families

WE all know Americans do things a lot bigger than in the UK – from fast food to drink sizes – and it goes for play areas too.

One in the US the size of a football pitch has caught the eye of Brits who say they’d love to see one open in the UK.

Called The Fun Station Cedar Falls, the enormous play area stretches across 70,000 square feet and is the state of Iowa‘s largest indoor adventure park.

It has over 20 attractions from zip lines to trampolines, an obstacle course, laser tag, racing slides, bowling alleys and fairground rides.

There’s a multi-level play maze, seven climbing walls as high as 22ft, a high-ropes course at 55ft, an arcade with 35 video arcade games where players can win prizes.

There’s food on-site too from a salad bar, to a cafe and fizzy drink station.

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It’s popular with local parents who say that their kids “love to climb for hours here”.

With a video doing the rounds on Facebook, it’s even caught the attention of UK residents with one even saying “wish we had this in the UK”.

For UK parents, one parent in the comments suggested heading to Riverside Hub in Northampton.

One writer Catherine Lofthouse visited the attraction that has the UK’s largest playframe across four floors, which they called ‘soft play on steroids’.

Catherine said: “Laser tag, crazy golf, two climbing poles, go-karts and even arcade machines all included in the price.

“The main issue is keeping an eye on all your children as they head off in opposite directions to make the most of everything on offer.

“While the youngest was taking a spin on the carousel, my middle son was clambering up the two 10m climbing poles, one in the shape of an oak tree and the other a beanstalk, in the centre of the hub.”

There are also Fun Stations in the UK – but these are owned by a different company.

In cities like Birmingham, Leeds and Milton Keynes, there are Fun Stations that are more like arcades.

It’s packed with immersive and action-packed video and VR games, along with carnival games where visitors can win top prizes like iPads and headphones.

Some destinations even have dodgems, mini bowling, laser tag, escape rooms and mini golf.

For more on play areas, here are five of the UK’s biggest indoor soft plays to escape the rainy weather with huge climbing frames and drop slides.

And here is a huge new wooden play attraction that’s set to open at a historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.

Nisreen Nassar and her family, like many other Palestinians, continue to live in schools and makeshift shelters.

Just before sunset on Thursday, Nisreen Nassar crouched over her makeshift oven, burning wood and scraps of plastic to bake bread for her family so they could break their fast.

Four months after the United States-brokered “ceasefire” came into effect in October, and as US President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday, she wasn’t expecting to be sheltering with her family in an abandoned school and cooking on an open fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“Our preparations and expectations for Ramadan this month were that it would be better than previous ones during the war. Unfortunately, it is worse,” Nassar told Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City.

Nassar’s family is one of many still living in schools and makeshift shelters throughout northern Gaza, relying on humanitarian aid for their basic needs and barely able to prepare a meal to break their fast, known as Iftar, due to gas shortages.

Nassar, her husband Thaer, and their seven children lived in Beit Hanoon, in the northeast, before Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, which has killed more than 72,000 people, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health statistics.

They have since been displaced several times, from Beit Hanoon to Rafah and Khan Younis in the south.

The Nassar family is still waiting for a decision that would allow them to return home – or to what remains of it. This marks the third Ramadan that they have been living in a school, which, apart from the concrete walls, offers little shelter.

The children sleep not in beds, but directly on a classroom floor. The Nassar family’s only possessions comprise a few bags of clothes and some thin blankets.

Thaer said his children are afraid to go outside due to Israeli gunfire, in violation of the “ceasefire” agreement.

“My children live in fear, whether they go out into the street or stay here in the shelter. In the past, in better days, they had better times, playing ball, going to school, and then returning home.”

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the “ceasefire” came into effect.

While Palestinians have had little respite this Ramadan, Mahmoud said Palestinians remain steadfast.

“For many of the Palestinians sheltering inside this school, Iftar is a celebration of spiritual resilience, unbroken by Israel’s genocide and a future that is far from certain.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has showcased a newly constructed residential street for families of soldiers who have died fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to state media.

Intelligence agencies from South Korea and Western nations have reported that North Korea has dispatched thousands of soldiers to fight for Russia, and Seoul estimated they have suffered 2,000 casualties.

Experts suggested North Korea receives financial aid, military technology and essential supplies from Russia in exchange for this support.

Its official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released photographs showing Kim touring the new homes on Saeppyol Street in Pyongyang with his daughter, Ju Ae, widely regarded as his heir apparent.

South Korea’s intelligence agency recently claimed she has been “designated as a successor”, citing her involvement in high-profile events with her father.

One image depicted families inspecting utilities in their new apartments.

“The new street has been built thanks to the ardent desire of our motherland, which wishes that … its excellent sons who defended the most sacred things by sacrificing their most valuable things will live forever,” Kim said in a speech released by KCNA.

Although Monday’s report did not mention Russia, Kim recently pledged to “unconditionally support” all policies and decisions made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Before their death, the heroic martyrs must have pictured in their mind’s eye their dear families living in the ever-prospering country,” he added.

