split

It’s sad and stony-hearted that the Lakers should unload LeBron James, recoup resources, unload his albatross-like salary, and build a championship contender bolstered by Luka Doncic. Yes, James is still a top-15 player, but unable to lead an ill-balanced team to the NBA Finals.

The Lakers allowed sentimentality toward Kobe Bryant to distort their vision, signing Bryant to a two-year, $48.5-million extension. Bryant missed 39% of the games while the Lakers won 38 times in the two seasons. Abysmal.

The Lakers should use James’ $52.6-million salary to sign long, athletic players who can drain threes with regularity.

James might make a great addition to a championship contending team like the Cleveland Cavaliers. Otherwise, thank him for his greatness as a Laker.

Marc D. Greenwood
Opelika, Ala.

Some legendary athletes, like Jim Brown and Sandy Koufax, retired at the peak of their careers. Other greats, like Muhammad Ali, Johnny Unitas and Willie Mays, waited too long. Memo to LeBron James: Which camp will you choose?

Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach

After reading Bill Plaschke’s article about LeBron James — which closes with the line “Anywhere but here” — I have a better idea. Keep LeBron, get rid of Bill. Let him write anywhere but here.

Tom Irish
Rancho Palos Verdes

Father Time is as undefeated just as Bill Plaschke is winless with predictions. Many before Bill have buried LeBron James, only to see him rise to the occasion once again and prove them wrong.

If this is in fact LeBron’s last go-round, it’s been epic! Thanks for the memories. If not, let’s see him alongside an injury-free Luka Doncic for a full run to next year’s championship!

Marty Zweben
Palos Verdes Estates

LOVE Island stars Millie Court and Whitney Adebayo have left fans confused as to if it’s all over with their American boyfriends Zac and Yamen as they continued to fuel split rumours.

The pair have posted a string of cryptic clues, hinting they have called it quits with their partners just months after the All Stars series ended.

Taking to TikTok, Whitney, 28, shared a video of her and Millie having a boozy girls night – and fans are convinced they’re now single.

Sitting in their PJs on a bed they could be seen cheersing their drinks as the words, “so we’re gonna heal” played over the top of the clip.

The sound continued: “We’re gonna start again. You’ve bought the orchestra, synchronised swimmers. You’re the magician.

“Pull me back together again, the way you cut me in half.”

beauty is pain

Millie Court shows off her bleeding face after very painful beauty treatment

LOVED UP

Love Island’s Millie Court shares love letter from Zac as they prepare to reunite

Millie, 29 and Whitney burst out laughing while the sound played and she captioned the post with six laughing face emojis.

While some fans in the comments thought the pair were joking with their viewers amid the break up rumours, others were certain they had parted ways with their villa hunks.

One fan penned: “Sounds like another break up.”

Another fan wrote: “The healing journey continues.”

Meanwhile, a third fan said: “They’re joking, rage baiting I love it.”

Whitney’s man Yamen first sparked split rumours earlier this week following a bold social media post to his “exes.”

He shared a montage of him in various places around the world and added: “Never block your ex. 

“Always let them see what they missed out on.” 

Stunning blonde Millie also made waves this week when she replied to a fan’s message asking if she was ok.

Millie said: “I am all good… I do feel like I have been very quiet with content and haven’t been posting much on any platform really. 

“I was away for a whole month and then last week was really busy with work and things I couldn’t actually show you guys. 

“And then catching up with friends and family and I didn’t want my phone to be in my face or their faces… big catch ups were needed.”

Rushing to the comments fans were quick to point out that she didn’t mention Zac at all.

Both Whitney and Millie are yet to officially address the rumours.

DUNCAN James has revealed a major milestone with his new boyfriend, eight months after splitting from his ex.

The Blue singer, 48, is now dating Alexander Roque, a performer with a stripping show called Forbidden Nights.

Now the musician has revealed that Alexander is moving into his mother’s home to live with them after less than a year.

Duncan and Alexander’s romance came to light last year following Duncan’s split from Rodrigo Reis.

The former flames were together for six years and reportedly grew apart.

Speaking to the Daily Mail about the move, Duncan enthusiastically expressed: “Alex gets on so well with my mum. 

all rise

Duncan James reveals how Blue avoided boyband curse after 25 & new album

one love

Duncan James breaks silence on finding love with toyboy five months after split

“They have really fun banter between them and they speak to each other on the phone daily. It’s just really lovely.

“Right now, I want to touch wood because I don’t want anything to go wrong or jinx it, but honestly I’m just so happy.

“I’m excited because it’s a new chapter of my life. I’m so happy and I’m in a really loving relationship. And the fact that he gets on so well with my mum…

“I couldn’t be in a relationship with somebody if my mum didn’t get on with them. I’m so close to my mum.

In November Duncan broke his silence on finding love with toyboy Alexander.

Clearly smitten with his new beau, he told The Sun at the time: “He is a very handsome boy, it’s early days.

“You know, I broke up with my ex in May. I did keep it quiet and then I went to a Hollyoaks party with Alexander, but then of course it looks like I’ve just ended the relationship and gone out straight away with him, which isn’t the case, because there was a longer time frame.

“I think in general, I just feel that, me and Rodrigo, we just came to a natural end.

“And I love him to bits and we’re still friends and everything. But yeah, it was six and a half years.”

TESS Daly and Vernon Kay have left the showbiz world in shock this evening after announcing their shock split after 25 years together.

The pair released a joint statement on Instagram tonight that read: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us.”

“We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.
There are no other parties involved in this decision.

