If you’re a seasoned traveller — especially on short-haul European flights — you’ll likely have tried myriad luggage hacks to avoid paying extortionate airline fees.

From the neck pillow trick, which consists of stuffing your U-shaped pillow with clothing, to using a duty-free carrier bag to sneak extra stuff, there are some innovative ways to bypass the limits.

However, certain passengers may not need to get creative for much longer.

After 13 years of negotiations, the EU has reached an agreement that will allow hand luggage on board free of charge. 

Here’s everything we know so far about the ruling, which is set to come into action in 2027.

What is the agreement?

The proposal, which is part of an agreement between the European Council and European Parliament, will allow travellers to take carry-on luggage measuring 40cm x 30cm x 15cm, with no extra fee.

This is as well as the usual under-the-seat rucksack allowance.

In a statement announcing the news, the Council of the EU said that ‘to create price transparency, air fares including allowance for a piece of hand baggage shall be displayed by default before the start of any booking process to facilitate fare comparisons between airlines.’

In a nutshell, this means airlines must include both the small personal item and the larger carry-on bag in their standard ticket price.

It has also been agreed that airlines may offer cheaper tickets to passengers who voluntarily choose to travel without hand luggage.

This landmark ruling is the first time airline passengers’ rights have been updated in Europe since 2004.

That was when Regulation EU261 — a European Union law establishing minimum rights for air passengers, guaranteeing compensation, refunds, and assistance in cases of flight cancellations, long delays, or denied boarding — was passed.

But like all good things, there’s a catch.

Despite the UK adopting EU261 after Brexit, it has not been updated here yet.

To get to the bottom of what this means for Brits travelling across Europe next summer, Metro spoke with Rhys Jones, Aviation Editor at Head for Points.

Who does this amendment apply to?

‘Passengers flying on EU airlines will be able to take advantage of [the change] in both directions,’ says Rhys.

However, he warns that non-EU airlines — such as Jet2 or easyJet — would only be bound by these regulations on flights from the EU back to the UK.

For example, you could get free hand luggage on an easyJet, Jet2, or BA flight from Mallorca or similar, but not when departing the UK.

That is, unless the UK enacts similar legislation.

Additionally, Rhys says that British Airways, despite being owned by Spanish holding company International Airlines Group, is also considered a UK airline as its operating licence is issued by the UK.

‘Whilst the original 2004 EU264 legislation was copied to UK law as part of Brexit, this does not automatically mean that future amendments in the EU are adopted,’ he adds.

Rather, ‘it would be up to the Civil Aviation Authority to make any future changes to UK law, not the EU.’

Which airlines will be affected?

Rhys says that from 2027, ultra-low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air will be affected the most.

This is because they do not include trolley bags in their lowest fares.

‘Affected airlines will now need to show a default price that includes a cabin trolley bag, although passengers will be able to opt out during the process for an additional saving,’ Rhys reiterates.

‘This will make it easier to compare to full-service airlines such as British Airways and Air France, where trolley bags are included in the fare.’

What have the airlines said about the ruling?

Consumer groups have argued that charging for cabin bags is illegal, especially via practices followed by low-cost airlines, and that air travellers should have the right to claim compensation linked to delays.

However, some airlines have been rushing to charge for cabin baggage in recent months, citing financial losses due to soaring jet fuel prices linked to disruptions in the Middle East.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has been pretty vocal about this new agreement, calling it ‘gobbledygook.’

The Irish businessman criticised the regulations, which he said ‘require airlines to falsely advertise higher air fares, making EU airlines even less competitive.’

He added that the latest EU261 rulings are ‘more bureaucratic bunkum from the EU Parliament and Council,’ adding that over 50% of Ryanair customers choose fares that exclude a second cabin bag.

He said the regulations were discouraging EU airlines from advertising their lowest fares.

O’Leary also argued that they make EU travel less competitive.

Of course, it makes sense that the Irish carrier would have a problem with the agreement. In 2024, Ryanair made €4.7 billion from charging extra fees, which included baggage costs.

What other passenger rights have been updated?

‘The amended regulations clarify various topics that have been contentious with airlines since they were first introduced in 2004, which should help make it clearer for both passengers and airlines,’ Rhys says.

For example, airlines now have to electronically inform passengers within 96 hours if they are eligible for delay compensation.

Elsewhere, the claiming process has been made easier with a 30-day window for airlines to either pay up or decline the request.

