"I went on a budget holiday to the Maldives - spending less than £500"
by Ben Barry and Samual Wightwick
A traveller has shared how she holidayed in the Maldives on a budget - spending less than £500 for a six-day trip.
Kara Wilbur, 23, and her friend, Natasha Whitley, 28, bagged a £950 return flight from London Heathrow on April 1 for their jaunt to Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi in the Maldives.
The island nation is known for its sandy beaches and turquoise water and stays at the famous water hut resorts can cost up to £1,300 per night.
But instead of staying in the resort islands, Kara decided to book a hotel in the local islands - Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi - and was able to nab a room overlooking the ocean for £25-a-night.
Kara said she spend around £50-a-day food, activities and travel - she caught a ferry for £1.70, spent £7 on meals out and enjoyed the beaches for free.
She said that a disadvantage of the island is that it doesn't allow drinking and most places are closed by 8:30pm but said it means you wake up feeling fresh every day you're there.
Kara, a travel content creator, from Denbighshire, Wales, said: "It was an insane adventure, as soon as we left we wanted to go back.
"When we arrived we were so surprised, it is one thing being told it is a cheap place to travel and then experiencing it yourself.
"When we realised that we could actually do this for £500 it was a nice experience.
"I will definitely be going back."
Kara and her friend, Natasha, set off on their travels on April 1 and spent six days in the Maldives before heading to Sri Lanka - where they both are now.
They split their time between the islands of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi staying in two beautiful beach front rooms at the Beach House by Sii Hotels and the Batutu Surf View Hotel.
Natasha, a pharmacist and content creator, from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: "Rooms on Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi islands were around £30-a-night for a room per person.
"Ferries and transport were also cheap so it was much more affordable than it looked."
The pair also took full advantage of the island - going swimming with sharks for £88 each and taking a trip to a deserted island for £28 each, which both included jet ski rides.
They also paid a modest £12 each to take a trip to a floating bar, which is common in the local islands as they don't serve alcohol on land.
Kara said: "Thulusdhoo is really well know for its surfing and we made the most out of the beaches.
"It is illegal to drink on the islands themselves but legal to drink on the water so we took a boat out to have a drink and watch the sunset."
Food was also very affordable with a meal costing an average of £7-a-day per person with breakfast included with their rooms.
The most expensive part of their trip were the flights - from London to Male and then Male to Colombo - came up to £905.
Kara said: "The food there was unreal, on average we would spend £6-a-head on food which is really good.
"The advantage of the Maldives is that you can walk straight out of your hotel and you will be on the beach.
"The views were insane and the locals on the islands are lovely."
Breakdown of costs -
Flights - £950
Transport - £32 (four ferries and one speedboat)
Food - £95 (average £7 per meal)
Swimming with sharks - £88
Deserted island trip - £28
Floating bar - £12
Miscellaneous - £28 (ATM fees, souvenirs, airport storage)
Accommodation - £133
Total (without flights) = £416 per person over six days so around £70 per day
Kara post travel content to her TikTok page: @okay.kara.travels
Elephant rummages around tourists jeep – looking for snacks
By Amy Reast
A greedy elephant terrified a group of tourists on safari when it began rummaging around in their Jeep for a snack.
Ilona Johansson Jänkänpää, 22, was on a safari ride in Yala National Park, Sri Lanka, with boyfriend Jacob Tillberg, 24, and some friends.
The elephant ran at the vehicle and a video shows passengers lifting their legs as it rummages around while the driver warns them “it’s ok, don’t worry” and “don’t move”.
The elephant eventually left after finding nobody was carrying any snacks – but the tourists were left terrified, on March 13.
Ilona, from Gällivare, Sweden, said: “Near the end of the route, we saw this elephant.
“There were other Jeeps around but we got closer than the others.
“We were the only ones that got close, and now I know why!
“He started to run up to us, looking for food in the Jeep, and we panicked.
“It was just looking for food, but I was scared because it looked so aggressive.
“When the elephant realized we didn’t have any food, it went past us and we drove off.
“It only lasted a couple of minutes but it felt like a long time because we didn’t know how it would react.
“The trip was worth it in the end but it’s definitely an experience I’ll remember my whole life.
