Month: July 2026

So as Argentina prepares to face Spain in the World Cup final why is the team so white in comparison to its South American neighbours? Al Jazeera’s Rahul Pathak explains.

On paper, Lauren Meyering’s debut feature “Horsegirls” sounds like it was made in a 2000s indie movie lab: It features a quirky heroine with a unique hobby, a loved one with a devastating illness and the formation of an unlikely community that rallies around our protagonist and her dream. But surprise — the events of “Horsegirls” are inspired by a true story, one close to Meyering, who based the film on her family friends Mackenzie and Sandra Breeden. Sometimes real life can be the realest indie movie of all.

“Horsegirls” might read on paper as too sickly sweet, but Meyering’s thoughtful direction and star Lillian Carrier’s performance keep it from tipping too far in that direction. Carrier stars as Margarita, a young woman with autism who lives with her cancer-stricken mother, Sandy (Gretchen Mol). The pair are inseparable, with Margarita accompanying her mother to chemotherapy treatments and their own special celebration rituals involving karaoke and sharing combo platters.

Sandy desperately wants Margarita to get a job but her first steps toward independence come when she spies a hobby horse rehearsal and becomes fixated on joining. If you’re unfamiliar with hobby horsing, it’s a sport originating from Finland that’s growing in popularity. It involves a choreographed routine involving elements of gymnastics and traditional dressage performed while using a “hobby horse” — a stuffed horse head on a stick.

For Margarita, who loves horses but isn’t allowed to interact with them due to her mother’s safety fears, it seems the perfect solution, and she persists despite the clique-ish mean girl behavior from some of the younger participants. The coach (Jerod Haynes) sees her determination and encourages her participation, so she gets a job at a Halloween store to pay for it but keeps it a secret from Sandy. As it turns out, both mother and daughter are keeping secrets from each other.

While the plot unfolds in a fairly predictable manner, it’s the character of Margarita who keeps us on our toes. Carrier, who also has autism, brings an inherent authenticity to the role as well as a sense of good humor that draws people to Margarita, a character who always says what’s on her mind, whether or not it’s polite or appropriate. But her refreshing honesty is what people respond to, and both she and Sandy know she’s going to need people in the not-so-distant future.

Meyering carefully threads the themes of parental concern and young adult independence throughout her screenplay. The anxieties are universal — any parent wants to feel assured that their child is going to be OK when they’re gone; any child wants to prove that they’re capable and free to do what they want. Characters like Margarita’s store manager Hank (Iqbal Theba) prove that strangers can “get” Margarita just as she is, without her mother’s interference or interpretation, even if it takes some time for Sandy to understand that.

Meyering and cinematographer Natalie Kingston create a naturalistic and often dark look, though “Horsegirls” is beautifully shot. The distinctive photography sets it apart cinematically from other films in this genre — just like Margarita herself, who visually stands out from the other girls.

This is a simple story executed with singular panache, and while “Horsegirls” follows expected narrative beats, it’s in the moments of surprise that it works best, often thanks to Carrier and her straightforward line deliveries, which help the tone pop. The film is a reminder that conformity is never compulsory, and that putting yourself out there is the only way to find out who’s ready to catch you.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

After the South Africa game, Rassie Erasmus said Scotland were a top-three nation in the world, presumably behind his own side and France.

With Rassie you never know what sort of agenda might lie behind his public comments – there’s usually something – but it was an eyebrow-raiser nonetheless.

In the wake of Fiji, Schoeman – two tries this summer – went down a similar road when asked if he felt Scotland were closing the gap on the world’s best sides.

“No, I don’t feel we’re closing the gap,” he added. “I feel we are a top-three, top-five team in the world. We’ve proven that – Argentina away, France, England, we play [and beat] the top dogs.

“South Africa, Ireland, All Blacks, we haven’t had too much love there. That’s maybe the games we want to target, to go against the best. Just to go full toe-to-toe with them for a full 80-minute performance.”

Top three is a big stretch, but there are moments in games when you think Scotland have it within them to lay the ghosts of Ireland and New Zealand to rest.

They’ll get a crack at the Kiwis in the autumn and will play Ireland in the spring, both at Murrayfield.

As much as the Nations Championship has been a try-laden fun-fest, the real battle and barometer of progress remains the Six Nations.

Scotland are trending in the right direction but summer and autumn have always been an unreliable guide to their true worth.

Enjoy the quality of some of their rugby over the last three weeks, but put it in context, too. The Six Nations and World Cup remain where it’s at.

THE SCHOOL summer holidays have finally started and if you have kids, you’ll definitely be looking for things to do.

One of the best ways to keep kids entertained – and in gloriously cool air-con – is a theatre show, and many cost less than the cost of a cinema ticket.

According to research conducted by SeatPlan, families can still see some of London’s biggest productions from as little as £12 this summer – less than the price of a medium Domino’s pizza.

So here are the best they’ve found for all ages, ranging from two to 13.

Age two and older

Be Like Blippi – from £24 per ticket

Blippi is a well-known children’s TV character and this summer, in London, you can catch them on stage with a new interactive show.

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The show boasts music, learning and audience participation.

Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show – from £12 per ticket

What kid doesn’t love Peppa Pig?

Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show features the TV show’s most-loved characters including Peppa themself.

The show is also interactive.

Ages three to four

The Tiger Who Came to Tea – from £12 per ticket

The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a much-loved children’s book, so what better way to enjoy it more than seeing the theatre adaptation?

You can expect songs and audience interaction throughout.

The Gruffalo – from £12 per ticket

Another show based on a children’s book is The Gruffalo.

Bring Julia Donaldson’s character to life, the 55-minute show features three characters that the audience interacts with including singing songs.

SeatPlan recommends for the smaller shows, including plays and dramas, it is better to sit closer to the stage so you can see all the performers.

Ages five to six

Matilda The Musical – from £24 per ticket

For kids a little older, Matilda is a great option – with a powerful story about imagination and courage, it remains one of the capital’s most popular family shows for a reason.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding, who recently saw the show, said: “I have to admit – while I loved Rah Dahl growing up, Matilda was not my favourite story of his.

“But, any excuse to see one of his stories on stage, and I’ll be there.

“And now I take everything back – the stage show is better than the film and does the book justice, with an amazing stage set and catchy songs that will get your hips moving in your seat.

“The fact that most the performers in this show are children just make it all the more impressive.

“Definitely will be loved by both parents and children alike.”

For bigger productions, SeatPlan advises sitting further back so you can fully take in the stage and sets.

The Lion King – from £40 per ticket

The Lion King is consistently dubbed one of the best stage shows in London and follows the classic story you know and love from the Disney movie.

And it isn’t one just for the kids, adults who grew up with the films will love it just as much.

Cyann also recently saw the show and said: “Mindblowing is the first thought that comes to mind when I think of The Lion King stage show.

“The costumes, the songs, the dancing, the sets – are all simply breathtaking.

“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be inspired and you’ll leave wanting to immediately watch it again.”

Despite being the most expensive show on this list, the team at SeatPlan states: “The cheapest seats aren’t always the worst seats.

“In many West End theatres, moving back just a few rows can save £30-£60 per ticket with very little difference in the overall view.”

Ages seven to eight

Wicked – from £25 per ticket

Thanks to the recent films, there is no better time to go and see Wicked on stage.

The show has amazing visuals, memorable songs and a story which both kids and adults can enjoy.

Cyann said: “Wicked was the very first West End I ever watched and it did not disappoint.

“Not knowing what to expect from a West End show, Wicked blew me away with its breathtaking sets, detailed costumes, emotional and inspiring songs and dramatic effects that will leave your mind blown.

“To date, it is still one of the best West End shows I’ve seen.”

Disney’s Hercules – from £29 per ticket

Full of humour, known songs and outgoing characters, Hercules is perfect for children ready for bigger productions.

Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill said: “Zero to Hero, Go the Distance, I Won’t Say I’m in Love – I was hit with a wave of nostalgia when I went to see Hercules at Royal Drury Lane.

“The production of the Disney film has everything you want from a musical, fabulous dance routines, comedy, tragedy and a bit of cheese too.

“The highlight has to be The Muses, a group of five goddesses, and they have the voices of them too.

“Their incredible outfits dazzled with every number – and each time they took to the stage, they were met with rapturous applause.

“I’d go back purely to see them sing A Star is Born.”

Ages nine to 10

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – from £31 per ticket

For younger Harry Potter fans, this magical stage production has spectacular effects, surprises and adventure throughout.

Cyann said: “As a massive Harry Potter fan, I had been wanting to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for years.

“I eventually then won the lottery for cheap tickets and saw both parts – though it is soon being merged into one performance.

“It is a must for Potterheads and will leave you smiling, crying and feel inspired.

“The onstage tricks also help to make it feel as if you are one of the students at Hogwarts.”

