TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday ordered the release of 250 political prisoners as part of a deal with Washington that lifted some U.S. sanctions, the latest step in the isolated leader’s effort to improve ties with the West.

Lukashenko pardoned the prisoners after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, in the Belarus capital of Minsk. Coale hailed the release as a “significant humanitarian milestone” and a testament to Trump’s “commitment to direct, hard-nosed diplomacy.” It marked the largest one-time release of political prisoners in the country.

Coale told reporters that the U.S. will lift sanctions from two Belarusian state banks and the country’s Finance Ministry, and that the top Belarusian potash producers have been removed from a sanctions list.

Belarus’ opposition leader-in-exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, hailed the prisoners’ release as “a moment of great relief and hope.”

“After years of isolation, people are now free and can finally embrace their loved ones,” Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press. “There is nothing more powerful than seeing someone who endured unjust imprisonment reunited with their family.”

She thanked Trump and his officials for their “tireless efforts to secure the release of political prisoners,” adding that “these humanitarian efforts are saving lives.”

The last time U.S. officials met with Lukashenko, in December, Washington announced the easing of sanctions on Belarus’ potash sector, a key source of export revenue, and 123 prisoners were released and sent to Ukraine and Lithuania.

A close ally of Russia, Minsk has faced isolation for years. Lukashenko has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist for more than three decades, and the country has been sanctioned repeatedly by Western countries — both for its crackdown on human rights and for allowing Moscow to use its territory in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Lukashenko’s rule was challenged after a 2020 presidential election, when tens of thousands poured into the streets to protest a vote they viewed as rigged. They were the largest demonstrations since Belarus became independent following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

In an ensuing crackdown, tens of thousands were detained, with many beaten by police. Prominent opposition figures either fled the country or were imprisoned.

Five years after the mass demonstrations, Lukashenko won a seventh term last year in an election that the opposition called a farce.

More recently, Belarus has freed some political prisoners to try to win favor with the West. Since Trump returned to the White House last year, Lukashenko has released dozens of prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski and key dissident figures Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kolesnikova.

Trump spoke to Lukashenko by phone in August 2025 after one such release and even suggested a face-to-face meeting in what would be a big victory for the Belarusian leader, who has been dubbed “Europe’s Last Dictator.”

Dzianis Kuchynski, an adviser to Tsikhanouskaya, said that 15 of the 250 prisoners arrived in Lithuania following their release.

They included Valiantsin Stefanovich and Marfa Rabkova of the prominent Belarus human rights group Viasna. Stefanovich was serving a nine-year sentence on charges of smuggling money to finance activities violating the public order after his arrest in 2023. Rabkova was sentenced to 14 years and nine months following her 2020 arrest and conviction on charges of organizing riots and inciting hatred, accusations widely seen as a punishment for documenting human rights abuses.

Nasta Loika, 37, an activist with the international rights group Human Constanta, was also released. She was sentenced to seven years in prison after her arrest in 2022 on charges of organizing mass unrest and inciting hatred – charges widely seen as retaliation for her activism.

Also freed was Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, 32, who also goes by the last name of Andreyeva, a journalist of the Polish-funded Belsat TV channel who was arrested in 2020 while covering mass anti-government protests in Minsk. She was sentenced to more than eight years in prison on convictions for violating public order and treason.

Eduard Palchys, a 35-year-old opposition blogger, was also among those pardoned by Lukashenko. He was convicted of causing harm to Belarus’ national security and organizing mass unrest over his role in coordinating the demonstrations in 2020. and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Like previously released prisoners, they were all sent to Lithuania without passports or other identity papers. Kuchynski denounced it as a “mockery” by Belarusian authorities seeking to make the lives of the released prisoners more abroad more difficult.

Just before the latest announcement of releases, the Viasna group had estimated that there were more than 1,100 political prisoners in the country.

Tsikhanouskaya emphasized that “many people are still behind bars” and “our goal remains unchanged — to free them all and to put a final end to repression, so that every Belarusian can live freely in their own country.”

