Month: February 2026

I have watched this show at least once every week for the last 10 years and people are still leaving positive reviews

Everyone’s got at least one go-to programme they return to now and again. I’ve got several I rotate through, whether it’s The Thick Of It, I’m Alan Partridge or Star Trek, but there’s consistently one that stands head and shoulders above the rest and I’m not the only one who reckons it deserves a viewing.

Boasting a 95% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes, Frasier is the American sitcom that keeps proving its staying power and I’ve tuned in at least weekly (possibly more) for over ten years. I can recall when this brilliant piece of farcical comedy served as a late-morning slot-filler on Channel 4, and that’s where I initially encountered the endearing yet pretentious radio psychiatrist as he adjusts to fresh beginnings in Seattle.

Whilst Frasier originally launched in 1993, plenty of viewers already knew the main character from the Boston-set sitcom Cheers.

Spanning 11 series right through to 2004, Frasier, portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, remains remarkably relevant today, with numerous episodes revolving around the comic consequences of a straightforward misunderstanding that viewers are completely aware of.

It’s packed with brilliant one-liners, gags that mock the upper classes and a dash of slapstick chucked in for good measure.

It follows Frasier’s relocation from Boston to his swanky new flat in the fictional Elliot Bay Towers, and launches his fresh radio call-in programme at the neighbourhood KACL station alongside producer Roz, portrayed by Peri Gilpin.

Comedy gold unfolds when he welcomes his down-to-earth father Martin, portrayed by the late John Mahoney, Martin’s live-in physiotherapist Daphne, brought to life by Jane Leeves, and his scruffy terrier Eddie into his pristine apartment, reports the Express.

There’s no shortage of sharp-tongued sparring between Frasier and his equally pretentious sibling Niles, embodied by David Hyde Pierce, while sipping a steaming macchiato at their beloved Cafe Nervosa.

Both audiences and reviewers adore it, with each series packed with memorable episodes that become more hilarious with repeated watches.

Fans continue posting glowing testimonials more than two decades since it wrapped, cementing this legendary sitcom’s devoted following.

One viewer raved: “Just a fantastic series. Great writing. Brilliant acting. As much as I enjoy Kelsey Grammar in this series… David Hyde Pierce really does steal the show.”

Another declared: “This is a go-to classic for intellectual humour while building upon continuing story arcs and having solid standalone episodes. Frasier is one of the best TV series ever made.”

A third enthused: “Definitely one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, watching it over again.”

There’s been a Frasier revival, though this features a fresh ensemble aside from Kelsey Grammer, and has received divided opinions.

Both the classic and revived Frasier are available on Paramount Plus, whilst the original run can be streamed on Channel 4. Individual series and episodes can be purchased through Amazon Prime.

On the night the Lakers introduced the newly-acquired guard Luke Kennard, they also discuss relatively good news about Luka Doncic’s injury and how long he’ll be out.

The Lakers said Doncic was diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain and will be listed as day-to-day, starting with Saturday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers play Oklahoma Monday night and San Antonio Tuesday night before playing the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night. The NBA All-Star game follows on Feb. 15 and the Lakers don’t play again until Feb. 20 against the Clippers at home.

So, Lakers coach JJ Redick and president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka both were asked Saturday night if Doncic would be able to play in the all-star game or if it would be best for him to rest.

“I’ve been around him as a teammate and as a coach and I know he [loves to] plays. If he’s able to play, he plays. I think he wants to be in the all-star game,” Redick said. “I know he wants to play against Dallas, the game before the all-star game. He has his team working on him day and night. So again, it’s day to day and when he’s ready to play, we’ll get him out there.”

Doncic, who leads the NBA in scoring (32.8) and is second in assists (8.6), earned the most all-star game votes. In the new all-star game format of “U.S. vs. the World,” Doncic would play for the world team because he’s from Slovenia.

“Luka, one of his greatest qualities is when he has an injury or he’s unavailable for a game, he is deeply upset,” Pelinka, who spoke to the media for the first time since September. “He just can’t stand not playing basketball. He loves the game so much and wants to play every night. And that’s an incredible quality. Just a player who’s like fighting and clawing to play versus looking for a reason maybe not to. So we commend Luka for that. In terms of this injury, the good news is it doesn’t appear to be anything serious. It was a mild hamstring strain and he is truly day to day.”

Kennard didn’t waste any time making an impact for the Lakers during their game against the Warriors.

He drilled his first shot as a Laker, a high arching 25-foot three pointer with 2:23 left in the first quarter.

The shot was set up by Austin Reaves, giving Kennard a glimpse of what life will be like playing with the Lakers’ big three of LeBron James, Doncic and Reaves.

“Those guys attract so much attention to other teams on the offensive end and for me, it’s just spacing the floor, making the right plays at all times and just being aggressive out there,” Kennard said before the game about his role. “Coming off the bench and just looking to hunt my shot at all times. I know that’s what they want me to do as a team and the coaches and I’m looking forward to doing that.”

Etc.

