Month: May 2026

The budget airline is offering a range of discounted flights from UK airports

Brits planning a holiday abroad have the next few days to book discounted flights. Budget airline easyJet is currently offering up to 15 per cent off certain trips.

The reduction applies to selected flights between June 1 and September 30. However, the deal only runs until June 3. On the easyJet website, it said: “For the next five days easyJet is offering customers up to 15 per cent off selected flights to and from the UK, giving Brits the opportunity to secure great value fares for their summer holidays. The promo applies to flights between 1 June 2026 and 30 September 2026, covering the peak summer season and school holidays.

“With flights available to a wide range of popular beach and city destinations across easyJet’s unrivalled European network ensuring there are options for all the family.” Going into more detail, it said: “Customers can book discounted fares between 8am on Friday 29 May until 8am on Wednesday 3 June 2026 via easyJet.com or the easyJet mobile app.”

The offer includes flights from airports across the UK, with thousands of seats available at reduced prices with fares starting from £19.99. Examples of some of the routes on offer include:

• London Gatwick to Paris and Reus from £31.99
• London Luton to Lyon from £22.99
• London Southend to Geneva and Pisa from £19.99
• Bristol to Malaga and Palma from £25.99
• Manchester to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Paris, Copenhagen, Geneva, Hamburg, La Rochelle, Nice, Oslo, Prague, Rennes, and Zurich from £31.99
• Liverpool to Amsterdam from £25.99, Barcelona, Split, Malaga, Palma, Naples and Nice from £25.99, Faro from £26.49

On top of this, easyJet holidays is also offering thousands of packages to popular city and beach destinations in Europe and North Africa this summer. “Customers can save £50 per person on beach holidays departing before 31 July 2027 when using code BEACH50, and £20 per person on city breaks departing before 31 August 2026 when using code CITIES20,” easyJet said.

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager, commented: “We know customers are always looking for great value when booking their summer holiday and with thousands of discounted seats available across our network, now is a great time to book a trip and enjoy Europe’s most popular destinations for less.

“To ensure people feel confident to book, we’ve launched our Book with Confidence Promise which guarantees that the cost of flights and package holidays will stay fixed after booking and we will not add fuel surcharges, protecting customers from increased fuel cost.

“We are operating as normal, not making cancellations and are looking forward to taking millions of people on their well-deserved holidays this summer.” For more information, visit teh easyJet website here.

Karen Hauer has spoken for the first time in length about her emotional exit from Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years on the BBC show

Karen Hauer’s exit from Strictly Come Dancing after 14 years on the show, in the midst of a dramatic shake-up for the 2026 series, stunned fans. But in an exclusive interview, in which she talks about her shock departure for the first time, she says she’s ready for whatever’s next.

The pro dancer, 44, felt like part of the furniture on the BBC show. She was the longest-serving female professional, having graced the famous dance floor with stars including Mark Wright and Jamie Laing – reaching the final with both – and the late Hairy Biker Dave Myers, who she once said was her most “cherished” partnership. So it’s not surprising that the announcement in March that she was quitting evoked some strong feelings.

“It was very emotional, but it did feel like I was ready to get my teeth stuck into other projects and continue evolving. I learned so much from every single celebrity that I came across,” she tells us, with a warm smile. “It’s always about growth. It was a beautiful decision that came from a good place in my heart.”

The Venezuelan-American, who is a Latin dance specialist and World Mambo Champion, decided to keep her decision quiet from everyone, including her fellow pros, except her very closest pals, as she knew they would try to convince her to stay.

“I didn’t say anything because I know it would have been hard for them to digest and they’d have been like, ‘No, definitely no, not you,” she laughs. “I kept it within my tightest circle. But you know what? When I announced it, I’ve never felt such an outpouring of love. So many people were reaching out to me, and just being so kind.”

Karen’s exit is one of many ahead of the new series, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepping down and a string of other pros waving goodbye to the show, including Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas. Meanwhile, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are set to shake things up as the show’s new hosts.

Karen, who moved to the countryside near Preston, Lancashire in 2025 for a quieter life, after years of calling London home, believes Strictly will continue to evolve. “Even before I was on the show, when we saw Bruce Forsyth leave and then Len Goodman, it’s always got bigger and better – that’s the beauty of it,” she says. “Now, there’s new energy coming in. The next generation is only going to lift it even more.”

Karen is excited, she says, to see where the dramatically changed team takes the show. “I’ll be watching, 100%. And I know I’ll miss the people – the camera crew, hair and make-up, the costume ladies, our runners, the producers that make the show work.”

She’ll also miss her fellow pros, with whom she admits, she took on a protective, maternal role. “Ah, my professional dancers – my kids!” she says fondly. “I felt like I was a mother goose and everybody was always so beautiful backstage. I’ll miss the dance floor when it was all quiet and there was nobody around and we were all rehearsing with no lights. Just us there.”

She adds, a little wistfully, “Strictly will always be my home, you know? I will always have a deep connection to it, no matter what.”

After so long on one show, no one would blame Karen for wanting to take a break to recharge her batteries. But no, she’s jumping headfirst into a new project – and that’s just the way she likes it.

Karen will be touring the UK this summer in a revival of feel-good comedy Stepping Out, which follows a group of seemingly mismatched amateur tap dancers as they prepare for a charity gala performance. She will play Mavis, the group’s teacher – a role last played in 2017 by Tamzin Outhwaite, and by the legendary Liza Minnelli in the 1991 film version.

When she thinks of all the famous faces she’s put through their dancing paces, Karen says it feels tailor-made for her. “It just fell into my lap at exactly the right time, after closing a massive chapter of my life with Strictly,” she says. “The fact that Mavis is a dance teacher, dealing with so many different personalities and stories just resonated with me so much.”

It’s not the star’s first brush with the stage. Over the years she’s had acclaimed stints in the West End and on Broadway. “I’ve always loved theatre,” she says. “I mean, live TV and stage shows are equally nerve-wracking, but when you’re on TV, it’s a one-hit wonder because you don’t get to repeat, you just have to perform and leave it there. In theatre, you evolve each time within the character.”

“When you’re doing a show like Strictly, there’s a certain part of you that you protect,” she adds. “It’s okay to hold back certain things about yourself, to protect yourself in a way. That’s completely okay. I think that’s how you need to be to be able to function. Acting is a completely different demon.”

Karen clearly has boundless energy as she will also be joining fellow Strictly pro Nikita Kuzmin on his Burn The Floor extravaganza, Supernova. The brainchild of Strictly’s director of choreography Jason Gilkison, she says it will always hold a special place in her heart as she was the principal female dancer in the original Broadway cast and toured the world with the ground-breaking show.

“I turned into the performer I was always meant to be because of Jason and Burn The Floor. He gave me that confidence, that belief in myself,” she tells us. “Nikita’s energy and charisma is just… beyond. I did not see it coming, so it was really nice to be asked. It’s almost like going home again.”

Away from work, Karen – who split from her third husband in 2023 – found love again two years ago with former rugby coach Simon Davidson. Smiling, she says her favourite thing to do when she’s not working is spend quality time with her handsome other half – and their four adorable rescue dogs.

“I have an amazing support network of friends, my family, my dogs, my partner at home,” she says. “He just turned 40, I’m 44, and there’s a different mindset when it comes to that stage of life – the enjoyment of life and making sure we’re taking care of each other.

“Our lives are very chaotic and we both travel a lot, so when we get back together, we have that total peace at home with our dogs. Just enjoying the little things in life is really important for both of us.”

Karen is the first to admit she’s had a rollercoaster love life. She was married to her ex-dance partner Matthew Hauer for nine years and went on to wed Strictly’s Kevin Clifton, who she then split from in 2018. She tied the knot with fitness professional Jordan Wyn-Jones in 2022, but they called it a day just 16 months later.

