England’s Ella Toone on ‘massive lesson’ from hip injury setback
While Toone was absent, others have taken their opportunity in an England shirt.
Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall impressed in England’s 1-0 victory over Spain, while Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown started against Iceland.
United team-mate Jess Park has also played in the number 10 position, while Chelsea’s Lauren James is an option if she is not used as a winger.
While Toone says she has enjoyed watching her team-mates thrive, she is eager to prove herself to manager Sarina Wiegman again this week.
“You are never guaranteed to be selected, no matter what your journey has been like in an England shirt,” said Toone.
“Every time the squad comes out, you’re still worried you might not make it. Missing the last few camps, I knew I had to make myself available for this selection.
“I came to the last camp to see Alessia [Russo] and the girls and I reminded Sarina that I’m a number 10 and I’ll be ready for the next camp.”
Despite her eagerness to impress Wiegman, Toone says she has to remember “not to put too much pressure” on herself and to enjoy her return to action.
“I do play my best football when there is no pressure. That is what I’ve tried to do. I know I’ve been out for a long time,” she added.
“I made sure I used the time wisely and I feel like I’m in a really good place.”
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, Toone’s best friend, says it is nice to have her “comfort blanket” back in the England squad for this month’s matches.
“I obviously did miss her when she wasn’t here. Everyone kept asking me if I was OK. I was like: ‘I’m fine!’
“She’s worked so hard to get back. Injuries are rubbish but she’s really matured over the last year or two and within her body. I’m really happy to have her back.”
Hoover Dam, challenged by drought, now wears a massive U.S. flag
Nope, it’s not AI. It’s just a really big flag with bright lights, draped on Hoover Dam for the next several weeks.
As a display to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, the states of Nevada and Arizona and the federal Bureau of Reclamation teamed up to hang and illuminate an enormous American flag on the dam on Memorial Day.
The display, scheduled to be in place through July 4, is visible to anyone crossing between Arizona and Nevada on U.S. Route 93, which goes across the top of the dam. The flag is 150 feet tall and 300 feet long, spread on the south-facing side of the dam and lit by 550 LED lights (powered by dam-generated electricity).
A wider view of the illuminated U.S. flag at Hoover Dam.
(Michael Bittle)
It’s a spectacle that comes at a challenging moment for Hoover Dam, as experts warn that Lake Mead’s dwindling water levels could threaten the dam’s ability to generate hydropower. “Slap a flag on it, that’ll fix it,” suggested one of several Reddit commenters who were moved to snarkiness by the flag image.
The dam, a frequent day-trip destination from Las Vegas, stands 35 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip, about 295 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The site features a visitor center and overlook, and guided and self-guided tours.
Installation of the display involved dozens of riggers and two cranes. The flag, which is roughly the dimensions of a football field, has been previously used for celebrations at Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders football games.
Within two days after it was hung, gusts of wind up to 50 mph prompted organizers to lower the flag last Wednesday as the National Weather Service declared a wind advisory for the area. Organizers raised the flag again late Friday.
Strong winds are not uncommon in the area. Organizers said weather “may periodically require the flag to be temporarily lowered.” Updates on the flag’s status can be found on the Hoover Dam Facebook page.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority paid for the display. A spokeswoman said the cost, including flag, production, installation costs and six weeks of lighting, will be between $750,000 and $1 million.
The dam, a five-year construction job that was completed in 1936 during the depths of the Great Depression, is often hailed as one of the nation’s most impressive works of infrastructure. Though this is not the first time a flag has been draped on it, organizers have called the display “the most ambitious long-duration installation ever attempted at Hoover Dam.”
Massive 23,000 sq ft bowling alley with mini golf, beer pong, darts and ‘interactive’ playground to open in UK next week
A SPAWLING new bowling venue is set to open in a major UK city next week.
The 23,000 sq ft entertainment hub promises a range of late-night activities as well as a bar.
Lane7, a boutique bowling brand, will open the doors to its brand new venue in Trinity Leeds on June 2.
The sprawling entertainment hub will feature 12 bowling lanes, alongside a range of late-night gaming options.
This will include darts, pool tables, beer pong, shuffleboard and a retro gaming arcade, as well as a mini-golf area.
An on-site bar will also serve a range of cocktails, craft beers and casual food options.
Open until 1am on Friday and Saturday, and 12am the rest of the week, the games hub can also host late-night outings, corporate events and group celebrations.
Gavin Hughes, managing director at Lane7, said: “There’s been so much excitement about our arrival since we announced we were coming to Trinity Leeds – it feels like the city has already embraced us.
“Leeds is known for its incredible nightlife and we’re sure the arrival of Lane7 will be a big boost for the city’s leisure scene.”
The brand, first launched in 2013, is known as a premium, adult-focused activity bar that aimed to “reinvent” traditional bowling alleys.
Lane7 now has 18 venues across the UK, with another three set to open alongside Leeds, in Belfast, Glasgow and York.
Bowling starts from £10.50 per game, with the option to select a multi-games package from £13.
Abandoned WWII torpedo testing site to be turned into massive holiday resort with hotels, glamping and playparks
A HOLIDAY park with glamping pods and lodges could be built on an old torpedo site in Scotland.
The former testing area for missiles has been derelict for 40 years, but could soon be completely transformed and become a go-to staycation spot.
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On the shores of Loch Long in Argyll & Bute is an old Ministry of Defence site that was used been 1912 and 1986.
It was predominantly used during World War Two, and as many as 12,000 torpedoes were fired down Loch Long.
Since its closure 40 years ago, the site in Arrochar has been abandoned and left derelict.
A planning application to redevelop the area was first submitted in 2023.
Three years on, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has approved a mixed-use tourism development by Ardnagal Estates.
Former proposals for the site included 14 holiday homes, 34 holiday lodges, and a 34-bedroom budget hotel.
Also included in the initial plans was a cafe, shop, a 40-bed bunkhouse, six motorhome pitches and 20 glamping pods as well as parking, composting toilets and shower block.
Another proposed feature was to revitalise the pier so that the public and community could access the loch.
Leisure on the site would include a play park that will add “family-friendly amenity for residents and visitors”.
Previous plans were to build a 130-bedroom hotel although it isn’t clear if this is part of the current plans.
Claire Chapman, the park authority’s planning and access committee chairwoman, said: “The approval of this long-standing derelict site’s redevelopment is a significant step forward in addressing what has been a blight on both the local community and the environment.
“The site has been identified in both the existing local development plan, which guides new development in the National Park, and in the community’s local place plan.”
The 119-year-old Edwardian indoor swimming pool getting a massive new £16million upgrade
ONE of the UK’s oldest indoor swimming pools is getting a huge makeover after being forced to close three years ago.
Moseley Road Baths in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, opened back in 1907 but has been shut to the public since 2023.
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Now, the Grade II-listed Edwardian pool will be brought back to life with a new community health and wellbeing hub as well as restored main pool.
