Airlines will be forced to cancel some flights landing in the UK due to jet fuel shortages caused by the US-Israeli war in Iran, the Government has acknowledged.
While British airlines are not currently experiencing a shortfall in fuel supplies, authorities in Europe have warned that planes could be grounded on the Continent because of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a new briefing document, the Department for Transport (DfT) advises Britons to continue with their summer holiday plans because UK airlines buy their jet fuel in advance and can rely on stockpiles.
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US soldier arrested on Maduro betting charges
A US army soldier involved in the capture of Nicolás Maduro has been arrested and charged with allegedly making over $409,000 (£303,000) by betting on the removal of the ousted Venezuelan leader, it has emerged.
(Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters).
Caption: Members of the military and their families look on as US President Donald Trump speaks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 13, 2026. Trump will meet on Friday with the special forces soldiers who captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid in Caracas in January. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
Photographer: MANDEL NGAN
Provider: AFP via Getty Images
Source: AFP
Copyright: AFP or licensors
Alleged misuse of classified info
Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a 38-year-old active-duty soldier in the US army stationed at Fort Bragg, is alleged to have used sensitive classified information in the weeks leading up to Maduro’s capture on 3 January to place wagers of more than $33,000 (£24,000) on prediction market Polymarket.
Analysis
7 min read
Interview
12 min read
‘Clear insider trading’
Van Dyke is alleged to have created a Polymarket account on or about 26 December 2025 before betting on the timing and outcome of Operation Absolute Resolve, “all to turn a profit” for personal gain.
Caption: FILE – The Polymarket prediction market website is displayed on a computer screen, Jan. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Wyatte Grantham-Philips, File)
Photographer: Wyatte Grantham-Philips
Provider: AP
Source: AP
Copyright: Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Maduro was captured by US special forces on 3rd January after a raid on Venezuela’s capital Caracas (Photo by XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
“That is clear insider trading and is illegal under federal law,” said US Department of Justice officials of the case, believed to be the first instance of insider trading charges involving a prediction market.
Charges revealed
An indictment unsealed on Thursday revealed the charges.
They include theft of non-public government information.
Van Dyke is also charged with commodities fraud and wire fraud.
Polymarket said insider trading “has no place” on its platform.
WORLD
6 min read
‘Proof the system works’
When we identified a user trading on classified government information, we referred the matter to the DOJ and co-operated with their investigation. Today’s arrest is proof the system works.
polymarket statement
Caption: Polymarket logo appears in this illustration taken April 22, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Photographer: Dado Ruvic
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
HEALTHCARE
UK Biobank health data listed for sale in China
Caption: STOCKPORT, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 17: A nurse takes blood from a volunteer ready to be stored in the UK Biobank on April 17, 2007, Manchester, England. The new UK Biobank is the largest blood based research project in the world. The research project will involve 500,000 people across the UK and follow their health for next 30 years or more providing a resource for scientists battling diseases. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Photographer: Christopher Furlong
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
Copyright: 2007 Getty Images
The details of half a million members of the UK’s health data project, the Biobank, were offered for sale online in China, the Government confirmed on Thursday.
‘Unacceptable’ breach confirmed
Technology minister Ian Murray told MPs that information of all 500,000 members of the database appeared to have been listed for sale on the website Alibaba, calling the breach an “unacceptable abuse” of its data.
Caption: FILE PHOTO: An Alibaba logo is displayed at the company’s booth at China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo/File Photo
Photographer: Maxim Shemetov
Provider: REUTERS
Source: REUTERS
Caption: LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 6: Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray makes his way to Number 10 for his first day as a cabinet minister at Downing Street on July 6, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex McBride/Getty Images)
Photographer: Alex McBride
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Getty Images Europe
The Biobank is the world’s most comprehensive dataset of de-identified biological, health and lifestyle information. It has been used to achieve improvements in detection and treatment of dementia, cancers and Parkinson’s.
No purchases made
The UK Biobank charity reported the breach on Monday.
No purchases were made from the listings, which have been removed.
Names, addresses and contact details were not released.
However, socio-economic status, lifestyle habits and data from biological samples may have been.
Exclusive
5 min read
Unlikely that anyone was identified
Murray said the information had been legitimately downloaded by three research institutions in China. He was unable to guarantee that no participants could be identified.
The UK Government is working to establish exactly how the breach occurred.
Exclusive
6 min read
Analysis
5 min read
LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026
Reform’s potential battle with a unified left
Nigel Farage’s party is expected to make big gains on 7 May
Anti-Reform UK tactical voting could hold back a “turquoise tidal wave” at England’s upcoming local elections, pollsters and campaigners have said.
The i Paper has taken a closer look at the areas of the country that may spell trouble for the increasingly popular party in May.
Tactical voting could scupper Farage’s plans
Nigel Farage’s party is expected to make big gains on 7 May, while Labour is in danger of losing dozens of local authorities and more than 1,000 councillors.
However, it has been suggested that tactical voting could limit Reform’s surge and prevent the party from taking control of town halls in some parts of the country.
