Turkish

Hundreds of vehicles have driven through Istanbul to condemn the ‘lawless aggression’ of the US and Israel. The convoy, carrying Palestinian and Turkish flags, is calling for international accountability in light of relentless attacks on Lebanon, Iran and Gaza.

Talks are under way in Islamabad, as the Pakistani government acts as mediator between the US and Iran.

Top diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye have gathered in Islamabad for two-day talks with their Pakistani counterpart on the US-Israel war on Iran, seeking to de-escalate the conflict.

The talks on Sunday and Monday are being led by Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who announced late on Saturday that Iran had allowed “20 more ships” under the Pakistani flag, or two ships daily, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also said on Saturday that he had a “detailed telephone conversation with my brother President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran earlier today, lasting over one hour”, as part of preparations for the Islamabad talks.

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Kyder, reporting from Islamabad, said Pakistan has been acting as “a key interlocutor” between the United States and Iran, passing messages between the two sides as part of the mediation efforts.

“The gathering in Islamabad, what many people say, is the beginning of a critical process that includes the only viable option: diplomacy and dialogue,” he said.

“A difficult process, given the escalation, so all eyes will be on Islamabad – what consensus can be reached here, and whether that will be acceptable to the US, whether it is looking for a way out of this war or whether it is trying to buy time,” he added.

Pezeshkian hailed Islamabad’s efforts and “thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts to stop the aggression against the Islamic republic”, according to his office.

The pair have spoken previously in recent weeks about the conflict and Pakistan’s commitment to bringing it to an end.

Islamabad has longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, while Sharif and the army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have struck up a personal rapport with US President Donald Trump.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said earlier on Friday he expected a direct US-Iran meeting in Pakistan “very soon”, without revealing his source.

The risk of an expanded Iran war grew on Saturday as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels launched their first attacks on Israel since the start of the conflict, after the first of the two contingents of the thousands of additional US forces dispatched to the Middle East arrived on Friday on an amphibious assault ship.

A pretty UK town packed with independent shops, cosy tearooms and acres of green space, has been named as the ‘most welcoming’ destination, and after a visit, you might never want to leave

There’s a list of beautiful UK towns that offer an idyllic day out, whether that’s taking a stroll along their meandering rivers or exploring their cobbled streets lined with medieval architecture.

Yet there’s one that’s been named the ‘most welcoming town’ of them all, thanks to warm charm you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.

Harrogate, in North Yorkshire, is a Victorian spa town known for its mineral springs, 200 acres of green space at The Stray park, cosy tearooms, independent boutiques, and, famously, the home of Yorkshire Tea. It has often been hailed as one of the happiest places to live and has once again secured the title of the most welcoming town in the UK.

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Thanks to its warm and friendly atmosphere, hospitality, and repeat visitors, Harrogate was named the UK’s most welcoming destination in Booking.com’s 2026 Traveller Review Awards. It’s even thought that its tea heritage and charming tearooms could have something to do with its ranking, as a quarter of Brits associated a visit to the Yorkshire town with a cosy cup of brew.

Whether it’s a warming cuppa in one of their tearooms, cafés, hotels, or even pubs, the town’s history can’t be ignored, as it’s where the black tea blend of Yorkshire Tea has been produced by the Bettys & Taylors Group since 1977. It’s also home to the delightful Bettys Café Tea Room, offering afternoon tea in the imperial room of freshly baked scones and, of course, their signature tea.

But that’s not the only tearoom in this town. There’s also Jenny’s Tea Shop, Mama Doreen’s Emporium, and another Bettys Café Tea Room, just on the outskirts of the town.

Yet, away from its brews, streets are lined with boutiques, with Montpellier Quarter boasting more than 50 independent shops, bars, restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries. There’s also Cold Bath Road, which offers more eateries and shops, all while paying homage to the town’s spa heritage.

Harrogate is known as the ‘English Spa’ thanks to its mineral springs, which were discovered in the 16th century. It quickly became known as a wellness destination, thanks to its open green spaces, spa treatments, fresh air, and famed waters.

Today, there are original Turkish Baths for a relaxing treatment and the Royal Pump Room Museum for a closer look into the town’s spa heritage. Harrogate has remained known as a spa town and continues to attract visitors seeking to unwind from the stress of everyday life.

The town is characterised by Victorian and Georgian buildings, some of which make up its collection of hotels, and there are plenty of B&Bs available in the area. That’s when you can tear yourself away from the ample green spaces, with its position on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a haven for avid walkers.

With acres of pristine landscapes, Harrogate is home to beautiful parks and tranquil gardens that offer scenic strolls during the warmer months. One of its most popular attractions, which welcomes around three million visitors a year, is the Grade II-listed Valley Gardens, featuring various areas to admire.

Whether you’re looking for a day out away from the city or a weekend escape, you might just feel at home in Harrogate. Plus, it’s nestled just over a 20-minute train journey from Leeds and half an hour from York, making it even more convenient.

Ryan Pearson, regional manager for UK and Ireland at Booking.com, said: “Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards celebrate destinations that consistently deliver exceptional hospitality, and Harrogate has earned recognition as one of the UK’s most welcoming towns for this specific reason.

“Guests frequently praise the town’s friendly, attentive hosts and genuinely warm atmosphere, which makes visitors feel instantly at home. While Harrogate charms with its historic spa buildings, elegant streets, and beautiful surrounding countryside, it’s the town’s authentic, personable hospitality that inspires repeat visits and rave recommendations from travellers.”

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