The unveiling preceded the ruling Workers’ Party congress in Pyongyang, the nation’s most significant political event, scheduled this month. Observers are closely monitoring Kim’s announcements on foreign and domestic policy directions as well as whether Ju Ae will be granted any official party titles.

Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told the AFP news agency that the timing of the street inauguration represents a “highly calculated political move to justify its soldier deployment” before the party congress.

“It visualises the state providing tangible compensation to the families of fallen soldiers … as a symbolic showcase,” he said.

ONE of the most popular beaches in the UK will close during half-term.

Undergoing important works to ensure it’s ready for summer, part of Weymouth Beach will close to visitors next week.

In a Facebook post, Weymouth Town Council gave advance notice of the beach closure for ‘annual levelling works’.

It detailed that from Monday 16 until Friday 20, 2026, Weymouth Beach will be closed between the Pavilion Theatre and the Jubilee Clock.

It added that “the reason the work needs to be done now is because we need to coincide with the spring tide”.

“During the spring tide, more of the beach is exposed, which allowed the team to get the diggers further on to the beach”.

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Diggers will take to the sand to level it out from where it’s been moved from bad weather and tides – all in preparation for peak summer season.

Some comments on the post aren’t overly positive due to the closure coinciding with the half-term break.

One person wrote: “But why do it at school half term its crazy.”

Another added: “Half term week of all weeks! Next you’ll be telling us that you are going to close off the best part of the beach for a week in the summer holidays.”

A third wrote: “That’s half term week! Going to have very disappointed children.”

Others were more understanding with one encouraging families to watch the diggers in operation.

The part of the beach past the clock tower will remain open to visitors.

Weymouth is one of the most popular beaches in the country and was named one of the best beaches in Europe by Tripadvisor last year.

Previously, Weymouth was also named the UK’s best beach by The Times – it beat 49 other beaches that also made the list.

If you want some more space on the beach, just a 17-minute drive away from Weymouth is the longest and largest in the county.

Chesil Beach has 18 miles of stretching coastline, and on the part of the promenade that’s on the Isle of Portland, is one of the best pubs in the UK.

The Cove House Inn made an appearance on the list of the 25 best spots for a pint by Big 7 Travel last year.

One visitor commented: “And the VIEWS! Amazing – right on Chesil beach with views out to sea. What a gem of a place.”

For more beaches, here are Sun Travel’s 26 must-visit UK beaches for 2026 – including tropical-feel spots and family-friendly finds.

Plus, one Travel Writer reveals their favourite spots on the pretty UK coastline with the most Blue Flag beaches.

Adventure Leisure, operator of Mulligans indoor crazy golf and Ninja Warrior UK venues, is introducing a mobile phone ban during February half term week to give families more time to connect without smartphone distractions

We’re all aware that excessive screen time can negatively impact our mental wellbeing, yet stepping away from our devices entirely remains a challenge. Even during family outings, many of us can’t resist a quick peek at emails or a scroll through social media.

That’s why the company behind two popular UK attractions has revealed plans to ban mobile phones across its venues this half term, allowing families to spend quality time together free from smartphone distractions. Adventure Leisure, behind the move, describes the initiative as the first of its kind in Britain, with a ‘phone patrol’ ensuring guests keep their devices tucked away.

Adventure Leisure operates Mulligans, a chain of indoor crazy golf centres that also features activities ranging from pool to virtual reality experiences, alongside five Ninja Warrior UK venues. Throughout February half term week – running from February 16 to 22 – its locations will transform into ‘no phone zones’, with families requested to switch their mobiles to airplane mode upon entry.

According to a company statement, the initiative will enable “uninterrupted time to create lasting memories” for parents and children alike. Instead, families can immerse themselves in Mulligans’ entertainment offerings, including themed crazy golf, electro-darts, rebound shuffleboard, and karaoke.

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Meanwhile, at Ninja Warrior UK, families can tackle numerous challenges at adventure parks boasting climbing frames, inflatables, and various physical activities inspired by the hit television programme. Families visiting Mulligans this February half-term will receive a 50% discount voucher valid for a return trip in March.

The mobile phone ban for the forthcoming February school holidays follows concerns raised by Catherine, Princess of Wales, who warned that excessive screen time is fuelling an “epidemic of disconnection”.

Writing alongside Professor Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School, she highlighted the damaging impact of smartphone overuse, cautioning: “We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”

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Recent research revealed that British adults now spend more time glued to their mobiles than watching television, clocking up an average of seven and a half hours of daily screen time. The findings also exposed the relentless nature of phone usage compared to TV viewing.

Whilst television consumption peaks outside working hours, mobile phone activity remains constant throughout the day, making it a persistent distraction during both professional and personal time.

Stephen Brown, Chief Operating Officer at Adventure Leisure, commented, “We know how important spending quality time with your family is, so we wanted to create the best environment where our guests can make their memories. We’re really proud to be the first leisure operator to introduce an official ‘No Phone Zone’, and we hope to see others following suit in the future.”

FINALLY the Southbank Centre is getting (some of) the attention it deserves.

This week, the brutalist building on the Thames near the London Eye
has been listed for its brutalist appearance.

But its looks are only part of its appeal.

As a travel writer and mum living in London, I’ve long considered it
to be one of the capital’s greatest attractions for families.

I schlep up to Waterloo every other month with my 7 year old to one of
their many free, or affordable activities for kids.

We’ve done their soft play using recycled materials, seen at least
three of their excellent family theatre shows (where you can get
tickets from around £12 to £20 depending on the show), have built a
Moomin House at a free workshop using saws and hammers and, most
recently, had a free drawing lesson with a well-known doodle artist
and attended a free kids rave.

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So many of the events that Southbank puts on for families on weekends
and in school holidays are completely free, but what makes them even
better in my opinion, is how wonderfully varied they are.

Take next week, for instance, when they are holding an ‘Imagine
Festival’ for half term.

The nine-day roster includes an interactive dance rave for children and
their families with deaf hosts, a live gig by CBBC’s Andy And The Odd
Socks, the theatre production of Mrs Armtiage On Wheels, a wildlife
jamboree and a pop-up Parkour session – and this just scratches the
surface, there are MANY more activities too.

I’m particularly looking forward to taking my son to the musical
version of the Dog Man comic books, which will be shown at the centre
this summer.

Another free event coming to the destination soon is the Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade from February 17.

The famous illustrator and author has made his memories of the 1951 Festival of Britain into an installation across the Southbank Centre.

I could probably go on for another 300 words about how wonderful this
institution is – so if you are planning a trip to London, do make sure
to check out the What’s On section of their website and see if anything appeals.

The 1960s Brutalist landmark has battled for a Grade II listed status for more than three decades, and finally got accepted this week.

Specific buildings at the site that have been given Grade II listed status include the centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery and terraced walkways and stairs.

The riverside centre opened back in 1967 and at the time it was voted as Britain’s ugliest building by Daily Mail readers.

The building was also the only post-war building on London’s South Bank to remain unlisted.

Twentieth Century Society and Historic England had recommended listing the Southbank Centre on six occasions since 1991, but the recommendation was rejected by the Secretary of State each time, until now.

Historic England argued that the Southbank Centre needed protection due to its “bold geometric formations, clustered to sculptural effect with a correspondingly dramatic silhouette”.

The use of exposed concrete was also praised, saying it had been “executed with exemplary technical skill”.

Twentieth Century Society director Catherine Croft said: “The battle has been won, and Brutalism has finally come of age.

“This is a victory over those who derided so-called ‘concrete monstrosities’ and shows a mature recognition of a style where Britain led the way.

“The lack of listing had become a complete anomaly.

“It is admired as one of the best Brutalist buildings in the world, so this decision is obviously very well deserved and long overdue.

“The arts complex is a highly sophisticated, sculptural masterpiece, with enormous richness of form and detail inside and out.

“The experience it gives concert goers and gallery visitors is unlike any other venue in the country, its virtuoso spaces still unrivalled.”

In other attraction news, how to get into hundreds of the UK’s top attractions for FREE next month.

Plus, new one-of-kind attraction at UK’s Warner Bros Studio is perfect for Harry Potter nerds like me .

it might not be on many people’s must-visit lists but people love it here.

It might not be on many tourists’ must-visit lists but locals in this town say they can’t think of anywhere they’d rather live. Just half an hour from Sheffield, and around 90 minutes from Manchester, it’s home to a thriving community, a stunning market and a huge range of independent shops.

Meeting with residents and shop owners on a grey day, life in the town bustles on despite the gloomy weather. Chesterfield is known for its historic crooked church spire which dominates its skyline. In recent years, the town has begun to grow, with plenty more on the horizon.

Alec Chapman-Taylor, 32, works at the Cheese Factor. The business has become a core part of the town with people travelling into Chesterfield to purchase its cheese. There’s a constant flow of customers despite the dull weather.

He says: “There’s a new market square, that’s going to be like the new event square. It’s fantastic. It looks a lot better. I think it’s hard to be an independent business these days. I really do think it’s hard. Luckily for us, Simon, who owns the place, has been here since the 60s with his dad.

“I’ve worked in the town now for probably the last maybe 10 or 15 years. Chesterfield has this kind of unique position where we have the heritage here. So the town hall is quite old. Again, I’d say the market’s quite old and traditional. It’s been going on for a long time. A lot of people have family connections to the market too which makes it really special.”

He says one of the town’s strengths is its quirky independent shops and he estimates there are around 80 in Chesterfield.

