expert

Two lawsuits already serve as backdrops to the unseemly sequence of events that led to Bryce Harper sending Thanksgiving wishes on behalf of FanDuel to an admitted sports gambling addict.

Could there be a third?

Legal experts say Harper might have grounds to sue FanDuel for false endorsement, misappropriation and invasion of privacy.

The Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman said in a statement posted on Instagram that he created a personalized 21-second video on behalf of FanDuel but would not have done so had he known the online sportsbook allegedly intended to use it to entice VIP customer Terry Thompson to continue gambling.

“I did not know FanDuel would do this,” Harper wrote. “I did not consent to it, and FanDuel had no right to do it.”

Harper said he received a request on Cameo in November 2024 to read a message provided by FanDuel VIP host Bryttanni Morgan for a personal “holiday video for Terry.”

“Hey, Terry? What’s up, brother? Hey, man, your host Bryttanni from FanDuel wanted to make sure your Thanksgiving was extra special,” Harper says in the video.

Thompson sued FanDuel, Morgan, DraftKings and the NFL in March, alleging that the sportsbooks caused him to lose about $1.6 million while betting an estimated $18.5 million over a four-year period.

“Had I known FanDuel’s true intent, I would not have made the video,” Harper said. “The same is true had I known anything about Terry or his situation, or about any alleged ‘partnership’ between Cameo and FanDuel.”

The lawsuit filed by the nonprofit Public Health Advocacy Institute on behalf of Thompson and fellow gambler Christopher Sage alleges that FanDuel and DraftKings intentionally fostered addiction by providing enticements such as Super Bowl tickets, hotel accommodations and access to athletes and celebrities.

Thompson said his home fell into foreclosure after he took out second and third mortgages. He borrowed money from family and friends and burned through his savings, losing his last $10,000 on a DraftKings parlay bet in February.

He describes in the lawsuit feeling so desperate that he reached out to his therapist, who called police officers to his home to prevent him from harming himself.

Sportico legal analyst Michael McCann wrote that Harper likely has grounds to sue FanDuel over the video.

Harper, an eight-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player, has earned nearly $252 million in salary over his 15-year MLB career and is owed another $75 million before his contract expires after the 2031 season. He also earns about $9 million a year in endorsements, according to Sportico.

In a legal action, Harper could seek monetary damages by alleging that the video tarnished his reputation. The perception that he urged a gambling addict to continue destructive behavior could negatively impact his ability to land endorsement deals.

“Section 43(a) of the federal Lanham Act prohibits false endorsements, including when a business draws from an athlete’s NIL and other identifying characteristics without permission,” McCann wrote. “There can be a viable claim when that unauthorized use leads consumers to believe the athlete endorses the business’s product or service.

“Harper could also sue over unauthorized use of his name, image, voice and other uniquely identifying features. To that end, he could argue the video constitutes misappropriation or invasion of privacy.”

FanDuel, in turn, could counter by pointing out that Harper agreed to create the video as part of his relationship with Cameo, a company that connects fans with celebrities and creators for personalized digital interactions.

“False endorsement and misappropriation, FanDuel could insist, are inapplicable to a personalized video setting where the video’s talent voluntarily assents in exchange for compensation,” McCann wrote. “Further, FanDuel could assert that Harper was, or should have been, aware of a potential connection between the video and FanDuel and, more generally, sports betting.”

FanDuel issued a statement after the Harper video came to light in an investigative story published July 9 in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“We are committed to fostering a culture of responsible gaming and protecting our customers,” the statement said. “Unlike illegal offshore sportsbooks, FanDuel employees are trained to recognize and flag signs of problem gambling and offer resources and tools, and we continue to review and strengthen our policies to ensure we have the industry’s strongest consumer protection initiatives.”

FanDuel and DraftKings, the leading sportsbooks since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that states could legalize sports betting, have developed lucrative partnerships with leagues in all major sports. The 2022 MLB collective bargaining agreement opened the door for players to do promotional work for sportsbooks.

Yet the collaborations have not come without problems. The MLB players union’s licensing and marketing arm filed a lawsuit in 2024 that accused DraftKings, FanDuel and Bet365 of using without permission or compensation photos of players on its betting app and in social media posts.

Coincidentally, Harper became embroiled in that lawsuit, in which the plaintiffs pointed to images of Harper’s face on the DraftKings app as evidence. The two sides reached a settlement in April ahead of trial.

Death, taxes and Jean Smart winning another Emmy are among life’s certainties.

But outside of the realm of the expected, what are we looking for when Emmy nominations arrive Wednesday?

I do have questions, namely:

Can two-time Emmy winner Zendaya earn a nod for “Euphoria,” a show that remained a ratings hit even if it seemed like people mostly watched to complain about it?

Might “Widow’s Bay,” television’s best new comedy, grab the momentum from “Hacks,” Smart’s Emmy-winning series that looked like it’d be taking a victory lap for its final season?

And, will voters stop encouraging Ryan Murphy or do we need to write another hundred think pieces about why “Love Story” felt so wrong?

For an Emmy season that looked more than a little underwhelming just a few weeks ago, those intrigues offer a wrinkle or two, something for us to chew on as we search for a candle that doubles as a receptacle for hot caramel sauce, as seen in the just-released final season of “The Bear” — a season that, because of its June release, won’t be eligible until 2027.

Meanwhile, here’s what we can look for this year.

Comedy series

Matthew Rhys and Stephen Root in “Widow’s Bay.”

(Apple)

“Abbott Elementary”
“The Bear”
“The Comeback”
“Hacks”
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
“Only Murders in the Building”
“Shrinking”
“Widow’s Bay”

Possible surprise: “Rooster”
Possible snub: “The Bear”

Google “Widow’s Bay” and your first result will be: “Did you mean: the next Martha’s Vineyard and definitely not cursed.” It’s an inspired bit of marketing for a series that found the sweet spot between comedy and horror, making us shriek with laughter and revulsion, sometimes simultaneously.

The Apple TV series premiered on April 29, arriving so late that only seven of its 10 episodes are eligible for Emmy consideration. Apple had considered bumping it to October, so it could establish a beachhead with guild and Globes voters before competing at the 2027 Emmys, but decided to enter the fray this year to compete with shows that, while still favorites, are a bit past their prime.

The inaugural season of “Widow’s Bay” evolved as a classic slow burn, establishing the world of its cursed New England island with care and then burrowing into its characters and lore with the kind of detail that prompts full-blown obsession. The 811-song playlist that Patricia made for her Sunset Cocktails party? Who doesn’t have a spare 60 hours to listen? Mining the multitude of horror movie references that the show ingenuously employs? Of course! Something’s wrong with you if you didn’t rewatch “Jaws” after the episode where, out at sea, Stephen Root’s cantankerous Wyck has his own Captain Quint USS Indianapolis monologue.

The question now: Did “Widow’s Bay” have enough time to hook Emmy voters? Or am I just so taken with this show, a series I myself came to late, that my enthusiasm is clouding my judgment? Short answer: “Widow’s Bay” may not get every nomination it deserves. (The late arrival makes its extraordinary season finale ineligible.) But I don’t think you can argue with perfection.

Comedy actress

Ayo Edebiri, left, with Liza Colon-Zayas in Season 4 of “The Bear.”

(FX)

Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
Elle Fanning, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
Lisa Kudrow, “The Comeback”
Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Possible surprise: Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
Possible snub: Edebiri

Remember when the biggest Emmy question about “The Bear” revolved around whether it belonged in the comedy categories? Now, after a couple of seasons that tried viewers’ patience when it came to narrative momentum, it’s fair to wonder whether the series — and its cast — will continue to be nominated. In the absence of anything better and because the show, even when spinning its wheels, continues to offer much to enjoy, I think “The Bear” is safe for now. And its final season, which dropped after voting ended, reaffirms just how good the series and its stars can be when it’s cooking.

Comedy actor

Martin Short, right, with “Only Murders in the Building” co-stars Steve Martin and Selena Gomez.

(Patrick Harbron / Disney)

Steve Carell, “Rooster”
Matthew Rhys, “Widow’s Bay”
Jason Segel, “Shrinking”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

Possible surprise: Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”
Possible snub: White

It’s worth remembering that “The Studio” won comedy series last year, and its co-creator, Seth Rogen, prevailed here. In its absence, this category is open for business, with Rhys, so good at shifting between his show’s droll humor and genuine terror, an obvious choice. Short figures to get a small boost from the Netflix documentary “Marty, Life Is Short,” which offers a moving look at the losses he has endured over the years and his inspiring endurance. Short has never won an acting Emmy and you know he’d give a great speech.

Comedy supporting actress

Kate O’Flynn in “Widow’s Bay.”

(Robert Clark / Apple TV)

Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”
Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”
Kate O’Flynn, “Widow’s Bay”
Ashley Padilla, “Saturday Night Live”
Michelle Pfeiffer, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
Sheryl Lee Ralph, “Abbott Elementary”
Jessica Williams, “Shrinking”

Possible surprise: K Callan, “Widow’s Bay”
Possible snub: Padilla

Last note (I promise) on “Widow’s Bay.” Because its season finale aired after the May 31 eligibility deadline, K Callan’s showcase episode opposite Rhys isn’t eligible, though anyone who watched the series might be inclined to vote for the 90-year-old actor anyway. Dorothy’s walk down memory lane, filled with tantalizing stories (“He got bit by an animal and became that animal,” she says of an old boyfriend), Tennessee Williams stitch-quotes, existential wisdom and bombshell revelations, was pitch-perfect, one of the standout moments of the television year. (Another, of course, was Patricia’s Sunset Cocktails party, with a tour de force turn from O’Flynn.)

Comedy supporting actor

Harrison Ford, left, with Michael J. Fox in “Shrinking.”

(Kevin Estrada / Apple)

Paul W. Downs, “Hacks”
Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”
Ebon Moss-Bacharach, “The Bear”
Nick Offerman, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles”
Stephen Root, “Widow’s Bay”
Michael Urie, “Shrinking”
Tyler James Williams, “Abbott Elementary”

Possible surprise: Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live”
Possible snub: Williams

Can we roll over last year’s “It’s time to give Harrison Ford an Emmy” campaign? Because it’s still time.

Drama series

Noah Wyle in “The Pitt.”

(Warrick Page / HBO Max)

“The Diplomat”
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms”
“Paradise”
“The Pitt”
“Pluribus”
“Slow Horses”
“Stranger Things”
“Task”

Possible surprise: “The Testaments”
Possible snub: “Stranger Things”

It’s hard to believe that “The Pitt” earned a mere 13 nominations for its first season, winning for series, casting and for actors Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa and Shawn Hatosy. Encore victories seem assured for all but Hatosy, who will bump from guest actor to supporting, where he’ll compete against castmate Patrick Ball, among others. “Pluribus” figures to score plenty of recognition too — it might even best “The Pitt” for most nominations. But its prognosis for victory would seem guarded at best.

Drama actress

Zendaya as Rue Bennett in “Euphoria.”

(Eddy Chen / HBO)

Kathy Bates, “Matlock”
Carrie Coon, “The Gilded Age”
Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”
Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus”
Zendaya, “Euphoria”

Possible surprise: Chase Infiniti, “The Testaments”
Possible snub: Bates

Zendaya won for the first two seasons of “Euphoria,” becoming the youngest person to win in 2020 and, two years later, the youngest actress to take two Emmys. So hate on her show all you want (seriously, go ahead, it was a mess), but voters will (rightfully) give her a pass. Winning another Emmy is off the table, though, making this a race between the gifted Seehorn, a perennial Emmy underachiever, and Russell, nominated five times as actor and still looking for her first trophy. How fun would it be if the Emmys turn into a reunion for “The Americans” with both Russell and Rhys winning?

Drama actor

Mark Ruffalo in “Task.”

(Peter Kramer / HBO)

Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise”
Walton Goggins, “Fallout”
Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”
Mark Ruffalo, “Task”
Noah Wyle, “The Pitt”

Possible surprise: Jon Hamm, “Your Friends and Neighbors”
Possible snub: Goggins

Brown, Oldman and Wyle were nominated last year, with Wyle winning. Ruffalo as the grief-stricken, alcoholic FBI agent in “Task” is an easy add. That leaves one spot, and it’ll probably go to a veteran actor — Goggins, Hamm, maybe Billy Bob Thornton for “Landman” — though Peter Claffey would be a better choice as the beloved gentle giant in “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”

Drama supporting actress

Katherine LaNasa, left, and Sepideh Moafi in “The Pitt.”

(Warrick Page / HBO Max)

Isa Briones, “The Pitt”
Taylor Dearden, “The Pitt”
Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”
Katherine LaNasa, “The Pitt”
Sepideh Moafi, “The Pitt”
Julianne Nicholson, “Paradise”
Karolina Wydra, “Pluribus”

Possible surprise: Fiona Dourif, “The Pitt”
Possible snub: Briones

Last year, “The White Lotus” accounted for four of the category’s nominees. In its absence, the women from “The Pitt” figure to equal that number and perhaps even surpass it, though it’s hard to see voters bypassing past favorites Janney and Nicholson or overlooking Wydra’s subtle work as the emotionless emissary of the alien hive mind in “Pluribus.” Then again, understated performances often go unrewarded. Just ask Wydra’s co-star Seehorn.

Drama supporting actor

Patrick Ball stars in Season 2 of “The Pitt.”

(HBO Max)

Patrick Ball, “The Pitt”
Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
Shawn Hatosy, “The Pitt”
Gerran Howell, “The Pitt”
Jack Lowden, “Slow Horses”
Tom Pelphrey, “Task”
Carlos-Manuel Vesga, “Pluribus”

Possible surprise: James Marsden, “Paradise”
Possible snub: Vesga

Will we ever know what this category would look like if “Severance,” “The White Lotus” and “The Pitt” aired seasons during the same eligibility window? I’m not holding my breath. But with “Severance” and “The White Lotus” vacating six of the seven supporting actor slots from last year, there’s plenty of room for old favorites (Lowden, Crudup) and new (Vesga for his nonverbal brilliance in “Pluribus”) as well a trio of standouts from “The Pitt.”

Limited series

The cast of “Beef” Season 2.

(Netflix)

“The Beast in Me”
“Beef”
“DTF St. Louis”
“Half Man”
“Love Story”

Possible surprise: “All Her Fault”
Possible snub: “Half Man”

It wasn’t exactly a banner year for limited series with only “Love Story” sparking cultural discourse — mostly for all the wrong reasons. Richard Gadd’s “Half Man” was provocative with its brutally violent look at male rage and unresolved trauma. But you can’t permeate the culture if viewers refuse to watch the second episode. That leaves “Beef,” Lee Sung Jin’s anthology series about enmity, envy and the multiple ways that blood orange juice can be made, as the presumptive front-runner. “DTF St. Louis,” the strange, affecting look at suburban loneliness, belongs at the head of the pack.

Limited series / TV movie actress

Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette in “Love Story.”

(FX)

Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me”
Sally Field, “Remarkably Bright Creatures”
Carey Mulligan, “Beef”
Sarah Pidgeon, “Love Story”
Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault”

Possible surprise: Kerry Washington, “Imperfect Women”
Possible snub: Field

Can you win an Emmy for a hair-flip …?

Limited series / TV movie actor

Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. in “Love Story.”

(FX)

Jason Bateman, “Black Rabbit”
Charlie Hunnam, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”
Oscar Isaac, “Beef”
Paul Anthony Kelly, “Love Story”
Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me”

Possible surprise: Jamie Bell, “Half Man”
Possible snub: Bateman

… Or looking really good while riding a bike?

Limited series / TV movie supporting actress

Linda Cardellini in “DTF St. Louis.”

(HBO)

Linda Cardellini, “DTF St. Louis”
Grace Gummer, “Love Story”
Laurie Metcalf, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”
Cailee Spaeny, “Beef”
Naomi Watts, “Love Story”
Yuh-Jung Youn, “Beef”

Possible surprise: Constance Zimmer, “Love Story”
Possible snub: Cardellini

Misplaced or otherwise, all the best performances from limited series are in supporting this year, including Spaeny’s scene-stealing schemer in “Beef” and Cardellini’s passive-aggressive perfection in “DTF: St. Louis.”

Limited series / TV movie supporting actor

Jason Bateman and David Harbour in “DTF St. Louis.”

(Tina Rowden)

Jonathan Banks, “The Beast in Me”
Jason Bateman, “DTF St. Louis”
Richard Gadd, “Half Man”
David Harbour, “DTF St. Louis”
Charles Melton, “Beef”
Alessandro Nivola, “Love Story”

Possible surprise: Troy Kotsur, “Black Rabbit”
Possible snub: Banks

And here you have Melton’s vulnerable people-pleaser trying his best to find the right color of Gatorade for Spaeny in “Beef” and unlikely BFFs Bateman and Harbour burrowing into the mind of the suburban American male in “DTF: St. Louis.”

QUEEN of the Sun £9.50 holiday, Tracy Kennedy, is back to answer your burning questions on all things budget breaks

Tracy has been taking £9.50 holidays for 30 years, and even runs a Facebook group dedicated to helping people book their Sun holidays.

Now she’s here to answer all things Hols from £9.50, from how to get a good deal during the school holidays to the items she can never leave without packing.

https://thesun.formstack.com/forms/js.php/travel_agony_aunt_2026Online Form – 9.50 Hols Agony Aunt – 2026

You can leave a question for Tracy by filling out the form above, and with each Q&A with Tracy we will pick one lucky reader to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

This week’s winner of a £100 Amazon voucher is Stephanie Marriott. Congratulations, Stephanie!

Are there any 9.50 holidays left to book?

Kelly Noble

Read more on £9.50 holidays

PARK UP

Major holiday park reopens after huge £5m makeover & you can stay with £9.50 Hols

VIEWFINDER

The beautiful and historic corners of the UK where you can book a £9.50 holiday

Yes! The next top up is coming on July 7 for Sun Club members, and July 8 for people collecting codes.

The first lot of £9.50 holidays come out in January, but there are many promotions throughout the year. The cheapest holidays do tend to go quick, but don’t let that put you off.

My secret tip is that some people book and then they choose to upgrade, so those cheaper dates that were once sold out come back and are then released again.

And if you are signed up to Sun Club, you’ll get first pick of the holidays during each top-up.

Always keep an eye out for the top-up promotions and check the website regularly.

How do I get a good deal during the school holidays?

Fiona Curry

If you have specific dates in mind, I always recommend being up and waiting for the moment when the £9.50 holidays are released.

Sun Club get to book first, so I’d recommend joining so you get first access. It’s only £1.99 a month, and we all stay up for when access opens to Sun Club members at midnight.

That way you get to book your holiday before the final codes drop.

Firstly, research the parks you’d like to go to, and have all the parks and dates you’d ideally want written down in front of you.

Just in case they don’t come up, I suggest having some alternatives that you wouldn’t mind going to.

Not every park has availability during the school summer holidays, but quite a few of them do.

There is also quite a lot of availability in other school holiday periods, like October half term, which can be a lovely time to go with lots of themed activities.

Seal Bay and Golden Coast are two family-friendly parks that have offered dates in the school summer holidays – and you’re not going to find a holiday at popular parks like that for a cheaper price anywhere else.

What is your essential packing item? Not the obvious (food, clothes, towels) but a little something that makes the trip so much easier?

Lorraine Cooper

Every time I go away, I take an essentials box with me. My mum used to always bring one on trips when I was little, and now I do the same.

It’s basically a box packed with all your essential bits, like washing up liquid and sponges. I even take those little travel-sized bottles and siphon off any cleaning products or toiletries into them.

We also bring tins, pasta, spices, non-perishable foods like that. The kind of bits you’d reach for in your cupboard at home, that might not be there in your caravan.

Bringing those sorts of bits with you will save you spending an extortionate amount at the on-site shop. Then you only need to buy any fresh food once you’re there.

Also, always pack a tin opener and potato peeler, just in case!

What are the best parks for a longer (seven day) trip?

Sharath Reddy

For a longer trip, you’ll want a holiday park with loads to do on-site so that there’s enough to keep you busy for a whole week.

For this I’d recommend Seal Bay in Selsey, which is in West Sussex. It’s definitely got enough to keep you busy.

On site it feels like one big party park. Seal Bay has its own fairground and it’s right on the beach, so definitely have a beach day. There’s even a bar which is practically on the beach.

It’s also got a lovely big pool with lots of water activities, so you could also have a pool day. It’s also got a Wave Rider surfing machine.

Then when you want to explore off-site you’ve got Bognor Regis, Chichester and Littlehampton all nearby.

You could easily spend a full day in Chichester. It’s a town with a great big cathedral and lots of artsy and historical things to do, with museums and galleries.

In Littlehampton you’ve got beaches and Harbour Park with rollercoasters, and it also has a miniature railway.

Then of course you’ve got Bognor Regis, which is a fantastic British seaside town. It’s got a beautiful seafront, a small traditional pier, and all the classics like hot doughnuts and fish and chip shops by the sea.

You could even buy a day pass to Butlins if you wanted. So you can bag a cheap stay with £9.50 holidays, then buy a Butlins day pass to go over and do all their daytime activities and visit the fairground.

What would you suggest to make a £9.50 holiday a bit more manageable for SEN families?

Stephanie Marriott

I actually get this question a lot in my Facebook group, and it’s a very important one.

Depending on how old your children are, if you can go away outside of the school holidays, then do. The parks tend to be a lot quieter which can be helpful.

But if that isn’t doable, you can always ring the site and ask if they have any special hours for kids with extra needs. Quite a lot of them offer a quiet hour at the pool, for example.

I’d also recommend having a look at the activities and entertainment program ahead of time to see what you would like to spend each day doing.

There are usually things like arts and crafts and indoor activities which might be a bit quieter than the full-on evening entertainment.

The summer holidays are almost upon us. And whether you’re planning to stay at home or travel further afield, family adventure expert Conor Carter shares his advice for stress-free fun

Adventure doesn’t have to mean climbing the highest mountain, buying all the gear or travelling for hours before the day has even begun. Often, the best summer adventures are the ones that feel simple enough to actually do. Conor Carter, known as ConorHikes on Instagram and a member of the Dacia Adventure Community, has amassed over 200k followers offering advice on the best places to go, and how to make the outdoors feel accessible. Whether it’s a local trail, a coastal walk or a weekend somewhere new, a bit of preparation can turn an ordinary day into a proper adventure. Here are his tips for getting started this summer.

Start with what’s nearby

You don’t need to go far to find a good route. Look for circular walks, country parks, canals, hills, forests or coastal paths within easy reach. Starting close to home keeps the pressure off, especially if you’re new to hiking or getting out there.

Pick the right route

Be realistic about distance, terrain and who’s coming with you. A shorter route with a great view, café stop or somewhere to paddle can be more enjoyable than pushing through a walk that’s too long.

Check the basics

Look at the weather, parking, facilities and how clearly marked the route is. Download a map or screenshot key details before setting off, especially where phone signal may disappear.

Pack properly

British summer can be unpredictable, so take water, snacks, sun cream, a waterproof layer, comfortable footwear and a fully-charged phone. A small first aid kit is worth carrying, too. Being prepared means you can relax and enjoy the day.

Leave room for spontaneity

Some of the best moments happen when you’re not rushing: an unexpected viewpoint, a quiet beach, a village pub, or a path that looks too good not to follow. Build in extra time so the day can unfold naturally.

Make space for the right kit

Walking boots, rucksacks, layers, food, camping gear or beach kit can quickly fill a car. A practical, spacious car such as the Dacia Bigster helps make it easier to bring what you need without overthinking the day.

Respect the outdoors

Take litter home, stick to marked paths where needed, close gates and give wildlife space. And while photos are brilliant for remembering a day out, try not to experience the whole thing through a screen. Take the picture, then put the phone away and enjoy where you are.

As holiday prices go up, it’s always helpful to take on any advice you can to make it that little bit cheaper and as it turns out, that includes which day of the week you fly

Ahead of your last-minute summer trips or 2027 getaways, it’s best to be smart about your bookings, and a travel expert is here to tell you exactly why.

Flights are one of the most expensive aspects of any holiday, especially if you’re traveling further afield. If you’re not following these simple steps, you could be doing it all wrong.

To help holidaymakers navigate their bookings abroad with confidence, travel expert and head of aviation at Loveholidays, Gavin Brewer, has shared his expert advice for a stress-free getaway.

With three decades of experience in the aviation industry, he offers practical advice on securing cheap, last-minute deals and ensuring your trip is protected.

Something many people overlook when booking a holiday is the day they fly. While they often make sure to consider key dates, outside of school holidays for cheaper packages or outside of peak summer times altogether, they don’t stop to think about the difference flying on a Monday could have to flying on a Sunday, for example.

As it turns out, that difference could be quite a lot, especially if you’re booking for a family, where all those saved pounds soon add up.

Gavin suggests being super strategic with your departure date to ensure you’re saving money and getting the best flights for the best price. He explains that the start of the week is always the cheapest to depart, according to recent analysis of flights, meaning Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to begin your holiday.

“If you’re on a budget, be flexible with your departure date and look at holidays departing on either a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Our research shows you could save up to £24 per person on the flight element of your package holiday, and every little bit helps,” he said.

To ensure you have the safest, stress-free holiday, the expert advises booking your travel insurance at the same moment in time you book your holiday and avoiding putting it off. This means it protects you from the moment the trip is secured, making it “one of the smartest moves you can make”.

Getting to grips with your cover is just as important as picking your destination, because when the unexpected happens, the right policy can be the difference between spending big bucks and flying away without a care in the world.

If you want a little extra protection, package holidays are ideal. In the UK you get built-in protections you don’t get when booking separately. In the event of any disruption ahead of your travels, such as a cancelled flight with no suitable alternative, as a traveller you are fully protected, thanks to a set of consumer laws called the Package Travel Regulations. As a result of this, you are entitled to a full refund on your package holiday.

Bakeries

It has to be Københavns Bageri; they upgrade beloved Danish classics using the best ingredients. The cardamom buns are second to none, but the “potato cake” – that’s a choux bun filled with vanilla custard and topped with a cocoa-dusted marzipan disc to resemble a potato – might be my favourite. MF

For bread, go to Tír Bakery in the morning and stand in line – they sell out every day, but their bread is the best. For croissants, go to Bageriet B and sit outside and enjoy a good filter coffee. TH

Hands down, Juno the Bakery. Founded by pastry chef Emil Glaser, the space was designed so you can see the bakers at work. What makes it special is the level of technique and consistency; they’re known for their cardamom buns, which are buttery, fragrant … perfect, and their sourdough and croissants are flawless. I usually order a cardamom bun, perhaps a pistachio croissant (if it’s available), and a sourdough roll with comté. Then I sit with a coffee and watch the production. KB

My go-to right now is Albatross & Venner in Torvehallerne. We have our original taqueria nearby, so I love walking over to grab a quick pastry – usually the spandauer – before work. I love that they’re baking every day in this tiny space, serving pastries that are often still warm from the oven. Insider tip: they sell fresh baguettes, which is rare in the city. RS

Coffee

Det Vide Hus in the heart of Copenhagen is a hidden gemmuch loved by locals, and it’s a favourite breakfast spot among Copenhagen chefs. Everything from seasonal pastries to the decadent ice-cream bars are made in house. MF

I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to coffee; I never understood why filter coffee became a pour-over, so I go to one of Original Coffee’s places and order traditional beans. For an independent place, go to Enghave Kaffe for some Danish hygge – the coffee is really good, as is the BMO (bun with cheese and butter). TH

Copenhagen is incredibly lucky when it comes to coffee. If I’m near Sanchez restaurant, I’ll go to Prolog Coffee Bar in the Meatpacking District because the coffee is always excellent, the team are lovely, and the atmosphere feels relaxed but focused. If I’m looking to sit and have a pour-over moment, I love April Coffee. RS

Breakfast

Apotek 57, located inside the Frama store, is one of the prettiest eateries in Copenhagen. Chef-owner Chiara’s Italian roots are at the heart of her food, with an emphasis on seasonal vegetables, fragrant herbs and a generous drizzle of olive oil. Try the porridge with apple, thyme and Piedmont hazelnuts. MF

Cycle to Nordhavn and start at Andersen & Maillard. Get a BMO, coffee and pastry – a classic Danish breakfast – then cycle to nearby Skudehavnen, where you’ll find small fishing huts, boatsheds and a harbour. It’s a pocket from the past; find a tranquil spot at one of the piers, have your breakfast and dip your toes in the water. TH

Atelier September is an effortless meeting point between design, creativity and good food. I love the breakfast selection: eggs, avocado, vegetarian dishes – all delicious. There’s an energy; you feel connected to the city’s cultural pulse simply by sitting there. KB

I don’t typically go out for breakfast, but if I do, I love Amator, where they specialise in omelettes served with slices of bread and wonderful sides. The menu is small, but they’re dedicated to making everything the best it can be, which I always appreciate. Get the omelette with chilli, and always end with a lemon tart. RS

Cheap eats

There are so many great choices, but nothing beats soaking up the sun with a wedge of Diamond Slice pizza and a glass of wine. Even pineapple haters succumb to the Canadiana with fermented pineapple, ham and pickled jalapeños. MF

It’s hard to decide what I love most, books or food, but it is heaven when they go together. Brøg Litteraturbar has a great selection of both Danish and English titles, and a nice small cafe where they do an excellent lunch for a fair price. I get the tart or soup of the day, and this is hygge and full of love. TH

One of my favourite spots for a laid-back weekday meal is Slurp. Its ramen is exactly the kind of comfort I crave when I don’t feel like cooking: pure flavour and thoughtful but unfussy toppings. I’d recommend the house pork bone broth with chashu, spring onions and a soft‑boiled egg, or go for the miso‑based bowl for something a little lighter. It’s the sort of place I’d take my family for something quick and easy – relaxed and with genuinely good food. KB

I highly recommend Poulette and their spicy fried chicken sandwich. They’ve been around for some years now and are always consistent: very tasty, deeply comforting, and extremely filling and affordable. The sandwiches are made with their own spicy blend, the chicken is marinated in-house, and the crust somehow stays crisp. I also love that there’s nothing quite like it in Copenhagen. To elevate things beyond a quick meal, grab a glass of wine next door at Pompette and enjoy it outside. RS

Splurge meals

When I feel like spoiling myself, one of the best places is the newly renovated Krogs Fiskerestaurant overlooking the canals at the old fish market. It uses classic French techniques with the best local seafood and seasonal produce to make the most delicious food. The menu changes often but if you see anything with beurre blanc and four types of roe, choose that! MF

Mikkel Mårbjerg is one of a few chefs that represent modern Danish cooking – they call VIE in Nordhavn a modern inn. He gets his produce from his daughter’s regenerative farm, and you feel his love of vegetables. They cook cabbage like only a few do, served with langostino and bisque, and their potato bread with löjrom and creme fraiche is a must. If sandart (a local freshwater fish) is in season, please try it, and then finish with the almond cake and ice-cream – it’s divine. TH

For fine dining, it has to be Geranium. There’s a clarity and precision in every dish that’s hard to find elsewhere. Located on the eighth floor of Parken Stadium, overlooking Fælledparken, it holds three Michelin stars and is an experience from start to finish. The concept centres on a plant‑forward tasting menu, and the attention to detail is extraordinary. The pacing, the wine pairings, the service – everything is perfectly in sync. The bread course, with whipped butter and seasonal oils, and its signature raw scallop dish, have stayed with me. KB

I would definitely go to Akmē; it’s not necessarily three-star Michelin expensive, but it feels like a splurge (in the best way). I love that you simply go with the menu and let the team cook – there’s a real sense of trust in the experience. The food feels creative, and the hospitality is warm and genuine. Lately, it has become one of my favourite places for a special occasion, or even just to go to feel inspired. RS

The Meatpacking District

One of the best dinner spots in “the meat town” is fishy. Kødbyens Fiskebar, which sits under a fresco of a bull at the entrance to the old meat market, serves incredibly pretty dishes in this buzzy but unpolished food quarter: brill with a deep blush of rhubarb, topped with samphire and chive blossoms; bright orange roe crowned with scarlet nasturtium petals, to heap on a seaweed waffle; prawns in a buttermilk sauce marbled with emerald herb oil. It all looks exquisite and it’s not a hearty menu, although you could go for, say, the mussels steamed in a cream-laden cider.

