Gran Canaria Airport has been named one of the busiest airports in Spain, becoming a popular holiday destination for many Brits who want to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life.
The Canary Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain(Image: Getty Images)
With summer holidays around the corner and the rise of the ‘Eurosummer’, holidaymakers can’t wait to hop to the plane and soak up all the vitamin D. Despite Spain’s ongoing protests, the country remains one of the most popular tourist destinations – and will continue to be.
The list of the busiest airports in Spain includes the Canary Islands. Located between the municipality of Ingenio and Telde, Gran Canaria Airport is the most visited airport in the Canary Islands, receiving around 13 million passengers a year. This was a 12.% increase compared to the same period of 2023.
As reported by Banana Palm Bay, Gran Canaria Airport is the chosen airport by many travellers due to its many amenities and its proximity to its capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria Airport named as the busiest airport in the Canary Islands(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Canary Islands have eight main islands, with the most popular ones being Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Its popularity comes from its year-round subtropical climate and its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters.
In 2024, nearly 6.3 million British tourists visited the Canary Islands, which represented more than 40% of the total international flights. Tenerife was also the busiest island with almost 2 million passengers through its two airports, Tenerife South Airport (TFS) and Tenerife North Airport (TFN).
In the list of the busiest airports in Spain, Gran Canaria fell into sixth place with Madrid securing the first spot, followed by Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca, Málaga, and Alicante.
On another note, the Canary Islands are also set to abandon clock changes, The Mirror reported. Starting in 2026, along with the rest of Spain, the country will not be participating on the biannual clock changes that have marked the country’s timekeeping for decades.
The news was confirmed by the Official State Gazette (CBOE), who’s aiming to improve the sleep patterns, mental health and overall quality of life. As per Canarian Weekly, Spanish people struggled with the shift in daylight hours, leading to “sleep disturbances and a misalignment of the body’s natural circadian rhythms.”
Once this takes place, this means that summer evenings will feel longer and winter mornings will see less daylight. March 30, 2025 marked the last time that residents in Spain adjusted their clocks for daylight savings.
As the temperature gets warmer and the days are longer, many holidaymakers might start planning their holidays by visiting these popular destinations and enjoying the many wonders the Canary Islands have to offer.
A RARE 50p coin has sold for more than 60 times its face value on eBay and you may well have one in your wallet.
The collectable 50p coin is stamped with an eye-catching Pride design and went for £31 online.
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A rare Pride 50p has sold for more than 60 times its face valueCredit: Amazon
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The coin sold online for £31Credit: PA
The coin, which comes with a 2022 date on the tail side when it was first struck, never entered general circulation – making it all the more rare.
It was released by the Royal Mint to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the UK Pride movement – the first time the UK’s LGBTQ+ community has been recognised on an official coin.
East London artist and activist Dominique Holmes was the mastermind behind the coin’s dazzling design.
The bold design includes the iconic rainbow-coloured Pride flag and is inscribed with Pride in London’s values of protest, visibility, unity, and equality.
The 50p coins were available to buy in summer 2022 in a range of metals but were never circulated.
Three years later the value of the coins has skyrocketed with one going for a whopping £31 in February.
Another was sold for £29.11 in March.
The coloured Pride coins are also available to buy on Amazon for £9.99.
So be sure to check your wallet as you could be in with a chance of scoring some cash.
How to spot a rare coin
A coin is usually classed as rare due to two factors – how many of it were struck or if it is an “error” coin.
RARE AND VALUABLE 1P COIN
For example, the 2009 Kew Gardens 50p is considered valuable because only 210,000 were minted and put into circulation.
The same goes for the Atlantic Salmon, with only 200,000 having been put into circulation in 2023.
A coin is classed as an “error” piece if something went wrong during the manufacturing process and the coin was struck incorrectly.
These types of coins are fewer and far between than those with lower mintage figures, which can make them super valuable.
These are the key events on day 1,148 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Here is where things stand on Thursday, 17 April:
Fighting
A Russian drone attack on the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight injured three people, sparked fires and damaged homes and civilian infrastructure, regional governor Oleh Kiper said.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said its units destroyed 26 Ukrainian drones overnight. Nine of the drones were shot down over the southern Voronezh region, while eight were taken down over the border region of Belgorod. The remaining drones were downed over the Kursk, Lipetsk and Moscow regions, as well as over the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula, the ministry said.
The Defence Ministry also said Russia has taken control of Kalynove village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Moscow’s military further reported that it repelled seven Ukrainian drones over Russia’s Ivanovo region, the location of one of two Russian missile units that Kyiv accuses of launching a deadly attack on the city of Sumy which caused dozens of casualties last weekend.
Kyiv’s air force said Russia launched almost 100 drones in overnight attacks on Ukraine, of which 57 were shot down and another 34 failed to reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare measures.
Russian glide bombs and artillery struck the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Wednesday, killing one person and wounding nine others, in what Ukrainian officials described as a timed “double-tap strike”. The region’s head, Oleksandr Prokudin, said it was a “deliberate tactic by Russia” to prevent rescuing victims and to harm medics, rescuers and police officers who rushed to the scene of the first attack only to then be caught in the second strike.
A Russian mass drone attack killed two people and injured 16 in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, regional governor Serhiy Lysak said. Five of the injured were hospitalised.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said it detained nine people, including five teenagers, with more than 30kg (66 pounds) of explosives on suspicion of preparing sabotage attacks on behalf of Russia.
Attacks on energy facilities
Russia’s Defence Ministry said Ukraine carried out six attacks on Kremlin energy infrastructure despite a mutually agreed 30-day moratorium on energy strikes.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Heorhii Tykhyi, told a news briefing that Russia carried out more than 30 attacks on its energy infrastructure since the two sides agreed in March to pause strikes on such targets.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would announce when the US-brokered moratorium on energy strikes would end.
