Features

Mukalla, Yemen – A few weeks before the start of this year’s World Cup, Adel Mohsen’s backup battery stopped working. Without the money to replace it, he knew his home would be plunged into darkness whenever the frequent power cuts hit. At the same time, a fuel shortage swept through his hometown of Mukalla in eastern Yemen. He struggled to find enough petrol for his motorbike, limiting his movement and making it harder to gather with others to watch matches. Adel is deeply disappointed. Now

Turkana, Kenya – Under the scorching sun in Kainama, Turkana County, Veronica Akalapatan and her neighbours trek several kilometres each day to reach a shrinking well set amid the cracked, dusty plains of northern Kenya. The shallow pit, accessed by a simple wooden ladder, is the area’s only water source. Hundreds of residents from nearby villages – along with their animals – depend on it. Many wait for hours to fill small plastic containers with limited amounts of murky water. Recommended

Far from modern juice bars and protein shakes, the vibrant juices of the Amazon are blended just hours after harvest — offering not only bold flavors but deep cultural roots. The Amazon is not only Earth’s largest rainforest and a treasure trove of biodiversity — it’s also a hidden culinary wonderland. With over 220 native fruit-bearing tree species, the region boasts a bounty of produce rarely found outside its borders. Many fruits are too perishable for export, and others are closely tied to

As several nations update their travel advisories in response to stricter US entry regulations, many travellers are asking: where else offers a similar experience? In recent months, travellers from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and the UK have all received alerts about changes to US travel rules. These revised advisories reflect heightened security measures, including requirements that transgender applicants select either male or female when completing Esta forms or visa paperwork.

Each spring, for just a brief two-week stretch, a rare variety of violet artichoke is hand-harvested on the northern islands of Venice — and locals go to great lengths to preserve its authenticity. As sunlight dances across the shimmering waters, Venetian farmer Guia da Camerino guides her small boat around the briccole — wooden posts that subtly demarcate the lagoon’s watery paths. Just beyond the bustling maze of Venice’s city centre, the tranquil islands of Sant’Erasmo and Le Vignole offer

Aldrich Ames Spy Case Retold For nearly ten years, Aldrich Ames handed over classified information to the Soviet Union, sabotaging over 100 covert operations and directly resulting in the execution of at least 10 allied operatives. On April 28, 1994, his betrayal led to a life sentence in prison. Two months earlier, the BBC interviewed one of the spies he exposed—who, against all odds, survived. The year was 1985 when Soviet assets secretly working for the CIA began vanishing. One after

Stretching from Inverness all the way to Britain’s northernmost rail junction, the Far North Line glides through grazing pastures, rustic communities, and the planet’s only Unesco-recognised blanket peatland. As the train slowly eases out of Inverness Station and ventures into the Scottish Highlands, a wave of excitement courses through me. I once spent four summers working in these wild parts, and the deep ties to this dramatic terrain still stir my heart. At last, I'm back—reuniting my

With the world of museums marking 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner, it's the perfect moment to reconsider one of his most treasured masterpieces: The Fighting Temeraire. Unveiled in 1839, The Fighting Temeraire quickly captured the British public's imagination and remains an iconic piece even today. It was once crowned the nation's favourite painting and is currently featured on the £20 note. Yet, the commonly held reading of the artwork’s symbolism may diverge

Referenced 17 times in the Bible and harvested for over a millennium in the Mediterranean, an ancient "superfood" is making a comeback thanks to the efforts of a determined Sicilian farmer. Under the steamy summer sun in the Madonie mountains of Sicily, just over 60km from Palermo, the stillness is broken by the voice of Giulio Gelardi. Standing among his ash trees, he gestures at a pale-streaked branch and says, “You’re just in time—this is the manna.” This thick, white resinous

A New Era for Mürren Tucked high in the Swiss Alps, this centuries-old village once felt worlds away from modern life. But now, thanks to an engineering marvel—the steepest cable car on the planet—visitors can swiftly reach the secluded town of just 430 people. On a chilly morning in December 2024, I boarded a picturesque train for a three-hour journey from Geneva to Lauterbrunnen, a charming alpine village nestled between Interlaken and the majestic Jungfrau range. From here, I was only one

