Westlife, the iconic Irish boyband, has announced a series of events to celebrate their 25th anniversary, including a new album and special shows. The band, known for their chart-topping hits and record-breaking success in Ireland, shared the exciting news with fans, promising a year filled with music and surprises. However, the celebrations will proceed without one of its original members, Mark Feehily, who is currently focusing on his recovery from health issues.

The band's journey began in 1998, and since then, they have achieved remarkable success, including eleven number-one albums in Ireland. Their first world tour kicked off in 2001, marking the start of a career that would see them become one of the most beloved groups in pop music. The upcoming anniversary celebrations are a testament to their enduring popularity and the strong connection they have with their fans around the world.

Mark Feehily's absence from the anniversary events comes as he continues to recover from surgery and health challenges, including sepsis and a hernia. The band has expressed their support for Feehily, hoping for his return to the stage when he is ready. In the meantime, the remaining members, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, and Shane Filan, are set to carry on the celebrations, honoring the band's legacy and the music that has defined a generation.

As Westlife prepares to mark this significant milestone, fans are eagerly anticipating the new music and performances that will commemorate 25 years of the band's contributions to the music industry. The band's announcement has reignited excitement among their global fanbase, proving that their dream of lasting success has indeed come true.

Families of the 29 victims killed in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash are escalating their decades-long fight for answers, preparing to deliver a petition with more than 47,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding a public inquiry. The Chinook Justice Campaign has published 110 "critical questions" they want answered about the tragedy that claimed the lives of 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members when the aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994.

The campaign comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a judge-led inquiry into the incident, prompting families to declare they will "see the UK government in court." Among those delivering the petition on Tuesday are brothers Andy and Matt Tobias from Watford, whose father John Tobias was killed in the crash. The petition delivery will be accompanied by an attempt to deliver a letter directly to the Ministry of Defence.

Central to the families' concerns are questions about mission authorization, aircraft selection, and whether those on board were properly warned of risks. The campaign has gained momentum amid revelations that key documents related to the crash have been sealed until 2094—a century after the incident occurred. David Hill, technical expert for the Chinook Justice Campaign, characterized the government's position as "a betrayal by the state of them and their loved ones."

The crash investigation has followed a contentious path over the past three decades. Initial findings blamed pilot error for the tragedy, but this conclusion was overturned in 2011. The continuing secrecy surrounding the incident has drawn criticism from campaigners who argue it "undermines trust not only in the MoD but in the government itself." As families prepare to confront the government directly, the case represents one of Britain's longest-running military accountability battles.