fruit

A SHOPPER has sparked a debate among bargain hunters after sharing an incredible yellow sticker haul on social media – and admitting she cleared the shelves of highly reduced items.

The savvy shopper managed to scoop up 51 cartons of fruit juice for less than £4, along with a massive discount on cleaning essentials.

3

3

The post quickly racked up comments after the woman declared: “Yes I cleared the shelves who wouldn’t,” justifying her massive purchase.

The focus of her shopping spree was Morrisons, though she noted the deal might not be nationwide. 

The woman, who shared her impressive savings in the popular Facebook group Extreme Couponing And Bargains UK, basket was full of discounted everyday essentials.

She bought 17 multipacks of juice cartons (4x apple and blackcurrant, 13x orange juice) that were priced at a mere 20p per pack. 

This means she paid just £3.40 for 51 individual juice cartons, a saving of over 90% on the original price.

The money saver also grabbed a huge stock of Dettol cleaning wipes. 

These were marked up at 75p but scanned at an even lower 37p per pack of 70 wipes.

She bought 13 packs, grabbing a year’s worth of cleaning supplies for just £4.81.

But her post soon quickly got a reaction from other money savers. 

Many users congratulated her on the incredible luck, insisting that any serious bargain hunter would do the same but others disagreed. 

“I wouldn’t have cleared the shelf actually,” one wrote.

A second also stated: “It’s lovely to hear of people getting a bargain but when you say…

“I cleared the shelf, surely you didn’t mean that figuratively.

“I mean you did leave some for someone else to ‘get a bargain’?”

3

“I’m sorry but I get annoyed when people clear the shelf.

“I just think it’s a great bargain but please be fair to others to have the opportunity to get as well,” a third added.

But someone else said: “Why not, great find. That pack lunches are sorted.”

And another added: “Well done you…I would have as well…always share with relations and friends.” 

A Facebook user also commented: “Well done you, who wouldn’t take the lot I would , to split between my family.” 

Food poisoning and a runny tummy can ruin any trip, but by sticking to bottled water and being careful with fruit and salad, holidaymakers can keep travellers’ trots at bay

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to summer holidays – whether you’re jetting off to the Mediterranean, road-tripping across the UK, or packing for a long-haul getaway. But one of the most important things is sometimes the first to be overlooked – your health. As a pharmacist with more than 30 years’ experience, I’ve helped countless holidaymakers caught off-guard by sunburn, food poisoning or an unexpected allergic reaction.

One in eight holidaymakers get ill abroad, according to statistics. And nearly half of us fear a medical emergency abroad. But the good news is that with a few smart, proactive steps, you can avoid most common travel ailments and keep your summer trip on track. So whether you suffer from travel sickness, struggle with jet lag, or just want to avoid the classic sunburn-blister-sore-feet trifecta, here are 10 essential summer health hacks to help you feel your best, wherever you’re headed.

How to build the ultimate travel first aid kit

You don’t need to carry half a pharmacy with you, just pack the essentials. Make sure you have plasters and antiseptic wipes, as well as antihistamines (for bites, allergies or hay fever), and rehydration salts for heat or stomach bugs. Pop a pack of paracetamol or ibuprofen in your kit, as well as anti-diarrhoeal medication like loperamide.

Don’t forget travel sickness tablets, and hydrocortisone cream for rashes or bites. If you have prescribed medications, keep them in their original boxes with your name clearly labelled. Keeping these in a bag in your hand luggage ensures you’re covered if your main suitcase goes missing.

Avoid holiday tummy troubles

Food poisoning and traveller’s diarrhoea can ruin any trip. In many hot countries, bacteria multiply more quickly, especially in street food or undercooked meats. Stick to bottled or filtered water (including when brushing teeth) and avoid ice cubes unless you know the source. Peel fruits yourself and be cautious with salads washed in local water. Pack antidiarrhoeal tablets and rehydration salts. If symptoms last more than 48 hours, or there’s blood in the stool, seek medical help.

Beat travel sickness before it starts

Motion sickness happens when your inner ear and eyes send conflicting signals to your brain – often triggered in cars, boats or planes. Prevention is far more effective than waiting until you’re nauseous. Antihistamines such as cinnarizine or hyoscine patches are proven remedies and available over the counter. For natural alternatives, ginger capsules or acupressure wristbands may help some people. I also recommend facing forwards in a moving vehicle, avoiding reading or scrolling, and crack a window where possible.

Stay one step ahead of jet lag

There’s nothing worse than losing the first day or so of a long-awaited holiday due to jet lag. While you can’t avoid it altogether, there are some things you can do to minimise the effects. If possible, try to adjust your sleep schedule a few days before you fly. Drink plenty of water on the flight, and avoid alcohol. If it’s an overnight flight, avoid eating a heavy meal. Get some sunlight as soon as you arrive to help reset your internal body clock. Melatonin supplements may be useful for short-term sleep regulation but speak to a pharmacist first.

Stay hydrated – especially on your flight

Cabin air is dry, and dehydration not only leaves you feeling groggy but can worsen jet lag, headaches, and increase your risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Drink a glass of water every hour during your flight and avoid caffeine or alcohol, both of which dehydrate you. Consider oral rehydration salts if you’re flying long haul or suffer from conditions that make you more prone to dehydration. Pack a refillable water bottle (you can fill it after security) and use hydrating facial mists or moisturiser to combat dry skin.

Prevent sunburn

It’s tempting to start a holiday by spending hours in the sun lying on the beach or by the pool. But a trip away can easily be ruined by sunburn, which isn’t just painful but can increase your risk of skin cancer and can lead to sunstroke. Always use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, reapplying every two hours and immediately after swimming. Don’t forget areas like ears, feet, scalp, and the back of the neck. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest.

Protect against bites and stings

Mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects can cause allergic reactions or transmit illness depending on where you’re travelling. Use an insect repellent containing DEET, especially around sunrise and sunset. Wear loose, light-coloured clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net if needed. If you’re bitten make sure to clean the area, apply hydrocortisone cream, and take oral antihistamines to reduce swelling and itching. If the area becomes red, hot or painful – or you develop a fever – seek medical advice.

Plan ahead for pre-existing conditions

If you have a long-term condition, speak to your GP or pharmacist at least 2-4 weeks before you travel. Get any vaccinations you need and ensure you’re fit to fly, particularly for long-haul trips. Take a basic health summary or EHIC/GHIC card (for EU countries) and always declare conditions on travel insurance. If you’re flying with mobility issues, allergies or need medical equipment like oxygen or needles, inform your airline in advance. And remember – pharmacies abroad don’t always stock the same brands or doses. Being prepared gives you peace of mind.

Mind your medication in the heat

Many people don’t realise that extreme heat can reduce the effectiveness of some medications, particularly for blood pressure, thyroid conditions or diabetes. Tablets like nitroglycerin and insulin are especially sensitive and should be kept below 25°C, away from direct sunlight or car glove boxes.

For those on temperature-sensitive meds, pack a cool bag or insulated pouch, especially on day trips. Additionally, store your medication in carry-on luggage rather than checked bags, as luggage holds can get extremely hot. A travel-sized thermometer in your kit can help you keep an eye on conditions if you’re somewhere very hot.

Deborah Grayson is a pharmacist with 30 years’ experience, and a nutritional therapist. She runs Digestion With Confidence: digestionwithconfidence.co.uk

FILL YOUR FIRST AID KIT

Take steps now to make sure you have everything you need for every kind of holiday health challenge

Kwells 300mcg travel sickness tablets, £9.49, Amazon

O.R.S hydration tablets, £6.49 (orshydration.com )

Navigate Carnaby travel bloom washbag, £23, Dunelm

Sea-Band Nausea relief Ginger Capsules, £6.69 for 20 (Superdrug)

Skincalm Bite & Sting Relief 1% Cream Hydrocortisone – 10g, £4.65, Amazon

Bioré Aqua Rich UV Invisible Face Mist SPF 50, £17.99 (Superdrug) also stocked on Amazon

La Roche Posay UVMune 400 Dermo-paediatrics Invisible Spray SPF50+, £25.50, LookFantastic

Regatta x Orla Kiely water bottle, £38, regatta.com

It was a normal Teams meeting at the end of a busy week. Colleagues were discussing the hospital weekend plans. I was there too, nodding, half-present. My mind was elsewhere – on a message I’d sent earlier that morning to a friend in Gaza.

I glanced at my phone.

One tick.

WhatsApp users know the signs: one tick means the message was sent. Two ticks mean it was received. Two blue ticks, it was read.

For most people, it’s a minor delay. But when you’re texting a Palestinian friend in Gaza during a war, one tick carries a sense of dread.

Maybe his phone’s out of charge – normal in a place where power was cut off 20 months ago. Maybe there’s no service – Israel often cuts communication during attacks. But there’s a third possibility I don’t allow myself to think about, even though it’s the most likely outcome if you are living through a genocide.

Still one tick.

Back in the meeting. We wrap up. Plans are made and people start to think about their own weekend plans.

I glance again. Still one tick.

This is the curse of being Palestinian. Carrying the weight of your homeland, its pain, its people – while being expected to function normally, politely, professionally.

Then, I was told my Teams background was “potentially anti-Semitic.”

It was a still-life image: figs, olives, grapes, oranges, watermelon, and a few glass bottles. A quiet nod to my culture and roots. But in today’s climate, even fruit is political. Any symbol of Palestinian identity can now be interpreted as a threat.

Suddenly, I was being questioned, accused, and possibly facing disciplinary action. For a background. For being Palestinian.

Still one tick.

I felt silenced, humiliated, and exposed. How was my love for my culture, for art, for my people being twisted into something hateful? Why is my choice of virtual background more controversial than the devastating violence unfolding in real time?

This is not isolated. Many of us – Palestinians, or anyone else who cares about Palestine – are being challenged on our humanity across organisations, all driven by external pressure.

And then it happened. Two blue ticks.

My friend was alive. He messaged: they fled their home in the early hours of the morning. He carried his children, walked for hours, left everything behind. No food, no shelter. But alive.

How could I explain to him what had happened to me that day? That while he ran for his life, I was threatened with disciplinary action about a painting of fruit? That I was accused of racism for an image, while he was witnessing the destruction of entire families?

This is what it means to be Palestinian today. To constantly navigate a world that erases your humanity, silences your voice, distorts your identity. To be told your pain is political. Your joy is provocation. Your symbols are offensive.

I’ve worked in the NHS for 25 years. It’s more than a job – it’s part of who I am. And now, along with two colleagues, I’m taking legal action. Not for ourselves, but to protect the NHS from external political lobbying. To say, firmly and clearly, that our National Health Service should belong to its patients and its staff – not to those who seek to silence, intimidate or twist it into serving a toxic agenda.

What happened to me is not just unjust – it is unlawful. Speaking up against genocide is not only my moral responsibility as a human being, but also my right as a British citizen in a democratic society.

I don’t write this to compare my experience with my friend’s suffering. I write it to expose the absurdity, the cruelty, of how Palestinians are treated across the world. Whether under bombs or under suspicion, we are made to justify our existence.

It shouldn’t be this way.

Being Palestinian is not a crime. But too often, it feels like the world treats it as one.

The author is currently pursuing legal action, alongside two NHS colleagues, challenging, among other things, allegations of antisemitism.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

Thai PM refuses to be ‘bullied’ as tension flares in a long-running dispute that turned deadly last month.

Cambodia has threatened to halt imports of fruit and vegetables from Thailand unless its neighbour lifts border restrictions as tempers flare during a long-running dispute that turned deadly last month.

The ban will take effect if Thailand doesn’t lift all border crossing restrictions within 24 hours, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen said in a televised speech on Monday. The announcement followed weekend talks that had aimed to defuse the tensions.

“If the Thai side does not open border crossings to normalcy today, tomorrow, we will implement throughout the border a ban on the imports of fruit and vegetables to Cambodia,” said Hun Sen, a former prime minister and father of the current premier.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra retorted that her country would not be bullied or threatened and warned that “unofficial” communication would harm diplomatic efforts.

“Messages via unofficial channels do not bring good results for both countries,” she said after meeting Thai military commanders and officials from the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

The rhetoric and diplomatic efforts come after decades of arguments over border territories have flared up.

On May 28, soldiers exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. A Cambodian soldier was killed during the skirmish.

The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they acted in self-defence but agreed to reposition their soldiers in a bid to avoid future confrontations. However, heightened tensions remain.

Bangkok has tightened border controls since the clash and threatened to close the border and cut off electricity supplies to Cambodia.

Phnom Penh ordered troops on Friday to stay on “full alert” and announced it would cease buying Thai electric power, internet bandwidth and produce while also ordering local television stations not to screen Thai films.

Little progress

Amid the rise in diplomatic temperature, officials from the two countries met over the weekend in Phnom Penh to discuss their conflicting territorial claims.

While both sides said the meeting was held in a good atmosphere, it appears little progress was made.

The dispute dates back to the drawing of their 820km (510-mile) frontier, largely done during French colonial rule of Indochina from 1887 to 1954.

Parts of the land border are undemarcated and include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades. The region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.

Cambodia on Sunday formally asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the dispute in four areas, including the site of last month’s clash and three others where ancient temples are located.

Cambodia has repeatedly asked Thailand to join the case, but Bangkok insists on a bilateral solution. It rejected a 2013 ICJ ruling that a disputed area next to the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia.

Both countries have agreed to participate in another round of meetings on border issues in Thailand in September.