A woman shared her experience of being asked to swap seats on a business class flight so a couple’s son could sit near them, and she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him

A woman was left utterly bewildered when a couple asked her to swap seats on a flight so their son could sit beside them. Most people would feel slightly guilty if they refused, especially as passengers under a certain age aren’t allowed to travel alone, but when she saw him, she was left wondering why they’d even made the request in the first place.

Upon boarding the aircraft, she observed a couple in a heated discussion with cabin crew regarding their seating arrangements, clearly dissatisfied with where they’d been placed. The uncomfortable situation escalated when the male passenger approached the woman, insisting he’d been separated from his son on the flight.

As they were supposedly travelling as a pair, he enquired whether she’d be prepared to exchange seats to help them out.

She recounted: “The man from the couple immediately cornered me, standing over me, and I felt my heart drop. He said that he and his son are sitting separately, and if I would be willing to switch seats.

“I asked him if it was just him and his son, and he said yes. He lied. His wife was clearly with them – I overheard their conversation as I walked by. He then casually mentioned that the son is in the very back of the cabin.”

Refusing to bow to the pressure, the passenger stood her ground. She recalled: “I looked him right in the eye and told him I would rather not, and turned around to settle in.”

Ultimately, the woman who declined the seat exchange was left stunned when she clocked the son, who wound up seated directly in front of her. She reckoned he was approximately 20 years old, not a toddler as she may have initially assumed.

She raged: “The entitlement! They just wanted to sit together and pawn off the s*** seat to someone else.”

The woman also pointed out that they were on a business class flight, so there was actually no such thing as “sitting together,” just near each other.

Do you have to swap plane seats to accommodate families?

Airlines try to seat children with an accompanying adult, especially for younger children, but policies vary by airline and by aircraft/load factors.

If a family is split up, cabin crew may ask other passengers to move so a child can sit with a parent/guardian. You can say no to this, but it may feel awkward.

It’s also worth noting that you may be required to change seats for safety or operational reasons, such as weight-and-balance considerations or exit-row rules.

That’s not the same as “you must move because a family wants to sit together,” but it can look similar in the moment.

If you are feeling pressured to move on a flight against your will, speak to the cabin crew for advice. Crew will often seek volunteers and may offer solutions, such as moving the family to other available seats.

“Got an old pair of Crocs lying around? Why not trade them in for something back.”

A planning application has been lodged for the refitting of an existing retail unit to house footwear brand Crocs in The Boulevard.

The management team at the shopping complex have embarked on a quirky advertising campaign to promote the arrival of Crocs to the site.

They posted to potential future customers on their Facebook page last Thursday, saying: “Got an old pair of Crocs lying around? Why not trade them in for something back.

“Until August 31, bring your old Crocs to The Boulevard and we’ll use them to help decorate our Crocs archway. In return, you’ll receive an exclusive discount on your next pair when the brand-new Crocs store opens right here at The Boulevard. It’s time to give your old Crocs a new purpose.”

The plans include the installation of a new dividing wall, electrical systems, flooring and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. The planning application was lodged on July 31 by Silvaman Group Ltd, Tipton.

The planning application is at the consultation stage, and DfI Roads Craigavon Office have been asked to have their say on the plans. They have not responded yet.

The footwear giant is being described as follows on their website: “Crocs, Inc. is a world leader in innovative casual footwear for women, men, and children, combining comfort and style.

“The company’s brands include Crocs and HEYDUDE, and its products are sold in more than 85 countries.”

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Hayeden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, became emotional as she spoke about her daughter’s passing, aged 36

Hayden Panettiere’s mother has said she saw her daughter “going downhill” after she became a star on the TV series Heroes, as she spoke following her tragic, sudden death.

The actress, who also starred in Nashville and the Scream franchise, died aged 36 at her home in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16.

Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, became emotional as she spoke about her daughter’s passing on Good Morning America, saying she is “still not grasping this is real”. She then got up from her chair and said she “needed a minute” before continuing with the interview.

Vogel said her relationship with Panettiere, who would have celebrated her 37th birthday last Friday (August 21), changed after she found fame on Heroes.

She said: “I would say Hayden had a very happy life up until she got Heroes at 16. Here she was, the star of a major TV series, but I would say, at about 17, I started seeing her going downhill.

“As she got older, it wasn’t my voice anymore. I wasn’t in charge of her choices. I tried to give her the best advice I could. But again, any young person, teen, they want to be liberated and I get that.”

In her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere claimed that, at 19, she told Vogel that she no longer wanted her to manage her career and Vogel replied: “You owe me.” But Vogel, a former actress who had Panettiere with her ex-husband Alan Lee ‘Skip’ Panettiere, denied this, saying: “I know I didn’t say what she said I said.”

