British

BRITISH Airways has announced its line-up for summer 2027 including flights to a breathtaking destination with towering mountains.

The airline has announced that it will be launching flights to the ‘City of Seven Mountains’ – Bergen in Norway – as part of its summer 2027 schedule.

The flight – which takes just under two hours – will head off from London Heathrow five times a week to the destination, between April 15 and October 30, 2027.

Bergen earns its nickname from the seven mountains that frame the city and it is the ideal base for exploring coastal fjords such as the Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord.

While it is known as one of Europe’s rainiest cities, it means that lush greenery surrounds the city.

For example, there is Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken, which are reached via the Fløibanen Funicular or hiking trails with panoramic views of the city below.

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Also check out Bryggen Wharf – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – where there are brightly painted wooden Hanseatic buildings, lining the edges of the harbour.

British Airways offers a fly-drive holiday package to Bergen from £349 per person between May 1 and 31, 2027, including return flights.

The airline is also moving around a couple of its flights.

Flights to Perugia, Italy will be moved from London Heathrow Airport to London City Airport and will operate five times a week between May 1 and September 28, 2027.

Skiathos, Greece, flights will move from London City Airport to London Heathrow Terminal 5 and will operate three times a week between May 20 and September 11, 2027.

BA Cityflyer will also launch new weekly services from Glasgow to Nice, France and Edinburgh to Split, Croatia.

Flights between Glasgow and Nice will take off once a week between May 15 and October 3, 2027.

And flights from Edinburgh to Split in Croatia, will operate once a week between May 15 and June 19, 2027 and then again from September 4 to October 2, 2027.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our European network with new routes and convenient airport moves, offering customers even more ways to explore some of Europe’s most exciting destinations.

“From Norway’s spectacular fjords and the beaches of Skiathos to the rolling countryside of Umbria, the glamour of the French Riviera and Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coast, these additions provide greater choice and connectivity for customers planning their next summer trip.”

The Royal Navy is aiming to see Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drone fly from a British aircraft carrier next year. The planned demonstration is another notable step toward a carrier-based CCA capability in the United Kingdom. The plans also signal significant new opportunities on the horizon for Talon Blue, the first flight of which was only announced last month.

“We look forward to working with the Royal Navy over the next 12 months on this future demonstration,” Northrop Grumman told TWZ in a statement today. “Thursday’s signing is an important step in demonstrating relevant British naval capabilities, building on Northrop Grumman’s decades of leadership in autonomy and commitment to mission-relevant platforms and systems.”

First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins had first announced plans to launch Talon Blue, which the U.S. military has also designated the YFQ-48A, from a carrier during an address yesterday at the International Sea Power Conference in Norway. Jenkins, the first Royal Marine to ever hold the post of First Sea Lord, the United Kingdom’s top naval officer, made his remarks aboard the HMS Prince of Wales. That ship is the second of two Queen Elizabeth class carriers in Royal Navy service today.

“In two days’ time, on this carrier, I will sign a statement of intent with our friends at Northrop Grumman to prepare their Talon demonstrator for trials with the Royal Navy under Project Vanquish,” Jenkins declared to those in attendance. “Through that agreement, we will work towards a demonstration in U.K. waters in 2027, including a launch from the carrier.”

The planned tests involving Talon “will give us the evidence we need to understand how uncrewed combat aircraft can operate safely and effectively alongside the existing air wing. Then we learn, adapt and keep moving forward,” he continued. “That is how we deliver capability at the pace necessary. Not by waiting years for a perfect solution, but by working with industry to get the latest technology into the hands of our people as quickly as possible. Of course, moving at pace carries some risk.”

Jenkins first announced Project Vanquish in September 2025. As outlined then, the project’s goal was to demonstrate the ability to launch and recover what authorities in the U.K. refer to as a Tier 2 Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) from a carrier without the need for a catapult or arresting gear. The Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth class carriers are so-called short-takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) types that lack catapults and arresting gear, but there has been talk in the past about adding those features in some form down the line.

In the British government’s parlance, Tier 2 ACPs are defined primarily by being ‘attritable.’ This, in turn, is generally taken to mean designs that are low-cost enough to be employed in higher-risk environments from which they may not return, but that are also capable enough to conduct relevant missions.

Since Talon Blue was first officially disclosed in December 2025, at a media event that TWZ attended, Northrop Grumman has talked about the design as being lower-cost. However, the company does not appear to have used attritable or similar terms to describe the drone. Hard cost data of any kind has yet to be disclosed. Talon Blue does appear to be in line, broadly speaking, with the complexity of the two CCAs now in production for the U.S. Air Force. Those drones, General Atomics FQ-42A Vengeance and Anduril’s FQ-44A Fury, are understood to have unit costs in the low tens of millions.

“Our customers made it clear they need autonomous systems that can be fielded faster and more affordably without sacrificing mission effectiveness,” Craig Woolston, Vice President and General Manager for Research and Advanced Design at Northrop Grumman, said in a statement accompanying the announcement of Talon Blue’s maiden flight last month. “We listened. Talon Blue’s first flight is one step toward a new generation of autonomous capabilities. Every flight and lesson strengthens our broader autonomy work and sharpens what comes next.”

What it might take to configure Talon Blue for carrier-based operations remains to be seen, even without the need for the drone to be capable of catapult launches and arrested recoveries. An entirely new variant could well be required, if it is not already in the works.

It should be noted that the Royal Navy has already demonstrated the ability to launch and recover several different types of propeller-driven drones from the decks of its Queen Elizabeth class carriers since 2023. This includes the Mojave from General Atomics in the United States. Just earlier this month, the service announced that the Tekever AR5 had joined this list. The British Army is already in the process of acquiring AR5s for land-based use to replace its long-troubled Watchkeeper drones. None of these drones are as advanced as the jet-powered Talon Blue.

Mojave Aircraft Carrier Takeoff and Landing

The Royal Navy has also launched other smaller drones, including long-range one-way-attack types, from its Queen Elizabeth class carriers via trailer-mounted catapults in the past.

All of this has been in service of a broader Royal Navy push to incorporate more uncrewed platforms with higher degrees of autonomy into its operations in the air and at sea. The service has dubbed this broader vision as its Hybrid Navy concept.

“I do not believe the Royal Navy can build the Hybrid Navy at the speed we need it by doing things the way we have always done,” First Sea Lord Jenkins said yesterday, speaking about these plans more broadly. “During my career, I have seen too many examples of what happens when institutions become too set in their ways. So I need industry alongside us from the start.”

The decision to involve Northrop Grumman Talon Blue also represents a significant development for that drone. The company has said the genesis behind this uncrewed aircraft was lessons learned from its failed bid in the first phase, or Increment 1, of the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program. Especially since it received its U.S. military designation, Talon Blue has looked well positioned for the Air Force’s follow-on Increment 2 CCA competition.

Northrop Grumman is also one of the companies under contract now to develop a conceptual carrier-based CCA design for the U.S. Navy. The company has yet to share details about what that proposed drone might look like, but a demonstration of Talon Blue operating from a British carrier could provide hints.

The market space for land- and carrier-based CCAs has also expanded globally. Talon Blue is just one of several notable new designs to break cover in this arena in recent years, including in the United Kingdom. This development trend also extends to potential adversaries, and China in particular.

The CCA market could be differently important for Northrop Grumman going forward given the company’s recent loss to Boeing in the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter competition. Back in 2023, Northrop Grumman had also dropped out of the running for the U.S. Air Force competition that led to the F-47, which is also being built by Boeing. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for a number of other very high-profile U.S. military programs, including the B-21 Raider bomber and the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Plans to launch Talon Blue from a British carrier are still very much in their infancy, but the demonstration now on the horizon for next year looks set to be an important development for all parties involved.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

Withdrawal of passports is not the same as withdrawing citizenship, officials reassure

People applying for a British passport have been told that they could have it “cancelled” or “withdrawn” at any time. UK Government officials state that this legal travel document belongs to them.

Gov.uk explains: “Passports belong to the government and can be cancelled or withdrawn at any time.” According to information published on December 18, 2025, the UK Parliament states: “British passports are issued at the discretion of the Home Secretary under the royal prerogative (an executive power which does not require legislation). They can be withdrawn or withheld using the same discretionary power.

“Withdrawal of passports is not the same as withdrawing citizenship. Someone whose passport is withdrawn remains a British citizen, but their overseas travel is restricted. Home Office policy states this will be done ‘sparingly’, such as where the person intends to travel abroad to engage in terrorism.

“There is no right of appeal against having a passport withdrawn, but the person can ask for an internal review by the government or apply for judicial review by a judge.”

What is the eligibility for a British passport?

Government officials explain that a person must have British nationality to apply for or hold a British passport. However, having British nationality does not guarantee you a passport.

For example, you may not get a new passport – or your existing passport may be taken from you – if:

• You’re suspected of a serious crime, and an arrest warrant has been issued
• A court order stops you having a UK passport or restricts your travel
• You’re on bail and bail conditions mean you cannot leave the UK
• You’ve been brought back to the UK before at the government’s expense and have not repaid what you owe
• You’ve received a European Union or United Nations order which restricts your travel

A child’s passport may also be cancelled or refused for renewal if a court order is in place preventing them from leaving the UK. When you apply, your eligibility and entitlement to a British passport will be assessed.

How can I apply for a passport?

If you’re in the UK, you can apply for a passport online. This costs £102. You can also apply for a passport with a paper form – this costs £115.50. There’s a different way to apply for a passport if you’re overseas.

You can apply for a first adult passport if all of the following apply:

• You’re a British national
• You’re aged 16 or over (or will be in three weeks)
• You’ve never had a UK passport before

You must also apply if your last UK passport was issued before January 1, 1994. You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18. An adult passport is valid for 10 years.

BALPA has explained what happens on a plane during a bomb threat after suspected hoax alerts diverted Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Finnair flights across Europe on Thursday

The British Airlines Pilots’ Association has set out precisely what takes place on board an aircraft when a bomb threat is received. It follows further threats made against planes on Thursday. Thursday’s incidents marked the second wave this week, after several aircraft, including some departing from the UK and Ireland, were subjected to hoax security alerts earlier this week.

Thursday’s events led to numerous flights being diverted across Europe, including an Aer Lingus service from Dublin to Rome being forced to land in northern France and a Ryanair flight from London being diverted.

Joji Waites, BALPA director of flight safety, policy and regulation, said: “Aviation has historically been a target for bomb threats, but the industry has well-proven mechanisms for dealing with such threats.

“When a threat to an aircraft has been notified to the airline, the threat is passed to a team of assessors. These assessors use standard processes to grade the threat and decide whether the threat is Red (credible), Amber (partially credible) or Green (not credible). Amber is not considered an appropriate assessment if the plane is airborne.

“If the threat is assessed as not credible staff on the plane will not be informed of it. However, when a threat is assessed as credible (red or amber) the flight crew will be informed immediately and they will carry out company procedures for a credible bomb threat.

“From the moment the flight crew is notified of a credible bomb threat, commander of the aircraft – the captain – is in command and will make all the decisions, guided by the appropriate checklist, for the safety of their aircraft. Usually, if a plane is still on the tarmac that will mean an evacuation and if it is in the air, the priority will be to land the plane as soon and as safely as possible.

“Pilots are highly trained and skilled professionals. Their expertise is invaluable in ensuring passenger safety and keeping aviation one of the safest forms of transport there is.”

No fewer than eight flights were confirmed to have received bomb threats on Thursday, with services affected from Copenhagen, Helsinki, Madrid, Milan and Warsaw. Among those targeted was a Ryanair flight departing from London Stansted Airport bound for the Bulgarian capital Sofia, which was diverted and touched down safely in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, according to the Associated Press. The majority of affected aircraft were redirected to alternative airports for emergency landings, while others reached their intended destinations without incident.

With regard to the Dublin to Rome Aer Lingus flight, a statement from the French prime minister’s office confirmed that the A320 aircraft was diverted to the Evreux air base, where it landed safely.

“The 151 passengers and six crew members were brought to safety and the bomb disposal teams intervened,” the statement added. Aer Lingus said: “Aer Lingus flight EI402 from Dublin to Rome diverted to Normandy this morning as a security precaution. The flight landed safely and Aer Lingus will work to reaccommodate customers to their final destination as soon as possible.”

Finnish carrier Finnair confirmed that two of its flights — one departing Helsinki bound for Rome and another heading from Helsinki to Vienna — had also received “unfounded or hoax” bomb threats on Thursday. Both aircraft touched down at their intended destinations and passengers disembarked without incident, the airline stated.

In Rome, the Finnair aircraft was thoroughly inspected with nothing suspicious discovered, while checks on the plane in Vienna were still ongoing. The flight to Rome had 144 passengers and seven crew members on board, while the Vienna-bound service carried 177 passengers and six crew, the airline confirmed.

WizzAir revealed that two of its flights had also been subjected to bomb threats on Thursday — one travelling from Milan to Bucharest, which landed safely at its destination, and another due to fly from Milan to Warsaw, which was diverted and touched down safely in Vienna.

The airline said it was “co-operating fully with the relevant authorities” and taking “all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone onboard”.

It added: “The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”

GOOD news for Brits wanting some last minute winter sun, as British Airways has restarted one of its most popular flight routes.

The flag carrier has confirmed that flights to Dubai are back on, operating from London Heathrow.

The airline first stopped the route back in February shortly after the Iran War began.

British Airways flights to Dubai were initially scheduled to resume on October 25, but were delayed until yesterday when the first flight took off.

The daily flights between London Heathrow and Dubai take just 7hr45, departing at 8pm and landing in the UAE city at 7.45am the following day.

During summer next year, the flights will increase to twice daily.

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Dubai has always been popular with Brits thanks to its winter heat – in November it has daily average highs of 31C.

The city made up of luxury skyscraper hotels also has waterparks, theme parks and plenty of golden beaches to relax on.

If you want to find out how to do it on a budget, check out Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey and Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski’s top tips.

For cheaper hotels, there are even some Premier Inns that have rooftop pools.

Another flight route British Airways has restarted is its route to Amman, which relaunched yesterday as well.

However, the airline previously confirmed it will not be resuming flights to Abu Dhabi until the end of next year.

The airline cited the Middle East conflict and ‘airspace instability’ as the reason for its continued delay.

Currently, those wanting to travel to Abu Dhabi with BA will have to book a flight from Heathrow to Doha, then switch to another airline like Qatar Airways to continue their journey.

The indirect route takes around 11 hours rather than seven.

The 57-year-old crossed jungles and frozen seas before an emotional homecoming in Hull, northern England.

A British adventurer has completed a 28-year walking journey around the world, arriving at his childhood home after travelling some 50,000km (31,070 miles) across jungles, frozen seas and international borders.

Karl Bushby, 57, was embraced by his mother, Angela, outside her terraced house in Hull, northern England, on Monday, beneath a banner reading “Welcome Home Son”.

Hundreds of cheering supporters had welcomed him in the city centre before he made the final stretch home.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” he joked to the crowd. “Is that it, is it done?”

Bushby began what became known as his Goliath Expedition in Punta Arenas, southern Chile, in November 1998, carrying a tent, a few hundred dollars and a cheap plastic camera.

His goal was to reach his home city by an unbroken route, without using motorised transport to advance his journey.

The route took him north through the Americas, across the ice of the Bering Strait from Alaska to Russia, and onwards through Mongolia and China. He later swam across the Caspian Sea before continuing towards Europe.

Along the way, he negotiated the dense jungle of the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama, was detained after entering Russia, and faced repeated visa and funding problems.

The global financial crisis in 2008 cost him major sponsors, adding to delays that stretched what he had expected to be a 12-year journey into 28 years.

Last month, he finally swam across the English Channel, clearing the last major obstacle before beginning the final walk home.

“They say it takes a village, but literally it took a world to get me here,” he said as he arrived in Hull. “The kindness of strangers, so many, from individuals to nation-states, to get me back here today. I didn’t do this alone. There was a big team. The biggest team. Earth.”

A feature-length documentary about his journey is in production, while Bushby plans to begin a speaking tour around England in the coming weeks.

Need to know

HM Passport Office has reissued guidance on the two-year rule

All you need to know as HM Passport Office reminds of two-year UK passport rule:

• HM Passport Office has issued a reminder about the two-year rule that applies when someone needs to confirm a passport applicant’s identity.
• The requirement applies when applying for a new passport for a child or adult, renewing a child’s passport, or replacing a lost, stolen or damaged document.
• In a post on X, formerly Twitter, HMPO clarified that “a referee must have known the person applying for at least 2 years and confirm their identity”.
• Referees must be at least 18, live in the UK and hold a British or Irish passport. They must know the applicant as a friend, neighbour or colleague – not solely through a professional relationship – and work in, or be retired from, a “recognised profession”.
• Some examples of a recognised profession include: accountant, councillor, teacher or lecturer, barrister, journalist, and dentist. An extensive list can be found here
• You cannot verify someone’s identity if you’re related by birth or marriage; are in a relationship with them or share a home; you’re employed by HM Passport Office; you’re employed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on British citizenship or right of abode applications; or if you’re a medical professional – unless you know the individual requesting this well (for instance, you’re a close friend).
• For a child’s application, the two-year rule applies to the adult making the application.

READ THE FULL STORY: Two-year British passport rule you may not know about

TWO major stars have been ruled out as the mystery fourth actor currently vying to be the next James Bond.

The coveted role has been up for grabs following the release of 007 blockbuster No Time To Die in 2021, Craig’s fifth and final outing as the Martini-swilling secret agent.

Final screen tests were held with four remaining hopefuls at London’s Bray Studios over the weekend, but an official announcement is yet to be made by new franchise owners Amazon MGM Studios.

It’s understood that three of those actors – understood to be Jack Lowden, Callum Turner and Josh O’Connor – were joined by a fourth, currently unnamed star, as decisive auditions got underway.

But two British actors, both previously linked with the role, have been ruled out as the final candidate – widely thought to be Jack Barton.

“We’ve heard, reliably so, that Harris Dickinson and Nicholas Hoult are not the 4th person. Testing is said to be occurring today and going into the weekend,” read an article shared by The Hollywood Reporter on Friday.

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Dickinson, 30, is currently in the midst of back-to-back shooting schedules for director Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film Beatles project, in which he will play John Lennon.

Meanwhile, Hoult, 36, has four major films in post-production – among them the eagerly anticipated DC adventure Man Of Tomorrow, which sees him reprise his role as Superman nemesis Lex Luthor.

Australian star Jacob Elordi is also out the running, while the much-fancied Idris Elba, Theo James and James Norton are believed to be out of contention.

Instead, Amazon MGM Studios are said to be keen on the lesser known Barton, 31, whose past screen credits include the popular Netflix drama Heartstopper.

Other than a handful of other minor TV roles, little else is known about the young actor, but he reportedly impressed producers enough to earn critical screen tests alongside his three Bond rivals.

Despite Barton’s emergence, fans remain convinced they have already worked out who the final star in the James Bond race is – and Taylor Swift fans will be very familiar with him.

The latest Bond theory suggests that the singer’s ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, 35, who she dated for six years until 2023, is the secret actor.

Fans believe the link to the actor and the 007 role is Bond casting director Nina Gold, 59.

Taking to Reddit to discuss, a fan wrote: “Nina Gold was one of the casting directors for Thor, too, and cast Joe in his first movie role. She knows him as far back as drama school”

Agreeing this person penned: “Nina Gold is doing the casting and knows Joe and cast him in the brutalist and Hamnet so he’s known by the department and may be on the radar of the casting team”

A third added: “Yeah, and he is supposed to be filming in NYC for a Rom com. but was in London this week for a friend’s wedding and potentially this audition.”

A fourth agreed: “Never thought about him as a contender before, but it makes sense.”

Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as James Bond was five years ago, and since then a whole host of high-profile actors have been linked to the famous franchise.

But Amazon MGM Studios, who paid $20million for full creative control of the franchise, is said to be picking a more “alternative” actor, rather than a mainstream Hollywood star.

British defense contractor Babcock has confirmed that it is putting itself forward for the U.S. Navy’s future frigate program, with its Arrowhead 140 general-purpose frigate, the design behind the Royal Navy’s Type 31 class, expected to form the basis of its proposal. The move adds another foreign-designed warship to Washington’s search for a relatively mature frigate that can be built quickly and in significant numbers.

Babcock has held preliminary discussions with Pentagon officials and is expected to submit an expression of interest before the end of October, according to recent reporting by The Telegraph and Navy Lookout. The proposal is understood to potentially involve Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), America’s largest military shipbuilder, with the two companies exploring an arrangement that could see the Arrowhead 140 built in the United States under license.

“Of course we’re interested. We have a world-class frigate, close links to the U.S. and U.S. industry. It would be insane for us not to respond,” Sir Nick Hine, head of Babcock’s marine business and a former Second Sea Lord, told The Telegraph.

The initiative comes as the U.S. Navy seeks to accelerate the acquisition of smaller surface combatants after the troubled Constellation class frigate program was axed. Japan’s upgraded Mogami class, South Korea’s Chungnam class, and Turkey’s Istanbul class have also been reported as candidates for the Navy’s international frigate effort. You can read more about all three designs here.

Fincantieri Marine Group, which had developed the cancelled Constellation class frigate for the U.S. Navy, also says it sees a possible new opportunity in the service’s latest frigate plans. 

Meanwhile, German defense contractor Rheinmetall, a newcomer to the surface combatant market, recently unveiled its GMF 140 frigate, which it has said it plans to offer “initially as part of a procurement project in North America” before pursuing opportunities with other allied navies.

For Babcock, the opportunity would be a major expansion of its relationship with the U.S. defense industry. If successful, the company would likely provide the design, engineering expertise, and potentially the intellectual property needed for American shipyards to manufacture the frigates.

This would mirror the process for the Polish Navy’s Project 106 Miecznik (Swordfish) class, which is building three new multirole frigates in Poland, rather than using the company’s own facilities in Britain.

The Navy’s assessment of potential options is due by November 12. No contract has been awarded, and the details of any Babcock-HII proposal remain unconfirmed.

The Arrowhead 140 is the foundation of the Royal Navy’s five-ship Type 31 program, which is being built at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland. The design is derived from the Danish Iver Huitfeldt class frigate. As well as Poland, the warship has also been selected for Indonesia.

The Type 31 Frigate in action

The Arrowhead 140 has a baseline length of approximately 455 feet, a beam of 65 feet, and a displacement of around 5,700 tonnes, although national variants may be considerably heavier. The vessel uses a conventional combined diesel-and-diesel (CODAD) propulsion system and can achieve speeds exceeding 28 knots. Its design emphasises long endurance, with a baseline endurance of approximately one to two months. The AH140 incorporates a flight deck and hangar for naval helicopter operations, accommodation for embarked personnel, boat-handling facilities, and adaptable mission spaces. Its modular architecture allows customers to integrate different sensors, combat management systems, electronic warfare equipment, and weapons according to national requirements.

Taking the Polish Navy’s Project 106 class as an example of an Arrowhead 140 iteration, this is a notably heavily armed adaptation, featuring a 76mm Leonardo Strales main gun, a 32-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles, eight Naval Strike Missiles for anti-ship strike, and lightweight torpedo launchers. The Polish variant is reported to have a maximum displacement of approximately 7,700 tonnes.

The Type 31 is a general-purpose warship capable of undertaking maritime security, escort, and surface warfare missions. Its relatively large hull offers considerable internal volume for weapons, sensors, aviation facilities, and future upgrades.

That could make it attractive to a U.S. Navy looking for a ship able to protect convoys, operate independently, and supplement its larger destroyers. A frigate with a significantly lower operating cost than an Arleigh Burke class destroyer could still take on a range of missions, freeing more capable combatants for broad area air and missile air defense, sustained strike operations, and other more demanding tasks.

The Arrowhead 140’s size could also provide flexibility in accommodating American weapons and combat systems. However, a U.S. version would require a defined configuration, and there is no publicly established weapons fit for a potential American variant.

At the same time, the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigate has not yet entered operational service, and its baseline configuration is not optimized for every mission the U.S. Navy may require. In particular, the integration of the sonar and other systems needed for sustained anti-submarine warfare would be a significant undertaking.

The Navy will also have to wrestle with how much of the existing design can be retained while meeting its own requirements. One of the major lessons from the Constellation program was that extensive modifications to an existing foreign design can create huge cost and schedule risks. With so little left of the original design after it was adapted to Navy specifications, this eventually doomed the program.

For Babcock, it will be essential to keep the Arrowhead 140 as close as possible to its established configuration, while integrating essential American equipment, to keep the proposal competitive.

Babcock does not operate a shipyard in the United States, making an American industrial partner central to its approach.

HII, which operates major shipbuilding facilities at Newport News and Ingalls, would offer substantial experience constructing warships for the U.S. Navy. Babcock and HII already have an established relationship in the submarine sector, including work supporting the Virginia class attack submarine program.

Babcock’s facilities in Rosyth and Bristol manufacture tactical missile-tube assemblies for General Dynamics Electric Boat, supporting the Common Missile Compartment used by the U.S. Navy’s Columbia class and the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class ballistic missile submarines. HII has also expanded its relationship with Babcock through work involving Virginia class submarine components.

Those existing industrial relationships could provide a foundation for a surface-ship partnership. Under a potential arrangement, Babcock could transfer the necessary design rights and provide technical support while an American yard undertakes construction.

Such an arrangement would fit the Trump administration’s stated goal of using allied expertise to accelerate warship production while rebuilding domestic shipbuilding capacity. It would also allow Babcock to pursue a potentially significant U.S. order without requiring Rosyth to absorb a large new construction program alongside its Royal Navy commitments.

The prospect of HII supporting more than one design raises questions about production capacity, program priorities, and how the company would manage competing demands on its shipyards.

More generally, the administration’s interest in foreign frigates reflects growing concern about the time and expense involved in developing new American warships.

The Constellation class program was supposed to provide a modern replacement for the Navy’s retired Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates. Based on the European FREMM design, it underwent extensive modifications for American service before suffering serious schedule and cost problems. The Navy subsequently abandoned the program.

The service is now pursuing FF(X), a patrol frigate intended to be easier to build and field. Its initial configuration, however, is not expected to include a vertical launch system, limiting its ability to provide some of the capabilities associated with a more heavily armed multi-mission combatant.

HII is building the FF(X) frigate, based on the Coast Guard’s Legend class National Security Cutter. It is somewhat telling that they would partner with Babcock on the foreign frigate offering considering they already have the FF(X) contract.

The international frigate effort is intended to examine whether a ship based on an existing allied design could provide a different balance of capability, cost, and delivery speed.

An August presidential memorandum opened a route for the Navy to consider allied designs and, under limited circumstances, overseas construction through a national security waiver. The approach has been compared with a model in which an initial small number of ships could be constructed abroad before production moves to U.S. yards.

The reported framework limits overseas construction to no more than two ships and ties it to investment in American shipbuilding. Any eventual Babcock proposal would therefore need to demonstrate how the design could be transferred and produced domestically at the required pace.

That could be a big challenge. Babcock’s own Type 31 production line is already committed to the five ships ordered by the Royal Navy, while setting up an American production line would require workforce training, supply-chain development, and the transfer of manufacturing knowledge.

The Navy will also need to establish whether a foreign design can meet its minimum operational requirements without undergoing the kind of extensive redesign that dogged the Constellation program.

Babcock enters a field that already includes several established frigate designs from Japan, South Korea, and Turkey — and potentially more.

Each offers a different combination of design maturity, combat systems, production capacity, and potential industrial arrangements. The Mogami and Chungnam programs have operational ships in service, while the Arrowhead 140 has been selected for multiple export programs but is yet to enter operational service.

Introducing the Babcock Arrowhead 140

Babcock’s selling point is likely to be the Arrowhead 140’s size, adaptability, and established design pedigree, combined with the prospect of American production through HII.

With the Arrowhead 140 adopted by multiple navies, this brings potential cost savings through economies of scale, shared design evolution, and collaborative upgrades across the fleet. A wider international user base also brings the possibility of overseas industrial partnerships, including training and logistical support around the globe.

At the same time, U.S. Navy selection would represent a major endorsement of the platform and would further strengthen its position in other export markets.

For now, Babcock’s confirmation that it intends to pursue the opportunity adds another contender to the Navy’s search for a new frigate. Whether the Arrowhead 140 advances beyond the initial expression of interest will depend on how its capabilities and production prospects compare with the other candidates. And critically, Babcock and its U.S. partners will need to convince the Pentagon that they deliver a ship that meets the Navy’s requirements without repeating the delays and redesign challenges of the Constellation program.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

PRINCESS Andre may be a household name here in the UK, but the aspiring beauty mogul is set to conquer the US next year.

Insiders tell us she is taking her cosmetics brand By Princess to the States in a bid to give Kylie Jenner a run for her money.

The daughter of Peter Andre and Katie Price has been cropping up on red carpets and celeb-filled events over recent years as she carves out a career for herself in showbiz.

As well as her ITV show The Princess Diaries, the star has is working on her own cosmetics line, By Princess.

And a source close to Princess’s camp says has big aspirations for the brand, as they share: “Princess is a smart cookie and her goal is global domination, make no mistake about it.

“She is going to America next summer, that’s already planned and she will be spending a fair bit of time over there. It’s a big country and takes real commitment and time to crack, but Princess isn’t afraid of hard work and it’s always been her dream to break America.

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“The blueprint for her and her team is to make her Britain’s answer to Kylie Jenner, and she is laser focused on making that a reality. The plan is to go over there in 2027 to do some media appearances and meet beauty retailers, and then launch her range in US stores the following year.”

And she has a secret weapon in her arsenal.

Our source explains: “She has a powerhouse team behind her as the company making her products are the same team behind Made By Mitchell, the massively successful brand launched by make up artist Mitchell Halliday.

“Made By Mitchell recently broke America and is now stocked in Ulta Beauty, the largest speciality beauty retailer in America, so the team behind that will hopefully help Princess follow in the same footsteps in the US as they have so many connections over there.

Our mole adds: “It’s a notoriously tricky market to crack but Princess has taken her time and worked on this brand for two years. Her goal was always great products at affordable prices, and there is a real gap in the market for that, both here and Stateside.”

The Sun understands that America has already come calling for Princess, and she was recently offered a huge US show.

Our insider reveals: “Princess was approached to appear on a massive American TV show recently, but she turned it down. It wasn’t because it wasn’t an amazing opportunity, it’s more that it’s all about the timing and the timing wasn’t quite right at the moment. It might be the right move for her in a year or two though, so watch this space.”

The source adds that the programme was not Love Island USA or the upcoming US version I’m A Celebrity.

“It’s not the kind of show people would expect,” they teased.

In the meantime, Princess – who is appearing on Celebrity Race Across The World with her brother Junior – is extremely busy on this side of the pond before she jets overseas next year.

Sources tell us the products will soon launch in high street store Boots too.

“Getting into Boots is huge,” spills our insider. “It’s the biggest beauty retailer in Britain and they don’t just take any celebrity beauty range, so it’s a huge coup for Princess and her team and will take the brand to the next level.”

And while it has not been officially announced yet, we understand she has also scored another series of The Princess Diaries.

“Cameras were following Princess on the red carpet at the Pride of Britain awards earlier this week, and they were shooting scenes for the next series,” our insider confirms. “It’s been a massive success for ITV and ITVX, so it’s no surprise they want more.”

The fashion world is also snapping at Princess’s heels and she wore her first couture dress to Pride of Britain earlier this week, being dressed by designer Tabja.

“Couture houses are taking note of Princess and want to dress her,” says a source close to the young mogul. “She was voted second best dressed teenager last year by Tatler magazine and that really made fashion circles sit up and take notice.”

The Sun has approached a rep for Princess for comment.

HM Passport Office is reminding people of the rule

HM Passport Office has moved to explain a two-year rule some people may not know about.

Whether you’re applying for a new passport for a child or an adult, it’s likely you’ll need someone to confirm your identity. This is also the case if you’re replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, renewing a child’s passport, or if your appearance has changed significantly. In a new alert on X, formerly Twitter, HMPO moved to explain the rules for ‘referees’.

Part of the post clarifies that “a referee must have known the person applying for at least 2 years and confirm their identity”. Additional guidance on GOV.UK outlines who is eligible to verify a person’s identity.

To qualify, a referee must be 18 years of age or older, reside in the UK, and currently hold a British or Irish passport. They must also have been acquainted with the applicant for a minimum of two years (this refers to the adult submitting the application if the passport is for a child under 16), and must know the applicant as a friend, neighbour or colleague, rather than someone they know purely in a professional capacity.

Referees must also be employed in, or retired from, a “recognised profession”. These include:

• accountant
• airline pilot
• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank or building society official
• barrister
• chairman or director of a limited company
• chiropodist
• commissioner for oaths
• councillor, for example local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• dentist
• director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
• engineer with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• journalist
• Justice of the Peace
• legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
• licensee of a public house
• local government officer
• manager or personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
• nurse (RGN or RMN)
• officer of the armed services
• optician
• paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
• person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
• pharmacist
• photographer (professional)
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president or secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• solicitor
• surveyor
• teacher or lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent (qualified)
• valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

You cannot confirm someone’s identity if:

• you’re related by birth or marriage
• you’re in a relationship with them or live together
• you work for HM Passport Office
• you work for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on British citizenship or right of abode applications
• you’re a doctor – unless you know the person who has asked you well (for example, you’re a good friend)

The immense pride which Kartal felt about becoming the British number one came shining through, describing it as being “up there” in her career achievements.

While she will only initially hold the status for a week, Kartal’s impressive comeback and Boulter’s decent run creates a fascinating subplot for the leading British women in the final throes of the season – and the start of 2027.

Boulter will have the chance to further improve her ranking when she plays in Tokyo and Hong Kong in the coming weeks, with Kartal’s plans for the rest of the season still uncertain as she sensibly manages her workload.

And don’t forget about Emma Raducanu. It seems increasingly unlikely she will play again this season because of the shin injury which ruled her out of Wimbledon, but is clearly too good a player not to be pushing back into the top 50 when she does return.

When all three are back competing on the WTA Tour at the same time, it promises to be an interesting tussle between them in the rankings.

Boulter and Raducanu both insisted they were not transfixed by the British number one spot when they exchanged positions in 2025, instead preferring to focus on their own career paths and the bigger picture of the world rankings.

But there is no doubt that Boulter, in particular, could see the opportunity to cement her place as the nation’s best player as an extra incentive to continue finishing 2026 strongly.

A MAJOR airport is about to spend billions on a huge upgraded terminal.

Not only that, but British Airways is launching the new route in January with year-round flights every day.

Melbourne Airport has announced its one step closer to its $4.5 billion (£2.35million) International Terminal expansion.

New designs show off expanded check-in, arrivals and departure areas.

It will have a larger check-in hall with high-tech, common-user systems and expanded baggage claim with additional carousels.

Five additional aircraft stands will accommodate more flights.

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Throughout the International Terminal will be windows to maximise natural light for a calming atmosphere.

There will also be more retail, dining and lounge options as well we improved waiting areas for passengers.

Works will coincide along the construction of Melbourne Airport’s third runway.

Stats revealed that in January, more than 1.26million passengers travelled through the international terminal which was their busiest month on record.

Just last month the airport opened its new Pick up and Drop off zones for Terminals 1,2 and 3 and a new pedestrian bridge linking passengers to the terminals.

For anyone who lands and immediately wants a slice of Australia, the famous “kangaroo spotting trail” is right next door to the airport at Woodlands Historic Park.

British Airways is launching its Melbourne route on January 9, 2027 – flights will operate year-round from London Heathrow, via Kuala Lumpur, on a daily basis.

Flights will take off from Heathrow at 9.10pm and land in Kuala Lumpur at 6.05pm the following day.

The plane will then take off again at 7.45pm and land in Melbourne the following morning at 6.40am.

Return flights will start on January 11, taking off each day at 4.35pm and landing in Kuala Lumpur at 9.35pm.

The flight will then take off from Kuala Lumpur at 11.15pm and land back at Heathrow the following day at 5.20am.

Return flights will cost from £1,130.

Melbourne is well-worth the visit too being Australia’s second-largest city.

It was recently named the world’s best city by Time Out for its food scene, art and culture scene nightlife.

There’s the lively arts scene in Fitzroy which also has vintage shops, record stores and cosy cafes.

The city often hosts major sporting events as well, such as Formula One, and the flights are in time for the Australian Open.

Loyal British Airways customers should be aware that the UK’s flag carrier is making a change to its Avios loyalty points scheme that will come into force on November 24

British Airways passengers should put November 24 in their diaries, as the UK flag carrier is preparing to make a change that’ll impact repeat customers.

Avios is the loyalty scheme of more than 30 major airlines, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus. It allows you to earn points that you can then exchange for flights, although you still need to pay taxes and fees.

Last year, BA announced a change to the scheme that left some repeat customers fuming. The price of trips booked through the scheme went up.

An off-peak return trip in economy from London to New York bought through Avios used to cost 50,000 points and £100 fee, now it costs 55,000 and £120. Similar hikes were introduced across premium economy, business, and first class.

However, now the airline has announced another change that will be a little more welcome. British Airways Holidays is updating its Avios offering. Launching on 24 November 2026, members of The British Airways Club booking a holiday package with British Airways Holidays can collect six Avios for every £1 spent on the total package price.

Avios will be calculated on the full booking value and then divided equally between all travellers on the booking. Club members will be able to collect their individual share or choose to pool their Avios through a Household Account.

BA has said that the change will make “booking with British Airways Holidays even more rewarding”. It replaces the current approach, in which all customers collect Avios on the flight element of their holiday package and the lead passenger can also collect one bonus Avios for every £1 spent on the holiday package booking.

BA has shared an example of how the new system could be better for customers. Two people heading to Crete could see each traveller collect 11,316 Avios – enough for them to secure a one-way Reward Flight to Paris each, using 10,000 Avios, plus a £2.50 fee. Previously, the lead booker could have collected 5,462 Avios and the second traveller 1,690 Avios from just the flight element of the booking.

Andrew Flintham, managing director at British Airways Holidays, said: “For many people, a holiday is the ultimate reward, so we want booking one to feel rewarding too. For Avios collectors, that relationship should be symbiotic. A holiday should not only be somewhere they can spend their Avios; it should also help them build their balance towards whatever comes next. Our aim is to create a simpler and more compelling offer for our Club members. Whether those Avios help reduce the cost of another holiday, contribute towards a future flight or make an upgrade possible, it means the value of the holiday can continue long after customers return home.”

WHO doesn’t love a holiday bargain? Well, British Airways is launching new flights that cost less than the average UK pint.

However, the two return journeys to the beautiful Mediterranean islands come with a small catch.

British Airways is launching two Avios-Only flights next summer – so you have enough points on its reward scheme to go on them.

The new return flights will be to Palma in Majorca and Heraklion in Crete.

Flights to the Greek island of Crete will depart on August 14, 2027 and returning a week later on August 21.

Seats will be available for 35,500 Avios + £5 return in Euro Traveller.

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For a return flight in Club Europe its 60,000 Avios + £40.

Crete is the largest island in Greece and one of the biggest in the Mediterranean Sea.

On the same dates, British Airways will also have an Avios-Only flight to Palma, Majorca.

Seats will be available for 28,000 Avios + £5 return in Euro Traveller.

In Club Europe, seats are available for 49,000 Avios + £40 return with checked baggage included as standard.

Majorca meanwhile has a beautiful coastline, picturesque villages and its busy capital of Palma has lots of bustling restaurants and a huge cathedral in the centre.

Once you’ve joined the British Airways Club, you can earn points by shopping online through the Avios portal, booking hotels and car hire, using co-branded credit cards, or converting Nectar points.

If you’re a frequent flier, you can earn through BA flights, as well as other IAG airlines like Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL, as well as partner airlines Qatar Airways, Finnair, and Loganair.

Other brands associated with IAG loyalty include brands like Domino’s, Deliveroo, River Island, Marks and Spencer and Boots.

For a more in-depth look at Avios and how to claim points, read more here.

The British Airways Avios-Only flights go on sale tomorrow.

Katie Boulter moved into the quarter-finals of the Japan Open after she beat Viktorija Golubic in less than an hour.

The British number two defeated her Swiss opponent 6-2 6-1 in Osaka and will face either Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic or American Kayla Day in the next round.

Boulter saved a break point in the opening game but dominated from 2-2 in the first set, winning nine games in a row before Golubic took the penultimate game of the match.

The 30-year-old lost the British number one spot to Sonny Kartal on Monday, but is set to retake the position following her run this week.

Boulter, who is seeded eighth in the competition, said she was pleased with how she handled “difficult conditions”, with a strong wind affecting play.

“I think one of the biggest things for me is staying patient in the wind,” she said.

“Sometimes I can get a little frustrated, and I’m very pleased that I didn’t allow that to affect me today and I think I ended up playing some really good tennis in the second set. I’m really pleased with the performance.”

A British Airways flight from a tourist hotspot was forced to divert in the early hours to land at Gatwick rather than Heathrow

A British Airways flight has been forced to divert from Heathrow to Gatwick after falling foul of strict rules over its landing time.

The BA707 flight from holiday hotspot Larnaca was diverted to the London airport after the four hour journey, according to AirNav Radar.

The flight had to be diverted to Gatwick after missing the curfew at Heathrow.

The plane left the Cyprus airport at 9.32pm, over three hours after scheduled take off.

It then landed at Gatwick at 12.12am on Tuesday.

Flights heading to Heathrow are often diverted to Gatwick or other regional hubs if they miss Heathrow’s strict nighttime curfew.

Heathrow enforces rigorous restrictions on movements late at night in order to reduce noice pollution for the millions of residents that live under its flight paths.

The core curfew means that scheduled flights are heavily restricted to land and take off between 11pm and 6am.

The airport operates under a strict ‘night quota’ system between 11pm and 6am which limits both the absolute number of flights allowed to land and the total amount of aircraft noise allowed.

Unless an official emergency is declared then air traffic control will deny landing rights past the curfew, forcing a diversion.

Need to know

HM Passport Office has issued an update

HM Passport Office urgent alert to UK passport holders – what you need to know:

• HM Passport Office (HMPO) has issued an alert to British passport holders, urging those who have lost their passport to act “as soon as possible”.
• HMPO shared the warning on X, formerly Twitter, stating: “Lost your passport? Report it as soon as possible. Doing so helps protect against misuse and allows you to apply for a replacement.” GOV.UK guidance adds that reporting a lost or stolen passport straight away will “reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity”.
• It’s worth knowing that your passport never truly belongs to you. It remains government property and can be revoked or withdrawn at any point. A passport can also be withheld or confiscated if the holder is under suspicion of a serious crime, on bail, or has been repatriated to the UK at the government’s expense without repaying the sum.
• For those who urgently need a replacement, a one-day service is available for adult passport renewals at a cost of £239.50, with the new passport ready to collect four hours after your appointment. Note that the earliest you can get an appointment is two days after applying, and you must surrender your old passport at the appointment.
• Those who find themselves abroad without valid travel documents can apply for an emergency travel document, which will automatically cancel any existing passport as part of the process.

READ THE FULL STORY: ‘As soon as possible’ alert as UK passport holders told to ‘reduce risk’

Amanda Cannon was taken ill while on holiday with her daughter

A British nan is fighting for her life in Turkey after suffering a heart attack while on holiday as her family faces a £25,000 hospital bill.

Amanda Cannon, 58, was rushed to intensive care after collapsing during a trip with her daughter Marisa White on October 10. The grandmother-of-nine from Redhill, Surrey, reportedly went without oxygen for 10 minutes after suffering what doctors believe was an epileptic seizure and cardiac arrest.

She is currently on life support in a private hospital in Antalya, Turkey. Relatives say her treatment is costing around €3,500 (£3,000) a day, with the bill already reaching €30,000 (£25,000).

Hannah Cooper, the mum of Amanda’s grandchildren, flew to Turkey with her five-year-old daughter after receiving a distressing call from Marisa. She said Amanda suddenly “jolted backwards”, turned blue and stopped breathing. Marisa immediately began CPR before paramedics arrived and took over.

No travel insurance

But because she has no travel insurance, her former daughter-in-law Hannah said Turkish medics would not stop treatment for religious reasons. They fear the mounting costs could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds if her condition does not improve.

Hannah, 33, from Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, told Talk to the Press: “She’s now in a deep coma. She’s got kidney failure, liver failure. They said there’s a 20 per cent chance that she’ll wake up and if she does, she’ll be in a vegetative state.”

She added: “I got a phone call from her daughter saying that she just suddenly jolted backwards, went grey, purple, blue, started foaming from the mouth and stopped breathing. Her daughter gave her CPR. Then when the ambulance got there, they took over. She went without oxygen for about 10 minutes.”

Doctors later told the family Amanda had suffered what appeared to be a seizure as well as a heart attack. She was placed on life support and remains in coma.

Amanda travelled to Turkey with daughter Marisa, who Hannah said suffered from many severe physical and mental health conditions. Concerned she would struggle to deal with the crisis alone, Hannah booked flights and travelled out to support her.

She said: “She doesn’t have the mental capacity to cope with what’s going on. The language barrier is so hard. We have to keep going on Google Translate to speak to the doctor because he doesn’t understand us and we don’t understand him.”

Medical costs stacking up

As the family tried to come to terms with Amanda’s condition, they were shocked to learn of the mounting medical costs. Hannah said she received a phone call asking for £5,000 shortly after Amanda was admitted.

She said: “I said to them that I don’t have £5,000, but I’d be flying over to Turkey. Since then, I’ve had several emails asking for payment.”

Hannah later discovered Amanda’s stay in the private intensive care unit was costing around €3,500 every day. She also revealed that the hospital wouldn’t release her to a public one until they cleared half of the bill.

Hannah said: “I’ve asked for a transfer to a state hospital where it would still cost money, but not like this.”

The family launched a GoFundMe appeal with an initial target of £15,000, but now fear the total bill could be far higher. Despite no longer being with Amanda’s son, Hannah said the 58-year-old has remained a huge part of her life.

She said: “She’s been like a second mum to me for 17 years. She’s always been my biggest supporter.”

Toll on family

The ordeal has also taken a toll on Amanda’s grandchildren.

Hannah said: “My eldest is asking a lot of questions and is upset. My little girl just keeps saying she wants to see her nan.”

She said doctors would either wait until Amanda was biologically dead or keep her alive. Hannah and her daughter are set to return to the UK on Sunday, October 18, while Marisa plans to fly back to Turkey after collecting medication.

Hannah concluded: “We’re upset, shocked and confused. We just don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

The fundraiser can be found on GoFundMe.