Connect with us
DAPA Banner
DAPA Coin
DAPA
COIN PAYMENT ASSET
PRIVACY · BLOCKDAG · HOMOMORPHIC ENCRYPTION · RUST
ElGamal Encrypted MINE DAPA
🚫 GENESIS SOLD OUT
DAPAPAY COMING

NewsBeat

10 natural spectacles in the US that you must see at least once

Published

on

10 natural spectacles in the US that you must see at least once

With so many natural spectacles packed into the U.S., planning sightseeing trips can be a conundrum — the choice is bewildering.

With this in mind, we’ve assembled a list of 10 must-visit-at-least-once landscapes that should be inked into your bucket list. These are places that have mesmerized tourists, stolen scenes in Hollywood movies and adorned millions of postcards — wild America at its most theatrical.

Our round-up includes a canyon in Arizona so vast that storms sometimes form inside it, a geothermal wonderland in Wyoming containing half the world’s geysers, a waterfall in New York that will leave you awe-struck (even if it does seem familiar) and a valley in California that’s home to some of the world’s most famous cliff faces.

Alaska claims two entries, thanks to an epic glacier and an extremely lofty mountain, while Oregon makes the cut thanks to a lake that’s surreally beautiful.

Advertisement

In Hawaii, there’s the coastline that wowed Steven Spielberg and a bizarre monolithic rock that caught his attention in Wyoming.

In New Mexico is a jaw-dropping desert that looks like it’s covered in snow.

1. Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and so deep it has its own weather systems
The Grand Canyon is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and so deep it has its own weather systems (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

While there’s a postcard familiarity about the Grand Canyon, nothing beats experiencing the humbling majesty of the chasm in real life.

Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years (with rocks as old as two billion years old), the gorge, an uncontested entry on the seven natural wonders of the world list, has an immensity that’s almost difficult to comprehend.

Advertisement

A mile deep and up to 18 miles wide, and stretching for 277 miles, it’s one of Earth’s most jaw-dropping landscapes, and so huge that storms sometimes form within it.

The South Rim offers one of the best ways to experience the Grand Canyon. It’s open year-round and is where you’ll find viewpoints such as Mather Point or Yavapai Observation Station. The canyon is also a popular day trip from Las Vegas by helicopter.

Great place to stay: El Tovar Hotel (rooms from $270) is set directly on the canyon rim and is imbued with historic charm. It was built in 1905 as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa.

Read more: A sober guide to Napa Valley

Advertisement

2. Yellowstone’s geothermal drama — Wyoming/Montana/Idaho

Old Faithful, which shoots hot water around 180 feet into the air, is one of around 500-700 geysers in Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful, which shoots hot water around 180 feet into the air, is one of around 500-700 geysers in Yellowstone National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Thanks to a vast supervolcano lurking beneath the surface and heating the groundwater, Yellowstone National Park — which spans Wyoming, Montana and Idaho — is a geothermal adventure land, with around 10,000 hydrothermal features making it seem as if the land itself is breathing.

The 3,472-square-mile park features brightly colored hot springs, mud pots, travertine terraces and between 500 and 700 geysers (roughly half of the world’s total).

The most famous of these is Old Faithful in Wyoming, which blasts water up to 180 feet in the air around 20 times a day.

One of the best ways to view the park’s theatrics is to walk the boardwalks around Wyoming’s Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and around 150 other geysers.

Advertisement

Great place to stay: Old Faithful Inn (rooms from $205, open May to October) oozes rustic simplicity — there’s no wifi or air conditioning, for example. But on the plus side, you’re within walking distance of the world’s most famous geyser.

Read more: How to have an authentic Yellowstone experience in Montana

3. Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls is a sight and sound you’ll never forget. Pictured is the epic Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the U.S./Canadia border. Goat Island, on the U.S. side, can be seen on the far left
Niagara Falls is a sight and sound you’ll never forget. Pictured is the epic Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the U.S./Canadia border. Goat Island, on the U.S. side, can be seen on the far left (Getty Images)

Around one million bathtubs of water pour over the edge of Niagara Falls every minute during peak flow. It’s a sight — and a thundering sound — that you’ll never forget.

Niagara comprises three waterfalls — the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which are both in the U.S., and the vast Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the U.S./Canadian border.

Advertisement

The best way to experience the spectacle from the U.S. side is from the close-up viewpoints on Goat Island, which sits with the American and Bridal falls on one side, and the Horseshoe Falls on the other.