Horrible Histories – from £19 per ticket

What kid didn’t watch Horrible Histories when growing up?

And now kid can re-live it through its stage performance, complete with jokes, song and educational moments.

When it comes to picking a show, the bigger names might be tempting but SeatPlan advises: “Look beyond the biggest show – everyone heads straight for the biggest blockbuster musicals, but many newer productions offer outstanding entertainment with much lower ticket prices.”

Ages 11 to 13

Hamilton – from £24 per ticket

One of the biggest theatre phenomena in the world. Older children and teenagers studying history or interested in music will be completely hooked by its unique blend of storytelling, rap and musical theatre.

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens said: “There’s a reason the Hamilton soundtrack is the most streamed musical theatre soundtrack of all time.

“Watching the show on the West End will have you uncontrollably moving to its 90’s R&B and Hip Hop-inspired songs, plus the harmonies of the Schuyler sisters really scratch that itch in your brain.

“It’s the history class you wish you had been taught: fast, funny, and heart-wrenching all at once.”

Mamma Mia! – from £18 per ticket

Perfect for families wanting a theatre trip that everyone can enjoy. Older children and teenagers will love the ABBA soundtrack, while parents get the nostalgia factor.

Cyann said: “Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good film and the show is the same.

“You can expect all the iconic songs to sing along too, as well as vibrant sets and costumes that transport you to Greece.”

CAMPING may conjure images of sagging tents, damp sleeping bags and a dreaded midnight trek to the communal toilet block. But that’s not the case at Lee Wick Farm.

Buried in St Osyth, Essex, this glampsite offers a compromise to satisfy my husband’s need for hot showers, a proper toilet and real mattress, while allowing the rest of our family and friends to embrace the wild.

Home to 20 glamping pods and cabins as well as a secret garden area, this is far from your average camping experience.

We opted for a sleek Lushna cabin, which comfortably slept our family of four and offered uninterrupted views across tranquil fields.

My husband Mark was relieved we had our own private bathroom, along with a compact but well-equipped kitchenette.

Guests can bring their own bedding, or those who like to travel light can add linen to their booking so their beds are ready for a snooze on arrival.

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Outside, the cabin boasts a private hot tub in an enclosed garden, providing plenty of open space for the kids to run around safely during the day – so the adults had a rare chance to sit down and actually relax.

Local attractions are just a short distance away, too.

On our first afternoon we took a walk down the lane and across the marshes toward the rugged Colne Point Nature Reserve, which felt like a proper expedition.

Wildlife is abundant along this shoreline, including local adders which bask in the grass.

It was a brilliant, old-school adventure that kept children and adults amused, but make sure you bring sturdy footwear just in case you lose a shoe in a bog (like one of our group!).

For a change of pace on a sunnier day, we headed to Curve Water Park. A few minutes from the farm by car, the park features an inflatable aqua assault course which resulted in plenty of competitive laughs and inevitable wipeouts.

For those wanting a more civilised pace, the park also offers paddleboarding and kayaking, allowing you to glide peacefully along the water before grabbing a drink at the dog-friendly lakeside cafe.

Lee Wick Farm is perfectly positioned for coastal and historic day trips too.

A short drive takes you to the sandy beaches of Holland-on-Sea where you can grab a bag of chips, or Clacton Pier where arcades and amusements offer entertainment as well as shelter when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Or head slightly inland to the picturesque village of Dedham. Located in the heart of Constable Country, it’s the perfect place for a stroll or boat ride along the River Stour.

And after an action-packed day, our cabin back at Lee Wick Farm allowed us to embrace the wilderness without sacrificing our home comforts.

We left with tired legs, bbq-filled stomachs and the realisation that the great outdoors is much more enjoyable when you have a warm cabin, private hot tub and a glass of cold prosecco in hand.

Influencer brothers Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate have been arrested in Miami, in the US state of Florida, after prosecutors in the United Kingdom brought further rape and sex trafficking charges against them.

The brothers were taken into custody on Saturday on a sealed warrant, the United States Marshals Service said, placing the US at the centre of an international legal saga that has stretched from Romania to the UK.

Raised in the UK, the Tate brothers hold dual US and UK citizenship. The UK government says it will seek their extradition to face 38 new charges of rape, sex trafficking and assault.

Here is what we know about the Tate brothers, their arrest and the possibility of extradition:

Who are the Tate Brothers?

Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, are former professional kickboxers. They are known for their social media empire promoting wealth, male dominance and misogyny.

Andrew is one of the most prominent proponents of the so-called “manosphere” network of communities, many of them online, that focus on traditional masculinity, antifeminism and self-improvement. He promotes his divisive views, often incorporating alpha-male and aggressively misogynistic themes, to millions on social media, including 10.8 million followers on X.

Andrew has been banned from platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram for violating hate speech guidelines. He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women.

The brothers are also avid supporters of US President Donald Trump.

What are the new charges against the Tates?

British prosecutors say the 59 new charges – 42 against Andrew and 17 against Tristan – relate to alleged offences that took place between 2010 and 2017.

They said Andrew was charged with seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault, and 19 charges for offences relating to indecent images of a child and extreme pornography.

Tristan was charged with one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating sex trafficking.

“We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child,” the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said in a statement.

Since the arrest warrant was sealed, US Marshals did not disclose the charges on which the Tate brothers were arrested.

Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, said the brothers “are innocent”.

“We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the Department of Justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free,” McBride said in a statement.

What are the other charges against the brothers?

Andrew and Tristan already face multiple charges in the UK and Romania, where they moved to in 2016.

Four women have accused Andrew of physical and sexual abuse.

The claimants, who have been granted anonymity, allege the elder Tate subjected them to physical or sexual violence between 2013 and 2015. Two say they were in an intimate relationship with him, while two worked for his online webcam business.

In June, a UK High Court judge threw out a legal bid by the Tates to be told the names of their accusers.

In Romania, the siblings were arrested in late 2022 along with two Romanian women. The four were accused of participating in criminal schemes to lure women for sexual exploitation. They denied the allegations and the Romanian case has not gone forward because of legal and procedural problems. The case has not been closed.

Andrew has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him.

The Tate brothers are also accused of tax evasion and money laundering in the UK.

The UK CPS said it is seeking their extradition.

“The CPS has requested the extradition of the Tates from the US,” it said, adding that the latest charges stem from receipt of new evidence from Bedfordshire police that brings the total number of alleged victims in the Tates’ case to seven.

The British police previously sought the Tates’ extradition to the UK once their legal proceedings in Romania concluded.

But in February 2025, they were allowed to leave Romania after authorities lifted travel restrictions, and they flew to Florida on a private jet.

Romania’s foreign minister said at the time that a US official in the Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers’ legal case in Romania.

Trump said he knew “nothing about” the case when asked if his administration pressured the Romanian government to release the Tates.

For the first time in U.S. military history, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) were used as a strike weapon in combat. The use of Saronic Corsair USVs took place July 12 during a series of attacks against “dozens” of Iranian targets, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). It came as the U.S. and Iran have continued to trade strikes primarily related to control over the Strait of Hormuz, with President Donald Trump proclaiming he wants to take over the strategic chokepoint and reinstate the naval blockade on Iranian ports. Meanwhile, Iran has also been launching attacks against several Arab nations in the most recent flare-up of hostilities as a shaky ceasefire continues to disintegrate.

“Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran,” the command stated on X Monday morning. “Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.”

This attack is the latest iteration of the U.S. Navy’s use of drone boats in combat. Last month, a Saronic Corsair USV rescued the crew of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache that crashed in the Gulf of Oman after it was downed by Iran. That was the first known instance of a drone boat being used to recover personnel as part of a search and rescue mission, and has major implications for these operations going forward. 

“The surface drone that assisted in last night’s rescue of the Apache crew off the coast of Oman was a U.S. Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59,” U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins, a CENTCOM spokesman, told TWZ at the time. “The task force began fielding these drones in theater in late March.”

Historic sea drone rescue near Strait of Hormuz for Apache helicopter crew members

Established in 2021, Task Force 59 is a testbed unit that is tasked with experimenting with the integration of new uncrewed and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into day-to-day naval operations across the Middle East. It appears that the task force is starting to operationalize those technologies more broadly. Using USVs in an attack role could help reduce the burden on aircraft and crews for strikes, at least against certain targets out to sea and along the coast. Above all else, it creates another vector for kinetic operations against the enemy, which complicates their defensive plans.

In a recent interview with TWZ, Saronic co-founder Rob Lehman declined to provide any details about this mission set or any others Corsair was conducting in the region. However, he did say its success will reverberate across the USV industry.

“I think the tangible impact to the industry is that autonomous systems are now perceived as real credible capabilities rather than a science and technology kind of sideshow where we’re desperately trying to prove that the tech can play a role in these types of operations,” Lehman told us. “So my hope is that not just for Saronic, but all of our partners on the commercial side, that it’s an accelerant to getting more of these capabilities in the war fighters’ hands.” 

