island

Crete welcomed approximately 6.6 million visitors last year, with British tourists averaging 8.1-night stays — but the Mirror has discovered the hidden gems of the island away from the beaches…

Goats bleat and their bells clang as they amble through the steep hillside shrubs, pausing to graze on wild thyme beneath a cloudless Cretan sky. I peer in the other direction and see the Aegean Sea sparkle, with waves kissing the rugged coastline.

Beaches are within a stone’s throw to my left – a northerly direction – yet I can pick my way to the right – to the south – and wander through grassland and hills to explore a trove of history. Crete, the largest and most populous island of Greece, offers that fascinating beauty – coasts and mountains in one spectacle.

It makes for a great holiday. The island is defined by rugged mountains, fertile valleys and endless olive groves. I made my home near Mochlos, a fishing village in the northeast of the island, which meant I could spend a couple of hours splashing in the sea at the beach in the mornings before exploring the history and nature inland in the afternoons.

The hills are dotted with historical attractions, including Toplou Monastery. Founded in the 14th century, it is still functioning. The monks there make wine and treat me to a splendid tasting session.

Crete’s history stretches back far beyond classical Greece. Archaeological evidence suggests people have lived here for more than 130,000 years, making it one of Europe’s oldest inhabited regions.

Tourism arrived in earnest during the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists such as Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens helped put the island on the map. While modern tourism has transformed parts of the coastline, much of Crete retains its timeless character.

And I enjoyed this charm along the north coast. One afternoon, I travelled west along the coast, hopped on a little boat and spent a short while on Spinalonga. This island, maintained as a fortress for centuries under Venetian rule, became a leper colony in the early 20th century. It has been uninhabited since 1962, and is now the second-most visited tourist site in Crete.

Head to Archanes, a town with roots stretching back some 5,000 years to the Minoan civilisation. The cobbled streets there are particularly beguiling. There is not a tourist in sight and barely an English voice to be heard. It feels as though little has changed for centuries.

But the atmosphere there and across the rural charms of northern Crete feels wonderfully authentic. Elderly locals in padded jackets sip beer, smoke cigarettes and play backgammon as the afternoon drifts by.

Venture into most of these rural towns and villages, and you’ll see colorful houses draped in bougainvillea. It is stunning to discover such genuine slices of Cretan life in a region that attracts so many visitors.

But this agricultural heritage is one of Crete’s greatest treasures — and the tourism helps protect and sustain it. This glorious island has indeed struck a chord between the modern sun-kissed holiday trap and the quaint traditional charm.

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Rooms at Ella Rocrita start from approx. £184 per night, depending on season.

It seems “Love Island USA” producers pulled one bombshell aside for a chat, one that has led to her firing from the hit reality dating series.

Contestant Alannah Keyser’s time in Fiji has officially come to an end as she faces backlash for apparently using a racial slur in a video and social media comments that recently resurfaced on social media. “Love Island USA” streamer Peacock confirmed to The Times on Friday that Keyser, a film student at USC from Miami, will no longer appear on the series. She is the second contestant Peacock dismissed this season over a racial slur scandal.

Keyser made her “Love Island USA” debut last week as one of the six women hopeful to strike up a connection with the male contestants in Casa Amor, testing the men’s relationship with their partners back in the villa. Keyser appeared to pair up with contestant Zach Georgiou. In her debut episode, she informed Georgiou she had a brief romance with his older brother Charlie, a previous “Love Island USA” contestant.

“Love Island USA” parted ways with contestant Alannah Keyser after she used a racial slur in social media comments and posts.

(Ben Symons / Peacock)

She faced allegations of racism amid her first “Love Island USA” episode when a social media user surfaced screenshots of Keyser allegedly using the N-word on Snapchat and Instagram. A user on X (formerly Twitter) also published video of Keyser seemingly saying the slur as she sings along to Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” at a party. Some viewers — and other contestants on the series — also observed that Keyser interacted less with the Black men on the series in her debut episode.

A source familiar with “Love Island USA” production said the controversial video and posts only became public on social media after Keyser’s first episode and that the posts were not viewable during the series’ vetting process. Peacock confirmed Kesyer’s firing hours after the U.S. Sun reported her exit and minimized screen time. “Producers were disappointed and embarrassed that this has become another mishap,” a source told the outlet.

Keyser did not immediately respond to a request for comment via social media.

Keyser is the fourth “Love Island USA” contestant in two years to face scrutiny for her past use of racial slurs. Earlier this month, Peacock pulled beauty technician Vasana Montgomery from its Season 8 lineup before the season started. Last year, contestant Cierra Ortega prematurely left the villa as she faced criticism for her past social media posts that included a slur for Chinese (and, more generally, Asian) people. A month before that, contestant Yulissa Escobar was dismissed by the season’s second episode amid social media outcry over her use of the N-word.

Those three contestants have since publicly apologized for their posts.

Love Island viewers missing the ITV series this Saturday should tune into this other hit show

Love Island has once again vanished from our telly schedules, but we’ve got just the programme to fill the void in its absence.

ITV viewers will be aware that the reality series broadcasts fresh episodes every Sunday through to Friday, with a blooper-style edition appearing on our screens each Saturday.

While the Unseen Bits episode has become increasingly popular over the years, it doesn’t always deliver the same dramatic impact as the main programme. So those craving a new fix of reality TV drama might well be searching for an alternative.

They’re in luck because Are You The One? is presently available to stream on Paramount Plus.

Branded as ‘unhinged’ by audiences, the dating programme first launched on MTV in 2014, before transferring to streaming platform Paramount in 2023, reports OK!.

Audiences follow a group of men and women who have been secretly paired with their ‘perfect partner’ by a matchmaking algorithm. They are then placed under one roof and must attempt to discover their other half.

If the participants successfully identify all of the perfect couples, they secure a prize fund of up to $1 million. The contestants are free to pursue any romantic connections within the house, much like in Love Island.

However, they have the distinctive option to consult the ‘Truth Booth’ to confirm if they are genuinely a match.

While the American series falls into the same category as Love Island, some audiences believe it compels contestants to genuinely pursue authentic romantic connections rather than coasting in friendship pairings until the finale.

Heading to Reddit, one enthusiastic viewer shared their thoughts: “I just watched the two seasons on Netflix and it’s what I always wanted Love Island to be. People actually mixing, doing things, partying,… Instead of policing people if they dare talk to a person, they’ve been ‘coupled up with’ for a day.”

They went on to say: “I think LI need to look at shows like that and apply some things. Give them incentive to not just pick a person at the start and then chill for weeks.”

Viewers have also posted glowing write-ups, with one social media user writing: “I love drama and cat fights so if you love to entertained I would watch it. Couples being broken up and people getting jealous it’s so interesting.”

Another enthusiastic fan declared: “Just binge watched season 1 of [Are You The One]!!!! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! HOW IS THIS SHOW NOT MORE POPULAR!?”

Are You The One? is streaming now on Paramount Plus

LONDON is undoubtedly home to numerous hidden gems, but I bet you didn’t know it has a secret island slap bang in the middle of the Thames.

Oh, and two times a year you can even visit it – including next weekend.

Eel Pie Island sits in the middle of the River Thames in Twickenham, around 20 minutes from Waterloo.

The rather exclusive island has a very famous past as well.

The destination used to host live music events with top acts including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who and Pink Floyd.

In the 19th century, it was even a popular resort with steamboats and the famous Eel Pie Island Hotel, which sadly closed in 1967 after its dancefloor collapsed.

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After the hotel’s closure, the island became a hippie commune – and this is where the island’s creative haven that you see today started to emerge.

On the island today, there are over 26 artists across cottages and studios which are littered around the island.

Twice a year, the island opens its bridge to visitors, where you can explore the intricate network of paths and venture through what feels like a jungle to discover the different artists’ huts.

The island spans no more than nine acres and you can easily walk around it within an hour.

With small jetties off the end of gardens and plants that look way too tropical to be surviving in the Big Smoke, the island does feel more like Little Venice in Los Angeles than an urban jungle.

Roughly 120 people live on the island across 50 houses and houseboats and as you meander the paths you’ll see quirky enamel signs and American-style post boxes.

