major

Frauds viewers were left divided on Monday night as the second instalment of the ITV drama aired, with some fans convinced they’ve already worked out a major twist.

Viewers on ITV were left torn on Monday night as the second episode of Frauds aired.

The gripping new six-part drama, filmed in gorgeous Spanish locations, revolves around two con women named Bert (Suranne Jones) and Sam (Jodie Whittaker) who plan to pull off the heist of the century.

Bert, fresh out of prison after a 10-year stint and facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, wants to carry out one last job with her mate.

She also reveals her desire for revenge on her former cellmate by taking on the job that was initially intended for her. Despite initial hesitation from Sam, who has turned her life around during Bert’s incarceration, she is soon persuaded.

This leads the toxic duo to assemble a highly-skilled team of accomplices to execute their mission: stealing a Salvador Dalí painting, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Part of their scheme involves recruiting a master painter and forger named Bilal (Karan Gill) to create a replica of the artwork for them to switch it with.

What Bert and Sam are unaware of, however, is that Bilal is indebted to some very dangerous individuals who are determined to find him, a plot point revealed in the episode.

As the programme progressed, revealing more about their complex relationship, viewers were quick to voice their opinions on the show, with some doubting Bert’s honesty.

One viewer speculated: “My theory is that Bert is gonna set Sam up for this because the real revenge she wants is against Sam because she didn’t serve any time and she didn’t visit her and I want it to be wrong so bad!”

Echoing this, another added: “That’s my thinking too so far. I’m just hoping that, if that is her plan, spending time with Sam again will make her change her mind at the last minute.”

A different fan chimed in: “Sam and Bert are conning each other, right?!”, while another queried: “Is the plot of #Frauds that SJ isn’t really dying and she’s saying she is to lure JW into a big job, and then she’ll let her take the rap as revenge? Or is there going to be something more to it?”

Another viewer questioned: “She hasn’t really got cancer, right?!” This was followed by another comment: “Bet she hasn’t got Cancer. Fraud.”

During the episode, viewers watched Bilal in a state of panic when he received a video call from his mum, who was at home with the men he owes money to, indicating they could easily harm her unless they get what they want.

Bert and Sam’s friendship also hit a rocky patch when Sam found out Bert had secretly been in contact with her daughter, whom she gave up for adoption at birth.

The teaser for episode three suggests more drama is on the horizon, stating: “With Sam reeling and Bert desperately trying to keep control, the heist is thrown off track when trouble from home catches up with Bilal.”

Frauds is available to watch on ITVX.

A MAJOR update in the hunt for a missing British hiker has come just a week after the search kicked off.

British tourist Elaine McSorley vanished after embarking on a self-guided hike from her South African hotel last week.

4

4

But the search for the missing 71-year-old has been called off with no trace of her, according to local media outlet The Witness,

The major update comes after Elaine was reported missing on Saturday, September 27.

After an extensive six day search undertaken by local police, search and rescue teams, K9 units, and volunteers from security companies, local communities, the Community Policing Forum (South Africa’s neighbourhood watch), and nearby game reserves, the search has come to an end.

Investigators used all means possible, with drones, helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts in an attempt to find the missing woman.

Despite the extensive efforts, no trace of Elaine has been found.

South African police said the investigation will continue, with hopes of narrowing down to a smaller search area.

She had set out with her husband Leon, 81, to hike from the Ghost Mountain Inn and Safari Lodge in eMkhuze.

Leon had turned back earlier due to the heat, while Elaine continued walking to a lake.

Leon raised the alarm three hours later when she later failed to return.

He has since checked out of the Ghost Mountain Inn and police do not know where he is.

Police said earlier in the week that they suspect a crocodile took Elaine, or foul play — but have no evidence of either.

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said: “The British couple checked into the Ghost Mountain Inn at 1pm and went for a walk at 2pm.

“According to the husband, during the walk to the lake, he decided to turn back and returned to the hotel, but when she did not return, he raised the alarm.

“We have been searching day and night but there is no sign of her. It is like she has vanished into thin air. The dogs have picked up no traces either.

“If she had simply collapsed and died we would have found her by now. There are theories as to what happened but I am not going to speculate.”

A police forum member said: “We’re starting to look at whether she was dev­oured.

“There’s no sign of crime.”

4

4

Elaine’s disappearance comes after a fisherman disappeared while trying to catch sardines.

Fears the man had been taken by sharks surfaced after friends of the missing 37-year-old rushed to the spot where he vanished – but retreated when the fins of two other beasts suspected to be Bronze Whalers headed for them.

The horror attack on July 6 happened on a beach popular with divers and surfers at Mfazazana, Kwa-Zulu Natal province, 60 miles south of Durban.

A National Sea Rescue Institute spokesman confirmed that a 37-year-old local man had been reported missing “following a shark incident that involved 3 local fishermen”.

They said: “We and the SA police and the Water Policing and Diving Services unit were told a man disappeared under the water after a shark surfaced where he was netting.

“It appears that at least one friend attempted to intervene but it is believed that he was confronted by at least 2 sharks in the surf and he retreated to the shoreline.

“It is believed the sharks were feeding on a school of sardines at the time. A large scale search is underway but so far no sign of the missing man has been found”.

In the last 25 years, 37 people have been killed by sharks off the coast of South Africa – with the last being restaurateur Kimon Bisogno, 39, in September 2022.

A well-known airline has launched a new scheme which allows travellers place a bid to keep the seat next to them free on both domestic and international short-haul flights

Great news if you hate being bunched up next to strangers while flying – a major airline is now allowing passengers to bid to keep the seat next to them empty.

This handy new scheme, launched by Virgin Australia, will allow flight passengers to have two seats instead of one. The ‘Neighbour-Free Seating’ option will be available for travellers heading on either domestic and short-haul international flights.

If they select the new option, economy passengers can place a bid through the airline’s app to reserve an additional seat next to them – with the auction starting for as little as £14 but rising upon demand.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a gardening expert – here’s five jobs for your October to-do list’READ MORE: Protests spark across the globe as Israel detains Greta Thunberg in Gaza flotilla raid

Successful passengers will be informed two hours before their flight departure if they have their seat free, reports The Sun. Of course, there is a possibility that someone may book the empty seat. In this case, the winning passenger will be refunded.

It’s also important to note that while Neighbour-Free Seating provides extra personal space next to the assigned seat, it does not include any additional baggage allowance.

According to Virgin Australia, the new option means passengers will have “a more spacious Economy experience at great value”. The new feature comes after a 2023 survey which found that 42 per cent of Virgin Australia passengers said they would consider paying a fee to have the middle seat empty on international flights longer than three hours.

Additionally, 35 per cent of passengers also said they would do the same for domestic flights more than three hours.

Virgin Australia executive, Libby Minogue said: “Our priority is to give Virgin Australia guests even more value and choice when they choose to fly with us.”

She added: “Neighbour-Free Seating is a clever add-on for Economy travellers who want the certainty of extra space without the price tag. After booking their flight, passengers can bid for the additional seat via the Virgin Australia app.”

A similar feature is offered by other airlines like Qantas and Air France.

Those flying with Air France have the option to pay for the ‘Empty Seat Option – My Extra Space’, when they check-in online or through the airline’s app, allowing them to reserve up to three empty seats next to their own for greater comfort, space and privacy.

A SWARM of flying bugs halted the Women’s Cricket World Cup grudge match between India and Pakistan.

Players from both sides tried to fix the problem by waving towels and spraying bug repellent.

5

5

But organisers called for heavy duty measures when India were 154 for four in the 34th over of the group match.

With the insect invasion in full swing, a man in a gas mask emerged to fumigate the pitch with an industrial grade bug spray cannon.

Both sets of players were forced to leave the field and fans had to sit through a 15-minute delay.

But even that didn’t seem to have the desired effect.

Once play resumed, it wasn’t long before another stoppage was brought on by a bug flying into the eye of Pakistani bowler Rameen Shamim.

Indian batters repeatedly moaned to the umpire about being affected by the insects.

Unsurprisingly, there is nothing written into cricket law to guide umpires when bugs bother the players.

But they are advised to signal a dead ball if a player is “disadvantaged by an animal within the field of play”.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN

India ended up winning the clash with their geographical neighbours by 88 runs.

The match was played on neutral ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka, due to political tension between the two nations.

And there were no handshakes between the players before the action got underway.

Colombo is proving to be a troublesome venue for cricket matches of late.

On Saturday, the match between Sri Lanka and Australia was washed out without a single ball being bowled due to heavy rain.

5

5

5

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court opens its new term on Monday and is scheduled to hear arguments in 33 cases this fall.

The justices will hear challenges to transgender rights, voting rights and Trump tariffs and will reconsider a 90-year-old precedent that protects officials of independent agencies from being fired by the president.

