I've been to 100 countries around the world and these are the ones that are REALLY worth going to (and those you should definitely avoid at all costs)
Why? Because after a lifetime of travel writing, this is the 100th country I have visited. And it is… Luxembourg. That dinky little nation, lost, like loose foreign change, between the sofa cushions of France, Belgium and Germany.
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The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Birmingham Airport flights grounded until 8pm after emergency landing
Flights at Birmingham Airport will remain grounded until at least 8pm after a small aircraft made an emergency landing. Three people from the aircraft were treated at the scene with one suffering minor injuries from the incident, which occurred at around 1.40pm on Wednesday, West Midlands Police said. Other emergency services including police, fire and ambulance all attended the scene at the airport's runway. Footage and images shared on social media appeared to show a small white plane lying flat on the airport tarmac. The aircraft, which is understood to be a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, currently remains on the runway. The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said it had started an investigation into the incident, with 'a multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and recorded data' deployed to the airport. A Beechcraft B200 Super King Air was also involved in a plane crash at London Southend Airport in July, which killed four people on board. Some 25 departure flights listed on the Birmingham Airport's website to destinations across Europe, including one to Amsterdam originally scheduled for 8.50pm, had been cancelled on Wednesday evening. Passengers have been told to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport, with both check-in and security also temporarily shut. Birmingham Airport first shared that its runway was temporarily closed following the incident at around 2.40pm. In an update posted on X, the airport said: 'Following an aircraft incident that occurred this afternoon, operations are expected to remain suspended until at least 8pm. 'Passengers at the airport are advised to speak to their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said disruption at the airport was 'minimal' but she understood 'how frustrating' the situation was for passengers. Gunnar Lauridsen, a 76-year-old from Denmark who had been on holiday playing golf, said he would most likely miss his connecting flight because of the closed runway. He said: 'We are ultimately going to Billund in Denmark. This delay probably means we can't get our connection. So that means that we will be staying probably in Amsterdam overnight. 'I should have been to the doctor's tomorrow morning. When you travel, things happen.' Camile Monteleone, a visual merchandiser, was meant to fly home to Barcelona after working in the UK for three days, but did not know if her flight from the airport had been cancelled. The 30-year-old said: 'I don't have any news. I'm like 'what is going on'. It does not say anything on the Ryanair app about the flight. 'I'm just waiting for information. I have to let people know I'm here, stuck at the airport. I cannot do anything else.' Haley, who did not give her surname, said she was told by airline Tui to check in for her flight to Majorca as normal but has since been told she cannot go inside the airport. The 42-year-old said: 'It's taken the shine off a bit. It's not too bad at the minute. We're trying to stay positive. 'Tui told us to check in as normal, but we've got here and been told we can't go inside the building. We've just been told they're moving people to the NEC.' West Midlands Police said in a post on X: 'We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm.' 'Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. 'The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out.' West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement: 'We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. 'Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart) paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene. 'Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene.' Woodgate Aviation said one of its Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft was involved in the incident. The company said in a statement: 'The turbo-prop aircraft was on a flight to Belfast International Airport when it developed landing gear problems. The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main under-carriage collapsed on touch down. 'Two crew members and a passenger were on board but were uninjured. 'The aircraft remains on the runway and Woodgate Aviation will be co-operating fully with Air Accident investigators and airport services. 'We would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues and the emergency services at the airport for their prompt action.' Consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) offered stranded passengers a free pint if they showed their boarding pass at the Great British Beer Festival, which was taking place in the nearby National Exhibition Centre.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Amy Jackson displays her incredible figure in a skimpy black bikini as she canoodles with shirtless Ed Westwick during family holiday in Capri
