Tehran has reimposed restrictions on ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz claiming US ‘violation’

Tehran has rapidly reversed its decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, reimposing restrictions on the vital waterway after the US indicated that the reopening would not bring an end to its blockade of Iran-linked shipping.

Tehran’s joint military command announced on Saturday that its “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state… under strict management and control of the armed forces”.

It warned that it would continue to obstruct passage through the strait for as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in place.

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The statement came the morning after President Donald Trump declared that the American blockade “will remain in full force” until Tehran reaches a deal with the US, including on its nuclear programme.

The dispute over the crucial chokepoint threatened to worsen the energy crisis already weighing on the global economy, after oil prices began to slip again on Friday amid hopes that the US and Iran were edging closer to an agreement.

About a fifth of the world’s oil passes through the strait and further limits would squeeze already constrained supply, driving prices higher again.

Control over the strait has proven to be one Iran’s main points of leverage and prompted the US to deploy forces and initiate a blockade on Iranian ports as part of an effort to force Tehran to accept a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire to end almost seven weeks of war between Israel, the US and Iran.

Iran said it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels after a 10-day truce was announced between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, but after Mr Trump announced the blockade would continue, senior Iranian officials said his announcement violated last week’s ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US and warned the strait would not stay open if the US blockade remained.

Data firm Kpler said movement through the strait remained confined to corridors requiring Iran’s approval.

US forces have sent 21 ships back to Iran since the blockade began on Monday, US Central Command said.

Despite the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, Pakistani officials say the US and Iran are still moving closer to a deal ahead of the April 22 ceasefire deadline.

Foreign minister Ishaq Dar said the ceasefire in Lebanon was a positive sign, noting that fighting between Israel and Hezbollah had been a key sticking point before talks in Islamabad ended “very close” to an agreement last weekend.

Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Antalya, the military and Mr Sharif’s office said. Pakistan is expected to host a second round of talks between Iran and the US early next week.

The ceasefire in Lebanon could clear one major obstacle to an agreement, but it is unclear to what extent Hezbollah would abide by a deal it did not play a role in negotiating and which will leave Israeli troops occupying a stretch of southern Lebanon.

Mr Trump said in another post that Israel is “prohibited” by the US from further strikes on Lebanon and that “enough is enough” in the Israel-Hezbollah war.

The State Department said the prohibition applies only to offensive attacks and not to actions taken in self-defence.

Shortly before Mr Trump’s post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel agreed to the ceasefire in Lebanon “at the request of my friend President Trump”, but added that the campaign against Hezbollah is not complete.

He claimed Israel had destroyed about 90% of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket stockpiles and that Israeli forces “have not finished” with the dismantling of the group.

In Beirut, displaced families began moving towards southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs despite warnings by officials not to return to their homes until it became clear whether the ceasefire would hold.

The Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon reported sporadic artillery shelling in some parts of southern Lebanon in the hours after the ceasefire took effect.

An end to Israel’s war with Hezbollah was a key demand of Iranian negotiators, who previously accused Israel of breaking last week’s ceasefire with strikes on Lebanon. Israel had said that deal did not cover Lebanon.

The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, more than 2,290 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Thirteen US service members have also been killed.

No arrests have been made

Police and paramedics descended after a young boy was hit by a car on a busy Oldham road. Emergency services attended Lees New Road on Friday evening (April 17).

Images showed multiple ambulances and Greater Manchester Police vehicles at the scene, before 9pm. GMP confirmed it was called out to the scene after an eight-year-old boy was hit by a vehicle.

His injuries are not thought to be serious, according to GMP. No arrests have been in connection with the incident.

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The incident came hours after emergency services had also attended a crash elsewhere in Oldham. Police and paramedics attended Oak Road, in Limeside, where a grey Renault Clio was severely damaged.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged, GMP said.

A professional chef has explained how he used to make triple-cooked chips on an “industrial scale” — and explained that one ingredient would “give them the best flavour”

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Adding a single ingredient to chips while cooking them will “give them the best flavour you could possibly get”, according to a professional chef. Will Murray, who co-runs Fallow, Roe and FOWL restaurants in London alongside fellow chef Jack Croft, recently took viewers through his method for making the “perfect” triple-cooked chips — a dish he maintains has its origins in Britain.

