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While the fall season doesn’t necessarily need to mean a whole new wardrobe, it could mean it’s time for a new handbag. This essential piece for your next arm party may be available for purchase in all shapes and sizes, but it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. A handbag can be heavy. It can make or break an outfit. It can steal the sartorial spotlight… and not always for the right reasons. So if you’re wondering which purse is best for carrying (on) in the new year, we’re here to keep you on course with the biggest trends of 2023.

By Julia Payne and Geert De Clercq BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union is ready to export almost all of Ukraine's

A restaurant in London has sparked criticism over its decision to introduce a minimum spend next month that will see solo diners charged double for their meals. In August, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, which boasts two Michelin stars, will increase the prices of its tasting menus. Currently, a five-course tasting menu costs £125 per person, while it’s £175 for seven courses. However, from 17 August, the restaurant will increase its prices by 11 per cent, bringing five courses to £165 and seven courses to £195. This is due to an increase in supplier costs and rising staff shortages in London, due to Brexit, that has put pressure on the business. For those dining alone, though, the new minimum spend means solo visitors could be charged a minimum of £330 to visit the restaurant due to the volume of requests they receive. However, the restaurant confirmed that they keep one to two tables for solo diners for every service without the minimum spend. So solo diners who book within 24 to 48 hours of their required booking time could be able to swerve the minimum spend depending on whether those tables are available at the time. Nonetheless, the initiative sparked outrage on Twitter, with commenters quick to point out the joys of dining alone, and how solo diners are often stigmatised. “F*** the Hotel Café Royal then… Solo dining is one of life’s great pleasures,” tweeted one person. “Oh great news. Yet another penalty for being single,” another added. Hugh Smithson-Write, who works in restaurant PR, tweeted: “A classic example of making the customer the problem, rather than finding a solution. “If you get ‘many solo diner requests’ how about you reconfigure your dining room to accommodate that and maximise the revenue? This is the very opposite of hospitality!” Victoria Sheppard, chief executive at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, told The Independent: “Since achieving our two Michelin stars the demand for solo dining has increased dramatically and whilst we make every effort to accommodate solo diners, we also have to be considerate to the running costs of our business. “That said, we are increasing our opening hours from 17 August and will be able to accommodate more solo diners (without any discretionary minimum spend). 95 per cent of our solo diners requesting tables since we implemented a discretionary minimum spend when we are at capacity for solo diners have been more that happy to proceed with their booking, enjoying wine pairings or champagne of wine alongside their meal. “Nightclubs in our local vicinity have minimum spends for tables or hotels you pay the same price whether one guest or two which is never under dispute.” Read More Michelin star chef Marcus Wareing gives controversial answer to the best pizza in London Tom Kerridge addresses backlash to his £35 fish and chips at Harrods: ‘They shout at me’ Chef defends viral chicken recipe after TikTok backlash: ‘PSA to the seasoning police’ Restaurant with ‘tips are a privilege’ policy sparks intense backlash on social media Cher is launching a gelato brand called ‘Cherlato’ Popeyes widely mocked for attempt to join ‘girl dinner’ trend

The FIA could clampdown on the number of people on grids before F1 races after a recent incident involving Neymar at the Spanish Grand Prix. The rise in popularity of the sport has brought about an increase in fans attending races as well as invited celebrities and VIPs in the paddock. However, this has also resulted in pre-race grids becoming busier than ever with little room to move, as often seen in Martin Brundle’s grid walks on Sky Sports before races. Now, the FIA are evaluating whether the number of people on grids is impacting safety after PSG and Brazil star Neymar was somehow still positioned at the edge of the grass on the main straight as the formation lap began in Barcelona on 4 June – as reported by Motorsport.com. Such topics were one focus of a meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council on Tuesday, who are also currently awaiting the results from a report into a track invasion from fans prior to the end of the Australian Grand Prix in April. The report is expected to be completed by the end of June. “We must take learnings from the incident at the Spanish Grand Prix,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “The FIA has been assured by Stefano Domenicali [F1 CEO] that measures are being taken to ensure that there is no repeat of the incident. “It is an issue not just in Formula 1 but also in Formula E and World Endurance Championship and other categories from my recent experiences with too many people on the grid at some events. “I have no doubt that in all cases, the promoter will adhere to the FIA requirements on safety and security. It is the duty of the FIA to ensure a safe environment for all. Safety in motorsport is the Federation’s main priority.” Neymar, who used to play for Barcelona, was one of many footballers attending the race in the city at the beginning of June, with Chelsea trio Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell and Reece James all present too. The 31-year-old also attended the Monaco Grand Prix the week before the race in Spain. Read More Are Red Bull now the most successful F1 team ever – and how long can this dominance last? Lewis Hamilton insists Mercedes must now switch focus to haul in Red Bull Saudi Arabia can help Chelsea solve headache — but talks raise more questions than answers Lewis Hamilton insists Mercedes must now switch focus to haul in Red Bull Are Red Bull the most successful F1 team ever – and how long can this dominance last? Lando Norris angry at penalty which cost him points in Canadian Grand Prix

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Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has been summoned to the stewards following his outburst at the standard of officiating in Formula One. Steiner, 58, described a five-second penalty handed to Nico Hulkenberg at last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix as “completely wrong” before calling for an overhaul of the FIA’s current model. Four officials from a rotating pool steward every Grand Prix and at least one of those will be a former driver who has raced at a competitive level. But speaking ahead of Sunday’s race in Spain, Steiner, who now faces a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute, said: “Every professional sport has professional referees. “F1 is one of the biggest sports in the world and we still have laymen deciding on the fate of people that invest millions in their careers. “There is no consistency. We need to step it up.” Hulkenberg was penalised following an aggressive overtake on Logan Sargeant on the first lap in Monte Carlo. Hulkenberg made his way ahead of the Williams driver without appearing to make contact. “Nico comes from the inside, is in front, dives into the corner, but I can’t see a collision,” said Steiner, who will face the stewards at 2:30pm local time (1:30pm UK). “A collision is touching, no? That’s what the definition is. We’re trying to get it explained because I think the decision was completely wrong.” Read More Lewis Hamilton says he will ‘struggle to get into top 10’ at Spanish Grand Prix F1 LIVE: FP3 latest updates ahead of qualifying at Spanish GP Max Verstappen sets the pace again but little to cheer for Lewis Hamilton

The European Union is officially requiring all smartphones to have replaceable batteries by 2027. This