A recent survey, conducted by Opinium, found that 34% of travellers have noticed an increase in potential scams on social media platforms over the past year.
Head of risk at emerchantpay, George Ralchev, said: “Holidaymakers are being targeted by social media scammers looking to take advantage of the peak travel season.”
The survey also revealed that:
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70% of people are now cautious about promotional holiday emails due to fear of fraud.
50% prefer using online or high street travel businesses that clearly explain their consumer protection measures.
How to spot travel scams
Travel scams can include fake accommodation, non-existent flights, or fraudulent tours sold to holidaymakers while abroad.
Scammers often use copied photos from legitimate websites and may ask victims to pay via bank transfer.
Holidaymakers may also want to check if the company involved is a member of ABTA (a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry).
People booking package deals with a flight could also check coverage under the ATOL financial protection scheme.
Lisa Webb, consumer law expert at Which?, said: “There are ways to help you spot fake holiday listings – such as using a reverse image search to check for stolen images or checking the property’s location on an online map to see that it exists.
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“Always book through official, trusted channels and avoid paying by bank transfer for anything advertised on social media.
“If you think you have lost money to a holiday booking scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Report Fraud or Police Scotland.”
Have you been the target of a travel scam? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Friends star Courteney Cox has reportedly split from Snow Patrol musician and Belfast star Johnny McDaid after more than a decade together, with the couple having previously been engaged
Emma O’Neill Content Editor and Jordan Lloyd Beck
12:05, 29 Jun 2026Updated 12:14, 29 Jun 2026
Courteney Cox has reportedly called time on her romance with Johnny McDaid.
The 62 year old star, best known for playing Monica Geller in Friends, has been in a relationship with Snow Patrol rocker Johnny, 49, since 2013, having got engaged over a decade ago.
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But it emerged on Saturday that the pair have parted ways, though sources have stressed it wasn’t an “ugly split” at all.
An insider told The Mail on Sunday: “Johnny speaks incredibly highly of Courteney. They had a very deep relationship and they remain extremely amicable. They are great friends and care about each other very much.
“This was not an ugly split. They had simply reached a point where they were living different lives.”
It’s believed Johnny has started seeing someone new, with his last public appearance with Courteney – who is mum to 22 year old daughter Coco with ex-husband David Arquette – happening in September at the US Open.
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Just weeks before that outing, the now-separated couple were spotted enjoying a night out with Jennifer Aniston and her other half Jim Curtis, reports the Mirror, reports RSVP Live.
Courteney, who also portrays Gail Weathers in the Scream franchise, first met Johnny at a Los Angeles party through their shared pal Ed Sheeran. In 2024, the actress revealed that Johnny had previously terminated their relationship at the very start of a couples therapy appointment they were attending together.
During an appearance on the Minnie Questions podcast, she confided in Minnie Driver, saying: “We went to this therapist to talk about our boundaries – what we could and couldn’t accept of each other.
“I was like, ‘what?’
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“And we were engaged. And I was so shocked. I was in so much pain. I also don’t like surprises!
“There was that much that needed to be dealt with, that he had to protect himself around his heart.”
The couple eventually navigated through their troubles and, despite calling off their engagement, maintained their relationship – until their recent separation.
Three organisations providing vital local connections are sharing more than £101,000 of SPT funding.
Three South Lanakshire organisations are sharing more than £101,000 in core grant funding from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
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Larkhall and District Volunteer Group (LDVG), Blantyre Volunteer Group and East Kilbride Community Transport (EKCT) are each receiving support for 2026-2027 from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
They are among 19 community organisations across the region to benefit from the funding allocation to help in their work of “delivering essential journeys to healthcare appointments, shops and social activities”.
Larkhall and District Volunteer Group will receive up to £64,700 for its core operations and to support MyBus demand-responsive services.
The organisation, based at Victoria Street in the town, operates community transport minibuses and runs services including three weekly shopping bus services for older residents in Ashgill, Strutherhill, Birkenshaw and Hareleeshill, and a community car helping local people with transport to medical appointments.
