Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed Monday as powerful storms swept across the eastern half of the country and a partial government shutdown affecting airport security screeners dragged into a second month.

The disruptions come at an already challenging time for air travel, in part because the shutdown that began Feb. 14 has strained staffing at some security checkpoints. At the same time, airports are crowded with spring break travelers and fans heading to March Madness games, the annual NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments.

Flight delays and cancellations piled up Monday at some of the nation’s largest airports, including those in New York, Chicago and Atlanta. The storm system that dropped snow by the foot in the Midwest was barreling toward the East Coast with dangerously high winds and the potential for “producing strong and long track tornadoes,” the National Weather Service warned Monday.

More than 3,600 flights scheduled to fly into, out of or within the U.S. on Monday have been called off, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. Roughly 6,800 other U.S. flights were delayed.

Kelly Price, who was trying to get home to Colorado after a family vacation in Orlando, Florida, said her Sunday night flight wasn’t canceled until early Monday.

The storms are also unfolding just as airport security screeners missed their first full paycheck over the weekend. The current partial government shutdown affects only the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration. It is the third shutdown in less than a year to leave TSA workers temporarily without pay. Once the government reopens, employees will have to wait for back pay.

Democrats in Congress have said Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Some airports have reported longer security lines because of staffing shortages as more TSA workers take on second jobs, can’t afford gas to get to work or leave the profession altogether. Homeland Security has said more than 300 TSA agents have quit since the start of the shutdown.

The airport in Austin, Texas, shared a video on X taken at 5:30 a.m. local time showing the security line spilling out of the airport.

“We continue to recommend arriving 2 1/2 hours before your domestic flight,” Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said.

Travelers flying out of Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans on Sunday and Monday were also advised to arrive at least three hours early.

“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint,” the airport said on X.

Also over the weekend, the CEOs of the nation’s top airlines — including Delta, American, United and Southwest — implored Congress to restore funding to Homeland Security and embrace a bipartisan solution that would ensure pay for federal aviation workers during future government shutdowns.

“It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid,” the executives wrote in an open letter to Congress.

“The plans for Jennings Park are exciting and long overdue.”

Major Stormont funding could be set to for a Newry sports hub on grounds named after legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s active and healthy communities committee agreed on Tuesday to apply for Department for Communities funding but discussed a report on the project budget behind closed doors away from the public.

A business case for the Newry sports hub was approved in 2024 for the development of playing fields for football, rugby and GAA at Jennings Park.

READ MORE: Concerns raised at NI council over number of closed-door debates.

READ MORE: Popular breakwater pier could be closed to the public after 50 years over £350,000 repair bill.

A council officer said: “DfC Department for Communities has launched a funding grant for grassroots football facilities.

“Officers have looked at it and identified Jennings Park Newry as part of the multi-hub that meets the criteria set out by the funders in ‘Stream 2’.

“If the committee agrees, officers will submit an application before the deadline later this year on 29 April.”

Earlier this month, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced the next milestone in the Northern Ireland Football Fund with the pilot stage of the Grassroots Facilities Programme.

The pilot will be allocated an indicative budget of £9million with the first awards payable to applicants as early as this financial year. Applicants can apply for funding awards between £500,000 and £1.5million.

In November 2023, a statue of the former Arsenal and Spurs goalkeeper was unveiled outside Newry Town Hall with Jennings and his family in attendance as well as former stars of soccer, Liam Brady, Gerry Armstrong and Ledley King paying tribute to one of the greatest keepers of all time.

Newry Sinn Fein councillor Aidan Mathers added:”I am happy to propose this. The plans for Jennings Park are exciting and long overdue. It is vitally important that communication around the progress of this initiative is shared especially by the people who are going to be affected by it.”

Stream 2 of the DfC funding scheme is open to councils applying for a grassroots football facility or councils applying in partnership with a grassroots football club.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The concession has been in place for a number of years, allowing highly skilled shearers to work in the UK during the sheep shearing season.

The Home Office announced in January that it would be ending the concession. However, this prompted concern in the sector and in Northumberland due to a gap in the workforce.

Ensuring that sheep are shorn in a timely manner is vital to safeguard the animal’s welfare, as it prevents issues with heat stress and fly strike.

Shearers from New Zealand have been coming to stay in the Coquet Valley for more than 30 years.

Last year, six shearers from New Zealand stayed in Coquetdale for three months and sheared nearly 90,000 sheep across farms stretching from the Scottish Borders to County Durham.

Following criticism, the Home Office has confirmed the concession would be extended for one more year.

However, the industry has been told it will need to create a “fully sustained” UK workforce in the future.

A spokesman said: “The sector has been supported for 14 years to enable it to train up British workers, reduce reliance on migrant labour, and provide a fully sustained workforce within the UK,” said a spokesman.

“A final extension has been provided to the sector. We now expect the sector to complete its transition to using domestic labour.”

Northumberland MPs Joe Morris and David Smith, who represent the rural Hexham and North Northumberland constituencies respectively, welcomed the news.

In a joint statement, the Labour MPs said: “This is good news. We know how important these shearers are for local farms and we’ve been speaking with the Government about the visa scheme since the first announcement.

“After we raised this with the Home Office we’re very pleased that the Government has listened and continued the scheme for one more year. Thank you to the farmers who first raised this issue with us.”

Rothbury councillor Steven Bridgett had written to both MPs urging them to lobby the Government to reinstate the concession.

He said he was “pleased”that the Government had withdrawn the proposals for the coming year.

However, he added he was “disappointed” not to have received any response to his letter from either MP.

Most coffee shops will give you a discount if you bring in a reusable coffee cup, as it reduces the number of takeaway cups that end up in landfill. Disposable coffee cups can’t be recycled with paper and cardboard, because they have a plastic inner coating. Given that Britons drink almost 100 million cups of coffee per day (according to the British Coffee Association), that’s a lot of waste.

One way to reduce your footprint is by investing in one of the best reusable coffee cups or travel mugs (some of which double as reusable water bottles). Costing between £5 and £40, they come in a range of materials, shapes and sizes. Often, the coffee tastes better than in the cardboard-plastic cups. Plus if you make your brew in a coffee machine at home, you can take it on the go. 

The best reusable coffee cups: At a glance:

How to choose a reusable coffee cup

We like a stainless steel, leak-proof cup that holds under 500ml – compact enough to be tossed into a work bag or carried on a morning commute without fear of leaks or bulk. Of course, personal preference plays a big part in choosing the right reusable coffee cup.

The market now offers an impressive range of sustainable options, with most falling into two broad categories. The first includes cups with thermal linings that keep coffee hot for hours, ideal for those who sip slowly throughout the day or face long journeys between refills.

The second type lacks insulation, meaning the coffee needs to be enjoyed relatively quickly, much like a traditional mug or takeaway cup. The latter are typically cheaper and lighter, and many coffee lovers argue they provide a better drinking experience since the liquid cools to a comfortable temperature more quickly.

How we test reusable coffee cups

He was involved in two altercations, one being while on bail

A violent 18-year-old drug dealer has been jailed after a firearm was discharged in a Peterborough park. The teenager was sent to prison after being involved in two altercations, one being while on bail.

Hamdard Khan, was part of a group involved in an altercation in Central Park in the early hours of March 9 last year. It was reported a firearm had been discharged and police arrived to discover a folding lock knife and five spent firearm casings.

Khan was identified from CCTV footage and his home in Thistlemoor Road, New England, Peterborough, was searched. Officers discovered cocaine and heroin worth £1,310, more than £400 in cash, 60 blank firing rounds that matched those found at the scene, a machete and an extendable baton.

Khan, now of Scotswood Crescent, Leicester, was charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, supplying heroin and supplying cocaine. While on court bail, on November 26, Khan and another man, Rihaem Khan, 23, were involved in an altercation with a group of people in Geneva Street, Peterborough.

Pieces of wood were used during the melee, a knife was seen and the older man was captured on CCTV throwing multiple punches, before picking up a brick from the ground. Two people suffered minor injuries, one requiring hospital treatment for a cut to his head.

Hamdard Khan admitted the drug offences and an additional count of affray following the incident in November. On Friday, March 13, at Cambridge Crown Court, he was jailed for 26 months. At the same hearing Rihaem Khan, of no known address, was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, having previously admitted affray.

DC Nik Loizou said: “This was a worrying incident for local residents, with a firearm being discharged in a popular public place.

“Hamdard Khan was clearly involved in supplying class A drugs, with the evidence giving him little choice but to plead guilty. These substances lead to addiction and misery, as they destroy lives and contribute to crime in the city.”

Ripon Grammar School, in Clotherholme Road, has shared its intention to open its doors again after having to close today (March 16) for a gas leak.

The school posted a notice on its official Facebook page on Sunday evening, letting parents and students know that the building would be closed until the site was made safe.

RECOMMENDED READING:

This afternoon, the school has updated their page to let people know that following work by gas engineers, the leak has been isolated and made safe.

They said: “Catering facilities, however, will be limited while repair work continues, so could students please bring a packed lunch to school tomorrow. Thank you, once again, for your cooperation.”

The school added that boarding students would be able to return to their houses this evening, with separate arrangements for catering.

Thirty years after it first aired, This Life will return to the BBC for a whole new generation to enjoy this 90s cult classic.

The era-defining British series – created by Amy Jenkins – starred an early-career Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) as well as Daniela Nardini, Jack Davenport, Amita Dhiri and Jason Hughes.

The quintet played a group of twenty-something lawyers sharing a house in south London ‘as they navigated friendship, ambition and the complexities of their twenties.’

Or, as the synopsis dubbing it ‘raw, real and revolutionary’ reads: ‘The 90s’ most famous houseshare. Five aspiring lawyers are aiming for the top – but behind the scenes, they’re a mess of love, drugs and excess.’

Hailed a ‘landmark drama’ with ‘fresh, raw and unfiltered performances’, it became the ‘defining series of the decade’ and a time capsule of London life during this time.

Behind the scenes, the show was also a fertile training ground for Britain’s up-and-coming directors, such as I May Destroy You’s Bafta-winning director Sam Miller and Harry Bradbeer (director behind hits like Fleabag and Enola Holmes).

The 32-episode rerun, offering a trip down memory lane, will be introduced by Daniela.

Fans and critics alike have praised its impact as a cultural touchstone and enduring legacy – despite its short time on screens.

Metro called it ‘the greatest drama of the 90s’, adding ‘no other TV series managed to capture the Cool Britannia zeitgeist as brilliantly as This Life’.

In a 2021 review, The Guardian wrote: ‘It was the sort of television where you wanted to contact all your friends immediately after watching an episode to recap it. It was funny but it also broke your heart.

‘It felt freakishly true to life. It depicted all the messiness and glory of being in your 20s in a way that you never usually see on commercial television.’

And in a review fresh after its release in 1996, The Independent shared: ‘What keeps you watching, in the absence of much discernible forward motion, is a quality of observation – the dialogue, apart from the odd passage here and there, continues to have an eavesdropped quality.’

The show has been praised for its diverse storylines, such as gay character Warren, who is grappling with his identity and discussions around interracial couples.

Over on IMDB, user shootingstar82 wrote: ‘While there are a couple of moments where This Life feels a little dated, overall, it holds up very well and is still immensely watchable.

‘This is one of the truly great British TV shows which I look forward to viewing again at some point in the future.’

‘A near-perfect study of life’s transitional period between careless partying and responsible adulthood,’ ideorio shared.

Discussing its unexpected popularity, and what drew him to the show in 2020, Miles actor Jack shared with The Guardian: ‘The writing was really different from most television. If you took a load of drugs, you didn’t necessarily die immediately.

‘If you had unprotected sex, you didn’t automatically become HIV positive. People liked it because there was no moralising. If you’re 22, you’re going to make some really bad decisions, but that’s OK. Relax.’

This Life returns to BBC Four at 10pm on Wednesday, March 18. Seasons one and two, as well as the 10-year reunion, will be available from iPlayer from 6am.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE: BBC spin-off of ‘best comedy ever’ soars up Netflix top 10 after being quietly added

MORE: BBC fans give verdict after bingeing first 5 episodes of Pride and Prejudice spin-off

MORE: BBC confirms Michael Sheen will replace Richard Osman as House of Games host

Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from the Miami Open due to illness.

The 23-year-old British No 1 had received a bye into the second round of the tournament, which begins on Tuesday.

Raducanu is still recovering from post viral symptoms she picked up in the Middle East last month.

The 2021 US Open champion competed at Indian Wells earlier this month – suffering a 6-1 6-1 third-round defeat to Amanda Anisimova.

Speaking after that 52-minute loss, Raducanu admitted she could not summon the power to compete with the two-time grand slam finalist.

She repeatedly declined to chase down drop shots and struggled to put her opponent under any pressure with her return of serve.

Raducanu cut ties with her latest coach Francisco Roig in January and has been working on an ad-hoc basis with Mark Petchey in a bid to rediscover top form.

Seeded 24th, she could have faced compatriot Sonay Kartal – who begins against American Peyton Stearns – in the round of 64 in Miami.

PA

Katie Price has spoken out about her romance with Lee Andrews amid claims he isn’t what he says he is. The pair got married in Dubai weeks after meeting

Katie Price has revealed the unexpected reason why her husband Lee Andrews hasn’t met her kids yet. Lee and Katie got married weeks after meeting for the first time in Dubai, with no family or friends – including any of her children – in attendance.

There is much mystery about Lee. He was thought to have had obtained a PhD from Cambridge University but the claims were later thwarted, and in recent days, a voice note emerged in which Lee appeared to be begging for cash shortly before he staged the lavish proposal, but Katie has since said she has seen proof that he is a millionaire despite concerns.

Her children have yet to meet Lee though in person, despite the businessman getting a tattoo tribute to Katie’s eldest son Harvey. Whilst they haven’t met, Katie has now explained why that’s the case, saying: “I want to get to know him more myself.”

Speaking about how her kids have met Lee via FaceTime, she admitted: “No, like it never is enough. And for me to introduce him to the kids, I won’t be introducing him to the kids yet, because I want to get to know him more myself.

“And I think the thing that everyone can’t get their head round is why have I married him quick. I was there. We got engaged. And it just felt right, so why not get married?”

Later in the interview, Katie also defended her new husband, insisting that he does have a PhD – just not from Cambridge as well as a diplomatic passport in the name of ‘Dr Lee Andrews’.

“His passport says that he’s a doctor, it’s reported that he has a PhD from Cambridge, but Cambridge University said they had never heard of him,” host Ed Balls explained to her.

Katie then replied: “He doesn’t have a PhD from Cambridge, it’s one in Spain. That’s for him to say that he’s got his PhD, but it’s not from Cambridge, I don’t know where that came from, he hasn’t got a PhD from Cambridge at all but he has got a PhD. I’ve seen everything I need to see, on his diplomatic passport, it’s Doctor Lee Andrews, on his normal passport, it’s Wesley Lee Andrews.”

When host Susanna Reid said “I’m not sure you’ve had time to get to know the person to whom you are now married, so why the whirlwind?” Katie then replied to give her opinion on the matter.

“Do you ever really know anyone? If you look at my past marriages, did I ever know they would be what they would be Sometimes I don’t think you can ever know who anyone is…” she had said.

Like this s tory? F or more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .