While Brits usually have to join the line with other non-EU citizens, one airport will offer a lane solely for those with British passports after a new system led to huge delays for holidaymakers
Brits will now need to use EES when they enter the EU(Image: Lucy North/PA Wire)
The long-delayed European Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially been implemented today (April 10), which means that all non-EU citizens, Brits included, need to register their biometric data when entering the European Union (EU).
However, during the gradual implementation phase, long queues have been reported at several airports, especially in areas with lots of British tourists such as Spanish holiday hotspots. One spot that has been affected is the holiday island of Majorca, where long queues were reported by Majorca Daily Bulletin over the Easter weekend, a combination of the new systems and airport strikes.
Palma de Mallorca Airport is the third busiest airport in Spain with over 33.3 million passengers a year, even beating major cities on the mainland such as Alicante and Malaga.
The airport has a single terminal, divided into four zones, and while many reviews praise it for its efficiency in handling so many passengers, there have been complaints about long queues and overcrowding. However, it has been confirmed by an airport spokesperson, speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, that dedicated lanes will be set up for British travellers.
The move could help ease pressures at passport control, as first-time registrations can reportedly take several minutes for each passenger. British travellers will be directed to a specific area with kiosks to collect their biometric data, and additional staff from the Guardia Civil will be on-hand to help manage the process.
The new EES system involves taking a photograph and fingerprints from non-EU citizens, and its aim is to be able to easily track those who overstay. Eventually, it will replace manual passport stamps, allowing EU countries to identify whether someone has followed the 90-day rule.
So far, the system has reportedly caught out over 4,000 travellers who’ve either accidentally or deliberately overstayed. Brits visiting the EU are allowed to stay up to 90 days visa-free within an 180-day period, although many don’t realise this is a rolling window, which could lead to confusion when calculating how long someone has been in the EU.
Brits visiting Portugal or Sweden can download the official Travel to Europe app to save time. This app allows them to scan their passports and capture their biometric data in advance before generating a QR code. If no further checks are needed at the airport, then visitors can then simply scan the code at the EES kiosk on arrival.
Later this year, Brits will also need to participate in the new visa-waiver scheme, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which is set to be implemented in late-2026.
Not to be confused with EES, ETIAS will require Brits visiting the EU to apply for a visa-exemption, with the application costing €20 (about £17.42), although it will be valid for three years.
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New rules have come into force for Brits this week across a number of European holiday hotspots, but there’s an app that could help you swerve potentially long queues
The app could make the EES process simpler – but it’s only available in certain locations(Image: Getty Images)
Brits heading to the likes of France, Spain, Portugal and Greece will face new entry requirements as Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has come into force. Airports across the EU are braced for potential travel chaos as non-EU visitors, including Brits, will need to have biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints taken when they enter the EU.
Personal data from your passport will also be collected when you enter an EU border, and the system will record entry and exit dates to allow overstays to be easily flagged. EES is set to replace passport stamps in the long run.
However, getting to grips with the new technology has proven tricky at some airports, with many Brits reporting longer queues on arrival and when departing the EU. While EU passport holders have their own lanes, Brits must queue with other non-EU nationalities and go through the new system.
An official app could potentially speed up the process for Brits and other non-EU citizens, although many travellers are unaware of its existence.
The Travel to Europe app is available on Apple’s App Store or Google Play and claims it can “speed up your border check”. Holidaymakers heading to the EU first need to download the app and register. At the moment, the app is only available at selected border crossing points, including Sweden and Portugal, although the developers claim more will be added soon.
Families flying together can add co-travellers to the app so their details are in one place. You simply need to add details of your journey such as the date and time you’ll arrive and depart, and can scan your passport using your phone. You then take a selfie and answer some questions. This can be done up to 72-hours before your flight.
The app then generates a QR code for each passenger which can be scanned at a self-service kiosk or by passport control staff. Simply follow the signs or directions from airport staff to the pre-registration queue. Of course, there’s no guarantee of entry and staff may still carry out additional checks, but for many passengers this could speed up the process for them.
Travellers have been warned to “expect chaos” in the coming months in popular holiday hotspots such as Tenerife. Reports of hours long queues and confusion caused by the new system have surfaced. And while the EES implementation date has avoided the busy Easter weekend, May half-term is just a few weeks away, which could potentially put more strain on the system.
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GETTING into Europe for your holiday is now different and there are things you must know.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) started a phased rollout on October 12, 2025 in 29 European countries and is fully operational from today – April 10, 2026.
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The new Entry/Exit System to Europe is fully operational from todayCredit: Alamy
What is EES?
EES is a new automated IT system that has been introduced across airports, ferry terminals and Eurostar stations across the Schengen area.
The system tracks short stays in Europe – up to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
Why has it been introduced?
EES has been introduced to replace the need for passport stamps.
Instead, going forward, visitors will automatically be checked-in when they enter and exit an EU country.
The aim of the system is to tighten border control, prevent illegal immigration and prevent identity fraud.
Is it also designed to make border crossings more efficient in the long run?
What travel does it impact?
No matter how you are travelling, whether that be by train, plane or sea, Brits (as well as all non-EU nationals) visiting Europe will have to follow the new rules.
If you are going on holiday to any of the following 29 countries, you will be required to follow EES.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
How will it work?
All non-EU nationals – which includes Brits – are required to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
This will be done by using specific EES machines which will be at airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar terminals.
The machines will log your fingerprints, facial images and scan your passport as well.
From today, every traveller has to register with EES.
Once you have registered (such as taking fingerprints and a photo), it is valid for three years.
It impacts all Brits heading to EuropeCredit: Alamy
Each time you travel within those three years, you must complete a shorter and faster check in, which, for example, usually involves scanning your fingerprints already on the system every time you enter or exit the Schengen Area.
If your passport expires before the three year mark, you will need to re-register with your new passport.
You will also have to re-register when the three years expires.
Will it cost me anything?
EES does not cost anything and is free for all travellers.
It is not a paid visa.
Will it make my journey time longer?
There have already been some reports of delays due to travellers registering for EES, including long queues and lengthy wait times.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill spent three hours getting through the arrivals hall at Lanzarote Airport last month.
And delays have been reported at other airports like Brussels, Lisbon and Prague.
Some airports have put preparations in place to avoid travel chaos.
For example, Spanish operator, Aena, has said that is adapting security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.
You must register, which includes scanning your fingerprintsCredit: Reuters
Tips to help with EES
The FCDO has recently updated its advice for countries impacted by EES.
On the website it states: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.
“EES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.
“If you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
“Your digital EES record is valid for 3 years.”
While you might not be able to beat the long queues, Sun Travel has a few tips to make the process less stressful.
For example, book a seat at the front of the plane – this will help you get off the plane and to border control before the rest of passengers on your flight.
Where possible, booking the first flight of the day may help as they are generally fewer flights scheduled at this time and could mean less disruption.
If you have a connecting flight, try and go to a bigger airport when connecting as they are likely to be better equipped for the introduction of EES.
If travelling with children, think about the entertainment you can take with you, like an iPad.
This could help to keep them occupied and calm in long queues.
If you are disabled, make sure to let the airline know in advance as after landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of the border control queues.
And last but not least, if you are going to be waiting in line for a while you want to make sure you are comfortable – so ditch the uncomfortable shoes, head to the toilet on the plane before you land and make sure you have some water with you.
New EU rules for Brits kick off today – what it means for your holiday plans – The Mirror
Need to know
The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational, meaning that Brits travelling into major European holiday hotspots will need to go through a new digital border
The EU’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) has been fully rolled out(Image: Getty Images)
Five things to know about the new EU rules
As of Friday, 10 April, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully rolled out, and Brits will be required to go through the digital border system when travelling to the Schengen area.
Countries in the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The EES system is not required for travel into the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, as they are not within the Schengen area.
