Holidaymakers are flocking back to the eastern Mediterranean after fears of a wider Middle East conflict prompted an early slump in bookings. Travel companies say demand for destinations including Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt has rebounded strongly, helped by discounted hotel rates and the realization by travelers that many resorts are far from the fighting. Industry figures report that online searches for holidays in the region are rising sharply, with some operators saying business has returned to normal — welcome news for tourism firms that feared a disastrous summer season.

A curious cat interrupted a “Romeo and Juliet” ballet performance in Turkey, wandering onstage during the climactic final scene. The dancer playing Romeo, lying dead with Juliet mourning over his body, showed “superhuman composure” by not flinching as the cat scratched and nibbled at his head, said The New York Times. In a “bit of inspirational improvisation,” Juliet dragged Romeo away from the feline interloper, who jumped on a table and watched the rest of the show.