DAVE ALLEN could become a British boxing cult hero and break into the mainstream by toppling a Russian ‘Bond villain’ who wrestles bears.
In 2017, the Doncaster lad weighed in for a heavyweight clash on a David Haye undercard with a pair of XXL socks stuffed down his pants and a huge grin across his handsome face.
3
Dave Allen is set to fight giant Dagestan fighter Arslanbek MakhmudovCredit: Getty
3
Makhmudov has wrestled with BEARS on camera
The clip went viral, especially among the gay community, getting 16 million views and earning him countless proposals in his social media inboxes.
In the ring, he earned total respect from hardcore boxing fans who watched through their fingers as he funded a gambling addiction with brave defeats to prime versions of Dillian Whyte, Luis Ortiz, Olympic gold winner Tony Yoka and David Price.
Online followers also loved Allen’s relationship with nan Betty, which he shared in touching videos and photos.
We worried about his life going off the rails again when she passed away in 2022. But in a beautiful stroke of fate, Allen fathered his first child shortly after and named her Betty.
If you are a British boxing fan of a certain age, you will have watched the White Rhino’s career rollercoaster from exploited punchbag, to shock LGBT icon, to early retirement, to doting dad and budding property tycoon.
The honesty and humour he has always shared has made us cheer and fear — in equal measure — for Allen, who speaks openly about his former fighter father being tough on him.
But following a sensational knockout rematch win over Essex fighter Johnny Fisher in May, he is now at the peak of his pulling power.
Saturday night’s homecoming headline slot in Sheffield — against terrifying 6ft 6in Arslanbek Makhmudov of Dagestan — will provide a life-changing purse.
And a victory could take him closer to his very modest dream — for a man with his record and profile — of winning the often-overlooked British title.
He has the perfect dance partner in the grizzly-grappling knockout artist, 36, who even has a trademark tic of twisting his neck like a 007 foe.
Anthony Joshua sends emotional message to Dave Allen after boxer’s heroic battle with suicide and gambling demons
And Allen insists he has ditched his infamous ice-cream sandwiches to be in the best shape of his career.
So much so that he apologised for the first photos from the underwear modelling contract he unveiled, coming complete with paunch as the snaps were taken before he committed totally to this 34th professional training camp.
Despite being a hard and witty Yorkshireman — who has done hundreds of sparring rounds with the likes of Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury — Allen has never trash-talked or bad-mouthed an opponent.
He has built a loyal and invested fanbase by being brutally open and uncensored with his back story and struggles, while being humble and self-deprecating about his recent successes.
Even after the original 2024 draw with Fisher, he begged his 26-year-old pal and sparring partner not to take the rerun and to prolong his potential and profile with a different route.
And he seemed genuinely gutted to inflict such a thorough pasting upon him when he ignored the advice.
As a man and a fighter, Allen is a throwback. As a modern boxer, though, he has harnessed social media and YouTube to become a star.
The mismatched and utterly predictable defeats were horrible to watch but — combined with Allen’s unshakably authentic personality — they have made his underdog story one we are all desperate to see finish with a gloriously happy ending.
Allen vs Makhmudov – all the info
DAVE ALLEN returns to the ring for one of the biggest tests of his career this weekend!
DINERS who were rushed to hospital after an “excruciating” meal suspect one ingredient was the cause of their torment.
After tucking into a family meal at the Dosa Kingss eaterie in Sale, Manchester, on September 6, 11 diners had to be treated by medics.
1
Cops were called to Dosa Kingss following reports diners had been taken illCredit: Handout
A massive emergency response was sparked by the incident with fire crews, police and paramedics called to the chaotic scene.
Customers inside the restaurant became violently unwell after eating some of the food on offer and have now blamed one ingredient for the disastrous dinner.
The incident sparked a Greater Manchester Police investigation.
Two of the 11 diners suffered severe reactions to the food and had to be hospitalised while several others were treated inside the restaurant.
Police said a number of people were treated for “minor reactions” to the dodgy food.
One of the lines of inquiry being probed blames yams for the diners illness.
Some types of the root vegetable can contain toxins that can be harmful if undercooked.
It is believed to have been part of one of the dishes served from the restaurant’s set menu.
The exact cause of the violent reaction to the food has yet to be confirmed.
One diner, Amrita Kapadia, who was dining with her young son and her family at the restaurant, was among the customers served the food.
Emergency at Dosa Kingss: eight diners fall ill at Manchester restaurant
She said the Aviyal, which is a thick stew of mixed vegetable, contained yams.
Amrita was one of the two diners to be hospitalised after the meal made her feel like she was “chewing glass.”
She claims the food left her suffering a severe reaction with her mouth and throat burning.
She was unable to speak following the “frightening” ordeal and said it felt as though she had been “stung by bees.”
Amrita told Manchester Evening News: “The table next to us started complaining that something was stinging or spicy in their mouths.
“The restaurant folks brought them water and, while that was going on, two of us at our table of five had the same dish at the same time, which was a mixed vegetable dish called Aviyal.
“As soon as we ate it, we had this stinging sensation in our mouths. It was like chewing glass, it was excruciating. It felt like I had been stung by bees it was just so painful.
“We couldn’t taste anything and our tongues went bizarre. The sensation travelled to our gums, cheek and throats.”
Before her own situation deteriorated further, Amrita instructed her son, who thankfully avoided any serious reaction to the food, to stop eating immediately.
Diners began to call 999 and ask for paramedics to be sent as they began to lose the ability to speak and felt paralysed.
The harrowing ordeal left diners with increased heart rates, dizziness, pain and swelling.
Amrita was hospitalised for four hours after she was given two shots of adrenaline that did nothing to combat her extreme symptoms by paramedics.
She received a form from Trafford Council to complete detailing what each member of the party had consumed.
Police remained at the scene for hours after the incident as their investigation got underway.
The scale of the emergency response sparked fears of a serious gas leak which was quickly ruled out by the probe.
Dosa Kingss posted a brief statement on social media following the chaos.
It reads: “Dear valued customers, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are temporarily closed.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and truly appreciate your understanding and support. We look forward to serving you again.”
A spokesperson for GMP previously stated: “At around 12.40pm today (6 September), we received a report of people becoming unwell at a restaurant on Northenden Road, Sale.
“Emergency services quickly attended and several people were treated at the scene for minor reactions. Enquiries into the incident are currently ongoing.”
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES?
APPROXIMATELY 44 per cent of people in Britain have an allergy or allergic disorder of some kind, says the charity Allergy UK.
Rates are higher in under-35s and lowest in pensioners.
The most common food allergies, according to the NHS, are:
Cow milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios and Brazil nuts
Soy beans, chickpeas and peas
Shellfish
Wheat
You may be allergic to a food if it makes you feel dizzy, lightheaded, sick or itchy, brings you out in hives or swollen lips or eyes, or causes diarrhoea, vomiting, a runny nose, cough, breathlessness or wheezing.
A woman recently went to a restaurant in Turkey, and was floored by the cost of a three-course meal. When you’re abroad, you never know what to expect to pay
14:05, 12 Sep 2025Updated 15:47, 12 Sep 2025
She was stunned by the price of the meal (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
It’s no secret that the cost of visiting Turkey has risen, with various tourists having brought the matter to people’s attention in recent months. However, a woman who lives in Turkey recently revealed she was floored when she discovered how much it is to enjoy a three-course meal at a restaurant at the popular holiday destination, and Brits are equally as surprised.
The woman, known as lifeoflottss on TikTok, recently drew people’s attention to the food discovery in a candid video, and she was left pretty stunned. When you’re willing to look around, it turns out you can really find some bargains, with many people being left stunned by the price of the meal.
In the clip, Lotts said: “Hello everyone, if you’re staying in the Armutalan area in Marmaris then you can actually get a three-course meal for £3.50. If you really want to try traditional Turkish kitchen food then I would really recommend coming here.
“I’ll show you inside to show you what the food looks like. You can sit in and eat, or you can just get a takeaway. I absolutely love this food – all freshly made.
“Really nice, traditional Turkish kitchen food. Chef’s kiss. You’ve got puddings, drinks. You can get three courses for £3.50, or you can buy them separately. Honestly, it’s so cheap and the food is unreal.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
After she shared the video, people had all sorts of questions. In the comments, she confirmed the prices stay the same “all year around”, and she told intrigued holidaymakers to look for Anadolu Yemek Evi, Marmaris, when they visit.
One person said: “Love this place. My husband goes here to get us food all the time. Lovely food.”
Another added: “The food is the best type of food. Unbelievably cheap.” A third replied: “Tried this place in June when we were over. Great value. The food was really nice, and all the bread on the table was unreal.”
Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I went there in May. Cheap as chips.” Someone else also chimed in with: “Bargain.”
Anadolu Yemek Evi also has rave reviews on TripAdvisor too. It has an average rating of five stars, with one customer saying it serves up the “best meal” in Marmaris. It just goes to show you can find affordable dining at the destination when you look around.
Is Turkey becoming expensive?
Even though Lotts’s story is positive, there are a few reasons why prices are said to have shot up in parts of Turkey. If you’re wondering about the situation, Statista has offered an explanation as to why it may be happening.
The website reads: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.
“It is not surprising that food inflation has not simmered down, as the producer price index (PPI) of agricultural products followed a constant increasing trend in the country over the past few years.”
However, it’s said Turkey is taking steps to help boost tourism, including addressing rising prices, making tourist offerings more diverse and investing in infrastructure. The Government is said to be working to reduce inflation, and some people are also promoting niche tourism areas like spas and health care.
Pret will trial meal deals in October, November and DecemberCredit: Alamy
Pret plans to trial the meal deal format in the final three months of the year.
Boss Pano Christou said the chain’s focus is on “offering great value for money” as part of its medium-term strategy to grow and return to sustainable profits.
Details on pricing and locations for the trial have yet to be revealed.
Pret’s latest accounts showed a pre-tax loss of £525.2 million for the year to January 2 – largely due to a £552.9 million write-down after a reassessment by owner JAB, which bought the chain in 2018.
This followed a £61.7 million loss the year before.
Despite the losses, Pret said its earnings before adjustments rose 36 per cent to £98 million for the year.
Meanwhile, total revenue dipped 4.2 per cent to £868.4 million compared to the previous year.
Like-for-like sales grew by 2.8 per cent, helped by an 11 per cent expansion to 717 shops as the business continued to grow internationally.
Pret said it is keen to expand further in the US, especially around city centres and travel hubs.
I went to the UK’s best sandwich shop that’s gone viral on TikTok due to amazing family history and huge portions
Christou, Pret’s CEO, said: “2024 was another year of growth for Pret, where we took disciplined decisions to protect sales, despite intense strains on the hospitality industry.
“Going forward our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers.
“Our focus will be on growing Pret’s market share in the UK and internationally, prioritising city centres and travel hubs, backed by the experience and expertise of additional world-class board members and a strengthened management team.”
Pret opened its first shop in London in 1986 and now employs 12,500 staff across over 700 locations in 21 countries.
INFAMOUS mushroom murderer Erin Patterson has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of “horrendous” triple murder.
She will serve at least 33 years behind bars after receiving three life sentences and a 25-year sentence concurrently, with a non-parole period of 33 years.
11
Erin Patterson being escorted into court for sentencing on Monday morningCredit: Getty
11
Patterson was sentenced to life in prisonCredit: AFP
11
The beef wellington Patterson cooked with death cap mushroomsCredit: AFP
11
Justice Christopher Beale handed down the life sentence
The 11-week trial earlier this year gripped Australia like no other – and has now been put to bed as Justice Christopher Beale handed down the sentence at Victoria’s Supreme Court.
For the first time in history, the supreme court allowed TV cameras into the courtroom to broadcast the sentencing live.
In court, Beale said he agreed Patterson should receive life imprisonment – but the “main dispute” was whether she should be afforded the possibility of parole.
He recounted the trial evidence before concluding that the murders involved “substantial premeditation”.
Describing the toll of the triple murders on the families, Justice Beale said: “Four generations of the extended Patterson and Wilkinson families have been traumatised by your crimes.”
He added: “Your failure to exhibit any remorse pours salt into all the victims’ wounds.”
Patterson, 50, was given a life sentence for each of the murders of Don and Gail Patterson, the parents of her estranged husband, Simon, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson.
Both the prosecution and the defence agreed Patterson should receive a life sentence for her crime, described by Beale as “horrendous”.
Prosecutors had called for Patterson to be denied the chance of ever walking out, while her defence argued she should retain the possibility of parole.
‘Mushroom killer’ Erin Patterson GUILTY of murdering three relatives with deadly beef wellington
Colin Mandy SC, defending, previously said Beale should consider the tough conditions Patterson will naturally suffer as such a notorious criminal.
Patterson has spent most of her days since her arrest in November 2023 in isolated in her cell – which Beale previously said “doesn’t sound very humane”.
He took this – along with the added danger she faces due to her notoriety – into account when deciding on the details of the sentence.
Patterson pleaded not guilty to all the charges and claimed the deaths were a tragic accident.
She now has until October 6 to lodge an appeal against her conviction or sentence or both.
11
Gail Patterson, Erin’s former mother-in-law, died after eating the beef WellingtonCredit: Nine
11
Gail’s husband Don Patterson also diedCredit: Nine
11
Heather Wilkinson, left, died while her husband Ian, right, was the sole survivorCredit: Nine
Fascination with the case was off the charts across Australia.
Journalists from around the world descended on the tiny town of Morwell – where the trial was held in one of Australia‘s smallest courtrooms.
Patterson was tried there, rather than in Melbourne, at her own request.
Every day of the trial from April 29 to July 7, reporters jostled for the six media seats in the courtroom and hopeful spectators queued out of the door.
Described as “a ritual, habitual and pathological liar”, Patterson’s story unravelled in the dock and impossible contradictions tripped her up.
11
Ian told the court that Erin sensationally claimed to have been diagnosed with cancer during the lunch – something she later denied.
She also initially told police she did not own a food dehydrator and had not gone foraging for mushrooms – later claiming in court these lies had been a “knee-jerk” reaction.
Incredibly, Ian said last month that he had forgiven Patterson for trying to kill him.
He said in a victim statement her felt “half alive” without Heather by his side – but insisted he harbours no “ill will” against Patterson.
11
A court sketch of Patterson in AugustCredit: AFP
11
Survivor Ian Wilkinson arriving in court in JulyCredit: Getty
Ian added: “Now I am no longer Erin Patterson’s victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness.”
Simon said Erin’s crimes had robbed their 16-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter of “the kind of relationship with their mother that every child yearns for”.
The Deadly Dish
In July 2023, Patterson gathered together her ex-husband Simon’s relatives for a Saturday lunch at her home in Leongatha, Victoria.
She served up a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms, and her guests soon fell violently ill.
Her former in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson all died within a week.
Pastor Ian Wilkinson was the only person – other than Patterson – who survived the deadly lunch.
But he was left in critical condition and spent almost two months being treated in the Austin Hospital – including time spent in a coma.
Simon had also been invited to the lunch but he declined, texting her the night before that he felt “uncomfortable” about it all.
