Even if you don’t want to commit to island-life fulltime, it’s perfect for a weekend away
Steffan Rhys Deputy Content Hub Director and Liv Clarke
16:12, 07 Apr 2026Updated 16:12, 07 Apr 2026
Less well-known than many UK islands, this one has beautiful beaches, impressive castles and has been named in UK’s best places to live(Image: Getty Images)
Picture your dream place to live. You may have conjured up images of an island with sandy beaches, clear waters and palm trees swaying in the breeze. If so, there is a slice of this island life closer to home than you might think (minus the palm trees).
Anglesey is the seventh largest island in the British Isles, covering an area of around 275 square miles. It’s known for its amazing beaches, which range from picturesque coves to vast sandy stretches. The island and many of its locations are frequently at the top of best-of travel lists and guides. Earlier this year, Time Out named Anglesey one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2026 and last year it was named the UK’s ‘best island’ by The Telegraph. Most recently, it was named one of the best places to live in the UK in 2026 by The Sunday Times, which described it as “a landscape of rolling greenery set against the cinematic, jagged backdrop of Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula”.
It goes on to mention that the town of Menai Bridge is home to the island’s best shops and restaurants with views that are a “delight”, while Beaumaris is the island’s “artistic anchor”. And it adds: “Aberffraw, Benllech and Trearddur Bay are lively seaside villages, and there’s wildness and warm community spirit to be found in more remote corners of the island.”
The Sunday Times guide is designed to showcase places to live and highlights the average house price on the island is £270,500 but for those who just fancy a taste of island life, then a holiday in Anglesey — or even a day or weekend trip — does the job. And the aforementioned Menai Bridge is a great place to stay if you fancy the hustle and bustle of town life.
In fact, this year the Menai Suspension Bridge celebrates its 200th anniversary so there’s no better time to visit. Designed by Thomas Telford, the bridge reaches 1,265ft long with a central span of 579ft and is an impressive sight to behold.
In Beaumaris you’ll find pastel-coloured buildings and the impressive Beaumaris Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Edward I with his architect James of St George, it followed on from the castles of Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech. The fortress was huge with near-perfect symmetry but a lack of money and trouble in Scotland meant the castle was abandoned. But its magnificent walls still stand.
Anglesey’s beaches are a must for any visitor. In fact, given the coastline stretches for 125 miles, it’s pretty hard to avoid them. Close to the village of Aberffraw in the south west, you’ll find Traeth Mawr, a vast sandy beach backed by powdery dunes with gorgeous views over the mainland.
The beach connects to the Anglesey Coastal Path, a long distance coastal path which, as you’ve guessed, follows much of the island’s coastline. It takes around 12 days to complete, but obviously you can select shorter sections to do.
Of course, The Sunday Times does shine a light on one of Anglesey’s most scenic locations: Newborough Beach and the tidal Llanddwyn Island with its rolling sand dunes and rock outcrops. This “stunning spot” is a place steeped in legend and home to the remains of St Dwynwen’s Church, named after the Welsh patron saint of lovers, who fled to the island after she was forbidden to marry the man she loved.
Newborough Forest is a spectacular site in itself with towering corian pines growing beside the sand dunes of Newborough Warren. It’s also the perfect spot to see red squirrels, after they were introduced in 2004.
FROM beautiful islands and incredible beaches, Italy has everything you need for a summer holiday – which is why it welcomes around 70million tourists in peak season.
Now, it’s cracking down on overtourism and is putting in place new rules that could affect your next break, from day trip fees to a lack of outdoor dining.
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Cities like Venice are introducing tourist tax for touristsCredit: AlamyOutdoor seating in Florence will be limited to clear the streetsCredit: Alamy
Tourist taxes
Plenty of Brits will flock to Venice this summer to see its incredible waterways.
For anyone taking a day trip to the city from other Italian hotspots, you will have to pay a tourist charge.
In 2026, day trippers will have to pay a fee if they visit from Friday to Sunday in April, May, June, and July.
The day trip access fee is €5 (£4.36) per person for anyone over age 14, if booked in advance.
Some said it had made roads unliveable, and like an “obstacle course”.
From April 1, 2026, Florence will also ban rental e-scooters in the city center.
Anyone taking a day trip to Venice will need to pay a tax feeCredit: Alamy
For more summer breaks – here are our favourite TUI holidays…
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Globales Montemar, Ibiza
This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.
This hotel sits on Majorca‘s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.
The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, situated on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.
To minimise disruption to locals, it’s introducing some new rules.
In order not to block the narrow streets on the island, etiquette similar to travelling on the tube has been requested for large groups – stay on the right on the way up and left on the way down.
When it comes to tour groups, each must be a maximum of 40 people in an attempt to control overcrowding.
And tour guides that lead more than 20 tourists at a time use wireless earpieces rather than loudspeakers.
Capri has as many as 50,000 tourists visit the island each dayCredit: Alamy
It’s not just Capri cracking down on the amount of tourists visiting at one time.
In the Dolomites, a ski resort called Madonna di Campiglio, has been limiting daily passes to 15,000 – rather than the usual 23,000.
In other places, a time slot is must be booked before entry, like the Via dell’Amore hiking path at Cinque Terre in the Liguria region.
In July 1943, Allied troops landed in Sicily. Mussolini was overthrown and imprisoned by his former colleagues in the Fascist government. In September, Italy signed an armistice with the Allies. The German army began the occupation of Italy and Mussolini was rescued by German commandos. He was installed as the leader of a new government, but had little power. As the Allies advanced northwards through Italy, Mussolini fled towards Switzerland. He was captured by Italian partisans and shot on 28 April 1945.
Loose Women’s Penny Lancaster shared insights into her marriage to Sir Rod Stewart and revealed how they keep their spark alive after 26 years together
15:19, 07 Apr 2026Updated 15:27, 07 Apr 2026
Penny Lancaster said she was ‘desperately missing’ Rod Stewart
Penny Lancaster has opened up about the secret behind her successful marriage to Rod Stewart. The couple have been together for 26 years, tying the knot in 2007 and going on to welcome two sons, Alastair Stewart and Aiden Stewart.
Penny, 55, Rod’s third wife and his longest marriage to date, shared what has helped keep their relationship strong – and the main reason might come as a surprise.
According to the former model, spending weeks apart has played a huge role in keeping things exciting. She told Best Magazine: “We don’t [live in each other’s pockets] and time apart helps keep the spark alive.”
At the time of the interview, the pair had been apart for three weeks and were planning on reuniting.
She told the publication: “We’re desperately missing each other and have been counting down the days. Rod generally has a driver pick him up from the airport, but I’m meeting him because we can’t wait to see each other. Right from the start of our 26 years together, we’ve spent time apart.”
Reflecting on the first year of their relationship, Penny said she had been studying photography in the UK while Rod was based in the US, meaning much of their time together was spent communicating through a screen.
“We’d spend hours and hours on the phone talking about everything, including photography and paintings,” she revealed.
Sharing more about her husband away from the spotlight, she added: “Rod has a deeply, spiritual, sensitive and artistic side. That’s what he’s like underneath it all.
“That’s the real man. He can be quite demanding and he does require a lot of attention, but that’s fine because I’m good at giving it,” she added.
In the same interview, the Loose Women star said effort was key to their relationship, revealing the pair make sure to have regular date nights – whether that’s going to the theatre or enjoying “long romantic walks” together.
She also said the couple still “flirt with each other and make each other laugh” to keep the intimacy alive. “We don’t take each other for granted,” she added.
Alongside the two sons he shares with Penny, Rod is also father to six other children – Sarah, Kimberly, Ruby, Renee, Sean and Liam.
Previously opening up about fatherhood, the Maggie May hitmaker admitted he has had to be “several different fathers” due to the large age gaps between his children.