As we have frequently reported, Ukraine has used USVs to devastating effect on the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The Magura line of drones, among others, has played a key role in this campaign.

Many successful attacks have been recorded against Black Sea Fleet vessels and facilities, forcing the general evacuation of Russian naval assets from occupied Crimea to bases in Russia proper.

The Houthi rebels of Yemen actually pioneered the operational use of kamikaze USVs years ago. We first reported about this capability in January 2017, when an explosive-laden Houthi USV struck a Saudi frigate. Before that, Iran developed various crude kamikaze USVs and those capabilities soon migrated to their Houthi proxies, which put them to use in the Red Sea for the first time.

You can see the January 2017 attack in the video below.

فيديو يؤكد الهجوم الانتحاري على الفرقاطة السعودية

As we have frequently noted, the U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 17. The MoU provided a 60-day extension of the ceasefire to iron out an agreement to end fighting throughout the region, including Lebanon, prevent Iran from seeking nuclear weapons, end U.S. sanctions and resume the flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, among other points.

Control over the Strait has proven to be the biggest flashpoint, as evidenced by the aforementioned flare-up of fighting.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has continued to claim it controls the Strait.

As we noted earlier in this piece, Trump just proclaimed that the U.S. would take over the Strait.

“We hit them very hard last night,” Trump told Fox News. “Every time they send a drone, we hit them very hard. But we had a deal. What nobody knows, we had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it. We’ve had 10 deals with these people, and so we’re just going to hit them very hard, and we’re going to keep the Strait, and we’ll probably run it.”

“We’ll become the guardian of the Strait,” the American leader added. “Maybe we’ll call it the guardian angel of the Strait.”

Trump suggested that the U.S. be paid for this effort.

“And we should be reimbursed for that,” he posited. “When we do that, we’re going to be reimbursed because the other nations are very wealthy.”

Trump also took to his Truth Social network to say that he is reinstating the naval blockade on Iranian ports that was removed when the MoU was signed last month. He added that the U.S. will impose a toll on shipping.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as “THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,” but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” the president proffered. “The process and formation will begin immediately.”

The U.S. military using drone boats in a kinetic strike role sets a new precedent not just for operations in the CENTCOM region, but also those in other flashpoints, including the Pacific. It comes as the Pentagon has adopted a number of other capabilities that have been ‘borrowed’ from other conflicts, including the first use of one-way attack drones loosely based on Iran’s Shahed-136, for instance. But it is interesting that these kamikaze drone boats were not deployed at the start of the war, when sea and shore targets were plentiful. That points to the Pentagon still racing to catch-up with some weapons developments from conflict zones overseas or at least at opening the aperture for how and when those technologies are used operationally.

UPDATE: 12:26 PM EDT –

The video released by CENTCOM this morning appears to show one of the Corsair USVs attacking what looks to be a Ghadir class diesel-electric midget submarine.

Given the frequency of U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s key naval base at Bandar Abbas during this conflict, it is unclear how Iran still had any of these vessels left.

As we previously reported, U.S. forces apparently sunk another Ghadir class boat in March. It was struck by an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, a U.S. official told TWZ. At the time, we questioned how many Ghadir class submarines were in Iran’s inventory before the current conflict. However, prior estimates had generally put the size of that fleet at between 16 and 20 hulls.

The Ghadir class boat in the new CENTCOM video was sitting on the dock, so it is possible Iran pulled it out after the ceasefire went into effect. 

UPDATE: 1:01 PM EDT –

Saronic released a statement.

“The U.S. military has confirmed that Saronic Corsairs were used by U.S. Central Command in operations against Iran. According to CENTCOM, three military variant Corsair unmanned surface vessels (USVs) struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base — the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations,” the company stated. “We are proud that our technology supported this mission and helped degrade threats to commercial shipping. Saronic remains committed to delivering autonomous maritime systems that strengthen the security of the United States and its allies.”

UPDATE 2:38 PM EDT –

CENTCOM provided an update on the blockade.

“At the Commander in Chief’s direction, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on July 14 at 4 p.m. ET,” the command stated on X. “CENTCOM forces will enforce the blockade against vessels transiting to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas. The U.S. military continues to support traffic flow through regional waters for all vessels not violating the blockade.”

“The resumption of the U.S. blockade against Iran follows the initial implementation from April 13 to June 18,” the command added. “CENTCOM forces redirected more than 140 compliant vessels, disabled nine non-compliant ships, and allowed over 50 commercial vessels supporting humanitarian aid to pass through the blockade during the two-month period.”

“All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact U.S. naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches,” CENTCOM noted. “Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice.”

Contact the author: howard@twz.com

If you feel like your favorite morning news or talk show is frequently trying to sell you something, you’re right.

Shopping segments within the program content of NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS Mornings” have grown in recent years. Using QR codes on the screen, viewers are taken directly to dedicated e-commerce sites where they can put in their orders, with the program getting 20% or more of the revenue generated.

The segments typically feature a contributor or expert presenting household items, fashion or personal care products, alongside the host viewers know and trust. While hosts typically don’t do the actual pitching, their presence provides a seal of approval that helps drive a purchase.

The segments are also a staple of talk shows and syndicated programs such as “The View,” “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “Inside Edition” and have spread to local TV stations. Ownership groups have signed deals with companies that match them up with brands looking for exposure that goes far beyond what they get with a 30-second commercial.

“This is the savior for media, if they really focus on it,” said Brian Meehan, co-founder of Knocking, a Connecticut-based company that specializes in embedding e-commerce into TV and digital content.

That may seem bit hyperbolic, but there is little doubt that TV outlets are looking for help as they navigate the upended media industry.

Streaming has pulled viewers away from traditional television, driving down ad revenues. Since 2022, ad spending on broadcast and cable TV has dropped 23%, to $51 billion in 2025. Consumers bypassing or canceling their cable subscriptions are cutting into the fees stations receive from pay TV providers.

As a result, both networks and TV stations have had to make significant cuts in their news operations to maintain profit margins. The daytime syndication business has declined dramatically as well, with NBCUniversal exiting the market and canceling “Access Hollywood” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Networks and stations don’t reveal how much they earn from the shopping segments, which typically run four minutes, but insiders say it’s well into the eight-figure range.

Bill Hague, executive vice president for the media research firm Magid, said more TV stations are turning to the segments to help fill the additional hours of local news they are programming instead of syndicated talk shows.

“Why invest in syndication when you can have the same audience and more revenue tied to it?” Hague said, adding that the company’s research shows consumers don’t believe the practice diminishes the quality of a newscast.

Jeff Rossen, a former consumer reporter for NBC News, recently pitched online shopping deals for Tegna’s TV local stations. The products he demonstrated sold briskly, likely helped by the credibility and trust he has accrued as a journalist.

That authority matters to viewers. NBC says its research shows that 94% of “Today” viewers trust the product recommendations made on the program.

Morning shows, with their mix of hard news, entertainment segments and lighter fare, have always had more latitude in what they present. But the current dire circumstances of the TV business explain why there is little pushback.

“If helping me buy a better blender also helps pay for an investigative reporter, I’m fine with it,” said Andrew Heyward, a former CBS News president who has consulted for TV station groups.

Heyward said consumers have gotten accustomed to editorial content being a gateway to online shopping. The New York Times gets a cut of sales linked to its Wirecutter product review site.
Book reviews in the Los Angeles Times are linked to Bookshop.org, and the newspaper gets a commission for any sales.

Amazon and other web platforms have made e-commerce account for 21.8% of all U.S. retail purchases, according to the Department of Commerce.

Direct selling on traditional media goes back decades. In 1978, a Clearwater, Fla., radio station accepted 112 electric can openers from an advertiser who could not afford to pay for commercial time. Station owner Bud Paxson had a newscaster auction the inventory over the air and it sold out quickly, leading to a regular show called “Suncoast Bargaineers.”

In 1982, Paxson moved the concept to a local Tampa cable outlet, called it Home Shopping Channel and, after a few years, took it national as Home Shopping Network. HSN soon had celebrities pitching their own product lines, a technique that is now occasionally used by the morning shows.

Candi Carter, whose Cistus Media handles e-commerce for Tegna, said viewers have long been accustomed to seeing products touted inside of programming content, going back to the days of Oprah Winfrey’s “favorite things” segments.

“Brands do it for visibility,” Carter added. “They don’t have to pay a product integration fee and they get revenue from the sales.”

The broadcast networks experimented with direct selling to viewers over the years. NBC even put its name on ShopNBC, a cable channel it co-owned in the 1990s. But the concept was not mastered until NBC’s “Today” introduced “Steals and Deals” in 2010 as an occasional segment that grew over time.

