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Trump AG Todd Blanche wants to give felons back their guns

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Trump AG Todd Blanche wants to give felons back their guns

Newly sworn-in Attorney General Todd Blanche is opening a path for millions of Americans — including people with felony convictions — to seek restoration of their federal gun rights.

On Tuesday, Blanche finalized a rule and launched a new process allowing certain people barred from firearm ownership to apply for relief from that prohibition.

“The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safety,” Blanche said in a statement.

“This rule establishes a rigorous, commonsense process that protects the public while giving deserving Americans a real path to restoration,” he added.

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Under the Gun Control Act, several categories of people are prohibited from transporting, receiving or possessing firearms, according to the ATF. They include people convicted of crimes punishable by more than a year in prison, fugitives from justice, unlawful users of controlled substances, undocumented immigrants and people dishonorably discharged from the military.

Attorney General Todd Blanche launched a new process that would allow felons to apply for their gun rights to be reinstated
Attorney General Todd Blanche launched a new process that would allow felons to apply for their gun rights to be reinstated (Getty Images)

U.S. Pardon Attorney Edward Martin said roughly 30 million Americans have lost their gun rights.

The Justice Department’s new process will allow eligible individuals to apply for restoration, though approval will not be automatic.

“Each applicant must establish to the Attorney General’s satisfaction that the circumstances giving rise to the prohibition, together with the applicant’s record, reputation, and subsequent conduct, demonstrate that the applicant is not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that granting relief would not be contrary to the public interest,” the press release states.

Some groups will ‘remain presumptively ineligible for relief,’ including undocumented immigrants, violent felons and registered sex offenders. Pictured: Blanche speaks at his Senate confirmation hearing
Some groups will ‘remain presumptively ineligible for relief,’ including undocumented immigrants, violent felons and registered sex offenders. Pictured: Blanche speaks at his Senate confirmation hearing (Reuters)

Some groups will “remain presumptively ineligible for relief,” including undocumented immigrants, violent felons and registered sex offenders. Relief granted through the federal process also would not supersede state-level firearm restrictions.

The final rule takes effect in 30 days, when applicants will be able to submit applications online. The Justice Department estimates that about 330,000 people could apply during the program’s first year.

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Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, previously served as deputy attorney general and acting attorney general. The Senate confirmed him as attorney general earlier this month in a 50-49 vote.

He was sworn in on August 10.

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Plane forced to emergency land at London Heathrow after toilet leaks into cabin

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Plane forced to emergency land at London Heathrow after toilet leaks into cabin

An airline spokesperson told the aviation outlet Simply Flying: “We apologize to our customers for their experience and delay on Delta Flight 81 from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Seattle, which diverted to London Heathrow after the crew reported a mechanical issue involving an onboard lavatory. This is not the experience we strive to provide, and we’re focused on getting our customers to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible.”

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Justin Timberlake puts on united front with wife Jessica Biel in rare photo amid career woes and DWI scandal

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Justin Timberlake put on a united front with his wife Jessica Biel in a rare snap he posted on Tuesday following a difficult two years for his career

Justin Timberlake put on a united front with his wife Jessica Biel in a rare snap he posted on Tuesday following a difficult two years for his career.

The 45-year-old pop star – who boasts 178.4 million social media followers – captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: ‘Been outside.’

Minnesota-born Timberlake also included lots of pictures of their six-year-old son Phineas and 11-year-old son Silas.

In one shot, little Phineas played golf with the 10-time Grammy winner and, in another, little Silas posed behind a hot-fudge sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top.

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On October 19, Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee will impressively celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.

The No Angels singer originally met Tennessee-born Biel in 2007 while snowboarding with a group of friends in Park City, Utah.

Justin Timberlake put on a united front with his wife Jessica Biel in a rare snap he posted on Tuesday following a difficult two years for his career

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Before The Better Sister producer-star, Timberlake reportedly romanced the likes of Fergie, Britney Spears, Jenna Dewan, Alyssa Milano, Emma Bunton, Tatyana Ali, Cameron Diaz and Lindsay Lohan.

Meanwhile, Biel was said to have previously dated her 7th Heaven co-star Adam LaVorgna, her Cellular/London co-star Chris Evans and retired New York Yankee Derek Jeter.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the inseparable couple’s reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.

On July 30, Timberlake concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage.

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The Selfish singer had canceled or postponed several concerts due to the flu, bronchitis, laryngitis, an ankle injury and an ongoing back injury.

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called ‘relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.’

Other celebrities suffering from the tick-borne illness include Yolanda Hadid, Bella Hadid, Anwar Hadid, Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer, Alec Baldwin, Shania Twain, Debbie Gibson, Avril Lavigne, Riley Keough, Ramona Singer and Kelly Osbourne.

In 2024, the Oscar-nominated songwriter pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days.

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Timberlake, who refused to take a breathlyzer test, successfully avoided a criminal DWI charge and infractions for running a stop sign and failure to keep in his lane stemming from his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York.

