BUS drivers in London have fumed that their vehicles are becoming riddled with cockroaches.
Shocking snaps appear to show the rodents perched in seat cushions and drink containers.
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Bus drivers in London are fuming as a horde of cockroaches infest their vehiclesCredit: AFP
As a result, many drivers have flocked to London Bus Forums (LBF), a message board and campaigning organisation, to call on Transport for London to make its vehicles cleaner, The Times reports.
One video uploaded to the forum appears to show one driver get a nasty shock when he notices several cockroaches inside his drink.
“I went to take a sip from my drink and felt something in my mouth,” the driver says in the clip.
“I spat it out and saw it was a cockroach.
“I felt sick and ended up vomiting.”
Complaints made by drivers are “growing in frequency and urgency”, according to the LBF.
Bus services are run by private companies under contract to Transport for London [TfL].
TfL said extensive daily cleaning took place across the network and the fleet was treated with the same long-term antibacterial products as were used on the Underground.
A TfL spokesman said: “We are committed to working together with operators to provide a clean environment for staff and customers. Most TfL welfare facilities are cleaned multiple times a day, and at a minimum daily, to maintain hygiene and safety standards.
“All buses are also cleaned every night before entering service, and reports such as these are rare.
Bus driver sacked for wearing a Liverpool shirt after hundreds of Chelsea fans swarmed his bus
“We take any report seriously and are urgently investigating the specific incidents that have been raised.
“As with any reports, we will take appropriate action as part of the investigation, which can include taking buses out of service for inspection, deep cleans and treatment with specialist equipment if necessary.
“We would like to reassure staff that our operators would never take action against people raising concerns about welfare or safety and encourage any driver with concerns to contact their employer, their union, or contact us directly.”
LBF added: “These cockroach reports are not isolated. They reflect a broader failure to maintain safe and sanitary conditions for bus drivers.
“This is a public health issue affecting both staff and passengers.
“That’s why drivers will be marching on November 5 to demand safer working conditions and the adoption of the bus drivers’ bill of rights.”
John Murphy, the regional officer for Unite, the union representing many London bus drivers, fumed that it was “completely unacceptable that London bus drivers are being forced to drive around for hours in vehicles that have cockroach infestations.”
He continued: “TfL and the bus companies need to take action now to rid all buses of infestations and Unite will hold them to account until they do.”
The Sun Online has reached out to Transport for London for comment.
British Health Secretary, Wes Streeting (center) announced the government will seek to ban children under 16 from buying high-caffeine energy drinks. File Photo Chris Ratcliffe/EPA-EFE
Sept. 3 (UPI) — Children younger than 16 in England will no longer be able to legally buy high-caffeine energy drinks under a proposal announced by the British government Tuesday.
The proposed ban would apply to drinks sold in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines, according to an announcement from the Labour-led government. If enacted, England would join other European countries with restrictions on the drinks that have been blamed for childhood obesity, poor sleep and behavioral issues in classrooms.
“How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of four cans of cola in their system on a daily basis?” Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said in a statement. “Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity.”
While most supermarkets voluntarily stopped selling energy drinks to children under 16, they can still easily be obtained in smaller shops and up to a third of British children consume them weekly, reported the Mirror.
The ban would not apply to drinks containing less than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter, leaving out lower-caffeine soft drinks, as well as coffee and tea. That means that cans of Red Bull, Monster and Prime Energy would be banned, the paper reported.
Countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Turkey and Sweden already have similar restrictions in place. State lawmakers in the United States have sought to ban the drinks.
Previously, the Conservative-led government considered a ban but did not follow through on it. Last year, a review of previous research on how the drinks affect young people published in the journal Public Health linked them to anxiety, stress and even suicidality.
“High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands,” Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said in a statement. She called the ban “a common-sense, evidence-based step to protect children’s physical, mental, and dental health.”
The ban also had broad support for pediatricians, the national teachers union and public health campaigners.
However, Gavin Partington from the British Soft Drinks Association told the BBC that self-regulation was working.
“As with all government policy, it’s essential that any forthcoming regulation is based on a rigorous assessment of the evidence that’s available,” he said.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering similar bans, according to the BBC.
That’s what some drinks companies are promising with beverages formulated specifically to help you chill out.
Lucy and Serena swear by them. They’re good friends who, like many, are juggling careers, the chaos of having small children, trying to stay fit, and everything else in between.
“These drinks aren’t going to get rid of all my worries and anxieties,” Serena says, “but if they give me a little boost – then I’ll take it.”
Lucy finds them really useful too, especially when she’s feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“If I get that low-level panic, then with a drink of Trip or something like it, I can bring it back round.”
But after an advert by one of the industry’s best-known brands was banned for suggesting its drinks helped with stress and anxiety, there have been questions about whether drinks of this kind are quite as effective as they make out.
BBC News has spoken to nutritionists and dietitians who are sceptical the small amounts of supplements the drinks contain could really bring about that sense of zen.
One psychologist has suggested that we might actually “create our own calm” when we set aside time for ourselves with something that feels like a treat.
Steven Oakes
Lucy and Serena say the drinks can make them feel calm if life gets stressful
The “functional beverage” market – that’s drinks with additional health benefits – is booming, with British supermarkets seeing sales jump by 24.5% in the last 12 months, according to one market research firm. Almost 30% of UK households now buy these functional drinks, Worldpanel by Numerator says.
So, what’s actually in them that’s supposed to help you feel more mellow or give your health a boost? Well, that’s where things can get complicated, as each brand takes a different approach.
Along with Trip’s Mindful Blend, other companies like Rheal, Grass&Co, Goodrays and supermarket own-brands, advertise that their drinks contain supplements including:
Lion’s Mane extract – a type of mushroom found in east Asian countries
L-theanine – an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea
Ashwagandha – a herb cultivated in areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe
Magnesium – a mineral the human body needs to function properly
These supplements are all commonly found in many health and wellbeing products and are associated with enhancing mood, boosting energy, supporting cognition, and helping with stress.
But how robust is the evidence for that? It’s tricky because there are many studies of varying credibility each suggesting different levels of efficacy.
Trip’s advert, which suggested its ingredients were stress and anxiety busters, breached the Advertising Standards Agency’s (ASA) code, with the ASA ruling that Trip’s claims their drinks could “prevent, treat or cure disease” were a step too far.
Trip told BBC News the ruling related to “a single page on the website” and it has made the “changes requested”. It says it’s confident it’s ingredients permit the use of the word “calm” which is “widely and lawfully used by many brands”.
Getty Images
Clockwise from left: Lion’s Mane, Ashwagandha root and powder, magnesium supplement pills, and black tea – a source of L-theanine
Dietitian Reema Patel is concerned the amount of supplement in these drinks may not give consumers the emotional balance, feelings of calm, or stress relief that is advertised across the industry. She highlights a growing body of evidence around the funghi Lion’s Mane, but says there are no conclusive findings about whether it can have any impact – as yet.
“The research is still very much in its infancy,” she says. “In one of the more advanced clinical trials, a small number of participants were given 1800mg – that’s at least four times more than what is in some of these drinks.”
Studies suggest women are more likely to consume these kinds of supplements, but they’re not always front and centre in the research.
The lack of research that includes female participants is partly down to menstrual cycles and fluctuating hormones, making it more “complicated to track”, Ms Patel explains.
But these drinks can make a good alternative to drinking alcohol she says, and she has clients who have made the switch from having a wine or a gin and tonic every night to opening a can of one of these drinks to help them unwind.
“I think you can take a lot of the claims with a pinch of salt, but they are definitely giving people that other option.”
Emily May
Emily May says older clientele at the coffee shop where she works are really into wellness drinks
Dr Sinead Roberts, a performance nutritionist, says supplements can make a difference, but they tend to work for certain groups of people in specific circumstances – such as high-performing athletes who want that extra edge, or people who are deficient in a certain nutrient – not necessarily for the general population.
If you enjoy the taste, “crack on”, Dr Roberts says, but if you want to reduce stress and anxiety you’re probably best saving your £2 or £3 and putting it towards a “therapy session or a massage at the end of the month”.
“A trace of Lion’s Mane or Ashgawanda in a fizzy drink is not going to make any difference,” she adds.
Emily May, 25, first discovered these drinks at Glastonbury a couple of years ago. She’s not overly bothered about trying to reach a state of zen through them – she just likes the taste.