These all just add to the Californian vibe, with different spots on the island named ‘Palm Beach’, ‘Copper Beach’ and ‘Love Shack’.

Several spots across the island also feel like treasure troves of antique junk, from headless mannequins to hanging bird cages.

You can explore the island and workshops for as long as you like on the day you have a ticket for – which are free.

There are even a couple of spots where you can stay on the island.

One is a flat in a converted boatyard – it has one bedroom, along with a sofa bed and a living area.

Alternatively, you could stay in a converted boat house.

The Open Studios weekends take place on July 4 to 5 and July 11 to 12 between 11am and 5pm.

Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite.

OFF THE coast of Northumberland is a “pint-sized island” where you’re more likely to spot a cute seal than a local.

Holy Island, also called Lindisfarne, is often overlooked as a holiday destination.

However, we spoke to tour guide Patrick Norris who has visited hundreds of times, and raved about the nature of the island.

In fact there’s so much wildlife that it has even 6,000 seals to its 150 permanent residents.

Patrick, who hosts guided tours across the Pilgrim’s Walk to the island, told us: “The Atlantic grey seals haul out on the sandbars during the summer and sit and shout – they can be really noisy.

“Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen too, and there’s the occasional minke whale that passes through the harbour.

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“Porpoises are regular visitors to the offshore areas around Holy Island too.

“For birds, the Farne Islands are the best place to visit as they are home to around 200,000 summer seabirds.

“The puffins and pretty much all the seabirds nesting on the Farnes are only there really from mid-April to mid-August.”

You can see the Farne Islands from Holy Island, and the best way to see them is on a boat trip from Seahouses Harbour.

Northumberland is also known for its beautiful coastline and has some of the best beaches in the country, like Bamburgh, and Patrick tells us that Holy Island is no exception.

He said: “The white sandy beaches are well hidden on the eastern and northern shoreline.”

Patrick added: “To get to them you’ve got to go beyond the castle, walk to Emmanuel Head and head down.

“They’re small, hidden beaches and not many people go to them either so they’re usually quiet.”

While it was once a religious place, hence the name, Holy Island has recently become all the more popular – along with its huge castle, it has pubs, cafes and even a distillery.

Patrick told us: “I’m a regular at all of them, there are three pubs, The Ship Inn, The Manor House and The Crown and Anchor – all are lovely.

“There are three cafes, Chare Ends, 1st Class Food which is also a post office, and then there’s one of my favourites, Pilgrims Coffee.

“I love it there because they roast their own coffee in the garden and serve it in the cafe, the food and atmosphere there are great too.

“There’s a new one that’s just opened as well called Causeway Cafe, it’s inside the former Coastguard station – I’m yet to visit it.

“There’s a distillery too, and winery where you can buy locally made mead.”

Holy Island is tidal and so is only accessible at certain times of the day, so Patrick advise visitors to take precautions when visiting.

He said: “I’d seriously consider going with a guide for those who want to walk Pilgrim’s Way.

“It’s a path across the bay, which dates back 1,400 years or so and is marked by a line of poles.

“But if you have a young family and a car full stuff then you can just drive over – there is a car park on the island.”

“As it’s a tidal island you must look at the safe crossing times before you go – one of my bugbears is there people talk about tide times but these vary.

“Visitors have to follow the safe crossing times.”

You can check the safe crossing times here.

Both the path and causeway will flood with water twice a day – cars have even been stranded in the water, but Patrick assures us that this is very rare.

He added “the hardest conversation will be with your insurance company.”

When it comes to the best time to visit, Patrick says you’ll see all sorts year-round.

He told us: “In the summertime the pubs, cafes and shops are full. Just be prepared in July and August for it to be busy – it won’t be a peaceful retreat.

“But between September and October it is, it’s fantastic.

“You can see the sites in four hours, see the old buildings, head to the castle, grab a good coffee, and the wildlife is amazing. Right now the meadows are overflowing with wildflowers.

“Don’t miss Emmanuel Head either, it’s a huge white pyramid which is a daymark and the first on the English coast.

“There’s a nice walk out to it, and you might even spot dolphins along the way.”

Right now, the White Island is 30C, whereas parts of the UK could reach 40C this week. Now seems like the perfect time to head to the beach for a little cooling dip

As everyone who’s been to Ibiza likes to tell you, the Balearic island is more than just Pacha, 50 euro glasses of Prosecco, and ecstasy tabs. It’s also very pretty.

Ibiza’s coast is defined by turquoise waters, dramatic pine-forested cliffs and hidden sandy coves. The most visually stunning spots are scattered across the island, with top-rated options including the sunset views at Cala Comte, the lush nature of Cala Saladeta, and the iconic rock formations at Cala d’Hort.

Right now, the White Island is 30C, whereas parts of the UK could reach 40C this week.

In Cornwall, the thermometer is bopping around the mark, making a trip to the coast a tempting prospect. Happily, there is a beach that shares many of the qualities of those on the comparatively chilly Ibiza.

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It sits beneath towering cliffs that shield it from the wind, with stunningly clear waters that prove ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Porthcurno has pure white sand with gorgeous turquoise waters to match. It has the ability to transport you to paradise.

The sand is made up of seashells pounded to powder by the sea over millions of years, which is partly responsible for the beautiful colour of the water. Porthcurno’s south-facing direction, flanked by high headlands, provides natural shelter from the wind and weather, giving the beach its own near-microclimate. The towering cliffs on either side make it easy to find a sheltered spot even on the most blustery of days.

The renowned open-air Minack Theatre is carved into the cliffs above, meaning you can enjoy a Shakespeare play with a sea view.

The theatre was the vision of one woman who decided to carve a clifftop theatre at the bottom of her garden. It’s well worth the climb up the cliff path, if only for the view back down over the bay. You need to book tickets in advance for performances.

The best time to visit is mid to low tide. At low tide the beach widens dramatically, and you can walk to nearby Pedn Vounder. As the tide retreats from Pedn Vounder, a golden sandbar rises out of the turquoise sea creating a shallow lagoon pool. It’s visible for around two hours either side of low tide, according to Cornish Secrets Anywhere We Roam

In the late nineteenth century, Porthcurno became the British connection point of the world’s very first international telegraph cable, stretching all the way to India. In the inter-war period, the cable office briefly became the busiest telegraph station in the world, capable of transmitting up to two million words a day. The Porthcurno Telegraph Museum is right there and well worth a visit.

Driving is by far the easiest way to get to the beach, with public transport options sadly limited. It takes about 25 minutes from Penzance or 45 minutes from St Ives. The car park fills up quickly on peak days, so arrive early or late.

Dogs are banned from the beach between 15 May and 30 September, between 10am–6pm. RNLI lifeguards patrol from mid-May to the last weekend of September.

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.”

LOVE Island fans have been left terrified by “lying” Samraj’s behaviour as he continued to string along Priya.

The 25-year-old has been juggling both Mica and Priya over the last week but fans have noticed the Islander isn’t being honest about his feelings.

He told Mica, 21, a few episodes ago that business development manager Priya was “giving him the ick,” and she was his first choice.

But, he hasn’t let Priya privy to that information as he continued to act as if they’re relationship is flourishing.

During last night’s instalment of the famous ITV2 dating show, Samraj left fans taken aback by his “unfair” treatment of Priya, 25.

After returning from a chat on the terrace with Mica, Priya asked him if they were getting back together – which he denied.

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Priya hugged him saying: “I actually quite missed you, I wanted to speak to you…

“I feel like you hate me today.”

Samraj replied: “No, I don’t hate you. My mind is just in a really weird place, I swear.”

“You’re head,” Priya questioned.

He continued: “Not about us it’s just about like I think Sam going was just like the icing on the thing but I really do appreciate you being so concerned about me.”

Priya then tried to get Samraj to open up on his cheeky terrace rendezvous.

However he quickly shut it down, saying: “No we were just speaking because we were downstairs we got, not by you, but interrupted twice before and I was upstairs and Mica was like ‘Oh lets finish our conversation.’”

Poor Priya explained she was asking because things change so quickly in the villa and it was clear she didn’t want to waste her time if the feelings weren’t reciprocated.

Love Island fans were left fuming as Samraj lied to face her face repeatedly and strung her along.

