ERIN, Wis. — Maja Stark of Sweden continued the steady play she demonstrated all week to win the U.S. Women’s Open on Sunday at Erin Hills for her first major championship.
Stark shot an even-par 72 to finish at seven-under 281, two strokes ahead of top-ranked Nelly Korda and Japan’s Rio Takeda.
Stark earned $2.4 million in the biggest event of the women’s golf season. The 25-year-old Stark became the sixth Swede to win a women’s major, and the first since Anna Nordqvist in the 2021 Women’s British Open. The former Oklahoma State player is the first Swede to win a U.S. Women’s Open since Annika Sorenstam in 2006.
Stark won her second LPGA Tour title. She also won the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland, an event co-sanctioned by Ladies European Tour.
Korda closed with a 71, and Takeda had a 72.
Hye-Jin Choi (68), Ruoning Yin (70) and Mao Saigo (73) tied for fourth at four under. Hailee Cooper (70) and Hinako Shibuno (74) were three under.
Stark took a one-stroke lead into the final round and said Saturday she wanted to make sure she played freely, noting that “no one has ever played well when they’ve been playing scared, and I think that’s been my habit before, to just kind of try to hang on to it.”
It was her consistency that ultimately made the difference as Stark stayed ahead throughout the day and held off challengers.
This still was as close as Korda has come to winning a U.S. Women’s Open. Her best previous finish was a tie for eighth in 2022 at Pine Needles.
Korda made birdied Nos. 7 and 8, but missed a nine-foot birdie putt on No. 9 that would have tied her for the lead. Korda’s birdie attempt on No. 9 came minutes after Stark’s bogey-free streak ended at 21 on No. 7.
Stark then extended her lead to three by making a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 11 immediately after Korda missed a par putt of just under five feet at No. 13.
Korda, Shibuno and Takeda got within two strokes of Stark with birdies on the par-five 14th, though Korda missed a 14-foot eagle putt and Shibuno missed an eagle attempt from 9½ feet.
Stark then made a birdie of her own on No. 14 to regain her three-stroke advantage at nine under. She bogeyed the last two holes.
Her playing partner, Julia Lopez Ramirez, fell out of contention early on her way to 79 that left her tied for 19th.
A handout photo made available by the Ukrainian Security Service channel on Telegram in June shows the head of the Security Service Vasyl Malyuk, studying a photo of a map of Russia’s strategic aviation location at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photo by the Ukrainian Security Service/EPA-EFE
June 1 (UPI) — Ukrainian intelligence officials claimed Sunday to have attacked at least 40 bombers deep inside Russia, which would be the most aggressive such attack on Russian territory since Moscow-led troops invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine targeted “41 strategic Russian aircraft” in an offensive code-named “Spiderweb,” NBC News reported, citing a source within the Security Service of Ukraine.
The attack happened at the Belaya air base in Russia’s Irkutsk region in Siberia, almost 3,000 miles from Ukraine, according to video posted by the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday on X that he is “doing everything to protect our independence, our state, our people,” and said he was receiving regular updates from his security forces.
Andriy Yermak, head of the office of the President of Ukraine, posted an emoji on the spiderweb.
“At the right moment, the roofs of the cabins were opened remotely, and the drones flew to hit Russian bombers,” the Independent reported of the “Spiderweb” operation, which sources told the paper was a year-and-a-half in the making.
Ukraine announced in March that it had developed a new, more cost-effective drone with a range of nearly 2,000 miles, but did not say when they would go into operation or if these drones were used in the Sunday attack.
At least seven people died and more were injured when a passenger train derailed following a bridge collapse and explosion in Russia’s Bryansk region near Ukraine, Duetsche Welle reported. A second bridge was said to have collapsed in the Kursk region.
The Russian defense ministry said Ukraine lost 510 troops and five armored personnel carriers, although it offered no evidence in a post on Telegram.
Ukraine has not commented on the collapsed bridges or ensuing explosion and deaths.
KYIV’s mayor and former world champion boxer Vitali Klitschko entered the ring with Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of “authoritarianism”.
The former heavyweight blasted the wartime Ukrainian President for paralysing his city with “raids, interrogations and threats of fabricated criminal cases”.
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Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko has slammed ZelenskyCredit: Getty
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The Ukrainian President was accused of authoritarianismCredit: Getty
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Ukrainian boxer Vitali Klitschko (L) with his arm around his brother, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko (R)Credit: Getty
Klitschko said the president’s decision to use martial law to appoint a rival military administration in Kyiv stopped his city from making progress.
The Don tripled down on his criticism of Zelensky in a blistering Truth Social rampage in February, branding the Ukrainian President a “dictator” and a “moderately successful” comedian.
Klitschko’s allegations towards Zelensky of authoritarianism come as his Kyiv administration faces a string of arrests.
Some of Klitschko’s deputies have been purged by the national anti-corruption bureau under an operation called Clean City.
The probe has exposed widespread corruption under the mayor’s watch – and seven of his subordinates have so far been arrested, with another three under investigation.
The former athlete has now lashed out at Zelensky, saying that the work of his city council has been plagued by fake criminal cases and threats.
He says that these hampered the ability of Kyiv authorities to make key decisions.
Kyiv’s mayor told The Times: “This is a purge of democratic principles and institutions under the guise of war.
Sky documentary reveals feud between Ukraine’s president and Kyiv’s mayor over child’s death
“I said once that it smells of authoritarianism in our country. Now it stinks.”
He also accusedPresident Zelenskyof using military administrations across the country to take power from elected mayors.
This is not the first time ex-sportsman Klitschko – who is also said to have presidential ambitions – has called out his rival Zelensky.
The Kyiv mayor called out the Ukrainian President in February amid stalling peace negotiations.
Zelensky then hit back at the boxing champ, saying: “Klitschko is a great athlete, but I didn’t know he was a great speaker.”
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It comes after Trump clashed with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of the world’s pressCredit: AFP
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Vitali Klitschko said his celebrity status protected his criticismCredit: Getty
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Vice President JD Vance was also involved in an unseemly war of words with ZelenskyCredit: Getty
Klitschko said that his recent criticism of Zelensky has been protected by his celebrity status.
“Many of the mayors are intimidated, but my celebrity status is a protection,” he explained.
“You can fire the mayor of Chernihiv, but it is very difficult to fire the mayor of the capital who the whole world knows.”
He added: “That is why everything is being done to discredit and ruin my reputation.”
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko said that the conflict betwene the two rivals goes deeper.
The expert said it reflected concern about abuse of city funds in wartime, calling it a “response to manifestations of corruption in the Kyiv city administration”.
He told The Times: “During the war money should go primarily to defence, to protect the country, yet there is all this construction.”
Questioning the corruption in Kyiv, he added: “In some other cities, even stadiums are being built.
“In the Donbas there are large landscaping projects. The frontline is near by, and the money is not going to defensive structures, but to greenery.”
Kyiv locals have been baffled as luxury flats keep popping up instead of shelters or schools — often built on public land using a dodgy “toilet loophole”.
This starts with setting up a par-per-use toilet for example, to then receive something similar to squatters’ rights.
Many of the ten Kyiv officials under investigation have been charged with corruption relating to the approval of these land permits.
Klitschko’s ex-deputy has been charged with taking bribes to help war conscripts escape, while a former city councillor accused of embezzlement has fled to Austria.
He responded to claims of corruption under his watch, saying that he had sacked eight of the officials being investigated.
“I have 4,500 employees in this building alone and about 300,000 employees working for the city,” he said.
“Corruption cases sometimes happen, but we react harshly and quickly.”
He added: “We co-operate with law enforcement, provide all the necessary information and hope for an impartial investigation of all cases.”
Klitshcko’s main rival in Kyiv, Tymur Tkachenko, has slated the mayor for showing “weakness” during wartime.
Tkachenko told The Times: “Mr Klitschko could not close the brothel in the basement of the same building where he lives.”
He was referring to Tootsies, a notorious strip club raided and shut down by the security service last month as part of an investigation into sex trafficking.
Klitschko hit back at claims he was tied to the strip club which is near a hotel complex he owns, calling it a “lie” meant to smear him.
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Former world champion heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko (L) and Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: Getty
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It comes as the war in Ukraine rages onCredit: AFP
A new law will make it illegal to do something that’s common in the UK – and holidaymakers could face a hefty fine if they are caught breaking this rule.
Tourists visiting France this summer will need to be aware of the new rules – or risk fines(Image: Getty Images)
People jetting off to France for their summer getaway must be aware of this crackdown on a common behaviour that some won’t think twice about. From July, French police could hand out fines every time they spot someone breaking the rule.
A BBC report shared that, from July 1, France will get tougher on smokers and implement a major ban on smoking in public places, including beaches, parks and outside schools. The clampdown aims to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, reports Wales Online.
According to the NHS, second-hand smoke or passive smoke can damage their health of those around you. The health trust claimed: “People who breathe in secondhand smoke regularly are more likely to get the same diseases as smokers, including lung cancer and heart disease.”
Ignorance won’t be an excuse for rule-breakers who could face a €135 penalty (that’s about £113 or $153). France’s minister for children, health and family, Catherine Vautrin, said enforcement duties have been passed onto the police, but with a nudge that the public should also aim to “self-regulate.”
She told Ouest-France daily: “Tobacco must disappear where there are children”. With around 16.4 million residents in France over the age of 15 smoking, it is a habit deeply ingrained in French culture, revealed by a Global Action to End Smoking stat.
France’s minister for children, health and family Catherine Vautrin(Image: Thierry NECTOUX/GAMMA RAPHO via Getty)
The French government isn’t taking this ban lightly, and plans are in the works to ensure people take note through signs and campaigns promoting good practice. This move extends the smoke-free zones already in place across parts of France, which has seen smoking banned in restaurants and clubs since 2008.
Brits visiting France may find it tricky to break their habits with the new rule, as the UK’s smoking laws only apply indoors. Since July 2007, smoking in enclosed public spaces and workplaces has been banned in the UK.
However, in 2024, the BBC reported that the UK Government is contemplating similar measures by extending legislation in England to outdoor areas like playgrounds and hospital grounds to “protect children and the most vulnerable from the harms of second-hand smoke”.
The ban will take effect from July 1, 2025(Image: Dazeley via Getty)
In France, once the new law is in place, smoking will still be permitted in outdoor areas of cafes and bar terraces. While electronic cigarettes are not included in the ban, the country is set to tighten vaping regulations soon.
Hotels typically allocate a few rooms for smokers. If you don’t specify you want one upon booking, you’ll be placed in a non-smoking room, according to the French Rivera Traveller.
The BBC said that, according to the French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, nearly a quarter (23.1%) of the French population smokes daily. France’s National Committee Against Smoking adds that over 75,000 smokers die annually from tobacco-related illnesses – 13% of all deaths.
A recent report by the French cancer association La Ligue Contre le Cancer reveals that almost 80% of French people support a ban on smoking in public places like woodlands, beaches, parks, and terraces.
UK holidaymakers could experience serious travel disruption over the busy summer holiday period, as workers in two major airports could ballot over strike action against their employer
Two major UK airports could ballot union members over strike action(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Brits could face serious travel disruption over the summer holidays, as workers at two major UK airports threaten strike action.
Unite the Union has revealed that staff at Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport have overwhelmingly rejected ‘unacceptable’ pay offers from their employer, Menzies Aviation. An overwhelming 97 per cent of around 300 workers at Glasgow Airport and 100 per cent of some 300 workers at Edinburgh Airport voted against the proposed deals.
The union has since warned that unless Menzies Aviation presents an improved offer, it will be forced to ballot members for strike action, potentially causing summer travel chaos. “Summer strike action looms over Edinburgh and Glasgow airports because the pay offers on the table from Menzies Aviation aren’t good enough,” Unite industrial officer Carrie Binnie said.
Threats of industrial action emerged last year, but were called off after workers accepted a new pay deal(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
“Menzies Aviation has the ability to improve its offers and they can easily resolve this pay dispute without any disruption to the travelling public. If the company fail to table a better offer to our members, Unite will have no option but to ballot our members for strikes over the summer holidays.”
Glasgow rejected a 4.25 per cent pay increase, while Edinburgh rejected a four per cent increase. The union emphasised that the ground crew workers, including dispatchers, allocators, airside agents, and controllers, all play a vital role in supporting major airlines.
The threat of industrial action follows similar tensions last year. However, these strikes were called off when workers accepted a new and improved pay deal in July, 2024.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Unite’s Menzies members have emphatically rejected unacceptable pay offers. The Menzies group is posting sky-high profits and our members who contribute towards this success deserve far better from the company.”
Glasgow and Edinburgh airport could face heavy disruption this summer, if workers vote to strike(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Last year, Edinburgh Airport handled a record-breaking 15.78 million passengers, a 10 per cent increase compared to the year before. Despite only having one runway and one terminal, 37 airlines operate from the hub – travelling to 155 different destinations.
Glasgow Airport is much smaller, and only welcomed 7.5 million passengers last year. Still, it was a 13 per cent increase from the previous year – and outranks Aberdeen (2.2 million) and Inverness (801,000) combined. According to reports, the hub flies to 27 different countries and offers 185 routes.
If your flight has been cancelled delayed in the last six year, or five in Scotland, you could still be eligible for compensation. You can find out more here.
PA approached Menzies Aviation for comment.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has spoken out on the departures of her fellow cast members Sue Cleaver and Helen Worth, admitting it’s the ‘end of an era’
Coronation Street
Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has confessed that the soap’s recent significant change marks “the end of an era”.
With nearly 65 years of captivating audiences, Coronation Street has solidified its place as a British television institution, having drawn in over 20 million viewers per episode during its peak.
Two of the show’s longest-serving and most beloved stars, Helen Worth and Sue Cleaver, have been instrumental in its enduring success, boasting an impressive combined 75 years on the iconic cobbles.
In a poignant turn of events, both soap legends have decided to bid farewell to Coronation Street within months of each other. Helen, 74, was the first to announce her departure last June, expressing her gratitude for working alongside “fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew”.
Samia is celebrating her 25th year on the soap(Image: Getty Images)
She reflected: “The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”
Following Helen’s emotional Christmas Day exit, Sue Cleaver joined her in leaving the show to explore new projects. A fan favourite since her debut, Sue’s departure has been deeply felt, reports Belfast Live.
Sue’s final moments on the cobbles will air next week(Image: ITV)
In an interview with Prima magazine, their former co-star Samia Longchambon shared her thoughts on the recent goodbyes: “Saying goodbye to Helen Worth (Gail Platt) after her 50 years was really emotional. But I completely agree with her that she deserves a rest now.”
Meanwhile, she noted that the exit of Sue marked a poignant moment as they had both started on the show in the same month.
She expressed: “It was weird saying bye to Sue (Cleaver, who played Eileen Grimshaw), too, because we actually joined the same month and her dressing room was next door to mine, and then Mikey North moved into it.”
Helen called time on her Corrie career last year after a stunning 50 years(Image: Getty Images)
Acknowledging the departure of two key players, she conceded that it represented a significant turning point for the soap: “So it did actually make me think, ‘God, that’s the end of an era’.”
The much-anticipated final appearances of Eileen on the beloved programme will broadcast next week, culminating after distressing events including the loss of her sister, Julie Carp (portrayed by Katy Cavanagh). Eileen decides to start anew, accepting Jason’s invitation to settle in Thailand with him and invest in his business endeavor.
Catch the latest drama in Coronation Street as it continues on ITV tomorrow night (May 30) at 8pm.
Israel’s government has approved a major expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The defence minister said the aim is to prevent a Palestinian state. Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim has more details of the plan.
Israel announces 22 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, fuelling fears of further annexation and erasure.
The Israeli government says it will establish 22 illegal settlements on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, including the legalisation of some so-called “outposts” already built without government authorisation, in a move decried by Palestinian officials and rights groups.
Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the decision on Thursday, with Katz saying that it “strengthens our hold on Judea and Samaria,” using an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.
He added it was also “a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel”.
Smotrich, himself a settler on illegally occupied Palestinian-owned land and an advocate for Israeli annexation of the West Bank, hailed the “historic decision”.
In a statement, the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as a “once-in-a-generation decision”, emphasising its strategic value in fortifying Israel’s hold along the eastern border with Jordan.
Israeli settlers erect structures for a new Jewish seminary school, in the settler outpost of Homesh in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 29, 2023 [File: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]
Israel has already built more than 100 illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank that are home to some 500,000 settlers. The settlements range from small outposts to larger communities with modern infrastructure.
The West Bank is home to more than three million Palestinians, who live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority governing in limited areas.
The Palestinians see the territory as an integral part of a future state, along with occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza.
Palestinians slam ‘dangerous escalation’
Palestinian officials and rights groups slammed the Israeli government’s decision, warning that the expansion of illegal settlements would further harm the prospects for a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh condemned the decision, calling it a “dangerous escalation” and a “challenge to international legitimacy”.
He accused Israel of fuelling instability in the region and warned the move breaches international law. “This decision violates all international resolutions, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2334,” he said, adding that all settlement activity remains illegal and illegitimate.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri condemned called on the United States and the European Union to take action.
“The announcement of the building of 22 new settlements in the West Bank is part of the war led by Netanyahu against the Palestinian people,” Abu Zuhri told the news agency Reuters.
The Israeli NGO Peace Now said the move “will dramatically reshape the West Bank and further entrench the occupation”.
“The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal,” it said in a statement.
“This is the largest batch of illegal Israeli settlements to be approved in one decision,” reported Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim from the occupied West Bank.
“Israeli settlements are strangling Palestinian communities inside the West Bank,” said Ibrahim. “These new settlements fill the gaps, making a future Palestinian state almost impossible on the ground. Israel is using this moment – while global attention is fixed on Gaza – to cement its occupation.”
The settlement announcement comes just weeks ahead of a high-level international conference, jointly led by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, aiming to revive the long-dormant process to agree a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
A MAJOR car brand is reportedly looking to raise £5billion including a loan guaranteed by the UK government after axing 20,000 jobs.
Cash-strapped Nissan, Japan’s third-largest carmaker, is already facing £4billion in losses – its worst annual loss in a quarter century.
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Nissan is trying to raise more than £5billion according to reportsCredit: Getty
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The Japanese automaker has been struggling financially recentlyCredit: Getty
But now, the company are said to be considering raising more than 1 trillion yen – just over £5 billion – from debt and asset sales in a bid to prop up Nissan.
The struggling Japanese automaker plans to issue as much as 630 billion yen in convertible securities and bonds, including high-yielding US dollar and euro notes, according to Bloomberg News.
The move would also include a £1billion syndicated loan guaranteed by the British government, the documents show.
Sale-and-lease-back plans for its Yokohama headquarters, plus properties it owns in the United States, are also reportedly on the cards.
The aggressive fundraising plans underscore Nissan’s rapidly deteriorating financial and operational position, despite efforts by newly appointed chief executive Ivan Espinosa to turn the company around.
In addition, Nissan is reportedly seeking to sell part of the stakes it owns in Renault and battery maker AESC Group, as well as plants in South Africa and Mexico.
Bloomberg News cited sources as saying Nissan’s board did not appear to have approved the funding proposal yet, leaving it unclear whether it would happen.
The proposal was also slated to include the rollover of some debt, the report said.
A Nissan representative said the company does not comment on speculation.
It comes after Nissan said they could part ways with its global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, to fund the company’s urgent restructuring plan.
After having moved to the 22-story high-rise in 2009, the car manufacturer is now facing mountains of debt and is on track to cut 20,000 jobs, shut several of its plants and slash billions in costs.
With a glitzy gallery, the flashy headquarters can showcase more than thirty motors and stands in stark contrast to their previous offices.
Legendary Nissan model is officially discontinued after selling for nearly 20 years as leaked car to ‘take its place’
The company have said that part of their plan has called for reviewing assets that can be sold in a desperate bid to pay for the restructuring.
With its own headquarters in sight, thought to be worth approximately £500 million, Nissan would structure a deal so it could continue to use the site through a lease so its offices and operations remain in place.
A company spokesperson said: “Nissan is considering all possibilities to recover its business performance, but there are no specifics to share at this point of time.”
The move is not unprecedented, however, with McLaren doing something similar with its HQ in Woking in recent years.
There have also been reports of downsizing or a partial sale of its Tochigi assembly plan and test centre facility north of Tokyo which was recently equipped with manufacturing technologies to assemble electric vehicles.
To underline the dire financial situation, the motor company is even halting the development of certain models to cut its expenses.
He said: “This is not something that happened in the last couple of years.
“It’s more of a fundamental problem that probably started back in 2015, when management thought this company could reach [annual global vehicle sales] of around eight million.
“There were heavy investments both in terms of planned capacity as well as in human resources, but the reality today is we are running at around half that volume. And nobody did anything to fix that until now.”
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Cost-cutting measures will already see thousands of job losses with multiple factory closuresCredit: AFP
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The manufacturer is facing mountains of debtCredit: Getty
SHOCKINGLY seven in ten singletons say they’ve given up on dating. Why? Because half of them say they’re put off by constantly meeting liars.
But are the signs there from the very first date? The Sun takes a look at the red flags that could mean your new love interest is out to break your heart.
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According to an expert, there are numerous signs your date could be lying to youCredit: Getty
As many as 74 per cent singletons have either given up or have chosen to take ‘a lengthy break’ from finding love, according to a poll by dating site Seeking.
And an incredible 51 per cent said they have been fibbed to about their date’s age, while a third have turned up to find the person was shorter or taller than they were told.
Relationship therapist Rhian Kivits told The Sun: “Sadly, lots of people do lie, especially on dating profiles or when they are messaging before a date. Often they do this through insecurity.
“They want to get a date, but they have no confidence, so they post fake photos or tell lies about their age or height.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean they are abusive or dangerous, but if you spot this, it’s fair to ask, ‘Is this right for me?’
“Most of us probably don’t want to date someone who is presenting themselves as someone they are not.”
But that’s not the only white lie your date could dupe you with – there are seven red flags, according to Rhian, which might indicate a potential partner is telling porkies.
1. ‘Too good to be true’ dating profiles
If someone’s profile looks highly managed with model-like photos, and it all feels just a bit too good to be true, then it probably is.
People have been known to use AI photos or internet pictures that aren’t even them. Trust your intuition and if something in your gut gives you the impression it isn’t right, then it might be fake.
Look for photos of them doing a genuine hobby, such as playing golf.
Skinny dipping, body counts & menace girl summer: it’s de-cuffing season | Date. Delete. Repeat.
But they should be on a course really playing, not just posing up nearby.
I like it when other people are in their photos, at a family barbecue, for example. This shows someone is a genuine person.
2. Question dodging
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Vague answers can be a sign your date isn’t being truthfulCredit: Getty
Sometimes you might get chatting to someone and find they are dodging your questions.
You ask where they work, and they just say ‘all over the place’ or ‘I travel a lot’. That’s a red flag.
You might ask where and they say ‘the south west’, but that’s a big place.
Whilst I’d never expect someone to be specific, it’s reasonable to have some idea of what someone does and which town they live in before you meet up.
The same goes for relationship status. If they are being cagey or say ‘it’s complicated’, that’s not a promising sign.
3. Refuses a video call
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If they refuse to do a video call before a date it can be a red flagCredit: Getty
You can rule out a lot of fibs by meeting on a video call before a real date.
If they weren’t the age they told you, or the height, you’d know instantly.
If they say no to the call, what is it they don’t want you to see? Maybe they are sitting on the couch with their partner.
Liars can be very clever, so whilst you can never 100 per cent protect yourself, a video call beforehand is a great way of weeding out fibbers.
4. You share the same loves and hobbies
What some liars will do is ask an awful lot of questions about you.
Then they’ll say, ‘Oh, I love that too. ‘ It might be what you like to eat, where you like to hang out, whether you like swimming or going to the cinema.
What they are doing is painting themselves as your ideal partner and setting up a web of lies so you almost fall in love before you meet them.
This is a very negative trait, often used by narcissists, and they are very likely disingenuous.
If whatever you love, they love, it’s not always a good sign.
5. Overly rehearsed anecdotes
If they are telling stories or anecdotes that feel a little too polished rather than spontaneously shared, maybe they are not telling the whole truth.
When every detail is just so, you should be wondering what they have left out.
Look out for inconsistencies in their tales.
Perhaps in one version of the story, they were with a friend, then their brother.
Maybe it was last week the first time they told you, then last year.
And if they always paint themselves as the hero of the story, the one always in the right, perhaps they are not being 100 per cent honest.
6. Little or no digital footprint
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If someone has no presence online, it could be a cause for concernCredit: Getty
Most of us have a very big digital footprint these days. If there is nothing about them online, ask about it.
If they deleted a profile, why? If they have profiles under different names, why?
We can all look someone up before going on a date, and it’s healthy to do so. You might see they used to have a different job and switched careers, or their hair colour is different.
Just say ‘I did a sneaky Google of you’. If they are a genuine person, they won’t mind.
They’ll laugh and say, ‘Yes, I used to have red hair’. If they are cagey, something is up.
7. Suspicious smartphone activity
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A phone always being place down on a table could mean they are hiding somethingCredit: Getty
Perhaps they are unusually protective of their phone when you meet up.
They might turn it face down or step away to reply.
They might not want you to see notifications pop up if it’s from a partner or someone else they are dating.
If you are on a date, they shouldn’t be on their phone too much anyway.
If they are, they might be texting their partner to say they are going to be late home from work.
Of course, this is not always the case but if they are on their phone a lot – ask why – and see how they react.
Why do people catfish others on dating apps?
Speaking to Techopedia, professional dating coach Jacob Lucas reveals how to see if someone is a catfish on dating apps.
A lot of people are insecure about themselves. They may not be very confident about dating or making friends, or about the way they look, so they create this fake persona. When they get attention and receive compliments, they then feel validated.
Very often, catfishes are in that person’s life already, so they already know them. Sometimes, it can be started off as a joke and then it spirals out of control. People can become addicted to it and it becomes a habit.
The third reason is that as weird as it sounds, they think they’re doing the right thing. If it’s a friend who has a lot of bad luck in their love life, they want to give them confidence. But they often get stuck in the habit and can’t stop doing it.
And finally, its could be that the person is trying to extort money from the other person. They may ask for a small amount of money to pay for their electricity bill for example to start off with, but if they do, it can spiral into a large amount of money. They use romance to get people to send them money.
Beauty boxes are a great way to try out new products or stock up on favourites, and the Boots Fresh Faced Skincare Set has everything needed for a routine refresh.
Six out of the nine products inside are full-size, including Lumene’s Glow Boost Essence, which is worth £34 (more than the entire beauty box) when purchased separately.
Beauty of Joseon is the Korean beauty brand that’s been all over social media lately, and shoppers will receive its popular Matte Sun Stick.
The products also come with a stylish checked print washbag that’s ideal for storing away beauty essentials.
The £30 set only has a few reviews currently, all of which are five-star.
One shopper wrote: “This set is excellent value for money if you want to try some new brands and level up your skincare routine, and the bag itself is very good quality, plus it would make an excellent gift.”
Another added: “The bag included is very good quality that will last years and I got lots of products for a great price.
I bought this for myself to try some new products but it would also make an excellent gift.”
Shoppers caused mass sell-outs on the Boots website earlier in the month after the retailer launched its Luxury Haircare Beauty Box.
Featuring £219 worth of products for £45, the haircare edit didn’t stay in stock for long.
Lookfantastic also released a new beauty box recently, and the Trending Beauty Box comes with nine viral favourites worth £110 for £40.
The Boots Fresh Faced Favourites Beauty Box is still in stock for now, but if it’s anything like the retailer’s other new releases, it’s going to sell fast.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow
USB Lavoro Privato easyJet workers are due to walk out tomorrow(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Passengers have been told to expect a ‘perfect storm’ of disruption when three separate strikes coincide to potentially cause travel chaos this week.
EasyJet customers travelling to or from Italy tomorrow may face a triple-whammy of disruption, starting with the airline’s air crew going on strike. The budget airline’s flight attendants belonging to European trade union USB Lavoro Privato are set to walk out tomorrow, potentially resulting in widespread disruption to the airline’s services tomorrow.
Although easyJet has not announced the cancellation of any flights yet, there is potential for considerable disruption involving UK flights. EasyJet is scheduled to run services from the UK to Milan, Naples, Catania and Caserta tomorrow.
However, the budget airline has told the Mirror that is does not expect any disruption to its schedule.
The scale of the likely disruption is not yet clear(Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
There are two other strikes taking place tomorrow that may impact travellers. Taxi services in cities including Rome, Naples and Turin may be significantly limited due to a series of strikes by local drivers.
Workers at Swissport an airport ground services and handling company that lists easyJet, British Airways, TUI and Wizz among its customers, are set to walkout, also on Wednesday. All strikes are set to take place between 1pm and 5pm CET (12pm and 4pm UK time).
While easyJet staff plan to strike nationally, the airports most likely to be affected by the handler strikes include two of Milan’s major air hubs, Malpensa and Linate airports.
Anton Radchenko, CEO at air passenger rights experts AirAdvisor, said: “Strikes by easyJet staff and workers from one of the airline’s key handling partners could present a perfect storm of disruption for passengers planning to fly with the company on the 28th.
“These strikes represent the fourth wave of easyJet staff strikes in 2025 already, with staff previously walking out in February, March and April this year – and four sets of strikes in four months suggests that discontent from the airline’s workers could be a theme that continues throughout the year.
“While easyJet can’t be blamed for Swissport staff striking on the same day – the two strikes combining gives the airline a real headache to try and navigate, as Swissport works with easyJet on airport operations. As these strikes specifically involve easyJet staff, you may be due compensation of up to £520 if your flight is cancelled. This is because that disruption to journeys caused by airline staff taking industrial action is viewed as within its control, i.e. they could have prevented the strikes from happening through negotiations.
“Likewise, if your easyJet flight is delayed by over three hours as a result of the strikes, you may be due compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is moved to the day after you were originally due to travel, easyJet will be responsible for putting you up in overnight accommodation.
“As well as Wednesday 28th, it’s possible that easyJet services in the days that follow will be affected. If your journey is disrupted, keep evidence like SMS or email notifications from the airline as evidence, and use a free compensation calculator to establish what you may be owed.”
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “There is no impact expected to our flying programme tomorrow.”
James and Georgina Nair, both 78, have been coming to Tenerife for 30 years, usually twice a year. But, since they became pensioners, they have made just the one annual trip
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter and Miranda Pell
14:50, 26 May 2025
James and Georgina Nair have visited Tenerife for the last 30 years(Image: Tim Merry)
A Liverpool couple who have been regular visitors to Tenerife for three decades are now cutting back on their trips due to soaring costs.
James and Georgina Nair, both 78, from West Derby, Liverpool, cherish Tenerife as a “special” place and are planning to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary there next year. The pair, James, a retired engineer, and Georgina, a former seamstress, have enjoyed the Spanish island’s charms for 30 years, typically visiting twice annually. However, since retiring, they’ve reduced their visits to once a year.
“We’d be lost without a holiday like this,” but noted that the area has undergone changes, not all of which they appreciate. Complaining about rising prices, Mr Nair told the Express: “Everywhere you go now, everything’s double the price.”
Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, is a popular holiday destination for many Brits(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Georgina raised the increased cost of a gin and tonic, now around €7.50 (£6.30), lamenting the switch from draft to bottled mixers, which incurs extra charges. Her husband reminisced about the wider availability of Carling beer in the past, noting that while local beers are often cheaper, he remains loyal to his preferred British brand.
Despite these gripes, the Nairs acknowledge that Tenerife has seen improvements, with many bars having “changed hands” and “modernised”. Georgina concluded with affection for the island: “I love it here. The different hotels, different character.”
She reminisced about how they often visited a local pub over the years, which has since changed its character.
Recent months have seen protesters flooding the streets of Tenerife and the Canary Islands, voicing their concerns over the impact of over-tourism. When The Express quizzed the retirees on their views, James expressed his disapproval: “Personally, I don’t like what they’re doing. Ordinary tourists like me and my wife, we give more to the economy.”
He continued, highlighting the irony of the situation: “We’ve only come for a holiday. They’ve shot themselves in the foot. Many people are employed in hotels – they’d be out of work. They’re going after their own people.” He also noted that during the pandemic, Tenerife’s tourist hotspots “suffered a lot”.
Georgina chimed in with her perspective: “It’s a special place, we know the area very well. We can understand where they come from. But we help them.”
The rising price of a break in many popular Spanish destinations has given some Brits cause to pause before booking a holiday in recent years. As has the rise of protests aimed at overtourism issues.
“Spain has been at the forefront of locals’ overtourism protests – perhaps 100,000 massed across the Canaries last weekend – and cruise limits are in place in Barcelona and Palma. This is not just about cruise passengers, though. There are wider issues of mass beach and city tourism in Spain and beyond and the impact it can have on a community,” the Mirror’s travel editor Nigel Thompson recently wrote on the topic.
“That said, we should not forget the huge amount of valuable income tourism can generate. Billions poured into economies and hundreds of thousands of jobs are not to be ignored, just as the grievances of locals in destinations are not to be ignored either. A very tricky issue to balance out.”
AMAZON is now weeks away from shutting down an app that’s been used by hundreds of millions of people.
There are major downsides for affected users – and you might even be owed a big refund.
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The Amazon Appstore is being killed off on AndroidCredit: Amazon
Millions of people using the Amazon Appstore will be cut off in mid-August.
The closure affects anyone using the app on Android phones.
Amazon’s Appstore is a rival to the default Google Play Store, letting you download apps and games. It launched on Android all the way back in March 2011.
But on August 20, the Amazon Appstore will close – and any apps downloaded from it will no longer receive updates.
That means support will end for all apps you’ve downloaded via the Amazon Appstore.
They may become buggy or stop work entirely, and won’t be able to receive any important security fixes either.
In an FAQ, Amazon warned that these apps “will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices”.
Amazon has already begun killing the Appstore off by blocking developers from uploading new apps to it.
Amazon Prime cancels TEN TV shows this year – including A-list actor’s horror drama and beloved cult classic’s reboot
“In our ongoing effort to streamline and improve our services and programs, we are making some changes to Amazon Appstore for Android devices and Amazon Coins program,” Amazon explained.
“We will be discontinuing support of Amazon Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025. As of February 20, 2025, developers will no longer have the option to submit new apps targeting Android devices.
“However, developers will have the option to submit updates to their existing live apps on Amazon Appstore for Android devices until August 20, 2025.”
Amazon added: “All existing apps on Amazon Appstore for Android devices will continue to be available to customers until August 20, 2025. Developers can continue to submit app updates until August 20, 2025.”
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The change only affects Android phones – and not Fire TV devicesCredit: Google
It’s worth noting that the Amazon Appstore is only shutting down on Android phones.
The Amazon Appstore was never available on iOS for iPhone, so it can’t disappear because it was never there.
The base rate is the rate charged by the BoE to smaller high street banks on loans, with any fall usually mirrored in savings rates.
Newcastle Building Society is reducing rates on the 37 personal savings accounts by 0.25 percentage points.
The Double Access Saver/ISA (Issue 4) will drop from 4.05% to 3.80%, for customers eligible for a bonus interest rate.
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Cash Lifetime ISA (Issue 3) will fall from 2.70% to 2.45%.
The Newcastle Junior Cash ISA will be cut from 3.75% to 3.50% and the Regular Saver Plus from 2.50% to 2.25% for anyone receiving the bonus interest rate.
Customers with fixed-rate savings accounts won’t see interest rates fall from June 5.
Interest rates on two variable rate savings accounts – the Loyalty Saver (Issue 1) and Quadruple Access Saver/ISA (Issue 1) – will also not change as they have only been available to customers since April 24.
You can view the table above to find out how the interest rate on your savings account has changed.
Or, you can visit www.newcastle.co.uk/savings/manage-your-savings-account/interest-rates and click on “Current and Closed Issue Variable Savings Interest Rates”.
What is the Bank of England base rate and how does it affect me?
The Sun asked Newcastle Building Society to comment.
MAJOR BANKS CUTTING RATES
A host of banks are reducing interest rates on savings accounts as the BoE continues to cut its base rate.
It comes after the BoE cut its base rate from 4.50% to 4.25% on May 8.
The central bank raises its base rate to discourage people from spending and encourage them to save, which in turn is designed to make inflation fall.
It lowers its base rate when inflation is under control, meaning people are encouraged to spend and pump money into the economy.
A lower base rate signals good news for those with mortgages who see the interest rates charged on them fall.
However, it’s usually bad news for those with savings accounts as banks slash interest rates.
If you’ve got a savings account with an interest rate set to drop, it might be worth shopping around for a better deal now.
Check out comparison sites like moneysavingexpert.com and moneyfactscompare.co.uk to browse the best out there.
According to Moneyfacts, Chip is offering the best rate on an easy access savings account, with a rate of 4.77%.
Meanwhile, the best easy access cash ISA is also with Chip and offering a rate of 4.99%.
Always look beyond just the headline interest rate on any savings account though.
Some offer additional perks which can make them more cost-effective and suited to you, based on your circumstances.
For example, some offer you access to free TV subscriptions or cheaper or free cinema tickets.
Different types of accounts pay out interest at different times too while others will offer a bonus interest rate which falls after a set period.
Some savings accounts penalise you for making withdrawals over a certain limit.
Meanwhile, ISAs can be effective for saving cash as any interest earned on them is tax-free.
Read more below about the different types of savings accounts and what they offer.
SAVING ACCOUNT TYPES
THERE are four types of savings accounts fixed, notice, easy access, and regular savers.
Separately, there are ISAs or individual savings accounts which allow individuals to save up to £20,000 a year tax-free.
But we’ve rounded up the main types of conventional savings accounts below.
FIXED-RATE
A fixed-rate savings account or fixed-rate bond offers some of the highest interest rates but comes at the cost of being unable to withdraw your cash within the agreed term.
This means that your money is locked in, so even if interest rates increase you are unable to move your money and switch to a better account.
Some providers give the option to withdraw, but it comes with a hefty fee.
NOTICE
Notice accounts offer slightly lower rates in exchange for more flexibility when accessing your cash.
These accounts don’t lock your cash away for as long as a typical fixed bond account.
You’ll need to give advance notice to your bank – up to 180 days in some cases – before you can make a withdrawal or you’ll lose the interest.
EASY-ACCESS
An easy-access account does what it says on the tin and usually allows unlimited cash withdrawals.
These accounts tend to offer lower returns, but they are a good option if you want the freedom to move your money without being charged a penalty fee.
REGULAR SAVER
These accounts pay some of the best returns as long as you pay in a set amount each month.
You’ll usually need to hold a current account with providers to access the best rates.
However, if you have a lot of money to save, these accounts often come with monthly deposit limits.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
A couple months ago, Essential Vintage told followers on social that it would be closing down after they had been “priced out” because of bigger players in the market such as Vinted.
This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look’s 8,000-strong workforce.
It’s understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers.
The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is hitting retailers hard – and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin.
The MX-30, which made its world debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV that offered EV, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid variants.
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Mazda’s first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviewsCredit: SUPPLIED
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The MX-30’s 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivalsCredit: Supplied
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New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV marketCredit: SUPPLIED
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Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticisedCredit: Supplied
But now, it’s quietly reached the end of its production lifespan.
Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against competitors such as the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008.
However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality.
One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 – aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors – was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery.
The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car’s weight, certainly improved handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production.
However, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers.
Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles, highlighting the MX-30’s shortcomings.
WHAT’S NEXT?
While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK.
This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda.
What’s more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3.
A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold – particularly in light of the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers’ new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production.
As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: “Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.”
As part of an epic 10-year programme to transform its hub, one major UK airport has revealed its latest multi-million pound investment plan to turn around a controversial terminal
The terminal has attracted a flurry of criticism online(Image: Getty Images)
One of the UK’s busiest airports has finally revealed plans to transform its terminal which Brits have branded ‘truly abysmal’. Handling around 30 million passengers every year, Manchester Airport is the largest of its kind in the north of England – with around 261 flights leaving the hub daily.
However, last year the airport came bottom in Which?’s league tables, after the consumer brand analysed responses from almost 7,000 members. Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3 received a measly 37 per cent approval rate – with travellers giving it just two stars for queues at the checkin-desk, bag drop, and passport control.
The tiny terminal, which mainly deals with low-cost airlines like Ryanair, only managed to scrape one star for queues at security, level of seating available, staff, and prices in shops, bars and restaurants. On social media, it’s clear the terminal’s reputation isn’t much better.
The terminal ranked at the bottom of Which?’s league tables(Image: Bruce Moran)
“Manchester Airport Terminal 3 is the depths of hell,” one person moaned on X (formerly Twitter). Another agreed, scathing: “Manchester Terminal 3, you are awful.” A third added: “Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport is truly abysmal,” while a fourth dubbed it the ‘worst’ terminal in the UK.
However, last week (May 13, 2025) Manchester Airport revealed a huge multi-million pound investment to revamp Terminal 3, as part of its £1.3 billion transformation programme. The mega face-lift, which aims to free-up space and improve the passenger experience, will see a new entrance with ‘more space, easier access and better facilities’.
T3 is about to look a whole lot different – thanks to a £1.3 billion transformation plan(Image: Manchester Airport)
The terminal will also welcome brand new security equipment and 40 per cent more seating capacity in the departure lounge, along with new shops and food and drink outlets, located both airside and landside. Grabbing a pint or meal pre-flight will also get a whole lot easier, as the terminal revamp will include a new 500-seat bar area with airfield views, as well as a dining area expansion that will see 200 extra seats.
Terminal 3’s expansion will see Terminal 1 (as it currently is) close for good as it merges together. Terminal 2, which has already had a major revamp, will also double its size as part of the 10-year investment plan.
The expansion includes a new bar and more duty-free shops(Image: Manchester Airport)
“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3,” said Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe.
“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3. We’re doing that as well as making some all round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more. It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”
External work on the new pier on Terminal 2 – the second pier – has also taken a significant step closer to completion. The piers on the terminal are structures that extend from the main building and are home to the gates where passengers embark and disembark.
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Russia and Ukraine are expected to each swap 1,000 prisoners of war as part of deal reached at recent talks in Istanbul.
Russia has received a list of names of prisoners of war (POWs) that Ukraine wants freed as part of an expected exchange between the two countries, a Kremlin spokesperson told the Russian news agency Interfax.
Dmitry Peskov told Interfax on Thursday that the list had been received after Moscow gave Kyiv its own list of prisoners it wants released.
The exchange – which will see each side free 1,000 POWs in what would be the largest swap of the war – was agreed to during talks last week in the Turkish capital, Istanbul.
Those discussions marked the first direct peace negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since 2022, the year the war began.
In advance of the meeting, Ukraine had called for a 30-day ceasefire, but Moscow rejected the proposal, agreeing only to the prisoner swap.
Ukrainian officials have since accused Russia of deliberately delaying peace talks while consolidating territorial gains on the battlefield.
The major prisoner swap is a “quite laborious process” that “requires some time”, said Peskov, adding that “the work is continuing at a quick pace.”
“Everybody is interested in doing it quickly,” the Kremlin spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that the deal “to release 1,000 of our people from Russian captivity was perhaps the only tangible result of the meeting in Turkiye”.
“We are working to ensure that this result is achieved,” he said in a post on X.
Zelenskyy added that Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is overseeing the exchange process, supported by several Ukrainian government ministries, intelligence agencies and the president’s own office.
“The return of all our people from Russian captivity is one of Ukraine’s key priorities,” Zelenskyy said. “I am grateful to everyone who is contributing to this effort.”
As Ukraine, the European Union, and the United States press Moscow to return to negotiations, Peskov dismissed reports about future peace talks taking place at the Vatican, saying, “There is no concrete agreement about the next meetings.”
US President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Monday and urged an end to the “bloodbath”.
Putin thanked Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, and said his government “will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace accord”.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry said on Thursday that its air defences shot down 105 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 35 over the Moscow region.
The ministry said it downed 485 Ukrainian drones over several regions and the Black Sea between late Tuesday and early Thursday.
In southern Ukraine, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin also said on Thursday that one person was killed in a Russian artillery attack on the region.
He said 35 areas in the Kherson region, including the city of Kherson, came under artillery shelling and air attacks over the past day, wounding 11 people.
Zelenskyy said the “most intense situation” remains in the Donetsk region, however, while Ukrainian forces continue “active operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions” inside Russia.