The program now has 30 contributors who present wares in about 350 shopping segments each year. They are available across digital, social, newsletters and mobile platforms after they air on “Today.”

ABC’s “Good Morning America” started its own version in 2011, brazenly calling it “Deals and Steals.” The network now has daily segments on both “GMA” and the afternoon hours “GMA 3” and “The View.” Network contributor Tory Johnson has handled “Deals and Steals” since its launch and has long been one of the most familiar faces on “GMA.” Other contributors, such as former fashion magazine editor Laurie Bergamotto, have been added over the years.

Meehan recalls the biggest hurdle to launching the segments at ABC was the language explaining the arrangement to viewers — making it clear that the network stands to benefit.

“It came down to the attorneys just saying, ‘ABC may receive promotional or financial consideration,’” he said. “It took a long time to go through that process.”

CBS News, historically cautious about any endeavors that could tarnish its legacy as a journalism organization, was the last of the traditional networks to get into e-commerce in 2022 after COVID-19 lockdowns depressed ad revenues. The division was also under pressure to improve its financial performance as Shari Redstone, then-chair of parent Paramount, was intent on improving the company’s balance sheet ahead of a sale.

“Shop CBS” segments, as they’re called, are presented multiple times a week on “CBS Mornings” and “CBS Saturday Morning” and have become key revenue drivers for the struggling news division. Any resistance from producers or on-air talent recedes once they learn how much money e-commerce takes in, according to one veteran at the division not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

While ABC and NBC broker their e-commerce deals in-house and through some of their contributors, CBS turned to Knocking to develop its segments. The company makes deals with product suppliers looking for in-program exposure, supplies the on-air talent that does the pitching with the network’s hosts and builds the websites that handle the transactions.

While on-air network journalists appear in the segments, they are not asked to do the selling. When CBS News signed on with Knocking, the division insisted the talent and producers involved be able to test the products before putting them on air. When they can react with enthusiasm, it’s a big help.

“When ‘CBS Mornings’ co-host Nate Burleson puts on a massager and he’s like, ‘Ooh, wow, this feels like real human hands,’ — none of that is scripted,” said Meehan.

Still, programs are putting their credibility on the line by selling the products. There is little margin for error or customer dissatisfaction, as disgruntled viewers will tune out.

Meehan said Knocking does its best to mitigate that possibility by accepting returns up to six months after purchase.

“A bad experience will hurt both the product or service being featured, and the broadcaster,” Heyward said. “All the parties have a vested interest in honesty, and in a good user experience.”

BEACH? Check. Cheap booze? Check. Quick flights and nice hotels? Check, check.

We know what makes a good holiday, and it’s all of the above. But where can you find all of these things, and still get deals for as little as £159 per person?

The Sun’s team of travel experts have named some of their top places to go for a beach holiday, whether you love a bit of culture or just time sunning it up by the pool.

Along with cheap flights, hotels and cocktails, none of these will break the bank – and they come expert approved.

Urla, Turkey

Brits love a bit of Turkish coastline, with millions of us visiting the country’s beach resorts each year. But when I told friends I was visiting the coastal town of Urla in Turkey’s Izmir region (pictured above) a couple of summers ago, I was met with blank faces.

Unsurprising then, that there were hardly any Brits wandering the quaint streets of the town, which looks out over the Aegean sea.

Featured as one of Conde Nast Traveller’s Places To Visit in 2024, we swam in the sea at a local beach club during the day and hit up a couple of the local vineyards, then gorged on delicious food and cocktails at night.

And it really is delicious food, as the town is home to several restaurants that feature in the fancy Michelin food guide. However, that doesn’t mean you have to pay Michelin prices everywhere – this is after all, an article about cheap destinations.

At the Bulls**t Pub near the seafront, you can get a burger and fries with a small beer for 450 Turkish lira (£7) and at the highly rated Evba Urla neighbourhood restaurant, you can get a huge Turkish breakfast for the same price.

Accommodation varies in prices, with several chic boutique hotels as well as family guesthouses from £500 a week for a family of four in August, while airlines offering flights include Pegasus, easyJet and SunExpress from £132 return in late-August. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Djerba, Tunisia

With eight miles of powdery soft white sands lapped by azure blue waters, Sidi Mahres on the Tunisian island of Djerba could give the Caribbean a run for its money.

And yet the island just off the coast of the North African country offers incredible value for money with 4* hotels a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe.

You’ll also get so much more than just a great beach here. From the bustling souks to Djerbahood – a maze of winding lanes covered in vibrant street art – there’s plenty to keep the culture vultures happy too.

The island’s hotel zone has plenty of all-inclusive hotel options – I stayed at the beachfront 5* Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso.

With huge pools, four restaurants and three bars it also has the biggest Thalasso spa on the island for the ultimate pampering.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from just £488pp with easyJet Holidays, including flights from the UK, luggage and transfers. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Gran Canaria, Spain

If I’m heading to the beach, it needs to be hot enough for me to catch a killer tan.

That’s why Gran Canaria ranks highly for me as a beach destination.

The Spanish island’s proximity to the Western Sahara means temperatures are usually soaring and sunshine is pretty much guaranteed year round. Plus, it’s fly-and-flop heaven.

The last time I visited, I spent the majority of my time on a sun lounger with a book, having cocktails handed to me every hour by a doting poolside waiter. It was pure bliss.

With the southern side of the island completely geared up for holidaymakers, you may not be getting the most authentic foods and experiences, but the positive of that is being able to stick to what you love.

Fancy sushi for dinner? There’ll be a restaurant nearby. Want to spend all-night partying with fellow holidaymakers? Take your pick of beach bars and clubs.

TUI has package holidays from £487pp in August for a family of four. – Sophie Swietochoswki, Assistant Travel Editor

Agadir, Morocco

Warm in winter, surfing every morning and mega cheap shopping – what’s not to love about Agadir?

I rave about Morocco when it comes to affordable holiday destinations, and in particular love Agadir and Taghazout which are known for their epic surf scene, with beaches far quieter than its Spanish counterparts.

I stayed at the adult-only Pickalbatros White Beach Resort resort (from £484 for three days & flights with TUI) where my days were spent lounging by the pool.

There was no fighting for sunbeds because there’s so many to choose from, and once I was in position with a good book, skillful rollerblading waiters whizzed cocktails to me and pool staff tried to tempt me into aquarobics.

Outside the resort, you can explore the souks for homeware that is a fraction of the price in the UK, or go on tours of Agadir Oufella fortress and the marina.

Or just sit by the beach and watch people taken out by waves – whatever takes your fancy. Package holidays are crazy cheap too. I’m talking seven night breaks for £159 each, including flights in winter. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Île de Ré, France

This dinky French island – connected to the mainland via bridge – feels like it’s trapped in a long-gone era with its traditional restaurants serving fresh seafood, the charming harbour littered with bobbing sail boats and its towering fort that was built back in 1625.

Cars are permitted on the island, but the best way to get around is by bike – you could easily cycle around the periphery in four hours, stopping off at authentic bars and gorgeous beaches as you go.

If escapism is what you’re after, that’s exactly what you’ll get. The streets rarely feel overcrowded and the laissez-faire attitude of those that live there is contagious.

Make sure to potter into the chic main town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. The UNESCO-listed World Heritage site is simply gorgeous with rows of old-fashioned houses with pastel-coloured shutters overlooking the cobblestone streets.

If you’re into seafood, you’re in luck. This island is THE place to sample oysters.

La Cabane du Feneau (reachable by bike) is a renowned oyster hut, buried in the salt marshes, that serves them freshly-shucked with quality views to match the quality food.

Eurocamp has 7-night breaks in one of their 2-bed lodges at their La Grainetiere park on Ile De Re in the last week of July for £917. – Sophie Swietochoswki, Assistant Travel Editor

Sardinia, Italy

Between the end of last year and the beginning of this year, Sardinia was named several times as the place to go in 2026.

The small limestone island looks as if it has been carved out of rocks from the ocean floor, sitting closer to Africa than mainland Italy – and as a result, you can expect a dry, warm climate and the smell of fresh herbs across the island.

While lots of Brits head to Olbia in the north, the south of the island around the capital – Cagliari – is the real gem and boasts less crowds, especially when staying at the adults only Baia di Chia Resort.

Lounging by the pool with a spritz in hand while overlooking the bay, I made the excellent decision of ordering a freshly-made pistachio tiramisu straight to my sunbed.

While indulgent and comforting it was the perfect holiday treat to enjoy while soaking up the 38C sun.

If you were to do one thing, make sure you walk along the beach to Torre di Chia – a historic defensive tower that sits on top of a hill with the ocean directly below.

Baia di Chia Resort has 7 nights on a half board basis plus flights from £1267pp in September, based on two people sharing. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Writer

Valetta, Malta

Funnily enough, I also found myself strangely at home in Malta – if I wanted to, I could find English breakfast at any hotel, red telephone boxes, and a pub called The Queen Victoria. 

