drops

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has claimed that Russia’s army suffered 42,800 casualties in July, which, if accurate, would be the highest rate of losses so far this year estimated by Kyiv.

At the same time, Russia has responded to its poor battlefield performance and domestic energy crises by doubling down on the two weapons Ukraine has not found an adequate defence to – glide bombs and ballistic missiles.

Russia unleashed 8,300 glide bombs in July, more than in any other month of the war, said Ukraine’s defence ministry.

Ukraine’s kill rate is rising to meet what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes will be a call-up of up to half a million Russian reservists in October.

Al Jazeera is unable to independently verify either side’s claims of casualties in the war, now raging on in its fifth year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far refrained from using regular army conscripts and reservists in what he calls his Special Military Operation in Ukraine, fearing a political backlash. Should Ukraine force him to do so, it could mark a political inflexion point in Putin’s popularity at home.

As for Ukraine’s casualties, Zelenskyy recently told Fox News they amounted to 450,000, of whom 50,000 are fatalities.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has recently estimated that “the Russia-Ukraine casualty rate has likely risen to nearly 8:1 in the first half of 2026, up from between 2:1 and 3:1 for much of the war, in large part due to Ukraine’s use of drones”.

Drones were responsible for 30,272 of Russia’s casualties in July, said Zelenskyy.

Russia in retreat

Russia’s rising casualty rate is accompanied by a falling rate of performance on the battlefield.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank that assesses territorial control using geolocated open-source material, estimates that Russia occupied a total of 37.85sq km (15sq miles) of Ukraine in July, compared with 455,000sq km (176,000sq miles) in July of 2025.

That is demonstrative of Russia’s poor showing this year.

The ISW estimates that on balance, Russia has lost 183.5sq km (70sq miles) of Ukrainian territory this year, compared with the 2,198sq km (848sq miles) it seized during the first seven months of 2025.

Moscow has succeeded in infiltrating areas of Ukraine – a tactic of sending individual troops to pre-position themselves and await reinforcements, thus placing Ukrainian control of territory in dispute, if not firmly controlling it.

Russia infiltrated 121.6sq km (47sq miles) in July, according to the ISW, bringing total infiltrated territory for the year to 379.9sq km (147sq miles).

Many of these infiltrations have been reversed by the Ukrainian military, but they may yet prove effective in Kostiantynivka, the southernmost of Ukraine’s fortress cities, where Ukrainian defenders have recently expressed doubt about their ability to hold the city for more than a few more months.

Strike campaign renewed

Ukraine has also been holding its own in the air.

Zelenskyy declared a 40-day air strike campaign a success and renewed it on August 4.

The three-tiered campaign aimed to hit military production and oil refining inside Russia, energy and weapons flows in occupied territories close to the front line, and front-line positions.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it had struck 14 refineries, dozens of oil depots and loading terminals, 14 aircraft and four airfields over 40 days.

Many of those strikes took place in the past week, when Ukraine set fire to a Lukoil refinery in Volgograd, three refineries in the city of Ufa, 1,600km (994 miles) from Ukraine, the Slavneft-Yanos oil refinery in Yaroslavl, the Engels 2 and Saratov airfields, and a factory in Izhevsk manufacturing Shahed drones.

Unlike the larger Shahed factory in Alabuga, which relies on Chinese parts, this one uses almost exclusively Russian parts, said military technology expert Serhii Beskrestnov.

Ukraine has destroyed about a third of Russia’s actual refining capacity, a recent Financial Times analysis of satellite photographs found.

Ukraine has been launching close to 10,000 long-range drones a month to achieve these results.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 6,225 Ukrainian drones flew towards Moscow in July, representing approximately two-thirds of all Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian soil.

When Ukraine launched its drone campaign at the end of 2023, its goal was to manufacture 11,000 long-range drones in all of 2024. It has since contracted agreements with nine allies to manufacture drones on their soil, sending 50 percent of production to Ukraine, and says 15 more agreements are pending.

The results of the 40-day campaign have been most dramatic in occupied Crimea, where Ukraine has struck 201 electricity substations.

“The Crimean Peninsula’s power grid faced an unprecedented load and operated in critical mode. Rolling blackouts occurred in all Crimean districts,” said the Kremlin’s ambassador-at-large, Rodion Miroshnik.

Things were not much better in the adjacent occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhia, where he said “large-scale power outages … were recorded throughout the week in all regions”.

Ukraine said it has also sunk or disabled 206 Russian tankers and ferries carting oil and war materiel to Crimea across the Black and Azov seas. The head of its unmanned systems forces said it had run out of targets.

The energy crisis has forced the Kremlin to spend billions of roubles subsidising the peninsula, including placing a 100 rouble ($1.20) price cap on petrol in the past week.

Meanwhile Ukrainian strikes have continued, levelling a 60,000-tonne petroleum products tank farm in Taman, on the Russian side of the Kerch Strait, used to supply Crimea, and causing a catastrophic fire on July 31. Ukraine followed up by striking aircraft hangars in Yevpatoria, a naval boat yard in Chornomorske and an artillery brigade’s supply base, all in Crimea.

Russia’s response

Russia’s glide bombs are inertial ordnance fitted with fins giving them extra range and accuracy, so they can be dropped at safe distances of 20 to 30km (12 to19 miles) from the front lines.

Some carry three tonnes of explosives. They fly too fast to be intercepted by drones and cannot be disoriented by scrambling.

As well as glide bombs, Russia also unleashed its greatest monthly tally of missiles against Ukrainian cities – 376 in July, compared with a previous record of 288 in March. Of these, 120 were ballistic, and their density has depleted Ukraine’s stock of Patriot interceptors – the only missile that has proven effective against them.

During the past week, Ukraine stopped only one out of 51 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

The Russian penetration rate translated directly into hits and civilian deaths – at least nine on August 1 and 17 on August 5 in Kyiv alone.

Russian production of Iskander-Ms is estimated at 70 a month, but North Korean ballistics may now be coming into play.

A missile fired at Radushne, Ukraine last month was of Korean manufacture, claimed Zelenskyy – only the second such missile to be used in the war.

Zelenskyy has pleaded for countries to send some of their stockpiles of an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Patriot interceptors.

“The United States knows what we need. Europe knows what we need. Anti-ballistic missiles must protect people – not sit in stockpiles,” he said.

Ukraine’s vulnerability is clear from figures shared by its air force. It has intercepted 4,626 missiles of various types since the beginning of the war, but only 437 ballistic missiles.

The popular drama came out in 2021 but is brand new to Channel 5

Viewers looking for a gritty crime thriller are in luck, as Channel 5 has acquired a firm favourite.

The broadcaster has announced that Walker, starring Jared Padalecki, Lindsey Morgan and Molly Hagan, is now available to stream, with weekly season drops from July 30.

