visits

Sierra Noelle visited the UK this summer and she had a few things to say about it. You may be surprised to learn that her new favourite place isn’t actually in England

An American tourist’s visit to the UK has left viewers absolutely gobsmacked after her heartfelt reaction proved utterly priceless. Sierra Noelle chronicled her travel escapade online, and she certainly had plenty to share about it following her memorable expedition.

She delivered her verdict to her TikTok audience, and it’s left people completely stunned by her unfiltered honesty, as it appears Wales truly caters to all tastes, and she was bursting to share her impressions, leaving Welsh people utterly charmed by her glowing tribute to their homeland. In her video, Sierra confessed that Wales had been occupying her thoughts constantly since her return stateside.

It seems Wales has a talent for capturing hearts based on her video. It’s not the first time Americans have shared their travel tales from Wales either.

Sierra revealed: “I have one more thing to say. I keep looking back at my photos from my trip to Wales, and it physically pains me that I am so far away it, and I don’t know when I’m going to go back.

“But, guys, Wales is so cool. Everyone is so nice there and it’s so pretty. Castles are really cool. Everyone needs to go, but be respectful and don’t mess it up and be nice to the sheep.”

In an earlier post, Sierra disclosed how she’d become completely smitten with Wales during her inaugural summer visit. She’s now so besotted that she worries it’s transformed into her “entire personality.”

Sierra gushed about the medieval castles, explaining these historical treasures simply don’t exist back in America. She considers them absolutely “amazing” to wander through.

In total, she managed to explore around eight castles, such was her fondness for them. Despite her enjoyable experience, she recommended that prospective visitors seek travel advice from locals for a more enriching Welsh adventure.

Her exploration was evidently a joyous one, and she’s clearly eager to return, even if it might not be possible in the near future. Since sharing her experiences, thousands have tuned into her clips, with many leaving their thoughts in the comments section.

One viewer responded: “As a Welsh person, this is so lush to see someone talking about Wales, which people don’t speak about enough. We have the most castles in any country on earth and also have some of the best beaches.

“Also, Welsh people have been voted the friendliest in the UK. I’m so happy you visited and enjoyed.”

Another chimed in with: “As a Welsh person, I love this. I feel like Wales is so unknown/underrated both in and outside of the UK. Wales is awesome. Glad you enjoyed.”

A third commenter added: “As an Aussie who lived in Wales for seven years, I can’t recommend Wales enough. The landscape is so amazing and beautiful.”

Meanwhile, another viewer shared: “I love hearing people be excited about the so many castles. Taken for granted when you live here. My local castle is Conwy.”

Mike Johnson, the top legislator in the United States Congress, has visited an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, drawing condemnation from Palestinians.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the trip by the speaker of the US House of Representatives on Monday a “blatant violation of international law”.

Johnson, who is next in line for the US presidency after the president and vice president, is the highest-ranking US official to visit a West Bank Israeli settlement.

His trip comes amid escalating settler violence against Palestinian communities that killed two US citizens in July.

The Israeli military has also been intensifying its deadly raids, home demolitions and displacement campaigns in the West Bank as it carries out its brutal assault and blockade on Gaza.

Johnson’s visit contradicts Arab and US efforts to “end the cycle of violence” as well as Washington’s public stance against settlers’ “aggressions”, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said.

“The ministry affirms that all settlement activity is invalid and illegal and undermines the opportunity to implement the two-state solution and achieve peace,” it added.

According to Israeli media reports, Johnson visited the settlement of Ariel, north of Ramallah, on Monday.

“Judea and Samaria are the front lines of the state of Israel and must remain an integral part of it,” Johnson was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post newspaper, using a biblical name for the West Bank.

“Even if the world thinks otherwise, we stand with you.”

The House speaker’s comments appear to be in reference to recent moves by some Western countries – including close allies of the US and Israel – to recognise a Palestinian state.

‘Illegal under international law’

Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law. The International Court of Justice, the top United Nations tribunal, reaffirmed that position last year, saying that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end “as rapidly as possible”.

Asked about Johnson’s visit, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Monday: “Our standpoint on the settlements, as you know, is that they are illegal under international law.”

Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967, and annexed the entire holy city in 1980.

Successive Israeli governments have been building Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank on land that would be the home of a Palestinian state if a two-state solution were to materialise.

Hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers now live in the occupied West Bank.

The Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a signatory, bans the occupying power from transferring “parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies”.

While the Oslo Accords granted the Palestinian Authority some municipal powers over parts of the West Bank, the entire area remains under full Israeli security control.

Israel also controls the airspace and ports of entry in the territory.

Israeli settlers in the West Bank have full citizenship rights, while Palestinians live under Israel’s military rule, where they can be detained indefinitely without charges.

Leading rights groups have accused Israel of imposing a system of apartheid on Palestinians.

‘It’s a matter of faith for us’

For decades, the US has publicly rejected West Bank settlements and called for a two-state solution despite providing Israel with billions of dollars in military aid.

However, US President Donald Trump has taken US policy further in favour of Israel, refusing to criticise settlement expansion or commit to backing a Palestinian state.

Many Republicans, meanwhile, have long expressed support for Israel from a theological perspective, arguing that it is a Christian religious duty to back the US ally.

“Our prayer is that America will always stand with Israel. We pray for the preservation and the peace of Jerusalem. That’s what scripture tells us to do. It’s a matter of faith for us,” Johnson said on Sunday during a visit to the Western Wall.

In a social media post, Marc Zell, chair of the US Republicans Overseas Israel, cited Johnson as saying on Monday that the mountains of the West Bank are “the rightful property of the Jewish People”.

Matthew Stafford will apparently remain an observer for a while.

The Rams star quarterback, who has not practiced during training camp because of a back issue, will “probably not” practice Sunday in the final workout at Loyola Marymount, will not participate in Tuesday’s joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys, and his availability for a joint practice with the Chargers the following week will be determined, coach Sean McVay said.

Stafford, 37, saw back specialist Dr. Steven Watkins again on Saturday, McVay said.

McVay reiterated that Stafford was “week to week.”

“What I don’t want to do is set a timeline,” McVay said. “I know he’s making good progress. He saw Dr. Watkins again. … Everything is in good shape.”

Good shape?

McVay does not play starters in preseason games, so joint practices are regarded by the ninth-year coach as instrumental for evaluating young players and progress by the offense, defense and special teams.

Stafford, entering his 17th season, worked with new receiver Davante Adams during offseason workouts. But he has yet to work on timing with the three-time All-Pro during a full-speed, padded practice.

Veteran Jimmy Garoppolo continues to take first-team reps in Stafford’s place, and Stetson Bennett is directing the second-unit offense as the Rams prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.

“Can’t wait to be able to get Matthew back out here leading the way,” McVay said, adding that Stafford felt the same way. “But in the meantime, Stetson and Jimmy are doing a really good job of continuing to get better and using these reps for their benefit.”

Stafford was one of several players who did not practice Saturday.

Rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson (groin) and defensive lineman Kobie Turner (back) sat out. Linebacker Nate Landman (calf) left practice as a precautionary measure, McVay said.

But Stafford’s continued absence from on-field drills continues to be the dominant storyline for a team that will be regarded as a legitimate Super Bowl contender if he is physically sound. And a question mark — at least on offense — if he is not.

