Jewish MP’s visit to school cancelled after pro-Palestine campaign
A Jewish MP was banned from visiting a local school in his constituency after a campaign by a pro-Palestine group.
Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been due to visit Bristol Brunel Academy in September, but the booking was called off shortly before his appearance.
The cancellation was labelled a “victory” by the Bristol branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which protested against the visit.
The decision has now been highlighted by communities secretary Steve Reed, who described the move as an “absolute outrage”.
Speaking to the Jewish News editor on Sunday, Mr Reed said: “I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers. That is an absolute outrage.”
Condemning the move and asked what actions would be taken, he said: “They will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children. You just can’t have it.”
Mr Reed did not name the colleague, but sources have confirmed he was referring to Mr Egan, who has not commented.
In a Facebook post after the visit was cancelled, Bristol’s Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch said: “Victory for parents, teachers and the community. The planned school visit today (Friday September 5) by Damian Egan, MP for Bristol North East, has been cancelled after concerns were raised by the NEU trade union staff group, parents and local constituents.
“This is a clear message — politicians who openly support Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools. Egan is vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has visited Israel since the current onslaught on Gaza began, demonstrating his support.
“We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of trade unionists, parents, and campaigners standing together.”
During the event on Sunday, Mr Reed told the Jewish Labour Movement: “We have to call this stuff out. We have to have consistency, and we have to be prepared to change the law when it happens. Otherwise, we are legitimising this at the fringes, and that’s where it grows from.”
It comes after Bridget Phillipson wrote to vice-chancellors of universities in October urging them to take “practical and proportionate steps” to protect Jewish students as part of Government efforts to stamp out antisemitism.
Some 600 training sessions will be offered to university staff over the coming weeks to help them “identify harassment and hate” and facilitate “open, respectful debate”, the Department for Education (DfE) said.
The Independent has contacted Bristol Brunel academy. In a statement to The Guardian, an academy spokesperson said: “On the evening before Mr Egan’s scheduled visit, we were made aware of plans for a public protest outside the school. We opted to postpone Mr Egan’s visit to ensure everyone would continue to feel safe when entering and exiting school and to prevent any disruption to our students’ learning.
“We have remained in contact with Mr Egan, and an alternative date for his visit was arranged some time ago. We have also been in contact with the police and followed their advice.”
Petrol stations set to stop selling diesel by 2030
Some filling stations in London will stop selling diesel within the next four years as demand dwindles, according to a new report.
The analysis by electric vehicle (EV) think tank New AutoMotive also predicted that many of the roughly 8,400 filling stations across the UK will have stopped selling the fuel by 2035.
It predicted this will encourage more motorists to switch to EVs.
Diesel vehicle numbers and fuel use are consistently falling nationwide.
In 10 years, there will only be about 250,000 diesel cars left on the roads, the report forecast, down from 15.5 million as of the end of June 2025.
London is expected to be the UK’s first city with no diesel cars.
The expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in 2023 means using a diesel car registered before September 2015 anywhere in the capital incurs a £12.50 daily fee.
The report stated: “It is likely that some, and perhaps many, filling stations in London will stop stocking diesel before the end of the decade.”
It added: “Nationwide, it is clear that diesel fuel sales are falling, and this is being driven by the reduction in car numbers.
“Whilst it is impossible to accurately predict when the majority of filling stations will stop stocking diesel, it is clear that there is a distinct possibility that many will over the 2030s.”
Some filling stations now offer EV charging.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said last year only 57 per cent of its members believe fuel will be a core source of their revenue in a decade.
New Automotive said the amount of diesel sold for cars rose steadily from 2005 to 2017, but has been declining since then.
Sales in 2023 were 22 per cent lower than the peak.
The government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, but there is no proposal to outlaw the use of existing vehicles.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show just 5.1 per cent of new cars bought last year were diesels.
The market shares of petrol and pure battery electric new cars were 46.4 per cent and 23.4 per cent respectively.
New Automotive chief executive Ben Nelmes said as fewer people drive diesel cars, filling stations will “stop stocking their fuel” as “diesel does not keep well”.
He went on: “If fuel sits in tanks without selling at pace, it degrades.
“As diesel availability tightens, many motorists will conclude the smartest option is to avoid the headache and go electric.”
Delvin Lane, chief executive of chargepoint supplier InstaVolt, said some filling stations have already started offering high-powered EV charging to “deliver journeys which are smoother, cleaner and more convenient”.
He added: “For drivers, this is not about being pushed into electric.
“It’s a rational choice, driven by better technology.”
A PRA spokesperson said its members have “no definitive plans to cease selling diesel”.
He continued: Nonetheless, they consistently track evolving customer preferences and adjust their services in response.
“This is reflected in investments such as expanded retail shops, EV charging facilities and first-class valeting services.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said “it might seem ironic” that concerns over the lack of public EV chargepoints will be “reversed” when diesel drivers “anxiously seek service stations where they can still fill up”.
He added: “There will come a tipping point when the number of diesel cars and vans on the road falls so far that the commercial viability of stocking the fuel at every forecourt falls away.
“But it feels like a brave move to call the death of diesel today when the vast majority of the vans and trucks that power our economy are still diesel-fuelled.”
Szoboszlai marries the sublime and the ridiculous in muddled display
Few score from 30 yards and create a goal with a backheel in the same game. When a player does, it could be cause for unadulterated joy. The sight of a crestfallen Dominik Szoboszlai told another tale. He struck for Liverpool in spectacular style, gifted Barnsley a goal with an embarrassing blunder and was the man of the match in the sense it revolved around him to a remarkable extent; Barnsley wanted a penalty for his shirt tug on the lively Reyes Cleary. The night ended with Liverpool progressing in the FA Cup simultaneously because of and despite Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai has usually the one who was blameless this season. Not this time, though a gaffe at least allowed Adam Phillips to realise an ambition. “Scoring in front of the Kop, Liverpool fan, coming through the academy; it’s something he can look back on for the rest of his life and say he did that,” said his manager, Conor Hourihane.
When Szoboszlai looks back, it may be with more regret. The Hungarian first showed his side the way and was then punished for his showboating. His night began with a celebration and ended with an apology. “Sorry to the team again,” he said. “I made it hard for us. It was an easy mistake.”
It may not spare him an inquest from an unhappy Arne Slot. “I don’t think you should do that in an FA Cup game or League Cup, a friendly game or even a training session,” he said. “It’s a weird choice but I prefer to speak about that with Dom.”
Indeed, Szoboszlai united the two managers in criticism. “A little bit disrespectful from their player, I don’t think he does that against Chelsea or Arsenal or in a Champions League game,” said Barnsley’s Hourihane. Szoboszlai does at least score against both Arsenal and Barnsley. His sixth of the season means only Hugo Ekitike has more for Liverpool.
It still necessitated a display of bench strength from Slot to take Liverpool through. Perhaps scarred by last season’s exit to Plymouth, when many of his replacements were rookies, he summoned Florian Wirtz and Ekitike, saw both score and assist and ended with a 4-1 scoreline that flattered his side. But on the day a former Liverpool favourite, Xabi Alonso, became an unemployed manager, victory may have been timely for Slot. His side are now unbeaten in 11 games and if the figure is more emphatic than many of the performances, Liverpool have booked a date with Brighton. The temptation is to suggest it could have been Liverpool against Manchester United.
It might, though, have been Barnsley against Brighton. The Tykes fell to their first defeat at Anfield since 1959, a few months before Liverpool appointed Bill Shankly, but the team 17th in League One may wonder if it might have been their third straight win here. They struck the woodwork inside 30 seconds and played with a verve that belied their recent form.
They also justified Slot’s choices. “Not that it is a compliment to myself but I think I made the right decision to play a lot of starters,” he said. He made six changes, with Rio Ngumoha the sole youngster to start. When Liverpool’s lead sometimes seemed precarious, Slot made a triple change to bring on Ibrahima Konate, Wirtz and Ekitike, who have a combined cost of over £200m. If Barnsley could take that as a compliment, the reinforcements finished off the third-tier team. Wirtz’s third goal in five games was set up by Ekitike with a backheel – that, he may have showed Szoboszlai, is how to do it – and curled in from 25 yards. Then the German escaped down the right flank, centred and Ekitike was given a relatively simple finish.
