Inside the high-risk operation at an Antarctic research base
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) conducted a high-risk, 20-hour operation in freezing temperatures and complete darkness.
The challenging mission involved landing on an ice runway in -24 Celsius conditions, requiring exceptional skill from the aircrew.
The evacuees were transported from the Antarctic base to Christchurch, New Zealand, on Wednesday morning.
US Chargé d'Affaires Melissa Sweeney praised the RNZAF for the 'flawless' execution of the mission in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments.
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Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
The new £35million UK attraction to be ‘Europe-first' with sky swings, luge tracks and ziplines
The attraction hopes to bring in huge numbers of tourists each year SKY HIGH The new £35million UK attraction to be 'Europe-first' with sky swings, luge tracks and ziplines Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORK is already underway on a new £35million UK attraction which will be complete with a gondola, zipline, luge tracks and even sky swings. Planning permission has been secured for the ambitious new project which is set to be a "Europe-first". Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Work has begun on a new £35million UK attraction Credit: skylineswansea 7 The development will include a gondola, zipline, mountain biking trails and lots more Credit: skylineswansea 7 The project is being lead by Skyline Enterprises Credit: skylineswansea 7 The gondola will take visitors to Kilvey hill New £35million attraction to come to UK Swansea Council has recently aided the development of a major new leisure attraction by selling off land, as the initial groundwork is already underway, reports North Wales Live. With the hopes of attracting an estimated 450,000-plus visitors per year, the new project includes a gondola lift spanning the River Tawe to Kilvey Hill. As well as this, upon arrival at Kilvey Hill, thrill-seekers can enjoy a sky swing, zipline and luge tracks. Visitors can also expect a hilltop restaurant, mountain biking trails, picnic spots, walking paths, a children's play area, and an array of new green spaces. The new venture also has the financial backing of the Welsh Government and Swansea Council, who will contribute an approximate total of £12million. Headed by Skyline Enterprises, the tourism company previously revealed that its board had approved a budget of £35million for the project. This will mark the company's first European development. Council approves land sale and pledges support Swansea Council's cabinet approved the land sale and pledged its financial support in a private meeting last month. A council spokesperson confirmed: "Everything that's needed for the scheme is now in place, apart from one area of land that we're in continuing negotiations with Natural Resources Wales about. "The council's financial commitment to support the scheme remains unchanged, subject to the conclusion of financial negotiations. Our investment is expected to be repaid in full as part of an agreement with Skyline." Inside multi-million pound upgrade for popular Scots tourist attraction New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises has revealed that work is already underway as it plans to start relocating reptiles. This relocation work was approved as part of the planning application. A Skyline Enterprises spokesperson said: "The reptile relocation work is being managed by a team of qualified ecologists who review areas of work before any activity starts each day, ensuring work follows all regulations. "A strict protocol is to be followed if an issue is found to ensure the best possible outcome. "This work has been approved as part of the planning conditions, and no licence is required." Not everyone is in favour of the project Plans for this new project were first revealed in 2017, with public consultation events taking place in 2023. The application was approved in March this year by the council's planning committee, however, so far, has been met with around 560 letters of objection. Objectors have raised concerns over increased traffic, the visual impact of the project, a potential impact on private water supplies, and fears over what would happen if the scheme didn't deliver on its expectations. However, the committee report said the cumulative benefits of the proposal would outweigh "significant harm" arising from landscape and visual impacts. Planning agent John Hurley explained that beyond the development attracting a substantial number of visitors, it will also create jobs, and improve access to the hill. He also added that the development will result in a net biodiversity gain due to replacement tree planting and woodland management. Speaking in 2023, Wales' deputy minister for arts and sports, Dawn Bowden, said the proposed attraction was a "unique inward investment opportunity" for the Welsh Government and "significant in the further development of Swansea as a vibrant city destination." 7 The site is at Kilvey Hill, Swansea Credit: skylineswansea 7 Initial plans were announced in 2017 Credit: skylineswansea
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Luxury cruise liner FAILS public health inspection - with red flags over kitchen cleanliness and pool safety
A luxury cruise liner that wooed long-term guests with 'unlimited residency stays' has hit rocky waters after failing a major health inspection - with drinking water deemed inadequate, swimming pool safety compromised and grease-soiled cooking equipment on board. Global cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey, operated by Villa Vie Residences, fared poorly in the first inspection since it launched earlier this year as a liner where passengers could reside permanently - for roughly the same price as a three-bedroom home in the UK. Taking place on July 9th, the US Public Health inspection found serious issues with the quality of drinking water on board, as well as problems with the vessel's swimming pool. reports that the inspection, carried out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), saw the liner, where an 'Endless Horizons' residency package starts from £263,536 for a solo occupant, and £451,588 if you want to travel as a couple, score 81 out of 100, five marks below the 'pass rate' of 86. Potable water on board Villa Vie Odyssey, which docks at different ports for more than five days at a time to allow residents to fully explore exotic locations, was deemed sub-standard. Chlorine levels taken from samples on three days in early June were found to be below minimum requirements - 2.0 parts per million, and tests later in the month found similar results, with one reading as low as 0.1 parts per million. The results - and no action taken to remedy the ongoing issue - puts the Villa Vie Odyssey at higher risk of waterborne illness amongst passengers, inspectors said, with documentation on how suitable the ship's water tank coating was for potable water also missing. The ship offers various tiers to those wanting to live aboard and travel the world, with food, drink and free wi-fi included. A premium package, called Our Suites, starts at £940,828 for someone travelling by themselves, and £1.3 million for a double. However, those considering splashing out a million on a residency are likely to be alarmed by the inspectors summary of the Villa Vie Odyssey's swimming pools too. The CDC found that drain covers had been painted over and there was insufficient signage when it came to safety information, including depth. Hot tub-style whirlpools were out of service on board and one pool was found to be draining directly overboard. And in the kitchen, there wasn't much better news, with inspectors slamming the liner over temperatures dairy products including milk, cream and desserts were kept at. Other issues included cooking equipment not being cleaned properly - with a waffle iron used by guests deemed to be soiled with grease. Some of the dishwashers on board were also found to have malfunctioning nozzles. Villa Vie Residences launched the liner's residency packages earlier this year, with the promise of allowing those who live on board to travel to more than 400 destinations in 147 countries. One couple who'd signed up told the Daily Mail they plan to spend the next 15 years living on the all-around-the world cruise as they escape soaring bills at home. Lanette and Johan Canen, both 55, have been on the cruise for 10 months, and said it was a 'no brainer' for them to live out their retirement on the never- ending Villa Vie Odyssey ship. Residency packages include food, drinks and areas of the ship's kitchen, including grease-soiled equipment, were red flags for health inspectors The pair had already been living in Hawaii for ten years and 'thought we'd die happy there' - but after they went on a cruise holiday they came across the Odyssey and were 'hooked'. Johan told the Daily Mail: 'We had a rented cars business which we sold to be able to afford our cabin. 'People think we're ultra rich for being able to do this, but it's cheaper than our rent and living costs in Hawaii. This is for normal people.' The couple said the ship appealed because it saw them downsize and shrug off material responsibilities. 'We don't have an exit strategy, we're both 55, we don't need things anymore. We just want adventures and experiences. We went from owning 31 cars to none,' Johan said. 'It feels so good to have no responsibilities - we have our laundry done and get our sheets changed twice a week. 'The service is outstanding, we feel like royalty - they even bow to us. There's no regrets whatsoever, I love this lifestyle,' Lanette added. If you're sharing a room, it's just £1,403 a month per person - what the average person might expect to pay on rent and bills in London - but without the luxury of hand to foot service while travelling all around the world. 'With rent going up all over the world, this is going to be the new way of living,' Lanette said.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Holiday Inn owner sees profits rise despite pressure from global uncertainty
Holiday Inn owner InterContinental Hotels Group has revealed a slowdown in global room revenue as economic uncertainty due to tariffs and geopolitical tensions takes its toll. The London-listed group reported that revenue per available room (revpar) – a key measure for the hotel industry – pulled back sharply to 0.3% in the second quarter from 3.3% in the previous three months. The US, which is its largest market, slipped into reverse, with revpar down 0.9% in the second quarter, reflecting the impact on 'business and leisure travel in light of macroeconomic developments', according to the group. In the UK, where InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has around 355 UK hotels, revpar fell 0.8% over the first half as a whole. But the overall half-year out-turn for global room revenue was better than expected, at 1.8%, helping shares rise nearly 7% in morning trading on Thursday. IHG – which also owns chains such as Crowne Plaza and Regent – reported a 13% rise in operating profits to 604 million US dollars (£452 million) for the six months to June 30. Pre-tax profits jumped to 633 million dollars (£474 million) from 472 million dollars (£353 million) a year ago. Elie Maalouf, chief executive of IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: 'While some shorter term macroeconomic uncertainties remain, many are subsiding, and we are confident in the ongoing successful delivery of our growth.' The group cheered passing the milestone for one million rooms, having opened a record number of hotels in the first half, and said it continues to expand, with a pipeline of more than 2,200 hotels. 'Whilst in some countries geopolitical risk and the economic outlook present shorter-term challenges and uncertainties, overall conditions for the global industry remain positive for continued long-term growth, supported by stable employment markets and robust levels of business activity and economic growth,' the group said. Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies Traynor, said: 'InterContinental Hotels has published another steady set of results that suggest the business remains on track, even as signs of softening demand emerge in more mature markets like the US. 'The slight dip in US revpar reflects broader economic uncertainty, heightened geopolitical tensions and more cautious consumer spending, but growth across other regions has helped soften the blow and maintain overall momentum.'
