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A travel expert has revealed why people should actually avoid using bright or distinctive suitcases – and shared some additional top tips to help keep your luggage safe at the airport

Many holiday makers and frequent flyers rely on simple hacks to take the stress out of travelling – and that includes using bright and distinctive suitcases.

Choosing luggage that’s instantly recognisable makes a big difference when it comes to the chaos of the luggage carousel. But now experts have warned that standout suitcases could actually be setting you up as a target for thieves.

Andrea Platania, a travel expert at Transfeero, said that while people believe using a distinctive case is the smart choice, it’s actually safer to blend in.

READ MORE: ‘Barcode sign’ that means you are likely to be targeted in SpainREAD MORE: Bank holiday warning as three habits could make Brits targets for criminals abroad

“A bold suitcase might look fashionable, but it catches the eye of the wrong people,” Andrea has explained. “If you really want to travel securely, go for something ordinary, or even a little worn. It doesn’t draw attention and it doesn’t advertise what might be inside.”

Instead, make your luggage recognisable to you by using discreet personal touches. Small ribbons, stickers or markers can help you spot your bag quickly at baggage claim, without turning it into a neon sign for thieves.

“It’s about balance,” Andrea added. “You want to recognise it instantly without making it look like treasure on wheels.”

Travellers could also consider slipping a cheap, plain-coloured cover over their bags to help tone down stand-out designs and also protect against damage.

The most important thing, however, is to make sure your luggage is properly secured – even a simple padlock can make a difference, according to Andrea, who says that opportunistic thieves are less likely to bother with a bag that presents any kind of obstacle.

READ MORE: 1 essential item should ‘never’ be packed in your suitcase, travel expert warns

Another top tip is to keep count of your bags; whether you’re waiting for your flight, stopping for a drink, or heading through security, mentally tracking how many bags you have means you won’t leave one behind.

Travellers can also consider slipping an affordable tracking device that uses GPS or Bluetooth into their luggage for extra peace of mind. Taking photos of your bags before travelling – including shots of the front, back and any unique details or stickers – can also make life much easier if you need to file a police report or insurance claim.

On the subject of insurance, people are also strongly advised to double-check that their policy covers belongings outside the home – and if not, should consider topping up with travel insurance that includes baggage protection.

“Losing a suitcase is stressful, but the sting is far worse if you’re left footing the bill,” the expert said, adding that theft should be reported straight away to the British Transport Police if you’re at a station, or to the airline if you’re at the airport. Quick action not only improves your chances of recovering belongings but also eases the insurance process.

Gogglebox favourites Roisin Kelly and Joe Kyle have revealed a major milestone in their relationship – just months after being axed from the Channel 4 show.

The couple announced they’re moving out of their flat in Glasgow as Roisin, 26, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt reel.

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In the short clip, significant moments flashed up on-screen including when the pair first moved into the flat as well as decorating a Christmas tree.

This was followed by shots of the empty flat after they moved all of their belongings out of the home they once shared.

A background voice is heard saying: “It was official, a new season had begun. After all, seasons change, so do cities, people come into your life and people go but it’s comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart and if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.”

She captioned the post: “Oh I will miss you flat #movingout.”

The move comes after Roisin and Joe, 28, were sensationally dumped from the iconic show earlier this year.

In July, the two took to social media to share: “After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa channel 4 have decided it’s time for Joe and I to stretch our legs and have not asked us back for season 26. Therefore, we are leaving the Gogglebox family.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to Studio Lambert for the opportunity, the experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights!”

They added: “It’s been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don’t actually need subtitles.”

“We have made friends for life and after filming every week for years you have become like our family!

“We could not have asked for better people to work with and we will miss you immensely. It for sure has been a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The pair, who were involved in a terrifying accident, wrapped with the words: “Time to watch TV in silence for a bit and put down the popcorn.”

A spokesperson for Channel 4 said at the time: “We thank Joe and Roisin for their contributions to Gogglebox over the years, and wish them all the best for the future.”

The new series of Gogglebox kicked off last night but fans were left fuming after Roisin and Joe weren’t included in the line-up.

Taking to X, one raged: “What’s happened to Joe and Roisin, they were the funniest ffs.”

Another added: “Can’t believe they got rid of Roisin and Joe, some of the boring b******s on this they could of p***ed off.”

A third tweeted: “I’m missing Roisin and Joe already.”

Meanwhile a fourth begged: “Can someone explain why have we replaced the lovely Scottish couple with pretentious posh p****s who aren’t even funny. just noo f*** off!!”

Instead, the pair were replaced by a whopping five new families in the biggest cast shake-up in years.