“I’ve definitely had my ups and downs in relationships,” she says softly. “But I think this one’s definitely an up for me, and for him as well. I think we can sense our emotions and our energy very quickly as well. We’re very aware of what makes the other tick.”

Her relationship advice? “It’s important to communicate with each another on even the smallest things. Life is too good to be hung up on little things.”

A year and a half ago, Karen decided to stop drinking alcohol, which, she says, has been transformative. “It’s completely changed my emotional state and boosted my energy levels. I’ve made so many little tweaks for self-improvement, from the inside.”

Her social media is full of posts about fitness, and Simon is even hoping to convince her to sign up to gruelling fitness competition Hyrox one day.

As for what the future may hold, Karen says, “The world’s my oyster. I don’t want to be afraid to try new things, so anything that comes my way, I’ll go for it. Because what’s the worst thing that can happen?”

With a new chapter beginning, what would Karen tell her 30-year-old self on the first day of her Strictly journey? She flashes a huge grin. “Strap in, put the seat belt on, you’re gonna fly!”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

Spencer Pratt is a showboat, a loudmouth, a troll and a self-proclaimed villain who seems willing to say anything in his quest to be the next mayor of Los Angeles.

Little wonder that his critics rolled their eyes when the former reality television star told CNN host Elex Michaelson a few weeks ago that his campaign role model is Jesus Christ, because “he was a politician.” How on earth did Pratt — a man who tosses insults with the ease of someone spitting loogies — come off boasting that his political hero was the Prince of Peace?

But anyone who ridicules the exchange as a blasphemous moment by a deluded wannabe isn’t paying attention — which is exactly the error that has allowed Pratt to storm L.A. politics. He isn’t running on an explicitly Christian message — that would be risky in a city with large Jewish, Catholic and secular constituencies. But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.

In his recent memoir, Pratt recounted his conversion — actor Stephen Baldwin baptized him in a river during the 2009 season of the reality show “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.” Before that, his Christianity had consisted of wearing a black diamond cross necklace he described as “thirty grand of Jesus bling” bought from a Beverly Hills boutique. Pratt credits his faith with providing direction at a low moment in his life, as he embraced Jesus with such fervor that a pastor told him to stop joining altar calls so much during church services — once was enough.

“I needed the receipt stamped weekly,” Pratt wrote, “like a parking validation, just to make sure it stuck.”

Seventeen years later, he’s still seeking that affirmation.

The memoir comes off as a millennial version of “The Confessions of St. Augustine” — perhaps the most famous literary example of someone who saw their wreck of a life not as a series of mistakes to apologize for but as necessary failures on the road to grace. That’s why Pratt and his followers don’t see his sketchy past as a disqualifier, but rather his biggest strength. Only someone who says he was reborn in the inferno of the Palisades fire could possess the clarity and willpower needed to bring salvation to an accursed land, they argue.

In another era, Pratt would have been a welcome edition to the roster of bombastic Southern California preachers a la Aimee Semple McPherson, Chuck Smith and Gene Scott, as well as radio titans such as George Putnam and John Kobylt. His claims that only he can deliver us from damnation and that we need to repent of City Hall’s status quo at the ballot box are nothing less than a modern-day gospel to his followers. Pratt feels the pulse of L.A.’s civic malaise far better than Mayor Karen Bass or another of his opponents, City Councilmember Nithya Raman. Like any good pastor, he knows how to distill that discontent into soundbites and stories.

That’s why the self-designated “Pratt Daddy” has cast this moment in L.A. history as a modern-day Armageddon, urging voters to wage war against apostates and usher in a Second Coming, lest the city continue its supposed descent into hell. He admits in his memoir to holding “epiphanies and apocalyptic visions” in equal measure — no wonder he told a Canadian podcaster in March that life for him is a “spiritual battlefield” where “however I can be to stop evil at this point feels like a purpose.”

Spencer Pratt is shown on a television while journalists work during the 2026 Los Angeles mayoral debate at Skirball Cultural Center on May 6.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Far from me to criticize someone’s faith. But I urge Pratt to reacquaint himself with the words of the messiah in whose path he professes to follow. Humility, frugality, turning the other cheek — it’s what Jesus taught and what Pratt has long rejected.

Nowhere does Pratt need more of refresher on Jesus’ lessons than when it comes to homeless people.

Instead of offering compassion or viable initiatives, Pratt consistently calls the unhoused “zombies,” “vagrants,” “drug addicts” and “bums,” with a particular fixation on the naked ones. He vowed to ABC 7 recently that he would push people off L.A.’s streets and onto federal land — like herding stray wildlife. The mayoral hopeful added that “scam homeless nonprofits” exacerbate homelessness, which must have been news to Scripture-based organizations such as the Los Angeles Catholic Worker, Union Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army, which have been trying to help homeless people since before Pratt was born.

Pratt also told ABC 7 reporter Josh Haskell that most of L.A.’s homeless are not locals.

“These people, when I unplug them … they’re all going to Seattle, where the mayor will welcome them,” Pratt proclaimed.

Jesus would not only roll out the welcome mat for homeless people — he would embrace them.

Spencer, what New Testament book says that your crude campaign against the most destitute among us is holy?

Christ never looked down on itinerants, famously saying, “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” In the Book of Mark, when Jesus sent his disciples out into the world, he told them to bring no food or money, because good people would take care of them.

“And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them,” Jesus said.

Christ did do some name calling, but his ire was directed at the powerful, the braggarts, the hypocrites — the Pratts of his time. The Nazarene saved his kindest words for the meek, the poor, the peacemakers — who are sorely lacking in Pratt’s caravan of disaffected liberals, Trumpers and the wealthy. Christ didn’t offer counsel to the comfortable but to outcasts — lepers, prostitutes, people possessed by demons or afflicted with disease — whose modern-day contemporaries live on our streets and whom Pratt World blames for all of L.A.’s ills.

Jesus especially embraced outsiders — the Canaanite woman he initially compared to a dog because she sought help for her daughter, the Samaritan lady at the well, the Roman centurion in the Book of Matthew of whom Jesus proclaimed, “I have not found so great faith” anywhere in Israel. Pratt would have rounded up all of them in donkey carts and dumped them in Babylon, if he had been around back then.

I understand how frustrating it is to see homeless encampments in neighborhoods and to deal with unhoused people who disrupt one’s day, as my wife does at her restaurant in Santa Ana. But whenever annoyance gets the better of me, I remember what Jesus told his followers: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” warning that he would keep this in mind on Judgment Day.

Those who didn’t take his advice? “Depart from me, ye cursed,” Christ thundered, “into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Christianity — and good society — calls for us to look to our better angels, not to demonize others, as Pratt regularly does. He knows this too.

“When the whole world hates you,” Pratt wrote, “it’s comforting to think at least the big guy upstairs has your back, so long as you repent.”

But repentance means admitting you’ve done wrong. Instead, Pratt is doubling down on his anti-homelessness nastiness as more and more people join his crusade.

Let’s see how many Angelenos embrace this false prophet on election day.

Police in Budapest are studying camera footage to identify supporters fighting before Saturday’s Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain.

A police statement said the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Footage emerged on social media showing what was said to be about 30 supporters of each club brawling and lighting flares.

“Several fans got into a fight on May 30, 2026, at around 00:20 in Budapest’s 7th district, on Kiraly Street,” a police statement said.

“The BRFK 7th District Police Department has initiated proceedings against unknown perpetrators for the crime of gang violence, within the framework of which the camera recordings are also being analysed.”

Nearly 4,000 police officers will be deployed across the Hungarian capital for the Champions League final, with tens of thousands of fans expected to travel to Budapest without tickets.

