Private jet carrying 8 people crashes at Maine airport amid snowstorm

A private aircraft carrying eight people crashed while attempting to take off from Bangor International airport in the U.S. state of Maine on Sunday night.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a Bombardier Challenger 600 came down during take-off at about 7:45 p.m. local time.

No further details were immediately released by the FAA about the circumstances of the crash, which took place during a massive snowstorm engulfing the U.S.

Much of the eastern half of the country was hit by a powerful winter storm over the weekend, bringing a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow.

The weather system severely disrupted both air and road travel and left hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without electricity, particularly across the southeastern states.

“An incident at the airport is under investigation,” Bangor International Airport said in a Facebook post shortly before 8:30 p.m. “First responders are on scene and assessing the situation.”

A government official briefed on the incident said the aircraft was engulfed in flames after the crash. It had flown to Maine from Texas prior to the accident, Reuters reported.

Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 said on X that it was monitoring reports of an aircraft crash at Bangor, adding that available data suggested the jet had been preparing to take off after landing from Houston.

Audio obtained from LiveATC.net captures exchanges between controllers and pilots discussing poor visibility and the need for de-icing, although it is unclear which aircraft were involved in those conversations.

One controller is heard authorising the pilot to depart from Runway 33. Less than two minutes later, the same frequency carries an urgent message: “All traffic is stopped on the field!”

Soon after, another controller reports the severity of the situation, saying: “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down.”

The airport has been shut for all flights after emergency vehicles were cleared to enter the airfield, reported CNN. In a subsequent transmission, a controller says officials were aware of “three crew and possibly five passengers” on board the aircraft.

The Bombardier Challenger 600, a wide-bodied business jet commonly used for private and charter flights, is typically configured to carry between nine and 11 passengers.

Introduced in 1980, it was the first private jet designed with a so-called “walk-about cabin” and continues to be widely used in the charter market, according to aircharterservice.com.

Nearly 150 areas on flood alert as Met Office weather warnings issued

Almost 150 flood alerts are in place across the country as the Met Office issued fresh weather warnings for heavy rain and wind after Storm Ingrid battered parts of the UK.

Parts of a historic pier crumbled into the sea in Devon, and a sea wall that protects a railway line in Dawlish was brought down as huge waves and heavy rain lashed the coastline early on Saturday.

The forecaster has warned that further volatile weather is on the way, with yellow warnings for southwest, southern and mid-Wales on Monday, extending to southern England on Tuesday.

The forecaster warned that homes and businesses could be flooded, some communities could become cut off, and power cuts are possible.

The Environment Agency has issued 113 flood alerts, indicating flooding is possible, and 20 flood warnings, where deluge is expected, across England on Sunday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued seven flood warnings and three flood alerts, while Natural Resources Wales has two alerts in place.

Outbreaks of heavy rain are expected to bring some transport disruption across the southwest of England, southern and mid-Wales, and some parts of the southeast of England. A yellow rain weather warning is in place across the region from 3pm Monday until midday on Tuesday.

Up to 30mm of rainfall is expected widely, with 50-80mm likely across higher ground, especially Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). With wet conditions before this period, the rain will fall on to saturated ground, accentuating flooding impacts in places. Strong southeasterly winds are also likely.

Another yellow rain warning is in place on Monday between noon and 6pm for County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry and County Tyrone across Northern Ireland. Heavy rain will move northeastwards across the area on Monday afternoon. Up to 20mm of rain is expected to fall widely, with 20-30mm in a few areas and as much as 40mm over high ground.

This will become a rain and wind warning on Tuesday, from 2am until 10pm, as rain will also be accompanied by strong east to southeasterly winds, particularly in northern and eastern areas, where peak gusts of 40-50mph are possible inland and 60-70mph possible along some exposed coasts.

The southeast of England will also experience a downpour from midnight through to midday on Tuesday, with 15-25mm of rain expected to build up widely across the area. A few areas will potentially see 30-40mm of rainfall and as much as 50mm over some hills.

The wet weather continues after Storm Ingrid, so named by the Portuguese Meteorological Service, brought gusts of 45-50mph and wet weather, causing structural damage across vast coastal parts of the UK on Friday night.

