Price

May 10 (UPI) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday the Trump administration is “open” to the possibility of suspending the federal tax on gasoline sales as prices spike amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

Wright said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press he and Trump are “open to all ideas” to lower energy prices, including following the lead of some U.S. states in temporarily shelving taxes on gas at the pump amid the price surge.

“All measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of,” he said. “We are constantly looking for different ideas.”

Citing previous measures such as releasing oil from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserves and “revising federal regulations on summer gasoline blends to make it easier for American refineries to produce more gasoline,” Wright said the suspension of the 18-cents-per-gallon federal tax on gas is also on the table.

“We are working every day to offset this rise in prices because of a critical conflict in Iran to drive prices down, and we’re open to all such ideas,” he said.

Wright’s comments came as the average national price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline stood at $4.52 per gallon as of Sunday, according to the Automobile Association of America.

U.S. drivers have seen sharp increases in pump prices in recent weeks after Iran blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway connecting Persian Gulf oil and natural gas producers with world markets.

The move came in retaliation to a wave U.S.-Israeli bombing attacks on Iran beginning Feb. 28, which Washington and Tel Aviv claim were necessary to prevent the imminent development of a nuclear weapon by Iran’s rulers.

The price of regular gas last week surged 25 cents for the second consecutive week to $4.55 — $1.40 higher than they were a year ago and marking their highest level since 2022, the AAA reported.

Crude oil prices have dipped below $100 per barrel while a fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran has been in place and negotiations to reopen the Strait have been ongoing. But with global oil supplies tightening, upwards pressure on pump prices continues.

In a separate appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, Wright refused to predict were gas prices were heading.

“I don’t know the future of gas prices,” he said while admitting that “gasoline and diesel prices are up, and they will remain up while this conflict’s in place, and then they will come back down.

“And, ultimately, they’ll come back down lower than they were before.”

KATIE Price has touched down on home turf from her Dubai visit to see husband Lee Andrews.

Though it wasn’t the happiest of trips for the former glamour model, 47, who has been accused of refusing to stump up for her cosmetic surgery bills while in the UAE.

The Sun exclusively revealed she hasn’t settled her debts – despite hubby Lee claiming to be a billionaire.

The mum of five flashed a smile as she arrived in the UK’s Gatwick Airport, wearing a tight-fit grey crop top which clung to her curves and black joggers.

She pulled on a trendy pair of sunglasses and styled her hair poker straight, looking fresh from the long-haul trip.

Katie – who flashed her huge wedding ring in the Arrivals terminal – was accompanied by an assistant who wheeled three bags of luggage alongside her.

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Katie Price accused of refusing to pay surgery bills and blocking Dubai business

There is ongoing speculation that her husband Lee, 43, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates city after allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend Dina Taji’s signature to secure a £200,000 loan – something he’s strongly denied.

Back in April, Katie appeared to confirm he is subject to a travel ban

As such, she is the one doing the graft with the long haul flights.

Though this time around, Katie’s spouse has been slammed by a popular UAE-based aesthetic clinician for failing to cough up the money for the cosmetic work they’ve had in recent months.

Katie Price surgery boxout

KATIE Price’s love for surgery is no secret – here’s the details

1998 – Katie underwent her first breast augmentation taking her from a natural B cup to a C cup. She also had her first liposuction

1999 – Katie had two more boob jobs in the same year, one taking her from a C cup to a D cup, and then up to an F cup

2006 – Katie went under the knife to take her breasts up to a G cup

2007 – Katie had a rhinoplasty and veneers on her teeth

2008 – Katie stunned fans by reducing her breasts from an F cup to a C cup

2011 – Going back to an F cup, Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers

2014/5 – Following a nasty infection, Katie had her breast implants removed

2016 – Opting for bigger breasts yet again, Katie had another set of implants, along with implants, Botox and lip fillers

2017 – After a disastrous ‘threading’ facelift, Katie also had her veneers replaced. She also had her eighth boob job taking her to a GG cup

2018 – Katie went under the knife yet again for a facelift

2019 – After jetting to Turkey, Katie had a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift and a tummy tuck

2020 – Katie has her 12th boob job in Belgium to correct botched surgery and a new set of veneers

2021 –  In a complete body overhaul, she opts for eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, fat injected into her bum and full body liposuction

2022 – Katie undergoes another brow and eye lift-and undergoes ‘biggest ever’ boob job in Belgium, her 16th in total

2023 – Opting for a second rhinoplasty, Katie also gets a lip lift at the same time as well as new lip filler throughout the year

2024 – Katie has her 17th boob job in Brussels after revealing she wanted to downsize. She performed at Dublin Pride just days later and surgeons warned the lack of recovery posed a risk of infection

Lee allegedly refused to pay the bill, however he insists the work was ‘complementary’.

The clinic specialises in facial contouring and liquid rhinoplasty among other surgical and non-surgical treatments.

In response to a recent Sun post about Lee using fake money to scam women, the clinician has shared his own experience with the couple.

Just days ago, the beauty clinic owner claimed that he had not received any money and was still chasing the couple.

But in a surprise move, he alleged that he had been blocked, without any explanation for their failure to pay.

He said: “This is expected as they both left without paying for their treatment and after multiple sent invoices, I was blocked.

“Although no mention of being unhappy with the results was ever brou- ght to my attention.

“What Katie is experiencing with her treatment is perfectly normal.”

But Lee has denied these claims when the The Sun reached out to him.

He has insisted that Katie was left “unable to move her mouth” following the procedure and disputes the charges.

FROM declaring himself as a millionaire to the mysterious ‘travel ban’ saga, Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews has seemingly left fans more concerned for the glamour model than ever before.

But as friends of the star grow increasingly worried about the whirlwind marriage, and more of Lee’s apparent untruths come to light, The Sun can reveal why Katie isn’t going anywhere, no matter how muddied the waters get.

But despite what appears to be a string of red flags – from questions about his finances and qualifications to damning allegations from his furious exes – Katie is determined to stick by her decision to wed Lee, a source has told The Sun.

“Everyone has told Katie multiple times that Lee is not the man for her and that she needs to walk away. Everyone believes that he is a con artist but she will not listen.

“His lies are mounting up and every week there is something new. Everyone feels helpless or the situation and they can’t keep trying and trying. It’s tiresome,” said the insider.

They continued that Katie is brushing off the worry and working harder than ever to ensure this marriage works out.

full display

Katie Price’s bikini struggles to contain her ‘biggest ever’ boobs in Dubai

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“The sad thing is, Katie won’t walk away because she hates being on her own and always has been that way.

“She is never without a man and has never been single. Even though she may appear fiery and strong from the outside deep down she is quite vulnerable and she hates being alone.

“She is very co-dependent and does rely on a man. She’s hates a quiet home it’s her worse nightmare,” they explained.

Back in February, The Sun revealed that Katie’s family were worried she could be “conned” by Lee, who they are all yet to meet.

