The water off the shore of Playa Dorada in the resort town of Playa Blanca was judged to be too contaminated for people to swim, with officials forbidding people from entering the water
Swimming off the beach is now forbidden(Image: Getty Images)
A beach in Lanzarote has been closed to swimmers over fears they could fall ill.
Official carried out tests on the water quality off the shore of Playa Dorada in the resort town of Playa Blanca. They discovered that the water had microbiological contamination, leading the public health body to make a health alert and shut the beach on Tuesday.
Water samples taken on Monday showed signs of pollution, prompting Yaiza Town Council to impose a temporary ban on bathing, Canarian Weekly reported. Further investigations will now be carried out in a bid to work out the cause of the contamination.
La Voz reported that the contaminant was Escherichia coli, also known as E. coli, and streptococcus bacteria. E. coli bacteria are most commonly present in the intestines of animals and humans, while streptococcus can cause various infections in humans.
Yaiza recommends residents and tourists enjoy other beaches, such as those located in the Los Ajaches Natural Monument, known as Papagayo Beach; Playa Flamingo; or even the small beach in Playa Blanca.
The beach will only reopen once tests confirm the water is safe for swimming.
Dead rats were seen bobbing around in the sea(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
Playa Dorada is far from the only beach in Spain that has had issues with water contamination in recent weeks.
Last month, sunseekers were left horrified when dozens of dead rats ended up floating in the sea. Following a heavy downpour, the bloated rodents began to bob off a beach in Spain’s Costa Blanca. The overburdened local sewage system has been blamed for the disgusting scenes facing beachgoers near Alicante’s Coco and Urbanova beaches.
Rats were pictured lying dead on the sand at Urbanova beach, three miles south of Alicante City Centre. Others were filmed floating lifeless in the water. Dead rats were also spotted near the sailing school at Alicante’s Real Club de Regatas.
The ugly scenes provoked the anger of an opposition councillor for the popular holiday resort, who worries that mixing tourists and dead rats is not a good idea. Trini Amoros, deputy spokesperson for Alicante City Council’s socialist group, said: “Alicante cannot allow rats floating off our beaches.”
A week later, the sea off a popular Costa del Sol holiday resort turned an alarming brown colour, leaving tourists aghast.
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Council officials quickly raised a yellow flag as a warning to sunbathers as the large brown blotch spread across the water. The bizarre incident occurred around midday at a stretch of beach in Benalmadena, near two hotels – the Globales Los Patos Park Hotel and Hotel Spa Benalmadena Palace.
Council chiefs said that the yellow warning flags had been raised when the sea started turning brown, attributing the discolouration to a broken water pipe and assuring the public that there was no danger to public health.
Fans of Paris Saint-Germain on the Champs-Élysées after their team won the UEFA Champions League final against Internazionale Milano, Paris, France, 31 May 2025. Photo by Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA-EFE
June 1 (UPI) — At least two people have died, and hundreds were reported injured, in the chaotic aftermath of Paris Saint-Germain’s victory against Inter Milan at the Champions League final in Munich on Saturday.
The French Interior Ministry confirmed in an emailed statement to UPI that two people had died and 192 people were injured overnight Saturday. In total, 559 arrests were made, including 491 people in Paris.
The chaos also led to the injury of 22 police officers and seven firefighters, the Interior Ministry said. There were 692 fire incidents recorded, including some 264 burning cars.
PSG had defeated Inter Milan 5-0, marking the team’s first championship win and the first time a French team had won in more than three decades.
“All over France last night, numerous police and firefighters were injured as they intervened to restore public order and provide assistance during the Paris Saint-Germain victory celebrations,” French National Police spokesperson Agathe Foucault said in a statement.
“In Coutances, Manche, a police officer from the canine brigade was hit in the eye by a firework mortar. He is currently hospitalized in a serious condition. Thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to all our colleagues.”
The deaths included a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed in the chest in the southern town of Dax and a 23-year-old man who was hit by a car while riding his scooter in central Paris, The New York Times reported.
Bruno Retailleau, the French interior minister, called rioters “barbarians” in comments to social media.
In this Friday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day from jail horror after a prison officer was reportedly stabbed to airport chaos leaving many Brits distressed
A prison officer has been rushed to hospital after he was reportedly stabbed with a flick knife(Image: PA)
Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Royal teams and more. This Friday, we’re bringing you the biggest stories from the newsroom – from a prison officer who was left with ‘serious injuries’ after reportedly being stabbed to the Tenerife airport chaos which left Brits trapped in sweltering queues.
Meanwhile, our News team has been following the Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle’s appearance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today. We’ve also got the latest on Go Compare star Wynne Evans, who has been axed by the BBC following his Strictly Come Dancing scandals.
Horror as ‘prison officer stabbed’ at jail housing notorious inmates
The incident happened at HMP Long Lartin(Image: PA)
Our News team has reported that a prison officer has been rushed to hospital after he was reportedly stabbed with a flick knife. Emergency services rushed to HMP Long Lartin at around 10 am this morning, following reports that an inmate knifed an officer. It has been reported that the weapon was dropped into the prison via a drone.
A Prison Service spokesperson confirmed the attack and said an investigation is underway. They said: “Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin. We will not tolerate assaults on hardworking staff and will always push for the strongest punishments against perpetrators.”
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police added: “We were called to HMP Long Lartin in South Littleton around 10am this morning (Friday, May 30), following a report someone had been assaulted by an inmate. One man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after sustaining a stab wound. The inmate remains within the prison and the investigation is on-going. “
Wynne Evans has confirmed he has been axed by the BBC(Image: BBC)
After months of Strictly Come Dancing scandals, Wynne Evans has been axed by the BBC, our Showbiz team reported this afternoon. The Go Compare star revealed that he has not had his contract renewed and will not be back with the BBC for his radio show – and thus has decided to continue to do his radio show away from the BBC.
It comes after the TV personality hit headlines during his time on the dance show, where he was shown grabbing his professional partner Katya’s waist before she pushed his hand away, but he later insisted it was a joke. He then came under fire for using the term ‘spit roast’ to Janette Manrara during a Strictly photocall but he later insisted it was directed at Jamie Borthwick and nothing to do with Janette.
As a result of the comment, he was axed from the Strictly tour – and then a video emerged of him sending a sex toy to his co-star Jamie, which both were heavily criticised for. In an emotional statement, he said: “My beloved Wynners, From the very depths of my heart — thank you. These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days. Every message, every word of encouragement, every moment you stood by me has carried me through more than you could ever know.”
“It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won’t be returning to my radio show. I’m gutted. That show wasn’t just work — it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family.”
Brits caught in ‘inhumane’ airport chaos as passengers fight and vomit in crush
Brits making a getaway to Tenerife for half-term found themselves trapped in sweltering queues amid a lack of resources(Image: TikTok / @mattandhol)
Our Travel team has been following the latest updates on the Tenerife South Airport chaos, after British travellers found themselves trapped in two-hour queues and “inhuman” conditions at the start of the school holidays. Last Monday night, more than 500 people found themselves packed into a waiting area at the Canary Islands travel hub.
They waited for hours to pass through the security as a bottleneck formed by two checkpoints, each staffed by two National Police officers. Top Spanish officials will now hold an urgent meeting after the tourists faced “inhuman” conditions at the start of the school holidays.
Many were held on a sweltering plane for 45 minutes, only to disembark and find broken escalators and lengthy queues for passport checks. Becks Gravil was one of those swept up in the chaos. It took her family two hours to leave the airport after landing at 8.30pm. “Never in my life have I ever seen it this bad,” she explained.
“There was fighting, people being sick, people fainting – all crammed in like sardines. What should have been an hour from landing to Adeje turned into four hours. What a day!”
Paul Doyle LIVE: Liverpool parade suspect in court
Paul Doyle, 53, appeared tearful as he entered the courtroom this morning (Image: PA)
Our News team has been working around the clock to cover Liverpool parade crash suspect Paul Doyle’s appearance at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this morning. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the 53-year-old is accused of two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of causing unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He is also accused of two counts of attempted unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of dangerous driving. Doyle shook his head in the dock as the prosecutor told the judge he drove “deliberately at the crowd” and “used his vehicle as a weapon”.
Police previously said 79 people were injured when a car drove into supporters on Water Street at around 6pm on Monday, with seven people still in hospital when Merseyside Police revealed his charges yesterday. Doyle will appear at court again on August 14 for plea and trial preparation hearing.
Prince Harry ‘so disappointed’ by Diana sisters’ blunt take on Meghan
Prince Harry was left upset after Diana’s sisters couldn’t see Meghan’s similarities to his late mother(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
There’s never a quiet day for Prince Harry, and it has emerged that the Duke of Sussex “was so disappointed” when he introduced Meghan Markle to Princess Diana’s two sisters, our Royal team reported. Harry had hoped Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes would have similarities to his mother, who died when Harry was just 12.
However, although Harry believed Diana would have been “over the moon” about his relationship with Meghan, he was upset with her sisters’ reaction. They reportedly did not see the same character traits in the two women and Harry, 40, suffered a further blow as Lady McCorquodale and Lady Fellowes “thought Meghan would not fit in with the Royal Family.”
Regardless, Harry married his partner soon after in 2018 and has gone onto have two children with the former actress. The insights have come about in the book Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, written by royal biographer Tom Bower. He penned: “Harry assumed that Diana’s family and friends would see a similarity between Diana and his fiancée. Both, he said, shared the same problems. He was so disappointed.”
UK holidaymakers could experience serious travel disruption over the busy summer holiday period, as workers in two major airports could ballot over strike action against their employer
Two major UK airports could ballot union members over strike action(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Brits could face serious travel disruption over the summer holidays, as workers at two major UK airports threaten strike action.
Unite the Union has revealed that staff at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport have overwhelmingly rejected ‘unacceptable’ pay offers from their employer, Menzies Aviation. An overwhelming 97 per cent of around 300 workers at Glasgow Airport and 100 per cent of some 300 workers at Edinburgh Airport voted against the proposed deals.
The union has since warned that unless Menzies Aviation presents an improved offer, it will be forced to ballot members for strike action, potentially causing summer travel chaos. “Summer strike action looms over Edinburgh and Glasgow airports because the pay offers on the table from Menzies Aviation aren’t good enough,” Unite industrial officer Carrie Binnie said.
Threats of industrial action emerged last year, but were called off after workers accepted a new pay deal(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
“Menzies Aviation has the ability to improve its offers and they can easily resolve this pay dispute without any disruption to the travelling public. If the company fail to table a better offer to our members, Unite will have no option but to ballot our members for strikes over the summer holidays.”
Glasgow rejected a 4.25 per cent pay increase, while Edinburgh rejected a four per cent increase. The union emphasised that the ground crew workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents, and controllers, all play a vital role in supporting major airlines.
The threat of industrial action follows similar tensions last year. However, these strikes were called off when workers accepted a new and improved pay deal in July, 2024.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite’s Menzies members have emphatically rejected unacceptable pay offers. The Menzies group is posting sky-high profits and our members who contribute towards this success deserve far better from the company.”
Glasgow and Edinburgh airport could face heavy disruption this summer, if workers vote to strike(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Last year, Edinburgh Airport handled a record-breaking 15.78 million passengers, a 10 per cent increase compared to the year before. Despite only having one runway and one terminal, 37 airlines operate from the hub – travelling to 155 different destinations.
Glasgow Airport is much smaller, and only welcomed 7.5 million passengers last year. Still, it was a 13 per cent increase from the previous year – and outranks Aberdeen (2.2 million) and Inverness (801,000) combined. According to reports, the hub flies to 27 different countries and offers 185 routes.
If your flight has been cancelled delayed in the last six year, or five in Scotland, you could still be eligible for compensation. You can find out more here.
PA approached Menzies Aviation for comment.
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At least 3 people died when thousands of starving Palestinians rushed to an aid distribution point run by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Aid agencies criticised the operation as Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to admit it is a tool to force Gaza’s population south.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge suggested the Trump administration was “manufacturing” chaos and said he hoped that “reason can get the better of rhetoric” in a scathing order in a case about government efforts to deport a handful of migrants from various countries to South Sudan.
In the order published Monday evening, Judge Brian Murphy wrote that he had given the Trump administration “remarkable flexibility with minimal oversight” in the case and emphasized the numerous times he attempted to work with the government.
“From the course of conduct, it is hard to come to any conclusion other than that Defendants invite a lack of clarity as a means of evasion,” the Boston-based Murphy wrote in the 17-page order.
Murphy oversees a case in which immigration advocates are attempting to prevent the Trump administration from sending migrants they’re trying to deport from the U.S. to countries that they’re not from without giving them a meaningful chance to protest their removal.
The judge said the men couldn’t advocate for themselves
In a hearing last week called to address reports that eight immigrants had been sent to South Sudan, Murphy said the men hadn’t been able to argue that the deportation could put them in danger.
But instead of ordering the government to return the men to the U.S. for hearings — as the plaintiffs wanted — he gave the government the option of holding the hearings in Djibouti where the plane had flown on its way to South Sudan as long as the men remained in U.S. government custody. Days later, the Trump administration filed another motion saying that Murphy was requiring them to hold “dangerous criminals in a sensitive location.”
But in his order Monday he emphasized repeatedly that it was the government’s “own suggestion” that they be allowed to process the men’s claims while they were still abroad.
“It turns out that having immigration proceedings on another continent is harder and more logistically cumbersome than Defendants anticipated,” Murphy wrote.
The government has argued that the men had a history with the immigration system, giving them prior opportunities to express a fear of being deported to a country outside their homeland. And the Trump administration has said that the men’s home — Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Sudan — would not take them back.
The administration has also repeatedly emphasized the men’s criminal histories in the U.S. and portrayed them as national security threats.
The administration is relying on third countries
The Trump administration has increasingly relied on third countries to take immigrants who cannot be sent to their home countries for various reasons. Some countries simply refuse to take back their citizens being deported while others take back some but not all of their citizens. And some cannot be sent to their home countries because of concerns they’ll be tortured or harmed.
Historically that has meant that immigration enforcement officials have had to release people into the U.S. that it wants to deport but can’t.
But the Trump administration has leaned on other countries to take them. In the Western Hemisphere, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama have all agreed to take some people being removed from the U.S., with El Salvador being the most controversial example because it is holding people deported from the U.S. in a notorious prison.
The Trump administration has said it’s exploring other third countries for deportations.
Murphy said in his order that the eight men were initially told May 19 they’d be going to South Africa and then later that same day were told they were going to South Sudan. He noted that the U.S. government “has issued stark warnings regarding South Sudan.”
He said the men had fewer than 16 hours between being told they were going to be removed and going to the airport “most of which were non-waking hours” and “limited, if any” ability to talk to family or a lawyer. “Given the totality of the circumstances, it is hard to take seriously the idea that Defendants intended these individuals to have any real opportunity to make a valid claim,” the judge wrote.
More aid distribution sites are being set up in Gaza with US support, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He described “some loss of control” after Palestinians desperately swarmed a new aid hub in Rafah following nearly three months of Israeli blockade.
In punishing midday heat, thousands of Palestinians have clambered over fences and pushed through packed crowds to reach life-saving supplies, laying bare the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe inflicted on Gaza by Israel’s three-month blockade of aid.
With the buzz of military helicopters overhead, Israeli military gunfire rattled in the background on Tuesday as desperate crowds struggled to reach an Israeli-United States food distribution point on its first day of operation.
TV footage from Rafah in southern Gaza showed long lines of people funnelling through a wired corridor into a large open field where aid packages brought by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were stacked. Later, desperately hungry Palestinians, including women and children, were seen tearing down fences as people forced their way towards the GHF distribution point.
“We have been dying of starvation. We have to feed our children who want to eat. What else can we do? I could do anything to feed them,” a Palestinian father told Al Jazeera.
“We saw people running, and we followed them, even if it meant taking a risk and it was scary. But fear is not worse than starvation.”
Displaced Palestinians leave with a box of food from a US-backed foundation pledging to distribute aid in western Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 27, 2025 [AFP]
After thousands of Palestinians stormed the aid distribution centre, the Israeli military said its forces did not direct gunfire towards them but rather fired warning shots in an area outside it. It said in a statement that control over the situation had been established and aid distribution would continue as planned.
But Gaza officials accused Israel of failing to manage the aid amid widespread hunger and relentless bombing of civilians, including children.
“What happened today is conclusive evidence of the occupation’s failure to manage the humanitarian crisis it deliberately created through a policy of starvation, siege, and bombing,” the Government Media Office in Gaza said in a statement after the mayhem.
The aid by GHF, a foundation backed by the US and endorsed by Israel, arrived in Gaza despite allegations that the new group did not have the experience or capacity to bring relief to more than two million Palestinians in Gaza.
The United Nations and aid groups say the organisation does not abide by humanitarian principles and could serve to further displace people from their homes as Palestinians move to receive aid from a limited number of distribution sites.
‘Reckless, inhumane plan’
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said seeing thousands of Palestinians storming the aid site was “heartbreaking”.
“We and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally sound plan supported by member states to get aid to a desperate population,” he told reporters. “We continue to stress that a meaningful scale-up of humanitarian operations is essential to stave off famine and meet the needs of all civilians wherever they are.”
The chaos underscored the staggering level of hunger gripping Gaza. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report, 1.95 million people – 93 percent of the enclave’s population – are facing acute food shortages.
Palestinians open a box containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in Rafah on May 27, 2025 [Abdel Kareem Hana/AP]
Aid groups have warned for months that starvation in Gaza is being used by Israel as a weapon of war.
“This is not how aid is done,” Ahmed Bayram, spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council, told Al Jazeera, describing the scene in Rafah as the “inevitable consequence of a reckless and inhumane plan”.
“These are the scenes we have literally been warning about all month now. It spread chaos. It spread confusion. And this is the result,” he said.
“I think the best thing that can be done now is for this plan to be cancelled, to be reversed and for us professional humanitarians in the UN and NGOs to do our job. There are tonnes and tonnes of aid waiting across the border. [It’s a] very simple decision: open the gates and keep them open.”
The GHF, a Swiss-based entity formed in February through back-channel meetings between Israeli-linked officials and business figures, was made the lead distributor of aid by Israel. Meanwhile, Israel has blocked the UN and other international organisations from bringing in aid.
Despite being promoted as a neutral body, the GHF’s close ties to Israel and the US have prompted widespread condemnation. Its former head suddenly resigned this week, citing the foundation’s inability to uphold the core humanitarian principles of “neutrality, impartiality and independence”.
According to a report in The New York Times, the GHF emerged from “private meetings of like-minded officials, military officers and businesspeople with close ties to the Israeli government”.
Israel has said its forces are not involved in the physical distribution of aid although it backs the system’s use of biometric screening, including facial recognition, to vet aid recipients. Palestinians fear it is another Israeli tool of surveillance and repression.
Critics have also warned that the GHF’s structure – and its concentration of aid in southern Gaza – could serve to depopulate northern Gaza, as planned by the Israeli military.
‘This is definitely not enough’
While the previous UN-led distribution network operated about 400 sites across the strip, the GHF has set up only four “mega-sites” for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
In Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported that many of the food parcels being handed out were inadequate to sustain families.
Khoudary described a typical food box with 4kg (8.8lb) of flour, a couple of bags of pasta, two cans of fava beans, a pack of tea bags and some biscuits. Other food parcels contained lentils and soup in small quantities.
Although the GHF said it distributed about 8,000 food boxes on Tuesday, which it claimed amounted to 462,000 meals, Khoudary said the rations would barely sustain a single family for long.
“This is definitely not enough, and it is not enough for all the humiliation that Palestinians are going through to receive these food parcels,” she said.
Chaos erupted in Rafah as thousands of desperate Palestinians swarmed a new aid distribution site, set up by the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Live ammunition was fired to disperse the large crowds.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow
USB Lavoro Privato easyJet workers are due to walk out tomorrow(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Passengers have been told to expect a ‘perfect storm’ of disruption when three separate strikes coincide to potentially cause travel chaos this week.
EasyJet customers travelling to or from Italy tomorrow may face a triple-whammy of disruption, starting with the airline’s air crew going on strike. The budget airline’s flight attendants belonging to European trade union USB Lavoro Privato are set to walk out tomorrow, potentially resulting in widespread disruption to the airline’s services tomorrow.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow.
However, the budget airline has told the Mirror that is does not expect any disruption to its schedule.
The scale of the likely disruption is not yet clear(Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
There are two other strikes taking place tomorrow that may impact travellers. Taxi services in cities including Rome, Naples and Turin may be significantly limited due to a series of strikes by local drivers.
Workers at Swissport an airport ground services and handling company that lists easyJet, British Airways, TUI and Wizz among its customers, are set to walkout, also on Wednesday. All strikes are set to take place between 1pm and 5pm CET (12pm and 4pm UK time).
While easyJet staff plan to strike nationally, the airports most likely to be affected by the handler strikes include two of Milan’s major air hubs, Malpensa and Linate airports.
Anton Radchenko, CEO at air passenger rights experts AirAdvisor, said: “Strikes by easyJet staff and workers from one of the airline’s key handling partners could present a perfect storm of disruption for passengers planning to fly with the company on the 28th.
“These strikes represent the fourth wave of easyJet staff strikes in 2025 already, with staff previously walking out in February, March and April this year – and four sets of strikes in four months suggests that discontent from the airline’s workers could be a theme that continues throughout the year.
“While easyJet can’t be blamed for Swissport staff striking on the same day – the two strikes combining gives the airline a real headache to try and navigate, as Swissport works with easyJet on airport operations. As these strikes specifically involve easyJet staff, you may be due compensation of up to £520 if your flight is cancelled. This is because that disruption to journeys caused by airline staff taking industrial action is viewed as within its control, i.e. they could have prevented the strikes from happening through negotiations.
“Likewise, if your easyJet flight is delayed by over three hours as a result of the strikes, you may be due compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is moved to the day after you were originally due to travel, easyJet will be responsible for putting you up in overnight accommodation.
“As well as Wednesday 28th, it’s possible that easyJet services in the days that follow will be affected. If your journey is disrupted, keep evidence like SMS or email notifications from the airline as evidence, and use a free compensation calculator to establish what you may be owed.”
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “There is no impact expected to our flying programme tomorrow.”
The Times reports that the government is considering making changes to its planned cuts to the welfare system. Government sources tell the paper that “tweaks” to soften the blow of the cuts are being sought – including to disability support and the two-child benefit cap. It comes as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage prepares to “outmanoeuvre” Labour on welfare by promising to reinstate winter fuel payments, the paper adds.
The Daily Express also focuses on welfare, saying the government’s U-turn on winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners “has now descended into ‘total chaos'”. It says No 10 aides are now “scrambling to find a way” to ensure more OAPs get the payment. The paper adds that some Labour MPs believe Chancellor Rachel Reeves “faces the axe in a summer reshuffle”.
The Guardian says only a third of recommendations from major inquiries to tackle endemic racism in the UK over the past 40 years have been implemented. It has carried out its own analysis ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Black Lives Matter protests. The main picture on the front page is of a damaged building in Kyiv following the biggest night of Russian air strikes since the war began.
The attacks on Ukraine lead the Daily Mirror, which headlines on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s criticism of the US. Zelensky said “America’s silence, and the silence of others, only encourages Putin,” the paper reports. At least 12 people were killed and dozens more injured in the attacks which saw 367 drones and missiles fired.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the US government is “monitoring” the case of Lucy Connolly, the UK councillor’s wife who was jailed for 31 months over an online rant against migrants on the day of the Southport attacks. The paper says the White House’s interest is an “escalation of free speech tensions” with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The main picture features Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Daily Mail is focusing on what it calls the “first ever NHS rich list” which has been revealed in a new report. It says 512 NHS bosses are being paid salaries higher than the PM’s (£172,153), while nearly 300 are on £200,000 or more. The picture is of Liz Hurley with her new “hairy hunk”, US country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
The front page of the i Paper carries its own exclusive on the HS2 rail project. The paper says it has spoken to whistleblowers who have made allegations of “large-scale” tax fraud related to the West Midlands part of the network. A government source tells the paper it is taking a “keen interest in this issue on behalf of the taxpayer and expect there to be serious consequences if these claims are substantiated”.
The Daily Star also says it has an exclusive – but an “intergalactic” one. The paper has spoken to a documentary maker who says RAF pilots “have been buzzed” by UFOs but are scared to speak out in case they are grounded. The paper’s thought for the day reads: “The truth is out there”.
Oil prices make the front page of the Financial Times, which reports that US oil companies are “cutting spending and idling drilling rigs”. It links the changes to President Trump’s tariffs which it says are increasing costs, while falling crude prices are squeezing profits. “We’re on high alert at this point,” one oil chief executive tells the paper.
The Times reports that ministers are considering changes to “soften” planned cuts to the welfare system, after criticism from their own backbench MPs.
A government source is quoted as saying that “tweaks” are being sought. The paper says this could include offering affected disability benefit claimants more time to find new support.
According to the front page of the Daily Express, “Labour’s U-turn” on the winter fuel allowance has “descended into total chaos”.
Aides for No 10 are said to be “scrambling” to find a way to ensure more older people get the payment, after Sir Keir Starmer changed tack last week.
An investigation by the Guardian has found that only a third of the recommendations from major reports commissioned to tackle endemic racism in the UK over the last 40 years have been implemented.
The analysis has been published to coincide with the five-year anniversary of the Black Lives Matter protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Times says Britain is to ask Kosovo to take small boat migrants as part of the government’s plan to open a series of so-called “return hubs” overseas.
The country is said to be on a shortlist, drawn up by ministers and officials, where rejected asylum seekers would be sent after they have exhausted all their avenues of appeal in the UK.
The Daily Telegraph reports that a “world-first brain scanning technique” could help to identify signs of Alzheimer’s disease long before symptoms appear.
The team behind the tool, which works by analysing the cell structure of the brain, has said it could bring hope for millions of people with concerns about dementia.
And most of the papers reflect on the life of the former BBC executive and presenter, Alan Yentob, who has died at the age of 78.
The Times remembers him as “dominant creative force” who had an unwavering commitment to the BBC’s mission to inform and educate. But the paper notes that the long list of popular comedies and dramas he commissioned show he “never forgot the requirement to entertain”.
As concern around over-tourism continues to spread across Spain, local authorities in the Balearics deployed a rather unusual strategy – which it now admits massively backfired
The Balearic government has admitted its plan to stop over-tourism has backfired(Image: Getty Images)
The Spanish government has suddenly u-turned on a pro-tourism policy following major backlash. Local authorities in the Balearics (which include the postcard-worthy islands of Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza) had recently revealed plans to alleviate the strain on popular hotspots by making use of selfie-addicted influencers.
The rather unusual strategy pushed those with a huge social media following to start plugging attractions in the Balearics that have failed to enter the tourist limelight. However, it seems the power these Instagram and TikTok pros have should not be undermined, as the plan worked. In fact, it worked too well…
Take Caló des Moro, for example, an incredible bay tucked away in the southeast corner of Majorca. This idyllic slice of paradise feels worlds away from the bustling streets of Magaluf – boasting 40 metres of sugar-like sand, turquoise waters, and rugged cliffs. For years, it remained a true hidden gem, with travellers often being able to enjoy the spot to themselves if they were willing to get there early.
The cove was once a true hidden gem – until influencers started promoting it(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The cove can accommodate around 100 people, before it would start to feel like you’re being sardined next to a stranger on the beach. But, after a slew of influencers started raving about the destination – an insufferable amount of tourists were flocking their en masse.
The Guardian reports that last June, María Pons, the local mayor, held a press conference saying that a whopping 4,000 people and 1,200 vehicles were visiting Caló des Moro every single day. She reportedly begged travel tour operators to not mention the cove again, or offer Brits excursions to the hotspot.
“It’s had the completely opposite effect to what was intended and runs contrary to government policy on containing tourism,” a government spokesperson added. Local authorities have since scrubbed all images of Caló des Moro from their official website, hoping the hype will eventually die down.
The beach has become oversaturated with tourists following the government’s questionable influencer strategy(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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The influencer-driven boom won’t have been well received by fed-up locals, who blame tourists for the country’s worsening housing crisis. In fact, just last weekend – thousands of frustrated residents flocked to the streets to call for major reform, armed with banners ordering Brits to ‘go home’.
The u-turn comes amid rising anti-tourist rhetoric across Spain(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
As anti-tourist sentiment gets louder and louder – Spain’s crackdowns become harsher, even if it puts Brits out of pocket. Earlier this week, the government sensationally ordered Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 holiday listings from its website – a move that could spike hotel prices and reduce accommodation availability during the upcoming summer.
An estimated 65,935 Airbnb properties will be delisted for breaking strict regulation rules. This could be because owners failed to include their licence number, didn’t specify whether they were running as an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records.
Thousands of hotel, bar and restaurant staff are planning industrial action in the Balearics. The UGT union says there will be a mass walkout on June 6 followed by several days of strike action in July, the height of the busy tourist season
Rita Sobot Spain Correspondent and Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter
16:40, 22 May 2025Updated 16:44, 22 May 2025
Workers are set to walk out (file photo)(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
The holiday islands could face significant disruption in June and July as thousands of hospitality workers plan further strike action. Unless a last-minute agreement is reached, a mass walk-out is planned for June 6, followed by several days of strikes in July, during the height of the tourist season.
The UGT workers’ union has warned strikes are nearing as no progress is being made regarding their demands for improved pay and conditions. The union warns the industrial actions will greatly affect holidaymakers and urges hotels to do everything possible to prevent it.
“If we don’t see the possibility of an agreement in principle, we will call a strike lasting several days,” declared the general secretary of its Services federation on the islands. The union has made it clear that their goal is to exert maximum impact on tourists.
At the same time as the union protests are planned, anti-tourist campaigners are preparing for action (Image: undefined via Getty Images)
At the same time, overtourism protests are due to break out across major resort cities. They include plans to occupy beaches and super-glue apartment locks.
Protests are set to take place in Platja de Palma and Palmanova-Magaluf. The UGT, the largest union in the sector, is playing a key role in negotiating the Collective Agreement of the Balearic hotel industry.
A strike involving thousands of hotel workers, including restaurant and bar staff and cleaners, already took place on May 1. On June 6, the first of the new protests will occur outside the headquarters of the Mallorca hotel federation.
Demonstrations are scheduled for the end of June in Platja de Palma and Palmanova-Magaluf, with the peak planned for July, featuring several days of strikes over alternate weeks.
On June 6, a protest is planned for 10am at the UGT office in Palma. Following the update on negotiation progress, attendees will hold a midday rally outside the Mallorcan Hotel Federation building.
Another demonstration is set to take place at Platja de Palma at the end of next month, with a worker’s march culminating in a rally in front of the local hotel association headquarters. A similar protest will target the Palmanova-Magaluf area, highlighting the workers’ unrest in key tourist hubs around the Bay of Palma.
The unions are fighting for adequate housing and addressing issues such as tourist overpopulation without life quality improvements for workers, increased job demands, salaries not matching living costs, and pay inequality for identical work.
The union wants wages to rise by 19 per cent across the three years to 2027, while the offer from employers flags at 8.5 percent.
In other recent protest news, the CEO of Jet2 Steve Heapy expressed fears that tourist levies could rise in response to overtourism protests in Spain, which have been rumbling on for years and are due to disrupt key destinations this summer. The CEO told a roundtable event at the Spanish embassy in London that he opposed tourist taxes, but feared rises would prove “irresistible”.
LIKE a beloved old pet dog, DOOM: The Ages is impossible to put down.
It’s a demonic drug, a hit of horrifying annihilation that makes you want more and more. Because it slays more than Taylor Swift in a glitter hat factory.
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Hell hath no fury… like a Doom Slayer with loads of gunsCredit: Bethesda Softworks
Care must always be taken when trying to improve a cult classic – and the original Doom rightfully belongs among the icons of gaming history.
So it’s a huge relief to see that idSoftware has not only been respectful in making this DOOM, they’ve also been really smart. But is The Dark Ages the best game since the original release?
Hell yeah!
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There’s an impressive array of weaponry to dispatch demons withCredit: Bethesda Softworks
First off, there’s a more involved plot than previous follow-ups like DOOM (2016) and 2020’s DOOM: Eternal.
You play the heavy-footed Doom Slayer called upon by the Night Sentinels of Argent D’Nur and the mysterious Maykrs in their battle against the dark forces of Hell. Your job? To save humanity.
The Maykrs have a strange hold over the Slayer who gradually starts to think, and fight, on his own terms.
Previous follow-ups to this mega franchise were decent nods to the original but they weren’t truly great games. They lacked what makes a DOOM game utterly brilliant – an intense, mind-blowing run-and-gun experience which takes your breath away. Literally.
The Dark Ages, however, achieves this in bundles.
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The 22 chapters are bold and intenseCredit: Bethesda Softworks
Because you become so engrossed in dispatching the multitude of enemies spawning all around you that you forget to breathe.
I lost count of the times where I finished a chapter (there are 22 to smash through), let out an exhausting breath… and noticed that I was two feet away from my gaming chair.
Such is the intensity of The Dark Ages.
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Jumping into a giant mech suit feels like Power Rangers but, you know, betterCredit: Bethesda Softworks
It’s not just a blast and dash game either. This time round you have to be more tactically astute in your demon-slaying ways.
The sheer number of enemies that bear down on you during battle is daunting, but this just increases the adrenaline rush you get when your planned destruction works.
This immersive action results in hours lost wiping the floor with growling Pinky Riders and horrible Hell Knights.
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Plan your battles wisely as you’ll need to be smart as well as sharpCredit: Bethesda Softworks
The arsenal is as kick-ass as it is clever. And each new weapon brings slightly different whoops of joy as you learn more about what can be achieved when you pull the trigger.
For example, the Impaler is brilliant for headshots and once you get your upgrades to a certain point, it can then slow down time to get the perfect hit.
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Enemies vary in difficulty and there are some cool close-up melee optionsCredit: Bethesda Softworks
The Shredder can dispatch hordes of Imp Stalkers all at once and again, use your upgrades wisely, and it can auto-charge to a more destructive ammo when following a melee attack.
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Saving humanity has never been so exhaustively exhilaratingCredit: Bethesda Softworks
But id Software’s addition of a shield is a masterstroke – this can rip through multiple foes or deflect attacks. It’s upgradable too and becomes an essential tool at your side. That is until you get the ball and chain – talk about an epic flail!
Each chapter is gorgeous in its detail and impressive in scope. The map is easy to read and offers a clear pathway to cute collectables, gold chests and secret areas you won’t want to miss in your 20+ hours of the game.
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A banging soundtrack helps immerse you in the depths of HellCredit: Bethesda Softworks
Even the soundtrack is gloriously DOOM-esque. A head-banging barrage of heavy metal which delights the senses when blasted through decent headsets – I couldn’t help but ramp up my Turtle Beach Stealth 700s to complete the experience.
It all makes for an epic romp in Hell – you won’t just dip your toes in the Lake of Fire, you’ll want to go skinny-dipping and plunge in head-first.
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A deep plot gives DOOM: The Dark Ages an extra edge over predecessorsCredit: Bethesda Softworks
The Dark Ages is intense – a cacophony of chaos that impales itself firmly as a Game of the Year contender.
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A dragon! Yes, you can ride a dragonCredit: Bethesda Softworks
Paris-Orly airport has been hit by flight cancellations and delays after the air traffic control systems suffered a malfunction, which caused widespread disruption
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Editor and Commercial Content Lead
11:22, 19 May 2025
Paris-Orly Airport has been hit by delays and cancellations (Image: undefined via Getty Images)
A glitch with air traffic control systems has caused havoc at Paris-Orly airport.
On Sunday thousands of passengers found themselves stuck on planes that were about to take off only to be cancelled at the last minute at the French airport. The chaos has continued today, with dozens of planes grounded.
“The situation is improving,” the DGAC assured, while instructing airlines to cut Monday’s flights by 15%, an improvement from Sunday’s 40% slash. “Despite these preventive measures, delays are expected,” they warned in a fresh alert to passengers. The DGAC held back from explaining the cause of the system failure.
According to La Depeche, the air traffic control issue relates to a radar malfunction. In order to ensure maximum safety, the civil aviation authority has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15% at Orly. This allows air traffic controllers to space out flights further.
The situation has improved at Paris Orly today(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
In addition to these cancellations, the DGAC also indicates that “despite these preventive measures, delays are to be expected.” It advises all affected passengers to contact their airlines to find out the status of their flights.
The situation at the French travel hub was considerably worse on Sunday than it is today. Yesterday, roughly 130 flights were cancelled, with a roughly 50:50 split on arrivals and departures.
Agnes Zilouri was one of those who was caught up in the chaos. The 46-year-old was trying to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son after her flight was grounded. The family had been travelling to Morocco for a funeral, Mail Online reported.
Many found themselves about to take-off only to be told their flights had been cancelled last minute. “We were on the plane, all seated and belted up, ready to leave, when they made us disembark and collect our luggage… Then we had to struggle,” Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner, told AFP.
“The only solution is a 300-euro flight, but there’s only one seat left, and there are two of us. And we’re not sure it’ll take off,” 22-year-old student Romane Penault lamented. So, “for now, we’re going home.”
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Others took to X to share tales of their aviation woes. One wrote: “My 7.45pm flight to Orly from Dublin was cancelled. It’s been almost two hours, and still no email that informs me of a cancellation. It’s ridiculous to have to find out right as I walk into the airport.”
Paris-Orly, the capital’s secondary hub, deals with both domestic and international destinations, including to other European nations and the USA. A specific hit has been taken by flights bound for Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France, which saw numerous cancellations on Monday.
Flight Aware, which tracks delays and cancellations across airports globally, notes that 37 flights to and from Orly have been cancelled in the past 24 hours up to 11am on Monday. Last year’s passenger figures show more than 33 million voyagers passed through Paris-Orly, less than half of the traffic seen at Paris’ leading airport, Charles-de-Gaulle, data from Aeroport de Paris revealed.
Demonstrators are getting ready to flock to the streets en masse, calling for huge reform to the Canary Island’s tourism model. Here’s exactly where the protestors will occur
Protestors vow to not ‘stop’ until their demands have been met(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Thousands of fed-up locals across the Canary Islands will take to the streets this weekend – demanding drastic change to the ‘unsustainable’ tourism model. It follows the record-breaking number of visitors that flocked to the archipelago last year, and the subsequent string of demonstrations.
After blaming holidaymakers for worsening Spain’s housing crisis, activists, and members of the Canarian diaspora abroad will gather en masse on Sunday, May 18 to call for new legislation that puts an end to ‘exploitative economic models’ on the island. This includes putting a halt to ‘destructive’ projects such as high-profile hotels, and freezing new tourist developments.
Protestors also want a green energy transition, and an eco-tax for tourists. The latter has already been mulled over in hotspots such as Tenerife’s Teide National Park – which is slated to implement an entrance fee in 2026.
Locals have been urging Brits to ‘go home’ for over a year now(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Other demands include ‘cultural and social heritage protection’, clamping down on marine pollution, and rejecting macro-infrastructure projects. “If they don’t listen in the streets, they’ll hear us in everyday life,” one protest organiser told local news.
According to Canarian Weekly, protests will take place in 15 areas across the Canary Islands, and demonstrators have vowed they ‘won’t stop’ until they’veachieved the change of model the Canary Islands urgently need’. If you’re heading over to the hotspot this week, you may want to avoid the following areas.
More protests are slated to hit the Canary Islands this month(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Canary Island’s anti-tourist protests – where to avoid
Tenerife – Plaza Weyler, Santa Cruz, 11:00am
Gran Canaria – Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas, 11:00 am
Lanzarote – Quiosco de la Música, Arrecife, 11:00am
Fuerteventura – Plaza de la Iglesia, Puerto del Rosario, 11:00am
El Hierro – Consejería de Turismo, Valverde, 11:00am
La Palma – Plaza de La Alameda, Santa Cruz de La Palma, 11:00am
La Gomera – Plaza de Las Américas, San Sebastián, 11:00am
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The upcoming protests are hardly a surprise, as anti-tourist sentiment has been escalating across Spain for some time – and has even taken a violent turn. Back in March, a shocking sign threatening to ‘Kill A Tourist’ was spotted in Tenerife, while reports also emerged that anonymous activists had torched rental cars on the island to send a clear message to holidaymakers.
Anti-tourist sentiment on the islands have taken a violent turn in recent months(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Last month, Spain passed a law in a desperate attempt to appease frustrated residents. Following an update to the Horizontal Property Act, those wanting to cash in on the influx of Brits by renting out their house to holidaymakers will now need to gain a 60 per cent majority vote from neighbouring property owners.
The brutal new rule means homeowners putting their apartments on sites like Airbnb or Booking.com without the ‘necessary support’ will be asked to cease operations. They may be threatened with legal action if they ignore the warning.
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This lesser-known village is northwest Wiltshire has everything you’d expect from the Cotswolds, including mellow stone cottages, a charming 17th-century estate and a beloved local eatery
Biddestone is home to architectural gems that date back to Anglo-Saxon times(Image: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Even regular visitors to the Cotswolds may have missed the memo on this picturesque village. While buzzier destinations like Bibury and Bourton often get the most attention from tourists, heading to a new part of Wiltshire will help you enjoy the area in peace and relative quiet.
Biddestone has a reputation for being one of the best-kept secrets of the Cotswolds – which, of course, means that it is not as big a secret as it once was. Still, the village has retained a quiet charm that travellers would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Biddestone is a small, rural village in north west Wiltshire, England, with an incredibly modest population of only a few hundred residents. You may have even passed the village unknowingly, as it is in close proximity to many other beloved destinations; just four miles from Castle Combe and about 5 miles from Lacock, Corsham, Giddeahall and Chippenham.
The open green space – known as The Green – is a beautiful base for a day in the village(Image: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The heart of Biddestone is the village green, where many community events and celebrations are hosted every year. The main open space is surrounded by grand Cotswold mellow stone homes and cottages, decreasing in size as you move away from the village centre.
The architecture of the area certainly adds to the character of the squared village, with the majority of buildings boasting picturesque Georgian facades and tiled roofs. Travellers planning an extended trip in the area can stay at one of the architectural marvels situated by the village’s large duck pond.
The Anvil Cottage and the Billiard Room are both award-winning holiday properties set on the grounds of a 17th-century estate, known as The Close. Once a working forge, Anvil Cottage has been restored beautifully and is now a five-star gold-rated luxury property.
The White Horse in Biddestone is a beloved village watering hole(Image: Getty Images)
The Billiard Room has also been masterfully restored, though it has lived many lives. Originally a blanket factory and then the village school, the property was also converted into a billiard room by the owner of the estate in the 1920s. Today, it is a luxe hideaway with all the modern conveniences of any top hotel.
The duck pond on the property also has a unique history, originally serving as a watering place for cattle from the local farms. The Close also continues to celebrate the village’s wool trading history, which is what allowed it to prosper.
Another architectural landmark of the area is the church of St. Nicholas, which dates back to Anglo-Saxon times. The church was reportedly never enlarged during the seven centuries between its Norman foundation and the late Victorian era, and visitors are welcome to explore the historical landmark daily.
The Grade II* listed Manor House is another stop worth adding to your list. When it is open to the public – dogs included – travellers can explore the five acres of beautifully manicured gardens, streams and orchards. Once you’re done strolling for the day, a trip to the local favourite pub – The White Horse – is a must. It’s easy enough to spot with it’s bright white facade.
While Biddestone has just enough to keep you entertained for a day and plenty of gorgeous accommodation options, it may be better suited for a day trip from a neighbouring base. In fact, you’re likely to meet other Cotswolds residents from Chippenham spending a day on The Green or at The White Horse.
It’s also a great starting off point for a countryside walk, another reason its so popular with Cotswolds natives.. The Wiltshire Walks website recommends a scenic four-mile walk west into the rural landscape and the deep valley of Colerne Park.
Bold plans to transform the railway system as part of a £1 billion upgrade has garnered heavy criticism as bosses confirm new electrified trains will be missing one specific amenity
The mega project has riled some locals(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Railway plans to transform connectivity in south Wales have sparked heavy backlash amongst locals. Touted as the ‘Welsh Tube‘, the £1 billion mega project – which was first proposed back in 2013 – offers a ground-breaking solution to long waits and traditional timetables stagnating travel in the region.
But upon completion, a 105-mile long network will see 36 brand new tram-trains carry tourists and commuters across the core Valley Lines, linking areas such as Cardiff with Coryton, Rhymney, Aberdare, and Treherbet – with certain journeys running every five minutes in the day. As previously reported, the South Wales Metro project will operate on a colour-coded map and allow passengers to ‘tap in and out’ with contactless payment barriers.
Those living in or around Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, and Treherbert will have access to four trains per hour (every 15 minutes) while those around Caerphilly will get six trains per hour and Pontypridd will see 12 trains per hour (every five minutes) running to the Welsh capital. With new electric tram-trains already starting test runs in the Valleys – the project is nearing its first phase.
The ‘Welsh Tube’ will increase rail efficiency in the area – at a staggering cost of £1 billion(Image: Transport for Wales)
However, locals weren’t too happy when they discovered the state-of-the-art vehicles did not feature any onboard toilets. According to Wales Online, one person described the lack of loos as ‘absolute madness’, adding: “We certainly are going backward in Wales.”
Another commented: “This is shocking, I have a funny feeling there’s going to be lots of urine on the floor on a Friday and Saturday night,” while a third penned: “People need toilets, what’s with the Welsh government?”
Others were quick to defend the decision, arguing that Tube trains, buses, and cars do not have toilets either. “Some people would whinge about winning the lottery!” one reader fumed. “How many buses have toilets on board?”
The new trains don’t have any onboard toilets(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Another argued: “If you put toilets in they have to be accessible to all and as a result the area lost to seating and standing is huge. You also have to take the trains out of service to empty the tanks because you can’t just dump it on the tracks anymore. It’s much better to do away with them and have them in fixed locations so they have the space to do it properly and they have proper access to electricity, water and sewerage.”
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When asked about the backlash, a Transport for Wales (TfW) spokesperson told the Mirror that it is currently ‘testing’ a brand-newmodern Class 398 tram-trains that will run on electric and battery as part of the South Wales Metro. These will have the ability to run on-street as well as on the rail network, but ‘global rolling stock market’ for this type of train-train with onboard toilets is ‘limited’.
“They are built to quickly move as many people as possible and adding toilets on board would significantly reduce the capacity of the trains,” the spokesperson added. “This type of train is used successfully in other cities within the UK and no other Metro system in the UK runs this type of tram with toilets onboard.
“We want to ensure our passengers still have access to toilet facilities when using our network. To do this,we’re installing 10 new*, fully accessible toilets at key locations across these lines and upgrading our existing station facilities, so that passengers can be confident a toilet will always be available within a 20-minute journey on our network.”
*In addition to the existing toilet facilities across the South Wales Metro area, 10 stations getting new toilets are Abercynon, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Tonypandy, Treherbert, Cwmbach, Llwynypia, Merthyr Vale, Penrhiwceiber and Treorchy.
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