Huge crowds gathered in Tehran’s Revolution Square to celebrate and send off Iran’s national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The new jersey of the Iranian national team, which will be worn in the World Cup competitions, was unveiled at the event.
People heading to Yosemite to escape urban congestion fumed this weekend as they waited in a seemingly endless line of cars at the park entrance.
Inside, they circled aimlessly around full parking lots, scanning for empty spots instead of majestic views.
Near the summit of Half Dome, on the infamous steel cables hikers use to ascend the final stretch of bare granite, another traffic jam formed, trapping people hundreds of feet in the air, according to social media posts.
Even before the summer rush, California’s most visited national park is seeing big crowds — the most people in a decade, according to National Park System data.
Critics of the free-for-all are blaming the influx on the Trump administration for abandoning a reservation requirement that, for the last few years, has helped control the number of visitors and preserve a sense of natural tranquility.
California’s nine national parks drew a record 12 million visitors in 2025, up more than 800,000 from the previous record set in 2019. Yosemite accounted for more than a quarter of those visits.
This year, the pace continues, with more than half a million visits to Yosemite so far. In March, the park recorded 236,000 visits, up more than 45% from the same month a year earlier.
Yosemite National Park is enormous, covering more than 1,100 square miles on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Even at the height of summer, an adventurous soul willing to hike a bit can spend weeks in the park and rarely see another person.
But Yosemite’s most famous and Instagrammable vistas — the towering, 3,000-foot granite wall of El Capitan, the thundering spectacles of Yosemite and Bridalveil falls — can be enjoyed from parking lots and picnic benches in the relatively cramped confines of Yosemite Valley.
Visitors don’t even have to get out of their cars to gaze in wide-eyed wonder at sights they will probably remember for the rest of their lives.
And that’s the problem.
Traffic in the valley, especially on summer weekends, had become legendary by the end of the 2010s, inspiring think pieces with headlines such as “Inside Yosemite’s Traffic Meltdown” and “The Siege of Yosemite Valley.”
In June 2020, to limit crowds in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the park introduced a controversial system requiring a reservation before entering.
That left a lot of would-be visitors frustrated, but those lucky enough to snag a reservation were treated to the most peaceful, serene Yosemite Valley experience in years.
Since then, the reservation system has been tweaked repeatedly as administrators searched for a sweet spot between welcoming more visitors and retaining the peace of the great outdoors.
In February, the Trump administration, which had already slashed the national park system’s staff by about 25%, scrapped the reservation system and replaced it with “targeted management” of crowds.
“We are committed to visitor access, safety, and resource protection, and will continue active traffic management strategies to ensure a great visitor experience,” Yosemite Supt. Ray McPadden said at the time. “While reservation systems are one valuable management tool, our data demonstrates that a season-wide reservation requirement is not the most effective approach for the coming season.”
A crowd of tourists gather to take pictures of the Yosemite Valley on March 23, 2025, in Yosemite National Park.
(George Rose / Getty Images)
But the new approach is already getting harsh reviews, and the busy season hasn’t even begun.
During “Firefall” in February — an annual phenomenon when sunlight lands on the water cascading from Horsetail Fall, making it glow orange and red, like molten lava — the crowds were reportedly nightmarish.
“I spent over an hour stuck in traffic leaving the park, and exiting felt more like leaving a major sporting event than it did visiting a national park,” Mark Rose, a senior program manager for the National Parks Conservation Assn., a nonprofit devoted to protecting the park system, wrote in a blog post.
“I saw an ambulance stuck in standstill traffic announcing over a megaphone for pedestrians and vehicles to move out of the way,” Rose wrote. “The views were incredible, but I don’t think I’d ever go back without a reservation system in place.”
It left Rose worried about a return to the bad old days of Yosemite traffic, when visitors would wait forever just to get to the gate, pay the $35 entrance fee and then run into road blocks, with signs turning them away because the valley was too crowded.
“That was not an unusual situation,” Rose said. “To wait in line for close to two hours to get into the park and then just be stuck driving around for hours trying to find any parking at any location within the park.”