In fact, the only member of Katie’s inner circle who has met Lee is best pal Kerry Katona, which ended in tears when he had a bust-up with her boyfriend, Paolo Margaglione.

This has led to fears’ for Katie from all angles, but the mum-of-five isn’t listening, says the source.

“Despite the fact that so many men have been her undoing before, she is addicted to love and always thinks the next time will be different.”

“No matter how many times she has her heartbroken, and even when everyone else sees the red flags, she puts blinkers on because she doesn’t want to see them.”

Katie jumped into a romance with Lee just weeks after she had split from boyfriend of almost two years, JJ Slater.

Before that, she was engaged to Carl Woods as the pair went back and forth during an on/off relationship.

She married for the first time in 2005 to Peter Andre, welcoming two children together before their divorce in 2009.

The following year, she tied the knot with Alex Reid in a Las Vegas wedding, but split from the cage fighter less than a year later.

In 2013 she then headed to the Bahamas to say ‘I Do’ to Kieran Hayler, they then finalised their divorce in 2021, three years after parting ways.

So now, following her Dubai ceremony with Lee earlier this year, our source says that Katie won’t accept another failed union.

“Katie is also very proud and really can’t have another failed marriage. She feels like she would be a laughing stock and a punchline, and she refuses to be the butt of people’s jokes,” they said.

“She’s very stubborn like that, and hates when her doubters are right, even if they have her best interests at heart.”

They continued: “She knows everyone is waiting for her marriage to Lee to fail, especially because of the whirlwind nature in which they got together, so she is determined to prove people wrong, even if that sometimes means turning a blind eye to the warning signs.”

KATIE Price is plotting to get around her seventh driving ban after her husband Lee Andrews claimed he bought her a Ferrari.

The former glamour model, 47, has received bans totalling more than six years since she was first disqualified in 2010.

And last month, Katie was banned for a seventh time after failing to respond to police letters about an 80mph speeding ticket.

But the media personality said she is now planning to get an international driving licence – despite her UK driving ban.

Katie shared a life update with her social media fans today.

She was joined by her husband Lee as she filmed a clip from the back of a moving car.

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Katie Price posts topless hospital pic amid ‘procedure’ weeks after surgery

STRANDED STAR

Katie Price says she’s stuck in Dubai with Lee and claims it’s safer than UK

Katie said: “Hey guys, we are just going to the hospital to get my stitches taken out and then we are going to Lee’s dad for a cup of tea.”

She added: “And to get my international driving licence…”

Lee interjected and said: “That’s the easy one, then you’ll see the car,” referring to the  £180k Ferrari that Lee claimed he gifted his wife.

But Katie’s followers were quick to correct the star, with one writing: “You cannot drive with an international driving licence with a driving ban. It still stands in other countries, there is no way around it.”

A second said: “I hope Katie realises as I wouldn’t want her to do anything illegal in Dubai.”

A third said: “Not with a ban in the UK, you can’t as the Dubai authorities do checks.”

Another commented: “You cannot get an International Driving Permit or drive in Dubai if you have a current UK driving ban. You must hold a valid full driving licence to apply for an International one and the UK court will have taken her licence so she cannot apply for one.”

This person added: “It appears you cannot legally drive in Dubai with a revoked UK licence.”

According to the GOV UK website, you cannot obtain an International Driving Licence if you are banned from driving in another country.

It is only issued to holders of a valid UK driving licence, which is revoked or suspended when you are banned.

In March, Katie was seen in the driver’s seat of a red Ferrari.

But the motor was completely different from the Ferrari she previously claimed had been a gift from self-confessed multi-millionaire Lee.

She previously told how the flash car, believed to cost around £180,000, had to remain in the UAE.

It is not clear how or when Lee purchased the car and whose name it is in ownership of.

Yet despite previously gushing over the “beautiful” gift it was nowhere to be seen during her recent video.

Lee took charge of filming as Katie got settled behind the wheel and said: “Kate is driving now – is this your first time driving in Dubai?”

She was then heard swearing as she got to grips with the automatic before he assisted and said: “There you go”.

Katie then added: “First time driving in Dubai.

The former glamour girl’s latest run-in with the law comes after a Ford Capri registered to her was caught at 80mph on the A64 near Strutton in North Yorkshire.

CCTV released by the police showed Katie behind the wheel during the incident on October 15, 2025, the same day she appeared on stage with celeb pal Kerry Katona for An Evening with Katie Price & Kerry Katona at Scarborough Spa.

Katie, who was first banned in 2010, was subsequently prosecuted and convicted of failing to respond to police, landing her with a six-month driving ban and a legal bill topping £1,000.

The former pin-up was keen to set the record straight last month.

Speaking on her podcast, The Katie Price Show the star revealed: “I found out I was banned by the papers.

“I am actually livid about that because if I’d got the letters I would have replied to it.”

Revealing what happened, Katie said: “Basically I’ve paid someone to do a job.

“They haven’t done it and… now I’m now banned from driving for six months, but I am gonna go back and see if I can appeal it.”

She then added: ” Yeah, or I just think it’s only six months where I live now, I can walk to the shop. the kids schools are ten minutes up the road.

“I get shopping delivered here anyway, because I’m always at home when I work at home.

“So it’s not like in the past where I’ve been stuck right in the middle of nowhere.”

It comes after Katie’s after new husband Lee claimed he is moving to the UK in May AND revealed details of a second wedding.

Lee popped the question to the star in January, and the couple tied the knot in Dubai just 48 hours later.

However, Katie later revealed they actually officially wed in February.

KATIE Price has revealed she’s back in hospital for more surgery after sharing a topless snap and asking fans to guess what procedure she’s having. 

The former glamour model, 47, recently travelled to Belgium for more work on her ‘biggest ever boobs’. 

And it seems Katie’s not done yet as she shared a new snap showing her topless in a hospital bed while medical staff worked on her. 

She wrote: “Quick Little Procedure, Any Guesses?”

Katie underwent her 17th boob job in 2024 in Belgium where she had work done to refine the biggest chest she has ever had.

Her previous breast surgery saw her get massive 2120cc implants in order to have the title of Britain’s biggest boobs

STRANDED STAR

Katie Price says she’s stuck in Dubai with Lee and claims it’s safer than UK

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Katie underwent her biggest change in 2019 when she opted for a full body overhaul in Turkey.

During her visit to the surgeon, she underwent a third facelift, an eye and eyelid lift, her first BBL, a tummy tuck as well as more breast surgery.

Katie recently revealed the heartbreaking reason she continues to work on her appearance. 

During a TikTok live she was asked by a fan why she keeps getting surgery. 

Katie replied: “Katie replied: “That is a very good question, so obviously I’ve had a lot of therapy because I’ve had trauma in my life.

“I think surgery stems from something from when I was younger, and I feel I’m not validated or good enough.

“It must have started from there. But to be honest, I quite like having the surgery it makes me look fresh.