Politics and diplomacy
United States President Donald Trump’s administration has reduced its estimate for the cost of US assistance provided to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s invasion to about $100bn from $300bn, Bloomberg news reports, citing people familiar with the matter.
The US and Ukraine have made “substantial progress” in their talks on a minerals deal and will soon sign a memorandum, which would give Washington access to Ukraine’s rare earth deposits, Kyiv’s first deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
Kyiv’s parliament voted to extend martial law in Ukraine until 6 August. The decision was supported by an overwhelming 357 deputies, while one politician voted against the bill.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will discuss Ukraine among other issues during the emir’s visit to Moscow on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said.
The former governor of Russia’s Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, was detained on Wednesday on suspicion of fraud, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
WINNIPEG, Canada — Mark Scheifele scored at 1:51 of overtime to give the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets a 2-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday night in their regular-season finale.
The Jets finished at 56-22-4 to set a franchise record with 116 points.
Connor Hellebuyck made 30 saves for Winnipeg in his 47th victory, the most in franchise history, and the Jets wrapped up the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals against.
Neal Pionk opened the scoring for Winnipeg with 6:11 left in the second period, his screened shot from the point beating Husso.
Troy Terry tied it for Anaheim at 5:45 of the third. He pounced on a rebound and slid the puck into the open side of the net.
Takeaways
Ducks: Ville Husso stopped 42 shots. The Ducks finished 35-37-9.
Jets: Winnipeg will face St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs.
Key moment
Josh Morrissey made a great defensive play to break up a 2-on-1 in overtime, then raced down the ice with Scheifele and Kyle Connor. After Connor’s shot just missed the net, he retrieved the puck, passed to Morrisey, who sent it to Scheifele.
Key stat
The Ducks did not allow a shot on goal when the Jets had a two-man advantage for 58 seconds midway through the first.
April 16 (UPI) — The Department of Homeland Security canceled two grants to Harvard University worth more than $2.7 million and threatened to revoke its ability to enroll international students on Wednesday, as the Trump administration continues to retaliate against the private institute for rejecting demands that would have affected its autonomy and independence.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the grant cuts and the threat to Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification in a statement Tuesday, calling the school “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars.”
In a letter to Harvard signed by Noem and seen by The Harvard Crimson, the DHS accused the university of creating a “hostile learning environment” for Jewish students.
It called on the university to hand over information about student visa holders, including those who pose “known threats” to other students and staff, obstruct the learning environment and any disciplinary actions “taken as a result of making threats to other students or populations or participating in protests.”
“It is a privilege to have foreign students attend Harvard University, not a guarantee,” the letter states.
The letter comes as the Trump administration has revoked the student visas of hundreds of international students and arrested a few over their involvement in pro-Palestinian protests or comments.
At least 12 current Harvard students and recent grads have had their visas revoked, the university said.
The most valuable of the two grants cut was a $1.9 million Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement grant that The Crimson said supported mass violence and human trafficking prevention efforts research. The DHS said the money “funded Harvard’s public health propaganda.”
The second, Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention grant funded what the DHS called “a shockingly skewed study” that “branded conservatives as far-right dissidents.”
“Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security,” Noem said. “With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvard’s position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory.
“America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars,” she said.
Earlier this week, the Trump administration froze more than $2.2 billion in grants for Harvard after it rejected government demands it said exceeded “its lawful authority and infringe on both the University’s independence and its constitutional rights.”
President Alan Garber said they are committed to fighting antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and have and will continue to implement changes to that end.
The demands from the federal government, according to the letter the Department of Education sent to Harvard, include the sharing of all hiring and admissions and related data to the government, which will subject it to a comprehensive audit. Among other demands, the government called on Harvard to commission an external party to audit the student body, faculty, staff and leadership for “viewpoint diversity.”
“The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber wrote in a letter to the Harvard community.
“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”
Trump has similarly targeted other universities, some of which have decided to stand up to his administration and others that have agreed to its demands.
Gold has jumped to a fresh record high as investors fret over the impact of the trade war between the US and China.
Spot gold touched $3,357.40 (£2,540) per ounce on Wednesday, before dipping from its peak. It has risen by around 30% since the start of the year.
The latest move comes after the head of US central bank said President Donald Trump’s tariff policies are likely to mean slower growth and higher prices.
The precious metal is viewed as a safer asset for investors during times of economic uncertainty.
In remarks for the Economic Club of Chicago on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the higher-than-expected tariffs announced in recent weeks are likely to mean US economic growth will slow and rising prices for consumers.
The comments come after a period of turmoil on global financial markets as investors reacted to the new import taxes coming into effect and the escalating trade war between the US and China.
Gold is in “full lifeboat mode” as it has become “the most crowded trade on the planet,” Stephen Innes from the SPI Asset Management firm said.
“The dollar is stumbling under the weight of trade-policy whiplash, and portfolio managers have lost faith in anything that involves political discretion,” he added.
Analysts have compared this year’s gold rally to the Iranian Revolution more than four decades ago, when prices jumped by almost 120% from November 1979 to January 1980.
Jesper Koll from advisory firm Monex Group said investors have flocked to gold as “a trust hedge against both inflation and government recklessness”.
“Everyone is looking for ‘real’ assets. It’s increasingly clear that Team Trump’s ‘move fast and break things’ approach to policy making will not change,” he added.
The introduction of tariffs by the Trump administration, which are taxes charged on businesses importing goods from overseas, has fuelled fears of inflation, which has driven investors to so-called safe haven assets like gold.
