ships

Several Navy warships assigned to the Caribbean counter-narcotics mission have moved to avoid Hurricane Melissa, a U.S. Navy official told us. Now a massive Category 5 hurricane, Melissa is expected to make landfall in Jamaica later today into tomorrow with likely devastating effects. Meanwhile, it appears that the U.S. Air Force is sending another flight of B-1B bombers toward the region amid an ongoing U.S. military buildup.

“Based on current weather information and forecast models, the Navy is continuing to make determinations regarding Hurricane Melissa,” the official told us. “The safety of our personnel and their families is our top priority.” The storm is on a northeasterly track heading away from the Caribbean.

Despite the ship movements, the hurricane is “not expected to impact operations in the Caribbean,” the Navy official told us, adding that many of the eight surface vessels assigned to the effort were already operating out of the storm’s path.

The U.S. naval presence in the region includes the Iwo Jima Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG)/22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), with more than 4,500 sailors and Marines on three ships: The Wasp class amphibious assault ship, the USS Iwo Jima, and the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio. Also deployed in the region are three Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers;  USS Jason Dunham, USS Stockdale and USS Gravely, the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and the Freedom class littoral combat ship USS Wichita.

While the Navy official would not comment about the specific locations of most of the vessels, they did acknowledge that the Gravely is docked in Trinidad and Tobago on a previously scheduled deployment. The destroyer arrived in Port of Spain to conduct joint military training exercises with the Caribbean nation, Fox News noted. It is expected to remain until Thursday, according to government officials from the two countries.

The exercises involving the Gravely seek to “address shared threats like transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts,” U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said in a statement.

The deployment of the Gravely to Port of Spain comes as the U.S. is ratcheting up the pressure on the South American nation’s dictator, Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuelan officials, meanwhile, decried the deployment of the Gravely so close to its shores. Port of Spain is located less than 25 miles from the Venezuelan coast.

The conduct of military exercises in the waters of a neighboring country is “dangerous” and a “serious threat” to the Caribbean region, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said, adding that it is a “hostile provocation” toward the South American nation.

Though the U.S. buildup is ostensibly aimed at curtailing drug trafficking out of Venezuela, the Trump administration has made no secret that it is pressuring Maduro, indicted in the U.S. on drug charges with a $50 million reward on his head.

As we reported last week, in addition to its assets already in the region, the U.S. Navy’s supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford and at least a portion of the rest of its strike group have been ordered to Latin American waters. Strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats have now become routine, and the possibility that the campaign could extend to targets on land, particularly in Venezuela, continues to grow.

“In support of the President’s [Donald Trump] directive to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, the Secretary of War [Pete Hegseth] has directed the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and embarked carrier air wing to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility (AOR),” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement on Friday. “The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere. These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs.”

In addition to U.S. Navy assets, the U.S. Air Force is also contributing to the counter-narcotics effort.

For the second time in less than a week, it appears that B-1 bombers are headed to the Caribbean. Online flight trackers report that two Lancers took off from Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. Shortly after 1:45 p.m., the Lancers were located south of Puerto Rico on a path toward Venezuela. 

HOGAN 11 flt (B-1B Bombers) wkg WASHINGTON CENTER on VHF joining up with GRIN 11 flt (KC-135) southbound toward the Caribbean and joining up with BROMO 21 (KC-46 & KC-135) out of MacDill AFB.

Audio via @liveatc and tracking via @ADSBex pic.twitter.com/N4rTIBI2oC

— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) October 27, 2025

We reached out to U.S. Global Strike Command for more information and they referred us to the Pentagon.

Regardless, as TWZ noted following B-52 sorties over the region two weeks ago, there is a well-established precedent for employing Air Force bombers in counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. The range and targeting capabilities that the B-52 and the B-1 possess can be and have been employed to help spot and track suspected drug smuggling vessels. However, nothing we have seen so far indicates that these bombers are taking part in drug interdiction efforts and are more likely being sent toward Venezuela in a political message to Maduro.

Amid these military movements, a key supporter of Trump suggested that Maduro should flee the country.

“If I was Maduro, I’d head to Russia or China right now,” U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) told the CBS News program 60 Minutes on Sunday. “His days are numbered. Something’s gonna happen. Whether it’s internal or external, I think something’s gonna happen.”

It remains publicly unclear at the moment what, if any action, the U.S. will take against Maduro. The Ford and elements of its carrier strike group is not expected to arrive in the Caribbean for about two weeks. Regardless of the timing of the Ford‘s arrival, it does not appear that Hurricane Melissa, despite its ferocity, will be a factor in the Pentagon’s plans.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Oct. 14 (UPI) — The Trump administration recently began charging fees for Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports, prompting China to retaliate.

The move, which has been long planned, is intended to correct the imbalance between American and Chinese shipbuilding businesses. The U.S. shipbuilding business has dwindled over the years as China has become dominant.

On Friday, China vowed reciprocal fees on American-made ships in its ports.

“This is symbolic — less than 1% of U.S. vessels docking in China annually are U.S.-flagged vessels, so the reality is this basically has no real impact,” Cameron Johnson, a senior partner at Shanghai-based supply chain consultancy Tidalwave Solutions, told Politico. “But it signals that Beijing will match every single effort the United States targets against China — if the U.S. sanctions a Chinese company, they’re going to sanction a U.S. company. If we impose export controls on technology, they’re going to do export controls on technology. We have just now escalated to a whole new level of trade warfare that nobody was expecting.”

Supporters say that China has used subsidies for an advantage in shipbuilding, and that the fees can deter ocean carriers from buying Chinese ships, The New York Times reported.

“Anything we can do to chip away at the disparity in shipbuilding that exists between the United States and China is to our benefit,” Mihir Torsekar, a senior economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that supports many of Trump’s trade moves, told The Times.

Chinese-owned shipping companies must pay the levies, as well as non-Chinese-owned companies, when they send Chinese-made ships to U.S. ports.

The new fees will also target all foreign car-carrying ships that come to the United States. Car-makers lobbied against the fees, arguing that they could add hundreds to the cost of a vehicle. Shipping analysts say it could take many years for the U.S. shipbuilding industry to build a car-carrier ship.

“The idea that these fees will lead to anyone ordering a U.S.-built car carrier are, I think, extremely remote,” Colin Grabow, an associate director at the Cato Institute, told The Times.

The port fees levied against Chinese ships are $50 per ton, with the fee set to increase by $30 per ton each year over the next three years. Politico reported. China’s port charges will also annually escalate to a maximum of $157 in 2028.

“If the goal is to get U.S. shipbuilding back up and running, we think there are other ways that we need to focus on doing that — just putting fees on Chinese vessels isn’t going to solve that issue,” said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, told Politico.

Germany is the latest country to announce plans for a missile-toting new class of uncrewed vessels that will serve as arsenal ship ‘wingmen,’ supporting conventional surface combatants. The Large Remote Missile Vessels (LRMV) are part of the German Navy’s modernization drive and may be especially relevant to help offset limitations in the firepower of some of its other warships, an issue we have discussed in the past.

The plan to procure three LRMVs is outlined in the German Navy’s Kurs Marine document, which outlines the fleet that it wants to operate by 2035. While the LRMVs will serve as arsenal ships to supplement the new class of F127 frigates, the German Navy also wants to buy 18 smaller uncrewed surface vessels, known as Future Combat Surface Systems (FCSS), to supplement its corvettes, and at least 12 Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LUUV) to support its submarines.

The most striking development, however, concerns the LRMV, which is planned from the outset for uncrewed operations, although presumably they could also be used in an optionally crewed capacity.

It’s not exactly clear what kind of size the LRMVs will be. Presuming a diagram published in the Kurs Marine document is fairly accurate, they would be around half the length of the F127 frigate, which would make them around 260 feet long, roughly corvette-sized. However, according to the German defense and security website hartpunkt, citing naval insiders, the dimensions and displacement of the vessels hadn’t been determined, so not too much should be read into the diagram.

Clearer is the role that the LRMVs will undertake, essentially as floating missile platforms that can bolster the magazine capacity of the planned six F127 frigates, in particular. The arsenal ships will be equipped with vertical launchers for different missiles, to support the F127’s air defense and maritime strike taskings. The number of launch containers is also not yet finalized, hartpunkt reports. Meanwhile, the F127 is expected to feature 64 cells, as part of the popular Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS).

The VLS cells in the LRMV will likely be loaded with the same weapons that arm the F127 frigate: Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) for general-area air defense and RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) for short-/medium-range air defense. They could also possibly field SM-6 for long-range air and missile defense, as well as strike, and Tomahawk cruise missiles for longer range strike. SM-6 and Tomahawk would require longer “strike length” VLS cells. The preliminary artwork in the Kurs Marine document shows an array of vertical launchers mounted, at least partly, above the deck at the rear of the ship. However, this should be considered highly provisional.

The German government is currently reviewing a plan to buy the Tomahawk, which would place it in an elite operators’ club. Other options could include the 3SM Tyrfing supersonic cruise naval missile currently being developed by Germany and Norway, and potentially even the new “deep precision strike” weapon, a missile with a range of over 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) that Germany and the United Kingdom are working on.

In its air defense role, the ‘parent’ frigate would be responsible for target detection and targeting, commanding missile launches from the smaller LRMV, which will effectively serve as additional floating magazine capacity. This also means the LRMV doesn’t need to accommodate its own expensive sensors. Alternatively, another surface vessel could provide the data, or it could be received from any other platform, with data relayed via satellite link.

Reportedly, the LRMV would also carry some limited self-defense armament, which would presumably have to be controlled from another (crewed) platform.

While seen as a ‘wingman’ to the F127 frigate, it could also complement the anti-submarine-warfare-optimized F126 class of frigates. As we have discussed before, these warships are comparatively lightly armed for their size, with a Mk 41 VLS for up to 64 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 missiles, and launchers for eight Kongsberg Naval Strike Missiles (NSM), but no current plans to arm them with Standard Missiles or Tomahawk.

The LRMV makes an interesting parallel with the two new support vessels planned for the Royal Netherlands Navy. These ships will be around 174 feet long and will displace around 600 tons, including containerized weapons and sensors for a variety of different missions, and a relatively tiny crew. Like the German design, the Dutch support vessels will bring additional air defense missiles to help existing Dutch frigates.

As well as being entirely uncrewed, the LRMV is also intended to operate in very different conditions. While the Dutch support vessel is optimized for use in the North Sea and for patrol duties, the LRMV will be an ocean-going design that can serve in the Atlantic. The German ships will need to have much more robust seaworthiness and will likely need to be considerably larger.

On the other hand, the operating concept for the LRMV foresees them loitering in a specific sea area for an extended period, so they won’t necessarily have to have the same level of performance as the F127 frigate, or an equivalent surface combatant.

While the shipbuilding phase for the LRMV is not necessarily a significant challenge, Germany will still need to develop resilient and reliable command and communications to ensure the ships can operate safely in a potentially highly contested environment. Experience with the Future Combat Surface System (FCSS) program, for a more modest arsenal ship, should help in this regard. Having a lower-cost supplement to the F127 class is also a key consideration, with the new frigates being the most expensive current German defense procurement, with a program cost of more than $30 billion for all six ships.

Overall, Germany’s plans for the LRMV reflect a growing interest in support vessels with an arsenal ship role. These tend to be either uncrewed or with very small crews, and they are indicative of the current operational realities, in which conventional ships threaten to be overwhelmed by massed missile and drone attacks.

The need to boost naval air defense coverage, in particular, has been made clear by the campaign against Houthi missiles and drones targeting shipping in the Middle East in recent months, as well as Iran’s unprecedented, massed attack on Israel, using the same kinds of weapons. In particular, the limited stock of air defense missiles found on most warships has emerged as a concern, and one that the support vessels will help address. Developments elsewhere in the world, including in China, suggest that swarming drones as well as ever more capable missiles will be a feature of naval warfare from now on.

These same concerns are seeing interest in the United States and other countries in large uncrewed surface vessels with modular weapons payloads, allowing them to be adapted for a range of missions as required. While it’s unclear what kind of modularity the LRMV might offer, having an uncrewed ship, even simply to increase the basic weapons magazine available to surface combatants, could be very useful for the German Navy and help pave the way toward more regular and extensive uncrewed operations at sea.

At the same time, there are a lot of unknowns about actually operating an uncrewed ship equipped with heavy armament on operational patrols and over great distances. Command and control and networking architecture will be a huge factor in the success of any such concept. There are also security concerns, clearly. The idea that more naval capacity can be relatively inexpensively gained through uncrewed surface combatants of the larger variety is extremely attractive, but actually doing it reliably is still something that’s yet to be seen on a wide operational scale.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Italy and Spain intervene to ensure Gaza flotilla’s safety in the Mediterranean after drones drop ‘flashbang’ explosive devices.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said his country’s navy will join Italy in sending warships to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla, which has come under drone attack in international waters en route to deliver aid to Gaza.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Wednesday, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sanchez said international law must be respected and the citizens of 45 nations participating in the aid mission had every right to sail in the Mediterranean unharmed.

“The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected,” he said.

“Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it is necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation.”

On Wednesday night, activists described a wave of attacks by Israeli drones and other aircraft which targeted vessels in the small fleet in what flotilla organisers described as “an alarmingly dangerous escalation”.

Multiple boats were targeted by the low-flying drones, which dropped flashbang-type explosive devices and other “unidentified objects” on and near boats, passengers on board said. Deliberate radio jamming had also caused “widespread obstruction in communications” among the ships, they added.

As news of the drone attack emerged, the Italian navy said it would dispatch a frigate to assist in any rescue operations involving the flotilla after Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the overnight attacks.

Two lawmakers from Italy’s left-wing opposition are participating in the flotilla, which is now reported to be made up of some 50 civilian boats that are loaded with aid supplies and are hoping to break Israel’s sea blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also weighed in, noting that “Italian citizens, along with members of parliament and MEPs”, are in the flotilla, which also includes human rights activists, lawyers, journalists, and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

“To ensure their safety, the foreign ministry had already notified Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it said.

In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla said the repeated attempts by Israel to use such tactics to intimidate flotilla participants would not work, and it issued a call to UN member states attending the UNGA to place the attacks on the agenda for talks.

Thunberg, who is making her second attempt to break Israel’s maritime siege of Gaza, told the Reuters news agency on Monday that drones stalk the flotilla every night.

“This mission is about Gaza, it isn’t about us. And no risks that we could take could even come close to the risks the Palestinians are facing every day,” she said in a video call on board a ship.

ACCIDENTS can always happen when you are travelling – but did you know there are secret codes for different emergency situations?

Whether travelling across the globe on a flight or setting sail on a cruise to the Med, staff have several codes for different situations that need to be addressed.

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Whilst many are to alert something less serious, there are some codes that signify something more horrifying is happening.

Here’s a run down of the codes you might hear at the airport or on planes, cruise ships and trains – and what they really mean.

Planes

For most passengers, their worst nightmare is hearing there is a problem whilst flying.

And by using codes, cabin crew often are able to communicate with each other without alerting passengers.

For example, ‘Code 300’ or ‘Angel’ means that a passenger has died on board the plane.

If this happens, passengers will hear ‘Angel’ being used by flight staff, where they will then communicate on what to do including potentially moving the body away from other passengers.

Another code, ‘Squawk 7500’ or ‘Hotel’ rather scarily signals a hijacking.

Pilots will send the transponder code ‘Squawk 7500’ to air traffic control to alert them that the plane is in danger without actually explaining the situation or alerting passengers.

However, passengers may hear ‘Hotel 7500’ to indicate the emergency.

If you hear ‘Pan-Pan’, then it means there is a serious, but non-life-threatening incident on board – this could be mechanical or medical.

There are codes for less serious situations too including ‘Code Yellow’ which alerts staff to a minor medical situation, such as a passenger feeling sick.

Similarly, if you hear ‘Mermaid’ there isn’t anything to worry about – flight crew just used the term to refer to a passenger who is spreading themselves out across more than one seat.

Airports

You won’t just hear codes on the plane, but you might also hear them being announced in the airport.

For example, ‘Code Adam’ means a child has gone missing and is announced to begin a search for the child, including securing exits in case of a potential child abduction.

According to The Telegraph, ‘Code Bravo‘ alerts a general security issue.

There are also a number of codes you might not necessarily hear at the airport, but are used behind the scenes to communicate different issues.

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For example, according to The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the code ‘DF’ means that the aircraft has experienced damage, due to incidents such as a bird strike or lightning.

Alternatively, the code ‘DG’ means that an aircraft has damage from ground operations, such as a collision.

Code ‘FS’ signifies there is a flight crew shortage and code ‘FC’ suggests there is a cabin crew shortage.

And code ‘FB’ means that the captain of a flight has requested a security check.

Cruise ships

According to The Telegraph, passengers won’t want to hear ‘Operation Rising Star’on a cruise ship, which means a passenger has passed away.

Alternatively, ‘Operation Bright Star’ or ‘Blue Star’, means there is a medical emergency onboard.

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‘Code Alpha’ can also mean there is a medical emergency onboard.

If someone has fallen overboard, you’ll hear ‘Code Oscar‘ and rather scarily, ‘Code Echo’ means the ship is at risk of colliding with another ship.

Alternatively, if you hear ‘Code Charlie’, there is a security threat on the ship.

There are some less serious codes as well that you could hear including ‘PVI’, which stands for ‘public vomiting incident’.

And ‘Code Zulu’ flags that a fight has broken out onboard.

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Trains

For commuters or people heading to different destinations in the UK on the train, you could also hear some secret codes.

For example, you might hear someone asking for ‘Inspector Sands’ which means there is a fire.

Depending where you are, the code you hear for fire could also be ‘Mr Sands’.

Different numbered codes between one and seven are also used to signify different cleaning tasks that are needed including blood, urine and vomit.

Experts have also shared five ways to escape a plane crash.

Plus, there is also a common parent trick used on flights that experts say should be banned for safety.

