Month: September 2026

UNITED NATIONS, United States: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for coordinated international action to address AI risks as fears rise about the dangers of the fast-evolving technology.

“National action is essential. But global coordination is also indispensable,” he told reporters. “AI does not stop at borders and neither do its risks.”

“AI has enormous potential — to accelerate sustainable development, enhance learning, strengthen health systems, boost climate resilience, and so much more,” Guterres said.

“But a growing number of those building it are sounding the alarm — warning that development is racing ahead of our understanding of the risks.”

“The world cannot afford a race to the bottom on AI safety,” he warned.

Concerns about AI safety have escalated in recent weeks, with workers at major AI developers resigning over concerns about the dangers posed by the technology.

President Donald Trump has dismissed warnings against AI risks as a “hoax” and pushed back against calls for tighter oversight.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The Trump administration has announced that it will impose travel bans on officials it claims are responsible for discrimination against whites and other minority groups in South Africa.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday he would revoke U.S. visas or reject visa applications from foreign nationals found to be responsible for, or complicit in, enacting or enforcing laws and policies that allow for uncompensated land seizures, race-based discrimination and the incitement of violence against minority ethnic and racial groups in South Africa.

“The United States will not allow such behavior to go unchecked,” Rubio said in a statement. “These actions directly undermine peace, economic stability, and the rule of law, and they are incompatible with the pillars of America’s foreign policy.”

The South African government has strongly rejected U.S. allegations of discrimination against whites, calling the claims made by the administration since President Trump returned to office last year baseless and a result of misinformation.

It’s the latest U.S. move to sanction South Africa

Rubio did not identify any officials who would be targeted with the travel restrictions, though a lobby group for minority whites in South Africa has previously called for the U.S. to sanction officials of the African National Congress party, the party of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the largest in South Africa’s Parliament.

It’s the latest move by the Trump administration to sanction South Africa over its claims that whites, and especially the Afrikaner group, are being discriminated against by their Black-led government. Afrikaners are descended from mainly Dutch and French colonial settlers who first came to South Africa in the 17th century. They were at the heart of South Africa’s previous apartheid system of racial segregation.

There are approximately 4.5 million white people in South Africa’s population of 62 million, which also includes whites with British or other heritage.

The Trump administration casts South Africa as anti-white

The U.S. has cited a contentious South African law that allows for the expropriation of unused private land without compensation in some circumstances, affirmative action policies that advance opportunities for Blacks and others, and a small number of violent crimes against white farmers as evidence of a larger anti-white stance in South Africa.

The Trump administration has also strongly criticized South Africa’s move to accuse U.S. ally Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, in a highly emotive case at the United Nations’ top court. Israel vehemently denies that allegation.

South Africa asks the U.S. to respect its sovereignty

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said Wednesday that some of the domestic policies that the U.S. had branded as discriminatory were designed to address the injustices of apartheid and hundreds of years of colonial rule before that, when Black people were stripped of their rights.

“South Africa respects that the United States may hold differing views on certain policy measures and their implementation. … The people of South Africa likewise respect the right of the American people to develop legislation that addresses their own circumstances,” Lamola said in a statement. “We expect that the same respect will be accorded to the people of South Africa, as the principle of sovereignty requires.”

The U.S. says more sanctions will follow

The U.S. has enforced a series of other sanctions against South Africa during Trump’s second term for purported anti-white and anti-American policies. They include barring South African officials from meetings of the Group of 20 economic bloc this year in the U.S., and phasing out aid for South Africa’s HIV treatment program.

The U.S. has also launched a refugee program for Afrikaners and other whites, claiming baselessly that they are victims of a humanitarian emergency in South Africa.

The U.S. says the sanctions are because South Africa has not changed its policies, and warned of more to follow.

“This visa restriction policy is only the first step in a series of escalatory measures that will show America’s firm resolve in this matter,” the official U.S. Ambassador to South Africa account posted on X, referring to Rubio’s visa announcement.

Imray writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

Paez is a record breaker and a headline maker.

He became the youngest debutant and goalscorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history at the age of 15 before making his debut in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, later that same season.

Later in 2023, aged 16 years and 131 days, he made his second appearance for Ecuador, becoming the second-youngest South American international to feature in World Cup qualifying after Diego Maradona.

A month later, he became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 win away to Bolivia.

It was understandable, therefore, that Chelsea believed the attacker, who had two international goals and 18 caps when they agreed to sign him, was destined for big things.

Chelsea allowed him to train regularly with the first team before he was officially eligible to join the club following his 18th birthday.

They also provided security for Paez, his family and the family of international team-mate Moises Caicedo after violence broke out in Ecuador in early 2024.

A few months later, Paez was filmed in a New York strip club while away on international duty.

He initially impressed on loan at Chelsea‘s sister club Strasbourg by winning September’s Young Player of the Month award in the French top flight, but then came in for criticism from then-manager Liam Rosenior.

“We expect more, clearly,” Rosenior said later that season. “I’m tired of using the excuse of the player’s youth.”

Despite Strasbourg’s links to Chelsea through their shared ownership, the loan was cut short after one goal in 21 appearances. Instead, he joined Argentine giants River Plate on a two-year loan spell.

Sources in Argentina expressed similar concerns about his attitude when asked by BBC Sport. They point to a disappointing display in the 1-0 Superclasico defeat by fierce rivals Boca Juniors at the Monumental in April.

Shortly afterwards, Paez was named by club president Stefano Di Carlo as one of 15 players training away from River Plate’s first team, although other sources felt he could have been given more opportunities.

His loan ended by mutual consent after Paez scored once in 14 appearances in 461 minutes for River Plate.

Ahead of the international break, concern has been expressed in Ecuador, having built him up as the country’s next great attacking talent.

Michel Deller, the owner of Independiente, told Hincha Amarillo: “He’s like a son to us. We care about him deeply.

“He’s a good kid who’s had a tough time and has made decisions that have complicated his life.

“We are always hopeful he’ll show his exceptional talent one again but right now, it’s up to him to decide what to do with his life.”

These concerns are not dismissed completely by Chelsea or Paez’s environment. However, there is a belief they are grossly overstated, highlighting he is owed time to grow as a player and person.

Israel’s defence minister has pledged to remove Palestinians from the besieged Strip.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has rejected any plans for Palestinian displacement, following comments by Israel’s defence minister saying the army would “finish the job” in Gaza.

Speaking during a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday, el-Sisi stressed “Egypt’s firm stance against the displacement of the Palestinian people or any attempt to annihilate the Palestinian cause”, the Wafa news agency reported.

Abbas praised Egypt’s steadfastness in defending Palestinian rights and reiterated that “Gaza is an integral part of our state.”

The Egyptian leader’s comments came hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army would “finish the job” in Gaza, “so that we can also implement the migration plan.”

Katz said earlier this month that Israel was ready to remove Palestinians from Gaza by sea and land, but was waiting for the United States, which he said was discussing where the two million people would go.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has denied any plan to “displace people out of Gaza against their will”. In February, Huckabee explicitly said he “would be fine” if Israel took most of the Middle East in accordance with his interpretation of the Bible, but then suggested the remark was selectively edited.

Nearly all of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced, and most of the territory lies in rubble after three years of a war that has killed more than 73,700 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that the army would not withdraw from the Gaza Strip, despite a US-backed ceasefire plan that came into effect in October stipulating it as a condition.

Netanyahu claimed Israel controls 60 percent of the Palestinian enclave and promised not to pull back until Hezbollah is disarmed.

His government has been pushing for more Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory in the West Bank, including through a controversial settlement project dubbed E1 designed to construct thousands of housing units between Jerusalem and the Maale Adumim settlement.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem warned this week that Israel is executing a systematic and accelerated campaign to dismantle “Palestinian collective life” and establish permanent Jewish-Israeli sovereignty across the occupied West Bank.