“I’m ADHD,” Emily says, “so I would definitely need a lot more than one of those drinks to calm me down.”
TRIP via ASA
Trip’s banned advert made health claims which are prohibited, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said
There is a fine line between advertising that a product will give you a feeling of calm and quiet, and claiming these kinds of drinks will help with mental health problems.
Psychologist Natasha Tiwari says mental health and well-being are “increasingly conflated” in the wellness sector, creating a “toxic mix”.
There can be a positive – yet temporary – change in mood and consumers might feel a buzz, she says, not because of the ingredients necessarily, but because “everything around the experience of the product is real”.
“So you’ve bought a drink which, let’s say, is a little bit pricier than the alternatives in the market. Therefore you make a commitment to sit down quietly and enjoy it nicely,” she says. “You look at the branding – which is lovely and calming – you’re processing your environment in the moment, and then actually what you’re experiencing truly is a calm moment in your otherwise busy day. That’s not fake.”
And it’s that little window of peace that Lucy and Serena yearn for – and for a few minutes a fizzy drink in a can gives them that, whether the science really agrees, or not.
BBC News contacted all the brands mentioned in this article. Grass&Co told us it’s their mission “to deliver high-strength natural adaptogen and vitamin-packed blends formulated by experts… which are supported by approved health claims.”
A COMMON sugar substitute used in fizzy drinks, yoghurts and gum could be used to combat one of the deadliest kinds of cancer.
Researchers fermented the zero calorie sweetener and tested it against pancreatic cancer – finding that it killed off malignant cells but didn’t harm healthy ones.
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Stevia extract could be used to help fight pancreatic cancer, researchers suggestedCredit: Getty
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They tested fermented extracts against pancreatic cancer cells in a lab dishCredit: Getty
Stevia is a shrub-like herb used to sweeten drinks and desserts instead of sugar, which can also be bought as powder or tablets.
Previous research has suggested that stevia leaf extracts could have potential “anticancer effects”.
But isolating specific substances within the herb that could help protect against cancer and using them has remained challenging.
Researchers from Hiroshima University suggested fermenting stevia with bacteria can structurally change the extract and produce bioactive metabolites – compounds that can impact living organisms.
Read more on pancreatic cancer
Study author Masanori Sugiyama, a professor in the Department of Probiotic Science for Preventive Medicine, said fermentation – or “microbial bio-transformation” – could “enhance the pharmacological efficacy of natural plant extracts” like stevia.
The team tested their theory out against pancreatic cancer cells.
“Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumour of the digestive system with a poor prognosis,” co-author Prof Narandalai Danshiitsoodol said.
“Globally, the incidence and mortality rates of pancreatic cancer continue to rise, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 per cent.
“The primary reason pancreatic cancer is considered one of the deadliest cancers is its subtle, insidious onset, with most patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage and missing the optimal treatment window.
“Furthermore, pancreatic cancer is highly invasive and prone to metastasis, showing significant resistance to existing treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, resulting in very limited therapeutic efficacy.
The most common symptoms of pancreatic cancer – as patients share their stories
“Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new and effective anticancer compounds, particularly those derived from medicinal plants.”
Researchers used lactic acid bacteria to ferment stevia extracts.
They isolated over 1200 strains from fruits, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants and evaluated their healthbenefits.
They finally landed on Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain (FSLE) derived from banana leaves “to enhance the antioxidant and anticancer activities of stevia leaf extract through fermentation”.
They tested fermented and non-fermented stevia extracts against pancreatic cancer cells in lab dishes.
Fermented stevia killed pancreatic cancer cells more efficiently than the non-fermented extract, the study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found.
This suggested that “the fermentation process enhances the bioactivity of the [stevia] extract”, Prof Sugiyama said.
Researchers tested out different fermentation levels to see which was most effective against cancer cells.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
PANCREATIC cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in its early stages.
As the cancer grows and you do begin to show signs, these may come and go and be unspecific, making it hard to diagnose, according to Pancreatic Cancer UK.
Common symptoms include:
Indigestion – a painful, burning feeling in your chest with an unpleasant taste in your mouth
Tummy or back pain – it may start as general discomfort or tenderness in the tummy area and spread to the back, which get worse lying down and feel better is you sit forward
Diarrhoea and constipation – see a GP if you have runny poos for more than seven days, especially if you’ve lost weight as well
Steatorrhoea – pale, oily poo that’s bulky, smells horrible and floats, making it hard to flush
Losing a lot of weight without meaning to
Jaundice – yellow skin and eyes, as well as dark pee, pale poo and itchy skin
Lower concentrations didn’t kill cancer cells immediately, but they slowed their growth.
Healthy kidney cells were mostly unaffected by the stevia extracts.
Researchers plan to study how fermented stevia affects cancer in mice next, to see how various dosages will work in living organisms.
“The present study has substantially enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of action of the Lactobacillus plantarum SN13T strain in the fermentation of herbal extracts, while also offering a valuable research perspective on the potential application of probiotics as natural anti-tumour agents,” Prof Danshiitsoodol said.
In the UK, about 10,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and 9,600 pass away from it, according to Cancer Research UK.
It’s the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
Since the early 1990s, pancreatic cancer incidence rates have increased by 18 per cent in the UK.
The disease is often diagnosed at a late stage because it frequently lacks noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Surgery,chemotherapyand radiation can help extend patients’ lives.
In a coffee city like Los Angeles, it’s no surprise that many coffee shops, teahouses and cafes take creativity to the next level. The sweet syrups and aesthetic latte art that marked our entry into customizable coffee culture were only the beginning — springboards for today’s caffeine scene where different flavors of fluffy cream tops and unique toppings, from sugar rims to cob-shaped corn ice cream, draw crowds to shops across the city.
Here, dramatic drinks take inspiration from a wealth of cultures and cuisines, from East Asian cafes and bubble tea shops where add-ons are the star to third-wave coffee shops highlighting flavors from around the world.
“We wanted something on the menu that was kind of a destination drink,” said Max Rand, the owner of Good Friend, a coffee shop that opened in East Hollywood last year. “That’s become a really popular thing in L.A. especially: something that people will go out of their way for, will drive across town for. It has to be interesting enough for someone to go out of their way to try it.”
Extravagant drinks aren’t always a hit — too many add-ons and the delicately bitter flavor of matcha disappears. Adding whipped cream and other flourishes can muddle the tasting notes that coffee roasters work so hard to highlight. Finding the sweet spot is difficult.
Achieving that balance — high-quality ingredients and processes complemented by unique flavors and presentation — is what makes a baroque beverage a winner. From coffee infused with yuzu to milky mango topped with matcha mousse, these are our favorite over-the-top drinks that taste just as good as they look.
At a minimalist matcha bar in Los Angeles, United States, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink’s social media stardom.
Of the 25 types of matcha on the menu at Kettl Tea, which opened on Hollywood Boulevard this year, all but four were out of stock, according to the shop’s founder, Zach Mangan.
“One of the things we struggle with is telling customers that, unfortunately, we don’t have” what they want, he said.
With its deep grassy aroma, intense colour and pick-me-up effects, the popularity of matcha “has grown just exponentially over the last decade, but much more so in the last two to three years”, the 40-year-old explained.
It is now “a cultural touchpoint in the Western world” – found everywhere from ice-cream flavour boards to Starbucks.
This has caused matcha’s market to nearly double over a year, Mangan said.
“No matter what we try, there’s just not more to buy.”
A woman enjoys a cup of matcha with her book at Kettl Tea in the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California [Frederic J. Brown/AFP]
In the Japanese city of Sayama, northwest of Tokyo, Masahiro Okutomi – the 15th generation to run his family’s tea production business – is overwhelmed by demand.
“I had to put on our website that we are not accepting any more matcha orders,” he said.
Producing the powder is an intensive process: the leaves, called “tencha”, are shaded for several weeks before harvest, to concentrate the taste and nutrients.
They are then carefully deveined by hand, dried and finely ground in a machine.
“It takes years of training” to make matcha properly, Okutomi said. “It’s a long-term endeavour requiring equipment, labour and investment.”
“I’m glad the world is taking an interest in our matcha … but in the short term, it’s almost a threat – we just can’t keep up,” he said.
The matcha boom has been propelled by online influencers like Andie Ella, who has more than 600,000 subscribers on YouTube and started her own brand of matcha products.
