We’re living under a dark cloud, with a steady downpour of graft, thuggery and baloney.
There’s the raffling of presidential pardons and the attacks on reporters for doing their jobs, the clownish trade war with Canada, the bungled disaster in Iran, the petty obsessions with the ballroom and the Kennedy Center, the hogwash about a stolen election, the attacks on immigrants and the shameless presidential profiteering while working people suffer the cost of Trump’s countless broken promises.
I could go on, and I will. But rest assured, I have not forgotten about the boost I promised.
For all the affronts, nothing strikes me as more sinister than the Trump administration’s ambitious assault on the planet. Despite nearly daily headlines about the global calamity of overheated oceans, melting glaciers, stark weather transformations and species extinction, Trump keeps shoveling more coal onto a fire that will rage long after he’s dead and gone.
He’s gutted environmental protections and scientific research and dismantled clean energy initiatives. Now his administration is rolling back limits on power plant emissions, attempting to open the California coast to more oil drilling and sabotaging the state’s ambitious goals on emission controls and electric vehicle conversion.
We don’t need AI to threaten the future of humanity. We’ve got Trump.
It’s tempting to duck under the covers and wait for the nightmare to end, but the good news is that a lot of people are standing up rather than rolling over, rebelling against the ignorance and callous disregard that threatens our most precious and fragile shared inheritance.
In August, hundreds showed up to defend California’s authority to govern its own coast at a Santa Monica hearing of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, and 18,000 more people filed comments online.
The rollback of environmental safeguards is, for many, a call to arms.
“Yes, I am discouraged. … But I am not despairing,” said Bill McKibben, an author and environmental activist who is organizing a worldwide event called Sun Day for next year to promote clean energy. “We’re reacting to multiple crises, and we’re led by a pack of fools, so why would anybody not stand up?”
McKibben launched a national movement five years ago called Third Act, and tens of thousands of people 60 and older have signed on to advocate for climate action, voting rights and civic participation. Third Act now operates in about 30 states, with a robust chapter in Southern California.
Former Times reporter Zan Dubin has worked as both a volunteer and a paid communications consultant for Third Act, and I asked her what someone could expect to do if they became a member of Third Act/SoCal.
Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben is organizing a worldwide event called Sun Day next year to promote clean energy.
(Amanda Swinhart / Associated Press)
“We do it all,” Dubin said, from promoting climate-friendly candidates to running phone banks and testifying at public meetings. She said Third Act co-sponsors protests at Dodger Stadium, and she and others planned to meet at Vin Scully Avenue and Stadium Way for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. They want the Dodgers to stop doing business with Big Oil and bench their sponsorship deal with Phillips 66.
She also called out Disneyland for its exhaust-spewing Autopia attraction, along with former Times climate columnist Sammy Roth, and Disneyland responded by announcing in 2024 that it was switching to electric cars beginning in 2027.
Dubin, co-founder of National Drive Electric Week, said 170 volunteer-led events were being held nationwide over the next month to promote EVs, and she was leading one Friday in Irvine.
“Action is absolutely the antidote to despair,” Dubin said. “I find that despite the onslaught of these horrifying headlines … taking action invigorates me.”
Claremont resident Margaret Davis knows that feeling. She emailed me in 2023, prior to participating in a Third Act event, and said many retirees have time on their hands, which puts them in a powerful position.
“The climate crisis is the greatest existential threat humans have ever faced, hence we live in a time when we can make the greatest change for the better,” Davis wrote at the time.
When I called her a few days ago, Davis told me she’s now a member of Senior Stewards Acting for the Environment. She lives at Pilgrim Place — a senior community with a focus on justice, peace and environment — where residents meet regularly to study, discuss and advocate for sustainability, biodiversity and environmental causes.
“When I was in college in 1970, we had the antiwar movement and that was the first year of Earth Day,” Davis said. “At the time, I thought Earth Day was just a distraction from what was going on in the world.”
Later, she said, “I came to realize it was the biggest issue of all time.”
Climate activist Sim Bilal stands next to pumps at an oil field in Los Angeles in 2024.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Like Davis, I went to college in the ‘70s, and there’s no denying that our aggressively consumptive generation played a key role in manufacturing a crisis for our children and grandchildren. We’ve got matches in our hands and smoke on the horizon, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we’d see atonement not as a hobby, but as a duty.
As for the next generation, climate activist Sim Bilal, 24, said he too shares the sense that this is both a wickedly frightening time and a moment of opportunity.
“In the last month, we’ve gotten more young people involved,” said Bilal, executive director of Youth Climate Stewards 4 Local Action. “We usually have to reach out to them, but so many people have been wanting to get involved, and they’re so eager, and that’s been affirming for me. The policies are depressing, but the fact that people are reenergized and want to fight back is really exciting.”
Bilal said faith in politics, government and corporations is not high among his peers, but he’s trying to grow a network of young people to cultivate and support future leaders.
“A mentor told me there are two kinds of power — organized people, and organized money,” said Bilal, whose activism began when his grandmother died and he began wondering if her cancer, and global warming, were connected to the oil drilling in his South L.A. neighborhood. “We don’t have the money, but a lot of the work we do is political and civic education, demystifying power, and making people understand they have agency.”
Tim Lovejoy was left confused by Penn Jillette’s comments during the latest edition of the Channel 4 show
Sunday Brunch: Penn Jillette reveals he can’t understand accents
Sunday Brunch presenter Tim Lovejoy was left baffled by one guest.
The weekend show returned to screens on Sunday (September 13), with presenters Tim and Simon Rimmer at the helm. Joining them on the show were guests Beverley Knight, Lara Pulver, Jay Sean, Bloc Party, Van Tulleken, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Penn Jillette.
As the usual format got underway, the Sunday Brunch studio made for engaging viewing but American magician Penn shared a rather surprising confession.
During the segment where the presenters ask their guests to “dump their grumps” by openly sharing their dislikes, Penn confessed that he was rather lost and only understood a fraction of what was being said.