Saudi Arabia has intensified air strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen as the Iran backed group expands its territorial gains along the Red Sea coast, opening a new front in the wider Middle East war and adding pressure to already disrupted global energy supplies.

The Houthis have swept through several Yemeni towns and seized islands near the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a strategically important maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The group has also released footage showing its fighters capturing armoured vehicles from Saudi backed forces.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that the group had shot down a Saudi F 15 fighter jet and said Saudi Arabia had conducted as many as 450 air strikes in Yemen during the week. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the aircraft claim, while officials supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government have acknowledged that Saudi and allied forces are carrying out strikes against Houthi positions.

Saudi Arabia faces growing security pressure

The escalation has brought the conflict closer to Saudi territory. The Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks toward Saudi Arabia over the past week, prompting alarms in cities across the kingdom’s south and west.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace over the holy city. Riyadh described the incident as a serious escalation because of the threat to religious sites. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca and accused Saudi Arabia of using the incident for propaganda.

The United States has also tightened its travel warning for Saudi Arabia, barring government employees from travelling within 20 miles of the Yemen border.

The latest escalation marks a sharp deterioration after several years in which the Saudi led conflict in Yemen had largely quietened under a ceasefire. The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July and resumed attacks on areas in the kingdom before making rapid gains against forces aligned with the Saudi backed Yemeni government.

Energy markets face another shock

The renewed fighting is particularly significant because global energy markets are already under pressure from disruptions caused by the wider war involving Iran.

An attack blamed on Iran aligned fighters in Iraq last week knocked out Saudi Arabia’s East West Pipeline, an important route that allows the kingdom to move oil without relying entirely on the Strait of Hormuz.

Traders estimate that a prolonged closure of the pipeline could affect as much as 4% of global oil supply. Saudi Arabia has not given a timetable for restoring operations, although U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said oil should begin flowing through the pipeline within days.

Brent crude was trading around $108 a barrel on Wednesday, close to its highest level since May. The average U.S. retail diesel price also reached a record above $6.30 a gallon.

The simultaneous disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia’s alternative export infrastructure increases the vulnerability of global energy markets to further regional escalation.

Washington faces another difficult choice

The developments also create a new challenge for the United States.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with President Donald Trump last week seeking additional military support. So far, U.S. assistance has been limited to intelligence support.

The United States previously conducted a two month bombing campaign against the Houthis in 2025 before Trump announced a ceasefire with the group.

Washington now faces competing pressures. Greater support for Saudi Arabia could help contain the Houthi advance and protect regional energy infrastructure, but deeper military involvement could also expand the U.S. role in another theatre of the Middle East war.

What’s next

The immediate concern is whether the Houthi advance can be contained before the fighting causes further disruption to Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping routes.

For Saudi Arabia, the challenge is to push back against the Houthis while preventing the conflict from developing into a broader regional confrontation.

For global markets, the key issue will be whether disruptions to Saudi oil infrastructure remain temporary. Continued attacks on energy facilities or shipping routes could place additional pressure on already strained supplies.

The developments in Yemen therefore carry consequences well beyond the country’s existing conflict. The combination of Houthi territorial gains, pressure on Saudi Arabia and disruption to major energy routes has created another potential source of instability for the global oil market.

With information from Reuters.

KYIV: A Russian drone struck a passenger bus in southern Ukraine early Wednesday, killing five people and wounding at least seven in the latest in a series of Russian strikes on civilian transportation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack an atrocity with no military purpose.

The strike occurred in the Nikopol district of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, near the war’s southern front line. Oleksandr Hanzha, head of the regional military administration, said that all five were killed at the scene while the seven wounded were receiving medical care.

Zelensky described the vehicle as a minibus and said in an X post that the strike had “no military rationale” and that it was “just another atrocity.” He said the strike was connected to Russia’s targeting of logistics and critical infrastructure that has continued “unabated.”

Zelensky said that a passenger train was also struck in the Mykolaiv region on Wednesday, damaging a railway station and a diesel locomotive. Nearly 170 passengers on board the train were evacuated before the strike. An electric locomotive in the northwestern city of Kovel was also struck, Zelensky said.

Ukraine requests locomotives from partners

Russian strikes on Ukraine’s rail network have resulted in more than 500 locomotives being damaged or completely destroyed since the beginning of the all-out war on Feb. 24, 2022, with more than half those strikes occurring this year, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X on Tuesday.

Sybiha described such attacks as “systematic” and aimed at disrupting logistics across Ukraine. He said that Ukraine urgently needs replacements for damaged locomotives, and called on the country’s partners to assist in finding locomotives compatible with its 1,520-millimeter rail gauge and to assist in financing.

In another post on X on Wednesday, Sybiha said that Russian forces were striking passenger trains, locomotives, stations and railway routes “knowing exactly how essential they are for civilians, evacuations and Ukraine’s economy.”

“This is not collateral damage. It is a systematic hunt for people and an attempt to (paralyze) civilian life,” he wrote.

Zelensky says there is no truce on halting energy strikes

In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Zelensky pushed back against an earlier claim by US President Donald Trump that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to mutually cease attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. Zelensky said that Ukraine was ready to enter such an agreement, if Russia stops striking Ukrainian energy facilities.

Trump said in a social media post Monday that such a truce had been reached, but didn’t offer details on the purported agreement. Previous efforts to broker even a partial ceasefire have repeatedly fallen apart within hours, with both sides accusing the other of violations.

In the CBS interview, Zelensky said that the possibility of an energy truce was discussed during a recent meeting in Kyiv with Trump’s representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but that he had told them: “If the Russians are ready for an energy truce, that means there will be no attacks on energy facilities at all.”

Russia decorates ship captain who fired flares at Danish helicopter

Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the captain of a Russian warship that fired two signal flares toward a Danish military helicopter on Monday, drawing ire from Denmark, has been awarded a medal for his “competent and resolute action.”

The ministry said in a statement that the Soobrazitelny corvette was on a mission in neutral waters in the Baltic Sea when its crew spotted the approaching helicopter, which failed to respond to calls made via the international communication channel.

“To prevent a provocation by the Danish helicopter, the corvette commander decided to fire two red signal flares, after which the helicopter left the area where the Russian warship was located,” the ministry said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday that Moscow has no aggressive intentions toward Europe, but that if countries on the continent were to launch an attack on Russia, “it would be a completely different kind of war, and a very short one.”

Russian general killed in Ukrainian drone strike

The deputy head of the Russian armed forces’ military-political department, Lt. Gen. Apti Alaudinov, confirmed Wednesday that a decorated Russian general had been killed in the occupied Donetsk region.

Alaudinov, who didn’t provide details on the circumstances of Maj. Gen. Anton Grunis’ death, hailed the officer as “a hero” and “one of the most respected generals … a real man and officer and a great patriot.”

The confirmation of Grunis’ death came after Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, alleged on Wednesday that Grunis had been killed in occupied Donetsk by a Ukrainian drone while at a command post in the village of Kindrativka.

In July, Grunis reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that his troops had captured the town of Kostiantynivka and he was later awarded the Hero of Russia medal. Ukraine has disputed that Kostiantynivka was fully taken by Russian forces.

Grunis had previously fought in Chechnya, a mainly Muslim republic whose bid for independence after the Soviet Union’s collapse led to years of war with Russian government forces. He also took part in Russia’s campaign in Syria.

In Ukraine, he commanded the 4th Guards Motorized Infantry Brigade.

