Videos show the aftermath of an Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs, with multiple explosions reported. Israel says it targeted Hezbollah headquarters, while Lebanese media says residential apartments were hit. The attack comes just days after US President Donald Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu that Beirut was off limits as Washington pursues a deal with Iran.
Three tunnels form part of the complex under the city
The tunnel runs right under a European city.
A European city has an extensive network of tunnels beneath it. The Blanka Tunnel Complex is the longest city tunnel in Europe and runs for a total length of 5,502 meters.
The tunnel sits under Prague and is the longest road tunnel in the Czech Republic. It connects the area west of Prague Castle with the Trója district in the North-east of the city.
Three tunnels, consisting of the Bubenečský, Dejvický, and Brusnický, make up the complex, which was designed to relieve heavy traffic from the history city centre. In its first 49 months since opening, it was used by 139 million cars.
Today, it is estimated that 88,000 vehicles use the tunnel every day. The Blanka Tunnel Complex opened on September 19, 2015, but it was a long time coming.
Construction launched in 2006, but it was planned since 1993. The tunnel was due to open in 2011, but the biggest and most expensive project in Prague was delayed by four years.
It cost 43 billion crowns, which is £1.5 billion today and doesn’t include all construction costs. During the construction of the tunnel complex, there were three landfalls.
The incident occurred twice in the Stromovka park, creating a hole measuring 15 to 25 meters. Another landfall happened in the garden area of the Ministry of Culture in Hradčany.
Since opening, the Blanka Tunnel Complex has undergone continuous maintenance. There is 24/7 monitoring by a dedicated control centre that works night shifts to service lights, ventilation systems, cabling and drainage.
Last year, the tunnel marked its 10th anniversary. Prague Daily News said: “It relieved congestion in the city centre, reduced journey times, and took vehicle traffic underground.
“Since its opening, around 780 million vehicles have passed through the tunnel.
“The Dejvický Tunnel has borne the greatest load with more than 271 million vehicles, followed by the Brusnický Tunnel with almost 266 million and the Bubenečský Tunnel with 236 million vehicles.
“Although Blanka has been in regular operation for years, the approval process for part of the project is still not fully concluded.
“A formal decision by the Administrative Court has meant that the relevant section continues to operate only under provisional use.
“Observers, however, expect a final acceptance soon.”
People gather during a protest in a street in Mogadishu, Somalia, on Thursday after fighting erupted between opposition-led protesters and Somali state security forces during a planned protest against the federal government’s mandate extension for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Photo by Said Yusuf Warsame/EPA
June 4 (UPI) — The Somalian military and opposition militias opposed to an extension of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term by the country’s parliament skirmished Thursday in its capital.
After the opposing sides set up positions within Mogadishu late Wednesday, gunfire and fighting broke out in the city ahead of planned demonstrations today, The Guardian and The New York Times reported.
Mohamud was due to leave office May 15, but the country’s parliament voted to extend his term by one year, prompting opposition leaders — including former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and former Prime Minister Hassan Khayre — to announce demonstrations against what they said is a constitutional crisis.
Ahmed said that government forces had targeted his home intending to kill him because he has spoken out against the extended term and is leading resistance to it.
Ahmed and Khayre each have their own security, as do other clans throughout the country, and the alleged targeting of the leaders by government military forces led to ongoing skirmishes that have left Mogadishu residents fleeing for their safety.
Ahmed, in a video statement, said that government forces had “encircled and attacked my house.”
“I am never scared of their aggressive attack — I will fight back,” he said.
Khayre said in a statement that the government had deployed anti-tank weapons and drones in the attack, endangering civilians in the area.
At a press conference Thursday, Col. Mahdi Omar Mumin said that government forces staged “an operation in which security agencies neutralized armed militia members who yesterday attacked police forces in the Hodan District,” Somalia’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement on X.
“The militia had caused harm to Somali civilians and disrupted security in the capital,” the ministry said.