Here are the major cases set for argument:

Conversion therapy and free speech: Does a licensed mental health counselor have a 1st Amendment right to talk to patients under age 18 about changing their sexual orientation or gender identity, even if doing so is prohibited by state law?

California in 2012 was first state to ban “conversion therapy,” believing it was harmful to minors and leads to depression and suicide. Other states followed, relying on their authority to regulate the practice of medicine and to prohibit substandard care.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal group, sued on behalf of a Colorado counselor and argued that the state is “censoring” her speech. (Chiles vs. Salazar, to be argued on Tuesday.)

Supreme Court Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr., left, Clarence Thomas and Brett M. Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. attend inauguration ceremonies for Donald Trump in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20 in Washington.

(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Voting rights and Black majority districts: Does a state violate the Constitution if it redraws its congressional districts to create one with a Black majority?

In the past, the court has said racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional. But citing the Voting Rights Act, it also has ruled states must sometimes create an electoral district where a Black or Latino candidate has a good chance to win.

Otherwise, these minorities may be shut out from political representation in Congress, state legislatures or county boards.

But Justice Clarence Thomas has argued for outlawing all use of race in drawing district lines, and the court may adopt his view in a pending dispute over a second Black majority district in Louisiana. (Louisiana vs. Callais, to be argued Oct. 15.)

Trump and tariffs: Does President Trump have legal authority acting on his own to impose large import taxes on products coming from otherwise friendly countries?

Trump is relying on a 1977 law that empowers the president to act when faced with an “unusual and extraordinary threat” from abroad. The measure does not mention tariffs or taxes.

In a pair of cases, lower courts ruled the tariffs were illegal but kept them in place for now. Trump administration lawyers argue the justices should defer to the president because tariffs involve foreign affairs and national security. (Learning Resources vs. Trump, to be argued Nov. 5.)

The high court will look at whether transgender athletes can compete in certain sports. Above, a 100-meter hurdles event during a track meet in Riverside in April.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Transgender athletes and school sports: Can a state prevent a transgender student whose “biological sex at birth” was male from competing on a girls sports team?

West Virginia and Idaho adopted such laws but they were struck down by judges who said they violated the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of laws and the federal Title IX law that bars sex discrimination in schools and colleges.

Trump voiced support for “keeping men out of women’s sports” — a characterization deemed false by transgender women and their advocates, among others. If the Supreme Court agrees, this rule is likely to be enforced nationwide under Title IX. (West Virginia vs. B.P.J. is due to be heard in December.)

Trump and independent agencies: May the president fire officials of independent agencies who were appointed with fixed terms set by Congress?

Since 1887, Congress has created semi-independent boards, commissions and agencies with regulatory duties. While their officials are appointed by the president, their fixed terms keep them in office when a new president takes over.

The Supreme Court upheld their independence from direct presidential control in the 1935 case of Humphreys Executor vs. U.S., but Trump has fired several such officials.

The current court has sided with Trump in two such cases and will hear arguments on whether to overturn the 90-year-old precedent. (Trump vs. Slaughter is due to be argued in December.)

Kim Jong Un says Pyongyang will counter the buildup of US forces in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to develop additional military measures and allocate more strategic assets to respond to the buildup of US forces in the south, as the country prepares for a major anniversary parade.

“In direct proportion to the buildup of US forces in [South] Korea, our strategic interest in the region has also increased, and we have accordingly allocated special assets to key targets of interest,” Kim was quoted in a report published by the state media KCNA on Sunday.

Kim’s latest statement comes just days after South Korea reported that Pyongyang has accumulated large quantities of highly-enriched and weapons-grade uranium, signalling a sharp increase in the country’s stockpile of nuclear material.

“I believe our enemies should be concerned about the direction their security environment is evolving,” Kim said at a military exhibition event ahead of the parade.

North Korea “will undoubtedly develop additional military measures” to prepare to respond to the buildup of US forces, he added without elaborating further.

In recent weeks, Kim had directed top officials to strengthen the nation’s “nuclear shield and sword”, saying only a “nuclear counteraction” could safeguard his country’s security.

On Friday, October 10, Kim is set to lead a large-scale military parade to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. At this event, the country is also expected to display its latest weaponry and other military hardware.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted analysts as saying that Pyongyang may showcase the next-generation Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile during the parade.

It added that North Korea could also test-launch the same weaponry around the date leading to the anniversary.

Yonhap quoted South Korea’s military as saying “there are signs” that Pyongyang is preparing to welcome tens of thousands of people at the parade, which will be held on the night of October 10.

South Korea stated that it has also detected movements of vehicles and some military equipment, but did not provide further details.

Kim has maintained a hardline rhetoric towards South Korea and its close ally, the United States, despite signs of diplomatic outreach from US President Donald Trump and Seoul.

South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June, has also promised a more dovish approach towards Pyongyang compared with his hawkish predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol.

North Korea has also been tightening military ties with Russia and has been supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine by sending troops and artillery.

Kim has also been deepening alignment with China and recently travelled to Beijing to attend a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Putin.

MARKS & Spencer is making a major change to all of its stores this Christmas – with more staff set to work on Boxing Day for the first time in five years.

The retailer is ending its recent tradition of keeping most shops shut on the bank holiday as it gears up for one of the busiest trading periods of the year.

2

The change will impact stores across the UK, as M&S looks to boost its post-Christmas operations and ensure shelves are fully restocked.

According to The Guardian, around a quarter of store employees will now be required to work on Boxing Day, while all staff must work at least one of December, 26, 27 or 28.

A document from Marks & Spencer seen by the publication revealed that last year, over 40 per cent of permanent staff and 30 per cent of seasonal workers did not work on one of those peak days.

The retailer said this caused knock-on issues with replenishing stock and maintaining store standards.

To avoid similar problems this year, it stated that “all colleagues must play their part to deliver a successful Christmas.”

Jayne Wall, operations director for Marks & Spencer, said: “Christmas at Marks and Spencer is very special and we are grateful to our hardworking colleagues who make our stores great places for our customers to shop.

“Like most retailers, we always have some colleagues in our stores and depots on Boxing Day to help reset.

However, this year we will have more colleagues working than previously so we are in great shape to welcome customers on 27 December.”

The change marks a significant shift for M&S, which decided to close most of its stores on Boxing Day in 2020 as a gesture of thanks after staff worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The retailer had continued the policy since then, saying it wanted to give employees a “much-deserved extended break with their family and loved ones.”

However, this year’s move comes after a turbulent few months for the business.

M&S was hit by a major cyber attack over Easter, which caused widespread disruption to its systems and operations.

The company has since faced staff shortages and logistical challenges, prompting the change in Christmas staffing.

Not all employees are happy about the decision.

Some have said they feel pressured into accepting additional hours during what is usually considered a family holiday.

One M&S worker said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for colleagues dealing with the cyber incident and the company has been reluctant to give extra hours to stores, so many stores are dealing with low colleague numbers.

“After such a hard time many colleagues feel this is an extra slap in the face.”

Another team member is reported to have written on the retailer’s internal messaging platform expressing disappointment at the move.

They said: “Over recent months it’s been recognised that colleagues have gone above and beyond, doing everything asked of them to keep standards high and deliver excellent service during very challenging times.

“That’s why it feels especially disheartening that Christmas – such a precious time for family – is being disrupted for so many of us.

“Instead of feeling rewarded for our commitment, it comes across more like a punishment.”

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

2

The first big customer for The Trade Desk‘s (TTD 1.33%) TV operating system (OS) is finally here. The ad-buying platform announced on Wednesday that it will co-develop a custom version of its Ventura TV OS with DirecTV, pairing DirecTV’s consumer interface with Ventura’s ad-tech plumbing and app store. The announcement arrives nearly a year after Ventura was introduced, giving investors their first look at how the company plans to bring its TV platform to market.

For readers newer to the story, The Trade Desk operates a software platform that helps advertisers buy and measure digital ads across the internet. The company has been pushing deeper into connected TV (CTV) for years. Ventura is the boldest step yet — a TV operating system meant to give manufacturers and content companies an alternative to platforms that also own content or a streaming service.

Image source: Getty Images.

What Ventura is and why DirecTV matters

Ventura is pitched as a neutral operating system for smart TVs and other screens. The company said in its announcement of Ventura that it is designed to provide a “much cleaner supply chain streaming TV advertising, minimizing supply chain hops and costs — ensuring maximum ROI for every advertising dollar and optimized yield for publishers.” In other words, The Trade Desk believes it will support a supply chain that lets advertisers measure performance more precisely and ultimately optimize spending better.

Importantly, Ventura is not tied to a house streaming service, which the company argues reduces conflicts of interest and keeps it a more unbiased partner for publishers, TV makers, and retailers. This is a pointed contrast with incumbents like Roku or Amazon‘s Fire TV, which operate platforms while also owning major ad-supported channels and inventory.

DirecTV gives Ventura an on-ramp that consumers recognize. The partners plan to integrate DirecTV’s familiar interface — including access to MyFree DirecTV (its free ad-supported TV service), optional genre packs, and premium bundles — into a Ventura build that any third-party TV manufacturer, retailer, hotel, or venue could deploy.

In other words, an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) can ship a TV that boots into DirecTV’s experience, but the advertising marketplace and measurement behind the scenes will run on Ventura. As Matthew Henick, senior vice president of Ventura TV OS, put it, “TV manufacturers deserve more choice in how they build their businesses,” adding that the goal is a “more transparent and equitable ecosystem” for advertisers and publishers.

Financially, The Trade Desk enters this next phase during a time when investors are dubious about how sustainable its high growth rate is. Second-quarter revenue grew 19% year over year to $694 million, and customer retention stayed above 95% while adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margin was an impressive 39%. But this growth rate was down from Q1, and management expects even lower growth in Q3. While tough comparisons to year-ago quarters (due primarily to political advertising spending last year) are weighing on results, some investors worry that increasing competition is also to blame.

A catalyst — and a potential distraction

A credible distribution partner could help The Trade Desk push Ventura into living rooms quickly. If OEMs adopt this DirecTV-skinned version, Ventura may improve ad transparency, streamline supply paths, and potentially lower take rates in CTV — outcomes that could make its core ad-buying platform more attractive as its marketers benefit from better economics when buying Ventura OS inventory.

But investors should be cautious about extrapolating too much from a single partnership. Building and supporting a TV OS is expensive and operationally messy. The business model relies on lining up multiple constituents (OEMs, publishers, retailers, and distribution partners) and then demonstrating that stakeholders can earn more money on Ventura than on incumbent platforms. That process takes time. It is also possible the effort will distract management from the day-to-day of strengthening Kokai, its artificial intelligence (AI)-forward ad-buying platform.

Additionally, The Trade Desk’s valuation arguably already prices in success with both its core business and in new ventures. Even after a tough stretch for the stock, shares trade at close to 10 times sales — a premium that implies steady execution and continued share gains across CTV and the open internet. If Ventura ramps slowly, or if macroeconomic headwinds suppress large brands’ ad budgets (as The Trade Desk management warned of in its last earnings call), that premium may be hard to defend. And competition isn’t standing still: Platform owners with their own channels can bundle distribution, data, and ad inventory in ways Ventura will need to match, with clear economic benefits for partners.

None of this diminishes the strategic logic. If Ventura delivers an OS that reduces friction for viewers and advertisers while improving monetization for content owners, this could lead to a cleaner and more efficient supply chain for CTV, ultimately benefiting The Trade Desk’s core platform and making it more valuable over time. The DirecTV tie-up is an important first step toward testing that thesis in the wild.

One of the country’s major airport hubs has introduced a new twilight-hour service to give early morning budget travellers more time to relax before taking off.

One of the UK’s major airports has introduced a new check-in service that will ease the burden of early morning flights. The new check-in option will ensure budget travellers are “ready to relax and unwind” before their flight.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the latest England airport to introduce twilight bag drop and check-in services. Many airlines have introduced twilight bag drop to ease stress on travellers and check-in desks, especially during heavy travel periods.

Twilight bag drop services allow passengers to arrive at the airport the night before their scheduled departure and check-in their large bags well before the flight’s check-in window.

According to the Liverpool Airport website: “Twilight check-in is now available at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, making it easy for you to turn up the night before your flight and check-in your hold luggage at your airline’s dedicated check-in desk.

“Then, simply turn up the next day, bypass check-in and head straight to security, ready to relax and unwind in departures before your flight.”

Twilight services were previously only available for passengers flying with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, however a recent announcement confirmed expanded availability.

An “amber alert” announcement from the airport reads: “Passengers travelling with easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair and departing on flights before 08:00 can all now check in their hold luggage up to three hours before their departure, giving more time to relax and make use of the facilities in the Departure Lounge.”

This service is particularly convenient for anyone living or staying close to their departure airport. But again, not every airline offers this service – so it’s best to check with your tour operator first.

The first step of Twilight check-in is to complete online check-in via Jet2’s website, app, or through their travel agent, at least 24 hours before the flight.

Check-in luggage can then be dropped off at the Jet2 desks at Liverpool Airport between 4.30PM and 9PM the evening before scheduled departure. The following morning, passengers can go straight through to security – bypassing check-in entirely.

Passengers driving to the airport to make use of twilight check-in services can park in the airport’s Drop-off 2 car park. Travellers get one hour complimentary parking to check their bags in, but anything over that time (or the use of other car parks) will be subject to standard parking fees.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport also urges passengers to arrive a minimum of two hours before departure to allow enough time to check-in and pass through security.

Amanda Holden has stepped up on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell’s illness forced him to miss the Birmingham auditions, with Stacey Solomon drafted in as a temporary replacement on the panel

Amanda Holden has been handed the role of head judge on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell was forced to withdraw from the Birmingham auditions due to illness.

Producers turned to Holden, 53, as the natural choice to lead the panel, given that she is the only judge who has remained on the show since its launch in 2007. Although Stacey Solomon was drafted in at short notice to replace Cowell during this week’s auditions at the Hippodrome, insiders stressed that Holden had earned the senior role.

A source revealed: “The producers were hugely grateful to Stacey for stepping in, particularly as it was at such short notice. What she did helped ensure the hundreds of audience members were not disappointed.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon breaks silence on Britain’s Got Talent ‘dream’ job with one-word commentREAD MORE: Stacey Solomon joins Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell health crisis

“But they also thought she shouldn’t just go straight into Simon’s seat as head judge and that Amanda had very much earned that right. And she seamlessly filled the role during the first batch of auditions on Friday, with Stacey slotting right in with fellow judges KSI and Alesha Dixon,” they told The Sun.

It is not the first time Cowell’s sudden departure has led to a reshuffle. When the music mogul left the panel last year after learning of the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, the then-newcomer Bruno Tonioli stepped in as head judge.

Tonioli has since departed from the programme altogether, replaced this year by KSI, after filming clashes with his role on Dancing with the Stars. Cowell’s absence was first confirmed on Thursday when production cancelled the initial day of auditions.

There were hopes he might recover quickly enough to return on Friday, but he remained unwell. Instead, Solomon took his seat on the panel – a full-circle moment given that Cowell himself auditioned her on The X Factor back in 2009. She finished third in that series but has since become a well-known TV presenter.

And Stacey has shared her excitement after her dream of becoming a judge on Britain’s Got Talent has come true. The Sort Your Life Out star took to Instagram on Friday to share a glimpse of the iconic set of the long-running ITV show after she was asked to step in as a guest judge last minute.

The mum-of-five, 35, took to her Instagram stories to post a picture of the iconic BGT stage with her name in lights. Instead of Simon Cowell’s name, Stacey’s name could be seen on the iconic stage. Alongside the picture, Stacey wrote: “What in the alternative universe is going on. A dream.”

Cowell’s condition has not been disclosed publicly, and it remains uncertain whether he will be fit enough to appear on the third and final day of Birmingham auditions.

Filming is scheduled to resume next week in Blackpool, with producers optimistic that Cowell will be well enough to reclaim his place at the judging desk.

Until then, Holden is firmly established as the figure leading the panel in his absence.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Maura Higgins says affordable £10 root spray ‘saves her life’ and covers grey hairs

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving complimentary beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network, in a major win for those who love free stuff

“Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps please.”

No longer will this request be met with an eye-watering bill when made at 30,000 feet, at least on one airline.

Air Canada has announced it has begun serving free beer, wine and snacks to economy passengers on every flight across its network.

That is a significant change, as previously the airline only served free alcohol and food to economy passengers on long-haul flights.

As generous as it may sound, the policy is designed to be a cost-effective way to keep passengers flying with Air Canada. Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product, explained the rationale in a statement.

READ MORE: Definitive guide to which passengers get the middle armrests on a planeREAD MORE: ‘I’m an airline worker and passengers should only ever use one type of suitcase’

“Food and beverage tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction. As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus,” he said.

“These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”

What customers can expect to get for free on economy flights varies significantly.

Unsurprisingly, budget carriers such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet provide nothing for free.

Airlines offering free drinks on short-haul flights include KLM, which offers a free snack and drink on all European flights, and LOT Polish Airlines, providing free beer, wine, or juice on their short-haul routes.

Free water and snacks are also typically available with British Airways, though the extent of the service can vary by division and route. For other airlines like Lufthansa and Swiss, only a complimentary bottle of water and perhaps a small snack are provided.

For short and medium-haul flights within Europe, Lufthansa offers a paid “Onboard Delights” service where passengers can purchase food and drinks.