With the new system in place, Brits will need to “create a digital record” and register their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photograph, on their first visit to the Schengen area at the airport border upon arrival. This will be free of charge, and holidaymakers do not need to do anything before arriving at the border.
The new EES registration has replaced the former system of manual passport stamps when arriving in the EU. The government noted that the EES may take “each passenger a few extra minutes to complete”, but once done, the EES record is valid for three years. During this time, when entering the Schengen area again, Brits will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border on entrance and exit.
Brits have been warned to expect delays and allow for extra time at the airport following the full introduction of the EU system, which was first rolled out on 12 October 2025. Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, said: “What we have said to customers is that, because of the checks, you might need to prepare for delays with extra water and snacks.”
BRITS visiting Europe will be hit with new travel rules from tomorrow, but there are still some exceptions.
A total of 29 countries are set to implement the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) from Friday, April 10.
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The new Entry/Exit System is set to be implemented tomorrow, however some areas are reporting issuesCredit: ReutersBritish passport holders traveling to Europe will face new entry rules from Friday, April 10Credit: Getty
The EES will replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens this week,after an initial rollout in October 2025.
This new entry system will use machines across airports, ferry terminals, and the Eurostar to log fingerprints and facial images and scan passports.
These machines will be in place at destination airporta when arriving into the EU and before departure for rail and ferry trips from the Port of Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras International.
All “third-country nationals”, including Brits, will be required to register their details on these machines during their first visit to a Schengen area country, as well as in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will continue to be used in Ireland and Cyprus.
Initially scheduled to become fully operational across all Schengen area border crossing points from Friday, the new process doesn’t appear to be ready in some countries.
Reports suggest that some crossing points are not prepared to start processing non-EU nationals via the new EES machines.
Technical issues in France are having a knock-on effect for the system’s rollout at the Eurostar, as well as at the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and on cross-channel services between the Port of Dover and Calais.
French authorities confirmed travellers using these services will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as thetechnologyis not yet in place.
Only lorry drivers and coach and foot passengers will be required to register with EES at the Port of Dover.
Chaos is also anticipated for air passengers, with some airports preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.
The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.
Digital EES records will be valid for three years, with non-EU nationals who return during this time only required to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when entering or exiting.
29 countries implementing the Entry/Exit System
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The introduction of EES will be fully rolled out tomorrow, with 29 countries included on the listCredit: Reuters
NEW travel rules for Brits visiting Europe are being rolled out tomorrow, and it includes everything from airports to ferry ports.
The new rules require all non-EU nationals to register their details like fingerprints and facial images before going abroad – but it’s set to cause chaos as some countries aren’t ready.
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The deadline for EES is set to be fully operational is tomorrowCredit: AlamyIf you’re heading to the beach this summer you could experience delays at the airportCredit: Alamy
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) started a phased rollout on October 12, 2025 in 29 European countries and will be fully operational as of tomorrow – April 10, 2026.
EES is replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.
Non-EU nationals – which includes Brits – will be required to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
This is done by using the EES machines at airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar to log fingerprints, facial images and scan passports.
Up until now, not every traveller has had to register with EES, but from tomorrow, that will change.
Even through the phased process, it hasn’t been smooth, and there have been reports of long queues across Europe with travellers at airports waiting for hours to register with EES.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill spent three hours getting through the arrivals hall at Lanzarote Airport last month.
With summerholidays on the horizon and lots more Brits going abroad than off-peak season, officials have even called for the EES to be delayed until later in the year.
Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said told Travel Weekly just two days ago that there are still “significant issues” with EES.
She added: “While we understand the importance of modernising border processes, a smooth rollout must be prioritised in order to avoid major travel chaos at peak periods.
“With very high demand for travel over the upcoming summer holiday period, we are deeply concerned about the impact delays could have at a time when it is vital we maintain high consumer confidence within a travel sector facing global uncertainty and rising costs.”
Reporter Alice Penwill queued for three hours in Lanzarote Airport
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called EES “a shambles” and called for EES to be delayed “for five months” until the end of September to ease congestion.
To avoid the predicted travel chaos, some airports are preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.
The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.
It’s not just airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar using EES – but reports state that these will actually miss tomorrow’s deadline.
Visa HQ reported that France’s Ministry of the Interior has postponed full EES checks at border points like the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras and the ports of Dover and Calais.
French authorities said that travellers on Eurostar, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and cross-Channel ferries will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as the technology is not yet in place.
At the Port of Dover, only lorry drivers, coach and foot passengers are registering with EES.
The EES system has been “paused for several weeks” because reportedly, ‘software integration tests failed and physical booth space is still inadequate’.
Here are Sun Travel’s top tips for those heading on holiday this summer and are likely to be caught up in EES chaos…
Book a seat at the front of the plane. If you want to get to border control before the rest of the passengers on your flight, then by being at the front, you’ll be able to get off first.
When you’re booking, it might ease wait times if you go head out on one of the first flights of the day There are generally fewer scheduled flights and they experience less disruption. So if you get an early flight, there’s less likely to be a backlog.
If you are taking a connecting flight, we’d advise to anticipate delays Of course this varies from airport to airport, but some travellers might find it will take longer to get through because of the EES requirements.
If you can go to a bigger airport and take a longer road transfer, it could be worth it. At a larger airport there’s likely to be more EES machines than at one of the smaller ones.
If you have children, or are generally just bored of queues (and who can blame you?) – think about entertainment. It could be worth setting the kids up with an iPad or something that will keep them occupied.
For those who are disabled, make sure to let the airline know in advance as you would usually. After landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of border control queues.
Quite simply, if you are going to be waiting in line for hours, then you want to be comfortable. So before landing, go to the toilet on the plane.
TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 can have different rules around what duty free bags you can bring onboard as part of your hand luggage allowance – we take a look at what passengers need to know
13:22, 08 Apr 2026Updated 14:17, 08 Apr 2026
Some airlines are more generous than others when it comes to hand luggage(Image: Getty Images)
Before heading to the airport, it’s crucial to be aware of any hand luggage restrictions and certain duty-free rules that not everyone knows about, with airlines including TUI and Ryanair.
Many of us fly with different airlines, depending on the route, airport and price, so it’s tricky to keep up with the various hand luggage allowances or restrictions. Most airlines allow passengers to take on board a small personal bag for free, which can include a backpack or handbag, while others offer a generous addition of a free cabin bag.
There can also be confusion when it comes to carrying on duty-free, alongside your personal bag or cabin bag. Holidaymakers have often been left questioning whether they can carry it on separately or if they have to pack it into one of their bags.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for your next getaway, we’ve outlined the key hand luggage rules for four major UK airlines. So you know exactly how big your bag needs to be and what to do with your duty-free goodies before boarding your flight.
Ryanair
When it comes to duty-free, Ryanair allows passengers to carry on their duty-free items alongside their cabin bags. Additionally, passengers can purchase checked bags of 10kg, 20kg, or 23kg while flying with Ryanair.
All Ryanair fares include a small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm), but it must fit under the seat in front of you. There is technically no weight limit to this bag, which is typically a handbag, laptop bag, or small rucksack, but passengers must be able to carry it onboard, unless there is an exception.
When booking Priority boarding, travellers can take an additional 10kg cabin bag (55 x 40 x 20cm) on the plane, which is stored in the overhead lockers. While infants (aged from 8 days to 23 months) have no cabin allowance, parents or guardians can bring a 5kg baby bag ( 45 x 35 x 20 cm) and two baby items on board for free. For more information, visit the Ryanair website.
easyJet
In terms of duty-free, the airline states: “You’re allowed to bring some extra things into the cabin. e.g. umbrella, overcoat, crutches, walking stick, one standard bag of goods bought at the airport.”
Everyone flying with easyJet is entitled to bring one small bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm) on board for free, which must fit under the seat in front. It can weigh up to 15kg, but it’s important to note that its size, including handles and wheels, cannot exceed the specified measurements.
