Police and rescue services are searching for a Yorkshire man who has gone missing in Malta. Michael Clarkson, 74, from Todmorden, was last seen leaving the Victoria Hotel in Sliema, a town on the northeast coast, at around 4pm on Friday. Michael and his wife Barbara are on holiday to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary which is today, Sunday. Steven said his dad going missing was 'completely out of character'. Steven said the police on Malta had been informed that he was missing at 11pm that day.

A record number of US students have applied to study undergraduate degrees in the UK next year, figures reveal. Experts had previously suggested that UK institutions might benefit from international students being put off by Donald Trump’s new administration. This was a 12 per cent increase on the year before, and the most since comparable records began in 2006. This was a 5 per cent increase on 2023 and also the highest level since at least 2009 – despite total visa numbers from around the world falling. ADVERTISEMENTUniversities UK said the increase in demand to study in the UK is positive, following a turbulent period for international student recruitment.

The Swan Inn, in Fittleworth, earned the title having been praised by the judges following its latest revamp. It was named on the list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK. 5 Perfect Spots for a Summer StaycationThe Swan Inn named the best place to stay in the southeastThe Swan Inn in West Sussex was named The Times and The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2025 winner in the southeastThe judges praised the latest revamp of the “snug pub”, which The Times says has been a favourite with “everyone from Rudyard Kipling to John Constable”. A full map is belowOther places highlighted in the southeast were the New Park Manor in Hampshire which was named the Best Family-Friendly Hotel, Beaverbrook in Surrey named Best Blow-the-Budget Hotel and The Rose in Kent awarded Best Boutique Hotel. The pub area of The Swan Inn (Image: Zanna Westgae/The Swan Inn) “Hotel teams appreciate that there's a lot of choice out there and they're really going the extra mile to deliver friendly and knowledgeable service.

This estate was originally home of Lord Beaverbrook, but was transformed into one of the UK's most prestigious hotels. In 2024, the hotel was awarded two Michelin Keys for it's excellence in hospitality. With an intricate spa complex with first rate treatments, and exquisite restaurants, The Times and The Sunday Times has listed Beaverbrook in it's Best Places to Stay Guide for 2025. They added: "The grounds are stunning, complete with beautiful views from the terrace that add to the charm of the estate. The Swan Inn in West Sussex, not far from Surrey, has also been named the best place to stay in the Southeast by The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Times and The Sunday Times has revealed its definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK, with a local spot named on that list. The Cuan in Strangford, Co Down was named the best place to stay in Northern Ireland by The Times and The Sunday Times. The guide is split into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. There are also winners in thirteen different categories; Affordable, Beach, Blow-the-Budget, Boutique, City, Countryside, Disruptor, Family-Friendly, Foodie, One-to-Watch, Pub Stay, Romantic, and Sports. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter

More infoA Northumberland inn with "snug" bedrooms has been recognised by The Sunday Times as on of the best places to stay in the UK. The Times and The Sunday Times has revealed its definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK. The guide, which will be published as a supplement within the newspaper on Sunday, March 16, has singled out the Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsmans Rest in Slaggyford as the 'best pub stay'. The judges praised the 15th-century inn, nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, for combining award-winning food, upmarket bedrooms, and "the warmest of Yorkshire welcomes". There are also winners in 13 different categories in the guide; Affordable, Beach, Blow-the-Budget, Boutique, City, Countryside, Disruptor, Family-Friendly, Foodie, One-to-Watch, Pub Stay, Romantic, and Sports.

More infoA Cotswolds hotel has been named the best of its kind in the prestigious ‘100 Best Places to Stay’ national awards. THE PIG-in the Cotswolds has been praised as an ideal retreat offering a restful getaway from the city. It’s been named the best in one of the 13 different categories in The Times and The Sunday Times guide. The Times’ guide is split into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Take a look at the full list of the 100 best places to stay in the UK here

The TV gardening expert told The Times his issue with avocados stems from their environmental impact. “There’s a lot to be said for Cornflakes, Weetabix and Shreddies.”Alan Titchmarsh has urged the public to forgo avocados (PA/Yui Mok)It comes as the United States braces for a rise in avocado prices. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Mexico, one of the world’s largest avocado producers, are expected to drive up costs. Worldwide, there are growing concerns about the impact of climate change on the largest avocado-producing countries. “It is very likely that the impacts of climate change on water availability will further exacerbate water scarcity issues in these areas,” she said.

