April 4 (UPI) — NASA announced Saturday that the four astronauts of the Artemis II mission were closer to moon than to the Earth.

NASA shared photos from the mission on X, declaring that the astronauts were officially “moonbound.”

“Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to their destination, and preparations for lunar flyby are underway,” NASA said. “During the trip around the far side of the moon, they will capture imagery to share with scientists (and you, too!).

The photos included two images of the moon and one of the interior of the Orion capsule as the astronauts worked and looked out at space.

“We can see the moon out of the docking hatch right now. It’s a beautiful sight,” an earlier NASA post quoting the astronauts said.

On Sunday, Artemis II is expected to reach the lunar sphere of influence, meaning the moon’s gravity will be stronger than Earth’s on the spacecraft.

The astronauts are expected to make their flyby of the moon on Monday, coming to within 6,000 miles of the lunar surface. They’ll fly around the far side of the moon for about 6 hours, taking photos and making observations. During this time, the astronauts will lose communication with Earth for about 30 to 50 minutes.

Tuesday marks the start of Artemis II’s four-day return to Earth, and splashdown is scheduled for Friday.

Prime Minister Meloni is the first EU and NATO country leader to visit the region since the war began.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha to discuss the energy crisis due to the ongoing United States and Israeli war on Iran.

Meloni met the Qatari leader on Saturday in Doha, the second stop on a regional tour that began in Saudi Arabia the previous day and continues with a visit to the United Arab Emirates.

The leaders “tackled energy issues … and discussed possible measures to mitigate the shocks suffered”, according to a statement from her office.

Meloni told the Qatari leader that Rome was ready to “contribute to the rehabilitation of Qatari energy infrastructure, which is essential to energy security on a global scale”, the statement added.

Italy is highly dependent on energy imports and is concerned about rising energy prices that have resulted from Iran’s effective blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which some 20 percent of global oil and liquified natural gas transits.

The Qatari emir’s office said in a statement that both sides had “stressed the need to work towards de-escalation”.

“And prioritise political dialogue and diplomacy as the best way to contain the current crisis in the Middle East and its repercussions on energy and supply chains, and to safeguard energy security in the region,” the statement said.

“They also reviewed bilateral cooperation between the two countries and ways to support and develop it in various fields, particularly in the economy and energy,” it added.

Since the beginning of the war at the end of February, Iran has targeted US and Israeli targets in the region, in addition to targeting Gulf countries, including Qatar.

Iran has targeted Qatar’s energy installations, including a missile strike on Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country’s main gas facility, that caused “significant damage”. Doha says the attacks will affect its natural gas export capacity.

An Italian government source told the AFP news agency that Meloni’s trip to the Gulf aimed to “strengthen relations with these countries and repeat Italy’s support against Iranian attacks”.

The source added that the region was a “crucial source of oil and gas for Italy” and that Meloni is the first leader of a European Union or NATO country to travel to the region since the war broke out.

After meeting the Qatari emir, Meloni travelled to the United Arab Emirates, where she was received by President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

BBC fan-favourite medical drama Casualty has been off-air for a couple of weeks.

Casualty viewers have been left disappointed once again following a BBC schedule shake-up.

Fans of Casualty may have noticed a change to the BBC schedule tonight, April 4, as the much-loved medical drama has been taken off-air once again.

The series was pulled from the schedule last week, to make way for the The Big Night of Musicals, and fans hoped it would return to screens soon.

However, the drama continues to be absent from the Saturday evening schedule as another big event has taken precedent, leaving viewers disheartened.

In December 2025 it was announced BBC Studios had won the contract to continue to produce the next three seasons of the long-running show.

Yet fans have missed seeing their favourite Holby characters in action for two weeks in a row, and here is all you need to know about why the series will not be airing this week.

Why isn’t Casualty on tonight?

Casualty will not be airing on BBC One tonight as the channel is hosting coverage of The FA Cup for most of the evening.

Match of the Day Live will be on from 5pm until 10.05pm, with two separate games being shown, taking over Casualty’s usual slot.

The quarter-final coverage will see Chelsea and Port Vale go head to head first, followed by Southampton and Arsenal.

Fans will have to wait until Saturday, April 11, before Casualty returns to the BBC One schedule.

Casualty went off air in September 2025 and took a five month hiatus before returning in January this year.

Having first aired in 1986, Casualty is the longest running primetime medical drama in the world.

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the show’s absence, with one saying: “Settled down for Saturday night telly and just realised there is no #Casualty.”

Another fumed: “When the BBC f**** about with Saturday night schedules, why is #Casualty always the first, erm casualty?”

Towards the end of the year, the show will move to a new fictional hospital in Wales, with various Welsh characters set to be introduced.

Casualty returns to BBC One on Saturday, April 11 at 8.30pm

Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Oscar has retired after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

The 34-year-old was treated in hospital in November after he became unwell during physical testing at Brazilian club Sao Paulo’s training centre.

It was determined he had experienced a case of vasovagal syncope, which is a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.

Oscar, who won 48 caps for his country, has now cancelled his Sao Paulo contract, which had two years left to run.

“I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to play more. I think I had both the footballing ability and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened,” Oscar said in an announcement posted on social media., external

“Now I’m going to retire and continue supporting Sao Paulo, continuing my life as a fan. I’m ending my career here at Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me to many places, practically all over the world.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their constant support, all the Sao Paulo fans who have backed me since my return and during this difficult time I’m going through.”

Oscar signed for Chelsea in July 2012, winning the Europa League in his first season and a Premier League and League Cup double in 2014-15.

He departed for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port in January 2017, having scored 38 goals in 203 games, leaving a Chelsea squad that went on to seal another Premier League title in May.

He won three Chinese Super League titles with Shanghai Port, before returning to Sao Paulo, the club where he started his career, on a three-year deal in January 2025.

April 4 (UPI) — A Russian drone attack on a market in Nikopol, Ukraine, killed five people and injured at least 19 others Saturday, local officials said.

The strike hit the town in southeastern Ukraine, just across the Dnipro river from Ukrainian land now occupied by Russia, the BBC reported. Nikopol faces regular attacks from Russia due to its proximity.

Oleksandr Hanzha, the head of the regional military administration, said there were three women and two men among the dead. The injured included a 14-year-old girl, Sky News reported.

The Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office described the attack as “yet another war crime by Russia.”

The nearby city of Sumy was also targeted by strikes overnight, with 11 people injured, the national police said. Among the damaged buildings were residential areas and utility networks.

The country’s State Emergency Service also reported strikes at a three-story office building in Kyiv, causing a fire on the first floor.

