island

Several years ago, DreamWorks Animation veterans Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado pitched the studio an original story centered on friendship and steeped in Filipino culture.

That draft became the animated film “Forgotten Island,” which opened in late September and counts singer H.E.R., Liza Soberano and Dave Franco among its voice cast. The movie focuses on best friends Raissa and Jo, who will soon be separated when Raissa goes to college in the U.S., and the final adventure they take to the fantastical island of Nakali.

The movie opened to a softer $13 million in the U.S. and Canada and has so far made $23.6 million at the domestic box office over two weekends. Globally, “Forgotten Island” has brought in $38.5 million on an $80-million production budget.

That opening haul is lower than the average for original animated films from a major studio, which is about $14.6 million, according to the FranchiseRe movie industry newsletter. But the studio is hoping the movie — which has garnered a strong 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes — will pick up steam and benefit from the relative lack of animated competition at the box office until the early November debut of “The Cat in the Hat,” developed by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.

“Forgotten Island” is a big bet for Glendale-based DreamWorks Animation, which like many studios, has largely depended on sequels to drive box office success.

Original animated stories — or original movies at all — have become rarer gambles in Hollywood these days, when sequels and reboots feel like safer options. But Crawford and Mercado knew they wanted to develop a new story together.

The pair, who wrote and directed the film, have been friends for nearly two decades after they met at DreamWorks Animation as storyboard artists. Together, they’ve worked on 2011’s “Kung Fu Panda 2,” 2013’s “The Croods” and 2022’s “Puss in Boots: The Final Wish.” The two bonded over their similar sense of humor and their love for movies, and their longtime friendship was apparent in their easy banter during a joint interview shortly after the “Forgotten Island” premiere last month.

Early on, Crawford and Mercado knew they wanted to tell a story set in the Philippines that celebrated Filipino culture. Mercado is Filipino American and Crawford’s wife is Filipino, so a movie that authentically represented Filipino culture was important to them. In the film, the island of Nakali has many creatures inspired by Filipino folklore, and the characters casually use Tagalog words alongside English.

“There’s a sophistication in terms of respecting that the audience is smart, and doing our part as filmmakers to make sure that the visual storytelling and the context gives everything the audience needs to know,” Mercado told me.

Audiences, too, are more comfortable with content in other languages these days, as I wrote last week about Neon’s Korean-language thriller “Hope.” After all, kids will sing Korean lyrics in K-pop songs, and even “Puss in Boots: The Final Wish” interspersed Spanglish into the story.

“It feels timely to update the way we tell stories, to not treat the audience like, ‘They won’t understand this,’ but really treat them with respect,” Crawford said. “It just felt right to chase authenticity and let go of expectations, especially of what an animated movie should be and has been, and really do something fresh because it’s just coming from who we are.”

In the last few years, animation has been a powerhouse at the box office. Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” and Universal Pictures, Nintendo and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” have each crossed $1 billion at the global box office, two of only five movies to do so this year. In 2024, Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” was the highest grossing movie in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Original stories have been tougher. Pixar has recently struggled to match the theatrical success of its prior original films and the slower start for “Forgotten Island” may be a sign of similar hurdles for new stories. But culturally accurate storytelling has paid recent dividends — just look at the success of Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” which won two Oscars, broke streaming records and sold out theatrical singalongs.

“We believe that there is a platform and space for everyone’s story, for people to feel seen and to know they matter,” Mercado said. “Even when they see a story that is specifically Filipino, if we’ve done our job right, we’ve shown you that you could connect to the story, whether or not you have this experience with the Filipino community or the culture.”

With “Forgotten Island,” Mercado and Crawford also want to push the boundaries of animation beyond its perception as films just for kids. Later this year, films such as Laika’s PG-13 rated “Wildwood” and Brad Bird’s noir film “Ray Gunn” will test the audience appetite for more adult animated and original fare.

“We’re in a time of massive sequels,” Crawford said of stories today. “When you expand where you’re telling them and who is telling them, you naturally get originality. This year has been really exciting for original stories in both animation and live action. You are taking a chance on originality, but it pays off.”

Stuff We Wrote

Film shoots

Number of the week

The Tom Cruise-led “Digger” tanked at the box office last weekend with a domestic debut of $8 million, good enough for fifth place.

The Warner Bros. film was plagued by very mixed reviews from critics, as well as a challenging marketing campaign. The film stars Cruise as an aging oil tycoon whose drilling operations trigger a catastrophic climate change disaster. Worldwide, the film brought in $20 million on a production budget of $125 million.

