the island.

Or you could head to one of the most varied, vibrant and historical markets in Majorca – Sineu market – which takes place each Wednesday.

Diana shared: “Dating back almost 700 years you’ll find amazing local fruits and vegetables, farm animals, leather products and much more.”

Finally, Diana recommends going for a ride on the historic wooden train that started operating between Palma and the mountain town of Sóller in 1912.

She said: “Beautifully preserved, this charming train journey takes you through stunning countryside and up into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Tramuntana mountains.

“From there you can take the vintage tram to the port area, and then a boat to the breathtaking Sa Calobra bay.

“It is a very spectacular day of sightseeing in the most untouched part of the island.”

Diana works at the adults-only Hotel Globales Santa Lucia, which is located between two sprawling beaches.

The resort is then just a five-minute walk into town and it has an indoor and an outdoor pool, a buffet restaurant and two bars.

She has also noticed how Brits want to do more excursions, such as seeing the markets in Majorca and experiencing the local culture.

She said: “TUI have so many to choose from with local guides who know the island back to front.”

And on the TUI app, travellers can see all their transfer times and can book experiences on their phones.

She added: “Even in winter, the average temperature only drops to 13 degrees, and you still get the most beautiful sunshine even in the colder months.

“My colleagues have become my family, and honestly, working around people on holiday is infectious because everyone’s so positive.”

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Diana Winskill, from Somerset, has lived in Majorca for the last 26 years, having moved to the Spanish island with her husband and kids to work as a TUI holiday rep

When Diana Winskill from Somerset left the UK for a six-month stint in Majorca as a TUI rep in 1999, she never imagined she’d still be welcoming British holidaymakers 26 years later—and still loving every minute.

While a lot has changed in the country and the world over the past quarter of a century, holidaymakers’ patterns are pleasingly regular.

“Brits still absolutely love their all-inclusive holidays. Knowing everything’s included means they can really indulge and not worry about extra costs. And then there’s bingo. Without fail, we have our loyal customers who love their bingo every evening. That’s never changed in my 26 years.”

For the past seven years, Diana has been a friendly face at one of the island’s most popular TUI hotels, the Globales Santa Lucia, welcoming and farewelling hundreds of British travellers each day.

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“I came here when I was 23 for what was supposed to be six months. I met my English-born husband Chris here, we had two daughters, Imogen and Amelia, and I’ve now lived in Majorca longer than I ever lived in the UK,” said Diana.

However, Diana has noticed some major shifts. British holidaymakers are increasingly seeking experiential travel, wanting to immerse themselves in local culture rather than just lounging by the pool.

“Excursions to see the markets in Majorca are getting much more popular. People want to get out and experience the local culture they’re in, and TUI have so many to choose from with local guides who know the island back to front. I’ve also noticed a rise in friendship groups travelling together, moving away from the traditional family or couple getaways”.

However, the biggest transformation has been technology.

“The TUI app has revolutionised everything. Customers now get all their transfer times and can book experiences directly on their phones. When I first started, we wrote everything by hand and phoned through excursion bookings.”

Yet despite the digital revolution, Diana insists that face-to-face contact remains crucial.

“Welcome meetings are still incredibly popular. In a world where everything’s going digital, people still love asking questions and meeting in person. Sometimes you just cannot replace human contact. And so we focus on ensuring we have the knowledge and know-how of the destination to help ensure our guests have the most memorable holidays.”

The adults- only Hotel Globales Santa Lucia is located between the beaches of Son Matias and Palma Nova, meaning there is sea views from each room and it’s just a five minute walk into town. It features an indoor and outdoor pool, and a sociable buffet restaurant and two bars.

“One customer told me she’d been back four times this year just to see me because I make her holiday so special. That’s what makes this job incredible. A lot of people think we’re just salespeople with a smile, but you have to be so well-rounded. We support people when things go wrong, but we’re also there for the magical moments. Holidays mean so much to people”.

Working from a beautiful beachfront hotel with year-round sunshine certainly has its perks.

“Even in winter, the average temperature only drops to 13 degrees, and you still get the most beautiful sunshine even in the colder months. My colleagues have become my family, and honestly, working around people on holiday is infectious because everyone’s so positive.”

A Victorian train station is closing down for over two years amid network upgrades.

Rail commuters are bracing themselves as the station is set to be demolished.

Ravensthorpe station, near Dewsbury, will be shutting down from Sunday, December 14 until the summer of 2028.

Brits traveling between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury will be offered a rail replacement bus service during the closure.

The new, modernised station will re-open 200 metres west from its current location.

Ravensthorpe station will boast a step-free access, shiny new lifts, and a modern footbridge linking platforms.

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A revamped forecourt will make it easier for cars to drop off passengers, while a longer island platform means bigger trains and more seats for commuters.

It’s all part of the massive Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) which focuses on rebuilding huge chunks of the northern rail network.

Engineers are putting in a new four-track railway through the old and new station sites, plus a brand-new Baker Viaduct.

Once complete, it’ll let faster trains overtake slower ones, cutting journey times across the North.

Electric lines are also going up, paving the way for greener, quicker services in the years ahead.

The Ravensthorpe triangle, one of the largest civil engineering sites in the nation, is currently the subject of extensive work.

As part of the road and track realignment work, notable projects to date include the placement of piers for the new Baker Viaduct, the installation of concrete beams to form the new Calder Road bridge, and utility diversions on Thornhill Road.

Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said: “The work to upgrade Ravensthorpe railway station will support the efforts that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is doing to deliver a fully accessible railway that is fit for the 21st century.

“When Ravensthorpe station closes, from Sunday 14 December until the May timetable change in 2026, Northern will be running a rail replacement service between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, connecting to services for a number of destinations, to ensure our customers can continue to travel with as little impact to their journeys as possible.

“We recognise that the work taking place will lead to extended journey times for customers travelling from Ravensthorpe and thank them for their continued patience.”

Direct flights between India and China have resumed as relations between the countries appear to be thawing.

IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata landed in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Monday, carrying about 180 passengers.

Flights between the two countries were first suspended during the Covid pandemic in early 2020 and did not restart after a deadly clash in a disputed Himalayan border area escalated tensions.

But the two countries have been steadily rebuilding relations, and last year they reached a landmark agreement on border patrols.

The Indian government had said the resumption of direct flights would “facilitate people-to-people contact” and help “the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges” in a statement announcing the development earlier this month.

It is part of a series of developments that indicate a gradual normalisation of ties between the neighbours.

In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, meeting President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Earlier that month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had visited India and discussed “de-escalation, delimitation and boundary affairs” with officials in Delhi.

In July, India had also restarted issuing visas for Chinese tourists.

According to travel data provider OAG, the two countries operated around 2,588 scheduled flights in 2019 before services were suspended.

At the Kolkata airport on Sunday evening, airline staff lit brass oil lamps to mark the resumption of direct flights as IndiGo passengers checked in.

A senior Chinese consular official, Qin Yong, told reporters at the airport that it was a “very important day for the India-China relationship”.

Passengers expressed happiness that the time taken to reach China would now reduce.

Krishna Goyal, who said he was travelling for business to China, told ANI news agency that direct flights would boost trade and relations between the countries.

“Earlier, we had to change two or three flights [to reach China]. We used to go to Singapore from Kolkata and from there to China,” he said.

China Eastern Airlines is set to launch a flight connecting Shanghai and Delhi next month. It will fly three times a week from 9 November, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India posted on X.

Additional reporting by Neyaz Farooquee in Delhi

Halloween is nearly upon us which means most of us are enjoying a season of spooky horror films. And when we’re listing the classics, of course Hocus Pocus is one of them

The spookiest time of the year is nearly upon us, AKA Halloween, and it’s the season for pumpkin spiced lattes, dressing up and of course, scary horror movies. But luckily for those scaredy cats among us, there are some Halloween films which aren’t so terrifying.

If you know your stuff, then Hocus Pocus has definitely been on your watchlist in the past, but have you ever noticed this teeny-tiny detail in the movie? The 1993 film is a fantasy comedy film, released by Walt Disney, which follows the Sanderson sisters who are resurrected from the dead after Max Dennison lights the black-flame candle three centuries later.

These three witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, are on mission to suck the souls of children in order to keep themselves young.

Just three years ago, the film released a sequel which then follows on from the iconic 90s movie. Now the TV detective, known as Ivan Mars, couldn’t help but notice one detail about the two storylines.