One fan wrote: “Samraj is the reason why I don’t trust men #LoveIsland”

“Samraj, tell Priya you don’t like her This is not fair at all,” added a second fan.

Another viewer penned: “Samraj, why you lying?”

Meanwhile, a fourth fan said: “Why is Samraj lying like this HAAAAAA men can lie I’m so scared????”

Later on Samraj carried on his ruse, telling Priya he fancies her more and “wouldn’t be sharing a bed with her otherwise.”

But, during the previous episode fans watched on as Samraj told Mica he hasn’t said anything because Priya “will be mad.”

Speaking to the camera in the beach hut, Samraj confessed: “I can’t knock Priya because she’s given me everything I wanted and asked for. I feel like if I sit here and say ‘Everything is going swimmingly, it’s amazing… I’d be lying.’

“I don’t want to spend loads of time with her.”

Love Island continues tonight at 9:00pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

SWIMMING with sharks in the dark and no cage? Well that is a Jaws-droppingly bold idea.

Just a couple of hours after arriving at the Sun Siyam Iru Veli resort in the Maldives, and being wowed by my over-the-water villa, I’d plunged straight into the aquatic action with an intense but exhilarating experience.

My group of five guests would be night swimming by a coral reef with nurse sharks, which are generally docile around humans.

But they are up to 10ft long and have around 75 teeth!

As the sun set over the Indian Ocean, we gathered at the dive centre to get kitted out and be briefed by guides Alex and Ammaday.

I’m an experienced snorkeller, but it took me a while to get the hang of following the group and coping with the current and waves.

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I was definitely not hanging back to avoid being first on any shark buffet.

Armed with underwater torches, we spotted colourful fish and corals before several nurse sharks swam towards us, some of which were 8ft in length. Absolutely fin-credible.

It is one of various extra-charge activities (£80pp) at the cosy five-star all-inclusive resort in Dhaalu Atoll, now with Privé Collection status after Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam rebranded to mark its 35th anniversary last year.

And now that the Foreign Office has scrapped its advice against travel to destinations such as Doha, flights to this sun-soaked hotspot will be smooth again.

The bucket-list experiences don’t end with sharks.

Another on offer at this resort is the chance to be “cast away” on a desert island, a couple of miles offshore and only accessible by speedboat.

Just us and a resort host on a 200-yards-long by 30-yards-wide sandbar surrounded by pristine sea that’s perfect for snorkelling.

Like the radio show, your Desert Island Discs-covery comes with a “luxury item” — a Japanese bento box and prosecco lunch under a sunshade to refuel you while you enjoy blissful seclusion (experience costs £158pp).

There are plenty of activities included in the price of a stay, too, including guided daytime snorkel tours of the house reef (I found Nemo) and a trip to neighbouring island Ban’didhoo, where some of the 125-villa Iru Veli’s staff live.

Most of the 600 inhabitants work in the fishing industry and our guide Altho showed us the marina where mackerel, yellowfin and bluefin tuna are landed.

To stop overfishing, only rod and line is legal.

After checking out the 17th-century coral-walled mosque, kids’ parks, outdoor gyms and a football ground financed by Sun Siyam, I nosed around a souvenir shop, a 24/7 convenience store (Maldivian WD-40, who knew?) and the small shipyard by the beach.

While there are no resorts on this local island, there is one guest house, the friendly Divhoni, with clean rooms from £55 a night B&B. It’s well worth seeing where Maldivians actually live and work.

As for the other excursions, guests staying at Iru Veli are also entitled to a complimentary sunset cruise to spot dolphins, and £77pp spa credit or scuba, if PADI certified.

All of the swimming and snorkelling requires high energy and the resort’s restaurants can certainly help with that.

Much as I liked the food at the Aqua Orange main buffet, which is included in the price of a stay (the butter chicken curry with ginger pickle was awesome), the most memorable meal was at extra-charge Japanese-themed Teppanyaki, with incredible egg juggling, groan-worthy jokes and stellar chicken, steak, lobster and yellowfin tuna from chef Irvan (set menu £108pp and veggie £71pp). No prizes for guessing where the tuna came from.

One paradise island is never enough, though, and I spent the second half of my week at Sun Siyam’s five-star Iru Fushi resort in the North Male Atoll; like Iru Veli, a 45-minute seaplane transfer from the international airport.

And no sooner had I arrived than I was leaving!

Wild horses couldn’t normally drag me away from a tropical beach, but the throbbing 200 horsepower of a four-seater white “Rolls-Royce” jet car was irresistible.

After a briefing, I was behind the wheel of the £51,000 car-boat, driving across the ocean and getting 007 vibes like the scene with the aquatic Lotus Esprit in the movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

But you don’t have to be a secret agent facing down metal-mouthed baddie Jaws to bag this showstopper.

Starting at £94 for two, you can take the jet car out (escorted by a guide on a jetski) for a thrilling 45mph blast across the ocean that you’ll be telling your mates about for months.

Add drone videos to smash it on socials.

It’s one of various extra-charge activities at the gorgeous Luxury Collection all- inclusive resort.

Others include an Insta-fave floating breakfast in your villa’s infinity pool (£108 for two with fizz).

But there’s so much already included, you can have a brilliant week without spending more than the cost of your holiday in this archipelago of 1,200 islands.

Top of your list will be the Secret Sundowners pop-up bar (alcoholic and non- alcoholic cocktails at Sun Siyam resorts are terrific), wine tasting, kayaking and SUP, guided reef snorkelling and the excellent Sax On The Beach music session.

Food is also a highlight of any Maldives getaway and Sun Siyam’s inclusive restaurants and buffet are so good, you don’t necessarily need to visit a la carte venues.

However, the prawn thermidor I had at Islander’s Grill was sensational.

As was my accommodation, an over-the-water butler-service villa larger than some flats I’ve lived in and with an infinity pool, spa bath and direct sea access.

Iru Fushi has 221 villas and you will rack up your daily steps count getting around this sizeable resort, be it to the dreamy, award-winning Thalgo spa, Fluid bar and its terrific family pool, the adults’ pool and adjacent beachfront No Mistake bar (an unmissable spot), the highly-rated (and included) curry and pan-Asian restaurants or the water sports and dive centre.

You could just lie on the blissful beaches in the Maldives — or you could also drive on the sea like Bond and swim with sharks in the dark.

The choice is Jaws . . . 

The number of British tourists visiting Malta is said to be up by around 25 per cent in 2026, with flights available from just £45

A tiny European island boasting 300 days of sunshine annually is “having a moment” with British holidaymakers. The number of tourists flying to Malta from the UK is reportedly up by around 25 percent in 2026.

The island is now reachable from 19 airports across the United Kingdom, with flights available for as little as £45. Travellers swapping grey British skies for the 17-mile long destination can look forward to temperatures of around 32C throughout the summer months.

Journalist Angela Epstein recently made the trip to the island with her husband Mark. The couple visited Sliema, on Malta’s east coast, describing the charming coastal town as the “perfect base for exploring”.

On arrival, Angela couldn’t help but observe that the “blue wink of the Mediterranean is a constant presence” around Malta. Boasting bustling shops, baroque facades, and 17th century watchtowers, Angela says the town “scores highly” for the “views alone”.

She does, however, note that Sliema may not be the ideal destination for a traditional beach holiday, with “rocky bays and outcrops” rather than the sweeping sandy shores some tourists might prefer, reports the Express.

The island does have some sandy beaches to offer. Ramla Beach, which translates as red sand, is regarded as one of the island’s most stunning stretches of coastline, with its rolling sands and crystal-blue waters.

Nestled at the foot of a lush valley and surrounded by rugged hills, Ramla Beach holds blue flag status and provides a wonderful opportunity for snorkelling, diving, or simply unwinding in the sun. The Bugibba Perched Beach, situated in the northern part of the island, is an artificial beach that has become a firm favourite amongst visitors.

Once a jagged rocky outcrop, the beach has been transformed and now boasts an array of cafes, along with all the usual amenities including sunbeds and parasols, perfect for a spot of sunbathing.

Those seeking a more culturally enriching experience can venture to Malta’s capital, Valletta, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980. UNESCO describes the city as “inextricably linked to the history of the military and charitable Order of St John of Jerusalem”.

