Earps return ‘talk of Manchester’ but Middleton-Patel steals show

Earps return ‘talk of Manchester’ but Middleton-Patel steals show

Manchester United’s victory over Paris St-Germain was a significant one – but conversation before, during and after the Women’s Champions League match was dominated by goalkeepers.

Mary Earps’ long-awaited return to Old Trafford was the talk of Manchester – not just because of her stature as a player – but because of the controversy surrounding the release of her autobiography and the subsequent fallout.

She started in goal for French visitors PSG but her successor as Manchester United’s number one, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, was a surprise omission from Marc Skinner’s squad with a facial injury.

It meant just a second United start for 21-year-old Safia Middleton-Patel – her first club appearance in Europe and Old Trafford debut – with big boots to fill.

‘I believed in Middleton-Patel’

News of Tullis-Joyce’s absence was passed on to United’s players on matchday, with Middleton-Patel thrust into one of the club’s biggest games this season at short notice.

In front of 14,667 at Old Trafford – their biggest crowd this season – she was tasked with keeping out a PSG side who had reached four of the past five semi-finals in the competition.

Two minutes in, she was given a sharp reminder of where she was when Jennifer Echegini’s powerful effort bounced back off the inside of her left post.

This is a competition for Europe’s elite and was a step up from Middleton-Patel’s only previous appearance for United – a Women’s League Cup fixture against second-tier side Newcastle United.

However, she did represent Wales at this summer’s Euros – experience which clearly stood her in good stead on this stage.

“She was my player of the match. What you can’t measure is the psychological magnitude she has had to jump,” Skinner said of her display.

“From that performance [against Newcastle] to this, how she has matured over the last year, is credit to her and the staff.

“She was just stood at the tunnel [at full-time] and taking it in. Really well done to her. She deserves to stand out.”

Middleton-Patel quickly settled in, showing her pedigree with a brilliant second-half save to push Anais Ebayilin’s strike on to the post and out for a corner.

It came just a minute after half-time, shortly after Olga Carmona had equalised for PSG to make it 1-1. United went on to regain their lead through Fridolina Rolfo, adding to Melvine Malard’s superb early opener.

“When I found out Phallon wasn’t going to start the game, I said I believed in her. I wanted Safia to be herself,” added Skinner.

“She is a good footballer so she calms the build-up. She took it in her stride. I’m honestly really proud of her.

“She had a few nerves and I think [United forward] Rachel Williams did some star jumps with her so she got the energy out. But she took it really well.

“She will always be part of the history in our first Champions League game at Old Trafford. She deserves that romantic part, because that’s lovely.”

Why luxury travellers are paying to work for their dinner

Why luxury travellers are paying to work for their dinner

Luxury travel has always been about comfort, exclusivity, and pampering. But lately, something unexpected is happening: travellers who can afford private villas and Michelin-star meals are choosing to roll up their sleeves — sometimes literally — to earn their supper. Instead of being served a perfectly plated meal, they’re harvesting olives in Tuscany, catching lobsters off the coast of Maine, or cooking side-by-side with local chefs in remote mountain villages.

“Luxury used to mean being waited on. Now it’s about being let in,” says travel curator Emilia Voss, who designs immersive culinary trips across Europe.

The Rise of ‘Earned Luxury’

This new wave of travellers seeks meaning, not just material comfort. They want to participate in the story of their meal — to understand where the food comes from, who grew it, and how tradition shapes its flavor.

In high-end resorts across Asia and the Mediterranean, guests are joining hands-on programs such as:

  • Rice planting in Bali: Guests work with local farmers, learning traditional cultivation methods before enjoying a communal feast.
  • Vineyard blending in Bordeaux: Travellers blend their own wine under the guidance of vintners.
  • Foraging expeditions in Norway: Participants gather wild herbs and mushrooms that end up on their dinner plate that evening.

The experience is less about the task itself and more about connection — to place, people, and purpose.

Why They Love It

For many affluent travellers, traditional luxury has lost its novelty. A marble bathtub or a five-course tasting menu doesn’t feel special anymore. What feels special is authenticity — and the sense of earning the indulgence that follows.

“When you pick the vegetables you’re about to eat, it changes your relationship with the meal,” says chef Marco Lenti, who hosts culinary retreats in Umbria. “You appreciate every bite because you’ve been part of the process.”

A Deeper Psychological Reward

Travel psychologists call this trend “transformational luxury.” It taps into a growing desire for personal growth, mindfulness, and sustainability. By working — even for a few hours — travellers feel more grounded and less like outsiders. They see the invisible labor behind every luxury meal and, paradoxically, that awareness makes the experience feel richer.

Moreover, these immersive experiences often support local communities. Guests pay premium prices, but their participation directly benefits small producers, artisans, and farmers who share their craft.

The New Definition of Luxury

Luxury is no longer defined by how much you can consume — but by how deeply you can connect. Working for one’s dinner is symbolic of a broader cultural change: from passive enjoyment to active engagement.

Quick Takeaways

  • Luxury travellers now value authenticity and connection.
  • Hands-on culinary experiences are becoming the new status symbol.
  • Sustainability and local impact drive much of this change.

Want to Try It?

Several travel companies now specialize in these immersive culinary adventures — from farm-to-fork journeys in Italy to sustainable fishing retreats in Japan.

If you’re ready to trade silver spoons for muddy boots, this could be your next unforgettable dinner story.

The magic of the world’s rarest blood type

The magic of the world’s rarest blood type

Only one in every six million people have the Rh null blood type. Now researchers are trying to grow it in the laboratory in the hope it could save lives.

Blood transfusions have transformed modern medicine. If we are ever unlucky enough to be injured or need serious surgery, blood that has been donated by others can be life-saving.

But not everyone is able to benefit from this remarkable procedure. People with rare blood types struggle to find donated blood that will match their own.

One of the rarest – the Rh null blood type – is found in just 50 known people in the world. Should they ever be in an accident that needs a transfusion, their chances of getting one are slim. Those with Rh null are instead encouraged to freeze their own blood for long-term storage. 

But, despite its rarity, this blood type is also highly prized for other reasons. Within the medical and research community it is sometimes referred to as “golden blood” due to how it can be used.

What we know about new Epstein emails that mention Trump

What we know about new Epstein emails that mention Trump

US lawmakers have released more than 20,000 pages of documents from the estate of the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including some that mention President Donald Trump.

Early on Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee published three email exchanges, including correspondence between Epstein, who died in 2019 in prison, and his long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.

They also released emails between Epstein and the author Michael Wolff, who has written numerous books about Trump.

Within hours, House Republicans then released a massive tranche of documents to counter what they said was a Democratic effort to “cherry-pick” documents. They also said it was an attempt to “create a fake narrative to slander President Trump”.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the emails were “selectively leaked” by House Democrats to “liberal media to create a fake narrative to smear President Trump”.

“The fact remains that President Trump kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club decades ago for being a creep to his female employees, including Giuffre,” she said.

Trump was a friend of Epstein’s for years, but the president has said they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Heavy rainfall causes flooding in coastal areas

Heavy rainfall causes flooding in coastal areas

Severe rainfall over the past three days has caused widespread flooding in several coastal districts, leaving thousands of residents stranded and significant damage to homes, roads, and farmland. Meteorological departments had issued early warnings about the heavy downpour, but the sheer volume of rain has exceeded predictions, overwhelming drainage systems and raising water levels in rivers and low-lying regions.

According to local authorities, more than 20,000 people have been affected, with many forced to leave their homes and seek shelter in emergency relief centers set up by disaster management agencies. Schools and community halls are now functioning as temporary shelters, providing food, clean water, and medical assistance to displaced families. Volunteers and local NGOs have joined government officials in distributing essential supplies, though access to remote areas remains difficult due to submerged roads.

Transportation has been heavily disrupted. Several major highways leading to the coastal belt have been cut off by floodwaters, and rail services have been suspended on multiple routes. Airports in the affected regions remain operational but have reported flight delays due to poor visibility and heavy rainfall. Fishing activities have also come to a halt, as authorities warned fishermen not to venture into the sea until conditions improve.

Local farmers have reported extensive crop damage, particularly to paddy fields and vegetable farms that were nearly ready for harvest. Agricultural experts estimate losses could run into millions of dollars, dealing a major blow to communities that rely heavily on farming for their livelihoods. Livestock losses have also been reported, as many animals could not be moved to higher ground in time.

Health officials are expressing concern about the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases. Stagnant water, combined with limited access to clean drinking supplies, has increased the risk of cholera, diarrhea, and dengue. Medical teams have been deployed to distribute water purification tablets and provide emergency treatment, but resources remain stretched thin.

The government has pledged immediate financial assistance for the affected districts. In a televised statement, the Prime Minister assured citizens that “no one will be left behind” and that rehabilitation efforts will be prioritized. Relief funds are being released to local administrations, while military units have been deployed to assist in rescue operations, deliver supplies, and evacuate stranded families.

Meanwhile, environmental experts are urging long-term solutions to address the recurring problem of coastal flooding. Rising sea levels, combined with inadequate drainage infrastructure and unplanned urban development, have made coastal towns increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Experts recommend better flood-management systems, stronger embankments, and improved early warning mechanisms to reduce the impact of future disasters.

Residents, though grateful for the immediate relief efforts, remain worried about their future. Many fear losing their homes permanently, while others are uncertain about how long it will take to recover their livelihoods. “We lost everything in just two days of rain,” said one displaced villager at a relief camp. “We don’t know when we can return home.”

As rains continue in some parts of the coastal belt, disaster management authorities remain on high alert. While forecasts suggest the intensity of rainfall may decrease in the coming days, it could take weeks before water levels recede and life in the affected areas returns to normal.

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h grateful for the immediate relief efforts, remain worried about their future. Many fear losing their homes permanently, while others are uncertain about how long it will take to recover their livelihoods. “We lost everything in just two days of rain,” said one displaced villager at a relief camp. “We don’t know when we can return home.”

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sfsdfdsh grateful for the immediate relief efforts, remain worried about their future. Many fear losing their homes permanently, while others are uncertain about how long it will take to recover their livelihoods. “We lost everything in just two days of rain,” said one displaced villager at a relief camp. “We don’t know when we can return home.”

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