Dolly Parton once said: “It takes a lot of time and money to look this cheap.” The nearby Superbon has only been around a few years but has the vibe of a generations-old family business, with its seemingly random but carefully curated 1970s velvet-and-chrome decor and 80s video games arcade on the way to the bathroom. The menu is Asian, delicious and affordable by Copenhagen standards – pork gyoza, soft-shell crab, lychee salad, bao with hoisin duck and pickled daikon, huge chicken leg with green sambal. Afterwards, go for an ice-cream at Ismagieret – the menu changes but you might try the amarena cherry or the marzipan with pistachio ganache. Young visitors could end their evening in one of the packed bars but you could also start your day with a cheese roll or a cardamom croissant at Hart Bageri, one of the bakery’s eight branches in the city. Opposite is Prolog Coffee, which has a range of speciality beans from Peru, Colombia and Kenya, and a small selection of Juno pastries, saving you from the social influenza of the queue at their Østerbro shop. TL

Cocktails

There are many great cocktail bars in Copenhagen, but none like Geoffrey Canilao’s crazy, cosy bar, Balderdash. The motto is: “Keep it hygge.” The Blonde Ambition with gin, elderflower, cardamom and bergamot is a forever favourite. MF

K-bar was one of the first places to take cocktails seriously in Copenhagen, and I’ve been coming here since it opened. I like to go there early for a classic negroni – there’s beautiful outside seating in the summer with a view to the old town. For a wine bar, I like Ancestrale, which is organic certified. I go here for a glass of red wine and cheese with hazelnuts and brown butter – one of its classics. TH

I go to Tadaima to dream as much as I do to buy pieces for my ever-growing collection of kitchenware. From porcelain egg cups to sculptural shelving systems, everything is carefully curated with a Japanese/Scandinavian minimalist aesthetic. It also has pieces from one of my favourite craftsmen/artists, the Danish glass blower Nina Nørgaard. MF

The best kitchen shop I know is Kunst og Køkkentøj in the centre of Copenhagen. Competent staff, a great cookbook selection, a specially made baking tin for rye bread, knives, baking equipment, and the best large tweezer I know. They wrap everything in brown paper, and you feel special when you leave the shop. TH

I like to visit Frama for homeware; I’m really drawn to the balance between warmth and simplicity in its designs. And I especially appreciate a lot of its soaps and scents. Frama is also associated with a number of restaurants and cafes that they have designed, so it’s always interesting to see how they curate spaces and atmospheres that feel calm and lived in. RS

The flights are booked, your passport is valid, the bags are packed, and excitement is building, but there’s one crucial check you must do at the time of booking your holiday

An aviation expert has outlined how to best prepare for your next getaway abroad, and there’s one vital task you must do.

Going on holiday is always an exciting time, and even the booking process can spark a buzz. What hotel will you stay at? What activities will you do? And what will the weather be like? But amongst the planning, there’s a checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared for any trip abroad.

Checking that your passport is valid before booking flights is vital, along with any documents or visas you might need when entering your chosen country. However, there’s one check that Brits could miss, and failing to obtain it could completely impact your holiday.

In crucial advice to Brits ahead of the summer holidays, travel expert and head of aviation at loveholidays, Gavin Brewer, said that booking travel insurance at the same time as your holiday “is one of the smartest moves you can make”.

While it’s vital to have in case anything happens while you are away, it also means you’re protected from the moment you hit confirm on your desired getaway.

Gavin explained: “That means if you need to cancel your holiday for unforeseen reasons, such as sickness or other medical circumstances, or even redundancy, you should get your money back from your insurer. Understanding your cover is just as important as picking your destination, because when the unexpected happens, the right policy can be the difference between jetting off with confidence and being left out of pocket.”

In further support for holidaymakers jetting abroad this summer, the travel expert advised booking a package holiday as it offers “more protection than booking flights and hotel separately”.

He commented: “Package holidays give built-in protection that you won’t get if you book your flights and hotels separately.

“In the rare event of disruption before you travel, such as a cancelled flight with no suitable alternative, you are fully protected under a set of consumer laws called the Package Travel Regulations. This entitles you to a full refund on your package holiday.”

Gavin added: “At Loveholidays, our holiday packages are also protected by the ‘gold standard’ ATOL scheme, so you can relax knowing your holiday is in safe hands from start to finish.”

And while it might be edging nearer to summer, it’s never too late to book that well-deserved break. If anything, it might just be the best time, as three European hotspots are cheaper than usual during the busy travel period.

Gavin revealed that Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Turkey have all seen substantial price cuts on seven-night packages during the summer. Bulgaria, with its golden beaches along the Black Sea and majestic mountain terrain, has dropped by an average of 60pp.

Montenegro, dubbed a ‘Balkan gem’ with dramatic mountain landscapes that meet the sea, has dropped in price by around £53pp. While Turkey, known for its striking architecture, culture, and colourful markets, has also seen a price cut of around £35pp.

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

Three European destinations, with golden sand beaches and vibrant cities, have seen a significant price drop this summer – and it could be the best time to book

A holiday expert has revealed three European destinations that are better value this summer, helping travellers make the most of their money.

We’re always hunting for a good deal when it comes to booking a getaway, whether that means grabbing cut-price flights, reduced hotel rooms or departing from an alternative airport. Picking the right destination also plays a significant role in determining how much your trip will ultimately set you back, with some holidays notoriously pricey.

Despite the usual surge in travel demand during the summer holidays, three European destinations have actually seen prices drop. And it could be the perfect moment to book, as travel expert and Head of Aviation at loveholidays, Gavin Brewer, said: “There isn’t a blanket trend of rising holiday costs across the board, and there are still bargains to be found.”

While he pointed out that the United States had experienced the largest price reduction, with seven-night packages over the summer dropping by £117 per person on average since the conflict in the Middle East erupted, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Turkey have followed a similar suit. Gavin disclosed that all three European hotspots have seen significant price cuts on seven-night packages throughout the summer.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria, boasting stunning golden beaches along the Black Sea and breathtaking mountain scenery, has seen prices fall by an average of £60 per person. The country offers an abundance of gorgeous beaches perfect for soaking up the sun, and is widely regarded as a brilliantly budget-friendly destination, with a local beer setting you back just around €2.32 (£2), reports Wales Online.

Among the most popular spots to explore is the capital, Sofia, home to the iconic golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare, Vitosha Boulevard. Then there’s the ancient city of Plovdiv, which boasts a history stretching back more than 8,000 years – a former ‘European Capital of Culture’ that’s rich in heritage and ideal for exploring on foot.

Montenegro

Meanwhile, the travel expert also discovered that Montenegro, celebrated as a ‘Balkan gem’ where dramatic mountain landscapes meet the coastline, has seen prices tumble by around £53pp. The European nation is frequently likened to Croatia, but without the tourist hordes, thanks to its unspoilt national parks and relaxed coastal towns nestled along the Adriatic Sea.

Highlights include the renowned Bay of Kotor, often described as ‘Europe’s southernmost fjord’, flanked by towering cliffs, vivid azure waters and beautifully preserved medieval towns such as Kotor and Herceg Novi, which proudly holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Another must-see is Durmitor National Park, where glacier-carved terrain reveals majestic peaks, sweeping pine forests and stunningly clear glacial lakes.

Turkey

Turkey, renowned for its breathtaking architecture, rich culture and vibrant bazaars, has also seen prices slashed by around £35pp. Straddling the border between Europe and Asia, it boasts a thriving culinary scene and wonderfully diverse landscapes bursting with character, alongside striking architecture that pays homage to its iconic heritage.

Istanbul ranks among the most sought-after destinations in Turkey, with its ancient quarter, Sultanahmet, teeming with world-famous landmarks, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Then there are the magical landscapes of Cappadocia, celebrated for its extraordinary rock formations and skies that fill with vivid hot air balloons beneath the warm glow of an orange sunrise.

Alongside his budget-friendly European suggestions, Gavin added: “There are still plenty of affordable getaways available this summer. If price is your main priority, a great way to find the best deal is to search our platform for holidays based on your budget alone.”

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

The Repair Shop expert Amanda Middleditch felt the pressure during the latest episode

A significant World Cup item was brought to The Repair Shop barn on Wednesday.

During the latest instalment (June 24) of the popular BBC programme, experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch met Steph Taylor and her daughter Alison. The life-long football fans sought help in restoring a soft toy of the 1966 England World Cup mascot, World Cup Willie, who was in a “rather sorry state”.

Steph explained that she bought the toy at the first match she went to that year. After getting tickets to all the matches at Wembley Stadium, including the final, Steph brought Willie along in her pocket.

The guest explained that she also went to the matches with her future husband, Chris, with their romance blossoming during the tournament. The couple got married that same year, before welcoming their daughter eight months later.

Sadly, tragedy struck when Chris died of an asthma attack just nine months after Alison was born.

“That makes Willie much more significant,” Julie noted, before Alison said: “Because they weren’t together very long, he’s the only thing that I have that connects mum and dad. So, it’s quite special to me as well.”

Julie and Amanda quickly got to work to try and restore the “very important” toy to its former glory. However, Amanda was noticeably nervous.

“He looks extremely fragile, doesn’t he? I’m quite concerned about his face,” she said.

Amanda added: “This little guy’s face is absolutely terrifying. The damp has left him with these two ugly holes. I’ve got to make him look good again.”

The expert tried to feed a new piece of fabric underneath the toy’s damaged face, but she worked with caution. She said: “I’m holding my breath here because the worst thing that could happen is his face disintegrates on me, and then I would have to replace the whole face.

“Oh, it’s a scary one! I think this is actually scarier than taking a penalty in the World Cup final. [I’m] absolutely terrified. But we can do this.”

Julie and Amanda successfully managed to restore World Cup Willie, leaving both Steph and Alison speechless as they were reunited with their possession.

“Oh my goodness, that’s amazing!” said Alison, while her mum noted: “I don’t know if he’s ever looked that good!”

A visibly emotional Steph added: “[I’m] quite filled up about it all, really. Yeah.”

Alison continued: “He’s quite special because he’s a link to my mum and my dad. He’s the only thing that really connects them,” before Steph said: “He’s a very important lion.”

The Repair Shop is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

Yes, you should visit Mexico City. Don’t overthink it and don’t delay. Despite excessive tourism and rising gentrification fears, the seething capital of Mexico — 25 million souls strong — remains a top-tier international destination for any committed food lover. And the intensity of its dining scene seems to be only growing.

Sure, a wave of privileged remote workers oozing dollars and euros may have dampened the vibe for Mexico City natives, leading to protests. The post-pandemic issues of housing displacement and rising costs for locals are serious challenges that political leaders must address. Yet time and again, on every visit, the resiliency and passion that original defeños have for their gastronomical paradise proves to be boundless.

Use these handy dining guides for all of your summer travel, near and far.

I have traveled to Mexico City regularly since 2002 and lived there for nearly a decade. I won’t feel slighted if you prefer the dining advice of current residents, or from any of the numerous local dining guides online. But one thing about me, I have an aversion to hype, and tend to avoid the city’s contemporaneous food magnets where the ratio of foreigners to locals is too out of whack. (No, the Michelin-starred taqueria was never extraordinarily better than any others in its bracket.) Where my native friends go, I go.

Here are highlights of my top, top, top recommendations from my L.A. Times restaurant guides on Mexico City, plus a few more favorites. My goal here is to distill down your options for a concentrated, food-centric visit, from nostalgic jewels beloved by hardscrabble chilangos to the celebrated shrines of high-end chefs reaping the bounties of the Valley of Mexico.

The Foreign Office has lifted its no-go travel warning after Iran and the US signed a deal

A travel expert has provided an update on journeys to and from the Gulf region following the US and Iran reaching an agreement to cease hostilities between the two nations. Speaking outside the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Simon Calder confirmed that travel insurance was ‘once again valid’ after both the Iranian and American presidents put pen to paper on a deal to end the conflict.

This prompted the FCDO to lift its advice against travelling to several Gulf States. Nevertheless, it cautioned that the ‘situation remains unpredictable’ amid ongoing regional tensions.

Mr Calder stated that those wishing to visit the region could now do so ‘with some confidence’. He said: “I’m at the Foreign Office which has just changed its advice for travellers going to the Gulf region, in particular Dubai, which last year was visited by 1.4 million British travellers.

“As from now, the no-go warning which prevailed for the whole of the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as to the countries of Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, has been lifted. The Foreign Office still warns that you need to be ready for trouble to resume at any time, but it means that travel insurance is once again valid and anybody planning a trip to the UAE or Qatar or elsewhere in the region can do so with some confidence.

“The immediate effect, I think, is going to be a big marketing campaign by the giant airlines: Emirates of Dubai, Etihad of Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways based in Doha. They will be wanting to get people to both connect through their hubs, but also to take summer holidays. Be warned, it is extremely hot with average daily highs around 40°C.”

Not only do millions of holidaymakers head to the Gulf states, but countless others use them as a stopover for journeys to Asia and Australia. That meant the tourism industry took a particularly severe blow when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February.

The FCDO decision means tourists can now return without putting their travel insurance at risk. But that doesn’t mean flights will restart straight away.

Virgin Atlantic halted flights until winter 2027 after the conflict began, and a spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that this ‘remains the case’.

British Airways announced earlier in June that it wouldn’t restart flights to the UAE until October 2026. Emirates has maintained flights to and from the region throughout the hostilities.

Mr Calder continued: “The immediate effect, I think, is going to be a big marketing campaign by the giant airlines: Emirates of Dubai, Etihad of Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways based in Doha. They will be wanting to get people to both connect through their hubs, but also to take summer holidays. Be warned, it is extremely hot with average daily highs around 40°C.”

“But it means that anybody who’s planning to travel perhaps to Asia or to Australia now will be able to travel with confidence through one of the Gulf hubs. In addition, I imagine that airfares will fall because the Asian carriers will not be able to command such a premium.

“Stand by for some really good holiday offers, but I personally won’t be seeing you on the beach in Dubai until about November.”

As a mum to a six year old and a two year old, I love an all inclusive hotel. There’s plenty of food options, and I don’t groan every time one of my children tips their drink into the sand. But they’re often pretty big, and pretty expensive. So when I checked into Club Med in Bodrum, I was quickly won over.

While it’s quite large, with 242 rooms on the pretty hillside site, it still manages to feel boutique and exclusive. A high return rate, plenty of the guests we met were on their second or third visits. One, an elderly Belgian man on holiday with his wife, was on his seventh. “It’s just perfect,” he told me. Why would we go anywhere else? And I have to say I agree. Here’s why…

The rooms

There are three different room types at Club Med, Bodrum: superior, family deluxe and suites. As a family of four, we were given a deluxe, which was split over two floors. There were two single beds downstairs and a king upstairs, in a large living space that doubled as a living room.

There were two bathrooms and a spacious balcony with chairs for lounging that looked out over the archery courts below. As far as decor goes, it was simple – white walls, minimal accessories. Functional for a family who would be spending most of their time on the beach. Beds were comfy, and a cot was provided. The whole thing was immaculately clean and the thread count was high. It was an ideal base to set up camp for the week.

The food

While in Bodrum, we ate a lot of our meals out, but the ones we enjoyed at the hotel were very good indeed. The hotel’s main buffet restaurant, La Terrasse, is at the top of the site, with stunning breezy terraces overlooking the sea, all draped in purple flowers. The view, it has to be said, is breathtaking. The scenery served up is almost as good as the eggs.

Breakfast is varied, with omelettes made to order, a bakery, cereals and salads. A juice bar serves up brightly coloured drinks, and there’s a fruit station with enough bananas to keep my kids happy all day. Coffee is best sourced at the bar, which does a great flat white with fresh beans. Throughout the day, delicious picky snacks like olives and flatbread are served at the beach bar, and to the delight of the little ones, fresh watermelon was delivered to them on the sand.

La Terrasse opens once more for lunch and dinner, with a banquet of options for all tastes and palates, from grilled prawns to pizza. There were even snails one night – a nod to Club Med’s French brand heritage. A gentle theme runs each night, say Mexican, Chinese, and so on. And there’s plenty of Turkish treats to delight too. Once a week, a white party takes over the pool area and guests are all given light-up crowns to wear as they dine. My six year old absolutely loved this – as did I. Down the mountainside, the a la carte Halikarnas restaurant provides a more intimate, upmarket setting, with incredible seafood and meat options.

The activities

While Club Med isn’t specifically a family hotel, and in fact most of the guests we met during our stay were friends or couples, it really does welcome children with open arms. Staff remember names and drinks orders, and a fuss is made of young guests wherever they go. The pool area is large and luxurious, with plenty of sunloungers, many of which are set under the shade of surrounding trees, and there’s a little baby pool for paddlers too.

Elsewhere, there’s a small playground set down a shady path and activities like archery and beach fit to keep everyone occupied when on a break from the beach. A complimentary twice-daily boat trip, which leaves from the hotel pier at 10am and 3pm each day to tour the beautiful coastline, lets the little ones on with lifejackets.

The beach

At the foot of the hill lies the jewel in Club Med’s crown – its pristine, private, beach. Set in a long bay, ensuring calm, safe water, it can be accessed via stairs or a lift, with a regular supply of buggies taking guests up and down the hill to reach it. Once at the shore, turning left takes you to a section of Bali beds set over the waves on the rocky cliffs, with some more to be found on a wooden pier.

We, however, turned right – to the main stretch of beach. With more than enough sunbeds, each with a generous umbrella for shade, there’s no jostling required. The beach is cleaned daily and the water is crystal clear. It’s paradisical. Little fish came to say hello as we built sandcastles by the water’s edge. The perfect place to wile away the day.

The surrounding area

If you can bear to leave Club Med Bodrum, there is plenty to explore nearby. A trip to Bodrum castle is a must to wander through the historic fortress. Built by the Knights of St John, it now houses one of the world’s most important collections of ancient shipwrecks and relics. There are a flock of friendly peacocks in residence too, which I have to say were the highlight for both my girls.

Elsewhere, Bodrum Antik Tiyatrosu (Bodrum Antique Theatre) is a remarkably preserved 4th-century BC Greco-Roman amphitheatre carved into the slopes of Mount Göktepe. Overlooking the city and the Aegean Sea, it stands as one of Anatolia’s oldest surviving theatres. Later, a walk up to the 18th-century windmills between Bodrum and Gümbet then provided sweeping views, and we headed down to the glamorous Bodrum marina to dine by the water at Liman Koftescisi, a renowned Turkish restaurant. The meatballs with aubergine were divine.

For those who love wine, Bodrum is abundant. Karnas Vineyards is a family-owned, boutique winery and agricultural estate located in the Karaova region of the Bodrum peninsula. Spanning over 20 hectares, it is famous for being the first vineyard to plant the Zinfandel grape variety in Turkey, producing award-winning wines using sustainable and traditional techniques. Featured in the Michelin Guide, the vineyard features a terrace restaurant serving local, farm-to-fork meals made from ingredients grown on-site or by local farmers.

And just down the road, Mehmet Vuran is the owner and winemaker at Garova in the Karaova Valley of Bodrum. A visit to his estate is as much of a delight for children as it is for the grown ups thanks to a menagerie of animals, with cows, chickens and baby chickens running around. As the golden sun dipped behind the horizon, as our visit to Bodrum drew to a close, we toasted to our return.

*For more on planning a trip to Türkiye, see Go Türkiye

Getting there

Without Flights: Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Bodrum, Palmiye, Turkey from £2,490 (based on a family of four). Price based on departure date 06.06.26. Book now at www.clubmed.co.uk/r/bodrum/y or call 03453 676767

London Flights: Seven nights all-inclusive stay at Club Med Bodrum, Palmiye, Turkey from £4,014 (based on a family of four). Price based on departure date 06.06.26. Book now at www.clubmed.co.uk/r/bodrum/y or call 03453 676767

Car hire is at its peak over summer, with people using them to travel around the UK and beyond. And getting it right is easy with a bit of knowhow, says travel expert Jamie Holt

Hiring a car is not particularly sexy nor glamorous – but it’s a task completed by Brits in their hundreds of thousands every summer. “We’re seeing families prioritise flexibility and convenience more than ever, whether that’s for a summer holiday abroad or a UK staycation,” says Jamie Holt, SIXT’s Head of Operations and Resident Travel Expert. “Whether it’s a week in Cornwall, a weekend in the Lake District, or driving straight from the airport to a resort abroad, people want the journey itself to feel easy and enjoyable.” Here he shares his top tips for getting it right.

Don’t leave it too late

Jamie says: “Summer is always busy, and family-friendly vehicles – SUVs, estates and 7-seaters- get booked up first, particularly during school holidays. Booking early gives you more choice, better value and the right vehicle for your trip. It’s also worth being realistic about space: once you add luggage, pushchairs and everything else, a slightly larger car makes the whole journey more comfortable.”

Embrace flexibility

Jamie says: “My biggest tip is to embrace the flexibility a car gives you – stop at a beach on the way down, visit smaller villages that are harder to reach by train, and avoid the pressure of fixed schedules. Make sure you plan for busy roads during peak weekends: setting off slightly earlier or later than the main rush makes a real difference. Keeping snacks, entertainment and chargers easily accessible helps too. We’re seeing more families turn short UK breaks into proper road trip experiences.”

Understand local rules when abroad

Jamie says: “Book in advance, especially in popular destinations where availability drops quickly in summer. Make sure you understand the local driving rules before you travel – speed limits, road signs and right-of-way rules can vary significantly. Check what’s included in your rental: unlimited kilometres, protection options and 24/7 breakdown assistance make a big difference abroad. And always take five minutes to familiarise yourself with the vehicle, the navigation system and local road apps before you set off.”

Book the right car for you

Jamie says: “Comfort and practicality should come first. People focus on price, but choosing the right vehicle completely changes the experience. At SIXT, we specialise in premium vehicles, so customers can expect a comfortable drive from the moment they collect the car. For summer, whether you’re heading on a UK road trip or hiring abroad, SUVs and larger family vehicles are popular because they offer the room and comfort that longer journeys demand. Think beyond getting from A to B; the journey should feel like part of the holiday.”

Take five minutes before setting off

Jamie says: “It makes a real difference, especially when driving somewhere unfamiliar or abroad. Before anything else, do a full walk-around of the car and take photos and videos – it only takes a moment and gives you peace of mind for the journey ahead. Check the navigation system, phone connectivity, charging points and child seat fittings before leaving the branch. Test how luggage fits in the boot rather than assuming it will all squeeze in later. Travel days can already feel hectic during summer, so a little preparation upfront helps everything run more smoothly.”

Plan, plan, plan

Jamie says: “Extra planning goes a long way during peak season. Whether you’re collecting from an airport, heading off on a staycation or navigating busy roads, giving yourself extra time helps. Keep an eye on live traffic updates and avoid the busiest routes where you can. If you’re travelling with children, build regular breaks into the journey. Hiring a car through SIXT already takes a lot off your plate – with flexible booking, 24/7 support and out-of-hours returns, families can focus on enjoying the trip.”

Hire straight from the airport

Jamie says: “Hiring straight from the airport removes unnecessary stress. After a flight, the last thing you want is to navigate train connections or wait for taxis with lots of luggage. Having a car ready means you continue your journey comfortably and on your own schedule – especially useful in destinations abroad where public transport is limited. We also see strong demand for same-day and short-notice bookings during summer, so flexibility is built in for when plans change.”

Look beyond the headline price

Jamie says: “Features like unlimited kilometres, vehicle protection and 24/7 breakdown assistance make a huge difference, particularly for families driving long distances or abroad. Adding an extra driver for longer trips is also worth considering – sharing the driving makes the experience more relaxed, especially with children. And for UK staycations, you can often book and collect from city centres and local branches, not just airports.”

Think about the journey as part of the holiday…

…”not just the transport,” says Jamie. “The smoother the travel day, the better the trip starts for everyone. Booking early not only gives you the widest choice of vehicle categories – it’s also where you’ll find the best rates, with SIXT’s prepay option offering great value and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. At SIXT, we’re making it easier than ever to hit the road – browse the premium fleet at sixt.co.uk or download the SIXT app to book from our nationwide network including city centres such as London, Manchester, and airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and many more. SIXT gives people the freedom to travel on their own schedule, make spontaneous stops, and avoid the stress of crowded stations or peak-time public transport.”

Whether you’re looking for the best restaurants L.A. has to offer, a fun and affordable way to spend your day or a new adventure in one of our city’s iconic neighborhoods, the Los Angeles Times has you covered.

You can now make our guides your own by saving individual recommendations for later — mixing and matching from food to fun and everything in between — with the confidence that your choices are backed by L.A. Times experts.

Saving is simple. Visit any of our local guides, find something that interests you and look for the “Save” button. From there, you can choose a category in which to save your item, such as Food & Drink or Things to Do.

Not an L.A. Times subscriber? Don’t worry. You can register for a free account to get saving on many of our guides. Once you’ve saved a few items, check out your personalized save dashboard at latimes.com/saved/guides. You can also find it in the site account dropdown menu.

Call it a wish list, bucket list or checklist — the dashboard is all yours. Revisit your saves, remove ones you don’t want and even see your items on a personal map.

We hope this makes it easier to explore L.A. and beyond.

OUR holiday park expert is back and ready to answer your questions.

If there’s anything you want to know about booking a Sun £9.50 holiday, now’s your chance to ask our expert.

One of the best ways to book The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 is through Sun Club, as you can skip the token collecting and also get access to booking early. To book your £9.50 Hols this way, simply head to thesun.co.uk/club and sign up to Sun Club for just £1.99 a month.

Simply ask Tracy Kennedy a question about £9.50 Hols using the form below, and you’ll be in with the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

Your question can be about anything to do with Hols from £9.50 – from which holiday parks have the best beaches to how to go about booking the best deal.

Simply fill in the form with your question, name and email, and you may be contacted if your question is chosen.

Read more on £9.50 holidays

BEACH BARGAINS

Our fave beautiful British seaside towns with their own £9.50 Holiday parks

PARK UP

Major holiday park reopens after huge £5m makeover & you can stay with £9.50 Hols

https://thesun.formstack.com/forms/js.php/travel_agony_aunt_2026Online Form – 9.50 Hols Agony Aunt – 2026

As we release each £9.50 Hols Q&A with Tracy, one lucky person will be awarded the winning question – and they will be contacted to claim their £100 Amazon voucher.

Tracy has already given some great advice on £9.50 Holidays, such as her personal favourite caravan parks and her top picks of parks for couples.

She has also saved £974 in one year by being a Sun Club member, and taking advantage of perks like discounted attraction tickets and early access to booking £9.50 hols.

If you haven’t booked your £9.50 hol yet, or are ready to book yourself another one – you’re in luck.

Thousands of new holidays will be released on the Hols from £9.50 website on July 8, with Sun Club members gaining early access to the new breaks on July 7.

These new breaks will be added across hundreds of holiday parks in the UK and Europe, and the best part is that they start from under a tenner.

Being a Sun Club member, Tracy waits up til midnight to be among the first to gain access to new £9.50 holidays as they are released.

This is because Sun Club members get priority access to booking their £9.50 holidays, as they can log on online to book them the day before those who are collecting codes from the paper.

This is just one of Tracy’s tips and tricks to make sure you are in the best chance of booking a break at your desired holiday park, as dates can get very competitive.

Our expert Tracy is even the co-owner of a Facebook group dedicated to Hols from £9.50, which now has over 297,000 members.

CONVICTED murderer Mackenzie Shirilla showed tell-tale signs she was trying to force emotion during her arrest and in her bombshell Netflix interview, a body language expert has claimed.

Shirilla, 21, has been languishing behind bars in Ohio after being found guilty of murdering her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and their friend, Davion Flanagan.

Her case has sent true crime fans into a tailspin after the success of the Netflix documentary, The Crash, in which she broke her silence and maintained her innocence.

Shirilla’s TikToks and Instagram posts have resurfaced, showing her regularly posing in the mirror, showing off designer clothing, and even smoking weed in her car.

Text messages revealed by police showed her toxic relationship with Dominic, her boyfriend of four years, whose family claims had tried more than once to break up with her.

She reportedly threatened to harm him during arguments before purposefully plowing into a brick wall while driving her Toyota Camry on July 31, 2022.

SICK TRYST

Mackenzie Shirilla’s prison video sex & NSFW threats exposed in new docs

Renowned body language expert Logan Portenier, host and creator of the popular YouTube channel Observe, spent hours breaking down her movements in dozens of social media clips and footage.

Here he gives The U.S. Sun his biggest takeaways from the case.

TikTok star

Shirilla was a social media-obsessed teen before the crash and shared daily posts on TikTok of her and Dom, both at home and out and about, as she was often the center of attention.

Reviewing one clip of them in the car together, Logan said, “He doesn’t seem to be as stoked for this video that she’s filming as she does.

“It didn’t seem as though they were quite on the same page emotionally.

“She’s doing her different poses and expressions for the sake of the video and for his side of things, he seems much more reserved and subdued.

“Because he’s not performing as much for the camera as she is, we’re seeing a fair bit of synchronization across the upper half of his face and the lower half of his face, which lets us know that anything that we’re kind of seeing on that is probably going to be forced. It’s performative.

“And he does, a little lackluster kind of asymmetrical smile on the bottom half of his face.”

Uncomfortable posing

In another clip from Shirilla’s TikTok, the couple is at home, and she is trying to get him to pose in a full-length mirror as he is seen hiding behind her.

“Mackenzie is doing a lot of the posing,” Logan said. “She’s hitting her different looks that she wants to do during this.

“In the background, you could see initially Dom’s nonverbal communication.

“He’s doing a self hug. You can see him holding both of his arms there.

“That is misconstrued in a lot of areas as exclusively defensive,” but Logan feels this is more about comfort.

“What I do find more interesting is that he does shift later on to holding both hands in front.

“So both of those clusters there, he has one in front and then he has his hands clasped in front like that. Both of those signal a level of discomfort.”

Logan added, “We’re seeing again this dichotomy between the two of them.

“He’s kind of there and he’s being present, albeit uncomfortable, reserved, and needing to do a little bit of self-soothing to be able to make it through.”

Distracted driving

Shirilla, who made no secret of being image-conscious before her arrest, frequently posed for TikTok videos — even when she should have been concentrating on the road.

In hindsight, clips showing her filming herself while driving are especially unsettling, given that two young men would later lose their lives in a crash while riding in a car with her behind the wheel.

“It’s very focused on the phone and what she appears like on it, hitting her specific facial expressions as well,” Logan said.

“And on those facial expressions, this helps us understand how she will behave and appear when she’s performing.

“There might be some of that lip pursing that we kind of see in there.

“There are some head tilts in there as well as she’s trying to be perceived in a very specific way, so that performative non-verbal communication comes in handy in future situations, because then you can keep an eye out for some of those patterns that may or may not show up in the future.”

Cuffed and anxious

Shirilla survived the crash and police launched an investigation, as evidence slowly proved it was not an accident and she recovered from multiple surgeries.

Fast-forward to November 2022, and Shirilla’s life blows up in smoke as she’s finally arrested and later charged with murder.

“I don’t know that she’s aware that there’s a camera pointed at her, that she’s going to be perceived in this area, and so what we’re going to be able to see is more of her unfiltered nonverbal communication,” Logan pointed out.

“And with this, she is feeling what would be considered in that vein of the universal emotion of sadness.

“There’s grief, there’s panic, and stress, everything that can go into that.

“What really gives it away is the action in her forehead area.

“What we’re seeing predominantly is unit one activation, which is the middle portion of your eyebrows when they go upward during genuine sadness and grief.

“You can see that happening symmetrically, but if it’s more performed, a lot of people will end up having light asymmetrical activation because it’s not genuine.”

Frozen with fear

In further footage of Shirilla in the back of a police car after her arrest, Logan said she appears frozen with fear despite not shedding a tear as she heads to the station.

“She has fairly relaxed eye positioning in general when she’s not panicked,” he said.

“And so this widening of her eyes, it indicates, genuinely, that she’s feeling anxious. This would be considered fear.”

Logan added that while Shirilla “might not be terrified, it would at least trigger as fear to the anxiety levels” as she rides in the police car.

“So we’re seeing both the combination of the grief across the upper half of her forehead and her eyes are showing the fear as well,” Logan said.

“Then when we get down to the rest of her face, some things that show more physiology rather than just physical movements, is a lot of the inflammation around her nose and upper lip,” which Logan claims “[lets] us know that this is coming from an authentic place.”

Putting on an act

Logan explained that emotional states have a profile, and things can usually shift after around four and a half seconds.

During the journey, Shirilla seems to relax, despite the situation that she’s in, and is seen rolling her head back and looking bored.

But as they approach the station, Logan feels she starts to perform as she realizes she should be more upset than she is if she’s not guilty of murder.

“When you’re watching somebody who’s performing, you’ll see a lot of crashes in between,” he told The U.S. Sun.

“So they’ll be emoting a specific way and then it’s almost like they remember like, ‘Oh, I should be sad right now.’ And then they’ll crash into sadness, something like that.

“You can see it start to kind of creep through the cracks of her rather reserved expression beforehand.”

This is where Logan returns to Shirilla’s “eyebrow activation.”

He claims Shirilla’s outer and inner eyebrows are working together at this point to show sadness, stress and anxiety.

Again, the corners of her nose are also activated, not in disgust, but trying to show she is upset, something he says he doesn’t often see.

Oscar-worthy performance

She is later seen sobbing during her trial before being locked up for 15 years to life on murder charges.

Shirilla starts to mix with people from different walks of life, and it’s years later when we see her sit down with film producers for her bombshell interview.

She is seen walking into the frame and sitting down at a table wearing her prison scrubs, her hair tied up in a large bun.

“The fact that she’s sitting down, crossing her arms, immediately lets us know that she’s probably feeling uncomfortable about what’s about to happen there and needs to block off and self-soothing a little bit,” Logan said.

Shirilla then activated her glabella – the smooth area of skin on her forehead located directly between the eyebrows and just above the bridge of her nose, Logan said.

He claims this was to give the impression she is empathetic, but instead of it being symmetrical, she delivered asymmetrical activation.

“Her right eyebrow does not have the same activation as her left eyebrow.

“Her left eyebrow is doing the exact same expression that we saw in the cruiser. Her right eyebrow is not.

“It’s an asymmetrical expression which lets us know this isn’t authentic empathy.

“This isn’t authentic pain or fear or grief that she’s feeling here. It’s forced.”

Logan said this was also visible further down the vein on the bottom half of her face.

She also began pursing her lips – something she would do in her performative TikTok videos, where she wanted to control how she was being perceived.

