British Prime Minister Andy Burnham maintains that a poll is ‘off the table’ as there isn’t enough popular support for Northern Ireland to leave the UK.

United States President Donald Trump has said that a unified Ireland would be “fantastic”, in remarks made during a visit to Dublin that were not welcomed by government ministers in London.

Trump’s comments on Saturday came weeks after British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a referendum on Northern Ireland leaving the United Kingdom was “off the table”.

“Well, I don’t want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I’d love to see it unified,” Trump told reporters, while sitting next to Ireland’s Prime Minister, Micheal Martin.

“It’s going to happen eventually … I think it would be a fantastic thing,” he said.

“Now the UK will have something to say about it … but I think it would be a great thing,” he added.

Martin declined to respond to reporters’ questions to comment on the US president’s remarks.

Following Trump’s comments, a spokesperson for Burnham said his position on Irish unification remained unchanged.

Responding to questions from members of parliament on Wednesday about a potential poll in Northern Ireland, Burnham said: “I am not aware that there is majority public support for another referendum, and until that changes, there will not be one”.

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement), a referendum on leaving the UK can be held only at the discretion of the British government.

The accord ended three decades of violence known as The Troubles. The sectarian conflict involved mostly Catholic nationalist paramilitaries seeking a united Ireland, mostly Protestant unionist paramilitaries wanting to remain part of the UK, and British troops.

Gavin Robinson, leader of the DUP, Northern Ireland’s main unionist party, said that Northern Ireland’s future was a matter for its people to decide, not Trump.

“President Trump knows better than most that elections matter. Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington.”

While polls show a comfortable majority in Northern Ireland favour remaining in the UK, the gap has narrowed slightly since Britain’s departure from the European Union pushed unity higher up the political agenda.

Trump also met Irish President Catherine Connolly, who was elected head of state last year. When Trump last visited Ireland as president in 2019, Connolly, an outspoken politician with left-wing foreign policy views, protested at Shannon Airport in western Ireland.

During Trump’s current visit, some supporters had urged her to speak out against US military actions around the world and defend Ireland’s neutrality.

Anti-Trump protests

Anti-war and anti-Trump protests were held in Dublin and some were planned for later in western Ireland, near Trump’s golf course in Doonbeg.

Reporting from the capital, Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic said Dubliners had a “laundry list” of reasons for protesting against Trump’s visit.

“They feel that the Irish government should not be, in their words, rolling out the red carpet for someone like Trump, who they say is a cause of instability in the world and has been enabling Israel’s actions in Gaza … and destabilised the whole of the Middle East.”

Irish people are also protesting against the high cost of hosting Trump, including security, which they say could pay for other things, such as healthcare and social issues, added Veselinovic.

STANDING confidently on the north-west coast of Ibiza, Amare cuts a striking presence — white-washed, tall, broad and surrounded by swaying palm trees. 

Deliberately designed to follow the bend of the bay, the 4-star hotel benefits from unbroken views of the bluest of oceans, and I just couldn’t get enough of them. 

I was visiting for a long weekend — eager to soak up everything the White Isle has to offer, but with some much-needed downtime, too. 

Amare Ibiza was just the ticket. 

Every sleek room has been thoughtfully designed with light fabrics and local limestone that bring subtle drama as well as specific music and fragrances.  

This isn’t style over substance, though. Handy USB ports sit next to the bed, balconies face the ocean so the views are always spectacular and rooms come with a mini-bar, meaning you won’t need to wander far for a drink after a wild night out at one of the island’s famous superclubs.

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I was staying in a “Keep The Secret” room, which had a smart design that maximised the space and allowed light to pour in. Whatever room they are staying in, guests are waited on hand and foot. But those after a more premium experience can book a room in the hotel’s “The One” category. 

This will give you access to a private lounge where you can enjoy complimentary drinks, as well as a robe, Molton Brown toiletries and a coffee machine. 

The invisible army of housekeeping and maintenance staff do an incredible job of making the hotel look great.  

And the food and drinks here was a highlight across the board. 

There’s a swanky rooftop for fine dining, a casual evening buffet and award-winning sushi — tuna sashimi and spicy margaritas are a match made in heaven.  

Breakfast is right on the money, too, and well worth waking up for.  

Although if you have stayed out until the early hours, fret not, as Amare has taken Ibiza’s lifestyle into consideration and the service runs until 11am every day. 

The buffet has manned stations for personalised omelettes, pancakes and waffles, and there’s every topping for toast you could imagine, plus pastries, yoghurts and fruit, all regularly replenished. 

Fancy a little hair of the dog? You can knock back a Buck’s Fizz with your brekkie, as well as the typical tea, coffee and juices. 

And when you’re ready to explore the island — whether by day or night — take advantage of the excellent concierge cab service. 

Regular boat taxis run to San Antonio, too — and they’re much cheaper than road taxis.  

The historic Old Town, with its winding streets, panoramic views and restaurants serving some of the best grub on the island, is just a 30-minute taxi away. 

And from the Old Town marina, you can head off to the island of Formentera for the day, or hire a boat to cruise around the bay.  

My group chose a classic sailboat and it was the perfect way to take in Ibiza’s distinctive rocky coastline and clear blue waters — and experience a side that most visitors don’t.  

Our skipper took us to a deserted cove, providing a chance to swim while lunch and drinks were prepared.  

It was a welcome moment of peace away from the usual crowds. 

What Amare does so well, however, is make it so very hard to want to leave. 

With those stunning sunset views every evening, as well as an excellent spa and free rooftop yoga sessions, this spot is undoubtedly the perfect antidote to Ibiza’s party side. 

England overcome early tremors to win ⁠third Test against Pakistan by eight wickets, clinching a series whitewash.

Joe Root led from the front as England survived a major wobble to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 series whitewash.

The home team, chasing just 130 to win, were in deep trouble when openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay were dismissed in the first over, bowled by Mohammad Abbas.