On Tuesday, Hungary’s deputy national police chief Zoltan Janos Kuczik said: “This will be the largest single-day police deployment in Hungary’s history.”

It was described as a “high-risk event” with security preparations beginning more than a year ago.

Two Portuguese and a British man were arrested on Friday following a fight at the Champions League fan festival site and charged with disorderly conduct.

Police said a British man who climbed on to the roof of a parked car and damaged the vehicle was also arrested.

Trump envoy Tom Barrack to exit formal Syria post but retain key role managing US policy in Syria and Iraq.

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack will step down from his post following the expiration of his formal mandate, but he is set to maintain a central diplomatic role managing policy for Syria and Iraq, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.

Barrack, a billionaire real estate investor and longtime confidant of President Donald Trump, has served as the administration’s primary envoy to Syria since May 2025, while concurrently serving as the US ambassador to Turkiye.

“Ambassador Tom Barrack has played an invaluable role as our Special Envoy to Syria,” Rubio wrote in a statement posted on the social media platform X. “While that title is expiring, he will continue to play a leading role for the Trump Administration in Syria and Iraq, where his expertise, relationships, and understanding of the America First agenda will continue to deliver wins on behalf of our great country.”

“Barrack’s special envoy title has expired, but his role has not, and he remains Washington’s lead on Syria, Iraq, and Turkiye,” Nanar Hawach, senior Syria analyst at the think tank International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera.

“The expiry changes little in practice, because he was already coordinating those three files together before it lapsed. By keeping him in place without naming a successor, Washington signals it wants continuity and his existing access rather than a reset on Syria.”

During his yearlong tenure as Syria envoy, Barrack oversaw Washington’s pivot towards the post-Assad administration of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He heavily influenced US policy by pushing for the easing of heavy economic sanctions on Damascus and coordinating counter-Islamic State operations alongside regional allies, including Turkiye and Gulf Arab states.

The private equity mogul raised substantial capital from Emirati sovereign funds. While acquitted in 2022 of federal charges that he acted as an unregistered agent for Abu Dhabi, his connections routinely led to questions about Gulf financial influence over US policy.

Barrack’s tenure in Syria also drew significant scrutiny. His mediation of a ceasefire and integration pact between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) drew sharp criticism from the Kurdish leadership, who accused Washington of abandoning its longtime allies to favour central state authority.

He also prompted intense backlash in Lebanon after warning journalists at a chaotic news conference to act “civilised” rather than “animalistic”.

His public assertions that “benevolent monarchy” and authoritarian governance are better suited for the Middle East than democracy caused controversy, while opposition leaders in Turkiye, where he remains ambassador, routinely criticised him for behaving like a “colonial governor”.

State Department officials have not yet announced a successor for the Syria envoy position.

I WAS born in Southend-on-Sea with candy floss and chip grease running through my veins, so I have a real soft spot for an English seaside resort.

And with its blonde sandy beaches, vintage ice-cream parlours and shellfish stalls, the Kent coastal town of Ramsgate does not disappoint.

Cockles aside, my partner and I have come for the weekend to check out one of its quirkiest attractions, This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete, which is part studio, part science lab and part techno time capsule.

It’s owned and run by Sam Battle, AKA Look Mum No Computer, who represented Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest this month.

Now back in Ramsgate proudly brandishing his ONE point, Sam’s museum houses his vast collection of eccentric inventions, retro computers, analogue synthesisers and other audio oddities that hum, squeak and beep.

It’s brilliant and bonkers in equal measure.

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Staring up at the flashing 1,000 Oscillator Megadrone, I’m assured the museum is very hands-on and you can touch and play with almost everything.

Fans travel from across the country to see Sam’s creations, including a Raleigh Chopper/synthesiser, a flame-throwing Henry Hoover and my favourite, the Furby organ — a fully functioning instrument ­power­ed by rows of the singing fluffy toys.

After an hour happily geeking out, we wander down to the harbour — the only one in the UK still officially granted royal status.

There, primary-coloured fishing boats bob alongside shiny yachts, while cafe-bars and vintage bike shops hide under the arches nearby.

Ramsgate can be a little gritty in parts — there’s no shortage of vape and betting shops — but that’s part of its charm.

And like its coastal neighbours, Broadstairs, Deal and Margate, it’s attracting more and more artists, musicians and independent businesses each year.

A short stroll from the harbour is Addington Street, the town’s indie quarter. It has a hip artsy vibe with renovated Victorian villas, vintage blue street signs and shops such as Vinyl Head Records and No.36 by SP, which sells fancy homewares.

We stop for a pint at the Queen Charlotte, a cute little pub filled with retro curios; think fringed lamps, a ship-shaped cocktail bar and a ­vintage record player from where music by The Carpenters flows.

But Ramsgate isn’t just about kitsch pubs and fantastical Furby organs.

Beneath the town is a network of tunnels that stretch for two and a half miles.

Originally a tunnel railway that connected the town to neighbouring Broadstairs, it was expanded in 1939 to serve as an air-raid shelter for Ramsgate residents.

On the 90-minute guided tour through the dimly lit tunnels, I learn of Ramsgate’s remarkable resilience and community during the war.

We’re staying at The House at Ramsgate, a chichi boutique hotel (formerly Albion House) on the seafront.

From our sea-view room, we can see the world’s largest Wetherspoons, The Royal Victoria Pavilion, which spans 11,000 sq ft in a prime spot on the beach.

Instead we relax with a cocktail in the quieter lounge at the hotel followed by a dinner of locally caught crab cakes and ribeye steak.

After breakfast, Sunday is spent blowing out the cobwebs walking the coastal path to Broadstairs.

The scenic two-mile route links the sandy beaches along the coast.

A few years ahead of Ramsgate in its gentrification, Broadstairs feels like its more polished sister.

We find a farmers’ market in the gardens of Bleak House, where Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield, and stop for a drink at the Royal Albion, his old watering hole, before wandering back to Ramsgate.

One thing’s for sure, whether you are into funky retro tech or sunny seaside strolls — or even a bit of both — Ramsgate is well worth a visit this summer.

Airports at Brit holiday hotspots including Spain, France and Portugal have reported severe delays and long queues – some as long as three-and-a-half hours at peak times

British tourists are being advised to allow more time at airports across Europe before travelling home because of major delays caused by biometric checks.

Wizz Air boss Yvonne Moynihan warned holidaymakers returning home from an EU destination that they should arrive at the airport three hours before their flights are due to depart amid concerns about the new security procedures.

The EU entry-exit system (EES) has now replaced passport stamps with a digital registration, involving biometric checks carried out on entry and exit for all non-EU citizens.

The EES has been gradually introduced across Europe since October last year but came into full force last month. Since then, tourists have reported huge delays at border control,.

Just last week, French police temporarily lifted the EES checks at the Dover port to free thousands of tourists trapped in long delays in the scorching heat.

Ms Moynihan told the BBC: “Because there is another passport check … that’s where we see that people have, again, experienced longer waiting times than anticipated.”

She said that while usual advice is to arrive at the airport two hours before a flight, “in these circumstances, we are advising three hours”.

The new measures have been “fragmented across Europe”, she continued, with some EU countries recording “seamless travel” while in extremes, there have been long queues and delays at “usual hotspots such as Spain, Portugal, France”.

“When you land in the destination airport, there might be queues, so you should bring a portable charger or water,” Moynihan said her airline is advising in general to any British customers travelling from an EU destination.

For those with connecting flights, she advised planning for several hours.

Her comments come as the European airports association ACI Europe warned queues have been reaching an eye-watering three-and-a-half hours in peak traffic times, based on its survey conducted across 45 airports in 20 EU states on May 26.

