First all-women cohort of winners hails from Colombia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, the UK and the US.
This year’s prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to six grassroots environmental activists from around the world for their efforts to fight climate change and save biodiversity.
For the first time since the prize was created in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, all recipients of the award are women: Iroro Tanshi, from Nigeria; Borim Kim, from South Korea; Sarah Finch, from the United Kingdom; Theonila Roka Matbob, from Papua New Guinea; Alannah Acaq Hurley, from the United States; and Yuvelis Morales Blanco, from Colombia.
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Sometimes described as the “Green Nobel”, the Goldman Prize recipients are chosen from each of the world’s six primary regions. They each receive $200,000 in prize money.
“While we continue to fight uphill to protect the environment and implement lifesaving climate policies – in the US and globally – it is clear that true leaders can be found all around us,” said John Goldman, vice president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation.
“The 2026 Prize winners are proof positive that courage, hard work, and hope go a long way toward creating meaningful progress.”
Yuvelis Morales Blanco, winner of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, shows a fish caught on a tour with fishermen along the Magdalena River in Colombia [Handout: Christian EscobarMora/Goldman Environmental Prize]
Morales Blanco, the winner for the region of South and Central America, fought some of the world’s biggest oil companies to successfully stop the introduction of commercial fracking into Colombia.
The 24-year-old grew up in a family of fishermen along the banks of the Magdalena River in the Afro-Colombian community of Puerto Wilches. “We had nothing but the river – she was like a mother who took care of me,” she said.
She began organising protests after a major oil spill in 2018, which forced the relocation of dozens of local families and killed thousands of animals. Her activism, which made her a target for intimidation and forced her to temporarily relocate, helped halt projects and elevate fracking as an issue in Colombia’s 2022 election.
Two of the other five recipients of this year’s prize have also focused their efforts on fighting fossil fuels, which are causing both global climate change and more localised pollution around the world.
Borim, the winner for Asia who started the Youth 4 Climate Action organisation, won a ruling from South Korea’s Constitutional Court that the government’s climate policy violated the constitutional rights of future generations, the first successful youth-led climate litigation in the continent.
Finch, Europe’s winner, told The Times newspaper she will use her prize money to keep fighting fossil fuels.
Together with the Weald Action Group, she fought oil drilling in southeastern England for more than a decade, securing the “Finch ruling” from the Supreme Court in June 2024, stating that authorities must consider fossil fuels’ impacts on the global climate before granting permission to extract them.
Two other recipients have fought against the destructive environmental impact of mining projects.
Papua New Guinea’s Roka Matbob, winner for Islands and Island Nations, led a successful campaign that saw the world’s second-largest mining company, Rio Tinto, agree to address environmental and social devastation caused by its Panguna copper mine, 35 years after it was closed following an uprising.
And the award recipient for North America, Acaq Hurley, from the Yup’ik nation in the US, successfully fought alongside 15 tribal nations to stop a mega- copper and gold mining project that threatened ecosystems in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, including the largest wild salmon runs in the world.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Tanshi, Africa’s winner, rediscovered the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat and has been working to save its refuge, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, from human-induced wildfires.
April 20 (UPI) — The American Library Association released its list of the “Top 11 Most Challenged Books List of 2025,” including titles by John Green and Sarah J. Maas.
The list, part of the 2026 State of America’s Libraries Report, is based on data from the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, which tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged across 2025. The number was the second-highest ever documented by the ALA, after 4,240 books were challenged in 2023.
The 2025 challenges included 713 attempts to censor library materials and services through access restrictions, including 487 books.
The most challenged book of 2025 was Sold by Patricia McCormick, followed by The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe, and Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas.
There was a tie for fifth place between Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo and Tricks by Ellen Hopkins.
The seventh book on the list was A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, followed by a four-way tie between A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess, Identical by Ellen Hopkins, Looking for Alaska by John Green and Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
The challenged titles of 2025 included 1,671 representing the lived experience of LGBTQ people and people of color — about 40% of the total challenges.
The report was released to coincide with National Library Week
“Libraries exist to make space for every story and every lived experience,” ALA President Sam Helmick said in a news release. “As we celebrate National Library Week, we reaffirm that libraries are places for knowledge, for access, and for all.”
The ALA said less than 3% of the challenges came from individual parents, with 92 percent of the challenges coming from government officials and political pressure groups.
“In 2025, book bans were not sparked by concerned parents, and they were not the result of local grassroots efforts,” said Sarah Lamdan, executive director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “They were part of a well-funded, politically-driven campaign to suppress the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals and communities.”
A total 5,668 books were banned from American libraries in 2025, and 920 others were censored through access restrictions.
Children race to push colored eggs across the grass during the annual Easter Egg Roll event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 21, 2025. Easter this year takes place on April 5. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI | License Photo
The BBC has seemingly pulled episodes of Top of the Pops that featured Scott Mills from iPlayer after the corporation made the decision to dismiss the radio star last month
22:44, 19 Apr 2026Updated 23:04, 19 Apr 2026
The BBC has seemingly pulled episodes of Top of the Pops that featured Scott Mills(Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
The BBC has seemingly pulled episodes of Top of the Pops that featured Scott Mills from iPlayer. In yet another scandal for the public broadcaster, Scott Mills, a BBC radio favourite for decades, was axed from his role in March.
The Mirror revealed that the former BBC Radio 1 and 2 DJ was questioned in 2018 over the historical allegations of serious sexual offences, but the investigation – which began in 2016 – was closed in 2019 after the CPS deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
The programme, which ended in 2006, is still repeated regularly but now the The Sun has reported that the three episodes in which Scott, 53, served as host, have now been wiped from the corporation’s streaming service.
The episodes in question originally aired in 1999 and around that time, he welcomed the likes of Billie Piper, Mariah Carey and Westlife onto the show to perform their latest singles. The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment.
The Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview in 2016, was investigated over allegations reported to have happened between 1997 and 2000. Today, BBC News reported that director general at the time, Tony Hall, was not aware of the allegations.
The investigation was dropped in 2019 after the CPS deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. As first reported by the Mirror, Mills was sacked over allegations relating to his ‘personal conduct’ after the final edition of his breakfast programme aired.
Following his dismissal, Mills issued a statement via lawyers thanking his well-wishers. He said: “I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.”
On the police probe, he said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.
“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018.”
He added: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.”
Calling for the PM to stand down earlier, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It is either, he knew that Mandelson failed the security vetting and lied to us in Parliament, on TV repeatedly, or he didn’t know, didn’t ask and said he had passed the security vetting – which means he is hopelessly incompetent.”
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s design for the Triumphal Arch he wants built at an entrance to the nation’s capital moved a step forward Thursday after a key agency reviewed the proposal for the first time. One commissioner suggested changes, including losing the Lady Liberty-like statue and pair of eagles that would sit on top of the arch and add to its height.