Over the weekend, the wait in traffic to simply get through the park entrance was an hour and a half, according to Lorena Calvillo from Fresno, who posted pictures and video of the traffic on Yosemite National Park’s official Facebook page.
And once she got in?
“Gridlock. Cars everywhere. People everywhere. No parking. No space,” Calvillo wrote.
“This all comes right after the reservation system was lifted … and honestly, it showed,” she added. “Officials were literally telling people to avoid the Valley.”
Another visitor, Richard Smekal, posted about the conga line of climbers who packed onto the cables leading to the Half Dome summit. He shared a photo of the cables empty when he arrived at 9 a.m., and another taken two hours later.
“After I got down, I turned around and took the second photo,” he wrote. “The line was a continuous stream of people, barely moving — basically at a standstill.”
The cables can be deadly, especially in thunderstorms, when they become a slippery lightning rod. Being stuck there in a human traffic jam is a nightmare many experienced hikers and climbers would do anything to avoid.
A spokesperson for Yosemite did not respond to requests for comment.
Traffic is at a standstill on the Yosemite Valley floor in the summer of 2017 while a bus lane is empty and off-limits to visitors at Yosemite National Park.
Lewis Capaldi had to halt one of his shows in the US due to a technical difficultyCredit: InstagramHe kept the crowd entertained during the error, then decided to sing the song without any backing music insteadCredit: Instagram
But during his gig at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre he encountered a major technical issue, leaving him unable to sing.
Lewis giggled next to the mic, sharing with the crowd: “Something has happened. Usually I’d be singing by now.
“Something technological has gone wrong. I’m not sure what the f***s happened.”
He then joked: “This feels like… erectile dysfunction in a way,” before checking in with his team to see if the error had been fixed.
Fans adored the acoustic performance, saying they were glad to be part of the “technical difficulties”Credit: GettyLewis is currently on his Survive tour after taking a hiatus from musicCredit: Getty
After learning it hadn’t, Lewis continued to entertain the crowd, saying: “Right, we’re not back. Hi.”
Fans of the musician found the moment hilarious and loved the way he chose to handle it – both with humour and then by deciding to go ahead with an acoustic performance while the tech issue was fixed.
One user on Instagram said: “Who needs all the technology with a voice like that?!?”
A second shared: “It was a once in a lifetime experience and we were very excited to be part of the “technical issue”.
A third added: “Well no one can claim he can’t sing live.”
Lewis’ tour shares the same name as his latest EP release which came out last year.
The new music followed him taking a two-year hiatus from the industry, after his anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome symptoms increased.
After Lewis finishes up his shows in America, he’s due to perform in Vancouver before heading over to the UK.
His first UK tour date is on June 19, taking place at the Isle Of Wight Festival.
This charming coastal spot is one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
This spot is perfect for summer(Image: Getty)
Summer is approaching, and if you’re already fantasising about sea and sunshine, then you’re truly spoilt for choice. While destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean are alluring, flying overseas can prove costly – without even mentioning accommodation prices and dining expenses.
Fortunately, if you’re watching your pennies, the UK boasts some genuinely breathtaking destinations to discover, right on your doorstep. Not only will it prove more affordable, it will also eliminate much of the hassle involved in organising an overseas getaway. Instead of dashing through airport security, all you need to do is jump in the car or board a train.
Staycation specialists at holidaycottages.co.uk have examined some of the globe’s most sought-after beach destinations and recommended lesser-known UK alternatives that deliver all the splendour of the finest spots but without the hefty price tag or the throngs of visitors.
The Costa Brava ranks as an extremely popular destination for British holidaymakers.
Renowned for its white sand beaches, verdant landscape and turquoise waters, this north-east Spanish hotspot frequently draws crowds of British tourists seeking to unwind by the sea, reports the Express.
For a more tranquil and budget-friendly option, Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall serves as the UK’s own slice of paradise.
The beach sits beneath towering cliffs that shield it from the wind, while the stunning clear waters prove ideal for swimming and snorkelling.
