Trump injured hand in Davos signing ceremony, White House claims

President Donald Trump has been pictured with a large bruise on his left hand while delivering a speech about his Gaza “board of peace” in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump sustained the bruise on Thursday during a signing ceremony for the peace board at the World Economic Forum after the president “hit his hand on the corner of the signing table,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Independent.

A White House official added that Trump, 79, and his physicians have previously noted he is susceptible to hand bruising due to his daily aspirin routine.

Pictures taken at the conference yesterday and this morning, before the peace board signing, showed no bruising, but the markings were prominent in later photos.

Trump often applies heavy makeup to cover bruising on his hands, which the White House previously explained is due to the president meeting “more Americans and [shaking] their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history.”

He addressed his health in a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal and acknowledged that he applies makeup to his hands for when he gets “whacked again by someone”.

“I have makeup that’s, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds,” he said.

The president also told the outlet that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin a day – much higher than the more common, daily low dose of 81 milligrams – and had done so for years.

“I’m a little superstitious,” Trump said. “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”

Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who treated the late vice president Dick Cheney, explained that anticoagulants do not actually thin blood. “So that makes no sense, that actually makes nonsense,” he said on CNN.

“It’s not like changing something from gumbo to chicken soup, it doesn’t make it doesn’t make it thinner. It makes you less likely to clot,” he added.

Trump is the oldest person to assume the presidency, a job that’s constant and has countless stressors. But the president’s doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said that he is in “exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief.”

Eric Garcia contributed to this report

How wolf in sheep’s clothing Stephen proved to be the apex Traitor

Two chests sit on a round table. One contains a shield. The other contains nothing. If Rachel, a communications manager, or James, a gardener, picks the latter, they’re gone. After such a gripping fourth series of The Traitors – 11 episodes of psychological warfare and strategic brilliance – making it to the final now hinges on what’s essentially a glorified coin toss. It was the cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers, leaving millions of viewers no doubt screaming at their tellies as the credits rolled.

While we’ve been watching Rachel observe every emotional leak, though, her fellow Traitor Stephen has been quietly getting on with something far more cunning, being a wolf in sheep’s clothing – or rather, in a cavalcade of impeccable knits tucked into high-waisted jeans. He’s a cybersecurity consultant who knows his way around threats. Including being one.

With just a handful of Faithfuls left – Faraaz, Jack, Jade, and possibly James – the prize could still go to anyone. But the real contest has always been between Traitors Rachel and Stephen themselves.

It’s been a series that has pushed everyone past their psychological (and sometimes physical) limits. James vomited through exhaustion on a Highland hill. Rachel conducted FBI-level preparation for a reality show. Harriet, a barrister turned crime novelist, became so embarrassed by her outburst at Roxy (“Set a cat amongst the pigeons!”) that she issued a public apology and admitted she couldn’t watch herself back on television. Everyone’s marinating in paranoia, slowly losing their grip.

Except Stephen. Far from crumbling under pressure, he’s emanated a sort of breezy contentment; the only thing he seems to take completely seriously is an eye-catching jumpsuit. Yes, his face has launched a thousand memes – those rosy-cheeked, worried expressions – but they might be the greatest misdirection of the series. Stephen’s apparent haplessness has become his greatest asset.

The 32-year-old’s journey makes the strategy clearer. Stephen grew up on the Isle of Lewis, one of Scotland’s more remote islands. He was the first to go to university in a family where it wasn’t the done thing. His father was a butcher who’d always dreamt of being an artist, and his parents made financial sacrifices to push him through. But being gay in a rural community came with a cost of its own. In last week’s episode, Stephen opened up: “For the longest time, I kind of hated myself, actually. I lost my teenage years going to church, trying to pray myself normal,” he said. That he’s made it this far in the series without anyone truly questioning his sincerity speaks to how effectively he’s wielded warmth. His vulnerability is his secret weapon: it’s real, not fake.

Rachel, by contrast, has mobilised her competence – and it’s become her downfall. James nailed her problem at the Round Table: “Rachel is too good of a player to not have been murdered yet if she wasn’t a Traitor.” Her fatal flaw is that her competence became a liability. For seven hours or so, her FBI training – studying micro-expressions, analysing blink rates – paid dividends. The kitchen showdown with Fiona, the strategic dominance, the alliance-building. She knows how to handle heat, too. But this week, the wheels came off. There’s a limit to how many fires you can extinguish before people wonder why you’re always near the flames. Every defence sounds rehearsed, because she’s so accomplished at defending herself. Yet the Traitors’ error – killing Roxy, who trusted them both, instead of youngster Faraaz with his spot-on Rachel theory – might have finally doomed her.

While Rachel’s drawn all the fire, Stephen’s played a quieter game. Track his evolution: in early episodes, he was the tentative lieutenant, wide-eyed and nodding along. When Fiona was banished, aided by a vote from Stephen, the latter summoned up an Oscar-worthy crying performance. Then came the pivot. In the semi-final, speaking to camera, Stephen admitted that although he’d promised Rachel he wouldn’t vote against her, he’d be “stupid” not to plant seeds of doubt. “I’ve got to put my big boy pants on and go with it,” he said. Everything had crystallised. He told Jack they should “consider Rachel”, and at the Round Table, he accused her of using “a carbon copy” of Harriet’s Hugo takedown. Yet when it counted, he stayed loyal to her.

Though Stephen’s appeared genial, guileless even, he’s been protean – shapeshifting depending on who’s watching. In a way, he’s like a much less creepy Uriah Heep from David Copperfield. “I’m a very ’umble person,” Heep insists, while accumulating power through performative weakness. Stephen’s done it through visible anxiety and nice attire. Every cardigan was armour.

Also, let’s not forget he’s been lucky – think of how much attention he was getting before Fiona imploded. Ultimately, though, Stephen was never Rachel’s junior partner. She was his heat shield, burning up on re-entry while he glided through untouched. Rachel lists achievements and sounds guilty; Stephen expresses confusion and sounds Faithful. Tonight reveals whether his survival was genius or fortune. Whatever the outcome, I can’t wait to see what he’s wearing.

Trump claims Greenland deal with Nato will give him ‘total access’

Donald Trump says the deal he claims to have reached on Greenland will give the US “total” and indefinite access to the Danish territory.

Speaking to reporters on his way back from Davos, Trump said the deal would be “much more generous to the United States, so much more generous”, while skirting questions on the territory’s sovereignty.

Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed Trump’s decision earlier this week to rule out military action but said “I don’t know what there is in the agreement, or the deal, about my country.”

Greenlandic MPs have raised concerns that Nato and the US are negotiating a deal without their input, and say Greenland must be at the table on discussions around its future.

Meanwhile, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen arrived on the island on Friday to speak with Greenlandic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after visiting Keir Starmer in the UK on Thursday.

European leaders welcomed the winding down of tensions with Washington over Greenland, but were still shaken on Friday after Donald Trump cast doubt on Nato’s commitment to the US, claiming allied troops who came to America’s aid after 9/11 stayed “off the frontlines” in Afghanistan.

‘Troubles’ themed board game where players can play as IRA condemned

ATroubles-themed board game has been condemned by a survivors’ group for “minimising the suffering” of victims of the Northern Ireland conflict.

The board game, called The Troubles: Shadow War in Northern Ireland, allows players to play as “the British Forces”, “the IRA”, “Loyalist Paramilitaries”, “the Royal Ulster Constabulary” and prominent nationalist or unionist politicians from between 1964 and 1998 in a “card-driven simulation” game.

The Troubles is the term used to describe the ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland between the late 1960s and the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which resulted in more than 3,500 deaths, over half of whom were civilians.

Its social repercussions can still be felt in Northern Ireland today, according to Kenny Donaldson, director of Northern Irish support group South East Fermanagh Foundation, who expressed concerns that the game could prove triggering for survivors of the Troubles across the community.

“We understand this game has been developed over the last five years, but were just made aware of it, and we since spoke with a decent cross-section of victims/survivors to gain their perspective,” he said in a statement to The Independent. “There is significant potential for some victims/survivors to feel triggered by this new US-produced board game and many will feel that it has the effect of minimising their suffering.”

The main image of the game involves a photo of The Petrol Bomber mural, part of the historic “Free Derry Corner”. The game is described on the website as a two-to-six player card simulation game, “depicting the Paramilitary and Security Force conflict”. Cards as part of the game make reference to “Bombing”, “Nutting Squad”, “Internment” and “Bandit Country”.

One card refers to “Stakeknife”, the infamous IRA mole linked to at least 14 murders and 15 abductions, believed to be Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who denied the identity up until he died aged 77 in 2023.

Players adopt the role of a “faction”, from a choice of paramilitary or security forces, and attempt to prevail over their opponents. Paramilitary players are given the option of attacking or colluding with security forces, while political factions can choose to back terrorism, share power or contest elections.

The game has been advertised for pre-sale by US game developers Compass Games since 2021, priced at $85 (£62.82) on their website. It was originally set to be released in 2023, but has since been pushed back. As of Friday morning, following reports from The Belfast Telegraph and The Guardian, it appears to have been removed from the website.

Bill Thomas, the company’s founder and president, told The Guardian the game remained in development and would not be released for several years. “This is not the final version. It’s not even close to being final. It has to be playtested. We’re doing a lot of development on it.”

He added that the intention was for it to be an educational tool.

“Kids in their twenties and thirties in America know nothing about history. You have to make it interesting,” he said, adding that people outside the UK wouldn’t understand the “tough time” endured by Northern Ireland residents unless the history was told in engaging ways. “Do you want that memory to never exist, for no one outside Northern Ireland or the UK to understand that it ever happened?”

Mr Donaldson disputed the idea that the board game could be used for educational purposes, as there was no evidence that the topic was being dealt with in a trauma-informed manner.

“As a group, we are heavily embroiled with different initiatives examining the Troubles through the lens of education, learning and promoting non-recurrence of violence. We engage with this work sensitively and in a trauma-informed manner. It is not evident that this has been the case with this particular board game ‘education resource,’” he said.

“What would be the likely response of 9/11 families were these US producers to make a comparable board game about 9/11, with players being the FBI, a terrorist murdering pilot, etc? Rightly there would be opposition and concern – and that would also be shared by many victims/survivors impacted by ‘The Northern Ireland Troubles.’”

The Independent has contacted Compass Games for comment.

WTF: What the future of travel looks like in 2026

Are we done with viral hotspots? According to travel comparison site KAYAK’s WTF (that’s What The Future, by the way) 2026 trends report, the era of copy-paste travel may finally be winding down. Not because people are travelling less – quite the opposite – but because they’re travelling differently.

Drawing on billions of user searches, an independent survey from more than 14,000 Gen Z and Millennial travellers – including over 2,000 next-gen UK travellers – and exclusive TikTok community insights, KAYAK’s report shows a shift away from headline destinations and performative travel. In their place? Shorter breaks, quieter cities, better value and experiences that feel personal rather than pre-approved.

Here’s what that looks like in practice, and where those trends could take you.

The next “it” destination, it turns out, is the one you haven’t already seen 50 times on your phone. According to KAYAK, 71 per cent of Gen Z and 75 per cent of Millennials actively want to visit places they’ve never been before, while TikTok posts tagged #hiddengems are up more than 50 per cent. Saturation is the new turn-off.

Cork fits that brief neatly. Long treated as a stopping point on the way to somewhere else, Ireland’s second city still flies under the algorithmic radar. Yet it rewards curiosity in small, satisfying ways: a walkable centre, a burgeoning food scene and easy access to coastline and countryside without the fanfare.

Base yourself near Shandon rather than around the busier quays, and start the day with a stroll along the River Lee before the city fully wakes up. For dinner, follow locals to the English Market at lunchtime, then head out to Ballycotton or Garretstown the next morning.

Travellers aren’t cancelling trips in 2026, they’re financing them more creatively. Nearly 30 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers say installment plans will determine how many trips they take, while KAYAK data shows international fares from the UK sitting almost exactly where they were last year. Add a 52 per cent rise in the use of flight price alerts and the picture becomes clear: deal-hunting has gone mainstream.

This shift favours cities that deliver substance without sticker shock. Bilbao still fits the bill, but it’s the city’s everyday pleasures that offer the real value. Skip the Guggenheim café and eat at Gure Toki or Sorginzulo for pintxos done properly. Better still, cross the river into Deusto at lunchtime, where menus del día feel resolutely local and prices soften noticeably. Savvy travellers are stretching budgets without sacrificing experience, and places like Bilbao are making it easy for them.

Forget souvenirs. In 2026, it’s goosebumps people are packing for. More than half of travellers say natural wonders will shape their plans, and 34 per cent list awe-inspiring experiences as a top priority. That’s driving renewed interest in northern landscapes, but not always the obvious ones.

While Tromsø continues to top bucket lists, travellers looking for something fresher are turning towards Christchurch, New Zealand as a gateway rather than a destination in itself. From here, the night skies of the Canterbury plains offer serious dark-sky credentials without the premium price tags of more famous stargazing spots. Pair it with a drive to Lake Tekapo or a night at Mt John Observatory, and prepare to be amazed as the universe puts on one of its more impressive galactic light shows.

AI has officially replaced your mate who “went once and loved it”. Nearly six in 10 travellers say they’d change destination if AI suggested somewhere better, and half would do so for a better deal. Notably, 44 per cent of AI prompts are now about value, not inspiration.

AI can also steer travellers toward lesser-visited cities that prioritise authentic, local experiences over familiar tourist circuits. Fukuoka, in particular, remains one of the country’s most liveable and engaging destinations, offering a compelling blend of modern convenience and rich cultural heritage. Base yourself near Hakata Station for better-value hotels, then eat like a local at the yatai food stalls along the Naka River. It’s informal, affordable and far more revealing than a booked-out tasting menu. Leveraging AI-led planning tools helps today’s savvy travellers to unlock the city’s true potential, moving beyond generic guidebook recommendations.

Luxury, redefined, looks suspiciously like a good night’s sleep. KAYAK’s report shows 69 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials travel primarily for mental reset, while wellness-led luxury continues to rise. The emphasis has shifted from showing off to switching off.

The Greek island of Zakynthos excels here, particularly inland. Head to villages such as Kiliomenos, where evenings are cooler and dinner at family-run tavernas like Latas stretches lazily into the night. No playlists, no dress code, just plates refilled without fuss. For one in five travellers, it’s the small comforts that matter most: a quiet morning, decent coffee, and nowhere you’re expected to be. Wellness travel isn’t about spa breaks and luxury escapes anymore; it’s about coming back better than you left.

The big-city rush is out. In 2026, 84 per cent of younger travellers say they’d rather visit a smaller city or rural area than a major hub. Lower prices help, but the real appeal is authenticity that doesn’t need explaining.

Bastia, in northern Corsica, perfectly exemplifies the trend. Mornings on the old port unfold naturally with fishermen unloading and café chairs scraping into place. Walk up to the Citadelle before the heat builds, then lunch at U San Ghjuvà for unfussy Corsican cooking. These are places where life hasn’t been edited for visitors. Yes, social media still nudges people towards them, but only once they’re already halfway there.

In 2026, the destination is wherever the action is. An overwhelming 95 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel for a major event, whether that’s a concert, a sporting tournament or a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Cities that flex around calendars are winning. In Canada, Toronto works as a terrific base. But those thinking ahead are looking beyond the obvious to places like Halifax, where festivals, touring acts and sporting events are easier to access and far less inflated by demand. Stay near the waterfront, eat at The Bicycle Thief, and let the event anchor the trip rather than dominate it.

Over half of travellers say slower travel helps clear their head, and #slowtravel content has surged by almost 330 per cent on TikTok. But the aim isn’t inactivity, more a break from decision-making.

The Azores remain a benchmark, but similar benefits can be found in places like Praia in Cape Verde. The rhythm is gentle, the beaches walkable, and long lunches at Quintal da Música turn into evenings almost by accident. Headspace holidays aren’t about ticking boxes, they’re about removing friction and the demand for constant optimisation.

Adventure hasn’t disappeared, it’s simply grown up. Nearly one in four travellers now combine light outdoor activity with proper rest, while searches for amenities like terraces, hot tubs and gyms continue to rise. The Great Outdoors is now more likely to be paired with a Quite Decent bottle of wine.

Hilo, on Hawaii’s Big Island, captures that softer approach to adventure perfectly. Base yourself here and mornings might mean walking the edge of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or taking an easy hike through the stunning scenery of Akaka Falls rainforest. Afternoons are for slowing down: soaking in naturally warmed ocean pools, lingering over poke bowls or fresh fish, and letting yourself reset.

Who says holidays have to be long? Nearly two-thirds of travellers plan to take several shorter trips in 2026, with searches for one-to-four-day breaks continuing to rise. The appeal is immediacy: quick resets, minimal planning and maximum reward.

Milan makes for an excellent Nanocation. Trains run on time, neighbourhoods are compact, and finding good food rarely requires much research. Rather than chasing the Duomo and moving on, spend a night in areas like Isola or Porta Venezia, where the city feels lived-in rather than visited. Grab a seat for aperitivo along the Navigli as the working day winds down, eat late without ceremony, and walk everywhere. Milan rewards restraint; do it right, and even 24 hours can feel like a proper break.

With billions of user searches across its platforms, KAYAK helps travellers find their perfect flight, stay, rental car or holiday package. Download the app here and start exploring.

Where Storm Ingrid is set to hit UK this weekend

The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings over the weekend as Storm Ingrid descends upon the UK with heavy rain and lashing winds.

Yellow weather warnings for rain and wind were issued earlier this week and remain until Saturday night for parts of southwest England and Wales, while a weather warning for rain is in place until Sunday morning for parts of Scotland.

The Met Office warning covers Angus, Dundee, northern Fife, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, parts of the Highlands, Moray, Perth and Kinross, and Stirling on Friday.

It warns of a “small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life”. Storm Ingrid was named by the Portuguese national weather service IPMA.

Perth and Kinross Council said many roads in the region were closed due to flooding as of 6am on Friday, including the A94 between A93 Meikleour crossroads and A923 Bendochy crossroads, and the Queen’s Bridge in Perth.

On the railways, ScotRail said speed restrictions will be in place on the Inverness to Edinburgh/Glasgow/Aberdeen, Glasgow to Dumfries, Stranraer to Ayr/Kilmarnock and Glasgow to Mallaig/Oban lines.

Forecasters said: “Rainfall accumulations of 30 to 60mm are likely fairly widely inland, with as much as 80 to 120mm possible over the highest ground exposed to the brisk southeasterly winds.

“Given the nature of the ground following recent rain and snow thaw, this may lead to some flooding in places.

“Rainfall totals will be smaller in coastal areas but strong onshore winds and large waves at times will be additional hazards.”

Forecasters predict that rain will affect parts of eastern Scotland already affected by recent heavy rainfall, leading to further flooding and disruption to travel.

Many areas are likely to see a further 20 to 30mm of rain, and a few places could see 50mm, while above 400 to 500m, a lot of this will fall as snow, forecasters said.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued 22 flood warnings and four flood alerts. Three people in Aberdeenshire had to be rescued from their stranded vehicles by firefighters.

Two people were rescued from a minibus on the B977 near Kintore at around 8.30am on Thursday, while another person was brought to safety from a car in a separate incident at around the same time near Banchory.

In southwest England and Wales, gusts of 45 to 50mph are expected widely inland and could reach up to 60mph near coasts, with winds peaking during Friday evening before gradually easing overnight and into Saturday morning.

The areas affected are:

The Met Office warned those living on the coast to stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves.

“Even from the shore, large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea,” the forecaster said. “Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Minnesota plans ‘economic blackout’ protest against ICE

Labor unions, faith leaders and community members in Minnesota are urging Minnesotans not to work, shop or go to school Friday as part of an “economic blackout” to combat aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

“What we are living through is an economic violence against all of us,” Rodrigo Cardoza, owner of Mercado Central in Minneapolis, told CBS News. “Immigrants are not the problem. We are job creators, partners, community builders.”

More than 400 businesses throughout the region are expected to be closed, according to organizers. Instead of shopping, some residents will participate in a march and rally as well as mourn Renee Good, the 37-year-old mother who was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier this month.

Outrage toward the immigration operations has only intensified this week after it was revealed that agents detained a five-year-old boy earlier this week.

The Department of Homeland Security disputed the narrative about the boy, claiming he was “abandoned” by his father and mother after being approached by immigration officers. A spokesperson for DHS claimed agents brought the boy to McDonald’s and played his favorite music while taking care of him.