He said she is trying to convince the audience she is upset about the situation she is in, and victims’ deaths, but “her body is betraying her.”

“And then when we get to this specific interview she’s talking at a lower register, she has a little bit more husky to her voice,” he said.

“Some of the verbal tics that she uses as well have shifted. And my immediate thought was, this has to be something about the performance that she’s obviously performing.

“She wants people to feel a certain way. And so she shifted her tone, her speaking differently as well to perhaps support that.”

He feels not only her voice will have changed in prison, but her body language as she mixes with other inmates.

“I have no doubt in my mind that she’ll be adjusting her overall nonverbal behavior as well to better fit in and get to where she wants to be in that social circle as well,” he said.

To see the full interview with Logan, and other exclusive videos on Mackenzie Shirilla, visit our YouTube channel.

WE ALL know holidays are expensive, and costs can rack up faster than a flight from Southend to Newquay.

So, as a seasoned travel journalist, it really pains me to see holidaymakers shelling out over the odds, and unnecessarily so, on their once-a-year summer break.

By all means, this holiday is your time to celebrate. Have a 6am pint in the airport ‘Spoons (sorry to Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, but I disagree with banning pre-flight beers) and sure, treat yourself to that pair of sandals you’ve been eyeing up in Duty Free.

But why are you still wasting your hard-earned cash on an aeroplane lunch?

I just can’t fathom it. And it’s not because I’m a food snob. 

The other week on an easyJet flight back from Greece, the young lad next to me was practically jumping out of his seat in anticipation of the trolley to edge our way.

I thought he was gagging for a drink, but it turns out he was after the cheeseburger (who knew easyJet even sold cheeseburgers?).

But sadly, this lad never got his gnashers on that beef patty as they’d sold out already.

“Ugh, I’d been looking forward to that all day,” he muttered to his partner.

I raised an eyebrow. What had the breakfast buffet been like at his hotel if he’d been craving this floppy-looking easyJet cheeseburger “ALL day”? 

He wasn’t the only one in an ordering frenzy during this flight, either.

Looking around me, I’d say at least half – if not more – of the passengers had ordered their lunch on board, along with drinks and snacks.

This wasn’t entirely a shock to me. On another short-haul flight I took earlier this year, the plane food had proved equally popular.

And although there aren’t any hard stats to back this up, colleagues have said they’ve experienced the same; it seems Brits really love their on-board grub.

Selfishly, I was a little relieved that my neighbour didn’t get his burger, as I’m not sure I fancied inhaling the stench of microwaved meat for the final few moments of my journey.

I mean no disrespect to easyJet, either.

Other airlines I’ve travelled on can’t rustle up a better lunch, even the pricier and fancier carriers.

That’s simply because they don’t have the equipment on board, nor the space to carry fresh ingredients.

There isn’t a chef up in the galley scorching tender steak on an open flame, because, well… health and safety.

It’s not necessarily the poor quality that I can’t stomach, though. It’s the extortionate price tag.

It would have cost the fella next to me £7.50 for the burger alone. No chips. No side salad. No drink.

And judging by the menu picture, it looked smaller than a bacon bap from Greggs.

I’m not saying you have to pre-make the entire family a set of sad sandwiches at home, but you can pick up some pretty decent bites at the airport these days.

Plus, these airport meals won’t cost you as much as the food on board the plane.

While matey next to me disappointedly tucked into his ham and cheddar toastie (a more reasonable £5.75) and his partner, the lasagne (£7.95), I was ripping open the paper to my huge spinach and feta-stuffed filo pastry. 

I’d picked up this local bite from a cafe in the airport, just after security, for under £4.50.

Said cafe had sandwiches, too, as well as crisps and snacks – all of which were cheaper and more generously sized than the on-board grub. 

And that was just at a teeny airport in Greece – at larger airports, you’re spoiled for choice.

If you’ve left a sensible amount of time to bag drop and get through security, then you’ll also have time to kill on the other side. Grabbing a meal is the perfect way to do that. 

To those who insist on eating while sitting on the plane, I say: just get a takeaway.

Sack off your aeroplane sarnie and pick up a Boots meal deal, which includes a sandwich or main meal, snack and a drink for less than the price of one sandwich on board.

At Heathrow airport, a Boots meal deal comes in at an inflated (but still more affordable than food on board) price of £5.50 – and the quality of what you’re getting really doesn’t differ that much.

Or if you really fancy a slap-up meal, a lot of airport Wetherspoons offer takeaway versions of their dishes, meaning you can order a sit-down meal just before boarding your flight.

You don’t need to leave things to chance, either.

Generally speaking, you can look up what restaurants and takeaway options there are in the airport before you arrive. 

It’s also well worth taking advantage of the Too Good To Go app that lets you collect a “surprise bag” of goodies from an airport cafe or restaurant. 

You’ll have to log in and buy the bag in advance, but it can save you a fair whack of cash.

For example, if I were flying from Heathrow this evening, I could pick up a mixed bag of pastries for just £2.69, a fraction of what they would normally cost.

Or if I were travelling from Gatwick tomorrow morning, I could pick up a brekkie bag from Pure cafe for a fiver, containing two to three items such as toasties, porridge and egg muffins.

That’s almost enough for the whole family.

With families growing faster than bedroom numbers, an intriguing trends in staycations sees friends meet in the middle with their families instead of having each other to stay

“I’d love to get together, but we just have no room for you all.” Sound familiar? It’s certainly true for me. And I’m by no means alone. As longtime friends grow their families, leading to limited space for guests in their own homes, a rising staycation trend is emerging that sees both parties meet in the middle at a holiday rental. Dubbed “nesting holidays”, the idea is simple. No space? No problem. Families avoid the squeeze by booking somewhere big enough for everyone at an equidistance from both homes.

I’m a mum to two girls, and I came across the idea of a nesting holiday by chance when trying to book in my best friend Emily to stay with us. She’d recently had twins, adding to her brood to take her tally up to three children. Along with her husband Mike, they were a family of five – too many for our small spare room. And with them in the middle of a house renovation, there was no room at the inn for our family of four there either.

Just what were a pair of Millennial mums to do? “Why don’t we meet in the middle?” I offered. “Somewhere wipe clean…” And, reader, I found the perfect place. Browsing Sykes Cottages, I came across Bears Court in Little Rissington in the Cotswolds. On first glance, I’ll admit looks a bit soulless. A plant wouldn’t go amiss…

It’s a newly built complex of holiday houses, each one identical to the next. There’s nothing traditionally “Cotswolds” about them. But – and it’s a BIG but – boy oh boy is there method in their madness. Where Bears Court lacked in country charm it made up for it in spades with space and amenities. And for parents looking for a wipe-clean “nesting holiday” they are nigh on perfect.

Set overlooking the stunning Cotswold countryside, albeit with fences too high to see any of it from the garden, they are slap bang in the middle of the action. It’s close enough to all the bustle of local villages, like Stow-on-the-Wold, for easy exploration, but remote enough for complete and utter peace. Five minutes in the car will take you into Bouton-on-the-Water to paddle in the low river, and feast on local ice cream.

15 minutes in the car will take you to The Plough Inn at Ford, a brilliant pub with an even more brilliant pub garden with kids menu and adventure playground. And right out of the front door are public footpaths to take you through the fields and meadows that surround the complex. Within seconds you are in nature. The Cotswolds Way is yours for the taking if you fancy a scenic hike.

The house itself (we had number five Bears Court) is minimal to say the least, but has everything you need for a relaxing weekend away as a group: big table, large lounge area, four bedrooms, multiple toilets, a ping pong table, dart board and – everyone’s highlight – a hot tub in the yard. The cavernous downstairs area was big enough for all five children to run around in, and the yard area was nice and secure with a bolted gate. There was nothing for the children to break or destroy, yet everything we needed from plentiful towels and a washing machine, to a fully equipped kitchen and picnic-style bench outside.

“Dare I say it, I feel relaxed,” said Emily as we sat in the sun with a cold beer and had our first face-to-face conversation in months. I couldn’t help but agree. Wipe clean and wonderful. As two tired parents in need of a natter, we couldn’t have asked for more.

*Seven nights at Bears Court starts from £1,722.

The Trump administration has sought to pressure international officials who scrutinise reported abuses by Israeli forces.

The United States government has returned UN human rights expert Francesca Albanese to a list of sanctioned individuals after a judge had granted a temporary injunction against the designation.

On Wednesday, an update appeared on the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website, indicating that Albanese had been added to the agency’s list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), without offering further details.

Albanese serves as the UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, and her criticism of Israeli policies has made her a target under US President Donald Trump.

In July 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement announcing sanctions against Albanese, accusing her of “lawfare” and “biased and malicious activities” against Israel.

He also cited her recommendation that the International Criminal Court (ICC) should issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant, which it ultimately did in November 2024.

The announcement was one in a series of actions the Trump administration has taken against critics it sees as hostile to US and Israeli interests.

The sanctions barred Albanese from entering the US and froze her assets in the country. They also prevented any US-based entity from doing business with her.

Albanese, an Italian citizen, has close ties to the US: Her daughter is a US citizen, and the family maintains a residence in the country.

In February, members of Albanese’s family filed a lawsuit on her behalf, stating that the sanctions had disrupted her life, even preventing her from accessing her bank account.

The lawsuit also accused the Trump administration of trying to intimidate those who speak out against Israeli rights abuses.

Albanese has been vocal in her assessment that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a view echoed by leading human rights experts around the world. More than 75,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since 2023, when Israel launched its genocidal war on the Strip.

Albanese is not alone in facing economic penalties for her work. Since taking office for a second term, Trump is estimated to have issued sanctions against nine ICC judges, as well as prosecutors for the court.

The judges and prosecutors were reportedly involved in probes into abuses by US and Israeli forces.

Legal experts have condemned the sanctions as an assault on international law and an effort to shield the US and its allies from scrutiny.

On May 13, US District Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W Bush, ruled in favour of the Albanese family’s lawsuit, granting a temporary injunction against the sanctions.

Leon found that the Trump administration had used the penalties to curtail Albanese’s constitutionally protected speech. He also stated that Albanese could not be blamed for the ICC’s actions.

“It is undisputed that her recommendations have no binding effect on the ICC’s actions,” Leon wrote. “They are nothing more than her opinion.”

As a result of the ruling, Albanese was removed from the sanctions list this month.

But the Trump administration appealed Leon’s order. It also said it would restore her to the sanctions list as soon as it was able, though it is unclear what prompted Wednesday’s change.

A plane recently had to be diverted after a passenger forget their electronics in their hold luggage

Air travel comes with a long list of things people can and can’t take with them depending on how it’s packed. However, one travel expert is urging people to pay more attention to an often overlooked electronic that can’t be packed into your big suitcases going in the hold of the plane.

Travel journalist Ash Bhardwaj warned people to take any electronics with lithium batteries into the cabin in their hand luggage and not to stow it away in the hold. He explained that this is due to a serious fire risk and while fires in the cabin can be handled, fires in the luggage hold could prove to be a far greater issue.

Ash joined Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones on the rooftop of BBC’s Morning Live studio to soak in some sunshine as the hot temperatures continuing rolling out across the country.

He highlighted one recent easyJet flight bound for the UK actually had to be diverted to Rome because a passenger realised they had left one of their lithium batteries in the hold.

