Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for war in occupied West Bank | Occupied West Bank News

Smotrich told Ynet News that Israel needs to “go to war in Judea and Samaria, to do there what we did in Gaza’.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the Israeli military should “go to war” in the occupied West Bank and repeat what it “did in Gaza”.

Using a biblical term for the occupied West Bank, the minister told Ynet News in an interview published on Sunday that Israel needs to “go to war in Judea and Samaria, to do there what we did in Gaza, to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which is a terror authority”.

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Smotrich was responding to a question on how Israel should combat the increasing “security tensions” in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli violence against Palestinians has been steadily growing since the eruption of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, but the attacks have intensified significantly this year.

“We need to tell” Israeli forces, he said, “Just as you dismantled Hamas in Gaza, there won’t be terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria”. “No terrorists, no weapons, no tunnels.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recorded more than 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank from January to late July, averaging six a day, the highest rate in about 20 years.

Various settler groups, often supported or protected by Israeli soldiers, have attacked Palestinians in several ways, including shootings, besieging homes and engaging in other forms of communal violence that experts have described as “pogroms“.

Rights groups warn that settlers are increasingly armed with military-issued weaponry and wear military uniforms during attacks, blurring the line between settler and soldier.

Military closure

The comments come as Israeli authorities announced a comprehensive military closure across the occupied West Bank, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. The heightened restrictions on the movement of Palestinians are set to remain in place until October 3.

Meanwhile, in occupied East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection from Israeli police on Sunday.

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the Israelis entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate and performed Talmudic rituals, as Israeli forces increased restrictions around the mosque and across Jerusalem’s Old City.

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Amy Childs stuns in lace gown and flowing veil as she ties the knot with Billy Delbosq in lavish second Mallorca wedding

AMY Childs looked utterly stunning this weekend as she tied the knot with her beau Billy Delbosq for a second time in Mallorca.

The TOWIE star wore a breathtaking off-the-shoulder gown for the big day which was made almost entirely from white lace.

Amy Childs has officially tied the knot for a second time as she and Billy Delbosq wed in a stunning Mallorca ceremony this weekend Credit: Splash
The couple had a legal wedding in London back in April before flying out to Spain last week for the big celebration Credit: Splash

Hugging her body in a mermaid style, Amy’s figure looked incredible while a romantic embroidered train cascaded out from behind her.

Amy’s flowing veil was simple but classic, consisting of sheer fabric that allowed the dress to remain the centre of attention.

She left her hair loosely flowing in brunette and honey waves, paired with a neutral but glamorous make up look.

Meanwhile, groom Billy opted to wear a dapper off-white suit jacket with a bow tie.

NO WEIGH

Towie’s Amy Childs shows off body transformation amid stress-induced weight loss


I DO AGAIN

Amy Childs lands in Spain wearing white ‘Mrs Delbosq’ tracksuit ahead of wedding

Amy looked stunning in a completely lace dress with a lengthy train and veil Credit: Splash
Billy was dressed in white as he kissed his blushing bride at the altar Credit: / SplashNews.com
Amy was sweetly joined at the aisle by flower girls, including her own daughter Polly Credit: Splash
180 guests attended the lavish affair in the Spanish countryside Credit: Splash

He finished the loop off with smart dark trousers and a pink posy of flowers pinned onto one of his lapels.

The couple wed surrounded by 180 guests in the stunning Mallorca location, including Towie co-stars such as Jordan Brook and Sophie Kasaei.

Standing at the altar, Amy and Billy appeared overjoyed as white and blush pink roses were styled into arches around them.

Amy was walked down the aisle by her dad, who is also named Billy, with guests all adhering to a black tie dresscode.

The day was all captured on camera for an ITV reality show, meaning fans will get to watch the nuptials soon.

The couple were seen touching down in Spain last week ahead of their second wedding.

The day – which saw Amy’s Towie co-stars in attendance – was all caught on camera for a reality show Credit: Splash
Amy was walked down the aisle by her dad, who is also named Billy Credit: Splash
Towie star Jordan Brook was seen talking to the guests over a microphone during the ceremony Credit: Splash
The couple pulled out all the stops for their lavish nuptials Credit: Splash

Amy was snapped arriving at the airport at 4:00am alongside her husband Billy and their twins Billy and Milly.

She kept her outfit relaxed, wearing a pair of white jogger shorts and a matching zip-up hoodie with her new surname embroidered at the side.

Amid what appeared to be quite the stressful trip, the reality star was spotted cuddling up to her husband at the check-in desk.

Amy and Billy had their first wedding back in April after what they’ve described as a “very rough few months”.

For the first wedding Amy stunned in a white lace corseted dress, while Billy was smart in a navy suit and pristine white trainers.

At the time Amy took to Instagram to share a glimpse of the white dress from Oh Polly.

It was revealed last year in May that Amy and Billy, 42, had decided to postpone their nuptials leaving the couple devastated. 

But TOWIE legend Amy has insisted that they would tie the knot the next year.

Writing on Instagram, she said: “Today would have been our wedding day. Woke up feeling very sad and upset.

“After having a very tough few months we had to make the decision to cancel our dream wedding, we planned, we visited our dream venue, we was so excited.

“BUT i know that 2026 is our year and I can’t wait to Marry you Billy. I’m so excited to get planning.”

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Malaysia’s Eain, Sivasangari book LA28 Olympics berth with Asian Games gold | Olympics

The top seeds defend their Asian Games squash titles, becoming the first players to qualify for the Los Angeles Games.

Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam have made history by becoming the first squash players to qualify for the Summer Olympics after winning gold medals at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The defending champions won the men’s and women’s finals on Sunday and earned a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where squash will make its Olympic debut.

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Squash is among a handful of sports at Aichi-Nagoya where a gold medal serves as automatic qualification for the next Olympics.

Both Eain and Sivasangari successfully defended their titles without dropping a single game in their campaigns. Their victories gave Malaysia its fifth and sixth gold medals.

World number 18 Eain thrashed India’s Abhay Singh 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in 33 minutes at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena and became the first Malaysian to qualify for the Olympics.

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Squash - Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, Japan - September 27, 2026 Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in action during the Women's Singles Gold Medal Match against India's Anahat Singh REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Subramaniam in action during the women’s singles gold medal match [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters]

World number five Sivasangari joined her compatriot soon after when she made quick work of the women’s final against India’s Anahat Singh.

She demolished Singh, ranked 17th in the world, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 in just 23 minutes to clinch gold.

Earlier, Singh, the world junior champion, produced a stellar comeback in the semifinals from two sets down to overpower Japan’s Satomi Watanabe (9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3) on Saturday.

“I think it is the best win of my career,” Singh, 18, said after the match. “She’s number six in the world, and that’s the highest win I’ve ever had in my squash career.”

She made history even before Sunday’s match began when her semifinal victory made her the first Indian woman to reach the singles final at the Asian Games.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan picked up two more bronze medals at the games as third seed Noor Zaman toppled compatriot Ashab Irfan 3-0 in the bronze medal match. Watanabe took a 3-1 win over Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan.