It’s been a tough theatrical year for Warner Bros., which has seen a string of disappointments before “Digger.” Beyond the cinema, the company is now in the process of being absorbed by Paramount Skydance, with the merger set to finalize Tuesday.

What I’m watching

It’s been yet another busy week, so about the only thing I was able to watch was a few WNBA playoff games. Since the Sparks were left out of the playoff picture again, I’ve sort of adopted the Golden State Valkyries as the next best California team to root for, and what a wild game that was over the weekend against the Las Vegas Aces.

AN island in the UK is soon to close for the season – and won’t reopen until next year.

Ulva is home to just 16 people – but saw an ‘unprecedented’ increase in visitors over the summer thanks to its beautiful landscape, wildlife, and a new TV show.

Found in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, you can only reach it via a small passenger ferry from the Isle of Mull which has daily crossings.

However, Ulva will close to visitors completely on October 31.

The island is open seasonally with people able to visit between Easter and the October – however it did have a change in its schedule this year.

Ulva saw a surge of popularity after the airing of a BBC series called Banjo and Ro’s Grand Island Hotel.

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The show followed interior designer Banjo Beale and his husband Ro Christopher who are in the process of redeveloping a stately manor into a boutique hotel – which is set to open next year.

As a result, the island became significantly busier during spring and summer.

The Ulva Ferry team said: “If you’ve visited us already this year, you’ll have noticed how much busier things have been.”

It added: “None of us could have predicted how significant the increase in the numbers of visitors would be.”

Due to the sudden demand, the ferry announced it would close on Sundays over the summer to give islanders “the chance to recharge.”

Banjo and Ro already run The Boathouse on Ulva, a restaurant where visitors can pick up a coffee or local fish dishes.

The island is car-free island with cliffs, moorlands, woodland as well as quiet beaches and bays.

Talking to Sun Travel about the island, Banjo described it as “another world” thanks to its beautiful landscape, and there’s plenty of wildlife to spot too.

Banjo told us: “We’ve got otters, dolphins and seals swimming by, and one ferry you can take from Ulva is called Turus Mara which goes to the Treshnish Isles, it’s home to puffins.

“Often we go there for a puffin picnic just to sit with them, that’s one of our favourite things to do.

“There are more cows than people too so you’re likely to see a lot of them. And you’ve got a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights when the sun goes down.”

PRINCESS Andre has broken her silence on romance rumours after being spotted out with a Love Island bad boy.

The 19-year-old was spotted out with Harrison Solomon, 23, on Friday night at the VIP launch night of Shocktober Fest at Tulleys Farm.

Princess and Harrison, who shot to fame on the ITV2 show in 2025, were also seen at a Thorpe Park event the night before.

This has raised a few eyebrows and many have been left wondering if the pair are an item.

Princess, who is the daughter of Katie Price and Peter Andre, took to TikTok to clear some things up.

She took to the social media platform and wrote: “Rumours are really funny.

out & about

Princess Andre, 19, spotted with Love Island bad boy for 2nd night in a row

PRINCESS PAL

Princess Andre, 19, spotted enjoying night out with Love Island bad boy, 23

“Firstly we are part of the same management hence being at the same events.

“Also, just because a boy and a girl are laughing doesn’t mean anything romantic, me and Harrison.”

On Friday, the duo were seen spending most of the night with each other and their wider group of pals for the fun-filled evening.

Harrison brought his little sister along for the evening and made sure to keep a watchful eye over her whilst Princess enjoyed spending time with two of her best pals.

They also enjoyed an event at the popular theme park with their pals.

Despite appearing very chummy, however, a source close to Princess insists the pair are just pals.

“They share the same management company as Harrison recently signed to the same reps as Princess. There is nothing romantic going on,” they insisted.

Harrison took part in the 12th series of Love Island in 2025 and entered the villa as a bombshell.

During his stint in the villa he was slammed by Women’s Aid for ‘misogyny and sexism’ in a statement because of his treatment towards Lauren Wood while in a love triangle with Toni Laithes.

“Despite these positive steps, we still see unhealthy patterns of behaviour on these shows, showing just how steeped in misogyny and sexism our society still is.

“Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs.

“Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.

“More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them.”

In response to the statement, Harrison told Daily Mail: “I have seen the backlash and it’s hard to digest.

“I would disagree with a lot of it in terms of my respect for women, I do respect women.

“The worst has been from Women’s Aid. I know myself and the girls on the show too, Toni said she knows I’m not a bad person, just went about situations in the wrong way, but the Women’s Aid statement wasn’t nice… it’s not nice coming out of the villa to my mum upset by that so I would say that’s been the hardest.” 

SEVERE storms have caused flooding on a popular Greek holiday island.

Crete in Greece is currently suffering from mass flooding causing widespread disruption across the island including some tourists being evacuated from coastal accommodation.

Some cars and trees have even been washed into the sea.

Here is the current advice for travel to or from Crete right now:

Where is the flooding?

Flooding in Greece right now is mainly impacting the island of Crete.

Massive storms have been battering the island since October 1 and resulted in torrential rainfall with bad flooding and mudslides.

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Worst hit areas include the Milopotamos district and the village of Zoniana, as well as Kato Gouves, Finikia, and Heraklion city.

In Chania, there have been big waves as well which have damaged seafront restaurants.

Is it safe to travel to Crete right now?

There is currently a Red Alert warning in Crete, which has been issued by the local authorities and the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY).

Emergency services are still currently clearing mudslides and damage caused by the flooding.

The advice from GOV.UK reads:

“Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.

“To be alerted to events near where you are located in Greece, make sure your mobile phone is set to allow emergency alerts.

“For instructions on how to do this see:

• for iPhones go to Settings > Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option at the bottom
• for Android 11 and higher go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts
• for Samsung devices go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications and enable the ‘Emergency Alerts’ option

“This will allow the Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service alerts to reach you. Always keep your phone with you as you will receive alerts according to the location of your phone.

“Adverse weather conditions, including floods, can happen quickly. Register for Emergency alerts and follow ‘112 Greece’ on X for official updates.”

Are flights still going to Crete?

Currently, flights are not impacted to or from Crete.

However, if you are already in Crete and need to get to the airport you may want to allow for more extra time.

If you are due to fly in and have concerns, it may be worth contacting your airline to check if they are operating normally.

What if I have a holiday to Crete booked?

As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to Greece, there are no special circumstances in place for holidaymakers to cancel their trip and receive a full refund.

Depending on what travel insurance you have, your policy might include natural disaster cover.

If so, your insurance policy should cover you for when you are unable to reach your holiday destination due to natural disasters, like wildfires.

So it is worth checking your travel insurance policy.

Can I cancel my trip?

If you do choose to cancel your trip, it is best to contact your airline or holiday provider.

There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings unless government advice changes.

AN island in Europe has already lost thousands of tourists after Ryanair axed all flights there earlier this year.

The budget airline previously operated flights to the Azores in Portugal, having launched in 2015.

However, they confirmed last year that they would be scrapping them all with the last flight taking place on March 28.

The cancellations were due to airport fees, Ryanair said, as well as environment taxes in Europe.

The removal of Ryanair flights – which also included a number of routes from the UK – has left just British Airways operating flights, along with European airlines TAP and Azores Airlines.

Most of these operate from mainland Portugal.

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And new figures have found that the loss of Ryanair passengers has seen a drop in tourists of 100,000 already.

According to the Regional Statistics Service of the Azores (SREA), passengers arriving at the island airport dropped by 103,766 between April and August.

And there are fears this could increase even more, with projections of up to “391,000 overnight stays” lost a year.

Brits wanting to fly to the island from the UK can now only fly with British Airways, which runes flights from London Heathrow between April and October.

Otherwise alternative routes are to fly to Portugal with a connecting flight from Lisbon or Faro.

OUR Spotlight On column suggests what to see and do in the best holiday destinations abroad as well as lesser-known spots in the UK and abroad.

This week, we’re taking a look at the affordable winter sun destination of Hurghada in Egypt.

There’s never been a better time to go – Wizz Air has launched new flights from London Gatwick to Hurghada, while easyJet has put holidays there in 2027 on sale.

It is one of the best spots for affordable winter sun too, with temperatures still over 24C in December, and holiday packages under £600pp.

Throw in beautiful beaches, fantastic diving opportunities and five hour flights, it’s the perfect mid-haul spot.

Here are some other of our top recommendations.

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MUST SEE/DO

Aside from its year-round heat, Hurghada’s selling point is the ocean that it borders.

It’s positioned right on the Red Sea which is teeming with coral reefs and colourful fish.

You can easily spend a full-day snorkeling between reefs, hopping in and out of the water – most cruises include lunch on board the boat.

Blue Water Dive Resort & Sea Trips has a great selection of day cruises from around £22.