After practicing with the Cowboys in Oxnard, the Rams and Cowboys will play Saturday at SoFi Stadium. The Rams play the Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 16, and they conclude the preseason on Aug. 23 against the Browns in Cleveland.

The Rams then have two weeks to prepare for the Texans.

Etc.

Safety Quentin Lake intercepted another tipped pass. Safety Jaylen McCollough also intercepted a pass. … Tight end Colby Parkinson made a one-handed touchdown catch. … Bennett connected with rookie receiver Konata Mumpfield on several impressive pass plays. “He’s a mature rookie,” McVay said of Mumpfield. “He’s a guy that is wired to be able to separate. … He continues to be able to just answer the bell with the opportunities that he’s gotten.” … Former Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald attended practice.

Cameron Mofid has visited every UN-recognised country and territory on Earth, but two destinations in particular stand out as his top favourites

An audacious explorer who has set foot in every country on Earth before his 26th birthday has shared two surprising favourites from his travels. Cameron Mofid, hailing from San Diego, California, embarked on a daring mission to visit all UN-recognised countries and territories across the globe – a staggering 195 in total – while grappling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) during the pandemic.

The resolute traveller achieved his remarkable feat in April when he and his travel mates arrived in the enigmatic nation of North Korea, which recently completed the construction of a sprawling new coastal resort.

With nearly 200 countries under his belt, picking out the best might seem a daunting task. Yet, two nations particularly stole Cameron’s affection, despite both being subject to severe travel warnings by the Foreign Office (FCDO). It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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Algeria stood out as his initial top pick, which he described as “unbelievable”. In an interview with CNN, he disclosed: “It’s one of my favourite countries in the whole world. The countries that receive the least amount of tourism are often the ones where you have the best experience, because you feel totally immersed in their culture.”

Cameron also expressed his fondness for Yemen, having ventured through the Middle Eastern country in February 2023. He remarked on the sensation of stepping back in time while meandering its streets, reports the Express.

He elaborated: “To see people dress the same way that they were hundreds if not thousands of years ago. To see people living in mud houses, to see people still using flip phones.”

Algeria, positioned in northern Africa, is largely dominated by the Sahara Desert apart from its northern coastline where most of its population lives. It stands as Africa’s biggest nation.

The nation possesses a diverse historical heritage, having been governed by numerous Arab and Berber ruling families from the 8th to 15th centuries before establishing ties with the Ottoman Empire and later being incorporated into France in 1848.

Regarding travel to Algeria, the FCDO has designated most of the country in green on its platform, suggesting visitors should “see our travel advice before travelling”. Nevertheless, the frontier areas are highlighted with amber and red alerts.

In particular, the FCDO advises against all journeys within a 30km zone of Algeria’s frontiers with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and certain parts of Tunisia. Additionally, it suggests avoiding all non-essential travel within 30km of the remaining Tunisian frontier.

Meanwhile, Yemen, a comparatively young state positioned at the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, situated below Saudi Arabia.

From 2011 onwards, Yemen has been consumed by political turmoil and is presently enduring a catastrophic civil conflict that has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, with 23 million individuals requiring aid.

The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning regarding travel to Yemen, urging against all trips to the nation and pressing those currently there to leave “immediately” in light of the precarious security conditions.

Their report cautions that terrorist attacks are highly likely in Yemen, with a “very high and constant threat” of kidnapping. It underscores that propaganda from Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has explicitly encouraged the kidnapping of Westerners.

The US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has visited aid distribution sites in Gaza amid mounting global outrage over deepening famine in the Strip. The aid sites, run by the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, have been linked to over 1,000 deaths since May. Witkoff said his visit aims to help President Donald Trump shape a plan “deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza”.

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — President Trump’s Mideast envoy on Friday visited a food distribution site in the Gaza Strip operated by an Israeli-backed American contractor whose efforts to deliver food to the hunger-stricken territory have been marred by violence and controversy.

International experts warned this week that a “worst-case scenario of famine” is playing out in Gaza. Israel’s nearly 22-month military offensive against Hamas has shattered security in the territory of some 2 million Palestinians and made it nearly impossible to safely deliver food to starving people.

Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee toured a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution site in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, which has been almost completely destroyed and is now a largely depopulated Israeli military zone.

Hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while heading to such aid sites since May, according to witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office. Israel and GHF say they have only fired warning shots and that the toll has been exaggerated.

In a report issued Friday, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said GHF was at the heart of a “flawed, militarized aid distribution system that has turned aid distributions into regular bloodbaths.”

Hundreds have been killed seeking food

Witkoff posted on X that he had spent over five hours inside Gaza in order to gain “a clear understanding of the humanitarian situation and help craft a plan to deliver food and medical aid to the people of Gaza.”

Chapin Fay, a spokesperson for GHF, said the visit reflected Trump’s understanding of the stakes and that “feeding civilians, not Hamas, must be the priority.” The group says it has delivered over 100 million meals since it began operations in May.

All four of the group’s sites established in May are in zones controlled by the Israeli military and have become flashpoints of desperation, with starving people scrambling for scarce aid.

Over 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli fire since May while seeking aid in the territory, most near the GHF sites but also near United Nations aid convoys, the U.N. human rights office said last month.

The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots at people who approach its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray or fired warning shots to prevent deadly crowding.

Officials at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza said Friday they received the bodies of 13 people who were killed while trying to get aid, including near the site that U.S. officials visited. GHF denied anyone was killed at their sites on Friday and said most recent shootings had occurred near U.N. aid convoys.

Another 12 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, the hospital said.

The Israeli military said its forces had fired warning shots hundreds of meters (yards) away from the aid site at people it described as suspects and said had ignored orders to distance themselves from its forces. It said it was not aware of any casualties but was still investigating.

Witkoff’s visit comes a week after U.S. officials walked away from ceasefire talks in Qatar, blaming Hamas and pledging to seek other ways to rescue Israeli hostages and make Gaza safe. Trump wrote on social media that the fastest way to end the crisis would be for Hamas to surrender and release hostages.

Human Rights Watch slams Israeli-backed aid system

Human Rights Watch said in its report that “it would be near impossible for Palestinians to follow the instructions issued by GHF, stay safe, and receive aid, particularly in the context of ongoing military operations.” It cited doctors, aid seekers and at least one GHF security contractor.

Building on previous accounts, it described how thousands of Palestinians gather near the sites at night before they open. As they head to the sites on foot, Israeli forces control their movements by opening fire toward them. Once inside the sites, they race for aid in a frenzied fee-for-all, with weaker and more vulnerable people coming away with nothing, the rights group said.

Responding to the report, Israel’s military accused Hamas of sabotaging the aid distribution system, without providing evidence. It said it was working to make the routes under its control safer for those traveling to aid sites. GHF did not immediately respond to questions about the report.

The group has never allowed journalists to visit their sites and Israel’s military has barred reporters from independently entering Gaza throughout the war.

At a Friday press conference in Gaza City, representatives of the territory’s influential tribes accused Israel of empowering factions that loot aid sites and implored Witkoff to stay in Gaza to witness life firsthand. Israel denies aiding looters but says it backs factions that are opposed to Hamas.

“We want the American envoy to come and live among us in these tents where there is no water, no food and no light,” they said. “Our children are hungry in the streets.”