Trump has put taxes of 145% on China since he returned to the White House in January, and China has retaliated with a 125% tariff on US imports.
There is also uncertainty about whether sweeping US tariffs on a host of other countries will go into effect, after being paused for 90 days.
The Trump administration has said the measures will bring manufacturing back to the US, create jobs for American workers and generate billions of dollars of tax revenues.
If you’re not already a Prime subscriber, don’t worry, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial and snag this deal while you’re at it.
These mini projectors have come a long way, and this Xgody model comes with 12,000 lumens of brightness, promising clear, sharp visuals even in low light.
It supports HD resolutions up to 1080p and 4K, making it a great choice for any Easter weekend movie nights you’ve got planned, whether you’re indoors or enjoying the weather outside.
In a nice touch, the built-in Android 11 means you can stream directly from apps like Disney+ and Prime Video, while WiFi 6 ensures everything runs smoothly without annoying delays.
It also has manual focus and auto image correction, so you’re movies look just as good as on the TV screen, and you can set it up in no time.
With a solid 4.3-star rating and glowing reviews, this projector is ticking all the boxes for shoppers.
One happy shopper shared: “The kids settle onto the sofa with cushions piled high, ready for their favourite films.
“Its portable design makes it perfect for setting up spontaneously in the lounge, or even for a cosy night under the stars in the back garden,” they added.
I also spotted another great offer for parents this Easter, with the Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet on sale for just £65, which is perfect for keeping little ones entertained.
For more savings, don’t forget to browse our selection of Amazon device deals, with plenty of savings to be had over the bank holiday weekend.
Michelle Trachtenberg’s cause of death has come to light more than a month after the “Ice Princess” and “Harriet the Spy” star died in her New York City apartment.
New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said on Wednesday that it determined Trachtenberg died of complications of diabetes mellitus, The Times has confirmed. Diabetes mellitus, according to Mayo Clinic, refers to a group of diseases that impact how the body uses blood sugar.
The office did not disclose details about the specific complications that led to Trachtenberg’s death. Officials also deemed her manner of death natural.
Trachtenberg, who also was known for her work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” died Feb. 26. The actor was found dead in her luxury apartment by her mother, police confirmed to The Times in February. She was 39.
Days after Trachtenberg’s sudden death, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the actor’s official cause and manner of death would remain undetermined, citing her family’s request. At the time, for religious reasons, Trachtenberg’s loved ones objected to having an autopsy performed on the “Adventures of Pete & Pete” actor.
Trachtenberg, the child of immigrants who grew up in Brooklyn speaking English and Russian, is said to have been Jewish. In that faith, autopsies generally are not performed because bodies are believed to be sacred and should not be tampered with after death.
“[A]bsent any suspicion of criminality around the circumstances of the death, the medical examiner will honor the objection,” a spokesperson said in a February statement.
The office did not immediately respond to The Times’ inquiry about whether it performed an autopsy to determine Trachtenberg’s cause and manner of death, but said it had reached its results “following review of laboratory test results.”
Shortly after news of Trachtenberg’s death spread, a number of her co-stars paid tribute on social media. Embattled “It Ends With Us” star Blake Lively, who shared the screen with Trachtenberg on “Gossip Girl,” said the New York City native “was fiercely loyal to her friends and brave for those she loved, she was big and bold and distinctly herself.”
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Trachtenberg’s on-screen older sister in “Buffy,” shared a collection of photos from their time together on the series. “Listen. I love you. I will always love you,” Gellar said in her caption. Actors Ed Westwick, David Boreanaz, Kenan Thompson, Kim Cattrall and Melissa Gilbert also were among the actors who paid tribute to Trachtenberg.
Former Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.
So can Arsenal beat PSG and make their second Champions League final?
The Gunners have the second-best defensive record in the competition, conceding just seven goals in 12 matches, while going forward only five teams have scored more.
Standing in their way though are a youthful, vibrant PSG side, who many are tipping to win their first European crown.
Julien Laurens, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Over 90 minutes, 120 minutes, I really believe PSG can beat anyone because they have that style of football, the intensity, the energy, the youth, they’ve got so much talent.
“The two full-backs in Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, I think you can look at the Arsenal full-backs, Inter Milan full-backs, Barcelona, I just think they don’t have better full-backs in Europe right now.
“And when you’ve got the midfield three that PSG have plus Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and [Bradley] Barcola and when [goalkeeper Gianluigi] Donnarumma is on his game, then you have a huge chance of course.”
Arsenal though will take confidence from PSG’s second-half second-leg collapse at Aston Villa on Tuesday night, where Luis Enrique’s young side appeared to crumble against heavy pressure.
The Gunners also comfortably beat PSG 2-0 in October, although Laurens says the French champions are now a different side.
He said: “I think Arsenal are so good without the ball, they are so good defensively.
“I know they’ve conceded goals lately but they’re still so strong and this is kind of more maybe than a team that attack you and play the similar style that PSG play, this is where they could be undone.”
Three people died and another three were injured after two boats collided during the Major League Fishing’s Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Wednesday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. File photo courtesy Visit Cullman, Alabama.
April 16 (UPI) — Three people died and three others were injured after two boats collided during the Major League Fishing’s Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Wednesday, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The crash involving bass fishing competitors occurred at 7:03 a.m. on Lewis Smith Lake near Cullman, which is 46 miles north of Birmingham, WBMA-TV reported.
“The crash occurred near the Miller Flats area of Smith Lake in Cullman County,” ALEA said in a statement to CNN.
The ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division is investigating the crash.