Walker, which first launched in 2021 in America, is a direct reboot and reimagining of the 1990s action crime drama Walker, Texas Ranger starring Chuck Norris.

The drama, which is made up of four seasons, sees Gilmore Girls star Jared Padalecki reinvent the iconic franchise as Cordell Walker, a widowed Ranger returning home to a family he barely knows and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

It has been described as a series that blends “gripping action with genuine heart”, and has strong reviews from those who watched the drama when it originally launched.

“So captivating!!” wrote one viewer on IMBd, adding: “I loved the episode it was a strong pilot and I can’t wait to see what happens! I loved the establishment of the characters right away you knew the relationship of everyone and you already got a little bit of insight to how they interact with each other. This is a show that can only keep getting better!!”

While a second wrote: “Big Supernatural fan of Jared’s and honestly was worried about seeing him transition to a new show after 15 years of playing one character.

“But after watching the pilot episode of Walker, man I was blown away! He was so believable as Cordell Walker, Sam was not to be found. Kudos to the entire cast! This episode introduced us to all the characters seamlessly, and I look forward to seeing where this show takes them.”

Others warned not to compare the reboot to the original. One viewer explained: “Stop comparing; it’s two completely different shows.

“This Walker is all about heart, family and fighting crime. Jared Padalecki is not and never will be Chuck Norris, thank goodness… Norris is all action and no acting! I never liked the original!

“But this one… This one is a great story and an amazing cast! And the intrigue and drama is getting better and better each week!”

A synopsis reads: “A widowed father returns to Austin after one year, attempting to reconnect with his children, navigate clashes with his family, and find common ground with his new partner, while growing increasingly suspicious of his wife’s death.”

Walker is now available to stream on My5 with weekly season drops.

The US Department of Justice has moved to dismiss its case against Olympian David Hearn over damage to the Reflecting Pool in Washington DC. The DOJ says new evidence points to flawed installation by the contractor, not vandalism.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department moved Friday to dismiss a criminal case charging a former Olympian with deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Government lawyers said in a 20-page court filing that information provided since the indictment of David Hearn shows that the damage was the result of a “flawed installation by the contractor” as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration in the weeks surrounding Independence Day 2026.”

“Given all of this newly discovered information, it is difficult to attribute the widespread damage to the Reflecting Pool to vandalism, let alone to establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the filing from U.S. Atty. Jeanine Pirro.

Hearn’s lawyers said in a statement that the case against him should never have been brought.

“Its dismissal today does not erase the abuse of government power in arresting and charging a patriotic American who did nothing wrong. The government’s approach was ready, fire, aim. The administration owes Mr. Hearn an apology,” the lawyers said.

Hearn pleaded not guilty earlier this month to one felony count of property destruction and has a trial scheduled to start Sept. 28 in D.C. Superior Court. The charge, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years upon conviction, accuses Hearn of causing at least $1,000 in damage to the pool.

Hearn told the Associated Press he was detained by National Guard troops and U.S. Park Police for five hours after stopping by the pool during a bike ride on June 19. He said he reached in to examine the pool’s newly peeled coating and briefly touched a chunk attached to the side of the pool, but said he obeyed a park worker who told him to let go of it.

Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Md., competed in three Summer Olympics, earning his best finish, ninth, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee says on its website.

He and his supporters have said the prosecution is a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to deflect blame and scapegoat others.

Tucker writes for the Associated Press.

Emmerdale is preparing for a huge summer surrounding some of the soap’s biggest female characters including Charity, Sadie, Dawn, Sarah, Gabby and Serena

Emmerdale’s strong female characters will take centre stage this summer in a string of big storylines.

The ITV soap has promised a huge summer for some of the biggest characters, with explosive secrets being revealed, new alliances forming and devastating consequences.

For fan favourite Charity (Emma Atkins), there is much drama ahead as her lies catch up with her. With Charity desperate to protect her family, she falls deeper in the lies that the baby she carried belongs to her and Ross Barton.

With everything she holds dear at risk, a confession comes – and the secret she reveals threatens to shake the entire village to the core, with devastating scenes set to air for the wider Dingle family.

Sarah, played by Katie Hill, will struggle to cope when she gets pushed to the edge by devastating news. Her world could come crumbling down if she learns the truth about where her and Jacob’s daughter Leyla’s true parentage lies.

It is bad news for Dawn – played by Olivia Bromley – who finds herself caught in the crossfire of a terrifying feud. She seems happy with Joe Tate and her new family, but things take a turn for the worse.

As her wedding day approaches, she’s trapped and needs to make a huge choice. A present life as it is now, or the hope of finally having the future she wants for her and her family.

New arrival Serena (Casey Al-Shaqsy) has caused quite the star since she showed up as the newest member of the Sugden family. She faces more drama this summer, and needs to decide how much she will face to lose to protect her biggest secret.

Gabby – played by Rosie Bentham – has always been the centre of some big storylines in the Dales, but this summer, she is struggling to keep things under control. Her health will be devastatingly impacted by her struggles and her life is at risk.

She is faced with the biggest moral decision of her life when a terrible incident takes place. Will she destroy the lives of the people she cares about with her terrifying decision?

There’s also a huge return for Patsy Kensit’s character Sadie, who has quite the agenda when she waltzes back into the Dales. Armed with a big surprise, she has a secret to tell, and the village will be left reeling.

Emmerdale Producer, Laura Shaw, teased: “From explosive secrets that shatter lives to dangerous new allegiances that threaten to tear the village apart, this season promises to be one of our most intense yet. The village is set for a dramatic transformation, and we can’t wait for our audience to see the peril these characters face.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

July 29 (UPI) — The stock market opened with the Dow falling 400 points on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee’s latest interest rate decision.

The committee will announce its decision on Wednesday afternoon with Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh making his second address since being appointed. Economic indicators point to the Fed holding interest rates at a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%.

“My colleagues and I recognize that high inflation has been an undue burden on American households and businesses,” Warsh said during a Senate Banking Committee hearing earlier this month. “The members of our committee have no tolerance for persistently elevated inflation and we share a resolute commitment to restore price stability.”

The war in Iran has increased economic pressure, driven by rising fuel costs as the United States and Iran use the crucial Strait of Hormuz as a point of negotiation. The annual inflation rate rose to 4.2% in May on the back of rising gas prices.

The Federal Reserve has maintained a target goal of 2% annual inflation rate.

The average fuel price in the United States is $4.09 per gallon for regular grade gasoline on Wednesday, AAA reports.

The Federal Reserve will announce its interest rate decision at 2 p.m. EDT, followed by an address by Warsh at 2:30 p.m. EDT.

Front-month gold futures plunged below $4,000/oz Monday after fresh strikes between the U.S. and Iran sent oil prices surging higher, reviving concerns about inflation and the potential for tighter monetary policy.

The latest escalation and President Trump’s declaration that the

July 9 (UPI) — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recalled more than 2.5 million bottles of eye drops because they may contain a “foreign substance.”

The nationwide recall was initiated by Lupin Pharmaceuticals on June 4 because of some type of foreign substance, though the company and the FDA have not identified it or how it got into the eye drops, MassLive and NJ.com reported.

The class II recall of the prednisolone acetate eye drops — used to reduce inflammation after eye surgery or for allergic and other conditions — is the second-highest risk recall for the agency because it may cause adverse consequences if used.

In a recall notice posted on its website on Thursday, the FDA said that the recall of more than 2.5 million bottles of Lupin’s prednisolone eye drops was because of the “presence of foreign substance.”

The affected bottles come in 5 mL, 10 mL and 15 mL quantities, and were produced by the India-based Lupin, which specializes in manufacturing generic pharmaceutical medications.

The FDA also cautions against simply pausing the use of these medications, suggesting that people who need to use them contact their eye doctor or pharmacist in order to properly react for their own conditions.

July 8 (UPI) — Graham Platner dropped out of the Maine Senate race on Wednesday evening, two days after allegations arose that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2021.

In a video, Platner said that “we believe that for the movement to continue, it can’t be me — and for that reason we are suspending campaign operations.”

“It’s not the false allegations, though, that have brought us to where we are,” he said. “It’s the fact that they’re being used by the political establishment to put structural pressure on us. We live in a political system that is not built for normal people. It is a system built structurally to make sure movements like ours cannot flourish.”

The decision allows Democrats to choose a new candidate for the race against Republican Susan Collins, the five-term incumbent. Platner had until Monday to drop out; Democrats now have two weeks to pick a contender for the race.

On Monday, a woman who once dated Platner said he forced her to have sex with him about five years ago, Politico reported. Jenny Racicot said Platner was intoxicated when he entered her home one night in 2021 andassaulted her while she told him repeatedly to stop. Others have also made claims about Platner and abuse.

Platner has steadily denied the allegations, calling them “categorically untrue.”

Earlier Wednesday, the Maine Democratic Party approved a plan to hold a nominating convention if Platner suspended his campaign.

Valli Geiger, a Maine state representative, told WMTW-TV of Portland, Maine, that Platner called her and encouraged her to try to take his place on the ballot.

“He said, ‘Valli, you are a fighter; you have been with this movement since the beginning,’ ” Geiger said. She said she was “heartbroken” by the accusations against Platner but agreed that he needed to suspend his campaign. She also said he was encouraging others to put their names forward.

CNN reported that candidates to replace Platner include three Democrats who ran for governor: Nirav Shah, former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control; Secretary of State Shenna Bellows; and former state Sen. Troy Jackson.

Since the allegations broke, a rising tide of Democrats called on Platner to suspend his campaign, including former supporters Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Many groups rescinded endorsements of the candidate.

Platner has also been involved in other controversies, including over a tattoo with Nazi connotations that he said he was unaware of.

FANCY a half price holiday? You may want to read this.

On the Beach have launched a massive surprise sale across 218 city break destinations, where holidaymakers can bag up to 50% off a break.

This includes capital cities like Rome, Paris and Amsterdam, as well as popular city break spots like Krakow and Milan.

The 72-hour flash sale ends at midnight tomorrow (June 3).

The discount applies to last-minute breaks with departure dates from July 4 to August 26, 2026.

With hundreds of hotels and dates available, you could be setting off on an affordable city break this summer for less than you’d think.

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Barcelona

The four star Attica 21 Barcelona Mar is an ideal spot to stay in the trendy Spanish city.

This hotel has a rooftop pool with sweeping city views, as well as comfy, modern rooms and a well-stocked buffet breakfast.

Here you’re also only a short walk from the beach, Platja de la Nova Mar Bella, which is one of the more peaceful stretches of sand in Barcelona.

The On the Beach flash sale offers breaks to Barcelona including flights for £325pp this August, including return flights from London Luton.

Bangkok

Ever fancied going to Thailand but haven’t quite got the budget?

You can book a holiday to Bangkok, staying at the four star Century Park for a week for £1,055pp.

This also includes your return flights from London Heathrow, which is a huge bargain considering flights to Bangkok alone typically cost upwards of £600.

The stunning four star hotel has a relaxing rooftop pool, tropical gardens, two restaurants and two bars.

Rome

Imagine sitting down with a drink soaking up the sun on the balcony of your hotel in Rome – that could be you this summer.

Hotel Mancino 12 offers traditional yet stylish rooms with balconies overlooking the historic city.

One of the best parts about this hotel is its location – you’re just a short walk from must-see spots like the Trevi Fountain and Roman Forum.

On the Beach offer a four night stay this August, with return flights from London Stansted, for £405pp.

Valencia

Slip away for some sun this July to sunny Valencia in Spain, with a stay at the Azz Valencia Congress Hotel & Spa.

This modern hotel has its own spa, where you can take a leisurely swim in the pool or book yourself in for a blissful massage or pampering facial.

Rooms are bright, fresh and modern, with crisp white linen and sleek wooden finishes.

Outside you’ll find a manicured lawn and crystal-clear pool begging for a dip.

Here you’re a 10-15 minute drive away from the city centre, where you’ll find world-class paella and a plethora of fascinating museums.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

BIG news for families who travel on Ryanair flights.

The airline has announced that it has changed its policy so that families can sit together free of charge.

In a statement made today, Ryanair said that there will be free parent and child seats available together in the rear of its planes for families.

For adults travelling with children who choose this new seating option, they will be told of their seat allocation after they have checked in for their flight.

This is the case with most other airlines in Europe.

Families who opt for this are likely to be seated towards the back of the plane.

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It’s still an option for families to choose their seats in advance, but this does require a seat reservation fee.

Previously, Ryanair’s Ts&Cs required at least one parent to sit with their children aged 2-11 when they fly.

This was done through what Ryanair calls a “mandatory family seat”, which the parent must pay for in order to secure a seat next to them for their child.

For all other passengers, reserving a seat is optional.

This fee applies to both outbound and return flights and typically costs around £8 each way.

Ryanair’s website refers to “Free reserved seats for kids under 12”, but the parents and guardians had to pay a booking fee to access these seats.

Typically, other airlines offer to seat children with a parent or guardian without the need for a paid-for adult seat reservation, or allocate seats together automatically during booking for free.

The new policy comes in on new bookings made from today.

The airline is facing investigation by the CMA to determine whether the practice is “in line with consumer law”.

