Volkswagen likes to distil the essence of the brand down to three simple ideas: Emotion, efficiency and engineering. Those three pillars are meant to underpin every model the company produces, alongside what Volkswagen describes as the fundamentals of being a “true Volkswagen”: clear design with balanced proportions, optimum use of space, high quality, easy handling, innovative technology and an attractive price-to-performance ratio.
Volkswagen’s upcoming ID. Cross is designed to embody all of that in one of the most important and lucrative parts of the electric car market. This new compact SUV is part of the Volkswagen Group’s new Electric Urban Car Family, a range of smaller electric vehicles that will all be built in Spain, with development led by Cupra.
Cupra will introduce the first model from the family with the Cupra Raval, followed by the Volkswagen ID. Polo hatchback and this SUV, the ID. Cross, along with the Skoda Epiq. I drove the Skoda Epiq earlier this year, and it provided an early glimpse of what this platform could deliver.
The ID. Cross I drove was still heavily camouflaged and far from the finished production version, but the prototype already revealed plenty about Volkswagen’s plans for its smallest electric SUV. Even at this early stage, it’s clear Volkswagen is delivering on its claim to be going the extra mile with the ID. Cross – and the result could be a very important car for the brand when it reaches showrooms early in 2027.
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How I tested
I was one of a select few journalists invited to Amsterdam to drive the new Volkswagen ID. Cross in early prototype form – although the cars were the very latest development models and pretty close to production cars, you’ll be able to buy. I drove on the streets in and around Amsterdam, out to the coast, up and down motorways and tested everything that will be important to buyers of these cars. As well as the practicality and boot space, I also got to try some of the new instrument settings to give an early verdict on this important new car that you can trust.
The Volkswagen ID. Cross Concept was revealed at last year’s Munich Motor Show and gives a strong clue to what the production car will look like without the camouflage. (Steve Fowler)
Volkswagen will offer the ID. Cross with two battery sizes and a choice of power outputs. Entry-level versions will use a 37kWh battery paired with either 114bhp or 127bhp electric motors. These models are expected to offer a range of up to 194 miles and support DC rapid charging at up to 90kW.
Volkswagen’s retro dials and infotainment were visible on our prototype ID. Cross drive – they’re fun and easy to use (Volkswagen)
Above that sits a larger 52kWh battery paired with a 208bhp electric motor producing 290Nm of torque and driving the front wheels. This version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles and supports DC charging at up to 105kW.
That charging figure is slightly lower than the 135kW peak seen in some of Volkswagen’s current ID models, but the company says the charging curve has been redesigned so it stays flatter for longer. In practice, that means less drop-off in charging speed as the battery fills, allowing the ID. Cross to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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The car weighs less than 1,500kg and features a 55:45 front-to-rear weight distribution, while towing capacity is rated at up to 1,200kg.
The prototype I drove was the 208bhp front-wheel-drive version. There’s no confirmed all-wheel-drive model at this stage, although engineers say the platform could support one if markets demand it. Austria, apparently, is already keen!
On the road, the ID. Cross feels impressively mature for such an early prototype. Volkswagen has defined a specific “Driving Dynamics DNA” for its electric models based around linearity, emotionality, intuitive handling, steering precision and the right balance between comfort and control.
In the ID. Cross that balance leans more towards comfort than the lower-slung ID. Polo hatchback, and that was immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. The ride quality felt significantly more polished than the earlier Skoda Epiq prototype I drove, even though the suspension hardware is mechanically identical. Volkswagen engineers revealed that this was a later iteration of the setup I experienced in the Skoda
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Over rougher roads, the car felt composed and connected without ever becoming uncomfortable. In fact, the ride quality felt remarkably premium for a small electric SUV.
Braking performance is another highlight. Volkswagen has introduced a new one-box braking system designed to deliver a more natural pedal feel than earlier EV systems. On the road, it works very well, with linear response and consistent stopping power without the grabby behaviour or inconsistent feedback that some early electric cars suffered from. Performance from the 208bhp motor feels strong enough to make the car feel lively.
