Rising costs and travel concerns are disrupting overseas holiday plans, so Britons are increasingly choosing staycations in the UK/Image: Getty Images

More people in Britain are choosing to holiday within the country this year, as rising fuel prices and concerns over international travel are disrupting plans for trips abroad, according to a report in the Financial Times.The change is already visible in the travel industry, with many holiday operators reporting an increase in domestic bookings over Easter as well as strong demand for the May half term and summer season.Search data supports this trend. Airbnb reported a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for UK accommodation during the May bank holidays. Popular destinations included Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Herefordshire, Gwynedd and Derbyshire, while Whitby in North Yorkshire emerged as the top choice during Easter, along with the Lake District and coastal areas of Dorset, Devon and Wales.Travel companies say that the nature of booking is also changing. Hannah Harrison, commercial director of Coaching Inn Group, told the Financial Times that demand has increased steadily since the spring. “We’re seeing an increase in bookings and people who are booking are spending more and staying longer,” he said.Holiday park operators are also reporting an increase. The Haven said bookings at its coastal sites had increased by 10 per cent compared to last year, while Sykes Holiday Cottages had seen an 18 per cent increase in visits over Easter. Butlin said its resorts were operating at full capacity, with an increase in last-minute bookings.Industry leaders suggest that uncertainty surrounding global events is influencing decisions. Matthew Price, chief executive of Away, told the Financial Times: “People don’t want to commit to flying.” He said rising household costs are also shaping behaviour, with travelers still looking for leisure but becoming more cautious about spending.Economic data reflects this change. Barclays reported that UK consumer spending on travel fell 3.3 percent in March compared with a year earlier, the first decline since 2021. Many travelers are delaying travel or opting for more affordable domestic holidays.At the same time, the demand for international travel has weakened. Data from Trivago shows that UK travelers’ searches for Middle East destinations have fallen by 48 percent, while interest in Turkey and Cyprus has fallen by more than a third, the Financial Times reports.For UK hospitality businesses, the increase in accommodation offers provides some relief. Operators are dealing with higher costs including energy bills, wage increases and rising business rates. Ian Dunstall, director of Upham Inns, told the Financial Times that strong domestic demand could help offset these pressures. “The demand for a stronger ban would be good compensation for us,” he said.However, challenges remain. Industry projections suggest the average hospitality property faces a 15 per cent increase in business rates this year, adding further pressure to the sector.Rising fuel prices are also a matter of concern. Petrol prices have climbed to almost £1.58 a litre, the highest level since 2022, raising questions about how much consumers can continue to spend.Adam Charity, managing director of the Coaching Inn Group, warned that financial pressures on families could limit growth. “My growing concern is about the actual cash available for people to spend,” he told the Financial Times.While domestic tourism is seeing renewed momentum, the sustainability of this trend will depend on how economic conditions evolve in the coming months.

Iran’s rich uranium reserves have become the centerpiece of an increasingly complex global power competition, with the United States, China and Russia all seeking a role in determining its future, while Tehran says the material will not be handed over to anyone.What was once a technical issue within nuclear diplomacy has now become one of the most politically charged questions in international relations. For Washington, control over Iran’s uranium could mean blocking the path to any future nuclear weapons. For Moscow and Beijing, it provides influence on the shape of future Middle East agreements. For Iran, it represents sovereignty, strategic leverage, and national prestige.

The issue came back into the spotlight after US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington and Tehran were moving toward a deal under which Iran’s uranium would be recovered and eventually brought to the United States.Speaking to Reuters in a phone interview, Trump said the United States would work jointly with Iran to recover the stockpiles.Trump said, “We’re going to get through this together. We’re going to go leisurely with Iran and go down and start digging with big machinery.” “We’ll bring it back to the United States.”Trump said the material, which he described as “nuclear dust,” would be recovered “very soon.”Iran immediately rejected this suggestion.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said, “Iran’s enriched uranium will not be transferred anywhere; transferring uranium to the United States is not an option for us.”The sharp contradiction in the talks brokered by Pakistan, reportedly with the support of Egypt and Türkiye, has exposed one of the central unresolved disputes.

Why does Iran’s uranium matter so much?

Uranium in its natural form cannot be used directly in nuclear weapons. It must first be enriched, a process that increases the concentration of the uranium-235 isotope.Low-enriched uranium is commonly used for civilian nuclear reactors. Highly enriched uranium could potentially be used in nuclear weapons.Western officials estimate that Iran has substantial reserves at several enrichment levels. According to US estimates cited in international reports, Iran has about 450 kilograms enriched to 60 percent purity, about 1,000 kilograms enriched to 20 percent and about 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6 percent.The 60 percent stockpile is particularly sensitive because it is considered only a small technological step up from weapons-grade enrichment of about 90 percent.This makes Iran’s uranium stockpile one of the most heavily monitored nuclear stockpiles in the world.Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful civilian uses.

What is “nuclear dust”?

Trump’s use of the phrase “nuclear dust” is not a technical scientific term. This appears to be a political description of uranium material that they believe is buried, damaged or dispersed following earlier military attacks on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.The phrase probably refers to enriched uranium or uranium compounds stored inside damaged underground facilities, particularly near Isfahan, where parts of Iran’s nuclear program were reportedly affected during previous attacks.Experts say that uranium does not simply disappear after an attack. Depending on storage conditions, it may be recovered in containers, sealed chambers, buried debris, or damaged tunnels. That’s why Trump suggested digging with “big machinery.”In practical terms, “nuclear dust” means residual nuclear material that may still have strategic value even if the facilities around it have been destroyed.

Why does the United States want this?

For Washington, removing Iran’s uranium would be the most direct way to reduce Tehran’s ability to move rapidly toward a nuclear weapon.Trump has presented the issue as evidence that his administration can achieve a stronger arrangement than previous nuclear agreements.Trump also said Thursday that Iran had agreed to “a very, very powerful statement … that they will not have nuclear weapons.”If the uranium were transferred to the United States or neutralized under US-backed supervision, Trump could present it as a major diplomatic victory and a major security achievement.He also expressed confidence about the talks.He said, “I think the agreement will be reached very quickly. We are dealing very well with Iran.”

Why does Russia want a role?

Russia has publicly renewed its offer to host Iran’s enriched uranium under a future deal.The Kremlin said Moscow was ready to take possession of the materials, reviving an approach used in earlier diplomacy.“This proposal was put forward by President Putin in contact with both the United States and regional states. “The proposal still stands, but has not been acted upon,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.Russia previously played a key role in the 2015 nuclear deal, when Iran shipped low-enriched uranium abroad as part of compliance measures.For Moscow, taking over the stockpile would restore influence in nuclear diplomacy, expand its Middle East relevance and position Russia as an indispensable mediator between Washington and Tehran.

Why is China interested?

China has also emerged as a potential player.China is prepared to take possession of Iranian uranium or melt it to low enrichment levels suitable for civilian use if both Washington and Tehran agree, the report said, citing diplomats familiar with Beijing’s thinking.China’s interest is strategic and economic.Beijing is Iran’s largest trading partner and the largest buyer of Iranian oil. There are strong incentives to prevent further conflict in the Gulf and to stabilize energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.The Chinese role will also boost Beijing’s diplomatic standing and strengthen its image as a stable force in global crises.Trump is expected to visit Beijing for talks with the Chinese President Xi JinpingWhere Iran is expected to be on the agenda.

Why does Tehran refuse to give it up?

For Iran, the uranium issue is not just about nuclear science. It is closely related to politics, prestige and sovereignty.Iranian leaders have long portrayed enrichment capabilities as a symbol of technological progress and resistance to foreign pressure.Analysts say handing over the reserves to the United States would be politically difficult to defend domestically.“Iran’s attachment to uranium enrichment is deeply ideological,” Professor Ali Ansari told the Guardian. “It’s almost an obsession with national prestige.”Regardless of whether Tehran accepts inspections, a temporary limitation, or external monitoring, physically handing over the uranium could be viewed internally as a capitulation.This helps explain the immediate and obvious rejection of Trump’s claims.

Why would it be difficult to remove

Even if a political agreement is reached, physically removing the content can be one of the most difficult parts of any deal.Some of the uranium is believed to be stored in underground tunnels or damaged facilities near Isfahan.Military and nuclear experts have warned that any recovery mission would require excavation, safe transport, radiation precautions and international verification.One expert described the challenge clearly.“You basically have half a ton of weapons-grade uranium that you have to extract. And there are a million things that can go wrong.”This means that diplomatic success will be only the first step. Implementation may take weeks or months.

