Holidaymakers heading to Italy have been warned to brace for major disruption as a nationwide transport strike threatens chaos across the country. The 24-hour walkout is expected to hit rail services, airports, metro systems, buses and regional transport networks from 9pm on Thursday, May 28, until 9pm on Friday, May 29.
Several unions have confirmed industrial action involving major rail operators including Trenitalia, Trenord and Italo, sparking fears of cancellations and delays on some of Italy’s busiest routes. Long-distance rail services connecting major cities including Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Bologna and Naples are expected to be among the worst affected outside protected operating periods.
Italy’s Ministry of Transport has published lists of “guaranteed” services that must continue operating during protected commuter windows between 6am and 9am, and again between 6pm and 9pm. Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority, ENAC, confirmed flights are legally protected during guaranteed operating periods between 7am and 10am and 6pm and 9pm.
The aviation authority has urged passengers to contact airlines directly for the latest updates regarding individual flights. Travel experts have also warned the strike could trigger wider disruption across European airline networks due to aircraft scheduling changes and increased rebooking demand.
Major travel hubs including Rome Fiumicino Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport, Venice Marco Polo Airport and Naples International Airport are expected to face delays, congestion and possible schedule changes during the strike.
Airport transfers, metro systems, buses and regional rail services may also run at reduced capacity or face temporary suspensions depending on local participation levels. Tourists visiting major attractions including the Colosseum, Vatican City, Venice’s canals and Florence’s historic centre could also experience delays due to disruption on local transport networks.
Travel experts are advising passengers to closely monitor airline notifications and rail updates as schedules may change rapidly throughout the strike period. easyJet said it currently plans to operate flights as normal but warned customers to allow extra time when travelling through airports.
A spokesperson for easyJet said: “We would like to reassure customers that we are doing all we can to minimise any disruption caused by national industrial action in Italy tomorrow. We are currently planning on operating our schedule as planned but would advise customers travelling to allow additional time to make their way to and through the airport.
“Should any flights be impacted, we will contact customers directly with their options to help rearrange their plans. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Italy remains one of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations, with millions of UK travellers visiting every year during the spring and summer seasons.
SAN DIEGO — Andrew Friedman got the last laugh last year, and another ring. At the trade deadline, you screamed he had to do SOMETHING BIG to get a left fielder and a closer. He did neither. The Dodgers rode a parade of starters to win Game 7 in Toronto, before they rode in a parade in L.A.
There are few things Friedman despises more than a deadline trade. The price in prospects is too high, the guarantees are too few.
Friedman might well face that same dilemma this year. We are two months from the trade deadline, and he just might need to trade for a starting pitcher by then.
Blake Snell undergoes elbow surgery Tuesday. Tyler Glasnow is back to square one in his recovery from back spasms. The Dodgers believe both will be back by the trade deadline, but you never really know for sure when an injured pitcher will return, and whether he will need some time thereafter to regain his sharpness.
There is something else Friedman despises: finishing second. It is not just about getting into the playoffs. It is about winning the National League West, with one of the two best records in the league, thus ensuring a first-round bye.
However, in a division race that was projected to be a runaway, the Dodgers find themselves in second place. With a 1-0 loss in San Diego Monday, the Padres leapfrogged the Dodgers for the lead in the NL West.
The Dodgers also figure to have a short time frame to determine whether they might need bullpen help at the trade deadline. The Dodgers have said closer Edwin Díaz is expected to return from elbow surgery sometime after the All-Star break, which would confine that time frame to two weeks, if that.
On Monday, Friedman said he was confident that the three key pitching injuries would not push him toward the July trade market.
“It’s more that the timing of the injuries would be way easier if they were spaced out,” Friedman said in a text message. “Obviously, injuries are part of the game and we can’t be shocked when it happens.
“It’s the overlapping nature that is tough in the moment, but that doesn’t really change July thoughts (at this point) or October outlook.”
In the third week of May, nothing is urgent.
The Dodgers are supplementing where they can, picking up three pitchers cut by their former clubs. The only one with name recognition: Eric Lauer, who posted a 6.69 earned-run average for the Toronto Blue Jays and complained about the team using an opener ahead of him.