All told, the Ukrainian military said it down 260 of the 286 drone strikes launched toward its airspace overnight.

uk

United States President Donald Trump has issued another threat to Iran, writing that it has two days to “make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait”.

Saturday’s brief, three-sentence post on Truth Social did not reference the ongoing search for a US pilot who is believed to have ejected over Iran after an F-15 fighter jet crashed in the country. Iran has taken responsibility for the downing, the first of its kind since the US and Israeli launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

A separate incident on Friday saw Iran claim it shot down an A-10 Warthog near the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions about Trump’s earlier assertion that the US has established dominance over Iran’s airspace.

Rather than remark on the recent crashes, Trump’s post focused on a 10-day deadline he announced on March 26.

He had called on Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to international traffic, or else face the “destruction” of its energy plants. That 10-day period is set to expire on Monday.

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” Trump wrote. “Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!”

Stalled negotiations

While Trump did not provide further details about Saturday’s threat, in a series of posts this week, he pledged to attack Iran’s power plants, oil facilities and “possibly all desalinization plants”.

During a national address on Wednesday, he also threatened to bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages”, and on Friday, he cheered a strike on a bridge that connects Tehran to the Caspian Sea.

Just this week, more than 100 international law experts published an open letter, warning that targeting civilian infrastructure is a violation of the Geneva Convention and could constitute war crimes.

The Trump administration has also offered shifting objectives and plans for ending the war.

Administration officials have repeatedly said that the US prefers a diplomatic solution. Trump, meanwhile, has touted “victories” even as he has hinted at more weeks of attacks.

At the same time, Iran and the US have sent contradictory messages on the progress of peace talks.

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained open to diplomacy, after Iran rejected an “unreasonable” 15-point plan put forward by the Trump administration.

“What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” Araghchi said in a post on X.

The US, however, has argued that Iran’s demand that it maintain “sovereignty” over the Strait of Hormuz is a non-starter.

Pakistan has indicated it will continue to try to support ceasefire negotiations despite the ongoing “obstacles”.

No mention of downed pilot

While Trump has not publicly addressed the ongoing search for the US pilot, NBC News reported on Friday that he did not believe the incident would affect any negotiations with Iran.

“No, not at all. No, it’s war,” he reportedly told the network in a phone call.

Nevertheless, experts have warned that the possible Iranian capture of the pilot could create a crisis for Washington, giving Tehran a major leverage point that could snarl any diplomatic resolution.

The incident could also undermine US claims it has a dominant position in negotiations.

Marina Miron, a researcher at King’s College London, said the shooting down of the F-15 undercuts statements from Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth that the US has established complete control over Iranian airspace.

“Now we have a visible example that Iran still has the capability to target and successfully shoot down US aircraft, making this, of course, very important for Iran to demonstrate the capability to resist,” Miron told Al Jazeera.

“Most likely, the kinds of air defences that Iran is using, such as man-portable air defences, will be much more difficult to locate.”

Any US efforts to rescue the pilot would risk US casualties, Miron added, heightening the risk of further military escalation.

“It’s a race for time, because right now we have this critical window of up to 72 hours where both sides are trying to get hold of the pilot for both military and political purposes,” she said.

Beyond Paradise fans think Humphrey and Martha will leave Shipton Abbott for good

Beyond Paradise enthusiasts have voiced a devastating theory that Detective Humphrey Goodman (portrayed by Kris Marshall) will depart the Shipton Abbott police force to protect one of his team members.

During the opening episode of series four, Humphrey was informed by his new superior that, due to budget constraints, he must dismiss one of his colleagues.

Yet, while Humphrey has not yet broken the devastating news to the team, viewers believe they’ve already determined who will be departing – and there will be more than one exit on the cards.

One viewer commented on social media, “Could this be his last outing as they are looking to reduce staff? May he goes to save the others?”

Another concurred, “I was thinking the same thing,” while a third speculated, “Could be Humphrey, maybe he and Martha go back to Saint Marie?”, reports the Express.

“I’d love for this to happen,” a fourth enthusiast continued, with another suggesting, “Humphrey leaves to save the station and takes a job in Saint Marie.”

After Friday evening’s second episode, Zoe Williams (Melina Sinadinou) revealed to PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) her intentions to leave Shipton Abbott and embark on travels to Australia.

Certain viewers also suspect Kelby might ultimately depart to travel alongside Zoe. One fan posted on social media, “Is Kelby going to leave to go travelling with Zoe?”

Another proposed, “Zoe off to Dolphin Cove would be great!!! Kelby in tow even more amazing (as long as he comes back) Poor Esther.”

A third enquired, “Kelby and Zoe off travelling?” Fans were equally quick to spot the nod to Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, and were delighted at the possibility of a crossover between the two series.

As Zoe and Kelby crossed paths, Zoe remarked, “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“In Dolphin Cove,” Kelby replied, to which Zoe asked, “Have you been?”

“I wish,” the police officer responded. “It just says there. Sorry, I wasn’t snooping; it caught my eye. It looks like paradise. Are you planning on a holiday?”

“I am thinking about going travelling, seeing a bit of the world,” Zoe replied. “That is what life is about, isn’t it?”

Beyond Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

PHOENIX — Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.

Parker, Holdsclaw and members of the 1996 Olympic team were all in attendance Friday at halftime of the UConn-South Carolina game during the women’s NCAA Final Four, where the selections were announced, as was Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni.

They will be joined by longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, NBA coach Doc Rivers and Gonzaga coach Mark Few in the Hall of Fame.

Parker won three titles in the WNBA with three different teams: Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. She is the only player in league history to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

She also won two titles while playing in college for Tennessee under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, plus two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP awards.

Delle Donne won two league MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, the second of which came when she led the Washington Mystics to their lone WNBA championship. Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range and 90% from the free-throw line.

Holdsclaw won three straight titles at Tennessee from 1996-98, the first team to accomplish that. The 1998 championship was Tennessee’s first undefeated season at 39–0 and the Vols also set an NCAA record for the most wins in a season. Holdsclaw went on to have an 11-year WNBA career.

Stoudemire, who was the only NBA player in this year’s class, was Rookie of the Year in 2003 and became six-time All-Star. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, where he teamed with D’Antoni.

Rivers has nearly 1,200 victories on his resume, which puts him eighth on the all-time wins list. He led the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and also was in charge of the Los Angeles Clippers during their Lob City era.

Few has won more than 770 games at Gonzaga in his career at the school. He set the NCAA Division I men’s coaching record by winning 81 games in his first three years at the school.

