Howard Lloyd

Elizabeth Laing, a 49-year-old café owner from Greenwich, became frustrated with poor relationships and dating-app experiences. After working with a flirting coach and hypnotherapist, she began approaching strangers and set herself a goal of finding a husband within three months. She soon met Owen, an Australian, and they later married. Laing now runs Your Power Within Therapy, combining hypnotherapy and flirting coaching while encouraging women to seek connections in person rather than relying on dating apps.

Holidaymakers are warned not to rely solely on power banks when flying because airlines are tightening restrictions after a rise in overheating-device incidents. The Civil Aviation Authority permits power banks in hand luggage if they meet safety and capacity requirements, but says they should not be used to recharge devices during flights where the airline prohibits it. Travellers are advised to check phone battery health, avoid heat, reduce background power usage, maintain charge levels between 20% and 80%, and check their airline’s individual guidance, especially as digital boarding passes make a functioning phone increasingly important.

The UK Government has rejected calls for a blanket ban on walking dogs when temperatures reach 25°C or higher, saying the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Defra’s dog-welfare code already protect animals from heat-related suffering. Owners can face an unlimited fine, imprisonment or both for breaching their welfare duties, while local authorities enforce the law. The Government says a total ban could be harmful because some dogs may still need brief, safe outdoor access. Advice includes walking during cooler periods, checking pavement temperatures, providing shade and water, avoiding hot vehicles, and watching for burns or heatstroke.

Kerry Nwachukwu says her move from the UK to Dubai in 2022 deteriorated after an unpaid salary, non-paying clients and high rental costs left her £22,000 in arrears. Following a landlord’s case at the Rental Disputes Center, she says she was imprisoned for several weeks, released under a repayment arrangement and then given a short deadline to repay the remaining debt. Her lawyer reportedly warned that she could face indefinite detention, while a travel ban and alleged house arrest prevent her from returning to the UK. Nwachukwu is raising money through GoFundMe and says her experience exposes the risks and limited legal protections faced by some expatriates in Dubai.

British travellers are warned to avoid dynamic currency conversion when paying abroad, as choosing pounds instead of the local currency can lead to mark‑ups of about 10 percent. Simon Calder advises always opting for local currency to avoid costly exchange rates imposed by foreign retailers and ATMs. Martin Lewis echoes the guidance, noting that machines often push customers toward paying in pounds because operators profit from poor conversion rates and added fees.

Dr Amir Khan highlights five overlooked practices that support wellbeing, urging adults and children to rediscover play, read more, write by hand, engage in meaningful conversations, and create things manually. He argues these free habits reduce stress, strengthen relationships, and enhance cognitive and emotional health. Supporting research shows that play benefits adults as well as children, contributing to life satisfaction, physical activity and overall mental wellbeing.