German foreign minister visits West Bank to highlight settler violence

Germany’s foreign minister visited Taybeh in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian Christian village that has seen recent attacks by Israeli settlers. Johann Wadephul said Israel’s settlements are an obstacle to peace and condemned settler violence. He also called on Hamas to lay down its arms in Gaza and release the remaining hostages.

Germany has thus far declined to join other major Western countries in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state.

Palestinians in another nearby town laid to rest 45-year-old Khamis Ayad, who they say suffocated while extinguishing fires set by settlers during an attack the night before. Witnesses said Israeli forces fired live rounds and tear gas toward residents after the settlers attacked.

Israel’s military said police were investigating the incident. They said security forces found Hebrew graffiti and a burnt vehicle at the scene but had not detained any suspects.

There has been a rise in settler attacks, as well as Palestinian militant attacks on Israelis and large-scale Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of Gaza triggered the war there.

Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, that day and abducted 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Its count doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.

Shurafa, Metz and Frankel write for the Associated Press. Metz reported from Jerusalem and Frankel from Tel Aviv.

WASHINGTON — A dozen Democratic House members — including four from California — sued the Trump administration Wednesday after lawmakers were repeatedly denied access to immigrant detention facilities where they sought to conduct oversight visits.

The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Washington, says each plaintiff has attempted to visit a detention facility, either by showing up in person or by giving Homeland Security Department officials advanced notice, and been unlawfully blocked from entering.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for Homeland Security, said in a statement that visit requests should be made with enough time to prevent interference with the president’s authority to oversee executive department functions, and must be approved by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. McLaughlin said a week’s notice suffices.

“These Members of Congress could have just scheduled a tour; instead, they’re running to court to drive clicks and fundraising emails,” she wrote.

Among the plaintiffs are California Reps. Norma Torres of Pomona, Robert Garcia of Long Beach, who is the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles, and Lou Correa of Santa Ana, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Also included are Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York, who is the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who is the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee; and Jamie Raskin, of Maryland, who is the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee.

In an interview with The Times, Gomez said there was always an understanding between the executive and legislative branches about the importance of oversight. Under the Trump administration, that has changed, he said.

“We believe this administration, unless they’re faced with a lawsuit, they don’t comply with the law,” he said. “This administration believes it has no obligation to Congress, even if it’s printed in black and white. That’s what makes this administration dangerous.”

In a statement, Correa said that, as a longtime member of the House Homeland Security Committee, his job has always been to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Until this summer, he said, he fulfilled that role with no issues.

Reports from immigrant detention facilities in recent months have included issues such as overcrowding, food shortages and a lack of medical care. U.S. citizens have in some cases been unlawfully detained by immigration agents.

The lawsuit demands that the Trump administration comply with federal law, which guarantees members of Congress the right to conduct oversight visits anywhere that immigrants are detained pending deportation proceedings. The lawmakers are represented by the Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.

ICE published new guidelines last month for members of Congress and their staff, requesting at least 72 hours notice from lawmakers and requiring at least 24 hours notice from staff before an oversight visit. The guidelines, which have since been taken down from ICE’s website, also claimed that field offices, such as the facility at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, “are not detention facilities” and fall outside the scope of the oversight law.

The agency says it has discretion to deny or reschedule a visit if an emergency arises or the safety of the facility is jeopardized, though such contingencies are not mentioned in federal law.

The lawsuit calls ICE’s new policy unlawful.

A federal statute, detailed in yearly appropriations packages since 2020, states that funds may not be used to prevent a member of Congress “from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens.”

Under the statute, federal officials may require at least 24 hours’ notice for a visit by congressional staff — but not members themselves.

The lawmakers say congressional oversight is needed now more than ever, with ICE holding more than 56,800 people in detention as of July 13, according to TRAC, a nonpartisan data research organization.

Ten people have died in ICE custody since Trump took office. Earlier this year, the administration moved to close three internal oversight bodies at Homeland Security, but revived them with minimal staff after civil rights groups sued.

Gomez said members of Congress have a duty to determine whether the administration is fulfilling its obligations to taxpayers under the law. The administration’s position that holding facilities inside ICE offices are not subject to oversight is a slippery slope, he said.

“What happens if they set up a camp and they say ‘This is not a detention facility but a holding center?’ For us it’s that, if they are willing to violate the law for these facilities, the potential for the future becomes more problematic,” he said.

WASHINGTON — President Trump publicly scorned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday for the cost of an extensive building renovation as the two officials toured the unfinished project.

Trump said the project cost $3.1 billion, much higher than the Fed’s $2.5-billion figure, while Powell, standing next to him, silently shook his head.

“This came from us?” Powell said, then figuring out that Trump was including the renovation of the Martin Building that was finished five years ago.

“Do you expect any more additional cost overruns?” Trump asked.

“Don’t expect them,” Powell said.

Trump said in his career as a real estate developer he would fire someone for cost overruns. The president joked that he would back off Powell if he lowered interest rates.

The Federal Reserve is known for its tight lips, structured formality and extraordinary power to shape the global economy.

Trump and his allies say the renovation of the Fed headquarters and a neighboring building reflects an institution run amok. The Fed allowed reporters to tour the building before the visit by Trump, who, in his real estate career, has bragged about his lavish spending on architectural accoutrements that gave a Versailles-like golden flair to his buildings.

The visit was an attempt to further ratchet up pressure on Powell, whom the Republican president has relentlessly attacked for not cutting borrowing costs. Trump’s criticisms have put the Fed, a historically independent institution, under a harsh spotlight. Undermining its independence could reduce the Fed’s ability to calm financial markets and stabilize the U.S. economy.

“This stubborn guy at the Fed just doesn’t get it — Never did, and never will,” Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social. “The Board should act, but they don’t have the Courage to do so!”

Journalists get rare tour of Fed renovation

On Thursday, reporters wound through cement mixers, front loaders and plastic pipes as they got a close-up view of the active construction site that encompasses the Fed’s historic headquarters, known as the Marriner S. Eccles building, and a second building across 20th Street in Washington.

Fed staff, who declined to be identified, said that greater security requirements, rising materials costs and tariffs, and the need to comply with historic preservation measures drove up the cost of the project, which was budgeted in 2022 at $1.9 billion.

The staff pointed out new blast-resistant windows and seismic walls that were needed to comply with modern building codes and security standards set out by the Department of Homeland Security. The Fed has to build with the highest level of security in mind, Fed staff said, including something called “progressive collapse,” in which only parts of the building would fall if hit with explosives.

Powell, Trump and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) during Thursday’s tour of the Federal Reserve.

(Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)

Sensitivity to the president’s pending visit among Fed staff was high during the tour. Reporters were ushered into a small room outside the Fed’s boardroom, where 19 officials meet eight times a year to decide whether to change short-term interest rates. The room, which will have a security booth, is oval-shaped, and someone had written “oval office” on plywood walls.

The Fed staff downplayed the inscription as a joke. When reporters returned to the room later, it had been painted over.

During the tour, Fed staff also showed the elevator shaft that congressional critics have said is for “VIPs” only. Powell has since said it will be open to all Fed staff. The renovation includes an 18-inch extension so the elevator reaches a slightly elevated area that is now accessible only by steps or a ramp. A planning document that said the elevator will only be for the Fed’s seven governors was erroneous and later amended, staff said.