Steering was the one dynamic area that felt less convincing. Around the straight-ahead position, there was slightly too much slack, which made it feel a little vague at times. Switching to Sport mode improved the situation, making the steering feel noticeably more direct.
After feeding that back to Volkswagen engineers during the drive, they later took me to one side to say they agreed with the feedback and said the production car would move the standard steering calibration closer to the Sport setting.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross is the same size, shape and uses many of the same parts as the new Skoda Epiq (Volkswagen)
Overall, though, the fundamentals feel extremely strong even at this early stage. This is shaping up to be a seriously impressive small SUV, and it will be fascinating to see how it compares with rivals such as the upcoming Kia EV2.
Interior, practicality and boot space
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Rear knee room is a bit tighter than expected in the back of the Volkswagen ID. Cross (Volkswagen)
Inside, the ID. Cross shares much of its interior design with the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo. Because of the SUV body style, the dash will be stretched upwards somewhat, but the overall layout is very similar.
Although our prototype test car had covers over the interior, I know from the Polo that it’s an impressive interior, both in terms of design and perceived quality. Volkswagen has incorporated technology usually found in larger and more expensive cars, including massage seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, a 10-inch driver display and a 13-inch infotainment screen. Our prototype also featured a panoramic glass roof, although it was hidden underneath the camouflage.
The interior makes extensive use of premium-feeling sustainable materials and feels genuinely upmarket for a car expected to start at around £25,000.
Crucially, Volkswagen has also reintroduced physical controls after criticism of overly touch-based systems in earlier models. There’s a proper volume knob on the centre console between the front seats, proper steering wheel buttons (and lots of them – which can be a bit confusing) and separate heating and ventilation controls sitting below the touchscreen, all of which make the car easier to use day to day.
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Volkswagen designers talk about three pillars for the exterior design: stable, likeable and secret sauce. “Stable” refers to the car’s proportions and stance, while “likeable” reflects the friendly face that new Volkswagen models wear.
“Secret sauce” describes small details designed to surprise and delight owners. One example is the retro-style graphics on the digital displays, which echo classic Volkswagen instruments and add real personality to the cabin. Again, I’d seen this system in a production ID. Polo interior, but seeing those retro dials in action is genuinely brilliant.
In terms of dimensions, the ID. Cross measures 4153mm long, 1816mm wide and 1581mm tall, with a 2601mm wheelbase.
Boot space is generous for a compact SUV. The luggage area offers 475 litres of capacity, including an underfloor storage well, expanding to 1,340 litres with the rear seats folded down.
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Rear passenger space isn’t quite as generous. Legroom in the back feels a little tight, and children in forward-facing child seats could end up kicking the backs of the front seats. Personally, I’d happily sacrifice an inch or two of boot space to gain more rear legroom.
Headroom in the back is excellent, though, and the rear doors open wide, which makes access easier.
Visibility is also very good from all seats, with nicely sized door mirrors and a clear view out in every direction.
One disappointment is that some of the clever interior ideas shown on the earlier ID. 2all concept car haven’t made it into this car. Magnetic phone holders on the backs of the front seats, for example, would have been a neat touch. After the brilliance of the retro displays and the impressive cabin design, it feels like there could be a bit more “secret sauce” in terms of practical interior functionality.
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross boot offers an excellent 475 litres of space including a deep underfloor space (Volkswagen)
Technology, stereo and infotainment
Technology is another strong point for the ID. Cross. The car introduces Volkswagen’s new generation of software architecture and connectivity systems.
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This interior picture of the Volkswagen ID. Polo gives a big clue what the dash of the ID. Cross will look like (Volkswagen)
The infotainment system is displayed on a 13in touchscreen, complemented by a 10in digital driver display. The retro-style instrument graphics give the system a distinctive look and help it stand out from more conventional digital dashboards. On the main touchscreen, the navigation is displayed on what mimics an old TV screen, while any music you’re playing gets displayed on what looks like an old cassette tape, complete with rotating spools for added authenticity. It’s all very cool.