HIDDEN GEM

While most tourists will immerse themselves in the bustling markets or choose to spend an evening at a traditional Bedouin desert camp, very few make it out  to Abu Minqar Island.

It was named after its beak-like shape with “Abu Minqar” translating as “Father of the Beak”, although many colloquially refer to it as ‘The Maldives of Egypt’ thanks to its clear waters and white sands.

This dinky sandbank sits just off of the coast of Hurghada can be reached by boat on day trips. If you fancy a go at kitesurfing, this is a popular place to try it.

BEST VIEW

Head to Hurghada Marina at sunset and you’ll be bowled over by the scene of shiny yachts bobbing on the water, baked in a hazy, orange glow.

From here, you can even see across to the minarets of the El Mina mosque.

Pop into one of the many bars that line the waterfront for a sundowner or dabble in some traditional shisha.

RATED RESTAURANT

Sheraton Road in the Sakkala district is THE place to go for a lively night out and it’s  littered with buzzing restaurants.

One of the best is Starfish Seafood Restaurant that serves up the freshest of fish, plucked straight from the ocean.

Guests can select their raw food – expect prawns, calamari and whole fish – from behind the counter and chefs will cook it just to your liking.

For a taste of something traditional, try the Old Town where restaurants are a little more understated and more geared up for locals.

El Haga Restaurant is known for its excellent clay pot tagines.

BEST BAR

Little Buddha Hurghada is a favourite spot among tourists – and for good reason.

Once the dinner service ends, the whole place comes alive with thumping DJ sets  that keep hip swinging until the early hours.

The cocktail lounge does an excellent sangria for around a fiver.

If you’re keen to take advantage of the glorious weather, Papas Beach Club on the marina is an all-day venue offered a laidback setting with pizzas and burgers by day before transforming into a nightclub at dusk.

HOTEL PICK

The swish 5* Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort occupies a  prime location right on the beachfront and has its own private island connected to the hotel via jetty.

Rooms are modern and spacious with marble-clad bathrooms, with many overlooking a huge outdoor  pool and the ocean just beyond that.

Guests will have their pick of five on site restaurants, including a surf and turf joint, patio cafe serving coffee  and ice cream, and an international restaurant.

See marriott.com.

OUR Spotlight On column shines a light on the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, and some spots that are relatively under the radar.

This week we head to the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic and the coastal town of Miches.

Often said to be one of the cheapest islands in the Caribbean, it is also 30C in winter and beers are under £1.80.

eurochange has predicted where Brits will be jetting off to in 2026 thanks to recent money transactions – and it’s the Dominican Republic.

Laura Evans Fisk, Head of Digital & Engagement at eurochange said: “As we’ve seen transactions for the Dominican peso surge this year ahead of any other currency, we can definitely expect to see the Dominican Republic at the top of travel bucket lists for UK tourists in 2026.”

Direct flights make it easy to get to as well, taking around nine hours from London (both British Airways and TUI fly there) so here are some of our top tips.

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Playa Esmeralda is Miches’ showstopper. This vast ribbon of golden-white sand on the Dominican Republic’s northeastern coast stretches for miles, backed by coconut palms.

The water shifts from turquoise to deep emerald blue, giving the beach its name.

Unlike busier Caribbean resorts, it’s entirely possible to walk for half an hour here without seeing more than a handful of people – no fight for the sun loungers here!

Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Laguna Limón. This peaceful freshwater lagoon surrounded by tropical vegetation is home to dozens of bird species.

Boat tours glide through the wetlands while guides point out herons, pelicans and other wildlife.

Nearby, the crystal-clear pools of Caño Hondo offer a refreshing alternative to the beach, with natural pools cascading through lush forest.

HIDDEN GEM

The town itself and surrounding coastline – a place where emerald mountains tumble into palm-fringed beaches, humpback whales cruise offshore in winter, and brand new luxury hotels sit alongside sleepy fishing villages.

Unlike many Caribbean destinations, Miches still feels wonderfully undiscovered.

You can spend the morning hiking to panoramic viewpoints, the afternoon kayaking through mangroves and the evening watching the sun disappear over miles of virtually empty sand.

In recent years new resorts have arrived, but developers have taken a more low-key approach than elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, keeping much of the coastline untouched and embracing the natural surroundings.

BEST VIEW

But the Instagram-worthy swings of Montaña Redonda have become one of the Dominican Republic’s most recognisable photo spots.

Perched hundreds of metres above sea level, the hill offers spectacular 360-degree views over lagoons, rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean.

