Strictly Come Dancing star, Dan Walker, has broken his silence after leaving viewers concerned following his lengthy absence from Channel 5 News and Classic FM
Presenter, Dan Walker, has assured fans there is nothing to worry about after taking leave from his Channel 5 News and Classic FM shows. The former Football Focus host, 48, is one of the nation’s most recognisable presenters and is usually on our screens weeknights on Channel 5 and on the radio on Sunday for Classic FM.
However, Dan has recently been absent from both programmes, prompting viewers to express their concern. Revealing the real reason for his mysterious disappearance, he took to Instagram, saying the “answer is twofold”. Explaining that he’d been on a family holiday as well as filming a new show for Channel 5, he said, sitting in his car: “Hello, I’ve been asked by quite a few people if I’ve left Channel 5 and why I’ve disappeared from Classic FM. The answer is twofold.”
Dan Walker usually presents Channel 5 News on weeknights
Dan continued: “First is, I’m on holiday with the family for a couple of weeks and the second is that I’m filming a new series for Channel 5, which you should be able to see I think in September, which I can’t tell you too much about but it’s going to be great fun.
“So that’s why I’ve not been on the telly. The radio I’ll be back on Monday and I’ll be back on 5 News in a couple of weeks time once I’ve finished filming the series.
“There you go, that’s the answer, it looks like the lovely weather is over, the rain has returned, have a great day.”
BBC Breakfast viewers were stunned when Dan jumped shipped and headed over to Channel 5 in 2022. Dan had been at the helm on the red sofa at the Beeb since 2016, but decided it was time for a change – as well as a lie-in.
Speaking on This Morning, he admitted he used to “cry in the toilets” while at the BBC as he opened up about his tough schedule. Talking to hosts Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson, he said: “When I used to do BBC Breakfast, you know what it’s like. If that alarm goes off at three that’s far too early, that’s flight to Spain time isn’t it.
“I get up now about 5.30am/ 5.45am, which is essentially a lie in and I feel great, I feel refreshed and I really enjoy the job I do.”
He continued: “By Wednesday I was, like, full zombie mode. And also you get really emotional. By Wednesday I was like, end of the show, you are like, in the toilets just crying.
“Anything sets you off. Someone says something nice about your trousers and you are like [fake cries]. Not everyday, but I think you just get a little bit emotional when you are sleep-deprived.”
Dan went on to bag a reported £1.5million deal with Channel 5 to host it’s nightly news programme in 2022.
He made the announcement posting a short video on Twitter, now X, with the caption: “Here we go. See you next Monday at 5, on 5.
“It’s great to be joining Channel 5, but news is never about who sits in the chair. It’s the stories that matter most from a team you can trust.”
A flight attendant has revealed the real reason they greet you as you board the plane – and it’s not just to make sure you have a pleasant experience while in the air
Flight attendants will always greet you onto the plane [stock image](Image: Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
A flight attendant has spilled the beans on the actual reasons behind the friendly welcome passengers get as they step onto a plane. While many seasoned flyers might think cabin crew are simply setting the scene for an enjoyable experience with their beaming smiles and seat guidance, the truth could be more about safety than service.
One TUI staff member, operating out of Stuttgart airport, took to TikTok to reveal in a viral video – that’s been viewed a staggering 18.7 million times – that attendants are actually sussing out if passengers are fit to fly during the greeting.
The user, known as MrsMiva on TikTok, shared that the warm reception isn’t just hospitality but also a quick assessment to determine whether individuals are “too drunk or sick” to take the journey.
She even goes as far as stating: “Did you know that your flight attendant greets you not only out of kindness but also to check whether you are too drunk or sick to fly?”
Prompted by her candid revelation, others chimed in to confirm this is standard procedure, with some suggesting that it’s also a way to identify who might be helpful in case of an emergency.
According to flight attendants, the greeting is more than just a friendly welcome – they’re assessing whether passengers are sober enough to fly and identifying potential helpers in an emergency.
One attendant revealed: “We are also picking out good candidates for the event of an emergency.”
Meanwhile, passengers shared their own experiences, with some joking about having “really chill” attendants who turned a blind eye to their fragile state.
One confessed: “Lol my flight attendant back from Vegas must have been really chill cause I was NOT in any condition to be on a plane.”
Another recalled: “I was once severely hungover and I threw up twice mid-flight. The flight attendants were so helpful. I felt so bad.”
A commercial pilot has revealed why you’re asked to put your phone in airplane mode before takeoff – and it’s nothing to do with the plane crashing
Close-up of man hand while using smart phone(Image: Jaromir via Getty Images)
The holiday season is back, and with it all the niggling hassles like squeezing into last summer’s shorts, digging out your forgotten passport, and sprucing up those toenails for sandal-worthy feet.
Once you’ve finally boarded your plane, you’re often met with a stark reminder from cabin crew to switch your mobile to airplane mode. Is it really plausible that one tiny device could threaten the integrity of a gargantuan jet?
This question has been addressed by aviation boffins, and indeed they suggest there’s a need for caution. Commercial aviator Perico Durán advises: “Smart people think that something could happen if we don’t activate airplane mode, so do it.”
Back when mobiles were becoming omnipresent, there was genuine concern regarding their potential to disrupt aircraft systems. Notably, in 2011, Boeing 737 cockpit displays were discovered to be vulnerable to mobile-induced interference.
Perico clarifies that while interference wouldn’t cause an engine failure or stop landing gears from deploying, it might lead to misreadings or untimely distractions: “What might happen is a false indication of something, a distraction at a specific moment.”
People are urged to follow the rules while using their phones(Image: Images By Tang Ming Tung via Getty Images)
According to Perico, air travel regulations are formulated to preclude even the most minute hazards: “We tell people to activate flight mode to avoid distractions,” he asserts.
He emphasises the triviality of being disconnected briefly: “What difference does it make?” Perico remarked. “It’s only ten minutes from ten thousand to fourteen thousand feet. Put your phone in flight mode and avoid a distraction. Being without your mobile phone for ten minutes is nothing.”
A 2017 survey by Allianz Travel Insurance involving over 1,500 Americans revealed that 40% don’t always switch their phones to airplane mode, with nearly 14% admitting to sneaking texts or calls mid-flight.
In the US, adherence to the flight attendant’s advice is more stringent due to Federal regulations which state, “cellular telephones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft must not be operated while such aircraft are airborne (not touching the ground). When any aircraft leaves the ground, all cellular telephones on board that aircraft must be turned off.”
The instructions sometimes baffle plane passengers(Image: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
However, European travel offers a more laid-back approach. With the introduction of 5G technology on airlines in 2023, EU passengers can now freely make and receive calls and texts during flights, thanks to EU 5G networks operating on different frequencies than American ones, thus not interfering with aircraft systems.
If you’re concerned about your mobile phone battery dying mid-flight, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring an external power bank in your carry-on luggage. However, they should not be packed in your checked luggage due to the lithium batteries they contain, which can occasionally ignite.
