Visiting a public garden is one of the best ways to get outside. You feel the sun’s warmth on your skin as you stroll by the trees and flowers in bloom, appreciating every leaf and petal. Give yourself the gift of fresh air and time well spent by taking a trip to one of these splendid gardens.

Edward James Sculpture Garden, Las Pozas, Mexico

During the 1960s, “eccentric” British poet and Surrealist art patron Edward James traveled to the Mexican rainforest and created this “otherworldly” sculpture garden, said The New York Times. More than 30 “elaborate” and often “nonsensical” statues and structures, with curious names like “The House of Three Stories That Could Be Five,” are scattered about, surrounded by massive ferns, orchids and waterfalls. Every area vies for your attention; exploring this topsy-turvy landscape feels like “stepping into a dream.”

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

A 250-acre “fantasy land” of “space-age biodomes” and “whimsical sculptures,” Gardens by the Bay is known for its over-the-top features, said Lonely Planet. The “astonishing” Cloud Forest, with its 114-foot waterfall and aerial walkways through the trees, feels straight out of the tropics, while the Flower Dome “replicates the dry Mediterranean climates found across the world.” Once the sun sets, the giant trees of the Supertree Grove slowly illuminate for Garden Rhapsody, a nightly light and music show.

The High Line, New York City

Manhattan’s urban landscape is on “full display” at the High Line, said Condé Nast Traveler. This former freight rail turned “elevated, mixed-use public park” is a prime example of New York City “cleverly” turning “old spaces into exactly what you want them to be.” More than a dozen garden zones can be found along the 1.45-mile-long stretch, where perennials, grass, trees and shrubs come together in “perfect unkempt harmony.”

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa

This trailblazing botanical garden, established in 1913, was the first in the world to focus solely on indigenous plants. It sits in a lovely spot on the eastern slope of Table Mountain, and though the garden “showcases more than 7,000 species,” a “high priority” is given to plants in the fynbos biome, like “stiff, structured proteas” and “shaggy, flowering ericas,” said The New York Times. Get a bird’s-eye view by taking the Tree Canopy Walkway, a curved bridge that offers “mountain vistas and sweeping forest views.”

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Conservatories, topiaries, aquatic plants, meadows, dazzling fountains and more await at the spectacular 1,100-acre Longwood Gardens. The collection of plants is “incredible,” as is the main conservatory filled with “lush” displays that change seasonally, said USA Today. Variety is key to Longwood Gardens’ success, as visitors have plenty of sections to wander, including the spacious new Orchid House, tranquil Bonsai Courtyard, verdant Waterlily Court and the modern Cascade Garden, designed by Roberto Burle Marx.

Marqueyssac Gardens, Vézac, France

Nearly four miles of pathways wind their way through this enchanting garden, where more than 150,000 boxwood trees are “meticulously laid and manicured” to “create mesmerizing patterns,” said Veranda. Marqueyssac sits on a cliff overlooking the Dordogne Valley and offers impressive views of the land and river below. Peacocks roam freely and are often spotted enjoying the garden’s beauty.

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Pack a picnic, don comfortable walking shoes and prepare to spend all day at Australia’s oldest botanic garden. Spread across 74 acres, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is home to more than 5,000 native and international species and “adorned with ornamental plants, rolling lawns and ancient trees,” said Condé Nast Traveler.

Highlights include the Cadi Jam Ora garden, which “shares native, Aboriginal plants and those brought from Europe by Britain’s First Fleet,” and The Calyx, a “living art gallery” and one of the largest green walls in the southern hemisphere. Leave enough time to see the ancient Wollemi pine, one of the rarest plants on Earth.

Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, England

The grand gardens at Wrest Park date back hundreds of years, giving visitors the chance to go on a “journey through three centuries of landscape design,” said The Times. The formal gardens showcase English, French, Dutch and Italian landscaping styles and “ornate” sculptures, but “venture beyond the pretty parterres and perfumed borders” and you’ll find far less manicured woodland trails. For fans of “Bridgerton,” if the grounds look familiar, that’s because scenes for season two and three were filmed on the property.

What happened

Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living veteran, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of “war crime — murder” and three counts of abetting such crimes, according to documents presented in court on Wednesday. The charges relate to the killings of five unarmed civilians while he was the patrol commander of an elite Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012.

Who said what

Roberts-Smith is “only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime,” said The Associated Press. He has “consistently denied all wrongdoing,” said the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. But his “public image was shattered in 2018,” when several newspapers published articles accusing him of killing Afghan civilians, The New York Times said. He sued for defamation and lost. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in a statement that the five Afghans at the center of the charges were unarmed, “under the control” of the Australian military and “not taking part in hostilities at the time of their alleged murder.”

What next?

Roberts-Smith’s trial could become the “most consequential military prosecution” in Australian history, said the Times. The maximum penalty for each charge is life in prison.

Businesses in the Australian state of Victoria will be “forced to allow staff to work from home two days a week” under what the state government described as “world-first” laws.

The “sweeping measures”, said The Times, will apply to employers of all sizes and put in place a “legal guarantee” that all Victorian workers who can “reasonably” work from home will be eligible.

However, the state government, which faces elections in November, has received concerns from small businesses that the law will restrict growth, and sparked fears that firms will move inter-state or abroad as a result.

Remote working no longer ‘under threat’

Working from home suits families because it “saves time and money and it gets more parents working”, said Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan. “If you can work from home for a small business, you deserve the same rights as someone working for a big bank.”

The government had previously indicated that small businesses “might be exempt from the laws”, but it was confirmed this week that staff working for this type of company would also be able to “benefit” from the measures, said The Times. The government had “insisted” that existing working-from-home rights “would be under threat” if new legislation were not introduced.

“More than a third” of employees “regularly” work from home, said the state government, and they can save on average A$5,308 “every year” from doing so. It also “cuts congestion” and “gets more people working: workforce participation is now 4.4% higher than before the pandemic”.

The law will come into effect on 1 September and be “enshrined” in the state’s Equal Opportunity Act, said Bloomberg. Businesses with “fewer than 15 workers” will have a delayed start of 1 July 2027 to “allow them to prepare for the change”.

Small business ‘backlash’

“It is hard to keep up with Australia,” said Pilita Clark in the Financial Times. It has recently passed “some of the toughest anti-vaping laws on the planet”, a “world-first ban on social media for kids under the age of 16” and banned “artificial stone used for kitchen worktops that is linked with lung disease”.

Even when the work-from-home law was in the planning stage, it was seen as “another groundbreaking move”; it is “shaking the politics of remote working in a way that governments elsewhere may find hard to ignore”.

Several business owners have been “calling for more staff to return to the office”, said the FT. For instance, Nuno Matos, chief executive of ANZ bank, said poor office attendance would be “reflected in lower bonus payments”.

In last year’s national election campaign the Liberal Party promised to “crack down on ‘unsustainable’ remote working patterns” to force staff back to five days a week in the office. That policy produced a “political spark” and Allan’s Labor Party has sought to benefit from it. Its working-from-home initiative will form a large part of her “re-election campaign” in November.

There has been a “backlash” from small business owners over the law, said The Guardian. It could place a significant “regulatory burden” on firms that “don’t necessarily have HR departments to engage with and to consult”, said Scott Veenker, acting chief executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “It’s just another added impost”, which could lead to businesses “moving operations interstate or potentially overseas. If you make business too hard, they’ll go elsewhere and that’s the last thing we need in Victoria right now.”

This is already happening, said Sumeyya Ilanbey in the Australian Financial Review. Investors are “fleeing Victoria” because of the plans, believing they will “entrench the state’s reputation as anti-enterprise”.

Politically, the law aims to “wedge the coalition opposition”. They face the choice of “opposing a plan that Labor is convinced is popular with many voters or backing it and losing faith with business supporters”.

Nonstop flights help start — and end — trips on a high note. There are fewer stressors like worrying about tight connections or if your suitcase will make it on the next plane. Plus, you save time by not having to wait around the airport for the next leg of your journey. Ready for takeoff? Pack your bags, and book a seat on one of these new nonstop routes.

Alaska Airlines: Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO)

For its first foray into Europe, Alaska Airlines is heading to Rome, with daily, seasonal summer service beginning April 28. Travelers will board a long-haul 787 Boeing Dreamliner with three sections: Main Cabin, Premium Class and Business Class, which features 34 enclosed suites with lie-flat beds.

Rome was one of the most requested nonstop destinations from Seattle customers, Alaska said, and flight frequency was bumped up from four times a week to daily due to travel demand. It’s not surprising that this is already a popular route, as the Eternal City sees millions of visitors during the summer months.

American Airlines: Miami (MIA) to Bimini, Bahamas (BIM)

On Feb. 14, American Airlines expanded its already robust service to the Bahamas, launching direct flights to Bimini on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is American’s seventh destination in the Bahamas and the sole nonstop flight from the U.S. to Bimini, a “collection of cays and islands” that “offer a mix of adventure and rest,” said Travel and Leisure. Divers come to swim through the “cerulean” water and explore a “coral reef system teeming with wildlife and tropical currents,” while anglers are drawn to the island’s “famous” bonefish flats.

Delta Airlines: Atlanta (ATL) to Riyadh (RUH)

This nonstop flight from Delta’s hub in Atlanta to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, will be both a “historic” and “strategic move reshaping global aviation routes,” said Fortune. Delta is the first U.S. airline to offer direct service to Saudi Arabia, and it comes at a time when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is trying to “shift the country away from oil dependence and toward tourism, investment and technology.” When service begins on Oct. 23, flights will operate three times a week on Airbus A350-900 planes equipped with Delta Main, Delta Comfort, Delta Premium Select and Delta One.

JetBlue: Boston (BOS) to Barcelona (BCN)

JetBlue’s seasonal daily flight to Barcelona, set to launch on April 16, is the airline’s latest transatlantic offering. As with its treks to London, Paris, Edinburgh and Dublin, the company plans to fly Airbus A321LR narrow-body jets, which carry “fewer travelers” than twin-aisle planes but are “cheaper to operate since they require less fuel,” said CNBC.

Travelers should try their best to nap on the flight over; after touching down in Barcelona, you’ll want to immediately start exploring this “fabulous showcase of Catalan culture,” said Lonely Planet. Night arrivals are no exception; after dark, the city is “reimagined,” with plazas, parties and clubs “springing to life.”

Starlux: Phoenix (PHX) to Taipei (TPE)

Starlux’s nonstop flight from Phoenix to Taipei links the two destinations for the first time. Flights are taking off three times a week, with passengers boarding Airbus A350-900 planes featuring four “ultra-lavish” first-class seats and 26 lie-flats with direct aisle access, said Condé Nast Traveler. Upon arrival, travelers can hit the ground running, visiting the Longshan Temple and Elephant Mountain and stopping to enjoy “world-famous street food.”

United Airlines: Newark, New Jersey (EWR) to Seoul (ICN)

When United starts its daily nonstop service from Newark to Seoul on Sept. 4, the airline will be the only U.S. carrier offering direct flights to the South Korean capital from the New York City region. This route “capitalizes on Seoul’s rising popularity,” said Afar, with travelers flocking to the city year-round to experience its “four true and very scenic seasons.”

Seoul has an “extensive and efficient” subway system that makes it easy for visitors to “cover a lot of ground in a single trip,” said Afar. That includes the chance to sample the “storied food scene” and hunt for the “coolest new K-beauty brands.”

United Airlines: San Francisco (SFO) to Adelaide, Australia (ADL)

Koalas, kangaroos and delicious wines are now a 16-hour flight away. United’s new route from San Francisco to Adelaide is the first to directly connect the U.S. and South Australia, with the airline flying Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners three days a week.

Adelaide proper boasts a “walkable” center, with stops like the Adelaide Botanic Garden and Adelaide Central Market offering a “first taste” of the area, said Travel and Leisure. Outside of the city in the Adelaide Hills you’ll find 50 different wine cellars and Cleland Wildlife Park, where visitors can “interact with some of Australia’s most iconic animals,” like wallabies.

Inclusivity matters. More cities and countries are passing laws and implementing changes so their infrastructure and transportation options are accessible for all, and these updates are opening up the world for travelers with disabilities. Here are some destinations that are ahead of the accessibility curve.

Berlin

Here in this city that “constantly reinvents itself,” it is “comforting” to realize that inclusivity is a “quiet constant,” said Evangeline Chen of Matador Network. While exploring Berlin, visitors will delight in how “effortlessly accessible” everything feels, thanks to "wide sidewalks" and "barrier-free" landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate.

The Berlinische Galerie is the perfect example. A tactile floor guidance system leads visitors to areas like the ticket counter and permanent exhibitions, wheelchairs and folding stools can be borrowed free of charge, all exhibition panel texts are available in a large-print brochure and guided tours are conducted in German Sign Language. Expect a similar experience at Humboldt Forum, one of Berlin’s “biggest statement pieces.” Housed in what was once Berlin Palace, this “massive space blends history, culture and global perspectives under one roof,” with “tactile exhibitions for low-vision visitors, wide corridors and elevators to every floor.”

Cape Town

The Limitless Cape Town campaign is changing the way people visit the city. This program aims to give visitors equal access, starting with the installation of city-wide braille touch points and an “easy-to-use” wheelchair-friendly bus system, said AAA Trip Canvas. Winston Fani, the first certified blind tour guide in Africa, is “redefining how people discover and connect with Cape Town,” said Cape Town Tourism, leading visitors to the best street art, shops, restaurants and wine farms. He’s also working on putting together sensory-led tours.

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s three capitals — it is the legislative capital and the seat of parliament — and close to both the wheelchair-accessible Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders were imprisoned, and the Cape Floristic Region, “one of the most diverse regions of plant life on Earth.”

Las Vegas

There’s no need to try your luck in Las Vegas. This is one of the “most disabled-friendly and wheelchair-accessible cities in the United States,” said John Morris of WheelchairTravel.org. It’s “filled to the brim with accessible things to do.” Las Vegas is a “getaway for gamblers,” but activities abound, including exploring the Neon Museum and its glittery signs from the early days of Vegas, seeing the city from the top of the High Roller Ferris Wheel, catching a Cirque du Soleil show, watching the dancing Fountains of Bellagio and lounging poolside at your hotel.

The city is home to many mega resorts, so there’s a “mind-boggling” number of wheelchair-accessible rooms, from the more affordable Luxor and New York-New York to the luxe Bellagio and Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. Accessible transportation options include city buses, taxis and the Las Vegas Monorail that sweeps visitors from the MGM Grand to Sahara Las Vegas.

Rio de Janeiro

Thanks to “substantial” infrastructure investments made ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, Rio de Janeiro is one of South America’s “most accessible cities,” said AAA Trip Canvas. Public transportation, including buses, subways and trams, and sidewalks are accessible for wheelchairs, as are several beaches and “heritage sites” like Sugarloaf Mountain. The famous Christ the Redeemer statue is partially accessible, due to escalators at the final ascent; power wheelchair users could transfer to a manual wheelchair at this point, if one is available.

Singapore

Singapore’s “excellent” infrastructure and “high degree of accessibility” make it “especially attractive” for travelers who have disabilities, said the BBC. Public transportation is almost entirely “accessible to people living with a variety of impairments,” with ramps, elevators and tactile flooring. Important announcements are delivered over loudspeakers and written on digital screens.

Most attractions are just as universally accessible. The “enthralling” Gardens by the Bay, a floral fantasy filled with horticultural displays, is wheelchair-accessible, as is the National Gallery Singapore, a “model of accessibility.” Before visiting this “phenomenal” museum, filled with thousands of pieces of Southeastern Asian art, visitors can download a “comprehensive” access guide to the facility, developed with the country’s Disabled People’s Association. There is a calm room on-site for those who become overstimulated or overwhelmed, and staff and volunteers are trained in how to provide a dementia-friendly environment.

Sydney

In Sydney, public transportation is wheelchair-accessible and many of the city’s most popular venues and attractions are equally accommodating. At the “iconic” Sydney Opera House, for example, there are options for everyone, including attending an accessible performance (open to those who are deaf or hearing impaired, blind or low vision or have sensory sensitivities) and taking a “tailored mobility tour,” said the BBC.

Ferries are a great way to get around Sydney while soaking up gorgeous views of the harbor. Once you’re back on land, there are miles of accessible paths connecting the area’s landmarks. Across the city, more than 2,100 braille and tactile signs are installed at pedestrian crossings with signals, ensuring safer navigation.

The recent discovery of rock art in a cave in Indonesia might signify more than just our ancestors’ artistic ability. The art, believed to be the oldest rock paintings ever discovered, dates back more than 67,000 years. But while the prints may provide clues about what these humans were doing, anthropologists say they may also give us an unprecedented look into early migration patterns.

Where was this rock art discovered?

Scientists found “figurative cave art and stencils of human hands” on two Indonesian islands in the Wallacea region, Sulawesi and Borneo, according to the study findings published in the journal Nature. The art from Sulawesi dates from at least 67,800 years ago; this finding predates the “archaeologists’ previous discovery in the same region by 15,000 years or more,” said Phys.org.

That the rock art was found in Indonesia isn’t too surprising, as the country is “known to host some of the world’s earliest cave drawings,” said The Associated Press, though even older cave art in South Africa has also been discovered. The art was likely made by “blowing pigment over hands placed against the cave walls, leaving an outline. Some of the fingertips were also tweaked to look more pointed.”

Why is this art so significant?

Most research suggests humans “left Africa 60,000-90,000 years ago, walking through the Middle East and South Asia” before sailing toward the Australian landmass, and this art could “hold important clues to the story of this epic human migration,” said National Geographic. The rock art finding crucially supports research that early humans “had seafaring technology and were capable of open water crossings between Wallacea and Australia by 65,000 years ago,” said Helen Farr, a maritime archaeologist at the U.K.’s University of Southampton, to National Geographic.

It is “great to see the art preserved and dated, providing a small window to a wide range of activities that’s often missing in the [archaeology] of this time depth,” said Farr to National Geographic. Since sea levels were “much lower at the time, land bridges opened up between some neighboring islands, but humans would still have needed to island hop to spread across the region,” said The Guardian, and the rock art provides insight as to how this may have occurred.

The findings also give a glimpse into early human intelligence, experts say. Researchers previously studying cave art in Europe often “thought, ‘Wow, this is really where true art began, true modern human artistic culture,’” Adam Brumm, a professor of archaeology at Australia’s Griffith University and a co-author of the study, said to NBC News. But the new discovery proves humans were making “incredibly sophisticated” cave art “before our species ever even set foot in that part of the world.”

The findings in Indonesia are “probably not a series of isolated surprises, but the gradual revealing of a much deeper and older cultural tradition that has simply been invisible to us until recently,” Maxime Aubert, a professor of archaeology at Griffith University and another co-author of the study, said to CNN. But other human-like species besides Homo sapiens were also known to inhabit the area at the time, and some researchers urged people to take the findings with a grain of salt. Before “writing grand narratives about the complexity and success of Homo sapiens we really should consider other, potentially more interesting explanations of this fascinating phenomenon,” Paul Pettitt, a professor of palaeolithic archaeology at the U.K.’s University of Durham, said to CNN.

You spend enough time on land. For your next vacation, consider heading under the sea. Swap your shoes for fins and clothes for swimsuits, then embark on an aquatic escapade. Here are eight options, which include exploring an underwater art museum, dining in a submerged restaurant and even sleeping with the fishes (in a very alive way).

Eat at Under in Lindesnes, Norway

Halfway submerged in the icy waters of the North Sea is Under, a “striking” restaurant with a focus on just-caught seafood and seasonal ingredients, said The Michelin Guide. Under calls itself a “living periscope,” and diners are seated in front of a 36-foot panoramic window that looks out into the water and doubles as a "marine-themed art installation.” Its innovative menus and delightful ambiance earned the restaurant a Michelin star.

Explore the Museum of Underwater Art in Australia 

Snorkelers and scuba divers glide by dozens of underwater art installations at this museum filled with sunken treasures. The Museum of Underwater Art is in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and features work by eco-sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, whose “fascinating” art brings “greater awareness to our threatened oceans,” said Afar. Highlights include “Coral Greenhouse,” the world’s largest underwater art structure, and “Ocean Sentinels,” a series of “hybrid-human figure sculptures” of marine scientists and conservationists who protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Go to an underwater winery in Hvar, Croatia

Winemaking has been a vital part of sunny Hvar’s heritage for thousands of years. The grapes may grow above ground, but sometimes the final product can be found underwater. Edivo winery keeps a few bottles of its Navis Mysterium wine inside a shipwreck near the coast of Drace and organizes dives for visitors who want to explore this unusual cellar. Zlatan Otok provides a similar opportunity, offering wine tastings inside its “stone cellar under the sea,” said Travel and Leisure.

Imbibe at Sip ’N Dip in Great Falls, Montana

Mermaids are real, and they can be found in the middle of Montana. The Sip ’N Dip lounge opened inside the O’Haire Inn in 1962 and quickly became a “national curiosity,” due to its large glass windows that looked into the swimming pool, said KRTV. During those early days, swimmers entertained patrons before being replaced by mermaids with shiny tails. Every night, they splash around in front of excited crowds enjoying classic tiki sips, offering a kitschy throwback to the days of funky roadside attractions.

Splash around at Atlantis’ Aquaventure in the Bahamas

There are plenty of fun things to do at the massive Atlantis resort, and tackling Aquaventure is at the “top of the list,” said The Boston Globe. The behemoth 20-million-gallon water park covers 141 acres and has 14 pools, a rapid river and some of the most exhilarating water slides anywhere. Several plunge thrillseekers deep underwater, like the Leap of Faith, which includes a vertical drop into a “clear tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon,” and the corkscrew Serpent Slide that ends with a leisurely ride in a tunnel surrounded by marine life.

Stay in Manta Resort Pemba Island’s Underwater Room in Tanzania

It doesn’t get more immersive than this. The “one-of-a-kind” Underwater Room at Manta Resort Pemba Island is a three-level floating suite about 800 feet from shore, with the bedroom below the surface of the Indian Ocean, said Travel and Leisure. The bed is surrounded by almost 360 degrees of glass, and schools of fish, octopus and squid regularly travel by (at night, dim lights are activated to attract nocturnal marine life). There’s also a sunbathing deck and shaded lounge area, and guests are given snorkeling gear and curated meals delivered by boat. All profits from stays in the Underwater Room go back into local marine conservation projects.

Swim with humpbacks off the island of Mo’orea

Whales are respected in French Polynesia, and Mo’orea is a “prime destination for swimming with the gentle giants,” said the BBC. Guided tours are available for small groups, with strict protections in place for the safety of the whales; boats and swimmers must keep their distance. The peak season is July through November, and those lucky enough to come across a majestic humpback on their tour can expect an “otherworldly” and “humbling” opportunity to “witness the magnificence of nature.”

Visit Reefline in Miami Beach, Florida

Art and sustainability collide at Reefline. Stretching seven miles off the shore of Miami Beach, it’s an “art installation, a restoration of the island’s coral habitat and an underwater tourist attraction,” said NPR. The sculptures are made to support fish, marine life and corals, and the plan is to plant thousands of corals here over the next decade. Because it’s only about 600 feet from shore, Reefline is easily accessible without a boat, and divers can paddle out or swim. The project launched in late 2025, and the inaugural installation is Leandro Etrlich’s “Concrete Coral,” featuring 22 cars made of marine-grade concrete.

An Amazon river lodge

A “vast, pristine” river archipelago in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Brazil’s Anavilhanas National Park is a place of “otherworldly” beauty, said Idra Novey in Travel + Leisure.

It lies on the Rio Negro, a tributary of the Amazon which, owing to its acidic water, is mercifully free of mosquitoes, so visitors needn’t take malaria pills. On a recent trip, my family and I stayed at the luxurious Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, where I swam in the river at sunset every day, spotting spider monkeys in the overhanging branches and families of pink river dolphins playing.

We visited a riverside village, and hiked for an hour to a cave complex where we saw a towering angelim pedra tree (the tallest of all tropical species) with exposed roots “as elaborate as a Gilded Age chandelier”. Yet more wondrous were our boat trips through the flooded forest, where the immense old trees were reflected in the river’s black surface as in a “shadowy chamber of mirrors”.

And at night, when our guide scanned the forest with a torch, we saw an extraordinary range of creatures, including sloths, caimans and a boa constrictor.

The writer travelled with the specialist tour operator Dehouche.

Bears and bison amid Romania’s high peaks

The Southern Carpathian Mountains of Romania are home to Europe’s largest unbroken area of forest, pierced by “epic” limestone ridges and roamed by wolves and bears.

Logging companies have chipped away at it since the fall of communism, said Toby Skinner in the Financial Times, but in recent years, philanthropists including the Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss have bought up large tracts to protect them under the auspices of the Foundation Conservation Carpathia. The aim is to create a 200,000-hectare national park, “the Yellowstone of Europe”, and rewilding work is already under way.

On a week-long trip with the European Nature Trust, I stayed in lodgings ranging from the aristocratic Zabola Estate to a “cosy” log cabin in the mountains. On guided hikes, I ventured deep into virgin forest where the beech and fir trees were up to 500 years old, and watched a family of bears at close quarters from a hide.

Most “magical”, however, was a chance sighting in a high mountain meadow of a herd of European bison, a species that was reintroduced here in 2020.

The trip costs from £3,500pp; the European Nature Trust.

Walking in the wilds of northern Japan

The northernmost quarter of Japan’s main island, Tohoku was the region worst hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Eight years later, a 600-mile hiking path was opened along its east coast, said Adam H. Graham in Condé Nast Traveller, as part of efforts to draw visitors back.

Passing memorials to the roughly 20,000 people who died, the Michinoku Coastal Trail wends through woodland groves, along “immaculate” beaches and “blustery” sea cliffs.

On a trip last year, I hiked four of its most spectacular sections and also ventured further inland, to walk for a day along the Oirase Gorge. Set in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, this path follows a river through an ancient beech forest that owes its “rich” biodiversity partly to the region’s volcanic soil.

There are “abundant” waterfalls, and a chance of spotting bears, tree frogs and tanuki (raccoon dogs). I saw trees I’d never heard of, from white-bark magnolias to Manchurian elms, and was glad I was there in November, when the forest was “ablaze” with autumn colour.

Inside Japan has an 11-night trip from £4,456, including flights.

A month after Australia’s social media ban for kids under 16 took effect, debates have reignited over the effectiveness of such a sweeping measure in keeping children safe online. Almost five million social media accounts belonging to Australian teenagers have been deactivated or removed, according to the government. This announcement was the first metric since the laws’ rollout, which is “being closely watched by several other countries” weighing whether the regulation can be a “blueprint for protecting children from the harms of social media, or a cautionary tale highlighting the challenges of such attempts,” said The New York Times. The measure has sparked debate among both supporters and critics of laws banning teens from social media.

‘Not for a 12-year-old to fix’

If there is anything “more ridiculous than taking a corporate failure and throwing it to the individual to solve, by self-discipline reinforced by legislation,” it is “doing so to under-16s,” Zoe Williams said at The Guardian. If a corporation is “selling radical misogyny and methods for self-harm,” that is “not for a 12-year-old to fix by turning off their phone and taking up crochet.” Nor is it for parents to fix. You could “make the case for government intervention,” but only if it had “time on its hands after tackling the problem at source.”

Young people are “unarguably the target of so much manipulative content,” but to discuss online risks without mentioning adults is “frankly perverse,” Williams said. Between “Gen X miscreants and hyper-credulous boomers,” there are “generations that pose a greater risk to, and are themselves at risk from, the informational ecosystem.” Politicians need to “work out how to deal with them.”

As long as adults cannot “tear ourselves away from Slack, Instagram or gossipy group texts,” the rules that we “socially dictate for our children will be compromised and incomplete,” Jay Caspian Kang said at The New Yorker. Envisioning a “better digital life” should not “just focus on children,” but also on “workplaces and adult social norms.” Everyone needs to “put down the phones and make efforts to move the public square away from private technology companies that incentivize cheap engagement.”

On its own, a social media ban for kids “risks being a blunt tool,” therapist Laura Gwilt said at Huff Post. Children are “developmentally curious and highly socially motivated,” and without “parallel changes in parenting practices and wider cultural norms,” bans can “simply push use underground rather than remove it.” For many young people, social media is “already embedded in how they relate to peers,” so an “abrupt removal could be difficult for some to adapt to without careful scaffolding and adult support.”

Parents can ‘only do so much’

Australia’s approach to protecting children from the dangers of social media “may seem ham-fisted to critics,” but it “sure beats what some elected leaders in D.C. are doing,” which is “slightly north of nothing,” Kathleen Parker said at The Washington Post. Given how the public feels about online safety, it is a “wonder Republicans aren’t galloping en masse to the White House for the president’s signature” on the proposed Kids Online Safety Act. Tragically, “more children may die because of their dereliction of duty — to care.”

Australia’s social media ban is “an incredibly bold, life-affirming move” that you can only imagine tech companies fought hard against, Robin Abcarian said at the Los Angeles Times. This generation of children is “unwittingly being used as lab rats for the effects of technology on the brain.” Meanwhile, despite “protestations to the contrary,” social media companies are “craven when it comes to the safety of minors.” While parents “bear some of the responsibility for out-of-control social media use of their kids,” they can “only do so much.”

“We need to be looking at this as a public health issue,” California Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) said to the Los Angeles Daily News after visiting Australia to talk to lawmakers about the ban. Youth mental health is in “an awful state right now.” Many young people “don’t feel good about themselves, so it’s yielding awful, anti-social outcomes,” he added. “We’ve got to right this ship.”

A new year means new trips and new places to explore. That might be heading to Egypt to wander a museum thousands of years in the making, visiting Guadalajara for tortas, tequila and a World Cup match, or diving along the Sardinian coast. A trip to any of these increasingly hot spots is certain to be a highlight of the year.

Botswana

Considering a safari in 2026? Book it in Botswana. The country’s landscapes span from “delta to desert,” and because light pollution isn’t an issue here, each “star and comet blazes in the dark sky,” said Lonely Planet. On your journey, you could spot elephant herds, “majestic” lions, cheetah and meerkats. Botswana is also known for the quality craftsmanship of its artisans, which is “most apparent” when you see its “functional and stylish” woven baskets.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Visitors have long been captivated by the “distinctive” landscape of Cappadocia, best viewed from one of the “region’s famous hot air balloons,” said The Independent. The “rose-tinted valleys” and craggy ancient rock formations are beautiful, and the wine culture, vibrant dining scene and “wealth of outdoor activities” make it a “destination of a lifetime.” Add to the experience by staying at Argos, a monastery turned luxe hotel with rooms carved into the cliffs. Its heated pool overlooks Pigeon Valley and offers a stunning new perspective of Cappadocia and the hot air balloons.

Egypt

The brand new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is a “gift to Egypt and the world,” said Vogue Arabia. The 5,400,000-square-foot space is filled with 100,000 artifacts from across eras, including Tutankhamun’s gold death mask and an 83-ton statue of Ramses II. Make this your first stop, then continue the adventure on a luxe tour with Inside Egypt. Expeditions are led by local Egyptologists, taking travelers to iconic spots like the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and monuments rarely open to the public. Tours run from 7 to 17 days and include sailings down the Nile.

Gothenburg, Sweden

Over the last few decades, Gothenburg has emerged as “one of Europe’s greenest destinations” and a “cultural hot spot with an eco-friendly spirit,” said Lonely Planet. The city was recently named a U.N. Global Hub for Sustainable Lifestyles, and its vast public transportation system runs on renewable energy. Visitors are drawn to modern attractions like Karlatornet, the tallest building in Sweden, but also appreciate Gothenburg’s many historic areas, like the boutique- and cafe-filled Haga district. To get an even fuller picture of the city, head to the World of Volvo museum to learn about Gothenburg’s industrial past and find a “splash of seaside history” at the Sjofartsmuseet maritime museum.

Guadalajara, Mexico

The third-largest city in Mexico is the “epicenter” of such cultural traditions as mariachi and torta ahogada, said Condé Nast Traveler. In 2026, it will also host an array of “world-class events,” like the Guadalajara International Film Festival, four FIFA World Cup matches and the 40th edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair. Leave plenty of time in your schedule to sip on tequila at El Gallo Altanero and paint ceramics at the Cerámica Suro factory.

Mongolia

This East Asian country, filled with remote, untouched landscapes and one of the world’s last nomadic cultures, stands apart. Mongolia is a “rare example” of how a country can “embrace tourism without compromising its identity,” Nomadic Expeditions CEO and Founder Jalsa Urubshurow told Travel and Leisure. That means offering visitors authentic experiences like riding reindeer with the Tsaatan community, witnessing the speed and agility of Kazakh hunters and their golden eagles, and crossing the Gobi on a camel.

Sardinia

A “wild island escape” can be found on Sardinia, where “pristine beaches” and “cultural riches” are plentiful, said Lonely Planet. Active travelers will jump at the chance to go diving, swimming, caving and snorkeling along the coast or hiking on the Cammino Minerario di Santa Barbara long-distance trail, while “archeology enthusiasts” focus on sights like the massive nuraghi stone structures built during the Bronze Age.

Uluru, Australia

In 2026, there will be a new way to experience Uluru, the sandstone monolith sacred to the Anangu people. They are the traditional owners of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and spent the last decade working with the Tasmanian Walking Company to develop the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk.

Over five days, visitors trek from the “soaring domes” of Kata Tjuta to the base of Uluru, going through “desert oak forest, spinifex plains and red-dune country normally closed to the public,” said the BBC. This is also the only way to sleep inside the national park. Top off the adventure by checking out the Field of Light installation and Wintjiri Wiru, a “storytelling experience above the desert” featuring lights and drones.

Running between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin in the far southwest of Australia, the Cape to Cape Track is one of the country’s loveliest coastal paths. It is 76 miles long, but largely flat, so walking it feels more like an extended “stroll” than a trek, said Jamie Lafferty in the Financial Times – and it is even easier if you join one of Walk into Luxury’s four-day group trips, as I did last November.