For perhaps the most awe-inspiring encounter, board the Maid of the Mist electric boat tour, which will take you right into the mist of the falls.

Great place to stay: The Giacomo is set in a restored Art Deco tower just minutes by foot from Niagara Falls State Park and the bridge to Goat Island.

Read more: 22 free things to do and see in New York City, from beaches to secret gardens

Advertisement

4. Yosemite Valley, California

This Yosemite Valley image was taken from Tunnel View, with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the distance (center) and Bridalveil Fall on the right
This Yosemite Valley image was taken from Tunnel View, with El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the distance (center) and Bridalveil Fall on the right (Getty Images)

Few would argue that Yosemite Valley delivers some of the USA’s most iconic scenery.

Within this seven-mile-long glacial valley, which sits within Yosemite National Park, monolithic El Capitan (3,000 feet) and Half Dome (4,700 feet) rise dramatically from the valley floor, and Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, cascades 2,425 feet down a vast cliff face into Yosemite Creek.

One of the most breathtaking places to drink in the valley’s majesty is Tunnel View, just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41.

It’s a vista made famous by the work of legendary photographer Ansel Adams, from where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.

Advertisement

Great place to stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge (rooms from $350) is in the heart of the valley, close to Yosemite Falls.

Read more: Inside LA’s Koreatown: Where tradition meets a new generation of creativity

5. Denali, Alaska

Denali, as seen from Reflection Pond in Denali National Park
Denali, as seen from Reflection Pond in Denali National Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) is North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet — but also one of the world’s great vertical ascents: from base to summit, the Alaskan behemoth measures 18,000 feet.

It’s a sight to behold, though famously elusive, with clouds often cloaking the summit.

Advertisement

The mighty mountain sits around 90 miles from the entrance to Denali National Park and Preserve, which is near the small town of Denali Park on the eastern edge.

As private cars are banned beyond the 15-mile mark, better views of Denali are offered by Denali National Park bus tours, which venture further in and feature a trained naturalist who both drives and provides narration.

Great place to stay: Grande Denali Lodge (rooms from $280) is about 1.5 miles from the park entrance and offers sweeping mountain views.

Read more: Anchorage, Alaska city guide: What to do and where to stay in America’s last frontier

Advertisement

6. Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. — and has some of the clearest water in the world
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. — and has some of the clearest water in the world (Getty Images)

Behold America’s deepest, and most surreal, lake.

Crater Lake fills the caldera of a mammoth volcano that collapsed 7,700 years ago, and plunges to a depth of 1,943 feet. And the dazzling water is among the clearest on Earth. With no rivers in or out, it’s topped up only by rain and snow.

Adding to the otherworldly vibe is Wizard Island, a lone volcanic cinder cone at the west end that rises to 755 feet.

You’ll get the best photographs from the 33-mile road that loops the caldera, but taking to the water on a boat tour is also a must.

Advertisement

Great place to stay: Crater Lake Lodge (rooms from $280) is perched dramatically on the rim of the caldera, with showstopping views as standard.

Read more: A Euro trip without leaving America: Seven US towns that look exactly like places in Europe

7. Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii

The Na Pali Coast — so dramatic it was used as a filming location in Jurassic Park
The Na Pali Coast — so dramatic it was used as a filming location in Jurassic Park (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It’s no exaggeration to say that this landscape is truly cinematic — after all, it has the stamp of approval from Steven Spielberg.

The director used the serrated emerald cliffs of the Na Pali Coast as a stand-in for “Isla Nublar” in Jurassic Park.

Advertisement

In the movie, we see a helicopter carrying Dr. John Hammond and guests flying towards the shoreline’s seemingly razor-sharp ridges — this part of the coastline is so steep that road-building is completely thwarted. A fact that’s helped to preserve its lush, primeval look.

A helicopter tour is the gold-standard way to see the cliffs, but you’ll also get a great view from the water. Ground-level views are available via the Kalalau Trail.

Great place to stay: Hanalei Colony Resort (rooms from $350) is set by the beach, just minutes from the Na Pali Coast.