“If there’s these procedures out there to be done I will take advantage of them and at least I’m being honest.”

Ticket buyer: Alec Mackie of Los Angeles

Events: Men’s baseball gold medal finals, women’s basketball gold medal finals, men’s soccer gold medal finals, swimming preliminary and tennis quarter final mixed doubles

Thoughts: ”My uncle made a spreadsheet. The tickets are for me, my uncle, friends and I’m hoping to take my nephew as well. I was 10 years old at the 1984 Olympics and got to go to gymnastics, swimming and closing ceremonies, and my nephew will be 10 in 2028. I know L.A. is going to have an amazing Olympics, we are Los Angeles! Ten million creative, beautiful people, always dreaming and we know how to wow people. I can’t wait and hopefully traffic is smooth, a glamorous sequel to ’84.”

May 6 (UPI) — Global oil prices fell sharply and financial markets rallied Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump paused a military operation to reopen the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping to give advanced peace talks with Iran a chance to deliver “a complete and final deal.”

Falls in Brent crude of more than $10 a barrel to $99, American crude by $13 to $92 a barrel and rallies in Asian stock markets overnight that fed into Europe when bourses opened there failed to feed through to U.S. gas prices, which jumped 5 cents a gallon to their highest level of the war.

AAA motor club figures showed a national average of $4.54 for a gallon of petrol and $5.67 for diesel, meaning drivers were paying 53% and 51% more than before the war started on Feb. 28, with the caveat that fuel price adjustments normally lag crude oil price movements by several days.

The White House believes a draft one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding to end the war and create a structure for more in-depth nuclear talks could succeed in breaking the deadlock, two U.S. officials and two other sources said.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman confirmed to CNBC that Iran was in receipt of the U.S. proposal and was “evaluating it.”

The Trump administration anticipates Iran will give its response with regard to the most critical elements of the plan in the next two days and although nothing has been finalized it was being seen as significant because it was the closest the sides had been to a deal since the beginning of the war.

However, Trump also appeared ambivalent, saying Wednesday it was “perhaps” too big of a stretch to believe Iran would take the deal and threatening to order the U.S. military to restart its airborne offensive against the country if it didn’t.

Analysts said investor confidence was boosted mainly by the fact the cease-fire was holding and signs that the economy was nowhere near as badly affected by the war as feared.

“This helped oil prices to come back down again and ease fears about a renewed escalation, with investors a bit more hopeful that an extended stagflationary shock would be avoided,” Deutsche Bank wrote in a note.

It added that investor confidence was also bolstered by new U.S. economic data showing among other positive indicators, that job vacancies declined less than anticipated in March, saying the numbers “cemented the case that the conflict’s wider economic impact was still fairly muted.”

“This helped oil prices to come back down again and ease fears about a renewed escalation, with investors a bit more hopeful that an extended stagflationary shock would be avoided,” they added.

Hopes were also riding on the possibility China would prevail on visiting Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi to persuade Iran to uphold the current truce with the United States, so as not to throw a wrench into Trump’s visit to Beijing on May 14, the first by any U.S. president in almost a decade.

China is one of Iran’s largest customers for its oil exports.

KATIE Price was left screaming in terror as she took a trip to a haunted house in Belgium for a ghosthunting experience this week.

The mum-of-five documented her spooky trip by filming the whole thing, with fans watching as she spoke to ‘ghosts’.

Katie drove from her home in the UK to Brussels with pal and cameraman Ben Algar as she headed to the European city to undergo more surgical procedures on her boobs and filler in her lips.

However, the she and Ben, who was behind the wheel due to Katie’s recent driving ban, decided to reside at a “haunted” Airbnb cabin during the trip.

Filming herself as they arrived for a new YouTube vlog, a terrified Katie is seen checking the cabin for ghosts.

Staring over at a lightbulb, she says: “If there’s any ghosts in here and you want us to go, that light I’m pointing at now, turn it off if you don’t want us to stay.”

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As nothing happened, she said: “Well, at least it didn’t turn off.”

But just seconds later, the light seemingly flickered off, with Katie then screaming.

“What is going on?” said the worried star.

With her hands on her face, she said: “Noo. What are we doing?”

Whilst Katie was convinced the light was proof that ghosts were present, fans in the comment section of the video had other theories.

“I think its a motion sensor bulb lol,” laughed one.

Another agreed: “Katie is a sensor light, when you step forward it came on then went off when ye stepped back”.

Katie’s trip abroad with Ben comes after we revealed him as the “second man” in her life, alongside husband Lee Andrews.

Sources credit Ben as a ‘stable influence’ in the ex-glamour model’s life, in what has been another whirlwind few months for the star, following her driving suspension and surprise Dubai wedding to Lee Andrews in late January.

“The second man in Katie’s life is Ben, who has been by her side for years,” a source tells The Sun. “But he’s really stepped up recently amid her latest drama.

“He is probably the only stable man she’s ever had in her life outside of her family.

“They’re incredibly close friends and Ben has always quietly guided Katie, not only in her career but in her private life

“The whole family love him- he’s a really great friend to Katie and the entire Price gang. They all think he’s a legend.”

A group of five consumers have filed a lawsuit against Paramount Skydance seeking to block its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and unwind the earlier merger that joined the storied Melrose Avenue studio with David Ellison’s Skydance Media, alleging that both deals reduce marketplace competition.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, alleges the Paramount-Warner deal will lead to increased prices, fewer consumer choices and reduce production of film and TV since a major rival in the entertainment business will be eliminated.

The suit also alleges that the Paramount-Skydance merger, which was finalized last year, led to higher prices for the Paramount+ streaming service.

The plaintiffs — Pamela Faust, Len Marazzo, Lisa McCarthy, Deborah Rubinsohn and Gary Talewsky — are either Paramount+ subscribers, pay for cable bundles that include Paramount-owned TV channels or are moviegoers who watch films in theaters.

The deal activity for Paramount is part of a growing list of recent media mergers, including Walt Disney Co.’s 2019 acquisition of much of 21st Century Fox and Amazon’s purchase of MGM in 2021.

“These acquisitions show an industry moving by successive combinations toward fewer independent rivals, exactly the consolidation backdrop that heightens the competitive threat posed by the next merger, even if the combined firm remains smaller than the largest platforms,” the lawsuit states.

Paramount is aware of the lawsuit and “confident that it is without merit,” a company spokesperson said.

“The combination of Paramount and [Warner Bros. Discovery] will create a stronger competitor that is well positioned to serve as a champion for creative talent and consumer choice,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Paramount-Warner deal is currently winding its way through regulatory approvals. While that process is underway, Paramount has asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to exceed a cap on foreign ownership for U.S. media companies.

Paramount expects to receive $24 billion in funds from three Middle Eastern royal families, who will become part owners of the combined company. Those total funds will represent about 49% of equity in that new company, exceeding the current foreign ownership cap of 25%.

