3 h. ago Holidays in hell: summer camp with Russia’s forgotten children

At the rural orphanage where I volunteered, the place resembled a Dickensian workhouse. The staff’s main tools were antipsychotics and violence. The experience gave me a window into Putin’s Russia In the summer of 2007, I joined a group of 30 Russian and English students to work on a month-long summer camp at a state orphanage for mentally and physically disabled children in the Pskov region, south of St Petersburg. We lived in a house nearby, or in tents pitched in the garden. Every day, we walked up to the orphanage to put on developmental activities, sporting events, solve puzzles, play games, stage shows and go on camping trips.I volunteered at the orphanage, in the village of Belskoye Ustye, for almost a decade, but it was the first visit that made the biggest impression. I had seen nothing like it. My closest reference point was probably workhouses or orphanages from a Charles Dickens novel. I vividly remember the smells – cooked food, unwashed bodies, chlorine and urine – and...

Politics

3 d. ago 'I'm a flight attendant – this is why you should avoid beers at the airport'

With the summer holidays on the horizon, many are looking forward to jetting off on their much-anticipated breaks - but a flight attendant has shared what not to do before boarding a flight

Transport

4 d. ago Strictly winner Ellie Leach selling her clothes from as little as £4 after candid career update

The former Corrie star has revealed she's clearing out her closet ready for new clothes for an upcoming summer holiday, and fans can get their hands on some bargains

Economics

5 d. ago TUI expands Spanish routes to two major hotspots as Ryanair scraps 12

While rising aviation levies are pushing some airlines to cut popular EU flight routes, TUI is doubling down on Spain holiday offerings ahead of summer 2025

Politics

5 d. ago Jet2 shares slump on warning of later bookings and higher costs

Costs include hotel accommodation, National Insurance Contributions and delayed plane deliveries

Events

6 d. ago Foreign Office warns of five documents you'll need to holiday in Spain this summer

The FCDO is urging people to be prepared ahead of their trip

Events

6 d. ago Man with Down's Syndrome died after his carer accidentally jumped on top of him in a swimming pool during a summer holiday in Spain, inquest hears

Michael Parker, 43, died at the Salou Princess Hotel near Tarragona, on the southern coast of Spain, on June 12, 2023. He was accidentally hit by carer Harry Beckwith, who jumped on him in the pool.

Events

7 d. ago Save up to £400 on getaways to Greece, Spain and more with TUI’s tempting trip deals

Score a low-deposit summer adventure to Malta, Madeira and more

Economics

7 d. ago Down's Syndrome sufferer died after his carer accidentally jumped on top of him in a swimming pool during a summer holiday in Spain, inquest hears

Michael Parker, 43, died at the Salou Princess Hotel near Tarragona, on the southern coast of Spain, on June 12, 2023. He was accidentally hit by carer Harry Beckwith, who jumped on him in the pool.

Events