Should a battery fire break out in the passenger cabin, flight attendants can quickly identify and extinguish it before it causes significant damage. Conversely, if a fire starts in the cargo hold, it could become dangerously widespread before an alarm is triggered.
If crucial documents like your boarding pass are stored on your phone, having a backup battery is a wise move. While airline staff will likely assist if your phone does run out of juice during your journey, it’s always better to be prepared.
A plane passenger taught an ‘entitled’ man the importance of planning ahead after refusing to swap seats on a flight so he could enjoy the journey next to his girlfriend
He refused to swap plane seats with another passenger (stock)(Image: Getty)
A man has been praised for refusing to swap plane seats so an ‘entitled’ boyfriend could sit next to his partner on a flight. The 29-year-old explained how he was travelling home from a work trip and made sure to pre-book an aisle seat so he could stretch his legs out a little.
However, his peaceful journey was disrupted when another passenger spotted him sitting alone and approached him to ask a ‘favour’. He said on Reddit: “I was flying home from a work trip and had booked an aisle seat because I’m tall and need legroom. As soon as I sit down, a guy comes over and says, ‘Hey bro, can we switch? My girlfriend’s by the window and I’m in the middle back there.’
“I glance at his seat, literally the second-worst spot on the plane. I say, ‘Sorry, I booked this one specifically’. He gets annoyed and says, ‘Dude, I’m just trying to sit next to my girl.'”
He told him he understood why he’d want to swap seats but tried to gently explain he didn’t want to give up his comfort for a stranger.
He added: “He said, ‘You’re sitting alone, man. What do you need the aisle for?’ I replied, ‘Because I paid for it. That’s how seats work’.
“He called me an ‘inconsiderate loner,’ which was cute, considering he tried to guilt-trip me into a downgrade. The flight attendant eventually had to tell him to sit down or be removed.”
Sharing a final message of disgust on social media, he added: “Couples don’t get priority over people who planned ahead. Sorry not sorry.”
While most users praised him for standing his ground, others shared their own stories about ‘entitled’ passengers on planes.
One user said: “This happened on a 12h flight from Korea to Toronto and when the person said no the girlfriend started bawling and eventually someone else nearby traded with her.
“I was so mad they gave into her crocodile tears because now she’s going to do it every damn flight.
“This poor tiny Asian woman was stuck in a middle seat for 12 hours instead of her aisle seat because a pretty young white woman can cry on command.”
Another user added: “In the airplane seat war card game, inconsiderate loners beat inconsiderate losers every time. Especially the ones too cheap to buy an aisle seat.”
A third user said: “This exact thing happened to me! What preceded it was the girl jumping into the window seat in my aisle and laughing cutely at him that she got the good seat first.
“Then she asked if I could trade with him (in the middle seat in another row) so they could sit together.
“I thought, if they really wanted to sit together, she could have given up her window seat to someone for a fair trade.
“I said no. She replied, ‘It doesn’t hurt to ask’. Sure it doesn’t, but don’t expect anyone to take a downgrade to give you an underserved upgrade.”
An abandoned village that was purposefully flooded to make way for a huge reservoir has exposed itself several times in the last 70 years – as visitors marvel at the remains
Derwent was purposefully flooded in the 1940s(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/REX/Shutterstock)
An abandoned village that was submerged underwater back in the 1940s mystically reveals itself due to a rare phenomenon.
For years, Derwent thrived as a vibrant village – one that seemed utterly irreplaceable to its residents. Situated in the heart of the Peak District, in Derbyshire, the tiny community boasted its own school, a stunning church, and an impressive country manor house with immaculately manicured gardens, ornamental trees and a large fishpond.
Locals resided on cosy streets in limestone cottages – with stunning views of the rolling countryside at their doorstep. However, between 1935 and 1943, plans to flood the entire village – along with the neighbouring community of Ashopton, were given the green-light.
The villages were flooded to make way for a huge reservoir(Image: Derby Telegraph/Simon Deacon)
Despite protests from locals, who had to evacuate the villages to the nearby Yorkshire Bridge estate, the entire area was transformed into a sweeping dam in 1943, just two years before the end of World War Two. Over time, rain and mountain-run off started to fill the valley, and Derwent slowly became completely submerged under water.
Now known as Ladybower Reservoir, this impressive sheet of blue can hold a whopping 27,869 mega litres of water – and serves the neighbouring cities of Derby, Sheffield, and Nottingham. It has become a popular site for walkers and nature lovers, and underwent major refurbishment during the 1990s to raise and increase the strength of the dam’s wall to reduce the risk of ‘over-topping’ in a major flood.
Strong droughts have lowered the reservoir’s water levels in the past, exposing the lost village(Image: Manchester Evening News)
But, in 2018, the lost village exposed itself once again – following an ‘exceptionally dry and hot summer’ that drastically decreased the reservoir’s water levels. Images show the ruins of Derwent, which had long been forgotten about, still remain intact – including the foundations of the church and hall, along with some of the cottage’s walls.
The village appeared again in 2022, following similar weather conditions that lowered water levels in the reservoir. The phenomenon attracted swathes of tourists who flocked to the site to marvel at the remains of a railway that became temporarily visible.
The old railway tracks were exposed in 2022 following long bouts of sunny weather(Image: Derby Telegraph/Simon Deacon)
At the time, a spokesperson for Severn Trent warned visitors to be ‘aware’ that the exposed reservoir bed was ‘extremely muddy and not safe to walk in’. “You can get a great view of both the chapel and the railway from the shoreline,” they added. “Please do not walk out to the ruins.”
The village’s ruins have attracted swathes of tourists in the past(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Dan Keeler, the new captain of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, called up his football coaches from his days at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High earlier this week, along with his English teacher, to give them a salute for the impact they made on a teenager now in charge of one of the Navy’s most powerful ships.
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Capt. Dan Keeler recognizes his Sherman Oaks Notre Dame teaches and coaches during a changing of command ceremony for the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The speech by Keeler on Wednesday in Coronado at a changing of the command ceremony offered the real reason coaches coach and teachers teach — to make a difference in a student’s life.
“I learned more about hard work, grit, determination and how to handle pain, honestly, from this group,” he said.
He recalled when Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney gave him a recommendation letter for the Naval Academy: “Coach Rooney, when you handed me the letter, you said, ‘I think you’re going to be good at this,’ and you were right.”
Keeler added, “There were plenty of championships, but I don’t think that’s how these people measure success. I was a very mediocre backup quarterback and defensive back. If I was playing in a football game, we were winning by a lot.
“Those metrics of winning and losing weren’t the only things that mattered. They were important. These educators took all the time to get the best out of their students and I was one of them. They saw something in me and chose to make a positive impact, and I am forever grateful.”
The Love Island villa erupted into chaos yet again tonight, and it was a double blow for bombshell Emily after Conor expressed his interest in Megan as Toni called her irritating
It looks like the whole Love Island villa is in for a switch up as Islanders heads continue to turn. Last night, heads began to turn as Harry took Yasmin for a trip to the Hideaway Terrace. Tonight, the focus was on Emily and Toni as they erupted into a huge unexpected argument.
The confrontation came in the mist of Conor, who is currently coupled up with Emily making a beeline for Megan, who is currently in a strong couple with Tommy. However, it wasn’t the only blow for Emily, as Toni announced she was “irritating” her.
Surprising Meg and Dejon with her thoughts on Emily, Toni told them: “I can’t stand to listen to her… ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ all the time.”
Emily was left reeling by Toni’s words (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Later that night, it was made clear to Emily that Toni had been bad mouthing her.
Elsewhere, in a chat with Shakira, Toni expressed her interest in Conor, who she was coupled up with before Emily. Despite this, Toni insisted her problem with Emily wasn’t anything to do with Conor.
She later revealed her problems with Emily started when either Toni and Malisha were about to go home – claiming Emily was in a good mood during a bad situation. “Read the room,” she told her.
The two went back and forth as Emily exclaimed: “Some people just want to cause a problem.” Toni responded: “It has absolutely nothing to do with this, I don’t give a f**k if you’re with Conor.”
Toni insisted her problem with Emily had nothing to do with Conor (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Although some fans believed the reason was secretly Conor, others think they’ve worked why the two were arguing – believing something had happened off camera.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “Imma stick beside Toni cos theres defo something we aint seen for her to be so done,” while another agreed: “There must be more to the story because Emily handled the Callum thing so well and Toni seemed to appreciate that. I’ve not really seen them interact much since.”
Another suggested: “I think Toni didn’t just crash out on Emily for nothing. I think Emily seems like a nice girl but playing teams like taking info from Shakira X Toni’s team to the mean girls’ team of Megan Meg and Helena and nobody would be cool with that. Just my thought.”
Elsewhere, Harry’s head turned once again, and this time it’s back to Shakira. The pair coupled up on the second day, causing Sophie to be dumped from the villa. However, things didn’t work out when Harry moved onto Helena, but it looks like he’s now regretting not exploring things further with Shakira.
“I wanted to see how you were feeling, I think initially you were number one and I f****d it,” he said.
How will things unfold now everyone’s head has turned once again?
James Gunn has his own theory about why the movie industry is “dying.”
The filmmaker, screenwriter and co-head of DC Studios contends that the reason for bad movies is Hollywood’s tendency to begin productions before screenplays are complete, he told Rolling Stone in a new interview.
“I do believe that the reason why the movie industry is dying is not because of people not wanting to see movies. It’s not because of home screens getting so good,” Gunn said. “The number one reason is because people are making movies without a finished screenplay.”
That’s why one of his main rules at DC Studios is that movies must have finished scripts before they go into production. In fact, Gunn just scrapped a project because the screenplay wasn’t ready, he said. On the other hand, he described the scripts for the upcoming DC films “Supergirl,” “Lanterns” and “Clayface” as “so f—-ing good.”
Before taking the reins of DC Studios in 2022, Gunn co-wrote and directed three “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies for now-competitor Marvel Studios, which he said has been “killed” by Disney’s directive to increase output.
“We don’t have the mandate to have a certain amount of movies and TV shows every year,” Gunn said of DC Studios. “So we’re going to put out everything that we think is of the highest quality.”
During the interview, Gunn also addressed rumors that Matt Reeves’ sequel to “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson, has been axed. The film, which Gunn confirmed is still titled “The Brave and the Bold,” has been delayed a year and is now expected in October 2027.
“That’s the other thing I hear all the time — that ‘Batman Part II’ is canceled. It’s not canceled,” Gunn said. “We don’t have a script. Matt’s slow. Let him take his time. Let him do what he’s doing. God, people are mean. Let him do his thing, man.”
Finishing the scripts for the “The Batman” sequel and “Wonder Woman” are among DC Studios’ top priorities, Gunn noted.
Additionally, Gunn reflected on the 2018 scandal that saw him briefly fired from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” when tweets resurfaced of him joking about pedophilia and rape. He said without that experience, his script for “Superman” — hitting theaters July 11 — would have been much different.
“That opened the door for me to stop creating so that people would like me. That’s downplaying it — so people would love me,” Gunn said. “I think on some level, everything I had done came from a pleasing place.”
When asked whether he’s worried about ever running out of ideas, Gunn didn’t seem too concerned.
“If I do, then I’ll go raise goats,” he said. “I really am fine. There’s a lot of directors who get worse as they get older, and I don’t wanna do that. Or maybe I do — I don’t know. It’s like, if it runs out — it hasn’t so far. But who knows?”
A PROFESSIONAL nanny has revealed the Aldi kids’ food she would never give her clients’ children.
Emily, who works with families all over the world, claimed that she would personally avoid “pouches and meal trays” that you can pick up in supermarkets.
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A nanny has claimed that kids’ food pouches should be avoided on a daily basisCredit: tiktok/@thenosugarcoatnanny
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She claimed the packs don’t provide nutrition you should rely on for your kidsCredit: tiktok/@thenosugarcoatnanny
Over recent years, numerous companies have found success in convincing parents that feeding a baby with a quick and convenient processed pouch is easier and also nutritious.
However, there have been growing concerns over whether they are nutritionally sufficient and if they hinder a varied diet.
On her @thenosugarcoatnanny account, Emily, who is trained as a prestigious Norland nanny, held up two items from Aldi’s Organia Mamia range, which are designed for children.
Speaking of their “super cheap” 65p apples, parsnips and carrots pouch (intended for ages four months and above) and their 95p chicken and vegetable cous cous (designed for 12 months and older), she said: “These are products that I do not recommend to parents.”
PANORAMA INVESTIGATION
Emily cited an investigation by BBC Panorama, which found that six leading UK brands did not meet their key nutritional needs for baby food pouches.
The NHS website has published advice on commercial baby food, and said parents should not rely on shop-bought pouches as everyday meals.
Some popular baby food pouches are labelled as being “perfectly balanced for growing babies” or “packed with goodness”.
Emily added: “Lots of you know about the Panorama documentary that came out about pouches and food.
“I think if you haven’t watched it as a parent, definitely go and watch it.”
The study followed the World Health Organisation stating that it is “critical” that infants and toddlers get good nutrition in the first three years of life.
Disgusted mom shares warning after finding mold inside her baby’s food pouch and it was still in date
Babies need food that is “pure, varied, minimally seasoned and nutrient-dense.“
Despite this, by the age of two to five, the average UK toddler has been found to get 61 per cent of their energy from ultra-processed foods, according toa 2022 study.
IRON LEVELS
Emily’s next gripe was with the iron levels in baby meals, and claimed that “a baby needs 7.8 mg a day.”