11
Patterson tried to persuade her estranged husband to come to the lunch over text
A restaurant in Spain has shared a photo of a receipt with a huge €63,000 (£55,000) bill racked up on it – and people are desperate to know who could have paid it
A lavish group of holidaymakers racked up an eye-watering bill during one meal at a Majorca seafront restaurant(Image: Getty Images)
A Spanish restaurant has shared of a receipt showing an eye-watering €63,000 (£55,000) bill, that a group of tourists unbelievably walked away from.
The eatery teased that the party might have featured a well-known American sporting celebrity. Situated in Palmanova, Majorca, the waterfront establishment appealed on social media: “Whose bill is this? Tag them below, please – we’d like to talk..”
Sharp-eyed observers noticed that a massive chunk of the total was splashed on “various fish”. With such an astronomical sum, punters in the replies have been desperately attempting to identify who could possibly fork out this much at a restaurant.
A fierce discussion has erupted in the comments section as people scramble to determine who would blow this kind of cash at the venue.
Majorca is the largest of the Balearic islands(Image: Getty Images)
The establishment later revealed that 18 guests were accommodated at the table and suggested the party might have featured a well-known American sporting celebrity, according to Majorca Daily Bulletin.
The mystery diners didn’t just splash out on grub but also shelled out a fortune on premium beverages.
Another entry on the receipt shows valet parking, which forms part of the venue’s upmarket offerings.
The Instagram post exploded online with countless users desperate to uncover the identity of the enigmatic customer, reports the Express.
It has now become the hottest topic across Majorca as residents attempt to crack who splashed out on one of the island’s priciest ever dinners.
Majorca stands as one of the biggest islands in the Balearics and serves as a beloved getaway destination. The island boasts crystal clear waters and breathtaking beaches, making it a must-visit destination that draws in two million Brits per year.
WHETHER it’s fish and chips, a fry-up or afternoon tea and cake, British diets are pretty calorific.
And all that fat, sugar and salt is having a serious impact on our waistlines, with almost one in three of us considered obese.
6
Use another country’s way of eating to help you lose weightCredit: PA
That might seem pretty high, but it’s actually considerably lower than the 43 per cent obesity rate in the United States.
Even Australia trumps the UK at 32 per cent, and these figures don’t even account for the people who are simply overweight.
Around the world, each country has its own way of eating; some contain lots of processed foods, while others enjoy more vegetables or have a focus on fish and meat.
Often, these diets have a huge influence on the population’s body mass index (BMI) – a way of measuring if you’re a healthy weight.
A score between 18.5 and 24.9 is healthy, 25 to 29.9 is overweight, and 30-plus is obese.
Many of us think of obesity as just being fat, but it’s actually increasingly being recognised as a chronic, complex disease.
“Fat is what gives a sense of fullness in a meal,” says Lucia Stansbie, registered nutritional therapist.
“When we eat fat, hormones telling the brain to stop eating are released, making a full fat yogurt more satisfying that a zero per cent one, so you end up needing to eat less.
“Many low fat foods have added sugars and emulsifiers to recreate the same texture of full fat foods, making them ultra processed foods (UPFS).”
Research published in the journal Current Nutrition Reports identified UPFs as being a key driver of obesity.
6
The French, who have an 11 percent obesity rate love cheese – but they go for full-fatCredit: Getty
In France, all-day grazing is a no-no – so much so, that snack products often contain a warning on the packet which says, “for your health, avoid snacking between meals”.
“Snacks can be the downfall of all diets as they can be very calorie-dense,” says Lucia.
“And if they’re sugar-rich, they can lead to a sugar high followed by a crash so more snacks are needed to pick yourself up.
“Eating a proper meal that fills you up until your next one is the best strategy.”
Instead of having a plain, low-carb, low-calorie vegetable salad for lunch to manage your weight, enjoy a meal with a source of protein, some carbs and healthy fats to keep you full until dinner time.
“This is better than being really hungry a few hours after lunch and craving a high calorie snack,” says Jess Hillard, nutritionist at Warrior.
Try some spicy chicken with sweet potato mash, avocado and a vinaigrette.
If you like wine… eat like the Italians
Obesity rate: 22 per cent
ALTHOUGH alcohol can pack in some serious calories, you don’t have to go teetotal to lose weight.
Instead, go for quality booze, in moderation, alongside food.
“In Italy, people don’t drink on an empty stomach,” says Lucia.
“Doing so leads to sugar spikes and then sugar crashes, so we eat quick-release carbs such as crisps or sweets to get our energy back.”
One way to flatten this spike is eating a decent meal.
The size of serving plates in Italy are also smaller than the standard UK plates so smaller portions are eaten
Lucia StansbieNutritional therapist
Lucia adds: “In Italy, there is a big focus on quality and taste.
“People don’t drink a cheap bottle of wine to get drunk. Instead, they match a nice glass of wine with the meal they are having.
“Culturally, getting drunk and excessive drinking are frowned upon.
“This makes a massive difference in the amount of alcohol that is consumed.”
Italian mealtimes are also leisurely. Rather than wolfing down lunch at a desk while frantically working on a deadline, Italians eat mindfully.
“Mindful eating leads to eating slower and feeling fuller sooner, while eating while distracted – such as while working or watching TV – will lead to less satisfaction and mindlessly eating bigger amounts of foods or looking for snacks,” says Lucia.
6
Olive oil is the main fat used in Italy, where only 22 per cent of the population is obeseCredit: Getty
Don’t forget to add olive oil – the main fat used in Italy – to your meals too.
A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that fat loss was approximately 80 per cent higher for participants who included 25ml of extra virgin olive oil in their diet compared to those who didn’t.
Lucia adds: “The size of serving plates in Italy are also smaller than the standard UK serving plates, so smaller portions are eaten.”
Why not try swapping your dinner plates for side plates or pasta bowls? You’ll be forced to reduce your portion!
If you love carbs… eat like the Japanese
Obesity rate: 5 per cent
DESPITE popular belief, carbohydrates are certainly not the devil when it comes to weight loss.
Not only could they actually help you slim down, they could even help you live longer.
Japan is home to Okinawa – a ‘blue zone’, where many people live to 100 and beyond.
Their diet? An estimated 10:1 carbohydrate-to-protein ratio, according to a study in the journal Age and Ageing – yes, that’s 10 times as much carbs as protein!
While you definitely shouldn’t turn your back on protein, you shouldn’t fear carbs.
Longevity tips from the Blue Zones
The Blue Zones are five regions across the world where people regularly live to the ripe old age of 100, largely thanks to their diets and daily habits.
The term was coined by author and National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, who made a name for himself studying the world’s longest living people.
The Blue Zones include Okinawa in Japan, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy and Loma Linda in California.
According to Dan, inhabitants of these swear by nine lifestyle tips.
Dubbed the ‘Power 9’, the longevity guru argued that they can provide “instructions and clues for how we can set up our lives to live longer”.
They include:
Moving naturally rather than going to the gym
Having a purpose in iife
Keeping stress to minimum with naps and happy hours
Stopping eating before you’re full
Eating mostly plants
Drink no more than two glasses of wine a day and never bingeing
Belonging to a community, faith-based or not
Putting your loved ones first
Keeping a social circle that supports healthy behaviours
But Lucia says the type of carbs you choose will make a huge difference.
“Wholegrains have a higher fibre content, which means that the sugar spike won’t be so high, while white carbs are devoid of all fibre,” she adds.
“The body can manage a maximum of 4g of sugar in the blood at a time; the excess will be stored either in the liver as glycogen or as abdominal fat.