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Cruise ships have plenty of entertainment for passengers but there’s one clever ‘blue mind effect’ that can be key to whether they feel calm while they’re on the ship

Cruise holidays offer up plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation whether that’s sitting poolside on the top deck, unwinding in the spa or tucking into some delicious food. Then of course there are all of the thrilling destinations to be explored whether you’re sailing along the Mediterranean coast or going in search of winter sun in the Caribbean.

Most people tend to feel happier or more relaxed on a holiday, but according to industry insiders, cruise ships use a clever tactic to try and maximise that feeling of joy for passengers.

It all comes down to the ‘blue mind effect’. This theory suggests that if you’re close to water or immersed in water, it can encourage a meditative and relaxed state of mind, and therefore play a key role in your wellbeing. Of course cruise ships are surrounded by water, and according to experts, cruise lines use this to their advantage.

READ MORE: Disney’s new ship sailing in 2025 will have epic themed bars and new water rideREAD MORE: World’s ‘most beautiful cruise port’ is tucked away in city that’s UNESCO site

The insiders at Iglu Cruise explained: “Taking this into consideration, cruise ships are designed with as many positions to view the sea as possible. There are floor-to-ceiling windows in public areas offering uninterrupted views of the ocean, open decks to view the horizon and private balconies allowing passengers to have their own private “blue mind” sanctuary, and there’s nothing quite like falling asleep to the sound of the sea.”

Are you obsessed with everything cruise? Sign up to our Anchors Away newsletter for a weekly dose of cruise news, first looks at new ships and more.

The ‘blue mind effect’ isn’t the only way a cruise can offer up useful ways to boost your mental wellbeing. Another perk of being at sea is that in the middle of the ocean, you’re unlikely to get good signal. While most lines do offer up Wi-Fi packages for those who want to stay connected, if you’re after a digital detox then a cruise can be the ideal opportunity to take one.

READ MORE: ‘I watched Disney’s new ship float out and it was more nail-biting than expected’

In fact, according to Iglu Cruise, “it’s been found that a “digital detox” can reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, improve sleep, decrease FOMO (fear of missing out) and deepen relationship”. Their experts added: “This newfound freedom whilst onboard, encourages disconnection from devices and instead, engaging with the surroundings, embracing the present moment and enjoying precious time with loved ones. It’s also the perfect justification for not feeling obliged to respond to people right away.”

Of course while it’s lovely to have some R&R, some holidaymakers also like a bit of adventure on their holidays, so the fact that you can visit multiple destinations on one holiday can appeal. Then there’s the upping of the ante when it comes to onboard entertainment from rollercoasters at sea to West End-worthy shows, and epic waterparks. With an increasing demand for entertainment at sea, new ships are bigger than ever before – and experts predict that they could soon be the size of small cities.

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected]

FAMILIES living in the shadow of two “humungous” warehouses say the buildings have destroyed their view and devalued their properties.

The colossal steel frames, which residents have likened to cruise ships, are part of a 350,000 sq ft industrial site that is dwarfing homes nearby.

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Residents in Tyldesley, Wigan, described being alarmed by the scale, and some are even considering moving.

Plans from developer PLP show the massive site will eventually be home to four vast warehouses, with the council agreeing to a maximum height of 18.3m (60ft) for two of those buildings.

Delivery giant Whistl has already snapped up one of the huge sheds, signing a 15-year deal on a 140,000 sq ft unit.

A council boss insisted landscaping would help soften the appearance, adding that the project followed proper planning processes.

But residents argued the final approved plans from were far bigger than had been originally designed.

They worried about the effect on property values, arguing there was limited consultation before building started.

John Peters, 71, a retired teacher, has lived on the estate since 1978. He said: “It’s a total shock when you walk out of the door.

“The enormity of the thing just strikes you. It shouldn’t be there.”

He said his dreams of a peaceful retirement were “shattered” by the arrival of the structure so close to his home.

A campaign group has been set up to rally neighbours and fight the development, with more than 200 people in attendance at a recent meeting.

Mr Peters claimed the way residents were informed about the project left many feeling blindsided.

He said: “A letter was sent out to 90 residents, but I don’t know how they selected those residents because some of the people who back onto the site didn’t get anything.

“It was just completely random.”

Paula Boardman, 47, lives with her husband and two kids in a house that backs onto the imposing warehouse.

She said: “It’s quite upsetting, because we used to have such a lovely view.

“We knew this was going to be built, but we thought it was going to be a lot smaller.

“As soon as the framework went up, everyone realised the height of it – it’s humungous. I’m worried it’s going to take all our sunlight.

“It’s like a cruise ship at the back of our garden. Even if we wanted to move, I think the value of the house has gone down.”

She raised concerns about damage in her home that she fears could be related to the warehouse’s size and proximity of construction work.

She said: “I noticed a dip in the flooring back in February and a big crack in the wall.”

Steve Retford, 69, said he no longer sits in the garden because of the structure that stands just 30m away – describing the impact as “profound”.

The retired police officer said: “It’s just dreadful. We feel this sense of injustice.

“I don’t profess to be a planning expert, but when you look at the sheer enormity of this, it’s not right.

“It must have taken tens of thousands of pounds off the value of our houses. Every time I think about it, I feel sick.”

Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse could make it difficult to sell her home in the future.

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She said: “It’s awful. We bought this house because we’re a young family wanting to stay in the area.

“It would be very difficult to move. I can see it from my back garden. We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they’re not.”

Retired project manager Eric Earnshaw, 79, has lived in the Tyldesley area all his life but is now preparing to leave for the Lake District.

The keen dog walker said it’s because he’s had enough of constant building work.

He added: “There are walks that take me along fields in the area where there are plans for thousands of homes.

“All the green space around here is disappearing.”

Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, told The Sun: “This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process.

“The final plans include landscaping which will help to screen and soften the appearance, and mitigate the impact on nearby properties.

“We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development bringing new jobs and investment to the area is delivered properly.”

A spokesperson for PLP said they would not comment.

