Beckhams put on united front in Paris amid Brooklyn feud

David and Victoria Beckham were joined at a fashion event in Paris today by three of their four children, a week after their son Brooklyn went public with a bombshell statement about their estranged relationship.

Brooklyn’s siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper, appeared alongside their parents at Haute Couture Fashion Week.

At a subsequent event at the French Ministry of Culture, Victoria Beckham was made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for her work as a fashion designer.

Last week, 26-year-old Brooklyn declared that he has no wish to reconcile with the family, and said that he is “standing up” for himself “for the first time” in his life.

He went on to claim that his parents had tried “endlessly to ruin” his relationship with his wife, the billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz Beckham.

He accused his mother Victoria of cancelling the making of his wife’s wedding dress “in the eleventh hour” and of hijacking their first dance together.

“In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead,” wrote Brooklyn.

“She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”

DJ Fat Tony, who was at the wedding, has agreed with Brooklyn’s claim that Victoria’s behaviour was “inappropriate”, solely due to “the timing”.

He said that singer Mark Anthony called Victoria to the stage in place of Peltz and called the former Spice Girl “the most beautiful woman in the room”, which “devastated” Brooklyn and sent Peltz out of the room in tears.

In his first public response to his son’s statement, David Beckham told CNBC’s Squawk Box that “you have to let your children make mistakes” while speaking about the power of social media.

“They make mistakes, but children are allowed to make mistakes. That is how they learn,” said David Beckham. “That is what I try to teach my kids, you sometimes have to let them make those mistakes as well.”

Opinions have been split on the family drama, with several commentators speaking out to back the parents. Comedian Katherine Ryan said Brooklyn should “grow up”, while Jimmy Carr described him as an “entitled nepo baby.”

“He claims he’s not just a nepo baby, he’s a chef,” Carr quipped. “I think he’s so entitled he’s mixed up being a chef with making his own dinner. He probably brushes his teeth and thinks, ‘I’m actually a f***ing brilliant dentist.’”

Trump coy on defending Kristi Noem after Alex Pretti shooting

President Donald Trump has avoided leaping to the defense of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the latest fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was beaten and shot by Customs and Border Protection officers on Saturday after coming to the aid of a fellow protester demonstrating against their presence on the city’s streets.

When fellow activist Renee Good was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month, Trump endorsed the version of events presented by Noem and the DHS, who claimed that Good was a “domestic terrorist” intent on injuring their officials with her car, despite video evidence raising serious doubts about their narrative.

When asked by The Wall Street Journal about Pretti’s killing by CBP forces, which his secretary insisted was a “defensive” measure because the victim was armed with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, the president said only: “We’re looking, we’re reviewing everything and will come out with a determination.”

Pressed over the course of a five-minute phone interview Sunday, Trump said: “I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it. But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either.”

The president claimed Pretti was carrying a “very dangerous gun, a dangerous and unpredictable gun” when he was shot, adding: “It’s a gun that goes off when people don’t know it.”

Asked when his 3,000-strong federal forces would leave Minnesota, he answered: “At some point we will leave. We’ve done, they’ve done a phenomenal job… We’ll leave a different group of people there for the financial fraud.”

Trump was referring to the welfare-fraud scandal in the state as a justification for the immigration enforcement surge. “It’s the biggest fraud anyone has seen,” he told the WSJ. “We actually think California is going to be much bigger.”

But there was no defense of Noem from the president, who is facing calls to resign and threats of impeachment from the Democratic governors of New York and California, Kathy Hochul and Gavin Newsom, among others, as outrage grows over her handling of the administration’s crackdown on undocumented migrants.

Trump also largely avoided the subject on Truth Social Sunday, beyond praising allies for their appearances on Fox News to discuss the tragedy and calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to “formally cooperate with the Trump Administration to enforce our Nation’s Laws, rather than resist and stoke the flames of Division, Chaos, and Violence.”

The president otherwise preferred to complain about changes to NFL broadcasting and issued a lengthy post about his under-construction $400m White House ballroom, for which he demolished the East Wing, saying it would be “devastating” if the project were halted by a lawsuit filed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in December.

“Making such a large gift to the U.S.A. was thought to be, by almost everyone, ‘A WONDERFUL THING TO DO’ – But no, as usual, I got sued, this time by the Radical Left National (No!)Trust for Historic Preservation, a group that couldn’t care less about our Country!” the president huffed.

Tributes paid to British mother stabbed to death at her home in Spain

Tributes have been paid to a “pure-hearted” British mother who was allegedly stabbed to death at her home in Spain.

Victoria Hart, 33, was found dead on the floor of her home in the Andalusian town of Alhaurín el Grande on Saturday, according to local authorities.

Her former partner was arrested after turning himself in at the Alhaurín de la Torre prison on Saturday, local media reported. The parents, who were separated, had an 11-year-old boy and two seven-year-old twin girls.

Spain’s civil guard told The Independent that they were investigating a case of gender-based violence that occurred shortly before midday on Saturday in Málaga province.

Hart is said to have had a restraining order against her former partner, according to El Mundo. She was also reportedly registered on Spain’s VioGén database, a software system used by the Spanish police to assess the risk of gender-based violence. Police deemed the case low-risk, the newspaper said.

A neighbour told El Mundo that the children had run out into the apartment’s communal garden after the incident and that the woman’s son had called his grandmother to tell her that “his father had killed his mother”.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 11.40am and Hart was found with neck wounds. She was later pronounced dead by medics, police said.

The local city hall condemned what it called an “act of gender violence” and declared a day of mourning on Monday.

“We extend our deepest condolences and support to the family and loved ones of the victim, as well as our strongest condemnation and outrage at this act of gender violence, a social scourge that seriously violates human rights and that we must eradicate with the involvement of the entire society,” it said.

Mayor Anthony Bermúdez declared an official day of mourning on Monday “as a sign of respect and solidarity”.

Anne Khraiche, a resident, told the Spanish Eye newspaper: “Victoria had the most pure heart, her ultimate goal was to ensure her children had the best life she could give them.

“She worked hard to ensure they had this while making sure she attended their various activities. Family bonds were so important to her.”

Halo SpaSalon, a salon based in the town, also paid tribute to Hart, who worked as a hairdresser.

“This evening, we stand with all our thoughts, prayers, love and strength with the family and beautiful children of Victoria Hart,” they wrote on social media.

“A young mum and fellow Hairdresser in the community, taken brutally in such a disgusting way. Robbed of her life and changing the lives of her children and family forever.”

An FCDO Spokesperson told The Independent: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Spain and we are in contact with the local authorities.”

Venezuela’s acting leader says she has ‘had enough’ of US orders

Venezuela has had “enough” of taking orders from the Trump administration, the country’s acting leader has said just weeks after Washington claimed she would “run” the country under their instruction.

Delcy Rodriguez assumed the role of president earlier this month after US forces captured Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic overnight raid, plunging the country into chaos.

“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela. Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and internal conflicts. Enough of foreign powers,” she told oil workers in Puerto La Cruz city, according to state-run channel Venezolana de Televisión.

Caracas has remained under pressure from Washington following months of military buildup near the country and attacks on Venezuelan ships in the Caribbean Sea.

In the wake of Mr Maduro’s capture, Donald Trump declared that the US was “going to run” Venezuela. But afterwards he appeared to back down, giving his backing to Ms Rodriguez to take office as an interim leader.

The Trump administration has nonetheless pushed Ms Rodríguez and other allies of Mr Maduro to allow greater investment from US energy companies in Venezuela’s flagging oil industry – one of the main motivations behind Mr Trump’s actions in South America.

Ms Rodriguez said Caracas would address longstanding disputes “face to face” with Washington, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

“We are not afraid, because what must unite us as a people is guaranteeing peace and stability for this country,” Ms Rodriguez said.

She had earlier on Saturday appealed for talks with the opposition in Venezuela to reach “agreements” on the country’s political future, declaring that there must be “no political or partisan differences when it comes to peace in Venezuela”.

But Maduro loyalists were left concerned after Venezuela’s legislature started debating a loosening of state control over the country’s vast oil sector, in the first major overhaul since the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez nationalised parts of the industry in 2007.

The legislation, which appears to be an attempt to partially appease the US government, would create new opportunities for private companies to invest in the oil industry and establish international arbitration for investment disputes.

The draft shows a dramatic change from the economic nationalism of Chavez, who accused multinationals of colonial exploitation and considered the country’s oil wealth to be state property.

It would allow private companies to operate oil fields independently and collect cash revenues, despite remaining on paper minority partners to the state oil company.

Storm Chandra to hit UK with snow and 80mph winds

Strong winds, heavy rain and snow are forecast across much of the UK on Tuesday, the Met Office has warned, as the newly named storm Chandra brings weather chaos.

Storm Chandra is expected to bring “very strong winds”, leading to potential for damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs and flying debris, which could lead to life-threatening injuries.

Forecasters also predict likely flooding and travel disruptions in some areas, along with some significant snowfall across higher ground in northern regions of England and parts of Scotland.

Several weather warnings have been issued, including amber warnings for south-west England for rain and the eastern coast of Northern Ireland for wind.

Less severe yellow weather warnings are in place across all of Northern Ireland, a more extensive area of south west England, and also covers parts of northern England and Scotland.

The Met Office said: “Easterly winds will increase early on Tuesday morning bringing gusts of 60-70 mph to eastern and northern parts of Northern Ireland with a few coastal locations seeing gusts of 75 mph. Heavy rain will be an additional hazard.

“Winds may ease a little early in the afternoon, before increasing to similar speeds once more from a south-easterly direction late afternoon and early evening.”

In coastal areas, large waves could throw beach material onto nearby roads, sea front and properties, posing a “danger to life”. If you are on the coast, the Met Office advises staying safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves, as even from the shore, large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.

The weather service has warned coastal residents to take care if walking near cliffs; saying people should know their route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, they are advised to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Longer journey times and cancellations are expected to impact road, rail, air and ferry services, as well causing some roads and bridges to close.

Driving in these dangerous conditions is not advised and the forecasters suggest staying indoors as much as possible to avoid being vulnerable to injury from high winds.

If driving is unavoidable, you must follow safety precautions such as: driving slowly to minimise the impact of wind gusts, being aware of high-sided vehicles and caravans on more exposed roads, and being cautious of overtaking, giving cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual.

Three weather warnings were issued for Monday, with yellow warnings in place for rain in Northern Ireland, London and south east England, south west England, Wales, and West Midlands. An additional amber warning was issued for South west England.

What the future of travel looks like in 2026

Are we done with viral hotspots? According to travel comparison site KAYAK’s WTF (that’s What The Future, by the way) 2026 trends report, the era of copy-paste travel may finally be winding down. Not because people are travelling less – quite the opposite – but because they’re travelling differently.

Drawing on billions of user searches, an independent survey from more than 14,000 Gen Z and Millennial travellers – including over 2,000 next-gen UK travellers – and exclusive TikTok community insights, KAYAK’s report shows a shift away from headline destinations and performative travel. In their place? Shorter breaks, quieter cities, better value and experiences that feel personal rather than pre-approved.

Here’s what that looks like in practice, and where those trends could take you.

The next “it” destination, it turns out, is the one you haven’t already seen 50 times on your phone. According to KAYAK, 71 per cent of Gen Z and 75 per cent of Millennials actively want to visit places they’ve never been before, while TikTok posts tagged #hiddengems are up more than 50 per cent. Saturation is the new turn-off.

Cork fits that brief neatly. Long treated as a stopping point on the way to somewhere else, Ireland’s second city still flies under the algorithmic radar. Yet it rewards curiosity in small, satisfying ways: a walkable centre, a burgeoning food scene and easy access to coastline and countryside without the fanfare.

Base yourself near Shandon rather than around the busier quays, and start the day with a stroll along the River Lee before the city fully wakes up. For dinner, follow locals to the English Market at lunchtime, then head out to Ballycotton or Garretstown the next morning.

Travellers aren’t cancelling trips in 2026, they’re financing them more creatively. Nearly 30 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial travellers say installment plans will determine how many trips they take, while KAYAK data shows international fares from the UK sitting almost exactly where they were last year. Add a 52 per cent rise in the use of flight price alerts and the picture becomes clear: deal-hunting has gone mainstream.

This shift favours cities that deliver substance without sticker shock. Bilbao still fits the bill, but it’s the city’s everyday pleasures that offer the real value. Skip the Guggenheim café and eat at Gure Toki or Sorginzulo for pintxos done properly. Better still, cross the river into Deusto at lunchtime, where menus del día feel resolutely local and prices soften noticeably. Savvy travellers are stretching budgets without sacrificing experience, and places like Bilbao are making it easy for them.

Forget souvenirs. In 2026, it’s goosebumps people are packing for. More than half of travellers say natural wonders will shape their plans, and 34 per cent list awe-inspiring experiences as a top priority. That’s driving renewed interest in northern landscapes, but not always the obvious ones.

While Tromsø continues to top bucket lists, travellers looking for something fresher are turning towards Christchurch, New Zealand as a gateway rather than a destination in itself. From here, the night skies of the Canterbury plains offer serious dark-sky credentials without the premium price tags of more famous stargazing spots. Pair it with a drive to Lake Tekapo or a night at Mt John Observatory, and prepare to be amazed as the universe puts on one of its more impressive galactic light shows.

