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A flight attendant has shared the eight items she believes are essential to bring on a plane, especially if it’s a long-haul flight, as it will make your experience more relaxing an enjoyable

Flying off somewhere, whether it’s for a holiday or for something else, can be nerve-wracking, particularly when you’re facing a lengthy flight or you’re not an experienced traveller. One of the most crucial tasks before heading to the airport is ensuring you’ve packed all your must-have items.

Holiday packing can feel daunting, as it’s a mix of trying to squeeze everything in whilst avoiding creases, worrying about taking too much, or panicking you haven’t brought enough with you. Whilst many travellers choose to check their luggage, you’ll still be permitted to bring a small bag into the cabin as hand luggage.

Taking to social media, cabin crew member Chloe has revealed eight items she considers absolutely vital to take aboard an plane in your hand luggage, especially for long-distance journeys, as they’ll make your trip more pleasant and comfortable.

“Must haves on planes, from a flight attendant,” she posted on the opening slide of her TikTok post.

She then went on to dive into her recommendations of things that she things are essential to pack for a plane.

1. ‘Poo’ spray

Using the loo on an aircraft can be an uncomfortable situation for some passengers, particularly when nature calls for number twos. To make the ordeal more bearable for yourself and fellow travellers, Chloe suggested packing a ‘poo spray’.

Whilst it might sound peculiar, the spray is applied either around the lavatory or straight into the toilet bowl and will consequently mask unpleasant bathroom odours.

“It’s called Poopurri and yes it works. Be a good human and spray before you walk away,” Chloe posted.

2. Snacks & drinks

Next, she suggested bringing your own food and beverages aboard the aircraft. Her primary reasoning for this centres on how unforeseen turbulence or conditions might postpone the scheduled meal service.

“If turbulence hits, you might not get served for hours,” she explained. “Bring your own snacks and drinks, plane food is mid anyway.”

3. Disposable toothbrush

“Nothing hits like brushing your teeth after a long flight nap,” she said. “These little guys are pre-pasted! No sink, no mess, just fresh.”

The item she endorsed was a multipack of throwaway mini toothbrushes that already contain toothpaste, eliminating one additional product from your packing list.

Should you prefer not to purchase another single-use item, an excellent alternative would be simply packing your own toothbrush and toothpaste in your hand luggage for freshening up before touchdown.

4. Noise-cancelling headphones

Aircraft can be loud, which can make the journey feel considerably longer than it actually is. To combat this, Chloe suggests packing some noise-cancelling headphones for use during the flight.

“Trust me – they’re a lifesaver, she said. “Block out crying babies, engine noise, and snoring seatmates. “”.

“Just make sure they come with a wire for in-flight screens,” she added.

5. Steam eye mask

“Best travel hack I’ve found,” she said about her fifth tip, which was steam eye masks. These masks help to boost blood flow around your peepers.

The warmth can also help you unwind and drift off more easily.

“The heat soothes my dry, tired eyes and eases the pressure. It’s the only reason I can sleep on flights now,” Chloe said.

6. AirFly

If you’ve got headphones or earbuds that need Bluetooth to function, having a Bluetooth transmitter, such as an AirFly, will let you use your own headphones for the in-flight entertainment.

“A game changer for anyone who flies and wants to use their own wireless earbuds instead of those uncomfortable airline headphones,” Chloe said.

7. Good neck pillow

If you know you’ll want to kip or chill out during your flight, investing in a neck pillow can be brilliant for preventing a stiff or sore neck.

However, Chloe warned her viewers to ensure they purchase a decent quality one.

She said: “Not all neck pillows are created equal. Find one that actually supports your head or risk waking up with neck pain and regret.”

8. Passport and pen

Finally, as most travellers will already know, the most crucial item you need to take on your flight is your valid passport.

But Chloe also made sure to mention that you should pack your own biro.

“Double-check that your passport isn’t expired. And bring your own pen!” she said. “You’ll need it for customs forms, and flight attendants never seem to have extras.”

Chloe then shared a few more tips to make your flight more comfortable, including wearing compression socks, carrying gum or mints, a pill case with medications, sanitising wipes, hand sanitiser, a reusable water bottle, and face masks.

Chinese leader pledges $280m in aid to members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at summit in Tianjin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged regional leaders to oppose “Cold War mentality” at a gathering of a security bloc that Beijing has touted as an alternative to the Western-led international order.

In a speech to attendees of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Monday, Xi said that member states are facing increasingly complicated security and development challenges as the world becomes “chaotic and intertwined”.

“Looking back, despite tumultuous times, we have achieved success by practising the Shanghai spirit,” Xi said.

“Looking to the future, with the world undergoing turbulence and transformation, we must continue to follow the Shanghai spirit, keep our feet on the ground, forge ahead, and better perform the functions of the organisation.”

Calling for an “equal and orderly multipolarisation” of the world, Xi said the bloc should work towards the creation of a “more just and equitable global governance system”.

The Chinese leader said Beijing would provide 2 billion yuan ($280m) in aid to member states this year and a further 10 billion yuan ($1.4bn) of loans to an SCO banking consortium.