Joey M. Broom, 58, from Altoona, “was fatally injured when the Center Console vessel he was onboard was struck by a Nitro Bass Boat,” the state agency said. “Broom was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Broom is one of five Snead Town Council members in Blount County.
Two other men were thrown overboard by the same boat and drowned: John K. Clark, 44, of Cullman, and Jeffrey C. Little, 62, of Brandon, Miss., the state agency said.
The crash occurred on day two of the three-day competition. The third day events were canceled.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” Kathy Fennel, MLF executive vice president and general manager, said in a new release. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”
Neither the state agency nor the fishing group gave details about the crash.
The organization said it was working with law enforcement and emergency officials.
Lewis Smith Lake is a reservoir in north Alabama on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River. It covers more than 21,000 acres in Cullman, Walker and Winston Counties.
“Smith Lake is a cherished destination for both locals and visitors, and this incident has deeply impacted our entire community,” Cullman County Tourism Bureau said on Facebook. “We are grateful for the swift and dedicated response of our emergency personnel. We remain committed to supporting our community however we can. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by this tragedy.”
Major League Fishing is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization.
“We utilize our tournament fishing platform to share the passion of bass fishing with our fans,” MLF said on its website. “Our goal is to entertain, engage, educate and steward for the sport of bass fishing — no matter the format.”
The Tackle Warehouse Invitational includes five other events in Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and New York with a total season purse of more than $3.9 million. In each of the events, 150 anglers compete for a top prize of up to $115,000 and an invitation to compete in the Bass Pro Tour championship.
The bustling seaside resort is less than half an hour’s drive from the heart of the city and is home to a famous landmark, a luxury fish and chip restaurant and one of the best places to go for ice cream in the area
St Marys Lighthouse in Whitley Bay(Image: P A Thompson via Getty Images)
A bustling seaside resort, just a short drive from the heart of Newcastle, boasting a famous landmark, a luxury fish and chip restaurant, and one of the best spots for ice cream in the area, is gaining international recognition as it gears up for a busy Easter.
When it comes to North East beaches with breathtaking backdrops, Bamburgh certainly stands out, thanks to its historic castle nestled right next to it.
Further down the coast, you’ll find the beaches of Tynemouth, easily identifiable by the Priory, and Sandhaven beach in South Shields, which has even drawn comparisons to Ibiza, reports Chronicle Live.
However, none of these locations can boast what Whitley Bay has to offer.
With the revamped Spanish City dome, it’s arguably one of the most striking beach neighbours in the region, instantly catching your eye.
The cupola of the Spanish City is framed by a nearby beachside sculpture.(Image: blightylad-infocus via Getty Images)
Known as ‘the most popular seaside resort’ within easy reach of Newcastle, Whitley Bay has travel experts at globally renowned publishers Conde Nast singing its praises in a guide to the best beaches to visit in the area this summer.
In their review of Whitley Bay, they note: “Over the past 10 years the restoration of Spanish City and the seafront around it, combined with the opening of dozens of independent shops, cafes and restaurants have revived Tyneside’s most popular seaside resort”
The write-up also highlights the much-loved ice cream spot Di Meo’s as a must-visit, thanks to its ‘ever-changing range of wild and wonderful flavours. ‘
And naturally, no seaside trip is complete without indulging in some fish and chips.
Visitors to Whitley Bay can enjoy this classic dish inside the Spanish City dome itself, which houses Trenchers, a highly acclaimed restaurant that secured third place in this year’s National Fish and Chip awards – often referred to as ‘the Oscars’ of the industry.
Whitley Bay also boasts the Playhouse theatre, attracting a number of celebrities.
Comedian Jason Manford is a big fan of the local Meet Me on The Corner cafe, which he visited during his trip to the coast.
The cafe has since relocated to larger premises at Whitley Bay golf club.
For fans of the ITV drama Vera, you can visit some of the filming locations used in the show, including Turknaz restaurant and the iconic St Mary’s Lighthouse, which served as the backdrop for a tense exchange between DCI Stanhope and her sidekick Joe Ashworth in the first episode of the final series.
Wall Street closes sharply lower as US Federal Reserve chair warns tariffs could lead to slower growth, higher inflation
United States President Donald Trump has touted “big progress” in trade talks with Japan after making an unexpected intervention in the negotiations, as uncertainty caused by his sweeping tariffs continues to roil stock markets.
Trump made his comments on Wednesday after making the surprise decision to sit in on negotiations between his administration and Japanese officials in Washington, DC.
“A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the talks, which included US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa.
Akazawa said after the meeting that Trump wanted to reach a deal before the end of his 90-day pause on his “reciprocal” tariffs, with the Japanese hoping to see agreement sealed “as soon as possible.”
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the negotiations would not be easy but the initial rounds of talks had “created a foundation for the next steps.”
Like dozens of other US trade partners, Japan has been hit with a 10 percent baseline tariff in addition to duties of 25 percent on cars, steel and aluminium, which rank among the East Asian country’s top exports.
Japan, a top US security ally and its fourth-largest trade partner, is also facing a targeted 24 percent “reciprocal” tariff under Trump’s “liberation day” trade measures, nearly all of which have been paused until July 9.
“Japan’s industry is so closely integrated in the US economy that everyone is very concerned about the trade talks,” Martin Schulz, chief policy economist at Fujitsu in Tokyo, told Al Jazeera.
“Although there cannot be winners in a trade war, we are also quite optimistic that agreeable results can be achieved. Japan is the largest investor in the US and interested in investing more.”
“If both economies can be kept on a growth track, higher imports from the US become possible,” Schulz added.
The US-Japanese talks came as Wall Street racked up further heavy losses amid continuing uncertainty over Trump’s trade salvoes.
The benchmark S&P 500 closed 2.24 percent lower on Wednesday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 3.07 percent.
The losses followed a warning by US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell that Trump’s steep tariffs could leave the US economy grappling with weak growth, rising unemployment and higher inflation all at once.
“We may find ourselves in the challenging scenario in which our dual-mandate goals are in tension,” Powell said in a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago on Wednesday, referring to the US central bank’s twin goals of maximum employment and stable prices.
“If that were to occur, we would consider how far the economy is from each goal, and the potentially different time horizons over which those respective gaps would be anticipated to close.”
US stocks have been on a rollercoaster ride since Trump’s inauguration in January, alternating between sharp dips and big jumps amid his back-and-forth tariff announcements.
Financial markets and businesses have been on tenterhooks waiting for signs that the US president is open to watering down or scrapping many of his tariffs in exchange for concessions from US trading partners.
Trump administration officials have said that more than 75 countries have reached out to begin negotiations on trade.
After the latest losses on Wall Street, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are down about 10 percent and 15 percent, respectively, since the start of the year.
Asian stock markets got off to a better start on Thursday, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225, South Korea’s KOSPI and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index each rising more than 0.5 percent in early trading.
Blake Lively has revealed a major clue that fans might have missed in A Simple Favor.
Blake Lively has unveiled a hidden detail from her popular thriller A Simple Favour, which most fans probably overlooked.
The Hollywood starlet has been in the news recently due to legal disputes with her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni. However, she’s gearing up to launch a brand new project next month, following her role in a highly praised 2018 mystery drama.
In Another Simple Favour, Lively returns as Emily Nelson, who was incarcerated at the conclusion of the first film. She is joined by Anna Kendrick (Woman of the Hour), who portrays her on-screen best mate Stephanie Smothers.
Their tale picks up when Emily is freed from prison and is about to wed a rich Italian businessman (played by Michele Morrone).
Anna Kendrick (left) and Blake Lively reprise their roles in the sequel (Image: Publicity Picture)
Before flying off to her destination wedding in Capri, Italy, Emily asks Stephanie to be her maid of honour. Despite initial suspicions, Stephanie agrees to be part of the wedding party, reports the Mirror US.
At an early screening of the thriller in London, Lively hinted that audiences are in for a rollercoaster ride, labelling the sequel as ‘bonkers.’
But she also disclosed a subtle hint from the first movie that indicated Emily was always concealing her true self.
When questioned about how Emily’s iconic wardrobe changed for the sequel, Lively said: “In the first film, the way we always looked at it is that she’s somebody who is always hiding and she’s creating a persona so that she can disappear.
“So the pant suit was this character and it was very distinct and so she’s breaking out of that.”
Emily’s fashion is a hidden Easter egg for fans to decode (Image: Amazon Content Services )
The eagerly anticipated sequel to the thriller shows Emily sporting a less restrictive wardrobe, which is said to reflect her newfound trustworthiness.
“I feel like you trust her more when she, you know, has more variety. She has nothing to hide this time around,” Lively remarked.
In the original film, there were subtle hints that Emily was haunted by her past, with her aversion to being photographed by Stephanie for the school yearbooks standing out as a key sign.
Yet, in the upcoming movie, it’s the lead character’s changing array of outfits that audiences are advised to watch closely for significant insights.
Another Simple Favour premieres on May 1 on Amazon Prime Video.
Clayton Kershaw took the next step to a return from the 60-day injured list, making his first rehabilitation appearance in triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
The longest-tenured Dodger tossed three scoreless innings in a start against the Tacoma Rainiers in a rare Wednesday morning contest, giving up two hits, striking out two and walking none on 30 pitches (22 for strikes). Kershaw underwent left-knee and left-foot surgery — to repair his left big toe — during the offseason. He missed the 2024 postseason because of his toe injury.
“I think anytime with rehab you want to feel healthy, which I do feel good today,” Kershaw, 37, told reporters after the game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. “Then you want to see your stuff — obviously — play. There’s some things that I need to work on still, but for the first [rehab appearance] overall, it was a good step forward.”
The future Hall of Fame southpaw’s fastball velocity averaged 87.5 mph and topped out at 88.8 mph — more than a full mile per hour down from the 89.9 he averaged in 2024. He threw 12 sliders, 10 fastballs, four curveballs and four change-ups, generating five swings and misses.
Kershaw, entering his 18th season with the Dodgers, has struggled to reach the velocity of his younger days when he’d turn up his fastball to the mid-to-low 90s, turning toward increased slider usage and continuing to toy with a fourth pitch: a change-up.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that with Kershaw, it’s not about his arm health, but rather how he’s progressing from his toe surgery. The operation to repair a ruptured plantar plate is not a common operation for baseball players, leading to speculation as to how Kershaw’s recovery would advance.
“I think with a guy like Clayton is more of how he feels,” said Roberts, later adding that training staff reports pointed to Kershaw’s toe being in good shape. “I know he’s probably happy with the uptick in velocity, the toe is the last part of it. The body feels good. The arm feels good.”
Pitching coach Mark Prior said Wednesday that Kershaw “turned a page” in the last 10 days, complimenting his performance in Oklahoma City, noting the awkward swings the lefty forced on his offspeed offerings. For Prior, he’s looking forward to seeing a fully healthy Kershaw on the mound.
“[Kershaw’s] like, ‘My arm feels good. My arm feels good,’” Prior said. “We just want to see him be able to go out there and compete on a very consistent basis, every week, every six days, seven days, whatever that is, being able to repeat that and continue to build up.”
With Kershaw trending towards a mid-to-late May activation off the injured list, his return will only further complicate the Dodgers starting rotation.
Before being optioned to triple-A to make way for Bobby Miller’s start Wednesday, right-hander Landon Knack made two starts, while left-hander Justin Wrobleski tossed a spot start while the team was in Washington.
Blake Snell, the Dodgers’ prized free-agent acquisition, has already made a trip to the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation on April 7. The former two-time Cy Young award winner began a throwing program Monday and has played catch every day since then. Roberts said Wednesday there is no current timeline for Snell’s return.
Right-handers Tony Gonsolin and reliever Evan Phillips are likely the next to return from the injured list. Phillips earned the save for Oklahoma City on Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning and appearing in a game for the second consecutive day for the first time in his rehab stint.
Gonsolin made his longest rehab start yet Tuesday, giving up three earned runs while fanning five batters across four innings. Roberts said Gonsolin will throw another rehab start — aiming for the five-inning marker — in Oklahoma City next week, and is on track with his tune-up.
If Miller is optioned back to Oklahoma City after his start Wednesday, the Dodgers will need to fill a spot start next week once again.
Teoscar back in the lineup
Outfielder Teoscar Hernández will return to the lineup against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday after missing the last two games with a stomach bug.
“[I feel] great,” Hernández said pregame Wednesday. “The last two days it’s been a little tough, but I feel better. Just to be able to go on the field, feel good, be with the guys and play the game.”
Hernández will start in right field and hit cleanup. The second-year Dodger has slashed .281/.309/.563 to begin the season, tallying five home runs and 16 RBI so far.
Four Russian journalists have been sentenced to over 5 years in prison for alleged ties to late opposition leader Alexey Navalny. All four reject the charges and supporters say they are being punished simply for doing their jobs.
A once-picturesque village often described as the UK’s ‘most beautiful’ has finally had enough of tourists – who have slowly turned the area into a coach-riddled nightmare
This tiny village is crumbling due to over-tourism(Image: Getty Images)
A fairytale-like village lined with chocolate box cottages and a winding river has announced a brutal clampdown on tourists. A clear victim of its own beauty, Bibury, which was once described by the artist William Morris as the ‘most beautiful village in England’, can witness more than 10,000 visitors in a single day.
When you compare that staggering figure to the fact Bibury is only home to 600 residents, you can imagine how insufferably busy the area can get. For many, the magic has been zapped out of the village: replaced with droves of selfie-stick-waving holidaymakers who aren’t afraid to pose in front of residents’ houses, and up to 50 coaches herding tourists into the village in a single day.
Surrounded by rolling countryside in the acclaimed Cotswolds, over-tourism has started to really divide locals. Some of them profit from the visitor influx, by renting out their holiday home or running the local pub. But for most, tourists are a mere nuisance.
It’s hard to get a picture of Bibury now without droves of tourists getting into the background(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Following escalating concerns, Gloucestershire County Council recently announced that it would restrict coaches parking in the centre of the village within the next two months. However, at the exact same time, a local business owner wants to open a new parking site on the edge of the village.
According to the BBC, local resident Wendy Hazelwood said she didn’t mind tourists looking at her property – but has had enough of people invading her privacy by trying to peek through her gates and curtains. “This [the proposed new parking site] is totally counter-productive to what we want to achieve in the village because it will bring approximately 800 tourists, maybe, every hour extra into the village,” she added. “We’re trying to reduce the tourism, not increase it.”
Bibury has long been a popular destination – but over-tourism is getting worse(Image: PA)
Cllr Craig Chapman, chairman of Bibury Parish Council warned the coach ban is only the ‘start of the action’ even though the measure is temporary. “We are not a suitable destination for coaches, as there isn’t adequate parking,” he added. “We carried out a safety survey on these bays; they’re too short and they’re in exactly the wrong place by a bridge, which is single track. To manoeuvre into the bays, blocks the whole road.”
Maxwell Thomas, who proposed the parking site – which could fit 100 cars and 12 coaches – argues locals should embrace tourists. He told the BBC that visitors had been coming to Bibury ‘for hundreds of years’ and that residents couldn’t expect holidaymakers not to explore the quaint village.
If you’re undeterred by crowds – you can travel from London to Bibury in under two hours(Image: In Pictures via Getty Images)
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If you’re not put off by the bustling crowds, Bibury is around 100 miles from London and takes around two hours and 15 minutes in the car. You can get a direct train to Kemble, which cuts the journey time in half, and then get a 24-minute taxi to Bibury. If you’re flexible with prices, you can get a single adult fare for as little as £28.50.
Accommodation in Bibury is limited due to its small size – which means staying overnight can be pricey. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, April 25-27) at the four-star Swan Hotel would set you back a staggering £610, based on two adults sharing.
However, if you’re willing to stay slightly out of the tourist-riddled centre, you’ll be able to get much more for your money. Staying at the acclaimed Cotteswold House, which is a 15-minute walk from Bibury, on the exact same dates would save you almost £200 (£460, including breakfast).
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
Do you think Bibury is worth the hype? Let us know in the comments section below
PARENTS have been on the lookout for a new nappy cream after the popular Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment vanished from shelves.
Described as a “miracle” product by many, Metanium Yellow was beloved for its ability to treat nappy rash and is sorely missed by mums and dads who swear by it.
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Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is catching the attention of parents across the UKCredit: Tesco
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Many parents are convinced that the Clotrimazole cream is a must have in their nappy-changing routine
Usually available at major retailers like Superdrug, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Savers, and online through Amazon, Express Chemist, and Lloyds Pharmacy, the ointment is now completely sold out.
Thornton & Ross said: “Thornton & Ross has taken the decision to discontinue Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment.
“This is due to constraints that have impacted our ability to guarantee consistent supply and maintain the high standards of excellence we strive for in all our products.”
They added: “We understand Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment was a valued product and we assure you this decision was not taken lightly.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the discontinuation may cause.”
However, a new contender has appeared, and it’s catching the attention of parents across the UK.
Boots, a high street retailer known for its wide range of health and beauty products, is now stocking an anti-fungal cream that some are claiming works just as well as the discontinued Metanium.
The product, Clotrimazole, priced at just £1.99, is marketed as an effective treatment for fungal nappy rash and even ringworm.
One mum, sharing her thoughts on the product, said: “This stuff is like magic!!!
“My little one suffers with nappy rash so badly when he’s teething! This clears it up every time!”
Despite rave reviews, the product has sparked mixed reactions in online comments.
Some parents are concerned about its long-term use.
One user pointed out: “NO, this can’t be used every day!! It’s short-term use only.”
Others were more specific about its intended purpose, with one saying: “It’s a thrush cream.”
Another adding: “For fungal rashes.
“This stuff thins the skin if used too much.”
Still, many parents are convinced that the Clotrimazole cream is a must have in their nappy-changing routine, with one comment saying: “It’s the thrush cream!
“Very similar to what causes nappy rash so it works so good.”
Vanishing products
It is not uncommon for manufacturers to axe products in they are underperforming or because of issues in supply.
Earlier this year, Pampers axed its popular night nappy pants and told shoppers to buy its Baby-Dry nappy pants instead.
In May, M&S also scrapped its own brand nappy range, causing upset amongst parents who said they were one of the best brands for babies.
Parents have also faced shortages of baby formula from major brands such as Kendamil.
WE’VE put together six top tips to cut costs, nab freebies and to make sure you’re not fined.
Free prescriptions and dental care – Prescriptions cost £9.15 a pop in England, while NHS dental costs vary by location. You can get both for free while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby’s due date. Ask your doctor or midwife for a maternity exemption certificate (MATEX) to claim the free care.
Free milk, infant formula, vitamins or fruit and veg – Under the Healthy Start programme, you may be entitled to the freebies if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have a child under four and you’re on certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.
£500 free grant – In England, Northern Ireland and Wales you may be entitled to a Sure Start grant of £500 if you’re on certain benefits and expecting your first child or expecting more than one baby – such as twins.To claim, you need to fill out the following form on Gov.uk and get your doctor or midwife to sign it.
£500 free grant – In England, Northern Ireland and Wales you may be entitled to a Sure Start grant of £500 if you’re on certain benefits and expecting your first child or expecting more than one baby – such as twins.To claim, you need to fill out the following form on Gov.uk and get your doctor or midwife to sign it.
£500 free grant – In England, Northern Ireland and Wales you may be entitled to a Sure Start grant of £500 if you’re on certain benefits and expecting your first child or expecting more than one baby – such as twins.To claim, you need to fill out the following form on Gov.uk and get your doctor or midwife to sign it.
£500 free grant – In England, Northern Ireland and Wales you may be entitled to a Sure Start grant of £500 if you’re on certain benefits and expecting your first child or expecting more than one baby – such as twins.To claim, you need to fill out the following form on Gov.uk and get your doctor or midwife to sign it.
Register the birth in time or face a £200 fine – You need to register the birth within 42 days of your baby being born with your local registry office. This costs £11 in England and Wales.
Update a will or update it – If you don’t have a will, in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, where one parent dies, children will only inherit cash if the estate is worth more than £250,000 – otherwise all the money will go to the surviving spouse. If you don’t want that to happen, you need to get a will stating your wishes.
Consider getting life insurance – No-one likes to think about death but if something happened to you, could the family survive without your salary? If not, you many want to consider life insurance. Use a comparison service to find not only the cheapest, but the most suitable cover for your needs.
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Parents have described the product as a “miracle”Credit: Alamy
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Kieu Quoc Thanh, the CEO of cashew export business SVC Group, says that everyone in his industry has been “feeling crazy” for the past two weeks.
Since United States President Donald Trump announced his since-paused “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2, Thanh has witnessed mass confusion among Vietnamese exporters.
Many businesses reliant on the US market are checking online hourly for updates on the tariffs, Thanh says, while he has a shipping container full of cashews bound for the US market currently sitting in limbo.
Since Trump announced a 90-day pause on Vietnam’s 46 percent tariff and duties on dozens of other countries, the US has imposed a baseline 10 percent levy on imports from all countries, including Vietnam.
But Thanh’s customers in the US and customs officers alike are uncertain how much to tax his products, he says.
“No one knows what’s happening,” Thanh told Al Jazeera at his Ho Chi Minh City office last week.
A man stands outside Phuc Long Port in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 10, 2025 [Govi Snell/Al Jazeera]
While businesses such as Thanh’s navigate the disruption, Hanoi and Washington are in discussions about a trade deal after agreeing to begin negotiations on April 10.
For Vietnam, one of the world’s most export-reliant economies, the stakes could scarcely be higher.
The US is the Southeast Asian country’s biggest export market, with shipments to it alone last year accounting for 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
While Trump’s tariff pause led to some hope in Vietnam, the country is on tenterhooks about what might happen next, said Tyler Manh Dung Nguyen, chief market strategist at equity firm Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation.
“We are having a period of extreme uncertainty, not only for the financial market, but also for businesses,” Nguyen told Al Jazeera.
“It’s like a reality show,” Nguyen added. “Everything changes every day.”
Trump’s trade salvoes have drawn sharp contrast with the decades-long process of warming relations between Washington and Hanoi, culminating in the former enemies upgrading their ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2023.
For Eddie Thai, a Vietnamese American who co-founded the Ho Chi Minh City-based venture capital firm Ascend Vietnam Ventures, it has been disheartening to see relations come under strain, particularly ahead of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on April 30.
“I don’t think it has thrown us back 50 years, I wouldn’t say that far, but it is burning a lot of goodwill that a lot of people on both sides of the ocean have been trying to build since the 90s,” Thai told Al Jazeera, calling Trump’s dealing with Vietnam destructive and personally “disappointing as an American”.
Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he boards his plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on April 15, 2025 [Athit Perawongmetha/ Pool via AFP]
With the US and Vietnam looking towards a trade deal, China, Hanoi’s biggest source of imports and its second-largest export destination, has loomed large over the negotiations.
On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hanoi as part of a five-day tour of Southeast Asia, a trip widely seen as an effort to cast China as a more reliable trading partner for the region than the US.
Upon his arrival, Xi was greeted at the airport by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, and later received a 21-gun salute at Hanoi’s Presidential Palace.
Reacting to the warm reception for the Chinese leader, Trump suggested the countries would use their talks to scheme against the US.
“That’s a lovely meeting. Meeting like, trying to figure out, ‘How do we screw the United States of America?’” Trump told reporters at the White House.
According to Chinese state news outlet Xinhua, Xi urged Vietnam to resist “unilateral bullying” and stated that “China’s mega market is always open to Vietnam”.
During Xi’s visit, the countries signed 45 agreements, Chinese and Vietnamese media reported, without providing details of the deals.
With the US and China slapping each other’s goods with tariffs exceeding 100 percent, Vietnam has become the “diplomatic guy in the middle,” said Nguyen, the strategist at Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation.
“[Hanoi] always tries to be neutral in every situation,” Nguyen said. “We do not side with one country to fight another country.”
US trade deficit
Trump’s tariffs have also raised the ire of foreign businesses based in Vietnam.
It would be an impossible task for Vietnam to erase its trade deficit with the US – the third-highest in 2024 at $123.5bn – given the differences between the two economies, said Bruno Jaspaert, general director of DEEP C Industrial Zones in the northern port town of Haiphong.
“Any country like Vietnam, in reality, has no leverage against the States,” Jaspaert, who is also head of EuroCham Vietnam, told Al Jazeera.
“That stupid formula of theirs can never ever be balanced because it will take decades before Vietnam can buy enough,” Jaspaert said, referring to the controversial calculations used by the Trump administration to come up with its “reciprocal” tariff rates.
Facing the threat of a huge economic blow, Hanoi has put considerable effort into getting into the good graces of the Trump administration.
The government has pledged to buy more Boeing planes and liquefied natural gas, and opened talks on purchasing C-130 cargo planes from Lockheed Martin.
Last month, officials agreed to allow Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to operate in the country on a trial basis.
Vietnam has also signed deals with the Trump Organization.
Shortly before Trump’s re-election, his holding company agreed to invest $1.5bn in a golf course and hotel project in Communist Party chief To Lam’s home province of Hung Yen.
Commuters sit in traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [Govi Snell/Al Jazeera]
“I believe that the leadership in Hanoi – they have done a lot to secure a more lenient approach,” Nguyen Khac Giang, visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told Al Jazeera.
To Lam was one of the first foreign leaders to get on the phone with Trump after his April 2 tariff announcement and sent a delegation to Washington to negotiate with his administration on April 10.
Among his efforts to mollify Trump, To Lam has said he is willing to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero.
“There is no alternative choice for Vietnam other than making peace with the US to secure access to the US market,” Giang said. “The Vietnamese must do what they can to preserve that access.”
Despite the risks for Vietnam, some observers also see opportunities for the country in Trump’s trade war.
In the short term, businesses are ramping up production in order to get goods to the US in the next three months while the 10 percent tariff is still in place.
“Quite a few people are planning to ship out a lot – 10 percent is still doable,” Jaspaert said. “If Trump wants to stand up to his promise, the tariffs will go up again … I don’t believe we’re out of the woods yet.”
In the longer term, Vietnam could again be a beneficiary of increased volatility between Washington and Beijing under Trump.
During Trump’s first term, the Southeast Asian country benefitted from an exodus of factories from China as businesses sought to lessen their exposure to geopolitical risks and trade barriers.
“The real battle here is unashamedly the US against China,” Craig Martin, chairman of Ho Chi Minh City-based private equity firm Dynam Capital, told Al Jazeera.
“You’ve got this uncertainty, this very heated trade war with eye-watering levels of tariffs [between Washington and Beijing].” “You could actually see a silver lining, being people looking to do more in Vietnam,” Martin added.
A person drives a moped in Vietnam’s business hub, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam [Govi Snell/Al Jazeera]
Vietnam has also been under US scrutiny for shipping goods from China into the US with minimal manufacturing undertaken in Vietnam.
Such scrutiny will likely push Vietnam to invest in more value-added manufacturing, said Nguyen, the market strategist.
“I think there will be a mechanism that has to be agreed by both governments to control that – to make sure that there’s no transhipment,” he said. “I think that would actually be a good thing for Vietnam in the mid to long run.”
Last week, the Reuters news agency reported that Hanoi was offering to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the US via its territory and to tighten controls on sensitive exports to China.
The report, which cited a person familiar with the matter and a government document, came after White House trade adviser Peter Navarro raised concerns that Chinese goods were being sent to the US with “Made in Vietnam” labels to avail of lower import taxes.
The US-China tensions could be a “golden opportunity” for Europe to increase its trade with Vietnam and for Hanoi to diversify its trade more broadly, Jaspaert said.
“Vietnam has won all the wars it’s been in, so I believe it will also win the tariff war,” Jaspaert said.
