Latest news with #Mediterranean
Spectator
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Portrait of the week: Liverpool parade crash, Starmer sacrifices Chagos Islands and an octopus invasion
Home Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, announced that 'more pensioners' would qualify for winter fuel payments, but did not say how many or when. Nigel Farage of Reform said he would scrap net zero to fund things like abolishing the two-child benefit cap and reversing the winter fuel cut in full. Millions of public-sector workers such as doctors and teachers were offered rises of between 3.6 and 4.5 per cent. From July, typical household energy costs will fall by £129 a year, still higher than a year earlier. South Western Railway was renationalised. Thames Water was fined £122.7 million by Ofwat for breaching rules on sewage and shareholder dividends. Devon fishermen complained of Mediterranean octopuses eating crabs in their pots. Twenty-seven people were taken to hospital after a car ploughed into crowds at the Liverpool FC parade. A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and driving while unfit through drugs; police announced he was 'a 53-year-old white British man'. Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, called for possession of cannabis to be decriminalised. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, who performs as Mo Chara with the group Kneecap, was charged under the name Liam O'Hanna with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig. Some 431,000 more people arrived in Britain than left last year, compared with 860,000 in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics. In the seven days to 26 May, 918 people arrived in England in small boats. Sir Keir Starmer agreed to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius along with £101 million a year to lease for 99 years the Diego Garcia base on the islands, which is shared with the United States. 'Chemical castration' for some sex offenders will be mandatory at 20 prisons after the Independent Sentencing Review chaired by David Gauke said a voluntary trial should continue.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Bayesian's watery grave: Wreck where billionaire Mike Lynch, his daughter and five others died is pictured... and the hatch that was initially blamed for disaster
Clearly visible through the murky depths 150ft below the surface, this is the first time British superyacht Bayesian has been seen since it sank beneath the waves last August. Captured in astonishing detail by a renowned photographer, it shows the gold letters of the doomed vessel's name still proudly displayed on the submerged stern. After just nine months at the bottom of the Mediterranean, the images also show how the wreck is already being reclaimed by nature, with seaweed colonising its once-pristine deck as fish explore the new habitat. As investigations continue into how the 'unsinkable' £30million yacht could sink so suddenly - with the loss of seven lives, including those of British billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah - the images appear to rule out one theory. According to photographer Massimo Sestini, who captured these exclusive images, the Bayesian's stern hatch remains firmly closed. That is despite the initial claim by shipbuilders that it had been left open on the night of the tragedy, allowing water to surge in when a freak storm struck. His photos also show how the wreck lies largely intact on the sea bed off the coast of Sicily as a £20million salvage operation continues to raise it to the surface. The Bayesian - famous for its trademark 236ft mast, one of the world's tallest - took just 16 minutes to sink in the early hours of the morning. Although the Bayesian's tragic sinking with the loss of seven lives happened just nine months ago, Massimo Sestini's images show how the wreck is already being colonised by seaweed and fish It had been hit by a fierce storm with 100mph winds while at anchor off the fishing village of Porticello. Earlier this month an interim report by British investigators highlighted 'vulnerabilities' in the yacht's stability which meant its crew were unable to prevent the 184ft luxury sailing boat from tilting violently on its side. The captain and crew would have been unaware as the information was not laid out in a safety booklet onboard, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said. Earlier this month the vessel – which locals say is cursed – claimed the life of an eighth person, a Dutch diver who was working on the £20million salvage operation. In response, all manned diving operations were temporarily suspended, with exploration instead carried out by undersea robots. Diving the wreck before the latest tragedy, Mr Sestini said conditions on the seabed were treacherous. A lack of sunlight at that depth combined with sediment swirling in the current combined to reduce visibility to as little as one metre. 'When I connected my camera to the computer and saw the images of the wreck on the screen, my heart sank,' said the photographer, who himself almost drowned while diving beneath a frozen Italian lake earlier this year. Divers can only spend ten minutes at a time on the wreck - with the dangers of the unforgiving conditions and poor visibility 150ft below the surface underlined by the tragic loss of a Dutch diver on May 9 during recovery efforts Sicilian fishermen say the benign waters of the Mediterranean on a calm day belie the fearsome winds which can be whipped up by sudden storms His photographs of the Bayesian's wreck shows its sinking was 'truly a great mystery', he told Italian publication Oggi. 