worlds

I WATCH the sun slowly drop away behind the sandy horizon, as the sky transforms into a dozen magical shades of yellow and orange.

My tour group had decided to make a quick photo stop ahead of our dune-bashing tour in the Qatari desert, with aptly named driver Basham.

And we were so glad we did.

This is my first time visiting the Middle East and a 4×4 excursion across the vast sands is the perfect start to my stay in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

After soaking up the sunset, I’m led back to my huge vehicle by Basham who spends the next 30 minutes putting both car and passengers through their paces.

It’s an exhilarating experience, soaring over the ridges of the tall dunes and veering towards the edges of sandbanks at ferociously high speed.

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Doha certainly isn’t short of action-packed day trips for adrenaline junkies.

If the dune-bashing isn’t your thing, visitors can also get their kicks at Doha Quest, an indoor theme park that is home to more than 30 rides and attractions including the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster Epiq Coaster.

If you’re more of a sun worshipper, the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort will be the place for you.

There are 30 thrilling slides and rides here, although the lazy river is the most addictive in my opinion — I could spend hours bobbing around on the water, floating serenely around the park.

But if you prefer an adrenaline hit, there are spine-tingling rides here, too.

I swear that I saw some airtime on the Whizzard Mat Racer, a sheer-drop slide that sends riders plummeting towards a blue foam mat.

Qatar isn’t just about thrills and spills, though.

The Middle Eastern country is also a hub for major sporting events, including Formula 1.

Experiencing the Qatar Grand Prix up close is a must for any petrolhead — and I was able to do just that through a package booking with Qatar Airways, a global partner of Formula 1.

Affordable luxury

The airline rolls flights, hotel and F1 tickets into one, making it much easier for Brits who have maybe never visited Qatar before.

I relished every second of watching drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris speed around the circuit, lap after lap.

You can be sure that I jumped at the chance to go on a pit-lane walk, too, which took me past the teams’ garages where I could take hundreds of pictures and videos.

And you would be a fool to miss out on a tour of the track in a huge open-top truck before the race gets under way — I was able to feel all the twists and turns that the racers would be experiencing during the race, although at an admittedly much slower speed.

After all that excitement, I was grateful that my hotel, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, has just over two miles of private beaches, where I could flop on a sun lounger with fantastic views over the glittering Arabian Gulf.

Even the most basic room here feels luxurious, thanks to the huge wooden headboard towering behind the plush bed, a spacious sofa area where holidaymakers can relax to the max after a day of snoozing by the pool, and glass double doors opening on to a large balcony.

That’s the real highlight of Doha — luxury has a much more affordable price tag. Rooms here cost from around £188 with breakfast, which considering the quality and detail is impressive value.

The food is high-end, too. For classic Qatari and Middle Eastern flavours, head to the on-site Levantine restaurant, where you can pick up some excellent kofte for under £20.

If you’re looking to really push the boat out, though, the Raffles Doha hotel will blow your socks off.

Rooms cost from £335 per night here, but this is still a a lot less than most other hotels in the Raffles chain, including The OWO in London where rooms can cost just shy of £1,000 per night.

Raffles Doha occupies half of the prestigious Katara Towers. These U-shaped buildings are a symbol of Qatar’s national seal, representing traditional scimitar swords.

It’s the height of luxury, from its grand lobby all the way through to its suites and restaurants — and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.

Decked out with hardwood floors, mirrors and golden motifs, my spacious suite was a luxurious haven — and even came with a personalised butler service.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered fantastic views over the Arabian Gulf and, if you can brave the morning heat, a warm brew on the terrace is the perfect way to start your day.

I was too focused on heading to downstairs to eat at L’Artisan, a restaurant that whips up the very best breakfast omelettes I’ve ever eaten.

You might want to keep food to a minimum if you’re heading out dune-bashing, though.

THE top bars across the globe have been named and in the top spot is one right here in the UK.

Now, you might think the world’s best bar would be in London but it’s actually in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The boozer called Panda & Sons secured the number one spot of the Top 500 Bars list this year.

Founded back in 2013, Panda & Sons is a ‘hidden’ Prohibition-style speakeasy, according to Time Out.

Top 500 Bars said: “Panda & Sons is the brainchild of famed Scottish bartender Iain McPherson.

“It’s a table service cocktail bar, that’s all about friendly Scottish service in an intimate and cosy surrounding. Their cocktail menu offers exciting drinks using the latest techniques, including their very own called ‘Switching’.

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“Their technique Switching is where you isolate the water from spirits and swap it with another non-alcoholic liquid.”

To get inside you have to find the secret door, which is behind a bookshelf underneath a barbers.

Once inside, you can find cool panda themed decorations throughout the place.

It won’t break the bank either with cocktails for around £9, but of course, you can go for a fancier drink with some costing up to £15.

It’s a popular spot having amassed a solid Tripadvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5 with lots of visitors complimenting its ‘super friendly’ staff and ‘unique’ drinks menu.

One visitor even said they were “literally the best drink I’ve ever had in my life” and that when they went to the bathroom the bartender kept their drink in the fridge so it would stay cold.

If Edinburgh isn’t your local spot – there were other UK bars hat also made the top 10.

Tayēr + Elementary in London came in seventh place, followed by The Connaught Bar in 13th place.