The good thing about a country that is relatively tiny is that a normal taxi ride to another city takes about 10 minutes and is roughly €5. 

Don’t expect sandy beaches in Valetta – but it still has beautiful, if not slightly rocky, swimming spots such as St Elmo Bay (or take a day trio to Gozo if you really crave soft sands).

Bar-hopping in the centre of Valletta during happy hour was my happiest time though, where I found mojitos for under €10 (£8.50) or €2.50 (£2.13) cold pints.

Don’t be fooled by the miniature size of this island – you’ll find plenty to do no matter your interest, from culture to coast and history to great grub. 

Holiday Pirates has 7-night package holidays in August from £399pp for a family of four, a short drive down the coast from Valetta in St Pauls Bay. Dharshinee Krishna Naidu, Travel Writer

Marsa Alam, Egypt

There can’t be many beaches in the world where you can step off a wooden pier into waters where you can swim with dugongs – gentle giant sea cows – and wild sea turtles.

Marsa Alam is the new kid on the block on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Further down the coast from Hurghada, its own airport with direct TUI flights each winter mean you’ll spend less time in transfer buses.

And the joy of the newly built all-inclusive resorts on this stretch of coastline – including the Jaz Elite Amara where I stayed this year – is their great value for winter sun with temperatures averaging 22C to 26C even in February.

With wide, sandy beaches and calm seas where you can snorkel for free to explore the colourful corals and marine life, it offers Maldives-style water fun for far less.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Jaz Elite Amara is from £1,105pp with TUI in November, when there are average highs of 27C. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Crete, Greece

Crete has long been a favourite European island destination for Brits, but instead of heading to the busy resorts in the west, travel south to Ella Rocrita Resort.

This family-friendly resort sits on a portion of the coast that feels untouched, with miles of hills and olive groves surrounding you.

On the resort itself, you can stay in a villa-style suite with a swim up room, creating you only little slice of the Greek haven.

You won’t be short on pools, as across the resort there are different sized pools with different features depending on if you are with the kids or your partner.

I spent an entire day lounging at the spa, where I dipped in and out of different hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms and saunas.

The best spot? Head up to the roof where you will find a pool that sits at the highest point in the resort, overlooking the surrounding hills, beach and lagoon littered with flamingos.

Travel Supermarket has package holidays from £459pp for a family of four in late August. – Cyann Fielding, Travel Writer

Cape Verde

Cape Verde has been a household name in the UK for around 10 years now, thanks to its year-round sunshine, relatively short flight time and affordable all-inclusive hotels.

It is certainly the place for those seeking winter sun, with the average highs reaching 24C in December and thanks to its proximity to the equator, temperatures don’t diffier too much in mid-summer.

Skin-scorching sun isn’t the only reason to pay a visit to the Portuguese-speaking country, though.

For those who like a bit of adrenaline, there’s kite-surfing along the aptly named Kite Beach (you’ll need strong arms), plus quad-biking on
the desert landscape that makes up the bulk of the inner island.

The beautiful beaches, as well as adventure activities and
watersports, were all within a short drive of our hotel, the Riu
Palace Santa Maria, south of the island of Sal and near the idyllic
beach town of Santa Maria.

My favourite spot was the excellent rustic beach bar called Ole Brazil
selling the best caipirinhas I’ve ever drunk for £3.50.

And right next door is the popular LobStar restaurant, which is
perfectly placed to receive the best of the daily catch brought in by
the local fishermen every afternoon.

TUI has package holidays from £692pp for a family of four this August.. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Marbella, Spain

Everyone knows the party town of Marbella – but let me pitch it to you as a place to go when the beach clubs are closed.

This is when you see the real side to the Spanish city, where the cobbled streets are quiet and the flowers are still in full bloom.

Take your time browsing the shops for clothes and trinkets, without the crowds, and walk into wine bars, no reservations required.

We stocked up on foodie bits to take back for a hotel picnic, which included a €2.50 (£2.13) bottle of wine which was remarkably delicious.

The Hard Rock Hotel I stayed at is all kinds of fun – think music-themed massages and doughnuts on guitar walls – and its less than £100 a night off season.

Throw in some £16.99 Ryanair flights to Malaga and you’ve got yourself a bargain break. – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Kalamata, Greece

You’ve dug out your swimsuit, rushed down to the beach and leapt into the water… only to find its freezing cold. Not in Kalamata, however.

The sea is one of the warmest in Greece due to the shallow waters of the Messinian Gulf. 

Escape the hot Greek sun by jumping head first or spend the days lounging under the sun with a cold beer in your hand.

Aside from smoky Kalamata olives, my favourite thing about hitting the beach in the southern Peloponnese region is the food culture, which costs less than a Boots Meal Deal back home.

I spent my afternoons gorging on grilled sardines laid on sourdough with a touch of lemon or finding street vendors that have charcoal grilled sweetcorn. 

What’s better than being in a Mediterranean paradise with a full stomach and a frosty drink in your hand?

Love Holidays have 7-night package holidays from 349pp for a family of four this August.  – Dharshinee Krishna Naidu, Travel Writer

The shy 9-year-old Nathan Negrete doesn’t naturally gravitate toward the spotlight, but as Negrete stood with Weston McKennie in front of the roaring 74,904 fans at SoFi Stadium, he smiled.

Looking back nearly a month later, the Pico Rivera resident doesn’t remember much of the U.S. men’s national team win over Paraguay, getting overwhelmed by the experience. But he remembers what McKennie told him — something Negrete decided should be kept secret despite a large smile on his face.

“The best day ever,” he said of the experience. “Because I went to the World Cup.”

Quaker and Common Goal partnered with FIFA to select children and young adults to escort teams out onto the pitch before kickoff. Negrete, who attends Rio Vista Elementary, was one of the lucky few who joined the U.S. team before its 4-1 win over Paraguay. It was a joyous start to a tournament run that would eventually end in the Round of 16.

A fan of both the U.S. and Mexico, Negrete started playing soccer at 4. His mother, Monica Ocampo, and his father, Jonathan Negrete, were both soccer fans, and they encouraged him to play as a striker. After his practices, though, Negrete would step into the goal and block his teammates’ shots. And once he strapped on the gloves officially, his parents couldn’t convince him to leave the net.

But there wasn’t anything quite like the experience of stepping out in front of the roaring crowd. Even as the city prepared to host the World Cup, as nearby restaurants hung banners to attract pedestrians and watch party notifications flooded social media, Ocampo said she wasn’t prepared for the impact of watching her child take the field with the national team.

The family held a 15-person watch party, just not for the actual game — for her son. The Telemundo broadcast zoomed in on Negrete and McKennie. For a couple of moments, Negrete scanned the stadium seriously, but then he looked up to see himself and McKennie on the SoFi Stadium video boards. So, he smiled.

“I cried,” Ocampo said. “His dad looked like he wanted to cry when he saw him.”

Messages from friends and family flooded her phone as the rest of the people who knew Negrete realized he was on the broadcast. Was that Nathan? Was that your son? Negrete took on a new nickname after his appearance: “Famous Nathan.”

As Nathan drove home with his mom, he still couldn’t believe what had happened. It took a few days for him to take it all in, and once he started talking about it, not a lot could stop him. The one priceless memory he kept with him was simple:

“‘I really want to be a professional soccer player now,’” Ocampo remembers her son saying in the car ride home. “Actually being there, seeing the field, actually living it, that’s one thing he told me that night: I really want to be a professional.”

He wouldn’t be the first. Graham Zusi, who played for the U.S. men’s national team between 2012 and 2017, participated in the 1994 World Cup opening ceremony as a 7-year-old. And even now, Negrete is using his experience to fuel his dreams of playing professionally, revisiting the YouTube video of the experience again and again.

“Hopefully one day he gets there, but wherever his life takes him, just for him to see that experience, it’s something he’s never going to forget,” Ocampo said. “Even now, sometimes we talk about him like I can’t believe he actually did that.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is not far away, and the predictions are coming in thick and fast.

Spain, the reigning European champions, are eyeing their second World Cup title, 16 years on from their maiden triumph in South Africa. But standing in their way are holders Argentina, the South American giants aiming to become just the third country to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

Stats provider Opta predicts Spain as the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, with a 59.56 percent probability of lifting the trophy in New Jersey. La Roja are also the picks of several former players and pundits.

Former England striker Michael Owen said world number two Spain are the “deserved” winners of the tournament.

“Spain haven’t got the greatest individual players, I think France probably have … but Spain as a team are everything England are not – they are brave, courageous with the ball,” Owen told The Straits Times.

“Spain are just a great team that pass the ball confidently and play amazing football as a collective.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the ex-Barcelona and Manchester United striker who represented Sweden at two World Cups, expects Spain to dominate the final, which comes two years on from their Euro 2024 triumph.