The city is home to an impressive 320 ancient monuments within just 55ha, cementing its status as one of the most historically dense destinations on the planet. The island also boasts a collection of ancient temples, with the gantija Temples tracing their origins back to 3,600 BC.

Nestled within the Gozitan countryside, the temples are so vast that local legend once held that they were built by giants.

Eager to uncover more history, Angela made her way to Mdina, a fortified city with a heritage stretching back approximately 4,000 years. This hilltop settlement served as the island’s capital until 1530.

Dubbed the “Silent City,” its cobbled streets feel like being “transported back in time,” according to Visit Malta. The tourism website adds: “Oozing of luxury and nobility, Mdina offers visitors a most discreet insight that only a few people can experience and witness during their lifetime.”

Malta’s cobbled streets and stunning vistas have also caught the eye of Hollywood.

Blockbusters including Game of Thrones, Troy, Gladiator, and Assassin’s Creed are amongst the major productions to have used the island as a filming location.

Having explored the island herself, Angela found it “grew on her,” despite the volume of tourists. She concluded: “Given the weather, the scenery, the heritage, and the sheer breadth of things to do, Malta looks set to continue having its ‘moment’ for some time yet.”

The overcrowding one of the most popular tourist islands in Europe has sparked comparisons to a ‘long toilet line’ – with large crowds gathering as early as 7am

Holidaymakers have been warned a beautiful Greek island and one of the most popular sunshine resorts in Europe has descended into “one long toilet line”.

Travel content creator Mambo Italiano took to X to share footage of the scene recorded at 7am – with dozens of men, women and children tourists queuing into the streets at a photo spot. “Social media trends have turned the world’s most beautiful places into endless bathroom lines at a concert, where everyone waits for hours just to take the same photo to show to people who couldn’t care less,” she ranted in a caption.

“Nothing captures the shallow decay of our time better than this.”

The clip in question was recorded in Oia on the island of Santorini, which is located in the southern Aegean Sea – around 120 miles from the Greek mainland.

Mambo Italiano’s video followed the queue around several corners to reach its end – a lookout point over the crystal-blue sea overlooking Santorini’s famous blue-domed Greek Orthodox churches from an excellent vantage point.

“Oia is an over touristed,” one X user exclaimed in response. “One of the worst places I’ve been. Other parts of Santorini are lovely.”

A second person concurred: “I have to agree – there are much better areas on the island. Oia is good for photos and that’s about it.”

While a third explained: “People are no longer visiting places to see and enjoy. They want to visit and photograph themselves on those places, so then they can post them social media for likes and attention, with the only intent of saying, ‘oh look at me, I was here and you not’ and ‘look how special I am’ etc etc etc.

“That’s the only reason for those long queues, it is not to see and enjoy, it’s only to show off.”

And a fourth X user agreed: “Everything has turned into an influencers Instagram photo shoot. Beautiful places are ruined by main character syndrome narcissists.

“Every new eatery has a grass wall outside the entrance, loud music and serves high priced s*** on a plate.”

According to Greek Trip Planner figures from INSETE and municipal data show approximately 3.4 million visitors reach Santorini through a combination of air arrivals, cruise ship tenders, and inter-island ferries each year.

“The 3.4 million annual visitors produce a ratio of approximately 220 tourists for every resident per year – or, expressed differently, 107.8 tourists per 100 inhabitants at any given time during peak season,” they added.

“This density figure, documented in a 2018 European Commission study, placed Santorini beyond the measurable limits of standard overtourism indicators.”

A 150-YEAR-OLD fort island left abandoned is set to become a new attraction in the UK.

Fort Darnet, which can be found on the River Medway in Kent, could soon be transformed into an events venue.

Plans for the Victorian fort include music events, as well as wellbeing events and even ghost hunts.

Speaking to the BBC, owner Mick Jennings said: “I said to my wife ‘we’ve got to have a fort – it’s something we have to bid on’ and we did and were successful.”

According to Jennings, music artists have approached him about filming at the fort – which he added has great acoustics.

Fort Darnet was built between 1870 and 1872 and could hold up to 100 men who would use it for gunnery practice.

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It was then later used in World War II as an observation post.

Right by the fort, there are also a number of abandoned ships with some dating back to World War II, which were intentionally sunk to create a coastal defense.

The fort is currently unsafe to visitors due to “unstable structures, concealed drops and water-filled areas”, according to the website.

Jennings revealed that they will now drain the water out of the fort, as well as put some new safety measures in place.

With the fort currently having hidden holes, Jennings confessed that “it is a dangerous place at the moment”.

It remains unclear what events would be held at Fort Darnet though Medway Council is backing plans to reopen the site.

“The magical thing is when you come here – you can’t get that feeling until you are on an island.

“The views, eerie, magical, it’s got all those things,” added Jennings.

OUR Spotlight On column takes an in-depth look at the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, as well as shining a light on some lesser-known spots.

This week we’re highlighting the best of the Sicilian coastal resort of Cefalu.

The Sun’s Head Of Travel, Lisa Minot said: “The seaside town of Cefalu is perfect for a weekend break.

“You can spend several happy hours wandering along the promenade by the wide, sandy beach and into the old town, passing the many shops and restaurants in the tiny alleyways.

“We couldn’t resist taking our obligatory Instagram shots at medieval sea gate Porta Pescara, before wandering past the quirky Lavatoio Medievale — an ancient wash house fed by a river that falls into the sea.

“The 12th-century cathedral with its soaring twin towers and elaborate Byzantine mosaics is well worth a visit, with a reviving drink in the square below it just as delightful.

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“The Porta Ossuna restaurant and pizzeria is perfect for a lunch on the seafront, we had a table right above the beach for us to enjoy the freshest of salads with burrata and prawns.”

MUST SEE/DO

While its broad, sandy beaches are an obvious draw, the winding cobbled streets of this medieval gem are a major part of its charm.

And all roads lead to the cathedral, the Duomo di Cefalu – a masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture.

Don’t miss the 12th century Byzantine mosaics inside but for a real behind-the-scenes look, pre-book the Red Itinerary (£11.30) that includes the chance to climb the Norman towers for a fantastic view over the Piazza del Duomo.

Just off the Via Vittorio Emanuele is a quirky piece of history – a medieval laundry where local women washed clothes for centuries on stepped stones, fed by a natural spring.

HIDDEN GEM

The main beach can get crowded in summer but a little effort – and a 20minute walk east – and the Spiaggia di Kalura is a quieter pebble cove with crystal-clear water and dramatic rock formations, perfect for snorkelling.

For fabulous sunset views of Cefalu itself and its dramatic cliff-face backdrop head to the village of Sant’ Ambrogio which offers a snapshot of Sicilian village life without the crowds.

BEST VIEW

It takes a little effort and is best completed early in the day or later in the afternoon in the summer.

But it’s so worth the climb to the top of La Rocca – a huge limestone cliff that looms 268 metres over the town.

It’s a 45minute hike to the top where you’ll find the Temple of Diana, a megalithic structure from the 9th century BC as well as the ruins of a Norman castle.

It also offers fabulous views over the city and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond.

RATED RESTAURANT

It’s hard to get a bad meal in Cefalu with hundreds to choose from in the winding alleys.

On the seafront, the Porta Ossuna restaurant serves up pizzas, pasta and delicious salads with a terrace directly on the beach.

Also ideal for dining by the sea, Lo Scoglio Ubriaco is perched over the sea and is a must for seafood pastas.

And for stand-out pasta dishes, try Pasta e Pasti, legendary for its handmade offerings – go for the Pasta alla Norma or anything made with local pistachios.

BEST BAR

For sunset sips, head to the Jureka Wine Bar on Via Giudecca. There’s a wide choice of tipples with cocktails starting from £9.50.

And for fabulous views over La Rocca and the whole the town, head to the rooftop bar Dokeio at the Hotel La Giara with its multiple roof terraces and late night music.

For day drinking by the Med waves, head to the Bordomari Sea Lounge Bar with great views and cocktails from £9.

HOTEL PICK

Beach babes will love the 4* Astro Suite Hotel, right on Cefalu’s sands and with panoramic sea views.

It’s just a short walk from the historic centre and features an elevated terrace with pool and loungers as well as rooms with balconies, sea views and kitchenettes.

