The warning comes as airlines face operational challenges and potential fuel supply issues. Travellers are being urged to prepare for possible delays and familiarise themselves with their rights.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “For Brits planning to travel this summer, it’s worth being aware that flight cancellations and delays could happen as airlines respond to operational pressures.

“Disruptions like this can leave travellers unsure about their rights and what steps to take next if they are affected.

“The good news is that UK passengers have rights if their flight is cancelled.

“Airlines should offer a refund or an alternative flight, even if your ticket was non-refundable.”

Mr Vaughan also urged travellers to obtain travel insurance before departure.

He said: “It’s always sensible to take out travel insurance before going away.

“Even if you are able to claim directly via the airline, an insurer can guide you on how to make a claim.

“With the right policy in place, you may also be able to claim back for other parts of your holiday that were affected as a result.”

He advised passengers to contact their airline as soon as possible if affected and to keep receipts for essential expenses, such as food, accommodation or transport, as these may be reimbursed.

Travellers were also encouraged to review their travel insurance policies and speak to their insurer to understand what extra costs could be claimed back.

Several UK airlines may have to cancel flights or hike prices ahead of summer with travel experts warning passengers to ensure insurance is in check with ‘refund’ update

As summer holidays are approaching and UK airlines are facing some disruptions due to the Middle East conflict, passengers have been urged to be aware of their refund rights.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed despite ceasefire negotiations, and as the passage for over 20 per cent of the world’s fuel, this is impacting travel across the globe, including British travellers.

Travel experts are warning holidaymakers to be aware of how to protect your plans before summer commences.

Fuel prices have nearly doubled since the war began, with the International Energy Agency describing the situation as potentially the largest energy crisis the world has faced.

A document has been submitted to ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority warning that if disruption “worsens” airlines in the UK will be forced to increase fares and cut flights.

Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers, including EasyJet, Jet2, British Airways and Ryanair, say in the document that “the doubling of jet fuel costs (with fuel accounting for around one-third of airline costs) represents a major additional price shock”.

The letter is an attempt to get the government to step in to secure fuel supplies and give airlines more flexibility to cope with soaring costs.

One of the asks is to allow the temporary import and use of Jet A – a grade of jet fuel produced in the US, according to ITV.

The emergency document illustrates the financial fears of airlines, adding to the concern that flights may be cut or prices escalated.

A travel expert has warned that British travellers should ensure “travel insurance is in order” and “check booking terms” ahead of summer.

Airlines will still be required to offer full refunds, should flights be cancelled, or provide an alternative route.

The spokesperson for Ski Vertigo said: “This is a situation every traveller with a summer booking should be watching closely. Prices are already moving and the risk of cancellations is real, particularly on shorter intra-European routes where the economics are tightest.

“Our advice is to make sure your travel insurance is in order, check your booking terms, and keep a close eye on any communications from your airline.” They added: “If your flight is cancelled, airlines are still required to offer you a full refund or an alternative route, and their duty of care — covering meals, accommodation where needed, and rebooking — remains in place regardless of the reason for the disruption.

“However, because this crisis stems from a geopolitical conflict outside the airline’s control, it is likely to be treated as an extraordinary circumstance, which means financial compensation beyond a refund is unlikely in most cases.”

Residents have been promised they “won’t have to pay a penny” for their home energy for at least five to 10 years

Residents moving into a new 300-home developmemnt in a Cambridgeshire town won’t have to pay an energy bill for at least 10 years. Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has teamed up with Prosperity Group where they plan to build the 300 “Zero Bills” homes at a site on Sandy Lane in Wisbech.

The homes are due to be completed in 2028, with residents expected to move in later that year. Octopus launched the world-first Zero Bills energy tariff in 2022, which allows customers to move into homes packed with “cutting-edge green tech” including a heat pump, a battery and solar panels. The green tech means that they don’t have to pay an energy bill for at least five to 10 years.

Nigel Banks, Zero Bills director at Octopus Energy, said: “We’re finding ourselves in yet another energy crisis, and households are looking for ways to protect themselves from unpredictable energy prices. Living without a home energy bill is no longer a distant ambition – it’s a reality thanks to our Zero Bills tariff.

“This partnership with Prosperity Group is a big step forward – together, we’re bringing Zero Bills living to hundreds of homes and showing what’s possible when smart tech is built in from day one.”

Octopus Energy aims to deliver 100,000 Zero Bills homes by 2030, and has already rolled out the initiative in Germany, France, New Zealand, and the UK.