Mohamud and members of the parliament who support him said the effort is to move from indirect elections to individuals voting specifically for their chosen candidates.
Opposition members have said they fear the change could prevent many people in the country from having a voice in the government and potentially enable greater power for Mohamud.
THE best 100 beaches in the world have been named – and two can be found in the UK.
Announced by Corona, the 2026 Corona Beach 100 has revealed the best spots around the world from well-known spots to hidden coves.
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Two UK beaches have been named as some of the best in the worldCredit: AlamyFistral Beach Newquay made the listCredit: Alamy
Three criteria were analysed – Beachside Culture, Connection to Nature and Scenic Aesthetics.
A new entry on the list this year is Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire.
The first Welsh beach to make the list, it was praised for its “remote and dramatic landscape, as it is “accessible only by clifftop walk through a medieval archway.
It wrote: “Barafundle Bay feels hidden even when people talk about it.
“Reached only by a clifftop walk along the Pembrokeshire coast, this crescent of pale sand sits tucked between limestone cliffs with nothing built around it.
“No road, no cafés, no signal, just seabirds overhead, cold clear water below, and the kind of quiet that makes you slow down without realising it.”
And returning to the list this year was Fistral Beach in Cornwall, praised for being a “social and cultural hotspot” by being the UK’s surfing capital after hosting the first British Surfing Championships in 1966.
It added: “Facing the full force of the Atlantic, it’s where you go to chase sets, drink tea with cold hands, and feel like you’re part of something.
In Europe, Agia Anna on Naxos island in Greece was praisedCredit: GettyOne Croatia beach was listed, which was Zlatni Rat Beach on the island of BolCredit: Getty
“The beach delivers all year, with consistent swell, golden sands, and a surf scene that’s as seasoned as it is welcoming.
“From world-class comps to waist-high rollers, Fistral doesn’t need sunshine to shine — just wind, water, and the right kind of restlessness.”
Europe featured heavily on the list as well.
When it came to Greece, Agia Anna Beach in Naxos and the famous pink Elafonissi Beach in Crete made the cut, as well as Sarakiniko Beach on Milos.
For Spain, there was Aiguablava Beach, as well as Ibiza’s Casa Salada and Majorca’s Cala Mondragó.
Beaches across Italy, France and Croatia were also included, as well as other holiday spots such as Turkey, Morocco and Thailand.
Russia pounded Ukraine’s capital overnight on Saturday with drones and ballistic missiles, including a powerful hypersonic Oreshnik missile, killing at least four people and damaging residential buildings. Footage shows people sheltering underground, while firefighters work above.
ALBANIA’S capital Tirana has just been ranked the third cheapest city for a weekend break in 2026.
And when it comes to the accommodation, it pips the rest on the affordability scale.
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The hilltop town of Kruje, just a few miles outside TiranaCredit: GettyThe city’s Skanderbeg SquareCredit: Getty
But its low prices are just the start. It’s great for food, bars and quirky sightseeing . . .
WHY SHOULD I GO?
THE city is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. It has a fascinating history, which has been marked by periods of occupation and a harsh dictatorship that lasted until the 1990s.
This has left its mark on the city skyline, which is a striking mix of brutalist, communist-era buildings and quirky architecture, including Tirana’s Rock — a 26-storey building uniquely shaped like a face.
Plus, with round-trip flights from just over £30 — and only taking three hours — and temperatures that reach 34C in summer time, visiting is a no-brainer.
THE centre is very walkable, with wide, tree-lined boulevards that criss-cross the main squares and key attractions.
For a comprehensive introduction to the city, join the on-foot Tirana Free Tour, which departs five times a day from outside the Opera House.
You will likely begin at Skanderbeg Square — the city’s main central plaza, named after Albania’s national hero.
From here, you will be within easy reach of several attractions — The National Historical Museum, Et’hem Bej Mosque and Opera House.
If you want to venture farther afield, Kruje is an historic town 12 miles north of Tirana. Buses from the main terminal cost less than £1, or you can get a taxi for around £25.
