Mexico

A march has begun from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas northward to the central part of the country, in protest of policies that make legal immigration status difficult to achieve.

Wednesday’s march set out from the border city of Tapachula, near Guatemala, and nearly 300 migrants, asylum seekers and supporters took part.

But the demonstration was overshadowed by the arrest one day earlier of one of its leaders, prominent immigration activist Luis Garcia Villagran.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the arrest in her morning news conference on Wednesday. She alleged that Garcia Villagran had been detained for taking part in human trafficking.

“That is the crime,” she said, adding that Garcia Villagran was “not an activist”.

She added that an arrest warrant had been pending for the activist for years. But it was unclear why his arrest was carried out now.

The nonprofit Pueblo Sin Fronteras, however, disputed Sheinbaum’s characterisation of Garcia Villagran.

“The detention of Luis Villagran, director and human rights defender, is an unacceptable assault,” the nonprofit’s head, Irineo Mujica, wrote in a post to social media.

“Luis Villagrán’s only ‘crime’ is to defend those who have no money or voice, and to tell the truth, which bothers the powerful. Stop criminalising human rights defenders!”

Mujica – who was detained himself in 2019 on similar charges, only to be released – argued that Garcia Villagran’s arrest was a political distraction.

“This is a smokescreen: dirty and corrupt politics to cover up the true networks of corruption,” he said.

Mujica and Garcia Villagran have both been prominent voices in a movement to make legal immigration pathways more accessible.

They have also been among the organisers associated with the trend of the migrant “caravans” that travel from southern Mexico to the United States border in recent years.

Some of those past caravans have involved thousands of people, many of whom banded together for protection against criminal networks, corrupt officials and other threats they may face as they migrate.

Migration northwards, however, has slowed, particularly since US President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January.

Trump quickly attempted to bar asylum claims at the border, a move that has spurred a legal backlash.

Last month, a court blocked his asylum ban on the basis that it created an “alternative immigration system” without deference to Congress’s laws.

But Trump’s policies have nevertheless had a dampening effect on immigration at the border. In June, US Customs and Border Protection recorded only 9,306 “encounters” with migrants and asylum seekers at the country’s southern border – a nearly 93 percent drop compared with the same period last year.

Wednesday’s march had a different objective than those past caravans, though, particularly as migrants and asylum seekers turn away from the US and seek other destinations.

Organisers of the march sought to draw attention to the slow processing time for asylum applications in Mexico and other hurdles to achieving legal immigration status.

It also served as a demonstration against Mexican policies that have sought to keep undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in the south of the country, away from the US border.

The Trump administration has pressured Mexico to crack down on immigration into the US, including through the threat of tariffs.

Garcia Villagran’s arrest in the hours leading up to the march, however, left some migrants and asylum seekers fearful of taking part in the march.

The news agency AFP obtained one message that was circulating among participants that read, “Hide, don’t let yourselves get caught.”

A Catholic priest who took part in Wednesday’s march, Heyman Vazquez, told The Associated Press news agency that Garcia Villagran’s arrest was “unjust”.

He added that the arrest revealed a sense of insecurity in the government over the question of migration. The solution, he explained, would be to make it easier for migrants and asylum seekers to obtain legal status, thereby removing the need for such protests.

It has been named the best beach in the world for those looking to enjoy the warm weather and relax on the white sands, according to a new study

Many Brits love to escape the dreary weather for a day by the sea. Perhaps it’s the golden sand, crystal clear water or simply the warmer climate that draws you in. Well, Luxury holiday company CV Villas has conducted research to find out which beaches boast the whitest sand in the world. Let’s be honest, nothing screams ‘perfect beach’ more than pristine white sand.

The study analysed Google Maps images of approximately 200 beaches, examining the colour of each shoreline to determine the results. Unsurprisingly, the beach with the whitest sand is nowhere near the UK, but it’s certainly worth the flight time, reports the Express.

Tulum Beach in Mexico was crowned as having the whitest sand in the world, as it had the least deviation from pure white.

Tulum Beach sits on the Yucatan coast of Mexico at the country’s southeastern tip, looking out to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Tulum is a huge tourist destination known for its beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city.

The main building is a large stone structure called El Castillo which sits atop a rocky cliff looking down across the white sand beach and turquoise sea.

Given its tourist draw, there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars situated throughout the long narrow stretch of town.

However, some visitors on Tripadvisor do note that prices can be high for amenities such as parking.

Having visited in July 2024, an American tourist left a Tripadvisor review saying the area had both “good and bad” points. They described the beach, however, as a “paradise”.

Coming in second place was Anse Source D’Argent in the Seychelles, which had a variation of 4.3, and Marmari Beach in Greece took third place with a variation of 6.5.

Here are the top 20 beaches with the whitest sand:

1. Tulum Beach, Mexico

2. Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles

3. Marmari Beach, Greece

4. Tropea Beach, Italy and Platja de Muro, Spain

6. Cala Pluma, Spain

7. Plage de Valras, France

8. Cala Brandinchi, Italy

9. Stocking Island Beach, Bahamas and Taylor Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

11. Varadero Beach, Cuba

12. Punta Prosciutto, Italy

13. Maya Bay Beach, Thailand

14. Carmel Beach, USA

15. Bamboo Island Beach, Thailand

16. Siesta Key Beach, USA

17. Spiaggia La Pelosa, Italy

18. Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico and Luskentyre Beach, Scotland

20. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

Eight of the top 10 destinations are in Europe.

If you’re after a beach closer to home, Scotland’s Luskentyre Beach shares the eighteenth spot with Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.

Federal authorities in the United States revealed Tuesday that they will not seek the death penalty against three reputed Mexican drug cartel leaders, including an alleged former partner of the infamous “El Chapo” and the man accused of orchestrating the killing of a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

Court filings showed decisions handed down in the trio of prosecutions, all being held in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The cases involve drug and conspiracy charges against Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, 75, charged with running a powerful faction of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel; Rafael Caro Quintero, 72, who allegedly masterminded the DEA agent’s torture and murder in 1985; and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, 62, also known as El Viceroy, who is under indictment as the ex-boss of the Juarez cartel.

Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York filed a letter in each case “to inform the Court and the defense that the Attorney General has authorized and directed this Office not to seek the death penalty.”

The decision comes despite calls by President Trump use capital punishment against drug traffickers and the U.S. government ratcheting up pressure against Mexico to dismantle organized crime groups and to staunch the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the border.

A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It’s rare for the death penalty to be in play against high-level Mexican cartel figures. Mexico long ago abolished capital punishment and typically extradites its citizens on the condition they are spared death.

In Zambada’s case, the standard restrictions did not apply because he was not extradited. Zambada was brought to the U.S. last July by a son of his longtime associate, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Zambada alleges he was ambushed and kidnapped in Sinaloa by Joaquín Guzmán López, who forced him onto an airplane bound for a small airport outside El Paso, Texas.

Zambada has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and remains jailed in Brooklyn while his case proceeds. A court filing in June said prosecutors and the defense had “discussed the potential for a resolution short of trial,” suggesting plea negotiations are underway.

Frank Perez, the lawyer representing Zambada, issued a statement Tuesday to The Times that said: “We welcome the government’s decision not to pursue the death penalty against our client. This marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution.”

Federal authorities announced in May that Guzmán López, 39, an accused leader of the Sinaloa cartel faction known as “Los Chapitos,” would also not face the death penalty. He faces an array of drug smuggling and conspiracy charges in a case pending before the federal court in Chicago.

Another son of El Chapo, Ovidio Guzmán López, 35, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charge last month in Chicago. Court filings show he has agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities in other investigations.

Caro Quintero and Carrillo Fuentes were two of the biggest names among a group of 29 men handed over by Mexico to the U.S. in February. The unusual mass transfer was conducted outside the typical extradition process, which left open the possibility of the death penalty.

Reputed to be a founding member of Mexico’s powerful Guadalajara cartel in the 1980s, Caro Quintero is allegedly responsible for the brutal slaying of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena 40 years ago.

The killing, portrayed on the Netlfix show “Narcos: Mexico” and recounted in many books and documentaries, led to a fierce response by U.S. authorities, but Caro Quintero managed to elude justice for decades. Getting him on U.S. soil was portrayed a major victory by Trump administration officials.

Derek Maltz, the DEA chief in February, said in a statement that Caro Quintero had “unleashed violence, destruction, and death across the United States and Mexico, has spent four decades atop DEA’s most wanted fugitives list.”

Carrillo Fuentes is perhaps best known as the younger brother of another Mexican drug trafficker, Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the legendary “Lord of the Skies,” who died in 1997. Once close to El Chapo, El Mayo and other Sinaloa cartel leaders, the younger Carrillo Funtes split off to form his own cartel in the city of Juárez, triggering years of bloody cartel warfare.

Kenneth J. Montgomery, the lawyer for Carrillo Fuentes, said Tuesday his client was “extremely grateful” for the government’s decision not to seek the death penalty.”I thought it was the right decision,” he said. “In a civilized society, I don’t think the death penalty should ever be an option.”

Trump has been an ardent supporter of capital punishment. In January, he signed an order that directs the attorney general to “take all necessary and lawful action” to ensure that states have enough lethal injection drugs to carry out executions.

Trump’s order directed the attorney general to pursue the death penalty in cases that involve the killing of law enforcement officers, among other factors. For years, Trump has loudly called for executing convicted drug traffickers. He reiterated the call for executions again in 2022 when announcing his intent to run again for president.

“We’re going to be asking [that] everyone who sells drugs, gets caught selling drugs, to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts,” Trump said.

Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi lifted a moratorium on federal executions in February, reversing a policy that began under the Biden administration. In April, Bondi announced intentions to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the man charged with assassinating a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York City.

Bonnie Klapper, a former federal narcotics prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, reacted with surprise upon learning that the Trump administration had decided not to pursue capital cases against the accused kingpins, particularly Caro Quintero.

Klapper, who is now a defense attorney, speculated that Mexico is strongly opposed to executions of its citizens and officials may have exerted diplomatic pressure to spare the lives of the three men, perhaps offering to send more kingpins in the future.

“While my initial reaction is one of shock given this administration’s embrace of the death penalty, perhaps there’s conversations taking place behind the scenes in which Mexico has said, ‘If you want more of these, you can’t ask to kill any of our citizens.’”

July 31 (UPI) — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he won’t raise tariffs on Mexican goods Friday for 90 days, in hopes that a new trade deal can be arranged.

Trump posted to his Truth Social account that he had spoken with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on the phone, in a call he described as “very successful in that, more and more, we are getting to know and understand each other.”

Sheinbaum also spoke of the call Thursday, posting to X that “We had a very good call with the President of the United States, Donald Trump.”

“We avoided the tariff increase announced for [Friday] and secured 90 days to build a long-term agreement through dialogue,” she added.

“The complexities of a deal with Mexico are somewhat different than other nations, because of both the problems, and assets, of the Border,” Trump said. “We have agreed to extend, for a 90 day period, the exact same deal as we had for the last short period of time, namely, that Mexico will continue to pay a 25% fentanyl tariff, 25% tariff on cars, and 50% tariff on steel, aluminum, and copper.”

The “25% fentanyl tariff” refers to a levy described in an Executive Order Trump put forth in February as applicable to “goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption” from Mexico as a punitive measure based on allegations that Mexico failed “to devote sufficient attention and resources to meaningfully stem the tide of unlawful migration and illicit drugs.”

Trump also said that in return for the 90-day pause, Mexico has agreed to “immediately terminate its non-tariff trade barriers, of which there were many.”

He further noted that there will be “continued cooperation on the border as it relates to all aspects of security, including drugs, drug distribution, and illegal immigration into the United States.”

A New Mexico judge has dismissed Alec Baldwin’s lawsuit alleging that he was maliciously prosecuted — one year after the actor-producer was cleared of a criminal charge in the “Rust” shooting death of the film’s cinematographer.

Baldwin alleged in a January lawsuit that he was the victim of overzealous New Mexico prosecutors and law enforcement. Baldwin claimed he had become the state’s celebrity scapegoat for the accidental on-set shooting of director of photography Halyna Hutchins.

The lawsuit came six months after a judge dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charge that Baldwin had been facing.

Former New Mexico 1st Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ended Baldwin’s trial last July after learning prosecutors withheld potential evidence from Baldwin’s legal team.

Baldwin’s subsequent suit targeted special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey, 1st Judicial Dist. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altwies, Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputies and Santa Fe County Commissioners.

The defendants were “blinded by their desire to convict Alec Baldwin for all the wrong reasons, and at any cost,” his lawsuit claimed.

On Tuesday, a different judge dismissed Baldwin’s claims against the state, citing a lack of activity in the case.

Third Judicial Dist. Judge Casey B. Fitch wrote that it had been six months since any “significant action” had been filed in Baldwin’s case. Fitch gave the lawyers 30 days to file a motion to keep the lawsuit moving.

The ruling comes as legal proceedings in the “Rust” shooting saga are winding down.

In May, weapons handler Hannah Gutierrez was freed from prison after serving 14 months for her felony conviction of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins’ October 2021 death on the New Mexico film set.

Baldwin’s case was dismissed a year ago by a Marlowe Sommer, who has since retired, on what was supposed to be the third day of the actor’s high-profile trial.

Instead, his defense attorneys raised serious questions over how New Mexico law enforcement officers and prosecutors handled evidence as they mounted their prosecution.

Baldwin’s attorneys accused the state of misconduct, pointing to a batch of unexamined bullets that a potential witness turned over to sheriff’s investigators in March 2024. Marlowe Sommer appeared furious over the handling of the evidence, which was not given to the defense, and dismissed the single charge against Baldwin.

Earlier this year, when Baldwin’s suit was filed, Morrissey said prosecutors had long been aware of Baldwin’s plans to sue New Mexico. She added: “We look forward to our day in court.”

July 25 (UPI) — A suspect was arrested Friday after one person was killed and another injured in an early morning shooting at a University of New Mexico student housing complex in Albuquerque.

ABC News reported U.S. Marshals arrested the suspected shooter at an apartment complex in Los Lunas, which is 25 miles south of Albuquerque, the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office. KOAT-TV reported the person was arrested at 2:30 p.m.

The injured person has non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting that was reported at 3 a.m., according to a Lobo Alert at the Casas del Rio housing complex.

