HOURS

Two Belgian men have claimed they hid in a toilet at Munich’s Allianz Arena for 27 hours in order to watch last weekend’s Champions League final for free.

Neal Remmerie and Senne Haverbeke told Belgian broadcaster VRT News they managed to get into the ground the day before the match then emerged to watch Paris St-Germain’s 5-0 win over Inter Milan.

The pair uploaded a video, external on the social media platform TikTok which showed them sticking a homemade ‘out of order’ sign on two toilet cubicle doors before they waited in silence for more than a day as stadium staff used the facility.

“We had a backpack with snacks and we played around on our phones to kill time,” Remmerie said.

“The lights were on all the time and the sitting position was uncomfortable, so sleeping was almost impossible. That made it physically and mentally difficult.”

As soon as the duo heard fans using the toilets on matchday they emerged from the hiding place and made it past another ticket check before taking a seat in a stand.

“We looked carefully at which security guard was paying the least attention. While on the phone and with food in our hands, we just walked on, and suddenly we were inside,” Remmerie added.

“PSG won 5-0 and we were also in the supporters’ section of the winning team. It was the most beautiful football match we have ever seen.”

BBC Sport has approached the Allianz Arena and Uefa for comment.

Two Russian bridges near Ukraine have collapsed within hours. In Bryansk, a bridge collapsed onto a train, killing at least seven people, while in Kursk, another bridge collapsed, derailing a freight train. Russia is investigating the incidents as possible sabotage.

My two-day trip to Paris – the city of love – was an eye-opener to say the least and made me realise one huge plus to travelling so spontaneously

2025 is the year of spontaneity, at least for me. I told myself that I’d say ‘yes’ to doing things that I usually wouldn’t agree to do – no overthinking and simply just doing it. Six months into the year, I have zero regrets.

When the opportunity for a spontaneous weekend trip to Paris came up, of course, I said yes. For a little context, out of nowhere, my parents decided to go on a weekend jaunt to celebrate Mother’s Day. Paris is known to be ‘the city of love’, and it’s not too far from home, so I decided to join them for a literal 48-hour trip. Leaving on Saturday early in the morning, we drove from London to Paris – yes, drove – and came back on Sunday, just past midnight.

London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. So, I thought, if I’m going to spend £100 on a night out, why not go abroad, instead? Plus, the weather in Paris was so much better and warmer than London, so that gave me the ultimate push.

READ MORE: ‘I ditched my phone for an 18-mile hike and learned one surprising thing about myself’

When it comes to holidays, it’s hard to see and do everything in one trip. On average, UK travellers spend over a week on their holidays abroad. Thankfully, I had already been to Paris, so there wasn’t anything in particular that I wanted to see. Just be there and enjoy the moment.

My really good friend joined us on the trip, and funny enough, she had also been to Paris, but didn’t get the chance to see the Eiffel Tower. I mean, who could miss the 1,083ft tall structure the city is so famous for? So, we made it our mission to visit it – and it was probably the thing we ended up seeing the most, if not the only tourist attraction we beelined.

We walked around the city, sat in coffee shops, did some shopping, and even bar-hopped during the night to make the most of the ‘happy hour’. And honestly, excluding the accommodation and the travel expenses, I don’t think I’ve spent more than £100 – which it got me thinking, why am I not doing this more often?

READ MORE: I’m Spanish living in the UK and these key differences blow my mind

We all know that things in 2025 have become much more expensive than they were 10, 20, and even 30 years ago. Going out during the weekend in London has become an occasional treat for many. Let’s be real – the price of drinks, public transport, club entries, taxis, cigarettes… You always end up spending outrageous amounts of money, so is it even worth it?

What a night out would cost you is a plane ticket to a European country, and the expenses are more likely to be less than London prices. Plus, if you want to go abroad without using your annual leave, weekends are the perfect time to do it.

In the end, it wasn’t just about saving a few extra pounds or going on a holiday. It was more about saying yes to things because some of the best memories come from impulsive decisions. Here’s to many more spontaneous last-minute trips that will cost me less than a London night out!

SKY customers have just hours left to claim a free gift worth £20.

The freebie was issued as an apology after Sky‘s major TV outage on May 15.

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It saw Sky viewers left without telly for hours due to a technical issue.

And even after the outage, some users still struggled to get their tellies working – with others calling for compensation.

Days after, Sky revealed it was handing out a free Sky Store movie worth £20.

But that offer is due to expire in a matter of hours.

The gift is only available to claim until the end of Saturday, May 31, at which point it will vanish.

