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CHOOSING where to go on your next holiday can be a tricky decision to make – do you go to your favourite usual resort, or try a new place altogether?

One destination that should be on your hot list for next year is Senegal – and I visited when the first flights launched from the UK.

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Senegal has been named a top spot for 2025 – and I couldn’t agree more[/caption]

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The beaches are beautiful but there is much more to the destination[/caption]

The African destination was named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025.

It’s food scene was praised, being a mix of Wolof and French which includes the national dish Thieboudienne (a one pot with fish and rice) as well as street food Ndambe, a baguette filed with spicy beans.

Actress Issa Rae, who spent some of her childhood in Senegal, returned with Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski as part of a National Geographic series coming next year.

She said: “This is such a beautifully welcoming country.”

And that’s what I found when I visited back in 2022, when TUI launched their first holiday packages there, and the first flights from the UK in a decade.

The destination is often overlooked by British holidaymakers wanting to go to Africa, with many heading to either the nearby Morocco or bucket list safaris in Kenya.

But it shouldn’t be for a multitude of reasons – such as there being no time difference so no jet lag, thanks to the 5hr30 direct flights.

You can expect highs of 32C in the winter – so its ideal for some last minute winter sun.

The TUI website states: “Pointe Sarene’s one of the freshest faces to join west Africa’s holiday scene, but it’s set to become one of the continent’s next big names.

“This sleepy fishing village – and its surrounding area – received a £150million tourism investment in the last decade.”

While its easy to lose the days relaxing on the beach, there are some amazing places to see, all of which can be part of day tour excursions.

There is the capital of Dakar, a bustling hub with mixes of African and French culture.

The island of Goree is a must, a UNESCO site which was one of the first and largest slave-trading sites.

It makes for a sobering experience, where you can still see the cells and the exit ports where they would be taken to Europe.

And while no-where near as established as Kenya, you can even go on safari.

Don’t expect the big five, but there are still giraffes, rhinos and zebras to spot in the wild.

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The island of Goree is sobering but a must-visit[/caption]

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You can go on safari and see animals such as giraffes and rhinos[/caption]

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TUI’s Rui Baobab is a firm favourite with Brits[/caption]

And while most far-flung destinations come with the high price tag, another one of Senegal’s selling points? The price.

All-inclusive holidays are as little as £820pp, which includes your hotel, return flights and all food and booze.

The most popular hotel is Riu Baobab on Pointe Sarene, with other hotels including Neptune and Palm Beach.

Previous tourists have sung its praises, with one saying it was “one of the best hotels they’d been too”.

Others praised the friendly staff as well as being clean.

When I stayed, my days were spent at the hotel’s swim up bar, it’s waterpark and its many buffet restaurants, flitting between them all.

Even into the night you can expect live shows and an underground ‘nightclub’ (although we were some of the few tourists, bar some other German holidaymakers).

I visited Senegal with no expectations of what it would be like – and its become one of my favourite places to have ever been.

SIR Keir Starmer today declared he will defend hiking tax rises “all day long”.

At a pre-Budget speech in Birmingham, the PM said that voters have “had enough” of “crumbling public services”, as he refused to rule out more raids in the years to come.

Sky News

Keir Starmer said he will defend tax rises “all day long” in a major pre-Budget speech[/caption]

He pledged to turn the page on decades of Tory “chaos” and “decline”, and “get Britain working”.

Sir Keir said: “It is working people who pay the price when their government fails to deliver economic stability.

“I will defend our tough decisions all day long.

“It is the right thing for our country and it is the only way to get the investment that we need.”

At his speech the PM confirmed one “tough decision” will be a 50 per cent rise in bus fares.

The £2 bus fare cap will be hiked to £3 in a bid to help plug the £22bn black hole in the public purse.

Sir Keir also announced that Rachel Reeves will pledge £240 million for local services to be spent on getting Brits on benefits back to work.

The PM said: “I fundamentally believe that we need to run towards the tough decisions.