“We must take advantage of the mega-scale market… to improve the level of trade and investment facilitation,” Xi said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko are among the more than 20 world readers attending the two-day SCO summit, which opened on Sunday in China’s northern city of Tianjin.

Established in 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation began as a grouping of six Eurasian nations – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – but has since expanded to comprise 10 permanent members and 16 dialogue and observer countries.

Analysts say that China intends to use the gathering to promote an alternative to the United States-led global order and repair ties with India amid a shifting geopolitical environment under US President Donald Trump.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s office has urged the United States to reverse a decision to revoke the Palestinian leader’s visa, just weeks before he was set to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Palestinian presidency expressed “astonishment” at Washington’s decision on Friday to rescind the visas for Abbas and 80 other Palestinian officials before next month’s high-level meetings at UN headquarters.

Abbas has addressed the General Assembly for many years and generally leads the Palestinian delegation.

“We call upon the American administration to reverse its decision,” Abbas’s spokesperson spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh told The Associated Press on Saturday, warning that the move “will only increase tension and escalation”.

“We have been in contact since yesterday with Arab and foreign countries, especially those directly concerned with this issue. This effort will continue around the clock,” Abu Rudeineh said.

The spokesperson also urged other countries to put pressure on US President Donald Trump’s administration to reverse its decision, including most notably those that have organised a high-level conference about reviving the two-state solution.

Set for September 22, the conference is being co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia.

‘Ideologically driven’

The Trump administration’s visa curbs come amid growing condemnation of Israel’s devastating war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and a wave of Israeli settler and military violence in the occupied West Bank.

The deadly attacks have prompted a growing number of countries to announce plans to recognise an independent Palestinian state at the UN in September.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the revocations on Friday by accusing the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) of “not complying with their commitments” and “undermining the prospects for peace”.

Rubio also accused the PA of taking part in “lawfare campaigns”, including appeals to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to hold Israeli accountable for abuses in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

But Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, a US-based think tank, accused the Trump administration is “clearly violating diplomatic protocol” in its decision to revoke the visas.

As a host state, the US is meant to grant visas to UN member-state representatives and officials to visit the international body’s headquarters in New York City.

“What’s going on here is clearly ideologically driven,” Duss told Al Jazeera.

“There are people inside the Trump administration who are working closely with the right-wing Israeli government and their goal is to simply remove the Palestinian liberation movement from the international agenda,” he said.

“They do not recognise the Palestinian peoples’ right to state, and they’re both trying to prevent that on the ground in Palestine and now they’re trying to remove them from the international agenda in New York.”

European criticism

Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said the bloc is calling on Washington to reconsider its visa denials.

“In the light of the existing agreements between the UN and its host state, we all urge for this decision to be reconsidered,” Kaja Kallas said on Saturday following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Copenhagen.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also said the General Assembly “cannot suffer any restrictions on access”.

“The United Nations headquarters is a place of neutrality, a sanctuary dedicated to peace, where conflicts are resolved,” Barrot said.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he spoke with Abbas on Saturday to express his “firm support” after the “unjust” visa revocations.

“Palestine has the right to make its voice heard at the United Nations and in all international forums,” Sanchez wrote in a post on social media.

Ukrainian leader calls for wider international support to get Russia to negotiating table amid faltering peace efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on countries in the Global South to support diplomatic efforts to push Russia to agree to end its war with Ukraine.

In a social media post following talks with his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday, Zelenskyy stressed that the conflict “must be brought to an end” and that “the killings and destruction must be stopped”.

“I reaffirmed my readiness for any format of meeting with the head of Russia,” the Ukrainian leader said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“However, we see that Moscow is once again trying to drag everything out even further. It is important that the Global South sends relevant signals and pushes Russia toward peace.”

The comments come as a renewed diplomatic effort, spearheaded by United States President Donald Trump with support from European countries, to push Moscow to end its war in Ukraine has appeared to stall.

On Friday, Trump expressed frustration with Moscow over the lack of progress in efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement to end the war, despite his recent meeting with Putin in Alaska.

The US president renewed a threat that he would consider imposing sanctions on Russia if there was no momentum within the next two weeks.

Trump has been trying to arrange a summit between Putin and Zelenskyy, which has long been sought by the Ukrainian leader, to discuss an end to the war.

But on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said there were no plans for such a meeting.

Lavrov said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” programme that Putin had made clear he was ready to meet Zelenskyy, provided there was a proper agenda for such a session, something the Russian foreign minister said was lacking for now.

“Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit. And this agenda is not ready at all,” Lavrov said.

Amid the push for a diplomatic resolution, fighting has continued to grind on the battlefield.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Telegram on Saturday that its forces in eastern Ukraine had taken two villages in the Donetsk region, Sredneye and Kleban-Byk.

That followed the capture of three other villages in the region a day earlier.

The capture of Kleban-Byk would represent further progress towards Kostiantynivka – a key town on the road to Kramatorsk, where a major Ukrainian logistics base is located.

Cook, who has been accused of mortgage fraud, has said she will not be bullied by Trump into resigning.

The United States Department of Justice plans to investigate Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with a top official informing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of the probe and encouraging him to remove her, Bloomberg News has reported.

A letter to Powell from Ed Martin, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official who has led similar investigations into Senator Adam Schiff of California and New York Attorney General Letitia James, said Cook’s case “requires further examination”, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.

“At this time, I encourage you to remove Ms Cook from your Board,” Martin wrote, according to Bloomberg. “Do it today before it is too late! After all, no American thinks it is appropriate that she serve during this time with a cloud hanging over her.”

The DOJ did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Asked about the report, a Fed spokesperson referred to Cook’s statement on Wednesday, when she said she had no intention of being “bullied” into resigning after President Donald Trump called for her to step down on the basis of allegations made by a member of his administration about mortgages she holds in Michigan and Georgia.

The Federal Reserve Act provides no authority for a Fed chair to remove another member of the Board of Governors.

Cook, the first Black woman to be a Fed governor, is serving a 14-year term that began after her second Senate confirmation in 2023.

The effort to remove Cook comes as the administration has unleashed a campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and intensifies Trump’s ongoing effort to gain influence over the US central bank and push it to lower interest rates.

Fed under pressure

Central bankers from around the world gathered on Thursday in Grand Teton National Park for the opening of the Kansas City Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium, where Powell will give a keynote speech on Friday, sketching out his view of the economy and, investors hope, where rates are headed.

“I would just say that I know her to be an outstanding economist and a person of high integrity,” Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack told Yahoo Finance at the event.

US Federal Housing Finance Agency director William Pulte, who referred the allegations of Cook’s wrongdoing to the Department of Justice this week, said they arose as part of regular investigations into mortgage fraud by his agency and were not a “witch-hunt”.

“Defrauding people is nothing new,” Pulte told Bloomberg Television. “I believe that she committed mortgage fraud.”  He said that public records clearly show fraud and that a special exemption should not be made for the powerful. He said the fraud is “self-evident”.

Cook has yet to expressly address Pulte’s accusation, saying only in Wednesday’s statement: “I do intend to take any questions about my financial history seriously as a member of the Federal Reserve, and so I am gathering the accurate information to answer any legitimate questions and provide the facts.”

The Fed has held borrowing costs steady all year in the 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent range out of concern that Trump’s tariffs could reignite inflation that is still running above the Fed’s 2 percent goal. Recent weaker labour market data – including a report showing job gains averaged a paltry 35,000 from May to July – has increased Fed policymaker concern that borrowing costs may be a bit too high, and financial markets are priced for the likelihood of a quarter-point interest-rate cut at the Fed’s September meeting.

That would be far short of the several percentage points that Trump has called for.

Trump can name a new chair when Powell’s term ends in May. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the search, has nearly a dozen candidates, and all have voiced their support for big rate cuts and big changes to the central bank. Traditionally, Fed chairs resign when their leadership term ends, but there is some speculation that Powell would stay on until his term as governor ends in 2028, denying Trump the chance to install more loyalists to consolidate his control over the central bank.

Trump has nominated Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Stephen Miran, a Fed critic and enthusiastic supporter of Trump’s tariffs and other policies, to serve at the Fed in the seat vacated by the surprise resignation this month of Adriana Kugler.

Aug. 11 (UPI) — President Donald Trump urged China to increase its purchase of American Soybeans fourfold.

“China is worried about its shortage of soybeans. Our great farmers produce the most robust soybeans,” Trump posted on Truth Social late Sunday. “I hope China will quickly quadruple its soybean orders. This is also a way of substantially reducing China’s trade deficit with the USA. Rapid service will be provided. Thank you President XI [Jinping].”

The push comes just as American soybean farmers prepare for harvest, which will boost supplies. China is the largest purchaser of American soybeans, buying about 20% of them from the United States. It bought $12.6 billion in soybeans in 2024.

But U.S. government data show as of late July that China hasn’t booked any cargoes for the upcoming season as tensions flare.

After Trump’s post, soybean futures in Chicago jumped as much as 2.8%, the biggest single-day gain in four months, and traded 2.3% higher as of 5:15 a.m. CDT. Corn and wheat also rose.

A key issue between the two sides is agriculture. China has begun buying crops from South America and others. China agreed to increase purchases of agricultural goods during Trump’s first term but fell short of targets.

A tariff truce between the United States and China will expire Tuesday, but leaders from both countries have met recently to discuss an extension.

Earlier this year, Trump put a 145% tariff on China. China responded with a 125% tariff on American goods. The two sides ultimately agreed to bring those down. Right now, the tariff is set at 55%.

“The move to buy Argentina soybean meal is just a temporary fix,” Hanver Li, chief analyst for China-based Shanghai JC Intelligence Co., told Yahoo Finance. “If the China-U.S. talks go well, it wouldn’t be a long-term trade pattern.”

Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect the U.S. Department of Agriculture to boost its outlook for the domestic harvest in a report due Tuesday.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman tells Al Jazeera direct talks with Cambodia are priority as deadly clashes continue.