In the Panorama documentary, Ella’s Kitchen spag bol had just 0.7mg of iron, while Aldi’s Bangers and Mash contained 0.5mg of iron and a Lidl meal had about 0.4mg.
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The NHS Start For Life website states that parents should wait until their baby is around six months old before feeding them solid foodsCredit: Getty
Emily claimed: “Aldi’s products were tested, and their iron levels in them were around 0.5 mg.
“So, if you give your child, let’s say, this for breakfast, this for lunch, and a similar one for dinner, your child’s, getting 1.5 milligrams of iron a day?
“That’s so incredibly low.
“And obviously, children need iron to grow their blood cells.
“It’s obviously to help with their oxygen and the flow around their body.
“So, that’s something to really, really consider when thinking of these.”
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The World Health Organisation stating that it is “critical” that infants and toddlers get good nutrition in the first three years of lifeCredit: Getty
Emily shared how she wasn’t advising parents to avoid them completely, and said they are “absolutely fine” for days out if you’ve not made anything or forgotten a snack.
She explained: “But what I don’t want parents to be doing is stocking their cupboards full of these sorts of things, and then that’s your go-to.”
A spokesperson for Aldi said: “Our range of products can help parents and carers to support a child’s weaning journey by introducing a wide variety of food and flavours as part of a varied diet.
“Any sugar in them is naturally occurring and would be the same in a fruit puree made at home.”
Can I use shop-bought jars and pouches to feed my baby and toddlers?
ACCORDING to the NHS website: “If you are using food pouches, jars, trays and pots, they should only by used occasionally. They should not be used as an everyday food.”
Wait until your baby is around 6 months old before feeding them solid foods – even if labels say it’s suitable from 4 months
Check food labels and choose the food with the least amount of sugar
Always squeeze the contents from pouches onto a spoon to feed your baby
Do not rely on food pouches, jars, pots and trays as everyday food
Do not let your baby suck food from the pouch – this can increase their risk of tooth decay
Do not feed your baby snacks until they are 12 months old
The NHS Start For Life website states that parents should wait until their baby is around six months old before feeding them solid foods, even if labels on pouches say the products are suitable from four months.
Experts say the products should only be used sparingly, and not as replacements for homemade meals.
They also advised they can cause children health problems if used as their main source of nutrition.
The six brands involved in the investigation were Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo, Little Freddie, Aldi and Lidl, who all said their products were intended to be used as a complementary part of a child’s varied weaning diet.
After a brief flirtation with being a member of the Royal Family, Meghan Markle/Sussex/Mountbatten- Windsor/Spencer is flying solo.
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Meghan Markle is seeking to trademark future ventures in the hospitality sector for her As Ever brandCredit: Instagram/Meghan
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Marrying Prince Harry fired her into global fame and now she wants to capitalise on itCredit: Getty
The reports that Meghan is now seeking to trademark future ventures in the hospitality sector for her As Ever brand suggest she is now fully invested in life as an influencer and entrepreneur.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But it has absolutely nothing to do with being royal.
Marrying Prince Harry fired her into global fame and now she wants to capitalise on it.
Somebody has to fund their Californian lifestyle, and Harry claims he has been financially cut off by his family.
After almost obsessive secrecy about their children and their home life, Meghan is now bombarding her growing band of social media fans with updates of what she, Harry and the kids have been up to.
To add some mystery, the children’s faces are obscured.
It’s a telling contrast to the pictures we see of William and Catherine’s young brood as they grow up.
Everything Meghan posts — from twerking videos on the labour ward to a family trip to Disney — multiplies the clicks and the potential revenue.
She’s turning out to be a shrewd operator — which perhaps she always was.
Meghan Markle Expands As Ever: From Lifestyle Brand to Hospitality Empire
Again, I have no problem with that.
But to try to cling to the vestiges of her blink-of-an-eye time as a working royal is disingenuous.
So, Meghan, how about dropping the Duchess nonsense and the HRH which you are no longer entitled to use?
Be independent and successful.
Make your As Ever brand bigger than ever on your own.
You are an independent woman with a husband who adores you.
Just because he’s a prince doesn’t mean you have to hang on to the idea of being a princess.
You tried being part of the Royal Family and hated it.
Time to move on, which, I think, is what this is all about.
For months, Israel and its defenders have insisted that Hamas is stealing humanitarian aid. They used that claim to justify the starvation of two million people in Gaza – to bomb bakeries, block food convoys and shoot desperate Palestinians waiting in bread lines. We were told this was a war on Hamas and ordinary Palestinians were just caught in the middle.
Now we know the truth: Israel has been arming and protecting criminal gangs in Gaza that engage in stealing humanitarian aid and terrorising civilians. One group led by Yasser Abu Shabab, which is reportedly linked to extremist networks and has engaged in a variety of criminal activities, is directly receiving weapons from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
And Netanyahu is proudly admitting to it. “What’s wrong with that?” he said when confronted. “It saves the lives of [Israeli] soldiers.”
What’s wrong? Everything.
This isn’t just a tactical decision – it’s an admission of true intent. Israel never wanted to protect Palestinian civilians. It wants to break them. Starve them. Turn them against each other. Then blame them for the resulting chaos and suffering.
This strategy isn’t new. It’s colonialism 101: create anarchy, and then use it as proof that the colonised cannot govern themselves. In Gaza, Israel isn’t just trying to defeat Hamas. It’s trying to destroy any future in which Palestinians might govern their own society.
For months, Western media repeated the unverified claim that Hamas was stealing aid. No evidence was shown. The United Nations repeatedly said there was no proof. But it didn’t matter. The story served its purpose – it justified the blockade. It made starvation look like a security tactic. It made collective punishment look like policy.
Now the truth is out. The gangs terrorising aid routes were the ones Israel supported. The myth has collapsed. And yet where is the outrage?
Where are the stern statements from the governments of the United States and United Kingdom – the same ones who claimed to care about humanitarian delivery? Instead, we are getting silence. Or worse – a shrug.
Netanyahu’s open admission isn’t just arrogance. It’s confidence. He knows he can say the quiet part out loud. He knows Israel can violate international law, arm criminal gangs, bomb schools, starve civilians – and still be welcomed on the world stage. Still receive weapons. Still be praised as an “ally”.
This is what total impunity looks like.
And this is the cost of believing Israel’s PR machine – of letting it pose as a reluctant occupier, a humane military, a victim of circumstance. In truth, it’s a regime that doesn’t just tolerate war crimes – it engineers them, funds them and then uses them as propaganda.
It’s not just a war on Palestinian bodies, homes or even survival. It’s a war on the Palestinian dream – the dream of ever having a state, of building a future with dignity and self-determination.
For decades, Israel has systematically worked to prevent any form of cohesive Palestinian leadership. In the 1980s, it quietly encouraged the rise of Hamas as a religious and social counterweight to the secular Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The idea was simple: divide Palestinian politics, weaken the national movement and fragment any push for statehood.