He adds: “The Davidson family have been running a cheese store since the early 60s, I’ve only been working here for two years but I’ve lived in Chesterfield since the mid-90s and I love it. I really love it. I’ve lived in quite a few places including Manchester, but I always came back to Chesterfield. It’s the perfect size and it’s got anything you want. I just really enjoy it, the people are really nice. It’s got some fantastic bars. I’m bringing up a family here. All my brothers and sisters all live here too – we’ve moved our family from elsewhere to Chesterfield.”

In terms of improvements, he says he has always wanted to see more events – and those have started to be put on now too. He explains: “We had an animatronic dinosaurs day which was great for the kids and we had a 1940s market which people loved too.”

Out on the high street, plenty of shoppers are milling around, dipping in and out of shops. Janice Wallhead, 72, is out shopping for the day. She says: “I’ve lived here for 40 years and I like it here. I can walk into town and I do think the high street is good but I would like to see a bit more variation. We have lost a few things over the years – a few of the fashion shops. There’s been some money spent on improving the market but I still think there’s other things that need to be improved in town other than just the market.”

Bringing new life to a well-known pub, The Royal Oak, Patrick Hopman, 30 and Meg Hopman, 29, say they think Chesterfield has a lot to offer. The couple have become known among local business owners for defying the odds and making a success of the pub despite the current economic climate.

The two former school teachers say the pub has been a great success – and stepping inside, it’s not hard to see why. Walking through a small door on a side street, the building opens up once you’re inside. Bright orange walls are adorned with memorabilia which the pair have collected. From decorative plates to signs and posters, it’s a feast for the eyes.

At the other side of the bar is a church-like setting, not too dissimilar from the set of a film. There’s stained glass windows, high ceilings and dried flowers.

The couple have clearly established the pub as a place to visit and a destination in the town. Pat says: “We took a bit of a punt by buying this pub but we’ve been really pleasantly surprised. We’ve had it for a year but we reopened it in April last year.

“Chesterfield has a few really unique buildings, the Spire is the main one. But after that, our pub is on the list for sure – school trips actually come and sit outside on our benches.”

Pat grew up in London and Meg grew up in Devon but they say they now feel at home in Chesterfield. They both agree that, at first, they wanted to live in Sheffield but due to Chesterfield being cheaper, they opted for the town instead – with the thought that Sheffield is just a short drive away.

But after living in Chesterfield, they say that everything they need is there, and they find themselves visiting Sheffield less and less. Pat says: “We’re about five minutes’ drive from the Peak District. We’re perfectly situated for Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham. It’s less than two hours into London. We even went to Newcastle last weekend which is only two hours away as well. Location wise, it’s great.”

Pat adds: “There’s quite a lot of negativity around, especially when I’ve been to loads of meetings where everyone says the town centre’s dead. I think it’s complete rubbish – certainly from what we’ve seen.”

Locals say the town is one filled with creativity and life. Emily Bowman, 44, managing director at Junction Arts, which is a community based arts charity based in the town, is keen to have an array of artists paint murals on some of the town’s buildings to add colour and vibrancy.

Arriving at its new home, there’s paintings and sculptures dotted around as we head to the conference room to talk about Chesterfield’s future. On February 1, a total of 11 local creatives took up a spot in the building.

Emily says she has high hopes for the town. She told the Express: “All of our work is grassroots and up so we work really closely with our community and there’s a real sense of pride in where people are from, what our communities have been through.

“We’re an ex-mining community and ex-industrial so there’s been quite a lot of change but there is a real sense of history in our town. It echoes across our business and across the community.”

Emily says that in May, she is looking forward to the Chesterfield Make-Off which will see around 40 artists “making and creating”. She adds that it’s an opportunity for locals to get involved and “see what we’ve got on our doorstep and how brilliant it is”.

She adds: “It’s really important to recognise the huge ambition for the future of Chesterfield.” Chesterfield might not be your first thought for a day out, but it’s a place that is definitely putting itself on the map. With affordable homes and great transport connections to larger cities nearby, it’s no surprise that so many people don’t want to leave.

Palestinian medics say several of the 54 bodies were found to be mutilated and showed extensive signs of abuse.

Israel has returned dozens of Palestinian bodies and human remains to Gaza without providing any information about their identities or how they were killed, according to Palestinian medical officials.

The remains arrived at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Wednesday in plain white bags and are now being examined by forensic teams in an effort to identify them and provide answers to grieving families.

“The bags carry the weight of lives lost. Now they’re undergoing examination, prolonging the grief of families desperate for closure,” Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili reported from al-Shifa Hospital on Saturday.

Palestinian medics say several bodies were mutilated.

“The International Committee of the Red Cross handed over 120 body bags containing 54 bodies as well as skull samples placed in 66 separate bags,” forensic official Omar Suleiman told Al Jazeera.

Previous exchanges of Palestinian prisoners’ bodies have revealed extensive signs of abuse, with many showing indications of torture, mutilation and execution.

In November, the rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel released a report saying at least 94 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli custody, citing causes including torture, medical neglect, malnutrition and physical assault.

The group said the actual toll could be significantly higher.

