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UPI
a day ago
- General
- UPI
On This Day, July 29: Italian King Umberto I assassinated
July 29 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1588, off the coast of Gravelines, France, Spain's "Invincible Armada" was defeated by an English naval force under the command of Charles Howard and Francis Drake. In 1794, the first African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mother Bethel, was dedicated in Philadelphia. The church was founded by Black members of St. George's Methodist Church who left the congregation due to racial segregation at the church. In 1848, at the height of the potato famine in Ireland, an abortive nationalist revolt against English rule was crushed by government police in Tipperary. In 1900, Italian King Umberto I was shot to death by Gaetano Bresci, an Italian-born anarchist who resided in the United States before returning to his homeland to kill the king. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration -- NASA. In 1967, a fire aboard the USS Forrestal killed 134 U.S. service members and injured another 161. The super carrier was in the Gulf of Tonkin launching aircraft in missions against targets in North Vietnam. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy In 1976, David Berkowitz, the so-called "Son of Sam," fatally shot two people in the Bronx, the first in a series of shootings that would terrorize New York City for months. Berkowitz pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to more than 300 years in prison. In 1981, British Prince Charles, son of the queen, married Diana Spencer at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The royal couple divorced in 1996 after having two sons. In 1999, a federal judge in Little Rock, Ark., fined U.S. President Bill Clinton $89,000 for lying about his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky in his deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment case. In 2004, Democrats nominated Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts to oppose Republican incumbent George W. Bush in the November presidential election. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI In 2008, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven felony counts accusing him of failing to disclose gifts from an oil services company. Stevens died in a 2010 plane crash. In 2019, "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus broke the record for longest-running Billboard Hot 100 No. 1. The previous record was set by Mariah Carey's "One Sweet Day." In 2024, a 17-year-old attacked young girls at a dance studio in Southport, England, killing three children and injuring 10 others. The perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, pleaded guilty to murder charges and was sentenced to life in prison.
Metro
15-07-2025
- Metro
'A city for strolling': The overlooked Spanish gem with £29 return flights
Spain is beloved by UK travellers, but us Brits have a habit of sticking to what we know: beelining for popular hotspots like the Balearics, Canaries, or one of the Costas. These destinations are popular for a reason, but they're also feeling the weight of overtourism. In Palma, Mallorca's capital, guided walking tours have been limited to 20 people. Gran Canaria has introduced a list of banned beach items along with a £2,500 fine. And in Malaga, short-term rentals have been restricted in 43 districts. As Spain's most popular locations move towards more sustainable tourism models, Metro is here to shine a light on lesser-known places actively seeking visitors. One of them is A Coruña, a city for strolling and enjoying. Complete with rich political history, a charming medieval old town and a sweeping coastline, this city in the northwest Galicia region has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday. Plus, getting there won't break the bank. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. On Friday, September 9 to 26, Metro found return flights from London Gatwick for £29 with Vueling. Temperatures average around 23°C. On Reddit, travellers describe A Coruña as 'mellow' and 'relaxed.' One even called it one of the 'coolest places in Spain during the summer', with 'good vibes, great food, and friendly people.' A Coruña is home to the world's oldest functioning Roman lighthouse, known as the Tower of Hercules. Since the 1st century AD, it has served as the entrance to La Coruña harbour. It's so impressive that it's been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climb the tower's 234 steps for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or, check out the on-site sculpture park, which features an Islamic cemetery and rock carvings