The budget airline has announced a new upgrade option for fliers who’d like more space, which it claims will still be cheaper than buying two seats and will come with some extra perks
Wizz Air passengers will be able to upgrade their experience with an empty middle seat(Image: itchySan via Getty Images)
When you fly on a budget airline, every inch of space counts, and now Wizz Air is offering the ultimate upgrade for those who want to stretch out.
We all know the excitement of boarding a plane only to find the seat next to you empty, and now passengers can guarantee they won’t have a fellow traveller crammed in next to them. When booking with Wizz Air from December, passengers will be able to upgrade to Wizz Class, which will leave the middle seat next to them free.
While the change is being dubbed ‘budget business class’, travellers shouldn’t expect lie-flat beds, free champagne, or a separate cabin to escape the chaos of economy class. In addition to the extra middle seat space, the only other perks will be a seat towards the front of the plane, allowing you to disembark first, as well as priority access to the overhead bins.
Wizz Air hasn’t confirmed how much this new seating option will cost, although Bloomberg reports that executive Michael Delehant said: “In terms of fares, it’s never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat. It’s not meant to be a money-grab.”
In a statement to the Independent, Silvia Mosquera, the commercial officer at Wizz Air, explained: “The roll-out of Wizz Class follows feedback from our growing number of business travellers who value low-cost travel options and prefer additional space during the flight”.
Currently, Wizz Air passengers can pay to select their seat when flying, with complimentary seat selection available to Wizz Plus and Privilege Pass members. However, the only real upgrade available is choosing the front seats or exit rows, which come with additional legroom.
The new seating option will appear on selected flights departing from London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest in December.
Wizz Air also recently announced the return of the All You Can Fly membership, which for €499.99 (approx. £440.37) offers access to numerous flights per year, with a booking fee of €9.99 (approx. £8.80) per booking. According to the company’s press release, members who’ve previously taken out a subscription used it on average nine times in a year. People who sign up can fly on over 950 routes across their network, with destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Members can book flights between 72 hours and three hours before departure, making it ideal for people who enjoy spontaneous adventures. However, only 10,000 memberships are available each year.
However, reviews of the product have been mixed. In a Reddit post, one customer claimed: “I recently bought Wizz Air’s “All You Can Fly” pass, thinking it would be an amazing deal to travel more affordably. But honestly, this has been one of my worst decisions.
“The “unlimited” flights feel like a joke because there’s almost never any availability! When there is, it’s typically for routes that would have cost around £20 anyway.
“The whole thing feels like it’s set up to make it nearly impossible to use, especially with their 3-day rule. You can only book flights 3 days in advance, which just seems designed to trap you into buying a return ticket separately.”
But another poster had a more positive experience, saying: “I’ve had 20 flights with Wizz Air from Budapest. They offer a lot of flights from Budapest so its a good start. Sometimes the availability was very good (for example, I could fly to Tenerife in Christmas time when the round trip was around 1000 €).
“I’ve had a flight to Eindhoven in Eastern period when the flight would have been almost 500 €. So it could be a good deal if you don’t have fixed dates and you fly alone.”
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — President Trump said Saturday that he plans to hike tariffs on imports of Canadian goods by an extra 10% because of an anti-tariff television ad aired by the province of Ontario.
The ad used the words of former President Reagan to criticize U.S. tariffs, angering Trump, who said he would end trade talks with Canada. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford said he would pull the ad after the weekend, and it ran Friday night during the first game of the World Series.
“Their Advertisement was to be taken down, IMMEDIATELY, but they let it run last night during the World Series, knowing that it was a FRAUD,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform as he flew aboard Air Force One to Malaysia.
“Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.”
The ad used a recording of Reagan criticizing tariffs, though his comments were edited. He often criticized government policies — including protectionist measures such as tariffs — that interfered with free commerce and he spent much of that 1987 radio address spelling out the case against tariffs.
Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will both attend the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Malaysia. But Trump told reporters traveling with him that he had no intention of meeting Carney there.
Greater Manchester’s Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said his force “cared about every community”
Hundreds of extra police officers are on the streets of Manchester following Thursday’s deadly synagogue attack.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers had been working 12-hour shifts and had rest days cancelled since the attack, while other forces had also contributed officers.
The Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, due to start on Sunday, had also been factored into police planning and operations, said ACC Sykes, who stressed that his force had the resources needed to reassure the city’s Jewish population and other communities.
“We’ve got lots of officers and staff out there – very, very visible,” he said.
“We have got extra patrols,” he explained. “So we have our normal policing [and put] an awful lot of extra staff into certain communities and here into the city centre.”
Two Jewish men – Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz – were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie drove a car into people outside Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in the Crumpsall area of north Manchester.
The knifeman then tried to force his way into the synagogue before being shot dead by armed police.
Three others were injured in the attack.
PA Media
Forensic investigators headed to the scene of the attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue
Echoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester’s chief constable Sir Stephen Watson, ACC Sykes questioned whether it was “appropriate” for a pro-Palestine march to be taking place in the city centre on Saturday.
He told the BBC: “We should be thinking about those people that lost their lives there on Thursday and I think people need to consider what is appropriate if people do use their right to protest.”
ACC Sykes said the force had attempted to “keep disruption” to a minimum during the protests.
The pro-Palestinian protest initially attracted about 100 supporters outside Manchester Cathedral.
GMP officers intervened when a small counter-demo approached the pro-Palestinian group.
GMP officers on patrol in Manchester city centre
Meanwhile, six people remain in custody after being arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences after the synagogue attack.
GMP confirmed on Friday that Mr Daulby had been shot by armed police as they targeted the synagogue attacker Al-Shamie.
A police bullet also injured Yoni Finlay, who is being treated in hospital.
Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian heritage, was not known to Counter Terrorism Police but had been recently bailed after being arrested on suspicion of rape.
Raids have been carried out in at least three locations across Manchester and Bolton in connection with the attack.
Ryanair often charges extra for additional services
(Image: Alla Tsyganova via Getty Images)
Parents flying with Ryanair can expect to be hit with an additional charge when it comes to booking flights. The budget airline, known for its no-frills approach, adds extra fees onto bookings for baggage, and for selecting seats.
However if you’re willing to be allocated a seat by Ryanair, and you’re fine with only taking a small bag on board, you don’t have to pay anything other than a basic fare. Unless you’re travelling with children under 12, that is.
As per Ryanair’s terms and conditions, at least one adult must buy a seat – with this costing up to 10 euros per journey. Then, up to four children will be seated by the adult at no extra cost, and must sit within the same row.
Elsewhere easyJet says people travelling with children do not need to pay for seats, although they are advised in this case to check in as soon as possible. Guidance on its website adds: “Whilst our seating system will always try to seat families together, seats are allocated on a first come first served basis so the earlier you check in the more likely you are to be seated together.
“If you leave it to the last minute it’s possible that there may not be enough seats left for us to seat your family next to each other. We’ll still make sure each child under 12 is seated close to an adult on your booking. However we may only be able to arrange this at the airport or on board, which can cause delays for you and other passengers, and not everyone may be seated together.”
Jet2holidays says: “As a family friendly airline we will always endeavour to seat children & infants under the age of 12 next to their accompanying adults. If this is not possible for any reason, we will ensure children are seated as close as possible, and no more than one row away.
