Virgin

VIRGIN will soon be flying to a Thai destination for the first time ever.

From October 18, 2026, Virgin Atlantic will launch flights to Phuket in Thailand three times a week.

The flight will be the only direct service between London Heathrow and Thailand‘s largest island.

The flights will operate seasonally in the winter, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from London Heathrow and Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays from Phuket.

Tickets for the flights will go on sale on November 26.

The aircraft used will be a Boeing 787-9 and onboard passengers will get complimentary food and drink, entertainment including movies and TV series and WiFi available for purchase.

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There will be 31 Upper Class seats, 35 Premium, and 192 Economy.

If you can’t wait until November 26 to book flights, then package holidays will be available to book from today, with prices starting from £999 per person.

For example, you could spend seven nights at the four-star Sugar Marina Hotel Fashion – Kata Beach in a deluxe double room on a bed and breakfast basis, with return economy flights from Heathrow for £999 per person.

If you fancied something a little more luxurious, then you could stay at the five-star The Sands Khao Lak by Katatthani in a ‘Sands’ double room on an all inclusive basis for £1,599 per person.

Virgin Atlantic Holidays offers more than 230 accommodation options in Phuket, and over 80 throughout Thailand.

In addition, through the airline’s partnership with Bangkok Airways, travellers can head to a number of other destinations such as Koh Samui.

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer for Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce our new direct service to Phuket, giving our customers a flavour of one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations.

“As well as making the trip more convenient, they can enjoy exploring Thailand’s unique heritage, natural beauty and delicious cuisine.

“We can’t wait for our customers to experience our trademark hospitality on their next unforgettable journey.”

In 2024,  Bounce – a luggage storage company – announced that Phuket was the world’s most popular island holiday destination.

Phuket is known for having stunning beaches and a rich food scene.

For example, there is Patong Beach which is known for having a vibrant nightlife.

For families, Karon and Kata Beaches are then popular spots, with white sand and crystal clear waters.

Cultural attractions include the Big Buddha perched at the top of Nakkerd Hill – it is 45 metres tall and at the site, visitors can get 360-degree panoramic views of the landscape.

Phuket’s old town is also a famous spot to explore, with lots of history and pretty architecture.

For Phuket, island hopping is great day out as well, with the famous Phi Phi Islands and James Bond Island (Phang Nga Bay) nearby.

Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is then home to the island’s only remaining evergreen rainforest.

There are numerous walking trails through the rainforest, and on some, hikers can see waterfalls such as Bang Pae Waterfall.

Phuket benefits from warm temperatures year round, with the lowest temperature being around 25C and the highest 35C.

September is the wettest month to visit and February is the driest, with around two days of rainfall.

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In other news about Thailand, strict rules are in place for Brits across the next two months.

Plus, from kayaking and hiking to cooking classes and zip-lining – the Thai city that is top place to visit.

TUI, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have all cancelled or delayed flights and holidays across Jamaica following the devastating hurricane.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall yesterday on the island with speeds up to 160mph.

New images coming from Jamaica show widespread destruction, with most of the island left without power.

As many as 8,000 Brits are thought to be on holiday in the country, with many taking shelter in hotels.

And tour operators and airlines have since been cancelling holidays in response.

TUI has cancelled all flights to Jamaica until October 31, although this may be extended.

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And all package holidays to Jamaica have been cancelled until at least the end of the week (November 2).

They said in a statement: “We’re working hard to assess the full impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and the extent of damage to local infrastructure including resorts, roads and airports. 

“We want to reassure our customers that their safety and wellbeing remains our absolute top priority. 

“We understand this is an unsettling time and ask that customers currently in Jamaica continue to follow the advice of local authorities and their resort teams. ”

Virgin Atlantic has only cancelled flights up until tomorrow although this is very likely to be extended.

Flights VS165 and VS165 have been cancelled tomorrow (October 30).

And British Airways has also cancelled a number of upcoming flights, with passengers told to contact the airline.

Both Norman Manley International Airport and Sangster International Airport remain closed.

Just remember that you must not cancel your holiday ahead of the your tour operator or you will be left out of pocket.

This is because the Foreign Office has not warned again travel to Jamaica – it is only when it is advised against, that you can cancel a holiday for a full refund.

Instead it is better to contact the tour operator and see if you can push back your flight if you are wary of travelling.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The FCDO stands ready to help British nationals 24/7.

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“We have set up a crisis centre in the Foreign Office, including with support from the (Ministry of Defence), and we are also positioning specialist rapid deployment teams to provide consular assistance to British nationals in the region.

“Any British nationals who are there should follow our travel advice and the advice of the Jamaican authorities.”

‘Fully loaded’ devices are being used to stream paid for content including football – full list of UK areas targets most recently

The Federation Against Copyright Theft has issued warnings that it is cracking down on people using ‘dodgy’ or ‘fully loaded’ Firesticks to illegally stream sport and paid for content. It carries out raids and also monitors digital sellers of the devices in order to target suppliers.

The practice is increasingly widespread – and the most recent raids carried out in the country by FACT have been across the UK. Working with police the clampdown spanned locations across the UK, including London, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire.

