BLUSHING bride Mel C has broken her silence on her beautiful countryside wedding – and how bandmate Victoria Beckham played a key part despite missing her big day.
Mel C has broken her silence on her stunning countryside wedding with Chris DingwallCredit: GettyShe told how Spice Girls bandmate Victoria Beckham played a special role in her something borrowedCredit: Goff Photos
The lavish venue is owned by West End performer Ben Forster, who has been close friends with Mel since they co-starred in the 2013 production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Though the Wannabe singer turned fashion designer still played a key part in Mel’s wedding traditions – providing her wedding dress as Mel’s “something borrowed”.
The chic gown, which oozed elegance and featured a swooping backline, was plucked straight from Victoria’s collection of her own Victoria Beckham gowns in her wardrobe.
Her bandmate turned fashion designer, left, lent her one of her own VB dresses from her wardrobeCredit: InstagramMel said I Do in a stunning Cumbria venueCredit: The Country House CumbriaThe pair chose Mel’s daughter Scarlett, 17, to be a bridesmaidCredit: GettyVictoria was the only Spice Girl not in attendanceCredit: Getty – Contributor
Mel told Vogue: “Victoria’s dress was my something borrowed.
“It was very special, having her there”.
She added: “I’m not really a girly girl.
“Victoria’s clothes are really feminine in a way that feels comfortable and very me”.
Victoria then told the publication of the chain of events and added: “When I asked what she was wearing, she mentioned she had actually ordered one of my dresses but that it didn’t quite fit, and she didn’t have time to get it altered before leaving”.
She found the same dress in her wardrobe and lent it to Mel.
A source also told the Mail of the frock: “It was a gift from Victoria, they are really close. Victoria would have loved to have been there if she could.”
Oil prices jumped in early trading as the US announced further attacks for a ninth consecutive night. Iran has responded to the strikes by targeting US allies across the Middle East.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 3.2% to $90.95 per barrel, while US benchmark crude climbed 2.8% to $84.04 per barrel.
“The US and Iran continue to exchange strikes, which are proving to be deadly for both sides,” ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a commentary on Monday.
“If this escalation goes unchecked, we could return to an environment of widespread attacks across the Persian Gulf,” they added.
Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil transport, has nearly ground to a halt, adding to pressure on supplies, they noted.
Elsewhere, AI-related shares including chipmaking stocks declined on Friday, pulling world markets lower. Pledges of huge spending on AI are fuelling worries the sector may be in a bubble, and many investors have opted to sell to lock in profits from recent big gains.
“The return to war in the Strait of Hormuz may start to weigh more heavily on financial markets before too long, especially if even strong tech earnings reports continue to be met with scepticism,” Jonas Goltermann, chief markets economist at Capital Economics wrote in a note Monday.
Markets were also shaken by the rollout of another powerful Chinese AI model, this time by Beijing-based Moonshot AI.
The impact of the new Kimi K3 open-source AI model was similar to when China’s “ DeepSeek moment” rattled world markets in early 2025. It was viewed as another sign of how lower-cost, capable Chinese AI models are increasingly challenging rivals like Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s GPT.
THE school summer holidays are upon us, with six weeks to fill to entertain the kids.
If you’re looking for fun for the whole family without breaking the bank then this bumper list is for you – we’ve scoured the country for some of the best cheap and free attractions.
Cityscape views from the Inverness WalkCredit: GettyBritish Museum in London has free admissionCredit: Getty
Summer of Play, Various Locations – from £9
The National Trust brings back its Summer of Play programme running from July to September across the country.
The events on the schedule are free but admission fees are around £10 and under.
At Arlington Court in Devon, find activities such as archery, giant slingshots, and a water play zone – great for keeping everyone cool in a heatwave.
Gibside near Tyne & Wear is packed with experiences such as racket sports, axe throwing, and classic games like a bean bag toss.
Pokémon fans will also delight in recognising their favourite character in trails across different National Trust sites.
Expect to get involved with trading card games and collect Mega Evolution stickers.
To find a site near you visit the National Trust’s Summer of Play website.
Free entry but admission fees into National Trust sites apply
National Racehorse Week, Various Locations – free
From 22 to 31 August during National Racehorse Week, families have a chance to grab a free ticket for over 85 behind-the-scenes events across the country.
Choose between meeting racehorses or exploring training yards to learn more about a side of British racing that is often overlooked.
To find an event near you visit the National Racehorse Week website.
Free tickets availableon the National Racehorse Week website
North of England
Starry Nights in Lake District, Cumbria – free
Stargaze in Lake District and catch the glittering skiesCredit: Alamy
The Lake District in Cumbria is home to many low-light Dark Sky Discovery Sites making it the perfect place to go on a stargazing trail.
Grab your camping gear and find budget-friendly campsites for £15-£17 on pitchup.com.
Some favourites includes North Lakes Campsite in Deanscales, Blaithwaite House in Wigton, and Cardewless in Carlisle.
Find the most isolated lake of Lake District at Ennerdale Water and venture east for the darkest skies in Cumbria. Look out for free stargazing events a few times a year.
For those looking for a nighttime walk, head to St Bees Beach on the west coast when the tide is out.
Sitting above the Bassenthwaite Lake, Whinlatter Forest offers lucky stargazers a chance to spot the Milky Way.
Free but campsite charges apply
National Railway Museum, York– free
The National Railway Museum in York is free to visitCredit: Supplied
Visit the Great Hall for the gold leaf stripes of Duchess of Hamilton, the Japanese high-speed rail nicknamed ‘bullet train’ or ‘Mallard’, the world’s fastest steam locomotive.
For something extra special, check out Wonderlab:The Bramall Gallery for an interactive experience to test your engineering skills.
Free Entry. Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery day passes start from £8.60.
Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire – free
Spot a variety of butterflies fluttering around at Mere Sands Wood in Lancashire on a guided walk through the reserve.
Perfect for all members of the family, go on an easy two-hour walk and stop by different sites to find a range of beautiful butterflies and insects.
Alternatively if butterflies aren’t for you, go on the Tomato Soup at the Cafe Loop which is a 1.3 mile walking trail that ends with a bowl of soup.
Experiences are free but adults pay £6 for the Butterfly Walk
Manchester Museum, Manchester – free
Visit Manchester Museum for freeCredit: TripAdvisor
Manchester Museum is a great way to take the family out for a day and learn about what makes us human and how we connect with nature.
Don’t forget to say hi to the giant T.rex, Stan, explore the lives of ancient Egyptians or marvel at archaeological objects.
This summer, discover the world of bugs from 21 July to 28 August in Bugtastic!
Take part in producing insect prints, designing comics starring superbugs, and make bug-like costumes.
Free entry although booking is advised for the Exhibition Hall.
South and West of England
WhizzFizz 2026, Buckinghamshire – free
From 27 July to 1 August, WhizzFizz is holding a free summer festival across Buckinhamshire in Aylesbury, Chesham, and High Wycombe.
The schedule includes an interactive board games show, collage workshops and poetry workshops for children.