On the Yorkshire coast in Tunstall, a decommissioned nuclear bunker crashed onto a beach as the cliff eroded, while waves lashed at the coast across the southwest of England, causing part of the historic Teignmouth Grand Pier to crumble into the sea in Devon overnight. On Saturday morning, the Teignmouth National Coastwatch Institution said they had “never seen it this rough before” even an hour before high tide.

Meanwhile, parts of a sea wall that protects the railway line in Dawlish “just crumbled” after a “very dramatic” night, resident Peter Large told the BBC.

“The wall is now gone at either end,” he said. “I’m looking down at it now and there’s a strip about 80 to 90ft long where the wall has just crumbled. The waves are still crashing over the railway line and over the wall.”

Today and tonight:

Cloudy for many with outbreaks of rain and heavy showers. Further hill snow is likely across parts of northeast Scotland. A few brighter breaks developing at times in the south. Lighter winds for most compared to Saturday.

Largely cloudy with patchy outbreaks of rain, generally easing. Wintry showers mostly in the northeast, with mist and fog patches developing in any cloud breaks in the southeast.

Monday:

Generally cloudy with further outbreaks of rain for northeast England and east Scotland, wintry over the hills. A band of rain and strong winds arriving in the west and spreading eastwards.

Outlook for Tuesday to Thursday:

Remaining unsettled throughout, with rain, showers and possible hill snow moving across the country with strong winds, particularly on Tuesday when another deep area of low pressure arrives. Feeling cold.

How Patrick Dorgu’s reincarnation is spearheading Man United’s revival

There’s an air of Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer to the beginning of this latest interim era at Manchester United. So much has been talked about the club’s missing “DNA”, whatever that may consist of. But under the guidance of Michael Carrick, United are winning big games again – something that historically reflects “The Manchester United Way” – and just like under Solskjaer, a player reborn is at the heart of things.

With Solskjaer, that was a 21-year-old Marcus Rashford, revitalised after being misused out wide by Jose Mourinho. With Carrick, it’s Patrick Dorgu. The Dane has found new life in a United shirt since being moved forward into a winger role, a year on from being signed as a defensive solution by Ruben Amorim. His instrumental performance against the Gunners, including a screamer that few could have conceived, acted as further proof that he has spent the last 12 months held back by the now former United boss.

“Pat’s been a big player for us over the last couple of games attacking-wise – he’s scored two goals, but in terms of his threat and athleticism and his quality coming in as well,” Carrick said. “Delighted for him. His two goals (against Arsenal and Manchester City) are very different goals but you get that because he’s put so much into the performances. It’s nice to see him smiling and happy.”

The early stages held a mirror to Dorgu’s ghost of Old Trafford past. So much of Arsenal’s early joy was coming down the right flank and Dorgu was forced to return to his old post further back, soon finding himself fighting a losing battle against Bukayo Saka.

It was that duel that sparked the Gunners’ opener, with Saka calmly dinking it over the jockeying player’s leg to Martin Odegaard, who forced the issue by firing it into the six yard box occupied by Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez, attached at the hip. Paul Scholes had warned Martinez not to get too high and mighty on his horse after impressing in last week’s derby and perhaps the Argentinian should have listened, with Odegaard’s pass bouncing off Martinez’s heel and into his own net. “When you start talking and shouting your mouth off, this game has a habit of coming and biting you back on the a**e,” Scholes said. He was spot on.

But from the moment Arsenal took the advantage, they too became seemingly intent on being the architects of their own downfall. Bryan Mbeumo found himself bearing down on goal right from the restart as the Gunners gave it away sloppily in midfield, but they were let off when Bruno Fernandes wildly blasted wide from the pull-back.

Mbeumo, United’s top scorer in his maiden season at Old Trafford, maybe should have gone alone and he made sure not to repeat the error when a similar chance was presented to him on a silver platter by the opposition. With the United press closing in, Martin Zubimendi panicked receiving a hospital pass from William Saliba and in trying to play it back to his goalkeeper, the Spaniard set Mbeumo – in his direct eyeline as he played the ball – clean through, with the Cameroonian rounding David Raya to equalise.

“We gave them the goal,” Arteta lamented, struggling to pinpoint why errors proliferated among his players as they allowed United back into the contest. “Errors are a part of football. It was very unlike us but we gave them the goal and hope, and that shifted the energy.” And with renewed spirits, accompanied by the impetus of their new weapon, the visitors came out swinging in the second half.