'The wreck seems intact,' he added. Mr Sestini said while it was 'said at the beginning' that an open stern hatch caused 'huge amounts' of water to inundate the yacht when the storm struck, 'my photos show that the door is closed'. Within days of the disaster on August 19 last year, the CEO of Italian Sea Group - which bought the Bayesian's constructors Perini Navi two years ago - blamed 'human error'. The stern hatch was 'clearly' open, Giovanni Costantino told Italian media. The firm has yet to comment on the MAIB report. Bayesian was legally owned by Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, who survived the disaster. The other victims were banking executive Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judy Bloomer, lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo and the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas. The tragedy last August killed seven people including British billionaire and tech tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah The moment the doomed Bayesian sank in the early hours of August 19 last year was captured by security cameras of a nearby villa on the coast Three crew members are currently facing possible charges of manslaughter and causing a disaster under an Italian criminal investigation. However Under Italian law the fact the men - captain James Cutfield, chief engineer Timothy Parker Eaton and deckhand Matthew Griffiths - have been placed under investigation does not imply guilt and does not necessarily mean that charges will be brought against them. Minute by minute, how the Bayesian tragedy unfolded August 18 - PM: The Bayesian was anchored at Cefalù on the northern coast of Sicily to shelter from the forecast weather and to allow for easy disembarkation of guests the following day. August 19 - 00.30am: Having checked the weather the captain and the last guest had retired, leaving deckhand (DH1) and the evening steward (S1) on duty. 01.00am: The second deckhand (DH2) took over the watch. The wind at this time was noted as being no more than 8kts (9.2pmh). 03.00am: DH2 noted the wind as being at 8kts (9.2pmh) from the west but thought that the thunderclouds and lightning seemed to be getting closer. 03.55am: The deckhand 'videoed the advancing storm and posted it to their social media feed' before closing the hatches and cockpit windows. 03.57am: The winds had picked up to 30kts (35mph) and the Bayesian was listing and dragging its anchor. 04.00am: The deckhand ran to wake up the skipper and the crew leapt into action and began preparing to manoeuvre the Bayesian by starting the generators and steering pumps. The rest of the crew, woken by either the captain or the yacht's change of motion, got up and made their way out of the crew accommodation. Chef Recaldo Thomas was spotted in the galley stowing cutlery, pots and pan and called out 'Good morning!' to nearby stewards. The Bayesian was lying with the wind about 60 degree off the port bow and moving at 1.8kts south-south-east of its original position. Two guests – a British couple – had been woken by the movements and decided to head to the saloon with their baby. 4.06am: Disaster struck as the wind suddenly increased to more than 70kts (80.5mph) ripping the awning away. The Bayesian 'violently heeled over' in less than 15 seconds to a 90-degree angle. The sudden movement sent people as well as furniture flying across the deck leaving five people including the captain injured while a deckhand was thrown into the sea. Two guests trapped in their cabin were forced to used furniture drawers as an improvised ladder to escape into the saloon area. The yacht's crew were able to push four guests through the cascading water up to the skipper on the flying bridge. The captain called for the guests and crew to swim clear of the mast and boom as the vessel sank. 04.22am: The crew had launched the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB). They noted that the wind had eased and that Bayesian was only a short distance from shore. In the water, a deckhand(DH2) improvised a tourniquet for one of the guest's gashed arm while a cushion was used as a flotation device foe the baby. Some of the survivors were treading water and others held on to some cushions that had floated free from Bayesian. One of the guests frantically searched for other survivors in vain using the torch from their phone - while the captain and chief officer frantically freed the life raft from the sinking wreck. 04.24am: The captain and chief officer frantically freed the life raft from the sinking wreck. It was was inflated and the survivors were able to get inside it where the crew began administering first aid. The skipper tried to raise the alarm by shouting at and then paddling towards the nearby vessel the Sir Robert Baden Powell. 04.34am: The Chief Engineer fired a red parachute flare from the life raft. Despite the winds being calm at the surface, the flare was carried sideways. He then used the life raft's torch to signal towards a hotel on the cliffs above them, passing cars, and Sir Robert Baden Powell. 04.43am: The Chief engineer fired a second parachute flare that was seen by the crew of Sir Robert Baden Powell. Responding to the flare, the skipper dispatched its tender towards the visible lights of the EPIRB and life raft. 04.53am: The tender carrying the 15 survivors returned to Sir Robert Baden Powell and a brief search was look for the missing seven people who were also on board. 04.56am: The tender from Sir Robert Baden Powell returned to the scene with Bayesian's Chief Engineer and skipper on board to search for other survivors. The local coastguard was called to arrange to transfer the survivors to shore.