Meanwhile, 17 other sites were damaged in Ukraine’s Kyiv region between Tuesday and Wednesday morning, according to the head of the Kyiv regional military administration, Tymur Tkachenko. Eight private homes, five vehicles, a municipal building, a hangar and a production facility were among the sites damaged, Tkachenko said on Telegram.

Zelensky said on X that the Kherson, Donetsk and Poltava regions had also come under attack.

In the northern city of Sumy, six people were injured in a Russian guided aerial bomb attack, including a 14-year-old girl, according to the head of the Sumy regional military administration Oleh Hryhorov. Two homes were destroyed and 10 others damaged in the strikes, along with damage to an educational facility, Hryhorov said, adding that two other men were hospitalized after a separate strike hit an industrial zone.

In the port city of Odesa, one person was killed in a Russian attack that sparked a fire at garages and damaged vehicles and private homes, Serhii Lysak, head of the city’s military administration, wrote on Telegram Wednesday.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 71 Ukrainian drones overnight. In the Belgorod region, one person was killed and four others were wounded by Ukrainian strikes over the last 24 hours, according to acting governor Alexander Shuvayev.

The village has been crowned the finest seaside destination by Which? and is a must-visit for anyone seeking a peaceful autumn break in the UK

As the summer crowds begin to thin out, late September offers the perfect chance to explore the UK’s stunning coastline, with quieter beaches, milder temperatures and spectacular coastal paths just waiting to be discovered. Tucked away on the north Devon coast, one spot is a picture-postcard seaside village where the East and West Lyn rivers meet the Bristol Channel.

A charming seaside village tucked between dramatic hillsides and the Bristol Channel has been named Devon’s best seaside destination by Which?, cementing its status as an essential stop for a quintessential West Country getaway. Lynmouth sits beneath its hilltop neighbour, Lynton, with both forming part of the spectacular Exmoor National Park.

Sitting on the edge of Exmoor National Park, it is surrounded by stunning landscapes and is frequently likened to “Little Switzerland”.

At the heart of the village is its harbour, a reminder of Lynmouth’s roots as a small fishing settlement. Its history stretches back centuries, with records dating to at least the 13th century.

One of the area’s most famous attractions is the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, which connects the seaside village with Lynton high above. The historic railway is powered by water and offers visitors a memorable way to travel between the two communities while taking in the surrounding scenery, reports the Express.

Today, Lynmouth offers a winning combination of harbour views, rushing rivers, wooded valleys and dramatic coastline. With Exmoor’s walking trails right on its doorstep, it is an appealing destination for anyone looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful slice of the Devon coast.

Visitors can follow the River Lyn upstream towards Watersmeet, a magnificent tree-lined gorge managed by the National Trust, complete with riverside walkways and a charming tea garden.

For those looking for a spectacular group getaway, the area is also home to Lynhurst, an impressive and distinguished property just a short walk from the historic village of Lynton.

Tucked within stunning gardens and natural woodland, it features a games room with a slate pool table and dartboard, as well as an outdoor table tennis table to keep guests thoroughly entertained.

For couples in search of a romantic getaway, River View is a second-floor apartment set right on the riverbank in Lynmouth. The property features a furnished balcony overlooking the bay, and on a clear day, guests may even spot the Welsh coastline in the distance.

Inside the apartment, visitors will find a cosy open-plan living and kitchen area, fully kitted out for a hassle-free self-catering break. A king-size master bedroom with an en-suite shower room offers a peaceful retreat in which to unwind after a day exploring the local coastline.

The balcony is a particularly lovely spot to savour a morning coffee or an evening drink, with sweeping views across the river and the picturesque village below. With plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s absolutely no pressure to cook every meal either.

For a change of scenery, Ilfracombe lies fewer than 20 miles away, well known for its diverse dining scene and historic harbour. Visitors can also take in Damien Hirst’s iconic ‘Verity’ statue at the harbour entrance before heading back to the tranquil surroundings of Lynmouth.

Previous guests at River View have been fulsome in their praise online. One visitor wrote: “Lovely apartment. Perfectly situated with everything we needed. A real ‘home from home’. We love Lynmouth and will be back.”

Another noted: “A wonderful location for walkers as several spectacular river and coastal walks from the door. Great for visitors with dogs, close to the promenade for walks and meeting lots of other dogs.”

One particularly detailed review read: “A small but well-equipped and comfortable flat with beautiful views over the river to the sea. Good location to explore the area. Luckily found a temporary parking spot initially on Riverside Road in order to unpack, as the flat entrance is on a pedestrianised street.

“Parking permit was £25 for the week at the nearby Upper Lyndale car park. Tesco delivered groceries without difficulty. Walks locally and some National Trust properties made it a very enjoyable week in a lovely location.”

One guest noted that “the two flights of steep stairs would need to be taken into consideration by anybody perhaps not a 100% fit”, while another savoured the surroundings, remarking: “We had the door open all the time and could listen to the water and the wildlife, which we really enjoyed.”

River View can be booked through Holiday Cottages, with a four-night stay in September starting from £449.

WITH autumn here and the 2026 never-ending heatwave in the rearview mirror, it’s time to brush up on our knowledge of rainproof attractions.

So, there’s no better time to discover some fun indoor attractions to keep the family occupied as the weather turns – and we have quite a few to share.

Whether you prefer adrenaline-filled rides or obstacle filled challenges – there are loads of great indoor attractions across the UK.

From older kid favourites to the ideal toddler spots, here are the top indoor UK theme parks and attractions:

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Babylon Park, London

Found in Camden, London, Babylon Park is one of the only fully indoor theme parks in the UK.

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It even has an underground rollercoaster.

The entire attraction is outer space-themed and boasts different rides and attractions such as a rollercoaster, a drop tower, bumper cars and an arcade.

The park is free to visit but to go on the different rides and attractions you’ll need to buy Game Coins, Bonus Coins and Ride Coins.

Packages for these cost between £14 to £100.

The Playhive, North Yorkshire

Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire is home to The Playhive, which calls itself one of Europe‘s largest indoor playgrounds.

Inside, there are four themed worlds including space, air, jungle and sea.

The different areas feature giant slides, games, tunnels and climbing trails.

Tickets cost from £11 per person, which includes entry to the entire Stockeld Park attraction as well as The Playhive.

Woodlands, Devon

In Devon, Woodlands family theme park has loads of outdoor attractions to explore, but when the weather gets ba, d head inside and you will find what the park claims to be the biggest indoor soft play in the country.

There are multiple different areas for kids to explore across five floors, with net towers, drop slides and ball pits.

There are even specific areas for little ones too.

Big kids – or daredevils – have more thrilling attractions such as a 15.2-metre drop ride too.

And parents can feel at ease by keeping an eye on the kids from one of the many tables around the play area.

Tickets cost £16.50 for adults and kids over 92 cm, which includes access to the theme park and indoor adventure park.

Gravity Max, London

Older kids will love Gravity Max which has two venues – one in Wandsworth and the other in Westfield Stratford.

The attractions feature a huge e-karting track that looks like a real-life Mario Kart game.

There’s also immersive bowling, AR darts, and VR arenas.

Individual activities cost from £16 per person.

Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Parks, multiple locations

Who hasn’t wanted to try out the Ninja Warrior course? Well, you can in a number of places across the country.

With 15 venues across the UK including in Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Bristol and Leicester, the indoor Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park obstacle courses are the perfect way to have fun indoors.

The obstacle courses have balance beams, monkey bars and the famous TV show obstacle, The Warped Wall.

Tickets cost from £9.50 per person.

Zip World, Llechwedd

Head underground at Zip World Llechwedd in Wales, where there are caves and huge trampolines in a disused slate mine.

There are a number of different activities to choose from including Underground Golf with neon lights from £29 per person.

Or for the same price, there’s a cave tour.