Panettiere was the mother of an 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, with former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, who received full custody of her. Vogel said: “The situation with Hayden and Vlad and their daughter, that was a very difficult period for her. Vlad had taken over custody for safety, in my opinion. She just couldn’t keep those demons away.”

Vogel also responded to criticism from people, including CBS Mornings host Gayle King, who felt she was focusing too much on her daughter’s struggles in the wake of her death. She said: “I would say to the haters out there, you don’t have a right to tell me how I mourn the loss of my second child. That’s my domain.”

Police in Greenville said Panettiere was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest, with “no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances”.

Vogel and Skip were also parents to a son, Jansen, who died aged 28 in 2023 from aortic valve complications arising from an enlarged heart.

Asked about losing both of her children, Vogel said: “I think you just have to find that inner strength. I have been knocked down throughout my life and I’m not complaining because I have the strength to get back up. It’s not if we fall, it’s how we get back up, that defines who we are.”

By VIVEK CHAUDHARY, SENIOR REPORTER

Published: 15:02 BST, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 15:18 BST, 24 August 2026

Harry and Meghan have struck up a close friendship with Geri and Christian Horner, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The former Spice Girl and her husband invited the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to their home in the Cotswolds for lunch last month.

Geri and Christian live in a £9.2 million Grade II listed 18th century former vicarage in the Cotswolds.

It’s understood that the Sussexes joined them there while visiting the UK in July – a trip during which they made their final decision to return.

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The two couples are understood to have discussed what life in the UK looks like.

The ex-pop star has since been in regular contact with Meghan sharing her thoughts on a proposed move to the Cotswolds with Prince Archie, seven and Princess Lilibet, five.

Prince Harry meanwhile has been in regular telephone contact with Geri’s F1 guru husband Christian Horner, who also acted in an advisory role on the question of life in the Cotswolds.

The couple-to-couple bond has been growing in significance for the exiled royal couple as they plan a return to Britain – and the foursome met for lunch when the Sussexes visited the UK in July.

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Christian and Geri Horner have formed an unlikely friendship with Prince Harry and Meghan, with the couple advising poviding the royals ahead of their move back to the UK 

Harry and Meghan enjoyed a lunch at the Horners’ £9.2million Garde II listed Cotswolds home during their stay last month where they discussed the move, sources say

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been sounding out the Horners for tips on what their life could look like when they move back to Britain – six years after leaving for a new life in the US

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A source close to the Horners said: ‘Meghan and Geri in particular have become increasingly friendly and have been in ever more regular contact in recent weeks.

‘Christian has also had a number of conversations with Harry. They are friends.’

They added: ‘Geri is absolutely buzzing about the relationship – and she’s loving being involved from the inside in their return to UK.

‘Christian is a bit more circumspect – less overawed.

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‘But both of them are aware that the Sussexes will be relaunching themselves socially in a matter of days and they see themselves as potentially a key part of this new friendship group.’

Harry and Meghan are believed to have stayed in the Cotswolds during their recent visit to the UK – which may signal their interest in choosing the moneyed rural enclave for their next home.

The couple are understood to have spent a few days staying in a private house belonging to a wealthy associate in early July when they last came to Britain, as the Daily Mail revealed last week.

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 45, are expected to arrive in the UK to begin their new life within days, ahead of school terms beginning next week.

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Geri is pictured in her kitchen at her home in Oxfordshire where she hosted the royal couple

The precise location of their elective new home is being kept a closely guarded secret for security reasons.

They already have strong links with the Cotswolds, having lived in a rented £2.5million farmhouse in the area in 2018 – only moving away after the location of their house was revealed.

Earlier this year, the couple stayed in the area from where Harry took his family to see his father King Charles at Highgrove, on the southern side of the Cotswolds, and they also visited the grave of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, at her ancestral home at Althorp, in the East Midlands.

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Work is scheduled to begin on the project next year with an opening date expected in the autumn of 2028

Work on the restoration of one of Wales’ most important Jewish heritage sites is due to start next year. The restoration of Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue is a step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to grants from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.

Due to open in 2028, the £6m project will see the Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue transformed into a Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre, celebrating the history of Jewish communities in Wales and giving people the opportunity to learn about the impact of the community through an activity and events programme.

The council said the centre will also enhance Merthyr Tydfil’s visitor offer and provide much-needed cultural facilities. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

On Friday, August 13, Vikki Howells MS, representatives from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the council and the building owners met with families who have strong connections to the synagogue.

Councillor Anna Williams-Price, Merthyr Tydfil Council’s heritage champion, said: “We are delighted to see this project progress and learn about the exciting plans for the building.

“Much of Welsh Jewish heritage is at risk of being lost, so this project is very important in educating us about the community’s valuable contribution to cultural, political, academic, economic and social development.