Crawford officiated 2,561 regular-season NBA games and 50 Finals games over his 39-year career. He retired in 2016.

The enshrinement ceremony will take place in August at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

This news digest highlights the observance of Chungmyung Day in North Korea, a springtime holiday dedicated to ancestral tributes and the maintenance of family burial sites. Similar to the Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day, this occasion was formally recognized as a national holiday in 2010 to encourage the preservation of traditional cultural practices. While it is categorized alongside other major folk celebrations, the text notes that it remains secondary in importance to the birthdays of the nation’s past leaders. Beyond the primary focus on North Korean customs, the source provides a snapshot of global events, including regional military activity, international holidays, and sports updates. Ultimately, the collection serves as a multidisciplinary overview

The Metropolitan police said the three men were charged with arson ‘being reckless as to whether life would be endangered’. 

Two British nationals and one UK-Pakistani national have been remanded in custody after they appeared in a court charged with arson in relation to four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity in London that were torched.

The March 23 attack in Golders Green, an area of North London with a large Jewish community, destroyed four ambulances belonging to the volunteer organisation Hatzola.

Two of the suspects were identified by police on Saturday as British nationals, Hamza Iqbal, 20, and Rehan Khan, 19. The third suspect, a 17-year-old UK-Pakistani dual national, cannnot be named for legal reasons.

According to a statement by the Metropolitan Police, the three suspects, who had been arrested at different locations in East London on Wednesday, were charged with arson and “being reckless as to whether life would be endangered”.

The suspects did not enter a plea in a 45-minute appearance at the Westminster Magistrates Court.

The court heard that British police also arrested a fourth person in connection with the arson attack.

‘Deeply shocking’

The ambulances that were set on fire were run by Hatzola, a volunteer organisation which provides free medical transportation and emergency response primarily for the Orthodox Jewish community.

According to the London Fire Brigade, the explosions from cylinders on the vehicles had shattered nearby windows, but no one was injured.

Since the fire, the police have promised to increase security around Jewish community sites across the capital.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack”.

The police have said they are treating the incident as an anti-Semitic hate crime. So far, the incident has not been declared a “terror offence”, but counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation.

The three defendants are set to appear at London’s Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, on April 24.

The Iran-aligned Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamiya (HAYI) group claimed responsibility for the attack. It has also previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

“A civilised government never targets institutions of knowledge.” Iran’s minister of science said the US and Israel are the ones that belong in the Stone Age following an attack on Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University. Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi visited the site to see the damage.

CHLOE Madeley and her rugby star ex-husband have proven there’s no bad blood between them these days.

Chloe and James Haskell – who divorced in 2023 after a five-year marriage – took to Instagram to show off some impressive moves, as Chloe used a shirtless James as a human teeterboard.

The former couple – who share daughter Bodhi, three – filmed themselves in a living room, trying to master some one-on-one acrobatics.

Both heavily into fitness, the pair were replicating another social media video of a different couple doing the same routine.

Chloe, 38, was transparent about the potentially eyebrow-raising video, captioning it: “Yea ok it’s a tad unconventional but it’s also top tier content so here we are.”

In the clip, Chloe was seen balancing on James, 41, who showed off his shirtless muscular frame in the process.

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Dressed in comfy sweatpants and a hoodie, Chloe sat on the floor in front of her former spouse, facing away from him, as James held onto her arms.

Chloe then attempted to roll backwards several times without much luck, trying to contain their giggles in the process.

The pair eventually managed to pull off the trick, as Chloe rolled into James, placing her feet onto his bare stomach and launching herself upwards.

James clung onto his ex-wife before she toppled forward in fits of laughter.

The pair shocked fans when they split three years ago, after they welcomed their daughter in 2022.

Chloe – who is the daughter of TV duo Richard and Judy – has opened up about the split, branding it “really unbelievably stressful”.

Their divorce was recently finalised, with Chloe saying: “It’s fine now, but the process has been incredibly emotional and volatile.

“We have weeks where everything’s fine and we get on really well. And then we have weeks where we don’t agree on something or someone gets frustrated or angry, and then we don’t speak.”

James is set to appear on the new series of Celebs Go Dating, and insists he discussed it with Chloe ahead of signing up.

Of the decision, he said in a podcast interview earlier this month: “I loved the experience… I went on Celebs Go Dating not necessarily to find love but to showcase myself in a different light.

“I think Celebs Go Dating was a way of going on there, having fun, meeting someone, and I think being very aware that my daughter will be watching one day so being very respectful of my ex.

“I obviously talked to her about it and yeah, I’ve had five dates, they’ve all been lovely people but one I might date again.”

Following their secret split, a source said: “Chloe and James have been fighting for a long time to make a go of their marriage. 

“Having a young baby, and James being away so often would take a toll on anyone. But some of James’ behaviour was upsetting, and he knows that.

“Things are completely civil between them, and they shall remain friends. Bodhi is their number one priority.”

Wall Street ended the trading week higher, as investors balanced a stronger-than-expected March jobs report with rising geopolitical tensions that pushed oil prices sharply higher. For the week, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite popped 4.4%, while the S&P jumped +3.3%, and the blue-chip Dow added +2.9%.

Good morning, and welcome to L.A. on the Record — our City Hall newsletter. It’s Noah Goldberg and David Zahniser, giving you the latest on city and county government.

Los Angeles City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto and challenger Marissa Roy have sharply different views on how the office should be run.

Literally, the office.

Feldstein Soto said it’s important for attorneys to be in the office, and adopted a policy last year requiring most staff attorneys to be there at least three days a week, with supervisors required to be in four days weekly. Previously, the rule was up to three days of remote work per week.

“It builds teamwork. It ensures cohesion. It ensures that you have the opportunity to review and evaluate the work of new employees while they are still on probation,” she said in an interview.

That policy, however, has put Feldstein Soto at odds with the Los Angeles City Attorneys Assn., which endorsed Feldstein Soto in 2022 but has yet to weigh in this year.

Roy, the deputy state attorney general and the most well-funded of three challengers in the June 2 city primary election, recently told the city attorney’s union that the city’s lawyers should only have to show up at the office two days a month, not counting court appearances. That’s the policy at the state attorney general’s office, where Roy works for Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta.

“There’s no reason why the city attorney’s office can’t have that same policy,” Roy told The Times.

Many companies and public agencies adopted liberal work-from-home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, although those policies have been largely rescinded to one degree or another. Still, Roy contends that the two days a month is reasonable given the sacrifices lawyers make to work for the government.

