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Democrats in the United States have approved a shakeup to their 2028 presidential primary calendar as the party looks to take back the White House.

During a meeting on Saturday in Austin, Texas, Democratic National Committee (DNC) members voted to overhaul which states have the first say in picking the party’s presidential nominee.

South Carolina will once again take centre stage as the party’s first official nominating contest, with its Democratic primary scheduled for January 22, 2028.

Nevada will go second on February 1, followed by New Hampshire on February 8. New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia will round out the early states over the course of that month.

The new calendar formalises a change that began during the last presidential election cycle in 2024, when the national Democratic Party similarly put South Carolina at the front of its primary lineup.

The 2028 primaries set up a more competitive calendar for Democrats, giving greater influence to states with more racial diversity, in an effort to better represent the party’s key constituencies.

Debate over primary calendar

But plans to reshape the primary calendar have been met with controversy in the past.

In 2024, for instance, local leaders in New Hampshire defied party leaders by holding a state-run primary ahead of the first party-led vote in South Carolina. As justification, New Hampshire officials cited a state law requiring their primary to be the first in the nation.

There was also pushback in Iowa, whose state caucus had ushered in the primary season for decades.

Iowa Democrats warned that moving the state lower in the party’s calendar could send the wrong signal to rural voters, who often feel overlooked in national politics and tend to lean rightward.

Still, proponents of the calendar change argue that it will help the Democratic primaries better mirror the overall population of the US.

South Carolina has normally been Democrats’ first contest in the southern US, and it has a significant population of Black voters. Roughly a quarter of the state identifies as Black, according to census estimates.

Nevada and New Mexico, meanwhile, have large Latino or Hispanic populations, with 31 percent and 49 percent of their residents identifying as such, respectively. All three states will be at the forefront of the primary calendar, come 2028.

DNC Chairman Ken Martin took to social media on Saturday to tout the changes as capturing the demographic shifts in the country.

“These states reflect the diversity of America and will help ensure our nominee is best positioned to take back the White House in 2028,” Martin wrote on X.

Ongoing party feud

Iowa and New Hampshire both have overwhelmingly white electorates, and critics have long argued the two states have played outsized roles in shaping presidential elections.

Notching early victories in the party primaries can help a candidate build momentum, and that, in turn, can help presidential hopefuls secure party nominations.

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who led the DNC from 2005 to 2009, told The Associated Press (AP) news agency that the calendar changes will make for a more representative nominating process.

“These states look more like the country,” Dean said, pointing to places like South Carolina and Nevada, “whereas Iowa and New Hampshire don’t”.

But it remains uncertain how the new calendar could affect the growing intra-party feud between progressive and more moderate, establishment candidates.

Democrats in Michigan, one of the states given a boost in the calendar shakeup, narrowly voted earlier this month to select progressive Abdul El-Sayed as their Senate nominee.

Given that Michigan will now have an earlier say in the voting process, some experts have speculated that the swing state could help progressives assert greater influence over the party overall.

But other states given more prominence in the 2028 lineup have a more moderate streak.

South Carolina, for instance, favoured then-candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 primaries over his more progressive opponents, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

“I think our primary voters up north are probably a little different than primary voters in South Carolina,” Boyd Brown, a former DNC member from South Carolina, told AP.

Here is the full list of the six states that will have the first say in Democrats’ 2028 presidential primaries:

• South Carolina: January 22, 2028
• Nevada: February 1, 2028
• New Hampshire: February 8, 2028
• New Mexico: February 15, 2028
• Michigan: February 22, 2028
• Virginia: February 29, 2028

A couple appearing on Escape To The Country were forced to leave their dream home after a major setback

A couple desperate for a fresh start were left facing a heart-breaking wait.

The duo wanted to start a new chapter and move to the countryside following a devastating accident that changed their lives forever. But their plans were put on hold because their current property is yet to sell so they couldn’t put an offer on their dream property.

Sarah and Matt appeared on a previous episode of the Escape to the Country as they searched for a fresh start in the Herefordshire countryside following a devastating cycling accident.

The couple had been happily settled in Berkshire when tragedy struck in 2019. Matt was involved in a horrific cycling accident which left him needing to have his arm amputated. He was airlifted to hospital and spent a month in a coma following the crash.

Years on from the life-changing accident, the couple were hoping a move to the countryside could mark the beginning of a brighter chapter.

With a budget of £650,000, they were looking for a modern or new-build property with at least three bedrooms, bathrooms on more than one floor, room to park their camper van and, importantly, a strong sense of community.

Presenter Sonali Shah joined them in their search — but before the property hunt got under way, Matt opened up about the accident which had turned his world upside down.

He recalled cycling downhill in wet conditions when his bike suddenly lost grip. “I was coming down a hill, but it was raining, then it was dry, then it was raining. The roads were very greasy,” he explained.

Matt said a cyclist behind him later told him that as he went around a bend, his bike “just went straight on”, sending him into an oncoming car.

Incredibly, the car was being driven by a doctor, who was travelling with her daughter and son-in-law, who were also doctors.

Their medical knowledge proved crucial in the immediate aftermath. As Matt tried to describe what happened, he became overcome with emotion.

“And her son-in-law held my head up for an…” he began, before Sarah stepped in. “An hour,” she explained. “So he turned down and Matt had stopped breathing and they knew. So most people would say don’t touch someone, but he turned Matt straight away.”

Matt later said the man had held his head for what could have been “an hour and a half” after realising he had stopped breathing. The couple’s devastating experience made their search for a new home particularly poignant.

And after viewing several properties arranged by Sonali, one house appeared to offer exactly the kind of new beginning they had been hoping for.

The Victorian property had double-aspect sitting rooms, four bedrooms and a garden stretching across half an acre. It also featured an annex extension which could be used for the couple’s business. Priced at £650,000, it was within their budget — and the house appeared to capture their imagination immediately.