The airline notes that travellers “need to be able to lift and carry the bag” themselves. easyJet passengers can pay for an additional cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm) that fits in the overhead lockers, which also comes with their Speedy Boarding service.
For an easyJet Plus member or customer who has booked an Inclusive Plus fare, they can also take a large cabin bag on board, in addition to the standard cabin bag. Of course, there’s the option to book checked-in luggage too.
TUI customers can take one piece of hand luggage (55 x 40 x 20cm) on board for free, excluding infants. It can weigh up to 10kg, and they can also take one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20cm) on board, which must fit under the seat in front.
A duty-free bag is also allowed on board, and TUI outlines its requirements for liquids purchased at the airport. They said: “Any liquids you buy from duty-free must be carried in a sealed security bag – you’ll be given this bag when you buy the item at the airport. You’ll need to keep the item and the receipt sealed in the security bag throughout the journey.”
A checked-in bag of 20kg or 25kg is also available to book for an extra fee. For more information, visit the TUI website.
Jet2
Holidaymakers are entitled to take a small bag (40 x 30 x 20cm), such as a handbag or laptop bag – or a duty free bag – that must fit under the seat in front.
You can also take one piece of hand luggage (56cm x 45cm x 25cm) on board for free, provided it fits within the measurements, including wheels and handles, and doesn’t weigh more than 10kg.
Parents with infants under 2 years old are also provided with an additional 10kg allowance. They can also take two items per child or infant on board free of charge, including a collapsible pushchair, car seat or booster, a baby carrier, and a travel cot.
When it comes to hand luggage, there are certain packing restrictions to be aware of, and these are typically universal across all airlines. These include the following:
• Liquids: Many airports require liquids to be under 100ml, while some UK airports have ditched this rule. As rules have changed, it’s best to check directly with the airport for both your outbound and inbound flights, as countries outside the UK may have different restrictions.
• Lighters: As outlined on the government website, travellers can only carry one lighter on board a plane. It cannot be packed in hold luggage; instead, it should be placed in a resealable plastic bag in carry-on luggage and kept in your possession throughout the flight.
• Food and powders: While you can carry certain food items and powders in your hand luggage, they can obstruct images on X-ray machines. This means that bags may need to be manually checked at security, which can cause delays. The government advises packing suitable items into your hold luggage to minimise delays.
• Frozen items: Typically, you cannot carry frozen items in your hand luggage onto your flight, such as food, liquids or ice packs. However, there are some exceptions, such as for medicines, medical equipment, dietary requirements, baby food and baby milk. It’s best to check directly with the airline you’re flying with to ensure you meet their requirements.
• Sharp objects: While you can carry scissors on a plane, the blade must be shorter than 6cm to be placed in carry-on luggage. Small sewing or embroidery scissors are generally allowed, while other larger, sharp items can be packed into hold luggage. It’s best to check directly with your airline for specific requirements.
Some airlines may have specific requirements for some of the above items, so before heading to the airport, it’s best to check directly with your airline to avoid being caught out. After all, there’s nothing worse than having something confiscated at airport security.
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FROM beautiful islands and incredible beaches, Italy has everything you need for a summer holiday – which is why it welcomes around 70million tourists in peak season.
Now, it’s cracking down on overtourism and is putting in place new rules that could affect your next break, from day trip fees to a lack of outdoor dining.
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Cities like Venice are introducing tourist tax for touristsCredit: AlamyOutdoor seating in Florence will be limited to clear the streetsCredit: Alamy
Tourist taxes
Plenty of Brits will flock to Venice this summer to see its incredible waterways.
For anyone taking a day trip to the city from other Italian hotspots, you will have to pay a tourist charge.
In 2026, day trippers will have to pay a fee if they visit from Friday to Sunday in April, May, June, and July.
The day trip access fee is €5 (£4.36) per person for anyone over age 14, if booked in advance.
Some said it had made roads unliveable, and like an “obstacle course”.
From April 1, 2026, Florence will also ban rental e-scooters in the city center.
Anyone taking a day trip to Venice will need to pay a tax feeCredit: Alamy
For more summer breaks – here are our favourite TUI holidays…
*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue
Globales Montemar, Ibiza
This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.
This hotel sits on Majorca‘s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.
The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, situated on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.
To minimise disruption to locals, it’s introducing some new rules.
In order not to block the narrow streets on the island, etiquette similar to travelling on the tube has been requested for large groups – stay on the right on the way up and left on the way down.
When it comes to tour groups, each must be a maximum of 40 people in an attempt to control overcrowding.
And tour guides that lead more than 20 tourists at a time use wireless earpieces rather than loudspeakers.
Capri has as many as 50,000 tourists visit the island each dayCredit: Alamy
It’s not just Capri cracking down on the amount of tourists visiting at one time.
In the Dolomites, a ski resort called Madonna di Campiglio, has been limiting daily passes to 15,000 – rather than the usual 23,000.
In other places, a time slot is must be booked before entry, like the Via dell’Amore hiking path at Cinque Terre in the Liguria region.
ANOTHER airline is cracking down on passengers travelling with a certain travel item.
Singapore Airlines – often named one of the world’s best – has confirmed that new rules are being rolled out this month regarding the use of power banks onboard.
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Singapore Airlines will only allow two power banks brought onboardCredit: Alamy
From April 15, travellers will only be allowed to pack two power banks in their hand luggage.
Anyone with more than two will have to surrender any other portable chargers before being able to board.
Not only that, but they must not be used onboard to charge any devices.
This follows on from previous rules that don’t allow the power banks to be charged using the onboard USB ports either.
The USB ports must only be used to charge items like mobile phones and tablets, not power banks.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) explained: “Power banks must also not be charged on board the aircraft and passengers are advised not to use power banks to charge their devices during the flight.
“ICAO’s new requirement of a maximum of two power banks per passenger and restrictions on the charging and use of power banks on board flights seek to reduce the risk of fire while catering for passengers’ travelling needs.
“In consultation with the airlines, CAAS will provide some time for the airlines to do so and for passengers to familiarise themselves and have the requirements take effect only from 15 April 2026.”
A number of airlines around the world have been cracking down on power banks being taken onboard.
Mark Wolters shared some advice for tourists on how to approach British pubs, listing six unwritten rules that people should be aware of if they ever find themselves visiting the UK
Mark Wolters has more than 80 countries under his belt
(Image: Wolters World/YouTube
)
A world traveller has listed six unwritten rules that tourists should pay attention to if they ever visit a British pub. Proper pub etiquette may feel second nature to Brits, but the unspoken rules of the boozer aren’t universal — and the UK has its own quirks that could potentially catch out overseas visitors.
Mark Wolters is one such visitor who’s spotted this, but with trips to more than 80 countries under his belt, he’s clearly no stranger to navigating the cultural differences that come with travelling.
A familiar face on YouTube, Mark had some advice on how to approach British pubs for his 1.17m subscribers, specifically six tips that tourists should be aware of if they ever visit Blighty.
1. Order at the bar
For his first rule, Mark warned prospective punters watching his video on Wolters World that pub staff are “not coming” to their tables, stressing that they need to go up to the bar to order.
He said: “And whether you’re going to be ordering your pints or you’re going to order your food or you’re getting your snacks and your crisps, you order there. Also, when you go up and order, that’s when you pay.
“It is not one of the things like in the US where you do all your drinking, you do all your eating, then you pay at the end. You’re paying each time you go up there. “
2. Respect the queue
Mark noted that people should “respect the queue” when they come to the UK, but pointed out that there may not be a single discernible queue at the bar. As we all know, people tend to gather at different points.
But Mark said everyone “kind of knows” who was there before them and will ensure they go first.
3. Order in rounds
Mark said: “Now the third unwritten rule of going to the pub is that they order in rounds. So if we’re going with friends, we’re not all going up to the bar to order.
“We will go in rounds. It’s like I’ll go up first, ask everybody what they want, and then I’ll go and I’ll pay the first round. Then the next time up, my friend will go up and take the orders, and they’ll order and get a round for everybody. And everybody needs to pay for a round.”
He went on to warn people not to “skip your round” and “don’t leave early” to avoid getting one, as “people remember that”.
4. Not all pubs sell good pub food
Mark observed that not every pub that sells traditional food actually sells “good” British fare. He noted that you can sometimes get “phenomenal” food such as Scotch eggs and bangers and mash.
But if an establishment sells food and nobody is eating it when you walk in, this should be a “red flag”.
5. Watch out for stairs
Something that he says becomes “more precarious” as your night goes on, Mark claimed that pub toilets will “undoubtedly” be down a “very narrow and steep” set of stairs.
He advised people with accessibility issues to research the pub beforehand, as visitors may be be presented by what he described as “little stairwells”.
6. Don’t linger past closing time
Finally, Mark stressed the importance of not lingering past closing time and how, generally, bars don’t really stay open “super late”, adding that staff like to “wrap things up really quickly.”
He advised people to be “respectful” and do the same for those in the local community by being quiet when you leave.
Airlines are becoming stricter with cabin bag regulations, scrutinising the size and weight of passengers’ luggage. If your baggage exceeds the permitted dimensions or weight, you could be hit with hefty last-minute fees.
For example, easyJet warns: “We check cabin bag sizes before you board. If your cabin bag is bigger than the maximum size allowed or if you bring a large cabin bag to the departure gate without the correct seat selection or without one pre-booked for your flight, it won’t be able to go in the cabin. We’ll have to check it into the aircraft hold and charges will apply.”
Given these stricter check-in rules, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with your airline’s baggage allowances. Here’s what some of the most popular airlines permit.
Ryanair
If you’re flying with Ryanair, “all fares include one small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat.”
You can add extra options like Priority boarding with a second 10kg cabin bag, checked bags of 10kg, 20kg (up to 3), or 23kg (1 allowed). Infants have no cabin allowance but may bring a 5kg baby bag and two baby equipment items free, it confirms.
Ryanair Cabin Baggage
Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: This allows you to carry a small personal bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you and a 10kg bag (55x40x20cm) onboard, to be stored in the overhead locker. It also allows you to board the plane first using the Priority Boarding queue at the gate.
Ryanair Checked Baggage
10kg Check-in Bag: If you wish to check in a bag, you can add a 10kg Check-in Bag to your booking. Bags must be dropped at the airport check-in desk before security and will be placed in the aircraft hold.
20kg Check-in Bag: If you require a larger baggage allowance, you can add a 20kg Check-in Bag to your booking. Passengers can purchase up to 3 checked bags of 20kg on their booking.
23kg Check-in Bag: If you require an even larger baggage allowance, you can add a 23kg Check-in Bag to your booking. Passengers can purchase up to 1 checked bags of 23kg on their booking.
Ryanair Infant Baggage
Ryanair allows you to carry 2 items of baby equipment free of charge per child, to make your journey as seamless as possible. There is no cabin bag allowance for an infant (aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive). However, it allows a baby bag up to 5kg (dimensions: 45 x 35 x 20 cm) for babies travelling on an adult’s lap.
Jet2
Passengers flying with Jet2.com can bring a small under-seat bag, like a handbag or laptop bag, up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm, to fit under the seat in front of them.
The airline also confirms: “On all our Jet2.com flights, each passenger has a 10kg hand luggage allowance included as standard (excluding infants). You can also bring one small under-seat bag onboard (such as a handbag or laptop bag) as long as it fits under the seat in front of you.”
Passengers are permitted one free cabin bag, provided it weighs no more than 10kg and measures within 56 x 45 x 25 cm – including wheels and handles. If you are travelling with little ones, “you can bring along a collapsible pushchair, car seat and/or travel cot free of charge.”
British Airways (BA)
Another popular airline, British Airways, confirms that if you have no checked baggage, the following applies.
Handbag
1 handbag
Max dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in)
Must easily fit under the seat in front of you
May contain essentials like medication, mobile phones, other electronic devices and passports
Guaranteed in the cabin
Cabin bag
1 cabin bag
Max dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) – including wheels and handles
You must be able to lift your cabin bag into the overhead compartment unassisted
No valuables, electronics or essential medicines
May need to go in the hold
You can also use the airline’s baggage calculator here. You need to enter your flight details, including your departure and arrival airports, travel class, departure date, and ticket issue date.
It cautions: “The weight of your bag as well as the number of bags you are allowed may be different when travelling on flights operated by our partner airlines, even if you are booked under a BA flight number. These are also called code-share flights, and the operating airline will be named in your itinerary.
“If a journey with connecting flights includes ‘BA’ and other airline codes, such as ‘AA’ or ‘IB’, your baggage allowance is generally determined by the airline that operates the longest flight in your itinerary.”
easyJet
Airline easyJet has confirmed that all passengers “can bring one small under-seat cabin bag per person on board for free.”
It adds: “It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels) and must be kept under the seat in front of you. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you’re able to lift and carry it yourself.”
The airline says passengers can bring a large cabin bag (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm, including handles and wheels) if they book it for their flight. “Every customer who books a large cabin bag can also enjoy the benefit of Speedy Boarding”, easyJet says.
It continues: “If you’re an easyJet Plus member or customer who has booked an Inclusive Plus fare, you can also bring a large cabin bag on board (in addition to your small cabin bag) as part of your membership or fare benefits.
“Please note that the maximum number of cabin bags available per person is two; one small cabin bag for all customers and one large cabin bag for customers if it’s included with their fare or membership benefits or where they have paid to add one to their booking.”
The large cabin bag must follow these rules:
Maximum size 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including any handles and wheels)
Includes items like a trolley case and larger rucksack, but please check dimensions
Needs to fit in an overhead locker
Maximum weight 15kg. You need to be able to lift and carry the bag yourself
The airline recommends passengers purchase all their bags online, as it’s more economical and helps avoid airport charges.
April 1 (UPI) — A federal judge ruled that a civil suit against President Donald Trump for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, can continue.
District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled Tuesday that Trump’s speech on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 was not covered by the Supreme Court‘s immunity ruling, meaning it could not be considered a core presidential act.
The suit was brought by several Democratic lawmakers and Oakland, Calif., Mayor Barbara J. Lee. The American Civil Liberties Union is also helping with the case.
“President Trump has not shown that the Speech reasonably can be understood as falling within the outer perimeter of his Presidential duties,” Mehta wrote in his decision. “The content of the Ellipse Speech confirms that it is not covered by official-acts immunity.”
Trump has tried to get the case thrown out by claiming presidential immunity for his actions on that day and in the weeks before it.
But Mehta said, “Nearly all the individuals who ran the nuts and bolts of the operation [the Jan. 6 rally] were former Campaign officials, paid staff or consultants, who had concluded their formal work for the Campaign within the 60 days prior to January 6. In fact, on January 4, the President met with [Katrina] Pierson, still a senior campaign advisor only four days prior, in the White House to discuss the Rally’s production elements and speaker list. She — not White House officials — communicated the President’s wishes back to Rally organizers.”
Mehta also declared that Trump’s phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to “find” more votes “can only reasonably be viewed as the act of an office-seeker” and was an effort “to alter the outcome of Georgia’s election, not those of an incumbent President acting in his official capacity.”
Joseph Sellers, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said he welcomed the ruling.
“We’re very pleased that the court recognized that President Trump cannot avoid accountability for his conduct on Jan. 6, 2021,” Sellers said in an interview with Politico. “This decision, if it holds up, is going to pave the way to a trial in federal district court on these claims.”
In a statement, Trump’s legal team disputed the judge’s conclusion.