“I fundamentally believe we have to fix the foundations so that we can build a better future and that is tough, that is difficult. 

“But that is why we are taking the decision on Wednesday to do it because it is the right thing to do and it is the right thing for our country.”

The Chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday is likely to see inheritance and capital gains tax go up, alongside a two per cent rise on National Insurance paid by employers.

Income tax thresholds will be held beyond 2028, while duties on beer and vapes are set to rise.

But dozens of MPs want Ms Reeves to steer clear of raising fuel duty following a 14-year campaign by The Sun to keep it frozen.

A PAEDO who made thousands of pounds by creating child abuse images using AI and real pictures has been jailed for 18 years.

Hugh Nelson used a 3D character generator to transform normal, non-explicit, pictures of children into child abuse images.

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Hugh Nelson, 27, has been locked up for 18 years[/caption]

The 27-year-old then sold them on an internet forum where he charged paedophiles £80 for a new “character”.

After that, it was £10 per image to alter them into different explicit positions.

Over 18-months, Nelson, from Bolton, made around £5,000.

Jeanette Smith, a specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: “This is one of the first cases of its kind that demonstrates a link between people like Nelson, who are creating computer-generated images using technology, and the real-life offending that goes on behind that.”

While paedophiles have jailed for using AI to create child abuse images, this is the first time cops have been able to link the images to real children.

Police arrested Nelson at his family home in Egerton in June last year.

He admitted to officers he had a sexual interest mainly in girls aged about 12.

A RUSSIAN ship carrying 20,000 tonnes of explosive cargo is docking at a UK port today.

Dubbed the ” floating bomb”, The MV Ruby has sparked alarm after reportedly being turned away from other European countries.

But the UK has welcomed it in and now highly explosive ammonium nitrate is due to dock at Great Yarmouth port.

Just 2,750 tonnes of fertiliser caused the explosion that devastated Beirut four years ago, causing 218 deaths and more than 7,000 injuries – The Ruby’s haul contains over seven times that.

The Ruby was first seen near the Kent coast in September after being forced to leave the Norwegian port of Tromso due to fears over the massive cargo on board.

The damaged cargo ship made the decision to stop in Tromso, Norway, on September 3, whilst seeking safety from a storm.

Its propeller, hull, and rudder had been damaged, but following several days authorities insisted the ship leave as fears grew among locals. 

After docking briefly in Norway, authorities ordered it out just days later after fears its explosive cargo posed a risk to the city.

But Sir Roger Gale, MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, said that the cargo was safe following his meeting with Shipping Minister Mike Kane earlier this month. 

He posted on social media: “I am advised that the cargo, originally destined for Africa is safe”.

“Due to damage to the ship which has not rendered the vessel unseaworthy but requires repair [and] negotiations are ongoing to unload the cargo.

He added: “[I] am led to believe the ship itself is neither Russian-owned nor flagged, so no international law has been broken.”

He posted on social media: “I am advised that the cargo, originally destined for Africa, is safe.”

“Due to damage to the ship, which has not rendered the vessel unseaworthy but requires repair, negotiations are ongoing to unload the cargo.”

He added: “[I] am led to believe that the ship itself is neither Russian-owned nor flagged, so no international law has been broken.”

According to Marine Traffic, the Ruby was headed to Malta.

However, a spokesman for the Maltese transport ministry told local press that without emptying its cargo, the ship would not be allowed in Maltese waters.

They confirmed that “the ship will only be allowed to port in Malta if it empties the cargo; if not, it will not be allowed to enter Maltese territorial waters.”

Previously, Lithuanian authorities stated the ship could only dock in the country if it first offloaded the fertiliser.

Ingrida Simonyte, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, mentioned on September 12 that the Ruby would not be allowed to dock at Klaipėda for repairs, according to local media.

Earlier this year, Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram emphasized, “Andoya plays an important role in national security, allied defence, and technological development.

“The growing military-strategic significance of the base for Norway and NATO requires that we continue manned guarding.”

The NATO member state opted to invest more in the base amid increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which has now entered its third year.

Russia has accused NATO of involving itself in the conflict by supplying Ukraine with military aid and weapons.

It comes after Vladmir Putin vowed to hit back if Ukraine uses long-range missiles to strike Russia.

Elsewhere, dramatic footage was revealed, showing the moment a Ukrainian kamikaze drone blitzed Vladimir Putin’s war factory.

MANCHESTER UNITED have decided to part ways manager Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils failed to find any consistent performances under the Dutchman, with speculation around his future starting at the backend of last season.

Man Utd have put Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge on an interim basis as the club begin their search for their seventh manager since Sir Alex Fergurson left the club.

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SOCIAL media users have been heaping on the praise for a get skinny quick hack but does it actually work?

Experts explained the science behind placing a beauty buy in your belly button to flatten your stomach.

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TikTok user Raven shared the hack she swears by for slimming down her stomach and helping her sleep[/caption]

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Medical experts discussed the validity of naval pulling as a method of slimming down (stock image)[/caption]

In her viral video, TikTok user Raven (@pilatesbodyraven) raved about the quick trick.

She explained that she learned about the slimming hack online, revealing that she woke up looking “skinny AF” after trying it out.

Raven revealed that she applied castor oil to her belly button before going to bed.

The pilates pro added that she had an “almost concerning” night out sleep after applying the budget beauty buy.

She compared her rest to that of a sloth or a “hog in slop on a Sunday in the summertime.”

The viral trend of using castor oil to slim down first gained traction when aesthetic nurse practitioner Miranda Wilson, RN shared it online.

According to the health worker, her stomach had “never looked so flat” than when she tried naval pulling.

However, the science behind the concept has been long-disputed with many claiming it’s a waste of time.

Women’s Health reported on the trend after consulting medical professionals who are experts in the field.

Matthew Bechtold, MD, who works as the section chief of gastroenterology at the Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital, spoke to the publication about naval pulling.

He explained that the hack involves “applying oil on the abdomen, either by rubbing it on directly or by packing the abdomen with pieces of fabric soaked in castor oil.”

The medical expert pointed out an issue with this method of application.

Although castor oil has has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can’t reach your organs, even through navel pulling—so any potential benefits would be from topical use,” he revealed.

This point was backed up by Melinda Ring, MD, who works as the director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University.

Dr. Ring first explained the history behind the unique technique.

“Navel pulling is derived from the Ayurvedic traditional medicine system practice, a therapeutic approach to restoring health through the navel, which is considered a vital energy point,” she said.

Dr. Bechtold added that this practice believes that the “Pechoti gland” allows for the absorption of oils.

However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that this gland actually exists.

While it may not be able to help with slimming, applying castor oil to your naval does not pose any kind of health risk.

In fact, it has been proven to help with skincare and can be a valuable topical product.

ISRAEL has announced the launch date of a £413m laser interceptor known as Iron Beam that downs rockets and drones with light.

The system is set to be operational in a year’s time and will protect the country from different types of weapons sent through the air.

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The new Iron Beam system will be able to defend Israel in a year’s time[/caption]

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Israel has signed a £413m deal with its manufacturers[/caption]

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The lasers will use intense heat to destroy flying objects[/caption]

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Iran launched a missile barrage directly at Israel at the start of this month[/caption]

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Israeli media shared an image of one rocket that struck a building but did not explode[/caption]

Hezbollah, Hamas, and Yemen’s Houthis have all fired rockets and drones at Israel in recent months – with Iran directly striking Israel in a massive barrage following the invasion of Lebanon.

The IDF already uses four other missile defence systems, including the Iron Dome, to bring down rockets that fly into Israel’s airspace.

The Iron Beam was tested earlier this year and a new £413m agreement between Israel and the system’s manufacturers has confirmed the date of operation.

It is expected to begin protecting Israel on October 28 next year, Israeli news site Maariv reports.

The manufacturers – Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Elbit – describe the Iron Beam as a “100kW class High Energy Laser Weapon System”.

They claim it can shoot down flying objects like mortars, rockets, artillery, and UAVs with “pinpoint accuracy”.

The Iron Beam has a range of several kilometres and costs almost nothing per use with it being a laser.

In a statement, Elbit Systems, announced on Monday they had signed an approximately £154m million contract with Israel.

Pressure has been mounting on Israel to improve its air defences after terror rockets have struck the country during its war.

Iranian missiles hit sensitive sites in Israel including airbases at the beginning of the month.

Four Israeli soldiers were also killed after a Hezbollah drone strike on an army base a fortnight ago, with 61 more injured.

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett dubbed the laser guns a “strategic game changer for Israel and the world”.

It was previously scheduled to be deployed in 2025 but the outbreak of war means Israel is reportedly carrying out tests to get it into operation much sooner.

Dr Danny Gold, the scientist behind the air, said the new laser had been “played with” throughout the Gaza war.

He told The Telegraph: “We got authorisation one year ago to go to full-scale development and bring the system to the field. We will finish the job in numerous years… I can’t tell you exactly when.

“And once in a while we play with the current toolkit that we have. If we have the opportunity of people shooting at us, we can expand the testing.”

Instead of costing $60,000 for each firing of the Iron Dome, he said a laser beam can cost “just a few dollars”.

And there’s no need for ammunition, making it easier to move and to conceal.

Other benefits include unlimited number of firings, lower operational costs, and less manpower. 

But, unlike the Iron Dome, it’s not an all-weather air defence system.

The Iron Dome can be operated in all weather conditions – including fog, dust storm, low clouds and rain.

But the Iron Beam system doesn’t work effectively in wet conditions as the water particles absorb the laser’s energy.

It also needs a direct line of sight between the system and its target – making its placement far more important – and it has a much slower rate of fire.

Although the laser beam makes its way to the target at the speed of light, it takes several seconds to destroy short-range missiles.

The Iron Dome, however, destroys the target within a millisecond.

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The system will be the fifth type of missile defence that Israel has[/caption]

x./@iamBrianBJ / Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

An artist’s conception of what a vehicle-mounted laser could look like[/caption]

BRITS are set to fork out more for bus rides as Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will scrap the popular £2 fare cap in the Budget.

The Prime Minister announced fares will jump to a new £3 cap, hitting people in the pocket just before Christmas.

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The Prime Minister confirmed the £2 cap will not be extended[/caption]

The £2 limit, in place since January last year, had kept fares down for millions of passengers.

Blaming the previous Conservative government, Sir Keir said: “The Tories only funded it until the end of 2024.

“That is the end of the funding in relation to the cap.

“I do know how much this matters, particularly in rural communities where there’s heavy reliance on buses, and that’s why I’m able to say to you this morning that in the Budget we will announce there will be a £3 cap.”

MANCHESTER UNITED have kept it short and sweet with a terse statement after dismissing Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman was given his marching orders on Monday following a dismal run of form.

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Erik ten Hag has been sacked as manager of Manchester United[/caption]

Man Utd fell to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham yesterday after a controversial late Jarrod Bowen penalty.

It proved to be the final straw for the board, who sacked Ten Hag on Monday morning.

A short 87-word statement on United’s official website read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

SunSport understands the board’s decision was unanimous after a string of poor performances and results.

United have won just 4 of their last 14 games across all competitions.

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MANCHESTER UNITED have sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman leaves Old Trafford with United 14th in the Premier League.

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Erik ten Hag has been sacked[/caption]

His assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy, will take over as interim manager while the recruitment process takes place.

A statement from the club read: “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager.

“Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

“We are grateful to Erik for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

“Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team, whilst a permanent head coach is recruited.”

Man Utd suffered a 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday, leaving them in the bottom half of the Prem table.

The Red Devils have won just three out of nine league games so far this season, with four defeats and two draws.

United representatives felt there was a lack of progression and momentum under the Dutchman, SunSport understands.

They also believe results and performances have not been good enough over the last year.

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The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.