Thailand has called for a peaceful resolution to deadly border fighting with Cambodia, saying it prefers to settle the matter through bilateral dialogue while leaving the door open to potential involvement from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) if necessary.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Friday that the situation on the ground had improved slightly although clashes had resulted in casualties. “The fighting is continuing since yesterday although the situation today seems to be a little bit better from yesterday,” he said.

Thailand has tried to reach out to the Cambodian government in the hopes of easing tensions, Nikorndej told Al Jazeera. “We have always insisted we want to resolve this matter peacefully through bilateral mechanisms. … Very unfortunately, the Cambodian side has not reacted positively.”

While Thailand insists it has the tools to resolve the issue bilaterally, it has not ruled out future mediation by regional partners. “Our doors have always been open to talks. … We are still waiting for positive reactions from the Cambodian side,” Nikorndej said.

On possible third-party mediation, he added: “It’s a bit too premature for me right now to say that we are ready for any mediation, … but if we are going to talk about anyone to step in and help, countries in ASEAN … would be best suited.”

Malaysia, which currently chairs ASEAN, has reached out to both sides. Nikorndej confirmed that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spoken to his Thai counterpart, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, to discuss potential regional engagement.

At least 13 Thai civilians and one soldier have been killed and 45 people have been wounded, including women and children, as fighting continues along the disputed frontier. “We are defending our territorial integrity and the Thai people,” Nikorndej added. Cambodia has reported one death on its side.

Nikorndej said the Thai military came under direct fire, which contributed to the current escalation. In response, the government has opened evacuation shelters, deployed medical teams and distributed aid to civilians displaced by the clashes.

Cambodia has alleged that Thailand first opened fire on Thursday, igniting the fighting.

Thailand has evacuated at least 100,000 people from areas near its eastern border with Cambodia, as shelling and gunfire displace civilians, reviving memories of past conflicts. Cambodian officials said about 20,000 people have evacuated from the country’s northern border.

Cambodia first took the contentious border issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1963. In 2011, Cambodia again went to the ICJ in relation to the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ICJ ruled in Cambodia’s favour and handed it control of the immediate area around the temple in 2013.

However, the court did not address any of the other disputed areas, especially those within the “Emerald Triangle”, a shared border region between Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, where troops also frequently clash.

Thailand has refused to acknowledge the ICJ’s jurisdiction in this issue. Tensions have simmered until this year’s acute escalation.

A young woman emerged from the dark into a green and bushy clearing. Under the faux moonlight, she wandered the stage, speaking to herself. “Where’s my camera? I can’t believe I lost it. All my memories were there,” she said with a pang of panic in her voice.

Moments later, a young man surfaced from the same spot. His eyes scanned the area as well, with a pained look on his face. “Have you seen my drums?” When he plays his drums his heart races, he explained; his people feel joy, and the living, the dead and even the stars dance. “It’s like all our memories are there too,” he said.

With this poignant intro, Bad Bunny kicked off the “locals only” opening night of his 30-show residency in San Juan — which, for the first three weekends, will only be accessible to those who can show proof of their residence in Puerto Rico.

Taking place each weekend at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, affectionately referred to as El Choli by locals, the concert series revolves around his latest album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” and was advertised with name “No me quiero ir de aquí,” which translates to “I don’t want to leave here.” It’s a refrain that’s been associated with the artist since he used it as a lyric in his 2022 ode to his homeland, “El Apagón,” and he considers it still resonant today.

A celebration of Puerto Rican identity, a fighting spirit shaped indelibly by its music and history, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” also urges its listeners that time is not to be taken for granted, and the past, present and future are not just distinct phases but one whole, inextricably tied together.

(Lorenzo Lagares/For Los Angeles Times)

Fans that flocked to the opening weekend concerts were treated to Benito at the apex of his talents, not to mention his stamina. For three hours and over 35 songs, he danced, strutted and sang to the approving roar of over 15,000 in attendance. The show opened with rumbles of bomba y plena, and an unreleased track that got the crowd buzzing — followed by popular recent bangers like “Ketu Tecré,” “El Clúb” and “Pitorro de Coco.” He then regaled the crowd with a catwalk performance of “Kloufrens” and “Weltita,” which featured an appearance by Chuwi, the beloved tropical jazz quartet from Isabela.

The two stages were grandiose, both in size and production quality. The main stage was a reproduction of a hill, made to approximate the lush foliage found in Puerto Rico’s rainforest and central hillside towns. On one side, you could spy the two iconic Monobloc chairs from the album’s cover, and on the other, a flamboyán tree blossoming with red flowers. On the opposite end of the coliseum’s arena was a pristine pink vacation home, built to mirror the one from the short film that debuted along with the album.

That film introduced the characters of Old Man, played by acclaimed Puerto Rican filmmaker Jacobo Morales, and Concho, the sweet-natured Puerto Rican crested toad voiced by Kenneth Canales, which was brought to life by the stop-motion work of Quique Rivera. The two unlikely housemates returned in two new vignettes shown at the concert, in which they live in a cabin in the middle of snowy woods. Concho misses the Caribbean warmth, and feels very far away from home. A kind Morales reminds him: “We’re Puerto Rican no matter where we are, and even from afar we defend what’s ours.”