At the pastel-pink pop-up shop she opened in Tokyo’s hip Harajuku district, dozens of fans were excitedly waiting to take a photo with the 23-year-old Frenchwoman or buy her cans of strawberry or white chocolate-flavoured matcha.
“Matcha is visually very appealing,” said Ella.
To date, her matcha brand, produced in Japan’s rural Mie region, has sold 133,000 cans. Launched in November 2023, it now has eight employees.
“Demand has not stopped growing,” she said.
Andie Ella, the founder of Milia Matcha, talking to employees before the shop opening in Tokyo [Philip Fong/AFP]
Last year, matcha accounted for more than half of the 8,798 tonnes of green tea exported from Japan, according to Japan’s Agriculture Ministry data – twice as much as 10 years ago.
Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo, in the touristy former fish market area of Tsukiji, is trying to control its stock levels given the escalating demand.
“We don’t strictly impose purchase limits, but we sometimes refuse to sell large quantities to customers suspected of reselling,” said store manager Shigehito Nishikida.
“In the past two or three years, the craze has intensified. Customers now want to make matcha themselves, like they see on social media,” he added.
The global matcha market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, but it could be hit by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Japanese products – currently 10 percent, with a rise to 24 percent in the cards.
Shortages and tariffs mean “we do have to raise prices. We don’t take it lightly”, said Mangan at Kettl Tea, though it has not dampened demand so far.
“Customers are saying, ‘I want matcha before it runs out’.”
Japan’s government is encouraging tea producers to farm on a larger scale to reduce costs.
But that risks sacrificing quality, and “in small rural areas, it’s almost impossible”, grower Okutomi said.
The number of tea plantations in Japan has fallen to a quarter of what it was 20 years ago, as farmers age and find it difficult to secure successors, he added.
“Training a new generation takes time… It can’t be improvised.”
EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning over popular slushy drinks that could leave children unconscious.
Parents giving the icy shakes to kids as a cooling summer treat were told they may contain high amounts of a sweet syrup that’s dangerous to young children.
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Slushy drinks could be dangerous to children under the age of sevenCredit: Getty
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Arla Agnew was rushed to hospital with hypoglycemia after drinking a Slush PuppieCredit: Supplied
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Ted (front) and Austin Wallis (back) had glycerol intoxication syndrome after drinking slushiesCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Brightly coloured slushies are a mainstay at cinemas, corner shops and theme parks – especially as temperatures ramp up.
But the sweet icy drinks often contain glycerol, a sugar substitute that gives slushies their signature, semi-frozen texture.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now updated its guidance to state that slush ice drinks containing glycerol are not suitable for children under seven.
It follows several incidents involving slushy drinks in recent months.
A two-year-old girl was left listless and grey and “20 minutes from death” after having a slushy drink at a neighbour’s birthday party, according to her gran.
And two young boys became violently ill after slurping on slushies as a half term treat.
Earlier this year, thebrightly-coloured drinks— which are designed to appeal to children — were linked to the hospitalisation of 21 children aged two to seven.
Members of the food watchdog’s board called for the change after reviewing evidence on the risk of glycerol to young children’s health.
UK guidance previously stated that that slush ice drinks with glycerol are not recommended for children under four due to the risk of glycerol intoxication, and that those under 11 should have no more than one.
Now, the FSA warned parents not to give the drinks to children under seven.
Urgent warning over popular drink after toddler collapses in front of terrified mum
FSA chair Professor Susan Jebb: “In the warm weather, children may be more likely to consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol, so it’s important that parents and carers are aware of the risks.
“As a precaution, the FSA is recommending that children under seven do not consume slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”
Slush ice drinks can contain glycerol – also called E422 or glycerine on some labels – as a substitute for sugar to prevent them from freezing solid.
The sugar substitute is also found in some other foods, but at much lower quantities than in slush ice drinks.
Consumed at high levels, glycerol can cause very low blood sugar levels and unconsciousness in young children – also known as glycerol intoxication syndrome.
Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School in Birmingham, previously told Sun Health why children – who are smaller than adults – are more at risk of drinking dangerous amounts.
“If too much glycerol is consumed too quickly and in too large a volume, it can potentially change the blood concentration,” Dr Mellor said.
“This can then affect the amount of fluid around the brain, leading to symptoms including confusion, dizziness, nausea and even, on occasion, loss of consciousness.”
Pharmacist Abbas Kanani, from Chemist Click, told Sun Health: “Glycerol may cause side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches.
“In the case of slush-ice drinks, the dangers are typically associated with very high levels of exposure and may lead to glycerol intoxication, which could cause hypoglycaemia, shock and loss of consciousness.
“The Food Standards Agency state that there are concerns about its acute effects on young children when consumed in large amounts over a short period, leaving them vulnerable to the symptoms listed above.
“Whilst symptoms are usually mild, young children may suffer from headaches and sickness caused by exposure to glycerol.”
According to the FSA, just one 350ml drink with the highest levels of glycerol could potentially cause a problem for a four-year-old.
In youngsters aged five to ten, one and a half of these drinks can have dangerous effects, if consumed quickly.
‘Protect children’
FSA board members previously conducted a risk assessment of slushy ice drinks in 2023, “which was based on average body weight” estimates for children.
This time, the food watchdog took a more cautious approach, taking into account that some children might have a lower than average body weight for their age.
“The assessment incorporated information from recent glycerol intoxication incidents and assessed the impact of one serving of slush ice drink (350ml with 50,000mg/L glycerol) on children with a lower-than-average body weight for their age,” the FSA wrote.
“As children’s weights vary, body weight has been converted to age to provide more practical advice for parents and businesses.”
The updated advice applies to ready-to-drink slush ice drinks with glycerol in pouches and home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.
The FSA advised businesses selling slushies to add the minimum amount of glycerol needed to achieve the desired texture.
It also called on businesses to share how much glycerol was being added to drinks and foods.
Prof Jebb said: “We expect industry to share data on the quantity of glycerol in their products to inform our future work.
“Meanwhile, there are immediate actions they can take that can help protect children and reduce the risk from these products.
“For example, retailers should limit cup sizes and should not offer free refill promotions to children under 10.”
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Arla had a drink from a countertop Slush Puppie machineCredit: Supplied
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The tot was rushed to hospital hours laterCredit: Supplied
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Roxy Wallis, 36, with her sons, who became violently ill after having the frozen drinksCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
Arla Agnew, two, was left falling in and out of consciousness after enjoying the popular frozen treat at a neighbour’s birthday party.
Arla’s gran, Stacey, 39, told The Scottish Sun that they youngster became “limp and lifeless” in the hours after consuming the drink and was rushed to hospital, where it was found her blood sugar levels were dangerously low.
“The doctor said to us if we had been another 20 minutes it could have been so different. We were absolutely devastated,” the gran added.
“My middle child felt sick, dizzy, and incredibly pale. By the time we reached the ticket machine, he had vomited everywhere.
“At this point, my oldest son looked pale and felt sick but wasn’t as bad – he was a bit bigger than his brother.”
Abbas shared advice for parents in the event that their child suffers a reaction after drinking a slushy.
“If you suspect intoxication from a slushie drink and your child is experiencing any symptoms, even if they are mild, seek immediate medical attention.
“This is important so that your child can be assessed and any serious reactions can be ruled out.”
Fred Olsen cruise line has launched a huge summer sale and Brits can currently get free drinks packages on a host of sailings in 2025 including Northern Lights cruises
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The deal is valid on over 40 sailings
Brits planning cruise holidays this year may want to check out Fred. Olsen’s latest summer sale, as the cruise line is currently offering a tempting deal with drinks.
Cruises already include plenty such as your food, accommodation and travel, but if you want drinks, these usually come at an extra cost on the majority of cruise lines. A drinks package can be a great way of being able to indulge in a tipple or two without having to worry about the size of your bill at the end of the holiday, but these also come at an extra cost.
However, Fred. Olsen is currently offering free drinks packages on over 40 sailings in 2025. That will include a range of house beers, spirits, wines and soft drinks too.
Holidaymakers who book by June 25, 2025, will be able to enjoy the free drinks, worth £24.99 per person per night (or if you’re booking five-night cruises, worth £35.99 per person, per night).
The sale applies to over 40 sailings across its three ships
You can already book on the Fred Olsen website, and there’s an impressive array of itineraries included whether you’re hoping to make the most of the summer sun on a sailing to Spain, or have a bucket-list-worthy winter and go in search of the Northern Lights.
There’s more good news as the sailings are across all three of its ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral – with a range of UK departure ports including Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Rosyth (Edinburgh).
Whatever cruise itinerary you’re eyeing up, according to one cruise insider there are six items you should always pack before heading to the ship. One top tip? Packing both a backpack for your onshore excursions, but also a smaller evening bag for around the ship so you can carry a few essentials whether heading to dinner, a show or even just enjoying a trip to the bar.
You can get a selection of the most interesting, important and fun cruise travel stories sent to your inbox by subscribing to the Mirror’s Anchors Away newsletter.
A card holder is also another essential item, although if you book a package that includes your drinks, gratuities and service charges, then you may not need to think too much about additional costs throughout the holiday!
Meanwhile, sun-seeking Brits may want to keep an eye out for itineraries featuring Cartagena in Spain, after the beautiful city was named the sunniest in Europe. The historic port city, which is a popular stop for cruise ships, boasts a plethora of gorgeous architecture, as well as impressive museums and an eye-catching Roman amphitheatre. Unsurprisingly, it’s a firm favourite with history and culture fans as well the foodies who flock to the city to indulge in some of that mouthwatering Spanish food. (Tapas and wine, anyone?).
The cruise hotspot is underrated, with most tourists opting for the likes of Alicante or Murcia instead, so one of the benefits of visiting is that it doesn’t always have the huge crowds found in other spots in peak months (although on a shore day, you might find it a little busier because of the cruise crowds).
AN ICONIC pub in Britain’s “poshest town” has finally re-opened after locals slammed its sky high prices.
The historic Windmill Inn of Linton re-opened its doors vowing to offer punters good value drinks with pints costing as little as £4.80.
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‘Britain’s poshest pub’ finally re-opened this week after being shunned by locals put off by sky high bar pricesCredit: SWNS
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Michelle Landers, 49, and Rob Lamb, 55, landlords of Windmill Inn who run its day to day businessCredit: SWNS
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The Windmill Inn of Linton, near Leeds, opened its doors vowing to offer locals good value drinks with pints costing as little as £4.80Credit: SWNS
The watering hole, which dates back to 1564, suddenly closed it doors in late January when the previous landlady left.
Some locals blasted the high prices for snubbing the hostelry which is in an area renowned for having many wealthy residents and with house prices in one street averaging £1.7million.
Now new leaseholders Sharon, 58, and Simon Colgan, 59, have reopened its doors and the residents are “over the moon”.
Sharon said: “Just because you are in a posh area doesn’t mean you should have to pay the expensive marked up prices.
“For those who want to pay extra they can – but it isn’t necessary if they don’t want to.
“We want to return the pub to it’s former days being somewhere the local residents can enjoy and call their own.”
She added that locals had been “so supportive” and that she was “thrilled to be able to give something back to them”.
The shock closure of the beloved pub came on January 24 after it hit financial difficulty.
But three months on, veteran pub landlords Sharon, 58, and Simon Colgan, 59, have signed an agreement to take on the joint.
Locals Heartbroken as Auchenmalg’s Only Pub, The Cock Inn, Closes Down
They were approached by its owners Bars and Stars – who are owned by Heineken – to see if they would like to take on the historic venue.
The duo who run 12 pubs in partnership all across the UK agreed, singing the documents on April 22.
Since then they have pumped £80,000 into refurbishments which include new carpets, a full re-paint, French polished tables and chairs, and updated outdoor benches.
The duo have also invested in new glass washers and a coffee machine.
They have even hired a new head chef and upgraded parts of the kitchen – purchasing new equipment like a cooker, new utensils, and microwaves.
Sharon said the boozer is “worth every penny”.
She said: “The pubs we are used to are what you would call old man pubs with proper ale and proper pub grub to fill customers’ belly.
“This is a new adventure for us – a little above our pay grade – but we are very excited to see where it takes us.”
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The pub is located in the exclusive village of LintonCredit: SWNS
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It has seen a stunning £80,000 refurbishmentCredit: SWNS
The Windmill Inn sits in Linton which is Yorkshire‘s most exclusive village.
One of it Streets – Linton Lane – was found to have an average house price an eye-watering £1,791,000.
Sharon appointed Michelle Landers, 49, and Rob Lamb, 55, as landlords to run its day to day business.
The couple have worked with Sharan and Simon before running one of their earliest projects, The World’s End in Knaresborough, North Yorks, five years ago.
Michelle said: “The community feel of this pub is second to none.”
“Whilst we have been cleaning and preparing for it’s reopening residents have been popping by telling us how thankful they are it is returning.
“We are really pleased with how it has come out so far – we are chuffed about the whole project.”
Sharon and Simon will pay £4,250 a month – £51,000 a year – to keep the doors open.
She said: “It’s not cheap but we know it will be worth it.
“We weren’t planning on taking on another location, but it is such a historic place in such a stunning location, we found it hard to say no.”
The duo are keen on keeping prices low but offering upgrades for those who are willing to pay.
Pints will cost range from £4.80 to £5 with the average meal setting customers back around £18.
The pub also sells sharing platters including steak and shrimp priced at £65.
The most expensive spirit is a single malt whisky which cost £7 for a single.
Sharon says the couple will pump all profits back into the pub to keep it going for a “couple hundred more years”.
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Pints will cost range from £4.80 to £5 with the average meal setting customers back around £18Credit: SWNS
In a TikTok video with over 500,000 likes, a flight attendant and travel influencer exposes the popular complementary beverages you should avoid on an airplane and why.
While you may be in need of caffeine on a red-eye flight, Kat Kamalani warns against drinking coffee(Image: Getty Images)
Airlines have been stepping up their game when it comes to in-flight menus, though this sometimes comes with an inflated cost.
Still, staples like water, tea, coffee and juice are free and reliable on long-haul flights. But one flight attendant has warned against consuming some of these beverages mid-flight.
Kat Kamalani, who gained prominence on social media by sharing little-known travel hacks and tips, has issued a stark warning to her followers, as previously reported by The Mirror. In a TikTok video that has earned over half a million likes, Kat advises: “Don’t you ever, ever, ever consume these products from an airplane, from a flight attendant! Rule number one never consume any liquid that is not in a can or a bottle.”
She explains that this is because of the hygiene and cleanliness around the plane’s water tanks. “Those water tanks are never cleaned and they are disgusting. Talk to a flight attendant,” says Kat.
Coffee, tea and any drinks made with water from the plane’s water tank should be avoided, according to Kat(Image: Getty Images)
She also says while you may be desperate for a coffee or tea – even if it is subpar – it’s best to steer clear. “We rarely rarely drink the coffee or tea. They come from the same water tank. And so when you’re drinking that coffee and tea come from that hot water and it’s absolutely disgusting.”
Kat also points out that the coffee machines are rarely sanitised unless they malfunction. “These little coffee guys, they are rarely cleaned unless they are broken,” she said. “These guys are taken out and cleaned in between flights, but the whole machine is never cleaned and they’re by the lavatories.”
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For parents and guardians, Kat urges them to “never ever” ask for hot water for their baby’s formula but provides a smart alternative. “Pro tip for all you parents: never ask for hot water and put it in your baby’s bottle. Ask for a bottle of water on the side and hot water in a cup.” She continues: “Then make your baby a bottle with the bottled water. Put it in the cup and heat it up.”
The TikTok video received a wide range of mixed reactions, including shock and disgust from frequent flyers. Heading to the comment section, viewers debated Kat’s revelations and advice and joked about the quality of airplane beverages. One user wrote: ” Ah that’s why my hot chocolate was rank.”
The 100mL liquid limit is not usually applied to baby milk and formula, but this depends on the airline(Image: Getty Images)
The safety of water on a plane depends on the cleanliness of the tank, the quality of the water that was loaded, and the maintenance practices of the airline. There have been concerns and studies about the microbiological quality of tap water served on planes over the years.
If you are really keen on a coffee, some airlines let your bring hot drinks onto a plane with some stipulations. For example, easyJet permits passengers to bring hot drinks into the cabin as long as they have been purchased at the airport and have the lid on.
Additionally, if you are concerned about the safety of the water for your baby’s formula, know the liquid limit on many airlines does not apply to baby products. According to easyJet, the 100mL LAG limit does not apply to baby food, milk or sterilised water, though there is a maximum limit of 2 litres.
But keep in mind, you may be asked to taste these foods for security reasons and you should check with cabin crews about how to warm up milk if necessary.