Posting with his 961,000 Instagram followers, he said: “It took me 30 years to realise this in Hocus Pocus…

“So we know back in 1693 the Sanderson sisters brew their potion to steal a child’s life… And after adding everything, the spell calls for a piece of each witch’s tongue, that’s why all three become younger.

“Now check this out… centuries later in 1993 the witches reunited to do the same with Dani but something’s off… this time only Winnie adds her piece of tongue to the potion and she doesn’t tell her sisters to add theirs…

“So according to the book the potion would have worked for her alone. Does it mean it was Winnie’s plan all along as she never meant to share eternity with anyone else?

“That’s why the second movie focuses on the importance of a Coven as she finally realises she’s nothing without her sisters!”

The post racked up 24,500 likes and hundreds of comments from people who were equally amazed. One said: “Does make sense a lot.”

Another added: “Yeah this makes sense. Winnie was never really about her family, but in the second one she does have a moment of growth.” While a third chimed in: “Good observation.”

And a fourth chimed in: “And they could have waited and released the second one in 2023 to mark 30 years later.”

Applause and cheers from crowds greet train arriving this morning at first new station on the part of the network since 1920s

Railway fanatics flocked to a town in Essex today to be part of history as the first new train station opened on the Eastern main line for 100 years. Beaulieu Park was the first station to open its doors on this part of the UK rail network network since way back in the 1920s. There was great excitement as the 7.20am train pulled in from Colchester for the historic stop. Crowds of people clapped and cheered as the train arrived. Rail chiefs were particularly pleased because the £175m station is opening four months early. Excited passengers were onboard the train which then headed to London Liverpool St. Andy Cross, 47, said: “I just wanted to be part of history. It was a special moment.”

Dozens of passengers were on the platform watching the train arrive. Many took photos and video and some live streamed the event. An hour earlier many were waiting to purchase their tickets.

The station is part of a new super green initiative project near Chelmsford, Essex. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We have been really looking forward to the opening of Beaulieu Park station, the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.

“Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two trains per hour during off peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers.”

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said: “Essex is pioneering the type of infrastructure-supported growth that’s on the national agenda, being bold and ambitious in our commitment to future-proofing the county and putting investment where it’s most needed.

“The new Beaulieu Park station is testament to this, and the role it will play in transforming travel in this part of Chelmsford and surrounding areas will have a positive impact for years to come.

“I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to get the project to this stage. I’m very much looking forward to the station opening.”

The new station will transform travel north of Chelmsford as it will eases pressure on the existing busy Chelmsford train station and reduces car journeys into the city centre.

The station is a significant addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods in the north of the city, which form the first phases of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.

4,350 homes already have planning permission as part of the Garden Community. This includes 1,989 new homes which have already been built, along with the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre providing local shops, community and health services.

This is in addition to the Beaulieu Park School – the first all-through primary and secondary school in Essex.

Another 6,250 homes, a second all-through school campus, up to three primary schools with early years and childcare provision, up to four standalone early-years facilities, more than nine hectares of employment space and walking and cycling routes will also be delivered as part of the Garden Community in the coming years.

Beaulieu Park Station will provide easier and quicker access to jobs, helping the economic development of the area and encouraging further investment.

Beable added: “We expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.”

IF you miss the 1990s, then there is a place in Europe where you can feel like you are back there.

Sitting on the shores of Lake Altausseer in Austria is a small village of Altaussee that’s home to less than 2,000 people.

While it might be small, the village is mighty and there’s plenty still to do there, including a big annual festival.

The village hosts an annual beer festival called Altausseer Bierzelt where you can expect traditional Austrian food, beer, and music.

Each year the Oktoberfest-style experience appears in a tent with locals wearing Lederhosen and Dirndl and brass bands play.

One visitor said: “Altausseer Bierzelt feels like stepping back in time; it’s basically Oktoberfest as it was 30 years ago.

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“Smaller crowds, authentic traditions, and a truly breathtaking backdrop.”

Outside of this, visitors can explore the lake with hikes having incredible views of the towering Loser mountain.

Brown and white alpine-style houses as well as churches and waterfalls can be spotted along the way.

One of the other things to do in the village is head on a salt mine tour where you also get to see the former Nazi Stolen Art Repository, with deep tunnels and even slides in the mine.

If you are visiting during the winter season, there is the ski resort of Loser, which boasts around 29km of slopes with all levels of difficulty.

The village has a few restaurants to choose from including Schneiderwirt, which features an ornate wooden facade and serves comfort dishes.

As for where to stay, accommodation ranges from boutique alpine hotels to guesthouses and family-run inns, many within easy walking distance of the festival.

The easiest way to get to the village is by flying to Salzburg and then hopping on a train for just under two hours.

Flights to Salzburg cost as little as £30 return and from the UK takes an hour and 55 minutes.

Discover more on Salzburg from Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley who visited the city and discovered mountain top fortresses.

To entertain children, one spot you have to see is the Toy Museum where kids can construct palaces, test marble runs and draw in the chalkboard caves.

And hear more about the places where she found tasty Austrian dishes and sweet treats like Salzburger Nockerl.

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Former England footballer Alex Scott has reportedly been lined up by ITV bosses to star in this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and is said to be in ‘advanced talks’

A former England football star turned TV presenter is reportedly in “advanced talks” with ITV bosses to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

Alex Scott, a former Lioness, who has been in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne since 2023, looks set to fly out to Australia after impressing ITV bosses.

According to reports, Alex is keen to show the British public a different side to her personality as they only see her in a professional manner.

A source recently revealed to The Sun: “Alex loves pushing herself out of her comfort zone and where better to do it than the jungle? The public know her as a sportswoman and a serious broadcaster so she thinks she can show people a side to her that they’ve never seen before. “

They added: “Alex is game for anything and is a tough cookie so she’s ready for anything that gets thrown at her — literally.”

Alex recently caused a stir after it emerged that she was considering leaving BBC’s Football Focus, which she joined in 2021, after she was blamed for a drop in viewing figures after replacing Dan Walker.

Another source said: “Alex felt deeply hurt by the unfair criticism, she felt like she had been thrown under the bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.”

However, ITV refuse to conform reports. A show spokesman told the Mirror: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here are just speculation.”

Other names thrown into the mix include actresses Shona McGarty and Lisa Riley, Kelly Brook, Vogue Williams, rapper Aitch, YouTube star Morgan Burtwistle, better known as Angry Ginge, and radio host Nick Ferrari.

Alex’s personal life has been a talking point after it emerged that she was in a relationship with singer Jess Glynne.

But the football pundit revealed that she found it difficult to show emotion after living in an abusive household.

She has described her father as being “stupidly cruel”, and revealed to The Times that he was physically and mentally abusive. This claim has been strongly denied by her father.

She told the publication in March this year: “We weren’t allowed to express emotion. Dad didn’t allow us to hug each other or say ‘I love you’. It had a huge impact on us all.

“To this day, if I want to show people love, I’ll do it by taking them out to dinner and paying. I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like… [rigid]. She was like, ‘Are you not going to put your arms around me?’ But I didn’t know how to do that.”

On hearing the allegations made about him, her father responded at the time and said: “I have no idea why she’s saying all this stuff. I was raised in a strict but loving Jamaican family and Alex should know what they are like. I taught her discipline, I did a lot to help her.”

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West Ham’s miserable Premier League campaign continued with a defeat at Leeds on Friday which ensured their worst start to a season for 52 years.

The result was their third consecuitve defeat under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who remains winless since replacing Graham Potter in September.

The Hammers, who sit 19th in the table, have recorded just one win this season and ironically it arrived against Nottingham Forest, when Nuno was in charge at the City Ground.

A dismal return of just four points in total represents West Ham’s joint-worst at this stage of a league campaign, with the club replicating that tally in the second tier in 1932-33 and 1973-74, when they finished bottom.

Having been appointed with the task of making sure West Ham don’t suffer a relegation that would leave them outside the top flight for the first time since 2011-12, Nuno, who took a point in his first match against Everton, is struggling to find answers.

“There is many problems in our club unfortunately. It is not up to us to hide ourselves behind the problems. Everyone has to be alive and to do much more and be in the right position,” said the Portuguese.

“We were not dealing with our defensive situations and I felt like we needed a striker to hold the ball, so maybe that’s not the greatest from me.

“These kind of mistakes are unacceptable in the Premier League.”

Nuno, also the first West Ham boss to fail to record a win from any of his first four Premier League games since Manuel Pellegrini in September 2018, added: “There is quality there, there is time, but nothing will happen if we don’t change.

“We must change our attitude, we must change the way we approach things, we must commit ourselves better, prepare better, work harder.

“All the things – that is the reality. We don’t expect things to change by themselves. Realising we have time can be a mistake if we don’t change things around quickly.”

Rail buffs and historians getting up early on Sunday to see first new railway station to open for 100 years

Railway historians and fanatics will flock to a town in Essex at 7am on Sunday morning to see the first new train station on the Eastern main line for 100 years.

Beaulieu Park is the first station to open on this part of the UK network since the 1920s. And rail chiefs are expecting a huge amount of interest from trainspotters and rail buffs alike.

They are particularly pleased because the £175m station is opening four months early. The first train will pull in at 7.20am on Sunday.

And already some excited passengers have bought their tickets for the Colchester to London Liverpool St train to be part of history when it stops at the new station.

Andy Cross, 47, said: “I just want to be part of history. It will be great arriving at the first station on the Eastern mainline in such a long time. I’m sure there will be lots of photographers at Beaulieu Park to capture the moment.”

The station is part of a new super green initiative project near Chelmsford. Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of Beaulieu Park station, the first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over 100 years.

“Beaulieu Park station will benefit from a regular and reliable service of up to four trains per hour during peak times and two trains per hour during off peak periods, making rail travel simple and convenient for passengers.”

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, said: “Essex is pioneering the type of infrastructure-supported growth that’s on the national agenda, being bold and ambitious in our commitment to future-proofing the county and putting investment where it’s most needed.

“The new Beaulieu Park station is testament to this, and the role it will play in transforming travel in this part of Chelmsford and surrounding areas will have a positive impact for years to come.

“The progress being made to build the station is remarkable and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work to get the project to this stage. I’m very much looking forward to the station opening.”

The new station is set to transform travel north of Chelmsford as it will eases pressure on the existing busy Chelmsford train station and reduces car journeys into the city centre.

The station is planned to be a significant addition to the Beaulieu and Channels neighbourhoods in the north of the city, which form the first phases of the new Chelmsford Garden Community.

4,350 homes already have planning permission as part of the Garden Community. This includes 1,989 new homes which have already been built, along with the Beaulieu Square Neighbourhood Centre providing local shops, community and health services.

This is in addition to the Beaulieu Park School – the first all-through primary and secondary school in Essex.

Beaulieu Park Station will provide easier and quicker access to jobs, helping the economic development of the area and encouraging further investment.

Beable added: “We expect the new station to be a very attractive and popular option for travellers from that part of Essex.”

IRINA Shayk poses again for Victoria’s Secret — and looks like she’s never been away. 

The Russian beauty, 39, features in a new festive campaign for the lingerie brand. 

Irina, who has a daughter with actor Bradley Cooper, 50, was one of its Angels at a New York fashion show last week. 

She returned to modelling for the brand last year following an eight-year hiatus. 

Irina first shot to fame after appearing on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2011. 

Her breakout moment came the same year as an engagement to football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, who she was with until 2015. 

The supermodel has been linked with NFL legend Tom Brady on and off over the past 12 months.

She was spotted out on a date with the former New England Patriots icon last year.

The pair were then said to have gone their separate ways.

However, the brunette and Brady were said to have rekindled their romance, with the spark clearly still there.

And Irina has shown exactly why she is one of the biggest models in the world in her latest shots.

Michael Jordan was nervous.

All he had to do was sink a free throw, but a lot was riding on that one shot.

It had nothing to do with a championship or a scoring title or the outcome of any meaningful game.

It had everything to do with being Michael Jordan, the man considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

In his new role as a special contributor to NBC’s coverage of the NBA — which returned to the network Tuesday night after a 23-year absence — Jordan was interviewed by Mike Tirico in a segment called “MJ: Insights to Excellence.”

In it, the six-time NBA champion who is still the league’s all-time leader in points per game made a somewhat startling admission.

“I haven’t picked up a ball in years,” Jordan said.

Pressed on the matter by a stunned Tirico, Jordan said he was last persuaded to shoot a ball when he was renting a house during the Ryder Cup (he did not specify that it was the most recent edition of biennial event that took place last month in Farmingdale, N.Y.).

The house had a basketball court, and the home owner wanted his grandchildren to see the legendary player in action. Jordan agreed to attempt one free throw.

“When I stepped up to shoot your free throw, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years,” Jordan said. “The reason being is those kids heard the stories of the parents about what I did 30 years ago. So the expectation is 30 years prior, and I haven’t touched the basketball.”

But this is Air Jordan we’re talking about.

He swished it, right?

Right???

“Absolutely,” Jordan said. “The most gratifying event that made my whole week is that is that I was able to please that kid, not knowing if I could.”

Jordan retired as a player for the third and final time in 2003. Since then, he has become a highly successful businessman — he was the controlling owner of the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets from 2010-2023 (he still retains a minority ownership in the team) and is the controlling owner of the NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing — with a net worth of close to $4 billion.

In addition to his business pursuits, Jordan told Tirico, he strives to spend as much time as possible with his family.

“You never really know when you in the prime of your career how much time you really do not have for family,” Jordan said. “That’s what I have time to do now. I mean, the most valuable asset I have is time. So that’s probably why you don’t see enough of me, because that time I’m trying to spend with family members and things that I’ve been missing out on for such a long time.”

All that said, however, Jordan admits he still loves basketball and does wish he could be out there on the court playing at his peak.

“In all honesty, I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today,” Jordan said. “Because that’s who I am. That type of competition, that type of competitiveness is what I live for, and I miss it. I miss that aspect of playing the game of basketball, being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball.

“But it’s better for me to be sitting here talking to you, as opposed to popping my Achilles and I’m in a wheelchair for a while, but it’s nice to be able to share the things that can still make the game great going forward.”

Before his arrest 12 years ago, Ahmadu Gujja was a strong man in his mid-20s and his family’s breadwinner. Life in Gallari, his village, was simple and fulfilling. He farmed, reared animals, and has supported his widowed mother and seven younger siblings since his father’s death. 

Gallari is a community of the Shuwa Arab tribe in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The remote village lies along Damboa road, 28 km away from Maiduguri, the state’s capital, 12 km from the nearest military base, and 98 km away from Chibok LGA. 

In 2014, a tragedy struck. For Gallari, it meant near extinction. For Ahmadu, it meant losing everything overnight. He had just married his second wife and was eagerly expecting the birth of a child from his first wife when the tragedy unfolded.

When HumAngle met Ahmadu, the weight of the memories of that day was almost unbearable. Blind now from injuries and neglect suffered in detention, he struggled through tears to recall what happened.

“I can never forget the day,” Ahmadu started.

On Thursday in April 2014, one week after the 276 school girls in Chibok were abducted by the infamous Boko Haram group, soldiers in a convoy with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) drove past Gallari without incident. Villagers, including Ahmadu and his neighbour Abubakar, remember seeing them. 

But the following morning, everything changed. Around 9 a.m., soldiers and CJTF members surrounded the village, herding men, women,  and children into a square. 

Ahmadu had barely woken. He was waiting for his wife to finish cooking and to heat water for his bath, a daily routine for Ahmadu before taking his herd to graze. Instead, he was stripped alongside 41 other men. Among them were two strangers, one from a neighbouring village who had come to the market, and another who cut trees for a living. 

“They gathered everyone in the village. They asked if we were Boko Haram. We told them no, but they wanted us to say yes,” Ahmadu recalled.

The soldiers picked all 42 men, tortured them in front of their families, and hauled them away in military trucks to Dalwa, a nearby village. “Some had their ears cut off, others were stabbed. I myself was tied with ropes and beaten by soldiers and members of the CJTF,” Ahmadu recounted the horrors of that morning. 

Before transporting them further, soldiers interrogated the men about the abducted Chibok girls, whether they had seen Boko Haram passing through or witnessed the girls being taken. “We told them we saw nothing, that we don’t know Boko Haram,” Ahmadu told HumAngle.

That same day, the men were moved to Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. The conditions there were appalling, he recounted.

“The cell was very tight, with no good toilet. We could only defecate in a bucket. There was not enough water, and the food was not enough,” Ahmadu said, adding that their hands were tied tight from behind for as long as he could remember.

They were given pap in the morning, maize for lunch, and semovita at night. Soldiers continued to interrogate them, demanding that they confess to being Boko Haram members.

“We suffered to the extent that if we were hiding something, we would have confessed,” he said.

For one week, they endured torture, including being tied up and left under the scorching sun from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., given just a bottle of water and a biscuit. Within days, three of the men had died due to hardship, untreated injuries, and the unbearable living conditions.