The baths are split into three main pools: the Gala Pool (which used to be for upper class men); the second class men’s pool and then the women’s baths.
The Gala Pool – which closed back in 2003 due to safety concerns – will be completely restored and reopened, as will the mezzanine gallery around the pool and there will be a new ground-floor viewing area too.
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According to Visit Birmingham, the pool is “the grandest space in the building” with cast iron arches and viewing balconies on three sides of the pool.
The second pool onsite will then be converted into a flexible event space.
The Women’s Slipper Baths – which locals used to pay a small fee to bathe right up until 2004 – will be made into a community health and wellbeing hub and the Men’s Second Class Slipper Baths will be transformed into a community gym.
The former boiler room will then be made into another flexible studio space.
Following all of the upgrades, the baths are expected to reopen in late 2028.
Previous restoration works started in September last year, of the roofs at the baths and the Balsall Heath Library, which is getting a new mezzanine level.
Many original features will be kept though throughout the building, such as the oak wood ticket offices and 30-metre Gothic Renaissance facade with red brick and terracotta.
Other original features include glazed bricks in ivory, turquoise and cream and terrazzo floors.
In 2016, the baths were even placed on the World Monuments Fund’s watch list, placing the baths in the top 10 per cent of the most important historic buildings in England.
Joe Holyoak, Chair, Friends of Moseley Road Baths said: “For more than two decades, our community has fought to keep Moseley Road Baths open and to secure its future.
“Today’s news is a moment of immense pride.
“We will swim in the Gala Pool again, and this magnificent building will be a home for our community for generations to come.
“We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has played their part in making this happen, and to the swimmers who supported us along the way.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Moseley Road Baths is a real Birmingham icon and it’s now closer than ever to reopening to the public because local people never gave up on it.”
Massive new ‘floating’ lido to open in the UK next month and it’s right on the river
THE UK isn’t short of lidos but a new ‘floating’ swimming pool is opening right by the River Thames next month.
Sea Lanes in Canary Wharf’s Eden Dock will be opening on June 19 and will be a year-round swimming attraction.
The venue is billing itself as “London’s leading destination for open water swimming, health and wellbeing”.
Visitors will be able to dive into a 50-metre-long and 1.3-metre-deep floating swimming pool, with six lanes and then – for after a refreshing dip – there will also be two saunas.
The attraction will feature a clubhouse as well, with year-round wellness events such as talks and members’ socials and a place to grab food and drink.
The first event will be on June 25 and will be an Open Water Masterclass with Olympian Katy Sexton, who will coach swimmers and share pro tips.
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If visitors want to rent a wetsuit, they can do so at a small store too.
The pool will be open from 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 7pm at the weekends.
Visitors can opt for different memberships including the Founder Membership for the first 500 members which costs £75 a month and includes swim and sauna access.
Alternatively, visitors can pay-per-swim, which will cost £10 for a swim session, £10 for a sauna session or £18 for both.
The pool hopes to be able to help swimmers transition from pools to open water.
Joe McNulty, director at Sea Lanes previously said: “Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will be more than just a swimming pool – it will be an urban oasis for health and wellbeing all set within the green and biodiverse waterfront of Eden Dock.”
UAE Building Massive ‘Cope Cages’ To Protect Energy Facilities From Iranian Drone Attacks
Forced to defend against thousands of Iranian drone and missile attacks before and after the ceasefire in the now-paused U.S.-Israel war on Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) appears to have taken a play from Russia and its war with Ukraine in an attempt to secure some of its energy facilities with massive metal ‘cope cages.’
An image posted on X by Israel’s I24 News outlet shows what it claims is caging around oil tanks near Dubai International Airport. In the far-right section of the photo, what appears to be a more complete metal enclosure of some of the fuel tanks can be seen, while in the foreground, construction looks to be taking place on caging for additional tanks.
This seems to be the first sighting of these structures in the UAE and across the Gulf Arab nations. It is unclear when construction on the structures began or how many of these barriers the UAE is building or plans to build. We have reached out to the UAE Embassy in Washington for more details.
As we have reported in the past, the idea behind these kinds of metal structures is to mitigate the damage caused by incoming munitions by creating a barrier between the point of weapon impact and the target. The caging depicted is not designed to protect against Iranian ballistic missiles, and even cruise missiles could be a challenge. These kinds of structures are made to help defend against one-way attack munitions, such as the Shahed-136, many of which Iran has launched against the UAE. They can also protect from near-field small suicide drone attacks, although these have not been a major issue in the UAE during this conflict.
As noted earlier, while these structures may be new to the UAE, it is not the first time metal caging and even mesh nets have been used to protect critical energy infrastructure. Russia has employed these measures on its oil storage facilities in attempts to protect them from repeated Ukrainian drone attacks for a number of years now.
You can see some of those defensive measures in the following images and videos.
Russia Puts Cope Cages on Oil Storage Tanks
It is no surprise that the UAE would resort to such measures. Since the conflict broke out on Feb. 28, the Emirates have been particularly hard hit by Iranian attacks, especially on its energy infrastructure.
The UAE Defense Ministry says its air defenses “have engaged a total of 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles, and 2,265 UAVs” fired by Iran.
Two of the UAE’s major energy infrastructure sites – the oil storage facilities at the UAE Port of Fujairah and the Habshan natural gas processing facility – have been damaged by Iranian missiles and drones. You can see video of some of the Iranian attacks on the UAE below.
Habshan, the main natural gas plant supplying the fuel in the United Arab Emirates “will only return to full capacity next year, highlighting the long recovery times for some of the region’s most critical infrastructure that was damaged in the Iran war,” Bloomberg News noted.
The most recent Iranian attack on the UAE came on May 10, more than a month after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire that is barely holding on. The Emirates, however, haven’t just taken defensive measures. As we noted earlier this week, reports emerged that it carried out secret airstrikes on Iranian targets.
The war has once again highlighted the need for hardened structures to protect valuable assets, an issue TWZ has frequently covered. Meanwhile, shortly before the war broke out, the U.S. took a step toward acknowledging the importance of these kinds of defensive systems. The Pentagon issued new guidance for protecting critical infrastructure against drone attacks that calls for increased use of netting, cables, and other kinds of passive physical defenses.
The following video shows War Secretary Pete Hegseth introducing the Pentagon’s new approach to protecting infrastructure from drone attacks.
The new plan represented a notable shift in policy within the department. For years now, U.S. military officials have often pushed back on the utility and cost-effectiveness of investing more in the physical hardening of bases and other critical facilities, especially shelters to shield aircraft from drones and other threats.
Whether the new structures UAE is building to defend its energy infrastructure actually work will only be known should Iran launch a new round of attacks that target these sites. Clearly, the world will be watching and taking notes.
Contact the author: howard@twz.com
Mysterious Chinese SUV With Massive Roof Featured In Trump Motorcade In Beijing
An especially large motorcade ferried President Donald Trump around Beijing during his trip to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week. However, a pair of heavily-laden Chinese SUVs with huge custom roofs, a configuration that does not appear to have been previously seen, were of particular interest. The motorcade also featured several other vehicles with interesting, but far less substantial additions to their roofs.
The unusual SUVs were first spotted as Trump’s motorcade moved through the Chinese capital on May 13, as can be seen in the video in the social media post immediately below. They continued to be a feature of the motorcade throughout the U.S. President’s state visit, which wrapped up today.
The U.S. Secret Service has confirmed to TWZ that it was not the operator of any of the vehicles discussed in this piece, but it could not say whether they belonged to the U.S. Embassy or the Chinese government. The Secret Service and other U.S. authorities bring large numbers of vehicles and other assets to support any presidential visit overseas, especially very high-profile ones like Trump’s trip to meet with Xi this week. State Department and other U.S. government resources already in the destination country — or region — are leveraged, as well. Local security forces also help protect American presidents during these occasions.
The two high-top SUVs that were seen in the motorcade are based on one of the current generation models available from Chinese manufacturer Hongqi.
There were two other SUVs with notable modifications to their roofs – a Chevy Suburban and a Lincoln Navigator. There was also a Ford E-series van with a prominently modified roof.
All of the American-designed vehicles in question are available in China, and they were all seen with Chinese license plates. However, the Suburban had a black plate with white lettering, a type issued for foreign-owned vehicles, which might point to it belonging to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. At the same time, China has issued specific diplomatic plates over the years that are black and white, but also include red kanji, which was not seen in this case. A general example of this is seen in the social media post below. We will come back to this later on.
Regardless of their operators, the modified Hongqi SUVs were clear standouts that quickly caught attention online.
The purpose of the custom tops on the Hongqi SUVs is unknown, but they would offer space to fit additional outsized equipment. Possible options might include an electronic warfare system, directed energy weapon, or a communications array. On the subject of advanced electronic warfare systems and directed energy weapons, these capabilities are set to become increasingly commonplace in VVIP motorcades, in general, due to the danger of drone attacks.
A new high-top roof could allow individuals to stand up fully while still inside the vehicle, but the benefit that would provide in this case is unclear. There are no obvious apertures or firing ports. It is unknown whether any part of the very top retracts to allow for the deployment of something inside. There is something of an upper fairing visible on the front, but it could be there for a number of reasons.
Whatever the case, the modified Hongqi SUVs are definitely very heavy-set, with the vehicles running visibly low on their rear axles in particular. There is also some kind of feature attached to the rear of the vehicles. However, without a full view from the rear, whether this might be a lift or something else is not clear. A lift would make some sense considering whatever is inside appears to be very heavy.
There was also clearly some value to having one of the SUVs in this configuration positioned at different points in the motorcade simultaneously. One at the front and one at the rear are seen the main video posted above.
The modified Lincoln Navigator has a far smaller, but still interesting addition to its roof, which could contain an electronic warfare and/or satellite communications systems. It also has what may be a small electro-optical sensor turret on top of the front end of the roof. Several whip-type antennas mounted on top of the vehicle are also seen.
It is worth noting here that marked Chinese Police Ford F-150 pickups were also seen deployed in Beijing during Trump’s visit with a roughly similar configuration, including the sensor turret on top.
The Chevy Suburban also has a slightly raised roof with an array of antennas, including an X-shaped type commonly associated with UHF satellite communications arrays. Interestingly, this SUV looks similar in some broad respects to Suburbans configured as command, control, and communications support vehicles that the White House Communications Agency (WHCA) and certain elements of the U.S. military have operated over the years. These are more commonly referred to as “Roadrunners” and are a staple in U.S. presidential motorcades, as you can read more about here. As already noted, this particular SUV had a type of license plate pointing to a foreign owner. While we know that this is not a U.S. Secret Service vehicle, the WCHA or another U.S. government operator could still be a possibility.
Last, there is the Ford E-series van. The available views of this vehicle are more limited, but it does have a modified roof with what look to be work lights positioned at various points around the edges. This is in addition to the red and blue emergency lights along the front edge. There is also an unknown feature at the top left corner of the roof, which has a cone-shaped protrusion at the front. Its purpose is not immediately clear.
Vans are inherently multi-purpose vehicles by design, and Chinese policies are known to use marked E-series types for various purposes, including riot control. It is possible this particular example could be part of a rapid response team, or serve some other function.
In general, specialized, unique, and sometimes unusual vehicles are common to see in VIP motorcades, especially presidential ones. TWZ has been among the first to call attention to new additions to the U.S. presidential motorcade lineup, in particular, over the years. This includes the appearance of new Cadillac Escalade presidential limousines just in January of this year.
If the vehicles seen during Trump’s recent trip to China, especially the Hongqi SUVs with the huge custom tops, continue to be features of motorcades during state visits by prominent leaders to Beijing, more details about their configuration and functions may emerge.
Special thanks to Newsweek‘s Ryan Chan for bringing this to our attention.
Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Belarus authoritarian leader welcomes U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham to hold massive gathering
TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian leader on Friday greeted U.S. Rev. Franklin Graham, who arrived in the tightly controlled country to hold the largest evangelical Christian gathering in its history.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko asked Graham to convey warm greetings to President Trump and tell him that he has “reliable friends and supporters in Belarus.”
Since Trump returned to the White House, Lukashenko has released hundreds of political prisoners as part of U.S.-brokered deals that lifted some U.S. sanctions, part of the isolated leader’s efforts to improve ties with the West.
“Without the U.S. president, it might have been more difficult for us to establish our relations,” Lukashenko told Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn. Graham was accompanied by Greta Van Susteren, the anchor for Newsmax TV who is married to Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, John Coale.
Lukashenko has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has been sanctioned repeatedly by Western countries — both for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Graham is set to hold the largest gathering of evangelicals ever in Belarus’ history, with thousands expected to attend what the organizers called the Festival of Hope at an indoor sports arena in Minsk, the capital.
Lukashenko’s rule was challenged after a 2020 presidential election, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets to protest a vote they viewed as rigged. In an ensuing crackdown, tens of thousands were detained, with many beaten by police. Prominent opposition figures fled the country or were imprisoned.
Five years after the mass demonstrations, Lukashenko won a seventh term last year in an election that the opposition called a farce.
As part of a deal in March that Washington helped broker, Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners, while the U.S. agreed to lift sanctions from two Belarusian state banks and the country’s Finance Ministry, and to remove the top Belarusian potash producers from a sanctions list.
Another deal in April released prominent journalist Andrzej Poczobut in a swap with Poland that saw a total of 10 people freed.
However, Belarus still has 845 political prisoners, including 22 journalists, according to the Viasna human rights center.
Belarus opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya voiced hope that Graham’s visit will help the release of all political prisoners. “We continue to push for a complete end to the harsh political repressions in Belarus,” Tsikhanouskaya told the Associated Press.