For kids needing to let off steam, there are Bounce Below with a number of giant trampolines across six chambers.

Bounce Below sessions cost from £29 per person.

For the ultimate adventure, head to Caverns at the attraction, where you can zip line through the caves for £79 per person.

Play Factore, Manchester

Play Factore in Manchester claims to be the biggest indoor entertainment attraction in the UK.

Inside, there’s a giant play frame with spider nets, rollers and even the UK’s tallest indoor standing slide.

For younger guests, it has the biggest toddler area in the country too.

Tickets cost from £2.95 to £12.95 depending on the kids’ age, while adults pay £4.75.

Adventure Inside, Essex

Over in Essex, Adventure Inside has a six-storey soft play area with monkey bars and ball pits, ideal for young children.

There’s also a carousel, drop tower ride, swinging pirate ship and a racing spin ride.

An Adventure Island Day Band costs from £30 per person.

And currently, when you buy one you’ll get an annual pass as well for free.

Riverside Hub, Northampton

In Northampton, Riverside Hub is home to several different zones which include Role Play Villages where kids can explore an imaginary world with its own cafe, shop, witch’s house and tooth fairy dentist.

Older kids aren’t left out though as they can try out different climbing activities, including a 10-metre beanstalk.

There’s a giant play frame with slides, games and even a football pitch too.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse said: “There’s so much to do here that it’s a struggle to fit it into the two and a half hours that each session is allocated.

“We could have happily spent the whole day and still have gone back for more.

“With three boys aged between five and 12, it can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere that has enough to keep all ages happy as the older two are getting a bit big for soft play, but that certainly wasn’t a problem here.”

Tickets cost £8.50 per adult, £14.50 per child aged one to three-ears-od and £17.50 for kids between four and 17-yers-old.

Flip Out, various locations

Another great indoor attraction with venues across the UK including Bradford, Doncaster, Chichester and Coventry, is Flip Out.

Inside each venue there is a trampoline park with foam pits and stunt walls.

Some venues have additional attractions such as Flip Out Canary Wharf, where there is also laser quest and bumper cars.

Prices vary depending on destination and session length.

£1 DOESN’T go all too far these days. Unless you’re using it to sign up to Travelzoo.

Travelzoo is a travel club that gives its members major discounts on holidays, as well as fancy airport lounge access if your flight gets delayed.

Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1

The membership usually costs £30 for a year, which is already a bargain.

But Sun readers can bag a 30 day free trial for only £1 by clicking here.

There’s no worse feeling than looking up at the board in the airport to see your flight has been delayed, or being sat at the gate ready to board when it gets pushed back again.

Then comes the waiting game, and if you’ve ever wanted to swap those hard airport chairs for somewhere more comfortable, you’re in luck.

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With Travelzoo, if your flight gets delayed by an hour or more, you’ll see airport lounge tickets pop up straight into your email inbox or via text.

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Travelzoo are connected with the majority of airports, with access to more than 1,600 lounges across 500+ airports in 100+ countries. So if you’re just headed off on a standard holiday abroad, you’re more than likely covered.

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So instead of sitting bored at the gate or squeezing onto a table in an expensive airport restaurant, you could treat the family to a comfy sofa with free-flowing food and drink.

Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1

Airport lounge day passes typically cost between £30 – £40, whereas a Travelzoo membership costs £30 for an entire year.

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But it’s not all about the stylish airport lounges. Travelzoo members also get access to super cheap holiday deals.

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One of the best deals this week is a three-night £151pp all inclusive holiday to Marrakesh including flights, staying the 4-star Aqua Mirage Club & Aqua Parc, set at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. 

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TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Europe in the middle of a trade war with President Trump, seeking a deeper relationship with the European Union that could give Canadians greater freedom to work and study there.

Canada will seek an arrangement that would allow Canadians to live and work in Europe without visas as part of a strategic partnership, according to a senior Canadian official familiar with the discussions.

The official said Ottawa is not seeking to replicate the arrangements Norway or Switzerland have with the EU and did not propose “associate membership,” a term used in a recent report. Canada instead wants a partnership tailored to its priorities, with investment at its core.

Roughly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States. Europe is central to Carney’s effort to reduce that dependence.

Carney has ruled out EU membership, saying Canada instead wants “a unique security and economic alliance” with the bloc. He said formal discussions will begin next month.

Economics is only part of the push, Carney said Tuesday. “The core of this, yes, there is an economic component, but it is about greater sovereignty,” he said.

Canadian government officials have consulted provinces and labor groups but have not settled on what form the relationship should take. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks publicly.

Carney’s Trump challenge returns to Europe

Carney will attend European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address Wednesday as a guest of honor before addressing the European Parliament on Thursday.

Carney cautioned against expecting a major announcement in Europe, saying the “real deepening discussions” will begin at the Canada-EU summit in Montreal in late October.

The trip puts him back on the European stage as relations with Washington reel from tariffs, threats and personal attacks since trade talks collapsed.

Carney said Tuesday that economic integration, once viewed largely as an asset, is increasingly “being used as a weapon by certain countries,” making it more important for Canada to deepen ties with trusted partners. He is also carrying to Europe a message that has won praise there but that European governments have been reluctant to follow in dealing with the United States: Middle powers should resist economic coercion and be willing to walk away from a bad deal.

Carney’s Davos speech on middle powers in January drew a personal rebuke from Trump, and another forceful defense could raise the temperature again.

Canada has retaliated against U.S. tariffs and rejected terms Carney says would weaken its sovereignty. Europe, by contrast, shelved retaliation and accepted a deal leaving most EU exports to the U.S. facing tariffs of up to 15%.

That choice is striking given the EU’s economic weight as the world’s largest trading bloc.

At Davos in January, Carney urged middle powers to band together rather than bow to great powers. When countries negotiate alone with a hegemon, he said, “we negotiate from weakness. We accept what is offered.”

“This is not sovereignty,” Carney said. “It is the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.”

In a European Parliament debate in March, French lawmaker Chloe Ridel said Carney had “said out loud what many Europeans think quietly,” while German lawmaker Tobias Cremer urged Europe to “show the same courage as the Canadians have done in this moment of rupture.”

Tobias Gehrke of the European Council on Foreign Relations said Europe accepted economic pain in hopes of preserving U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, but gained neither firm security commitments nor stable ties with Washington.

“European governments will be watching closely to see whether retaliation creates leverage or simply produces more escalation and an increasing bill,” Gehrke said.

Building a hedge against Washington

Canadian Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne rejected the idea that Canada’s push toward Europe is simply an effort to gain leverage over Washington, saying Ottawa intends to keep working with the United States even as it builds stronger partnerships elsewhere.

“It’s always about us,” Champagne told the Associated Press. “We will still do things with the United States.”

But Champagne also said the geopolitical landscape has fundamentally shifted. “The world has changed and America has changed,” he said. “And I think the world has taken notice.”

Carney’s trip follows his global investment summit in Toronto, part of a broader push to attract international capital and reduce dependence on the United States.

Canada and the EU already cooperate on trade, defense, energy, technology and critical minerals. Bilateral trade reached about $147 billion in 2025, making the EU Canada’s second-largest trading partner.

Europe moves closer to Canada too

Underscoring the push for closer ties, the European Parliament said Monday that it will open an office in Ottawa, its 10th outside the EU, with a regional mandate extending to the Arctic.

“At a time when the world is becoming more unpredictable, like-minded partners need to work even more closely together,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.

Canada this year became the first non-European country to join the EU’s $173-billion SAFE defense program, giving Canadian companies access to joint procurement.

Ian Lesser of the German Marshall Fund in Brussels said Trump’s tariffs and policies toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and his stated intention to acquire Greenland for the U.S. have accelerated efforts by Canada and Europe to diversify their economic and security ties.

“The sheer unpredictability emanating from Washington has given history a shove,” Lesser said. He said many in Brussels still prefer to accommodate Washington or “wait and see” whether November’s midterm elections produce a Congress able to constrain Trump.

Carney will also travel to Britain to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham for the first time. Both men are supporters of Everton soccer club and are expected to meet at the team’s League Cup match against Wolverhampton on Wednesday.

Gillies writes for the Associated Press. AP reporter Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this report.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning has apologized for his public reaction to a video that was altered by AI to show Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe and knocking her to the ground.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Manning brought up the video, then laughed about it and called it “a good one” and “hilarious.”

The next day, the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning posted an apology on his Instagram Story.

“In my press conference yesterday, I made an insensitive comment about an AI video,” Manning wrote. “There is nothing funny about it. It’s easy to say I didn’t mean it, but I know my words and actions were hurtful to a lot of people. I do not take that lightly and am deeply sorry for that.

“I specifically want to apologize to Holly Rowe for what she has personally had to deal with because of my comments. I have a ton of respect for her and appreciate her showing me grace in this moment. I need to do better and will be more thoughtful going forward.”

Rowe posted Manning’s apology on X and indicated she’s not holding a grudge.

“Thank you Arch. I appreciate our conversation about this — which will remain private,” Rowe wrote. “Apology accepted. We move forward with respect and kindness for one another.”

On Saturday, Manning rallied the then-No. 4 Longhorns from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat top-ranked Ohio State 24-23. In the real video of Rowe attempting to interview Sarkisian, the coach yelled a few Texas cheers before rushing away from the veteran sideline reporter to join his team’s celebration.

Saudi digital payments company barq announced the close of a series A funding round worth $329.5 million, at a valuation of $1.85 billion, marking a new milestone that reflects the growth the company has achieved since its launch. The funding round cements its position among the fastest-growing fintech companies in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The round saw participation from Noon Investments, Sohar International Bank, and M20 Fund, a step that reflects investor confidence in barq’s trajectory and future potential, and underscores the appeal of the investment opportunities emerging in the fintech sector across the Kingdom and the region.

The round follows a standout growth journey for barq, which has now surpassed 15 million users within two years, from more than 210 nationalities, alongside the expansion of its ecosystem of digital financial services and solutions — reflecting the growing demand for the company’s products and its ability to build a broad user base within a record period of time.

The value of funds processed has also surpassed SR440 billion ($117.2 billion), an indicator that reflects the scale of activity barq has achieved and the widening use of its digital financial services since launch.

Based on its valuation, barq has become one of the fastest companies in the region to reach unicorn status, and among the fastest globally within the fintech sector, reflecting the pace of growth the company has achieved within a short period since its launch.

The funding round will support barq’s next phase of growth, by strengthening operational efficiency, accelerating the development of products and services, investing in new financial and technology solutions, and expanding into new regional and international markets — contributing to delivering a more advanced and accessible digital financial experience for users.

This achievement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector is undergoing exceptional development, driven by continued progress in financial and digital infrastructure, a supportive regulatory environment, the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, and the Saudi Central Bank’s efforts to advance digital payments and support innovation in financial services.

The close of the round marks a major milestone in barq’s journey, reflecting its ability to move within a short period from a phase of rapid growth to building a broad-scale digital financial platform, underpinned by a growing user base, an increasing volume of operations, and expansion ambitions aimed at strengthening its presence in the fintech sector at both the regional and international levels.

It is stunning to see the impact the USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program has made on discourse surrounding the future of the Air Force since it was officially announced. There is still much to prove regarding the concept, but testing is accelerating and the USAF now plans on buying 500 CCAs by 2032. At the same time, the USAF is now hunting for a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, with plans on procuring hundreds of those drones, as well, by early in the next decade.

With all this in mind, TWZ’s Jamie Hunter talked to Mike Shortsleeve from General Atomics on the show floor at Air, Space & Cyber 2026. The two discussed the latest progress for the company’s newly-named FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft, as well as General Atomics’ new Wildfire platform designed to address the lower-cost Massed Modular Aircraft program that could replace the company’s iconic MQ-9 Reaper.

Check out the interview below or at the top of this post.

FQ-42 Vengeance fighter drone update from General Atomics

Contact the editor: Tyler@twz.com

The Latin Recording Academy has unveiled the nominees for its 27th Latin Grammy Awards. The ceremony will air live Nov. 12 on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Edgar Barrera leads the count with a total of 10 nominations, followed by Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Jorge Drexler, Karol G and Rosalía, who each received seven nods.

Trailing behind them are indie folk artists Silvana Estrada and Mon Laferte, who each received six nominations.

All nominations are for recordings released between June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

Hit songwriter Barrera — who now holds the record for the most Latin Grammy nominations, reaching 84 this year — could make history once more if he wins in any category.

The Texas-born composer — who has collaborated with the likes of Bad Bunny, Karol G, Shakira and Maluma, along with anglophone divas like Ariana Grande and Madonna — is currently tied with Calle 13’s Residente for the title of most-awarded individual in Latin Grammy history.

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso took home five Latin Grammy awards last year, which tied them for the most wins that night alongside Bad Bunny — who received no nominations this year.

Now, the kooky Argentine pair are nominated in multiple top categories, following the release of their experimental 2026 LP “Free Spirits” — which features collaborations with British musicians Sting and Fred Again, as well as California’s very own Anderson .Paak and Jack Black. The duo is competing for album of the year, as well as record of the year for the song “Ha Ha.”

Karol G is also contending for top prizes, including album of the year for “Tropicoqueta,” her 2025 survey of Latin American pop. (She previously won the honors back in 2023 for her heartbreak album, “Mañana Será Bonito.”) Her tender pop duet with Marco Antonio Solis, “Coleccionando Heridas,” is also nominated for record of the year and song of the year.

Spanish singer Rosalía is up for record of the year, song of the year and pop song for the song “La Perla” — which features the música mexicana sibling trio Yahritza y Su Esencia. The band resurfaced from the shadows following a public fallout with Mexican media regarding their American-leaning tastes in cuisine; their 2026 album, “Metamorfosis,” is also nominated for contemporary Mexican music album this year.

There are several notable first-time nominees, some of whom De Los has previously profiled. This includes Xavi, whose album “Dosis” is up for contemporary Mexican music album, as well as his viral TikTok song “No Capea,” which he recorded with Grupo Frontera, in the regional song category. Working-class hero Macario Martínez is also in the running for the new artist award.

Colombian artist Ryan Castro is also nominated for the first time alongside Afrobeat singer Kapo and producer Gangsta for their song “La Villa” in the urban performance category. Castro is also nominated for urban music album for his joint LP “Omerta” alongside J Balvin.