from the Iron Age. General admission to the lighthouse costs €3 (£2.61), but on Mondays, it's free. There's also the historic Castle of San Anton, a Renaissance building that's now a museum. The 16th-century fortress exhibits antique weaponry and other archaeological artefacts. Entry costs €2 (£1.74). In the medieval Old Town, you'll find narrow alleyways, elaborate churches and stately houses. But perhaps the main attraction is the Plaza de María Pita, named after a local heroine, and home to a 10-metre bronze monument of the Galician legend. During the 16th century, she warned the town of an invasion by Sir Francis Drake and the English Armada. Since then, she's become a symbol of resistance, strength and bravery. Galicians hold María Pita in such high esteem that annual celebrations are held in her honour. This year, festivities will take place from August 1 to September 1, comprising cultural events, concerts, fairs and historical re-enactments. And, as A Coruña is the home of Estrella Galicia beer, the brewery also fills the city with a week of concerts during the month. For those who enjoy a (responsible) tipple, a visit to the brewery is a must. Here, you can experience a guided tour of the Estrella Galicia Museum and even taste the products. A two-hour 30-minute session costs £29. Let's not forget that A Coruña is also a coastal city, and combines six urban beaches and several coves. The main beach is Praia de Riazor: calm waters and wide stretches of sand juxtapose a lively promenade. You're spoiled for choice with beach bars, cafes and restaurants, perfect for an afternoon espresso or a traditional tapas lunch. Artabria, a restaurant located a few minutes from the promenade, has even been featured in the Michelin Guide. It serves traditional dishes with a creative touch, from rice with red shrimp to homemade seafood croquettes with straw potatoes. There's also a takeaway menu if you fancy lunch on the beach. However, it's not as cheap as more casual tapas places. A burrata and organic tomato salad is €12 (£10.43), while suckling lamb chops cost €19 (£16.51). But hey, it's always nice to treat yourself. If you're after something with street-food vibes, head to Mercado de San Agustín, the local market that sells everything from seafood to fresh fruit and veg. Other notable beaches worth checking out include Riazor and Playa del Orzán, the latter of which is a popular place to surf and play volleyball. As well as being the ideal mix of beach and culture, A Coruña is a good choice for a twin-city break. Not only is it a 50-minute drive to Santiago de Compostela, Galicia's capital, but you're also on Portugal's doorstep. The Portuguese city of Braga is around two and a half hours drive. From there, it's a 45-minute trip to Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. More Trending Guimaraes is another standout day trip destination. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was actually the country's original capital, and is just under three hours from A Coruña. Metro recently spotlighted this hidden gem, which was named one of 'the most beautiful small towns in Europe' by CN Traveller. You can read the full guide to Guimaraes here. MORE: This street in Europe is just 50cm wide and has traffic lights so tourists don't get stuck MORE: British tourist, 25, dies after fall from supermarket car park in Ibiza MORE: The 7 things I wish I knew before attending Europe's biggest Pride
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I'm a Devon local who's walked the South West Coast Path numerous times – my best spots The Salt Path movie doesn't show
STANDING at the top of a cliff, with serene waters lapping onto the rocks below with beaches either side of me, this place feels as if I am on the coast of Italy - not Devon. The Advertisement 8 The South West Coast Path - also known as The Salt Path - stretches over 630miles in its entirety Credit: Cyann Fielding 8 Part of that route includes The English Riviera in Devon - with numerous beaches and coves Credit: Cyann Fielding And one 'small' (around 13 miles to be precise) section of it, I've walked year after year thanks to the fact that I grew up in Devon. The South West Coast Path has been famous for decades for providing some of the most stunning views of the Yet, with the recent release of The Salt Path film based on Starting at Advertisement Read more on travel inspo This section of the path runs along the coasts of the And along this section of Devon's coast are several stunning spots and unique places to explore - hence, doing this walk each year was a real treat. Brixham Heading across from Home to a bustling harbour with a long history of fishing, Brixham is a quaint town at one end of