Pelinka said the Lakers have a roster spot available and will look at the buy-out market to potentially find a player to add to the team. But, according to people with knowledge of the matter not authorized to discuss it publicly, the Lakers don’t have interest in Cam Thomas, a 6-foot-3 guard who was waived by the Brooklyn Nets.

“Yeah, so we have an open roster spot and we are in sort of active conversations with some players that are available now, doing our due diligence,” Pelinka said. “And then of course, to your point, players down the road could come in through the buyout market. So, we are evaluating that 15th roster spot and at some point probably will likely fill it.”

Spain and Portugal are bracing for a new storm, just days after Storm Leonardo’s deadly floods killed at least two people — one in Portugal and one in Spain — and forced more than 11,000 residents to evacuate their homes.

On Saturday, authorities in Portugal mobilised more than 26,500 rescuers as Storm Marta approached, forcing three municipalities to postpone Sunday’s presidential vote until next week due to severe weather.

Both countries issued warnings of further flooding after previous heavy rains had submerged roads, disrupted train services, and displaced thousands. Portuguese forecasts warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas, with alerts active across the country.

In Spain, much of the south, particularly Andalusia, and the northwest were placed on orange alert for heavy rain and violent storms, the national meteorological agency Aemet said.

Other regions, including Castilla‑La Leon, Galicia, Murcia, and the Valencian Community, also received warnings. While rainfall was expected to be less “exceptional” than during Storm Leonardo, authorities cautioned that saturated ground increased the risk of flooding and landslides.

New downpours in Andalusia added to earlier rain that had already caused widespread flooding, landslides, and forced more than 10,000 people from their homes.

Many roads remained closed, and rail services were largely suspended, with officials urging residents to limit travel wherever possible.

Mario Silvestre, commander at Portugal’s civil protection agency, described the forecast as “extremely worrying”.

Juan Manuel Moreno, president of the Andalusia region, wrote on X that the “rivers have hit their limit,” warning of gusts of wind reaching 110 kilometres per hour (68 miles per hour), landslides, and flash floods.

“All the furniture is completely destroyed, the water broke the window, forced the doors open and then burst through the window from the other side,” Francisco Marques, a municipal employee in the central village of Constancia, told the AFP news agency.

After flying over flood-hit areas in southern Spain near Cadiz on Friday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that “difficult days” lay ahead for the region as a result of the “very dangerous” weather forecast. Sanchez added he was “bowled over at seeing the endless rain”.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said the damage exceeded four billion euros ($4.7bn).

Portugal was already reeling from the effects of Storm Kristin, which led to five deaths, hundreds of injuries, and tens of thousands without power, when Leonardo struck earlier this week.

Portugal’s National Meteorological Institute (IPMA) has placed the entire coastline on orange alert due to heavy seas, with waves reaching up to 13 metres (43 feet) high. Eight of the 18 districts on the mainland, mainly in the centre and south, are also on orange alert.

“All river basins remain under severe pressure,” particularly the Tagus River in the Lisbon region and the Sado River further south, a spokesperson for the National Civil Protection Authority told AFP.

One person died during Storm Leonardo in Portugal, and 1,100 people were evacuated across the country. A succession of atmospheric depressions forced Portugal’s dams to release “a volume of water equivalent to the country’s annual consumption” in just three days, Jose Pimenta Machado, president of the Portuguese Environment Agency, said on Friday.

Analysis of Civial Aviation Authority data by the Mirror has found the UK operating airline that had the most complaints made by passengers during the most recent recorded period

The most complained-about airline in the UK is not Ryanair or easyJet.

While flying, at its best, can feel like a modern-day miracle, transporting us across the world in a handful of hours in a way our forebears could only have dreamed of, it can also be deeply frustrating and annoying.

Whether it’s waking up at the crack of dawn for an early flight, getting stuck in an hours-long boarding queue for a service that promised to leave long before, spending a small fortune in the airport, or suffering from small-airline-seat-cramp, there is plenty to gripe about.

And gripe we have.

The most recent figures from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority show that over 43,000 complaints were made about airlines operating in the UK from mid-2024 to March 2025. The list of things one could complain about is endless, but the most common are disruptions, denied boarding, lost or damaged baggage, and lack of assistance for disabled passengers.

Have you had a complaint-worthy flight? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Particularly given the rough few months aviation has had. The first five months of 2025 were marred by tens of thousands of delays and cancellations, EuroNews reports. Dutch carrier KLM scrapped the most flights during that period, with 2,760 grounded, followed by British Airways (1,763) and Germany’s Lufthansa (1,757), according to FlightRight.

The highest rate of flights scrapped in those five months was on Finnair, with 3.35% of its flights grounded out of a total of over 43,000 trips.

Whatever the reason for a passenger’s gripe, so long as a flight took off or landed in the UK, they have the right to register a complaint with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Analysis of the latest data from the Authority shows that Wizz Air had the highest number of complaints per million passengers flown, beating Ryanair to the bottom spot. In fact, the Hungarian airline romped home with the prize.

It received 10,548 customer complaints from mid-2024 to March 2025, or 918 complaints per one million passengers. That means for every customer who flew, just under 1,000 registered a complaint during that period.