“It was wonderful to meet with the families today to learn about their recollections of this impressive building and what it means to them to see if brought back to its former glory.”

Plans for the transformation are well underway, and physical works to the Grade II listed building are set to start in 2027 with an opening date expected in the autumn of 2028.

Kazakhstan’s pro-government Adilet Party won a landslide victory in a parliamentary election, officials announced Monday, a result expected to further strengthen President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s grip on power in Central Asia’s largest nation.

Adilet, which is led by the former head of Tokayev’s presidential administration, won 71% of Sunday’s vote, Kazakhstan’s central electoral commission said, according to preliminary results.

The second-place Auyl Party won 6.26% of the vote, with three other parties – the Nationwide Social Democratic Party, Respublica and Aq Jol – reaching the 5% threshold needed to win a place in parliament.

Election monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the vote was marred by a lack of distinct political opposition, with “all contesting parties supporting the incumbent president’s policies.”

Some 74% of the country’s 12.6 million eligible voters took part in the election, the central electoral commission said, which was the first vote to Kazakhstan’s new single-chamber parliament.

Known as the Kurultai, the new body is the culmination of a constitutional overhaul initiated by Tokayev in March, when 87% of voters supported a referendum to merge the two chambers of parliament.

The vote also gave the president authority to appoint key officials, subject to lawmakers’ approval.

Last month, Kazakhstan’s Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments effectively reset the clock on Tokayev’s previous terms in office, clearing the way for him to seek another seven-year term when his mandate expires in 2029.

The decision echoes those seen in several former Soviet republics, including Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, where leaders have used new or amended constitutions to revise statutory term limits.

The 73-year-old Tokayev, a former Soviet official and Kazakh diplomat who previously worked at the United Nations, has been in office since 2019.

He has sought to maintain a balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Tokayev has justified the constitutional changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.

The election comes at a difficult economic moment for Kazakhstan, where inflation hit 10.2% in February and tax increases have fueled public discontent.

Cleveland Police made the arrests in connection with the fatal collision that claimed seven lives, including two police officers.

On August 22, officers received multiple reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously in Middlesbrough.

One of the cars, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was seen ramming into properties, while a Volkswagen Passat was thought to be linked to the incident.

Both vehicles were using cloned number plates to avoid detection but were identified by the force’s automated number plate recognition system.

The Volvo was later traced and recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the ongoing investigation.

Throughout the weekend, Cleveland Police, supported by officers from Durham, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire, worked to piece together the events leading up to the crash.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox said: “This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.

“The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect.

“We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident and to bring all those responsible to justice.

“Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.”

Nine men and three women, aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested on suspicion of offences including possession of a firearm and involvement in organised crime.

Cleveland Police said there is currently no evidence to suggest the incidents were filmed for TikTok.

The force also confirmed that four of the occupants of the Passat had previous police convictions.

Assistant Chief Constable Fox praised the efforts of officers and staff during the investigation.

He said: “Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.

“Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.

“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”

The crash occurred on the A66 in South Bank at 3.39am on Saturday (August 22).

All seven occupants of the vehicles – two police officers and five members of the public – were pronounced dead at the scene.

The two police officers were named as PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38.

The five men who died in the Passat were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18.

Following the tragedy, a memorial has been created near the crash site, including floral tributes, balloons and handwritten notes.

Cleveland Police said members of the public can leave tributes at Cleveland Police HQ.

They said: “Flower tributes can be left at the Memorial Garden at Cleveland Police HQ in Hemlington or any Cleveland Police station.

“There is a safe site in front of the South Tees Business Park sign if you would like to leave flowers close to the scene safely.”

A silent prayer vigil will be held in South Bank today (August 24) to remember the seven people who lost their lives.

St John the Evangelist Church will open its doors from 4pm until 8pm, giving people the opportunity to light a candle, say a prayer or simply sit quietly and reflect.

A fundraiser, which was created for the families of the two officers who lost their lives, has surpassed £400,000.

Tributes have been pouring in for those who lost their lives.

The family of Pc Tom Clough said: “He was our hero with a fantastic sense of humour. Jumped into action whenever needed, and willing to help anyone for any reason.

“Proudly fought for his country to make the world a better place. Always on public duty throughout his short life.

“We as a family and Tom’s partner would like to express our sincere gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences from friends, colleagues and the wider community.”

Pc Matthew Blades’ family said: “No words will ever feel like the right words to honour our Matt — my beloved husband, my best friend, and the most devoted father to our two young boys.

“He was an adored son and brother, a perfect son-in-law, and the most fun uncle. He was loved beyond words by all his family and friends, and his loss has left a space that can never be filled.

“He gave his life in the line of duty, protecting and serving others with courage, dedication and selflessness.

“The pain of losing him is beyond words, and our lives will never be the same. Neither will the love he gave us ever fade.”

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar and Cleveland, said: “My heart goes out to every family, friend and loved one now facing the most unimaginable loss following this morning’s devastating accident on the A66.

“Cleveland Police have confirmed that seven people have sadly lost their lives. Their families and loved ones are now facing an unimaginable loss that will be felt forever.

“Two of the seven people who have lost their lives were Cleveland Police officers, on duty serving our community. They went to work to keep people safe, and they should have come home to their families. Their loss will be felt deeply by their loved ones, fellow officers and right across the communities they served.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “devastated” to hear that two police officers and five members of the public had been killed in the crash.

He posted on X: “Devastated to hear that two police officers have lost their lives while on duty in Cleveland this morning, as well as five members of the public.

“My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of everyone involved, and with everyone at Cleveland Police.

“Thank you to the emergency services responding in incredibly difficult circumstances. I would urge people to avoid speculation at this time.”

Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones said “we ask so much of our officers”.

She said on X: “I just spoke to the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police. We ask so much of our officers.

“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their lives – and their loved ones, friends and colleagues. I can only imagine the devastation they must be feeling.

This is the moment a Ukrainian robot soldier ‘wiped out’ 20 Russian troops in an operation that allowed soldiers to engage the enemy without entering the line of fire.

Ukrainian defence technology company DevDroid said the strike was carried out by a Droid TW-12.7 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) which was being operated by soldiers from Ukraine’s 44th Separate Mechanised Brigade.

DevDroid said the operation took place after Russian troops sought shelter inside a building at one of their positions.

Ukrainian operators reportedly remotely directed the unmanned vehicle towards the structure before deploying a 12.7mm M2 Browning heavy machine-gun.

The company claimed the position was destroyed and 20 Russian troops were killed during the engagement. 

It comes as unmanned ground systems are increasingly being used by Ukrainian forces to carry out missions without putting soldiers in harm’s way.

The tech company says the droid is a multi-purpose combat and reconnaissance platform designed to operate close to frontline positions.

It added the UGV is equipped with cameras and other systems that allow soldiers to observe the battlefield remotely. 

The drone is equipped with cameras and other systems that allow soldiers to observe the battlefield remotely

It also has a ballistic computer and AI-assisted functions intended to help identify and engage enemy targets.

The heavy machine-gun gives the droid, which is relatively small, the ability to strike persons, firing positions and unarmoured vehicles as well as some lightly armoured targets.  

It can also be deployed for information-gathering as it transmits live footage and battlefield data back to Ukrainian operations. 

The TW-12.7 is designed to travel across difficult and uneven terrain and has undergone testing in combat environments.

It comes as Ukraine is aiming to build at least 50,000 combat robots to support and replace its soldiers fighting on the frontline. 

Ukrainian officials say using unmanned weapons would help the country optimise its headcount while fighting Russia and free soldiers from dangerous tasks, Bloomberg reports.

Recently, in the east of the country near Dobropillia, the 93rd Mechanised Brigade used a robot equipped with a flamethrower to target Russian positions established on the edge of a wooded area, allowing Ukrainian troops to neutralise the remaining fighters. 

Last month, Ukraine landed a remote-controlled combat robot using an unmanned naval drone that travelled nearly seven miles to reach the shore of the occupied Kinburn Spit in southern Ukraine. 

The Wolly 7.62 ground robot carried a machine-gun loaded with ammunition that fired on Russian troop positions, forcing them to pull back from part of the coastline.  

Also last month, footage captured how Russian soldiers surrendered to a Ukrainian patrol made up entirely of robots and drones.

Video shows both FPV and kamikaze ground drones striking a Russian dugout, before troops emerge holding a handwritten sign that said ‘we want to surrender’. 

An overhead drone then guided the Russians directly to Ukrainian lines, where they were taken prisoner without resistance

In a historic first, the soldiers were taken prisoner without a single Ukrainian infantryman present – marking the world’s first successful combat capture using only unmanned aerial and ground drones.

The operation, conducted by the Third Assault Brigade on July 8 or nine in Kharkiv Oblast, allowed the Ukrainians to retake territory without their soldiers firing a single bullet.

During the assault, which lasted just 15 minutes, FPV drones first struck Russian dugouts, causing chaos among the troops.

Moments later, unmanned ground vehicles loaded with powerful explosives moved toward the already battered fortification.

As the first drone – reportedly carrying an anti-tank mine – detonated, the Russian soldiers realised the imminent danger and created a cardboard sign to signal their surrender before a second drone could strike.

Ukraine, which has a fraction of Russia’s population and a much smaller economy, has had little choice but to try and use new technologies to tackle its opponent, with Kyiv’s new commander-in-chief, Mykhailo Drapatyi, backing the massive integration of robotics on the front lines.