the English Riviera. Advertisement Most read in Travel Exclusive For those wanting to do the walk more leisurely, it is well worth exploring the town for its myriad of independent shops and the Golden Hind – a full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship that he used to explore the globe in the 16th century. Heading around the harbour and past the fish market, you will then pass Brixham Laboratory - which is home to a cutting-edge marine research facility - before heading off into a wood area. Scotland's Cheapest & Most Expensive Coastal Towns On the headland you will get your first amazing views of the harbour and English Riviera ahead of you – full of colourful bobbing boats and - if you're lucky - some seals in sight. The headland itself is also a historic spot - home to Brixham Battery - the little buildings scattered across the headland are actually disused bunkers that used to house guns in World War II. Advertisement You'll then come to the first of many coves on the route - Fishcombe Cove. It features a little pebble beach and a cafe, in case you want to stop for a bite. Heading through another small woodland, you then reach Churston Cove - another small 8 On this part of the path, you 'll head past major seaside towns like Paignton and Torquay Credit: Cyann Fielding Advertisement 8 You'll head across sandy beaches including Goodrington and Broadsands in Paignton Credit: Alamy This section of the walk is particularly up-and-down though, with many steep inclines - so not for the faint-hearted. Just before you start the Paignton section of the path, you will cross Elberry Cove - a stunning pebble beach, often with turquoise waters and a Paignton Across another headland with dramatic cliff edges, walkers will then reach the first sandy beach on this part of the path. Advertisement Broadsands Beach is a long, Many of my weekends as a child would be spent on this beach rock pooling and building sandcastles. 8 There are a number of quieter pebble coves on the path too Credit: Alamy 8 Other sights include a full-size replica of the Golden Hind in Brixham Credit: Alamy Advertisement And the beach has lifeguards too, so even when I got too much sand in my eyes there was someone to help. Following the path, you will then head inland a bit to Broadsands Viaduct, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Over another headland, with a narrow sandy path right at the cliff edge, you then reach Goodrington Beach - another long sandy beach popular with families. There is also a whole host of venues and activities here to explore, including crazy golf, a boating lake and Advertisement Following the path along the beach and over another headland, you then reach Paignton harbour, beach and town. Take some time here to refresh in one of the many cafes and restaurant and have some fun with the slot machines on the pier before heading off towards Torquay. 8 And a viaduct designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in Paignton Credit: Alamy Torquay For the final part of this section of the South West Coast Path, you will venture onto some roads before reaching Livermead sand, just ahead of Torquay beach and town. Advertisement Whilst I used to then venture off to the quaint village of Cockington to then head back to my school, Torquay boasts a number of other family-friendly beaches. And Torquay town also has so much to explore including a pretty harbour – which is always great for some expensive boat spotting – and a bustling high street. Make sure to grab some fish and chips, pasties or even a cream tea (with cream first!) as this town really does Devon delicacies well. And then if you are feeling extra ambitious, you can continue along the path onto Babbacombe and Teignmouth. Advertisement These are the Plus, the 8 This portion of the 630mile path is well worth exploring as a day trip Credit: Alamy
Sydney Morning Herald
27-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘We left behind our spouses and grown-up children': The rise of the girls' trip
This story is part of the June 28 edition of Good Weekend. See all 21 stories. Think 'early explorers' and it's often names like Marco Polo, Francis Drake and Captain James Cook that spring to mind. Not so much Jeanne Baret – the first woman credited with circumnavigating the globe after she joined the botanical expedition of French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1766, with the help of her lover and professional partner in botany, Philibert Commerson. She did it dressed as a man until she was eventually found out, at which point Bougainville wrote in his journal, 'her example will hardly be contagious.' It's only taken the best part of three centuries, but Baret – and the countless corseted would-have-been female explorers denied the chance to travel – may yet get the last laugh. One of the hottest trends in travel over the past 10 years is women carving out 'me time' from work, family and caring responsibilities, to either travel alone or in all-female groups. 'The 'mumcation' is a whole new world of sisterly misadventure that recently opened up to me,' says financial services professional, Kathryn Hanes, who late last year joined her sister and two of her oldest friends on a week-long trip to New Zealand, which they dubbed 'Mothers Uncorked'. 'We left behind our spouses and nine (mostly) grown-up children and walked up and down mountains, around lakes, through valleys and talked and talked and talked,' says Hanes, who is in her early 50s. 'It was so thrilling to have a holiday where the backing track wasn't 'Are we there yet?' with an 'I'm bored' chorus.' Hanes' two children are now aged 22 and 18, but she well recalls the 'draincations' with young kids: 'So often on family holidays there's no real downtime, days are planned with military precision,' she says. 'This was the first time since my 20s that I felt truly open to spontaneity again. But unlike in our 20s, we now have well-paid, full-time jobs, so the trip wasn't on a shoestring. We had long, lazy meals with lovely plonk. It was bliss.' Whether setting out in all-female groups or alone, more women are embracing the shift. In a survey by online portal 54 per cent of female respondents said they planned to travel solo in 2024. More than 64 per cent of the world's travellers are women, according to New York-based Skift Research's 2024 The Woman Traveller report, and women over 50 are the fastest-growing cohort. Almost a quarter of women aged 55-plus said they would prefer to travel solo than with their spouse and kids. Such figures are no surprise to Jenny Gray. She created the Women's Expedition product range in 2018 for Australian-owned Intrepid Travel. The tours make a particular effort to support women-owned and operated businesses. 'We launched our Women's Expedition range seven years ago, when we realised more than 63 per cent of our travellers were female – and they were telling us they wanted to better understand and connect with women in a range of destinations and cultures,' says Gray. Today, women aged over 45 represent the fastest-growing demographic for the Women's Expedition category, and many are booking into an all-female trip on their own: 'They are prioritising themselves like never before,' says Gray. 'An increasing number of them are repeat travellers with us. It's not that they want a 'soft' option, they just want the logistics taken care of, and to travel with like-minded women.' India is the top-selling Women's Expedition for Intrepid's Australian customers, with a newly created women-only trip to Saudi Arabia and a long-standing tour to Morocco the next most popular. An increasing number of operators, including Banyan Tours in New Delhi (overseen by Lucy Davison), Girls' Guide to the World and India Design Tours (run by Nicole Court, based out of Sydney) also facilitate trips for women to India. Australian outfit Pink Pelican Tours was founded last year. Next year it will run five women's tours, to Italy, Indonesia and Slovenia. 'The Bali Girls Tour and the Italy Food Tours book out the quickest,' says Pink Pelican's director, Felicity Armstrong. 'Women are redefining what it means to live fully, independently, and on their own terms. They feel less pressure to wait for a partner, family or friends before they travel. The narrative has shifted from 'being selfish' to 'self-worth'.' Loading When it comes to travelling solo, safety remains the number-one concern for women, according to the Skift report. But technology has made things easier; laptops, mobile phones, global roaming, WhatsApp and online travel-support forums offer a greater degree of contact and backup. And there's more airplay online about the safest places to visit. Spartacus World's 2025 Gay Travel index nominates Canada, Iceland, Malta, Portugal and Spain as all excellent for LGBTQ+ friendliness, a factor that tends to mirror safety indexes for women. New Zealand consistently rates highly, as does Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Roving communications consultant Erin Forster, 33, spent almost six months in 2024 travelling through Europe and Asia, mainly solo. 'For my age group, solo travel is seen as normal,' she says. 'It can also be an even more social experience than travelling with friends. Travelling alone is something I wish I'd done much earlier. The personal growth you experience when pushed outside your comfort zone can't be underestimated.'
The Age
27-06-2025
- The Age
‘We left behind our spouses and grown-up children': The rise of the girls' trip
This story is part of the June 28 edition of Good Weekend. See all 21 stories. Think 'early explorers' and it's often names like Marco Polo, Francis Drake and Captain James Cook that spring to mind. Not so much Jeanne Baret – the first woman credited with circumnavigating the globe after she joined the botanical expedition of French captain Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1766, with the help of her lover and professional partner in botany, Philibert Commerson. She did it dressed as a man until she was eventually found out, at which point Bougainville wrote in his journal, 'her example will hardly be contagious.' It's only taken the best part of three centuries, but Baret – and the countless corseted would-have-been female explorers denied the chance to travel – may yet get the last laugh. One of the hottest trends in travel over the past 10 years is women carving out 'me time' from work, family and caring responsibilities, to either travel alone or in all-female groups. 'The 'mumcation' is a whole new world of sisterly misadventure that recently opened up to me,' says financial services professional, Kathryn Hanes, who late last year joined her sister and two of her oldest friends on a week-long trip to New Zealand, which they dubbed 'Mothers Uncorked'. 'We left behind our spouses and nine (mostly) grown-up children and walked up and down mountains, around lakes, through valleys and talked and talked and talked,' says Hanes, who is in her early 50s. 'It was so thrilling to have a holiday where the backing track wasn't 'Are we there yet?' with an 'I'm bored' chorus.' Hanes' two children are now aged 22 and 18, but she well recalls the 'draincations' with young kids: 'So often on family holidays there's no real downtime, days are planned with military precision,' she says. 'This was the first time since my 20s that I felt truly open to spontaneity again. But unlike in our 20s, we now have well-paid, full-time jobs, so the trip wasn't on a shoestring. We had long, lazy meals with lovely plonk. It was bliss.' Whether setting out in all-female groups or alone, more women are embracing the shift. In a survey by online portal 54 per cent of female respondents said they planned to travel solo in 2024. More than 64 per cent of the world's travellers are women, according to New York-based Skift Research's 2024 The Woman Traveller report, and women over 50 are the fastest-growing cohort. Almost a quarter of women aged 55-plus said they would prefer to travel solo than with their spouse and kids. Such figures are no surprise to Jenny Gray. She created the Women's Expedition product range in 2018 for Australian-owned Intrepid Travel. The tours make a particular effort to support women-owned and operated businesses. 'We launched our Women's Expedition range seven years ago, when we realised more than 63 per cent of our travellers were female – and they were telling us they wanted to better understand and connect with women in a range of destinations and cultures,' says Gray. Today, women aged over 45 represent the fastest-growing demographic for the Women's Expedition category, and many are booking into an all-female trip on their own: 'They are prioritising themselves like never before,' says Gray. 'An increasing number of them are repeat travellers with us. It's not that they want a 'soft' option, they just want the logistics taken care of, and to travel with like-minded women.' India is the top-selling Women's Expedition for Intrepid's Australian customers, with a newly created women-only trip to Saudi Arabia and a long-standing tour to Morocco the next most popular. An increasing number of operators, including Banyan Tours in New Delhi (overseen by Lucy Davison), Girls' Guide to the World and India Design Tours (run by Nicole Court, based out of Sydney) also facilitate trips for women to India. Australian outfit Pink Pelican Tours was founded last year. Next year it will run five women's tours, to Italy, Indonesia and Slovenia. 'The Bali Girls Tour and the Italy Food Tours book out the quickest,' says Pink Pelican's director, Felicity Armstrong. 'Women are redefining what it means to live fully, independently, and on their own terms. They feel less pressure to wait for a partner, family or friends before they travel. The narrative has shifted from 'being selfish' to 'self-worth'.' Loading When it comes to travelling solo, safety remains the number-one concern for women, according to the Skift report. But technology has made things easier; laptops, mobile phones, global roaming, WhatsApp and online travel-support forums offer a greater degree of contact and backup. And there's more airplay online about the safest places to visit. Spartacus World's 2025 Gay Travel index nominates Canada, Iceland, Malta, Portugal and Spain as all excellent for LGBTQ+ friendliness, a factor that tends to mirror safety indexes for women. New Zealand consistently rates highly, as does Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Roving communications consultant Erin Forster, 33, spent almost six months in 2024 travelling through Europe and Asia, mainly solo. 'For my age group, solo travel is seen as normal,' she says. 'It can also be an even more social experience than travelling with friends. Travelling alone is something I wish I'd done much earlier. The personal growth you experience when pushed outside your comfort zone can't be underestimated.'
