Month: June 2026

Israel’s balancing act that allowed it to reap America’s unconditional and, often, blind support, while slowly benefiting from China’s growing economic influence and political prestige, is already floundering.

Thanks to the heated cold war between the US and Chinese economic superpowers, the Israeli strategy of playing both sides is unlikely to pay dividends in the long run.

Soon enough, Tel Aviv might find itself having to make a stark choice between Washington and Beijing.  When US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, visited Israel on May 13, two items topped his agenda: Israel’s imminent illegal annexation of Palestinian land and the growing Israeli-Chinese economic ties.

Pompeo communicated his country’s stand on both issues, reflecting Washington’s long-standing policies regarding Palestine and China. In the case of Palestine, as with the rest of the Middle East, Washington seems to adhere to Tel Aviv’s agenda, often to the letter.  China is a different story.

READ: China rejects Israel’s planned annexation of West Bank

Two significant historical examples come to mind: one, is Israel’s attempt to sell China Israeli-made Phalcon airborne radar system, which relied heavily on American technology in the 1990s; a similar event transpired in 2005, this time concerning Israel’s Harpy anti-radar missile. On both occasions, Israel succumbed to American pressure and canceled both deals.

For the Chinese, Israel matters for two different reasons. One, Israel is a strategic stop in China’s Belt and Road initiative, China’s most significant economic project to date, ultimately aimed at turning Beijing into a center of global trade and financial activities. Two, China is hoping to fight the US on its own political turf in the Middle East – partly in response to the American ‘pivot to Asia’ strategy, which was initiated by the Barack Obama administration.

But the world – in terms of political and economic balances of power – after the coronavirus pandemic is likely to prove a different one when compared with previous years. China’s rise has been in the making for many years and the US political retreat and declining global outreach has been quite evident for some time. The isolationist policies of the Donald Trump Administration, coupled with Washington’s many China-related tantrums in recent years, are all indicators of the vastly changing political realities of a once-unipolar world.

“I will not miss the opportunity to annex the West Bank”- Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

A few years ago, Beijing had the time, patience, and resources to play a long-drawn geopolitical game in order for it to challenge the US’s global influence, whether in South America, Africa, or Israel.

The visit by China’s Vice President, Wang Qishan, to Israel in 2018, to “boost business ties”, was part of this Chinese strategy. That visit followed the signing, one year earlier, of the China-Israel Innovative Comprehensive Partnership. As of 2018, China-Israel trade has jumped to $14 billion and has grown exponentially ever since.

China would have been happy to carry on with that strategy for many years to come. Israel, too, would have played along, considering the lucrative financial returns from its China partnership.

READ: Israel ties to China may risk our ability to work with Tel Aviv

Indeed, despite Washington’s warnings against and, at times, explicit demands on Israel to refrain from giving Chinese companies access to fifth-generation infrastructure (5G) projects in the country, Israel labored to make China feel welcomed.

However, the global response to the coronavirus pandemic is likely to change this, as it has already accelerated the cold war between the US and China, pushing the latter to adopt a more aggressive form of diplomacy and pour massive sums into other countries’ economies to help them in their desperate fight against the COVID-19 disease.

The Chinese strategy is predicated on two main pillars: fortifying existing ties and solidarity with China’s allies or potential allies anywhere in the world, while pushing back against China’s foes, especially those who are participating in Washington’s anti-Beijing campaign.

The latter phenomenon is known as ‘wolf warrior diplomacy’. The ‘wolf warriors’ are Chinese diplomats who have, for months, pushed back with unprecedented ferocity against what they perceive to be US and Western propaganda.

READ: China’s ambassador to Israel found dead in Tel Aviv home

“We never pick a fight or bully others,” China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, told reporters in Beijing on May 24, while explaining China’s novel approach to diplomacy. “We will push back against any deliberate insult, resolutely defend our national honor and dignity, and we will refute all groundless slander with facts,” the top Chinese official said firmly.

China’s new aggressive diplomacy, especially if it continues to define the country’s approach to foreign policy in the coming years, is unlikely to permit Israel to maintain its balancing act for much longer.

China’s ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, who was entrusted with implementing Beijing’s soft-diplomacy with Tel Aviv, died in his home only a few days following Pompeo’s visit to the country. Although Wei’s death was not – at least publicly – perceived to be the result of foul play, his absence, especially in the age of coronavirus and ‘wolf warriors’, might signal a shift in China’s approach to its economic and political interests in Israel.

On May 26, under American pressure, the Israeli Finance Ministry denied China a massive $1.5 billion desalination plant contract, awarding it to an Israeli company, instead.

This is the first time that the US has used its political and economic sway over Israel to curb Chinese influence in the country. China must be anxiously watching events unfold,   to see if US pressure on Israel will continue to undermine Beijing’s long-term strategy.

Deal of the century, embassy relocation, and the Golan Heights – Israel surely can’t believe their luck? – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

The world’s quickly shifting balance of power and the US-Chinese unmistakable fight for dominance is likely to, eventually, force countries like Israel to make a choice, of wholly joining the American or the Chinese sphere of influence. It is all reminiscent of the American-Soviet Cold War, where much of the globe was divided into zones of influence operated by proxy from Washington or Moscow.

Balancing acts in politics only work if all parties are willing to play or, at least, tolerate the game. While this form of politics suited Israel’s interests in the past and was played, quite successfully for years by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s balancing act is, possibly, over.

Between Washington’s precise demands to Israel to keep Beijing at bay, and the latter’s aggressive ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy, Israel is facing a stark choice: remaining loyal to a fading superpower or diving into the uncharted waters of an emerging one.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.

THIS weekend, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner will say “I do” again in a lavish, three-day wedding in Sicily.

The world’s media is set to descend on the picture-perfect venue, alongside a guest list packed with the great and the good of the entertainment world.

It comes just days after the loved-up couple shocked fans by legally tying the knot in central London.

Images of the superstar singer and her hunky actor, 36, husband beaming as they left Old Marylebone Town Hall immediately went viral, with fans branding them the ultimate power couple.

Dressed in custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture, Dua, 30, looked flawless as she walked arm-in-arm with her new husband.

And while the showbiz world is no stranger to carefully curated PR moments, I know first-hand the type of man Callum really is.

After years of the singer dating the wrong guys, I know Dua has finally found Mr. Right because of how he discreetly supported me at one of my lowest moments.

Back in February 2024, I was lucky enough to attend the BAFTAs as a guest of EE at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

That year, Dua was presenting the award for Outstanding British Film, with Callum proudly by her side.

