Fans flocked to the comments section to share their excitement as one said: “Yayy I love Dollywood!!”
Another person commented: “The girl next door who owns an amusement park. Because Dolly showed us, girls can do anything.”
Somebody else enthused: “Can’t wait to go back!!”
Dolly faced some health woes last yearCredit: AP
Yet another expressed: “The Queen of Tennessee, beautiful Dolly.”
While a fifth added: “Going in August – taking a family vacation and Dollywood is definitely on the itinerary.
This comes after Dolly sparked health concerns last fall when she canceled several performances.
At the beginning of fall in 2025, the Tennessee native announced she was forced to postpone her Las Vegas residency after dealing with a number of “health challenges.”
Dolly’s shows were scheduled for six dates in early December at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Tim McGraw subsequently took her place and the rescheduled shows have been set for September 2026.
In her message to fans, Dolly explained that she couldn’t perform due to doctor’s orders and had to undergo “a few procedures.”
She previously took some time off to deal with her healthCredit: Getty
“He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.
“I love you and thank you for understanding.”
She assured fans that she would be back on stage soon, writing, “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.
After taking some time off, she returned last month as she told her fans some exciting news.
Looking incredible while sitting in a colorful room, Dolly delivered the news that East Tennessee Children’s Hospital was officially becoming Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
In the video, she explained how she believed every child should grow up healthy and with a fair chance.
She then revealed the hospital’s name change before saying, “I can’t do it all myself,” and asking for people to get involved via her website.
Meanwhile, the caption of the video read: “A new chapter begins.
“East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is proud to share we are becoming Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
“Inspired by Dolly’s commitment to children, this transformation represents more than a name change, it’s a promise. A promise to bring hope, healing and world-class care to patients and families across our region.
“Together, we’re building a future where every child has the chance to grow, thrive and feel the comfort of compassionate care.
“The same dedicated team. The same trusted care. Now carrying a name that reflects the heart of our mission. Learn more at DollyChildrens.org.”
She’s opened up Dolly’s Children HospitalCredit: Instagram / dollychildrens
SEVERAL cruises have been cancelled amid growing regional tensions in the Middle East, as some ships have been left ‘stuck’ in ports.
A number of cruise lines are cancelling European sailings following a number of ships getting stuck in ports in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi amid conflict in the Middle East.
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A number of cruises are being cancelled including European sailings due to the conflict in the Middle EastCredit: EPA
European cruises cancelled include two Celestyal Cruises sailings on March 20 and March 23 in the Aegean Sea.
This is because the Celestyal Discovery has not yet been able to leave Dubai as it needs to travel through The Strait of Hormuz which is currently closed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Guests who were booked on the Greek sailings have been offered a full refund or can opt for cruise credit.
MSC Cruises has cancelled its three remaining wintercruises from Dubai that were due to set sail between March 14 and 28 as MSC Euribia remains docked in Dubai port.
Aroya Cruises has also cancelled all cruises for the remainder of the season.
As for TUI, two ships previously stuck in the Strait have resulted in cruises being cancelled up to March 16 for Mein Schiff 4 and March 12 for Mein Schiff 5.
While the final passengers are on their way home via flight, the ships remain in the area.
The main issue for cruise ships at the moment in regards to the conflict, is that since March 2 the Strait of Hormuz has been closed.
This means any ships, so not just cruise ships, are currently not travelling the Strait of Hormuz.
This impacts cruises mainly heading to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Normally, between 10 and 14 cruises travel through the Strait each week during the winter season (November to March).
A spokesperson for AROYA Cruises commented: “Due to ongoing regional operational considerations and in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities, AROYA Cruises will not proceed with the remaining sailings scheduled in the Arabian Gulf for the current season.
“All guests were safely disembarked in Dubai on March 7, with the safety, security, and wellbeing of our guests and crew guiding this process.
“We are supporting our guests as they arrange their onward travel and providing guidance and assistance throughout this process.
“The safety, security, and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority and continue to guide every operational decision we make.”
TUI, MSC, Celestyal Cruises, Viking Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Avalon Waterways have been contacted for comment.
Some ships have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, which they must travel through to dock in DubaiCredit: Alamy
What does it mean for British cruise passengers?
The UK government is working to support Brits in all of the impacted areas including the United Arab Emirates.
Official guidance advises Brits who are due to head off on a cruise with stops at the impacted ports to check in with their cruse line to see if their sailing has been cancelled, postponed or rerouted.
For Brits heading on fly-cruises, you should also check with your airline to see if they are still operating your scheduled flight.
Lisa Minot, The Sun’s Head of Travel said: “Six cruise ships are stuck in ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, unable to sail to safer waters without entering the Strait of Hormutz.
“Assistance will be provided to all impacted guests, and cruisers on cancelled sailings will receive full refunds or a future cruise credit to reschedule.”
YOUR holiday sangria or paella could be much more expensive on your next trip to the Spanish islands.
Officials have said that destinations like the Canaries and Balearics will experience a price hike when it comes to food and drink because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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Price of food and drink on popular Spanish islands are set to increaseCredit: AlamyThe increasing price of fuel will impact goods heading to the Canary and Balearic IslandsCredit: Alamy
The Spanish islands are incredibly popular with Brits, especially during the summerholidays.
The Canary Islands welcomes up to six million British tourists each year and it’s where you’ll find the likes of Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Meanwhile, around three million tourists visit the Balearics – with over two million heading to Majorca alone.
Both locations are popular thanks to their high temperatures and direct flights from multiple locations across the UK.
Now, industry chiefs have said the increase in cost of food and drink at these destinations will be worse than 2022 when prices shot up after the war in the Ukraine began.
Urgent meetings are already being held in the Balearic Islands and in the Canaries which are very dependent on imports due to their more isolated locations.
In July 2022, inflation climbed to 10.8 per cent in Spain.
President of the Association of Food and Beverage Distributors of the Balearic Islands, Mr Bartolomé Servera is warning of severe increases, which will depend on the duration of the crisis in Iran.
Mr Servera said the new impact will be much greater if the conflict is prolonged as the weight of the Middle East is much greater, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 per cent of oil and gas pass.
Mr Servera says carriers have already begun to raise prices because the price of fuel has skyrocketed.
Brits flock to the likes of Majorca each year with around two million visitingCredit: Alamy
Diesel has risen by 32 cents per litre, around 22 per cent; while Gasoline 95 has become between 18 and 20 cents per litre more expensive, which represents 12 per cent.
In addition, it is not ruled out that the barrel of Brent will continue to rise: this Wednesday (March 11) it is around 90 dollars, but this past Monday (March 9) it was close to 120 dollars.
This is likely to then effect everything on the island from hotels and resorts.
The association president said “Milk, eggs, bread, fruit will rise.
“Everything needs fuel for its production or transport, so they will not escape the escalation of costs and producers will have to pass them on to consumers.”
The Canary Islands also fear soaring prices and will meet with transport leaders shortly.
President of the Cabildo de La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo said official need to be monitoring the impact of the war on the islands and prepare contingency plans.
The Government of the Canary Islands says it is “very attentive” to the consequences of the war in the Middle East and plans to hold a meeting with the transport sector in the coming days in view of the increase in fuel prices.
Faced with this situation, the Government of Spain is working on an aid package, as it did at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, to alleviate the looming rise in prices.
Israeli strikes on fuel depots and petroleum logistic sites in Tehran on Sunday saw apocalyptic images coming out of the Iranian capital, as the spilled oil ignited a river of fire, and thick black smoke blanketed the city of 10 million, leaving streets and vehicles covered with soot.
Israel and the United States claimed they were targeting Iranian military and government sites, but government officials and people say civilian structures such as schools, hospitals and major landmarks are increasingly coming under attack. At least 1,255 people have been killed in the strikes since February 28.
What Israeli and US military planners frame as a calculated degradation of state infrastructure is being described by local officials and environmental experts as an act of total warfare, and collective punishment.
Shina Ansari, head of Iran’s Department of Environment, described the systematic destruction of the oil depots as a blatant act of ecocide.
The attacks systematically targeted four major storage facilities and a distribution centre, including the Tehran refinery in the south and depots in Aghdasieh, Shahran, and Karaj. In the Shahran district, witnesses reported unrefined oil leaking directly into the streets as temperatures hovered around 13C (55F).