The 45-year-old pop star - who boasts 178.4 million social media followers - captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: 'Been outside'

The 45-year-old pop star – who boasts 178.4 million social media followers – captioned his 10-photo Instagram slideshow: ‘Been outside’

Minnesota-born Timberlake also included lots of pictures of their six-year-old son Phineas and 11-year-old son Silas

Minnesota-born Timberlake also included lots of pictures of their six-year-old son Phineas and 11-year-old son Silas

In one shot, little Phineas played golf with the 10-time Grammy winner
In another shot, little Silas posed behind a hot-fudge sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top

In one shot, little Phineas played golf with the 10-time Grammy winner and, in another, little Silas posed behind a hot-fudge sundae with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top

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On October 19, Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee will impressively celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary (pictured June 21)

On October 19, Timberlake and the 44-year-old Emmy nominee will impressively celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary (pictured June 21)

On July 30, the No Angels singer concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage (pictured in 2025)

On July 30, the No Angels singer concluded his $205.2M-grossing, 121-date The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after receiving backlash about his viral low-effort performances wherein the audience appeared to sing more lyrics than he did onstage (pictured in 2025)

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called 'relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically'

Last year, Timberlake announced he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which he called ‘relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically’ 

In 2024, the Selfish singer pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days

In 2024, the Selfish singer pled guilty to driving while impaired, paid $760 in fines, agreed to do 25 hours of community service at a non-profit of his choice and had his New York license suspended for 90 days 

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Timberlake - who refused to take a breathlyzer test - successfully avoided a criminal DWI charge and infractions for running a stop sign and failure to keep in his lane stemming from his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York

Timberlake – who refused to take a breathlyzer test – successfully avoided a criminal DWI charge and infractions for running a stop sign and failure to keep in his lane stemming from his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York 

Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave's spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie - premiering October 9 on Apple TV - alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll

Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave’s spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie – premiering October 9 on Apple TV – alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll

The four-time Emmy winner continues to pull 57.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify after selling over 32 million solo records and 80 million records with his former boyband *NSYNC.

But Timberlake first found fame at age 12 as a Mouseketeer in the Disney Channel variety show revival, The All-New Mickey Mouse Club, which aired for seven seasons spanning 1989-1996.

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Biel will next portray Aimee in Sam Hargrave’s spy comedy Matchbox: The Movie – premiering October 9 on Apple TV – alongside John Cena, Sam Richardson, Danai Gurira and Corey Stoll.

The Fatal Destination producer-narrator’s other upcoming acting projects include Kyle Marvin’s Yosemite mountain climbing drama Batso and Anthony Sparks’s reboot of her sitcom 7th Heaven at CBS Studios.

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Erin Patterson launches desperate last ditch effort to erase history and walk free from jail amid claims the jury shouldn’t have been housed alongside police and prosecution

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Erin Patterson could not face another trip to the Supreme Court of Melbourne where he fate was sealed last year

Evil mushroom killer Erin Patterson has begun her last-ditch effort to walk free from a Melbourne jail.

Supreme Court of Victoria Justice Christopher Beale sentenced Patterson to life in prison on September 8, but set a non-parole period of 33 years.

On Wednesday, the now 51-year-old appeared in the Supreme Court of Appeal from the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre via video link, avoiding another uncomfortable face-to-face with her victims and their friends and families.

Justices Stephen McLeish, Lesley Taylor and Peter Kidd will determine Patterson’s future after listening to all the evidence over the coming days.

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Patterson, who appeared in court wearing an oversized jumper, messy long brown hair and glasses, was found guilty of the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson.

They died after consuming death cap mushrooms served in Beef Wellingtons during lunch at her Leongatha home on July 29, 2023.

Pastor Ian Wilkinson survived the lunch after being critically ill, with Patterson also convicted of his attempted murder.

Patterson had reportedly been expected to be represented by barrister Julian McMahon – a Companion of the Order of Australia and a Senior Counsel who counts the heroin smuggling ringleaders of the Bali Nine among his highest-profile defendants.

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Erin Patterson could not face another trip to the Supreme Court of Melbourne where he fate was sealed last year 

Instead, barrister Richard Edney appeared for Patterson, instantly launching into submissions calling for his client to be released from jail.

‘I’ll start with ground one, and your honours will see that that ground is expressed that a fundamental irregularity occurred while the jury were sequestered, that has fatally undermined the integrity of the verdicts and requires the quashing of the convictions and an order for a retrial so that justice can not only be done but be seen to be done,’ he said.

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Such is the public interest in the hearing, it needed to be moved from the actual appeal court to the larger Supreme Court of Victoria next door.

In opening his submissions, Mr Edney claimed the jury’s placement in a hotel alongside journalists, police and prosecutors was unfair.

‘We would describe the sequestration and what occurred during it as catastrophic, and in our submission, what has occurred here is that there has been a fundamental failure to comply with the dictum already referred to,’ he said.