For Matt, however, it represented far more than simply another property. Standing in the garden, he reflected on how dramatically his life had changed since the accident. “If I hadn’t had the accident, we wouldn’t be standing here in this garden, looking at this beautiful property,” he said.

Visibly emotional, Matt added: “It’s almost like however negative you feel, there is always a great positive to come and that’s how it feels to me. From a bad, dark place I’ve been in, this is the brightest I’ve felt in a very long time.”

But despite falling for the property and seeing it as a potential new beginning, the couple faced a frustrating obstacle. Their dream of escaping to the countryside was effectively on hold because they were still waiting to find a buyer for their existing Berkshire home.

You can stream Escape to the Country on BBC iPlayer

It is the only Spanish airport on the official new list – issues could regularly last for two hours or more

Brits jetting off to a Spanish holiday hotspot in August should pay attention to a new official airport update. Spanish media reports say that Palma Airport will be operating beyond its capacity for 18 days throughout August, according to an official analysis – for more than two hours on 10 occasions.

It has been reported that the airport in Mallorca is the only Spanish airport featured on a list of airports where Eurocontrol – the central organisation for coordination and planning of air traffic control for all of Europe – has identified mismatches between predicted demand and available capacity during August and September.

The list also features several Greek airports – Athens, Corfu, Heraklion, Kos, and Chania – alongside Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen and London’s Gatwick. As a result, Palma Airport faces an extremely busy August, Spanish media reports claim. According to Eurocontrol forecasts, it will surpass its operational capacity on 18 days, more than half the month.

On 10 of those occasions, the excess demand will stretch beyond two consecutive hours, while on the remaining eight, it will be concentrated within two-hour windows, Eurocontrol says. The capacity for Palma is set to stand at roughly 74 movements per hour, comprising approximately 33 arrivals and 40 departures, the agency says. During particular time slots, the anticipated flight demand will outstrip the number of operations the system can accommodate, says Eurocontrol.

Eurocontrol says the forecasts do not mean airports will be overwhelmed. Yet they say their analysis aims to identify periods when high concentration of flights may require measures to regulate traffic flow.

El Diario reports that the European agency projects that demand will also surpass the airport’s capacity at least eight times between September 1 and 27, with three instances stretching beyond two consecutive hours and five lasting two hours. Yet airport operator Aena has told media in the country that under no circumstances has Palma Airport been operated “beyond its declared capacity”. They say that if demand ever exceeds the established airspace capacity due to an unforeseen event, such as storms or regulatory measures, not all operations are permitted to take place simultaneously.

In such cases, they say air traffic control regulates the flow of flights through various traffic management and sequencing measures. Sources at the airport have also told Spanish media that a major overhaul there has resulted in a larger security checkpoint featuring hand luggage screening machines that do away with the need to remove liquids and electronic devices, as well as “more efficient routes throughout all areas, including the one dedicated to inter-island passengers”.

Eurocontrol said in its assessment of Europe-wide air traffic: “July 2026 set new records for air traffic. The EUROCONTROL area recorded its highest ever monthly traffic, with over 1.13 million flights and a peak of 37,659 flights on Friday 24 July. Worldwide, commercial aviation also reached an all-time high of 153,359 flights on 23 July.

“On average, capacity among the busiest 10 carriers remained stable compared to the previous week.” The update comes as tourists heading to Spain and other EU nations face the prospect of lengthy queues this summer at airports. The EU rolled out its Entry/Exit System (EES) in April, which requires passengers from the UK and other non-EU countries to register their fingerprints, photograph and personal details upon their first arrival. This has resulted in lengthy hold-ups for countless passengers.

EES delays lead to big increase in waiting times at EU airports

The Financial Times reported this month that peak waiting times at two major European airports – Munich and Frankfurt – have doubled this summer compared with the same period last year, following the EU’s chaotic rollout of its new electronic border system. Mallorca is amongst the many airports where significant delays have been reported on multiple occasions throughout the year..

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said the system should be moved online. “Only the Europeans would invent s*** like this,” he told investors last month, adding that the airline had witnessed substantial queues at around 15 airports.

The scorching temperatures are also heaping further pressure on the airport, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The publication reported that Palma Airport workers are once again demanding the immediate reopening of the airport canteen.

Staff say the facility is essential as somewhere they can eat and take refuge from the sweltering summer heat. The Balearic Government has urged airport operator Aena to reopen the venue as swiftly as possible.

Reports suggest that officials believe Aena is currently working to adapt the premises with the aim of getting the canteen back up and running in the near future.

A EUROPEAN airport has been forced to close for the third day in a row as a volcano eruption continues to disrupt thousands of passengers.

Flights at Catania Airport in Sicily, Italy, will now be suspended until at least early Saturday due to ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing volcanic eruption.

Over the course of this week hundreds of flights have been cancelled with further flights diverted to neighbouring airport Palermo.

The airport has been closed for three days now, with flights disrupted over the past seven days.

In the latest update on its website, the airport states: “Due to Mount Etna’s eruptive activity, the closure of Sector C1 and B3 has been extended, resulting in the suspension of departures and arrivals until 2:00 AM on August 15.

“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

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“Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”

Flights cancelled today include:

• 10:50am easyJet service to Bristol Airport
• 11:45am easyJet service to Edinburgh Airport
• 12:15pm easyJet service to London Gatwick
• 12:30pm BA Euroflyer service to London Gatwick

In total, nine flights to the UK are cancelled today as well as nine flights from the UK due to arrive at Catania.

Over the past days, more than 700 flights have been cancelled.

Families have also been left stranded at the airport, with videos on social media showing how some passengers have resorted to sleeping on luggage belts at the airport.

The impact has spread further than the Sicilian airport as well, with Malta International Airport forced to cancel 19 flights earlier this week too.

Profile

RON UNZ

* Born: Sept. 20, 1961, Los Angeles

* Residence: Palo Alto

* Current position: Full-time candidate for governor, on leave from managing his small software company.

* Education: Bachelor’s degrees in physics and history, Harvard University. Phi Beta Kappa. Recipient of a Churchill Science Fellowship to Cambridge University in England, where he studied quantum gravitation under Stephen Hawking.

* Career highlights: In the late 1980s, Unz took a leave of absence from Stanford University, where he was enrolled in a Ph.D. program in theoretical physics. He worked as an associate at a New York City mortgage finance company. In 1988, he founded Wall Street Analytics Inc., a financial services software company.

* Family: Unmarried

The Record

Ron Unz has no public record and brings an unusual, if not unique, background to his quest for California’s top public office. He has a strong record of academic and intellectual achievement. His IQ has been estimated at 214–what one expert calls “one in a million”–and as a teen-ager he won first place in the national Westinghouse talent search competition for a paper on black holes. He is a physicist as well as an expert on the Spartan naval empire.

After working for a New York City mortgage finance company, Unz founded his own small firm that sells specialized computer programs to Wall Street firms. The firm has become highly successful during the last six years and has made Unz a wealthy man.

Although he has no political experience, he says he has long had an interest in politics and has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to conservative think tanks and causes.

Unz says his years in the business world have prepared him well to govern California. “In terms of the sectors of the American economy that create wealth, I have more experience than the other four candidates together, times a factor of a few,” he said.

The Speech: In His Own Words

I believe that the Republican Party stands for clear principles and firm ideas–smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations and traditional values–and that Pete Wilson stands for nothing except his political ambition.

Over the past three years, Pete Wilson and the Democrats have enacted the largest state tax increase in American history, deepening our recession and destroying jobs. Pete Wilson and the Democrats have led our Golden State to the brink of ruin. A choice between Pete Wilson and the Democrats means no choice at all for the people of California.

Unlike Pete Wilson, I have not abandoned the mainstream of the Republican Party . . . and its basic principles. . . . Under Ronald Reagan, these were the ideas which swept the nation and the world. I am the Republican candidate for governor.

Unlike Pete Wilson, my affiliation with the Republican Party is not hereditary: I come from a family of Democrats. But when that former Democrat Ronald Reagan transformed the Republican Party into the party of the ordinary working people of America, it became my party.

Unlike Pete Wilson, I didn’t attend an elite prep school, but received my education in the public schools of Los Angeles, back when they still provided an outstanding education for all of our children, rich and poor alike. It was this education which provided me with the tools of opportunity I needed to achieve economic success. But today, I am disgusted by the decay of our school system.

Unlike Pete Wilson, I don’t believe we should raise taxes again and again, until our entrepreneurs and small businesses are faced with some of the highest tax rates in America, driving our jobs and prosperity to other states. . . .

Unlike Pete Wilson, who has been on government and political payrolls for almost 30 years as a lifelong career politician, I come from the private business sector, the part of our economy which actually creates the wealth, provides the jobs and pays the taxes. I understand the value of money and the long hours required to earn it. I reject the waste that is routinely accepted by the special interest politicians who don’t understand what it’s like to earn a living in the real world.

Unlike Pete Wilson, who has little or no comprehension of the industries of tomorrow, I come from a scientific and technological background. I know that California’s future prosperity cannot be based merely upon jobs to build and maintain Pete Wilson’s endless array of future prisons.

I know that the high-technology industries of tomorrow such as computers, telecommunications, biotechnology and the entertainment industry can be the foundation of California’s prosperity. I see that the widespread adoption of telecommuting could make our freeway traffic jams a thing of the past. . . .

My grandparents came to California in the 1920s and 1930s as poor European immigrants, willing to work hard to provide a better life for their children.

I am a native-born Californian who remembers the hope and optimism and endless sense of possibility which the California Dream once meant to us. Our state has the finest climate, enormous natural beauty, and tremendous scientific and technological resources unequaled any place in the world.

The primary obstacle on our road to recovery is the deep failure of our own overgrown state government. Join with me in overcoming this one obstacle, and together we can restore the Golden State which we all remember.

A REGIONAL UK airport has issued a warning for all travellers heading to the airport from this weekend.

The Metro at Newcastle Airport will close between August 15-23 for repair works.

No trains will run between the airport and South Gosforth across the week while repairs are carried out on the tracks, stations and cabling.

Trains will be cancelled from 5am on August 15 to 11:59pm on August 23.

During the nine-day disruption, there will be replacement bus services.

Travellers are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for travelling.

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Trains will be running elsewhere on the line.

Travel North East states on its website: “Your journey will take longer, so please plan ahead and leave extra time for travelling.”

Newcastle Airport recently completed a major upgrade that including refurbishing the departures area by adding 450 new seats.

This was part of a larger project that will grow the airport from eight million passengers by 2035 and nine million by 2040.

The project will include a three-storey airport extension with more restaurants.

There will also be two additional luggage carousels and 20 new plane stands by 2040.

First La Liga match: Alaves v Getafe, Saturday 15 August, 18:30 (BST)

Jose Mourinho returning to Real Madrid 13 years after his first spell as manager ended was a reunion nobody saw coming.

Many expected Real to dominate La Liga and the Champions League when they signed Kylian Mbappe in 2024, and while he has impressed, the team as a whole has not gelled.

Last season Real looked like two teams on the same pitch – a group of four superstar attackers, and a fragile defensive unit left vulnerable to counter-attacks.

New signings Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva should help shore things up, while Yan Diomande could provide even more excitement in the final third.

Vinicius Junior has also recently agreed a new deal after being linked with Arsenal.

Some suggest a veteran Mourinho has had his day – can he manage the egos of Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius after his previous time in charge at the Bernabeu ended following dressing room disquiet, and does the Special One still possess the tactical acumen to seriously challenge Barcelona?

Hansi Flick’s side were not as formidable last season as in 2024-25, but a squad full of Spanish World Cup winners are still favourites to win a third consecutive league title.

Replacing the goals of Robert Lewandowski will not be easy, but reinforcements have arrived in the shape of Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.

As usual, Atletico Madrid will look to muscle their way into the top two, with Villarreal and Real Betis heading up the best of the rest.

After fighting their way up from the third tier, Malaga will look to avoid the drop with a budget but tightknit squad – they have been under judicial administration since 2020.

There will be tears in Valencia as Los Che play their final campaign at the iconic Mestalla stadium, but who knows if Uefa Conference League runners-up Rayo Vallecano will be able to play any home games at all.

The regional government of Madrid has stripped the club of its license to host matches at its rented Vallecas stadium due to the dilapidated state of the facilities.

Patients forced to move as part of hospital shut after burst pipe sends A&E into choas

A hospital department on Channel 5’s Casualty 24/7 was thrown into chaos.

Patients were forced to leave their cubicles after part of a hospital was shut when a burst pipe sent water and steam crashing through the ceiling.

During Wednesday’s episode of the hit show, the emergency department at Barnsley Hospital was plunged into turmoil after the unexpected incident left a large section of the hospital out of use.

Staff were forced to evacuate patients from the affected area and move equipment into corridors as they battled to keep the busy A&E department running.

Three fire engines were called to the South Yorkshire hospital after steam began pouring through the ceiling and part of it came down while doctors were working below.

At first, staff did not know what they were dealing with and feared the fumes could potentially have been gas. A member of staff explained that patients had to be evacuated from the cubicles as steam continued to pour down from the ceiling.

The trolleys were also moved into the back corridor, while staff initially feared the substance could be gas, prompting them to call the fire service.

The incident meant the entire back section of the emergency department had to be shut while staff worked to make the area safe.

With patients still waiting to be seen, the team had to find ways of continuing to treat people despite losing a significant part of the department.

The waiting room remained full as service manager Lindsey was drafted in to help Sister Jo get the department back on track.

Fortunately, nobody was injured during the dramatic incident. Lindsey said: “Nobody was injured, thankfully. Fortunately, it started slowly dripping first so people were standing back looking up as the ceiling came in.”

But the disruption created yet another challenge for staff working in an already pressured environment.

She said: “It’s already a difficult environment to work in, so any additional pressure on top of that is only going to make it even more difficult.”

Staff were forced to improvise, moving computers and equipment as they attempted to keep the department functioning.

One nurse said: “Just getting on really. There’s nothing you can do. They told us to get laptops and make it work.” Another added: “It’s a change but that’s ED for you, isn’t it? Got to work with what you’ve got.” The scale of the disruption on behalf of the hospital was out of use for the day.

Lindsey said she had asked the IT team to bring in computers on wheels so staff could continue working, describing the disruption as “a new challenge to add to the list.”

After hours of disruption, staff finally received some good news when another small section of the hospital was made available.

Computers could be plugged back in and some of the electrical problems had been resolved, allowing the team to start getting back to normal.

Lindsey praised the staff for how they had handled the extraordinary situation. She said: “I’m proud of the team because they handled it the way they do everything.” Meanwhile Sister Jo added: “We managed to keep on top of it and the patients got what they needed.”

You can stream Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts on Channel 5

TWO train stations are set to close for two weeks for major upgrades – including a very busy one.

Huddersfield and Slaithwaite train stations in West Yorkshire are set to close for two weeks from mid-September.

The closure is so that the stations can undergo major projects and will take place between September 19 and October 4.

The project includes completing the new £70million Huddersfield train station.

At Huddersfield station, the subway will be extended to platforms 4 and 5, which are also getting upgrades to be able to be used for longer trains.

The station roof is also getting repaired.

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Away from the stations, the railway line between Stalybridge and Mirfield will also be impacted, meaning that Mossley, Greenfield and Marsden stations will be closed between September 19 and 20 and again between October 3 and 4.

Nearby, Deighton Station, will also get a new footbridge and railway track in the area will be renewed.

Disruption for passengers won’t stop there either, as there will be another closure – this time lasting 38 days – from Christmas Eve to complete Huddersfield station before being completed in February 2027.

The entire project is part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will focus on modernising the railway between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Sophie Leishman, Transpennine Route Upgrade sponsor, said: “While we know there will be some disruption while this work takes place, these upgrades are essential to delivering the more reliable, accessible and higher-capacity railway that customers deserve.

“We’re making real progress across the route, from the redevelopment of Huddersfield station to improvements that will support longer trains, better performance and future electrification.”

Liam O’Shaughnessy, Transpennine Route Upgrade Programme Delivery Lead at Northern, said: “There will be disruption to Northern and other operators’ services during these works, with services amended and some trains replaced with buses.

“We strongly advise all customers to check before they travel and use National Rail Enquiries to plan their journeys.”

Great British Sewing Bee contestant were left shocked after a huge twist was annouced

Great British Sewing Bee judges announced a huge twist.

During Tuesday’s (August 11) episode of the BBC hit show, the sewing room was transformed for Sports Week with the eight remaining sewers facing a series of challenges designed to test everything from technical precision to their creativity under pressure.

They had to go above and beyond to impress judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young and earn their place in next week’s episode. However, not long into the show, things took an unexpected turn as Patrick revealed a major change to the competition.

Everyone was left stunned when the Savile Row tailor delivered the biggest surprise of the episode and announced that the contestants would no longer be working individually.

Just before they could get stuck into the Transformation Challenge, Sophie told the sewers: “It’s time for the transformation challenge, where you take something that’s been through the mill and give it a new lease of life.”

She then turned to Patrick and asked: “So Patrick, what have you got for them?” Patrick revealed the unusual materials waiting for the contestants.

He said: “Well as you can see, we’ve given you wind surfer sails. We want you to transform these into a two-piece outfit but for the first time in the sewing room, you will be working and being judged in pairs.”

The announcement immediately left the contestants stunned, with everyone gasping at the unexpected twist but Patrick wasn’t finished. “Which, like all classic cup competitions, will be drawn at random,” he added, meaning the sewers had no control over who they would be teaming up with.

Fashion designer Esme then laid down the challenge for the newly formed teams. “We want you to make a cohesive outfit. So, remember teamwork makes the dream work,” she explained.

Rather than being judged solely on their own individual creation, the pairs had to produce two pieces that worked together as a complete outfit – making communication just as important as technical ability.

And the choice of material was certainly not straightforward as they were presented with windsurfing sails. They had to work out how to turn a tough, technical material designed for use on the water into something fashionable and wearable, all while working against the clock.

Adele was paired with Tim, Emma had to work with Heather, Beth worked with Minnie and Rebecca’s with Anna. Despite everyone’s hard work it was Rebecca and Anna who came out on top in first place after impressing the judges with their crisscross trouser suit.

Patrick explained: “We chose this one as our winner because it was so dramatically different from the sail. But the way the whole thing ties together is exemplary.” Meanwhile Esme added: “I think it’s brilliant.”

The Great British Sewing Bee is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

DISRUPTION is continuing to cause problems for Brits heading to a major UK airport today.

If you are flying from London Heathrow Airport today you might want to check your travel route before you head off.

It comes after a tunnel at the airport has closed, leaving only one open for trains to head through.

A water leak forced the closure between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport and today, Elizabeth Line services running through the tunnel are facing severe delays.

Heathrow Express services between London Paddington and the airport are impacted, with just two running per hour instead of four.

Cancellations and delays are expected until the end of the day

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Tickets are being accepted across the Piccadilly Line as well as numerous different buses.

In a statement on Heathrow Airport’s website, it says: “Due to a partial tunnel closure, the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line are operating a reduced service to/from Heathrow.

“The Piccadilly line is operating as normal. Pre-paid Heathrow Express tickets will be accepted on the Elizabeth Line.

“Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Delays and cancellations also occurred yesterday.

There were also warnings in place for those travelling to Gatwick Airport due to local wildfires.

CHESSINGTON has reopened to guests – after being forced to cancel all tickets yesterday at the last minute.

The UK theme park announced just an hour into its opening that it would be closing, after a Thames Water outage in the area.

Due to this, the theme park wasn’t able to reopen.

In a statement issues yesterday, Chessington said: “Thank you to our guests for your patience and understanding”.

Anyone who had tickets yesterday is covered under the Return Promise.

This allows anyone affected to go back to the park at a later date, free of charge.

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However, anyone who wants a refund will have to contact the park directly.

Many families were left fuming yesterday, with many paying for train tickets and hotels as well.

One dad called it “utter shambles” as many were forced to wait outside of the gate, while another said they had spent “hundreds on an overnight stay and fast passes”.

Anyone who has travel insurance is likely to be covered, or if you paid with a credit card.

Under Section 75, any purchases made on a credit card between £100 and £30,000 are covered, which includes holiday cancellations.

A spokesperson told The Sun yesterday: “Following confirmation from Thames Water that water supply to the local area has been restored after a burst pipe, Chessington World of Adventures Resort will reopen tomorrow as normal.”

DISRUPTION is continuing to cause problems in Italy, after days of flight cancellations.

Flights at Catania Airport in Sicily were expected to restart yesterday, but there are further delays as ash caused by the eruption of Mount Etna continue to drift into the airspace.

Arrivals at Catania Airport were initially suspended until 5pm yesterday – but this has been extended until 7pm (6pm UK time) today.

A few departures are permitted to take-off at the airport, but only from runway 08.

On FlightRadar24, most departures remain cancelled with more scheduled to take-off after midday.

One easyJet flight to London Gatwick scheduled for 10.35am has been cancelled.

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And a flight to London Gatwick with British Airways this evening at 7.55pm has also been cancelled.

However, a Ryanair flight to London Stansted is scheduled for departure at 11.10am.

There has been disruption since Saturday at Catania Airport after an eruption on the volcano.

One Brit travelling home from Sicily over the weekend wrote on X: “Had a superb holiday in Sicily.

“Getting home was interesting.. Catania flight cancelled due to Etna → 3hr taxi to Palermo → flight cancelled → slept at airport → Rome → taxi to Naples → Gatwick → taxi to Luton. Only a day late but very happy to be back at the nest.”

Palermo Airport, Sicily’s other major airport on the northwest coast, remains unaffected, with flights operating as scheduled.

SEOUL, Aug. 10 (UPI) — The United States and South Korea will kick off a major joint military exercise next week, both countries announced Monday, as they prepare for evolving North Korean threats and the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul.

The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will take place Aug. 17-27 and will incorporate “realistic threats, including lessons learned from recent conflicts … to further strengthen the Alliance’s readiness and capabilities through combined, joint, all-domain operations,” the militaries said in a joint statement.

“The exercise will also serve as an opportunity to support ongoing preparations for a conditions-based wartime operational control transition, consistent with alliance agreement,” the statement added.

South Korea is looking to complete the handover of wartime command from the United States before President Lee Jae Myung’s five-year term ends in 2030. Last week, Seoul’s Defense Ministry presented its plan at a presidential briefing and reaffirmed a push to verify the combined forces’ “full operational capability,” or FOC, ahead of a meeting of the allies’ defense chiefs this fall.

FOC certification is the second phase of a three-stage operational control, or OPCON, transition plan.

“If the agreed-upon criteria are met, we anticipate being able to recommend the timing for the Future Combined Forces Command’s FOC certification and the transition at this year’s Security Consultative Meeting,” South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Capt. Jang Do-young said in a press briefing. “We are concentrating all our efforts toward this goal.”

U.S. Forces Korea spokesman Col. Ryan Donald stressed that OPCON discussions are managed through established bilateral channels and stopped short of endorsing that timeframe.

“I will not get ahead of those formal bilateral assessments or speculate on timelines,” he said.

Some 18,000 South Korean troops will take part in this year’s UFS, Jang said. U.S. Forces Korea did not disclose the number of participating troops.

The exercise will include live field maneuvers, computer simulation-based command post exercises and related civil defense drills. It will also draw on the changing nature of warfare seen in recent conflicts, including threats from drones, GPS jamming and cyberattacks, officials said.

Donald added that North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia, including its deployment of troops to help Moscow in its war against Ukraine, will be factored into the exercise.

“DPRK soldiers have deployed and fought in Ukraine and they’ve taken those lessons they learned there and brought them back to North Korea,” Donald said, using the official acronym for North Korea. “That changes the DPRK capability and our training accounts for that threat.”

The allies did not disclose the number of field training exercises that will be held this year. Local media reports have said that 14 such drills at the battalion level or higher are planned, down from 39 held during last year’s exercise.

Jang said combined field training would be conducted throughout the year in a “balanced” manner, rather than concentrated during UFS.

President Lee, who took office in June of last year, has sought to improve frayed relations with Pyongyang, and the shift in field training has been seen as an effort to lower tensions.

North Korea routinely denounces the allies’ joint exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and frequently responds with weapons tests. On Thursday, Pyongyang launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea, Seoul’s military said.

The allies stressed Monday that the exercise is defensive in nature.

“We’re up here today announcing Ulchi Freedom Shield to the entire world before it even starts,” Donald said. “UFS is not a pretext, it’s not a provocation. It’s a transparent, longstanding defensive training event.”

In addition to U.S. and South Korean forces, personnel from 11 other member states of the United Nations Command will join the exercise, Donald said, while the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will observe to monitor compliance with the Armistice Agreement.

The U.S.-led UNC plays a key role in maintaining and enforcing the armistice agreement that halted fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War, with duties that include controlling DMZ access and communicating with the North Korean military.

People told by officials that cars are also permitted go through crossings under specific rule – even when green crossing light is on

The Foreign Office has issued a warning for anyone visiting one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations this summer. Italy is one of the most popular holiday hotspots – with 4.8 million visits in 2025 according to the Office of National Statistics.

However, a new alert has been put out by officials at the Foreign Office for anyone crossing the street. It said that people in the UK are used to being able to get across safely when lights are on red.

But it explained that in Italy this could be dangerous – as drivers are allowed to turn right when the green pedestrial crossing sign is on. And the Foreign Office said people can also be fined for crossing the road.

In today’s update it said: “Traffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities. Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing. You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian crossing signal also allows cars to turn right on to the crossing, so cross with caution.

“Exercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses. Emergency exits in vehicle tunnels are for emergency use only if you need to leave your vehicle and should not be used as pedestrian routes.”

In terms of crime, the Foreign Office advice is that compared to the UK petty street crime is higher. It said :”Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions. “

Advice includes:

• keep sight of your belongings at all times
• beware of thieves using distraction techniques
• avoid carrying all your valuables together in handbags or pockets
• leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place such as a hotel safe

Cars can also be targeted: “Thefts from parked cars is common across the country. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle, even out of sight in the boot, for any length of time.

“Thieves may use a variety of methods to distract you or encourage you to stop your car, including asking for help or directions or pointing out a fictional fault with your car. “

For more information on safety from the Foreign Office about Italy click here.

MORE eruptions from a volcano in Europe has resulted in sudden flight cancellations in Sicily today.

An ash cloud drifting into airspace means that flights cannot land or take off at Catania Airport on the Italian island.

Following an eruption over the weekend and change in wind direction, an ash cloud from Mount Etna has affected airspace in Sicily.

Due to safety reasons, flights departing and arriving into Catania Airport have been cancelled or delayed until 5pm local time.

Impacted airlines include Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air.

Operator SAC said: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5:00 PM.

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“As the situation is significantly affecting operations, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport.

“The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”

One Brit travelling home from Sicily over the weekend also faced disruption, he wrote on X: “Had a superb holiday in Sicily

“Getting home was interesting.. Catania flight cancelled due to Etna → 3hr taxi to Palermo → flight cancelled → slept at airport → Rome → taxi to Naples → Gatwick → taxi to Luton. Only a day late but very happy to be back at the nest.”

Palermo Airport, Sicily’s other major aviation hub located on the northwest coast, remains unaffected, with flights operating as scheduled.

It’s not the first time this year that there has been disruption at the airport following eruptions on Mount Etna.

Last month, the volcano erupted for 10 days leaving hundreds of passengers stranded in Sicily.

Holidaymakers had to seek hotel allocation, while others travelled elsewhere to get home.

A THEME park in the UK has been forced to close at short notice due to a water outage.

Chessington World of Adventures confirmed that anyone heading to the park will have their tickets “revalidated” for a future visit.

The water outage was reported by Thames Water, which said a burst water main was affecting the KT9 area.

While repairs are underway, the park will be closed for the rest of the day.

Chessington said in a statement: “Due to a water outage in the local area affecting our operations, Chessington is closed today.

“All tickets booked for today will be automatically revalidated under our Return Promise and can be used on a future date.

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“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”

Families had already arrived at the park for the day with the park opening at 10am before closing after just one hour.

However, one dad called it “utter shambles” as many were forced to wait outside of the gate.

Another said they had spent “hundreds on an overnight stay and fast passes” before the park closed.

The theme park is one of the most popular in the UK, with around 1.5million visitors a year.

And with the summer holidays in full swing, this is likely to affect thousands of people.

Anyone who had plans to visit the park today has been told not to go.

The Return Promise allows families to visit the theme park on a different day, in the event that the park has to close.

It isn’t the only chaos for Brits going holiday today, with train disruption affecting anyone going to both London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports this morning.

And Catania Airport in Sicily has been forced to suspend flights following a weekend of chaos caused by the eruption of Mount Etna.

TWO airports in Europe that see thousands of passengers through their doors are set to close for major upgrades.

During this time flights will be diverted and one airport will see flights cancelled during both the summer holidays and October half-term.

The first major airport closing its doors to passengers is Almeria Airport in Spain which each year handles around 800,000 passengers.

In February 2028, it will shut for six days to upgrade its runway with all scheduled flights during that time to be cancelled.

Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet and Iberia which fly out of the airport have been notified by Spain’s airports operator Aena about the closure.

There will be further disruption too as the revamp is part of a 19-month €29million (£24.8million) project to upgrade the entire airport.

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During this period there will be work at night between 10:45pm and 7:10am the following day.

Between these hours, flights could be impacted as well.

Direct routes from Almeria Airport to the UK London Southend, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds Bradford and Birmingham.

The airlines will have to reschedule flights or divert the routes.

The revamp will mark the first work on the runway in 20 years.

The second major European airport to close its doors is Charleroi Airport in Brussels which will close for almost three months.

For 11 weeks, the runway will be closed for renovation and the interior airport revamped.

Flights will be impacted between August 15 and October 31 in 2028.

It will disrupt passengers heading to Brussels during the school summer holidays and October half-term break.

Airlines that operate to and from the airport from the UK include Ryanair and Wizz Air to cities Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle.

Airlines will need to reroute their flights to different airports during that time.

The airport is the second largest in Belgium – it sees 30,000 passengers each day and around 11.2million people every year.

On the development, the airport said: “A complete refurbishment of Charleroi airport’s sole runway, together with other major infrastructure modernisation works, has been scheduled by SOWAER (the company behind the works) for the second half of 2028.”

ANYONE heading to two of the UK’s busiest airports are being warned of major travel disruption until the end of the day.

Trains between central London and both Heathrow and Gatwick airports are are currently disrupted due to train issues.

A tunnel closure between Hayes and Harlington and Heathrow has caused problems this morning.

There are currently no Elizabeth Line trains between the west London station and Heathrow terminals 4 and 5 and there are also a number of delays on other lines heading to Paddington.

National Rail has said that the tunnel has been closed for safety reasons.

The Heathrow Express is also currently running on a reduced service, with two trains per hour from London Paddington instead of four.

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Disruption is also expected until the end of the day.

The tunnel closure is reportedly due to a water leak on the line.

Tickets are being accepted across the Piccadilly Line as well as numerous different buses.

There are two tunnels that link the airport to the main trainline, but with only one remaining open, trains have to wait at the tunnel to get in or out of the airport.

It is bad news for anyone heading to London Gatwick Airport as well, as there has been a fire beside the track causing delays to rail services between London and the South East.

The fire has caused damage to the overhead signalling cables and currently passengers are being asked to allow an extra 30 minutes for their journey to the airport.

Currently, services between London Victoria and Eastbourne are suspended along with Gatwick Express services.

Thameslink services which run between Three Bridges and Bedford are also suspended.

A Gatwick Express statement says: “You should travel on alternative Southern or Thameslink services towards your destination.

“If you’re travelling towards a different London terminal to normal, you will be able to change trains at stations along the route, such as Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport, or East Croydon, for a train towards your destination.

“Alternatively, you can use London Underground to travel between stations once you’ve arrived in the London area.”

MORE cheap flights to the US could soon be launching from the UK.

The airline has revealed it could be adding even more flights to some very popular cities after rise in demand after the World Cup.

Norse Atlantic Airways revealed that as a result of cutting back capacity by almost a third in July due to rising fuel prices, it could actually add more flights to its roster.

Chief executive Eivind Roald said in a statement that the airline was considering adding more flights to New York and Orlando due to a rise in demand.

It comes after the low-cost airline ran special flights to the World Cup in the US for Norway and England supporters.

New York City is famous across the globe but it is popular with Brits as it can be reached in seven hours.

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In October, a round-trip to New York City from London Gatwick starts from £327pp.

Visitors can see New York City on a budget too with its $1 pizza slices, buying a CityPass to avoiding cabs.

For more tips, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski has lots on how to save in one of the most iconic cities in the world.

Orlando is of course home to major theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

For more tips on how to do the theme parks on a budget – one reporter who has been over 40 times reveals their insider secrets.

There are also lots of other places to explore including its many neighbourhoods like Mills 50 which has Asian American and Pacific Islands influences.

Streets are cobbled and there are lots of historic houses and moss-draped oak trees.

Then there’s the Milk District with plenty of street murals and lakeside neighbourhood Winter Garden, with its clutch of museums on Plant Street.

When it comes to eating in Orlando, the city has more than 50 Michelin Guide restaurants.

Round-trips to Orlando from London Gatwick starts from £343pp.

Chief executive Eivind Roald of Norse said: “Our airline on demand strategy enables us to respond quickly to market changes.

“With fuel prices slowly trending downward and demand remaining strong, we see an opportunity to increase capacity on our own network in the coming months, which may include adding more US flights to New York and Orlando.”

What’s it like to fly with Norse Atlantic Airways?

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire, flew with Norse and revealed exactly what she thought…

“On a recent trip to Cape Town I flew with Norse – it allowed me to do the 11-hour overnight stint in Premium Economy for the same price as a rival company in Economy seats.

“To give you an idea of price, return fares for two adults and one child in premium economy cost £3,583 to Cape Town next March, while return fares in Premium Economy on a rival airline cost £5,000.

“Keen to test it out, we flew to the South African city in their posh Premium seats and returned in Basic Economy. So what do those Premium Economy seats get you on an 11-hour Norse flight? Well it starts with a priority lane at check-in.

“Norse doesn’t do online check-in – everyone checks in at the airport. And Premium passengers are given their own lane, so we waited about five minutes before dropping off our bags and getting our tickets.

“You get a small handbag, a cabin bag and a checked suitcase included in the price of a Premium ticket.

“You also get priority boarding, which I’m not normally a fan of given I have a young child who needs to let off steam before a flight, but given our seats were massive, it was worth it. 

“he chairs are very roomy. With a very decent recline that allowed my whole family to get a decent night’s sleep. My son pretty much slept uninterrupted from 10pm to 7am, while I snatched a manageable 5ish hours, which is far more than I’ve ever done before in Economy on a long haul flight. 

“Crew hand over ear plugs, eye masks, pillows and blankets at the start of the flight, as well as headphones for the TVs (you have to pay £5 for these in Economy). 

“Two meals are also included – I had a decent tortellini, side salad and cheesecake-type evening meal with complimentary wine, and a hot cooked breakfast, plus a croissant, yogurt and mini fruit salad.

“All in all, we disembarked from the flight at 8.30am feeling so well-rested that we managed a whole day at the beach in Cape Town, followed by an evening meal.”

TRAVELLERS are facing a second day of travel headaches after a power outage brought train services across the North West and Midlands to a halt.

If you’re heading out on the rail network today (August 7), you might be wondering if your train is actually going to turn up.

While rail bosses have reassured the public that the worst of the chaos is over, there is still a hangover of delays and cancellations to navigate today.

Here is a guide to what you need to know about the current situation, ticket acceptance, and what went wrong to cause such widespread disruption.

What caused the chaos?

The delays stem from a power cut that happened at 1.40pm on Thursday afternoon.

According to SP Electricity North West, an “incident on our high voltage cable” in Harpurhey, north-east of Manchester city centre, caused a power outage that affected around 5,000 customers.

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While the electricity provider said that power was restored within 90 seconds, that brief window was enough to trigger severe rail chaos.

The outage hit more than 400 Manchester postcodes, including the Manchester Rail Operating Centre, which acts as the main control hub for the entirety of north-west England’s railways.

Network Rail also said that their backup power generators failed to activate immediately when the main grid went down.

The failure resulted in railway signals automatically switching to red for safety, bringing trains to a standstill and sparking widespread cancellations.

Network Rail has confirmed it has now launched an official investigation into why the backup system failed to kick in.

Are trains running today?

The vast majority of trains are running today (August 7), and Network Rail has confirmed that “most operators are running a full service” after signalling systems were restored on Thursday night.

Engineers then worked through the early hours of the morning to get displaced trains back to their correct depots before the start of today’s service.

But don’t assume your journey will be completely smooth sailing just yet.

Because trains and rail crews ended up in the wrong places yesterday afternoon, it may take some time for the complex daily timetable to get back into sync.

Network Rail notes that some disruption remains as “trains and crew return to their normal positions”.

According to National Rail, this residual disruption is expected to continue until at least midday today.

Can I use my train ticket on other services?

If your train is delayed or cancelled, you won’t be left completely stranded.

Various ticket restrictions have been eased by operators to help get passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible.

If you’re travelling in and around Greater Manchester, your train tickets are currently being accepted on alternative local transport.

You can use your rail ticket to hop on Bee Network buses and Metrolink trams at no extra cost to complete your journey.

Both Northern and TransPennine Express have temporarily lifted Advance Purchase and Peak restrictions, meaning anyone holding an Advance ticket today can board any available service along their booked route without having to pay an extra fee.

Operators are also accepting each other’s tickets across shared routes.

Passengers affected by cancellations can use their tickets on Northern, TransPennine Express, LNER, and East Midlands Railway trains running in the same direction.

TransPennine Express tickets are also being accepted on CrossCountry services across key eastern routes, including between Sheffield, York, and Newcastle.

Chris Wright, Network Rail’s North West route director, praised passengers for their patience following the disruption.

He said: “While some passengers may still experience disruption, we’re continuing to work closely with train operators to return services to normal as quickly as possible.

“Anyone planning to travel this morning should continue to check before they travel for the latest information.”

If you’re travelling today, use the National Rail Status and Disruptions website, or check directly with your train operator before you leave the house.

How can I get a refund?

If your travel was derailed on Thursday, you won’t lose out either.

Tickets dated for yesterday are being honoured for travel throughout today at no extra charge.

But if your plans were thrown fully into disarray by the disruption, you may be entitled to cash back.

If your train was delayed or cancelled and you chose not to travel at all, you are entitled to a full refund with no administration fee.

You will need to apply for this directly from the retailer where you bought the ticket, such as Trainline, TrainPal, or the station box office.

If you completed your journey but arrived late, you can claim compensation through the national Delay Repay scheme.

In this scenario, you must claim directly from the train operating company that ran the delayed service, rather than the ticket seller.

Claims can usually be submitted online by uploading a photo of your ticket, though paper forms are also available from station staff.

How much you receive depends on the length of the delay to your destination, rather than what time your train departed.

If you need to double-check exact arrival times to support your claim, you can look up your route on tracking websites like recenttraintimes.co.uk.

Season ticket holders are also covered and will receive a proportional refund based on the cost of their pass and the duration of the delay.

Make sure to log your claim as soon as possible, as most train companies enforce a 28-day deadline from the date of travel.

If your claim is initially turned down and you believe you’re still owed compensation, you have up to one month to submit an appeal directly to the train operator for further review.