In Wizz Air’s favour is the relatively low ‘complaint upheld’ rate during that time, at 47%. It paid out £1,482,183 as a consequence, or £651 per customer on average.

Contrastingly, British Airways had a far lower complaints rate (192/one million customers), but 83% were upheld. BA paid out £6,238,378 in total, or £837 per customer.

In what may be a surprise to some, Ryanair did not receive the most complaints. Its complaints-per-million-customers rate was 188, with a low complaints upheld rate of 28% and an average award of £694.

The most complained-about airlines

(UK operating airline: complaints per million customers; complaints upheld; average award)

1. Wizz Air: 918, 47%, £651
2. Air France: 301, 43%, £828
3. Turkish Airlines: 265, 51%, £718
4. Egypt Air: 234, 19%, £630
5. TUI: 223, 20%, £722
6. Air Baltic: 221, 52%, £617
7. BA: 192, 83%, £837
8. Ryanair: 188, 28%, £694
9. Air Portugal: 171, 37%, £662
10. EasyJet: 147, 18%, £630

New figures have revealed where some of the most family-friendly beaches in the world are located — and one of the selections can be found right on our doorstep

A British beach has been named as one of the safest for families to have a day out. It has now been likened to similar beaches in sun-drenched locations such as the Caribbean or Mediterranean.

Porthcurno Beach is one of Britain’s most beautiful locations, hidden away on the Cornish coast. Located close to Land’s End, the cove is a gorgeous hidden gem for those looking to beat the crowds and have a more relaxed staycation.

And now, it has been revealed that Porthcurno Beach is one of the top 20 beaches in the world for families to enjoy themselves safely. It ranks among the likes of breathtaking Adriatic beaches and sun-kissed exotic locations, showing that Britain is indeed one of the best places for adults and kids alike.

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House of Travel put together a meta-list of the beaches that appear most regularly on the ‘world’s best beaches’ lists. Once a list was collated, the shortlist was generated, rating each beach’s cleanliness, local crime rates, lifeguard presence, and crowd levels.

Porthcurno Beach officially came in at #4 on the list, with experts praising its cosy nature, hidden away from the crowds of tourists. Whilst they did admit the beach did get rather packed in the summer, other elements raised its score to a high level.

“Turns out you don’t need to fly halfway around the world for a safe family beach experience, with Porthcurno Beach bringing Britain into the top five,” the study noted. “Tucked away in Cornwall near Land’s End, this cove is famous for its turquoise waters and white sand — colours you’d more typically associate with the Caribbean.”

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The study found that having lifeguards present and visible throughout the summer season improved the beach’s safety year-round. This is down to “strong Atlantic currents” that can prove dangerous if people aren’t aware of them. The cleanliness of the beach also put it in good standing, as well as Cornwall’s incredibly low crime rate, making it a perfect stay for those looking for a small getaway in a gorgeous part of Britain’s unbeatable coastline.

Topping the overall global list was Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Lifeguards are on duty practically all year round, with the beach never getting that busy, even at the height of the peak season.

Turkey’s Iztuzu Beach in the Dalyan area came in at number two, with a relatively busy peak season, but punters heading to the beach were seen to be very clean. Dubai’s Kite Beach rounded out the top three, although it was considerably more busy than most beaches that featured on the list and a marginally higher crime rate, and one shark attack in the region.

Other sunny holiday destinations featured throughout the list, including reliable British favourites in Spain, Portugal and Italy. However, more up-and-coming destinations, including Montenegro and Cambodia, also made appearances.

The full list of the world’s safest beaches is:

1. Saadiyat Beach, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2. Iztuzu Beach, Dalyan, Turkey
3. Kite Beach, Dubai, UAE
4. Porthcurno Beach, Porthcurno, United Kingdom
5. Kalamies Beach, Paralimni region, Cyprus
6. Playa de Rodas, Vigo, Spain
7. Playa de Muro, Can Picafort, Mallorca, Spain
8. Sveti Stefan Beach, Sveti Stefan, Montenegro
9. Praia da Marinha, Algarve, Portugal
10. Henderson Beach, Destin, Florida, United States
11. La Pelosa Beach, Sardinia, Italy
12. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece
13. Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
14. Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta
15. Kep Beach, Cambodia
16. Tulum Beach, Tulum, Mexico
17. Cala Brandinchi, Olbia, Sardinia, Italy
18. Cannon Beach, Oregon, United States
19. La Concha Beach, San Sebastián, Spain
20. Mandraki Beach, Hydra, Greece

Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes score for ‍United while Spurs captain Christian Romero sees red for a wild challenge.

Manchester United profited from Tottenham captain Cristian Romero’s red card to stretch their perfect start under Michael Carrick to four games, with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes on Saturday ended an eight-game winless run against Spurs for the Red Devils, who cemented their position in the Premier League’s top four.

United close to within two points of third-placed Aston Villa and open up a five-point cushion over Liverpool in sixth.

A place in the top five is likely to secure a spot in next season’s Champions League due to the strong performance of English sides in European competition.

Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League through their league position have long since disappeared, as another damaging defeat for Thomas Frank leaves Tottenham in 14th.