Air France offers free food on many of its flights. While a “buy on board” system is being tested on some routes, most flights still provide complimentary meals, snacks, and beverages, depending on the flight duration and class. Passengers on short and medium-haul flights can expect a free sandwich, pastry, or snack, along with a drink.

On short and mid-haul TUI flights (less than seven hours), a variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.

Most full-service airlines do still include meals and drinks on long-haul routes. Think flights to the US, Asia, or the Caribbean.

• British Airways: Even on the cheapest economy fare, you can get complimentary meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Virgin Atlantic: Offers free meals and drinks, and they’re known for a decent veggie option.
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines: All offer full meal service in economy, and it’s usually good quality. You’ll get at least two meals plus snacks and unlimited drinks.
• Turkish Airlines: Generally provides free meals on their international flights, including both economy and business class. On longer flights, passengers are typically offered a choice of main courses, side dishes, bread, and dessert. Drinks are also complimentary on all flights.
• Air France: On long-haul flights, an extensive selection of meals is offered, including hot dishes, and passengers can also purchase a la carte meals in advance.
• American Airlines: Meals and drinks are typically included on international flights, including wine and beer
• United: United Airlines offers complimentary food on most flights, especially on longer distances and for higher class tickets.
• Air Canada: Generally offers complimentary meals and snacks on international flights. On flights longer than 2 hours, you’ll typically receive a complimentary meal and beverage service, including salad, warm bread, a hot entrée, and dessert.
• Tui: On long-haul flights (seven hours or more), a complimentary meal is included. Additional drinks and snacks can still be purchased on these flights as well
• Lufthansa: Lufthansa generally provides complimentary meals and drinks on long-haul flights
• KLM: Provides complimentary meals and drinks on most of its flights. The specific offerings vary depending on the flight duration and class of travel, but generally include snacks and drinks on shorter flights and more substantial meals on longer routes.

People will be bale to easily access picturesque views of Scotland easier from the Midlands as the popular Caledonian Sleeper Train has announced a brand new route

A popular sleeper train has announced a brand new route – offering the chance for more people to experience the journey to Scotland.

The Caledonian Sleeper has announced a band new route, making it the biggest timetable change in 30 years as it will now link Scotland with Birmingham.

According to the operators, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William train services will travel to and from London via Birmingham, and have also assured the new stop won’t affect journey lengths or departure times either.

READ MORE: ‘I tried an Oura ring for my sleep but I found another health issue I had no idea about’READ MORE: Mary Berry’s ‘posh’ jacket potatoes are the ‘ultimate comfort food’

The Scottish government took over the Caledonian Sleeper in 2023 after its previous operator Serco had its contract ended seven years early and it came at the time when the government was looking to increase the number of people using the service.

According to BBC, Caledonian Sleeper’s interim managing director Graham Kelly said research suggested there was demand for Birmingham to be added to the route and it was hoped the change would help contribute to tourism in the north of Scotland and the West Midlands.

He told BBC Scotland News: “We are continuing to run our service in its existing and current format. It is about adding in Birmingham as that additional opportunity. So in terms of the length of the trains and the resourcing on board, it will all continue to remain.”

The new service will depart from Birmingham International on 15 January 2026 and will run six days a week, with no services departing stations on a Saturday night. The Lowland service that goes to Glasgow and Edinburgh is unaffected by the change.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This iconic service means people from across the West Midlands will soon be able to travel comfortably and sustainably to discover the stunning beauty of northern Scotland. But this also means our Scottish friends can come and explore the wonderful West Midlands. That’s a win-win for our tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border.”

It comes after one of the most picturesque train lines in Britain is to get a new service for the first time in ten years. The West Coast Main Line will be blocked while Network Rail replaces the rail bridge over M6 near Penrith, which has led Avanti West Coast to divert its Class 805 Evero fleet onto the Settle to Carlisle line.

The stretch of railway, which is renowned for its beautiful scenery, will be used as a diversionary route when the West Coast Main Line is blocked between Preston and Carlisle for two weeks in the new year.

To keep customers moving on trains across the North West and into Scotland, Avanti West Coast is planning to run a shuttle service broadly every two hours between Preston and Carlisle non-stop via the Settle to Carlisle route.

Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected]

The budget airline has warned passengers of impending strikes in France that could disrupt the plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers heading to destinations including Greece, Italy and Spain

Ryanair has delivered a stark warning to passengers planning to travel in October that hundreds of flights could be cancelled.

The budget carrier is alerting customers about looming strikes in France that threaten to wreck the holiday plans of tens of thousands of travellers. France’s biggest air traffic controllers’ union, Syndicat Majoritaire des Contrôleurs Aériens, is preparing to down tools from October 7 to 10. The union members are taking action over their current working conditions.

Initially planned for September 17-18, the industrial action was delayed due to political turmoil across the country. Now rearranged for October 7 to 10, one travel company is forecasting ‘chaos’. The walkout won’t just hit flights bound for France but also those travelling through French airspace.

Now Ryanair’s chief executive has warned that 100,000 passengers could see their flights disrupted next week as a consequence of the strike. Michael O’Leary estimated that the industrial action would cost Ryanair around £20m.

READ MORE: UK’s ‘best’ Christmas market in beautiful city confirms dates and brand new attraction for 2026READ MORE: New £185 travel fee starts today for people heading to US – but most Brits won’t pay

The budget airline CEO called for overflights to be protected from strike action, saying disrupting them is an abuse of the free single market. Countries including Spain and Greece already do that, but France doesn’t offer such protections.

Mr O’Leary said that Ryanair was expecting to be asked to cancel about 600 flights, with almost all of them overflights. “That’s about 100,000 passengers who will have their flights cancelled needlessly next Wednesday and Thursday,” he told Sky News.

“On any given day at the moment, we operate about 3,500 flights and about 900 of those flights cross over French airspace and about two-thirds of those, around 600 flights, are cancelled every day there’s an air traffic control strike. The UK is the country whose flights get cancelled most because of the geographic proximity to France.”

The airline voiced its exasperation earlier this summer when a Belgrade ATC strike held up 99 flights and affected more than 17,800 passengers in merely two days. The French strikes could cause significant disruption.

During the peak travel season in October, Charles de Gaulle Airport alone typically sees over 200,000 passengers daily, and France recorded roughly 1m overnight stays by international tourists between October 9-11 in 2024.

Holidaymakers are being urged to check with their airlines 48 hours before departure to learn of any disruption. They are also advised to brace themselves for a longer-than-expected wait at the airport and arrive well ahead of their flight.

Downloading airline apps can also help you stay updated, and be prepared for delays on things like trains and coaches as affected passengers seek alternative means of transport.

If your flight has been delayed or cancelled as a result of strike action by cabin crew or pilots, then you are entitled to compensation by law. That’s because the airline could have foreseen and preempted this problem.

However, strikes by airport staff and air traffic controllers are not considered to be within the control of the airline, so no compensation would apply. If strikes have an impact on your airport then get their early or follow the advice from your airline. Problems with airport staff strikes can result in major queues to check in bags, so if this kind of industrial action is announced, you might want to think about reducing your baggage to just carry-on cabin bags in order to cut out one queue.

The ‘jewel of the Cotswolds’, which featured in Bridget Jones’ Diary, is facing new rules that have divided locals

Some residents of the picturesque Cotswolds village, Snowshill, which famously featured in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’, have voiced their concerns over new stringent planning regulations. These rules would require them to seek council permission for even minor alterations such as installing a patio.

Snowshill, often dubbed the ‘jewel of the Cotswolds’, was showcased in the 2001 film with its lush greenery and a local house serving as the home of Bridget Jones‘s parents. However, this week, the village falls under an Article 4 Direction by Tewkesbury Borough Council, strict rules designed to protect its heritage.

This means almost any work or modifications to buildings must be approved by the council, including installing patios or changing the colour of an exterior wall. Other changes requiring approval include replacing exterior windows and doors, constructing porches, installing roof lights or altering roofing materials, creating or replacing hard surfaces in gardens.

Residents will also need approval to erect gates, fences, or walls, paint the exterior of buildings a new colour or install or alter antennae or solar panels, reports Gloucestershire Live. Some locals have expressed their worries that the new rules are too costly and restrictive, while others believe they have been implemented too late.

Rose, a resident in her 40s who moved to Snowshill four years ago with her family, opposes the plans, describing them as “too controlling”. “I did write an objection but it has gone through anyway,” she expressed. ”It is very prohibitive in terms of what you can do to your home.” She explained that when they purchased the property, it was derelict so they had to refurbish it to make it “habitable”.

“It has been a very painfully process. If now we want to do a fence it feels like we have already climbed a hill.” For Rose, the larger issue is the influx of tourists who “cross the line”. She said: “Tourism is changing the character of the village, not the house changes” she stated. “Preserving the village for tourists is not the best logic.”

Kim, a resident of 40 years, had mixed feelings about the regulations. She questioned the effectiveness of the plans, asking: “How are they going to regulate it? Unless somebody complains.”

She added: “If you have got young children and if something happens to your fence why do you have to go through planning when all you want is to keep your child and the people around you safe. You can’t change your front door, but what if it is damaged? It costs you more to put planning in on Article 4 than planning application.

“I can see that people want to keep it a Cotswolds village but you’ve got to have a balance, but I think people will do whatever they want to their houses.” Sheila Wilks, 85, and her husband Peter, 84, believe the plans are a step in the right direction, but lament that their village has already been ‘ruined’ by holiday lets.

Mrs Wilks said: “They have come too late. They have ruined the village. I have been here all my life 80 years and I just think people abused it.

“I hate change and I think we should preserve what we’ve got. Because we are in such a beautiful place people should keep it like this.”

Their quaint cottage was once the old village shop where Sheila, her mum and siblings were born. In 1965, they purchased the house and have never left since.

However, home renovations aren’t the only issue the couple faces – following films such as Bridget Jones, the couple said the landscape “has changed” and so they want to “preserve” the village.

Mr Wilks stated: “Most of the houses here are Airbnbs. It is disgusting. There are at least 12 Airbnbs in the village. We get about four mini buses a day. They do tend to block the roads occasionally.

“It was all working class people but now it doesn’t seem to be that way at all. It does break up communities.”

Paul, 66, and Sue Brereton, 66, who have resided in their cottage for eight years, agreed with the implementation of the regulations. Mr Brereton said: “It is a very good idea and we wished it had come five years ago. A lot of metal windows have been changed to plastic windows.”

The pair living in a listed property claimed the fresh rules prove “more restrictive” than the listing requirements themselves. Paul explained: “I can’t repaint the windows charcoal grey which I was planning to because I will need planning regulation which is quite expensive.”

Terry, 71, and Pauline Rolls, 71, relocated to their home four years ago. They insisted what matters most is preserving the village’s character.

Mr Rolls explained: “We don’t want the village wrecked with plastic windows. What we want is a little damage as possible. There are a few that have been damaged. People doing what they want to their home is not necessarily a good thing. It is all about keeping the character of the village.”

Mr Rolls joked about how the rules could prevent residents from painting their windows and doors pink. He explained: “We could end up with Disneyland. It is not a NIMBY reaction but we need to keep some originality in this country.”

He stressed it’s crucial to maintain these properties ‘the way they are’ for future generations.

Councillor Sarah Hands, lead member for planning and place making at the borough council, explained: “Snowshill is one of the jewels of our borough, and these powers will help to protect its heritage, while still allowing thoughtful and appropriate development.

“We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation and helped shape this decision.” From Wednesday (October 1), applications will undergo the standard planning process, which includes advertisement and consultation, with standard fees applicable.

The decision to implement the Article 4 Direction was made at a Full Council meeting on July 29, 2025, following a period of consultation.

French train operator SNCF Voyageurs announced on Monday that the service would be discontinued as of 14 December 2025, after the French Ministry of Transport decided to stop financial support of the service with a state subsidy

Train fans have been dealt a blow as a key sleeper train network connecting Paris to Vienna and Berlin will cease operations in December.

The Nightjet service between Paris and Berlin was reintroduced back in 2023, just nine years after it was originally scrapped. However, two years on, and the iconic trainline’s days are numbered once more.

French train operator SNCF Voyageurs announced on Monday that the service would be discontinued as of 14 December 2025, after the French Ministry of Transport decided to stop financial support of the service with a state subsidy.

The trainline is a complex one to run, operated as it is by multiple different firms based in different countries. Nightjet was operated by SNCF, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB).

OPINION

Milo Boyd

READ MORE: Travel expert explains why Brits should take two forms of photo ID on holiday

SNCF described night trains as a “huge economic challenge.” “While a seat on an airplane can be sold up to five times a day and a seat on a day train up to four times, a seat on a night train can only be sold once a day,” the train operator explained, the Independent reported.

“In addition, the personnel costs are higher on night trains (more service staff are needed, more cabin crew due to border crossings, and the cost of night services is higher). Long journeys incur costs related to accessing infrastructure in several countries and high energy costs. Finally, border crossings require locomotive and crew changes.”

The Paris to Vienna and Berlin train was just 70 per cent full on average in 2024, which meant the rail companies needed a state subsidy to break even.

Despite the withdrawal from Paris, the Vienna–Brussels Nightjet will continue to run three times a week in 2026. ÖBB remains the largest provider of night trains in Europe, operating services such as Vienna–Amsterdam and Munich–Rome.

ÖBB is also expanding its long-distance overnight services, introducing 24 new-generation Nightjet trains. These are intended to provide greater capacity and improved facilities on existing routes across the network.

A statement from ÖBB read: “Night trains can only be operated with the participation of international partners. ÖBB regrets that, following the withdrawal of the French partners, both night train connections can no longer be offered as of December 14, 2025.”

ÖBB maintained that its Vienna to Brussels Nightjet will remain in service in 2026 and will continue to operate three times a week.

The decision has been criticised by a group called Oui au train de nuit? (Yes to the night train?), which has also urged the French government to step in and save the service.

It said: “It is unacceptable that the only two international night trains serving France year-round should disappear. Each of the stakeholders has room to act, and each can take a step toward truly reviving international night trains.”

Two years ago Austria’s national railway, ÖBB, unveiled a new ‘pod’-style cabin aboard its Nightjet train. The sleek and space efficient design aims to pack railway users onto the train in a similar fashion to a modern Japanese hotel.

Pictures of the new design show that the pods have a mirror, coat hooks, a reading lamp as well as adjacent lockers for hand luggage and shoes. Customers will be able to lie back with a good book in comfort as the train whistles them across the Continent at 230 km/h.

A VAST “mini-city” of 5,500 homes, schools and green space is set to rise on the edge of Birmingham.

Council chiefs gave given the go-ahead for the first stage of works.

7

7

7

The Langley development, near Walmley in Sutton Coldfield, will eventually see around 5,500 homes.

There will also be schools, community facilities and green spaces, built across a huge swathe of land.

Described by developers as an “unparalleled opportunity to establish a new sustainable community”, the scheme promises to transform the area.

Ahead of the latest council planning meeting, permission was sought to begin “strategic infrastructure” works on the site.

These include demolishing Langley Park House, creating open space and play areas, carrying out major earthworks, and building new highway, cycle and pedestrian networks.

But concerns were raised over how future residents will travel.

Conservative councillor Gareth Moore argued that Labour’s transport policy risks being “outdated” and could turn the new neighbourhood into a “heavy car-use area.”

“Despite the best will in the world, the council is not going to change that,” he said.

“I’m really concerned that long-term this is going to build up problems because we’re going to try and discourage people from owning cars.

“We’re going to try and encourage everyone to walk, cycle and get the bus – but they’re not.

“They’re going to own cars and they’ll be parked all over the place. Yes, in 50 years’ time that might be different but the important thing is the here and now.”

A council report defended the plans, pointing to an “extensive network” of new walking and cycling routes across the site.

This is including segregated cycle paths, bus-only connections and a traffic-free bridge linking eastwards over the A38.

It said: “The intention is to not give equal priority to all modes through the road space allocation, instead encouraging sustainable travel which adheres to the objectives of the Birmingham Transport Plan.”

7

7

7

Officials have previously stressed that prioritising active travel and public transport will help cut road danger, connect communities and tackle the climate emergency.

According to the scheme’s official website, the new development will also bring schools, leisure facilities and large areas of “well-connected green spaces.”

“We are committed to working with the local community to deliver a beautifully designed scheme that puts placemaking at its heart and provides long-term benefits for both new and existing residents,” it said.

With the application now approved, work can begin on laying the groundwork for one of the biggest housing projects Birmingham has ever seen.

This follows after reports of a huge new town with up to 25,000 homes is set to be built in the UK, as part of a government scheme.

The ambitious plans are set to ease Britain’s housing crisis, and the project is expected to create 30,000 jobs.

The Brabazon development, in South Gloucestershire, is set to become a “thriving new town, designed around people, nature and opportunity: the best place in the UK to live, work and play”, according to YTL, the group facilitating its construction.

Proposals for the project include 6,500 homes (which could rise to 25,000), and student accommodation big enough to house 2,000 people.

The new town will also have a 20,000 capacity arena, three new schools and community facilities, and is predicted to add £5 billion to the GVA.

A new train station, Metrobus links, cycle routes and walking paths will ensure the town is well connected to Bristol and over 3.6 million square feet of commercial space will house shops, businesses and offices.

Brabazon will also have an abundance of parks and green spaces, including a 15 acre park and lake, which will be the largest in the South West for 50 years.

The government has thrown its backing behind the development, as part of a £48 billion scheme to build 12 new homes across the nation.