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Blantyre Volunteer Group will receive up to £28,000 towards core operating costs for running its fleet of five minibuses, which provides journeys for charities, youth associations, schools and community groups.
East Kilbride Community Transport will receive up to £16,000 in core funding, “helping ensure residents across the area can access the services and activities they need”.
The voluntary organisation, which has been running for almost four decades, operates three 16-seater minibuses which are booked by community groups, schools and churches for trips and social activities.
Group secretary June Harpum told the East Kilbride News earlier this year how the operation costs £5000 per month for costs ranging from ever-increasing fuel to required 10-weekly servicing of its vehicles.
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SPT chair Councillor Stephen Dornan said: “South Lanarkshire has a network of dedicated community transport volunteers and operators who make a real difference to people’s lives every day.
“Whether it’s a MyBus journey to a medical appointment in Larkhall or a community trip in East Kilbride, these organisations are connecting people who might otherwise be left isolated; SPT is delighted to support their work.”
Papers for SPT’s operations committee approving the funding for the 19 organisations noted: “Community transport operators deliver essential services, with a particular focus on supporting older people, individuals with disabilities, and those on low incomes.
“These services facilitate access to key destinations, including healthcare, retail, and social activities, thereby supporting independent living and community participation.
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“Applications seek funding support towards core operating costs, including driver provision, volunteer expenses, staff salaries, training, vehicle insurance, maintenance, and fuel – without this support, the sector’s ability to deliver essential transport services to local communities would be significantly reduced.
“Community rransport plays a critical role in improving access to goods, services, and facilities across the west of Scotland, particularly for older people, disadvantaged individuals and vulnerable groups.”
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She was known for her appearances in the sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born.
A statement on behalf of Dame Penelope’s family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years.
“The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
RIP Penelope Keith. Such a talented actress with brilliant timing and an accent that could cut glass. Loved watching her pic.twitter.com/9WmInFvjCk
Among those to pay tribute was the MP Jeremy Hunt who posted on X: “Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Dame Penelope Keith CBE.
“She was a neighbour & friend where she was dearly loved by all who knew her in Milford.
“She helped Britain laugh at itself, one of our best national qualities, &brought happiness to millions.
“RIP dear Penny.”
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The career of Dame Penelope Keith
Keith was born in Sutton, Surrey, in 1940, and she went to a Catholic convent boarding school in Seaford at the age of six.
Dame Penelope Keith collected a CBE from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 (Image: PA Wire)
It was here she became interested in acting and frequently went to matinées in the West End with her mother.
Keith joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963 and went on to win the 1976 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance for the play Donkeys’ Years.
She became a household name in the UK playing Margo Leadbetter in the sitcom The Good Life (1975–78), winning the 1977 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance.
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In 1978, Keith won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for The Norman Conquests.
In her later career, she presented some documentary series for the BBC and Channel 4.
She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to the arts and to charity.
Were you a fan of Dame Penelope Keith’s work? Let us know in the comments.
Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the site as emergency services attended on Sunday evening
11:34, 29 Jun 2026Updated 11:41, 29 Jun 2026
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service says a large blaze at a historic convent in Co Down was started deliberately.
Emergency services were called to the scene in Downpatrick after the fire was reported at around 7pm on Sunday evening, June 28. Smoke and flames were seen billowing from the Convent Of Mercy on St Patrick’s Avenue in the town with the roof well ablaze.
In a statement on Monday morning, a NIFRS spokesperson said: “A large building fire on Irish Street, Downpatrick, has now been dealt with. The initial call was received at 7.01pm on yesterday evening (Sunday 28 June 2026).
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“At the height of the incident 70 firefighters were involved. A total of 10 appliances attended from Downpatrick, Newcastle, Dromore, Ballynahinch, Comber, Carryduff, Banbridge, Newtownards and Rathfriland Fire Stations, supported by two Aerial Appliances from Knock and Springfield Fire Stations, a Command Support Unit from Lisburn Fire Station and a Water Tanker from Warrenpoint Fire Station.
“Our firefighters worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the incident to ensure that the fire was brought under control and extinguished. We would like to thank the public for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident. The cause of the fire is believed to have been deliberate ignition and the incident was dealt with by 10.03am.”