Years of darkness 

After a week at Giwa, 39 survivors from Gallari were flown with hundreds of other detainees to a military detention centre in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. The conditions there were even worse. Their clothes were stripped, and their trousers cut short. They were forced to sleep on bare floors. Water was scarce. It was simply depressing, Ahmadu recounted. 

“They gave us water in a teacup, and it was not daily. Sometimes we spend a whole day without water. They gave us tea with bread, but without water, we couldn’t eat. Sometimes, we drank our urine,” he recounted.

The first year was especially deadly. Ahmadu said many detainees died from hunger and suffering. “We have witnessed several cases of dead bodies disposed of in the cell. I did not have the count, but many Gallari men died within that period,” Ahmadu told HumAngle.

It was in Niger that Ahmadu began to lose his sight, first from a head injury during interrogation, then from months in darkness. “They kept us in a cell for one year without seeing the sun. When they later brought us out, they told us to look at the sun. That was when my eyes began to hurt,” he recalled. “I first lost vision from the right eye, then one year later, I lost the vision of the left eye. Turning me completely blind in a protracted year.”

For years, he suffered without treatment. Doctors in the prison said they had no specialist, and he was denied access to outside care. 

After six years in detention, a court declared Ahmadu and others innocent. But instead of being released immediately, they spent more years in detention. 

“The court said we were not guilty, but we still stayed,” he said.

For more than 11 years, Ahmadu did not hear from his family. “I gave up because I had lost everything. I had stopped thinking about home because it only reminded me of memories I had missed and would never get back. I missed my two wives and the unborn child I left,” he said. 

The isolation drove him to despair. At one point, he contemplated suicide. Ahmadu started shedding tears from the eyes he could no longer see with when he recalled the memories.

A shattered homecoming

In 2024, the detainees declared innocent were moved to Mallam Sidi, a rehabilitation centre in Gombe State in the country’s North East, where they underwent social reintegration activities. That same year, HumAngle compiled a list of the 42 men from Gallari who had been arrested and remained untraceable to their families. We submitted the list to the Nigerian army, asking for their whereabouts. HumAngle never heard back. 

But in April 2025, Ahmadu and two brothers from Gallari — Mohammed and Hashim Garba — were freed and reunited with their families in Maiduguri. “Out of the 42 men from Gallari, only five survived. And out of the five, only three of us were released,” Ahmadu told HumAngle. “The other two, Maina Musa and Isa Usman, remain in custody, waiting for court hearings.”

The military transported them to the Maryam Abacha Hospital in Maiduguri. They were received by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which offered them food and asked about their problems. But no medical care was provided. The military then told them to call their families or find their own way home.

For Ahmadu, returning home after 12 years was devastating. His first wife, pregnant at the time of his arrest, had died with her unborn child from grief and trauma. “She was not eating; she vomited up any meal we made her to eat,” Ahmadu’s mother recalled.

His second wife had been abducted by Boko Haram, bore four children for a fighter before fleeing, and when she heard the news of Ahmadu, she tried to reunite with him. But he refused.

Since his release, Ahmadu has continued to suffer excruciating pain in his eyes and head. With no access to proper medical care, he relies only on the little drugs his mother can afford from local vendors, mostly painkillers that provide temporary relief but do not address his actual ailments.

Two months after his return, Ahmadu continues to live with deep trauma that affects his daily life. His mother, who had long lived with little hope of ever seeing her son again, was overjoyed at his release. In her happiness and out of concern for his condition, she quickly arranged a small wedding so that Ahmadu could have a companion to support him through the hardship of his blindness. 

In June, three months after he was freed, Ahmadu married his new wife. Today, the couple depend largely on his ageing mother, who struggles to provide for them from the little income she makes selling dairy milk. “My biggest fear is for my younger ones. My mother is still the one caring for me,” Ahmadu lamented.

He lives in an unfinished building under thatch that barely gives them shelter. It’s the rainy season, and everywhere is leaking in the room when HumAngle visits his home. Now blind and dependent with no livelihood, Ahmadu lives in humiliation. “Whenever it rains, we cannot sleep because the roof leaks. Before, even our goats had better shelter than this,” he said quietly.

Ahmadu lives with trauma and the weight of a lost life. He longs for justice but fears causing unrest. “If I can get my rights without causing any riot in Nigeria, I will be glad. But I don’t want anything that will cause a problem. We need a lot of help;  I need support to start a business so that I can take care of my new family,” he said.

The brothers’ ordeal

Like Ahmadu, Mohammed, 35, and Hashim, 32, were ordinary herders and farmers before the raid. Soldiers seized them alongside the other men of Gallari. Mohammed remembers the day clearly. He was sitting with his wife, about to eat, before taking his animals out to graze. Then soldiers in nearly 40 vehicles surrounded the village. 

From Gallari to Dalwa, then Giwa Barracks, and finally Niger State, the Garba brothers lived through the same cycle of torture and despair as Ahmadu.

“My friend Dahiru died in my presence because of thirst,” Mohammed said. “We could go four days without water. Some of us even drank urine to survive. By the time the Red Cross came to bring carpets and water, 37 of our people had died.”

Hashim recalled how three men died from torture before his distraught eyes within a week at Giwa Barracks. He also watched his elder brother faint under the beatings. Mohammed’s left ear was cut off, his wrists and back etched with scars from where he had been tied. Hashim, too, bore the marks of restraint and filth, his skin discoloured from months without bathing.

When the International Committee of the Red Cross intervened, conditions improved slightly, but the damage was irreversible.

Although eventually declared innocent by the courts, Mohammed and Hashim remained imprisoned. “We were told to calm down, that someday we would be released. It took 11 years,” Mohammed recounted.

At the rehabilitation centre in Gombe, where they were finally transferred, the brothers heard devastating news from home. “I heard that my wife and unborn child had died. My father, too, had died,” Mohammad said quietly. “When we were captured, my wife was pregnant. She gave birth to a dead child because of the way they took us. Later, she also died.”

Hashim’s grief was different but just as heavy. “We came back with nothing,” he said. 

“Even this phone I use was given to me by my mother. I feel shy when I see people I used to know as children, now grown up. Everything has changed while we were gone,” he said.

The brothers returned to find their family scattered and their property gone. Before his arrest, Mohammed owned about 30 cows and goats. His herd and even his house are now gone. “We only depend on our elder brother, who is taking care of our mother. We want to be self-reliant again,” Hashim said. 

Both men carry lasting scars. Mohammed struggles with heart pain and breathing difficulties. Hashim still bears deep marks on his wrists and head.

“When we first came back, I couldn’t even walk to the toilet without help. I had to reduce how much water I drank just to avoid disturbing people every time,” he said.

But beyond the physical pain is the humiliation of starting life from nothing. 

“We don’t want to be beggars. If I can have a wife, I can have someone to help me every day. But now, even marriage is far from us. Before, I married my wife with ₦100,000. Today, you need nearly a million. And I have nothing,”  Mohammed said.

Upon release, Ahmadu, Mohammed, and Hashim told HumAngle that the authorities gave them ₦50,000 cash. “They wasted 12 years of our lives. How can we recover with ₦50,000? I exhausted the money two days after my release,” Mohammed told HumAngle.

‘When we saw them, we cried’

The release of Ahmadu and the Garba brothers broke years of silence but also reopened deep wounds, especially for families who have lost loved ones forever. “When we saw them, we cried. They were unrecognisable,” a relative told HumAngle.

Other locals, like Kellu Janga, spent everything they had chasing hopes of reunion. She turned to people who claimed they could help to secure the men’s release, but those efforts proved futile. Her grief eventually cost her her eyesight, and she now depends on her grandson Abubakar for survival.

“We need the government to tell us where the rest are. We need justice,” Modu, the village’s deputy head and the only man spared during the mass arrest, told HumAngle.

Gallari’s tragedy has remained invisible, overshadowed by global attention to other incidents like the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls that led to the raid. While the world mourned those girls, Gallari’s men vanished in silence. No official explanation has ever been given. The Nigerian Army has not responded to HumAngle’s letters seeking answers.

Children who were toddlers when their fathers were seized are now teenagers, growing up without fatherly support. Some dropped out of school to fend for themselves. 

Abubakar, only ten when his father and uncles were taken, has carried the burden of raising his siblings ever since. “I just want to see my father again. If he is alive, let them bring him back. If not, we deserve to know,” he said.

‘A gross violation of the constitution’

In the North East, transitional justice has often focused on the reintegration of former Boko Haram members through initiatives such as the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration Borno Model (DDRR) programme, a counter-terrorism project aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating surrendered Boko Haram members back into society, and Sulhu, a local peace and deradicalisation initiative. 

While these efforts aim to end violence and rebuild communities, they leave behind unresolved wounds for families whose loved ones were arrested arbitrarily and held without trial for years. For these families, justice is not about reintegration alone but also about truth, accountability, and the right to know the fate of those taken away.

Relatives of detainees interviewed by HumAngle argue that any conversation about reconciliation feels incomplete and one-sided when innocent civilians remain behind bars without trial. Their demand is simple: justice must include the release or fair trial of those held in military detention centres, alongside information about those who have died in custody. 

For them, healing cannot come from dialogue with insurgents while their own sons, brothers, and fathers languish in silence and neglect.

Aisha, one of several individuals and groups in Borno State advocating for justice and the release of their loved ones, expressed the frustration shared by many. “How can we have Sulhu with Boko Haram members who were the cause of the mass arrests, detentions, and killings? Our children, sons, relatives, and parents have been detained without trial for many years, and you want us to accept Sulhu? Release our children if you want justice for all. Our children were innocent when the military arrested them,” she said.

Aisha’s activism began with seeking the release of her own son, arrested along with other youths in a mosque in 2012. Since then, she has become a prominent voice for families whose loved ones remain in military custody.

Sheriff Ibrahim, a lawyer and human rights activist in Maiduguri, described the detention of the Gallari men as “a gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.” He explained that under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended in 2011), no person should be detained for more than 24 hours or at most 48 hours without being charged in court. 

“The law is clear. Anyone arrested should either be charged within that time frame or released on bail. To hold people for over 10 years without trial is unlawful and unconstitutional,” he said.

According to Ibrahim, the fundamental rights of the Gallari men and their families were completely violated. Chapter Four of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, the right to human dignity, and freedom of movement. “These men were presumed innocent but were treated as though they were guilty without evidence. Their families too suffered years of separation, uncertainty, and economic hardship,” he added.

He further noted that survivors and families of those who died in detention have the right to seek justice and compensation from the Nigerian state. “The victims, survivors, and their families can sue the government for unlawful and unjustified detention. There were no prior charges against them, no fair hearing, and no due process. These are the most basic rights guaranteed by law,” Ibrahim told HumAngle.

In contrast to the treatment of Boko Haram fighters and innocent civilians, Ibrahim criticised what he described as double standards in the Nigerian justice system. “Former Boko Haram members who committed crimes against humanity are reintegrated into society through government programmes. Yet innocent civilians like the Gallari men were locked away for years without trial. That is clearly a misplaced priority and a failure of justice,” Ibrahim said.

To prevent such cases in the future, Ibrahim called for an independent committee of inquiry involving civil society groups, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders. 

“There must be transparency and accountability. If anyone is found guilty of aiding or abetting, they should face charges. But if there is insufficient evidence, then the person should be released immediately and compensated. That is the only way to restore public trust in the justice system,” Ibrahim noted. 

This story was produced by HumAngle and co-published with other media.

A TINY station in Northumberland that was closed from the 1960s until last year, has been crowned ‘Britain’s most life-changing station.’

It beat 330 stations across the country for the award – known as ‘The World Cup Of Train Stations,’ and the town itself also has a rich celebrity past from sportsmen to actors.

‘The World Cup Of Stations’ was launched in honour of 200 years of railways in Britain, to bring attention to the stories behind the stations and how much they’ve changed and brought communities together.

Ashington train station, up the road from Newcastle upon Tyne, opened in December last year as part of the restoration of the Northumberland Line.

It was shut due to Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s which resulted in the closure of thousands of stations, but Ashington has made a mighty comeback.

Ashington competed against 330 nominations, which were whittled down to 20 by a judging panel.

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It stood against the likes of Liverpool Lime Street, London Paddington, London Waterloo, Vauxhall and York.

In just over five days, over 24,000 people voted, with Ashington being one of the country’s newest stations in the shortlist.

Trains started running between Newcastle and Ashington in December last year, and it’s not even finished yet as additional stations along the line are set to open next year.

Jacqueline Starr, Rail Delivery Group chief executive officer said: “As we celebrate 200 years of rail history, Ashington shows how investing in stations can transform lives linking people to opportunity, pride, and possibility.”

The Northumberland Line was one of many to be axed as part of the Beeching cuts to the railway in the 1960s but was brought back as part of a £298.5 million redevelopment project.

Ashington sits 15 miles north of Newcastle, close to the coast and was once centre of the coal mining industry.

It was the birthplace of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars like Bobby and Jack Charlton, who were both part of the England national team that won the 1966 World Cup against West Germany.

Jackie Milburn, also born in Ashington and went on to be one of the most legendary players for Newcastle United.

Cricketing brothers Steve and Ben Harmison were born there, and after retiring from cricket, Steve managed his hometown football club in Ashington.

The TV and actor and popstar Robson Green hails from the town too – going on star in top shows like Casualty, Soldier Soldier and more recently, Grantchester.

The top things to do in Ashington on Tripadvisor include exploring the Woodhorn Museum which is based on the town’s mining history.

Inside is memorabilia, gallery exhibitions and trinkets from the days it operated as a mining hub.

It’s known for having lots of woodland and green spaces too which you can see by visiting the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, or taking a walk around the Wansbeck Riverside Park.

On Tuesdays, Ashington holds a market where sellers sell all sorts from food to clothing and gifts.

The town is very close to Newcastle, which is a 30 minute drive away, or along the Northumberland Line, a 48 minute train journey.

It’s not all towns and cities, Ashington is minutes from the coastline with some of the nearest beaches in neighbouring Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

The small seaside town has a north, south and east beach where you’ll spot a fleet of traditional fishing boats – but the coastline is a great spot for paddling in the summer and rock pooling.

Newbiggin is also known to be one of Britain’s most budget-friendly seaside resort.

At the seaside town, you can get a bargain ice cream at Caffe Bertorelli and cheap pints at The Coble pub.

Ashington is near Cresswell Beach too, a sandy spot known for being dog-friendly and a starting point for the Northumberland Coastal Path.

Another great beach is Druridge Bay which has rugged coastline, a seven-mile beach, sand dunes and is popular for activities like birdwatching and horse riding.

These beaches might be about to get even more popular as this year, Northumberland beaches became one of the world’s trending destinations.

The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.

Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”

These include Embleton Bay, Low Newton-by-the-Sea and the seaside town of Bamburgh.

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The first ever Greggs pub has opened in Newcastle – just 30 minutes from Ashington…

Writer Jenna Stevens headed up to Newcastle for the opening of the UK’s first Greggs pub…

When I heard that Greggs were opening a pub, my first thought was “a Greggs sausage roll and a pint in one place? Sign me up!”

But what I wasn’t expecting to find at The Golden Flake Tavern was a traditional, homely pub with an impressive menu that could take on the best of boozers.

The room was decked out with local art, a jukebox, board games and cosy booths. From branded Golden Flake coasters and napkins, to a framed painting of Geordie legends Ant and Dec.

Newcastle is the birthplace of Greggs, so it’s only fitting that the pub has opened in its city centre.

The Golden Flake Tavern’s menu is loaded with Greggs’ best-loved bakes, reimagined as pub dishes.

I opted for the Greggs pub staple: the Sausage Roll and Mash and was wowed by the dish’s posh presentation. The sausage roll had been sliced in half and carefully propped up against the mash like a Michelin star meal.

I tried the Gosforth 1939 Stottie Lager (£6.50) – a beer named with Greggs’ history in mind – and all cocktails are priced at £11.50.

The Golden Flake Tavern is open daily from 11am – 7pm at Fenwick Newcastle. And you need to visit soon as the pub is open to visitors until February 2026.

Read more on the English port town that stars in Hollywood’s top films – from Indiana Jones to Batman and Paddington Bear – with a train station also making the shortlist.

Plus, these two huge cities north of London have been tipped for direct trains to Europe.

A seasoned cabin crew member believes there’s one secret trick that could be a gamechanger — and it’s designed to make the dreaded take-off and landing much easier for the little ones.

Air travel with children is often a stressful feat as they tend to experience discomfort while flying and react to it in different ways. As we approach the October half term, when many families will be jetting off for a well-deserved break, a seasoned cabin crew member has revealed her top tips for travelling with kids.

Andrea Owen, a TUI Cabin Crew member since 2003, has clocked up at least 3,000 flights in her 22-year career. From short hops to long-haul journeys, she’s witnessed hundreds of families take to the skies each week, heading to popular holiday spots like Majorca, the Canaries, Mexico and Jamaica.