‘Missing for 10 months’

For many Palestinians, the search for missing relatives has shifted from streets and rubble to computer screens and improvised identification centres.

At al-Shifa, Shadi al-Fayoumi scrolled through blurred and graphic images, hoping to spot anything recognisable that might tell him what happened to his brothers.

“My brothers have been missing for 10 months. They disappeared in the Tuffah neighbourhood,” al-Fayoumi, whose brothers remain missing, told Al Jazeera.

“I went to al-Shifa Medical Complex, where we were told there were bodies we could try to identify. However, the images were unclear and lacked discernible features. How are we expected to identify them under these conditions?”

According to al-Fayoumi, his brothers had gone in search of food and water during the peak of the famine last year but never returned.

“We contacted multiple institutions, but none was willing to help or provide reliable information,” al-Fayoumi added.

Al Jazeera’s al-Khalili said al-Fayoumi’s mother has been “inconsolable”.

“His brothers’ children are silent, unwilling to voice their worst fears. Israeli forces hand over the bodies of Palestinians with little regard for human dignity,” he added.

“There is no information on how they died or how long they were held, leaving Palestinians with not only their grief but unanswered questions.”

New figures have revealed where some of the most family-friendly beaches in the world are located — and one of the selections can be found right on our doorstep

A British beach has been named as one of the safest for families to have a day out. It has now been likened to similar beaches in sun-drenched locations such as the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

Porthcurno Beach is one of Britain’s most beautiful locations, hidden away on the Cornish coast. Located close to Land’s End, the cove is a gorgeous hidden gem for those looking to beat the crowds and have a more relaxed staycation.

And now, it has been revealed that Porthcurno Beach is one of the top 20 beaches in the world for families to enjoy themselves safely. It ranks among the likes of breathtaking Adriatic beaches and sun-kissed exotic locations, showing that Britain is indeed one of the best places for adults and kids alike.

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House of Travel put together a meta-list of the beaches that appear most regularly on the ‘world’s best beaches’ lists. Once a list was collated, the shortlist was generated, rating each beach’s cleanliness, local crime rates, lifeguard presence, and crowd levels.

Porthcurno Beach officially came in at #4 on the list, with experts praising its cosy nature, hidden away from the crowds of tourists. Whilst they did admit the beach did get rather packed in the summer, other elements raised its score to a high level.

“Turns out you don’t need to fly halfway around the world for a safe family beach experience, with Porthcurno Beach bringing Britain into the top five,” the study noted. “Tucked away in Cornwall near Land’s End, this cove is famous for its turquoise waters and white sand — colours you’d more typically associate with the Caribbean.”

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The study found that having lifeguards present and visible throughout the summer season improved the beach’s safety year-round. This is down to “strong Atlantic currents” that can prove dangerous if people aren’t aware of them. The cleanliness of the beach also put it in good standing, as well as Cornwall’s incredibly low crime rate, making it a perfect stay for those looking for a small getaway in a gorgeous part of Britain’s unbeatable coastline.

Topping the overall global list was Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Lifeguards are on duty practically all year round, with the beach never getting that busy, even at the height of the peak season.

Turkey’s Iztuzu Beach in the Dalyan area came in at number two, with a relatively busy peak season, but punters heading to the beach were seen to be very clean. Dubai’s Kite Beach rounded out the top three, although it was considerably more busy than most beaches that featured on the list and a marginally higher crime rate, and one shark attack in the region.

Other sunny holiday destinations featured throughout the list, including reliable British favourites in Spain, Portugal and Italy. However, more up-and-coming destinations, including Montenegro and Cambodia, also made appearances.

The full list of the world’s safest beaches is:

1. Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
3. Kite Beach, Dubai, UAE
4. Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno, United Kingdom
5. Kalamies Beach, Paralimni region, Cyprus
6. Playa de Rodas, Vigo, Spain
7. Playa de Muro, Can Picafort, Mallorca, Spain
8. Sveti Stefan Beach, Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
9. Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
10. Henderson Beach, Destin, Florida, United States
11. La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
12. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
13. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
14. Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta
15. Kep Beach, Cambodia
16. Tulum Beach, Tulum, Mexico
17. Cala Brandinchi, Olbia, Sardinia, Italy
18. Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States
19. La Concha Beach, San Sebastián, Spain
20. Mandraki Beach, Hydra, Greece

TRACY Kennedy is the Queen of Holidays from £9.50, having taken 30 of them and with even more booked to come.

In her decades of Sun holiday experience, Tracy has stayed in holiday parks all over the UK – and knows exactly how to make the most out of your £9.50 break.

So whether you’re wondering when is the best time to book, or how to choose a holiday park with plenty to do for both adults and kids – Tracy’s here with all the answers.

Is it best to book super early or wait for the last minute deals?

Lyn Shephard

Definitely book as early as you can, because the popular and cheap accommodation goes quickly. And it’s better to have more choice between the holiday parks.