Spain handled France very good [in the semifinals]. I believe they can handle this Argentina,” Zlatan, now a pundit on US broadcaster Fox Sports, said.

“Argentina is not a counterattacking team. Spain are going to do their thing. They’re going to play collectively … I believe Spain are going to dominate that game.”

Spain were also John Terry’s favourites for glory, with the former England captain saying on the Sports Uncensored show that Luis de la Fuente’s side have “got too much for Argentina”.

Former goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the Spain captain during their maiden World Cup triumph in 2010, expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to bring home a second, sharing a picture of another star halfway stitched on the top of their badge.

A star represents every World Cup a team has won.

[Translation: And why not?]

While a lot of the consensus centred around a Spain win, some think Argentina have a chance, even if it is slim.

Alan Shearer, one of England’s greatest strikers of all time, backed the reigning champions, saying on The Rest is Football podcast, “If there’s one team that can do it in terms of stopping them [Spain], it’s Argentina because of their mentality and togetherness.

“They have been down so many times and in trouble, and somehow managed to get a win. That’s what you’ve got to admire about them.

“When you’ve got a genius in your side,” he added, referring to Messi, “you’ve always got a chance.”

But how can Argentina beat favourites Spain in the title clash?

English football pundit Micah Richards thinks the answer to that is low-block transition – the strategy of teams sitting back closest to their goal and, after winning possession, rapidly shifting from a compact defensive shape into an offensive counterattack.

“Get the ball to Messi, whereas [Julian] Alvarez or [Lisandro] Martinez just make it horrible, make it how they did with England,” he added.

“I think Argentina need to stay in the game as they did against England and turn it on when they see a shift in momentum.”

Meanwhile, another of England’s greats, Gary Lineker, stuck with his pretournament pick, Spain, but added that Argentina are “so gritty”, making the predictions a very tough choice.

“You cannot go against that little fella [Messi]. He’s so great; it’s going to be really, really close. It’s genuinely 50-50.”

Unlike others, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani refused to pick a side.

“Everyone I root for has lost,” he said, with a laugh. “So I feel like whoever I say is going to lose at this point.

“I’m gonna say the classic politician’s answer – I’m excited for a good game.”

Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been arrested in the US after British authorities issued 38 new charges against the pair.

The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Andrew was being charged with seven further counts of rape, as well as charges relating to sex trafficking and indecent images of a child.

Tristan’s charges include two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The total number of charges against the brothers is now 59, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police said.

The alleged offending is said to have taken place between July 2010 and August 2017. The Tates have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Following their arrest, prosecutors will begin legal proceeding to extradite the brothers, who are dual British-US citizens, to the UK, the CPS said.

“These charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and bring the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven,” Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Special Crime Division at the CPS, said.

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police have been investigating a number of offences in what it called a “complex investigation”.

As a result, 38 new charges were authorised against the brothers, meaning Andrew, 39, faces a total of 42 charges in the UK and Tristan, 37, faces 17.

Protesters are inviting soccer fans to join them in issuing referee-style red cards during the World Cup final.

A coalition of artists, community organizers and advocacy groups will be handing out tens of thousands of specially designed commemorative red cards to those headed to Sunday’s championship showdown between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

In addition to the slogan “Unitas Mundi” — Latin for “unity of the world” — the mock referee cards direct people to a website explaining the coalition’s campaign and invite them to participate in a collective demonstration inside the stadium to denounce FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President Trump.

The action comes amid increased scrutiny around Infantino and Trump‘s relationship. Infantino has announced that Trump will join him at the final to present the trophy to the winner. He also awarded Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize — created after the U.S. leader was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize — in December.

And it was after Trump called Infantino to ask for a review of a red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun that the star forward’s suspension was delayed to allow him to play in the next game. The controversial move prompted an international uproar and accusations that Infantino has violated established rules around political neutrality.

FIFA has strict rules prohibiting political messaging on flags, banners and other items displayed by players and attendees in and around stadiums.

Organizers of the Final Red Card demonstration are also calling out the Trump administration’s immigration and mass deportation policies, which are back in the spotlight after three people were killed within a week during separate encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The fatalities include two people who were shot and killed by ICE officers in Houston and Maine during immigration operations, and another killed in a car crash while fleeing ICE officers in Florida.

At least 10 people have been killed during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns.

The coalition behind the campaign includes Contra-ICE, the arts collective that was also a part of the Flags in the Stands Super Bowl action that involved the “ICE OUT” rally towels. Partner organizations also include Make the Road New Jersey, 50501, People vs the Machines and South Asians for America, according to a press release.

BofA identifies ten Russell 1000 stocks, including Celsius, MACOM Technology, Akamai, Ciena, Duolingo, Axon Enterprise, Zillow, Arista Networks, Microchip Technology, and Workday, for covered call strategies combining premium income and potential upside.

People looking to book a European getaway this summer are spoilt for choice with destinations and options but one island has been branded the best of the bunch thanks to its impressive architecture, beautiful beaches and more

A Spanish island has been branded “the perfect holiday experience” thanks to its “picturesque” setting and “spectacular” views.

Spain is a popular destination for millions of holidaymakers on the quest for a European getaway thanks to its reliable, year-round sunshine, world-class culinary scene with everything from delectable, bitesized – and budget-friendly – tapas dishes, to Michelin-star options and more. Spain is also home to more than 600 Blue Flag beaches where it boasts a rich and diverse history and culture, with UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Alhambra in Granada, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and plenty more well worth seeking out.

The country’s art and architecture is equally renowned, while the diversity of adventures and landscapes ensures it remains a desirable destination no matter what kind of getaway people may be craving.

There’s hiking options galore, particularly on the rugged north coast, as well as skiing available in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

If you’re keen to rest, relax and soak up the sunshine, then there’s no shortage of beaches on offer, while the Balearic Islands seamlessly blend golden sands, wellness, thriving nightlife, markets, history, nature and plenty more.

With all that in mind, it might be quite tricky deciding where to go if you’re craving a holiday in Spain this summer.

Where to go in Spain

Many people turn to social media looking for advice and recommendations from seasoned travel experts to passionate novices alike.

On TikTok, it’s Mallorca that’s been making waves and drawing praise. Popular account Spain Reels shared an assortment of clips cut together to highlight all the area has to offer, from impressive architecture and travel options to beautiful beaches and more.

Text added over the top of the footage simply reads: “I’m not saying you need to visit Mallorca… but look at this.”

In the caption, Spain Reels launched into further detail: “Mallorca right now is one of the most beautiful summer destinations in Europe.

“From breathtaking mountains and charming villages to some of the clearest turquoise sea in the Mediterranean, this Spanish island offers the perfect holiday experience.”

It continued: “Explore the stunning Serra de Tramuntana mountains, discover picturesque villages, and experience why Mallorca remains one of the world’s most searched travel destinations.

“Valldemossa is famous for its beautiful stone streets and mountain scenery, while Deià offers spectacular views and authentic Mediterranean charm.”

Spain Reels added: “A visit to Sóller is a must, with its historic tram, charming old town, and incredible landscapes. Sa Calobra impresses visitors with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and one of the most breathtaking coastlines in Europe.”

Other things to see and do in Mallorca

See Mallorca echoes these views. On its official website, it states: “Imagine an island with turquoise blue waters, secret coves, soft golden sands, lush green foliage, rugged mountains, picturesque villages and a vibrant capital city.

“Now drop that island in the sea only a couple of hours flight from most European cities… that’s Mallorca (also known as Majorca) in a nutshell.

“The island and its capital, Palma, are overflowing with character, while its beaches are famous all around the world, making it one of the most sought-after summer destinations.”

California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch. By using 3-D printers, they warn, lawbreakers are able to make key components of untraceable “ghost guns” with the press of a button.

Ghost guns, which authorities say make it more difficult to investigate shootings because they lack serial numbers, have been a growing problem for law enforcement nationwide. According to federal data, the number of privately made firearms recovered in crimes surged from more than 1,600 in 2017 to nearly 27,500 in 2023. California leads the nation in recoveries over that period.

In response, legislators are seeking to mandate that all 3-D printers sold in the state come equipped with software that prohibits users from making triggers and other gun parts. A bill passed the Assembly in May and is advancing through the Senate.

But the proposal has drawn opposition from a diverse coalition, which includes civil liberties groups, tech companies and 3-D printing enthusiasts as well as Hollywood effects studios, who argue that “firearm blocking software” will also prohibit legitimate designs and expose makers to government or corporate surveillance.

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Inside a San Fernando workshop, Samuel McBride makes movie monsters come to life for the camera. One of his latest creations, an animatronic hand, clutches when he pulls a trigger that he built using a 3-D printer.

McBride says the technology has transformed the work at Legacy Effects, where he is a lab manager, but he’s worried it will soon be off-limits because of a proposed change in California law.