Root, England’s record runscorer, edged his first ball, bowled by Razaullah, through the slips for four in a nervy start but settled and scored quickly to take the sting out of the situation.

The skipper was given a huge reprieve when he chopped onto the stumps off Mohammad Ali, only for the umpire to signal a no-ball, leaving the bowler distraught.

Root, with Jordan Cox at the other end, had another let-off when he edged an Abbas delivery between first and second slip, with neither fielder moving.

But he reached his half-century off 57 balls with a cut for four, and Cox matched him shortly afterwards.

England reached their target in the 25th over, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Cox 59 not out.

Root, in his second spell as England skipper after the departure of Ben Stokes, admitted his team were not the finished article but said he was delighted with their series win.

“The amount of uncertainty, noise and I guess chaos there was coming into the series, the way the guys have dealt with that – being so clinical with what we’ve had in front of us – and be stood here with a 3-0 win is really pleasing,” Root told Sky Sports.

“It sets us up nicely looking ahead to the start of a new era with (new head coach) Stephen Fleming coming in.”

Pakistan woes

It is England’s first Test series win since 2024, while Pakistan have now lost 16 of their last 21 games and are bottom of the World Test Championship table.

Root’s men had appeared set for a quickfire win inside three days on Friday before debutant fast bowler Razaullah launched an audacious assault with the bat, clubbing nine sixes as he raced to 81 off 63 balls.

The 21-year-old number nine, who also took four wickets in England’s first innings, put on 121 for the ninth wicket with fellow paceman Abbas (42) as England floundered.

“We had a little bit of pushback yesterday which, in a strange way, was quite a good thing for the group,” said Root.

“Fair play to Razaullah; he made things difficult for us. He played some wonderful shots and made it very difficult to set fields to. He struck the ball nicely – I don’t know how he didn’t pull a muscle, swinging the bat that hard.”

Razaullah’s heroics have changed the mood music, but they came too little, too late for Pakistan, who have endured a miserable series, losing the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.

The tourists sent seven players home after their crushing defeat in the second Test at Lord’s and brought in seven replacements, with Razaullah among them.

They also sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul as their tour plunged into chaos.

Pakistan made four changes to their side for the third Test, and they put up a fight despite being dismissed for a paltry 133 in their first innings.

Captain Babar Azam admitted his team would have to take stock after a one-sided series.

“Before we came here, we had to think about different things and to decide our team,” he said.

“We had a couple of changes after losing two matches. Playing in England is very difficult. We were trying to do our best in the third match.

“We need to sit down and look hard at our mistakes, decide our playing XI.”

The 3-0 whitewash is a huge tonic for England, who were in turmoil just weeks ago following a series loss to New Zealand and the exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Stokes.

But tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with a Test series in South Africa in December and January, while a home Ashes looms next year.

NHS GP Dr Amir Khan says a common method for dealing with nosebleeds is not correct

Dr Amir Khan has offered guidance on how to properly treat a nosebleed, revealing that many people have been receiving incorrect advice. The well-known TV doctor and NHS GP, recognised for his regular slots on ITV’s This Morning and Lorraine, discussed the matter with his followers on the latest instalment of his podcast, No Appointment Necessary.

His explanation may come as a surprise to some who have been instructed to do something entirely different when dealing with a nosebleed. Co-host Cherry Healey appeared to be among them, as she questioned him about the advice people have given her for managing a nosebleed.

She said: “You know when someone gets a nosebleed, they always get told to put their head back. It’s so awful when you get a nosebleed and someone tells you that because it’s what you don’t want to do. Is that true?”

The doctor responded: “No. It used to be that, but it’s not head back. It’s head forward. Yeah, because if you go back, you could swallow the blood and then cause all sorts of issues.”

He then outlined what you should do instead, saying: “First of all, you want to pinch the soft bit of your nose just underneath the bone. I’m talking like this now because I’m doing it. So pinch that bit as tight, as tight as you can and then lean forward.

“So head between your knees or lean as far forward as you can for, you’ve guessed it, 15 minutes. 15 to 20 minutes is when anything is bleeding.

“That’s how long you need to put pressure on it.” Cherry then replied: “Because that’s how long it takes to clot.”

His advice is important because many people have been given incorrect advice. McGill University in Canada says the tilt-the-head-back method is a ‘common misconception’.

Its website states: “First aid standards have changed throughout the years, making it difficult to keep up with the right practice. Tilting your head backwards is common misconception. Currently, Red Cross standards and most clinicians inform us to sit neutral, tilt head slightly forward, pinch the bridge of the nose, and wait for 10-15 minutes.”

NHS advice on what to do if you have a nosebleed

The NHS website advises that if you experience a nosebleed, you should sit down and lean forward, with your head tilted forward and your mouth open; pinch your nose just above your nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes; and breathe through your mouth. It adds: “Holding an icepack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on the top of the nose may help reduce the blood flow. But the evidence to show it works is not very strong.”

It also provides guidance on what to do for the 24 hours following a nosebleed. To reduce the likelihood of another nosebleed, for 24 hours afterwards, it recommends you should try not to pick your nose, blow it, or pick any scabs.

It also suggests avoiding lying down flat, doing any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, or consuming hot drinks or alcohol.

Dr Amir Khan tells patients what not to say in his practice

The doctor’s guidance comes a day after he shared with Instagram followers a list of things he does not want to hear from his patients. The reassuring post, which we reported about on Friday, stated people should not apologise for their weight, their toenails, or their hairy legs.

He said: “Please, you’re having a medical examination, I am not bothered about anything else. “He also said people should not apologise if they feel the need to cry, or if they cannot remember the name of their tablets. And he said: “Please don’t say things like I’m sorry to waste your time.

“If something is worrying you enough that you’ve come to make an appointment to come and see me, that’s what I’m here for.” He concluded by noting: “The only thing that I care about is that you feel able to tell me what’s really going on.

“Because the thing you might be embarrassed about might actually be really important, and I can’t help something you feel ashamed to tell me. So, come as you are, cry if you need to, don’t shave anything on my account, and please stop apologising for just being a patient. You’re not an inconvenience, you’re literally the reason why I’m here.”

Find episodes of the podcast on YouTube, Apple or other platforms.

FINDING a family holiday that actually lives up to the glossy brochure pictures is rare – especially one that’s also affordable.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you by tracking down some of the top-rated resorts on Tripadvisor that also have incredibly cheap package deals.

Whether you’re booking ahead for winter sun in Egypt and Tunisia, or wanting massive family aquaparks in Turkey and Spain, we’ve got you covered.

And these aren’t just ordinary hotels – we’ve found a video game-themed resort in Spain with an on-site retro arcade, and a hotel on the sunny Turkish Turquoise Coast with a whopping 13 waterslides.

All of these hotels have an average rating of 4 out of 5 approval rating or above on Tripadvisor, and offer all inclusive weeks away for under £500pp.

Here’s our pick of top-rated breaks based on a family of four staying 7 nights all inclusive, from as little as £299pp.

Happy Life Village – Dahab, Egypt

With a solid 4.5/5 rating on Tripadvisor, it’s safe to say many guests leave happy after a holiday at the Happy Life Village.

This hotel sits on Egypt’s Red Sea, home to a huge coral reef which you can explore by scuba diving or snorkelling.

This resort is built to keep families happy, with waterslides and a children’s pool for the kids to make a splash, as well as a relaxing spa for parents to unwind.

One happy holidaymaker left a gleaming Tripadvisor review, writing: “It’s possibly the best holiday I’ve ever had. Out of many”.

“The facilities – pools, bar, restaurant, beach are amazing in my opinion. And the big one for me – right off the beach, corals as far as I can swim both sides. Kilometres! Stunning snorkelling. I love this hotel”.

We found a deal for a seven night, all inclusive break from October 25, with return flights from Edinburgh, for £469pp.

Orka Sunlife Resort Hotel and Aquapark – Olu Deniz, Turkey

Fancy zipping down a waterslide into a crystal clear pool, which offers sweeping views of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast?

The Orka Sunlife Resort Hotel & Aquapark sits in Olu Deniz, a Turkish hotspot home to beautiful beaches and the Blue Lagoon, where water glows almost luminously blue.

The hotel itself has five pools, 13 waterslides, and an all-day entertainment program to keep little ones entertained.

The hotel has a 4.3/5 rating on Tripadvisor, with one guest writing: “The hotel was beautiful, we loved everything, the shows, activities, everything was perfect, we had so much fun.”

Another praised the entertainment staff, writing that the “Atmosphere at this hotel is absolutely amazing the entertainment team made my holiday they are wonderful and work really hard to entertain the guests”.

We found a deal for a seven night, all inclusive stay from October 27 with return flights from London from £479pp.

Hotel Magic Games – Spain

As Spain’s first video game-themed hotel, it’s safe to say it’s near-impossible for kids to get bored here.

Hotel Magic Games sits in Spain‘s Costa Del Azahar, a beautiful stretch of coastline known as the Orange Blossom Coast. Here, you can stroll through quiet pine-backed beaches or visit the medieval Papa Luna Castle.

For days spent at the hotel, explore the on-site video game museum, dine in the themed Pixel Buffet Restaurant, float past giant dragons at the on-site waterpark and tackle old school arcade games in the massive Magic Play Zone.

When night rolls around, head back to your immersive, gaming-themed room – complete with comfy gaming chairs, chessboards and glowing neon lights.

This hotel has a comfortable 4.1/5 rating on Tripadvisor, and is the top-rated stay in the Oropesa Del Mar area.

On the Beach offer a seven night, all inclusive break from October 25, with return flights from London, for £333pp.

Gravity Sahl Hasheesh – Hurghada, Egypt

With an outstanding 4.7/5 rating on Tripadvisor, the Gravity Sahl Hasheesh is certainly an impressive place to stay.

This five-star family resort boasts seven pools, an on-site aqua park, a private beach and a full-service spa.

Come evening, the resort lights up with live entertainment and a popular on-site nightclub.

One Tripadvisor review reads “From the very first moment, it was clear that this hotel in Hurghada offers an outstanding level of luxury and truly deserves more than five stars”.

“The hotel has a lot to offer for children and adults, making it perfect for families and couples. The pools are beautiful and well-maintained, and the beach is very clean with a lovely private pier.”

Loveholidays offer a seven night, all inclusive stay from October 27 with return flights from Edinburgh, from £489pp.

Grand Uysal Beach Hotel, Antalya

Rated 4.6/5 on Tripadvisor, the Grand Uysal Beach Hotel is a reliable pick for families looking for an action-packed Turkey holiday.

Here there’s several pools with a kids zone surrounded by waterslides, plus there’s even an underground tunnel that leads you straight out to the beach.

One Tripadvisor guest praised the hotel’s friendly staff, writing “The active and consistent work of the staff and the deliciousness of the food were among the most important things we noticed”.

“The entire place was also very clean, which is due to the discipline of the staff; they were always active and smiling. We would love to come again with my family”.

Loveholidays offer a week-long, all inclusive package break from £299pp in November.

With temperatures still sitting comfortably in the 20s, it’s an absolute steal for families with pre-schoolers or older teens who aren’t tied to term times.

Hotel Le Sultan, Hammemet, Tunisia

If you’re looking for a family holiday with plenty of activities for the kids, Hotel Le Sultan is a top pick.

Here you can play tennis, go catamaran sailing, practice archery and even go horse riding at the hotel’s very own equestrian centre.

The hotel has a 4.5/5 rating on Tripadvisor, with over 5,000 reviews.

One review reads “We had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Sultan in Hammamet. The hotel is very beautiful, the staff friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was simply wonderful”.

“We would especially like to highlight the kids club. Our children had a lot of fun there and were well taken care of”. 