His eldest daughter, Sarah Streeter, whom he shares with a former partner, is 62, while his youngest child with Penny is 14.
According to MailOnline, he added: “You really have to treat all of them as individuals with individual problems. As a dad, I’ve learned to listen and not blow my top.”
Multiple global forces are rewriting D&O risk, from political, economic, and social volatility to AI-related liabilities.
Corporate directors and officers are operating in a more complex environment than at any point in the past decade, and their insurers are working to keep up.
“Coverage is broadening,” says Mark Sutton, senior equity partner at Clyde & Co., a global law firm headquartered in London and known for its deep specialization in insurance, risk, and regulatory matters. “We’re slowly seeing D&O policies evolve to reflect a more complex regulatory environment, and underwriting discipline is tightening.”
Regulators, meanwhile, are stepping up their pursuit of corporate misconduct. Personal exposure for directors and officers has widened and, with rising legal costs and collective actions, D&O premiums are nudging upward. In some regions, the long trend of price decline shows signs of flattening, or in some instances even reversing.
Regulatory pressures will vary across regions. For example, in the UK, scrutiny of ESG and AI disclosures is intensifying, and in the US, enforcement actions by the US Securities and Exchange Commission are on the rise.
But board‑level exposure is also being reshaped by geopolitical turbulence, economic uncertainty, and the growing influence of new technologies, says Jarrod Schlesinger, global head of Financial Lines and Cyber at Allianz Commercial. Geopolitics has become a core focus for boards and executive leadership teams worldwide.
“Political, economic, and social volatility across regions is affecting supply chains, capital flows, regulatory regimes, and operational continuity,” says Schlesinger. “Armed conflicts, sanctions, cyberattacks, and trade disputes are now routine considerations for multinational companies.” Heightened volatility leaves companies and their leaders exposed to a variety of operational, financial, and reputational threats, many of which could trigger litigation.
Europe: Intensifying Scrutiny
Jarrod Schlesinger, Allianz Commercial
This dynamic is especially pronounced in Europe, says Schlesinger, as companies navigate risks tied to international sanctions and politically unstable regions: “Geopolitical instability is also amplifying cross‑border compliance exposure and driving significant D&O losses, particularly in Europe and the UK.”
Corporate insolvencies—a major driver of D&O claims, particularly for private companies—are set to rise again in 2025 and 2026. According to Allianz Trade, global business insolvencies rose 10% in 2024, ending the year 12% above pre‑pandemic levels. Allianz Trade’s Global Insolvency Report, published last month, estimates they climbed a further 6% in 2025 and forecasts a 5% increase in 2026, marking a fifth consecutive year of increases.
“Financial distress typically intensifies scrutiny of board decision‑making and capital allocation,” says Schlesinger.
Shareholder activism is also reshaping the D&O landscape, he adds, as “derivative litigation” expands both in frequency and severity. Such actions now number in the dozens each year, he says, and often track securities class actions alleging breaches of fiduciary duty. Beyond traditional accounting‑related disputes, he points to the rise of event‑driven claims, with M&A activity, regulatory enforcement, workplace and consumer issues, and other operational shocks increasingly acting as triggers for D&O suits.
Another factor impacting D&O insurance in Europe is the evolving landscape of ESG-related liabilities.
As more countries introduce ESG reporting mandates, directors and officers are increasingly exposed to the costs associated with investigations, enforcement actions, and potential fines for non-disclosure or misrepresentation. The regulatory pressure can lead to claims from private litigants dissatisfied with disclosures regarding a company’s ESG commitments.
“Expanding disclosure and reporting regimes—particularly in Europe and other major markets—are elevating expectations around transparency, climate strategy, supply chain oversight, human rights, and workforce governance,” Schlesinger says. “ESG considerations are increasingly systemic, intersecting with enterprise risk management, capital strategy, and stakeholder engagement.”
Non-accounting securities class actions have more than doubled over the past decade, he adds, and environmental and product-related controversies, including emerging risks tied to “forever chemicals,” have produced costly litigation and substantial settlements.
AI Risk Arrives
Against this backdrop, another major emerging exposure is the widening gap between what companies claim about their AI capabilities and what they are implementing, a misalignment that can spur regulatory scrutiny, securities litigation, and shareholder actions.
“Boards are increasingly accountable for a widening set of AI‑related risks,” says Beena Ammanath, executive director of the Global Deloitte AI Institute, “from model inaccuracies and hallucinations to IP leakage, privacy breaches, bias, ethical lapses, and cybersecurity exposure: all of which carry growing legal and regulatory consequences.” With weak governance, she warns, these issues can “quickly lead to reputational damage.”
Scrutiny is now extending to another fast‑emerging hazard, Ammanath adds: AI‑washing, where companies misrepresent their use of AI to appear more advanced or innovative than they are. This often takes the form of vague “AI‑powered” claims without evidence, inflated descriptions of automation or risk controls, or the masking of manual processes behind the language of machine intelligence.
“We’re seeing an uptick in scrutiny in this area,” Ammanath says. “As a result, many executives and their boards are pushing harder for stronger governance, testing, and human oversight.”
How Companies Are Limiting Risk
Mark Sutton, Clyde & Co.
As the risk environment grows more complex, boards are increasingly compelled to reevaluate the scope and substance of directors’ and officers’ obligations.
“Boards are strengthening governance and improving disclosure practices while also investing in more robust risk oversight,” says Sutton. “This is particularly the case with ESG and technology.” Many are enhancing their scenario planning and crisis response capabilities to manage regulatory and geopolitical shocks.
Insurers, for their part, are collaborating more closely with clients to improve transparency, refine risk controls, and tailor coverage to emerging exposures, Sutton adds, with the emphasis shifting toward proactive risk management.
Given the increasingly complex global risk landscape, Schlesinger urges companies to “further integrate geopolitical intelligence and business‑impact analysis into their broader risk management, strategic decision‑making, supply‑chain resilience, and cyber security frameworks.” To this end, he recommends that corporate risk managers work closely with their insurance partners to identify and mitigate their risk exposures.
“It’s important to maintain open communication with internal and external stakeholders to navigate these complex and evolving risks effectively,” he says. Furthermore, with litigation, financial penalties, and reputational damage all potentially resulting from AI strategy, “businesses should consider proceeding deliberately, especially with regard to decision-making and disclosure.”
When it comes to AI accountability, Ammanath says, companies can reduce risk to boards and officers by establishing a formal AI governance program that provides clear board oversight and defined accountability across the AI lifecycle. “They can also embed responsible AI practices into processes and training as well as model risk management that includes risk assessments, validation, and continuous monitoring.”
Taken together, these primary forces are reshaping both the expectations corporate leaders face and the liabilities that follow. Boards are being asked to demonstrate sharper judgment, stronger governance, and more credible oversight at a time when regulators, investors, and insurers are scrutinizing decisions with unprecedented intensity.
Regulatory investigations and claims activity continue to rise across major markets, adding further pressure to a sector where years of premium declines are now flattening out and, in some regions, have begun to reverse. D&O insurers, for their part, are tightening underwriting discipline, engaging more deeply with clients to improve transparency and risk controls, and tailoring coverage to emerging exposures.
The finance expert has said these could help make travelling much smoother
15:02, 07 Apr 2026Updated 15:07, 07 Apr 2026
Martin Lewis’ wallet ‘essentials’ before any trip abroad(Image: ITV)
Martin Lewis has said that Brits going abroad should have up to five essential items in their dedicated ‘holiday wallet’. These important items could make travelling much easier, and in some cases, cheaper, through one simple money-saving technique.
According to the Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, founded by Martin Lewis, he has previously suggested that people set aside a separate wallet or purse for use only when abroad. He recommends keeping five items inside at all times, even when you get back to the UK, to make future holidays ‘easier’.