AI has officially replaced your mate who “went once and loved it”. Nearly six in 10 travellers say they’d change destination if AI suggested somewhere better, and half would do so for a better deal. Notably, 44 per cent of AI prompts are now about value, not inspiration.

AI can also steer travellers toward lesser-visited cities that prioritise authentic, local experiences over familiar tourist circuits. Fukuoka, in particular, remains one of the country’s most liveable and engaging destinations, offering a compelling blend of modern convenience and rich cultural heritage. Base yourself near Hakata Station for better-value hotels, then eat like a local at the yatai food stalls along the Naka River. It’s informal, affordable and far more revealing than a booked-out tasting menu. Leveraging AI-led planning tools helps today’s savvy travellers to unlock the city’s true potential, moving beyond generic guidebook recommendations.

Luxury, redefined, looks suspiciously like a good night’s sleep. KAYAK’s report shows 69 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials travel primarily for mental reset, while wellness-led luxury continues to rise. The emphasis has shifted from showing off to switching off.

The Greek island of Zakynthos excels here, particularly inland. Head to villages such as Kiliomenos, where evenings are cooler and dinner at family-run tavernas like Latas stretches lazily into the night. No playlists, no dress code, just plates refilled without fuss. For one in five travellers, it’s the small comforts that matter most: a quiet morning, decent coffee, and nowhere you’re expected to be. Wellness travel isn’t about spa breaks and luxury escapes anymore; it’s about coming back better than you left.

The big-city rush is out. In 2026, 84 per cent of younger travellers say they’d rather visit a smaller city or rural area than a major hub. Lower prices help, but the real appeal is authenticity that doesn’t need explaining.

Bastia, in northern Corsica, perfectly exemplifies the trend. Mornings on the old port unfold naturally with fishermen unloading and café chairs scraping into place. Walk up to the Citadelle before the heat builds, then lunch at U San Ghjuvà for unfussy Corsican cooking. These are places where life hasn’t been edited for visitors. Yes, social media still nudges people towards them, but only once they’re already halfway there.

In 2026, the destination is wherever the action is. An overwhelming 95 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials plan to travel for a major event, whether that’s a concert, a sporting tournament or a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Cities that flex around calendars are winning. In Canada, Toronto works as a terrific base. But those thinking ahead are looking beyond the obvious to places like Halifax, where festivals, touring acts and sporting events are easier to access and far less inflated by demand. Stay near the waterfront, eat at The Bicycle Thief, and let the event anchor the trip rather than dominate it.

Over half of travellers say slower travel helps clear their head, and #slowtravel content has surged by almost 330 per cent on TikTok. But the aim isn’t inactivity, more a break from decision-making.

The Azores remain a benchmark, but similar benefits can be found in places like Praia in Cape Verde. The rhythm is gentle, the beaches walkable, and long lunches at Quintal da Música turn into evenings almost by accident. Headspace holidays aren’t about ticking boxes, they’re about removing friction and the demand for constant optimisation.

Adventure hasn’t disappeared, it’s simply grown up. Nearly one in four travellers now combine light outdoor activity with proper rest, while searches for amenities like terraces, hot tubs and gyms continue to rise. The Great Outdoors is now more likely to be paired with a Quite Decent bottle of wine.

Hilo, on Hawaii’s Big Island, captures that softer approach to adventure perfectly. Base yourself here and mornings might mean walking the edge of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or taking an easy hike through the stunning scenery of Akaka Falls rainforest. Afternoons are for slowing down: soaking in naturally warmed ocean pools, lingering over poke bowls or fresh fish, and letting yourself reset.

Who says holidays have to be long? Nearly two-thirds of travellers plan to take several shorter trips in 2026, with searches for one-to-four-day breaks continuing to rise. The appeal is immediacy: quick resets, minimal planning and maximum reward.

Milan makes for an excellent Nanocation. Trains run on time, neighbourhoods are compact, and finding good food rarely requires much research. Rather than chasing the Duomo and moving on, spend a night in areas like Isola or Porta Venezia, where the city feels lived-in rather than visited. Grab a seat for aperitivo along the Navigli as the working day winds down, eat late without ceremony, and walk everywhere. Milan rewards restraint; do it right, and even 24 hours can feel like a proper break.

With billions of user searches across its platforms, KAYAK helps travellers find their perfect flight, stay, rental car or holiday package. Download the app here and start exploring.

US warships arrive in Middle East amid fears Trump will strike Iran

A US aircraft carrier and several warships have arrived in the Middle East amid fears that Donald Trump could finally order a strike on Iran.