FACT, in collaboration with police services are intensifying efforts to disrupt and dismantle piracy operations across the country by targeting suppliers who are selling unauthorised access to premium content, including film, television and live sports.

The most recent reported two-week enforcement operation saw FACT and police targeting 30 suppliers of illegal IPTV services. These individuals were visited in person and issued cease-and-desist warnings by post, instructing them to cease illegal activities immediately or face potential criminal prosecution.

As part of the enforcement action, South Wales Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Newport who was suspected of involvement in illegal IPTV operations, including the sale of illicit Firesticks. FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices, including Firesticks, which are now undergoing forensic examination. Additionally, FACT issued a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting illegal IPTV activity.

FACT warned that courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, ‘particularly those who do not heed warnings’. It said private prosecution undertaken by the Premier League resulted a 29-year-old from Liverpool, receiving a three-year and four-month prison sentence for selling and using illicit Firesticks.

The body often targets the month of November because a lot of the Firesticks are sold at this time of year. Kieron Sharp, CEO FACT said: “Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings—they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.

“If you’re supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are breaking the law and risk facing serious consequences.

“We will continue working with police to track down and shut down these illegal operations. The police across the UK have been unstinting in their efforts to tackle this criminality and we are grateful for their assistance.

“To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.”

FACT gets intelligence from Crimestoppers from anonymous reports from the public and works with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including The Premier League, Sky, TNT Sports and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute those involved in intellectual property crimes. Digital piracy undermines the rights of broadcasters and content creators by providing users unauthorised access to premium content without proper compensation.

Illegal streaming exposes your home to criminals, granting them access to data stored on your network, including banking details and sensitive personal information. Additionally, it can introduce malware, which can further compromise your security. Learn more about the dangers of illegal streaming at BeStreamWise.

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has expressed interest in running trains between London and Paris with a stop in the southeastern county of Kent, meaning an extra direct train route to Europe

A new train service would provide a second direct route from the UK to Europe.

At the moment, if you want to get from the UK to Europe by train (and you aren’t in your own vehicle), the only option is to go on the Eurostar from St Pancras International in London.

Eurostar trains used to make stops in Kent, but service was halted in 2020. Services stopped operating at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International because of the coronavirus pandemic, but they never returned when international travel did.

Earlier this year, Eurostar said just 4% of passengers travelled from Ashford, or Ebbsfleet, which is also in Kent. At peak times, it says there were 50 passengers from Ashford on each 900-seat train.

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That hasn’t stopped the Kentish people from expressing their dismay at the scrapped service. Around 80,000 of them have signed a petition to get their European link back. Jean-Claude Cothias, a Frenchman who moved to Ashford due to its connections with the Continent, has even considered leaving the town now that Eurostar doesn’t stop there.

“That connection, if it’s not there, it is hugely detrimental to the economic environment in the town and to its attractiveness,” he told the BBC.

It seems that their protests have worked. Italian operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane has expressed interest in running trains between London and Paris with a stop in the southeastern county.

The competitor is one of several train companies competing to run a cross-Channel route. Its plans include a £1 billion investment into the British economy, and the construction of an ‘innovation hub’ at Ashford station, according to the Times.

Virgin, German-owned organisation Deutsche Bahn, and startup Evolyn have been gearing up to make bids for access to the Channel Tunnel.

A Virgin Group spokesperson said: “Virgin is talking to Kent County Council and other stakeholders about stopping at both Ebbsfleet and Ashford as it set out in its ORR submission. Reopening the stations to be able to accommodate international services requires commitment and resources from all parties and potential competitors involved – but if the stations are opened, Virgin will stop in Kent.”

In January Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “keen” to see international services reinstated to Ashford “as soon as possible”, when responding to Ashford MP Sojan Joseph’s question in the House of Commons. Like Ashford and Ebbsfleet, Eurostar no longer stops at Calais’s international station – Calais Frethun.

Ashford Borough Council invested £25m for the infrastructure of the town’s international station, which opened in 1996. It also spent £8.5m more to upgrade signalling in 2020, so newer Eurostar trains could access the station.

Council leader Noel Ovenden has been a vocal critic of both Ashford International and Ebbsfleet stations lying unused by direct European services. “We want it open now, not in another five years. We need to keep banging the drum, louder and louder, and push hard to get this station reopened,” he told the BBC.

Josie North, who has a nut allergy, faced a “very scary situation” on a flight from Los Angeles, California, to Heathrow Airport and complained to the Virgin Atlantic team

A tourist with a severe nut allergy was left terrified after a pecan pie was primed to be served as a dessert on her flight.

Josie North alerted Virgin Atlantic attendants of her allergy and was assured no nuts would be served on the plane from Los Angeles to London Heathrow. However, just 15 minutes into the 10-hour journey Josie spotted the nutty dessert offering on the menu, and immediately called over an attendant.

The 28-year-old Brit, who is allergic to all types of nuts, said today: “I felt sick to my stomach. There was a chance I could die if that many people around me were eating nuts all at once.

“I told him [the attendant] there was just no way this pecan pie could be served. This was a very scary situation for me. If I was told they were serving actual nuts, and everyone around me is going to be eating nuts, I wouldn’t have got on the flight.”

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The issue has been topical in recent years following the death of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, on a British Airways flight. She had eaten a baguette – albeit bought at Pret a Manger – which contained sesame seeds, to which the teen was allergic.

But Virgin Atlantic staff had spoken to Josie to assure her flight attendants would accommodate her needs ahead of the flight last month. Josie, who runs a party card games business, was told Virgin is a peanut-free airline only, and so she insisted on speaking to another member of staff on the plane.

“I was very adamant that this was a very, very dangerous situation for me, especially as we were already in the air at this point,” Josie, from London, said. Eventually, the captain was involved and agreed the pie should be removed from the menu and replaced with Oreos and KitKats.

But Josie wants to raise awareness of her experience, and remind large organisations of the dire dangers of allergies. When she boarded the flight, the entrepreneur asked the attendant to make an announcement to let other passengers know someone on board had a nut allergy. She claims the employee only announced someone had a peanut allergy – while Josie is allergic to all nuts.

A “persistent” Josie insisted they do a second announcement, which they did, but shortly afterwards, she was horrified to see the nut dish on the menu.

Josie said: “I understand it might not be easy to eliminate anything that may have been contaminated by or made in the same factory as nuts.

“But to actively include food items that contain nuts on a flight is extremely dangerous and unnecessary. I’m sure most people go hours and if not days without having a single nut on land so why is it so necessary to have nuts mid-air with no access to emergency hospital treatment?

“I’m sure people would be equally as happy with a chocolate brownie or an apple crumble for their dessert! And there may even be children on the flight who don’t even know if they have nut allergies yet ” so what is the point in serving such a common allergen?”

A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “We’d like to apologise to Ms North for any incorrect information she may have received prior to her recent flight with us.

“We would like to reassure her that a full investigation is taking place. The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority and for any special requirements including allergies we ask that customers inform our Accessible Travel Services teams in advance of their flight.

“For the safety of any customers travelling with an allergy we would strongly encourage customers to take all necessary precautions including bringing their own subsistence on board and to prepare for the possibility of inadvertent exposure.”

Virgin has announced a six-month contract for a ‘Head of Yes’ to try out some of the company’s best luxury travel and experiences

You could earn £50,000 to travel first class, rest your head in boutique hotels or cruise the seas aboard a luxury liner.

Virgin has launched a six-month contract for a ‘Head of Yes’ to test some of the company’s finest luxury travel and experiences available.

The role offers £50,000 and all the successful candidate will need to do is document their journeys on social media. It follows research of 2,000 adults which discovered that attending live music events, enjoying spa days and booking last-minute getaways are amongst the experiences Brits wish to embrace more often this year, by saying yes.

The survey showed nine per cent are hesitant to say yes to various activities blaming anxiety about change, a fear of the unknown or financial concerns as main reasons not to.

One in five also say no to opportunities due to being trapped in routine – with millennials being the worst offenders. Nevertheless, eight in ten are planning to make a conscious effort to become more daring and venture beyond their comfort zones next year.

They’re hoping to attempt activities such as skydiving, riding roller coasters, or sampling different cuisines.

Andrea Burchett, chief loyalty officer at Virgin, which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s positive to see people wanting to say ‘yes’ more – now they just need to do it.

“Actions speak louder than words, so if you’re thinking about doing something that might jolt you out of a comfort zone, there’s no better time for it.”

Brits reckon that by embracing more opportunities – whether that’s weekend getaways or simply accepting help from others – will bring them greater happiness and boost their mental and emotional wellbeing.

Meanwhile, others anticipate it would leave them feeling more satisfied with their lives, with seven in ten adding that some of their finest memories came from embracing new experiences.

Andrea added: “The Head of Yes role exists to remind the world what happens when you stop overthinking and start living.”

“Life doesn’t get bigger by playing it safe,” Andrea adds. “This [job] is for the person who says yes to karaoke, to skydives, to showing up even when it’s easier not to.

“Saying yes is the fastest route out of routine. If your idea of a good day is saying yes to something that makes your friends text, ‘Wait, what?!’, then you’re exactly the kind of mischief we want to fund.”

Applications to become the ‘Head of Yes’ are open from 29 September until 10 November.

Hopefuls simply need to share a TikTok video detailing a moment when they embraced an unforgettable adventure, using the hashtag #headofyes to enter.

RICHARD BRANSON’S TOP TIPS FOR SAYING YES

Say yes first

Work out the details later. Most of life’s great adventures start with a leap into the unknown. Don’t overthink it – opportunities rarely come fully formed.

Turn fear into fuel

The things that scare you often turn out to be the most rewarding. If it makes your stomach flip, it’s probably worth doing.

Embrace spontaneity

Some of my best experiences came from last-minute decisions. Say yes to that trip, concert or crazy idea. You’ll rarely regret it.