He revealed that he used to prepare them “a lot” during his time at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the celebrity chef’s namesake restaurant, though a “few things have changed” since those days.

Will shared his step-by-step guide on how to cook the beloved side dish in a video for the Fallow YouTube channel, explaining how he once produced them on an “industrial scale” — and revealing the one ingredient that would “give them the best flavour”.

He said: “We had to do it on an industrial scale, and a few things have changed since then. We actually found out a better potato to use than the one we used to use.

“Crucially, I’m going to use beef fat or beef dripping to give them the best flavour you could possibly get. If you wanted to do these at home: patience, a bit of fridge space, you could.”

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He stressed that you “can’t make good chips” using a potato with an excessively high starch or sugar content, noting that he was using the Agria potato. While peeling them, he highlighted that this step was essential in achieving those desirable “ruffled edges”.

Will said: “You need to allow for at least 15 per cent of the potato to come away, and you’ll pretty much lose 15 per cent of the spud. That’s going to allow for these beautiful little sort of fissures all over your potato.”

As he rinsed the slices, Will observed that the starch had begun to come away. Agria potatoes, however, contain high levels of the enzyme amylase, which he noted “contributes to crispiness”, helping them to remain fluffy on the inside while developing a crisp exterior.

He cautioned that an excess of starch can be a “bad thing”, making it essential to strike the right balance — ensuring sufficient starch for crispiness, while avoiding too much, which can cause the chips to “brown” too quickly.

Will drained the water, then rinsed the chips until it ran clear. He then added salt to a pot of simmering water before placing the chips in, advising viewers to leave enough room in the pan so they could be moved around.

After around six or seven minutes, the ruffled edges should become visible, at which point the key is to continue stirring them gently “over and over again”.

Once 18 minutes had passed, Will switched off the hob and left the chips to sit and finish cooking through, carefully turning them with a wooden spoon.

He then carefully lifted the chips out using a ladle and arranged them on a tray, acknowledging that some may begin to break apart, though he noted the smaller fragments would be the “nice, crispiest bits”.

Will popped the chips into the freezer while he readied a pan for frying, choosing vegetable oil for the cook. Regarding temperature, he stated he would fry them at 120 to 140 degrees for approximately eight minutes.

At this stage, Will showed viewers the beef fat to be used for the final fry. He mentioned that most delis and butchers stock beef fat which you can render yourself, or alternatively dripping or lard.

He then retrieved the chips from the freezer for the first fry, observing that he’d “chilled them down” until cold, though he clarified that people at home could simply use their fridge for this step.

His oil sat at around 140 degrees, emphasising the need for a “gentle heat” and warning against overcrowding the pan. Will advised checking the chips don’t stick to the pan’s bottom, while cautioning that they’re “delicate”.

Fry the chips for eight to 10 minutes before lifting them from the pan (though he acknowledged his took 12 minutes owing to the pan’s size), noting they shouldn’t have “lots of colour” at this stage.

Will returned the chips to the freezer to cool while he prepared for the subsequent fry. He then incorporated beef fat into the oil (using a one-to-four ratio of beef fat to oil) and heated it to 180 degrees.

He placed the cooled chips into the pan, remarking that the final fry would take between four and five minutes. Finally, Will removed the chips and seasoned them with fine salt, explaining it’s best done while they’re hot.

Just think about it – not having to pay for anything (after the initial payment) and everything you need all in one place, including virtually an endless supply of food and drink. Sounds like a dream.

I had only ever been on one all-inclusive holiday in my 35 years on this earth – a cruise from Australia to Fiji, and back (back in the days when I lived in Australia).

It was a fantastic experience at the time. But that was over 10 years ago, and my taste in holidays has changed since.

Now, my wife and I prefer either a cosy staycation in the UK, where we can go out on walks with our golden retriever, or visiting an overseas destination where there is plenty to see and do.

So when I was offered the chance to travel to Crete for an all-inclusive stay at Mirabello Bay Luxury Resort, I jumped at the chance to try something a little different.