Renovations have been in the works for a while

Plans for the renovation were first approved by the Fed’s governing board in 2017. The project then wended its way through several local commissions for approval, at least one of which, the Commission for Fine Arts, included several Trump appointees. The commission pushed for more marble in the second of the two buildings the Fed is renovating, known as 1951 Constitution Avenue, specifically in a mostly glass extension that some of Trump’s appointees derided as a “glass box.”

Fed staff also said tariffs and inflationary increases in building material prices drove up costs. Trump in 2018 imposed a 25% duty on steel and 10% on aluminum. He increased them this year to 50%. Steel prices are up about 60% since the plans were approved, while construction materials costs overall are up about 50%, according to government data.

Fed staff also pointed to the complication of historic renovations — both buildings have significant preservation needs. Constructing a new building on an empty site would have been cheaper, they said.

As one example, the staff pointed reporters to where they had excavated beneath the Eccles building to add a floor of mechanical rooms, storage space and some offices. The Fed staff acknowledged such structural additions underground are expensive, but said it was done to avoid adding HVAC equipment and other mechanics on the roof, which is historic.

The Fed has previously attributed much of the project’s cost to underground construction. It is also adding three underground levels of parking for its second building. Initially the central bank proposed building more above ground, but ran into Washington, D.C., height restrictions, forcing more underground construction.

Renovation project could be impetus to push out Powell

Trump wants Powell to dramatically slash the Fed’s benchmark interest rate under the belief that inflation is not a problem, but Powell wants to see how Trump’s tariffs affect the economy before making any rate cuts that could potentially cause inflation to accelerate.

The renovation project has emerged as a possible justification by Trump to take the extraordinary step of firing Powell for cause, an act that some administration officials have played down given that the Fed chair’s term ends in May 2026. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought suggested in a July 10 letter to Powell that changes to the renovations in order to save money might have violated the National Capital Planning Act.

Fed staff said there were just two changes to the plans they had submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission, and neither were significant enough to warrant a resubmission of the plans. They removed a seating area on the roof of the Eccles building, because it was an amenity, and two water features in front of the second building, which they said saved money.

More recently, Trump has said he has no plans to oust Powell, which could be illegal based on a note in a Supreme Court ruling in May. The Supreme Court found that Trump had the power to remove board members of other independent agencies but indicated that a Fed chair could only be removed for cause.

Pushing Powell out also would almost certainly jilt global markets, potentially having the opposite effect that Trump wants as he pushes for lower borrowing costs.

Not everyone in Trump’s administration agrees with the president’s contention that Powell needs to resign.

“There’s nothing that tells me that he should step down right now,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has floated as a potential replacement for Powell, in a recent interview with Fox Business. “He’s been a good public servant.”

Rugaber, Boak and Megerian write for the Associated Press.

United States President Donald Trump arrived at the Federal Reserve’s headquarters in Washington to tour the site of a $2.5bn renovation of two historical buildings, which the White House criticises as overly costly and ostentatious, as tensions escalate between the administration and the independent overseer of the nation’s monetary policy.

Thursday’s rare presidential visit to the Fed is happening less than a week before the central bank’s 19 policymakers gather for a two-day rate-setting meeting, where they are widely expected to leave the US central bank’s benchmark interest rate in the 4.25-4.50 percent range.

Trump has repeatedly demanded that the Fed lower rates by 3 percentage points and has frequently raised the possibility of firing Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, though the president has said he does not intend to do so.

On Tuesday, Trump called the Fed chief a “numbskull”.

On Thursday, Trump publicly scorned Powell for the cost of an extensive building renovation as the two officials began a tour of the unfinished project.

Trump said the project cost $3.1bn, much higher than the Fed’s $2.5bn figure, while Powell, standing next to him, silently shook his head.

“This came from us?” Powell said, before he figured out that Trump was including the renovation of the Martin Building, which was finished five years ago.

“Do you expect any more additional cost overruns?” Trump asked.

“Don’t expect them,” Powell said.

Trump said in his career as a real estate developer, he would fire someone for cost overruns. The president joked that he would back off Powell if he lowered interest rates.

“I’d love him to lower interest rates,” Trump said, as Powell stood by, his face expressionless.

Powell typically spends the Thursday afternoon before a rate-setting meeting doing back-to-back calls with Fed bank presidents as part of his preparations for the session.

Elevated by Trump to the top Fed job in 2018, and then reappointed by former President Joe Biden four years later, Powell last met with Trump in March when the Republican president summoned him to the White House to press him to lower rates.

The visit takes place as Trump battles to deflect attention from a political crisis over his administration’s refusal to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reversing a campaign promise. Epstein died in 2019.

White House officials have ramped up Trump’s pressure campaign on Powell in recent weeks, accusing the Fed of mismanaging the renovation and suggesting poor oversight and potential fraud.

White House budget director Russell Vought has pegged the cost overrun at “$700m and counting”, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for an extensive review of the Fed’s non-monetary policy operations, citing operating losses at the central bank as a reason to question its spending on the renovation.

Those losses stem from the mechanics of managing the Fed’s policy rate to fight inflation, which include paying banks to park cash at the central bank. The Fed reported a comprehensive net loss of $114.6bn in 2023 and $77.5bn in 2024, a reversal from years of big profits it turned over to the Treasury when interest rates – and inflation – were low.

Renovations in the spotlight

The Fed, in letters to Vought and lawmakers, backed up by documents posted on its website, says the project – the first full rehab of its two buildings in Washington since they were built nearly a century ago – ran into unexpected challenges, including toxic materials abatement and higher-than-estimated materials and labour costs.

Ahead of Trump’s visit, Fed staff escorted a small group of reporters around the construction sites. They wove around cement mixers and construction machines, and spoke over the sound of drills, banging and saws. Fed staff pointed out security features, including blast-resistant windows, that they said were a significant driver of costs, in addition to tariffs and escalations in material and labour costs.

The renovation project started in mid-2022 and is on track to be completed by 2027, with the move-in planned for March 2028. A visit to the roof of the Eccles Building – a point of particular scrutiny by White House critics that the renovations were ostentatious – revealed an impressive view of the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall, the pool report said.

Staff explained that rooftop seating, although inexpensive, had been removed because of the appearance of it being an amenity and was one of only two deviations from the original plan. The other was the scrapping of a couple of planned fountains.

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott, a Republican who sent Powell a letter on Wednesday asking a series of questions about the cost and other details of the renovation, as well as Powell’s own statements about it, is part of the visit as well.

Market reaction to Trump’s visit was subdued. The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury bonds ticked higher after data showed new jobless claims dropped in the most recent week, signalling a stable labour market not in need of support from a Fed rate cut. Stocks on Wall Street were mixed.

Trump’s criticism of Powell and flirtation with firing him have previously upset financial markets and threatened a key underpinning of the global financial system: that central banks are independent and free from political meddling.

His visit contrasts with a handful of other documented presidential visits to the Fed. Then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited the central bank in 1937 to dedicate the newly-built headquarters, which is one of the two Fed buildings now being renovated. Most recently, former President George W Bush went to the Fed in 2006 to attend the swearing-in of Ben Bernanke as Fed chief.

Central bank independence critical

“I think it’s important that he send a signal that he really isn’t happy with how things are going at the Fed,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican member of the Senate Banking Committee. She said the visit was a “good decision” by Trump.