Ansari from Iran’s Department of Environment stated that the environment remains the silent victim of the war, noting that the incineration of vast fuel reserves has trapped the capital under a suffocating shroud of pollutants.
The medical and environmental fallout is immediate and severe. The Iranian Red Crescent Society warned that the smoke contains high concentrations of toxic hydrocarbons, sulphur, and nitrogen oxides. The organisation noted that any rainfall passing through these plumes becomes highly acidic, posing risks of skin burns and severe lung damage upon contact or inhalation.
Ali Jafarian, Iran’s deputy health minister, told Al Jazeera that this acid rain is already contaminating the soil and water supply. Jafarian added that the toxic air poses a life-threatening risk to the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, prompting authorities to advise residents to remain indoors.
The destruction has also forced the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum to slash daily fuel rations for civilians from 30 litres [8 gallons] to 20 litres [5 gallons]. At least four employees, including two tanker drivers, were killed in the depot strikes.
The strategic bombing myth
Major General Mamoun Abu Nowar, a retired Jordanian military analyst, told Al Jazeera that the primary objective of the strikes is to break the resilience of the Iranian people and paralyse the country’s logistics and economy.
“They are preparing the Iranian environment for an uprising against the regime,” Abu Nowar said, adding that the broader goal is to halt state operations and curb Tehran’s regional influence.
However, Abu Nowar raised urgent concerns about the specific munitions deployed, urging Iranian authorities to investigate the bomb fragments given the unusual density of the smoke and the resulting acid rain.
Some military strategists argue that striking an adversary’s vital infrastructure can paralyse the state from the inside out, bypassing the need to fight its military forces directly.
Modern warfare has increasingly relied on this strategic bombing via precision drones and missiles to destroy morale and incapacitate an adversary’s ability to wage war. For Israel, which is engaged in a genocidal war in Gaza and wider regional conflicts, targeting oil depots is viewed as a way to send a coercive message while avoiding a ground war.
However, Adel Shadid, a researcher in Israeli affairs, told Al Jazeera Arabic that the strategy is designed to make life hell for ordinary Iranians in hopes of sparking an uprising. Shadid noted a glaring contradiction in the rhetoric of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claims to support the Iranian people while overseeing the destruction of their basic means of survival.
Raphael S Cohen, director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at the RAND Corporation, notes that such bombing campaigns consistently fail to achieve their primary goal of breaking a population’s will. Instead, Cohen argues, strategic bombing typically produces a rally-around-the-flag effect, unifying societies against a common foe rather than causing them to capitulate.
Historical echoes and retaliation
The reality of targeting oil infrastructure rarely aligns with sterile military theory, as history shows that such tactics reliably produce devastating, long-term environmental consequences.
During the 1991 Gulf War, the torching of Kuwaiti oil wells created a regional environmental catastrophe. Similarly, during the battle against ISIL (ISIS) in Iraq, the burning of the Qayyarah oil fields created a “Daesh Winter” that blocked out the sun for months.
The fires released vast quantities of toxic residues, including sulphur dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, causing severe respiratory illnesses, soil acidification, and long-term carcinogenic risks for the local population.
Meanwhile, Mokhtar Haddad, director of the Al-Wefaq newspaper, told Al Jazeera Arabic that the targeting of energy hubs could trigger a global energy war.
According to Al Jazeera’s Sohaib al-Assa, reporting from Tehran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has already retaliated by striking the Haifa oil refinery and targeting a US base in Kuwait, signalling that the conflict is no longer confined to military targets.
On Monday, Bahrain’s state-run oil company Bapco declared force majeure after waves of Iranian strikes targeted its energy installations. Iran has also been accused of also targeting energy facilities in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
This photo, taken Monday, shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul as the South Korean won fell to a 17-year low against the U.S. dollar. The won was quoted at 1,495.5 won per dollar at the close of trading hours at the Korean Stock Exchange. Photo by Yonhap
The South Korean won fell to a 17-year low against the U.S. dollar Monday amid heightened market volatility as oil prices spiked following the expanding conflict in the Middle East.
The won was quoted at 1,495.5 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 19.1 won from the previous session, marking the weakest level since March 12, 2009, when the won-dollar rate hit 1,496.5 won during the global financial crisis.
After opening at 1,493 won, the won-dollar rate touched 1,499.2 won at 10:22 a.m., the lowest intraday level since that day, when the rate reached 1,500 won.
Investor sentiment was dampened by instability in global energy prices. The U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surpassed US$100 per barrel for the first time since July 2022 on Sunday (U.S. time).
The recent decline in the won has also been driven by a broad dollar rally amid concerns that the U.S.-Israeli operation could escalate into a prolonged regional war.
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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during an emergency economy response meeting on Middle East tensions held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday. Photo by Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday called for authorities to swiftly introduce a cap on local fuel prices, and preemptive responses to cope with surging gas prices and volatility in foreign exchange markets as the U.S.-led war with Iran has intensified in the Middle East.
Lee made the remarks during an interministerial meeting to assess the latest developments following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, which have prompted the price of Brent oil to surge through US$100 per barrel.
“As the crisis in the Middle East deepens, uncertainty in the domestic and global economic environment is expanding significantly, posing a considerable burden on the Korean economy relying heavily on global trade and energy imports from the Middle East,” Lee said.
Lee also called for preemptive responses Monday with worst-case scenarios in mind to address the economic fallout from heightened tensions in the Middle East, urging financial stability measures and the exploration of alternative energy routes.
“As it is difficult to predict how the situation will unfold, the government must prepare preemptive response measures with a sense of urgency, keeping even the worst-case scenario in mind,” he added.
Lee urged the government and the Bank of Korea to prepare additional preemptive measures to respond to rising volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets, instructing authorities to expand the 100 trillion-won ($66.8 billion) market stabilization program if necessary.
“We should identify hidden risks and meticulously prepare response measures.”
Lee also called for measures to address uncertainty surrounding energy supplies amid concerns over disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route.
“We will coordinate with strategic partner countries to promptly explore alternative routes that do not have to pass through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
In addition, he urged the government to crack down on collusion between refiners and gas stations, price fixing, and hoarding, calling for strict punishment of violators and the implementation of a price cap system on gasoline and diesel.
Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency prohibits its content from being redistributed or reprinted without consent, and forbids the content from being learned and used by artificial intelligence systems.
In the build-up to the match, Borthwick had urged his side to chance their arm and throw one more pass. But Italy looked quicker witted and more ambitious throughout.
A pair of clever kicks from fly-half Paolo Garbisi – the second, a well-weighted sideways nudge to release Ioane – set up the field position from which the fly-half kicked the first points of the match on 21 minutes.
An accurate long line-out throw and an Earl rumble gave England the momentum to put Tommy Freeman in for his ninth Test try, although Smith pushed the kickable conversion wide and Italy lurked dangerously as England continued to splutter.
Five minutes before the break, Menoncello – Italy’s leading metre-maker, clean-breaker and defender-beater so far in the championship – made good on the threat.
The 23-year-old carved past a startled Heyes on the fringe of a breakdown and galloped over to put Italy 10-5 in front.
England recovered. Albeit briefly.
A smart kick from Smith switched play to Tom Roebuck, and the Sale wing showed deft footwork to scamper in on the stroke of half-time.
A pair of Smith penalties after the break stretched England’s lead out to 18-10 and England seemed to be turning the tide of the contest, with Underhill and Itoje both burrowing deep for turnovers.
However, with 25 minutes to go and the match seemingly there for the taking, England’s contrived to hand the initiative back to Italy.
Underhill and Itoje watched on grimly from the sidelines as first Garbisi’s boot and then their backline’s all-court brilliance – Ioane stepping Roebuck in a sliver of space, Menoncello bullocking on and Marin gleefully scampering in – wrenched the contest out of their grasp.
England found some late urgency as they vainly chased the game. Ollie Chessum bust a hole to spin the Italian defence, but the scramble snuffed out the danger.
England looked dazed and at the end of days, as the clock went red, the ball went dead and the Stadio Olimpico lit up and leapt to its feet around them.
Defeat by France in Paris next weekend would mark only the third time in the 115-year history of the Five and Six Nations that England have lost four games in a single campaign.
