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Travelling businessmen and people visiting sick relatives will be forced to pay Labour’s ‘holiday tax’ – but MPs staying in London hotels will be able to claim it back on their expenses
A Commons debate has highlighted claims that Andy Burnham’s proposed “holiday tax” – formally the Overnight Visitor Levy – would hit business travellers and people visiting sick relatives, not just holidaymakers, while MPs would be able to claim the charge back on parliamentary expenses when staying in London hotels for work. The disparity has drawn…
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Flight school owner, 62, tragically dies after single-engine plane he was flying crashes near water tank
Douglas Emge, the 62-year-old owner of a flight school in Alabama, has died after the single-engine plane he was piloting crashed near a water tank in DeKalb County. He was the only person on board and ran Albertville Aviation Inc, a business offering flying lessons to beginners, meaning the loss is being felt within the…
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Travellers whose bank holiday ‘land grab’ was foiled by residents are blocked from returning after a High Court injunction is extended
A High Court judge has extended an injunction against travellers who attempted a bank holiday “land grab” on open space in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, meaning they remain barred from returning to the site pending a full trial. The judge also kept in place a power of arrest for anyone breaching the order, which the council’s barrister…
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Harry and Meghan’s bodyguards only tested route to Archie and Lilibet’s new school in summer holidays – before pulling them out of class when convoy ‘split up’ in heavy traffic on first day of term
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle withdrew Archie and Lilibet from their new UK private school after just two days, following a security incident in which the family’s protective convoy became separated in heavy term-time traffic. Security experts have questioned why the couple’s bodyguards only tested the hour-long school route during the summer holidays, when traffic…
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China tightens travel restrictions for citizens
China has introduced sweeping new rules restricting overseas and outbound travel for its citizens, a move critics say hands Beijing even greater control over the population. Under the regulations, people deemed to have “harmed” national security or interests while abroad can be barred from leaving China for up to three years, with the rules also…
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Major travel shake-up for Aussies heading to Thailand as visa-free limit is cut in half amid crime and security concerns
Thailand has halved its visa-free stay limit for tourists from 60 days to 30 days, effective from Tuesday, in a move that will affect Australians and citizens of 92 other countries planning trips to the popular Southeast Asian destination. The Thai government said the change was driven by difficulties monitoring longer stays, alongside concerns about…
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Flight attendant charged after police allegedly find $500,000 heroin haul in tote bags
A Thai Airways flight attendant has been charged after Australian Federal Police allegedly discovered more than a kilogram of heroin, worth an estimated $500,000, hidden in her luggage at Melbourne Airport. Meena Kondo, 26, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, in a case authorities say highlights concerns about airline staff exploiting their…
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British tourists are forced to flee Croatian holiday island on little boats during raging wildfires
British holidaymakers on the Croatian island of Brač were forced to flee into the sea and were rescued by a flotilla of local boats after a wildfire engulfed their resort, with staff having reportedly abandoned guests without an evacuation plan. Tourist Josh Robbins said staff at the Gava Waterman Milna Resort had assured guests as…
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Catania Airport grounds flights as Etna volcano releases ash
Catania Airport in Sicily, one of Italy’s busiest air hubs, has again suspended all arrivals and departures after Mount Etna emitted volcanic ash that drifted towards the airfield. The closure, in place until 10pm local time (9pm UK time) on Monday, follows a red aviation alert issued by the Etna Volcano Observatory and comes amid…
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In Manchester, Premier League superiority is now separated by Haaland’s cutting edge
Manchester United lost 1-0 to Manchester City in a fractious Old Trafford derby, with Erling Haaland’s controversial goal underlining that neither Manchester club is yet close to matching Premier League leaders Arsenal. The result extends a rare period without a Manchester club topping the table, with United and City both still finding their footing under…