$20 billion report adds controversy

Fresh questions also emerged after Axios reported that the United States is considering releasing $20 billion of frozen Iranian assets if Tehran gives up its uranium stockpile.The report said Washington was previously prepared to release $6 billion for humanitarian purposes, while Iran had sought $27 billion.Trump strongly denied that the money was part of any arrangement.“This is a complete lie. No money is changing hands,” he said.He later posted on Truth Social: “No money is changing hands.”A White House spokesperson said the administration “will not negotiate through the press” and that the unnamed sources “don’t know what they’re talking about.”

what happens next

Negotiators are expected to continue talks in the coming days, but the uranium dispute remains a clear barometer of whether a comprehensive solution is truly possible.Washington wants a guarantee that Iran cannot move forward rapidly in the direction of making a bomb. Iran wants relief from sanctions, security assurances and recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear energy.Russia and China see an opportunity to shape the outcome.Whether Iran’s uranium is removed, diluted, stored abroad or kept under tight surveillance could determine whether diplomacy succeeds or collapses.For now, a stockpile of uranium has become the strategic prize that the United States, China and Russia all want, and an asset that Tehran has refused to surrender.

A Derbyshire farmer takes action as influencers and tourists keep filming his Highland cows/Image: BBC

A UK farmer plans to make his Highland cows “less photogenic” amid growing concerns about tourists and influencers getting too close to them. Alex Birch, a cattle farmer from Derbyshire, said the decision had been taken after repeated incidents of people approaching his animals, taking videos and even trying to hug them. Speaking to the BBC, Birch said: “My cows get no peace… I’ve seen videos, I’ve seen it in person, I’ve seen someone filming a yoga video next to them.” The 39-year-old said the situation has worsened in recent years, mainly because of social media trends. Highland cows, which graze on Baslow Edge in the Peak District, have become a popular attraction, especially since the pandemic. Birch said he has seen large groups gathering around the animals. “Once I found 30 people shining their cameras at the edge of a field with cows locked in it,” he said, adding that many people fail to understand the risks involved. “People don’t understand it when you tell them not to come near them and the cows can attack them. They don’t think it’s a problem, they can’t see the danger,” he said. To deal with this issue, Birch said he plans to breed Highland cows by crossing them with another highland breed, which he hopes will make them less attractive to visitors. “The intention is to make them less photogenic… It’s sad, it’s not the decision I wanted to make,” he said, adding that his grandfather, who introduced the cattle to the family in the 1970s, “wasn’t particularly happy about it but understands”. Birch said this problem has persisted for several years. “It’s not just a freak accident, it’s been going on for four years… people are very determined,” he said. They also raised concerns about liability and said they could face consequences if someone was injured while interacting with the animals. The Peak District National Park Authority has also warned visitors against getting too close to the cattle. It states that cuddling cows should be avoided as it is “highly dangerous”, with a risk of being crushed, charged or attacked, especially when cows have calves. Authorities have urged people to maintain a safe distance, avoid feeding animals and not take selfies with animals, stressing that they are not used to shun human contact.

Picture shared on social media

us President donald trump On Friday he called himself “The Peace President” even as he issued fresh warnings of military action against Iran if ongoing talks fail.The “Trump War Room” post shared by the Not panicans.”The post came after Trump publicly claimed credit for resolving several international conflicts. Speaking at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, he said he had “resolved eight wars”, including tensions between India and Pakistan, and suggested that number could rise to 10 with developments involving Iran and Lebanon.

Trump’s post on Truth Social

However, despite presenting himself as a peace broker, Trump struck a more hawkish tone on Iran. He warned that Washington could escalate military action if an agreement is not reached before the current ceasefire expires next week.“If we don’t get a deal, we’re going to get it in a different form – a much more unfriendly form,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. naval blockade of Iran would remain in place and military action could resume if talks fail.He said talks with Tehran would continue through the weekend, reiterating that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons is a top US priority.Trump also pointed to developments in West Asia as signs of progress, including a reported ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and claims of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.However, Iran rejected those claims. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said passage through the Strait of Hormuz would remain strictly controlled by Tehran and under its authority, adding that decisions on the waterway “will be decided on the ground, not on social media.”According to reports, a fresh round of US-Iran talks is expected to be held in Islamabad on Monday, with the delegation likely to arrive a day earlier.

UAE traffic rules every driver must know to avoid license suspension or cancellation / Image: File

The UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 14, 2024 on Traffic Regulation, enforced by the Ministry of Interior and local traffic authorities, provides clear legal rules for suspending, revoking or refusing to renew a driving license. The law focuses not only on violations, but also on driver fitness, repeat offenses and public safety risks, giving officers wide powers to take action before and after serious incidents.