The Dodgers can mix and match for awhile, but a team that prides itself on positioning its starters best for October success finds itself in an awkward position.
“You have to deal with the circumstances that are presented to you,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’re not pushing any of these guys right now. It could be a different conversation in September.
“Right now, they’ve got to take the baseball. In May, I don’t think it’s much cause for concern.”
Before the season, Fangraphs projected the Dodgers to win the NL West by 15 games, and to finish 17 games ahead of the fourth-place Padres. However, if what we see in the NL West right now is close to what we get all summer, that “different conversation in September” could involve not how to put a starter on a glide path toward October but whether that starter has exhausted himself to the point where he could not be counted on in an unexpected pennant race.
Ohtani is on pace to pitch 149 innings, a figure he last reached in 2022. He pitched 47 last year, none the year before.
Wrobleski is on pace to pitch 171 innings, 39 more than the professional high he set last season. He pitched 117 innings last year.
Sheehan is on pace to pitch 141 innings, 18 more than his professional high. He pitched 93 innings last season, none the year before.
Sasaki is on pace to pitch 137 innings, eight more than his professional high. He pitched 57 innings last season.
Maybe Lauer turns from a Dodger killer into a Dodger asset. Perhaps prospect River Ryan gets promoted into the starting rotation next month and sticks.
But July trades for starting pitchers need not be such a scary proposition. Friedman acquired Yu Darvish at the trade deadline in 2017 and Jack Flaherty at the trade deadline in 2024, and no one in Dodger Land is bemoaning the loss of Willie Calhoun, Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo.
FOR someone whose face never moves, Katie Price couldn’t hide her emotion yesterday as her husband Lee Andrews stood her up on live TV.
What was supposed to be the loved-up couple’s chance to quieten the naysayers turned Katie into a laughing stock as she desperately tried to explain Lee’s absence amid claims he had been detained in the UAE. We’re told the public humiliation was a step too far for those close to Katie, 47, but has it been enough for her to see the light?
Katie Price was left high and dry on GMB yesterdayCredit: ITVLee Andrews claimed he was at the airport and travelling to the UKCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
An insider said: “It’s not nice to see Katie put on the spot like that. All she ever does is try to be the perfect wife, but she’s struggling with the constant uncertainty.
“Her inner circle are worried it’s going to take its toll on her. It’s put a lot of pressure on the other relationships in her life – like with her sister Sophie, who has been terrified about Lee’s intentions from the start.
“Katie has been through so much heartache in the past and been treated so badly by men, and they think she deserves more – or at least some transparency.
“It’s one thing Lee supposedly missed the flight, but the videos of him at the airport while he desperately insists he is still coming are a hard watch. There is a feeling that he needs to accept the game is up, and they are just worried about how Katie will react when she realises that something is amiss.”
The couple, who tied the knot in January, were due to appear on GMB yesterday. It was set to be their first joint telly interview and a chance for them to set the record straight.
But while Katie, who had been visiting Lee in Dubai, made it back to the UK, Lee was nowhere to be seen. What followed was a bizarre game of will-he, won’t he, while poor Katie was left struggling alone.
There is ongoing speculation that Lee, 43, is unable to leave the United Arab Emirates city after allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend Dina Taji’s signature to secure a £200,000 loan – something he’s strongly denied.
Presenters Susanna Reid and her co-host Ed Balls told how they had approached the Foreign Office to see if Lee had a travel ban.
They said they had been informed they had “supported a British man detained in the United Arab Emirates”.
When the pair quizzed Katie as to whether this was Lee, she said he had denied it in a voice note and added laughing emoji icons to his message.
Explaining the reason for his no-show, Katie, who wore a pink shirt and gold hoop earrings for her chat, said: “He just didn’t make the flight.
“He’s coming here to spend quite a few months now. He’s been sorting out my visa, my international driving licence.
“He’s flying from Muscat, and he had things to do; he didn’t make the flight, but he’s at the airport now”.
Lee reinforced her words as he took to his social media page from the departures lounge.
He praised Katie’s appearance on GMB and said: “Yes, I am at the airport and flying to my wife, who did very well on GMB today.
“And I am on my way to her. I had a couple of things that I had to do last-minute; I couldn’t make the show. I was hoping to get on there with the Zoom link, but they carried on with Kate, and she did really, really well”.
Katie appeared upset when she found out Lee wouldn’t be on GMBCredit: BackGridKatie and Lee’s marriage has been highly controversial and full of AI picturesCredit: wesleeeandrews/Instagram
Mum of three Susanna mused: “I wonder if he’s telling you everything, do you trust him?” to which Katie said, “Yes”.
He then asked if Lee was normally unreliable, and she replied: “Not with me”.
Our insider added: “Katie was desperate to keep painting a happy picture, but the cracks are starting to show. She will have been upset about the line of questioning about the man she loves. She is a hopeless romantic and wants to believe the best in Lee, even if no one else does.”
The interview was a disaster, and clips of Katie frantically trying to defend Lee quickly went viral, and Lee was heavily scrutinised. Some people claimed the video he shared wasn’t filmed where he said it was, while others felt sympathy towards her.
Who is Katie Price’s husband Lee Andrews?
KATIE Price tied the knot with Lee Andrews in January 2026. Yet who is he?
Failed actor is just another title to add toLee’s questionable CV, after he claimed to have once worked as the Director of Philanthropy at The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust)
Lee also shared images – since proven to be AI – of him working with Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian
It’s been revealed shameless Lee told former girlfriends that he had studied at Cambridge University, and has a PhD in biotechnology science
But The Sun has seen a response from the university explaining it could not find a record of Lee being registered as a student with a date of birth they had provided
His LinkedIn profile says Lee has been a Member of the Board of Advisors to the Labour Party since 2015
Lee was also mocked for repeating theexact same wedding proposalon Katie – that he did for another woman just four months ago.
One person commented: “I actually feel a bit sorry for her.”
Another remarked: “This is so sad. The penny still has not dropped, even though GMB know its him that’s been detained as they would have had it confirmed. I hope Suzannah told her after the cameras stopped rolling.”
And as the day went on, it seemed less and less likely Lee would actually arrive, despite his insisting he was on his way.
There certainly seems to be some confusion with the couple’s timeline – over 12 hours before she was due on GMB, Katie posted on her social media – in a video which has now been deleted – to reveal Lee was joining her
She said on social media: “Where the hell is my husband? Lee will not be on Good Morning Britain with me!!”
She added: “Well, he is not coming, which is gutting really as he said he was coming, so I’m getting the house ready for me”.
And for the first time, the tide might be slightly turning for Katie, and in a surprise movie, she did lay down an ultimatum.
Katie said that although Lee “pays for” her flights to Dubai, she needs him to be more present in the UK.
Katie has said she can no longer keep travelling back and forth to DubaiCredit: Instagram/mistraesthetics/Those close to Katie fear she is headed for more heartacheCredit: Getty
The mum-of-five, who hasn’t even been able to introduce her kids to Lee, said: “I’ve been in Dubai, I came back on Friday.
“But because I can’t keep going to Dubai, because obviously I’ve got work and my kids here.
Susanna quipped: “And it’s expensive”, and Katie replied: “Well, he pays for it anyway.”
Theme parks are an expensive day out. But there are inexpensive options outside of the major parks, and here are some that offer value for money days out for families ahead of half term
Which theme parks offer the best value for money?(Image: handout)
With a combination of better weather and half term on the way, many people will be heading to theme parks in the coming weeks. However, theme parks are a pricey choice for a day out. It’s not just the cost of the ticket itself, but the extras, such as parking, food, and drinks that add up.
But some theme parks do offer better value for money than others. Aqua, a credit cardprovider, has compared the cost of theme parks across the UK, looking at factors such as the average adult ticket price, the cost per rollercoaster based on ticket price, and even the average cost of a hotel nearby if you stay overnight.
Here are the top five theme parks based on value for money.
Opened in the 1970s, this beachfront amusement park in Aberdeen is a fun family day out. For £24.99, adults can enjoy unlimited rides, a round of pirate golf, and other activities. Rides include a 100ft Ferris wheel, bumper boats, a huge swing ship, and waltzers, and visitors can also enjoy a soft play area, indoor arcade, and go-karting, so there’s something for all weathers.
4. M&D’s Scotland Theme Park – Strathclyde
Scottish theme park M&Ds is currently celebrating its 30th year, and offers wristbands for unlimited rides all day for £19.95. However, if you’re not a rollercoaster fan, you can still enter for free, or pay for individual rides. Attractions include the Miami Rip Tide that twirls riders round in the air, the 21m high Freak Out, and the classic Runaway Mine Train.
3. Fantasy Island – Skegness and Gulliver’s Land – Buckinghamshire
Two theme parks shared first place. Fantasy Island in Skegness offers free entry to the park and on-site market, and you can then choose whether to buy a ride wristband. Costs vary depending on when you visit, with unlimited wristbands starting at £22.50. Rides include Wild River Rapids, the Volcano, which sees guests plunge 183 feet, and the Odyssey rollercoaster.
Gulliver’s has four theme parks across the UK, and Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes was highlighted as the best value. It offers free parking, which not all theme parks do, with the average ticket price at £26. While Fantasy Island got slightly higher reviews overall, Gulliver’s Land offers plenty of family fun with rides including Jungle Falls flume, the Buccaneer pirate swing, and Dragon Siege.
2. Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park – North Yorkshire
Offering 11 rollercoasters, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is a packed day out with the average adult ticket price coming in at £25. The park changed hands in January, with the new owners aiming to turn the attraction around. It has over 35 rides and attractions, including the brand new Spinning Racer Family Rollercoaster, which “sends you twisting, turning and spinning through sweeping bends and surprise drops.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach clinched the top spot, likely due to its large number of roller coasters for its ticket price. The average adult ticket is £32, and this includes unlimited access to 26 rides, including 10 rollercoasters, four of which are classic wooden coasters.
Blackpool’s thrill rides include the Big One, which includes a 235ft drop, Valhalla, an award-winning water ride, and Grand National, a classic wooden racing coaster. Not into adrenaline-thumping rides? The park is also home to Nickelodeon Land, which includes PAW Patrol and SpongeBob themed areas, and lots of family-friendly rides too.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
One day Delcy Rodríguez calls for a reform to the justice system after announcing the sudden revocation of the amnesty law her brother sponsored. The other, rumors suggest she’ll reshuffle the country’s higher court without providing any indication of who the new magistrates are going to be. The central bank president she recently named prepares to disclose figures to the IMF for the first time in decades.
The public does little else than follow the news, as if things were normal. Futile debate has emerged on social media over whether the new US chief of mission in Caracas is more hawkish than his predecessor. Or if the opposition has racist tendencies because a singer (once popular in the 2000s) called Delcy an ape in the opposition’s largest rally in years.
The picture of the country in recent weeks is one of Delcy Rodríguez calling the shots with near-total freedom. She has been enjoying a clear head start over a potential presidential election, as she crisscrosses Venezuela on what amounts to an unofficial campaign tour. In Caracas, she keeps changing everything so that nothing really changes. She is intent on controlling government offices in the next four years through newly promoted loyalists and a clean inflow of petrodollars. The chavista elite has looked more confident in the meantime, touring with Delcy in sky-blue outfits, leading cartoonish chants for peace and national union as if the internal contradictions that surfaced two months ago were now less important, because the possibility of survival looks clearer.
Back in February, optimists would discuss the scope of Washington’s coercion capacity over the “caretaker” regime, the boundaries that (if crossed) would trigger a “second wave” of attacks, the disappearance of Alex Saab as a prelude of a broader purge against other “untouchables” that overtly normalized the commission of terror. Now, lunatics like Diosdado Cabello’s nephew, Alejandro Rondón, claim on social media that “the recess is about to end” the same day Delcy says the amnesty scheme ran its course and Cabello recounts an unlikely justice system crackdown.
What followed January 3rdwas a paradigm change with positive practical consequences for society that chavismo quickly learned to manage if not reverse.
Alejandro doesn’t look like the brightest dude. He’s another chavista nepo-kid working for the other Cabello uncle that controls Venezuela’s taxing authority, Jose David, though Alejandro made a name for himself with rage-baiting tweets that celebrated Maduro’s “victory” in 2024 and claimed the opposition were terrorists who falsified the official voting records (i.e. Diosdado’s talking points during the tun-tun operation).]
But an emboldened member of the Cabello Rondón clan is a troubling sign for those who fled the country after being placed on “treason” blacklists. It also undercuts the very notions of pluralism and national reconciliation that Marco Rubio invoked three months ago when outlining his vision for Venezuela’s democratic transition before US senators. Shortly thereafter, Rondón drove the point home by publicly wishing Donald Trump well after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The message seems clear: the arrangement with Team Trump is comfortable enough that, however fraught the geopolitical backdrop, they can afford to be flippant—even in public. They remain, unmistakably, the bullies in town.
The long wait for elections (or just a calendar?)
What followed January 3rd was a paradigm change with positive practical consequences for society that chavismo quickly learned to manage if not reverse. Allies of Maria Corina Machado who spent the past two years jailed or hiding are back in the street, even providing testimonies about their imprisonment. The student movement has undergone a revival, liaising with human rights groups to set up carefully-controlled protests. Censorship isn’t what it used to be, so journalists have tried to take advantage of that opening. Pensioners and public workers have perhaps become the loudest actor in confronting Rodríguez, despite having to face colectivos and National Guards whenever they hit the streets.
Repression has become less intense, but the lack of a clear electoral calendar keeps the opposition on the sidelines, waiting for the arrival of Machado, which is no less paralyzing. The amnesty law passed on February 19 effectively funneled the release of political prisoners, shattering expectations of a “landmark outcome” that would speed up the process.
Indeed, the statute’s contents make more than 180 supposed military rebels ineligible, although the release of a handful of FANB officers in recent days reinforces the idea that a law wasn’t necessary to get people out of jail. Nearly 300 civilians are still imprisoned, and we haven’t seen significant breakthroughs in the past few weeks.
According to figures from NGO Foro Penal (based on documented cases), the political prisoner population fell by 40% in the two months following the US military intervention—dropping from 863 detainees in late December to 526 by March 2. The pace has clearly slowed since then. Chavismo released 36 people between March and April, and 17 over the past 18 days (about 6% of the pre–January 3 total). The regime still resorts to sporadic arbitrary arrests and intimidation. Alexis Paparoni, an opposition figure in Mérida (and brother of Carlos Paparoni), was briefly detained while traveling and later released under precautionary measures. A similar incident occurred last weekend with a government employee in Guárico, who was detained for having a note on his desk bearing the now-infamous slur directed at Delcy.
“These prisoners are currently incarcerated because POTUShas chosen to appease and praise the perpetrators instead of supporting their victims,” Burelli recently told Senator Scott.
The White House appears satisfied with results so far. Venezuela is now subject to sweeping sanctions relief across oil, gas, minerals, and fertilizers, while OFAC has issued waivers allowing operations with public banks. Most notably, Delcy Rodríguez has been removed from the Specially Designated Nationals list—effectively unfreezing her US-based assets and clearing the way for financial dealings under American jurisdiction.
The opposition leadership has largely stuck to its 2025 strategy of projecting trust and patience toward Donald Trump. María Corina Machado continues to argue that Trump is the head of state who has done the most to advance Venezuela’s liberation and maintains that the Rodríguez government is dismantling the Maduro-era “structures of corruption and repression.” However, she acknowledged last week that a bout of political instability cannot be ruled out.
“The risk is that if people feel the path [toward freedom and democracy] is beginning to close, they may start to push back in a disorganized and potentially anarchic way,” she told esRadio hosts in Madrid. “That’s why a clearly defined electoral calendar is a guarantee of peace and stability. That would help people accept that this process will last a bit longer, as institutions must be strengthened and we need to take time to prepare for a truly impeccable election.”
Running out of patience
Criticism of the Trump administration’s handling in Venezuela continues to grow among groups of scholars and foreign policy observers, while opposition parties remain largely quiet and prefer to let Machado formulate their stance.
But in general, there’s a tense awareness that the waters are getting muddy. Some in journalism, and other opposition allies are starting to lose their patience.
Venezuelan journalist Sebastiana Barraez, an outspoken critic of chavismo and popular source on repression, told her audience that Venezuelan people have no guarantees about their future. Two days ago, she admitted the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro had raised hopes of a new democracy and true institutional recovery.
“It turns out none of that is happening,” Barráez said. “In Venezuela, Trump is promoting the interests of the United States. The problem is that those interests are not compatible with what we Venezuelans are looking for.”
Pedro Mario Burelli, an independent advisor for the opposition, is among the few figures to be pressing Washington over its ties with Delcy Rodríguez, calling Trump’s decision to elevate her an “incoherent strategy.” He has warned that doing business with Minerven makes the US an effective enabler of environmental crimes in Venezuela’s south. In March, he told The Atlantic that the remaining political prisoners now belong to Trump and Rubio.
“These prisoners are currently incarcerated because POTUS has chosen to appease and praise the perpetrators instead of supporting their victims. Constantly praising Delcy is disgraceful and an insult to the vast majority of Venezuelans”, Burelli told GOP Senator Rick Scott on Sunday.“Faulting her, as you and some of your colleagues do, is disingenuous. Venezuelans rightfully expect, and deserve, much more from democratically elected US officials.”
In Los Angeles, Green holed a curling 12-foot birdie putt on the first play-off hole to win this LPGA Tour event for the third time in four years.
It was a stunning victory for Green given she had briefly been six shots adrift of the lead after Kim Sei-young chipped in for an eagle three on the 11th.
Green responded with the first of five birdies in six holes as she reeled in Kim and Im Jin-hee and all three finished on 17 under par.
“I didn’t think I was still in the tournament,” said Green, who won her only major, the Women’s PGA Championship, in 2019.
On her tournament-winning stroke, she added: “I had that putt, similar line in regulation, so I felt somewhat comfortable.”
Kim had already missed a 35-foot birdie attempt while Im – penalised a stroke for slow play during Saturday’s third round – was also unable to get down in three after a wayward tee shot.
The tournament was played at El Caballero for the second year because of course renovations at Wilshire where Green had won this title in 2023 and 2024.
During Saturday’s round, the tournament’s prize money was increased by $1m to $4.75m (£3.5m), lifting the purse to the highest on the tour outside of the major championships and season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
As a result of that, Green took home $712,500, up from $562,500.
The Chevron Championship, the first women’s major of the year, stars on Thursday in Houston, Texas.
The budget airline made the announcement saying the move was a ‘milestone’
easyJet has announced six new routes(Image: Getty)
Passengers travelling on easyJet have been told a major change will improve their choice.
The budget airline has announced it will start offering six new routes to travellers. This includes two connections between the UK and Morocco. This month, easyJet officially opened its new three-aircraft base in Marrakech, Morocco, a development expected to generate approximately 100 new jobs. This coincided with the unveiling of six new routes to Morocco for next winter.
These include Newcastle to Marrakech, launching in November, and Birmingham to Agadir. The additions bring the total number of routes to Morocco to 58, including 30 to Marrakech.
Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said: “We couldn’t be happier to launch our base in Morocco for our 20th year of operations in the country and to mark the milestone of 20 million passengers flown over that time.
“This is a milestone for our development in the region, providing more travel opportunities than ever before for our airline and holidays [for] customers, while contributing to the local economy through tourism and the jobs we are creating.”
New winter routes now on sale
Prague – Marrakech, will be operated from 25 October, two times a week (Wednesday and Sunday)
Newcastle – Marrakech, will be operated from 3 November 2026, two times a week (Tuesday and Saturday)
Zurich –Marrakech, will be operated from 28 October 2026, two times a week (Wednesday and Saturday)
