In a startling revelation, Lloyds Bank has reported that Oasis fans in the UK have collectively lost over £2 million to fraudulent ticket sales. The scams, predominantly occurring on social media platforms, have affected at least 5,000 victims since the tickets for the band's highly anticipated reunion tour went on sale. The bank's analysis, based on fraud reports from its customers, highlights the growing menace of online ticket fraud.

The average loss per victim stands at approximately £436, with one individual reportedly defrauded of £1,700. A significant majority of these scams, about 90%, were facilitated through Meta's social media platforms, primarily Facebook. Liz Ziegler, Lloyds' fraud prevention director, emphasized the need for stronger measures by social media companies to combat these fraudulent listings, which often violate the platforms' own policies.

The announcement of Oasis's reunion tour last year sparked immense excitement among fans, leading to a chaotic ticket sale that saw all dates sell out within the first day. This frenzy created a fertile ground for scammers, who exploited the high demand by posting fake listings offering tickets at reduced prices. The situation has prompted calls for consumers to remain vigilant and purchase tickets only from authorized retailers to avoid falling prey to such scams.

Meanwhile, the UK's competition regulator, the CMA, has initiated an investigation into Ticketmaster, the official ticket vendor for the Oasis tour. The probe aims to assess whether buyers were provided with clear information and if they were pressured into making quick purchases. As the tour dates approach, the spotlight remains on the need for enhanced security measures and consumer awareness to prevent further losses to ticket fraud.

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.