Belarusian authorities’ permission for the massive gathering of evangelicals marks a shift, following years of crackdown on clergy — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant — which saw dozens jailed, silenced or forced into exile for protesting the 2020 election. In the country of 9.5 million, about 80% are Orthodox Christians; nearly 14% are Catholics, residing mostly in western, northern and central parts of the country; and about 2% belong to Protestant churches.
A 2024 law required all religious organizations to reregister with authorities or face being outlawed if their loyalty to the state is in doubt.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has listed Belarus among countries with religious freedom violations, particularly noting its restrictive legislation.
Natallia Vasilevich, coordinator of the Christian Vision monitoring group, noted that even as Graham’s visit to Belarus was a “mega-important event” for evangelicals in the country, they continue to face a repressive environment.
“Some believers view Graham’s visit as a miracle and a window of opportunity, while others see a risk that they will have to turn a blind eye to repression and take part in something that makes the regime look nice,” Vasilevich said.
Karmanau writes for the Associated Press.
90s popstar, 57, looks unrecognisable as he goes shopping in leather jacket and massive chain after becoming a grandad
A 90s heartthrob looked worlds away from his West End heyday as he was snapped in Essex this weekend.
Donning a leather jacket over an all-black ensemble, the star, 57, added a heavy chain around his neck during a shopping trip, but would you recognise him?
It’s Darren Day behind the brand new look, with the singer and actor snapped visiting a jewellery store near his home.
The star is best known for his bright blonde locks and clean-shaven look, but is now sporting a beard and moustache.
He was spotted enjoying an energy drink during the solo outing whilst popping into several shops, holding a tote bag and small cactus.
It comes after Darren became a grandfather earlier this year, with his 21-year-old son Corey welcoming his first child, a son named Colton, with girlfriend Erin Mitchell.
Darren shares Corey with former Hear’Say singer Suzanne Shaw, whom he split from in 2005 following a whirlwind romance.
Suzanne and Darren had a short-lived romance in the early noughties, with the latter leaving soap star Suzanne when Corey was just seven weeks old.
Darren began a romance with Suzanne in 2003, while he was still engaged to fellow actress Adele Vellacot.
He then split from Adele and began a relationship with Suzanne, with the pair staying together for 18 months and even getting engaged.
But in 2005, on Mother’s Day, Darren famously walked out on Suzanne and Corey.
They became grandparents for the first time in March following Colton’s birth, and shared snaps together from hospital to show they were friendly exes – despite the historic drama.
Darren has had a famously tumultuous love life which has included six engagements – with the actor hailed as one of showbiz’s most notorious womanisers.
However, he has been with other half Sophie Ladds since 2017, getting engaged back in 2020.
Darren is also still performing on stage and recently appeared in a pantomime production of Mother Goose for Easter.
Two more European countries to SCRAP hated new EES travel rules for Brits after massive airport queues & missed flights
TWO more countries in Europe are set to ignore the new entry rules that have caused chaos at airports.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) now requires all non-EU citizens to undergo biometric checks at the border.
Including Brits, this has resulted in queues as long as four hours and people even missing their flights.
However, Italy is expected to scrap the requirements by the May holidays in a bid to avoid the chaos, continuing to stamp passports instead.
And Portugal, while not scrapping entirely, has temporarily paused the EES rules if queues are too long.
Both Faro and Lisbon Airport have been some of the worst affected by massive waits.
Yet passengers have said they are being waved through to ignore the biometric machines when there are huge crowds.
It comes after Greece also scrapped the rules ahead of summer.
The Greek embassy confirmed last month: “In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.”
Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, added: “The Greek National Tourism Organisation remains committed to ensuring a seamless and welcoming journey for all visitors from the UK.”
Airlines such as Ryanair are calling on other countries to pause the rules too, with fears of more problems during the busy summer holidays.
Countries including Spain and France are yet to confirm if they will follow suit.
Here’s everything you need to know about the EES system.
And our Deputy Travel Editor revealed how to avoid the huge EES queues this summer.
China’s Massive Stealth Flying Wings Spotted Together At Secretive Test Base
Satellite imagery has emerged showing China’s two massive stealthy flying-wing high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft at its secretive test base near Malan. TWZ first identified both of the previously unseen aircraft last year in Planet Labs archived imagery of the airfield, which is known to be on the leading edge of the PLA’s unmanned combat aircraft development efforts. However, this is the first time both have been captured outside their hangars simultaneously, or on the main apron at all. Overall, the image, dated March 26th, 2026, underscores the major uptick of very advanced drone testing activity at the installation.
The flying wing with the longest wingspan (red arrow in the image at the top of the article), which some have dubbed “WZ-X,” and what we refer to as “The Monster of Malan,” is parked on the main apron next to the runway. The very large flying wing has a span of approximately 173 feet — roughly the width of a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. You can read more about this impressive aircraft in our previous coverage here and here. Other details about its true designation or its manufacturer remain unknown.
The second large flying wing (green arrow) is seen in the image sitting outside a hangar that is part of the sprawling new high-security facility on the opposite side of the complex. It features a ‘cranked kite’ planform with a wingspan of approximately 137 feet, although it would appear to have a significantly higher gross weight and likely lower operating ceiling than its wider stablemate. Based on our previous analysis, this variant is suited for the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) role, but could also work as a supersized unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) capable of performing very long-range heavy strike missions.
Both of these aircraft appear to have been flying now for a number of months. You can read about this here and here.
There is also what appears to be a stealth fighter-like drone (orange arrow) and a Xi’an Y-20 transport plane on the main apron in the image.
China has shown off a very large number of fighter-drone concepts, very loosely similar to the U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative, in recent years. A Chinese military parade in 2025 was really Beijing’s major public thrust into this area of advanced fighter-like drone development. Since then, testing of at least one configuration has been ramped up considerably.
Just reviewing Planet Labs archived images of Malan in recent months shows the aircraft configuration seen above to be very active at the base. This relatively large unmanned ‘fighter’, analogous to a manned light-to-medium weight fighter in size, is a tailless design that features a very similar planform as the J-XDS 6th generation manned fighter. It also appears similar in shape to another CCA-like aircraft that has been photographed flying.
One drone shown off during China’s big military parade looks very similar to it, in particular. But regardless, this general design appears to be a focus of testing at the base.
Other mysterious aircraft have appeared at the installation as well, which is clearly set up specifically to run many programs within its high-security confines at any given time.
Beijing is actively pursuing a range of flying-wing drones of various sizes, including large HALE drones, designed to perform a diverse set of missions, including ISR and strike. For many years, TWZ has assessed that this was an area of the Chinese aviation industry most likely to see an explosion of investment. The WZ-X is still the largest Chinese design in terms of wingspan that we have seen in this category to date. The cranked-kite design is certainly the heaviest.
This new look at China’s two large flying wing combat drones comes as we got our first good look at America’s own RQ-180 HALE stealth drone, which has been flying for some time and is now being used operationally. It also comes as China is rushing ahead on all fronts with its next generation air combat ecosystem, and making impressively quick progress to show for its efforts. Still, a formidable looking aircraft doesn’t mean it can fight as impressively as part of a joint force as it looks, or survive against enemy air defenses. Regardless, China is clearly betting substantially on advanced and large unmanned flying wing designs.