One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor the beach was “absolutely breathtaking”.
“The most amazing beach beautiful white sand and turquoise sea. Breathtaking views and definitely one of the best beaches you will ever find.”
Another said: “Spent the day here, it’s just like being abroad, clear blue skies water, perfect sandy beach and so peaceful. No arcades, no boats, no noise, just gorgeous.”
Sarah Pring, PR manager at holidaycottages.co.uk, said: “For many people, summer brings the temptation of a beach holiday, however, travel enthusiasts don’t have to travel internationally to experience crystal-clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches hidden between towering cliffs as there are many comparable spots in the UK.”
The most stunning beach alternatives in the UK
Luskentyre Beach, Scotland – looks like Turks and Caicos
Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall – looks like Costa Brava, Spain
Runswick Bay, Yorkshire – looks like Monterosso Al Mare, Cinque Terre, Italy
Barricane Beach, Devon – looks like Calanque d’En-Vau, France
Porthdinllaen, North Wales – looks like Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
This hidden gem provides the perfect no-crowds experience for summer 2026.
15:11, 28 Apr 2026Updated 15:15, 28 Apr 2026
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This island has so much to offer(Image: Freeartist via Getty Images)
Summer is just around the corner and many of us are already dreaming about our next sunny escape. With so many destinations to pick from, settling on the perfect spot can feel like quite the challenge.
Many of the world’s most coveted holiday hotspots are now bursting at the seams, which can turn a much-needed break into something of a headache. If you’re after a getaway unspoilt by hordes of tourists, it pays to explore the roads less travelled.
Travel specialists at Solmar Villas have scrutinised more than 160 destinations worldwide to reveal the most tranquil spots for a laid-back summer holiday in 2026 – and Greece has taken the top spot.
Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands to explore and while some are overrun with visitors, others remain blissfully peaceful.
Each location in the top 10 was rated across eight key factors: crowd density, climate, nature and scenery, pace of life, affordability, safety and ease of access.
Remarkably, eight of the top 10 destinations were found in Greece.
Topping the list is Alonissos – a tiny, serene island nestled in the northern Sporades – an archipelago in the Aegean Sea.
To reach it, travellers can fly from the UK to the neighbouring island of Skianthos before hopping on a high-speed ferry across to Alonissos.
The island feels worlds apart from everyday life.
Verdant hills blanketed in pine trees cascade down towards crystalline waters, ideal for a summer dip. Life moves at a leisurely pace, with traditional villages dotted across the hillsides.
The island also houses the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades, one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe, reports the Express.
This transforms it into a haven for divers and snorkellers.
A boat trip around the island reveals caves, reefs and colourful marine life thriving beneath the sea’s surface.
It’s also home to the rare Mediterranean monk seal – fewer than 700 of them survive in three or four isolated subpopulations in the Mediterranean.
On her blog Asinglewomantraveling, travel blogger Melissa said that Alonissos is “absolutely stunning and peaceful”. She added that the island is “quiet, a little wild, totally underrated”.
A supervisor conducts a preparatory session for applicants taking the GSAT exam at Samsung Electronics’ Human Resources Development Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Graphic by Asia Today and translated by UPI
April 26 (Asia Today) — Thousands of young job seekers took part in Samsung’s flagship hiring exam over the weekend, highlighting continued demand for positions at South Korea’s largest conglomerate despite broader labor market challenges.
The test, known as the GSAT, was conducted Saturday and Sunday for applicants across 18 affiliates, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung SDI and Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
Often referred to as the “Samsung exam,” the GSAT is a standardized aptitude test used in the company’s large-scale recruitment system, which has been maintained for 70 years – the longest among major South Korean firms.
Samsung said the exam has been conducted online since 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing candidates to take the test remotely using personal computers. The company conducted system checks in advance to ensure stable network and device conditions for all applicants.
While the exact number of test-takers was not disclosed, analysts said strong participation reflects the company’s global leadership and profitability, particularly amid a boom in the semiconductor sector.
Samsung began accepting applications in March and will proceed with interviews in May, followed by medical screenings before finalizing hires.