Not everyone is able to book something in January. Don’t worry if you’ve missed out on booking early – there’s a top-up of £9.50 holidays later in the year.

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Make sure to check all of the promotions that pop up, because sometimes the cheaper options will come back. They’re definitely worth a look, especially if you weren’t able to book on the first release.

Any suggestions for parks better catered to the elderly?

Henry McCaffery

I’d recommend Parkdean Resorts’ Cherry Tree in East Norfolk. It’s in a beautiful countryside setting, and only a short drive to the beach.

It’s very much a relaxing holiday, and there’s plenty to do nearby.

You’ve got Gorelston-on-Sea a 10-minute drive away, and Burgh Castle is only a couple of minutes away. Plus there’s Lowestoft to visit in the opposite direction, if you want a day trip out.

There’s also plenty to do on the park itself, and lots of countryside walks nearby. Norfolk is very flat, so you won’t have to walk up many hills.

Lighthouse Leisure up in Scotland is another good option. It’s a smaller park, with lots of local things to do in the area.

It’s less than an hour’s drive to Gretna Green, or you could visit Sweetheart Abbey, its a really pretty old building. There’s even bird-watching sanctuaries up there, too.

And if you visit at quieter times of year, like during school term times, any park will be quieter. Everything winds down then, and it feels a lot more peaceful.

Where is the best place to go on a walking holiday on a small budget?

Thomas Riley

For the best walks, I’d recommend a site in Wales or a site on the Coastal Path.

One of the best would be Golden Sands in Rhyl. If you use that park as a base, you’ve got loads of walks from there.

The walking route runs all the way from the holiday park to Llandudno – you probably couldn’t do the whole thing in one day, but it depends how fit you are!

Alternatively, stay at a camp near Snowdonia, and drive out there.

If you stay somewhere like Ty Mawr in Conwy, it’s about a 10-minute drive to get into Snowdonia. And there’s not much that beats the nature there!

A good option in England would be to stay in Malvern. You’ve got the Malvern hills, which when I went I thought were absolutely stunning.

Plus, it makes for a nice walking break that’s not coastal.

Can you buy more than one discounted holiday?

Elaine Burns

Oh yes you can! You can use your codes or the Sun Club entry to book as much as you want. You could book 50 holidays if you really wanted to.

I know people in my Facebook group who have booked weeks back-to-back and gone away for a whole month.

They were free to take some time off work, so they booked this way as it was more affordable for them. It was much cheaper than booking direct, so they were very happy!

Is there a curfew at holiday parks?

I. Jones

In my experience there’s been no curfews at holiday parks.

Once you’ve got your keys to your caravan, you can come and go whenever you want.

A lot of holiday parks have entertainment and bars open until midnight and beyond, but even when they shut that doesn’t stop you going out and coming home whenever you want.

Just make sure to double check with your specific park.

My kids love going on sunny holidays while my wife and I love culture and history, how can we blend both into one holiday?

Chris Fox

I’d recommend Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands in East Sussex, it’s an option that’ll please both you and the kids!

The beach is beautiful, and it’s great for kids to run around and play. Plus there’s a little amusement park on the seafront.

It’s also only a 10-minute drive or bus journey into the town of Rye, which is really pretty and old-fashioned.

And if you want a good day out for history, go out further to Hastings. I stayed in Hastings for one of my first ever Sun holidays, and I loved it.

There’s absolutely loads for history lovers in 1066 Country – I went to Hastings Castle and loved it, and there’s Battle Abbey too.

And if you like quaint little old shops, there’s Hastings Old Town, with lots of unique shops to have a nosy in.

JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, Feb. 3 (UPI) — Seven sets of remains belonging to victims of an early Cold War massacre were returned to their families on South Korea’s resort island of Jeju on Tuesday, more than seven decades after they disappeared amid the government’s bloody crackdown on a communist revolt.

The remains of the seven Jeju Massacre victims arrived at Jeju International Airport from Gimpo at about 2 p.m. local time Tuesday, where they were received by Jeju Gov. Oh Young-hoon, heads of various Jeju Massacre-related organizations and representatives of the bereaved families.

“I pray for the repose of the seven victims who had to lie without names for so many years, and I offer my words of comfort to the families who endured time without knowing the fate of their loved ones,” Oh said in his memorial address.

An estimated 30,000 islanders were killed between 1947 and 1954 during South Korea’s bloody anti-communist eradication campaign that literally decimated the island’s population of 300,000 and razed hundreds of villages.

Thousands of people went missing during the massacre, symbolized by the Cemetery of the Missing within the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, just south of Jeju City, where nearly 4,000 tombstones are etched with the names of islanders who disappeared during the seven-year period and are presumed dead.

Hundreds were executed and buried en masse at what is now known as Jeju International Airport following trumped-up court-martial trials, while more than 2,000 disappeared into the mainland prison system.

Since the mid-2000s, the Jeju government has spearheaded a program to find the bodies of those who went missing and identify them.