“Airports which previously did not report excessive waiting times are now doing so despite the extensive use of partial suspension of EES,” it said in a statement to Travel Weekly.

However, the European Commission told the BBC that the EES was not the only factor that can cause delays at the border, stating information may only take around a minute to register.

“Pressure,” the new World War II movie from director Anthony Maras and writer David Haig, is a hyperfocused look at the days leading up to D-day with a special focus on the weather. It’s a one-setting thriller that unspools in the pressure-cooker environment of General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s war room at an English country estate. The movie works backward from a famous 1961 Eisenhower quip to JFK that attributed his success in Normandy, France, to the Allies having “better meteorologists than the Germans.”

If you’re skeptical about how exciting a movie about the weather on D-day might be, “Pressure” takes that as a creative challenge, an argumentative stance from which to start. For the next hour and 40 minutes, Maras and co-writer Haig, who also wrote the 2014 play from which the film is adapted, explain to us exactly how important the meteorologists of D-day were, beginning with the disastrous D-day rehearsal Exercise Tiger.

With the weather app at our fingertips these days, it can be hard to imagine just how difficult it was to forecast the weather in the 1940s, especially in Northern Europe. That was the predicament facing Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) just 72 hours before the planned D-day launch of June 5, 1944. But we know that D-day happened on June 6, so the arrival at that date is part of the film’s narrative intrigue.

After a devastating glimpse of Exercise Tiger, red blood mixing with blue ocean waves and white sandy beaches, we’re quickly introduced to our protagonist, Group Capt. Chief Meteorologist James Stagg (Andrew Scott), in his cozy home with his pregnant wife before he’s swept into critical war planning.

He’s stern, terse and no-nonsense. Stagg is the kind of person who wants to be correct more than he wants to be liked and he insists on a careful collection of live data, using weather balloons, phone calls and mathematical charting. His foil is Col. Irving Krick (Chris Messina), a charming American meteorologist and Eisenhower’s chosen weather guru, a yes man who relies on selective historical data and a persuasive speaker whose approach rankles the fastidious Stagg. Eisenhower instructs the two men to come to an agreement and “Pressure” follows the ups and downs of their working relationship over the course of several days.

The movie becomes a two-hander between Scott’s Stagg and Fraser’s Eisenhower, the former convinced that a storm on June 5 will make conditions less than ideal, the latter raging at the uncertainty while simultaneously attempting to placate a phalanx of military personnel. The troops are requisitioned, the destroyers in place, the full moon just right, the secrecy of the invasion delicate. Fraser’s explosive performance underlines the immensity of the stakes, balancing every precarious element of this enormous mission.

Maras, who is known for another terrific one-setting thriller based on a true story, 2018’s “Hotel Mumbai,” both directs and edits and his films are put together like precision clockwork: propulsive and relentless, the pace italicized by Volker Bertelmann’s scores. “Pressure” is skillfully directed, sweeping us into this world with a kind of addictive immediacy, and is also beautifully lensed by cinematographer Jamie Ramsay. Maras and Ramsay make the wise choice to shoot the film with richly saturated color instead of the usual grayish, desaturated look often assigned to period pieces set in this era. It’s not gritty and harsh, but rather stunning and lovely — an eerie contrast to the terror and bloodshed of the day itself.

While Fraser delivers an external performance as the tough American general, Scott offers a restrained, mostly tamped-down depiction of the repressed and methodical Stagg. But when he finally bursts with a cathartic eleventh-hour speech about the inaccuracy of Krick’s historical forecast, Eisenhower listens. Scott, as seen in “All of Us Strangers” and “Blue Moon,” is so good at this kind of acting, processing every emotion internally but allowing just enough to show to let the audience into his character’s emotional state. It’s wildly compelling to watch.

In a quiet conversation with Eisenhower’s close confidant and aide, Kay Summersby (Kerry Condon), she jokes that weathermen are boring. Stagg reminds her that the weather itself isn’t. Weather feeds us, it can destroy us — it rules our existence, he says. “People ask, ‘When will the wind stop blowing?’ No one ever asks, ‘Why does the wind blow? What is the wind?,’ ” revealing himself as a sort of philosophical poet of the weather. His forecast was the crucial edge in D-day and the volatility of the weather is increasingly relevant in our lives, especially with our changing climate.

Boring? Never. Thrilling and history-making? Indeed.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

SOUTHERN SECTION BASEBALL FINALS

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

At Cal State Fullerton

DIVISION 1

St. John Bosco 2, Norco 0

DIVISION 9

Webb 12, Rolling Hills Prep 6

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

At Cal State Fullerton

DIVISION 4

Glendora vs. Laguna Beach, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION 6

Brentwood vs. Covina, 4 p.m.

DIVISION 3

Mira Costa vs. Agoura, 1 p.m.

DIVISION 7

North Torrance vs. South El Monte

At Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter

DIVISION 2

Ganesha vs. Loyola, 5:30 p.m.

DIVISION 8

Rancho Alamitos vs. Schurr, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 5

Kaiser vs. Culver City, 11 a.m.

One coastal village was destroyed overnight.

A Devon fishing community was obliterated by a ferocious storm, back in 1917. By daybreak, only a single dwelling remained intact, forcing the town’s inhabitants to seek refuge in nearby settlements.

Hallsands, situated between Beesands to the north and Start Point to the south, boasts a heritage dating back to the 1600s. By 1891, the settlement had fostered a close-knit community of just 159 people.

Yet merely 26 years later, these residents would face catastrophe when all but one would see their homes claimed by the sea.

Luckily, nobody was injured, and while the inhabitants lost their dwellings, they all made it through the night. But their ordeal didn’t end there — it would take another seven years before they secured compensation for what they’d lost.

While it was a deadly combination of howling gales and surging tides that razed the village in a single night, this wasn’t the full picture — Hallsands had fallen prey to Government blunder.

During the 1890s, the UK Government determined that the naval dockyard at Keyham, near Plymouth, required expansion. To source the concrete needed for this project, the stretch between Hallsands and Beesands was dredged.

Despite fierce objections from Hallsands locals that this would endanger their community, the dredging pressed on until 1902. By 1900, the beach had begun to drop noticeably, and that autumn a storm swept away part of the sea wall.

This sparked fresh outcry from local residents — and this time, the Government started to take notice.

In September 1901, roughly a year after the town’s sea wall was lost, a Board of Trade inspector determined that future severe storms posed a real threat of significant damage and advised that dredging should cease.

Once dredging was halted, beach levels managed to recover to some extent, though storms kept battering the village and surrounding area.

Catastrophe then hit in 1917, when a storm caused the village to tumble into the sea, leaving just one house standing intact.

That house belonged to Elizabeth Prettyjohn, who steadfastly refused to abandon the village and lived there with her chickens until her death in 1964. The property remains to this day.

Nowhere on earth parties like they do at Universal Studios. Writer Ali Graves went to discover the biggest fiesta in Florida, and fell in love with theme park celebrations

If you’re anything like me, theme parks typically conjure up images of drizzle, uninspiring grub and middling attractions that leave you feeling a bit green around the gills… until now.

Enter Universal Studios Florida, which blew away all my preconceptions with their Mardi Gras celebration. Wave goodbye to lacklustre hot dogs and say hello to succulent grilled steaks (yes, actual steaks!), delicious Chinese dishes and sophisticated cocktails… and that’s only scratching the surface.

Universal Studios Florida excels at delivering brilliantly themed seasonal celebrations — from festive cheer at Christmas to their spectacular Halloween Horror Nights — there’s consistently something to get excited about. I experienced their Mardi Gras event first-hand, which takes place each year between February and April (exact dates vary annually, but there’s ample opportunity to organise your visit for next the next one), reports OK!.

This is when the entire venue transforms into a dazzling display of gold, purple and green, with 13 food and beverage stations scattered throughout to help you embrace the carnival spirit in proper style. Additionally, there are numerous other entertainment offerings to suit all tastes, regardless of age. Better still, the majority of these bonus attractions are covered by your standard park admission ticket. And just wait until you discover what else…

Mardi Gras at Universal Studios is Florida’s ‘biggest party’ The dazzling, lively and captivating Mardi Gras parade takes place every evening (weather permitting), showcasing the most stunning New Orleans-style floats, enthusiastic dancers and performers, and the finest bead tosses – thrown by you, the park visitors.

The floats boast remarkable authenticity, having been designed, styled and decorated by Kern Studios, the very same firm responsible for crafting many of the grandest and most iconic floats seen in the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades.

For those wanting to elevate their parade experience, why not ride aboard a float through the park? That’s right – you can actually hop on and throw beads for fellow guests to catch below. It’s a guaranteed way to feel like a celebrity while soaking up the electric atmosphere from high above.

How to get the best views at the Mardi Gras parade

I found myself aboard the Bayou float with Mardi Gras jazz music pumping and swamp-like fog billowing from the sides as I hurled purple and green beads to eager fans below – it’s an absolute must-do if you get the chance.

There are two ways to secure your spot – once you’re inside the park, it demands quick thinking and a bit of luck via the Studios app. Check around 2pm and 5pm, searching for Mardi Gras parade. Virtual queue slots appear randomly and disappear within the hour. If you’ve not managed to bag a place by 5pm, head over to the Animal Actors on Location theatre – occasionally they release unclaimed slots.

The guaranteed route, however, is through the park’s new-for-2026 Float Ride and Dine Experience. It’s a paid option costing $94.99, but it secures your place and includes a three-course meal at a participating Universal restaurant – Lombard’s Seafood Grille, Café La Bamba or selected Citywalk venues.

Bear in mind that experiencing the parade from street level can be equally thrilling. Be amongst those catching armfuls of beads as you groove to the music and soak up the spectacular sights and sounds from the ground. For prime viewing, position yourself outside The Mummy or The Bourne Stuntacular to witness the floats in all their magnificence. Alternatively, if you’ve got youngsters under 10 in tow, settle in front of the Brown Derby Hat Shop – a clear viewing area specifically designated for children which opens an hour before the parade kicks off.

The best food to find when you’re at Universal Studios

Long gone are the days when theme park fare was boring and uninspiring. This event showcases authentic Southern and Cajun flavours, with dining choices to suit every member of the family.

Scattered throughout the park you’ll discover food stalls themed around various countries. The shrimp fried rice and milk boba tea at China, alongside jerk chicken and Rasta Pasta at Jamaica were personal highlights, though you’ll also encounter premium steak cuts in Brazil and wild salmon in Chile. Each food item comes with a price tag, so grab yourself a special dining card for $65, which gives you $75 worth of food and drinks. The added perk is that any leftover credit can be rolled over and spent elsewhere around the park.

Free gigs are included in the tickets

Your entry includes access to live concerts right inside the park. The 2026 line-up was absolutely brilliant, featuring the likes of Kaskade, Joey Fatone and AJ McLean (of noughties groups N Sync and Backstreet Boys) and The All-American Rejects. I spent one evening watching Bebe Rexha and another catching world-acclaimed DJ, Zedd. The atmosphere was absolutely buzzing at both performances, and they play for roughly an hour, so make sure you get yourself a drink beforehand and head over to the Music Plaza Stage.

How to book your trip to Universal Studios Florida

All Parks ticket prices start from £430pp based on June arrivals, for 14 days unlimited park-to-park admission (Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe and Volcano Bay). Book at floridatix.com or call 0330 100 3130. Fly with Norse Atlantic Airways, from £196 one-way. For Premium Business class flights from £925 return.

Trump weighs next steps on Iran deal as Tehran insists negotiations are continuing and no final agreement exists.

Prospects for a US-Iran agreement to end the conflict remained uncertain on Friday, with President Donald Trump saying he would make a “final determination” on a deal, while Iranian officials stressed that no understanding had yet been reached.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran would judge any agreement by actions rather than words, adding that no steps would be taken unless Washington acted first.

Meanwhile, fighting continued elsewhere in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had advanced beyond Lebanon’s Litani River, as Israeli attacks across Lebanon on Friday left dozens more civilians reportedly killed or wounded.

Here is what we know:

In Iran

• Iran says talks continue, but no deal yet: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said exchanges with the United States are continuing but stressed that no final agreement has been reached. He rejected Trump’s demands-based approach and described the US naval blockade as illegal, adding that Tehran would judge any easing of restrictions by actions rather than words.
  

War diplomacy

• CENTCOM highlights ongoing regional patrols: US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces remain “present and vigilant” across the region, sharing an image of an F-16 fighter jet conducting a patrol over the Middle East.
• US pushes allies to boost defence spending: Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump plans a $1.5 trillion investment in defence and described it as part of a historic expansion of America’s military-industrial base. Hegseth urged allies to spend at least 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, warning that countries that fail to do so could face changes in their relationship with Washington. He also reiterated that the US remains committed to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
• Washington praises Israel-Lebanon security talks: The US Department of Defense described military-to-military talks between Israeli and Lebanese delegations in Washington as “productive”, saying they focused on regional security and stability. The Pentagon also reaffirmed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In the US

• Uncertainty remains after White House talks: Reporting from the White House, Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher said there was still no clarity after Trump’s Situation Room meeting on whether a final agreement with Iran had been reached. Fisher said any easing of restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz could signal progress, but officials are still waiting for concrete details from the White House.

In Israel

• Air raid sirens sound in northern Israel: The Israeli military said it intercepted several projectiles launched from Lebanon, while another landed near Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel. The military reported no casualties and did not specify whether the projectiles were rockets or drones.

In Lebanon

• Netanyahu says Israeli troops have crossed the Litani River: Israel’s Netanyahu said Israeli forces have advanced north of the Litani River near Nabatieh, signalling an expansion of operations in southern Lebanon. The move comes amid ongoing Israel-Lebanon talks and could be followed by further strikes on Beirut and the western Bekaa Valley.

Mourinho was seen speaking with Vinicius after he walked off the pitch following the interaction with Prestianni.

But it was Mourinho’s post-match comments that were the most shocking.

While publicly backing his player Prestianni, Mourinho suggested Vinicius had incited tensions through his celebration in front of the home support.

“You score a goal from another world, why celebrate like that?” Mourinho said.

“The same thing always happens in so many stadiums. In how many states has this happened? In how many stadiums? How many? How many?

“He’s an out of this world player, I love him. Vinicius tells me one thing and Prestianni tells me another. I want to be balanced.”

The remarks sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Mourinho of shifting attention away from the racism allegations and placing responsibility on the victim instead.

In addition to expressing his belief that Vinicius had been disrespectful with his goal celebration, he pointed to the club’s legendary striker Eusebio as proof that Benfica are not a racist club.

Asked if he felt Vinicius incited the crowd, Mourinho said: “Yes. I believe so.

“It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.”

He added: “When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black.

“This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. They [Vinicius and Prestianni] told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”

“House of the Dragon” Season 3 will see Rhaenyra Targaryen take back King’s Landing — but the war is far from over.

HBO on Friday released the final trailer for the upcoming season of its epic fantasy, which teases brutal battles, many dragons and the Targaryen queen returning to the capital of the Seven Kingdoms to claim the Iron Throne.

“I see you have been merciful,” Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke) says to her childhood friend (Emma D’Arcy) in the clip. “But the crown is a weight that crushes. You’ll do things that spell death for all involved.”

And if the trailer is any indication, there will be a lot of bloodshed in Season 3.

The second season of “House of the Dragon” left off with Rhaenyra and Alicent plotting for the former to take King’s Landing with minimal resistance in exchange for the latter’s freedom. Unfortunately, Alicent’s promised tribute — her son King Aegon II — has fled his castle so things won’t go exactly as planned.

After a slowburn of a second season, a higher octane Season 3 will kick off with the highly anticipated Battle of the Gullet, a fight at sea that is regarded as one of the bloodiest and most violent clashes in the history of Westeros. “House of the Dragon” showrunner Ryan Condal recently told Entertainment Weekly that the premiere is “arguably the craziest episode of television ever made.”

The new trailer shows that everyone will be reeling in the aftermath. According to the footage, what awaits Rhaenyra during her reign are fearful subjects, conniving enemies, sleepless nights and plenty of anguish.

“In a war, all suffer,” Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) says in the trailer.

“House of the Dragon” Season 3 will premiere June 21.

CLOVIS — Cool conditions produced a bunch of fast times Friday at the CIF state track and field championships.

Rosary Academy sprint coach Jon Gilmer was worried 4×100-meter relayers Tra’via Flournoy, Justine Wilson, Pfeiffer Lee and Maliyah Collins might get complacent at prelims, but the Royals were the top qualifiers in 45.13 seconds — nearly a full second faster than Canyon Country Canyon (46.07) — at Buchanan High School.

“It’s different not having Calabasas here,” Gilmer said. “Now we’ve got to push ourselves.”

Rosary set a state record (44.23) at the Arcadia Invitational on April 11, but lost to the Coyotes one week later at the Mt. SAC Relays. However, the anticipated state finals clash was not to be as Calabasas dropped the baton in the Southern Section finals and failed to advance.

Collins had a huge lead by the time she received the stick for the anchor leg Friday.

“This is maybe our fourth- or fifth-fastest time but we just wanted to make finals,” said Wilson, who ran the second leg before handing off to Lee. “We want to run faster tomorrow when we go for a PR, the meet and the state record.”

Calabasas might be out of the relay, but three Coyotes remain in contention in the 100, led by Malia Rainey (the top qualifier in 11.54), Marley Scoggins (11.63) and Olivia Kirk (11.63).

Calabasas sprinter Marley Scoggins, center, wins her 100-meter heat at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Collins won her heat in 11.62, the third-fastest time.

Servite won the first heat in the boys 4×100 relay in 40.29 — two hundredths off its winning time at last year’s state finals — and is primed to defend its title in the event. Concord De La Salle (40.81) was the second-fastest qualifier, followed by the other heat winners, Rancho Cucamonga (40.87) and Loyola (40.93).

“We got the stick around pretty good today,” said Jorden Wells, who ran the first leg Friday instead of his customary second leg, which was run by Jaelen Hunter. “Did it feel different? Not really, I’ve done it before.”

Wells said his twin brother Jace will run the first leg Saturday, he will run the second while Kamil Pelovello and Benjamin Harris will stay in the third and fourth positions.

Harris, the favorite to win the 100 meters, won his heat in a wind-legal 10.36, but three others were fractions faster in wind-aided times — Elk Grove’s Cy Lugo (10.20), Will Wood’s Deshawn Seymour (10.34) and De La Salle’s Damari Dean (10.34). Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin won the last heat in 10.37, setting the stage for an exciting finals sprint as all nine qualifiers ran under 10.48.

Harris put himself in position for a Saturday double by winning his 200 heat in 21.10 but as he did in the 100, Lugo (the Sac-Joaquin Section record holder) had the fastest time (20.73), followed by Seymour (20.88), Camren Hughes (20.93) of Palos Verdes and Jace Wells (21.02). Jordan Wells (21.11) also made the cut.

Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin, center, shouts after winning his heat in the 100 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Servite (3:15.43) had the second-fastest qualifying time in the 4×400-meter relay behind only El Cerrito (3:14.96) of the North Coast Section.

Coming off a state-record 3:33.83 at the Masters Meet in Moorpark, Long Beach Wilson’s 4×400 girls relay had the fourth-fastest qualifying time (3:46.73) without two out of its best runners (Clara Adams and Saniah Varnado), taking second in the first heat behind San Luis Obispo (3:45.85) and safely advancing to the finals along with Heat 2 runner-up Rosary (3:45.08) and Heat 3 winner Canyon Country Canyon (3:46.77).

Having broken the Southern Section record in the 400 meters six days earlier in 51.98, Adams put it in cruise control to win her heat in 53.53, the fastest qualifying mark. Joining her in the final will be her three relay teammates Varnado (54.42), Wilson (54.57) and Fowler (54.62). Adams later won her 200 heat in 23.60, a tenth of a second behind fastest qualifier Naiaja Sizemore of Vanden.

San Jacinto Valley Academy’s Kaahliyah Lacy ran a wind-legal 13.59 for the top qualifying spot in the girls 100 hurdles and Varnado (40.85) was the top qualifier in the 300 hurdles.

Another showdown is brewing in the boys 400, where Loyola’s Ejam Yohannes (47.08) and Hunter (47.21) won their heats in the two fastest times Friday. Hunter clocked 46.32 to set a California freshman record last spring, but lost to Yohannes by 11 hundredths of a second at the Masters Meet.

City Section champion Jayden Rendon showed good form in his bid to defend the state 300 hurdles crown, posting the fastest prelims time (36.80). He also advanced to the finals in the 110 hurdles with a 13.83 effort. Moorpark’s Davis Benson (14.03) nabbed the last spot.

Corona Santiago’s Braelyn Combe, right, wins the first heat of the 800 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.

(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)

Corona Santiago senior Braelyn Combe won her 1,600 heat in 4:46.88 and is set for a four-lap battle with San Diego Section champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla, who won the second heat in 4:46.00. Combe is the defending champion, having edged Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery by five hundredths of a second in the finals last year.

“I just wanted to advance with as little effort as possible,” Combe said. “It was not as hard as I expected. I don’t want to leave any regrets. I’m taking it one race at a time.”

Combe also had the fastest time (2:08:25) of three heats in the 800 meters.

Venice senior Lawrence Kensinger, who set the City Section shot put record with a state-leading throw of 65 feet 11 inches last week, had the third-best mark at prelims (59-6¾) and easily advanced to the finals. Defending state high jump champion JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame tied nine others for the second-best mark (6-6) heading into the second day.

Aliso Niguel senior Jaslene Massey had the top marks in the girls shot put (51-3¾) and discus (175-6) and transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley was the leading qualifier in the girls long jump (20-5½) and triple jump (41-8½) and was one of 13 qualifiers in the high jump.

AB Hernandez competes at the CIF state track and field preliminaries at Buchanan High School on Friday.

(Tomas Ovalle / For The Times)

THIS summer, six cities across the UK will be hosting a major sporting tournament – and each one makes for a great weekend break.

This summer, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will take place from June 12 to July 5 across Manchester, Birmingham, London, Leeds, Southampton and Bristol.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

With the cricket being played in these cities, it is the perfect excuse to book a UK staycation city break and enjoy everything else each city has to offer.

Whilst fans of fast bowling, wearing white and tea breaks will delight in the cricketing drama, there are plenty of other opportunities to relish during a summer city break in England.

Birmingham

Outside of the sporting event, Birmingham has a lot to offer – with everything from Peaky Blinders sets, the Balti curry and a jewellery quarter, according to Visit England.

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Head to the Black Country Living Museum to learn about the industrial history of the city or, if you are a fan of Formula 1, then drop by the F1 Arcade for some competitive racing.

The city is also home to a number of canals which are the ideal place to paddle on Roundhouse Birmingham’s three-mile kayak tour.

For Peaky Blinders fans, you can step into the living set and filming spots featured in the series including St George’s Hall, the Georgian Quarter and Stanley Dock.

You can even grab a ‘Ruby Murray’ (a 1950s singer who’s name became Cockney rhyming slang for curry) on Birmingham’s famous Balti Triangle.

Make sure to explore Digbeth too, which is a trendy neighbourhood with a new food hall.

A Visit England spokesperson said: “Top tip – Edgbaston Village is not only home to the cricket ground but also leafy streets, a buzzing food scene and historic gardens.

“Take a leisurely stroll around the reservoir or try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing via Edgbaston Watersports (disability-friendly sessions are available).”

Matches will be taking place at Edgbaston Cricket Ground on:

• Friday June 12 – England vs Sri Lanka
• Sunday June 14 – Bangladesh vs Netherlands & India vs Pakistan
• Wednesday June 17 – South Africa vs Pakistan 

Bristol

Heading more south, Bristol offers amazing street art as well as swimming and even surfing.

Visitors can head to The Wave, which is a surfing and bodyboarding simulator, in an in-land lake.

But if you prefer a dip, you can head to Bristol Lido instead, which dates back to the Victorian period.

If you prefer to see art, then Bristol is ideal as you can head to Wake the Tiger or visit the new ‘Cracking Exhibition Gromit: 50 Years of Aardman’ in Bristol at M Shed between June 20 and September 13.

Bristol of course has a lot of street art to explore as well, which was recently named one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel experiences for 2026.

If you want to get even more hands on and embrace your inner Banksy, you can participate in a Where the Wall spray painting session.

A Visit England spokesperson said: “Don’t forget to call into the Gloucestershire Cricket Museum and Learning Centre for the chance to see some top cricket memorabilia.

“The collection includes the Benson & Hedges Super Cup, won in 1999, plus a collection of bats, balls and other cricketing equipment signed by some of the most famous cricketers of our time, including Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh and Jack Russell.”

The museum is open on match days.  

Matches taking place at Bristol County Ground include:

• Sunday June 21 – West Indies vs Sri Lanka
• Tuesday June 23 – New Zealand vs Scotland & Sri Lanka vs Ireland
• Thursday June 25 – South Africa vs Netherlands
• Saturday June 27 – Pakistan vs Netherland & West Indies vs Ireland

Manchester

In Manchester, football lovers can check out the National Football Museum and even try out the interactive games floor with a penalty shoot-out challenge.

If history is more your thing, then make sure to not miss out on the Everyone Welcome Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Trail, which heads around the Gay Village.

Alternatively, you could swing by the Manchester Museum, where you can come face-to-face with a T-rex named Stan.

Currently, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind exhibition is also on at Depot Mayfield until July 5

And as for music events, visit Aviva Studios which has events year-round.

A Visit England spokesperson said: “Stay as close to the action as possible with a pitch-side hotel room at Hilton Garden Inn, Emirates Old Trafford.

“Rooms look over the grounds, with two match tickets offering access to a private balcony overlooking the pitch.”

Matches at Old Trafford Cricket Ground include:

• Saturday June 13 – Scotland vs Ireland & Australia vs South Africa
• Sunday June 21 – South Africa vs India 
• Thursday June 25 – India vs Bangladesh
• Friday June 26 – Sri Lanka vs Scotland

Leeds

In Leeds, you can get into the cricket atmosphere by heading to Sixes, which allows visitors to play the sport in a fun, party-style way, with World Cup and T20 ‘modes’ available to play.

Elsewhere in the city, visitors can also head on a guided food tour and visit six independent spots to eat, showcasing the best of Yorkshire food.

Make sure to also wander around the Victorian Quarter, where you’ll find a mix of high-street, designer and independent brands across the historic shopping arcades.

A Visit England spokesperson said: “The suburb of Headingley is buzzing with bars, pubs and restaurants and is sure to provide a lively atmosphere around the match.

“Post-match, sports bar The Box, offers rooftop views over towards the stadium.

“For a pre-match bite, another rooftop location is Crowded House in Leeds city centre set within the Trinity Centre, alongside Trinity Kitchen which offers an array of global cuisine.

“Stay at Headingley Stadium Hotel and wake up close to the action.”

Matches at Headingley Cricket Ground include:

• Wednesday June 17 – Australia vs Bangladesh & India vs Netherlands
• Thursday June 18 – West Indies vs Scotland
• Saturday June 20 – England vs Scotland
• Tuesday June 23 – Australia vs Pakistan

Southampton

For a sporting city on the south coast, you should visit Southampton.

The World Cup Cricket Tournament is taking a ‘tea break’ in the Southampton Hampshire Bowl, where reigning champions New Zealand will attempt to defend their title.

Of course though, while in Southampton, you have to make the most of the water and can do so by heading to Southampton Water Activities Centre with canoeing and jet skiing.

Alternatively, you could step into the Solace Sauna in Lepe Country Park, which is a heated, beachside sauna experience with add ons including aromatherapy, scrubs and masks.

A Visit England spokesperson said: “Following a World Cup tour can be tiring, Eforea Spa at Utilita Bowl however offers a side of relaxation and rejuvenation alongside the thrilling jeopardy.

“Guests can experience an outdoor hot tub, Ice Fountain and Hydrotherapy Pool pre- or post-match.”

Matches at Utilita Bowl include:

• Saturday June 13 – West Indies vs New Zealand
• Tuesday June 16 – New Zealand vs Sri Lanka & England vs Ireland
• Friday June 19 – New Zealand vs Ireland
• Saturday June 20 – Australia vs Netherlands & Pakistan vs Bangladesh

London

Would this list really be complete if it didn’t feature the UK’s capital?

London has two major cricket venues – Lords in North London and The Kia Oval in South London – which will both host matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Lords is home to the Marylebone Cricket Club which is one of the most famous clubs in the world.

And if you are heading to a match at Lords, then you can also visit the nearby Regent’s Park and Marylebone Village, which is bursting with spots to grab a bite to eat, bars and independent shops.

Even though you are in a city, you can still enjoy a bit of water fun as well by heading paddleboarding with Paddleboarding London, which operates tours around Primrose Hill, Little Venice and Camden Market.

As for The Oval south of the river, it is home to Surrey County Cricket Club and you can even go on a tour of the grounds.

Nearby, make sure to visit Market Place in Vauxhall for some top notch street food.

A Visit England spokesperson recommended: “Lords is the fitting backdrop to host the final, taking place on July 5.

“Cricket enthusiasts can go behind the scenes and gain access to exclusive areas of the ground including the Long Room, Player’s Dressing Rooms and MCC Museum, home of the Ashes Urn – cricket’s best-known artefact, as part of a museum and tour experience.”

Matches in London at Lords in North London and The Kia Oval in South London include:

• Wednesday June 24 – England vs West Indies at Lords
• Saturday June 27 – England vs New Zealand at The Oval
• Sunday June 28 – South Africa vs Bangladesh & Australia vs India at Lords
• Tuesday June 30 – Semi Final at The Oval
• Thursday July 2 – Semi Final at The Oval
• Sunday July 5 – Final at Lords

Match tickets start at just £5 per child and £20 per adult, via the official ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 website.

Shoppers are praising the ‘gorgeous’ holiday dress

Shoppers looking to freshen up their summer wardrobe need look no further than a “beautiful” dress that promises to be “perfect for holidays“.

Next is offering this seasonal staple with fans singing its praises. The popular high street retailer is currently stocking the Blue Ecru Polka Dot Mini Dress for just £28, giving shoppers a stylish option for the summer ahead. It is available in sizes 6 through to 26. It also has selected taller fit options.

Whether you’re trying to stay cool at the office during a summer heatwave or dressing up for a holiday or city break across Europe, this versatile piece could be just the ticket. Its lightweight look and adaptable design mean it could easily take you from one occasion to the next throughout the sunny season.

The dress boasts a pretty light blue colour scheme with white polka dot detailing, lending it a timeless summery charm. Thin shoulder straps and a square neckline sit above a fitted bodice that flows effortlessly into a loose skirt falling above the knee.

The fabric looks lightweight and breathable, potentially making it ideal for soaring temperatures and trips abroad. Its unfussy design also means it could work just as well for a casual daytime look, a beach outing, or a relaxed evening out on the town.

Shoppers have shared glowing reviews on the products on the Next website. One customer wrote: “Beautiful colours, really good fit and so comfortable. It was perfect for an upcoming holiday.

“Can be dressed up with a pair of heels and a clutch or pair of flats or trainers for daytime. Will keep a look out for similar styles in Next as I would like another dress in other colour ways.”

Another added: “This dress is absolutely gorgeous – lovely quality material and has cute pockets. Knee-length on me (5 foot 3), it flows beautifully from the hips,” while a third continued: “Gorgeous little summer dress definitely recommend and can’t wait to wear it in the summer.”

Those keen to get their hands on the dress can opt for home delivery and find further details on the Next website. Click-and-collect is also on offer, with shoppers able to check whether their local branch has it in stock via the retailer’s online store finder.

May 29 (Asia Today) — LG Energy Solution sees the electric vehicle slowdown as an opportunity to expand its energy storage system business as artificial intelligence data centers drive surging electricity demand, a company executive said Friday.

Kim Hyun-tae, executive director of product planning and strategy for LG Energy Solution’s energy storage system business division, said the EV “chasm” has created risks but also opened a path for the company to shift more aggressively into ESS.

“In the carbon-neutral era, we must move beyond simply increasing renewable energy and improve both grid stability and energy efficiency,” Kim said.

Kim made the remarks at the second Asia Today Environment Forum held at The Plaza Seoul, where he gave a presentation titled “LG Energy Solution’s vision for power grid stabilization and decarbonization.”

He outlined LG Energy Solution’s strategy for shifting toward ESS and responding to electricity infrastructure needs in the AI era.

Kim said South Korea’s battery industry had built large-scale production bases in the United States, viewing it as a core automotive market. But the market contracted after the second Trump administration took office and reduced electric vehicle subsidies while changing related policies.

“We secured new business plans by proactively converting U.S. plants from EV-centered production to ESS production,” Kim said.

LG Energy Solution produces ESS products in South Korea, Europe and the United States, Kim said. Its ESS production capacity in North America is now about 50 gigawatt-hours, and the company plans to expand that to more than 80 gigawatt-hours by next year.

“The United States has the highest ESS demand after China,” Kim said. “An ESS boom is taking place in the United States because investment subsidies of at least 30% and as much as 60% are provided when ESS and renewable energy facilities are built.”

Kim said the spread of AI data centers is also driving ESS demand.

“AI data centers are called a hippopotamus that eats water and electricity because they consume enormous amounts of power,” Kim said. “Nvidia’s next-generation Rubin graphics processing unit is expected to consume about four times more power than the Blackwell chip currently being sold, so securing stable power is essential.”

Kim said global Big Tech companies are focused on “time to power,” or how quickly new power capacity can be secured.

“Because connecting to existing power grids takes a long time, demand is growing for quickly building onsite and off-grid power sources that combine solar power, ESS and small gas turbines,” he said.

Kim also proposed an ESS-based distributed power grid model as an alternative to delays in building new transmission networks.

“Large-scale electricity demand sites are increasing, such as the Yongin semiconductor cluster, but building new transmission networks or high-voltage direct current systems usually takes six to seven years,” Kim said.

“For example, a realistic alternative could be storing electricity generated from renewable energy in the Honam region in ESS and then using existing transmission networks to distribute it to demand centers,” he said.

In the medium and long term, Kim said sodium-ion batteries, sometimes called “salt batteries,” could become a game changer in the ESS market.

“When renewable energy’s share expands to about 50%, large-scale ESS will be needed to offset intermittency, but costs are currently high,” Kim said. “LG Energy Solution plans to test sodium-ion batteries that can replace lithium in the United States in 2027 and pursue large-scale commercialization in 2029.”

Kim also said the global ESS market is being reshaped around domestic protectionism.

“The United States is encouraging the use of U.S.-made products through subsidy policies based on the Inflation Reduction Act, and Europe is also pursuing the introduction of the Industrial Accelerator Act, which is being called a European version of the IRA,” Kim said. “In a blocked supply chain environment, policy consideration is also needed to protect domestic industries and strengthen supply chain competitiveness.”

Kim said LG Energy Solution is building a decarbonization system that includes its supply chain and recycling operations as it works toward achieving RE100 by 2030 and carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260529010008771

Five Palestinians, including three members of the same family, were killed and five others injured in fresh Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Sunday amid daily violations of an ongoing ceasefire, medical sources said.

One of the Palestinians was killed by Israeli gunfire in the center of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza and his body was transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital in western Gaza City, the sources told Anadolu.

A couple and their child were also killed, and three others were wounded in an Israeli airstrike that targeted their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, the sources added.

In a separate incident, the sources said a child died from injuries sustained in an Israeli strike that targeted a police headquarters in northwestern Gaza on Saturday.

In northern Gaza, a Palestinian fisherman was moderately injured after Israeli naval forces fired shells and machine-gun fire at fishing boats off the coast of Gaza City, according to the sources.

READ: France bans Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir over treatment of Gaza flotilla activists

Another Palestinian was injured by shrapnel from a shell fired by Israeli forces on the beach in the Al-Sudaniya area, northwest of the enclave.

In a related development, the Israeli army carried out demolition operations targeting buildings and facilities in northern Gaza. Local sources reported hearing a large explosion resulting from the demolitions.

In Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Israeli forces also carried out similar demolition operations east of the city, accompanied by gunfire and artillery shelling near Bani Suheila roundabout, according to the local sources.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 880 people have been killed and more than 2,645 others injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire was announced on Oct. 10, 2025.

The agreement was meant to halt Israel’s two-year war that killed more than 72,000 people, most of them women and children, injured over 172,000 since October 2023, and caused massive destruction affecting 90% of civilian infrastructure.

READ: Israel pounds Gaza, Lebanon in daily breaches of ceasefires

ELLA Bright left fans absolutely stunned when she revealed her ‘real’ voice on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The Off Campus actress, 19, has seen huge success in her role as college junior Hannah Wells on the new YA series, where she speaks in an American accent.

However, both Kelly and viewers were left absolutely stunned by what her day-to-day speaking voice actually sounds like.

Bringing it up with Ella, a surprised Kelly said: “Your accent is f*****g throwing me. It’s throwing me, it’s crazy.

“It’s weird. I was doing research on you last night because you were coming on and I was like, ‘Oh my God, she’s British.’

“Because I only saw the clips from Off Campus so I was like, ‘Wait, what?’

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“You do such a great American accent!”

Fans watching the clip felt the same way and commented about it on TikTok.

One user said: “I didn’t know she was British. Wow.”

A second shared: “I’m loving that raspy voice.”

A third added: “Insane insane insane.”

Season 1 of Off Campus debuted earlier this month, corresponding to the first book in Elle Kennedy’s viral series, The Deal, released in 2015.

It follows aspiring film composer Hannah as she pretends to date cocky Briar U hockey captain Garrett Graham to win the attention of her real crush, Justin Kohl (Josh Heuston).

Ella’s on-screen partner, Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), is 28 years old and also plays the role of a college student.

It’s caused a stir among fans because Ella is actually only 19 years old.

She is the youngest among her co-stars, who range from their mid to late twenties.