Remember, he says while looking straight at the camera, Puerto Rico is “the real calentón.” This cued a barrage of images that flashed across the screen, showing photos of historic protests and civil disobedience carried out over the decades by revolutionary Puerto Ricans.

(Lorenzo Lagares/For Los Angeles Times)

Benito reappeared under the flamboyán tree, where he was joined by guitarist Antonio Caraballo. Here, we got some of his lovelorn “Sad Bunny” persona as they reinterpreted acoustic versions of older hits like “Si Estuviésemos Juntos,” “Ni Bien Ni Mal” and “Amorfoda” before ending with “Turista.” All the while, Benito waxed philosophically to the audience, commiserating about matters of the heart.

From here, the action swiftly moved from the countryside to the pink house which suddenly filled with dancers in club wear — and Benito’s longtime tour DJ Orma. Those craving a rowdy perreo party got their wish, as his salsa-dembow hybrid track “Nuevayol” launched a 16-song stretch of frenzied, sweaty reggaeton and trap bops. Bouncing feverishly from “Titi Me Preguntó” and “La Jumpa” to “Yo Perreo Sola” and “Efecto,” Benito transformed the coliseum into a nightclub.

Among the guests that night were none other than basketball legend LeBron James, Golden State champion Draymond Green and UnitedMasters CEO (and one of the most influential men in Black culture and business) Steve Stoute.

James and Benito have a friendship going back several years, and it’s hard to blame the superstar for wanting to hang with his pal — even if said pal is an American — during a concert by an artist who is not really vibing with the United States right now. But then again, if the home we see on stage is supposed to represent an Airbnb owned by non-Puerto Ricans — which is what was narratively implied — Benito might as well flex and bring in some elite gringos. Chants of “MVP! MVP!” rang out at one point, provoking the four-time NBA champion to throw up a hand heart gesture to the crowd. It’s all love.

That being said: “LeBron James sat on an air conditioner and danced while Bad Bunny sang ‘Safaera’” is a ridiculous Mad Libs sentence that actually happened.

As he paced from side to side on the house’s rooftop, Benito would again touch on the topic of time. “You get so caught up in the euphoria of the moment that you forget to appreciate the present,” he said. He asked the crowd to put their phones away and focus on the next song, and on whoever is accompanying them, or even someone across the aisle who has caught their eye. “This is the moment to act,” he added, and ask them for a dance, just before the thrust of “Eoo,” made famous from his sensual Calvin Klein underwear ad, got the whole building quaking.

Puerto Rican plena ensemble Los Pleneros de la Cresta appeared to interpret “Café Con Ron,” as well as one of their own songs, “Ábreme Paso,” which gave way to a second video vignette. It showed Morales’ Old Man leaving the cabin and trudging through a snowstorm, until he ran into Benito’s musical director Julito Gastón — the young man from the opening skit — sitting behind his drum. As they lock eyes, Morales leaves him with a word of advice that’s not just about the music, but the core of his being: “Never stop playing your drums.”

(Lorenzo Lagares/For Los Angeles Times)

Bad Bunny resurfaced, looking a bit more subdued. He spoke softly, but sternly, about Puerto Rico and its struggle against gentrification and government neglect. “We have to protect this land,” he said. “We have to protect what’s ours if we want our children to make a life here.” He followed it up by crooning “Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii,” the solemn décima all about how the archipelago is being threatened existentially.

An animated crash course in salsa history, narrated by Néstor Galán, set the scene for Benito’s touring live band, Los Sobrinos to assemble. Dressed in a vintage ‘70s garb of a Fania bandleader, Benito led the group into the last and most rousing part of the concert: a salsa reimagining of “Callaíta,” which gave way to to “Baile Inolvidable” and “Dtmf.” The crowd leapt to their feet, twirling and stepping to the rhythms.

Before he launched into the opening freestyle of “La Mudanza” he paused to gather himself; he took off his sunglasses to reveal his eyes had welled up with tears and gratefulness. As the image of a giant Puerto Rican flag graced the ceiling, he motioned for everyone to sing and scream the final lyrics in unison: “Nobody’s taking me from here, I’m not moving anywhere, tell ‘em this is my home, where my grandfather was born, I’m from P f—in’ R!”

In the lead-up to last year’s gubernatorial elections, Bad Bunny spent hundreds of thousands of his own money buying ad space on billboards across Puerto Rico urging its citizens to not vote for the ruling party, accusing them of being the main culprits of the island’s woes. The ads consisted of a simple, white text on a black background. In the end, the same party that has led since 2017 won reelection; and since then, the current governor, Republican Party member Jenniffer González-Colón, has only continued to be mired in controversy.

When entering the concert area, the large screens over the main stage showed one message with white letters on a black background: “Yo Te Lo Dije,” or “I Told You So.” When the show was over and everyone began to trickle out, a new message appeared, recognizable to all: “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí.”