“The facts show that on January 6, 2021, President Trump was acting on behalf of the American people, carrying out his official duties as President of the United States,” Politico reported the statement said. “President Trump will continue to fight back against the Democrat Witch Hoaxes and keep delivering historic results for the American People.”
“This lawsuit is long overdue for his hand in the destruction of our Capitol and the attack on our democracy on January 6. This case is for my colleagues, the brave Capitol Police officers, Americans everywhere, and the future of our nation. Those who incited and fueled the violence must be held responsible. I’m thankful that we will get some accountability and some measure of closure from that dark day. And that finally, the truth will come to light. We deserve it,” Swalwell said.
Vice President JD Vance swears in Colin McDonald as assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Wednesday. Pool Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo
A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Tuesday that the Trump administration’s effort to dramatically change the criteria to get tens of millions of dollars in funding to aid homeless people was unlawful.
Several nonprofits filed a lawsuit last year accusing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of changing the rules for receiving $75 million to build housing for homeless families and individuals. The plaintiffs accused the Trump administration of issuing a new Notice of Funding Opportunity, or NOFO, for the Continuum of Care program to better align with its social policies.
U.S District Judge Mary McElroy, nominated by President Trump, said the department’s “slapdash imposition of political whims” was unlawful and she ordered it to scrap the new policy.
“Once again, this Court is faced with a case in which an executive agency has made a last-minute decision to make major, disruptive changes to grants within its purview, all for the express purpose of accomplishing the current administration’s policy objectives,” McElroy said in her ruling that the NOFO violated the Administrative Procedure Act, a law governing how federal agencies develop and issue regulations.
A spokesperson for HUD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Advocates for plaintiffs welcomed the ruling.
“For more than three decades, the federal government has supported housing providers and communities through HUD’s programs to help people experiencing homelessness move into stable housing,” Skye Perryman, president and chief executive of Democracy Forward, co-counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a statement. “We are pleased that the court has stopped the Trump-Vance administration from holding life-saving funding hostage to a political agenda.”
Ann Oliva, chief executive of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said the ruling was “a victory for people across this nation who have overcome homelessness and stabilized in HUD’s permanent housing programs.”
“Today’s news reinforces a fundamental truth: that the work to end homelessness is not partisan, and never should be interfered with for political means,” Oliva said in a statement.
Plaintiffs argued the Trump administration was aiming to upend polices in place for decades to satisfy its political considerations, including whether jurisdictions “support sanctuary protections, harm reduction practices, or inclusive policies for transgender people.”
The Alliance and the Women’s Development Corporation argued that HUD lacked the authority to make the changes, adding that the new award process was “shockingly unlawful” and would “irreparably injure qualified applicants for these funds and the communities they serve.”
In its court filings, HUD argued the new criteria was an effort “to ensure the availability of funding to protect our Nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families from the trauma of homelessness while simultaneously promoting self-sufficiency.”
“Defendants acted reasonably and prudently because the NOFO conditions, focusing on public safety, cooperation with law enforcement and prohibitions on illegal drug use, are sufficiently related to the funding goals of self-sufficiency and reduction of trauma,” HUD wrote.
The Trump administration on Tuesday exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said environmentalists’ lawsuits against the industry threatened to hobble domestic energy supplies as the U.S. wages war against Iran.
Critics said the move by the government’s Endangered Species Committee could doom a rare whale species and harm other marine life. Nicknamed the “God Squad” by groups that say it can decide a species’ fate, the committee comprises several Trump administration officials and is chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
It met Tuesday for the first time in more than three decades amid global oil shocks and soaring energy prices brought on by the Iran war. The U.S. pumps more oil than any other nation, but that hasn’t insulated it from spiking prices: The national average for a gallon of gasoline topped $4 on Tuesday for the first time since 2022.
“Disruptions to Gulf oil production doesn’t hurt just us, it benefits our adversaries,” Hegseth told the committee. “We cannot allow our own rules to weaken our standing and strengthen those who wish to harm us. When development in the Gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country and as a department.”
Environmental groups sought unsuccessfully to block Tuesday’s meeting and pledged to challenge the exemption. They say the exemption would speed the extinction of the rare Rice’s whale, which is found exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico. Government biologists say only about 50 of the animals remain.
“If Trump is successful here, he could be the first person in history to knowingly extirpate a species from the face of the Earth. That’s how precarious the condition of the Rice’s whale is,” said Patrick Parenteau, emeritus professor of law at Vermont Law School.
President Trump has made increased fossil fuel production a central focus of his second term. He wants to open new areas of the gulf off the Florida coast to drilling and has proposed sweeping rollbacks of environmental regulations disliked by industry.
Hegseth had notified Burgum on March 13 that an Endangered Species Act exemption for oil and gas drilling in the gulf was “necessary for reasons of national security.”
Hegseth told committee members Tuesday that Iran’s efforts to block shipping through the world’s busiest oil route, the Strait of Hormuz, underscored the national security imperative of having robust domestic oil production. He said the energy industry is under threat from pending litigation from environmental groups challenging government approvals for drilling.
Industry observers said the Endangered Species Act exemption could have significant implications for energy companies by streamlining approvals of new projects and impeding opponents’ ability to derail drilling plans.
“Serial litigation from activist groups targeting a lawful, well-regulated industry should not be allowed to indefinitely obstruct projects of clear national importance,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Assn., which represents offshore developers.
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the nation’s top oil regions, producing 2 million barrels a day. It accounts for almost 15% of crude pumped annually in the U.S., plus a small share of domestic natural gas production.
But the gulf also has been the scene of environmental disasters such as BP’s Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010, which killed 11 workers and spilled 134 million gallons of oil. A spill in the gulf earlier this month spread 373 miles, contaminating at least six species and polluting seven protected natural reserves.
The Trump administration in mid-March approved BP’s new $5-billion ultra-deepwater drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico.
A 2025 National Marine Fisheries Service analysis determined the gulf oil and gas program was likely to harm several species of whales, sea turtles and gulf sturgeon that face potential harm from ship strikes, oil spills and other impacts.
The Endangered Species Committee was established in 1978 as a way to exempt projects from the Endangered Species Act, which makes it illegal to harm or kill species on a protected list, if no alternative would provide the same economic benefits in a region or if it was in the nation’s best interest.
Before this week, the panel had convened just three times in its 53-year history and issued only two exemptions. The first was in 1979 to allow construction on a dam on the Platte River in Wyoming, home to the whooping crane. It last met in 1992, allowing logging in northern spotted owl habitats in Oregon. That exemption request was later withdrawn.
Its latest meeting follows a federal judge’s ruling on Monday that struck down attempts during Trump’s first term to weaken rules regarding endangered species.
The panel’s members include the secretaries of Agriculture, Interior and the Army, the chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors, and the administrators of both the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They all voted in favor of Hegseth’s request for an exemption.
But hours later, a message on his u/paulmccartney profile said: “Paul McCartney has been banned.”
One fan on the forum declared: “What clownery is going on here that Paul McCartney himself gets banned? I wanted to see the photos but now I can’t.”
The account has since been allowed back on Reddit — but with the photos message still deleted.
It is unclear why he got the boot in the first place.
The forum warns there must be no advertising on its list of rules. Reddit also has a zero-tolerance policy towards spam, banning things judged as responsible for “artificially inflating exposure to unwanted or irrelevant content”.
Sir Paul, who also played the Fonda Theatre venue on Saturday, releases his 19th solo studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, in May.
Ranting about the decline of comedy specials while releasing a new one at the same time feels a bit like an oxymoron. But somehow it still makes sense coming from alt-comedy pioneer David Cross, who isn’t just complaining; he’s finding his own route to making specials feel special again. The only way to do that is by putting one out in the manner he’d like to see more often — starting by making the whole crowd stand up too.
Capturing the energy of a concert at the famous 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga., was the first step in differentiating “The End of the Beginning of the End” from the typical hour you watch on a big streamer. And, with this new special, Cross is able to get back to his own beginnings of touring across the country with love bands as his openers, performing for crowds for as long as he could until he had to run offstage to pee.
Premiering the special earlier this month on his website (and on April 7, it will be available on YouTube via production company 800 Pound Gorilla), Cross is hoping the special connects with comedy fans in a way that we’ve forgotten specials could.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Your new special is called “The End of the Beginning of the End.” What does that title mean to you as it relates to the impending doom of what we’re all living right now.
David Cross: Well, you can look at it in a couple different ways. To me, it signifies that the beginning of the end has occurred. And we are now at the end of the beginning of the end. And from where you go with that, that’s for you to decide.
One of the things I love about the special is the fact that you shoot it at a club in the style of a live–music concert.
I’ve shot specials in theaters and it’s just different, not that one is better than the other, but they’re just different. You have a different relationship with the audience. When I first started touring, I would go to music venues and I’d have a band open for me and then I would just go up and pretty much [perform] as long as I could until I had to pee. Sometimes I’d have a band playing, sometimes two bands, then I’d go out. And I did that a couple of times, and then stopped doing that and did theaters, and I decided for the last two specials I’m going to go to, when I shoot it, I’ll go to a music venue, and I was at the 40 Watt Club in Athens this last time, I was at the Metro in Chicago before that, both places I played on earlier tours, and, you know, it’s not seated. People are standing there at the stage, and I prefer it. It’s more fun. It’s not as lucrative but, to me, a more fun show to do.
Comedian David Cross
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
The ambience of it was great.You can hear people shouting and drinking and having a good time, and the crowd work is also a little more spontaneous and fun than it would be in a regular venue.
Yeah, well, there’s more opportunity for that. But my thing has never been about crowd work. I like engaging with it, it’s kind of a nice distraction from the set that you’ve been doing 100 times, 150 times at that point. So it’s always fun to have that thing happen and that feeling of spontaneity. And like the guy [who I talk to in the crowd during the special], I could not have asked for [someone better]. I mean, even if it was scripted, it wouldn’t have been as good. The guy who [I talk to] during the stuff about hiking Machu Picchu [with Bob Odenkirk], that’s just… [chef’s kiss].
Speaking of Bob Odenkirk, you guys have this long relationship. How would you describe the dynamic of working with Bob and just how you guys bounce ideas off each other?
I mean, it’s great. We have an inordinate amount of respect for each other, both as people and as creative partners. And so there’s never any real issues. There’s things we will definitely disagree with, but we’re both decent people. So you know somebody backs off and says, “OK, let’s do it that way.” But even then, there aren’t that many of those [issues]. We just have really worked well at building something or molding it, creating it and shaping it. And our aforementioned hike to Machu Picchu, we have a documentary about that, that will be premiering at a fancy festival at some point in the near-future. And so we got that doc and we’ve been working on that. And for the way we work now, because he lives in L.A. and I live in New York, and it’s been like that for a while, he’ll write a bunch of stuff, I’ll make notes, I’ll write my things, send it back. And so we’re able to do that and not necessarily have to be in the same room because we’ve had 30-plus years of working with each other.
It’s a kind of like an unspoken language you guys probably have in terms of comedy, which is super important, I imagine, just for collaborating.
Yeah, and it’s something we discovered very early on … before there was even “Mr. Show,” what would ultimately become “Mr. Show,” when we got together to write sketches for this bigger kind of comedy collective thing, and these shows that we would all do with each other, for each other, and the stuff that we would write together was just, like, really good, easy writing — again, one person adding this thing and one person saying here’s a switch yeah and another person adding this thing in. It was fun, it’s cool, still is. One thing he doesn’t get credit for is he’s a really decent human being. And with all the awfulness in the world that’s magnified, every sense is bombarded with it — it’s just good to be hanging with somebody whose energy is a good person, a decent person and an equitable, nice guy, so that’s good as well.
Comedian David Cross poses for a portrait ahead of his comedy special “The End of the Beginning of the End.”
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
One thing you guys also have in common is you both have kids, and he has a comedy show for kids called “The Appropriate Show.” Have you taken your daughter to see it?
It’s a sketch show [in which] all the sketches are appropriate for kids to watch. And the sketches have been done in other sketch shows onstage, live. And he puts together this thing once, twice a year here in L.A. And I took my daughter to it last year. It’s just sketches that kids can [understand]. At least if they don’t understand the actual references they get the archetype. “Oh, that’s the boss, that’s that uh… And it’s great, it’s a really cool idea uh… “ And would an ass— think of [a show like] that? No, one good decent person; a good man. But listen, this interview isn’t about me, it’s about Bob Odenkirk, so let’s get back to that.
Well, speaking of having comedy geared toward kids, your daughter’s at an age where she’s probably consumed or seen some of your comedy at this point.
Not, not really. No, no.
Do you shield her from your stuff, or are you not so concerned about it?
I don’t actively shield her, but I don’t introduce her to anything. So I was a little bummed out, and I got over it pretty quickly, but when I found out that she had seen a little bit of “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” and only because I don’t want to spoil the enjoyment of what movies are and what kids’ movies are and how things work. And I feel like that would introduce an element of reality that I want her to be able to just enjoy these things without — she’s seen “Kung Fu Panda”when she was younger, like, I don’t know, three, four, five times, has no idea that I’m in that, that my voice is in there. She knows I do stand-up, she gets that now. And when she was younger, she’d say, “Daddy’s silly for a living.” … I’m just trying to ride the balance of letting her have those childhood joys and experiences.
Comedian David Cross.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Does having a kid make you think about what’s coming up in the future of comedy, or what kids are gonna maybe find funny, or what they find funny now? Do you have any thoughts on kid comedy in general?
Not really. I mean, I can see that she and her friends, who are kind of like-minded, are naturally funny, and then that’s kind of encouraging and heartwarming and they’re silly, but I’ll be long gone when that generation is is providing comedy. And I’m still, although I’ve kind of given up, I’m still trying to grasp what works now. I mean, it’s short-term TikTok, Instagram stuff. There are some amazing, like really, really great things being done as far as film sketches for YouTube channels. “Almost Friday,” they’ve got genius-level stuff. I mean, really good. And where the sketch goes in a place, you’re never ahead of it, goes in a place where you’re not expecting. It’s really well written and well performed.
What are your thoughts on what a comedy special is nowadays or what it should be?
I mean, that’s a great question. I think anybody who plays with the form, whether I think it’s that funny or not, is different. But I’m happy when anybody kind of tries at least to play with a form. I just went to Rory Scovel‘s taping last week of his latest special. I don’t know when that’ll air, but if you’ve seen the beginning to his first special, stuff like that where you’re like, “Wait, what’s happening? What’s going on?” I love stuff like that.
I still get excited to watch specials by some of my favorite comics, but there’s a quality that’s missing. And these are stand-ups I love, and they’re not that great. They’re not bad but they’re not special, you know? And all those guys I mentioned, and more, have great specials. Like, you can go back and they’re great. And I don’t know why that is. I mean, there’s still funny stuff, but I don’t ever want to get to that place where its just feels a little phoned-in a little bit… that is, in part, why the last two specials were shot in this more intimate setting that feels special. And … as I said, the energy’s different, it’s a little bit different, and it’s less slick. It feels like you’re in the moment. You don’t need a million dollars to shoot a special. You don’t 28 camera angles, it‘s just bull—. And it takes something away.
Comedian David Cross
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
It all should feel the right amount of unsafe as well, I think.
That’s never gonna happen at a theater show. You’re never gonna feel that. And I don’t know, it really does feel almost like maybe we peaked in a sense, like there’s too much, and because of that, these things aren’t special. They’re not revelatory, they’re not unique. I dunno, can 18,000 people in an arena really relate to a … billionaire talking about how they’re gonna get canceled. I mean, is that a thing I guess? Those other big, slick specials that are shot in, like, a 3,200-seat, 3,500-seat theater, it just feels like, “Oh this person is up there and I’m listening to their jokes.” There’s nothing wrong with that. They’re often very funny jokes, but it doesn’t go beyond that. It’s just like, “All right, tell me your joke.” It might as well be an audio thing, you know?
Well, hopefully the robots aren’t coming for your job anytime soon.
Absolutely not. I mean, this could be naive, but I feel 100% safe that you are never going to replicate an evening of stand-up at a nigtclub like that. And not sitting down at tables while you’re having drinks and waitresses are coming by. I’m talking about everybody’s up on the stage, sold-out, maximum capacity; everybody’s there, focused, we’re all sharing that thing. You can’t. AI’s not going to be able to do that.
Yeah, the robots can’t do that, Terminator can’t do that..
Oh, I forgot about Terminator. He could do that. G— it.
THE UK Foreign Office has warned Brits heading abroad to be wary of longer-than-usual airport queues ahead of new travel rules being fully rolled out next month.
The new EES requirement has already resulted in lengthy wait times at airports and are predicted to only get worse across the next few weeks.
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New EES machines are set to cause length delays at airportsCredit: AlamyNon-EU citizens are required to register details before they flyCredit: Alamy
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the new travel system replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.
Non‑EU residents have to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
This is done using the EES machines at airports and ferry terminals to log their fingerprints, facial images and scan passports.
With lots of Brits are still yet to register, and with an influx of families heading abroad over the upcoming Easter break – it’s anticipated that this will result in delays and queues at the EES machines.
New advice on the government website reads: “Ahead of the Easter holidays, Brits are being advised to be aware of extra border checks – the EU’s Entry Exit System (EES) – and allow additional time at the border when travelling to the EU.”
It added: “EES checks should take only a few minutes per person, although longer waits at border control are possible, including for your journeys back to the UK.”
Some passengers could be subject to further delays – especially those heading to Spain as ground staff are planning to strike at 12 airports across the country.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill queued for three hours through Lanzarote Airport
Several Spanish unions are set to begin an indefinite strike too from today.
Walkouts are planned to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, across three time slots: from 5am to 7am, from 11am to 5pm and from 10pm to midnight.
Other baggage handling staff have planned 24-hour strikes on March 28-29 and April 2-6.
Airports that could be disrupted by these strikes include Madrid-Barajas, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Alicante-Elche, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona-El Prat, Bilbao, Valencia and Bilbao.
It could disrupt also affect airports on popular Spanish islands too, like Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur and Norte, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Ibiza.
Here are Sun Travel’s top tips on how to deal with EES travel chaos…
Sit at the front First off is quite simple,book a seatat the front of the plane. If you want to get toborder controlbefore the rest of the passengers on your flight, then by being at the front, you’ll be able to get off first.
Early flights When you’re booking, it might ease wait times if you go head out on one of the first flights of the day. There are generally fewer scheduled flights and they experience less disruption.
Anticipate delays If you are taking a connecting flight, we’d advise to anticipate delays. Of course this varies from airport to airport, but some travellers might find it will take longer to get through because of the EES requirements. Similarly, if someone’s collecting you perhaps give them a bit more time – especially if they’re in one of the pick-up zones that costs money.
Go for a bigger airport If you can go to a bigger airport and take a longer road transfer, it could be worth it At a larger airport there’s likely to be more EES machines than at one of the smaller ones For example, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski found there were plenty more of the machines in Spain‘s Alicante Airport than in Austria‘s Salzburg.
Bring entertainment If you have children, or are generally just bored of queues (and who can blame you?) – think about entertainment It could be worth setting the kids up with an iPad or something that will keep them occupied. Bring a reserve of snacks because standing in line means no access to the airport’s cafes and shops.
Get into the priority lane For those who are disabled and require assistance make sure to let the airline know in advance as you would usually. After landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of border control queues. Many major airports offer priority family lanes at passport control for families with young children (usually under 12 years old).
Use the plane facilities Quite simply, if you are going to be waiting in line for yours, then you want to be comfortable. So before landing, go to the toilet on the plane. If you’re queueing along corridors before heading into border control, then the chances are there won’t be access to toilets
Reports say that even police have been called in to deal with angry holidaymakers in TenerifeCredit: AlamyThere have been reports of further travel chaos at Tenerife South due to EESCredit: Alamy
EES is replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.
Non-EU nationals – which includes Brits – are required to register their details like fingerprints, facial images and scan passports on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
But at Tenerife South, passengers say that only a handful of these EES machines are working with some rejecting fingerprints.
Passengers are even saying they’ve missed flights due to delays in getting through controls.
Some Brits are warning to give as much as three hours before a flight just in case.
One Brit wrote on social media: “The key is to arrive three hours early so at least you are in the front of the queue when problems start.”
Another added: “Love Tenerife but HATE the airport.”
Police have reportedly been called in to the South Airport on several occasions to calm the crowds of angry passengers.
With bad weather and storms hitting the Canary Islands, those who miss flights are having to sleep inside the airport overnight before catching another plane home.
On one particular day, around 100 passengers were stranded there and many were unable to find overnight accommodation, so stayed in the terminal.
Passengers are blaming lack of staff and proper organisation for the chaos, with computers not working.
“Passport control is a disaster,” posted another Brit. “One person for thousands of travellers.”
Only 20 per cent of the biometric machines are working and officials admitted to the Spanish media that there were “computer failures.”
The chaos has been going on for months and tourism chiefs and hoteliers say the island’s reputation is being hit, compounded by the bad weather.
Since last week, the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, have also been struck with flash flooding and snow as a result of Storm Therese.
Even without bad weather, many airports have experienced delays caused by the new travel requirement of EES registration.
Due to their small size, airports on the Canary Islands have seen reports of long queues.
NEW YORK — In a strongly worded decision this week, a federal judge ordered that the Voice of America — an international broadcaster with the mission to provide news for countries around the world that was largely shut down for the last year by the Trump administration — come roaring back to life.
Whether or not that actually happens is uncertain.
The government filed notice Thursday to appeal U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth’s order two days earlier to put hundreds of VOA employees who have been on paid leave the last year back to work. Lamberth had ruled on March 7 that Kari Lake, President Trump’s choice to oversee the bureaucratic parent U.S. Agency for Global Media, didn’t have the authority to reduce VOA to a skeleton.
The Voice of America was established as a news source in World War II, beaming reports to many countries that had no tradition of a free press. Before Trump took office again last year, Voice of America was operating in 49 different languages, heard by an estimated 362 million people.
Trump’s team contended that government-run news sources, which also include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, were an example of bloated government and that it wanted news reporting more favorable to the current administration. With a greatly reduced staff, VOA currently operates in Iran, Afghanistan, China, North Korea and in countries with a large population of Kurds.
Lamberth, in his decision, said Lake had “repeatedly thumbed her nose” at laws mandating VOA’s operation.
Time to turn the page at VOA?
VOA director Michael Abramowitz said legislators in both parties understand the need for a strong operation and have set aside enough funding for the job to be done. “It is time for all parties to come together and work to rebuild and strengthen the agency,” he said.
Don’t expect that to happen soon. “President Trump was elected to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse across the administration, including the Voice of America — and efforts to improve efficiency at USAGM have been a tremendous success,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. “This will not be the final say on the matter.”
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA’s White House bureau chief and a plaintiff in the lawsuit to bring it back, said that “restoring the physical infrastructure is going to take a lot of money and some time, but it can be done. What is more difficult is recovering from the trauma that our newsroom has gone through.”
It’s an open question whether the administration wants a real news organization or a mouthpiece, said David Ensor, a former Voice of America director between 2010 and 2014. “We don’t know — maybe no one does at the moment — what the future holds,” he said.
The administration’s efforts over the last year to bolster friendly outlets and fight coverage that displeases Trump offer a clue, even though Congress has required that Voice of America be an objective and unbiased news source. This week it was announced that Christopher Wallace, an executive at the far-right network Newsmax who had previously spent 15 years at Fox News Channel, will be the new deputy director at VOA. Abramowitz didn’t know he was getting a new deputy until it was announced.
Widakuswara wouldn’t comment on what Wallace’s appointment might mean. “I’m not going to pass judgment before seeing his work,” she said.
While Lamberth ordered more than a thousand employees on leave to go back to work, it’s not clear how many of them moved on to other jobs or retired in the last year. The judge also said he did not have the authority to bring back hundreds of independent contractors who were terminated.
One employee who left is Steve Herman, a former White House bureau chief and national correspondent at VOA and now executive director of the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation at the University of Mississippi. Despite the court decisions, he questions whether the Trump administration would oversee a return to what the organization used to be.
“I’m a bit of a pessimist,” Herman said. “I think it’s going to be very difficult.”
An administration loath to admit defeat
Besides fighting to shut it down, Trump is loath to admit defeat. The White House recently nominated Sarah Rogers, the undersecretary of State for public diplomacy, to run the U.S. Agency for Global Media, putting it more firmly within the administration’s control. Her nomination requires Senate approval.
“Is Marco Rubio’s State Department going to allow objective journalism in 49 languages?” Herman asked. “I don’t think so. I would want that to happen, but that’s a fairy tale.”
In the budget bill passed in February, Congress set aside $200 million for Voice of America’s operation. While that represents about a 25% cut in the agency’s previous appropriation, it sent a bipartisan message of support, said Kate Neeper, VOA’s director of strategy and performance evaluation. Besides being a plaintiff with Widakuswara in the lawsuit to restore the agency, she has helped some of her colleagues deal with some of their own problems over the past year, including immigration issues.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm for going back to work,” she said. “People are eager to show up on Monday.”
The hunger for information from Voice of America in Iran when he was director was a clear example of what the organization meant, Ensor said. Surveys showed that between a quarter and a third of Iran’s households tuned in to VOA once a week, primarily on satellite television. Occasionally the government would crack down and confiscate satellite dishes, but Iranians could usually quickly find replacements, he said.
“I believe in Voice of America as a news organization and as a voice of America,” Ensor said. “It was important, and it can be again.”
March 21 (UPI) — A federal judge struck down the Department of Defense’s policy that led to the ouster of most journalists from the Pentagon last fall and replaced them with those who agreed to the department’s new rules.
Though he didn’t order the restoration of other reporters’ credentials, he voided the policy that they refused to sign, allowing them to get credentialed again.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnellwrote on X: “We disagree with the decision and are pursuing an immediate appeal.”
In October, the Defense Department required that all credentialed journalists sign the policy. Signing it gave the Pentagon the ability to label the journalists “security risks” and revoke their credentials if the department decided they had endangered national security. They had to pledge to only publish approved information.
Most news outlets refused to sign, losing their press passes and desks inside the Pentagon. They were replaced with news outlets and people friendly to the administration. The Times then sued the department over its First Amendment rights.
“A primary purpose of the First Amendment is to enable the press to publish what it will and the public to read what it chooses, free of any official proscription,” Friedman wrote in his opinion.
“Those who drafted the First Amendment believed that the nation’s security requires a free press and an informed people and that such security is endangered by governmental suppression of political speech,” Friedman added. “That principle has preserved the nation’s security for almost 250 years. It must not be abandoned now.”
First Amendment attorney Theodore Boutrous, who is representing The Times in the suit, told CNN: “The district court’s decision is a powerful rejection of the Pentagon’s effort to impede freedom of the press and the reporting of vital information to the American people during a time of war.”
“The district court’s opinion is not just a win for The Times, [Times reporter] Mr. [Julian E.] Barnes, and other journalists, but most importantly, for the American people who benefit from their coverage of the Pentagon,” Boutrous said.
Friedman also agreed with the Times that the policy violated its due process rights because it was vague and could be accidentally violated by reporters. Part of the policy prevented reporters from asking certain questions.
“A primary way in which journalists obtain information is by asking questions,” he wrote. “Under the policy’s terms, then, essential journalistic practices that the plaintiffs and others engage in every day — such as asking questions of department employees — could trigger a determination by the department that a journalist poses a security or safety risk.”
First Amendment advocates said they support the decision.
“The court affirmed that our security and liberty rely on the press’s freedom to publish and the public’s ability to access news about government affairs free from state control,” said Gabe Rottman, vice president of policy at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, in a statement.
Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation, said the ruling is especially important right now.
“It’s unfortunate that it took this long for the Pentagon’s ridiculous policy to be thrown in the trash. Especially now that we are spending money and blood on yet another war based on constantly shifting pretexts, journalists should double down on their commitment to finding out what the Pentagon does not want the public to know rather than parroting ‘authorized’ narratives,” Stern said in a statement.
5 key hand luggage rules explained as Ryanair warns travellers on restricted item – The Mirror
Need to know
Before jetting off abroad, there are five key hand luggage rules you need to be aware of, with Ryanair warning passengers ahead of the Easter and summer holidays to stop packing one particular item
There are five crucial hand luggage restrictions to be aware of before jetting off abroad(Image: Getty Images)
Hang luggage rules you need to be aware of
Liquids:UK airports have restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage and through security. Many airports require liquids to be under 100ml, while some UK airports have ditched this rule. As rules have changed, it’s best to check directly with the airport for both your outbound and inbound flights, as countries outside the UK may have different restrictions in place.
Lighters: As outlined on the government website, travellers can only carry one lighter on board a plane. It cannot be packed in hold luggage, and instead, should be put in a resealable plastic bag in carry-on luggage and kept in your possession throughout the flight.
Food and powders: While you can carry certain food items and powders in your hand luggage, they can obstruct images on X-ray machines. This means that bags may need to be manually checked at security, which can cause delays. The government advises packing suitable items into your hold luggage to minimise delays.
Frozen items: Typically, you cannot carry frozen items in your hand luggage onto your flight, such as food, liquids or ice packs. However, there are some exceptions, such as for medicines, medical equipment, dietary requirements, baby food and baby milk. It’s best to check directly with the airline you’re flying with to ensure you meet their requirements.
Sharp objects: Ryanair has warned passengers to stop packing “objects with a sharp point or sharp edge” in their hand luggage, including “scissors with blades of more than 6cm”. While you can carry scissors on a plane, the blade must be shorter than 6cm to be placed in carry-on luggage. Small sewing or embroidery scissors are generally allowed, while other larger, sharp items can be packed into hold luggage. It’s best to check directly with your airline for specific requirements.
At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were female, including England manager Sarina Wiegman.
“There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines,” said Fifa’s chief football officer Jill Ellis.
“The new Fifa regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in the current and future generation of female coaches.”
Fifa hopes these new regulations will see a rapid increase in female representation, including at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Among some of the most high-profile female coaches is London-born Emma Hayes, who is joined by assistant Denise Reddy at the United States.
In 2024, Hayes told BBC Sport that a lack of female coaches in English football is “a massive issue” and urged the game’s administrators to “come up with more creative ways” to address it.
Other female English coaches at international level include Gemma Grainger at Norway, Casey Stoney at Canada and Carla Ward at the Republic of Ireland.
Canadian Rhian Wilkinson led Wales to their first major tournament at Euro 2025 last summer, while Dutchwoman Wiegman has guided England to back-to-back European titles and has been named the Fifa best women’s coach of the year on four occasions.
Wiegman was the only female coach in the quarter-final stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking at that time, she said: “Of course what we hope is to get more female coaches at the top level and that the balance gets better than it is right now.
“Males are welcome too but if the balance is better than hopefully that will inspire more women to get involved in coaching.”