The arch is one of several projects that the Republican president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting imprint on Washington.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the concept design for the arch. The seven commissioners, all appointed by Trump, will review an updated version of the design before taking a final vote at a future meeting.
Trump said last week on social media that the arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”
Also on the agenda for the commission’s monthly meeting was his plan to paint the gray granite exterior of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is next to the White House, white.
A third White House-related project, construction of an underground center to conduct security screenings of tourists and other guests, was also up for consideration.
Triumphal Arch
The arch would stand 250 feet tall from its base to a torch held aloft by a Lady Liberty-like figure atop the structure. That figure would be flanked up top by two eagles and guarded at the base by four lions — all gilded. The phrases “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” would be inscribed in gold lettering atop either side of the monument.
The commission’s vice chairman, architect James McCrery II, said he preferred the arch without the figure and eagles on top. McCrery also objected to the lions on the base.
The arch would be built on a human-made island managed by the National Park Service on the Virginia side of the Potomac River at the end of Memorial Bridge from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The arch would dwarf the Lincoln Memorial, which is 99 feet tall, and be close to half the height of the Washington Monument, an obelisk that is about 555 feet tall.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the arch’s 250-foot height will honor America’s 250 years of existence.
A group of veterans and a historian has sued in federal court to block construction on the grounds that the arch would disrupt the sightline between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, among other reasons.
Underground screening center for White House visitors
The U.S. Secret Service, Interior Department, National Park Service, and the Executive Office of the President want to start construction in August on a 33,000-square-foot (3,066-square-meter) center to screen tourists and other visitors to the White House.
It would be built beneath Sherman Park, federal land southwest of the White House, to provide a more secure place to screen those going on White House tours or attending events. The new facility would have seven lanes to ease processing and reduce wait times.
Officials want it operating by July 2028, six months before Trump’s term ends.
Eisenhower Executive Office Building paint job
Trump said the Executive Office Building is beautiful, but he does not like its gray exterior.
“It’s one of the most beautiful buildings anywhere in Washington,” Trump said in August. “I think it’s just incredible, but you have to get past the color because the stone they used was a really bad color.”
Two proposals were given to the commission: Cover the entire building in bright white or paint most of it white while leaving untouched the granite on the exposed basement and subbasement.
In written materials, the White House said the building has been largely neglected since its construction. It said the building’s color, design and massing do not “align visually with the surrounding architecture” and lack ”any symbolic cohesion with the White House.”
The paint job is also the subject of litigation in federal court.
The building sits across a driveway from the West Wing. It was completed in 1888 after 17 years of construction, and its granite, slate, and cast iron exterior makes it one of America’s best examples of the French Second Empire style of architecture.
It originally housed the departments of State, War and Navy. It currently houses offices for the vice president and the National Security Council, among others.
The building is a National Historic Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
EMILY has been to Paris (obviously), the Alps, St Tropez, Venice, Rome – and now, it looks as if she’s off to Greece.
According to show creator Darren Star, filming is expected to take place across Greece and Monaco with production starting as soon as next month.
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Emily in Paris is going to Greece – islands like Santorini are one of our favouritesCredit: GettyKara loves the Royal Senses Resort & Spa in CreteCredit: Kara Godfrey
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With the cast members like Lily Collins set to jet off to Greece, we’ve put together our favourite islands with top resorts and world’s prettiest villages…
Crete
As an anti-fly-and-flopper, you know a hotel is good when even I’m tempted to just stay there the whole time.
Over on the west side of Crete, I spent a blissful few days at the family-friendly Royal Senses Resort & Spa.
The sprawling resort had me sold instantly with the massively long heated swimmingpool, as well as the adult-only spa section with day beds and hot tubs.
I had way too much fun travelling on the private hotel funicular every day up to my two-storey suite (that made me feel like I’d stepped into a Selling Sunset property).
Maldives floating breakfasts, live music at dinner, it was serious luxury without having to spend too much – rooms start from around £146 a night.
If you really do want to explore, this side of the island has some beautiful little spots, such as Margarites – a small village known for its ceramics – or Rethimno, a coastal city perfect for market shopping and cocktails.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
A feeling of zen still wafts over me when I look back on my visit to Crete, around eight years ago.
Mum and I were staying in the sleepy town of Agios Nikolaos, on the east coast of the island, in a rugged and airy resort whose white-washed walls were contrasted by large pots of fuschia-coloured roses and climbing vines.
The hotel was a short wander to the main port, where terracotta-roofed houses overlook sparkling waters lined by authentic restaurants serving properly delicious tzatziki and Greek salads.
Gioma Meze is nestled into the cliff-face and whips up all the classic mezze dishes in a fuss-free setting.
From this port you can hitch a boat over to the teeny island of Spinalonga, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It once operated as a leper colony in the early 1900s and has a fascinating story to tell – much of its stony fortress remains intact.
– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Sophie loves the chilled out vibes of CreteCredit: Sophie Swietochowski
Feeling inspired? Here are some other Greece holidays…
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Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes
The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides. Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture. Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.
Gouves Bay Hotel keeps things simple on a sunny Greek island location right by the sea. This hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel with two pools, a kids’ club and easy all-inclusive dining. And if you fancy a change of atmosphere, Gouves’ bars and tavernas are just a short walk away for your choice of evening drinks with a view.
The picturesque hotel is perched up high and surrounded by lush greenery in the historic harbour town of Kos. Here you’ll find a huge swimming pool and a waterpark, as well as activities like darts, tennis, football and more. There’s evening entertainment six days a week, and an on-site spa with a hot tub and sauna to unwind.
This mega resort with six pools and its own waterpark is rated five stars by TUI. In the main restaurant, you’ll see show cooking displays as you take your pick from an extensive international buffet. Plus, Kalives beach is on the doorstep of this hotel, with its strikingly blue water and soft golden sands.
Mykonos is known for being luxe with sleek beach clubs and designer shopsCredit: Alamy
Mykonos
Being one of the most expensive islands in the Cyclades, Mykonos oozes glamour and luxury from its exclusive resorts to sleek beach clubs.
But it still has the charm of Greece with its classic white architecture, lime-coated trees and stone pathways all perfectly framed by bright pink bougainvillea.
Chora Town is beautiful and has lots of boutique shops selling elegant dresses, designer handbags and it is fun to window shop – or splash out if you wish.
There are 16 windmills on Mykonos and seven are on the hill in Chora which at sunset makes for an incredible photo.
If you’re lucky, you might spot several of the island’s pelicans walking about too.
They’re a mascot of the island, starting with the original, Petros who roamed the island for 30 years.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Kefalonia
My very first Greek island holiday is still my favourite – when I took my son, then three years old, to the stunning Kefalonia.
The island in the Ionian Sea — a Hollywood star in its own right thanks to the 2001 film version of Louis de Bernières’ wartime novel — ticked all the boxes and boasts what is often claimed as Greece’s best beach.