Red Nose Day returns to BBC One on Friday, March 20 with Davina McCall, Joel Dommett and Catherine Tate presenting Comic Relief: Funny for Money from 7pm – here’s everything you need to know about the telethon

Red Nose Day is making a comeback this week with Comic Relief: Funny For Money.

The annual charity spectacle will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from MediaCityUK in Salford, promising a night filled with humour and entertainment to raise funds for providing food, shelter, and safety.

The telethon is set to feature live performances, fantastic prizes, surprise guest appearances, and must-watch sketches. In a first for Comic Relief, the show will also be live-streamed on the official BBC YouTube channel.

This year’s special guests include Idris Elba, reprising his role as DCI John Luther, joining Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary in the hilariously suspenseful sketch The Bank Job.

Catherine Tate will co-host the show alongside regular presenter Davina McCall, appearing as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the renowned telethon, reports the Mirror.

Comic Relief start and finish time

Comic Relief: Funny for Money will air live on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday, March 20, and for the first time ever, it will be simultaneously live-streamed on the official BBC YouTube channel.

Viewers can tune in at 7pm to watch the spectacle unfold, with co-host Joel Dommett promising one of the “best openings to Comic Relief ever.”

The telethon will run for three hours on BBC One, then at 10pm, the Red Nose Day fun will move over to BBC Two where Romesh Ranganathan will host a special episode of Comic Relief Does The Weakest Link.

Comic Relief presenters

Returning to present once more is Davina McCall, who will anchor the entire evening’s entertainment.

She will be accompanied in hosting responsibilities by Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Joel Dommett, and Catherine Tate (as Nan from The Catherine Tate Show).

Discussing the presenting lineup, Davina remarked: “What’s so nice is that I’m hosting with Joel Dommett, and Joel’s actually one of my best friends! So, it’s so nice to be presenting with him. Knowing that I’m with him whilst also presenting with Nan (Catherine Tate) is very reassuring, because actually, I am mildly terrified of Nan if I’m honest!”.

“How I’m going to stop her from swearing, I just don’t know! Obviously ‘please do not swear’ was my catchphrase – so I’m going to have to stay on my toes. Katherine Ryan, I love. I mean, Nick Mohammed, I was obsessed with Ted Lasso so I’m so excited about working with him. It’s going to be an amazing, amazing night.”

Comic Relief sketches and cameos

The BBC has pledged “some very special cameo guests” and comedy segments. Thus far, the broadcaster has announced sketches featuring several of its most popular programmes, including The Traitors, and Amandaland, alongside The Bank Job, starring Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

The sketch will feature the duo devising a plan to generate enormous sums of money in an incredibly swift, absurd manner by robbing a bank. They’ll be accompanied on the robbery by Chris McCausland, Stephen Mulhern, Shona McGarty, Niko Omilana, Gladiator’s Sabre, and Natalie Cassidy.

The BBC stated: “Who will stay on the right side of the law? Who will put their (questionable! ) intelligence, strategic prowess and artful deftness to the test in a bid to become 2026’s most-wanted bank robber? And how will they fare now that DCI John Luther is on the case?”.

The programme will also showcase the remarkable challenges undertaken by celebrities in the run-up to Red Nose Day, including Radio 1 DJ Greg James, who is presently tackling a 1,000km tandem bicycle journey across the UK to raise funds.

On how to get involved in Red Nose Day, you can visit the Red Nose Day website.

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website.

Just one app was found to be ‘safe’ in a major new study

Inaccurate social media posts about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism have been linked to a rise in young people believing they have neurodevelopmental conditions, an expert has said after a new study highlighted the levels of misinformation online. Researchers said their findings present a “clear need for action” for more high-quality information to be shared on social media and “strengthened content moderation”.

Experts from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust set out to examine the quality of mental health and neurodivergence information on social media by reviewing all relevant studies on the topic relating to posts on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. They included 27 studies concerning 5,057 social media posts.

The rate of misinformation ranged from 0% for videos analysed on anxiety and depression from YouTube Kids to 56.9% for claustrophobia videos on YouTube, the authors wrote in The Journal of Social Media Research. The researchers said misinformation prevalence was “consistently higher on TikTok than other platforms”.

YouTube Kids was the only platform to have no misinformation on some topics “likely due to the implementation of stricter content moderation and prioritisation of child-friendly content”, the authors said. Dr Alice Carter, from UEA, said: “When we looked closely at TikTok content, studies reported that 52% of ADHD-related videos and 41% of autism videos analysed were inaccurate.

“By contrast, YouTube averaged 22% misinformation while Facebook averaged just under 15%.”

The research team found that posts about ADHD and autism were more likely to contain misinformation compared to mental health topics. Dr Eleanor Chatburn, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Mental health information on social media matters because many young people now turn to these platforms to understand their symptoms and possible diagnoses.

“TikTok content has been linked to young people increasingly believing they may have mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions. While this questioning can be a helpful starting point, it’s important these questions lead to proper clinical assessment with a professional.

“As well as leading to misunderstanding of serious conditions and pathologising ordinary behaviour, misinformation can also lead to delayed diagnosis for people that actually do need help.”

The researchers found that content created by health professionals was more likely to be accurate. Dr Carter added: “While lived-experience can play an important role, with personal stories helping people to feel understood and raising awareness of mental health conditions, it is vital to ensure that accurate and evidence-based information from clinicians and trusted organisations is also visible and easy to find.

Advertisement

“TikTok’s algorithms are also designed to push rapidly engaging content and this is a major driver of misinformation. Once users show interest in a topic, they are bombarded with similar posts – creating powerful echo chambers that can reinforce false or exaggerated claims. It is a perfect storm for misinformation to go viral faster than facts can catch up.”

The authors called for better evidence-based content and improved content moderation to tackle misinformation on social media.

Judith Brown, head of evidence and research at the National Autistic Society, said: “This study demonstrates how rapidly misinformation can spread on social media platforms, highlighting the importance of evidence-based advice and guidance from organisations such as the National Autistic Society.

“Our online information undergoes a robust process before publication to ensure it is accurate, evidence-based and up to date. The rise of online misinformation about autism is a serious issue.

“People are being exposed to inaccurate and unreliable information which can lead to stigma and prejudice, and could also prevent them from seeking support. Social media companies should think about how to improve their platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation.

“People should be wary of information they find and know that it does not replace a professional assessment for autism, which can provide a life-changing diagnosis and access to appropriate support. Anyone who wants to learn more about autism should visit trusted sources such as the NHS website or autism.org.uk”

A TikTok spokesperson said: “This is a flawed study that relies on outdated research about multiple platforms. The facts are that we remove harmful health misinformation and provide access to reliable information from the WHO, so that our community can express themselves about what matters to them and find support.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Accurate, credible information about mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions is essential – misinformation can cause real harm and delay people from getting the help they need. Our free NHS-approved Every Mind Matters programme provides practical support, and we have launched an independent review to transform ADHD and autism services and cut waiting lists.

“Platforms have a responsibility to act. Under the Online Safety Act, they must tackle illegal content and content that is harmful to children, or face enforcement action. We expect them to take that responsibility seriously.”

As the Middle East conflict threatens global oil supplies, timely analysis finds that achieving net zero in the UK will be cheaper than staying hooked on fossil fuels during such a crisis. 

In its latest report, the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) put the cost of reaching net zero by 2050 at £4bn a year, or £100bn in total. This, it added, was equivalent to the energy-related costs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

The fallout from the war in Iran is likely to be an ever greater shock, analysts warn. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a choke-point for oil shipments, is already hiking up energy prices globally.

“In light of current world events, it’s more important than ever for the UK to move away from being reliant on volatile foreign fossil fuels, to clean, domestic energy,” said Nigel Topping, the CCC’s chair . 

While the war in Iran has sparked calls from some politicians to ramp up domestic fossil fuel production in the UK, analysis from Carbon Brief – also published this week – finds that doing so would have a negligible impact on energy security.    

“The continued expansion of renewables and low-carbon technologies offers far greater protection against volatile gas imports than new domestic drilling,” it found. 