3 things to consider before booking an all-inclusive holiday

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mirabello Bay (I’ll get to that in a minute), but upon our return, we had time to reflect and asked ourselves – are all-inclusive holidays really “worth it”?

We decided there were three main things to consider before booking an all-inclusive holiday:

What exactly is included in an all-inclusive package?

It is worth considering exactly what you get when booking an all-inclusive holiday.

At Mirabello Bay, food and drink were included in the package, meaning you could enjoy a drink at any of the bars on site, or a meal at any of the fantastic restaurants on site, including:

• Elia
• Kafenion (my favourite)
• Bahia Mar Grill
• Amalthea

Kafenion restaurant was my favourite. (Image: Patrick Glover)

While Amalthea was an all-you-can-eat buffet with a wide range of options, the others served up delicious Cretan dishes.

Another feature of Mirabello Bay is Spilia, a natural cave for “unique and exclusive” wine tastings.

All residents also have access to the numerous pools scattered across the site, a gym, a tennis court, a hotel-only beach, and an exclusive waterpark.

But if you are looking to do more than just lounge around with a cocktail by the beach, that is when you start to venture out of the all-inclusive package.

For example, you can take part in various water sports at Mirabello Bay, or head out for a spot of sailing, but all will cost you extra.

There are also spa treatments available on-site (in the Aegeo Spa), which again, guests have to pay for.

All-inclusive holidays are different for everyone

So this leads into my next point – what are you looking to get out of your holiday?

If you are looking to spend your time away relaxing in the sun, by a pool (or beach), eating and drinking as much as possible, then an all-inclusive holiday is perfect.

Having our own private pool with out room was one of the highlights of our stay. (Image: Patrick Glover)

They are also ideal for families, as there is always plenty for the kids to do, and you can do it all within the safety of the hotel grounds.

At Mirabello Bay there were daily shows, sports activities, a kids club, and a water park, while in the evenings, families could sit under the stars and watch a movie at the hotel’s outdoor cinema.

When it came to food, the buffet at Amalthea had something for everyone, even the fussiest of eaters.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, my wife and I like to be active when on our holidays – heading out for walks, sightseeing, and just getting as much out of our trip as possible.

For people like us, an all-inclusive holiday may not be the way to go.

Don’t get me wrong, there was still plenty to do. On-site, we were able to:

• Partake in various water sports – prices vary depending on the activity.
• Play tennis – free.
• Workout at the gym – free.
• Relax with a spa treatment – starting from €33.
• Visit the waterpark – free (for hotel guests).

I enjoyed spending time in the ocean while in Crete, whether it be swimming or in a kayak (pictured). (Image: Patrick Glover)

Off-site, we took part in various activities, including:

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Island of Spinalonga (a must-visit) – entry €20 and boat transfer to the island from €14.
• Walk into the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos – free.
• Take part in a Cretan culture experience at Spiridi Olive Oil Farm – tour €8 and cooking class €45 (adult prices per person).

Spinalonga (pictured) is a must-visit if you are visiting Crete. (Image: Patrick Glover)

While most of these activities aren’t overly expensive, if you are looking to partake in numerous adventures, it does add up.

Are all-inclusive holidays worth it?

So, are all-inclusive holidays “worth it”? I don’t think it is a simple yes or no answer.

It depends really on what you are looking to get out of your holiday and whether you are going as a couple or a family.

The current lead-in rate for a deluxe room with a bay view and an all-inclusive package at Mirabello Bay in 2026 is £511 per night (prices will vary throughout the year).

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Put simply, you have to think about whether it is worth spending £511 per person, per night to cover:

• Your three meals a day, plus any extra food you consume in between
• All you can drink
• Accommodation, with a private pool (not available with all rooms)
• Access to exclusive pools, beaches, and a waterpark
• Gym access
• And more…

It is also worth considering prices and what is available will vary between resorts, I have just used Mirabello Bay as an example.

So…will you be booking an all-inclusive holiday for your next trip? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

The disruptions are caused by engineering works between Preston and Edinburgh/Glasgow Central, affecting travel on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.