Israeli officials believed that supporting Islamist organisations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza would create internal conflict among Palestinians – and it did. Tensions between Islamist and secular groups grew and resulted in clashes on university campuses and in the political arena.
Israel’s policy wasn’t driven by a misunderstanding. It was strategic. It knew that empowering rivals to the PLO would fracture Palestinian unity. The goal wasn’t peace – it was paralysis.
That same strategy continues today – not just in Gaza but in the occupied West Bank too. The Israeli government is actively dismantling the Palestinian Authority’s (PA’s) ability to function. It withholds tax revenues that make up the majority of the PA’s budget, bringing it to the brink of collapse.
It protects settler militias attacking Palestinian villages. It conducts daily military raids in PA-administered cities, humiliating its forces and making them look powerless. It blocks international diplomatic efforts by the PA while mocking its legitimacy.
And this policy doesn’t stop at the boundaries of the occupied territory. Inside Israel, Palestinian citizens face a similar tactic: intentional neglect, impoverishment and engineered chaos. Crime is left to spiral out of control in their communities while infrastructure and services are underfunded. Their economic potential is stifled – not by accident, but by design. It’s a quiet war on Palestinian identity itself: a strategy of erasure that aims to turn Palestinians into a silent, faceless minority stripped of rights, recognition and nationhood.
By engineering instability and then pointing to that instability as proof of failure, Israel writes the script and blames us for living it.
This is not just military policy – it’s narrative warfare. It’s about ensuring that the Palestinian people are forever seen not as a nation striving for freedom but as a threat to be contained.
Israel thrives on chaos because chaos discredits Palestinian agency. It allows Israel to say, “Look, they can’t govern themselves. They only understand violence. They need us.”
It’s not just brutal. It’s deeply calculated.
But Gaza and the West Bank are not a failed state. They are places that have been systematically denied the chance to become one.
Gaza is my home. It’s where I grew up. It’s where my family still clings to life. They deserve better – better than a colonial regime that bombs them, starves them and funds the very people stealing their food.
The world must stop treating Gaza and the West Bank as testing grounds for military doctrine, propaganda and geopolitical indifference. The people of Palestine are not a failed experiment. They are a besieged people, relentlessly denied sovereignty. And still, they try – to feed their children, bury their dead and remain human in the face of dehumanisation.
If Netanyahu’s government can admit to arming criminal gangs and still face no consequences, then the problem is not just Israel. It is us – the so-called international community that rewards cruelty and punishes survival.
What’s needed – urgently – are concrete actions to protect Palestinian lives and safeguard the right to Palestinian statehood before it is erased entirely. Threats to recognise a Palestinian state just won’t do.
If the world continues to look away, it’s not only Palestine that will be destroyed – it’s the very credibility of international law, human rights and every moral principle we claim to stand for.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
Flight attendants are seen multiple times walking on the aisle. Other than serving foods and drinks, there’s one important task they must complete during the flight.
Flight attendants are seen walking on the aisle several times, but for what?(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Being a flight attendant has lots of perks, such as travelling around the world. Still, it’s a tough job with a lot of responsibilities, especially for the passenger’s safety.
That said, there’s one important task all flight attendants must regularly complete throughout the flight. Have you ever wondered why flight attendants walk the aisle on certain occasions and even multiple times – even when most of the cabin is asleep? They’re not just stretching their legs, they are actually completing vital safety checks.
From serving drinks and meals, answering questions, offering duty-free, and going through pre-flight checks, cabin crew members are also tasked with being incredibly alert. This means no snoozing on the job, unless it’s a long-haul flight where attendants are designated periods of rest.
The crew has to complete a mandatory check every 30 minutes(Image: Getty Images)
Whether it’s a short or long flight, safety is the number one priority when flying. As explained on Go Opti’s website, the crew completes a mandatory check every 30 minutes to see if passengers need any assistance or anything that should be reported.
This check also applies at night, when all the lights are off and passengers are asleep. The website says: “Even if the passengers are sleeping, the cabin crew must keep checking that all is well. They will look for anything unusual and scan the passengers and the cabin. The flight crew must be checked upon every 30 minutes to make sure that they are ok and to see if they need anything.”
And their safety first policy doesn’t just come into play mid-flight, they are expected to see every passenger as they get on-board. During boarding, the cabin crew is responsible for identifying passengers who might be able to assist in the event of an emergency, along with anyone who may be unfit to fly. When seeing passengers get off, the crew has to ensure no one – or their belongings – are left behind.
On average, flight attendant safety training can last four and six weeks, including real-life scenarios and practical exercises. Walking on the aisle is just one of them.
The exact frequency varies depending on the flight duration. Nonetheless, whether it’s a one-hour or a 16-hour journey, flight attendants will always be alert to keep everyone onboard safe.
Next time, don’t be surprised when you see the cabin crew walking on the aisle. Whether they’re serving food and drinks or swapping areas with their colleagues, they’re also checking out for your safety and at your disposal whenever you need their assistance.
TOWIE star Amy Childs’ friends are worried about her relationship after she postponed her wedding to fiancé Billy Delbosq for the second time
08:40, 06 Jun 2025Updated 08:40, 06 Jun 2025
Friends have expressed their concerns about Amy Childs’ relationship after she postponed her wedding for the second time(Image: Instagram/amychilds1990)
Amy Childs has left friends and fans worried after calling off her wedding to fiancé Billy Delbosq for the second time, sparking rumours of relationship troubles among those who are close to her. The former beautician, who shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex nearly 15 years ago, became a household name thanks to her larger-than-life personality — and introducing the public to the concept of ‘vajazzling’.
After a romantic past full of ups and downs, Amy, 34, seemed to have finally found lasting love with Billy, a fellow reality star who once appeared on Channel 4 ’s First Dates. The couple got engaged in 2023 after welcoming twins Billy River and Amelia Mae.
Friends have expressed their concerns about Amy Childs’ relationship after she postponed her wedding for the second time(Image: @amychilds1990/Instagram)
But last month she postponed their wedding again, after already delaying it last year over doubts about whether Billy was truly ready to tie the knot.
This latest cancellation has caused speculation that not all is well in their relationship. Friends close to the couple have voiced their fears, with one source telling the Daily Mail : “Billy has always been a player. He’s one of the biggest players in Essex…now there are fears that all is not well, that something could have happened between them.”
Fuel was added to the fire when Amy was spotted in Brentwood looking visibly thinner and not wearing her engagement ring. However, another source close to the couple insisted the pair are still going strong, and suggested she only removed the ring to work out.
In the paparazzi snaps that sparked concern, she was indeed dressed in gym gear. However, Amy and Billy were also seen at Stansted Airport on Thursday while en route to Spain for TOWIE filming, looking “preoccupied and unsmiling”. One pal admitted: “They usually seem so happy together. This time they looked really down in the dumps, neither particularly looked like they wanted to be there.”
