coast

Multiple ballistic missiles fired from eastern Sinpo area in seventh such test this year.

North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles towards the sea off its eastern coast, according to South Korea and Japan.

The incident on Sunday marked North Korea’s seventh ⁠ballistic missile launch this year and its fourth in April.

The missiles were fired near the city of Sinpo on North Korea’s east coast at about 6:10am on Sunday (21:10 GMT, Saturday), South Korea’s military said in a statement. It added that South Korea had bolstered its surveillance posture and was closely exchanging information with the United States and Japan.

Japan’s ⁠government posted on social media that the ballistic missiles were believed to have fallen near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. No incursion into Japan’s exclusive economic zone was confirmed.

South Korea’s presidential office said it has held an emergency security meeting, according to media reports.

Such tests violate United Nations Security Council resolutions against North Korea’s missile programme. The diplomatically isolated country rejects the UN ban and says it infringes on its sovereign right to self-defence.

The launches come as China and the US prepare for a summit in mid-May, ⁠in which Chinese President ⁠Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, are expected to discuss North Korea.

North Korea has made “very serious” advances in its ability to turn out nuclear weapons, with the probable addition of a new uranium enrichment facility, ‌International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday.

Late last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country’s status as a nuclear-armed ‌state ‌was irreversible and that expanding a “self-defensive nuclear deterrent” was essential to national security.

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This destination is a ‘like for like’ alternative to pricey Italian hotspots with beer under £2

While a trip to the Amalfi Coast might seem like the ideal getaway, it’s one that can prove rather pricey, particularly once you account for spending money while you’re there. Yet elsewhere across Europe, there’s another breathtaking coastal spot that serves as an excellent alternative.

Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at Eurochange, has noted a substantial rise in British tourists visiting Bulgaria, with Sozopol emerging as a fantastic alternative to the Amalfi Coast.

Laura says: “Although Bulgaria has joined the euro, prices for things like food, accommodation and drinks are still particularly low compared to other popular holiday destinations like Greece, Spain and Italy.”

For example, you can expect to pay less than €2 (£1.7) for a beer and around €10 (£8.7) for a meal.

“And, Brits don’t need to compromise on the beautiful scenery and beaches these popular hotspots offer. In fact, there are plenty of destinations in Bulgaria that are almost a ‘like for like’ but at a fraction of the cost.”

Championing Sozopol specifically, she added: “This gorgeous coastal town has a really similar feel to the likes of Positano and Cinque Terre, in Italy’s famous Riviera.

“Sozopol’s old town is dotted with quaint wooden houses and cobbled streets that overlook the stunning coastline and bright blue waters.” Stunning Sozopol ranks among Bulgaria’s most ancient coastal towns and remains far less crowded than many other European hotspots.

Sozopol boasts Kavastie and Harmani beaches, along with several beach bars, ensuring that whether you’re after a family outing or an evening of drinks, you’ll find exactly what you need.

And if you fancy a change from lounging on the sandy coastline, there’s no shortage of alternative activities, from discovering the town’s historic churches, to soaking up some culture at Ravadinovo Castle or Sozopol Archaeological Museum, or enjoying a fun-packed day at Aquapark Neptun.

A recent visitor to Kavastie Beach posted on Tripadvisor: “Fantastic beach, one of the very best that I’ve ever been to. Extremely clean, wonderful sand and safe sea ideal for children. Decent bars and restaurants. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

Meanwhile, a tourist who explored Ravadinovo Castle wrote: “A very eclectic castle, but a marvel to behold. A place of wonder. Around every corner was an amazing sight and a surprise. The floors inside the chapel and the ceiling were incredible. A stunning day out.”

And a visitor to the Sozopol Archaeological Museum added: “We spent a few hours at the museum this summer. Although it’s not a huge museum, they have interesting exhibitions. The lady who was in charge of the museum was very nice and told us some peculiar facts about the history of Apolonia. Recommend taking a look at the second floor, where you can find an ancient ‘vampire’ skeleton.”

IF you want the beauty of the Amalfi coast but without the hefty price tag, then there is an alternative to consider.

The pretty fishing village of Camogli in northern Italy has beautiful multi-coloured houses and has even been dubbed a gem of the Italian Riviera.

Camogli sits on the Ligurian Riviera and its main stretch of beach is lined with pretty pastel buildings – much like towns on the Amalfi Coast.