Six nights’ B&B is from £934 including flights from Stansted. See tui.co.uk.

FANCY some Maldives scenery this summer but don’t fancy the long haul flight or the pricey holiday?

You can also experience a same-style sitting on a small uninhabited island in the Mediterranean.

Suluada – which means ‘water island’ – is often dubbed the ‘Turkish Maldives’ thanks to its pristine blue waters (caused by microorganisms called foraminifera) and stunning beaches.

The unique island used to be volcanic and while the island has no restaurants, bars or hotels, it is a great spot to explore bays and relax on the beach.

And if you are lucky, you might even spot some turtles visiting.

Instead of the long-haul flight, you could fly to Antalya which takes between four and four-and-a-half hours.

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And while the island is a great day trip – be warned it is a little difficult to get to.

From Antalya, you can book onto a £11 per person day trip with GetYourGuide to the island, which includes a pick- up from your hotel in the city, the two-hour drive to Adrasan Port and then the boat trip across to the island.

As part of the day trip, you’ll get to explore the island by boat for an hour before hopping off for a couple of hours to swim in the water and chill on the beach.

And it is not the only pretty spot you’ll get to see on the excursion – the boat will also take you to another hidden bay on the island later in the day.

Once back onboard you’ll be given lunch before sailing back to Adrasan.

Don’t worry – most of the boats have loos, so the lack of facilities on the island shouldn’t be an issue.

This boat trip is one of many on GetYourGuide, with others taking place at sunset instead with dinner included or you could book onto one from either Kemer or Belek, if you aren’t staying in Antalya.

Different tours will also provide different things, so make sure to check before booking whether you need to bring your own snorkelling gear and food.

One recent guest said: “This excursion was, without a doubt, my favourite of the trip!

“I absolutely loved the boat tour and was particularly impressed by the swimming stops, which were definitely the highlight for me.

“The boat itself was perfect, with plenty of comfortable seating, sunbathing areas, and a bar.

“I also have to mention the lunch selection, which was by far the best I experienced during my stay.

“It was an absolute delight from start to finish.”

Flights to Antalya in June cost from around £50 per way and if you are looking for a hotel, there are lots of different options.

For example you could stay at the Crowne Plaza by the beach, with both an indoor and outdoor pool, from £109 per night.

The “Love Island USA” production team is mourning the loss of executive producer James Barker, who died last week while on set in Fiji.

“Love Island USA” producers ITV America and Peacock confirmed Barker’s death in a media release shared with The Times on Monday. The announcement said that Barker died after “an unexpected medical emergency” but did not provide additional details, including the day of his death and a cause of death. Barker was 40.

“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,” the television companies said in a joint statement. “He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ family, friends and colleagues.”

Barker began his tenure on “Love Island USA” in 2020, first working as a story producer. He has worked as an executive producer on the series for the last three seasons and was also a member of the producing team on “Love Island” companion series “Love Island Games” and “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.”

Barker, according to Monday’s statement, also oversaw the hit series’ pop soundtrack. For an interview with Rolling Stone in 2025, Barker recalled watching the original British “Love Island” series and how pop music supplemented the on-screen romances and heartbreak: “I think that is where my brain immediately said, ‘One, this is amazing, and more shows should be like this.’ And two, ‘How do I work on “Love Island”?’”

Barker also noted in the interview that he drew inspiration for the “Love Island USA” villa sound from his pre-TV career as a nightlife DJ and spoke about the process of hand-selecting music from established pop acts and up-and-coming artists.

“In the past, there was such a stigma about reality shows that a lot of artists didn’t want their music associated with reality shows. And that’s starting to turn around now,” Barker told the outlet. “[Artists are] more and more seeing, well, one, the financial aspect of having your music synced in these kind of shows, and also just the wide reach of viewers.”

Before “Love Island USA,” Barker was a producer on reality series “Pawn Stars,” “Counting Cars” and “Forged in Fire.” He later served as a story producer on “Queer Eye,” “Cosmic Love” and “Are You My First?” Outside of his TV work, Barker often performed as DJ Chaotic at gay bar C’mon Everybody in Brooklyn.

“Love Island USA,” which began its eighth season earlier this month, will pay tribute to Barker in Tuesday’s episode.

He is survived by his mother Malinda.

Kyiv, Ukraine – After almost seven hours in a kilometres-long, snail-paced line made up of hundreds of cars at a gas station near Crimea’s administrative capital, Simferopol, Dilyaver was lucky enough to buy gas.

He paid $22 for 20 litres (5.3 gallons).

“There were teenagers running around offering gas for 300 rubles [$4.2], one almost got beaten up by angry guys in the line,” the 52-year-old Crimean Tatar man told Al Jazeera on Saturday.

He withheld his last name and personal details because an interview with foreign media could land him in jail.

Judging by licence plates and accents, some of the men in the line were Russian tourists who decided to cut their vacations short and flee via the $4bn, 19km (12-mile) long Crimean Bridge, Dilyaver said.

“The [tourism] season is ruined, that’s bad news for almost everyone here,” he said, referring to the annual arrival of millions of tourists that feeds many on the arid peninsula, where agriculture has suffered after Kyiv dammed a key water artery.

Dilyaver does not know when he will fill up his rundown Skoda again because he expects fuel shortages to get worse.

But the fuel problem is just the tip of the iceberg of problems Crimea has been facing.

“Crimea’s key problem is not because there’s no fuel,” Nikolay Mitrokhin, a researcher with Germany’s Bremen University who analyses the Russia-Ukraine war, told Al Jazeera. “The problem is that Ukrainian drones began barraging over the peninsula’s domestic roads.”

Since mid-May, Ukrainian drones have attacked hundreds of trucks carrying fuel, ammunition and other supplies from southwestern Russia to Crimea via the “land bridge” through occupied Ukrainian regions.

The drones, whose operators sit in bunkers up to 200km (124 miles) away from the “land bridge”, also pepper roads with mines that weigh only 500 grams (1.1 pounds) and have magnetic or motion sensors.

Cargo ships trying to get fuel and food to Crimea or transporting steel and grain from occupied regions of southeastern Ukraine have also been attacked.

The attacks “illustrate Crimea’s vulnerability”. Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kyiv-based Penta think tank, told Al Jazeera. “Ukraine can regularly, daily strike military, infrastructure sites in Crimea … Ukraine turned Crimea into an island surrounded by war and fire.”

‘Just the beginning’

Ukraine’s Third Special Battalion said earlier this month that its drone operators have “taken aerial control” of the strategic supply route from the occupied southern city of Melitopol to the Chongar bridge in northern Crimea.

“That’s just the beginning! There’s more to come!” the Battalion said in a Facebook video with footage of exploding and burning trucks.

Chongar is a key entry to Crimea that can barely be called a peninsula because Sivash, also known as The Rotten Sea, a labyrinth of lagoons, salt marshes and wetlands, divides it from mainland Ukraine, leaving only three strips of land wide and firm enough for roads and a railway.

Just more than a week ago, the Chongar bridge was damaged by drones and is only capable of letting light vehicles through, while buses and trucks take a pontoon bridge nearby.

“The bridge is open, the damaged part is cordoned off, one lane is operational, there are no traffic jams because there’s few cars,” a driver who passed through it wrote on Telegram.

Ukrainian drones also struck fuel depots inside Crimea – along with air defence systems, airfields, military bases, command centres and the facilities of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet that relocated to the Russian port of Novorossiysk after losing at least a third of its vessels.

After Russia’s annexation of the peninsula in 2014, Moscow spent billions of dollars to militarise Crimea by deploying frigates and diesel submarines; advanced S-400 air defence systems; tens of thousands of servicemen; and building new military bases, airfields, radar stations, garrisons and living quarters.

“Putin turned Crimea into a military base, and thus made it the most vulnerable place in the war with Ukraine,” Fesenko said.

The Crimean bridge alone cannot handle the redirected traffic as trucks weighing more than 1.5 tonnes are no longer allowed to pass through.

Early Monday, a Ukrainian drone struck a moving train, killing one of the drivers and prompting Moscow to halt the movement of nine other trains.

Their passengers are being evacuated by buses, Kremlin-appointed authorities said.