Behind the scenes, Amy has been privately coping with a family crisis. She recently told The Mirror that her mum Julie, who has also made appearances on TOWIE, suffered from a heart attack in April and had to be rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.
She added: “It has been intensely stressful. None of us was expecting Mum to have a heart attack – it turned our world upside down.
“It was so frightening. She had a stent put in and was in hospital for six days. She’s now home but she’s being monitored daily and is on a lot of medication. It’s so tough for her – she sometimes struggles to walk upstairs.”
Amy and Billy made the difficult decision to postpone their September wedding at Cliveden House in Berkshire. The TOWIE star explained: “It’s upsetting, but I know we’ve made the right decision. Right now, we’re focused on looking after Mum.”
In response to the online abuse over her weight loss, Amy hit back, saying: “People don’t know what is going on behind closed doors…To be honest I do feel better when I’m a bit heavier than I am at the moment. There’s so much going on – it’s the result of pure stress.”
Despite facing these heart breaking family challenges, Amy is still hopeful that her and Billy will be able to get married abroad next year, and have planned for their kids to play a special role in the wedding. She concluded: “We just want it to be amazing, not rushed.”
IT is the biggest reunion in rock – but Oasis’s comeback may not have happened at all if it hadn’t been for some delicate, behind-the-scenes diplomacy by one particular person.
Step forward Anais Gallagher, Noel’s eldest daughter, who has been revealed as the gutsy go-between who has seemingly pulled off what years of fan pleading and big-money offers failed to do.
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Feuding brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher have put differences aside to reunite OasisCredit: Getty
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The Gallagher brothers finally announced their reunion in August 2024Credit: Instagram/Oasis
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The band have recently begun rehearsals together ahead of their long-awaited reunion tourCredit: Alamy
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Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anais brought her dad and uncle Liam together for the biggest reunion in musicCredit: Getty
And the plucky model has even had a hand in helping shape the band’s set list, by providing crucial insight into what the Mancunian legends’ Gen-Z fans might want to hear on the 41-date reunion tour.
The Sun can reveal that Anais, who is from Noel’s first marriage to Meg Mathews, worked tirelessly to reconcile her dad and uncle following Noel’s split from Sara MacDonald.
So Anais, 25, figured the breakdown of her dad’s marriage could be an opportunity to get her old man back together with his feisty brother and the band that made him a megastar.
An insider said: “Anais was one of the biggest sources of comfort and support for Noel following his divorce.
“She was the one that was helping him get back on his feet and return to doing things he loved that had fallen by the wayside.
“Over the years, Noel had offered an olive branch to Liam, but he’d never taken it up.
“Anais could tell her dad really wanted both his brothers, Liam and Paul, by his side after the split so was determined to get them back in touch.
Fighting with Noel
“She gets on great with Liam’s sons Gene and Lennon so she asked them if their dad would be willing to hear her out.
“They said they thought he would be receptive, so she then asked Liam to reach out to his brother to lend support.
“Liam’s always wanted Oasis back together so he got in touch.”
Inside Noel & Liam Gallagher’s first Oasis show in 16 years at surprise venue where they enraged neighbour
Ironically, the Wonderwall crooners fell out back in May 2000 because Liam allegedly questioned the paternity of Anais while fighting with Noel in Spain — leading Noel to leave the band for a second time.
Anais has maintained a close relationship with outspoken Liam, who is saved in her phone as “uncle”.
Anais, who has modelled for Dolce and Gabbana, is close friends with her cousins Gene, 23, and Lennon, 25, and the group often go on nights out together.
Anais was one of the biggest sources of comfort and support for Noel following his divorce
Insider
Fans had hoped Noel’s divorce would lead to a reconciliation for the band, but they were left hanging for more than a year.
The source said: “It was all very slow-going behind the scenes to get the brothers talking again.
“Anais spending so much time with her dad allowed her to realise how much he missed his brother, despite the jibes they both made.
“It enabled her to plant the idea of a reconciliation on both sides. Thanks to her close relationship with Liam, she was able to call him.
“She worked hard to make sure they didn’t look back in anger, if you like.
“Once Liam called Noel, the rest was left up to them.”
The brothers announced their reunion in August last year, sparking a frenzy as fans went into overdrive to get their hands on tickets.
It’s expected that the band will make millions from their world tour, which kicks off in July.
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Noel’s split from Sara MacDonald was an opportunity for him and Liam to talk againCredit: Getty
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Anais is Noel’s child from his marriage to Meg MatthewsCredit: Getty
And in further good news for Liam, he is about to become a grandfather for the first time.
His daughter Molly Moorish, 27, announced two weeks ago she was expecting her first child with Liverpool footballer boyfriend Nathaniel Phillips.
Molly, whose mother Lisa had a short-lived relationship with Liam in 1998, was estranged from her dad for 19 years but they are reconciled.
In interviews, Anais said: “With my family, what you see is what you get. They are really hard-working people.
“With my dad, I would always go to him for help or advice — it’s very funny that a rock star from the 90s is like the most level-headed person I know.
“He’s definitely the guiding force in my life.”
Liam’s always wanted Oasis back together so he got in touch
“As a result, [the song] Bonehead’s Bank Holiday will be played live by Oasis for the first time.
“They’ll also play Digsy’s Dinner, and Talk Tonight.
“She wants to help Oasis gain younger fans as well as their long-standing fans.”
The Oasis reunion announcement has been marred by older fans hitting out at younger people getting tickets, something Anais has been very vocal about on social media.
On TikTok, she wrote: “One thing I won’t stand for is the ageism and the misogyny around people getting tickets.
“Sorry, if a 19-year-old girl in a pink cowboy hat wants to be there, I will have my friendship bracelets ready.”
Grumpy fans have claimed that the band would hate stuff put up by young people on TikTok.
Sometimes people put this hyper-aggressive masculine ideology into what they think that my dad and my uncle are going to be like
Anais Gallagher
In an interview with Hello! Anais hit back, saying they were wrong.
She told the magazine: “I see this all the time, actually, where someone will post a funny video or a cover song and people would say ‘[Oasis] would hate this’.
“No, no, you hate this.
“Sometimes people put this hyper-aggressive masculine ideology into what they think that my dad and my uncle are going to be like.
“They’re actually a lot more accepting than the fans are.”
Anais plans to be stage-side to support her father throughout the reunion run.
She joked in an interview that her aims for the year were to: “Limit the amount of hangovers I have after all the Oasis concerts, remember to take my supplements and drink a lot of water.”
Whether she can manage to keep her dad and uncle in a similar state remains to be seen.
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Liam’s lads Gene and Lennon are close with AnaisCredit: Getty
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“Do y’all think — I want to ask y’all a real question — do you think, if I ever came back to TV, do you know where the only place I would ever come back to is?” Kotb asked her former colleagues after replacement co-host Craig Melvin inquired about that rumor. “Right here. This is the spot.”
