2 d. ago ‘I was never worried’: 10 years on since Syrian siblings’ 2,700

Ten years after Angela Merkel declared ‘We can do this’ at the height of the 2015 migration into Europe, Syrian refugee Somar Kreker looks back at his 44-day odysseyThe trip would be tough, Somar Kreker knew, but he was not overly fearful. It was the summer of 2015, and in a small flat in Amman, Jordan, this young Syrian’s only thought was how to turn a long and arduous journey into something more bearable. The engineering student had fled Syria three and a half years earlier after refusing to enlist in the brutal regime’s army. He was now ready to begin a new chapter of his life, starting with a new task: to reunite with his younger sisters, still trapped in Damascus, and lead them to Germany, where their brother was living.“I was never worried or stressed about the trip,” says Somar, just 27 years old at the time. “I never had any thought about danger or failure. My only thoughts were how I could make the trip a happy adventure for me and my sisters. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Manchester Christmas Markets 2025 dates and locations confirmed with BIG Albert Square role

Time to start planning those Manchester Christmas Markets trips for 2025 - the dates and locations have today been confirmed with a BIG update about the return of Albert Square billed as an "early Christmas present for the city"

Economics

6 d. ago My favourite childhood outfit: ‘I was an innocent Muslim girl – and a walking endorsement for ecstasy’

At 14, on a family road trip to Europe, I mixed traditional shalwar kameez and trendy T-shirts. Unfortunately, I didn’t really understand what was on my shirt ...My favourite teen outfit was memorable for the wrong reasons. Age 14, in a desperate attempt to be cool, I bought a graphic print T-shirt depicting a bright green can of 7Up with bubbles effervescing from the top – oblivious to the fact that it didn’t say 7Up at all, it said, “EUp”, and the bubbles were not bubbles, but MDMA pills being dropped into the can. To make matters worse, the image also included Fido Dido – the cartoon mascot for 7Up – sporting bloodshot eyeballs while smoking a spliff. Little did I know that I, an innocent, drug-free Muslim girl, was a walking endorsement for ecstasy.I wore it in 1992, the year my dad decided it was time for a grand family road trip across Europe. There were 12 of us in total, aged between five and 50: aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins – we all piled into a minibus my dad had hired...

Politics

7 d. ago UK residents spend almost three times more on trips abroad than inbound visitors

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that people from the UK made a record 94.6 million visits overseas in 2024.

Politics

7 d. ago Holidaymakers snap up 'super quick drying' beach towels with 50% off until Thursday

Traditional towels can take ages to dry so even in the sunniest of spots they might not be ready in time for the next trip to the beach or pool, but one brand has a solution.

Politics

9 d. ago The firms paying dividends of up to 15% you should invest in now

August is a time for sun, sea, sand - and spending. Holidays, day trips, kids' entertainment and long evenings out mean that demands on our wallets skyrocket in the summer.

Economics

1 week ago This underrated, buzzing seaside city is one of the best day trips from London

This underrated, buzzing seaside city is one of the best day trips from London  Time Out Worldwide

Politics

1 week ago Can a nation in crisis rely on the baby boomer generation to step up? I think the UK is about to find out | Phillip Inman

A raid on property wealth and pensions is being signalled by the Treasury, and it has sound reasons for doing just thatDear baby boomer, the government is coming for you and your store of wealth. The property and pensions built up over the past 40 to 50 years are, for the first time, in play. The triple lock on the state pension might be guaranteed, at least for the time being, but for the wealthier boomer, it looks like their private assets are being laid out on a chopping board, ready to be carved like a Sunday roast and fed to hungry government departments starved of funds for almost two decades.These are desperate times and taxing the wealthy is a desperate measure. No government wants to do it. If you tax the rich, they might fly away in their private jets. That’s happened in Norway, one of the few European countries to retain a wealth tax. It’s true that older middle-income voters are more likely to stay put, but they also have a tendency to vote with their self-interest in mi...

Events

2 w. ago WWE Monday Night Raw: UK start time, matches announced and AAA Triplemania quick results

One week before arriving in Birmingham, the WWE takes over Philadelphia for their latest episode of Monday Night Raw

Politics

2 w. ago Mum who ditched Haven holiday for Egypt fuming over huge bill she's been slapped with

A mum has branded her council 'despicable' after she received a fine for taking her son out of school during term time - insisting the trip was 'educational' due to its location

Politics

2 w. ago The colourful, pretty seaside town that is one of the best day trips from London

The colourful, pretty seaside town that is one of the best day trips from London  Time Out Worldwide

Politics

2 w. ago We know that cosy games have big audiences – so where’s my epic Call the Midwife sim?

In a world overwhelmed by noise and with more players looking for solace, it’s time the triple-A developers pay attentionI am 85 hours into Death Stranding 2, an apocalyptic nightmare about Earth becoming infected with death monsters, and I’ve realised that I’m playing it as a cosy game. For hours at a time, I trundle along the photorealistic landscapes in my pick-up truck, delivering parcels to isolated communities and building new roads. The only reason I complete the main story missions is to open new areas of the map so that I can meet new people and build more roads. I find it blissfully enjoyable.Of course, I am far from alone in playing video games this way. “Cosy games” have become a thriving cottage industry over the past five years, led by crossover successes such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley and Untitled Goose Game, but also housing hundreds of smaller titles that appeal to highly engaged communities. On Steam this month you’ll discover Catto’s Post Office, a delightful g...

Events

3 w. ago David Beckham, 50, rocks tiny trunks as he is snapped by Victoria and son Cruz on yacht trip... while Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz are seen for first time since vow renewal amid 'feud'

The Beckhams have been enjoying a swanky getaway on their £16m yacht. 

Politics

3 w. ago Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Epstein’s friendship timeline: From philanthropy to ‘Lolita Express’ trips

Former president and first lady subpoenaed to testify before House Oversight Committee in October on past association with late billionaire pedophile

Politics

4 w. ago When does Fortnite OG Season 5 start time – what to expect from the latest throwback content update

Fortnite OG is about to take a trip back in time to the Worlds Collide season with the Fortnite OG Season 5 start date, bringing back Paradise Palms and more

Politics