Advanced driver assistance comes via Volkswagen’s Connected Travel Assist system. This uses swarm data from other vehicles to help improve the accuracy of the information it uses. The system supports assisted lane changes as well as traffic and stop light detection.
The ID. Cross also introduces vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the battery to power external devices, as well as vehicle-to-grid capability that could allow energy to be fed back into the electricity grid when connected to suitable infrastructure.
Prices and running costs
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The Volkswagen ID. Cross will be on sale in the UK in early 2027 (Steve Fowler)
European pricing for the ID. Cross has already been announced, starting from €27,995. At current exchange rates, that works out to around £24,150.
However, by the time the car reaches UK showrooms in early 2027, it’s likely that the entry price will sit a little above £25,000. From there, prices are expected to rise into the low-to-mid £30,000 range depending on battery size, power output and equipment levels. Production versions of the car should be ready for driving towards the end of this year.
Volkswagen clearly has high expectations for the ID. Cross. In fact, the company believes it could outsell the ID. Polo hatchback – which says a lot about how strong demand for small electric SUVs is expected to be.
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The verdict: Volkswagen ID. Cross
Even in early prototype form, the ID. Cross is hugely impressive. The ride quality feels genuinely premium for a small electric SUV, the interior quality is excellent, and the technology package looks strong.
There are still a few rough edges to polish before production begins – particularly around steering feel – but it’s unlikely anything can be done to boost rear passenger space. However, the fundamentals are extremely convincing.
If Volkswagen can deliver the expected price point and refine those small issues before launch, the ID. Cross could become one of the most compelling compact electric SUVs on sale in the UK.
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Volkswagen ID. Cross rivals
FAQs
How long does it take to charge?
The larger 52kWh battery version offers a claimed range of up to 271 miles, while the smaller 37kWh battery version provides up to around 194 miles. The larger battery version supports DC rapid charging at up to 105kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 24 minutes.
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How much does it cost – is it worth it?
With a starting price expected to be just over £25,000 in the UK, the ID. Cross aims to offer strong value in the compact electric SUV market, combining useful range with modern technology and a premium-feeling interior.
Does Volkswagen replace batteries for free?
Volkswagen is expected to offer its standard three-year new car warranty alongside an eight-year battery warranty covering the high-voltage battery for up to 100,000 miles while guaranteeing a minimum level of battery capacity.
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Why trust us
Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.
With more than 30 years of experience, Steve Fowler is one of the UK’s best-known automotive journalists. Steve has interviewed key industry figures, from Tesla’s Elon Musk to Ford’s Jim Farley, and is a judge for both Germany’s and India’s Car of the Year Awards, as well as being a director of World Car of the Year. When it comes to electric vehicles, Steve reviews all the latest models for The Independent as they launch, from Abarth to Zeekr, and he uses his expert knowledge of car buyers’ needs to provide a comprehensive verdict.
You can check if you are eligible through the Nationwide website
Nationwide Building Society is encouraging people to check if they’re eligible for more than £550 in additional support. Customers can check heir eligibility for extra payments both online and over the phone.
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Stephen Noakes, director of retail at Nationwide, recently spoke to a panel of MPs regarding the building society’s initiatives to improve financial inclusion. He discussed with the Treasury Committee the need to get people saving more, as well as how to ensure customers are accessing all the support they qualify for.
One resource he was eager to highlight is Nationwide’s Better Off Indicator, which can be used to determine if you’re entitled to any extra benefits, such as those from the DWP or via your local council. You simply input some information about your household situation and your finances, like your savings and income, and it will guide you towards any additional payments you might be eligible for.
Mr Noakes informed the committee: “We have calculators that can advise customers if they have additional benefits.” The provider introduced these online tools back in June 2025.
Bank account alert for people with over £5,000
The building society chief said there have been big successes for those who have used the online benefit check. Mr Noakes said: “We only started in the last six months – but 18,000 households have looked at it and 11,000 had benefits.
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“The average they have managed to gain is £560 a month. This activity can be quite life-changing.” Nationwide launched the calculator tool in collaboration with Policy in Practice.