So three Liverpool players made and scored a goal, but only two purely for the Reds. As Liverpool conceded a terrible goal, they scored three crackers. “It is not always easy to unlock a low block,” said Slot, repeating a favourite theme. He often says it takes a moment of magic. As Barnsley played 5-4-1, the Premier League champions got three.
Indeed, Alexis Mac Allister got a pair of assists for two distinctly unexceptional passes. The finishes were rather more memorable. First came the good from Szoboszlai, a swerving shot from 30 yards that flew past Murphy Cooper.
Then Jeremie Frimpong cut in to lash in an unstoppable shot for his first goal at Anfield. The worrying element for Liverpool was that, without Conor Bradley for the remainder of the season, Frimpong was troubled defensively.
If there were moments when Liverpool looked frail at the back, especially against counter-attacks, Barnsley’s goal came in rather different fashion. Szoboszlai has often been the role model for Liverpool this season. This was the example of how not to do things. An attempt at a backheel in his own six-yard box was an attempt to be clever that left him looking foolish. He then presented Phillips with a tap in with an attempt to be too clever. “It is not the first time we are 2-0 up and concede a sloppy goal but that stands out even for us,” said Slot.
His night just got harder. It had almost begun terribly. Liverpool had defended wonderfully against Arsenal but started shambolically. With 28 seconds gone, Davis Keillor-Dunn headed Phillips’ cross against the post. Joe Gomez was culpable then. It was not to prove Liverpool’s worst aberration at the back, though.
Trump ‘unafraid’ to launch military attack on Iran – but wants diplomacy to be ‘first option’
Donald Trump is “unafraid” to use military options against Iran as hundreds of protesters are killed in a brutal crackdown, with fears growing of a major escalation between the US and Tehran.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that airstrikes are among the “many, many options” that the president is considering but that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”
Monitoring groups say at least 648 protesters have have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
“We are ready for war but also for dialogue,” Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi responded.
He said that warnings of military action against Tehran from Trump, if the protests turned bloody, would motivate “terrorists” to target protesters and security forces to provoke foreign intervention.
Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions.
But the US president also said Tehran had been in touch and “they want to negotiate” to prevent such action.
The US-based rights group HRANA reported on Sunday evening that the death toll had surpassed 500, and that more than 10,000 people had been arrested.
If Iran falls, the United Nations will be first to feel the shockwaves
The grisly images of morgues overflowing with corpses smuggled out of Iran are so shocking, they have silenced the usual apologists for the Islamic Republic.
As Donald Trump mulls some sort of military action to punish Iran’s hardliners for their crackdown, and Nato allies join in the condemnation of the ayatollahs’ brutal regime, it is easy to think that Tehran is isolated.
Sadly, official Western denunciations of repression in Iran are not shared worldwide.
The “usual suspects” – Russia and China – would reap geopolitical benefits from Iran continuing to be a pariah state. Tehran has to sell its oil at a discount to China, and provides up to a quarter of its needs, more important than ever after the Venezuelan crisis. For Putin, a repressive Iran also keeps an energy-rich authoritarian state like Kazakhstan hemmed in and without access to world markets.
Read the analysis from Mark Almond here:
If Iran falls, the United Nations will be first to feel the shockwaves
U.S. citizens told to leave Iran ‘immediately’
The U.S. have instructed their citizens to leave Iran immediately, as tensions escalate between the two countries after two weeks of unrest has seen over 600 protesters killed by Iranian regime.
In an update on their website, the U.S. Department of State says: “Do not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens in Iran should leave immediately. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran.
“U.S. citizens in Iran face serious dangers including terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and wrongful detention. Some U.S. nationals have been held for years on false charges, subjected to torture, and even sentenced to death.
Trump announces 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran
Donald Trump has announced that any countries doing business with Iran will now have to pay a tariff of 25 per cent on all business they have ongoing with the US.
In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Security services ‘alive’ to increased threat to Iran exiles in UK amid unrest
Britain’s security services are “alive” to the increased threat posed to Iranian dissidents in the UK amid the current protests against the Tehran regime, a foreign minister has said.
Warning the Government “won’t stand for it”, Baroness Chapman of Darlington said whatever measures necessary would be taken to keep people safe.
Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s rule.
Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years.
The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media.
Speaking during an urgent question in the Lords on the current unrest, Tory former foreign minister Lord Swire pointed out the security services had prevented more than 20 assassination attempts against Iranian exiles on British soil.
He said: “This situation is not going to die down. Both sides are going to become, I suspect, more entrenched, and if the regime is trying to hold on, is likely to become more violent towards those who are opposing it.
“With that in mind, what can the minister say to reassure those brave Iranians living in the United Kingdom that everything will be done to protect them from agents of a foreign power who may seek to carry out atrocities against them on British soil?”
Responding, Lady Chapman said: “This is such an important point. As he reminds us, our security services have done amazing things in preventing so many attempts at attacks on this country.
“We will not stand for it. We will take whatever measures necessary to keep everybody in this country safe.
“He is talking in particular about those who have drawn the attention of the Iranian regime, and we will continue to do that.
“Our security services are alive to the increased threat that they face at present.”
Why I think the Islamic Republic cannot survive this uprising
“Knife-wielding thugs”, “weeds that must be uprooted, cut down and thrown away”, these were some of the words Ali Khamenei used on 10 June 1992. One might think he was referring to organised criminal gangs. He was not. He was describing the people of Mashhad, who had taken to the streets after security forces killed a high-school student in the city’s Kuy-e Tollab neighbourhood.
Thirty-four years later, in Mashhad – the birthplace of the supreme leader – protesters have once again filled the streets, capturing the world’s attention. From the White House, the US president is now speaking of the city slipping into the hands of popular forces. The ideological and religious heart of the Islamic Republic, the symbolic city bound to Khamenei’s own life story, has become the scene of the largest uprising ever directed against “the very foundation of the Islamic Republic”.
Read the full analysis here:
Why I think the Islamic Republic cannot survive this uprising
Republican senator says future of Iran’s leader is ‘limited’ as Trump leans towards action
Conversations on Capitol Hill are shifting rapidly towards Iran following a flurry of statements from the White House indicating that the president is considering military action aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government or protecting demonstrators who have come under attack by government security forces.
The White House confirmed Monday that the president was considering airstrikes within Iran’s borders, an act that would mark a largely unprecedented step for the American government but would not be outside the realm of possibility for Donald Trump, who last year directed strikes to disable Iran’s nuclear weapons development program.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told reporters that air strikes remained on the table but stopped short of saying that the president would consider deploying U.S. forces on the ground to protect protesters, a notable distinction given that Trump has signaled his own openness to deploying forces in such a manner inside Venezuela.
Read the full article here:
Republican senator says future of Iran’s leader is ‘limited’
Airstrikes among ‘many options’ for Trump but ‘diplomacy’ is first option
White House says airstrikes are among options for Iran but diplomacy is first choice.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has told reporters that airstrikes are among the “many, many options” that President Donald Trump is considering but that “diplomacy is always the first option for the president.”Trump on Sunday said Iranian officials have reached out for talks. He has threatened to take military action against the Islamic Republic for its crackdown on the protests.
“What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages,” Leavitt said.
“However, with that said, the president has shown he’s unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran.”
The U.S. last year bombed Iranian nuclear sites when it inserted itself into the 12-day war between Israel and Iran.
White House considers Iran’s last-minute nuclear offer
Donald Trump is reportedly considering a last-ditch Iranian offer to engage in diplomacy over curbing it’s nuclear programme, as the U.S. presidents leans towards authorising military strikes, officials have said.
The Wall Street Journal reports that senior administration aides, including vice president JD Vance are urging the president to try diplomacy before retaliating against Iran, where hundreds of protesters have been killed in a brutal crackdown by the regime.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said a “meeting is being set up” after Tehran contacted the White House to say they were willing to enter negotiations.
Iran’s diplomatic staff banned from European parliament
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has banned all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from all European Parliament premises.
She wrote on X: “It cannot be business as usual.
“As the brave people of Iran continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty, today I have taken the decision to ban all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from all European Parliament premises.
“This House will not aid in legitimising this regime that has sustained itself through torture, repression and murder.”
Labour anger over Starmer’s refusal to proscribe IRGC
Labour MPs have hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s government over its refusal to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror organisation in the wake of the bloodbath unfolding on the streets of Iran.
In 2023, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper – then the shadow home secretary – announced a Labour policy to proscribe the IRGC as criticism mounted over then Tory government’s refusal to do so.
But in an apparent U-turn, business secretary Peter Kyle insisted that the UK government has “already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can” and would not be proscribing the IRGC.
In the wake of the senior minister’s interview, two Labour backbenchers – Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor and Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards – broke ranks to demand that the IRGC is proscribed as the world reacts with shock to the rising death toll in Tehran and other Iranian cities.
Mr Taylor said: “To watch the IRGC respond by gunning down peaceful protestors is a dark and despicable crime, one which is all too familiar to the Middle East. From Syria to Yemen to Ukraine, the malign role of Tehran in sowing destruction is beyond any doubt.
“We also know the threat the IRGC poses on our streets, from assassination plots to threatening journalists. The government must urgently bring forward the legislation proposed by Jonathan Hall KC to tackle this state-threat and fulfil our manifesto commitment.”
Mr Sewards, the chair of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), added: “The government must act to proscribe the IRGC by bringing forward without delay the legislative proposals outlined by Jonathan Hall KC to combat state threats.”
Chechen warlord hospitalised with kidney failure, Ukrainian intelligence says
Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov has been hospitalised with kidney failure, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Rumours are swirling that Mr Kadyrov’s health is deteriorating to the point that the Kremlin is already considering who will take up his position as the head of the Chechen Republic, Ukrainian state-owned news agency Ukrinform reported, citing a source.
The source in the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, who remained anonymous, said Mr Kadyrov has been undergoing dialysis, with doctors not making any firm predictions about his condition.
They added that members of his powerful clan, including family members from abroad, have flocked to his bedside as he is treated at a private hospital in Chechnya.
The emergency treatment has sparked growing concern behind the scenes, according to reports, especially since Mr Kadyrov last appeared in public over a week ago, when he was seen using a walking stick.
Ukrinform reported the Kremlin’s search for Mr Kadyrov’s replacement has intensified. Magomed Daudov, Apti Alaudinov, and Mr Kadyrov’s eldest son, Akhmat Kadyrov, are among the frontrunners, although it will ultimately be Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision.
It was announced last week that 20-year-old Akhmat Kadyrov had been appointed to the role of acting deputy head of the republic’s government by his father, on top of his position as Minister of Sports and others. The move was widely seen as preparing the way for a potential succession and led to accusations of nepotism.
Mr Kadyrov appointed another of his sons, Adam Kadyrov, as his head of security in 2023 – the same year he beat up a prisoner in custody over claims they burnt the Quran, the Moscow Times reported.
Mr Kadyrov is said to have appointed at least 96 relatives to official or corporate posts since he began his rule of Chechnya in 2007.
Critics accuse him of governing the republic like a personal fiefdom over the past two decades.
He was installed as Chechnya’s leader by the Kremlin after the republic came under Russian control following a decade of bloody fighting for independence.
Human rights groups have accused Mr Kadyrov of a string of abuses, including the forced disappearance of opponents, torture and the persecution of homosexuals. He has also been linked to several assassinations, some of them in Europe. In 2021, he was sanctioned by the US for his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings. He denies all allegations.
Mr Kadyrov has been vocal in his support for pro-Kremlin rebels in eastern Ukraine and for Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Chechen forces have fought in Ukraine as part of Russia’s invasion.
The Chechen leader has been a key ally of Putin and one of the most powerful and feared men in Moscow.
His poor health puts the future of Chechnya – and Moscow’s grip on the republic – into question.
Your dream cruise formula: From Caribbean islands to European cities
If your ideal holiday is one that blends fuss-free adventure with great culinary choices and sumptuous relaxation, then book yourself onto a cruise immediately. From experiencing rich cultures, visiting breathtaking beauty spots, and dining on delicious delicacies – cruising has become one of the most luxurious ways to travel.
This dream-holiday formula is something that Virgin Voyages has perfected with its multi-award-winning, adult-only cruises, which sail across Europe, North America and the Caribbean. From entertaining onboard experiences and modern facilities to exciting escapades on land, these are the types of trips that are worth writing home about, and why Virgin Voyages has been named Travel + Leisure ® World’s Best #1 Mega Ship for an impressive three years in a row.
Here’s what would-be Sailors can expect from a Virgin Voyages cruise…
Meet the leading ladies
Whichever of the 150-plus destinations you choose to sail to, one thing remains guaranteed, you’ll get an unforgettable journey, and leave with happy stories to share with loved ones back home. Why not make those memories on Virgin Voyages’ impressive Lady Ships, with Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady each offering a distinct personality which is encapsulated in everything from decor to destinations. Expect enough amenities and activities to entertain a small city: from tequila tasting to spa days and over 20 premium eateries serving menus curated by Michelin starred chefs. There’s a whole holiday’s worth of experiences before you’ve even docked at your first port.
Everyone sleeps easy
Be gone any thoughts of pokey, old-fashioned interiors and get ready to embrace charming cabins with a super-yacht aesthetic. No matter which of the Virgin Voyages sleeping quarters you choose from, you’ll be met with super comfortable beds, a roomy rainshower, mood lighting, free Wi-Fi and a large flat-screen HDTV. Want to really push the boat out? Opt for luxury suites that promise five-star comfort and opulence, with champagne tables, sun loungers, handwoven terrace hammocks and in-room bars. Virgin Voyages ‘RockStar’ Sailors can also enjoy everything from VIP entrances to private access to rooftop terraces.
Let them entertain you
Whether your spirit is one of a dancing queen or a sophisticated theatre-goer, Virgin Voyages has nightlife and entertainment options to suit every taste – developed with the help of the world’s most-talked-about directors, choreographers, and artists. Choose from 80s parties, festival acts or classic stories like Romeo and Juliet – reinvented with a circus twist. Each ship offers something different, so if you’re a Virgin Voyages regular, you’ll never see the same thing twice. Save your vocal chords for the private karaoke rooms, while the casinos and gaming arcades could elevate an already winning mood even further.
Wonderful wellness
Don’t want to leave your full-on fitness regime behind when you go on holiday? Or are you just curious to try a new healthy group class? Whatever your wellness wishes, there’s plenty to keep you busy onboard with workouts for every level. There’s yoga, HIIT, weight training, boxing, meditation and more, plus running or walking the signature 255-metre-ish Virgin red running track, which curves around the top of the ship in a halo shape. If relaxation is your main goal, head to the spa for everything from steam room and sauna to hot stone massage and seaweed wrap. The beauty salon offers a range of professional treatments, from manicures, pedicures and nail art to IV therapy, Botox and fillers.
Make it a ‘Shore Thing’
While you’re free to enjoy port cities at your own leisure, Virgin Voyages also curates an array of land excursions or ‘Shore Things’ for those who want to immerse themselves in local culture. Why not enjoy a barefoot fish cookout on the Mexican island of Cozumel, a late night party on the Greek Island of Mykonos or visit the historic halls of Harvard University when sailing through Boston, Massachusetts. If you’re cruising the Caribbean, choose from a beach day in St Vincent and The Grenadines; explore the private island of Mustique or visit the colourful buildings of the capital Kingstown. Do as much or as little as you like – you’re always in charge!
Discover dreamy destinations
Proving that there really is a cruise for everyone, Virgin Voyages’ child-free cruises visit almost endless destinations that span Europe, North America and the Caribbean. Choose a five-night cruise from New York to Bermuda, taking in the paradise pink-sand beaches, maritime history and cafe culture of the island, or maybe a seven-night voyage starting in Los Angeles and sailing to Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan in Mexico. For a trip closer to home, soak in the Mediterranean sunshine while visiting Europe’s most famous cities and islands starting in the homeports of Greece and Spain. Tick off an array of bucket list destinations with the Idyllic Ibiza cruise aboard the Valiant Lady; set sail from Rome to Barcelona with stop offs at the superluxe Amalfi Coast, Cannes and Ibiza – now, that’s what you call an A-list adventure.
With so many incredible destinations to visit and on-board luxury to explore, a cruise with Virgin Voyages is a holiday you’ll never stop talking about.
Discover Virgin Voyages luxury range of cruises and plan your next adventure today
‘Isolationism’ will not solve cost-of-living crisis, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer has told Labour MPs that his government must be “on the pitch” globally to address the pressing issues affecting the public.
Speaking at the first Parliamentary Labour Party meeting of the year on Monday, the Prime Minister leader said that the cost-of-living crisis cannot be “solved by isolationism.”
His comments appeared to be an attempt to justify the time dedicated to international affairs, stressing the necessity of global engagement in a volatile world.
He said: “One thing that is crystal clear is that we are moving into a world that is very different to the one most of us grew up in.
“And in a world this volatile – you have to be on the pitch. You have to be in the room to tackle the issues working people care about.
“The cost-of-living crisis will not be solved by isolationism. You cannot deliver peace in Ukraine without being in the room.
“And you do not secure trade terms for companies like JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) by putting gesture politics first.”
Foreign affairs have dominated the first days of 2026 as talks edge closer to a potential peace deal for Ukraine and protests have erupted in Iran.
Sir Keir has also been speaking to European allies and Donald Trump as the US continues threats to take over Greenland.
The Prime Minister has already made a trip abroad this year, travelling to Paris for a meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing, a group of allies of Ukraine.
The UK also assisted in a US operation to seize a Russian-flagged oil tanker last week.
A No 10 source rejected that the Prime Minister was defending his handling of the US president, and said Sir Keir was setting out why it is “vital” that the UK engages on the world stage as global crises affect people at home.
Sir Keir also looked ahead to the coming year, saying the country is “moving in the right direction”.
“Waiting lists are falling. Wages are rising faster than prices. Inflation is now under control and coming down – six interest rate cuts, a huge difference for families and businesses,” he said.
“Crime is falling. Immigration is firmly under control. Public services are looking up – we’re turning the page on austerity. We’re investing in new infrastructure the length and breadth of the country.”
He said budget decisions mean that Labour has a plan to support people with the cost of living and acknowledged it is the “biggest issue” in working people’s lives.
He said: “And with each change we make for the better, we show working people something even more important.
“That decline can be reversed. Opportunity and pride can be restored. The future can be better for them and their families. And politics can be a force for good.”
Art teacher banned after telling pupils to improve their work in exam
An art teacher has been banned from the classroom after telling GSCE students how to improve their work during an exam and allowing them to take their work home.
Wendy Lewis, 59, also told pupils at St Dunstan’s School in Glastonbury that they could receive additional time due to “strike days” and “bank holidays” which was not true.
Having worked as a food technology and art teacher since 2001, she resigned from her position in August 2023 after an internal disciplinary investigation.
A panel hearing at the Teaching Regulation Agency heard that Ms Lewis had broken strict exam rules which stated that students must not add to or amend work produced during the 10 hours of supervised time.
However, on 26 and 27 April 2023, she gave pupils suggestions which included telling one to add black background and recommending that another mute the colours in her work.
She was also found to have carried out some drawing for more than one pupil, allowed them to ask her questions and said she could come around and help them.
At the end of the assessment, she said: “If you have any unfinished work that you need to get done… I am going to leave the room and I think you know what I mean”. This allowed the pupils to take home their unfinished assessment and complete it outside of exam hours.
An investigation concluded that her behaviour had lacked integrity and was dishonest, bringing the teaching profession into disrepute through her actions.
It was noted: “In the panel’s view, it was clear that providing advice and assistance, offering unauthorised extensions, enabling pupils to access their work beyond the permitted time and providing false justifications for this, were all clear examples of conduct falling short of the higher standards expected from a teacher.”
Ms Lewis made full admissions and expressed remorse for her actions, with the panel noting that she had an otherwise good record and was considered to be a “well-respected and high performing teacher”.
However, it was ruled that her actions were “deliberate” and that she had failed in her duties of being in a position of responsibility.
As a result, she has been prohibited from teaching at any schools, college or children’s home indefinitely. She can apply for the prohibition order to be removed in December 2027.