Sessions are free but participating kids are expected to be registered for the events. Adults are required to stay but don’t need a ticket.
Free admission
Boating in Regent’s Park, London – from £3.40
Boating in Regent’s Park starts from £3.40Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Hop on a boat from now to September in Regents Park and take in the beautiful surroundings.
A 30-minute boat journey ranges from free for toddlers to £6.50 for adults during off-peak hours.
Alternatively, the Children’s Boating Pond is £5.20 for a 20 minute session.
Prices start from £3.40. Off peak hours are 11am-1pm on weekdays and 10am-noon on the weekends.
British Museum, London – free
The British Museum is at the heart of Central London with a large worldwide collection dating back two million years and the best part is that general admission is free.
This summer celebrate the 25th anniversary of John Constable’s birth with a free exhibition.
Explore a collection of Constable’s paintings where he depicted British landscapes from fields in East Anglia to the clouds of Hampstead Heath.
Free Admission
Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre, London – from £10
Watch Shakespeare for £10 at the Globe TheatreCredit: Alamy
Experience 400 years of history in London’s original theatre district and transport yourself back into the time of Shakespeare.
Enjoy classics such as Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Julius Caesar this summer for £10 if you grab a standing ticket.
Prices start from £10
Mudchute Park and Farm, London – free
Families with animal lovers in the group will delight in this free family farm on the Isle of Dogs.
Find over 100 animals in the 32 acre farm including goats, pigs, and even llamas.
Before leaving, stop by the Mudchute Kitchen Cafe for delicious home-cooked food, cakes and tea.
Free Admission
Smithsonian Starstruck at the Science Museum, London – free
The Science Museum in London has free admission to the Smithsonian Starstruck experienceCredit: Alamy
Experience this free virtual reality experience at the Science Museum in London.
Visitors embark on a cosmic journey discovering galaxies, constellations and watch volcanoes on an exoplanet erupt into glitter.
Free Admission
Summer in the Square, London – free
Taking place in Portman Square Garden in Marylebone from 7th – 12th July, this free festival brings families together with a range of activities.
Choose from Wimbledon open air screenings, wellbeing sessions, and opportunities to get creative with watercolour sessions.
Kids can get involved with workshops hosted by Marylebone Youth Theatre, opt for Fairytales in Oz or The Tempest Tale.
Free Admission
Uber Boat Audio Guide, London – £2.50
Uber Boat Guides along the Thames cost £2.50Credit: Getty
Board on to an Uber Boat and cruise down the Thames with a funny and educational twist.
For £2.50, learn history, TV and cinema facts that you can later impress friends and family with.
£2.50 for audio guides
Lady Vale Walk, Bodmin – free
Take the family out for a chance to spot some of their favourite characters from The Gruffalo.
Follow the signs for the Lady Vale Walk in Cardinham Woods near Bodmin to hunt for the Gruffalo characters along the path.
Don’t forget to bring the camera and take a picture next to the sculptures as you venture deeper into the forest.
Free admission
Brighton Beach and Pier – £1
Brighton Palace Pier is a £1.00 admission feeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Brighton Beach is one of England’s top beach destinations with plenty of activities for the whole family.
This summer until 31 August, Silverstone Museum in Towcester is offering Kids Go and Eat Free for children ages 15 and under.
Explore immersive exhibits, iconic cars and learn about racers that have shaped the history of motor sports.
Highlights include a Mixed and Virtual Reality behind the story of Alberto Ascari, racing Scaletric cards on a 25-meter long track and a collection of championship winning vehicles.
Prices start from free to £24 for adults when booking at least 1 day in advance.
Norwich Theatre Family Festival, Norwich – free
On 4 August, Norwich Theatre brings a dramatic schedule for the whole family with free workshops and interactive experiences.
Those interested in crafts and set design should check out workshops in puppet-making and set-art.
For the thespians and vocalists in the group, there are storytelling workshops and community singalongs.
All workshops apart from Storytelling and Sensory Stories don’t require a booking and are available to drop in.
Free admission but Storytelling and Sensory Stories workshops require booking.
Now open for the summer, there is something for everyone looking to cool down from the heat.
Little ones under the age of 8 can enjoy splashing in a paddling pool (while accompanied by an adult).
If there are older kids in the group, slide down the playground of inflatables.
Catch the inflatables during the weekends from 1pm to 3pm in early and late season or all throughout the week from 3 July – 18 August.
During the early and late season there is live music which can be enjoyed by everyone after the inflatables close.
Day tickets start from free for under 5’s to £10.40 for adults. £1 deposit required for lockers.
Inverness Walk, Inverness – free
If a hike up the hills at Inverness is on the itinerary, don’t forget to check out this walk around River Ness and Ness Islands.
Explore Inverness by finding key sights of the city close to the station.
Highlights include the Inverness Cathedral designed by Alexander Ross, the Inverness Castle, and the floating Ness Islands.
On the walk, cross footbridges and spot fishermen catching salmon and birds frolicking along the river.
Free Admission
Northern Ireland
Street Art, Belfast – free
Street Art in BelfastCredit: Alamy
Belfast is known for its colourful streets and going on a Belfast Street Art Walking Tour may be the perfect way to learn how this creative community became so famous.
Starting from the Duke of York, go on a 2 hour walk and discover the artists who have transformed the vibrant walls of the Cathedral Quarter for £10.80.
Alternatively, download the Street Arts Cities app on your phone and go on a self-guided tour at your own pace for free.
Prices start from free – £10.80
Ulster Museum, Belfast – free
Visit Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and drop into free workshops where kids can discover their inner fashionista or book into object handling sessions.
The interactive center offers ways to connect with creativity or learn about artefacts from different civilisations and natural wonders.
Free Admission
17th Century Walls, Londonderry – free
17th Century Walls of Londonderry is free to walk aroundCredit: Alamy
Marvel at the only walled city of Derry built in 1613-1618 and learn about the history and heritage it holds.
Check out the impressive collection of 7 gates and cannons which have been carefully looked after and restored.
Free Admission
The Giant’s Lair, Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark – free
Transport your little ones to the land of giants, fairies, and pixies with this free fairytale trail at Slieve Gullion Forest Park in County Armagh.
Walk the same path of mischievous Flynn the fairy and be careful not to wake the sleeping giant, Slieve Gullion.
Find fairy houses, sip on dandelion tea at the Giant’s table, pass the ladybird house and catch a glimpse of the naughty witch, Calliagh Berra.
Free Admission
Wales
Caerphilly Cheese Festival, Caerphilly, Wales – free
Cheese Festival in Caerphilly is free to attendCredit: Alamy
Making a return, the Caerphilly Cheese Festival takes place on the 29th and 30th August at Caerphilly Town Centre and is free to attend.
Explore the packed schedule consisting of food, drink and craft stalls, funfair attractions, street and music entertainers.
Don’t forget to gorge on cheese while you are there.
Free Admission
Cardiff Bay Barrage, Cardiff – free
For something free, families can choose to go on a stroll or an easy bike ride while enjoying the views of Cardiff Bay and the Severn Estuary.
Check out other facilities such as the children’s play area, Skate Plaza and adiZone outdoor gym.
Free Admission
Margam Country Park, Port Talbot – free
Free admission into Margam Country Park in Port TalbotCredit: Getty
Near Port Talbot, there are plenty of fun activities for the whole family at this park with free entry.
Visit the Fairytale Village and step into miniature houses with whimsical themes, play a game of giant chess and draughts, or wander through the willow cathedral.
A unique feature is the Wood Vibrations Trail where kids have the opportunity to create music and appreciate nature.
Pass the giant musical instruments made from felled trees, grab a stick and watch them play their hearts out.
Free Admission, but car park charges apply (£8.90 for cars or £5.90 if arriving 2 hours before closing)
Holyhead Festival, Newry Beach – from free
From 23 July – 26th July, celebrate culture with the community at the Holyhead festival at Newry Beach with music, street food and craft stalls.
There is also a programme of fun such as the Family Foam Sessions (With Peppa Pig) and fairground rides, although additional charges may apply (£5 and under)
Free Admission. Foam Party tickets start at £2 for adults and £5 for children attending Peppa Pig sessions.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is to require all players to undergo genetic sex testing in order to compete on the WTA Tour.
In the latest edition of its women’s eligibility policy, which will come into effect on Tuesday, players will be required to provide a cheek swab, blood or saliva sample to test for the presence of the SRY gene which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop.
Players will be tested just once in their lifetime and only a negative result, showing no presence of the gene, will permit them to compete on the Tour.
If they test positive, players will face further medical assessment before being allowed to play.
The new policy also requires players to sign a document that states they could face disciplinary action if they refuse testing.
The WTA’s previous policy, last updated in 2024, allowed transgender women to compete on the Tour if they had lowered their testosterone levels to below 2.5 nmol/L continuously for the previous two years.
There are no known transgender women currently playing on the WTA Tour.
“The WTA’s women’s eligibility policy is designed to promote equal athletic opportunities in women’s professional tennis and maintain fair competition for all players participating in WTA tournaments,” the governing body said.
“Since first being introduced in 1975, the eligibility policy has undergone periodic review in light of developments across international sport.
“Following the most recent review, which included consultation with WTA members and evolving standards across women’s sport, the WTA board approved an updated WTA women’s eligibility policy beginning in 2026 based on biological sex.”
It added: “The WTA recognises that this is a sensitive and complex issue and is committed to treating all players with dignity and implementing the policy in a respectful and thoughtful way.”
The policy change comes a year after World Athletics announced new regulations – brought into effect in September 2025 – requiring athletes wanting to compete in the female category for world ranking competitions to take a one-time gene test.
World Boxing also approved the use of the SRY test in May 2025 when it introduced mandatory sex testing for all athletes wanting to compete in the women’s category.
Romanian authorities at the airport said that the woman’s departure hadn’t been properly recorded after a visit to Amsterdam in April 2026.
The problem was that she hadn’t been to Amsterdam – but her identical twin sister had.
EES appeared to have confused the twins despite taking biometrics.
The woman was questioned for about 15-minutes but was ultimately allowed to fly home.
Around 12,000 sets of twins are born in the UK every year, so this could cause problems for thousands of people.
Asking experts what could have caused the flaw in the system, Niovi Vavoula, chair in cyber policy at the University of Luxembourg, gave two possible explanations.
The British traveller was questioned by authorities in the airportCredit: AFPShe was mistaken for her twin sister who had travelled to AmsterdamCredit: Getty
The first suggestion is that there may have been an improperly registered exit for the twin in Amsterdam.
The second they explained could have been down to the Romanian authorities in Cluj.
Niovi Vavoula told Politico, “It appears that the authorities are not well trained to distinguish between different processes and rely on facial images as the sole identification method.
“The fact they didn’t check the passport details in the EES, nor take into account that the EES is still fresh and there are various problems, shows what is called anchoring bias — when you rely on the first piece of evidence and disregard everything else.”
Romanian Border Police responded in a statement that said that EES had functioned properly at the time.
But that data in the system had to be “corrected” by border staff, who it added had not followed “applicable operational procedures.”
They added “we emphasise that this is an isolated incident and should not be considered representative of the overall performance of the [EES] system.”
July 20 (UPI) — Taylor Farms said late Sunday the Trump administration mistakenly informed it that a sample of its shredded iceberg lettuce tested positive for a parasite amid a multi-state outbreak that prompted the U.S.-based fresh-produce giant to initiate a recall of the salad staple distributed to 27 states.
The Food and Drug Administration reversed the finding Sunday, determining that the purported positive test for the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, which causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, was a false positive.
“Today, FDA apologized to us,” the company said in a statement.
“Today, we were informed that FDA made a mistake.”
Taylor Farms had initiated the voluntary recall Friday after federal health investigators linked shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico to a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak through a traceback investigation.
At least 1,644 people in five states have been infected, including 94 hospitalizations, since May 13, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which said there have been no fatalities.
Federal health investigators have linked the illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
The FDA said Friday that its traceback investigation identified the supplier as Taylor Farms de Mexico. The company then initiated the voluntary recall.
On Saturday, federal investigators said a sample collected during targeted import surveillance tested positive for Cyclospora. The FDA said the produce was not part of the initial recall and investigators were working to identify whether any of the lot was available in commerce.
A day later, Taylor Farms said it was informed of the FDA’s “mistake.”
“To be clear, at this moment, the FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora,” it said.
The FDA told media it had discovered the false positive after rechecking the results of the purported positive sample.
“As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora,” the FDA said in a statement, NBC News reported.
Taylor Farms said it had completed the voluntary recall, which was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico, and that all of its other produce is available for purchase.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak,” it said.
“We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues.”
The prisons minister has resigned from the government, the BBC has been told.
Lord James Timpson was appointed to the role in July 2024 after leaving his job as CEO of the Timpson group, a business which provides key cutting and shoe repair services and employs hundreds of former prisoners.
His arrival in government was greeted with much fanfare by some in the Labour Party and described as “radical” and “innovative”.
But in a departing statement on Monday, seen exclusively by the BBC, Lord Timpson said he was stepping down and it was an “honour” to serve in the post.
His statement did not give a specific reason for resigning, but it is understood he feels he has done as much as he can in the role.
Prisons in England and Wales were at crisis point, reaching almost full capacity, when he first entered Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
He oversaw the controversial early release scheme which saw tens of thousands of inmates let out to create more space in jails.
His critics will argue prisons continue to be violent, drug infused and overcrowded, while probation officers still report being overworked and unable to cope.
But figures do show assaults against staff and self-harm in prisons are falling.
Lord Timpson said in his resignation statement that he had left “our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago”.
He added: “I’m proud to have become the longest-serving minister in this role for 15 years. I’m also proud that 75% of prisons and 90% of probation teams are now performing better than when I started.
“Self-harm, violence and assaults on staff are all down, and fewer people are leaving prison without a home to go to, a measure of dignity I care about deeply.”