Sisters from Edinburgh, a family from Surrey, friends from Glasgow, a married couple from the Cotswolds, and a mother and daughter-in-law from Yorkshire all joined the show in last night’s instalment.

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After 52 episodes and three movies, the world of “Downton Abbey” is coming to a heartwarming conclusion — for now, at least. The series and the previous two films, 2019’s “Downton Abbey” and 2022’s “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” have followed several characters over an 18-year period, both from the upstairs and downstairs of the grand house. While viewers already said goodbye to the imperious Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), in the last film when she tragically died onscreen surrounded by her family, there are still many more farewells to come. Here is where we left some of the key characters as “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” arrives in theaters Sept. 12.

Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery)

Michelle Dockery in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

Lady Mary wasn’t always in line to take over Downton Abbey, but her ill-fated marriage to Matthew Crawley and the birth of their son George ensured that she could be at the helm of the estate, at least until George came of age. Mary eventually remarried toward the end of the series, to race car driver Henry Talbot, but “The Grand Finale” sees the couple divorced and Mary on the outs from society. Still, she has clever ideas about how to keep Downton Abbey afloat and to push it into the modern age as she finally takes the reins from her father. “From the start, she always had a strong personality,” creator Julian Fellowes told The Times in 2022. “And I think what we’ve watched over the years is how she has come to harness her strength, master it and use it to achieve what she wants.”

Edith Pelham (Laura Carmichael)

Laura Carmichael, right, and Elizabeth McGovern in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

For many years Lady Edith was the passed-over second daughter, but by the end of the series she was firmly ensconced as the formidable Marchioness of Hexham. She and her husband Herbert “Bertie” Pelham are happily raising two children and she has become a voice of reason for Mary, offering counsel to the sister who once overshadowed her. “The Grand Finale” even gives Edith a satisfying moment of fortitude when she stands up for the family. “By the time we leave her, Edith is a strong woman and capable of big decisions,” Fellowes says.

Robert and Cora Crawley (Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern)

Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

The Crawley clan’s patriarch and matriarch have gone through a lot since “Downton Abbey” premiered, including the loss of their daughter Sybil and multiple financial challenges. Cora dealt with a health scare in “A New Era” while both grieved the death of Violet, whose presence still looms in “The Grand Finale.” Although he technically left Mary in charge of Downton Abbey at the end of “A New Era,” Robert is struggling to settle into the next chapter of his life. It’s up to Cora, his always-steady companion, to help him move forward.

Tom Branson (Allen Leech)

Allen Leech in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

After heroically saving the day in the first “Downton Abbey” film, the widowed Tom married Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) in “Downtown Abbey: A New Era,” giving his daughter Sybbie a mother once again. By the end of the second film, Tom and Lucy have a baby of their own and are living away from Downton. The character already got his much-deserved happily ever after and now shows up to dole out sage advice and support for the family. “I felt Tom Branson was the only one we hadn’t really settled in the series,” Leech told me in 2019. Now, he is.

Daisy Mason (Sophie McShera) and Andrew Parker (Michael Fox)

Sophie McShera, second from left, in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features )

Daisy began her journey at Downton Abbey as a belabored kitchen maid, but eventually the estate’s revered cook Mrs. Patmore took her under her wing. She married the dying William Mason during the series and later settled down with Andrew Parker, a footman in the house who has now taken over for Mr. Carson. In the spirit of the younger generation stepping forward, Daisy takes over the kitchen in “The Grand Finale,” an important moment of growth for the character.

Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton)

From left, Penelope Wilton, Allen Leech, Michelle Dockery and Paul Giamatti in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

It took some time for Isobel to establish herself at Downton Abbey, but her friendship with the Dowager Countess and her relationship to the family became invaluable throughout the series. She married Richard Grey after her son Matthew’s death and continued her good work with the community’s hospital throughout the episodes. Following Violet’s passing, Isobel has taken up the mantle to organize the county fair — a job that comes with some challenges.

Anna Bates (Joanne Froggatt) and John Bates (Brendan Coyle)

Joanne Froggatt in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

Anna Bates has always been one of Downton Abbey’s most loyal servants and a thoughtful friend to Lady Mary. She married valet John Bates at the beginning of Season 3 and the couple went through numerous ups and downs in the years that followed, including several miscarriages. They got a much-deserved happy end in the series finale when Anna gave birth to their first child. The films haven’t shaken their contentment and “The Grand Finale” brings another uplifting arrival for the pair.

Joseph Molesley (Kevin Doyle)

Kevin Doyle, left, and Michael Fox in “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

(Rory Mulvey / Focus Features)

Mr. Molesley endeared audiences with his hapless but well-meaning misadventures in the series, eventually transitioning from footman to local schoolteacher. He got his due in “A New Era” when he proved himself to be a skilled screenwriter and charmed Phyllis Baxter. In “The Grand Finale,” the couple are married and Mr. Molesley is endeavoring to boost his film career, although he hasn’t left his time at Downtown Abbey in the past.

This year, fewer than 40 per cent of Spanish travellers went on holiday in August, which is the traditional month off, as it is in France. This marks a significant change in travel habits

Holidaymakers heading to Spain during the autumn may find themselves overwhelmed by crowds of fellow tourists.

It used to be that heading to Britain’s favourite holiday destination in April, May, and September was a great way to bag a decently priced warm-weather stay while also dodging the throngs that descend on Spain during the high summer.

Newly published data suggests that this may no longer be the case. EuroNews reports that about one in six Spanish travellers will go on holiday this September as off-peak trips surge.

A major driver in this change is the travel habits of locals, which have shifted dramatically in recent years. Fewer than 40 per cent of Spanish travellers went on holiday in August, which is the traditional month off, as it is in France.

READ MORE: Ryanair cancels flights to 3 Spanish airports in blow to Irish holidaymakersREAD MORE: Sundrenched EU island that’s 28C in September and desperate for more tourists

Now, around one in six Spaniards say they will go on holiday in September this year, according to Spain’s National Observatory of Outbound Tourism (ObservaTUR). Last year, Spain welcomed in 9.6 million international tourists in September, marking a 9.1% increase compared to the same month the year before, FTN reported.

A consequence of growing interest in September holidays is rising prices. Across Spain, a night’s stay averaged €132 (£114) last September, a 21 percent jump from 2023.

One of the major factors in the shift from July and August to September is the weather. Global heating has rendered many parts of Spain uncomfortably, even dangerously hot in the high summer. Last year I spoke with a Brit in Seville who told of the roastingly hot temperatures there and how unpleasant it had become as a holiday destination.

This summer, large parts of Spain have been hit by wildfires due to a long stretch of hot weather and a lack of rain. In August, Extremadura in the west of the country was scorched by what one official called a ‘mega fire’.

Another factor is the rise in interest in Spain generally as a holiday destination. According to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, the country welcomed 11 million international visitors in July – the highest monthly total in its history. That comes after the country recorded 55.5 million arrivals in the first seven months of 2025. Tourist spending has so far risen 7.2% year-on-year, to €76 billion (£66 billion) so far this year, a 7.2 per cent rise compared with 2024.

Booked-up hotels and a lack of space on flights mean holidaymakers keen to visit their favourite Costa or beach are choosing dates further from the typical tourism season peak.

A third key factor may be the overtourism movement, which has been working hard to highlight issues related to tourism, such as rising house prices, overcrowding, overburdened public facilities, and much else.

In issuing warnings about the overwhelmed nature of some Spanish holiday hotspots, they may have convinced tourists to aim for the quieter months instead.

One contestant has already been sent home on this year’s Great British Bake Off as viewers didn’t think it came as a surprise following a few clues along the way

Great British Bake Off fans were convinced they knew who would be the first contestant to be sent off after spotting some telling clues. The hit Channel 4 baking competition made its long awaited comeback on Tuesday night.

Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith welcomed 12 new bakers into the iconic tent for a fresh round of the competition. However, things didn’t get off on an easy start for Cake Week.

The judges ramped things up by withholding the instructions during the technical challenge and set the bakers a tough showstopper challenge before deciding who would be first out.

READ MORE: Great British Bake Off viewers warn of Ofcom complaints just minutes into seriesREAD MORE: Where The Great British Bake Off stars are now – OnlyFans career to Paul Hollywood feud

Before Prue and Paul revealed who would be going home already, some viewers were convinced they knew who it would be. One said: “I hear everyone saying Hassan has a chance but like he’s messed up 2 challenges whereas Iain has won one, unless Hassan does an amazing cake idk mannnnn.”

Another added: “Im not sure Hassan is surviving this week…” Someone else commented: “Ohhh Hassan. Poor guys caramel done him completely. Absolutely brutal.”

A fourth wrote: “If it ain’t Hassan, then Im sensing a first week ‘nobody is going’.” Sadly, it was Hassan that was sent packing after just the first episode.

After his exit, Hassan admitted: “I had a strong inkling I was out after the judging for my Showstopper, so when I heard my name, I thought ‘Damn, I guess that’s it for me then’.

“I remember Prue coming up to give us a big hug first, then turning left and having a huge queue of people lined up to give us a hug – the support from all of them felt reassuring to me and helped cheer me up a lot.”

Hassan said he would stick to his day job but continue to bake as a hobby. “In terms of my goals in the overall baking world, I don’t have any plans,” he said.

Revealing what fans can expect, host Alison teased: “You’ve got six men and six women from all over Britain. They’re all really exciting bakers. It’s not just about the baking for them. They’ve got families and really good jobs as well.”

While Prue added: “This year we had quite a lot of designers and engineers, and it showed in their baking. They were so much better at construction.”

“They just take it so seriously. It’s like a science to them, because that’s how they are within their work,” Alison continued. People are going to be blown away.

“There’s a few failures as well, as to be expected. It’s going to be so much fun. Paul’s on form, Prue’s on form, Noel is just so funny. It’s classic Bake Off. We say it every year but it’s a wonderful series.”

READ MORE: ‘Gorgeous’ New Look trench coat our fashion team thinks will be an autumn sell out

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M&S has introduced a major shakeup to is store shelves which is exciting news for shoppers.

This is ideal for anyone wanting to try out some different lunch options during their weeks.

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There are new sandwiches, wraps and bagels from the major retailer’s Foodhalls which are available now.

It is an entirely new section to the Marks and Spencer food aisle for people to try.

The shelves have been labelled NEW in the fridge section of grocery stores, with ‘PICK ME! I’ve just arrived’ signs attached.

Among the top picks for this month from the new selection includes a Chicken Tikka Sandwich which is “back by popular demand”.

This sandwich is described to have “creamy” spiced and marinated roast chicken breast inside some “soft malted” onion seed bread.

There is also spinach, tikka sauce and a “cooling” yoghurt raita, so the sandwich is “generously filled and packed with flavour”.

It is priced at £4 from the popular grocer, and is a limited edition.

Another addition is a similar seeded tortilla wrap version, which is a Butter Chicken Wrap that has been added to the new collection.

It is a “summer edit” of the retailer’s food hall that “combines succulent British chicken breast with a luxuriously creamy butter chicken sauce accompanied by crispy spinach, tangy pickled red onion and crunchy cabbage.”

There are also a few new bagels that have been introduced, including a New York style Pastrami bagel and classic smoked salmon bagel.

The American deli-inspired one has been called the “Ruben bagel” which has layers of beef pastrami, pickles, mustard and cream cheese.

Finally, there is the “Katsu Sando” which is going for £5 from M&S.

The Katsu Sando is also part of the “summer edit” described to have panko breaded chicken, katsu curry spiced mayo, pickled cabbage and coriander inside.

As M&S have stated: “The Katsu Sando makes a mouthwatering lunch that’s sweet, spicy and satisfying.”

There is also a honey soy ketchup sauce added to the sandwiches flavour, that is contained within some soft brioche-style bread.

These latest “lunch sensations” can be found at M&S Foodhalls now, and are just some of the store’s top picks for the month.

The news of this updated lunch range from M&S comes after the popular retailer also released a new version of its iconic Colin the Caterpillar Cake.

To mark the much-loved dessert’s 35th birthday, The Sun’s Clemmie Moodie got to have an exclusive first try of the new Arctic Colin.

Arctic Colin went on sale at M&S stores just last week, after two years in the making.

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

More settler attacks also take place across the territory, with a Palestinian husband and wife hurt in the violence.

The Israeli army has carried out raids and arrests across the occupied West Bank, with incidents reported in the cities of Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus and Ramallah.

Multiple Palestinians were detained in the territory on Sunday, according to the Wafa news agency, including a child and a young man in the town of Yabad.

Reports suggested that a 37-year-old man was also arrested in the town of Beit Fajjar, while a 25-year-old man was taken into Israeli custody in the town of Nilin near Ramallah.

Several raids took place in the Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate, just days after Israel launched a prolonged raid in the area that injured at least 58 people.

Israeli soldiers were also present in the towns of Kafr Malek, Nilin and Deir Qaddis, but did not make any arrests.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, intense and continuous gunfire broke out south of Hebron, as shown by online videos verified by Al Jazeera.

Wafa said that five Palestinians, including a girl, were injured by Israeli bullets and taken to hospital for treatment.

Israeli soldiers also allegedly fired live ammunition in the northern village of Sarra and the town of Sebastia, but no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, a settler attack left a Palestinian man and his wife with injuries in Khallet al-Daba village in Masafer Yatta.

Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian homes in the village of Kisan near Bethlehem.

The Wafa news agency reports that the settlers broke into Palestinian properties and looted them, while receiving protection from the Israeli army.

In the first eight months of the year, more than 1,000 Israeli settler attacks have been recorded in the occupied West Bank that caused injuries, property damage or both, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Settlers rampage on Palestinian land on a daily basis, with impunity and backed by the Israeli military.

Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 671 Palestinians, including 129 children, across the region since October 2023, according to OCHA.

As well as the Israeli raids and the settler attacks, the Palestinian Authority (PA) said that Israeli authorities had engaged in unauthorised excavation and demolition operations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

“These operations deliberately target Islamic antiquities dating back to the Umayyad period, which stand as living witnesses and irrefutable evidence of Muslims’ rightful claim to the site,” the PA’s Jerusalem governorate said in a statement.

It said that Israel intends to remove the site’s Muslim history to build a Jewish temple there in the future.

A MAJOR supermarket has cut the price of Quality Street tubs – but bargain hunters need to move fast as the deal ends today.

The offer is running in stores across the UK, giving shoppers the chance to stock up on Christmas favourites months before the festive season begins.

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It’s Morrisons offering the bargain, letting customers bag two tubs for just £9.

Normally, the tubs sell for £7 each, so the deal works out as a saving of up to 36 per cent.

The offer covers four favourites – the 600g Quality Street tub, plus 550g tubs of Celebrations, Cadbury Heroes and Cadbury Roses.

It’s one of the cheapest supermarket offers around right now, but the bargain won’t last long.

The promotion only runs until August 31, after which prices will jump back up.

So, today is the very last chance to snap up the tubs before the discount disappears.

The offer comes as Christmas chocolates are already hitting supermarket shelves across the country.

Fans were left buzzing this week when B&M stores began selling Quality Street’s famous Strawberry Delight crackers.

Each box contains dark chocolate bites filled with a creamy strawberry centre – and shoppers couldn’t wait to share the news.

One excited fan posted online: “Strawberry Delight are the best Quality Street and the crackers are BACK at B&M.”

Others quickly piled in with their support. One wrote: “Love them and the orange.” Another added: “My favourite.”

Tesco is also running its own offer, slashing the price of a Quality Street tin to £5.95 with a Clubcard.

But some shoppers reckon it’s far too early for festive promos.

One joked: “Be Easter eggs by the end of the month on display.”

Another said: “Don’t know what’s the bigger joke. The price or the fact it’s 4 months early.”

Meanwhile, there’s frustration as Quality Street tubs have shrunk yet again this year.

The classic purple boxes are now 550g, down from 600g last year, and a huge drop from 780g back in 2015.

That means around five or six fewer chocolates per tub, with the number falling from around 63 to roughly 57.

Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, said: “The shrinking Quality Street tub has become a Christmas tradition.

“The lights go up, the carols play, the chocolates shrink.”

He joked: “At this rate, the tub will quite literally be empty by 2035.”

Consumer champion Martyn James also blasted the change, saying: “Most people consider this to be out and out greed.”

He added: “Better to charge us more than give us less and not tell us.”

Nestlé, which makes Quality Street, insisted changes are based on “manufacturing, ingredients, transport and customer preferences.”

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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Plus-sized passengers make have to fork out hundreds extra if trying to fly thanks to a popular airlines new policy that sees plane seat restrictions tighten in the coming months

A popular airline has made huge changes for plus sized passengers – and people aren’t happy. Southwest Airlines has announced a new role for larger passengers, which could see their ticket prices more expensive.

Southwest is a major airline in the United States, and for those who can’t find within the armrests of their seat will need to soon book an additional seat before they fly.

It comes as a rollout of new changes coming into effect on January 27 2026, including pre-assigned seats. At the moment, plus-sized travellers who may need extra room can purchase an additional seat upfront and apply for a refund after flying, or request a complimentary seat at the airport.

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One of the biggest changes to this will mean refunds may still be possible, but not always guaranteed which could result in passengers facing higher upfront costs without the certainty of getting their money back.

In a statement released by the airline, they said: “To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking.” It goes against what the airline was previously known for as being traveller-friendly and operating a ‘customer-first approach’ according to Metro.

These perks, which also included open seating at boarding and a generous free baggage allowance are slowly disappearing as the free baggage was stopped in May, and the rules around seats getting stricter.

The refunds for plus-sized passengers will only be granted if at least one seat on the flight was empty at departure and if both tickets were purchased in the same booking class. In other words, passengers can no longer assume that an extra seat will automatically qualify for a refund.

In order to get their money back, passengers will need to request a refund within 90 days of their flight. In a bid to still protect the promise for flexibility for passengers, it may still hike up costs for people being asked to pay hundreds upfront without the certainty of getting it reimbursed – and if it’s a fully booked flight, they will be turned away and booked onto the next available flight.

Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent who posts travel tips for plus-size people on social media and his website, Fat Travel Tested, told AP: “I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody.”

Tigress Osborn, chair of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance told the New York Times: “Southwest was the only beacon of hope for many fat people who otherwise wouldn’t have been flying. And now that beacon has gone out.”

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Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit four home runs Thursday night against Atlanta to become the fourth Phillies player and 21st major leaguer to accomplish the feat.

Schwarber was four for six with a franchise record nine RBIs in the 19-4 victory. He broke a tie with Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani for the National League homer lead with 49 and moved within one of Seattle’s Cal Raleigh for the major league lead. Schwarber leads the majors with 119 RBIs.

Mike Schmidt was the last Philadelphia player to hit four homers in a game, doing so against the Chicago Cubs in April 1976. Schwarber had the third four-homer game of the season, following Eugenio Suárez and Nick Kurtz.

Kyle Schwarber high-five teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning Thursday.

(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

The Philadelphia star started the power surge with a solo shot in the first off Cal Quantrill, sending a 2-1 curveball into the seats in right field. Scharber hit a flyout to center in the second.

After Quantrill was lifted with one out and a runner on base in the fourth, Schwarber greeted lefty Austin Cox by sending a 3-2 curveball over the wall in right for his fourth multi-homer game of the season.

With “M-V-P! M-V-P!” chants ringing down from Phillies fans in the fifth, Schwarber launched a three-run, opposite-field drive off Cox to put Philadelphia ahead 15-3. In the eighth, Schwarber hit a three-run shot to right off Wander Suero to make it 18-4.

Schwarber popped out in the eighth.

BRITAIN’S top sprotscar manufacturer is axing more than 500 jobs from its UK headquarters.

Half of the brand’s current workforce is facing the sack with president Trumps controversial tariffs said to have played a major role in the shock announcement.

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Lotus is reported to be sacking half the workforce at its factory and HQ at Hethel near Wymondham, Norfolk.

The surprise move is said to be part of a major restructuring within the firm.

A spokesman for Lotus, owned by Chinese giant Geely, confirmed that the job losses highlighted “rapid changes in global policies including tariffs”.

It comes after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds had a meeting with Lotus bosses earlier this year.

Reynolds said afterwards he was reassured that the manufacturer was committed to the UK despite rumours that it was considering moving production to the US or Poland.

The firm said at the time it had “no plans to close the factory”, but added: “We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.”

It is understood that Lotus had a meeting with local MPs and councillors to explain its restructuring plans and outline the job cuts.

The shocking move is expected to be finalised in December with up to 500 workers now facing the boot.

Lotus said it would also look at increasing integration across the wider Lotus group as part of the shake up.

A spokesperson said the firm “remains fully committed to the UK”, with Norfolk remaining the home of its sports car, motorsports and engineering consulting operations.

South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough said it was a “very difficult day for Lotus and for many families in our community.”

He said he would be on hand to support workers affected by the sweeping cuts.

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The second season of Love Is Blind’s UK season came to a dramatic end today – and fan favourite couple Kieran and Megan have ‘convinced’ fans their love is still going strong

Netflix fans have been hooked on the second season of Love Is Blind UK, which came to a dramatic end today.

It was no surprise that Kieran and Megan said ‘I do’ at the altar– and although they’re sworn to secrecy on what happened after until the reunion, they’ve dropped some major hints that they’re still in love.

Megan and Kieran connected from the moment they met in the Netflix pods, although Kieran also struck up a connection with Sophie. It came crashing down pretty quickly, however, when she realised Kieran had given Megan a cute gift – whereas she was left empty-handed.

READ MORE: All the Love Is Blind couples that are still together – as Netflix drops shock UK finaleREAD MORE: Netflix fans in tears as final Love Is Blind UK series two episodes finally air

A distraught Sophie quit the process, and Megan and Kieran went on to get engaged, and later married, in today’s epic finale. It looks like their love story has continued to blossom, as they’ve dropped major clues they’re still together over on Instagram.

Fans witnessed a fairy tale wedding between the two, with Kieran breaking down in tears when he laid eyes on his bride. ” I still can’t quite believe how perfect you are for me … We’re living our fairytale right now, and Megan, you’re my happily ever after,” he said.

Although fans only witnessed the weddings today, they were actually filmed last year. The contestants have been sworn to secrecy, although some fans were left ‘fuming’ with their hints on TikTok before the wedding ceremony. ***Warning: Love Is Blind UK Season 2 spoilers ahead***

To no one’s surprise, Kieran and Megan have dropped the biggest hints yet that they’re together, as their pictures have coincidentally shared the same background more than once.

Before the finale dropped, eagle eyed fans noticed that the two had taken a trip to Frankfurt, Germany at the same time. Although they were careful not to include each other – they weren’t fooling Netflix fans.

Dropping an even more telling clue, fans noticed that the couple have the same background when posting in their houses – ‘confirming’ that they’re still married a year on from the show.

“Megan and Kieran are very married, you can see from the photos/videos that the house is the same, I love them,” wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, while another said: “I hope they are married. Because look at these photos!!! Aaahhh!”

Although fans are convinced the couple are still very much together, they’ll have to wait until Sunday, 31 August for the reunion show, where each couple’s status will be confirmed.

During the final two episodes, we also saw Kal and Sarover and Ashleigh and Billy tie the knot. However, Bardha shockingly said no to Jed at the altar – but have they kept a relationship going?

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Upcoming spin-off Y: Marshals has added three stars from the original drama to the cast

Yellowstone’s forthcoming spin-off, focusing on Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes), is set to feature at least three more big names from the original series.

Y: Marshals will follow the son of ranch owner John Dutton (Kevin Costner) in the aftermath of his father’s death as he leaves the ranch to combat crime across Montana.

Deadline has now revealed that Yellowstone veterans Gil Birmingham, Brecken Merrill and Mo Brings Plenty will be reprising their roles from the main show.

Birmingham played Chief Thomas Rainwater, who had a feud with the Duttons over disputed land, while Brings Plenty played Rainwater’s driver and right-hand man, Mo.

Meanwhile, Merrill played Kayce’s son Tate alongside Kelsey Asbille as wife and mother Monica Dutton.

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It’s not yet known if Asbille will be returning, though Deadline suggests her absence may be explained within the series.

In addition to these three Yellowstone favourites, Y: Marshals has confirmed four more cast members joining Grimes and the previously announced Logan Marshall-Green.

Arielle Kebbel (Rescue: HI-Surf), Ash Santos (Pulse) and Tatanka Means (Reservation Dogs) are on board as series regulars.

They’ll be playing members of the US Marshals Belle, Andrea and Miles, respectively. Finally, The West Wing and Lost star Brett Cullen will take on a recurring role as Montana’s head of US Marshals, Harry Gifford, reports the Express.

The exact storyline for the upcoming Yellowstone spin-off is being kept under wraps, but a series synopsis has given fans a taste of what’s to come.

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According to Deadline, it states: “In Y: Marshals, with the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Kayce Dutton (Grimes) joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence.”

In other news, Oscar-nominated actress Annette Bening has been confirmed to join another Yellowstone spin-off.

She’ll be taking on the role of Beulah Jackson, the boss of a competing ranch, in the tentatively named The Dutton Ranch, which will carry on the tale of Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser).

Y: Marshals will premiere in late 2025 – early 2026 on CBS. Yellowstone is available to stream on Paramount+.

A SUPERMARKET giant has made a huge change to its shops, in a boost for customers who want to pay with cash.

Morrisons has introduced 40 cash machines into its supermarkets across the UK, making it the UK’s largest non-bank network.

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A further 13 ATMs are set to launch in the coming months to make it even easier for customers to access cash.

Shoppers can use the ATMs to withdraw and pay in money as part of their regular shop.

The ATMs are now available in the following Morrisons supermarkets:

• Acocks Green
• Speke
• Eccles
• Witham
• Aldershot
• Swadlincote
• Failsworth
• Blyth
• Bideford
• Swinnow Road
• Grays Buxton
• Bishop Auckland
• Wednesbury
• Hull (Holderness Road)
• Colwyn Bay
• Bromsgrove
• Kirkby
• Ilkeston
• Dover
• Cardonald
• Bellshill
• Leyland
• Letchworth
• Carmarthen
• Castle Bromwich
• Malton Nelson
• Chippenham
• Coalville
• Oswestry
• Redcar
• Crossmyloof
• Hyde
• Partick
• Oxted
• Ebbw Vale
• Sidcup
• Small Heath
• New Milton

So far, more than £1million a month has been paid into banks using these ATMs.

The machines are operated by NoteMachine and were delivered thanks to a partnership with Cash Access UK, a company funded by major high street banks to bring cash services to communities.

Ben Mildred, treasury manager at Morrisons, said: “We’re proud to be helping make banking more accessible by offering cash deposit services in our stores.

“Customers have told us they like the flexibility and convenience the cash deposit ATMs offer and so we are pleased to be rolling them out to more stores in the coming weeks.”

The news comes after UK banks closed more than a third of branches over the past five years, leaving customers without access to banking services.

Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest and Bank of Scotland are set to shut more than 100 bank branches by the end of the year.

Elsewhere, Santander is set to close 95 branches and reduce hours at another 50.

Other ways you can access cash

There are still several ways you can access basic banking services without having to travel to another town with a branch.

If all the banks in your town have closed then you may be able to get a banking hub.

Banks visit the hub on a rotating basis, and take it in turns to use the site on different days of the week.

You can use them to withdraw cash, pay in money, check your balance and pay bills.

Another option is to visit one of the Post Office’s 11,684 branches to do basic banking tasks such as paying in or withdrawing cash.

But you will still need to visit a branch to open a new bank account, take out a personal loan or mortgage.

You can find your nearest Post Office by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.

Many banks also offer a mobile banking service, which is when they bring a bus to your area to provide services you can usually get at a physical branch.

Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.

You should check your bank’s website to see what mobile services are available and when they might next be in your area.

New super ATMs are being rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.

These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

UKRAINIAN forces claim to have killed three perpetrators of the Bucha massacre in a slew of revenge bombings.

It comes as Kyiv marked its Independence Day by unleashing a wave of drone strikes crippling key energy infrastructure in Russia.

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Ukraine‘s military intelligence unit GUR said three Russian soldiers dubbed “Butchers of Bucha” were wiped out in surgical bombings in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region.

They were targeted in the Luhansk region while operating as a mobile air defence group to cover a Russian military-repair base.

Bucha is a town close to Kyiv where Russian troops were accused of perpetrating appalling war crimes as they sought to storm Kyiv in 2022.

Hundreds of Ukrainian people were subjected to executions, torture, mutilation, and sexual violence including rape used by as weapon of war.

After the Russian retreat, mass graves were found where dozens of bodies were hastily buried by Putin’s occupying force.

There were numerous accounts of indiscriminate killings of civilians, including those seeking to flee the violence.

The revenge attack came in Kalynove village, where the Russian soldiers were linked to the Bucha atrocities.

Ukrainian military officials said: “In 2022, [these dead] Russian occupiers directly took part in committing war crimes in the city of Bucha.

“The detonation was in the yard of an apartment building where six Russian invaders were staying with their military transport.

“As a result of the explosion, two enemy pickups with machine guns were destroyed, one landed with ammunition.”

“There will be just retribution for every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people.”

Meanwhile, the Russia‘s defence ministry said at least 95 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted across more than a dozen Russian regions.

The attaclc come on August 24, the day that Ukraine celebrates its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

One of the drones was shot down over the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia, one of the country’s biggest energy nuclear facility.

It detonated upon impact and sparked a fire, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at according to the facility.

The plant said the fire had been extinguished, adding there were no casualties or increased radiation levels.

There was damage to a transformer which supplies the plant, and the power of reactor number three was reduced by 50 per cent.

Russian authorities said Ukrainian drones had also been shot down over areas sometimes far from the front, including Saint Petersburg in the northwest.

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The attacks caused tourist mayhem at St Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport as more than 99 flights were diverted or delayed at the busy hub.

Ten drones were shot down over the port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland, sparking a fire at a fuel terminal owned by Russian energy group Novatek, regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: “This is how Ukraine strikes when its calls for peace are ignored.

“Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter.”

Ukraine meanwhile said Russia had attacked it overnight with a ballistic missile and 72 Iranian-made Shahed attack drones, 48 of which the air force said had been shot down.

A Russian drone strike killed a 47-year-old woman in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governor said.

It came amid Donald Trump’s rising frustration with Putin for dragging out the war.

Washington is now trying to get Moscow to agree to a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky.

Pressure has been mounting on Putin to sit down with Zelensky since the White House summit – but the latest language from Russia looks suspiciously like well-worn stalling tactics.

Trump hoped he would be able to convince Putin to stop the bloodshed when he met the dictator in Anchorage.

But since then, little tangible progress has been made towards a peace deal.

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In a social media post, Trump appeared to hint that he is open to Ukraine launching more attacks on Russia.

He suggested that it would be “impossible” for Ukraine to win the war without attacking Russia.

He said: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country.

“It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defence, but is not allowed to play offence.

“There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia.”

Trump sets deadline

He set a two-week time frame for assessing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Don told Todd Starnes on Newsmax: “I would say within two weeks we’re going to know one way or the other.

“After that, we’ll have to maybe take a different tack.”

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Putin is ready to meet Zelensky only after working through a list of vague “issues”.

Lavrov said: “Our president has repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Mr Zelensky.”

But he insisted the meeting would only happen “with the understanding that all issues that require consideration at the highest level will be well worked out”.

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