Contact the author: ian.ellis-jones@teamrecurrent.io
Olivia Dean lines up disco legend to help with brand new music after massive success of The Art Of Loving album
OLIVIA DEAN is preparing to pull out the big guns for the follow-up to her year of triumph — by enlisting the help of hitmaker extraordinaire Nile Rodgers.
She’s become one of the UK’s favourite musicians thanks to the runaway success of her album The Art Of Loving.
Now I’m told Chic great Nile is keen to work with Olivia and personally reached out to her.
Their teams are looking for space in the schedules to go into the studio together.
A source said: “Nile has his finger on the pulse when it comes to music and thinks Olivia is just amazing.
“He was actually aware of her before her album dropped and is really keen to get in the studio with her.
“She really does have the world at her feet and is pretty honoured that such a star wants to work with her.”
Nile has written, produced and performed on albums totalling more than 750million sales.
He has worked on tracks including David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, Duran Duran’s The Reflex and Like A Virgin by Madonna.
More recently, he has contributed to Beyonce’s albums Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, and Coldplay’s tenth album Moon Music.
But Olivia doesn’t have loads of time in her diary right now, having kicked off a debut arena tour in Glasgow last Wednesday.
She has shows in London this week and will stay on the road across Europe and North America until the end of August, before jetting Down Under in October.
Released last September, The Art Of Loving has turned her into a global star, spawning the singles Man I Need, So Easy (To Fall In Love), A Couple Minutes and Let Alone The One You Love.
She proved to have the Midas touch, because after teaming up with Sam Fender on a version of his song Rein Me In, it spent eight weeks at No1 — and is on course to return there this Friday.
Olivia has also achieved career milestones including performing on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2024.
On how to build her career, Olivia previously said: “Make an album, play Jools Holland and play the Pyramid Stage.
“I’ve done them now, I need to figure out some new goals.”
With Nile by her side, I’m sure Olivia will continue to dominate.
MIS-TEEQ confirmed my story that they’re reuniting to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Lickin’ On Both Sides.
I revealed in January that Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash were discussing getting back together for a one-off performance.
And now Mis-Teeq’s Instagram page has kicked back into action, with a video showing their performances from 2001 – when the record came out.
The biography on their account reads: “25 Years. One Legacy.”
Watch this space.
COOPER: MY SLIM PICKIN’
COUNTRY singer Cooper Alan wants to do the unthinkable and drag Eminem into the world of cowboy music.
In an exclusive chat with Bizarre, the TikTok sensation – who has racked up 11.5million followers – revealed that the Slim Shady rapper tops his dream collaboration list.
Cooper said: “Eminem has always been my favourite. It would probably never happen, but that’d be really cool.
“Eminem on a country song, I think that would be crazy.”
He’s also got another surprise duet in mind, this time with with Scottish brothers The Proclaimers.
He added: “We’ve been covering their 500 Miles as our encore, so we’ll throw their hat in the ring too. Dream collab, The Proclaimers.”
I caught Cooper live in London last week on his To The Pub Tour, and the show was absolute carnage – in the best way possible.
The singer is wrapping up his first UK shows in Glasgow tomorrow, following the release of latest album Winston-Salem.
The New Normal singer had fans battling it out in a beer-chugging contest before pouring pints straight into the front row from the stage.
Laughing about the stunt, he said: “You’d think I’d be better at pouring the beer.
“But it comes out too fast, it goes all over their face.”
After testing their drinking skills, he was full of praise for our crowds.
Cooper said: “I was impressed with the British drinking ability, especially on a Tuesday night.”
That’s those Americans told.
If you want proper drinkers, come to Britain.
MEGAN DITCHES ‘CHEATER’
MEGAN THEE STALLION has broken up with boyfriend Klay Thompson after accusing him of cheating on her.
In a statement confirming her split from the NBA basketball player, she said: “I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay.
“Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship.
“When those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.
“I’m taking time to prioritise myself.”
The WAP rapper was with Klay – who’s yet to address the claims – for just under a year.
On Instagram she wrote: “Cheating, had me around your family playing house.
“Got ‘cold feet’. Holding you down through all your HORRIBLE mood swings and treatment of me during basketball season . . . now you don’t know if you can be ‘monogamous’???”
FOO FIGHTERS celebrated the release of their album Your Favorite Toy with a launch party in London, then performed two new tracks on Saturday Night Live.
But it looks like the band, above, will be prevented from scoring their seventh No1 album, as Noah Kahan’s new record The Great Divide has sold three times more in the UK since they were both released on Friday.
MADGE BASQUES IN GLORY
SHE might be 67, but it’s clear Madonna can still party hard as she leaves a nightclub in bridal lingerie at 2am yesterday.
Madge, in shades and knee-high boots, hosted a bash at The Abbey in West Hollywood, where she played new track I Feel So Free and also premiered an upcoming song, believed to be called Freedom.
That could well be her third track with that title.
She recorded one for her 1994 Bedtime Stories album, though it didn’t make the cut at the time, and made another during sessions in 2014 and 2015, which wasn’t officially released but did leak online.
There was some chaos at the Los Angeles nightspot as fans grappled to get close to the superstar, who was standing behind the DJ decks.
Punters were pushing and shoving, with one woman pouring her drink over a man’s head.
Celeb fans Addison Rae and Julia Fox were also there.
Let’s hope they didn’t have soggy bonces.
BOY GEORGE FACES UP TO EUROVISION
BOY GEORGE is all set to make his Eurovision debut next month – but it sounds like he’s put less thought into his vocals than how he will react when the scores are revealed.
The singer is featuring on San Marino’s entry Superstar, by Senhit.
He said in an exclusive chat at the London Eurovision Party: “I’ve been to so many awards shows where I’ve been nominated, so I will be able to deal with nerves when it comes to the points.
“You have to learn that face where you’re like, ‘I’m so happy for everyone else’.
“But I’ll be so in it. I think Senhit will be more nervous than me.
“I won’t be nervous on the night, not really. There will be nervous energy and excitement.”
The Culture Club frontman joked he better not get stage fright, adding: “Probably on the night, I’ll be like, ‘Argh, this is huge.
“What if I forget to say the right words?’. I won’t have a lot to do, but sometimes not having much to do can be worse. But I think I’ll be fine.”
He has high hopes that San Marino can beat the UK entry Eins, Zwei, Drei by Look Mum No Computer.
George added: “I’d love us to win. San Marino is a small country. Ireland is not doing Eurovision this year so, they can vote for me as I’m Irish.”
THE ROLLING STONES are having fun with the promo for their new album Foreign Tongues.
They have turned their website into a CCTV geek’s heaven with ten cameras showing them at work.
Producer Andrew Watt, who worked on their last No1 album Hackney Diamonds, features in the videos, and helped shape the ten album tracks.
Insiders said there is a top-secret – and random – collab on the new record, out later this year. I’m told no one would ever guess.
SYDNEY CENTRE STAGE
HONKY tonkin’ Sydney Sweeny squeezed into this tiny corset dress to enjoy the world’s largest country music festival.
She was spotted in the crowd during the Stagecoach event in California.
The actress, who seemed to take inspiration from Madonna’s latest corset look, was seen on top of boyfriend Scooter Braun’s shoulders as they watched Ella Langley perform on Friday evening.
She was then back on Saturday for day two and got on the mic herself, inset.
Her lingerie brand Syrn hosted a pop-up where she belted out Sweet Caroline on karaoke and was joined by showbiz pals Diplo and Lance Bass.
Perhaps a music career beckons next .
Exploring Italy’s ‘forgotten’ Dolomites: ‘The same massive mountains without the crowds’ | Dolomites holidays
The “forgotten” Dolomites lie to the east, far from the crowds of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Val Gardena. Belluno is the main gateway, two hours north of Venice by train or a drive up the A27. From here, the upper Piave valley leads into the quieter Friulian mountains. The land rises gently, opening into pasture, then stone lifting into spires above the meadows.
Traditional local councils, the Regole di Comunità, still manage the land and forests collectively here, sustaining artisans and alpine farmers in scattered hamlets shaped by shared work and resilience. Pastìn (a minced, seasoned blend of pork and beef), malga cheeses and polenta, once staples for long days in the mountains, are still shared over grappa at the end of the day. Beyond the hamlets, paths lead towards Monte Pelmo or drift into the beech woods of Cansiglio, where deer call at dusk. It’s a fine place to experience mountain culture, and these are some of my favourite places.
Alpine lakes and pools
The Val del Mis lies west of Belluno, where the narrow SP2 road follows the shore of Lago del Mis. The lake is worth half a day on its own – paddle north by canoe or kayak towards the Cascata della Soffia waterfall, or explore the side gorge of Falcina, where you can swim in still, deep pools of crystalline water under the Passerella del Peron suspension bridge, just off the SR203 past Ponte Mas. Alternatively, from the car park at the northern end of the lake, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Cadini del Brenton – a series of turquoise pools carved into white rock cascading from one basin to the next, some more than four metres deep. A wooden bridge trail leads between them, but bathing here is forbidden.
From the Val del Mis, head north-west towards San Martino di Castrozza, then south through Fiera di Primiero, following signs for the Val Vanoi on the SP79, then climb the road to the spectacular Lago di Calaita, at an altitude of 1,621 metres beneath the ramparts of the Pale di San Martino. At dawn, the rock above is grey; by sunset, the whole massif turns gold. Open meadows line the shore, and Rifugio Miralago serves canederli (bread dumplings) and polenta with tosèla di primiero, the local cheese. In winter, the lake freezes, and the meadows are used for snowshoeing. A two-hour uphill walk leads to the darker Lago Pisorno, said to be haunted.
Mountain viewpoints
Head for Agordino – the group of valleys along the Cordevole river, south of Cortina d’Ampezzo – for the highest viewpoints. You’ll experience the same massive Dolomite walls but without the crowds. Park near Rifugio Staulanza and take CAI trail 472. In a couple of hours, climbing gently through sparse larch and open grass, you’ll reach the slopes of Monte Penna and look straight at Monte Pelmo’s immense north-west wall – sheer pale rock rising from the valley floor. You’re standing on gentle grass; across the valley, the mountain is vertical stone. The central basin – the Trono di Dio (Throne of God) – is visible in full. To the west is the jagged profile of Monte Civetta.
For a closer look at Civetta, take the old mule track from the hamlet of Piaia, through woods dotted with tabià, the traditional wooden barns used for storing hay at altitude. After a two-hour climb, the trail opens on to the broad pasture of Sasso Bianco, looking directly at Civetta’s sheer face. Note that the road to Piaia is very narrow; parking at the end is limited.
To the south-east, the Alpago basin opens out. From the small Malga Pian Grant farm, the Costa Schienon ridge leads to the rocky peak of Cima delle Vacche at 2,058 metres. It makes for a fine full day’s hike, with the view widening at every step – Lago di Santa Croce shimmers below, and the Dolomites tower beyond.
Farther north, the Campanile di Val Montanaia rises some 300 metres from the floor of its glacial valley. The walk from Rifugio Pordenone takes about three hours over scree and is suited to experienced hikers. The Perugini bivouac beneath the spire offers overnight accommodation – when climbers reach the summit during the day, they ring a small bell, which peals across the valley below.
Restaurants
The isolation that once made these valleys hard to reach has also kept their culinary customs intact. Near Lentia in the Valbelluna, Agriturismo Bon Tajer has hundreds of hand-painted wooden plates and chopping boards hanging from the ceilings and walls. Four generations of farmers have run the kitchen where the dishes are made with local herbs and valley produce – egg custards arrive cooked in their own shells, starters come on beds of moss with foraged flowers. Finish with the farm’s own idromele, a fermented honey drink. The mountains glow purple at sunset from the terrace. It’s a 30-minute drive up from Belluno.
Higher up, above Feltre, Malga Campon sits on the summit plateau of Monte Avena. It’s a stone-and-wood hut surrounded by cattle, horses and donkeys grazing freely, with views across the Vette Feltrine peaks, the Lagorai chain and the Monte Grappa massif. In early spring, the meadows fill with white and purple crocuses. The food is homemade – thick slices of bread with pastìn and malga cheese, best eaten under a tree with the animals grazing nearby. Malga Campon is also a starting point for hikes across the plateau. It’s a 30-minute drive from Feltre.
Rifugios and farm stays
In the north of the region, above Domegge di Cadore, the road ends at Rifugio Padova. But hike on up through the woods and meadows surrounding the Casera Vedorcia dairy under the jagged limestone peaks of Spalti di Toro, to Rifugio Tita Barba di Pieve (open June-Sept but book ahead, €50-80 a night including dinner), a gorgeous alpine log cabin. The hike takes about two and a half hours on the CAI 342 and 352 trails, but the rifugio serves delicious meals and has comfy beds. From the nearby viewpoint on Monte Vedorcia, the panorama stretches over the Centro Cadore lake to the Antelao and Marmarole peaks.
For something even wilder, Bivacco dei Loff, which perches beneath the cliff of Crodón del Gevero, is a cosy stone bothy with a fireplace, a loft for sleeping and a table at the window overlooking the Valle del Rujo – on clear days, the view reaches the Venetian lagoon. Below, the Via dell’Acqua follows the stream past ruined mills and washhouses down to Cison di Valmarino. It’s about a 90-minute hike from Passo San Boldo on trail 991. You can’t book and it’s free to stay, so bring a tent in the event it’s full.