“You’re taking a pay cut from the private sector. You’re doing it because you care. You’re doing it for work-life balance and we have to respect that,” said Roy, who has been endorsed by the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America as well as the county Democratic Party.

Feldstein Soto said Roy’s two-days-per-month proposal creates logistical issues since the city’s lawyers are required to appear in court and be present for legal questions that arise at city meetings. She also said liberal work-from-home policies make it too easy for lawyers to take on outside work.

Roy is Feldstein Soto’s most significant opponent, racking up endorsements and more than $450,000 in campaign contributions through the end of December. Feldstein Soto raised more than $685,000 through the end of last year.

Challenger Aida Ashouri, a lawyer and activist, said she supports the current policy, saying it provides flexibility to employees while also ensuring they confer in person.

“We want to continue to make sure that people see their co-workers, that we have meetings in person,” Ashouri said. “I think meetings in person can be very effective and better for communication purposes.”

The fourth candidate, Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. John McKinney, said remote work is a “valuable tool for work-life balance.”

He said he would build on Feldstein Soto’s existing remote work rules, though he did not outline exactly what his policy would be.

The Los Angeles City Attorneys Assn. filed an unfair employee relations claim against the city last year when Feldstein Soto toughened the rules. The attorneys claim that the changes should have been bargained with the union.

The Los Angeles City Attorneys Assn. endorsed Feldstein Soto when she first ran four years ago, but hasn’t yet made an endorsement in the city’s June 2 election. The endorsement is expected to be discussed by union officials next week, said union president Ann Rosenthal, who said the city policy makes it hard to recruit new attorneys.
Citywide, departments make their own determinations on RTO, said Matt Szabo, the city administrative officer.

Szabo said the city is discussing a draft citywide policy on remote work with city employee unions.

State of play

— DOCUMENT DROP: The Charter Reform Commission sent the City Council its written recommendations for changing the city’s government. Among the ideas: a larger City Council, a two-year budgeting cycle and greater authority for the council over policing policies. The council will decide how many of the proposals should appear on the Nov. 3 city ballot.

— A NEW FRONT-RUNNER? City Councilmember Nithya Raman came out ahead of incumbent Karen Bass in a new poll on the Los Angeles mayor’s race, though the poll’s director cautioned that it did not give the whole picture. Raman had a commanding lead, with 33% of voters supporting her, while Bass trailed at 17%, according to the poll by Loyola Marymount University’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles.

— OR MAYBE NOT: Meanwhile, a survey released by UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs found Bass in the lead, with reality TV star Spencer Pratt coming in second and Raman a close third. With 40% undecided, the race remains “wide open,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, director of the Los Angeles Initiative at UCLA Luskin, a former L.A. council member and county supervisor. The poll’s margin for error is 4%.

— NEED FOR SPEED (CAMERAS): By the end of the summer, 125 speed cameras will be installed on dozens of streets throughout Los Angeles, specifically on roads that are in school zones, are known street-racing corridors or where speeding has resulted in a high rate of traffic accidents.

— EATON FIRE RECOVERY: At the end of March, just under 3,400 applications to rebuild residences destroyed in the January 2025 Eaton fire had been filed. That’s about 56% of the roughly 6,000 residential structures in Altadena that CalFire designated as destroyed, a Times review found.

— CAL-EXODUS: A new UC Berkeley study found that people who moved out of California dramatically improved their financial conditions. A surprising finding from the California Policy Lab: Those leaving the state are increasingly moving out of its wealthiest areas.

— PACK YOUR TRUNK: Nearly a year after the Los Angeles Zoo shipped Billy and Tina the elephants off to a zoo in Tulsa, Okla., animal rights activists have kept up the call to relocate them to a sanctuary. Actor Samuel L. Jackson is among those weighing in.

QUICK HITS

• Where is Inside Safe? The mayor’s signature homeless relocation program was in North Hollywood and brought more than 40 people indoors in Councilmember Imelda Padilla‘s district.
• On the docket next week: The City Council will remain in recess next week.

Stay in touch

That’s it for this week! Send your questions, comments and gossip to LAontheRecord@latimes.com. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to get it in your inbox every Saturday morning.

Don’t look now but Cleveland High in Reseda is surging in high school baseball with a nine-game winning streak, going from 1-8 to 10-8 on the season. The Cavaliers are surprisingly tied for first place in the West Valley League with 4-1 El Camino Real going into a series next week.

“We’re playing a lot better and it has has to do with things we weren’t sharp at, pitching, playing defense and productive offense,” coach Peter Gunny said.

All-City player Joshua Pearlstein has been contributing with his hitting and pitching. Sophomore pitcher Xander Guiley owns a win over Birmingham and the Patriots’ ace pitcher Carlos Acuna. Sierra Canyon transfer Shiloh Wickliffe has played in only four games but has already shown potential as a hitter. Ezra Preis has come through with some big hits. Freshman Elliot Schoenwald is the starting center fielder and also a relief pitcher.

Can Cleveland keep it up?

“The kids are playing well,” Gunny said. “They deserve it.”

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

April 4 (UPI) — Israel’s military suspended attacks in an area of Iran where a U.S. airman is believed to be lost as U.S. forces carried out a second day of search-and-rescue operations Saturday.

The service member was one of two pilots on board an F-15E fighter jet that Iran shot down over its airspace on Friday. U.S. officials were able to safely rescue one of the pilots, but the second was missing.

An unnamed Israeli official told The New York Times that the Israeli military halted its operations in the area — the mountainous regions of Kohgiluyeh, Boyer-Ahmad and Khuzestan provinces — amid the search. The official said it was also sharing information with U.S. officials to aid in the rescue mission.

Meanwhile, state-run media in Iran encouraged civilians in the region to also look for the missing U.S. airman, The Guardian reported.

Speaking Friday with NBC News, President Donald Trump said the downed U.S. fighter jet won’t affect the United States’ negotiations with Iran more than a month after U.S. and Israeli forces began strikes on the country.

“No, not at all,” Trump said of the possibility. “No, it’s war. We’re in war.”

A U.S. official told NBC News that it’s believed that the downed F-14E fighter jet was originally based out of Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Britain.

Elsewhere, Iraq closed its border crossing with Iran at Shalamja on Saturday after an Iranian missile strike at the site killed one person and injured five others. Lt. Gen. Omar al-Waeli, who heads the Border Ports Authority, said the injured were injured were taken to a hospital in Iran.

All trade and passenger traffic were halted, the Iraqi News Agency reported.