Make “why not?” your default

Instead of talking yourself out of things, ask yourself why not. More often than not, the reasons not to do something are smaller than you think.

Seek out adventure in the everyday

Saying yes doesn’t always mean skydiving. It can mean trying a new food, taking a different route or speaking to someone new.

Surround yourself with “yes” people

Spend time with people who lift you up and encourage you to try new things – you’ll find yourself saying yes more naturally.

Value experiences over perfection

Don’t wait for the “perfect time.” If you’re always waiting, you’ll miss the moment. Jump in and learn along the way.

Challenge routine

If you’re stuck doing the same things day in, day out, deliberately say yes to something that disrupts your usual pattern. That’s where growth happens.

Let curiosity lead you

Curiosity is the best compass. If something excites you or sparks a question, say yes to exploring it further.

Remember – life is short

No one looks back wishing they’d said no more often. Say yes, collect memories and live boldly

THE Virgin Media Black Friday deals have become a headline act of the sales season.

With broadband, SIMs and bundles regularly dropping to some of their lowest prices of the year.

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Virgin Media Black Friday deals

So locking in a package in November sale often means cheaper phone and broadband prices that stick well beyond the sales rush.

Last year, shoppers walked away with three months of free service on broadband and TV bundles, plus extras like an O2 SIM and even a Disney+ subscription thrown in.

That kind of added value is what makes Virgin Media hard to ignore, and we’re expecting 2025 to bring more of the same.

So if faster internet, lower bills, or an all-in-one package is on your list, Black Friday is the moment to strike.

Read on for the best Black Friday deals and how to make sure you’re getting a bargain that really pays off.

When is Black Friday 2025?

This year, the annual Black Friday event will take place on November 28.

It follows Thanksgiving in the US, where the sale began.

Black Friday originated in the States several decades ago, before growing in popularity here in the UK.

Visit our ‘When is Black Friday?’ explainer to find out more.

Is Virgin taking part in Black Friday this year?

Yes, Virgin Media will be taking part in Black Friday 2025.

The sales event is a fantastic time to shop Virgin Media’s phone, TV, or broadband deals, as you’ll save a sizeable amount on a long-lasting product.

You can also treat yourself or your family to fun bonuses like extra TV channels or super-fast broadband.

The latter could be incredibly helpful if you work from home.

What to expect from Virgin’s Black Friday sale 2025

We’re expecting to see big savings on mobile phone deals, as well as broadband deals and TV bundles.

That makes Black Friday a great opportunity to upgrade or treat yourself to some new gadgets or super-fast broadband.

Like many retailers, Virgin releases some of its Black Friday deals ahead of the big day, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for any early offers.

What was in Virgin’s sale last year?

Last year, we saw a range of discounts from Virgin Media, including broadband and bundle deals.

Here are some of the highlights from the 2024 sale:

Broadband

• M250 fibre broadband, home phone and O2 SIM, £29.99p/m from 4th month – buy here
• M350 fibre broadband, home phone and O2 SIM, £35.99p/m from 4th month – buy here
• M500 fibre broadband, home phone and O2 SIM, £41.99p/m from 4th month – buy here
• Gig1 fibre broadband, home phone and O2 SIM, £29.99p/m from 4th month – buy here

TV & broadband bundles

• Bigger Combo Bundle: 190+ channels, ultrafast fibre broadband, weekend calls, £39.99p/m from 4th month – buy here
• Bigger Combo Bundle Volt: 190+ channels, ultrafast fibre broadband, weekend calls, £49.99 from 4th month – buy here
• Bigger Movie Combo Bundle: 200+ channels, ultrafast fibre broadband, weekend calls, £60.99p/m from 4th month – buy here
• Bigger Movie Combo Bundle & O2 Sim: 200+ channels, ultrafast fibre broadband, weekend calls, £70.99p/m after 4th month – buy here
• Bigger Sports HD Combo Bundle & O2 Sim: 195+ channels, weekend calls, £69.99p/m after 4th month – buy here
• Biggest Combo: 210+ channels, weekend calls, £79.99p/m after 4th month – buy here
• Mega Volt Bundle: 230+ channels, anytime calls, unlimited 10GB O2 SIM, £84.99p/m after 4th month – buy here

When is Cyber Monday 2025 and is Virgin taking part?

This year, Cyber Monday falls on December 1.

According to the provider: ”Cyber Monday, 1 December 2025, the first Monday after the Black Friday weekend, could be your last chance to grab a Virgin Media Black Friday broadband deal.”

Looking to save on more than broadband and phone packages?

Check out our best Cyber Monday deals page for more unmissable offers.

How much does Virgin’s shipping cost?

Virgin’s shipping costs vary depending on the service and the product you select.

Some Virgin services offer free shipping, while others have standard delivery charges.

Head to the Virgin Media website to find out more.

Does Virgin offer any other discounts?

If you’re looking to save big ahead of Black Friday, it’s worth checking out the retailer’s offers page.

There you’ll find a selection of deals for new and existing customers.

Has Virgin Media merged with O2?

In June 2021, Virgin Media and O2 joined forces to create one of the UK’s largest telecoms providers.