This local operator puts guests up at a single hotel and drives them to the most beautiful sections of the trail for daily walks, each up to six hours long, with knowledgeable guides. From surprise picnics to dinners in high-end restaurants, the food is wonderful – and so is the wine, all of which is locally produced. The path runs the length of the Margaret River wine region, where viticulture began in 1967. Today, the region produces 2% of Australia’s wines, but accounts for 20% of its premium market.

On Walk into Luxury’s trip, guests visit several wineries, including the oldest, Vasse Felix. I loved the lunch we had there (including an excellent toothfish and miso-aubergine dish), and the Tom Cullity wine, a cabernet sauvignon and malbec blend made from grapes descended from the area’s very first vines.

Our hotel, the Injidup Spa Retreat, was also good, with guest villas and their plunge pools perched on a cliff above an often deserted beach of “flawless” pale sand. In early November, the coastal plains were “ablaze” with spring flowers, and there were lots of birds to watch during our picnics, including cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles and superb fairywrens – a tiny species that is “unfathomably blue”. We saw a pod of playful dolphins and a pair of humpback whales (mother and calf) close to shore, and also spotted – and avoided – a dugite (a large venomous snake) sunbathing on a rock. Most magical, however, was the final day, when we walked through an ancient forest of “titanic” karri trees, listening to the birdsong and the “gentle hushing” of the upper canopy.

The trip costs from £1,855pp, excluding flights (walkintoluxury.com).

Australia’s government announced plans to strengthen the country’s gun control laws, following Sunday’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, in Sydney.

In the 20-minute rampage, a father and son opened fire on a crowd of about 1,000 people who had gathered to celebrate the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The father, Sajid Akram, 50, had licences for six firearms, the number recovered at the scene. He was shot dead by police; his son, Naveed Akram, 24, was arrested and taken to hospital. They appear to have been inspired by Islamic State.

The victims of the attack – Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996 – included two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a ten-year-old girl. Many more might have died had it not been for the heroism of a bystander, Ahmed al-Ahmed, who crept up behind Sajid Akram and seized his rifle. This week, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, announced extra funding for measures to protect the country’s Jewish community.

‘Indelibly stained with tragedy’

This attack on ordinary Jewish people, as they marked the first night of the “Festival of Lights”, was shocking in its malevolence, said The Australian. Bondi is home to many of Australia’s 117,000 Jews; the beach is also a place where people from all creeds and backgrounds congregate. Now, it will be “indelibly stained with tragedy”.

Australia ranks as one of the world’s safest nations, said The Independent. Its gun laws – tightened after the mass shooting in Tasmania 29 years ago – are already among the strictest anywhere. If Jews aren’t safe there, they may now reasonably ask “where in the world they can be safe”.

Australia’s government has suggested that the shooters “weren’t part of a wider cell”, said The Sydney Morning Herald. But the discovery of Islamic State flags in their car, and the revelation that the two men had recently travelled to the Philippines, parts of which are rife with “Islamic extremism”, may be telling.

In 2019, the younger man was actually investigated by Australia’s security services, owing to his links to Islamic State members, said The Times. But he was deemed not to be a threat – an assessment that has “proven to be tragically flawed”.

The global surge in antisemitism

There was a celebratory atmosphere at Bondi on Sunday, said The Economist. “Children wearing face paint crowded a petting zoo. Families held balloons and bubble wands.” Yet as the sun began to dip, two men armed with long-barrelled rifles began firing from a footbridge into the crowd; and the death toll could have been even higher, had they detonated the improvised explosives later found in their car.

It was an appalling tragedy, made worse by its predictability, said Limor Simhony Philpott on UnHerd. Australia’s Jewish community has endured a five-fold surge in antisemitic incidents since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. Jewish schools, synagogues and homes have been firebombed; protesters have chanted “Fuck the Jews” outside the Sydney Opera House. In the summer, Australia’s government kicked out Iran’s ambassador, after accusing Tehran of orchestrating antisemitic attacks on its soil. But it has done little else to curb antisemitism. Instead it has alienated Israel, its former ally, by making the misguided decision to join the UK and others in recognising a Palestinian state.

This attack reflects a broader crisis for the world’s Jewish population, said Jonathan Sacerdoti in The Spectator. In the past two years, there have been murderous attacks on Jews on five continents. This summer, there were two in cities in the US, and on Yom Kippur in October, two people were killed in the attack on the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester.

When it comes to antisemitic terror, violent words can lead to violent actions, said Dave Rich in The Guardian: hence the anger felt by many Jews when they see banners at pro-Palestine marches demanding an “Intifada revolution” or bearing Hamas symbols.

The frightening reality, said Daniel Finkelstein in The Times, is that calls to “Globalise the intifada” and the like have made Jews the target of “warped killers” who think that, by unleashing terror, they are “doing the world a favour”. I will carry on lighting candles in the days ahead, and singing the Hanukkah songs. “But I admit that this year, for the first time in my life, I do feel just a little fear as I do it.”

‘Has the world really lost its thirst for Scotch whiskey?’

James Moore at The Independent

Scotch is “one of Scotland’s most iconic products,” but “it is not in a happy place,” says James Moore. Scotch distillers have been “caught in a perfect storm, with taxes and tariffs battering both domestic and international consumption.” The “real enthusiasts may choose to swallow higher prices. But casual drinkers? That’s a different matter altogether.” Those “involved in producing Scotch could be forgiven for pouring themselves a stiff drink to help drown their sorrows.”

Read more

‘The Sydney Hanukkah attack didn’t come out of nowhere’

Aviva Klompas at Newsweek

The “Jewish families who gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah were targeted for doing exactly what the holiday represents: showing up openly as Jews,” says Aviva Klompas. They were “not caught in a geopolitical dispute.” This “was not the result of a policy disagreement or a misunderstanding about Israel.” The attack was “also not sudden or inexplicable. It was the foreseeable result of a sustained failure to take antisemitism seriously before it turned lethal.”

Read more

‘Olivia Nuzzi, Karine Jean-Pierre and Eric Trump have all written the same book’

Carlos Lozada at The New York Times

Political memoirs “tend to fall into recognizable categories,” says Carlos Lozada. A “recent spate of books highlights the presence of a new category, one well suited to our time: the grievance memoir.” The books of Eric Trump, Karine Jean-Pierre and Olivia Nuzzi are “all outraged by affronts real and imagined, fixated on nefarious, often unspecified enemies.” They are “animated, above all, by a certainty that they’ve been wronged not just by people or institutions but also by broader forces.”

Read more

‘Will Ford’s $19.5 billion EV charge be another dead end?’

Liam Denning at Bloomberg

For “years after General Motors took a bailout from Washington, it was scorned in some quarters of the population as ‘Government Motors,’” and while “Ford Motor Co. lacks the requisite initials, the same epithet could be applied to its latest pivot on electric vehicles,” says Liam Denning. Ford is “reconfiguring for changed political realities given that the environmental benefits of EVs, lower emissions, aren’t rewarded in the market but instead incented by regulation.” But Ford “isn’t an innocent bystander.”

Read more

‘The hunting tradition that explains Pennsylvania’s wild politics’

Salena Zito at The Washington Post

Bear camp is “about much more than hunting, and for anyone trying to understand Pennsylvania politics, it’s essential,” says Salena Zito. It “sits at the crossroads of rural and urban, illuminating Pennsylvanians’ sense of place and their traditions.” Pennsylvania’s “lack of affiliation to political parties and stubborn refusal to fit nicely into pigeonholes promise to confound pundits.” Hunting is “emblematic of what makes voters in this state tick — because the core principles animating bear camp are not political.”

Read more

‘Australia just banned kids from social media. Shouldn’t we all?’

Robin Abcarian at the Los Angeles Times

Australia became the “first country in the world to enact a social media ban for kids under 16,” and the “ban is an incredibly bold, life-affirming move,” says Robin Abcarian. Americans “will look back at this period of unbridled social media use, free-for-all texting and never-ending screen time and wonder how we could have done this to our kids.” While “parents bear some of the responsibility for out-of-control social media use of their kids, they can only do so much.”

Read more

‘The needless rift between America and Colombia’

Kevin Whitaker at Foreign Affairs

After “decades of successful cooperation on fighting drug trafficking and transnational crime, relations between Colombia and the United States are at a historic nadir,” says Kevin Whitaker. It is “possible that the U.S.-Colombian relationship could collapse entirely, bringing an end to the array of political, diplomatic, law enforcement, military, and judicial cooperation developed over the last four decades.” For “Colombia, a definitive break would dramatically worsen security, especially in rural areas, and enable armed groups to extend their reach.”

Read more

‘How Mayor Brandon Scott curbed violence in Baltimore’

Liz Skalka at The New Republic

With Mayor Brandon Scott “at its helm, Baltimore has achieved what many see as remarkable progress: homicides began a year-over-year downward slide in 2023, and the city will very likely close out 2025 at a new record low,” says Liz Skalka. Scott’s strategy “employs focused deterrence, using carrots and sticks.” The carrot includes “access to resources, including mentorship and job training.” Scott’s “understanding of what drives — and cures — violent crime is at odds with the conventional wisdom out of Trump’s federal government.”

Read more

What happened

Two gunmen, identified as a father and son, opened fire Sunday on hundreds of Jewish families gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at a park in Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The attackers killed at least 15 people, and another 38 remained hospitalized. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today said that the attack was an “act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores,” and his government would pursue “tougher gun laws.” One alleged gunman was shot dead by police and his 24-year-old son was in a hospital and expected to survive and face charges, police said.

In a separate mass shooting in Rhode Island on Saturday, two students at Brown University were killed and nine others were hospitalized. Police in Providence last night released a “person of interest” who had been arrested, saying a review of the evidence pointed in a different direction.

Who said what

The people killed in the Bondi Beach attack included a “10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor,” The Associated Press said. “Jewish leaders in Sydney reacted with grief and rage,” The Washington Post said, “after what they said were months of unheeded warnings about the dangers of rising antisemitism” amid a “surge in antisemitic incidents over the past two years,” following the start of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza. Police have now increased security at synagogues and other Jewish centers in Australia as well as New York, London and elsewhere.

The “horror at Australia’s most popular beach was the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws” enacted after a 1996 attack that left 35 people dead, the AP said. The 50-year-old suspect killed by police Sunday “had licenses for six guns” for recreational hunting as a member of a gun club, The New York Times said, “and a total of six were recovered from the scene and two searched properties.”

What next?

Albanese said he would propose new gun laws at a Cabinet meeting today attended by state leaders, as “some laws are implemented by the states.” The proposed reforms include limiting the number of allowed firearms and reviewing licenses periodically. “People’s circumstances can change,” he said. “People can be radicalized over a period of time. Licenses should not be in perpetuity.”

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese for failing to counter the spread of antisemitism that culminated in Sunday’s deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

At least 15 people were killed and more than 40 injured when two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration in the Sydney suburb.

“Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia,” Netanyahu said, addressing Albanese, as he claimed the Australian government had “let the disease spread”.

What did the commentators say?

It is “highly contestable” to claim the Australian PM could have prevented this attack, said the Australian Financial Review’s political editor Phillip Coorey. But the government has “spent two years falling short” of recommendations to tackle anti-Jewish hate, even those made by “its own handpicked envoy, Jillian Segal”.

That, along with a “palpable lack of moral clarity” when it came to condemning the 7 October attacks on Israel and a “lack of visible leadership” at a time of growing opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza, has left the government “exposed” to claims it has not done enough to counter antisemitism.

“Elements of the Australian media” have also “made their own contribution to this atmosphere”, said Alexander Downer in The Australian. “Much of the reporting coming out of the Middle East was deeply hostile to Israel”, and the national broadcaster, the ABC, has “frequently taken at face value claims made by Hamas, a terrorist organisation”.

These factors have, according to representatives of the Australian Jewish community, created a “permissive environment, where the warning signs were clear and too often left unchecked”, said the ABC. In recent years there have been “hateful symbols displayed at otherwise peaceful demonstrations and a pattern of targeted attacks on Jewish institutions”, in a nation that is home to the largest proportion of Holocaust survivors outside Israel.

There is also evidence that external agents are exacerbating the hostility. In August, Australia severed diplomatic ties with Iran, whom it accused of paying for arson attacks against a synagogue in Melbourne and a kosher cafe in Sydney.

Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel’s Institute of National Security Studies in Israel, told The Telegraph it was “too early to jump to conclusions” about Tehran’s potential involvement in Sunday’s shooting. “They are definitely suspects and high on the priority list,” he said, adding that “Al-Qaeda and IS have also been active in Australia”.

What next?

Albanese has repeatedly vowed to eradicate the “scourge” of antisemitism, and has already suggested an imminent tightening of existing firearms legislation. “But it all sounds so hollow,” said Coorey in the Australian Financial Review, especially in the aftermath of one of Australia’s worst-ever terror attacks. “The Jewish community and its supporters aren’t listening. They stopped listening long ago. Now, they’re openly hostile.”

Australia must also grapple more broadly with the implications of the Bondi attack, said Downer in The Australian. They have long viewed their country “as a model of liberalism” where discrimination is “anathema”. “This self-image of Australia has now been shattered.”

What happened

Australia’s pioneering social media ban for teenagers went into effect Tuesday, barring kids under age 16 from 10 popular platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, X and Kick. The social media companies face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to identify and remove underage users.

Who said what

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was “a proud day” for Australian families that “will make an enormous difference” in protecting kids from the harms of social media. Polls show that the ban, which passed a year ago with broad political support, is “wildly popular with parents” but “far less popular with children,” said the BBC. In a video message, Albanese suggested kids “start a new sport, new instrument or read that book” lingering on their shelf.

The law’s “rollout caps a year of debate over whether any country could practically stop children from using platforms embedded in daily life,” Reuters said, “and begins a live test for governments worldwide frustrated that social media firms have been slow to implement harm-reduction measures.” Critics, including tech companies “desperate to stop other countries from implementing similar bans,” argue that the law is overly broad, will leave kids isolated and can easily be flouted by tech-savvy teens, the BBC said.

What next?

Two 15-year-olds, backed by an advocacy group, have filed a challenge to the law, arguing it “improperly robs 2.6 million young Australians of a right to freedom of political communication implied in Australia’s constitution,” The Associated Press said. An initial hearing will be held in February.

“Experts have long debated the date that humans arrived in Australia,” said LiveScience. Now a study using DNA from both ancient and modern Aboriginal people across Oceania may have finally “settled the debate”.

The study, published last week in Science Advances, looked at an “unprecedentedly large” dataset of nearly 2,500 genomes to determine that humans began to settle northern Australia about 60,000 years ago.

But “even more interestingly”, the study also added to growing evidence that along the way these “early human pioneers likely interbred with archaic humans”, including the species known as “the hobbit”, Homo floresiensis.

Human hobbits

Homo floresiensis “might have been slight in stature”, at just over a metre tall, but its origins have “attracted lengthy debate”, said the Natural History Museum.

At the start of the millennium, most paleoanthropologists believed Homo sapiens was the only human species that had managed to reach Sahul, an ancient landmass that includes modern-day Australia. “It seemed very unlikely that archaic humans had watercraft capable of crossing the ocean.”

But the discovery of Homo floresiensis in 2003 “changed things dramatically”. A team uncovered more than 100 fossils in a cave on “a remote Indonesian island” called Flores, including the partial skeleton of a female: still the most complete Homo floresiensis fossil to date. The adult female was just 1.05 metres tall, earning the species its nickname: the hobbit.

Before the discovery, anthropologists had “assumed that the evolution of the human lineage was defined by bigger and bigger brains”, said anthropology professors Tesla Monson and Andrew Weitz on The Conversation. This, they believed, enabled early modern humans to perform “more complex tasks such as using fire, forging and wielding tools”. The discovery of the hobbits, with their “chimp-sized brain”, forced scientists to throw these theories “out the window”.

So how did they get to Flores?

Stone tools found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi were recently dated between 1.04 million and 1.48 million years old. That makes them “the earliest evidence ever discovered of ancient humans making a sea crossing”, said New Scientist. These could “provide clues” as to how the tiny hobbits made it to nearby Flores.

At least one of the artefacts was a flake that was struck off a larger flake and then trimmed. “This is a very early kind of human intelligence from a species that no longer exists,” said team member Adam Brumm, from Griffith University in Brisbane. “We don’t know what species it was, but this is a human intelligence behind these stone artefacts at the site of Calio.”

Both Flores and Sulawesi were separated from the mainland by “large expanses of sea”, and it is “almost certain that these early hominins weren’t capable of building ocean-going vessels”. The original population might have been washed out to sea by “some sort of freak geological event” such as a tsunami.

But the late archaeologist Mike Morwood, who led the team that originally identified Homo floresiensis, suggested that Sulawesi was “an important place to search for potential ancestors of the hobbits”.

India’s first victory in cricket’s Women’s World Cup will have huge ramifications for global order of the sport.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s team beat South Africa by 52 runs in yesterday’s final, in front of a deafening 45,000-strong crowd in Navi Mumbai – ending Australia’s decade-long dominance in the sport. With this milestone win, India’s women cricketers have “turned long-cherished dreams into reality” and “etched their names in history”, said The Hindustan Times.