The university first posted an alert at 6:27 a.m. about the shooting

“Responding officers discovered two individuals had been shot. One victim is deceased, and the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries,” campus police said.

The victims were not identified.

At 1 p.m. local time, school officials began a “staged, tactical evacuation” of students and personnel.

For five hours, people were told to shelter in place. It was then lifted but “central campus remains closed. Evacuation is not necessary,” according to a post on X.

Multiple law enforcement agencies were on the scene.

A person on X expressed concern for those at New Student Orientation.

“We’re looking to ensure the safety of those on campus. NSO students have been directly communicated with, and operations like food services are currently being modified to accommodate them. We will continue to share updates here when they become available,” The campus X account replied.

More than 400 students were attending new student orientation and were staying in dormitories.

A “White Coat Ceremony” for incoming medical students, scheduled for Friday was canceled.

About 25,000 students attend the school in Albuquerque but the enrollment is much smaller during the summer.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and horrified by this act of violence in our campus community,” Stokes said in a statement. “This is certainly a difficult moment, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, angry, or afraid.”

In November 2022, one student died and three campus visitors were injured at a campus housing building when students attempted to lure a New Mexico State University basketball player to campus and tied to assault him. Two men were sentenced for their roles in the incident.

July 20 (UPI) — The Transportation Department has announced a series of actions against Mexico for violating a years-old bilateral air carrier trade pact.

The department said Mexico has not been in compliance with the airline competition agreement since 2022 when it took back some slots for flights for U.S. air carriers at Benito Juarez International airport in Mexico City and forced U.S. cargo planes to shift their operations to other parts of the city.

“Since 2022, Mexico has altered the playing field significantly for airlines that reduce competition and allow prominent competitors to gain an unfair advantage in the U.S.-Mexico market,” a release from the Transportation Department said. “The United States and Mexico have an air services agreement… that commits both parties to a liberalized operating environment for all airlines…Mexico has walked away from its commitments.”

Mexico has said it rescinded the slots to make room for construction at the airport, but the work has yet to materialize three years later, the transportation department contended.

“By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of [Mexico City International Airport], Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,” the release continued.

The “America First” actions enacted by the Trump administration require Mexican airlines to file schedules with the transportation department for all of their U.S. operations, mandate prior DOT approval before operating any large passenger or cargo aircraft charter flights from the United States and addressing anti-competitive issues in the market.

Mexico seized slots from U.S.-based carriers American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines, as well as from three Mexican airlines — Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus and Volaris — to make room for the construction.

“Despite repeated outreach from the Department, Mexico has not provided any information regarding when these slots would be returned or any major construction projects at MEX will ever materialize,” the release continued.

Duffy added that the United States is also reviewing trade agreements with other countries to determine if they are being violated, including pacts with some European nations.

July 16 (UPI) — Mexico recorded 7,399 missing persons cases in the first half of 2025, marking a nearly 18% increase from the same period last year, according to the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons.

Between January and June, monthly reports consistently exceeded 1,000 cases, peaking in March at 1,279 and May at 1,377. The sustained trend reflects a steady escalation of the crisis nationwide.

Mexico City recorded the highest number of disappearances during that period, with 1,099 cases — an 88% increase from the same period in 2024.

It was followed by the State of Mexico, with 1,063 cases, and Sinaloa, with 519. Michoacán, Baja California, Sonora, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Nuevo León — states marked by high levels of violence and the presence of organized crime — each reported between 325 and 467 cases.

Disappearances in Mexico are part of a complex crisis that has developed over the past two decades. The issue is driven by a combination of factors, from organized criminal activity to systemic impunity, according to government reports, academic studies and human rights organizations.

According to the National Search Commission and international organizations, more than 98% of cases remain unresolved in court.

The systemic impunity has created an environment in which perpetrators know their actions carry no legal consequences, and families are forced to take on investigative roles. Search collectives have become the backbone of the fight against disappearances in Mexico, locating remains and demanding justice.

One of the most prominent search collectives is Madres Buscadoras de Sonora (Searching Mothers of Sonora), which has become a national and international symbol.

Just last weekend, the group discovered a suspected training camp believed to have been used by organized crime to train or hold new recruits hostage. Human remains and about 200 articles of clothing were found at the site, according to Univision.

Since its founding in May 2019, Madres Buscadoras de Sonora has located more than 1,200 sets of human remains or bodies in clandestine graves and has pressed state and federal authorities to respond to reports of new burial sites.

Young people ages 15 to 29 make up the majority of those who disappear in Mexico,- followed increasingly by girls, teenagers and migrants, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

In Jalisco, the state with the highest number of disappearances, authorities recorded a 63.6% increase in missing teenagers and a 72% rise in children ages 10 to 14 over the past two years, according to the University of Guadalajara.

Routes used for drug trafficking, human trafficking and contraband often overlap with major hotspots for disappearances in states such as Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Guanajuato and Guerrero, where criminal groups fight for territorial control.

In states like Zacatecas and Michoacán, authorities and search collectives have documented mass disappearances tied to violent clashes between criminal organizations.

In 2022, the total number of cases in the registry surpassed 100,000. The number increased by 7.3% in 2023 and 6.3% in 2024, and is projected to rise by 12% in 2025, according to a report by Red Lupa. Roughly 90% of all recorded disappearances in Mexico have occurred between 2000 and May 16.

Football governing body says ticket sales for tournament in North America will be released in phases, with the process kicking off on September 10.

FIFA has announced that the process to purchase tickets for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada will launch on September 10, urging fans looking to attend games to formally register their interest on its website.

The announcement on Tuesday came a day after the FIFA Club World Cup concluded in the US, a tournament that the international governing body for football hailed as a “rousing success”.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America, as Canada, Mexico and the United States host what will be the biggest and greatest sporting event ever,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“We encourage fans everywhere to get ready to secure their place – these will be the most coveted seats in world sport.”

FIFA did not provide details for how the tickets will be released, but it said on September 10, pre-registered fans will be able to “apply for their first chance to buy tickets”.

“There will be several distinct ticket sales phases from the start of sales on 10 September 2025, through to the final match on Sunday, 19 July 2026,” FIFA said.

“Each phase may differ in purchasing processes, payment methods and ticket products, and full details on each phase will be released in the coming months.”

The World Cup will kick off in Mexico City on June 11 next year and conclude in New Jersey on July 19.

Canada, Mexico host 13 World Cup games each

With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, it will see 104 games, with Canada and Mexico hosting 13 matches each.

The rest of the games will take place in the US, including all the fixtures from the quarterfinal onwards.

The US had a de facto test run for the big tournament with the Club World Cup that kicked off last month, with mixed results.

While the final at MetLife Stadium, which saw Premier League giants Chelsea beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, attracted a sold-out crowd of over 81,000 people, some games saw an abysmally low turnout.

The searing hot weather also proved to be a challenge for players and fans, especially during midday games. However, many matches drew large crowds and a festive atmosphere, as well as some notable footballing upsets.

US President Donald Trump appeared to take a strong interest in the tournament. He hosted Italian club Juventus at the White House when the team was in Washington, DC, for a group stage game last month.

He attended the final in New Jersey and joined Chelsea players on stage for the trophy presentation.

However, Trump’s restrictive immigration policies have sparked concerns about the ability of international fans to visit the US next year.

In June, the US president imposed travel bans and restrictions on citizens of 19 countries, including Iran, whose national team has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

While football is known as the world’s game, the sport has been behind American football, baseball and basketball in popularity in the US. Still, football has been steadily gaining interest in the country over the past decade, a trend accelerated by Argentinian great Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023.

Qatar hosted the last World Cup in 2022, with Argentina lifting the trophy for the third time in their history, cementing the status of Messi as one of the greatest players of all time.

TUI passengers on a flight home from Mexico faced chaos after a couple on board the plane started smoking in the toilet and then began fighting

British holidaymakers returning from a sun-soaked break in Cancun, Mexico, found themselves unexpectedly stranded in the considerably chillier US state of Maine, after two passengers on their flight refused to quit smoking and sparked a brawl.

The pilot of the TUI transatlantic flight bound for London Gatwick was compelled to make an emergency landing on Tuesday, following the discovery of two passengers “smoking in the toilet.”

Despite UK airlines having enforced a smoking ban for the past thirty years, the duo stubbornly continued to light up, even when the pilot threatened to land the plane if they persisted.

Irate passengers aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight informed the New York Post that the unidentified smokers seemed to be a couple, whose in-flight chaos subsequently spiralled into a fight. “They were obviously drunk, and he basically assaulted his partner,” one fellow passenger revealed.

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All 267 passengers from Cancun were then subjected to an unplanned stopover in Bangor, Maine. Flight recordings disclose the pilot communicating with air traffic controllers, stating: “Cockpit is secure, and there’s two passengers fighting, and the crew has pretty much gotten them under control.”

Within moments, air traffic controllers had rerouted the flight and by 9.30pm, the TUI flight was grounded in Maine with airport officials escorting the pair of smokers off the aircraft.

The travel chaos only intensified for their fellow passengers, who endured an unplanned overnight stay in Bangor before catching another flight home.

They would be waiting until 3pm on Wednesday to recommence their transatlantic trip, eventually touching down safely at Gatwick later the same day.

The two troublemakers who sparked the chaos dodged any charges by US Customs and Border Protection officials, who resolved to send them back on separate flights.

An official from the border agency commented: “This incident involved a foreign-to-foreign flight that was diverted due to an in-flight altercation between two passengers.

“Upon arrival, CBP officers removed both individuals from the aircraft. Although no criminal charges were filed, CBP processed the two subjects for expedited removal.”

United States President Donald Trump has informed Mexico and the European Union that they face tariffs of 30 percent starting next month.

This has created shock and is raising fears of an all-out trade war, but both Mexico and the EU say they want talks to continue.

So, what is Trump’s strategy – and what are the risks?

Presenter: James Bays

Guests:

Niall Stanage – columnist for The Hill

Greg Swenson – chairman of Republicans Overseas UK

Daniel Gros – director of the Institute for European Policymaking at Bocconi University

This marks an increase of 5 percent and 10 percent on Mexican and EU goods respectively.

United States President Donald Trump has imposed a 30-percent tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union starting on August 1, weeks after negotiations with the major trading partners failed to reach a more comprehensive trade deal.

Trump, who announced the new tariffs on two of the US’s biggest trade partners in separate letters posted to his Truth Social platform on Saturday, said they were due to what he said were Mexico’s role in undocumented migration and illicit drugs flowing into the US and a trade imbalance with the EU, respectively.

Earlier this week, Trump issued new tariff announcements for more than 20 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil, as well as a 50-percent tariff on copper.

The duties are higher than the 25-percent levy Trump imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year – although products entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement are exempted.

The EU tariff is also markedly steeper than the 20-percent tax Trump unveiled in April.

In response, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is prepared to take the necessary steps to safeguard its interests, “including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”

Von der Leyen said in a statement that the bloc remained ready “to continue working towards an agreement by August 1”.

Three other EU officials told the Reuters news agency that Trump’s threat of an EU tariff is a negotiating tactic.

The EU, alongside dozens of other economies, had been set to see its US tariff level increase from a baseline of 10 percent on Wednesday, but Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1 just days before the elevated rates were due to take effect.

The 27-country bloc is under conflicting pressures as powerhouse Germany urged a quick deal to safeguard its industry, while other EU members, such as France, have said EU negotiators should not cave into a one-sided deal that only benefits the US.

Canada earlier received a similar letter setting out 35-percent tariffs on its goods, while Trump has threatened to impose a 50-percent tariff on goods made in Brazil, in retaliation for the “witch-hunt” trial against his far-right ally former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing prosecution over his alleged role in a plot to overturn the country’s 2022 election.

Trump’s cascade of tariff orders since returning to the White House in January has begun generating tens of billions of dollars a month in new revenue for the US government. US customs duties revenue shot past $100bn in the federal fiscal year to June, according to US Treasury data on Friday.

But the global economy and markets have been on a rollercoaster that seems set to continue for the foreseeable future.

President Donald Trump has announced that the European Union and Mexico will face a 30% tariff on imports to the US from 1 August.

He warned he would impose even higher import taxes if either of the US trading partners decided to retaliate.

The 27-member EU – America’s biggest trading partner – said earlier this week it hoped to agree a deal with Washington before 1 August.

Trump has this week also said the US will impose new tariffs on goods from Japan, South Korea, Canada and Brazil, also starting from 1 August. Similar letters were sent this week to a number of smaller US trade partners.

In the letter sent on Friday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump wrote: “We have had years to discuss our trading relationship with the European Union, and have concluded that we must move away from these long-term-large, and persistent, trade deficits, engendered by your tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers.”

“Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,” the letter added.

The EU has been a frequent target of Trump’s criticism. On 2 April, he proposed a 20% tariff for goods from the bloc and then threatened to raise that to 50% as trade talks stalled.

Washington and Brussels had hoped to reach an agreement before a deadline of 9 July, but there have been no announcements on progress.

In 2024, the US trade deficit with the bloc was $235.6bn (€202bn; £174bn), according to the office of the US trade representative.

Von der Leyen said the EU remained ready “to continue working towards an agreement by Aug 1”.

“Few economies in the world match the European Union’s level of openness and adherence to fair trading practices,” her statement added.

“We will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.”

In his letter to Mexico’s leader, Trump said the country had not done enough to stop North America becoming a “Narco-Trafficking Playground”.

“Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough,” Trump added.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez plans to change his not guilty plea during a hearing after arrest in 2023.

A son of the infamous Mexican drug cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is expected to plead guilty in a wide-ranging United States drug trafficking case at a court hearing in Chicago.

Court records for Ovidio Guzman Lopez indicate he intends to change his not-guilty plea as part of a deal with federal prosecutors at the hearing on Friday.

If confirmed, it would be the first time one of El Chapo’s sons has struck such an agreement.

Federal prosecutors allege that Ovidio and his brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who became known locally as Los Chapitos, led a powerful faction of the notorious Mexican Sinaloa cartel.

They are accused of masterminding a major fentanyl trafficking operation that funnelled what prosecutors described as a “staggering” amount of the synthetic opioid into the US. The US has suffered a major opioid crisis in the last few decades, which has resulted in large numbers of deaths, addiction, and lawsuits.

Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is currently serving a life sentence in a US federal prison following a 2019 conviction. After his capture, Ovidio Guzman Lopez and his siblings reportedly took on key leadership roles within the cartel.

Ovidio Guzman Lopez was arrested by Mexican authorities in early 2023 and extradited to the US months later. He originally pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges.

His brother, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, and longtime cartel leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada were arrested in Texas in 2024 after arriving on a private plane. Both men have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.

Their high-profile capture set off a wave of violence across Sinaloa as rival factions scrambled for control, vying for control of routes used to produce and transport narcotics, including fentanyl, that are often destined for the US.

The groups are split between members loyal to the Sinaloa Cartel cofounders, “El Chapo” Guzman and Zambada.

The US has closed its ports of entry to Mexican cattle for fear of the parasitic, flesh-eating worm spreading north.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denounced a decision by the United States to once again suspend imports of her country’s cattle over a flesh-eating parasite called the screwworm.

On Thursday, Sheinbaum used her morning news conference to call fears of the worm overblown. She pointed out that a single case in the eastern state of Veracruz had prompted the import pause.

“From our point of view, it is a totally exaggerated decision to close the border again,” Sheinbaum said.

At the centre of the cross-border debate is the New World screwworm, a species endemic to the Caribbean and parts of South America. It had previously been eradicated from the northernmost part of its range, in Central and North America.

The US, for instance, declared it eliminated from the country in 1966.

But the parasite may be making a comeback, leaving the US government alarmed about its potential impact on its cattle and beef sector, a $515bn industry.

The New World screwworms appear when a variety of parasitic flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax, lay their eggs near wounds or sores on warm-blooded animals. Most commonly, its hosts are livestock like horses or cattle, but even household pets or humans can be infested.

Each female fly is capable of laying hundreds of eggs. When the eggs hatch, they release larvae that tunnel into the flesh of their hosts, often causing incredible pain.

Unlike maggots from other species, they do not feed on dead flesh, only living tissue. If left untreated, infestations can sometimes be deadly.

The fear of New World screwworms expanding northwards has caused the US to halt shipments of Mexican cattle several times over the past year.

In late November, it put in place a ban that lasted until February. Then, on May 11, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the US would once again bar entry to Mexican cattle after the “unacceptable northward advancement” of the bug.

A port of entry in Arizona was slated to reopen to Mexican cattle starting on Monday. But that plan was suspended under a new announcement on Wednesday, which implemented the cattle ban once more, effective immediately.

“The United States has promised to be vigilant — and after detecting this new NWS [New World screwworm] case, we are pausing the planned port reopening’s to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico,” Rollins said in a statement.

The statement explained that the US hopes to eradicate the parasite, pushing its encroachment no further than the Darien Gap, the land bridge in Panama that connects South and Central America.

It also asserted that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was “holding Mexico accountable by ensuring proactive measures are being taken”.

Part of its strategy will be to release male flies — lab-raised and sterilised through radiation — from airplanes in Mexico and the southern US. Female flies can mate only once, so if they pair with a sterile fly, they will be unable to reproduce.

The same strategy has been deployed in the past to control the New World screwworm, as an alternative to more hazardous methods like pesticides that could affect other animals.

In a social media post on June 30, Rollins touted gains in recent weeks, including “over 100 million sterile flies dispersed weekly” and “no notable increase” in screwworm cases in eight weeks.

She thanked her Mexican counterpart, Julio Berdegue, for his help.

“He and his team have worked hand in hand with our @USDA team since May 11 to get these ports reopened. We are grateful,” she wrote.

AVA Resort in Cancun Mexico costs around £450 per night which is certainly not cheap, but the all-inclusive resort hotel offers a huge amount to those lucky enough to stay there

Growing up, all-inclusive holidays were a must for my family—not only for the ease of eating at the hotel every night but also for lifting the burden of feeding four children from my parents’ shoulders.

As I’ve moved through life, holidays with friends and partners have become more of a self-catering affair to reduce costs. The encouragement to explore different restaurants while away is also a huge selling point for me—something I didn’t realise could be achieved on an all-inclusive break. That was until I spent five days at the five-star AVA Resort in the sunny city of Cancun, Mexico.

It is unsurprising that the delights on offer here were a world away from the buffets found at package-deal holiday sites across Europe, where I spent many happy times in my youth. Not to knock those—but AVA was on a whole other plane when it came to food and drink service, something I’d never experienced before.

READ MORE: ‘Tormenting’ acts of holidaymakers sees ten Airbnbs shut down in Spanish hotspot

The restaurants on offer include a French dining experience at Chez Moi, Asian cuisine at Bao, and teppanyaki at two other venues in the vast hotel. Mediterranean cuisine is also available, along with a host of fabulous cocktails and more ice cream than you could ever eat.

But what impressed me most about the dining at AVA was that each dinner restaurant was waiter-served and came with a menu. Simply deciding what to eat as you would at any other paying eatery made me forget I was in a hotel at all. Instead, I was met with fine dining options just metres from my hotel room—a fact that came in handy after enjoying the fantastic food devoured each night.

The best of which, for me, was a confit goat starter at Chez Moi that melted onto the plate. This was followed by filet steak paired with a rich, meaty sauce that made you forget you were sitting in a resort and transported you straight to heaven.

Cocktails also went down a treat at The Cocktail Bar a few feet away, with a cosmopolitan giving all the best Sex and the City airs and graces, and a spicy margarita reminding me I was in the vibrant country of Mexico. The pistachio gelato was something I couldn’t resist each time I passed the ice cream stand, which felt like a shop although no payment was needed.

This truly helped me feel as though I was exploring the place I was in, as opposed to being trapped with whatever food and drink I was given. A tip from me would be to cover whatever ice cream flavour you choose with caramel sauce and coconut flakes—because, of course, calories do not count on holiday.

Waiters also served me as I lounged by the pool, with no need to haul myself up from a horizontal position to grab a beverage or lunch of tacos, nachos, or a vibrant salad.

The all-inclusive options were absolutely incredible, but with a price tag of around £450 per night, I would expect nothing less from AVA Resort Cancun.

Book it

Seven nights at the brand new five-star AVA Resort Cancun costs from just £1,651 per person on a premium all-inclusive basis in an Oceanfront King Room with Sea View and Balcony with two-person spa tub. Price is based on two adults sharing on an All-Inclusive Basis and includes direct return flights from London Gatwick to Cancun. Price based on select September 2025 departures. Visit AVA Resort Cancun for rooms.

British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Cancun cost from £498.

Rio Secreto in Cancun was discovered almost two decades ago by complete chance. Now the underground oasis has become a major tourist attraction in the Mexican seaside town

Tacos, tequila and sombreros are just some of the clichés that come to mind when thinking of the stunning country of Mexico. But what many visitors don’t realise is that there’s a whole other world lurking beneath the surface—literally.

Not only can holidaymakers enjoy cenotes—natural water pools believed by the Mayans to have a connection to the underworld—but they can also explore an entire underwater cave system.

Remarkably, Río Secreto in Cancún was only discovered in 2006 by a man who was hunting in the jungle. The story goes that he chased an iguana into a hole, which turned out to be the entrance to a vast underwater oasis. In the years since, the site has been painstakingly mapped, and guides now lead around 100 tourists per day through the cave, which is full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Bats also call the cave home, along with some interesting creepy crawlies—which I, for one, tried my best not to look at during a recent trip in June 2025. Head torches are needed to see the wonders of the cave, and at one point in the tour, our guide asked us to turn them off to show just how dark it really is inside.

READ MORE: Lesser known island next to huge tourist hotspot with unspoiled beaches and crystal-clear water

The long, glittering stalactites and stalagmites are otherworldly, leaving you feeling as though you’ve landed on another planet. Some physical strength is needed to clamber over rocks and swim through parts of the cave, but nothing too strenuous.

Participants are offered walking sticks to aid with this before walking through a short stretch of jungle to reach the mouth of the cave. Inside, the cool air is a sharp contrast to the 30°C sun beaming down at the entrance, adding to the surreal experience.

Our guide, Imelda, spoke passionately about the site as we ambled along the path. She ensured everyone in our group was happy and engaged throughout. Before we began the tour, Imelda introduced us to a Mayan shaman, who gave us a blessing before we made our way down the steps into another world.

We clambered under and over rocks and even got to swim in the cool water. As someone who is claustrophobic, I was never afraid—the tall cave ceilings mean you don’t feel cramped or stuck.

The experience was magical, but one thing that caught me off guard during the visit was the strict ban on photography. GoPros are not allowed inside the cave, nor is any camera equipment, including phones—some of which tourists had placed in waterproof pouches in preparation.

Instead, a photographer accompanies the group, capturing images as you walk and swim through the trail. These are available for purchase at the end of the excursion and can be viewed on a computer screen—akin to the ones you see after a ride at Alton Towers, albeit with slightly fewer screaming faces.

However, with a price tag of around $100 (around £72) for a photo package or $30 (around £21) per person, it’s a costly addition to the day. And when most of the images are of you carefully stepping over a rock in a lifejacket, helmet and wetsuit, it’s not surprising that I walked away with just the memories of such a special place.

We then made our way back to AVA Resort Cancún to end the day with a cocktail—or five—for a job well done.

Book it

Seven nights at the brand new five-star AVA Resort Cancun costs from just £1,651 per person on a premium all-inclusive basis in an Oceanfront King Room with Sea View and Balcony with two-person spa tub. Price is based on two adults sharing on an All-Inclusive Basis and includes direct return flights from London Gatwick to Cancun. Price based on select September 2025 departures. Visit AVA Resort Cancun for rooms.

A ticket to Rio Secreto is $89 (around £65) for adults and $44.50 (around £32) for children.

British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Cancun cost from £498.