I was excited for the night ahead when, just minutes before taking to the red carpet, the guy I was seeing brutally dumped me.

I was unceremoniously blocked on WhatsApp, only to watch him put tickets we had bought for a West End show up for sale on his Instagram Stories – knowing full well I would see it.

To say it felt like a dagger to the heart would be an understatement.

Thankfully, no one was looking at me – especially as I arrived at the exact same time as Sir David Beckham – but making my way into the venue was one of the most surreal moments of my life.

I tried to hold back tears as screaming fans cheered for their favourite stars and cameras flashed all around me.

Inside the reception, Taittinger champagne was free-flowing and smiles were plastered on the faces of the rich and famous.

I quickly sank a glass of bubbles and, feeling myself getting choked up, slipped away to a secluded side corridor for a moment to myself.

I’m not entirely sure how long I stood there, staring blankly into space.

It was at this exact moment that Callum appeared, being led down my not-so-glamorous corridor to avoid the bustling crowds in the main foyer.

Realising I was unintentionally staring straight at him, I quickly apologised as we made eye contact.

Seeing how visibly upset I was, Callum stopped dead in his tracks and doubled back — leaving a member of the BAFTA press team looking thoroughly confused as to why he’d changed direction.

“Are you ok?” he asked kindly.

As I tried to mumble that I was fine, he replied: “You have tears in your eyes…”

His warmth prompted me to come clean and admit that I’d just been dumped.

By this point, Dua, surrounded by her own team, had caught up with him as they were being hurried to their seats before the live broadcast began.

“He’s not worth it,” the actor, hotly tipped to be the next 007, told me firmly, as Dua offered a warm, supportive smile.

I managed to raise a half-hearted laugh, and with that, they were whisked off into the glitzy night.

I stood there for a moment, taking stock of a brief interaction that felt like a fever dream.

While short, it made it crystal clear to me that Callum is one of the good guys.

In a self-centred, shallow industry, believe me, men like him are hard to come by.

I saw Callum a few weeks later at The O2 Arena, where our tables were located just a few spots away from each other at the BRIT Awards.

I wanted to thank him for his kindness that night, but aware I would have to out myself as a tabloid reporter, and the can of worms that might open, I decided against it.

Instead, I quietly watched as he was the first on his feet to cheer on Dua as she opened the ceremony with an epic rendition of her hit Training Season.

Aptly, the track, which featured on Dua’s third album Radical Optimism, is all about her struggle to find ‘The One’ before Callum came along.

Prior to their romance, Dua dated filmmaker Romain Gavras, 44, US TV host Trevor Noah, 42, and Anwar Hadid, 26.

Dua previously revealed on The Drew Barrymore Show: “Training Season is about when I was in my singledom.

“I went on a couple of dates. All terrible.

“I went into the studio with my friends and normally every studio session starts with a little chat and a gossip about my life.

“I just went, ‘Guys, training season is over. I am done training up these boys. No more.’”

Speaking to Vogue last December, Callum was asked: “If there is an eternity, who do you wish to spend it with?”

Without a second’s thought, he decisively replied: “Dua.”

With Callum, the singer has clearly hit the jackpot.

I wish them every success as they head down the aisle this weekend.

SITTING in a cafe with a cuppa and a slice of cake is already a nice way to spend an afternoon, but imagine if you could watch planes take off at the same time…

Well, there is one spot you can actually do this from and it is less than 12 miles from London.

The Aerodrome Cafe at Elstree in Hertfordshire, sits right next to Elstree Aerodrome, meaning you can tuck into breakfast while watching planes take off and land.

The small cafe is open seven days a week between 9am and 4pm and serves breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks.

And when the weather is warm and bright, you can even grab a beer for £5.30 and be closer to the action by sitting outside.

But in the colder months don’t worry, because inside there is a log burner to keep it cosy.

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The cafe was opened by husband and wife duo Jean-Luc Sainlo and Colleen back in 2021.

Jean is even a Michelin-trained chef and the cafe makes its own pizzas as well as afternoon tea and roasts on a Sunday.

One recent visitor said: “I come here with the family now and again and it’s always a lovely day out.

“I’ve seen adults and children alike be delighted watching the planes and helicopters after meals.

“A few yards down the road is Aldenham Country Park, so once you’ve eaten and enjoyed the planes you can head over there if you prefer a more woodsy atmosphere.”

The aerodrome dates back to World War II where it was used as a base to repair Wellington bomber planes.

If you did visit today, you’d most likely see small two or four-seater planes, helicopters or potentially some vintage planes taking off.

Though, if you are really lucky, you might see some stars as the aerodrome has previously been used for a Mission Impossible film, as well as James Bond Spectre.

PORTLAND, Maine — Graham Platner, the insurgent Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, will hold his first major campaign rally Friday night as reports continue emerging about his history with women.

Last weekend, his campaign wrestled with stories about sexually explicit messages that Platner sent to several women while he was married. Then on Thursday, The New York Times reported about his relationships with previous girlfriends. Some viewed him positively but others described him as volatile and insulting.

One woman said Platner twisted her arm during an argument and locked her in a room. Platner called that allegation untrue.

But with Maine’s primary around the corner Tuesday and Democrats desperate to rally behind a candidate who can defeat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November, there’s been little sign of voters or political allies backing away from Platner, who has pitched himself as an imperfect person who has redeemed himself.

Some dismissed news of the text messages as a private matter, one that should be addressed solely by the married couple. Others argue that the need for Democrats to take back control of the U.S. Senate from Republicans is too important to cast aside imperfect candidates.

Yet they’re also wrestling with the question of whether more controversial information surrounding Platner could come out ahead of the November election.

“I think a lot of people are afraid,” said Deb Dagnan, chair of Maine’s Piscataquis County Democrats. “They’re waiting for the other shoe to drop after he gets the nomination. Then what do we do?”

Key to the Senate

Platner is key to Democrats hopes’ to take back the U.S. Senate this year. Yet he’s been bedeviled by near-constant controversies involving his disclosure of a since-covered tattoo of a Nazi symbol, his history of inflammatory online comments and the texting revelations.

Nevertheless, Platner’s most prominent supporters have continued to back the candidate, including Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Ruben Gallego. Platner is scheduled to appear in Bar Harbor Friday evening with progressive Rep. Ro Khanna of California, as well as Democratic candidates for U.S. House and governor, as a part of a “get out the vote” rally in the coastal resort town.

The event is taking place just days ahead of the state’s June 9 primary election, where Platner is expected to secure the Democratic nomination. His top opponent, Gov. Janet Mills, suspended her campaign in late April.