It’s a “a wake-up call” for the rest of the world, and a win that could “spell the end for women’s cricket as we know it”, said Sonia Twigg in The Telegraph. India has become the the first country other than Australia or England to win a Women’s World Cup since 2000, and, with greater funding and increased home support, “it is hard to believe” their women cricketers “will stop there”.

‘New levels of stardom’

As Kaur clung on to her match-winning catch, India’s women cricketers entered a “brave new world”, said P.K. Ajith Kumar in The Hindu. Star players like Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma have become “household names” overnight, and been propelled to “new levels of stardom across India”.

For Verma, the final’s Player of the Match, the path to yesterday’s success has been marked by significant setbacks. That “rollercoaster ride” began in the “conservative northern state of Haryana”, where, as a girl, she cut her hair short so she could play in the boys’ team, said Agence France-Presse. Her fearless batting soon led to her international debut at the age of 15, and she became the youngest cricketer to play in a women’s T20 for India. But she had recently fallen out of favour with the selectors, and was only in Sunday's final because a teammate had injured her ankle. Her 87 runs (from 78 balls) included her first 50 in three years – and made her, at 21 years and 278 days, the youngest person ever to hit a half-century in a Women’s World Cup final.

India were “late to develop the women’s game”, said Twigg in The Telegraph, and the last time the Women’s World Cup was held in India, in 2013, it “made barely a ripple” on the country’s consciousness. The national team was put up in a “budget hotel”, and had to warm up against under-16 and under-19 boys’ teams. The publicised venue for the final – Mumbai’s historic Wankhede Stadium – was even changed at the last minute to accommodate the men’s domestic Ranji Trophy final.

Belief ‘that women deserved more’

India’s victory on Sunday owes much to star performances by Verma and by Sharma (named Player of the Tournament) but many also attribute the team’s success to major administrative and strategic overhauls behind the scenes.

India’s win was a “vindication” for policy changes that “dared to believe women deserved more”, said Amar Sunil Panicker in India Today. In October 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India unanimously passed a resolution for pay parity between men and women. Women’s cricket in India was once defined by the “exceptionalism” of a few individuals who “succeeded despite the system”. Now, “for perhaps the first time, success feels like the result of the system working for them”.

More money is entering the women’s game globally, too. The Australian women’s Big Bash League doubled their team salary cap in 2023 and, last week, the organisers of The Hundred competition in England and Wales announced a 100% increase in the women’s salary pot for the 2026 season – though these salaries are still significantly behind those offered to male players.

‘The age of de-skilling’

Kwame Anthony Appiah at The Atlantic

With AI “going the way of Google — moving from the miraculous to the taken-for-granted — the anxiety has shifted, too, from apocalypse to atrophy,” says Kwame Anthony Appiah. The “term for it is unlovely but not inapt: de-skilling.” The “real puzzle isn’t whether de-skilling exists — it plainly does — but rather what kind of thing it is.” De-skilling is a “catchall term for losses of very different kinds: some costly, some trivial, some oddly generative.”

Read more

‘Australia is closing the money laundering loopholes the US keeps open’

Brett Erickson at The Hill

Australian “reforms will finally bring lawyers, accountants and real-estate agents under anti-money laundering supervision,” and the country is “closing the very loopholes the U.S. continues to defend,” says Brett Erickson. The U.S. is “going backward,” as “three pillars of America’s financial crime architecture were either suspended, delayed or gutted.” Australia’s “reforms show what accountability looks like: Regulate the gatekeepers, close the real-estate loopholes and make professional facilitators subject to the same anti-money laundering standards as banks.”

Read more

‘Women hold the key to ending polio for good’

Tunji Funsho at Time

The “most powerful force in the campaign” against African polio is “women vaccinators who go door to door — mothers who know every household,” says Tunji Funsho. Even in “places where women face barriers to participation, the trust they build within communities remains essential to reaching every child.” These “women aren’t just speaking about polio, they’re encouraging childhood vaccinations more broadly, promoting antenatal care, nutrition, maternal health, and supporting HIV testing.” It was “never just about polio.”

Read more

‘The NBA’s gambling scandal was utterly predictable — and other pro sports will be next’

Michael Hiltzik at the Los Angeles Times

Sports leagues “spent years shunning gambling as a threat to their public image of integrity before embracing the siren call of big-time sports betting,” says Michael Hiltzik. They’ve “created a new underclass of gambling addicts while largely failing to fulfill their advocates’ assurances that state-sponsored and regulated gambling would produce a new, risk-free revenue stream.” Keeping their “image for integrity intact in this world of greedy and needy players and voracious gamblers is only going to get harder.”

Read more

Crime television can be bleak, often relentlessly so. For those who enjoy a good murder mystery but don’t want to walk away from their limited leisure time feeling like humanity is hopeless, a competing genre has arisen.

“Cozy crime” series typically combine Etsy-friendly backdrops, quirky characters and frequent levity to defuse some of the tension inherent in the depiction of brutal crimes. From “A Remarkable Place to Die” to “High Potential,” the current TV landscape is awash in crime narratives with a lighter touch, often with episodic structures more reminiscent of a bygone era of network television.

‘Murder, She Wrote’ (1984-1996)

The iconic mystery-of-the-week series ran for 12 seasons and remains one of the most well-known pieces of crime television in history (so much so that it’s getting a reboot with Jamie Lee Curtis). Angela Lansbury played Jessica Fletcher, a mystery novelist and amateur detective who consistently outwits the police in the implausibly violent (and fictional) Maine small town of Cabot Cove. Jessica had a “genius-level intellect for crime solving and an innate kindness,” said Paul F. Verhoeven at The Guardian.

There was also “something deeply edifying about having an older woman play the hero” in a show that was ultimately “wholesome beyond measure.” The series was a ratings hit for CBS throughout its run, and Lansbury's character remains instantly recognizable to people of a certain age. (Apple TV+, Amazon, Philo and Tubi)

‘Agatha Christie’s Poirot’ (1989-2013)

Adapted from Agatha Christie’s books about private investigator Hercule Poirot, ITV's television adaptation ran for 13 seasons over 25 years, anchored by David Suchet’s beloved portrayal of the title character. Set in interwar London, the show follows Poirot, who hails from Belgium, as he investigates crimes with the help of his secretary Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) and friend Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser).

The episodes are “classic mysteries in many ways,” succeeding by “nicely balancing serious matters and humorous asides and subplots, such as Poirot’s dental adventures or obsessive fiscal concerns,” said Shlomo Schwartzberg at Critics At Large. The show’s family-friendly, “old-fashioned virtues are highly appealing and pleasurable.” (Acorn TV, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, BritBox, MHz Choice and Roku)

‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries’ (2012-2015)

Based on Kerry Greenwood’s novels, Acorn TV’s series is set in 1920s Melbourne, Australia, and revolves around the adventures of well-to-do Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis), who tackles a new murder in each episode, set against the backdrop of a series-long effort to find her sister’s killer. The series “not only follows through on its initial, delightful premise’s promises but manages to fill a pop culture void in the process,” said Kayti Burt at Den of Geek. It also provides a “rare fictional example of what life can be like for women who choose not to get married and/or have children.” It led to a 1960s-set spin-off, “Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries,” which lasted two seasons. (Acorn TV, Apple TV+, Amazon and PBS)

‘Father Brown’ (2013-)

A show that is the “scheduling equivalent of a vitamin D shot,” BBC One’s long-running episodic crime series “lands like a warming ray of sunshine” when a new season is released every winter, said Jasper Rees at The Telegraph. The show moves the source material, G.K. Chesterton’s early 20th century novels, into the 1950s, when the titular priest (Mark Williams) solves crimes in the fictional English village of Kembleford. The “tone of gentle rural mayhem” frames a “structure standard in TV detective drama” and results in a “pleasant surprise,” said Mark Lawson at The Guardian. Viewers clearly agree, as the 13th season will debut in 2026, and the spin-off “Sister Boniface Mysteries” debuted on BritBox in 2022. (Amazon, BritBox, Hulu, Netflix and Roku)

‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021-)

“Only Murders in the Building” features a group of charming amateur sleuths who try to get to the bottom of a series of murders in their Manhattan apartment building, and then make a podcast out of it. In the first season, washed-up actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Broadway director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and struggling artist Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) are all true-crime enthusiasts who share their suspicions that fellow resident Tim Kono (Julian Cihi) didn’t commit suicide but was murdered. The show’s “vibes are immaculate,” said Constance Grady at Vox, and the series is “Nora Ephron-esque in its total commitment to atmosphere.” A fifth season premiered in September 2025. (Hulu)

‘The Afterparty’ (2022-2023)

The most structurally inventive of the shows on this list, this whodunnit comedy revolves around the murder of pop star Xavier (Dave Franco) at an afterparty following his 15-year high school reunion. An eclectic group of potential suspects, including Zoë (Zoë Chao), Aniq (Sam Richardson), Chelsea (Ilana Glazer) and Brett (Ike Barinholtz) is interviewed by the quirky Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish), who hears the evening’s events from different (and often unreliable narrators) as well as digging into everyone’s potential grievances against their famous classmate.

The gimmick is that every episode is shot in a different genre, from romcoms to cartoons to a Wes Anderson-themed entry in the second season. A “proper Who's Who of contemporary comedy” keeps the proceedings moving along breezily by “embracing both the pastiche and the profound,” said John Nugent at Empire. The show was canceled after its second season. (Apple TV+)

‘Deadloch’ (2023-)

In a bucolic seaside town in Australia, a local man washes up dead on the beach right before the “Winter Feastival,” an event that attracts scores of liberal out-of-towners and is the source of ongoing culture clashes with longstanding locals. The brass doesn’t trust Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins (Kate Box), a taciturn transplant whose possessive partner, Cath (Alicia Gardiner), disapproves of her job, to lead the investigation and sends the hilariously over-the-top Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) to take over. Prime’s series, set in Tasmania, “both embraces and pokes fun at the familiar trappings of the crime drama,” said Katie Shepherd at Slate, and when the proceedings threaten to take a more somber turn, the show “deftly undercuts itself with satire.” The show was renewed but remains without a release date for its second season. (Amazon)

Traditional British desserts are “struggling for survival” but could an Australian sweet treat be the answer to the UK’s pudding woes? Tim Tams, “a sort of antipodean Penguin”, hit UK supermarket shelves last year, and now, “a new contender, the lamington, is coming for our tea tables”, said Xanthe Clay in The Telegraph.

A staple of “countless children’s birthday parties and grown-up afternoon teas” in Oz, a typical lamington should follow a “strict formula”: a fluffy cube of vanilla sponge cake, sandwiched with jam, rolled in a “sticky” chocolate sauce and dusted with desiccated coconut.

M&S has caused quite a stir, though, with the launch of its two lamington “varieties”: classic coconut and chocolate, and a caramelised biscuit version. Both veer away from Aussie tradition: adorned with a “leaden swirl of icing on top”, they are made with chocolate cake instead of vanilla sponge.

“As an Australian living in London”, I was surprised to discover my British colleagues hadn’t even heard of lamingtons, said Rose Johnstone in The Guardian. So I gathered a group of fellow Aussies to taste the new M&S offerings.

The “artfully piped buttercream” is “unconventional” but it does look appealing. We were “genuinely shocked”, though, to discover the chocolate cake inside. “I can’t fully convey just how wrong this made us feel; like shucking an oyster to reveal a piece of popcorn instead of a pearl.” Still, all tasters “somewhat guiltily” enjoyed the balance of the jam’s “tartness” with the “rich density” of the chocolate centre. “Just don’t call it a lamington.”

“My Aussie heart skipped a beat” when I heard about the M&S lamingtons, said Mel Evans in Metro. I grew up on the “staple” dessert, which was served at “every party I was ever invited to”. Unfortunately, the M&S version didn’t quite bring back the memories I was hoping for. “I’d call this a twist. A take. A tribute, if you will.” But a very “tasty” one at that.

'Why must we all suffer? Bring back the benches.'

Mark Lasswell at The Washington Post

The "humble bench, fast disappearing from public places, once was an emblem of civic comity," says Mark Lasswell. "Discouraging the homeless, who already are plenty discouraged by life, is everywhere." Those "who advocate for the homeless call these and other such measures 'hostile architecture,' and they're right." When it "comes to stripping public places of benches, chairs and anything else that might let people take a load off, the problem being addressed is a self-inflicted one."

Read more

'Yes, let's make America healthy again. That means supporting vaccines.'

Juan Williams at The Hill

We "can see a direct line between Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissing the proven success of vaccines and the fading consensus that the government should protect the public's health," says Juan Williams. His "baseless questioning of proven vaccines has opened the door to kooky miracle cures." Kennedy is "leading a war on trust in public health as a government responsibility." Undermining "trust in honest doctors and scientists is the highway to fast death."

Read more

'Old, wealthy Democrats are sabotaging their own party'

Jeet Heer at The Nation

There is a "special world of wealthy Democratic donors, who enjoy outsize power even though they frequently make decisions that are terrible for both their party and their country," says Jeet Heer. The "tendency toward gerontocracy among donors has a distinct ideological cast as well." This is a "group that has responded to Trumpism by adopting a creed of ancien régime restoration that envisions the best possible future as a return to the glory days of bipartisan comity."

Read more

'Australia will soon have its own "center for disease control." Let's not repeat the chaos of the US.'

Allen Cheng at The Conversation

Australia is a "step closer to having its own national agency to inform and co-ordinate public health responses," but "there's much we don't know about how the agency will run," says Allen Cheng. Australians "need to ensure safeguards are in place against political interference in public health, which we're seeing play out in the United States." Australia's "CDC will need to have a close relationship with government," but it "needs to be independent and transparent."

Read more

'Cracker Barrel's logo was never the problem'

David A. Graham at The Atlantic

Cracker Barrel is "reverting to its old logo," and the "right-wing backlash to the company's redesign stems from the claim that an avatar of small-town southern authenticity is being overrun by woke culture," says David A. Graham. But "nothing about the change suggests wokeness." Cracker Barrel has "always been a simulacrum of rural life, a corporate behemoth masquerading as a mom-and-pop lunch counter." The "rebrand was a natural progression of Cracker Barrel's original mission."

Read more

'What the Iranian regime does best'

The Wall Street Journal editorial board

If "you ever get geopolitical amnesia and forget what the current Iranian regime is all about, don't worry. It will remind you," says The Wall Street Journal editorial board. Take the "news from Australia, where the Prime Minister says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps orchestrated attacks on Jewish neighborhoods." The "Iranian regime won't give up its forever war voluntarily." But "after June's successful strikes on Iran's nuclear and missile programs, the West has leverage."

Read more

'I traded debt for dirt. America needs more students who'll do the same.'

Amanda McVay at USA Today

Americans "take on crushing debt for graduate degrees in business, law or medicine. Yet, in agriculture, the industry that feeds us, you can go to graduate school for free," says Amanda McVay. For the "past century, the cultural messaging was to 'get off the farm.'" But in "steering people away from agriculture, we might have closed the door on a truly rewarding career path." This is the "perfect time to put agriculture back on the career map."

Read more

'Why Trump's attacks on the Fed isn't spooking Wall Street'

Nathan Tankus at Politico

There is an "unprecedented weakness of the response from major institutions to the Trump administration's actions," says Nathan Tankus. Wall Street's "passivity amid Trump's unprecedented attack on the Fed is only the latest example." Economists "think absolute independence from the president and Congress is the best result for the economy in the long term." But investors have "continued to have undue confidence in the Fed's, and specifically Powell's, capacity to uniquely withstand attacks from Trump."

Read more

Seeing the sights from the back of a bike is one way to become fully immersed in a new place and get your heart pumping. These five exhilarating bike tours will have you gliding by beautiful scenery, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.

Tour France, Germany and Luxembourg along the River Moselle

Follow the River Moselle for a biking adventure through three separate countrysides. There are "beginner-friendly" bike paths on both sides of the water, and because of the Schengen Agreement, you can "dip in and out" of France, Germany and Luxembourg "without ever showing a passport," said the BBC. On the Cochem to Metz eight-day excursion with Boat Bike Tours, cyclists spend their days stopping at vineyards and exploring historic towns like Cochem, Germany, home of the ancient Reichsburg Castle. At night, you hop on a barge that serves as a floating hotel.

Tackle the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia

Running for 172 miles from Torquay to Allansford, the Great Ocean Road hugs one of the "most dramatic coastlines in the world," said Architectural Digest. This is a "must-do" for any seasoned biker, and Roar Adventures' Great Ocean Road Cycle Tour takes travelers along the full length of the route in four days. Highlights include seeing natural wonders like the Loch Ard Gorge and Twelve Apostles sea stacks and visiting Bells Beach.

Travel from onsen to onsen in Kyushu, Japan

Onsens are soothing hot springs, and the perfect spots to rest while cycling through Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island. On Spice Roads' Onsen to Onsen tour, bikers spend six days riding along rivers and rice fields, past temples and up mountain passes, with a stop in Beppu, a beloved center of onsen culture. Kyushu's "beautiful" roads and paths make it "ideal" for both "amateur and serious" riders, said Travel and Leisure.