A PSNI spokesperson added: “Police received a report of a large fire in the Stream Street area of Downpatrick just after 7.10pm on Sunday, 28th June. Officers attended to assist colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service with traffic management until the blaze was extinguished in the early hours.
“Fire Service have stated that ignition may have been deliberate and as such a scene is being held this morning, Monday 29th June, to allow for further investigation.
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“We would appeal to anyone with information to contact police using our witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals – quoting reference 1509 28/06/26. You can also contact us on 101.
Built in the 1870s the convent went on the market in October last year with an asking price of £400,000 with planning permission for flats attached. It had previously sold for £175,000 in 2019.
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SDLP MLA Colin McGrath expressed his sadness following the major fire at the former convent in Downpatrick.
The South Down MLA said: “It’s really sad to see the former convent in Downpatrick on fire. Although it’s been lying derelict for some time, it’s still one of those buildings that people in the town know well, and it’s difficult to watch it being lost like this.
“Many local people will have memories of the convent and the role it played over the years. Even in recent times it has remained a familiar part of the Downpatrick skyline, so seeing it go up in flames is upsetting.
“I want to pay tribute to the firefighters and all of the emergency services who have responded so quickly to what is clearly a significant incident. Their professionalism and bravery in dealing with situations like this should never be taken for granted.
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“My thoughts are also with those living and working nearby who will understandably have been concerned as the fire developed.”
A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the stabbing
10:45, 29 Jun 2026Updated 10:55, 29 Jun 2026
Police have issued an update after a man was stabbed at a rave near Cambridge. Officers were initially called to the rave in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 28) to a field on Dry Drayton Hill, between Dry Drayton and Madingley.
When police attended, they found around 400 people at the rave. Calls came in that a man had been stabbed. Paramedics attended and the man in his 20s was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Officers, including armed police, searched the area and two men were arrested. In the latest update, Cambridgeshire Police has confirmed the two men arrested in connection with the attack have been released on bail until September 2026. Investigations remain ongoing.
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A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “Anyone with any information is urged to report this to police online quoting incident number 115 of today, or call 101 if you do not have internet access.”
The Princess of Wales has completed the Three Peaks Challenge and issued a powerful message to cancer survivors: “Please know you are not alone”
Russell Myers Royal Editor and Bradley Jolly Overnight News Editor
11:00, 29 Jun 2026Updated 11:07, 29 Jun 2026
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The Princess of Wales has spoken about her experience of living with cancer as she delivered a heartfelt message to survivors: “we stand together”.
The Princess, 44, said: “Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.”
The mother-of-three made the heartfelt statement following her completion of the Three Peaks challenge, through which she has raised funds for the hospital where she underwent cancer treatment. She received her diagnosis in March 2024 and completed her treatment – including chemotherapy – at the Royal Foundation and the Royal Marsden in Chelsea, London, in September of that year.
After conquering the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) solo with assistance from Mountain Rescue along the route, Kate said: “Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported. Please know you are not alone.”
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Upon completing the challenge, the Princess revealed she has partnered with the Royal Marsden to establish a fundraising page where all contributions will support holistic care provision at the London hospital where she received her cancer treatment.
She continued: “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.
“We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment.
“Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.”
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Having overcome her illness, the Princess of Wales resumed her royal duties in early 2025. She revealed that she chose to take on the Three Peaks Challenge — a national event in which participants attempt to scale the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours — to “explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back”, reports the Mirror.
The Princess was welcomed at the foot of Snowdon by Prince William, her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, her parents Carole and Michael Middleton, and her brother James Middleton.
She continued: “I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back. The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people.
“We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment.
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“Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare. Every individual is different, and ensuring there is a whole person approach to care enables those living through cancer to manage the deeply personal challenge of diagnosis. Holistic therapies complement clinical pathways and support patients’ ability to maintain their wellbeing, resilience and quality of life during an exceptionally difficult time.
“This challenge will support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping to transform access to, and understanding of, holistic care that will enhance recovery and healing for patients across the UK. Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong.
“It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because in the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward. It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain, or landscape you are walking through.”
Kate completed the challenge by conquering Snowdon, having already scaled Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike earlier in the 24-hour mission. The funds raised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity will enable more cancer patients to access holistic care.
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The money will additionally back research into how such approaches can best complement clinical cancer treatments, supporting patients throughout their entire journey. The ultimate aim is to establish a blueprint for change, ensuring this supportive care becomes a routine element of cancer treatment across the country.
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “At The Royal Marsden, we are committed to ensuring every patient has the personalised support they need as they navigate their diagnosis, treatment and life beyond cancer. A patient’s cancer journey doesn’t stop when active treatment stops; it’s important to treat the whole person, not just the illness. Holistic care that complements clinical care plays a vital role in enabling patients to sustain their wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life.
“We are honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales as Joint Patrons of The Royal Marsden. The Princess’s commitment to The Royal Marsden stems from a deep empathy for those facing similar challenges, and we are immensely grateful for this generous support that will make a difference to the lives of so many cancer patients and their families.”
A newborn baby has been found dead in a portable restroom at a music festival in Michigan, police said.
The infant’s body was discovered in a toilet in the camping area of the Electric Forest festival in Rothbury by an attendant Sunday, Michigan State Police told CBS News.
Electric Forest is held annually at the Double JJ Ranch, close to Lake Michigan and around 60 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, hosting dozens of DJs and other electronic dance music acts over four days. The body was discovered on the last day of the festival, which attracts tens of thousands of EDM fans each year.
Police said their investigation into the death is ongoing but have not yet revealed the age of the child or any other identifying details due to the sensitivity of the case.
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“The Michigan State Police continue to investigate the discovery of a deceased neonate found Sunday morning in the camping area at the Electric Forest Festival,” cops said in a social media post.
“Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance. If you were in the area and observed anything unusual, or if you have information that you believe may be relevant, we encourage you to come forward.
“We appreciate the public’s cooperation and ask that people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected.”
Organisers of the annual event said they were “heartbroken” (Electric Festival)
State police added the incident is not indicative of any wider threat to the general public and urged anyone with any knowledge of what happened or who believe they saw any suspicious or unusual activity to leave a report via the MSP’s online portal.
The festival organisers offered their sympathies in a statement on social media.
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“Forest Family, it causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you,” the festival wrote on Instagram.
“The Michigan State Police continue to investigate this tragic event if you can assist in any way. HQ is heartbroken and knows that our Forest Family is as well.”
This year’s festival was the 14th incarnation of the event, inaugurated in 2008. Last year’s gathering attracted as many as 50,000 revellers.
The environment usually takes a backseat in times of conflict. But in Ukraine a rewilding project is sowing seeds for a greener, more peaceful future
Vesela Dolyna translates from Ukrainian as ‘happy valley’. In the heart of the semi-arid Pontic-Caspian steppe system in southwestern Odesa Oblast, this village of 1,206 souls has, sadly, seen happier eras than today. Today, Vesela Dolyna’s residents are as likely to hear the violent cracks of exploding mines, or the high-pitched screams of the Russian missile strikes targeting the nearby Black Sea coast, as the bucolic rhythms of harvesting, or the craw of the native Eurasian magpie circling the village’s thatched, brightly painted homes.
Take a walk into the grasslands of the Tarutino Steppe with local resident Petro Hramatik, however, and you might yet hear another, strange and ancient, sound: a high, keening bray which, to locals like Hramatik, is a sign of hope amid the misery of war.
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A former Vesela Dolyna village head, Hramatik is a local volunteer for Rewilding Ukraine, a conservation organization that is restoring 600 hectares of formerly ploughed grassland in the Tarutino Steppe through the reintroduction of native species.
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Donkeys trampling fireproof landscapes
The project began in 2017 and has led to the release of 63 Konik horses; 20 red deer; 30 fallow deer; 20 water buffalo; and ten Hucul horses, the latter a native breed from the Carpathian mountains, back into the wild. Their star reintroduction however is a keystone species that Hramatik monitors on his frequent visits into the steppe: 35 characterful and voluble kulan, or wild donkeys. With their stout legs and high-pitched bray, these wild equines once ranged across a great swathe of central Europe from Ukraine and Russia in the west to Mongolia and China in the east.
“I genuinely love nature and I feel deeply connected to this landscape,” Hramatik told Perspective Daily. Hramatik took part in some of the animal releases to the steppe and now visits the territory to monitor plant and animal health, most frequently in the summer and spring when the Steppe is accessible due to better weather. “The natural grazing of kulan is having very positive effects on the steppe,” he said, “They reduce excessive dry vegetation, create more diverse plant structures and open up space for different species to return.”
Before human settlement, the Tarutino Steppe was an ecosystem of dry temperate grassland on fertile soils called ‘chernozem’ (black earth). These steppes supported diverse, drought tolerant grasses and flowering plants and were ranged over by large grazers such as the kulan and abundant small mammals and rodents. From the 19th century, with German Bessarabian settlement, and later Soviet factory-scale farming, the Steppe was converted to cereal and sunflower farming, sheep grazing and vineyards. Abandoned by the Soviet tractors after 1990, and with an ageing local population unable to tend the land, the Tarutino Steppe deteriorated into an unloved landscape that was dangerously prone to wildfires.
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Image: Wikimedia Commons
With climate change and now the scourge of exploding mines (planted by both Ukrainian and Russian forces), wildfires can ignite daily in the heat of summer, Hramatik says. “That’s why the kulan are so important,” Hramatik adds, “they manage vegetation and reduce fire risk.” Kulan help to manage fire risk through natural grazing and movement, which reduces the amount and continuity of flammable vegetation. Their droppings also add organic matter to the soil, which improves soil structure over time: healthier soils hold water better, resist compaction, and absorb rainfall more efficiently rather than shedding it as run-off, also lowering fire risk.
Preparing for the tourism of tomorrow
The reintroduction of ancient grazers, as well as rodents such as marmots and the black-bellied European hamster, has also improved the Steppe’s soil fertility and, in turn, its carbon sequestration, says Mykhailo Nesterenko, who heads Rewilding Ukraine. Nesterenko and his family initially fled Ukraine for Romania on the outbreak of war, before moving to the Netherlands, though he returned to resume work on the projects in 2023.
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“Nature restoration is important for communities too,” he adds. “Wetlands help communities adapt to climate and a healthy ecosystem also opens up the possibility of nature-based businesses, such as tourism.”
Rewilding Ukraine’s umbrella organization Rewilding Europe works on rewilding projects downstream at the Danube Delta, a connected habitat 50 km southeast at the mouth of the Black Sea that is partly in Ukraine and partly in Romania and is part of the Danube Delta Biosphere. Here it is restoring waterways from a ‘managed’ Soviet-style hydraulic system back into a self-sustaining, wild wetland, by removing 10 obsolete dams and re-establishing fish spawning grounds. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1991) and Biosphere Reserve, the 4000 km² Delta hosts over 5,500 plant and animal species, and is so dense and varied that locals and biologists call it ‘Europe’s Amazon’.
Mykhailo Nesterenko, head of Rewilding Ukraine. Credit: Privat
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Loss of tourist income is one of the social and financial tolls on rural Ukrainian communities from Russia’s war. Average monthly wages in Bolhrad Raion, of which Vesela Dolyna is a part, are 7,000–9,000 UAH a month (€ 190–230) compared to the national average wage (2023): 15,000–16,000 UAH a month (€ 400–450). Regional ethno tourism attractions such as Vynohradivka (Kurçu), a traditional wine-growing village, were shuttered with the outbreak of hostilities and UNESCO and the World Bank estimate that Ukraine’s culture and tourism sectors have accumulated over $ 19.6 billion in lost revenue since February 2022.
Now Rewilding Ukraine is establishing the infrastructure to be able to »press go« when tourists return, Nesterenko explains. They include Eco-park Tarutino: a dedicated area featuring excursion routes and guided tours to see the reintroduced animals with wildlife watching towers and observation hides.
Ukraine’s nature is as resilient as the Ukrainian people
Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Ukraine are supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) at the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, part of the University of Cambridge. Its Director, David Thomas, told Perspective Daily that although monitoring of impacts of the Delta projects is hampered by the war, ELSP is seeing ‘cascading effects’ from the reintroduction of large herbivores, such as increased fish populations and diverse bird communities.
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Researchers in the steppe. Image: Victor Shapoval
ELSP’s satellite images show that reintroducing water buffalo and Konik horses across the outer Delta has reduced dense vegetation as it has boosted plant diversity. They have also found that grasslands with large and diverse grazing species like donkeys, horses, and buffalo deposit twice as much carbon compared to areas where no large grazers are present.
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“I think the hope and expectation is that [Rewilding Europe’s work] will provide a road map, a blueprint for restoration of the area and development of the local economy,” Thomas says of his hopes for Ukraine when peace comes. “There are great prospects for a nature-based economy around the Danube.”
Tourists aside, Rewilding Ukraine’s work is as much about the people who call the Delta habitats home. Rewilding Ukraine runs initiatives through which war veterans and their families are brought into rewilding landscapes as part of PTSD recovery; and in July 2025, a five day Junior Rewilders Camp brought together around 30 secondary school students from Ukraine and Romania to the Romanian Delta for birdwatching, teamwork sessions and creative activities designed to deepen children’s connection with the delta and rewilding concepts.
Our rewilding efforts in the Danube Delta show that Ukraine’s nature is as resilient as the Ukrainian people, and the two depend on each other. I am confident that both will recover when the war ends
Nature refuses to stand still
Outcomes in the long road to peace in Ukraine in 2026 depend on Russia’s willingness to negotiate with the frameworks toward ending the war that were established at Paris »Coalition of the Willing« summit on January 6. There are risks for the Delta and its peoples that the war will grind on, and the hoped-for tourism revenue will not come.
For all their efforts, Nesterenko admits that war hinders work on the rewilding projects. Some project sites are cut off, which means that the project’s rangers cannot monitor their rewilded herds or release more as planned, as civilian travel into the Delta is severely restricted. In the meantime, however, nature itself refuses to stand still.
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In the spring of 2022, a tiny kulan foal was born on the Tarutino Steppe after a punishingly cold winter. With his gangly legs, large eyes and downy coat, he was the first kulan to be born in the wild in 200 years, making history as he stumbled to his feet. He’s a sign the Steppe, and the happy valley, will see happier days.
The steppe ecosystem is home to a variety of drought-resistant grasses and flowering plants. Image: Victor Shapoval
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A blueprint: bringing back bison in Romania
Across the border in Romania, successes with bison rewilding offer a blueprint for the future of nature-based livelihoods in Ukraine. Here, bison were not dropped into an empty wilderness but carefully reintroduced into a working landscape, with locals involved from day one: building enclosures, managing encounters, and learning how to live alongside a species that hadn’t roamed these mountains for centuries. The animals, in turn, are quietly doing what they do best: grazing young trees to keep meadows open, trampling fire corridors through forests, dispersing seeds and nutrients, and helping soils store more carbon.
Rewilding Romania supports conservation through ‘bison-smart’ communities of locals who actively accept and promote rewilding in their midst. Hotlines to report animal encounters, ranger patrols with trained dogs, and small economic incentives – from bison tracking experiences for tourists, to products made from ‘co-existence’ orchards – now support dozens of local businesses.
Mihai Miculescu, who owns the bustling Dospita bakery in Armenis, is one of them. In 2012, when the first herd of bison was reintroduced in the mountains behind his home, his son and he helped build the enclosure for the relocated animals. Today, the freshly baked malai, a Romanian cornbread made with his family’s secret recipe, seems to be selling faster than he can bake it, and he credits the success of his business to the increased business from the increase in tourist arrivals thanks to the bison rewilding project.
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Bison have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in the Southern Carpathians in Romania. Image: Daniel Mirlea/Rewilding Europe
In 2025, Rewilding Romania trained 96 residents to run restaurants that offer homestyle food, and helped another resident to access loans to start a guesthouse in the Southern Carpathians. They have also trained several locals to offer services as wildlife guides and rangers (four of whom are employed full-time by the project).
Today, the local bison population stands at over 250, of which 105 were reintroduced and the remaining have been born in the wild. “We are living in times when it is no longer enough to protect what is left of nature; it is also necessary to help nature regain the power to heal,” says Marina Druga, Executive Director Rewilding Romania. And by surviving, thriving and reproducing after being rewilded in the Southern Carpathians, the bison are functioning as natural architects that will help improve the health of their ecosystem.
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Main image: A herd of kulans in an enclosure where they are being prepared for being released into the wild. Credit: Oleksandr Gaidash
This article was originally published by Perspective Daily
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Former Love Island star Olivia Attwood has teamed up with jewellery brand Abbott Lyon for a new edit featuring personalised accessories and jewellery that are ideal for summer
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When it comes to holiday fashion inspiration, few celebrities pull off effortless glamour quite as well as Olivia Attwood. The former Love Island star has now teamed up with jewellery brand Abbott Lyon for a brand new collection, featuring pieces she would genuinely throw into her suitcase for a summer escape.
Brimming with ‘simple, buildable’ holiday-ready accessories, the carefully curated ‘designer-inspired’ range showcases an array of bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces that can be effortlessly mixed and matched. Yet it isn’t solely the jewellery that has caught our attention — the collection also boasts stylish accessories perfect for packing, from personalised raffia bags to chic cowboy hats.
Describing the range as her ultimate holiday must-haves, Olivia explained: “The only bad part of going on holiday is the packing. I’m back with a new edit with Abbott Lyon. These are your holiday essentials.”
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Olivia continued: “I’ve kept it super simple, buildable. Less stress, less digging through your case – more time for Aperols. This is going to sort your summer right out.”
Abbott Lyon has built its reputation on personalised jewellery, but this latest collection demonstrates it can give high street fashion retailers a serious run for their money. The beach bags, scarves and hats look considerably more luxurious than their price tags suggest, reports OK!.
Every jewellery collection needs a timeless gold hoop earring, and these Oval Hoop Earrings serve as the ideal everyday essential. Featuring a sleek, elongated shape, they’re crafted with 18ct gold plating and a concealed hinge for a flawless appearance.
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They’re subtle enough for daytime wear yet refined enough to complement evening holiday ensembles. They look fantastic worn alone, but for those with multiple piercings, they’ll appear equally impressive layered with studs or huggies. The sole drawback is their availability only in gold, which may disappoint those who prefer silver jewellery.
Written In The Sand Charm Name Necklace – from £79
Personalised jewellery continues to be a significant trend, and this Written In The Sand Charm Name Necklace is arguably the standout jewellery item from Olivia’s selection. Available in silver or gold from £79, the bespoke necklace displays your name in a distinctive 3D typeface that resembles lines etched in the sand.
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The item can be personalised with up to six ocean-themed charms, including pearls, birthstones and shell-inspired embellishments, although these do incur an extra charge. Perfectly capturing the coastal look, this would make a wonderful gift for a summer birthday. Do bear in mind, however, that it carries a substantial lead time of almost a month, so ensure you place your order well in advance.
Mini Beaded Blue Necklace – £39
Beaded necklaces are currently all over social media, and while chunkier designs have flooded my feed, this more delicate interpretation of the trend is one I anticipate will really gain traction. The Mini Beaded Blue Necklace provides an effortless way to introduce a hint of colour to any ensemble, evoking those island vibes with its beautiful blue shade.
It works wonderfully when layered with gold chains, and there’s also the opportunity to customise it with a charm to make it truly unique. For something bolder and more eye-catching, Oliver Bonas stocks this Gabriella Beaded Chunky Heart Pendant Necklace for £28. It features blue marble-effect beads interspersed with orange spacers, finished with an oversized heart charm for added drama.
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Personalised Raffia Bag – £69
If there’s one standout accessory from the collection, it’s the Personalised Raffia Bag for £69. Raffia totes have emerged as a summer wardrobe essential, thanks to designer iterations from the likes of Loewe and Prada.
