MORE countries across Europe are allowing Brits to use their airport eGates – massively reducing wait times after a flight.

The UK government has confirmed that Sofia Airport in Bulgaria will now allow British holidaymakers to use the much faster eGate queues.

Alamy

Sofia Airport now allows Brits to use eGates[/caption]

Alamy

Half a million Brits visited Bulgaria last year[/caption]

Currently, Brits are facing hour-long queues at a number of popular holiday destinations due to be unable to use the eGates.

Instead, they are directed to the alternative queue for all other passengers, meaning huge delays when going through passport security.

However, earlier this month it was confirmed that Faro Airport – which connects Brits to the Algarve – would allow anyone from the UK to use their eGates.

Around 300,000 Brits headed to the Algarve last year, out of the 2.5million visiting Portugal.

Not only has Sofia followed suit, but Tallinn in Estonia has confirmed they will also remove the eGate ban for Brits from next year.

Around 500,000 UK holidaymakers visited Bulgaria last year, with many heading to the popular Sunny Beach.

And around 70,000 Brits visited Estonia last year.

The opening of the ports will see 49 destinations permitting the use of eGates to Brits.

This includes Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife.

EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “Today’s eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the Government’s pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals.”

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they wanted to reopen up the eGates to Brits again.

He said: “We will be and are pressing to get on with this straight away.

“Because for holiday makers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily, without delay and chaos.”

Last summer, Brits missed their flights in Spain due to long passport queues while waiting to get them stamped.

Brits will also need to make sure they are still getting their passport stamped.

Current rules only allow UK tourists to stay in Europe for 90 days out of 180 days, which is what the entry and exit stamps are for.

Anyone seen to be overstaying can be banned from entering which happened to a Brit in Majorca back in 2022.

Alamy

Tallinn will follow suit next year[/caption]

This will eventually be scrapped when the constantly-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in introduced, set to be rolled out this October.

New biometric checks will replace manual passport stamping.

Alamy

Currently, 47 airports allow Brits to use eGates[/caption]

You just love to see it.

FOOD Network start Anne Burrell looked in good spirits as she shared a post just days before her shock death.

The long-time host of Worst Cooks died aged 55 on Tuesday at her home in Brooklyn, New York – leaving swathes of the show’s fans devastated.

Getty

Anne Burrell has died aged 55[/caption]

Instagram

Anne posed next to The Green Lady just hours before she died[/caption]

Getty

Her death has left fans of the Worst Cooks show devastated[/caption]

Just days before her death, she shared what would be a final Instagram post of her posing up with New York sweetheart Elizabeth Eaton Rosenthal.

Also known as The Green Lady, the pair were all smiles as they snapped a selfie in the city’s sunshine.

Anne wrote: “I ran into @greenladyofbrooklyn in my neighborhood today!!

“I’m not going to lie- I have been keeping an eye out for her.

“I may or may not have followed her down the street for a minute. She is just lovely!!!”

The two women then shared a back and forth in the comments, with Elizabeth inviting the host to her garden to “pick figs”.

Following the news of Anne’s tragic death, The Green Lady and heartbroken fans flocked to the post’s comments to share their tributes.

Elizabeth, 83, wrote: “Hi Anne, you are such a lovely person just to meet and not knowing you.

“I just love you and so sorry but come to my garden and visit with all your beauty and love and I will be waiting for you.”

“Rip Anne. You brought so much light to Food Network. Worst Cooks is still one of my favorite shows,” said one fan.

“Prayers for your family. This feels so unexpected. You were always one of our all time favorite chefs and seemed like a great person! I’m sure you’ll be missed by many,” penned a second.

“I am beyond devastated. May you rest in eternal peace,” added a third.

‘Her smile lit up every room’

The 55-year-old was found “unconscious” in her home on Tuesday, NYPD confirmed.

Shortly after her family released a statement announcing her death.

It read: “Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered.

“Anne’s light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.

“Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.”

An investigation into the cause of her death is ongoing.

Anne leaves behind husband Stuart Claxton.

Spin-off absence

Anne’s first appearance on Food Network was a stint on Iron Chef America in 2005, before working on the series Secrets of a Restaurant Chef in 2008.

In 2010 she made a name for herself on Worst Cooks In America.

Earlier this year, there was chatter and rampant speculation that Anne might have been fired from the Worst Cooks franchise.

Despite having been a long-standing host of the hit TV show, it’s believed she was not set to star in its spin-off: Worst Cooks in America Celebrity Edition.

When Anne was absent from the show on January 10, fans rushed to social media to gauge what had happened.

“Why aren’t you in Worst Cooks? It’s not the same,” penned one person on Anne’s Instagram, underneath a post.

Anne replied: “Honestly I don’t know”.

Recent podcast appearance

During an appearance on TV Chef Rachael Ray’s podcast last December, Anne discussed the pressures of being a woman in the industry and how she managed.

She said: “I feel like when you take the effort to do that on your outside it makes you feel better on the inside.

“And like when you show up to a situation, no matter what it is, when you are put together, people notice that.

“And I think it just almost commands respect, you know, where, when you have taken the time to put together yourself.”

Getty

She was known for her big smile and caring nature[/caption]

Getty

There was chatter and rampant speculation that Anne might have been fired from the hit Worst Cooks franchise[/caption]

Getty

Anne with Craig Melvin on Worst Cooks[/caption]

SAM Thompson has admitted he felt a moment of “panic” ahead of what could have been an uncomfortable run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid.

The reality star, 32, opened up about the behind-the-scenes tension, revealing he was asked about it months before the charity match.

Instagram

Sam Thompson has spoken about Louis Tomlinson again[/caption]

Getty

Louis has yet to publicly speak about the situation[/caption]

Getty

Sam and Louis had dinner together during a Soccer Aid team bonding session to ease any tension between them[/caption]

Sam recalled being taken by surprise when asked about playing with Louis and not knowing what to say.

He said on his Staying Relevant podcast: “In my head I panicked and thought, ‘I don’t have this’.

“So I said [to the journalist], ‘Look, it’s not about me and Louis. It’s not about who anyone’s dating or anything like that — it’s UNICEF, it’s charity. 

“Everyone’s there for the exact same reason: to raise money.

“And if he’s got anything about him, which I’ve heard he does, he’ll say the exact same thing.’”

Zara, who rose to fame on Love Island, dated Sam from 2019 before they split briefly and reconciled. 

The couple finally called it quits in January.

Zara began dating One Direction singer Louis earlier this year.

Louis and Zara have yet to publicly speak about the situation but Sam has addressed it multiple times.

He said in May: “I’ve never met Louis.

“But the moment I see him, I’ll be like, ‘mate, how amazing is this what we’re doing? And hopefully we can make as much money as possible’

“And I imagine – from what I hear is a really lovely bloke – I imagine the reply will be exactly the same.”

Sam couldn’t resist a subtle dig at Zara and Louis’s relationship, choosing to label it a “hook-up” rather than anything serious.

“It’s a charity football game and everyone will have a smile on their face,” he added to The Mirror.

“Everybody is doing it for a cause that is far beyond relationships and who’s hooking up with who and all that kind of stuff. Football brings everyone together.”

It comes as The Sun revealed Louis and Sam had a secret dinner with their England teammates before the match.

The dinner took place with the lads and some teammates at Champneys spa in Tring, Herts, where they have been training for the match at Old Trafford.

A source said: “There is no beef between the pair and they’re both going to ensure their love lives don’t distract from such a big charity spectacle.

“They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they’ve broken bread with their teammates, so it’ll be smooth sailing on the day.”

However, Sam pulled out of the match on the day due to an injury sustained in his marathon challenge.

A source said: “Sam is gutted he can’t play, but the match has just come too soon since his efforts.

“He’s still going to be a presence and play a big part in the coverage but he won’t be able to compete on the field.”

The source added: “There is a small blessing in his withdrawal as the focus on him and Louis will disperse.

“Their every move will be watched so it’s a relief in some ways they won’t be on the pitch together.”

TalkSport

Sam was spotted standing behind Louis during a training session in an awkward moment[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

The pair were on the England side but Sam pulled out on the day of the match[/caption]

LOVE Island fans are calling for Dejon Noel-Williams to be booted from the villa after a tense chat with Malisha Jordan and Meg Moore left fans convinced he’s “lying through his teeth”.

The drama unfolded during a fraught chat between the trio, where Dejon insisted he’s been “100% transparent” with both girls – but Meg and Malisha didn’t buy it.

ITV2

Love Island fans are calling for Dejon Noel-Williams to be booted from the villa[/caption]

While Dejon repeatedly claimed he’s open and honest about his feelings, the pair challenged him, accusing him of hiding how he truly feels.

Malisha told him: “I would respect it more if you were just honest and said, you know, yeah, all my eyes are on Meg. And I would be like, ‘Yeah, that’s fine.’”

But Dejon stuck to his line that he’s been upfront, admitting only that it’s “hard for me to say” how he feels.

Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, in droves, roasting Dejon for his “barefaced lying” and “weird” behavior.

One fan tweeted: “Dejon is on another planet… the way he treated Meg… and talking to Malisha like he was interested but barefaced lying to Meg now about how he felt about Malisha… D for Dejon, D for Delusion.”

Another piled on with: “Why’s Dejon lying through his teeth?”

Someone else said: “Ok Dejon is WEIRD! It’s not okay for Meg to say what she doesn’t like about him but he’s literally holding her at gun point over things she does that he doesn’t like? Get him out please.”

While a fourth chimed in with: “Same and he actually doesn’t deserve Malisha. Him and Megan can get out my villa.”

One more raged: “Dejon is just chatting out his a**e get him off my screen. Was he not the same one complaining about how Meg reacted?”

The three-way dynamic is clearly straining all involved, with Malisha admitting, “It’s hard work being in a three-way triangle because we’re just going to keep clashing heads.”

She added that they “need to be transparent with both of us,” but it seems Dejon’s version of honesty is falling flat.

Also during last night’s installment, Dejon was hit in the face by Meg.

After a romantic recoupling speech following a tense few days for the rowing couple, Meg excitedly hugged her man – and accidentally smacked him.

Dejon closed his eyes as the phone came pelting towards him and then fell back onto the firepit sofa.

It left the other islanders in hysterics with Harry looking bemused and Helena throwing her head back laughing.

It was a bit of light relief amid a nerve-wracking recoupling that came out of the blue for the stars.

Then, in a major twist, the remaining single girls Toni and Malisha were told new bombshell Harrison decides who stays and who goes home.

The beautiful girls went on separate dates with the footballer, who lives in America, before learning their fate.

But viewers were furious about being left with a cliffhanger ending.

They’ll have to wait until Wednesday night’s episode to find out who’s been dumped from the Love Island villa.

• Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

ITV2

A tense chat with Malisha Jordan and Meg Moore left fans convinced he’s “lying through his teeth”[/caption]

ITV2

The girls accused him of hiding how he truly feels[/caption]

ITV2

He’s currently coupled up with Meg[/caption]

Minister of the Department of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, is appearing before the Portfolio Committee on DSD.

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the ACT Teachers party-list have urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc to uphold the decision to cancel the registration of the Duterte Youth party-list so that legitimate groups can sit. In a statement on Wednesday, both ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Representative-elect Antonio Tinio said that the

A TEACHER who allegedly had sex with her 15-year-old pupil has been indicted on dozens more charges of assault and abuse against the same boy.

The horrifying total number of times that Christina Formella, 30, is now accused of having sex with the pupil was revealed in court.

Dupage County State's Attorney

Christina Formella, 30, was is now accused of having sex with her former pupil dozens of times[/caption]

Dupage County DP

She was pulled over by cops and arrested in March[/caption]

Facebook/Christina Formella

Formella taught special education, tutored and coached soccer at Downers Grove South High[/caption]

Formella was arrested after one of her students told cops she had sexually abused him in a classroom session in December 2023.

The boy’s mom discovered texts on his phone which revealed the alleged abuse, and contacted the police.

Footage shows the educator being pulled over and cuffed by cops in front of her husband.

She was originally charged during her first court appearance with two counts of sexual abuse and one count of sexual assault.

But on Tuesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin levelled a further 52 counts at the teacher for previously unknown alleged abuse of the same student.

The jury indicted her on another 20 counts of sexual assault, 20 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, six counts of indecent solicitation of a child and six counts of grooming.

An investigation following the initial report found that Formella allegedly had sex with the boy around 50 times between January 2023 and August of 2024, the court heard.

During that time period, Berlin’s office said, Formella allegedly sent the boy multiple text messages that were “grooming in nature.”

The fresh allegations claim the two engaged in sex acts at least 45 times on the school grounds.

Berlin said: “The new allegations against Ms. Formella, including the allegations of grooming and that the abuse lasted nearly two years, are beyond disturbing.

“I thank the victim in this case for having the courage to come forward during what I imagine is an extremely difficult time for him.”

Formella denied the original three charges allegations and insists she has never had sex with the boy, according to an earlier court petition.

During her initial police interview, she pleaded her innocence and claimed she is a “good person” but that “everybody” targets her because of her good looks, according to documents obtained by WGN9.

She also claimed to be the victim of a “blackmail” plot, according to court docs.

“She claimed that one day, [the boy] had grabbed her phone unattended, had entered her passcode […] had sent the message to his phone, had then deleted the message from her phone, and had saved it to his phone as blackmail,” the document reads.

LP Media for NY Post

Illinois teacher Christina Formella arrives at court in April[/caption]

LP Media for NY Post

She was accompanied by her husband Michael Formella, left, and lawyers[/caption]

Facebook/Christina Formella

Christina and Michael are childhood sweethearts[/caption]

Messages revealed to the court show she allegedly told the victim: “I love having sex with you,” back in 2023 when she was 28.

The boy is said to have responded with: “I know baby I love it so much… It feels so good… It’s so passionate… It’s so intimate… It’s so perfect… I love you so so much mama.”

Formella appeared in court on Tuesday morning for a status hearing, where the state petitioned to keep her detained until trial.

Judge Mia McPherson denied the request, and Formella is next scheduled in court on August 4.

Formella, who is married to her college sweetheart, taught and coached her alleged victim soccer at Downers Grove South High School.

The boy’s mom unearthed the alleged assault when she bought him a new phone and was linking it to his iCloud account, according to the initial petition.

In the process, she allegedly came across texts between her son and the teacher discussing sexual contact, and even a relationship.

The “relationship” seemed to have been ended by the boy, cops said.

Her husband, Michael Formella, was stoney-faced as he accompanied his wife to court in April for a plea hearing.

The pair remained silent as they strode into the courtroom, also accompanied by their lawyers.

BRITAIN has been blessed with glorious blasts of heat so far in 2025, with temperatures set to soar to 29C in parts of the UK today.

However, despite the sizzling heat, the Met Office has not yet declared a heatwave anywhere in the nation.

Met Office

This map shows the heatwave threshold for each region of the UK[/caption]

Alamy

©Graham Hunt

Sun seekers enjoying the heat in Exmouth[/caption]

Will there be a heatwave in the UK?

The UK’s national weather service has said that parts of the UK could “very well be” in a heatwave by the end of the week, but this depends on certain thresholds being met.

For a heatwave to be declared, a location has to record a period of at least three consecutive days where temperatures meet or exceed the heatwave threshold for that location.

Temperature thresholds are different across the UK, with, as shown in the map above, the threshold for much of the north and west being 25C.

In London and the Home Counties, the threshold is higher, at 28 degrees.

Tony Wisson, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: “By the beginning of the weekend we could very well be meeting heatwave thresholds in places.

“While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales.”

How long will the heatwave last?

Tan happy Brits will likely be soaking up the sun today, as London is set to see highs of 29C, with residents of Wales basking in balmy 25C heat.

In London – where the threshold is 28C – temperatures could peak at 29C on Thursday and 31C on Friday, before hitting 32C on Saturday.

The hot weather will then spread further north, with Manchester and Newcastle enjoying temperatures into the late 20s by the weekend.

The Met Office said several places were expected to exceed 30C on Saturday, making them the highest temperatures of the year so far.

Tony said: “Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day.

“Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.

“While the warmest temperatures are likely across London and the east of England, by Saturday heatwave thresholds could be reached across much of the Midlands, low-lying areas bordering the Peak District and even parts of east Wales.”

However, high pressure is expected to move away from the UK early next week, meaning that temperatures will fall.

Tony added: “Temperatures are likely to peak in the low 30s Celsius this weekend before easing sometime early week.

“Some forecast models even allow temperatures to rise into the mid 30s of Celsius by Monday.

“While this is feasible, it is considered a lower-likelihood scenario.”

 The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record.

A drought was declared by the Environment Agency across Yorkshire last week while the North West of England entered drought status last month.

The UK’s June temperature record stands at 35.6C, which was set in Southampton in 1976.

Current forecasts suggest the record is unlikely to be broken this time – but it will come close.

LNP

Londoners enjoying the heat in sunny St James’ Park[/caption]

Alamy

Sunbathers relaxing in Dorset[/caption]

THE sun is blazing and you’re doing everything right, slathering on suncream, grabbing your shades and hat, and staying out of the heat.

But a hidden danger could be lurking much closer to home, inside your bathroom cabinet.

Getty

Some medicines in your bathroom cabinet are making your skin far more vulnerable to the sun[/caption]

Getty

Worryingly, some of the worst offenders are probably already part of your daily routine[/caption]

Experts warn that some everyday pills – taken by millions of Brits – may secretly be making your skin far more vulnerable to the sun, dramatically raising your risk of deadly skin cancer.

It comes as the Met Office revealed Brits will bask in a heatwave this weekend, with temperatures set to hit 30C within days.

Earlier this year, a new study warned that 2.6 million women on HRT could be at risk in scorching temperatures, which could turn the vital drug into a serious health concern.

The key ingredient in most HRT meds, oestrogen, significantly raises the risk of skin cancer, the Swedish scientists warned.

The study, published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine in March, found the hormone fuels all three major types: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and deadly melanoma, with risk climbing sharply at higher doses.

And they’re not the only drugs; antibiotics, antidepressants and medicines to treat high blood pressure can also prove very dangerous. 

Some medicines can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, pharmacist Thorrun Govind tells Sun Health.

She explains: “This is a reaction known as photosensitivity.

“It happens when a drug causes your skin to react more strongly to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.”

These drugs can damage the skin in two ways.

She adds: “Either they absorb UV light and become chemically reactive, damaging skin cells – a process called phototoxicity.

“Or UV light alters the drug, triggering the immune system to attack it as a threat, which causes inflammation and rashes. This is known as a photoallergic reaction.”

Worryingly, some of the worst offenders are probably already part of your daily routine.

The 5 common medicines that could increase your risk of skin cancer…

1. IBUPROFEN

Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used painkillers in the UK, with millions reaching for it every year. 

But this common drug can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

“Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can lead to phototoxic reactions, especially when taken in high doses or combined with sun exposure,” Thorrun says. 

This means you’re more likely to experience redness, blistering, or inflammation even if you’re careful with sun cream.

2. ANTIBIOTICS

Certain antibiotics can absorb UV light and increase your risk of sunburn and skin rashes, Thorrun says.

This is especially the case for doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, two commonly used medicines to fight sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urinary tract infections (UTIs), respectively. 

“To minimise the risk of phototoxicity, it’s important to avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking these medications,” she explains.

3. ANTIDEPRESSANTS

With more than 8 million people in the UK taking antidepressants, it’s important to know that some can affect the skin.

“These medicines, especially sertraline, can cause your skin to become more reactive to sunlight through phototoxic or photoallergic mechanisms,” says Thorrun.

This may lead to itching, redness, or rashes after even mild sun exposure.

Sertraline is part of a group of medications called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the UK.

They’re often the first treatment offered to help people struggling with low mood or anxiety.

Alamy

Skincare is vital in hot weather[/caption]

4. STATINS

Over 7 million Britons are prescribed statins to manage cholesterol, a fatty substance in the blood that, when too high, can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. 

Statins work by lowering cholesterol levels, helping to protect against these serious heart problems.

While increased sun sensitivity isn’t a typical side effect, some people may still experience it.

“It’s not very common but worth being aware of,” Thorrun advises.

“Always use sun protection regardless.”

5. HRT

Oestrogen, on the whole, tends to be good for the skin, Thorrun says. 

“It makes the skin thicker and stronger and therefore less likely to get burnt,” she explains. 

So the fact that the new study by researchers at Lund University suggests oestrogen, found in HRT, can increase the risk of burning and cancer is a bit counterintuitive, she says. 

However, this is not the first study to suggest a link. 

For example, a large Finnish study published in 2017 found that women using hormone therapy had a slightly higher risk of developing melanoma, particularly with longer use of oestrogen-only treatments.

Similarly, a 2022 meta-analysis of over 2.6 million women showed a modest increase in melanoma risk linked to menopausal hormone therapy, especially with oestrogen medicines.

How to stay safe

Last summer, a cancer charity begged Brits to do more to protect themselves from the sun as the number of melanoma skin-cancer cases in the UK reached an all-time high. 

Cancer Research UK predicted there will be a record 20,800 cases diagnosed in 2024, up from a yearly average of 19,300 between 2020 and 2022.

Its analysis shows rates between 2009 and 2019 – from 21 to 28 cases per 100,000 people.

The rise in diagnoses is due partly to a growing aging population and an increase in awareness of the signs of skin cancer.

Melanomas are a serious type of skin cancer, strongly linked to sun exposure. 

At first, they usually appear as new moles on the skin – or changes to existing moles.

If left unchecked, these moles can grow and transform, often becoming darker, and morph into something far more sinister.

It can quickly spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs like the brain, making it even harder to treat and much more deadly.

“The best advice is to always wear sunscreen, especially when you’re out in the sun – no matter the season. I recommend SPF 30 or higher,” Thorrun says.

“Use clothing and hats to cover your skin when you can.”

“And try to avoid the strongest sun between 11am and 3pm,” she adds.

If you are worried always check patient information leaflets or speak to a pharmacist for guidance. 

“Don’t just stop taking prescribed medicines,” Thorrun says. “Always speak to your healthcare professional if any concerns.”