The court heard that despite Mr Edney’s complaints, there was no evidence the jury had come into contact with anyone involved in the trial.

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‘This was a hotel with windows, with common areas and the reasonable possibility cannot be excluded that the jurors sighted the informant or sighted solicitors from the Office of Public Prosecutions.’

It was a submission instantly questioned by the judges: ‘If they did view or see the practitioners, so what?’ Justice Peter Kidd pondered.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall (right) put the finger on Patterson and brought her to justice

Detective Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall (right) put the finger on Patterson and brought her to justice 

The remains of Patterson's beef Wellington

The remains of Patterson’s beef Wellington 

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Patterson hands over a phone to Detective Sergeant Luke 'Faz' Farrell after murdering her dinner guests

Patterson hands over a phone to Detective Sergeant Luke ‘Faz’ Farrell after murdering her dinner guests 

Patterson’s other barrister Veronika Drago then addressed the judges about concerns centred around the prosecution’s use of evidence about the website iNaturalist and mobile phone tower data.

The prosecution had alleged that Patterson used iNaturalist to track down death cap mushrooms. 

Ms Drago argued that phone tower evidence and evidence about death cap mushroom sightings in the nearby towns of Loch and Outtrim caused unfair prejudice and should not have been permitted in the trial.

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Ms Drago claimed the prosecution framed ‘innocuous’ evidence to turn nothing into something.

She further attacked the expert evidence of Dr Matthew Sorell, who provided hours of evidence on mobile tower records. 

Ms Drago submitted call-charge records were unreliable, and that the prosecution used Dr Sorell’s subjective opinion and tried to present it as objective evidence.

‘The question has to be asked how such speculative evidence … how could it go to a fact in issue?’ she said.

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Moving to Patterson’s third ground of appeal, Ms Drago claimed that the use of photos of foraged mushrooms ought not have been put to the jury. 

Don and Heather Patterson
Heather Wilkinson

Don and Heather Patterson and Heather Wilkinson (right) all died horrific, painful deaths after being poisoned by Erin Patterson 

Top Melbourne criminal lawyer George Balot, of Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers, told Daily Mail could face even further time behind bars if unsuccessful.

Top Melbourne criminal lawyer George Balot, of Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers, told Daily Mail could face even further time behind bars if unsuccessful.

Justice Christopher Beale's sentence is being challenged by both sides

Justice Christopher Beale’s sentence is being challenged by both sides 

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The court heard Patterson’s defence had wanted to use the same evidence to prove Patterson always had an interest in foraging mushrooms, but was denied before the trial.

‘By the time that very same evidence is sought to be relied upon … by defence, the prosecution objected on the basis of the evidence being irrelevant,’ Ms Drago said.

Ms Drago claimed there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice as it forced Patterson to testify that she had been foraging for mushrooms before.

‘That she was compelled at all … arises to the level of a substantial miscarriage of justice,’ she said. 

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‘The truth is that in our submission she was compelled, and that amounts to or offends one of the cardinal principles or fundamentals of criminal law that is an accused’s right to silence.’

Patterson’s team is expected to also challenge Justice Beale’s summary of her defence, amid speculation it failed to adequately highlight her testimony and arguments, including her claim of accidental mushroom inclusion, her lack of knowledge about death caps’ lethality, and her explanations for so-called ‘incriminating conduct’.

It could also argue Justice Beale selectively emphasised prosecution points without giving equal scrutiny to witness credibility, including ‘hearsay evidence’ from Patterson’s dying victims.

Patterson’s admitted lies could also present difficulties in the Court of Appeal, with a potential argument about Justice Beale’s framing of them, which may have encouraged an inference of guilt, particularly when linked to phone data and factory resets.

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Erin Patterson after being grilled by Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall in 2023

Erin Patterson after being grilled by Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall in 2023

Patterson hid in jail on Wednesday, too afraid to be snapped by waiting photographers as she had been during her trial (pictured)

Patterson hid in jail on Wednesday, too afraid to be snapped by waiting photographers as she had been during her trial (pictured) 

But Patterson’s attempt to overturn her conviction carries its own risks to her liberty.

Top Melbourne criminal lawyer George Balot, of Balot Reilly Criminal Lawyers, told Daily Mail she could face even further time behind bars if unsuccessful.

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‘So if she puts in an appeal against conviction and she’s successful … and a retrial is ordered, some of the evidence will be played on video for a new jury,’ he said when the appeal was launched.

‘So not all the witnesses will have to go through the same process. In addition to that, evidence that might have been excluded in previous trials might not be excluded on this trial.

‘So it’s very important to keep that in mind and, you know, be careful as to what you wish for.’

Patterson had been fortunate in having crucial police evidence withheld from the jury, which will likely be re-introduced should a retrial be ordered.

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‘And another interesting thing … is if she succeeds on her conviction appeal, she might then be able to go back to the Supreme Court, plead guilty and receive a discount for a plea of guilty and saving the community a trial,’ Mr Balot said.