The conglomerate’s open recruitment system, introduced in 1957, remains unique among South Korea’s largest business groups. While many companies have shifted toward experienced hires, Samsung continues to offer regular entry-level recruitment twice a year, providing more predictable opportunities for graduates.
According to a 2025 survey by the Federation of Korean Industries, university students cited reduced entry-level hiring as the biggest challenge in job searches. Samsung’s continued use of open recruitment has helped sustain its reputation as one of the most desirable employers in the country.
Lee Jae-yong has repeatedly emphasized job creation and talent development, saying earlier this year that the company has capacity to expand hiring. He has also pledged continued investment in high-value industries alongside overseas expansion.
Samsung plans to continue recruiting talent in semiconductors, as well as emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, as it seeks to strengthen its global competitiveness.
The GSAT was first introduced in 1995 under former chairman Lee Kun-hee, who called for an objective and globally competitive hiring system. Since then, other major South Korean companies have developed similar aptitude tests for recruitment.
The “forgotten” Dolomites lie to the east, far from the crowds of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Val Gardena. Belluno is the main gateway, two hours north of Venice by train or a drive up the A27. From here, the upper Piave valley leads into the quieter Friulian mountains. The land rises gently, opening into pasture, then stone lifting into spires above the meadows.
Traditional local councils, the Regole di Comunità, still manage the land and forests collectively here, sustaining artisans and alpine farmers in scattered hamlets shaped by shared work and resilience. Pastìn (a minced, seasoned blend of pork and beef), malga cheeses and polenta, once staples for long days in the mountains, are still shared over grappa at the end of the day. Beyond the hamlets, paths lead towards Monte Pelmo or drift into the beech woods of Cansiglio, where deer call at dusk. It’s a fine place to experience mountain culture, and these are some of my favourite places.
Alpine lakes and pools
Lago di Calaita is beneath the Pale di San Martino peaks. Photograph: Denis Perilli
The Val del Mis lies west of Belluno, where the narrow SP2 road follows the shore of Lago del Mis. The lake is worth half a day on its own – paddle north by canoe or kayak towards the Cascata della Soffia waterfall, or explore the side gorge of Falcina, where you can swim in still, deep pools of crystalline water under the Passerella del Peron suspension bridge, just off the SR203 past Ponte Mas. Alternatively, from the car park at the northern end of the lake, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Cadini del Brenton – a series of turquoise pools carved into white rock cascading from one basin to the next, some more than four metres deep. A wooden bridge trail leads between them, but bathing here is forbidden.
From the Val del Mis, head north-west towards San Martino di Castrozza, then south through Fiera di Primiero, following signs for the Val Vanoi on the SP79, then climb the road to the spectacular Lago di Calaita, at an altitude of 1,621 metres beneath the ramparts of the Pale di San Martino. At dawn, the rock above is grey; by sunset, the whole massif turns gold. Open meadows line the shore, and Rifugio Miralago serves canederli (bread dumplings) and polenta with tosèla di primiero, the local cheese. In winter, the lake freezes, and the meadows are used for snowshoeing. A two-hour uphill walk leads to the darker Lago Pisorno, said to be haunted.
Mountain viewpoints
From Monte Penna there are spectacular views of Monte Pelmo. Photograph: Denis Perilli
Head for Agordino – the group of valleys along the Cordevole river, south of Cortina d’Ampezzo – for the highest viewpoints. You’ll experience the same massive Dolomite walls but without the crowds. Park near Rifugio Staulanza and take CAI trail 472. In a couple of hours, climbing gently through sparse larch and open grass, you’ll reach the slopes of Monte Penna and look straight at Monte Pelmo’s immense north-west wall – sheer pale rock rising from the valley floor. You’re standing on gentle grass; across the valley, the mountain is vertical stone. The central basin – the Trono di Dio (Throne of God) – is visible in full. To the west is the jagged profile of Monte Civetta.