With such a wealth of experience, there’s little Andrea hasn’t encountered. She’s seen families cool, calm and collected during their flight, some bubbling over with excitement, while others appear utterly frazzled and overwhelmed.

Andrea reveals: “After all these years of flying, I have looked after thousands of families. I can tell you that the secret to stress-free family travel is preparation. I always tell parents to expect the unexpected, pack more snacks than you think you’ll need, and don’t be afraid to ask crew for help. A lot of us are parents too, and we genuinely want every family to have a great start to their holiday.”

In fact, Andrea believes there’s one secret trick that could be a game-changer — and it’s designed to make the dreaded take-off and landing much easier for the little ones.

Read on for some of Andrea’s tried-and-tested tricks and tips for families travelling with kids in flights this October half term.

Relieve ear pressure

Andrea has shared some top-tier advice for take-offs and landings with young kids. She shares: “This is one of the most common concerns parents ask me about, and it’s really easy to solve. For babies and toddlers, feeding during take-off and landing is brilliant, whether that’s breastfeeding, a bottle, or even just a dummy – the sucking motion helps equalise ear pressure.

“For older children, give them chewy sweets or lollipops about 30 minutes before landing as that’s when the pressure really starts to build. I’ve seen many tears avoided with this simple trick.”

Always carry a range of activities

Andrea recommends throwing together a bag with a mix of toys, activities, and snacks to keep things interesting — and your child engaged. She reveals: “What works brilliantly is either letting them pack their own bag so they’re excited or pack some surprise toys they haven’t seen before. Keep everything small and compact with plenty of pencils, crayons, and paper.

“A surprise sticker book with a little bag of sweets is absolute gold. The games I see working best are Snap, Dobble, and colouring. And here’s a lovely tip – encourage your children to draw pictures for the cabin crew. We absolutely love receiving them and always have a stash of stickers at the ready for every flight.”

Figure out the exact time to board the flight

The in-flight expert notes: “This one really depends on your child’s personality, and you know them best. Some families find that boarding as soon as possible gives them that extra breathing space to get settled, stow the bags, and get the kids comfortable in their seats without feeling rushed. But I’ve also seen plenty of parents who swear by boarding last, especially if their little ones can’t sit still for long.”

Dress kids in multiple layers

The temperature on board can fluctuate throughout the flight. That’s why Andrea always suggests dressing children in layers so they can add or remove clothing to keep themselves comfortable.

She notes: “It’s always handy to pack a spare pair of clothes in your hand luggage just in case of a spill or accident. I’ve seen many parents caught out without a change of clothes, and it makes the rest of the flight uncomfortable for the both of you.”

Pack the home comforts

Andrea advises packing home comforts like a small pillow, blanket or cuddly toys to help children of all ages feel more relaxed.

She shares: “If you’re travelling at times when your child would normally be having a nap or going to bed, I really encourage parents to try and stick to that routine as much as possible. Let them sleep if they want to, you’ll arrive at your destination feeling so much fresher and ready to enjoy your holiday.

“It’s also worth thinking about time zones if you’re flying long haul. Maybe start adjusting their sleep schedule a day or two before you travel. A well-rested child makes for a much happier holiday start.”

Prepare them in advance

The cabin crew expert has some pre-flight advice for parents travelling with kids. “Preparation is everything when it comes to keeping children calm. Before you leave for the airport, talk through exactly what’s going to happen. Checking in, going through security, boarding the plane, and what take-off and landing will feel like.”

Andrea advises: “Let them know about the noises they might hear and explain that their ears might feel different. This is particularly useful if your child is neurodiverse. The key is to make it sound like an exciting adventure rather than something to worry about.”

Snack trays come in handy

Andrea reveals: “Those little snack trays with multiple compartments come in handy. Kids absolutely love them and there’s something about having lots of different treats in separate sections that keeps them entertained for ages. You can fill each compartment with different snacks: fruit, crackers, cheese cubes, raisins, a couple of sweets.”

She adds: “It turns snack time into something fun and interactive, and it means you’re not constantly rummaging through bags. We also have healthy snack boxes for kids available onboard which they love, so there will always be something they can eat.”

Don’t hesitate to ask cabin crew for assistance

Andrea emphasises that cabin crew recognise how daunting it can be for parents travelling with children. She says: “Don’t ever feel worried about asking us for help, that’s what we’re here for. Over my 22 years of flying, I’ve seen everything. We’ve warmed countless bottles, fetched extra sick bags, provided colouring sheets, and even entertained little ones while parents take a breather.

“Many of us are parents ourselves, so we completely understand how overwhelming it can feel. Whether you need extra wipes, help with the overhead locker, or just some reassurance, we’re here to make your journey smoother.”

Andrea advises: “We know flying can feel overwhelming for families, whether it’s your first flight with kids or you have an anxious flyer in the family, there are lots of simple and easy tips you can put into place to make it seem that little bit less daunting.”

The populist government has blamed the 2024 attack on ‘hatred’ spread by opposition and critical media.

A Slovak court has convicted the pensioner who shot Prime Minister Robert Fico last year of a “terror attack” and sentenced him to 21 years in prison.

The Specialised Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica convicted and sentenced 72-year-old Juraj Cintula on Tuesday, saying he had acted “with a motivation to stop a proper functioning of the government” in a “particularly serious” crime.

Cintula, a poet from Levice in western Slovakia, shot Fico four times at close range on May 15, 2024 as the premier left a government meeting in central Slovakia.

He later claimed he was driven by “moral despair”. Fico was left seriously wounded but returned to work two months later.

The shooting and subsequent trial have shaken the small NATO-member country.

Now serving his fourth term as prime minister, Fico has repeatedly accused the liberal opposition and media of fuelling the assassination attempt, without presenting evidence.

Prosecutors originally charged Cintula with premeditated murder, but they later reclassified the shooting as a “terror attack”, citing his political motivation.

Critics have said that since the shooting, the populist Fico has become increasingly divisive, accelerating his alignment of Slovakia’s foreign policy with Russia, increasing criticism of the European Union, and implementing authoritarian and hardline conservative policy.

‘Most likely appeal’

“It was worth it,” local media quoted Cintula as shouting as he left court earlier this month after giving his closing trial statement.

After the shooting, Cintula had told police he wanted to protest against steps taken by Fico’s government, including the halting of military aid to war-ravaged Ukraine, according to a leaked video.

He claimed he had sought to hurt, but not kill, the prime minister.

In his final trial statement, a visibly emotional Cintula told the court he had been overcome with “moral despair”, accusing the prime minister of being “drunk with power” and making “irrational decisions that damage this country”.

He called his defence “a manifesto … for all those who feel that the arrogance of power, corruption and lies has no place in the country where our children will grow up”.

“The premier … embodied years of accumulated frustration and despair,” Cintula said.

Cintula’s lawyer, Namir Alyasry, told reporters after the hearing that he would “most likely appeal” the verdict.

The prime minister was not present at the trial and did not immediately comment on the verdict.

He previously said he forgave the attacker, whom he described as merely a “messenger of evil and political hatred” developed by the “politically unsuccessful and frustrated opposition”.

Since his return to office in 2023, Fico’s government has launched a crackdown on nonprofit organisations, cultural institutions and some media outlets it deems “hostile”, prompting mass protests.

Fico has also angered the opposition by calling for an end to Slovakia’s support for Ukraine, criticising EU sanctions targeting Russia and saying he would not allow Ukraine to join NATO.

Last month, the Slovak parliament approved a constitutional amendment to limit the rights of same-sex couples as part of a sweeping change that also states that national law takes precedence over EU law.

A new supersonic aircraft that could travel from New York to London in just three hours and 40 minutes is being developed by a firm called Boom Supersonic, and early tests seem positive

Supersonic air travel could be making a triumphant return to the skies, nearly two decades after the iconic Concorde was grounded.

A company is currently developing a new supersonic aircraft that could whisk passengers from New York to London in a mere three hours and 40 minutes, taking the mantle of the long-mothballed Concorde. By 2029, it’s suggested that travellers could once again experience supersonic journeys, with flight times significantly shorter than those offered by current commercial airlines.

Concorde’s last flight was 22 years ago, on November 26, 2023, when it departed London’s Heathrow Airport and landing in Bristol, England, greeted by a cheering crowd gathered behind fences near the runway. When at its best, the plane could fly at 1,354 mph. That is more than double the top speed of a Boeing 747, which peaks at a miserly 614mph.