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Squash - Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, Japan - September 27, 2026 Pakistan's Noor Zaman celebrates after winning his Men's Singles 3/4 Play-off against Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Pakistan’s Noor Zaman celebrates after winning his bronze medal match against compatriot Ashab Irfan [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters]

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Sunday 27 September Independence Day in Turkmenistan


The provided text from Occasional Digest primarily chronicles the historical trajectory of Turkmenistan in honor of its Independence Day on September 27th. It outlines the region’s long history of foreign conquest by figures like Alexander the Great before detailing the eventual Russian annexation in the late 19th century. The source explains the nation’s transition from a Soviet republic to a sovereign state following the 1991 collapse of the USSR. Additionally, the digest includes brief historical snapshots of neighboring Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, emphasizing their shared themes of imperial ruleand liberation. Modern global headlin … 



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Massive Attack singer arrested over pro-Palestine protest in UK | Gaza

A singer from English band Massive Attack, Robert Del Naja, was arrested in Liverpool while protesting genocide in Gaza and denouncing the UK’s ban on Palestine Action. Demonstrators had gathered to demand the UK stops arming Israel ahead of the first Labour Party conference under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

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Ed Sheeran’s concerts at Gillette Stadium canceled

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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I visited the Maldives of Italy with new easyJet flights and famous ‘little ears’ pasta

IT’S 10pm on a Sunday and I’m dancing alongside 50 strangers, an Aperol spritz in one hand and a skewered olive in the other.

I’m at La Ciclatera Sotto Il Mare, a bar tucked into the medieval walls of Bari in southern Italy.

Bari’s stunning seafront at dusk Credit: Getty
Polignano a Mare beach in cliffs Credit: Getty

This historic port city is the capital of Puglia, sitting in the heel of Italy’s boot on the Adriatic coast.

And it’s that same coastline I’m now gazing at, swaying to Italian tunes the locals know every word to as they dig into shared pizza boxes.

It’s a moment that really captures the city’s vibe, and is just one of many reasons to see it for yourself.

This summer, easyJet started flying to Bari from Manchester, joining its existing routes from Gatwick and Bristol. With a flight time of just under three hours, it’s a fresh alternative to the usual long weekend in Barcelona or Lisbon.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands


TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Until now, Bari has largely been known to Brits as a stepping stone to the more famous corners of Puglia — but it deserves better..

Bari’s real charm lies in its old town, Bari Vecchia, where you can easily lose a whole day.

Its alleys twist between pale stone houses strung with washing lines, past tiny churches and crumbling shopfronts, before opening on to squares packed with restaurants, bars and trendy gelato spots.

Despite being on the coast, Bari isn’t brimming with beaches but there are still sunbathing spots — Pane e Pomodoro is a 30-minute stroll from the centre.

This small stretch of sand is easy to swim from and dotted with bars. It gets very busy at weekends though, so arrive early.

Those after a bit of culture should check out the Basilica di San Nicola, an 11th-century church built to house the remains of Saint Nicholas, the man who inspired Santa Claus.

A few streets away, there’s the 12th-century Castello Svevo, which has a museum and art exhibitions, as well as panoramic vistas from its ramparts.

But the biggest attraction in Bari is the food. It is the birthplace of orecchiette — the “little ears” pasta shape Puglia is famous for — and you’ll find it on most menus.

The best I had was at La Beuat, a modern seafood spot on a tiny square in the Carbonara district.

Every table was full of locals tucking into dishes such as grilled octopus and fiery spaghetti all’assassina — Bari’s signature pasta cooked in a scorching pan until the edges char.

Three courses for two with wine came to around €60 (£50), which is fairly standard for a good quality meal in the old town.

For more traditional vibes, La Cantina dello Zio is a family-run trattoria famous for its orecchiette with turnip tops.

The huts of heritage site Alberobello Credit: Alamy
Bari’s famous ‘little ears’ pasta, orecchiette, with turnip greens Credit: Alamy

Another favourite was Osteria del Borgo on Piazza Mercantile, one of the old town’s most atmospheric squares.

As I ended every evening with a stomach full of pasta, I was grateful for the short walk back to my hotel, the 4* Movenpick Bari.

Rooms are contemporary and comfortable and breakfast is served on the eighth floor, which has sweeping views of the city and harbour.

Bari is a great base for exploring the Puglia region and Ionian coast, where powder-white sands have earned it the nickname “the Maldives of Italy”.

Hire a car from around £30 per day to reach the more remote areas or let the train take the strain.

Polignano a Mare, the clifftop town famed for its beach carved into the cliffs, is fewer than 30 minutes away from Bari by rail.

Monopoli, with its whitewashed old town and string of turquoise coves, is also well worth an afternoon visit for a swim and plate of pasta by the harbour.

A little further afield is Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is renowned for its trulli (traditional cone-roofed stone huts).

That said, you don’t have to go far. Bari has more than enough charm, food and character to fill a long weekend — especially if you plan your days around what’s on the menu.

GO: BARI

GETTING THERE: easyJet runs direct flights from Manchester, Gatwick and Bristol to Bari from May to October, from £32.99 each way.

See easyjet.com.

STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Mövenpick Bari start from £117 per night.

See movenpick.accor.com.

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Maiara Niehues lifts Angel City to victory over Washington

Maiara Niehues scored in the 88th minute for visiting Angel City in a 1-0 win Saturday that sent the Washington Spirit a third straight loss.

Carina Lageyre found Niehues at the top of the penalty area with two minutes remaining in regulation.

Both Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made just two saves.

Angel City improved to 12-8-6.

The Spirit fell to 14-8-4.

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Israel’s Netanyahu criticises opposition uniting against him for elections | Elections News

Five opposition leaders agree to cooperate to boost voter turnout to secure a majority in the October 27 elections.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the opposition leaders who began coordinating to replace his government ahead of the October 27 Knesset elections.

The five politicians met at opposition leader Yair Lapid’s home in Tel Aviv on Saturday to coordinate their strategy before the elections, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

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In his first response to the agreement, Netanyahu claimed Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot would seek to form a government with Yair Lapid, Yair Golan, Bennett 2026, Yisrael Beiteinu and Arab parties.

“Only a strong Likud will stop them,” Netanyahu posted on X, referring to his right-wing political party. He posted an AI-altered photo of the politicians meeting where he added United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas and Hadash-Ta’al leader Ahmad Tibi.

The meeting was attended by Lapid, the leader of Yesh Atid; Naftali Bennett, the leader of Bennett 2026; Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Yisrael Beiteinu; Gadi Eisenkot, the head of Yashar; and Democrats leader Yair Golan.

Lapid posted a group picture and a document listing their principles for coordination until the election and afterwards.

Under the document, each party leader pledged to work within their respective constituencies to boost voter turnout and attract support from various sectors of society, to secure a majority and form a new government.

The document also says three joint working groups are to be established within 48 hours.

The first will focus on boosting voter turnout for the bloc and what the opposition leaders described as “safeguarding the integrity of the election”. A second group will draft the basic guidelines of the government the opposition seeks to form, including establishing an official commission of inquiry into the attacks of October 7, 2023, and drafting a new constitution. The third group will coordinate media activity and try to counter what the document described as “fake news and smear campaigns”.

“I am filled with hope again tonight. I am confident that we can win 63 seats and work together to fix Israel,” Bennett, a former prime minister, said in a statement on X.

“We have agreed to fully cooperate until the election, on election day, and after the election, with the aim of forming a government that will fix Israel,” he added.

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Alarm Bells Ring Across Europe As Security Situation With Russia Deteriorates At Accelerating Pace

Across Europe, officials are issuing unprecedented warnings about a sharp escalation in Russian aggression and an even larger one that could soon come. As a result, they are scrambling to protect against the rapidly evolving threat Russia poses.

The dire messaging, growing louder by the day, is being delivered amid concerns about intensifying hybrid attacks that Russia is using to spread fear throughout the continent, fray the NATO alliance, and make it think twice about continuing support for Ukraine. Intel has increasingly pointed to the possibility that this could culminate in a much more severe operation, one that would be aimed to challenge NATO at its core.