“Eat slow release carbs – such as wholegrains – and pair them with fibre (such as vegetables), proteins (such as meat, fish and eggs) and fats (such as avocado, olive oil and nuts) to ensure a slow release of sugar in the blood system for sustained energy and weight management.”
6
Tuck into seafood and cut back on red meat.
“Fish and seafood are excellent sources of protein,” says Lucia.
“Just 100g of fish has, on average, the same amount of protein as 100g of meat but fewer calories.
“Oysters are the richest source of zinc. People with diabetes, which is often linked to obesity, tend to have lower zinc levels.
“Plus, fish and shellfish are sources of iodine, a mineral essential for thyroid function, and suboptimal function can lead to increased weight and fatigue.”
If you love chocolate… eat like the Swiss
Obesity rate: 14 per cent
LINDT, Toblerone, Nestlé – some of the best chocolate in the world comes from Switzerland.
So how can such a chocolate-filled nation remain so slim?
Along with an active lifestyle, Jess says that listening to your body is key.
“Ignoring cravings makes you want them even more and binge on them eventually,” she says.
“Have a balanced meal before the chocolate you’re craving.
“If you still want some chocolate, break off a few squares and put the rest of the bar away.”
6
Eat like the Swiss, who have a 14 per cent obesity rate, and enjoy chocolateCredit: Getty
Depriving yourself will only make you want it more and make you more likely to scoff the whole bar!
The Swiss also love their oily fish.
“Oily fish contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA,” Jess says.
“These are excellent for brain health and they’ve been found to reduce the risk of heart disease.
“Aim for two portions of fish per week. One of these should be oily, such as salmon, mackerel or sardines.”
Aim for two fists of vegetables, one palm full of carbohydrates and one palm of protein. Any fats should be thumb-size
Jess HillardNutritionist
Omega-3s have been found to potentially help with fat loss.
In a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, adults given 4g of fish oil per day lost 0.5kg of body fat and built more muscle than those who were not given fish oil.
Plus, research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that incorporating fish into one meal a day as part of a weight loss regime was more effective than the regime on its own.
“Fish’s high oil content keeps you fuller for longer as well as helping to decrease inflammation in the body,” says Jess.
Inflammation can lead to health problems, including chronic inflammation, which can even cause the body to hold onto fat, especially visceral fat which sits around your organs.
If you struggle to eat your five-a-day… eat like the Vietnamese
Obesity rate: 2 per cent
NOODLE soups, grilled meats, broths and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are the order of the day in Vietnam, which boasts an incredibly low obesity rate.
Most dishes are delicious, yet nutritious – so you don’t even notice how much veg you’ve eaten.
“Vegetables are filled with fibre which will keep you fuller for longer,” says Jess.
“They also contain few calories as well as high levels of vitamins and minerals, particularly non-starchy vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, peas and leafy greens.
“Having a nutrient rich diet won’t just ‘stop cravings’ for high fat and/sugary foods.
“You will feel fuller after meals, meaning you won’t feel the need for these foods as much.”
6
Pho, a healthy Vietnamese staple, might be how the country has a two per cent obesity rateCredit: Getty
She recommends filling half your plate with veg at every meal, and to make sure your veggies retain their nutrients, choose steaming over boiling or frying.
Research published in the journal Nutrition & Food Science found that when steamed, vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and lettuce lose nine to 15 per cent of their vitamin C content.
The Vietnamese way of eating is an easier way to get these veggies into meals – you can buy noodle soup kits in supermarkets to try at home.
Compared to many western countries, Vietnam’s portions are also fairly moderate.
Practising portion control is simple and can be done using just your hands.
“Aim for two fists of vegetables, one palm full of carbohydrates and one palm of protein,” says Jess.
“Any fats, such as oils, butter and cheese, should be thumb-size.”
WASHINGTON — Mattresses on the floor, next to bunk beds, in meeting rooms and gymnasiums. No access to a bathroom or drinking water. Hourlong lines to buy food at the commissary or to make a phone call.
These are some of the conditions described by lawyers and the people held at immigrant detention facilities around the country over the last few months. The number of detained immigrants surpassed a record 60,000 this month. A Los Angeles Times analysis of public data shows that more than a third of ICE detainees have spent time in an overcapacity dedicated detention center this year.
In the first half of the year, at least 19 out of 49 dedicated detention facilities exceeded their rated bed capacity and many more holding facilities and local jails exceeded their agreed-upon immigrant detainee capacity. During the height of arrest activity in June, facilities that were used to operating with plenty of available beds suddenly found themselves responsible for the meals, medical attention, safety and sleeping space for four times as many detainees as they had the previous year.
“There are so many things we’ve seen before — poor food quality, abuse by guards, not having clean clothes or underwear, not getting hygiene products,” said Silky Shah, executive director of Detention Watch Network, a coalition that aims to abolish immigrant detention. “But the scale at which it’s happening feels greater, because it’s happening everywhere and people are sleeping on floors.”
Shah said there’s no semblance of dignity now. “I’ve been doing this for many years; I don’t think I even had the imagination of it getting this bad,” she added.
Shah said conditions have deteriorated in part because of how quickly this administration scaled up arrests. It took the first Trump administration more than two years to reach its peak of about 55,0000 detainees in 2019.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the allegations about inhumane detention conditions false and a “hoax.” She said the agency has significantly expanded detention space in places such as Indiana and Nebraska and is working to rapidly remove detainees from those facilities to their countries of origin.
McLaughlin emphasized that the department provides comprehensive medical care, but did not respond to questions about other conditions.
Detainees do stretches outdoors as a helicopter flies overhead at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Krome detention center in Miami on July 4, 2025.
(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)
At the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, the maximum number of detainees in a day in 2024 was 615, four more than the rated bed capacity of 611. In late June of this year, the detainee population reached 1,961, more than three times the capacity. The facility, which is near the Everglades, spent 161 days in the beginning of the year with more people to house than beds.
Miami attorney Katie Blankenship of the legal aid organization Sanctuary of the South represents people detained at Krome. Last month, she saw nine Black men piled into a visitation room, surrounded with glass windows, that holds a small table and four chairs. They had pushed the table against the wall and spread a cardboard box flat across the floor, where they were taking turns sleeping.
The men had no access to a bathroom or drinking water. They stood because there was no room to sit.
Blankenship said three of the men put their documents up to the window so she could better understand their cases. All had overstayed their visas and were detained as part of an immigration enforcement action, not criminal proceedings.
Another time, Blankenship said, she saw an elderly man cramped up in pain, unable to move, on the floor of a bigger room. Other men put chairs together and lifted him so he could rest more comfortably while guards looked on, she said.
Blankenship visits often enough that people held in the visitation and holding rooms recognize her as a lawyer whenever she walks by. They bang on the glass, yell out their identification numbers and plead for help, she said.
“These are images that won’t leave me,” Blankenship said. “It’s dystopian.”
Krome is unique in the dramatic fluctuation of its detainee population. On Feb. 18, the facility saw its biggest single-day increase. A total of 521 individuals were booked in, most transferred from hold rooms across the state, including Orlando and Tampa. Hold rooms are temporary spaces for detainees to await further processing for transfers, medical treatment or other movement into or out of a facility. They are to be used to hold individuals for no more than 12 hours.
On the day after its huge influx, Krome received a waiver exempting the facility from the requirement to log hold room activity. But it never resumed the logs. Homeland Security did not respond to a request for an explanation of the exception.
After reaching their first peak of 1,764 on March 16, the trend reversed.
Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) visited Krome on April 24. In the weeks before the visit, hundreds of detainees were transferred out. Most were moved to other facilities in Florida, some to Texas and Louisiana.
“When those lawmakers came around, they got rid of a whole bunch of detainees,” said Blankenship’s client Mopvens Louisdor.