There are numerous reasons why no one has filled the void left by Concorde over the past few decades. We looked into some of those reasons in depth last year.

OPINION

Milo Boyd

READ MORE: Aviation experts slam promises made by ‘new Concorde’ firm as ‘complete bulls**t’

A crucial development has now increased the odds of a supersonic company taking to the skies again, and making a business success of doing so. In June 2025, the United States passed a key piece of legislation lifting the longstanding ban on supersonic travel over land. That means the potential US market has increased hugely.

The new plane, dubbed the Overture by Boom Supersonic, is already undergoing testing. The Overture would fly at Mach 1.7 and twice as fast over water. Major airlines including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Japan Airlines have placed orders and preorders for the Overture to join their fleets, reports the Express.

The aircraft could accommodate between 60-80 passengers and would cruise at an altitude much higher than standard passenger jets, at 60,000 feet.

The original Concorde faced backlash due to its noise levels, but these updated models aim to tackle this issue with modern noise-reduction technology. By 2029, US airline United has announced plans to purchase 15 new supersonic airliners and “return supersonic speeds to aviation”.

The new Overture aircraft will be manufactured by a Denver-based company named Boom. According to Boom, the plane will operate on a minimum of 600 routes.

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Discussing supersonic flights, Nicholas Smith, holidays digital director at Thomas Cook and eSky online travel agency, told Express.co.uk: “While it’s thrilling to imagine this aviation icon back in the skies, it’s unlikely to appeal to the average holidaymaker from the UK jetting off to Benidorm for a week in the sun.

“We see the future of mainstream air travel heading towards larger, more efficient aircraft designed to carry more people, not fewer.

“That said, a modern relaunch focused on sustainability, digital innovation, and safety could carve out a niche for high-end, short-haul luxury routes – such as London to New York in under four hours. It’s not a mass-market solution, but for time-sensitive premium travellers, it could once again become the pinnacle of prestige flying.”

Travel times on routes such as London to New York or Los Angeles to Washington could be slashed to just two hours – a significant reduction from the current six to seven hours.

Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A 0.39%) (BRK.B 0.30%) at the end of the year. But before he does, the conglomerate he’s run for nearly 60 years will make at least one more big acquisition.

The Oracle of Omaha and soon-to-be CEO Greg Abel expect to close on a deal to acquire the petrochemicals business OxyChem from Occidental Petroleum (OXY 0.32%) in the fourth quarter. Berkshire will pay $9.7 billion in cash, which will barely make a dent in the $340 billion sitting on the company’s balance sheet. Still, it represents the largest purchase for Berkshire since Allegheny Corp. in 2022.

The deal is an exceptional example of Warren Buffett’s investing style, which relies on being in a good position to act when great opportunities present themselves. Here’s what Berkshire Hathaway is getting in the deal, and why it’s an absolutely genius move.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

What is Berkshire buying?

OxyChem is a leading petrochemical company, one of the largest producers of caustic soda, potash, chlor-alkali, and PVC. It’s a global operation with 23 facilities worldwide, and Greg Abel described the acquisition as “a robust portfolio of operating assets, supported by an accomplished team.”

However, the industry is facing pressure. Weak pricing for caustic soda and PVC led to disappointing pre-tax earnings in the second quarter of just $213 million. Management revised its outlook for the business for full-year pre-tax income low to between $800 million and $900 million for this year.

Occidental’s management expects the supply side pressure on pricing to mitigate next year. In management’s first quarter earnings call, it said it expects to generate “$1 billion in incremental pre-tax cash flow from non-oil and gas source in 2026, with further expansion in 2027.” Part of that improvement is from modernization of OxyChem facilities.

In the meantime, though, Berkshire is swooping in to buy the assets when the entire industry is near a cyclical trough. The $9.7 billion price tag is estimated to be around 8 times OxyChem’s 2025 EBITDA expectations. That’s roughly in line with other chemical stocks like Eastman Chemical and Dow, but the entire industry is seeing lower earnings multiples due to the same headwinds pushing profits lower at OxyChem.

If the industry turns around as Occidental’s management expects, Berkshire could be getting a heck of a bargain. But the way it’s acquired the business makes it an even better deal for Berkshire and its shareholders.

The cherry on top for Berkshire

The big reason Occidental was willing to sell OxyChem despite expectations that it will see significantly improved earnings and cash flow over the next few years is because it needs cash. The oil and gas company took on additional debt to acquire CrownRock in August of 2024.

The increase in debt on Occidental’s balance sheet was always meant to be temporary. When it announced the acquisition, management said it plans to divest assets and use excess cash flow to reduce its debt levels back below $15 billion. While it’s been aggressive in using excess cash to pay down debt, the company still had $24 billion worth of debt on its balance sheet as of the end of the second quarter.

The cash infusion from Berkshire is set to net $8 billion after taxes. Of that, $6.5 billion will go toward paying down debt, with the other $1.5 billion going to Occidental’s coffers. Combined with debt pay down from excess free cash flow, management expects to meet its sub-$15 billion target.

The debt reduction indirectly benefits Berkshire as well. The conglomerate owns a 28% stake in the business. The stronger balance sheet should support projects to maximize its vast resources in the Permian Basin while improving its free cash flow position with reduced debt burden. That should support long-term growth for the business.

One other aspect of the deal provides tremendous benefits to Berkshire and its investors. Instead of using Berkshire’s preferred shares of Occidental to acquire OxyChem, Buffett and Abel managed to convince the company to take cash. That means Berkshire will continue to collect its 8% annual dividend on the $8.5 billion in preferred shares it continues to hold. That’s a much better yield than the company’s getting on its short-term Treasury bills.

Occidental says it plans to start redeeming those preferred shares in August of 2029, giving Berkshire shareholders at least three more years of extra-high yields. That’s just the cherry on top for Berkshire shareholders, who finally saw Buffett put some of Berkshire’s growing cash pile to work.

A stable income stream is the cornerstone of a worry-free retirement. By receiving reliable payments, retirees can focus on enjoying life rather than stressing over expenses. The right investments are crucial in making this possible.

Investing in high-quality dividend stocks can be a great source of reliable retirement income. Realty Income (O 1.12%) and Oneok (OKE 0.63%) have each demonstrated the durability of their dividend payments over many decades. This proven reliability makes them strong options for those seeking consistent income in retirement.

Image source: Getty Images.

Executing the mission

Realty Income has a clear mission. This real estate investment trust (REIT) aims to provide dependable monthly dividends that grow over time. The company has paid 664 consecutive monthly dividends throughout its history. It has raised its payment 132 times since its public market listing in 1994, including for the past 112 quarters in a row (and for more than 30 consecutive years). It stands out for its consistency among income stocks in the real estate sector.

The REIT offers investors an attractive dividend that currently yields 5.5%. That’s well above average (the S&P 500‘s dividend yield is around 1.2%). As a result, investors can generate more income from every dollar they invest in the company.

Realty Income backs its reliable dividend with very durable cash flows. It owns a diversified real estate portfolio (retail, industrial, gaming, and other properties), net leased to many of the world’s leading companies. Net leases provide it with very predictable cash flow because tenants cover all property operating expenses, including routine maintenance, real estate taxes, and building insurance. Meanwhile, the company owns properties leased to tenants in resilient industries. Over 90% of its rent comes from tenants in sectors resilient to economic downturns and isolated from the pressures of e-commerce, such as grocery stores, distribution facilities, and data centers.

The REIT pays out a conservative percentage of its stable rental income in dividends (about 75% of its adjusted funds from operations). That gives it a comfy cushion while enabling it to retain lots of cash to make additional income-generating real estate investments. Realty Income also has one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector, further enhancing its ability to make new investments. It should have no shortage of investment opportunities in the coming years, given the $14 trillion total estimated market value of real estate suitable for net leases across the U.S. and Europe. The company’s growing portfolio enables it to steadily increase its dividend.

A pillar of stability

Oneok has been one of the most reliable dividend stocks in the pipeline sector. The energy infrastructure company has delivered more than a quarter-century of dividend stability and growth. While Oneok hasn’t increased its payout every single year, it has grown it at a peer-leading rate over the past 10 years by nearly doubling its payment. The company currently offers a 6% dividend yield.

The energy company operates a balanced portfolio of premier energy infrastructure assets, backed predominantly by long-term, fee-based contracts. Those agreements provide it with very stable cash flow to cover its dividend. Oneok also has a strong investment-grade balance sheet backed by a low leverage ratio. This rock-solid financial position gives the company the flexibility to invest in organic expansion projects and make accretive acquisitions to grow its platform.