Also in London making the rankings was Scarfes Bar (21) and Satan’s Whiskers (22), while lower down was Kwant (108), Three Sheets Soho (115), Kol Mezcalería: London (118).

Along with Panda & Sons, Hey Palu, which is also in Edinburgh also made the list in 148th place.

The bar describes itself as an ‘intimate stylish cocktail bar in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town, accompanied by a killer playlist’.

The drinks menu focuses on Italian Aperitivo along with modern yet classic cocktails,

SCHOFIELD’S BAR in Manchester came in 224th and Lab 22 in Cardiff in 306th, while The Milk Thistle in Bristol in 315th.

IF you want a thrill on water, then how about trying the world’s tallest waterslide?

Called RIG 1938, its found at Meryal Waterpark in Qatar.

Having only opened last year, it stands at 85m tall, meaning it currently holds the Guinness World Record for tallest waterslide.

But it isn’t actually one slide – and is actually a structure made up of 12 slides.

Others include The Fractionator, where you can pick your own music as you go down.

This slide also holds a record, being the world’s tallest body slide.

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Or there is Vertigo, with a 76m drop, as well as The Broiler which is more like a water rollercoaster with twists and turns

Meryal Waterpark is the biggest waterpark in Qatar.

And if you aren’t a slide enthusiast, then there lots of other attractions to choose from, with nearly 70 in total.

Across the six-acre resort, there are also lazy rivers, wave pools and toddler splash parks.

You can even book a cabana for the day which includes bottles of water, towels and snacks.

For dining options, guests can choose from kid-friendly menus to Italian, Asian and international restaurants.

One tourist said it was the “world’s best waterpark”.

They added: “We love water parks and we have been to Atlantis, Siam Park, Volcano Bay etc … but this place is our number 1.

“Seriously amazing.”

Another agreed, saying: “Fun waterpark for all ages. Crazy slides and very safe.

“The rides were very thrilling. Kids enjoyed it. By far the best waterpark in the world.”

The park is open from 10am-6pm, from November to February, closing on February 26, 2026.

Tickets cost 100 Qatari Riyal (£21) if you book online, while cabanas start from 599 Qatari Riyal (£126).

Guests staying at the nearby Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North hotel get free entry to the waterpark.

If you want to find the world’s best waterpark, Siam Park in Tenerife is often named one of the best.

For the biggest indoor waterpark in Europe, head to Poland to find Suntago.

It’s often been tipped as the ‘world’s most beautiful beach’ with its pristine sands and crystal-clear waters but I wanted to see if it actually looks like social media promises

As winter months creep closer, thoughts might turn towards booking a break and getting some winter sun. And while the UK might boast a healthy roster of sandy beaches tucked away on stunning coastlines, we wouldn’t blame you if you had something a little more sunny in mind.

Step forward the Caribbean island of Aruba, a frequent cruise stop dropping thousands at the capital, Oranjestad – currently undergoing a steady revamp of its brightly-coloured classic, often neo-Baroque, Latin American-style buildings – weekly, the island boasts one of the best beaches in the world.

The phenomenal Eagle Beach is a huge pull and one of Aruba’s 20+ beaches, all of which are open to the public. It’s therefore not difficult to see why it regularly features in rankings of the world’s most beautiful beaches – in fact, it’s currently second in global rankings in the Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice Awards, although it’s taken the gold medal in rankings before.

A 1.2mile stretch of pure, white coral sand populated by the striking fofoti trees and palm shades and cabanas, Eagle Beach is stunning. The widest on the island, it wouldn’t be over-egging it to say it’s up there with the best on the planet.

It’ll take you a 10-minute, $3 bus ride from Orenjestad or if you’re lucky enough to be staying at a nearby resort or hotel, you might be right on the beach and can just stroll down. You’ll never feel like it’s too busy simply because Eagle Beach’s size means you won’t be crowded.

It took just five minutes scrunching my toes in the fine, powdery sand to feel completely sold on this bucket list destination. The only thing more beautiful than the fine sand is the azure-blue sea. I’m sure it’s the first time I’ve been able to describe the ocean as, the perhaps over-used, azure-blue but I’m happy to do so here.

Walk into the Caribbean Sea – I actually had to pinch myself when saying that – and it becomes less azure and more crystal clear. I get that these are somewhat cliched ways to describe such a dreamy body of water but I guess they are cliched for a reason.

While here in the UK you are more than likely to tentatively tiptoe into the wilder waters, letting out the odd screech – yes, I do sea dip in November – as the chilly ocean laps around your hips, you’ll be less than surprised to hear that on Aruba’s beaches you can sprint with complete abandon into the balmy tide.

Aside from leaping and ducking the gentle waves at Eagle Beach, or taking the more chill option of sunbathing with a book, there is plenty to keep you occupied. Paddleboarding, snorkelling, parasailing or even the amazing kayaking in a clear vessel, ensuring you take in the best of tropical idyll.

Its shallow water makes it ideal for kids and nature-lovers take note, between March and September you’ll be able to see sea turtles nesting along the sand, a wonderful testament to the island’s commitment to conservation.

Eagle Beach 100% is worth the hype, when you look back at your holiday pictures I guarantee you it’ll look like a perfect postcard – just the way the sand, sea and magical-looking trees frame the scene – it’s iconic.

What’s even better Eagle Beach isn’t a one-off. I also had the privilege of visiting Baby Beach and Mangel Halto. I mean they all face into the same ocean and have the same gorgeous, fairy dust-esque sand, but they are worth a trip in their own right.