The 30-year-old man from Haiti said conditions started to deteriorate around March as hundreds of extra people were packed into the facility.
Staffers are so overwhelmed that for detainees who can’t leave their cells for meals, he said, “by the time food gets to us, it’s cold.”
Also during this time, from April 29 through May 1, the facility underwent a compliance inspection conducted by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Detention Oversight. Despite the dramatic reduction in the population, the inspection found several issues with crowding and meals. Some rooms exceeded the 25-person capacity for each and some hold times were nearly double the 12-hour limit. Inspectors observed detainees sleeping on the hold room floors without pillows or blankets. Staffers had not recorded offering a meal to the detainees in the hold rooms for more than six hours.
Hold rooms are not designed for long waits
ICE detention standards require just 7 square feet of unencumbered space for each detainee. Seating must provide 18 inches of space per detainee.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Sanitary and medical attention were also areas of concern noted in the inspection. In most units, there were too many detainees for the number of toilets, showers and sinks. Some medical records showed that staffers failed to complete required mental and medical health screenings for new arrivals, and failed to complete tuberculosis screenings.
Detainees have tested positive for tuberculosis at facilities such as the Anchorage Correctional Complex in Alaska and the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California. McLaughlin, the Homeland Security assistant secretary, said that detainees are screened for tuberculosis within 12 hours of arrival and that anyone who refuses a test is isolated as a precaution.
“It is a long-standing practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,” she said. “This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”
Facility administrators built a tented area outside the main building to process arriving detainees, but it wasn’t enough to alleviate the overcrowding, Louisdor said. Earlier this month, areas with space for around 65 detainees were holding more than 100, with cots spread across the floor between bunk beds.
Over-capacity facilities can feel extremely cramped
Bed capacity ratings are based on facility design. Guidelines require 50 square feet of space for each individual. When buildings designed to those specifications go over their rated capacity, there is not enough room to house additional detainees safely and comfortably.
American Correctional Association and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Louisdor said a young man who uses a wheelchair had resorted to relieving himself in a water bottle because staffers weren’t available to escort him to the restroom.
During the daily hour that detainees are allowed outside for recreation, 300 people stood shoulder to shoulder, he said, making it difficult to get enough exercise. When fights occasionally broke out, guards could do little to stop them, he said.
The line to buy food or hygiene products at the commissary was so long that sometimes detainees left empty-handed.
Louisdor said he has bipolar disorder, for which he takes medication. The day he had a court hearing, the staff mistakenly gave him double the dosage, leaving him unable to stand.
Since then, Louisdor said, conditions have slightly improved, though dormitories are still substantially overcrowded.
In California, detainees and lawyers similarly reported that medical care has deteriorated.
Tracy Crowley, a staff attorney at Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said clients with serious conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer don’t receive their medication some days.
Cells that house up to eight people are packed with 11. With air conditioning blasting all night, detainees have told her the floor is cold and they have gotten sick. Another common complaint, she said, is that clothes and bedding are so dirty that some clients are getting rashes all over their bodies, making it difficult to sleep.
Luis at Chicano Park in San Diego on Aug. 23, 2025.
(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)
One such client is Luis, a 40-year-old from Colombia who was arrested in May at the immigration court in San Diego after a hearing over his pending asylum petition. Luis asked to be identified by his middle name out of concern over his legal case.
When he first arrived at Otay Mesa Detention Center, Luis said, the facility was already filled to the maximum capacity. By the time he left June 30, it was overcrowded. Rooms that slept six suddenly had 10 people. Mattresses were placed in a mixed-use room and in the gym.
Luis developed a rash, but at the medical clinic he was given allergy medication and sleeping pills. The infection continued until finally he showed it over a video call to his mother, who had worked in public health, and she told him to request an anti-fungal cream.
Luis was held at Otay Mesa Detention Center after his May arrest. It was at capacity when he arrived but by the time he left in June, it was overcrowded, he said.
(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)
Other detainees often complained to Luis that their medication doses were incomplete or missing, including two men in his dorm who took anti-psychotic medication.
“They would get stressed out, start to fight — everything irritated them,” he said. “That affected all of us.”
Crowley said the facility doesn’t have the infrastructure or staff to hold as many people as are there now. The legal system also can’t process them in a timely manner, she said, forcing people to wait months for a hearing.
The administration’s push to detain more people is only compounding existing issues, Crowley said.
“They’re self-imposing the limit, and most of the people involved in that decision-making are financially incentivized to house more and more people,” she said. “Where is the limit with this administration?”
Members of the California National Guard load a truck outside the ICE Processing Center in Adelanto, Calif., on July 11, 2025.
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP/Getty Images)
Other facilities in California faced similar challenges. At the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, the number of detainees soared to 1,000 from 300 over a week in June, prompting an outcry over deteriorated conditions.
As of July 29, Adelanto held 1,640 detainees. The Desert View Annex, an adjacent facility also operated by the GEO Group, held 451.
Disability Rights California toured the facility and interviewed staffers and 18 people held there. The advocacy organization released a report last month detailing its findings, including substantial delays in meal distribution, a shortage of drinking water, and laundry washing delays, leading many detainees to remain in soiled clothing for long periods.
In a letter released last month, 85 Adelanto detainees wrote, “They always serve the food cold … sometimes we don’t have water for 2 to 7 hours and they said to us to drink from the sink.”
At the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga., Rodney Taylor, a double amputee, was rendered nearly immobile.
Taylor, who was born in Liberia, uses electronic prosthetic legs that must be charged and can’t get wet. The outlets in his dormitory were inoperable, and because of the overcrowding and short-staffing, guards couldn’t take him to another area to plug them in, said his fiancee, Mildred Pierre.
“When they’re not charged they’re super heavy, like dead weight,” she said. It becomes difficult to balance without falling.
Pierre said the air conditioning in his unit didn’t work for two months, causing water to puddle on the floor. Taylor feared he would slip while walking and fall — which happened once in May — and damage the expensive prosthetics.
Last month, Taylor refused to participate in the daily detainee count, telling guards he wouldn’t leave his cell unless they agreed to leave the cell doors open to let the air circulate.
“They didn’t take him to charge his legs and now they wanted him to walk through water and go in a hot room,” Pierre recalled. “He said no — he stood his ground.”
Several guards surrounded him, yelling, Pierre said. They placed him in solitary confinement for three days as punishment, she said.
A BELOVED grandmother choked to death after being fed the wrong food in a care home.
Joan Whitworth died at the Oaks Care Home in Northumberland after staff prepared her meal in a way which “did not comply with her diet plan”.
3
Joan Whitworth, 88, tragically died after choking on her foodCredit: NCJ Media
3
An inquest heard the grandmother was living at the Oaks Care HomeCredit: Google Maps
3
The 88-year-old’s meal had not been prepared correctlyCredit: NCJ Media
An inquest heard the 88-year-old had lived with her daughter Gillian but moved into the facility when her dementia progressed.
When eating a meal on March 3, 2023, Joan began to display signs of choking.
But the inquest heard how a care assistant did not intervene and had to ask another staff member for help to deliver back slaps and abdominal thrusts.
And, CPR was not performed due to the “inaccurate understanding of a registered nurse”.
Following the hearing, Northumberland’s senior coroner Andrew Hetheringtonhas written a “prevention of future deaths” report.
The care home and NHS trust have 56 days to respond.
The coroner concluded Joan died “in a care home as a result of choking”.
And in his written report, he outlined a total of six “matters of concern”.
Of these, one was regarding the NHS trust and five were directed to the care home’s operator Hillcare.
The first issue was found with the speech and language team.
Joan’s assessment had not been written down in a formal report, meaning observations of her eating had only been passed on verbally.
The coroner also concluded that a nurse and care assistant at the home “were not in date with their training in Basic Life Support and First Aid at Work”.
The coroner added: “I am concerned that a chef in evidence at the inquest was not aware that breaded fish was not a suitable food stuff in the diet identified for the deceased.
“I am concerned that other residents could be fed inappropriate food stuffs that are not in line with their identified diet plans.”
Bryan Smith, Joan’s son-in-law, told ChronicleLive: “Right from the start, we knew what had happened – that they hadn’t given her the right food.
“We knew she hadn’t been looked after.
“The reason we have pursued this is that we knew what had happened.”
Bryan added how the family had been “shocked and astounded by the quantity and severity of the mistakes” that were highlighted in the inquest.
He told how many families have shared similar “painful and shocking experiences”.
In a statement on behalf of the family read in court, they paid tribute: “Joan was a well loved character in Blyth. She was manager of Robson’s shoe shop and then moved to the Water Board.
“When we used to go shopping with Joan, it would take you an hour to get past the car park – as she knew everyone in Blyth with a tap or a pair of shoes!”
A Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “All referrals to our speech and language therapy service are robustly triaged using a risk and evidence-based approach to inform the most appropriate care for that individual. This includes information on the referral form and discussion with the patient and / or those who care for them daily to gather the most up-to-date information.
“We cannot comment further on this case due to patient confidentiality, but would like to offer our sincere condolences to Mrs Whitworth’s family and loved ones.”
A spokesperson for The Oaks Care Home said: “We acknowledge the Coroner’s report relating to the death of Joan Whitworth at our home in March 2023. Our thoughts remain with her family and loved ones.
“Following the incident, we carried out a full review and made all necessary changes to our practices and procedures. These have been in place for some time and will be reflected in our formal response to the Coroner’s report. The safety, dignity, and wellbeing of those in our care remain our highest priorities.”
Mark Danby, a UK expat who ditched Britain for a life in sunny Spain, recently found himself craving fish and chips but was left floored when he sampled an offering in Spain
Mark Danby posts Spain-related content on his YouTube channel, Tapas Guy(Image: Mark Danby)
A British man who recently treated himself to a “humongous” portion of fish and chips in Spain was left floored when he tasted it. Mark Danby, a UK expat who hails from Stockport, Greater Manchester, ditched his life in Britain for an enviable existence on the sun-kissed shores of Spain, namely Manilva, a municipality in Malaga on the Costa del Sol.
However, it seems that he has found it difficult to forget some aspects of life in the UK, particularly one of the nation’s delicacies. Luckily for him, the British favourite of fish and chips appears to be readily available in his new home.
He decided to order a large cod and chips for €16.95 (approximately £14.65) and sat outside to eat his meal. When it arrived, Mark noted the “humongous” size of the portion.
Mark noted the “humongous” size of the portion (Image: Tapas Guy/YouTube)
Indeed, conceding that he perhaps shouldn’t have “gone for large”, Mark unwrapped the paper to reveal not one but two fish in what appeared on camera to be a huge portion.
Despite this, when it came to the tasting, Mark was left unimpressed. Sampling the chips first, he said: “I mean, it’s okay, but it’s a little bit greasy.
“Don’t know if you can see the grease on that, but certainly not crispy. Sort of a bit soggy, bit sort of bendy. I think it needs a sauce. Not particularly tasty, unfortunately. I mean, they’re okay.”
Next up was the cod, which he also described as “greasy”, although he conceded the second piece was “crispy on the top” and looked a “little bit better” underneath.
He noted that it was a “bit flaky”, but it “doesn’t hold the flakiness” and proceeded to push pieces of it onto his work, but it “kind of just mushes together”.
Mark appeared to soften his opinion of the meal later on (Image: Tapas Guy/YouTube)
He added: “I’m afraid the fish is absolutely tasteless. So what you’re left with…tasteless. I’m afraid it’s tasteless fish and greasy batter. Let’s try this piece of batter. Well, I have to say I’m disappointed at this point.”
Yet, during his summary, Mark appeared to have softened his opinion somewhat, saying the quantity and price were “pretty good value”, but he wasn’t a fan of the “quality” of the food, highlighting the fish in particular.
He did, however, note some “mitigating circumstances”, noting that the fryer could have played a “part” if they were cooking with just one, and said the tartar sauce was “very nice”.
Mark also mentioned that he ate a “fair amount” and conceded that it filled him up, and when it came to giving his meal a score out of ten, he gave the fish and chips a respectable seven or “possibly an eight”.
Igbo-Ora in Nigeria has been dubbed the ‘Twin Capital of the World’, with an unusually high number of twins born there – and locals believe they’ve found the reason why
The town hosts an annual World Twins Festival(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A tiny Nigerian town is known for its high rate of twins, leaving scientists scratching their heads for years. In Yoruba culture, prevalent in the area where the town of Igbo-Ora is situated, twins are seen as a gift from the supreme deity Olodumare and are thought to be protected by spirits – they are even thought to have supernatural abilities.
One local resident hinted at a “secret” that could explain the remarkable twin phenomenon.
Globetrotting YouTube star Drew Binsky made his way to the so-called ‘Twin Capital of the World’ to chat with locals about their town’s extraordinary claim to fame. Despite Nigeria being officially an English-speaking nation, Drew discovered that finding people speaking his native language was challenging.
There’s an extraordinarily high proportion of twins born in the town(Image: YouTube/DrewBinsky)
He said: “Even though Nigeria is an English speaking country, it’s actually very difficult to find English speakers. Usually the ones that go to school that are educated can speak. But here in the villages, they usually speak native language, which is Yoruba.”
Drew eventually teamed up with a local woman named Grace, who became his guide and offered one intriguing theory for the abundance of twins.
She revealed: “There’s actually a secret behind that. There is a soup in our land here that people eat that will make them to give birth to twins and multiple [births].”
Grace, herself a twin, helped Drew chat to Yoruba-speaking locals(Image: YouTube/DrewBinsky)
Grace attributes the town’s unique demographic pattern to a local dish made with okra leaves, although researchers have yet to establish any concrete evidence linking the local diet to the twin mystery.
The town of Igbo-Ora, renowned for its high proportion of multiple births, may have found a clue in the peel of locally-grown yams, with a University of Lagos Teaching Hospital study suggesting a chemical link to the phenomenon.
Local resident Grace expressed her pride in living in Igbo-Ora, noting the scientific interest in the town’s twin phenomenon.
She continued: “Everybody’s a twin here. There is no single house in this town that does not have a twins. Every house, no matter how small or how big the house is, they will surely have a set of twins.”
It’s almost unusual not to be a twin in Igbo-Ora(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
While the global average for twin births stands at about 12 per 1,000, Igbo-Ora boasts an astonishing rate of at least 50 per 1,000.
Drew sampled the okra-leaf soup known as Ilasa, jokingly hinting it might increase his chances of having twins.
The soup, a local delicacy, features okra leaf, “locust beans,” and marugbo herb.
Igbo-Ora celebrates its unique status with a twins festival, where twins, triplets, and even quadruplets don matching attire and take part in photo sessions.
Despite its fame for multiple births, Igbo-Ora faces severe economic challenges, with one inhabitant describing the town as “financially handicapped” and calling for assistance from international aid organisations.
Australian woman Erin Patterson is guilty of murdering three relatives with a toxic mushroom lunch, a jury has found.
The 50-year-old has also been found guilty of the attempted murder of the sole guest who survived the beef Wellington meal in 2023.
Patterson’s much-watched trial in the small Victorian town of Morwell heard evidence suggesting she had hunted down death cap mushrooms sighted in nearby towns, before trying to conceal her crimes by lying to police and disposing of evidence.
Her legal team had argued she unintentionally foraged lethal fungi, then “panicked” upon accidentally poisoning family members she loved. The jury on Monday ruled she did it intentionally.
Three people died in hospital in the days after the meal on 29 July 2023: Patterson’s former in-laws, Don Patterson, 70, and Gail Patterson, 70, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
Local pastor Ian Wilkinson – Heather’s husband – recovered after weeks of treatment in hospital.
Patterson’s estranged partner Simon Patterson had also been invited to the lunch but pulled out at the last minute. She was originally accused of attempting to murder him too – on several occasions – but those charges were dropped on the eve of the trial and the allegations were not put to the jury.
The case captured the world’s attention, becoming one of the most closely watched trials in Australian history.
Over nine weeks, the Victorian Supreme Court heard from more than 50 witnesses – including Patterson herself. Detectives described rifling through her garbage bins for leftovers, doctors outlined the gradual but brutal decline of the victims’ health, and Patterson’s estranged husband emotionally explained the souring nature of their relationship.
The only thing the case was missing was a motive – something key to Patterson’s defence.
Prosecutors argued Patterson had faked a cancer diagnosis to coax the guests to her house, then poisoned them and feigned illness to ward off suspicion.
She admitted to lying to police and medical staff about foraging for wild mushrooms, dumping a food dehydrator used to prepare the meal, and repeatedly wiping her mobile phone – all evidence of her guilt, prosecutors said.
From the witness box, Erin Patterson told the court she loved her relatives and had no reason to harm them.
She repeatedly denied intentionally putting the poisonous fungi in the meal, and said she realised days after the lunch that the beef Wellingtons may have accidentally included dried, foraged varieties that were kept in a container with store-bought ones.
She also told the court she had suffered from bulimia for years, and had made herself throw up after the beef Wellington meal – something her defence team said explained why she did not become as sick as the others who ate it.
The lie about having cancer was because she was embarrassed about plans to get weight-loss surgery, Ms Patterson said. She also claimed she didn’t tell authorities the truth about her mushroom foraging hobby because she feared they might blame her for making her relatives sick.
Ultimately, after a week of deliberation, the jury decided: returning four guilty verdicts which could see Patterson spend the rest of her life in jail.
MCDONALD’S fans are demanding the return of a much-loved breakfast deal that fans called “a lifesaver”.
The fast food chain has withdrawn its £2.99 breakfast consisting of a Sausage and Egg McMuffin with a hot drink, leaving customers angrily vowing to breakfast elsewhere.
1
The sausage and egg McMuffin deal with a drink was popular among customersCredit: Handout
One said on Reddit.com: “The only thing I would get from McDonald’s recently would be the £2.99 sausage and egg McMuffin and a drink deal.
“Now that’s disappeared from my local, I can’t justify the prices on anything else!”
Another said on X.com, formerly known as Twitter: “McMuffin and Hot Drinks deal needs to be brought back.
“It was a lifesaver for people who are tight on money.
“I went to Lichfield this morning and was shocked to see it’s no longer there. Went to @GreggsOfficial instead.”
A third added: “What’s happened to your breakfast McMuffin and hot drink deal? Really disappointed it disappeared from the menu.
“It just sends me and others to @GreggsOfficial who do an amazing breakfast deal.”
Meanwhile, a fourth fan fumed: “Shame on you for taking £2.99 sausage egg McMuffin & hot drink deal off!!
“Do you know how many struggling UK citizens relied on this for a substantial breakfast? Now at £5, it’s out of their range.”
Another said: “Rip McMuffin and coffee breakfast deal, you will be missed.”
It’s understood the deal was a limited offer in participating stores, meaning it wasn’t a permanent menu fixture.
Last year, the same items were available for £2.79, but the 20p price rise didn’t put fans off.
Buying the same items would now cost around £4.80, with a sausage and egg McMuffin priced at £3.39 and a regular white coffee is £1.39.
McDonald’s is currently offering its Breakfast Saver Menu, which in some branches includes a separate £2.99 deal for a Saver Bacon Roll and a drink.
A McDonald’s spokesperson told The Sun: “We know how much our customers enjoy our iconic breakfast offerings and it was great to [see] the popularity of that Breakfast Deal.
“We’re always evolving our menu to keep things fresh and exciting for our customers, and we regularly review our Saver Menu to ensure it offers choice for all.”
In comparison, Greggs offers a breakfast roll meal deal for £2.85.
This includes a breakfast roll with one filling as well as a regular hot drink or a 250ml bottle of orange juice.
Holidaymakers are being warned that they could face fines or criminal prosecution for bringing an innocent sandwich into an EU country due to strict meat and dairy rules
03:51, 18 Jun 2025Updated 03:52, 18 Jun 2025
“To avoid fines or potential criminal prosecution, ensure that any meat or dairy products are not carried into the EU.”
British holidaymakers gearing up for a European getaway this summer have been given a stark warning about a deceptively simple blunder that could put them at loggerheads with EU border officials.
British travellers risk incurring hefty fines or possibly even facing legal action if they unwittingly transport something as innocuous as a prepackaged sandwich into an EU member state, thanks to stringent import restrictions on meat and dairy products.
Maryanne Sparks from European Waterways has alerted UK nationals: “If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you – this includes those you would find in a meal deal sandwich.”
In light of Brexit, Britain has been designated as a third country outside the EU, meaning British citizens must adhere to the same tight rules faced by other non-EU nations.
Maryanne warned further: “When arriving in the EU, you may have to undergo official controls by the authorities.
“If you are carrying any undeclared meat or dairy products, they will be confiscated and destroyed. Additionally, you may be fined or face criminal prosecution.”, reports the Express.
The European Commission has highlighted concerns that items containing “meat, milk or their products” carry significant risks for animal health across the bloc.
Holidaymakers could face fines or even criminal prosecution for bringing a sandwich to the EU(Image: Getty)
Providing advice to travellers, Maryanne clarified: “It is safe to consume these sandwiches in the airport and on the plane, but they must be disposed of either before you get off the flight or as soon as you enter the terminal at the other side.”
Travellers are warned: “To avoid fines or potential criminal prosecution, ensure that any meat or dairy products are not carried into the EU.”
However, there are a few exceptions to these rules. Parents can breathe a sigh of relief as powdered infant milk and baby food are allowed.
Additionally, you can bring up to 20kg of fish or 2kg of honey, as well as live oysters, mussels, and snails.
It’s essential to note that these restrictions only apply to individuals entering the EU from non-member countries.
If you’re travelling between EU nations or arriving from countries like Norway, Switzerland, Andorra, or Iceland, you’re exempt from these rules.
As the holiday season kicks off, experts advise Brits to carefully inspect their luggage and refrain from carrying prohibited food items to avoid any issues or penalties at the border.
NEWARK, N.J. — Protesters outside a New Jersey federal immigration detention center locked arms and pushed against barricades as vehicles passed through gates, inmates inside relayed word that meals had been delayed, and Newark’s mayor cited reports of a possible uprising and escape as disorder broke out at the facility.
Much is still unclear about what unfolded at the Delaney Hall facility in Newark, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement opened a 1,000-bed facility this year as part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Photos and video from outside the facility Thursday show protesters pushing against the gates amid word that detainees inside were upset about delayed meals.
Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said some officers sprayed pepper spray and tackled and dragged protesters away from the facility. She said some protesters had minor injuries, but no one was hit by the vehicles.
An attorney for someone detained at the facility told NJ.com people inside became violent after meals were delayed.
“It’s about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent,” attorney Mustafa Cetin said. “Based on what he told me it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down.”
Attorneys with clients inside Delaney Hall have had calls canceled and have not been able to get inside the facility Friday, according to Araceti Argueta, a spokesperson for the American Friends Service Committee, a nonprofit that represents immigrants.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who’s been critical of Trump’s immigration crackdown, early Friday called for an end to this “chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked.”
“We are concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees,” he said.
It’s unclear whether there have been any escapes.
In a statement issued Friday, American Friends Service Committee said people inside the facility reported getting small portions of food, with breakfast at 6 a.m., dinner at 10 p.m. and no lunch.
Messages seeking comment were left with ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and local police.
GEO Group, which owns the facility referred questions to ICE.
ICE housed more than 53,000 people nationwide at the end of May, its latest public figures, which is well above its budgeted capacity of about 41,000 and approaching all-time highs.
Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and chief architect of Trump’s immigration policies, said late last month that ICE should make at least 3,000 arrests a day. That would mark a dramatic increase from Jan. 20 to May 19, when the agency made an average of 656 arrests a day.
Delaney Hall has been the cite of clashes this year between Democratic officials who say the facility needs more oversight and the administration and those who run the facility.
Baraka was arrested May 9, handcuffed and charged with trespassing. The charge was later dropped and Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver was later charged with assaulting federal officers stemming from a skirmish that happened outside the facility. She has denied the charges said she was doing her job as a lawmaker conducting oversight.
A woman bought a McDonald’s meal while she was on holiday in Turkey but she was totally floored by price. She couldn’t believe how much money the meal set her back
10:10, 12 Jun 2025Updated 10:11, 12 Jun 2025
The price left her stunned (stock image)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A woman who jetted off to Turkey on holiday was left floored when she bought a McDonald’s meal. The holidaymaker, known as Emzie, said she was gobsmacked when she was handed the bill after she snapped up a meal at the airport.
She said the price of a McDonald’s meal is “ridiculous” at Antalya Airport, as it was “nothing speical” when compared to offerings at UK stores. Emzie posted about the incident on TikTok as she couldn’t believe how much money it cost her to purchase a few burgers, and many people agreed that the prices seemed to be more expensive than you’d expect.
In the clip, she said: “What can I say? McDonald’s at Antalya Airport – crazy prices. They want €20, which is roughly about £18, for a Big Mac meal – that’s a regular size.
“We got two triple cheese burgers, a medium Coke and a medium Fanta, and in total in English that was £37.00. There’s nothing special about it.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Emzie said she didn’t think the meal was worth the hefty price tag, and people shared their personal views in the comments too. Many couldn’t believe their eyes after they saw the receipt, and the video prompted hundreds to comment.
One person said: “We paid £94.” Another wrote: “I spent €85 there for me and my two kids.”
A third also replied: “Omg – they are disgusting prices.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “How can anyone afford to pay that or want to pay that? It’s actually insane.”
However, despite people sharing similar experiences, others were quick to point out that they didn’t think she should have bought the food if she considered it too expensive.
Someone else chimed in with: “Can’t buy it and the complain. You saw the prices before buying.” Another added: “Just don’t buy them?”
One more also wrote: “Don’t buy it then. Eat before you leave the hotel. Most drivers in Turkey stop on the way to the airport at a diner or shop.”
Even though people had varied views, some have been raisng concerns about rising prices in Turkey lately. There are reasons why inflation has hit the popular holiday destination, according to reports.
Why is Turkey becoming so expensive?
There are a few reasons why prices are said to have shot up in Turkey. Statista shared some advice.
The website reads: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.
“It is not surprising that food inflation has not simmered down, as the producer price index (PPI) of agricultural products followed a constant increasing trend in the country over the past few years.”
However, it’s noted the country is also taking steps to help boost tourism, including addressing rising prices, making tourist offerings more diverse and investing in infrastructure. The Government is said to be working to reduce inflation, and some people are also promoting niche tourism areas like spas and health care.
AN ALLERGY threat for a popular beef lasagne has led to customers being urged to bin the product.
Health chiefs issued an urgent recall last night after the La Famiglia Rana Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Lasagne was discovered to contain lobster.
2
Shoppers with crustacean allergies have been told to bin the above productCredit: Rana
2
nullCredit: Getty
They cited a ‘packaging error’ as the cause of the issue which could impact shoppers with an allergy to crustaceans.
The Food Standards Agency warned that “some packs may contain Prawn & Lobster Lasagne, that contains crustaceans, (prawn and lobster) which are not mentioned on the label.”
Shoppers should look out for the batch code L0B510816 and a use by date of 17 June 2025 for the 700g pack of the product.
The alert said that Giovanna Rana Ltd is “recalling the above product from customers.”
They added: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to crustaceans, do not eat it.
“Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund, even without a receipt.”
A man has shared how much it costs to buy a meal at McDonald’s in a popular airport and people are gobsmacked at the price. People can’t get over how much it is
People can’t get over the prices (stock image)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A bloke has left Brits utterly flabbergasted after revealing the eye-watering cost of a McDonald’s meal at a well-known airport. Craig took to TikTok to show his followers the hefty price tag of grabbing a bite at Antalya Airport in Turkey, and viewers are absolutely staggered.
In his revealing video, he explained that while at Antalya Airport, he was looking at what was on offer at the eatery. But, as he perused the menu, the prices struck him as “mad”, prompting him to share the cost of some fan-favourite meals at this location.
The footage shows a Big Mac Meal ringing in at a whopping €20,90 – that’s about £16. And, if you’re hankering for a Big Tasty Classic Meal, be prepared to fork out even more, with a price tag of €21,90.
Even a Double Cheeseburger Meal isn’t spared, costing an eye-popping €20,50. Since Craig posted the video, it’s been viewed thousands of times, leaving customers gobsmacked by the exorbitant prices.
The clip has racked up thousands of views, sparking a frenzy of comments from shocked fast-food lovers.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
One person questioned: “Antalya and Istanbul Airports are the most expensive airports in the world. Tell me the reason why?” Another shared their recent experience: “Literally just got home from Turkey a couple of hours ago, refused to pay at the airport, so now have a McDonald’s en route to the house.”
A third chimed in with disbelief, writing: “Why do people pay those ridiculous prices?” And, yet another commenter echoed the sentiment, saying: “Antalya prices are a massive rip-off.”
Some commentators noted that prices in Turkey have been on the rise for some time, while others argued that not all areas of Turkey are pricey to visit. Additionally, a few people expressed puzzlement over why tourists opt to pay the steep prices.
Why has Turkey become so expensive?
According to Statista, there are several factors at play. The website states: “Domestic producer price indices have been continuously rising, which has directly resulted in a price increase in all consumer goods and services. Accordingly, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in all commodity groups increased extremely since 2022.
“In the same year, the food and non-alcoholic beverages category had one of the highest inflation rates in the CPI. This particularly affected Turkish consumers, as these products accounted for the highest share of household expenditure in 2023.
“Since 2020, food prices have increased significantly around the world, and Turkey is no exception. Although inflation has started to slow down recently, food prices in Turkey continue to go up steadily, increasing by 48.6 percent in November 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year.
“It is not surprising that food inflation has not simmered down, as the producer price index (PPI) of agricultural products followed a constant increasing trend in the country over the past few years.”
However, it’s reported that Turkey is making strides to bolster tourism, including tackling rising costs, diversifying tourist attractions and pumping money into infrastructure. The Government is reportedly striving to curb inflation, with some individuals also pushing niche tourism sectors like spas and health care.
McDonald’s has been approached for a comment regarding the cost of meals at Antalya Airport.