By Christoph Steitz FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Volkswagen said on Thursday that a major IT outage, which had caused most of its

An explosion in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, has killed a teenage boy and injured at least 162 people

Legendary pop singer Cher hired four men to abduct her son, her daughter-in-law has claimed. Marieangela King, the British wife of Cher’s youngest son Elijah Blue Allman, said she and her husband were in a hotel room when the group of strangers burst in. She and Allman had filed for divorce, citing irrevocable differences. According to court documents, King, who is a singer known as Queenie, said they had spent 12 days alone at the hotel in New York, "working out [their] marriage," when the shocking incident occurred. King said in a court filing: “After spending these 12 days together in New York, on November 30, 2022, the night of our wedding anniversary, four people came to our hotel room and removed [my husband] from our room.” “I was told by one of the four men who took him that they were hired by [his] mother,” she continued. The couple were married in 2013 but separated in 2020 and filed for divorce in 2021. King added that, even now, she remains “currently unaware of my husband’s wellbeing or whereabouts. I am very concerned and worried about him”. She also noted: “I understand his family’s efforts to make sure he is well, and I want what is best for my husband.” Allman is Cher’s youngest son, whom she shares with musician Greg Allman. Allman has previously struggled with addiction but is understood to have been sober since 2008. King believes he had been receiving treatment at a healthcare facility but did not know which one or how to contact him. She claimed: “In my husband’s absence I was asked to leave our family home by [his] mother.” “I did so on the belief that my support payments would be timely, and I would be able to afford housing,” she said. indy100 has contacted Cher’s represenatives for comment. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Ryanair has announced cuts to its winter schedule due to delays in the delivery of Boeing aircraft, but Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers said its full-year traffic forecast was unaffected "as yet."

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The US soldier had illegally crossed into North Korea in July and had been held there since.

If you’re after a year-round holiday destination in the UK, the Isle of Wight is pocket-sized yet picturesque – and it’s only two hours from London. Once famous for being a bucket-and-spade, budget destination, the island – the second-most populous in England – has reinvented itself as a place for a stylish sojourn by the sea. It now offers an impressive array of food and drink spots (more than 50 independent producers, at the last count). Known for The Needles, beautiful beaches and pretty promenades – alongside gorgeous countryside and colourful gardens – there’s something for everyone. As for where to stay, several island hotels used lockdown to refurbish, clear out the mothballs and pull themselves out of their 1970s torpor with impeccable style. Some are swish and sleek, others ooze history and character. Wherever you’re planning to stay, from the north in Cowes to the west in Yarmouth, or Ventnor in the south, you’re sure to find the perfect place to stay. Here’s our round-up of the best hotels on the island, where you can enjoy a sundowner while drinking in the views. The best Isle of Wight hotels are: Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Best family hotel: Luccombe Hall Hotel Location: Shanklin Originally built in 1870 as the Summer Palace for the Bishop of Portsmouth, Luccombe Hall enjoys what its original incumbent must have deemed a heavenly location at the southern end of Sandown Bay (which is more than five miles long), with views all the way to the north end of the beach at Culver Down. The hotel has an indoor and outdoor pool, large gardens with a giant chess and draughts set, a mini putting green and an children’s outdoor play area, making it a great choice for families. Rooms are decorated tastefully with ocean-blue tongue-and-groove furnishings and many have balconies. For a treat, book a garden room with a hot tub and a view of the sea. There’s a short but excellent menu, which you can enjoy in the aptly monikered Grand View restaurant. Best retro hotel: The Northbank Hotel Location: Seaview Entered from a narrow lane off Seaview’s genteel high street, the Victorian-built Northbank Hotel stands above the shore, with the hotel’s stately lawns sloping to a gate that opens out onto the village promenade. The hotel may have been updated over the years but its heart lies defiantly in the 1960s. Run by the Shaw-Yates family since 1959, it combines modern facilities with yesteryear touches, such as retro telephones and even an original 1960s Sega fruit machine. Rooms are fitted with traditional decor (OK, chintz prevails), oak furniture and sash windows. Dinner is cooked on the Aga, and the restaurant places great emphasis on local produce, including vegetables grown on the family allotment. Price: Doubles from £160, including breakfast (note the hotel closes for winter from 1 November 2023 until late April 2024) Book now Best luxury hotel: Sentry Mead Hotel Location: Totland The Sentry Mead Hotel overlooks Totland Bay on the island’s west coast. A former country house topped with a turret, the hotel has recently undergone a major refurbishment and is now among the most serene and stylish places to stay on the Isle of Wight. Rooms have been painted in deep tones, decorated with local artwork and fitted with London-brick tiling in bathrooms. The accommodation is spread over two floors – if you want a sea view, just ask. There are spacious grounds, ideal for taking in the setting sun over the western reaches of the Solent, with a glass of island gin. Best boutique hotel: Villa Rothsay Hotel Location: Cowes Cowes is steeped in shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, and few places encapsulate this spirit as much as Villa Rothsay. A son of the original owners won a sailing gold medal in the 1908 Olympics, while the Morning Cloud suite – named after the yachts owned by former prime minister Edward Heath – offers a 180-degree view of the Solent. Located on a small rise above the water, the villa incorporates old and new – bay windows, wood panelling and the chance to sit by a sleek modern fireplace on a Georgian chair. Best hotel for sea views: The Wellington Hotel Location: Ventnor Looming over the main promenade in the Victorian town of Ventnor, the refurbished Wellington offers not only sea vistas from its filigree balconies but also the mildest of climates. That’s because this part of the island is typically 5C warmer than elsewhere, thanks to the sheltering influence of the hills on which the town is built. Rooms have been refitted with richly coloured fittings but retain the old-time ambience, with sleigh beds, delicate coving and wooden balconies. One of the most striking things here is just how tranquil it is – no shipping lanes cross your gaze and the bustle of the Solent seems a world away. Best budget hotel: Ryde Castle Location: Ryde The location of this hotel (which is part of a pub chain) makes it an excellent choice. History buffs may be interested to know the building’s original incarnation was as a castle built on the orders of Henry VIII, to deter Spanish and French incursions. Still boasting its parapets and battlements, the hotel takes its place on Ryde’s esplanade among a hotchpotch of traditional shop fronts, decorative stucco and Georgian townhouses. Rooms feature chandeliers and richly embroidered bed covers – some rooms even come with four-poster beds – while dark-wood flooring adds to the ambience. Food leans more towards classic pub fare, but of a high standard, while Ryde’s open spaces, public gardens, sandy beaches and seaside stalls are only a short promenade away. Best hotel for couples: Shoreside Inn Location: Shanklin The only real giveaway that this property was built in the 19th century is the stately, squat façade of the three storeys and bay windows. Inside, the owners have created a stylish boutique hotel (for adults only). All rooms have full or partial views of the sea and include feature walls – think exposed brickwork and designer mirrors – while you can relax in a roll-top bath or walk-in shower. Two ground-floor rooms have their own private sun terrace with a view over the English Channel. Best hotel in a historic town: One Holyrood Hotel Location: Newport Located in the heart of Newport, the island’s capital, this well-run, cosy hotel is much nearer the equator than the Scottish Parliament with which it shares its name. Like many older island buildings, the hotel makes good use of the small space it inherits from its medieval origins. Attic-style rooms include period features, such as exposed beams, pitched ceilings, walnut-wood beds and the more contemporary metallic textures of Zoffany wallpaper. There’s a pleasant flower-laden courtyard and pergola at the back – perfect on a warm summer or mild autumn evening. In the dark nights of winter, cosy up in the lounge/bar, where you can put your feet up, next to the fire. Best hotel for foodies: The Seaview Hotel Location: Seaview When it comes to charm, location and service, the Seaview Hotel, positioned just a few yards back from the village beach, is hard to beat. You’ll find swish modern decor (smartly decorated rooms and walk-in showers), with a generous nod to the sea, in the form of paintings and photographs of nautical vessels. The ground floor is home to two restaurants – go for the Michelin-recommended cuisine in the restaurant, or top-notch fish and chips in the friendly bar, which serves local ales, island gin and good wine. Accommodation is on the first and second floors, with a spacious family suite for five on the top floor. The hotel rents out electric bikes to guests (these are definitely worth considering when tackling the island’s downs). Read more of our UK hotel reviews: The UK’s best cosy hotels Best dog-friendly hotels Where to stay in the Cotswolds Read more about UK travel: The Isle of Wight: An island of 20th-century miracles Best things to do on the Isles of Scilly The best hotels in the New Forest Read More The UK’s best seaside hotels Best UK hotels: Where to stay for a luxury or affordable break Best hotels in Hampshire: Where to stay for family-friendly trips and city breaks Best beach hotels in Cornwall: Where to stay for sandy shores and sea views The best boutique hotels in the Lake District for family getaways and luxury escapes Best hotels in Europe 2023: Where to stay for a city, beach or retreat break