He also pointed to the Women’s Justice Board he established, saying he “believe[s] most women should not be in prison at all” and “diverting them away from custody, helping them with often chaotic, damaged, and addicted lives, is one of the changes I’m proud to have achieved”.
His critics may question why he is leaving before the Sentencing Act 2026 is enacted in September, when more people are expected to be released early and further criminals will serve their sentences in the community.
A source in the Ministry of Justice told the BBC: “We’re gutted he’s going but the new person is going to have their work cut out to get their head round what’s round the corner.”
BROOKS Nader stole the spotlight at a World Cup final party in New York sporting a thigh-skimming mini skirt and matching crop top.
The American model, 29, chose the striking white co-ord, which showed her toned abs and tanned thighs, for her night out at Zero Bond bar in Lower Manhattan ahead of the clash between Spain and Argentina.
Brooks Nader commanded attention in a striking white co-ord as she attended a glam bash ahead of the World Cup finalCredit: GettyThe model flashed her bum in her cheeky outfit, which she paired with thigh high bootsCredit: BackGrid
Brooks flashed a pout at the Raising Caine party at Zero Bond on Saturday nightCredit: GettyThe Baywatch actress looked sensational at the bash, styling her blonde locks into a bouncy blow dryCredit: GettyJessica Alba oozed glam in an LBDCredit: GettyJake Paul was also seen arriving at the New York barCredit: Getty
Earlier in the night, Brooks took to Instagram to share behind the scenes glimpses of her getting ready for the night.
She stripped topless for a snap to praise her “dream team” as she posed in front of a cabinet filled with cosmetics.
The IMG Model then covered her modesty with her hands for another sizzling selfie.
Brooks then pulled on her co-ord and captured herself in the midst of a blow dry.
She posed topless as she praised her ‘dream team’ ahead of the eventCredit: InstagramShe flashed her bum in her cheeky attireCredit: Instagram
After her lively night, Brooks revealed she was working the following day on the Baywatch set.
Brooks was announced as one of the Baywatch reboot castmembers back in March.
She will be playing Selene, a captain of the Zuma beach lifeguards, according to Fox.
In her latest caption she wrote: “And we’re back, time to save some lives”.
Cairo accelerates state asset sales under an IMF plan, targeting up to four major listings by summer 2027.
This article appears in the July/August issue of Global Finance Magazine.
Egypt, Africa’s second-largest economy after South Africa, plans to list up to four state-owned companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), the continent’s largest stock exchange by the number of listed companies, within the next 12 months.
The June 5 announcement is part of Cairo’s $8 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program and the government’s State Ownership Policy (SOP).
The planned transactions include the sale of a 20% stake in state-owned Misr Life Insurance, which is expected to raise about 14 billion Egyptian pounds (about $277 million). Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El Khatib said the government also expects more than seven public offerings — including private-sector companies — to reach the market within the next year.
“Over the next 12 months, the priority will be to make it easier for businesses to operate, raise capital, and complete mergers and acquisitions,” El Khatib told Reuters during a London visit.
In October 2024, the government floated shares in United Bank, marking the first state-owned bank listing in years. Since then, the EGX has approved the temporary listing of six additional state-owned enterprises, including Sinai Manganese Company and El Nasr Housing and Development. Officials are also preparing about 10 state-owned petroleum companies, along with firms in other strategic sectors, for future listings.
The drive toward privatization follows reforms introduced in March 2024, when Egypt adopted a flexible exchange-rate regime and allowed the Egyptian pound to float freely, ending the parallel foreign exchange market. In its February review, the IMF said inflation had fallen from a peak of 38% in September 2023 to the low-double-digit range, while Egypt’s net international reserves had risen to about $53 billion, reflecting stronger external buffers.
The reform program targets one of the most state-dominated economies in the Middle East and Africa. According to the IMF, Egypt’s state-owned enterprises account for assets equivalent to about half of the country’s gross domestic product. The government directly owns or controls more than 300 commercial enterprises across sectors, including banking, energy, manufacturing, transport, and telecommunications. The SOP came about in 2023. Subsequent legislative reforms include Law No. 170 of 2025, which established a central framework for the divestment of state assets.
Charles Wachira is a contributing writer based in Kenya.
The first planes to get the new headrest will be the A350s by the end of this year.
The airline also previously ordered 270 new Boeing 777Xs, which will all have the headrest.
And then next year, the airline will install the headrest on its Airbus A380s and existing Boeing 777s.
Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: “Emirates never rests on its laurels when it comes to customer experience and we have found a way to significantly improve the comfort for Economy Class passengers, especially those travelling long-haul.
The seat will have a padded headrest meaning you don’t have to take a neck pillow onboardCredit: EmiratesThe new seat will be rolled out before the end of this yearCredit: Alamy
“The U-Dream changes the game if the person wants to sleep – by supporting the neck in full. No more neck pillows needed.
“It’s another innovation that shows our commitment to customers and cements our Economy Class as the best.”
Ryan Johnson struck out five and gave up one run in five solid innings, Jorge Soler and Zach Neto delivered RBI hits and the Angels ended a four-game skid with a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
Johnson (2-4) gave up two hits and walked three. The right-hander escaping a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the fifth when he struck out Dillon Dingler with an 82-mph sweeper. Samy Natera Jr., Chase Silseth and Sam Bachman worked scoreless innings of relief.
Ryan Zeferjahn, who gave up just two earned runs in 19 1/3 innings of his previous 18 games since June 1, gave up a homer to Riley Greene in the top of the ninth as Detroit closed within 3-2. But, Zeferjahn retired the next three batters and earned his third save.
Tigers reliever Drew Anderson (3-4) issued a pair of walks that set up the Angels’ tiebreaking rally in the fifth. Nolan Schanuel, who had three hits, singled to load the bases, and Soler followed with an RBI groundout for a 2-1 lead.
The Angels pushed the lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Oswald Peraza singled, stole second, took third on Tyler Heineman’s groundout and scored on Neto’s RBI single to right.
Detroit starter Casey Mize gave up one run and five hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. He left after being struck on the left hand by a 109-mph comebacker off the bat of Jo Adell in the fourth inning.
Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle homered to leadoff the game. The Angels tied it at 1 in the second when Vaughn Grissom led off with a double, took third on Josh Lowe’s sacrifice bunt and scored on Peraza’s infield single.
The People’s Action Party, which prides itself on a clean reputation, has been rocked by a series of scandals recently.
Published On 20 Jul 202620 Jul 2026
Singapore’s acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has resigned over his interactions with a woman, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said.
“Most of their interactions took place through online messages,” Wong said in a statement on Monday. “They also met on the sidelines of public events.”
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Both parties made allegations of harassment against each other, and the matter is being investigated by the police, he added.
In 2023, then Transport Minister Subramaniam Iswaran was put under investigation for corruption alongside Malaysian billionaire hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng. A year later, Iswaran pleaded guilty to receiving more than 380,000 Singapore dollars ($294,000) worth of gifts from Ong, including tickets for West End shows and football matches, some of them in exchange for advancing Ong’s business interests.
Two senior members of Singapore’s largest opposition party also resigned in 2023 after they admitted to having an affair, while two ministers were investigated and cleared of wrongdoing over their rental of state-owned properties. This prompted former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to say that his party’s image was damaged by a series of scandals.
Wong said no criminal offence had been committed by either party in Faishal’s case, and no criminal action would be taken, but “there was a separate question of whether Associate Professor Faishal’s conduct met the standards expected of a political office holder and member of parliament”.
Faishal has been a member of parliament since 2006 and became the acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs in 2025. He has now resigned from the ruling People’s Action Party as well as his cabinet position.
In his resignation letter posted on the website of the prime minister’s office, Faishal said: “While there was no physical relationship between us, and I did not intend for the interactions to develop into one, there was a lapse of judgment on my part in the way I handled the interactions, and in failing to establish clearer boundaries at an earlier stage.”
Wong said he was saddened Faishal was leaving politics under such circumstances.
The United States has attacked Iran for a ninth consecutive night after the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a US soldier had died in northern Iraq in a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone.
Here is what happened over Sunday night and Monday morning and what officials on both sides have said:
Where was Iran attacked?
CENTCOM announced in a statement on X that it completed the ninth wave of attacks against Iran at 02:00 GMT on Monday.
It said it “targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.
The US military did not provide details about the actual sites hit in Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two oil tankers “exploded” and were halted in the southern Strait of Hormuz late on Sunday, according to a report by the semiofficial Tasnim News Agency on Monday.
The IRGC stated the vessels were trying to transit through the strategic waterway under what it described as US coercion.
“This passage is unsafe for the transport of chemical fertiliser or even a single drop of oil and gas,” the group warned, adding that the corridor would remain unsafe as long as US military operations in the region continue.
An MQ-9 drone was intercepted and shot down over Eslamabad-e Gharb in western Iran’s Kermanshah province, according to the Mehr News Agency on Monday.
Mehr said the drone was targeted by an advanced air defence system operated by the IRGC aerospace force.
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim News Agency reported on Monday that US strikes targeted an area in the town of Khormoj in southwestern Iran. It quoted a local official.
Where did Iran strike, and where were warnings issued?
Jordan: The IRGC said on Monday that it launched ballistic missiles at US C-17 transport planes and P-8 aircraft at Aqaba airport, claiming several were heavily damaged. In a statement carried by the state-controlled IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC also said 20 hangars housing US forces in the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq were destroyed.
Bahrain: The US embassy in Bahrain said it has information suggesting Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama. It urged Americans to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and immediately seek shelter if warning sirens sound or explosions are heard.
US soldier in Iraq: A US service member was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from an Iranian drone, CENTCOM said.
What happened in the Strait of Hormuz?
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported late on Sunday that a vessel about 8 nautical miles (15km) northwest of Kumzar, Oman, had caught fire.
It is unclear whether this happened due to an attack by Iran. The UKMTO said the cause of the fire had not been verified and advised vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities investigate.
What have Iranian and American leaders said?
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US is hitting Iran to honour American service members who have been killed.
“We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honour of the, probably three, it’s probably three great patriots,” Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington, DC, after the World Cup final in New Jersey. At least two US soldiers were killed in Jordan last week after Iranian missiles struck a US base there, and the third soldier Trump referred to was killed in Iraq during the detonation of the Iranian drone.
“We feel very badly,” he said when asked about the military fatalities, adding that those who died were fighting so “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with state media that Tehran would end the war with the US when it had “the upper hand in the field”, local news reported on Monday.
Talking with the IRNA news agency, Araghchi said the most critical decision in crisis management was identifying the precise moment to halt hostilities and begin negotiations.
“The end of the war is possible either through absolute military victory or through negotiations. The right time to negotiate is precisely when you have achieved a reliable field and strategic achievement on the military front,” Araghchi said.
“You cannot take risks with the lives of the people and the fate of the entire country. Decisions must be made based on accurate and complete calculations,” Araghchi said.
LONDON — Ewan Mitchell shares few similarities with Aemond Targaryen, his unhinged character on HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” The British actor, 29, is soft-spoken, thoughtful and quick with a “thank you.” His hair is currently brown rather than Targaryen blond, although he says the color is actually left over from filming Justine Triet’s upcoming psychological thriller “Fonda.” Although he is very different from the power-hungry second son he plays on TV, Mitchell understands him.
“I always empathize with that little kid in Season 1,” he says, speaking from London’s 180 House on a sunny day in July. “He was this neglected, bullied boy. He was never given a dragon egg. So from the beginning he recognized that he was on the back foot, and he was bullied for being different. What’s nice about Season 3 is it’s showing Aemond’s true colors.”
Early in Season 3, Aemond asserted his dominance over his mother Alicent (Olivia Cooke) with a gasp-inducing kiss on the mouth, a moment Mitchell compares to Michael Corleone’s iconic kiss on Fredo in “The Godfather Part II.” The disgraced prince regent left King’s Landing for Harrenhal in search of Daemon (Matt Smith), only to murder Ser Simon Strong and his sons instead. His fray with the Strong family was triumphant, but left Aemond with a wound in his side. He begged the castle’s mysterious inhabitant Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) to help him before vanishing for the next two episodes.
In Episode 5, Aemond is back. At first, he appears wounded and broken. But he ably defends Alys from a group of invaders, relying on muscle memory and — perhaps — a sense of honor to pay her back for saving his life.
“I liken Harrenhal to the White Lotus of Westeros,” Mitchell says. “It’s a place you go for a retreat. You have all of your toxins drawn out of you. You have to confront them head on. You discover like the darkest, deepest places of yourself. And the general manager of that place is Alys Rivers.”
In Episode 5, Aemond (Mitchell) fights off invaders, saving Alys’ life.
(Theo Whiteman / HBO)
The upcoming episodes will keep Aemond at Harrenhal with Alys and expand on the events of George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book “Fire & Blood,” on which the series is based. Showrunner Ryan Condal wanted to explore what wasn’t in Martin’s fictional history of Westeros.
“We knew from the book that he goes to Harrenhal and effectively disappears, at least from the interactive narrative,” Condal says, speaking later over video call. “It’s thought that he establishes some relationship with Alys Rivers. We had that as a baseline, but the idea was: ‘Where can we take Aemond from here?’”
He adds that there was “a danger of the character becoming an anime villain,” which the writers wanted to undercut. “He looks a certain way,” Condal says. “He has this eye patch. He rides this Godzilla-sized dragon. And he’s done some pretty reprehensible things.”
But the writers wanted to go beyond Aemond’s surface, to “a different place and excavate that trauma and vulnerability.”
Mitchell says Alys is the key to Aemond finding himself. “We know his dragon Vhagar is missing,” he says. “And if Aemond is nothing without his dragon, then does he really deserve her? We’ve got to challenge what we know of the character already … Vhagar was the wind in his sails.”
He compares Aemond with Spider-Man, an oddly aligned character. “With great power comes great responsibility to wield that power,” Mitchell says. “He’s got to be able to show he can control it effectively. That’s what he wanted to prove throughout Season 1 and 2.”
He laughs: “It’s just like ‘Spider-Man 2.’ I find it really interesting building up this character over two seasons to bring him back down.”
“I find it really interesting building up this character over two seasons to bring him back down,” Mitchell says of Aemond, who is facing turbulent times in Season 3.
(Jennifer McCord / For The Times)
Condal adds, “He’s feeling isolated and alone and he possibly has made an enemy of his family. And then this woman saves him. He feels this sudden magnetic draw to her. In the episodes that follow, we will further excavate that relationship. It’s one of the most surprising and engaging and emotional stories we have this season.”
Mitchell first appeared as Aemond, the son of Viserys and Alicent and the brother of Aegon II, in the eighth episode of Season 1. He was originally played by Leo Ashton, who Mitchell says “really set up the character for me.” Production had already begun when Mitchell auditioned, first with a self-tape and then for the producers. Initially, he didn’t know which character he was up for.
“I knew this character was the younger brother and that was like a theme of the first season and going through further seasons,” Mitchell recalls. “The second son out to prove his worth.”
Mitchell’s audition was memorable. “He came into the room in character and he scared all of us,” Condal says. “I remember the first question that I asked [our casting director] after he left was, ‘Is he always like that?’ Because it felt like he had gone to such a dark place just to do the audition. When I spoke to him later, I loved how different the person was on the phone versus the person I met in the room.”
To play Aemond, Mitchell looked at MMA and cage fighters to hone in on the character’s agile, brutal fighting style. He trained physically to make Aemond lean but also strong and imposing. He took inspiration from paintings, including Alexandre Cabanel’s 1847 work “The Fallen Angel,” which depicts the devil after his fall from heaven.
“There’s this tear in his eye and you don’t know if he’s feeling sorry for himself or he’s looking at things to come,” Mitchell says. “Is he thinking about the harm he’s going to inflict in retaliation? That was something I wanted to do in Season 2. It contrasts his muscular physique. It’s a mixture between vulnerability and sheer muscle.”
Season 2 saw Aemond purposefully incinerating his brother, leaving him badly burned, and decimating the Riverlands while on Vhagar. The character was grappling for power, even if it meant brutalizing his own family. Condal hints that a reckoning with Aegon will come.
“In the great tradition of ‘Game of Thrones,’ I feel like that is a fairly safe bet,” he says. “Characters are scattered all over the map and then slowly find themselves being brought back together, but in different forms. That was always something we were talking about doing with Aemond and Aegon.”
To play Aemond, Mitchell looked at MMA and cage fighters to hone in on the character’s agile, brutal fighting style. He also took inspiration from paintings, including Alexandre Cabanel’s 1847 work “The Fallen Angel.”(Jennifer McCord/For The Times)
Mitchell sees Aemond as a product of his circumstances, rather than just a murdering psychopath. He was bullied as a child and coddled by his mother, but never received the unconditional love he craved. He was taken to brothels from an early age. He lost an eye. And he grew up in the midst of a brutal war between the Greens and the Blacks. Now he has to reckon with what he’s done.
“You might not understand all of the things he does,” Mitchell says. “And you might not feel like you’re supposed to understand all the things he does. But you do feel something for him. In the moment he saves Alys, maybe there is a redeemable Aemond in there somewhere.”
Cooke says she loves working opposite Mitchell thanks to his complex approach to the character.
“He has such intensity and helps me as an actor in playing Alicent to feel like I’m completely on the back foot,” she says in a voice memo. “It’s filled with tension trying to guess what he’s going to do. Yet in reality, he is the most gentle, lovely, quiet, beautiful person. He’s a joy to work with and I think he makes such interesting choices outside of ‘House of the Dragon.’”
Between Seasons 2 and 3, Mitchell filmed Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights.” He had previously worked with the filmmaker on 2023’s “Saltburn,” for which he auditioned using a Harold Pinter monologue. For “Wuthering Heights,” Fennell simply texted Mitchell asking him to play Joseph, a servant in the Earnshaw house, whose sexual depravity electrifies Cathy.
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Alys (Gayle Rankin) share a tender moment in Episode 5.
(Theo Whiteman / HBO)
“I was like, ‘If you asked me to shine your shoes, Emerald, I would do that,’” Mitchell says. “All of her characters are so vibrant and so nuanced, and there is such a vision you see in her films. She’s a one-of-a-kind, singular visionary. I’ve learned so much working with Emerald that I’ve taken forward in my career.”
One of those things was a more playful, loose approach to acting. During his first two seasons of “House of the Dragon,” Mitchell felt locked into a particular performance. “I learned the scripts verbatim,” he says. “Aemond is such a calculating character and everything he does is premeditated. He’s so in control of himself. I found myself offering up the same take every single take.”
After working with Fennell on “Saltburn” and “Wuthering Heights,” Mitchell felt more freedom. She encouraged him to give a range of performances on set, allowing her to find the character during the editing process. He brought that with him to the third season of “House of the Dragon.”
“With Aemond being so unsure of himself, it happened more naturally,” he says. “He’s learning new things about himself. I was really open to finding the scene organically on the day and not coming in with any preconceived choices. And I found so much more enjoyment in it.”
Condal observed Mitchell’s looser approach. “I don’t think Ewan was ever rigid,” Condal says. “But what I saw happen over the seasons was someone learning from their professional experience. As a massive fan of Emerald Fennell’s work, I can see how being in that very different crucible could help him become his best version. We probably demanded the most out of Ewan in Season 3 than any of the other actors.”
Mitchell says working with Emerald Fennell helped him take a looser approach to acting.
(Jennifer McCord / For The Times)
Since wrapping Season 3 last fall, Mitchell has stayed busy. He filmed “The Way of the Runner” in China with first-time filmmaker Yutong Bai, Gareth Evans’ remake of the 1960s Japanese crime film “A Colt Is My Passport” in Wales, Luna Carmoon’s sophomore feature “To Make Ends Meat” in London and Can Aydin’s directorial debut “The Healer” in Budapest. He then flew to France to work with Triet, an experience he loved because she shot on film. “Knowing you’ve only got a limited amount of time, there’s something beautiful about the imperfections of performances,” he says. “There was such a great energy with everyone in the room.”
Mitchell has been attracted to performing for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Derby, England, he admired films like “Citizen Kane” and “Taxi Driver” because they centered on “characters you don’t completely understand.” He appreciates the scope of projects he’s done so far, from the massive scale of production on “House of the Dragon” to smaller art house films.
“I love working as much as I can and learning,” he says. “I’d love to keep working with debut directors. After the recent films I’ve done and seeing ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms,’ it’s really motivating seeing what they can do.”
Although Mitchell looks nothing like Aemond, he is frequently recognized. Someone stopped him on his way here today to ask for a photo. “I think it’s the chin,” he grins. He knows he’s inextricably linked to the character, for better or worse. He can’t give much away about what’s to come in Season 3, but Aemond is certainly not down for the count.
