rivals

THE UK is home to some brilliant places to head off on a staycation, with one spot in particular recently being named one of the best places to visit this year.

Hastings, sat on the south coast, features the perfect blend of history, beaches and independent shops.

And now the seaside town has just been named one of the best places to visit in 2026 by Time Out, due to a range of exciting reasons.

Time Out said: “Hastings and St Leonards has been up-and-coming, with what locals call DFLs (down from Londoners) for a few years now, and that’s not going to slow down in 2026.

“It’s well known that Hastonians love a good knees-up, and every year the seaside town has a calendar packed full of cultural and community events: the incoming year has the usual festivals, including Fat Tuesday, Jack and the Green and Pirate Day, all on the books for 2026 already.”

One reason the seaside town will be particularly special to visit this year is that 2026 marks the 960th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

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To mark the 960th anniversary, there will be a huge wargame with thousands of mini figures that will re-enact the battle where William the Conqueror took the throne.

Down the road from Hastings itself, is Battle Abbey – which sits next to the field where the battle took place.

Today it is an English Heritage site that you can visit for £17.50 per person to learn about the battle in the visitor centre and experience an audio tour that re-enacts the battle.

The abbey itself was founded by William after the conquest and is said to be sitting on the exact spot that King Harold died.

Back in Hastings there are plenty of other things to see and do.

In Hastings Old Town, you can explore lots of antiques shops – particularly on George Street.

If you aren’t into treasure hunting, then Hastings has a lot of modern, independent shops as well.

It is also in the Old Town where you will find the UK’s steepest funicular railway in use today.

It originally opened in 1902 and boasts amazing views of the beach below.

A return journey ticket costs £5.50 per person.

For art lovers, there is Hastings Contemporary which is right by the beach and is home to contemporary and modern British art – tickets cost £11 per person.

The beach is a pretty spot worth exploring too – it features a mix of sand and shingle and has a promenade with arcades and fish-and-chip spots.

Along the beach, you can venture onto Hastings Pier, for example.

The pier has an open design with stunning views of the sea and features cafes, a restaurant and even a sauna.

One recent visitor said: “Hastings Beach is a beautifully balanced seaside experience offering nostalgia, waves, and local life all in one.

“Whether you’re here for a lazy lunch, paddle sports, a dip, or simply soaking up that Old Town vibe by the sea, it’s a great spot to unplug and enjoy a British beach day with character.”

Another visitor said: “This beautiful stony beach offers a peaceful and well-maintained setting, with a remarkably quiet atmosphere.

“The area is exceptionally clean and tidy, and the locals are warm and welcoming.

“It was well worth the two hour drive from Sutton, and I would highly recommend it as a destination for families.”

If you walk for around 20 to 30 minutes along the promenade, you will reach St Leonards too, which is actually nestled within Hastings.

According to Time Out, “neighbouring St Leonards is quickly becoming a trendy coastal epicentre to give Margate a run for its money“.

Here you will find art galleries, more independent shops and top coffee spots.

Foodies should head to The Royal – a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant – which can be found in a Victorian building in the town centre with a vintage feel inside.

Dishes include pork loin and apple sauce for £19 or rare sirloin of beef with horseradish cream for £23 – both include roast potatoes, carrots, Yorkshire pudding, greens and gravy.

It takes just under two hours to drive to Hastings from London, or you could catch the train from London Bridge, with it taking around one hour and 23 minutes.

If you want to explore other top spots in the UK, here’s an under-the-radar seaside village that’s one of the coolest places in the UK – with £2.50 pints and beach saunas.

Plus, there’s an unlikely city that’s fast becoming one of the coolest places in the UK – with plans for £76million arena.

WASHINGTON — After weeks of meandering through snowy fields of the North and Midwest, the campaign for the presidency now turns South, to a vast region that paradoxically mixes relatively low unemployment with high dissatisfaction.

In Blanco County, Tex., for example, the unemployment rate of 3.5%–down one-third over the last three years–compares favorably with the days when local favorite son Lyndon B. Johnson reigned in Washington in the ‘60s. But that fact does not console Ava Johnson Cox, the late President’s 87-year-old cousin.

“At one time, America contained the inspiration and the purifying principles of the world,” Miss Ava told a visiting reporter recently. “But no more.”

Clear across Dixie, in Atlanta, Jackie Rogers, owner of a downtown ladies’ boutique, struck a similar note.

“I’m very upset about this economy,” she said. “This is the first time America is not rewarding their well-educated people.

“They are the ones who went to school and studied so hard to make America No. 1,” she added. Now, “they are the ones on the unemployment lines.”

But while Southerners may agree with citizens of, for example, New Hampshire, about the problems the country faces, they have had much less exposure to politicians’ proposed solutions.

Unlike New Hampshirites, who lived for two months under a steady barrage of campaigning before they voted last week, citizens of the South have only just begun to hear from the candidates. When they vote–March 3 in Georgia and Maryland, March 7 in South Carolina and March 10 in Florida, Texas and several other Southern and border states–they will do so after an intense, but short, campaign.

As a result, for many potential Southern voters, the sense of discontent they share with the rest of the nation remains somewhat separated from the political process, and their feelings about candidates remain largely unformed.

“It’s strange to be so far into the process and not feel more committed to someone,” said Margaret Yoder, a 44-year-old real estate broker in Miami. “I’m feeling confused.”

Southern voters know President Bush, and many in the South still like him despite disapproval of his handling of the economy.

“I’m going to vote Republican,” said Henry Dryer Jr. of Carollton, Ga. “I think, personally, and most of the people in my circle feel, like Bush has done as good a job as any President in his circumstances could have done.

“The poor man can’t do it by himself,” Dryer said. On the other hand, he added: “People in this part of the country are just very disappointed that Bush hasn’t done something to pull us out of the recession.”

On the Democratic side, the name of Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton registers with many, but primarily for the controversies surrounding him–unsubstantiated allegations of marital infidelity and questions about his Vietnam-era draft status.

And as for former Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas, some voters say they like what they have heard of him. Tsongas is “not a showman,” said James Smith, a retiree in Atlanta. But more typically, Southerners interviewed for this story said that despite his victory in New Hampshire, they simply remain unsure who Tsongas is.

“People still have trouble pronouncing his name,” said Beth Carper, a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, who said she supports Tsongas but doubts he can win when her state votes March 10.

In Johnson City, Tex., the Blanco County seat in the hill country west of Austin, Ralph Moss, 48, said he has made only one decision about the election. He voted for Bush once and will not do it again. Beyond that, Moss said, he cannot decide what to do.

“There’s not a real good choice to make,” said Moss, who is the mayor, a nonpartisan position. “I may not vote in the primary.”

DeeDee McKennis, a cashier at Johnson City’s Dixie Fried Chicken and Quick Stop, would like to see the country make a change.

Even though she and her husband have had “the best year we’ve had in years” economically, she remains worried. McKennis, 46, and her husband both hold two jobs, she said, but they cannot afford to send any of their four children to college. Nor can they afford health insurance.

Still, McKennis has not found a candidate she feels confident would bring about the changes she would like to see.

Down the street, Duke Rumpf, 68, the manager of the Charles’ Motel, gave Clinton a tepid endorsement and, in the process, summed up what many Southern voters seem to feel.

Clinton, he said, had “got the state of Arkansas in pretty good shape.” But, he added: “I ain’t seen anybody I’m real enthused about. I know I ain’t enthused about the one (President) we got.”

Special correspondents Edith Stanley in Atlanta, Karen Brandon in Johnson City, Tex., Michael Clary in Miami and Patrick Thomas in Nashville contributed to this story.

Dec. 28 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday urged the opposition People Power Party to apologize for what it called past efforts to suppress critical media through high-value lawsuits, before criticizing a proposed revision to the Press Arbitration Act.

At a press conference, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung said the party had focused on “fact-setting” by respecting procedures such as correction and rebuttal reports, while accusing the People Power Party of being “obsessed with shutting down media outlets through massive lawsuits.”

“The very forces that trampled on the press with physical force and money are now talking about ‘freedom,'” Kim said. “Before attacking the revision to the Press Arbitration Act, they should first apologize for using money to trample press freedom.”

Her remarks came after the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party-backed bill as a “gag law,” arguing it would create a climate that silences both the public and the press.

The Democratic Party countered by citing what it described as examples of media suppression under former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. Kim said certain media outlets were barred from boarding the presidential plane and were threatened with lawsuits over reporting on vulgar language, which she described as attempts to silence the press through both direct and financial pressure.

She added that data from the Press Arbitration Commission showed all 65 high-value damage claims exceeding 50 million won (about $37,000) filed through September this year were brought by the People Power Party, with none resulting in court-ordered damages.

“Even a child can tell what real oppression is,” Kim said. “The Democratic Party will push ahead with media reform to protect press freedom and the public’s right to know.”

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

THE Canary Islands have long been a go-to destination for winter sun.

But you can see similar beaches, luscious landscapes and year-round sunshine further into the Atlantic Ocean, with a Portuguese twist.

The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands, between 870 to 1,000 miles west of Portugal.

They have even been nicknamed the “Hawaii of Europe” due to their vibrant greenery and dramatic scenery.

They also share a similar volcanic landscape, with 26 active volcanoes spread across the islands.

However, the lesser-trodden Azores do not see as many visitors as winter sun competitors Lanzarote and Tenerife.

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They’re easy to get to from the UK, with airlines British Airways operating direct flights from London to São Miguel.

Once you’ve landed in São Miguel, you can hop from island to island by ferry or inter-island flight.

The best time to visit them is in spring or summer, when temperatures peak to a sunny 25 °C.

Plus, these islands make for a rather inexpensive holiday.

Most attractions are outdoor spectacles, meaning that they are free to admire.

Food and drink is affordable across the islands, too, with lunch and a drink averaging around just €10.

São Miguel – best for water sports and volcanic baths

São Miguel is the largest and most popular of the islands, and is home to some mind-blowing nature and wildlife.

It is nicknamed “The Green Island” for its signature rolling green hills backed by thick forests.

There is plenty of beautiful flora which makes the island burst with colour in springtime – from bright blue hydrangeas to pink rhododendron.

The volcanic island is also home to over 30 geysers, waterfalls, geothermal pools, as well as two crater lakes: one green and one blue.

There is also plenty of wildlife to spot, including whales, dolphins, turtles lizards and exotic birds.

The best time of year to visit for bird, whale and dolphin watching is from April to October.

Apart from admiring the nature, there are plenty of unique places to visit in São Miguel like the island’s pineapple plantation and tea factory.

Santa Maria – best for cheap food and sunbathing

Santa Maria is the southernmost island in the Azores, meaning it is the hottest and sunniest option.

It’s also a super cheap destination, with a meal and a pint costing an average of £8.91 per person.

It’s also home to the largest waterfall in the Azores, Aveiro Waterfall.

It’s great for sporty travellers, with plenty of walking trails, snorkelling and diving.

There’s 55 locations to go scuba diving, including caves and wrecks where you can come face to face with manta rays and whale sharks.

Hike to the island’s highest point, Pico Alto, for views over the rugged coastline.

For a unique experience, head to Barreiro de Faneca – the island’s vast “Red Desert” with a Martian-like landscape.

Or for something more chilled, you can spend your days sunbathing on its golden sand beaches to unwind.

Central Group – best for outdoor adventurers

The Central Group is a cluster of five small Azores islands – Pico, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, and Terceira.

The latter three islands are sometimes referred to as “The Triangle” due to their formation in the water.

Pico is famously home to Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal that towers over the islands.

Faial, on the other hand, is a tiny island more suited to day trip visits.

It’s often considered the best spot among the islands for whale and dolphin watching.

Graciosa, or the “White Island”, is a peaceful UNESCO biosphere reserve.

With its unique features like craters and lava caves, this island is more for adventure and exploring than sunbathing.

Similarly, São Jorge is known for its rare landscape features.

Most notably it is known for its fajãs, which are flat coastal plains formed by lava flows.

Terceira is one of the larger islands in the Azores, and is home to their oldest city – Angra de Heroísmo.

Here, cobbled streets and historic buildings give this island a more bustling and lived-in feel than the others in the Central Group.

Flores and Corvo – best for remote island feel

Flores and Corvo are known as the Western islands of the Azores.

These islands are not as frequently visited as others, and make for a real remote island experience.

Flores is bursting with wild greenery and unspoilt landscapes, and is often called the most beautiful island in the Azores.

“Flores” is the Portuguese word for “flowers” – and this island really lives up to its name, blooming with colour in springtime.

And if you’re looking to feel like you’ve really gotten far away from the real world, Corvo is the smallest and most remote island of the archipelago.

The island is home to just 430 people, who all live in one village called Vila do Corvo.

The island itself is tiny, covering just over 17 square kilometres.

Corvo only received electricity in 1963, and is most popular with birdwatchers and hikers.

These westernmost islands feel truly isolated – the perfect spot if you’re after that castaway, edge-of-the-world experience.

In an opening half that featured just one solitary try, the dominant theme was Leinster’s superiority in the scrum.

With former Leinster player Michael Ala’alatoa appearing to struggle on their tight-head side, Munster could not get to grips with their opposing front row, who were able to use the set-piece to relieve pressure time and time again.

Despite those difficulties, Munster still enjoyed plenty of territory but were lacking in accuracy when it came to the crunch.

Jack Crowley missed touch in what was a generally poor kicking display from those in red, while a Mike Haley knock-on after a poor Tom Farrell pass ended another attack.

Leinster struggled to convert their own opportunities but did take a 7-0 lead into the break thanks to Van der Flier’s early score.

After one of those initial scrum penalties, the visitors kicked to the corner with Ronan Kelleher finding Caelan Doris from the subsequent line-out.

While the maul made only marginal headway, there was to be no stopping Van der Flier when the back row peeled off the back and ran through the tackle of Craig Casey to score.

In what continued to be a low-scoring and disjointed game after the break, Harry Byrne and Crowley traded penalties a quarter of an hour after the restart.

Approaching the final quarter, Byrne added another three points with the boot but, as both sides turned to their benches, it felt a game already lacking in flow was becoming even more disjointed.

Replacement centre Dan Kelly’s try in the 70th minute set up an absorbing finish but, try as they might and despite plenty of late possession, Munster could not find a way through the Leinster defence for the telling score.

In truth, while the game did not lack intensity or ferocity, given the paucity of attacking quality on show, it was a fitting end to such a contest.

Both sides face another interprovincial derby in the URC next week with Munster travelling to Ulster on Friday and Leinster hosting Connacht the following day.