Demand for these technologies is reportedly rising, according to new data from Octopus Energy. It shows that heat pump sales are up 103 percent, solar panel sales up by 78 percent, and EV charger enquiries are up 42 percent. The Zero Bills tariff does not cover EV charging as this service is charged separately.

Trai Hume, who plays as a full back for the Black Cats, was spotted taking photos with staff at The Lamp Room in Seaham, County Durham, on Monday (April 20).

Trai Hume visits The Lamp Room in Seaham (Image: THE LAMP ROOM/FACEBOOK)

Hume was all smiles as he met staff at the venue, a day after scoring his first Premier League goal in a 4-3 defeat against Aston Villa.

Despite defeat, Sunderland are 11th in the Premier League currently, with Hume playing 33 matches for the North East club this season.

After he visited The Lamp Room, the restaurant posted a photo on social media, with the caption: “The girls got a lovely surprise this lunchtime with a visit from @trai_hume! They congratulated him on his corker of a goal yesterday and got this lovely photo.”

Over the weekend, the Black Cats had scored twice in 58 seconds to turn the game upside down after Aston Villa had coasted to a 3-1 lead.

Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor scored after 86 and 87 minutes as they caught Villa’s Jadon Sancho out each time.

Diarra had a chance to make it four when he was one-on-one with Villa keeper Emi Martinez, but he tried to chip the Argentine, who made a fingertip save.

Villa then took the game to Sunderland, and Tammy Abraham scored the winner.

As well as featuring for Sunderland, Hume plays for Northern Ireland, who missed out on World Cup qualification last month, after they were beaten 2-0 by Italy in the semi-final of the qualification play-offs.

The Thursday letters page explains why the PS5 Pro is worth it for certain gamers, as a reader is dubious about the Life Is Strange TV series.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Ignoring the Call
A reader made a good point the other day, about how we haven’t had any Call Of Duty rumours in months, even though this is usually the time of year when they happen. I believe he’s right in thinking it’s because Activision warned off leakers. I’m curious as to why they chose now to do that, after all these years, but you’ve got to assume it’s to do with Black Ops 7 being so hated and not a big seller.

I’m not sure what stopping rumours is going to do for the next one’s popularity but maybe they think that knowing everything about it in advance was draining some of the excitement away. I can understand that thought but I think Call Of Duty is going to have a real struggle generating any hype from now on.

The last rumour had the next one being yet another Modern Warfare, but this time set in Korea. I don’t know what you need to do to make Call Of Duty exciting again but that’s not it for me. Especially as I’d bet a fortune that it’s going to be predictable enough to have an extraction mode.

Even though it’s yearly, it seems like ages since Black Ops 7 and it’s only become more irrelevant since then. I just feel the franchise isn’t popular or fashionable anymore and it’s going to take more than another Modern Warfare to turn that around.
Morph

My good father secreted me out the castle
It looks like next month they’re going to be filming Elden Ring in Conway Castle in North Wales, which my bus to work goes past every day.

Hopefully I’ll be able to see some sort of indication of what they’re using the location for, even if I don’t get a glimpse of any actors because they’ll probably be in the castle itself.

It’s a bit weird seeing my local news site mentioning Castle Morne and Stormveil, but it’s probably a good indication the journalist knew what they were talking about.

If I do spot anything I’ll be sure to send in pictures.
Euclidian Boxes

GC: Please do.

Free Pass
Great news about Game Pass prices being changed. Basically, I haven’t paid for Ultimate for over five years now or ever. I have been getting Microsoft Reward Points religiously all this time. I can’t get the points for playing on a PC, as I don’t have a PC – Chromebook doesn’t work. So I have missed out of a lot of points there on a daily basis.

I was exchanging my reward points. 12,000 would get you one month of Ultimate. In September they removed that from redeem system. I can, however, exchange my points for a Microsoft gift card and 6,200 points for a fiver, and so on. That now sits in my account waiting for this Friday at the lower price of £16.99, as my subscription expires on Friday. Points literally make prizes.
Woz G

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Interactive TV
Just wanted to know what GameCentral and its readers thought of the upcoming Life Is Strange TV series?

I’m not too bothered if the actresses don’t look too much like Max and Chloe, as I’m more concerned about the writing and if they can elicit the feel of Arcadia Bay using scenery and the soundtrack.

I mean, they have got to get Syd Matters’ To All Of You song in there somewhere, right? And at least some stuff from Angus and Julia Stone.

What is going to be interesting, though, is how they incorporate the choice mechanic from the game.

Will viewers have to vote using their TV remotes or phones at the appropriate time when the action on-screen pauses for about 30 seconds?