All this is taking place against the backdrop of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine that shows no signs of abating. Kyiv just launched its largest drone attack on Moscow, which is burning on a near nightly basis amid ongoing strikes while Ukraine has introduced a new ballistic missile to its long-range arsenal. Russia for its part continues to try to advance on the ground in the east and south as it carries out daily airstrikes across Ukraine.

“There has definitely been an uptick” in Russian so-called hybrid warfare actions of late, a senior NATO military official told TWZ on Monday morning. “Despite its accusatory statements towards NATO, which remains a purely defensive alliance, Russia remains the aggressor. We see that clearly in Ukraine, where Russia is losing more than just the war it started. It therefore may incorrectly perceive the only way out is through increasing its hybrid campaign. That’s a losing proposition, because we are ready to respond, which we have shown.”

The official’s comments come after the shoot down last week of a suspected Russian drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and in the wake of recent defensive actions by several European nations.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that his country had recently been targeted by Russian hybrid attacks. He ordered “the government to prepare a plan to protect our critical infrastructure” and the “most sensitive” defense industry and technology sites against drone and cyberattacks.”

Macron said the “intention behind it is to intimidate us and to derail the effort to support the Ukrainians. The consequence will be the opposite.”

France's President Emmanuel Macron addresses the audience during a press conference following a meeting with candidates for the 2027 presidential election and party leaders focused on the geopolitical situation and its consequences, at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris on September 18, 2026. Emmanuel Macron requested the preparation of a "plan to protect our critical infrastructure" in the face of "Russian hybrid attacks". (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
France’s President Emmanuel Macron ordered the preparation of a “plan to protect our critical infrastructure” in the face of “Russian hybrid attacks.” (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / POOL / AFP) THOMAS SAMSON

In addition to Macron’s warnings, the French newspaper Le Monde reported that the French military was carrying out clandestine operations against Russia. However, the unnamed source cited offered no details and TWZ cannot independently verify that claim.

A day before Macron’s statements, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned in a speech to the Polish parliament that Russia is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine, including Poland.

The Polish leader offered an assessment about Moscow’s motives similar to Macron’s.

Russia will pretend the attacks are “accidental” in order to “paralyze or at least weaken the motivation of NATO countries” to rush to the defense of the member state coming under attack, The Associated Press noted.

“There is a real risk that drones or other types of projectiles will enter the territory of one or several countries on the eastern flank and even cause destruction,” Tusk cautioned. In July, a Russian AS-23 cruise missile crashed in Poland.

This video grab taken from footage of TVN Poland on July 30, 2026 shows the Polish army securing a large crater, the probable impact site of a projectile linked to the strikes carried out in Ukraine overnight by Russia, in Tarnawa-Kolonia, eastern Poland. Residents of this locality in the Lublin region heard, shortly before 4:00 a.m. (2:00 a.m. GMT), a powerful explosion that shook the windows of their homes. The impact site is located around 80 km from the Ukrainian border. NATO said on July 30 it was in close contact with Warsaw as it blamed Russia for a missile that crashed in Poland, and vowed to "continue to take all necessary measures to defend" alliance territory. (Photo by various sources / AFP via Getty Images)
This video grab taken from footage of TVN Poland on July 30, 2026 shows the Polish army securing a large crater from a Russian missile that crashed in Poland. (Photo by various sources / AFP) –

In the face of these growing threats, officials in Lithuania are updating evacuation plans in case of a Russian attack.

“Poland is to be one of the evacuation destinations from the capital,” Žygimantas Solovjovas, head of the Civil Defense Department at Vilnius City Hall, told Polish Radio. 

Evacuation should begin before a direct threat arises, Solovjovas stressed. “Vilnius residents should not assume that they will flee the city along an evacuation route while under fire,” Solovjovas explained, adding that in such a situation, one must seek shelter. 

“One of the reasons for preparing this plan was to get residents accustomed to the idea that this should be a controlled process,” he noted. “If we allow chaos to ensue, the entire operation will be much more difficult.”

In Germany, where Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Russia could attack by 2029, hospitals are preparing for a future influx of war-related casualties.

“In a report that gamed out potential scenarios should Russia invade NATO territory, the Bundeswehr calculated that as many as 1,000 wounded soldiers could arrive in Germany each day,” Bloomberg News reported last week. “As the country’s five military hospitals would quickly reach capacity — and the law requires that civilian hospitals help during wartime — the system would likely come under unprecedented strain, and could be forced to triage soldier and civilian care.”

As we noted last week, the alliance writ large is taking action against the growing Russian threats as well. 

NATO’s air commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, told reporters, including from TWZ, last week that he was tasked with implementing two NATO air and missile defense plans. Hinds is also the Air Force’s top officer in Europe, serving as the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe/U.S. Air Forces Africa (USAFE).

Adding to the concerns about Moscow’s actions, Russia’s client state Belarus just wrapped up mechanized and tank battalion training adjacent to the Suwalki Gap. That’s the border between Poland and Lithuania that separates the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad from Belarus. It has long been considered a potential flashpoint for a war in Europe and the training exercise exacerbated concerns that NATO allies are not prepared for a Russian attack there.

The Suwalki Gap between Kaliningrad and Belarus is also the only land border between Poland and the Baltic states. (Google Earth)

Russia is also making some potentially concerning preparations.

The Defense Ministry is reportedly seeking “an additional 16,000 to 20,000 hospital beds for wounded soldiers in the Northwestern Federal District,” according to the Russian Volya Telegram channel. That district is located near the Baltics.

“Military hospitals have been struggling to cope with the influx of wounded since 2023, so the Ministry of Defense is increasingly using civilian hospitals (including maternity hospitals and specialized medical facilities) for its needs,” Volya stated. “Some of these hospitals are being completely repurposed for military use, but more often, civilian hospitals allocate a few departments to treat the wounded, while continuing to provide care for civilian patients in other departments.”

The expansion “will primarily affect regions within the Northwestern Federal District: Karelia, St. Petersburg, Leningrad and Novgorod regions, as well as Smolensk,” which are near the Baltics “and the Moscow regions.”

While Russia is framing this as a way to handle the influx of wounded from the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian analysts see this as a move to prepare for an expansion of hostilities into Europe.

In addition, the Border Service Directorate for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region announced that from September 16 to September 26, 2026, there would be a restriction on access to the border of the Slantsevsky and Kingiseppsky districts near the Estonian border. 

“These measures aim to prevent violations regarding border regulations, migration laws, and the protection of aquatic biological resources,” the directorate claimed, according to Russian regional officials. 

The new rules prohibit people from being on the shorelines or in small vessels along a portion of the Narva River and from hunting or carrying firearms in the border area. In addition, they forbid the “presence and movement of individuals and vehicles during hours of darkness outside of populated areas within the five-kilometer strip of territory along the state border in the Kingiseppsky and Slantsevsky districts.”

Obviously, the stated reasoning behind this was taken with great skepticism from neighboring Baltic NATO countries who are already on edge.

Though Russia remains bogged down in its war on Ukraine and is suffering heavy losses of personnel and equipment, some European intelligence officials suggest Vladimir Putin could still carry out a small-scale invasion of NATO territory.

“It’s possible,” Michal Koudelka, the head of the Czech Republic’s BIS security service, told The Guardian about a potential Russian thrust into NATO. “It could involve a limited incursion, false-flag provocations, a massive influence campaign,” he told the publication, adding that this scenario could play out in a matter of “months, not years.”

While Russia has been carrying out a range of hybrid actions against Europe for years, including cyberattacks, drone incursions and sabotage, last month’s foiled attack on Germany’s Leipzig-Halle airport is seen in European intelligence circles as an inflection point.

As we previously reported, a drone discovered inside the secured area of Leipzig/Halle Airport during the night of August 4-5, was carrying approximately 1.3 pounds of explosives. It was found close to a Ukrainian-operated Antonov An-124 heavy cargo aircraft used to transport weapons to Ukraine. German authorities blamed Russia for that incident.

“To have an armed UAV drone sent into a busy airport in the middle of Europe … If you have attacks that could result in losses of life or losses of very critical infrastructure that have a huge implication for society, I think that is a gamechanger,” Thomas Nilsson, the head of Sweden’s military intelligence and security service, told The Guardian.

05 August 2026, Saxony, Schkeuditz: A Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 cargo plane is parked at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Following the nighttime drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, specialists from the Federal Police defused a drone equipped with an explosive device. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa (Photo by Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images)
A Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 cargo plane is parked at Leipzig/Halle Airport after specialists from the Federal Police defused a drone equipped with an explosive device that German authorities blamed on Russia. (Photo by Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images) picture alliance

It is unknown at this point whether Putin will decide to expand his hybrid actions against Europe to a more traditional conflict. However, as the attacks increase, officials across the continent are committing greater resources and planning to be prepared should that happen.

At the same time, the heat is only being turned up on Moscow as Ukraine accelerates its long range attacks. Now it has a whole new weapon, one that has been long in the works, to reach into Russian territory with while bypassing most air defenses.

Zelensky has officially unveiled the FP-7 Pelican ballistic missile and said it was used in the attack on Moscow. This is a monumental advance for Ukraine that has lacked modern ballistic missile capabilities since the war started. Still, Ukrainian media has raised doubts about whether the FP-7 — with an estimated operational range of 200-350 kilometers (124-217 miles) — can reach the Russian capital, which is about 450-500 kilometers (280-311 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

However, one expert suggested “that the ballistic weapon may have played an integral role within a coordinated, multi-axis combined strike,” according to the Kyiv Post.

Regardless, even if it can’t hit Moscow, it can hit plenty of other targets and it represents a major escalation in Ukraine’s weapons capabilities.

There is no avoiding the reality that the security situation in Europe is deteriorating, where exactly that leads is unclear apparently to everyone at the moment.

UPDATE: 7:04 PM Eastern –

Airspace restrictions have been imposed over Vilnius Airport due to a suspected “hybrid attack” from Belarus after the detection of what is suspected to be balloons in Lithuanian airspace, airport officials announced.

The restrictions were imposed from 11:45 p.m. local time on September 21 to 02:45 a.m. on September 22, the airport announced on its Facebook page. 

“Aircraft arrivals are temporarily suspended; however, departures are permitted from 12:55 a.m. subject to all safety requirements,” the airport explained. “These restrictions were introduced due to a hybrid attack by Belarus against Lithuania, civil aviation, and the public, involving the detection of navigational markers—characteristic of balloons—in areas posing risks to aviation.”

Contact the author: howard@twz.com

Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for TWZ. He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command.




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Kelsey Parker seen for the first time with newborn daughter River as she enjoys sweet family day out

KELSEY Parker has been seen for the first time on an outing with her newborn daughter River.

The 36-year-old, who was married to late The Wanted singer Tom Parker, welcomed the little one with her new partner Will Lindsay last week.

Kelsey Parker has been seen on her first family outing with newborn daughter River Credit: Click News and Media
She revealed last week her and boyfriend Will Lindsay had welcomed their little one Credit: Click News and Media

River’s birth came after the devastating loss of Kelsey’s son Phoenix, who was stillborn shortly before his due date last year.

Kelsey – who shares Aurelia, six, and Bodhi, five, with late husband Tom – appeared ever the doting mum on an outing with her family this weekend.

Enjoying a day out to the park near their South London home, Kelsey was seen planting a kiss on daughter River’s head.

The newborn was sweetly dressed in a white babygrow and hat, as older sister Aurelia helped cradle her.

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Eldest daughter Aurelia was ever the doting sister on the outing Credit: Click News and Media
Kelsey welcomed Aurelia and Bodhi with her late husband Tom Parker Credit: Click News and Media
It’s the first time the family have been seen publicly since announcing River’s birth Credit: Click News and Media
Will appears to be stepping in to fatherhood smoothly with Kelsey by his side Credit: Click News and Media

In more snaps from the day out, Kelsey was glowing as she pushed River around in a pram while new dad Will wrapped his arm around her.

Aurelia and Bodhi joyfully walked beside the couple.

Last week, Kelsey confirmed her daughter had arrived safely as she said via Instagram: “Welcome to the world, River. Our little bit of hope.”

Kelsey was married to singer Tom from 2018 up until his death four years ago.

He passed following a two-year battle with terminal brain cancer.

Kelsey found love again with Will, a tree surgeon from Kent, in 2024.

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‘Florida’s secret paradise’ The lesser known US city that’s the perfect Autumn break

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the lowdown on what to see and do in your favourite holiday hotspots – as well as lesser known gems.

This week we shine a light on a Florida favourite perfect for an autumn or winter break – Boca Raton.

Most Brits won’t have heard of Boca Raton Credit: Supplied
But the beautifully laid-back beaches make it a secret paradise Credit: Alamy

Close to the bright lights of Miami, it offers a more relaxed experience in a stunning coastal setting.

As the Head of Travel at the Sun, I recently visited Florida’s secret paradise, with with pristine beaches, surprisingly lush parks and Japanese gardens and a laid back vibe.

But with the new Brightline that speeds holidaymakers from Orlando to Miami on Eurostar-style trains stopping off in Boca, it’s easier than ever for us Brits to discover the delights of this upscale city that offers all the best of Miami without the crowds and frenetic city pace.

With jetlag waking me early, I took a stroll on the beachfront near Spanish River Park where the sun breaks over the water painting the sky in vibrant amber and violet tones.

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Settling onto the sands, I had the beach almost to myself as pelicans flew low over the gentle surf and watched as the sun rose high.

So here are some of my other tips on exploring the lesser known US city.

MUST SEE / DO

A beloved local institution, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center invites visitors to explore Boca Raton’s coastal ecosystem through nature trails, butterfly gardens and marine conservation exhibits.

It is famous for its sea turtle rehabilitation facility, where visitors can see rescued loggerhead and green sea turtles getting nursed back to health.

Visit during turtle nesting season from March through October, when the centre hosts guided night-time turtle walks and seasonal hatchling releases.

HIDDEN GEM

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offer a serene escape that feels worlds away from the buzz of the coastline.

It is easy to get to thanks to a new Eurostar-like fast train Credit: Alamy
If you want a quieter place to explore in Florida, this is the place Credit: Alamy

Spanning 16 acres, the gardens celebrate centuries of Japanese design through tranquil ponds, bonsai collections and carefully curated pathways.

BEST VIEW

Set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, the Blue Flag designated Spanish River Park offers spectacular sunrise views over the beach and equally beautiful sunset scenes along its shaded walking trails and waterfront areas.

RATED RESTAURANT

Mizner Park, an open-air shopping and dining complex, is all pink-stucco Mediterranean Revival architecture and towering palm trees.

Here, Tryst blends classic French bistro charm with an inventive American menu under Chef Daniel Dore, featuring dishes from steak frites to a vegan mushroom lasagna topped with oat milk béchamel.

For more relaxed, value dining, Tomasso’s Pizza and Subs is a neighbourhood institution, serving up New York-style slices and massive sandwiches for decades.

A couple of slices or hot sub is from £7.33.

BEST BAR

American Social in Mizner Park is a fun sports bar bringing Modern American cuisine with a twist.

It is the perfect place not only if you want to catch a game, but also for an intimate dinner or a night with friends.

Beer lovers should head to Biergarten Boca Raton.

Tucked into Royal Palm Place, this indoor/outdoor spot stocks more than 24 beers on taps and has dozens of craft bottles as well.

With live music and generous happy hour deals, it’s a relaxed place to kick back.

HOTEL PICK

Fresh from a £5.4million renovation, the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center is close to Mizner Park in the city centre and an ideal base for discovering the area.

There’s a gorgeous outdoor pool with plenty of shade from towering palms and you can pick up a cocktail or two at the outdoor Drift bar.

End the day at Sonrisa, with its bold Caribbean-American flavours.

Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the views and a calm, neutral palette with splashes of marine blue.

Rooms from £125 a night. See marriott.com.



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Angels rally against Mariners before bullpen falters in loss No. 99

Taylor Ward put Seattle ahead with a pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh inning, J.P Crawford followed with a two-run homer and the Mariners beat the Angels 8-4 on Saturday night.

Mariners left-hander Kade Anderson threw 3⅓ scoreless innings but left in the fourth after taking a 104-mph line drive to the left arm hit by Christian Moore. Michael Rucker came on in relief. The Mariners (75-86) said Anderson had a left forearm bruise.

Ward, who has struggled since joining the Mariners from Baltimore at the trade deadline, drove in Cole Young and Michael Arroyo with his hit off Angels lefty Mitch Farris (1-4).

Crawford hit Farris’ next pitch into the right field stands.

The Angels (62-99) tied the game with four runs in the sixth. Bryce Teodosio drove in a two-run single off reliever Jose Ferrer, Wade Meckler scored from third on a sacrifice bunt from Tyler Heineman and Jose Siri tied it on a groundout to third base that scored Teodosio.

In the ninth inning, Josh Naylor reached on a walk and stole second base, becoming the first first baseman since George Sisler in 1920-1922 to have consecutive 30-steal seasons.

Gabe Speier pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Mariners. Carlos Vargas (3-0) got the win.

Up next: Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (1-6, 4.88 ERA) will face Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (12-11, 3.81 ERA) in Sunday’s season finale.

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Norway vs Portugal: UEFA Nations League – Ronaldo, Haaland, teams, form | Football

Who: Norway vs Portugal
What: UEFA Nations League 2026-2027, Group A4 match
Where: Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway
When: Sunday at 7:45pm (18:45 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up and live updates from 15:45 GMT.

Record two-time UEFA Nations League champions Portugal continue their title defence on matchday two with a trip to Oslo against an exciting Norway side.

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After starting their campaign with a 1-0 home win over Wales, holders Portugal face their first big test of the competition on Sunday against the Norwegians, who defied expectations with a historic quarterfinal finish at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Spearheaded by Erling Haaland, arguably one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers, and captained by midfield maestro Martin Odegaard, Norway made a winning start too, beating their Scandinavian rivals Denmark 3-2 in a thrilling opener.

Frustrated after a string of missed chances in the first game, Portugal’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to rediscover his form as the team embraces a new chapter under coach Jorge Jesus, whose first game in charge was on Thursday against Wales.

What is the UEFA Nations League?

The UEFA Nations League was founded in 2018 to reduce the number of meaningless friendlies and give nations competitive matches against equally ranked teams.

In this competition, countries from across Europe participate in a league structure that features promotion and relegation.

When did Norway and Portugal last meet?

The teams last met in a 2016 international friendly in Porto when hosts Portugal defeated Norway 3-0.

Norway vs Portugal: Head-to-head

  • Matches: 11
  • Norway’s wins: 1
  • Portugal’s wins: 8
  • Draws: 2

Norway vs Portugal: Form guide

(Last five games, latest results first)

Norway: W-L-W-W-L

Portugal: W-L-W-D-W

Who are the top players to watch?

Haaland and Oscar Bobb (Norway): A double from Haaland and another goal from Bobb set Norway on course for a winning start, and the attacking pair should be in the limelight in front of their home crowd this weekend. Manchester City’s Haaland, especially, has been in top form this term with an incredible seven goals in as many games across all competitions.

Ronaldo and Joao Felix (Portugal): Portugal’s striking pair of Ronaldo and Felix ought to be careful in the final third this time out after Felix’s lone strike in the opening win in Lisbon. Ronaldo had a goal ruled out and was among the players who missed a flurry of chances as Portugal registered a whopping 23 total shots but with only five on target, of which just one hit the back of the net.

OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 24: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion on September 24, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
On average, Erling Haaland scores more than one goal a game for Norway [File: Marius Nordnes/Nordnes Foto via Getty Images]

Will Haaland, Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes play?

Both forwards are fit to play, but Portugal will miss the services of their talismanic midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who is injured.

Fernandes has played in all seven of Manchester United’s matches this season and featured from the start for Portugal against Wales before being withdrawn in the 90th minute.

Jesus said he doesn’t want to “risk” the player against Norway.

“Against Wales, we went in with practically everyone physically available and came out with a complicated problem with Bruno Fernandes,” the coach said.

“He’s coming off an injury at United, and he told me he’s been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him.

“It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales. I’ve already spoken to him, and I prefer not to risk it in this game, so he’s fully fit for the Denmark match.”

Haaland: The King of the North

Haaland’s double against Denmark on Thursday marked another milestone in the 26-year-old striker’s enviable career. He is now the highest-scoring Nordic man in international football history, surpassing Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Haaland’s goal tally for Norway stands at 64 goals compared with Ibrahimovic’s 62. Incredibly, Haaland has shattered that record in 56 appearances – less than half of the 122 matches Ibrahimovic needed.

“It is not possible to explain nor ‌‌is it possible to learn. He is born with it. It is instinct,” Norway manager Stale Solbakken said about Haaland.

Having made his senior debut in 2019, Haaland boasts a record of scoring more than one goal per game for Norway.

“It’s madness,” midfielder Sander Berge said about Haaland’s talent. “It’s everyday business that Haaland scores goals, so it’s reasonable that he is up there, but it’s ⁠⁠powerful.”

What have the coaches said?

Jesus: “Norway are one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have players we know like Haaland and Odegaard who play at a very high level in England. They will create more goalscoring opportunities against us than Wales, and I hope we have the defensive capacity.

“There’s not much to improve. We’ll evolve the game we’ve already played, but I trust that the team will respond defensively and will be more creative offensively.”

Solbakken: “They changed the coach, and if you look at what he did at his previous clubs and the football they played, the way they played against Wales was a little different to what it was with [Roberto] Martinez. There were players in other positions, and we took that into account in our game plan. Obviously, they have good players all over the field. We expect a close and balanced game. It’s our home game, so we’ll try to stop their biggest assets, but it’s also important for us to play our game and be loyal to the way we’ve been playing in recent years.”

Have Haaland and Ronaldo ever played each other?

No, the 26-year-old and 41-year-old greats have never crossed paths. Norway and Portugal have not played each other frequently either.

Norway vs Portugal: TV channels, livestreaming

  • Norway: TV 2 Play
  • Portugal: Sport TV Portugal
  • United Kingdom: Prime Video UK
  • United States: FOX Sports, FuboTV, ViX
  • India: Sony Sports Network
  • Middle East and North Africa: beIN SPORTS
  • South Africa: DStv Stream

You can find your regional broadcaster on UEFA’s official broadcaster listing.

Norway’s team news and predicted lineup

Norway will be without David Moller Wolfe, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the last game.

Probable Norway XI: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Antonio Nusa

Portugal’s team news and predicted lineup

Portugal have a fully fit squad.

Probable Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves; Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Felix, Ronaldo

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Northern Ireland court allows Orange Order march through Catholic area | News

Crowd gathers on Garvaghy Road early on Sunday morning to protest against the ruling allowing the march.

Northern Ireland’s High Court has permitted the Orange Order, a Protestant organisation, to march through a mainly Catholic area in the town of Portadown for the first time in 28 years, reviving one of the region’s most contentious marching disputes.

The court rejected a final attempt by residents to stop the parade passing through the Garvaghy Road early on Sunday, after Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction granted on Saturday.

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Large crowds gathered on the road before the procession, with the Belfast Telegraph reporting that protesters planned to block the route peacefully by linking arms.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, vice president of Sinn Fein, an Irish nationalist party that supports a united Ireland, joined residents opposing the march.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, she backed their right to protest and urged restraint, saying, “I am calling for calm on all sides.”

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald also condemned the court decision in a post on X early on Sunday, calling it “disgraceful” and saying her party stood with the Garvaghy Road community.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which supports Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom, urged people to stay away from the area.

She said on Sunday that threats of violence were unacceptable and added: “No one in Northern Ireland wants violence or disorder.”

The Orange Order is a Protestant organisation closely associated with unionism, the political tradition that favours Northern Ireland remaining in the UK.

The Parades Commission, the independent body that rules on disputed marches in Northern Ireland, approved Sunday’s procession with a 35-person limit, barred bands and accompanying supporters, and required the march to finish by 9:30am (08:30 GMT).

The dispute over the Drumcree parade and Garvaghy Road became one of the most bitter marching confrontations of the “Troubles”, the decades-long conflict over Northern Ireland’s political status that largely ended with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Repeated attempts by the Orange Order to return from Drumcree church along Garvaghy Road triggered protests, violence and major security operations during the 1990s.

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Chloe Sims comes face-to-face with estranged family after explosive TV feud

IT’s been three years since Chloe Sims and her siblings had a relationship-ending on-screen spat.

The bitter feud played out on the short-lived series, House of Sims, which followed their glamorous move to Hollywood – with a furious Chloe cutting contact with sisters Demi and Frankie after they returned to the UK.

Chloe Sims (middle) has been feuding with her sisters since 2023 Credit: OF TV
The sisters had a furious when Frankie and Demi discovered they were paying bills for the apartment without having their names on them to build a credit score Credit: Of TV

Fans will remember how the rift began when Frankie and Demi learned that only Chloe, their brother Charlie and his fiancée Georgia’s names were put on the WiFi bill for the family’s apartment – making it difficult for them to build a credit score in their new country.

Now, in a shocking turn of events the girls have all been under one roof at a family event for the first time.

A source close to the family spilled all, telling The Sun: “Nobody thought Chloe would bury the hatchet with her sisters Frankie and Demi, as things had soured so badly between them.

“If you’d have asked anyone a couple of years ago, they would have said relations were likely to remain strained for good.

“But recently they all came together for their dad Tony’s 65th birthday as he had a big party in London and they have taken big steps in getting their relationship back on track.

“There are still old wounds and hurt there, so they aren’t quite back to the tight relationship they once had but this is huge progress.”

Our insider went on to reveal how Chloe’s daughter is the key player in attempting to heal family relations within the Sims household.

They told us: “Chloe posed for lots of pictures with Frankie and Demi, which were shared on her daughter Madison’s Instagram, and it was lovely to see this development.

“Maddie has remained close to her aunties throughout this rift, and hated it when her mum wasn’t speaking to them.

“She always dreamed that they would come back together one day, and she was pretty instrumental in helping pave the way for that to happen.

“At the end of the day, Chloe loves Maddy more than anything in the world, and hates seeing her upset, so it was important for her to work on her relationship with her sisters and bring the family back together again.”

Our source continued: “Time can be a great healer, and a lot of the things they fought about seem quite petty now.

“Of course there are still issues that they need to work through, but they’ve realised they were all under quite a lot of pressure when they moved to the States for their own reality show, House of Sims, and it didn’t always bring out the best in any of them.

“Now that they are no longer a family business in that sense, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge they can slowly go back to remembering the good times.”

The Sims sisters reunited at a family event and have started to make progress on their soured relationship Credit: Instagram/Dixon_Pickles_
Chloe’s daughter, Madison, has stayed in contact with her aunties throughout the feud Credit: Instagram/Dixon_Pickles_
The family reunited for the sisters’ dad Tony’s 65th birthday celebration Credit: Instagram/Dixon_Pickles_
Chloe is working on her relationship with her sisters as her daughter Madison ‘hated it’ when they weren’t speaking Credit: Instagram

Chloe is said to be missing her family as she still splits her time between the US and the UK.

The source said: “As she sees her parents getting older, she realises life is too short to have family feuds.  

“Her dad’s recent birthday get-together was a catalyst to sort out a lot of the beef and the resentments, and just let it all go and move forward.

“They’re taking baby steps but it’s huge progress compared with where they were at.”

The Sun has contacted the sisters’ representatives for a comment.

Looking back on three years ago, Frankie and Demi were furious as all four siblings were paying equally towards the apartment, yet Georgia wasn’t contributing financially and still getting credit.

Drinks were thrown during one of the sisters’ brutal clashes Credit: Instagram
Credit: OFTV

The ensuing clash led to drinks being thrown, Chloe branding her sisters ‘evil users’ and Frankie and Demi leaving LA for good.

Last year, a source told how Chloe’s closeness with her brother’s fiancée, Georgia Shults, was the main factor behind why things turned sour between the former TOWIE brood.

A pal of the Sims clan told us: “It’s as if Chloe and Georgia are sisters now, and Frankie and Demi are strangers to them. Frankie and Demi basically felt like they were pushed out, and Chloe has no time for them anymore.”

Meanwhile, sources in Chloe’s camp said she didn’t expect Demi and Frankie to “kiss her a**” but she was on TOWIE first and “paved the way for them to have a platform and felt they have ever acknowledged that.”

They said: “With Georgia, she feels like she gets the sisterly love and support she’s not had from Frankie and Demi. Georgia always has her back and sometimes ‘family’ is about more than just sharing the same DNA.

As for Georgia, she felt like Frankie and Demi are making her the scapegoat.

Chloe, Frankie, Demi, Charlie and Georgia upped sticks to LA four years ago after signing a six-figure deal deal with OnlyFans’ OFTV to film a series about their efforts to make it in America.

After the falling out, Chloe, Charlie and Georgia all decided to stay out in the States and sources admitted it only made the family rift deeper.

It seems it could be a new era for the Sims girls.

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João Klauss, Justin Haak power Galaxy to comeback over Colorado

João Klauss and Justin Haak scored following a second-half own goal by Colorado’s Reggie Cannon and the Galaxy rallied to beat the Rapids 3-2 on Saturday night.

Rookie Donavan Phillip scored his second goal four minutes into his fourth start to give Colorado (11-13-3) the lead. Phillip got assists from Josh Atencio and Jackson Travis in making his eighth appearance.

Paxten Aaronson came through with his career-high seventh goal for a 2-0 lead in the 39th minute with assists from Rob Holding and Loïc Williams.

The Galaxy (9-10-9) cut it to 2-1 in the 53rd minute on Cannon’s miscue, and Klauss scored his sixth goal — unassisted in the 66th to tie it.

Haak scored for the first time this season to give the Galaxy the lead in the 74th minute. It was his third career goal after scoring twice in 81 appearances with New York City FC from 2019-2025.

JT Marcinkowski finished with two saves for the Galaxy, which went 3-1-1 this month.

Nico Hansen saved four shots for Colorado in a 1-2-2 September.

The Galaxy improve to 5-4-5 at home after starting play eighth in the Western Conference.

The Rapids entered in seventh place before falling to 2-10-2 on the road.

Up next for the Galaxy: at St. Louis City on Oct 11.

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Ethiopia’s army promises restraint amid fears of new civil war | Conflict News

Army chief accuses Eritrea of funding and supporting armed groups to weaken Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s federal military has said it is handling rising tensions in the country’s north with restraint, as fears grow that Ethiopia could be heading towards another civil war.

In his first comments on the recent military developments, Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Berhanu Jula said the army was responding to what he called provocations from the Tigray front with “wisdom and restraint”.

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He accused Eritrea of funding and supporting armed groups to weaken Ethiopia, describing the “Tsimdo” alliance as an extension of a longstanding pattern of hostile alliances, which he said cannot confront the state without outside backing.

Eritrea, wary that landlocked Ethiopia may be seeking to invade it to gain access to the Red Sea, denied the accusations.

The fighting has spread from Tigray into neighbouring Afar and Amhara regions after seven armed groups announced an alliance, the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival, committed to removing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

In Afar, the latest battles have taken place around Abala, where the military has been trying to prevent rebels from seizing control.

Separately, in North Wollo, a zone of Amhara bordering Tigray, the army said on Thursday it had killed 272 Tigrayan fighters and wounded 260 in a counter-offensive, reporting heavy losses for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

EEthiopia’s 2022 Pretoria Agreement ended the Tigray war but left key political, territorial and security disputes unresolved, allowing the TPLF to regroup and reposition as tensions have resurfaced.
Members of the armed forces ride a military vehicle as fighting across Ethiopia intensifies amid fears of full-scale civil war [AP]

The TPLF’s Tigray Army said the federal government had launched a “full-scale offensive” involving infantry, mechanised units and drones.

Abdisalam Balema, a TPLF central committee member, told Al Jazeera the situation had become a “full war”.

Fighting has also continued around Sama, Soqota and Raya Alamata, with government forces reportedly closing in on the town of Alamata.

The army command said it prefers a strategy of “strategic calm” over a large-scale military confrontation, arguing the Tigray front’s popular support is dwindling and its leadership divided.

Internet access was reportedly cut across northern Ethiopia on Friday, a day after the UN said it was alarmed by reports of drones being used against civilians there.

The renewed fighting has put the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which ended a brutal two-year civil war in Tigray, under severe strain. It comes weeks after Washington lifted sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea tied to atrocities from the last war, saying the “national emergency … has expired”.

It marks the most serious challenge yet to that agreement, raising fears of a wider regional conflict that could draw in armed groups from across Ethiopia.

 

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ethiopia’s president sought to portray the country as a force for regional stability, accusing unnamed external actors of meddling in Ethiopia’s affairs while highlighting Addis Ababa’s role in supporting peace efforts in neighbouring Sudan.

Alemayehu Weldemariam, a professor of law at Indiana University, told Al Jazeera that the federal government bears much of the blame for the collapse of the Pretoria Agreement.

“This war has been in the making for a while now. Much of the provisions in the cessation of hostilities [in the 2022 agreement] were primarily sabotaged by the federal government itself,” he said, citing fuel, service and cash restrictions imposed on Tigray, and the government’s failure to set up the interim administration the deal had promised.

“What was supposed to be an interim arrangement turned out to be permanent,” with Tigray excluded from national elections since, he added.

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15 great cottages and cabins for an autumn escape in the UK | Cottages


Pen Bonc

Moelfre, Ynys Môn (Anglesey)

As close to the sea as you can get without setting sail, this newly renovated cottage is moored up between a little shingle beach and the village of Moelfre, with its lifeboat station, pub, fish and chip shop, cafe and parlour serving locally made ice-cream. A former fisher’s cottage, it’s decorated in nautical blues and whites, their cool tones warmed by antique chests and an inglenook fireplace once used for smoking herring. An unusual circular garden spins out towards the sea; hop over its low stone wall and you’re right on the Anglesey Coastal Path, soaking up cinematic views of Puffin Island, and Eryri beyond.
Sleeps eight, two nights from £746, boltholesandhideaways.co.uk


Heronden Lodge

Eastry, Kent

Photograph: Nathan Shepherd

This doll’s house-like, red-brick cottage sits sheltered by trees in a quiet corner of the Kent countryside, 10 minutes’ drive from Sandwich and 20 from Deal. Newly spruced up, it’s restfully low-key, with buttermilk walls and wooden floors. Upstairs are two bedrooms (one a king, the other a twin) and a bathroom with a tub: perfect for dunking mud-splattered children after days at the beach or trailing along footpaths. Downstairs, there’s a simple country kitchen, a double-windowed dining room and a sitting room with an open fireplace. Walks lead straight into the surrounding farmland and to the village pub, 20 minutes’ away. There are also two farm shops within 10 minutes’ drive.
Sleeps four, two nights from £472, keeperscottages.co.uk


Ty Bach

Beulah, Powys

Photograph: Kayleigh Doyle

Mid Wales is at its moody best in the autumn, the hillsides glowing auburn beneath squally skies. If your walking boots are calling, this recently launched holiday cottage just north of Llanwrtyd Wells is a good base for exploring the trails of the Cambrian Mountains or the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). The smaller of two cottages on a site that was once a busy village school, it had been empty for more than three decades when the current owners took it on. It took them eight years to restore it, and now it’s a vision of flagstone-floored, putty-walled, slate-roofed comfort, cosied up with a plush raspberry sofa and copper kitchen appliances. This is a place for being rather than doing. Add-ons range from gourmet grazing boards to massage treatments.
Sleeps four, two nights from £260, tosholidayhomes.co.uk


Basecamp North Lakes

Troutbeck, Lake District

Photograph: Ruth Burgess

A few miles west of Penrith, this farm shop, cafe, community garden and wetland restoration site juggles more plates than a Barcelona tapas bar on a Saturday night. It’s also home to a charitable enterprise, Alpacaly Ever After, which rescues llamas and alpacas and offers meets, walks and even camping experiences with them, accessible to all. This summer it added one more item to the menu, launching seven smart new cabins beside the site’s lake. Kitted out with glossy green-tiled shower rooms, galley kitchens, wood-burning stoves and private outdoor baths, they each have one bedroom but can sleep two more on a sofa bed in the lounge.
Sleeps four, two nights from £300, basecampnorthlakes.co.uk


Peatlands Retreat

Ballybogey, County Antrim

Photograph: Gareth Andrews

Sitting in the countryside between Ballymoney and Portrush, the two restful shepherds’ huts here come with en suite shower rooms and king-size beds. You’re within easy reach of Old Bushmills Distillery, the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and a string of some of the most stunning sandy beaches in the UK, but many guests don’t venture beyond the site’s gardens, meadow and woodland, staying to spot resident hares and light wood-burning stoves. The owners also run an artisan micro-bakery on site; Saturday sourdough workshops can be booked (£90pp), bakery breakfasts can be delivered to your door (£16pp) and twice a week there’s a hyper-local pizza-to-hut delivery service (£15 each).
Sleeps two, two nights from £320 (discounts for solo stays), peatlandscausewaycoast.com


Pippin Cottage

Bude, Cornwall

Run by a former Vogue producer, her chef partner and their farming family, Pippin is one of three cottages set on a working orchard outside Bude. Mixing heirloom pieces with Studio Ore taps and Hay lighting, it’s a lesson in understated, soulful style. Works by local artists cheer the walls (many are for sale) and in the kitchen you’ll find apple juice pressed straight from the orchard’s trees. This autumn, the site has opened a new custom-built sauna and cold plunge, and guests can book add-on wellness experiences such as yoga and sauna sessions that end with hot cocoa around a fire pit.
Sleeps four, two nights from £256, cannorchard.com


Montagu Cottage

Drumlanrig, Dumfries and Galloway

Photograph: Alix McIntosh Photography

Built in the 19th-century as the laundry for the Queensberry estate, Montagu Cottage has been scrubbed up for modern-day guests. A peppermint cream colour scheme cosies up its lofty living area and three bedrooms, there’s a clawfoot bath for post-hike soaks and a double-aspect wood burner blazes in the cottage’s heart. Drumlanrig Castle is easily reached on foot (guests get free access to the gardens and adventure playground until the end of October); spectacular woodland and valley walks lead out from the door; and you’re close to the village of Thornhill for pubs, bakeries, shops, cafes and, if you time it right, a live gig or film screening at the Old School.
Sleeps six, three nights from £750, drumlanrigcastle.co.uk


Molly’s Cabin

Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire

Tucked into the field-woven gap between Nottingham and Leicester, beneath the approach to East Midlands airport, Bonington Farm’s four distinctive holiday cottages include a blackened timber cabin with sociable, dorm-style bedrooms, a circular grain store, a pretty brick farmhouse and a corrugated former hay barn. The latter, Molly’s Cabin, is a gallery-walled, salvage-speckled hideaway that’s about to undergo a gentle refurb. Single-night Sunday stays include a private movie night in the farm’s cute grain silo cinema. Or, stay for the whole weekend and go leaf-crunching along the trails of The Outwoods, a 110-acre woodland around 20 minutes’ drive away.
Sleeps two, one night from £200, boningtonfarm.com


Fjord

Ullapool, the Highlands

Photograph: Lukas Rambousek

A minimalist counterpoint to the rugged maximalist scenery beyond, Fjord is one half of Corylus Retreats, the twin self-catering apartments opened just outside Ullapool in May. Conceived and run by the team behind nearby Ecotone Cabins, it was designed sustainably with stripped-back timber walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows maximise natural light and have views of neighbouring Loch Broom. On clement days, the pretty harbour and restaurants of Ullapool are easily reached, and there are craggy hikes around Assynt, Coigach and the Summer Isles. If it rains, hunker down inside, enjoying the luxury of underfloor heating or curling up on the covered deck to watch scudding clouds.
Sleeps four, three nights from £661, premiercottages.co.uk


Hafod Gwyllt

Cwmystwyth, Ceredigion

Photograph: Lou Archell

Its name translates as “wild summer dwelling” but this renovated cottage deep in the Cambrian mountains is equally good for an autumn escape. On the Hafod Estate, deep in the Ystwyth valley, it has no neighbours besides ponies, and has easy access to hiking and wild swimming. Newly available as a holiday rental, it’s stylishly understated inside, with whitewashed walls, slate and wood floors and a collection of ruffled lampshades, tapestry blankets and old pine dressers in soothingly subdued shades. Outside, there’s a wood-fired hot tub with rugged mountain views and the owners can arrange dark skies photography sessions or visits to local potters.
Sleeps four, three nights from £690, sandandstoneescapes.com


Cae’n y Bwlch

Talsarnau, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Photograph: Polly Lovegrove

Getting away from it all is a given at this newly launched cottage in a secluded mountain setting north-east of Harlech. Owned by a ceramicist and an artist, its slate floors and limewashed walls are warmed by glowing fires and a colourful collection of antique dressers, jaunty art, textiles and carved wooden love spoons. While you could drive down the hillside for a windswept walk along the beach at Black Rock Sands, or to explore the legacy of Clough Williams-Ellis at Portmeirion and Plas Brondanw, it would also be tempting to arrive fully supplied and squirrel yourselves away, soaking up the views or hiking straight out into the rugged wilds of Eryri national park.
Sleeps six, three nights from £509, underthethatch.co.uk


Riders Lodge

Ballycastle, County Antrim

Stay Lagom is a small estate set around a Georgian rectory on the fringes of Ballycastle. With bike hire on site and a new programme of add-on wellness experiences (think yoga and seaside saunas), it’s popular with visitors coming to hike, surf or cycle the Causeway Coast. Hotel-style bedrooms and boutique dorms can be booked and there are two self-catering cottages, including Riders Lodge, where a sofa-bed stretches capacity to six. Popular with families and small groups of friends, it’s a sociable space with surfboards and bikes suspended on the walls, its own courtyard hot tub and a stash of board games for evenings around the wood burner.
Sleeps six, two nights from £524, staylagom.com


Hoolet Bothy

Beauly, the Highlands

If Mrs Tiggy-Winkle retrained as an architect, she might come up with something like Hoolet Bothy. A remote, off-grid farm cottage in the hills above Beauly, 12 miles west of Inverness, it’s the epitome of cosy, with timber-panelled walls, a log-burning stove, a double bed tucked into the eaves and a wood-fired Rayburn for cooking and supplying hot water to a small cast iron bath. Guests have access to a fridge and a charging point down at the farm, three minutes’ walk away, and a cool box is supplied for essentials, but there’s no electricity on site so hunker down for days of walking among deer-speckled hills and red kite-dotted skies, and evenings spent storytelling by candlelight.
Sleeps two, three nights from £477, airbnb.co.uk


Labour in Vain Cottage

West Bexington, Dorset

Photograph: National Trust

Set back from the 18-mile swoosh of shingle along Chesil Beach, this semi-detached rental (there’s another next door for holidaying apart together) has been newly renovated by the National Trust. Its name, like the lane beside it, is thought to refer to a year of crop failures in the middle ages – but there won’t be much labouring, in vain or otherwise, while staying here. Hike a stretch of the South West Coast Path, go swimming or fossil-hunting, watch the skies for migratory brent geese and head into nearby Bridport for shops, cafes and pubs. As well as a snug ground-floor lounge, the attic has been converted into a games room with a TV, telescope and space to spread out jigsaws or toys.
Sleeps four, two nights from £561, nationaltrust.org.uk


Thornfalcon Winery

Taunton, Somerset

Photograph: Felicity Millward

One of two wooden cabins on a working vineyard (there’s also a more spacious barn conversion suitable for families), the Vine Hut blends rustic timber walls with apple green paintwork and a red gingham sofa to give a cheery, gingerbread cottage feel. It comes with its own outdoor copper bathtub and firepit, plus access to the neighbouring swimming lake and Finnish sauna (pictured). Earlier this year the owners of Thornfalcon renovated a barn on site and have launched a wine school there, plus a series of monthly supper clubs, pairing the vineyard’s wines and juices with seasonal menus; October’s is a culinary caper through the hedgerows, fields and waves via pheasant, hake, mussels, squash, radicchio, puntarelle and quince (from £65pp).
Sleeps two, two nights from £340, thornfalcon.com

Prices are for October-November and were correct at time of publication


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