Latest news with #Brit-favourite
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Out-of-control jet ski nearly mows down beachgoers relaxing on Costa del Sol
Terrified bathers leaped out of the way as the jet ski shot towards the sea's edge without warning - and some stopped to film the near-miss remarking it was a miracle no one was killed An out-of-control jet ski had a near miss in Spain's Costa del Sol, with beachgoers filmed screaming as the watercraft hurtled past. Bathers leaped out of the way as the jet ski shot towards the sea's edge without warning - and some stopped to film it. The footage shows a young man plonking himself onto the seat and reaching towards the back of the watercraft as it floated just yards from the shore. Then without warning, it shot towards the sand, catching the jet ski rider off guard - and it comes shortly after a report of a girl being killed in a jet ski incident this week. The out-of-control jet ski nearly mowed down several beachgoers at the holiday hotspot, a well-known Brit-favourite destination. The jet ski passenger lost his balance and toppled into the shallows, swimmers and beachgoers could be seen leaping aside as the Sea-Doo hurtled towards them. Eventually the jet ski came to a stop on Calahonda's La Luna Beach, on Spain's Costa del Sol. Fortunately, no one was injured as the water bike halted as cries of 'what is he doing' were heard across the beach, it happened on Wednesday (August 13), as reported by What's The Jam. One person said: "What's a jet ski doing less than 15 metres from the beach?" Another woman filming the near miss could be heard frantically repeating: "What's he doing?" Hernán said: "You've got to stay well away from the buoys, that's what they're there for. Someone's alive now just by sheer luck." Antonio commented: "Anyone can make a mistake - it looks like it accelerated on its own." Juanjo remarked: "Terrible accident. He even tried to turn off the jet ski, the cable might have been caught or wrapped around the throttle." And Juan Carlos added: "A hefty fine and that's it." The shocking incident comes as several jet ski dangers have been recently reported - a teen was killed as an 'out of control' jet ski crashed into her during a family beach holiday in Florida. And in Australia, an official police investigation into two jet ski riders who 'disturbed' a pod of dolphins, could see a jet ski rider face two years in prison or a £50,000 in an incident that angered onlookers (on Sunday August 10). Although many may ride these water crafts sensibly, some dangers and accidents or collisions can lead to endangering life or environment if jet skis are not navigated properly.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Brits could see summer holiday spending boost - see full list of destinations
The strength of the pound against most other currencies has boosted Brits' spending power when they head abroad this summer, research had found, in some cases by a lot Millions of Brits planning foreign holidays this summer will be quids in thanks to the pound's strength, a recent report has found. Sterling's gain against a host of currencies has boosted families' spending power - in some cases by a lot. For instance, the pound's 30% rise against the lira in the past year means holidaymakers jetting to Turkey will have a bumper £116 more to spend for every £500. That is equivalent to a couple of three course meals for two, with wine, in the Turkish resort of Marmaris, plus four beers. Those considering a long-haul break to Mexico will have almost £57 per £500 extra thanks to a near 13% increase against the peso, according to the Post Office Travel Money's Holiday Spending Report. It reveals that the UK pound is stronger than a year ago against 25 of the 30 currencies and has gained ground against 80% of them since March. Others in the top 10 list of spending power gainers include Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand. Brits thinking of a trip to the States will also get more bang for their buck thanks to sterling's 6.6% rise against the US dollar, meaning they would have almost £31 per £500 more to spend than this time last year. Despite that, many people are seemingly having second thoughts about going on holiday to the USA. The main concern is that US President Donald Trump 's trade tariffs will mean higher prices - cited by 78% of those polled - rather than his politics in general. Those heading to Europe will also be better off, though not by so much. Sterling is just 0.9% up against the euro year-on-year, meaning Brits have £4.50 per £500 more spending power across the pond than last summer. The Post Office report also found a sharp rise in the number of people planning trips abroad. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they intend to take a foreign holiday this year , with more than half having already booked their trip. That is despite growing concerns voiced by nine-in-ten of them about whether they have enough money to afford the trip. Over three-quarters said exchange rates were a big concern for them. When it came to people's views on the best value destinations, Brit-favourite Spain came top, followed by Turkey, Thailand, Portugal, Greece and Italy. When it came to their trip abroad, 82% of holidaymakers said they had set a budget averaging £377, but most admitted overspending. Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, which accounts for one-in-four UK foreign exchange transactions, said: 'This year's holiday spending research again demonstrates that holidaymakers don't always set a realistic budget and overspend by large amounts as a result. It's great to hear that holidaymakers are already planning to budget more for their holidays this year, to avoid coming unstuck when they arrive at their destination.' The report also found that many holidaymakers are paying over the odds for transactions abroad. While it advisable to carry some cash overseas, one-in-five in the survey said relied solely on plastic to pay for purchases, and just over a quarter changed less than £100 into foreign currency. As a consequence, holidaymakers can into difficulties. From the poll, 7% said they had tried to pay a restaurant, shop or bar bill with a credit card, only to find that it was not accepted. More than one-in-ten also fell foul of a practice known as Dynamic Currency Conversion by agreeing to pay on their card in sterling rather than local currency, incurring unnecessary transaction charges as a result. Ms Plunkett said: 'Paying on a debit or credit card may seem like a convenient way to pay for things while abroad, but our research suggests that this can be a costly practice. Far too many holidaymakers told us that they paid significantly more than they anticipated because of the transaction charges made for using credit and debit cards at an overseas ATM."
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in a fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a It inflames and damages the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Read more on hep A But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. While many recover without serious issues, in severe cases, the liver damage can become life-threatening, leading to According to a Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. Most read in Health This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hep A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hep A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hep A vaccine. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: Feeling tired and generally unwell Joint and muscle pain A high temperature (fever) Loss of appetite Feeling or being sick Pain in the upper-right part of your tummy Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Dark urine and pale stools Itchy skin Source:
Scottish Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
The potentially lethal virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly STOP THE SPREAD Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that 'can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as hepatitis A sweeps through parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia this year. 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a statement last month. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. According to a risk assessment published yesterday by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), four countries have reported a total of 2,097 cases of Hepatitis A (also called Hep A) so far in 2025. Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hepatitis A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia, you should get the jab. Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Underrated European town filled with white-washed buildings and staggering history
Cast into the shadow thanks to a nearby party-mad hotspot, this beautiful EU town with golden beaches, crystal-clear waters and a 6,000-year history has managed to avoid the tourist spotlight This Mediterranean 'jewel' perched atop a cliff is the perfect blend of golden sand and rich history - and yet you've probably never heard of it. Last year, a record-breaking 94 million international visitors flocked to Spain - lured by the country's balmy temperatures, pristine beaches, and cheap pints. But hotspots like the Brit-favourite Malaga have started to turn their back on holidaymakers. It follows a string of anti-tourist protests that erupted across the nation in 2024, with banner-carrying locals taking to the streets to demand holidaymakers 'go home'. Fed-up residents argue the unsustainable influx of holidaymakers and consequential spike in short-term holiday lets have priced them out of the property market, amid Spain's escalating housing crisis. The furore has already resulted in a huge tourist clampdown, with fresh rules brutally dictating locals wanting to turn their home into an Airbnb. However, just 50 miles (a one-hour drive) from the overcrowded region of Malaga, lies a beautiful whitewashed town named Salobreña. Built on the summit of a rocky crag, and offering stellar views of the Mediterranean Sea, this idyllic destination has managed to escape the tourist spotlight. It boasts a slew of soft-sand beaches, has a renowned seafood scene, and is just a stone's throw away from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and its stunning National Park. However, it's the town's 6,000-year history that really sets it apart from the rest. "Salobreña traces its origins back to Phoenician times," explains the country's official tourist board, Visit Spain. "Founded as a trading colony, it was also populated by Romans and Arabs until it was reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs. "Pirate attacks forced the city to wall itself, and its inhabitants chose safer locations in the mountains. Today, its excellent tropical climate, with temperatures between 15 and 32 degrees, attracts visitors year-round." The upper part of the town centre is dominated by a Roman-built castle, which looks down on quaint cobbled streets lined with white cottages. "Another interesting structure is the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, built on the site of an old mosque in the 16th century," Visit Spain added. Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deal sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter The nearest airport to Salobreña is Granada-Jaén, but there are no direct flights to the hub from the UK. However, Brits can catch a quick flight over to Malaga, which takes just under three hours. You can fly directly to the hotspot from a slew of major UK airports, including Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Bristol, and London Gatwick. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £28 in June and July. You'll then need to take a one-hour and 10-minute taxi drive over to Salobreña. There is a range of accommodation types in the town, meaning you'll find the perfect pad no matter what your budget. For example, a week's stay (Monday, June 2-9) in a three-bed duplex just 50 yards from the beach will set you back £684, based on two adults sharing. However, a smaller one-bedroom apartment with a terrace costs just £54 3 for the exact same dates.