In the far eastern edges of the region, the Cansiglio plateau rises into a forested tableland. Agriturismo Filippon is just a 30-minute drive from the A27, hidden in an alpine meadow ringed by fir and beech. Mountain cattle graze the clearing and wild deer also visit. Meals are prepared with farm-fresh goods and there is a barrel sauna and open-air bathtub. The old Gran Bosco de Reme di San Marco, where Venice once sourced timber for boats’ oars, beckons above, and you could walk for days here, lost in mountain air.
Wild Guide Northern Italy: Hidden Places and Great Adventures from the Dolomites to Tuscany is published on 1 May by Wild Things (£19.99). To order a copy for £17.99 go to guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
Ryanair threatens to axe ALL flights to European country due to ‘massive passport queues’
A POPULAR holiday destination could soon lose all of its Ryanair flights – due to huge queues at the airport.
Malta is just one of the destinations in Europe that recently implemented the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) at its airport, which requires new biometric checks.
However, recent reports found that passengers were left stranded on the tarmac for 20 minutes because the queues were so long at security inside the airport building.
David O’Brien, one of Ryanair’s executive officers and the CEO of Malta Air, said: “If we find ourselves with significant congestion and delay, we’d have to redirect capacity away from Malta to other destinations and that’s not something we’d like to do.”
He has since written to Malta’s Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri to ensure border controls are fully staffed for this summer, according to The Times of Malta.
O’Brien added that “Europe is utterly unprepared in a general sense” and that while the airline has not yet experienced significant delays at Malta Airport, it is concerned about the upcoming summertime period.
Read more on travel inspo
Last year, Ryanair carried more than half of total passengers to Malta and of those travelling to the country – with the UK being the biggest market.
To try and reduce the delays, Malta Airport has introduced new measures such as a specific Schengen corridor, as well as increasing the amount of immigration desks.
The airport has also transferred more airport staff to be working on the new system.
Alan Borg, CEO of Malta International Airport told The Times of Malta: “We are working hand in hand with the Malta Police Force to make sure we can do everything possible to support them in this important initiative.
“It is what it is. We need to find ways to improve the processing time over the summer period.”
EES is a new system used across 29 European countries to register non-EU nationals, which includes Brits, for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
And Malta isn’t the only airport suffering delays due to the newly implemented EES.
Last month, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill experienced three-hour queues at Lanzarote Airport.
She said: “The queues stretched along the corridor and zigzagged all the way through the arrivals hall that took passengers to EES registration.”
“I’d already signed up to EES, having visited Lithuania a few months ago – but that was no use at all.
“There was no separate queue for – or any staff for that matter – advising those who have registered to head straight to the passport e-gates.
“While this was frustrating, what was even more so was that only half of the EES machines were actually working.
“When I finally made it to my bus transfer, even the Jet2Holidays rep said she’d ‘never seen delays this bad’.”
Delays have also been reported at Brussels, Lisbon and Prague airports.
Greece has even decided to halt the system completely.
On April 18, a statement from the Greek Embassy announced that Brits are “exempt” from biometrics at all Greek border crossing points.
Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, said: “The exemption of British passport holders from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points, effective from 10 April 2026, is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports.
“UK travellers will no longer need to undergo additional EES biometric procedures, ensuring a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece.“
Sun Travel has contacted Malta Airport and Ryanair for comment.
In other travel news, here is the full list of 29 European countries being hit by new travel rules.
Plus, here are nine of the European airports where Brits are facing massive queues and missed flights due to new travel rules.
My family holiday to the massive resort celebrating its 10th birthday
SWEET stations in the lobby, statues of famous cartoon characters and a rip-roaring theme park right outside your bedroom window.
This might just be the best family resort out there.
The new Nickelodeon Hotel, which opened last year at the Land of Legends complex in Antalya, is bursting with fun.
On top of character meet-and-greets at all times of day, there’s free gaming stations and an energetic kids’ club.
And that’s before you even get to the splash park and heated pool, available for hotel guests only.
My kids had watched Land of Legends being built on other family trips to Antalya over the years, and the excitement had grown on each visit.
READ MORE ON FAMILY HOLIDAYS
But with Joshua and Jessica now 12 and nine, my partner Jo and I wondered if we’d missed the boat, or rollercoaster.
We needn’t have worried, though.
Land of Legends, which turns ten this summer, caters for all ages, tastes and daredevil levels. Designed to be a giant entertainment resort, visitors have access to hotels, shopping avenue, waterparks and, of course, a theme park in one place.
Best of all, anyone staying in the onsite Nickelodeon Hotel can use a private entrance to access the theme park — meaning they can ride when they want, pop back for meals and drinks and then go again.
Spongebob’s Bikini Bottom became a solid family favourite. The new indoor addition to the park features rides for all ages, including an interactive coaster where you shoot targets as you go.
Young kids will also love the Star Trek simulator, Family Coaster and the crazy Typhoon Coaster where you go up in a lift before splashing down log flume-style.
And once me and Josh got our big-boy pants on, we were ready for Hyper Coaster — a ride that rollercoaster enthusiasts travel across Europe to try.
Trust me, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but I had to at least pretend I was being brave by laughing when Josh was next to me on the ascent, saying: “Dad, I think I’m going to pass out.”
I couldn’t really hear him over my screams after that, as we plummeted, looped, corkscrewed and flew our way across the park.
I’m not ashamed to say it took me a good 15 to 20 minutes to be able to feel my knees again.
For a little less speed, there’s a neat Paw Patrol section of the park and Masha and the Bear area — a favourite of our children when they were toddlers so the boat ride was a lovely trip down memory lane for us all.
On days when the Turkish heat gets too much, holidaymakers can get more thrills at the waterpark (open April to October).
Dozens of flumes and the quite incredible Turtle Coaster, where you are propelled uphill in a boat by water jets at amazing speeds, were big hits. Although the group favourite was a rubber-ring ride — especially for Jess, as she found it hilarious that I seemed to go backwards the entire way down the steep slopes.
As we went early in the season, it didn’t really matter what water attraction we went for first as there were no queues.
You won’t need to splash out on food at the parks when you stay onsite, either.
The Nickelodeon Hotel operates a “Full-Board+” concept, which means breakfast, lunch and dinner in La Spatula restaurant and all soft drinks are included.
Alcohol is served at lunch and dinner times with meals, too.
The food was tasty, fresh and plentiful — from the omelette station at breakfast to the grilled lamb kebabs in the evenings.
Magic shows performed over breakfast added another element of fun and Jess was still trying to figure out just how the magician had done it by lunch.
Most evenings, we were so tired that not even the multi-coloured, themed character rooms could have kept us awake.
Rooms are spacious and our Dora the Explorer suite had a balcony overlooking the park, meaning the kids went to sleep dreaming of the next ride. You can request room types on different floors subject to availability, themed around Spongebob, Star Trek and Turtles.
In-room fridges filled with glass bottles of pop, plus a pod-coffee machine and snacks in the drawer were a real bonus for the post-park chill before dinner.
The “Club Nick” kids’ club was excellent, too, with art classes (we painted SpongeBob, obviously) and nightly dance and character shows.