“What makes him so dangerous is that just when you think he has nothing left in the tank, it’s like, ‘Guess again,’” Mitchell says. “It’s not a question of whether he’s going to do evil. It’s inevitable that he will do it. And it will be brutal and it will be fast.”
He pauses, unsure of what he can reveal. “I don’t want to spoil anything,” he says carefully, “but I can’t wait for people to see what Harrenhal has in store for him.”
Last night, Spain defeated Argentina to win the World Cup. Ordinarily, for those of us with no national connection to either country, the choice of whom to support would have been gloriously trivial. We might have chosen the team that played more beautiful football, the player we most admired or simply the side whose colours we preferred.
But these are no ordinary times.
Gaza and Palestine have changed the way many of us see the world. It has become a moral prism, refracting our judgments not only about governments and political leaders, but about institutions, universities, media, corporations and public figures. We have watched people and institutions we once respected avert their eyes from the destruction of a people. We have watched others discover elaborate vocabularies of qualification and equivocation when confronted with horrors that, in another place and against another people, they would have condemned without hesitation.
And we have remembered those who refused to look away.
That is why, last night, I was Spanish.
Of course, a football team is not a government. Spanish footballers are not responsible for the policies of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, any more than Lionel Messi and his teammates are responsible for the politics of Argentinian President Javier Milei.
But sport has never existed in the hermetically sealed apolitical world we sometimes pretend it inhabits. We bring ourselves to sport. We bring our histories, our identities, our sympathies and, inevitably, our moral judgements. We decide whom we want to win for reasons that often have very little to do with formations and statistics.
And so, for many people of conscience, Spain has come to represent something larger.
At a moment when much of the Western political establishment has twisted itself into moral and linguistic contortions over Gaza, Spain has stood apart. Sánchez and his government have been willing to speak with a clarity conspicuously absent from many of Spain’s Western allies. Spain recognised the State of Palestine. Sánchez has openly used the word genocide to describe what is being done in Gaza. His government has moved to entrench an arms embargo against Israel.
One need not agree with every policy of the Spanish government to recognise the significance of that position. Moral courage is measured precisely when taking a position carries a cost.
There was also something deeply moving about seeing Lamine Yamal, one of the brightest young stars in world football, waving the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s celebrations after winning La Liga.
It was a small gesture in the vast landscape of Palestinian suffering. But symbols matter, particularly when so many powerful institutions have worked so hard to make Palestine invisible.
There was Yamal, at the summit of sporting success, surrounded by celebration, holding up the flag of a people whose suffering the world has been asked repeatedly to forget. And last night he wore the colours of Spain in a World Cup final and emerged a world champion.
On the other side stood Argentina, a magnificent footballing nation led by perhaps the greatest footballer of his generation. And here, too, Gaza intruded upon the emotions with which some of us watched. An image of Lionel Messi at the Western Wall in occupied East Jerusalem has circulated widely. It dates back to Barcelona’s 2013 visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, years before the present catastrophe. But images have lives beyond the circumstances in which they were created, and Gaza has transformed the way many of us see them.
FC Barcelona football player Lionel Messi puts a paper with wishes in a crack in the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, in occupied East Jerusalem on August 4, 2013 [Oliver Weiken/AFP]
The contrast with Lamine Yamal is striking. There is the image of Messi at the Western Wall. And there is the image of Yamal, at one of the happiest moments of his young career, waving the Palestinian flag. Different moments, different circumstances, different intentions.
But symbols matter. For those whose view of the world has been transformed by Gaza, it is impossible not to feel the emotional force of the contrast.
And beyond Messi stands the politics of Javier Milei. Argentina’s president has made his allegiances clear. He has embraced US President Donald Trump and declared himself “the most Zionist president in the world” at precisely the historical moment when Palestinians in Gaza have endured unimaginable destruction.
Argentina’s footballers are not responsible for Milei, and its people cannot be reduced to their president. But neither can those politics be entirely erased from the emotions with which the rest of us watch.
Then there was another recent vote, far removed from Gaza but revealing in its own way. In March, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution confronting the historical wrongs of the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans and calling for reparatory justice. One hundred and twenty-three countries voted in favour. Fifty-two abstained. Only three countries in the entire world voted against it: the United States, Israel and Argentina.
There is something extraordinary about that alignment. On an issue concerning one of humanity’s greatest historical crimes and the continuing demand for reparatory justice, Trump’s America, Benjamin Netanyahu’s Israel and Milei’s Argentina found themselves standing together, virtually alone.
It is difficult for those of us who increasingly view the world through the prism of Gaza not to notice the pattern. The issues are different, the histories are different and the legal questions are different. But the moral instinct seems eerily familiar: when the victims of historical injustice demand recognition, accountability and redress, the same governments so often seem to find reasons to stand on the other side.
So, yes, last night I watched a football match.
I admired Messi because greatness remains greatness. I marvelled at the extraordinary history of Argentine football.
But I wanted Spain to win.
And Spain won.
Perhaps that says something about what Gaza has done to us. It has rearranged our moral geography. Countries that once felt distant can suddenly feel close because they spoke when others were silent. Governments we barely thought about can earn our respect because, at a moment of profound moral testing, they refused to avert their gaze.
A mural painted by Palestinian artists depicts football star Lamine Yamal, who waved a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s LaLiga victory parade, on the rubble of buildings destroyed by the Israeli army in Al Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on May 13, 2026 [Ebrahim Hajjaj/Reuters]
And sometimes that moral geography spills into the most unexpected places.
Last night it spilled onto a football pitch.
Millions celebrated Spain’s victory because they love Spanish football, because they admire Lamine Yamal or simply because their team had won the greatest prize in the sport.
But many also celebrated out of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
A World Cup cannot deliver justice to Palestine. Spain’s victory will not feed a hungry child in Gaza, rebuild a destroyed home or bring back the dead. We should never confuse symbolism with justice.
But human beings live partly through symbols. And last night, for some of us, the red shirt of Spain carried a meaning it was never designed to bear.
When Lamine Yamal and his teammates lifted the World Cup, I celebrated with them.
Not because football can change what has happened in Gaza.
But because Gaza has changed the way I watch even a game of football.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
The country has grown in popularity in recent years, as it has drawn comparisons to far-flung beaches such as the Maldives, but a recent study has shown its beaches may be hiding a dirty secret
Six square kilometres of land had been affected resulting in homes and businesses, including campsites and a ski resort in the Glenmore Forest Park area, being evacuated as a safety precaution.
A high volume pump has been used to draw water from Loch Morlich to support firefighting efforts.
On Sunday, fire crews said the fire was now “surrounded” and police began escorting residents and campers back to properties and campsites to collect personal belongings.
During the June heatwave, we took a trip down to the great British seaside, where Bournemouth’s Highcliff Marriott Hotel had something special on offer
08:23, 20 Jul 2026Updated 08:48, 20 Jul 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Inside Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel
Bournemouth vastly expanded in the 1800s as wealthy Victorians came to convalesce among the town’s famous, inflammation-soothing pine trees.