To claim it, go to the TV homepage, visit the Sky Store, then click the Your Sky Store Gift On Us tile to choose a movie.

Sky called the free movie a “small gift for your understanding”.

In an email to customers, Sky wrote: “We’re extremely sorry if you experienced disruption to your Sky Q services recently.

“On the evening of 15 May, a technical issue caused some Sky Q boxes to enter standby mode.

“Our teams acted quickly to resolve the issue and restore services.”

CLEAR SKY?

The outage affected a huge number of customers, with tens of thousands of complaints showing up on service tracker Down Detector.

Customers faced blank screens and error messages during the outage, with a smaller number of TV fans having issues days after the event.

Sky sent a text message to customers explaining what to do if you were still experiencing TV issues after the fix.

“These issues have been fixed,” explained Sky.

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“If you’re still having trouble, please switch off your box at the mains for 30 seconds, then back on.

“For mini box issues, also reboot the main box.”

The issue only affected customers using Sky Q, which works using a satellite dish attached to your home.

It didn’t affect anyone with a Sky Glass television or Sky Stream set-top box, however.

TRY THESE SKY TRICKS!

Got Sky Q? There are some handy tricks worth knowing about…

Find your lost TV remote

If you can’t find your Sky Q remote, don’t panic.

Just press the Sky Q logo on the front of your TV box.

It’s actually a button that will trigger your TV remote’s built-in ringer.

You’ll get 30 seconds of beeping to find where you’ve dropped it. Hint: it’s probably under the sofa cushion.

Search movies by quotes

You might have already used voice search for controlling TV playback – but your remote’s microphone has another clever trick.

It turns out that you can say movie quotes into the remote and Sky will find the film for you.

This is handy if you can’t remember the name of a top movie or show.

Here’s a list of movie quotes to try on Sky.

Save lost recordings

Have you ever deleted something you’d recorded on Sky, only to regret it later?

Or maybe someone in your family removed something without telling you – sparking a massive row.

Don’t panic: you can get them back.

Just go to Recordings > Manage > Deleted and then simply hit Undelete on the item that you want to resurrect.

If you do that, it’ll return to your Recordings section as good as new.

Picture Credit: Sky

That’s because Sky Glass and Sky Stream rely on an internet connection instead of a satellite dish.

STREAM ON

It comes days after millions of Sky customers were warned of four TV channel changes.

Sky customers recently received an upgrade for a popular TV app filled with top movies.

There’s a clever Sky trick to unlock hundreds of extra TV channels and movies for free instantly.

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And some Sky customers are owed free cinema tickets every single month.

A new Telegram trading bot has arrived and it’s going viral on day one. Snorter ($SNORT) is the cheapest and most-advanced way to trade on Solana, helping users maximize their bull market wins.

The project launched a presale one day ago and has already raised over $150K, illustrating strong market appeal from the get-go.

Snorter won’t be the first Telegram trading bot – the market is already worth $41 billion; but it will be the cheapest. And that’s one of the many benefits positioning Snorter for huge success in the coming months.

Currently, investors can buy $SNORT at its lowest presale price of $0.0935. However, this price will rise throughout the campaign, with the next uptick in just one day. For those seeking the most value for money, now is the time to act.

Cut trading fees from 1.5% to 0.85% with $SNORT

One of Snorter’s many competitive advantages is its fee structure, with token holders receiving a discount that slashes trading fees from 1.5% to 0.85%. This makes Snorter cheaper than Bonk Bot, Maestro, Trojan, Banana Gun, SOL Trading Bot, and the rest.

The crypto industry is moving faster than ever. There are countless launchpads for developers to create new projects on. There are endless informational streams for investors to discover new projects. And there are thousands of cryptocurrencies emerging daily.

It’s an information overload. Manual research and trading is no longer viable to catch high-growth opportunities. Automated trading tools can’t be an afterthought; they’re a must-have. That’s why the crypto trading bot market is projected to reach a $154 billion valuation by 2033.

But as the newest market emergent with better fees than its competitors, Snorter is uniquely positioned to benefit from the sector’s growing demand. But that’s far from its only advantage.

Snorter’s premium trading features unlock explosive opportunities

Move over, web-based browser bots. Snorter’s Telegram app is easy to use, featuring an integrated UI for swaps, snipes, copy-trading, limit orders, and portfolio commands.

The app features an institutional-grade dashboard that displays real-time updates on PnL, portfolio size, and cost basis. It all happens inside the Telegram app, making on-chain trading as easy as sending a text message.

However, it’s not just about catching trading opportunities easily; the Snorter bot also features stop-loss integration, allowing users to dynamically manage risk.

So far, it appears that instant sniping will be the main feature; after all, getting in early is where most of the money will be made.

And here’s where Snorter’s sniping bot stands out: the project has built-in scam and honeypot detection features, meaning that users are less likely to buy duds and more likely to catch real runners.

Beta tests for the rugpull protection feature reportedly catch 85% of scam tokens, significantly bolstering the platform’s safety and security.

Something else that helps differentiate Snorter is that the bot will operate on multiple blockchains. While its journey begins on Solana, it will also be available on Ethereum, BNB, Polygon, and Base. It means that users can capitalize on the hottest trading opportunities regardless of where they occur.

Let’s face it, investors buy meme coins to make profits, not friends. If we strip everything back, 99% of investors care far more about money than community. Yet, there’s no doubt that memetic branding helps projects go viral and attracts attention. That’s the reason meme coin prices can be so explosive.

Snorter is a project that fulfils investors’ appetite for gains, while retaining the virality of a meme coin. By design, the real utility and a meme coin allure – it’s the best of both worlds.

As mentioned, the crypto trading bot market is expected to reach a $154 billion valuation by 2033, growing at a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

However, the AI-driven crypto trading bot sector (which Snorter falls into) is forecasted to hit $985 billion by 2034 with a 37.2% CAGR, reflecting even bigger potential.

With a meme coin allure and a position at the forefront of a rapidly expanding technology domain, Snorter appears firmly set for strong growth in the years ahead, both as an application and an investment opportunity.

With apps like Pump.fun, Believe, and LaunchLab making it easy for anyone to create meme coins; the bar has been raised, and simple joke tokens no longer cut it. Now, investors are shifting to meme coins with real utility.

Eye-catching artwork, cultural resonance, and a profitable business model underneath; that’s the holy grail trifecta for new meme coins – and that’s precisely what Snorter offers.

In terms of utility, holding $SNORT unlocks access to the trading bot and also broadens investors’ opportunities to earn. Notably, holders can lock up their tokens in the project’s staking contract and currently earn a 1,901% APY.

However, the staking yield is variable and will decrease as the staking pool grows. This means that investors seeking to maximize their gains should not wait around.

How to buy $SNORT at presale

Investing in the $SNORT presale is easy. Simply visit the project’s website, connect your wallet, choose the crypto you want to pay with, and the amount of tokens you want to buy.

The presale accepts payments on the Ethereum and Solana networks, and investors can even use bank card. This means there’s seamless accessibility for everyone.

With a use case that blurs the lines between light-hearted meme coin and industry-leading trading bot, Snorter is uniquely positioned for growth. The $SNORT token is the centerpiece of the ecosystem, meaning its price will rise alongside the platform’s adoption.

There are over one billion users on Telegram, who now all have instant, low-cost access to identify explosive crypto trading opportunities using Snorter.

The project’s presale offers a rare chance for investors to capitalize, and that could lead to substantial gains. However, with price hikes occurring throughout the presale, prospective investors should not wait to get involved.

Follow Snorter on X or Instagram for updates. Alternatively, visit its website to buy and stake tokens.

Visit Snorter Presale

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and the market can be unpredictable. Always perform thorough research before making any cryptocurrency-related decisions.

At least 10 Palestinians desperately seeking aid from a contentious and heavily criticised United States-backed organisation have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza over the last 48 hours, according to the besieged enclave’s Government Media Office.

The updated toll on Wednesday comes a day after a harrowing video showed thousands of starving Palestinians rushing to get aid, with many of them herded into cage-like lines, from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution point in Rafah in southern Gaza.

In a statement, the Government Media Office said Israeli forces “opened direct fire on hungry Palestinian civilians who had gathered to receive aid” at the distribution site, wounding at least 62 people.

It was not immediately clear exactly how many incidents of gunfire occurred or on which days the 10 Palestinians were fatally shot, but there were deaths on both days.

“These locations were transformed into death traps under the occupation’s gunfire,” the media office said, decrying the killings as a “heinous crime”.

For its part, the GHF said it had opened a second of a planned four aid distribution sites in Gaza on Wednesday.

The centres are part of an aid delivery scheme that has been roundly condemned by United Nations officials and the humanitarian community, who have repeatedly said that life-saving aid could be adequately and safely scaled up in Gaza if Israel would allow access to aid and let those organisations that have decades of experience handle the flow.

Speaking earlier in the day, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, decried the US-backed delivery model as a “distraction from atrocities” and called on Israel to allow the UN-backed humanitarian system to “do its life-saving work now”.

The message was echoed by several members of the UN Security Council during a meeting in New York discussing the conflict, with Algeria, France and the United Kingdom among those appealing for Israel to allow unfettered aid deliveries.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, said Israel was using “aid as a weapon of war”.

Reporting from UN headquarters, Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey said that Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s special coordinator for Middle East peace, and Feroze Sidhwa, a surgeon who recently went on a humanitarian mission to Gaza, were among those who addressed the council.

“The message from both of these experts was again calling for a ceasefire and the full resumption of aid into the Gaza Strip,” she said.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticised the UN for what he said were “attempts to block access to aid” and demanded a retraction from Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, for accusing Israel of committing genocide.

Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara said the attacks levied by Danon should come as no surprise.

“They are on the defensive, knowing all too well that they lost their public relations campaign and that their reputation around the world is in the mud,” he said, referring to Israel’s near-daily bombardment and siege of Gaza.

The alternate US representative at the UN, John Kelley, said that the UN should “work with the GHF and Israel to reach an agreement on how to operationalise this system in a way that works for all”.

He maintained that the GHF was “independent” and developed to “provide a secure mechanism for the delivery of aid to those in need”.

Relentless Israeli attacks

As the debate over aid access raged, Israel’s punishing attacks continued across Gaza, with rights observers warning of an even worsening humanitarian situation.

At least 63 people were killed in Israeli attacks since the early hours of Wednesday, according to medical sources speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic, bringing the death toll since October 7, 2023, to at least 54,084 Palestinians, with more than 123,308 wounded.

The ministry added that only 17 hospitals in Gaza remained partially functioning, with critical shortages of essential medicines and oxygen supplies.

Separately, the Red Cross reported that its field hospital in southern Gaza’s al-Mawasi area came under Israeli fire early on Wednesday, causing panic and injuries among patients there.

In an open letter, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), Oxfam and other nonprofit groups called for “full, independent and international investigations into the attacks on healthcare in Gaza as violations of international humanitarian law”.

The UN’s World Food Programme, meanwhile, reported that its warehouse in central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah had been broken into by hungry people “in search of food supplies”. Preliminary reports indicate that at least four people were killed amid the stampede and gunfire, though the cause of the latter was not immediately clear.

The agency said that increasing aid was “the only way to reassure people that they will not starve”.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported from Gaza City that the search for food has proven deadly, even away from crowded distribution areas.

“For example, in the past couple of hours, two people were reported killed in the Shujayea neighbourhood [of Gaza City]. They were killed trying to get to their homes,” he said.

“They were forced to evacuate in the past few weeks. They left everything behind. All of their belongings, all of their food supplies that they managed to get … [were] inside the house.”

Ceasefire remains elusive

As the attacks have continued, a breakthrough for a more lasting agreement to end the fighting has remained elusive.

Still, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday said he had “very good feelings” about soon reaching a long-term solution.

That came shortly after Hamas said it had reached an agreement with Witkoff on a general framework for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.

The framework appears at odds with the position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has said the Israeli military would remain in Gaza indefinitely, continuing to control aid access and pursuing the complete defeat of Hamas.

Speaking to Israel’s parliament on Wednesday, Netanyahu listed top Hamas officials killed throughout the war. The list included Mohammed Sinwar, the brother and successor of killed Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar.

Hamas has not yet confirmed Mohammed Sinwar’s death.

This German city has been named the most walkable in the world, with many of its main attractions including a jewel-filled palace, a unique surf spot and Gothic church easily accessible on foot

A study has named the world’s most walkable city and it’s only a short flight from the UK. The top-rated destination packed with bike and walking paths even managed to beat out beloved holiday hotspots like Paris and Milan.

Less than a two-hour plane ride from London is the most walkable city in the world: Munich. The study from Compare the Market ranked 53 locations on how good they are for being car-free and listed the Bavarian city as number one.

There were many factors used to assess each of the 53 cities, including the total distance of all bike trails and walking trails and the cost and efficiency of public transport. Each city was also given an overall safety score and public transportation score. Additionally, average monthly rainfall factored into the final walkability assessment.

According to the researchers, 86% of Munich’s population live within 1km of a car-free space. The city has 1,468,623 kilometres (912,560 miles) worth of bike trails – the second highest of anywhere in the world, according to Compare the Market.

The findings also reveal that despite Munich’s public transport being the third most expensive, it scores the fourth highest for safety. The city also tied for second highest destination for people living within a kilometre of healthcare and education facilities.

The Bavarian city is a great destination for tourists to get around on foot with many of its main attractions located within walking distance. Munich’s historic main square, Marienplatz, is one of many must-visit attractions, overlooked by a clocktower.

If you time your visit for one of the two performances a day, you will be able to see the mechanical characters in the Rathaus-Glockenspiel clock enacting scenes from the city’s history.

Marienplatz is just a five-minute walk to Frauenkirche, a restored Gothic Catholic church. The church is known for its ominous ‘Devil’s Footprint’, a large hollowed footprint set within one of the church’s floor tiles.

Less than a ten-minute walk from Frauenkirche is the Residenz Munch – a historic palace which houses the Bavarian Crown Jewels. The Residenz also served as Munich’s seat of government until 1918.

Those wishing to enjoy the natural beauty of the city – still on foot – can head to the city’s largest park: the English Garden. The park spans 375 hectares and one of its most notable features is the Eisbach wave, where visitors can see locals attempting to surf the river.

Of course, no mention of the Oktoberfest capital would be complete without mention of its incredible beer gardens and halls. After a long day of strolling, travellers can head to the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus München – one of the most well-known beer halls in the world – to enjoy a drink and traditional Bavarian fare.

Nine out of the top ten most walkable cities in the Compare the Market study are in Europe. The only non-European city that cracked the top ten list was Tokyo, which made it into sixth place. On the other end of the scale, Manila, the capital of the Philippines, was ranked as the least walkable city in the world.

Top 5 most walkable cities worldwide

• Munich, Germany
• Milan, Italy
• Warsaw, Poland
• Helsinki, Finland
• Paris, France

NETFLIX has struck a new deal that will see a popular kids show come to the streaming giants service.

The show was facing an uncertain future after losing funding but has been saved by the new Netflix deal.

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Sesame Street will be hosted on the streaming service with 90 hours of previous episodes and a whole new season added to the Netflix catalogue.

The move comes after HBO decided not to renew the 50-year-old show’s deal.

Sesame Street was threatened with cancellation in the wake of the news but has now been thrown a lifeline.

The deal will see new episodes of the beloved children’s show run on Netflix, PBS, and the PBS Kids app later this year.

No date has been announced for the premiere as of yet.

Warner Bros Discovery, who aired the show since 2016, decided not to renew its deal for new episodes to air on HBO and Max.

However, episodes of the children’s TV series will remain there until 2027.

The new series, to be aired on Netflix, will be the shows impressive 56th season.

Episodes in the new season will revolve around a single, 11 minute story.

Sesame Workshop said in a statement: “This unique public-private partnership will enable us to bring our research-based curriculum to young children around the world with Netflix’s global reach, while ensuring children in communities across the US continue to have free access on public television to the Sesame Street they love.”

Sesame Street has been entertaining children since 1969 with beloved puppet characters.

The show has won more than 200 Emmys in its long history.

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NETFLIX PRICES AND PERKS – HOW MUCH ARE YOU PAYING?

Here’s what you need to know…

Netflix Standard with Ads

Price: £4.99 UK / $7.99 US

• Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games
• Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
• Download on 2 supported devices at a time

Netflix Standard

Price: £10.99 UK / $17.99 US

• Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
• Watch on 2 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 1080p (Full HD)
• Download on 2 supported devices at a time
• Option to add 1 extra member who doesn’t live with you

Netflix Premium

Price: £17.99 UK / $24.99 US

• Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games
• Watch on 4 supported devices at a time
• Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR
• Download on 6 supported devices at a time
• Option to add up to 2 extra members who don’t live with you
• Netflix spatial audio

Picture Credit: Netflix

Episodes are led by Big Bird and a cast of characters that educate children about colours, shapes and numbers.

Funding for the show was thrown into question earlier this year when President Trump issued an executive order to block funding for TV network PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).

The move resulted in federal funding for the show, among other TV programmes for kids, being cut.

Netflix’ new deal will see the show saved from an otherwise uncertain future.

The streaming giant called Sesame Street a “beloved cornerstone of children’s educational television.”

Netflix promised to keep fan favourite segments like Elmo’s world and Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck in the show.

The streaming service did hint at changes for the new season as well though, telling viewers to “expect new ways to play along.”

Sesame Street was co-founded by Lloyd Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney.

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Travellers can’t stop raving about this cheap and cheerful city less than three hours from the UK, that is home to a slew of free attractions (and, more importantly, £1.20 pints)

Escape the daily grind and explore this stunning EU city that won’t break the bank. Renowned for its majestic architecture, ubiquitous history, and geothermal spas – Hungary has long shimmered under the tourist spotlight.

In fact, a record-breaking six million holidaymakers flocked to the country’s capital, Budapest, last year – a whopping 24 per cent increase compared to the year before. It’s a great base for those wanting to inter-rail around Europe on their gap year – and make a perfect city break year-round.

Unlike most European capitals, Budapest is an affordable city that won’t wreak havoc on your finances. For example, the average pint costs £1.20, while dinner for two (without booze) in a ‘moderately-priced’ restaurant will set you back around £10.

Keeping under budget in Budapest is also easy as many of its main attractions are free. You can hike Gellért Hill – which only takes 30 minutes – and get rewarded with sweeping views of the city, Here, you’ll also find Citadella, a mighty fortress built after the 1848–49 War of Independence to defend the city from further insurrection.

If you’re not wanting to break a sweat, stroll along City Park with a coffee – or take advantage of the shade at Ervin Szabó Central Library. “Housed in a former 19th-century palace, the Ervin Szabó Central Library invites visitors to take a break from the dizzying pace of the Hungarian capital and unwind in regal surroundings,” explains Lonely Planet.

The guide continues: “Spaces that once functioned as grand dining rooms and living quarters have been converted into a number of truly dazzling public reading rooms. Giant chandeliers dangle above plush armchairs, enticing visitors to spend an afternoon flicking through one of the two million-plus texts that line the library’s shelves.”

History buffs will need to head over to Pest and Óbuda to explore the Roman ruins. “Aquincum is the most complete Roman civilian town in Hungary and contains both a world-class museum and an open-air archeological park,” Lonely Planet added. While there is an entrance charge for this attraction, you can get a glimpse of the ruins without paying.

On the banks of the Danube River, close to the Hungarian Parliament building, you’ll find sixty pairs of old-fashioned shoes made from iron. These are a sobering memorial to the Hungarian Jews who, during 1944-1945, were shot on the banks of the Danube River.

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Of course, no trip to Budapest is complete without making the most of its ‘healing waters’. Often touted as the world’s ‘Spa Capital’, Budapest is home to an array of geothermal pools, which are an integral part of Hungarian culture. Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the largest bath complexes in Europe, is by far the most popular – and tickets cost less than £20.

If a jam-packed itinerary isn’t your kind of style- don’t worry. Budapest is a compact city filled with mouth-watering food markets, themed-bars, and beautiful architecture. It’s the perfect place to roam around and just see what takes your fancy.

You can fly directly to Budapest from most major UK airports, including Leeds, Norwich, Newcastle, Birmingham, London Stansted and Luton. Flights, which take an average of two and a half hours, can be bought for as little as £37 in June.

Booze isn’t the only cheap thing in Budapest, with a wide range of accommodation suiting different budgets. For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, June 20-22) at the Chill & Stay – a two-bedroom apartment – costs just £135, based on two adults sharing. For those wanting a more luxurious city break, check out the Continental Hotel Budapest, which sits on the former site of Hungaria Bath. You can stay in a standard double or twin room on the exact same nights for £261.

*Prices based on Skyscanner and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.

What’s your favourite European city? Let us know in the comments section below

RAIN is set to fall in just hours in parts of the UK, marking the end of the remarkably dry start to spring, the Met Office has forecast.

Some areas could even see thunder as the skies open up amid the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.

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The Environment Agency has also warned there could be a risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face water restrictions in the coming months.

As of Friday, just 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring – that’s almost 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm, set in 1852 for the full season.

However, this could change imminently, as the Met Office has warned of showers landing in the north of the UK throughout Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained showers hit across southern Scotland and northern England overnight on Sunday, with some reaching as far south as Wales.

Heading into Monday morning, there are expected to be “much-welcome” showers across the central belt of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.

Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland could be washed out by the rainfall, as could Manchester in the north of England.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud added that Monday would see sunny spells in the west develop widely with a “few scattered showers developing across the north during the course of Monday afternoon”.

He added: “One or two of those could be heavy, potentially thundery, but most places are going to be warm and dry.”

However, from Tuesday onwards there could be “an increasing chance of showers across southern areas of the country,” Dan said.

“Then beyond that, Thursday and Friday are likely to become dry, fine and sunny again, with good deals of sunshine for much of the country.”

Conditions in the UK this spring had been “remarkably dry up until now”, Dan explained.

However, as we approach the final week of May, which is also when schools break for half-term, the weather is “looking increasingly changeable, with areas of cloud and rain arriving from the west”.

The Met Office explained the prolonged warm and very dry spell, which has seen Brits enjoy temperatures as high as 29C, was primarily caused by high pressure.

However, by Tuesday, changing conditions could see “occasional heavy and potentially thundery showers developing across parts of Wales and the Midlands, with one or two of those breaching into London“.