Take the Jordan Trail to Petra

Jordan's stark desert landscapes look even more stunning when viewed from the back of a bike. Much Better Adventures' Jordan Trail to Petra: The E-Bike Edition tour starts in the Dana Valley and includes stops at Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and Petra, where you will hop off your bike and hike into the ancient site. One of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Petra is filled with "magnificent monuments" made of pink sandstone, said Lonely Planet, including the "astonishing" Treasury, the 2,000-year-old tomb of Nabataean King Aretas III. On two of the nights, travelers will sleep under the stars in a Bedouin-style camp.

Explore Missouri on the Katy Trail

A ride on the Katy Trail gives visitors the chance to see everything the "Show Me State" has to offer. This is the longest rail trail in the U.S., stretching 239 miles past limestone bluffs, fields, forests and historic places like Marthasville, one of the oldest towns in Missouri, and Rocheport, a "gem" on the banks of the Missouri River that is "chock-full" of art galleries and antique shops, St. Louis Magazine said. Because it is mostly flat, paved and car-free, beginners and experts alike enjoy riding along the trail. Adventure Cycling's Katy Trail tour breaks up the route over eight days, giving cyclists the opportunity for a more relaxing ride with plenty of time for stops.

The island nation of Tuvalu is becoming the first country to be completely lost due to rising sea levels. However, the country is possibly only the first of many without actions taken to mitigate climate change.

Country casualty

Tuvalu, located in Oceania, is expected to be completely underwater by 2050. The island nation with a population of just 11,000 is setting a precedent to become the first country to have to permanently evacuate. To do this, Australia and Tuvalu signed the Falepili Union Treaty, which is an "agreement that provides for a migration scheme that will allow 280 Tuvaluans per year to settle in Australia as permanent residents," said Wired. This is the first climate visa of its kind. "We received extremely high levels of interest in the ballot with 8,750 registrations, which includes family members of primary registrants," the Australian High Commission in Tuvalu said in a statement. The visa operates through a ballot system and "will grant beneficiaries the same health, education, housing and employment rights enjoyed by Australian citizens," said Wired. Tuvaluans will also be able to return to their home country if conditions allow.

However, Tuvalu is perhaps just the first of many countries or regions that will have to evacuate because of climate change. "From historic droughts to catastrophic floods, these extreme variations disrupt lives, economies and entire ecosystems," said Albert van Dijk, a professor at Australian National University, to Wired. Unfortunately, "Tuvalu is the canary in the coal mine, and that coal mine is rapidly filling with water," said Vice.

More disappearing ahead

While not on the scale of an entire country, there have been other times when almost full populations made moves to evacuate where they lived. In 2024, approximately 1,200 members of the Indigenous Guna community relocated from the island of Gardi Sugdub off the coast of Panama to the mainland. This was also due to rising sea levels slowly sinking the island. This was "one of the first planned migrations in Latin America due to climate change," said AFP. In a similar vein, nearly 300 people moved from Newtok, Alaska, because the village was perched on permafrost, which began to thaw dangerously and erode the banks. More countries are likely to become less habitable in the future. By 2070, over "3 billion people could find themselves living outside of humanity's 'climate niche,'" said the San Francisco Chronicle. Island nations are especially at risk.

The Maldives are an archipelago comprising almost 1,200 islands, most of which are under four feet above sea level, making them especially vulnerable to changes in ocean levels. "Even a minimal rise in water levels can lead to major changes, such as coastal erosion, salinization of drinking water sources and more frequent flooding," said Wodne Sprawy, a Polish publication. As preparation, the Maldives government has "explored plans to purchase land on higher ground in other countries," said NASA. Almost every other island nation faces similar risks, including Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The U.S. is also not free from the threat of relocation. Several coastal states, such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi, are at risk of losing their coastlines. New York City, Chicago and several cities in California are also sinking, which could in time require evacuation. In addition, the Gulf of Mexico is rising three times faster than the global average, according to a study published in the journal Nature. Without measures to combat climate change, mass migration may be the only way to survive.

A great surf spot works for boarders and spectators alike. The waves are killer, and so are the views from shore. And once night falls, everyone can come together for an evening in town. These six beach destinations ensure a swell time for all.

Gold Coast, Australia

The Gold Coast offers mile after mile of white sand beaches and glorious "shimmering green waves," said Men's Journal. December through February, the region is "blessed by warm water," and experienced surfers flock to Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay and Burleigh Heads. Beginners come here too, as the Gold Coast is teeming with surf schools and fun spots like Currumbin Alley to practice their skills. Plan your trip around events such as the Gold Coast Open to watch some of the world's best surfers tackle the waves.

Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i

Every winter the big waves "come out to play" in Hanalei Bay, and so do surfers, said Travel and Leisure. This is a "magnificent" area that looks like the archetypical Hawaiian postcard: a gorgeous, golden beach backed by massive "emerald mountains" soaring more than 4,000 feet high. Viewers can watch surfers — and a "stunning" sunset — from the historic Hanalei Pier, Lonely Planet said, or move away from the crowds by heading west, where "you won't have trouble finding a secluded spot."

Hiriketiya Beach, Sri Lanka

This "buzzy beach town" on Sri Lanka's south coast offers plenty of action in and out of the water, said Lonely Planet. Surfers can opt for the "super-mellow" Hiriketiya Beach break that is perfect for beginners or the more advanced "fast, left-hand reef" that provides "ripping rides over urchin-caked rocks." There are boutique hotels, coffee shops and restaurants a few steps from the beach, tucked in the palms and greenery that surround the bay.

Nazaré, Portugal

For six months a year, the tiny fishing town of Nazaré doubles as the epicenter of big waves, becoming the "definitive destination" for only the most "daring" surfers, said The Telegraph. (Nazaré is the setting of HBO's popular documentary series "100 Foot Wave.") The surfing season usually starts in October and lasts through March, when winter storms meet the Nazaré Canyon underwater valley, resulting in "gargantuan" waves. Observers head to the Nazaré Pontão lighthouse, São Miguel Arcanjo fort or less-crowded Pederneira viewpoint to watch the "enormous rollers" and cap their day by relaxing on the "pillow-soft" sand of the town's beach.

Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz often comes up when discussing the history of surfing — this is where three Hawaiian princes took "local redwood surfboards to the barrels" and introduced surfing to the mainland United States in 1885. Jack O'Neill also invented the wetsuit here in the 1950s, said National Geographic Traveler. Today, it is the "quintessential Northern California beach town," with surfers clamoring to ride the consistent, "legendary" waves at Steamer Lane. Onlookers can spread out on Main Beach and Cowell Beach to watch seasoned boarders and newbies learning at one of the surf schools before taking a break for some fun at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Amusement Park.

Teahupo'o, Tahiti

The "ferocious" Teahupo'o wave, the heaviest in the world, "provokes a sense of fear and wonder," said Surfer. Nicknamed the End of the Road, viewers of the 2024 Summer Olympics will recognize it as the venue for surfing events. Teahupo'o is for serious riders who respect the "heaving monstrosities" that appear when the Southern Hemisphere swells "light up and stampede Tahiti," typically during April through October. The "paradisiacal" village of Teahupo'o is tiny, filled with a few lodges, homestays and food stands offering fruit and just-caught fish.

What happened

A jury in Australia Monday found Erin Patterson guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives by serving them Beef Wellingtons laced with toxic death cap mushrooms. Her husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, and aunt, Heather Wilkinson, died in the days following the family lunch in July 2023. Wilkinson's husband was also severely ill after eating the meal but survived.

Who said what

The so-called mushroom murders case has gripped Australia, and "drew comparisons to an Agatha Christie novel or TV murder mystery," said The Washington Post. The prosecution said that Patterson, 50, lured her guests to dine at her home in Leongatha, a few hours outside Melbourne, by lying about having cancer. Her estranged husband declined, but she deliberately poisoned his family and embarked on a "sustained cover-up," the jury heard in Victoria state's Supreme Court.

Patterson pleaded not guilty to the charges and insisted the deaths were accidental. Her defense team said the prosecution's case was "ridiculous" and "convoluted." But the jury agreed with the prosecution that she "deliberately picked the mushrooms used in the meal," CNN said.

What next?

Patterson will be sentenced at a later date and faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The "mystery" of "what happened at Erin Patterson's dining table" in rural Australia on 29 July 2023 has "gripped the world" for two years, said the BBC.

Of the four relatives who were served beef wellington in her home on that "fateful Saturday", three subsequently died and one was left "fighting for his life".

Today, Patterson has been found guilty of murdering her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and her husband's aunt Heather Wilkinson (Gail Patterson's sister), and attempting to murder her husband's uncle, Ian Wilkinson, by lacing their meal with powdered death cap mushrooms.

'Lies caught up with her'

The lunch was reportedly planned to "reconcile an increasingly fractured relationship" between Patterson and her estranged husband, Simon, said The Times, but he pulled out the day before. Patterson denied purposefully putting the deadly mushrooms in the food but "exposed herself to cross-examination" by choosing to take the witness stand.

The prosecution accused her of a succession of deceptions, including lying to her guests about having cancer, pretending to suffer the effects of poisoning and concealing the truth that "lethal doses of poison" were hidden in the home-cooked meal. After denying she even owned a food dehydrator to prepare the mushrooms, she was caught on CCTV dumping it at a local rubbish tip in the town of Leongatha, 85 miles southeast of Melbourne, days after the lunch. "In the end the lies caught up with her."

Patterson has been remanded in custody while awaiting a date for sentencing. She will "likely spend most – if not all – of the rest of her life behind bars", said The Australian, although she still has 28 days to appeal.

The 'final word'

So why has this tragedy seized the public consciousness? Perhaps because the "mushroom murder trial" had "the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist", said criminologist Xanthe Mallett on The Conversation. The case has "prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed 'body language experts'" assessing the defendant's "every move".

But now that the verdict is in, the "final word" should really be saved for the families, who have lost their loved ones and must come to terms with what Patterson has done. "Amid the spectacle," said Mallett, "it's easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre."

The noctourist is just getting started when other travelers are ending their days. Noctourism, or nocturnal tourism, is about enjoying experiences after dark, when temperatures are cooler, crowds thin and new opportunities arise. Moonlight moments can include traditional options, like viewing the northern lights, or a more adventurous move — think after-hours African safaris and truffle hunting in Italy.

Stargaze in Chile's Atacama Desert

Its high altitude, low humidity, little light pollution and frequent cloudless nights make the Atacama Desert a prime destination for stargazers. Conditions are especially clear here from June to August, and guests staying at Nayara Alto Atacama can see the Milky Way shine from their private terraces or the property's open-air observatory. There, an astronomy guide is on hand to identify constellations and discuss local Indigenous group's beliefs about the solar system. Nayara Alto Atacama blends "seamlessly" with its "otherworldly" surroundings, the Michelin Guide said, making it "one of the most visually striking hotels on the planet."

Watch the fireflies in Okinawa, Japan

When the sun goes down, the magic begins in Okinawa. Half of Japan's 50 firefly species can be found here, and the Halekulani Okinawa offers guests a chance to see them with its Discover the Island's Glow adventure. At sunset, a naturist guides participants through Yambaru National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and into a mangrove forest. From there, the group emerges in a clearing to "witness thousands of fireflies lighting up the night sky," Forbes said. The night ends with the guide playing soothing songs on a sanshin, a three-stringed instrument that originated in Okinawa.

Hunt for truffles in Piedmont, Italy

Truffle hunters in the know always set out at night, as "fungus-sniffing dogs have fewer distractions" and soil aeration makes the delicacy "more fragrant," Vogue said. In Piedmont, where white truffles are the hot commodity, you are allowed to forage in the moonlight, with the best odds of finding the white-hot goods in November and December. Visitors can arrange an after hours excursion through the Italian Truffle Hunting Association.

See the Penguin Parade on Australia's Summerland Beach

You can set your watch on this one. Every evening "like clockwork," hundreds of little penguins waddle their way from the water to "sandy burrows" on Summerland Beach, where they rest for the night, Vogue said.

From a "minimally lit" grandstand, visitors can observe this "adorable ritual" without disturbing the "pint-sized birds" (little penguins are the world's smallest penguin species). Tickets for the parade are required, with proceeds funding penguin conservation efforts.

Explore the Shilin Night Market in Taipei

Taiwanese delicacies await at this "hugely popular" night market, where visitors are treated to a "carnival of street-side snacking, shopping and games," Lonely Planet said. Outside, there are "lanes and lanes full of food stalls," with toys, clothes and games inside a covered market. Come hungry so you can try oyster omelettes, pineapple cakes, stinky tofu and bubble tea before the stalls close at midnight.

Go on a night safari in Zambia

Night safaris have a different feel than their daytime counterparts. After hours, the excursion is about seeing and also "listening, which is a less appreciated part of the safari experience," Stephanie Vermillion, the author of "100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark," said to the BBC. Many animals are more active at night, and to "see a leopard stalking around" and "hyena circling a lion, trying to steal its prey" is nothing short of "incredible." Zambia is filled with spaces to see "big cats, elephants and other remarkable creatures," including South Luangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park.

Stretching for 186 miles along the coast of Western Australia, Ningaloo is one of the world's most dazzling coral reefs, said Lizzie Frainier in The Sunday Times. Although not as big as Queensland's Great Barrier Reef, it offers similarly spectacular snorkelling and it is also the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks. Getting up close to one of these giant fish – the biggest on Earth – was among the most "exhilarating" moments of my visit, which was remarkably straightforward. Western Australia is only eight hours ahead of London (Queensland is ten), and just 17 hours away by plane. And Ningaloo is a fringing reef – the world's largest – which means it is close to shore, so you don't need a boat to reach it.

From Perth, the state capital, I flew for two hours north to Exmouth, then drove the 70km to my accommodation. Sal Salis is a luxury camp, consisting of 16 tents with proper beds and hot showers, on a remote beach directly in front of the reef. It is "pricey" (Pippa Middleton stayed here for her honeymoon), though bear in mind that the rate does include food, drinks and some activities, such as snorkelling, paddleboarding and hiking. Meals are sociable – served at long shared tables – and "scrumptious", with cocktails and canapés before dinner. However, boat trips from a local dock to swim with whale sharks are charged separately, and only take place during the season, which runs from March to August.

Whale sharks grow up to 18 metres long, and I was "apprehensive" about swimming with them, even though they have no teeth and are said to be friendly. Once in the water with one, however, I felt "meditative" – awed by its great size, ancient origins and sheer beauty, as the light shimmered over its "polka-dot" skin.

Also wonderful were a hike in the canyons of Cape Range National Park (home to "adorable" rock wallabies), and a trip to a beach where a dozen large turtles were floating in the water.

Doubles cost from £4,674 for three nights (salsalis.com.au).

China's naval power has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. In the latest sign of this growth, the country has conducted live-fire naval exercises off the coasts of Australia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

In military terms the Chinese exercises do not "have much significance," Su Tzu-yun, of Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said to The New York Times. They do, however, function as "political signaling" to Pacific nations that "their future lies in accommodating Beijing," said the Times. The exercises also come while "Washington is consumed with other matters," including Ukraine, the Middle East and budget cuts at the Pentagon.

The naval drills are, in addition, "seen as a test" for President Donald Trump, said Bloomberg. The president's "outreach to Russia, his ramped-up criticism of long-standing NATO allies and moves to raise tariffs" have raised questions about whether the United States will remain a "trusted security partner" to longtime allies. China is "testing the waters" to see how America will respond, said the Atlantic Council's Wen-Ti Sung. If the United States is seen as indifferent, said James Char of Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, "it's a win for China."

What did the commentators say?

China's maneuvers signal a "new era of sea power in the Southwest Pacific," Anne-Marie Brady said at The Diplomat. They show that the People's Liberation Army "could cut off the air and sea links between Australia and New Zealand at any time, with no warning." China is creating a permanent military presence in the region and wants other powers, including the U.S., to "know there is nothing they can do about it." It is clear that "we have entered a dangerous new era."

Beijing's aggressiveness highlights "Australia's vulnerability at the exact moment that the U.S. is demonstrating American unreliability," Peter Hartcher said at The Sydney Morning Herald. Trump is treating allies harshly and making territorial claims on NATO allies like Canada. That's the "ally upon which Australia has built its security." This puts Australia in an uncomfortable position, suddenly knowing "how it feels to have a rival navy operating off your coastline."

What next?

China said there was no reason to apologize to Australia for the drills, said The Guardian. The two countries are "friends, not foes or rivals," said Xiao Qian, Beijing's ambassador to Canberra. He added that "there is no need for Australia to feel concerned about the actions of the Chinese fleet." Australia's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, made clear there was plenty of concern. "We have protested," he said.

In the meantime, China's naval power continues to grow. Beijing is developing a "huge nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that would rival the biggest vessel in the American fleet," said NBC News. Such developments do have America's attention. The U.S. sees China as a "peer competitor," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, and the Defense Department is "prioritizing deterring war with China in the Pacific."

The answer to fighting a growing number of superbugs may be in the water. Researchers in Australia have pinpointed a protein found in oysters as a way to make antibiotics more effective. As infections rise and become harder to fight, finding new sources of antimicrobials will be more important than ever.

Breaking bacteria shells

Oysters contain an antimicrobial protein in their liquid that is similar to blood, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS One. This protein, called hemolymph, was found by researchers to be "effective at killing the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, which mainly causes pneumonia, and Streptococcus pyogenes, the culprit for strep throat and scarlet fever," although it has not yet been tested on humans and animals, said The Guardian. The protein was discovered in the Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata), native to Australia and New Zealand.

Many bacteria, like S. pneumoniae, are able to evade antibiotics by forming a "biofilm," or a community of "microorganisms that attach themselves to surfaces in a sticky, protective matrix," said Popular Science. Hemolymph was effective at killing the bacteria on its own, and "when paired up with antibiotics, the protein also helped improve their effectiveness against other infection-causing bacteria," said Smithsonian Magazine. Scientists believe the protein is successful because it disrupts the bacteria's biofilm. The protein was also found to be non-toxic to human lung cells.

Since the majority of antibiotics used today — as well as those currently in development — come from natural sources, scientists are always on the hunt for new sources. "Most organisms have natural defense mechanisms to protect themselves against infection," Kirsten Benkendorff, a marine scientist at Australia's Southern Cross University and the study coauthor, said in a statement. "Oysters are constantly filtering bacteria from the water, so they are a good place to look for potential antibiotics."

The world is our oyster

Antibiotic resistance has become a growing problem in public health. Bacteria are becoming more resistant due to the high number of infections, especially of the respiratory tract, and the overuse of antibiotics to treat them. This has led the microorganisms to evolve into stronger superbugs. Coupled with the ability to form a biofilm, infections are becoming much harder to kill. A 2024 study predicted that by 2050, approximately 2 million people, mostly 70 and over, could die from drug-resistant infections each year. "Because of this, new antibiotic treatments that can inhibit, disrupt or penetrate biofilms are very valuable," said Benkendorff and Kate Summer, another coauthor of the PLOS One study, at The Conversation.

While hemolymph shows promise, "more work is needed, including testing in animals and clinical human trials," said Benkendorff and Summer. "Sustainable supply of the proteins for research and medical use is an important consideration, but this is helped by the fact [that] Sydney rock oysters are commercially available." This research also presents an opportunity for collaboration between the pharmaceutical and aquaculture industries. "Given the significant costs in developing new medicines, the idea of using excess and/or imperfect oysters to generate a sustainable supply of antimicrobial proteins" should be "investigated further," Branwen Morgan, a researcher at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, said to The Guardian.

Once called a "thug" by a former PM and leader of his own party, Peter Dutton is now the frontrunner to become the next leader of Australia.

Heading the main centre-right Liberal Party, the 54-year-old father of three has embraced the rhetoric and policies of Donald Trump in the hopes of ousting incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in an election that must be held by 17 May.

From policeman to politician

Born in Brisbane in 1970, Dutton abandoned his business studies course at university to become a police officer, working in the National Crime Authority and Drug and Sex Offenders Squads, "with a focus on protecting women and children", according to his official website.

Elected to Parliament in 2001, he used his maiden speech to set out a worldview informed by his time spent in the Queensland force that, he said, had shown him the best and worst of society. "I have seen the sickening behaviour displayed by people who, frankly, barely justify their existence in our sometimes over tolerant society".

He went on to serve in a series of ministerial posts in the Liberal governments of the 2010s including health, sport, home affairs and defence, where he compared Beijing's military build-up to the rise of Nazism in the 1930s. As minister for immigration and border protection, he was responsible for using the military to intercept small boats carrying asylum seekers from Asia and infuriated New Zealanders by forcibly returning Kiwi-born criminals, a process he described as "taking the trash out".

"Dutton's time in government, the conservative media interviews, the constant dragging of progressive causes and those who promoted them, the combative statements and an unwillingness to compromise his positions, have painted a very strong image of who Dutton is and what he does with power," said Amy Remeikis, Guardian Australia's political reporter, in 2022 after he was elected Liberal leader.

Donald Trump meets Lord Voldemort

After an inauspicious start as leader of the opposition, Dutton has managed to revive his party's fortunes by leaning into his straight-talking "hard man" image and imitating Donald Trump, said The Times.

He has combined his long-standing hardline stance on asylum seekers with criticism of "woke" progressive causes such as DEI and indigenous rights. He has vowed to banish the Aboriginal flag from government press conferences, cut immigration and prohibit foreigners from buying houses, all policies that "appeal to those struggling with rising prices, sluggish wage growth and the 13 interest rate rises that have inflated mortgage repayments since Albanese came to power".

As they do with Trump, voters seem to appreciate his "bluntness", said the New York Times, with parallels between the two men "drawn by both supporters and critics". Dutton has, however, "drawn the line" at some of Trump's "language and priorities", resisting pressure to campaign on transgender issues, and indicating he would not consider withdrawing Australia from the Paris climate agreements.

For his critics, the comparisons don't stop there. In 2022, Labor's then education spokesperson Tanya Plibersek compared him to Lord Voldemort in a radio interview, adding "I think there will be a lot of children who have watched a lot of Harry Potter films who will be very frightened of what they are seeing on TV at night".

Plibersek later apologised and Dutton labelled the comments "unfortunate" but that they were "water off a duck's back", yet this has not stopped him being repeatedly confronted by members of the public making the same comparison, reported the Daily Mail Australia.

But it could well be Dutton who has the last laugh, with the latest polls suggesting he is now the "frontrunner" in the upcoming election and "the man most likely to be Australia's next prime minister", said The Times.

What's behind a spate of hate crimes in Australia? Are our phones fuelling a Congolese militia? And why is carbon monoxide the new 'drug' of choice for cyclists? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

A podcast for curious, open-minded people, The Week Unwrapped delivers fresh perspectives on politics, culture, technology and business.

It makes for a lively, enlightening discussion, ranging from the serious to the offbeat. Previous topics have included whether solar engineering could refreeze the Arctic, why funerals are going out of fashion, and what kind of art you can use to pay your tax bill.

You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped wherever you get your podcasts:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Global Player

2025 is looking good for travelers ready to check into someplace new. That might mean heading to Rome to see how the Orient Express handles luxury accommodations off the tracks or trekking to Uganda for an unforgettable stay among the gorillas. Whatever the type of hotel experience, you should be able to find it at one of these eight fresh properties.

One&Only Moonlight Basin, Montana

The first One&Only resort in the United States is coming to Montana. The hotel, located on the northwest side of Lone Mountain, will offer "direct gondola access to Big Sky's 5,800 acres of piste, as well as top-tier mountain golf," Elite Traveler said, in addition to kayaking, biking and other outdoor activities. Guests can expect comfortable rooms with fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, leather furnishings and local art, with amenities like a hidden whisky shack in the forest and wellness treatments inspired by the wilds of Montana.

Orient Express La Minerva, Rome

When it opens this spring, Orient Express La Minerva will technically be the newest hotel in Rome, but its roots were planted long ago, in the 17th century. La Minerva, built for a wealthy family in 1620 and turned into an inn 200 years later, is the first hotel under the Orient Express brand. The "meticulously curated" property "highlights Rome's rich history," CNN said, and is steps from the Pantheon. Rooms feature king-size beds and marble bathrooms, and for a treat, book a signature suite with a private terrace, turntable and vinyl record collection.

Portrush Adelphi, Northern Ireland

Renovations are in full swing at Portrush Adelphi, a boutique hotel opening in April next door to the storied Royal Portrush Golf Club. Now part of Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, the seaside property will "cater to golf enthusiasts," the Belfast Telegraph said, with fully revamped guest rooms and common areas. An on-site Italian grill and bar and concierge who will set up tee times round out the hotel's updated offerings.

Salterra, Turks & Caicos

Salterra offers a new way to experience Turks & Caicos. The property, scheduled to open in February, sits on South Caicos, far from the most populous areas of the archipelago. Each room is decorated in muted tones, with wood finishings and large windows to soak up the views. The nearby Salinas salt flats inspired the hotel's design, and an in-house "saltmelier" will be on hand to take guests to the Salinas boardwalk to learn about the island's history of salt production and guide them through a sea salt tasting.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge, Uganda

Prepare to be awed when Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge opens in May. Deep in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this luxe 10-tent property is not only a great base camp for gorilla trekking but is often a stop for gorillas passing through the area. The comfortable accommodations include en-suite bathrooms with a bathtub and shower and private decks, where you can relax after a day of adventure, like taking a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park or hiking through the forest to meet members of the Batwa tribe.

Skyridge, Alberta, Canada

Glamp your way through all four seasons inside one of the micro-cabins at Skyridge, opening in January. This year-round, adults-only resort in the town of Canmore has two types of accommodations: the Sky Box and SkyGlass, an innovative structure with floor to ceiling windows for unobstructed views of the stunning Canadian Rockies. At 302 square feet, the cabins are designed for two guests and have everything necessary for "roughing it" in style, including a plush king-size bed, bathroom, kitchen with stovetop and microwave, and heating and air conditioning to keep glampers warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

The Sundays, Hamilton Island, Australia

The Sundays, opening in April, embraces its prime position in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The hotel's 59 rooms have been "conscientiously designed," Vogue Australia said, and the "calming combination of ocean and sand tones" act as an "extension of the beach surroundings." An oceanfront swimming pool and water's-edge restaurant and bar add to the "laidback lavishness" of the property.

Veranó San Juan, Puerto Rico

A 1950s office building in San Juan's vibrant Santurce neighborhood is getting a second act as Veranó, a stylish boutique hotel. Set to open its doors in April, Veranó will have 40 sleek rooms and suites, the City House restaurant and a rooftop bar perfect for grabbing a drink to enjoy at sunset. The property sits on the Avenida Ponce de León, amid shops, restaurants and art galleries and close to several beaches.

Life's a beach in Australia – unless you want some shade, that is. Sunseekers down under are up in arms over the rising numbers of beach tents, known as cabanas, popping up on their sandy shores. The serious nature of the issue has even seen the country's prime minister, Anthony Albanese, getting involved.

It began on social media, when locals at Safety Beach on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, began debating the use of cabanas to secure a good spot for the day.

Unlike beaches in many other countries, Australia’s are usually open to all, with no private or reserved sections. This means the public "do not have to fork out to reserve a spot to relax", said The Guardian, calling it a "proud Australian tradition".

However, with temperatures hitting 40C, "early birds" have been using cabanas to "mark their territory", setting up camp in the morning before leaving and then returning "at their leisure" later in the day, said the Herald Sun.

Beaches 'belong to everyone'

Mornington beachgoers took to an online community page to discuss whether such actions were "selfish or simply smart". Some argued the cabana owners were "plain rude, entitled city people taking over", while others told objectors to "stop being a Karen".

Local mayor Anthony Marsh soon became involved. Beachgoers were entitled to use cabanas, he said, but he disagreed with them "reserving space on the beach and then going off and doing other stuff".

Eventually, the debate hit national TV and Albanese was asked about the "burning question that is today dividing the nation" on the "Today" breakfast show. He replied that Australia's beaches belonged to "everyone" and were places where everyone is equal. Reserving a spot for yourself was, therefore, a "breach" of that principle.

Standing up for 'SunSmart Australians'

Albanese's critics turned this argument round to defend cabana users, pointing out that the PM enjoyed a multimillion-dollar cliffside home overlooking the ocean. "The idea that anyone could obstruct such views with a pop up tent is a travesty, in his eyes at least," said the Daily Mail Australia.

Sharing the article online, Senator Bridget McKenzie, of the opposition National Party, accused Albanese of looking down on "SunSmart Australians" unable to afford ocean views.

Cabana defenders also pointed to Australia's blazing heat, with Australian author Anna Spargo-Ryan in The Guardian remembering how her childhood was "a series of lectures" about the need to "slip, slop, slap" to help prevent skin cancer. "In our fiery skin-cancer factory of a country", the beach was not the place to "be less sun smart".

As for claims the beach belonged to everyone, "King Charles III owns literally all of it" beyond the "tiny bits being encroached upon by billionaires". And that, she concluded, was "the most Australian thing of all".

A question of equality

The issue has now become a "full-on turf war" following "several summers of simmering tension", said the BBC. Australians like to think of themselves as egalitarian – "the land of a 'fair go'" and "Cabanagate" goes against the idea that beaches are shared spaces and places that break down social hierarchies.

The row may be new but there have long been "enormous class tensions" around the use of the beach, Chris Pepin-Neff, who studies Australian beach culture, told the BBC. A lack of infrastructure and affordable housing has prevented many from living and enjoying the coastline. Now, said Pepin-Neff, "there's a perception that it's encroaching even further" and the average family can't even find space on the beach.

Donald Trump's team is "irritated" by "snide" remarks about the president-elect in the UK and Europe, according to an insider.

His inner circle is angry that his "thumping election victory" is being "greeted" with complaints about his "personality", the source told the i news site. For some who've "run afoul" of Trump, his victory at the ballot box has "sparked fresh worries" that he may enter office "looking for retribution", said NBC News.

Two former Trump White House officials who have publicly spoken against him, are "scared". Some are so worried they are looking at the "immigration laws and policies" in countries they may consider fleeing to, said one, adding that it's "unreal that in this day and age in this country, we’re having these thoughts and concerns".

Olivia Troye, a former Trump official who spoke out against the former president earlier this year, told NBC News that a passenger on a plane told her "your days are numbered".

Trump has "made different statements about whether he might target people who’ve upset him", said the broadcaster. While he has previously signalled that he will go after his critics, in February he rejected any concerns, saying: "My revenge will be success."

The Week looks at the luminaries that have had to do some quick back-pedalling now Trump is set to become the leader of the free world once again.

David Lammy

As a backbench Labour MP in 2018, David Lammy described Trump as a "tyrant", a KKK sympathiser and "a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath". He also said that Trump, then in his first term, was "deluded, dishonest, xenophobic, narcissistic" and "no friend of Britain".

But speaking after Trump's recent victory, the foreign secretary shrugged aside those criticisms as "old news" and said you would "struggle to find any politician" who had not said some "pretty ripe things" about Trump in the past.

Darren Jones

In 2016, Labour's Darren Jones, now chief secretary to the Treasury, wrote that Trump was "repugnant" and his popularity signalled a "much longer problem for the centre-left". Six years later he said Trump promoted "divisive right-wing populism", recalled Huffington Post.

Confronted about his remarks on the BBC last week, Jones said it's "no surprise that as a Labour Party politician, I support Labour sister parties such as the Democrats" but insisted that the government "totally" respects Trump's mandate, adding that "we look forward to working with him".

Kevin Rudd

The US election outcome is also uncomfortable for Australia's ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, said the New York Times. In 2020 Rudd wrote that Trump was "the most destructive president in history", who "drags America and democracy through the mud". Rudd has now deleted the post, he said, "out of respect for the office of president of the United States".

Jeff Bezos

In 2016, Bezos said Trump's wish to lock up Hillary Clinton or refuse to accept a loss in that election "erodes our democracy around the edges". But all seems to be forgotten now as the Amazon founder congratulated Trump "on an extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory", "not long after strongarming the Washington Post, a newspaper he owns, into abandoning its traditional endorsement of a presidential candidate", said Forbes, "in a move that was seen as transparently friendly to Trump".

Donald Tusk

When Tusk was president of the European Council he was famously outspoken. “With friends like that, who needs enemies?” he asked in 2018 following Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear accord. Tusk also derided one of Trump's speeches endorsing nationalism and patriotism as “false and dangerous”. But this week Tusk, now prime minister of Poland, publicly congratulated Trump, tweeting he would "look forward to our cooperation for the good of the American and Polish nations".

What happened

Australia's government introduced legislation to bar people under 16 from social media. The age limit would take effect 12 months after being signed into law, giving Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and other social media companies time to figure out how to comply.

Who said what

"Social media is doing harm to our kids and I'm calling time on it," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said to reporters. "The onus will be on social media platforms to demonstrate they are taking reasonable steps to prevent access," and they will be the ones penalized for underage use, he said. "The onus won't be on parents or young people." There would be no exceptions for young people who have parental consent, though kids already on social media would be exempted.

Most experts "agree that social media platforms can harm the mental health of adolescents," the BBC said, but they are "split over the efficacy" of total bans. More than 140 Australian and international experts said in a letter to Albanese last month that the proposed age limit was "too blunt an instrument." Meta's head of safety Antigone Davis said Instagram and Facebook would respect any age limit in Australia, but argued that stronger parental controls in app stores and operating systems would be a more "simple and effective solution."

What next?

Albanese said his government would introduce the legislation to Parliament next week, and if passed, the ban would be enforced by Australia's online regulator, the eSafety Commissioner.

"Social media is doing harm to our kids, and I'm calling time on it."

So said Australia's prime minister today, announcing proposals for world-first legislation banning children under 16 from social media.

Anthony Albanese's proposal would also not exempt children under 16 already on social media – they won't be allowed to use Instagram, TikTok or YouTube even if they have parental consent – as concerns grow worldwide over the threat of cyberbullying and predatory grooming, alongside potential adverse effects of social media on young people's mental and emotional health. The government will introduce legislation to parliament by the end of the year, and a ban would take effect 12 months after the law passes, Albanese said, putting the onus on tech companies to enforce it.

'Double the risk of depression and anxiety'

Up to 95% of teenagers use social media and more than a third say they are on it "almost constantly", according to the Pew Research Center.

Australia's youth are some of the most connected in the world, with about 97% using social media across an average of four platforms. Nearly two-thirds of Australian parents of teenagers say they are concerned about that, according to a 2024 survey by youth mental health service ReachOut. "Parents want their kids off their phones and on the footy field. So do I," Albanese said in September.

More than half of Australians feel lonely every week, according to a survey of more than 4,000 aged 16 and over by Medibank's Loneliness Population Index. And among lonely 16-24-year-olds, social media was the "top answer" for why, said the Herald Sun. More than 40% in that age bracket said seeing posts of other people at social events "trigger their feelings of isolation". More than half (58%) of all respondents aged 16-24 supported banning under 16s from social media.

It is "increasingly clear that the more time youth spend online, the higher the risk of mental health problems", said The Associated Press. According to studies cited by the US surgeon general Vivek Murthy last year, kids who use social media for more than three hours a day face "double the risk of depression and anxiety".

'The opposite of what we'd recommend'

The risks of social media on young brains are indeed stark – but most participants to a round table by the American Psychological Association on the matter agreed that a total ban was "not an effective solution".

More than 140 Australian and international academics with expertise in technology and child welfare signed an open letter to Albanese opposing the age limit, calling it "too blunt an instrument to address these risks effectively".

Enforcing it will also be "extremely challenging", said Lisa M. Given, professor of information sciences at RMIT University, in an article on The Conversation. Reviewing all existing accounts to verify age is "a technological nightmare". The ban also won't do anything to "force social media companies to eliminate harmful content". It will "give parents a false sense of security, while preventing young people from accessing important information" such as current affairs, politics and potential employment.

The plan also has a "blind spot", said Reuters. Experts say age restrictions could cut off migrants, LGBT+ and minority youths from essential "social support". For young refugees, it could mean "losing a direct line" to family in their home country. It could even exacerbate the very issues it's aiming to combat: a ban could increase feelings of loneliness and isolation among youths with mental health issues, many of whom access support via social media. "The ban is pretty much the opposite of what we would recommend," said Amelia Johns, an associate professor of digital media at University of Technology, Sydney.

And frankly, said Reuters, it's not going to work. No attempts to enforce age restrictions anywhere in the world have succeeded, "partly due to access to virtual private networks (VPNs)" that hide users' location and information. An age-verification trial in France, which last year passed a law requiring parental consent for social media users under 15, found that "nearly half the country's teenagers could use VPNs". Software that allows users to bypass identification requirements on YouTube has reportedly been downloaded millions of times.

The UK is investing in nuclear-capable fighter jets amid "rising nuclear risks", Defence Secretary John Healey has said. Speaking at the Nato summit in The Hague this week, Healey confirmed that the government would purchase 12 F-35A jets, capable of carrying US-supplied B61 tactical nuclear weapons. The jets will be used for conventional missions but, in "extreme circumstances", they would enable the UK to "participate in the nuclear mission for Nato".

While the government hopes the expansion of its nuclear arsenal will deter attacks, some believe that it will simply "fuel a global nuclear arms race" and "the normalisation of nuclear warfare", said Simon Tisdall in The Guardian. Once that "taboo is broken", the world is on a "fast-track ticket to oblivion".

Amid such rhetoric, and the recent exchange of missiles between Israel, Iran and the US, it's no surprise that interest in nuclear shelters has increased dramatically. Matt Wright, director of bunker firm Burrowed, told the Daily Mail that the company had received ten times as many orders as usual in the past few days. "We've got thousands of enquiries coming in," he said. "It's gone up dramatically and I can only put that down to what's been happening."

If a £100,000 bunker is out of budget, here are some of the safest alternative places to be in the event of a nuclear blast.

Safest places in buildings

A study published in the Physics of Fluids journal examined the safest places to take shelter within a building should a devastating attack occur.

Researchers from the University of Nicosia in Cyprus used advanced computer modelling to investigate what impact a 750-kiloton-rated nuclear blast wave would have on humans inside a building close to the fictional attack. Their results suggested that "even if you're hiding indoors" and relatively far from the explosion, the blast's high-speed winds "could still be enough to kill or seriously injure you", reported the tech and science site Gizmodo.

For that reason, the most dangerous places to hide are likely to be "in the direct vicinity of the windows, door openings and hallways, since this is where the air will be most funnelled through in the shockwave". Following the same logic, the study concluded that the best place to shelter would be "in a sturdy building at the far end of the room from any door or window, and ideally in a corner", said Newsweek.

Safest types of building

Ready.gov, an official website of the US government, advises that people "get inside the nearest building" should nuclear sirens suddenly sound – but not all buildings offer equal protection.

Concrete-reinforced buildings are generally thought to be the safest option as they would "largely remain intact" should a blast occur – however "not necessarily everyone inside them would survive", said Gizmodo.

In "Protect and Survive", a UK public information campaign that ran in the early 1980s, people were advised that, if they lived in a block of flats five storeys high or more, it was best not to shelter on the top two floors. The basement or ground floor will give you the best protection, and central corridors on lower floors will provide good protection.

For city-dwellers, the best places to shelter include underground spaces, reported Newsweek. "One would be much safer" in an "underground purpose-built blast or fallout shelter," Jack L. Rozdilsky, an associate professor of disaster and emergency management at York University in Canada, told the site. But "even locations like basements of buildings or deep sections of subway tunnels would provide better protection than being in buildings above the surface."

In 2022, the Daily Express reported that the safest places in the UK would be those furthest from major cities. The 20 locations recommended included Cornwall, Folkestone, Skegness and Anglesey.

Safest areas of the UK

As you might expect, anyone living in or around London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Glasgow will have the lowest chance of survival if Britain's major cities are targeted. Being "outside the blast zone" will be "crucial" to a chance of making it through, said the Daily Express.

The impact of a nuclear blast depends on numerous factors, "including radiation, fireball, air blast, and thermal radiation", and the distance dangerous radiation could spread varies with the weather conditions.

Remote places, such as the Shetland Islands, will be the safest if the bomb drops. Other locations like Cornwall, Inverness, and Aberystwyth could also be safe from the effects of the initial blasts, given their distance from major cities.

However, you wouldn't necessarily "be safe if you lived hundreds of miles from where the bomb dropped", said The Spectator. A subsequent nuclear winter would lead to "drastic falls in temperatures and sunshine, a global agricultural collapse and disaster for virtually all forms of life on Earth for decades".

Safest countries

The countries "with the best hope of at least seeing their civilisation survive" during the 10 years after a nuclear war would be Argentina and Australia, said The Times. A 2022 study published in Nature Food suggests that these two countries – and several others across central Africa – would be able to maintain life because "they already grew more resistant crops, such as wheat, in large quantities and also had low populations".

Closer to home, you could consider Iceland. The Smart Survivalist named the Nordic country as the safest place in the event of a nuclear war. "Because Iceland is isolated from the rest of the world by the North Atlantic Ocean, it would be very difficult for a nuclear missile to reach Iceland without being detected first," it said.

Also, it added, Iceland generates all of its electricity from geothermal sources, so even if the entire electrical grid went down, Iceland "would still have power thanks to its natural hot springs".

The site also noted that Canada has a "large landmass and population spread out over a wide area", making it "less likely that a single nuclear strike could wipe out the entire country".

Modelling by The Guardian in 2016 found that, "should atomic annihilation be on the cards", the safest places to live would be Antarctica, because the "sub-zero continent" is "miles from anywhere", or Easter Island in the South Pacific, which is more than 2,000 miles from South America.

In the US, modelling by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst starts with the midwest as a "prime target" as the country's intercontinental ballistic missile launch facilities are based in the region, and "taking them out early would be a strategic advantage for any foreign adversary", said the Daily Mail.

Landlocked states like Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri would also be "decimated in the immediate aftermath of the explosion", the researchers said, while coastal states such as Oregon, Washington, Florida and New York "might be able to bide their time for at least four days, before radiation poisoning spread to those areas".

With mounting anxieties around the risk of a nuclear conflict, some countries have begun ramping up preparations in case the worst happens. In Switzerland, the government last year announced plans to modernise the country's extensive system of bomb shelters, due to the "global security situation", the Zurich-based Tages Anzeiger reported. The work is projected to cost 220 million Swiss francs (£198 million).

Beneath the South Pacific Ocean lies a microcontinent that was hidden for over 300 years. Zealandia, which separated from Australia millions of years ago and was once Earth's eighth continent, is a "geological time capsule," said The Brighter Side, and holds valuable information about the planet's history. Recently, scientists mapped Zealandia, bringing light to some of the unknowns.

What is Zealandia?

Zealandia is a landmass that "broke off from Antarctica about 100 million years ago, and then from Australia about 80 million years ago," National Geographic said. It was originally a part of the supercontinent Gondwana, but mainly became covered by water. The microcontinent is "about half the size of Australia, but only 7% of it is above sea level." In order to be classified as a continent, a landmass needs to meet specific criteria regarding "elevation, geology, crustal structure and area," all of which Zelandia met, said Good Magazine. The country of New Zealand and some surrounding islands make up the exposed portion of Zealandia.

The 1.89 million square mile continent had been "hiding in plain sight" for almost 375 years with experts speculating whether it existed at all, said the BBC. Zealandia became submerged before humans populated the region. The first to hint at the continent's existence was explorer Abel Tasman, who claimed he found "the great southern continent" when he came upon the South Island of New Zealand in the 1600s.

Europeans, at the time, believed that there was one large southern continent that they called Terra Australis, that spanned from the south pole up to even as high as 60 degrees south latitude, according to Oxford Reference. Later on, this "continent" was discovered to be two continents: Antarctica and Australia. However, there was a missing continent all along.

How was Zealandia discovered?

Zealandia was only officially discovered in 2017 by a group of geologists. The road to discovery took over 100 years, with many researchers discovering pieces of evidence pointing to Zealandia's existence. The nail in the coffin was satellite data that was "used to track tiny variations in the Earth's gravity across different parts of the crust to map the seafloor," revealing the microcontinent as a "misshapen mass almost as large as Australia," the BBC said. "This is an example of how something very obvious can take a while to uncover," Andy Tulloch, a geologist at the New Zealand Crown Research Institute GNS Science and part of the discovery team, said to the BBC.

More recently, researchers have managed to map the entire area of Zealandia, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Tectonics. The experts "dredged the northern two-thirds of the submerged area, pulling up pebbly and cobbley sandstone, fine-grain sandstone, mudstone, bioclastic limestone, and basaltic lava from a variety of time periods," Popular Mechanics said. The researchers were then "able to map the major geological units across North Zealandia," by "dating the rocks and interpreting magnetic anomalies."

In analyzing the data, researchers found a "large fault zone along the south border of Zealandia," likely a "'scar' in Earth's crust, formed when Zealandia broke off from Antarctica and Australia," Forbes said. "During this process, the continental crust was stretched and thinned out." Scientists also discovered sandstone that was 95 million years old containing "older granite and volcanic pebbles," pointing to volcanic activity over 100 million years ago before the continent submerged. "This work completes offshore reconnaissance geological mapping of the entire Zealandia continent," the Tectonics study said.

What questions remain?

Much of Zealandia's evolution remains a mystery that scientists are still tackling head-on. A study published in the New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, for example, analyzed the sedimentary basins of Zealandia. A sedimentary basin is "any hollow on the surface of the Earth," said Lorna Strachan, a geologist from the University of Auckland, to Eos. "This can be anything from a puddle in your driveway to the Pacific Ocean." These basins "tell myriad stories of past climates, ocean currents, plate tectonics, the birth of mountain ranges, ecology and evolution," depending on what sediments accumulate.

The fault line on the border of Zealandia has been a particular point of curiosity for the researchers. It shows signs of "extensive stretching between different parts of Gondwana that eventually snapped apart to create Zealandia's surrounding sea floors," Science Alert said. Scientists are interested in learning more about how and why land stretches in this way and how it has contributed to the current layout of the Earth. "There is still much to explore, including the timing, causes and mechanisms behind [Zealandia's] significant geological changes," said the Times of India. "This comprehensive framework supports further research on New Zealand's natural hazards, resources and environment."

The Australian government has approved a $19bn solar power project to export electricity to Singapore, hailing it as a "generation-defining piece of infrastructure".

The landmark moment comes as coal and gas remain the largest sources of electricity generation Down Under, where energy is a "politically fraught issue", said Al Jazeera.

Daunting but not insurmountable

The new project, known as the Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), proposes a 12,000 hectare (46 square mile) solar farm in a remote part of Australia's Northern Territory.

The site will be capable of generating up to six gigawatts of electricity and will transport power to Darwin through an 800-kilometre (500 miles) overhead transmission line, then on to Singapore through a subsea cable. The accompanying batteries will mean "the juice flows 24/7", said The Register.

SunCable, owned by billionaire software tycoon Mike Cannon-Brookes, said the project will supply up to 15% of Singapore's energy needs once it's completed in the early 2030s.

"It will be the largest solar precinct in the world", said Tanya Plibersek, minister for the environment and water, and "heralds Australia as the world leader in green energy".

Plibersek's office added that the approval came with "strict conditions" to protect the natural environment, including avoiding the habitat of the greater bilby, a rabbit-like mammal considered susceptible to extinction.

Although it has won environmental approval in Australia, the project "still faces various other regulatory hurdles", said Al Jazeera, including assessments by authorities in Singapore and Indonesia. SunCable also still needs approvals from indigenous groups in Australia.

Aussie tech entrepreneur Bevan Slattery, who has significant experience building submarine data cables, has issues with the scheme. He argued that the Darwin-to-Singapore route passes through some of the world's most dangerous waters, with high levels of tectonic and volcanic activity.

However, the scale of the project is "daunting but not insurmountable", said The Register. The 800km transmission line to Darwin is "also not terrifying" because it will share a rail corridor and therefore be accessible. "It's also not very long, as such things go", it added.

Solar vulnerabilities

The development comes at a time of deep division on energy in Australia. Although the governing centre-left Labor Party and opposition centre-right Liberal Party have both committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, the parties "disagree on the steps for getting there", said Al Jazeera.

For instance, when the Liberal Party proposed constructing the country’s first nuclear power plants this summer, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed the idea as an un-costed "thought bubble".

Plibersek said that Australians "have a choice between a renewable energy transition that’s already under way creating jobs and driving down prices", or "paying for an expensive nuclear fantasy that may never happen".

Although Australia has "long been a global leader in solar energy adoption", said News.Az, around 99% of panels are imported, exposing "vulnerabilities" in Australia's renewable energy supply chain.

So the Solar SunShot project – an initiative to boost domestic solar panel production – is a "key component" of Australia's "broader strategy" to "secure its place as a global leader in the renewable energy sector".

With heat waves, heat domes and heat warnings across the United States, many Americans are dreaming of cooler — if not downright cold — places. Relief can be found in parts of the Southern Hemisphere, where winter is in full swing and plenty of charming, snow-filled cities and resorts await. You will have to travel pretty far to visit these spots, but getting there is part of the fun.

Afriski Mountain Resort, Lesotho

Yes, you can hit the slopes in Africa. Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho is a powder lover's playground, with skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding and off-piste skiing. Ski resorts are a rarity in Africa — there are only five on the continent — and Afriski is known for its lovely views of the surrounding Maloti Mountains and lively atmosphere. There are three accommodations to choose from, all close to the action.   

Bariloche, Argentina

Named the "most charming town" in Patagonia by Travel + Leisure, Bariloche offers "alpine air and knee-buckling natural beauty" like the crystal clear Nahuel Huapi Lake. Nearby Cerro Catedral is the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, with 75 miles of slopes and 32 chairlifts, cable cars and rope tows. While skiing is the biggest draw, snowshoeing and snow BMX biking are options for those looking to try something different.

Falls Creek, Australia

At Falls Creek, you can truly get away from it all — even cars. Up in the Victorian High Plains, the village is about a five-hour drive from both Melbourne and Canberra, but once you arrive it is a pedestrian-only zone, with visitors having to ski-in and ski-out. The resort has more than 1,100 skiable acres, with 90 runs and 15 lifts, and a calendar filled with family activities, like tobogganing and roasting marshmallows with Pete the Snowdragon.  

Hotham, Australia

Up in the Victorian Alps is Hotham, the only ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere with its village at the top of the mountain. Hotham has a reputation as being Australia's "powder capital," due to its location in a "geographical pocket that hits it big when storms come up from the south," Ski Magazine said. Visitors can spend their days skiing and snowshoeing. There are some out-of-the-ordinary activities available as well, like the outdoor onsen retreat and sled dog tours.

Portillo, Chile

So much snow fell at Ski Portillo in Chile during June that the resort had to twice push back its opening day. Take that as a sign to pack your bags and head to this all-inclusive spot in the Andes, where guests have the option of staying for three days or a full week. Skiing feels special here in this picturesque part of the world, and to make the experience even more magical, book the private A-frame chalet with a fireplace and views of the mountains and Inca Lake.