No trains will be running this weekend between the following locations:

• Preston
• Oxenholme, Lake District
• Penrith, North Lakes
• Carlisle
• Lockerbie

Northern Rail posted on X: “Major engineering work between Preston and Edinburgh / Glasgow Central from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 April.”

Travellers are advised to check their journeys on the National Rail journey planner, as services may be diverted, delayed, replaced by a bus service, or only run part for part of their normal route.

Rail replacement busses will be in operation to aid travellers on their journeys, which will be made visible in online journey planners and the National Rail website.

The National Rail website also hosts a rail replacement services page offering advice.

The engineering works started on April 11 are expected to be completed by the end of Sunday April 19.

Emelia Newman admits she is “obsessed” by the prospect of renovating her property on a budget, and recently showcased work on her hallway after lifting the room’s carpet

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A woman who removed the “horrendous” old carpet from her property during a renovation project has expressed her bewilderment at what she discovered under it. Emelia Newman, who runs her own lampshade business, took to TikTok sharing that she was “praying for wooden floorboards” as she rolled back the underlay.

Admitting she is “obsessed” with making her home “look high-end without spending a fortune”, she soon spoke of her relief in a video. “Such a satisfying moment ripping up that horrendous old carpet!” Emelia said, before asking her followers for advice: “But also, help – what do I do now? Sand it? Varnish it? Leave it?”

Indeed, her short clip concluded with her uncovering just what she’d wished for in her hallway in the form of flooring that oozed potential.

In a follow-up video, meanwhile, Emelia showcased the completed project. “So what do you think of the finished hallway?” she questioned.

“I’m so chuffed I did it all myself and honestly it really does make me smile every time I open the front door! The power of pattern and colour.”

Opting to keep the wooden floorboards exactly as she’d found them, Emelia complemented them with a new patterned wallpaper whilst adding a series of framed pictures – using pages from magazines – to the walls of the room.

She also installed a feature shelf above the radiator, placing a lamp and plant on it to add to the relaxed vibe.

“Love the wallpaper and love that you used it over the thermostat to cover it!” one TikTok user penned in response. “Very tricky.”

To which Emelia confessed: “Thank you! Yes it was tricky haha, but I would have annoyed me so much if I hadn’t done something about it.”

Opening up about her project, she explained: “I’m not an interior designer. I’m just obsessed with interior design.

“I genuinely love spending my free time trawling through thousands of lampshades, curtains, bedside tables… you name it… to find the ones that look expensive, but don’t actually cost that much.”

Emelia added that she hopes to share her finds with “two types of people” – those who want beautiful homes without spending large amounts of money decorating, and those who don’t have the time to carry out their own research on affordable alternatives.

“It’s all about truly loving the things going in your home and trying not to be swayed by what’s trendy,” she elaborated.

England fans will have to pay over £100 to get to one of their World Cup group games by train with prices hugely inflated ahead of this summer’s competition.

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host seven games this summer, including England’s group match against Panama and the final on 19 July.

Fans are already paying record-high match tickets to attend games this summer. And anyone attending travelling to the stadium in East Rutherford from New York City’s Penn Station with have to pay €150 (£111) for a round-trip ticket which takes just 15 minutes.

It is a staggering price increase brought in specifically for this summer’s competition, nearly 12 times the usual $12.90 fare for a return trip.

40,000 football fans are expected to use mass transit for each of the games at the venue. Alternative methods for getting to the MetLife Stadium are also pricey with limited car parking spaces at the site costing £225 (£166).

NJ Transit officially confirmed the pricing on Friday.

England face Panama in their final group match on 27 June at the Stadium with Brazil, France and Germany also in action there.

New Jersey Governor, Mikie Sherril defended the price hike, insisting locals would ‘not be stuck with the tab’ for the first World Cup across the Atlantic since 1994.

”Fifa should pay for the rides,’ Sherril said. ‘But if they don’t – I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”

Sherrill’s comments did not sit well with Fifa who claimed transport issues were discussed well in advance of the World Cup.

‘Ever since the host city agreements were signed in 2018, Fifa has worked in collaboration with the Host Committees and their partners to develop a transportation plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transit options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium,’ World Cup chief event operations officer Heimo Schirigi said in a statement first reported by Front Office Sports.