For a closer look at Civetta, take the old mule track from the hamlet of Piaia, through woods dotted with tabià, the traditional wooden barns used for storing hay at altitude. After a two-hour climb, the trail opens on to the broad pasture of Sasso Bianco, looking directly at Civetta’s sheer face. Note that the road to Piaia is very narrow; parking at the end is limited.
To the south-east, the Alpago basin opens out. From the small Malga Pian Grant farm, the Costa Schienon ridge leads to the rocky peak of Cima delle Vacche at 2,058 metres. It makes for a fine full day’s hike, with the view widening at every step – Lago di Santa Croce shimmers below, and the Dolomites tower beyond.
Farther north, the Campanile di Val Montanaia rises some 300 metres from the floor of its glacial valley. The walk from Rifugio Pordenone takes about three hours over scree and is suited to experienced hikers. The Perugini bivouac beneath the spire offers overnight accommodation – when climbers reach the summit during the day, they ring a small bell, which peals across the valley below.
Restaurants
Outdoor dining at Agriturismo Bon Tajer near Lentia. Photograph: Alberto Bogo
The isolation that once made these valleys hard to reach has also kept their culinary customs intact. Near Lentia in the Valbelluna, Agriturismo Bon Tajer has hundreds of hand-painted wooden plates and chopping boards hanging from the ceilings and walls. Four generations of farmers have run the kitchen where the dishes are made with local herbs and valley produce – egg custards arrive cooked in their own shells, starters come on beds of moss with foraged flowers. Finish with the farm’s own idromele, a fermented honey drink. The mountains glow purple at sunset from the terrace. It’s a 30-minute drive up from Belluno.
Higher up, above Feltre, Malga Campon sits on the summit plateau of Monte Avena. It’s a stone-and-wood hut surrounded by cattle, horses and donkeys grazing freely, with views across the Vette Feltrine peaks, the Lagorai chain and the Monte Grappa massif. In early spring, the meadows fill with white and purple crocuses. The food is homemade – thick slices of bread with pastìn and malga cheese, best eaten under a tree with the animals grazing nearby. Malga Campon is also a starting point for hikes across the plateau. It’s a 30-minute drive from Feltre.
Rifugios and farm stays
The cosy, remote Bivacco dei Loff. Photograph: Denis Perilli
In the north of the region, above Domegge di Cadore, the road ends at Rifugio Padova. But hike on up through the woods and meadows surrounding the Casera Vedorcia dairy under the jagged limestone peaks of Spalti di Toro, to Rifugio Tita Barba di Pieve(open June-Sept but book ahead, €50-80 a night including dinner), a gorgeous alpine log cabin. The hike takes about two and a half hours on the CAI 342 and 352 trails, but the rifugio serves delicious meals and has comfy beds. From the nearby viewpoint on Monte Vedorcia, the panorama stretches over the Centro Cadore lake to the Antelao and Marmarole peaks.
For something even wilder, Bivacco dei Loff, which perches beneath the cliff of Crodón del Gevero, is a cosy stone bothy with a fireplace, a loft for sleeping and a table at the window overlooking the Valle del Rujo – on clear days, the view reaches the Venetian lagoon. Below, the Via dell’Acqua follows the stream past ruined mills and washhouses down to Cison di Valmarino. It’s about a 90-minute hike from Passo San Boldo on trail 991. You can’t book and it’s free to stay, so bring a tent in the event it’s full.
In the far eastern edges of the region, the Cansiglio plateau rises into a forested tableland. Agriturismo Filippon is just a 30-minute drive from the A27, hidden in an alpine meadow ringed by fir and beech. Mountain cattle graze the clearing and wild deer also visit. Meals are prepared with farm-fresh goods and there is a barrel sauna and open-air bathtub. The old Gran Bosco de Reme di San Marco, where Venice once sourced timber for boats’ oars, beckons above, and you could walk for days here, lost in mountain air.
Huge crowds have greeted Pope Leo in Cameroon, returning to a country he visited 20 years ago as ‘Father Bob’. Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque was there, and explains how the Roman Catholic leader is transforming the church as congregations shrink in Europe but expand in Africa.