UAE traffic law rules for license suspension

A key rule is that if a driver is found medically unfit or not fit to drive the type of vehicle for which he is licensed, his license can be suspended. This makes suspension not merely a punishment, but a preventive measure.The law empowers the traffic control authority, in coordination with the licensing bodies, to suspend licenses whenever necessary to ensure traffic safety and security. This means officers can intervene if a driver poses a risk on the road, even before a major crime has escalated.Additionally, serious violations such as reckless driving, drunk driving or failure to cooperate with the police may result in suspension and even arrest under legal provisions.

Rules for canceling driving license

The law goes a step further by defining situations where a license can be permanently canceled or not renewed.Cancellation may occur if a driver repeatedly violates traffic laws or is deemed consistently unsafe. In such cases, officers are not required to continue the temporary suspension, they may revoke driving privileges entirely.Courts also play a central role. In serious cases like negligent driving causing death or serious injury, judicial authorities can order fine and imprisonment as well as cancellation of license.The law further allows authorities to reject renewal applications, effectively barring a driver from returning to the road if he fails to meet safety or legal standards.

Criminal offenses under UAE law

UAE traffic law clearly differentiates administrative violations from criminal offences, where the penalties go far beyond a fine or black points. Offenses such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit-and-run incidents, or causing fatal accidents are treated as criminal cases. These can result in imprisonment, heavy fines, and license suspension or revocation, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense. For example, repeat DUI offenses can escalate from license suspension to full revocation, especially when public safety is seriously compromised. The law gives officers the power to arrest drivers on the spot in cases involving serious harm, lack of cooperation or dangerous conduct on the road.

How does the system manage drivers?

Beyond penalties, the law introduces a structured system for driver reassessment and rehabilitation.Executive regulations define how suspended drivers can be reevaluated before they can get their license back. This may include testing, training, or demonstration of improved behavior.Additionally, enforcement has become more advanced. Authorities use AI-powered cameras and nationwide surveillance systems to detect violations such as mobile phone use, unsafe driving and speeding in real time.Officials stress that the goal is not only to punish but also to prevent repeat offenses and improve long-term road safety in the UAE.

PC: Discovery of Antarctica

What makes the Antarctic continent different from all the other continents of our planet is that there are no permanent settlements or people living there. There are permanent inhabitants on all other continents, while there have been no permanent settlements on Antarctica at all times. People there come only temporarily for work, mostly to do some scientific research in those areas and then leave. Despite the annual presence of people, Antarctica is the only continent devoid of permanent human presence.

Permanent human population status of Antarctica: no towns, cities or indigenous settlements

Uniquely among continents where human civilization has developed for centuries or even millennia, there are no towns, cities or villages on Antarctica that are permanently inhabited. Nor is there any native population or any indication that there have been previous indigenous settlements on the continent.The key difference here is that people move to and from the continent; No one stays there indefinitely. In other words, while people inhabit Antarctica, it is not done in a sustainable manner. Rather, their residence on the continent is linked to the various tasks people perform there temporarily before moving back home.

Why are there no permanent residents in Antarctica?

There are research centers established by different countries where people conduct their research on the Antarctic environment. Some of the people at these stations include scientists and technicians who focus on climate change, ice movement, geology, atmospheric studies, and animal studies.The stations are not meant to serve as permanent homes as they are managed through a rotational system that depends on the season. There are a lot of people at the stations during the summer season when the weather is moderate. When winter comes, there are fewer people due to the harsh weather and long nights.Despite this, people on these stations are not permanent residents as they spend some time there before going back to their home nations.

Environmental conditions that prevent permanent residence

The lack of stable population is directly related to the harshness of the environment on the continent. Antarctica is the coldest land area on the planet, where temperatures can fall well below zero for extended periods. Wide areas of the southern part of the continent undergo complete darkness for several weeks or even months during the winter season.Strong wind currents and blizzards are common features that make survival in such conditions even more complicated. The interior regions of the continent are quite isolated, making access extremely challenging due to the lack of proper infrastructural development.Furthermore, Antarctica does not have sufficient natural resources to enable the establishment of a stable population. Agricultural activity of any kind is not viable on the continent, and all necessary supplies must be imported.

Scientific importance of Antarctica in the study of Earth’s climate history

Human activity in Antarctica exists primarily for scientific research. The continent provides a natural environment to study climate change, ice dynamics, and Earth’s past atmospheric conditions. Because it is largely untouched by urban development, it provides valuable data that cannot be easily obtained elsewhere.Research conducted in Antarctica contributes to the global understanding of rising sea levels, global warming and environmental changes. Scientists also study unique ecosystems adapted to extreme cold, including microorganisms and marine species.However, all this research is done under controlled conditions. The presence of humans is carefully controlled to ensure minimal environmental impact, and no activities are intended to establish permanent settlement.

An 80-year-old British Sikh man is running the London Marathon for the first time on April 26, inspired by Fauja Singh who initially encouraged him to take up walking.Baldev Singh Bains is running the marathon to raise funds for the Fauja Singh Club House being built in Fauja’s memory in Redbridge, on the path on which Fauja ran.Fauja, the world’s oldest marathon runner, died last July at the age of 114 after being hit by a car in his native village Beas Pind. He started running at the age of 80 and ran his first marathon at the age of 89.Baldev knew Fauja because they lived in the same area of ​​London, Redbridge, and attended the same gurudwara.Baldev said, “When Fauza improved his running, I decided that I wanted to improve my health. Fauza told me to start walking first and then running and to change my diet and think positive.”Following Fauja’s recommendation, he began walking around the perimeter of Beale High School, Redbridge.“At that time I was taking medication for diabetes and other conditions and being overweight. Now I have lost 30 kg and my doctor has now taken off almost all my medications.”Baldev hired Fauja’s coach Harmandar Singh last year to train him and is also a member of the Sikhs in the City Running Club, where Fauja trained. Harmandar, 66, is also running in the London Marathon to raise funds for the clubhouse, which will cost £1 million. It was granted planning permission on 1 April, which would have been Fauja’s 115th birthday.Baldev was born in Thana, a village in Garhshankar tehsil of Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Before moving to the UK, he studied engineering at Delhi University. Baldev said, “The way Fauja helped me, I hope it will inspire others.”

The proceeds from the sale of rare Pokémon cards are now paying for his wedding, turning a childhood collection of life-changing value/ SWNS

What started as a routine cleanout in a Dorset attic ended with a fully paid-for wedding, after a long-forgotten collection of Pokémon cards turned out to be worth much more than expected.

A routine attic find turns into something else

Teaching assistant Andrew Braund, 37, came across his childhood Pokémon card collection while cleaning out his old stuff at his parents’ house. He collected cards between the ages of eight and 15, and by his own description most of them showed normal signs of use, being “quite cute and lovely,” which is why he did not expect them to have any real value. Thinking the collection could fetch around £500, he took it to a friend who runs a trading card shop for a second opinion. That hope quickly changed. “My friend approached the last tin, looked at them and asked me to sit down,” Braund said, describing the moment he realized something was different.

Three unseen cards change everything

The value was not in the bulk of the collection, but in three Charizard cards, which were not even organized properly in his binders.“When my friend told me how much Charizard cards could cost, I was pretty upset,” Braund said. “Frankly, I almost had a panic attack,” he said daily Journal Informed. Those cards, initially valued at around $20,000, were later sent to an Ivebank auction, where the end result far exceeded initial expectations.

Among the items recovered, a mint-condition Charizard and two others funded a Dorset man’s wedding following auction success/SWNS

The three cards sold for a combined £32,800 (about $41,000), with individual sales reaching £17,000, £13,000 and £2,800. One of them, a mint-condition Skyridge Charizard Holo, set a Pokémon sales record at the auction house, selling for $21,250 despite having a low price prior to the sale. daily Journal.

Feelings and values ​​don’t always match

Braund said that the cards that had the highest value were not the ones he cared for the most as a child. “I didn’t expect them to be so valuable,” he said, adding that the valuable cards came from one of the last packs he purchased. “They have the highest monetary value, but the lowest sentimental value. The ones I used to like as a kid look worn out because they’re in my pocket all the time.” The contradiction between status and attachment, which is common in collectibles, eventually worked in his favor.

Wedding plans reshaped by unexpected windfall

The proceeds have gone straight towards his upcoming wedding to his fiancée Rachel Moseley, which is scheduled to take place in August. “I’ve been totally lucky,” Braund said. She further added that she is no longer “worried about where the money for the wedding will come from.” He was at work when the auction was taking place, receiving updates as bids came in and described the final total as “mind boggling”. The couple, who are both neurodivergent, are now also considering a honeymoon, with their plans including a quiet week in Devon.