A total of 426 sets of remains have been exhumed, 387 from excavation sites at the Jeju International Airport, with the remainder found elsewhere on the island and on the mainland.

Three of the victims have been named as Kim Sa-rim, Yang Dal-hyo and Kang Du-nam, who were identified from remains excavated at the Golryeonggol, Daejeon, site, where roughly 1,400 sets of remains of civilians massacred during the Korean War have been recovered overall.

The remains of Im Tae-hoon and Song Du-seon were excavated from the Gyeongsan Cobalt Mine, where prisoners were executed when the Korean War began, marking the first time remains excavated at the Cobalt Mine have been identified.

Only one other body excavated from the Daejeon site has been confirmed as a victim of the Jeju Massacre — Kim Han-hong, who was returned to the island in 2023.

The Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation identified the remains in a statement, stating Kim Sa-rim, of Iho Village, Jeju City, was 25 when he was captured by government suppression forces in February 1949 while living as a refugee on Mt. Halla, after which his family only received rumors that he had been transferred to a prison.

Yang Dal-hyo, a 26-year-old farmer in Doryeon Village, went missing in June 1948. His family learned he was detained at the Jeju Distillery detention camp. After they were able to visit him once, they lost contact with Yang Dal-hyo.

Kang Du-nam, of Yeongdon Village, 24, was last heard of around October 1948 while he was living as a refugee on Mt. Halla, and then imprisoned at Daejeon Prison around July 1949.

Im Tae-hoon, 20, of Sogil Village, was detained by police in December 1948 and was imprisoned in Mokpo before being transferred to Daegu Prison and then executed at the cobalt mine.

Song Du-seon, 29, of Donghong Village, was arrested by police in the spring of 1949 and imprisoned at Daegu Prison in July of that year.

Song Tae-woo, 17, of Ora Village, was detained by suppression forces while living as a refugee on Mt. Halla in November 1948. After that, there were only accounts of him having been thrown into the sea or killed at the airport.

Kang In-gyeong, 46, of Sangmyeong Village, was detained by police in June 1950 with the outbreak of the Korean War. It was believed that he was killed at an ammunition depot in southern Moseulpo, though he was among those excavated from Jeju International Airport.

The identification process involves matching DNA from the excavated bones with that taken from blood samples of Jeju residents. The foundation has told UPI that some 2,600 people have donated blood samples.

Not only blood samples from direct descendants but from collateral relatives can be used to identify remains, the Jeju 4.3 Peace Foundation said, as it encourages more people to participate in the program.

It said the blood samples from nephews were “decisive” in identifying victims Kim Sa-rim and Im Tae-hoon, as were blood samples from grandsons in identifying the other five victims.

“Jeju Province will continue to exert its utmost efforts to find even a single remaining victim and return them safely to the embrace of their families,” Gov. Oh said.

With the seven recently identified remains, a total of 154 Jeju victims have been identified from the 426 excavated sets of remains, including 147 within Jeju and seven on the mainland.

A new blood sampling drive is being held from Monday through Nov. 30 at Halla Hospital in Jeju City and Yeollin Hospital in Seogwipo City.

“I met my father yesterday for the first time in 79 years,” Yang Gye-chun, the son of the late Yang Dal-hyo said, according to a statement from the Jeju government.

The remains were cremated at Sejong Eunhasu Park on the mainland, before being returned to Jeju.

“I’ve lived without knowing where or how he died, and how glad I am to finally see his face today,” Yang said. “Now that he has come all the way back to his hometown of Jeju, I hope we may meet my mother in heaven and rest peacefully.”

Washington, DC – A group of United States citizens and immigrant rights groups has launched a lawsuit seeking to challenge the sweeping suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries by the administration of United States President Donald Trump.

The lawsuit filed on Monday argues that the Trump administration has relied on a false narrative to justify the visa processing suspension, one of the most substantial restrictions on legal immigration in the country’s history.

The lawsuit charges the policy “constitutes an unlawful nationality-based ban on legal immigration and a new set of discriminatory, unlawful public charge rules that strips families and working people of the process guaranteed by law”, according to a case overview by the National Immigration Law Center, which is among the groups supporting the legal challenge.

The sprawling 106-page complaint further alleges that the administration relies “on an unsupported and demonstrably false claim that nationals of the covered countries migrate to the United States to improperly rely on cash welfare and are likely to become ‘public charges’”.

The State Department has described the action, announced in mid-January, as a “pause” on immigrant visa processing on “countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”.

The department has not revealed the criteria it used to determine which countries were added to the list, which comes amid a wider effort to constrict legal immigration pathways into the US and to deport undocumented citizens from the country.

The affected countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Brazil, Colombia, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Somalia and Russia.

The list also includes Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as several Caribbean, Pacific Island, and Eastern European countries.

Non-immigrant visas, including business and tourist visas, remain exempt.

“The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department said in January.

‘Arbitrary, unlawful, and deeply harmful’

More than a dozen organisations and individuals named as plaintiffs in Monday’s lawsuit, as well as the seven legal organisations supporting them, argue the administration’s policy misuses the so-called “public charge” ground for inadmissibility laid out in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The provision, they argue, is meant to be a determination made on an “individualised” basis that a person risks becoming “primarily and permanently dependent on government for subsistence” if they are granted immigration status.

In turn, they said the administration is violating another provision of the INA, which says “no person shall receive any preference or priority or be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person’s race, sex, nationality, place of birth, or place of residence”.

It further argues that the administration has adopted an overly broad interpretation of what constitutes a “public charge”.

The plaintiffs include US citizens who had petitioned and been approved for their family members, including children and spouses, to join them in the US, a process known as “family unification”. Other plaintiffs included foreign nationals approved for immigrant visas through their specialised employment.

Hasan Shafiqullah, immigration supervising attorney at The Legal Aid Society, called the State Department policy “arbitrary, unlawful, and deeply harmful to families who have followed the rules and are simply seeking to reunite with their loved ones”.

Other lawyers supporting the case underscored that the policy disproportionately affects people from Africa, the Middle East, South and Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, accused the administration of relying on “obviously pretextual tropes about nonwhite families undeservedly taking benefits”.

“Congress and the Constitution prohibit white supremacy as grounds for immigration policy.”

The lawsuit further points to “arbitrary and disparaging” statements made by Trump and administration officials about immigrants being likely to receive public benefits.

It notes that most immigrants are ineligible for most government assistance programmes, yet are required to pay local, state, and federal taxes.

The State Department did not reply to a request for comment on the new legislation from Al Jazeera. US agencies typically do not comment on pending litigation.

Chances of success

The odds of success for the new lawsuit, which comes amid a deluge of legal challenges, remained unclear.

Plaintiffs have won at least temporary pauses on several key immigration issues, particularly related to Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to swiftly deport alleged gang members and his effort to end birthright citizenship, as lawsuits make their way through the legal system.

Many more long-term decisions remain elusive.

Meanwhile, in 2018, a 5-4 ruling by the conservative-dominated US Supreme Court upheld Trump’s visa-processing ban on several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Somalia.

In the 2018 ruling, most justices ruled that the president had broad discretion to limit the entry of individuals into the US.

At the time, the Trump administration cited “national security” concerns rather than the “public charge” argument it has used in the most recent suspension.

WASHINGTON — Families of two Trinidadian nationals killed in a Trump administration boat strike last October sued the federal government on Tuesday, calling the attack a war crime and part of an “unprecedented and manifestly unlawful U.S. military campaign.”

The lawsuit is thought to be the first wrongful death case arising from the three dozen strikes that the administration has launched since September on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The complaint will test the legal justification of the Trump administration attacks; government officials have defended them as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States but many legal experts say they amount to a brazen violation of the laws of armed conflict.

The complaint echoes many of the frequently articulated concerns about the boat strikes, noting for instance that they have been carried out without congressional authorization and at a time when there is no military conflict between the United States and drug cartels that under the laws of war could justify the lethal attacks.

“These premeditated and intentional killings lack any plausible legal justification. Thus, they were simply murders, ordered by individuals at the highest levels of government and obeyed by military officers in the chain of command,” the lawsuit says.

The Defense Department said in an email that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit was filed by the mother of Chad Joseph and the sister of Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian nationals who were among six people killed in an October 14 missile strike on a boat traveling from Venezuela to Trinidad. The men were not members of any drug cartel, the lawsuit says, but had instead been fishing in the waters off the Venezuelan coast and were returning to their homes in Trinidad and Tobago.

The two had caught a ride home to Las Cuervas, a fishing community where they were from, on a small boat targeted in a strike announced on Truth Social by President Trump. All six people aboard the boat were killed.

“These killings were wrongful because they took place outside of armed conflict and in circumstances in which Mr. Joseph and Mr. Samaroo were not engaged in activities that presented a concrete, specific, and imminent threat of death or serious physical injury, and where there were means other than lethal force that could have reasonably been employed to neutralize any such threat,” the lawsuit says.

The death toll from the boat strikes is now up to at least 126 people, with the inclusion of those presumed dead after being lost at sea, the U.S. military confirmed Monday. The figure includes 116 people who were killed immediately in at least 36 attacks carried out since early September, with 10 others believed dead because searchers did not locate them following a strike.

The lawsuit is the first to challenge the legality of the boat strikes in court, according to Jen Nessel, a spokesperson for the Center for Constitutional Rights, which filed the lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts on behalf of the families, along with the ACLU and others.

Nessel said in an email that the center also has a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking the release of the legal justification for the strikes.

Tucker and Finley write for the Associated Press.

Malik from Gaza had just graduated from high school when an Israeli air strike killed him and more than 20 of his relatives during the war. Over 2,700 Palestinian families have been wiped out in 27 months by Israel’s genocide.