‘And so she could potentially do better than 33 years if she takes advantage of that.’

Director of the Office of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane KC (right), arrives at the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Wednesday

Director of the Office of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane KC (right), arrives at the Supreme Court in Melbourne on Wednesday 

Erin Patterson has complained that photos of her foraged mushrooms were shown to the jury

Erin Patterson has complained that photos of her foraged mushrooms were shown to the jury 

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As Patterson fights to clear her name, Victorian prosecutors have lodged their own legal challenge, and are calling on the Court of Appeal to strip her of the chance to ever walk free again.

After Patterson was found guilty, the prosecution called on Justice Beale to impose a life sentence with no parole, a measure that would effectively see her locked up until she dies.

Justice Beale ordered the life sentence but set a non-parole period, giving Patterson a chance to walk free in 2056, when she would be aged 81.

The Office of Public Prosecutions believes Justice Beale’s sentence was ‘manifestly inadequate’ given the gravity of Patterson’s crimes.

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Patterson had been brought to justice by Det Leading Sen Const Stephen Eppingstall, who was in charge of the investigation against her.

The respected detective had been grilled during Patterson’s original trial, but was instrumental in convincing the jury that Patterson had indeed done what he had alleged. 

When the appeal is finally settled over the coming days or weeks, the full extent of the detective’s case against Patterson is expected to finally be revealed.  

The hearing continues. 

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Police called to suspected break-in at Hall i’ th’ Wood

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Police called to suspected break-in at Hall i' th' Wood

Officers, alongside Bolton Council’s security team, attended Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum after an alarm was triggered at the Grade I-listed property.

Residents living nearby reported seeing a group of youths in the area before the incident. Several locals claimed the hall, which dates back to the 16th century, has been targeted by vandals on previous occasions.

Police attend Hall i’th’ Wood (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

It is believed those involved gained access to the site before a fire extinguisher was thrown, causing damage to a number of the building’s historic stone mullion windows.

Police and council security staff remained at the property while assessments of the damage were carried out and the building secured.

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Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum is currently the subject of a multi-million pound bid to bring it back in use.

The Grade 1 listed site, which has been operating as a museum under the management of Bolton Council since 1900, was forced to close its doors to the public in 2021 due to severe structural issues. These problems include timber decay, damp, rot, and damage caused by vandalism.

Police attend Hall i’th’ Wood (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

This Tudor timber-framed hall dates back to the early 1500s, and is renowned as the location where Samuel Compton invented the spinning mule, a crucial development in the Industrial Revolution.

Historic England states: “As one of only 48 Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester, Hall i’th’ Wood represents a rare and valuable example of Tudor architecture.”

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Police attend Hall i’th’ Wood (Image: PHIL TAYLOR)

Hall i’th’ Wood occupies a monumental place in Bolton’s identity ­— not only as a rare example of Tudor architecture, but as the birthplace for the cotton-weaving technology which would make Bolton a boomtown.

Today – aside from signifying the iconic house, its surrounding neighbourhood, and even a train station – the name conjures memories of school trips familiar to anyone who attended primary school in Bolton.

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November is turning out to be one of the best months for travel in 2026

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Wales Online

Expedia research has revealed that November could be the best month to travel for those who aren’t tied to school holiday dates as prices drop in plenty of spots where it’s still warm and sunny

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There’s good news for intrepid explorers who are already counting down the days until cardigan season; it turns out that November could be one of the best months for travelling this year.

Expedia has revealed its Autumn Travel Outlook report, and found that there are plenty of opportunities for bargain breaks this autumn, especially if you’re looking abroad.

Granted, November tends to be one of the cheapest months given it has no school holiday dates and is close to Christmas meaning most people are already saving for the festive season, but for those who can be flexible on travel, there are plenty of perks to travelling towards the end of the year.

Commenting on the data, Melanie Fish, Travel Expert and Spokesperson for Expedia, said: “International stays on Expedia are, on average, 10% cheaper in November than in summer, making it the sweet spot for savvy travellers looking to unlock the best deals.”

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Where to go on holiday in November?

Expedia’s research found that hotel rates fall by around 7% during the autumn, and the biggest savings can be found in the likes of the Algarve or Greek Islands. It’s worth noting that these resorts will generally be quieter than the summer, with some restaurants and hotels closing up for the winter in the smaller hubs.

Other affordable destinations included Benidorm, Alicante and Istanbul, while Luxembourg emerged as the fastest-growing autumn destination, followed by Sarandë in Albania, Budva in Montenegro and Ljubljana in Slovenia.

For those who prefer a staycation, Stirling was the top trending destination, followed by Harrogate, Durham, Norwich and the Cotswolds.

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Where is hot and sunny in November?