Days earlier, one of Russia’s most outspoken warmongers raised his voice about the panic in Crimea.

“What’s happening at Crimean gas stations is a real nightmare for locals and servicemen,” Igor Girkin, an ex-intelligence officer who led the first group of Moscow-backed separatists in southeastern Ukraine in 2014, wrote on Telegram on June 1.

Kyiv “acts brazenly … trying to cut off the peninsula and our southern [military] groups from fuel supply,” Girkin, who was sentenced to four years in jail in 2024 after lambasting Moscow’s military failures in Ukraine, wrote from behind bars.

“To some, Crimea seems like a resort. No, today it’s a front-line region,” he wrote.

And to Crimean Tatars such as Dilyaver, what’s happening around them is part of a decades-old struggle for survival in Moscow’s shadow.

Since the annexation, his community of about 250,000, or about one-tenth of Crimea’s population, has been under constant pressure.

Masked officers break into the houses of community leaders, activists or observant Muslims at dawn to search for “extremist materials” that in many cases turn out to be religious texts, including The Quran for Children.

Arrests and trials follow – more than 100 Tatars have been sentenced to jail for “extremism,” “separatism” and “terrorism.”

Another dozen went missing without a trace and are believed to have been abducted and killed by Russian intelligence.

Dilyaver owned a tiny grocery store near Simferopol.

But he faced higher taxes and visits by government inspectors who demanded bribes, so Dilyaver, who also suffered a scam, closed the store. He barely makes ends meet now by selling deep-fried meat and cheese pies next to a bus stop.

Dilyaver’s parents were born in Soviet Uzbekistan after the 1944 deportation of every Crimean Tatar by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, who thought their cultural ties to Turkiye posed a threat to the USSR’s security.

“We have a saying, ‘If a Russian lives next to you, keep an axe ready,’” Dilyaver’s 77-year-old mother Gulsum told Al Jazeera. “We suffered from them so much, and it’s far from over.”

Ukrainian attacks triggered food shortages.

Macaroni, flour, canned meat, fish and vegetables have already been swept off the shelves in some stores and supermarkets, Dilyaver said.

“The Soviet mentality is still at work. If there’s a problem – buy buckwheat,” he quipped, about the cheap and nutritious grain that symbolises resilience in the former Soviet Union.

SANTORINI’S latest move to limit numbers of cruise-ship visitors descending on the Greek isle is into its second week – and looks to be easing congestion.

The local authorities have said no more than 8,000 trippers – equivalent to the passengers of two or three ships – can disembark daily over summer.

Previously, as many as 17,000, from seven or eight vessels, had choked the streets of Santorini hotspots Fira and Oia during peak season.

It comes as the island also introduces a controversial 20-euro port tax per passenger, which has led to some cruise lines cancelling visits in protest.

Other new changes, first announced last year, mean a maximum of 30 per cent of a ship’s passengers can now arrive at the island’s Athinios ferry port, which has road access.

The rest must use island capital Fira’s Old Port and head up to the town by cable car (which has long queues on busy days). Or sweat their way up 588 steps.

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The latest change, which came into force on June 1, means tender operations – where passengers are ferried ashore in small boats from ships parked in the 1,200ft- deep waters of the island’s caldera – are now carried out by vessels of the Santorini Boatmen’s Association (SBA) rather than cruise ships’ lifeboats.

The Greeks have also set a 500-passenger limit on numbers waiting for the cable car or a tender at the Old Port – and to keep to that figure, tendering schedules will be controlled by SBA vessels rather by than the ships’ crews.

I visited gorgeous Santorini earlier this week – aboard Tui’s Marella Voyager, one of three ships in the caldera – and was pleasantly surprised by how well things are working, having faced horrendous overcrowding on previous trips.

The SBA tender to Athinos, to catch a tour bus to the south of the island, was on time, the boat was lovely and modern and the crew were friendly.

When I later stopped at Fira for lunch, it was busy but not overcrowded and I could stroll the pretty streets easily and stop for photos with no jostling.

There was no queue for the cable car down, though there was one at the bottom waiting to head up.

My tender back to Voyager was also very easy, with a short queue and swift boarding.

Only time will tell how things pan out this summer, and no doubt the island authorities can make further changes if required, but my visit this week was seamless and Fira was fun, not frightful.

YOU’D expect delays at an airport this summer because of EES checks or bad weather, but what about turtles?

On the island of Zante in Greece, the conservation of its loggerhead turtles has seen passengers ‘stranded’ due to a night-time flight ban .

The summer months in Zante are the most important for the island’s loggerhead turtles which are also called ‘Caretta caretta’.

The turtles nest on the beaches between May and August during the night.

But this can be easily disrupted if there are loud noises and lights from aircraft nearby.

So to safeguard the turtles, a night-time flight ban is in place between 10PM and 5AM.

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While this is great for nature, it can mean some passengers can find their travel plans disrupted.

The woman found that when her flight was suddenly cancelled late at night, she had to wait until the following morning for it to be rescheduled.

She previously said on TikTok: “Basically, my flight home was meant to be at 10pm, and at five to 10 I knew we’d be delayed as we weren’t boarding the flight.

“But at literally five to 10 they announced on the speaker ‘sorry everyone, flight has been delayed until tomorrow.”

She added: “Basically, pretty much everything at Zante Airport shuts at 10pm. So if you have booked a really late flight and it gets delayed for whatever reason, past 10pm, they will just delay you to the next day.”

Her journey home was delayed all-in-all for 24 hours.

It’s well known by airlines and Skyscanner even has a warning on its website about the restriction.

It says: “Do take note that during the summer, flight operations are purposefully paused between 10 PM and 5 AM to safeguard the sea turtles nesting near Kalamaki beach, ensuring minimal disruption to nature while maintaining an efficient travel experience for you.”

The restriction isn’t new and was first brought in during the early 1990s to safeguard loggerhead sea turtles.

The turtles are strictly protected under EU law and the species is considered ‘vulnerable’ across the world.

Zante is an important place for the animals as 80 per cent of loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean nest on the island.

For visitors who head to Zante, they’ll find that aside from its famous Shipwreck Beach, one of the other most popular attractions is seeing the loggerhead turtles.

Your best chance of seeing them is by heading to the Marine Park and going on a diving excursion.

Laganas Bay is a prime spot for turtle-spotting as many of them nest on its shores.

They’re easily seen in the waters too because it’s so shallow.

EXPLAINER

Trump cancels planned Iran attacks, saying talks are close as Tehran reviews a proposed US deal.

United States President Donald Trump said he had cancelled a third straight night of planned attacks on Iran, saying talks with Tehran were close to producing a deal.

The announcement marked a dramatic turnaround. Just hours earlier, Trump warned that Iran would be hit “very hard” and threatened to target Kharg Island and other oil facilities.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s correspondent said a senior Iranian official confirmed that a proposed memorandum of understanding with the US was being considered by Iran’s top leadership.

Here is what has happened:

In Iran

• Trump calls off planned Iran attacks: Hours after warning that Iran would be hit “very hard” and threatening attacks on Kharg Island and other oil facilities, Trump said he had cancelled the planned strikes, claiming negotiations had reached a breakthrough. In a Truth Social post, Trump said discussions had been elevated to Iran’s top leadership and that the “final points” of an agreement had been approved by all parties involved, including the US and several regional allies.
• Tehran says the sacrifices of war were worth it: Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall said many Iranians would be relieved to see the conflict end after months of hardship and loss. But the government is also trying to sell a potential deal as a victory, telling people that “it is worth the suffering” because Iran could come out of the war “in much stronger shape”, with the possibility of sanctions being lifted and assets being unfrozen.

In the US

• Expert says Trump used an ‘escalate to de-escalate’ strategy: Richard Weitz, an international security expert at the NATO Defense College, told Al Jazeera that Trump’s threats to intensify the conflict may have been aimed at forcing a diplomatic breakthrough. The strategy, he said, is to “threaten to escalate” a conflict “in order to force an end to it”. However, Weitz cautioned that “we still have a bit of uncertainty over what precisely was agreed and how it will be implemented.”
• Trump has tried to hold Netanyahu back in recent weeks: Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett said Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have long had “a shared desire to limit Iran’s nuclear programme” and ensure Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapon. But she said there was a “growing concern” within the White House that Netanyahu could “derail efforts in the diplomatic realm”, with Trump increasingly trying to restrain the Israeli leader and, in the US president’s words, “allow time for diplomacy”.

In Lebanon

• Hezbollah says it carried out 24 attacks on Israeli forces: The Lebanese armed group said it launched a series of drone, missile and rocket attacks on Israeli soldiers, armoured vehicles and military positions across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley between Wednesday and Thursday. Hezbollah said it repeatedly struck troop concentrations near Tayr Harfa, while also attacking Israeli forces in Naqoura, al-Qaouzah, Rashaf, Qantara, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Yohmor al-Shaqif.

With President Donald Trump proclaiming his desire to take Iran’s Kharg Island — whether he actually means it or not – we reached out to some former military commanders to get a sense of what it would take to seize and hold it and how telegraphing such a move could impact operations. The island, as we have noted in the past, is Iran’s main center of oil exportation, and a U.S. seizure would have tremendous military and economic impacts. An attempt to take it by force and hold it, as we have highlighted in prior reporting, would be an extremely risky operation, by all accounts.

Trump’s latest statements about taking Kharg Island came in the wake of the most intense round of tit-for-tat attacks between the U.S. and Iran since the ceasefire went into effect April 8. The U.S. launched waves of strikes across Iran, including firing what Trump said was 49 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles at Iranian targets. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, Iran claimed it shut the Strait of Hormuz completely after the new round of kinetic action while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) insisted it remains “open for transit.”

However, in the wake of yesterday’s back-and-forth strikes, Trump proclaimed his desire to seize Iran’s vital oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island.

“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” Trump said on Truth Social.

A short while later, the president modified those remarks in an interview with Fox News.

“I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you,” Trump later told the network. “You’d make a fortune, but I don’t know that America has the stomach, I think they’d like to see us come home.”

Located about 20 miles from the Iranian coastline, Kharg Island presents a daunting challenge, leaving troops trying to take it under threat from Iran’s remaining arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, rocket artillery, and fast boats that can launch swarming attacks on ships, fire missiles, and lay mines. This is something we were among the first to point out, before the possibility of invading the island became a nation news story.

“It seems unusual that we would announce an intention to seize Kharg Island in advance,” retired Army Gen. Joseph Votel, former leader of U.S. Central Command, told us. “Military commanders always want to preserve the principle of surprise in any operation – it helps reduce risk and often times gives us the tactical edge.”

“In this case the president did not announce any specific details – which can preserve some operational flexibility,” Votel noted. “It may also be a part of a more elaborate communications strategy that is focused on getting the regime to understand they are running out of options and that we can and will do whatever we need to, militarily, to support diplomatic efforts and bring the conflict to a conclusion.”

“Seizing Kharg Island is a significant undertaking,” added Votel, now a Distinguished Military Fellow at the Middle East Institute. “Not only will it involve ground troops to actually control the terrain – but also tactical delivery means, air cover, a strike campaign to set the conditions and then all the resources to protect this force while they are on the Island. In addition – the force has to be sustained meaning we have to have a way to get them supplies, engineering capabilities, life support, evacuate casualties, and if necessary reinforce them with additional force.”

All these actions would be taken close enough to the Iranian coast to “potentially subject [assault forces] to missile and drone attacks,” the former CENTCOM commander noted. “Not impossible, but certainly not insignificant either.”

When we first spoke to Votel about this issue in March when stories first bubbled up about Trump threatening Kharg Island, he told us that “a battalion sized force of Marines or soldiers could probably do that. So you’re probably looking at 800 to 1,000 troops, kind of size, maybe a little bit smaller, probably not much larger than that.”

Plans for the US military to try and capture the island “have been drawn up for months but continuously shelved because the operation was considered too risky,” a senior Pentagon official and two administration officials told CNN.

Speaking to us on Thursday, Chris Miller, who served as acting Defense Secretary at the end of Trump’s first administration, said it would take considerably more troops for such an operation than Votel first suggested.

“I would expect it would take an infantry brigade at a minimum,” said Miller, referring to a unit of between 3,000 to 5,000 troops. “I’d prefer two brigades and a lot of mobile air defense to protect from Shaheds and plenty of barrier material to make bunkers when artillery starts dropping in. Plus, obviously, significant air power to hit time-sensitive Iranian targets like artillery and missile batteries.”

“It’s completely doable by our combat forces in the region, ” added Miller, now founder and CEO of FPF Defense, a startup building a low-cost Shahed drone interceptor. “This is exactly the type of operation they are designed and optimized for. It’s not that heavy of a lift for them.”

Holding the island, if taken, won’t be easy, however, Miller posited. 

“The logistics would be challenging for us because it will be difficult to get resupply ships in under the Iranian defensive shield,” he explained. “And aerial resupply will be contested as well.”

Miller said he was not concerned that Trump told the world he wants Kharg Island.

“My assessment is the Iranian regime continues to misunderstand President Trump,” Miller said of his former boss. “I suspect the Iranians have already prepared for such an eventuality.”

Former Army Maj. Gen. Pat Donahoe, who retired in 2022 as commanding general of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning in Columbus, said asking how Kharg Island can be taken “is the wrong question.”

“It’s not taking it, it’s holding it over time and enduring the slow bleed of casualties that comes with holding it,” noted Donahoe, now chief operating officer at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.

“It’s Khe Sanh,” explained Donahoe, a reference to one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, where about 6,000 Marines and their South Vietnamese counterparts held out at a base along the Laotian border against 20,000 North Vietnamese troops for nearly 80 days. 

“Sure we can grab it, but it puts us in range of all their stuff,” Donahoe said. “And we have to resupply it etc. It’s dumb.”

The U.S. struck military targets on the island during Epic Fury, but Trump has stated he ordered all the oil infrastructure to be left untouched. Since the ceasefire, Iran has been preparing for a possible U.S. operation to take control of Kharg Island, CNN noted today.

Love Island viewers were gripped as tension spread throughout the villa as the bombshells made moves and a fiery challenge divided the group

Love Island viewers were left fuming after an islander branded another a “liar”. Ope suggested his former villa partner, Angelista, was a “liar” as the pair argued over her terrace antics.

Despite moving slowly with Ope, she wasted no time in kissing bombshell Simba. But while Ope was less than impressed, viewers at home were quick to call him out.

One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “So Ope’s calling Angelista a liar and saying she didn’t care about his feelings when HE was the one who lied to her about being ok with the slow place and HE was the one who was rude about her on the dates. She had every right to get with Simba.”

Another added: “Ope said Angelista is a liar, does he not know what he has been doing in the villa?” And a third said: “Ope talks fast and breathes heavily, like a liar.”

Despite online users calling him out, Shakira came to his defence in Love Island: The Debrief. She said the moment was “humiliating” for Ope.

After Ope and Simba came to blows over Angelista, Priya received a text that sent shockwaves through the group. They were told that a challenge was ready to “test the waters” in a game of It’s Not That Deep.

The challenge saw the Islanders take on a slippery mini-slide, and after landing in a pool, they must grab a drink and uncover a juicy secret about one of their fellow Islanders of the opposite sex.

When they made their pick, they must swill the islander they believed the comment was about. With revelations like This boy has slept with 11 girls but can only recall 3 of their names, and ‘This boy’s friends would describe him as having a wandering eye, tension is quick to enter the villa.

And the spicy comments also come back as the boys learn more about the girls in the villa. Some of the boys become frustrated by some of the girls’ commentary around their guesses, with some calling out the “hypocrisy” on show.

Aidan was quick to pick up on the tension and told the group the atmosphere was frosty. And his thoughts were correct as the rift between the boys and the girls became increasingly apparent.

“The girls have no idea,” Sam said before Aidan said they were simply trying to “brush it off”. The group tried to put a block on the issue, but when Ope referred to some of the girls’ comments during the challenge, he said: “I feel like there’s some things that people said that don’t align with what we thought you aligned with.”

Aidan agreed, calling out the wandering eye comment. With tension rising, Yasmin and Jasmine decide to walk away from the conversation.

Love Island continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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ROLLING hills with rude names and hidden dinosaur footprints on beautiful beaches are just a couple of attractions of one UK island.

Dubbed ‘Scotland in miniature’ thanks to its different mountainous and rolling landscapes caused by sitting on the Highland Fault line, the Isle of Arran has something for everyone.

“It’s the best Scottish island,” claimed Andy McNamara, owner of outdoor tourism business Otter’s Tail that leads groups on adventures around Arran.

“Scottish islands all offer something special to do but we’re the best one,” he added.

One of the main draws of the island for Andy is the beaches, which he claims are some of the best in the world.

There’s Silver Sands Beach in Kildonan, for example, which is often named one of Arran’s most beautiful spots.

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“It’s ideal for kids as there are dinosaur footprints – specifically a five-fingered dinosaur – on the beach that you can look at,” Andy revealed.

While in Kildonan, Andy also recommends staying at The Boathouse.

“It’s an amazing little cottage which used to be the old Holy Isle ferry.

“They put it upside down, with walls underneath and made it into accommodation – right on the beach,” he explained.

Inside, guests will find room for two people, as well as a small kitchen area.

Those staying at The Boathouse have often spotted seals and dolphins, basking sharks – as well as resident otters – from the accommodation.

For the warmer months, there is also a table and chairs and barbeque outside.

He added: “Wild camping is very popular and we’ve got raised beaches right around the island.

“You’ll get spots where the sea has receded from a few thousand years ago and created a nice flat area just above the beach to camp on – which you can do for free as we have a right to roam in Scotland.”

Alternatively, adults wanting a bit of a different adventure could head to the nudist colony on the island which according to Andy has been there “for about 30 years”.

Funnily enough, this isn’t the only ‘nudity’ on the island.

Andy said: “Most hills are dubbed locally as being like breasts or penises.”

You could head to the peninsula of Kintyre for example, which is next to the island and is known for its penis-like shape.

And this isn’t the only unusually named place on the island – there’s also the Witch’s Step (or Coombe na Ceolach in Gaelic).

One of the adventures Andy runs is a day trip to the Holy Isle.

He said: “The Holy Isle is in Lamlash Bay – it’s two kilometres across the water and it’s a Buddhist island.

“The island has a herd of wild horses – about 40 of them wild – as well as a herd of goats and little brown sheep.

“On our Grand Tour experience, we’ll kayak across and round Holy Isle and then we’ll also walk to the summit of Holy Isle.

“Along the way we’ll walk by the Buddhist artwork and walk by St Molaise’s Cave – who was a saint from Ireland and lived on the island.”

Andy also runs other sea kayaking, gorge walking and scrambling adventures on the Isle of Arran.

More confident kayakers can even head with him to Ailsa Craig – the volcanic island where Olympic curling stones are made.

Speaking of the different kayaking adventures, Andy joked: “Husband and wife duos go on double kayaks sometimes, but that can be dangerous because they’re known as ‘divorce boats’.”

“With gorge walking on the other hand, we’re in full wetsuits and we’ll go into the river, see waterfalls and even climb up them or jump from the waterfall into the water below.

“There are a lot of natural slides – it’s a good fun, some of the pools are really beautiful,” he added.

When it comes to finding a place to tuck into some food or enjoy a tipple, Andy said: “The social scene in Arran is really good.

“There’s a lot of music, where a lot of the bars have open sessions for folk music.”

And getting to the island is pretty straightforward as well.

From Glasgow, head to Ardrossan port – which is about a 50-minute drive or half-hour train journey.

Once at Ardrossan port, you can hop on the ferry across to Arran, which takes about an hour.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Trump threatened Thursday to launch major strikes on Iran and seize control of its oil industry as escalating attacks between the countries pushed the Middle East closer to the resumption of a full-scale war.

Trump said in a social media post that the U.S. would hit Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and would “assume total control” of Iran’s oil and gas industries, including the vital Kharg Island oil terminal, in the “not too distant future.”

The American leader’s latest threats came as efforts to negotiate an end to the war appeared stuck. Trump has voiced his frustration with the stalled negotiations, warning earlier in the week that Tehran would “pay the price” for taking too long to reach a deal.

Iran’s monthslong stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global energy supplies, driven up fuel prices and made food and other basics more expensive well beyond the region.

The U.S. and Iran traded strikes for a second straight day Thursday after reaching a tenuous ceasefire more than a month ago. While the strikes have increased tensions in the region, they have been more limited compared to the early weeks of the war and negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing.

Trump’s threats on Thursday, while stark, represented his latest verbal escalation in the Iran war. In April, he warned Iran that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if it didn’t agree to his terms, before extending a ceasefire.

Trump weighs trying to seize Iran’s main oil terminal

Kharg Island — located on the other side of the Persian Gulf from U.S. bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — is the beating heart of Iran’s oil industry, through which 90% of its exports pass. It is important because Iran’s coastline is mostly too shallow for tanker ships to dock.

It was unclear how serious Trump was about his threat to seize it.

“My preference has always been to take Kharg Island,” Trump said in an interview Thursday on Fox News. “I don’t know that America has the stomach for it to be honest.”

American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island because of its close proximity — about 21 miles — to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.

Trump indicated in the interview that he remains averse to sending U.S. forces into Iran. “We could walk in there tomorrow. We could take soldiers — I don’t want to have boots on the ground. But if I wanted to we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the place.”

Trump compared his threat to take over Iran’s oil industry to how the U.S. assumed control of Venezuela’s oil sector after capturing then-president Nicolás Maduro in January.

Iran says US attacks have made ceasefire `meaningless’

American strikes on Iran that lasted into Thursday morning appeared more intense and widespread than the day before.

Tehran released little information on the extent of the damage and said it fired back at Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, as it had the previous day.

It was the third time this week that back-and-forth strikes have rattled the Middle East. The first involved attacks between Iran and Israel, followed by the two rounds of fire between the U.S. and Iran, which hit countries in the region that host American bases.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the U.S. attacks had “effectively rendered the ceasefire … meaningless,” without saying it was abandoning it.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post that the U.S. would extract funds from frozen Iranian accounts to offset the costs of damage to American allies as well as any tolls Iran imposes on ships seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Beyond the deadlock over the strait, the two sides also remain at odds over Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is peaceful but which the U.S. and Israel fear could be used to build an atomic weapon due to its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The U.S. and Israel said a major reason they went to war on Feb. 28 was to ensure that Iran would never be able to do that.

Iran has insisted that any deal to end the war must also end fighting in Lebanon between its ally Hezbollah and Israel. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears intent on pursuing his goal of destroying the militant group.

U.S. strikes Iran and Iran fires back at Gulf states

Central Command said its latest round of airstrikes came “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression” and targeted “Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems and air defense sites.” It did not elaborate on the damage done by the strikes, which it said ended just before sunrise Thursday in Iran.

Explosions from the strikes echoed around Iran’s capital, as well as the port city of Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard later said sites hit included a manufacturing complex, a military barracks and a local Guard base outside of Tehran.

Kuwait closed its airspace for several hours because of the attack, but did not elaborate on any damage. Jordan said it intercepted 20 Iranian missiles fired toward an area that is home to a base hosting U.S. troops, though no one was hurt.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said an 11-year-old girl was hurt and cars and homes were damaged by debris from interceptions responding to the Iranian attack.

Meanwhile, Israel warned residents in the country’s north to seek shelter after the detection of suspected incoming fire from Lebanon, where Israel is fighting the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group.

U.S. fires on another merchant ship to enforce blockade

The U.S. military’s Central Command said Thursday that it struck a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports. It said the M/T Jalveer was transporting Iranian oil when it was disabled late Wednesday after its crew failed to obey U.S. orders.

It’s the ninth merchant vessel the U.S. military says it disabled to enforce the blockade.

Three Indian sailors were killed when American forces struck the Palau-flagged M/T Settebello on Tuesday, India’s minister overseeing ports and shipping said Thursday on X.

U.S. Central Command said American forces issued warnings before firing on the ship, which it accused of trying to evade the blockade.

The leader of the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, condemned the attack.

Gambrell and Madhani write for the Associated Press. Madhani reported from Washington. AP writers Will Weissert, Collin Binkley, Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin in Washington; Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Victoria Eastwood in Cairo and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Ga., contributed to this report.