Take a seat on the swing that stands at the end of the viewpoint and push out over the incredible green landscape.

RATED RESTAURANTS

Away from the resorts, Miches town offers a glimpse of local life. Small family-run restaurants serve freshly grilled fish, lobster, coconut rice and sancocho, the Dominican Republic’s famous hearty stew.

Try out Rajanoris in town, it’s an unassuming spot not often visited by tourists but it’s a good bet for meeting the locals and tasting mofongo, a savoury pork and plantain dish with lots of garlic!

BEST BAR

Rancho Lounge Miches has a casual atmosphere and lively music and serves up ice cold beer and of course, lots of rum!

WHERE TO STAY

The Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton is set on it’s own 800-metre stretch of sand, with nothing but palm trees and mountains for company.

Even though it’s secluded, there’s a wealth of things to do.

There are four different pools, including a kids pool, 11 bars and restaurants, and a swish spa for some pampering.

As for activities, there’s everything from a bowling alley to a padel court! See hilton.com.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,569pp including flights from Manchester on November 17, 20kg luggage and transfers. See tui.co.uk.

A TINY island off the coast of the UK has closed earlier than expected amid fears of incoming bad weather conditions.

Caldey Island is a short, 20-minute boat ride from Tenby in Wales, with just 40 people living there.

However, in the summer months, tourists flock to the island when it reopens from Easter to the end of October.

Yet the island has since stopped boats almost a month early, citing upcoming weather concerns including high pressure and fog.

The island, owned by a group on monks, explained on social media: “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Caldey Island for the remainder of the 2026 season.

“With the weather forecast for October looking particularly challenging, we feel it is the right decision to bring the season to a close a little earlier than usual.”

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They added that it had been a “record-breaking season,” having been open for 64 days in a row from July to August.

The island will now stay closed until next year, likely opening in spring 2027.

But if you are planning your trip there next year, there is lots to do for a day trip to the ‘paradise’ island.

It is one of the UK’s holy islands, having been owned by monks for more than 1,500 years.

Priory Bay is the beach that is open to tourists, with the golden sands often devoid of crowds.

The island also has a chocolate factory to explore, along with a cafe, tea garden and gift shop.

Along with five walking trails (where you can spot rare red squirrels), a playground and a lighthouse attraction, a new Visitor Centre is also set to open.

If you want to stay, there are three options – St Philomena’s, with full-board stays costing £75pp and St Teilo’s cottage which is £65 a night.

Otherwise there are some rooms in the Monastic Guesthouse, which is only for men, and must work with assisting the monks.

To visit the island, it costs £24.95 for adults and £12.95 for kids, with reduced rates for seniors and families.

A BEAUTIFUL island off the coast of Dorset is closing to the public soon and you won’t be able to visit again until next spring.

Brownsea Island was said to have inspired Enid Blyton when writing her Famous Five novels.

Owned by the National Trust, the car-free island opens to the public in the summer months with direct boats from Poole Harbour.

These run every 30 minutes, costing around £15.

But the island closes to the public on November 1, and won’t reopen to the public until mid-March 2027.

You will also need to pay to visit the island which is an additional £12 although, National Trust members go free.

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But the island is popular with wildlife lovers, with exotic birds, deer and free roaming peacocks.

It has a huge red squirrel population too, with around 250, best spotted in the morning.

The 16th century Brownsea Castle, built by Henry VIII, is the main building on the island, but you won’t be able to stay there as it is sadly privately owned.

Instead there is the Brownsea Island Campsite, with 40 pitches in the summer, or a number of lodges sleeping from 2 to 12 people.

There is an adventure playground for kids, with everything from den building to obstacles.

You’ll have to leave the dogs at home sadly, as only assistance pets are allowed.

Daily guided tours take place too twice a day.

Otherwise you can fill your stomach at the Vilano Cafe which has snacks, drinks and a snack van in the summer.

IF you want beautifully hot winters without the long, stopover flights, then an island is about to be on your list.

The island of Mauritius, just off the coast of Madagascar in East Africa, has seen a drop in passengers in recent years.

According to Travel Gossip, visitor numbers fell by 11 per cent, linked to the Middle East conflict due to the majority of flights operating via Dubai.

However, it also rose slightly back in August, with last-minute bookings to the island.

Airline Air Mauritius – who currently operates flights from London Gatwick – could add even more from the UK.

Dinesh Burrenchobay, Chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, said: “Air Mauritius has committed to increase its frequency back to five flights a week, maybe even six or seven.