Senator Mike Rounds, another Republican who sits on the Senate Banking Committee, said on Thursday he also saw no problem with Trump’s visit, though he added that Powell’s independence as Fed chief is “critical for the markets. I think he’s done a good job of that”.

“I think the more information the president can glean from this, probably the better off we are in terms of resolving any issues that are outstanding,” Rounds said, noting that Powell had indicated “that they have had a significant amount of money, just in terms of foundation work and so forth, that was not anticipated to begin with”.

Former Fed chiefs Janet Yellen and Bernanke this week wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times warning that the public’s belief that the US central bank is willing to make hard decisions based on data and independent of politics “is an important national asset. It is hard to acquire and easy to lose”.

Economic experts widely agree.

“As we’ve seen through the disinflation process that has been taking place over the last few years, the credibility of central banks around the world has been instrumental in anchoring inflation expectations and in bringing down inflation across many countries in the world,” International Monetary Fund spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday.

“And it is also important that independence, of course, must coexist with clear accountability to the public.

An American tourist visited Pembrokeshire, Wales, for the first time, and despite saying it moved her in a way that was hard to describe, she will ‘never forget’ the price of her ice cream

An American tourist famed for exploring different parts of the UK went to Pembrokeshire for the first time – before calling it ‘Wales’ most stunning coastline’.

Cara is the face of The Magic Geekdom YouTube channel where she has 76,500 followers and she started her recent vlog with the words: “I am spending a few days in Pembrokeshire. I have never been here before but I have heard a lot of great things about it. I just got to Tenby and immediately saw this view – it is stunning isn’t it.”

The travel guru also said it was her first time by the seaside in the UK and she was struck by how colourful and beautiful the surroundings were, especially the brightly painted buildings. And after taking in the views while sitting on a beach and listening to the waves, the tourist decided to buy an ice cream. This took her to The Stowaway in Tenby which is in the arches of an old boat store in one of the most iconic harbours in Wales.

And praising her refreshing sweet treat, Cara enthused: “I couldn’t resist getting a salted caramel ice cream cone.”

Giving it a try, she added: “Oh my god… that is so good. That is probably the best ice cream I have had over here. It is really good.”

However, the camera then cut to a few moments later, and it showed Cara holding an ice cream cone without any ice cream in it.

Laughing, she said: “Well, I was trying to take a picture of my ice cream cone, and a seagull stole the whole damn scoop of ice cream!”

Given it was so tasty, Cara returned to the shop, and decided to eat it inside this time to avoid another theft, meaning she ate one ice cream for the price of two.

She said: “My £4 ice cream became an £8 ice cream because I paid the bird tax but it was worth every penny. If you come here and want ice cream, definitely go to Stowaway, that place was amazing.”

Cara stayed in an AirBnb western-themed pod overlooking the countryside and day two of her trip saw her visit Pembroke Castle – and she described it as “fricking beautiful”.

The content creator also went to St Davids Cathedral and she said it was “so magnificent” before explaining how hearing the choir practising inside added to the “magic of the place”.

Making another observation, she added: “I love how quiet it is here this morning. There are a lot of people out and about but it is just very peaceful.

“Sometimes a place just moves you in a way that you don’t even know how to describe. It is hard to find words for and I think that’s what’s happening here. It is just so tranquil, just a good vibe.”

Cara also embarked on a boat tour from Martin’s Haven to Skomer Island where she witnessed puffins up close and she said it was one of the most memorable highlights from all her trips to the UK.

Summing up her stay, she said: “I have had an amazing time in Pembrokeshire. I have done a lot of firsts like that incredible puffin boat tour I just did. I had my first seagull steal food with my ice cream, I will never forget that.”

She added: “I cannot wait to come back. I have had an incredible time.”

After posting the video on YouTube, which you can watch in full here, one person replied: “Hello from the Welsh American Channel. We Americans of Welsh descent are very proud of our heritage, modern Wales, and its rich language. Thank you for the video. Cymru am byth!”

Another said: “Wales is an amazing place to live and visit.”

A third went with: “Wales is a beautiful country and people are friendly, love and respect from Scotland.”

The Colombian leader opened a new embassy in Haiti, while talks have been focused on security and the fight against drug trafficking.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has travelled to Haiti for the second time this year in a significant show of support, as spiralling gang violence continues to plague the Caribbean country.

Petro’s visit, which began Friday, has focused on talks on security, commerce, education, agriculture and the fight against drug trafficking, the Colombian government said.

Petro announced the opening of a Colombian embassy in the country’s capital of Port-au-Prince.

He has also pledged to help Haiti strengthen its security, offering to train Haitian officers. Haitian delegations have visited a state-owned arms manufacturing company in Colombia to learn about its defence capabilities.

The Colombian government shared a brief clip of Petro speaking at the new embassy: “The time has come to truly unite.”

Por fin, tenemos embajada en Haití.

¿Qué fuerzas impedían en la cancillería que hubiera una embajada en el país desde donde salió nuestra independencia?

¿Sería porque nuestra libertad salió fue de los esclavos negros que se liberaron a sí mismos? pic.twitter.com/tpdpmBptCz

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) July 19, 2025

Translation: Finally, we have an embassy in Haiti. What forces in the Foreign Ministry were preventing the establishment of an embassy in the country from which our independence originated? Could it be because our freedom came from the Black slaves who liberated themselves?

Petro landed in Port-au-Prince, where 90 percent of the capital is under gang control. He was accompanied by officials, including Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez.

During his visit, Petro met with Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime and its transitional presidential council, which is under pressure to hold general elections before February 2026.

The officials arrived less than a week after Haitian authorities killed four suspected drug traffickers and confiscated more than 1,000kg (2,300lb) of cocaine off the country’s north coast.

The seizure was unexpectedly large for Haiti’s National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded as it works with Kenyan police leading a United Nations-backed mission to help quell gang violence.

While most of the violence is centred in Port-au-Prince, gangs have razed and seized control of a growing number of towns in Haiti’s central region.

At least 4,864 people have been killed from October to the end of June across Haiti, with hundreds of others kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to a recent UN report.

Gang violence has also displaced 1.3 million people in recent years.

Petro previously visited Haiti in late January. Before his visit, Haitian officials invested some $3.8m to more than double the runway at the airport in the city of Jacmel, renovate the town and restore electricity to a population living in the dark for at least three years.

The two countries are additionally strengthening their ties as judges in Haiti continue to interrogate 17 former Colombian soldiers accused in the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moise.

A British tourist currently in the Canary Islands has shared his amazement at the prices of food in local supermarkets – but locals soon told him the complicated reason why

Many Brits are flocking to the Canary Islands as they crown it one of their favourite holiday destination as they drawn to the sun-drenched beaches and delectable cuisine. However, there is also another appealing parts to Brits about this popular tourist destination, which is the cost of things.

When comparing the prices of many products and services in the Canary Islands with those in the UK, the difference is quite considerate. This is something one British holidaymaker just learned as he arrived in Tenerife to spend a few days in the summer sun. Known online as ‘deebolar’, he couldn’t contain himself as he took to his TikTok to share his amazement at Spain’s budget-friendly prices.