What has not changed are your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

‘Depending on the length of your flight, passengers can still claim €250, €400 or €600, if the flight is delayed by three hours or more.’

MORE: Mum charged with manslaughter after brothers, 4 and 2, died in car in 40°C heat

MORE: Eurostar trains cancelled this week amid heatwave — full list of journeys no longer running

MORE: My plane was struck by lightning — here’s everything that happens

Temperatures up to 38C are forecast across the country

Train passengers have been warned to only travel “if essential” as the hot weather could see temperatures reach up to 38C. Earlier this week, the Met Office issued a rare red warning, alongside an amber warning, for parts of the UK including Cambridgeshire.

Thameslink and Great Northern, which both operate in Cambridgeshure, have warned passengers to “only travel if essential”. There will be a reduced service between Kings Lynn and London Kings Cross today (Wednesday, June 24) and tomorrow (Thursday, June 25).

On the National Rail website it said: “As temperatures begin to soar today and tomorrow, when the most extreme conditions are expected, passengers travelling to, from, or within the red warning areas should only travel if absolutely necessary, while passengers outside those areas should continue to check their travel plans carefully.

“Rail services will continue to run but will be reduced in some parts of the network, customers should expect disruption across some routes. For safety reasons, trains will operate at reduced speeds and to amended timetables, meaning journeys will take longer and there is a heightened risk of delays, last-minute alterations and cancellations.

“There will be no rail replacement bus/taxi services during this period. Customers who do need to travel are strongly advised to prepare for the conditions by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen and a hat, and ensuring that they have a back-up plan in case of disruption.

“If you begin to feel unwell, please seek assistance at the next station or speak to a member of station staff. For your safety, we kindly ask that you avoid using the emergency alarm between stations, as this may delay access to support.”

Gatwick Express and Southern trains are also affected.

The summer transfer window continues to ramp up as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all attempt to complete some huge early signings. Arsenal look to be advancing in their pursuit of Morgan Rogers amid claims that they have now agreed personal terms with the England star. The Gunners have been linked with an audacious swap deal for Julian Alvarez, while they are close to signing wonderkid Jeremy Monga as they also chase the likes of Ayyoub Bouaddi, Bradley Barcola, Eli Junior Kroupi, Christos Tzolis and Andria Bartishvili.

Train passengers across Wales are facing widespread disruption as operators cancel services amid an unprecedented red weather warning for extreme heat.

Rail routes across north, mid and south Wales have been affected on Wednesday as temperatures are forecast to climb towards 38C, with forecasters warning of a “severe weather event” that could pose risks to life and infrastructure.

Several rail lines have already seen services suspended or cancelled due to the conditions, while Network Rail and train operators continue to monitor the impact of the heatwave on tracks, signalling systems and rolling stock.

Among the routes affected are services between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central, Bridgend and Maesteg, Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale Town, and Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, where severe weather-related disruption is expected to continue throughout Wednesday.

Additional disruption has been reported on routes between Shrewsbury and Birmingham International because of forecast extreme weather conditions.

Nicola Peltz appears to have added her own take to the Beckhams’ Father’s Day debacle with a mysterious Instagram post.

Father’s Day marked yet another special occasion – alongside the knightoods, premieres, dedication ceremonies and birthdays – where estranged Beckham son Brooklyn, 27, maintained his stony silence.

Sir David, 51, and Victoria, 52, shared heartfelt posts on Sunday, including pictures of Brooklyn where he is tagged, but received nothing in return.

Now Brooklyn’s wife, Nicola, who has been embroiled in the family feud since the very start, has waded in with a cryptic quote on her Instagram story, which reads: ‘I love this sentence: Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.’

The timing of the reflective quote is certainly interesting.

Shortly after, she went to her main grid to commemorate six years since their engagement, saying: ‘I feel like I’ve known you my whole life, you’re my best friend and my forever love wrapped in one.

‘I love you with my whole heart. You’re the kindest man I’ve ever met, and I’m so happy I get to do life with you.’

Brooklyn commented: ‘You’re my best friend forever and ever’.

According to The Sun, the eldest son was left ‘fuming’ by Posh and Becks’ father’s day tributes that involved him.

‘He’s asked them to leave him alone, and they just keep posting him. It just brings the whole thing up all over again. He wishes they’d leave it and leave him alone,’ the source said.

It is understood that Brooklyn saw the posts through media reports and via people close to him since he has blocked his family on the photo-sharing app. He has previously requested that they only contact him through lawyers.

Since Brooklyn’s bombshell statement in January confirming the rift in his family and taking aim at his parents, he has remained largely silent on the subject.

Last week, however, he sparked frenzy after starring in a DoorDash advert in which he made a clear nod to the feud, calling it a ‘long story’ as to why he wasn’t at the FIFA World Cup in person – leaving his family ‘heartbroken’.

It is said the amateur photographer and chef earned an ‘eye-watering’ amount of money for the gig.

After his heavily criticised advert, his brother Cruz seemed to take a cheeky swipe at him by paying homage to his former footballer father’s iconic ‘7’ England shirt.

He now lives in LA with his wife and is just a stone’s throw from where David recently received his Hollywood Walk of Fame star, although it transpired that Brooklyn went to New York while his family were in town.

MORE: Romeo Beckham’s acting debut raises an uncomfortable question about gay roles

MORE: World Cup superstar Kylian Mbappe reveals talks with Man Utd legend David Beckham over stunning transfer

MORE: Romeo Beckham pulled over by police after scrolling on phone in Porsche

Preston Davey’s murderer Jamie Varley endured his first night of a whole life sentence at the notorious ‘Monster Mansion’ “sobbing and quaking” in his cell, as furious fellow inmates screamed threats that he would face retribution, according to insiders.

Enraged prisoners reportedly gave the convicted paedophile a “traditional prisoners welcome”, rattling the bars and hollering warnings that his days are numbered for the appalling abuse he subjected little Preston to.

The chilling threats greeted Varley as he arrived at HMP Wakefield – widely known as Monster Mansion – where he was transferred directly following his sentencing at Preston Crown Court last week.

Varley received a whole life order for the grotesque abuse of adopted 13-month-old baby Preston. Following an eight-week trial, the 37-year-old was convicted of murder, sexual assault, and a catalogue of other heinous child sex offences.

The stark reality of his fate appeared to “hit” home as he spent his first night weeping in his cell, sources claim, reports the Daily Star.

“It was quite the hit home for how the rest of his life will be,” a source revealed exclusively to the Daily Star.

“Varley was in for a rude awakening if he thought he would be getting an easy ride. He is arguably one of Britain’s most hated men right now, and that stands in the prison too.

“There’s a bounty on his head, everyone wants to be the one to hurt him first, and he was made very aware of that as he entered the prison.

Advertisement

“The other prisoners knew he was coming and they waited for him. They want him scared and they want to make his time inside as awful as they can – and now he knows he has a lot of time inside to serve. He is never getting out, there is no way out of this hell for him.”

Varley is understood to be currently held in segregation. This entails spending most of his time confined to his cell in solitude, under constant supervision from guards tasked with ensuring his safety.

“In time he will be allowed to move about a bit more, but any time he does leave his cell it is likely he will be flanked by guards, they have a duty of care to him,” the insider added.

“He was welcomed last night by loud banging and shouting as fellow prisoners who anticipated his arrival when they learnt of a prison van arriving to drop off newbies.

“He was whispering to himself and spent the whole night just sobbing in his cell. He must be thinking that an attack is inevitable, it is just a case of when.”

Mental health specialists are also anticipated to attend the Category A facility in West Yorkshire to evaluate his psychological condition, as he remains under round-the-clock suicide watch.

“High profile prisoners are often placed on this as a matter of protocol,” the source added. “But in this case it is probably called for and a real possibility. What has he got to live for?”.

Wakefield ranks among Britain’s most infamous prisons, renowned for detaining the nation’s most dangerous offenders. The facility houses between 630 and 750 high-risk prisoners, with the overwhelming majority serving lengthy or indefinite life terms.

Over the years, its notorious residents have included Harold Shipman, Levi Bellfield, Ian Huntley, and Charles Bronson.

“Things will not be getting any better for him any time soon,” the insider continued. “In fact every day he survives, the bounty will increase for taking him out.

“Guards certainly have a job on their hands keeping him safe.”

Varley’s partner John McGowan-Fazakerley’s whereabouts remain unclear, though sources suggest he is likely to be held at either HMP Manchester (Strangeways) or HMP Full Sutton.

In a recent episode of British sitcom Amandaland, Anne Flynn turns to ChatGPT for help talking to her teenage son about sex. The episode frames this as “The Chat”: the awkward parent-child conversation many adults dread.

What Anne is doing on screen is what many people are now doing in private: taking hard human conversations to a machine that can answer immediately. The scene raises a bigger question: what do people need from another person when they are struggling, and can AI provide it?

Popular ideas about therapy often centre on expertise: the therapist as someone who can explain what is wrong and offer a way to fix it.

Therapy can involve psychoeducation and specialist techniques. But it also relies on the relationship between therapist and client, and the therapist’s ability to stay with uncertainty rather than provide an answer too soon.

At the University of Leeds, we ask trainee counsellors and psychotherapists to reflect on how quickly they may want to solve, reassure or interpret.

The capacity to tolerate uncertainty is treated as a clinical skill, developed through reflection, supervision and practice. Students are encouraged to notice the pull towards becoming the expert who supplies answers, and to consider what becomes possible when they stay curious instead.

This reflects what is known as a “not-knowing stance”. When therapists resist assuming they already know what a client’s experience means, the client is treated as the expert on their own life. The therapist still brings training and ethical responsibility, but remains open to discovering meaning with the client rather than imposing it.

Distress is rarely just a puzzle to be solved. People may arrive in therapy wanting answers, explanations or relief. But if a therapist moves too quickly into advice, interpretation or diagnosis, they can miss what the client is really trying to say.

The not-knowing stance asks the therapist to remain curious and present, when the person in front of them feels overwhelmed.

Importance of alliance

Researchers call the relationship between therapist and client the “therapeutic alliance”: the trust, connection and shared purpose that allows therapy to happen.

A major review showed that this alliance is reliably linked with therapy outcomes, with stronger alliances tending to be associated with better results in therapy. Later research has found that the alliance is crucial across different types of therapy.

Therapeutic approaches still matter, and some difficulties require specialist treatment. But research on the common factors in psychotherapy suggests that shared elements – including empathy, collaboration and the belief that therapy can help – are central to how therapy works.

The appeal of AI in difficult moments is understandable. Research into people who repeatedly use ChatGPT for emotional and mental health support suggests that some users value it because it feels accessible and non-judgmental. Chatbots are available at 3am and respond instantly in language that sounds caring. For someone unable to access support, that may feel like a lifeline.

There is also growing research into AI in mental health care, including chatbots, digital interventions and large language models – systems trained on huge amounts of text to generate human-like responses.

Reviews suggest these tools may have potential in screening, psychoeducation and access to support. But the evidence base is still developing, and concerns remain around safety, privacy and over-reliance. A systematic review of AI in mental health care and a scoping review of large language models in mental health care both (in 2025) stressed the need for stronger evaluation and safeguards.

Research on the digital therapeutic alliance shows that people can experience something relationship-like with mental health chatbots. A chatbot can sound curious and compassionate. It can mirror a user’s words, suggest breathing exercises or help someone plan a difficult conversation.

But relationship-like support and reciprocal human presence are different. Human therapists can respond to far more than words: hesitation, silence, tone, expression, and the moment someone says something important while pretending it is ordinary.

Therapists can be surprised, concerned, challenged and changed by the encounter. They also carry ethical and professional responsibility for what happens in the room.

Presence and accountability

The not-knowing approach rests on intersubjectivity: the way two people affect and are affected by each other. Research on synchrony in psychotherapy suggests that therapist and client may coordinate aspects of voice, movement and physiology during therapy, as their responses begin to align in subtle ways. These embodied processes show why therapy is more than an exchange of words.

A language model does not have that kind of presence. It can identify patterns in language, but it cannot notice a client’s hand tightening around a tissue, hear the change in someone’s voice when they mention a name, feel concern or take ethical responsibility for the relationship.

There are also ethical concerns about agency: the client’s capacity to make sense of their experiences and make choices for themselves. Recent work on AI and agency in psychotherapy warns that chatbots and human therapists support agency in different ways. An AI system may shift authority towards a tool that does not know the person and may produce confident answers when caution is needed.

AI may help some people prepare for a conversation, find words for a feeling, practise asking for help, or access basic information when nothing else is available. Support and therapy have different responsibilities, though. A chatbot may be available whenever the user returns. That differs from staying with someone in a mutual, accountable human relationship.

When a therapist can say, honestly, “I don’t know what this means for you yet, but I’m here and I want to understand,” they are offering something no algorithm can replicate: a trained human presence that can listen, respond and remain accountable.

BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay alerted viewers to severe ‘risk to life’ warnings

BBC Breakfast’s Jon Kay left his co-host alone in the studio as he issued a “risk to life” warning.

The popular morning show typically features two hosts in the studio, with regular pairings such as Jon Kay and Sally Nugent or Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt.

However, when Wednesday’s edition (June 24) got underway, Jon opened the show presenting outside Richmond Upon Thames, while Sally remained alone in the studio.

Within minutes of the show starting, Jon wasted no time alerting viewers to severe warnings indicating a genuine threat to life, as a rare red extreme heat warning has been issued as temperatures soar across the UK.

Addressing those tuning in from home, Jon went on to say: “Today we are here to cover a really serious story.”

He continued: “Parts of England and Wales are preparing for an extreme red heat alert, which has been issued by the Met Office.”

The TV presenter went on: “It means millions of us are set to be affected today so let’s just show you the areas where people are going to find things most challenging over the next few hours.”

The show then cut to a clip of a map as Jon explained: “This red alert will come into force across southern England, across the Midlands and south-east Wales and it starts at nine o’clock this morning.”

Jon warned: “It carries a risk to life warning and it’s only the second time that the Met Office has ever issued an alert like this. The temperature here in Richmond is already 22-23 Celsius but it could reach 38 in some places later.”

Advertisement

He continued: “It’s the humidity as well, which is going to make things even more challenging.”

The camera then panned over to the view, as he added: “If you look over the bridge you can see the air – it feels really humid and sticky and we are just on the outskirts of London.”

Hundreds of schools across England and Wales are closing fully or partially, and rail passengers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel today and Thursday (June 25).

Running fewer trains puts less stress on the railway infrastructure. The idea is also to minimise the number of people caught up in any disruption.

And create breathing space in the timetable so any delays cause less of a knock-on impact.

BBC Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer

If Scotland lose and finish with three points, there are a number of results they will need to look out for – they will want as many groups as possible with two teams finishing on fewer than three points.

In Group A, if Mexico beat the Czech Republic and South Korea beat South Africa, that would leave the team in third on one point.

The next best scenario would be a big South Africa win to leave South Korea in third with three points and a poor goal difference.

Wins for South Africa and the Czech Republic would spell bad news for Scotland, leaving the third-place finisher on four points.

One of the few games that take place before Scotland face Brazil that has a bearing on where Scotland could finish comes in Group B.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar meet three hours before Scotland play and, if they draw, both sides will have two points.

Scotland would also want group winners the USA to at least get a point against Turkey, to keep them out of the equation.

On we go to Group E.

Ecuador and Curacao have one point apiece and play Germany and Ivory Coast respectively. Failure to win would mean whoever finishes third cannot better Scotland’s tally of three points.

In Group F, Scotland will be hoping second-placed Japan beat third-placed Sweden convincingly. A point for Sweden, though, would leave the third-placed finishers on at least four points.

The key fixture in Group G as far as Scotland are concerned is Egypt v Iran. A win for Egypt will ensure the team finishing third will have fewer than three points.

It is the same situation in Group H where Scotland fans will be rooting for Spain to beat Uruguay so the third-placed team can only finish on two points, while in Group I, a draw between Senegal and Iraq would mean the team in third will have just one point.

In Group J, Austria and Algeria are second and third respectively on three points and play each other in their final group game, so the scenario Scotland would want to avoid is that game ending in a draw. They would also want Argentina to avoid defeat against Jordan, who currently have zero points.

DR Congo and Uzbekistan are vying for third place in Group K.

A win for Uzbekistan would give them three points but, with a goal difference of -7, they would need a big win against DR Congo and for Scotland to lose badly to move above them in the standings.

In Group L, a point or more for Croatia against Ghana could be bad news for Scotland as it would again leave the third-place finishers with four points.

A big win for Ghana, and Panama not beating England, would be Scotland’s ideal scenario from a mathematical point of view.

Hundreds of schools will fully or partially close over the next few days because of the extreme heat, with temperatures set to hit record highs.

A ‘heat-dome’ settling over western Europe could bring temperatures of nearly 40C by Wednesday, with this latest heatwave expected to surpass the record for June of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976.

A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.

The temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C which was measured in July 2022.

Some 100 schools in Somerset will be closed over the next three days, with the vast majority fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Somerset Council.

Around 100 schools will also be at least partially closed over the next three days in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data.

Children at some schools have been told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform, which can involve long trousers and blazers.