Discussing Wednesday’s forecast, Dan said: “It will be a bit of a chilly start across England and Wales with plenty of sunshine to kick the day off.

“But showers will develop across England and Wales, with some of those showers potentially heavy and thundery and breaching into the London area.”

Israel’s intensified attacks on Gaza have killed more than 130 Palestinians in a matter of hours, as ceasefire negotiations continue. Horrific videos show people in pieces and on fire following strikes on tents sheltering displaced civilians.

The drone strike in the Sumy region amounts to ‘a cynical war crime’, Ukraine’s National Police say.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for tougher sanctions on Moscow after a Russian drone killed nine bus passengers, just hours after the two countries held their first direct peace talks in years.

Seven others were injured in the attack in Bilopillia in Ukraine’s northeastern region of Sumy, Zelenskyy said in a post on X on Saturday.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it had targeted Ukrainian military equipment, the TASS news agency reported. Russia denies targeting civilians since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, although thousands have been killed.

“All the deceased were civilians,” Zelenskyy said, adding that preliminary reports indicated a father, mother and daughter had been killed. “And the Russians could not have failed to understand what kind of vehicle they were targeting. This was a deliberate killing of civilians.”

He said the wounded had suffered burns, fractures, and blast injuries, and were receiving treatment in hospital.

The Ukrainian leader said he expected tougher sanctions from Ukraine’s partners to pressure Moscow “to stop the killings”, which came shortly after Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Friday to to attempt to broker a temporary ceasefire.

“Without tougher sanctions, without stronger pressure, Russia will not seek real diplomacy,” he said. “This must change.”

He said Russia had sent “a weak and unprepared” delegation to Istanbul without a meaningful mandate, and real steps were needed to end the war.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced the attack as an “deliberate and barbaric war crime”, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of continuing “to wage a war against civilians” and calling for additional pressure on Russia.

“There should be no illusions. Pressure on Moscow must be increased to put an end to Russian terror,” Sybiha wrote.

No breakthrough

The 90-minute talks in Istanbul on Friday failed to reach a breakthrough, but ended with both sides agreeing to swap 1,000 prisoners in what would be the largest such exchange since the start of the war in 2022.

Vladimir Medinsky, the lead Russian negotiator, expressed satisfaction with the talks and said Moscow was ready for further negotiations, including on a ceasefire. “We have agreed that all sides will present their views on a possible ceasefire and set them out in detail,” he said after the meeting.

But a source in the Ukrainian delegation told Reuters news agency that Russia’s demands were “detached from reality and go far beyond anything that was previously discussed”.

The source told the agency Russia had issued ultimatums for Ukraine to withdraw from all parts of its own territory claimed by Moscow before they would agree to a ceasefire, “and other non-starters”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Saturday said Putin could meet with Zelenskyy – the first time such a meeting would have taken place since December 2019 – but only if certain agreements were reached. He did not elaborate on what would be required.

Speaking to Reuters on Saturday, British foreign minister David Lammy accused Moscow of obfuscating in its approach to the peace talks.

“Yet again we are seeing obfuscation on the Russian side and unwillingness to get serious about the enduring peace that is now required in Ukraine,” said Lammy. “Once again Russia is not serious.”

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi, reporting from Kyiv, said Medinsky, Russia’s lead negotiator, had sent a clear message during the negotiations that Moscow was ready to continue the war for years – and had no problem in continuing to conduct the war at the same time as it held talks.

“And that is exactly what they have done,” said Basravi, adding that the destroyed vehicle in Bilopillia had been evacuating residents from a conflict zone, according to Ukraine.

The New York Café in Budapest is one of the most beautiful cafes in the world, with marble columns, frescoes and crystal chandeliers making it the perfect place to take a selfie

Envision a café where the décor takes centre stage, outshining the coffee itself. A grand establishment that magnetises swarms of Instagram enthusiasts trying to capture the perfect shot for their feeds. Welcome to the New York Café in Budapest, where the entrance proudly proclaims it to be “the most beautiful café in the world.”

It’s a claim that’s hard to dispute. This 125-year-old café, with its majestic marble columns, breath-taking frescoes, and dazzling crystal chandeliers, entices thousands of visitors and TikTok enthusiasts to marvel at its splendour.

As you step inside, you’re transported to a scene reminiscent of a grand European palace, complete with intricate frescoes, glittering chandeliers, and stately marble columns. It’s like entering a time capsule from the opulent Belle Époque era (a period aptly named the “Beautiful Age” in French).

READ MORE: Beautiful little UK town bursting with charm completely ignored by tourists

The New York Café is a hotspot for tourists, welcoming approximately 2,000 customers daily, with queues stretching down the boulevard.

Situated on Erzsébet körút Street, the shop was initially constructed in 1894 under the guidance of Hungarian architect Alajos Hauszmann. It began as the Hungarian headquarters for the New York Life Insurance Company, whose owners envisioned a coffee house within the building.

The café’s interior was meticulously crafted by Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl, who infused it with an Italian Renaissance flair. The ceilings feature intricate frescoes by artists Gusztav Mannheimer and Ferenc Eisenhut.

Hungarian coffee culture

The New York Café menu offers a blend of Hungarian and international dishes, decadent cakes, and freshly brewed coffee. Afternoon tea for two is priced around €72.50, which equivales to £61.10, and main courses range from €23 to €36, which equivalates to £19 and £30.

It’s one of the prime spots to sample Hungarian cakes, including Dobos Torte, a Hungarian classic featuring layers of sponge cake and chocolate buttercream topped with caramel; Sacher Torte, a rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam; and Opera Cake, which boasts layers of almond sponge, coffee buttercream, and chocolate ganache.

The food and drink are served with an artistic flair, though reviews vary, and its steep prices often draw criticism from Trip Advisor reviewers. If you’re not averse to spending a bit more, try their 24-carat gold cappuccino, paired with Valrhona chocolate and raspberry cake, for a lavish start to your day.

Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel

The Cafe is actually located within the historic 5* Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, a grand stay in the heart of Hungary’s capital.

Within this majestic and historic building, you’ll discover a modern hotel boasting 185 rooms, a cave spa and high-end restaurants. 19th-century grandeur and Italian Renaissance style have been seamlessly combined with contemporary features to create a luxurious city stay.

Rooms vary in price and size, ranging from classic and superior to suites, and are elegantly adorned with plush Italian furnishings and sleek mod-cons.

Their gourmet buffet breakfast offering is particularly noteworthy. It includes a generous spread of locally sourced produce, featuring pastries, pancakes, cold cuts, cheese, and eggs cooked to order. Just keep an eye out for the selfie-takers!

ANOTHER WHSmith store will shut its doors for the final time this weekend as the retailer continues its slow retreat from Britain’s high streets.

Shoppers in Stockton, County Durham, will say goodbye to their local branch on Saturday, May 17, as it becomes the latest casualty in the chain’s ongoing wave of closures.

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The move follows a string of recent shutdowns across the country, with WHSmith axing high street locations after being snapped up by Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital earlier this year in a £76million deal.

The dramatic shake-up means the WHSmith name will vanish from town centres altogether, although its stores in airports, train stations and hospitals will stay open.

Locals in Stockton have been left gutted, with many now forced to travel to travel hubs or shop online for books, stationery, and gifts.

The high street giant has a number of stores in recent months – and more are set to follow.

Branches in Halstead and Woolwich shut on April 12, while Halesowen and Diss followed on April 19.

Just a week later, stores in Newport and Haverhill also pulled down the shutters.

And there’s no sign of the cuts slowing.

Two more sites are due to close by the end of July:

• West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster – May 31
• Bedford, Bedfordshire – July 5

Many of the shutting stores are currently holding closing-down sales, with shoppers able to grab big bargains before they go.

Already gone

At least ten WHSmith branches have already vanished from high streets this year, including:

• Bournemouth (Old Christchurch Road), Dorset
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• March, Cambridgeshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Long Eaton
• Newtown, Powys
• Winton (Bournemouth), Dorset
• Rhyl, Denbighshire
• Bolton, Greater Manchester
• Accrington, Lancashire

The retailer, which first opened in 1792, has faced growing pressure from rising costs, online rivals and changing shopper habits.

The end of WHSmith on the high street

The closures mark the beginning of the end of a 233-year stint on the high street for WHSmith.

Earlier this year, it put its entire high street estate up for sale as it focuses instead on its more profitable travel arm.

As previously mentioned, its remaining 480 high street stores were snapped up by Modella Capital last month, and the move saved the jobs of roughly 5,000 employees.

However, the famous WHSmith name is set to be lost to the high street as the shops will be gradually rebranded to TGJones.

The brand opened its first shop in 1792 in Little Grosvenor Street, London, later becoming the UK’s main newspaper distributor.

High street struggles

WHSmith’s departure from the high street comes just a few years after rival Wilko collapsed, with the brand partially rescued by The Range.

Retailers that had once seemed resilient now appear to be buckling under recent pressures.

They have had to deal with rising inflation and costs, a move to online shopping, and customers having less money to spend amid the cost of living crisis.