Image: Hryshchyshen Serhii

Aries 0904 470 1141 (65p per minute)*

Taurus 0904 470 1142 (65p per minute)*

Gemini 0904 470 1143 (65p per minute)*

Cancer 0904 470 1144 (65p per minute)*

Leo 0904 470 1145 (65p per minute)*

Virgo 0904 470 1146 (65p per minute)*

Libra 0904 470 1147 (65p per minute)*

Scorpio 0904 470 1148 (65p per minute)*

Sagittarius 0904 470 1149 (65p per minute)*

Capricorn 0904 470 1150 (65p per minute)*

Aquarius 0904 470 1151 (65p per minute)*

Pisces 0904 470 1152 (65p per minute)*

*Astro line horoscopes are updated every Thursday. Calls cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge and will last approximately five minutes. You must be over 18 and have the bill payer’s permission. Service provided by Spoke. Customer service: 0333 202 3390

Chuck Norris has reportedly been hospitalized following a medical emergency in Hawaii.

The Walker, Texas Ranger star has owned a $7 million home on Kauai’s North Shore since 2015.

According to TMZ, Norris is conscious and in “good spirits.” No details regarding the nature of the medical emergency have been released.

The Independent has contacted Norris’s representative for comment.

Last week, Norris celebrated his 86th birthday, marking the occasion with a social media post that included a video of himself sparring with a boxing trainer.

At the time, he wrote: “I don’t age. I level up. I’m 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young.”

He continued: “I’m grateful for another year, good health and the chance to keep doing what I love. Thank you all for being the best fans in the world. Your support through the years has meant more to me than you’ll ever know. God Bless, Chuck Norris.”

Norris is a former martial arts champion who starred opposite Bruce Lee in 1972’s The Way of the Dragon. He went on to have a successful film and television career, most famously leading the Walker, Texas Ranger action crime series on CBS from 1993 to 2001.

Last December, he shared an emotional tribute to his first wife, Dianne Holechek, who died at the age of 84.

“I am deeply saddened to share that my ex wife, Dianne, has passed away. After being married for 30 years, we were able to find a way to remain close friends, and those years of friendship meant the world to me,” Norris wrote on Facebook.

“Dianne was an incredible person. She was kind, intelligent, and lived life to the fullest. Her presence in my life will never be forgotten. She was also a loving and devoted mother to our sons, Mike and Eric, who were always her greatest pride.

“Even as our lives took different directions, we continued to care deeply for one another, and I will forever cherish the memories we built together.”

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day

Advertisement

New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day

New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.

Advertisement

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Holechek and Norris met at North High School in Torrance, California, and married in 1958 when they were 17 and 18, respectively.

They separated in 1988, after 30 years of marriage, finalizing their divorce in 1989. They had two children together, Mike (born 1962) and former NASCAR racing driver Eric (born 1965).

Norris subsequently married model Gena O’Kelley, 62, in 1998. They share twins, Dakota and Danilee, 24.

Juliette Kenny died one day after first showing symptoms – now her family is calling for better protection for young people.

Advertisement

The dad of a teenager who died in Kent following a meningitis outbreak has spoken about the family’s utter devastation at their loss.

Juliette Kenny died on Saturday March 14, just one day after first showing symptoms. Now the 18 year old’s family is calling for better protection for young people.

Juliette’s father Michael Kenny has spoken about the loss which his family are dealing with, saying that his daughter had been “fit, healthy and strong” before her death.

She had completed the practical assessment for her PE A-level on Thursday, March 12 – and just a day later, was showing symptoms including vomiting, and discolouration in her cheeks. Juliette, who was described by her father as having a “beautifully positive energy”, is one of two students who have died following the outbreak of meningitis B in the county.

Mr Kenny said “no family should experience this pain and tragedy” and that “this can be avoided”, adding that he wanted his daughter’s legacy to be “lasting change”. It comes as more than 100 students in Kent were turned away while trying to get a meningitis vaccine after officials closed the queue on Thursday.

Advertisement

In a statement to the Press Association, Mr Kenny said: “We are incredibly proud parents to two wonderful daughters. Juliette is a force in this world. With her beautifully positive energy she spread fun, love and happiness to those around her and she continues to do so now.

“The devastation of her loss to us, her family and friends is immeasurable. Sharing stories of the empathy, warmth and fun that she created is helping her family and friends through at this time. Her energy continues to make the people who love her find a way.

“The illness took her from us so quickly.”

Mr Kenny said he first became aware that his daughter was ill when she vomited in the early hours of Friday, March 13. Juliette, a year 13 student at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Faversham, exhibited no other symptoms at that time, he added.

“In the morning on Friday, she was taken, by us, to our local emergency drop-in as a discolouration appeared on her cheeks,” Mr Kenny said.

“She was given antibiotics and sent by ambulance to A&E. Juliette fought bravely for hours, but despite the fantastic NHS hospital staff fighting alongside her, meningitis took her from us less than 12 hours later.

“We were with her at the end, and the last sounds that she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how very much loved and cherished she is.”

Along with the Meningitis Research Foundation, Mr Kenny and his family are calling for the UK to take urgent action to improve access to the menB vaccination for teenagers and young people.

“No family should experience this pain and tragedy,” he said.

“This can be avoided. There are young people currently battling this and young people still at risk.

“As parents, we knew our children would change the world and be a force for good. The work to protect young people has started. It needs to be more.

“Juliette’s impact on this world must be lasting change. Now is the time to ensure families are safe from the impact of meningitis B.”

Vinny Smith, chief executive of Meningitis Research Foundation, said in 2015 the charity’s calls for the menB vaccination to be “routinely available” on the NHS for all at-risk age groups was “not taken forward” as it was “judged not to be cost-effective”. The menB jab was introduced on the NHS for babies in 2015, meaning the majority of young people born before then are not protected against it unless they have had the jab privately.

The Kenny family were not aware that the vaccination is not routinely available on the NHS for teenagers and young adults, and that to have this they would need to pay for it privately. Mr Smith called on the Government to “decide now to save lives” and highlighted menB’s “lifelong impact”, including disabilities caused by the bug.

He said: “When we made the case for menB vaccination to be routinely available on the NHS in 2015 for all at-risk age groups, wider protection for teenagers and young adults was not taken forward (it was judged to not be cost-effective within the criteria used at the time). Our concern, then and now, is that this has not fully reflected the impact of menB or the full value protection from a vaccine brings.

“It hasn’t accounted for the severity of meningitis, its lifelong impact, or the trauma and bereavement experienced by families. People across the country will have seen that impact this week; we believe the UK Government can decide now to save lives and limit the lifelong disabilities caused by meningitis, protecting people for generations to come.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, 15 cases of meningitis have been confirmed and a further 12 are under investigation. This takes the total to 27 cases of either confirmed or suspected meningitis, up from 20 on Wednesday.

Currently, nine of the 15 confirmed cases are known to be caused by menB. On Thursday, 40 MPs signed a letter addressed to the Health Secretary calling on the Government and health officials to work with universities across the country on catch-up vaccination programmes, and to improve awareness.

It also said the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) review of eligibility for meningitis vaccines should be conducted at pace. As of Thursday, the vaccine programme in Kent has been rolled out to anyone who attended the Club Chemistry venue from March 5 to March 15, year 12 and 13 pupils at affected schools, students and staff at the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church university, and close contacts of confirmed or suspected cases.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives… To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here.

Matthew Curtis is the author of Manchester’s Best Beer Pubs and Bars which is soon to publish its second edition.

In the book, releasing on April 2, he praised Bolton’s drinking spots as “heaven for lovers of cask ale” and recommended a day in town exploring “its many fine pubs”.

The famous Bank Top Brewery Tap was named as his star pick, and the writer complimented the other two pubs owned by Bank Top Brewery as “superb” too.

Bunbury’s on Chorley Old Road was also named in the guide, with Matthew saying the drinking spot “feels closer to your mate’s front room than it does a licensed drinking establishment”.

Owner Darryl Leech said they’re “craft ale and real ale specialists” with seven rotating lines that guarantee a unique drink every visit.

