Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf underscored the importance of operational preparedness as the key to success in modern warfare during a speech at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air War College Institute in Karachi on Monday, Radio Pakistan reported.
Addressing participants as the chief guest, Admiral Ashraf highlighted the significance of constant readiness and strategic foresight, citing recent developments along the eastern front as a critical example.
He also praised the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, commending the Pakistan Air Force’s efforts in modernising and swiftly integrating advanced technologies. These measures, he said, have greatly improved the operational readiness of the Air Force and reshaped the region’s deterrence strategy.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, Pakistan Navy visited PAF Air War College Institute, Karachi today. On his arrival, he was received by Air Vice Marshal Rashid Habib, President Air War College Institute. The Chief Guest lauded the academic and professional… pic.twitter.com/vSbQ9J0zkV
He added, “Pakistan Navy’s combat capabilities have undergone significant enhancement across all operational domains, including surface, sub-surface, and aerial forces. This transformation has made our maritime force more agile and potent.”
The navy chief stressed the necessity of cohesive national defence, emphasising the importance of inter-service collaboration. He revealed plans for more frequent joint operational exercises with the PAF, aimed at enhancing synergy and interoperability between the two institutions.
Admiral Ashraf also discussed the pivotal role of technological advancements in modern conflicts, specifically highlighting the importance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
He announced a strategic collaboration between the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and the Pakistan Maritime Science and Technology Park to advance indigenous capabilities in unmanned systems.
This partnership, he said, will bolster Pakistan’s technological self-reliance and enhance its operational edge in defence.
The navy chief further praised the Air War College Institute for its academic excellence, recognising its critical role in preparing future military leaders to tackle the complex challenges of modern warfare. He was welcomed by Air War College Institute President Air Vice Marshal Rashid Habib upon his arrival.
Ben Slater’s 15th first class hundred spearheaded a solid Nottinghamshire batting display on the second day of the County Championship Division One match with Somerset at Taunton.
The home side extended their first innings score from an overnight 275-6 to a challenging 379 all out, Tom Banton dismissed for 84 and Matt Henry making an unbeaten 41 off just 29 balls, with four fours and three sixes.
By the close, Notts had posted 214-3 in reply, opener Slater contributing an unbeaten 116, off 224 balls, with 14 fours.
Like their opponents on day one, Somerset bowled few loose deliveries and every run had to be fought for on a day of soaring temperatures. Jack Leach conceded just 42 runs from 25 overs of left-arm spin and Craig Overton 31 from 13.
Banton was unbeaten on 57 at the start of play, having been dropped on two, and shouldered major responsibility for lifting Somerset to a competitive score.
With only nine runs added to the total, he lost partner Kasey Aldridge, caught at second slip by Freddie McCann low to his right off Mohammad Abbas.
Overton looked in good touch, scoring 24 and helping Banton add 44 for the eighth wicket, before being pinned lbw by Brett Hutton with the total on 330 in the 111th over, both sides having been forced to settle for two bonus points.
Left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White had bowled tightly throughout the innings and reaped the reward of a second wicket when Banton, who had battled away for four hours and 17 minutes, striking eight fours, mistimed a reverse sweep straight to Abbas at backward point.
The remainder of the innings was all about Henry, who treated the 2,000 children admitted free from schools around the region, to some exciting hitting.
The New Zealander survived a chance to Joe Clarke on the long-on boundary and produced numerous clean strikes in a last wicket stand of 39, to which Jack Leach contributed just six before being caught at bowled off a leading edge by Farhan Ahmed.
The visitors had to negotiate a tricky 15 minutes before lunch, but reached the interval on 15 without loss from three overs, Leach having opened the home bowling attack with Henry.
The afternoon session saw Somerset bowl without much luck in rising heat – but they made a breakthrough with the total on 38 as Haseeb Hameed got a thin edge to a delivery from Henry to be caught behind by James Rew.
Slater was soon looking to capitalise on a pitch offering no more than occasional assistance to the bowlers and moved confidently to a half-century off 62 balls, with nine fours.
McCann contributed to a second-wicket stand of 66 before pushing forward to off-spinner Archie Vaughan and providing Rew with a second catch.