Spiaggia di Camogli is the village’s pebbled beach that is lined with restaurants, cafes as well as sunloungers and parasols.

It’s quite a famous spot so it can get quite busy, especially on the weekend when there are daytrippers from Portofino.

One visitor who recommends visiting in low season said: “Camogli seafront always offers a bit of magic.”

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Another added: “Lovely town, one of the cutest that I have visited in Liguria. Better than most Cinque Terre villages since it has a proper beach!”

One secluded bay that is a must-visit is called San Fruttuoso di Camogli.

On the shore is a 10th-century abbey, crystal-clear water, and the underwater “Christ of the Abyss” statue.

It is only accessible by boat or scenic hiking trails – so it takes a bit of effort to see this one.

Fans of snorkelling should head to another spot called Punta Chiappa.

It’s a narrow rock formation popular for diving and snorkelling because of the amount of marine life seen in the water like snappers and amberjacks.

Visiting Camogli over destinations on the Amalfi Coast could save you money too.

Global booking platform Omio named the village as a cheap and lesser-explored Italian spot.

Doing the maths, Omio worked out that a round-trip from London to Amalfi’s Positano, which requires a changeover in Naples, costs £230.

A round-trip from London to Camogli, which has a stopover in Genoa, costs £74.

So the cost of a round-trip in July to Camogli rather than the Amalfi coast Omio could save up to £156.

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Summers on the Amalfi coast are known for being hot and dry – Positano can reach highs of 33C.

It’s a tad cooler in the north of Italy and Camogli has average highs of 27C in July and August.

Another multi-coloured town along the coastline that you might want to tag onto your trip is Boccadasse.

Like Camogli, it has pastel-coloured houses built on top of cliffs and was a former fishing village.

It’s said to look like it’s ‘frozen in time’, and sits outside the city of Genoa and is a 30-minute drive from Camogli.

You’ll get the best views of the coastline if you walk along Corso Italia which connects Boccadasse to Genoa.

Boccadasse is also has independent restaurants that you’ll want to pop into and try Ligurian specialities like focaccia and pesto-based pasta dishes are served.

For more on Italy, check out this Italian paradise that has British Airways flights and found pretty towns away from the crowds.

And Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot reveals more about the sleepy Italian island village she visited with 40p beers and £1.80 bottles of wine.

The booing, though. Silly, but also deeply annoying for the players, you’d imagine.

They tried to play progressive football against Ivory Coast, but they were undone too often by their own wastefulness, lack of accuracy, and a shortage of the kind of explosiveness and cleverness that Ben Gannon-Doak gives them on his best days.

The hope is that Gannon-Doak continues his recovery and is flying come Boston. The hope, too, is that Scott McTominay and John McGinn and the other totems of this team find their very best stuff on the biggest stage.

That’s a lot to hope for. The alternative is to mope and boo and there’s no future in that.

Scotland had 14 shots to Ivory Coast’s 12 and four on target to their opponents’ three. They created difficulties for a team that went through their entire World Cup qualifying campaign without conceding a goal.

Clarke’s side will never be as ruthless as they were against Denmark on that famous night at Hampden – an overhead kick from McTominay, a world-class finish from Tierney, a miracle from halfway from Kenny McLean.

Lawrence Shankland’s goal was a tap-in, but he admits Lewis Ferguson’s corner was probably going in anyway, before he made sure.

There was a freakishness about the four goals and the whole occasion. Reality is hitting home again now.

Scotland have to get back to what has brought them joy in the recent past – huge tempo, dangerous deliveries from wide, a flooding of an opponent’s penalty box, a creation of chaos, a flick-on, a ricochet, a breaking ball launched into a net.

They need McTominay and McGinn and Ryan Christie crashing into penalty areas and finishing.

They need Andy Roberton on one side and Gannon-Doak on the other whipping in crosses that spark mayhem.

As a central striker, Clarke has who he has. None of them are Harry Kane. The star quality lies elsewhere in this team. They all need to step up.

A second friendly defeat in four days was no calamity since it came on the back of an admirable performance, unworthy of booing.

Be fretful, be anxious, be a quivering wreck about what might be in America, but keep perspective, too. Scotland are there and they have a chance to do what none of their exalted predecessors have done.