Amy Jackson took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to share a glimpse into her sun-soaked family getaway to Capri, Italy. The British model and actress, 33, is currently enjoying a luxurious break with her husband Ed Westwick, 38, their children, and extended family. In one sizzling snap, the mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational as she relaxed on a sunlounger in a tiny black bikini, soaking up the rays. In another sweet photo, Amy cosied up to her shirtless husband while donning a vibrant multicoloured swirl-print bikini top and matching hat. Keeping the stylish looks coming, Amy slipped into a chic black chiffon pleated co-ord featuring a flowy top and maxi skirt as she posed for an aesthetic shot. The actress also gave fans a peek inside their luxury villa, including a heartwarming snap of Ed and her son Andreas, five, spending quality time together in the pool. She captioned the sweet moment: 'My boys' alongside a heart emoji. Later in the day, Amy cut an effortlessly elegant figure in a butter-yellow scoop-neck top paired with a white midi skirt as she got ready for a special evening out. She also shared a snap of a lavish seaside dinner set-up, giving her followers a glimpse into the evening. She captioned the post: 'It's almost a year since we said 'I do' on the Amalfi and tonight is all about reminiscing with our amazing wedding planner @costanza_giaconi and best concierge service in town @ Amy also posted a rare photo with her glamorous mother during the sunset dinner, sweetly writing: 'I love you Mamma!' Amy and Ed have been together since 2021 after they were introduced by a mutual friend at an Aston Martin event in the UK, and tied the knot in August last year. The couple became husband and wife after saying 'I do' in a stunning ceremony in Italy, surrounded by their family and friends. For her big day, Amy wore a sweeping white satin gown with a flattering strapless neckline and full princess-style skirt, teamed with a long veil with intricate lace detailing. Later in the day, Amy cut an effortlessly elegant figure in a butter-yellow scoop-neck top paired with a white midi skirt as she got ready for a special evening out While Ed cut a dashing figure in a cream blazer and black trousers, teamed with a white button-up shirt and a bow tie. The actor took to his Instagram to announce they had tied the knot and shared glimpses into their nuptials at the Castello di Rocca Cilento. Captioning the gorgeous snaps, Ed gushed: 'The journey has just begun' followed by a ring emoji. Ed first met Amy at Silverstone racetrack in 2021, with a source telling The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away. 'Both like to have fun and are career-driven. They're enjoying getting to know each other for now.' The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion. She wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Baby - forever grateful for the endless belly laughs and ultimate love!' The couple now share a son named Oscar Alexander Westwick, who was born in March 2025. Amy is also a proud mother to son Andreas, whom she shares with her former partner, hotelier George Panayiotou.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Terminally-ill woman plans solo round-the-world sailing voyage
A terminally-ill woman is planning on competing in a solo round-the-world sailing voyage. Jazz Turner, 27, lives with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a debilitating genetic condition that affects connective tissue. She wants to take part in next year's Royal Western Yacht Club of England's WorldStar challenge, which would make her the first female, disabled sailor to complete such a feat. Ms Turner, from Seaford, East Sussex, was diagnosed with the illness, which causes fainting and seizures, when she was 18. Due to complications, doctors have told her that her condition is now terminal. 'As my condition has progressed, the one thing I made sure of was that I never stopped sailing,' she said. Next year's challenge follows her recent circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland, known as Project Fear, but she now needs to secure the right boat and sponsorship to carry her around the globe. 'I've always been drawn to challenges that push me to my edge,' she said. 'Project Fear was born off the back of the announcement of the WorldStar 2026. I face many a 'no' in my life, I do my best to turn them into 'yes'. 'The right partnership could turn this vision into reality. 'Whether it's a boat owner willing to lend their yacht or sponsors eager to back a remarkable human and sporting story, I'm inviting them to join me on this journey.' The WorldStar 2026 leaves Plymouth in September next year and tests sailors to circle the globe without outside assistance or stops. Adrian Gray, commodore of the Royal Western Yacht Club, said: 'Jazz is the epitome of why we created this Corinthian-style race. 'This is a race for sailors, run by sailors and the only one of its style in the UK. 'When we initially reached out to Jazz and she told us her 'Project Fear' campaign, a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland, was started following our announcement of the WorldStar, we knew we wanted to help Jazz fulfil her life's dream.'