The town is home to medieval castle ruins and has a bazaar packed with beautiful Albanian rugs and cashmere, which make perfect souvenirs.
The mountain backdrop is a showstopper, too.
ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
A MUST-visit is the House of Leaves — former HQ of the country’s secret police.
It is now a museum exploring the extensive surveillance and spying that Albanians endured during the dictatorship.
And for cracking views, don’t miss a cable-car ride through Dajti National Park, a short taxi ride north of the city centre.
There are a wide array of activities at the top of the mountain, including mini-golf and a shooting gallery, but those seeking a more relaxing experience should visit just before sunset to witness the stunning golden hour.
For some proper R&R, head to Ritual Spa and Hammam.
A traditional byrek – filo pastry stuffed with meat or cheeseCredit: GettyTirana Skanderbeg Square from aboveCredit: Getty
Hidden behind an unassuming door on the second floor of an apartment building, the space opens up into a beautifully curated sanctuary complete with wellness areas, including a sauna, steam room and salt room.
Treatments are cheap, too, with facials from £22 and hour-long massages for under £40.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
ALBANIAN food is a hearty, homely blend of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours.
Oda restaurant in the Zona 1 area of the city is properly authentic, serving stuffed peppers, slow-baked lamb with yoghurt and flaky homemade pastries filled with cheese and spinach.
You can dine outdoors under the shade of pomegranate and lemon trees while a roaming folk band brings the garden to life with traditional music.
For budget-friendly bites, try the street-food stalls at the New Bazaar in the Pazari i Ri neighbourhood.
Be sure to get your hands on a byrek — a filo pastry stuffed with meat or cheese that you can pick up for less than £1.
I FANCY A DRINK…
A WANDER through the lively streets of the Blloku neighbourhood will reward visitors with stylish speakeasy-style bars.
During the dictatorship, this area was reserved for the communist elite and ordinary Albanians were not allowed to enter.
But today, it’s the epicentre of nightlife in Tirana — and everyone is welcome.
Start at Mugo, a chic bar with a low-lit, leafy garden, serving cocktails dressed with sugared fruit and edible flowers, all for under £10. Nunu, just across the road, is equally indulgent.
Then continue along Pjeter Bogdani Street for a ready-made bar crawl, where casual drinking spots spill out on to the pavement and pints come in at under £4.
For a proper Albanian night out, head to Ava Club, where DJs mix Balkan tracks with electronic beats and crowds whip white handkerchiefs through the air — a lively tradition that gets the whole place buzzing.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
FOR a central base, stay in the Tregu Cam district, or Blloku if you want somewhere a bit livelier. Budget, mid-range and boutique options are available in both districts.
But for something basic yet reliable and very well located, look to the Tirana International Hotel, which has affordable rooms, an on-site casino, two restaurants and a bar.
GO: TIRANA
GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from London Luton to Tirana from £31.80 return. See wizzair.com.
STAYING THERE: The 4H Tirana International Hotel has double and twin rooms from around £80 per night on a B&B basis. See tiranainternational.com.
Tragic flooding has swept through communities in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital. On Monday, May 18, the disastrous incident caused a five-year-old child to drown as heavy torrential rains led to severe flooding in the country’s economic hub.
The child was swept away in the Banya-Sable area, located in Douala’s 5th district.
“Trapped by the rapidly rising waters, the child was carried off by a strong current. The body was recovered a short time later and taken by the parents to the Ad Lucem hospital, where the death was confirmed,” said Nana Paul Sabin, an eyewitness.
The flooding affected the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd administrative districts, as well as residential and administrative areas such as Bonapriso and Bonanjo in Douala’s 1st district.
“The floods caused significant disruptions and blockages in traffic, and in certain locations, the water levels rose alarmingly due to drainage issues,” a resident from Douala’s 3rd district stated.