Ash revealed he’d had to make this lithium battery check himself at the airport once: “We were in Vietnam, flying back home, and I saw these signs about not being allowed lithium batteries in your hold luggage. I was checking everything; ‘Is this one a lithium battery, like the fan for the baby carrier’.”

To be sure, Ash opted to put everything he suspected of maybe having a lithium battery into his hand luggage.

He continued: “Basically, it’s a fear of the batteries catching fire. If you’ve got it on you, in the cabin, in your hand luggage, that’s fine because if anything does happen the crew can deal with it.

“The key thing don’t put power banks in your checked luggage they need to come with you.”

Each airline may have different rules around what batteries and electronics must be kept in the cabin with you so it’s best to check with your airline before flying.

In general, spare batteries and power banks should only go into carry-on baggage. You may need to carefully pack these to prevent the circuit from shorting out, for example by putting it back in the retail packaging or placing each battery into a separate protective pouch according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

This protection must also prevent the item from being accidentally turned on or damaged during the flight. Some power banks may also require approval from the airline operator to be taken onboard.

Other items that may contain lithium batteries:

• Laptops
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• Smart watches
• Cameras
• Music players
• Smart baggage tags
• Electronic cigarettes

NEW YORK — No quick dispatching of disease investigators. No televised news conference to inform the public. No timely health alerts to doctors.

In the midst of a hantavirus outbreak that involves Americans and is making headlines around the world, the U.S. government’s top public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been uncharacteristically missing in action, according to a number of experts.

To President Trump, “we seem to have things under very good control,” as he told reporters Friday evening.

To experts, the situation aboard a cruise ship has not spiraled because, unlike COVID-19 or measles or the flu, hantavirus does not spread easily. It has been health experts in other countries, not the United States, who have been dealing primarily with the outbreak in the last week.

“The CDC is not even a player,” said Lawrence Gostin, an international public health expert at Georgetown University. “I’ve never seen that before.”

Not until late Friday did CDC actions accelerate.

Health officials confirmed the deployment of a team to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the ship was expected to arrive early Sunday local time, to meet the Americans onboard. They said a second team will go to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska as part of a plan to evacuate U.S. passengers from the ship to a University of Nebraska quarantine center for evaluation and monitoring. Also, the CDC issued its first health alert to U.S. doctors, advising them of the possibility of imported cases.

At their first briefing, held Saturday by telephone only for invited reporters, officials pledged to be transparent in updating the public but said the media could not cite the speakers by name under rules set by aides to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They did not directly answer a question about whether the U.S. passengers could leave the university medical facility when they wanted.

The CDC’s diminished role in this outbreak is an indicator the agency is no longer the force in international health or the protector of domestic health that it once was, some experts said.

The hantavirus outbreak is “a sentinel event” that speaks to “how well the country is prepared for a disease threat. And right now, I’m very sorry to say that we are not prepared,” said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, chief executive officer of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

How the outbreak unfolded

Early last month, a 70-year-old Dutch man developed a feverish illness on a cruise ship traveling from Argentina to Antarctica and some islands in the South Atlantic. He died less than a week later. More people became sick, including the man’s wife and a German woman who both died.

Hantavirus was first identified as a cause of sickness of one of the cases on May 2. The World Health Organization swung into action and by Monday was calling it an outbreak. About two dozen Americans were on the ship, including about seven who disembarked last month and 17 who remained on board.

It’s WHO taking center stage

For decades, the CDC partnered with the WHO in such situations. The CDC acted as a mainstay of any international investigation, providing staff and expertise to help unravel any outbreak mystery, develop ways to control it and communicate to the public what they should know and how they should worry.

Such actions were a large reason why the CDC developed a reputation as the world’s premier public health agency.

But this time, the WHO has been center stage. It made the risk assessment that has told people the outbreak is not a pandemic threat.

“I don’t think this is a giant threat to the United States,” said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of Brown University’s Pandemic Center. But how this situation has played out “just shows how empty and vapid the CDC is right now,” she said.

Tumult under Trump

The current situation comes after 16 tumultuous months during which the Trump administration withdrew from the WHO, has restricted CDC scientists from talking to international counterparts at times and embarked on a plan to build its own international public health network through one-on-one agreements with individual countries.

The administration has laid off thousands of CDC scientists and public health professionals, including members of the agency’s ship sanitation program.

As this was playing out, Kennedy said he was working to “restore the CDC’s focus on infectious disease, invest in innovation, and rebuild trust through integrity and transparency.”

Waiting to hear from the CDC

The CDC has not been completely silent on hantavirus.

The agency on Wednesday issued a short statement that said the risk to the American public is “extremely low,” and described the U.S. government as “the world’s leader in global health security.”

Said Nuzzo: “Not only was that not helpful, it actually does damage because a core principle of public health communications is humility.”

The CDC’s acting director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, posted a message on social media that the agency was lending its expertise in coordinating with other federal agencies and international authorities. Arizona officials this week said they learned from the CDC that one of the Americans who left the ship — a person with no symptoms and not considered contagious — had already returned to the state. WHO officials said the CDC has been sharing technical information.

The CDC also is “monitoring the health status and preparing medical support for all of the American passengers on the cruise,” Bhattacharya wrote.

But federal health officials have mostly been tight-lipped, declining interview requests.

COVID-19 comparison

In interviews this week, some experts made a comparison with a 2020 incident involving the Diamond Princess, a cruise ship docked in Japan that became the setting of one of the first large COVID-19 outbreaks outside China.

The CDC sent personnel to the port, helped evacuate American passengers, ran quarantines, shared genetic data on the virus, coordinated with the WHO and Japan, held public briefings and rapidly published reports “that became the world’s reference data on cruise ship COVID transmission,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director.

Some aspects of the international response to the Diamond Princess were criticized, and it did not halt the outbreak or stop COVID-19’s spread across the world. But some experts say it was not for the CDC’s lack of trying.

“The CDC was right on top of it, very visible, very active in trying to manage and contain it,” Gostin said, while the agency’s work now is delayed and subdued.

Instead of working with nearly all of the world’s nations through the WHO, the Trump administration has pursued bilateral health agreements with individual nations for information sharing, public health support, and what it describes as “the introduction of innovative American technologies.” Roughly 30 agreements are currently in place.

That’s not sufficient, Gostin said. “You can’t possibly cover a global health crisis by doing one-on-one deals with countries here and there,” he said.

Stobbe writes for the Associated Press. AP writers Ali Swenson in New York, Darlene Superville in Washington and Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque contributed to this report.

The last time the Supreme Court threatened to end access to the country’s most popular abortion method, California’s network of online providers and their pharmaceutical suppliers scrambled to respond.

Now, with the fate of the cocktail used in roughly two-thirds of U.S. terminations once again in the balance, they’re not even breaking a sweat.

Dr. Michele Gomez, co-founder of the MYA Network, a consortium of virtual reproductive healthcare providers, said the supply chain is “ready to switch in a day” to an alternative drug combination.

“It’s not going away and it’s not going to slow down,” Gomez said.

On May 1, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to block the drug mifepristone from being prescribed virtually and shipped through the mail, making such deliveries illegal across the country. On Monday, the Supreme Court stayed that decision, allowing prescriptions to resume until the court issues an emergency ruling next week.

Mifepristone is the first half of a two-drug protocol for medication abortion, which made up 63% of all legal abortions in the U.S. in 2023.

Between a quarter and a third of those abortions are now prescribed by healthcare providers over the internet and delivered by mail — a path Louisiana and other ban states are fighting to bar.

“Abortion access has gone up with all the telehealth providers,” Gomez said. “We uncovered an unmet need.”

But the cocktail’s second ingredient, misoprostol, can be used to produce abortion on its own — a method that’s often more painful and slightly less effective.

It would be easy for suppliers to switch to a misoprostol-only protocol — and much harder for courts to block it, experts said.

“We heard about this on Friday and organizations that mail pills were mailing misoprostol on Saturday,” Gomez said. “They already knew what to do.”

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022, California became one of the first states to enshrine abortion rights for residents in its Constitution and legislate protection for clinicians who prescribe abortion pills to women in states with bans.

Last fall, legislators in Sacramento expanded those protections by allowing pills to be mailed without either the doctor or the patient’s name attached.

But cases like the one being decided next week could still sharply limit abortion rights even in states with extensive legal protections, experts warned.

“Even though California has built a fortress around its own constitutional protections of reproductive freedom, those [protections] become vulnerable to the whims of antiabortion states if the Supreme Court gives those states their imprimatur,” said Michele Goodwin, professor at Georgetown Law and an expert on reproductive justice.

Coral Alonso sings in Spanish as protesters rally on the three-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade on June 24, 2025, in Los Angeles. The ruling ended the federal right to legal abortion in the United States.

(David McNew / Getty Images)

Legal experts are split over how the justices will decide the medication’s mail-order fate.

“This is a case where law clearly won’t matter,” Eric J. Segall, a law professor at Georgia State University and an expert on the Supreme Court.

“In a very important midterm election year, I think there’s at least two Republicans on the court who will decide that upholding the 5th Circuit would really hurt the Republicans at the polls,” he said. “If women can’t get this by mail in California or other blue states where abortion is legal, it’s going to have devastating consequences, and I think the court knows that.”

But he and others believe it’s no longer a matter of if — but when and how — the drugs are restricted, including in California.

“This is curating a backdrop for a legal showdown that may surely come,” Goodwin said.

The court’s most conservative justices could find grounds to act in the long-forgotten Comstock Act of 1873. The brainchild of America’s zealously anti-porn postmaster Anthony Comstock, the law not only banned the mailing of the “Birth of Venus” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover,” but also condoms, diaphragms and any drug, tool or text that could be used to produce an abortion.

Though it hasn’t been enforced since the 1970s, the antiabortion provision of the law remains on the books, experts said.

“The next move is with the Comstock Act, which Justices Alito and Thomas have already been hinting at,” Goodwin said. “In that case, it’s like playing Monopoly — we could skip mifepristone and go straight to contraception. The goal is to make sure none of that gets to be in the mail.”

That move would upend how Americans get both abortions and birth control, and put an unassuming L.A. County pharmacy squarely in the government’s crosshairs.

Although doctors in nearly two dozen states can safely prescribe medication abortion to women anywhere in the U.S., only a handful of specialty pharmacies actually fill those mail orders, Gomez explained. Among the largest is Honeybee in Culver City, which did not reply to requests for comment.

Even if the justices don’t reach for Comstock, a decision in Louisiana’s favor next week could create a two-tiered system of abortion across California and other blue states, experts said.

“The people this case hurts the most are the poor and the rural,” said Segall, the Supreme Court expert.

National data show that abortion patients are disproportionately poor. Most are also already mothers. Losing mail access to mifepristone would leave many with the more painful, less effective option while those with the time and means to reach a clinic continue to get the gold standard of care.

“There are fundamental questions of citizenship at the heart of this,” said Goodwin, the constitutional scholar. “Under the 14th Amendment, women are supposed to have equality, citizenship, liberty. It’s as though the Supreme Court has taken a black marker and pressed it against all of those words.”

For Gomez and other providers, that’s tomorrow’s problem.

“The lawyers and the politicians are just going to do their thing,” the doctor said. “The healthcare providers are just trying to get medications to people who need them.”