But there could be lasting consequences for Romero after his ill-discipline cost his side just days after a social media outburst aimed at the club’s hierarchy.

Frank said the Argentinian international had been “dealt with internally” after he described Tottenham’s threadbare squad as “disgraceful” following the closure of the transfer window.

Romero’s future as skipper had already been called into question, and the 27-year-old will now be suspended for four matches after his second red card of the season and sixth of his Spurs career.

The centre-back lunged in to catch Casemiro on the ankle on 29 minutes after playing himself into trouble just outside the Tottenham box.

United had been the better side during the opening half hour, even against 11 men, and made their numerical advantage count.

Mbeumo stroked into the bottom corner for his third goal in four games since Carrick took charge, after a clever corner involving Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo freed the Cameroon international at the edge of the box.

Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha had goals ruled out for offside as the home side dominated but had to wait until nine minutes from time to make the points safe.

Fernandes showed Romero how to lead from the front with another fine individual display.

The United captain prodded in Diogo Dalot’s cross at the back post for his 200th goal or assist in 314 games for the club.

Carrick said before the game that United cannot afford to rush their choice of a new permanent manager.

But the former midfielder, who enjoyed a stellar playing career at Old Trafford, is making his case for that job as he continues overseeing United’s stunning turnaround in fortunes since the departure of Ruben Amorim last month.

Fernandes had plenty of praise for Carrick in a post-match interview with TNT Sports.

“The energy ⁠is different because we are winning games and when you win games, everything is brighter,” Fernandes said.

“Michael came in with the right idea of giving the players more responsibility and freedom to make decisions on the pitch. I was always sure Michael could be a great manager, and he is showing that.”

Meanwhile, it is now two Premier League wins in 16 for Frank and his Spurs side.

“I think the first 30 minutes were a good away performance,” Frank told TNT Sports after the game.

“I’m very proud of the players, the resilience, staying in the game, mentality [to] still be a threat at times, to try to create something. Very proud of them.”

Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario told TNT Sports that Romero had apologised to his teammates for the sending off.

“Yeah, of course, he’s disappointed, because he knows that this card could have been avoidable, and so he apologised,” he said.

“He made his mistake, but we know the player he is, and he’ll be back for sure, stronger, and he’s going to help us massively.”

TUCSON — Savannah Guthrie told the potential kidnappers of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, on Saturday that the family is prepared to pay for her safe return, as the frantic search for the 84-year-old has entered a seventh day.

“We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” Guthrie said in a video posted on social media, flanked by her siblings. “This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

It was not immediately clear whether the longtime co-host of NBC’s “Today” show was referring to a new message from someone who might have kidnapped Nancy Guthrie. The Associated Press reached out to the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department seeking additional details.

Tucson TV station KOLD said Friday that it received a message via email that was tied to the Guthrie case, the contents of which it could not disclose. The FBI said it was aware of a new message and was reviewing its authenticity.

No suspects identified

Investigators think Nancy Guthrie was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson last weekend. DNA tests showed blood on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has said. Authorities have not identified any suspects or ruled anyone out.

The sheriff said Friday that he was frustrated that a camera at Nancy Guthrie’s home was not able to capture images of anyone the day she went missing.

Investigators have found that the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday and that software data recorded movement at the home minutes later. But Nancy Guthrie did not have an active subscription, so none of the images were able to be recovered.

“It is concerning, it’s actually almost disappointing, because you’ve got your hopes up,” Nanos told the Associated Press in an interview. “OK, they got an image. ‘Well, we do, but we don’t.’”

President Trump, speaking on Air Force One on Friday, said the investigation was going “very well.”

“We have some clues that I think are very strong,” Trump said en route to his Florida estate for the weekend. “We have some things that may be coming out reasonably soon.”

Investigators return to scene

Investigators were back in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood on Friday.

The Sheriff’s Department posted on social media to say access was restricted to the road in front of the home to give investigators space. Journalists staked out there were directed to move.

The Catalina Foothills Assn., a neighborhood group, told residents in a letter that authorities were resuming searches in the area immediately.

“I know we all stand together in our collective disbelief and sadness and greatly appreciate your willingness to speak with law enforcement, share camera images and allow searches of your properties,” the association president said in the letter.

The sheriff said Thursday that investigators have not given up on trying to retrieve camera recordings.

“I wish technology was as easy as we believe it is, that ‘here’s a picture, here’s your bad guy.’ But it’s not,” Nanos told the AP. “There are pieces of information that come to us from these tech groups that say, ‘This is what we have and we can’t get any more.’”

TV station receives note

The sheriff also said he had no new information about the note to the TV station or other purported ransom letters sent to some media outlets, saying the FBI is handling that side of the investigation.

Meanwhile, concern about Nancy Guthrie’s health condition has grown, because authorities say she needs vital daily medicine. She is said to have a pacemaker and have dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

“Her conditions, I would imagine, are worsening day by day,” Nanos said. “She requires medication. And I have no way of knowing whether they’re getting that medication to her.”

Pleas from family

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a previous video message on Wednesday, saying they were ready to talk but wanted proof of life. Camron Guthrie, Savannah’s brother, repeated that in a video Thursday.

It is not clear if all of the ransom notes were identical. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details included a demand for money with a deadline that passed Thursday evening and a second deadline for Monday if the first one was not met. At least one note mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie’s home and an Apple watch, Janke said.

After a newspaper ranked the city bottom in a list of Britain’s best cities, Fiona Whitty went to check it out to see if some of the criticism it receives it fair

Southampton is many things to many people. Now Britain’s biggest cruise port, it’s where the Titanic set off from on its doomed maiden voyage. It boasts a thriving student community, with all the cool bars and fun places that an unending stream of young people brings.

And it has some of the UK’s best-preserved city walls, which remind you of the strategic importance the city once held. And on the arts front, it’s home to the largest theatre in the south outside of London, with a bumper programme of West End offshoots.

But sadly, not everyone thinks it has much to offer. The Daily Telegraph recently gave it just 1/10 in a ranking of the UK’s 20 biggest cities, placing it last. After spending a weekend there with my 20-year-old daughter Rosie, I think they’ve got it badly wrong.

The city is buzzing…with cocktails, culture and cuisine for starters. Rosie and I kicked off with a cocktail masterclass at 1932, a classy bar that’s ‘hidden’ behind unmarked doors and accessed via a buzzer, giving it a speakeasy feel.

Do you have a story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

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Once a bank that opened in – yes, you guessed it – 1932, it’s decked out in sleek art deco-style with golden statue lamps and lattice patterns. Drawing on its heritage, its imaginative bespoke brews, designed by bar manager and mixologist extraordinaire Amy, all have a financial theme.

To begin with, Amy invited us behind the bar to whip up a Cash Money – a creamy mix of rum, coconut, mango and passionfruit jiggled together à la Tom Cruise in a traditional cocktail shaker. Next up was a Platinum Card, created to emulate rhubarb-flavoured Squashies with vodka, rhubarb and banana liquors – this time stirred together and drizzled over ice. Blank Cheque, meanwhile, with gin, Campari, and Lillet Blanc aperitif, had a tantalising hint of Aperol about it.

Rosie and I loved the novelty of mixing behind the bar and the cocktails tasted divine – unique yet perfectly formed. A cocktail masterclass costs £40 with 1932.bar.

Afterwards, we headed to Hokkaido, a hip Japanese restaurant that’s popular with everyone from young couples to families to groups of friends. There we were transported to the Land Of The Rising Sun with a hearty feast that included prawn tempura, fried tofu and chicken, vegetable gyoza and a variety of sushi that tasted every bit as amazing as it looked.

With the city spread out along the Channel and enormous cruise ships often in dock, you can’t escape Southampton’s 1,000-year-old maritime heritage. Not only was it the starting point for The Titanic’s stricken voyage in 1912, it’s also where The Mayflower ferried the Pilgrims over to America nearly 300 years earlier.

On the Titanic front, a brilliant exhibition at the SeaCity Museum offers an absorbing account of how the disaster unfolded, killing around 1,500 of the 2,200-plus passengers and crew on board. A mock courtroom, recounting parts of the British Inquiry that followed, is particularly fascinating as you get to hear the real-life words of witnesses being quizzed and of the judge’s verdicts. Entry costs £14, but book in advance for a 10% discount.

The Titanic Trail, which starts outside, leads you around memorials and points of interest – like The Grapes pub, where several seamen lingered too long before departure and were refused entry to the ship, thus saving their lives. Strolling around we saw Southampton’s old city walls, built to help defend the key port after a surprise attack by French soldiers and Genoese mercenaries nearly 700 years ago. You can discover more at an exhibition at God’s House Tower – once a city entry point and now a museum and art gallery – while the onsite café with excellent coffee and delightful apple buns is perfect for a breather. General entry is free, but the exhibition costs £5.

Southampton is easy to get to, with half-hourly trains from London Waterloo taking just 75 minutes with South Western Railway. Our base was voco Southampton, a stylish IHG hotel on the waterfront. Our sixth-floor twin room offered views across the city’s cruise terminal, where ships docked and car ferries unloaded.

But the real highlights were the super-friendly staff…and the fabulous Atlantic Gate restaurant. With banks of windows flanking the sea, the restaurant has a chilled yet stylish ambience and a stand-out seafood-heavy menu. Over a couple of voco’s superb cocktails – the champagne spritz with rum and coconut was a particular hit – we tucked in to fish soup with whole mussels and prawns, fried mixed seafood and a monkfish, prawn and coconut curry, all simply delicious.

Massive theatre fans, Rosie and I often watch a show when we’re away because tickets are generally cheaper than at home in London, while performances remain just as exciting and professional. The Mayflower – a real Southampton stalwart and, London aside, the south’s biggest – didn’t disappoint.

Dating back to 1928 and now grade-II listed, it’s hosted greats like The Beatles, Queen and the Rolling Stones and still oozes warmth and charm with original chandeliers, sleek cornicing and ornate boxes. Today it attracts the UK’s top comedians, ballet troupes, opera stars, and West End-standard touring productions like Matilda and Six.