Europe

There are still plenty of destinations across Europe where it’s balmy weather; not necessarily hot enough to take a dip in the sea, but still pleasant enough to enjoy the beaches, eat outside, and avoid the dreaded British cold snaps. For example the Canaries continue to enjoy temperatures of up to 24C, while Cyprus has averages of around 22C.

For the Greek Islands, stick to larger destinations like Crete were most of the hotels and resorts are open for longer – if you want to explore the lesser-known islands, hold off until summer as these often close up shop for the winter because of the lack of tourists.

Meanwhile Malta has heaps of sunshine and temperatures around 21C in November, ideal for exploring the markets, wandering through the streets of Valletta, taking a boat trip to see the Blue Grotto or exploring the island of Gozo.

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Long-haul

November kicks off some of the best months to visit the Caribbean, whether that’s on a cruise or if you’re booking a week all-inclusive in the likes of Barbados or St Lucia.

If you’re thinking of finally ticking Australia off the list, stick to hotspots in the south including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth where you’ll find sunnier weather (it’s the start of the rainy season in the northern parts of Australia).

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For somewhere that doesn’t require too long of a flight but gets better sunshine than European hotspots, consider Morocco; Marrakech can still have average temperatures of 23C so it’s not too hot to explore the iconic markets, but still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors.

Best dates to travel in November

The Expedia research found that November has some of autumn’s best dates for travelling if you want cheap and quiet days.

Abroad

  • 27th – cheapest days to fly
  • 18th & 24th – quietest days to fly
  • 4th and 18th – cheapest days for a hotel stay
  • 18th and 24th – quietest days for a hotel stay

Staycations

  • 18th & 25th – quietest days to fly in the UK
  • 9th & 29th – cheapest days to fly in the UK
  • 8th & 22nd – cheapest days for a hotel stay
  • 10th and 30th – quietest days for hotel stays

On the flip side, try to avoid the 11th, 18th and 19th November which had some of the most expensive days to fly both internationally and domestically. Meanwhile, November 1 was also tipped as the most expensive day for a hotel stay in the UK, so swerve it if you can for your next staycation!

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

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Hospitality Junior Board programme Rise and Serve returns

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Hospitality Junior Board programme Rise and Serve returns

Rise & Serve, a Hospitality Junior Board initiative delivered in partnership with The Wenlock Arms in Wheldrake and York Jobcentre, will welcome a new group of young people this September for a fully funded 12-week programme

The initiative gives those taking part the opportunity to design, plan and run their own hospitality event, working alongside industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience in everything from menu creation and marketing to customer service and event delivery.

The programme is open to all young people, particularly those who may not currently be in education, employment or training, are neurodivergent, or are unsure of their next steps.

RECOMMENDED READING:

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The return of Rise & Serve follows a successful pilot in York earlier this year, which saw participants grow in confidence and progress into paid work experience and employment opportunities.

Many of the young people went into permanent hospitality roles, including at Rudding Park in Harrogate, Hotel Indigo in York, Swinton Estate in Masham and Grantley Hall in Ripon

Philip Bolson – Founder of the Hospitality Junior Board, said: I’m delighted that we’ll be delivering two further Rise & Serve cohorts between September and March next year.

“The pilot we ran earlier this year in York was a real success, with powerful results. We saw a genuine shift in the confidence of the young people who took part, with several completing paid work experience and others progressing into employment within hospitality.

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The claimant count figures for July (Image: Pic supplied)

Adam Atkinson, owner of The Wenlock Arms, said: “We are incredibly proud to be hosting the next chapter of Rise & Serve. Having mentored the first cohort, we saw first-hand the difference it made to the young people involved. The impact this initiative has on young people in our community is immeasurable and we hope to support it for many years to come.”

Wendy Mangan, DWP Recruitment & Partnership Manager, said: “Programmes like Rise & Serve demonstrate the difference that strong local partnerships can make. By bringing employers and young people together in a supportive, real-world environment, participants can build confidence, develop practical skills and take positive steps towards employment. The success of the first cohort shows what can be achieved when we create these opportunities.

The programme runs one day a week over 12 weeks at The Wenlock Arms in Wheldrake, with lunch and travel support available. Places are limited.

The initiative comes amid mixed results with the latest claimant count figures in the area.

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For July, York has a claimant count of 2525, an increase of five on a year ago. The Over 50s made up 530 of this, a decrease of 20 or 4per cent on July 2025.

In Ryedale, the total claimant count increased 45 or 8 per cent to 610 compared with a year ago. The over 50s made up 185 of this, an increase of 15 or 9 per cent.

In Selby, the total was 1145, a decrease of 40 or three per cent. The over 50s made up 295 of this, a decrease of 45 or 13 per cent compared to July 2025.

*Anyone interested in finding out more about Rise and Service contact gemma@workingourway.co.uk or see their work coach at York Jobcentre.

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CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: ADHD, a money-making industry… and the children paying the price

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The Daily Mail’s Max Pemberton in The Great ADHD Myth?