Oneok currently has several high-return organic expansion projects in the backlog, which it expects to complete through mid-2028. This gives it lots of visibility into its future growth. The company has also made several acquisitions over the past few years, which will continue to boost its bottom line in the coming years as it captures additional synergies. It has ample financial flexibility to approve new expansion projects and make additional acquisitions. With demand for energy expected to continue growing, especially for natural gas, the company should have no shortage of investment opportunities. This fuels Oneok’s view that it can grow its dividend by a 3% to 4% annual rate.

Reliable income stocks

For retirees seeking dependable, growing income, Realty Income and Oneok stand out as proven dividend payers. Their stable cash flow and prudent financial management provide confidence that these companies can continue delivering reliable income for years. Those features make them ideal dividend stocks for retirement portfolios.

Nvidia (NVDA -0.31%) stock has been a fantastic performer over the short and long terms. Shares of the artificial intelligence (AI) chip and infrastructure leader have returned 1,440% and 26,960% over the last three years and decade, respectively, as of Friday, Oct. 17. These performances have transformed a $1,000 investment into $15,400 and $270,600, respectively. By comparison, one grand invested in the S&P 500 index has turned into $1,894 in three years and $3,910 in 10 years.

With Nvidia stock’s eye-popping gains, it’s easy to wonder if you missed your chance at buying shares. The answer is no, in my view, as Nvidia stock has many years of great performance left.

There are two reasons for my optimism. First, the AI revolution is still in its early stages. Second, Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs) are the gold standard for processing AI workloads, and there is no indication that they’re in danger of losing that status, at least not for some time.

Below are my prediction ranges (a best case and a base case) for Nvidia stock’s price in about five years, or by the end of 2030. My estimates are built upon data provided by Nvidia’s CEO and CFO on the company’s most recent quarterly earnings call. (Nvidia’s earnings calls are chock-full of valuable data — and listening to them is worth the time.)

Image source: Getty Images.

Nvidia CFO: “We see $3 [trillion] to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spend by the end of the decade.”

From CFO Colette Kress’ remarks on Nvidia’s fiscal second-quarter earnings call in late August:

We are at the beginning of an industrial revolution that will transform every industry. We see $3 [trillion] to $4 trillion in AI infrastructure spend by the end of the decade. The scale and scope of these [AI infrastructure] buildouts present significant long-term growth opportunities for Nvidia Corporation. [Emphasis mine.]

Numbers from CEO: 58% to 70% of an AI faciility’s cost goes to Nvidia

From CEO Jensen Huang’s remarks on the fiscal Q2 earnings call:

And so our contribution … is a large part of the AI infrastructure. Out of a gigawatt AI factory, which can go [cost] anywhere from … $50 to $60 billion, we represent about $35 [billion] plus or minus of that.

Huang is saying that a typical 1-gigawatt AI data center or other AI facility costs about $50 billion to $60 billion to build, and that about $35 billion of that cost is for Nvidia’s AI technology.

So, about 58% ($35 billion divided by $60 billion) to 70% ($35 billion divided by $50 billion) of the total cost of an AI facility is the cost of buying Nvidia’s tech.

Putting together the data provided by Nvidia’s CFO and CEO

Kress said the company expects total global AI infrastructure spending to be $3 trillion to $4 trillion annually by the end of the decade. (It’s not clear whether she meant by 2029 or 2030, but I’m using 2030 to be conservative. Moreover, Nvidia just published a presentation that uses the $3 trillion to $4 trillion projection by 2030.)

Of that $3 trillion to $4 trillion, Nvidia stands to take in 58% to 70% of it, according to Huang. This assumes that percentage range remains about the same. This will be part of my “best-case estimate,” but I am also going to calculate a “base-case estimate” that assumes Nvidia’s percentage of total AI infrastructure spend declines moderately, by 20%. This will account for the potential for increased competition by chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and others.

Revenue from AI infrastructure spend that Nvidia should generate in about five years:

• Best-case estimate: 58% to 70% of $3 trillion to $4 trillion = $1.74 trillion to $2.8 trillion.
• Base-case estimate: 46% to 56% (I chopped 20% off the percentages in the best-case range) of $3 trillion to $4 trillion = $1.38 trillion to $2.24 trillion.

Calculating my Nvidia stock price target ranges for 2030

Now, I’ll use the numbers calculated above to come up with price target ranges for Nvidia stock in about five years. Two additional data points needed:

• Nvidia stock’s closing price on Oct. 17: $183.22.
• Nvidia’s AI-driven data center revenue was $41.1 billion (of its total revenue of $46.7 billion) in its most recently reported quarter (fiscal Q2, ended July 27). This equates to an annual run rate of $164.4 billion ($41.4 billion X 4).

Nvidia stock best-case price target in five years: $1,942 to $3,115.

1. Nvidia’s projected AI infrastructure revenue in five years: $1.74 trillion to $2.8 trillion.
2. Nvidia’s AI infrastructure revenue currently: annual revenue run rate of $164.4 billion.
3. Step 1 numbers divided by Step 2 number: 10.6 to 17.0. This means Nvidia’s annual data center revenue should increase by 10.6 to 17.0 times in 5 years.
4. Nvidia stock price at market close on Oct. 17: $183.22.
5. Valuation assumption: I am assuming that Nvidia stock’s earnings-based valuation will remain the same in five years. That’s because its valuation is reasonable now given its growth and projected growth dynamics, in my view. (Trailing and forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios are 51.5 and 28.7, respectively.)
6. The above assumption means the conversion from revenue growth (Step 3 numbers) to stock price growth will be straightforward.
7. $183.22 X 10.6 to 17.0.
8. Stock price target in five years: $1,942 to $3,115.

Nvidia stock base-case price target in five years: $1,300 to $2,125.

1. Nvidia’s projected AI infrastructure revenue in five years: $1.38 trillion to $2.24 trillion.
2. Nvidia’s AI infrastructure revenue currently: annual run rate of $164.4 billion.
3. Step 1 numbers divided by Step 2 number: 8.4 to 13.6. So, Nvidia’s annual data center revenue should increase by 8.4 to 13.6 times in five years.
4. Nvidia stock price at market close on Oct. 17: $183.22.
5. Valuation assumption: I am assuming that Nvidia stock’s earnings-based valuation remains the same in five years.
6. The above assumption means the conversion from revenue growth (Step 3 numbers) to stock price growth would be straightforward.
7. BUT, I’m going to assume that the data center platform’s profitability declines modestly due to the possibility of increased competition. I can adjust the factors in Step 3 down by 15% to account for this since I had been assuming a straightforward relationship between revenue, earnings, and price target growth.
8. [8.4 to 13.6] x [85%] = 7.1 to 11.6.
9. $183.22 X 7.1 to 11.6.
10. Stock price target in five years: $1,300 to $2,125.

Why there is upside to both these target ranges

I only considered Nvidia’s data center market platform growth when calculating my price targets. That’s because this AI-driven platform accounts for the vast majority of the company’s revenue and earnings — and stock price gains are usually driven by earnings growth.

In the first half of the current fiscal year, the data center platform accounted for 88% of Nvidia’s total revenue. And it accounted for an even higher percentage of total earnings. That percentage is unknown because management does not break out earnings or other profitability metric by platform. But management has said that its data center platform is more profitable than its overall business. So, the data center platform probably accounts for in the mid-90% of total earnings.

If one or more of the company’s other market platforms (gaming, professional visualization, and auto) grows revenue and earnings tremendously over the next five years, that should be upside for my price targets. The auto platform has the potential to be a big winner over the next five years due to driverless vehicles steadily progressing toward legality. Nvidia’s end-to-end AI-powered driverless tech platform is widely adopted.

Caveat about the economy and overall stock market performance

My estimates assume the U.S. economy remains in at least a minimal growth mode and the stock market remains in a bull market for much of the next five years.

I don’t think a mild and relatively brief recession would derail my Nvidia stock price targets, at least not by much, but a deep or long-lasting recession and long-lasting bear market would almost surely derail them.

My wrap-up

Nvidia stock best-case price target in five years: $1,942 to $3,115. (Of course, the stock would most likely split before it reached these levels, but the underlying growth remains the same.) This equates to Nvidia’s stock price increasing by 10.6 to 17.0 times. It also equates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 60% to 76%.

Nvidia stock base-case price target in five years: $1,300 to $2,125. This equates to Nvidia’s stock price increasing by 7.1 to 11.6 times. It also equates to a CAGR of 48% to 63%.

Taken together, the Nvidia stock price target range in five years is $1,300 to $3,115.