In response, the Douala Urban Council issued a statement urging residents to exercise caution in their daily activities. The council advised individuals in high-risk areas to limit non-essential travel, avoid flood currents, stay clear of unstable structures, and be especially vigilant with children.
“The Douala Urban Council also emphasises the importance of keeping drainage pathways clear and encourages civic responsibility to help preserve lives,” the communiqué read.
It also noted that technical teams have been deployed to address the aftermath of the heavy rainfall.
“Let us stay alert, united, and responsible,” the statement concluded.
Severe flooding in Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, resulted in the tragic drowning of a five-year-old. Heavy torrential rains led to significant inundation across multiple districts, causing traffic disruptions and raising concerns over drainage systems.
The Douala Urban Council has advised caution, urging residents to avoid floodwaters and unstable structures, particularly in high-risk areas. Efforts are underway with technical teams addressing the flooding aftermath while emphasizing civic responsibility to maintain drainage paths and enhance safety.
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to bring a Colombian woman back to the U.S. from Congo, after she was deported to the African nation that had refused to accept her.
The deportation of Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata “was likely illegal,” U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled Wednesday.
Zapata, 55, who has diabetes and a thyroid condition, “has been sent to a country that refused to accept her because they cannot provide sufficient medical care,” the ruling said. “As a result, she faces a daily risk of medical complications, up to and including death.”
Black spots began to grow on Zapata’s back and foot while she was in detention, her skin started to peel and her nails blackened, according to a declaration that Zapata submitted in court, and which was provided to the AP by her lawyer.
“She’s not doing well and does worry that she’s going to die,” her lawyer, Lauren O’Neal, said.
Zapata entered the U.S. from Mexico in August 2024 and was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Since being deported, she has lived in a hotel in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital. The hotel gates are locked, O’Neal said. Zapata and other deportees are rarely allowed out, and only with supervision, she said.
Zapata was among thousands of immigrants living legally in the U.S., waiting for rulings on asylum claims, when they were suddenly issued deportation decrees that ordered them expelled to countries where most had no connections.
More than 15,000 third-country deportation orders were issued in the White House push for ever more immigrant expulsions, advocacy groups say, though only a fraction of the orders have been carried out.
Few details are known about the agreements to accept these deportees, though the U.S. has signed them with a range of countries, including Ecuador, Honduras, Uganda, Cameroon and Congo. Advocacy groups estimate only a couple of hundred third-country deportations, at most, have been carried out.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s public expectations that incoming Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will cut interest rates, one investment expert believes the central bank may actually be forced to move in the opposite direction.
Renewed clashes between rival gangs in Port-au-Prince have forced hundreds to flee their homes, forcing some families to the streets. Gang violence has now displaced more than 1.4 million people across Haiti. Gangs control an estimated 90% of the capital after the former president was assassinated in his home in 2021.
SUN, sea, sand and an Irish bar – it sounds like a dream and less of a reality to most of us living in the UK.
But for Sean and Aine Rice, this is actually the case, and the two are set to star in an upcoming episode of Channel 4‘s Escape to Florida.
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Sean and Aine Rice made the moved from Northern Ireland to FloridaCredit: Sean and Aine RiceThey’ve turned their home into a mini-resortCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.
When it comes to swapping life in the UK for a sun-soaked destination, it seems that most nowadays are heading to the likes of Portugal or far-flung Australia.
But Sean and Aine Rice who are from Northern Ireland, headed the other way across the Atlantic and settled in the USA.
The couple first called New York their home, but in the year 2000 moved to the ‘Sunshine State’ where they settled in Brandon near Tampa before heading to Apollo Beach.
Talking to Sun Travel, Sean revealed just why he loves Florida so much and reveals that of course, the weather plays a big part in it.
He said: “Any day in the year is good day in Florida, we get great weather throughout the year.
“Even when the extreme heat arrives, Florida is catered for it, so you suffer from the humidity too much.”