Strolling through the town, I can’t quite catch the scent of those historic pines – but the sea breeze coupled with the olfactory overload of a nearby doughnut stand is equally reviving.
While the trees may no longer soothe my woes, there is a mountain of scientific research proving that being by the water really does boost spirits.
Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols, in his book Blue Mind, wrote how exposure to blue spaces – including the glorious British seaside – can act as medicine for the brain, effectively lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol and boosting overall happiness. For me, it is an undeniable truth: being by the sea brings a sense of calm that I simply cannot replicate anywhere else.
Luckily, I am soaking up all of these benefits from my seaside cottage at Bournemouth’s Highcliff Marriott Hotel, which offers incredible, sweeping views from its hillside perch.
For many of us, 2026 is the year of the staycation. With thousands of holidaymakers enduring airport chaos and the EU’s troublesome new entry/exit system, opting to stay closer to home makes sense.
But while staying in the UK gets rid of most problems, it can still be a gamble: the fickle British weather, the uninspiring reality of holiday rentals that look fabulous online, and the long list of check-out demands by so-called hosts.
If you’re looking for the perfect compromise – which offers the privacy of a private rental, but with four-star luxury and no cleaning demands – the hotel’s new coastal cottages have cracked the code.
Marriott has revamped its 19th century former coastguard cottages into a set of stunning boutique retreats. Designed by Joanna Knight Interiors, they feature a gorgeous coastal aesthetic packed with sandy neutrals, retro Smeg fridges, and beach-hut-coloured front doors.
The service when we arrive after a long, sticky drive during the Juneheatwave is top notch. We arrived at a cottage where staff had already thoughtfully blasted the air conditioning, and were handed a kids’ activity pack at reception.
Best of all, there was no requirement to strip the sheets or empty the bins at the end of our stay, leaving us more time to enjoy the hotel’s perks, including a 24-hour gym and a well-heated outdoor pool.
Complete with a range of games in the garden for kids, including giant Jenga, while there’s a fully stocked pool-side bar for adults, along with grandstand views of the pier, it is remarkably hard to drag yourself away from the surroundings and into the town itself.
You don’t have to venture far to eat well, with the on-site Brasserie Blanc restaurant serving up an impressive feast for every meal.
For dinner, I followed a wise proverb: cheese is love, and cheese with cream is extra love, meaning I had to order the cheese soufflé (£8.50) – it was delicious, with a beautifully light, airy texture, while my guests opted for a tasty looking Devon crab and avocado with garlic croutons for their starter (£9.95).
The mains include a spectacular sirloin (£29.95) alongside an impressive Chateaubriand (£69.95) for two: succulent, perfectly seasoned, teamed with a punchy pepper sauce, and accompanied by very decent fries. For dessert, the lemon tart (£9.50) went down extremely well, as did the classic crème brûlée (£6.95). The mocktail menu is surprisingly strong – if often feels like an afterthought at most places, but here, I got to enjoy an alcohol-free margarita (£10.95) that left me reeling at how punchy it was.
Even the children’s menu is surprisingly decent, with a welcome absence of standard beige chicken nuggets; instead, it offers a large variety of healthy, delicious dishes including grilled trout and veggie bolognese. Thanks to the temporary summer VAT cut, it is also well-priced at £9.50 for two courses or £12.50 for three.
Dining on the large outside terrace where I could breathe in the sea air, I left the table feeling spiritually lighter despite the three-course meal.
That welcoming atmosphere carried me straight into a buzzy evening, with the hotel bar packed with drinkers ready for a fun night out before the England match.
The next morning, breakfast continued to the same high standard, with a vast range of hot and cold items, including an exceptional cooked-to-order omelette bar, a high-quality full English fry-up and a great Continental spread.
Fuelled up for the day, Bournemouth beach called to us. Helpfully, it is just a three-minute stroll from the hotel, which is a godsend when you’re travelling with kids. Its golden sands are stunning, and at seven miles long, there is plenty of room for everyone to spread out.
Bournemouth is a town of brilliant dualities. While parts of the town centre can look slightly worse for wear, looking beyond the high street reveals world-class coastal beauty.
The nearby Hengistbury Head is well worth a visit, a sprawling nature reserve offering great views of the Isle of Wight and gentle walks.
Closer to the hotel, right by Bournemouth Beach, sits the Oceanarium. We found this to be very reasonably priced at £35 for a family and a perfect sanctuary during the heat. It is a great spot for kids to burn off some energy in the shade, while staring down sharks, stingrays, and penguins.
And of course, the iconic pier remains an absolute must for older kids, packed to the brim with traditional arcade, fairground rides and a set of indoor climbing walls.
By combining a private cottage with the luxuries of a landmark hotel, the Highcliff Marriott has set a new standard for the great British staycation.
Book it
A private Coastal Cottage is available from £130/night (based on two sharing). Fine out more here.
JENNIFER Lopez sizzled for a naked bathtub snap and suspenders as she celebrated her 56th birthday.
The On The Floor hitmaker was joined by her rarely-seen journalist and TV personality Lynda, who turned 55 last month.
Jennifer Lopez sizzled in a Dolce and Gabbana black sheer lace bodysuit and suspendersCredit: jlo/ InstagramThe pop superstar stripped naked for a soak in a bathtubCredit: jlo/ Instagram
The pop superstar shared a series of snaps on Instagram as she marked her sister’s birthday, while also celebrating her own, as she turns 56 on July 24.
The siblings enjoyed a meal out with friends and a birthday dessert each with a sparkler in it.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Another showed the sisters blowing out multiple candles on a meringue and raspberry pie.
The star then stripped naked as she enjoyed a soak in a bathtub while her sister ate food with her.
Jennifer and sister Lynda celebrated their birthday togetherCredit: jlo/ InstagramThe hitmaker showed off her ageless looks ahead of her 56th birthdayCredit: jlo/ Instagram
Showing that she’s still got it, Jennifer dazzled in a Dolce and Gabbana black sheer lace bodysuit, fishnet tights and suspenders.
The musician wore a black and gold veil over her head with a huge crown and a gold statement necklace.
She captioned the post: “A double birthday sister trip is always a good idea!! I love you Lynnie!! Happy birthday!!”
Just last week, Jennifer called was called “the most beautiful woman in the world” by fans as she posed braless in a minidress with Erling Haaland.
The singer looked amazing as she posed up a storm while on her travels in Sicily, Italy.
J-Lo showed off her amazing figure and wowed in the plunging number, which she accessorised with a matching bandana and cat eye sunglasses.
She completed the look with a pair of white and black polka dot court show heels.
It comes after the actress attended the Wimbledon Men’s Final in London in a stunning outfit.
She showed off her amazing figure in a cream bodycon maxi dress, oversized Fedora hat and a pair of heels.
CLINUVEL PHARMACEUTICALS (CLVLY) (CLVLF) announced that its American Depositary Shares (ADS) are expected to commence trading today on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “CUVL.”
The upgrade follows a July 17 declaration of effectiveness from the U.S. Securities and