The financial broadcaster calls this his ‘overseas wallet or purse‘, and he has followed this advice for decades. In the 2013 blog post, the ITV regular said: “I genuinely have a second wallet I pick up when I go abroad. Not to better match my overseas shoes, but as a MoneySaving arsenal to ensure that when I am away, I get more bang for my buck.”
Starting with some of the most common and relevant to the average traveller. Martin suggested that this wallet should have a specific bank card for overseas use.
He said: “Everyone who regularly travels abroad should hold a specialist overseas credit card. This isn’t about borrowing, it’s simply an easy vehicle to get the best exchange rates in every country.
“Spending abroad on most plastic should be avoided. While banks and building societies themselves get the nigh-on perfect Visa/Mastercard wholesale rate, they then add a 3% load to what they charge us.” If you can’t get a credit card or don’t want one, prepay cards are effectively an electronic traveller’s cheque.
Martin wrote: “Load it up with cash in advance and use it while away. If you lose it, no problem, pay a replacement fee and the cash is re-credited.”
If you frequent the same country or region often, cash leftover from previous trips. Although it can be tempting to swap anything back into pounds straight away, it could be a welcome surprise for future trips – whether that be a few months, a year or more later.
If people are often travelling in European countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece, it might be worth keeping a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) in their travel wallet for emergency medical care . It is free on the official NHS site and lets UK travellers access state-run healthcare in EU countries and Switzerland for certain medical costs, often at the same price locals pay.
These cards don’t replace travel insurance, which you’ll need for things such as cancellations, private hospitals or repatriation. Check the expiry date at the bottom right of your card now, as many could be travelling with expired cards.
For anyone who drives abroad, keep your original driving license handy (and remember to swap it out of any physical travel wallets before packing them away). Martin said: “As well as the obvious car hire advantages, it’s also useful as ID, which is often demanded when paying by card.”
When travelling further afield, and over to the United States, a copy of your ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) number will be handy to keep close. An ESTA lasts for two years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Once it runs out, you’ll need to apply for a new one.
Although you don’t need to present the reference number at Border Protection when you land in the US, print or screenshot it and bring it to the airport. That’s because some airlines may require it at check-in, so check with yours.
Martin also said: “My wallet’s also packed with unspent small euro and dollar notes. After all, why pay to change back £30 or £40 of foreign currency? Leave it sitting for next time.” Martin also recommends keeping a photocopy of your passport. He said: “Just in case my passport goes missing, the key details can be very useful.”
Global affairs journalist Tara Kangarlou notes a growing shift, as some Iranians who initially believed that the US and its allies could bring stability are now rejecting that idea after over a month of attacks.
With Gustavo Dudamel’s final season as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic reaching its homestretch, the orchestra has announced the appointment of its latest not music director. Anna Handler, a former Dudamel fellow and rapidly rising young conductor, will be given the new title of conductor-in-residence for the next three seasons.
She will spend three weeks each season conducting the orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as working with students at the Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood. In a phone call from Boston, where she serves as assistant conductor at the Boston Symphony, she says she is also strongly driven by technology and wants to explore all kinds of projects with the latest devises.
“The sky is the limit,” Handler exclaims with the boundless enthusiasm that is said to have won over the orchestra and the administration.
That might include, she further fantasizes, a technology tool you don’t even notice but that focuses your attention to sound vibrations the way glasses give clarity to blurry vision. “Why not glasses for the ears?” she excitedly asks.
Kim Noltemy, the L.A. Phil president and chief executive, says Handler’s appointment does not necessarily imply the orchestra won’t ultimately find a music director who can oversee the bigger picture of the world’s most artistically diverse, expansive and wealthy orchestra. But the L.A. Phil has so many fingers in so many pies that no one person can do it all.
Meanwhile, the L.A. Phil now adds what it has been missing in what the institution calls its team of creative collaborators. As creative director, former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen will spend six weeks a season helping envision what a 21st century symphony orchestra might look like. John Adams continues his role as creative chair as do early music specialist Emmanuelle Haïm (artist collaborator), Herbie Hancock (creative chair for jazz) and Zubin Mehta (conductor emeritus). None, however, is younger than 60. Handler turns 30 this month.
Born in France, she grew up in Germany and is Colombian German. Both her parents are electrical engineers, whom she says her love for technology come from. And she notes that her roots also make her feel at home with the L.A. Phil. She connects with Salonen’s pioneering fascination with technology and the orchestra. With a Colombian mom, she is readily attuned to Dudamel’s Venezuelan heritage. Like her, Salonen, Dudamel and Mehta first began working with the L.A. Phil in their 20s.
Handler’s appointment came, she says, as a surprise. It was after her conducting the L.A. Phil at Disney last month that the orchestra suddenly sprang the idea of a residency beginning almost immediately with the 2026-27 season, even though the Bowl and fall seasons are already planned. Noltemy puts it to the fact that Handler and the orchestra simply got caught up in her energy.
Handler says she jumped at the chance to return to L.A. even though she would be beginning her first season of her first music director job at the Ulster Orchestra in Ireland. A pianist who loves chamber music (which she says will make part of her L.A. residencies), she also becomes artist in residence of the Beethoven House in Bonn, Germany. But, she excitedly exclaims, “At the L.A. Phil you can dream big. And if you have any big ideas, please tell me about them.”
He excitement over music education and community outreach also proved a draw. At 17, she formed her own student orchestra, which performed in schools, old age homes, prisons, all over. And she points out that she is young enough to feel relatively close in age to the students at YOLA, or Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. She describes one of her missions in life as getting young people involved with classical music.
“My long-term dream,” she proclaims, “is to build a Disney World for classical music.” There could be a Beethoven’s Fifth ride. She imagines melody, rhythm, harmony and form as little creatures whom we follow on their journey through the piece. “I’m all about decoding the rhythms of the music,” she adds.
Tellingly, Handler had already been scheduled to be the first conductor to follow Dudamel’s final Hollywood Bowl concert as L.A. Phil music director this summer at the iconic L.A. venue. It features Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Her two programs at Disney next season include West Coast premieres of Philip Glass’s Symphony No. 15 (“Lincoln”), which the composer recently withdrew from the Kennedy Center, and John Williams’ recent Piano Concerto.
Sorry, Orlando. Southern California is the theme park capital of the world. Yes, I believe that.
A brief history: Knott’s Berry Farm created a framework that allowed Disneyland to invent the theme park, which Universal Studios tweaked. SoCal innovations, all of them — and the industry remains centered here.
Theme parks are integral to SoCal life. They’re institutions, as familiar as Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park or the Getty. Many of us grew up going to the parks and have archives of fading photos to prove it.
That’s why The Times is launching its first-ever theme park newsletter, a weekly guide to what matters and how to best experience these themed wonderlands. Welcome to Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where I’ll take you on my adventures in make-believe, share news and tips, and go deep on the hidden artistry behind SoCal’s most beloved attractions. (Sign up, and we’ll be in your inbox soon.)
Why theme parks are magical
Maybe you haven’t been to a theme park in a while. And maybe that’s intentional. Yes, ticket prices increase every year, crowds frustrate and your ankle will probably be struck by a stroller. But theme parks are art. They’re meticulously designed, as real as our ability to pretend. Few spaces exist in which so many artistic endeavors collide: architecture, costuming, landscaping, animation, engineering, urban design and more. The delight is in the details.
Theme parks are more than an escape — they reflect and respond to culture. Maybe these are simply the ramblings of a Disney adult and fan of all theme parks, but I won’t apologize for seeking joy, wonder and play. It’s what’s needed right now.
I visit theme parks regularly — probably too often by some people’s standards — but I’m excited every time. The key is to stop viewing them as a checklist of activities. So as we enter the busy spring break and summer seasons, here are some ways to develop a deeper appreciation (and simply have more fun) at our most iconic parks.