Paramount has said the Ellison family and RedBird Capital Partners “collectively hold the largest equity stake in the combined company and continue to be the sole owners of Class A Common Stock, representing 100% of the voting shares.”

But on Friday, Rep. Sam Liccardo (D- San Jose) urged the FCC to deny Paramount’s petition on the foreign ownership aspect of the deal.

“Congress did not entrust the public airwaves to this agency so that it could auction off America to Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha,” he wrote in a statement. “This will not stand.”

A foodie left people floored after sharing the price of his three-course meal at a Benidorm restaurant. Harry shared his story after he sampled what was on offer at a popular eatery

Thousands flock to Benidorm each year for a spot of sun-soaked fun, but one man recently left people gobsmacked after sharing the price of his meal abroad. He popped into a well-known establishment to enjoy a three-course meal, and people were floored when they caught a glimpse of his bill.

Harry, known as Harry Tokky on TikTok, regularly documents his travels and escapades in Benidorm, keen to showcase everything Spain has to offer. He recently turned heads after sharing a dining experience that left followers speechless when they discovered what he’d forked out at a local restaurant during his time there.

He posted footage of himself tucking into his food before delivering an honest verdict. It’s not the first time the cost of eating out has caught people’s attention at the beloved holiday hotspot.

Harry said: “Today I’m here at Uncle Ron’s, locally famous for the €1 pint, and what might be the cheapest Sunday roast in Benidorm. What are we waiting for? Let’s go and get ourselves a Sunday roast.

“Just ordered myself a chicken roast at a mental price of €12 (£10.36). Do you think that’s cheap? Because I do.”

In the caption, he clarified this covered three courses, writing: “Would you pay €12 for a three-course Sunday roast in Benidorm?”

When the food arrived, he appeared thoroughly impressed, raving about the generous portion size and noting it came with a hearty amount of gravy on the side.

He added: “I can’t get over the fact that this is all €12. We’ve even got a bit of stuffing there as well.

“As far as value goes, I mean you’re not going to get better value than this I don’t think anywhere else in Benidorm. I mean, look at the size of it.

“Fantastic. Would you pay €12 for this roast dinner? Because I certainly would.”

Warning: Below video contains language some may find offensive

The footage got tongues wagging, with many viewers left gobsmacked by what a steal it was.

One wrote: “Had one Sunday. It was absolutely lovely. €12 for dinner and pudding.”

Another chimed in: “€13 with a pint – Holy Moly!” A third remarked: “Love Uncle Ron’s.”

While a fourth also added: “Brilliant bar. Uncle Ron’s is great.”

For those yet to make a visit, Uncle Ron’s in Benidorm is well-regarded for serving up incredibly wallet-friendly roast dinners. Over the years, it’s typically been priced at around €12 for multiple courses.

You’ll find it situated on Calle Londres in the new town. It’s a firm favourite for pub grub, boasting live music, reasonably priced drinks and a laid-back atmosphere.

LEONARDO DiCaprio is facing business woes as the trendy vegan shoe brand he backed continues to haemorrhage millions.

The star’s favoured label has been left relying on cash injections from wealthy investors to keep it afloat.

British shoemaker LØCI, in which Leo is a key investor, makes 100% cruelty-free trainers using recycled bamboo, foam and rubber.

Each £160 pair reuses up to 20 plastic bottles recovered from the Mediterranean and the east coast of Africa.

The brand has proved popular with celebrities including Ben Affleck, Mila Kunis and Eva Longoria, while fellow investor Nicki Minaj has her own range.

But following Leo’s investment, the firm’s finances took a nosedive and it now has just £7,355 listed as “cash at bank and in hand”.

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Newly released accounts for Wild Loci Ltd also show accumulated losses of £2,904,888, while the company owes £931,130 to creditors.

The figures, filed this week, reveal the business is being propped up by investment totalling £5,170,947.

That leaves it with equity of £2,280,760 despite the significant losses.

The company also risks being struck off by Companies House after filing its accounts late for two consecutive years.

It has also been late submitting its annual “confirmation statement”, a legal requirement.

The government website warns: “Not filing your confirmation statements, annual returns or accounts is a criminal offence – and directors or LLP designated members could be personally fined in the criminal courts.”

Currently, the brand is offering dozens of shoes at half price, including the “Origins” trainer, which features a “natural cork and recycled foam insole”.

All of Nicki Minaj’s range is also heavily discounted, including the “Barbie Dangerous” and “Itty Bitty Piggy” sneakers.

At the time of Leonardo DiCaprio’s investment, founder Emmanuel Eribo said: “He’s an absolute star and sees the world the same way we see it. It’s been an absolute blessing having him on the team. You can’t ignore it’s a British brand and he’s betting on it.

“He didn’t need to do this, there’s definitely something in there that is tugging on him.

“If I could say things about Leo, I’d probably use two words: genuine and kind. You can care about the world and still want good things.”

At the time, Leo said he was “proud” to be an investor, adding: “I am proud to be an investor in LØCI, a brand dedicated to minimising its environmental impact, and centred around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”

LØCI have been approached for comment.

PRINCESS Andre looked just like model mum Katie Price as she glammed up for an event with brother Junior. 

The 18-year-old proved she was a chip off the old block while posing up a storm at a Superdrug bash in London on Thursday evening. 

Princess, who was also filming scenes for her ITV reality show The Princess Diaries, could’ve been mistaken for Katie, 47, in her heyday as she expertly worked the cameras. 

The rising star cut a stylish figure in a sand-coloured sleeveless top and matching skirt and wore her blonde hair down in loose curls. 

Meanwhile Junior, 20, was joined by girlfriend Jasmine Orr at the event. 

He dressed down in a white sweater and black jeans while Jasmine, 25, opted for a lace-trimmed camisole and figure-hugging black trousers. 

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While mum Katie is in Dubai with husband Lee Andrews, Princess and Junior this week enjoyed a day at the seaside with older brother Harvey, 23.

Pop star Junior shared some sweet snaps of the trio on social media and wrote: “Lovely day out with my siblings.”

Katie shares Junior and Princess with ex-husband Peter Andre, who recently opened up to The Sun about being horrified at the messages his daughter receives from sick pervs on Instagram. 

He said: “You know what people are like. You know what the world is like. But it still hits differently when it’s your daughter. 

“I just don’t understand at what point men think it’s ok to send photos of their genitalia; the guy doing it, what’s he thinking?

“I guess if you’re flirting and a guy sends you a picture of him topless in the gym, you might go, ‘oh, ok’. 

“But if a woman sent a picture of her, you know… most guys are going to go, ‘what the hell?!’”

Pete, 53, is now calling both for a ban on social media for under 16s, and asking schools to step up and offer greater support to parents.

THE Costa de la Luz coastline is far lesser-known than its neighbour, the Costa del Sol, which is a shame as it has so much to offer.

It should definitely be on your radar if you want cheap hotels, affordable drinks and the chance to visit another country in 15-minutes.

