flooded

BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has shared a health update with fans after visiting hospital this week

Beloved Springwatch host Chris Packham has opened up about a worrying health scare that saw him rushed to Southampton hospital after spotting an alarming symptom, which led to an invasive procedure to obtain a biopsy.

This comes after his co-star Michaela Strachan was supported by fans after sharing baby news.

The BBC naturalist admitted the medical emergency required immediate investigation, telling supporters he’d anticipated the experience would be “a bit unpleasant and uncomfortable”.

He underwent both a gastroscopy and colonoscopy following the discovery of a polyp, and revealed the ordeal proved far less daunting than he’d feared.

The wildlife campaigner updated his numerous Instagram followers from the hospital café as he documented the journey online.

He admitted: “I got to watch it all… it was better than everything I saw on Netflix last night.”

A gastroscopy, alternatively termed an upper endoscopy, involves a physician using an extended, bendable tube equipped with a camera to inspect the upper digestive tract, encompassing the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

A colonoscopy, meanwhile, is a diagnostic examination of the large intestine’s lining utilising an elongated, flexible tube fitted with a camera, known as a colonoscope.

The procedure is carried out to explore symptoms such as stomach pain or bleeding, to check for bowel cancer, or to keep track of pre-existing health issues.

Chris verified that doctors had extracted a small polyp and that he’s currently awaiting the biopsy findings, reports the Express.

Despite facing uncertainty, he stayed positive and took the opportunity to commend the team caring for him. “I just want to say a massive thank you to all of the staff and volunteers working at this hospital and, of course, to the NHS,” he said.

“Whatever happens going forward, we’ve got to protect our NHS.”

However, the wildlife presenter’s hospital experience took an unexpected turn when he encountered one of the hospital’s cuddliest guests, Tinker the poodle. The adorable dog was visiting alongside charity volunteer Carmella, collecting donations for the Muscle Help Foundation.

The organisation delivers life-transforming “Muscle Dream Experiences” for youngsters living with muscular dystrophy. Chris was deeply touched by their cause and promised to promote their donation link, encouraging anyone able to contribute even a modest sum to support them.

“I know it’s tough times,” he said, “but anything you can afford would be most welcome.”

He remarked that the duo had been given a “fantastic welcome” at the hospital, before adding with humour: “What a place – sensational. And finishing off with a poodle… that’s what you call service!”.

This marks Chris ‘most recent health disclosure, with the broadcaster being remarkably candid about his wellbeing on social media, discussing extensively his experiences living with Asperger’s Syndrome, which he was diagnosed with aged 40 following years of feeling unlike others around him.

People were quick to comment on the post with one person saying: “Great sharing your experience of undergoing a colonoscopy Chris! Super important for men to make sure they get checked out if ever concerned!”

Someone else wrote: “Sending so much love and so pleased all went well and it’s over.” As another added: “I hope all goes well for you…take care of yourself you have spent your life dedicating to others.”

Pakistan began evacuations last month after India released water from overflowing dams into low-lying border regions.

Nearly 300,000 people have been evacuated in the past 48 hours from flood-hit areas of Pakistan’s Punjab province following the latest flood alerts by India, officials have said, bringing the total number of people displaced since last month to 1.3 million.

A new flood alert was shared with Pakistan by neighbouring India through diplomatic channels early on Wednesday, said Arfan Ali Kathia, director-general of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

Floodwaters have submerged dozens of villages in Punjab’s Muzaffargarh district, after earlier inundating Narowal and Sialkot, both near the border with India.

Authorities are also struggling to divert overflowing rivers onto farmlands to protect major cities, as part of one of the largest rescue and relief operations in the history of Punjab, which straddles eastern Pakistan and northwestern India.

The flood alert on Wednesday was the second in 24 hours following heavy rains and water releases from dams in India.

Thousands of rescuers using boats are taking part in the relief and rescue operations, while the military has also been deployed to transport people and animals from inundated villages, said Kathia.

Rescuers are also using drones to find people stranded on rooftops in the flood-hit areas. Kathia said more than 3.3 million people across 33,000 villages in the province have been affected. The damage is still being assessed and all those who lost homes and crops would be compensated by the Punjab government, he said.

Landslides and flooding have killed at least 30 people in India’s Punjab state, home to more than 30 million people, and nearly 20,000 have been evacuated since August 1.

In Pakistan, tent villages are being set up and food and other essential items are being supplied to flood-affected people, said Kathia, though many survivors complained about a lack of government aid.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas in Muzaffargarh on Wednesday, meeting with displaced families at the camps.

About 40,000 people are in the relief camps, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. It remains unclear where the rest are sheltering.

Malik Ramzan, a displaced resident, said he chose to stay near his inundated home rather than enter a relief camp. “There are no liveable facilities in the camps,” he said. “Food isn’t delivered on time, and we are treated like beggars.”

Facilities at the camps “are very poor,” said Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Multan in Punjab. “There’s no clean drinking water, no proper toilet facilities, plus the fact that it’s very hot and humid, so it leads to dehydration.”

While these families have fans to keep cool in the heat, “there are frequent power breakdowns, so these people now are very vulnerable when it comes to their health and, of course, the outbreak of diseases.”

Last week’s flooding mainly hit districts in Kasur, Bahawalpur and Narowal.

Pakistan began mass evacuations last month after India released water from overflowing dams into low-lying border regions.

The latest floods are the worst since 2022, when climate-induced flooding killed nearly 1,700 people in Pakistan.

The Great British Sewing Bee contestant was in tears after his design was praised, as it shared a link to his late mother

A Great British Sewing Bee contestant broke down in tears after judges hailed his “beautiful” creation, which carried a poignant connection to his late mum.

Judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young set the sewers a challenge this week to craft garments using reused and recycled materials, with many contestants bringing along old family clothing.

Durham-based stitcher Dan, who started sewing aged just 10, gathered a collection of matching Christmas t-shirts his family had worn in 2022.

His plan was to transform them into a single halter-neck dress, complete with a faux-fur muff.

Discussing the accessory, he revealed: “This was a shawl that I made for my mum that she only wore once, unfortunately she passed away,” reports Wales Online.

“So I thought it’d be really nice to have her touch.”

When his finished creation was unveiled, Dan’s garment was described as “beautiful” and he even claimed Garment of the Week honours.

“I’m glad I did this, because I wanted my mum to be represented,” he wept.

He later reflected: “This week has been insane, I can’t believe all the good comments they said.

“It was really nice they got my vision and knew where I was going with it, especially this one in particular, it was really personal to me.”

Patrick also lauded Dan’s finished piece, declaring: “It’s absolutely stunning and such a beautiful story behind it.

“The perfect way to go from an unwanted pile of old pyjamas into this beautiful, beautiful outfit.”

Following his victory, Dan said: “I’ve just got to trust my instincts and go with it. I’m glad that I did it on this week, where it was something so personal.”

Viewers were moved by the story behind his design, with one commenting: “Dan that dress was absolutely amazing mate. Thoroughly deserved garment of the week.”

Another viewer expressed: “Really pleased for Dan,” while another added: “Definitely want to give Dan a huge cuddle.”

“Dan smashed it this week!” a fourth fan praised, while another admirer commented: “Well done Dan, that looked really good.”

The Great British Sewing Bee airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia have cancelled flights to Indonesia after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted

Large parts of the biggest island nation in the world have been placed on the UK Foreign Office’s no-travel list.

On Tuesday, dozens of flights to and from the Indonesian resort island of Bali were cancelled or delayed after one of the country’s most active volcanoes erupted. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on the island of Flores, belched an ash tower more than 11 km (6.8 miles) into the sky.

Authorities have raised the highest alert level and told residents to avoid activities within a 7 km radius around the crater. Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Australia were among the airlines that cancelled flights to and from Bali, located west of Flores.

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Now the UK’s Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Brits heading to or in Indonesia. It advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia. They are:

• Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province: to within 7 km of the crater
• Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra: to within 5 km of the crater
• Mount Marapi, West Sumatra: to within 3 km of the crater
• Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java: to within 5 km of the crater
• In the southeast of Mount Semeru: to within 500 m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13 km from the crater
• Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi: to within 7 km of the crater
• Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province: to within 7 km of the crater

As well as potentially putting yourself in harm’s way, not following Foreign Office travel advice can invalidate your travel insurance.

The tiny paradise island of Bali, celebrated for its unspoilt beaches and vibrant nightlife, has experienced a surge in visitors lately despite serious cautions from travel advisers. The destination made headlines last year as it attracted an impressive 6.3 million international travellers, outstripping the numbers seen before COVID struck. In total, Indonesia welcomed in 13.9 million tourists last year, according to news.cn.

Mainly Australians flock to the tourism magnet, drawn by their neighbouring status. Nevertheless, just last month, on May 30, Australian officials updated their guidance on visiting Indonesia due to a spate of unsettling incidents, including drowning and methanol poisoning.

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The Australian government now advises its compatriots to “exercise a high degree of caution” in the archipelago, warning: “Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok.”

The UK’s Foreign Office has similar advice: “Do not leave [your drinks] unattended. Do not accept drinks from strangers at clubs or parties. Tourists have been assaulted or robbed after taking visitors to their hotel rooms, and in some cases have found that their drinks were spiked.”

To lower the risks of drinking methanol, the Foreign Office advises purchasing alcohol only from reputable licensed shops or bars, ensuring bottle seals are unbroken. Look out for shoddy labels or misspellings on bottles and steer clear of home-brewed spirits.

Despite witnessing a record-breaking number of international tourists last year, one picture postcard island has witnessed a surge in incidents relating to methanol poisoning

A tiny island famed for its pristine beaches and lively nightlife has seen its tourism boom in recent years – despite stark travel warnings.

Whether you’re after a chilled beach club, silent yoga retreat, or TikTok-inspired spiritual awakening, Bali’s mass appeal is undeniable. It has some pretty stunning temples, sugar-like beaches, lush rice paddies, and an unbeatable cuisine. Last year, the hotspot, located in Indonesia, welcomed a staggering 6.3 million international tourists, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak.

Unsurprisingly, Australia accounted for the majority of tourists, due to its close proximity. But, last month (May 30) the country’s government reviewed its advice for Indonesia following a series of recent incidents involving drownings and methanol poisoning. Urging Aussies to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ when travelling to the country – the body said: “Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok.”

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The Mirror contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – which advises Brits on which countries are safe to travel to – asking whether it was also updating its warning page for Indonesia to reflect the recent surge. A spokesperson did not explicitly comment on Australia’s updated advice, and instead sent over the organisation’s guide for Indonesia – which hasn’t been updated since April 8, 2025.

The FCDO currently advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia, including Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, Mount Sinabung, Mount Marapi, Mount Semeru, and Mount Ruang. However, it does not have a current warning against Bali for either essential or non-essential travel.

Still, under its ‘Safety and Security’ section, the FCDO has issued a blunt five-word warning for travellers: “Watch your drinks being prepared.” It adds: “There have been reports of drink spiking linked to sexual assault in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.

“Do not leave [your drinks] unattended. Do not accept drinks from strangers at clubs or parties. Tourists have been assaulted or robbed after taking visitors to their hotel rooms, and in some cases have found that their drinks were spiked.”

The FCDO clearly states that many people, including British nationals, have died or suffered serious illness in Indonesia after drinking spirits that contain methanol due to inadequate distillation. Affected drinks have included:

• local spirits, including arak/arrack (a local rice or palm liquor)
• spirit-based mixed drinks, such as cocktails
• counterfeit brand-name bottled alcohol in shops or behind the bar

To protect yourself from methanol poisoning, it is recommended to only buy alcohol from licensed liquor stores or bars, and make sure the bottle seals are intact. It’s also worth checking for poor print quality or incorrect spelling on your beverages, as well as avoiding homemade alcoholic drinks.

The FCDO also warns tourists to be ‘alert’ when out at night and avoid poorly-lit areas due to a high number of reported rapes and sexual assaults. “If you call a taxi, use only registered companies, such as Bluebird, Silverbird or Express, and check the driver’s identity,” it states.

“If you book with a mobile app, check the driver is the same as the person on the app, and share your journey with a friend using the app. Be wary of drivers claiming to be registered with app companies and trying to pick up passengers on the street.”

Other safety warnings include credit card fraud, bag-snatching, and pickpocketing. “Conceal your bag as much as possible to reduce the risk. Carry only essential items and take care of your passport and bank cards,” the FCDO advises.

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A survey of 19 airport hotel brands has revealed those at the top and bottom of the table when it comes to customer satisfaction and value for money – with one in particular proving to be a ‘disappointment’

Despite their handy proximity to the terminals, many airport hotel brands are failing to provide good value for money and quality food and drink, according to a new ranking of the best and worst in the country.

In a survey involving over 1,600 participants, 19 airport hotel chains were judged on aspects such as customer service, cleanliness and value for money. Which? also sent undercover inspectors to two of the listed hotels – DoubleTree by Hilton and Thistle – to see if their experiences matched the survey results.

DoubleTree by Hilton – with locations at Edinburgh Airport, London Heathrow, Manchester and Newcastle – was the most impressive to travellers. The chain bagged five stars for cleanliness, bed comfort and location, achieving an impressive overall customer score of 80 per cent.

On the other end of things, Bloc Hotel at Gatwick shows that proximity to a departure lounge does not mean everything. Depite being right next to the South Terminal check-in desks, it still scored poorly on the survey with 64% overall, earning a meagre two stars for value for money, bedrooms, bathrooms, and customer service.

Have you had a bad hotel stay and want to share your story? Email [email protected]

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The average price per night is £142. Guests complain about overpriced tiny rooms, some without windows, with one survey participant noting: “The room was too small for two people. The bed was against the wall, so one person had to wriggle out to use the loo. And the bathroom was a wetroom, so the toilet area flooded when you used the shower”.

A spokesperson for BLOC Hotel noted that the survey’s conclusions “are drawn from such a small and unrepresentative sample size – which seems to be just 42 reviews. At Bloc Gatwick, we achieve a customer service score of 91% across major platforms including Booking.com, Google, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, based on more than 8,000 verified reviews over the past 12 months.”

Contrastingly, the Mirror’s own travel editor, Nigel Thompson, stayed at BLOC Hotel and praised it thoroughly, awarding it a score of 9.5 out of 10.

Travelodge has emerged as the most affordable choice in a recent survey, boasting an average nightly rate of a mere £74. Despite its modest pricing, the hotel chain only managed to secure a customer satisfaction rate of 65 per cent, earning itself a middling three-star rating for most features like value for money and its bedrooms and bathrooms.

However, it fell short in the food and drink department, scraping by with just two stars. Dissatisfied guests didn’t mince their words, one commenting: “Most of the items on the menu were unavailable. What was available was clearly poor quality and microwaved.”

Strategically positioned near major UK airfields such as Cardiff Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and London City Airport, Travelodge still remains a convenient option.

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Which?’s incognito inspectors visited the DoubleTree by Hilton at Newcastle airport and gave it high marks. Highlights included warm cookies given to guests upon arrival, room service until the early hours, and a generous midday checkout time.

Guests can also enjoy a continental breakfast from as early as 4.30am. The inspectors also praised the spacious rooms, blackout curtains and plush king-size beds.

The Thistle in London Heathrow Terminal 5 was the second hotel to which Which? sent undercover inspectors. With a score of 72 per cent in the survey, Thistle received a Which? Great Value award. Despite its dated decor, the inspectors found the hotel clean and convenient, offering excellent deals for park and stay. The hotel had a fairly comfy bed and a decent shower, and is just a five-minute pod ride from the airport.

At just £78 with a buffet breakfast, it was considered a bargain. Thistle also has a hotel at London Luton Airport.

Travellers seeking an airport hotel are prioritising convenience for terminal access, with a whopping 87% in a consumer survey claiming it’s essential. Luckily, food is less of a big deal.

None of the hotels surveyed scooped up more than three stars for their culinary offerings. An individual recounting their airport hotel experience grumbled: “‘I ordered a sirloin steak and it was as tough as old boots. My wife ordered a pizza and it had to go back.”

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Nonetheless, airport hotels are proving invaluable to passengers travelling by car. Special package deals coupling a one-night’s stay with extended holiday parking can be surprisingly economical.

For example, Thistle at Heathrow Terminal 5 offers secure, CCTV-monitored on-site parking. An August booking for a night plus seven days of parking is priced at £210—a savvy saving of £52 compared to booking a separate hotel room and opting for the adjacent official T5 Pod Parking.

The Which? rankings with overall customer score

1. Double Tree by Hilton: 80%
2. Premier Inn: 79%
3. Sofitel: 78%
4. Holiday Inn Express: 76%
5. Clayton Hotels: 73%
6. Crowne Plaza: 73%
7. Thistle: 72%
8. Courtyard by Marriott: 71%
9. Hilton: 71%
10. Novotel: 71%
11. Radisson Blu: 71%
12. Holiday Inn: 70%
13. Best Western: 67%
14. Hilton Garden Inn: 67%
15. Ibis: 67%
16. Ibis Budget: 67%
17. Hampton by Hilton: 66%
18. Travelodge: 65%
19. BLOC Hotel: 64%