‘The goal is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and ensure the fan experience is positive and memorable defined by the action on the pitch, not delays on the road.

‘The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.’

MORE: Coronation Street and Emmerdale facing long-term schedule chaos

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There are a range of activities on offer from wakeboarding to yoga

An aqua park situated in “idyllic and lush English countryside”, is set to reopen on Saturday, May 2 – just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Southlake Waterpark in Little Paxton, near St Neots, not only has an aqua park, but also paddle boarding, open water swimming, a boat driving hub, and yoga by the lakes.

The venue is set within three freshwater lakes, and offers free parking on-site along with changing facilities, showers, and toilets. The aqua park features a large inflatable course with two big slides, and if you’re looking for that extra thrill, it has a large ramp to jump off into the water.

If you fancy something with a bit more adrenaline, then they offer lessons in waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, wake-skating, and Ringo rides. Lessons are led by coaches and anyone at any skill level can have a go. Ringo rides are a good option for groups, as up to five people can ride at the same time.

For a more chilled activity, there is paddleboarding. While more experienced paddleboarder will be able to make their way gracefully around the lake, it may involve a bit more concentration and balance for a beginner. It’s a great way to have a laugh with friends and family all in the serene setting of the lake. Open water swimming is also available if you want to ditch the board.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, then there are yoga classes right on the edge of the lake. In the spring and summer, classes take place outside in a beautifully decorated marquee, with the addition of heating and blankets during the colder months. Classes should leave you feeling chilled out and relaxed. For that added bit of excitement while still staying dry, you could learn to drive a boat at the boat driving hub.

The aqua park, which is large enough to host up to 100 people per session, is available for children aged six and up. Users will need to be a minimum of 120cm tall and have the ability to swim 25m unaided.

The park will be operating 11am to 6pm everyday and costs £17 per 50-minute session, per participant. A second consecutive session on the same day costs £8.50. It costs £15 to rent a paddle board for a 50-minute session or alternatively, visitors can bring their own paddle board, kayak, or canoe to use on-site for £7 per person, per session.

From competitive swimmers or those who simply enjoy a wild swim, Southlake Waterpark offers open water swimming sessions running from April 18 until October 31, 2026 for £5 per swim.

Reviews have described the venue as a “really fun and interactive experience” with a “great lake to swim in”. One review said: “Fantastic inflatables – best and biggest we’ve experienced. My 9 year old son and I had the time of our lives.

“Loads to enjoy for all ages (adults included!). Friendly staff and atmosphere, clean and tidy changing rooms with free lockers to store belongings. We’ll definitely be back again!”

Another review said: “Excellent afternoon. I haven’t laughed so much for ages and the kids really enjoyed it too. Glad that we all decided to have a go. I would have been really envious watching even though I struggled to get on the inflatables.”

Matt Fitzpatrick ended day two of the RBC Heritage with a one-shot lead after carding an eight-under-par 63.

The Englishman made eight birdies, including sinking a 36-foot putt on hole 15, in a bogey-free second round at Hilton Head.

“Yeah, it was lucky, there’s no two ways about it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sometimes you need that in a week, so it’s nice to get, and then even nicer to take advantage of it.”

Fitzpatrick – the 2022 US Open champion – began Friday in a six-way tie for third following an opening round of 65.

“I wouldn’t say I striped it today, but at least I kind of kept the ball in front of me, and that’s what you’re trying to do on this golf course,” Hovland said.

The 31-year-old tops the leaderboard on 14 under par at the halfway stage, with Norway’s Viktor Hovland one stroke behind after retaining second spot with a second-round score of 65.

Overnight leader Ludvig Aberg dropped to joint fourth position following three bogeys on the back nine.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre ended the day six shots behind Fitzpatrick after posting a 68, while world number one Scottie Scheffler carded a 67 and is seven shots off the pace.

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Siobhian Brown, SNP candidate for Ayr, said: “As per our manifesto commitment, we recognise women face abuse in their everyday lives and need increased protection against this – that’s why we will bring forward a Misogyny Bill to legislate to ensure harassment and abuse based on misogyny is outlawed in Scotland.”