The Costa de la Luz coastline sits along the south of Spain offering beers for under £3 and hotel breaks from £55pppn.

If you’re looking for the beauty of Marbella but without the price tag or the noise, Costa de la Luz is a great, and budget friendly, option.

The most well-known spots along this coastline are the likes of Cadiz and Huelva.

But First Choice suggests heading to Isla Canela, a small beach escape at the very top of the coastline where Portugal is less than 20-minutes away. 

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It has golden beaches, low-cost but authentic tapas and of course, lots of sun.

One travel expert even said “you can still find really good tapas and fresh seafood dinners for €10-15 (from £8.65) a head here , if you go local.“

Staying here also means holidaymakers can visit Portugal very easily.

There’s a regular ferry between Isla Canela and Portugal’s Santo Antonio that takes just 15-minutes and costs as little as €2.50 (£2.16).

The ferry crosses the Guadiana River which forms a natural border between the two countries – so travellers wanting to explore both spots can do so in a single daytrip.

There isn’t any need to book multiple hotels and little fuss as the crossings don’t have routine passport checks (although take ID to be safe).

Santo Antonio itself is a city that’s considered a quieter alternative to the Algarve – especially on its sandy beach, Praia de Santo António.

If you’re keen to see more of Spain, just a short trip away from Isla Canela is the town of Ayamonte.

It’s known to have a traditional Andalusian feel with white-washed streets, riverside promenades and you can pick up a pint from just €3 (£2.60).

One top restaurant choice is Restaurante Le Casona where tapas dishes like garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla starts from €3 (£2.60).

First Choice suggests booking an authentic flamenco show with a tapas dinner at La Puerta Ancha which starts from £48.

If you’re wanting a city feel, then the city of Seville is under two hours away by car.

The city is a favourite of Kara Godfrey’s (Deputy Travel Editor) who discovered its royal palaces, tower viewpoints and cheap wine.

For those who want to set up a base, First Choice suggests a stay at the Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela which starts from £383pp for stays in May.

The pretty hotel is designed to look like a traditional building so it has white-washed buildings and terracotta roof tiles.

For guests, it has two outdoor pools, a huge golf course, tennis court, buffet restaurant and live entertainment.

Each room either has a terrace, full balcony, or French-style balcony – and can be upgraded to have sea views.

Prices at Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela from £383 per person include seven-nights in a twin room on a half board basis, departing Newcastle Airport on May 10, 2026.

GAIL Porter has slammed Katie Price online for all to see, claiming she cruelly mocked her hair loss.

The 90s pin-up, 55, lost her hair as a result of alopecia, which she developed in 2005.

Now Gail has claimed that Katie made a horrible remark about her in the past when introducing her to one of her boyfriends.

Taking to the comments section of an Instagram post by Sky TV showing the trailer for Katie’s upcoming tell-all documentary, Katie: Nothing to Hide, Gail made a direct comment about the star.

Referring to Katie, Gail claimed: “The person who introduced me to one of her boyfriends and said ‘this is Gail. She used to be pretty when she had hair… Google her. Thanks.’”

The comment has amassed nearly 100 likes to date as well as a flood of replies from other Instagram users.

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One response said: “Whhhhhat?!,” in clear shock.

A second reads: “That must have been awful for you. I hope you’re okay x.”

A third person added: “So sorry she said that! You are beautiful.”

Gail was a model in the late 90s, most known for her pin-up content in “lad-mags” such as FHM.

This was the same decade when Katie launched her glamour modelling career under the pseudonym of Jordan.

She regularly starred in the pages of magazines and newspapers including The Sun, The Daily Star, FHM, Loaded, and Playboy.

Katie’s tell-all documentary is in the process of production, and is being made by Louis Theroux.

The four-part docu-series promises it will have “intimate access” to the model and the mini series will go “beyond the headlines”, with Sky already promising that it will be absolutely “jaw-dropping”.

Speaking about the production Arron Fellows, co-founder and creative director at Mindhouse, said: “Katie’s 30 years in the spotlight have been truly extraordinary.

“This series doesn’t shy away from – in Katie’s own words – ’the good, the bad and the ugly’; and this is an unexpected re-appraisal of a woman many people feel they have already figured out.

“The team have spoken to a range of contributors who have crossed paths with Katie at different junctures of her life – through the ups, the downs and everything in between.

“In doing so have crafted a series that is as jaw-dropping and unpredictable as it is tender and surprising. I can’t wait for people to see it.”

The series is set to air on Sky and streaming service NOW sometime this summer.

PLANNING a holiday, staycation or day out should be exciting but eye-watering prices can turn it into a wallet-draining nightmare.

But you don’t have to pay full whack. From dirt-cheap flights to cut-price hotels and bargain days out, there are loads of easy ways to cut the costs.

Whether you’re chasing a last-minute break, a cheap stay or discounted tickets, here’s how to do it for less and keep more cash in your pocket.

Websites

Secret Flying

The Secret Flying website hunts out super-cheap deals and “error fares” – bargain flights caused by pricing glitches – and links you straight to booking sites like Skyscanner.

It’s free to use and lists offers by region, but you’ll need to be flexible on dates and destinations to bag the best ones.

The biggest bargains sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up for alerts to stay one step ahead.

Holiday Hypermarket

Holiday Hypermarket is owned by the TUI group and is the discount website for TUI holidays where they guarantee that you won’t find a TUI, Marella or Crystal holiday cheaper anywhere else.

With up to 70 per cent off brochure prices, they sell a lot of last minute breaks – but with the same TUI flights, hotels and transfers.

Luxury Escapes

A website that offers high end holidays at affordable prices is Luxury Escapes.

They negotiate directly with hotels to get good deals on holiday bundles, including flights, accommodation and extras like free cocktails, massages and childcare.

Hostelworld

If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind bunking up with other people then Hostelworld is a useful tool.

It will help you to search for hostels in the destination you’re heading to and compare prices.

It can also find hostels with private rooms too if you don’t want to share.

Cashback sites

While it might not save you money on you’re current holiday – it could save you some cash on the next one.

At Quidco you can get at as much as 3.75 per cent on an EasyJet holiday (which works out at as £11 back on a £300 trip)

Or there is hotels.com, which gives you seven per cent cashback (£14 if you book a hotel for two nights at £200).

Other brands include TUI, British Airways, Trainline and Skyscanner. so it is worth checking if you can claim anything before you book.

Apps

02 Priority

If your phone contract is with O2, then you really should download Priority.

In addition to entering competitions to win holidays, you can often get discounts on holiday packages, concerts, and events.

For example, you can get four tickets to Vue cinemas for £18 or two for £9.

Or save £220 when you spend £2,000 with lastminute.com.

MiXR.

The MiXR. app shows local pubs, clubs and bars where you can reserve a table and pre-book food or drink packages.

But it can also get you savings.

Each time you spend money on your linked card at a partnered bar or pub, you’ll get points.

Get to 5,000 points and you’ll have a £5 voucher (each £1 you spend you get 50 points).

There are also offers on the app including 25 per cent off Camden Hells beer.

Dusk

Dusk dubs itself ‘the free drink app’ and it isn’t lying.

The app shows you which bars and pubs in your area have deals on and the exact route to get there.

If you scroll, you’ll find specific venues have a sticker on them offering a free drink.

For example, it could say ‘free espresso martinis on Monday at 3pm’, which means you can get that drink for free if you visit that specific venue at the given time.

Some of the venues are marked with yellow stars which means you can earn points too.

Once you’ve collected a number of points you can exchange for drinks.

For example, 200 points gets you a free bottle of prosecco at Be At One, 500 points can get you 50 per cent off at Karaoke Room and so on.

You can use Dusk in a number of cities across the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bath, Exeter, Norwich, Bournemouth, Hull and York.

Eat Club

Having only launched in the UK last year, Eat Club is now available in London and Manchester.

The app shows you nearby restaurants that have spare tables, great for last-minute plans.

You can also get great discounts, such as up to 50 per cent off of your bill.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is an app that prevents food waste by selling off items leftover at the end of the day.

The app is partnered with a number of brands including Greggs and Pizza Express.

If you jump onto the app and use the map function, you will find stores near you that have bags of food to sell for a few quid before the end of the day.

Having used the app numerous times, I usually pay around £3.50 for a bag that contains over £20 worth of food.

I have even used it in New York, when finding a budget lunch option seemed impossible.

Unidays

If you are a student or recent graduate, you should sign up to an account with Unidays.

It is free to joing, you’ll just need your student email and then you can make savings such as getting two Cineworld tickets for £13 and 30 per cent off Hilton hotel stays.

Student Beans

Similar to the above, Student Beans is a discount app for anyone studying. With a student email you can benefit from discounts such as 25 per cent off of National Express travel and 10 per cent off of Ryanair flights.

Cheapskate London

Cheapskate London is a free newsletter released each Monday that shares the best free and cheap things to do across the capital.

It’s a really useful tool for the school holidays too.

Previous free events include educational talks, family activity sessions at museums, and even building your own wormery.

Accor

If you subscribe to the Accor newsletter, you will typically get 10 per cent off hotel stays.

You’ll also get exclusive offers and personalised deals.

Nectar

If you shop at Sainsbury’s and don’t have a Nectar account then you’re really missing out.

When you do your weekly food shop, you’ll rack up points which you can then use on your holiday.

For example, you can spend your points on Eurostar journeys, British Airways flights and more.

Avios

Avios are loyalty points that you can collect and use mainly with British Airways for flights, hotels and upgrades.

You can earn them by flying with British Airways or its partners, as long as you have an account.

If you build up enough points, you can purchase flights and pay only a small cash fee for admin such as tax and fees.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel loyalty programme is free to join and covers around 10,000 destinations across the globe.

Members earn points with each stay and then the points can be redeemed on free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.

Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is free to join, and much like Marriott Bonvoy, is the hotel’s loyalty programme.

Members earn points on stays and everyday activities which can then be redeemed on free stays and experiences as well.

Members tend to get 10 points per £1 spent.

Paid-for memberships

The Nudge

Costing just £5 per month The Nudge is an insider’s guide to London and often reports on the latest openings in the capital.

The discounts are easy to find on the app and include deals like 40 per cent off at Greek seafood restaurant Kimu in Marylebone or 50 per cent off food at The Culpeper in Spitalfields.

There are also discounts on events such as 50 per cent off of tickets to Burger Fest in Richmond and even pampering treatments like £50 off facials at Skinwork in Soho or 40 per cent off access to Lowlu open-air sauna in Kentish Town.

The Nudge will also run member events such as exclusive supper clubs.

Blue Light

If you work in the NHS or the emergency services, you probably already know about Blue Light.

Blue Light, which costs £4.99 for a two-year membership, gets you discounts at major brands, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as £100 off your TUI holiday or 15 per cent off Away Resorts.

You can even get a discount on airport parking, such as five per cent at London Gatwick.

Railcard

Railcards aren’t just for youngsters, there are all sorts of railcards you can get.

In general, they will get you a third off most rail fares and cost between £30 and £35 each year.

Different railcards include 16-25-year-olds, 26-30-year-olds, Senior (over 60 years old) and Disabled Persons.

There’s also a Family and Friends Railcard which gets adults a third off their rail fare and then 60 per cent off kids’ rail fares if they are aged between five and 15 years old.

Trusted Housesitters

Accommodation costs can bump up the total cost of your holiday, but there is a way around this.

With Trusted Housesitters, you can head to someone’s home and stay there while they are away and all you need to do is look after their pet.

It operates in 180 countries and essentially is a win-win system as the person going away needs a pet sitter and you want somewhere to stay.

Members pay an annual fee to use the platform, which range from £99 to £199.

Dis-loyalty

Dis-loyalty is a travel and food membership that costs £12 a month to join.

In return, you’ll earn points and get discounts on hotel stays, such as 50 per cent off newly opened hotels.

You can also grab a free hot drink each day at one of the membership’s participating locations.

Days Out with the Kids

Days Out with the Kids is the perfect site if you are looking for inspiration during the weekends or school holidays.

The website is partnered with over 8,500 attractions across the UK, and offers members access to exclusive discounts.

The membership costs £4.99 per month, but according to the website, it saves families an average of £12.99 per trip.

Hols from £9.50

If you want to head to a holiday park in the UK or Europe, The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 has over 20 holiday parks to choose from.

To benefit from the £9.50 deal, you have to collect five codewords printed in the paper over a set period of time and enter them on the Sun Holidays website.

Alternatively, to avoid needing a passcode you can join Sun Club for £1.99.

For more offers on holidays travel companies have revealed the cheapest places to book – with week-long holidays from £189.

Plus, here are 200 all-inclusive hotels including the cheap ones that are actually worth it.

The comment from the owner of BA comes after Jet2 said it would not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases

The parent company of British Airways has cautioned that airfares are set to climb as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by the Iran conflict, has caused oil prices to surge dramatically.

International Airlines Group (IAG) announced on Friday that the ongoing Middle East crisis will push up the cost of flights to account for soaring jet fuel prices.

Airlines routinely purchase a portion of their fuel in advance at fixed rates to shield themselves from price fluctuations, a strategy commonly referred to as “hedging”.

Despite this, IAG warned that it remained “not immune” to the wider consequences of the Middle East conflict. The group insisted it had yet to experience any disruption to its jet fuel supply, amid growing concerns over potential future shortages as a result of the ongoing hostilities.

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The government is “closely monitoring” fuel stocks as airlines brace themselves for possible shortages, with oil tankers still unable to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. It has also emerged that airports are set to make it simpler for airlines to cancel flights without jeopardising their allocated take-off and landing slots, should fuel shortages prevent them from operating. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that airlines will no longer be obliged to adhere to the “use it or lose it” rule at UK airports, whereby carriers must utilise at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season in order to retain them for the following year. “Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying,” the DfT statement confirmed.

“Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.”

Meanwhile, Jet2 has revealed it will not be imposing surcharges on any previously booked flights or holidays to offset rising costs, reassuring customers that the price they book is the price they will pay.

The policy covers all flights and holidays booked through any channel, whether online, via the mobile app, contact centre or through an independent travel agent. Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

JET2 has issued an update to all travellers about increasing flight fares and holiday prices.

The UK’s biggest tour operator has confirmed that it will not be raising flights or holidays prices to cover increased costs caused by the fuel crisis.

The announcement comes as the ongoing fuel crisis has resulted in a number of airlines increasing their flight prices, including Virgin Atlantic.

The update applies to all flights and holidays with the provider, booked through any channel – whether that be online, via the app or via an independent travel agent.

It means that when passengers book with Jet2, the price that is shown for their holiday or flight, will be the price they pay.

Holidaymakers will still need to pay tourist taxes, which is usually done once you are on holiday at the resort or directly to your accommodation provider.

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Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.

“As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.

“Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

In a previous statement, a Jet2 spokesperson also told Sun Travel: “We remain in continual dialogue with our fuel suppliers, as is standard practice.

“Based on the conversations we have been having, we see no reason not to look forward to operating our scheduled programme of flights and holidays as normal.

“We understand that our customers work and save very hard for their holidays, and we are looking forward to making sure that they enjoy their award-winning Jet2holidays.”

The announcement comes as a number of other airlines have issued statements regarding upcoming flights and holidays.

TUI holidays confirmed that bookings have not been impacted or cancelled by the fuel crisis.

A TUI spokesperson told Sun Travel: “We’re closely monitoring the developing situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global aviation fuel supplies.

“At present, we’re not anticipating disruption to our flight schedules or holiday programmes from fuel shortages.”

Budget airline easyJet has also said that flights are currently not impacted by the fuel crisis.

A spokesperson for the airline told Sun Travel that there was “no disruption to flights” and “no plans to make any changes to our flying schedule”.

However, earlier this week, easyJet’s CEO for Spain and Portugal did comment that it was “difficult to see” what would happen in the next few weeks.

Here’s a full rundown of what all the UK airlines have said about fuel crisis concerns.

And in other flight news, a major UK airport is set for May bank holiday weekend travel chaos as staff are to walk out.

Plus, Ryanair is axing thousands of flights from a European airport this summer.

April 23 (UPI) — On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced a new drug price deal with Regeneron, the latest to agree to the “most favored nation” price policy the White House has pushed since last year.

The price deals involve voluntary price cuts by manufacturers for drugs sold to the public and the government through the TrumpRx website. In return, the manufacturers get breaks on Trump’s tariffs and other perks.

In addition, Regeneron also announced Thursday that the Federal Food and Drug Administration has approved Otarmeni, a gene therapy for genetic hearing loss. The company said the therapy would be available free in the United States.

The company is the last of the 17 the administration sought for the price policy, but officials said that more will follow. Smaller companies may also look to make deals.

“It’s not the finish line,” said Chris Klomp of the Department of Health and Human Services, who was chief negotiator on the deals, the Washington Post reported.

For the most part, the discounts do not affect people with private insurance or those on Medicaid, Axios reported. They do affect Medicaid drug prices and those buying through the TrumpRx website.

Trump called the program “the biggest price reduction in drugs in history.”

However, some have said the prices are higher through TrumpRx than through other sources, the Washington Post reported. Some lawmakers also are calling for the confidential terms of the agreements to be released, a subject that came up in hearings this week with Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has not committed to such a release.

Just because you have booked your break, doesn’t mean that is the price you will pay

Travel industry chiefs have warned that holiday prices could go up – even for people who have already booked. There are fears of cancellations, delays and disruptions this summer as oil supplies are restricted by the war in Iran.

And there are concerns that prices of travel will go up to cover the rising cost of fuel. But industry experts have also raised the spectre of the price of existing holiday bookings going up.

That means people who have already booked and paid for their holidays being asked to pay more if they still want to travel. Emma Brennan from travel agent and tour operator trade association ABTA said the legislation allows companies to ask for more money.

Speaking to BBC Money Box Live, she said: “There is something in the package travel regulations which just applies to package holidays, that travel companies could increase the cost of package holidays by what they call a fare charge. However, it very rarely happens, and there have been so many situations of disruption and uncertainty in recent years, and we haven’t seen this happening.

“And even if the travel company did choose to do it, there are quite strict rules around it. So, for example, it would have to have been in their terms and conditions, they can only do it up to the cost of eight per cent after that, and that’s a cost of eight per cent of the whole holiday – after that you would be offered a refund and it can only apply to various cost increases they are facing.”

According to Which? A 14-night package holiday can cost between £1,500 and £2,000 per person – meaning you could be asked to pay an extra £160 – or £640 for a family of four.

Airports Council International, which represents more than 600 airports, wrote recently to European commissioners for energy and transport and tourism, claiming that if the crucial Strait of Hormuz in Iran does not reopen in a “significant and stable way within the next three weeks” then “systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU”.

Some airlines such as Virgin Atlantic have imposed fuel surcharges on passengers in response to higher oil prices, and others such as KLM have cancelled flights amid concerns about a shortage of fuel.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club, said: “Consumers are bracing for an energy crunch, and there are fears that just like the credit crunch of 2007-2008, there could be a long tail of repercussions. In the immediate term, there’s the prospect of holiday plans being ruined by a jet fuel crisis which could see thousands of flights cancelled.

“Lufthansa has already scrapped a big chunk of routes, and there are worries tourist destinations could be hit.”

Washington, DC – The latest battle in United States congressional redistricting has been decided, with voters in Virginia approving redrawing the state’s electoral map.

The result of Tuesday’s referendum on Virginia redistricting is widely expected to benefit Democrats in their fight to retake control of the slimly Republican-controlled US House of Representatives in the midterm vote in November.

While redistricting is typically conducted every 10 years, following the US Census count of the country’s population, the election season has seen an unprecedented flurry of states moving to redraw their legislative maps early, initially spurred by pressure on US President Donald Trump to urge his fellow Republicans in Texas to do the same.

Democrats may be up at the moment, but several scenarios – including a redistricting push in Florida – could soon spoil those gains.

Experts, meanwhile, warn of the long-term implications of the election season’s norm-busting political manoeuvres, which they say could transform how and when electoral maps are drawn for years to come.

“Virginia’s unorthodox redistricting isn’t just a map redraw, it’s a mid-decade power play in a national arms race,” Rina Shah, a political adviser and strategist, told Al Jazeera.

“In a cycle defined by retaliation over reform, this sets a precedent: when one side bends the rules, the other follows, until courts or voters draw the final line.”

Democrats gain – for now

Trump has not been timid about his desire to redraw state congressional maps to benefit his Republican Party.

In July 2025, he confirmed the plan to reporters: “Texas would be the biggest one,” he said. “Just a very simple redrawing, we pick up five seats.”

By August, Texas’s Republican-controlled State House had passed a new map favouring Republicans, setting the party on course to secure five more seats in the US House of Representatives compared to the earlier map.

The move was soon followed by changes in Missouri, whose new maps are expected to net Republicans one additional seat, while redistricting in North Carolina and Ohio is expected to give the party two to three new Republican-dominated districts.

Democrats in several states responded in kind, pushing for redistricting in California and Utah that resulted in about six new Democrat-dominated districts. Virginia’s victory largely neutralised Republican gains, adding between two and four seats for Democrats.

“This could shift Virginia from a 6-5 split to something like 10-1 Democratic,” political adviser Shah said, referring to Virginia’s 11 congressional districts and noting this would result in “delivering up to four net seats and dramatically tightening the fight for House control in the 2026 midterms”.

This comes as Republicans are already expected to face a punishing election season, with wariness over the US-Israeli war in Iran and the stubbornly high cost of living in the US.

Democratic control of either chamber of Congress – or of both – would give the party the ability to largely curtail Trump’s agenda in the final two years of his presidency.

As of Wednesday, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a midterm predictor published by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, rated 217 Congressional districts across the country as leaning towards Democrats, with 205 leaning towards Republicans and 13 rated toss-ups.

Good for Democrats, ‘terrible’ for democracy

In the short term, Democrats are “winning” from the redistricting battle, according to Samuel Wang, a professor of neuroscience at Princeton University who runs the Princeton Gerrymandering Project.

“But from a non-partisan good government standpoint, it’s just a terrible event,” Wang told Al Jazeera.

He explained the “incredible” flurry of redistricting in recent months opens the possibility of a new age of heightened gerrymandering, the process by which congressional boundaries are drawn to benefit one political group.

Prior to this election cycle, there had been just three instances of mid-decade redistricting over the last five decades. Wang described the recent spurt as a “complete busting of norms”.

“It’s bad in the sense of reducing competition. Gerrymandering on both sides, basically, removes voters from the equation everywhere it happens,” he said.

Top Democrats have largely argued their hands were forced in mirroring the Republican strategy, rather than yield to the opposing party ahead of a consequential election.

“We fought back,” Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, told the Associated Press after Virginia’s vote. “When they go low, we hit back hard.”

But some Democrats have echoed concerns over the new precedent being set.

John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who has regularly sided with Republicans, told Newsmax on Wednesday, “Whether it’s a red state or whether it’s a blue state, our democracy is degraded.”

Attention turns to Florida

To be sure, while opportunities for further redistricting are diminishing following the vote in Virginia, the final congressional maps ahead of the midterms may not yet be set.

The Virginia vote now shifts pressure on Republicans in Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis is set to hold a special legislative session on April 28 to discuss possible redistricting.

A new map could add up to five Republican-dominated congressional districts in the state, but could be scuttled by strict language in Florida’s constitution related to the process.

Democrat Jeffries, in a statement on Wednesday, vowed to surge resources to the state to take down Republican incumbents if the map is redrawn. “Maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time,” he pledged.

Several challenges to Virginia’s redistricting ballot measure are also currently being heard before the state’s Supreme Court, which could hinder the implementation of the new map.

Trump on Wednesday decried the Virginia vote as “rigged”, without providing any evidence to back up the claim.

Meanwhile, a case pending before the US Supreme Court could beckon in another slate of redistricting in the US South.

In Louisiana v Callais, the justices will determine whether the creation of two Black-majority congressional districts is in line with the Voting Rights Act, which seeks to assure minority representation in states with a history of racist election policies.

A ruling could open the door to redrawing maps in several states that would have previously been banned due to so-called “racial gerrymandering”, a process of drawing congressional lines based on racial makeup to dilute the electoral power of a minority group.

A pathway to reform?

A handful of states have created independent commissions to oversee redistricting, in an effort to assure the process remains non-partisan.

But the vast majority rely on their state legislatures to draw the maps, which can lead to outsized influence over the party in control, barring legal challenges. That largely remains true whether redistricting is conducted every decade or, as the current election season could portend, more frequently.

But amid the current cavalcade of congressional map changes, Princeton’s Wang, who is himself running in the Democratic primary for Congress in New Jersey’s 12th district, sees a rare opportunity for federal reform.

That could take the form of Congress creating independent commissions to oversee redistricting.

“Now that mid-decade redistricting is backfiring on Republicans, it creates the possibility that both parties can see clearly that gerrymandering is a zero-sum game,” Wang said.

“It opens a path for possible bipartisan action.”

KATIE Price is in the process of trying to purchase an e-bike after being banned from driving for the seventh time.

The reality star, 47, took to her Instagram story to ask her followers for help finding one but with a specific request in mind – it has to be pink.

Talking to her camera in a black zip up jumper and large sunglasses, Katie shared a video of herself with just one word written over the top: “Help,” in pink text, followed by a red love heart emoji.

She said: “I wonder if anyone out there could help or you know anywhere I can go.

“So I want to get an e-bike but one that I can ride anywhere.

“And I want one in pink where you don’t have to have a road license or anything.

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“So if anyone knows anywhere or if you are a company that do e-bikes that I don’t need a license for to ride it on the road or anywhere, and in pink, please DM me.

“‘Cause I really really want one. Just so I can go like to the farm shop, go to the shop, just ride around and take the dog with me.

“And it’s summer coming up and it’s sunny so it would be nice to get myself out and do my cardio. Thank you.”

The plea comes just days after Katie broke her silence on being banned from driving again, saying she’s “livid” and vows to appeal the ban.

Katie was caught speeding at 80mph on the A64 near Strutton in North Yorkshire.

CCTV released by the police showed Katie behind the wheel during the incident on October 15, 2025, the same day she appeared on stage with celeb pal Kerry Katona for An Evening with Katie Price & Kerry Katona at Scarborough Spa.

As a result of the offence, Katie was subsequently prosecuted and convicted of failing to respond to police, landing her with a six-month driving ban and a legal bill topping £1,000.

Speaking on her podcast, The Katie Price Show, Katie shared she was furious and didn’t receive any contact from the police about her speeding.

She said: “I found out I was banned [from driving again] by the papers.

“I am actually livid about that because if I’d got the letters I would have replied to it.”

Katie added that she’s going to “go back and see if [she] can appeal it,” but in the meantime she’s trying to remain positive.

She then added: ”Yeah, or I just think it’s only six months where I live now, I can walk to the shop, the kids schools are ten minutes up the road.

“I get shopping delivered here anyway, because I’m always at home when I work at home.

“So it’s not like in the past where I’ve been stuck right in the middle of nowhere.”

“I’m positive about it and I’ll get my license back and it’ll be completely clear.

“But it’s [a question of] who will insure me after being banned seven times.”