But Abbott Lyon’s offering provides the same adaptable aesthetic for a fraction of the cost. The generously-sized woven bag can be embroidered with your name, initials or a word of your choice. It’s roomy enough for beach towels, books and all your holiday essentials, complete with an easy over-the-shoulder fit, making it convenient to carry around all day.
One holidaymaker commented: “Bought this bag as a treat for my upcoming holidays. The bag arrived safely, packaged well. Lovely dust bag. Communication good throughout. The bag is a nice size. I even bought my daughter one.”
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Another contributed: “I love the quality of the bag! Perfect summer bag,” with a third stating: “Lovely bag, fabulous quality. Lots of people ask where it’s from.” A fourth shared: “I love my new beach bag, it looks so beautiful in person, and I can not wait to use it for my holiday.”
Raffia Cowboy Hat – £59.
I’m drawn to the western look, but frequently I find that cowboy hats can appear somewhat like costume accessories. Nevertheless, this Abbott Lyon Raffia Cowboy Hat, £59, has convinced me. It seems like an effortless way to adopt the trend without being excessive and straying into the fancy dress realm.
Crafted from lightweight raffia in a timeless natural tone, it provides useful sun protection while adding a chic finishing flourish to linen dresses, swimwear and denim shorts alike. It’s simple to picture this becoming a luggage essential for everything from pool days to beach clubs.
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It is worth noting that the hat is shown with a charm chain, however this accessory is not included. It can be bought separately for £19, which brings the total cost of the complete look to £78 — a price point that some shoppers may consider rather steep for a hat.
While Abbott Lyon’s carries a somewhat more rustic feel, this Packable Fedora for £40 at M&S provides a touch more refinement. Crafted from a robust yet lightweight fabric that’s simple to pack, it folds away neatly for hassle-free travel owing to its packable construction.
Jones is the host of Morning Live on BBC One, along with the likes of Helen Skelton and Michelle Ackerley.
Jones has also been an ambassador for the Welsh Jewelry company Clopgau for nearly a decade.
Over the past eight months, the 48-year-old has been seen frequently wearing Clogau watches.
Gethin Jones warned for breaching BBC guidelines
The 48-year-old has now reportedly received a warning for breaking BBC guidelines, according to The Mail on Sunday.
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The broadcaster’s rules state that presenters “must not appear on-air wearing clothing or using products or services which they have been contracted to promote.”
A BBC Studios spokesman, speaking to The Mail on Sunday, added: “We have clear guidelines around presenters’ commercial activities, and Gethin has been reminded of these.”
Jones has been seen wearing a £550 Clogau watch with a stainless-steel case and black bezel more than 30 times on Morning Live (most recently on June 24).
The Cardiff-born presenter has also worn several other timepieces from the Welsh company on the BBC show, The Mail on Sunday added.
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Jones has been approached for comment.
He is not the first presenter to be warned by the BBC for similar breaches.
Monty Don, Shirley Ballas, and Gary Lineker have all previously received warnings from the broadcaster.
Gethin Jones’ TV career
Gethin Jones began his TV career on Welsh channel S4C, presenting children’s programmes, before, in 2005, he became a presenter on the hit BBC children’s show Blue Peter.
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Since then, Jones has appeared on a variety of TV shows, including series five of Strictly Come Dancing ( in 2007), where he reached the semi-finals with professional partner Camilla Dallerup.
He went on to appear in two of the Strictly Christmas specials in 2009 and 2016.
The Welsh presenter is still part of the Strictly family, acting as a roving reporter for It Takes Two, a role he has held since 2016.
On top of all that, Jones has also made several appearances on the hit BBC sci-fi series, Doctor Who.
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While Jones has been a host on Morning Live for more than five years, he has also been a guest presenter on This Morning (ITV) and The One Show (BBC).
He is also set to appear on the upcoming series of Celebrity Apprentice.
Along with his various television roles, Jones has featured on several radio shows throughout his career, including on Heart and Hits Radio.
Jones has also appeared in many theatre productions, been an Olympic Torchbearer (for the 2012 Summer Olympics), and appeared as a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef.
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Have you spotted Gethin Jones wearing a Clogau watch while on Morning Live? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
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