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Huge humpback whale surfaces next to Scots couple in small sea loch

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Daily Record

Ingrid Tomlinson and her husband Sean were astonished when the beast from the deep breached the surface in the tidal inlet.

A Scots couple were left in shock after a humpback whale surfaced next to them in a small sea loch. Ingrid Tomlinson and her husband Sean were astonished when the huge animal breached the surface in the tidal inlet.

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The nature-loving duo had paddled out into the water in their kayak when the whale popped up to say hello. The breathtaking encounter took place in Loch Ainort on the Isle of Skye.

It’s understood the whale had been feeding in the 1km-wide loch for two weeks in January and had since returned. Ingrid, 58, spent a few days watching from the shoreline with her 59-year-old partner.

On February 1, the pair from the Northwest Highlands decided to get up close and personal with the magnificent animal. The amazing images show the whale crashing out of the sea and spraying water in the air.

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The huge humpback was surrounded by a flock of seagulls, who rested on the animal. “The whale surfaced right next to us on a number of occasions, which was an amazing experience,” Ingrid, who is a tree planter, told NeedToKnow.

“We had been seeing reports and photos on Facebook of a juvenile humpback whale in Loch Ainort on the Isle of Skye. It had been feeding in there for over a fortnight in January.

“It’s unusual for a humpback whale to come so close to shore, especially for such a long time. Loch Ainort is a small sea loch, only 1 km wide and the whale was easily visible from the road, so there has been quite a lot of excitement about it and lots of people have been visiting the loch.

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“We spent four days last week watching the whale surfacing and occasionally breaching, often followed by gulls, white-tailed eagles and dolphins. Last Sunday, the sea was calm ` my husband Sean and I decided to paddle out into the middle of the loch and hang out there all day.”

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Florida family holidays: spaceships, surfing and treetop adventures

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Florida family holidays: spaceships, surfing and treetop adventures

At a glance: Why Florida is the ultimate family holiday destination



What: Spaceships, surfing, manatee sightings and treetop adventure trails. Absolutely no one can moan they’re bored in the Sunshine State

Where: Central Florida for natural springs and nature reserves, Cape Canaveral for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and Gulf and Atlantic beaches across the state for watersports

Don’t miss: Everglades National Park, the largest tropical wilderness in the United States. Exploring via airboat is guaranteed family fun

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The highlight: Siesta Beach, with its white quartz sand and dazzling blue sea. No filter needed

See real spacecraft, admire majestic manatees and unwind on sugar-white beaches. Florida offers a family holiday packed with sunshine, discovery and moments you’ll talk about long after you’re home. Fly with British Airways and arrive ready and raring to make the most of every sunny Florida day.

Best beaches for kids in Florida

Clearwater Beach on the west coast of Florida draws visitors all the year round

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Visit Florida

While the grown-ups are keen to hit the sunbeds with a good book, Florida’s spectacular beaches offer plenty for family members who prefer to stay active.

With its gentle waves, Cocoa Beach on the Atlantic coast is perfect for beginner surfers. You’ll find a great choice of surf schools here, and nearby Ron Jon Surf Shop (known to be the world’s biggest surf shop) will have everything a budding young boarder could need.

For little ones getting used to the water, Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, an eight-mile-long Gulf island off the coast of Sarasota, is ideal for paddling. The sand here is 99 per cent quartz, which means it’s not only brilliant white but never gets too hot, as the mirror-like quartz reflects most of the sun’s rays. Soft, sensitive feet won’t have any problem padding about.

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Forest trails, caves and canopy experiences

There’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had away from the coast, where pine, oak and cypress trees shape a greener landscape. Tucked among them are treetop adventure courses and woodland trails.

At Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park , children and adults can navigate guided canopy circuits, while at Zip the Canyons, those age 10 and up can take part in supervised canopy experiences set among lakes and woodland.

Prefer to stay closer to the ground? Florida Caverns State Park offers guided cave tours through impressive limestone chambers. Beyond that, there are organised quad biking routes, gentle river kayaking and solar-powered cycling.

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Where to see incredible wildlife in Florida

Manatees

Go manatee-spotting from November to March

Carol Grant/Visit Florida

If you’re a family of wildlife lovers, Florida offers rich opportunities for spotting native species in their natural habitats. A 1.5-million-acre expanse of natural wetland, Everglades National Park teems with alligators and wading birds, and is home to the elusive Florida panther.