At tea, the scoreboard read 124-2, but the final session saw Leach strike with the vital wicket of Joe Clarke, on 18, as the Notts player aimed a big drive at a wide delivery and edged into the safe hands of Overton at slip.
Haynes had a heart in mouth moment next ball as it rapped his back pad and went straight to Overton. Somerset’s huge appeal for either leg before or a catch off an inside edge went unheeded and it proved a big moment as a meaningful fourth-wicket stand developed.
Slater remained unmoved and brought up a hugely valuable century with a square cut for two off Vaughan, having faced 171 deliveries and extended his boundary count to 14.
It was an innings of patience and sound shot selection on a pitch, which like the first day, required application with both bat and ball.
By stumps, the partnership with Jack Haynes (34) was worth 71 and Notts could reflect on a decent afternoon’s work.
A protest by the Sindh Employees Grand Alliance demanding salary and pension increases turned violent on Monday after demonstrators clashed with police while attempting to march toward Karachi’s Red Zone, following failed negotiations with the provincial government.
The demonstration began outside the Karachi Press Club, where large crowds of government employees gathered.
Tensions escalated as protesters advanced toward the restricted area, prompting police to respond with batons, tear gas, and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Protesters retaliated by hurling stones, intensifying the unrest.
Chanting slogans against the provincial government, protesters breached barricades and staged a sit-in near the Red Zone.
Another wave of tear gas was fired, affecting nearby civilians—many of whom reported breathing difficulties. A female police officer collapsed during the confrontation and was rushed to the hospital.
In an effort to contain the protest, police set up roadblocks on major routes, including I.I. Chundrigar Road, causing massive traffic jams in the area.
Earlier in the day, access to the Press Club had also been blocked, disrupting the movement of journalists and daily commuters.
Following the clash, more than 20 demonstrators were arrested and taken to local police stations.
DIG South warned that road blockades would not be tolerated and emphasized that maintaining law and order remains a top priority.
June 4: TGD Cuts, LLC of Jessup, Maryland, recalled fresh cucumbers and related products containing cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. due to potential Salmonella contamination. These items, with use-by dates from May 19 to 28, 2025, were distributed across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina. The products are believed to be past their shelf life, and no illnesses have been reported.1
June 6: August Egg Company in Hilmar, California, recalled approximately 1.7 million dozen brown cage-free and organic eggs due to possible contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. Distributed between February 3 and May 15, 2025, these eggs bore plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330 and were sold in multiple western and midwestern states, including at major retailers such as Walmart and Safeway. The company ceased sales of fresh shell eggs and redirected eggs to pasteurization facilities.2
June 13: Fuentes Farms LLC of McAllen, Texas, recalled 71 boxes of fresh cucumbers (Lot #357) potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Distributed through flea markets in McAllen and Alamo, Texas, between May 31 and June 3, these cucumbers were packaged in 40 lb boxes with Fuentes Farm labels. No illnesses were reported. This recall was prompted by an FDA routine sample detecting the bacteria.3
Salmonella infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and severe complications, especially in young children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.1,2,3
Listeria-Related Recalls
June 10: Bornstein Seafoods Inc, Bellingham, Washington, recalled 44,550 pounds of cooked and peeled ready-to-eat coldwater shrimp due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Distributed mainly in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, these products were pulled after routine testing. No illnesses were reported.3
June 11: Hofood99 Inc. of Brooklyn, New York, recalled 200g packages of Enoki mushrooms nationwide following detection of Listeria monocytogenes by Michigan state authorities. Packaged in green plastic bags, these mushrooms are marked with UPC 6 976532 310051. Consumers were advised to destroy or return the product.4
June 21: Face Rock Creamery of Bandon, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling two lots of its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds sold at Trader Joe’s in Northern California and Northern Nevada due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations. No illnesses have been reported. Consumers are urged not to eat the product and to return it for a full refund. The recall follows routine testing that detected the bacteria, and the company is working with regulators to address the issue.5
Listeria monocytogenes poses serious risks to young children, elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals, causing symptoms such as high fever, headache, nausea, and, in pregnant women, miscarriage or stillbirth.3,4,5
Other Recalls
June 10: P East Trading Corp, Bronx, New York, recalled uneviscerated salted smoked split herring sold in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut due to possible contamination with Clostridium botulinum. The product, packaged in 18-pound wooden boxes and made in Canada, was found to be over 5 inches long and improperly eviscerated, increasing botulism risk. Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin that causes botulism, a severe and potentially fatal illness characterized by symptoms including muscle weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and respiratory failure. Consumers were warned not to consume the product regardless of appearance or odor.6
June 17: Medtech Products Inc of Tarrytown, New York, announced a nationwide recall of five lots of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup due to contamination with Bacillus cereus. Distributed from December 2022 through June 2025, these syrups can cause foodborne illness with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; though typically mild, high exposure can be fatal.7
References 1. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: Tgd Cuts, LLC Initiated Voluntary Recall of Cucumber from Bedner Growers Inc., Which Had the Potential to Be Contaminated with Salmonella. FDA.gov. Published June 4, 2025. Accessed June 30 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/tgd-cuts-llc-initiated-voluntary-recall-cucumber-bedner-growers-inc-which-had-potential-be
2. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk. FDA.gov. Published June 6, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/august-egg-company-recalls-shell-eggs-because-possible-health-risk
3. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: Fuentes Farms, LLC Recalls Product Because of Possible Health Risk. FDA.gov. Published June 16, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fuentes-farms-llc-recalls-product-because-possible-health-risk
4. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: Bornstein Seafoods Inc Recalls Cooked & Peeled Ready-To-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat Because of Possible Health Risk. FDA.gov. Published June 10, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bornstein-seafoods-inc-recalls-cooked-peeled-ready-eat-coldwater-shrimp-meat-because-possible-health
4. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: Hofood99 Inc Recalls Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk. FDA.gov. Published June 11, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hofood99-inc-recalls-enoki-mushroom-due-possible-health-risk
5. Face Rock Creamery voluntarily recalls Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Curds due to potential Listeria contamination. FDA. Published June 21, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/face-rock-creamery-voluntarily-recalls-vampire-slayer-garlic-cheddar-curds
6. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: P. East Trading Corp Distributors Issues Alert on Uneviscerated ‘Salted Smoked Split Herring’ Due to Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination. FDA.gov. Published June 10, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/p-east-trading-corp-distributors-issues-alert-uneviscerated-salted-smoked-split-herring-due
7. US Food and Drug Administration. Company Announcement: Medtech Products Inc. Issues Nationwide Recall of Little Remedies® Honey Cough Syrup Due to Microbial Contamination. FDA.gov. Published June 18, 2025. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/medtech-products-inc-issues-nationwide-recall-little-remediesr-honey-cough-syrup-due-microbial
Ninety-nine per cent of the returnees were undocumented, and 70 per cent were forcibly returned, with a steep rise in families being deported – a shift from earlier months, when most returnees were single young men, according to the UN agency.
The rise follows a March decision by the Iranian Government requiring all undocumented Afghans to leave the country.
Conditions deteriorated further after the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, which caused the daily refugees crossings to skyrocket from about 5,000 to nearly 30,000, according to Arafat Jamal, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) representative in Afghanistan.
“They are coming in buses and sometimes five buses arrive at one time with families and others and the people are let out of the bus and they are simply bewildered, disoriented, and tired and hungry as well,” he told UN News, describing the scene at a border crossing.
“This has been exacerbated by the war, but I must say it has been part of an underlying trend that we have seen of returns from Iran, some of which are voluntary, but a large portion were also deportations.”
Strain on aid efforts
Afghanistan, already grappling with economic collapse and chronic humanitarian crisis, is unprepared to absorb such large-scale returns.
The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan calls for $2.42 billion in funding, but only 22.2 per cent has been secured to date.
“The scale of returns is deeply alarming and demands a stronger and more immediate international response,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope, “Afghanistan cannot manage this alone.”
Meanwhile, UNHCR alongside partners is working to address the urgent needs of those arriving – food, water, shelter, protection. However its programmes are also under severe strain due to limited funding.
The agency had to drastically reduce its cash assistance to returnee families at the border from $2,000 per family to just $156.
“We are not able to help enough women, and we are also hurting local communities,” added Mr. Jamal.
Some relief, but not enough
In response to growing crisis, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $1.7 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support drought-affected families in Faryab Province.
The funds will provide cash assistance to some 8,000 families in the region, where over a third of the rural population is already facing crisis or emergency levels of acute food insecurity.
“Acting ahead of predicted hazards to prevent or reduce humanitarian impacts on communities is more important than ever,” said Isabelle Moussard Carlsen, Head of OCHA Afghanistan, adding “when humanitarian action globally and in Afghanistan is underfunded…we must make the most of every dollar.”
The Tamil Nadu Premier League is a men’s T20 cricket tournament that is held annually in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Organised by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, the tournament has provided a competitive platform for local talent since its inception in 2016.
The TNPL has had eight teams competing in the tournament since its inception in 2016 and Dindigul Dragons are the defending champions, having won the title in 2024.
Tuti Patriots won the inaugural season of the TNPL after beating Chepauk Super Gillies in the final. The inaugural champions were renamed as Salem Spartans ahead of the 2020 season.
Chepauk Super Gillies, the runners-up of the first season, are the most successful cricket team in the tournament, having won it on four different occasions.
After winning the TNPL for the first time in 2017, Chepauk Super Gillies would win it again in three consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2022. The 2020 edition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Asif Ali Zardari has given his assent to the Finance Act 2025, which outlines the budget for the upcoming fiscal year with an outlay of Rs17.57 trillion, it emerged on Monday.
According to a gazette notification dated June 29, available with Dawn.com, the Finance Act 2025, as approved by the National Assembly, received the president’s assent on June 27. The act will be applicable from July 1, according to the information ministry.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiled Pakistan’s annual federal budget in a charged June 10 National Assembly session, outlining ambitious proposals to drive 4.2 per cent economic growth in the coming fiscal year while cutting back on overall spending and tightening tax measures.
The National Assembly passed the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year on June 26, with an outlay of Rs17.57tr, despite opposition calls for the budgetary proposals to be made public and for the passage to be delayed until public input had been sought.
The House passed it with certain amendments, incorporating around half of the suggestions put forward by the finance committees of both houses of parliament. All amendments proposed by the opposition were rejected.
Budget 2025-26
The federal budget for the next fiscal year projects an economic growth rate of 4.2pc and an inflation rate of 7.5pc. The net revenue receipts have been estimated at Rs11.07tr, with FBR collections projected to rise by 18.7pc to Rs14.13tr. Non-tax revenues are estimated at Rs5.15tr.
Key allocations include Rs2.55tr for defence, Rs1.06tr for pension expenditures, and Rs1.19tr for subsidies on electricity and other sectors. Relief measures in the budget include a 10pc increase in salaries, 7pc in pensions and tax relief for the salaried class across all income brackets.
The budget also includes Rs716bn for BISP and Rs1tr for the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), in which the largest allocation of Rs328bn is earmarked for transport infrastructure projects.
The PSDP for the next fiscal year has been aligned with the objectives of URAAN Pakistan, prioritising high-impact, near-completion foreign-funded projects and new initiatives of national importance.
Key infrastructure projects like Diamer Bhasha, Mohmand Dam and K-IV have been allocated Rs32.7bn, Rs35.7bn and Rs3.2bn, respectively. Besides, Rs10bn has been allocated for the lining of Kalri Baghar Feeder and Rs4.4bn for installing a telemetry system on the Indus Basin System.
The Higher Education Commission has been allocated Rs39.5bn for 170 projects. Additionally, Rs18.5bn has been earmarked in the PSDP for various education initiatives.
The agriculture sector will receive Rs4bn for 10 ongoing and five new schemes. The budget also includes incentives for the construction industry, such as a reduction in withholding tax on property purchases.
Jersey was not at all what I expected. The 9×5-mile island off the coast of France and across the English Channel from Great Britain tends to fly under the radar for visitors to either place. But this Channel Island is blessed with white sand beaches, excellent seafood, and a strong hospitality industry that make it a worthy place to explore.
Despite its proximity to France, Jersey is now more culturally British than French. It has made itself a finance hub in the last few decades, and that, together with its extremely low tax rate, have made it a haven for those with lots of money who like to hang onto it. The island is home to massive houses, fancy cars and private planes. But these all exist side-by-side with a small, passionate fishing community, narrow rural roads with honesty boxes from which you can get the delightful Jersey potatoes, and some of the most beautiful coastal views to be found.
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When to arrive: There are numerous direct flights to Jersey each day from the UK, and more from around the world throughout the week. There are also daily ferries from the UK and France. This means that arrival can be flexible – there’s no real benefit to arriving at a particular time of the week. Weather is mild and balmy in spring and autumn, with things heating up in summer. Winter can get cold and stormy and isn’t recommended.
How to get from the airport: Jersey is small and well served by public transport. There are a number of routes from the airport to St Helier, the capital, with Route 15 the most direct. Single adult tickets are £2.50 (US$3). Taxis from the airport are plentiful, though can be relatively expensive.
Getting around town: The public bus route on the island (run by Liberty Bus) is extensive and will get you where you need to go fairly easily. Taxis are also available, although they are expensive around town, too. Car rental is another option if you’d like the flexibility to go where and when you want, and there are lots of options available, including camper van rentals.
Where to stay: Jersey has the normal range of accommodation that you’d find in any town in the UK, with chain hotels side-by-side with Airbnb rentals and a number of luxury hotels. Housing costs are a recurring issue for islanders, with the effect of bumping up accommodation prices. For those traveling with a family, self-catering or budget hotels are the best option. Undercliff Guest House in Bouley Bay on the northeast of the island has a variety of self-catering options and a pool. If you’re interested in a more high-end stay, Longueville Manor is a five-star spot tucked away in an unassuming corner in the southeast. And for those on a budget, Durrell Wildlife Hostel is a farmhouse with basic amenities attached to Jersey Zoo.
What to pack: Bring walking or hiking shoes – there is a lot to explore on the island and you want to be mobile and comfortable. You’ll also want swimwear and beachy accessories; there are plenty of beaches around the island, some with such white sand and blue sea that you’ll think you’re in the Caribbean. But of course this is also northwest Europe, so have a rain jacket or umbrella with you at all times.
Victoria Pier. Amy Lynch/Lonely Planet
Day 1
How to spend the day
Anyone spending time on Jersey should take a ramble around its myriad harbors and shores. Unsurprisingly for an island, Jersey had a major fishing culture in the 1980s and 1990s. Fish were plentiful and there was money to be made. Today, there are only 30 full-time fishermen and women working. The reasons are manifold, but include fish stocks drying up, fish migration due to changing ocean temperatures, and tensions with French fishermen in the same waters. Climate change and ocean temperatures are an ongoing battle for those whose livelihoods come from the sea.
The main crab stocks used to be brown crabs (also called Chancre crabs), but with the water warming those stocks have migrated north, and spider crabs are the new catch. All of this puts Jersey at the forefront of global marine conservation efforts. With threats from the UK’s political decisions, French encroachment and climate change, the Jersey fisheries team has a lot to contend with. It is increasing regulations all the time, with size restrictions, seasonal restrictions and a ban on dredging and trawling in certain zones.
Left: Picked crab and legs. Right: Fresh catch of crabs. Amy Lynch/Lonely Planet (2)
Gabby Mason is one of the young fishers trying to keep the industry alive and thriving. She owns and runs Jade-S Fisheries, based at Victoria Pier, and Driftwood Cafe in Archirondel. Mason and her gang fish for lobsters and spider crabs among many other types of seafood, providing for local restaurants. Watching Isabella, the longtime crab picker for Mason’s catch, work through pounds and pounds of crab meat is to watch a master at work.
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Take a ramble down to Victoria Pier to grab some of Mason’s fresh catch, or keep an eye out for her mobile van. Or you could always make a stop at the gloriously located Driftwood Cafe, right on the beach at Archirondel, and have the seafood cooked and prepared for you.
Dinner
Longueville Manor, a Relais & Châteaux member, is not just a hotel: the restaurant in an old manor house is an attraction in its own right. Recently awarded a Michelin Key, the elegant restaurant is memorably delicious, and wine-lovers will appreciate the wine list and gorgeous wine cellar, put together with passion by hotel owner Malcolm Lewis. The hotel also has a kitchen garden that is free to explore. This is no token effort: rows and rows of lettuce, Jersey potatoes, herbs, onions, edible flowers, root vegetables and more are in the outside grounds, while the greenhouse is host to tomatoes, lemons, limes and peppers.
Executive Head Chef Andrew Baird’s dishes are imaginative and delicious, with lots of seafood on offer. The melt-in-your-mouth scallops were a personal favorite. The wine list is extensive and the cocktails impressive. As a pregnant attendee, I had a non-alcoholic selection, which managed the rare feat of being as tasty and alluring as the real thing.
Alternatively, the bar is more casual, with food that is just as high quality. A quieter spot with couches and lamps, the bar is where to go if you’re dining alone or just want to sit with a good book. There is nothing casual about the burger, though – juicy, flavourful and generous. It’s a great choice for when you’ve had your fill of seafood.
Left: Ormer, a type of sea snail. Right: Foraging for wood sorrel. Amy Lynch/Lonely Planet (2)
Day 2
Morning
Kazz Padidar of Wild Adventures, a charismatic local forager and adventurer, is the person to talk to if you want to learn more about the plant and sea life around Jersey. Growing up on the island, Padidar spent his formative years learning to subsist on what the island naturally provides. Now he runs foraging workshops for local kids and interested visitors when he can find the time. He also forages to supply restaurants around the island, so you might be sampling his foraged treats without knowing it.
If you can grab him for an outing, you’re in for an engaging and fun couple of hours. Padidar took us on an odyssey exploring wild plants and herbs, many of which we sampled along the way, such as rock samphire, sandwort and wood sorrel; then we headed to rock pools to look for seaweed and search for lobsters and crabs. We even caught sight of the rare ormer, a species of sea snail.
Left: Looking into the Jersey War Tunnels. Right: Recreation of worker near unfinished tunnel in Jersey War Tunnels exhibit. Amy Lynch/Lonely Planet (2)
How to spend the day
Jersey’s history is fascinating. As part of Britain, it was invaded by the Germans in June 1940 and used as a base, with no help or retaliation by the British government. The occupation led to much hardship for the population, with violence, hunger and deprivation the norm for the four to five years of the occupation. The remnants of the German presence is still visible on the island in Marine Peilstand towers and artillery batteries all around the coast.
The Jersey War Tunnels are an excellent way to learn more about the occupation, including the events leading up to it, how it progressed during the war and elation at the Allies’ victory. Built by the Germans as a hospital during the occupation, these unfinished tunnels have now been turned into a large museum of the time, with personal stories of various islanders, hundreds of artifacts – including vehicles and weaponry – and some fascinating little-known stories of slaves who were brought here from Russia, Spain and elsewhere to build the tunnels. It’s a fascinating insight into the story of the island, if a little overdone at the end. Take a few hours to explore the tunnels fully – there’s a lot to see and learn. The museum has a good café with serviceable hot drinks, sandwiches and scones where you can warm up from the chilly tunnels and process everything you’ve just seen.
Dinner
Sumas Restaurant in Gorey is another great choice if you’re looking for fine dining with the best seafood to be found. With a fabulous terrace looking down at the seafront and great views of Mont Orgueil Castle, this high-end spot manages to be both elegant and casual. The seafood platter is unmatched. It’s the perfect spot to while away an evening with a bottle (or two) of wine as you watch the sun go down across the water.
After dark
Jersey isn’t known for its wild nightlife, but anyone looking for an evening tipple will find traditional pubs, high-end cocktail bars and plenty in between around the town hubs. The Blue Note is a solid option for local beer, comfortable surroundings and jazz. It has regular live music in its upstairs venue. Cocktail lovers should try the Blind Pig Speakeasy, a 1920s-inspired spot with delightful concoctions. For those looking for something a bit more casual, Kitty O’Shea’s is a classic pub, with sports on TV, outdoor seating and live music every weekend.
Archirondel Beach. Amy Lynch/Lonely Planet
Day 3
Morning
Before venturing home, any visitor to Jersey should take a few hours for one of the walking or hiking trails to be found around the island. The North Coast Cliff Path is the perfect choice for those with a yen for the dramatic: cliffs plunging down to the sea, wild birds wheeling overhead and steep paths to hidden beaches. Choose a section of the walk, or put aside a day to take on the whole thing from Rozel to Greve de Lecq (17km [11 miles]). The tree-lined Railway Walk along Jersey’s old railway line is a more peaceful affair. It will take you from St Aubin to La Corbière and also suits a leisurely cycle.
However much you manage to cram in, a weekend will never be enough to explore everything Jersey has to offer. There will always be more delicious seafood to sample, more historic sites to discover, more local stories to hear. There will always have to be a next time.
A new study by the Genomics and Microbial Evolution Group at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) together with the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, USA, sheds light on one of the great enigmas of microbiology: why only certain strains of common bacteria become pandemic pathogens. The work, published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), focuses on Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. It reveals that its most dangerous form arises from a specific combination of genes and allelic variants that give it an advantage in the human intestine. This research could pave the way for new strategies to predict and prevent future cholera outbreaks.
The study results from a collaboration between UMH researcher Mario López Pérez and Professor Salvador Almagro-Moreno of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It also involved UMH Professor José M. Haro Moreno and predoctoral researcher Alicia Campos López, affiliated with the Department of Plant Production and Microbiology.
Through an extensive analysis of over 1,840 Vibrio cholerae genomes, the researchers identified eleven distinct phylogenetic clusters, with the pandemic group belonging to the largest and located within a lineage shared with environmental strains. Their findings suggest that the emergence of pandemic strains, responsible for global cholera outbreaks, is largely dependent on the acquisition of unique modular gene clusters and allelic variations that confer a competitive advantage during intestinal colonization.. These act as nonlinear filters that prevent most environmental strains from becoming human pathogens.
As a result, only a small group of Vibrio cholerae strains can cause cholera in humans, despite the species’ vast natural diversity. We wondered why only this small subset has ever triggered pandemics.”
Mario López, UMH researcher, lead author of the study
The study reveals that the emergence of pandemic V. cholerae clones is constrained by specific genetic bottlenecks. These require: a genetic background pre-adapted for virulence, the acquisition of key gene clusters such as CTXΦ and VPI-1, their organization into specific modular arrangements, and finally, the presence of unique allelic variants. “Only when all these elements come together can a strain evolve into a pandemic-capable pathogen,” the researchers explain.
These features are absent in most environmental V. cholerae strains and appear to grant pandemic clones a key competitive advantage: enhanced ability to colonize the human gut.
“Interestingly, the genetic traits that enable V. cholerae to infect humans don’t benefit the bacteria in their natural aquatic environment,” López notes. In the wild, V. cholerae typically lives freely or in association with cyanobacteria colonies, mollusks, or crustaceans.
Cholera is endemic in parts of the world with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. Outbreaks can also occur after natural disasters that disrupt these systems. The disease is characterized by sudden, severe episodes of watery diarrhea, leading to rapid dehydration and, if untreated, potentially death.
“Our analytical model could be applied to other environmental bacteria to understand how pathogenic clones emerge from non-pathogenic populations,” López emphasizes. The study also opens the door to more precise surveillance of strains with pandemic potential-an approach that could be highly useful for future public health preparedness.
The research was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CAREER program (#2045671) and by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease program (#1021977). It also received funding from the Spanish “MICRO3GEN” project (PID2023-150293NB-I00), co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and managed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness.
Source:
Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH)
Journal reference:
López-Pérez, M., et al. (2025). Allelic variations and gene cluster modularity act as nonlinear bottlenecks for cholera emergence. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2417915122.
