Starting later this year, the airline will begin flights to Reykjavik and Kittilä, marking its latest network expansion from Liverpool.

Flights to Reykjavik will launch on November 2 and operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

Kittilä, located in Finnish Lapland, will be served from November 25 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“We are delighted to welcome more fantastic easyJet routes to Liverpool John Lennon Airport,” said Paul Winfield, aviation director at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

“Reykjavik and Kittilä are exciting additions, offering strong appeal for winter travel and festive getaways.

“easyJet’s continued growth here at the North West’s Faster, Easier, Friendlier Airport demonstrates the strength of the Liverpool market, and we anticipate these new services will be very popular with travellers across the region.”

Reykjavik offers travellers access to Iceland’s dramatic volcanic scenery, geothermal lagoons, waterfalls, and one of the world’s best vantage points for viewing the Northern Lights.

Kittilä, in the heart of Lapland, promises a classic winter wonderland with snow-covered landscapes, husky sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, and opportunities to meet Father Christmas.

“We’re excited to be adding these winter destinations to our growing network from Liverpool,” said Kevin Doyle, UK country manager at easyJet.

“Customers now have the opportunity to explore Iceland and Lapland, and we look forward to welcoming them on board these new routes.

“Our short-haul network from Liverpool offers unrivalled choice for those planning their holidays, making it easy to book and fly.”

easyJet’s network from Liverpool now offers 41 routes to 18 countries.

Over the past year, the airline has steadily grown its Liverpool presence, adding new routes and increasing fleet capacity.

This summer, easyJet will base a ninth aircraft at the airport, further expanding options for travellers across Europe and North Africa.

Comcast’s Xfinity services have suffered an outage, leaving thousands of users offline.

Xfinity delivers cable TV, internet, phone and wireless services to Comcast customers.

The outage was reported by users on Downdetector Monday afternoon. Just before 4:30 p.m. ET, 25,993 users had reported that Xfinity was down.

Most users, 80 percent, reported an issue with their TV, while 10 percent reported internet problems and 8 percent experienced issues with streaming services.

Xfinity users across the country reported issues, including in California, Colorado, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Connecticut and Vermont.

Some users have said they were struggling to connect with support teams for help.

“No TV in Castle Rock, Colorado. Unable to reach support via app, phone, or text,” one customer wrote on Downdetector.

Another customer said, “Can’t even reach them on the phone. TV down, Internet works. Monmouth Beach, NJ.”

“Down in Aiken SC. No cable TV, but internet is still up. Customer service number is down as well,” a third wrote.

The Independent has reached out to Comcast for comment.

Just hours earlier, thousands of users on X were reporting problems accessing the social media platform.

At around 10 a.m. ET, 28,699 users reported an issue on Downdetector. The outage appeared to subside within the hour.

Flights have faced major disruption today

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Thunderstorms have caused major disruption at Bristol Airport. The adverse weather conditions have also reportedly caused a fire after the home was ‘hit by a lightening strike.’

The house roof has been engulfed in a raging fire which has been captured on video in Emerson’s Green on Monday evening (June 22).

A witness said the fire brigade arrived quickly and reported everyone got out safely.

Videos from the scene show a fierce fire in the roof with smoke billowing into the sky. Firefighters can been seen attempting to put out the flames with a hose, reports BristolLive.

This comes as planes have been grounded at Bristol Airport amid an extreme thunderstorm warning.

There is disruption at the airport as planes are currently unable to fly, according to travel monitoring service Inrix. Passengers are advised to check before they travel following the update posted at 6.53pm.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning due to last until 9pm tonight as the forecast indicates frequent lighting strikes and heavy rain in the impacted regions. Lightning has already been seen this evening over Bristol.

It has been reported that 850 passengers (5 flights) are being diverted from Bristol to Gatwick airport, EasyJet are reportedly providing coaches back to Bristol.

Traffic monitoring system Inrix said: “Disruption at Bristol Airport as flights are currently grounded due to flash thunderstorms.Passengers should check before they travel.”

A spokesperson for The Met Office said: “An area of thunderstorms moving east across the area will bring a spell of frequent lightning, gusty winds, torrential rain, and a few places, hail.

“The storms will be moving quickly reducing the potential for widespread large amounts of rain, but there is a few places could see 20-25 mm of rainfall in a short period in the most active storms, which could bring some brief flooding.

“The majority of impacts are likely to come from other hazards however, such as lightning striking buildings and causing power cuts, difficult driving conditions in heavy rain, and some localised damage to vulnerable structures by strong wind gusts or hail.”

The proposal, put forward by Taylor Wimpey, includes the demolition of Pilkington Fold Farm and would see residential development on a 16.53-hectare site currently used for agriculture and grazing.

Plans were first outlined in May when the developer set out its plans for potential housing development on the land.