“We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together. We will not be making any further public comments.”

The Sun have uncovered telling signs that the much-loved couple had split, from living separate lives to a very frank marriage confession.

IT’S OVER

Inside Tess & Vernon’s split as pals reveal all about ‘tearful heart-to-hearts’

FAMILY SNAP

Tess shared pic with lookalike daughter, 21, day before announcing Vernon split

Living separate lives

It’s clear from social media that both Vernon, 52, and Tess, 57, have been living their own separate lives for the last few months.

They’ve been individually spending time with their two daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16, rather than their usual family unit of four.

Their eldest daughter Phoebe relocated to New York in January but has been back visiting in the UK this week.

Vernon took to his Instagram on Thursday to share a snap of himself with Phoebe on a rooftop terrace as they enjoyed drinks together.

He dressed smart casual in a ribbed top and white trousers, while Phoebe looked glam in a gold top and black trousers.

He captioned it: “Ahhhhh Summer nights in London on the @thechanceryrosewood rooftop with @phoebeekay The best view on a clear blue evening sky….“

Meanwhile, Phoebe spent separate time with her mum as the ladies posed for a sweet snap on a bridge in London. They twinned in denim jeans and sunglasses as they beamed from ear to ear for the photo.

Tess captioned it: “Got my Phoebe back for a few days and making the most of every moment.”

No social media posts

The last time either of them posed for a picture together on social media was ten weeks ago.

The pair hosted an episode of The One Show back in February as they took a picture with guests, actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jessie Buckley and Bridgerton stars, Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha.

She took to Instagram to share the group picture, with the guests standing in between a smiling Tess and Vernon.

The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter also posted a solo snap of herself sitting on the iconic green sofa.

Vernon also hasn’t posted Tess on his own page in months.

The last time she appears to be on his feed is during a trip to New York in February where they were visiting Phoebe.

No mention in latest interview

Tess recently did an interview with Hello! magazine and spoke about a variety of aspects about her life.

She mentioned her swimwear brand NAIA Beach and being awarded an MBE by King Charles in November, but there was no mention of Vernon.

Speaking about her brand, she expressed: “I absolutely love running our NAIA business with my best friend Gayle and our wonderful, ever-growing team.

“For a business that began life as two friends with a vision, it has evolved to something bigger than we could have imagined.

“I’m also hoping for the chance to have a bit of a girls’ trip away with my friends – that’s been a long time coming.”

Frank confession

Vernon made a frank confession in October last year when he revealed Tess had “spent a fortune” fixing his botched DIY attempts.

During his BBC Radio 2 programme, his colleague asked him if he could come over to his and fix a few shelves.

Clearly not making much of his own DIY skills, he responded: “Oh, you do not want me around your place; trust me.

“Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly spent a fortune repairing what I’ve damaged.”

It was then suggested that their mishaps could rival Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon‘s BBC One reality show as Vernon joked: “I wreck it, you fix it.”

TESS Daly and Vernon Kay tonight announced they had split up “amicably” after 23 years of marriage.

A statement from the showbiz couple, with two daughters, said no one else was involved.

The ex Strictly Come Dancing host, 57, and her BBC Radio 2 DJ husband, 52, had grown apart and become more like “roommates” than a ­married couple.

A source close to the couple told The Sun: “They are both sad that it has come to a natural end but happy for both of their futures.”

Tess and Vernon — who have daughters Phoebe, 21, and 16-year-old Amber — announced their “amicable” marital split in a joint statement last night.

They posted online: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

Read more on Tess & Vernon

FAMILY SNAP

Tess shared pic with lookalike daughter, 21, day before announcing Vernon split

IT’S OVER!

Last time Vernon Kay & Tess Daly were pictured together as they announce split

“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire of what is best for both of us.

“We remain great friends and, most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.

“There are no other parties involved in this decision.”

They are understood to have decided to go public after returning from a Caribbean holiday last month.

Both shared photographs from their sunshine getaway but failed to post snaps of each other.

A friend insisted the pair, who married in 2003 after two years of dating, had simply grown apart.

They said: “They have had many conversations about this and tears were shed.

“It wasn’t a sudden decision but it’s something they have been quietly navigating together for some time. It was very natural in a way, it’s just one of those things.

“Vernon is a real social butterfly, he loves going to parties with Phoebe and hanging out with her doing things, while Tess is a bit more of a homebody.

“They are still such great friends, which is why they went on that family holiday together.

“Amber and Phoebe are Tess and Vernon’s world and their focus is solely on them.

“They’ll continue to co-parent together and keep making happy memories with their girls.”

It was understood they will keep their six-bedroom family home in Buckinghamshire while they work out their future plans.

A pal added: “Tess and Vernon are both being very grown up about this. They became more like roommates in the end.

“Working out how to move forward is what they’re doing now.

“Vernon works in London five days a week so it’s likely he’ll get a place in the city for now until they decide what to do with the house.”

On Thursday the pair reunited in London with Phoebe, who attends university in New York.

Vernon was in a typically upbeat mood on air yesterday hosting his Radio 2 mid-morning show.

The couple both started off as models before breaking into Channel 4 – Vernon with T4 and Tess hosting the Find Me a Model segment on The Big Breakfast.

They started dating after meeting in 2001. Vernon recalled of their initial encounter: “She didn’t know anyone except me because we’d worked together that day – she spotted me in a crowd and we had a laugh.

“I was instantly attracted by how independent Tess was, and that’s not changed at all.”

In 2003, they married at a church in Vernon’s hometown of Horwich, Greater Manchester.

Phoebe was born in 2004 — the year Tess started co-hosting BBC ballroom dance show Strictly, first with Bruce Forsyth.

In 2007, Tess and Vernon worked together for the first time, co-hosting BBC celebrity singing show, Just The Two of Us.

Two years later, Amber was born.

When they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in 2023, Tess spoke of how proud she was of hitting the milestone.

She said: “Twenty years is a long time. We still have lots to talk about, the conversation hasn’t dried up.

“That’s a good thing.

“We’ve got lots in common and shared values.

“We just enjoy each other’s company and that’s what it boils down to, really. I’m proud of us.”

Vernon said their marriage got stronger thanks to the Covid lockdowns, saying: “You really get under the skin of your relationship with your kids and your missus.”

Tess also launched her own clothing range, and her bombshell decision to quit Strictly last year along with Claudia Winkleman was supported by Vernon.

Tess and Vernon hosted BBC’s The One Show together in a special episode in February, but those close to them said the cracks in their marriage started to form last year.

A source said: “Vernon is more outgoing than Tess is and he loves nothing more than heading out with his mates.

Last summer he was at loads of Oasis gigs. He loves going to the Brit Awards. He’s so outgoing and he loves that lifestyle.

“After quitting Strictly, Tess has been more keen to enjoy life at a slower pace.

“She’s been working really hard on her swimwear line and has loved not having to jump back on to that Strictly treadmill.

“It became clear after a while that they were becoming more like ships in the night.

“It’s not been easy but, ultimately, if the love they had for each other had gone, what is the point in staying together?”

TESS Daly shared a picture with her lookalike daughter Phoebe just one day before announcing her shock split from husband Vernon Kay.

Phoebe Kay, 21, is the spit of her mother in the snaps, which show the pair posing together on a sunny bridge.

Posted the day before Tess, 57, and Vernon, 51, sensationally announced their split, the mother and daughter duo were all smiles in the photo.

The former Strictly Come Dancing presenter captioned the happy photo: “Got my Phoebe back for a few days and making the most of every moment.”

Phoebe has followed in her mother’s footsteps and moved to New York to pursue a career in modelling.

In March, the pair’s eldest daughter revealed on TikTok she had made the big move across the pond.

SHOCK SPLIT

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay sensationally SPLIT after 22 years of marriage

leap of faith

Celeb Traitors kicks off with explosive task as Maya Jama plunges into loch

In the clip, Phoebe can be seen dancing with the New York skyline and the Empire State building in the background.

The nepo baby captioned it: “NYC has my hearttt! Lucky to call it home for a while.”

Phoebe hasn’t disclosed the reason for her move to the Big Apple but it appears that it’s only a temporary stay.

Interestingly, her mum Tess also lived in New York for five years while working as a fashion model in the 90s.

The former Strictly Come Dancing host and the Radio 2 DJ visited their daughter last month as they gave a peek into their whirlwind trip.

Tess took to Instagram to share various snaps of their trip, including standing in front of the New York skyline, eating pancakes and visiting art galleries.

She captioned it: “I love NYC. Maximised every minute on a whirlwind half term trip and fell in love with this magical city all over again.”

Tess and Vernon tied the knot in 2003 and share two daughters – Phoebe and Amber, 16.

The pair met while working as up-and-coming TV presenters for rival channels in 2001, crossing paths at a BBC Christmas party.

But the pair revealed on Instagram today that they had separated after two decades of marriage.

She wrote: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us.

“We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.
There are no other parties involved in this decision.

“We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.

“We will not be making any further public comments.”

TESS Daly and Vernon Kay have split in a shock separation after ‘much consideration and a deep sense of care”.

The former strictly star posted on her Instagram this evening.

She wrote in a post: “After much consideration, and with a deep sense of care and respect for one another, we have made the decision to separate amicably.

“This has not been an easy choice, but it comes from a place of mutual understanding and a shared desire for what is best for both of us. We remain great friends and most importantly, fully committed to our roles as loving and supportive parents, which will always be our priority.
There are no other parties involved in this decision.

“We kindly ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this transition together.

“We will not be making any further public comments.”

Tess, 57, and the Radio 2 DJ, 51, tied the knot in 2003 and share two daughters Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

The pair met while working as up-and-coming TV presenters for rival channels in 2001, crossing paths at a BBC Christmas party.

AFTER quietly returning to the dating scene following his split from Chloe Madeley, James Haskell thought he was ready to move on.

But the former England rugby star says one fear involving his ex-wife can still stop him in his tracks. 

James and Chloe split in October 2023 after five years of marriage, just 14 months after welcoming daughter Bodhi, now three, despite appearing to have the perfect family life. 

But it was the thought of publicly dating another woman while still close to Chloe – daughter of daytime TV icons Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan – that caused James to pause for thought.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun about starring in the new series of E4’s Celebs Go Dating, James says: “It sort of felt like I was cheating because it was the first time I was dating in public in front of Chloe. I got all these mixed emotions and froze.

“For me, when you’ve got a daughter and you’ve got an ex-wife, both of them I hold in the highest regard and I want to be the most respectful I can be.

“I talked to Chloe [about doing the show] because it was really important to do that. We discussed it because I was probably getting quite nervous about doing it.

“This is very much out of my comfort zone. You’ve got emotions, you’ve got other people, you’ve got romance…

“It’s a difficult thing to put in the public eye, so I spoke to her about it. She was very supportive.

“I would talk to her about how the stuff on the show went, so she was always informed.

“And if my daughter ever watched it back, I’d want her to be proud of how her dad was.”

James admits navigating romance in the public eye hasn’t been easy off-screen either. 

The former rugby star, who dated advertising executive Helen Barclay and Big Brother star Sara McLean in 2025, admits relationships come with added pressure. 

James split from Sara just days after they went public with their romance at Cheltenham.

The rugby star has also been linked to other women since his split from Chloe and previously sparked speculation after being spotted looking cosy with a mystery brunette on a night out. 

“I’m in the public eye and a lot of my life is centered around stuff on social media and DJ’ing and making music and podcasting stuff,” he explains.

“So I’m always very wary if you were to go out on a date and get photographed, that narrative can be created around that, which puts pressure on both people.

“I want to go on date people and have fun and when it’s the appropriate time, you would then discuss it with an ex partner but sometimes that’s taken away from you.

“So I’ve always been quite nervous. I have dated, I’ve been quite chilled out, but it’s always been quite respectful.

“That’s why this was such a big moment, because actually one of the first things I thought was ‘Oh my God. I’m like, now doing this in front of people’.

“There’s so much more to think about as opposed to just going for a drink with someone.”

James, 41, and Chloe, 38, split while their reality series, Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair, was still airing on TV. 

But rather than mixing things up in the future, James reveals he’s in the market for a strong, independent woman – just like his ex.

He says:  “I know what I want, I want someone that’s got intelligence, I want someone that’s got their own life, their own success.

“I’m not threatened by having a really powerful partner who could be more successful than me.

“Badass is the wrong word, but that’s the kind of thing.

“I want someone to challenge me so I can learn from them.

“I had a lot of that or had almost all of that with Chloe really, she made me a better person in lots of ways.

“When you come out of a relationship, you want to find that in someone else.

“And that’s kind of what I doubled down with really on this.”

He continues: “While looks and stuff are really important, I wouldn’t settle because all my dating technique would always be to go up to someone and speak to them, I never used apps, I would do everything in person.

“So this process was so weird because someone was telling you who you could date, which is weird.

“This was a bit like looking around in the dark and exploring.”

Fitness fanatic Chloe has spent years documenting her gruelling workouts and toned physique online – and it seems James still has a clear type.

As well as wanting a confident, driven woman, the rugby ace admits he is attracted to women who prioritise their looks, fitness and overall wellbeing. Sound familiar?

He says: “It shows a commitment, just someone who takes care of their appearance because I think it helps in other areas of your life.”

He also reveals the “real reason” he signed up to the show – and it wasn’t just for him to find his dream match.

“Being a strong man with good manners and morals and to show a vulnerable side as well as other sides is really important,” he says.

“I was nervous, but I think I managed to navigate it in the appropriate way and actually show a bit of a different side to myself than some of the bravado and the kind of stuff from being a former sportsman or DJ’ing.

“I grew a lot, I’ve obviously been separated for a little while, but I wanted to have an adventure and I’ve learnt to be vulnerable.”

And while James teases that he isn’t against tying the knot again in the future, his number one priority is crystal clear.

He says: “My priorities are very simple – my daughter, she’s nearly four. I want to be the best dad for her and provide the best kind of life for her.

“We’re obviously having her kind of 50 per cent of the time, which means that you have to prioritise different parts of your life.

“Relationships are lovely and I think if you meet the right person and obviously as we’ve gone through this process, I’ve met lots of lots of really interesting people.

“I’d say that isn’t something that is a real focus to settle down and get married.

“I think if it happens, it happens.

“But I’m quite happy in my own space, really.”

And don’t expect James to introduce Bodhi to a new partner anytime soon, as the star has one very strict rule when it comes to future girlfriends. 

“Essentially I’d have to be walking down the aisle [to introduce my next partner to my child],” he says.

“Genuinely my life is very complicated. The idea of bringing somebody into my daughter’s life and putting a sort of a tent pole on the ground and saying, listen, this is something serious.

“I’m light years away from that because it’s not something I want to mess around with.

“Chloe and I are still a family. My daughter is still a family that sits over here. My life sits over here [with them].

“And I mean when is the right moment? It will be light years away.”

And any future girlfriend won’t just need to win over Bodhi – she’ll also have to impress James’ fiercely protective mum, Susie Haskell, too. 

This week, Susie Haskell made her Celebs Go Dating debut, and didn’t hold her tongue.

Fearing what she could say, James told the camera: “Mum is an absolute loose cannon at the best of times.

“I am dreading what’s going to come out of her mouth. As long as she does not upset my ex.”

But Susie struggled to hold back as she ripped into Chloe.

Susie said: “I’m not sure where he’s gone wrong because prior to his marriage, I met lots of lovely girlfriends.

“Each of them just loved me, which is a bonus.”

She added: “I do have quite a strong opinion on why I think it went wrong.

“You can’t have two stars because you have them competing for the floor space the whole time.”

Susie continued: “In the past he’s been extremely popular. I’ve seen at rugby matches where elderly ladies have got very close to him.

“He needs someone who can see the softness of him, coupled with quite a brilliant intellect. He’s written seven books. Three of them are on The Times best-seller list.”

James previously admitted that his love of drinking contributed to the end of the relationship, describing their final year together as a “difficult period”.

As airlines have been granted a green light to consolidate or cancel flights with just two weeks’ notice, experts have warned of inevitable chaos this peak holiday season

Summer is well and truly in the air, but Brits looking ahead to their well-deserved week in the sun have been warned to take extra caution.

As the price of jet fuel has risen by 120 per cent since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, there are concerns of shortages in the coming months. Airlines have already hiked ticket prices, but further disruption is expected unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon.

Before the conflict, Europe as a whole had about 37 days’ supply of available. Now, this is likely to have dropped to 30 days, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) warning that 23 days is the critical point at which some airports would run out of fuel.

Now after airlines were granted a green light to consolidate or cancel flights with just two weeks’ notice, experts have warned that the traditional protections for those with additional needs are under threat. Crucially, the European Commission has signalled that disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East fuel crisis will be filed under “exceptional circumstances,” meaning holidaymakers may be unable to claim any financial compensation if their flights are changed.

READ MORE: RAC issues ‘ominous’ UK petrol and diesel price warning for May 2026

Travel expert Declan Somers, CEO of Mobal, warns that the biggest risk this summer isn’t just chaos at airports, but how passengers might be split. As airlines merge flights to conserve fuel, families who booked together may find themselves rebooked onto replacement aircraft where they are scattered across the cabin.

Notably, there is no UK law that requires children to be seated with their parents on a plane. Airlines can legally separate even those under five from their parents, although this would be against Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines. The CAA says: ‘Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.” “

If airlines start consolidating flights, a family of four ‘may be rebooked onto the same replacement flight but not necessarily seated together,” Somers cautioned.

While UK guidance suggests airlines should aim to seat children near parents, there is no absolute guarantee. To mitigate this, Somers urges parents not to treat seat selection as optional: “Book directly with the airline, pay for seat selection, and call immediately to have assistance notes attached to the PNR (Passenger Name Record).”

The situation is even more precarious for those with disabilities or complex medical requirements. Travel expert Alexandra Dubakova warns that emergency rebookings often fail to account for specialised needs, such as extra legroom for mobility or specific seating for medical equipment. “There might be cases of passengers being de-boarded or rebooked again because the replacement aircraft lacks the specific configurations they originally paid for,” Dubakova explained.

She warns of a significant “erosion of consumer rights,” noting that under “exceptional circumstances,” airlines are under less financial pressure to provide their usual level of care. For those requiring special assistance – such as storage for crutches or priority boarding – Scope guidance mandates booking at least 48 hours in advance. However, with last-minute aircraft swaps expected, these pre-arranged protections are no longer a certainty.

The disruption is expected to hit hardest at smaller regional airports, which lack the on-site fuel storage of major hubs like Heathrow. Dubakova describes these smaller airports as the “canary” in the coal mine. For families and disabled travelers, the advice is to “build in a buffer.”

Experts suggest choosing the first flight of the day, flying from larger hubs where possible, and ensuring all medication is planned at least four weeks in advance. UK airlines have previously insisted that they are not currently facing supply issues, while the Government will also work with the sector to act quickly if needed.

Europe’s leading budget airlines remain confident they will be able to keep flights running as usual throughout the peak holiday season ahead. Jet2, easyJet and TUI have all committed not to impose any additional charges on passengers due to fuel price increases.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer. This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses. We will do everything we can to insulate our country from the impact of the situation in the Middle East.”

It’s understood that British Airlines would not allow to children sit alone away from their parent, with the team pre-seating families on the same Passenger Name Record (PNR) to ensure all those under 12 years old are seated with at least one adult on the same record. As per the BA website: “If you don’t choose your seats in advance, we always do our best to seat your family together based on flight seat availability. This may mean that you’ll be seated in adjacent rows or across the aisle. All children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult.” Tui and Virgin Atlantic also offer similar reassurances on their websites.

Meanwhile, as per the Ryanair’s Family Seating Policy, detailed on the company website: “For family bookings, children (aged 2 to 11 years) receive free reserved seating so they can sit beside a parent. When an adult purchases a reserved seat they can select up to 4 children’s seats beside them free of charge. If an adult selects a reserved seat outside of specific rows (depending on aircraft) they must pay the price difference. Similarly, if a seat is selected for a child outside of these rows, they will be charged the full reserved seat price of these seats.”

The easyJet website warns families who leave check in until the last minute may not be guaranteed sears next to each other, however, staff will “still make sure each child under 12 is seated close to an adult on your booking” An easyJet spokesperson told the Mirror: “easyJet is not seeing any disruption to fuel supply. We continue to operate our flights and package holidays as normal and are not making changes or cancellations. We remain in close contact with suppliers who continue to provide uninterrupted supply and are diversifying exporting from additional countries globally to bolster supplies going forward.”

Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said: “I want our customers to book with confidence this summer. We are operating as normal and are not making changes or cancellations and we are looking forward to taking millions of people on their well-deserved holidays this summer.”

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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May 4 (Asia Today) — A rift among Samsung Electronics labor unions is widening after a union representing many workers in the company’s device business withdrew from a joint wage negotiation front.

Industry officials said Monday that Samsung Electronics Union Donghaeng, led mainly by workers in the Device eXperience division, sent an official letter to two other unions announcing its withdrawal from the 2026 joint wage bargaining group.

The unions had formed a joint bargaining team in November for wage and collective agreement talks. After negotiations with management stalled, they reorganized the group as a joint struggle headquarters.

The Donghaeng union said it decided to break away because of failed communication and damaged trust among the unions.

“Even when we proposed agenda items for the rights and interests of all union members rather than a specific department, the two unions showed no response or willingness to discuss them,” the union said in the letter.

The union also said it had repeatedly been disparaged and labeled a “company-friendly union,” making it impossible to maintain a cooperative bargaining relationship.

The Donghaeng union has about 2,300 members, with about 70% from the Device eXperience division, which oversees Samsung’s TV, home appliance and smartphone businesses. The union plans to notify management Wednesday of its withdrawal and request separate negotiations.

It also plans to pursue independent activities, including sending letters to executives and staging one-person protests.

The split is expected to deepen tensions among Samsung Electronics unions. Internal criticism has grown that the Samsung Electronics branch of the Super-Enterprise Labor Union, which recently became the company’s majority union, has focused too heavily on performance bonus demands for the Device Solutions division, Samsung’s semiconductor business.

Membership in the Super-Enterprise Labor Union branch has fallen from more than 76,000 to the 74,000 range, and some employees have called for a new union representing only Device eXperience workers.

The joint struggle headquarters, now without the Donghaeng union, still plans to begin procedures for a full strike May 21. Participation by Donghaeng union members is expected to be decided individually.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260504010000424

WHEN her 13-year marriage to Patrick Kielty shockingly ended last year, Cat Deeley was left feeling anxious as she navigated a brand new chapter.

But 12 months on, the This Morning star, 49, has undergone a transformation and has a new lease of confidence, The Sun can reveal.

Cat and Patrick met in the early 2000s and formed a friendship which turned to romance, tying the knot in 2012 during a private Rome ceremony.

After living in Los Angeles for several years, the former couple had returned to the UK in 2020 to start a new life with their two children, Milo and James.

However, they announced their separation last summer in a sad statement, as they vowed to continue a positive co-parenting relationship.

At the time, we told how Cat was feeling ‘anxious’ about returning to work following the split and how she would work through it.

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But now, a close friend has revealed to The Sun that Cat is living her new single life to the fullest.

She is not only open to dating again and looking more glamorous than ever, but is making a U-turn when it comes to her famously private home life.

They revealed: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like this before. There’s just a lightness to her now.

“She’s saying yes to things she might have dismissed  in the past, especially with work but also in her real life off screen.

“She’s been really open, she’s not afraid to be emotional or be herself on TV – she’s just enjoying her life much more.

“She’s even letting people see more of her home life inside her house – she’s filmed a few big brand projects at home, which is quite a big step for her as she and Patrick were extremely private but I guess she is just more relaxed with herself, she’s not overthinking anything and just saying yes to everything that fills her cup.”

Whilst it’s been a long time since Cat was on the dating scene, the pal revealed that the TV star isn’t against getting back out there.

And she might even be spotted on exclusive celeb dating app Raya one day, they confirmed.

“She is open to dating again, definitely, but it has to feel right. She wouldn’t go on apps because that’s just not her style, well maybe Raya one day, she’s not totally closed off.

“She likes the idea of what’s out there, a bit of flirting, a bit of fun, without any pressure.”

When not on TV, Cat has been enjoying nights out with pals and has been spending more time with the likes of best friend Charlie Brear and several of her male pals.

Describing the time with friends as “exactly what she needed”, our source says Cat’s nearest and dearest are helping her live to the fullest.

Whilst her close relationship with co-host Ben has also provided a helping hand, with the broadcaster’s ‘solid’ friendship providing laughs and a shoulder to cry on.

And from chic ensembles for This Morning’s early call times to glamorous Instagram posts, Cat appears to be glowing from the outside, too.

“You can see the difference in her too, she simply looks incredible. Not just glamorous, but genuinely happy,” said the insider.

They added: “It’s that kind of confidence you can’t fake, and people around her have really noticed it. She’s glowing, and I think a lot of that comes from feeling more in control of her own life again.

“It really does feel like a whole new chapter for Cat. She’s happier, more relaxed, and completely herself again and I think that’s why everything seems to be falling into place for her on and off screen.”

LOVE Island winner Cach Mercer has shared a new video with a stunning TikTok star as they appeared to get to know one another better, weeks after his split from Toni Laites.

The ITV2 star won the show with Toni last summer and she even moved from Vegas to London following the series, but things took a turn for the couple following a row at the BRIT Awards in February.

Toni and Cach attended the star-studded awards ceremony together earlier this year, but The Sun revealed they had an explosive row inside the ceremony.

This led to them unfollowing one another on social media, before promptly adding one another back. We revealed they had split the following month.

Now, Cach has been getting cosy with influencer Tallulah Metcalfe, who boasts over half a million followers on Instagram and a whopping 5.4 million on TikTok.

In an unexpected crossover, the pair recorded a video dancing together on Tuesday, which Tallulah shared to her Instagram.

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She captioned the post: “Made this dance ourselves btw”.

Fans were shocked to see the pair together, with several commented that they were an “unexpected duo”.

Cach and Tallulah were both staying at celeb hotspot Soho Farmhouse for an event with Snapchat when they filmed the dancing clip.

Also in attendance was the likes of new couple Samie Elishi and Tyrique Hyde.

Tallulah is thought to be single since her split from fellow social media star Owen Lazenby late last year.

Whilst both Cach and Toni are yet to speak out on their split.

However, it appears things are over for good this time around as the former couple unfollowed each other on Instagram yet again earlier this month.

At the time of their split, a source confirmed to The Sun: “It’s definitely over with Toni and Cach and they’ve called it quits.

“It’s a really sad situation but after being on the rocks for a while, the Brits ended up being the final straw and they couldn’t make it work.

“They kept talking and tried to make things work but have now called it a day.”

Megan Thee Stallion’s Broadway run playing Zidler in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” is ending weeks earlier than planned, and days after she announced a messy split from NBA star Klay Thompson.

The “Wanna Be” hitmaker is pulling out of her first Broadway run weeks sooner than anticipated. Megan announced the news on Instagram alongside a bandaged heart emoji and said she would step away from the production Friday rather than the originally slated May 17.

“Hotties, my last performance as Zidler in @moulinrougebway will be May 1,” she wrote. “It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family and I’ve met so many amazing people in this theater!

“Y’all work so hard and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y’all put into the work! I’m so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful. And to all the Hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey! I LOVE YALL . . . See you soon.”

The Grammy Award-winning rapper made history as the show’s first woman to portray the charismatic cabaret manager Zidler — the character’s full name is Harold Zidler. Broadway veteran Eric Anderson will step back into the role on May 19, but the actor who will cover the interim, from May 2 through 17, hasn’t been announced.

The wildly popular “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” was recently extended on Broadway, with its final performance set for Aug. 30 after a seven-year run.

Although Megan didn’t offer a reason for her departure, the move comes amid a recent health scare and some personal upheaval for the “Hot Girl Summer” chart topper.

On Saturday, the “Savage” rapper aired some dirty laundry on social media, writing in a since-expired Instagram story that her recent beau, Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson, didn’t know if he could be monogamous and had treated her horribly during their time together. “I need a REAL break after this one,” she wrote.

She followed the social media admission with a formal statement issued to People confirming that she and Thompson had split just months after they took their relationship public.

“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” Megan said in a statement. “Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”

April 24 (Asia Today) — Nearly two-thirds of South Koreans oppose allowing access to North Korean websites, while most experts support the idea, the Presidential Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification said Friday.

According to the council’s first-quarter public opinion survey on unification, 63.6% of respondents said they did not agree with a proposal to allow access to North Korean websites to help the public better understand North Korean society.

In contrast, 71.3% of 149 experts on unification and North Korea issues said they supported the proposal, showing a sharp gap between the general public and specialists.

The survey also found that 59.2% of respondents supported President Lee Jae-myung’s proposal, presented in a March 1 Independence Movement Day speech, to ease tensions between the two Koreas and work with relevant countries to transform the armistice system into a peace regime.

A separate 61.6% said they supported continuing the government’s policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

On the need for reunification, 65.9% said it was necessary, down 2.1 percentage points from the previous quarterly survey. Respondents cited eliminating the threat of war, at 29.2%, and economic development, at 26.3%, as the top reasons for reunification.

Views were mixed on North Korea’s “two hostile states” doctrine.

Among respondents, 27.7% said they do not recognize the North Korean regime but recognize inter-state relations with the North. Another 24.9% said they recognize both the North Korean regime and inter-state relations.

A separate 24% said they recognize neither the North Korean regime nor inter-state relations, while 16.7% said they recognize the regime but do not recognize inter-state relations.

The survey was conducted by Korea Research from March 27-29 on 1,200 adults nationwide. It had a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.83 percentage points.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260424010007858

JACQUELINE Jossa has posed for a new snap wearing both her wedding and engagement rings – despite splitting from husband Dan Osborne. 

The Sun revealed last month how EastEnders actress Jacqueline, 33, and former Towie star Dan, 34, had called time on their relationship after 13 years. 

Today Jacqueline took to social media to share a new mirror selfie, showing her looking straight-faced as she snapped the photo. 

The Lauren Branning star was dressed casually in a white T-shirt and some high-waisted jeans, with her rings visible on her left hand. 

She has become known for repeatedly reconciling with her other half — despite his flaws.

Their marriage has been rocked by multiple cheating allegations against Dan, who admitted in 2020: “I’ve made mistakes.”

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However, having given their relationship multiple chances, friends claim Jac has accepted it is doomed after living separate lives for months.

A source close to Dan told The Sun: “Everyone knows they’ve had their troubles, but after spending some time apart this year, they’ve decided to make the split permanent.

“Their two daughters are their main priority.”

It’s claimed former Towie star Dan moved out permanently in February into the house he was said to have bought behind Jac’s back in 2024.

His “secret” Essex pad came to light after the on-off couple announced last March that they had split. The following month, they appeared to rekindle their marriage on a “make or break” family holiday to Mexico.

Our insider revealed: “After all Jac’s been through, she’s finally had enough. They’ve been living separate lives all this year and she’s over it.

“There’s only so many times she can put herself through living in limbo and taking him back.

“She has mentally checked out and Dan has panicked.”

JACK Whitehall’s countryside wedding to Roxy Horner over the weekend may have appeared to be oozing class, but the comedian says he actually had a wardrobe disaster during the ceremony.

In fact, the dad-of-one, 37, says he was left with his “a** hanging out” at the end of the aisle.

Jack ripped his luxe Tom Ford suit when picking up their two-year-old daughter during the ceremony.

“I squatted down to pick up Elsie and my trousers split, my whole a** was hanging out,” he told Vogue.

Luckily, the comedian had a back-up suit and later changed into one by menswear brand Dunhill.

Meanwhile, his bride also donned two outfits during the day, but hers were both by choice.

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Roxy donned two stunning wedding dresses from designer boutique Galia Lahav, changing between the ceremony and reception.

She added a lengthy veil and pulled her blonde tresses into an up do, with two strands framing her face.

Roxy and Jack’s wedding took place in the grounds of £12million stately home Euridge Manor, near Chippenham, Wilts.

The Georgian-style property is owned by Kate Middleton’s former boss, Jigsaw tycoon John Robinson.

Jack and Roxy shared the details of their big day with Vogue, explaining how Elsie was one of the model’s three flower girls.

They also had a whopping eight bridesmaids, with Jack’s brother, Barnaby, serving as Best Man.

After Jack predicted a “brutal” best man speech from his brother during a chat with The Sun earlier this year, due to his own ‘below the belt’ speech at his sibling’s nuptials, Barnaby didn’t hold back.

“He threw me under the bus, because that’s what I’d done to him,” confirmed Jack in his post-wedding chat.

Celebrity guests included TV pals James Corden and Jamie Redknapp, who Jack worked with on Sky’s A League of Their Own.

Guests were asked to turn off their phones during the ceremony and were put on a social media blackout.

The newlywed pair are now headed to Venice for a stunning Italian honeymoon.

Coronation Street couple David and Shona Platt could be about to split up after some worrying scenes aired during Friday night’s episode of the world’s longest-running TV soap

Coronation Street’s David and Shona Platt could be about to split up after worrying scenes aired on Friday night. The couple have been together since 2016 and met after it emerged that Shona was the mother of Clayton Hibbs, who murdered David’s first wife Kylie in broad daylight.

David (Jack P Shepherd) and Shona (Julia Goulding) tied the knot in 2019 and whilst the marriage has so far survived numerous ups and downs but their troubles really seem to have started since the mysterious and calculating Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown) turned up earlier this year.

Having arrived in the soap’s crossover with Emmerdale, Shona immediately recognised Jodie as her long-lost sister, whom she had never mentioned before, and after moving into number eight, Jodie has insisted on meddling in their lives whilst posing as some sort of saint who takes care of household duties. This suited David and Shona nicely they went back and forth to the hospital to see their daughter Harper, who is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit after being born prematurely.

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Over the last few months, Jodie has made a habit out of stealing various items that belong to other Weatherfield residents, and, earlier this week, she stole a tablet from a little girl by claiming she was a police officer. On Friday’s instalment of the world’s longest-running TV soap, Jodie decided to hand the stolen tablet over to her niece Lily and pass it off as a gift, much to Shona’s dismay.

Shona told her stepdaughter that she was not to accept the tablet, and the schoolgirl stormed off upstairs in the huff. Later that day, the conflict was clearly not resolved as David reasoned: “Look, I don’t want the hassle, babe. Can we not just let her keep it?”

Shona shot back: “We agreed not before her birthday. And if we decided not to get her one, no-one should be giving her one.” A row broke out as David said: “Can we not just let her keep the thing and save the headache?”

Shona raged: “Oh, a headache, am I?” as she stormed off. All this time, Jodie had pretended to be flicking through a magazine as she sat on the sofa in the living room but was listening in and rolling her eyes every time her long-lost sister spoke.

When Jodie apologised to David, he said: “To be honest, I don’t… I don’t care any more. I mean, when you’ve been at the hospital all day, there’s bigger things to be worrying about than flipping tablets. It’s not your fault. It’s just Shona. She’s only ever happy if everyone else is miserable.”

Jodie said: “Hey, come on, that’s a bit harsh, isn’t it?” But, with a concerning reply, David said: “Harsh? Just you wait. You’ll see.” Fans have previously suggested that the storyline could follow a similar path Single White Female, the 1992 thriller that starred Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda and followed a woman whose roommate decides to steal her identity.

One said: “I am getting some single white female vibes, I won’t lie,” and another said: “Shona and Jodie. Remember the movie ‘Single White Female’? Jodie has copied Shonas hair.”

Another said: “I’m convinced Jodie is gonna try and steal Shona’s life, first her clothes, then her kids, then her fella!” There is definitely some mystery surrounding Jodie, as she was previously seen suffering from a panic attack after being harassed by an intrusive caller.

Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream from 7am on ITV X.

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BRIDGERTON star Simone Ashley has stunned in a tiny Burberry bikini poolside as she revealed she’s back in the dating game after splitting from her lawyer ex.

The actress began dating high-powered entrepreneur Tim Sykes in the summer last year after they were spotted locking lips at the US Open in New York.

Just a few months later, in December it was revealed they had parted ways reportedly “wanting different things.”

Simone then unfollowed CEO Tim on Instagram.

The gorgeous star has now stripped down into a selection of very skimpy bikinis for the latest Burberry advert.

Simone, who is also a model, put on a sizzling display as she posed on a diving board, soaking up the sun.

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The 31-year-old surely set pulses raising in the incredible black ensemble, which was trimmed with the iconic Burberry check.

She looked flawless, with her black hair styled in natural waves and a subtle makeup look.

Simone’s eyes were dusted with a dark brown shadow and a simple black eyeliner.

In another snap, the star flaunted her toned physique as she gave the camera a sultry pout.

She was wearing the famous Burberry print triangle bikini as she laid at the edge of the pool.

Simone sizzled as she was spotted with water droplets rolling off her body.

Elsewhere, Netflix star Simone put on a very leggy display as she posed on a bench wearing a black bikini cover-up.

She was also seen oiled up donning a pink bikini paired with a little gingham sarong.

Following her sad split Tino, Simone picked up her life and moved to New York.

Speaking on The Louis Theroux podcast, Simone said: “I moved to New York last year. I’m having the time of my life. I love it. It’s changed my life.”

But, it seems that is not all that has changed in the stars life as she made a candid admission.

She added: “At the moment, I’m dating. The plan is always to find love and have another great year in New York.

“I feel very ready for a relationship but I think it’s about finding the right person. I don’t get into situationships because it’s just a way to keep things vague. It’s not my style and I haven’t got time for that.”

Before her brief romance with Tim, Simone dated lawyer Constantin “Tino” Klein in the summer of 2022.

They called it quits back in January 2025.