“It was terrifying in the moment but now we can look back and laugh!”
Jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth could sell for over $30m
By Dean Murray
A jersey worn by baseball legend Babe Ruth could sell for over $30m.
The New York Yankees top could become the most expensive sports collectible ever, beating a $12.6m 1952 Mickey Mantle Topps card.
Babe Ruth, one of the most famous and iconic figures in American sports history, wore the photo-matched garment to Game 3 of the 1932 World Series in Chicago.
Bearing Ruth’s No. 3 on the back, the jersey will be offered by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions at a sale event ending 25 August.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, says: “Ruth’s World Series jersey is the most significant piece of American sports memorabilia to be offered at auction in decades.
“Given its history, its mythology, we expect that when the final bid is placed, it will hold the record as the most expensive sports collectible ever to cross the auction block.”
Heritage Auctions say the jersey is twice authenticated and recently matched to several photographs from the era.
They say: “Ruth gifted the jersey to a Florida man following a round of golf, where it remained until the man’s daughter auctioned it nearly two decades ago.”
The record for the most expensive sports collectible belongs to another Yankees legend, Mickey Mantle, whose 1952 Topps card sold for $12.6 million at Heritage in August 2022.
Woman overcoming fear of rejection by deliberately making herself super awkward
By Amy Reast
A woman is curing her debilitating fear of rejection by deliberately undertaking awkward challenges - and is becoming "immune to embarrassment".
Sophie Jones, 22, felt held back how much she feared rejection and deeply cared what people thought of her.
Then she read about the idea of 'rejection therapy' - desensitising yourself to rejection and embarrassment by exposing yourself to those situations regularly.
So Sophie, from Warrington, Cheshire, decided to tackle her fears by doing 30 days of rejection therapy - putting herself in positions she was likely to encounter rejection.
So far she has asked to sing on stage at a theatre, have a tour of a supermarket warehouse, and take a pizza out of a stranger's trolley - and been rejected each time.
She has also invited someone to film a video with her and joined in with a stranger's TikTok dance.
The social media manager said: "I decided to do this after I went to film a dance in the park and realised the idea of doing it in front of people would terrify me.
"The challenge is about knowing you can do a silly thing and desensitising yourself to fear and judgement.
"It applies to all aspects of life - imagine what you could do if you didn't hold yourself back and could push yourself out your comfort zone.
"I'm noticing little changes already.
"For my TikTok I often have to push myself out my comfort zone to do comedy videos and it can make me anxious.
"But I filmed one today and I didn't even feel anxiety. Everyone was looking at me but I wasn't bothered.
"It felt really freeing not caring."
Sophie comes up with ideas for her challenges herself, or by searching on social media for similar challenges others have done.
Sophie said the most difficult challenge so far has been asking to look around the supermarket warehouse.
It was so anxiety-inducing for her that she was nervous to continue the challenge the following day.
But she pushed on and continued - as that's the point of the challenge.
She said: "When I first started, I was terrified - but that showed I needed to do it."
Sophie has only been doing the daily challenges for a week - but said she's already noticing a difference in her mindset.
She added: "I'm realising it's never as bad as you think it will be, and the world will keep turning!
"I'd recommend the challenge to others - it's scary but when you push past the fear you feel more confident."
Ideas for future challenges include going into a bed store and asking to have a nap, asking to slide down a fireman's pole, and asking strangers if she can try on their sunglasses.
Young boy who loves the police wears cop uniform to help keep town safe
By Lauren Beavis
An autistic child who loves the police wears a cop uniform to help control traffic on his street.
Finley Bollen, six, dresses in an officer's hat and outfit everyday - keeping his town and its people safe on the roads.
He has autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder - but his mum Emma says being a copper has 'transformed' him and his behaviours for the better.
Finley, of Clevedon, North Somerset, is well known in his home town and gets saluted as he does his duties.
Emma said: "As a mother who is so proud of her son who struggles with life to have found his thing it is amazing - and he is keeping Clevedon safe!
"The cars slow down for him - he gets beeped, salutes and waves wherever he goes, everyone loves him!
"Wherever he goes wants to be the guy who looks after the safety of everything - keeping an eye on the road, he loves it.
"He can be very challenging but oh my gosh being a policeman has transformed him.;;
The young boy's passion for policing started about a year ago, when he found a deep interest in blockages, road signs, road safety and police duties.
But last month he decided to turn his hobby into a reality - as he patrols not only on the road he lives on, but also the local train station and anywhere he attends which needs an extra touch of safety.
Finley likes his doughnuts on the job and uses a hairdryer as a speed gun.
He wears his cop outfit everyday to school - and Emma admits his police hat "is always on - whenever we go".
The mum-of-two who lives Clevedon said: "The police thing has been one of his obsessional things which he just absolutely loves.
"When Finley knows what he wants and likes it, he will take it very serious - he's so quirky and funny and just amazing."
"He wears his UK or US cop outfit and keeps everyone in order wherever he goes.
"Even when we were in Turkey on holiday last month he decided to help keep the peace at the pool.
"Even when we go to hospital appointments - which he used to absolutely hate - when he wears his cop outfit they are so successful, and they haven't been like that since he was one.
"Being a police officer has dominated him into a different kind of being and it is working is so many different ways!
"He even started directing the traffic at the ski centre a couple of weeks ago.
"It's so funny because everyone goes into character around him.
"If you talk to him like a cop you are sorted!"
Emma admits she is not allowed to sit near Finley when he is completing his control checks, she explained: "I love it, I go and sit with him but he doesn't like me to be there because he doesn't want anyone to think he's not official.
"But as a mother I can't let my six-year-old sit on the road and direct traffic - so I am always standing by!
"I know have a fold-away chair so I can sit on the other side of the road to keep an eye."
Couple take pet parrots to the shops, opticians - and even pub lunches
By Josie Adnitt
A couple take their pet parrots to the shops, opticians, supermarket, Chinese takeaway - and the pub.
Anne Spider-McKeown, 64, and partner Spider Spider, 66, who changed his name by deed poll to reflect his love of animals, rescued three Macaws in early 2020.
The trio – Chester and bonded pair Charlie and Elwood – were initially adopted by Anne and Spider after they had to give up their motorbike hobby after coming down with Covid in January 2020.
Sadly, Macaw Elwood, who was disabled and looked after by Charlie, passed away in July last year.
Chester had bonded with Anne, and after Elwood’s death Spider says he became better friends with Charlie.
Charlie doesn’t fly, as Elwood couldn’t fly and Charlie would look after the fellow bird – but since Elwood’s death, the couple have been trying to help him find his wings.
Now, Anne and Spider are regularly spotted out and about with the parrots – going to the supermarket, B&Q and even the local pub together.
Spider, from Birmingham, said: “Whenever we go pub for lunch with the birds, we always take them.
“Going out with them turns any shopping trip about three times longer – we don’t mind though, we love people asking questions, it’s great to interact with people.
“It’s an eye-opener for people, lots of people are gobsmacked that the birds are real and I'm not walking around with a stuffed parrot on my shoulder.
“Anne loves birds and always wanted a blue and gold Macaw since being a child, so we thought we could rehome a couple as a new hobby.
“It's like having two three-year-old kids in the house.
“Charlie used to come with us to all sorts of places and then a bit later we decided we would harness train Chester so he could have same element of freedom.
“Generally, they’re very happy to interact with people, when they’re both in the right mood they’ll let strangers give them treats – people are surprised they’re so gentle with their big beaks.”
The retired couple have made some changes to their garden to accommodate the birds, installing a huge bird net nine feet high outside.
They say they wanted to make sure the parrots could have some freedom, so they let them out into the garden under supervision.
Spider says the birds have big personalities – and says Chester is very protective of Anne, even telling Spider off if he goes near her.
And he says he’s been amazed by Charlie’s changed personality – saying the relationship between human and bird is like human and child.
Spider said: “When we lost Elwood, Charlie very distraught so i Ia lot of work into letting him know he had a friend in me.
“Now Charlie has become my best pal. Charlie says hello, hello Charlie and will sing in his own way which is something he never did before.
“Chester will talk more readily than Charlie, when the phone rings Chester is the first to say hello.
“We have a lot of fun with them, they’re loveable characters.”
21-year-old gives OAP boxing lessons
By Samuel Wightwick
A 21-year-old is helping the elderly stay fit - by giving them boxing lessons.
Bailey-Greetham Clark started his company 'Be Great Fitness' in 2020 when he was just 17.
It all started when he was asked to speak at 'Flourish', a day center for adults with educational needs.
After this experience, Bailey realised that people from vulnerable groups do not have the same access to sport and fitness as others.
So Bailey set up his own wellbeing company to make sport and fitness accessible to schools, hospitals, community centers and care homes.
Bailey, from Lincolnshire, Grimsby, said: "I realised that these groups needed the help pretty quickly.
"Coming out of the pandemic, care homes were the last to come out of full lockdown.
"We thought it was essential to bring fitness into them especially, just to spread some joy and cheer.
"Sport and exercise cheer people up, we make jokes and have a laugh with everyone, and we make their day better."
Bailey takes his fitness classes to 20-30 different care homes, and runs one hour sessions with the residents.
These range from simple boxing drills to hand eye coordination games- everything to improve the residents fitness and mental health.
Since posting videos on social media of these sessions, the interest in the business has never been stronger.
With videos ranging from 1,000 to 700,000 views, it has lead to lots of interest, and Bailey has never been busier.
He said: "We started by putting ourselves forward to care homes, but now we get tons of enquiries, my calendar is insane at the moment!
"We’re trying to get more people added to our team and roll sessions out nationally, and we're working with partners at the minute to build on that.
"I just want to ensure that the people have my passion and enthusiasm- that's the next challenge, but it's a great one to have!"
Bailey struggled with a challenging upbringing, and was taken in by his grandparents - kickstarting his passion for helping the elderly
When he was 14, he was forced to take a year out of school, which lead to him struggling with his weight.
But when he discovered boxing and running as a way to keep fit- his whole outlook changed.
He returned to s=chool, achieved his GCSE's and started working at his local boxing club- setting him on the pathway to where he is today.
Bailey said: "Seeing first hand the genuine impact we make is insane.
"We can go into homes and show our ability to bring spirits up of not only residents, but the staff too.
"One of the care homes recorded a video saying how much they enjoyed the session, and one woman said how much she loves my legs!
"That genuine impact on people you don’t always get in other industries, and we can really see the benefit.
"It's beautiful and it keeps me going, it sounds corny but it genuinely does!"
Banksy street bollard could fetch $50k
A Banksy ‘Gangsta Rat’ artwork on a street bollard could fetch $50k.
An auction features the mysterious artist’s work he sprayed on the street furniture in hometown of Bristol in 2009.
The black aerosol stencil painting shows a rat with a boombox, with the animal representing an uprising of the masses against capitalistic society.
The piece will feature in a sale by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions, along with other of Banksy’s works.
A ‘Placard Rat’ drawn on a newsagents board in Grays Inn Road, London, in early 2004, is estimated to fetch $40k – $50k.
While a rat wearing a bowler hat, painted by Banksy on a steel door in Berlin in 2004, has been estimated $30k – $50k.
Banksy’s work is joined by other iconic artists including Shepard Fairey, known for his Barack Obama Hope poster, and Invader, whose mosaic artworks have appeared in cities around the world.
David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, says: “Julien’s has put together an unrivalled collection of the most fearless and stirring underground works of rebellion from the streets’ most legendary guerrilla art warriors.
“From Banksy’s signature Rats to Invader’s beloved Aliens to Shephard Fairey’s Hand of Doom, their defining works represent the street art movement’s most powerful and provocative statements of all time.”
The Street Art Invasion auction will take place on 11 July.
"We got pregnant a month after dating - now were married and couldn't be happier"
By Ben Barry
A couple who fell pregnant just a month after they started dating say they've "proved doubters wrong" and are now happily married.
Connor Neal, 24, met his partner, Chloe, 21, in October 2023 after they bonded over their struggles with ADHD.
A month later on November 4, the couple made their relationship official and found out Chloe was expecting in December - just four week later.
When their friends and family found out about the pregnancy the couple say some were understandingly sceptical - as they hadn't met the other's partner.
After finding out he was going to be a dad, Connor popped the question on New Year's Eve 2023 and the pair tied the knot on April 6, 2024, in a small ceremony surrounded by 35 guests.
The pair are now "happily married" and excited to welcome their baby boy - who they've already named Albie - this August.
Connor, a soldier in the British army, from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: "It was a mixture of emotions when I found out Chloe was pregnant.
"We were so soon into our relationship.
"I saw she was my life partner within that month and I saw a lot of positives in her.
"I thought 'why not have the baby?'. We have been given this opportunity that many people don't get the chance to get."
Connor and Chloe, an operating department support worker, started messaging each other through TikTok after he posted about his struggles with ADHD.
Connor said: "Chloe commented with 'my every day struggles'.
"I then found her on Instagram and she sent me a direct message that said 'hello my ADHD boyfriend'.
"I liked the confidence and we ended up FaceTiming for a week or two."
After speaking constantly the pair decided to meet in person in October 2023 and spent the weekend at Mersea Island, Essex.
Connor said: "She drove down to Essex and we spent the weekend together.
"We went down to the beach together and got to know each other.
"We instantly clicked and became official a month later."
In December 2023, Chloe took a pregnancy test which revealed she was expecting her first child with Connor.
Chloe said: "I have worked out the dates and the day that Connor asked me to be his girlfriend was the night our baby was conceived which is so sweet.
"Originally I was shocked and I called my mum straight away.
"The following weekend Connor came up to meet my parents.
"Connor is very confident and he can take confrontation well.
"He was happy to speak to my parents about his plans for us and not be uncomfortable about it and my mum liked that."
After finding out Chloe was pregnant, Connor knew she was the woman he wanted to marry and planned to pop the question on New Year's Eve.
He said: "When we found out about the pregnancy Chloe told her mum and dad and I told mine.
"We were worried about how they would take it, her mum was shocked as she didn't know me at that point but they were very supportive."
Connor and Chloe spent New Year's Eve in Weymouth, Dorset, at Connor's sister's house.
Connor said: "I took Chloe to a nice little pub for mocktails as she couldn't drink.
"Whilst we were there, my sister, Shannon, was setting up the engagement - she had no idea."
Chloe added: "I don’t cry in social situations but when this happened it took me by surprise so much that I cried.
"That is when I knew I wanted to be with him and he was the one
"I was so happy I couldn’t stop giggling and laughing – I was so warm inside."
The couple had a small wedding at the town hall in Ipswitch surrounded by 35 of their closest family and friends in April 2024.
Chloe said: "As soon as I saw him I cried my eyes out.
"I could see him at the end and he was crying himself.
"I couldn’t have wished for it to be any better, I reminisce about it all the time
- if I could do it all again I would."
Connor added: "It was perfect, the reason I wanted to get married is I wanted to show her that I meant everything I had said to her.
"I wanted to prove how much I loved her and how much I was willing to be with her."
Connor and Chloe are sharing their journey on TikTok @conandchloo
Witness one of the world's largest whisky collections
By Elizabeth Hunter
These stunning photos show one of the world's largest whisky collections - featuring more than 3,000 bottles of Scotch.
The collection, which contains 3,384 bottles of Scotch whisky, was curated by Claive Vidiz, a Brazilian whisky enthusiast who dedicated 35 years to collecting bottles of various types, costs and rarities.
Images of the unique set have been released ahead of World Whisky Day being held tomorrow (Saturday).
Vidiz, who spent his career working in the pharmaceutical industry, was introduced to the booze by a Scottish colleague, who visited with six bottles of Islay Malt - and began his obsession.
In 2006, the collection was purchased by whisky distiller Diageo, and stored at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh.
Vidiz said after the purchase: "We have an expression in Brazil - ‘the good son returns home’ - and in my view the collection is back with its family now"
Now housed in Scotland's capital city, visitors to the Scotch Whisky Experience can study every bottle in the collection - which includes a 22 year old Glen Grant, produced by a now-defunct Glasgow distillery.
A representative from the Scotch Whisky Experience said: "One of the most unique aspects of this collection was Claive’s desire to collect as wide a range of whisky as possible, from the most accessible to the rarest, including eccentric and unusual items.
"Having been preserved in its entirety, we have an invaluable insight into the recent history and branding of Scotch whisky; a unique “snapshot” of 35 years of the Scotch whisky industry."