“We would encourage you to pre-book your seats advance to ensure you reserve the seats you want for your travelling party.”
WASHINGTON — Completing an accurate count in the 2020 census is in doubt as the government grapples with the coronavirus pandemic and attempts by President Trump to exclude residents who are in the country illegally, four former Census Bureau directors told Congress on Wednesday.
“The chances of having a census accurate enough to use is unclear — very, very much unclear,” said Kenneth Prewitt, who was director from 1998 to 2001.
A count of all persons living in the United States is mandated every 10 years by the Constitution. The resulting statistical information is the bedrock of public policy and business decisions for the next decade, used to redraw congressional districts and allocate government funding.
At a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, Steven Dillingham, the bureau’s current director, said the agency is racing to finish the count by Dec. 31, the deadline set under federal law.
In April, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the bureau, asked Congress to give it four extra months to finish the count, noting that the COVID-19 outbreak had delayed much of its outreach, including the scheduled knocking on millions of doors to gather information about people who have not already responded.
The Democrat-led House passed legislation to allow the additional time, but the Republican-led Senate has not followed, and the administration appears to have withdrawn its request for additional time.
“I’m not involved directly with the Hill negotiations on revising the schedule,” Dillingham told representatives.
About 63% of U.S. homes have responded to the census so far, and door-knocking by census takers that was supposed to start in April is only now beginning — just as COVID-19 cases are rising in many states.
Without the extra time to follow up in person with households that don’t respond and to visit homeless camps, rural areas and other traditionally hard-to-contact communities, people won’t be counted, lowering the federal and state funds tied to their regions’ populations and lessening their political representation, the former Census directors told lawmakers.
“Not extending those deadlines is going to put tremendous pressure on the Census Bureau. It’s not clear what kind of quality counts they can produce if they don’t get the extension,” said John H. Thompson, who was director from 2013 to 2017.
The census questionnaire does not ask about citizenship or legal status. The Supreme Court last year rejected an attempt by the administration to include a citizenship question, which critics said was an effort to suppress responses from Latinos and lower the count in states like California that are heavily Democratic and have large immigrant populations.
There has been broad speculation about whether Trump’s directive is constitutional, and if so, how the bureau could comply. At least four lawsuits have been filed over the memo, including one by California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Tuesday.
Dillingham said the bureau was researching whether it could use data collected by other federal agencies and states to estimate the total number of noncitizen immigrants in an area. He said the agency was not consulted about the memo in advance, and he learned in a news report that Trump was going to issue it.
Several of the former census directors raised concerns about using such an untested process to modify the results.
“The Census Bureau does not know how to do what the president is asking them to do, and it’s going to hurt the census,” Prewitt said.
Noting that the bureau sometimes uses outside records to supplement the official count when people don’t respond to the census, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) asked why the bureau could not do the same thing to subtract people.
“This is a reality of what our Census Bureau does in order to achieve numbers,” Roy said.
Prewitt said supplementation is used as rarely as possible, and like other ways the bureau gathers information, it is based on statistical principles and tested in small populations over months or years before being put into place.
Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) said she was worried that the president is pressuring the bureau to finish by the end of December so that if he loses the election in November, he will have time before leaving office on Jan. 20 to certify the results and inform states about their new seat-apportionment figures in Congress. Decertifying census results would be difficult and unprecedented.
“I am concerned that the administration is seeking to rush the process and sacrifice the accuracy of the census for political gain — that the president’s intent is to have all of this done before he leaves office,” Maloney said.
Nearly 37% of the country’s households have not yet responded to the census, according to bureau figures.
Within California, fewer than 30% of households in Alpine, Mono and Trinity counties have responded. Under 50% of households have responded in many counties along the state border with Nevada.
Sky-high air fares and peak holiday cost increases have left families cutting back to make trips abroad a reality, research has revealed.
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66% believe price increases have made it more difficult to get away.(Image: SWNS)
A survey of 1,000 parents with children up to the age of 16 who holiday abroad revealed that 66% believe price hikes have made it more challenging to get away. This has led to 69% having to be inventive with their finances to make overseas trips feasible due to rising air fares.
Top tips for stretching budgets included booking flights and accommodation well in advance, packing snacks and essentials instead of buying them upon arrival, and using comparison sites to hunt for the best deals.
Research commissioned by travel insurance provider Staysure showed that families have had to slash their holiday budgets by an average of £941 in recent years, with the cost of a holiday now just over £2,800. As a result, 44% are now more likely to opt for a staycation than a trip abroad.
However, with the average family having spent nearly £300 to keep kids entertained during school holidays, even UK day trips can still put a real strain on budgets, with 57% looking for discounted tickets for theme parks and attractions.
It’s not just young families that are struggling to afford a trip abroad as 60% of over 65s also say a staycation is on the cards due to increased prices. While 75 % of this age group also look for discounted day trip and attraction tickets when entertaining the grandchildren.
A spokesperson for Staysure, which has launched a rewards scheme offering customers access to 1.4 million worldwide hotel discounts and reduced entry fees to major UK attractions for 12 months when they purchase a policy, said: “Families long for holidays abroad, and need to entertain the kids with days out but rising costs are just squeezing what’s affordable for all generations.
“With children now back in school, thoughts will naturally turn to the October half term – and how families will once again afford to keep the kids busy often relying on grandparents to help out.
“Whether it’s a trip away or days out in the UK, the desire for cost savings will only increase as people look for more creative ways to maximise budgets – it’s a tricky juggling act.”
With getaway expenses rocketing, it merely compounds the frustration of having to fork out extra to guarantee seats that keep relatives and youngsters together on aircraft, with those surveyed expressing irritation (41%) and exasperation (32%).
28% have also had to cut back on souvenirs and shopping while away.(Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, 44% of over 65s went as far as to say they feel livid. And 40% believe it’s unjust that a youngster’s spot on a plane can cost nearly as much as an adult fare.
Of the 66% who have been forced to slash holiday expenses, it has meant compromising on dining out (32%), slashing their total spending allowance (31%), and forgoing accommodation improvements or additional perks (28%). A further 28% have also had to reduce spending on souvenirs and shopping whilst abroad to maintain strict budgets.
Of all respondents surveyed, 71% have previously enjoyed an all-inclusive break, but 75% are now more inclined to choose self-catering options due to unaffordable price increases during busy periods.
Nearly a third (30%) have removed their child from school to secure cheaper holidays, with 29% of those doing so regularly, for an average of five days each time.
And 55% believe they could be taking breaks exclusively within the UK moving forward due to rising expenses according to the OnePoll.com research.
A spokesperson from Staysure, which is providing a 20% discount on policies in September, said: “With costs creeping up at every turn it’s no wonder parents are feeling the pinch and making cutbacks to afford a family holiday.
“Many will already be counting the cost of having spent plenty of cash keeping their kids entertained over the past six weeks.
“With expensive day trips, cinema outings, excursions, and visits to theme parks all mounting up, these are areas where parents could make savings.”
TOP 10 WAYS PARENTS LOOK TO MAKE THEIR BUDGET GO FURTHER FOR HOLIDAYS ABROAD.
Book flights and accommodation well in advance.
Pack snacks and essentials to avoid buying on the go.
Use comparison sites for best deals.
Plan free or low-cost activities.
Use cashback and reward schemes.
Set a daily spending limit
Whip up your own meals rather than dining out.
Value experiences over keepsakes.
Jet off during quieter seasons.
Take advantage of loyalty points or travel vouchers.
Ethan’s mother Shannon Ives, 28, had been living with them and was convicted of causing or allowing his death.
More on Ethan Ives-Griffiths
They will be sentenced in October.
Ethan’s paternal family set up a petition calling for an update in child protection services.
The petition also calls for checks to be carried out every five to seven days as opposed to the current 10-days.
It states: “Let us come together to push for these crucial reforms in child protection services.
“By signing this petition, you join us in advocating for the safety and security of all children like Ethan, ensuring that no child suffers in silence.
So far, the petition for ‘Ethan’s Law’ has over 400 signatures.
Grandparents, 46 & 47, found GUILTY of murdering boy, 2, after horrific ‘targeted’ abuse and ‘casual cruelty’
1
Family of murdered Ethan Ives-Griffiths are calling for a law change
The Home Office has announced £100m in extra funding as part of efforts to crack down on illegal people smuggling in the English Channel.
The money will pay for up to 300 additional National Crime Agency (NCA) officers as well as new technology and equipment.
More than 25,000 people made the journey from France to the UK in small boats before the end of July, a record for this point in the year.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the move would help the UK better “track the [smuggling] gangs and bring them down”. The Conservative Party called it a “desperate grab for headlines which will make no real difference”.
Last month, the government agreed a “one in, one out” pilot scheme with France which aims to deter migrants from crossing the Channel. Under the scheme, some arrivals would be returned to France and in exchange the UK would accept an equivalent number of asylum seekers, subject to security checks.
According to the Home Office, the new £100m will boost border security and strengthen investigations targeting smuggling kingpins who have operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.
Ms Cooper said gangs had shown a “a ruthless ability to adapt their tactics and maximise their profits, no matter how many lives they put at risk”.
The NCA has 91 ongoing investigations into people-smuggling networks affecting the UK, the agency’s director general of operations Rob Jones said.
Watch: Last month the BBC witnessed French police slash a migrant ‘taxi-boat’ heading to UK
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of having “no serious plan” to tackle the issue.
“The British public deserves real action, not empty slogans and tinkering at the edges,” he said.
Writing in the Daily Express, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said it was an effort to “throw taxpayer money at the illegal immigration crisis and hope it will go away”.
“Another £100 million here or there won’t move the needle. It won’t stop the boats or the gangs,” he added.
Labour and previous Conservative governments have both struggled to reduce the number of people coming to the UK illegally in small boats.
The Conservatives had proposed sending arrivals to Rwanda, but the scheme was delayed by legal challenges. The general election was called before it could be implemented.
One of Sir Keir Starmer’s first acts as prime minister was to scrap the plan, calling it a gimmick.
In another measure, which was revealed on Sunday, people advertising illegal Channel crossings online could face up to five years in prison under a new offence the government plans to introduce.
Assisting illegal immigration to the UK is already a crime, but officials believe the new offence would give police and other agencies more power to disrupt criminal gangs.
It would criminalise the creation of material for publication online which promotes or offers services that facilitate a breach of UK immigration law.
This would include people using social media to advertise fake passports or visas, or the promise of illegal work opportunities in the UK, and as well as jail time could carry a large fine.
The Gallagher brothers are pictured on the front of the Daily Star which leads on what it calls the “Wembley tragedy” which saw the death of an Oasis fan. The paper reports that the man “plunged 170ft from the stadium’s upper tier” on Saturday night.
The Sun also leads with the incident at the Oasis reunion gig at Wembley, saying the band was “shocked and saddened” by the death.
The Guardian leads on what it calls the “car finance mis-selling scandal”. The paper says “millions in line for payouts” but they could get less than £950 each. Its picture story shows children in Gaza holding pans and pleading for food. The paper states that “dozens more were killed in hunt for food as six starve to death”.
A photo of an overcrowded rubber dinghy takes up most of the front page of the Daily Express, which features a warning from the Conservative Party and Reform that “an extra £100m will not stop the boats”. The government has pledged the sum to tackle people smuggling gangs.
The Times leads on a planned government crackdown which it reports will see universities “lose cash if students claim asylum”. The paper says plans, due to be unveiled next month, will tackle a “back door migration route”.
The i Paper goes with comments from former Labour leader Lord Kinnock saying the government should “charge VAT on private health schemes to fund NHS” as its lead story. The paper says Lord Kinnock’s suggestion would provide £2bn in “vital funding” for public services.
The Daily Mail leads with an exclusive which claims “asbestos kills more troops than Taliban”. The Mail says it’s a “national disgrace” that “toxic” homes and equipment caused the deaths of nine times the number of troops that died in the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
The Financial Times leads with a “US data row” story which it says has seen America’s lowest paid workers “suffer” from a sharper slowdown in wage growth than their richer peers. The FT says it adds pressure to US President Donald Trump over inequality.
The Daily Telegraph’s lead story is about a Palestine Action “plot” which will “swamp police”. The paper says thousands of supporters are planning a demonstration in favour of the banned group next weekend. It also pictures the Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney, who it reports is a registered Republican. The paper says she’s “one of the only young, female celebrities to openly support the president”.
“You are all heroes”, states the Daily Mirror, which says the “blood donor crisis” is over thanks to its readers. The paper says 100,000 people signed up to give blood after its appeal in June. Also on the cover, Spice Girl Mel B is pictured beaming with her new husband Rory McPhee after they held a “second big day”. They got married for the first time in July.
“Rat horror for hospital gran”, exclaims the Metro’s headline. The paper features a “shocking picture” of an elderly woman on a ward with a rat trap, which it says “shames the NHS”. Medway NHS Foundation Trust says it is investigating reports of rat droppings at the Kent hospital as a “matter of urgency” and it is also carrying out additional cleaning and monitoring.
While most airlines allow passengers to carry a small personal item or bag free of charge, some of the UK’s most popular airlines charge an additional fee for cabin bags
Depending on your fare class, you may need to pay extra for a cabin bag [stock image](Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Airline staff have become adept at spotting luggage that exceeds the standard weight and size limitations. One personal bag or ‘small’ cabin bag – typically a purse or a backpack – is allowed on every one of the UK’s most popular airlines – no matter what type of fare you purchase or where you are travelling.
However, this ‘small’ cabin bag must typically be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Passengers requiring additional space will need to separately purchase a cabin bag which can be stored in the overhead compartment. easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Jet2 all charge extra for overhead storage cabin bags.
Cabin bags need to fit in overhead compartments onboard while personal items typically need to fit under the seat in front of you(Image: Getty Images)
Below you can find the maximum weight and dimensions of both personal baggage and cabin baggage for each airline – as well as how much you will be charged.
easyJet
Every easyJet passenger is entitled to carry a maximum of two cabin bags: one small cabin bag (free of charge) and one large cabin bag (if included in membership and fare benefits or added during booking).
easyJet small cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg and within the dimension 45 x 36 x 20cm. A small cabin bag or personal item is free with any fare for easyJet passengers.
easyJet large cabin bags must be a maximum of 15kg within the dimensions 56 x 45 x 25cm. A cabin bag is free for easyJet Plus members or FLEXI ticket holder, or available for purchase
Prices start from £5.99 to book a large cabin bag. Alternatively, you can choose to bring a hold bag, with prices starting from £6.99 for a 15kg bag.
Ryanair
Every Ryanair passenger is entitled to carry one small personal bag free of charge. The small personal bag must be between 40 x 20 x 25cm. Regular cabin bags can be purchased separately but must be within 55 x 40 x 20cm in size and weigh no more than 10kg.
Prices start from £6 to book a large cabin bag and can reach as high as £60 depending on your travel route, whether you add the cabin bag during or after the time of booking, and your travel dates.
Purchasing a slightly higher fare could save you the cost of paying for a cabin bag – with some additional perks(Image: PA)
Vueling Airlines
All Vueling passengers are entitled to one personal bag that can be stored in the seat in front of them between the dimensions 40x30x20 cm. However, there is an additional cost for basic fare passengers to add a cabin bag.
The cabin bag must be between the dimensions 55x40x20 cm and under 10kg in weight. The cost to add a cabin bag can range from 10 Euro to 75 Euro depending on whether you book it early or add it on later, as well as your travel destination.
Wizz Air
All Wizz Air passengers are entitled to one personal item free of charge. However only Wizz Priority passengers are entitled to bring an extra trolley bag of maximum size 55 x 40 x 23 cm into the cabin.
The cost of adding a cabin bag depends on whether it is high seasons or low season, as well as where you are travelling. Prices range from €15 during low season for a bag with a 10 kg weight maximum to €189.50 during high season for a bag with a 26kg maximum.
Two airlines that allow cabin bags free of charge
British Airways and TUI Airways both allow passengers of all fare classes to travel with one piece of hand luggage free of charge.
1) British Airways
British Airways specifies that passengers can bring one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item on board with even their lowest fare – Economy Basic. The standard hand luggage, including wheels and handles, can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and must weigh no more than 23kg.
That said, it is important to note that if you have more than two pieces of hand baggage, or they’re over the permitted size, you may have to put your larger bags into the hold as checked baggage.
Additionally, when you’ve used your free checked baggage allowance, you’ll have to pay to put any extra bags into the hold. You can check your baggage allowance on the BA website using their handy baggage allowance calculator.
British Airways asks passengers to keep in mind that the carriage of excess baggage is subject to availability. In some destinations, additional local taxes may also apply. If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their allowances may be different.
2) TUI Airways
All TUI Airways passengers (excluding infants) are permitted to carry one piece of hand luggage free of charge. The luggage must be within the dimension 55 x 40 x 20cm and be a maximum weight of 10kg.
TUI passengers are also permitted to carry one personal item free of charge, but it must be stored under the seat in front of you and within the dimension 40 x 30 x 20cm.
Additionally, when you fly both ways with TUI Airways as part of a package holiday, your fare will include at least 20kg of checked-in luggage per person and 10kg for Under 2s.
The difference in price between breaks during the summer holidays and those when most state kids have to be in school has long been a sore point for parents
Families have to pay an awful lot more to head away during school holidays than term time(Image: Xavier Arnau)
British families face forking out £388 more per person if they don’t break school rules and head away during term times.
The difference in price between breaks during the summer holidays and those when most state kids have to be in school has long been a sore point for parents.
New research has revealed just how big the price hike facing families still planning a getaway during the school summer holidays this year is. The figures reveal that summer holiday package prices rise by an average of 15% when compared to term-time travel – equal to an extra £338 per person.
According to the study, a family of four will pay an additional £716 on average if they travel during a school half-term or holidays across the year, compared to travelling in term time. It also finds that this number rises even further during the six-week summer break, when travel costs increase the most.
Do you take your kids on holidays during term time to save money? Email us at [email protected]
The summer holiday premium is considerable (Image: monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images)
Go.Compare analysed package holiday prices for popular European family destinations, uncovering the cost to parents who want to travel during school holidays. The comparison site found that prices increase by 9% per person overall during school holidays.
The average price for term-time packages to family-favourite destinations like Spain, Italy and France is as low as £290 per person. Meanwhile, the lowest average package price during school breaks sits at £384 per person – close to £100 more per person.
Trips to Spain saw the largest spike in costs, with holidaymakers charged 27% more per person – an increase of £496 – if they travel during the summer break. But across all the school holidays, Greece was the most expensive destination, with a median price of £2,329 per person.
Due to rules around unauthorised absences, the sharp rise in prices is particularly concerning for parents who would otherwise be faced with fines for removing children from school to travel. Without authorisation, a family of four could be fined up to £640, depending on the rules for their council.
Despite these risks, more than two out of five (44%) parents and guardians said they have, or would consider taking their children out of school for a family holiday. More than half (53%) of these parents said the biggest reason for this was to help save on travel costs.[3]
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert for Go.Compare, said: “The cost difference between term time and school holidays is stark, particularly during the summer holidays. For many families, it’s a choice between affordability and avoiding a fine or even further action.
“Although travelling outside school holidays can seem tempting to save money, it’s important to factor in if the trip might impact your child’s education. You’ll also need to consider the full cost of a trip, including insurance, local travel, food and entertainment.
“Travel insurance, in particular, shouldn’t be overlooked. Prices for cover can vary significantly based on timing, destination and the size of your group. Comparing policies early ensures families can get the right protection without adding unnecessary costs.”
Flying with just a small personal bag can be a struggle when it comes to packing light, but a flight attendant has shared a handy hack that could help avoid extra fees
I discovered how to dodge extra baggage fees with flight attendant’s 1 clever hack(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
Excess luggage charges can quickly escalate, turning a dream getaway into a costly nightmare. Keen to keep my Poland trip this month on the cheap, I flew with no-frills carrier Ryanair and stuck to the complimentary baggage allowance – just a small personal item.
The challenge arises when you’re keen to bring home souvenirs, on top of having a compact cross-body bag. Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz previously shared with Express.co.uk a nifty loophole, noting that “duty-free bags don’t count as carry-on baggage” and are usually overlooked by gate staff. This tip has even been echoed by thrifty TikTokers, so I was eager to try it out.
Miguel outlined the trick: “If you have something that doesn’t fit in your suitcase or you want to bring an extra bag on board, here’s the trick.
“All you have to do is carry a duty-free bag. Or ask for one at the duty-free shop, and you can place whatever you want in the shopping bag.”
I flew with budget airline Ryanair and just opted for the free baggage option – a small personal bag(Image: Maria Korneeva via Getty Images)
Boarding the plane with my bulging duty-free bag had me anxious, but to my relief, the crew waved me through without a hitch.
With Ryanair’s baggage fees stretching from £12 to £59.99, avoiding that extra charge felt like a victory.
This trick was a lifesaver for the extra bag and jacket that I couldn’t squeeze into my main luggage.
While this method did work wonders for me, a few folks have mentioned that airline staff requested a look inside their bags.
Duty-free bags are allowed in addition to hand luggage(Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)
To sidestep this, if you’ve made any duty-free purchases, place them on top. Also, always ensure your airline permits carrying duty-free items onboard in this manner.
Having triumphed with this hack, I’m eager to test out the neck pillow packing hack. This essentially involves replacing the pillow stuffing with small clothing items.
Brits heading to Greece including islands like Santorini and Mykonos will need to pay tourism taxes – and during the peak summer months these can add on a hefty cost
Brits heading to Greece should take note of new tourism taxes(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Brits who snap up bargain Greece holidays this summer may want to double check their destination’s tourist taxes to avoid any nasty surprises when they arrive.
Like most holiday destinations, a number of Greek islands have upped their tourist fees which need to be paid on arrival. In Santorini and Mykonos, where you’ll find plenty of the more luxurious resorts, those who arrive on cruises between June to September face costs of €20 per night, which will need to be paid at the port.
Meanwhile on the mainland, tourists can expect to pay €8.00 per night between April and October, or €2.00 per night outside of this peak season. This is compared to the previous charge of €0.50, making for a huge jump. The new charges have been brought in to reportedly help fund efforts against climate change, as well as improving infrastructure and disaster prevention.
It’s worth noting that in Greece, tourist tax rates can vary depending on the type of accommodation you’re staying in, and whether you’re visiting during the peak summer months, or if you’re travelling outside of the busiest dates. If you’re unsure, get in touch with your hotel or accommodation provider directly, and they can advise you of what fees you’ll need to pay when you arrive.
Cruise passengers visiting Santorini will face a €20 tourist tax during peak seasons(Image: Getty Images)
Tourist taxes aren’t anything new; they’re often a few extra Euros a night, and the idea is that the money is poured back into the destinations to combat overtourism by boosting local infrastructure and protecting local environments or heritage sites.
Travel experts have warned Brits of a number of price hikes when it comes to tourist taxes, including popular European city break destinations such as Venice, Lisbon, Porto and Amsterdam. As a result, travellers are being urged to check the fees at various holiday destinations so that these are factored into their budgets, even if they have snapped up seemingly cheap holiday deals.
Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “The concept of a tourist tax isn’t a new one, but it is certainly something many more countries have introduced over the last few years. Many of these countries seem to be charging tourists in response to overtourism concerns. This year, Scotland’s capital will charge visitors a 5% levy on hotel costs, while Thailand looks set to bring in a charge of around £6.86.
“The new and increasing tourist fees across Europe allow cities to fund measures to attract more holidaymakers, support the local infrastructure and businesses, and to prevent damages from overtourism. As holidays surge in price this year by over 10%, we encourage all travellers to look into the tourist taxes in place before booking a holiday destination, to help avoid any unexpected extra costs they haven’t budgeted for.”
Do you have a holiday story that you’d like to share with us? Email us at [email protected].
Those travelling on a UK passport will need to undertake an extra step when checking in
03:51, 12 Jul 2025Updated 08:43, 12 Jul 2025
Ryanair wants passengers to confirm they ‘understand’ new rules(Image: Alla Tsyganova via Getty Images)
Ryanair passengers travelling on a UK passport are required to undertake an extra step when checking in online – meaning the process may take longer. Ryanair passengers are required to check in online and print or download boarding passes, with the exception of those travelling on Flexi Plus ticket, who can check in at the airport for free.
Travellers can check in online from 60 days before their flight, if they have paid for an allocated seat. Other passengers, who will be given a seat by Ryanair at random, can check in between 24 and two hours before the scheduled time of departure.
Because of new rules that came in post-Brexit, for trips to the EU Schengen Area, British passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter. Ryanair’s online check-in reflects this, with an additional step for UK passport-holders.
After filling in important details such as date of birth and passport number, travellers will be required to read the following passage: “I understand that if I am using a British passport to travel to the EU, my passport must be valid for at least three months from the date I intend to leave the EU (excluding Ireland), and my passport should be issued within the previous 10 years upon the date I arrive into the EU (excluding Ireland)”, before ticking a box to confirm.
Those planning a trip abroad should check their passport details well in advance to avoid any last-minute rushes, as it can take a few weeks to renew a passport. His Majesty’s (HM) Passport Office suggests that the process of a new or replacement passport currently takes about three weeks.
It could take longer, though, “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”. In such instances, the Passport Office said it will contact applicants directly.
As of April 10, 2025, fees for a new or replacement adult passport (for someone aged 16 or over) are set at £94.50 for online applications, and £107 for paper submissions. For children, the fees are £61.50 and £74 respectively.
If you require a passport urgently, you can use the Premium Service (one day), but this will cost you £222 for an adult passport, or £189 for a child’s.
US President Donald Trump has warned that countries which side with the policies of the Brics alliance that go against US interests will be hit with an extra 10% tariff.
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump has long criticised Brics, an organisation whose members include China, Russia and India.
The US had set a 9 July deadline for countries to agree a trade deal, but US officials now say tariffs will begin on 1 August. Trump said he would send letters to countries telling them what the tariff rate will be if an agreement is not reached.
On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected “a busy couple of days”.
“We’ve had a lot of people change their tune in terms of negotiations. So my mailbox was full last night with a lot of new offers, a lot of new proposals,” he told CNBC.
So far, the US has only struck trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam, as well as a partial deal with China.
Although, Britain and America have still not reached a deal over taxes for UK steel imported by the US.
Since taking office this year, Trump has announced a series of import tariffs on goods from other countries, arguing they will boost American manufacturing and protect jobs.
In April, on what he called “Liberation Day”, he announced a wave of new taxes on goods from countries around the world – with some as high as 50% –although he quickly suspended his most aggressive plans to allow for three months of talks up until 9 July.
During this period, the US implemented a 10% tariff on goods entering the States from most of its international trading partners.
The European Union (EU) is reportedly in talks to keep a provisional 10% tax in place for most goods shipped to the US beyond the deadline.
It is also in discussions about reducing a 25% tariff on EU cars and parts and a 50% tax on steel and aluminium sales to the US.
On Monday, a spokesperson said that the European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen had a “good exchange” with Trump. Just a few weeks ago, the US president had threatened the EU with a 50% tax unless it reached an agreement.
Letters going out
Asked whether the taxes would change on 9 July or 1 August, Trump said at the weekend: “They’re going to be tariffs, the tariffs are going to be tariffs.”
He added that between 10 and 15 letters would be sent to countries on Monday advising them on what their new tariff rate will be if they don’t agree a deal.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that the taxes will come into force on 1 August.
Last week, Trump said Japan could face a “30% or 35%” tariff if the country failed to reach a deal with the US by Wednesday.
Last year, the list of Brics members expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The countries in the bloc – which was designed to boost the nations’ international standing and challenge the US and western Europe – account formore than half of the world’s population.
The threat by Trump on Sunday to countries working with Brics nations emerged after members criticised US tariff policies as well as proposing reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and how major currencies are valued.
Following a two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brics finance ministers issued a statement criticising tariffs as a threat to the global economy, and bringing “uncertainty into international economic and trade activities”.
Andrew Wilson, deputy secretary general of the International Chambers of Commerce, said it would be challenging for countries to move away from doing business with China.
He told the BBC’s Today programme: “Shifting away from China…in a number of sectors is far more difficult to achieve in the world in practice.
“You look at the dominance China has in a number of sectors – EVs, batteries [and] particularly rare earths and magnets, there are no viable alternatives to China production.”
What trade deals has the US agreed?
As of 7 July, the White House has agreed:
a deal with the UK to cut tariffs on UK cars and parts from 27.5% to 10% up to a quota of 100,000 vehicles. Taxes on aerospace goods have been cut to zero. In return, the UK has agreed to remove import taxes on US ethanol and beef.
a deal with Vietnam whereby Vietnamese goods shipped to America will be taxed at 20% and US products exported to Vietnam will face no tariffs. Any goods “trans-shipped” through Vietnam by another country that are sold into the US will be taxed at 40%.
a partial deal whereby US taxes on some Chinese imports fell from 145% to 30% and China’s tariffs on some US goods were cut from 125% to 10%. China has also halted and scrapped other non-tariff countermeasures, such as the export of critical minerals to the US.
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Packing can be a nightmare when you’re trying to stick to cabin bag limits, but there is one change you can make that will ensure extra space in your bag – and it’s not the common rolling technique
There’s one simple switch to make when packing your suitcase that could free up some much-needed space(Image: Getty Images)
One of the biggest hurdles when jetting off abroad is trying to cram all your essentials into the airline’s limited luggage allowance. If you’re aiming to travel light, sticking to cabin bag restrictions can be a real headache – but there’s one simple switch that could free up some much-needed space in your suitcase.
A common trick for conserving space is rolling your clothes; not only does it make use of the suitcase space, but it also helps avoid deep creases from forming when packed down. While many travellers have adapted to this technique, there’s an alternative method proven to be even more effective.
The KonMari folding technique, popularised by Marie Kondo, involves folding your garments into rectangles, rather than rolling them into cylinders, as we often see. This allows the clothes to stand upright next to each other in your suitcase, optimising even more space, reports the Express.
Here’s what to do:
Take your item of clothing and fold one side to the middle, then the other side over it, creating a rectangle
Then, fold it in half lengthways
From here, fold it into thirds until it’s a small rectangle that can be slotted in alongside other items
Ditching the common rolling hack for the triangle folding method could save you even more space in your suitcase(Image: Boy_Anupong/Getty Images)
In addition to this nifty technique, it’s also smart to ditch hefty toiletries like shampoo and body wash, as most hotels supply these complimentary. If you’re heading overseas for an extended period, think about purchasing these upon arrival to spare suitcase space.
Alternatively, numerous hotels are happy to receive online deliveries prior to your stay, allowing you to order your bathroom necessities to arrive before you do. It’s a straightforward strategy to lighten your load and prevent overpacking items you may not even use.
Investing in jewellery and cable organisers is another savvy move. These will keep your belongings safe and untangled, saving you from rummaging through your suitcase in search of what you need.
Now you’ve mastered the rectangular folding technique, there’s another tip to be aware of when you’re at the airport.
Waiting for your suitcase to appear on the carousel at the airport can be a tense wait, but there’s an easy trick to ensure your suitcase is one of the first to be taken off the plane – and it won’t cost you an extra penny.
A nifty trick could help your suitcase be one of the first to appear at baggage reclaim(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Hadleigh Diamond, Commercial Director at SCS Chauffeurs, revealed that a lot of the company’s clients use the same hack to get out of the airport as efficiently as possible. He explained: “Clients regularly tell us that the difference between a good travel day and a stressful one often starts with baggage reclaim.
“If you’re standing waiting for 30 minutes while the carousel clunks out someone else’s bags, your trip can feel so much longer. But the fragile sticker trick is a game-changer, and it often works.
“We’ve heard this tip from both airport ground staff and frequent flyers. You don’t need to lie or explain – just politely ask the check-in agent to add a ‘fragile’ sticker to your suitcase. It’s not guaranteed, but more often than not, your bag is among the first out. We’ve seen it work time and time again.”
The reason it works is that airport ground handlers will typically load ‘fragile’ items last into the aircraft’s hold to avoid them getting crushed, and then these get removed first on the other side to avoid sitting under heavy loads. Of course, it won’t save you hours of time, but those 20 minutes it might save you could just mean a bit of extra pool time (or getting to your hotel early enough to be one of the first at the buffet!).
In a now viral video, a TikTok user shares their travel hack for packing more clothes while avoiding excess baggage charges. While some commenters praise the hack as ‘genius’ others see some faults.
Budget airlines like Ryanair are notorious for being strict with baggage(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A plane passenger has stunned others by revealing where she secretly stashes her clothes to avoid paying extra baggage charges.
The video, posted by Nina Edwine (@nina_edwine) to TikTok and which has amassed two million views, shows how she stuffs her neck pillow – as opposed to her hand luggage – with clothes.
Despite the small size, Nina pulls garment after garment after garment out of the neck pillow – showing just how much you can fit inside. She was able to pack in 10 individual items of clothing – including a bra, tops and a dress – inside her neck pillow. She captioned the video: “rat technique to avoid paying 50euros [£43] for cabin baggage”.
In addition to drawing millions of eyes, the viral video has generated much discussion in the comment section, attracting almost 2,000 comments. The tactic has been widely applauded by the TikTok community, but some people have pointed out some flaws.
“This is actually genius [for real],” wrote one commenter. “I will surely do this my next trip” wrote another, with many others also agreeing they were ready to put this hack to the test.
However, some commenters were sceptical that this would actually be allowed by airline staff. Especially on low-budget airlines like Ryanair that are sticklers for overweight and oversize luggage.
One user wrote: “I was traveling with Ryanair last Thursday and if you only have a small luggage you can’t have [anything] else. The lady by the gate told EVERYONE to put the pillow in their bag or throw them away.”
You will need a neck pillow with a zipper in order to try this hack(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Another user claiming to work at an airport said: “As a gate agent, we still notice and we’ll still charge you for that.” While a different commenter said their attempt to use a similar hack failed: “Did this with a normal pillow and Ryanair staff at Marrakesh were not having it”.
Others joked that, even if gate agents weren’t already inspecting people’s neck pillows for ‘contraband’ they would from now on. “You lot are exposing this and when we get to the gate about to hop on a Ryanair flight, they will want to check everything,” wrote one commenter.
Commenters were quick to share other great tips for how to sneak extra clothing onto a flight without paying for additional baggage. “Buy any item at duty free [store], get a bag to go and you can put your clothes etc in that bag,” wrote one user.
Another tip was to use “one of those Uniqlo cross body bags”, and to “wear it under your coat with a scarf round your neck to disguise the strap”.
One simple trick can help you get plenty more cabin storage space on your cruise ship without having to upgrade to a suite or larger room on holiday
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Brits heading on cruise holidays this summer won’t need to fork out for a cabin upgrade if they want extra storage, thanks to a simple but effective trick.
While cruise suites often come with perks like extra storage space, they’re not always within your budget; but opting for a cheaper cabin doesn’t mean you’ll need to pack a little more lightly. In fact, there’s one clever trick that cruise regulars swear by, and all you need to do is pack one extra item.
The insiders over at Cruise Critic revealed the trick, explaining: “In many onboard bathrooms, there’s just not enough space for all your toiletries, cosmetics, jewellery and other personal items you like to keep by the sink and shower. An old favourite trick of many cruisers is to hang up an over-the-door shoe organiser and fill the pockets not with footwear but with hairbrushes, detangling spray and other beauty needs. The cloth organisers are easily foldable to fit in your cruise luggage.”
There are ways to get extra storage for your toiletries(Image: Getty Images)
It wasn’t the only tip they had. If you’re packing lots of toiletries but think you won’t have enough space for things like your shampoo or razor, then the travel experts recommend also bringing a “magnetic or suction hooks to hang on doors and walls to hang toiletries from etc too”.
Of course one of the perks of cruises is that the ships don’t tend to have strict luggage limits, so you can often rock up with two large suitcases and a personal bag (although if you’ve booked a cruise that departs from abroad, check your airline’s luggage limits as these will apply!).
Whatever itinerary you’ve got planned, one cruise expert recently revealed the six items he recommends that you always pack. Out of those, there’s one easy mistake that a lot of people can avoid with a bit of planning.
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According to Bob McGowan, Chief Experience Officer at Ambassador Cruise Line, most people only pack a rucksack for shore excursions in mind, or poolside days on the deck. However, when it comes to the evening time, they suddenly find that they don’t have an appropriate bag for the restaurants and bars. He explained: “There is a common misconception that cruises are only about lounging around”. He explained that while you’ll want a backpack for your onshore excursions, it’s worth thinking about an evening bag too when you’re on the ship.
“Having a compact bag whilst at dinner, enjoying a show or popping to the bar can be handy – helping to avoid that moment of panic when you realise you’ve left your phone in the restaurant – whilst a rucksack is great for a big day of exploring once in port.”
Speaking of the evening, don’t forget to bring something a little fancier than your T-shirt and shorts combo for your adventures. He added: “Whilst the flamboyant and grandiose clothing once associated with cruising is less common now, it is definitely a good idea to bring along a smart outfit with gala dinners and speciality dining options often available on board. On most cruises there will be at least one black tie evening and it’s always better to be slightly overdressed than underprepared. Plus, you’re on holiday – the perfect excuse to get suited and booted for the occasion!”
Do you have a simple travel hack you want to share? Email us at [email protected].
From Jack Harris: Rivalries in baseball can sometimes be difficult to define.
There are the obvious ones. Like the Yankees and Red Sox. The Cardinals and Cubs. And for the Dodgers, going back to their founding in New York, a generations-old hatred for the Giants.
“By definition, you can’t just decide to choose your rivalry because one team gets good,” veteran third baseman Max Muncy said. “And for the Dodgers, that’ll always be the Giants.”
But periodically, there are other emotionally charged, highly competitive, and intensely simmering clashes; often taking root between simultaneous contenders, bad-blooded division foes or closely situated fan bases sharing a mutual dislike.
Over the last half-decade, that’s what has slowly been built between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
And in their first renewal of the season Monday night at Petco Park, the two clubs lived up to the ever-growing hype in an 8-7 extra-innings win for the Dodgers.
“Both teams are good. The fan bases are very adamant. Both environments have been hostile over the last several years,” Muncy said. “It brings everything that a rivalry should bring.”
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NBA PLAYOFFS RESULTS
All Times Pacific
NBA FINALS
Oklahoma City vs. Indiana
Indiana 111, at Oklahoma City 110 (box score, story) at Oklahoma City 123, Indiana 107 (box score, story) Wednesday at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC Friday at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC Monday at Oklahoma City, 5:30 p.m., ABC Thursday, June 19 at Indiana, 5:30 p.m., ABC* Sunday, June 22 at Oklahoma City, 5 p.m., ABC*
*if necessary
ANGELS
From Benjamin Royer: Ron Washington took a page out of the characterized version of himself from the 2011 film “Moneyball” when asked about how difficult it would be to revive the Angels’ sputtering offense.
“It’s hard,” the Angels manager said Friday. “It’s very hard.”
Finding ways to improve the Angels’ productivity at the plate could prove even more daunting. They have the second-most strikeouts (622) and second-fewest walks (163) in MLB. Washington understands it’s a problem, but acknowledges the solution isn’t easily attainable.
“Adjustments is something in the game of baseball that’s never ending, so we just got to keep making adjustments,” Washington said. “That’s it. If I knew, if anybody knew the adjustment to make to get an offense going, you would never see offense putter. That’s baseball. You just got to keep adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting.”
Yusei Kikuchi took a one-hit shutout into the eighth inning and Jo Adell homered and drove in three runs to help the Angels beat the Athletics 7-4 on Monday night.
Mike Trout had two RBIs for the Angels, who shook off the latest incredible catch by Athletics rookie Denzel Clarke in center field.
Kikuchi (2-5) yielded just a one-out single to Max Muncy in the fifth and exited after striking out Nick Kurtz with his 104th pitch to begin the eighth. The left-hander struck out five and walked one in a brilliant outing.
From Anthony De Leon: With both teams in similar stages of growth and aiming to build lasting foundations, the Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries have shown just how slim the gap is between them.
A margin so thin that in the third meeting of the season, it took overtime to declare a winner.
The Valkyries have proven to be a real problem for the Sparks — offering far more fight than expected from a first-year franchise. And for the second straight meeting with the Valkyries, the Sparks couldn’t keep up, losing 89-81 at Crypto.com Arena on Monday.
In the end, it came down to fundamentals. After struggling with layups all night, the Valkyries converted two in a row — first from Veronica Burton, then from Kayla Thornton — to take an 82–79 lead in overtime. They built on that momentum, and with 37 seconds left, Thornton delivered the dagger: a three-pointer that sealed a hard-fought win.
The electric celebration, passing grades for an advanced venue plan and a growing corporate sponsorship portfolio keeps LA28 on track approaching the three-year mark until the 2028 Olympics open in a dual-venue ceremony at SoFi Stadium and the Coliseum.
“We are really confident in the progress we’ve made,” LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said after the coordination committee’s three-day visit. “We’re focused on what we’ve always done to deliver the greatest Games we are capable of delivering in this city in the most fiscally responsible way that pays dividends for every member of our Olympic movement and our community.”
Edmonton vs. Florida at Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT) (summary, story) Florida 5, at Edmonton 4 (2 OT) (summary, story) Monday at Florida (summary, story) Thursday at Florida, 5 p.m., TNT Saturday at Edmonton, 5 p.m., TNT Tuesday at Florida, 5 p.m., TNT* Friday, June 20 at Edmonton, 5 p.m., TNT*
* If necessary
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1890 — The Preakness Stakes is run outside Baltimore, at Morris Park in New York. The race is then suspended for three years, and resumes at the Brooklyn Jockey Club’s Gravesend Course from 1894-1908.
1932 — Gene Sarazen leads wire-to-wire to win the British Open by five strokes ahead of Macdonald Smith at Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England. Sarazen finishes with a tournament record of 283.
1933 — Johnny Goodman wins the U.S. Open golf title, making him the last amateur to win this event.
1934 — Italy beats Czechoslovakia 2-1 in extra time to win the second FIFA World Cup at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. Italy trailing 1-0, ties the game at the 80th minute. Angelo Schiavio scores the winning goal in extra time.
1944 — A rare triple dead heat occurs in the Carter Handicap at Aqueduct with Bossuet, Brownie and Wait a Bit crossing the finish line together.
1950 — Sixteen months after near-fatal car accident, Ben Hogan wins the U.S. Open. Hogan beats Lloyd Mangrum and George Fazio in an 18-hole playoff at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa.
1968 — UEFA European Championship Final, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy: Italy beats Yugoslavia, 2-0 in a replay (first game, 1-1).
1973 — Mary Mills shoots a 63 in the final round of the LPGA Championship to beat Betty Burfeindt by one stroke.
1977 — Al Geiberger sets a PGA Championship 18-hole record when he shoots a 59 in the Danny Thomas Classic.
1978 — Affirmed, ridden by Steve Cauthen, wins the Belmont Stakes to capture the Triple Crown in one of the greatest battles in racing history. Affirmed edges Alydar for the third time.
1989 — Wayne Gretzky of the Kings is named the NHL’s MVP, winning the Hart Trophy for a record ninth time.
1995 — Trainer D. Wayne Lukas wins a record five straight Triple Crown races as Thunder Gulch takes the Belmont Stakes. Lukas is the first trainer to win the Triple Crown races with two different horses. Lukas’ Timber Country won the Preakness.
1996 — Colorado’s Patrick Roy makes 63 saves before Uwe Krupp scores 4:31 into the third overtime to give the Avalanche a 1-0 victory against the Florida Panthers at Miami Arena and complete a four-game sweep of the Stanley Cup Final.
2000 — Stanley Cup Final, Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX: New Jersey Devils defeat Dallas Stars, 2-1 in double OT for a 4-2 series victory.
2006 — In Atlantic City, N.J., Bernard Hopkins wins a unanimous decision over light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver, capping an 18-year career with an upset for the ages.
2010 — USC is placed on four years probation, receives a two-year bowl ban and a sharp loss of football scholarships. The NCAA cites USC for a lack of institutional control. The NCAA found that Reggie Bush, identified as a “former football student-athlete,” was ineligible beginning at least by December 2004. The NCAA also orders USC to vacate every victory in which Bush participated while ineligible. USC loses 30 scholarships over a three-year period, 10 annually from 2011-13.
2012 — Shanshan Feng wins the LPGA Championship to become the first Chinese player to win an LPGA Tour title and a major event.
2018 — Rafael Nadal won a record-extending 11th championship at Roland Garros by beating Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Nadal became the second player in tennis history to win 11 singles titles at any Grand Slam tournament after Margaret Court, who claimed 11 Australian Open titles.
2018 — Kristen Gillman led a U.S. singles sweep in the biggest blowout in Curtis Cup history. Gillman, a 20-year-old University of Alabama star, beat 16-year-old Annabell Fuller 5 and 4 to cap a perfect weekend at Quaker Ridge in Scarsdale, N.Y. The Americans won 17-3, breaking the record for margin of victory of 11 set in a 14 1/2-3 1/2 victory at Denver Country Club in 1982.
2023 — UEFA Champions League Final, Ataturk Stadium, Istanbul: Manchester City beats Inter Milan, 1-0 to complete historic Champions League, Premier League & FA Cup trifecta.
THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1921 — Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees became baseball’s career home run leader by hitting his 120th off Cleveland’s Jim Bagby in the third inning. The Indians took the game 8-6.
1944 — Joe Nuxhall, at 15 years, 10 months and 11 days, became the youngest player in major league history when he pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in an 18-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
1959 — Rocky Colavito of Cleveland hit four consecutive home runs at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, a tough home run park. Billy Martin and Minnie Minoso also homered in the Indians’ 11-8 victory.
1966 — Cleveland’s Sonny Siebert threw the only no-hitter of the year as the Indians beat the Washington Senators 2-0.
1972 — Hank Aaron’s grand slam pushed the Atlanta Braves to a 15-3 rout over the Philadelphia Phillies. It was Aaron’s 649th home run, moving him ahead of Willie Mays into second place on the career home run list. It was also his 14th grand slam, tying Gil Hodges’ NL record.
1997 — Kevin Brown threw a no-hitter and kept himself from a perfect game by hitting a batter in the eighth inning, leading the Florida Marlins over the San Francisco Giants 9-0.
2005 — Baltimore’s 4-3 win over Cincinnati marked the first time that three 500-homer players appeared in the same game — the Orioles’ Sammy Sosa (580) and Rafael Palmeiro (559), and the Reds’ Ken Griffey, who hit a solo shot in the eighth inning for No. 511.
2006 — Reggie Sanders became the fifth player in major league history with 300 homers and 300 stolen bases when he hit a two-run shot in Kansas City’s 9-5 loss to Tampa Bay. Sanders homered off Chad Harville in the ninth to reach the milestone joining Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Andre Dawson and Bobby Bonds.
2011 — Tony La Russa managed his 5,000th game when the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the Milwaukee Brewers 8-0. La Russa complied a 2,676-2,324 record with the White Sox, Athletics and Cardinals. Only Connie Mack managed more games with 7,755 over 53 years.
2012 — Frankie Vanderka threw a three-hitter, Travis Jankowski had four hits and Stony Brook completed an improbable run to the College World Series with a 7-2 victory over LSU in the deciding game of the Baton Rouge super regional. Stony Brook became only the second team to open the tournament as a No. 4 seed in the regional round and advance to the World Series. The first was Fresno State during its stunning 2008 run to a national title.
2019 — The Diamondbacks and Phillies play “Home Run Derby” at Citizens Bank Park, in a 13-8 win by the D-Backs. Arizona opens the game with three straight homers off Jerad Eickhoff, by Jarrod Dyson, Ketel Marte and David Peralta, on their way to hitting 8 long balls. The Phillies reply with 5 of their own, including two by Scott Kingery, but it’s not enough on a night when balls are flying out of the park right and left. Eduardo Escobar homers from different sides of the plate in consecutive innings for Arizona, and Ildemaro Vargas also homers twice. The combined 13 homers set a new major league record. The D-Backs had been the last team to open a game with three dingers, back on July 21, 2017.
2020 — Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Amateur draft is held virtually and limited to five rounds.
Compiled by the Associated Press
Until next time…
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BOSTON — Automatic runner Zach Neto scored on Taylor Ward’s bases-loaded double-play groundout to lift the Angels to a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in 10 innings on Tuesday night.
Nolan Schanuel had two RBIs and Neto added two hits and an RBI to give the Angels consecutive wins for the first time since capping an eight-game win streak on May 23.
Kenley Jansen (1-2) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the win a night after getting a save and Reid Detmers got his first save.
Schanuel led off the 10th with a sacrifice bunt that was bobbled by reliever Zack Kelly (1-2), allowing Neto to advance to third. Mike Trout then walked to load the bases.
Kelly went 3-0 to Ward before he grounded into the double play. But it allowed Neto to score to put the Angels in front.
Ceddanne Rafaela had two RBIs for Boston. Jarren Duran also had an RBI.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi pitched five innings plus three batters, giving up three runs and eight hits with five walks. He also struck out five, including his 900th major league strikeout.
Zach Neto leans away from an inside pitch in the ninth inning.
(Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press)
Boston’s Brayan Bello ended a five-game streak of not making it through at least five innings. He lasted six innings, giving up three runs and seven hits.
Key moment
With Boston trailing 3-1 in the sixth, Trevor Story led off with a walk. Rafaela then jumped on Kikuchi’s 89 mph slider, driving it 426 feet over the Green Monster for his fifth homer of the season. It was Kikuchi’s final hitter of the game.
Key stat
Boston drops to 6-17 in one-run games this season.
Up next
Angels right-hander José Soriano (4-5, 3.41 ERA) faces Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (1-1, 4.78) in the series finale.
