There are many reasons to start running in autumn – the cooler temperatures and lower humidity are ideal conditions, for starters.

But if you need a bit more motivation, this might help: new research suggests that decades of aerobic activity could keep us more resilient in our old age.

The study, published in GeroScience, took a look at what happened to people’s bodies after years of cycling, swimming, and jogging.

As it turns out, these activities seemed to boost their “vitality capacity” as they aged.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes intrinsic capacity as “the composite of all the physical and mental capacities that an individual can draw on at any point in time”.

Vitality capacity, meanwhile, is the “body’s physiological reserve”, which determines how much intrinsic capability a person has.

In short, the higher your vitality capacity is in your later years, the more functional and resilient you may be.

Vitality capacity measures three broad functions – energy and metabolism, neuromuscular function, and immune and stress response functions. In this research, scientists assessed vitality capacity across 12 biomarkers.

Researchers compared people who had done some form of aerobic activity at least three times a week for 30 years with those who were mostly sedentary.

Data suggested that those who were more active had a stronger vitality capacity, especially in their immune and stress responses.

More active adults also had better resting blood oxygen levels and a higher heart rate variability.

Heart rate variability (HRV), which has been linked to “exceptional longevity”, refers to the variation of time your heart takes between beats. It is usually measured in milliseconds and requires special equipment to be tracked.

And while experts still have questions about the “accuracy, reliability and overall usefulness of tracking HRV”, this paper is just one of many to link more active lifestyles to a happier, healthier older age.

Some aerobic exercises to consider include:

• Jogging or fast walking,
• Swimming,
• Cycling,
• Dancing,
• Skipping,
• Rowing,
• Sports like football, tennis, or basketball,
• Walking up the stairs,
• Rollerblading,
• Water aerobics.

Donald Trump has invited Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami in December.

It’s a highly controversial move from the US president, four and a half years into Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed the invite on Wednesday, telling reporters: “We think it’s an opportunity for [Putin] to engage not just with the president but with other world leaders. We hope that’s an invitation he’ll accept.”

He said: “If you only meet with people that you agree with, then these are very nice meetings but nothing happens. In order to solve problems, you have to meet with people that you disagree with or the people that you might have some issue with.”

Moscow has not yet said if Putin will accept.

He has not attended the G20 in person since 2019, and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has had an arrest warrant out for Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine since March 2023.

However, America does not recognise the ICC, meaning its authorities are not obliged to arrest the Russian president if he enters the US.

It’s why the Russian dictator was able to get the red carpet treatment from Trump in Alaska last year.

But aside from the US president’s efforts to reintegrate Russia, Putin has been a pariah on the international stage since he initiated his land grab of his European leader back in February 2022.

Ukraine’s allies have weaned themselves off Russia’s cheap oil exports, funded Kyiv’s defensive efforts and lambasted Putin time and time again for his aggression.

UK prime minister Andy Burnham used his speech at the United Nations to condemn “Russia’s game of trading escalatory rhetoric” and to crackdown on Moscow’s “disinformation”.

It’s a stark difference to the way Trump has instead put Ukraine under pressure over the war – despite being the victim.

He called on Kyiv to stop hitting Russian oil refineries, claiming it was triggering a spike in global gas prices.

Meanwhile Russia continues to relentlessly blast Ukraine, killing at least two people with drone strikes on Wednesday night.

It’s unclear how other world leaders will respond if the Russian leader does attend the G20 summit.

Despite issuing a decree banning meetings with Putin in the early stages of the war, the Ukrainian president has gradually changed his mind.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed this week he could be open to a trilateral talks with Russia and the US at the G20.

The Ukrainian leader said: “I believe this is one of the best opportunities put forward by the US side, by President Trump, regarding the G20. I believe this could be an opportunity for a trilateral meeting that could produce a tangible result.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

I am a hair girl, it’s my thing. I love trying different styles on my hair and trying new tools to make my life easier.