Their Apollo Beach home has an outdoor kitchen and boat dockCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
Sean has lived in the States for 40 years, and Aine for 27 – together they share two sons and a two-year-old granddaughter.
Both confess that moving to Florida might be a little different now from when they bought their Floridan family home 26 years ago.
Sean told us: “It was extremely cheap back then, you certainly got a lot more house for your buck back in the day.
“Our first house was around £125,000, and it’s around doubled or tripled in price now.”
Inside the couple can still enjoy the sunny viewsCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
The couple now live in Apollo Beach which is south of Tampa and is referred to as a ‘boater’s paradise’.
It has over 55 miles of canals and direct access to Tampa Bay with plenty of wildlife swimming around the bay like dolphins and manatees.
There are some disadvantages to life in Florida though as Sean and Aine found in 2024 when their home was severely flooded by Hurricane Helene.
But the couple took repairing their house in their stride and have completely transformed it.
Outdoor living and being on the water is a huge bonus to living in FloridaCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
Sean told us: “Home is what you make it, and we turned ours into a mini resort.
“Originally it was a 1,700 square foot house with over 200 feet of water front and we’ve really modernised it.
“We’ve got our own dock, an outdoor shower, a driving range, putting green, space for our kayaks, we have an outdoor kitchen, and we plan on putting a sauna out there too.
“It’s somewhere you can hang out and relax, and there are palm trees that keep you out of the sun.
“We want to enjoy all the elements and the only time we really have to leave is to go shopping – it’s pretty cool.”
As for work, the pair run the Salty Shamrock, an Irish pub in the heart of Apollo Beach.
The pair live down the road from Tampa and two-hours from the Orlando theme parksCredit: Alamy
It serves up classic American meals as well as Irish classics like chicken pot pie, sausage and mash and seaside favourite, fish and chips.
The pub hosts live events and celebrate St Patrick’s Day when it comes around in March.
There’s plenty to do as well, especially when it comes to daytrip.
He said: “When we can, we like to jump on the boat to Fort Myers, have lunch, a few drinks – I’m an avid golfer and there are hundreds of golf courses in Florida.
“I love old Florida too which are the swamps and the everglades with the alligators out there.
“We’re also two hours from Orlando where the theme parks are, and we’re close to Tampa – there’s lots more to do there now especially when it comes to the food scene.
“But mostly, I love to fish on the water.”
Aine agreed adding: “There’s always something to do here, especially if you’re an outdoorsy person from fishing to boating, exploring the state parks or playing sports – I love pickleball at the moment.”
Now they have an outdoor shower and are planning to add a saunaCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
She continued: “I never feel guilty about being indoors when the sun is out like I did in Ireland – there’s a real urge to be outside and I enjoy it very much.”
The couple return to Northern Ireland multiple times a year, so what do they miss the most about their home country?
Aine said: “I miss family and a sense of community because that’s what I feel is missing in Florida, which is why we’ve created that with our bar.”
Sean added: “The people – Irish people are unique, when tourists ask me about Ireland, I say rent a car, get lost and talk to everyone.
“We travel a lot, but I’ve never experienced any place quite like Ireland. I love the coast of Donegal and how rural it all is and that it hasn’t been commercialised.
“I always look forward to going back.”
For keen golfer Sean, there’s also a putting greenCredit: Sean and Aine Rice
For anyone keen to make the move from the UK to the US, Sean has some advice to pass on.
He said: “Florida is a great place to live, as long as you do your homework.
“I’d say to come here, you do need some sort of career in mind, or get transferred with a sister company. For someone to come out and just ‘wing it’, it would be a huge uphill battle
“It can be quite the culture shock too in the likes of Apollo Beach – it’s much less fast-paced than New York or London.
“Remember that you don’t get things like free health care, and schools are very different from the UK too.
“And down in Florida, we have a lot of Spanish and Cuban neighbours, so I’d encourage anyone moving here to try and learn Spanish – although I’ve never have.
“Life in Florida has its ups and downs of course, but I’d recommend it to this day.”