He’ll do so under reignited scrutiny amid reports that he and his wife, Amy Gertner, have had marital difficulties and sought counseling after he allegedly sent sexually explicit text messages to other women.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Gertner had told the campaign in August about the messages, which she had discovered on his phone last year, to make sure they weren’t a liability to the campaign. Platner’s campaign team reportedly decided that the texts were private and being handled by the couple, who were married in 2023.

Genevieve McDonald, a former campaign staffer for Platner, told The Associated Press that the candidate was “sexting multiple women while married” and that “the campaign tried to assess that as an election vulnerability.”

Shortly after the news came out, Platner posted a five-minute video taken by Gertner, who avoided speaking directly about her husband’s reported texts but dubbed the broader coverage as “gossip” and said “being married is hard.”

Voters worry that more scandals lurk

Gertner’s emotional comments about working on her marriage have resonated with some women, who say they are shocked that a former campaign aide would betray someone’s trust and the issue should remain between the couple.

“It’s none of my business as far as I’m concerned,” said Joanne Mason, a local Democratic leader from south-central Maine. “And I would hope that people wouldn’t judge any one person on their own private marriage.”

Valerie Tate, a Democrat from Belfast, described Gertner’s honesty about trying to work on their mental health and marriage as admirable.

“That is not a scandal,” Tate wrote in an email. “That is integrity. Personal growth is not a disqualification from public life. For many of us, it is precisely what made us worthy of it.”

However, Tate conceded that her mind wasn’t fully at ease. With the public still learning about Platner’s past, there is a chance something could emerge as a dealbreaker for voters.

“Of course, there is that concern as there would be in any race with somebody we don’t know all the dramas and the journeys they’ve been on,” she wrote. “Something could come out that would be disqualifying.”

Past controversies simmer

This isn’t the first time Platner has faced questions about his past. He had a tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, which he had covered up after starting his campaign.

Platner has said he didn’t realize the meaning of the tattoo. However, a former girlfriend told the Times he joked about it being a Nazi symbol and called it “my Totenkopf.”

There’s also been much attention on Platner’s former Reddit posts, which were dismissive of military sexual assaults and used homophobic slurs, for which he has apologized.

Platner has never held elected office and has fashioned a straight-talking, progressive, populist-style campaign focusing on issues such as income inequality, lack of health care accessibility and the rising cost of housing. In return, he’s attracted thousands at his rallies and campaign events and collected millions in campaign funds to further boost his messaging.

“People want somebody new,” said Paige Zeigler, a former Maine Democratic lawmaker and head of the Waldo County Democrats, on why Platner’s staying power has remained strong. “They want somebody that they feel that they can embrace. And Platner is riding that wave.”

Whittle and Kruesi write for the Associated Press. Kruesi reported from Providence, R.I.

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell and I’m wondering why no one ever talks about Roy Hobbs as one of the all-time greats. It’s like he didn’t even exist.

The next part of our “Ask …” series is here, and it’s a big one. Former Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, now playing for the Tijuana Toros in the Mexican League, has agreed to answer selected questions from Dodgers Dugout readers.

Do I really need to remind you of who Turner is and his feats as a Dodger? I don’t think so. He is one of the most beloved Dodgers in recent times.

Turner agreed to answer questions from readers of this newsletter. Please send me an email with your question to houston.mitchell@latimes.com. Please make sure the subject line reads Ask Justin Turner. I will select some questions for him to answer. His answers will appear in a future newsletter. You have until Sunday at 6 p.m. to send in your question.

Ohtani is a decent player

It appears reports of Shohei Ohtani‘s demise were greatly exaggerated.

On April 24 against the Chicago Cubs, he went 0 for 3, striking out all three times. His batting splits (batting average/OB%/SLG%) dropped to .237/.361/.433), his worst numbers in a few seasons. Stories started to appear everywhere that pitching and hitting is too much for him. The Dodgers needed to give him a lot more days off, or, have him stop pitching altogether, since no one can do what he is trying.

Ohtani heard all of that, I’m guessing, and used it to stoke his competitiveness.

His numbers since April 24:

Hitting: .344/.461/.576. He’s now hitting .301/.420/.521 this season. Last season he hit .282/.392/.622. His power is down, but power is down across the majors this season. At current projections, there will be 400 fewer home runs this season.

On the mound since April 24, Ohtani is 4-2 with an 0.97 ERA.

Will he become the first person to win MVP and Cy Young in the same season? Well, on Wednesday, MLB.com announced the results of a survey of 35 experts, asking them to vote as if the season ended that day. Here are the results:

NL MVP
1. Ohtani
2. James Wood, Nationals
3. Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks

They didn’t do voting for Cy Young, but most places have Ohtani third right now, behind Cristopher Sánchez of the Phillies and Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers.

Comparison

The Dodgers have played 63 games this season and are 40-23. How do they compare to last season’s team at the same point in the season?

Record
2026: 40-23
2025: 38-25

Runs per game
2026: 5.24
2025: 5.69

Batting average
2026: .264
2025: .265

OB%
2026: .343
2025: .341

SLG%
2026: .443
2025: .466

Doubles
2026: 108
2025: 106

Triples
2026: 7
2025: 9

Home Runs
2026: 85
2025: 101

Walks
2026: 249
2025: 234

Batter Strikeouts
2026: 483
2025: 515

Grounded into double play
2026: 56
2025: 47

Left on base
2026: 438
2025: 416

Stolen bases
2026: 27
2025: 40

ERA
2026: 3.08
2025: 4.12

Starters’ ERA
2026: 2.96
2025: 3.69

Relief ERA
2026: 3.31
2025: 4.27

Hits per 9 IP
2026: 6.87
2025: 8.09

Walks per 9 IP
2026: 2.79
2025: 3.54

K’s per 9 IP
2026: 8.99
2025: 9.13

IRS%
2026: 26.8%
2025: 23.4%

Don’t be like these people

I’m sure some readers get annoyed when during my semi-annual reminder that it’s only a game, and if you are angry five minutes after a game is over, perhaps you should find a new hobby.

But there was a reminder last week as to why it is so necessary to keep it in mind. The world is a much angrier place now than when I was younger (uh oh, old man rant). I blame social media. Everyone can find their own echo chamber of people who agree with them and never have to see an opposing opinion. And when they do, they can’t handle it (generally speaking, of course).

And the anonymity of social media gives people false bravado, causing them to say things they never would in person. Such was the case Saturday, after Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott had his first blown save in what has been a good season for him.