So when I saw the Shark Silki-Pro, it’s safe to say I was more than curious. A wet-to-dry straightener that promised no heat damage and silky smooth locks!? Sign me up. I simply can’t say no.

I am also just a big fan of anything that can make my morning routine take a little bit less time.

However, I’m always quite sceptical about tools that promise silky smooth hair because my hair texture doesn’t always agree with that. I have thick, wavy, slightly wiry hair naturally so achieving truly smooth locks can be quite the challenge.

Unlike other hair straighteners, the SilkiPro is designed specifically to be used on wet hair.

It combines hair drying technology with straightening, so you won’t need to use two tools to get glossy straight hair.

But, if you want to just use it as a straightener, you can easily turn the drying airflow off, and use it to add some shine and reduce frizz.

The Shark Silkipro comes with:

• SilkiPro Straight
• Comb Pouch
• Gentle Comb
• Precision Comb
• Wide-Tooth Comb
• Storage Case

The different combs can be used for curling, smoothing, or for a sleeker look.

There are also three airflow controls and three temperature controls to choose from, so you can find the perfect setting for your hair. Just don’t forget the heat protectant spray!

The best way to use the tool is by getting your hair to about 70% dry. The tool has a built in dryer so you can rough dry your hair. This has to be done in wet-to-dry mode.

Once your hair feels dry enough, then you can attach one of the small tooth combs to the device. This adds tension and helps the straightener work its magic. You stay in wet-to-dry mode for this step. Start at your root and slowly pull the tool down your hair, taking about an inch worth of hair at a time. The tool dries as it straightens. Although I will admit it does take me a few passes to achieve a straight strand, but I am still impressed nonetheless.

Once you have done this over your whole head you can switch the tool into dry mode and then it functions just like a regular flat iron (SO cool!) and you can go over your hair to lock in the silkiness.

What’s great is you can use dry mode to refresh the style the next day too. You can also use the dry mode as a curler, which I am yet to master but I am loving the practice.

The SilkiPro really is a great, all-round hair tool and coming in at £249.99 is a reasonable price point considering it is a dryer and a straightener in one device.

It also comes with a lovely case which can also double up as a travel case if you want to take your tool travelling with you.

If you love having your hair straight and sleek, then this is the tool for you. If you prefer a more blown-out curly look, I’d say stick with the Flexstyle.

Personally, I am loving this tool, it’s actually making me want to wear my hair straight more. I have always leaned towards a curly blowout but this is changing my mind a bit. It could not be easier and gets my hair from wet to straight in around 30 minutes, which for me, is great.

So I would say if you’re a straight hair fan, then run, don’t walk.

Miriam Margolyes’ next role will bring her into the James Bond franchise for the first time.

While the world awaits news of the casting for the long-awaited 26th film in the 007 series, it’s been announced that Miriam has landed a role in an audio adaptation of Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series.

The Bafta winner will lend her distinct vocal talents to Cleek MacSawney, a character described as “a violent henchperson on the Scottish estate of villain Lord Hellebore”.

Miriam will portray a gender-swapped version of Cleek MacSawney, who was originally depicted as male in the source material.

“Cleek is a violent, probably insane semi-criminal who works for Lord Hellebore on his estate in Scotland,” the former Harry Potter star enthused of her role in the audiobook of Young Bond: SilverFin.

“You wouldn’t want to meet her on a dark night, that’s for sure. I do enjoy playing nasty people!”

Meanwhile, Isaac Rouse – who previously played a close friend of Prince William’s in the final season of Netflix’s The Crown – is set to take on the role of the future 007 during his days at Eton.

The news of Miriam’s casting comes as fans eagerly await an announcement about who will be succeeding Daniel Craig as 007 in the iconic James Bond movie series.

While it was recently suggested that Slow Horses star Jack Lowden was in consideration, it’s also been reported that Heartstopper’s Jack Barton is producers’ favourite pick for the job.