We spent a week on the island in mid-May and enjoyed everything it had to offer — without spending too much money.
Our timing (outside of school holidays) meant we were one of the few tourist groups on the island.
The weather was still perfect though. The average is highs of 21C in May and the same in October. There were no crowds, either.
So we were eating al fresco at top seafront restaurants without needing to make a booking.
On my favourite day, we picnicked at Myrtos Beach with huge Greek tomatoes, spanakopita, feta and hunks of bread with olive oil.
In a post lunch dip at what is regularly named one of Greece’s top five beaches, we were the only people in the sea.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Sun Travel (Digital)
Head up high in Santorini to get views of the calderaCredit: Alice Penwill
Corfu
I’m convinced I’ve found the most underrated spot in Corfu.
Sidari sits on the northern tip of the island, and is often overlooked by those heading to popular resorts like Kavos or Corfu Town.
Sidari has some of the most stunning beaches I’ve seen. The Canal d’Amour is a dramatic sandstone cliff split in two to reveal a tiny beach, with pretty turquoise waters and caves to explore.
A short walk away you’ll find a main strip lined with affordable restaurants that feel super high-end.
Savannah Seaside offers amazing fruity cocktails and delicious flame-grilled skewers in a tropical beach club setting, plus there’s plenty of spots serving gyros and fries for €3.
Plus hotels in this region are mind-bogglingly affordable. I stayed in the Eleni Apartments with TUI, who offer week-long breaks there including return flights from £297.
So if you want a Greek island holiday with plenty of sea views, fruity cocktails and delicious gyros – but without the Mykonos prices – give Sidari a try.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Santorini
Santorini is just as beautiful in real-life as it is in all those posts on Instagram.
The clifftop village of Oia on the northern tip of the island is the most famous where you’ll see the three blue dome churches across the skyline.
It’s even been called one of the most beautiful villages in the world.
Yes, it’s busy. So if you want to avoid the crowds then I’d suggest going in shoulder season like I did in May.
In saying that, you do still have to dodge tourists for a good photo and walking down lively Nikos Monikos Street was particularly cramped.
But it’s all worth it for when you get a small gap in the streets between villas and get a glimpse of the sparkling Aegean Sea.
If you want peace and quiet, and stunning views, head up to the Venetsanos Winery.
Not only does it offer wine tastings, there are unbeatable views across the Santorini caldera.
Modern warfare has dramatically changed as we have seen from the Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts involving Gaza, India and Pakistan, and the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. At the centre of this shift is a surging global reliance on drone and missile technology as well as advanced air defence systems.
Turkiye, one of the largest military powers in the Middle East, is increasingly positioning itself as a major supplier in the global defence sector. Central to this effort is Roketsan, a company founded in 1988 to supply the Turkish Armed Forces, which has since evolved into the country’s primary manufacturer of missile and rocket systems.
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Currently exporting to approximately 50 countries, the firm is one of the fastest-growing defence companies globally.
So how did Roketsan secure a large share of the global arms trade?
Bypassing Western embargoes
Turkiye’s defence expansion was largely accelerated by restrictions placed upon it. Western embargoes aimed at halting its military advancement meant Ankara could not acquire the necessary technical systems or components.
In 2020, the United States imposed Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) restrictions on Turkiye – a key member of the transatlantic military alliance NATO. These sanctions targeted Turkiye’s military procurement agency, its chief Ismail Demir, and three other senior officials. Washington also ejected Ankara from the F-35 stealth jet programme in July 2019.
The measures came after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defence system, which was seen as a potential threat to NATO security. The European Union also prepared limited sanctions and discussed restricting arms exports following energy exploration disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
To circumvent this, the country built an integrated, domestic defence ecosystem. Today, Turkiye relies on a vast supply chain of nearly 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scattered across the country. As a result, the Turkish defence industry now operates with a local production rate exceeding 90 percent.
Türkiye’s defence industry now operates with a local production rate exceeding 90 percent, bypassing long-standing Western embargoes [Al Jazeera]
This shift has yielded significant financial returns for Ankara. In 2025, Turkiye’s defence industry reported $10bn in exports. Roketsan’s General Manager Murat Ikinci told Al Jazeera that the company currently ranks 71st among global defence firms, with ambitions to break into the top 50, then the top 20, and ultimately the top 10.
To support this expansion, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated several large-scale facilities last week, including:
Europe’s largest warhead facility.
new research and development (R&D) centre housing 1,000 engineers.
the “Kirikkale” facility dedicated to rocket fuel technology.
new infrastructure for the mass production of ballistic and cruise missiles.
These projects represent a $1bn investment, with the company planning to inject an additional $2bn to expand mass production capabilities.
The ‘Tayfun’ and modern warfare
Roketsan’s R&D strategy – which employs 3,200 engineers and makes the company the third-largest R&D institution in Turkiye – is heavily influenced by data gathered from ongoing global conflicts.
According to Ikinci, the war in Ukraine highlighted the impact of cheap, first-person view (FPV) and kamikaze drones supported by artificial intelligence. In response, Roketsan developed air defence systems like “ALKA” and “BURC,” alongside the “CIRIT” laser-guided missile.
The regional landscape was further complicated during the US-Israel war on Iran, as cheap Iranian-designed Shahed drones – recently upgraded by Russia with “Kometa-B” anti-jamming modules – overwhelmed defences and even struck a British base in Cyprus in March 2026. During the same month, NATO air defences were forced to intercept three Iranian ballistic missiles that entered Turkish airspace.
Meanwhile, the recent conflict between Israel and Iran showcased the use of complex attacks combining ballistic missiles with “swarms” of kamikaze drones designed to overwhelm air defences. This environment makes hypersonic technology a critical asset.
This brings the Tayfun (Typhoon) project into focus. Tayfun is a developing family of long-range ballistic missiles. Its most advanced iteration, the Tayfun Block 4, is a hypersonic missile engineered to penetrate advanced air defence systems by travelling at extreme speeds.
When Al Jazeera asked for specific details regarding the Tayfun’s exact operational range, Ikinci was elusive. “We avoid mentioning its range; we just say its range is sufficient,” he noted.
Similarly, historical Western sanctions have pushed Turkiye to form new cooperation initiatives, effectively accelerating an “Eastern shift” away from Western defence dependence. Turkish drones are now being used by a growing number of countries, including by Pakistan during its war against India last May.
Based on these threat assessments, Roketsan has prioritised five key areas of production:
long-range ballistic and cruise missiles.
air defence systems, including the “Steel Dome”, Hisar-A, Hisar-O, and Siper.
submarine-launched cruise missiles, utilising the AKYA system to leverage Turkiye’s large submarine fleet.
smart micro-munitions designed specifically for armed drones.
long-range air-to-air missiles, a need highlighted by the brief India-Pakistan skirmish.
A strategic export model
Unlike traditional arms procurement, Turkiye is marketing its defence industry to international buyers as a strategic partnership.
“Our offer to our partners… is as follows: Let’s produce together, let’s develop technology together,” Ikinci stated.
Rokestan’s General Manager Murat İkinci, right, emphasises that Roketsan’s international strategy is based on ‘partnership models’ rather than simple sales [Al Jazeera]
By establishing joint facilities and R&D centres in allied nations across the Middle East, the Far East, and Europe, Turkiye is attempting to secure long-term geopolitical alliances rather than purely transactional sales. Ikinci highlighted Qatar as a prime example of this model, describing it as a benchmark for technological, military, and security cooperation in the region.
Filling the global stockpile gap
This rapid expansion comes at a critical time for the global arms trade. Ongoing wars have severely depleted the stockpiles of advanced weapon systems worldwide.
During the recent US-Israel war on Iran, Washington relied heavily on multimillion-dollar Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to intercept cheap Iranian drones targeting US assets across Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. With growing concerns that US interceptor supplies could run low, Gulf states – which have collectively detected over 1,000 drones in their airspace – are actively seeking alternative defence technologies, creating a highly lucrative opening for Turkiye’s missile industry.
Defence analyses indicate that even military superpowers like the US will require significant time to replenish their current air defence inventories due to the complexity and massive infrastructure required to build them.
Turkish defence officials view this shortage as a strategic opening. Having localised its supply chain, Turkiye claims it can manufacture and export these highly sought-after complex systems independently.
As global demand for air defence and ballistic technologies rises, Roketsan is aggressively reinvesting its revenues into production infrastructure to expand its footprint in the international arms market.
STAYCATIONS are on the rise once again, as nervous Brits look for a holiday closer to home.
Yet a trip exploring the beauty of the UK doesn’t have to be expensive – if you know where to look.
A UK staycation can still be done on a budget, with lots of hotels under £100 a nightCredit: Alamy
According to Hotels.com, searches for stays across Britain that are under £100 are up 21 per cent compared to last year.
Expedia Group expert Melanie Fish shared some of her top tips on how to find the cheapest hotel room stays, such as booking business hotels on weekends for lower rates.
She also said: “One of the simplest ways to save is checking in on a Sunday night, which is often the cheapest day of the week, helping travellers stretch their budgets further while racking up rewards.”
Here are ten of the best hotels across the country where all the stays are under £100 (so less than £50 each a night), ranging from city centre stays to rural vineyard retreats.
Malmaison Manchester – £94 a night (£47 each)
One of the fanciest on the list, the four-star Malmaison in Manchester, is still an affordable option.
Right in front of the city’s main train station, the hotel is built in a converted Victorian warehouse.
It makes you want to never leave, from the fancy Brasserie serving a British-French menu, to the stylish Mal Bar.
Of course, it’s right by all of the city’s top attractions too, from the Arndale Centre to Old Trafford.
Book your stay
One night at Malmaison Manchester via Hotels.com from £94 see here.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Maldron Hotel, Liverpool – £83 a night (£41.50 each)
Despite also being a four-star hotel, the Maldron Hotel is the cheapest on the list.
The Liverpool hotel is no frills, but central – rooms have everything you need from hairdryers to coffee machines.
There’s an on-site barista-coffee cafe, as well as an all-day dining restaurant.
It’s in a great location too – you can easily get to attractions such as the M&S Bank Arena or Royal Albert Docks.
Book your stay
One night stay at Maldron Hotel via Hotels.com from £83 a night see here.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Maldron Hotel in Liverpool is simple but central, so perfect for affordable weekend breaksCredit: Maldron Hotel
Lumley Castle, Durham – £92 a night (£46 each)
The 14th-century Lumley Castle is now a hotel and venue space, and is a bargain to stay at.
The hotel has 72 rooms, many of which will transport you back to Ye Olde times with spiral staircases and grand four-poster beds
Settle in for a spot of brunch at the Library Bar, or experience a full classic menu at the Knight’s Restaurant.
One night stay at Lumley Castle via Hotels.com from £92 a night see here.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Why not stay in a castle for less than £50 a night?Credit: Supplied
Aldwick Estate, Bristol – £95 a night (£47.50 each)
Still a working farm and vineyard, Aldwick Estate is set across 300 acres.
Guests can not only stay on-site at a number of apartment options, but they can also book some wine tastings.
The 90-minute tours include the history of the estate, as well, of course, some tastings of the award-winning sparkling wines.
It’s less than 10 minutes from Bristol Airport, too.
Book your stay
One night stay at Aldiwick Estate via Hotels.com from £95 a night, see here.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Aldwick Estate is one for the wine loversCredit: Aldwick Estate
Rodway Hill Eco Pod, Gloucester – £96 a night (£48 each)
If you want to get back to basics, you can go glamping at the end of a golf course for under £50 each.
Rodway Hill Eco Pod is ideal for keen golfers as you step out right onto the grass from the front of the room.
They’re no frills – you need to take your own towels, and there are shared ensuite facilities.
But with breakfast also included (expect all the classic hot and cold options) – you can be first to put on the day.
Book your stay
One night stay at Rodway Hill Eco Pod via Hotels.com from £96 a night see here.
*If you click on a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Golf lovers can stay in lodges right by the putting greenCredit: Supplied
Ty Milford Waterfront, Pembrokeshire – £96 a night (£48 each)
Right by Milford beach is Ty Milford Waterfront, with all the hotel rooms kitted out with everything you need
Try Dulse, the on-site restaurant for some of the freshest seafood (and a unique rhubarb and custard profiterole), or work it off at the hotel gym overlooking the water too.
Kids even stay free this half term, and there is often both live music and pub quizzes on.
Want to splash out? Try the ‘floatels’ – four cabins that float on the water to be rocked to sleep by the tide.
Book your stay
One night stay at Ty Milford Waterfront via Hotels.com from £96 a night, see here.
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Ty Milford Waterfront Hotel even has floating marina lodgesCredit: Booking.com
The Grosvenor Arms, Salisbury – £94 a night (£47 each)
The Grosvenor Arms, built in a 17th-century former coaching inn, has all the best parts of a British pub, but a little bit fancier.
There’s just nine cosy rooms for both couples and families, which they say has more of the “charm of an inn than a hotel room”.
Eating at the pub itself is a must, if you love a menu of British food with a flair – or pop in on a Friday for freshly cooked pizzas.
Nearby attractions include the unusual hexagonal Wardour Castle, which was used to film the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves film.
Book your stay
One night stay at Grosvenor Arms via Hotels.com from £94 a night, see here.
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The Grosvenor Arms is an affordable pub, but with beautiful rooms and foodCredit: The Grosvenor Arms
The Westbridge, London – £97 a night (£48.50)
The chic Westbridge hotel says it is a “home from home,” being in the London district of Stratford.