“The UK is no longer making sense to me after I’ve seen these Tenerife prices,” he exclaimed to his followers, gobsmacked by supermarket deals like 2-litre fizzy drinks for a mere 80 cents or an 8-litre container of water for just 1.50 euros.

“The UK’s not seeing me again,” he confidently declared.

Showing off his recent haul, he gave a glimpse into his shopping success and how much it had cost him.

“For context, one euro is 85 pence. You’re seeing one euro here for like 2+ litres of Fanta, Coke, or 7Up. I mean, it’s off-brand, but who gives a toss, innit? It’s like 70–80p,” he said.

He then continued: “8 litres of water, 2 litres of Fanta for the mixer. Look at the price: two euros thirty-nine cents. Everything on this table is pretty much £5–£6 at most.”

“I’m telling you, it’s nuts,” he concluded, clearly flabbergasted by the value for money.

While holidaymakers might be stunned by the bargain prices in the Canary Islands, some Spanish TikTok users took to the comment section of the video to highlight the harsh reality behind the cost of living.

“Try live on their wages and it’s a cost of living crisis though.. If you can pattern a UK salary while living abroad, that’s the way,” one user commented.

A second person remarked: “Cheap for you.. Unfortunately Spanish salaries are every day lower because we pay more taxes and prices are increasing..”

Additionally, another comment read: “Come over and work, pay rent, electricity, food, taxes.”

These observations underline how housing costs, heightened by tourism, make life less affordable on the islands, particularly with modest wages. The UK boasts an average annual salary of £41,000 (around €47,500), while Spain sees a lower average of €28,049.94, as per 2023 INE figures.

Notably, the Canary Islands’ average salary is even less at €24,033 a year, surpassing only Extremadura as the region with Spain’s lowest wages.

An American visiting the UK decided to sample some good old fashioned fish and chips, but Brits spotted a “problem” when he tucked into the food at a popular seaside resort

When you visit a different country, it’s natural to explore and sample some of the traditional delicacies on offer and, here in the UK, one of the most beloved meals is fish and chips. Perhaps that’s why an American ventured to a popular seaside resort in Lancashire to sample the goods – after all, you can’t beat a chippy tea right by the sea.

A man, known as Kalani Ghost Hunter on TikTok, recently headed to Blackpool to sample one of his “favourite” British meals, and his video has since gone viral. He headed to Bentley’s Fish and Chips to carry out a taste test, as he said it was recommended by some of the locals, and he was keen to tuck in and see what was on offer.

He admitted that, when he has fish and chips, he has to have Dandelion and Burdock, as he said it’s “needed” to pair with the meal. Showing off the dish, he explained: “So, we’ve got our fish here, take a look at that – that is the large portion of fish and chips.

“Vinegar, salt – you guys know the combo. Now let’s dive in. I’ve been waiting for this meal for so many days. Mmm, so they’re frying in vegetable oil, and you guys know I’m a beef dripping lover but, what I will say is, there’s a very nice crunch on this.

“That’s a good batter flavour. Let’s try out a chip – I will say they have nice, chunky chips. That’s a solid piece of fish and chips. You guys know we love the curry sauce.

“I also love taking a chip through some mushy peas. I also love me some cheesy chips. Now they have melted the cheese on top here – let’s get us a nice bite. I love some cheesy chips.”

Overall, he said the fish and chips were fried “nicely”, and he deemed the meal a “solid option”, awarding it an 8.6/10. According to the reviewer, the meal was “very good”, and he really enjoyed it.

However, in the comments, people were quick to chime in with all sorts of ideas. Some people spotted a “problem”, as they thought he was missing one key item on top of his chips.

One person wrote: “Cheese, chips and gravy.” Another added: “Have you tried cheesy chips and gravy?”

A third added: “Need to chuck some gravy on the chips and cheese.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “You need to add gravy to your cheesy chips.”

Some people also thought Blackpool “wasn’t the best place” to sample fish and chips, but others said there were a few spots that serve up tasty offerings. One person thought the eatery he went to was lovely though, adding: “Good chippy that.”

Another also chimed in with: “Ignore the people in the comments hating on Blackpool. Yes, of course it’s not the gastronomic capital of England, but it’s fun and a great time, if you’re not pretentious.”

Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It’s situated on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, around 27 miles (43 km) north of Liverpool and 14 miles (23 km) west of Preston.

It’s the main settlement in the borough, which carries the same name. The town also homes the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, which is world-famous for its unique sprung dance floor and amazing architecture.

A TikTok user shared his thoughts on the European country he wouldn’t recommend visiting, despite many others taking to social media to share their love for the spot

Europe has long been celebrated as a jewel among continents for travellers. In 2023, the continent saw an impressive surge in international tourists, with numbers reaching 707 million – a significant increase of nearly 100 million from the previous year.

France, Italy and Spain are among the most frequented destinations in Europe, thanks to their rich history, stunning architecture, diverse landscapes, delectable cuisine and wine, and generally agreeable weather. However, not all European locations are considered gems.

One TikTok user shared his least favourite spot, which many classify as part of Asia, but it has European roots, so it counts.

TikTok user olliepotts07 discussed his least preferred European location on his channel, Ollie Potts Travel Documentaries.

According to him, his least favourite country in Europe is Armenia. He stated: “I didn’t like my time there at all.

“The capital Yerevan is very, very dull. The food wasn’t great and we didn’t feel safe generally.”

Armenia is located in Transcaucasia, south of the Caucasus mountains in southwestern Asia.

The country borders Turkey to its west, Azerbaijan to the east, Georgia to its north and Iran to its south.

“What kind of sums up Armenia very well is the mountain which overlooks the city. It’s their national treasure, it’s worshipped and it’s also allegedly the place where Noah’s Ark landed from the bible,” he added.

A TikTok user shared his less-than-stellar experience in Armenia, stating: “For me that really summarises my experience in Armenia. We did have a great time driving around the countryside visiting the ruins.”

He added: “If you want to visit yourself, I really wouldn’t recommend it and it was my least favourite country on the continent.”

Yet, not all social media users echoed his sentiments about the country.

One person countered: “Did we visit the same Armenia? I loved it.”

Another chimed in: “The capital is so beautiful and the food excellent.”

Despite its rich history and a population of nearly three million, Armenia faces safety concerns due to tensions and potential conflict along its border with Azerbaijan, especially in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, leading to intermittent military skirmishes and making travel near the border quite perilous.

Moreover, Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia, occasionally witnesses protests that can escalate into violence, alongside minor crimes like pickpocketing.

Miami attracts visitors travelling for business and pleasure alike, so it can be expensive to book accommodation. One man chose to try one of the city’s cheaper hotels and shared his verdict

Choosing your accommodation is an important part of planning any trip, whether it’s for a holiday or business. Some travellers prefer the luxury of high-end hotels, while others on a budget might opt for self-catering flats or hostels.

A man wanting to save money during his trip to South Beach, Miami, chose a one-star hotel to show you don’t need to spend big for a good stay. Simon Wilson, a travel vlogger best known for his YouTube videos, posted a TikTok video giving a tour of the hotel – but what caught people’s attention the most was the cost. After arriving at the check-in desk, Simon, originally from the UK, was told that a room would cost him $149 (£109.78) for one night, plus $35.86 (£26.42) tax and a $50 (£36.84) refundable deposit.

He asked the receptionist if the hotel offered any amenities or services – such as a sauna or swimming pool, breakfast in the morning, or even coffee – but he was told no.