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The Great ADHD Myth? (C4) 

Four stars out of five

Are you easily distracted? Do you fidget? Are you talkative, and apt to interrupt others or blurt out answers before the question is finished? Do you lose your keys and feel frustrated in queues?

Congratulations! You have ADHD — or at least, you’ve got it if you want it. All those traits, unbelievably, are officially symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to the bible of psychiatric medicine, the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

What was a largely unknown condition until recent decades has become an epidemic, with an estimated 2.5 million adults now claiming to have ADHD in Britain. Diagnosis among children aged ten to 17 has more than doubled since 2018, with many of them on heavy-duty medication that has been compared to ‘slow-release cocaine’.

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Practically every famous person you’ve ever heard of now claims to have ADHD, said the Daily Mail’s Dr Max Pemberton as he Googled celebs from Emma Watson to Ryan Gosling, on The Great ADHD Myth?. But he vigorously challenged the popular idea that this means ‘their brains are wired differently’. That’s simply not supported by scientific evidence, he insisted.

This bold assertion was backed by a panel of experts who were unafraid to debunk ADHD in even stronger terms. ‘It’s certainly not a medical condition as far as I’m concerned,’ said Dr Iona Heath, a former president of the Royal College of GPs.

‘The industry around ADHD is about making money, at the cost of misery for others,’ said Professor Dinesh Bhugra, a past president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Sami Timimi called it, ‘a big cultural experiment,’ and warned, ‘We’re drugging so many young people’s developing nervous system. We have very little idea about what the long-term consequences might be.’

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The Daily Mail’s Max Pemberton in The Great ADHD Myth?

Max’s main case study followed a ten-year-old boy, Mason, who wanted to stop taking his ADHD meds because, he said, the pills stripped all the ‘fun-ness‘ out of his life. In place of drugs, he tried to regulate his behaviour by cutting down on sugar and screen time, and taking more outdoor exercise.

Beach beast of the night:

Rivals on the sandcastle contest Race Against The Tide (BBC2) were making sculptures that evoked a traditional seaside holiday… except one, Yusuf, who carved a camel. What’s wrong with old-fashioned donkey rides?

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The condition is both so nebulous and so widely recognised that it seems almost anyone can qualify for the label. To prove the point, Max took an online test with a private clinic. Yes, he was forever losing his phone, he said. Yes, he tended to work into the small hours and then zonk out. The instant verdict was unambiguous. Max was diagnosed with the ‘combined type’ of ADHD: impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattentiveness.

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What the documentary failed to explore was how widely these tests are being exploited for benefits claims. More than 100,000 people claiming Personal Independence Payment [PIP] cite ADHD as their main ‘disability’.

This one-off programme could have made an even more compelling case if it had tackled this side of the problem, perhaps over two hours. We’ve got the attention span.

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Group of youths ‘assault’ boy by park in Scarborough

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Lexus LBX review: can small hybrid SUV feel truly premium?

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Lexus LBX review: can small hybrid SUV feel truly premium?

The vehicle is designed to draw new buyers into the brand: people who might admire Lexus’s reputation for quality but previously viewed it as a marque reserved for larger, more expensive executive cars.

As the smallest Lexus yet, it does that by blending compact crossover practicality with an upmarket cabin and a very contemporary hybrid powertrain.

It is not a conventional mini-SUV in the mould of some of its more anonymous rivals.

The Lexus LBX (Image: Lexus)

At 4.19 metres long, the LBX is compact enough for tight town centre car parks, yet its low, wide stance gives it a more planted and purposeful appearance.

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I rather like the way the old Lexus spindle grille has been reworked into what the company calls its ‘Resolute Look’, helping the LBX establish a fresher identity without losing the family connection.

The result is a car that, in my eyes, looks more premium than its footprint suggests.

There are neatly sculpted body panels, pronounced wheelarches and a broad front end, but Lexus has avoided making the LBX overly aggressive.

It is smart rather than shouty, with enough visual interest to stand apart from the crowded compact-crossover market.

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The Lexus LBX (Image: Lexus)

That feeling continues inside, where the cabin has to be among the best in class, if not the best, in my opinion.

Lexus has long been capable of producing cabins that feel a cut above the mainstream, and the LBX brings much of that attention to material quality and finish into a smaller package.

The dashboard wraps around the front occupants, while the driver-focused layout follows Lexus’s ‘tazuna’ principle: key information and controls are placed to require minimal movement of the driver’s hands and eyes.

The effect is a cockpit that feels considered rather than cluttered.

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There is a light, open ambience up front and good outward visibility, both of which matter in a car likely to spend much of its time negotiating urban traffic.

I found the physical climate controls to be very user-friendly. The Takumi model adds acoustic front side windows and a crisp-sounding Mark Levinson audio system.

The sound system (Image: Lexus)

Lexus also offers different ‘Atmosphere’ themes, allowing buyers to choose colour, trim and finish combinations to better suit their own tastes instead of simply climbing a predictable ladder of equipment grades.

It is perhaps not a car to buy for carrying a family of adults over long distances, however.

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Rear-seat space is acceptable rather than generous, which is an inevitable compromise of the LBX’s compact dimensions.

Still, front-wheel-drive versions offer a useful 402-litre boot, while folding the rear seats expands capacity to 994 litres.

All-wheel-drive models sacrifice some luggage capacity, with 317 litres behind the rear seats.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder self-charging hybrid system.

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It combines petrol and electric power without the need to plug in, recovering energy under braking and using the electric motor to support the engine in day-to-day driving.

The Lexus LBX (Image: Lexus)

Total system output is 136hp, so it is not intended to be a hot hatch in crossover clothing, but it does feel responsive enough around town and on faster A-roads.

The key benefit is efficiency.

Front-wheel-drive versions officially return 61.4–62.7mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with CO2 emissions from 102g/km. In real-world driving conditions, I found it to be very frugal.

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Those figures make the LBX a potentially attractive alternative to diesel for drivers who cover mixed urban and motorway miles, especially those without the ability or inclination to charge a plug-in hybrid or EV.

The engine (Image: Lexus)

Behind the wheel, it was clear to me that Lexus has paid particular attention to the way the LBX drives.

The GA-B platform has been strengthened and revised with a longer wheelbase and wider track, while suspension, steering and braking have been tuned to deliver the brand’s ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ of control, comfort and confidence.

It is a lofty ambition in this class, but the aim is clear: the LBX should feel less like a compromised entry-level model and more like a properly engineered premium car in miniature.

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A new nickel-metal hydride battery is designed to be smaller, lighter and more responsive than the unit it replaces, helping the hybrid system react more promptly at lower speeds.

I found that the car’s electric assistance makes pulling away and moving through stop-start traffic smooth and quiet, while the combustion engine takes over more naturally as speeds rise.

That refined character is central to the LBX’s appeal.

Lexus has worked to reduce road noise and vibration, a worthwhile focus in a compact crossover where poor sound insulation could quickly undermine the feeling of quality.

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The intention is that, even at this lower price point, the LBX retains the calmness and thoughtful hospitality associated with the larger Lexus range.

It may not be the most spacious compact SUV on sale, nor is it the quickest.

But that misses the point.

The LBX offers a distinctive alternative for buyers who want manageable dimensions, low-effort hybrid motoring and an interior that feels genuinely special.

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It is a compact crossover that brings Lexus’s premium values into a more accessible part of the market — and does so without appearing to be a cut-price Lexus.

The lowdown

Price: £36,210 for Premium Plus Design; up to £39,460 for Takumi Design
Engine: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-electric self-charging hybrid
Powertrain: Front-wheel drive or AWD-i all-wheel drive; e-CVT automatic
Power: 136hp combined system output
Engine power: 91hp
Electric motor: 94hp / 185Nm
Battery: 1.0kWh nickel-metal hydride
0–62mph: 9.2 seconds (FWD); 9.6 seconds (AWD)
Top speed: 106mph
Fuel economy: 61.4–62.7mpg (FWD); 58.8mpg (AWD)
CO2 emissions: 102–108g/km (FWD); 110–113g/km (AWD)
Transmission: e-CVT automatic
Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles, with Lexus Relax cover available up to 10 years/100,000 miles subject to annual servicing at a Lexus centre.

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Pictured: Three sisters left with catastrophic injuries after crash on Irish motorway that killed five teenage boys ‘who boasted about joyriding days before smash’

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Left to right: Ella Hendricken, Niamh Kinsella and Alma Kinsella, who all sustained catastrophic injuries after a crash on an Irish motorway that killed five teenage boys 'who boasted about joyriding days before smash'

The three sisters left with catastrophic injuries after a crash on an Irish motorway that killed five teenage boys ‘who boasted about joyriding days before smash’ have today been pictured.

Niamh and Alma Kinsella, who are in their 30s, are fighting for their lives in hospital after a gang of joyriders, who were driving the wrong way down the motorway, smashed into them. 

Sister Ella Hendricken, who is in her 20s, was also seriously injured in the crash – as well as her seven-year-old nephew. 

Niamh and Alma are understood to have been in the front of the vehicle while the child and Ella were in the back of the car when the collision happened shortly before 3am on Sunday. 

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The three sisters and a seven-year-old boy were on their way to Dublin Airport ahead of a family wedding in Britain. 

Ella is understood to have been working as a social worker in Carlow while Niamh is understood to be a PE teacher at a local school. 

Locals have described the family as ‘lovely’ and ‘quiet’.  

The boys who died after their stolen BMW smashed into a Hyundai on Sunday had been ‘terrorising’ several communities with break-ins and car robberies over the previous fortnight.