Work has already begun on Brabazon, with 500 homes completed, and £400 million invested by YTL.

7

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — On a hill in Sonoma County, François Piccin yearns to return home.

In fall 2017, Piccin and his wife lost their ranch house when the Tubbs fire roared through Northern California’s famed wine region. Contractors found themselves in high demand and overbooked, and the one the couple hired abandoned the project halfway through. In the time it took to find a new builder, the price tag rose by a third to $2.4 million, forcing the Piccins to sell a rental property they owned to pay the bill.

The home remains unfinished and their lives unsettled.

• Share via Close extra sharing options

“Financially, what we’ve done doesn’t make sense,” said Piccin, 66, standing this summer amid cardboard delivery boxes and stray cabinet drawers in his future kitchen. “But emotionally, psychologically, it is a mandate. We need to have this done to be able to close a chapter and turn the page.”

Over the last eight years, wildfires have burned down more houses than at any other time in California history. From the Piccins’ property in wine country to foothills below the Sierra Nevada to canyons overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the wreckage stubbornly resists recovery.

François Piccin has been attempting to rebuild his home since the 2017 Tubbs fire but had significant problems with his contractor. He now has a new contractor and is almost finished.

To better understand what Los Angeles might expect after January’s fires, The Times examined the five other most destructive wildfires from this period to document how communities have responded in the wake of disaster.

In total, nearly 22,500 homes were lost in the five blazes, which occurred from 2017 to 2020. Just 8,400 — 38% — had been rebuilt as of April per the Times analysis.

It’s not for lack of trying. In more than 50 interviews, wildfire-affected homeowners and renters, builders, academics, aid workers and government officials described the myriad ways rebuilding has failed. Insurance came up short. Construction costs soared. Red tape stifled. Life intervened. The desire of many fire survivors to return to their homes ran aground amid the challenges.

Now, with 13,000 homes lost this year in Los Angeles County, these experiences offer a scope into the future. Immediately after the blazes, the neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena vowed to come back as they were before. Elected officials promised to do everything in their power to make that happen. But the same was said when the earlier fires reduced other areas to rubble.

Scars from the 2020 North Complex fire remain in Berry Creek.

Not all communities devastated by wildfire have struggled the same, the Times analysis shows. Some have rebounded. Almost 80% of the 4,700 homes burned down in the Tubbs fire have returned. Other places remain deserted. The 2020 North Complex fire destroyed 1,500 homes in Berry Creek and nearby rural areas in the pine forests of Butte County. Seventy-two have been rebuilt.

The differences in the pace of construction reveal patterns. Wealthier, flat, suburban areas have tended to rebuild faster than poorer, hilly, rural areas.

But affluence and urbanity haven’t always played decisive roles. In the middle-class neighborhood of Coffey Park in Santa Rosa, 93% of property owners have rebuilt after the Tubbs fire, The Times found. That rate is almost 20 percentage points higher than the wealthier nearby community of Fountaingrove. More homes have returned after the 2018 Carr fire in Redding and surrounding old mining towns in Shasta County than after the similarly destructive Woolsey fire, which affected Malibu and coastal L.A. County the same year.

Homeowners’ decision to rebuild is highly individualized. Tangible issues, including their insurance coverage and savings, mix with intangibles like family dynamics, the trauma of losing a home and the deluge of choices needed to build a new one. Whatever control fire survivors have over these variables, they have none over many others, such as construction costs, mortgage rates and the restoration of public infrastructure. Even how a fire began matters. When private utilities are at fault, the resulting payouts can make it easier to construct a replacement. But that’s not the case with fires attributed to natural causes.

Indeed, permit applications rose each time survivors of the 2018 Camp fire received installments from a settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric, whose power lines caused the blaze that burned down nearly 14,000 homes in Butte County. North Complex survivors received no such payout. Lightning started that fire.

Many residents initially intent on rebuilding and returning to their properties gave up and decided to move on.

Fountaingrove neighborhood in Santa Rosa eight years after Tubbs fire. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Richard and Pamela Klein spent nearly $200,000 on plans to build a replacement house atop a winding road in Fountaingrove. The terrain made for arduous access to their property and their contractor told them building costs would soar unless they convinced their neighbors to let them truck materials through their then-empty lots. The Kleins offered to pay for the privilege, but the neighbors didn’t agree. Two and a half years after the Tubbs fire, the couple sold their one-acre parcel and moved to the Lake Tahoe area.

“If we knew that we were going to face these hurdles up front, we wouldn’t have even thought of rebuilding,” said Richard Klein, 65.

Though devastated L.A. neighborhoods look more like those that burned in the Tubbs fire than in the mountainous country of the North Complex, experts say that no matter the circumstances property owners and politicians vastly underestimate the time, difficulty and expense of rebuilding.

Home construction on Hartzell Street in the Alphabet Streets neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in August.

(Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

“It’s a marathon sprint,” said Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Urban Institute, where he studies disaster response. “It’s going to take a really long time and it’s going to be really intense for a very long time.”

When rebuilds go fast

A month after the Carr fire devoured his home in Redding, Mark Chitwood believed his rebuild was moving too slowly.

He couldn’t get ahold of his insurance adjuster, so he searched for phone numbers of company executives. He found one and unloaded his grievances on her.

Ed Bledsoe, 76, surveying his Redding home and belongings destroyed by the Carr fire in August 2018.

(Los Angeles Times)

“To say the least, I was a little pissed off,” said Chitwood, 64. “I’m not one to sit around and wait for things to happen.”

Within days, a new adjuster arrived. The check followed and Chitwood got going. A local Realtor, Chitwood and a contractor friend had built 120 new houses together, including, only four years before the fire, his home and others in the upscale Land Park subdivision. The house’s foundation survived, so Chitwood kept the same footprint, redesigned the interior and hired his friend to do the work.

In March 2019, just eight months after the blaze, Chitwood entered a finished three-bedroom house, one of the fastest rebuilds in any of the five fires analyzed by The Times.

When he walked into his new living room and sank into his new recliner it felt like home again.

Chitwood’s story ticks many of the boxes recovery experts say are needed to return rapidly. Living in a subdivision with houses close together allowed debris cleanup to move efficiently. His insurance paid out in full with only the brief delay. His prior experience building houses gave him a huge advantage navigating the process.

“For me, it was easy to do,” Chitwood said. “A lot of people were overwhelmed.”

The reasons individual homeowners and entire neighborhoods can rebuild fast after fires come down to personal circumstance and community dynamics. People with high incomes or substantial savings have clear advantages, but that’s not all that matters.

Few empty lots remain in the neighborhood of Coffey Park, where local advocacy groups expedited the rebuilding process after the 2017 Tubbs fire.

Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park and Fountaingrove neighborhoods saw most of their development in the 1980s and ‘90s, the former made up of planned subdivisions with look-alike starter homes and the latter a hilly refuge for luxury custom living.

In October 2017, the Tubbs fire blazed through Fountaingrove before jumping the 101 Freeway to Coffey Park. It wiped out both areas, taking a similar number of homes in each and 2,700 between them.

Fountaingrove’s relative affluence didn’t mean residents returned more quickly. Like the Kleins, many struggled with the logistics of building custom homes on large, irregularly shaped lots amid sloping terrain.

An October 2017 aerial view of homes destroyed by the Tubbs fire in the Mark West community in Sonoma County.

(Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

By contrast, Coffey Park is flat and divided into compact, similarly sized parcels. The layout provided an incentive for homebuilders to develop a handful of models that could fit on most properties. Builders had multiple homes under construction at the same time, allowing them to work quickly and at scale with little lag time between jobs across the cul-de-sacs. The process provided more predictable costs and timelines for builders and residents, and opened opportunities unimaginable in the hills across the freeway.

Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park has seen more progress rebuilding than wealthier Fountaingrove

N

City of Santa Rosa, California Department of Fire Protection and Forestry, U.S. Census, U.S. Geological Survey

Sean Greene LOS ANGELES TIMES

Before the fire, Jeff Okrepkie and his wife were Coffey Park renters. They wanted to remain in the neighborhood and planned to use the money they received from their renters insurance as a down payment on a new house. Various prospects fell through until Okrepkie noticed that a builder had purchased a lot on their old street to store materials for other homes under construction.

The builder and Okrepkie worked out a deal: He’d select a design from the builder’s catalog of homes and buy the property once all the construction, including theirs, was complete. They signed a contract and Okrepkie eagerly watched its progress in the construction pipeline.

“I was house number 82,” Okrepkie said. “I found out where 81 was and I would go see what they were doing and say, ‘Oh, they’re doing windows? Cool, I’m getting windows next week.’’’

Okrepkie’s family, which by then included two young children, moved in 2½ years after the fire.

Coffey Park residents gathering in October 2018 for a “Wine Wednesday” on Scarlett Place during rebuilding after the Tubbs fire in Santa Rosa.

(Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Unlike in Fountaingrove’s spread-out hills, rebuilding in Coffey Park become a communal event. Soon after the fire, Okrepkie and neighbors formed a group called Coffey Strong. The organization advocated for area survivors, served as a sounding board to vet contractors and, at times, functioned as group therapy. For years, neighbors would hold weekly get-togethers, at first on burned-out lots and later at housewarming parties. They called the gatherings “Wine Wednesdays,” a name that captured their imbibing and venting.

The organization operated as a virtuous circle for rebuilding, encouraging residents to keep going, said Okrepkie, 46.

“Indirect social pressure existed,” said Okrepkie, who has since been elected to the Santa Rosa City Council. “Like, ‘I don’t want to be the last one in.’ The thing you tend to really miss is your community.”

Coffey Park’s location provided an additional advantage over Fountaingrove when it came to insurance. Before the fire, insurance in Coffey Park was more affordable because the neighborhood was considered at lower risk of burning. Combined with lower property values and cheaper rebuilds, many Coffey Park residents had purchased enough coverage to finance their return, as noted by Grist reporter Jake Bittle. The topography of Fountaingrove was a significant fire hazard. No matter its relative wealth, the significant expense of insuring high-value homes in a high-risk neighborhood meant that homeowners there had lesser coverage. Payouts were too small to pay for their costlier, custom rebuilds.

Racing the insurance clock

Insurance companies had to provide coverage for temporary living expenses for two years, which meant that if Tubbs survivors were going to return, many needed to do so relatively quickly. Coffey Strong later lobbied for a change in state law that required companies to cover such expenses for three years in future fires.

Without that private subsidy, survivors would have to pay the mortgage on their destroyed property and the rent for their temporary housing — on top of any gaps in construction costs not covered by insurance for the new home.

City officials were acutely aware of the insurance deadline, said Gabe Osburn, Santa Rosa’s director of planning and economic development. Osburn said the city gave homeowners breaks on many rules, including reducing fees and landscaping requirements, to help people meet the target.

“It was two years or bust,” Osburn said. “We were working under that timeline. If we don’t get this done in two years, then they’re going to sell the property.”

Osburn said it was important to city officials not only that homes were rebuilt, but also that original owners could come back. Structures don’t make up a neighborhood’s character, he said, the people who live there do.

“You really want to maintain the fabric of your community,” he said.

The two-year mark fell squarely in the largest surge of construction in Santa Rosa and elsewhere after the Tubbs fire. Nearly 60% of all the houses that have been rebuilt were finished between 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 years following the blaze, The Times found. Over the nine-month peak of rebuilding, more than three families a day were moving back into their homes.

Few empty lots remain in the neighborhood of Coffey Park, where local advocacy groups expedited the rebuilding process after the 2017 Tubbs fire.

The dearth of construction after the North Complex fire makes it an outlier. But although the pace and extent of building after the Carr, Camp and Woolsey fires have been slower and smaller than after Tubbs, a general pattern has held. In all of them, it took seven to nine months for the first house to be completed. Development rose from there and reached its monthly peak between the second and third year. By year four, progress dropped significantly.

This consistency in the trajectory of rebuilding indicates that permitting stagnation is attributable to the passage of time rather than declining once a certain percentage of homes are rebuilt.

For instance, a majority of the 1,100 houses lost in the Carr fire remain vacant lots seven years later. Of properties with rebuilt homes, about half were occupied between 14 months and 2 1/2 years after the blaze. Now, new completions have trickled to fewer than three a month, less than 20% of that peak period.

Why rebuilds stall

Weeks after the Camp fire destroyed swaths of Butte County in November 2018, Pat Butler returned to her five-acre property in the rolling hills of Concow.

At first, she stayed in a 19-foot metal travel trailer that hadn’t burned. Living off the grid like many in the area, Butler, then 65, was lucky one of her water tanks survived so she could bathe. Her bathroom became a toilet she fastened on top of her septic tank outside and exposed for her neighbors to see — had any of them come back.

Pat Butler has lived on her rural property for nearly three decades. All but one small structure burned in the Camp fire. She moved back within a month and years later with assistance of nonprofits began rebuilding.

Alyssa Hofman, left, of the Tiny Pine Foundation designed and helped build Pat Butler’s new home.

Butler was uninsured. She received assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but it wasn’t enough to start on a new home. She remained in the trailer for two years.

Eventually, an aid group got Butler a camper where she set up rudimentary solar panels and built a porch. With the help of more private aid, the rebuilding process began.

They poured the foundation for her 400-square-foot home on May 12, 2023, a date Butler commemorated in the cement. Every few months, volunteers would come two weeks at a time from Connecticut, Hawaii, Michigan and Washington to assist with the framing, siding and painting. In between, Butler and a local charity worker worked on the house themselves.

She moved in Christmas Eve.

“This past winter was the first in six years that my feet were warm,” said Butler, now 71.

Pat Butler moved into her rebuilt home last Christmas Eve. “This past winter was the first in six years that my feet were warm,” she said.

Butler could stay because of her dedication to her land and the private assistance she received. But for the vast majority of fire survivors in poor, rural areas, the obstacles to rebuilding have been too great.

Many faced the same challenges with topography that those in Fountaingrove did, but without the financial resources to make up for it. Multiple studies have shown that those living in rural areas are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured. And a lack of essential infrastructure only has added to the hurdles.

Nowhere are the disparities between suburban and rural more clear than in the aftermath of the Carr fire. Redding residents had higher incomes and better insurance than survivors from the unincorporated areas of Shasta County, said Rebecca Ewert, a Northwestern University sociologist who wrote her PhD thesis on Carr fire recovery.

Rebuilding homeowners in Redding also had access to a central sewer system, had their electricity restored by the local utility and street repairs handled by the city. Many residents of unincorporated communities had none of these, Ewert said. Instead, they had to pay upward of tens of thousands of dollars to fix damaged septic systems, reinstall their own power poles and repave the asphalt melted from private roads.

“There were so many additional steps and costs that people in the rural areas had to navigate before even starting to rebuild,” Ewert said.

The Times data show the results of the inequities. Nearly three-quarters of the 260 homes the Carr fire destroyed in Redding have been rebuilt. In unincorporated Shasta County, where 817 houses burned down, fewer than 40% have returned.

Rebuilding after the Camp fire has been even slower, and not only because of the challenges affecting rural areas.

The wildfire remains by far the most destructive in state history, with more homes burned down than the two January blazes in Los Angeles combined. Besides Concow and other sparsely populated unincorporated communities in Butte County, the fire wiped out the 26,000-person town of Paradise. Unprecedented public works and economic problems were left in its wake.

It took two years just to begin cutting down 50,000 dead and dying trees from properties in the burn scar. Paradise’s roads made it through the fire but didn’t survive the cleanup. The parade of dump trucks carting out tons of wreckage buckled the streets; repaving operations continue today. Paradise’s hospital, the town’s largest employer, shuttered permanently, dealing a blow to the jobs and the tax base unlike any faced by survivors of the Tubbs fire in wine country and Woolsey fire in Los Angeles.

The hurdles have fueled a mass exodus. Nearly five years post-fire, property owners were twice as likely to have sold their land as rebuilt their homes, an analysis by the Butte County Assessor’s Office found.

The former Pine Grove Mobile Home Park in Paradise following the 2018 Camp fire. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Overall, about a quarter of the homes lost to the Camp fire have been rebuilt. The pace lags behind both the Carr and Woolsey fires, which have rebuilding rates of 47% and 41%, respectively.

How government tilts the playing field

In the wake of these major wildfires, the federal government has provided substantial funding for recovery. It has allocated more than $1.5 billion toward long-term relief efforts following the five fires and other disasters in California from the same years. The dollars are on top of assistance FEMA provided to individuals immediately after the fires.

Yet the money almost always came with strings attached, leaving survivors and recovery workers maneuvering to match the funding with actual needs. The same is true for other federal and state programs that disaster-affected areas could tap for rebuilding.

After the Camp fire, Butte County pursued a state grant to pay for a small community wastewater system in a commercial area that burned. Officials reasoned it would be best to install when no one was living there and that its completion could spur the return of homes and businesses. But the state turned down the request because only populated areas were eligible.

A November 2018 photo shows the remains of the Ridgewood Mobile Home Park in Paradise following the Camp fire.

(Los Angeles Times)

“Nobody after a disaster hands you a pot of money and says, ‘Go do the best and highest,’ ” said Katie Simmons, deputy chief administrative officer for Butte County, who is overseeing recovery efforts. “It’s like, ‘Go do the impossible and then we might reimburse you.’ ”

The other primary way that government affects rebuilding is through permitting. Officials at all levels promised to streamline the process. Then-Gov. Jerry Brown touted his actions “to cut red tape” while touring fire-ravaged Malibu after the 2018 Woolsey fire. Gov. Gavin Newsom committed to doing the same within days of January’s fires in L.A.

Yet many survivors remain stuck, especially where rules are the strictest. Along the California coastline, overlapping layers of regulations make it hard to build at any time. When fire strikes, homeowners can find the circumstances unforgiving.

Seated on what’s left of the foundation of their home, Gene Zilinskas, 85, from left, his wife, Dagmar, 93, and daughter Beatrix Zilinskas reflect on the loss of their house in the Woolsey fire in Malibu in August. The Zilinskas family has been trying to rebuild the property since the 2018 fire.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In a canyon overlooking Paradise Cove, melted steel beams protrude from a concrete foundation that survived Woolsey. It served as the base for the Zilinskas family’s once, and they hope future, home. But nearly seven years after the blaze, they haven’t secured their permits.

Their old home, completed in the early 1990s, was three floors. But they’re shrinking the new house into two. Gene Zilinskas, a retired sonar engineer, is 85 and his wife Dagmar, a former art teacher, is 93. They want fewer stairs than before. They’ve planned for two bedrooms, a kitchen and main living area on the top floor with a bedroom for their daughter below, a layout that also adapts to the hillside and their remaining foundation. But the plan conflicted with city of Malibu rules that say second stories can’t be larger than the first.

Gene Zilinskas is seen through a window frame of his house that was destroyed in the 2018 Woolsey fire in Malibu.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

That dispute was among many that the family has needed to resolve with permitting officials. They’ve now run into topographical problems with widening their driveway to meet new fire access requirements. The Zilinskases now are on their third architect. The first, fed up with failing to get the home approved, quit. The second died.

“There’s this sense of powerlessness, of not being the captain of your own ship,” said their daughter Beatrix Zilinskas. “Everybody is chronically depressed, this feeling of having absolutely no say so with what’s going on in your life.”

Because of their ages and the time it has taken to receive a permit, the elder Zilinskases believe it’s unlikely they’ll ever walk into their new home.

Malibu officials said the city had trouble verifying records from the Zilinskases’ previous house and aligning the new plans with updated building codes, especially with the multiple architects.

“I feel so bad for the family,” said Yolanda Bundy, Malibu’s community development director. “They’re almost there.”

Bundy said Malibu has changed its rebuilding rules after Woolsey. The city hopes it will make the process smoother for the hundreds more Malibu residents who lost their homes in January’s Palisades fire. The city is assigning its most experienced planners to handle rebuilding rather than relying on contract workers as they did before. Recently, the city updated its codes to make issues like the second-story rule that ensnared the Zilinskases easier to overcome, she said.

“We are really listening and trying to be more flexible,” Bundy said.

With little sign of California’s unprecedented era of wildfire ending, many other communities may have to learn similar lessons. Decades of homebuilding in forests and foothills have left millions of residents exposed as climate change fuels longer, hotter and drier fire seasons.

Seventy percent of the 20 most destructive wildfires in state history have burned since 2017, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. All but two have occurred after the turn of the century and none before 1991. The Tubbs fire from fall 2017 was the worst until Camp a year later. The Eaton and Palisades fires then jumped to second and third on the list.

“We’ve created this risk,” said Rumbach of the Urban Institute. It’s only now we’ve realized, he said, that “the check comes due.”

Seventy percent of the 20 most destructive wildfires in state history have occurred since fall 2017, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

To understand the pace and extent of rebuilding in the most significant of these fires, The Times relied on data from state and local governments.

The Times obtained data in February from the Cal Fire Damage Inspection Database, known as DINS, which documents buildings burned in wildfires. We filtered for residential structures — single-residence, multiple-residence and mixed-use commercial/residential — that were destroyed.

We limited our reporting to fires that destroyed 1,000 or more residential structures during this period — aside from January’s Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County. There were five: Tubbs (2017), Carr (2018), Camp (2018), Woolsey (2018) and North Complex (2020).

The Times analysis showed 22,438 residential structures burned in the five fires. About 75% were single-family homes, 23% were mobile homes and fewer than 2% were apartment, condominium or other multifamily buildings. Because of data limitations, a multifamily building was counted as one residential structure no matter how many units it had. In its reporting, The Times used “residential structure” and “home” interchangeably.

The fires destroyed homes across 16 local jurisdictions. To determine when and how many homes were rebuilt, The Times in March and April collected certificate of occupancy data from building departments in each community. Additionally, The Times accessed data from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which regulates mobile home parks.

Using GIS software, The Times plotted coordinates in the Cal Fire data to match each destroyed structure to the city or county responsible for issuing a permit to rebuild it. From there, The Times merged assessor parcel numbers of destroyed homes from the Cal Fire data with those of rebuilt homes from local and state building data obtained from each jurisdiction. Finally, The Times summarized certificates of occupancy issued by day to plot the reconstruction timeline for each fire. For uniformity, the results are limited to homes approved prior to April 1.

The Times deviated from its methodology for a specific situation. The Tubbs fire destroyed a 162-lot mobile home park in Santa Rosa. Two apartment buildings for low-income senior citizens together comprising 132 units have been built on the site. Given that the Times analysis designated 162 mobile homes as destroyed, the analysis was adjusted to count the 132 replacement apartment units.

Overall, the analysis concluded that 8,420 homes have been rebuilt, 38% of those destroyed in the five fires.

The Times results could differ from reports published by some jurisdictions for two reasons: Local jurisdictions may have conducted more rigorous inventories of destroyed buildings than detailed in the Cal Fire DINS data and their rebuilding numbers can be continuously updated.

Sept. 29 (UPI) — Humberto strengthened slightly on Monday, bringing threats to the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center said.

Humberto had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 a.m. AST update.

It was located about 340 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and was moving northwest at 13 mph, according to the forecasters.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles.

A tropical storm watch was in effect for Bermuda. While Humberto is expected to miss the island, its residents could begin to feel the effects of tropical-storm-force winds starting late Tuesday, the NHC said.

“On the forecast track, the center of Humberto will pass west and then north of Bermuda on Tuesday and Wednesday,” the NHC said.

The storm is expected to experience fluctuations in intensity over the next day or so, but gradual weakening is forecast after that. It is, however, to remain a “dangerous major hurricane” over the next few days, according to the forecasters.

Swells generated by Humberto will continue affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda through much of this week, and likely produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Dangerous surf conditions were expected to begin affecting much of the U.S. East Coast on Monday.

Humberto is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic season and became the season’s third hurricane on Friday morning.

On Sunday, it was joined in the Atlantic by Tropical Storm Imelda.

Sept. 27 (UPI) — Humberto weakened to a Category 4 hurricane Sunday, but remains a threat to the East Coast and Bermuda this week, the National Hurricane Center said.

Humberto had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, was located about 525 miles north-northwest of the Northern Leeward Islands and about 470 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported in its 5 p.m. EDT update.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical-force winds to 125 miles outward.

No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but the NHS advises officials in Bermuda to monitor Hurricane Umberto’s progress.

Hurricane Humberto likely will retain its major hurricane status for the next several days and turned to the northwest on Sunday, and is projected to make another turn to the north by Tuesday, according to the NHC.

Swells generated by Humberto will start affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda beginning Sunday night, where the hurricane likely will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

The NHC shows Bermuda in the storm’s cone on Tuesday.

Humberto is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic season and became the season’s third hurricane on Friday morning.

Tropical Depression Nine could threaten southeastern U.S.

The NHC also is tracking Tropical Depression Nine on Saturday morning and expects it to strengthen to tropical storm status by late Saturday night, which would be named Tropical Storm Imelda.

The tropical depression had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was moving northwesterly at 5 mph while located about 200 miles northwest of the eastern tip of Cuba and about 105 miles south-southwest of the Central Bahamas, according to the NHC’s 5 p.m. EDT update.

“Strengthening is expected during the next few days, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm tonight or early Sunday and a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday,” the NHC update said.

A tropical storm watch was issued for Florida’s east coast from the Palm Beach/Martin County line north to Flagler/Volusia County line.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Central Bahamas and San Salvador, while a tropical storm watch is in effect for portions of the northwest Bahamas.

Moving north-northwest through Monday, the storm is expected to track across the central and northwestern Bahamas on Sunday and approach the U.S. coast early next week, according to the NHC.

Eastern Cuba is expected to see 8 to 12 inches of rain with the potential for up to 16 inches in isolated areas, while the Bahamas is predicted to see 4 to 8 inches of rain, forecasters said.

Between 2 and 4 inches of rain is forecast across Hispaniola, Jamaica, and portions of central and southern Cuba.

“This rainfall will likely produce flash and urban flooding,” NHC said. “Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica.

Swells generated by the cyclone, as well as Hurricane Humberto, will affect parts of the Bahamas this weekend and are predicted to spread to the southeast U.S. coast early next week.

The potential for swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, NHC said.