“There are alternatives to Shalamja crossing, regarding the entry of goods, such as the Safwan border crossing, in addition to the existence of other land crossings operating in the rest of the govern orates in order to secure the entry of goods and commodities,” al-Waeli said.

Cambridge won a fourth consecutive Men’s Boat Race as Oxford claimed their first victory in the women’s race since 2016.

The Cambridge men came in as strong favourites for the 171st event but Oxford did well to stay with them for much of the race in tricky and blustery conditions along the 4.3-mile course from Putney to Chiswick.

But the class of the Light Blues came through in the final third as they pulled clear to triumph by 11.02 seconds for a seventh win in eight years.

In the 80th edition of the women’s race, Oxford made a blistering start and Cambridge were unable to respond as the Dark Blues stayed strong to win by 9.4 seconds and celebrate their 31st overall success.

OLIVIA Attwood has confirmed she’s undergone a cosmetic procedure just weeks after splitting from husband Bradley and her new budding Pete Wicks romance.

The reality star and documentary maker posted a series of serene photos to her Instagram page, showcasing her latest cosmetic treatment.

The former Love Islander looked fresh-faced in the pics, showcasing a glowing complexion and a plump smile – as a result of having new lip fillers.

“I had some lip filler for the first time in 2 years and I can’t stop pouting,” she wrote alongside the snaps.

Olivia has faced a tricky couple of months, revealing the end of her marriage to footballer husband Bradley Dack.

As well as the scandal surrounding her ex’s fidelity, Olivia, 34, saw her marriage exposed as a sham and swirling rumours that she is now dating long-time pal Pete Wicks.

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Yet her carousel of photos showed fans that she’s still thriving, not letting the whisperings get her down.

The star was indeed seen pouting across the array of images as she stepped out in different outfits attending various events.

In some, she was seen sporting a bottle green fur jacket over checked black slacks.

Others saw her in a limo and at a party with pals, donning a plain black sweater and skinny stonewash jeans.

She snapped further images in a chocolate mini-skirt and matching blazer, a tie around her neck, blonde mane swept back in a tight, conservative ponytail.

Other images showed pet dogs, shopping trips, a pair of new high heels and behind-the-scenes snaps on set.

In a final image, Olivia was filmed stood in a lift, pouting again for the camera, showcasing her style in a black leather cropped jacket, matching shorts and knee-high boots.

Fans were pleased to see Olivia enjoying herself amid the various scandals circling her in recent times.

“Dump the boy get the filler… the only way is up baby girl,” one commented under the snaps.

Another penned: “Love to see you smiling and laughing!”

The post also appeared to confirm that Olivia has custody of the dogs she shared with Bradley, with many fans picking up on this in the comments.

“Great substitute for a man, dogs are life savers and your girls are beautiful,” one penned.

Another wrote: “My main concern has been he better not take the dogs from Liv!”

Olivia admitted this week that she is finally feeling good about herself again amid the drama, and that she’s dating again, after being seen kissing Pete Wicks.

Opening up about the recent scandals, the ITV star admitted she “covered up” much of what was going on in her marriage and even arranged therapy for her footballer ex.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Olivia said: “I have stood by Brad for the last ten years during which he lied & cheated on me multiple times. The breakdown of our relationship is because of this.

“I of course now feel like a f***ing idiot (Especially as more things come to the surface).”

This was the first time she had publicly addressed why her marriage was over, but has also suffered backlash amid a fakery row involving her TV wedding.

The Sun revealed ITV‘s “golden girl” Olivia was never legally married, yet she has insisted that she is “not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes”.

Meanwhile, a pal of Pete and Olivia recently confirmed: “They have been spending a lot of time together and an unexpected romance has blossomed from friendship.”

It was ugly.

It was beautiful.

It was a messy rock fight.

It was Bruin ballet.

In front of a stunned crowd at Phoenix’ Mortgage Matchup Center Friday night, the UCLA women’s basketball team defied stereotypes and defined toughness and did what few believed this dancing, dazzling group could do.

They beat somebody up.

They stared down presumably rougher Texas in the national semifinals and painted the floor in streaks of Longhorn and won the second-most important game of their lives.

Now they get to play the most important.

With their 51-44 victory over the burned Orange, the Bruins have advanced to the national championship game Sunday against a physically dominant group from powerhouse South Carolina.

UCLA center Lauren Betts shoots over Texas forward Breya Cunningham during their Final Four matchup Friday in Phoenix.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

Put up your dukes.

If you thought UCLA needed to take off the gloves against Texas, wait until they go bare knuckles with the deep and experienced Gamecocks.

Based on legacy alone, the national title bout is a mismatch.

South Carolina, under legendary coach Dawn Staley, is playing in the national championship game for the third straight year and fourth time in five years. Meanwhile, this is UCLA’s first title game appearance in the NCAA era.

South Carolina has won three championships in the last eight non-COVID-19 seasons. Meanwhile, UCLA is searching for its first NCAA championship and first title of any sort since Ann Meyers Drysdale led the Bruins to the 1978 AIAW crown.title.

Count the Bruins out if you must. But against Texas, a team that had dominated them during the regular season, the Bruins did all the counting as the Longhorns lay flat on their backs during an eventual knockout.

It turns out, being led by six seniors and graduate students on a mission to finish their careers together as champions matters. It turns out, a willingness to do whatever it takes to win that title matters even more.

And it turns out, 30 straight wins means something. These Bruins don’t flinch. These Bruins don’t retreat. These Bruins don’t have any doubt that they can survive whatever South Carolina throws at them, even if that’s enough fists and fury to make semifinal-losing UConn coach Geno Auriemma lose his mind during a profane in-game interview Friday on ESPN.

“The job’s not finished,” said Gabriela Jaquez, who once again seemingly showed up around every loose ball. “Still have one more game to win.”

UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez drives toward the basket under pressure from Texas forward Breya Cunningham during their Final Four semifinal on Friday in Arizona.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

This game began, appropriately enough, with Angela Dugalic blocking Aston Judd’s shot and then glaring at her as the Longhorn lay in a heap.

“It’s such an amazing thing that we have another opportunity to play together,” said Dugalic. “One more day.”

This game ended with Lauren Betts blocking Madison Booker’s layup attempt with 18 seconds remaining and Texas trailing by just three.

“Oh my God,” said Charlisse Leger-Walker. “Another Lauren Betts specialty.”

After the block, Betts screamed loud enough to be heard from the desert to Westwood. Soon thereafter, her teammates were screaming with her.

“We knew it was going to be a tough, physical game and we knew we had to match that intensity,” said Kiki Rice.

Did they ever.

Defensively, they held Texas star Madison Booker to three baskets off 23 attempts, including an unbelievable 17 straight misses at one point. Their Bruins’ pressure was so intense, Texas took 21 more shots and still lost by seven.

Offensively, four different players scored in double figures while they had 13 assists on 18 baskets. Yeah, they committed 23 turnovers, the most in a Final Four game in 18 years. But who’s counting?

“I want to apologize to all the fans for the rugby match,” said Bruins coach Cori Close.

No apology necessary.

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic blocks a layup attempt by Texas guard Ashton Judd during thier Final Four game Friday in Phoenix.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

The Bruins dominated from the outset, holding Texas to a season-low six points in the first quarter as the Longhorns made just three shots. Hampered by their own mistakes, UCLA let Texas stay in the game until scores by Betts, Rice and Jaquez widened the gap to 10 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Texas battled back to within one possession late, but Betts’ block sealed it for a team that has come too far and endured too much to be bothered by even the most furious of comeback attempts. For the record, the mighty Texas team led for all of 54 seconds.

“This is amazing,” said Betts.

There are players on this team that have made four straight trips to the Sweet 16 and consecutive trips to the Final Four. South Carolina knocked the Bruins out during one of those tournaments. They’re well aware it could easily happen again.

But pressure moments Sunday afternoon with the basketball world watching? Bring it on.

“I think in those moments, we’re just so connected that regardless of what the score is, we could have been down 10, we still would have been as connected as if we were up 10,” said Betts, who missed only three of 10 shots and had 11 rebounds. “I’m just really proud of this group. I think it shows the maturity. I know I can count on anybody on this team, regardless of what the score is. We’re going to continue to show up and compete.”

For one more game. For one last time. For forever.

THE SUN’S £9.50 Hols Agony Aunt, Tracey Kennedy has tried and tested holiday parks across the UK for over 30 years.

Over her decades of staycations, Tracy’s ticked off popular holiday spots from the Isle of Wight, to North Wales, down to Land’s End in Cornwall.

It’s fair to say that Tracy knows her stuff when it comes to UK holiday parks – whether it’s how to bag a bargain break, or find the best free and cheap family attractions whilst you’re away.

Over three decades of staying at holiday parks up and down the UK, Tracy has ranked her top five holiday parks based on accommodation, entertainment and location.

Plus she’s sharing all of the hacks she uses to save while she’s away.

We’ve paired each park with the cheapest deal available online, including three-night breaks for two for under £50.

5. Haven Burnham-on-Sea Holiday Village

“This holiday park is in a lovely seaside town in Somerset, and I like it so much that I’ve been back several times.

“My tip for booking a Haven holiday would be to book a Haven Hideaway package.

“These are the cheapest breaks possible, and can cost just £49pp. I paid just £120 for a full week away on a Haven Hideaway.

“However it’s worth noting that Hideaway holidays don’t come with a Play Pass as the standard breaks do, so make sure to check which activities are included at each Haven park, and which you would have to pay extra for”.

Entertainment and activities

“There’s plenty to do here without paying extra for the add-on activities. This site has a lovely arcade, which is cashless apart from the classic 2p machines.

“I wasn’t too keen on it being cashless at first, but once you’ve got your card and have topped it up with as much or little as you want, it’s easy to use.

“As for the evening entertainment, I went last year and it was really quite good. The comedy is especially great.

“With Haven parks, if you make sure to download the app, about 2 weeks before it’ll tell you which activities you can book if you have the Play Passes.

“But you dont need passes for the arcade or evening entertainment, it’s just for swimming and paid activities. They can be nice to have, but you don’t have to get them”.

Accommodation

“I stayed in a saver caravan, which is the lowest grade, but it still has heating and everything you need.

“I always go for the cheapest I can but that is still nice, and the saver option here is great if you’re looking to stay on a budget“.

Local area

“Burnham is a quiet town, so it can be quite a peaceful place to stay. There’s also a lovely beach and lighthouse in walking distance from the park, as well as a cinema. But mainly this is a great base for exploring.

“Brean is about a 10-minute drive away, and there’s loads to do there. Brean Beach is gorgeous, plus there’s a splash park, Brean Theme Park and an animal farm, so there’s loads to do.

“You’ve also got Cheddar Gorge a half-hour drive away. You can of course try loads of cheese, but there’s really fascinating caves and clifftop walks there, too.

“If you’re willing to drive a bit further, about 40 minutes, you can also visit Wells. There’s loads of medieval historic sites there, like Wells Cathedral as well as the Palace and gardens”.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a four-night stay in a saver caravan with a Haven Hideaways deal from £49, based on two adults sharing. This deal also comes with a low-deposit option from £30.

4. Riverside Holiday Village, Bleadon, Weston-super-Mare

“I went to this holiday park last year for my 50th, and had such a fantastic time. I have lots of memories coming here with parents, and now I get to bring my kids!

“One of the best things about this park is where it’s located. It’s less than 10 minutes from Weston-super-Mare‘s seafront”.

Entertainment and activities

“This is quite a small site, but it does have a good arcade, restaurant, and entertainment performances.

“There’s no costume characters for the kids, but if you visit in peak season, there’s a pretty packed activity schedule that keeps them busy.

“It’s a very relaxing site if you prefer a peaceful holiday. There’s a beautiful lake to walk around, and you can pop out into Weston whenever you’d like”.

Accommodation

“We stayed in a large Gold caravan, which doesn’t work out to be too expensive once you split the cost between a group of people.

“We paid £650 total, and the Gold caravans can sleep up to six people, so that works out at around £109pp – which isn’t bad at all for a full seven days during the summer holidays.

“We had wrap-around decking which is lovely to sit on and enjoy your coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening.

“I recommend going as a large group and splitting costs so you can try out the nicer accommodation. This is one of the parks where I’d say it’s worth it”.

Local area

“The surrounding area, Bleadon, is very quiet. There’s just a couple of cosy pubs.

“But if you want a proper day out, then you should drive or catch the bus into Weston-super-Mare itself.

“There’s loads of things to do in Weston. If you want to stick to free things to do, Weston Museum is a great one and has activities for kids.

“Visiting the Grand Pier is a full day out itself – there is a small charge of £2, which is the same for both adults and kids.

“There’s lots of cost-friendly places to eat on the pier, like chip shops, a Costa and a Tiffany’s.

“My favourite though is Revo Kitchen. It’s inside the old Sea Life centre and it has 360-degree views of the sea. It’s dog-friendly, and does amazing, family-friendly food.

“It’s easy to spend the whole day at just the pier. There’s a ball pit, arcade games, fun house, ghost train – loads to do.

“Obviously it can be costly, but there are great-value wristbands available for kids to go on unlimited rides.”

“The Little Kids wristband, with unlimited rides suitable for younger children, costs £15 and lasts all day. The Big Kids wristband costs £20.

“There is also an Ultimate wristband available for £30, which includes unlimited rounds of golf and go-kart races.

“You don’t have to pay the entry fee cost of £2 for those with wristbands. You can buy the wristbands for the Grand Pier ahead of time online“.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Riverside Holiday Village in a Purn Gold WF caravan from £169, based on two adults sharing. This deal also offers a low deposit option of £25.

3. Martin Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool

“This park is around 10 minutes’ drive into Blackpool, and there is so much to do there for families.

“They have also just had a major upgrade, with a brand-new restaurant, a refreshed Show Bar, and an expanded arcade added”.

Entertainment and activities

“It’s all about the entertainment with Haven. And the best part is that most of it is free.

“There’s an outdoor pool and lazy river, and you can book inflatables for your little ones to use.

“They’ve got plenty of fun things for families with kids like a climbing wall and a giant football dartboard.

“You’ve also got Linked Bingo at 5:15pm every evening, which sometimes has massive cash prizes.

“They’re also adding four new kids shows ready for summer this year”.

Accommodation

“The caravans are spacious, clean and have everything you need. Even the saver caravans are tremendous value for what you get.

“What I like about the accommodation here is that most caravans are only a short walk to the entertainment, which is great if you stay up late”.

Local area

“There is absolutely loads to do in Blackpool. You can even see the tower flashing its lights at night from the park.

“Blackpool can be as cheap or expensive as you like, but I’ve been going for years and found some good ways to save money.

“One of the best-value places to go is Coral Island Arcade, which has a restaurant where kids eat free.

“Once you’re at Coral Island, make sure to pick up any free leaflets that are there. They often have vouchers inside for discounted attractions.

“We picked one up and got a free go on the camel derby – so always look out for leaflets before you book something!

“Some of my other favourite things to do are going up into the tower, where there’s an arcade, the dungeons and a circus inside the tower itself.

“Then of course you’ve got Pleasure Beach – but if you know you want to go, book ahead of time online.

“That way you can pay £30 for entry rather than £60 on the day.

“If you’re wanting to save money on ticking off the paid attractions, there’s a new card where you can do them all for a fixed price called The Blackpool Pass.”

“The Blackpool Pass starts from £35 and includes unlimited entry to eight Blackpool attractions: Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE, Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Blackpool Tower Circus, Gruffalo and Friends Clubhouse and Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play.

“You can expect to save up to 70 per cent on attractions compared to booking individually.”

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a four-night stay in a saver caravan with a Haven Hideaways deal from £49, based on two adults sharing.

This deal also comes with a low-deposit option of £30.

2. Lyons Robin Hood, Rhyl, North Wales

“This site is really up-to-date. It’s recently undergone a £1.5m makeover, with all the new developments set to be fully done in May 2026, ready for your summer holiday!

“Some of my favourite things about this park are the enthusiastic entertainment staff, as well as the food – I always really look forward to the food when holidaying here!”

Entertainment and activities

“The pool here is so good that my youngest went swimming every single day. It has a brand-new splash zone, three super slides and even a spa for the adults.

“It’s just had activities like go-karting added to the list of things to do, and there’s new sports courts and trampolines.

“I last went at Halloween and it was just absolutely fantastic, but the entertainment is great year-round too.

“The costume characters come out to meet the kids – all the info on who is coming out when is listed on the wall, so you can meet the characters, comedians and singers.”

Accommodation

“The standard caravans here are slightly different to other holiday parks, for example like at a Haven resort.

“Their highest-ranking option is a platinum. We’ve stayed in platinum and it’s lovely. We had a little bit of a balcony that we had our coffee and drinks on.

“I’ve stayed in three levels of accommodation here, and I liked all of them. Each caravan was clean and spacious, with multiple big bedrooms, so you can’t go wrong here no matter what your budget is.

“I usually like to bring my own food to save money, however the food here is just lovely and definitely worth the money!

“We had cod and chips (£6.95) from the on-site chip shop here and really enjoyed it – in fact, we had it twice because it was that good! Food here is also really good value for money”.

Local area

“There’s a beautiful beach just across the road from the park, just remember to bring some snacks, as there’s no cafe or shop to buy food.

“You might see seals here – we saw some on my last visit and I was so excited.

“You can see them bobbing around in the sea, it’s nice to see them out in the open compared to an aquarium.

“Rhyl is just 5 minutes away, and there’s loads to do there. Shops, a massive marine lake, and my favourite – a little train that takes you around.

“Lots of people go crabbing, too…we caught some massive ones!

“A trip into Rhyl could be a free day out if you planned for it. Pack a picnic, wander through its streets, plus there’s even a free attraction: Rhyl Museum and Arts Centre.

“The only thing you would have to pay extra for if you wanted to would be the train, which costs £4 per adult and £3 per child.”

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Lyons Robin Hood in a Bronze three-bedroom caravan from £111.30, based on two adults sharing.

Lyons Robin Hood is also available at Sun Hols from £9.50, where a break for four people can cost as little as £38.

1. Lower Hyde, Isle of Wight

“The best holiday park I’ve ever been to is Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight – that is my firm favourite.

“I’ve returned several times because my family and I really liked it. I like everything about the park.

“There’s loads to do on site itself, it’s actually one of the only sites where we didn’t mind spending the entire day there.

“There’s plenty of nature trails around the park, and there’s also an adventure park on site.

“Lower Hyde also have a restaurant with really good pub-style food called The Barnhouse, plus they also have little food huts such as the Thunderbird Chicken shack and an ice cream parlour.

“They’ve just had a new outdoor bar open up, too.”

Entertainment and activities

“The entertainment teams are top-quality at Lower Hyde and plenty is free compared to other parks.

“I like the archery in the daytime, plus there’s a great pool to make use of, too.

“I watched some brilliant entertainment there last year.

“In the evenings, the entertainment starts off with discos and character meet and greets for the younger kids, with their own show.

“Then there’s some great bingo, followed by an adult game show.

“Later in the evening there’s more acts from visiting acts such as comedians or magicians, or a performance from the entertainment team.

“There’s then a disco until midnight, so you can stay there all night, if you fancy it.”

Accommodation

“I’ve stayed in both chalets and caravans, and the caravans are top-notch, very cosy and warm.