WASHINGTON The White House warned on Thursday a partial shutdown of the federal government that could occur this

Christian Horner admits Red Bull are “keeping an eye” on Lando Norris with regards to their second seat for 2025. The constructors’ champions tied down Max Verstappen – who could secure his third-straight F1 drivers’ title in Qatar next week – to a lucrative contract until 2028, but the team’s second seat is sooner up for grabs. Sergio Perez has a deal until the end of 2024 but has struggled for consistency this season and is now only 33 points clear of Lewis Hamilton in the battle for second place in the world championship. Perez will be up against the likes of AlphaTauri pair Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, as well as Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson, for a spot alongside Verstappen and the Dutchman’s close friend Norris has also been linked with a switch. “Lando’s a great driver – he’s a big talent, big personality and of course he’s one of those drivers that you keep an eye on,” Horner told Sky Sports News. “But there’s many drivers that you keep an eye on as well. There’s a huge generation of drivers out there at the moment that have got a huge amount of talent. “Now, being Max’s team-mate is never going to be easy and some drivers may be up for that challenge, some may not be. But of course as well as the drivers we have in-house, we keep an eye on all the driver market. “As you can imagine, there’s quite a bit of interest from certain sectors about driving a Red Bull car.” Despite the links, McLaren insisted that conversations are ongoing about extending Norris’ deal beyond 2025. His team-mate, Oscar Piastri, penned an extension last week until the end of 2026. “We are optimistic that this pair of drivers will be the pair of drivers at McLaren for a long time,” said McLaren team principal Andrea Stella last week. “We’re certainly having conversations with Lando. They are good conversations, we are happy with how these conversations are going.” Norris added: “I’ve always said I want to win with McLaren and I think we’re getting closer and closer to achieving that. And not just win races but win championships, both driver and constructors. “I’m very much just concentrating on this year, next year and 2025. There are still two-and-a-half years to try and progress and we’ll see then.” Read More The rise of Oscar Piastri: A genuine rival for Lando Norris at last Lando Norris claims McLaren on ‘an upward trend’ after double podium Christian Horner reveals Max Verstappen ambition ahead of Japan victory George Russell ‘can’t argue’ with Lewis Hamilton’s status at Mercedes Nyck de Vries makes racing return after F1 exit Aston Martin’s Jessica Hawkins becomes first woman to test F1 car since 2018

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