See - Sada Elbalad
6 hours ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Alamein Int'l Airport Receives New Flight from Poland
Taarek Refaat El Alamein International Airport received a new SkyUp Airlines flight this morning from Poland, through Katowice International Airport, carrying 174 passengers. This step reflects the growing demand for Egyptian tourist destinations, especially New Alamein City, which has become one of the most attractive destinations on the Mediterranean coast. This flight is part of a series of regular flights operated by European airlines to Egypt during the summer season. New Alamein City boasts stunning natural features, enhancing its position as a leading global tourist destination, attracting increasing interest from tourists who are exploring new areas with natural beauty and modern urban planning. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is making continuous efforts to enhance travel from foreign markets by providing operational facilities and logistical support to airlines and preparing airports to provide a comfortable and safe travel experience for travelers. El Alamein Airport is expected to continue receiving more tourist flights in the coming weeks, reflecting the growing confidence of airlines and tourists in the ability of Egyptian airports to compete regionally and internationally. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maura Higgins displays her jaw-dropping figure in a white bikini as she enjoys boozy lunch during lavish sun-soaked getaway
Maura Higgins let her hair down during a boozy holiday in Mykonos on Wednesday as she sipped on an Aperol Spritz before dancing on the beach. The Love Island bombshell, 34, looked happier than ever as she showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a white halterneck bikini top, which boasted a large gold star fish on the front. Maura teamed the stunning swimwear with a matching figure hugging maxi skirt as she hit a beach club during the brand trip with Space NK. Styling her long dark curly tresses loose, the TV personality shielded from the sun under a large woven beach hat. She was all smiles during the boozy lunch as she sipped on cocktails alongside pals before showing off her dance moves on the beach. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Maura has jetted off to the sunny location with fellow show star Sophie Piper and Samie Elishi for a brand trip. The trip comes after her big return to the red carpet, following her 'drunken' kiss scandal with McFly 's Danny Jones earlier this year. The brunette beauty pulled out all the stops at the BAFTA TV Awards earlier this month, turning heads in a backless blue gown with a huge skirt. But while she made sure all eyes were on her on her arrival, Maura was later pictured sitting alone during the ceremony and reportedly didn't stay long before making a sneaky backdoor exit. In a photograph exclusively obtained by MailOnline, the presenter could be seen sitting by herself on her phone in her stunning ball gown at the event. Meanwhile, in pictures published on The Sun, she later risked the wrath of BAFTA as she left an hour into the ceremony as she snuck into a taxi. A source told the publication: 'Maura wanted her red carpet return to be a big moment. She thinks enough time has passed — she can't hide forever.' Explaining how her huge dress meant she was uncomfortable in the cramped hall they continued: 'She was talking about her dress taking up too much space and was absolutely boiling. 'So she snuck out with pal Luke Hamnett while a nominations reel was shown. It'll be frowned upon in TV circles as the Baftas is an incredibly prestigious event and leaving is a big no-no.' Maura hit the headlines in March, after she and Danny, 39, were spotted in a compromising clinch at the Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty, after appearing on I'm A Celeb together last year. The married singer is said to no longer have a 'normal relationship' with his wife Georgia, 38, and while they are still living under the same roof, they now have 'separate lives'. Both Danny and Maura have generally kept away from public events since the scandal, until her big return at the BAFTAs, where she kept mum on the kiss. While she wasn't at risk of any awkward reunions with Danny as he reportedly skipped the ceremony to avoid 'putting a foot wrong' with his wife. Danny previously issued a public apology to Georgia and their seven-year-old son Cooper, admitting he was 'deeply sorry' and vowing to deal with things privately. Sources previously claimed to MailOnline that despite their efforts, the couple are like 'passing ships' and friends fear their relationship is hanging on by a thread. A source said: 'Danny and Georgia have been trying to navigate a very difficult time in their marriage and for the best part they have been taking each day as it comes. 