Dating back to 1740, many of the rooms are named after themed royal family members.
The lounge bar is limited – serving just pizza, some snacks and desserts – so you might want to head out for dinner.
Thankfully is right by all of the popular London attractions too, including the Olympic Park and ABBA Voyage.
Book your stay
One night stay at The Westbridge via Hotels.com from £97 a night, see here.
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The Westbridge Hotel is an affordable London stay option right by some big attractionsCredit: The Westbridge Hotel
The all-inclusive hotel in the middle of London – that’s £55 each a night
The Sun’s Travel Reporter recently tried out London’s ‘all-inclusive’ hotel which comes in at just over £100 a night.
This sounded too good to be true, so, of course, I had to put it to the test.
I arrived to check in at 3pm – this is when they were offering an afternoon tea selection, which included ham and cheese croissants and a cake stand featuring macaroons, brownies, flapjacks, and pots of tiramisu.
I picked up a handful of sweet treats, including one of the croissants and helped myself to my second can of Fanta.
There was also a made-to-order selection on a dinner menu, which featured a wide choice of sandwiches and salads.
I ordered the salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta – it was simple but tasty and reminded me of the sandwiches and cakes I usually pick up in one of London’s many hipster coffee shops.
However, this would usually set me back £18 for a coffee, pastry or cake and sandwich.
Just an hour later, a selection of cheeses and crackers, with grapes, chutney, houmous and olives appeared.
I helped myself to the black bomber cheddar, with a dollop of caramelised onion chutney and some crackers.
For second helping I went for some olives, camembert and crackers.
Over the course of another hour, I went back and forth, helping myself to the selection.
As I enjoyed my plates of food, I also sipped on a glass of sauvignon blanc – one of three white wines on offer.
If I wanted to, I could have also opted for red wine, cider or beer as well.
When morning arrived, a breakfast spread included toast, flatbreads with omelette and bacon, fresh fruit, Greek yoghurt, and pastries.
I opted for some cold apple juice and helped myself to a coffee, plus a tomato and cheese flatbread, some fruit compote and yoghurt.
Before leaving, I even grabbed a banana and coffee in a takeaway cup for the road.
My verdict? This hotel is a genuine find.
Totting up all the food I had, using the average prices usually found for each item in London, I spent way more than my £55-a-head price tag.
In comparison to other budget hotels, I would say the room itself is on par with Travelodge and Premier Inn, yet a fraction of the price.
Nunsmere Hall, Northwich – £95 a night (£47.50 each)
Inside the Edwardian country house in Northwich is Nunsmere Hall, surrounded by a 60-acre lake.
Usually used as a wedding venue, there are 36 hotel rooms, which are simple but affordable.
But you want to come here for dinner – voted ‘County Restaurant of the Year’ by The Good Food Guide, the ever-changing menu includes dishes such as steak and pasta.
Otherwise, grab a drink at The Captain’s Bar, some afternoon tea or have a wander around Northwich itself, a beautiful riverside town.
Book your stay
One night stay at Nunsmere Hall via Hotels.com from £97 a night see here.
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Nunsmere Hall is nearly completely surrounded by waterCredit: Nunsmere Hall
The Met Hotel, Leeds – £97 a night (£48.50 each)
One of Leeds‘ most beautiful buildings, The Met Hotel is built into the Victorian listed landmark dating back to the 1890s yet underwent a huge renovation last year.
There are 120 rooms, which have recently been refurbished, with classy interiors that make it feel much more expensive than it is.
Gott’s Bar & Kitchen feels like stepping back in time, with a mix of small plates, mains and grills.
Pop your head into the Met Ballroom too – it’s a beauty.
Book your stay
One night stay at The Met Hotel via Hotels.com from £97 a night, see here.
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The grand Victorian building is right by the train station tooCredit: The Met Hotel
South Korean Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul (L) and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler (R) hold talks in Seoul on Wednesday. The two were also set to meet with Japan’s top naval commander for trilateral talks on strengthening maritime cooperation. Photo courtesy of South Korea Navy
Top naval commanders of South Korea, the United States and Japan gathered in Seoul on Wednesday to hold a series of talks aimed at strengthening their trilateral maritime security cooperation, the South’s Navy said.
The gathering brought together Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Stephen Koehler and Adm. Akira Saito, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, for bilateral talks and a trilateral dinner meeting, according to the armed service.
The meetings came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, raising speculation over whether their talks would address the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
U.S. President Donald Trump earlier called on South Korea, Japan and others to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help secure shipping lanes.
In the bilateral talks between Kim and Koehler held earlier in the day, both sides exchanged opinions on the robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture as well as cooperation in the area of naval maintenance, repair and operations, the Navy said.
Kim and Saito, meanwhile, held in-depth discussions on expanding personnel exchange and resuming joint maritime search and rescue exercises (SAREX) as discussed in a ministerial meeting between their defense chiefs earlier this year, it added.
In January, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Japanese counterpart, Shinjiro Koizumi, met in Japan and agreed to resume joint SAREX drills for the first time in nine years as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.
The top admirals of the three countries were set to attend a dinner meeting later Wednesday to likely discuss trilateral coordination measures to respond to and deter North Korea‘s advancing nuclear and missile threats.
Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.
WE all love a holiday abroad, but sometimes we forget what’s on our doorstep.
From beautiful beach towns to charming villages and incredible cities with luxury hotels to off-the-grid shepherd huts, the whole of Britain has options for every sort of staycation.
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The city of Cambridge has a beautiful river and plenty of independent shopsCredit: AlamyThe Nici Hotel is a luxury hotel in Bournemouth with an enormous swimming poolCredit: The NICI
The UK staycation is on the rise, and has no signs of slowing down – the latest holiday report from Away Resorts revealed 46 per cent of Brits are opting for a staycation over an abroad break.
Sykes Holiday Cottageshas also predicted a record high for staycations in 2026, reporting that bookings made in January are up 9 per cent year-on-year.
The conflict in Iran is also another factor when it comes to booking a break this year.
Data from Barclay’s has found that spending on travel agents has dropped 4.6 per cent, while airline spending was down 4.1 per cent.
Spending on UK hotels and resorts was up 1.2 per cent.
So, if you’re looking for inspiration for your next staycation, check out these 12 destinations that are Sun Travel’s wish list for 2026…
Nici Hotel, Bournemouth
“One of my favourite places in the US is Miami – so when I heard there was a hotel in the UK compared to it, I’ve been intrigued ever since.
“The Nici, in Bournemouth, is nothing like the Bournemouth I knew growing up when visiting my grandparents.
“There’s a bright blue water swimmingpool lined with pearly white sunloungers and flamingos, while palm tree designs and plants are everywhere too.
“I’m dying to eat at their South Beach restaurant too – the scallops and tuna tartare sounds delicious, as well as the ‘lost luggage’ signature cocktail list.” – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Fort William, Scotland
“The higher you go, the better the views… surely? At least that’s what I’ll be telling myself when I eventually attempt to climb the tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis.