EasyJet holidays offer a week-long, all inclusive package break from £341pp in November, when temperatures are still hitting 23C.

Captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox helped England fight back from an early scare as the hosts recovered from 2-2, to successfully chase down 130 and wrap up an eight-wicket win and a 3-0 series clean sweep against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

READ MORE: England survive scare to sweep Pakistan series

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JEDDAH: The 11th Scientific Assembly of the Saudi Society of Emergency Medicine opened in Jeddah on Saturday, bringing together leading experts, specialists and practitioners from Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Held under the patronage of the Ministry of Health until Sept. 14, the event explores the latest practices and innovations, and discusses challenges facing practitioners and the future of the specialty.

This year’s theme, “NextGen EM,” reflects the conference’s focus on supporting the next generation of emergency physicians and practitioners by strengthening their scientific and professional capabilities and connecting them with experienced specialists.

The opening event featured a visual presentation highlighting the importance of emergency medicine, followed by another examining the development and future of the specialty in the Kingdom.

Assistant Minister of Health for Health Services Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdulaali highlighted the rapid development of emergency care and the growing role of technology in the field.

“Emergency departments are among the most rapidly evolving areas of healthcare. Today, one of the first questions being addressed is: What role does artificial intelligence play in emergency medicine?” he said.

“The advances in content, subject matter and technology did not happen by chance. We must advance the science we practice in Saudi Arabia.

“Our role should not be limited to learning, adopting and harnessing knowledge to care for people. We must also play a leading role in contributing to that knowledge, innovating within the field and taking it into new frontiers.”

Addressing emergency department staff, he said: “No one else can truly experience what you do. Words cannot adequately express the importance of your work. You are privileged to care for these lives, and they are fortunate to be in your hands.”

Dr. Roaa Jamjoom, chairperson of the society and a consultant in pediatric emergency medicine, told Arab News that this year’s assembly stood out for its focus on both the present and future of emergency medicine.

“What distinguishes the 11th Scientific Assembly is that we do not only discuss the current state of emergency medicine, but also look ahead to its future,” she said.

“We were keen to bring together the experience of established practitioners and the ambitions of the next generation, while creating opportunities for young professionals to learn, participate and contribute.”

Jamjoom said the gathering also provided a space for exchanging knowledge and strengthening professional connections among practitioners and specialists from different backgrounds.

“NextGen EM reflects our belief that younger professionals are not simply waiting for the future of emergency medicine. They are already helping to shape it,” she added.

Prof. Jameel Abualenain, the society’s president, said: “NextGen EM is not only about the next generation of emergency physicians; it is about the next generation of emergency medicine itself.

“Over the years, the society has grown alongside our specialty. What began as a professional society has become a community that brings together different generations, disciplines and colleagues from across Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

He said the assembly celebrated the society’s journey while looking ahead to the future of emergency medicine. “Every generation inherits something from the one before it: knowledge, experience, standards and, sometimes, challenges.

“Our responsibility is to make sure that the generation after us inherits something better: better emergency care, better education, better science and stronger leadership.”

Addressing younger practitioners, he said: “NextGen EM is not a future you are waiting to enter. You are already part of building it.”

He added that experienced professionals also had a responsibility to open doors, share their knowledge, create opportunities and give the next generation the confidence and space to lead.

“That, to me, is what NextGen EM represents,” he said.

Following the opening ceremony, Al-Abdulaali toured the accompanying exhibition and visited the participating exhibitors’ stands.

Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities and state media have praised the Houthis’ capture of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, which some see as giving Tehran more leverage against the United States.

The Houthis, a political and armed group dominated by Zaidi Shia Muslims, have been fighting against the Western-backed Yemeni government since capturing the capital, Sanaa, in 2014.

The Houthis captured a series of Red Sea coastal cities and islands this week, essentially giving them control over the vital Bab al-Mandeb strait.

The Iran-allied group’s recent victories have been praised in Iran, and are viewed by some as part of Tehran’s wider war against the US, ongoing since February 28.

“The victories of Yemen’s Ansar Allah in the western coast is a narrative of a divine triumph and the fruit of years of steadfastness in the most difficult of battlefields,” Hossein Mohebbi, spokesman of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), wrote on X on Saturday.

Amid the Houthis’ recent battlefield wins against the fragmented Saudi-backed forces, senior Iranian officials have cheered their Yemeni allies on.

The Houthis’ capture of the port city of Mocha on Friday delivered a huge blow for the Yemeni government, which now has no direct access to the Red Sea.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator with Washington, reposted a comment made by slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2024, saying the “resistance” of the Houthis will inevitably lead to victory.

“The brave Yemeni people will certainly triumph, by permission of God Almighty,” Ghalibaf added on Thursday, in Arabic.

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the government is happy with the Houthi advances, and urged leaders in the region to pursue “the rationality of liberation from dependency [from the US and the West], and unity under the banner of Islam”.

The “grand victory” of the Houthis once again proved that “security is not a commodity that can be bought,” added Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

How could this benefit Iran?

The Houthis began to attack several vessels in the Red Sea they claimed were linked to Israel in 2023, as part of their stated aim to pressure Israel to end the genocidal war on Gaza.

This prompted bombing campaigns by the US, United Kingdom and Israel against Houthi positions in Sanaa, Hodeidah and other areas.

Saudi Arabia, which joined the war against the Houthis in 2015, has largely stayed out of the current eruption in fighting in Yemen.

After their recent victories, the Yemeni group can now exercise more control over the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

The Houthis’ control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and multiple islands – including the island of Mayun, also known as Perim, sitting about 3km (1.9 miles) off Yemen’s mainland – provides the group with close-range access to the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

A video published on Friday showed a Houthi commander telling soldiers they will no longer need missiles and drones to threaten shipping in the crucial waterway. They could simply position artillery along the coast and fire in all directions at ships, he said.

The Houthis have not declared the strait closed, but the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said on Friday that “maritime navigation is safe for all companies except for Saudi vessels.”