Swimming holidays epitomize the essence of slow travel – and in the wake of the pandemic, their popularity has surged like never before. The soft blue hues of the copper domes atop Our Lady of the Rock church stood out clearly as we glided across the Bay of Kotor, departing from the charming fishing village of Dražin Vrt. Beneath us, schools of Adriatic fish—sardines, mackerel, and sprats—darted through the crystal-clear waters, alongside clusters of sea anemones and urchins. The sea sparkled

From flaming cultural celebrations to nature's awe-inspiring "sky dance," fascination with nighttime landscapes is on the rise. A new trend called "noctourism" is predicted to dominate travel explorations in 2025. The allure of the night sky is surging in popularity. According to Booking.com, "noctourism" will be one of the standout travel trends for 2025. Their survey of over 27,000 travelers revealed that nearly two-thirds are interested in visiting

The actress proudly embraces her Hawaiian heritage, sharing it through music, film, and cherished moments with her family. Here are her top ways to experience "ohana" in Hawaii. More than two decades after voicing Nani, Lilo's sister in Disney's *Lilo & Stitch*, Tia Carrere is retracing her cinematic roots by appearing in the live-action adaptation as Mrs. Kekoa, a pragmatic social worker. This new role offers her the perfect opportunity to continue celebrating her

Sweden's frigid and lengthy winter nights could easily deter potential visitors—unless, of course, you're seeking a rare modern luxury: an uninterrupted, rejuvenating night's sleep. A ferry glides steadily through the frozen Baltic Sea, its route meandering past the eastern expanses of Sweden's archipelago. Rust-red cottages line jetties adorned with names like Skarpö, Hjälmö, and Gällnö, each hinting at its insular identity with the Swedish suffix “Ö,” meaning island. The

Drawing inspiration from the intricate symphony of salty, sweet, and sour notes of Thai cuisine, this wholesome broth blends turmeric, chili, and lime—a perfect remedy to uplift your spirits during colder months. Thailand's iconic tom yum soup boasts an enigmatic past that sparks debate. Believed to have been savored since the 14th Century, some suggest it originated from royal chefs of the Ayutthaya Kingdom to highlight the region's diverse culinary treasures. Others credit its

The trains no longer roll into Belgrade’s old main station by the riverside, nestled below the same limestone cliffs that inspired the city’s name. Today, this yellow-stuccoed relic faces a towering, modern addition to the skyline: an eight-story statue that looms above the square once filled with Syrian refugees in the late 2010s. Our train-free journey from London to the Balkan region saw us cover ground in just 24 hours—Eurostar to Brussels, a sleeper train to Vienna, and onward to Budapest.

Freestyle skiing sensation Tess Ledeux, who honed her skills in La Plagne, is now a global champion. Here, she shares her favorite spots in her hometown resort, from picturesque views to après-ski recommendations. Nestled in Savoie, France, La Plagne is renowned as a family-friendly ski destination with deep Olympic roots. The resort hosted bobsleighing events for the 1992 Albertville Olympics and is set to reprise its Olympic role if the French Alps secures the 2030 Winter Games. It also

The wind howls and rain falls as I wave my UV torch around, scanning for glimmers in the darkness. A bright red spider web catches my eye; nearby, phosphorescent fungi glow softly. Then, I spot Timothy, a luminous tortoise, tucked away by the wall. I’m wandering through the gardens of Gilbert White’s House in Selborne, Hampshire, which is hosting a rather unique light trail this month. The Guardian’s journalism is supported by its readers. If you use an affiliate link to purchase something, we

Faith, Death, and Drama: An Interview on the Film "Conclave" Faith, mortality, and vengeful vaping: among this year’s Oscar hopefuls, Conclave shines as the one that masterfully blends probing religious themes with a touch of theatrical side-eye. Based on Robert Harris’s novel, screenwriter Peter Straughan, known for Wolf Hall, collaborates with Edward Berger of All Quiet on the Western Front fame to direct this power-driven tale of faith, politics, and human frailty. Ralph Fiennes

Long before Greta Thunberg emerged as a symbol of climate activism, the small city of Växjö was pioneering a green vision for urban living. Nestled in southern Sweden, about 450km from Stockholm, Växjö lies in the Småland region, a verdant area surrounded by forests and tranquil lakes. This historic city, around 1,000 years old, is part of Glasriket, or the "Kingdom of Crystal", home to legendary glassmakers like Kosta Boda and Orrefors, artisans who have been creating dazzling