Sign up for Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride
An insider guide to the ever-changing world of theme parks, coming to you straight from SoCal — the theme park capital of the world.
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Embrace the Disneyland classics
I received pushback when I declared It’s a Small World the best attraction at the Anaheim resort, but hear me out. The ride is designed in the look of animator turned theme park artist Mary Blair, reflective of her color clashes and childlike whimsy. It’s akin to a boat trip through an art gallery. No other attraction is so reflective of a singular art style. The facade, designed by renown Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump and inspired by Blair, mixes glistening white metals and fiberglass with gold leaf accents that nod to the Eiffel Tower, Tower of Pisa, a Dutch windmill and more. How many more landmarks can you spot amid the jagged edges and byzantine shapes?
Fun fact: Legend tells that Disneyland used the entire U.S. supply of gold leaf to make the facade. Germany, apparently, came to the rescue.
Don’t skip a ride on the greatest tram tour ever built
Visitors enter the set of Jupiter’s Claim from the movie “Nope” while taking the Universal Studios tram tour in May 2023.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Universal Studios’ World-Famous Tram Tour, as it is officially designated, is the most important modern theme park attraction in America. The slow-moving backlot trek existed long before Universal Studios had a theme park, but it changed the industry.
In 1976, one year after Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” opened, the studio put guests face-to-face with a 24-foot shark. Never before had a cultural phenomenon like “Jaws” been so quickly replicated in a theme park. “Ride the movies” is a phrase coined by Spielberg, and it’s an industrywide trend that hasn’t stopped.
Fun fact: Universal consulted submarine builders General Dynamics to construct a shark that could survive long term under water.
Spend an afternoon in America’s first theme park
Knott’s Berry Farm’s entrance as parkgoers ride the Silver Bullet roller coaster behind it in May 2021.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
There are times I go to Knott’s Berry Farm and never leave its Ghost Town area, which predates Disneyland and is filled with oddities. A toy shop, for instance, sells actual puppets, and a train ride still features a staged robbery. The park also just remodeled its 72-year-old Bird Cage Theatre, home to outrageous vaudeville-style shows, where a young Steve Martin once performed. It’s a rarity these days to have live theater at a theme park.
Fun fact: The theater’s facade is a replica of the original Bird Cage in Tombstone, Ariz., which has long had a bawdy reputation.
So I hope you’ll sign up for Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride, where we’ll geek out on the history, the artistry and the future of these spaces. Have a theme park question? Email me, and I hope to answer it in an upcoming edition of the newsletter. Life is tough. We can all use more fun.
Today’s top stories
Billionaire Tom Steyer speaks during Jewish California: Governor 2026 Candidate Forum at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 26.
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
Billionaire candidate for California governor faces criticism
Tom Steyer, a Democratic candidate for California governor, faces mounting criticism over his former hedge fund’s prior investments in private prisons now housing undocumented immigrants.
Steyer says he deeply regrets the investment and left his hedge fund 14 years ago and has since spent hundreds of millions on Democratic causes, particularly efforts to fight climate change.
Artemis II crew flies past the moon
NASA’s Artemis II crew flew past the moon Monday, traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history and becoming the first to see some sections of the moon’s far side in the sunlight with the naked eye.
The four astronauts described the far side in eloquent detail: Geometric patterns of browns, blues and greens amid the moon’s typical shades of gray.
L.A.-based relatives of a deceased Iranian leader were arrested
The general’s daughter has disputed the family connection, according to Iranian media, which has quoted a statement attributed to her saying that the two women bear no relation to the general.
What else is going on
Commentary and opinions
This morning’s must read
For your downtime
State Route 78.
(Josh Jackson)
Going out
Staying in
And finally … your photo of the day
The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne travels over the Coachella 2004 crowd in an inflated plastic bubble.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Today’s great photo is from Times photographer Robert Gauthier during 2004 Coachella. Here’s a look at The Times’ photos from every year of the festival, including its origins in 1999, legendary performances from Daft Punk, Prince and Beyoncé, and the iconic art installations the festival has hosted over the years.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Jim Rainey, staff reporter Hugo Martín, assistant editor, fast break desk Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Andrew Campa, weekend writer Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
Welcome back to The Times’ Lakers newsletter, where life comes at you fast.
Only a week ago, the Lakers were winning games and flying high. Quite literally. Remember when Luka Doncic dunked?
Happier times.
Now Doncic and Austin Reaves are both sidelined at least for the rest of the regular season and likely through the first round of the playoffs. The injury updates that came on consecutive days following Thursday’s 43-point loss to Oklahoma City felt like a devastating series of gut punches. Coach JJ Redick often talks about “not letting go of the rope.” The Lakers will have to white-knuckle their way through the next few weeks without their two stars.
Why is Luka Doncic in Europe?
Lakers star Luka Doncic reacts after sustaining a hamstring injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 2.
(Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
He knows magic. Now Luka Doncic needs medicine to help pull off his next stunning trick.
With the playoffs approaching, Doncic traveled to Europe to seek treatment for his strained left hamstring, his agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed to The Times’ Broderick Turner. The hope is that with specialized treatments, Doncic can speed up what is typically a four- to six-week recovery process and get back in time for at least part of the Lakers postseason, which begins April 18.
Ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell injections are the most common treatments for injuries of this nature, said Kenton Fibel, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics.
The biologic injections can speed up healing of injured tissue. PRP injections use the natural growth and anti-inflammatory factors in platelets to promote healing while stem cells harvested from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue similarly help with the regeneration and turnover of the healing tissue into normal muscle tendon tissue, Fibel said.
Top U.S. athletes have gone to Europe to seek the treatments for decades. Kobe Bryant, former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey are among those who’ve crossed the pond for solutions to chronic injuries. But similar treatments are also available in the United States.
In the U.S., only PRP and stem cell injections coming from a patient’s own body are allowed and the cells are not allowed to be manipulated, Fibel said. With looser regulations in Europe, doctors can attempt to increase the concentration of anti-inflammatory factors in a single PRP sample or culture stem cells over days to increase the number of them with hopes of speeding up healing even more.
Whether there is a significant increase in efficacy between the cutting-edge European treatments compared to the U.S. methods is unclear, Fibel said, but an athlete’s decision to pursue treatment often comes down to individual comfort level or prior experiences.
Lakers star Luka Doncic shoots over Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell during a Lakers win on March 27.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The ubiquity of degenerative conditions or recurring soft tissue injuries in sports have turned European countries, including Germany and Switzerland, into hot spots for top athletes searching for help.
“These are injuries that are not always that easy to completely prevent, and it’s also not the easiest to always prevent reaggravation,” Fibel said. “And so I think [the new treatments] also comes from a frustration of doing a lot of the treatments and modalities that were used in prior injuries and still having an issue afterwards [so] that they’re searching for something new and different.”
Doncic knows the routine when it comes to hamstring injuries. As a player who thrives on his shifty change of pace, Doncic’s quick start and stop motions put extra load on his hamstrings and put him at risk of reinjury. Another left hamstring strain sidelined him for four games earlier this season.
Now with a Grade 2 injury, Doncic’s timeline for recovery would typically be four to six weeks. A Grade 2 injury shows “true disruption” that involves about 50% of the tissue, Fibel said. The most severe Grade 3 is used to describe a more significant, if not complete, tear of the muscle or tendon. The Lakers have suffered several Grade 2 injuries this season, including Austin Reaves’ latest left oblique strain.
The timing of the injuries couldn’t be worse for the Lakers. Not only do the playoffs begin in less than two weeks, but the Lakers were playing their best basketball of the season before the injuries to Doncic and Reaves. They appeared to be legitimate contenders in the playoffs. Now they must wait to see if Doncic’s super serum turns him into a superhero capable of saving their postseason.
“[Doncic is] going to go through all the necessary things to be back at some point,” Redick said, “and it’s our job again to extend the season so both those guys can get back.”
Scoreboard watching
Lakers star LeBron James reacts during a game against the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 28.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
It’s true what they say: No lead is safe in the NBA.
Just when it looked like the Lakers were likely to finish third in the West, the Nuggets found a rhythm, the Lakers got bitten by the injury bug and the Rockets refused to relent.
Reeling from the loss of their two leading scorers, the Lakers have fallen to fourth in the West with Denver surging on a nine-game winning streak. After an overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, the Nuggets (51-28) have a half-game advantage over the Lakers for the No. 3 seed.
The good news: The Lakers can’t drop below the fifth seed, thanks to Minnesota’s recent slide. They also have an additional cushion from their exceptional March, which gave them head-to-head tiebreakers against Denver and Houston.
I won’t repeat the obvious injury-related bad news.
To drop to fifth, the Lakers have to be 2-2 (or worse) in their last four games, while the Nuggets, who have the head-to-head tiebreaker against Houston, go at least 2-1 and the Rockets (49-29) run the table. The Nuggets have the tougher schedule between the three teams, though, playing both Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the final three games.
Here’s a look at the remaining games for the teams fighting for third, fourth and fifth in the West:
(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)
On tap
Tuesday vs. Thunder (62-16) 7:30 p.m. PDT
The Lakers won’t be able to undo last week’s 43-point loss in Oklahoma City, but a competitive showing in the rematch could at least offer a much-needed confidence boost entering the postseason.
Thursday at Warriors (36-42), 7 p.m.
The Warriors are in position to eke into the play-in tournament as the 10th seed. Believe it or not, this could be the last meeting between LeBron James and Stephen Curry in their illustrious careers as the 41-year-old James enters unrestricted free agency this summer.
Friday vs. Suns (43-35), 7:30 p.m.
Phoenix is currently seventh in the West with a chance to chase down sixth-place Minnesota for a playoff berth. Dillon Brooks recently returned from a fractured left hand that kept him out for about six weeks. The Suns went 9-9 during his absence.
Sunday vs. Jazz (21-58), 5:30 p.m.
The Jazz and the Kings are in a heated race to the bottom of the conference. Losers of nine straight, the Jazz are primarily hoping to keep their top-eight protected draft pick, which was at risk of conveying to Oklahoma City.
Status report
Luka Doncic: left hamstring strain
The Lakers have ruled Doncic out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Doncic previously missed four games with another left hamstring strain, but that same timeline won’t apply because the absence rolled into All-Star weekend, when he made a token appearance in the All-Star Game.
Austin Reaves: left oblique strain
Reaves played through the injury he suffered in the first quarter against the Thunder last week, but was ruled out for the rest of the regular season and he likely will miss the first round of the playoffs. He was injured while reaching for a loose ball.
Marcus Smart: right ankle contusion
Smart will miss his eighth consecutive game Tuesday against the Thunder as his ankle injury has lingered for more than two weeks since he got tangled up with Orlando’s Goga Bitadze. While Smart has worked out with staff members on the court before games, he is still day-to-day for his return.
Favorite thing I ate this week
(Thuc Nhi Nguyen / Los Angeles Times)
When in doubt, consult the L.A. Times. For all the news you need to know, yes, but also about your local food needs. This dinner was brought to you by the L.A. Times’ best 101 restaurants list, which recommended Lalibela on Fairfax for an Ethiopian feast. We started with the lentil sambusa (not pictured), which came with a perfectly spiced herb sauce, and shared the veggie utopia, which hits every note with the restaurant’s most popular vegetarian dishes.
Passengers must not bring any of these on board planes or pack them in their luggage
People flying with Ryanair should double-check the rules(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
People who use budget airline Ryanair for their 2026 travel plans will need to be aware that dozens of items are not allowed on board. Ignoring the list when packing your suitcase or carry-on could mean holidays never make it past the airport.
By now, most people know the basics of what is and is not allowed when heading abroad. These items are usually banned for good reason, such as to keep everyone, including yourself, as well as the staff and other passengers on the plane, safe.
Ryanair has published a full list of items staff will flag as too dangerous to bring on board in any kind of luggage. People who pack these items will likely be stopped by security teams during baggage screening.
People will usually be given the choice to surrender the item if they want to continue with their holiday, provided it is only a minor item, such as liquids over 100ml or certain small tools. Some airports provide bins at security for you to dump items before screening.
Depending on the item and situation, you may be allowed to pay for a postal return service, dispose of it, or face fines and prosecution if it is illegal. Police will be called, and you may be detained. According to the Ryanair website, the following items are strictly prohibited on board and in checked baggage.
Ryanair’s full list of
Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles. This also covers devices capable of, or appearing capable of, causing serious injury by discharging a projectile. Examples include:
firearms of all types (such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns)
toy guns (including recreational guns such as paintball guns)
replicas and imitation firearms (capable of being mistaken for real weapons)
component parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sights)
compressed air and CO2 guns (such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns)
signal flare pistols and starter pistols
bows, crossbows and arrows
harpoon guns, spear guns and nail guns
slingshots and catapults
Stunning devices, designed specifically to stun or immobilise, including:
devices for shocking (such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons)
animal stunners and animal killers
disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and gas containers, sprays (including tear gas, mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays)
Explosives, incendiary substances and devices used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft (or those appearing capable), such as:
Ammunition
Blasting caps
Detonators and fuses
Replica or imitation explosive devices
Mines, grenades and other explosive military stores
Fireworks and other pyrotechnics
Smoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridges
Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives
Flammable liquids, flammable solids and substances that cause a chemical reaction
Paint, turpentine, white spirit and paint thinner
Alcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof)
Toxic or infectious substances (for example, acids and alkalis, ‘wet’ batteries, bleach, poisons, infected blood, and bacteria and viruses)
Radioactive material (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
Corrosives (including mercury, vehicle batteries, and parts which have contained fuel)
More than one litre in total of edible oil (for example, olive oil)
Lithium ion battery-powered vehicles (including segways and hoverboards), other than any wheelchair or mobility equipment that meets our regulations
Smart bags in which the lithium battery has not been removed
Fire extinguishers (except as authorised by fire procedures and as emergency equipment on the plane)
Lighters and firelighters with a flammable liquid reservoir containing unabsorbed liquid fuel (other than liquefied gas), lighter fuel and lighter refills
“Strike anywhere” matches
Christmas crackers
Energy-saving light bulbs
Items with internal combustion engines
Items which Ryanair staff have good reason to believe are “unsuitable for carriage” because they are “dangerous or unsafe”. Staff can also refuse items due to their “weight, size, shape or character” and if they appear “fragile or perishable”.
Ryanair also adds to its ‘ban list’ that “fish, birds or any animals killed and kept as hunting trophies” cannot be carried on board or in checked baggage. These bans are intended to make it more difficult for the trophy hunting industry to ship remains—such as skins, heads, or tusks—back to a hunter’s home country.
SIX in 10 dog owners base their holiday destinations on what their pet would like.
A poll of 2,000 people with a pooch found Cornwall is considered the best doggy holiday destination, followed by Devon and Yorkshire, where dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and scenic walks are abound.
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The research was commissioned by EV charging company GRIDSERVECredit: SWNS
But 30 per cent would never return to a staycation spot that didn’t meet their pup’s needs.
More than three quarters (78 per cent) have selected specific destinations because they believed their woofer would love the walks, and 55 per cent actively look out for dog-friendly pubs and restaurants.
The research was commissioned by EV charging company GRIDSERVE, which is giving away doggy bags of pet-pleasing goodies at its electric charging points at forecourts across the UK over the Easter weekend.
Rebecca Trebble, chief customer officer at the company, said: “The research clearly highlights the impact pets have on our journeys.
“The nation holds its four-legged friends so dearly, it seems only natural to cater to them at our EV charging stations.
“Every Electric Forecourt is now dog-friendly, offering walking routes so drivers and their hounds can stretch their legs while they recharge.”
The study also found man’s best friend is an influence when it comes to pit stops, with 36 per cent choosing where to pull over based on the doggy amenities in the area.
Nearly half (48 per cent) of those polled chat to their dog while driving, and 36 per cent choose to put their pet in the front seat.
More than one in 10 (13 per cent) even admitted they’ve tailored driving playlists to include songs they thought their hound would enjoy, according to the OnePoll research.
Photos from trips away are most likely dominated by pooches according to their owners, with 28 per cent saying they tend to take and share more photos of them than themselves.
Men were revealed as the biggest spenders on their pets while travelling, splashing out £49 per trip on average, compared to women who part with £40.
Rebecca Trebble, from GRIDSERVE, which is also offering members 25 per cent off charging across the UK, added: “We also found the average journey break is around 42 minutes, but the latest electric vehicles can add over 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes, so your car will often be ready before you are.
“We want every stop to feel like a highlight of the journey, for drivers and their pets”.
Devon is one of the other popular spotsCredit: SWNS
With pristine white-sand beaches and azure waters, this European destination has been dubbed an affordable Maldives alternative by a flight attendant
This beautiful European destination has been likened to the Maldives (Image: Getty Images)
Everyone’s heard of the Maldives, but there’s a budget-friendly alternative that’s just as beautiful, and a flight attendant couldn’t recommend it more.
The Maldives is perhaps one of the most well-known destinations, with luxurious island resorts, ocean villas, azure waters, stretches of pristine sand shores and an abundance of tropical sea life. Yet a getaway to the islands can come with a hefty price tag, in addition to a long-haul flight of around eight hours from the UK.
While it’s undeniably striking, there’s a European destination just three hours from London that Adam Hodge, 35, who has worked as Wizz Air cabin crew for eight years, said starkly resembles the Maldives. What’s more, Wizz Air offers flights to its capital from just £19.99, so you won’t need to fork out thousands for a slice of paradise.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Adam, who hails from Newcastle but is based at Luton Airport, said: “Albania has similarities to the Maldives, especially with its beachy vibes, lovely sun loungers, and its aquamarine waters. If you want to do a city break, it’s brilliant, or if you want to do a beach getaway along the coast, and towards the top, you have the European destination alternative to the Maldives.”
The Albanian coastline stretches along the Adriatic and Ionian seas, with some of the most beautiful beaches found along the Albanian Riviera in the south. With crystal-clear turquoise waters and unspoilt white-sand beaches, they have been hailed among the most beautiful in Europe, with the Ksamil Islands being a notable highlight.
Dhërmi and Jale Beach are another standout spot for those looking to soak up the rays on the beach, with the addition of beach parties and vibrant bars. But it’s not just the south coast; the northern shores offer a quieter alternative, with stunning beaches nestled among bays and hidden coves.
Having spent almost 10 years flying to various destinations, Adam has been able to explore some of the lesser-known holiday spots, with Wizz Air operating more than 750 routes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. And Albania, the uncrowded location away from other Mediterranean hotspots, remains high on his list of places to visit.
Adam said: “Albania is definitely one of my favourite destinations, and I’d say that it’s one to watch out for. Plus, it’s good to try somewhere lesser-known.
“It’s got everything which is great, and it’s very good value for money. Some of the destinations we fly to are not using the euro currency, so actually you do get a little bit more value for money with the destinations out of the euro currency as well, when it comes to eating out, drinks and destination activity trips.”
One particular destination in Albania that Adam recommends is Tiranë, also known as Tirana, which he said is “very up-and-coming”. Adam noted: “It not only has the city aspect of it, but nearby, it also has the beaches and coastal areas, so it has the best of both worlds.”
He added that Albania is “somewhere a bit different that people might not necessarily realise is out there”, and noted that its appeal is only going to grow. “We fly to Albania four times a day from London Luton, which tells you that the destination is becoming popular.”
Aside from the affordable Wizz Air flights from London to Albania, you won’t need to spend much once you’ve landed, either. Albania remains one of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations, with reasonable accommodation, dining, and transport options.
For those looking to enjoy “pleasant temperatures with fewer crowds”, Wizz Air suggests visiting in spring or autumn, while the summer months see “peak beach season” with temperatures of up to 30C. But the country is also ideal for a winter getaway, with cities to explore and diverse landscapes to hike through.
For more information about Wizz Air flights or to book your next trip, visit their website.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
A major change to how Brits travel to popular holiday hotspots will come into effect from Friday, 10 April, and it’s vital to make a key passport check ahead of this date
Brits are being urged to check their passports before Friday(Image: Getty Images)
British passport holders have been urged to make one key check before a major change comes into effect on Friday, or they could face a hefty holiday fee.
From Friday, 10 April 2026, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to be fully rolled out. This digital border system, which began on 12 October 2025, is a new requirement for Brits travelling to the Schengen area.
The countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The EES system is not required for travel into the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus.
The new system means that when entering the Schengen area for short stays, British citizens may need to register their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photograph, which is carried out at the border upon arrival free of charge. While holidaymakers do not need to do anything before arriving at the border, they must be aware of the vital passport requirements before the EES system is fully operational from Friday.
The government states that the passport must:
Have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
Have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)
If your passport doesn’t meet the requirements above, you risk being denied entry to the country and turned away at the airport. This means you could end up forking out for an additional flight back to the UK from the Schengen area you are unable to enter, while losing out on your holiday altogether.
Therefore, it’s crucial to check that your passport is valid, and if not, renew or replace it as soon as possible. You can renew or replace your passport through the government website, with the process typically taking around three weeks, though it may take longer during peak travel season.
The rollout of the new EES system comes shortly after the price of UK passports is set to increase. The current price of a standard 34-page adult passport, when applied online, costs £94.50, while a standard child’s passport costs £61.50.
However, from Wednesday, 8 April, the price of a standard adult’s passport will increase to £102, while a child’s passport will cost £66.50. Passport applications by post will rise from £107 to £115.50 for an adult, and from £74 to £80 for a child’s.
On the passport price increase, the Home Office said: “The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
“The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.” For more information or to renew or replace your passport, visit the government website.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
Ben Roberts-Smith pictured in March 2022 outside federal court in Sydney during a defamation trial in which he unsuccessfully sued three former Fairfax group newspapers for carrying articles implicating him in war crimes in the Afghanistan war. File photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA-EFE
April 7 (UPI) — Australia’s most decorated soldier was arrested Tuesday and charged with war crimes, namely murder, allegedly committed when he was serving with Australian special forces in Afghanistan more than a decade ago.
Australian Federal Police said in a news release that they detained the 47-year-old off a plane from Brisbane at Sydney Airport and charged him with five counts related to the murder of Afghan detainees as part of a joint AFP-Office of the Special Investigator probe.
The former soldier was held in custody pending a court appearance on Wednesday, said AFP.
Local media identified the suspect as former SAS corporal and Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith.
The AFP told a news conference the suspect would be charged with one count of the war crime of murder, one of commissioning a murder with other persons, and three of aiding, abetting, counseling or procuring a murder.
“It will be alleged the victims were shot by the accused or shot by subordinate members of the Australian Defense Force in the presence of, and acting on the orders of, the accused,” AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.
The killings of the victims who were unarmed are alleged to have taken place between 2009 and 2012 when Roberts-Smith was deployed in Afghanistan.
Reaction to Roberts-Smith’s arrest was split down party lines with the Labour Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declining to comment in order not to prejudice pending criminal proceedings.
Angus Taylor, the leader of the Liberal opposition, said it should not affect Australians’ respect and thankfulness for men and women in uniform “who serve this nation in some of the most difficult and dangerous circumstances imaginable.”
Tony Abbott, Liberal Party prime minister during the latter part of the war, said in a post on X that his sympathies “instinctively” lay with former special forces operating “under highly restrictive rules of engagement that meant known terrorists” were repeatedly captured and released.
“After doing their best to serve our country, dozens of former special forces soldiers should not still be in limbo years later because of ongoing investigations. Justice delayed is justice denied. If evidence is clear, and cases are strong, they should be brought and concluded without delay,” he added.
The Australian War Memorial announced a review of a display honoring Roberts-Smith in its Hall of Valor.
“The Memorial acknowledges media reports of the arrest of Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG. Accordingly, the Memorial will review the wording of the interpretive panel associated with his display. The display of his uniform, equipment and medals remains in place,” the memorial said in a statement.
A defamation case brought by Roberts-Smith in 2018 after Australian media published reports of the allegations ended in 2023 with a federal court ruling he had in fact killed several unarmed Afghans, a judgment he unsuccessfully appealed in 2025.
The case shook Australia because Roberts-Smith was a war hero, a recipient of the military’s highest honor for bravery for his lone defense of his platoon from an assault by Taliban fighters.
The judge in that case ruled that Roberts-Smith ordered rookie troops to shoot dead two unarmed Afghans to “blood” the recruits and was implicated in the killings of a farmer pushed over a cliff while handcuffed and a captured one-legged Taliban fighter. The captive’s prosthetic leg was allegedly removed as a trophy and later used to drink out of by troops.
None of the allegations, findings or evidence against Roberts-Smith have yet been tested to a degree that would meet the standard for a criminal conviction.
He has always denied all wrongdoing, calling the allegations against him “egregious” and “spiteful,” saying the alleged incidents were not criminal because they happened during combat or never took place, period.
Roberts-Smith is only the second person to be charged five years after the Brereton Report into war crimes allegedly committed by the ADF in the Afghanistan war recommended authorities investigate 39 unlawful killings and provided the names of 19 suspects.
Children race to push colored eggs across the grass during the annual Easter Egg Roll event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 21, 2025. Easter this year takes place on April 5. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo
Iran has proposed a 10-point peace plan to end the war as the United States and Israel intensify their attacks on Tehran and a deadline looms that was set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, whose near-closure has triggered a global energy crisis.
At the White House on Monday, Trump called the 10-point plan a “significant step” but “not good enough”.
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Iran’s top university and a major petrochemical plant were hit on Monday after Trump threatened to target power plants and bridges until Tehran agreed to end the war and open the strait, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.
Here is more about Iran’s 10-point plan and Trump’s response to it:
What is Iran’s 10-point plan?
On Monday, Pakistan, which has mediated talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the war, put forth a 45-day ceasefire proposal after separate meetings with US and Iranian officials. The Iranian and US negotiators have not met face to face about the 45‑day truce plan. In late March, Trump told reporters that his envoys were talking to a senior Iranian official, but this was not confirmed by Iran. Tehran has denied holding talks with US negotiators.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said Tehran had conveyed its response via Islamabad. Iran reportedly rejected the proposed ceasefire, putting forward instead a call for a permanent end to the hostilities.
The Iranian proposal consisted of 10 clauses, including an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions and reconstruction, IRNA reported. The conflict has spread to the Gulf region and Lebanon, where 1.2 million Lebanese people have been displaced due to Israeli attacks.
Details about the 10 clauses have not been published.
How did the White House respond?
Speaking to reporters about Iran’s plan, Trump said: “They made a … significant proposal. Not good enough, but they have made a very significant step. We will see what happens.”
“If they don’t make a deal, they will have no bridges and no power plants,” he added.
In a profane Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump threatened to attack Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants, if the Strait of Hormuz is not fully reopened. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****** Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah,” he wrote.
The deadline is set for 8pm Washington time on Tuesday (00:00 GMT). Tehran has rejected this ultimatum and threatened to retaliate.
Human rights organisations and members of the US Congress have criticised Trump for threatening to attack civilian targets, which is considered a war crime.
The Axios news website reported that an unnamed US official who saw the Iranian response called it “maximalist”.
What other proposals have been on the table?
The last time the word “maximalist” was used to describe a peace plan in this war was late last month when Iran called a US plan “maximalist”.
An unnamed, high-ranking diplomatic source told Al Jazeera on March 25 that Iran had received a 15-point plan drafted by the US. The plan was delivered to Iran through Pakistan.
The source said Tehran described the US proposal as “extremely maximalist and unreasonable”.
“It is not beautiful, even on paper,” the source said, calling the plan deceptive and misleading in its presentation.
The 15-point plan included a 30-day ceasefire, the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear facilities, limits on Iran’s missiles and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
In return, the US would remove all sanctions imposed on Iran and provide support for electricity generation at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
Iran has rejected a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would give the US and Israel time to regroup and launch further attacks. Tehran has pointed to Israel’s 12-day war on Iran in June. The US joined that conflict for one day, hitting Iran’s three main nuclear sites with air strikes. Trump claimed at the time that the US had destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities but months later justified the current war by saying Iran posed an imminent threat.
The UN nuclear watchdog, however, said Iran was not in a position to make a nuclear bomb.
The US and Israel launched the war on February 28 as Washington was holding negotiations with Iran. On the eve of the war, Oman, the mediator of the talks, had said a deal was “within reach”.
Tehran has said for years that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes and it does not intend to create nuclear weapons. It even signed a deal with the US in 2015 to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. But Trump withdrew from the landmark deal in 2018 and slapped sanctions back on Iran.
In response, Iran decided to enrich uranium from 3.6 percent, which was allowed under the 2015 deal, to almost 60 percent after its Natanz nuclear facility was bombed in 2021. Iran blamed Israel. A 90 percent level of purity is required to make an atomic bomb.
Why does this matter?
With Tuesday’s deadline fast approaching, chances for a ceasefire appear remote as the two sides remain far from agreement and the conflict is now in its second month.
On Tuesday, Reza Amiri Moghadam, Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, posted on X: “Pakistan positive and productive endeavours in Good Will and Good Office to stop the war is approaching a critical, sensitive stage …”
Eamonn Holmes’ future on live TV has been revealed after he concerned fans by ‘falling asleep’ on air, before later admitting that he was working on his microphone pack
13:18, 07 Apr 2026Updated 13:18, 07 Apr 2026
Eamonn concerned fans(Image: GB News)
Eamonn Holmes’ future on TV has been revealed after he sparked concern by ‘falling asleep’ on air. The TV star was presenting his GB News breakfast show when he appeared to ‘fall asleep’.
He later insisted he had been examining faulty equipment. He said: “I was just looking down at my mic pack to see why it was not working, as we don’t have floor managers or camera operators. Apparently I was sleeping? Whatever!”
However, since that time, he has been off air, and is believed to be taking extended leave. Fans had become concerned on Twitter, wondering when he’d be back on the show given all that’s going on.
“There have been lots of whispers about Eamonn being off. It’s unlike him. He lives and breathes presenting on television,” a source told The Sun. However, he is expected back on air soon.
A GB News spokesman confirmed that Eamonn is due back on Monday, April 13. During his one man show, Eamonn opened up about how life has changed since he began using a wheelchair after a string of health setbacks.
“Experiencing the world differently as a wheelchair user, Eamonn wants to see better access for disabled people. He said: “If you are in a wheelchair you are either at the front of the cinema or the back,” he said.
“Why can’t you be in the middle? The thing that makes me laugh is rooms that are classed as accessible in hotels. They are not at all. Everything is wrong, the bathrooms and the showers. I would love to advise hotel people as they are no use to anybody.”
He also used his show to criticise TV standards, and said that TV budgets were affecting programme output. He explained: “It is a great pity. If you can’t justify the audience then it’s over. ITV will be the next one down the tubes. It will be sold to an American company and they will make it a streaming company.”
Eamonn has been in a wheelchair after suffering with chronic pain since 2021. He suffered a dislocated pelvis, which caused him to have three slipped discs. He fell down the stairs and broke his shoulder whilst recovering and underwent further operations in 2023.
“I’m sick. I’m in a wheelchair. That’s been horrendous to deal with for two years. Certainly I don’t think TV wants to know you when, I mean there’s nothing you and I are talking and no one can there’s anything wrong but I can’t get up,” he said.
War in Iran and US tariffs are destabilizing global trade. But commerce hasn’t slowed; it’s simply rerouting.
As last fall’s G20 summit closed in Johannesburg, the United Arab Emirates announced plans to inject up to $1 billion in AI infrastructure funding across Africa. The pledge is the latest in a growing wave of investment from the Gulf Cooperation Council states that signals a broader shift.
Together, the Middle East and Africa represent roughly 2 billion consumers and a combined GDP of more than $5 trillion. Investment and trade spanning the regions are already accelerating. GCC countries have deployed over $100 billion in Africa and bilateral trade grew at an annual rate of about 8% between 2021 and 2022, reaching $154 billion.
Europe and China remain the continent’s largest capital providers, but the Gulf states are closing the gap. As war, supply-chain disruptions, and new US tariffs reshape global trade, countries across the MENA region see an opportunity to position themselves as the logistical and financial bridge linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Gateways And Corridors
The two natural points of entry are Egypt and Morocco. They have a foot in both regions and long experience navigating between the Arab world and the African continent.
Egypt acts as a gateway to East Africa, with commercial routes extending toward Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda. Morocco has established itself as a hub for west Africa, leveraging decades of political and economic ties with francophone markets. Businesses from both countries are expanding across the continent in sectors including food processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, telecoms, and technology.
Over the past decade, the Gulf states have also steadily expanded their presence, deploying capital through longterm strategic investments to reshape Africa’s trade routes while securing access to land, natural resources, and fast-growing markets.
Gulf investors are targeting corridors along the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, including the Berbera–Ethiopia trade route and points of access to the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. Their aim is to anchor supply chains that direct African trade through Gulf logistics hubs before it reaches global markets.
Tarek El Nahas, group head of International Banking at Mashreq Bank
“The GCC is becoming more and more of a trade hub for Africa,” says Tarek El Nahas, group head of International Banking at Dubai-headquartered Mashreq Bank. “We’ve got a lot of clients that have their regional operations here for both Middle East and Africa.”
Infrastructure is central to these developments. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in ports, logistics hubs, and industrial zones, laying the foundations for new Global South supply chains.
The UAE is by far Africa’s largest Gulf stakeholder. Dubai’s DP World and Abu Dhabi Ports have secured concessions to operate and develop ports in Algeria, Egypt, Somalia, Somaliland, Tanzania, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Rwanda, and Niger.
Air connections are also an investment target, with Qatar Airways supporting several African airlines including South Africa’s Airlink while Doha in 2019 acquired 60% of Rwanda’s new international airport.
Telecom operators such as Qatar’s Ooredoo and the UAE’s e& (formerly Etisalat) support cable infrastructure and data centers and have signed partnerships with local providers like Maroc Telecom as part of a plan to reach several dozen countries across the continent by 2030.
In light of the recent Iranian attacks on GCC infrastructure, UAE and Saudi Arabia are also considering shifting some AI assets to secure locations in Africa. Abu Dhabi’s G42 is already building a $1 billion data center in Kenya.
Commodities, Food, And Energy
What, then, are these closely connected regions trading? Exchange often begins with natural resources.
Oil and gas dominate Gulf exports to Africa, while the continent supplies metals. Gold is a major African export to the UAE, already a hub for precious metals and stones; Gulf investors are also targeting rare metals and minerals critical to energy transition and AI supply chains.
Deal activity reflects this shift. Last year, Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired 51% of Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines for $1.1 billion. Saudi Arabia’s Maaden Holding, through Manara Minerals, is pursuing similar deals in Zambia and elsewhere.
These ventures sometimes feed Western markets. In November, the US and Saudi Arabia agreed to cooperate on mineral supplies to reduce reliance on China, and in March, US-based Cove Capital and Saudi Arabia’s AHQ announced a “multibillion dollar” fund to invest in African minerals including cobalt, copper, lithium, and rare earths.
Renewable energy is another focus. The UAE’s Masdar has committed $10 billion to African clean energy projects by 2030, backing solar projects in Angola, Uganda, Zambia, and Mozambique. Late last year, Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power signed a deal with the African Development Bank to invest up to $5 billion in renewable energy and water systems in countries including South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco.
Food security is also a major driver for GCC countries, which buy over 80% of their comestibles from abroad. The UAE and Saudi Arabia import agricultural products and livestock from across Africa while investing in farmland and production projects to secure long-term supply. Qatar has made important commitments in North African countries, including a $3.5 billion dairy farm in Algeria.
North African manufacturers, meanwhile, are increasingly targeting African markets. Egyptian pharmaceutical companies, for example, have become major exporters across the continent.
Regulatory challenges and logistical bottlenecks persist, but African trade integration is supported by a growing web of multilateral agreements. Regional frameworks including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Agadir Agreements, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)— launched in 2021 and designed to unify a market of 1.5 billion people—facilitate investment and commercial exchange.
Several countries also benefit from US and European trade preference programs such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows some 30 African economies to export certain goods to the US duty-free. These arrangements make parts of Africa and MENA increasingly attractive as manufacturing and re-export bases for companies seeking to access Western markets.
“We’re starting to see more companies from Asia, for example, setting up a presence in the MENA region to benefit from a lower tariff environment, and I think Egypt will become a big beneficiary in terms of manufacturing,” El Nahas says.
Financing The Corridors
Moroccan and Egyptian banks have taken the lead in cross-border expansion, financing trade and infrastructure projects across the continent. Most international lenders, by contrast, maintain a limited on-the-ground presence in Africa but operate through regional hubs that circle the continent, notably in Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
“Egypt is pivoting its export strategy toward Europe and Africa.”
Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, CIB
Several pan-African banks, meanwhile, including United Bank for Africa, Standard Group, and Ecobank, have set up a presence in the GCC—mainly in Dubai or Abu Dhabi—to facilitate trade and investment flows between the two regions. Gulf banks tend to manage African operations from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha, increasingly partnering with local lenders on large infrastructure projects and exploring collaboration in areas such as AI applications in banking.
The long-term potential is vast. Africa accounts for roughly 20% of the global population but just 3% of GDP. For now, intra-African trade represents only about 15% of the continent’s total trade, compared to over 50% in Asia and almost 70% in the European Union. For investors and policymakers, the opportunity lies in unlocking that untapped connectivity.
There is a geostrategic factor as well.
The US-Israeli war with Iran and the accompanying disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have heightened the need for additional trade corridors, notably through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
“Egypt is pivoting its export strategy toward Europe and Africa to leverage its geographical proximity, filling supply gaps caused by delays from Asian competitors,” says Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, CEO of Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt’s largest private sector bank, which has a presence in Kenya and Ethiopia. “This surge in demand is expected to offset revenue losses of exports to the Gulf.”
In an increasingly fragmented global economy, both regions see value in strengthening ties. The geopolitical landscape in the Middle East and Africa remains volatile, but investors argue that deeper south-south integration may offer one of the most resilient growth paths.