A sister theatre nearby, MAST Mayflower Studios, offers yet more. Southampton ticked our boxes for history and culture – and food. The Real Greek, tucked into the side of Westquay shopping centre, was the perfect sassy lunch spot. Thanks to small plate favourites like hummus, tzatziki, Greek salad, and courgette fritters alongside tender grilled aubergine in a smoky tomato sauce and a pork gyros, we enjoyed a smack of summer – helped, no doubt, by the gorgeous Greek sangria with white wine and vermouth.

For our final port of call, we retreated to a batting cage… for the UK’s first interactive baseball experience. 1st Base has given baseball a social makeover, allowing friends or families to bat against each other in a safe and fun game bar environment.

You take it in turns to enter a cage and hit the balls propelled from a machine, while computer technology measures your strike rate and speed. As novices, Rosie and I started slowly but soon picked up the knack and loved the competitive yet relaxed feel to it. Elsewhere, shuffleboard, table tennis, and electronic basketball provided a change of pace – as did the pizza and drinks that are available alongside the action (tip: the dark ‘n’ stormy rum cocktails are out of this world).

No curveballs here – as far as I’m concerned, Southampton has all the bases covered.

GET THERE

A return from London Waterloo to Southampton costs from £44 with South Western Railway. For discounts on food, theatre, and attractions when you travel on their network, check out swr-rewards.com.

BOOK IT

B&B for two in a twin or double room at the voco Southampton starts at £115 per night. See vocohotels.com/southampton.

Regulations surrounding the carriage of liquids on aircrafts have changed and there are two main alterations to the 100ml rule at UK airports.

Regulations surrounding carrying liquids at airports have been changing recently and it’s important to know where you stand because different airports have different rules.

Multiple British airports have relaxed the stringent 100ml liquid restriction, with Britain’s busiest airport, London Heathrow, the latest to confirm the significant update on January 23, 2026. The modification has been made possible through newly installed computed tomography (CT) scanners which give security personnel detailed 3D imagery of luggage, enabling passengers to keep liquids of up to two litres in their bags during security checks.

This recent development at Heathrow represents the final stage of its £1 billion security transformation that’s been underway over recent years. Furthermore, travellers no longer need to take out laptops, tablets, and liquids from their hand luggage at Heathrow, where the advanced scanners are now in operation.

A statement released by Heathrow on the same day said: “Passengers travelling through all terminals at Heathrow no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security. The UK’s hub has become the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next-generation CT (computed tomography) security scanners – a move that promises faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys for millions of travellers.”

These new rules for carrying liquids at UK airports began to take effect on July 17, 2025. The two main changes mean:

• Travellers can now carry up to two litres in their hand luggage
• Passengers no longer need to separate them into a clear plastic bag when passing through security.

All UK airports, including Heathrow, were mandated to install new CT scanners by summer 2025, enabling passengers to carry up to two litres of liquids in their cabin bags and keep all electronic devices in their hand luggage. However, not all airports have made the changes in that timeframe.

In fact, 2019 saw Boris Johnson vow that the liquid rules at major UK airports would ease by 2022, which would allow passengers to carry larger quantities. Rishi Sunak’s government then extended that deadline to June 1, 2024.

From summer 2025 onwards, individual airports that pass Department for Transport (DfT) inspections have been permitted to ease the 100ml restriction.

UK airports that have ditched the 100ml rule

• Belfast International
• Belfast City
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Edinburgh
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow

The switch hasn’t been rolled out at every UK airport, with some still enforcing the 100ml limit or less. Certain airports also require liquids to be taken out and placed in a clear plastic bag during security checks.

UK airports that still require you to remove liquids over 100ml

• Aberdeen
• Bournemouth
• Cardiff
• East Midlands
• Glasgow International
• Glasgow Prestwick
• Inverness
• Isle of Man
• Leeds Bradford
• Liverpool
• Luton
• London City Airport
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Newquay
• Norwich
• Southampton
• Southend
• Stansted
• Teesside

Exemptions apply for essential medicines, baby food or milk, and special dietary requirements.

It’s crucial to verify your airport’s requirements before travelling, especially ahead of the February half-term, to prevent delays or having liquid items seized at security.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “Airports are responsible for the installation and operation of security equipment. Passengers should continue to check security requirements with airports before they travel and come prepared with liquids in containers no larger than 100ml in hand baggage unless advised otherwise.”

Why did the 100ml liquid ban come into force?

The 100ml liquid ban and other rules surrounding liquids in airports were introduced worldwide almost overnight, in August 2006. The aviation sector and travellers woke up to the news that airport authorities had foiled an attempted terrorist conspiracy to destroy transatlantic flights travelling from Heathrow to North America.

The suspects allegedly planned to smuggle the components for homemade explosive devices onto multiple aircrafts, which would be concealed in soft drink bottles. While a massive tragedy was stopped from occurring in 2006, it also meant that the aviation industry was changed forever.

Full list of items you can’t take through UK security

• Bleach
• Catapults
• Compressed gas
• Corrosives
• Creosote, quicklime, oiled paper
• Crossbows
• Darts
• Diving equipment – check with your airline
• Explosives ammunition, detonators and related equipment
• Firearms (including replicas)
• Fireworks and pyrotechnics
• Flammables (fire lighter, lighter fuel, paints, thinners)
• Golf clubs
• Harpoon or spear guns
• Heavy bats and sticks (including baseball, softball and cricket bats)
• Ignitable gas devices
• Incapacitating sprays
• Infectious substances (e.g. live virus materials)
• Instruments containing magnets
• Liquids and gels – with certain restrictions
• Magnetrons. Instruments containing mercury
• Martial arts equipment (including knuckledusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails and nunchuks)
• Non-safety matches
• Oxidisers
• Poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkiller
• Radioactive materials, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda
• Sharp items (including scissors with blades over six inches)
• Smoke canisters and smoke cartridges
• Toxic
• Vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel
• Walking / hiking poles
• Wet-cell car batteries

Voters in Japan are casting their ballots in a parliamentary election expected to deliver a resounding victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s conservative coalition.

The snap vote on Sunday comes as Takaichi seeks a new mandate to push through an ambitious agenda, including increased defence spending and tougher immigration measures.

The coalition of Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could win more than 300 of the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament, according to multiple opinion polls.

The figure would mark a substantial gain from ⁠the 233 it is defending.

The opposition, despite the formation of a new centrist alliance and a rising far-right, is seen as too splintered to be a real challenger.

Takaichi, 64, is Japan’s first female prime minister and took office in October after being selected as the LDP’s leader. The ultraconservative politician has pledged to “work, work, work”, and her style – seen as both playful and tough – has resonated with younger voters.

She has said she will step down if the LDP fails to win a majority.

Rising cost of living

Voters on Sunday will select lawmakers in 289 single-seat constituencies, with the remainder decided by proportional representation votes for parties. Polls close at 8pm local time (11:00 GMT), when broadcasters are expected to issue projections based on exit polls.

The rising cost of living has taken centre stage in the election.

The issue is voters’ main concern, with prices rising while real wage growth lags behind inflation, leaving households worse off. Japan also faces longstanding problems with sluggish economic growth. The economy expanded just 1.1 percent last year and is on track to grow by only 0.7 percent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Takaichi has promised to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food for two years to help households cope with rising prices.

The pledge follows the approval last year of Japan’s largest stimulus package since the COVID-19 pandemic, a 21.3 trillion yen ($136bn) injection into the economy, heavily focused on cost-of-living relief measures, including energy bill subsidies, cash handouts and food vouchers.

Takaichi has also promised to revise security and defence policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive military capabilities, lifting a ban on weapons exports and moving further away from the country’s post-war pacifist principles. She has been pushing for tougher immigration policies, including stricter requirements for foreign property owners and a cap on foreign residents.

Al Jazeera’s Patrick Fok, reporting from Tokyo, said Takaichi, who is favoured by a majority of voters under the age of 30, is hoping to capitalise on her “tremendous popularity” and secure a landslide victory for her coalition.

“That result – if indeed that’s how it turns out – will mark a remarkable turnaround, really, for the LDP. Months ago, it was a party in disarray. It had lost its parliamentary majority and was embroiled in a slush fund scandal. So, this turnaround has very much been engineered by Takaichi and what some describe as an almost cult-like popularity,” Fok said.

Sunday’s vote comes amid record snowfall in parts of the country. With up to 70cm (27.5 inches) of snow forecast in northern and eastern regions, some voters will have to battle blizzards to cast their ballots. The election is only the third post-war vote held in February, with polls typically called during milder months.

Fok said the heavy snowfall could affect voter turnout, but “there’s no suggestion that’s going to impact the outcome of the election”.

“A lot of people feel that the opposition parties are not offering anything substantially different. And perhaps they feel that Takaichi’s economic agenda will boost the country in the long term,” he said.

“She has a growth-oriented strategy. She wants to develop sectors like AI and semiconductors, and accelerate defence spending. Voters are perhaps betting on that unlocking the keys to stagnant wage growth in this country, and in turn, [to] counter rising inflation that they are experiencing here.”

Foreign policy

A landslide win for Takaichi’s coalition would also likely prompt a shift in foreign policy.

“It will allow her to do two fundamentally important things,” said Stephen Nagy, a professor of politics and international studies at the International Christian University.

“The first thing is to invest in the Japan-United States alliance, tighten its partnership, and secure that relationship,” he told Al Jazeera. “Second, it will allow her to take a more realistic approach to China by balancing engagement through trade and trying to deal with regional challenges, such as terrorism or climate change, and also resilience and deterrence policy.”

Nagy noted that Takaichi received the endorsement of US President Donald Trump on Thursday and called the move a “mixed blessing”.

On one hand, the Japanese public has been worried about Trump’s tariffs and his overtures to China.

“If he is going to create a G-2 relationship with China, this is going to come at the expense of Japan’s security and ordinary citizens’ idea of security in the region,” Nagy said.

On the other hand, the Trump endorsement helps because the Japanese public “are used to the strongest and most robust Japan-US alliance over the past 80 years” and believe that Takaichi will bring stability and forge a stronger relationship with Washington, he said.