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“It didn’t commit to a timeline, but I think we will get extra flights from the UK by next summer.”

The UK is one of the island’s biggest markets, with as many 150,000 visiting a year.

Air Mauritius UK Country Sales Manager Allan Owen added: “We are looking at the tourist board to increase knowledge of Mauritius and what it has to offer and we will increase capacity in line with rising demand.” 

Direct flights from the UK to Mauritius take just under 12 hours.

However, the time difference can be as little as 3-4 hours, so jet lag is minimal.

Not just that, but January is one of its hottest months with highs of 30C, so its the ideal escape from the cold UK.

When it comes to visiting the island, the north is popular with fly-and-floppers with most resorts lining the beaches.

Otherwise the south of the island is more for the nature fans, with waterfalls and tropical jungles.

One of it’s most famous beaches is Le Morne Beach, often named one of the best in the world.

We’ve found some very cheap holiday deals – local B&B breaks start from £739pp (with flights and seven nights) while beachside resorts start from £999pp on loveholidays.

WASHINGTON — President Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he wanted to buy weapons from the United States, the U.S. ambassador to China said.

David Perdue said Trump raised the prospect of the arms sales from the U.S. to its ascendant geopolitical rival, an unlikely offer that if consummated would upend generations of U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan and expose U.S. technology to a potential foe. Perdue, speaking to Shannon Bream on Fox News Channel’s “Fox News Sunday” days after Trump hosted Xi for a state visit in Washington, didn’t specify when the offer was made.

Perdue said Sunday that Trump, a Republican, was downplaying longstanding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan — which have drawn protest from Beijing for years — by couching it as just one of many sales Washington makes around the world — and even asking Xi if he’d be in the market for U.S. weaponry.

Bream had cited concerns from Republican and Democratic lawmakers over delayed aid packages and weapons orders to Taiwan, the self-ruled democracy that seeks to defend itself from China’s threat to invade the island. Bream asked if the U.S. is denying arms to Taiwan to appease the Chinese president, who visited Trump last week.

Perdue pushed back on the suggestion, stating that Trump “is as strong on Taiwan as I’ve ever seen anybody” and has sold it plenty of weapons. Perdue also said Trump and Xi continue to talk about future U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan.

“But President Trump continues to say, ‘Hey, we sell arms to other people around the world,’” Perdue said. “He actually asked President Xi, would he like to buy some, at one point.”

The U.S. is bound by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. While not recognizing Taiwan as a country, the U.S. is the island’s strongest informal backer and arms provider. But multiple U.S. leaders have left ambiguous whether they would commit military force to defend the U.S. ally should China invade.

China has pressed Washington to halt the arms sales, most prominently during a previous summit in May between Trump and Xi in Beijing. After that meeting, the United States paused the sale of a record-breaking $14 billion package — and Trump described arms sales to Taiwan as a “very good negotiating chip” with China.

In their private talks at the White House last week, Xi pressed Trump to oppose Taiwan independence, according to Chinese state media.

In Beijing, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun did not confirm Perdue’s remarks when asked about the matter on Monday. But he told reporters that China has always strengthened its national defense capabilities based on its needs and is committed to maintaining world peace and stability.

Finley writes for the Associated Press.

IF you haven’t started planning your holidays for next summer yet, well you’re in luck as easyJet has just announced 18 new routes.

Whether you want to head off to a popular city break destination or explore somewhere you would have never considered, the major budget airline is launching routes to several countries.

For example, if you love visiting Spain there will be six new routes to the country including the airline’s first-ever flights to Girona.

Often dubbed the Immortal City due to its long history of being attacked and defended over the centuries, Girona is the perfect spot for Game of Thrones fans as it was used for filming the series.

The route will take off from Liverpool on March 28 and operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Though, if you are based closer to London flights to Girona will also take off from Gatwick starting on June 3, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

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Fancy somewhere else in Spain? Liverpool will gain a new route to Murcia from March 29, taking off twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Alternatively, if you are based in Scotland, Aberdeen will gain flights to Barcelona from March 31, taking off on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The same airport will also launch flights to Majorca from May 3, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Or with a 700-year-old historic quarter, you can travel to Bilbao from Edinburgh starting March 30 with flights operating on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Away from Spain, there will be three new routes flying to France from next summer as well.

Found on the island of Corsica, with sprawling Mediterranean beaches and scenic coastal walks, you could head to Ajaccio from London Gatwick, starting on June 30.

Alternatively, from Bristol Airport, head to Montpellier from July 1 or if you are based near Manchester, flights to Bastia launch on June 29.

Each of these routes will operate twice a week.

If enjoying delicious pasta in Italy is more your thing, there is a new route launching between Birmingham and Milan Malpensa from March 29 operating twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

Edinburgh will also gain flights to the ‘eternal city’ of Rome from March 30, with flights departing on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

For somewhere a little different you can head to Montenegro from Edinburgh, with flights heading to Tivat from March 29.

There will be flights between Birmingham and Tivat too, beginning on May 3.

Both routes will operate twice weekly.

When in Tivat, explore the marina backed by mountains and home to the Tivat Submarine, which is a decommissioned Heroj P-821 submarine that is part of the Maritime Heritage Museum.

If you happen to live in or near the Scottish capital, you can fly to Hamburg in Germany as well from March 29.

And Bristol will add flights to Burgas in Bulgaria from May 28.

Back in the north, from Newcastle you could head to Larnaca, Cyprus, and enjoy soft,sandy beaches from March 31, operating weekly on Wednesdays.

And if you want to live out your Mamma Mia dreams, there are two new routes to Greece launching including flights from London Southend to Rhodes starting on April 27 and operating twice a week as well as flights between London Luton and Thessaloniki starting on May 1, with weekly Saturday flights.

WHEN it comes to the Canary Islands, your first thought would probably be Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

But what if I told you the smallest of the islands is often overlooked but is just as beautiful?

La Graciosa is the smallest inhabited Canary Island, known for its volcanic landscapes.

Tourism Lanzarote even claims that “it is the least explored and most peaceful and serene of the Canary Islands.”

There are two main villages on the island – the main fishing village and then the port of Caleta de Sebo.

And in these storybook villages, you won’t find paved roads, instead just sand-covered streets and paths.

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If you are looking for somewhere to stay on the island, you’ll want to head to Caleta de Sebo as this is where you’ll find most of the accommodation such as guest houses, apartments and campsites.

And thanks to many of the buildings in the towns being whitewash with low roofs, visitors have previously compared La Graciosa to Mykonos.

Despite being just north of Lanzarote and separated from the holiday hotspot by a narrow strait called El Rio, La Graciosa is far less crowded.

The island only has a population of 700 and thanks its small size – 11.2-square-miles to be exact – it doesn’t take too long to explore.

The most popular way of exploring the island is by bike, with numerous trails heading to different corners of the island.

And of course, you can head to the beach.

In fact, at the beach you’ll be sat in front of Europe’s largest marine reserve, which is the ideal spot for snorkeling and diving.

White-sand beaches include Playa de las Conchas, which one visitor recently dubbed as “one of the most beautiful beaches in the Canarias”.

They added: “The colors and the scenery are astonishing.”

It takes about an hour to walk to the beach from the main port, alternatively you could cycle there.

There are also no facilities at the beach, so make sure you are prepared before visiting.

Alternatively, at the other end of the island is Playa Francesa, which is a crescent shaped beach with golden sand.

You’ll also get a view of the volcano from the beach.

To get to the island you’ll need to hop on a ferry from Orzola on Lanzarote.

It takes about 25 minutes to reach the island.

And flying to Lanzarote is super cheap – with on-way tickets costing from £15 in September, October, Novemeber and December.

And what makes the destination even better is that next week, temperatures reach up to 28C making it the ideal escape from autumnal UK.

ONE minute I’m having my morning coffee, the next I’m handed a long stick to fish fresh mangos from the trees for my breakfast.

As I cut into the ripe green fruit, sticky juice seeps down my arm and I frantically try to eat it before it reaches my elbow.

After days of rich prawn curries and French chocolate lava cakes, this health hit is a welcome change. 

The mix of Indian and French culture is what makes a holiday to the African island of Mauritius unique.

Its history is complex. Being uninhabited until 1598, it swapped hands from the Dutch, to the French, and finally the British before its independence in 1968.

Now predominantly Indo-Mauritian, the island is the definition of paradise.

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Soft sandy beaches, coconut trees lining the roads and year-round 30C weather. All the boxes ticked.

And your time in paradise is best spent at Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel in the north of the island.

The adult-only resort, which underwent a huge renovation in 2024, is named after the tragic French love story of Virginie and Paul. Spoiler: They both die.

I’ve never felt more alive, however, as I enter the hotel to be greeted by Bora Bora-style thatched lobbies, Maldives-esque, over-water restaurants and a Dubai-like infinity pool.

Thankfully, it comes without the high price tag of those destinations, as Mauritius is the affordable luxury alternative.

My out-of-office relaxation is only interrupted by my hourly break into the water to escape the heat. There’s the bright turquoise ocean with snorkelling, paddle boarding and glass-bottom boat tours — all included for guests.

Otherwise, days are spent hopping between the main hotel pool and the infinity pool overlooking the sea.

The latter is where I spend every evening in awe of the view when the sun goes down.

As the clouds clear, a vivid pink sunset rips across the sky like a paint splatter, lighting up the water in the same hue.

And the views don’t stop from either of the hotel restaurants.

The main dining spot is Saint Geran, which juts out over the water with 360-degree ocean views.

The menu includes octopus salads, Mauritian arancini and decadent French desserts. I quickly became obsessed with napolitaine, a tiny shortbread biscuit covered in pink icing that I had alongside nearly every cup of coffee.

Make sure to stay put at the resort on Thursdays for the Sunset Vibes nights, with steel drums, cocktails and canapes.

Another big selling point of this gorgeous hotel is that all the bedrooms have either pool or sea views.

My Superior room — the middle option — was spacious and stylish. Think rattan chairs on the balcony, king-size beds and dark walnut furniture, accented with blues and oranges.

Any woes I still had in me were eased at the hotel’s spa, where a 90-minute massage from Aurora left me feeling like a new woman.

If you come to Mauritius with the kids, try the Veranda Grand Baie hotel down the road. This resort has volleyball courts, table tennis and a rotating menu of activities, such as archery and kayaking.

I tested my skills with some Creole lessons, Ravanne drum classes and cooking demonstrations, sweating over an outdoor stove.

Adults wanting some time to themselves also have more choice in the village of Grand Baie (after which the hotel is named).

A short walk or boat ride away, Banana Beach Club is the place to be, with £3 local beers and live music all through the week.

Pop into the Bazar de Grand Baie, a huge indoor market with everything from clothes and shoes to carved wooden dodos and coconut bowls. Just be prepared to haggle hard. If you can pull yourself away, the rest of the north of the island has a lot more to offer outside of the resorts.

The history of Mauritius is best explained at L’Aventure du Sucre, an interactive museum exploring the last 400 years — with sugar and rum tastings to finish off, of course.

Join the locals at Cap Malheureux beach, where heady smells of BBQ-ed meat carry across the shore.

It’s also where you’ll find the famous red-roofed church that features on all the postcards out here.

Or grab a bike and explore the fishing village of Grand Gaube.

Our guide, “King Julian”, showed us around, greeting nearly every person like a local celeb, high-fiving them over the football or holding doors for the elderly churchgoers.

“We don’t have a big life, but it’s a millionaire life,” he tells us as we watch the fishing boats come in underneath another pink sunset.

Despite spending a fraction of that to be there, I certainly felt a million dollars by the end.

Even if just from my daily dose of mangos.

LOVE Island star Rykard Jenkins is engaged after popping the question to his doctor girlfriend.

Rykard planned the perfect proposal for Nora Jafaar overlooking the Tuscan sea in Italy.

The Love Island star got down on one knee on a cliff in Porto Ecole as Nora sat on the hood of a vintage car.

“Best day of my life,” Rykard captioned the Instagram post of a carousel of photos showing their big moment.

The couple who have been together since the beginning of 2023 work together running the Rejuvenation Clinic, a celebrity hotspot for aesthetic treatments.

Nora flashed her giant diamond ring in the photos as the couple smooched in the car and shared some tasty champagne in celebration.

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Rykard rose to fame on the second season of Love Island, but ditched reality TV to focus on his aesthetics career, including running the exclusive clinic in London’s Marlyebone.

His now-fiancé had spotted the hunky Rykard long before they worked together.

 “I was a junior doctor in my first or second year of being a doctor and I remember my all the doctors were living together around the hospital and we became Love Island super fans,” Nora told The Sun in 2023.

“We would watch the show and all debrief in the morning. And then when lockdown happened I got more into aesthetics and cosmetics, and then I saw randomly Rykard, who I had been following for years, did the same.

“I remember I just slid into his DMs and said ‘let me know if you need any help.’”

Rykard explained that he tried unsuccessfully to take Dr. Nora for a coffee for a few times, and they ended up going on a date with one of his friend’s in tow after chatting online for some time.

And despite working together they admit they don’t get competitive, and have instead “learnt a lot from each other.”