Included in longer stays is an afternoon trip to sister hotel Rixos Premium Belek, with a minibus laid on.
Lunch out was good and it meant we could get a drink by the sea.
This was our fifth visit to Turkey in three years and the destination never fails to impress. The locals delight at welcoming tourists and showing off their country.
Not everything is still “cheap” here, but this part of the world definitely knows how to do value for money.
And if you did want to spend a few more lira, the front of the hotel opens out on to the Land of Legends shopping avenue — a Las Vegas-style strip with a canal, high-end stores and evening shows all centred around a Disney-like castle.
For a slightly more chilled vibe, there are dancing fountains scattered around the shopping district, which Jo and I enjoyed while Josh and Jess played on the PS5s and arcade games.
I tended to avoid those because, you know, it’s hard to keep letting them win every game . . .
GO: TURKEY
GETTING THERE: Jet2 flies to Antalya from Stansted, Bristol, Liverpool and other UK destinations from £60 each way. See jet2.com.
STAYING THERE: TO COME
Trump’s budget director defends White House plan for massive boost in military spending
WASHINGTON — An effort to ramp up U.S. weapons production and build more ships, planes and drones will require a massive upfront investment, President Trump’s budget director told a House committee Wednesday.
The testimony from Russell Vought jump-starts the White House’s push to increase defense spending to nearly $1.5 trillion in the next budget year, up from nearly $1 trillion this year, while cutting health research, heating assistance and scores of other domestic programs by about 10% overall. Such cuts do not cover mandatory spending, which includes such programs as Social Security and Medicare.
The debate over Trump’s proposal underscored the sharp divide that will shape some of the most significant policy debates going into a midterm election that will give voters the ultimate say on the direction of the country.
“For the industrial base to double or triple and build more facilities, not just add shifts, it requires multiyear agreements to purchase into the future,” Vought told lawmakers. “That cost has to be booked in this first year.”
The White House is calling for about $1.1 trillion for defense through the regular appropriations process, which typically requires support from both parties for approval. An additional $350 billion would come through a separate bill that Republicans can accomplish on their own, through party-line majority votes.
Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the ranking Democratic member of the committee, said he believes in a strong national defense. But he said the idea of increasing defense by more than 40% while cutting programs that people need shows that the Republican administration’s priorities are “out of whack.”
The committee chairman, Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), predicted the hearing would be more “amped up” than usual, and that proved to be true, beginning with his opening statement focused on criticizing Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency. Arrington said he did not know of any president in his lifetime who “inherited such a complete and utter mess as President Trump did in January of last year.”
Since then, Arrington said, Trump has secured the border, cut taxes and constrained nondefense spending.
It was the beginning of several back-and-forths at the hearing.
“You know how bad this economy is when we hear Joe Biden being invoked, we hear trans people being invoked. I was waiting for Jimmy Carter to be blamed next,” Boyle said in response to Arrington’s opening remarks.
Boyle said consumer confidence is plummeting under Trump and noted a gas station he passed in Philadelphia recently was selling gas at $4.11 a gallon versus less than $3 a gallon some six weeks ago because of Trump’s “war of choice in Iran.”
Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) called the proposed defense spending increase shocking.
“We’ve never in the history of this country seen spending like this, paid for by slashing healthcare, education and housing,” Balint said. “Mr. Vought, yes or no, is $350 billion for the war in Iran lowering costs for Americans?”
“It is certainly not defunding child care. We fully fund child care in this budget,” Vought said, not directly answering the question.
Balint went on to incorporate Trump’s “America first” mantra in her questioning.
She said that $350 billion could pay for an enhanced health insurance tax credit for 10 years and that her constituents are asking how the country can continue to spend money on wars and not find a solution to helping people afford healthcare.
Vought said the president has made clear he was not going to let Iran have nuclear weapons, missiles and a navy that affect U.S. national security.
“He is doing what is necessary to keep us safe, while at the same time trying to pursue diplomacy so that we can get out of wars and lower those costs over time,” Vought said.
Vought said it was unclear how much the administration would seek to fund the war during the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30. That money would be part of an emergency supplemental spending bill and would be on top of the funds the White House is seeking to boost defense spending next year.
“Would it be more than $50 billion?” asked Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas).
“We’re still working on it,” Vought said. “I don’t have a ballpark for you.”
Freking writes for the Associated Press.
US panel approves Trump’s design for massive arch in Washington, DC | Donald Trump News
The proposed 76-metre arch would tower over other iconic landmarks in Washington, DC, and has attracted scrutiny.
Published On 16 Apr 2026
United States President Donald Trump’s goal of erecting a colossal arch in Washington, DC, has taken another step forward, with a key agency approving his proposed design for the monument.
The US Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, gave its go-ahead to the president’s design for a lofty 76-metre-high (250-foot) arch.
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If given final approval, the arch would be built on Memorial Circle, between the Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. It would tower above other landmarks in the national capital.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle hailed the commission’s approval as a “step in accomplishing President Trump’s promise to the American people from the campaign trail — to Make America Safe and Beautiful Again”.
But the arch has faced criticism, including for potentially obscuring views of the national cemetery, a resting place for war veterans.
Public Citizen Litigation Group is representing some Vietnam War veterans in a lawsuit against the proposed construction, which they argue needs congressional approval.
Even the vice chair of the Commission of Fine Arts, James McCrery II, suggested that Trump’s proposed “Triumphal Arch” ditch the winged statue and eagles on its top. He also opposed the lions at its base, pointing out that African animals are “not a beast natural to the North American continent”.
The enormous arch is another effort by the US president to leave his mark on the physical landscape of Washington, DC.
In January, he told reporters he wants the arch to be the “biggest one of all”. The commission still needs to vote on final approval for the proposal after reviewing updated designs.
Current plans show the arch would be significantly larger than the Lincoln Memorial, which is 99 feet (30 metres) tall, and about twice as tall as the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which the design resembles.
The phrases “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” would be written in gold lettering atop either side of the monument.
About three out of every four people who delivered public comments about the project expressed opposition, many of them citing its enormous size.
But the arch is one of several Trump projects that have received public pushback.
Trump has sought to paint the granite of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building white, and his allies plan to close the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a national theatre complex, for two years of renovations, after adding Trump’s name to the exterior.
One of the most permanent changes so far has been the abrupt demolition of the White House’s East Wing, in order to make room for an enormous ballroom, long one of Trump’s priorities.
But that project is likewise entangled in legal battles, with critics arguing that congressional approval is required.
On Wednesday, Judge Richard Leon clarified that construction on underground structures at the ballroom site could continue, as part of an exemption he previously allowed for national security concerns.
But he maintained his short-term injunction against construction on the ballroom itself, batting down Trump’s position that the whole project should proceed.
“Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated,” Leon wrote in Thursday’s ruling.
“That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!”
The president responded on social media by calling Leon an “out of control Trump hating” judge. Leon was appointed in 2002 under Republican President George W Bush.