However, Simon was glad to discover there was air conditioning in his room, given the “very hot” weather. After settling his bill, the travel content creator made his way down the hallway to find his room.

“I have got no idea what to expect here,” he said as he approached the door. Simon then entered the room and offered his initial reaction. “This isn’t too bad,” he said.

He proceeded to give a tour, showing off a “lovely dining table with one chair,” a double bed flanked by two bedside cabinets, a TV mounted on the wall, and an empty fridge that was switched off.

Simon mused: “I need to inspect the bed but what’s the view out of this window?” Observing the scenery, he commented: “Got a lovely car park down there then I’m guessing this is another hotel and they’re the rooms there. I’ve had a lot worse views than that.”

He went on to check the wardrobe, finding an extra blanket, safe, and iron, and noted that based on his observations, the harsh reviews about the hotel didn’t hold up.

Then, in the bathroom, he spotted “two clean towels,” along with a shower, a “fairly clean” bath, a sink complete with soap, and a toilet, later finding several more towels.

The Brit remarked: “So far, I’ve seen nothing wrong with this and it was $185, so that is a lot for a one star.”

However, there was one feature that Simon really wanted to ensure the hotel got right. “The main thing, and the most important thing, though, is the bed.”

On inspection, he was pleased to discover pillows that appeared “ok” and a clean bed sheet.

Sharing his final verdict, Simon asserted that price really was the most important feature. He said: “I think we might have just had a bargain in South Beach, Miami.”

Known for its stunning beach, the area is popular with tourists looking for lively nights out, luxury accommodation, and exquisite dining by celebrated chefs.

Renee Roebuck, from Rotherham, loves Benidorm in Alicante, Spain so much that she visits three times a year and saves all her money for her regular, blow-out trips

A Benidorm-obsessed nan who has been to the British tourist hotspot over 100 times has explained what keeps her coming back for more.

Renee Roebuck just loves Benidorm. She has visited the Spanish holiday location for the past 31 years and says other destinations simply don’t compare. While many travelers come for the sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and historic Old Town, there’s another very special reason why this 81-year-old loves Benidorm: Tribute bands.

Happily, the Alicante settlement is crawling with them. Renee spends her days decked out in merch watching a different cover band or singer every night. Sometimes even joins artists on stage for a boogie. The nan isn’t the only holiday-goer who loves a good show.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

New research from TUI shows that nearly nine in 10 Brits enjoy watching tribute acts while on holiday. And 68% of survey participants dub it one of their favourite forms of entertainment during a trip abroad – with tribute acts beating out alternatives like karaoke (43%) and nightclubs (37%).

Renee visits the sunny spot alongside her husband Alan and occasionally her children and grandchildren. The full family often spends two weeks in Benidorm over Christmas. “Benidorm is my happy place,” said Renee, a former fruit market worker, from Rotherham.

“Ever since my first trip, I’ve never looked back. I go with my family four to five times a year, and I can’t get enough of the lifestyle there. I don’t go out much in England, so I can save money to go to Benidorm more often. If I had my way, I’d never come home.

“My favourite thing to do is to watch a tribute act – I see a different one every night when I’m on holiday.”

After a cancer diagnosis at the age of 60, Renee was forced to have two-thirds of her stomach removed. Ever since, the nan has been determined to live life to the max.

For her, this involves lounging in the sun and listening to classic tunes performed by local tribute artists – especially Bob Marley and Take That. But Renee and Alan both love the variety of bands that Benidorm has to offer.

Renee’s granddaughter, Lauren Chant, works as a Travel Advisor at TUI’s Sheffield Superstore and books her nan’s holidays, which often become trips for the whole family.

Renee said: “I like to stay in a nice area just outside of the hustle and bustle, and always book with TUI as they book tribute acts to come and perform at the hotel. When I have stayed at apartments, I’ve ended up walking to the hotels or bars to be able to see the entertainment.

“I go to Benidorm so often that the performers even remember me now – they’ll bring me up on stage and chat after the shows. It’s different to going to see a big band or famous singer as, with tributes, you’re able to get to know them properly – and they’re all ever so good at what they do.

“They engage with the audience more and you get a real feel for their personalities.”

When it comes to booking a holiday, almost a quarter of Brits (24%) admit that the entertainment on offer in a holiday destination or hotel is a deciding factor.

Tribute acts in particular appear to be a priority for holidaymakers – with 85% of survey participants attending at least a couple of acts during a week’s vacation. Despite her many visits, Renee hasn’t tired of the holiday spot.

She added: “Benidorm really does have it all. You can find busy or quiet places, a lovely beach, and you’ll never get bored there – there’s plenty to do, especially if you love the tributes. I’m able to really make the most out of life when I’m there, and I’m always up dancing.

“It’s just brilliant. I’ll keep going every year, as many times as I can, for the rest of my life.”

British foreign secretary pledges support for Syria’s new government after talks with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The United Kingdom has announced it is formally restoring diplomatic ties with Syria as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy travelled to the capital Damascus to meet with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Al-Sharaa received Lammy on Saturday alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, according to photos of the meeting released by the presidency.

“After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people,” Lammy said in a statement released by his office, noting that the visit was the first by a British minister to Syria in 14 years.

“The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians,” he said.

Syria has been improving relations with Western countries after longtime President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024 in an offensive led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group.

In April, the British government lifted sanctions against a dozen Syrian entities, including government departments and media outlets, to help the country rebuild after al-Assad’s fall.

Weeks earlier, the UK had dropped sanctions against two dozen Syrian businesses, mostly banks and oil companies.

On Monday, United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle a web of sanctions against Syria that had crippled the country’s economy under al-Assad.

In a statement posted on X, al-Shaibani – the Syrian foreign minister – welcomed Trump’s decision, saying it would “open the door of long-awaited reconstruction and development”.

“It will lift the obstacle against economic recovery and open the country to the international community,” he said.

Syria’s new leaders have been struggling to rebuild the country’s decimated economy and infrastructure after nearly 14 years of civil war that killed half a million people.

A man recently visited Tenerife but was left completely floored by the cost of living. According to him, he can’t believe how different it is to living in the UK

A British man who ventured to Tenerife on holiday has been completely floored by the cost of living. He recently opened up about the matter in a TikTok video, as he can’t believe just how differently prices compare when shopping in the travel hotspot.

The man, known as deebolar, said the UK “no longer makes sense to him”, after he visited Tenerife. After spending a day exploring the area, he instantly began to notice a major difference between life in the UK, as he said there’s a huge contrast when it comes to the prices of popular every day essentials.

He said: “I’ve been here for 24 hours, and this supermarket is my best friend, bro. For context, €1 is 85p, so you’re seeing €1 here for like two plus litres of Fanta, Coke, 7up.

“I mean, it’s off-brand, but who gives a toss? It’s like 70p/80p – those bottles are like 50p. And eight litres of water for €1.50 – that’s like £1.20, bro.

“[The] UK is not seeing me again, that might be six Desperados for €1.71. It might be one as well, I ain’t got a clue. Anyways, look at this, eight litres of water, two litres of Fanta, look at the price – €2.39.”

Showing some goods on a table to the camera, he added: “Everything on this table, probably like £5 or £6 at most. I’m telling you, it’s nuts.”