Now, in a new update, the developer has been told that a screening opinion from the council will be required to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed as part of the planning process.

The scheme would likely be brought forward as an outline application, meaning the principle of the development would be considered in the first instance.

Full details, known as reserved matters, would follow in a separate application if approved.

The site is described as a logical and “grey belt” location by Taylor Wimpey’s planning consultants, Lichfields.

The site is described in planning documents as “a suitable and logical grey belt site” on the edge of existing residential neighbourhoods.

Grey belt is a term coined by the Labour Government for traditionally green belt land, but which could be utilised for housing or economic development.

Pilkington Fold Farm, which sits at the centre of the site, would be demolished to make way for the new homes.

The farm dates back to the 18th century and is included on Bury Council’s draft local list.

However, planning documents state that the original buildings were demolished in the 20th century, and the farm now consists primarily of modern cattle sheds and stabling.

Taylor Wimpey said that in acknowledgement of the site’s historic background, the development would include “a deliberately informal, farmstead-inspired layout” and plans to build homes in “an ad hoc manner that broadly reflects the historic footprints of the former farmhouse, yard and associated outbuildings”.

The application states the development would include a village green, play space and public open space, along with measures to improve pedestrian access and integrate existing public footpaths.

Access to the site would be via Starling Road, with existing rights of way to be retained and incorporated into the masterplan.

The site is bordered by residential areas to the east and south, with open land to the west, and sits approximately 2.7km from Bury town centre.

It does not fall within a conservation area or sensitive environmental zone, though non-statutory ecological sites are located nearby.

The land is classed as Grade 4 (Poor Quality) agricultural land, with existing surface water flood areas to be addressed through sustainable drainage systems.

The proposed homes would be no higher than three storeys, and additional landscaping would be provided to screen the development from neighbouring properties.

Surveys are planned to assess potential impacts on bats, badgers, amphibians and barn owls.

Taylor Wimpey stated that a “full pack of supporting planning material will accompany the application.”

The company emphasises in its submission that “it is considered that the proposed development will not give rise to significant environmental effects which would require EIA”, but recognises that the final decision rests with the council.

The authority will make a decision at a later date.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Infectiously entertaining romp featuring a cast having a whale of a time overdoes the jokey tone.

I am an unapologetic fan of the 1987 Masters of the Universe movie.

Yeah, I know it isn’t very good but nostalgia hits hard and the video tape – look it up kids – of the Dolph Lundgren-led adventure was worn out in my house.

It’s incredible that we’ve had to wait just shy of 40 years for another cinematic trip to Eternia .

But after many failed attempts to get another take on the hit 80s cartoon off the ground, Amazon MGM Studios have finally made the seemingly impossible happen.

Nicholas Galitzine stars as Adam , who discovers a secret legacy as the prince of an alien planet and looks to recover a magical sword and return home to protect his kingdom.

First thing’s first; Masters of the Universe 2026 is a blast. Bright, breezy – despite a two-hour-plus running time – and brimming with heart and hijinks, the flick should go down a storm with audiences, particularly those familiar with all things He-Man .

Director Travis Knight nailed 80s-flavoured action with 2018’s Bumblebee and he does a very good job here too.

Unlike the 1987 version, we spend most of the time in Eternia rather than Earth and all manner of colourful characters and Asgardian -like shiny locations bring the world to luscious life.

Galitzine excels as Adam , particularly during his fish-out-of-water routine, although his over-reliance on sensitivity feels very un- He-Man -like.

The film in general is too jokey. Don’t get me wrong, most of the humour lands but when even the otherwise intimidating Skeletor (a revelling-in-villainy Jared Leto) is aiming for laughs it takes away from the peril our heroes should be immersed in.

The story is also very reminiscent of Flash Gordon – complete with the presence of Queen on the soundtrack – and some of the CGI is distractingly weak.

Masters of the Universe 2026 doesn’t quite have all of the power, but everyone involved has a whale of a time and the infectious entertainment is sure to have youngsters repeatedly watching it on video… erm, sorry, via streaming services.

● How do you think the new Masters of the Universe compares to the 1987 version?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

● Masters of the Universe is showing in cinemas now.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

The Pulp Fiction director and the Aussie superstar have been spotted in variuous locations in south Wales for a new movie project

Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino and popstar Kylie Minogue were back in the Welsh capital today as filming continued on a new movie project that has been attracting attention across south Wales.

The pair were seen on Monday, June 22, filming at National Museum Cardiff in Cathays Park, one of Amgueddfa Cymru’s museums, after a weekend of sightings in Porthcawl left locals stunned.

Visitors to the Saltwater Inn in Porthcawl were surprised to see the unlikely duo filming scenes together over the weekend. Footage shared on social media showed Tarantino and Kylie dressed in black, laughing and chatting as though they were old friends. Their characters appeared familiar with one another, lightly touching hands as they laughed together.

According to Nation.Cymru, the scene was reportedly set during a wake. The pair were also said to have filmed a funeral sequence at a church in the nearby village of Newton.

Today’s images from the museum appear to be a continuation of the scenes as they were dressed in the same attire as those filmed in Porthcawl. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

It was not the first time Tarantino had been spotted in Wales in recent days. BBC reported that the acclaimed director, best known for films including Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, was seen enjoying a drink with crew members at Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel on Friday evening.

Kylie, meanwhile, is no stranger to Wales and has previously spoken proudly about her Welsh heritage. Speaking to Carol Vorderman in 2021, the Padam Padam singer revealed that her mother, Carol Jones, was born in Maesteg, while other family members lived in Port Talbot and Bridgend.

The project bringing the pair together is reportedly titled Tangled Up in Blue. According to Variety, the film is being directed by Porthcawl-born filmmaker Jamie Adams, who is known for his Nouvelle Vague-inspired improvised filmmaking style.

The feature is also said to star Jason Isaacs, Allison Williams, Sofia Boutella and RZA. Adams and Tarantino previously worked together on the 2026 drama Only What We Carry, which also featured Simon Pegg and Lizzy McAlpine.

Several Welsh actors are also believed to be involved in the production. Among them is Stella actress Karen Paullada, who recently shared a behind-the-scenes image on Instagram alongside fellow Welsh performers Jules Lewis Jones, Craig Russell and Siwan Morris.

The photograph, which appeared to have been taken inside a church, showed Karen and Jules dressed in smart black clothing. Alongside the image, she wrote: “Awesome filming with @juleslewisjones @craigrussell1977 @morrissiwan and other legends. All steered and put together by the one and only @jdadams1 #filmmaking #indiefilm #movie #film #movies.”

With filming now taking place in Cardiff following scenes shot in Porthcawl and Newton, excitement is continuing to build around the star-studded production and its growing Welsh connections.

WASHINGTON (AP) — National Guard service members and U.S. Park Police were patrolling the deck around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Monday, as Donald Trump’s administration faces a self-imposed deadline to fix a botched renovation and cleaning efforts ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

The patrols come two days after Trump said authorities had made “multiple arrests” of people he insisted were responsible for damage to the peeling coating after an algae bloom occurred. The liner was installed as part of his $14 million-plus project.

The president has confirmed the problems likely require draining the pool again for liner repairs, and he promised a quick fix. But the timeline was not clear Monday, and the administration did not immediately respond to questions about a new round of work. Contractors and federal workers in recent days have been using chemicals and ozone nanobubbles to combat the algae.

Trump pitched the original improvements as intended to clean, beautify and reinforce an iconic site that he said had become dilapidated and dirty because of previous presidents’ neglect. Algae has plagued the pool for a century, and Trump insisted that a newly installed ‘American flag blue’ coating, which he selected himself, would turn the pool into a gleaming expanse along the National Mall.

Yet within weeks of Trump declaring the rehabilitation completed in time for Independence Day, the water was plagued by a vivid green algae bloom that clouded the pool’s coating. An approximately 4 foot-square piece of the liner was observed last Friday to be partially floating in the pool. The Associated Press observed additional pieces in the water Monday.

Via social media, the president has blamed the problems on “SICK, DERANGED PEOPLE!” He asserted Monday on Truth Social that intentional damages include a “300 foot long gash” and that “chemicals have been illegally placed in the water.” A day earlier, Trump posted, “Work will begin immediately on fixing the seriously vandalized Reflecting Pool.”

He has not substantiated those claims, and even if anyone has deliberately peeled the lining, that would not explain the algae bloom that appeared more intensely than what typically occurred before the renovation.

Images showing that Trump’s project apparently backfired boomeranged across social media last week, drawing crowds of onlookers eager to see the effects themselves. An unknown number ended up being detained by federal authorities.

One man arrested was David Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland. A former Olympic canoe racer, Hearn told The Associated Press that he reached into the pool because he wanted to examine the peeling new coating. He said he briefly touched a chunk that was still attached to the side of the pool, then let go shortly after a park worker told him to. Hearn said he was then detained by National Guard troops and Park Police for five hours before being released Friday night.

“I’m a curious citizen,” Hearn said in a telephone interview. “I reached down to see what it felt like. It was very rubbery.”

The Park Police did not immediately respond Monday to AP’s questions about how many arrests were made and whether any charges had been filed. Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department said Monday that the agency is not involved.

It was not immediately apparent what criminal or civil violation someone might commit reaching into the pool. Trump, in one of his Truth Social posts on the matter, threatened prison time for his unnamed assailants, referencing laws against defacing federal monuments.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta. Katie Vogel contributed reporting from Washington, D.C.