Read more: Nine of the US’s most epic beaches revealed, from flour-soft sand in Florida to castaway havens in California

Advertisement

8. Devils Tower, Wyoming

Devils Tower gives one section of rural Wyoming a startling look
Devils Tower gives one section of rural Wyoming a startling look (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Devils Tower is one of America’s most startling natural sights, an 867 foot-high rock monolith in a rural area near the Black Hills of Wyoming that will stop you in your tracks.

The formation, created around 50 million years ago when molten rock erupted from below and cooled into distinctive hexagonal columns, has long attracted tourists — it became America’s first national monument in 1906. However, most will know it from Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where it was used to striking effect as the point on Earth where aliens want to make contact with the human race.

For eye-popping up-close views, there’s a 1.3-mile trail that loops the base. Want to see what the view from the top is like? There are around 200 routes — but you’ll need to be an expert climber.

Great place to stay: Devils Tower Lodge (rooms from $200 per night) is just a few minutes from the monument’s base.

Advertisement

Read more: I drove in the US for the first time – here’s what shocked me on the 4,000-mile trip

9. Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska

Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is not just breathtaking, but easily accessible
Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is not just breathtaking, but easily accessible (Getty Images)

Mendenhall Glacier is vast — around 27 billion tons of ice stretching 13 miles from the mountainous Juneau Icefield to a lake dotted with icebergs. And it’s on the tourist trail, remarkable for being so easily accessible.

While many glacier visits require plane, helicopter or boat trips, followed by adventurous climbing, Mendenhall is an easy 12-mile drive from nearby Juneau city. Once there, tame trails lead to viewpoints with breathtaking vistas. You can even take to the water — guided kayak tours offer the chance to paddle among the icebergs.

There’s also the bonus of Nugget Falls, which plunges into the lake from a height of 377 feet, and the chance to spot wildlife, including black bears and eagles.

Advertisement

Incorporate the Visitor Center into your visit to learn about the glacier’s dramatic retreat since the 18th century.

Great place to stay: Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection (rooms from $220) is a 15-minute drive from the glacier.

Read more: Five bucket-list train journeys that showcase America’s most breathtaking scenery

10. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Advertisement
White Sands National Park is 275 square miles of ‘snowy’ sand
White Sands National Park is 275 square miles of ‘snowy’ sand (Getty Images)

Snow in the desert? At White Sands National Park, you’d be forgiven for thinking so.

The park, which sits within the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert, is 275 square miles of brilliant white powdery gypsum sand, and looks for all the world like an Arctic landscape.

However, in the summer you can expect highs of 100F. Remarkably, because gypsum doesn’t absorb heat very efficiently, it’s possible to walk barefoot across the dunes even in strong sunshine.

The Dunes Drive loop, which begins just beyond the main park entrance off U.S. Route 70, between Las Cruces and Alamogordo, is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the spectacle, especially at sunset. It’s a paved route, and there are several parking areas from which you can step directly onto the snowy grains.

Great place to stay: Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces (rooms from $180) is around one-hour’s drive southwest of the park.

Advertisement

Read more: The ultimate guide to driving the American quintessential road trip: Route 66

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

NewsBeat

Hantavirus: How scared should I be?

Published

on

Hantavirus: How scared should I be?

As news of an outbreak of hantavirus aboard a cruise ship continues to make headlines, many travellers may feel nervous ahead of their holidays.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday there had been six confirmed hantavirus cases linked to MV Hondius. It added that a worldwide total of eight cases, including three deaths, had been reported – with one previous suspected case being reclassified after testing negative for hantavirus.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Trespasser killed after ‘being sucked into plane engine’ on runway | News World

Published

on

Trespasser killed after 'being sucked into plane engine' on runway | News World

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

A trespasser died after he was sucked into a plane’s engine as it prepared to take off, airport authorities said.

Advertisement

The unidentified person reportedly jumped the fence at Denver International Airport in Colorado and was hit and killed by the Frontier Airlines plane within two minutes.

The collision, which happened as Flight 4345 prepared to depart for Los Angeles International Airport, sparked an engine fire and forced passengers to evacuate the plane.

As the incident unfolded, the plane’s pilot told the airport’s control tower ‘we’re stopping on the runway’ because they had ‘just hit somebody’ which had caused ‘an engine fire’, according to the site ATC.com.

The pilot then explained that there were 224 passengers and seven crew aboard the plane and that the individual was ‘walking across the runway’ when they were hit.

Advertisement

In response, the air traffic controller said the airport is ‘rolling the trucks now’ before the pilot explained that smoke had entered the aircraft and they are going to ‘evacuate on the runway’.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Advertisement

Part of this evacuation was caught on mobile phone footage and showed people getting their bags, some of whom are wearing masks, as they prepare to exit the plane.

Later shots showed numerous passengers outside the plane while others descended from the plane down inflatable slides.

Footage from inside the plane shows people trying to get out (Picture: CNN)

Children can be seen in the background as a member of staff tells the passengers that they ‘need to all move away from the aircraft’.

In a statement released afterwards, Frontier Airlines said the collision only involved one person and the takeoff was aborted after smoke was reported in the cabin.

Advertisement

It remains unclear if the smoke was linked to the collision.

‘We are investigating this incident and gathering more information in coordination with the airport and other safety authorities,’ the statement added.

After being safely evacuated from the plane via slides, passengers were bused to the terminal.

An airport spokesperson said 12 passengers suffered minor injuries and five were taken to hospital.

Advertisement

One passenger, Jacob Anthens, posted video on his Facebook page showing people sliding down inflatable slides with their backpacks. He also posted photos of what looked like a damaged engine.

‘As we were lifting off the engine of the plane exploded. There was so much smoke we couldn’t even see 1 ft in front of us,’ Jacob said as he recorded the footage.

DIDN"T USE: 'Felt like an explosion:' Terrifying footage shows Frontier crash passengers flee smoke-filled cabin PICTURED: MOMENT BEFORE FRONTIER AIRLINES FLIGHT 4345 HITS INDIVIDUAL ON RUNWAY AT DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Grab, permission from vid for 2 grabs CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/us/video/passenger-on-frontier-flight-that-killed-a-person-at-denver-digvid-vrtc-hnk
A figure is seen as the plane prepares to take off (Picture: CNN)

He explained that spent over an hour on the runway without ‘transport or help with the cold’.

Other video shows passengers calmly walking down the aisle of the plane and using the slide to evacuate. They were told to step away from the plane.

The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation and temporarily closed runway 17L, where the incident took place.

Advertisement

It reopened at around 11am yesterday.

The incident came a day after a Delta Air Lines employee was killed while on the job at the Orlando International Airport.

In a statement, the airline said the employee was killed on Thursday night without providing further details.

‘We are focused on extending our full support to family and taking care of our Orlando team during this difficult time,’ the airline said.

Advertisement

‘We are working with local authorities as a full investigation gets underway to determine what occurred.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Daily horoscope May 11, 2026: Predictions for your star sign

Published

on

Daily horoscope May 11, 2026: Predictions for your star sign
Here’s what the stars have in store for your day (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

The Sun in Taurus aligns with Jupiter in Cancer, giving an uplifting sense to the day ahead. Use this opportunity to take healthy risks.

Virgo, Leo and Cancer, new experiences call your name. Take a leap of faith and say yes to adventure.

Luck is on your side today, so don’t be afraid to rock the boat. Enjoy your good fortune that awaits, as it will come naturally.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday May 11, 2026.

Advertisement

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

The Sun in Taurus aligns with upbeat Jupiter in Cancer, creating a lovely uplifting aspect that is perfect for enjoying your garden, growing a business, or seeing the other seeds you have planted start to blossom. It can seem that things are finally coming together, and a slice of good fortune could help push things along. It is also a wonderful day for a homely get-together.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Today’s celestial guidance for Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Things can flow so well today. You can feel positive and more confident that people are attuned to exciting ideas and plans. Even if you sometimes run on the cautious side, you are likely to feel cheerfully hopeful about your prospects. Conversations also flow well, especially around friendships and group situations. This can be one of the most uplifting days of May.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Today’s planetary forecast for Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Sometimes the things we harvest are less obvious, and today could be one of them. Someone’s quiet word of encouragement, noticing that we are dealing with some of life’s challenges more successfully, or making some inner connections which give us a greater sense of our personal value. All of this is possible today and can quietly cheer you.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

How the stars aligned for Gemini today

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Every twelve years or so and for twelve months, the planet of serendipity, Jupiter, returns to your sign and feels more than content in your celestial residency, where it can truly sparkle. This visit, since last June, though, has seen him face challenges, but today, his link to the Sun in the earthy Taurus can give you a genuine sense of hope of better things to come.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Celestial energies for Cancer today

Leo

July 24 to August 23

You can find yourself taking the lead in a situation today when your experience and practical knowledge can be of great assistance. So can your humanity, Leo, which can help you tune into a person’s needs wordlessly by quickly realising that their current situation may be due to a lack of support or understanding. Your caring words of encouragement can truly resonate.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Your daily zodiac insight for Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

You may find yourself in the mood for an adventure, and whether you are able to link up with a friend or group of people and make something happen right away, or you book something for the future to look forward to, it can prove exhilarating to envision something outside the daily grind. Good for you if so, Virgo, as you are so often very conscientious and hard working.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Think of the main goals you have in life, Libra, and then put every effort into pursuing them today. Whether it is making a phone call to someone influential, writing a proposal, applying for a job, spending time refining your internet presence, or shuffling your resources to extract more financial value, your dynamism can be amazing, and so can your charm.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Your daily stellar guidance for Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

We all love pleasant exchanges, even short, informal ones, that help the world go round. And today you could have a discussion with someone who could prove really inspirational. It may be their ideas and encouragement that spark you, but just as easily it could be you who makes a real difference in someone else’s situation, by cheering them on.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Star alignments for Scorpio today

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Your guide planet is Jupiter, which is very much about exuberance and expansion. And generally, the trends are very strong for you over the next two months regarding your long-term finances or business hopes. What you can bring to the situation today, however, is also a great eye for detail, which can be a truly winning mix and a fortunate one too.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Today’s astral messages for Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

If you are meeting up with a friend today, or maybe even going on a date, it could be a very bubbly affair. With the planet of fortune, Jupiter, in your sector of relating, and the radiant Sun in the most happy-go-lucky part of your situation, and collaborating beautifully with one another, the celestial mood music could not be more perfect. Seize the moment, Capricorn.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Your zodiac forecast for Capricorn today

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Was there not a song written about Mondays? You know the one. Well, today, returning to workday routines can prove challenging, but these can be lightened by some cosmic levitation, as the Sun and Jupiter forge one of their most enlivening connections of the whole astral calendar. Sure, there may be basic strands to attend to, but the chances are you can do so with gusto.

Advertisement

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Daily cosmic update for Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

The Moon in your sign can heighten your perceptions and help you effortlessly tune into situations. This can also help you to empathetically connect to others. And with your traditional ruler Jupiter brightened by a fabulous connection to the warmth of the Sun, you just seem to ease through all you need to, but without expending too much raw energy.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your cosmic energy update for Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of May here.

Advertisement

Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!

As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Our journalists work hard to deliver the most important stories from around the world
Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Remains of US soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco recovered

Published

on

Remains of US soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco recovered

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — The remains of a U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco a week ago were recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the army said Sunday. Military teams were still searching for a second missing soldier.

The remains were those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer who was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco while off duty. He was 27 years old.

The two were reported missing May 2 after participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise held in Morocco.

“A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.

Advertisement

The two went missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain characterized by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, according to the Moroccan military.

Their disappearance triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. The operation deployed frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones.

Search efforts will continue for the missing second soldier, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly on the issue.

The official said a U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the war games ended Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations.

Advertisement

Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the army said. His decorations include the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.

African Lion 26, is a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.

In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Bolton drivers urged to respond to road safety consultation

Published

on

Bolton drivers urged to respond to road safety consultation

The Department for Transport review, which ends at 11:59pm on Sunday 11 May, is seeking public views on sweeping changes to road safety law, the most significant overhaul of motoring penalties in decades.

Proposals under consideration include lowering the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, introducing penalty points for failing to wear a seatbelt, and strengthening penalties for uninsured, unlicensed and hit-and-run drivers.

Ministers are also consulting on immediate licence suspensions for suspected drink and drug drivers, expanded police powers to seize vehicles, and the potential use of alcohol interlock devices as part of rehabilitation programmes.

The consultation comes as road safety remains a growing political and public concern, both nationally and across Bolton.

Advertisement

In Bolton, official figures underline the scale of the issue.

Data from the DVLA and Department for Transport shows the borough has the second-highest number of penalty points in Greater Manchester, with more than 58,000 recorded as of September 2024.

Twenty-three drivers in Bolton received penalty points during GMP’s two-hour road safety operation targeting seatbelt and phone offencesBolton driver receiving penalty points (Image: GMP)

Collision data further highlights the trend.

In 2023, more than 100 road traffic incidents in Bolton were linked to motoring offences, a significant rise on the previous year and more than double the figure recorded in Stockport.

Advertisement

Recent fatal and serious collisions have added to concerns, including a multi-fatality crash on Wigan Road in January, a double pedestrian fatality in Smithills in December, and a fatal incident on the M61 in April.

Emergency services on the sceneThe scene of the Wigan Road crash (Image: Phil Taylor)

Across Greater Manchester, provisional figures show road deaths increased to 51 in 2024, while the number of people killed or seriously injured also rose sharply.

Nationally, more than 1,600 people died on roads in England and Wales in 2024, with little overall improvement in casualty figures in the most recent data.

The Government says the consultation is intended to ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of offences and act as an effective deterrent, particularly in relation to dangerous and illegal driving.

Advertisement

Officers stopped over 50 vehicles this morningPolice stopping cars for no insurance, MOT or tax (Image: GMP)

Further proposals include increasing penalties for failing to stop after a collision, extending prosecution time limits in the most serious cases, and raising fines for driving without insurance, tax or a valid MOT.

Responses can be submitted via the Government’s website or by email before the deadline.

A summary of feedback is expected within three months, with potential legislative changes to follow.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Third Scottish Labour MP calls for Keir Starmer to quit

Published

on

Daily Record

Irene Campbell said a leadership contest should take place.

A third Scottish Labour MP has urged Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister after their Holyrood election drubbing.

Advertisement

Irene Campbell called for an “orderly transition of leadership” amid claims former deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are planning to challenge Starmer.

The PM is making a crunch statement tomorrow.

In a tweet, the North Ayrshire and Arran MP wrote: “Knocking on doors over recent weeks and months, voters were very angry with Labour citing many mistakes and U-turns especially the Winter Fuel Payment decision. It didn’t matter that it was a Scottish election and addressing the failures of the SNP.

“It didn’t matter that it was a Scottish election and addressing the failures of the SNP, voters were telling us that we weren’t offering anything new, radical or different… I will listen to what the Prime Minister has to say tomorrow.

Advertisement

“My view is that we must fully consider what happened, why it happened and what we do to address this. I believe that the solution is likely to be a full and democratic contest to allow an orderly transition of leadership and for this to be achieved by the end of the year.”

It comes after fellow Scottish Labour MPs Euan Stainbank and Brian Leishman also called for Starmer to go.

Candidates have told the Record Starmer’s mistakes in office gifted the SNP a fifth term on Friday.

This is a breaking news story – we’ll bring you updates, pictures and video as it happens.

Advertisement

For the latest news and breaking news visit: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/

Here you can get your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online.

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

You can also check out our social media channels for live updates.

Advertisement

Follow us on Twitter @Record_Politics for the latest news.

Or you can catch all the action by following our team: @paulhutcheon and @dennynews.

We’re on Facebook where you can join our Record Politics group for all our stories.

We also have a weekly politics podcast, Planet Holyrood, which you can listen to Spotify or Apple music, or watch on the Daily Record YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for the best bits of the podcast.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Irish passengers evacuated from hantavirus cruise ship MV Hondius and flown home

Published

on

Belfast Live

The MV Hondius, at the centre of the hantavirus outbreak, docked in Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Sunday

A military aircraft has been dispatched to repatriate two Irish nationals stranded aboard a virus-stricken cruise ship, the republic’s Department of Health has confirmed.

The MV Hondius, at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak, docked in Tenerife in the Canary Islands on Sunday morning. Later that day, an Air Corps aircraft departed from Baldonell Aerodrome, a military air base in west Co Dublin, bound for the island.

The aircraft has been deployed to conduct “an aeromedical evacuation” of the two Irish citizens, who are reported to have been adhering to isolation protocols aboard the vessel and are said to be in “good health”.

Advertisement

Subject to their medical condition, the pair are due to return to Ireland on Sunday aboard the Air Corps aircraft, accompanied by Health Service Executive (HSE) medical personnel.

Upon arrival back in Ireland, they will be transferred to an HSE facility where they will be closely monitored throughout their quarantine period, in line with international health guidelines, reports the Irish Mirror.

On Saturday, a Department of Health spokesperson stated: “If they become symptomatic, they will be assessed and treated as appropriate.”

Advertisement

In an official statement, the department added: “The return of passengers and crew from MV Hondius has been carefully planned and guided by public health authorities to ensure safety for everyone – these measures protect communities while respecting the dignity and wellbeing of those returning home.”

Spanish authorities have confirmed that the health of all passengers is currently being assessed and that the disembarkation process is “proceeding well”.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Arsenal: Gunners are champions in waiting but doing it the hard way

Published

on

Martin Odegaard celebrates Arsenal's win.

This season hasn’t always been easy on the eye, but Arsenal are now on the brink of their first Premier League title in 22 years.

The Gunners were made to sweat yet again in their dramatic 1-0 win over relegation-threatened West Ham, with Leandro Trossard’s score and a disallowed West Ham goal the difference for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The vital victory stretched Arsenal‘s lead to five points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and put league silverware in touching distance after three successive second-placed finishes.

Some will say Arteta’s side have got here the hard way, while others will argue victories secured when a team does just enough to get over the line is the mark of champions.

Advertisement

The 1-0 win over West Ham was the seventh time this season Arsenal have won by that scoreline in the Premier League.

It wraps up what has been a crucial week for the club, with title rivals Manchester City dropping points in midweek.

Before the win over Fulham last weekend, Arsenal had won just two of their previous eight games in all competitions and suffered back-to-back defeats in the league for the first time during those matches, too.

But now after three successive wins without conceding a goal, one of which secured their place in the Champions League final, Arsenal are on the cusp of history.

Advertisement

“What a moment, what an afternoon, what a week it’s been for us,” Arteta said.

“So full of emotions, I cannot praise enough the attitude, the desire, the courage and the quality of the team shown throughout this week, because there was so much at stake and today we knew against a team that is fighting for their life, a club with an incredible history, how tough it was going to be.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE: El Clasico result, latest updates and reaction as Barca clinch LaLiga title

Published

on

Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE: El Clasico result, latest updates and reaction as Barca clinch LaLiga title

Confident Barcelona had several more chances to make their margin of victory more emphatic, but found returning Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in impressive form. They will need to win all of their remaining matches to equal the LaLiga record of 100 points, while a win over Real Betis next weekend would see them go through a whole league season with a 100 per cent winning home record at the Camp Nou. It was a bittersweet moment for head coach Flick, who was in the dugout following the death of his father, which was announced just hours ahead of kick-off.

Source link

Continue Reading

NewsBeat

Strictly Come Dancing new hosts: Emma Willis ‘set to accept’ role with Zoe Ball

Published

on

Daily Record

Emma Willis is reportedly set to accept the Strictly Come Dancing hosting role, with Zoe Ball also tipped to join her as they replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the BBC show.

Emma Willis is reportedly being lined up for the Strictly Come Dancing presenting position alongside another well-known personality.

Considerable conjecture has surrounded who might succeed Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the BBC ballroom programme after they decided to depart from the show last year, reports the Mirror..

The BBC is understood to have auditioned numerous celebrities, and it has now been claimed that the broadcaster is poised to offer the position to Emma Willis, with Zoe Ball also tipped to assume the second presenting slot.

Advertisement

A source said: “Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her. Emma is a household name and a safe pair of hands so the BBC know she will do the job justice.

“She’s incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job. Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by.”

Zoe Ball is also expected to be invited to appear alongside Emma, replacing Tess and Claudia. The duo allegedly underwent a chemistry test together, as did other combinations including Alex Jones and Rylan Clark and Bradley Walsh and Rob Rinder.

Advertisement

“Emma is seen as the Tess of the duo. Her background in live – and occasionally tense – broadcasting situations means she can handle anything that is thrown at her,” a source told The Sun. “Zoe and her really clicked and it’s looking likely that Zoe will take on the role Claudia held in the auditorium with the celebs and the pro’s. The BBC are excited about how their new look Strictly is coming together and think the public will agree.”

The Mirror has approached BBC representatives for comment.

Both Emma and Zoe are prominent figures at the BBC, each presenting their own radio programmes with the corporation. Emma fronts her own Saturday afternoon programme on BBC Radio 2.

She’d previously expressed her affection for the BBC dancing programme. In 2021, when questioned about participating in the show, she said: “If I had time, I would do it in a heartbeat. Like I absolutely love it.”

Back in September, Tess and Claudia revealed they were stepping down from the programme following the conclusion of that series.

They stated: “We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time.

“We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show,” adding: “They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025