In summertime, Florida’s natural springs are a must-visit for swimming and kayaking, but in winter months many provide warm refuge for hundreds of manatees. From November to March, aggregations of West Indian manatees from the Gulf relocate to the springs’ naturally heated waters, as the ocean becomes too cold for them. Activities in the water are closed to the public at this time, but you can admire the enormous marine mammals socialising with one another from a distance.

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Kennedy Space Center and other Florida attractions

Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is an out-of-this-world experience for all ages

Visit Florida

Florida’s world-renowned theme parks are, of course, a huge draw for families. But beyond the big hitters, there are other attractions to add to your Florida to-do list.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a captivating place, where you can meet astronauts, wander around real-life spaceships and experience landing on the moon (via a VR headset, we must add). What’s more, a short drive from the visitor complex, The Wizard of Oz Museum (which is moving to Cocoa Beach, a 30-minute drive away, in May) immersive experience takes you on a family trip to Emerald City. Further afield, the mind-bending Museum of Illusions at ICON Park in Orlando will provide plenty of fun photo opportunities for teens.

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For a stay in the heart of Orlando’s action (and only an hour’s drive from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex), book a family suite at Drury Plaza Hotel or Caribe Royale.

Booking with British Airways



  • British Airways offers an extensive network of direct flights to Florida, serving Orlando, Miami and Tampa, making it easy to reach the Sunshine State from the UK
  • When booking with British Airways Holidays you can secure your holiday with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments*
  • All holiday packages include a generous checked baggage allowance
  • Access to a dedicated 24/7 support helpline during your trip
  • ATOL protection from the moment you book a holiday package, giving you financial reassurance
  • Members of The British Airways Club benefit from collecting Avios, earning tier points and using Avios towards the cost of holiday packages
  • Upgrade to Club World (Business Class) for a host of additional benefits including lounge access, **increased checked baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding and spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed
  • See ba.com/holidays for full details and conditions

*Full balance due seven weeks before departure

**Subject to availability. T&Cs apply

Book your Florida holiday here

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Malton Museum opened for 2026 this Saturday, April 4

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Malton Museum opened for 2026 this Saturday, April 4

The museum will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am to 3.30pm until early November.

Volunteers have worked over the winter to create the new exhibitions which showcase more of the museum’s collection.

In the western room the theme is Roman Myth and Mysticism where the visitor will discover superstitions from long ago and learn about the role of magic in Roman Delgovicia.

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In the eastern room, visitors will learn about the influence of Monks, Merchants and Medicine, and the effect these had on Old Maltune, as it was then known, and St Mary’s Priory.

Here visitors can learn about the Gilbertine monks and meet the merchants who bought wealth and prosperity to the town.

The museum’s displays team have recreated the interior of a Victorian Pharmacy so come and see some of the wondrous potions that were available to treat all manner of ailments. The Museum has worked closely with volunteers from the Malton & Norton Heritage Centre to display some of the medical items from their Woodhams-Stone Collection.

The entrance fee for the 2026 season is £5 per adult but children are free.

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Outside the museum, there are town tours and summer lectures to whet your appetite and of course not forgetting Malton Roman Festival V on Sunday, July 19 where discounted early bird tickets are available for that event.

More details are available from www.Maltonmuseum.co.uk

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Bianca Jagger hits out at plan for new 24/7 gambling arcade in Earl’s Court

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Bianca Jagger hits out at plan for new 24/7 gambling arcade in Earl's Court

Linda Wade, Kensington and Chelsea Councillor for Earl’s Court, has also made a representation against the application, proposing that the shop should not run as a 24/7 venue. She said if the licence is granted, Silvertime should be required to close at 11.30pm, from Sunday to Thursday, and at 12am, on Friday and Saturday.

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The 14 best tumble dryers, according to experts

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The 14 best tumble dryers, according to experts

Our inclement weather makes drying clothes on a line all year round nigh-on impossible, so the Great British public has two choices: a cheap-to-run heated clothes airer, or a convenient but energy-intensive tumble dryer. Or so you might think. In fact, the best tumble dryers these days are decidedly low-energy, costing around 60p per load but the tricky part is weighing up how much to spend up front.

Tumble dryers at the affordable end are less energy efficient, so could cost you more in the long-run. Heat pump tumble dryers are more expensive, but don’t require as much electricity to generate heat, making them more energy-efficient and cheaper in the long run.

We’ve broken down the differences between heat pump, vented and condenser tumble dryers below and asked experts for recommendations of specific tumble dryers. Where possible, we’ve got hands-on experience with the tumble dryers in question and answered your tumble dryer FAQs.

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The best tumble dryers: At a glance


How to choose a tumble dryer

The best tumble dryers have multiple programme settings – for example for cottons, synthetics or delicates – helping you keep your clothes in the best nick for longer. Delay starts mean you can have your cycle begin at the best time for you, LED warnings will tell you when you need to empty a water container or replace a filter and programming lights help you keep track of drying.

At the time of testing, machines are given ratings from A+++ to D, with A+++ indicating the utmost energy efficiency. Newer appliances tend to be more energy-efficient, but it depends on how long a cycle takes and how often you use your machine as well.

Large capacity drum sizes are more energy-efficient because they’ll dry clothes in less time. Most range from 7kg to 9kg. You might also want reversible doors to change the direction in which your door opens to better suit your location. Finally, child locks prevent children messing around with the machine.


How we test tumble dryers

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Russia expels British diplomat from Moscow over spying claims

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Russia expels British diplomat from Moscow over spying claims

A British diplomat ⁠has been ordered to leave Russia after being accused of spying by Moscow.

The ⁠FSB, the main successor to the ⁠Soviet-era KGB, said that the ​second ⁠secretary at ‌the UK’s Moscow embassy had been ordered to leave within ‌two weeks after ‌counter-intelligence officers revealed the “undeclared intelligence presence”.

Claims made against the unnamed diplomat are “malicious” and “baseless”, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.

The FSB said that ⁠it had found signs that the diplomat was “carrying out intelligence and subversive activities that threaten the security of the Russian ‌Federation,” Russian media reported.

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In particular, ​the FSB said, ‌the diplomat ⁠had tried to obtain ⁠sensitive information about the Russian ‌economy ​during informal meetings.

They also claimed that he had “provided false information about himself”.

A French navy boat surrounds the GRINCH oil tanker, intercepted by France in the Alboran Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to Russia's shadow fleet
A French navy boat surrounds the GRINCH oil tanker, intercepted by France in the Alboran Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet (REUTERS)

In January this year, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign ministry said it would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” after a different UK diplomat was expelled.

It comes days after Sir Keir Starmer announced British commandos will be able to board and halt Russia’s shadow fleet vessels as they pass through UK waters.

The prime minister said the UK would join northern European allies in intercepting the tankers, in an attempt to “go after” the sanction-breaking ships “even harder”.

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Moscow’s shadow fleet is reported to be made up of more than a thousand ageing tankers.

They illicitly ship oil and other goods out of Russia by flying the flags of other countries, with the aim of evading sanctions imposed by the West since the invasion of Ukraine began.

On Thursday afternoon, a crude oil tanker flying under the Russian flag was located on the Marine Traffic monitoring website off the Sussex coast. The vessel, named Liteyny Prospect, is on the UK sanctions list.

Russia has expelled a British diplomat (Steve Parsons/PA)
Russia has expelled a British diplomat (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

A Government spokesman said: “We will not comment on specific operational planning or give a running commentary as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships, only benefitting our adversaries.

“In general terms, any target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military and energy market specialists before an operation is executed.”

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British forces have already been involved in tracking shadow fleet vessels for several years, and have supported operations by other countries to seize the ships.

In January, the UK assisted in the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera by the US.

Previously known as the Bella-1, the Russian-flagged vessel was captured by American forces aided by RAF aircraft and the British supply ship RFA Tideforce in the Atlantic.

Later that same month, Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Dagger helped the French seize another sanctioned ship, the Grinch, in the western Mediterranean, shadowing the vessel through the Strait of Gibraltar.

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Two hurt in Derby car incident released from hospital

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Two hurt in Derby car incident released from hospital

“There will be real upset and trauma for many people who witnessed what happened on the night as well, of course, as those victims who were directly impacted, but we understand that there were no fatalities and that two people have already been discharged from hospital and more we hope, soon.”

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Paintings ‘worth millions’ stolen from museum in Italy | World News

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Still Life With Cherries by Paul Cezanne

Three famous paintings worth millions have been stolen from a museum in northern Italy.

The works by French artists Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse and Paul Cezanne were taken in an operation lasting less than three minutes, police said.

The thieves targeted the Magnani-Rocca Foundation villa, south of the city of Parma, on the night of 22 March.

According to sources close to the investigation, the stolen masterpieces were Renoir’s Les Poissons, Cezanne’s Still Life With Cherries and Matisse’s Odalisque On The Terrace.

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The value of the three is worth “tens of millions euros”, an investigator said.

However, Italian public broadcaster Rai reported the stolen works were worth €9m (£7.8m).

There has been no official confirmation on the combined value of the paintings.

The paintings were on the first floor of what is called the Villa of Masterpieces in the Sala dei Francesi – the Room of the French.

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The thieves, wearing balaclavas, gained entry by forcing open a door and were described as an “organised group”.

Image:
The work by Pierre-Auguste Renoir stolen in the heist

They were disturbed by the museum’s alarm system and escaped before they could take more paintings, “which was their intention”.

Investigators are assessing museum security footage.

Read more from Sky News:
Why Iran war is set to push up UK food prices
Free public transport introduced in Australian states

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The Magnani-Rocca Foundation is a private museum which lies in the heart of the countryside 12 miles from Parma.

Established in 1977, the foundation hosts the collection of the art historian Luigi Magnani and also includes works by Durer, Rubens, Van Dyck, Goya and Monet.

It comes after a series of high-profile heists at major European museums, including last October when thieves stole jewels and other items worth £76m from the Louvre in Paris.

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Fabulous Easter gifts that aren’t chocolate eggs

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Fabulous Easter gifts that aren't chocolate eggs

Chocolate eggs are practically obligatory at Easter but there are other presents to give during the season to your friends, family or host, you know — traditional essentials to eat and spring-like treats to give .

Apostle Simnel Cake, by Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum and Mason

Now this is the essential English Easter cake: a light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan in the middle and on top, with 11 marzipan balls for the apostles minus the traitor Judas. This one has a nice moist crumb, with cherries as well as fruit and well-flavoured marzipan and looks lovely. £27.95. fortnumandmason.com

Italian Easter cake

Supplied

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The Columba (Lina Stores, £15.95) is similar to panettone but in the shape of a dove for peace (actually, if you didn’t know, you’d be hard pressed to identify a bird) with candied peel and a crunchy sugar and almond glaze. This excellent version from the Fiasconaro family in Sicily is light and flavoursome with vanilla and honey. linastores.co.uk

Spiced Easter Biscuits

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Betty’s of Harrogate do very good, very traditional Easter biscuits, buttery, crumbly, with spices and currants (£7.75). The box, with its jolly pictures, is lovely. This is what you want with your Easter Sunday tea. bettys.co.uk

The perfect centrepiece

Edenmoor

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Lamb Wellington, Fortnum & Mason

Lamb Wellington

Lamb Wellington – easy and delicious

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A toothsome dessert: Raspberry Tropezienne

There’s always room for this

Birley

Easter Cheese Board, Paxton and Whitfield

A cheese feast for your Easter Sunday tea

Paxton and Whitfield

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Affordable champagne: Aldi’s Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut

One for the Cost of Living crisis

Aldi

The perfect breakfast…just put on the pan

Tommy Banks

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17 weird and wonderful Easter eggs to delight this year, from Lovehoney to Hotel Chocolat

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17 weird and wonderful Easter eggs to delight this year, from Lovehoney to Hotel Chocolat

You might have to call in for some reinforcements to tackle Hotel Chocolat’s 1kg monster, but what you give away in decadent sweetness, you’ll reap back in brownie points from friends and family.

This egg is the same size as an ostrich egg, which is the largest egg laid in the world. The extra-thick shell is split in two, with one half made with 40 per cent milk chocolate and studded with cookie bits before being draped in white chocolate. The other half is crafted with 50 per cent milk chocolate, packed with pieces of pecan, praline and cookies.

If that sounds like a meal in itself, loosen your belt buckle, because Hotel Chocolat is far from finished. Inside, you’ll find a selection of the company’s patisserie-inspired chocolates.

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In short, utterly, unapologetically outrageous.

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Man wanted for indecent exposure at bus stop on A64

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Man wanted for indecent exposure at bus stop on A64

The incident happened at a bus stop on the A64, at Tout Hill, near Whitwell-on-the-Hill, at around 12pm on Thursday (March 12).

The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s, approximately 5ft 10 inches tall, of stocky build, with a bald head and grey stubble.

He was wearing a short-sleeved, white T-shirt with a grey print design and blue jeans at the time.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We’re particularly appealing for any witnesses to the incident.

“Please email olivia.harrison@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.

“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for PC 444, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

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“Please quote reference 12260044587 when passing on information.”

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