Maicey Navarro Griffiths

Daja Hansel-Coates spent three years living off-grid on two acres of land in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula after being inspired by nature-based retreats. She built a basic home from recycled materials, grew food, taught English and hosted retreats, but faced severe challenges including unreliable water, damaged solar equipment, tropical storms, insects and deteriorating structures. The slower pace and separation from digital life benefited her mental health, although the physical demands became too much during pregnancy. She moved into an apartment with modern utilities before giving birth and now lives with her daughter in a more conventional house on the same property. She still hopes to grow food, raise her family there and develop a healing retreat centre.

Wattpad users have reacted with alarm to updated content-restriction wording, fearing that sexually explicit fanfiction and romance stories are being banned. Wattpad says its policies, content categories and moderation practices have not changed, and that the revisions simply clarify its Everyone and Mature ratings and prohibited material, including pornography, sexual content involving minors, exploitation and non-consensual acts. The platform remains important to many young and LGBTQ+ users as an anonymous space for creative expression and identity exploration, though commentators support stronger age ratings, warnings and parental controls. The debate reflects wider concerns about young people's access to social media and sexual content, while users may move to other platforms if moderation becomes stricter.

Loganair will end all flights from Dundee Airport in October, including its twice-daily weekday service to London Heathrow, leaving the airport with only seasonal routes to Kirkwall and Sumburgh before potentially becoming private-flight-only. The airline says continued operations are financially unsustainable despite exploring alternatives. The publicly funded Dundee–London route, in place since 2014, has supported business, tourism and regional connectivity. Highlands and Islands Airports Limited is consulting staff and unions about reducing opening hours, while local politicians are seeking alternative operators and government funding. Passenger numbers at the airport fell to 31,556 in 2024/25.

Restaurants across the UK are offering free food or discounts to students collecting A-level results on August 13, with many extending similar promotions to GCSE students on August 20. Deals include free gyoza, chicken, starters, desserts, tacos, drinks and sticky chicken, as well as discounted or bottomless pizza and buy-one-get-one-free burgers. Most offers require students to show a results slip and, in some cases, student ID, a voucher or a digital code; many are limited to dine-in customers, participating locations and specific dates.

Personal trainer Naill Barker recommends three mobility exercises for people in their 30s: a one-minute deep squat hold, a 45-second half-kneeling hip-flexor stretch on each side, and repeated overhead reaches while lying on the floor. The exercises are intended to improve hip and thoracic-spine mobility, posture, flexibility, and movement quality while reducing strain on the lower back. Easier variations are suggested for people who cannot yet perform the movements fully.

Lisa Christian, a 61-year-old Tennessee mother, developed squamous cell carcinoma after decades of seeking a tan. A small bleeding spot on her nose had spread into the cartilage, requiring extensive surgery using skin from her forehead to reconstruct her face, followed by further procedures and severe psychological distress. She is urging young people to protect their skin early, accept their natural complexion and avoid excessive sun exposure. The article also provides NHS and Cancer Research UK sun-safety advice, including using SPF 30 or higher, avoiding burns and not using sunbeds.

Content creator and gardener Michael Scherrer and his brother Samuel have spent £20,000 developing a backyard theme park near Lake Constance in Switzerland, including a £10,000 miniature Greek village measuring 15 by 15 metres. The attraction features white walls, blue shutters, cobbled streets, a bar and decorative details such as plastic cats. Construction has been slowed by planning permissions and winter weather, while the brothers continue documenting their projects online. Their wider park includes fairytale, Irish, Japanese and Halloween-themed areas, with future plans for a fishing village, a guest room, Friends-inspired sets and a pirate ship. They hope to open the Greek-themed accommodation through Airbnb in 2027 and are also planning a project at a hotel in Zermatt.

Metro compares portable air conditioners and air coolers available in the UK during a fourth summer heatwave. The guide explains single- versus dual-hose systems, window sealing, BTU sizing, electricity costs and ways to reduce energy use, then recommends Bush and Meaco models priced from £85 to £500 for different room sizes. It concludes that portable units can be worthwhile despite their cost and environmental impact, particularly for protecting older people, children and those with health conditions, while advising efficient settings, regular maintenance and alternatives such as blackout curtains and ice-assisted fans.

Marks & Spencer is reintroducing four retro St Michael chocolate bars—Jet, Now, Sparks and Coconut Grove—priced at £1 each with original 1980s-style packaging. The relaunch follows strong consumer interest in last year’s revival of the Take 4 bar and taps into research showing high demand for nostalgic foods. Social media users have expressed enthusiasm for the returning treats, which will also be available through Ocado.

Survey data and expert analysis indicate that traditional British manners appear to be in decline, with younger generations less likely to prioritise politeness and adults of all ages reporting reduced displays of courtesy. Psychologists and sociologists attribute these shifts not to a loss of kindness but to faster, more distracted lives, weaker community ties, increased digitalisation and chronic stress, leaving people with less capacity for small social rituals. Rising loneliness and reduced socialisation further erode everyday civility, though experts suggest that positive gestures remain contagious and capable of reinforcing social connection.

A pregnant mother of four, Amy Carroll, was initially diagnosed with gestational diabetes before a seizure led doctors to discover stage four secondary brain cancer linked to her previous breast cancer. An emergency caesarean was performed at nearly 31 weeks, delivering her son Arlo, who remains in intensive care but is stable. Carroll now prepares for radiotherapy and further treatment, expressing concern about the physical toll and her ability to care for her newborn and older children. Her partner has stopped working to support her, and friends have launched fundraising to help the family as they navigate the difficult prognosis.

Nestlé launched a new UK range combining Milkybar white chocolate with Aero’s bubbly texture, available as bars and bubbles and already generating strong public interest. Prices vary across supermarkets, and the products follow successful trials in Australia and Aero’s recent flavor releases. Social media reactions are largely enthusiastic, though some buyers criticize the bubbles’ texture compared to traditional Aero. The launch continues a year of frequent new product activity for the brand.

Shoppers express strong frustration over people touching and handling loose supermarket produce, a habit dubbed “aisle stroking.” Social media comments and staff at Metro describe complaints ranging from concerns about hygiene to witnessing extreme examples of unsanitary behaviour. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind explains that repeated handling of open food can transfer germs and suggests avoiding touching items unless purchasing them. While the overall health risk is generally low for most people, she notes that the practice raises basic hygiene and etiquette concerns and recommends washing produce and maintaining good hand hygiene.

The Marks & Spencer Bankside store in central London has reopened after an 11‑week refurbishment, unveiling an expanded bakery, a dedicated wine shop, a coffee‑to‑go counter, a Mai Sushi bar and an enlarged home, cosmetics and food range. The revamp is part of a £90 million programme to upgrade M&S stores across London, with several other locations recently reopened and more set for renewal later this year. Executives emphasise the company’s strategy to enhance customer experience while expanding its footprint across the capital.

A ranking of Europe’s top island destinations places Tenerife, La Palma and Madeira at the top, based on green space, weather and food availability. Spanish and Croatian islands dominate the list, with highlights including UNESCO heritage sites, rich natural landscapes and sustainability efforts. While several destinations face overtourism pressures, others remain quieter alternatives offering natural beauty, historical sites and local culture. The report also identifies category leaders for sunshine, food and greenery, and suggests additional island destinations across Europe for travellers seeking varied experiences.