“Delete, not true,” she said of the Clarkson rumor.
Something that is true? Kotb revealed that she left “Today” in part to take care of 6-year-old daughter Hope, who was diagnosed about two years ago with Type 1 diabetes. Previously known as juvenile diabetes because it’s most often diagnosed in childhood, the autoimmune disorder can occur in adults as well.
Hope’s health issues arose more than two years ago, she said. Now the child has to use synthetic insulin regularly to stay well, since her condition prevents insulin production by her pancreas.
“As anyone with a child who has Type 1 [knows], especially a little kid, you’re constantly watching, you’re constantly monitoring, you’re constantly checking, which is what I did all the time when I was [at ‘Today’],” she told Melvin and Savannah Guthrie. “You’re distracted.”
Hope, however, is just like “every other kid” except for about five minute at breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes overnight, Kotb said.
But being there for her daughter had become nonnegotiable, she told People in a story published Wednesday, so “Today” had to become part of yesterday. No more alarms going off at 3:15 a.m. every morning.
Now she sleeps in until 4:30 a.m. She also just launched a new wellness venture, Joy 101. But her children remain her focus.
“I really wanted to and needed to be here to watch over [Hope]. So, whenever she needs anything, and it can happen at night, multiple times, I’m up — I’m up up up,” she said.
“But I would never, ever want Hope to one day grow up and say, ‘Oh, my mom left her job because [of me].’ It wasn’t that alone. But if you look at it cumulatively, it was a part of that decision.”
Hope, Kotb told People, “is a happy, healthy, rambunctious, amazing kid, and we have to watch her. Diabetes is a part of her, but not all of her. I hope it shapes her but never defines her.”
The Observation Wheel in Weymouth, Dorset, gives visitors amazing views of the town and has been compared to the iconic Ferris Wheel in Skegness – and locals and tourists seem to agree
Daniel Phillips and Charlie Bunce agree the wheel is great for children visiting the town(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
A colossal new attraction has made its debut in one of the UK’s most beloved seaside towns, and visitors reckon it’s just the latest indication that the resort is returning to its glory days. Weymouth, a popular destination for around two million day-trippers annually, welcomed the Observation Wheel to its central beach at the end of April.
The towering wheel, standing 26 metres high and accommodating up to 108 passengers, offers breathtaking views of the town and has drawn comparisons to the iconic Ferris Wheel in Skegness. The project was financed by Danters, the local fairground operators, rather than the council.
However, the new attraction wasn’t universally embraced, with Dorset Council receiving 38 objections. Yet, when the Express paid a visit to Weymouth seafront on a sunny Monday afternoon, it quickly became apparent that the majority of tourists and locals were enthusiastic supporters of the new feature.
Robert and Julie Gray, who were celebrating their anniversary in Weymouth, having travelled from Oxford, were spotted in the Alexandra Gardens on the esplanade. The couple, regular visitors to the Dorset coast over the years, were delighted with the addition of the Observation Wheel.
Robert, 79, shared: “We always come down to Weymouth. We used to do a lot of diving in the sea here. So we thought we’d come back and visit some of the regular haunts for our anniversary.”
Julie observed that the town has “improved over the years”, recalling how it was “quite rundown” a decade ago. She is of the opinion that additions like the Observation Wheel will only serve to enhance the town even further.
Jeanette and Andrew Dilly think the wheel is a positive addition to Weymouth(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Julie and Robert Gray were visiting Weymouth from Oxford (Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Robert chimed in with his thoughts on the local attractions, saying: “I think they keep the kids happy and gives them more to do,” and added: “It’s not an eye-sore is it, really? It’s not something we’d go on but it’s great for other people that want to. It’s something else. Why not?”.
Chester Harmer, a 16 year old resident, was full of praise for his hometown, saying: “The beach and the pavilion are always popular,” and “There’s a lot of things to do for people on holiday.”
Despite some calling the new wheel an “eye-sore”, Chester sees it as a positive addition, stating: “The Observation Wheel has only been up a few weeks and I don’t mind it. It adds something and brings people in. The seafront is definitely the best thing about around here.”
Located at the end of Weymouth Central Beach, the wheel stands among traditional seaside amusements. Andrew Dilly, 60, gestured towards the amusement park and remarked: “You’ve got these things that have been here for years and it’s just part of the same thing. It isn’t a bad thing.”
Josh Rees said the wheel is a ‘bit of an eye-sore’(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
His wife Jeanette, 77, agreed saying: “It’s a good addition I think to Weymouth. We knew it was new as we were here in September when it wasn’t here.”
Jeanette also expressed her fondness for the town’s consistency, saying: “It’s a lovely town and it hasn’t changed much over the years.
“That’s the beauty of Weymouth – it doesn’t change. That’s exactly why we come back. We know what we’re getting – a really nice family seaside town.”
Visitors to a seaside town are wheeling in excitement over the new attraction that’s spinning up interest. A couple from Cornwall, who toured the area in their motorhome, forked out £11 for a ride on the wheel and Jeanette described the top views as “amazing”.
Charlie Bunce, a local with family ties to Weymouth, was spotted strolling the seafront with her partner Daniel Phillips. The duo reckon the wheel’s arrival will be a boon for the crowds and local trade.
The Weymouth Observation Wheel is situated near other amusements on the beach(Image: Jonathan Buckmaster)
Daniel, 31, shared his enthusiasm: “The fairground and the wheel gives something for the kids to do which is good. I think it’s good for the town and seafront. It gives great views across the town and sea. We’re going to go on it now.”
He continued, highlighting the economic spin-off: “You’ve got to think of all the local businesses that it helps. It brings people down in the summer and these added extra things to do really make a difference. If there’s nothing to do here then why would you come down and bring your kids?”.
Charlie, 30, chimed in, praising the wheel’s placement as ideal and “isn’t overwhelming”, ensuring there’s plenty of beach left for visitors to spread out on.
“It’s a huge beach and if you want to get away from it then you can,” she noted. “It’s not in the way and won’t hurt anybody.”
Yet, not everyone’s on board with the coastal change. Bristol native Josh Rees expressed concern that the organisers might have “overdone it” this year.
The 28-year-old reminisced: “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. It’s nostalgic for me and the fairground adds to that.
“I think they’ve overdone it a little bit. I do like the views from the top (of the wheel) but I remember when there was less attractions and it was absolutely great. It’s not completely an eye-sore – maybe just a little bit! I guess it just depends what people want nowadays.”
Other locals, such as 36-year-old Clare Richardson, agree that the Observation Wheel is perfect for children. She also disagrees with those who have labelled it an eye-sore.
“We’ve got kids so it’s great for them,” she said. “It’s entertainment. I don’t think it’s an eye-sore really. It just gives people an extra thing to do on the beach.”
A Weymouth Town Council spokesperson said: “There was much excitement when the operator of this brand new attraction was ready to open for the first rides at the end of April, which is a fantastic addition to Weymouth Beach.
“It stands at 26 metres high and can accommodate up to 108 passengers when full, who will be in for a treat as they take to the sky to enjoy the fantastic views of Weymouth’s iconic Jurassic coastline.
“We are pleased to see this new attraction opening on the beach for the very first time this season. It offers something for all ages for residents and visitors alike to enjoy, and it’s lovely to see people standing on the promenade waving to friends and relatives who are on the ride.”
RYAN Thomas is set to make a comeback to Coronation Street for Sue Cleaver’s exit after almost a decade away – and now he has revealed the real reason why.
The actor-turned-reality-star played builder Jason in the ITV soap from 2000 until leaving in 2016.
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Eileen Grimshaw, played by Sue Cleaver, with Ryan Thomas as Jason GrimshawCredit: Rex Features
Ryan says he wanted to pay the soap that made him famous back.
He said: “It was a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for what the show has done for me. When they told me Eileen was leaving, it felt right to be a part of that storyline for her and revisit where it all started.”
Jason has barely changed since the last time he was on the cobbles.
Actor Ryan says he’s “still that happy-go-lucky, lovable guy” – who is set for a romantic twist in his upcoming scenes.
Ryan said: “He makes it up as he goes along, has a loving heart, and is all about family,.
“He certainly hasn’t changed when it comes to women, straight away he is taking someone back home with him and getting himself into hot water with his brother.
“He’s struggling for money, his girlfriend left him, and he needs his mum.
He says he’s come back for Eileen, but he really needs a cuddle and his safety net.”
At the time, he revealed on Mancs on the Mic: “It’s hard for me. I started off acting, I started off in that game and I really lost the bug for it.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
For some folks, this summer will be a time of relaxation: picnics, barbecues, vacation. For others, a mad scramble between work and swim meets, baseball tournaments or shopping before shelves go bare and the Trump tariffs price everything beyond reach.
The former vice president is expected to spend a chunk of her summer weighing various options — whether to retire from politics after more than 20 years seeking elected office, whether to mount a 2026 bid for California governor or whether to make a third attempt at the White House in 2028.
Of the three options, the most pressing is whether to enter the race to replace her fellow Democrat, the term-limited Gavin Newsom, as governor.
The contest is already well underway — 10 serious (broadly speaking) candidates have so far announced their candidacies. While Harris’ near-universal name recognition and nationwide fundraising base allow her to wait longer than others, a serious gubernatorial bid will take more than a few months to mount.
That forces a decision and a public announcement sooner rather than later.
If she does run, one thing Harris must avoid at all costs is anything that bespeaks arrogance, entitlement or anything less than a 100% commitment to serving as governor. It’s not hard to imagine one of her first utterances as a candidate would be pledging to serve a full four-year term and vowing not to use the office as an interim step toward another presidential bid.
Failing that, voters have every reason to send Harris packing. California doesn’t need another governor with a wandering political eye.
Another imperative Harris faces is offering a compelling reason why she wants to be governor. Seeking the office for the same reason climbers tackle Mt. Everest — because it’s there — won’t do.
History offers a lesson.
In November 1979, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy was preparing to launch an upstart bid for president against the unpopular incumbent, Jimmy Carter. He gave a television interview that was so legendarily awful it’s become an object lesson in how not to start a campaign.
Asked why he wanted to be president, Kennedy paused at length, appearing stricken. He then unspooled a long-winded, curlicued, two-minute response that mentioned natural resources, technology, innovation, productivity, inflation, energy, joblessness and the economy, among other things. His answer was lucid as a fog bank and inspiring as a stalk of celery.
“Kennedy was on a rocket ship,” said Dan Schnur, a veteran communications strategist and political science professor, who uses the Kennedy interview as part of his curriculum at USC, Pepperdine and UC Berkeley. Carter was in dreadful shape, Kennedy was political royalty and the enthusiasm for his candidacy at the Democratic grassroots “looked like it was going to sweep him to the nomination.
“And then he did that one interview,” Schnur recollected, “and he couldn’t answer the most basic question.”
Though Kennedy ended up giving Carter a stiff challenge, he never fully recovered from leaving that terrible impression.
Harris should take heed.
A recent poll by the L.A. Times and UC Berkeley gave her a 50% approval rating among California voters, which is not exactly a number to beat the band. Still, she would enter the governor’s race as a heavy favorite to at least make the runoff under the state’s top-two election system. If a Republican nabbed the second spot, Harris would be strongly positioned to win in November, given California’s strong Democratic leaning.
But, again, neither is a reason for Harris to be governor.
Some of those close to the former vice president wonder how much she really wants, or would enjoy, the job.
In short, Harris has never burned with a passion to be California governor.
That makes it all the more important for her to explain — clearly and convincingly — why she’d want to be elected.
“She’s got to give some affirmative reason why she’s running and why it would be good for the voters of California,” Schnur said. “And it’s not just a matter of constructing several words into a sentence.
“It’s not hard for someone as smart as Kamala Harris and her team to concoct a lab-tested phrase that tests well,” he went on. “The challenge isn’t typing out a sentence. It’s developing a core purpose that can then be explained in a sentence.”
Harris has all summer to look inward and figure that out. If she can’t, California voters should choose someone else for their next governor.
Tycoon Mike Lynch’s superyacht sank because it was vulnerable to wind, a report claimsCredit: EPA
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Lynch, 59, died as the yacht sankCredit: Reuters
Brit tech tycoon Lynch, 59, and daughter Hannah, 18, were among seven killed in the disaster.
An interim report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said the yacht had a “vulnerability” to lighter winds but the owner and crew would not have known.
It added it had “limited verified evidence” as the criminal probe in Italy had restricted its access.
Andrew Moll, chief inspector of marine accidents, said: “The findings indicate that the extreme wind experienced by Bayesian was sufficient to knock the yacht over.
READ MORE ON YACHT SINKING
“Further, once the yacht had heeled beyond an angle of 70° the situation was irrecoverable.
“The results will be refined as the investigation proceeds, and more information becomes available.”
Five people were injured “either by falling or from things falling on them”, while the deck hand was “thrown into the sea”, a report said.
Two guests used furniture drawers “as an improvised ladder” to escape their cabin.
The skipper instructed guests and crew on an area of the deck to “swim clear of the mast and boom as the vessel was sinking”.
Survivors later made their way onto a life raft released from the Bayesian.
Manslaughter probe launched over Bayesian disaster as cops scour CCTV & review captain’s decisions
They went on to be rescued on a small boat dispatched by yacht Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was also at anchor nearby.
A search was conducted of the accident site.
All the bodies of those who died were subsequently recovered by the local authorities.
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Mike’s daughter Hannah was also killed in the disasterCredit: EPA