The president warned last week that an “armada” was on its way, saying his administration was “watching” Iran following weeks of deadly protests across the country.

The USS Abraham Lincoln and a number of guided-missile destroyers have now arrived in the Middle East region, which comes under the US military’s Central Command, US officials said on Monday.

“We have a lot of ships going that direction, just in case … I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely,” Mr Trump told reporters on board Air Force One on Thursday. “We have an armada … heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it.”

The US military said it would carry out an exercise to “demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower” in the Middle East, the latest indication of an increasingly aggressive foreign policy stance adopted by the Trump administration in the president’s second term.

Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran in response to the regime’s deadly crackdown on demonstrators during the widespread protests in recent weeks.

However, despite reports of a large number of casualties resulting from the crackdown, the US president has yet to take military action.

As many as 30,000 Iranians may have been killed in the unrest so far this month, two senior officials in Tehran’s health ministry told Time magazine on Sunday, though estimates of the number of deaths have varied wildly.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said it had confirmed 5,459 deaths and is continuing to investigate another 17,031.

The demonstrations have abated following the crackdown. Mr Trump said he had been told that the killings were subsiding, and that there were no plans to execute any prisoners despite reports that a protester was due to be put to death earlier this month.

There is precedent for US military forces surging into the Middle East, sometimes claiming that the move was in fact defensive. Last year, there was a significant buildup of US military presence ahead of strikes carried out in June against Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The current movement of military forces into the Middle East includes fighter jets and air-defence systems, alongside the aircraft carrier and warships.

But a senior Iranian official has warned that any attack on Iran would be considered an act of “all-out war” against the regime.

The United Arab Emirates has also made clear that it has no desire to be involved, declaring on Monday that it would not let its airspace, territory or waters be used for any hostile military actions against Iran.

The al-Dhafra airbase, a US military hub located south of the capital of Abu Dhabi, has been a critical US Air Force hub, supporting key missions against Isis along with reconnaissance deployments across the region.

Mapped: Where living standards are growing the fastest in the UK

Disposable income in 11 towns and cities has risen twice as fast compared to the rest of the UK, defying a decade-long slow growth in living standards since 2013. 

In areas including Warrington, Bristol, Barnsley and Brighton, residents’ disposable income grew by an average of 5.2 per cent between 2013 and 2023, compared to 2.4 per cent nationally.

The new research, from think tank Centre for Cities, found that if all 63 of the UK’s largest cities and towns matched this rate of growth, residents would have an extra £3,200 on average in disposable income over that period. 

The organisation said the government needed to implement policies that strengthen economic growth. It said: “By focusing on tinkering with the symptoms, the government runs the risk of losing sight of the cause. The problem underpinning cost of living pressures, stagnant incomes, and persistent deprivation is the lack of economic growth. 

“Redistributing slices of the existing pie will not achieve increases in standards of living ‘felt by everyone, everywhere’. Growing the pie is the only way forward.” 

It found that the strongest-performing areas had a focus on building a stronger local economy, improving access to work through skills support and improved transport links, and reducing constraints on housing and commercial space. 

The top-performing city was Brighton, with a total disposable income growth of 8.1 per cent between 2013 and 2023. 

The same 11 cities and towns also experienced economic growth of 27 per cent over the decade, compared to 18.4 per cent nationally, with Warrington having the highest total economic growth at 41 per cent.

It also found that residents from areas where real-terms living standards declined had missed out on substantial sums. Residents of Cambridge, where real-terms disposable incomes declined by 3 per cent in total since 2013, would have been £10,900 better off over the decade if the city had matched the top-performing places. 

Centre for Cities chief executive, Andrew Carter, said: “It is understandable that the government has shifted its emphasis onto the cost of living in recent weeks, but ultimately it is stronger economic growth that raises household incomes. Without growth, cost of living fixes can only ever be temporary.

“Nationally, the last decade has delivered the same amount of growth in living standards as we typically experienced in a single year prior to 2008.”

Economic growth in areas like Warrington and Barnsley had translated into higher household incomes and less deprivation, Mr Carter said. He added: “That isn’t accidental: it is shaped by policy choices on skills, transport, housing, and support for businesses.”

He said that cities need to support more jobs in sectors like life sciences, digital and AI. “These jobs cluster in urban areas and generate benefits for those working in the ‘everyday economy’, too,” Mr Carter said.

“As the prime minister has said, 2026 needs to be the year that ‘politics shows it can help again’. The test, at the end of this year, will be whether we are seeing more jobs, higher wages, and stronger local growth in more places across the country.” 

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment.