All posts tagged: towns

Israel has reportedly used white phosphorus near Lebanese cities and towns. What is it? : NPR

Israel has reportedly used white phosphorus near Lebanese cities and towns. What is it? : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

A piece of alleged white phosphorus still burns at UNRWA’s (UN Relief and Works Agency) primary school in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on January 24, 2009. Oliver Laban-Mattei/AFP hide caption toggle caption Oliver Laban-Mattei/AFP Human rights groups and The New York Times say they have documented Israel’s use of the chemical white phosphorus over civilian areas in Lebanon. It is a substance that can cause severe burns, respiratory issues and death. The New York Times reported Saturday that Israel used white phosphorus in the Lebanese town of Nabatieh May 30 by verifying social media videos. Israel re-started strikes on the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon shortly after Israel and the U.S. jointly struck Iran at the end of February. Hezbollah had first re-ignited the cross-border conflict with projectiles fired at communities in Northern Israel in early March. While Lebanon and Israel agreed to a ceasefire Wednesday, Hezbollah rejected that agreement. Since then, continued Israeli airstrikes have killed nine people, including three members of the Lebanese military. White phosphorus is not banned …

UK seaside town’s famous theme park to open new £8.7m ride on Thursday | UK | News

UK seaside town’s famous theme park to open new £8.7m ride on Thursday | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

An iconic UK seaside town theme park is set for a major boost this week with the opening of a huge new ride. The ride, which cost £8.72 billion to build, seats 40 riders and has been dubbed a “completely unique experience”. Blackpool Pleasure Beach will officially open Aviktas, a gyro-swing ride, to the public on Thursday (May 21). The record-breaking attraction stands 88ft tall and swings riders at angles of up to 120 degrees, reaching a peak height of 138ft – making it the tallest ride of its kind in the UK. This week’s launch marks the start of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s 130th-anniversary season, which will also introduce a number of new rides and attractions. Aviktas, which will be situated on the former Bowl-A-Drome site, will be outward facing meaning riders will have sweeping views of the sea and the famous Blackpool Tower. It has been shielded from public view during its construction, with the site protected by fencing and hoarding until this week. Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort said: “This …

Owner of 2 iconic seaside town piers sees firm collapse | UK | News

Owner of 2 iconic seaside town piers sees firm collapse | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

The owner of Eastbourne and Hastings piers is facing fraud charges with the future of the piers remaining uncertain. Sheikh Abid Gulzar appeared at Hove Crown Court to answer the charges. The 79-year-old and another man, Manasdeep Singh, are charged with 10 counts of fraud. Mr Gulzar owns Eastbourne and Hastings piers. He bought Hastings Pier in 2018 and Eastbourne Pier in 2015. A notice has been posted to The Gazette on May 16 which states that a firm directed by Gulzar, Lions Pier Limited, is being wound up – meaning it has officially closed down. It comes after liquidators were appointed at Lions Hastings Pier Limited on August 3, 2023. Mr Gulzar was also listed as the director of this company. Lions Pier Limited, which is registered to 7-9 The Avenue, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3YA, has a date of winding-up order of May 12. The date of the filing petition is listed as March 25. Its official receiver is listed as K Jackson PO BOX 16660, Birmingham, B2 2HE. Mr Gulzar will go …

Iconic seaside towns where people I spoke to all seem to agree on 1 thing | Politics | News

Iconic seaside towns where people I spoke to all seem to agree on 1 thing | Politics | News

Published by Sam Flores

Sharon Morgan was among those who spoke ahead of this week’s elections (Image: Lewis Smith) It’s a glorious day along the south Wales coastline as hundreds of locals, shoppers and day-trippers make the most of the fine weather in the iconic seaside towns of Barry and Porthcawl. Both areas have long been regarded as amongst the most well-known tourist destinations in this part of Wales during the summer months, drawing visitors from across the country with their stunning beaches and seasonal attractions. Of course, Barry also has UK-wide fame thanks to Gavin and Stacey. Yet venture away from the seafront and conversations with residents take on a rather different tone, with many voicing concerns over the rising cost of living, mounting pressures on local services and whether long-term regeneration plans are truly heading in the right direction. Both towns will fall within the newly created Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg seat for the 2026 Senedd elections on May 7, which will be formed from the two existing Westminster constituencies of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. This …

The neighbouring Welsh seaside towns where people are desperate for change

The neighbouring Welsh seaside towns where people are desperate for change

Published by Sam Flores

It’s a sunny day on the coast of south Wales as hundreds of residents, shoppers, and day trippers make the most of the weather in the seaside towns of Barry and Porthcawl. The two areas have long been known as some of the most recognisable tourist destinations in this part of Wales during the warmer months, drawing in visitors from all over the country with their picturesque beaches and summer attractions. However, step away from the seafront and conversations with locals take on a slightly different tone, with many raising concerns about the current cost of living, pressures seen on local services, and whether or not long-term regeneration plans are taking them in the right directions. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter Both towns will fall within the new Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg seat for the 2026 Senedd elections on May 7, which will be made up of the two existing Westminster constituencies of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. This will include parts of both council areas such as …

Israel is destroying towns and villages in southern Lebanon : NPR

Israel is destroying towns and villages in southern Lebanon : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Two Israeli soldiers operate in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, April 29, 2026 Ariel Schalit/AP hide caption toggle caption Ariel Schalit/AP MANSOURI, Lebanon — The center of the village lies in ruins. A row of single-story shops blown out, goods scattered on the ground, glass shattered along the sidewalk. Homes and buildings are crumpled into themselves, unrecognizable. The mosque is blackened and burned, the minaret split in two. A Lebanese civil defense emergency vehicle is crushed next to the rubble, its windshield smashed. Mansouri, a small village in the undulating hills of Lebanon’s south is about six miles from the country’s ‘s border with Israel, but it now lies less than a mile from what Israel has called the “yellow line” in the south — marking the large swath of land now occupied by Israeli troops. Thirty-five-year-old Abed Ammar stands on the main street, looking at the destruction. He works as an emergency responder and returned to Mansouri on the first day of the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah earlier this month, …

Malian Defense Chief Is Killed as Jihadis and Rebels Seize Towns and Military Bases

Malian Defense Chief Is Killed as Jihadis and Rebels Seize Towns and Military Bases

Published by Sam Flores

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Mali ‘s defense minister was killed in a sweeping attack by jihadis and rebels who seized several towns and military bases, authorities said Sunday, the latest violence in the junta-run country that has long battled militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group as well as a separatist rebellion in the north. The Malian government confirmed the death of the defense chief, Gen. Sadio Camara, in a post on the defense ministry’s Facebook page, and expressed its condolences to his family. State-run television also broadcast the announcement of his death by spokesman Gen. Issa Ousmane Coulibaly. Mali was struck on Saturday by one of the biggest coordinated attacks on its army in the capital, Bamako, and several other cities and towns in an assault that also challenged Mali’s security partner, Russia, which has forces on the ground in the West African country. The government said Sunday the attacks appear to be over, but several questions remain, including who was in control of a key northern city that the separatists claim …

Forget Florence: six of the best towns in Tuscany to escape overtourism | Tuscany holidays

Forget Florence: six of the best towns in Tuscany to escape overtourism | Tuscany holidays

Published by Sam Flores

First, it was Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik. Now, Florence has joined the most overtouristed destinations in the world: its 365,000 inhabitants shared their city last year with 4.6 million visitors. The director of the city’s Accademia gallery – home to Michelangelo’s David – talked in 2024 about “hit and run” tourism, describing visitors “on a quick in-and-out mission to take selfies … trampling the city without contributing anything”. Local author Margherita Calderoni describes Via Camillo Cavour, a street leading to the Duomo, as a “rancid soup” of chain restaurants and “shops selling plastic trinkets from who knows where”. Although steps are being taken – the city council has introduced a ban on new short-term lets and is promoting sights in lesser-known neighbourhoods – tackling overtourism is a challenge. And other Tuscan cities, such as Siena and San Gimignano, are suffering too. But beyond these honeypots, Italy’s fifth-largest region is full of glories, with not a takeaway chain or selfie stick in sight. Here are six of my favourites. For architecture: Monteriggioni To hit Monteriggioni during …

One town’s scheme to get rid of its geese

One town’s scheme to get rid of its geese

Published by skeptic

The need for such conflict resolution is on the rise as land development collides with changes in animal behavior. Though overpopulation of Canada geese is a national nuisance in the US, such tensions also surface with other species in this country and elsewhere, including grizzlies on the Montana prairies, coyotes on San Francisco streets, and savanna elephants in Tanzania parks.  So the people whose job it is to deal with recalcitrant critters are bringing on the gadgets. Back in Foster City, I spot a black camera mounted to a tree trunk at Gull Park by the lagoon. They’re in seven parks around town, programmed to snap photos every 15 minutes and transmit them back to Wildlife Innovations HQ. If they detect geese, a biologist immediately drives over to disperse the birds. One team member uses devices like lasers or drones; another brings along a goose-hating border collie named Rocky.  Belligerent birds must grapple with the Goosinator.ANNIKA HOM As a special measure, staff deploy the “Goosinator,” a small, remote-controlled neon-orange pontoon boat with a fearsome dog-like …

Brunson and Towns Lead the Knicks Past the Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of Their Series

Brunson and Towns Lead the Knicks Past the Hawks 113-102 in Game 1 of Their Series

Published by Sam Flores

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 28 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 of his 25 in the second half and the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. OG Anunoby added 18 points and Josh Hart had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks in their first postseason game under Mike Brown after making four trips in five years under Tom Thibodeau, capped by their first trip to the Eastern Conference finals since 2000 last year. The No. 3 seed in the East again this season hosts Game 2 on Monday night. CJ McCollum had 26 points and Jalen Johnson added 23 for the Hawks, who went 20-6 after the All-Star break to earn the No. 6 seed. “We know that they’re going to be ready for Game 2,” Brunson said. “So quick turnaround and extreme focus.” Brunson, who already owns the Knicks’ record with eight 40-point games in the postseason, was almost halfway to another in the first quarter. …