While discussing the topic of Marmite, and whether they have the sticky spread in the US, Penn said: “I haven’t understood very much of anything that’s being said.”
Revealing that he has bad hearing, Penn also shared that he wasn’t a fan of the British accent. He said: “I don’t hear well and I don’t understand accents so, so far on the show I’ve understood about 30% of what is going on. So when I’m in England, which I am often, I spend most of my time understanding no one.”
He then added that he wrote what he believes he hears and believes that this should be one of his grumps he would dump. He added: “It’s just totally a garble nonsense, which I hear every time you speak.”
Emphasising his point, he then said: “I have no idea what you’re saying. I’m sitting here nodding and smiling in total ignorance.”
Confused by Penn’s admission, Tim branded his complaints as “weird”. He said: “I think that’s really weird because I think we’re speaking like…” Penn interjected: “No, you are! You are speaking wonderfully for people like you!”
It comes after Tim was missing from the show at the end of August. The surprise switch was likely to have been noticed by regular Sunday Brunch viewers, particularly given the long-standing on-screen partnership between Tim and Simon.
The pair have worked together for many years, first joining forces on Something for the Weekend before becoming the faces of Sunday Brunch when the Channel 4 programme launched in 2012.
Their presenting partnership has remained a familiar part of Sunday mornings for more than a decade, making Lovejoy’s absence from this week’s episode all the more striking.
Stepping in to replace him was presenter Yinka Bokinni, who is an experienced broadcaster in her own right. She has worked across both radio and television and has established herself as a familiar face through a range of TV appearances, as well as her work covering entertainment and culture.
There was no explanation given during the programme for Lovejoy’s absence. At the beginning of the show, Yinka simply told viewers that she would be stepping in as his replacement.
Sunday Brunch airs Sundays from 10am on Channel 4.
GET into your liederhosen, your dirndls and grab your beer jug because it’s almost time for Oktoberfest.
If you want to celebrate the festival without the flight to Germany – these are some of the best ones in the country with fancy dress and even bratwurst eating competitions.
There are Bavarian celebrations all over the countryCredit: London OktoberfestWith live music, biers, bratwursts – you won’t want to miss theseCredit: Albert Schloss
Albert’s Schloss
It’s go big or go home at Albert’s Schloss which calls itself the ‘UK’s ultimate Oktoberfest 2026 party.
It has venues across the country too from Manchester to Birmingham, Liverpool and London.
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There are Bavarian feasts with generous helpings of crispy pork knuckle and juicy schnitzels to bratwursts and sauerkraut.
When it comes to entertainment, there are bratwurst eating competitions, traditional keg tapping and best Lederhosen Competitions.
There’s plenty of food and drink to go around – some even do bratwursts eating competitionsCredit: Albert SchlossBrewhemia is considered the ‘beer palace’ of ScotlandCredit: Brewhemia
Brewhemia
Brewhemia is known as Scotland’s “beer palace” – so it’s no surprise it’s a top spot for Oktoberfest.
Have your costumes at the ready and enjoy an Oktoberfest beer from Paulaner, Hacker-Pschorr to Flotzinger Wies’n-Märzen and Bitburger Premium Pils.
There’s plenty of food to go around from fresh pretzels to bratwursts to smoky Käsekrainers and spicy Chilliwursts.
You can even try all three with Sausage Fest where you get a platter of all of them with all the trimmings.
The celebrations run from September 19 to October 4 – and of course there’s live music throughout.
You can reserve a drinks area for parties of 4-40 guests – if there’s less then just walk-in.
She debuted a dramatic new look on the red carpet as she wore a white shirt tucked into sheer black shorts with a flower-print.
Katie brought her look together with black tights and a pair of heels.
The mum-of-five went for a very bold make-up look with heavy eyeshadow and overlined lips.
Katie posed on the red carpet with her daughter PrincessCredit: GettyShe revealed earlier in the day that she’d been ditched by her glam squadCredit: Instagram/@katieprice/BackGrid
She slicked her hair back in a wet-look style and wore some huge gold earrings.
The reality star explained that her glam squad decided “to pass” on getting her red carpet ready after they had a disagreement.
She said she wanted to do something “different” with her look and her glam squad were just not on the same page.
Katie expressed: “So originally I did have a glam squad by they’ve passed on doing my glam for the NTAs, because I wouldn’t wear the outfits they wanted me to.
“They wanted to do something different. But the outfit I’ve chosen myself is still different, because I don’t like to follow what everyone else follows.
“So in a way they did me a favour by saying they’re going to pass on my glam because I wouldn’t use the whole team.
“So someone I could never even dream of working, this is beyond art, iconic.”
THE Office star Lucy Davis has tackled a terrifying zip-wire challenge amid her terminal cancer fight.
The 53-year-old announced last month that she’s been diagnosed with incurable stage four breast cancer.
The Office star Lucy Davis has bravely taken on a gruelling hike and terrifying zip wireCredit: reallucydavis/ InstagramShe took to Instagram to share her zip line challengeCredit: reallucydavis/ Instagram
She admitted “I don’t know how long I have left” as she revealed the tragic news with her followers in a video on social media.
However, Lucy said she was determined to have as much fun as she can during the time she has left and she’s doing exactly that.
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The daredevil shared her pride on Wednesday after completing a gruelling hike followed by a scary zip line through a California canyon.
She took to Instagram to share pictures of herself on the hike as well as video of the moment she bravely took on the zip line.
Lucy took the zip line in her strideCredit: reallucydavis/ InstagramShe hiked across the California canyonCredit: reallucydavis/ Instagram
Lucy penned: “I loved this #zipline and I was a bit proud of myself for doing it because they said to be prepared for a 25 minute walk, so I took my pain meds an hour before in preparation.
“In previous zip lines, I’ve always been driven up to the first line, and the walking is in between the lines.
“But no. This was a legit hike up to the first zip. It took me one hour and 15 minutes.
“I was so grateful for the support of the guides and my friend @jharris1231 who helped me up, and the other people on the hike that never judged me or made me feel stupid. Thank you.”
Her fans flocked to the comments section as one expressed: “Still living to the fullest and experiencing life. Good on you!”
Another person commented: “Oh wow, you’re fabulous Lucy. Still chokes me up though.”
Somebody else gushed: “You are such an inspiration. Also, whenever I see you I remember Aunt Hilda, she was so comforting as a character.
“You really played her so well, you’re truly amazing. So talented and inspiring.”
She revealed last month that she’s got incurable cancerCredit: instagram/reallucydavisShe’s best known for her role in The OfficeCredit: BBC
Yet another added: “My gosh Lucy, so much courage! You are such an inspiration.”
Lucy took to Instagram last month to share her heartbreaking news.
She wrote: “Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now.
“A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasized to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.
“The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny.
“I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out.”
Lucy told her fans that she’s at peace with “whatever comes next,” as she shared the clip of her ringing the cancer treatment bell.
While she rang the bell, Lucy confessed she has been told by doctors it’s “too late” for her to receive Chemotherapy.
A woman was left gobsmacked when she was taken for a ‘full body search’ at the airport after she set off the security scanners twice with her hand luggage. She was dumbfounded by the reason
She was left gobsmacked by what happened at airport security (Stock Image)(Image: Getty Images)
Airport security is stressful enough without triggering a major alert. Between removing your belt and wrestling electronics out of your bag, it’s easy to feel flustered.
But one woman is warning travellers to avoid a simple pre-flight habit that got her pulled aside by security not once, but twice. George, a lawyer who posts on TikTok as @awomancalledgeorge, was travelling with just a carry-on when she became the subject of a “double security alert.”
After her bag was pulled from the scanner, she was surrounded by security staff. She explained: “The scanner seemed to have picked up traces of something that could be dangerous.” The subsequent swabs of her hands and bag also came back positive.
“It’s a double problem,” she said. “When you know you haven’t got anything, you still feel guilty. I’m a lawyer, and I was standing there thinking I know I haven’t done anything wrong, but you still feel guilty.”
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The alert led to a full-body search, and security staff had to unpack and swab every single item in her bag.
George shared that she’d “never seen anything like it” when her “hand luggage bag got pulled,” and people appeared and were talking “really seriously” to her.
She recalled having to go off and have a “full body search” and they “had to unpack every single thing” in her bag. Staff “swabbed most of it”, before letting her go.
What caused the drama at airport security?
It turns out that what had set it off was “hand cream and body lotion”. George had a shower before heading to the airport and slathered herself in the really nice creams.
But she urged others to take the “life lesson” from her and not do the same thing. She explained: “It turns out the glycerin in hand cream and body lotion can trigger the security systems.
“Who knew? I certainly didn’t know. Having gone through that, I shaln’t be doing that again”.
What are swabs at the airport checking for?
Security swabs primarily test for trace chemical residues associated with explosives.
Staff wipe a small area of a passenger’s hands, bag, shoes, or electronics, and analyse the sample for microscopic particles. Because these chemicals can transfer from harmless everyday sources – like lotions, soaps, or certain fertilizers – a positive swab doesn’t automatically mean you’ve handled anything illegal.
Less commonly, depending on the country and situation, swabs can also be used to detect drug residue or other prohibited substances.
Iliman Ndiaye says “you don’t say no” when Manchester City come calling, and playing in the Champions League is where he belongs.
The 26-year-old could have gone to Tottenham but made a £60m move from Everton to City on transfer deadline day and was thrown straight into the starting XI for his new side in a 1-0 Premier League victory over Coventry at the weekend.
In the final week of the transfer window, it appeared as though Ndiaye would be moving to Spurs after they agreed a deal with Everton, but they were unable to proceed with the move having failed to sell Richarlison.
“There was no stress or panicking,” said Ndiaye.
“I always say whatever comes, comes. God decides your future – it is already written.
“I was just being patient and when City came through I was buzzing. It was always going to be City.
“I wanted Champions League and playing at one of the best teams in the world. I am not saying Tottenham is not, but when Manchester City comes through you don’t say no.
“It has been a good week for me and topped off with a win.”
Despite Everton finishing in the bottom half of the table in his two seasons at the club, Ndiaye became a fans’ favourite for his skills on the flanks and scoring 17 goals.
“When I was speaking with my wife, I was telling her that if I had to leave Everton it would be somewhere where I know I would be playing Champions League,” he said.
“It was difficult to leave Everton. I created a great connection with the fans and the players there, but we have to move on sometimes and it’s how football is.”
The Oasis reunion shows of 2025 have created memories of a lifetime for hundreds of thousands of people. The incredible nights, or as some might say, biblical gigs, saw friends and loved ones grinning or crying tears of joy as they witnessed something they feared would never happen again.
With their film, creator Steven Knight and directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace are trying to bottle that up and recreate the greatest musical comeback ever seen in Britain on a flat screen. But then, this isn’t any old concert documentary.
It tells some of the story behind the Oasis tour and then it also allows you to relive some of those moments again. And just when you think it might be flagging a bit, they have a joint interview with Noel and Liam which is entertaining and also illustrates how their relationship has come full circle.
The tour rehearsal footage is dynamite, adding scenes of tension and comedy. As the band wait for Liam to arrive, Noel paces nervously and technicians look edgy.
Liam is then portrayed as some kind of gun slinging cowboy pushing open the saloon doors as he strides in. No sooner is he inside than the band are off and Liam is belting out the hits and attacking the microphone as if his life depends on it.
And then, almost as quickly as he stormed in, he picks up his black Adidas bag and leaves again, with the rest of the band almost in a stunned silence at this whirlwind they are working with.
Noel must have had doubts at this point about if the tour would go smoothly, but he admits despite some last minute drama he was wowed by Liam’s performance in Cardiff.
And for the majority of fans who weren’t at the Principality Stadium on July 4, 2025, the footage and sound used gives you a real taste of what that moment felt like when the Gallaghers walked back on stage holding hands – a moment that even took Noel by surprise.