I feel that if its fails to impress and they mess this up, ‘that action will have consequences’.
LeeDappa

GC: They don’t look like themselves in the newer games, so what chance did the show have?

Download options
When I wrote in the other day about the free games on Epic Games Store there was a bit of confusion in the Underbox. To clear this up: there is a separate Epic Games Store application for PCs and a separate Epic Games Store app for Android tablets and Android mobiles.

Sometimes they give away the same game on mobile and PC each week and sometimes they give away different games. From your PC or your Android/mobile you need to go to this link to download the Epic Games Store for that device. So if you go to that from a mobile it gives you the option to download the mobile app or if you go to that link on PC it gives you the option to download the PC application.

On mobile you have to allow the Epic Games Store app to install on your Android device because it is classed as a third party app, it is not available on Google Play Store unfortunately. This week was an especially good week, as on PC you had Stone Of Madness and on the mobile app you had Broken Sword The Shadows Of The Templar: Reforged. Those game are free still, until 4pm today.

When it gets to 4pm on the mobile app on a Thursday, it can be quite slow to show the new game sometimes, so you might have to wait 30 minutes possibly or more. On PC sometimes the game lists on time and sometimes it is a few minutes late. I don’t know if it might be glitchy because so many people are accessing the free games at 4pm. I only use PCs and Android phones, so don’t know the process for iOS computers and devices. Hope that helps.
Andrew J.
PS: When you go to the website above on PC it has a Download button for the Epic Games Store application and on my Android mobile it has a Install button for the Epic Games Store app.

Performance Pro
RE: Olli and whether to get a PS5 Pro. I’ve got a Pro and it’s now doing exactly what I was after but going by your letter I think its unique selling point of no comprise 60fps means it’s not the machine for you. The machine was designed and advertised as a performance mode/resolution upgrade, not a graphics upgrade.

The PS5 Pro will not give ‘more’ graphics than the base PlayStation 5’s quality mode. It will give you the base PlayStation 5’s quality mode graphics suite and resolution, which were sacrificed in performance mode on the base PlayStation 5, but at 60fps and not locked at 30fps through a much beefier GPU and the PS5 Pro exclusive upscaler PSSR.

At launch, it utterly failed to do this as PSSR was pretty much broken. But it was updated recently and the results are very good, with the upscaled PSSR imagine often now showing better clarity and detail than the base PlayStation 5 quality mode, while running at higher frame rates.

Of course, the PS5 Pro will run games far better than your current PlayStation 4 or the Switch 2 you’re also considering. With the PSSR update there’s clear gains from base PlayStation 5 too.

But if you’re happy with 30fps or a graphically/resolution stripped back performance mode on base PlayStation 5 then I’d get a Switch 2 and in the meantime wait for the base PlayStation 5 to go on sale again. With the PS5 Pro now costing £790 you’d get both the other machines for that price in a sale and not have to miss out on anything.

On the idea of the Pro or any new machine offering an exclusive graphics mode, I think the only thing on the market the current consoles can’t do is full path tracing. My gut feeling for the next consoles is the blurb will feature AI and path tracing as features.
Simundo

GC: You’re probably right.

TFI Friday
With Saros giving 48 early access, meaning it will be available on 28th April, when can we expect your review?

Returnal is my favourite game of this generation, and I really hope they don’t make Saros too easy or dumb it down to make it more accessible.
Lizardpudlian

GC: We’re actually allowed to tell you this one, it’ll be Friday morning.

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One and only
Great article on the ongoing identity crisis at Xbox, and I totally agree that the Xbox 360 was Microsoft’s first and probably only legitimate shot at usurping Sony.

I worked in games retail during that generation and while my experience was very specific to a small town in Northern Ireland, it really felt like many jumped from PlayStation 2 to the Xbox 360 and it was going to be mainly Xbox going forward.

A game like Call Of Duty 4 would sell five to 10 copies on Xbox for every PlayStation 3 copy, and everyone seemed to be on Xbox Live for online multiplayer, despite it being the only one that cost money (remember when Sony’s online was free!?)

The Xbox One reveal was undoubtedly a disaster, but I think it’s the lack of new and exciting exclusive IP over the years that really sank the brand; the first Xbox obviously had Halo, as well as Fable, Forza Motorsport, etc… then Gears Of War was huge on Xbox 360, but I feel like they never really hit those heights again.

A quick look at their line-up for this year, which is pretty strong, and it’s these same franchises, only now you don’t even need an Xbox to play them.

Nintendo got a lot of stick during the Wii U/3DS era, much of which was deserved, but that’s where evergreen titles like Splatoon and Super Mario Maker were first made and they didn’t even entertain the idea of PC ports.