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Turkiye’s top diplomat said his country has ‘completely’ cut off trade with Israel over its ongoing genocide.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country has completely severed economic and trade ties with Israel and has closed its airspace to its aircraft, in protest over the war in Gaza.

Speaking at an extraordinary session of the Turkish parliament on Gaza on Friday, Fidan said Israel has been “committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years, ignoring basic humanitarian values right before the world’s eyes”.

Turkiye cut off direct trade ties with Israel in May last year, demanding a permanent ceasefire and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In 2023, the two countries carried out $7bn in trade.

Ankara has not minced its words about Israel’s war on Gaza, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling it a genocide – like many other world leaders and leading human rights organistions – and likening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler.

“We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports. We do not allow their planes to enter our airspace,” Fidan said.

The Turkish foreign minister’s condemnation comes amid years of increasingly tense relations between the two countries, said Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar.

“It’s not only about the humanitarian crisis that’s unfolding in Gaza; Turkiye gradually is perceiving Israel as a national security threat,” Serdar explained, noting that Israel’s expansionism and attacks across the wider Middle East have been cause for concern.

In Syria particularly, Ankara has accused Israel of wilfully undermining the country’s recovery efforts after the devastation of a 14-year civil war and the removal of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad last December by a lightning rebel offensive.

“Diplomats in Ankara are seeing that if Israel is not stopped, eventually there might be a direct military confrontation between these two countries,” he said.

Serdar added that the Turkish foreign minister’s comments also show that Turkiye is looking to the Global South and other powers to take action, amid the United States’ and European Union’s largely unwavering support for Israel.

Turkish media reported last week that a ban on maritime traffic linked to Israel had been imposed, although there was no official statement. According to reports, Israeli vessels were banned from docking in Turkiye, and Turkish-flagged ships were not allowed to enter Israeli ports.

‘Like pariahs’

Meanwhile, Turkiye’s latest move is making “more and more Israelis feel the disadvantages of this kind of war that has no deadline”, said Akiva Eldar, an Israeli political analyst.

“Turkiye is not just another country that is deciding to cut its relationship with Israel. Turkiye has been an ally of Israel for many years, a very important market to Israeli goods,” Eldar told Al Jazeera, speaking from Kiryat Shmona, adding that it was also a favourite summer destination for many Israelis.

“We feel more and more … Israelis are feeling isolated and [like] pariahs. More and more countries and companies have decided to stop their business with Israel.”

Last November, Turkish authorities denied permission for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s plane to enter Turkiye’s airspace for a trip to an international summit in Azerbaijan.

“As Turkiye, we have to take a stance on certain issues,” Erdogan later said when asked about the incident.

Israel and Turkiye’s relationship had soured as far back as 2010, following Israel’s deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which killed 10 Turkish citizens.

More recently, a Turkish-American activist, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, was killed by Israeli forces during a protest in the occupied West Bank in September 2024.

Two more US ships said to join amphibious squadron due to arrive off coast of Venezuela in anti-drug cartel operation.

Venezuela has announced the deployment of 15,000 troops to its border with Colombia to fight drug trafficking, as the United States was reported to have sent two additional navy ships to the southern Caribbean as part of an operation against Latin American drug cartels.

Venezuelan Minister of the Popular Power for Interior Diosdado Cabello announced on Monday that Caracas would deploy 15,000 troops to bolster security in Zulia and Tachira states, which border Colombia.

“Here, we do fight drug trafficking; here, we do fight drug cartels on all fronts,” the minister said, while also announcing the seizure of 53 tonnes of drugs so far this year.

Cabello said the increased security on the border with Colombia, to “combat criminal groups”, would also involve aircraft, drones and riverine security, according to local media outlet Noticias Venevision, as he called on Colombian authorities to do the same to “ensure peace along the entire axis”.

The reinforcement of Venezuelan troops on the Colombian border comes after the Trump administration accused Venezuela’s left-wing president, Nicolas Maduro, of being involved in cocaine trafficking and working with drug cartels.

Officials in Washington, DC, have accused both Maduro and Cabello of working with the Cartel de los Soles (“Cartel of the Suns”) drug trafficking organisation, which Washington has designated a terrorist group.

The accusations were made as the US announced last week that it had doubled a reward to $50m for the capture of Maduro on drug charges. The US earlier this year increased a reward for Cabello’s arrest or prosecution from $10m to $25m.

Maduro has accused the US of attempting to foment regime change in Venezuela, and launched a nationwide drive to sign up thousands of militia members to strengthen national security in the country amid the threats from Washington.

“I am confident that we will overcome this test that life has imposed on us, this imperialist threat to the peace of the continent and to our country,” Maduro was quoted as saying in local media on Monday.

The Reuters news agency also reported on Monday that the USS Lake Erie, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, will arrive in the southern Caribbean by early next week.

Citing two sources briefed on the deployment, Reuters said the missile cruiser and attack submarine would join the US amphibious squadron that was due to arrive off the coast of Venezuela on Sunday.

The squadron includes the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale, and is said to be carrying 4,500 US service members, including 2,200 Marines, according to reports.

Trump has made the targeting of Latin American drug cartels a central focus of his administration, and has designated Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and other drug gangs, including Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organisations.

U.S. President Donald Trump is deploying a flotilla of warships and other military assets to the waters off Venezuela in an operation aimed at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The ominous move signals a growing frustration with the Venezuelan leader over the flow of illicit narcotics into the United States. Maduro remains a fugitive from a 2020 U.S. indictment on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges.

Trump last week ordered at least three Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers, a submarine and other assets to head toward the South American nation, a source familiar with the operation confirmed to The War Zone on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Reuters reported that in addition to the destroyers, some 4,000 Marines aboard an Amphibious Ready Group made-up of three ships were also deploying to the region. If this ends up being the case, it would put a remarkably large, versatile, and powerful armada of U.S. ships off Venezuela’s coast.

While the exact nature of this movement remains unclear, it is part of Trump’s larger effort to get the military involved in the fight against drug traffickers. In response, Maduro on Monday announced the planned deployment of more than 4.5 million militia members around the country. They are volunteers designated to bolster the armed forces’ defense against external and domestic attacks.

“The empire has gone mad and has renewed its threats to Venezuela’s peace and tranquility,” Maduro said at an event in Caracas, without mentioning any specific action.

Trump, whose problems with Maduro date back to the American president’s first term, has accused the Venezuelan leader of being a key part of the international drug trade he targeted as a top priority to fight. The White House considers Maduro a “narco-terrorist.”

“President Trump has been very clear and consistent,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday when asked about the troop deployments and whether the U.S. will put boots on the ground in Venezuela. “He’s prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela. It is a narco-terror cartel led by Maduro. It is the view of this administration that he is not a legitimate president. He is a fugitive head of this cartel who has been indicted in the United States for trafficking drugs into the country.”

Exactly what the U.S. plans to do with its military assets in regards to Maduro remains murky.

Last week, U.S. officials told CNN that it had ordered naval movements in the region to contain the threat from drug trafficking groups. On Monday, Reuters reported that the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson and some 4,000 military personnel would arrive at the edge of Venezuela’s territorial waters within the next 36 hours.

“That U.S. official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the additional commitment of military assets in the broader region would include several P-8 spy planes, warships and at least one attack submarine,” Reuters added. “The official said the process would be ongoing for several months and the plan was for them to operate in international airspace and international waters.” The P-8 is a maritime patrol aircraft, not primarily a spy plane, but it is capable of myriad surveillance tasks.

In addition, the official told Reuters that the naval assets “can be used to not just carry out intelligence and surveillance operations, but also as a launching pad for targeted strikes if a decision is made.”

On Tuesday, however, a US Department of Defense official told CNN there were no U.S. warships in the area, nor have the ships received orders to head there. We have reached out to the White House for clarification and will update this story with any pertinent details provided.

Meanwhile our friends at Task & Purpose (T&P) on Monday reported that the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) “set sail out of Naval Station Norfolk on Aug. 14. The force includes more than 4,500 sailors and Marines on three ships: The Wasp class amphibious assault ship, the USS Iwo Jima, and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships the USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale.”

Though T&P noted that the Navy initially described the ARG/MEU movement as a “regularly scheduled deployment,” the outlet added that Reuters and CNN both reported that the Iwo Jima ARG was heading to the southern Caribbean as part of anti-drug trafficking efforts. 

“A defense official familiar with the situation confirmed those reports to Task & Purpose,” the outlet added.

The Iwo Jima ARG’s deployment was interrupted, however, when Hurricane Erin forced it back to Norfolk, USNI reported on Tuesday.

Maduro was indicted in a New York federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency. He and 14 others, including several close allies, were hit with federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy with the Colombian FARC insurgent group to import cocaine. 

“For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities,” then-U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr said at the time.

Back then, the U.S. offered a $15 million reward for his arrest. It was later bumped up to $25 million and earlier this month, the Trump Justice Department announced it was increasing the reward to $50 million. In another action against Venezuelan cartels, Trump in February designated that nation’s Tren de Aragua, MS-13 in El Salvador and six groups based in Mexico as foreign terrorist organizations. His administration has also stepped up immigration enforcement against alleged gang members, including sending thousands of troops to the southern border.

While the nature of the U.S. military response is yet unknown, the deployment of an ARG and guided missile destroyers sends a very strong signal to Maduro. The Pentagon could carry out airstrikes, interdict shipments, or even put a limited number of boots on the ground from international waters in a hurry should Trump so decide.

Contact the author: [email protected]

Luxury cruising has become synonymous with opulence and service, and these ships are some of the most expensive in the world – but they offer something a little bit special

Luxury cruising has evolved beyond simply travelling from port to port – it’s now about embracing a way of life filled with sophistication, comfort and carefully crafted experiences on the open seas.

Throughout the last ten years, cruise operators have revolutionised their fleets into floating masterpieces, combining the personal touch of boutique accommodation with the magnificence of top-tier resorts.

These ships are crafted not merely to ferry passengers to stunning locations but also to envelop them in the most exquisite facilities conceivable, reports theluxurytravelexpert just days after a new 129-day cruise was launched from Sydney to London with unlimited food and drink.

READ MORE: Road trips to Europe’s most beautiful cities planned using free travel toolREAD MORE: Island you can only visit on cruises has perfect beaches and all-inclusive drinks

1. CRYSTAL SERENITY – CRYSTAL CRUISES.

Freshly rejuvenated, the Crystal Serenity merges traditional elegance with modern luxury. Cabins and suites boast generous proportions, showcasing premium furnishings, private balconies and considerate details including pillow menus and bespoke evening service, reports the Express.

Restaurant options include the Waterside main dining room serving internationally influenced dishes, an elegant Marketplace buffet and the exclusive Vintage Room offering wine-pairing experiences.

6. SCENIC ECLIPSE – SCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURS.

Frequently dubbed the globe’s inaugural “discovery yacht,” Scenic Eclipse provides ultra-premium expedition adventures that merge luxury with exploration. Equipped with twin helicopters, a submersible and numerous Zodiacs, it provides access to isolated locations such as the Arctic, Antarctica and the Mediterranean.

Passengers can enjoy helicopter excursions for panoramic viewing, explore underwater in the submarine, or paddle alongside marine life in pristine waters. 5.

EVRIMA – THE RITZCARLTON YACHT COLLECTION.

Evrima, the inaugural yacht of The RitzCarlton Yacht Collection, sets a new standard by combining the intimate feel of a private yacht with the brand’s signature service and sophistication. Suites are designed with warm natural materials, plush furnishings and luxurious amenities to create serene retreats.

Its intimate size allows access to exclusive, lesser-travelled ports and hidden coves that larger ships cannot reach, delivering unique, immersive destination experiences.

4. EXPLORA 1 – EXPLORA JOURNEYS.

Explora 1, the flagship of Explora Journeys from MSC Group, aims to redefine elegant ocean travel with sustainability and personalisation at its core. Hosting around 918 guests, it offers an intimate atmosphere with spacious, contemporary suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces and a minimalist aesthetic inspired by the Mediterranean.

State-of-the-art technology reduces its environmental footprint, including advanced wastewater treatment and energy-efficient systems.

3. SILVER ENDEAVOUR – SILVERSEA CRUISES.

Purpose-built for polar exploration, Silver Endeavour brings ultra-luxury to the world’s most remote regions without compromising comfort. With an ice-class 6 rating, it navigates Arctic and Antarctic waters to reach pristine destinations such as the Ross Sea and the Northwest Passage.

Onboard, spacious suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows or private verandas, plush bedding and personalised butler service to ensure every detail is attended to.

2. SEABOURN VENTURE – SEABOURN CRUISE LINE.

Seabourn Venture represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury expedition cruising, combining extraordinary adventures with the brand’s lavish comforts. Carrying just 264 guests and built to a robust Polar Class 6 standard, it explores remote polar regions and hidden tropical paradises with confidence.

All-suite accommodations feature elegant furnishings, private verandas and modern amenities including custom-designed beds and deep soaking tubs.

1. SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR – REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES.

Seven Seas Splendor is widely described as the most refined ship ever built, with a construction cost exceeding $600 million – the most expensive cruise ship on a per-passenger basis. Designed for just 750 guests, it delivers exclusivity and sophistication, from custom-crafted furnishings to fine Italian marble.

Suites rank among the most spacious at sea, complete with private balconies, expansive living areas and indulgent marble bathrooms.

July 24 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy needs to complete its shipbuilding program and modernize its weapons systems to effectively address the nation’s defense needs, Adm. Daryl Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Committee members questioned Caudle on Thursday morning to consider his nomination for Chief of Naval Operations and reappointment to the grade of admiral.

“I view this nomination as a solemn opportunity to ensure the nation’s maritime dominance never is surpassed by competitors or adversaries,” Caudle told the committee during his opening comments.

“Our sailors are the Navy’s most enduring competitive advantage,” Caudle said. “A stronger Navy means a more effective fleet.”

He said his father was an Army veteran who served in the Korean War and passed on the importance of service to protect American families and their way of life from harm.

Recruitment standards, shipbuilding

Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said the Navy has lowered its recruitment standards in recent years to enable more people to join its ranks.

He asked how Caudle might ensure the Navy does not permanently rely on lowered standards.

Caudle said the Navy has not lowered its standards but instead has increased access.

“All that graduate from boot camp meet the rigorous standards of that course to the letter,” he told Wicker.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said the Navy has an “overdue” 30-year shipbuilding plan that has not been followed and asked if Caudle would undertake a shipbuilding program to increase the Navy’s size and visibility.

Caudle said King has his “complete commitment” to the Navy shipbuilding program.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also raised the matter of the 30-year shipbuilding program and asked if Caudle would commit to completing the program in a timely manner and on budget.

Caudle affirmed he would do so and cited the Navy’s nuclear submarine program as especially important for ensuring the nation does its part to fulfill strategic agreements with other nations.

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., raised concerns about the Navy’s force structure design to deter other nuclear powers that are threatening the United States and the world.

Caudle called the matter a “math problem” and said he will work closely with Strategic Command to address growing threats from China and other nations to maximize the Navy’s effectiveness.

Munitions and maintenance

Fischer also asked what the Navy could do to ensure it has an ample supply of munitions to quickly replace those that are expended during naval operations.

King said the Navy has “way too many sole-source vendors that are underproducing” munitions due to difficulties with obtaining the materials needed to make them.

“We need to work through that,” King said, adding that the Navy needs to streamline production for greater efficiency.

“We roll a Ford F-150 off the assembly line every 20 hours, but it takes greater than a year to build an SM-6” missile, he added. “It’s just unacceptable.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, asked about drydock construction in Hawaii and what Caudle would do to complete an under-construction drydock there on time to ensure Naval vessels can use it for maintenance and repairs.

Caudle called the drydock a national asset and said he shares Hirono’s concern regarding the importance of the drydock and getting it completed for as close to its budget as possible.

Weapons systems modernization

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., asked how Caudle might incorporate unmanned weapons systems to counter naval growth among the nation’s potential adversaries.

“There is no question that unmanned robotic autonomous systems will be part of any modern warfare going forward,” Caudle answered.

He said they are used in the Russia-Ukraine war, in space and Middle East conflicts.

“We’re all learning from this,” he said. “Everyone is, including our adversaries.”

He said the Navy must invest in robotic autonomous weapons systems and ensure the command structure and operational systems are in place to maximize their effectiveness.

During his questioning, King suggested directed-energy weapons are the “future” of naval warfare and asked Caudle what his position might be regarding their development and use.

“A directed-energy shot is much cheaper than a $4 million missile,” but the Biden administration “grossly underfunded” development of the weapons system, King said.

Caudle responded that his master’s degree is in directed energy and his thesis was on high-powered lasers.

“I’ve not seen the Navy do an adequate amount of effort translating the research and development into shipboard use,” he said.

“If confirmed, I will make that a priority because it is the infinite magazine, especially against certain targets,” Caudle said.

“Admiral, you just got my vote,” King responded.

The morning confirmation hearing lasted for more than two hours.

Before the confirmation hearing, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., met with Caudle and in a news release said the admiral “knows a stronger Navy means a safer America.”

Caudle is a four-star admiral and would replace former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti.

If confirmed, Caudle would control a naval fleet that is 14 times smaller than the Chinese fleet and has experienced costly shipbuilding delays, according to Politico.

Several crew members of two Victory Cruise Lines vessels have been removed by US Customs and Border Protection officers.

Thirteen staff members from two ships were rounded up and removed last week in Detroit during planned calls.

Five were taken from Victory II and another eight from Victory I two days later.

The cruise line says the crew gained the necessary approvals to work onboard the ships at the start of their contracts.

Like most cruise lines, the company uses a third party staffing agency which takes care of staff vetting and work visas.

It hasn’t been disclosed exactly why they were removed.

Victory Cruise Lines says it is working with federal authorities.

“A limited number of Victory Cruise Lines crew were recently removed from Victory I and Victory II by U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” Victory chairman John Waggoner confirmed.

“We are actively cooperating with federal authorities to clarify the circumstances, and my priority is always our crew and the experience for our guests.”

With the Women’s Euro underway, the BBC invites several football icons on screens this week. And there are a multitude of other shows that will keep everyone entertained.

The Lionesses are gearing up for their anticipated confrontation with France this Saturday as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 enters its third day.

To mark the tournament’s return to our screens, Jill Scott joins a string of familiar faces – including Ollie Watkins and even Emmerdale star Samantha Giles – in CBeebies‘ Football Fantastics.

Meanwhile, John Torode and Lisa Faulkner front the tenth series of their Weekend Kitchen while Apple TV+ raises the alarm bells for the future of the world’s most vulnerable animals in The Wild Ones.

Expect thrills and nail-biting suspense this week on streaming platforms, with Netflix, Sky, Prime and even National Geographic lining up plenty of more programmes to fit every binge.

READ MORE: FatFace’s ‘cool’ summer dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ and will ‘pack well for holidays’

John and Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen

Saturday, ITV

Every weekend, MasterChef judge and restaurateur John Torode and his wife Lisa Fulkner whip up family-friendly meals in their stylish kitchen, making each treat a feast for the eyes.

Now entering its tenth season, the series leans into dynamic themed cooking and gives tips on how to make the best of your weekly food shop. Expect Michelin-level flair from John and homemade heart from Lisa with a sprinkle of cheeky chemistry.

Foundation

Friday, Apple TV+

Way into the future (to be honest, so far forward it’s probably not worth us losing too much sleep over), a band of bold exiles has been fighting to ensure the survival of the human race.

For season three of this sweeping sci-fi epic, based on the works of Isaac Asimov and starring Jared Harris, a warlord known as The Mule has his sights set on ruling the entire universe, via psychic manipulation and a touch of sheer brute force.

Teen Mom UK: New Generation

Wednesday, Paramount+

Back this week with six new episodes, two new mums (Leonie Hellman and Amelia Pritchard) and, before we know it, three new babies, this access-all-areas reality series continues to remind us of the multiple daily challenges young mothers find themselves having to face.

There are money worries, relationship issues, family tensions, strangers passing judgement, you name it – and those nappies don’t change themselves, sadly. At least, not until someone invents an app to do that.

The Wild Ones

Friday, Apple TV+

From the whales of the North Atlantic to the bears of the Gobi desert, the magnificent creatures featured in this series are all facing a bleak future. So a trio of wildlife experts are on a mission to track down them down, monitor their behaviour and seek ways to ensure their survival.

Also on the list are gorillas in Gabon, leopards in Armenia, rhino on the island of Java and the tigers of Malaysia’s rainforest, forever under threat from poachers.

Poisoned: Killer in the Post

Wednesday, Thursday, 9pm, Channel 4

This sobering new series follows a mission undertaken by investigative reporter James Beal, prompted by the death of a young university student in the autumn of 2021.

Horrified to learn that Tom Parfett, who was 22, had obtained and ingested a deadly poison, purchased online from a website based in Canada, James joined forces with bereaved parents worldwide in a bid to bring the seller to justice. He was also determined to highlight the horrors of online suicide forums.

Supercruising: Life at Sea

Thursday, 8pm, Channel 4

When it comes to on-board entertainment, the passengers on these luxury cruise ships seem to prefer things over-the-top. At least you hope they do, because that’s certainly what’s being lined up this week for the 3,000 people sailing round North Africa and Europe.

Expect a spectacular Dutch-themed orange party, laid on by entertainment chief Hamish, complete with dazzling costumes, themed cocktails and a performance by the food and beverage team that involves a lot more than just dishing up sausage rolls.

One Chicago

Friday, from 8pm, Sky Witness and NOW

A high-rise building has been rocked by an enormous gas explosion. Hundreds of people are going to need bringing to safety, including a group who find themselves trapped deep underground, two of whom are first responders.

It’s a terrifying scenario – and one which, as a storyline, lends itself perfectly to one of these TV crossover events. In this case, we get an episode each of Chicago Fire (firefighters and paramedics), Chicago Med (doctors and nurses) and Chicago PD (the cops).

Trainwreck: The Real Project X

Tuesday, Netflix

Project X was a 2012 comedy film about a group of teens whose house party swiftly spiralled out of control. As thousands of strangers descended on the birthday boy’s family home, the merry mood turned to mayhem and a riot ensued.

Trainwreck tells the story of an equally calamitous real-life event which occurred not long afterwards in a tiny town in the Netherlands, in this case thanks to the birthday girl having accidentally made her Facebook announcement public.

Football Fantastics

Saturday, CBeebies

Created by Sam Talbot, this joyful series features six adorable football-mad kids led by an over-enthusiastic and eco-conscious groundskeeper.

Football Fantastics boasts star cameos from England Lionesses Cloe Kelly, Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, foobtall legend Jill Scott, striker Olly Watkins to Leyton Orient player Charlotte Lynch and Emmerdale icon Samantha Giles.

Expect hilarious scenes, toe-tapping songs, messy goals and lessons in teamwork. It’s a charming kickoff to the BBC’s Summer of Sport.

Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory

Tuesday, National Geographic

Kicking off Sharkfest on Nat Geo, Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory plunges explorer and wildlife cinematographer Bertie into shark territory – without a cage.

In Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, he and his team (including field specialists Lacey Williams, skipper Patrick McDonald and local spotter Khwesi Namntu) document great whites hunting seals in shallow waters.

This immersive documentary aims to shine a light on the secret lives of sharks but viewers will quickly understand that nature follows no schedule. It’s awe-inspiring, tense and essential viewing.

The Facebook Honeytrap

Sunday, Prime

Christine Robinson’s life was brutally cut short in a senseless attack at her remote South African safari lodge, leaving her family in the UK devastated. But her niece Lehanne, in London, decided to stop at nothing for answers.

This gripping two-part docuseries exposes a real-life predatory sting and the chilling reality behind the screen. Turning to Facebook, Lehanne combs through profiles and connects the digital dots – before confronting her aunt’s killer face to face. It’s a compelling, heart-breaking cautionary tale and an unmissable watch.

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