Though shaky at the back, Dorgu has looked like a new signing going forward. It was something we saw against Newcastle while Ruben Amorim was still in charge, making you wonder just why the stubborn Portuguese boss dragged him back to left wing-back before his eventual sacking. It was in line with his inability to adapt, even when better alternatives were staring him in the face.

Dorgu’s stunning volley five minutes after the restart, crashing in off the underside of Raya’s bar, put an exclamation mark on the error of Amorim’s ways. While Arsenal were far too easily cut open by the link-up of Dorgu and Fernandes, it would be unfair to pin such a spectacular effort on defensive shortcomings. “You get them where it kind of takes your breath away,” Carrick said.

Dorgu often found himself the furthest United player up the pitch. He had been allowed to abandon his defensive duties, with Carrick aware that the opposition half was where he belonged. That was until he was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury, though Carrick is hopeful it’s nothing serious. “He ended up coming off with a little bit of cramp, hopefully it’s nothing worse. At this stage it’s hard to tell so we’ll just have to wait and see, but we’re hoping it’s not too bad.”

Set pieces appeared to come to Arsenal’s rescue once again as Mikel Merino forced the ball over the line in the 84th minute after a goal-mouth scramble. That was their 15th from a set play this season in England’s top flight. Avoiding defeat would have been a huge let-off for the league leaders who, under fresh pressure from Aston Villa after their win at Newcastle earlier in the day, had not particularly threatened after falling behind.

But a piece of individual brilliance from Matheus Cunha three minutes later, who found himself in space to unleash a curler after three Arsenal bodies committed and failed to shut down Kobbie Mainoo, sealed the Gunners’ first home defeat of the season.

“We’re going to win the league,” sung the jubilant away end at full-time. They might be getting a bit ahead of themselves. But as Arsenal’s lead at the top was reduced to four points, seeds of doubt may have been planted into whether the Gunners will achieve that elusive feat.

Louise Hill: ‘I was 47 when I launched my first business – here’s how I did it’

Not many founders can say that their children taking money from them gave them their idea for their business; But that’s what happened to Louise Hill, who launched the children’s prepaid debit card GoHenry in 2012. She’s started noticing small unrecognised payments on her bank statements from her children spending money on their iTunes accounts, without permission. She printed out the receipts, stuck them to the fridge and deducted the amount from their pocket money; Still, they were undeterred.

One Saturday, on the sidelines of her son’s football match, Hill shared her frustrations with other parents. Everyone had a similar story; A child who’d run up a huge bill buying tail and mane decorations for her digital Little Pony. Another had splurged on eBay. Hill realised there needed to be a way for children to spend safely, with a limit, online; For under-18s to budget and build their own money.

Thirteen years later, GoHenry has had 2.3 million members and has a net worth of £6.3m. Hill, a regular at Downing Street, is a CEO, investor, and pioneer for children’s financial literacy who successfully campaigned for financial education to become part of the primary school curriculum in England by 2028.

I didn’t have a wealthy husband, a banker background, or family wealth behind me when I started GoHenry. It was just me, the two kids and a big mortgage. I didn’t really have any savings other than a £2,000 emergency buffer. So, I had to go out and find people who were prepared to believe in the GoHenry vision, gamble on me, and put some money behind it. I was introduced to a financial advisor who knew some high-net-worth individuals who invested in start-ups. Then, we managed to get onto a pitch event run by HSBC and Coutts. It took nearly 18 months to find the funding. We raised £672,000 just to be able to get the business off the ground. It was a long, hard slog. Lots of nos. But we got there.

My parents came from very humble beginnings and worked hard all their life. I wish they’d taught me to invest a bit. It wasn’t something my dad did apart from when Maggie Thatcher sold off the nationalised industries and he bought some shares in BT. I’m determined to teach my kids that investing and using a financial advisor isn’t just for rich people. You can start with a couple of quid and turn it into a nest egg.

I was 47 when I started GoHenry. I’d already had a good career and an ecommerce business called Manners that I sold in 2002 – a long time before my next venture. I was able to bring some experience to GoHenry but I didn’t know anything about banking or finding investment or how to form a board of directors. I’ve learned along the way. The best thing I ever did was joining an entrepreneurs’ group where I learned from people who had been there and done it. There are support group networks.

You should only start a business if you think the idea is strong enough and you’ve got the resilience to do it. You’ve got to be tough – but you can learn that. I hope I’m still very human and warm, but you have to get used to being told no. Whether that’s when you’re trying to get an investment, or in the logistics of your business itself. The first people we spoke to said, ‘Kids can’t have a debit card. What are you talking about? Financial regulations don’t allow it.’ Well, guess what? They do. And now there’s several million children using GoHenry to prove that to be true.

I’m not rich yet. I sold a few shares over the years. So, I’m ok. But I’m not one of those entrepreneurs who sold their business and walked away with a big bank transfer or 10 million or more. My life has changed because of GoHenry – not money. I’ve ended up in some amazing places. I didn’t even realise how many times I’d been in Downing Street until I was sent all the pictures. The business has allowed me to have a loud voice for all the parents and kids that we represent. That’s the difference.

Investing is all about easy access, low entry investing – not buying one set of shares and selling it, hoping to make a quick profit. Put away £10 a week, £20 a month, it doesn’t matter. Put your money into a medium-risk diversified fund and leave it there. Where could that pot end up? The stock market has performed forever at about eight to 10 per cent. So, it makes no sense to put money in a savings account where it’s earning three per cent. Propelle is a company that’s targeted at getting women investing and money confident. I’ll put my hands up and say I’m an investor. They’re doing incredibly well.

All parents should give their children regular pocket money – even if it’s only 50p a week. If you give your child 50p today and £2 in a week’s time, and then nothing for a fortnight, the natural behaviour is they’ll spend it. If they know they’re going to get 50p every week on a Saturday, then it’s incredible how quickly data shows that they start to save up. That gets the savings muscle training early on so they understand that they can spend some but also create a little pot.

My biggest money regret is how many pairs of uncomfortable shoes I’ve bought. None of them fit, but I tried to convince myself they did. Ditto, clothes in the sale. I’m really boring now; I only buy a whole outfit or something I know goes with three or four things in my wardrobe. Also, when I was single and living in London, I bought an old TVR two-seater sports car. I absolutely loved it and it cost me a fortune. But the electrics on it were dodgy. It was like a disco. You tap the brakes and the reverse lights would come on. It was always in the garage, but I thought I was something in my little red sports car.

My best ever purchase was a Mulberry barrel bag with leather handles that I got on sale, with an employee discount, while working my first job on the House of Fraser graduate trainee programme after leaving university. It was £500 and I was earning £7,000 a year. It was a beautiful bag and I used to walk past it every day. When the sale put it at 20 per cent off and they let me have my discount on top, I bought it and still use it today. When talking about clothes and shoes, investment is all about cost per wear; That bag must have cost me pennies per wear because I’ve used it and used it. And it still looks great.

Louise Hill is a champion of FFinc Forward Faster Accelerator 100, a UK-based business accelerator programme designed to help female-founded companies scale their growth faster, which was launched in September 2025. For more information, go to https://ffinc.co/

Trump says stopping his ballroom being built would be ‘devastating’

As the US reeled from the latest shooting of an anti-ICE protester by federal agents, Donald Trump launched a 450-word rant in which he claimed that stopping the construction of his luxurious $400 million presidential ballroom would be “devastating to the White House, our Country, and all concerned.”

In a series of social media posts on Sunday, the president briefly addressed the situation in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, writing: “Minnesota is a Criminal COVER UP of the massive Financial Fraud that has gone on!” He also praised allies for their appearances on Fox News to talk about the situation.

But by far his longest message, which he pinned to the top of his Truth Social feed, concerned the threat posed to the building of his White House ballroom by a lawsuit which seeks to stop it in its tracks.

“I’m building, on top of everything else that I am doing, one of the greatest and most beautiful Ballrooms anywhere in the World, with more than 300 Million Dollars of Great American Patriots’ money, and working closely with, right from the beginning, the United States Military and Secret Service,” the president wrote.

“Making such a large gift to the U.S.A. was thought to be, by almost everyone, ‘A WONDERFUL THING TO DO’ — But no, as usual, I got sued, this time by the Radical Left National (No!)Trust for Historic Preservation, a group that couldn’t care less about our Country!”

In December the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed a lawsuit to halt the construction of the ballroom, arguing that Trump’s administration had violated federal review processes and bypassed Congress with its unilateral demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing.

The president blasted the “obstructionists and troublemakers” over the “baseless lawsuit” in his post, claiming that there was no need for him to seek Congressional approval. “Congress never tried, or wanted, to stop the Ballroom Project!” he claimed.

“The so-called “preservationists,” who get their money from the most unusual of places, should not be allowed to stop this desperately needed addition to our GREAT White House, a place that a President has never needed permission to change or enhance, because of the special grounds on which it sits, no matter how big (and important!), that enhancement may be.

“Additionally, in this instance, it is being done with the design, consent, and approval of the highest levels of the United States Military and Secret Service. The mere bringing of this ridiculous lawsuit has already, unfortunately, exposed this heretofore Top Secret fact.”

He added: “Stoppage of construction, at this late date, when so much has already been ordered and done, would be devastating to the White House, our Country, and all concerned.”

In its suit the National Trust for Historic Preservation contends that federal law prohibits construction on federal parkland in Washington without express congressional authority.

On Friday U.S. District Judge Richard Leon appeared to agree, expressing strong reservations against the construction and questioning whether the president did indeed possess the statutory power to dismantle the East Wing without explicit oversight or authorization.

Judge Leon sharply rebuked a lawyer for the administration, stating, “Come on, be serious,” after comparisons were drawn to minor renovations, such as the installation of a swimming pool during the Gerald Ford administration in the 1970s.

The judge indicated he would issue a ruling in the coming weeks on the National Trust’s request for a preliminary injunction, which aims to halt construction work.

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.

Body found on Devon beach after swimmers went missing on Christmas Day

A body has been found on a beach in Devon after two swimmers went missing from the area on Christmas Day.

Emergency services were called to Exmouth Beach shortly before 3pm on Sunday after receiving reports that a possible body had been seen near the shore.

Police said the body of a man has since been recovered. While formal identification is yet to take place, they added the family of a 64-year-old man from Budleigh Salterton have been informed of the discovery.

It comes after antiques dealer Matthew Upham got into difficulty while taking part in a Christmas Day swim alongside a 47-year-old man, who has not been named.

Another body was found on Tuesday in the search for the two swimmers who disappeared at Budleigh Salterton Beach on 25 December.

Police said the discovery was made at Sandy Bay, Exmouth, at around 8.45am.

Although formal identification is yet to be completed, the individual was thought to be the 47-year-old man.

Police have also not yet confirmed if the body of the 64-year-old man found on Sunday is Mr Upham.

Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day after they were alerted to concerns for people in the stormy water.

A number of people were safely recovered to shore and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution, but two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were not located.

In a statement on his company’s Instagram page, Mr Upham’s family wrote: “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member, Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas morning. Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.”

Singer Kate Bush, who was a friend of Mr Upham, paid tribute to him in a post on her website.

“Matthew was one of my very dearest friends. I’d known him for 30 years,” she said.

“He was one of those people who touched everyone he met. He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.

“His family are heartbroken and along with many of his friends, so am I.

“Matthew was a very strong swimmer. He had a great love for kayaking. He understood that the sea should be respected.”

Gold climbs to new record as experts predict rise will continue

Gold has soared to an unprecedented high, breaching the $5,000 an ounce mark on Monday, as investors flock to the precious metal amidst escalating global uncertainties.

Spot gold XAU= rose 1.98% to $5,081.18 per ounce by 0323 GMT, after touching $5,092.71 earlier. U.S. gold futures GCcv1 for February delivery gained 2.01% to $5,079.30 per ounce.

The metal soared 64% in 2025, supported by sustained safe-haven demand, U.S. monetary policy easing, robust central bank buying – with China extending its gold-buying spree for a fourteenth month in December – and record inflows into exchange-traded funds. Prices have gained more than 17% this year.

The latest catalyst “is effectively this crisis of confidence in the U.S. administration and U.S. assets, that was set off by some of the erratic decision-making from the Trump administration last week”, said Kyle Rodda, a senior market analyst at Capital.com.

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly stepped back on Wednesday from threats to impose tariffs on European allies as leverage to seize Greenland.

Over the weekend, he said he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it followed through on a trade deal with China.

He has also threatened to hit French wines and champagnes with 200% tariffs in an apparent effort to pressure French President Emmanuel Macron into joining his Board of Peace initiative. Some observers fear the board could undermine the United Nations’ role as the main global platform for conflict resolution, though Trump has said it will work with the U.N.

“This Trump administration has caused a permanent rupture in the way things are done, and so now everyone’s kind of running to gold as the only alternative,” Rodda added.

Meanwhile, a rising yen dragged the dollar broadly lower early on Monday, with markets on alert for possible intervention in the yen and investors cutting dollar positions ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting.

A weaker dollar makes greenback-priced gold more affordable for holders of other currencies.

“We expect further upside (for gold). Our current forecast suggests that prices will peak at around $5,500 later this year,” said Philip Newman, director at Metals Focus.

“Periodic pullbacks are likely as investors take profits, but we expect each correction to be short-lived and met with strong buying interest,” Newman added.

Spot silver XAG= was up 5.79% at $108.91 per ounce, after hitting a record of $109.44. Spot platinum XPT= rose 3.77% to $2,871.40 per ounce, after hitting a record high of $2,891.6 earlier in the session, while spot palladium XPD= rose 3.2% to $2,075.30 per ounce, a more than three-year high.

Silver climbed above the $100 mark for the first time on Friday, building on its 147% rise last year as retail-investor flows and momentum-driven buying compounded a prolonged spell of tightness in physical markets for the metal.

Here are some ways to invest in gold:

SPOT MARKET

Large buyers and institutional investors usually buy gold from big banks. Prices in the spot market are determined by real-time supply and demand dynamics.

London is the most influential hub for the spot market, with the London Bullion Market Association setting standards for gold trading and providing a framework for the over-the-counter market to facilitate trades among banks, dealers, and institutions.

China, India, the Middle East and the U.S. are other major gold-trading centres.

Investors can also get exposure to gold via futures exchanges, where people buy or sell a particular commodity at a fixed price on a particular date in the future.

COMEX, part of the New York Mercantile Exchange, is the largest gold futures market in terms of trading volumes.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange, China’s leading commodities exchange, also offers gold futures contracts. The Tokyo Commodity Exchange, popularly known as TOCOM, is another big player in the Asian gold market.

Exchange-traded products or exchange-traded funds issue securities backed by physical metal, allowing people to gain exposure to gold prices without taking delivery of the metal itself. GOL/ETF

Global gold ETFs saw record inflows in 2025, led by North American funds, according to World Gold Council data. Annual inflows surged to $89 billion.

Retail consumers can buy gold from traders selling bars and coins in shops or online. Gold bars and coins are both effective means of investing in physical gold.

Investors in top consumers China and India have moved more towards purchasing bars and coins as opposed to jewellery amid surging spot prices. GOL/AS

INVESTOR INTEREST AND MARKET SENTIMENT

Rising interest from investment funds in recent years has been a major factor behind bullion’s price moves, with sentiment driven by market trends, news and global events fuelling speculative buying or selling of gold.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

Gold is a popular hedge against currency market volatility. It has traditionally moved in the opposite direction to the U.S. dollar, since weakness in the U.S. currency makes dollar-priced gold cheaper for holders of other currencies and vice versa.

MONETARY POLICY AND POLITICAL TENSIONS

The precious metal is widely considered a safe haven during times of uncertainty.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs have over the last year sparked a global trade war, rattling currency markets.

Trump’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and aggressive statements on acquiring Greenland have added to volatility since the start of 2026.

Global central banks’ policy decisions also influence gold’s trajectory. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding gold, since it pays no interest.

CENTRAL BANK GOLD RESERVES

Central banks hold gold in their reserves, and demand from this sector has been robust in recent years because of macroeconomic and political uncertainty.

The World Gold Council said in its annual survey in June that more central banks plan to add to their gold reserves within a year despite high prices.

Net central bank purchases in November totalled 45 metric tons, World Gold Council data showed, pushing the figure for the first 11 months of 2025 to 297 tons as emerging market central banks continued their significant gold buying.

China kept adding gold to its reserves, with its holdings totalling 74.15 million troy ounces at the end of December from 74.12 million in the previous month as it extended its buying spree for the 14th month in a row.

Poland’s central bank, which held 550 tons of gold at end-2025, aims to lift reserves to 700 tons, Governor Adam Glapinski said this month