If Microsoft were to properly utilise all those developers they bought to either create new, interesting AAA IP or work on established ones (I’d love a Halo by Id Software or a MachineGames Call Of Duty campaign) they could regain that mindshare among players, but I suppose their jettisoning of exclusivity means it won’t do much to coerce people into buying their consoles.

Also, a Netflix for games was never going to be as popular as they anticipated. I could have told them that.
ANON

GC: Thanks for your comments. It’s often underappreciated how badly Microsoft handled its first party studies at the end of the Xbox 360 era, shutting some down and letting others decline unnecessary. Rare was stuck in Kinect jail for years during all that. We feel that was the start of the rot.

Inbox also-rans
I reckon that is Kojima’s new Xbox or, at least, part of it – probably the power unit or fan.
Shambling Reg

GC: We like to think it’s a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. But green.

If they remake another Assassin’s Creed game and it’s not the second on they’re crazy. I’ve never met anyone that didn’t think that was the best of the original ones.
Focus

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Did you know GTA 6 was made in the UK?

MORE: Games Inbox: Will there ever be a Last Of Us Part 3?

MORE: Games Inbox: Are live service games becoming less popular?

A number of Cambridgeshire pubs have been listed in the top 10

The 10 best pubs in the region have been announced, with four from Cambridgeshire making the final cut. Every year, Muddy Stilettos asks the public to nominate their favourite businesses across a range of categories. Some of the categories include the best afternoon tea, as well as the best restaurant and the best farm shop.

Muddy Stilettos has drawn up a finalist list for each category, and the public now have another chance to vote to crown their winner. Four Cambridgeshire pubs have made it to the finalist list in the local pub category.

Here are the pubs up for best-loved local pub:

• The Burleigh Arms in Cambridge – Described as a “historic gem” in Cambridge, this pub dates back to the 1820s. The pub is praised for its “great service” and “good atmosphere” – according to customers – as well as its food and drink.
• The Pheasant in Keyston – This is a traditional thatched pub, set within Cambridgeshire countryside. The pub is described as “cosy and warm” by customers, as well as a place that offers a professional service.
• The Three Blackbirds in Wooditton – The 17th century inn is described as a “much loved” pub at the heart of Wooditton. Customers describe the pub as a “warm and friendly place”.
• The Three Hills in Bartlow – As well as a being a pub, The Three Hills is also a hotel. A visit to the pub and hotel is described as the “perfect Cambridgeshire rural weekend retreat”, according to the pub website.

The other pubs making the final list are based in Suffolk. These are:

• The Boot in Freston
• The Crown in Bildeston
• The Crown in Stoke By Nayland
• The Debenham Lion in Debenham
• The Greyhound Inn in Pettistree
• The Wild Rabbit in Harkstead

People who wish to vote for their favourite local pub can do so on the Muddy Stilettos website.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Two runners sacrificed personal bests to come to the rescue of an exhausted competitor at the Boston Marathon.

Aaron Beggs was first to stop to pull Ajay Haridasse up off the ground after he fell and could not get up.

With Haridasse still struggling to stay on his feet, another runner, Robson De Oliveira, stepped in and the pair put their arms around Haridasse to help him across the line.

The incident was filmed by several spectators who witnessed Haridasse falling shortly after the 26 mile (41.8km) mark.

Read more here.

A high-ranking official at the Department of Homeland Security has been suspended following allegations that she solicited tens of thousands of dollars from “sugar daddies.”

A formal complaint was filed against Julia Varvaro, a 29-year-old counterterrorism official, accusing her of keeping transactional relationships that posed a security risk, The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.

“Varvaro is on administrative leave as a result of the investigation and she is no longer serving in her capacity as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at DHS,” a department official told The Independent.

She was appointed to her senior position in May 2025, shortly after earning a degree in Homeland Security from St. John’s University. Varvaro has attended several MAGA events and has been photographed with President Donald Trump.

The complaint, filed with the DHS inspector general, was submitted by an executive identified as “Robert B,” who said he spent approximately $40,000 on Varvaro during the course of their three‑month relationship after they met on Hinge.

Robert claimed in his complaint that Varvaro had created a profile on the sugar daddy site Seeking, on which she offered “seductive sophistication.”

“I did not want a sugar daddy/prostitution relationship, after spending $30,000-$40,000 for vacations, Cartier jewelry, expensive handbags, and various shopping trips,” he wrote.

“She told me that she does not have college debt because sugar daddies paid for her college education,” he continued, according to The Daily Mail. “I believe that she’s under financial stress and that her actions pose a security risk.”