Whoever’s booing them now must be the type of character that smiles at themself in the mirror in the morning, just to get it over with.

TV coverage is on the BBC Scotland channel from 19:15 BST, with the match also available on iPlayer.

Jonathan Sutherland is your host, with Rachel Corsie and Charlie Adam providing analysis, while commentary comes from Liam McLeod and a third former Scotland international, James McFadden.

Sportsound will also be on BBC Radio Scotland from 18:00 BST. Andy Burke is presenting, with former Scotland players Willie Miller and Leanne Crichton, plus BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer Tom English, in the studio.

Alasdair Lamont and former Scotland midfielder Stuart McCall are on radio commentary duty.

As ever, you can follow everything on the BBC Sport website and app, including text updates on the action, in-play clips, and have your say as it happens.

EACH year around 1.4million Brits head to Portugal’s Algarve – so why not explore a quieter Portuguese gem that is cheaper?

Portugal’s Silver Coast – also known as Costa de Prata – stretches for 155 miles from central to western Portugal.

And it offers several different holiday types.

Think dramatic landscapes to be explored, beaches to sunbathe on and historic towns to investigate.

Spanning from north of Lisbon to near Porto, the Silver Coast tends to be less crowded than the Algarve.

One spot you can head to is Nazare, known for having the world’s biggest surfable waves.

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The old fishing town features a long, crescent shaped beach with white sand and crystal clear water.

And this is one of the spots in the town where you will find surfers tackling huge waves.

In fact, it is the Nazaré Canyon that is the largest underwater canyon in Europe, that produces the town’s colossal waves.

Away from the water, the town also has a lot of narrow streets to explore with cosy restaurants serving fresh seafood.

For example, you could head to Restaurante Maria do Mar, which is the best-rated restaurant on TripAdvisor in the area, serving ‘Maria do Mar’ fish stew for just €9.50 (£8.20).

Surfers should also head to Ericeira, which is another popular surf town.

It is widely known as the ‘surfing capital of Europe‘ and is home to one of only two World Surfing Reserves in Europe.

If you are not a surfer, then simply enjoy the town’s beautiful beaches such as Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s Beach) or Praia do Norte.

There’s also Obidos, which has a charming, medieval walled town.

In the picturesque town you can walk through Moorish gates and see colourful houses covered in bright pink flowers in summer.

The medieval walls encircle the entire village, which you can explore.

There’s even a spot that is dubbed the ‘Venice of Portugal’ – Aveiro.

The nickname comes from the colourful boats that sail down canals in the town.

Originally, the boats – called moliceiros – were used to carry seaweed that had been harvested, but now they offer tours to visitors along the canals and past Art Nouveau buildings.

In the Old Town, you’ll find cobblestone streets with small fish and coastal images embedded into the cobbles.

Make sure to visit Ponte dos Laços de Amizade (Bridge of Friendship Ties) where couples tie ribbons on to the bridge.

And definitely grab some Ovos Moles which are sweets from the area.

They are egg yolk and sugar mixed together and then moulded into different shapes, like seashells.

Drop by Confeitaria Peixinho, the oldest Ovos Moles shop in Aveiro, which has been running since 1856 – each Ovos Mole costs about €1.60 (£1.38).

Nearby Aveiro there is another spot worth visiting called Costa Nova.

Here you will find rows upon rows of colourful striped beach cottages.

Elsewhere along the Silver Coast, you can visit the coastal village of Foz do Arelho and two beaches created by a saltwater lagoon.

Both feature white sand and are the ideal places to go paddleboarding.

If you want to grab a bite to eat, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the promenade.

Several of the pubs and bars along the Silver Coast sell beers for €1.25 (£1.08), like at Marcianus 3.0 in Foz do Arelho, where you can pick up a bottle of Imperial beer for this price.

Depending on where you wish to go on the Silver Coast, you can fly into either Lisbon or Porto Airports.

One-way flights from the UK to Lisbon or Porto cost as little as £15 per person in April.

Also, depending on where you want to visit, there are a number of different accommodation options.

The average cost for a night in a four-star hotel in the region costs between £65 and £80.

For more places to explore in Portugal, there’s a secret side to the country that has just been crowned one of the best places in Europe to visit this year.

Plus, the pretty city that was the birthplace of the first king of Portugal that is set to be big this year.