Baby Beach was another lengthy strip, popular with sunbathers and families, as there’s a breakwater offshore, making it calm and shallow – perfect for the kids to explore. The best thing about Baby Beach is that the water was way cooler, refreshing even – and when the temperature is almost hitting the early 30s by 10am – that refreshing hit is irreplaceable.

But Mangel Halto was my favourite. More secluded, less commercial and with more trees for shade, the shore is cosseted with network of mangrove trees. It’s just a super pretty shore and was a lot quieter than the other two, larger coastal draws.

It’s also a great destination for experienced snorkelers as you can walk out to the edge of the reef to see a huge range of fish like parrot fish and yellowtail snapper.

For someone who absolutely loves an invigorating cold water dip at the Pembrokeshire coast at any time of the year, I did think a hot Caribbean beach might be a bit sweltering for me.

But even this sceptical Welsh girl can be convinced, I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Book the holiday

• KLM offers daily flights to Aruba from multiple UK airports (via Amsterdam). Prices start at £306 per person, one way in October 2026. Find out more at klm.co.uk.
• Rooms at the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort start from $465 per night (approximately £352), based on two adults sharing a room.

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

The UNESCO-listed town comes alive with lanterns and tinsel in December – with 30p beers and T-shirt weather.

If you’re fed up with the prospect of yet another freezing cold Christmas market, clutching an £8 mug of mulled wine to keep warm, there’s an alternative option.

For a truly unique festive experience, this market deserves a spot on your bucket list.

With beers at just £0.30, hot chocolates for £1.50 and hundreds of twinkling lanterns lighting up the evening sky.

This enchanting market destination is Hoi An – a UNESCO-listed port town along Vietnam’s central coastline. Throughout December, this historic port transforms with glowing lanterns, fairy lights and tinsel adorning shop windows.

Whilst it might not deliver a conventional Christmas experience – it provides a breathtaking alternative at a fraction of the cost.

There are numerous stalls to explore offering everything from keepsakes to local confectionery and handcrafted goods. Vietnam is renowned for being budget-friendly and Hoi An maintains this reputation, reports the Express.

A glass of locally-brewed beer costs between £0.30 and £0.70 – even at the tourist-popular riverside locations.

Asia travel experts TransIndus describe December as one of the finest periods to experience Hoi An.

A spokesperson said: “Daytimes are usually in the low- to mid-20s, so it’s T-shirt weather for exploring the old streets, and in the evenings you might just want a light jacket if there’s a breeze coming off the river.”

It falls at the tail end of the wet season, meaning occasional downpours or overcast days are possible – but once the rain clears, the atmosphere becomes genuinely enchanting.

They said: “When the rain clears and the pavements start to dry, the reflections from the lanterns in the puddles are beautiful.

“You get steam rising off the street-food stalls, scooters back out within minutes, and the whole old town has this slightly surreal, cinematic feel.”

December in Hoi An blends Western festive imagery with Vietnamese lantern celebrations. Visitors might spot a nativity display or youngsters wearing Santa hats, before witnessing a silk-draped, illuminated riverboat gliding peacefully across the water.

It’s an ideal destination to break away from traditional Christmas habits and immerse yourself in a completely different culture.

ONE of the world’s most famous museums is set to nearly double its entry fee for tourists.

The Louvre museum in Paris will increase its ticket prices by 45 per cent for most non-European Union visitors, which includes Brits.

The price hike is set to be introduced early next year, with tourists from countries including the UK, US and China having to pay €32 (£28) to enter the museum.

It is set to raise millions of euros each year to fund a huge overhaul of the Louvre’s most famous gallery.

The price increase follows a heist that took place in October that hit the news globally.

Security and management have been criticised since the incident, which saw four people steal jewellery worth over £76million from the museum.

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After the heist, an audit on the museum was carried out which highlighted how the museum has inadequate security systems and aging infrastructure.

As a result, from January 14, visitors from countries outside the European Economic Area (EU member states, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) will need to pay an extra €10 (£8.76) to enter the museum.

The new price jump is estimated to raise between €15million (£13.1million) to €20million (£17.5million) each year for the museum, which will go towards supporting the Louvre’s modernisation plans.

Over the past year, the museum has faced a number of issues to do with its structure.

Back in January, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Louvre announced that the museum would be getting improvements and as a part of that suggested higher fees for non-EU residents in 2026.

As part of the report, Macron also said that the Mona Lisa would be moved to a new room to deal with the overcrowding.

It followed the leak of a letter from the museum’s director Laurence des Cars, which highlighted how the museum had several structural issues, water leaks and even that the museum could no longer cope with the current numbers of visitors heading to the attraction each day.

The Louvre will also have a number of other areas renovated, with new facilities added too, such as toilets and restaurants.

And earlier this month, the museum announced that the gallery which houses Greek ceramics was closed due to structural issues.

Each year the Louvre welcomes around nine million people, and more than a 10th of visitors are from the US.

Complaints about overcrowding and long queues at the museum have been going on for a while now, especially through the Salle des Etats gallery, which is where the famous Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is displayed.

Many visitors note how you actually only get a few seconds to see the painting and snap a picture.

The report carried out after the heist last month also revealed that the museum was spending more money on buying new artworks than actually maintaining the attraction itself.

In other museum news, the UK’s newest national museum is more like an IKEA store – and Kate Middleton is already a fan.

Plus, a new £12.5 million museum based on a very famous children’s artist to be ‘world’s largest of its kind’.

A STAR from Boy Meets World has revealed he has welcomed a baby girl.

Ben Savage has shared the joyous news that he has become a dad at 45.

The actor, who played the lead role of Cory Matthews on the ABC sitcom Boy Meets World and its Disney Channel sequel Girl Meets World, has shared the first snaps of his baby girl on Instagram.

Ben is married to Tessa Angermeier, whom he wed in March 2023.

And now the pair have welcomed their first child together.

Taking to the platform on Thanksgiving, Ben shared a selection of sweet photos to reveal the birth of their bundle of joy.

Alongside a carousel, Ben wrote simply: “Welcome little one.”

Fans flocked to the comments section to congratulate the actor and his partner on their arrival.

One person penned, “Girl meets world (for real).”

“Dad meets girl, congrats,” said a second.

“Awe congratulations!!! Boy meets baby. Much love to you and your sweet family,” penned a third.

A fourth then added, “Boy met his girl in this world!! Congrats!!”

“Awe how cute, so tiny. Girl meets world. Congratulations to you both,” said a fifth.

While a sixth person wrote, “Congrats man and happy Thanksgiving with the new baby.”

And a seventh added, “Congratulations! Enjoy every moment. Hope Mamma is doing well!”

Prior to Ben and Tessa’s wedding in 2023, the couple had been together for over four years.

Tessa made her first appearance on Ben’s Instagram in August 2018.

Ben’s wife is an Indiana native and currently works as a senior graphic designer.

She works for the company Ben Soleimani, a luxury furniture store in West Hollywood.

She is also the graphic designer, merchandise manager and tour manager for the band The Growlers.

A British athlete crowned the world’s strongest woman says she was “robbed” of her winning moment after it emerged the original champion was a transgender woman who was ineligible to compete.

Andrea Thompson was awarded the title retrospectively after American athlete Jammie Booker was disqualified.

Thompson told BBC Sport the competition, held in Arlington, Texas, was “overshadowed by somebody who shouldn’t have been there”.

“I was very frustrated and angry with what she’s done,” she said. “She lied and was very dishonest, and took away a lot of things from a lot of women.

“The lady that came 11th didn’t get the chance to do the third day… to have the top 10 status in the world.”

Organisers, Official Strongman, said “competitors could only compete in the category for their biological sex recorded at birth”, and that they had disqualified the athlete in question “who is biologically male”.

Nine of the top 10 mega-cities are in Asia, with Bangladesh’s Dhaka projected to be the world’s largest city by 2050.

A new United Nations report has found that Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the world’s largest city with 41.9 million people living there, followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh, which is home to 36.6 million.

A low-lying coastal city located in the west of the densely populated island of Java, Jakarta rose from second place to replace Tokyo, which had been named the world’s largest city in the UN’s most recent assessment published back in 2000.

The Japanese capital’s relatively steady population of 33.4 million saw it fall to third place behind Bangladesh’s densely populated capital, Dhaka, which jumped to second place from ninth and is now projected to become the world’s largest city by 2050.

The World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs also found that the number of megacities – urban areas with more than 10 million inhabitants – has increased to 33, four times more than the eight megacities that existed worldwide in 1975.

Asia is home to 19 of the world’s 33 megacities, and nine out of the top 10. In addition to Jakarta, Dhaka and Tokyo, the other Asian cities in the top 10 are: New Delhi, India (30.2 million); Shanghai, China (29.6 million); Guangzhou, China (27.6 million); Manila, Philippines (24.7 million); Kolkata, India (22.5 million); and Seoul, South Korea (22.5 million).

With a population of 32 million people, Egypt’s Cairo is the only city in the top 10 that is outside Asia, according to the UN.

Sao Paulo in Brazil, with 18.9 million people, is the largest city in the Americas, while Lagos in Nigeria also grew rapidly, making it the largest city in sub-Saharan Africa.

Still growing

Dhaka’s rapid growth has partly been driven by people from rural areas moving to the capital, searching for opportunities or fleeing hometowns due to problems including flooding and rising sea levels, made worse by climate change.

Jakarta is also facing problems due to rising sea levels. It is estimated that up to one quarter of the city could be under water by 2050.

The problem is so serious that Indonesia’s government is building a new purpose-built capital city in Nusantara in Borneo island’s East Kalimantan province. Yet while the city’s officials and parliamentary buildings will have a new home, the UN estimates that 10 million more people will be living in Jakarta by 2050.

The city’s growing population will also have to contend with concerns over inequality and affordability, which saw thousands of people take to the streets of the Indonesian city earlier this year, reflecting rising anger over the conditions of low-income workers, including app-based motorcycle ride-share and delivery riders.

Meanwhile, according to the UN report, Iran’s capital Tehran, which is facing water rations because it is close to running out of water, currently has a population of nine million people.

The new assessment also saw changes as the UN adopted new measures to try to address inconsistencies in how different countries defined urbanisation.

The UN also said that in most cases its report reflected the size of individual cities, rather than two cities that have grown together, with a small number of exceptions.

The new definition defined a city as a “contiguous agglomeration” of one-kilometre-square grid cells with a density of at least 1,500 inhabitants per square kilometre and a total population of at least 50,000.

“Had we been aware, or had this been declared at any point before or during the competition, this athlete would not have been permitted to compete in the Woman’s Open category,” the statement added.

“It is our responsibility to ensure fairness and ensure athletes are assigned to men or women’s categories based on whether they are recorded as male or female at birth.”

Thompson, first crowned world’s strongest woman in 2018, said the manner she had won the title had taken the gloss off it, but praised Strongman for “investigating and rectifying the situation so quickly”.

“What should be a momentous occasion has sadly been overshadowed by scandal and dishonesty from someone who was welcomed into our crazy sport,” she said in a post on her Instagram, external account.

“I am not only frustrated with not being able to celebrate a win, but also for the ladies who had their time to shine on the podium or reach the final day, taken away from them.”

Thompson, from Suffolk, said she and fellow competitors were “mentally drained” having “received backlash and insults” since the decision, which “needs to stop”.

“This has been the most exhausting experience of my career,” she added.

“We, as a community are taking a stand. Protecting women’s sport as we have fought so hard for.”

Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid fans were divided over plans announced this week by club President Florentino Perez to allow private equity investors to buy up to a 10% stake in the club.

Some fans of “los merengues” said it would mean selling off part of the club, even though Real Madrid remains the wealthiest football club in the world.

They also noted that in recent years, Real Madrid had already changed membership rules, contravening promises to keep memberships within families and diluting its character.

Others supported the investor plan, saying it made good business sense and would not alter the trajectory of a hugely successful club that has won the Spanish domestic title 36 times and collected a record 15 UEFA Champions League trophies.

Perez insisted that allowing private equity investors – who often deploy large amounts of capital into companies not listed on public stock exchanges – to take a stake in the club was an “indispensable project” for the future of football.

Speaking to club members on Sunday, Perez said he will propose a statutory reform during an extraordinary assembly to allow for the possibility of outside investors to take a minority stake in the club, according to reporting by The Associated Press news agency.

“We will continue to be a members’ club, but we must create a subsidiary in which the 100,000 members of Real Madrid will always retain absolute control,” he said.

“On that basis, this subsidiary could simply incorporate a minority stake, for example, 5% – never more than 10% – from one or more investors committed to the very long term and willing to contribute their own resources.”

Perez said that would be “the clearest and most compelling way to value our club”.

The 78-year-old added that it would allow the club to pay dividends to club members, which it is presently forbidden from doing.

Perez insisted investors would be obliged to “respect our values”, contribute to the growth of the club and “help us protect our assets from external attacks”.

He said Real Madrid could have the right to buy its assets back from investors.

Perez reiterated several times that members would never lose control of the club.

He said his proposal would make sure that the current 98,272 members are recognised as the real owners of the club, with the number of members fixed for the future.

“With this protection in place, no one will be able to diminish our status as owners or alter the balance that guarantees the independence and stability of Real Madrid,” Perez said. “It will be us, the members of today, who will have the responsibility of safeguarding our culture of values and ensuring that our club continues to lead world football for many generations to come.”

The Real Madrid president further explained the reform would “shield the club from external and internal attacks on our assets, and to highlight their value so that we are all aware of the treasure that we, as members, have in our hands”.

Spanish club ownership versus English

Real Madrid, like Barcelona and a small number of other Spanish football clubs, is classed as a nonprofit organisation as it is owned by its club members, or socios. Real Madrid, founded in 1902, has only ever had this ownership model.

This ownership structure prevents large private investors from forging a majority controlling stake in the clubs; it also means they can claim tax concessions.

This is despite the fact that Real Madrid was named the world’s wealthiest football club for the fourth straight year in 2025, with an estimated market valuation of $6.75bn, according to the Forbes List. It was also the first club to earn $1bn in revenue.

The nonprofit status allows Spanish clubs to preserve some traditions of their clubs and for members to take an active role in the organisations.

Graham Hunter, a British football journalist who specialises in Spanish football, pointed to the example of Joan Laporta, the current president of the other Spanish mega club, Barcelona.

“Laporta went from being a member and a lawyer to being [club] president in seven years,” he said.

In stark contrast, football clubs in England or the United States – Manchester United or Inter Miami being just two examples – can be owned by individuals, corporations and in some instances, acquired on public stock exchanges, resulting in more commercialised ownership structures.

It means their club’s performances are often centred on more short-run processes like profit maximisation, whereas in Spain, the club is in the hands of fans – not large private investors – allowing scope for longer-term business strategies to be enacted.

If Perez’s plan goes ahead, this could open the door for this famous Spanish club to become more like its foreign rivals.

The high-profile, multi-billionaire boss of Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault, was named in Spanish media on Monday as a potential investor in the club, should the new minority ownership rules be adopted.

Fans reaction

Some Real Madrid fans did not share Perez’s enthusiasm to open up the club to large private investors.

David Garcia, a former season ticket holder at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, said Perez had previously told fans he would preserve the club for members.

“On Sunday, Florentino [Perez] misled the members again. He had told us that access to the club was restricted to the children or grandchildren of members to prevent a Russian or Chinese person from joining,” he told Al Jazeera.

Garcia added that in recent years, the rules of admission to membership had been changed several times, and Chinese and other foreigners had appeared on membership lists.

Alejandro Dominguez, a former vice president of the Real Madrid Veterans Pena, questioned why outside investors were needed to boost the coffers of such a profitable club.

“I don’t understand why we need more money when we are already the richest club in the world?” he told Al Jazeera.

However, Fernando Valdez, a lifelong Real Madrid fan who is part of La Gran Familia supporters club, said he believed the reform would not harm the character of the club.

“If we were selling off huge chunks of the club to raise money to compete with Paris Saint-Germain, then that would be worrying, as it would change the club forever. But it is not like that,” he said.

“We need to know more details about this, but on the face of it, it does not seem like anything to worry about. Five percent or 10% is nothing.”

David Alvarez, who writes about Real Madrid for El Pais newspaper, said Perez’s ownership plan was not designed to compete with other high-spending clubs like Manchester City.

“This will allow the club to pay dividends to socios (club members). At present, the law stops them from doing that. They would have to sell a much bigger stake to be able to compete with the other big clubs in Europe, so they are not trying to do that.”

WE all love a cosy pub, but what if you could head to the cosiest? Well, the smallest pub in the world has opened in the UK in time for Christmas.

Located in Yuletide Yard at Flat Iron Square in London, you will find – what is claiming to be – the world’s smallest pub.

Named The Three Jingle Bells, it isn’t just a cosy boozer but also a festive experience all in one.

Inside, guest can grab a tipple including Camden Town Brewery pours, as well as seasonal specials.

However, the tiny pub will only be open until December 22.

Essentially a small room, the pub has enough space or just one member of staff and three customers.

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And each booking lasts just 45 minutes.

There will be a number of events going on at Yuletide Yard too, including karaoke and a Michael Bublé tribute act.

There is even a Santa Speed Dating Quiz on November 25 and December 2, which costs £2.20 per person.

The pub though is free to visit.

Yuletide Yard will also have a dedicated cocktail bar and of course, there will be all the regular food vendors found at Flat Iron Square as well – many of which have limited edition specials for the festive season.

For example, you could grab Flock’s southern fried chicken tenders with cranberry sauce, potato rosti and pickled red cabbage.

If you are wanting to visit other small pubs, The Signal Box in Cleethorpes claims to be the smallest in the UK measuring just 2.4 metres by 2.4 metres.

Though, it does have a beer garden that holds up to 200 people.

Inside, the pub can only host up to four guests and two members of staff.

Yet, it still serves a range of ales, lagers and ciders.

The pub used to be a former train station signal box and was moved from Scunthorpe Steelworks to Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in 1995 before being converted into a pub in 2006.

The Nutshell in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk also claims to be the smallest pub in the UK and has the backing of a Guinness World Record.

The pub measures 4.57 metres by 1.5 metres. which actually makes it bigger than the signal box though.

The Dove, Hammersmith then holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest bar in Britain, measuring also 4.57 metres by 1.5 metres.

It once used to be a coffee house but now is owned by Fuller’s.

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In other pub news, here are Britain’s 100 best pubs including nation’s first ever gastro boozer – is your local on the list?

Plus, four Haven holiday parks to get new Wetherspoons pubs as part of mega £14million upgrade.

The picturesque European destination only has a population of around nine million people – but it welcomes around 32 million international visitors on an annual basis

A European country has been named the world’s most overcrowded tourist destination – and it might come as a bit of a surprise.

Rather than places like Spain or Greece, which attract holiday-makers in their throngs, there is a landlocked location which welcomes the most visitors per local – Austria. Research carried out by MoneyTransfers.com in 2024 found that for every resident in Austria, there are almost four times the number of tourists, at a ratio of one resident to 3.6 tourists.

The country only has a population of around nine million; however, Austria accepts around 32 million international visitors yearly. Most of the tourists are concentrated in Austria’s capital, Vienna.

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The capital city is the country’s top tourist draw. Known as the ‘City of Dreams’, it’s no wonder so many people are eager to explore it. Top attractions include the Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and the Museum of Natural History. It is packed with beautiful baroque architecture, historic landmarks and a great nightlife thanks to the bustling bars and restaurants.

But while Vienna is used to catering for huge numbers of visitors, other areas of the country are becoming increasingly popular – but they are not equipped to take on the influx of tourists.

One example is Hallstatt, a small town known for its picturesque Alpine houses, waterfalls and salt lakes, all backed by a beautiful snowy mountain range.

The town, the rumoured inspiration for the kingdom of Arendelle in Disney’s Frozen, was previously caught up in a battle with overtourism.

Wooden fences were constructed to obstruct the view of the lake, which had become a famous selfie backdrop, amid attempts to scale back the number of visitors to the area.

But they were later dismantled following backlash on social media. In a statement to local website Upper Austrian News in 2023, Mayor Scheutz said: “The only thing that would help is if the photo point is no longer a photo point.”

The town, a protected Unesco World Heritage site, has seen over a million tourists a year since it was rumoured to be the muse for Frozen.

Before the pandemic, foot traffic in the small town rose to around 10,000 visitors a day, causing Hallstatt’s mayor, Alexander Scheutz, to introduce a cap on the number of tour buses and cars allowed to enter the area.

The town itself only has around 800 residents, leading Scheutz to declare at the time that he’d like to slash tourist numbers by a third.

While it was certainly eye-catching to hear a former player so recently of the inner sanctum talk in such a way about the expectations around the side, the comments fed into the debate about Ireland’s current standing in the world game after a decade when they have consistently punched above their weight.

Coming into the month ranked third in the world – Ireland have since fallen to fourth below England – more competitive showings against those around them in the rankings are surely now viewed as a base, not an ambition.

While Ireland have not lost to a side lower than fifth in the present rankings since defeat by Wales in the 2021 Six Nations, Saturday’s loss means they have won just three of their past nine against England, New Zealand, South Africa and France, a run that dates back to the end of the 2023 World Cup and the retirement of talismanic skipper Johnny Sexton.

When considering the victories came against a 14-man France, an England side not then at the level they are now, and thanks to a last-kick drop-goal in South Africa, it all feeds into a concerning trend.

Without stripping the losses of similar context, that the reverses come with an average margin of defeat of 9.5 points feels instructive too.

At present, rather than the worst of the best or best of the rest, Ireland feel in a tier all of their own, still far from flat-track bullies but certainly struggling when expected to make the step up.

They start their 2026 Six Nations against France in Paris and visit England in round three. Between now and those testing February away days, direction of travel will continue to be the dominant theme.

NEW long-haul flights to one of the world’s best cities to are launching from a regional airport – the first time in decades.

Cardiff Airport currently only has one long-haul flight route which is to Barbados.

However, from next year, the airport will be welcoming a new long-haul flight route to Toronto.

Launching from May 23, 2026, the route will be operated by Canadian budget carrier WestJet.

It will be the first direct flight between Wales and Canada in 20 years,

The last time Cardiff had flights to Canada was in 2008.

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However, the collapse of airline Zoom led to the scrapping of the transatlantic route, despite hopes of another operator, Flyglobespan, taking its place.

Jon Bridge, Cardiff Airport’s chief executive officer, said: “This new Toronto route marks an exciting milestone in our growth and a major step forward in reconnecting Wales with North America.”

Chris White-DeVries, senior airport affairs manager at WestJet, added: “We’re thrilled to bring WestJet’s friendly, affordable and reliable service to Wales for the first time.”

Toronto was named one of the world’s best cities earlier. thisyear.

It came in 17th in the World’s Best Cities list for 2026.

Travel writer Emily Webber recently visited the city after Virgin Atlantic launced new flights.

She told The Sun: “The bucket-list destination is now even easier for Brits to reach, thanks to Virgin Atlantic’s new direct service between Heathrow and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

“After touching down, you can be in the heart of Canada’s “city that never sleeps” in just 25 minutes via the UP Express train (£6.70 one way).

“Step off at Union station and you’re surrounded by glitzy skyscrapers, great nightlife, fabulous food and Canada’s biggest natural history museum, the Royal Ontario Museum.

“You’ve even got the stunning Niagara Falls right on your doorstep.”

Cardiff is getting other new flight routes as well.

By the end of 2025, skiers will be able to travel from from Cardiff to Salzburg in Austria for winter breaks.

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And Ryanair added extra flights to Alicante and Dublin from Cardiff Airport back in the summer.

The Global Cities Index has named the “most liveable destination” in the world, with a picturesque European city taking the top spot due to its walkability

A stunning European city has been crowned the world’s “most liveable destination” in the Global Cities Index, thanks largely to how easy it is to get around on foot. Researchers examined six crucial factors when compiling their rankings: life expectancy, income per person, income equality, recreational and cultural amenities, internet speed, and housing costs.

Whilst European destinations dominated the list, one Australian city also secured a place in the top rankings.

10. Nantes

Nantes, a vibrant city in western France, is renowned for its rich history, cultural attractions, and bustling city life. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, once the residence of the Dukes of Brittany, now houses the Nantes History Museum.

This museum offers a glimpse into the city’s medieval past through its well-preserved architecture and exhibits, reports the Express.

9. Ghent

Ghent, a delightful city in Belgium, is known for its medieval charm, dynamic cultural scene, and stunning architecture. It’s also the country’s most pedestrian-friendly destination.

The city’s picturesque canal-side streets are perfect for a leisurely stroll. The historic buildings along the canals cast beautiful reflections in the water, providing iconic views of the city’s architectural heritage.

8. Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, is renowned for its high standard of living, breathtaking surroundings, and vibrant cultural scene. Residents can enjoy walks along the shores of Lake Zurich, embark on a boat tour, or relax in one of the lakeside parks.

7. Reykjavik

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, consistently ranks among the world’s best places to live. The city centre features Tjörnin, a scenic pond surrounded by charming buildings, providing a peaceful spot for leisurely walks and bird-watching.

6. Luxembourg

Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is known for its low crime rates and spotless streets, contributing to a strong sense of safety and well-being among its residents. The city’s public transport network is highly efficient and extensive, with the recent introduction of free public transport further enhancing accessibility and convenience for residents.

5. Basel

Basel, a Swiss city, is praised for its high standard of living, combining a vibrant cultural scene with practical, top-quality living conditions. The city is home to world-class healthcare facilities such as the University Hospital Basel, renowned for its high standards and innovative treatments.

4. Bergen

Bergen, located in Norway, is famed for its stunning natural landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and coastal vistas. The city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking in nearby mountains like Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken to sailing and kayaking in the fjords.

3. Bern

Switzerland’s capital city, Bern, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and landmarks such as the Zytglogge clock tower and the Bear Park add to its unique charm.

2. Canberra

Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is celebrated for its exceptional liveability, thanks to a unique mix of natural splendour, contemporary facilities, and well-thought-out urban design. With its high living standards, Canberra offers clean and safe surroundings, well-kept public areas, and efficient public services.

The city’s low crime rate and high personal security levels significantly enhance its liveability.

1. Grenoble

Tucked away in the French Alps, Grenoble is a treasure that blends natural beauty, a lively cultural scene, and a high quality of life. It’s also a centre for scientific research and technological innovation, especially in nanotechnology and biotechnology fields.

Grenoble is particularly renowned for its cycle-friendly initiatives, including extensive bike lanes and hire services.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is known around the world for its impressive length, but many don’t know that they can go further and enter one of the most dangerous countries on Earth

The world’s longest direct train journey takes eight days to reach its destination – and crosses into one of the world’s most secretive countries. Since June, direct passenger trains have been running from the Russian capital of Moscow all the way to North Korea’s Pyongyang.

Kim Jong-un’s hermit kingdom remains one of the most secretive – and feared – nations on Earth, with the tyrant’s iron fist seeing residents executed for the simple act of watching foreign TV.

That’s a staggering journey of 6,213 miles and makes it by far the longest train journey on Earth, according to the Guinness World Records.

A large portion of the trip uses the Trans-Siberian Railway, that runs across Russia from the capital Moscow in the west to Vladivostok in the east. Spanning a total of 9,288 kilometres (5,772 miles), that in itself is the longest single track in the entire world.

Passengers travelling from Russia to North Korea will travel in a specially-made carriage that is attached to the regular Trans-Siberian Railway service. Once arriving in Vladivostok, the carriage is then reattached to another train and carries on to Pyongyang.

These services were quite infrequent to begin with before being forced to grind to a total halt following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, however, the hermit kingdom has been trying to patch up its relationship with Russia, going as far as to send North Korean soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Very few Westerners have dared to travel the full way from Moscow to Pyongyang. One group documented their trip back in 2018 and shared what the conditions on board have been like. As they boarded the train in Moscow, they explained that the dedicated Korean carriage was clear to see.

They claimed it was clear to see the train has not been kept in the best condition. “It was cold inside our compartment — no heating, maybe 10 degrees,” the travellers explained, adding that heating would not be turned on for several hours. “If it’s cold outside this period, the cars are individually heated with a coal stove, which is located in every car.

“However, individual heating requires that coal is available – and this was not the case in our North Korean sleeping car, but no problem, we had warm clothes.

“However, the water-boiler was working, so preparing tea, coffee and instant-noodles was possible.”

North Korea’s feared reputation is not without reason. The government is known to monitor all forms of communication by residents, to ensure there is no contact with the outside world. Thousands have been detained in “political prison camps” for “crimes” such as trying to flee the country or practising their religion.

Food is often withheld from the wider population, instead prioritising the elite and military. According to the UN, 10.7million, ore more than 40% of the entire population, are undernourished.

The world’s longest straight road is in Saudi Arabia and is so long that a driver can travel for more than 150 miles without turning their steering wheel. Here’s everything you need to know about the highway

The world’s longest straight road is one which runs for around 150 miles without a single bend. The stretch of tarmac cuts through the Saudi Arabian Rub Al-Khali desert.

The Middle Eastern nation has become a major player in motorsport recently, playing host to the prestigious Dakar Rally, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Extreme E off-road championship. The country’s vast expanses of desert have provided the perfect canvas for creating spectacular racing circuits and roads.

But it’s not just racing drivers who benefit from Saudi Arabia’s unique geography. Highway 10, which links Haradh to Al Batha, stands as one of the region’s most remarkable routes – open to ordinary motorists.

Originally constructed for King Fahd through the heart of the Rub Al-Khali desert, it holds the Guinness World Record as the planet’s longest corner-free stretch of road. Motorists can cruise for around 240km (149 miles) without needing to turn their steering wheel once.

The record was previously held by Australia‘s Eyre Highway, which measured roughly 146km (91.25 miles) without a turn.

According to Guinness World Records, despite its extraordinary length, the journey doesn’t take as long as you might expect, reports the Express.

They noted: “Built originally as a private road for King Fahd (SAU), the stretch of Highway 10 connecting Highway 75 in the Haradh area to Highway 95 in the west of Saudi Arabia is 240 km (149 mi) long.

“It cuts through the desert with no bends left or right, or any appreciable gradient up or down. The super-straight stretch has an estimated driving time of around 2 hr.”

Officials have warned against speeding or dangerous driving on the road, as the monotonous landscape and absence of turns can leave drivers feeling falsely secure.

It’s not the only instance of Saudi Arabia’s fixation with linear design. The nation has begun construction on a £1trillion “smart city” set to be built in the country’s Tabuk Province.

Neom’s 110-mile-long metropolis – dubbed The Line – consists of two enormously-long parallel structures.

It is the vision of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who aims to liberate the Middle-Eastern nation from its reliance on fossil fuels and establish a fresh economy centred on science and leisure.

However, some who have been involved with the scheme have privately described the proposals as “untethered from reality”.

The metropolis has also been labelled as potentially lethal. The mirrored-glass construction is essentially a “giant greenhouse,” according to prominent design scientist Melissa Sterry.

With global temperatures climbing, June 2024’s 40C heatwave in Saudi Arabia resulted in over 1,000 deaths among those undertaking the traditional Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.