Varvaro, though, insisted she did not have an account on Seeking and maintained that she had done nothing improper.

“I didn’t know it was bad to go on vacation with your boyfriend,” she told The Daily Mail. “We were together in an exclusive relationship. We went on vacations. I don’t know what’s the problem with that.”

Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA official, said he found the allegations disconcerting.

“Allegations of a sugar daddy relationship and unreported income from that relationship are serious issues for DHS security personnel that need to be resolved,” he told the outlet. “I would be curious to see what kind of vetting was done…”

The Independent has attempted to contact Varvaro for comment.

The incident, which happened yesterday morning (April 21) on Tonge Moor Road, is reportedly being treated as mental health-related.

A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of assault after two men sustained stab wounds at 10.30am.

A resident said after the incident: “You’re not safe in Tonge Moor at all. There are all these things, people with knives, and you’re looking around when you walk. It’s scary.”

The police presence drew the attention of residents and passers-by, and several people spoke out about their safety in the area.

Three police cars were present on the stretch of Tonge Moor Road near Bradshaw, and multiple police vehicles remained at the scene throughout the morning while officers carried out door-to-door enquiries.

One passer-by told The Bolton News: “It can happen anywhere. It’s a surprise to me, especially at the end of my row.

“I do feel safe living around Tonge Moor, and I had no idea this happened.”

Greater Manchester Police are not providing further comment at this time.

However, on Tuesday, a GMP spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended, and two men were treated by medical professionals on site for stab wounds.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

An immigration officer has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief following an investigation into how he treated a protester who said the officer put her in a chokehold.

Multiple videos from bystanders show a masked agent grabbing and pulling Franci Stagi across the street during a protest in October against the detention of three Colombian asylum-seekers in Durango, Colorado. She said he grabbed her by the hair and put her in a chokehold. The state is among several that prohibited or severely limited police officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints since George Floyd’s death in 2020.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations launched an investigation into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer’s actions against Stagi at the request of Durango Police Department Chief Brice Current, who raised concerns about possible violations of state law — an unusual if not unprecedented request.

The Department of Homeland Security, which includes Customs and Border Protection, called the prosecution “unlawful” and a “political stunt.” It said states have no authority to investigate such cases.

“Federal officers acting in the course of their duties can only be investigated by other Federal agencies,” DHS said in a statement.

The department said it was still investigating what happened in the incident.

Court documents didn’t list any attorney as representing the officer, Nicholas Rice.

Stagi said she was standing close to the officer and filming him outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Durango, a college town popular for outdoor recreation, when he hit her hand hard, causing her to lose her cellphone. Stagi, a retired hypnotherapist, said she then reached for the officer’s shoulder to get his attention. After she said he put her in a chokehold, she said he threw her down an embankment next to the street. She said she still experiences pain in her arm doing normal everyday activities, like putting on her jacket.

Court documents allege that Rice committed third-degree assault by causing bodily injury to Stagi, but the documents don’t describe how she was injured or make mention of a chokehold. Rice also is charged with criminal mischief for allegedly damaging Stagi’s cellphone.

Stagi said Wednesday she was disappointed Rice was charged with less serious crimes. The assault charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of just under a year in jail. But she hopes the prosecution sends a message that immigration officers can’t tackle people indiscriminately and use excessive force.

“It did open my eyes to how quickly I can be under someone else’s control, and it’s frightening,” said Stagi, whose legal name is Anne Francesca Stagi.

Federal law enforcement officers have broad legal protections when acting in the course of their official duties, and the Justice Department has in recent months taken a hard line against state efforts to arrest or prosecute federal agents. Late last year, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said arrests of federal officers performing their duties would be “illegal and futile,” citing the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and federal law. Legal experts say those protections are significant but not absolute and the Supremacy Clause does not provide blanket immunity.

Chokeholds have been at the center of public discourse and state legislative initiatives about what constitutes an unreasonable use of force since Eric Garner died in New York in 2014 after he was put in a chokehold by a white police officer.

Garner’s dying words, “ I can’t breathe ” became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.

While some states have banned chokeholds and other tactics, sweeping changes were met with resistance.

A federal package of reforms that would have banned chokeholds nationwide passed the U.S. House in 2021 but failed to reach then-President Joe Biden’s desk. The bill was named in honor of Floyd, who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee to his neck.

Within a month of Floyd’s death, Colorado lawmakers approved a ban on chokeholds as part of broader police reform legislation. The law overrode more limited chokehold restrictions that were put in place four years earlier.

___

Slevin reported from Denver, and Lee from Santa Fe, New Mexico.