North Korea bans foreigners from seaside resort weeks after opening
A Russian tour guide previously told NK News that they had planned several more trips to the resort in the coming months.
Wonsan, a city along North Korea's east coast, is home to some of the country's missile facilities and a large maritime complex. It's also where Kim spent much of his youth, among holiday villas belonging to the country's elites.
The new seaside resort has lined 4km (2.5 miles) of its beachfront with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and a water park. It has a capacity of some 20,000 people, according to state media.
However, since the resort began construction in 2018, human rights groups have protested the alleged mistreatment of its workers. They point to reports of people being forced to work long hours to finish the massive project, under harsh conditions and inadequate compensation.
Russian ambassadors attended the resort's completion ceremony on 24 June, along with Kim and his family.
Last year, North Korea allowed Russian tourists to visit North Korea after a years-long suspension of tourism during the pandemic.
In February, North Korea also started to receive tourists from the West, including Australia, France, Germany and the UK. It abruptly halted tourism weeks later, however, without saying why.
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Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Deadly storms hit France, wildfires break out in Italy and Spain and 43C blowtorch heatwave hits Greece - as Brits prepare for the big summer getaway
Europe is in the grip of an unforgiving bout of extreme weather that is battering popular holiday destinations just as British tourists prepare to head abroad for the summer. Searing heatwaves, devastating wildfires and violent storms are sweeping the continent, threatening lives, scorching landscapes and putting emergency services under immense pressure. Tourist hotspots in Italy and Spain are contending with several punishing blazes, with hundreds of firefighters and water-carrying aircraft dispatched to quell the flames. Greek authorities meanwhile are warning residents and holidaymakers to expect a week of hellish warmth, with the mercury expected to peak at 43 degrees Celsius in parts of the country. The Hellenic Meteorological Service issued public health warnings this morning, declaring temperatures would linger between 38 and 40 degrees C today and increase well beyond that throughout the week. Similar temperatures are present throughout Turkey and southern Italy. Elsewhere, France and Germany are facing a contrasting crisis as punishing storms and torrential downpours tear across towns and cities, felling trees, ripping off rooftops and flooding roads. FRANCE: A lighting bolt lights up the sky as people prepare to leave the beach during a thunder storm over the city of La Baule Spain is struggling to quell a series of wildfires that have already burned through 70,000 hectares of land in recent weeks. On Friday, the skies above Madrid turned an ominous shade of orange as the Spanish sunshine illuminated a blanket of smoke drifting across the capital from nearby forest fires. Authorities say more than a dozen localised fires are currently raging, with high temperatures, intense winds and persistent drought having turned the country into a 'powder keg'. Several regions were placed under a very high or high warning level by the Forest Fire Potential Spread Index (FPI) published this morning, with Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo and Castilla-La Mancha thought to be under threat. It comes as a fire in Toledo was extinguished overnight. The Italian island of Sicily is also battling six separate wildfires, with soaring temperatures leading authorities to issue red alert warnings for four provinces this week. Sicily's Forestry Corps and Civil Protection workers were engaged all weekend as they worked to extinguish the fires, with six water-dropping aircraft drafted into control the flames. Three of the blazes are located in the northwest in the countryside between the cities of Palermo and Trapani, with two more reported along the south coast and another in the suburbs of the eastern city of Catania. Horrifying images snapped overnight by residents in Trapani showed thick orange flames scything through bone-dry hills on the outskirts of the city. This morning, meteorologists placed the eastern provinces of Catania, Caltanissetta, Enna and Messina under red alert warnings, with emergency services preparing for the prospect of yet more infernos. These warnings come amid an intense heatwave engulfing southern Europe as winds bring subtropical air from northern Africa to southern Italy and Greece, according to meteorologist Giulio Betti. As Spanish and Italian emergency services battle the wildfires, Greek meteorologist Clearchos Marousakis said parts of his nation will experience 43 degrees Celsius heat, and said the mercury could go even higher. Marousakis said the 'ceiling' of this week's heatwave 'is estimated at 41 to 43 degrees Celsius inland'. He added that the heat wave 'will be intense and long-lasting' and will be accompanied by high winds along the coast. Greek emergency services will therefore be on high alert for more wildfires, weeks after Crete and several other parts of the country were overwhelmed by infernos that triggered evacuations of some 5,000 people. Those punishing blazes sparked in the mountains between the villages of Ferma, Achila and Agia Fota on July 1 and were whipped up by powerful gusts. Evacuations were ordered at three sites outside the port of Ierapetra on the island's south coast as the inferno raged out of control overnightand by Wednesday afternoon was threatening to engulf residences and tourist resorts. Around 230 firefighters were dispatched to contain the fires along with 10 water-dropping aircraft to fly regular sorties over Crete, with reinforcements sent from Athens. The president of a hotelier's association told Protothema that 5,000 people - mostly foreign tourists - were moved out of homes and hotels, while dozens were taken to hospital with respiratory issues triggered by thick clouds of smoke and ash. Wildfires have burned more than 227,000 hectares of land in Europe since the beginning of the year, according to the EU's European Forest Fire Information System - far above the average figure for the first six months of the year. It's not yet clear if 2025 will be a record year, as that will depend on how the fire season evolves in the coming months, but the number of fires in Europe has also surged this year so far, with 1,118 blazes detected as of July 8, versus 716 in the same period last year, EFFIS said. Countries are preparing for worse blazes. Warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast across Europe in August, EFFIS said, meaning fire danger will remain high across much of southern and eastern Europe. While Southern Europe is expected to see normal rainfall patterns, the rest of the continent is expected to be drier than normal in August, EFFIS said - potentially exacerbating fire risk in other regions. Firefighting efforts continue from the air for the forest fire which broke out at Mediterranean scrubs between Partinico and Alcamo, western of Sicily, Italy on July 20, 2025 While Italy, Spain and Greece battle wildfires and scorching heat, residents in France and Germany are facing a very different problem. Brutal storms engulfed much of eastern France over the weekend with one person killed and six more injured amid the violent weather events. The roofs of several houses were torn off in the department of Saone-et-Loire, north of Lyon, such was the intensity of the winds and the lightning storms. One person attempting to make repairs to his roof was killed when he was blown off a ladder, while in nearby Jura, almost 5,000 people were left without power. Another person was seriously injured in Devrouze when he too was blown off a roof, and five more people were hurt in the Alpine department of Savoie when a tree was felled and landed on a car. Meanwhile, the German Weather Service (DWD) this morning issued a string of weather alerts for much of the north and southeast of the country, warning of heavy rainfall and the prospect of flash floods. DWD meteorologists warned residents could expect to see up to 100 litres of rainfall per square metre over a 12-hour period later today, with winds reaching 80 kilometres per hour. Videos and images shared to social media late yesterday also showed huge hailstones that were raining down across parts of the country. Southern Germany experienced golf ball-sized hail, with chunks of ice up to 5cm in size raining down through thick fog. A mixture of level two warnings for 'significant weather' and level three warnings for 'severe weather' have been issued for Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony. A level three warning has also been issued for Berlin.
The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tourist expects stunning panoramic view from his hotel window.. but leaves viewers speechless when he pulls back curtain
A TOURIST has left people in stitches after revealing the unique view he has from his hotel window. With the school holidays now just right around the corner, many Brits will be about to jet off on well-earned holidays abroad. 2 When most of us go away, we long for a gorgeous sea view, or to be able to see the rolling countryside out of our hotel window. However, one holidaymaker didn't get quite what he was expecting on a recent break. Brad Ben, from Dublin, recently took a trip to Galway, and spent his time there in a modern looking hotel room. Sharing a clip of the inside of his room on TikTok, Ben used the audio from the famous Jet 2 advert, narrated by Hollyoaks' Zoe Lister, and featuring Jess Glynne's iconic hit Hold My Hand. It has become a popular trend in recent weeks to use the audio alongside a holiday 'fail'. In the video, Ben can be seen strutting across his hotel room, before opening up his thick floor length curtains. Where you would expect to see a large window, showing panoramic views, there was a teeny tiny square one, reminiscent of a ship's porthole. "Appreciating those views", he joked. The view has left people in hysterics, racking up an astronomical 239 million views on the video sharing platform. In a second video, Ben showed viewers what he could see through the window, placing his camera right up to the glass to show the Irish countryside opposite his hotel. People are only just realising who does the voice over for viral Jet2 advert From a distance, it looks like the window is a small painting on the wall. "She's giving Van Gogh", Ben Joked. TikTok users flooded the comments section of the video, to share their disbelief at the view. One person said: "Are you in jail?" Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it." Another said: "They have a nerve to put a curtain over that." A third person exclaimed: "I was not expecting this one bit." A fourth added: "I dunno what I was expecting but it deffo wasn't that window."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The tourist invasion of 'Instagram island': Thousands of selfie-hunting holidaymakers pack the narrow streets of Santorini to capture sunset view loved by influencers
Thousands of selfie-hunting holidaymakers have packed the narrow streets of Santorini in a desperate bid to capture sunset views adored by influencers. Videos have shown the shocking reality of visiting one of the world's most idealised holiday destinations - with an 'overflow' of tourists piling together to catch a glimpse of the evening sun on the once-idyllic Greek isle of Santorini. Known for its white and blue architecture, volcanic landscape and charming villages, up to 17,000 tourists descend on the idyllic Aegan isle in the peak summer months. But sunseekers have been left far from impressed with the reality of holidaying on the volcanic island, arguing that it falls short of their expectations due to 'jam-packed streets' and 'soaring' hotel prices. Gabriella Barrass visited the picturesque coastal island in early July, forking out £2,200 on a four-day trip having been initially captivated by pictures of the crystal clear waters and small quaint Greek streets. However, the Dubai resident said that any once-breathtaking views had now become tarnished by crowds of tourists battling ferociously for the perfect spot, while another popular destination, Oia, had become so full of donkey pool that it smelt 'terrible'. Ms Barrass added that the 'incredible' photos of Santorni were somewhat deceptive, with the 'commecialised' nature of the island leaving it swamped with hordes of holidaymakers that had stripped it of its 'old school tradition and culture'. She told Luxury Travel Daily: 'The overflow of tourists at every given spot we went to was overwhelming and definitely not the gorgeous, relaxing retreat I was expecting. 'There were hundreds of people trying to see the sunset at once.' Meanwhile Claire, who had travelled more than 9,000 miles from Sydney, Australia described Oia as synonymous with 'animalistic mayhem', adding that that the relentless torrent of holidaymakers had left it 'crowded and jam packed'. Oia, famous for its whitewashed buildings with blue-domed churches, is frequented by up to 170,000 cruise ship passengers who disembark on the island every day. But shocking images of the small village shared last summer showed masses of tourists queuing on narrow walkways in a bid to get the best holiday shots. Due to the growing numbers of visitors, queues to reach the viewing spot in the clifftop village can often take more than 20 minutes. The island has now introduced new rules and measures to manage the influx of tourists, including a tourist tax, restrictions on access and parking, alongside a proposed 'saturation law' limiting daily visitor numbers. A limit of 8,000 cruise ship passengers per day has also been enforced. While Claire had hoped to 'explore the beaches and relax', she was left bitterly disappointed by 'jam packed streets that took ages to walk through', adding: 'It was also super hot with no shade anywhere. Gabriella Barrass visited the picturesque coastal island in early July, forking out £2,200 on a four-day trip. However, the Dubai resident said that any once-breathtaking views had now become tarnished by crowds of tourists battling ferociously for the perfect sunset spot 'That was probably the worst part. 'We walked the steps down to Ammoudi Bay, which were covered in donkey poo, so it smelled pretty bad. 'I had to squeeze up against a wall on the way back up, as there were donkeys on their way down. 'I was kind of worried they'd squash me.' Due to Ms Barras' negative experience, she remarked that 'I wouldn't go again', adding that there are 'much better' and 'less commercialised' islands on offer for tourists to enjoy. Meanwhile Claire added that any prospective holidaymakers should avoid staying in Oia, adding: 'Avoid July and August if you hate the crowds and peak summer heat.' On social media, viewers were quick to express their outrage at the ensuing crowds descending on Santorini, with one commenter saying: 'this gives me so much anxiety', while another remarked: 'This is why I travel right before the season hits'. Last summer, one aggravated tourist took to social media to say that Santorini, which had been a stop during their cruise trip, had been a bitter disappointment, remarking: 'Should never have got off (and won't next time). 'One Instagram spot, litter everywhere and absolutely rammed streets.' Meanwhile, another individual who said they work 'seasonally' in Santorini, said that there was 'no respect for the island or for us, from garbage, to times when the buses don't take us.' The growing numbers of tourists flocking to the volcanic island has continued to be a point of great contention for furious locals who have even threatened to leave the Greek island after officials told them to keep out of tourists' way. Last summer, local resident Onur Killic, 28, said that there are just 'too many tourists' coming to Santorini who leave rubbish behind and sometimes even a 'bad smell'. 'It's hard for locals because we live here. The roads are too crowded and the traffic is much worse; it's bad for environment and the cost of everything is out of control, locals cannot pay as prices have gone up,' the hotel worker told the i. 'They need to find the right balance, they could limit the amount of cruise ships, but the government is not doing enough – if this continues I will leave the island.' It came just days after Santorini councillor Panos Kavallaris urged residents in a since-deleted Facebook post to stay at home and avoid the influx of thousands of tourists per day. 'Another difficult day for our city and island is ahead with the arrival of 17,000 visitors from cruise ships. We ask for your attention: limit your movements as much as possible,' Kavallaris said, but the post quickly caused outrage among locals. Residents criticised the councillor's request, with one commenting on social media: '[He] officially asks locals to lock themselves at home, so that tourists can wander around free. Marvelous.' LIFO, a popular Greek newspaper, said that while Kavallaris' announcement was made 'with the best intentions', it was clear that the situation in Santorini in regards to the amount of tourists coming to the island was getting out of control. Of the record 32.7 million people who visited Greece in 2023, around 3.4 million, or one in 10, went to the small island of Santorini that has just 15,500 residents. The Greek isle has relied on tourism since the 1960s, before which it largely depended on agriculture to support its economy. But Santorini's mayor Nikos Zorzos stressed last year that there need to be 'limits' to the numbers of tourists descending on the island, warning that they could begin to 'sink under overtourism'. He added: 'There must not be a single extra bed... whether in the large hotels or Airbnb rentals.' Some locals in Oia have even resorted to putting signs up urging visitors to respect their home, with one sign from the Save Oia group reading: 'RESPECT... It's your holiday... but it's our home'. Shaped by a volcanic eruption 3,600 years ago, Santorini's landscape is 'unique', the mayor said, and 'should not be harmed by new infrastructure'. Around a fifth of the island is currently occupied by buildings, many of which are expensive luxury hotels featuring infinity swimming pools and jacuzzis. In 2023, 800 cruise ships brought some 1.3 million passengers, according to the Hellenic Ports Association. Cruisecritic, a Tripadvisor company, says that up to seven cruise ships can dock simultaneously on the island, which means that they could bring over 14,000 passengers if at full capacity. Cruise ships 'do a lot of harm to the island', said Chantal Metakides, a Belgian resident of Santorini for 26 years. 'When there are eight or nine ships pumping out smoke, you can see the layer of pollution in the caldera,' she said. In June last year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis voiced his desire for the capping of cruise ship arrivals to Greece's most popular islands. He told Bloomberg: 'There are people spending a lot of money to be on Santorini and they don't want the island to be swamped'. In an interview, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni echoed this sentiment and said: 'We must set quotas because it's impossible for an island such as Santorini... to have five cruise ships arriving at the same time.' It comes as several of Europe's most popular cities have been captured becoming overrun this summer, with record-breaking tourist numbers turning some of Europe's most scenic streets into overcrowded, chaotic hotspots. In the Italian capital of Rome, tourists are crammed shoulder-to-shoulder as they try to take in the city's famous architecture, with one likening the experience to being 'part of one big sweaty herd.' Meanwhile, in Athens, known for its ancient ruins and historic streets, the crowds are so dense that visitors can barely squeeze past each other. And in Florence, the tourist crush has reached such extremes that some travellers are siding with protesters, with one saying the situation is 'out of hand'. One woman posted a video showing a huge queue of people waiting to see the Parthenon in Athens. The caption simply read: 'This was painful'. A tourist in Rome filmed a busy square and asked, 'why is it so crowded?' Viewers shared their thoughts in the comments section, with one person complaining that when they visited the city it was so busy they couldn't find a place to eat. Another said: 'I don't understand why people decide to visit Rome in the summer. That's insane.' In Florence, one tourist shared footage of a huge crowd and wrote across it, 'I don't blame the locals for wanting to protest against tourists'. The caption read: 'This has gotten out of hand ..as a fellow tourist right now.. I'm so sorry. I'm annoyed for y'all.'