The next day his wife, Maddie, shared some messages the Scott family received on social media. One of them was, ““Hope this mutt d i e s soon,” on a photo of the Scott’s child on Instagram. And that was the most tame of the messages. All because Tanner Scott blew a save and the Dodgers lost.

Disturbing? That doesn’t begin to describe it. While I’m sure none of the Dodgers Dugout readers are this depraved, it serves as a reminder that these people are human beings trying their best. Be critical of their performance when warranted. But don’t get angry. You should see some of the emails I get after the Dodgers lose two in a row. Some people are just beyond furious, calling players names, etc.

“I don’t speak out often. Ever actually,” Maddie Scott wrote over a screenshot of the hatred she received. “I promise you, you don’t know what it’s like unless you’re living it. When did it stop being a game?”

Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. received death threats after a loss last season, telling reporters, “I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports, but threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with just as a father, I think. So just as a father, I think there have been many, many threats over the years aimed at me. But I think bringing kids into the equation, threatening to find them or next time they see us in public they’re going to stab my kids to death, things like that, it’s tough to hear as a dad,” McCullers said, in the understatement of the year.

I realize the stupid people doing this are a small, small percentage of any team’s fan base. But, don’t give in to the anger when the Dodgers lose. Be disappointed, sure. But just think, if the worst thing in your day is that the Dodgers lost, then you’ve had a pretty good day.

Scott got the loss Thursday when he gave up a walk-off homer. Disappointing? Sure. Ruin the rest of your night? I hope not.

It’s All-Star time

Time to vote for who you think should start in this year’s All-Star game. You can click here to vote. I still miss the days at Dodger Stadium when ushers (wearing their straw hats) would hand people stacks of ballots. Some ushers even had ballots with the Dodgers already selected for you.

Up next

Friday: Angels (*Reid Detmers, 2-5, 4.63 ERA) at Dodgers (Roki Sasaki, 3-3, 4.59 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, KTTV, AM 570, KLAA 830, KTNQ 1020

Saturday: Angels (Jack Kochanowicz, 2-4, 5.23 ERA) at Dodgers (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 5-4, 2.86 ERA), 7:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, KCOP 13, AM 570, KLAA 830, KTNQ 1020

Sunday: Angels (José Soriano, 6-4, 2.72 ERA) at Dodgers (Emmet Sheehan, 3-2, 4.50 ERA), 1:10 p.m., Sportsnet LA, KCOP 13, AM 570, KLAA 830, KTNQ 1020

All times Pacific

*-left-handed

In case you missed it

Shaikin: MLB’s wild pitch: Using fan-despised TV blackouts as leverage against players

Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott’s wife reveals death threats she received about their child

Plaschke: Ryan Ward becomes an unlikely star in memorable Dodger Stadium debut

And finally

Justin Turner‘s walk-off homer against the Cubs in Game 2 of the 2017 NLCS. Watch and listen here.

Until next time …

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

British holidaymakers travelling to the Canary Islands have been warned to arrive at the airport three hours early due to severe border control delays caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), with some travellers reporting waits of up to two and a half hours at passport control

British tourists heading to the Canary Islands are now being advised to reach the airport three hours in advance, mainly due to serious border control hold-ups caused by the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES).

The rollout of the new biometric border infrastructure has sparked enormous queues – occasionally stretching to three hours – at popular holiday airports such as Gran Canaria Airport and Tenerife South. Airlines and travel specialists have issued these firm warnings to stop British and non-EU passengers from missing their return flights.

Under the EU’s digital border scheme, non-EU travellers (including British passport holders) must complete facial recognition scans and fingerprinting at border control.

Technical glitches and the considerable time needed to process each passenger have severely clogged passport control lanes.

The Canary Islands accommodate vast numbers of UK passengers. When several flights depart for non-Schengen destinations simultaneously, the local infrastructure becomes rapidly overwhelmed.

Spanish airport operator Aena officially requires a three-hour arrival window as standard procedure for all non-Schengen flights (which covers all flights returning to the UK).

Airlines such as Wizz Air have firmly reinforced the three-hour recommendation. Nevertheless, passengers should be mindful of a practical obstacle: many baggage drop and check-in desks at Canary Island airports do not open until precisely two hours before departure. Airlines continue to recommend arriving early to ensure you’re at the head of the queue the moment check-in desks open, enabling you to clear security and head straight to the congested passport control gates.

A travel expert based in the Canary Islands has now shared his thoughts on the 3-hour airport warning in a recent video.

Mr TravelON (real name David Gainford) is a well-known travel and media content creator on TikTok, recognised for his candid, lively vlogs and live streams centred on holidays in the Canary Islands (including Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria).

The influencer, who commands 192,000 followers, took to his account this week to offer his perspective on the guidance.

Gainford stressed in his clip that passengers travelling with luggage may be unable to check in three hours before departure as the desk may not yet be open. However, he suggested that many airlines are looking to address this by opening earlier.

He also pointed out that those who have booked a package holiday with TUI or Jet2 can count on these companies to ensure they reach the airport on time.

“It’s their responsibility to get you from your hotel and accommodation to the airport on time,” he said.

“So sit back, chill out, relax, and let your rep tell you what time you’re getting picked up.

“Yes, it might be an hour earlier.”

He noted that independent travellers not using a tour operator should ‘probably get to the airport three hours early’. The travel expert also warned that massive queues at airports could be likely, as travellers arriving at the airports have given conflicting accounts.

“Some are reporting two or two-and-a-half hour’s wait, it really does depend on how may flights land at that time,” he said.

The video has garnered over 180 likes as Canary Island holidaymakers hunt for information.

Numerous viewers flocked to the comments to share their own experiences, with one individual stating: “I got to Lanzarote airport 3 hours early last month and had to wait a hour for the gate to open.”

Meanwhile, another remarked: “Arrived in Lanzarote last month no issues on arrival but leaving to fly back to the UK was awful, we arrived early just in case, went to gate 6 done what we needed to once our gate number came up we headed over, that was where the issues began, you had to go through the machines again and there was only three machines.”

Yet a third responded: “We landed in Lanzarote last night and we were lucky, 10 minutes from getting off the plane to arriving at the bus stop. EES was ok, no queue and the luggage was waiting for us as we came through.”

One commenter summarised the situation by saying: “Better to be safe than sorry, it’s a nightmare at certain times.”

When contacted, a representative of the Ministry of the Interior commented: “The Entry Exit (EES) border control system has been fully operational in Spain since April 10th and is being implemented as initially planned, with positive results to date, and no significant incidents have occurred.”

The Cuerpo General Policía Canaria (CGPC) has also been contacted for comment.

The guidance emerges after renowned travel publisher Fodor’s has placed the Canary Islands — singling out Tenerife and Lanzarote in particular — on its 2026 “No List” back in November last year.

The publication cautioned responsible travellers to reconsider visiting, citing a severe housing crisis, gridlocked traffic, and water shortages brought on by overcrowding.

Alton Towers has opened the world’s first Bluey ride and I went along with my kids to test out the new addition to CBeebies Land – but one thing saw disappointed parents turned away

Alton Towers opened its brand new Bluey ride earlier this year, and I was lucky enough to be one of the first into CBeebies Land to ride the exciting new rollercoaster.

Bluey the Ride: Here Comes the Grannies, which is based on Bluey and Bingo’s granny alter-egos Janet and Rita, is arguably one of the biggest attractions to open this year, and we even met fans from overseas who had travelled just to have a go.

The Bluey family is no stranger to the park, with a daily show also featuring mum, dad and bingo, and is performed multiple times a day. This allows young fans to dance along to some of the show’s hits, including Dance Mode and the infectiously catchy theme.

But now CBeebies has its very own ride, but does it live up to all the hype?

The queue

Before we get to the ride, please remember to check the height requirement for the rollercoaster. There were so many people literally panicking as it came to height measurement on the entrance (and yes, the queue was backed up to before the ride’s entrance). You must be 0.9m to ride, and those who are between 0.9m and 1.1m must be accompanied by an adult.

I saw people looking at 60 to 90-minute wait times for the ride, which is expected on opening day. But to the credit of the Alton Towers design team, they have this usual dreaded wait with kids sorted.

Two play areas and some Bluey and Bingo photo opportunities have been placed within the queue to help pass the time while waiting for the ride. Which, honestly, is a fantastic idea after being sat with a little one multiple times, bored of waiting and wanting to go off and do something.

I can tell you now that if your child loves Bluey or even rollercoasters in general, even if you are waiting over 100 minutes, Bluey The Ride is still worth it for their priceless reaction.

The ride itself

I had seen clips of it going round a test run on social media, and from those I thought it was going to be the same old slow coaster for kids. Where you are forced to have a fake scream of excitement for the kids.

But the clips did not do this ride justice. For starters, some parts are much higher than they looked, and the turns on corners really bring some momentum. At one point, I clung to my child even though they were secure and laughing and smiling all the way through. It just really caught me by surprise especially on the second way round. I was worried it was a one time around but the fact you experience the track twice really does make that wait time much better.

OPINION

It sort of hit me after the ride that this may be the best kids’ rollercoaster, and I think even adults would appreciate this as a ride with some thrill about it.

My son has special needs and learning disabilities, and he can’t walk for long. Staff even helped my wife push the buggy as close as possible and helped escort him round so he was not left out of being one of the first people to ride Here Come the Grannies. So thank you to all those staff who helped make his day. He liked the ride so much that he tried getting straight back on.

The extras

As with most rides around CBeebies Land, you get the theme tune of the show the ride is dedicated to, plus some other classics such as Telebubbies. But Bluey being here with its iconic theme feels like it has given the area a huge boost.

Visitors were smiling even in huge lines, and trust me, they battled the elements that day. We were hit with a frosty morning, then sunny, to hail, to rain and pretty much the repeat of that over the course of the day. But all with smiles on their faces, young and old.

The arrival of Bluey the Ride feels really significant in bringing a new era to CBeebies Land, and with how fast the ride is, it feels like it’s trying to cater for a growing audience as well as keep younger fans happy.

The Bluey family is no stranger to the park with a daily show, which is performed multiple times a day, allowing young fans to dance along to some of the show’s hits, including Dance Mode and the infectiously catchy theme.

Bluey is a worldwide phenomenon, and the fact that the UK is now home to the world’s first coaster dedicated to everyone’s favourite Australian dog is a huge coup for Alton Towers and CBeebies Land.

Alton Towers offers short breaks from £42pp. Find out more and book at altontowers.com.

British tourists should expect long airport queues due to new biometric border checks

European airports have recently launched the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaces the traditional manual passport stamping process with biometric registration (facial image and fingerprint scanning) to record the entry of non-EU citizens, including British holidaymakers. The new EES system is now fully up and running across all Schengen Area countries, including much-loved destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Greece.

While the new system is designed to streamline travel into and out of the Schengen Area and simplify border procedures, some travellers have reported finding themselves stuck in three-hour queues.

In certain countries, passengers have missed their return flights after failing to clear the digital system in time. The new border checks are anticipated to cause significant disruption for British travellers heading in and out of the EU during the busy summer peak periods.

While some countries such as Greece attempted to briefly suspend biometric checks for UK tourists, the Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed they are fully rolling out the EES system this summer.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued the latest travel guidance on the new border checks, stating: “The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.

“This means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.

“On your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry.

You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area.

Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.”

“You do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area.

“EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.”

The EES has faced backlash from the travel sector, with the British Travel Association ABTA urging destinations and border officials to put in place stronger contingency plans for busy travel periods, reports the Express.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, said: “The ambition of a project like EES means it was never going to go completely smoothly, and we were prepared for that. However, what is frustrating is that border authorities have it within their power to ease queues and deal with issues as they arise – but that doesn’t seem to be happening across the board.

“As we head towards peak travel periods, we’re urging border authorities to plan for busy periods and use the contingency measure available. It’s critical the Commission keeps a close eye on this.”

Mispriced tickets were sold through the official World Cup site ahead of next week’s showpiece event for FIFA.

FIFA has cancelled World Cup tickets issued to about 60 fans who mistakenly got them for free because of a website error.

The tickets were “allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process,” FIFA said in a statement on Thursday.

“FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused,” football’s ruling body said. “The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount.”

It is the latest glitch in an often controversial World Cup ticketing programme that the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey are investigating for possible violations of consumer protection laws.

The mispriced tickets were sold through the official World Cup site on May 21, FIFA said in an email message to buyers.

That date was more than three months after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 World Cup games had sold out.

Tickets are still being sold by FIFA for games at the World Cup, which opens next Thursday in Mexico City. It is unclear if seats for games in less demand will drop in price under FIFA’s surge pricing model, which has been controversial for fans.

FIFA is also operating its own resale platform — and taking 15 percent commission from both buyers and sellers — in order to cut out ticket dealers from the market. However, sales platforms such as SeatGeek were offering widespread availability on Friday for many games.

Tickets for the 2026 World Cup are wildly more expensive than any previous edition, which FIFA has justified as helping earn billions of dollars it will give to member federations for developing the game globally.