It is an iconic moment, and they capture it brilliantly, leaving me close to tears as I recalled one of the greatest nights of my own life.
Lots of captivating footage is then given over to different gigs around the world and the filmmakers have found fans with poignant and interesting stories about why they love Oasis and are going to see the shows.
There’s also time for a touching tribute to their friend Mani from the Stone Roses and a section about Don’t Look Back In Anger taking on extra meaning after the 2017 Manchester bombing.
But the documentary really excited me again when it revealed Noel and Liam sat next to each other for a joint interview, the first time in two decades. It can’t compete with some of their old chats with Steve Lamacq on Radio 1 after an afternoon of cigarettes and alcohol, but Liam and Noel are older and wiser now.
However there are still some great lines and fun to be had. Liam jokes about his two hip operations and is glad he stays still rather than running around like Mick Jagger on stage.
Noel admits he would look stupid with a tambourine on his head but his brother makes it look the best thing ever. And then at the end there is the forgiveness and signs of a new chapter for the Gallagher brothers.
“The music brought us back together,” Liam says. Noel agrees things are “fixed” and admits for the first time in their lives they regularly text each other. The bond even goes way beyond them as their kids are now all great mates and enjoyed getting hammered at the Oasis gigs.
The Gallaghers are not looking back, but forwards, and the anger between them has gone. Rather than betray the Oasis memories I made or compete with them, I tried to let the songs wash over me as much as I could. The film allowed my mind to flash back to last summer, and hopefully it will for other fans too.
It is definitely worth going to the cinema to watch it too for the sound quality, as streaming it at home is unlikely to be the same.
As Oasis fans, all our dreams were made in the Summer of 2025, and this documentary is filled with reminders of that. It ensures those wonderful memories live forever on screen.
It’s also the perfect appetiser for when tickets go on sale shortly to do it all again in 2027.
* Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger opens in IMAX and UK Cinema on September 9.
When I recently flew with Jet2, I was gobsmacked to be stopped for something that I didn’t realise wasn’t allowed, and I ended up on the floor of Manchester Airport…
09:48, 05 Sep 2026Updated 09:49, 05 Sep 2026
What could’ve been a very pleasant and exciting experience like I’ve had before with Jet2 quickly turned sour(Image: Danielle Kate Wroe)
Holiday mode was fully activated. I was ready for sunshine, a cold drink, and a smooth flight to Rhodes. Instead, my trip kicked off with an embarrassing baggage showdown at the Jet2 check-in desk.
My allowance included a 22kg checked bag, a 10kg cabin bag, and a personal item. For ten years, I’ve flown with Jet2 and mixed and matched those weights without a hitch. As long as my total luggage – a suitcase, rucksack and cross-body bag – was under 32kg, it was never an issue. Until this time.
I was told that I’d have to pay £45 for my suitcase because it was 26.6kg – even though my rucksack only weighed 4kg and I was still under my total 32kg allowance. Employees demanded that I take things out of my case and put them into my rucksack or pay extra.
Several times, I explained there was no room, and we were at an impasse, as there was no way I was giving them more money when my luggage allowance in total was underweight.
A manager eventually told me I could unpack my things into a spare bag if I had one, which isn’t in Jet2’s policy as an option. It left me humiliated, sifting through bikinis, knickers, and outfits on the floor of Manchester Airport, which definitely isn’t ideal.
A spokesperson from Manchester Airport said Jet2 is usually “one of the most reasonable airlines” and assumed I’d fallen victim to a mistake. He was probably right, considering that on our return flight from Rhodes, with the exact same weight in our cases, the staff didn’t bat an eyelid. They just printed our passes and waved us through. It turns out I’m not the only one at the mercy of check-in desk moods. Over on TikTok, passengers have shared similar stories, with one user hitting the nail on the head: “Must just be luck of the draw whether you get someone having a good or bad day.” When contacted, Jet2 doubled down on their policy, stating: “Hold baggage and hand luggage allowances are separate and cannot be combined.” They described forcing me to repack as a “flexible solution.” Personally, I think the most flexible solution would have been letting my underweight luggage go into the hold as it always had. It’s all going on the same plane, after all. But no, I was left to struggle my way through to the boarding gate with a backpack, my Hello Kitty bag, and a cross-body, which was actually a pain because I was unable to assist my mum with any of her belongings. How to avoid this issue After being humiliated like that, I’d definitely stick strictly to the weight limits and not rely on the fact that you’ll get nice, understanding staff members. Thankfully, most of the Jet2 staff I’ve come across in the past have been lovely, I just got unlucky this time, but if I chose to fly with them again, I wouldn’t be relying on ‘common sense’ to prevail any longer. As one clever TikToker pointed out, a £5 digital luggage scale from Amazon can be a total lifesaver. They are spot-on and remove all the guesswork. In the future, I’ll definitely be making sure that my luggage is exactly on the allowance, or is slightly less, because I don’t want to go through that again. So, learn from my mistake and weigh your case! And do not make any assumptions that ‘it’ll be fine,’ because I thought that when my rucksack weighed significantly less, and all it got me was hot, sweaty, annoyed, and on the floor of the airport!
Hubert Bartkowiak, from Gniezno in Poland, was told he had to pay £8,640 for three rooms for three nights at the Luxor View Hotel in Egypt, or his reservation would be cancelled
Holidaymakers are being told to pay 12 times more for hotel rooms after booking – or face a cancelled reservation. Forward-thinking Hubert Bartkowiak had been looking forward to a trip to Luxor, Egypt, with friends.
The Pole had booked three rooms for four people at the Luxor View Hotel over a year before the holiday, through Booking.com, forking out $1,040 (£768) for three nights, working out at £64 per person, per night. Hubert, from Gniezno, was shocked to receive a message from the hotel demanding 12 times as much, otherwise the booking would be cancelled.
“Please note that prices have increased; for your booking during this period, the room will be $1,300 (£960) a night,” the message read. With each of the three rooms costing £960 a night, he faced a bill of £8,640. When he refused to pay, the hotel worker implied the reservation would be cancelled and the hotel closed “for renovations” if Hubert turned up.
Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com
“The hotel will be closed for renovations. You’re free to leave. You won’t have any rooms,” a message seen by the Mirror reads. After The Mirror contacted Booking.com on Hubert’s behalf, the hotel decided to honour his booking at the original rate.
However, there are many more people heading to Spain, Tunisia, Egypt and other countries in the path of next August’s eclipse who have already had their bookings cancelled as prices spike. “Raising prices I can understand as demand is high, but changing the price after making a reservation or cancelling it for a better offer is simply unfair,” Hubert said.
Another spurned holidaymaker is Kara Wiley. She booked a hotel in Luxor, paying $681 (£504) for three nights, only to receive a message from the owner demanding $3,900 (£2,886). “This is not affordable for me, and my flights are already booked,” she wrote in a post on a Facebook group.
Facebook groups and Reddit threads are full of such horror stories, with many eclipse hunters now worried that they’ll arrive ahead of the August 2 to discover they’ve nowhere to stay.
Such a scenario befell David Tunnicliffe, who booked a villa in Escalona del Prado, Spain, two years before the eclipse this August. “It was just cancelled by the host one day before we were due to arrive for a week. Sucks to be me, I guess!” David said. David was blanked by the accommodation provider, and his emails bounced. Luckily, David managed to book back-up accommodation at the last minute. It cost twice as much, but the booking platform he used agreed to pay the extra expense.
On Monday, August 2 next year, the moon will block the sun starting in the Atlantic Ocean, crossing southern Spain and North Africa, and moving through the Middle East and the Horn of Africa before ending in the Indian Ocean. The event has been dubbed “the eclipse of the century” due to the length of totality. Total darkness will descend for 6 minutes and 23 seconds in some areas, including Luxor. That is roughly three times the duration of this year’s eclipse.
Following the eclipse this August and the buzz that’s generated, accommodation prices for next year have rocketed. In El Palmar, a villa for six people located around 600 metres from the beach will cost €33,129 (£28,379) for one night. Split between the six potential guests, that would be around €5,522 (£4,730) per person.
According to Citizens Advice, customers should check the terms and conditions for the holiday or booking they’ve made to see if they allow the company to increase the price. Look for something like ‘price variation’ – this means the price can change. They can’t increase it if the terms and conditions don’t allow it. Even if the terms and conditions allow price increases, the company can only increase the price because of:
fuel price rises which mean transport costs have gone up
changes to taxes or fees by third parties – like tourist taxes
exchange rates which affect the price of the holiday
The company has to let you know in writing about their plans to increase the price. They also have to give you a reasonable time to tell them if you accept it or want to cancel. If they’re offering another package instead, they must tell you how much it costs.
The company must tell you about the price rise at least 20 days before the package starts and explain why they put the price up. You have the right to cancel the holiday without paying a fee if the increase is more than 8% – you’ll get back any money you’ve already paid.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly moving back across the pond, six years after their dramatic exit from the Royal family stunned Americans and Britons and exposed scandal in Buckingham Palace.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to British soil along with their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for an extended period starting this month, People reported last week. While the pair’s decision may be unsurprising to some, Prince Harry and Meghan made clear in 2020 that their personal Brexit was because of several factors, ranging from severe scrutiny by the British media to alleged racism and bullying from the royal family.
Meghan, during the couple’s memorable tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, spoke plainly of her experience among the royals: “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was very clear and real and frightening.”
King Charles III is aware of the plans for his son and Meghan‘s U.K. return and “welcomes the opportunity to see more of the Sussex family in a private and personal capacity,” People reported. The spouses are also said to retain their property in the affluent Santa Barbara enclave of Montecito, and vacation home in Portugal while also making a “private, non-royal” home in Britain. This retrospective tracks the early years of the highly scrutinized pair’s relationship, the fallout from their royal exit, their media ventures and more.
When Harry met Meghan
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend a Wheelchair Tennis match during the Invictus Games 2017 at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto, Canada.
(Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images)
“Personally, I love a great love story.”
That’s what Meghan Markle, formerly of “Suits” fame, told Vanity Fair in October 2017. By then, more than a year of media speculation and rumors surrounded the L.A.-raised actor and activist’s romance with Britain’s Prince Harry, younger brother to Prince William and the second son of Charles and the late Princess Diana, who was killed at age 36 in 1997 after the car she was in crashed while fleeing paparazzi in Paris.
Meghan and Prince Harry kindled a romance in 2016 at that year’s edition of his veteran-centered Invictus Games, held in Orlando. Markle quickly found herself in the beloved “bad boy” Royal’s orbit — including the tireless swarm of tabloids and paparazzi who have captured almost his every move from childhood. The pair was already subject to media frenzy early in their relationship, prompting Harry via Buckingham Palace to plead with reporters to respect his then-girlfriend’s privacy and to condemn the “outright sexism and racism” in online comments. Markle had also remarked early on that she was disheartened that so much coverage of her romance focused on her ethnicity.
News of their engagement in 2017 further raised eyebrows among the public and even more so with established British tabloids, including the Daily Mail, which had once described the pair’s relationship as a “VERY unlikely romance.” In the context of the longstanding (and almost exclusively white) British monarchy, Meghan was an outsider: American, mixed-race (she is half white and half Black), an outspoken public figure and a divorcée (she was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson).
Prince Harry and Meghan married in May 2018 and were named Duke and Duchess of Sussex. At the time, Prince Harry was sixth in line to the British throne. During the wedding ceremony, the Rev. Michael Bruce Curry heralded the pair’s union with calls for justice and equality — amid the country’s early steps into leaving the European Union — and made references to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
“When love is the way, there’s plenty of room for all of God’s children,” Curry said during the ceremony. “When love is the way, we actually treat each other — well, like we are actually family.”
Between the newlyweds and the British royals, family ties proved only so strong.
Buckingham Palace faces a new era of controversy
As new parents, the Duchess and Duke of Sussex pose with their newborn son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in England.
(WPA pool / Getty Images)
Marrying into British royalty did not shield Meghan from criticism, speculation and attacks by the press — it appeared to have the opposite effect. Sound familiar?
British tabloids and several media personalities continued taking aim at Meghan, portraying her as a rude “trailer trash” personality amid a rumored riff with Princess Kate and using racist imagery to mock the arrival of her firstborn son, Archie, in 2019. The public ridicule remained ceaseless, but alleged tension was also brewing behind palace walls.
Less than a year after their first heir’s arrival, the Duke and Duchess announced in a shocking personal statement in 2020 that they would step down as senior members of the royal family and would work to become financially independent. They also announced at the time that they would split their time between the U.K. and North America. A year later, the spouses announced they would not return to royal duties. Shortly after, they memorably shed light on their decision in a bombshell CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, unleashing a disturbing look into their life as members of the royal family.
Meghan claimed that while pregnant with Archie, she and her husband were informed their son would not have the title of prince or princess, which she said deviated from longtime protocol, and would not be entitled to security. The actor also implied that during discussions about her son’s title, there were “also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”
“They were concerned that if he were too brown, that that would be a problem?” Winfrey asked.
“If that’s the assumption you’re making,” Meghan replied, “I think that’s a pretty safe one.” She did not identify the person who made the remarks: “I think that would be very damaging to them.”
Winfrey later clarified that Harry said neither his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II or his grandfather Prince Philip “were a part of those conversations.”
Meghan also spoke about her struggles with her mental health while part of the royal family. She revealed that she was suicidal while pregnant with Archie, citing isolation and helplessness amid ceaseless attacks by the press.
“I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. And that was a very clear and real and frightening constant thought,” she said, adding that she went to the palace’s corporate institution for help. “I was told that I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.” At the time of the interview, Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting a baby girl. Lilibet was born June 2021.
“The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement responding to the spouses’ interview. “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
Royal fallout
Prince Harry with Meghan, standing behind Prince William and Kate, during the funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
(WPA pool / Getty Images)
In addition to Harry and Meghan’s self-demotion, Buckingham Palace faced tragedy and additional criticism in the following years. Prince Philip died in April 2021 and long-reigning Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022 at age 96. Prince Harry and Meghan both attended the queen’s funeral, but under close watch by the British media.
Charles ascended to the throne after Queen Elizabeth’s death, marginally moving up Harry and his children with Meghan — the children later received their royal titles of prince and princess. — in the line of succession to the British throne.
When 2023 arrived, so did a fresh batch of revelations about the Windsors. Prince Harry published his memoir, “Spare,” providing readers an unflinching look at his family but an even more unforgiving description of the paparazzi. In the book he recalled needing to ask his grandmother’s permission to propose to Meghan, wrote that older brother Prince William had “been pretty discouraging about my even dating Meg” and accused queen consort Camilla of making shady deals with the press.
Months after the memoir’s publication, Prince Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate their British home of Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Reportedly, King Charles began the eviction process the day after his son published the memoir.
Meghan, left, and Chrissy Teigen in an episode of Netflix’s “With Love, Meghan.”
(Jake Rosenberg / Netflix)
As Meghan and Harry moved to separate themselves from the royal family and from life in the U.K., they settled down in California in the affluent neighborhood of Montecito and into new business ventures. Among their earliest post-palace endeavors was the creation of multimedia company Archewell Productions, which in September 2020 inked a multiyear deal with Netflix to produce series, docuseries, documentaries and other programming.
For Netflix, the spouses have put forward numerous projects, including documentary series and reality shows “Harry & Meghan,” “Heart of Invictus” and cooking show “With Love, Meghan.” The pair opted last year to maintain its relationship with the streaming giant, signing another multiyear, first-look deal.
Additionally the ex-royals’ Archewell Audio inked a multiyear deal with Spotify to produce podcasts and shows for the platform in a deal that was reportedly worth $20 million. Archewell Audio released a 30-minute holiday special in 2020 and one audio series — “Archetypes” — hosted by Meghan in August 2022. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s podcasting endeavor at Spotify ended in 2023.
Unsurprisingly, Prince Harry and Meghan, who have also busied themselves with various philanthropic causes, faced backlash for their Spotify departure. Meghan was also accused of faking some “Archetypes” interviews.
In addition to big-swing media ventures, Meghan launched a lifestyle and food business that had undergone multiple name changes. She initially launched her brand under the moniker American Riviera Orchard, specializing in artisan jams she notably gifted to celebs, including Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen and Mindy Kaling. She later rebranded the line to As Ever, following a minor roadblock with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
“I was figuring it out in real time,” she told People of the naming debacle in 2025. She also said she now sees herself “as an entrepreneur and a female founder.”
According to recent reporting, Meghan can add “actor” back into that description. She is reportedly in talks to join the third season of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series “The Gentleman.” That would be her first acting gig since the end of “Suits” and marrying into the royal family.
SINCE the introduction of EES, there have been reports of huge delays, missed flights – and now a new problem has arisen.
It appears that Brits aren’t being correctly recorded as leaving the Schengen Area, meaning they could be banned from entering the EU again and face a hefty fine.
More problems have arisen with EES with Brits not being electronically ‘stamped out’Credit: AlamyIn cases where EES is suspended, some Brits aren’t being recorded as leaving the countryCredit: Alamy
The UK Foreign Office has altered its advice to Brits asking them to carry evidence of when they last left the EU, to avoid being wrongly refused entry.
Brits travelling from the UK to Europe can spend 90 days out of every 180 in the EU – staying over this limit will mean both refusal of entry and a fine.
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In some cases a fine can be as much as £8,550.
Before the introduction of EES, Brits would be stamped in and out by officials at passport control.
Now Brits are being electronically recorded as leaving – but in some cases where EES has been suspended due to long queues, they aren’t.
Without being officially noted as returning home, the clock continues to count down which could cause problems when attempting to re-enter the EU.
Advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reads: “If you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction.
“If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.”
It doesn’t explain what ‘evidence’ is needed but it’s likely to be confirmation of flights out of the country.
Some Brits who have either not been stamped out physically, or electronically by EES have revealed their issues in returning to the Schengen Area.
It’s the same as not being manually stamped out of the Schengen AreaCredit: Getty
Talking to Sun Travel, one woman revealed how she got stuck entering Finland after a trip to Rome.
She explained: “I was stopped at the border in Finland last November by border control who said my record was showing I was still in Italy.
“While I had registered with EES going into Rome, it hadn’t recorded me leaving.”
She added: “After a lot of back and forth with border control officers and around 45-minutes of waiting, it was recognised as an error and I was let into the country.”
In another case, Martin Farrall told The Guardian, didn’t have his exit recorded for the Schengen zone.
Martin and his wife arrived by ferry at Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands.
He said that Dutch border officials enrolled them into EES, but that they had no entry stamp on their passports.
Then 55 days later when he returned to the UK via France, they were not given an exit stamp.
One woman wasn’t recorded as leaving Rome and faced issues returning to the EUCredit: AlamyEES has already caused issues like delays and missed flights in certain countriesCredit: Alamy
Back at home, Martin checked how many days he had left to travel through the Schengen – and it’s continuing to count down. Meanwhile his wife still has 90 days despite both having travelled the same route.
They told local media: “On my last two occasions visiting Ibiza on direct UK flights, my UK passport has not been exit-stamped by Spanish immigration authorities upon leaving Ibiza back to the UK.
“I now have two ‘un-closed’ Spanish visits in my UK passport, making a nonsense of the 90-day rule, and running the risk of me being accused of overstaying my rolling 90 days’ allowance. Which I haven’t.”
For more advice on travelling as a family and the new EES system, head here.
The travel advice was shared to help prevent disruptions for people with upcoming trips
People should be aware of the travel guidance (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
HM Passport Office (HMPO) has shared essential travel advice for anyone travelling abroad. The alert comes amid the busy summer holiday period, when countless families are planning trips.
In a post shared on social media, HMPO urged people not to travel with a passport that they had previously reported lost or stolen. The X alert said: “Found a passport you previously reported lost or stolen? Don’t travel with it. Once reported, it’s cancelled and using it could disrupt your trip.”
Instead, they will need to apply for a replacement. HM Passport Office says it considers passports damaged if any of your details cannot be read, any of the pages are ripped or cut, there are holes in the cover, the cover is coming away, or there are stains on the pages. For instance, ink or water damage is not allowed.
HM Passport Office says it is important to cancel a lost or stolen passport as soon as you can. “This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity.
“You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.” If you have a photo of the lost passport, you can use this to answer the necessary questions.
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The advice continues: “You might be able to apply for an emergency travel document. You’ll need to pay a fee. If you apply for an emergency travel document, you do not need to cancel your passport now. You’ll cancel it as part of your application for the emergency travel document.”
When renewing your passport online, you will need a credit or debit card and a digital photo. It costs £102. If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you also need someone to confirm your identity online. More details are available on GOV.UK.
You can also follow @HM_Passport on X for general updates and tips. For instance, another recent post shares tips for taking your passport photos. The advice said: “A suitable passport photo can help avoid delays. Make sure your photo is in focus, against a plain background and meets all requirements.”
GOV.UK says: “In your photo you must: be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera, have a plain expression and your mouth closed, have your eyes open and visible, not have hair in front of your eyes, not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons).
“Do not have anything covering your face, not have any shadows on your face or behind you.”
WHEN Brandon Flowers was a kid, his dad tried to teach him how to fight.
The lad had been picked on at school, so his father Terry talked him through what to do if it happened again.
Brandon Flowers’s third solo album is rooted in country musicCredit: SuppliedThrasher arrives 11 years after his last solo album, The Desired EffectCredit: Supplied
The Killers’ frontman still remembers sitting beside his father Terry in his old 1946 Chevy truck. “I was in fifth grade, so only 11 years old,” he recalls.
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“My dad grew up fighting and I still remember him trying to explain to me how to fight.
“You can explain to me all day, but I’m not a fighter.
“He’d say, ‘You don’t just swing. You think about when you’re going to throw your punch and you have to block yourself’.
“When I’m on stage, I find myself doing it so much. You have this crazy relationship, boys and their dads. I’m still trying to show him that I can do it.”
Flowers is all smiles when we meet at his central London record label. He’s just back from a week in Scotland with his family and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Thrasher arrives 11 years after his last solo album, The Desired Effect. It is inspired by country and western, the music his dad listened to when Flowers was growing up.
“Much has been said about how my love of music came from my brother [Shane].
“Yeah, it did, but at the same time, I was hearing country music from my dad. His favourites were the heavy hitters — Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard — along with some of those who were not as famous. There’s a guy named John Conlee who he listened to, who I really love.
“As a teenager, I felt I had to choose — the kid who listens to New Order doesn’t also listen to Waylon Jennings.
“As I get older, I just seem to gravitate back to my father’s music.”
Flowers says he has become closer to his father, and increasingly like him, as he has grown older — and admits he is still trying to prove himself to his dad.
He says: “I’m trying to show my dad that I can do what he does. He’s a good man. He’s doing pretty good.
“He had open heart surgery at 81, which is a difficult thing. He’s five months past it now and is pretty good.”
Ideas for Thrasher began shortly after Flowers finished The Killers’ last record — 2021’s Pressure Machine.
Flowers looks back on his childhood on ThrasherCredit: Getty ImagesFlowers on stage with The Killers in 2018Credit: Getty
He says: “I really enjoyed making this. It was a very important record to me. I didn’t want to leave it alone, so I just continued. It was such a revelation.
“I had all these memories, all these characters and sadness — all of this stuff that I could now find a place for and turn them into something.
“These songs don’t feel like Killers songs — they’re quite personal, so it felt natural that it should be a solo record. It’s been nearly ten years since the last one — I can’t believe it.”
Thrasher is a beautifully observed, emotionally affecting record.
The first single Plans “picks up where Pressure Machine left off”, says Flowers.
“It does a good job of representing the record. There’s some strong emotional material on this album.”
One of the most moving songs on Thrasher is One Of Us, a tribute to his sister’s late husband.
Flowers, the youngest in his family, jokes that he was always told he was “a surprise” — until he was eight, when a friend’s dad bluntly informed him he was “a mistake”.
The Killers frontman received the Special International Award at The Ivors in 2025Credit: GettyThrasher was recorded in Nashville with seasoned session musicians, including legendary harmonica player Charlie McCoyCredit: Getty
“I have a sister who is 17 years older than me so her husband was around since I was a little boy.
“He was my brother, so when he passed, it was just heartbreaking and completely unexpected. He was just out of heart surgery. You just want to pay tribute to them and my sister loves it.”
The warm, wistful Paradise finds Flowers imagining the life he might have led, had music not taken him away from home.
“I always thought I would be a valet parker. That was my goal,” he says with a chuckle.
“And if music didn’t work out, it was my Plan B.
“I would be really happy to support my family and be a valet. That’s what my cousins and uncles have done — bellman and valet.
“I have a cousin, Bobby, who has spent his whole adult life as a valet parker, and he was sending me some texts one day complaining about work.
“I was sitting at the piano and just jumped on it, and used it as a launching pad for a song about an ageing valet parker.
“It’s basically him, and it’s where I would be right now if I didn’t have this incredible thing happen to me.
“I have this empathy for him and I’m exploring what could have been and what might have been. There’s sadness in it, but there are also winks and nods.
“That’s the thing I love about country music — how those can coexist.”
Thrasher was recorded quickly in Nashville with seasoned session musicians, including legendary harmonica player Charlie McCoy, whose credits include Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.
Flowers says: “He played on all those Bob Dylan records and on Roy Orbison’s Oh, Pretty Woman and Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer. He played with Leonard Cohen and had great stories about them all. He’s the mascot of Nashville and so incredible.”
Flowers says that the song Red Ground came especially quickly.
“I was trying for a Lee Hazlewood vibe and that song fell into our laps. These guys do this every day for hours. They make decisions that would break a band.”
Thrasher also finds Flowers making peace with his own past.
Although Las Vegas has always been central to The Killers’ identity, he admits he once felt conflicted about his Utah upbringing.
Now he says: “It did feel like I was keeping Utah a secret because I am happy to wave the flag for Las Vegas, but had a bit of a conflict about Utah.
“Now, there’s nothing wrong with embracing both.
“I look back with more tenderness now, and I’m so grateful for my upbringing there.
“I really lived in a golden time where you’re just free. It was before phones and technology and was idyllic — like something out of Stand By Me.”
Having interviewed Flowers many times over the past 20 years, one of the biggest changes is how much more comfortable he now seems revealing parts of himself he once kept guarded, particularly his Mormon faith.
He says: “I was so shy back then. I’m still shy, but I was also unsure about interviews and you don’t know what you’re supposed to reveal.
“It’s so not rock ’n’ roll to talk about Jesus in a positive light. It’s very common in sports but I think people are less open in music.
“There is this authenticity turmoil, where you feel like we’ve always glorified hedonism and debauchery in rock ’n’ roll — and even beyond rock ’n’ roll.
“In every kind of art form, those seem to be the people that we really revere because they are outliers. But I’ve realised it doesn’t make me any less creative because I have faith. I’m just never going to be Sid Vicious.”
Flowers, 45, says coming to terms with his different identities, and simply being himself, has become easier as he’s got older.
“I’m more forgiving of my younger self, but I’m still hard on my current self,” he says.
“We all have that inner voice and it can be the worst critic.
“It’s not been easy, but I now realise I can be that guy on stage, and also a family man,” he explains. “But I was so conflicted for a while.
“Half of you feels like an imposter, and then the other half is trying to show why you belong — it messes with your mind. I was lucky to find something that I was passionate about.
“That’s what I encourage my boys to find.”
Flowers’ sons Ammon, 19, Gunnar, 17, and Henry, 15, have all grown up with their dad on stage — but they are not impressed by his status.
Flowers says: “Ammon loves fitness and being outside — he is just about to go to college in Philadelphia which he’s half excited and half scared about. My wife is sad about him leaving home.
“Then Gunnar loves horror and 90s rock and a lot of grunge, too.
“Mick Jagger was there as well but it was all about Beckham, who signed a football card for him. He’s also a full-blown Oasis fan, so I need to take him to see them when they play again next year.”
Flowers remains hopeful about the future, even though he admits he is deeply troubled by Donald Trump’s America and the actions of ICE.
“This administration is scary,” says Flowers.
“It feels so un-American, and it goes against all of our values and the things that are beautiful about our country.
“You do feel a little bit hopeless and helpless.” But he still believes change can come through younger generations and the ballot box.
“We have to remember to use our voices and to fight back at the polls when the time comes.”
He adds: “Nobody from the other side is rising up at the moment. Somebody needs to rise up. Get the hell up.”
Never one to stand still for long, Flowers has always had an impressive work ethic.
Another solo album is already in the pipeline, with a new Killers record also expected in 2027.
Until then, he is excited about his solo tour, which begins next week and arrives in the UK in October, including a night at the Royal Albert Hall.
He’s already debuted songs from Thrasher at July’s Newport Folk Festival — the famous Rhode Island event where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965.
“I’ve got a band together. This tour is going to be a different experience than you are accustomed to,” he says.
“I’m going to tell more stories and take advantage of these smaller rooms — the Albert Hall is the biggest room I’m playing.
“I want to explain the story behind the songs, which you can’t do in a stadium — so I thought this would be the time to give it a shot.
“I worry people will get sick of Mr. Brightside so I feel lucky that I have different outlets for my music.”