“Towering a mighty 1,345 metres above sea level, this craggy peak trumps both Snowdonia in Wales and the Lake District’s Scafell Pike. Much of Scotland remains so rugged and unspoilt that the landscape in these parts feels somewhat otherworldly – which certainly adds to the appeal.
“It supposedly takes between seven and nine hours to reach the summit, meaning I could spend the remainder of my Scotland trip rewarding my efforts with whisky from the Ben Nevis Distillery, in Fort William.
“The distilling process incorporates the purest water that has trickled down from that very mountain, adding an earthy flavour to the spirit.” – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
“The house itself is considered Britain’s original smart home and it sits in a beautiful estate with pine forests, lakes and an enchanting rickety bridge.
“Plus, I’m a huge fan of Jurassic World – the house was used to film the second film in the franchise with when it became Lockwood Manor, starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
“There’s even a cottage on the site of the mansion to stay in – it looks quintessentially English with a little fireplace in the cosy lounge.”
“The National Trust house is also 30-minutes away from pretty coastal villages like Alnmouth and the town of Amble.” – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Cragside is a National Trust property in Northumberland and was used to film Jurassic WorldCredit: Alamy
Here are even more of our favourite UK seaside towns…
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Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
Scotland is home to the highest mountain in the UK, Ben NevisCredit: Alamy
Bluestone, Pembrokeshire
“Having written about it for several years now, I’m very keen to check out Bluestone in Wales – which many people say is a better, cheaper version of Center Parcs.
“I’m particularly interested in staying here because it has the best of both worlds for my son and I – the blue lagoon water park and indoor adventure park for him, the spa and the walks in the surrounding Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for me.
“I know that they are particularly proud of their Christmas offering, but I love Wales in the early autumn.
“When the leaves start to fall and the pubs get particularly cosy, it’s the perfect place for a relaxing long weekend.” – Caroline McGuire, Head of Sun Travel (Digital)
Ventnor, Isle of Wight
“Trendy Ventnor in the Isle of Wight is high up on my wish list for a UK staycation this year.
“Charles Dickens is even known to have declared the town ‘the prettiest place I ever saw in my life, at home or abroad’.
“Such high praise is reason enough for me to want to go and check it out – but as it turns out there is plenty more to V-Town.
“The seaside town is known for its thriving creative scene, with top-tier theatre, comedy and arts festivals. Ventnor Carnival is the second oldest carnival in the UK, and sees the town light up with colourful floats, costumes and performances.
“When it comes to somewhere to stay, The Royal Hotel was built in 1832 and was loved by Queen Victoria – plus its got a gorgeous pool and gardens to make use of if you visit in the summer time.
“And I’d treat myself to a meal in The Elderflower and Aquitania, too, for a delicious Michelin-star dinner.” – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
“Last year I ticked off Oxford, so it only seems right that this year I tick off Cambridge.
“Known for its historic university, often ranked one of the best in the world, Cambridge is the ideal day trip or city escape from London, just 49 minutes from London King’s Cross.
“As a big fan of architecture, I can’t wait to see the historic buildings scattered around the city as well as go punting on the River Cam.
“I’m also such a sucker for shopping local, so heading down the different cobbled lanes dipping in and out of independent shops sounds like a dream.” – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Scilly Isles, Cornwall
“The Scilly Isles, a short ferry ride from Penzance in Cornwall, are sometimes overlooked by wildlife lovers for more exotic and far-flung destinations.
“But marine life absolutely thrives in these parts. Puffins are top of my animal wish list and now is the best time to see them, with the orange-beaked birds arriving on the coastal cliffs in April to nest before returning to the waters in July.
“The best way to see them is on a boat trip sailing around the uninhabited island of Annet – you may even get to see dolphins, whales and grey seals, too.
“The Scillies are completely car-free and camping and glamping spots are aplenty.
“I like the idea of a cosy shepherd’s hut with a roaring log burner and plenty of windows overlooking rustic scenery.” – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
York has winding streets that were said to inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon AlleyCredit: AlamyCharles Dickens called Ventnor on the Isle of Wight ‘the prettiest place’ he’s ever seenCredit: Alamy
York, North Yorkshire
“Having grown up near the Devonshire Street, which is thought to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, I have always been intrigued by the city that also claims fame via the Harry Potter series.
“If you haven’t guessed it, it is York. The association is primarily due to The Shambles, a medieval street boasting wizard-themed shops and themed walking tours.
“As a lover of all things witchy, I am also intrigued to see if the city lives up to its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in Europe.” – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Clovelly, Devon
“A countryside girl at heart, I love visiting little villages and Clovelly is one of the best. It was even formerly owned by the Queen of England.
“It has pretty cobbled streets and stone cottages that are hundreds of years old. The restored walled Court Gardens are open all year round filled with flowers and greenery.
“The village is completely car free and donkeys were once used as their mode of transport. Now, the donkeys are settled in their stables at the top of the hill and tourists are free to visit Rex, Bert, Ernie and Alfred.
“I love the idea of staying in the local inn called The Red Lion Hotel in a room overlooking the harbour.
“Unlike other villages around the country, you actually need to pay a fee to enter that all goes towards preserving its charm.” – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Lake District, Cumbria
“I’m keen to take my son on more outdoor adventures this year and where better to start than the Lake District?
“As the UK’s largest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it feels like the perfect place to introduce a seven year old to enjoyable but easygoing hikes.
“But it’s also exceptionally child-friendly. We’ll start on Windermere and Bowness, making sure to check to take one of the kayaks on the lake, as well as a visit to The World of Beatrix Potter, and Brockhole on Windermere, with its adventure playground and treetop adventure.
“I’m also very keen on the alpaca walks around the stunning grounds of The Lingholm Estate. I’ve heard some great things about a few of the campsites, including Castlerigg Hall and the National Trust’s Low Wray Campsite.
“But I’d also be hoping for a couple of nights at the lovely Storrs Hall hotel on Lake Windermere.” – Caroline McGuire, Head of Sun Travel (Digital)
The holiday park Bluestone in Wales has a huge waterparkCredit: Unknown
Buxton, Derbyshire
“I grew up in the Cotswolds, so my love of a pretty town is built deep into my DNA. And one on my list to visit this year is the spa town of Buxton, famed for its geothermal springs.
“Similar to Bath, it even has its own Buxton crescent of houses, and wellness spa with thermal pools.
“It’s set to have a multi-million makeover with new bars, shops and restaurants, so there’s no time better to visit. I’d definitely be choosing to stay at the Buxton Crescent Hotel too, owned by Champneys.” – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
“I’d first set out on a hike to Fair Head – a huge, dramatic cliff where rugged walking paths lead to breath-taking views over the waters of Murlough Bay.
“Then I’d head to Ursa Minor Bakehouse for a well-deserved snack to re-fuel – their freshly-baked pastries are slow fermented and made with nourishing whole grains.
“A visit to Ballycastle isn’t complete without a trip to the beach – I’d make sure to visit Ballycastle Beach, and take some sunset pictures at Pans Rock bridge, too.
“I’d also use Ballycastle as a base to tick off some spectacular nearby sights on the Antrim Coast. Here you’re only 10 minutes away from Carrick-a-Rede, the historic rope bridge suspended above the Atlantic.
“Plus it’s easy to take the ferry from here to Rathlin Island, where you can spot puffins perched atop its cliffs, or see seals poke their noses out from the water.” Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
THE highly anticipated World of PAW Patrol has announced when it will open – and you don’t have to wait long.
The pup-tastic themed-land will open at Chessington World of Adventures with four new rides and a new play attraction on May 3.
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PAW Patrol World will open on May 3, 2026Credit: Chessington World of AdventuresZuma’s Hovercraft Adventure will be the UK’s first ‘Drifter’ rideCredit: Chessington World of Adventures
The new £15million attraction was first announced in April last year and will welcome guests over the early May bank holiday weekend.
It will be be the UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land designed specifically for preschool-age children.
Inside will be new rides and meet and greets with the beloved pups Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Everest and Marshall.
Fans of the show will recognise the new land as it looks like the fictional Adventure Bay.
It’s all centred around Lookout Tower which is also part of ‘Chase’s Mountain Mission’ ride – the attraction’s entry-level rollercoaster for littler kids.
Another of the new rides is Skye’s Helicopter Heroes where riders can climb aboard Skye’s helicopter and take to the skies.
Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure will be the UK’s first ‘Drifter’ ride – visitors can hop onto their own hovercraft.
Kids will feel like they’re skidding across the water from Adventure Bay to Seal Island.
There’s also Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, guests can climb aboard a firetruck and ‘rock and roll’ through the streets of Adventure Bay.
There will be themed playscapes too including Rubble and Rocky’s Play Zone.
At Rubble and Rocky’s playzone, kids can get their hands dirty at the construction zone.
Then children can head to Rocky’s Recycle Yard to crawl and climb through a maze of repurposed parts.
Another will be The Flounder Boat Play where little explorers can help Captain Turbot on a high-seas adventure.
Children will be available to meet their favourite characters in the parkCredit: Chessington World of Adventures
The themed-land will also have a cafe, a picnic space and a shop where visitors can pick up PAW Patrol merch.
Chessington World of Adventure’s Vice President, Nick Bevan said: “We can’t wait for families from across the world to experience the magic of PAW Patrol here at Chessington World of Adventures.”
Chessington already has hotel rooms based on the TV show – each room sleeps up to two adults and three children.
PAW Patrol hotel stays start from £155 for a family of four, including bed and breakfast.
Hotel stays include early ride access into Chessington, a ‘Pup Pass’ Meet and Greet fast track pass, and a Reserve & Ride one-shot pass.
You can book a day ticket to Chessington from £34 – if booked in advance.
Justin Rose hits three birdies in a row to move up from fourth to the top of the leaderboard in the final round of The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, seen here at a press conference in Singapore on March 2, 2026, said Friday the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz still remains largely blocked. Photo by Yonhap
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Friday the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz still remains largely blocked despite a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, pledging that South Korea would continue to seek alternative shipping lanes.
Speaking at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Wi stressed that the government will continue efforts to secure alternative supplies of crude oil and naphtha amid concerns over Iran’s continued restrictions on traffic through the vital waterway.
“Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted,” Wi said. “Uncertainty in the supply chains is likely to continue for the time being.”
Wi noted that the number of vessels crossing the strait has not increased significantly since the ceasefire was agreed to on Tuesday (U.S. time).
“If around 2,000 vessels trapped in the strait attempt to leave all at once, it can take time, and securing safe shipping routes may also pose a challenge,” he said.
The government will continue to communicate with relevant countries to ensure the safety of all vessels and crew members, including 26 Korean-flagged ships that remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
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If you go with Option 1, you are taking the top four batters, in order, in the lineup of what was billed as the best team this country ever had to offer: the United States entry in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
But, with the Dodgers off to another hot start, this would be an opportune moment for fans to take a step back from whatever concerns they might have about pitching depth and the injury list to appreciate the star-studded championship lineup of the home team.
Their opening day lineup started with Option 2. Betts is injured now, but the Dodgers just took a series from the defending American League champion Toronto Blue Jays without him. Twelve games into the season is a small sample, but no team has a better record than the Dodgers (9-3).
They lead the majors in batting average (.287), home runs (21) and OPS (.841). That OPS is the same as Tucker put up for the Chicago Cubs last season, which means their lineup essentially consists of nine guys putting up the OPS that earned Tucker a Dodgers contract for $60 million per year. (That won’t last, but the Dodgers did put up a .768 OPS over the full season last year, the best in the National League.)
Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez took to social media this week to call this “the best Dodgers team I’ve ever seen” and call the lineup “absolutely loaded.”
And, yes, the Dodgers lineup just might be better than the Team USA one.
“I’ll take our guys against anybody,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “How about that?”
The Dodgers’ lineup on opening day finished, in order, with Will Smith, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages and Miguel Rojas. The Team USA lineup in the WBC championship game finished with Alex Bregman, Roman Anthony, Smith, Brice Turang and Byron Buxton.
“There were probably more accolades and all that on that USA team,” said Smith, the Dodgers’ catcher and the only man in both lineups. “It was more of an all-star team type of thing, the best guy at his position.”
In that Team USA lineup: five MVP awards and 28 All-Star appearances. In that Dodgers lineup: six MVP awards and 33 All-Star appearances.
Dino Ebel, the Dodgers’ third-base coach, throws batting practice as well. He coached for Team USA and threw batting practice there, too.
“I was like, ‘This lineup I’m throwing to is familiar to what I see every night for 162.’ Pretty cool,” he said. “You compare the Dodger lineup, all the way from 1 to 9, to Team USA, I thought we matched up pretty well.”
For the opinion of someone never employed by the Dodgers, I checked in with Blue Jays and Team USA infielder Ernie Clement.
“It’s tough to compare a WBC team with an actual MLB team,” Clement said. “The Dodgers have a really great lineup, obviously. I think they have learned how to win when they don’t have their best stuff. That’s what great teams do.
“Our lineup on Team USA was pretty stacked. It’s tough to do when you only play seven games. You don’t go through that whole grind of a season. The Dodgers have had the same guys on their team for quite some time, with some pieces added here and there. But, for the most part, they have those main guys that have been there and know each other really well.”
Those main guys are international stars now, Ohtani and the rest of his constellation. Everyone watches them. Everyone outside Los Angeles blames them — nothing personal, mind you, but as a symbol of the gaping financial disparity in baseball and a trigger for the almost certain lockout to follow the World Series.
Those four guys at the top of the Dodgers lineup — that Option 2 above — carry contracts worth a combined $1.5 billion. Would your team do that?
The thought that the Dodgers lineup matches up well against the Team USA lineup presents a marketing idea for Major League Baseball.
Of all the major sports, baseball boasts the one All-Star Game that has largely resisted gimmicks, but then again last year’s game ended with a home run derby. So why not lean into the Dodgers hate by turning this year’s All-Star Game into a Dodgers-against-the-world affair?
The game is in Philadelphia. Nowhere else do people boo like they do there.
And, if the Dodgers can match up with Team USA, they can take on the best lineup the other 29 major league teams have to offer.
Seriously, then, your 2026 All-Star Game: The Dodgers vs. Everybody Else.
Roberts laughed, but the twinkle in his eye was genuine.
THE crisis in Iran has had a knock-on effect around the world from the rising cost of fuel, an increase in energy bills, and where to go on your next holiday.
But when it comes to the price of summer breaks this year, the good news is that they’ve barely moved – and in some cases, the cost of holidays have even dropped by hundreds of pounds.
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Three destinations in Italy, including the Amalfi Coast, have seen price dropsCredit: Getty Holidays to the Dominican Republic have dropped by £130pp on averageCredit: Alamy
Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team onInstagramandTiktokfor top holiday tips and inspiration.
On average holidays are up £23, but TravelSupermarket has also revealed that surprisingly, hundreds of popular destinations have actually seen prices fall.
TravelSupermarket has found that some holidays at certain destinations are actually cheaper than when the Iran conflict began.
Here are the top five destinations with the biggest price drops in the summer holidays based on a seven-night holiday between April and September, 2026.
At the very top with the biggest price drop is the Neapolitan Riviera in Italy.
Here, holidays are sitting at an average price of £905 per person, which has a price drop of £232.
It’s where you’ll find beautiful and colourful towns perched on clifftops – with spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius in some cases.
Specifically, it’s where you can explore the clifftops of Sorrento, the island of Capri and Ischia in the Bay of Naples.
Other places in Italy make it into the top five too – the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Lakes.
The Amalfi Coast is a popular destination with millions of tourists who flock there every summer for its great weather and tasty food.
Now, holidays on average there have dropped by £126 per person, with the average price of a break being £1,073.
At the Italian Lakes, which is where you’ll find the beautiful Lake Garda, Como, Maggiore and Orta – prices have dropped on average by £122pp.
Now, the average cost of a holiday here per person during the summer is £714.
For more on holidays, here are our favourite TUI breaks…
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Globales Montemar, Ibiza
This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.
This hotel sits on Majorca’s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.
The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, sat on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.
If you’re looking for a long-haul destination, check out the Dominican Republic.
TravelSupermarket worked out that the average holiday here is now £1,364pp – a drop of £130pp.
It has cracking weather, white sand beaches, beautiful resorts and lively towns like Punta Cana on the eastern side of the island.
The Dominican Republic is also the cheapest in the Caribbean – the average price of coffee is £1.53 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from £4.90, according to Wise.
In comparison, a meal in Barbados is around £14.50 and a coffee is around £3.32.
The Canary Island of La Palma is incredible affordable this summerCredit: Getty
Spain
If quick and easy holidays are more your bag for 2026, then check out La Palma.
It’s not the most well-known of the Canary Islands and is much quieter too.
It doesn’t have the enormous resorts, so if a calmer, nature-inspired holiday is on the cards, it’s a great option.
The main town is Santa Cruz La Palma which has bright coloured buildings, cobbled streets and wooden balconies that look over the black-sand beach.
Holidays here have dropped by £120 and can be on average as cheap as £474pp.
Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Despite the current uncertainty, summer holiday prices haven’t moved dramatically — up by just £23 on average across all destinations.
“For holidaymakers sitting on the fence, that’s a signal worth paying attention to. Prices won’t stay like this indefinitely, and with so many destinations actually seeing prices fall — places like Majorca, Corfu and Turkey — now could be a smart time to book ahead of any increases.
“Holiday companies are keen to get bookings moving, and that’s likely filtering through into some very competitive pricing right now.”
These are the 20 holiday destinations that have fallen in price, according to TravelSupermarket…
Here are the 20 destinations that have fallen in price – and the average amount less per person…
A HISTORIC market in England is getting a massive revamp – and its in a town named one of the best places to live.
Founded back in 1170, Kingston’s Ancient Market is one of the oldest in London and even the entire UK.
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Kingston Ancient Market is set for a major revampCredit: ZAP ArchitectureUnder the new plans, there will be even more stalls that are like those in Borough Market in LondonCredit: AlamyThere will also be a roof terrace overlooking the historic squareCredit: Alamy
Today, it is home to about 30 local traders including fishmongers, a bakery and street food.
Plans have now been submitted to give the Kingston Market Square a major revamp turning the square into a ‘piazza’, with 45 new Borough Market-like stalls made from sustainable materials with solar panels on top.
The piazza would host pop-ups as well as farmers’ markets, weekend events and concerts too.
If the plans are approved, the Market House nearby would get a refurb as well with the ground floor turned into a restaurant and cafe and the first floor becoming an events space.
The statue of Queen Anne that currently sits in the square, will be relocated to the edge of the square too.
The planned revamp is also part of a bigger project to completely revive the area.
Since last year, Between the Bridges – the same operator as the Between the Bridges attraction on South Bank in London – has been operating the 800-year-old Kingston Ancient Market.
Throughout the year, the market usually hosts a number of different events including a Maker’s Market and Christmas market.
The market is open every day from 10am to 5pm.
One recent visitor said: “The market is charming, and offers some very nice gourmet foods, both to take home and dine out for lunch.
“Great atmosphere, particularly in the lead up to Christmas when it really comes alive with a kind of German Christmas market feel and the smell of mulled wine fills the air.”
If plans are approved, the ‘piazza’ will also host a number of pop-up eventsCredit: ZAP Architecture
Our favourite UK hotels
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Margate House, Kent
This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.
The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.
This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.
This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.
“The historic square is also a delightful place surrounded by beautiful and historic buildings.”
Last year, Kingston was also named the second best place to live in the UK by The Times.
The Better Lives Index, which is produced by the International Longevity Centre (ILC) think tank, ranks the authorities across the UK based on nine categories.
Categories include life expectancy at birth, the child poverty rate, pollution, disposable income, housing costs, ‘avoidable’ mortality, life expectancy at 65, economic activity for over-16s and economic inactivity of 50 to 64-year-olds.
If visiting the market or Kingston, make sure to head to the edge of the market square where you will find All Saints Church, which dates back to 1120.
Last year, Kingston was named one of the best places to live by The TimesCredit: Alamy
Venture through the town too, where you can peruse a number of independent shops and grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants right next to the river.
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