The shock set in the moment they found the GP’s letter, left open in the kitchen beside the kettle. It was an autumn morning in 2018 when Caroline Litman’s husband, Peter, rushed upstairs to confess to his wife that he’d glimpsed the letter to their 16-year-old. It raised the possibility that the anxiety their child had been suffering might stem from “gender dysphoria”. Over the past four years, their teenager — who had been born a boy — had retreated inwards and no longer seemed happy and carefree. Frantic with worry, the Litmans had asked whether bullying or sexuality were the cause, but they’d never thought to raise the subject of gender identity.

The King will call for unity during his annual Commonwealth Day address amid the monarch's 'concerns' over Canada's trade war with Donald Trump. On Monday, he met the outgoing Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, who has repeatedly clashed with the US president, at his private estate in Norfolk estate. Meanwhile, Trump continues to mock Trudeau and had his doubts that the prime minister was stepping down for good. This year's Commonwealth Day theme is Together We Thrive, which celebrates the 'enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family'. Charles and Camilla will also be guests of the Commonwealth secretary-general, Baroness Scotland, at the annual Commonwealth Day reception on Monday and hear a commemorative song by Lord Lloyd-Webber to mark the inaugural Commonwealth Peace Prize.

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on the day of the European leaders' summit to discuss European security and Ukraine, at Lancaster House in London, Britain, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool/File PhotoUK's Starmer gets poll boost as he steps up Ukraine diplomacyLONDON - The number of Britons who think Prime Minister Keir Starmer is doing a good job has risen as he steps up his role in diplomacy over the war in Ukraine, an opinion poll showed. Starmer met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on February 27 and hosted talks involving Ukraine's president and European leaders on March 2. Starmer met Trump in Washington one day before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed in the Oval Office with the U.S. president, who has upended U.S. policy on Ukraine. European leaders agreed at their talks in London last Sunday to draw up a peace plan to present to Washington, and European Union leaders on Thursday backed plans to spend more on defence.

The I-T officer denied the actor's claim for foreign tax credit, that was made in his original I-T return.An Indian resident taxpayer is subject to tax in India on his/her global income. In simple terms, foreign tax credit provisions contained in tax treaties, enable an Indian taxpayer to deduct tax paid in the foreign country from his India tax liability. The tribunal noted that the assessing officer had failed to demonstrate any fresh tangible material warranting a reassessment beyond the four-year statutory period. For instance, if the income had escaped assessment due to taxpayer's failure to file an I-T return, or respond to a notice. Or, if the tax taxpayer had failed to fully and truly disclose all material facts during the original assessment.

For decades a core objective of the Soviet Union was to “decouple” the United States from Europe. Decoupling, as it was called, would break the Western alliance that kept Soviet tanks from rolling across the Prussian plains. Now, in weeks, President Trump has handed Moscow the gift that eluded it during the Cold War and since. Gripped by a sense of abandonment, alarmed at the colossal rearmament task before it, astonished by the upending of American ideology, Europe finds itself adrift. “The United States was the pillar around which peace was managed, but it has changed alliance,” said Valérie Hayer, the president of the centrist Renew Europe group in the European Parliament.

I was not deeply in touch with reality for a while. She "It was really hard for me to hear him say that because I didn't want him to think that of me. But I don't think that we should feel ashamed if we go through times like that. I mostly just wish to say, it can get better. It did for me, and I'm grateful for that".

Unfortunately, after 15 minutes in the air there was a bird strike causing catastrophic damage to the plane’s engine. The flight returned to the airport and was followed by a 30-hour delay before an alternative aircraft arrived. We’re looking for something a little adventurous and our ideal travel window would be mid-June to the end of July. I’d love to explore former Soviet countries but my son is less keen and has suggested Vietnam as an alternative. We have amended her hotel booking and hope Ms Brzeskwinski has a lovely holiday.”AdvertisementHave you got a holiday dilemma?