If you’d rather discuss the support available to you over the phone, you can ring 0300 3730619. Guidance on the Nationwide website explains: “Being eligible to claim for benefits is not just for people who can’t work.
“Many people assume they are not eligible, leaving £24billion in benefits going unclaimed in the UK every year. There are lots of support payments and benefits that could help you be better off.”
Who could qualify for the extra payments?
The guidance sets out that these five groups may be eligible for some extra cash:
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You or your partner are out of work
You are renting your home
You have children
You have a disability or care for someone who has a disability
You are receiving the state pension
What extra support could I qualify for?
The information page also lists some of the benefits that you may be entitled to.
Rory McIlroy’s back injury hampered his title defence at TPC Sawgrass as he finished T46 at the Players Championship, with the Northern Irishman now weighing up whether to play another event before his Masters title defence
Rory McIlroy is considering adding another tournament to his schedule before defending his Masters title next month, following a lacklustre performance at the Players Championship.
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The Northern Irishman, who was defending champion at TPC Sawgrass, saw his preparations disrupted by a back injury and could only manage a disappointing tie for 46th place.
McIlroy intends to assess his physical condition over the coming days before deciding whether to compete again ahead of Augusta, where he secured the career grand slam last year.
“I’ll see how my body feels,” the world number two said.
“We’ll see how I feel in practice and at home and if I get itchy feet at home maybe add an event at some point.
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“I feel like it was important to make the weekend here and play an extra couple of days. I’m happy I got through four days and my body feels good.
“I feel like my game sort of progressively got a little bit better as the week went on, even though the scores probably didn’t reflect it over the weekend.
“But yeah, really just see how the next week goes, see how once I get back to actually a full practice schedule and in the gym and stuff like that, see how my body reacts to that, and then I’ll see.”
American Cameron Young clinched his second PGA Tour title with a stunning one-shot victory from England’s Matt Fitzpatrick.
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A brilliant birdie at the famous par-three 17th proved vital for Young and a brilliant tee shot on the 18th coupled with Fitzpatrick finding the pine straw before finishing with a bogey five gave Young the biggest win of his carrer to date.
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Prime among the reasons why it is such a compelling competition is the Stadium Course itself. It does what it says on the tin, delighting huge crowds with a nerve-jangling test for the best players in the world year in, year out.
“I remember when I played it, I stood on the 18th tee and was scared witless,” recalled European Ryder Cup player Oliver Wilson. “You can never, ever relax on that golf course.”
And so it came to pass that Young and Fitzpatrick arrived on that final tee box locked together with this pretigious title on the line. The vast expanse of water down the left had gobbled up Young’s ball less than 24 hours earlier.
Fitzpatrick had his own demons given his double bogey on that same hole, also in the third round.
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The final day task demanded the utmost golfing courage and Young was in the mood. Of the leading contenders only he and Justin Thomas had taken on the teasing pin tight to the right edge of the island green 17th.
Young was rewarded with the birdie that drew him level with his Ryder Cup rival Fitzpatrick. Now it was time to unleash probably the furthest drive ever seen on Sawgrass’ closing hole.
At 375 yards, it was the longest to be officially recorded and crucially he found the fairway. Fitzpatrick also went with driver, but found the pine straw among the trees down the right.
If he had his time again, would a three-wood have been a better option? Decision making is something that comes under the microscope at the moments of the most intensity.
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“I know Cam hits a draw, his moved a little bit,” Fitzpatrick said. “I figured mine would do the same. Obviously just went dead straight.”
Regardless of arguments over strategy, this was a big title decided by the finest of margins. Fitzpatrick could only bogey despite doing little else wrong.
Young went out and won it. This after Ludvig Aberg had thrown away his commanding position at the start of the back nine.
Again the golf course exacted demands that induced the Swede’s crucial errors as he found water on the 11th and 12th holes.
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“The risk and reward of the back nine asks relentless questions and he failed pretty much immediately,” said Wilson who was part of the 5 Live commentary team in Florida.
