Ryanair, TUI and easyJet ban electric item – rules as flight diverted after passenger raises alarm
The Civil Aviation Authority today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as travellers ‘not aware’
Airlines have banned very common electrical items from flights – as news emerged of a surge in problems on flights caused by the items. Some carriers have begun to completely ban power banks that people use to charge their phones and tablets due to safety concerns. Generally, power banks are only permitted in carry-on, not checked luggage, amid fears they could explode and catch fire mid-flight.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today said ‘more awareness’ was needed as portable chargers carry ‘serious risks’ of overheating or catching fire. Jonathan Nicholson from the CAA told BBC News that restrictions such as not putting the devices in checked luggage were not “somebody being pedantic” or “for the sake of it”, with passengers urged “to do the right thing”.
Concerns are rising that people are ignoring the bans and simply taking the devices on board. Power banks have become popular because they offer essential, portable, and fast-charging power for smartphones and other devices while on the move, easing battery anxiety. They are affordable, compact, and versatile, enabling users to remain connected without needing a wall outlet, making them perfect for travel.
It comes after a UK-bound easyJet flight was diverted to Rome last week because a passenger had packed a charging power bank in hold luggage. The airline said the captain had decided to divert “in line with safety regulations” after a passenger informed crew during the flight that the portable charger was in the hold of the aircraft. Many airlines have toughened rules on power banks, often requiring that they be stored in hand luggage because of the risk of lithium-ion batteries catching fire.
The flight touched down safely at Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to the next day. A survey by the CAA of 1,000 UK passengers in November 2025 suggested more than a third know what lithium batteries are and are aware rules exist, but are unsure what the rules involve. Over-55s typically knew the rules better.
Mr Nicholson said the “basic set of international rules” all passengers must follow on power banks are:
- Take them with you on board the aircraft, not in checked luggage
- A maximum of two power banks per passenger
- When on board the aircraft, don’t use them and “absolutely do not charge the power bank itself because that’s when they become really hot and most susceptible to having an issue”
Mr Nicholson said incidents involving power banks were “certainly on the rise” as portable chargers grow in popularity, alongside vapes which are not allowed in checked luggage either.
Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and now Emirates have banned the batteries. Emirates states, like many airlines, the devices cannot be used during flight. In certain circumstances, they will be permitted on planes provided they are switched off and stored under your seat – not in the overhead cabin – with these rules coming into effect in October.
According to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety experts, lithium batteries pose a danger on planes primarily because of their potential to enter “thermal runaway,” a phenomenon where a battery undergoes a rapid, uncontrollable rise in temperature, leading to fire, explosion, and the release of toxic fumes. Ryanair, easyJet and TUI all have regulations in place concerning power banks, batteries and electrical devices.
Ryanair
You may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (this includes but not limited to: smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). Spare lithium batteries (including power banks) must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on luggage only.
You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.
Spare lithium batteries including power banks brought into the cabin should not be used to charge or power other portable electronic devices during taxi, take-off, or landing, not exceed 100Wh. They should not be placed in the cabin baggage loaded in the overhead storage locker. Be placed in cabin baggage under the seat in front, or on your person. Devices or batteries over 100Wh are not permitted in the cabin or the hold with the exception of Electric Wheelchair batteries.
Spare batteries, including power banks are not permitted in checked baggage.
For more information click here.#
easyJet
EasyJet strictly requires all lithium-ion batteries, spare batteries, and power banks to be carried in cabin hand luggage only, prohibited in hold luggage due to fire risks. Power banks under 100Wh (roughly 27,000mAh) are allowed without approval; items between 100-160Wh require airline approval. Batteries contained in portable electronic devices should be carried as carry-on baggage.
Should these items be packed in checked baggage, steps must be taken to prevent accidental activation and to safeguard the devices against damage; all devices must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). EasyJet imposes a limit of 15 portable electronic devices per passenger. Portable electronic devices containing non-spillable batteries must not exceed 12V or 100Wh, and passengers may carry no more than 2 spare batteries.
Where Smart Baggage is being brought into the cabin, the customer must be able to easily disconnect and remove the lithium battery / power bank, but it can remain in the bag. Smart baggage must not be accepted for travel if the lithium battery / power bank cannot be readily disconnected and removed by the customer. If smart luggage is to be checked in and placed in the hold, the lithium battery/power bank must be disconnected from the smart luggage at Bag Drop and taken into the cabin. Any exposed terminals should be protected from short circuit. The lithium battery/power bank needs to be disconnected, so if you are unable to remove it from your luggage, we won’t be able to accept the bag on board.
For more information click here.
TUI
TUI’s regulations forbid passengers from carrying loose lithium batteries, power banks, or spare batteries in checked-in luggage. These items must be kept in hand luggage only. Power banks must generally not exceed 100Wh, and terminals must be shielded from short circuits. Devices should not be recharged while on board. Dry AA(A) batteries (type Alkaline, NiMh, NiC) for small personal items such as a pocket torch or a radio are permitted, provided they are inside the device or enclosed in sturdy packaging.
Where devices are stored in hold baggage, precautions must be taken to safeguard the device from damage and to prevent accidental activation; the device must also be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode). Loose batteries and power banks should be individually protected against short circuits by storing them in their original packaging, with terminals taped or placed in a plastic bag in hand luggage.
Airline permission is always required for medical devices. For further details, see section Baggage – Medical baggage. TUI fly requires all power banks to be carried in hand luggage, never in checked baggage. They must be packed to prevent short circuits (original packaging or taped terminals). Generally, capacity is limited to 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery, with power banks not permitted to be used for charging devices or recharged onboard.
- Hand Luggage Only: Due to fire risk, all lithium-powered battery packs must be in the cabin. Capacity Limits: Power banks up to 100 Wh (roughly 27,000 mAh at 3.7V) are generally permitted.
- Safety Requirements: Terminals must be protected against short circuits, such as by taping them or keeping them in individual plastic bags.
- In-flight Usage: Power banks cannot be used to charge phones or laptops during flight, nor should they be recharged using aircraft power outlets.
- Storage: Keep them in your seat pocket or under your seat, not in overhead bins
For more information click here.
This UK holiday park will help pay your petrol costs this summer with new scheme
To combat rising fuel prices, a UK holiday park is offering to reimburse guests through its newly launched ‘Fuel Cover’ scheme this summer
One of Britain’s largest holiday park operators is offering to reimburse fuel costs for guests travelling to their locations, as prices keep climbing. With oil prices at their highest level since 2022 because of tensions in the Middle East, petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel prices are being transferred to consumers.
As a results, Hoseasons is offering to refund the money spent getting to their sites this summer, through its recently introduced ‘Fuel Cover’. It comes after research revealed 15.4 million Brits (28%) have altered holiday plans this year because of increasing costs.
Nearly six in 10 of the 2,000 adults surveyed said the expense of going away, including travel, fuel, and spending while there, are deterring them from booking a trip this summer.
“UK breaks remain a hugely popular option for families looking for flexibility, value and quality time together, giving people the chance to properly switch off and reconnect closer to home,” Simon Altham, chief operating officer for the brand said.
“We know rising travel costs are becoming a bigger consideration for many holidaymakers this summer. Fuel, in particular, can quickly add to the overall cost of a trip, especially for families travelling during peak holiday periods.
“That’s why we wanted to help ease some of that pressure and support people continuing to take the UK breaks they were already planning this summer.”
The research, carried out on behalf of the brand, revealed that 7.6 million (27%) of those planning a UK holiday admitted they will cover shorter distances for a domestic getaway this year, with those driving expecting to spend an average of £68 on fuel.
Amongst those still intending to take a break, 26% have set a reduced overall budget for their trip, while 23% are seeking self-catering accommodation. Similarly, many stated they are actively hunting for cashback or money-saving deals prior to booking.
Two thirds believe holiday firms need to do more to encourage people to book trips in the current climate.
Hoseasons customers can claim back up to £75 in fuel costs through its new Fuel Cover initiative per booking between 20 May and 30 August for travel before 30 September. Bookings must be made by phone and quoting the code “FUEL75”.
Simon Altham from Hoseasons said: “Travel costs are one of the biggest considerations for holidaymakers at the moment. Fuel, in particular, can quickly become one of the biggest extra costs for families travelling during peak holiday periods.
“That’s why we’ve designed the offer to ease some of the pressure and help families make the most of their summer breaks.”
Tuesday 26 May Independence Day in Georgia
Georgia had been part of the Russian Empire since 1800. Following the Russian revolution and the defeats in the First World War, movements within Georgia pushed for independence from Russia and on May 26th 1918, Georgia declared itself an independent democratic republic.
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, was Georgian.
May 26th had been celebrated as a public holiday until Georgia became part of the Soviet Union in 1922. Celebrations of regional public holidays were suppressed across the Soviet Union and it wasn’t until 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet regime that this day regained its public holiday status.
Georgia seceded from the Soviet Union on April 9th 1991 and April 9th is now celebrated as a national public holiday, the Day of National Unity.
Spaniard tests positive for hantavirus in cruise-linked oubtreak

A second Spaniard who disembarked from a cruise ship in the Canary Islands earlier this month has tested positive for the virus while in quarantine, Spanish health officials said Monday. File Photo by Elton Monteiro/EPA
May 26 (UPI) — A Spanish national who was aboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship has tested positive for the virus, Spanish health officials said, apparently increasing the number of confirmed and probable cases linked to the outbreak to 13.
The unidentified patient was among the 14 Spanish nationals who disembarked from the vessel in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on the morning of May 10, after the hantavirus cluster was identified earlier that month. Three of the cases have died.
Spain’s Ministry of Health said the patient was confirmed positive while in preventive quarantine at Gomez Ulla Hospital in Madrid, where the individual has been under clinical surveillance and isolation since disembarking from the vessel.
“The positive case was detected during the periodic diagnostic checks carried out on the contacts under follow-up,” the ministry said in a social media statement.
The patient has since been transferred to the High-level Isolation Unit at Gomez Ulla, where they will be under what the ministry said was “specialized medical supervision” and provided with biosafety measures.
“Health authorities stress that the case was detected within the isolation and control system already in place, and therefore does not change the risk situation for the general population or alter the ongoing epidemiological response measures,” health officials said.
The new case was announced a day after World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the cruise-linked outbreak had 12 cases.
The ship with about 150 passengers and crew from nearly two dozen nations on board were forced to dock in the Canary Islands earlier this month due to the hantavirus outbreak that at that time was responsible for two deaths and eight cases, six confirmed and two probable.
Among those who disembarked were the 14 Spanish nationals, including 13 passengers and one crew member, who remain at Gomez Ulla Hospital.
With the announcement Monday, two Spanish nationals have tested positive since disembarking from the vessel, with the first positive case being made public by the ministry on May 11.
On Friday, the ministry said that those under monitoring who have been asymptomatic and tested negative for the virus during the first 28 days from the time they were admitted could complete their mandatory 42 days of monitoring at home. The 28-day hospital quarantine is to end around June 7.
Spain’s health minister, Monica Garcia, told reporters on Friday that all 14 Spaniards in quarantine were “doing well.”
“Even the one who had symptoms has begun to be asymptomatic,” she said.
“They have now been able to leave their rooms and share the common areas.”
On Sunday, Ghebreyesus said the cruise-linked hantavirus outbreak was “stable for now.”
Gisèle Pelicot 'deeply shocked' by decision not to jail boys in rape case
The French rape survivor praises the bravery of a young girl for coming forward following the incidents in Fordingbridge.
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Who plays Idris in Coronation Street and where have fans seen actor before?
Junade Khan has joined Coronation Street as new character Idris Nazir and here’s everything you need to know about the actor including his eight years driving buses to his famous family
Coronation Street newcomer Idris Nazir is poised to cause disruption.
Alya Nazir’s (Sair Khan) cousin has landed in Weatherfield and is set to catch the eye of Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) as he establishes himself over the coming weeks.
Nevertheless, this isn’t Junade’s inaugural appearance on the cobbles. He portrayed the romantic interest of Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) 18 years ago. His character was named Saj and was shown approaching the Street’s resident in a nightclub during the peak of her John Stape abduction storyline.
As Idris gets comfortable, here’s an insight into the life of actor Junade including his notable family and his surprising job before securing his Corrie role.
Idris who wastes no time establishing his presence as he turns up unexpectedly in his expensive car, catching cousin Alya off guard, impressing Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey), antagonising Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard), and pursuing one of Weatherfield’s unattached women.
Hinting at what audiences can anticipate from Idris, Junade revealed: “He’s multi-layered and incredibly ambitious. As a child, he suffered a lot of hardship and neglect, so he’s had to overcome those obstacles entirely on his own.
“He’s a lone wolf – the black sheep of the family who has made a name for himself. He’s addicted to success and the finer things in life, but there’s a real vulnerability there, too. It’s the first time I’ve played a character where I can show that side, which is a great gift for an actor.”
Junade is perhaps best recognised for his role as Ash Roy in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks from 2008 until 2009, featuring in over 80 episodes. He has also had roles in Game of Thrones, Better, The Last House and Emmerdale.
In a candid chat with ITV, the actor disclosed: “I’ve been driving buses for eight years while doing little acting jobs here and there, so to be able to give that up, it was unbelievable. I even had a Coronation Street magnet on my fridge for years.
“I’d bought it after a failed audition for the role of Imran years ago. I was working in a call centre then and was so desperate for a way out. I remember looking at the magnet after my audition. It feels like a total full-circle moment as if it was all meant to be.”
Junade isn’t the sole well-known member of his household. His wife Gem Khan is a presenter, singer and owner of PopGems Academy. The couple’s daughter, Alara-Star Khan, is an actress with credits spanning both UK and US film and television.
She has starred alongside Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie in a film called Anxious People, featured in Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, and portrayed Poppy across all four episodes of The Serial Killer’s Wife for Paramount+ and Channel 5.
Their son Pacino Khan has likewise secured roles in a Marvel production and Waffle the Wonder Dog. Gem manages the children’s Instagram accounts and regularly keeps fans updated with the latest casting news.
Coronation Street airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX
French Open 2026: Gael Monfils, one of tennis’ greatest showmen, exits Roland Garros for final time
A former world junior number one and three-time Grand Slam junior champion, Monfils, by his own admission, perhaps did not fully fulfil his potential in the senior ranks, but he insists his “bucket list is full”.
Over the course of his 23 seasons in professional tennis, he has won 13 ATP titles, reached at least the last eight at three of the four majors – Wimbledon is the exception – and achieved a career-high ranking of sixth in the world.
There were 38 wins over top-10 ranked players, including multiple victories over both Federer and Nadal, and two Davis Cup finals with France.
Such is his longevity, this was his 70th appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam and 19th at the French Open. He holds the record for most Slam match wins by a male French player in the Open era, even if a major title has been elusive.
But Monfils will be best remembered for his on-court showmanship, athleticism and outrageous shot selection. His near physics-defying slides along the baseline and basketball-like hangtime before smashes have cemented his status as a fan favourite.
“I was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam,” reflected Monfils before the French Open. “But maybe I won something more important than that – a tennis career I’m proud of.”
In a testament to his popularity on and off the court, the farewell festivities began last Thursday with a charity event on Philippe-Chatrier – fittingly named ‘Gael & Friends’ – featuring appearances from stars such as Jannik Sinner, Djokovic and Naomi Osaka, as well as fellow Frenchmen – both retired – Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Gasquet was also in attendance for Monfils’ final bow against Gaston, as were French tennis royalty Mauresmo – the tournament director – and Henri Leconte.
Hyundai Motor Group accelerates Atlas humanoid robot production push

An infographic shows Hyundai Motor Group’s roadmap for deploying Atlas humanoid robots at manufacturing facilities, including plans to build annual production capacity of 30,000 units by 2028 and expand robot operations from parts sequencing to assembly work at its Georgia smart factory. Graphic by Asia Today and translated by UPI
May 25 (Asia Today) — Hyundai Motor Group is accelerating plans to mass-produce humanoid robot Atlas and deploy it at manufacturing sites, creating new software-defined factory and robotics parts organizations as it pushes to build AI-driven future factories.
Industry officials say the leading candidate for Atlas mass production is the company’s Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, or HMGMA, in the U.S. state of Georgia.
Analysts say Hyundai’s strategy goes beyond simply introducing robots into factories and instead aims to simultaneously establish AI-based manufacturing systems and a dedicated robotics supply chain.
According to industry sources Sunday, Hyundai Motor Group recently created a new “Software Defined Factory,” or SDF, division and appointed Alpesh Patel to lead the effort.
SDF refers to a next-generation manufacturing system in which AI integrates and controls factory-wide production, quality management and logistics through unified software systems.
The goal is not only factory automation but also real-time analysis of manufacturing data and optimization of quality control and logistics operations.
Patel, formerly with consulting firm McKinsey & Company, joined Hyundai Motor Group in 2023 and previously served as chief innovation officer at the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore, or HMGICS, where he led development of digital manufacturing systems.
Industry observers said Hyundai’s decision to move Patel into a broader group leadership role reflects plans to expand smart manufacturing systems validated in Singapore across global production sites.
Patel is also expected to oversee digital twin operations, production data management and AI-driven factory systems while coordinating future deployment of Atlas robots in manufacturing facilities.
Analysts say humanoid robots require integrated coordination among production equipment, logistics systems and worker movement within a unified software environment to function effectively in factories.
Hyundai Motor Group is also expanding its robotics supply chain infrastructure.
The company recently established a dedicated Robotics Parts Procurement Office and appointed So Hyun-sung to lead the division.
The office will oversee sourcing and cost competitiveness for core humanoid robot components such as actuators, robotic grippers and head modules as Boston Dynamics moves toward mass production.
Boston Dynamics reportedly requested that key Atlas components be mass-produced by Hyundai Mobis.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to build a mass-production system centered on Hyundai Mobis while linking it to global procurement networks to secure supply stability and pricing competitiveness.
Industry officials have also discussed the possibility of constructing a U.S.-based actuator production facility capable of producing about 350,000 units annually.
The company has additionally reorganized teams handling global trade risks amid rapidly changing international trade conditions.
Hyundai recently established a Global Trade Strategy Office under its Global Policy Office to oversee diplomacy, trade and tariff issues, appointing Jang Jae-ryang to lead the division.
Industry analysts said the move is intended to address growing risks involving global manufacturing and supply chains.
Georgia has emerged as the leading candidate for Atlas mass production over Massachusetts, where Boston Dynamics is headquartered, according to industry sources.
Officials reportedly concluded Georgia would allow newly produced robots to be immediately deployed and tested at HMGMA production facilities.
HMGMA already operates as a smart factory combining about 1,700 workers and more than 1,000 robots.
Industry officials said the facility offers advantages for repeated testing, machine learning and operational improvement of Atlas robots in real manufacturing environments.
The site is also viewed as strategically favorable for vertically integrating component procurement, robot production and deployment logistics.
Hyundai Motor Group plans to establish annual Atlas production capacity of 30,000 units by 2028 and gradually deploy more than 25,000 of those robots across Hyundai and Kia production facilities.
Initially, Atlas robots are expected to handle parts sequencing operations at the Georgia factory before expanding into assembly work.
Hyundai also plans to extend SDF technologies to facilities including its Pune plant in India and a dedicated electric vehicle factory in Ulsan, South Korea.
An industry official said Hyundai Motor Group is pursuing more than a traditional automated factory model.
“What Hyundai is building is a future manufacturing system combining AI and humanoid robots,” the official said. “The creation of SDF organizations, robotics supply chains and production hubs is essentially preparation for the era of mass-produced robots.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.
Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260526010007193
Australian police arrest two in connection with gunman Dezi Freeman
Police say the pair will be questioned in relation to the fugitive who was shot dead in March.
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Amy Dowden in tears as she makes emotional cancer discovery about family member
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was left in tears after uncovering a heartbreaking family discovery.
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden was left fighting back tears after uncovering a heartbreaking family secret during her appearance on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?
The beloved dancer delved into her ancestry on the popular genealogy programme, where she made a series of shocking discoveries about her family’s past.
Among them was the devastating revelation that a 13-year-old relative had been murdered, prompting Amy to seek out the truth behind the tragedy.
However, it was another discovery that truly struck a chord with the Welsh star. Exploring her dad’s side of the family after learning her grandfather had been adopted, Amy uncovered the story of her great-grandmother Louisa, who passed away young, leaving behind several small children.
The emotional revelation hit particularly close to home for Amy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, aged 32, after finding a lump before her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones.
Upon learning that Louisa had died in 1921 at just 39 years old from breast cancer, Amy was visibly overcome with emotion, reports Wales Online.
“Oh my goodness,” Amy said, speechless for a moment. “That’s made me a little bit emotional.”
Pausing to compose herself, she tearfully shared, “She was only in her 30s. I wonder if there’s a link between her and me.”
Amy continued: “What an awful few years they went through, the war and then this cancer diagnosis, never mind then the Lockout with the collieries.
“My mum had breast cancer and witnessing her go through it, that was tough. Just the thought of the family having to go through what we went through, and it would have been worse then.
“But also, knowing the timing as well. Poor Bill, losing his wife to breast cancer and then having six children.
“Also, she had one of the same type of breast cancers as me, and I’d love to find out more, did she get surgery, did she have treatment? Was there a chance of cure?”
She added, “Knowing what she went through is horrible, but I’m lucky, I’m still here; it took her life, so it’s a bit raw.”
Hearing of the treatment that wouldn’t have been available for Louisa, with cancer at the time known as an incurable disease, Amy shared: “I can’t imagine, I know what it’s like to have a cancer diagnosis, but I’m a lucky one, I’ve been able to come out the other side.”
Louisa’s six children were aged between 11 years old and just one year old, including Amy’s grandfather Frank, who was informally adopted after her death.
“You instantly just feel for these children,” Amy said. “To lose their mum, the girls grew up without a mother and probably also had to become a mother really to the younger siblings.”
She continued, “It’s heartbreaking to see a family go through losing a mum. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to be told you’ve got cancer, and knowing then that was a death sentence.
“I’d imagine Louisa and Bill had to make a very difficult decision, most likely together, about my grandfather Frank, and that must have been absolutely heartbreaking.”
Amy Dowden’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on Tuesday 2 June at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer, with Zoe Ball’s episode airing tonight.
24 Hours with Ella Toone: Manchester United’s Lioness in new documentary
Watch the trailer for a new BBC Sport documentary offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Manchester United and England star Ella Toone as she prepares for her wedding.
Launching on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer on Friday 29 May, 24 Hours With Ella Toone is the first episode of a new BBC Sport digital series which captures a defining 24-hour chapter with some of sport’s most fascinating characters.
Watch on Friday 29 May from 18:00 BST on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel, external, 19:00 on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three. The YouTube Premiere page will be available from 18:00 on Wednesday to set a reminder.
READ MORE: How Toone is navigating grief through football
Available to UK users only.
Fancy a European art break with fewer crowds? Try one of these five cities | Travel
Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich may be known as a financial centre, but it has a creative side, too. The Kunsthaus Zürich became the biggest art gallery in the country when its David Chipperfield-designed extension opened in 2021. Its collection spans 800 years of art, and includes old masters, Swiss artists such as Giacometti, works by Monet, Cézanne, Picasso, Van Gogh and Warhol, and contemporary artists.
The area around the Kunsthaus is now the Zurich Gallery Mile, best explored on the Zurich Art Weekend (12-14 June), held a week before the more famous Art Basel. Galleries have special exhibitions, guided tours and talks, and there are performances, art walks, screenings and parties.
In Zurich-West, a brewery built in the 1890s became an arts centre in the 1990s. The Löwenbräukunst-Areal now houses several modern and contemporary galleries, including a branch of Hauser & Wirth.
Near Lake Zurich, the Museum Rietberg showcases non-European art in three historic villas (one where Wagner wrote Tristan and Isolde), a modern extension and surrounding parkland. Current exhibitions focus on Indian paintings, Japanese woodblock prints and Chinese lacquerware.
Day trip In Baden, 15 minutes away by fast train, the Museum Langmatt reopened this month after two years of renovation. The art nouveau villa displays about 50 French impressionist masterpieces by Cézanne, Degas, Gauguin, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and more.
Lille, France
Paris is the undisputed art capital of France, but Lille has some excellent galleries with lower prices and a fraction of the crowds, and can be reached even more quickly by Eurostar from London (just 1hr 20mins). The Palais des Beaux-Arts, in a beautiful 19th-century building, houses perhaps France’s richest art collection after the Louvre, by artists such as Rodin, Van Dyck, Rubens, Delacroix, Goya and Courbet (and entry is just €7 versus the Louvre’s €22).
LaM, a modern and contemporary art gallery that’s a 30-minute bike, Métro or bus ride from the city centre, reopened in February after an extensive renovation. The inaugural exhibition is a Wassily Kandinsky retrospective (until 14 June), while the permanent collection includes work by Modigliani, Fernand Léger, Paul Klee and Louise Bourgeois. Its sculpture garden contains 10 monumental pieces by Alexander Calder and more.
Day trip In Roubaix, 10 minutes away by fast train, an art deco former swimming pool is now La Piscine museum. The old showers and changing rooms now display ceramics (some by Picasso), paintings, textiles, jewellery and sculpture, all lit through stained-glass windows. In nearby Lens, the Louvre-Lens museum – a satellite gallery of the Louvre – has 250 artworks arranged chronologically from the third century BC to the mid-19th century.
Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw’s art scene had a huge boost in 2024 with the opening of the Museum of Modern Art (MSN Warsaw). The bright white building stands in contrast to Stalin’s menacing Palace of Arts and Science next door, and showcases Polish and international artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Sarah Lucas and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Other modern galleries include the Zachęta National Gallery of Art, which has 20th-century and contemporary art from painting to installation, video and performance. It has staged exhibitions by artists including Marlene Dumas and Luc Tuymens, and is currently showing the American abstract artist Barbara Kasten (until 7 June). The Ujazdów Castle now houses the Centre for Contemporary Art, with a diverse programme of exhibitions, talks, films and outdoor events in the surrounding park.
Warsaw isn’t just about modern art. The National Museum, founded in 1862, is one of the oldest museums in the country. Its six permanent art galleries range from antiquity through medieval art to the 19th century. One highlight is Jan Matejko’s enormous Battle of Grunwald (1878), one of the best-known paintings in Poland. A temporary exhibition of 30 paintings by the Krakow-born artist Olga Boznańska (1865-1940), who also has work in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, runs until 5 July.
And at the Royal Castle, the two most prized paintings in the Lanckoroński Gallery are by an old master: The Girl in a Picture Frame and The Scholar at the Lectern by Rembrandt.
Day trip Łódź, a couple of hours away by train, has a trio of galleries covering 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century art respectively: the Herbst Palace Museum, MS1 and MS2.
Verona, Italy
Fair Verona, the home of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, is overshadowed as an artistic centre by its neighbour, Venice. But this romantic city has more to offer than Juliet’s balcony. The Palazzo Maffei, a 17th-century baroque building on Piazza della Erbe, opened as a gallery in 2020. It is laid out like a cabinet of curiosities, displaying an incredible private collection of art from antiquity to today. There is a strong focus on modern masters, including Picasso, Miró, Kandinsky and Magritte.
GAM, the modern art gallery, is in the Palazzo delle Ragione, one of the oldest public buildings in Italy (built in the mid-1100s). The collection spans from the early 19th century to the present day, with a focus on the Italian avant garde. As well as the artworks, visitors can see the palace’s beautiful Cappella dei Notai and ascend the Torre dei Lamberti, the tallest building in Verona.
The Castelvecchio museum, housed in the 14th-century castle, displays Veronese and Venetian paintings from the medieval period to the 1700s, with work by Bellini, Tintoretto, Veronese and Rubens.
The Palazzo della Gran Guardia hosts temporary exhibitions – most recently the photography exhibition Human. The VisitVerona website has an events calendar with all upcoming exhibitions.
Day trip Book ahead to see the Giotta frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, 45 minutes away by fast train. The crowds here mean the city’s other attractions, such as the art gallery inside the Eremitani Museum next door, are often empty.
Oslo, Norway
Modern art lovers will find much to admire in the Norwegian capital. Edvard Munch has his own 13-storey museum, Munch, displaying three versions of The Scream and other renowned works including The Sun, Madonna, The Dance of Life and Love and Pain. The museum also showcases painting by Munch’s contemporaries, and holds temporary exhibitions – currently Paula Rego (until 2 August). Outside is Tracey Emin’s 9-metre high sculpture The Mother.
The National Museum, which opened in 2022, is the biggest gallery in the Nordic countries. It has a room devoted to Munch, and its own versions of The Scream and Madonna. The pioneering female artist Harriet Backer also has her own room, with many more Norwegian artists displayed alongside Berthe Morisot, Matisse, Picasso and others.
The Astrup Fearnley Museum, designed by Renzo Piano (the architect behind the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Whitney in New York), has a leading collection of contemporary art, plus temporary exhibitions.
Day trip Munch owned a villa at Ramme, 40 minutes from Oslo, from 1910 until his death in 1944. The property has been restored and visitors can now book a guided tour, visit an underground art gallery displaying his work and that of other Norwegian artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, and follow an outdoor culture trail along the fjord.
Starbucks’ Korean sales fall after backlash to ‘Tank Day’ ad campaign | Protests
Coffee chain has seen ‘very significant’ drop in sales after campaign that evoked deadly crackdown, local operator says.
Published On 26 May 2026
Starbucks Korea has suffered a “very significant” drop in sales after a marketing campaign that evoked a brutal 1980 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters triggered a public outcry, according to the coffee chain’s local operator.
Shinsegae Group, whose subsidiary E-Mart owns the coffee chain in South Korea, has faced mounting criticism over its so-called “Tank Day” campaign, launched on the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, when the military government deployed troops and tanks to suppress pro-democracy demonstrations.
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In a news conference on Tuesday, Shinsegae Group chairman Chung Yong-jin made a public apology and asked people not to take out any anger on Starbucks Korea employees and front-line staff.
“I take it very seriously, the fact that many people felt deep pain and anger because of Starbucks Korea’s inappropriate marketing campaign,” Chung said.
“I will take all responsibility for the incident.”
Chung also asked people not to take out their frustration on staff at Starbucks shops, saying the responsibility lies with management. There were no immediate reports of major incidents at stores.
Chung issued his first apology on May 19, saying in a statement that the campaign caused “deep pain to the victims and bereaved families of the May 18 Democratization Movement as well as to the public”.
Shinsegae fired the head of Starbucks Korea last week after apologising over the campaign. Starbucks Global also apologised and said that an investigation had begun.
A Shinsegae official said sales had fallen sharply since the marketing controversy.
“While sales are not our main concern at the moment, we have seen a very significant drop,” said the official.
At Tuesday’s news conference, Jeon Sangjin, a senior Shinsegae Group executive, said the company had yet to find conclusive evidence that Starbucks Korea marketing employees intended to mock the pro-democracy movement, an accusation the employees have denied.
However, he said some employees refused management requests to hand over their smartphones during a weeklong internal review.
Jeon said the company would look at the results from the police inquiry, and any employee found to have intended to ridicule protesters would be fired.
The anger over the campaign has triggered public calls for boycotts, amplified by government officials, including Interior and Safety Minister Yoon Ho-jung, who said Starbucks products will no longer be used at government events and lamented the chain’s “anti-historical behaviour”.
The country’s president, Lee Jae Myung, said on X last week that the campaign displayed “inhumane and disgraceful behaviour by cheap profiteers who deny the values of the South Korean community, basic human rights and democracy”.
Hundreds of people are estimated to have died or gone missing when Chun Doo-hwan’s military government cracked down on the protests in Gwangju.
Many details remain unconfirmed, including who gave the order to open fire.
FACTBOX – Iranian, US versions of potential agreement proposals – Middle East Monitor
Both the US and Iran have recently signaled progress on efforts to reach a deal to end their conflict, though their accounts of its terms differ on some issues across respective media narratives, Anadolu reports.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said an agreement with Iran to end the war was “largely negotiated” and awaited finalization.
On Sunday morning, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency also published a report on the details of a potential agreement. However, certain aspects of what has been agreed seem to diverge.
Here is a comparison of the US and Iranian versions of the deal by key issues.
Strait of Hormuz
Citing a US official, Axios said the deal that Washington and Tehran are close to signing would extend a ceasefire by 60 days, during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened.
During the 60-day period, the Strait of Hormuz would be opened without any tolls, and Iran would remove the mines it has placed there to ensure unrestricted maritime passage.
In return, Washington would lift its blockade on Iranian ports, added the report.
The New York Times also said it was informed by three senior Iranian officials that Tehran had agreed to a memorandum of understanding to halt fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said on Sunday that the agreement could, if successful, result in a “completely open” Strait of Hormuz, with no tolls or restrictions on passage.
“They don’t own it. It’s an international waterway,” Rubio told reporters of the strait, in remarks that came during his visit to India.
A report by Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim, however, said that the Strait of Hormuz will not fully return to its pre-war status if the agreement is reached.
Instead, the number of ships allowed to pass would be restored to pre-war levels within 30 days, the outlet added.
Tehran also demands an end to the US blockade on its ports, arguing that no changes will be made in the strait if the blockade remains in place.
For its part, the US argues that the quicker Iran removes the mines and allows shipping to resume, the sooner the blockade will be lifted.
READ: Iran ready to reassure world it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, president says
Sanctions relief and release of frozen Iranian assets
Iran was seeking the immediate unfreezing of funds and a permanent lifting of sanctions, but the US position indicates these measures would only be granted after Iran made concrete concessions, according to the Axios report.
As part of the proposed 60-day agreement, the US is offering temporary sanctions waivers that would allow Iran to sell its oil freely. These waivers are explicitly linked to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, removing mines, and ending restrictions on maritime traffic. Once these steps are taken, Washington would also lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Tehran, however, says no agreement will be reached unless at least a portion of the frozen Iranian assets is released immediately. Iranian media confirmed the discussion of temporary oil sanctions waivers in the latest US proposal but insisted on broader and more permanent sanctions relief.
Nuclear file
The Axios report said the draft deal includes commitments from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons, along with provisions to negotiate a suspension of uranium enrichment and the removal of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The Iranian media reports, however, indicate that Tehran has not yet accepted anything on its nuclear program.
A potential deal would involve a 60-day negotiation window on Iran’s nuclear program, according to Tasnim.
Extent of ceasefire
Both US and Iranian media reports suggest that the cessation of hostilities would mean a halt to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
This was also highlighted by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei on Saturday, when he said Tehran was prioritizing an end to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon.
Context
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel, as well as US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation and was later extended by Trump indefinitely. Washington and Tehran also held rare direct talks in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on April 11-12, but have failed to reach an agreement.
Trump’s Saturday remarks came after Pakistani army chief Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran. The visit was the second of its kind in recent weeks, as Munir is directly involved in Islamabad’s mediation efforts.
READ: Trump says Iran talks ‘constructive’ but blockade will remain until final deal is reached
Dawn French taken aback as fan mistakes her for Joanna Lumley in awkward moment
The Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French was taken aback when a fan yelled at her in the street enthusiastically but had mistaken her for her fellow sitcom legend Dame Joanna Lumley
Dawn French was taken aback aback when a fan mistook her for Dame Joanna Lumley. The comedienne, 68, is best known playing the title role of Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley, while former model Joanna, 80, starred as boozy fashion magazine editor Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous alongside Dawn’s sketch comedy partner Jennifer Saunders.
The TV star took to social media on Bank Holiday with a humorous video where she recounted the situation for her fans and followers as she appeared to take it all in good humour.
She said: “So I did something on the telly and come out of there, just walking along and [someone shouts] ‘Hey you, you! You are absolutely fabulous.’
READ MORE: Dawn French shocks fans with talk of ‘funeral’ plans and the sad story behind new projectREAD MORE: Joanna Lumley says she believes secret to not ageing is not eating meat as she turns 80
“Oh, thank you very much!’ [And they said] ‘No, you are Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna Lumley. That’s you!’ Yeah that’s me all right!” Captioning the post, she wrote: “ABSOLOOOOTLY FABLUSS!!!”
Fans were quick to react to the post, with one simply writing: “Joanna Lumley,” and leaving behind a string of crying-laughing emojis. Referring to a moment from the second series of The Vicar of Dibley, in which Geraldine is mistaken for a celebrity, another fan wrote: “Its like someone thinking you’re Alison Moyet all over again!”
Another joked: “You’ve finally made it [face palm emoji]” and a fourth said: “Recognition get it where you can! and another said: “Poor fella probably thinks Joanna Lumley was a lady vicar.”
Author and singer Jann Arden wrote: “joanna lumley!! just the best. I once had someone come up to me in the grocery store, they were awfully excited and then proceeded to tell me that I looked like Jann Arden’s mother. So there’s that.”
Dawn is actually part of the history of Absolutely Fabulous, which followed the capers of hapless PR guru Edina Monsoon and her best friend Patsy.
The sitcom, which ran sporadically over the course of 20 years, was initially based on a sketch that appeared as part of French & Saunders titled Modern Mother and Daughter, where Dawn played the part of Edina’s straight-laced daughter Saffy, and the part was eventually taken on by Julia Sawalha when the project was greenlit as a full series.
Dawn later made a cameo appearance as a television presenter in the first series, and reprised the role for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in 2016, alongside a host of other guest stars like Rylan Clark, Kate Moss and Dame Joan Collins.
Joanna’s early career consisted of appearances in Coronation Street and The New Avengers but she has also gone on to become known for narrating a host of travel documentaries, and has found renewed sitcom success with a starring role in Amandaland.
Meanwhile, as well as French & Saunders and The Vicar of Dibley and more recent TV roles with Can You Keep A Secret? , Dawn has carved out another career as an author, having recently released her fifth novel Enough.
It follows a woman named Etta who at 68 invites all of her family to go to the beach as the sun is rising, where she tells them that by sunset, she won’t be there anymore.
“She’s made a decision to excuse her kids from the difficult, prickly last part of life,” Dawn said as she appeared on The One Show. “And she has made this decision thinking that it’s extremely selfless to do that.”
The star told the BBC show’s hosts Angellica Bell and Clara Amfo that she felt that the fact her own father had died by suicide gave her some “permission” to write the story. Dawn also shared that her own age – 68 – was also a factor when she penned the book.
She said: “I feel a little bit of permission to write this theme because I am a child of suicide myself. My dad took his life when I was 19. And I have lived with the various stages of grief about that for my whole life.”
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Fintech Leader FinVolution authorizes new two-year, $150M share buybac

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FinVolution Group (FINV) has announced a new share repurchase program, effective from May 30, 2026, that allows the company to buy back up to $150 million in shares, including American Depositary Shares (ADSs), from May 30, 2026, to May 29, 2028.
French Open 2026 results: Katie Boulter grinds out win to reach second round
The 29-year-old endured a difficult 2025, dropping from 24th in the world to outside the top 100, and she lost her British number one ranking amid injury issues.
Searching for a fresh start, she split from her long-time coach Biljana Veselinovic and appointed Michael Joyce – the former coach of Maria Sharapova – in early 2026.
After a first-round exit in January’s Australian Open, Boulter returned to the world’s top 100 with a WTA 250 title in Ostrava and a run to the third round in Miami.
But her form remained inconsistent and she had won just three WTA Tour-level singles matches from four clay tournaments in the build-up to the Paris major.
Unforced errors flew freely from both players’ racquets and the pair twice traded breaks in the opening set before Boulter served it out at the second time of asking.
Back-to-back double faults from Boulter put Urhobo on the front foot early in the second, and although Boulter levelled the scores mid-set, the Florida-born player restored her advantage immediately and forced the decider.
Both players raised their level in the third and the quality improved somewhat as Boulter stamped her authority on the contest with a break in the fourth game.
Once again, the Briton failed to serve out the set and she eventually grabbed the win – after two hours and 10 minutes – by breaking Urhobo’s serve for a sixth time.
Ultimately, 58 unforced errors to Boulter’s 35 proved too costly for rising star Urhobo, who broke into the top 200 for the first time earlier this year.
Speaking after the match, Boulter said she was not quite physically at 100% during her first-round contest, adding: “I think it’s just been cumulative over the last few weeks, maybe playing with a bit of an illness.
“I really expected to feel a bit better today walking on the court, but I wasn’t fully there. Whether it was just a little bit of the conditions, a little bit of the last few weeks, I haven’t quite got enough rest, I’m not entirely sure.
“In the last couple of days I’ve been pretty tired going on the practice courts. My goal was just to go out and not overthink it, just try to play, almost forget that I wasn’t feeling amazing and try to do the best I could.”
Israeli forces strike Lebanon as Netanyahu vows to intensify attacks

May 25 (UPI) — Israeli forces launched a renewed wave of strikes targeting Hezbollah on Monday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify attacks against the Iran-backed militia.
The strikes came as Israel and Lebanon have been engaged in U.S.-mediated talks, the first in decades between the two nations, aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The attacks were expected to further strain the already frayed negotiations.
Israeli warplanes launched more than 85 munitions, striking more than 70 sites across Lebanon, including about 10 Hezbollah headquarters and weapons storage facilities in Tyre, located in southwestern Lebanon on the Mediterranean.
Infrastructure used by Hezbollah to attack Israel was among the targets struck, the IAF said in a statement, adding the Israeli military “eliminated” alleged motorcycle-riding Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon where IDF forces were operating.
The IDF said earlier that it had hit sites in the northeastern Beqaa Valley and several other areas in Lebanon, though it was not clear if that was part of a separate operation.
Netanyahu vowed in a video statement on Instagram to intensify strikes targeting the Iran-backed militia, stating that they were in response to Hezbollah firing fiber-optic drones over the last few weeks at northern Israel.
“We are at war. We are not taking our foot off the gas — on the contrary. I said to press the gas in Lebanon. We will strike them,” he said.
In a sign of concern over potential Hezbollah retaliatory strikes, the IDF issued new, tightened restrictions for northern Israel residents on Tuesday, capping outdoor gathering limits from 200 to 50 people and indoors from 600 to 200.
Hezbollah initially attacked Israel a day after the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The conflict halted 13 months later with a fragile cease-fire that was never fully observed.
In early March, Israel launched renewed attacks on Lebanon, involving ground troops. In April, a cease-fire was announced in the larger Iran war, with Israel claiming it did not apply to Lebanon, while Lebanon and Iran said it did.
In mid-April, amid the confusion, Israel and Lebanon held their first diplomatic talks since 1993.
Another Battle Damaged KC-135 Tanker Seen Passing Through RAF Mildenhall
In another visible sign of the damage inflicted by Iran during the now-paused war, a KC-135 Stratotanker was spotted over the weekend at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom peppered with temporary shrapnel damage repairs. The aircraft is at least the second to transit through the installation with damage from the war.
The photographs, from aviation photographer Andrew McKelvey, show the KC-135 heavily speckled with shrapnel damage to the tail, its vertical stabilizer as well as its flaps. It is also missing its refueling boom entirely.


It is unclear where this jet was struck. There were five tankers reportedly damaged in the Iranian long-range strike on Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) in Saudi Arabia on March 14. However, data from FlightRadar24 shows that the jet was taking off and arriving at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv Israel on the day before and after the attack on PSAB. In addition, that data shows it was still flying missions after that incident, which seems highly unlikely. The KC-135 could have been hit somewhere else or the data is wrong. We just don’t know at the moment.
“It’s still here and parked on the visitors ramps on the north side of the base,” McKelvey told us Monday morning EDT.
This jet, tail number 63-8028, belongs to the Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing. It arrived at Mildenhall from Ben Gurion on Saturday, according to data from FlightRadar24.
As we have reported in the past, dozens of U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft now deployed to Ben Gurion Airport are expected to stay in Israel at least until the end of this year, Israel’s N12 News reported on X.
“The presence of the aircraft—not the U.S. military—is causing significant operational difficulties at Ben Gurion Airport, as they are parked almost everywhere possible at the port,” the outlet added.
As noted earlier, this is at least the second KC-135 that has visited Mildenhall sporting shrapnel damage and temporary repairs. Last month, McKelvey shared images with us of a KC-135 from the Ohio Air National Guard’s (OANG) 121st Air Refueling Wing covered from nose to tail with these repairs. However, additional ones could have transited to Mildenhall or other installations in Europe before flying to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma for far more comprehensive repair work. Tinker is home to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, which performs programmed depot maintenance and modifications on KC-46, KC-135, B-1B, B-52, E-3 and Navy E-6 aircraft.
As we explained in our story about the OANG jet: “While all tankers are precious assets, at least to a degree, due to the high demand on the fleet and its cumulative age, in this case there may be at least one positive side effect from the damage. Executing a battle damage repair plan in the field to get a KC-135 back in the air is a good real-life exercise, one that could prove vital if a future conflict in the Pacific were to erupt. Lessons will certainly be learned on many levels from Operation Epic Fury. And some of these lessons came the hard way even though they really shouldn’t have.”

The pock-marked tankers are among more than 40 aircraft damaged or destroyed during Epic Fury. In addition to those hit by shrapnel, two tankers were involved in a mid-air collision in March over Iraq that killed all six crew members aboard one of the jets.
About two weeks after that incident, a KC-135 was pulled from the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona and sent to Tinker.
“At the request of the KC- 135 System Program Office, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group regenerated KC-135R, tail number 58-011, to support operational requirements,” an Air Force spokesperson told us last month. “The aircraft departed on April 2, 2026, enroute to the Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.”
The Air Force declined to specify what those operational requirements were.
You can get an idea of the extent of U.S. aircraft losses from our recent graphic linked here.
However, these aircraft losses are just part of the damage from Iranian missile and drone attacks.
“Iranian airstrikes have damaged or destroyed at least 228 structures or pieces of equipment at U.S. military sites across the Middle East since the war began, hitting hangars, barracks, fuel depots, aircraft and key radar, communications and air defense equipment,” The Washington Post reported earlier this month. “The amount of destruction is far larger than what has been publicly acknowledged by the U.S. government or previously reported.”
We have reached out to the wing and U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) for more information about the damaged tankers and will update this story with any pertinent details provided.
Contact the author: howard@twz.com
Emmerdale spoilers: Dr Todd exposed by Chas, robbery plan and affair heats up
Emmerdale spoilers for next week tease big moments ahead on the ITV soap, from Dr Todd being exposed, to a planned Home Farm robbery and there’s also an affair heating up
It’s another big week ahead on Emmerdale, with new spoilers teasing big plans and secrets under threat.
Charity’s desperate when Kim pulls out of the Woolpack purchase deal. She instead asks Kim for a loan, but Chas overhears their conversation. Charity confesses to Chas she’s being blackmailed by Dr. Todd about Leyla’s true parentage.
Charity and Chas hatch a plan to rob Home Farm to pay Todd. When Charity can only give Todd a portion of the money she’s demanding, Todd demands the rest of it within 24 hours, or she will reveal her secret.
Laurel and Ross’ secret affair heats up, while Gabby is devastated over her rejection from Ross. As Ross and Laurel’s passion continues, only for them to almost be rumbled by Sam.
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To cover things up, Ross claims Laurel is Sam’s new dance partner as Sam continues to have secret sessions to impress Lydia. Kim is suspicious of Sam’s shifty behaviour though, while Nicola, knowing about Ross and Laurel, almost reveals all to Manpreet.
Kerry and Pollard present a united front after being conned by Archie. Liam advises Cain to find a practical solution to start living his life again and Gabby contemplates clean living.
Emmerdale isn’t the only soap seeing big things ahead, with Hollyoaks and Home and Away also offering emotional and dramatic moments in the coming days. On Hollyoaks, Diane’s funeral arrives, and Dee Dee is devastated by her late mum’s letter to Tony.
Dee Dee publicly calls out Leela, accusing her of trying to replace Diane. As Dee Dee turns to drugs to deal with her grief, Tony is concerned.
Elsewhere, Beth is convinced the Osbornes are hiding Charlie who has decided to go on the run from the police. As she organises a family lunch, what does she have planned?
As for Home and Away, Tane wakes from his coma after his recent brutal prison attack, and he shocks Jo by dumping her after she’s been supporting him at his bedside. Alf sparks concerns after his recent driving troubles, as he’s determined to visit Martha.
But when he faces accusations of a hit and run, is he to blame? Sonny wants to move back in with Dana, and Richie and Cash continue to clash at work.
So it’s a big week across more than one soap next week, with plenty to keep focus on. As ever some things are not revealed in spoilers too with plenty under wraps, so expect twists and turns.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
World Cup 2026: Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies to miss Canada’s tournament opener
Injured captain Alphonso Davies is expected to miss co-hosts Canada’s opening World Cup game, but head coach Jesse Marsch believes the full-back will still play a part in the tournament.
Davies, 25, suffered a hamstring injury in Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris St-Germain on 6 May, with the German club saying at the time he was expected to be out of action “for several weeks”.
He only made 13 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern during a campaign heavily disrupted by injuries.
Canada will open their home World Cup campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto on 12 June before meeting Qatar and Switzerland on 18 and 24 June in Vancouver.
“I think Alphonso will play in the World Cup,” Marsch told reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Canada will train this week before their 26-man World Cup squad is announced on Friday.
“I don’t think he’ll be ready quite on June 12… but we’ll see.”
Davies was among 32 players invited to the camp, but Marsch said the Canada skipper would only join the team on the eve of their friendly against Uzbekistan in Edmonton on 1 June.
They will also face the Republic of Ireland in Montreal on 5 June in another World Cup preparation game.
Davies last played for Canada against the United States in March last year, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
He missed the March 2026 friendlies against Iceland and Tunisia because of a hamstring strain.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps left-back was part of Canada’s World Cup squad in 2022 and scored in a 4-1 defeat by eventual semi-finalists Croatia in the group stage.
U.S. military says ‘defensive strikes’ carried out in southern Iran
The U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces carried out “defensive strikes” in southern Iran on Monday, targeting missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zoe Simpson
May 25 (UPI) — The United States launched strikes in southern Iran on Monday even as negotiators for Tehran and Washington were preparing for further talks to end their war, a U.S. military spokesman said.
Capt. Tim Hawkins of the U.S. Central Command said in a statement issued to media outlets that the strikes were “self-defensive” in nature and were carried out “to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces.”
“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” Hawkins said. “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing cease-fire.”
The semi-official Mehr News Agency in Iran reported that “several explosions” were heard in the area of Bandar Abbas along the Strait of Hormuz and that civil defense sirens had been sounding there.
The agency said the situation in the city “is completely under control and there is no reason for any concern for the honorable people of Bandar Abbas.”
The announcement of new strikes came only hours after U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that negotiations with Iran were “proceeding nicely,” but also issued a warning that the war could reignite if an agreement isn’t reached.
Iran, meanwhile, confirmed some progress had been made but cautioned that no agreement was on the verge of being signed.
Tehran’s lead negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Doha for the talks, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported.
The renewed attacks came on the heels of Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaling to reporters while in India that an agreement appeared on the horizon before walking it back hours later.
Rubio had said that the president may have an update on negotiations but later walked that back, saying the agreement was “still a work in progress.”
The United States is seeking to have Iran reopen the important Strait of Hormuz energy route. After that is achieved, negotiations will entered the next phase focused on ending the war.



