Big Read
9 min read
Dispatch
7 min read
Left-wing voters rally against Reform
Some left-wing voters who see Reform as “toxic” are ready to switch to whatever party – Labour, the Liberal Democrats or the Green Party of England and Wales – has the best chance of success in their local area.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch (Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, called on Badenoch to apologise on behalf of the Conservatives (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, some Labour voters in London may even be prepared to hold their nose and vote for the Tories if it helps to halt Reform’s potential gains, The i Paper has been told.
Local election battlegrounds across England
Labour risks losing several “Red Wall” strongholds in the north-east.
Reform leads several battleground polls and is challenging in others.
The Greens and the Lib Dems also pose threats to Labour’s vote share.
A selection of Tory-held councils in the south could be up for grabs too.
POLITICS
7 min read
Potential tactical voting hotspots
Sunderland
A recent poll here has Reform on 36 per cent, ahead of Labour (26%) and the Greens (12%).
St Helens
Reform (28%) also leads this Labour-held town, beating both Labour and the Greens (24% each).
Hull
The incumbent Lib Dems (35%) trail Reform (37%), with Labour (17%) currently polling third.
And down in the capital…
Bexley
Labour (20%) voters may have to back the Conservatives (28%) to fend off Reform (27%).
Caption: A Tramlink tram travels along George Street in Croydon, Surrey.
Photographer: Nick Ansell
Provider: PA Archive/PA Images
Source: PA Archive
Croydon
Reform (12%) is aiming to challenge Labour (33%) and the incumbent Tories (28%) here too.
Anti-Reform moves
Experts said thwarting Reform next month will be the “largest single factor” in tactical voting.
16 and 17-year-olds are to be given the vote in future elections (Photo: Rui Vieira / PA Wire)
Not all walks are
created equal
Read on to find out how to supercharge yours into an unbeatable health-builder
How to supercharge your walk
Get a bit breathless
All walking paces are linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease but there are additional gains made by those who walk at a moderate-to-vigorous intensity.
Walk uphill
Try to find varying inclines to increase energy and muscle burn.
Add weights
The extra resistance challenges your heart to work harder, increasing cardiovascular fitness.
How to supercharge your walk
Uneven ground
Mountainous and uneven terrain work your stabilising muscles harder, increasing the difficulty and output from your walk.
Go Nordic
Using poles engages the arms as well as the legs and core, turning walking into a full-body workout.
A walk is beneficial at any time of day, but after eating could be best. Research has found that 10- to 30-minute walks taken 10 to 30 minutes after a meal can reduce the peak blood-sugar measurements reached.
Slower and lower blood sugar throughout the day reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
How to supercharge your walk
Go green
Walking in nature has more psychological benefits than concrete. It’s shown to significantly reduce anxiety and depression.
Improve your posture
Staying tall through the spine, open your chest and keep your eyes forward (not leaning over on your phone..).
Meet outside
Walking is a good time to have conversations, whether with your boss or a friend.
Mistakes to avoid
1Focusing on step count – most research suggests that benefits plateau at 7,000 steps a day.
2Using ankle weights – they can tug at the hip flexors and the knees.
3 Doing one-and-done – just hiking for three hours on the weekend, and nothing throughout the week, means you’re missing out on benefits.
4Thinking it’s not a workout – walking packs in cardio and brain-boosting effects without the recovery time of intense exercise.
Eight million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory disease
And while chest pain is a well-known symptom, there are more subtle signs you should be aware of too.
Overlooked signs of heart disease
Dizziness and fainting
An abnormal heart rhythm can cause a dizzy feeling. While much dizziness is not serious, it can be associated with life-threatening complications.
Increased breathlessness
This breathlessness could be due to blockages and reduced blood flow in the arteries.
Swollen ankles
Unusual swelling can indicate a problem with the body’s circulatory system and kidneys.
Worsening fatigue
Ongoing and worsening fatigue can indicate an underlying health issue, and it could be a sign that your heart isn’t working as effectively as it should be. If persistent fatigue is impacting you day-to-day, the best thing to do is speak with your doctor.
Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation
Overlooked signs of heart disease
Indigestion-type symptoms
Discomfort in the stomach, chest and ribs, or a burning sensation in the chest area, could all be symptoms of heart disease.
Erectile dysfunction
If it’s an ongoing issue, there could be an underlying health problem, including atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), diabetes or high blood pressure.
Emotional detachment is a key life skill
Read on to find out how to embrace it, from GP Dr Radha
Healthy detachment
[Detachment] is not selfish – we can still care and empathise. We don’t avoid, we just balance and respond rather than react because we are not too invested in the outcome. This is very different from emotional numbing, which often happens after trauma.
dr Radha Modgil
When we need detachment
Toxic friendships
When you feel that an interaction brings out the worst in you, or that you are having to watch everything you say or do.
Dysfunctional families
Healthy detachment is helpful when we become overly invested in trying to control or fix someone.