In January 2023, Virgin Media announced that its customers would be moving to O2 phone plans by the end of the year.

The merger means you can find the fastest, widely available broadband in the same place as O2’s great mobile services.

If you’re already a Virgin Media customer, you’ll stay contracted to the company, but O2 will now provide your services.

So, you can enjoy reliable WiFi and broadband speed boosts from Virgin Media and special perks via Priority with O2.

If you’re new to both O2 and Virgin Media, it’s well worth having a look at their combined Volt contracts.

Can I get Virgin Media?

Black Friday is the best time of year to switch to Virgin Media, thanks to the big discounts that come with the mega sale.

However, whether or not you can get Virgin Media’s broadband depends on the area and type of building you live in.

Unfortunately, it’s not suitable for all households just yet – but there is an easy way to find out.

If you visit the Virgin Media broadband page, you can enter your postcode to check if the service is available in your area.

Virgin Media will also advise you on the broadband speed you could expect to receive at your address.

You can then browse the various deals on offer, including brilliant bundle bargains.

That includes combining Virgin Media broadband with phone and/or TV deals, like the Mega Volt bundles.

Does Virgin Experience Days do Black Friday?

Yes, Virgin Experience Days offers Black Friday deals.

The company provides you, or a loved one, with the chance to try something incredible; whether it’s driving a sports car, snorkelling, or enjoying the view from the Shard.

In previous years, shoppers were treated to impressive savings on spa breaks, including a deluxe one-night stay at a local Crowne Plaza.

Bargain hunters have also enjoyed discounts on afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason and deals on a Thames lunch cruise; there’s a day out for everyone.

There’s already a Black Friday page that you can bookmark, and we’re once again hoping to spot several discounts on days out.

Don’t forget to check back on Cyber Monday too – Virgin Experience Day discounts typically continue through the weekend.

Virgin Experience Days deals

Does Virgin Atlantic have a Black Friday sale?

Virgin Atlantic is the company’s premier airline, flying customers around the world.

You can travel to Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and more.

However, we all know that airline tickets can be expensive, especially if you’re travelling to a far-flung destination, so any kind of discount is hugely welcome.

Luckily for jet-setters, we’re expecting Black Friday deals from Virgin Atlantic in 2025.

In the past, the company has offered several incredible deals, with up to £200 off flights to the Caribbean.

Fingers crossed we get the same this year so that you can save on your dream holiday!

Virgin Atlantic deals

Aug. 17 (UPI) — Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph while the outbands pounded the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with gusty winds and heavy rains on Sunday.

The U.S. East Coast is forecast to have rough ocean conditions through the middle of the week, the National Hurricane Center said.

The storm is moving westerly at 14 mph and could affect the East Coast this week, the the NHC reported in an 8 a.m. EDT update.

The storm was located about 170 miles north-northwest of Puerto Rico and about 270 miles east of Grand Turk Island after passing the Leeward Islands on Saturday.

The season’s first Atlantic hurricane reached Category 5 status Saturday morning, the highest in the class, after rapidly intensifying overnight. It became a Category 1 hurricane on Friday, the years’ fifth named storm.

Erin dropped to a Category 4, and then 3 overnight into Sunday, but remained a major hurricane.

“Since the large-scale environment is expected to be favorable for about another day, re-strengthening is possible during that time period,” NHC forecaster John Cangialsi said in a discussion. “However, it should be noted that predicting the intensity evolution from internal dynamics are challenging, and models often provide Little reliability in their solutions.”

There is a tropical storm warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the southeast Bahamas.

The storm was skirting Puerto Rico rather than hitting it directly.

Erin’s motion is expected to decrease in forward speed on Sunday, followed by a gradual turn to the north on Monday and Tuesday, NHC said.

On the forecast track, Erin’s core is projected to pass to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas on Sunday and Monday.

By Thursday, the storm is forecast to be a few hundred miles west of Bermuda and just outside the big tracking cone. Erin is then forecast to travel north hundreds of miles from the East Coast.

Erin’s outer bands will produce rainfall of 3 to 6 inches across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with isolated totals of up to 8 inches. “Locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides, are possible,” NHC said.

Also, swells will affect those places, as well as Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands, during the next couple of days, the agency said.

“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the East Coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days,” Cangialsi said.

He said interests along the North Carolina and mid-Atlantic coasts, as well are Bermuda “should monitor the progress of Erin as there is a risk of strong winds associated with the outer rainbands during the middle of next week.”

Erin became the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic storm season on Friday.

There have been four named storms so far this season in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Chantal caused major flooding in North Carolina but has been the only of the four to make landfall in the United States this year.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30. The peak hurricane season goes from mid-August through September and into mid-October.

Ninety-three percent of hurricane landfalls along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the East Coast have occurred from August through October, the Weather Channel reported in citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Last year at this time, there also had been five named storms.

Heavy rains are forecast to start with the storm expected to become a major Category 3 storm over the weekend.

Hurricane Erin has formed in the Atlantic Ocean as it approaches the northeast Caribbean, as forecasters warn of possible flooding and landslides in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The storm is expected to remain over open waters, although tropical storm watches were issued for Anguilla and Barbuda, St Martin and St Barts, Saba and St Eustatius and St Maarten.

Heavy rains were forecast to start late on Friday in Antigua and Barbuda, the US and British Virgin Islands, and southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Up to 10cm (four inches) are expected, with isolated totals of up to 15cm (six inches), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Forecasters also warned of dangerous swells.

The storm was located about 835km (520 miles) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 110km/h (70mph) and was moving west-northwest at 28km/h (17mph).

Erin is forecast to become a major Category 3 storm late this weekend.

The hurricane centre noted that “there is still uncertainty about what impacts Erin may bring to portions of the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda in the long range.”

Fifth named storm

Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to affect the US East Coast next week, with waves reaching up to five metres (16.4 feet) along parts of the North Carolina coast that could cause beach erosion, according to Accuweather.

“Erin is forecast to explode into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it moves across very warm waters in the open Atlantic. Water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet deep are several degrees higher than the historical average,” Alex DaSilva, Accuweather’s lead hurricane expert, was quoted by The Associated Press news agency.

Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

This year’s season is once again expected to be unusually busy and potentially perilous. The forecast calls for six to 10 hurricanes, with three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 177km/h (110mph).

Naga Munchetty was left red-faced on BBC Breakfast when she was forced to admit an amusing mishap live on air.

TV star Naga Munchetty found herself in an awkward spot on Saturday’s programme (9 August), admitting to viewers she was thinking “I’ll have to get out this one” after wrongly anticipating her colleague’s next move whilst presenting.

The BBC Breakfast host experienced an embarrassing moment alongside co-presenter Charlie Stayt as they prepared to hand proceedings over to weather forecaster Simon King for the weekly outlook. Earlier in the programme, Simon had been delivering promising news of continuing sunshine and an approaching heatwave set to sweep across the UK – welcome tidings for viewers nationwide.

However, unbeknownst to Naga, Simon had switched up his usual approach and opted to begin his weather segment with overcast skies and rainfall predictions. As the BBC Radio 5 Live presenter turned to face him mid-sentence, she suddenly realised the forecast didn’t match what she’d been discussing on air, reports the Express.

The presenting duo had been chatting about British seaside resorts and their iconic pleasure piers when Naga expected the sunny predictions to complement their conversation perfectly.

She began: “I think Simon will tell us…” before catching her error and adding: “It doesn’t quite look like it there.” In an attempt to ease the uncomfortable silence, Simon quipped: “I always try to link what you are going to say with the weather,” before admitting: “It hasn’t worked.”

Naga Munchetty candidly acknowledged a blunder, saying: “I turned around thinking, ‘yes, there’ll be a visual of sunshine or something’ and then ‘Ahh I’ll have to get out of this one’.”

Her co-host Simon chimed in with an explanation: “I’d been starting with the sunshine all morning but thought I’d focus now on the rain because we’ve had quite a bit across Scotland and Northern Ireland,” leading Naga to respond with sarcasm: “Thank you.”

The week wasn’t without its hitches for Naga and Charlie, as a BBC spokesperson had to issue apologies following a noticeable disruption during Thursday’s (August 7) programme.

In the midst of presenting the day’s news, Naga and Charlie were caught off guard by a technical glitch that resulted in some viewers seeing an unexpected switch to alternative programming.

Viewers took to social media to report the odd occurrence, describing how their screens briefly showed a preacher before returning to the regular broadcast.

The technical issue appeared to be localised, affecting only certain regions. Disgruntled viewers who encountered the interruption expressed their frustration online.

One perplexed viewer questioned on X: “Anyone else got tbnuk just taken over #bbcbreakfast?” A fellow viewer confirmed the anomaly: “Yes – and then a switch back after 5 mins without any explanation!”

Further comments echoed the confusion, with remarks such as: “Yes, I was so confused,” and queries about the source of the problem: “Its just happened again & also on iPlayer, but still #BBCBreakfast on BBCNews! I have Virgin – it may be coming through their feed?”

Another viewer shared their experience: “I had a frozen screen but it was flashing green and orange, no sound, thought my TV had broken.”

In response to the technical glitch, a representative from the BBC stated: “Due to a technical issue, viewers in the Midlands experienced a short interruption to BBC Breakfast this morning. We apologise for this.”

BBC Breakfast airs on weekdays starting at 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.

Netflix fans have been hooked by the latest season of Virgin River and are already on the search for shows that are similar to the hit romantic drama

Virgin River enthusiasts have been compiling lists of their favourite comparable programmes during the ongoing break, and the number one choice may come as a shock.

Netflix’s popular romantic drama follows nurse practitioner Mel Monroe (portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge) as she relocates to a quiet Northern California town after experiencing a personal tragedy.

She rapidly develops a connection with local pub proprietor and ex-Marine Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), and together they’ve navigated numerous personal obstacles across six series to date.

Adapted from Robyn Carr’s cherished book collection, the show has established itself as Netflix’s most enduring English-language programme since launching in 2019, with an additional two seasons currently being developed.

With the eagerly awaited seventh instalment expected to arrive either towards the end of this year or in early 2026, supporters have flocked to Reddit to identify the finest programmes offering a comparable small-town atmosphere, reports the Mirror US.

READ MORE: Netflix’s ‘horrific’ missing person series climbing charts despite ‘enraging’ viewersREAD MORE: Netflix users so obsessed with ‘raunchy’ show they’re watching it in one go

One member shared a compilation of nine programmes and commented: “Finished Season 6 and damn I’m seriously mourning right now.

“I made a list, so please help me rank the top 3 shows that exactly give Virgin River vibes. Thanks!”

Their selection featured Chesapeake Shores, Sullivan’s Crossing, Ransom Canyon, Sweet Magnolias, Hart of Dixie, Heartland, Gilmore Girls, Cedar Cove and Everwood.

Whilst the majority of programmes mentioned garnered appreciation from at least one supporter in the responses, a somewhat unexpected selection received the greatest backing.

One Reddit user simply declared: “hart of dixie!!!” A second chimed in: “Hart of Dixie!! Best show ever. Dare I say better than VR? (I love vr so this is saying a lot).”

Another fan confessed: “I was absolutely obsessed with this show, I wish I bought the series on dvd back then!”

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“Hart of Dixie! It’s a gem,” one enthusiast remarked, adding: “And Doc is still the Doc!”

Echoing the themes of Virgin River, the CW series Hart of Dixie centres around the driven Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), who relocates to the quaint town of Bluebell, Alabama to work as a general practitioner after her aspirations to be a heart surgeon fall through.

Her arrival and subsequent crush on local lawyer George Tucker (Scott Porter) stirs up trouble, especially with his betrothed, Lemon Breeland (Jaime King), who concocts schemes to oust Zoe from their tight-knit community.

As if the plot wasn’t enticing enough, the show also stars Virgin River’s Tim Matheson, who plays another medic, Brick Breeland, father to Lemon.

For fans across the pond, there’s good news – all four seasons of Hart of Dixie are ready for binge-watching free of charge on ITVX.

Are you set to dive into the ideal Virgin River alternative this week?

Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix. Hart of Dixie is available on ITVX.

THIS is the shocking moment a Virgin Atlantic passenger hurled abuse at a hostess he threatened to “gang rape and set alight”

Disturbing footage shows Salman Iftikhar, 37, tell stewardess Angie Walsh she would be attacked in her hotel after landing.

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He spouted his vile rant after downing champagne on an eight-hour flight from London Heathrow to Lahore on February 7 2023.

Iftikhar said Ms Walsh would be taken from her hotel room, gang raped and set on fire.

Another passenger, who filmed the shocking scenes, can be heard saying “holy s–t”.

Iftikhar repeatedly accuses Ms Walsh of being a racist and says: “You called me a p-ki in front of everybody.”

The 37-year-old had been flying with his wife and three children, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

Prosecuting, Abdul Kapadia, said: “During the defendant’s first meal service, the defendant was seen helping himself to ice, leaning over the bar he was drinking at, and taking ice with his hands.

“When told to stop, the defendant became irate, and started to film cabin crew with his phone, telling them: ‘Do not tell me what to do you b***h.

“When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: ‘Don’t tell me what to do you racist f***ing b***h. I know where you are from in Cardiff.”

Staff alerted the pilot and the seat belt signs were turned on, which only aggravated Iftikhar more.

He continued to call Ms Walsh a “f***ing b***h” before his escalating behaviour sparked a possible flight diversion to Turkey.

“The defendant was informed of this possible diversion, to which he replied: ‘I don’t care. F–it, go to Turkey. I have contacts,” the prosecutor told the court.

“The defendant then sat down, but his aggressive behaviour continued.

“His wife was ashamed. His three children were also on-board,
and other crew members were called to assist, but the defendant continued shouting and swearing.

“He was slurring his words, with his voice raised.

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“He shouted at the cabin crew: ‘Do you know who I am?’

“The defendant’s wife went to the food bar and tried to talk to cabin crew, but the defendant pushed his wife away, and shouted at her not to talk to crew.”

He grabbed one flight attendant, called Tommy Merchant, and threatened him with a fight.

‘YOU WILL BE DEAD’

The out-of-control passenger then told cabin crew he would blow up the floor of their hotel.

“The defendant knew the specific hotel, but also the hotel room numbers, and threatened the cabin crew with this,” Mr Kapadia told the court.

“He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dead on the floor of your hotel’.

“Iftikhar shouted at Ms Walsh and said: ‘The white sheep sh**ging b***h will be dead. The floor of your hotel will be blown up and it will disappear.

“He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire’.”

His violent rant unfolded in front of his wife and three young children – who were brought to tears.

Iftikhar was arrested at his £900,000 detached home in Iver, Bucks, on March 16, 2024.

‘IT HAS BROKEN ME’

In an impact statement, Ms Walsh said she was forced to take off 14 months and the altercation “changed my life enormously”.

“I can’t quite believe that one passenger has had this much of an impact on my, my job, my career and my life,” she said.

“I am a strong brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job. I am well known within the company.

“But I had to take 14 months off work. 

“I have been flying with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years. I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and I’ve even flown into a warzone. But this incident has broken me.

“But I don’t feel strong enough anymore. I was abused for eight hours and 15 mins. It has broken me. It was a very personal attack.

“I was doing everything in my power to protect passengers and the crew from him. I felt exposed and vulnerable, especially as we were 39,000 feet in the air. There was nowhere for me to go.

“There was one moment where I felt I could not cope. I went into the cockpit and had a meltdown. I said to the captain I don’t know what to do. 

“Even the threat of diverting the plane to Turkey or Baku, Azerbaijan, had no effect.

“I was traumatised by the threat of being gang raped.

“Never in my entire career flying for 37 years have I not been sure what to do.

“I have had the best career in the world for 37 years. But he has taken that away from me.”

He told Ms Walsh: ‘You will be dead on the floor of your hotel’

Prosecutor Abdul Kapadia

Iftikhar, of Iver, Bucks, admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment, in relation to Ms Walsh.

He was cleared of assault by beating and threats to kill in relation to Mr Merchant.

Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said Iftikhar was suffering from “amnesia blood loss” at the time.

Mr Walker-Nolan added: “Although there were over 100 incidents over the course of eight hours, the most serious, including threats to kill, were limited.

“The defendant has buried his head in the sand for a long period, and expressed regret.

“He has a long standing drug and alcohol problem which he has not addressed for many years.

“He is a successful businessman who employs a lot of people.”

THUG JAILED

Iftikhar has six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008 and failing to stop and possession of cannabis in 2021.

Judge Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC said: “Your threats to kill were made in the presence of children, specifically your three young children. 

“These were threats made with significant violence. 

“Your children had to be comforted by cabin crew staff while you made those threats.

“Ms Walsh has given up a job which she has loved for 14 months, but thankfully has now returned to work.

“This was a sustained incident which involved repeated racist abuse to Ms Walsh.

“You have a lengthy and appalling record of misconduct. You have not addressed the underlying cause of this for many years, that is your drug and alcohol problem.

“Given your lifestyle and your ability to earn money, your harm and risk has not moved.

“This was an appalling incident which has caused long lasting and devastating consequences.”

Iftikhar cried in the dock as he was jailed for 15 months.

His LinkedIn profile stated that he was the director and founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match.

Virgin Atlantic was contacted for comment.

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With Virgin River becoming one of Netflix’s biggest shows of all time and Sullivan’s Crossing following in its footsteps, could a crossover be on the cards?

Virgin River might potentially merge with another beloved small-town romance series, according to claims from this prominent star.

Drawing inspiration from Robyn Carr’s cherished bestselling novels, the Netflix sensation chronicles Mel Monroe (portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner who relocates to a remote community after experiencing personal tragedy.

Upon arrival, she encounters bar proprietor and ex-Marine Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), with instant chemistry developing between them.

The captivating romance has recently concluded filming for its seventh series, anticipated to arrive on Netflix towards the end of this year or potentially in early 2026.

Meanwhile, American audiences have been engrossed in the newest series of Sullivan’s Crossing, which follows comparable themes and draws from another Carr book collection, reports the Mirror US.

Given this link, viewers have speculated whether these programmes might intersect, and it seems we now have our response.

Starring Morgan Kohan and Chad Michael Murray, this heartwarming romance unfolds in Nova Scotia, centring on Kohan’s character Maggie, a neurosurgeon who chooses to reconnect with her father Harry, known as Sully (Scott Patterson), whilst developing feelings for former solicitor California ‘Cal’ Jones (Murray).

In conversation with TechRadar, Kohan revealed she’d enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to interact with Mel, Jack and the entire Virgin River ensemble should circumstances permit.

“That would be so fun, why not!” she declared when presented with the concept. Despite the considerable geographical distance between the two towns, there’s no reason why Virgin River and Timberlake can’t exist in the same universe.

Interestingly, Sullivan’s Crossing, which airs on CTV in Canada and The CW in the US, has also found significant success on Netflix, much like Virgin River, becoming its streaming home in the States.

The two shows even share a producer, Roma Roth, who is an executive producer for Virgin River and the creator and showrunner of Sullivan’s Crossing.

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With the Canadian drama gaining momentum and Mel and Jack’s love story captivating millions, could a crossover episode be on the horizon?

Regardless, Kohan has teased plenty of unexpected twists in the newly renewed fourth season of Sullivan’s Crossing, especially with the shocking revelation that Maggie is still wedded to her ex-lover, Liam (Marcus Rosner).

“I hope they can [stay together],” she commented about her relationship with Cal.

“They’ve built such a beautiful foundation, and clearly this is a bit of a bombshell.

“I think it will take some trust to build them back up, and maybe a lot of explaining… but they are so good together.”

As the fanbase for both shows continues to expand, could Netflix surprise viewers by linking the Robyn Carr universe on screen?

Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix. Sullivan’s Crossing airs on CTW and is on Netflix in the US.