5 d. ago Choose comfort, ditch boring and prioritise pleasure – how to find the perfect beach read

It’s easy to dismiss holiday novels as pulpy, but relaxing with a book you enjoy has huge health benefits. Here’s how to read yourself happy this summerLeo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina is a masterpiece. It has never been out of print. Luminaries from William Faulkner to Jilly Cooper have remarked on its brilliance. It is usually within the top 10 of any list of the “100 books you simply must read before you die”. However, I would argue that it’s a singularly poor choice of a book to bring with you for 10 days on the beach in Tenerife. Especially in hardback.I really tried. Every day, I’d read two or three pages before realising I’d read the same pages the day before, and it simply hadn’t stuck. I kept drifting off during the more complex descriptions of 19th-century property law. I simply couldn’t see what Anna saw in Vronsky; he seemed dreadful, just a slightly different kind of dreadful from her husband, Karenin. My arms ached, the sand seemed unusually gritty, and on day four, a...

Politics

5 d. ago Talisman Stokes at Edgbaston evokes Flintoff’s 2005 impact – but he is due a score

England team hang on their captain’s every word but he is on his longest run of Tests without a centuryA day out from the second Test against India at Edgbaston and Andrew Flintoff was dog-sticking to England’s batters in the nets, his very presence bringing memories of 20 years ago flooding back. It was here where Flintoff wrote his name into Ashes folklore, igniting the afterburners for England’s statement first innings, rescuing the second with a six-laden counterattack, and then sending down a famous over on the third evening that vaporised Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.As well as driving England to that famous two-run victory, 141 runs and seven wickets across the four days made it Flintoff’s statistical peak as a fast-bowling all-rounder – the only time he went north of 100 runs and five wickets in the same Test. People often underestimate the physical and mental demands that the dual role places on those hardy enough to even attempt it; expecting both facets of their game t...

Politics

6 d. ago Heatwave to peak with temperatures of up to 35C in likely hottest day of year

Tuesday could be the hottest day of the year so far as extreme heat warnings remain in place.

Politics

7 d. ago Second 30C day for London ahead of Monday's UK heatwave peak

Second 30C day for London ahead of Monday's UK heatwave peak  BBC

Politics

2 w. ago It’s the first day of summer. Here’s what happens on the longest day of the year

The Northern Hemisphere has reached its peak sunshine, marking the summer solstice – the longest day of the year and the official start of astronomical summer. Conversely, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, it signifies the shortest day and the onset of winter.

Politics

2 w. ago Flights are 'almost always cheaper' on two days of the month

A travel expert has revealed the best time to book a holiday, including the perfect time to get the cheapest flights and hotels - and it's not as far in advance as you might think

Politics

2 w. ago Why buying a plane ticket means you're NOT guaranteed a seat on your flight: Experts reveal the hidden catches that could curtail your best laid holiday plans

Airlines will sometimes book more people onto a flight than there are seats on a plane because travellers do not always turn up even if they have booked a flight.

Politics

3 w. ago Air India crash survivor’s family have received ‘no support’ in desperate bid to see relative

The family of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India crash, claim they have received “no support” from the governments of the UK or India as they try to fly out to see their relative “as soon as possible”.

Events

3 w. ago Extreme heat poses a danger to players and fans at Club World Cup

Already controversial because of extra fixtures and Fifa involvement, the new tournament in the US is likely to be played in temperatures above 30CAcross this weekend, the US National Weather Service is predicting “moderate” heat risk for Miami and Los Angeles. With temperatures likely to exceed 30C, the agency warns “most individuals sensitive to heat” will be affected, a group which contains those “exercising or doing strenuous activity outdoors during the heat of the day”. This weekend is also when the Club World Cup begins.When Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kick off the tournament on Saturday night against Al Ahly of Egypt it will be 8pm in Miami and although the humidity is predicted to be high, the day’s peak temperatures will have passed. Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid, however, will play under the full height of the California sun on Sunday, with their Group B fixture a midday kick-off at the famously uncovered Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Continue reading...

Sport

3 w. ago Skyscanner says 'avoid' these 'peak days' to book holiday flight tickets

The travel search engine has explored its historical flight price data, revealing the optimal and least favourable times to book vacations

Politics

3 w. ago Queen Camilla makes surprise book awards appearance and reveals holiday reading list

Queen Camilla dropped into an event ahead of the 30th annual Women's Prize for Fiction awards, where she met authors as well as book lovers and let them know what she had been reading

Politics

3 w. ago Queen Camilla reveals holiday reading list as she makes surprise book awards appearance

Queen Camilla dropped into an event ahead of the 30th annual Women's Prize for Fiction awards, where she met authors as well as book lovers and let them know what she had been reading

Politics

4 w. ago Expert warns 'never book a holiday' without one specific item

A Which? travel expert has shared the one thing she'd never book a holiday without

Events

4 w. ago The Hollywood inspired UK seaside villa that oozes 1930s glamour you can book to stay at this summer

Families and friends can book out the National Trust villa for a holiday

Culture