With his residency, Bad Bunny issues a rallying cry for Puerto Ricans: Act now. Change the future, so that you don’t regret the past. And most importantly, never stop playing your drums.

PA Media

Tory welfare proposals

TV chef Lorraine Pascale has hit out at Love Island over what she believes to be ‘tokenism’ after Alima was dumped from the villa and Billykiss coupled up with Conor

TV chef Lorraine Pascale has shared her opinion, claiming Love Island is ‘reinforcing the idea there’s only room for one Black cast member’ at a time after newbie Billykiss Azeez replaced OG contestant Alima Gagigo. The recent episode saw Alima and bombshell Ryan Bannister get kicked out of the villa in a double elimination.

As per the show’s format, the stars chose who to partner up with in the recoupling. Conor Phillips chose to couple up with Billykiss after they bonded during their first date, leaving Alima single and dumped from the villa. This Morning chef Lorraine took to her X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain about the show’s “tokenism”, writing: “Wow @LoveIsland. You finally cast a Black woman who was thriving, and then you replace her with another Black woman?

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“This isn’t representation, it’s tokenism. You’re reinforcing the idea that there’s only room for one of us at a time. That’s not diversity – that’s damage. Do better.”

It is understood ITV refutes any suggestion that any editorial decision it makes is based on race

Some fans shared how Alima could have been saved, with one user writing: “This is actually Ben’s fault when you think about it cause if he really liked Alima he would’ve recouped with her a few days ago, then Connor and Helena would’ve been coupled up and she would’ve been dumped tonight.”

“Bro, they should’ve asked if anyone wanted to couple up, Ben would’ve stood up for Alima, Helena would’ve been finally dumped ffs we were so close ugh,” another said.

During her time in the villa, Alima formed a connection with Remell; however, it came crashing down when she learnt he had shared a number of kisses with Poppy at the sleepover.

Upon her exit, Alima has spoken out about where she stands with Remell on the outside, and all things villa life. “Remell and I were getting stronger and stronger by the day,” she said of their relationship.

“When he got the text about the sleepover, I was with him, and as soon as he started smiling.

“I knew this guy; he wasn’t going to be up to any good. When I saw the clip, from that moment on, I knew it would take a lot for us to go back to how we were before. I wasn’t surprised by his behaviour at all.”

She was asked whether she’d be open to having a conversation with Remell after leaving the show. She said: “I don’t hate him and I’m more than happy to be civil, he was part of my experience after all! But in terms of anything romantic, I’ll keep myself away from that.”

After Remell left the villa, Alima found a connection with Ben, but her time was cut short before they could really give it a go. However, Alima’s departure doesn’t mean the end of the road for the couple.

“I want to see how he acts now that I’m not there and if he finds a connection. If he comes back single, I would be interested in seeing if there’s something we could continue…” she teased.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX*

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Martin Lewis has shared his top tip for those who are planning on travelling this summer and says that you should remember the ‘ASAB’ rule to get the most out of your insurance

Martin Lewis has shared his top advice for holidaymakers, insisting on the importance of snapping up travel insurance ‘ASAB.’ The cash-savvy expert stressed that securing your travel insurance early on guarantees you’re covered for delays or cancellations, and stressed that getting onto it quickly can be really beneficial.

Appearing on This Morning, he made it clear: “My travel insurance rule is get it ASAB (as soon as you book). People do get a little confused about this, so let’s break it down.” He further explained: “If you’re getting a single trip policy, so that is a policy to cover just one holiday, then what you do is as soon as you book, you go on one of the travel insurer’s website, you tell it your holiday dates and you buy the policy then.”

According to Lewis, if your holiday is in August and you’ve booked in January, you should sort your insurance in January, too.

He added: “That means you have the travel insurance in place to covers that holiday,” clarifying: “You don’t need to [cover yourself] for extra dates [in case there’s a delay at the airport] because you have your return date.

“If something delays you, so you weren’t back, that would still be covered because that delay is all part of the travel insurance.”

Lewis did make a distinction for annual policies, which should start from January if you’re eyeing up an August getaway.

The advice was shared to TikTok, where one person commented: “I always get gold with insure and go. It cost me £70 and covers me for two weeks. Guys insurance is cheap; just go get it! It covers luggage, hotels, medical, repatriation, a bunch of other things that could cost thousands if I didn’t have it.”

Another agreed: “Makes no sense to book an annual insurance in January when your going away in say August and Dec as you’ll only be cover until Dec where as if you book it from Aug your covered until Aug the following year.”

A third user stated: “Most banks give you the travel insurance covered with your account. Are you saying now we need to still book a separate travel insurance?”

Meanwhile someone else said: “I became seriously ill whilst in Turkey through no fault of my own and no warning which required emergency surgery, had I not had insurance it would of cost £16,000 and that was in 2008.”

And finally, another user contributed: “We usually buy annual insurance to cover a few trips. We’re looking at 2026 and 2027 holidays. When would we book insurance for those? Or would we just have to do single trip?”

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to “reject the logic of bullying and revenge” and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace as he expressed solidarity with all Christians in the Middle East.

Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pope said he was following “with attention and hope” recent developments in the war. He cited the biblical exhortation: “A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation.”

A ceasefire is holding in the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the U.S. intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful.

“Let us listen to this voice that comes from on High,” Leo said. “Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace.”

The Chicago-born Leo also expressed solidarity with the victims of Sunday’s attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to keep supporting Syrian reconciliation. Syria’s Interior Ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross, which killed at least 25 people.

“To the Christians in the Middle East, I am near you. All the church is close to you,” he said. “This tragic event is a reminder of the profound fragility that still marks Syria after years of conflict and instability, and therefore it is crucial that the international community doesn’t look away from this country, but continues to offer it support through gestures of solidarity and with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation.”

Ukrainian leader signs an accord with the Council of Europe to set up a special tribunal to one day put top Russian officials on trial.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the prosecution of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he accused of being a “war criminal” for launching Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Zelenskyy issued the call late on Wednesday after he signed an accord with the Council of Europe to set up a special tribunal to prosecute Russian officials, including Putin, for the invasion of Ukraine.

“We need to show clearly, aggression leads to punishment, and we must make it happen together, all of Europe,” said Zelenskyy after signing the accord with Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset.

“It will take strong political and legal courage to make sure every Russian war criminal faces justice, including Putin,” Zelenskyy said.

Putin is already facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for the alleged war crime of illegally transporting children out of Ukraine.

The ICC has the jurisdiction to investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, but it does not have the jurisdiction to investigate “crimes of aggression” or the use of armed force against another state.

The special tribunal is being established to one day prosecute Russia’s “crime of aggression” for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The tribunal could, in theory, put on trial senior Russian figures, including Putin.

It has not yet been decided where the tribunal would be based, but Zelenskyy said The Hague, the home of the ICC, would be “perfect”.

This is the first time such a tribunal has been set up under the aegis of the Council of Europe, the continent’s top rights body.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, previously said the special tribunal would “give Ukraine a path to justice for the top-level decision to invade its territory – a wrong that no other international court or tribunal can currently address”.

The European Council said the proposed tribunal could potentially be used to prosecute North Korean and Belarusian individuals who assisted Russia in the invasion.

The 46-member Council of Europe is not part of the European Union and members include key non-EU European states such as Turkiye, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. Russia was expelled from the body in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

Alongside its arrest warrant for Putin, the ICC is also seeking to arrest four of Russia’s top commanders for targeting civilians.

When heading out and about, it is important to be vigilant and keep yourself and your belongings safe. One woman has come up with a hack to keep bags protected

Exploring bustling city centres or jetting off around the globe can be thrilling, but beware the pitfalls of tourist hotspots. These areas are magnets for petty crime, with purse snatching, pickpocketing, and phone theft all too common, potentially ruining your day out.

To dodge these crafty criminals, always zip up your bags in crowded spots. Many modern bags feature inner pockets that offer extra protection for your valuables. But here’s a nifty £1 trick to boost your bag’s security even further.

A savvy woman has revealed a simple yet effective method to thwart thieves from silently unzipping your bag. All it takes is a basic hair clip. The brains behind Lulu Gigi accessories took to Instagram to demonstrate this anti-theft tactic.

The post declared: “Point of view: you found a way to protect yourself from pickpockets.” In a brief video, she displays how to secure a belt bag – a favourite for festival-goers, holidaymakers, and party animals – using a charming blue flower claw clip.

For added safety, she threads one of the clip’s ‘claws’ through the zipper’s metal loop. This small act could buy you precious time to catch a thief in the act, as they struggle to undo the clip.

This clever method could be the difference between safeguarding your belongings and falling victim to theft. And if the comments are anything to go by, the public is loving this ingenious idea.

One admirer exclaimed: “So smart”, while another hailed the trick as “very clever”. Another said this trick is “when aesthetics meets security”.

In the meantime, other users chimed in with their own suggestions in the comments. One advised: “Better yet, use a metal claw clip because it won’t break.”

Another shared: “I always do that. Helps a lot. Also put some plushies or those Kpop keyrings that are heavy and you’ll notice if someone is trying to open your bag.”

Yet, not everyone was sold on the idea. A user grumbled about the difficulty of accessing the bag themselves, remarking: “But it’s a pain when you want to use it! ?” Another concurred, commenting: “It will only irritate me.”

Furthermore, some expressed concern that it might provoke thieves to take more extreme actions. One individual pointed out: “People always cut the bags and put their hands inside.”

Another voiced similar apprehensions, questioning: “Do you know they use blades to cut the purse?”.

Regardless of whether you opt to try this technique or not, it’s crucial to remain alert and keep a watchful eye on your possessions at all times.

US President Donald Trump said he does not support regime change in Iran, calling it a path to chaos, and claimed nuclear weapons are “the last thing on Iran’s mind right now.” Israel and Iran are observing a ceasefire after 12 days of hostilities.