Work issues
It’s helpful in situations you are not in control of and helps you leave work behind at 5pm.
How to start it
Examine your beliefs
You may have been conditioned to think that it is your responsibility to fix everything. Is this a fact or based on old patterns?
Look at the impact
Consider what negative impact your “fixing” has; it can keep situations stuck, or infantilise others from growing up.
Which problems are in your control?
Understanding what problems are ours to hold and which aren’t can help avoid emotional burnout.
How to maintain it
Firm boundaries
This means understanding your sense of self, what is yours and what is not and sticking to it.
Self-care
Recognise and look after your own energy levels, mental health and your need to live your own life.
Be objective
Try to have a factual, calm, rational attitude in moments of conflict. This includes trying to release the need to control.
I spent a week in the world’s happiest country
Here are the five ways I
brought Finnish culture back to the UK.
Sauna, sauna, sauna
A regular Finnish sauna boasts a wealth of health benefits: improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia.
In Finnish culture, the sauna is available for everyone: it’s the great equaliser and forms a gently ritualistic part of the day.
Immerse yourself in nature
It is enshrined in Finnish law that anyone living in or visiting Finland has the freedom to roam the countryside, forage, fish, ski, or camp temporarily.
70 per cent of Finland is forest and they have an estimated 180,000 lakes, of which Lake Saimaa (the one I visited) is the largest.
It plays into the Finns’ love of solitude: having space to think. I have found myself not only treasuring the greenery I can find in London.
Eastl local and drink coffee
Finnish diet
Diets are rich in oily fish and local produce: whole grains, Arctic berries, dairy, wild mushrooms, and game like reindeer.
Coffee
The Finns are the number one coffee drinkers in the world. This is both a social ritual and a historic legacy.
I’m cherishing my coffee breaks that bit more, as well as enjoying smoked fish and pickles for lunch
Have fun
Play is embedded from early childhood, as it is seen as a fundamental pillar of development. For every 45-minute lesson, children enjoy unstructured play for 15 mins.
While adults don’t get the same level of structured play, hobbies and a clear demarcation between work and life ensure adults retain a sense of leisure. Every year in July, businesses slow down.
Do not take the good for granted
Finns actively remember not only their suffering through the war, but the fact that the peace they enjoy requires constant maintenance.
Greenwich Park (Photo: AP Photo/Joanna Chan)
Since my visit, I am actively appreciating things like London’s public transport system, or the number of parks my dog can run in. We are fools if we take it for granted.
Inflammation can be harmful.
But it is possible to lower it through lifestyle changes.
We asked the experts the habits you can instill to reduce levels.
Dietary changes
Fruit and veg
Research suggests high intakes of fruit and vegetables are linked with lower inflammatory markers, says dietitican Sammie Gill.
Healthy fats
Omega-3 fatty acids from oily fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil are all beneficial in fighting inflammation.
Established diets
Certain patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, can help control long-term inflammation.
What to use and what to avoid
Use turmeric and black pepper
Herbs and spices are an easy way of adding anti-inflammatory plant compounds to your diet.
Drink green tea
Keeping hydrated by drinking enough water helps your body function, and herbal teas can have added benefits.
Eat blueberries
Women eating a handful of blueberries a day can help lower their high blood pressure.
Lorem ipsum
Regularly, not randomly
“The key is consistency, even light, regular activity is better than long, intense workouts once in a while,” says Dr Maz Mwambazi, a GP.
Yoga
Building muscle through weight lifting can help, as can mind-body practices like yoga, which combine physical postures, breathing, and meditation.
Prioritise fun
Chronic stress can contribute to inflammation, says Dr Rangan Chatterjee – so partake in activities which help you manage or reduce your stress levels.
Finding a hobby you enjoy, spending time in nature and spending time connecting with friends and family have all been shown to reduce stress.
But the guidance also reveals the Government is relaxing the rules over the allocation of time slots for planes taking off or landing at UK airports in case some international airlines cannot use them due to jet fuel shortages.
‘Use it or lose it’ rules to be relaxed
The DfT document says: “At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.
“Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80 per cent of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.
“Airport Co-ordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying.
“Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.
“This means airlines can focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.”
Earlier this month the Airports Council International said if tankers cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz, “systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality for the EU”, while the executive director of the International Energy Agency, Faith Birol, warned that Europe had “maybe six weeks or so of jet fuel left”.
The UK Government guidance adds: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience.
“The Government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.”
Passengers’ legal rights
Passengers have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing, if their flight is cancelled.
UK ministers and officials are meeting regularly with the airline and travel industry to “monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change”.
The document says: “We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.”
Passengers should continue to check with their airlines before they travel, consult Foreign Office travel advice for latest updates and ensure they have appropriate travel insurance.
Under UK law, if a flight is cancelled, passengers are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked on to an alternative flight if they depart from an airport in the UK on any airline, arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline or arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.
Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz at the start of March due to the war in Iran, the government has been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.
Ministers and officials are continuing to plan for “a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz”, the DfT update says.