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Left to right: Ella Hendricken, Niamh Kinsella and Alma Kinsella, who all sustained catastrophic injuries after a crash on an Irish motorway that killed five teenage boys ‘who boasted about joyriding days before smash’

Kamil Pustkowski was one of five teenagers to die in the collision

Kamil Pustkowski was one of five teenagers to die in the collision

Three sisters and a seven-year-old boy had been travelling to Dublin Airport ahead of a family wedding in the UK when they were seriously injured in a head-on collision with a BMW

Three sisters and a seven-year-old boy had been travelling to Dublin Airport ahead of a family wedding in the UK when they were seriously injured in a head-on collision with a BMW

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All five of the teenage boys – reportedly aged between 15 and 17 – travelling in the BMW died and were identified as Kamil Pustkowski, Joe Carthy, Jeremy O’Brien, Alex McCarthy and Jack Kennedy. 

They died in the two-car collision on the M9, in County Kildare, on Sunday morning. 

Father Tom Little, from a parish in Carlow, said today that the family of those who suffered injuries are ‘bereft with sadness’. 

He told the Irish Times: ‘It is a terrible, sad event. It’s very hard to comprehend what’s happened. Everybody is hoping that those that are injured will make a full recovery.’   

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The group of joyriders were suspected of multiple car thefts and burglaries, as well as other serious anti-social activities across the Kildare and Carlow regions for at least the past two weeks. 

They often posted videos of themselves being chased by gardaí. One video shared before their deaths filmed the rearview mirror of a car and was captioned with the words, ‘wrong way.’ 

In a clip posted on TikTok, Kamil Pustkowski can be seen playing loud music and shouting as he films the reflection in his wing mirror, which shows the flashing blue lights of a police car chasing after him.

Alex McCarthy was one of the five boys who died in the collision in County Kildare on Sunday morning

Alex McCarthy was one of the five boys who died in the collision in County Kildare on Sunday morning

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Joe Carthy also died in the crash on the M9 motorway

Joe Carthy also died in the crash on the M9 motorway

Jeremy O'Brien was one of five teenagers to lose his life in the collision

Jeremy O’Brien was one of five teenagers to lose his life in the collision 

Jack Kennedy was the fifth teenage boy to lose his life in the crash yesterday

Jack Kennedy was the fifth teenage boy to lose his life in the crash yesterday 

Kamil Pustkowski is heard saying ‘that’s a sick video boys’ as he attempts to escape the pursuing Garda. The video is captioned: ‘They got rammed get up. Cupra smoked,’ which is slang for ‘escaped’.

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In a separate post, the teenager can be seen shakily filming his dashboard as the speedometer increases.

And in other footage, Kamil Pustkowski films out the view from the rear windscreen of a car as police again give chase with flashing blue lights. The video is captioned: ‘No panic zone here.’

Meanwhile, in other social media activity reviewed by the Daily Mail, one of the other boys, Jack Kennedy, has posted images of himself smoking marijuana and wearing balaclavas.

It comes after the Irish justice minister Jim O’Callaghan warned on Monday that criminals driving the wrong way down motorways will ‘end up in jail or in the grave’.

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Mr O’Callaghan also said he was seriously considering new legislation to create a specific offence for those who drive the wrong way down a motorway and promised that pursuit training for gardaí will begin this year.

The Daily Mail has since confirmed the teenagers previously shared pictures of the tools they used to steal the vehicles. The high-powered BMW they were driving on the night of the horror smash had been stolen earlier that night and was spotted in several areas near Kildare before the crash.

The scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare

The scene on the M9 northbound at Junction 3 in Co Kildare

Gardaí are confident the same group of young men had carried out a burglary in the area just hours before they died.

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Garda investigators are also probing whether they were part of a number of attempted car robberies in the same region over the course of the night.

All five of the dead teenagers were wearing masks when gardaí came upon the grisly crash scene.

Friends of the teenagers posted pictures of the young men wearing balaclavas and driving cars at dangerous speeds.

One video posted in tribute to Kamil Pustkowski showed a man carrying out dangerous manoeuvres in a vehicle with the comment, ‘this one’s for you, Kamil’.

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In another social media post, someone published a picture of a balaclava with the caption: ‘Your bally (sic) you gave me the other day. My heart’s in bits. Please, man. Don’t do this to us, Joe.’

Security sources told how the five youngsters were part of a growing group of teenagers who have been trying to ‘one up’ each other by posting more and more dangerous videos on social media.

‘These young guys have been terrorising communities for weeks if not longer,’ a source told the Daily Mail. ‘They go out and target cars they believe don’t have immobilisers and then go out joyriding.

‘Most of the time they were wearing masks or balaclavas but at times they’d show their faces. They did not care if they were caught as they knew they were underage and that there was little the courts system could do with them.’

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The source added: ‘I want to be clear here. These lads were not the only ones who have done things of this nature.

‘It’s becoming a growing social media trend and it’s been a nightmare for gardaí to police because they are often ordered to stand down from pursuits because of the danger that chasing these guys could put the public in.

‘It’s a no-win situation for Gardaí here and now you have four innocent people who have been injured because of this recklessness.’

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