“You can’t help thinking back to the chances he had at the end of the third round and then early on the final day. This course is always ready to bite, so you have to take advantage when you’re playing your best golf.”
And that made for a heady, suspenseful mix for those watching either on the ground or on television.
Manchester City are aiming to stage a Champions League comeback against Real Madrid and boss Pep Guardiola has taken a novel approach to his side’s preparations
Manchester City will not train the day before their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. The Premier League side welcome the Spanish giants to the Etihad Stadium this week for the second leg of their last-16 clash.
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City are already 3-0 down ahead of that game – Federico Valverde’s hat-trick having seen Real race into a stunning lead at the Bernabeu. Despite Guardiola’s side needing an almost flawless performance to get themselves back into the tie, the Spanish coach has given his players time off due to their packed schedule.
They will not be taking to the training pitches the day before the game, with focus instead being on recovery. While Guardiola’s move is unusual given the importance of the game, it is not unprecedented. The former Barcelona boss also gave his side time off before a league stage showdown with Borussia Dortmund earlier this season.
Speaking at the time, he said: “We will train tomorrow [Monday] morning. I’ve done it a few times – maybe not a lot but a few times.
“Bournemouth was so demanding that I prefer they stay at home and tomorrow morning we train. No-one is going to change the schedule because we have a lot of competitions so it is what it is.”
And while Guardiola has given players time off, he has already sent his squad a strong warning. He suggested that any stars who don’t believe that the side could come back would be best served not attending the game.
Speaking after the weekend draw against West Ham United, Guardiola said: “If they don’t believe, it’s a problem. They are adults. They have good salaries.
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“If they don’t believe in that in the Champions League, go home, stay home. We have to try. What do we have to lose?
“Madrid never came back in history? I don’t know how many – 50 Champions League games, they never came back from 3-0? Of course, it’s a tough result. But we have to try, for respect for the people, for fans, for our job, you know?”
Following the clash with Real, City will then turn their attention back to their fading Premier League title hopes. Guardiola’s side currently sit nine points adrift of Arsenal after being held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at the weekend. The Gunners beat Everton with two late goals from Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Every day more than $4 billion worth of goods cross the United States’ borders with Canada and Mexico – U.S. auto parts headed for car factories in northern Mexico, cartons of Mexican avocados bound for California supermarkets, Canadian aluminum destined to become cans of Campbell Soup.
Much of this bustling cross-border commerce is duty-free, thanks to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, that President Donald Trump negotiated with America’s northern and southern neighbors during his first term.
But the future of the USMCA , which took effect July 1, 2020, is cloudy as the three countries begin what could be a tempestuous attempt to renew the pact this year. The United States is demanding changes to the treaty, and the top U.S. trade negotiator told Politico in December that Trump would be willing to pull the United States out of the pact if he can’t get the deal he wants. Trump also suggested last fall that the United States could negotiate separate deals with Canada and Mexico, ending the three-country North American bloc that previous administrations saw as crucial to competing economically with China and the European Union.
The talks kick off Monday between U.S. and Mexican trade officials.
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The North American economies could agree to renew USMCA as it is for another 16 years— a prospect that appears unlikely. Or they could keep working on ways to improve it; under a convoluted renewal process, they have until 2036 to reach an agreement — or the pact expires.
Meantime, any USMCA country can pull out of the pact provided it gives its two partners six months’ notice – an option that Canada and Mexico, heavily dependent on trade with the United States, fear the impulsive Trump might end up choosing.
At stake is $1.6 trillion worth of annual trade in goods between the United States and its two USMCA partners. Mexico and Canada are far ahead of China in both exports to and imports from the United States. American farmers are especially keen to see the deal renewed: Last year, they shipped nearly $31 billion in agricultural products to Mexico and $28 billion to Canada.
U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico were spared the worst of Trump’s 2025 tariffs; many goods compliant with USMCA rules continued to enter the United States duty free. Still, a number of products did not get protection from the U.S. levies, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which face a 25% tariff. A 50% tariff on steel, aluminum and copper remains in effect, as does a 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes.