Likewise, Iran’s partial control of the Strait of Hormuz on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula has been a key tool of leverage for Tehran in the war against the US.

The prospect of closing down the strait could potentially be used by Tehran in future negotiations over ending the war with the US.

Iranian officials are expected to meet regional Arab representatives on Monday for talks over how to facilitate shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran maintains remains closed.

They have said they favour a collective regional approach on passage through the strategic waterway.

Iran claims it has reached an understanding with Oman, which also has territorial waters in the strait.

The US, which has continued its naval blockade of Iran’s ports and intensified sanctions on Tehran, reportedly opposes the agreement.

Authorities in Tehran have signalled there will be no talks with Washington under the current circumstances.

“As long as the American side does not accept all of Iran’s conditions, dialogue and negotiation are of no use,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the hardline Iranian parliament’s national security commission, wrote on X on Saturday.

‘Lord of the straits’

At the start of the working week in Iran on Saturday, hardline and IRGC-linked newspapers and media outlets celebrated the recent Houthi advances.

Keyhan, whose editor-in-chief was appointed by Ali Khamenei, called the advances “the miracle of resistance” and said they had “put the US and Israel in a bind”.

The Quds newspaper, published by the influential Astan-e Quds Razavi in Mashhad, called Iran and the Houthis “the lord of the straits”.

But even though Tehran has repeatedly threatened that Bab al-Mandeb could be further disrupted if the war continues, Iran’s diplomatic apparatus did not immediately link the Houthi advances with the current fight against the US.

As has often been the case, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs insisted that the Houthis make their decisions independent of Tehran, with their own interests at heart, including ending Saudi Arabia’s blockade on Yemen.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry also called for an end to the Saudi siege on Houthi-controlled areas, an immediate return to negotiations between the group and Riyadh, and respect for Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry also pushed back on the idea that the Houthis act merely as a proxy for Tehran.

“What is happening now in Yemen is the result of the Yemenis losing patience,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television on Friday night.

“It is not fair to ignore the fact that they were under a cruel blockade for years, and concluded that the United Nations and regional mechanisms could not resolve the issues.”

AN AMERICAN heavy metal group has confirmed they are locked in a legal battle with the estate of their late bandmate.

The Blood and Thunder hitmakers have been forced to release a statement to their Instagram page addressing the previously-unearthed feud and how they will proceed.

Oblivion singers Mastodon, a Grammy-nominated band formed in Atlanta, told how what they deem a “meritless lawsuit” is centred on their late Brent Hinds.

The band’s guitarist Brent quit the group in March 2025 after 25 years together, prior to his death in a motorcycle crash in the August.

The group’s founding member passed aged 51, after his Harley-Davidson collided with a BMW SUV.

Prior to his death it appeared there were frictions between the musician and the band, and this only seems to have developed a year since the tragedy.

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Mastodon have now told of the fresh legal woe and uploaded a statement which read: “Sadly, a private business dispute with the estate of our dear departed friend Brent Hinds was made public.

“We strongly deny allegations of ill intent on our part and intend to vigorously defend what we believe is a meritless lawsuit.

“We don’t intend to speak publicly on this going forward, as we feel this wouldn’t honour Brent’s memory or the legacy of his musical gifts”.

Fans were quick to respond to support the group, who now are formed of Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, Brann Dailor, Nick Johnston and João Nogueira.

One wrote: “Nobody’s business but yours. The fans are here for the music my guys. Congrats on the excellent new album”.

A second put: “We love Brent, we love Mastodon”.

A third posted: “This is really disheartening. Hoping things can be resolved”.

Last year, Brent told Billboard that his departure from the group was not mutual.

He then said the remaining members “kicked me out”.

This came after the band said they had “mutually decided to part ways”.

The new lawsuit has seen a civil complaint filed by the Hind estate, against the band’s members, on behalf of the late musician on September 3 according to loudwire.com.

As per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the lawsuit claims Mastodon failed to pay Brent for his share of the business after his exit.

It claims although the wheels were in motion for the group to buy him out of his share in “band related business” he had not in fact signed the paperwork prior to his passing.

As such, it claims his stake remains valid.

Representatives for his estate also suggest Brent’s image was also used to present the band’s Marrow Deep album, in the same legal challenge.

The lawsuit claimed: “Defendants selected and placed a recognizable image of Brent on the album cover of Marrow Deep and disseminated that cover to advertise, market, distribute and sell physical albums, digital downloads and streams, merchandise and related goods or services”.

RIYADH: The Hedayathon event — a hackathon organized by the Presidency of Religious Affairs in partnership with the University of Jeddah — recently concluded. Participants were asked to come up with ways to enhance services for visitors to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.

The Hedayathon aimed to foster innovation and harness scientific and technological capabilities to develop solutions that enhance religious services and enrich visitors’ experiences, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency.

The event brought together innovators, developers, students, academics, startups, entrepreneurs, and people interested in outreach (da’wah) and religious guidance.

There were three winning projects. First place went to the Madaar team for their Maqam Platform project, which won SR30,000 ($8,000). Second place — and SR20,000 — went to the Tala team for Every Signal is a Recited Verse, an idea aimed at serving people with special needs. Echo Tech’s Sanctuary Translator — a project designed to develop legal translation — took third place, winning SR10,000.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, president of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, stressed the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to develop religious services and make them accessible to visitors.

In remarks shared on the presidency’s X account, Al-Sudais said: “Serving pilgrims of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque is a tremendous responsibility. It requires intensified efforts and mobilized capabilities to facilitate their access to religious services, enabling them to perform their worship with ease and tranquility.”

Obaid Al-Mudhaff, the university’s president, said the partnership with the presidency represents a model of integration between field expertise, scientific research, and innovation, helping develop quality solutions to serve the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

Salem Areej, general supervisor of the Hedayathon event, said the initiative was launched not only as a tech competition, but also to use technology to better serve pilgrims.

The hackathon’s objectives included enriching visitors’ religious experience, developing religious translation solutions, maximizing communications and media impact, developing religious guidance tools, building platforms for teaching the Holy Qur’an and delivering scholarly lessons, answering worshippers’ questions, and facilitating access to religious services for people with disabilities.

Activities included panel discussions, an exhibition, workshops, and consultations.

The presidency also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Translation Association to enhance cooperation and develop multilingual religious content.

BRITAIN’S oldest lido is set to open to the public this weekend for the first time in years.

The historic swimming facility will be open for just one day, giving fans the chance to get a rare peek at 200-year old pool.

Cleveland Pools in Bath, is set to reopen this Sunday for the first time in over three years.

It was first built in 1815 and is the oldest of its kind to exist in the UK, but closed in 1984.

A huge campaign and a £10million refurbishment saw it reopen for just four months in 2023 before it was forced to close again due to flood damage.

The public have not had a chance to visit the Grade II listed lido up until now, with Cleveland Pools Trust running an open day for the public.

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It is important to note that the pools are not currently open for swimming.

So while this is not a chance to have a swim, you will have a chance to hear talks on the future of the site.

Visitors will be able to meet the trustees and volunteers to hear about their vision for the site.

The free event will also have children’s activities and heritage walks around the site.

“This Open Day is an opportunity to shape the future of the pools as we explore a viable and appropriate route to re-opening,” a note on the trustee website explains.

It is running from 10:30am to 4pm, on Sunday, September 13 at Cleveland Pools, Hampton Row, Bath, BA2 6QS.

Jim Harbaugh wants his teams to finish seasons the way they start them.

If the Chargers do that, they’re going all the way.

Counting his four seasons with San Francisco, Harbaugh is 6-0 in NFL season debuts as a head coach. That’s tied for the most opening victories without a loss in league history.

“It’s September. It’s time to play our first game,” Harbaugh told reporters this week. “And I support no cause, foreign or domestic, other than the greatness of the Los Angeles Chargers.”

His team plays host to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, and oddsmakers see a blowout in the making. The Chargers are favored by 9½ points, the biggest spread of Week 1.

Despite a 2-0 start last season, the Cardinals lost 14 of the next 15 and wound up with the third overall pick in the NFL draft, which they used on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. The rookie is questionable for this game because of an ankle injury.

Their quarterback is no longer Kyler Murray, now in Minnesota, but Jacoby Brissett, who is on his sixth franchise — and seventh if you count two stops in New England.

This game is the “Mike” drop, if you will, with Mike LaFleur coaching his first game for Arizona, and Mike McDaniel making his debut as Chargers offensive coordinator.

LaFleur and McDaniel have history. They were young offensive assistants in Cleveland, Atlanta and San Francisco and both represent branches of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree.

There’s a link too between Harbaugh and LaFleur. Both are younger brothers of other current NFL head coaches: Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers and John Harbaugh of the New York Giants.

I CAN’T say my weekends are usually spent dressed as a fox in the middle of a forest, springing about in an aerial bungee or learning Bollywood dance routines.  

But I certainly wish more of them were. 

I was at Camp Wildfire in Kent – a three-day festival that’s far from your average Reading or Glastonbury experience.  

A bit like an American summer camp but for grown-ups, Camp Wildfire incorporates outdoorsy activities like tree-climbing and paddleboarding with campfire singalongs – and, importantly, cocktails.  

Upon arrival, festivalgoers are asked to join one of four teams: Foxes, Badgers, Hawks or Squirrels.  

One pair of fluffy ears and face-paint whiskers later, I had made myself part of the Fox patrol. 

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Forget scouring a lanyard for your favourite bands’ set times – a weekend here begins by charging into a games arena with your new animal teammates to take on a series of Sports Day-style games like tug-of-war that will earn your team “Patrol Points”.  

You’ll fill your entire festival with your pick of 100 activities, from beekeeping to rifle shooting, all while collecting points for a grand finale at the end. 

I chose to begin with quad biking ­– I truly can’t think of a better wake-up call than riding into the breeze through the Kentish countryside, taking in whiffs of wild mint. 

Next came flower headdress-crafting, followed by a potion-making class that left me smelling of lavender and clutching some homemade skincare.  

By this point I was feeling like a total wilderness goddess, which gave me the confidence boost I needed to channel my inner acrobat for my final activity of the day: twirling on the aerial silks. All of this before 5pm left me in serious need of a drink.  

Thankfully, there are regular cocktail masterclasses, where visitors can learn to pour favourites like the perfect Pornstar Martini ahead of the nighttime acts. 

Evening entertainment at Camp Wildfire is some of the best I’ve experienced.  

Yes, there’s great music, with everything from Disney singalongs to reggae and techno dance tents.  

But there are also fabulous comedy acts, a board games bar and even an astronomy tent for stargazing. 

The music continues well into the early hours but with laser clay shooting first thing in the morning, I made sure to rest up.  

Precision was equally as important for pyrography, where I decorated a wooden coaster with a heated metal pen, although it was less critical for aerial bungee.  

If you’ve never jumped around in a giant harness, pulling Superman shapes and Spider-Man jumps, I highly recommend it – you’ll split your sides laughing and become more flexible, too. 

My final activity was a Burlesque class, where I managed to bag a Patrol Point, but sadly, it wasn’t enough for us Foxes to take the lead. 

That didn’t stop me cheering on the winning Hawk team at the dramatic closing ceremony, though, where all visitors are invited to enjoy an impressive drone show.  

We’ll get ’em next year, Foxes! 

• ULTRA-earlybird tickets for Camp Wildfire 2027 are live now and cost from £259pp for the weekend. Super-earlybird tickets go on sale from October 2 and start at £269pp.
• All tickets include general camping. For details or to book, see campwildfire.co.uk. 

JEDDAH: More than five decades after the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali, visited Al-Balad in Jeddah, the memory lives on through a small family business.

It was 1972 and Mohammed Ba Zaraah was sitting in his cafe, The Bird Shop, when in walked the legendary American fighter and sampled the traditional Hijazi drink, sobia.

It was during Ali’s first visit to the Kingdom to perform Hajj.

Ba Zaraah’s son, Khalid Najee, told Arab News that he was only 12 in 1972 and not in the cafe when the great man came to visit.

“But the story was passed down to me by my father and the shop has remained with the family for more than five decades,” he said.

“My father told me that Muhammad Ali suddenly entered his small shop. He described him as a big man with a nice smile.”

Ali was accompanied by high-ranking Saudi officials and neighbors soon realized that a famous visitor had entered the shop.

Ba Zaraah responded to the unexpected encounter with a gesture of traditional hospitality.

“He immediately offered him sobia,” Najee said. Sobia is a cold drink often made using barley, brown bread or oats soaked in water, with sugar and spices such as cinnamon and cardamom.

For Ba Zaraah, serving Ali a traditional beverage was an instinctive act of hospitality. But after the boxing legend left the visit took on a life of its own in the neighborhood.

“The neighbors started calling my father ‘Clay’ after Muhammad Ali,” Najee said. Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., before adopting the name Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam.

His 1972 pilgrimage to Makkah is well documented, including photographs taken during Hajj.

Asked if he has a photo of the historical visit, Najee said: “Unfortunately, there is no photograph of Ali with my father.”

“There was no camera in the tiny shop that day and the encounter was never expected to become a piece of family history. Instead it survived through memory.”

The old cafe still exists and is currently undergoing restoration as part of the wider preservation and regeneration of Jeddah’s historic district.

For Najee, the restoration project represents an opportunity to carry his father’s story into the future.

“I want to name (it) Clay Sobia,” he said. “It is a tribute to my father and to a moment that connected a small Jeddah shop with one of the world’s greatest sporting legends.”

MONTANA Brown has left her fans baffled AGAIN after she fumed over being unable to get her son an EpiPen – despite having no diagnosis for him.

The Love Island star, 31, often ruffles the feathers of fellow parents with her social media videos, and today was no different.

Speaking in her latest TikTok video, Montana began: “Guys, I’m about to have a rant, so beware.

“I went to the GP last week because basically Jude had this really random skin reaction, it was an allergic reaction, but we hadn’t actually given him any food.

“So I was like, This is weird,’ like his eyes were like swelling out of his head. I was like, He’s definitely allergic to something, but not sure what it is because we haven’t given him any food?

“So I went to the GP to basically say, ‘Look, I’ve got a nut allergy. You can see that on my records. I have anaphylaxis, so I’m worried that he’s now developed an allergy to something that I’m not quite sure what it is yet.

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“I’d like to get two kids’ EpiPens so that I can be prepared if he does have a worse reaction to whatever it is. Like in the meantime, like before we figure out, you know, get him allergy tested.”

Continuing her story, the reality star said: “Guess what they said? ‘No’.

“I was like, ‘Why? It’s just so painful.’ Like, I understand that there is a process to these things. But to me, I’m like, what am I going to do with an EpiPen apart from be safe with it?’

“Like, what are the dangers of me having an EpiPen? And I’m like, am I going to have to try and get an EpiPen off the deep dark web?

“Is that what this is coming to? I’m trying to safely protect my child in case he has an anaphylactic shock in my care to buy him enough time to get him to hospital. Like, is it me? Is it me?”

However, fans couldn’t believe what they were hearing, with one said: “They can’t just give you a medication without a diagnosis.”

A second shared: “Are you actually for real?”

A third added: “She’s is honestly on another planet!”

This isn’t the first time Montana has ruffled the feathers of fans.

The mum-of-two recently left her fans fuming after revealing the “privileged” reason why she didn’t plan to send her son to school.

And earlier this year a comment she made about food pouches in stores being “c***” for children left busy mothers who saw them as a convenient option feeling patronised.

SOFIA: An explosion and fire have hit an ammunition storage site in Bulgaria, police said Saturday, weeks after a blaze at another munitions facility in the country.

The latest incident happened late Friday at a warehouse operated by Bulgarian arms maker EMCO, whose munitions are used in Ukraine, near the central village of Gorni Varpishta.

No casualties were reported and workers were evacuated from the site.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said the blaze broke out at one warehouse at the facility, triggering explosions.

There was no danger of the fire spreading to other warehouses or beyond the storage complex, he told a press conference.

“All hypotheses are on the table and we are examining them carefully,” he said, adding the storage facilities had some shortcomings, including poor security.

The warehouse contained explosive materials, including around 100 munition rounds, the armaments company said.

The incident came about a month after a fire at an ammunition depot at another nearby EMCO plant in Bulgaria, a NATO member and supporter of Ukraine.

EMCO ruled out human error in that case, and prosecutors are investigating.

President Iliana Iotova said Saturday she was considering convening Bulgaria’s national security council, a presidential advisory body that brings together senior political, security and defense officials.

“Cases of explosions at ammunition depots have become more frequent,” she said.

EMCO is owned by Bulgarian defense executive Emilian Gebrev, who survived a poisoning attempt in 2015 together with his son and another company executive.

Bulgarian prosecutors have charged three Russian nationals over the poisoning.

Separately, six Russians have also been charged with terrorism over four explosions at arms facilities in the country between 2011 and 2020.

Prosecutors said the four blasts were remotely triggered and suspected the incidents were linked to efforts to disrupt arms supplies to Georgia and Ukraine.

Bulgaria has supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

There have been a string of incidents at defense companies in European countries that support Ukraine in recent weeks.

Firebombs were thrown near defense company offices in the German city of Munich earlier this month and an ammunition factory near Rome operated by arms maker KNDS was hit by a blast in August.

No injuries were reported in either case.

It’s a day and night to celebrate women in sports.

MaxPreps is hosting an 18-team flag football tournament in San Diego. No. 1 JSerra is competing.

In the evening, Nike has flown in a custom-made outdoor volleyball court so Sherman Oaks Notre Dame can host Harvard-Westlake in a 7 p.m. girls’ volleyball match played on the Notre Dame baseball field. There will be food trucks, music and other surprises.

There’s also the Venice girls volleyball tournament taking place at Venice High and the Woodbridge Classic cross-country meet at the Great Park in Irvine.

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

Gaza City, Gaza Strip – For more than four hours, Hajj Rabhi al-Fairi, 79, has been standing outside his home in Gaza City with his children and neighbours waiting their turn to use a small generator.

The generator’s owner pours in the fuel, starts a timer and switches on the machine.

Each family gets a few minutes to operate a pump that pushes water up to a storage tank on the roof, before the generator moves on to the next house.

For al-Fairi and his neighbours, this is how they get water.

“We have an old water pump, but there is no electricity to run it. We have to rent a generator,” al-Fairi tells Al Jazeera.

Since the family returned to their home in October 2025, after fleeing a month earlier during Israel’s assault on their neighbourhood, the generator has become a familiar sight on the streets of Nassr.

When it arrives, residents gather around it, each carrying a jerrycan of diesel to operate the machine, which they have to pay for themselves.

“We came back and found the place a tragedy,” he says.

Their neighbourhood and home were badly damaged from years of Israeli bombing, with no municipal electricity or water supplies functioning. The family depends on an old pump – but without electricity, it cannot bring water up to the rooftop tank.

Each family needs only about seven or eight minutes to fill up their tanks, but with the number of flats in their building, the generator needs to be rented for about an hour.

The cost has also risen. Al-Rabhi says families used to pay about 80 to 90 shekels ($26-30) to rent a generator for an hour. At different times, the price has risen to about 100 or 120 shekels ($33-40) an hour, excluding the cost of diesel.

A generator on wheels

Khalil Abu Ouda, 39, takes a machine mounted on a horse-driven cart from one house to another. The generator’s metal body is covered in black soot and grease, and white smoke rises from the engine when it operates.

At each house, Abu Ouda connects long electrical cables to the water pump. The cables stretch across the street as neighbours gather around the machine to wait their turn.

“Go on, switch it on,” someone calls.

For Abu Ouda, this machine is both a service for the neighbourhood and an essential source of income for his family.

He says there are very few small, mobile generators, like his, left in working condition in Gaza. Many have broken down, while spare parts are difficult to find or too expensive to source due to Israel’s siege.

Mechanics are also expensive to hire, while fuel and engine oil are increasingly scarce and costly.

“If I could, I would lower the price as much as possible,” he says.

At the same time, demand has never been higher.

“People are under pressure and they need water. If I stayed working until morning, I would keep working,” Abu Ouda says.

To cope with the demand, he often works for 10 to 12 hours a day, putting pressure on himself and the machine.

“But this is our livelihood. There is no alternative,” he said.

When the home stops providing

With most Palestinians in Gaza having no home or losing their possessions due to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, they have to rent or hire items or services for the most basic household chores.

This includes washing clothes, something once done at home but now impossible to do with no power.

Earlier in the war, Abeer Ghorab, 52, used to wash everything herself. Now she gathers clothes from her tent and takes them to a nearby laundry, where they can be washed and dried in far less time and with less effort.

“When these laundries started opening, they gave us some relief,” Ghorab said.

The difference is particularly important in winter, when heavy clothes, blankets and bedding can take time to dry.

“In winter, the tracksuits are heavy. They need another day to dry,” she said. “When I bring them here, they wash and dry them for me, and I get them back clean and dry. That really helps.”

But due to a limited income, Ghorab cannot afford to use this laundry service every day.

Before the war, Ghorab had a washing machine, a refrigerator and regular electricity at home.

“Things we once took for granted have become dreams. Now we have to pay for every little thing we used to do at home.”

The loss of the household

Across Gaza, the infrastructure that once allowed families to carry out everyday tasks at home has been severely disrupted.

A recent United Nations assessment found that 91 percent of surveyed households experienced moderate-to-high water shortages in early August.

A separate damage assessment by the authority found that 107,941 of the 178,632 housing units inspected – about 60 percent – were severely damaged, destroyed or otherwise considered uninhabitable.

Water systems, electricity, sanitation and household appliances, which families relied on to manage daily life, have also been disrupted.

For families living in damaged homes, tents or makeshift shelters, everyday tasks must be paid for.

A laundry adapting to shortages

Fadi Abu Shawarb, 23, has worked at his family’s al-Hurriya laundry for six years.

Before the war, the business relied on large, 50kg (110lb) washing machines for carpets, blankets and other heavy loads. But due to the high cost of operation, these machines are far too expensive to run.

“We started replacing the 50kg machines with 25kg ones because there is not enough electricity,” Fadi says. “There are no solar panels, no reliable power, and the generators are always breaking down.”

Most of his customers are displaced families who lack electricity, water or washing machines at home.

The laundry now handles about 20 to 30 loads a day, with clothes-washing among the most in-demand services.

A load costs six shekels ($2) when the laundry can use solar power and 12 shekels ($4) when it relies on a generator.

But even that is hard for people to pay. “People’s situation is difficult,” he says.

For Ghorab, the laundry is only one of the many expenses she now has to budget for.

“I feel like I’m going through a difficult time,” she says. “I have to pay for every little thing in my day, and with how difficult things are, it’s hard to keep up with everything.”

RIYADH: Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz, vice president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, received an honorary 6th Dan black belt from World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue during their meeting at Taif Camel Racing Track.

World Taekwondo gave Prince Fahad the black belt in recognition of his efforts to support taekwondo globally and promote international sports through Saudi Arabia’s hosting of major events.

The honorary belt is awarded exclusively to heads of state and sports officials who support taekwondo’s development.

The presentation took place on the sidelines of the 15th General Assembly of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association in Taif, which brought together leaders of Olympic committees from 57 Islamic countries, along with heads of international sports federations and organizations.