Queenstown, New Zealand

When you go to Queenstown, have both a cosmopolitan escape and rugged mountain adventure by taking advantage of the city's dynamic restaurant and wine scene and its close proximity to four ski areas: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone. Coronet Peak offers a twist to the traditional day of skiing by keeping the fun going after dark, lighting the resort up from 4 to 9 p.m., while the aptly-named Remarkables boasts a large space dedicated to inexperienced skiers looking to learn the sport.

Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

Everything is bigger on Mount Ruapehu. An active volcano, this is the highest mountain on North Island, and its Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas are the largest in New Zealand. Whakapapa is on the northern side, with the terrain formed by solidified lava, while on the southern side, Turoa offers a thrilling, 2,368-foot descent. Both fields have beginner, intermediate and advanced trails.

Record numbers of people are leaving New Zealand as the cost of living crisis is being compounded by limited job opportunities.

In a "significant exodus", the year to April 2024 saw a net migration loss of 56,500 citizens, up 12,000 from the previous record, said Firstpost. With fewer people arriving in New Zealand, there are fears of a brain drain and skills shortage.

'Grim picture'

Many young New Zealanders opt to go travelling overseas and the recent surge in the number of people leaving the country can partly be explained by a backlog caused by people delaying their plans due to the Covid pandemic.

But although this sort of travelling is considered a "rite of passage", much of the "record flow" is due to the "growing attraction" of working in Australia, said The Guardian. And experts worry that a "grim economic picture" means "departing Kiwis" may never come back.

With New Zealand experiencing a second recession in less than two years, employers in neighbouring Australia are trying to lure New Zealanders with offers of higher pay and better working conditions.

Half of the New Zealanders who left recently have moved to Australia. Brad Olsen, principal economist at Infometrics, said this "suggests a greater number of people and families are looking for opportunities and making a more permanent move".

'Goodbye dinners'

Kirsty Frame said she left New Zealand in 2023 aged 24 after it "just felt like bad news after bad news" in the country. She had already noticed the growth in departures, remembering that "it was goodbye dinner after goodbye dinner, leaving drinks after leaving drinks".

After arriving in Melbourne she found a higher-paying job and a flat with lower rent. She "could be happy here for a long time", she told The Guardian, and she thinks she will be there "for the long run".

Maia Vieregg, a 26-year-old geologist, has found the transition harder. She left New Zealand after becoming "cynical and hopeless" about its future as she struggled to find work and the progressive government lost power.

She found a well-paying job a couple of hours north of Sydney but she's finding Australia difficult to adjust to, as she finds it more materialistic than New Zealand, which is "a quite down-to-earth place". She plans to return home at some stage.

But as New Zealand languishes in recession, the exodus could continue. Tehseen Islam, Stats NZ's population indicators manager, said that "changes in migration are typically due to a combination of factors" including the "relative economic and labour market conditions between New Zealand and the rest of the world".

Meanwhile, there are fewer people arriving. Although the net migration gain in New Zealand remains "historically high", it "shows a declining trend", said Firstpost. In the year to April 2024, New Zealand gained 98,500 migrants, down from 106,000 in the year to March.

More people leaving and fewer arriving: these twin trends could worsen New Zealand's skill shortage, David Cooper, director of immigration firm Malcolm Pacific, told The Guardian.

The record numbers of Kiwis leaving "are not the desperate and dateless". They're "young, skilled people" and "it's hard to attract the highly skilled people we need to replace the ones leaving".

Several southern French cities are imposing night-time curfews on unaccompanied children to reduce youth violence. 

The right-wing mayor of Béziers this week banned any unsupervised under-13s on the streets of three districts between 11pm and 6am. Robert Ménard said his move was a response to the "increasing number of young minors left to their own devices" and a rise in "urban violence" – although, as The Independent pointed out, the mayor provided no figures to support this. 

Similar curfews have been imposed in other French towns and cities including Nice, and in the most crime-ridden areas of the French-governed Caribbean archipelago, Guadeloupe. Many towns in the Northern Territory of Australia are also considering such measures, after authorities in Alice Springs introduced a two-week curfew following "unprecedented unrest" last month, said ABC News. 

But civic leaders and legal experts across the world are divided on the merits of a curfew, and "how it would actually play out".

What did the commentators say?

Emmanuel Macron's centrist government has "hardened its stance on youth violence", said The Times, to try to avert a "humiliating defeat" by Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally in European Parliament elections in June. Many left-wing French politicians and human rights advocates oppose curfews, but the right is "convinced" that the measures work.

France does have a problem with young people, said Jonathan Miller in The Spectator. "Grim housing estates" that surround most French cities are "infested with drugs, gangs and unemployment", wrote Miller, author of the book "France: a Nation on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". But right-wing mayors are "desperately" resorting to curfews. Enforcement "seems likely to be problematic". Who will be accompanying these youths? Will young people respect the curfew? And are they even the main problem? 

Last year in France, under-13s accounted for only 2% of those accused of attacking people, compared with 36% aged 30 to 44, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

The Béziers curfew is "an experiment", said Ménard. But a similar curfew that he imposed in 2014 was overruled by a court because he failed to prove the existence of particular risks relating to children under 13. 

In the US, old curfew laws in more than 400 towns "have long gone unenforced", said The Economist. But last year, many US cities – including Birmingham, Chicago and New Orleans – began "tightening their grip", while others introduced new measures. 

There is, however, "little evidence that curfews curtail crime". A meta-analysis by the Campbell Collaboration research network in 2016 found that curfews do not reduce crime, or juvenile victimisation. 

In fact, during curfew hours, with fewer people on the street, crime "flourished", said The Economist. Curfews also "unduly penalise" parents who work night shifts, while shutting children inside could increase the risk of abuse. 

Youth curfews don't keep "the neglected, the peer-pressured, the ain't-got-nothing-to-lose kids off the street", said Theresa Vargas in The Washington Post. But they do "increase tensions between law enforcement and young people" – especially young people of colour, because by nature, curfews "involve profiling". 

They also don't tackle the causes of children being out at night to commit crime, said Aboriginal Legal Service director Peter Collins. Many poorer homes are "dilapidated and overcrowded". There is often drunkenness, mental illness or serious violence, and an absence of caregivers. 

"All of these issues are a product of the chronic, long-standing Aboriginal disadvantage and marginalisation" in Australia, he said. Curfews do nothing to tackle them, but are "emblematic of a government which is bereft of ideas".

What next?

Curfews are "more symbolic than effective", said Miller. They are popular with voters – 67% of French people believe a curfew should be introduced for minors all over the country, according to a recent poll.

But while curfews may make politicians look tough on crime, enforcing them could even "distract police from more pressing matters", said The Economist.

Ultimately, they should be treated as a short-term solution, a "circuit breaker", Rick Sarre, a law and criminal justice professor at the University of South Australia, told ABC News.

But look at the evidence, Alain Bauer, a professor of criminology, told The Times. If violence in the streets dies down after curfews are introduced then, logically, "they can be considered successful".

Volunteering on vacation can be a way to connect with the land you are visiting. In between beach days and museum tours, consider signing up to help a local environmental organization. Spending a few hours pulling weeds or cleaning trails will show you a new side of your destination. Here are five free volunteer opportunities that put the planet first.

Help reforest Honokowai Valley with Maui Cultural Lands in Hawaii

The work done by Maui Cultural Lands is rooted in the Hawaiian values of aloha (deep love and compassion), malama (properly caring for something) and kuleana (to be responsible). This nonprofit is dedicated to the reforestation of the Honokowai Valley, and volunteers can help by weeding invasive species and planting native plants and trees in their place. Every Saturday morning, volunteers get down in the dirt and participate in Honokowai Valley maintenance projects.

Build trails with the Truckee Donner Land Trust in California

The Truckee Donner Land Trust in California aims to protect "open space for nature, for people, forever," and you can be part of its efforts. Volunteers sign up to spend part of the day doing trail work, like removing brush and making repairs, with tools provided. Over the last three decades, the land trust has preserved more than 40,000 acres of open space in the Truckee Donner region near Lake Tahoe.

Pick up trash with Keep Bermuda Beautiful in Bermuda

Keep Bermuda Beautiful teaches people ways to reduce waste and organizes monthly trash cleanups across the island, blending action with education. Once a month, volunteers can sign up to pitch in at one of those cleanups, with Keep Bermuda Beautiful equipping everyone with trash and recycling bags, litter pickers and disposable gloves. The organization also assembles two major annual events: the Great Big Bermuda Clean-Up during Earth Week in April and the International Coastal Cleanup in November.

Monitor coral reefs with CoralWatch in Australia

Multitaskers, this is your chance to shine. While snorkeling, scuba diving or reefwalking in Australia, you can also gather scientific data on coral bleaching and send it to CoralWatch, a citizen science program out of the University of Queensland. The organization sends volunteers charts that show the colors of bleached and healthy corals, with the swatches then compared to actual coral. The data is collected on a sheet and later submitted through CoralWatch's website. The process is as simple as it is helpful.

Clean up litter with Trash Hero in Southeast Asia and Europe

Trash Hero, an organization dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution, has more than 100 chapters across Southeast Asia and in Europe that regularly remove trash on beaches and streets. Volunteers just have to register in advance, and show up on the big day — the chapters take care of cleaning materials. Anyone can join the Trash Hero movement, which calls on people to waste as little as possible while reusing as much as they are able.

Police investigating the fatal stabbings of six people at a Sydney shopping centre are exploring whether the attacker specifically targeted women.

Joel Cauchi fatally stabbed five women and a male security guard with a long blade during the "rampage" at the busy Westfield Bondi Junction complex on Saturday, said BBC News. A further 12 people were injured, including a nine-month-old girl whose mother died protecting her.

A lone police officer, Inspector Amy Scott, shot and killed Cauchi after he lunged at her with the knife when she confronted the 40-year-old. 

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australia's ABC News that the "gender breakdown" of the victims was "concerning". New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb said that after viewing CCTV footage, it was "obvious to me, it's obvious to detectives that seems to be an area of interest – that the offender had focused on women and avoided men". 

The attacker's father, Andrew Cauchi, told reporters that his son was "a very sick boy" who had recently come off medication. "He wanted a girlfriend and he's got no social skills and he was frustrated out of his brain," he said.

According to the Daily Mail, Cauchi, who had been known to police, had "advertised himself on several male escort websites". He also worked as an English tutor.

A "special strike force" is set to investigate the mall attack, said the BBC, and NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced an $18 million (£9.3 million) inquiry into the police response. 

Flowers and tributes have been laid outside the mall by "emotional residents and loved ones", said The Guardian Australia, and the victims' families have been given a chance to walk through the building before it reopens to the public.

This April, escape from the ordinary. Now is the time to go big and try something new on your vacation. That could mean spending the night at a zoo, booking a suite at a resort where you can swim straight to your room or staying at a hotel with a pet psychic on stand by. Here are six options that promise a fresh way to hotel.

Wildlife Retreat at Taronga in Sydney, Australia

When you look out your window at the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, expect to see a koala gazing back. This boutique hotel is at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, and gives guests who book Animal View Rooms an incredible, immersive wildlife experience. Those who want to be at the zoo but prefer some distance from the animals can stay in rooms with bushland or Sydney Harbor views. Rates include two-day access to Taronga Zoo, a special guided tour of the wildlife sanctuary, sustainable amenities and daily breakfast. 

Romeo Napoli in Naples, Italy

April is a great time to visit Italy. You can enjoy the sights before the large crowds and sweltering temperatures arrive in the summer. For a taste of contemporary luxury, book Romeo Napoli. The hotel's 79 rooms and suites feature warm tones and original photography and have fantastic views of the city of Naples, Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Wellness is a focus, with some rooms including infrared saunas, sensorial showers and private Zen gardens. Keep the pampering going downstairs at La Spa by Sisley Paris, where guests can relax in the Finnish sauna, frigidarium with snowfall, steam bath and cold immersion bath.

Sky Rock Sedona in Sedona, Arizona

Sky Rock Sedona makes a stunning first impression. Walking into the lobby, guests are greeted by a sparkling amethyst-encrusted wall, and the titillations only increase from there. The rooms feel like sanctuaries, with cozy neutral tones and leather accents, and some have fireplaces perfect for cooler nights. Up on the rooftop, there are fire pits and couches so guests can take in the 360-degree views of Sedona's red rocks, including the iconic Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock and Thunder Mountain. Sedona pulls in many New Age seekers, and Sky Rock guests can take advantage of offerings like on-call pet psychics and vortex hunters.

Generations Riviera Maya on Riviera Maya, Mexico

As long as you pack a bathing suit, you will do just fine at Generations Riviera Maya. This family-friendly resort on Mexico's Caribbean coast is known for its massive pool with a swim-up bar. All of the suites have ocean views, and several have direct access to the pool from their private balconies, making it easy to go swimming whenever you please. Rates are all-inclusive and cover meals, butler service and access to a private beach.

Akara Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

The Akara Hotel is in the middle of everything in Bangkok's Ratchathewi district. Museums, shops, night markets and restaurants are all a short walk away — for those willing to leave the hotel, that is. Akara offers a lot of amenities, from a rooftop swimming pool to a culinary school and library, and some guests might want to stay put and take good advantage. The sizable rooms feature wood and marble decor, separate living and work areas and mini-bars with local delicacies. For even more space, book the large Akara Suite, which comes with a rain shower, jacuzzi tub and television in the bathroom.

Legado Mitico in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Learn all about Argentine history and culture without having to leave your hotel. At the elegant Legado Mitico in Buenos Aires, the 11 rooms are themed, honoring the people, arts and sports that shaped Argentina. The Liberator, for example, recognizes José de San Martín, a general who fought for independence and earned the nickname the Father of the Country. Paintings of the national hero hang on the walls, and books are stacked on a desk for guests wanting to read more about him. Legado Mitico is in the Palermo Viejo neighborhood, close to restaurants, bars and shops.

David Cameron has said that Aukus and Nato must get into the "best possible shape" to face Donald Trump's potential return to the White House.

Speaking after talks with his counterparts in Australia, the foreign secretary appeared to "implicitly acknowledge" the risks that a second Trump presidency might pose to the Western defence partnerships, said The Guardian.

"What we will do, as I am sure an Australian government would do, is work with whoever becomes the president," Cameron told reporters in Adelaide. "The best thing we can do is to get those alliances, to get those projects into the best possible shape, so whoever is the new president can see that they are working with a very successful set of arrangements." Cameron's comments were endorsed by the Australian deputy prime minister and defence minister.

What did the commentators say?

 Trump hasn't openly expressed hostility to the Aukus deal, but his scepticism towards Nato is well known. He called nations that did not meet the 2% GDP defence spending commitment "delinquent" in a speech in February. And with the former president doubling down on his "America First rhetoric" in his campaign for re-election, many believe he "may adopt a more isolationist foreign policy position" if he wins November's election, said Politico.

The return of American isolationism "is a risk to the Indo-Pacific", an unnamed diplomat reportedly said. And "there will be a moment, if Trump wins, where Western leaders will phone each other up and ask: 'What the fuck are we going to do now?'"

The UK, US and Australia are "rushing" to sign up new partners to their Aukus partnership while the White House is "still occupied by an administration that favours the pact", said the news site. 

Japan and Canada could be in line to join the so-called "pillar 2" of the Aukus agreement, which will see allied nations collaborate on military technology in areas such as artificial intelligence and hypersonic missiles.

But Aukus could be something that Trump quietly supports, said foreign affairs researcher Patrick Triglavcanin on The Interpreter. The pact is more concerned with countering the influence of China – rather than Russia – as it seeks to maintain a "rules-based order" in the Indo-Pacific.  

Trump may be "unpredictable", but "one can assume he would support two of America's closest allies up-skilling their capabilities", especially when they are "aimed at the state Trump seems more concerned about", said Triglavcanin. And the pact is "certainly a demonstration" that the three nations "want to pull their weight" in the region.

Aukus is "understood to be a game-changer", said Professor John Blaxland, from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, on The Conversation. And Democrat and Republican political leaders in Washington are aware of that.

Australia benefits from US technology "in bolstering its military and intelligence capabilities" and reducing the country's fears of being left vulnerable. At the same time, the US can keep an eye on security in East Asia using facilities there, helping to deter threats and protect its interests. 

And while Trump has been critical of Nato, he has "broadly avoided" attacking Australia. "There are no indications Trump is set to change that stance, and there are some compelling reasons for the next US administration to stay the course," said Blaxland.

What next?

Following this week's talks, the UK and Australia signed a defence and security treaty and announced a £2.4 billion Australian investment in Rolls-Royce's nuclear reactor facilities, "as the two nations tighten ties in the face of rising Chinese power", said the Financial Times. 

Signed by Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles and his UK counterpart Grant Shapps, the treaty "formalises consultation over national security matters between the two countries and makes it easier to operate together on joint exercises and maritime security", said the paper.

Shapps said meetings in January in the US had strengthened his confidence in the commitment to Aukus. "Republicans really like it. Democrats really like it. I think it's one of the least controversial items in US politics," he said.

But the pact remains "fiercely debated" in Canberra, said the FT, "especially with a US election looming that could have ramifications for Washington's foreign policy".