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The USMCA replaced the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement negotiated by President George H.W. Bush and signed into law by President Bill Clinton.
Trump and other critics had criticized NAFTA as a killer of U.S. jobs because it encouraged U.S. companies to relocate factories south of the border to take advantage of low-wage Mexican labor and then send goods back to the United States duty free.
The USMCA, ratified by Congress with rare support from Republicans and Democrats alike, ended up being very similar to NAFTA. But it did contain provisions designed to encourage factories in the region to pay higher wages and make sure that more of what they made originated in North America.
The new pact updated North American trade rules for the digital age. The USMCA, for instance, bars the United States, Mexico and Canada from slamming each other with import taxes on music, software, games and other products sold electronically.
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A proud Trump declared the USMCA “the fairest, most balanced and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed.’’
But the president’s enthusiasm seems to have waned. In January, he expressed little interest in the upcoming talks to renew the agreement. The effort, he said, offered “no real advantage to us. It’s irrelevant to me.’’
The USMCA did little to ease one of Trump’s biggest complaints: The U.S. deficit in the trade of goods with Mexico, which rose last year to a record $197 billion as the United States reduced its reliance on Chinese imports. The U.S. also ran a merchandise trade deficit with Canada of $46.4 billion last year, a decrease from 2024.
“Improvements are required for it to deliver the high-wage U.S. manufacturing powerhouse and balanced trade (Trump) promised and we need,” said Lori Wallach, director of the Rethink Trade program at the American Economic Liberties Project.
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The United States plans to push for a series of changes, including stronger rules to ensure that goods from China won’t slip into the United States under USMCA; to encourage more production in the United States; and to ensure more access to Canada’s protected dairy market for U.S. farmers.
Mexico’s core priorities are to avoid a major rewrite of the agreement and to make rules of origin more flexible —allowing imports of parts from outside North America when they are not available in the region. Mexican negotiators also want assurances that anything agreed to will stick, providing insurance against Trump’s unpredictability and his enthusiasm for tariffs.
Mexico wants to minimize tariffs as much as possible. Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Mexico wants to strengthen the dispute resolution system already in place under the treaty. That would not eliminate the possibility of tariffs, but it would provide clear, swift channels for seeking solutions when problems arise, he said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration will have to simultaneously manage existing security issues, which are ongoing after the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel’s leader in late February, and which could influence economic matters.
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Mexico anticipates that Canada will join the talks later, but its top priority in the coming months is to reach agreements and maintain the free trade with the United States, its main commercial partner.
Mexico is pushing the idea that the treaty is also good for the US. “The integration of our countries is an absolute prerequisite for the United States to remain competitive,” Ebrard said recently. “We must move forward together; otherwise, we will not succeed”
Louis Theroux’s new Netflix documentary Inside The Manosphere has sparked questions about the filmmaker’s own religious background and what he has said about his faith
Peter Harris Live Content Editor
11:51, 16 Mar 2026
Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere trailer from Netflix
The latest documentary from Louis Theroux has already sparked a significant reaction among viewers since it debuted on Netflix.
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It is the author and filmmaker’s first full-length title for the streaming platform and the latest in a distinguished career of creating thought-provoking films that scrutinise society. In Inside The Manosphere, Louis engages with some of the most contentious social media influencers who form part of this subculture.
These figures have established their reputations by expressing controversial views online. However, whilst doing so, they assert they are guiding young men on how to lead their lives.
The documentary also highlights the extraordinary measures these influencers take to generate income, with the majority raking in millions, reports the Mirror.
Some of the debatable views these content creators disseminate seem to concentrate on the same subjects. Primarily the role of women, whilst a few also appear to repeatedly mention Jewish people.
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Louis endeavours to discuss and address these anti-Semitic messages shared by the subjects of the documentary. This has led many people to question whether Louis Theroux is Jewish himself. Here’s what you need to know.
Viewers may recall Louis being questioned about his own religion in previous documentaries. The broadcaster has typically avoided responding directly, as that is usually not what the documentary is aiming to explore.
However, he has spoken about his faith on numerous occasions. In his Ultra Zionists special for the BBC, he disclosed that he is an atheist.
Reflecting on his encounter with neo-Nazis, he also revealed: “I can disclose this now… I’m not actually Jewish. I have no problem with being identified as Jewish, but it’s just not a factual statement.”
If you Google the question: ‘Is Louis Theroux Jewish?’ there is a possibility its AI summary tool will claim that he is. It might also suggest that he has Jewish ancestry. According to the man himself however, this is not accurate.
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It makes the same error for his cousin, actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux. However, in that case it is sourcing the information from an interview with the showrunner of The Leftovers, which Justin starred in.
Speaking to American Magazine, Louis touched on the role of religion during his upbringing, sharing that his parents were “both lapsed in their faiths”.
He added: “My dad was raised Catholic and my mum was Church of England, but we never went to church growing up. If anything I do feel I missed out on it a bit. Because I think [faith] gives you a mental furniture and almost something to push back on.”
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Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere is streaming on Netflix
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Dubai authorities tackled a fire near the city’s international airport on Monday, following a drone attack that prompted a temporary suspension of flights.
The latest crisis unfolded as the US-Israel war with Iran continues to cause significant disruption to global aviation. Flights across the Middle East have faced widespread cancellations, rescheduling, and rerouting, with much of the region’s airspace closed due to fears of missile and drone strikes. The ongoing conflict has also contributed to soaring fuel prices.
Monday’s attack is the third at Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest international travel hubs, since Iran commenced its assaults on Gulf nations on 28 February. Tehran has stated these strikes are aimed at the US presence in the region. But Iran has repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure, such as airports, hotels, and ports, with missiles and drones, despite the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, alongside Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey, hosting US military facilities.
No injuries were reported in the incident and flights were resuming just after 6am.
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“A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport affected one of the fuel tanks,” the Dubai Media Office said on X (formerly Twitter).
An Emirates Airbus A380 passenger aircraft prepares for landing at Dubai International Airport on 8 March (AFP/Getty)
Traffic was temporarily halted on road and tunnel links with the airport, police said, while the Emirates airline suspended flights.
Some flights were diverted to the nearby Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai Media Office said.
Gulf Arab states have faced more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since 28 February, with targets including US diplomatic missions and military bases, but also key Gulf oil infrastructure as well as homes and offices.
The UAE, which normalised relations with Iran’s arch-foe Israel in 2020, has faced the brunt of the attacks, but all Gulf Arab states have been affected, and all have condemned Iran.
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On 11 March, two drones fell near Dubai International Airport, which suffered damage on the first day of the conflict during an overnight Iranian attack across the Gulf states.
Keir Starmer has resisted Donald Trump’s calls for the UK to send warships to the Middle East to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
The prime minister said the UK “will not be drawn into the wider war” as he repeatedly refused to say whether the Royal Navy will be deployed.
Trump last week called on Britain to join an international effort to keep the vital waterway – which carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply – open.
The US president said: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a nation that has been totally decapitated.”
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But speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Monday, Starmer demonstrated his reluctance to accede to Trump’s latest request for help.
He said: “We’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease the economic impacts.”
The PM added: “It’ll have to be something which is agreed by as many partners as possible, is my strong view. We’re not at that stage yet, but we are working hard.”
Trump has even suggested that the future of Nato could be at risk if other countries do not help America keep the Strait open.
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He told the Financial Times: “We have a thing called Nato. We’ve been very sweet. We didn’t have to help them with Ukraine … but we helped them.
“Now we’ll see if they help us because I’ve long said that we’ll be there for them but they won’t be there for us. I’m not sure that they’d be there.
“If there’s no response or if it’s a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of Nato.”
But that was dismissed by General Sir Nick Carter, the former head of the British Army, who said the president had misunderstood Nato’s role.
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He said: “It was not an alliance that was designed for one of the allies to go on a war of choice and then oblige everyone else to follow.”
Starmer’s reluctance to send the Navy to defend the Strait of Hormuz risks putting further pressure on his already-strained relationship with Trump.
The PM turned down the president’s initial request to use RAF bases to launch strikes on Iran at the start of the war.
Starmer has subsequently said US jets can fly from British bases, but only to carry out “defensive” operations.
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Speaking on board Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said: “I don’t want them after we win the war, I want them before we start the war.
“I can say this, and I said it to them: we will remember.”
However, Starmer insisted he and Trump – who spoke on the phone on Sunday – still have a good relationship.
Nic Berry, the Australian, was due to referee but has been replaced by Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli because of travel difficulties caused by the Middle East conflict.
England
Steve Borthwick has kept faith with the back line from the historic loss to Italy, with Ollie Chessum coming into the pack at blindside flanker in the one change to the starting XV.
“Ollie was disappointed that he wasn’t starting post the Ireland game,” Borthwick told BBC Sport on Tuesday. “He was disappointed and frustrated with his performance in the Ireland game.
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“I thought he came on against Italy and did a really good job, from a ball-carrying perspective, from a line-out perspective, the contact area, the energy he gave to the team.”
England flanker Tom Curry has been ruled out of Saturday’s match after suffering a calf injury in the warm-up in Rome, while Ollie Lawrence continues to struggle with a knee issue.
Starting XV: Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, S Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl Replacements:Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith
Forwards: Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton), Ben Earl (Saracens), Greg Fisilau (Exeter), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton), Guy Pepper (Bath), Henry Pollock (Northampton), Bevan Rodd (Sale) Vilikesa Sela (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath).
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Backs: Henry Arundell (Bath), Seb Atkinson (Gloucester), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), George Furbank (Northampton), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Max Ojomoh (Bath), Henry Slade (Exeter), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).
Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Joshua Brennan (Toulouse), François Cros (Toulouse), Alexandre Fischer (Bayonne), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon), Oscar Jegou (La Rochelle), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse), Maxime Lamothe (Bordeaux Bègles), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Temo Matiu (Bordeaux Bègles), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Régis Montagne (Clermont-Auvergne), Rodrigue Neti (Toulouse), Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier), Charles Ollivon (Toulon), Dany Priso (Toulon), Thomas Staniforth (Castres), Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux Bègles).
England ended a three-year losing run against France in the Six Nations last year by winning 26-25 in a classic at Twickenham, Elliot Daly scoring the decisive late try.
The family of a cyclist who died after a collision in Peterborough have described him as a “kind, cheerful and caring man”. Artur Ciesielski, 49, was involved in a crash at Rhubarb Bridge, near Lincoln Road, at around 6.45pm on February 21.
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He was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the incident. He died on Monday, March 9. No other vehicles were involved.
Artur’s family said he “loved animals, spending time outdoors, fishing and cycling”. He was described as a “devoted father” who had also recently become a grandfather to his first grandchild.
Artur’s family released the following tribute to him: “Artur was a kind, cheerful and caring man who was deeply loved by his family. Originally from Poland, he had been living in the UK for 23 years and had built his life here.
“Artur loved animals, spending time outdoors, fishing and cycling. He was an experienced cyclist and travelled by bike everywhere. On the day of the incident, he had gone to the shop by bicycle to buy food for the family cats because they had run out and were hungry.
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“He had recently married his wife on 13 February this year and was very happy about the future ahead. Artur was a trained carpenter who loved working with his hands. He was always fixing something, helping others, working in the garden or cooking for the people he cared about.
“He was a devoted father who taught his daughter many things in life from DIY to cooking. He had also recently become a grandfather to his first grandchild, a 14-month-old boy, and he was incredibly proud and excited to be a grandad.
“We hope that anyone who may have been in the area or who may have seen anything will come forward, as even the smallest piece of information could help understand what happened. He was a wonderful man and father.”
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses.
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Anyone who saw Artur in the lead up to the collision should report it through the Cambridgeshire Police website by quoting the reference incident 444 of 21 February. Anyone without internet access should call 101.