'They may be living under the same roof, but they barely see each other and right now are like passing ships. In a photograph exclusively obtained by MailOnline last week, the presenter could be seen sitting by herself on her phone in her stunning ball gown at the event (seen) Maura (L) hit the headlines in March, after she and Danny, 39, (R) were spotted in a compromising clinch at the Universal Music's BRIT Awards afterparty, after appearing on I'm A Celeb together last year (both seen on the show) 'Danny is preparing for his summer gigs with McFly, and Georgia has been attending influencer events and collaborating with brands, all while looking after son, Cooper, who regularly features on her Instagram profile. 'But when they're not working, Danny is out on his motorbike or exercising in the gym, and Georgia is either on her own or spending time with family and girlfriends. 'They haven't actually been publicly seen together for six weeks and behind the scenes, their relationship is anything but normal.' But now the singer is also making his TV return and will join the second series of You Bet!, ITV's rebooted challenge show, hosted by Stephen Mulhern. Danny will appear alongside former I'm A Celeb campmate Oti Mabuse and Olympian Greg Rutherford, and has already filmed some segments at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In behind-the-scenes clips shared on his Instagram last weekend, Danny looked upbeat as he returned to work, grinning alongside his co-stars and cheering on contestants tackling extreme rides.
Time Out Abu Dhabi
7 hours ago
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Air Arabia, Etihad and more: These are all the UAE airlines with Eid travel deals
Long weekend wanderlust is setting in – and just in time, UAE airlines are dropping their Eid Al Adha travel deals like confetti. Whether you're in the mood for Mediterranean sunshine, bustling souks or cool mountain air, these offers might just be your one-way ticket to a wallet-friendly escape. The best Eid Al Adha travel deals Air Arabia Eid Al Adha travel deals Air Arabia is leading the Eid charge with headline-grabbing fares that start from a ridiculously low Dhs129 one-way. The budget carrier is serving up limited-time discounts across its network, including India, Oman, Armenia, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and more. You'll have to move quickly though – these deals are only available until June 2, with flights valid from June 1 through to September 30. A long weekend now, a longer getaway later? You decide. Here are some of the top steals: Oman – Dhs129 Bahrain / Kuwait / Saudi Arabia – Dhs149 Iran / Jordan / Lebanon – Dhs199 Armenia / Azerbaijan / Egypt / India / Iraq / Kazakhstan / Qatar – Dhs299 Uzbekistan – Dhs359 Turkey – Dhs379 Georgia – Dhs399 Kyrgyzstan / Bangladesh / Nepal – Dhs499 Greece – Dhs549 Etihad Airways Eid Al Adha travel deals Etihad Airways is also getting in on the action with return fares as low as Dhs285, jetting off from Abu Dhabi to Paris, Osaka, Seoul, Seychelles, Shanghai, Malaga and more. You've got until July 1 to book, and travel is valid until March 31, 2026 – a whole year of possibilities. flydubai Eid Al Adha travel deals flydubai is reactivating its seasonal flight routes to 11 sunny spots, including two brand new additions, with travel dates running from May 30 to June 9. Book before May 31 for a chance to grab fares starting at Dhs965. Emirates Eid Al Adha travel deals Emirates isn't skimping on perks either. Their flexible payment plan lets UAE credit card holders book now and pay later in zero-interest monthly instalments, so you can spread out the cost while still flying high. So, whether you're chasing monsoon magic in Kerala, kebabs in Istanbul or beach bliss in the Seychelles, this Eid is the perfect excuse to take off. Bon voyage. Flying away soon? Travelling from Abu Dhabi is about to be so much faster Zayed International Airport is the world's first airport to make this change 5 visa-on-arrival destinations UAE residents can visit (that are just a short flight away) Here's where to go, what to see and what to eat Flying from Abu Dhabi soon? Here's your ultimate guide to Zayed International's Pearl Lounge Talk about travelling in style