Qantas’ Travel Insider’s network has shared their top tips for packing ‘smartly’, including how to properly select and pack one essential item you are sure to need on every holiday

A group of Travel Insider writers for Qantas have divulged their best jet-setting secrets and name one space-sucking item you should avoid packing. Dubbed the “biggest space enemy”, this common travel essential should be packed in wisely and sparingly.

Qantas’ network of travel experts shared their space-saving packing hacks to help you fly like a pro. One of the key insights shared by an expert is to “only pack three pairs of shoes” at the most.

“Shoes are my biggest space enemy when it comes to packing efficiently,” shared the expert. But they provided excellent advice about which three types of shoes you should limit yourself to when packing.

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“I always try to apply the rule of three: one pair for going out, one pair of flats for day and one pair of running shoes for walking around and exercise (I’m usually wearing sneakers on the plane, which I can then wear day or night).”

The Travel Insider network shared a whole host of other exceptional tips to keep top of mind next time you’re packing. Another key tip was to keep your shoes in shower caps when travelling.

“Enclosing your shoes in the one–use plastic shower caps that are complimentary in most hotel rooms prevents the often–dirty soles making contact with your garments. Plus, they’re not as bulky or inflexible as shoe bags” advised one writer.

Other great tips include saving skincare samples to ensure a full suite of products on any trip – that stay within liquid and weight limits. As well as lining the edge of your baggage with your belts as opposed to rolling them up which takes more valuable space. Qantas’ travel experts also remind air travellers to pack “smartly” for easy access to essential items.

“Keep all the items you know you’ll want for the flight – tablet, headphones, wrap, passport, pen – in a separate pouch inside your carry–on bag. It’s easy to grab before you stow your bigger bag in the overhead locker and not only means you can settle into your seat faster but stops you having to get up and down to retrieve things you may have forgotten.”

If you struggle to decide what items deserve pride of place in your hand luggage, the experts at Flash Pack have you covered. The social travel platform has created an extensive list of the key items you should keep in your hand luggage.

Apart from your passport and travel documents, Flash Pack advises passengers to always travel with a spare pair of socks and underwear in their hand luggage to ‘prepare for the worst’.

Full checklist for carry-on essentials by Flash Pack

• Passport
• Portable charger
• Jewellry and other valuables
• Headphones
• Wash bag packed with all the essentials (toothbrush, face wipes, deodorant, etc.)
• Essential medications
• Refillable water bottle
• Socks & underwear
• Chewing gum or sweets
• Entertainment (book, magazine, tablet)
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs
• Neck pillow
• Compression socks
• Blanket
• Hand sanitiser

UN chief Antonio Guterres, in a statement read by spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, warned against escalating the Iran-Israel conflict. He urged restraint and diplomacy, and warned against any ‘additional military interventions.”

US President Donald Trump said Iran and Israel “should talk immediately” about de-escalating their conflict “before it’s too late.” Speaking at the G7 summit in Canada he said Tehran is “not winning this war.”

More RAF jets are being sent to the Middle East amid intense fighting between Israel and Iran, the prime minister has said.

Sir Keir Starmer said the military aircraft, including Typhoons and air-to-air refuelers, were being sent “for contingency support across the region”.

He said the situation was fast-moving and there were ongoing discussions with allies, adding: “The constant message is de-escalate.”

The UK last announced it had deployed jets to the region last year, when the government said British aircraft had been playing a role in preventing escalation.

Sir Keir made the remarks as he travelled to Canada for the G7 summit, where he said the weekend’s “intense” developments would be further discussed.

He later met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – a former Bank of England governor – in Ottawa for talks on security and trade.

Both will head later to the Canadian province of Alberta for the summit, with the Middle East uppermost on the agenda.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump are among those gathering there for three days of talks.

The prime minister is neither ruling in nor out the prospect of British jets helping Israel – as happened in both April and October last year.

Iran has warned the UK, France and America that were they to support Israel, their ships and bases in the region would be regarded as legitimate targets.

“We’ve already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region,” Sir Keir told reporters.

“Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we’re doing, all discussions we’re having are to do with de-escalation.”

The prime minister would not be drawn on whether the UK would be involved in defending Israel.

“I had a good and constructive discussion with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu yesterday [Friday], and that included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect, between two allies,” he said.

He reiterated that the UK had “long-standing concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme and recognised Israel’s right to self-defence.

Iran has threatened to target UK, French and US military bases in the region if they offer Israel help to stop Tehran’s strikes.

Sir Keir spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday afternoon, Downing Street said.

“They discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate,” a spokesman said.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have ramped up in recent days.

Iran launched a fresh attack on Israel on Saturday night, while the Israeli military said it was continuing to strike military targets in Tehran.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has threatened a “more severe” response if Israel doesn’t stand down. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier warned that “Tehran will burn” if Iran continues to launch missiles.

Iranian state TV reported 60 people had been killed in a strike in Tehran, while in Israel, officials said three people had been killed and dozens injured in strikes.

Washington DC and Tehran were due to resume talks on Iran’s nuclear programme on Sunday, but the talks have now been cancelled, mediator Oman said.