The clip was captioned: “I have to go back to the cost of living crisis after this”, and the video has captured the attention of many. However, some people thought he needed to know some vital information.

One said: “Canary Islands have the lowest salary of Spain. This isn’t the paradise you think. Our rents are more than half our salary.” Another wrote: “Cheap for you. Unfortunately, Spanish salaries are every day lower because we pay more taxes and prices are increasing.”

A third replied, saying: “Nowhere is objectively cheap in this world. What is cheap for you might be expensive for the locals. This applies everywhere.”

Someone else asked: “Which supermarket is this? Going next week.” A fith also replied: “UK is expensive. Spain is cheaper, always.”

According to EasyFX, some Brits view Tenerife as an “appealing alternative” to the UK, as some see the cost of living as an attractive reason to move abroad. It states: “On average, rent in Tenerife is considerably cheaper than in the UK.

“A one-bedroom apartment in the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, typically costs between €500 and €700 (£415 – £580) per month, compared to the £1,200 to £1,500 minimum you would have to spend to rent an apartment in London, for example.

“Like most places in Europe, the cost of renting in Tenerife will vary depending on the location and property type you decide on. Popular areas like Santa Cruz, and La Laguna and tourist hotspots such as Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje tend to have higher rental prices.

“For those who prefer to cook at home, Tenerife’s grocery prices are another highlight and much more affordable than the UK. Supermarkets such as Mercadona, Hiperdino and Lidl, offer competitive prices, while local markets provide fresh produce and regional specialties at great rates.

“Shopping at farmer’s markets throughout Tenerife can yield even fresher produce at lower prices, making it an attractive option if you want to stick to a budget without compromising on quality.”

Meanwhile, the average salary in Tenerife is thought to come in at around €32,239 (£27,849.18) per year, with skilled professions like healthcare, education and technical fields generally bringing in between €1,500 (£1,295.75) and €2,000 (£1,727.63) per month. Even though the Canary Islands’ wages have increased a lot since 1978, they are still said to fall behind the Spanish national average.

United States President Donald Trump has travelled to the southern tip of Florida to inaugurate a new immigration detention facility, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz.

On Tuesday, Trump joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the remote facility, located in a vast wetland region known as the Everglades.

“This is what you need,” Trump said. “A lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops in the form of alligators.”

The president then quipped about the dangers: “I wouldn’t want to run through the Everglades for long.”

The facility, built on the site of the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, is designed to help address the need for more beds and more space to carry out Trump’s campaign for mass deportation.

State Attorney General James Uthmeier first announced Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” two weeks ago, sharing a video on social media that featured bellowing alligators and pulsing rock music to underscore the forbidding nature of the facility.

“This 30-square-mile [78sq-km] area is completely surrounded by the Everglades. It presents an efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don’t need to invest that much in the perimeter,” Uthmeier said.

“If people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.”

Its nickname draws from the lore surrounding the Alcatraz federal prison, an isolated, maximum-security detention centre built on a rocky island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay in California. That facility, closed since 1963, gained a reputation for being unescapable — though there were, indeed, five escapees whose fates remain unknown.

“It might be as good as the real Alcatraz site,” Trump said of the Florida site on Tuesday. “That’s a spooky one too, isn’t it? That’s a tough site.”

Alcatraz has long been a source of fascination for Trump, who mused earlier this year about reopening the San Francisco facility, despite cost and feasibility concerns.

Similarly, the Alligator Alcatraz facility has spurred criticism for its human rights implications, its location in an environmentally sensitive landscape and its proximity to communities of Miccosukee and Seminole Indigenous peoples.

But the Trump administration has embraced its location as a selling point, as it seeks to take a hard-knuckled stance on immigration.

“There is only one road leading in, and the only way out is a one-way flight. It is isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife in unforgiving terrain,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.

“ This is an efficient and low-cost way to help carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history.”

Dressed in a baseball cap that read, “Gulf of America: Yet another Trump development”, Trump flew to Ochopee to inspect the Alligator Alcatraz facility on its opening day.

Florida officials have celebrated the fact that it took only eight days to set up the detention centre, which appears to use temporary structures on the pavement of the former airport.

Governor DeSantis, who ran against Trump in 2024 for the Republican presidential nomination, said that Alligator Alcatraz would take advantage of the adjacent airstrip to facilitate expedited deportations for migrants.

“Say they already are been ordered to be deported,” DeSantis told reporters on Tuesday.

“You drive them 2,000 feet [667 metres] to the runway. And then they’re gone. It’s a one-stop shop, and this airport that’s been here for a long time is the perfectly secure location.”

The head of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Kevin Guthrie, added that the facility will be equipped to hold up to 3,000 migrants — up from an initial estimate of 1,000 — with the potential for expanding the premises.

A further 2,000 people will be held at Camp Blanding, a National Guard base on the other side of the state, in northern Florida.

A poster on display at Trump’s news conference in Ochopee also advertised 1,000 staff members on site, more than 200 security cameras and 28,000 feet — or 8,500 metres — of barbed wire.

Guthrie sought to dispel concerns that the facility might be vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes. The Everglades, after all, collects overflow from nearby Lake Okeechobee and drains that water into the Florida Bay, making it a region prone to natural flooding.

“As with all state correctional facilities, we have a hurricane plan,” Guthrie said, pointing to the detention centre’s “fully aluminium-frame structure”.

He said it was capable of withstanding winds up to 110 miles per hour (177 kilometres per hour), equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

“All in all, sir,” Guthrie told Trump, “this has been a perfect state logistics exercise for this hurricane season.”

Still, human rights advocates and environmental groups gathered on the highway leading to Alligator Alcatraz on Tuesday to show their opposition to Trump and his deportation plans.

Protesters chanted through megaphones, “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go.” Some picket signs read, “Communities not cages” and “We say no to Alligator Alcatraz!”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida released a statement prior to the facility’s opening, denouncing the Trump administration for conflating immigration with criminality.

The creation of Alligator Alcatraz, it said, was an extension of that mentality.

“The name ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ reflects an intent to treat people fleeing hardship and trying to build a better life for themselves and their families as dangerous criminals, which is both unnecessary and abusive,” the ACLU branch said.

Meanwhile, the Friends of the Everglades, an environmental group, called upon its supporters to contact Governor DeSantis to oppose the “massive detention center”. It noted that the construction of the airport itself had raised similar environmental concerns nearly 50 years earlier.

“Surrounded by Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, this land is part of one of the most fragile ecosystems in the country,” the group said in a statement.

“The message is clear: No airports. No rock mines. No prisons. Only Everglades. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past. This land deserves lasting protection.”

Trump, however, argued in Tuesday’s news conference that the construction mostly built upon the existing airport.

“ I don’t think you’ve done anything to the Everglades,” he said, turning to Governor DeSantis. “I think you’re just enhancing it.”

DeSantis himself brushed aside the environmental criticisms as attempts to derail the president’s deportation initiative.

“ I don’t think those are valid and even good faith criticisms because it’s not going to impact the Everglades at all,” the governor said, promising no seepage into the surrounding ecosystem.

Trump hinted that the Alligator Alcatraz site could be the first of many similar, state-led immigration detention facilities.

“ I think we’d like to see them in many states — really, many states,” he said. “At some point, they might morph into a system where you’re gonna keep it for a long time.”