Interestingly, Young Bond author Charlie Higson recently made headlines with his feelings on the subject matter, admitting that he was less than convinced by the idea of Jack Lowden at the helm of the franchise.

Other names supposedly still in the frame include Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Harris Dickinson and Paul Mescal.

Daniel Craig last played James Bond in 2021’s No Time To Die. In the years since, the brand has spawned two seasons of a competition reality show and a well-received video game, First Light.

Reform UK are on course to win fewer seats than both Labour and the Tories at the next general election, according to a new mega poll.

The YouGov study found that Nigel Farage’s party would end up with 123 MPs if an election were held now.

Although that is well up on the eight they currently have, it is well down on the 311 seats a similar poll forecast they would get a year ago.

Reform MPs Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman – who defected from the Tories – would lose their seats to their former party.

Labour would be the largest party on 241 seats – well down on the 403 they currently have – with the Tories second on 130.

The findings of the MRP poll – which saw 14,000 people surveyed to give a seat-by-seat breakdown – suggest the UK is heading for a hung parliament, with every party well short of the 326 seats needed for a majority.

That suggests Andy Burnham would be forced to do a deal with the Lib Dems, who are forecast to stay on 71 MPs elected, to remain in power.

Elsewhere, the poll says the Greens would see their number of MPs increase to 8, while the SNP would go from 8 MPs to 48.

The poll’s findings are further confirmation of Reform’s fall in popularity in recent months, and of the increase in support enjoyed by Labour since Burnham replaced Keir Starmer as leader and PM.

A separate poll by the More in Common think-tank on Wednesday put Reform behind the Tories and Labour.

Data released by YouGov also found that anti-Reform tactical voting is also likely to scupper his hopes of becoming PM.

The poll of more than 6,000 voters found that in a seat with only a Labour or Reform candidate, 41% would back Burnham’s party, with only 26% backing Farage’s.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Kemi Badenoch has been condemned over an “unworkable” Tory plan to slash the benefits bill.

The Conservative leader said the long-term unemployed who haven’t contributed enough tax into the system will see their Universal Credit payments cut by nearly a third if she becomes prime minister.

The new “subsistence level” benefit they do receive would be loaded onto a pre-payment card, which would ban spending on cigarettes, alcohol and betting.

Badenoch said the policy was aimed at cracking down on those who see being on benefits as “a lifestyle choice” and would encourage them to get a job.

According to the Tories, the move would save £538 million a year by reducing the benefits of 350,000 claimants.

She said: “Some will say this is unfair on people claiming benefits. What is unfair is a system where someone who can work chooses not to and earns more from benefits than someone in a job.

“If you can work, you should work. Helping people into work is not punishment.

“The best welfare is a well-paid job. So, we will be tough on those who exploit the system because the current system is unfair to workers, taxpayers and those who truly need support.

“We should not be borrowing from our children and grandchildren to support people who simply refuse to work.

“Welfare must be a safety net for those who genuinely need it, not a lifestyle choice for those who can’t be bothered.”

But a Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Conservatives had 14 years to fix our welfare system but they completely failed to make meaningful reforms.

“Now they are proposing an unworkable new card scheme, which does nothing to tackle the numbers of people their system left signed off and written off.

“While the bill for the taxpayer rose by £33 billion in their last year in government, this Labour government is introducing effective and sustainable welfare reform alongside a £3.5 billion employment support package to help people stay in or return to work, and the national rollout of the jobs guarantee for young people who have been on universal credit.”

Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick, who defected from the Tories at the start of 2026, said Badenoch’s plans do not go far enough.

He said: “This welfare plan is so weak the Lib Dems could have authored it.

“The Tories left more people on long-term benefits and benefit fraud at record levels.

“Now they offer a spending card that won’t even put a dent in the coming £400 billion bill. It’s a sticking plaster on a wound they opened.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.