Darryl Leech at Bunbury’s (Image: Darryl Leech)

He said the pub’s changed over the years but “it feels like a real place where anyone can come and be part of something”.

Earl’s was also given a shout out for its “great beer” and “seriously well-made sandwiches”.

Matthew said the Northern Monkey Bar was a “nice counterpoint” to the more traditional pubs common in town – such as Ye Olde Man and Scythe, one of the oldest bars in the country.

One for the Road in Bolton Market was lauded for its “concise” beer selection and Matthew said the traders “are well worth pursuing” before settling down with a beer.

John Monaghan at One for the Road (Image: Newsquest)

Westhoughton was also visited in the guide and Matthew said it “certainly punches above its weight in terms of great beer destinations”, naming The Beer School and The Brewery Tap as two standouts.

The Beer School recently took home three awards at the Best Bar None Bolton nightlife awards including the Platinum Award, Special Recognition Award and the Community Award Winner.

Owner Rachel Birch, who worked as a teacher before starting the bar in 2016, said the journey has been “an absolute rollercoaster”.

Rachel Birch at The Beer School in Westhoughton (Image: Rachel Birch)

With nearly a decade in the town, she’s built their reputation as “an independent, permanent beer festival” with every cask on rotation.

Bolton CAMRA Chair John Mitchell said they were “delighted” that the guide “shines a light on the diversity of the Bolton pub scene”.

He said: “From traditional favourite the Olde Man and Scythe in Bolton town centre with its range of cask beers and ciders to the café bar Earl’s up towards Doffcocker, which sells a variety of craft beers, there is something for everyone in the guide.

“Bolton’s breweries are also well represented with bars operated by both Bank Top and Northern Monkey included.

“It’s good to see Matthew is encouraging drinkers to get out of the city centre to visit Bolton and its surroundings where there are lots of pubs and bars where you’ll get a warm welcome and a great pint.”

The refreshed version of the award-winning guide features pubs across every borough in Greater Manchester – with the revised edition featuring 50 new additions and detailed reviews of over 200 pubs, bars and taprooms.

Manchester’s Best Beer Pubs and Bars will be released on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The Spanish island is expected to see the impacts of Storm Therese, which is predicted to last until Sunday (March 22).

Authorities activated the Island Emergency Plan (PEIN) at 3pm on Wednesday (March 18).

This triggered widespread closures, restrictions and the suspension of outdoor activities across the island.

Tenerife President Rosa Dávila said: ‘Starting today (Wednesday, March 18) at 3pm, the island emergency response system is put into operation to prepare for an episode of adverse weather that will affect Tenerife over the coming days.”

Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys and take extra care while driving.

Additionally, they should not enter closed or restricted areas and loose outdoor items that could be blown away should be secured.

Authorities have confirmed that all emergency services remain on standby and ready to respond as the situation develops.

What weather warnings are in place on Tenerife?

Aemet, Spain’s national meteorological agency, has shared that the Canary Islands as a whole will experience a “period of adverse weather” for the rest of this week.

From today (Thursday, March 19), winds are expected to exceed 55mph in the “peaks, mid-altitude areas, and exposed slopes of the islands”.

Heavy showers are anticipated across the weekend, along with possible thunderstorms and hail.

Strong gusts of wind are also likely to be present on Saturday (March 21) before it subsides on Sunday (March 22).

Will flights to Tenerife be impacted?

At the time of writing, it is unknown if the storm will cause flights to Tenerife and other Canary Islands to be cancelled, but delays cannot be ruled out.

Canarian Weekly shared that 26 flights were cancelled on Wednesday, March 18, with seven others diverted.

Most of those were local inter-island flights, but some incoming international flights were impacted too.

For example, a flight intended for La Palma Airport from Madrid was diverted to Tenerife South.

Authorities warn that the situation remains fluid as Storm Therese continues to affect the islands, with strong winds and heavy rain creating hazardous flying conditions.

Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling and allow extra time when heading to the airport.

Community tensions – and reports of both antisemitism and Islamophobia – have been rising in Australia since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.