Brent Crude oil was trading at about $93 Friday as prices continue to rise largely because of oil tanker disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. File Photo by Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA
March 6 (UPI) — The military escalation in the Middle East has shaken global energy markets and put Latin America on alert. The rise in oil prices opens an uncertain scenario if the conflict drags on, but it also generates expectations among the region’s exporting countries.
In that context, Argentina is following the crisis with caution, but also with interest. A more expensive barrel of oil can translate into higher export revenues, which is important for an economy that seeks to increase foreign currency inflows and strengthen its fiscal accounts.
Attention is focused on Vaca Muerta, one of the world’s largest reserves of unconventional oil and gas. The field is in the Neuquén Basin in Argentine Patagonia, and has become the country’s main energy bet.
From there, companies and analysts are closely watching every signal coming from the Middle East. In the sector, a cautious attitude prevails, summed up in the logic of wait and see.
According to data from consulting firm Gas Energy Latin America, the price of a barrel rose from about $64 to nearly $76 after the escalation of the conflict. The jump of around $12 benefits countries that sell crude abroad. Brent Crude was trading at about $93 on Friday as prices continue to rise largely because of oil tanker disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
Álvaro Ríos Roca, former hydrocarbons minister of Bolivia and director and founder of the firm, told UPI that many Latin American countries depend on selling raw materials such as oil, minerals or agricultural products.
He said these countries earn money mainly from those resources because they do not produce or export much science or technology.
For that reason, when the price of oil rises, countries that produce it earn more money and the state also receives more taxes. That money helps them maintain their public finances, which are often weak.
In this scenario, the analyst identified three clear beneficiaries: Brazil, Guyana and Argentina. All three export more oil than they import, so the price increase is directly reflected in their revenues.
Even so, Ríos Roca believes Argentina has an advantage within the region.
“Argentina has the best prospects in oil and gas. Its exports will continue growing because the international market is demanding more energy,” he said.
Part of that expectation is explained by energy projects already underway. One of them is a mid-scale liquefied natural gas initiative led by Pan American Energy that aims to begin exports in the second half of 2027.
In parallel, another larger project promoted by YPF plans to start large-scale sales between 2030 and 2031. Both projects aim to turn Argentina into a significant exporter of natural gas in the global market.
The situation is different in Brazil. The country exports large volumes of oil, but does not have the same capacity to export gas. Much of the gas it produces is reinjected into oil fields to maintain the pressure that allows crude extraction to continue. Another portion is used in the domestic market.
Argentina, by contrast, bases its production on a technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. This involves injecting water, sand and chemicals at high pressure to fracture deep rock and release oil and gas trapped underground. It is the same system that fueled the U.S. energy boom over the past decade.
For now, the analyst believes oil prices will continue to be shaped by developments in the Middle East conflict.
“I don’t think it will reach $100. On the other hand, if the crisis eases in the coming weeks, the price could stabilize near $70 per barrel,” Ríos Roca estimated.
Daniel Dreizzen, former secretary of energy planning of Argentina, agrees that rising prices benefit all producing countries.
“Export revenues could increase by about 20%, in line with the rise in oil,” he told UPI.
Deizzen also pointed to a key factor in Argentina’s case: The country’s refining capacity is practically at its limit. That means any additional oil produced will be destined for international markets.
“Argentina cannot refine much more. So the extra crude is exported,” he said.
That scenario also benefits oil companies, which sell the same product at a higher price. If the domestic market follows the so-called “export parity,” internal prices tend to align with international ones. That improves profitability and may encourage new investments in the energy sector.
While some countries gain from the new scenario, others face a more complex outlook. That is the case of Mexico.
According to Ríos Roca, Mexican production will continue declining due to a lack of investment. State-owned Petróleos Mexicanos, or Pemex, carries heavy debt with contractors and has little room to finance new exploration projects.
“Mexico had very strong production for decades, but it has been in decline for years. Even Venezuela now has better prospects,” he said. In Venezuela’s case, some analysts see a possible return of international investment, which could reactivate part of its energy industry.
In contrast, several Latin American countries would be on the losing side if high prices persist. Net energy importers such as Central American countries, as well as Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile, will have to pay more for the fuel they consume. The same applies to many Caribbean economies, where energy costs have a direct impact on inflation and growth.
Beyond the current situation, analysts agree on a global trend: demand for natural gas will continue growing.
“There is no decarbonization of the planet without natural gas,” Ríos Roca said. In that context, liquefied natural gas trade is expanding rapidly and opening opportunities for new exporters.
Argentina seeks to position itself in that market through LNG projects being developed around Vaca Muerta. The same trend could also emerge in Venezuela, where initiatives to export gas in the coming years are under evaluation.
However, the immediate direction of the energy market largely depends on what happens in the Middle East. Both analysts concurred that the key factor is not only the duration of the conflict, but also the damage that oil and transport facilities may suffer.
“Productive infrastructure is being destroyed amid the attacks,” Ríos Roca said. If those facilities are seriously damaged, the effects on the market could last much longer than the conflict itself. In that case, the impact on oil prices would be deeper and more prolonged.
A Korean Air Lines Boeing 747-800 charter flight departs for Seoul, South Korea. File. Photo by ERIK S. LESSER / EPA
March 4 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s aviation industry is on alert as rising oil prices and a weakening Korean won threaten airline profitability following the recent escalation in Middle East tensions.
The surge in global crude prices and the won-dollar exchange rate comes after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, raising fears of prolonged instability in the region.
According to the Korea Exchange on Tuesday, shares of Korean Air fell 7.94% to 23,200 won (about $16.10). The stock has dropped about 17% compared with its Feb. 27 closing price of 28,100 won (about $19.40), just before the strikes on Iran, reflecting investor concerns about rising operating costs.
Fuel expenses account for roughly 30% of airline operating costs, making the industry particularly vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. Korean Air estimates that a $1 change in oil prices per barrel can affect its operating profit by about $30.5 million.
Brent crude futures on the ICE Futures Exchange closed at $81.40 per barrel on Tuesday, up $3.66, or 4.71%, from the previous session. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $3.33, or 4.67%, to close at $74.56 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Oil prices have climbed for three consecutive trading days after tensions surrounding Iran intensified and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – a key route for about 20% of global seaborne oil shipments – was disrupted.
Korean Air said it plans to protect profitability through hedging strategies. The airline uses fuel price option contracts under internal risk management policies, primarily employing a “zero-cost collar” hedging structure that sets upper and lower price limits for fuel purchases.
Under this system, the airline can buy jet fuel at a predetermined price even if oil prices rise, while it must purchase fuel at the agreed level if prices fall below a certain threshold.
Korean Air said it hedges up to 50% of its projected annual fuel consumption.
“Ongoing assessments of oil price risks are conducted regularly, and we apply appropriate hedging products depending on market conditions and price levels,” a Korean Air official said.
Industry analysts warn, however, that prolonged tensions in the Middle East could place additional pressure on airlines through a weaker Korean currency.
The won briefly surpassed the psychologically significant level of 1,500 per U.S. dollar early Tuesday. A weaker won typically increases overseas operating costs for airlines and can also dampen travel demand.
Low-cost carriers are expected to face greater difficulties. Jeju Air, Jin Air and T’way Air – South Korea’s major budget airlines – all reported operating losses last year amid the strong dollar and have been striving to return to profitability.
Recent signs of exchange rate stabilization had raised hopes for improved performance this year, but the Iran crisis has revived concerns across the industry.
A T’way Air official said the company is preparing contingency plans.
“When the won-dollar exchange rate rises, we respond by covering overseas operating costs with foreign currency revenues generated locally,” the official said. “We are reviewing additional measures depending on changes in the international situation.”
If you want, I can also create a short 60-90 second YouTube news script version of this story, which would fit well with your weekly global news roundup format.
WITH the current ongoing Iran crisis, Brits are quite fairly worried about their upcoming holidays.
Concerns have risen over the safety of Turkey, after NATO was forced to shoot down a missile in Turkish airspace earlier today, resulting in debris falling in the Dortyol district.
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Here is everything you need to know about Turkey holidaysCredit: Alamy
Here is everything you need to know if you have any travel to Turkey this year.
Is Turkey safe to travel to?
Yes, most of Turkey is still considered safe to travel to.
The only parts of Turkey that the UK Foreign Office warns against is the border of Syria, which is along the east of the country.
It warns: “FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.”
However, most Brits visit the west coast of Turkey, particularly the seaside resorts, which are hundreds of miles away.
The only advice currently for the rest of Turkey is: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”
Do keep an eye on the latest travel advice on the government website here.
Are flights to Turkey cancelled?
No, flights to Turkey are being unaffected for anyone travelling from the UK to Turkey.
Some flights coming from the Middle East, such as from Dubai and Doha, are likely to be affected to Turkey right now.
However, Brits travelling from Britain will still be able to fly to Turkey without cancellations caused by the Iran crisis.
What if I have a holiday booked to Turkey?
If you have a holiday booked, you will not be able to cancel it without being left out of pocket.
As Turkey is safe to travel, you will not be given your money back if you choose not to travel.
Holidays to all tourist destinations in Turkey are still be going ahead.
This includes destinations such as Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya and Fethiye.
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains: “As the advice is that it is safe to travel, tour operators and airlines are under no obligation to offer you a refund if you choose not to travel.
“While some people may feel uneasy, the distances involved mean it is extremely unlikely that anything would impact your holiday.
“With all package holidays, you have enhanced protection should the situation change.
“If the Foreign Office changes its advice to all but essential travel, you will have extra rights to a refund or amended date.
“But right now, that is not necessary as trips to the popular Mediterranean Turkish resorts are safe.”
If the advice were to change, your travel company would have to offer you the chance to amend your travel to a different date or offer you a full refund.
We have had lots of questions about holidays to Cyprus – both Larnaca and Paphos, later in June, July and September and the advice really remains the same.
Unless you have paid a minimal deposit, you should continue to make payments. If you cancel now you could lose money – and discover that holidays are significantly more expensive when you look to book again.
What is important is to make sure you have bought good travel insurance NOW to cover you in the run up to your holiday dates. A lot can happen in the coming months.
Take the time to enquire about what you would be covered for in terms of delays and cancellations as these can vary from policy to policy.
Will this affect holidays in Egypt? We’re due to fly there in May for our honeymoon
While it is very understandable that travellers would be a little nervous of the proximity of Egypt to the current crisis, the popular Egyptian Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Hurgahda and Marsa Alam as well as the majority of Egypt including ancient cities of Cairo and Luxor are NOT under any Foreign Office travel ban.
While no one can predict what is going to happen in the region, it is currently considered safe to travel to these destinations and your tour operator or airline is under no obligation to refund you if you chose not to travel.
Hurghada and Marsa Alam are hundreds of miles away from the conflict zone and holidays there should not be impacted at all.
Increased flights from the UK and an ever greater number of new luxury resorts mean it still offers guaranteed sunshine for all budgets.
I travelled to Luxor, Hurghada and Marsa Alam in February and could not have felt safer with the Egyptians taking security very seriously.
Is Greece safe to travel, being so close to Turkey?
Yes Greece is safe to travel to – and is not under any UK Foreign Office travel warnings.
The main popular tourist resorts in both Greece and Turkey are many thousands of miles from the current problems in the Middle East.
If you choose to cancel a holiday you have already made payments on you will NOT get your money back as your travel company is under no legal obligation to refund you.
A refund is only triggered if the Foreign Office advises against all travel or all but essential travel.
Again, ensuring you have fully comprehensive travel insurance from the moment you make your booking is really important to give you added protection in the run up to your trip.
We’ve had questions from Sun readers looking at trips to Corfu and Rhodes this summer – they should be reassured that the chance of holidays to these islands being impacted, while not impossible, is extremely unlikely.
Greece remains safe to travel to, with holidays and flights not affectedCredit: Alamy
Will travel disruption escalate to the Canary Islands travel from the UK?
While nothing can be guaranteed in these extraordinary times, there is nothing whatsoever to lead me to think that the current crisis will have any impact at all on holidays to the Canary Islands from the UK.
It is understandable that people are worried about the situation, but all of the Canary Islands – along with the rest of Spain – remain on the Foreign Office’s safe to travel list and there is no indication this will change at all.
There is not any worry about international travel as a whole at the moment and airlines and tour operators take the safety and security of their passengers extremely seriously.
There should be no issues with travel this summer, where lots of Sun readers are looking forward to holidays.
Are Turkey resorts affected? We have a holiday booked for half-term
No – at present Turkey is not impacted at all by the current situation.
While there are Foreign Office bans on travel to the border between Turkey and Syria, the entire rest of the country is safe to travel to.
The popular coastal resorts of Dalaman, Bodrum, Antalya, Side, Marmaris and more are many thousands of miles from the conflict zone.
As the advice is that it is safe to travel, tour operators and airlines are under no obligation to offer you a refund if you choose not to travel. If you decide to cancel your trip, you will lose any money you have paid.
While some people may feel uneasy, the distances involved mean it is extremely unlikely that anything would impact your holiday.
With all package holidays, you have enhanced protection should the situation change.
If the Foreign Office changes its advice to all but essential travel, you will have extra rights to a refund or amended date.
But right now, that is not necessary as trips to the popular Mediterranean Turkish resorts are safe.
We am due to fly to Dubai March 12-18, having paid £6,000 for a package through Emirates. Do you know where I stand with cancelling?
With the huge popularity of holidays to Dubai – more than 1.47MILLION British travellers headed to the Emirate in 2025 – the Foreign Office now advising against all but essential travel will have a huge impact on those with upcoming holidays.
As the situation remains so uncertain, airlines and travel companies are dealing with upcoming bookings on a rolling basis – prioritising those who are due to travel soonest first.
As of today, passengers with bookings up to March 10 can request a refund directly from Emirates via an online form – and you should expect to receive that refund within a week.
But as your holiday doesn’t depart until March 12 you will have to contact Emirates directly to see if they will allow you to amend your booking or get a refund.
I totally appreciate that this is going to be challenging with many hundreds of thousands of travellers looking to rebook flights and holidays.
Right now, British Airways Holidays are offering rebooking options for those travelling up to March 8 to request a refund.
Those travelling up to March 15 can change their holiday dates or destination free of charge if they depart before March 29.
If you amend to a holiday that is more expensive, you’ll have to pay the difference. If it is cheaper, BA will refund you the difference.
Those travelling after March 15 can change their booking up to 14 days before travel for a fee of £100 or if within 14 days of travel for a fee of £500.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays has the same options in place for the same dates.
If you have bought travel insurance – and I really do recommend everyone does this from the MOMENT they book their holiday – it would be a good idea to contact them as well to see if there is anything you can claim for.
Anyone with holidays from April onwards, I recommend keeping an eye on the current travel advice, but do not cancel holidays unless you want to be out of pocket.
Emirates passengers travelling via Dubai in the upcoming days will be contactedCredit: Reuters
My daughter is due to return from Mauritius via Dubai on March 5 with Emirates Airlines. Will this be possible & what are her options?
Emirates has only suspended flights until midnight on March 4.
However this is likely to be extended as they are currently only operating repatriation flights for passengers who are stranded in Dubai.
It is advised for your daughter to contact Emirates and see if there is an alternative way to travel home.
Emirates must provide her with an alternative flight home, or a refund.
However, be aware that if she accepts a refund, your daughter will have to pay for her own alternative flight home which might be quicker, but much more expensive and she will not be able to claim the difference back from Emirates.
Air Mauritius offers direct flights from Mauritius to UK, otherwise airlines with non-Dubai stopovers include Air France (stopover in Paris) and Lufthansa (stopover in Frankfurt).
I have a long-haul holiday planned later this year, stopping in the Middle East. Should I cancel my trip or find another airline?
We have had lots of questions from you about upcoming holidays with stopovers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar – seeing as they’re huge hub airports for Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, this isn’t surprising.
This includes destinations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bali, China, Vietnam, Australia and Pakistan.
If you have partly paid for your holidays for any of the above destinations, you must still pay the remaining balance or you will be left out of pocket.
It is only if the UK Foreign Office advises against any travel to these destinations that you will be able to cancel a holiday for a refund.
Unless you are travelling in the next few days, it is likely the holidays will still go ahead.
If you are wary of booking a stop over in the Middle East, then other popular destinations include Singapore, with Singapore Airlines, or Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific and Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
I’m confused about the government advice and where travel companies stand – surely a holiday shouldn’t be classed as “essential travel”?
I appreciate the travel warnings can be slightly confusing, so I’ll break them down for you.
There are two travel warnings from the UK Foreign Office – “against all but essential travel” and “against all travel”.
If the advice is against all travel, package holiday companies and airlines have to give you a refund.
If the advice is against all but essential travel the legal standing is a little more complicated.
However, most travel companies will offer to refund or amend your booking as they recognise they will not be able to provide you with the trip you purchased due to exceptional circumstances.
Most holidays in Europe – including Spain and Greece – are unaffectedCredit: Getty
DUE to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, many Brits will find their holiday plans postponed or cancelled.
From those who are stranded in the UAE or supposed to be heading abroad, what does the conflict mean when it comes to travel insurance and your airline rights?
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UK travellers have very different rights depending on who they booked their trip withCredit: tawanlubfahHead of Sun Travel Lisa Minot explains your travel insurance rightsCredit: Dan Charity
Well, UK travellers stranded across the globe or due to fly via the Middle East in the coming days have very different rights depending on who they booked their trip with.
Those who booked flights with a non UK or EU airline like Emirates, Etihad or Qatar and were travelling from a destination outside the UK via the Middle Eastern hubs have limited rights compared to those who are travelling with a UK or EU airline or flying directly in or out of the UK.
UK passenger rights mean airlines have a duty of care to provide you with food and drink while you are delayed as well as a way to communicate by email or phone and overnight hotels and transfers if needed.
Under these same rights, the airline must get you to your destination as soon as is possible, even if that involves a different airline.
However, those travelling on non UK or EU flights from elsewhere in the world to the big hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar do not get the same rights.
This could be someone travelling from Thailand back to the UK via Dubai that is now stranded in Thailand as flights have been cancelled and the airspace is closed.
Airlines in this case MUST get you to your destination as soon as possible but there is no legal right to meals, accommodation or communication.
They also must provide you with a refund if you choose not to travel but beware of this option. The minute you accept a refund, the airline has no duty of care to you and no obligation to re-route you.
You would then need to book new flights yourself, which may be significantly more expensive. Travel insurance would not cover the difference between a refunded ticket and a new booking.
Despite this, the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE have – in a very rare move – confirmed that the state would be covering all accommodation and hosting costs for stranded passengers.
Of course, this only applies to Brits who are stranded in the UAE, so the likes of Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Due to its location many holidaymakers will pass through the likes of Dubai or Doha before travelling onwards during an indirect journey.
In fact more than half a million travellers head through the hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha every day.
For Brits, many long-haul flights to destinations like Thailand, Australia and South Africa generally stop in these airports.
Due the ongoing conflict, the airspace has been closed, as have the airports in Dubai and Doha.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is starting up very limited flights with Etihad Airways.
Lots of holidaymakers will stopover in the UAE during a long-haul flightCredit: Alamy
Tim Riley, MD of travel insurer True Traveller and chairman of the UK Travel Industry Association, which represents all the major UK insurers, has advice for impacted travellers.
He explained that while airlines have an obligation to re-route passengers, they cannot override certain situations.
Tim said: “The primary issue in the current situation is airspace closures and the inability to leave the country.
“Travel insurance cannot override government airspace restrictions or operate repatriation flights.
“Airlines have a legal obligation to re-route passengers to their final destination once services resume, whether on their own aircraft or with an alternative carrier.”
Dubai Airport has grounded all flights due to the airspace closureCredit: AFPPassengers have been left stranded abroad, including thousands of BritsCredit: Reuters
According to Cirium, around 5,340 flights across the Middle East have been cancelled this week.
There are 539 flights scheduled from the UK to the Middle East this week which works out to 180,000 seats.
UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland called the disruption “unprecedented” – with it being a similar chaos level of the Covid pandemic.
He told the Press Association: “We’ve had other conflicts in the region, but not, I think, really in the scale of military conflict or scale of activity that we have now with the Gulf carriers.”
So here is everything you need to know about the airlines and tour operators cancelling flights to and from the UK, as well as until when.
British Airways
British Airways has cancelled a number of flights to the Middle East, which includes from London Heathrow to Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Amman.
They aid in a statement: “We have cancelled flights to Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Doha and Tel Aviv up to and including the 03 March and today’s Larnaca service.
We are closely monitoring the situation and have cancelled a number of our flights to the Middle East.
“Safety is always our top priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.”
They added: “If you are due to fly between London Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai or Tel Aviv up to and including 15 March you can change your flight date free of charge to travel on or before 29 March.
“Customers travelling up to and including 8 March may also request a full refund.”
Virgin Atlantic
A number of Virgin Atlantic flights have been cancelled, with others rerouted.
The airline states: “Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, we have rerouted some of our flights and taken the decision to cancel some of our upcoming services between London Heathrow and Dubai, as well as services between London Heathrow and Riyadh.”
Four have already been cancelled, with one to Dubai and one to Riyadh today also cancelled from London Heathrow.
They also said: “We are actively reviewing our flying programme each day and doing everything we reasonably can to minimise disruption.
“Our teams are identifying alternative solutions, securing available capacity and rebooking customers wherever possible, while ensuring safety remains our absolute priority.”
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled more flights to the Middle East todayCredit: Getty
Emirates
Emirates has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai until at least tomorrow, although this is likely to be extended.
In a statement, they said: “Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Tuesday, 3 March.
“We urge all customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport.”
Passengers affected are being given two options – one being to rebook on another flight to the intended destination by March 20.
Or, passengers can get a full refund – although if you are already on holiday, this means they no longer have a duty of care for you when it comes to booking your flight home.
Qatar Airways
The airline, based out of Qatar, has cancelled all flights to and from Doha.
The airline said: “Qatar Airways flights to, and from, Doha have been temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.”
This is likely to affect passengers using Doha as a base for connections, with it operating flights across Asia.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways flights are affected to and from Abu Dhabi.
The airline said: “Regional airspace closures continue to impact Etihad Airways’ operations, and all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March.”
Passengers can either rebook for free up until March 18, if travelling up until March 7.
Anyone travelling up until tomorrow can request a refund.
Etihad Airways have suspended flights to and from Abu DhabiCredit: Alamy
TUI
Brits with TUIholidays booked will also be affected, especially if flying to or via the UAE.
This is likely to affect holidays to Dubai, as well as to Thailand, Vietnam and Jordan.
The TUI website currently states: “Due to Airspace restrictions in parts of the region, some flights to and from the UK have been impacted and may experience delays and cancellations.”
For passengers meant to be flying in or out of the region, your rights depend on whether you were flying directly in or out of the UK or EU or if you are flying with an UK or EU airline.
Those who are will not get compensation as it is not the fault of the airline but they do have a duty of care to look after impacted passengers – depending on the length of the delay that could include food and drink, a means of communicating and if necessary, overnight accommodation.
Those flying on non-UK or EU carriers may find their rights are slightly different if they are not on a direct flight to the UK as different rules apply and you may not be provided with the same assistance.
They are, however, expected to offer you the right to a refund or another flight in the case of cancellations.
As well as those directly impacted by cancelled flights, the closure of so much of the Middle Eastern airspace will mean even more congestion on alternative routes that could impact flights across the globe.
For those due to travel in the coming days, staying in contact with your airline and checking before travelling to the airport is essential as schedules may change at short notice.
Loveholidays
Loveholidays is also cancelling holidays to any of the affected areas, which includes the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.
They said in a statement: “We’re aware of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East and understand that you may be concerned about how this could affect your holiday.
“The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its advice and is now advising against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) – including Dubai and Abu Dhabi – Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar.
“As a result, holidays and connecting flights due to travel to these destinations will be impacted while this advice remains in place.
“We have made the difficult decision to cancel all holidays to or via impacted areas of the Middle East departing up to and including 7 March 2026.
“Our team is starting to process full refunds for these holidays and will contact you directly.”
Anyone already in these destinations is advised to contact their airline.
Brits should contact their airlines if they have flights to any of the affected destinationsCredit: Reuters
Dolly Parton uploaded an announcement video on her social media todayCredit: Instagram / dollychildrensShe revealed Dolly’s Children’s HospitalCredit: Instagram / dollychildrensLast fall, Dolly was embroiled in a health scareCredit: Getty
Looking incredible while sitting in a colorful room, Dolly delivered the news that East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is officially becomingDolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
In the video, she explained how she believes every child should grow up healthy and with a fair chance.
She then revealed the hospital’s name change before saying, “I can’t do it all myself,” and asking for people to get involved via her website.
Meanwhile, the caption of the video read: “A new chapter begins.
“East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is proud to share we are becoming Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
“Inspired by Dolly’s commitment to children, this transformation represents more than a name change, it’s a promise. A promise to bring hope, healing and world-class care to patients and families across our region.
“Together, we’re building a future where every child has the chance to grow, thrive and feel the comfort of compassionate care.
“The same dedicated team. The same trusted care. Now carrying a name that reflects the heart of our mission. Learn more at DollyChildrens.org.”
Most read in Entertainment
Reacting to the announcement, one person penned, “Anyone else sob upon this news? Well deserved honor.”
“Our very own earth angel,” said a second.
“Bless you Dolly! A true angel on earth,” penned a third.
A fourth then demanded, “Dolly for president!”
“Ooooh Dolly, you truly are an angel! I have chills just reading this! Those kids will be wrapped in love,” said a fifth.
While a sixth penned, “The world needs more Dollys! She shouldn’t have to be one in a million.”
And an eighth added, “Dolly your are a great human being and do so much for the community and for the world.”
This comes after Dolly sparked health concerns last fall when she canceled several performances.
At the beginning of fall in 2025, the Tennessee native announced she was forced to postpone her Las Vegas residency after dealing with a number of “health challenges.”
Dolly’s shows were scheduled for six dates in early December at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Tim McGraw subsequently took her place and the rescheduled shows have been set for September 2026.
In her message to fans, Dolly explained that she couldn’t perform due to doctor’s orders and had to undergo “a few procedures.”
She assured fans that she would be back on stage soon, writing, “And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet.
“He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.
“I love you and thank you for understanding.”
The singer has been branded an ‘earth angel’ by fansCredit: Getty
Here are six things to know about the current crisis:
A short-term deal, at best: Negotiators for the seven states still are discussing ways they might reach a short-term deal as a “bridge into a longer-term agreement,” said Wade Crowfoot, California’s natural resources secretary. But after missing a Feb. 14 federal deadline, the states are running out of time. Gov. Gavin Newsom told governors in a letter that California would welcome joint investments in water recycling and desalination, and that he believes it’s still possible to agree on a plan “for the next several years.”
States drawing up Plan B: Officials are talking about what they will do if no deal is reached. Representatives of Arizona, Nevada and California already offered cuts of 27%, 17% and 10%, respectively. But that hasn’t been enough for negotiators representing Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah. Crowfoot said the talks about a Plan B among California, Arizona and Nevada officials focus on what water agencies could do to stabilize the level of Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, which is 34% full and set to decline further.
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A court battle looms: As the Trump administration considers ordering cuts, state officials are bracing for potential lawsuits. Utah and Arizona have begun setting aside money for legal bills. A fight could take years until there is a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. Robert Glennon, a University of Arizona emeritus law professor, said no one knows what the court would do. “This is rolling the dice on something that is really quite profound,” he said. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to go to Vegas and play the craps.”
Arizona is most vulnerable: Arizona is preparing for the largest cutbacks. That’s because the Central Arizona Project, the series of canals that runs to the Phoenix and Tucson areas, isn’t nearly as old as other aqueducts, giving it low-priority water rights that put it among the first in line for cuts. Farmers who rely on the CAP already have been forced to leave many fields dry. The coming cuts likely will prompt Arizona cities to drill more wells and pump more groundwater, which is declining in many areas.
Less for farms: Nearly half the water that is taken from the river is used to grow hay for cattle. In all, agriculture consumes about three-fourths of the water. In the last few years, farmers have left some hay fields dry part of the year in exchange for federal funds. Glennon said agriculture needs to conserve more, and an agreement among the states could include a fund to help farmers switch to irrigation systems that use less.
Cutbacks carry costs: For cities, adapting will require more conservation and searching for alternative water sources, which will cost money and push up water bills, said Rhett Larson, an Arizona State University law professor. Some cities probably also will have to buy out farmers or pay them to leave fields fallow, which will push up urban water costs further, he said. And as farms produce less, he said, “eventually you’ll feel it in the grocery store.”
More water news
With very little snow in the Rocky Mountains, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation now projects the runoff flowing into Lake Powell, the Colorado River’s second-largest reservoir, will decrease so much that by later this year the water level probably will drop too low to spin turbines and generate hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam. As Shannon Mullane reports for the Colorado Sun, that would remove a cheap, renewable and reliable power source for communities across the West.
Glen Canyon Dam also has design flaws that create problems at low reservoir levels. As I’ve reported, if the reservoir declines to a point that water can pass through only four 8-foot-wide bypass tubes, that would limit how much can reach California, Arizona and Nevada. Those states have urged the Trump administration to fix or overhaul the dam to address this problem.
Last week, Jonathan P. Thompson wrote in his newsletter The Land Desk that the impasse among the states is pushing Glen Canyon Dam closer to the brink. He said federal officials could decide to reengineer the dam to ensure water still can pass at low reservoir levels, but that would be only a temporary fix. As Thompson put it, “aridification is rendering the dam obsolete, at least as a water storage savings account.”
Heather Sackett of Aspen Journalism spoke with experts about why the worsening crisis still hasn’t forced a deal. Kathryn Sorensen, a researcher at the ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy, said: “There’s so little water to go around that positions have become hardened as a result. We’re not just talking about inconvenient cuts; we’re talking about severe pain to economies at this point.”
In Arizona, an advocacy group backed by the Central Arizona Project has begun rolling out TV ads and online videos saying the state is being singled out in the options the federal government has outlined. Brandon Loomis of the Arizona Republic reports that an ad aired by the coalition declares: “Arizona is being unfairly targeted for reductions of Colorado River water that would cripple our state.”
In California, Newsom launched a new plan this week that sets a goal of securing 9 million acre-feet of additional water, enough to fill two Shasta Reservoirs, by 2040 in an effort to offset expected losses caused by climate change. As Camille von Kaenel reports for E&E News by Politico, the 2028 water plan will be a blueprint for new reservoirs, conservation efforts and groundwater recharge projects. Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth says the effort “will help us plan smarter to deal with the way climate change is testing our water systems.”
More climate and environment news
California is spearheading a lawsuit against the Trump administration for canceling billions of dollars in funding for clean energy projects awarded during the Biden administration. My colleague Hayley Smith reported the cuts included a $1.2-billion federal grant for California’s hydrogen hub. The hub was part of the Biden administration’s nationwide effort to develop hydrogen projects to replace planet-warming fossil fuels, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as heavy-duty trucking.
Illegal cannabis farms are polluting national forests in California, leaving contamination that harms wildlife and watersheds. Reporter Rachel Becker of CalMatters visited an illicit cannabis grow that was raided by law enforcement in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, where a pile of pesticide sprayers was left behind. Researchers are sounding the alarm, she wrote, “that inadequate federal funding, disjointed communication, dangerous conditions and agencies stretched thin at both the state and federal level are leaving thousands of grow sites — and their trash, pesticides, fertilizers and more — to foul California’s forests.”
This is the latest edition of Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment in the American West. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. And listen to our Boiling Point podcast here.
Italian cricket is in crisis days after the country’s T20 World Cup debut, as it emerged that a senior national governing body official has been investigated over a sexual assault allegation.
Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCRI) women’s cricket co-ordinator Prabath Ekneligoda, 57, was the subject of a criminal investigation relating to a claim he inappropriately touched a member of the Azzurri women’s national team.
Multiple members of the Italy board are said to have resigned over this case and other governance issues, BBC Sport has been told.
The sexual assault allegation was made to police in Rome in March last year by a player who has represented the national team.
The player, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, alleged that the sexual assault occurred during a massage on a knee injury at a training session, and she had been scared to report the incident because she feared it would cost her a spot in the team.
An investigation was concluded by a Rome prosecutor in November 2025 and Ekneligoda was interviewed by police the following month.
A decision is now set to be made on whether there is sufficient evidence to bring it to trial. Ekneligoda’s lawyer said his client denies the allegations, that there are ulterior motives to the allegations, and that a witness supports his version of events.
FCRI said in a statement to BBC Sport it “noted proceedings are currently under way before the federal prosecutor’s office” and will “co-operate with the relevant authorities”.
“The Italian Cricket Federation reiterates that its conduct is guided by principles of fairness, transparency and the protection of its registered members, as well as by the ethical and civic standards that underpin the sporting system,” added the statement.
“The federation therefore defers to the competent judicial authorities for any determinations arising from the matter.”
Ekneligoda, who is originally from Sri Lanka, was suspended from his role with the FCRI in November but has remained a visible presence on the Italian cricket scene.
He is the partner of FCRI president Maria Lorena Haz Paz and accompanied her to India for the men’s T20 World Cup.
BBC Sport has seen evidence that Ekneligoda attended Italy’s matches wearing official accreditation and was permitted to sit with the rest of the FCRI party.
Ekneligoda was also seen at various events laid on for Italy’s cricket delegation, including a reception at the Italian consulate in Kolkata for officials, players and coaching staff.
The FCRI, its president Haz Paz, and safeguarding officers, had full knowledge of the seriousness of the claims made against Ekneligoda before the World Cup.
As of Monday, Ekneligoda was still listed as the women’s cricket coordinator on the FCRI website.
Sources have told BBC Sport that some members of the FCRI’s board have resigned over the matter, and other governance issues, which has placed Haz Paz’s position under greater scrutiny.
Senior officials in Italian cricket fear potential reputational damage, and the possibility of legal cases, will hamper opportunities to capitalise on their debut T20 World Cup appearance and grow the game further in the country.
Haz Paz was appointed president of the Italian cricket federation in February 2025 until 2028.
Italy’s debut at the T20 World Cup, and the stories of some of their players, had captured the imagination of the cricket world.
Environment group says FBI is visiting climate activists’ homes as Trump administration rolls back pollution protections.
Published On 19 Feb 202619 Feb 2026
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Environmental group Extinction Rebellion has said that climate change activists associated with the group are being investigated by the Trump administration, which is also openly working to roll back environmental protections in the United States.
The group’s New York chapter said that at least seven of its activists have been visited by FBI agents since Trump’s second term began last year, including one person who had two special agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force come to their home on February 6.
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The Department of Justice also opened an investigation into the environmental group Climate Defiance earlier this month in response to what Extinction Rebellion said was a “viral peaceful protest”.
“Trump is weaponising the DOJ to attack peaceful protesters in order to appease a multi-trillion dollar fossil fuel industry that got him elected,” Extinction Rebellion’s New York chapter said in a statement shared on Instagram.
“We can only assume that they are feeling threatened by our movement,” the statement added.
Known as XR, the activist group garnered media attention worldwide through disruption, hitting roads, airports and other public transport networks with direct action protests against climate change in major cities.
The environmental group’s global website says it is a “decentralised, international and politically non-partisan movement using non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act justly” on the climate emergency.
Activist Greta Thunberg has previously attended actions organised by the group.
‘The single largest deregulatory action in American history’
According to the natural resource monitoring group Global Witness, fossil fuel companies, including Chevron and Exxon, donated $19m to President Donald Trump’s inaugural fund last year, representing 7.8 percent of the total amount raised. A number of fossil fuel companies also donated to Trump’s re-election campaign.
Trump, who has called climate change a “hoax” and a “con job”, has taken several steps to fulfil his campaign promise to “drill, baby, drill” as president, including expanding oil extraction in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The Trump administration also recently revoked a 2009 government declaration known as the “endangerment finding”, which has been used as the legal basis for regulating pollution under the Clean Air Act, which was originally adopted in 1963.
Trump, who described the endangerment finding as “one of the greatest scams in history”, has claimed that repealing it was “the single largest deregulatory action in American history, by far”.
The move has prompted alarm from environmental and health groups, more than a dozen of which filed a lawsuit on Wednesday over the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to withdraw the endangerment finding, saying removing it will lead to “more pollution, higher costs, and thousands of avoidable deaths”.
Weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
In the past two days, the U.S. Air Force has sent six of its 16 E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radar planes to bases in Europe. Two of those jets are now headed to the Middle East, and the others will likely follow, as a massive buildup of U.S. airpower continues ahead of potential strikes on Iran. The deployment of nearly 40 percent of all Air Force E-3s underscores how critical the aircraft remain, but also the challenges of meeting intense operational demands with a rapidly aging and shrunken-down fleet. It also further calls into question a puzzling Pentagon move to axe the purchase of replacement E-7 Wedgetail jets, which Congress has now reversed.
Readers can first get caught up on the full scope of the U.S. buildup around the Middle East in our recent reporting here.
As of yesterday, a pair of E-3s had arrived at RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom after traveling from their home station at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Four more AWACS jets from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma had also touched down at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Online flight tracking data shows that the E-3s at Mildenhall have now departed and are headed toward the Middle East. There is widespread expectation that those aircraft, as well as the ones at Ramstein, will eventually make their way to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
Update: At least 4 #USAF E-3G Sentry AWACS at Ramstein AB 🇩🇪 are currently relocating to Prince Sultan AB 🇸🇦 before the strikes on Iran 🇮🇷. I’m unclear if the 2 @ RAF Mildenhall 🇬🇧 are also in transit to 🇸🇦.
As noted, the U.S. Air Force currently has just 16 E-3s remaining in its inventory, roughly half the size of what it was just a few years ago. Six aircraft represent 37.5 percent of the total fleet. However, not all Sentry radar planes are available for operational tasking at any one time. For example, the average mission-capable rate for the E-3 fleet during the 2024 Fiscal Year was 55.68 percent, according to a story last year from Air & Space Forces Magazine. At the time of writing, this appears to be the most recent readiness data the Air Force has released for the E-3s. As such, the six forward-deployed AWACS jets represent an even larger percentage of the aircraft that can actually be sent out on real-world missions. This includes providing radar coverage for alert scrambles of fighter jets defending the homeland. This happens in some circumstances in the lower 48 states, but it is standard practice in Alaska, where there are usually a couple of E-3s typically stationed, with one on alert to launch in support of the fighters, which happens regularly. This is something we will come back to later on.
One of the E-3 AWACS aircraft that recently passed through RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. Harry Moulton / @havoc_aviation on X
The E-3 is best known as a flying radar station, with its array contained inside a spinning dome mounted on top of the rear of the fuselage. From its perch, the Sentry can track hostile and friendly air and naval movements across a broad area of the battlespace. Its look-down radar capability offers particular advantages for spotting and tracking lower flying threats, including drones and cruise missiles. Kamikaze drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, would be a central feature in any Iranian retaliatory attacks on American assets on land and at sea in the Middle East.
However, each Sentry, which typically flies with 13 to 19 mission specialists onboard in addition to a four-person flight crew, is much more than just its radar. It has other passive sensors and an advanced communications suite. Its combined capabilities make it a key battle management node during operations, and not just in the aerial domain.
“The radar and computer subsystems on the E-3 Sentry can gather and present broad and detailed battlefield information. This includes position and tracking information on enemy aircraft and ships, and location and status of friendly aircraft and naval vessels. The information can be sent to major command and control centers in rear areas or aboard ships,” according to the Air Force. “In support of air-to-ground operations, the Sentry can provide direct information needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for friendly ground forces. It can also provide information for commanders of air operations to gain and maintain control of the air battle.”
Altgoether, E-3 crews run the air battle, and also serve as a key battle management node during operations outside of the aerial domain. These command and control functions would be key in any future offensive operations against Iran, as well as for defending against any retaliation.
At the same time, the Air Force has been open for years now about the increasing challenges involved in operating and sustaining the E-3 fleet. The last new production Sentry aircraft were delivered in 1992, and were also some of the last derivatives of the Boeing 707 airliner to ever be produced. Air Force E-3s have received substantial upgrades since then, but the underlying aircraft are still aging and are increasingly difficult to support. Between 2023 and 2024, the Sentry fleet notably shrank from 31 aircraft down to its present size, in part to try to help improve overall readiness. The fact that U.S. E-3s are powered by long-out-of-production low-bypass Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofans has been cited as a particular issue.
US Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft undergoing maintenance. USAF
“The first thing I would offer is there’s already – whether there’s 31 airplanes or 16 airplanes – there’s a gap today,” now-retired Gen. Mark Kelly, then head of Air Combat Command, told TWZ and other outlets at the Air & Space Forces Association’s main annual conference in 2022. “There’s a reason why there’s exactly zero airlines on planet earth that fly the 707 with TF-33 engines.”
“The last airline was Saha Airlines in Iran,” Kelly added at that time. “We basically have 31 airplanes in hospice care, the most expensive care there is. And we need to get into the maternity business and out of hospices.”
As already noted, the remaining E-3 fleet has continued to struggle with readiness issues amid consistently high demand. These issues have been compounded by resistance over the years to acquiring a direct replacement. When the Air Force finally did decide to supplant at least a portion of the Sentry fleet with newer and more capable E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, that effort turned into a protracted saga.
The Air Force officially started down the road of acquiring E-7s in 2022, but the program became mired in delays and cost overruns. Last year, the Pentagon revealed its intention to axe the Wedgetail purchases in favor of an interim solution involving buying more of the U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and control planes. That, in turn, would serve as a bridge to a longer-term Air Force goal of pushing most, if not all, airborne target tracking sensor layer tasks into space. Questions about the survivability of the E-7 were also cited as having contributed to the decision.
A rendering of an E-7 Wedgetail in US Air Force service. Boeing
Questions were immediately raised about the new plan, especially about the viability of the E-2, a lower and slower flying aircraft designed around carrier-based operations, to meet Air Force needs, as TWZ has explored in the past. The service has also said that it does not expect new space-based capabilities to be operational before, at best, the early 2030s. Traditional airborne early warning and control aircraft are expected to continue playing important roles even after that milestone is reached.
“I have been concerned. We have E-3 capability up north, of course, but we were all counting on the E-7 Wedgetail coming our way. We’re kind of limping along up north right now, which is unfortunate. And the budget proposes terminating the program,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, had said during a June 2025 Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, where the E-7 cancellation plans first emerged publicly. “Again, the E-3 fleet [is] barely operational now, and I understand the intent to shift towards the space-based – you call it the ‘air moving target indicators’ – but my concern is that you’ve got a situation where you’re not going to be able to use more duct tape to hold things together until you put this system in place. And, so, how we maintain that level of operational readiness and coverage, I’m not sure how you make it.”
Congress has since taken action to save the E-7, but the program may now be even more delayed as a result of the impasse over the past year. Legislators have also taken steps to block any further E-3 retirements, at least through the end of Fiscal Year 2026.
Still, the truncated E-3 fleet clearly remains under immense strain. Sen. Murkowski’s comments last Summer also remain particularly relevant in light of the fact that two of the six E-3s recently sent across the Atlantic came from Elmendorf in Alaska. Recent tracking data suggests that there may only be one Sentry at Elmendorf now to meet operational needs in and around the High North, a part of the world that has only grown in strategic significance in recent years.
There is also a question now about the availability of E-3 coverage should a crisis break out somewhere in the Indo-Pacific. If a major contingency were to emerge in the region tomorrow, the Air Force would be faced with a situation compounded not just by low availability rates and high demand elsewhere globally, but also the so-called ‘tyranny of distance.’ The sheer expanse of the Pacific, much of which is water, presents additional requirements when it comes to total coverage area and sortie generation rates to maintain a steady flow of aircraft on station around designated operating areas. Just getting to those areas and back could take many hours. Any future conflict in the region could occur over a massive total area, as well, which would be problematic for such a tiny fleet. All this is exacerbated by the age of the airframes and copious amount of maintenance to keep them flying in the best of conditions, let alone when deployed to the Pacific.
As a point of comparison, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which would be fighting from its home turf during a major conflict in the Pacific, has made significant investments in a diverse and still growing array of airborne early warning and control aircraft. The Chinese see a force-multiplying need for these aircraft, and for large numbers of them to be able to cover a lot of territory at once, as you can read more about in this past TWZ feature.
Moving capabilities into space is an admirable goal, and has many advantages in theory, but the capabilities are not available now. Further, while some of the sensing can be distributed to other platforms and leveraged via advanced networking, there still is a place for an integrated and powerful airborne early warning and control solution, at least till the ‘all-seeing’ space layer is actually in place. Saving money now by leaving such a glaring gap, especially in the current security environment globally, appears bizarrely short-sighted.
A US Air Force E-3 Sentry seen departing Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates in 2022. USAF
It does remain to be seen whether or not the United States ultimately launches a new major air campaign against Iran. U.S. and Iranian officials have now met twice to try to reach some type of diplomatic agreement, with the focus largely on the latter country’s nuclear ambitions. At the same time, the ongoing build-up in U.S. airpower around the Middle East, and not just limited to the E-3s, aligns with recent reports that assets are being positioned at least for possiblity of a sustained, weeks-long operation.
“The boss [President Trump] is getting fed up,” an unnamed Trump adviser said, according to a report today from Axios. “Some people around him warn him against going to war with Iran, but I think there is 90% chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks.”
“One thing about the negotiation I will say this morning is, in some ways it went well. They agreed to meet afterwards,” Vice President J.D. Vance said during an interview on Fox News yesterday following the second round of negotiations. “But in other ways it was very clear that the President has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”
VP VANCE on negotiations with Iran: “One thing about the negotiation I will say this morning is, in some ways it went well. They agreed to meet afterwards, but in other ways it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to… pic.twitter.com/AbgH9t3lY0
Regardless, as mentioned, the deployment of the six E-3s is one of the strongest signs that the last pieces needed for a new major operation against Iran are increasingly in position. All of this puts a particular spotlight on the critical capabilities that the AWACS aircraft provide, but also the new strain that has been put on such a highly in-demand, but shrinking fleet, as well as the puzzling decision to slow-roll or entirely eliminate their replacement.
Corrie fans joked ‘someone is getting fired’ after the groundbreaking flashforward episode was uploaded to YouTube on Friday, giving away vital details ahead of tonight’s show
11:33, 16 Feb 2026Updated 11:33, 16 Feb 2026
Will groomer Megan be the one to meet her maker? (Image: ITV)
Bosses at Coronation Street were left reeling after accidentally leaking tonight’s flashforward episode days before the top secret show was due to air.
Fans were stunned after finding out which five characters are in the firing line early, with one set to be murdered in April. This morning, Corrie put out the names of those at risk of a grisly death as the identities of the ITV soap’s stars who could meet their end were announced.
Groomer Megan Walsh, manipulative Theo Silverton and family-wrecker Carl Webster could soon be getting their comeuppance with quirky landlady Maggie Driscoll and suspicious newcomer Jodie Ramsey also picked as possible murder victims. But some viewers found out days ago.
The programme, which is set to air tonight, was briefly uploaded on the YouTube on Friday before being hauled offline. It didn’t go unnoticed as one fan took to X to write: “Someone at Corrie leaking Mondays episode on a Friday afternoon oh dear someone’s getting fired.”
The groundbreaking episode begins with a police interview taking place on April 23. A a shocked and Betsy Swain is seen telling detectives about finding the dead body of someone she knows.
Dressed in wedding clothes, the cop’s daughter explains that she had been at the marriage of her mum Lisa Swain to Carla Connor, but was heading into town when she made the shocking discovery. As the episode returns to the present day we begin to see how the behaviour of the five characters could lead to their possible death two months later.
Twisted teacher Megan is caught up in a web of lies as she continues to groom impressionable teen Will Driscoll. Doing anything to protect her family, Maggie gives a fake alibi for Will to stop him being charged with the Christmas Day attack on Daniel Osbourne.
Carl has burnt all his bridges when he let Debbie take the blame for the Corriedale accident which saw Billy Mayhew perish. Since finding out Debbie is actually his mum and not his sister, Carl has pressed the self-destruct button and as he continues to goad both family and neighbours – he would have no shortage of people looking to settle a score.
Theo’s coercive control over Todd has reached new lows and with their wedding looming, will Todd finally confide in his friends about what has been going on before it is too late?
Despite initial reservations, the Platts have welcomed Shona’s estranged sister Jodie Ramsey into their home. But Jodie has been keeping secrets from them, and it seems she has got mixed up with some pretty shady characters in her past. Will trouble follow Jodie to Weatherfield, or could she upset people closer to home with her behaviour?
As the episode comes to a close we flash forward again to April 23 and the five characters are on the cobbles as Lisa and Carla’s wedding fireworks light up the night sky.
As the lights flicker a battered and bruised Carl, frantic Jodie, a menacing Maggie, a bloody-nosed Megan and a furtive Theo stare into the darkness. In the final moments the terrified scream of Betsy Swain fills the air – but which Weatherfield resident will be the murder victim?