No single party is expected to secure a clear majority in Sunday’s vote, raising the spectre of political instability.

Polls have opened in Thailand in a closely watched general election, with progressive reformers, military-backed conservatives and populist forces vying for control.

Polling stations opened at 8am local time (01:00 GMT) on Sunday and were set to close at 5pm (10:00 GMT).

More than 2.2 million voters had already cast ballots during an early voting period that began on February 1, according to the Election Commission.

The battle for support from Thailand’s 53 million registered voters comes against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment.

While more than 50 parties are contesting the polls, only three – the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai – have the nationwide organisation and popularity to gain a winning mandate.

With 500 parliamentary seats at stake and surveys consistently showing no party likely to win an outright majority, coalition negotiations appear inevitable. A simple majority of elected lawmakers will select the next prime minister.

The progressive People’s Party, led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, is favoured to win the most seats. But the party’s reformist platform, which includes promises to curb the influence of the military and the courts, as well as breaking up economic polices, remains unpalatable to its rivals, who may freeze it out by joining forces to form a government.

The party is the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in the House of Representatives in 2023, but was blocked from power by a military appointed Senate and later dissolved by the Constitutional Court over its call to reform Thailand’s strict royal insult laws.

The Bhumjaithai, headed by caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is seen as the main defender and preferred choice of the royalist-military establishment.

Anutin has only been the prime minister since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding the mishandling of relations with Cambodia. Anutin dissolved parliament in December to call a new election after he was threatened with a no-confidence vote.

He has centred his campaign on economic stimulus and national security, tapping into nationalist fervour stoked by deadly border clashes with neighbouring Cambodia.

The third major contender, Pheu Thai, represents the latest incarnation of political movements backed by jailed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and trades on the populist policies of the Thai Rak Thai party, which held power from 2001 until 2006, when it was ousted by a military coup.

The party has campaigned on economic revival and populist pledges like cash handouts, nominating Thaksin’s nephew, Yodchanan Wongsawat, as its lead candidate for prime minister.

Sunday’s voting also includes a referendum asking voters whether Thailand should replace its 2017 military-drafted constitution.

Pro-democracy groups view a new charter as a critical step towards reducing the influence of unelected institutions, such as the military and judiciary, while conservatives warn that it could lead to instability.

SAVANNAH Guthrie has said she will agree to pay a ransom to the people who are believed to have kidnapped her 84-year-old mom.

The Today Show host filmed a video pleading with Nancy’s suspected captors to return her safely after alleged ransom notes were uncovered.

Nancy’s three children held hands as Savannah made the announcement alongside sister Annie and brother Camron.

She said in the short video: “We received your message, and we understand.

“We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.

“This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”

read more in Nancy Guthrie

KIDNAP MYSTERY

Police seize car and remove CCTV camera from home of TV star’s missing mum

ON THE TRAIL

Trump reveals ‘very strong’ clues found in hunt for ‘kidnapped’ TV star’s mum

What we know about Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance…

No other details about the ransom were mentioned and it remains unclear if the Guthrie family have been in contact with the suspected kidnappers.

It comes after the alleged captors behind Nancy’s abduction reportedly issued two stern deadline demands.

The first deadline was set for 5pm on Thursday with the demands not met.

Snippets of the alleged ransom note have been reported by various news outlets in recent days.

The letter is said to have demanded millions of dollars in cryptocurrency be transferred to a Bitcoin address.

Law enforcement officials have confirmed that the Bitcoin address provided in the letter is active.

FBI special agent Heith Janke told reporters on Thursday that authorities had reason to believe the note was legitimate.

It contained details about the crime scene, including what Nancy was last wearing as well as mentions of a flood light that activated on the property.

Authorities said the note contained information “only the abductors would know”.

Agent Janke added that there was an additional demand with a deadline set for February 9.

This was described by TMZ as being “much more serious”.

Arizona cops and the FBI are still searching for any signs of Nancy as they continue to build up their case on her disappearance.

US President Donald Trump revealed that the FBI have some “very strong” clues in the search for the missing mom.

When asked what the clues would help with, Trump replied: “I’m not talking about a search. I’m talking about a solution.”

Cops were seen swarming Nancy’s Arizona home on Friday as they seized a car and camera wired to the roof.

FBI agents confiscated an SUV from the property where Guthrie is believed to have been kidnapped sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

A tow truck removed the blue Subaru SUV from her home before cops escorted it to an impound lot near Pima County Sheriff’s Office, according to Fox News.

Investigators did not share why the vehicle had been seized from the property on their third visit to the crime scene.

Forensic teams were also seen scouring the roof of the Tucson property to retrieve the camera that had been missed in several previous searches.

Blood drops were also found on Nancy’s front step, but detectives have not confirmed who the blood belongs to.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated the force believes the 84-year-old is “still alive”.

A reward of $50,00 is being offered for any information leading to a breakthrough in the case.

It comes as a man behind fake ransom note texts to the missing woman’s desperate family has been arrested.

Derrick Callella from California was arrested and charged for sending fake text messages demanding payments and making phone calls to Nancy’s family.