Halloween might be over - but it doesn't feel like it.
I know this is supposed to be the M.E.N's easy slide into the weekend, but just to address the elephant in the room, the news is completely overwhelming. The Israel-Hamas War, the shocking revelations coming out of the Covid-19 inquiry, even the stormy weather feels like a pathetic fallacy for the unrelenting terror that is always present at our fingertips, only a scroll away.
Working every day as the Manchester Evening News' health reporter, even while it's a job I hold so dearly, it puts me constantly in front of a website that is required - and absolutely needs - to be reflective of and report on the state of the things right now. And, like anyone else who has news notifications arriving on their screens, I have felt horrified and powerless in equal measure many times.
READ MORE: Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 locations, opening times, mugs and everything you need to know
I unfortunately have no answers for you still, as an eternal optimist, one constant I know for sure (and a crucial reason I find meaning in my job) is that we need to know about these stories. It's hard to stare so directly at them, but it's so important that the world engages and acts in the face of a vortex of problems - often created by ourselves.
I have taken heart in the bravery of the volunteers rushing to help save people in the unfolding Middle East conflict, the courage of reporters and residents alike getting the reality out to the rest of the globe in unfathomable circumstances, the fleeting displays of humanity reminding us that wars can end. It's not much, but it is something.
And that's what I'm taking into this weekend. When the world feels like it's backing you into a corner, that's when it's most important to come out swinging and wrap yourself in the feeling of being part of a community.
Whether it's taking extra time do your favourite hobby that you share with others, or even taking a walk so you share the street with someone, each of us can help balance the scales in our own small ways.
From our brilliant selection of weekend content by writers sitting in an office and trying to feel better about the world, here's my choice of stories you need to hear - and are nice to hear.
The city with ‘magical’ Christmas markets a £47 flight from Manchester Airport
Taking the first spot is our travel writer Liv Clarke with one bright idea for ways to get out into the world and enjoy each other's company. Liv looks forward to Christmas, writing: "The arrival of November can only mean one thing: Christmas is just around the corner. Festive treats are appearing on shop shelves, part of Manchester’s Christmas markets have already opened and it’s only a matter of time until Mariah Carey starts playing on the radio.
"For those looking to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of the season, a trip to a European Christmas market is guaranteed to deliver the festive magic. Although dozens of cities across the continent offer fairy-tale market experiences, there’s one country which takes the crown when it comes to Christmas - Germany.
"The nation is famous for its Christmas celebrations - after all, it's the place where our tradition of putting up a tree comes from. Christmas markets mainly originate from German territories, with some German markets today tracing their roots back to the 15th and 16th centuries."
Find out which city we recommend right here.
The trolley, 'Useless f***pigs', and a hairdryer up the nose: Eight key takeaways from this week's evidence at the Inquiry
We come to one of those stories that makes for a difficult but necessary read. A number of key Downing Street figures from the early days of the pandemic have been giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry this week.
Reporter Damon Wilkinson reports on revelations from Boris Johnson believing 'the old should accept their fate', to troubling insights into the dysfunction at the heart of government, the chaos and lack of leadership during the crisis has been laid bare.
We cover everything that has been learnt from the appearances of Dominic Cummings, Lee Cain and Helen MacNamara and others this week.
Read about the reality behind the government's Covid-19 response, and the lessons we need to learn.
'We tested Manchester's new luxurious café serving spiced coffee and sweet treats - it felt like a warm hug'
And as a chaser to help you escape the noise after your news-reading this weekend, here's one of our latest reviews of new openings in Manchester city centre. A coffee shop is a sacred place for many looking to escape the busyness of city life for an hour or so as they take a break and indulge in some sweet treats, watching the world go by, writes reporter Caitlin Griffin.
"From warm smells to relaxing music, one Middle Eastern café in Manchester has truly nailed the serene scene for you to enjoy a coffee and a cake in.
"Fiori opened its doors earlier this month within the Circle Square development on Oxford Road and specialises in a menu of Turkish and Arabic dishes, offering some of the 'best' coffees in town.
"As soon as you step foot into the café you are hit with salivating smells of warm spices like cardamom and saffron. The furnishings are quite contemporary and minimalist, with a deep green sofa booth lining the wall across from the barista counter, where you can see all the magic happen."
Become enticed by the sweet scents and delicious treats here.