Here’s the list of nominees in all general categories:

Record of the year

“Ha Ha” – Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso

“¿Cómo Se Ama?” – Jorge Drexler

“Dime” – Silvana Estrada

“O Amor Nos Encontrou” – Loulu Gilberto

“Coleccionando Heridas” – Karol G & Marco Antonio Solís

“Femme Fatale” – Mon Laferte

“Desde Que Te Tengo” – Carín León

“Niño” – Milo J

“La Perla” – Rosalía Featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia

“Alma” – Elena Ros

Album of the year

“Equilibrivm” – Anitta

“Free Spirits” – Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso

“Taracá” – Jorge Drexler

“Vendrán Suaves Lluvias” – Silvana Estrada

“Tropicoqueta” – Karol G

“Femme Fatale” – Mon Laferte

“Muda” – Carín León

“La Vida Era Más Corta” – Milo J

“¿Dónde Es El After?” – Rawayana

“Lux (Complete Works)” – Rosalía

Song of the year

“Coleccionando Heridas” – Edgar Barrera, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Luis Miguel Gomez Castaño & Karol G, songwriters (Karol G & Marco Antonio Solís)

“¿Cómo Se Ama?” – Jorge Drexler & Diego López Crespo “Mauro”, songwriters (Jorge Drexler)

“Dime” – Silvana Estrada, songwriter (Silvana Estrada)

“Femme Fatale” – Mon Laferte, songwriter (Mon Laferte)

“Hasta Jesús Tuvo Un Mal Día” – Rafa Arcaute, Renee Barri, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, Vicente Jimenez “Vibarco”, Martin Kierszenbaum, John Ryan, Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner & Federico Vindver, songwriters (Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso Featuring Sting)

“Humano” – Emmanuel Briceño, Juanes, Felipe Navia & Vivir Quintana, songwriters (Juanes & Vivir Quintana)

“La Perla” – Noah Goldstein, David Rodríguez, Ryan Tedder, Rosalía & Dylan Wiggins, songwriters (Rosalía Featuring Yahritza y Su Esencia)

“Mi Gran Amor” – Edgar Barrera, Becky G, Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño, Manuel Lorente, Daniel Rondón & Carlos Santana, songwriters (Santana Featuring Becky G)

“Nilo” – Massimo Giovanardi & Zanna, songwriters (Zanna)

“Solifican12” – Santiago Alvarado, Milo J & Santiago Ruiz, songwriters (Milo J)

Best new artist

Delilah

Fabian

Loulu Gilberto

Arath Herce

Macario Martínez

maye

Sofia Monroy

Kendall Peña

Dora Sanches

Aria Vega

Zeca Veloso

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index held firm on Wednesday, losing just 1.66 points, or 0.02 percent, to close at 10,779.96 

As investors traded around 168 million shares worth nearly SR3.5 billion ($933 million), 113 stocks advanced and 147 declined. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 2.77 points, or 0.01 percent, to close at 21,376.05, with 30 companies gaining and 33 declining. The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also fell 0.08 points, or 0.01 percent, to close at 1,450.01. 

Market movers 

The main market’s top performer was Raydan Food Co., whose share price increased 10 percent to end the session at SR16.28, while Nofoth Food Products Co. recorded a 9.87 percent increase to close at SR6.57.

Ataa Educational Co. also increased 4.75 percent to end the day at SR42.76. 

On the losing side, Armah Sports Co. decreased 4.92 percent to close at SR67.60, while Flynas Co. declined 4.46 percent to end the session at SR42.02.

Sumou Real Estate Co. also declined 4.13 percent to close at SR25.08. 

Corporate disclosures 

Saudi Vitrified Clay Pipes Co. said Laffan Pipes Co., or Laffan Saudi, has been converted from a one-person limited liability company into an unlisted Saudi joint stock company with issued capital of SR45.5 million, according to a Tadawul filing. 

Laffan Pipes Factory Co. of Qatar has completed its admission as a shareholder through a capital increase against an in-kind contribution, giving it a 45 percent stake in Laffan Saudi, while SVCP retains the remaining 55 percent. 

Laffan Saudi’s issued capital comprises 45.5 million ordinary shares, each with a nominal value of SR1, and has been fully paid through in-kind contributions.  

The development follows an MoU signed between the two companies in February 2024 and a partnership agreement signed about six months later. 

SVCP’s shares declined 3.12 percent to close at SR17.99. 

In another disclosure, Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction Co. said it signed an agreement to sell a 2,500-sq.-meter plot within Masar Destination in Makkah to Rawajeh Real Estate Co. for SR168.91 million. 

The boulevard-facing plot, located in Zone 2 of Masar Destination, has a book value of SR76.01 million. 

Umm Al-Qura, whose shares rose 2.50 percent to SR17.20, said the sale is part of its development strategy for Masar Destination, with the plot to be developed as a residential tower.

The transaction is expected to have a positive impact on liquidity and financial results, with proceeds to be used to finance working capital and ongoing projects. 

In a separate Tadawul filing, CATRION Catering Holding Co. said it signed an agreement with Air Arabia DMM Co. to provide inflight catering services under a five-year contract valued at an estimated SR200 million.  

Under the agreement, CATRION will provide inflight catering services, sell onboard food, beverages and other supplies, and provide logistics services to Air Arabia.  

The agreement was signed on Sept. 15 and is expected to have a financial impact beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026. 

CATRION, whose share price fell 0.74 percent to SR67.25, said the agreement is part of its strategy to sustain business, strengthen long-term partnerships with airline-sector clients, support growth, diversify revenue streams and enhance operational efficiency. 

With their unique adults-only approach to cruising, Virgin Voyages is attracting a whole new generation of cruisers

If you’d asked me a few years ago to go on a cruise, it’s fair to say I’d be apprehensive. The idea of being trapped on a floating Butlin’s, pushing past screaming toddlers to reach the lukewarm buffet, wasn’t exactly my idea of a relaxing holiday. Then I heard about Virgin Voyages : no kids, no buffets, and the few people I knew that’d tried it raved about it.

Billed by the company as an adults-only boutique hotel at sea, Richard Branson’s cruise line has won multiple awards since it launched in 2021, as well as amassing a loyal fanbase.

I thought it was time to see if I could become one of those fans, could I finally be a cruise person? I embarked on one of Virgin Voyages’ sailings from Portsmouth, an easy 90-minute drive from my home in Oxfordshire.

This wasn’t just any cruise though, this was one of the company’s specialty comedy cruises – promising top acts from across the UK, all included in your fare.

I have to say, the standard of names was well above what I expected for a cruise ship. Headliners included Celebrity Traitors star Lucy Beaumont, Gogglebox regular Babatunde Aleshé and I’m A Celebrity all-star Seann Walsh, to name a few. All of the comedy shows were excellent, but my standout has to be Matt Richardson, of Xtra Factor fame. His show was genuinely one of the funniest things I’d ever seen, and had the audience in hysterics.

This was all offered alongside Virgin’s regular entertainment offering, which includes bingo with the ship’s resident drag queen, cabaret shows and gameshows – one of which even had a prize from the on-board tattoo parlour.

A tattoo parlour at sea pretty much sums up the whole design and vibes of the ship. Stepping onboard is like walking into a chic beach club in Ibiza. We entered our balcony cabin, and within a few minutes I was sitting in the iconic Virgin Voyages hammock with a glass of champagne. Not bad for a cruise sceptic.

The Valiant Lady may only be five years old, but it’s already had a refurb with refreshed seating areas, menus and a brand new restaurant.

At the very back of the ship sits The Dock, an outdoor lounge and casual small plates eatery that feels extremely relaxed. Forget clunky plastic sunloungers, here you sink into comfortable modern seats and huge beds and look out to the incredible views.

It was here that I started to think ‘I could get used to this’, as a helpful waiter handed me my third sangria and delivered our snacks. Think charred octopus and hanger steak, all included in the fare.

That brings me to one thing I’d heard about cruising – ‘it’s a constant sales pitch’. That may be the case on other cruise lines, but based on what I experienced, it could not be further from the truth on Virgin.

Standard WiFi and soft drinks are free, and every single restaurant on board is included. The majority of dishes are included in the fare, although some venues have one or two premium menu items at an extra cost. We never felt compelled to try these as there were so many appealing options which were included.

In fact, the food is one point that I heard so much about. Replacing the traditional buffet, you have The Galley, a food market style venue with multiple cuisines offered – all made to order. Imagine lots of street food stalls, including tacos, burgers and sushi.

Then there are the sit-down restaurants, which feel like trendy London eateries that I’d genuinely want to eat at on land. There’s no traditional ‘main dining room’ here, and no strict dress code to boot.

Highlights on-board included Ariya, the new Indian restaurant which, for me, blew Dishoom out of the water with its tender lamb shank biryani, and The Wake, a high-end steak restaurant nestled at the bottom of a glamorous, cascading staircase.

There were, of course, things I didn’t love. The pool area is relatively small, and although not an issue on our chilly UK cruise, I could see it becoming more of an issue on a sunnier trip.

There is honestly so much more I could write about this ship. I haven’t even touched on the spectacular Scarlet Night, where the entire ship transforms into a massive bright-red pool party.

I left this holiday feeling fully converted into a ‘cruise person’, so much so that I even booked two more trips before we pulled back into Portsmouth.

If you’ve spent your whole life swearing you’d never set foot on a cruise ship, it might just be time to eat your words. I certainly did, and luckily, the food was spectacular.

THE 40 most trendy spots in the world have been announced, and three neighbourhoods in the UK have made it onto the list.

The locations were chosen by Time Out’s on-the-ground experts based on criteria like food and drink, nightlife and liveability – so which ones came out on top?

According to Time Out, one of the best neighbourhoods is Govanhill in Glasgow – it came in fifth place.

Just beating it to the punch were Jongno 3-ga in Seoul, the L’Ocean District in Rabat, Neos Kosmos in Athens and Chinatown in Los Angeles.

Talking about Govanhill, the publication described it as for years being “Shawlands‘ rougher little sibling”.

But over the past few years it has been transformed with trendy new bars, bookshops and brunch spots.

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It added: “Gen Z are migrating from West End bars and brunch spots to trendy new spots in Govanhill, injecting this once-overlooked sandstone suburb with quirkiness and energy.”

When it comes to pubs, Time Out suggests popping into the Bell Jar or the Rose Reilly.

Reporter for the Scottish Sun Oliver Norton gave us the inside track on the neighbourhood, he said: “The Govanhill district of Glasgow has just been voted the fifth coolest neighbourhood in the world.
I’m not surprised.

“I don’t live there, but I spend a lot of time in the area as it’s home to some of my favourite people and places.

“There’s always something going on, and the multicultural vibe has totally transformed what some once considered a deprived dump.

“The area in the south side of the city is home to around 17,000 people and has experienced a visible wave of gentrification over recent years.”

Oliver continued: “It is now home to people from at least 52 different nationalities speaking over 88 different languages, also making it Scotland’s most culturally diverse neighbourhood.

“As a regular visitor, I’ve experienced how dedication from local activists, entrepreneurs and creatives has helped raise the profile of the area and made it a welcoming home to many.

“Time Out, which tipped Govanhill among its top five cool neighbourhoods, hailed it for it for the ‘vibrant community spirit, independent shops, and creative culture’.

“And that’s a fair assessment.

“When visiting, I like to swing by Cibo, an Italian kitchen and deli, or one of the trendy cafes before browsing through local book and record shops.

“Later in the day, the area comes alive thanks to some of Glasgow’s best pubs – far away from the stress of the city centre.

“Personal favourites include McNeill’s Bar or Ryan’s Bar where some of the city’s finest DJs and selectors have provided the soundtrack to many a night.

“Pubs like The Rose Reilly or the The Bell Jar, both name-checked by Time Out, are great for relaxed drinks with friends.

“Govanhill also hosts regular arts and music festivals, concerts and exhibitions which draw people from across the city and beyond, especially during the summer.

“My personal highlights this year include the Sub Club Southside Weekender with house pioneer Kerri Chandler and Detroit techno legend Robert Hood’s Floorplan project.

“Queen’s Park, which is great for a walk or a picnic with friends, also hosts regular events, including concerts, film screenings and entertainment for kids.

“In July, Libertines front man Pete Doherty headlined the annual Recovery Connects festival which is alcohol-free and aimed at supporting people in recovery.”

“The Govanhill Street Music Festival and the Govanhill International Festival and Carnival are also hot tips for music and art lovers planning to visit.”

Two other UK spots made the list – and coming in 24th position is the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast.

It was described as having “cobbled lanes and old warehouses house galleries, gig spaces, restaurants, yoga studios and enduring cultural institutions.”

Travel Reporter Jenna Stevens said: “Whether you’re wanting a pint in a pretty setting, the city’s coolest souvenir shopping or a backdrop for your Instagram pictures, the Cathedral Quarter is the place to be in Belfast.

“The area is anchored by St Anne’s Cathedral, where cobbled streets branch out to reveal buzzy bars, pubs and independent shops.

“Once an old warehouse district, this trendy quarter is now the city’s creative heart. Victorian warehouses that used to store linen and rope now house art galleries and indie coffee shops.

“Red brick walls are plastered with impressive murals of hyper-realistic portraits and landscapes.

“It also hosts many of the city’s festivals, including the yearly Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival packed with comedy, street theatre and arts, and a hilarious Improv Festival in September.

“The Metropolitan Arts Centre is always switching up with the latest theatre and art exhibitions, while the Golden Thread Gallery and Oh Yeah Music Centre are a shrine to the city’s musical heritage, celebrating artists from Van Morrison to Snow Patrol.

“When it comes to shopping, here you’re trading bland malls for independent gems. Hill Street and Commercial Court house vintage clothing, boutiques and specialist shops.

“One must-visit is The Friend in Hand, a whiskey shop and museum that feels like a Harry Potter wand shop, with warm orange lighting filling the small wooden space.

“Inside you’ll find a plethora of Irish whiskeys, including the Writers’ Tears collection celebrating the city’s best authors. King Charles and Queen Camilla even visited in 2025, and you’ll see a framed photo of them propped up at the till.

“Then there’s the food and drink scene, which is one of the quarter’s biggest draws.”

Jenna added: “The Dirty Onion and Yardbird is a popular pub housed in Belfast’s oldest building, which puts on traditional music seven nights a week and has a massive beer garden. You can grab a crispy fried chicken burger for £13.50, or a rack of ribs smothered in sauce for £25.50.

“The Muddlers Club is a more modern spot, serving Michelin small plates in an eight-course tasting menu for £80pp – which is great if you have a special occasion to celebrate.

“As for cheap eats, Common Market is a giant food hall where you can grab dirty loaded fries, gyros, wings and more to sink down with a perfectly-poured pint. Lunch here will cost around £8 – £15.

“For something sweet, Established Coffee does a banging banoffee french toast and lemon meringue pie, plus unique drinks like an apple pie latte (£4.80).

“Whether you’re after a cosy traditional pub, a vintage clothes shop or industrial cocktail bar, the Cathedral Quarter offers them all – often on the same street.

“Oh, and make sure to visit Commercial Court when it gets dark to get that classic picture underneath the neon-lit hanging umbrellas.”

The last spot in the UK to make the list is the neighbourhood of Newington Green in London which came in at number 33.

Time Out describes Newington Green as a mix of old and new London.

The publication said: “These days it’s brimming with brilliance. From newly forged, hipstery gastropub Golden Tooth and small-herd butcher-cum-nightclub Stella’s to legendary Turkish seafood joint Sariyer Balik and the old Mildmay Club, Newington Green successfully combines both new and old London.”

Some of the top spots are Jolene, a trendy bakery and restaurant that is constantly popping up on Instagram thanks to its daily rotating menu, pastries, and natural wines.

There’s a trendy pizzeria called Bar Etna, Stella’s restaurant and the Army & Navy pub.

The full list of Time Out’s 40 trendiest neighbourhoods around the world…

1. Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
2. L’Ocean District, Rabat
3. Neos Kosmos, Athens
4. Chinatown, Los Angeles
5. Govanhill, Glasgow
6. Kitakagaya, Osaka
7. Chapinero Alto, Bogotá
8. Koenji, Tokyo
9. Downtown, St. Catharines
10. Esquilino, Rome
11. Russafa, Valencia
12. Tân Định, Ho Chi Minh City
13. São Bento, Lisbon
14. Talat Noi, Bangkok
15. Slakthusområdet, Stockholm
16. Humayunpur, Delhi
17. Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro
18. West Town, Chicago
19. Rákóczi tér, Budapest
20. Jalan Besar, Singapore
21. Crooswijk, Rotterdam
22. Chacagiales, Buenos Aires
23. Bandra West, Mumbai
24. Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
25. República, São Paulo
26. Changning, Shanghai
27. Oost, Amsterdam
28. Financial District, New York
29. New Farm, Brisbane
30. Quartier d’Aligre, Paris
31. Kalk Bay, Cape Town
32. North Hobart, Hobart
33. Newington Green, London
34. Yulin, Chengdu
35. Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
36. Centro Histórico, Lima
37. Boavista, Porto
38. Starstreet Precinct, Hong Kong
39. South Melbourne, Melbourne
40. Distillery District, Lexington

WASHINGTON — The United States has confirmed for the first time that it has deployed weapons in space.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told the Air and Space Cyber Conference in Maryland on Monday that the U.S. has fielded “on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”

Meink did not detail what the weapons were or how they work. In 2024 the U.S. said Russia was developing a new anti-satellite weapon that could be launched from space. At the time the White House said the danger wasn’t imminent.

But reports of the anti-satellite weapon reflected longstanding worries about space threats from Russia and China, given that much U.S. infrastructure is dependent on satellite communications.

In his remarks, Meink also said the Air Force was adding more autonomous systems to its capabilities and predicted the service would look “radically different” by 2032. For example, he foresaw one-way attack drones replacing artillery as the “primary killer.”

“We are increasing readiness against existing threats,” he said.

President Trump created the Space Force in 2019.

Catalini writes for the Associated Press.

Glentoran have identified Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton as their preferred candidate to take over from Declan Devine.

Devine left the Oval club on Monday after two years in charge following a poor start to the season.

Assistant managers Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann oversaw Tuesday night’s home defeat by Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine.

Magilton has emerged at the front-runner with the Glens making a formal approach to speak with the Cliftonville boss, with the clubs set to meet in an Irish Premiership fixture at Solitude on Saturday.

The 57-year-old former Northern Ireland international was appointed Cliftonville boss in 2023, succeeding Paddy McLaughlin, and led the club to Irish Cup glory the following year, ending a 45-year wait for the trophy.

Magilton, who previously worked at Ipswich Town, the Irish FA, Dundalk and Melbourne Victory, also led the Reds to the 2025 BetMcLean Cup, beating Glentoran in the final, but lost to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup decider two months later.

Are the brakes finally being slammed on the artificial intelligence race? Or are we simply witnessing a wake-up call that has come too late?

Developers are coming forward in numbers these days to say that the speed and direction of travel of AI, machine learning and the tech reaching the human level of intelligence is threatening human existence.

Jacob Coxon, the researcher who quit Anthropic last week, feared that those developing AI systems are “genuinely frightened” for the future of humanity. His words echo a growing anxiety in the field, as well as in government, about the challenges and dangers posed by AI. At this late stage, could there still be room for a U-turn that keeps the machine at the service of humanity, instead of human existence becoming a victim of the machines that have already been built?

Ask anyone on the street and — though they would be all for the progress and the positives the tech is offering in many fields touching human life — they would be quick to roll their eyes in despair when they reflect on AI, the uncertainties it brings and their future job security. Scratch the surface further and their anxiety surges about the impact unregulated tech companies are having on their children, potentially exposing them to unmoderated, manipulated content and often-damaging influence.

People are quick to despair when they reflect on AI, the uncertainties it brings and their future job security

Mohamed Chebaro

Their worries take a turn when they reflect that, even if they safely navigate their children’s youth, the job market may be permanently changing, hurting their prospects in the digitally automated and largely autonomous world of tomorrow.

It was troubling when I read recently that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had called, in a 6,000-word essay, for society to intentionally keep certain roles off-limits to the machine. His proposal of setting aside 40 percent of occupations as “human-reserved” is bizarre to say the least, as he better than anyone should be aware that markets, economies and competition do not work this way.

The words of Gates and the AI developers and researchers point to a grave lapse. It seems we have rushed into a race to make the machine supreme, giving artificial general intelligence agency over humans, who could ultimately be replaced by AI and advanced robots. The developers seem to have fallen into the trap of the machine becoming an end in itself and not a tool to serve and ensure the well-being of individuals.

It is not usual for companies and entire industries to plead with the world to make them work less and advance at a slower pace. And who and which institutions should heed their calls when we live in a highly fractured and geopolitically splintered world, in which superpowers and medium powers are vying for supremacy, with AI and its tools becoming their most potent vehicles?

The tech industry has clearly become too big to fail and too big to slow down. An AI slowdown — if there were suggestions its progress could be reversed or even stalled — would significantly affect the long-term direction and costs of the infrastructure boom.

It was surprising and unusual to hear key world leaders defend the sector. In the race for the vast supremacy and advantages it offers, their posture is understandable. The political imperative to press ahead was made clear by both Washington and Beijing. That appears to show that, whatever the private sector does, governments will want to ‌drive this capability precisely because of, not despite, the risks that are now being flagged.

Governments want to ‌drive this capability precisely because of, not despite, the risks that are now being flagged

Mohamed Chebaro

In this competitive world, there is no place for existential worries or fears for humanity and its survival. One country’s slowdown is another’s chance to catch up.

Calls for guardrails, rules and regulations are being constantly ignored or watered down. In a world where multilateralism is waning, technological restrictions like arms controls are useless unless solid conventions enforce them internationally.

The prospect of a multilateral agreement on hard-and-fast rules limiting the capacity of AI seems far-fetched. US President Donald Trump made that clear, saying on social media that “There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China.” The reply from Beijing came through an editorial in China’s state-backed Global Times, which claimed that AI warnings were a “Cold War playbook” targeting Beijing.

A call by Anthropic CEO ‌Dario Amodei to slow the pace of AI development won ⁠rare backing from SpaceXAI’s Elon Musk and OpenAI’s Sam Altman, with all evoking AI “doomerism.” This should surely not be ignored.

The solution should be simple: more cooperation in order to regulate.

According to these tech supremos, reports that swarms of AI agents have been increasingly found to be collaborating with others and hacking outside systems, or that their power was being used to develop harmful biological agents, are just the beginning. The same AI tools might have the potential to take down the internet and everything that relies on it, such as power grids, transport infrastructure, water supplies and banking systems. All of which could be the first call for an act of aggression by any group or state.

AI has become a crucial tool of economic and military prowess. Calls for protocols and conventions to restrain the tech realm have long irked most companies. Yet, if we are to believe some in the tech community, the world has in its hands a calamity in the making that surpasses even the existential nuclear threat, which was ultimately constrained through global moratoriums and conventions. AI is a different beast and, since its onset, humans have been the victims in the name of reducing labor costs.

Over the past decade, labor has become a mere number on a cost sheet. The fear is that humanizing work once again would be a far more complex task — one that the tech giants, the financiers and the state are not ready to undertake, even if it could save humanity from eventual extinction. The world has long since departed from the mindset that the machine should serve humans and not the other way round.

• Mohamed Chebaro is a British-Lebanese journalist with more than 25 years of experience covering war, terrorism, defense, current affairs, and diplomacy.

Mohamed Chebaro is a British-Lebanese journalist with more than 25 years’ experience covering war, terrorism, defense, current affairs and diplomacy. He is also a media consultant and trainer.

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