On the policy change, a CMA spokesperson said: “Ryanair claims its seating policy now complies with the law, and we’ll test that thoroughly. If true, it’s a win for families – who will no longer have to pay to sit with their children – and it shows the impact our new powers are having.

“But it doesn’t change the fact families have been paying for ‘mandatory family seats’. Our investigation remains ongoing.”

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary commented on the changes…

Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, said: “Turning a blind eye to the high fares charged by airlines on routes with no Ryanair competition, the CMA has now targeted our family seating policy which has been universally embraced by consumers as the most progressive and transparent in Europe.

“Instead of promoting competitiveness and lower fares for consumers, the CMA is on a mission to force Ryanair to adopt the less transparent and less consumer-friendly family seating policy applied by most other airlines – just because it’s the industry standard.”

He said that the airline will “reluctantly adjust” to the industry standard.

Michael explained that “families may have to wait until after they have checked in to find out their seat allocation”.

And that these seats are likely to be at the “rear of the cabin”

ANYONE who’s looked at holiday prices over the last few years will know one thing: summer getaways haven’t exactly been getting cheaper.

But this year, a big change in booking habits has completely blown the market wide open.

Because British holidaymakers are playing chicken with the calendar and leaving bookings later than ever, airlines and hotels are staring down a reduced summer capacity.

So, rather than flying empty seats and leaving hotel rooms vacant, some airlines and hotel operators are aggressively cutting prices across the board to get bookings in and holidays shifted.

Before we start, though, I should say that not EVERY destination is seeing price drops like this.

But when I crunched the numbers on package data for a family of four, I noticed that some of the year-on-year drops are massive.

So here’s where the prices are falling fastest for summer 2026…

Menorca: £536 cheaper than last year

If you’ve never been to Menorca, imagine everything people love about Majorca and Ibiza… but with the volume turned down.

It has always been a major winner for families because it’s incredibly safe, relaxed, and completely skips the club-heavy energy of its neighbours.

The big news is the pricing: our data shows family holidays here are trending noticeably down compared to last summer.

I flagged a seven-night stay at the Minura Sur Menorca on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Manchester on 22 August, from £858pp – which is a massive £536 cheaper than this exact package last year.

For a destination that traditionally sells out and hikes its rates in August, finding an all-inclusive setup under these numbers is a serious win against the usual school-holiday tax.

The hotel itself is a brilliant family workhorse on the outskirts of Punta Prima with massive pools and a splash park that will easily keep the kids occupied for hours.

If you’ve got a young family like me, my favourite thing about this property is that they run a free, regular shuttle bus straight down to the beach throughout the summer.

It saves you from dragging hot, tired kids and a mountain of beach gear on a 15-minute trek in the August heat.

Paphos, Cyprus: £246 cheaper than last year

Paphos is a super-reliable destination that absolutely nails the holiday basics.

You get guaranteed scorching weather, great beaches, and a vibrant harbour front packed with tavernas and bars, without feeling overcommercialised.

And when I took a look, I noticed that prices are down sharply across the resort, making it an ideal window for a bargain.

You can lock in seven nights at the Kefalos Damon Hotel Apartments on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Glasgow on 22 August, from £623pp, saving £246 compared to last summer.

Cyprus has some of the longest, most reliable sunshine windows in Europe, which usually means paying a massive premium to secure an August departure.

Snagging this deal lets you bypass that peak-season markup while keeping food and drinks entirely off the daily spreadsheet.

What makes this place stand out for me is the quality of the recent modern room upgrades.

They’ve kitted the apartments out with brilliant, fully functioning kitchenettes, which means you have a high-spec, contemporary space to retreat to.

This is a massive step up from the dated, basic apartments you usually get saddled with on a budget European getaway.

Crete, Greece: £172 cheaper than last year

Crete is a massive island that handles every type of holidaymaker, but for families, it’s a brilliant choice because you can have completely different holiday experiences depending on where you pitch up.

The great news for the budget, though, is that pricing across the island seems to have headed south for late bookings.

I spotted a seven-night stay at the Bali Beach & Sofia Village hotel on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Bristol on 22 August, from £468pp – knocking £172 off last year’s price.

Greece in peak August for under £500 per person with all your food and beer thrown in is an absolute gift, by the way.

What I loved about this place was that they run free, weekly Greek cooking lessons hosted directly by the hotel’s executive kitchen chef.

It’s a brilliant, authentic touch where you can actually learn how to whip up proper local specialities, which is exactly the kind of genuine, cultural insight you never expect to get from a standard all-inclusive package property.

Gran Canaria: £179 cheaper than last year

Gran Canaria is perfect for Brits because the weather is spot on all year round.

As a destination, it handles families, couples, and groups effortlessly, and right now the value across the island is dropping back into our favour for this summer.

One standout deal I saw in the data was seven nights at the Maspalomas Oasis Club on an all inclusive basis, flying from Dublin on 22 August, from £410pp – making it £179 cheaper than last year.

The Canary Islands usually command a massive premium in August because they are a safe bet for sun, but this price point lets you dodge that summer-holiday markup.

The real winner at this hotel is the food quality at the buffet, which you’ll be delighted to learn, completely dodges the lukewarm, processed repetitive food sometimes associated with cheaper all-inclusives.

Instead, they have live show-cooking stations at dinner, where the chefs grill fresh meats and fish directly to your order, right in front of you.

Getting proper, freshly seared food on an all-inclusive budget under £450 is an absolute steal.

Dubai: £135 cheaper than last year

Dubai probably isn’t the first spot you associate with price drops, which is exactly why the numbers caught my eye straight away.

Yes, August in the UAE is hot, but that’s exactly why the luxury hotels open up the discount books, with summer family packages dropping well below their usual rates.

Plus, they have some of the best air conditioning in the world.

I clocked seven nights at the Jumeira Rotana on an all-inclusive basis, flying from London Gatwick on 22 August, from £720pp – a drop of £135 against last year.

For Dubai, getting a full all-inclusive package at this price point is a total anomaly.

It means you can indulge in the city’s notoriously expensive dining scene without worrying about a massive bill at check-out.

My pick of features at this hotel though is its rooftop pool – it’s a corker.

It gives you a fantastic, elevated view of the Dubai skyline while you cool off.

And because the hotel is a smaller, more boutique property by Dubai standards, the staff actually bring chilled towels and refreshments straight to your lounger.

It feels incredibly attentive without the chaotic, impersonal hustle of the massive beachfront mega resorts.

Hurghada, Egypt: £107 cheaper than last year

If your absolute main priority, like me, is stretching your cash as far as humanly possible, Hurghada is incredibly tough to beat.

The Red Sea is legendary for its crystal-clear water, and the resorts here offer far more facilities per pound spent than almost anywhere else in the Med, with prices sliding down again this season.

So imagine my face when I saw this deal: seven nights at the El Karma Aqua Beach Resort on an all-inclusive basis, flying from Belfast on 22 August, from £578pp, saving you £107 on last year’s price tag.

The value loop here is simple: you get a massive beachfront resort with its own massive on-site waterpark thrown in for under £600, keeping the kids entertained all week without you ever needing to pull out your wallet.

What I love about this specific place is that they offer swim-up rooms where you can literally step out of your patio doors and straight into a crystal-clear pool channel.

It gives you that premium, luxury resort privilege where you can entirely skip the morning sunbed race and slide straight into the water from your own terrace.

Published on
15/06/2026 – 10:09 GMT+2

Crude prices retreated on Monday as US President Donald Trump confirmed a peace agreement with Iran and both sides announced a lifting of their respective blockades of the Strait of Hormuz.

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At the time of writing, the front month contract on US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down almost 6% from Friday’s close to roughly $80 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international standard, dropped around 5% to about $83 per barrel.

The specific concessions made by each side are still unclear and there are questions surrounding whether the Prime Minister of Israel will respect the withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon, which, according to the Prime Minister of Pakistan is included in the deal.

Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly address the US-Iran deal, or the issue of Lebanon, and CNN has reported that the Prime Minister of Israel is seeking an urgent meeting with US President Donald Trump after this week’s G7 summit.

Nonetheless, markets are reacting swiftly to the prospect of the Strait of Hormuz slowly reopening and the potential that the Iran war is closer to ending than reigniting.

The freshly announced peace deal is currently expected to be signed on Friday.

European, Asian and US markets

At the open, European markets also rose on the news that there is meaningful progress in ending the Iran war.

Both the Euro Stoxx 50 and the broader pan-European Stoxx 600 traded over 1% higher at the start of Monday’s session.

The UK’s FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX 30, Italy’s FTSE MIB, Spain’s IBEX 35, the Netherlands’ AEX and Switzerland’s CH20, all traded between 0.5% and 1% higher than their Friday close.

France’s CAC 40 led the pack and rose almost 1.5%.

In the US, S&P500 futures traded over 2% higher and the teach-heavy Nasdaq 100 rose more than 3%.

In other trade dealings on Monday, Asia-Pacific markets jumped overnight with South Korea’s Kospi climbing over 5%, recovering from a 4% drop on Friday, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 also traded roughly 3% higher.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.8%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index jumped about 0.5% and Shangai’s SSE climbed over 1.5%.

Boeing has decided not to pursue a bid for the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) competition. The company had previously planned to submit a version of the T-7A Red Hawk being built now for the U.S. Air Force. The winning UJTS design will replace the Navy’s T-45 Goshawk jet trainers. The new trainers will become part of a future naval aviation training curriculum for prospective tactical jet pilots that no longer requires carrier qualifications or even simulated touch-and-go carrier landings at bases on land.

The Navy issued a formal request for proposals for UJTS in March. The service currently plans to acquire 216 new jet trainers to replace the just under 200 T-45s that are in its inventory today. With Boeing now out of the running, the Sierra Nevada Corporation (which has now partnered with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics) and a team led by Leonardo and Textron are the only known remaining competitors. Lockheed Martin, which had teamed with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), also dropped out back in April. Aviation Week and Breaking Defense were among the first to report on Boeing’s decision regarding UJTS.

“Boeing is focused on meeting our commitments, and we bid for programs where we believe we can provide the right solution tailored to our customers’ needs and requirements,” a Boeing spokesperson told TWZ. “After careful evaluation, we have determined the T-7A does not meet the U.S. Navy’s Undergraduate Jet Training System requirements.”

“We have therefore informed the Navy that we will not bid on the current RFP. We remain committed to delivering the T-7A as a modern, growth-oriented training solution for 4th, 5th and 6th generation pilots as requirements evolve,” they added. “We look forward to providing and sustaining both current and future capabilities for the Navy.”

Boeing says its decision on UJTS is tied to the General Electric F404 turbofan. The company has stressed that the F404 is a proven design with millions of flight hours on multiple platforms, including the T-7A, and is a clear example of a ready-to-field design. Still, Boeing’s view is that the UJTS engine qualification requirements would require additional long-cycle development work, and potentially limit its ability to meet the Navy’s initial operational capability target for the new jet trainers.

All this being said, it is still not entirely clear what the specific issues might be, given that the F404 is such a well-established design that has been and continues to be used on a variety of military aircraft. This includes several other land-based jet trainer designs beyond the T-7, like the Scaled Composites Model 400, which competed against the Red Hawk in the Air Force’s T-X competition, and the Turkish Aerospace Industries Hürjet.

Most notably, the F404 also powers the TF-50N that Lockheed Martin and KAI had put forward for UJTS. At the time of writing, neither Lockheed Martin nor KAI looks to have offered a detailed explanation for the decision to withdraw from the Navy jet trainer competition.

The T-7A has also suffered from various technical and other issues over the course of its development, which has led to significant delays in its entry into Air Force service. The service is now hoping to reach initial operational capability with the Red Hawk next year. Any potential for direct synergies in terms of support and sustainment between the Air Force and Navy jet trainer fleets is now off the table.

It is worth pointing out that the TF-50N and the T-7 are also both single-engine designs. The Beechcraft M-346N that Leonardo and Textron have put forward is powered by a pair of Honeywell F124 turbofans. Two Williams FJ44-4M turbofans power SNC’s Freedom Jet, which is also the only clean-sheet design in the running for UJTS. This may point to a general view of the UJTS requirements that make single-engine designs less attractive.

The Freedom Jet design is also tailored to meet now-axed requirements for UJTS to be able to perform carrier qualifications and simulated carrier touch-and-goes at base on land. The requirements for so-called Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) training at facilities ashore have historically been structured specifically in a way that “simulates, as near as practicable, the conditions encountered during carrier landing operations,” according to the Navy.

F-18 Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP). Touch-and-Go Landing.

SNC says its choice to build an aircraft that can still perform these tasks is deliberate, and offers the Navy what could still be important capability and flexibility in the future, as you can read more about here.

The Navy’s decision to remove carrier qualifications and otherwise alter key aspects of the tactical jet aviator training pipeline has been and continues to be controversial. The service has argued that substantial investments in virtualized training and assisted carrier landing capabilities, such as Magic Carpet and its successors, have fundamentally changed the landscape when it comes to training future pilots for carrier-based operations.

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Flight Ready: Live, Virtual, Constructive

Earlier this month, the Navy also confirmed that it had raised the total cost ceiling for the prospective UJTS contract from approximately $1.8 billion to $2.7 billion.

“The Government updated the price cap to reflect a change in the program cost estimate due to new information received,” Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) subsequently explained, according to Breaking Defense.

The substantial increase in the projected cost has raised its own questions about the outlook for the competition and the development program that is expected to follow. The Navy’s decisions to scale back its training requirements had previously been seen as opening the door to existing land-based jet trainer designs, or derivatives thereof, like the T-7 and the TF-50N. That, in turn, was viewed as a potential way for the service to help keep costs and risk low.

The Navy’s T-45 replacement plans have already been delayed multiple times, with the service originally planning to pick a winning design this year and to have the first example enter operational service in 2028. The goal now is to award a contract in the middle of next year.

The aging T-45 fleet has faced its own struggles, including a spate of reported hypoxia-like physiological episodes among pilots that led to the development of a new oxygen system. There have been several Goshawk crashes in recent years due to a variety of factors, with the most recent coming just last month. The pilots in that case thankfully survived.

For Boeing, the decision to drop out of the running for UJTS could also allow it to refocus resources to other priorities. The company is also notably one of two remaining competitors vying to build the sixth-generation F/A-XX carrier-based fighter for the Navy. Boeing is already heavily engaged now on work for the F-47 sixth-generation fighter for the Air Force.

When it comes to the UJTS competition, with Boeing having bowed out, the SNC-led and Leonardo/Textron teams are now facing off head-to-head.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

THE UK’s largest theme park with over 40 rides and attractions has launched an annual pass costing less than a Cadbury Fudge bar a day.

Alton Towers in Staffordshire has dropped a new annual pass costing £64 per person – or just 19p per day you visit (several pence less than a Fudge bar).

The pass gets you access to the theme park for 339 days of the year.

During that time, passholders can visit as many times as they like.

The theme park is usually open between March and November and hosts a number of seasonal events as well.

Each passholder will be sent their pass digitally and it is ready to use as soon as it lands in their email inbox.

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The pass is also only required for visitors who are 90cm and taller.

Once you have your pass and wish to visit the theme park, you’ll need to book online beforehand which can be done via the Passholder Pre-Book Portal.

In addition to all the rollercoasters, Alton Towers recently opened a new attraction – Bluey The Ride: Here Come the Grannies – which is the world’s first Bluey junior coaster.

Travel writer Madalyn Bielfeld recently visited and tried out the park and said: “The rollercoaster whisks you up and down over gentle dips, and around turns amid a fun, interactive setting of Bluey’s back garden.

“It’s filled with fun references to the various episodes – including as the name suggests when the characters dress up as their Grannies.

“The ride is the perfect mix of gentle and exciting and went down a storm on the day of opening.”

Award-winning Somali referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, has been removed from the World Cup roster after being denied entry to the United States despite holding a valid visa.

MEGAN Thee Stallion nearly blew the roof off Radio City Music Hall after gracing the 2026 Tony Awards stage in barely-there lingerie during the ceremony’s wild opening number.

The rapper bent over in a Moulin Rouge-inspired look and showed off her signature twerking skills before dropping an F-bomb during the live awards show that was televised on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday night. 

Megan, 31, made a surprise appearance during host Pink’s massive Broadway-themed opener on Sunday night, instantly becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the 79th Annual Tony Awards.

The music superstar strutted onto the stage in a sparkling black corset bodysuit complete with fishnet tights, dramatic garters, sequined detailing and towering heels.

She channeled full Parisian cabaret energy inspired by her recent run in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway.

The Grammy winner joined Pink during a remixed performance of Lady Marmalade, the signature Moulin Rouge anthem, as dancers swarmed the stage in feathered costumes and red velvet-inspired looks.

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At several points during the performance, Megan dropped into twerk breaks – which resulted in roaring applause from the crowd.

At another point, the camera cut to stunned audience members cheering and laughing as the Houston-born rapper was bleeped after dropping an F-bomb.

The over-the-top opening number featured more than 170 Broadway performers and included tributes to Moulin Rouge!, Chicago, Rent, A Chorus Line and several of the night’s biggest nominated productions.

Pink, who is hosting the Tonys for the first time ever, kicked things off flying over the audience in a Peter Pan costume and harness before launching into a theatrical mashup packed with celebrity cameos.

Mormon Wives breakout Whitney Leavitt also popped up during the opening dressed in her Roxie Hart costume from Chicago, while Lea Michele belted out surprise vocals during the sprawling musical performance.

Fans immediately flooded social media praising the campy energy of the opener – and Megan quickly emerged as the breakout star of the night.

“One thing Megan Thee Stallion is gonna do is commit to the performance,” one fan wrote on X alongside fire emoji’s.

Another viewer posted: “Megan twerking at the Tony Awards was NOT on my bingo card but she ate.”

A third fan joked: “Broadway just became the Hot Girl Theater.”

Others praised Pink for embracing the over-the-top antics of the Tonys opener, with one viewer calling it “the most fun opening number in years.”

Megan’s appearance comes just weeks after wrapping her history-making stint in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, where she became the first female-identifying performer ever to play the role of Zidler in any production of the show worldwide.

The 2026 Tony Awards aired live on CBS and Paramount+ from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.

As the rally in AI stocks fades, investors were cautious at the open on Friday, with European markets opening to mixed sentiment following steep falls in Asian markets.

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Indices in London and Frankfurt quickly moved into negative territory, with the FTSE 100 dropping nearly 0.4% and the DAX losing 0.3% right after the opening. The Paris CAC 40 and the IBEX 35 in Madrid were both up 0.3%, while Milan’s main index was flat. So was the EURO STOXX 50, a benchmark index of 50 blue-chip companies from the eurozone.

Investors are awaiting the latest US non-farm payrolls report and keeping an eye on developments in the Middle East.

The US job data is important for forecasting what the Fed’s next move could be. Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, said in a market note, “There is now a near 40% chance of a rate hike by year-end. We expect financial markets to be extremely sensitive to today’s data,” adding that this will be the first such report with Kevin Warsh as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

In the UK, the latest data from Halifax showed that house prices unexpectedly declined in May. House prices fell 0.1% month on month, but were still up 0.5% year on year, missing expectations for a 1% jump.

Oil markets are awaiting further direction

Oil prices stabilised after falling on Thursday. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was slightly down and traded at $94.73 per barrel at 10:00 CET. It had been trading at about $70 per barrel before the start of the war in late February.

Benchmark US crude was little changed at $92.51 a barrel.

Oil prices remain under pressure as the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway crucial for global oil and natural gas transport, remains effectively closed, and the war-induced energy shock is threatening to slow economic growth and fuel inflation in many countries.

American and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative deal last week to extend their ceasefire, but the agreement has not been finalised. Meanwhile, developments in Lebanon have cast doubt on the prospects for a permanent end to the conflict.

On Thursday, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah rejected the latest ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese and Israeli governments.

“While there are few signs of progress in US-Iran talks, the oil market continues to trade on expectations of an imminent deal that would resume flows through the Strait of Hormuz,” ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a report.

Asian markets lose steam as AI craze cools

Wall Street rallied on Thursday after falling oil prices and bond yields eased pressure on US stocks. Banks, small-cap companies and other stocks that had previously been left behind by the euphoria around artificial intelligence led the gains.

Banks also helped lead the market, including gains of 5% for Goldman Sachs, 4.7% for Fifth Third Bancorp and 4.4% for U.S. Bancorp.

They helped to more than make up for losses among some AI stocks, which took a sudden back seat after dominating the market. Analysts have been saying AI stocks may have run too high, becoming too expensive, and that the broader US stock market may be set for a slowdown following an unrelenting streak of nine straight winning weeks for the S&P 500, its longest since 2023.

On Wall Street on Thursday, computer chipmaker Broadcom’s shares sank 12.6% after it issued guidance that fell short of investors’ expectations, raising concerns about the wider AI and technology sector.

US memory chip maker Micron Technology dropped 7.7%, and cybersecurity company CrowdStrike Holdings fell 3.8%.

Still, the benchmark S&P 500 climbed 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.7% to a record high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged 0.1% lower.

But in Asia, investors dumped key AI-related shares, with South Korea’s SK Hynix plunging 8.6% and Samsung Electronics shedding 5.4%.

The Kospi dropped 5.1% to 8,199.44. The index has roughly doubled over the past year, lifted by gains in major technology companies.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 1.3% to 66,573.85, with technology shares leading the decline, even as official data showed that Japan’s real wages rose for the fourth consecutive month. Chip equipment maker Tokyo Electron’s shares fell 7%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 1.2% to 24,948.96, while the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.3% to 4,045.45.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.7% to 8,623.50.

Taiwan’s Taiex gave up 1.3%, while India’s Sensex was up 0.1%.

In other trading early on Friday, the US dollar fell to 159.96 Japanese yen from 160.03 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1635, up 0.2%. Gold prices were down 0.3%, trading at around $4,490.70.

All six episodes are available to binge in one go via Channel 4’s catch-up service after the series premiere this week

A brand new Channel 4 comedy series premiered last night and audiences are split.

Surreal six-part sitcom Make That Movie aired its first two episodes on Channel 4 on Thursday evening (May 28) with the entire series also made available to binge in one go on the broadcaster’s catch-up service.

The mockumentary follows a director named Sam (portrayed by Australian comedian Sam Campbell) who scours the UK in search of weird and wonderful ideas for feature films from the general public. He and his team then bring the ideas to life in just three days, though the quality of the finished product is always slightly questionable.

The official synopsis reads: “Hotshot director Sam and his elite team of filmmakers race against the clock to turn ordinary people’s extraordinary, chaotic and surreal ideas into hit movies.”

Alongside show creator Sam, who plays an exaggerated version of himself, the cast also includes Michell and Webb Are Not Helping’s Lara Ricote as runner Jess, and Am I Being Unreasonable’s Helen Bauer, cast as sound engineer Pat. Meanwhile, Aaron Chen (Fisk) takes on the part of intimacy coordinator Sebastian, and This Country’s David Hargreaves assumes the role of cinematographer Winnie.

In the wake of its release, reviews have ranged greatly with some declaring it the best thing on TV and others calling it the worst, something Sam had been wary of. He admitted in a chat with Metro: “It’s really hard making a show. It’s better to watch a show,” adding: “There’s a big, serious threat of it being t**d of the year.”

Professional critics appeared to enjoy the series, with The Guardian calling it “the funniest TV show of the entire year” in their five-star review. Meanwhile The Times offered it a more meagre three stars, branding it “just so weird.”

While it is still lacking a Rotten Tomatoes rating, viewers at home that dove straight into it have been vocal with their thoughts. One disgruntled viewer commented: “That make that movie programme with Sam Campbell is absolutely HORRIFICCCCCCCC.”

“A few episodes in on #MakeThatMovie (love Sam Campbell) and while it’s genius to cast Aaron Chen in roles such as intimacy coordinator and stunt coordinator, he just feels very underused,” another remarked.

A third urged “everyone watch Make That Movie by Sam Campbell,” while a fourth was unsure, commenting: “Hmm… Sam Campbell is great at spontaneous weird ideas but I’m not sure it works so well committed to a script… And Sam won’t be winning any Oscars for his acting.”

Make That Movie is available to stream via Channel 4’s catch-up service.

SAVANNAH Guthrie has quietly dropped hundreds of thousands on private investigators in a desperate attempt to find her mother months after she was abducted from her home.

The U.S. Sun can report that the Today anchor, 54, has shelled out around $500,000 to keep the search going for Nancy, 84, after losing faith in the official investigation. 

Though many have lost hope that Nancy will ever be found, Savannah “has told everyone involved that the search will continue for as long as necessary,” an insider told The U.S. Sun.

“She is not prepared to stop looking for her mother. She feels that depending only on the official investigation is not enough anymore – that’s why she’s investing so heavily in private investigators and outside specialists.”

The source said that the heartbroken daughter has hired an “entire independent team” who are “working leads every day” to help bring her beloved mother home.

This top-notch team includes former agents, security experts, and investigators, the insider claimed.

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According to the insider, the veteran journalist became disillusioned with the official investigation.

“She became increasingly disappointed with how communication from authorities changed over time,” they added.

“What once felt urgent started to feel far more routine.”

“When Savannah learned there would no longer be direct contact with the sheriff, she took that very personally,” the insider continued.

“She felt the family was being pushed further away from the center of the investigation.”

Meanwhile, a second insider explained: “The financial cost has become enormous, but Savannah doesn’t care about the money.”

“Right now, every dollar is worth spending if it helps bring her mother home.

“By now, the costs have climbed well into the mid-six figures. 

“And remember,  Savannah was once willing to pay a ransom, so spending big on the search is nothing new for her.”

“She keeps telling friends the same thing: The family can’t stop searching.

“Hope is the only thing driving her right now.”

The second insider claimed Savannah is still “emotionally devastated,” despite her smiley demeanor on the morning show each day.

“But she still believes there’s a chance her mother can be found, and that belief is what keeps the private search going every single day.”

Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack was the first to report on Savannah’s ongoing investigator efforts into Nancy‘s disappearance. 

More than 100 days have passed since Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her bed in the early morning hours of February 1.

As the Pima County Sheriff’s Office remains tight-lipped, a feud has erupted behind the scenes between local cops and the highest levels of federal law enforcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel went on national television to blast local authorities, claiming they completely botched the opening hours of the investigation. 

Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Patel emphasized that while missing persons cases technically fall under local jurisdiction, the first 48 hours are the absolute most critical window to find someone alive. 

According to the FBI chief, federal agents were left twiddling their thumbs for four straight days before locals finally let them in.

Once the Bureau secured access, they immediately bypassed local roadblocks to recover chilling Nest security camera footage from Guthrie’s front porch. 

The terrifying video shows a masked predator messing with potted plants to block the camera view before tearing the device off the wall. 

Patel took direct credit for the breakthrough, noting the Bureau had to coordinate directly with Google just to get those haunting images out to the public.

The finger-pointing did not stop there. Patel openly slammed Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos for bypassing the FBI’s world-class crime lab in Quantico, Virginia. 

Instead, local police shipped crucial DNA evidence found inside Nancy’s home to a private laboratory down in Florida.

Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home on February 1, 2026.

Timeline:

• January 31: Nancy is last seen by her family
  • 5:32pm: Nancy travels to her daughter’s home for dinner, about 11 minutes from her own house.
  • 9:48pm: Family members drop off Nancy Guthrie at her home in Tucson. Her garage door closes two minutes later.
• February 1: Nancy is reported missing and a search begins
  • 1:47am: Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnects
  • 2:12am: Camera software detects a person moving in range of the camera. There is no video, and Nancy does not have a storage description.
  • 2:28am: Nancy’s pacemaker app disconnects from her phone, which is later found still at her house.
  • Around 11am: A parishioner at Nancy’s church calls the mom’s children and says she failed to show up for service.
  • 11:56am: Family members arrive at Nancy’s house to check on her.
  • 12:03pm: The family calls 911 to report Nancy missing.
  • 8:55pm: The Pima County Sheriff’s Office gives its first press conference and reveals some clues found at Nancy’s home caused “grave concern.” Sheriff Chris Nanos says helicopters, drones, and infrared cameras are all being utilized in the search.
• February 2: Search crews pull back. Nancy’s home is considered a crime scene. Savannah releases a statement thanking supporters for their prayers, which her co-hosts read on Today.
• February 3: A trail of blood is pictured outside Nancy’s home, where there were reportedly signs of forced entry. Nanos admits they have no suspects, no leads, and no videos that could lead to Nancy’s recovery. He and the FBI beg for more tips and accounts.
• February 4, 8pm: Savannah and her siblings release a heartbreaking video directed at their mother’s abductors asking for proof she is alive and saying they’re willing to work with them to get her back.
• February 5: FBI offers $50,000 reward for information on the case.
  • 5pm: First ransom demand deadline for millions in Bitcoin passes. Guthrie family releases demand to speak “directly” to the kidnappers, saying, “We want to talk to you and we are waiting for contact.”
  • Blood is confirmed to be Nancy’s.
• February 7: Savannah and her siblings share a video stating they received a message from kidnappers and are willing to pay.
• February 9, 5pm: Second ransom demand deadline, reportedly with “much more serious” conditions.
  • Savannah posts a video asking the public to report anything strange to law enforcement.
• February 10: The FBI release surveillance footage of the armed masked suspect outside Guthrie’s house on the night she disappeared.
• February 11: A man is detained in Rio Rico, about 19 miles south of Tucson. The individual was released after being questioned by authorities.
• February 12: Suspect described as 5’9″-5’10” carrying a black Ozark Trail backpack (Walmart exclusive).
• February 13: A second man is detained by police after being pulled over by Pima County officers near a Culver’s in Tucson. The man, identified as Luke Daley, was questioned and has since been released.
• February 15: DNA is collected from a discarded glove found 2 miles away that matches surveillance.
• February 16: Sheriff Nanos clears the Guthrie family and their spouses of any involvement.
• February 24: The Guthrie family increased the family’s reward for information to $1million.
• March 4: DNA on the glove is traced to a restaurant worker, and the person is cleared of any involvement.
• March 16: ABC News reports that more images have been obtained from motion-activated cameras.
• March 26: Savannah’s first on-camera interview since her mother’s disappearance airs.

Patel claimed he had hundreds of federal agents and intelligence analysts deployed to Phoenix and Tucson on standby, ready to flood the neighborhood and process the DNA evidence within days. 

He expressed frustration that the Bureau was sidelined, arguing their premier lab could have cracked open better leads by now.

Sheriff Nanos is fiercely hitting back against the narrative. 

In an official statement, Nanos denied keeping the feds in the dark, insisting that members of the FBI Task Force were actually boots-on-the-ground at the scene alongside local detectives from the very beginning. 

Nanos fired back that both his department and Nancy’s own family notified federal authorities immediately.

EastEnders has teased which characters will face life-changing events during their special week on the BBC soap, with new spoilers teasing some big twists for next week

New spoilers for EastEnders have teased the BBC soap’s big week, where “everything changes” for more than one resident.

Specific scenes are being kept under wraps, but it’s set to be unmissable. Lives will no doubt be changed, and there will be bombshells aplenty.

There’s a huge change to the usual format to for the BBC soap, with things being a little different to mark the occasion. More than one character is involved in the episode, and it’s safe to say that whatever happens, it will impact more than one Walford family.

In a special week of episodes, set across one night, everything changes. Following the drama of Vicki and Ross’ wedding, Walford residents gather but Yolande realises Denise is missing.

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Denise soon opens up to Yolande about her cancer diagnosis. She soon receives a call where she’s told she needs immediate treatment, but some worrying family news leaves her rushing to be with Chelsea in her time of need. Prior to this, Mark and Chelsea flirt, but it’s Zack she almost shares a kiss with.

As Chelsea heads back to the wedding reception marquee, her world is turned upside down. Denise tries to be strong for Chelsea, as Yolande helps cover for Denise when her absence is questioned.

Later, Denise tells Jack about her diagnosis. Kathy and Cindy are at loggerheads after one too many wines, but the night is about to take a turn for the worst for Ian.

When there’s a knock at the door, Ian makes a discovery and he realises he could lose everything. Max publicly declares his love for Cindy, before asking her to marry him.

Kat worries that she and Alfie have given the wedding guests food poisoning. Harry makes a confession to Gina about Eddie, leaving her confronting George.

As George realises his dad Eddie will never change, he tries to apologise to his daughter but Gina flees. Soon, George tells Eddie he’s sending him back to prison, which leads to Eddie dropping a bombshell of his own.

As George takes action to protect his family, he may regret it. It’s going to be a massive week for the soap, with plenty of twists and turns ahead, so it isn’t a week to be missed.

What happens to Chelsea? How do Denise’s family react to her cancer news and what happens with Ian? The spoilers are intentionally cryptic with plenty more being kept under wraps until each episode airs that week.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .