Latest news with #Montserrat
Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The 10 best day trips from Barcelona
You could spend months in Barcelona without running out of new things to experience, but if you're in need of a change of pace there are plenty of alternatives – most within easy reach, thanks to the excellent local railway system. Lesser-visited medieval towns, glorious hikes and curious museums are often less than an hour away. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best day trips near Barcelona. For further inspiration, see our in-depth guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, shopping, attractions, things to do for free and beaches. Find a day trip by type: Best for history Montserrat Monastery Come for the monastery and to listen to the celestial voices of the boys' choir, and stay for the hiking – paths scented with thyme meander over the jagged peaks revealing spectacular views. The museum has an unexpected collection of great art, including paintings by Caravaggio, Picasso, El Greco, Dalí, Miró and a host of others. Website: Area: Montserrat How to get there: take the train from Plaça Espanya to Monistrol de Montserrat (one hour), then rack railway. Tarragona In Roman times 'Tarraco' was the capital of half of Spain, and many vestiges of that period can still be seen. These include the city walls; the praetorian; the amphitheatre and the Roman circus, where chariot races were once held. The cathedral and its beautifully preserved 12th-century cloister shouldn't be missed, but leave time for a wander through its old town.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Revealed: Sir Lindsay Hoyle splurged nearly £5,500 of taxpayers' cash on private planes during a Caribbean tour to paradise islands
Sir Lindsay Hoyle splurged nearly £5,500 on private planes during a Caribbean tour, it can be revealed. The Commons Speaker used more taxpayers' money to charter three planes to hop between the paradise islands of St Maarten, Montserrat, Anguilla and Antigua. It was part of a week-long jaunt which included a two-night 'official visit' to Montserrat to meet his counterpart on the island. It also included a four-night stay in Anguilla to attend the Conference of Speakers of the UK House of Commons and Overseas Territories. In total, Sir Lindsay spent more than £100,000 of taxpayers' cash 'sponsoring' the conference. While it was reported during the 2023 trip Sir Lindsay travelled there by private plane and stayed in hotels costing up to £900 a night, it was not known that he had chartered three private planes while in the Caribbean or that he went to St Maarten and Antigua – neither being on the trip docket. The Daily Mail had fought for further details of the trip that previously were not spelled out in Sir Lindsay's official log, via Freedom of Information requests. The private plane from St Maarten to Montserrat cost £2,350. From Montserrat to Anguilla and then from there to Antigua cost £1,500 each for Sir Lindsay and three officials. The newly discovered flights come to a total of £5,350 of taxpayers' cash. A complete bill of £101,552.60 was splurged on throwing the speakers' conference so eight of Sir Lindsay's counterparts and 30 delegates could attend – with £47,962.43 spent on flights. He also handed the National Assembly of Anguilla a £50,000 'organising grant' to prepare for the conference. It comes amid growing questions about the scale of Sir Lindsay's travel expenses, which have surged past £300,000 since he became Speaker in 2019. He has taken his wife on several trips along with up to four staff. On his latest jaunt to Malaysia in the middle of February, he spent more than £25,000 on business-class flights, hotels and restaurants for him and staff. John O'Connell, of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers will be livid that they have to pick up these sky-high bills for private planes. Getting government business overseas done quickly is one thing, but continuing to stump up for politicians with a taste for the good life is quite another. 'Politicians have to cut out unnecessary spending and treat taxpayers with the respect they deserve.' Former Tory cabinet minister David Jones said: 'To spend money on three chartered aircraft flights in the Caribbean, at a time when the people of this country were suffering greatly as a consequence of the massive increase in the cost of living, is turning a tin ear to public sentiment. It shouldn't be happening. 'It's a very nice jolly in the Caribbean, but to hire private planes to cruise around is not a good look. It's just not acceptable.' Referring to the fact that Sir Lindsay was a Labour MP before becoming the Commons Speaker, he added: 'Given how Labour are whacking up taxes at the moment, the old 'champagne socialist' jibe has come true. 'I voted for Sir Lindsay Hoyle for a change from [former Commons Speaker] John Bercow, because I thought he'd be a refreshing change. But I don't see much difference.' The Speaker's Office said one reason details of the private planes were not listed in his official travel expenses log was because some of the costs were allocated to the Clerk of the House, while some were included in the overall budget for sponsoring the conference. They said he flew via St Maarten and then chartered a private plane for the Montserrat 'official visit' because there were no direct flights.
News18
27-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Scientists Say Peru's Mystery ‘Alien' Mummies May Have Been Murdered
Last Updated: New findings claim the three-fingered bodies with elongated skulls are real and date back over 1,200 years. Scientists examining a set of mysterious three-fingered mummified bodies found in Peru now believe that some of them may have died violent deaths and were possibly murdered. 'These are yet more pieces of clear and irrefutable evidence that these bodies are 100% genuine, real, and organic having once been alive," said Dr José Zalce, former director of the Mexican Navy Medical Department, who is leading the investigation, according to the Star which cited local Peruvian news media outlets. Zalce said he has studied 21 of the so-called 'Nazca mummies" in detail, examining their fingerprints, bone structures, muscular anatomy, and internal organs. Among the most closely analysed are two female mummies named Maria and Montserrat and a male specimen identified as Antonio. The mummies were first discovered in 2017 in Peru's Nazca desert and presented to the public in Mexico two years ago. At the time, they were introduced as potential non-human beings not part of Earth's evolutionary chain. Initial DNA tests had sparked headlines, suggesting the remains were part-human and part unknown species. That led to Mexico's first-ever congressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena. However, the credibility of the find was challenged last year, when forensic experts claimed the specimens could be fabricated from papier-mâché, animal bones and glue. Maria, believed to have been between 35 and 45 years old and standing about 5 feet 6 inches tall, had suffered multiple injuries. These included a deep cut and bite marks near her pelvis, puncture wounds along her lower back, and broken vertebrae near the tailbone. She also appeared to have sustained a zigzag-shaped wound consistent with a fall onto rocks. Montserrat, who was likely aged between 16 and 25, had a puncture wound between the fifth and sixth ribs. CT scans revealed extensive internal trauma, including broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade. Experts said she may have been upright with her back against a hard surface at the time of death. Antonio, the male specimen, had what appeared to be a stab wound to the left side of his chest. Dr David Ruiz Vela, former president of Peru's Medical Association, said the injury had broken ribs, pierced the abdomen and caused internal bleeding. 'He has a stab that broke his ribs on the left side of his chest, penetrating the chest, abdomen, liver and completely perforating him inside," Vela told the Peruvian news media outlets. All three bodies have elongated skulls, three fingers and toes, and preserved internal organs such as hearts, livers, and intestines. The new findings made the scientists suggests that the bodies are at least 1,200 years old and show no signs of being artificially assembled. What remains unclear is where these beings came from or whether they were part of any known ancient civilisation. Investigations are ongoing and researchers say further DNA and material analysis may help solve one of the strangest scientific mysteries of recent years. First Published: May 27, 2025, 21:01 IST
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Basildon screenwriter celebrates her heritage in Lady Oriole film
A 12-year-old performer hopes a short film she wrote will educate people about different Dyer-Tuitt, from Basildon, Essex, dedicated Lady Oriole to her grandmother and the stories she shared about the Caribbean island of youngster won an award at her performing arts academy in Wickford and said the reaction since had been "amazing"."My mum was saying she wanted it to go global, but I'm so happy it's here," she told BBC Essex. Kinara incorporated her late grandmother's culture and heritage into the 15-minute said her mother came up with the "lovely idea" of exploring the family's heritage, with the title named after the Montserrat national bird, the Kinara said she also wanted her classmates to have their eyes opened to different cultures."I don't really like it when people in my class make silly Jamaican accents, I just don't really find it funny," she said. Kinara explained her heritage was "very important" to her and she enjoyed exploring it during the screenwriting process."I really wasn't expecting to get that call saying 'you have won it' - it was really exciting," added Kinara, who had never written a film said entering the competition, hosted by the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, was a total "leap of faith"."I didn't really expect anything," Kinara continued."When I first saw the animation in the trailer it looked really cool, it looked amazing and I was obsessed with it."I'm really proud because I did not think it was going to get this far." It left a lasting impression on the academy's principal, Teri Levett, who instantly knew it was "special".She said: "It was like nothing I'd ever read before."I love myths and legends, but I really don't know anything about Montserrat myths and legends - it was fascinating."I really thought it was special." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Emotional tributes paid to former Fulham keeper after death at 37 following month in a coma
TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of former Fulham star Corrin Brooks-Meade. The goalkeeper passed away on April 5 aged 37 after spending a month in a coma. 2 2 Brooks-Meade suffered a stroke and bleed on the brain a month before his tragic death. He was on the books of Fulham as a youngster, regularly playing for their reserve side but never making his full debut. The Londoner, who had a spell on loan at AFC Wimbledon in 2007, was close to signing for Bournemouth when they were in League One after being released by the Cottagers. But he went on to have a successful career in Cypriot football, playing for seven clubs in the country. Brooks-Meade was also capped 23 times by the Montserrat national team. He became close pals with the nation's captain and Colchester striker Lyle Taylor while on international duty. Taylor told the Daily Mail: "When it's somebody your age who you've spent so much time with over the years and seen grow both as a footballer and as a man, it hits you hard. "It's going to sound really cliche, but Corrin was a leader. He was a brick wall. He was probably, in all honesty, the best of us as a group. "He was just a brilliant person and we're all lucky to have been able to share special moments with him." Fans added: "So sad. Condolences to the family." Another wrote: "Awful news to hear. What a player he's been for us over the years, completely taken aback by it." A third said: "Rest in peace Corrin sad to hear of your passing buddy." Many supporters and old team-mates have donated to a GoFundMe page setup in his honour. Brooks-Meade continued playing for Montserrat until last year despite retiring from club football in 2021. He kept busy after hanging up his gloves by opening an Afro-Caribbean food business in Cyprus. His uncle was Raphael Meade, who played for Arsenal from 1981 to 1985.