FIFA took control of pricing and selling tickets as part of bringing World Cup operations in-house. The longtime model at previous editions was working with host nations’ local organising committees.

When the football federations of the United States, Canada and Mexico won hosting rights in 2018, they promised to sell hundreds of thousands of tickets at $21 each for group-stage games. FIFA was selling official front-row tickets for the final for $32,970.

On Wednesday, Israel and Lebanon announced yet another ceasefire – after they had seemingly already agreed to a truce on April 16.

Iran and the United States have formally had a ceasefire in place since April 8. And Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian group, have had a ceasefire in Gaza since October 10, 2025.

Yet Israel’s attacks on Lebanon continue unchecked, with strikes on the Naqoura and Nabatieh districts of southern Lebanon on Friday, resulting in at least one death. Iran and the US have continued to trade periodic attacks that have picked up in intensity in recent days. The Iranian military has also fired missiles and drones at Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain, which it accuses of enabling US attacks on Iran during the ceasefire.

And in Gaza, Israel continues to carry out bombings, including one that killed nine people in a residential building this week, despite a supposed truce aimed at ending its genocidal war on the Palestinian territory.

So what does it mean for a ceasefire to be in place when fighting continues? What does international law say? And why do violations so rarely lead to consequences?

We speak to legal experts to understand:

What is a ceasefire?

Simply put, it’s a pause in fighting designed to create space for negotiations, explained Mark Kersten, assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at the University of the Fraser Valley.

“A ceasefire is effectively a cessation of hostilities, but typically not understood to be a permanent one,” he told Al Jazeera.

It is also often fundamentally a political agreement rather than a strongly enforceable legal instrument, said Michael Lynk, an emeritus professor at Western University in Canada.

Unlike peace treaties, which often have guarantors responsible for oversight and enforcement, ceasefires can be breached with few immediate legal consequences, Lynk told Al Jazeera.

This is especially true in Gaza and Lebanon, where the United States has acted as the principal broker and overseer. While some countries have criticised Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Lynk says there has been little pressure on Washington for allowing repeated violations.

“A number of Global North countries have criticised the continuing Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite the ceasefire, but they have not called out the US for allowing Israel to repeatedly breach the ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.”

So are ceasefires legally binding – or not?

Yes, they are, argues Toby Cadman, a British international human rights lawyer and cofounder of Guernica 37 Chambers.

But, like Kersten and Lynk, Cadman said that ceasefires – which he described as the “temporary, military and diplomatic suspension of military operations” – are inherently fragile. Unlike peace treaties, ceasefires do not resolve the underlying conflict or end the legal state of war.

“It suspends the fighting; it does not end the state of armed conflict,” he said.

Where there is a broader peace agreement, such as in Gaza, the ceasefire too stands – at least in theory – on a stronger footing, said Lynk. The Gaza peace plan that accompanied the ceasefire was endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2803, which calls for the agreement to be implemented “in its entirety, in good faith and without delay”.

In theory, states could ask the Security Council to sanction parties violating the Gaza agreement. In practice, Lynk explained, the US veto on the body means that neither Israel, nor the US itself, can realistically be censured.

“This is why ceasefires and peace treaties are ultimately political documents because it requires political will to enforce them,” Lynk said.

Who decides when a ceasefire has been violated?

Palestinians have repeatedly pointed to the violation of the Gaza ceasefire by Israel. The US and Iran routinely accuse each other of breaching their truce. And Israel and Lebanon do the same when it comes to their ceasefire.

So who decides whether a ceasefire has been violated – and by whom?

The answer, according to Cadman, is that “there is no neutral arbiter empowered to determine, with binding effect, who has breached.”

Monitoring mechanisms do exist, but they are largely political bodies overseen by the same states that brokered and guaranteed the agreements. In the case of Gaza and Lebanon, that is the United States. But Washington occupies the unusual position of mediator, guarantor and Israel’s closest military and diplomatic ally.

That means allegations of violations are often filtered through political calculations rather than assessed by an independent legal authority, say experts.

What about international law?

For Kersten, Gaza and Lebanon expose a fundamental contradiction within the international legal system. On paper, international law has succeeded in establishing a broad consensus about the legality of what is taking place.

“The vast majority of the world recognises that what is happening in both contexts is not just wrong, but illegal – thanks to international law.”

Yet recognition has done little to halt the violence. “Little is being done to save lives and stop the carnage,” he said.

The result is a widening gap between legal findings and political action. Courts can investigate, collect evidence and issue rulings as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice have both done against Israel, but that does not stop bombs from falling or guarantee compliance on the ground.

For Kersten and Lynk, the problem is not a lack of legal standards; it is the persistent failure of states to enforce them, particularly when powerful actors are involved.

“The lack of effective accountability is the hole in the heart of international law and our modern international political system,” Lynk said.

But Kersten said what was clear was that international humanitarian law, human rights law and international criminal law remain fully applicable during a ceasefire.

“Ceasefire provides no legal cover to commit atrocities against civilians.”

That means allegations of war crimes can still be investigated and prosecuted even while a ceasefire is in effect.

Is ‘self-defence’ a justification for attacks during a ceasefire?

Cadman highlights the legal argument most frequently used to justify continued strikes by Israel on Gaza and Lebanon, and by the US against Iran: self-defence.

These arguments rest on Article 51 of the UN Charter, which carves out the right for states to launch unilateral military action against other nations if they are acting in self-defence.

But Cadman said the interpretation of that clause is heavily contested.

“Article 51 answers an armed attack that has happened or is genuinely imminent; it is not a standing licence for preventive strikes.”

So why do countries feel they can get away with attacks during a ceasefire?

Asked by reporters on Wednesday how he defined a ceasefire, given the continuing – though sporadic – attacks that the US and Iran have exchanged in recent weeks, US President Donald Trump said: “It’s a different part of the world, you know. I’d say in that part of a ceasefire is when you’re shooting in a more moderate manner.”

Trump’s comments underscore what legal experts say is at the heart of the persisting violence in Gaza, Lebanon and the Gulf: The lack of any meaningful enforcement mechanism.

The Security Council is constrained by veto powers. The ICJ can issue binding orders but cannot enforce them. The ICC can issue arrest warrants, but depends on states to carry them out.

“The unifying theme is an enforcement deficit,” Cadman said.

Cadman argued that the problem is not that international law lacks rules. Rather, those rules are often applied selectively. “The law is not formally different for Israel or the US; its application is selective.”

EXCLUSIVE: Love Island fans were shocked to hear that George Knight had quit the show just hours after arriving in the villa as a bombshell and now they reckon someone else has left

Love Island fans reckon another contestant has secretly quit the show. Just days into the new series, viewers were shocked to hear that George Knight had left the villa after arriving as a bombshell in Spain due to “personal reasons”.

Lifting the lid on his sudden exit, a Love Island spokesperson said: “For private reasons, George has left the Love Island villa. Duty of care for the Islanders is paramount so at this stage any further comment will come from George. Bosses and viewers alike had been loving his contribution.”

Viewers were left reeling by the news, however they are now convinced that another Islander has left after claiming he had gone ‘missing’ from the show.

Electrician, Sam Workman from Dudley, says he came on the show because he feels “genuinely ready to settle down.” However, he wasn’t featured once in last night’s episode, promoting some fans to speculate he’d followed George back to Blighty.

Taking to social media, one viewer said: “Wait… where was Sam in this episode? Is he still around? A second asked: “Did we even hear Sam speak once in this episode?” Meanwhile, a third mused: “Is Sam still here?”

However, the Mirror understands that Sam is still very much part of the show and will be featured in tonight’s episode. Sam also features on today’s First Look from Love Island on the show’s Instagram page.

The electrician’s ‘disappearance’ comes after it was confirmed that footballer George had left after shortly after sending Samraj and Ellie home.

George made his mark upon arrival at the villa and wasted no time in getting to know Robyn and Mica. Robyn, who quickly friend-zoned Sam, appeared keen to forge a pairing with George, after they shared a snog on the terrace.

Before leaving, George and fellow bombshell Yasmin were given the tough task of choosing one guy and girl to dump from the villa for any reason they chose.

They had only 24 hours to make the decision while everyone in the villa was completely oblivious to what was going to unfold.

The pressure left Yasmin reduced to tears, but in the end the duo sent Ellie Chadwick and Samraj Toor packing. But while tears were shed and gutted Samraj and Ellie headed for the exit, they were told that all may not be as it seemed. It left fans confused over what’s to come next in the series that has already thrown up a number of twists in the first week.

Straight off the bat, Islanders had to choose their own couples. This moved away from the public who normally picked who they thought was best matched.

Love Island All Stars winner, Gaby Allen, told us of the bold move: “The producers are doing a great job at changing things up. This has never been done before.

“A recoupling done by themselves is crazy! I would panic in this situation and hope somebody whisked me off my feet so I didn’t have the decision.”

The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

WASHINGTON — The House passed legislation Thursday that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy, overriding objections from Republican leaders who warned the bill would undermine negotiations designed to achieve a comparable but stronger result.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., seeks to cement U.S. assistance for Ukraine by providing more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid. It would make another $8 billion available for Ukraine’s defense through loans.

The 226-195 vote is a sign of impatience with President Trump’s approach to the war and represents the House’s second major foreign policy break with Trump this week. The day before, the House, for the first time, approved a war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military action against Iran.

Supporters were able to force action on the Ukraine bill by gathering 218 signatures on a discharge petition, a legislative tool that allows a majority of the House to effectively bypass leadership.

Once rarely successful, House members have used the petition tool this Congress to pass bills on releasing the government’s files on Jeffrey Epstein and to extend health care subsidies to many of those who get health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, though the latter measure faltered in the Senate.

Meeks said the question before the House was simple. Would it help Ukraine negotiate from a position of strength or help Russia outlast American resolve?

“We all want this war to end,” Meeks said. “The question is how. Will we abandon Ukraine and force it into a terrible deal? That is what Vladimir Putin is counting on. Or will this body live up to the commitments we’ve made since the start of this war?”

The vast majority of Republicans opposed the measure. Rep. French Hill, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said he is a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. However, the Arkansas Republican said the House was confronted with a flawed, outdated measure that actually calls for less funding for Ukraine security assistance compared to what Congress had agreed to as part of this year’s defense policy. Another section could lead to a decrease in defense spending by some NATO members, he warned.

Rep. Brian Mast, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said he believed the bill was “a cudgel to fight against President Trump.”

“This bill, in my opinion, is an unserious bill that was crafted basically a year-and-a-half ago,” Mast, R-Fla., said.

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., broke with most of his Republican colleagues in voicing support for the measure.

“Are we going to stand with good or are we going to stand with evil? That’s what this is about tonight,” he said.

In the end, 18 Republicans, 207 Democrats and one independent voted for the bill. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar joined with 194 Republicans in voting against it.

Lawmakers want to send a message

Supporters are hopeful that the House’s passage of the Ukraine bill would put pressure on the Senate to do the same. But they also know the Senate likely won’t go along unless Trump endorses the bill.

“It’s probably not going to get 60 votes in the Senate, but it’s going to hopefully force the Senate to address the issue,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who signed the discharge petition and voted for the bill. “It’s going to send a great message to the soldiers of Ukraine.”

He said the vote would also send a message to Putin that “we do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them.”

As the war has dragged on, it’s gotten more difficult for supporters of Ukraine in Congress to provide additional financial support to help Ukraine defend itself.

The U.S. has approved some $195 billion for the Ukraine response, according to the latest quarterly inspector general report for Operation Atlantic Resolve, with roughly a quarter of that going to replenish weapons stockpiles for the U.S. military. The last major legislation designed to bolster the Ukraine response occurred in April 2024, though modest amounts have since been included in annual appropriations bills.

Republican leaders tried to stop the bill

Republican leaders urged their members to oppose the legislation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said there are good-faith negotiations between members of Congress and the White House to boost Ukraine. He described the negotiations as complicated.

“I think they are going to yield positive results, but you set that back if you pass legislation that doesn’t go as far as the negotiations are going,” Scalise said.

The war that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor is more than four years old, with no end in sight. In recent days, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range missile strikes.

U.S.-led peace efforts have fizzled out as the sides made no progress on key differences and after the war in Iran grabbed Washington’s attention. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by Trump, but Putin refused.

Action in the Senate on Ukraine has revolved around a bill that would impose sweeping tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries that purchase Russia’s oil, gas, uranium and other exports, which are crucial to financing Russia’s military. But the bill has languished.

Freking writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Realising his vision for photo, though, was not so straight-forward.

Yarrow had to navigate the packed schedule of Norway captain and Premier League champion Martin Odegaard – who was in Budapest with Arsenal for the Champions League final on the day of the squad shoot.

After the parade had left north London, Odegaard joined Yarrow for a solo shoot, and the cloudy conditions matched those of the original shoot – meaning his figure could be added in without too much fuss.

But it was crucial to Yarrow that Odegaard and his title rival Haaland did not steal the show.

“The one thing that was important about that picture is if, in the Norwegian squad, you’ve got someone that’s worth £200m and then you’ve got Watford’s goalkeeper [Egil Selvik] that’s worth £250,000, the third-in-line goalie – that they both occupy the same amount of the frame,” Yarrow told BBC Sport.

“That’s very important for me.

“That is was not seen to be Haaland and Odegaard and 24 others – it was important to foster a sense of team.”

Yarrow was a guest of Norway as the side beat Sweden 3-1 in a warm-up friendly on Monday, with goals by Jorgen Strand Larsen and Antonio Nusa.

He was struck by the breadth of talent in the Norway team.

“People think it’s a team of two people and it’s so not,” said Yarrow, who was born in Glasgow.

“It’s a seriously good football team, from their wingers to their backs, and I think they’ll go quite far in the tournament.

“But, like Scotland – they’ve got to win their first game.”

The appeal of getting a free, quick, well-structured travel plan is easy to see, and something that is causing travel agents another Covid-sized thing to worry about

Places that don’t exist. Events on the wrong day. Attractions miles apart.

Holiday itineraries designed by AI appear helpful and comprehensive, but are actually riddled with mistakes and old information that could ruin your holiday, analysis of them has found.

More and more people are turning to large language models (LLMs) to plan their trips away. One study puts the number of people who have turned to a bot for holiday inspiration at 40%.

The appeal of getting a free, quick, well-structured travel plan is easy to see, and it’s another Covid-sized thing travel agents have to worry about.

But how good are the robots at the delicate art of holiday planning?

I asked the four biggest LLMs to design weekend break itineries for four destinations, and then called on local experts in those places to assess their work. This is what we found.

Grok

Jonnie Fielding, a London tour guide since 2011 with 227,000 followers on Instagram, says the itinerary is “pretty good” if not “generic”, with some glaring issues.

Grok’s suggestions of a walk through Westminster is good, but better if you have a guide point out the smaller details, such as “gas lamps, torch snuffers, fire protection badges”.

The alternative river cruise and London Eye are solid bets for first-timers in the city, but other aspects of the itinerary are less well thought through.

Jonnie argues that the itinerary is far too busy. “I’m a big fan of spending some time people watching. Soaking things in rather than rushing around, and because of the amount in this itinerary, visits to The Tower of London or Westminster Abbey are really rushed,” he said.

The biggest mistake is including the Changing the Guard, which starts at 10:43am at St James’s Palace and doesn’t run on Saturdays.

He concluded: “I know this is a generic itinerary for first-time visitors, but I think London has so much more to offer. Loads of small museums, house museums, places of interest for all interests. They would also leave, not really knowing London.”

Claude

Although Claude breaks the itinerary down into activities and eating, offering the reader a little more freedom, its work left Jay Allen from Unseen Japan incredibly cold.

“Overall, this itinerary lacks any context, history, and rich cultural detail that our customers love hearing about on our tours,” Jay says.

The itinerary is full of old information. For example, Tsukiji is no longer the location of a wholesale fish market. It moved to Toyosu several years ago.

“Why did the original market arise in Tsukiji in the first place? None of this rich detail and historic background is included. Even if it were, this info would be drawn from general public sources, not from the rich background that our tour guides – most of whom have degrees in Japanese Studies or years working as journalists in Japan – can provide,” Jay adds.

The Saturday covers little ground and is too geographically spread out, missing “so much rich detail of the Tsukiji/Asakusa shitamachi area”, according to Jay.

Many suggested destinations are “trite”, “well known” or just “commercial”, such as the Starbucks in Shibuya Scramble. “You can get a much better view of the scramble, eg, from the bar at the top of the Magnet building – and you’d be fighting fewer crowds,” Jay notes.

“If you look at the second day, the itinerary gives you no suggestions of cool art galleries and small, uniquely Japan clothing shops to stop (such as the Ura-Harajuku area off the Main Street, where independent fashion still reigns), nor does it tell you about the less-crowded Brahms’ Path that runs alongside the packed Takeshita Street.”

The restaurant recommendations “are the same five places everyone else is going” and are hard to get tables at, as opposed to the real gems that require “a basic working knowledge of Japanese”.

Jay concludes: “Claude is giving you the wisdom of the crowds. That can be helpful in some cases. In this case, it equates to a bland, ordinary vacation that will likely prove an exercise in frustration for most travelers.”

Google AI

Amy Siegal, a luxury travel advisor based in NYC, praised Google AI for highlighting some “iconic spots”, but argued that only “a human expert knows the ins and outs of these places – what time of day to go where, and in which order they’d work best.”

On day one, Amy suggests arriving at TKTS earlier in the day to have more choice of shows and seats, and to avoid the line.

Saturday’s itinerary has too much “darting around”. She suggests it could be arranged more smoothly, with more interesting food options chosen.

Sunday is packed full of landmarks and history, which is good, but the order is wrong. “I would incorporate some lesser-known landmarks and eateries,” Amy added.

ChatGPT

Vicky Reeves, who is the director of The Real Algarve villa company, applauded ChatGPT for picking out some “amazing places” in its “very good overview,” but argued it failed to consider flow, how much is possible to fit in, and the weather.

“Understanding seasonality is important because this itinerary would feel very different in August compared to November and that is something an agent or guide would pick up on. I also think it’s a bit ambitious and that’s really down to a lack of practical knowledge and insight,” Vicky explained.

“For example, the plan suggests exploring Lagos, visiting Ponta da Piedade and potentially heading to Sagres before flying home. That’s fine if you’ve got a late return flight, but an agent or guide would check to make sure that everything was possible without adding stress or risking your flight home. Benagil is also another good example. It’s one of the Algarve’s most iconic attractions, but during peak season, travel times and parking can be difficult, and tours often need booking well in advance, which isn’t really considered at all.

“The AI did pick out some amazing places, but I do think it’s missing a personal feel. It doesn’t suggest any hidden beaches or lesser-known spots because that’s much harder for AI to uncover. That insight can really make all the difference in making a trip feel unique.”

In conclusion

What is most striking about the itineraries is how comprehensive and well thought out they seem – particularly Claude’s – but how riddled with issues they are once a closer look has been taken.

ChatGPT suggesting an event that doesn’t take place on the requested day is a rookie mistake that could disrupt a trip, while Claude not realising a famous fish market has moved is similarly clumsy.

All the AIs seem too ambitious when it comes to the number of activities and the distance between each.

Certainly, the bots are great if you’re looking for a broad overview of a place, but they lack the precision you’d want to fully rely on its suggestions, and the depth of knowledge a local guide can provide that can bring a place to life.