“The accommodation is in a really nice quiet area. There is a little bit of a hill walking down, so do let the site know if that’s an issue if you plan to visit”.

Local area

“The must-visit spot nearby is Shanklin. There’s lots of little artisan shops, and it’s not a far walk, about a 10-minute walk into the centre.

“If you walk further, it takes you into Shanklin Old Village. There’s a lovely little restaurant there called The Crab, with beautiful seafood.

“There is also the famous old thatched cottage from all the postcards. Not only is it lovely to look at, but it does afternoon tea inside (from £7.95).

“There’s also Shanklin Chine, a wooded coastal ravine that is the oldest attraction on the island.

“If you wanted to visit, then you can loop right down to the beach afterwards and make your way back up – that’s the perfect day out.

“Some of my favourite things to do in the area are keep an eye out for red squirrels on nature walks, and go stargazing at night – the Isle of Wight has clear skies where you can see the stars”.

Bag a cheap stay

You can book a three-night stay at Parkdean Lower Hyde in a Bronze three-bedroom caravan from £99, based on two adults sharing.

Parkdean Lower Hyde is also available at Sun Hols from £9.50, where a break for four people can cost as little as £38.

How Tracy saves extra on her holidays

As ouur Hols From £9.50 Agony Aunt, Tracy Kennedy has several tips and tricks up her sleeve when it comes to saving money on your staycations.

Here is exactly what Tracy does to prepare ahead of time and save on her holidays, as well as her top tips for saving whilst you’re away.

She told us: “One of the most cost effective things you can do is cook your own meals.

“I’d make a note of some easy, cost-effective meals that are quick to make so you can get it done and get out and enjoy your holiday.

“I like to pack an essentials box of non-perishable food bits with me, like packets of rice, pasta, and tinned food – just make sure you don’t forget to bring a tin opener, too.

“I also bring a small amount of washing up liquid and cleaning products in little travel bottles so we don’t have to buy full-sized ones. This really helps with the shopping, especially if you’re on a budget.

“Then when you do go shopping, all you have to do is buy the fresh stuff like bread, milk and butter.

“I like to slowly buy bits to add to my box in the months before my holiday, as it spreads the cost out and saves you spending too much in the expensive on-site supermarkets when you arrive.

“Once you’re prepared with food and cleaning supplies, it’s time to start thinking ahead on how to save on attractions.

“Before I go anywhere, I make sure to Google everything there is to do nearby. Especially for days out. See if there are any two for one ticket offers at local attractions, or even places that are free to visit.

“Especially during holidays like Easter, as nearby attractions will often have free events for kids like Easter egg hunts.

“When I visited Prestatyn in North Wales, I did my research ahead of time and found free pottery classes for kids, so we spent an afternoon doing that.

“Also check the National Trust website as well as English Heritage, because sometimes they offer free days out, too. Also check Sun Superdays and Sun Club offers, too!

“If you’re staying at a seaside resort, you can easily spend an entire day out on the coast for free. Check which dates you are there have good weather, and plan to pack a picnic, walk along the promenade, go for a swim.

“Sometimes there will be free children’s Punch and Judy shows, or local festivals – always Google the area and search on local Facebook groups in case there are events whilst you’re there.

“If you’re going as a couple or friends, it can be nice to explore local towns with cheap public transport.

My friend and I visited Lyons Robin Hood last year, and planned to go to Llandudno.

“We bought a £6.50 day saver ticket, jumped on a bus with Llandudno as the final stop and sat on the top deck at the front, and the views we had were absolutely amazing.”

“You can get family saver tickets too if there are more of you, then you can go out for the day, get a great view of the local towns and all you have to buy is the bus ticket. It’s a nice, cheap day out for all of the family.

“Similarly, I planned a cheap day out at the coast a few years ago in Newquay, Cornwall.

“We visited all the local beaches, walked to Lands End, and I planned a walk past the hotel where the Roald Dahl film The Witches was made.

“We also drove out to Port Isaac, and walked around where Doc Martin was filmed. All you have to do in these places is pay for is parking and bring your own food.

Then you can just walk around and see all of these really cool filming locations, and that costs you nothing!

“Definitely research the area before you go to see if any movies or TV shows were filmed there”.

The budget airline has issued a message to its passengers, urging them to ‘please note’ the announcement as it ‘does not look cool’ – but many people were not impressed by the new rule

Budget Irish airline Ryanair has taken aim at travellers who persist in wearing one particular accessory aboard aircraft. This follows the airline previously advising passengers to ‘please stop wearing’ jeans during flights.

For several people, being comfortable while travelling on a plane ranks amongst their top priorities. And given that remaining seated in the same spot for extended periods can be decidedly uncomfortable, particularly when you’re short on legroom, selecting the appropriate attire might be your sole opportunity for achieving comfort. For many, this translates to donning joggers or tracksuits. However, sometimes it’s the accessories that can enhance comfort even further.

This becomes especially important on Ryanair, where seating is typically more confined owing to the airline’s efforts to accommodate as many seats as feasible, forming part of their strategy to maintain ticket prices as low as possible – despite recent threats that prices might go up do to jet fuel prices.

Renowned for their budget-friendly fares, the carrier has also established a reputation on social media, where they frequently poke fun at their own passengers, and jokingly threaten to introduce even more regulations and charges than they currently impose – such as extra legroom seats or late check-in fees.

Nevertheless, Ryanair has now criticised travellers who insist on wearing one particular type of accessory aboard aircraft, claiming it ‘does not look cool‘.

Posting on their Facebook page, the airline issued a statement to their passengers. They wrote: “Please note: Passengers do not look cool wearing sunglasses on board.”

However, many weren’t convinced, as numerous people quickly flocked to the comment section to express their own views.

“Could be true, but we don’t care,” one person posted. Others went on to suggest it was ‘necessary’ due to the vibrant interior of Ryanair flights.

One person contended: “Gotta shield our eyes from that highlighter-yellow cabin.”

“I put mine on so I can sleep,” another person clarified. Another concurred and stated: “Sunglasses at night-flight for a better sleep.”

Someone else remarked: “With sunglasses on during the flight the 3 days vacation lasts longer.”

Nevertheless, some sided with the airline, as one person commented: “Only pilots should wear sunglasses.”

This isn’t the first occasion Ryanair has joked about and poked fun at its passengers. Recently, they threatened to introduce a ‘toilet usage fee’ for any passengers wishing to use the lavatory facilities onboard an aircraft.

However, many travellers soon cottoned on this was a joke, as they noted it sounded like an April Fool’s prank that was posted a few days early.