McBride fears the law would interfere with the making of devices like the one that activates his lifelike hand.

“If I just took apart this trigger and put it on a printer, how is anyone, computer or human, going to tell me how I intend to use it?” he asked.

Backers of the proposed law say it has the potential to help save lives.

“As gun violence continues to devastate our communities, we cannot allow 3-D printing technology to become a new pipeline for untraceable weapons,” said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, the bill’s author.

Critics of the proposed California law note that 3-D printed guns represent a small subset of ghost guns recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes. According to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, most “privately made firearms” recovered by police are assembled from mail-order kits or unfinished parts rather than printed at home.

Jorge Perez of Monster City Studios holds a sculpture made with a large, industrial 3-D printer.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

“This fight is not over whether ghost guns are dangerous,” said David Tobin, an independent creator leading the coalition. “It is over whether the state can or should require a consumer tool to surveil a person’s designs before they are allowed to make something.”

Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit that advocates for gun control and has pushed for the passage of California’s bill, pointed to rising 3-D printed firearm recoveries across 20 major cities and warned that homemade plastic parts can help people bypass background checks or turn handguns into automatic weapons.

Krystal LoPilato, who advocates for policy at Everytown, said the group has successfully guided a similar bill through the New York state Legislature.

A handgun frame made using a 3-D printer is held for display at the office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

LoPilato said the policy aims to be proactive, rather than allowing more violence to take place before regulating the problem. Opponents counter that California already bars unlawful firearm manufacturing with 3-D printers, and that ghost gun recoveries have declined since the state adopted a series of new laws and enforcement efforts.

A June 1 letter to lawmakers, signed by a group of 3-D printing companies, stagecraft and prop-making studios and industry stakeholders, argued that AB 2047 raises 1st Amendment concerns and would harm businesses. The letter was signed by a wide variety of companies and individuals, including Prusa Research, a prominent 3-D printer manufacturer.

“To an algorithm, a gun barrel and a piece of pipe are the same grooved cylinder,” Jakub Kmošek, head of public affairs at Prusa, said in a statement to The Times. “This bill will only make it harder to build, repair, experiment, and innovate in California.”

Alan Scott, Legacy Effects’ co-founder, said 3-D printing has become central to the company’s survival in an industry where budgets are tighter and deadlines are shorter.

“Everything’s just got to be done faster these days. You don’t get to reduce the quality. We couldn’t stay in business if we weren’t 3-D printing,” Scott said.

To solve this problem, Bauer-Kahan put an entertainment industry exception in the bill, exempting “printers manufactured for and sold exclusively to entertainment industry stagecraft and propmaking studios” from the software requirement.

McBride, Legacy’s 3-D lab manager, said those printers do not really exist.

Legacy uses the same general-purpose machines available to other businesses willing to invest in the equipment, and no printers are marketed exclusively for Hollywood, he said.

1

2

1. A 3-D printed sculpture concept at Monster City, a special effects studio in Santa Clarita. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times) 2. 3-D printing advocate David Tobin showcases a robotics kit at Monster City. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

Legacy also worries about privacy. Major studios require strict secrecy before a movie or show is released. To accommodate this, the company shares design files through encrypted servers and protected internal systems.

“We’ve invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring all that technology here under the umbrella of our NDAs and our IP protection,” McBride said.

Bauer-Kahan noted at a Senate hearing that she is working to address concerns raised by 3-D printing users and industries that rely on the technology.

Paul Powers, chief executive of Physna, a company whose technology could be used to block gun parts on 3-D printers, said the strongest criticisms of AB 2047 “misunderstand how the software works.”

“Something that vaguely looks like a gun part is not considered to be a match,” he said.

Powers also responded to surveillance concerns by clarifying that his company’s software only blocks the printer from making prohibited parts — it doesn’t flag them to authorities or log users’ intellectual property.

“There’s no communication with anyone; it doesn’t go anywhere,” he said.

But Marleen Vogelaar, chief executive of Thangs3D, a platform for independent creators to share and sell 3-D printable designs, said that answer does not resolve her broader concerns about how AB 2047 would work in practice.

“These databases will always lag behind innovation and can be easily circumvented and generate false positives that block legal designs and wrongly flag everyday makers,” she said at a Senate hearing this month. “The bill also creates serious privacy and security risks by giving third parties access to analyze designer’s files. That threatens intellectual property and adds digital surveillance in a state that values data privacy.”

If the bill passes, the state’s Department of Justice would publish a roster of compliant printers. Printers not on the list would be banned from sale or transfer in California beginning in December 2029.

Aubrey Rodriguez, a legislative advocate with American Civil Liberties Union California Action, an advocacy organization formed by the ACLU’s three affiliates in the state, said the bill would ask ordinary users, schools and businesses to accept a new layer of control based on software they still do not trust.

Rodriguez said the proposal risks creating “a permanent back door into the privacy of our own homes, ripe for exploitation.”

“Once this new infrastructure exists, it is a simple software update away from tracking political dissent or preventing 3-D printing designs deemed inappropriate,” Rodriguez said.

Benn, 29, had earlier said Garcia is “like a big child, a spoiled brat”.

“He throws his toys out of the pram on social media, throwing little tantrums,” he added.

“I’m not too concerned about this little influencer. He ain’t a fighter. He can say whatever he wants, it ain’t going to make a difference come 12 September.”

Benn then pointed to himself and said: “12-round war proven. I don’t quit, I don’t stay down on one knee,” referring to Garcia’s loss to Gervonta Davis in 2023.

Garcia, 27, responded by saying Benn’s “not gonna make it to 12, he’s not good enough”.

“You think I’m going to let a guy from the UK come here and beat me and take my belt? You’ve lost your mind,” Garcia added.

Born and raised in California, Garcia has Mexican heritage and often carries both an American and Mexican flag into the ring.

“Wait till I smack you up and make you quit,” Benn added. “You have no heart. You’re not Mexican, bro.”

Benn, who spent 12 years of his childhood in Mallorca, Spain, then shouted at Garcia in Spanish while grabbing his crotch.

Garcia later said he would stop Benn inside five rounds before the stage was cleared for a face-off between the fighters.

Benn’s father, former world champion Nigel Benn, was standing behind him as he repeatedly shouted “you quit” and told Garcia “you ain’t got no heart. I’ll test it, I’ll test that chin too”.

Garcia replied by saying: “This about to be easy work. You not good enough to beat me. Your dad’s gonna stop the fight. I promise you.”

THINK Spain, think tapas. A little taste of everything that comes together perfectly.

And Empuriabrava on the Costa Brava is the tapas of Spain.

This beautiful town built on a network of canals just 90 miles north of Barcelona and 25 miles from the French border is a mixture of many flavours.

Throw in a pinch of Venice, a spoonful of France’s Port Grimaud and a generous dollop of Florida all with the unmistakable taste of Spain in the background and you’ve got yourself a feast.

The 24km of inland waterways give the Venice vibe, glass-fronted luxury villas on the canal bank nod to the Cote d’Azur and the moored Miami Vice-style powerboats lend the Florida feel.

This didn’t all happen by accident. Until the 1960s, this area was all rice fields and swamps. Some well-off locals decided to create a purpose-built luxury holiday resort bringing all these influences together.

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Now officially the biggest residential marina in Europe, it’s fair to say they got it bang on.

We flew from Gatwick to Girona. The flight time was only two hours and the transfer was around 45 minutes — so it’s perfect for a long weekend.

Arriving in the morning, a little early for check-in, we dropped off our bags at the hotel and headed straight out to hire an electric boat for an hour to explore the canals.

No licence or experience is required — the boat barely gets above a gentle walking pace, so it’s like driving a very slow dodgem car.

And it’s a perfect way to get a feel for the town and enjoy a bit of lifestyle envy looking at the luxury homes and boats.

But you don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy the same views. The 4H Port Salins hotel by Pierre & Vacances sits on Salins canal a five-minute walk from the beach, giving you the best of both worlds.

The hotel has its own pool built out over the canal, perfect for lying on your sunbed and watching the boats come and go, as well as a lovely rooftop terrace.

Opt for one of the renovated canal-side rooms and you’ll be rewarded with a ­spacious, tastefully decorated space. Most of these also have large balconies overlooking the canal. The hotel even has four moorings reserved for guests’ boats.

In the evening we sat on the hotel’s rooftop terrace sipping a cocktail or two watching the nautical world go by six floors below.

Dinner is served in the Noray restaurant overlooking the pool. The Mediterranean menu is packed with fresh, local produce. The prawn and monkfish risotto to share for two was a real highlight — as was the excellent service.

There are plenty of other dining options in town and on the beach. We loved Oliveri, where we had fantastic locally caught grilled prawns. Yeti beach bar is perfect for chilling with its amazing tapas after a morning dip in the Med.

At the front of the town is a huge beach which stretches all the way from Gulf of Roses in the north to L’Escala to the South. This continues the Florida vibe with colourful lifeguard huts dotted along the sand and, like the town, is immaculately clean. It feels like the locals are very proud of their Costa Brava gem.

For a slightly more active holiday there are plenty of options. It’s easy to hire a speedboat or jet ski and just a short canal trip to get to the open sea, where you can open the throttle and bounce across the waves.

If you’re seeking even more daring thrills, Empuriabrava is home to Europe’s largest skydiving school, offering group or solo lessons. You don’t even have to leave the ground to experience the thrill of the jump with a go in its simulator.

Even that seemed a bit too much for me so I settled for watching skydivers dropping down to earth, as I sat in the bar with a cold beer in hand.

The marina is the place to go if you enjoy gazing at luxury power boats, as it’s crammed fender to fender with the most stunning collection of them.

If you’ve got a spare £800k you could even grab yourself a bargain at the local ship shop. Unfortunately it was closed while we were walking around so we settled for just looking and dreaming.

For a taste of culture, travel to nearby Figueres to visit the Salvador Dali museum. The artist was born here in 1904 and he designed and conceived the museum himself. It houses the most extensive collection of his work.

Figueres is also the birthplace of Narcís Monturiol, the inventor of the first machine-powered submarine. But unfortunately he is slightly overshadowed by the more famous moustachioed surrealist.

Back in Empuriabrava it was time for another great meal, tapas, obviously. After sampling all the flavours this hidden gem in the north of Spain has to offer, I’ll definitely be back for second helpings.

Rescue operations for remaining passengers and crew ongoing, authorities say.

Rescuers in Guyana are racing to find dozens of people missing at sea after a ferry carrying 116 passengers and crew capsized off the country’s coast, according to local authorities.

The MV Barima, which issued a distress call at about 11pm on Saturday (03:00 GMT on Sunday), capsized near Iron Punt while travelling from Guyana’s capital Georgetown to Port Kaituma.

Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Phillips told the AFP news agency on Sunday that 53 people had been rescued. He said authorities expected to rescue more people as the search operation progresses during daylight hours.

The operation involves Guyana’s coastguard and private vessels, according to Guyana’s Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

Edghill said the ferry was equipped with some 250 life jackets, eight lifeboats and other safety gear.

He added that a medical team was being dispatched to the search area to treat people “as soon as they are rescued”.

“There is an active search and rescue operation that is taking place, and we pray for the safety of all,” Edghill said in a video post shared on Facebook.

The circumstances surrounding the boat accident were not immediately clear.

New Jersey, United States – Tobin Heath knows everything about winning a football World Cup and defending it successfully.

As a key member of the peerless USA women’s football team of the late 2000s and 2010s, Heath won the FIFA World Cup in 2015 and 2019, as well as Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

But it is not just the medals and honours that elevated her to the pantheon of football greats. Instead, it was Heath’s role in revolutionising the women’s game as a skilful and gifted forward that set her apart.

From mazy runs around defenders while running down the flanks to jaw-dropping assists and finishes inside the penalty area, Heath is often regarded as one of the most technically gifted playmakers in football history.

It is no surprise, then, that Heath’s analysis of World Cup teams as a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group went viral on social media and prompted questions about why she has not been seen on popular football shows prior to the tournament.

The 38-year-old hung up her boots in 2025 after career-ending injuries forced her into retirement. Her 181 international appearances brought her 36 goals but left an indelible mark on the game.

Having followed the knockout matches as the only female member of an elite panel of analysts at a men’s World Cup, Heath’s insights stood out as the tournament progressed towards the final.

As a World Cup replete with goals – 307 in 103 matches, at an average of nearly three goals per match – the ongoing tournament has left some fans questioning whether more scoring equates to a better overall spectator experience.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Sport, Heath shares her thoughts on the goals, players, styles of play and teams that stood out at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the tournament’s legacy:

Al Jazeera: Have more teams and more matches led to a record number of goals at the World Cup? Is it correct to rank this tournament as the most entertaining edition?

Tobin Heath: Yeah, that’s the biggest factor. For me, this is the evolution of football. It’s an evolution of football that the fans are obviously enjoying.

There are multiple factors [behind the high goal average] that we are analysing. But the top one is where these teams are winning the ball back, how they’re counter-pressing and the use of attack in wide areas. The use of the full-backs in the attack has been a key theme and a big positive for football.

We always want to see more goals. So we have to look at the increased team format and the diversity of the teams that are being matched up with each other. Personally, I love seeing diversity in football.

Stylistically, it makes for very interesting matches, and I think we saw some of those most interesting matches in the group stages and towards the beginning of the knockout rounds, where we saw teams that typically play different styles going toe-to-toe with the giants of football.

Al Jazeera: What impression did the likes of Cape Verde, Egypt, DR Congo and other African teams leave on you?

Heath: It was fantastic. Cape Verde are top of my mind in terms of their results. If you look at their result against Spain in particular, and then the thrilling game against Argentina, it’s basically the two finalists. There’s a direct correlation there, which is fascinating to see. And just the bravery with which they played – with so many low blocks – is very rare.

And then in the Egypt game, another outstanding match against Argentina. The result, very well, could have gone either way for me. It was just a beautiful display of football.

I remember watching the African club teams in the Club World Cup last summer and enjoying African football. I’ve enjoyed playing African teams in the World Cup, too. For me, as a football player, it gives you a different problem to solve.

Another team that stood out for me and that I thoroughly enjoyed this tournament was Ivory Coast. I loved their football, I loved their style, I loved their individual brilliance.

For African football, this is a big positive, and another step in the growth of football on that continent with various styles. And I hope to see more of the same in the Women’s World Cup next summer.

Al Jazeera: Having been a big exponent of attractive football in your playing days and a proponent of it after your retirement, how would you rate the different styles on display at the World Cup? And did you think it was an entertaining World Cup?

Heath: Oh my gosh, 100 percent! What we have seen in the level of creativity in this tournament has been nothing short of inspiring.

I became a huge fan of France because at any given moment on the pitch, you could see something that has never been done before in football. You’d see innovative football, innovative individual players.

Creativity has been at an all-time high. When you see the best players in the world performing at the top level, being highest in all the metrics. You look at (Jude) Bellingham, (Kylian) Mbappe, (Lionel) Messi, (Erling) Haaland – these are the best players that were showcasing their best football in this tournament.

There’s something in the water in the US that we just love our stars, we love putting them on a platform and the stars showed up big time at this World Cup.

Al Jazeera: Which young players have impressed you the most and what do their performances mean for the future of football?

Heath: The most incredible name that stands out for me is (Pau) Cubarsi.

To be so young, to play so many minutes and be so effective with this Spanish defence, it highlights an incredible way that Spain is generationally able to really connect the ideas and implementation of the type of football that they want to play.

I hope and pray that we see Lamine Yamal perform in a supersonic way in the final. He’s due for a moment. The anticipation has been there all tournament.

We talked about these young players, but we also have to highlight what Messi is doing and the age at which he’s doing it. It’s nothing short of extraordinary. I was laughing that we should give out a veteran award, but he could also win player of the tournament.

From the young superstars to the old, football is in good hands for generations to come.

Al Jazeera: What do you think about the future of football in the US and what this World Cup has done for it?

Heath: It’s so interesting because I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Our culture and society move fast. There are so many things that capture the attention of Americans at any given moment, and the World Cup captured the audience.

We put on a fantastic event; we showcased incredible stadiums and what the different parts of our country look like in the summertime, from the Pacific Northwest to the Miami heat. Stadiums with roofs to uncovered stadiums.

And yet, I’m left wondering how it affects football for us, especially men’s football in our country.

We talk about stars and the importance of stars in our country, but when I think about the players who had a good tournament, including Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, there’s no stardom. It’s a little lacklustre for what the USA team and the World Cup have done in terms of the popularity and interest in this country.

I hope that there is a direct correlation with players to come, both girls and boys, who can point to this World Cup as their inspiration. It will be the greatest indication of whether this tournament was a success.

Our country has been captured by the moment of watching the World Cup, but no one knows if they’ve been captured with it in their soul. It feels a little bit like a flash in the pan.

Al Jazeera: What is the biggest footballing aspect that stood out for you at this World Cup?

Heath: The gap between the possibility of winning a World Cup and actually winning a World Cup. It’s still extremely wide.

We had competitive matches, smaller teams going toe-to-toe with the biggest giants in the world, but it still seems that the closer you get, the bigger the gap between the top teams that can realistically go far in the tournament and the ones we enjoyed watching in the beginning.

I always say, winning is a muscle. It’s no surprise that we have two teams in the final that have enjoyed a lot of success in international football.

We see this both in men’s and women’s football. It will take something truly special to be able to break into that group.

Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

HOLLYWOOD filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been given the go-ahead to create Airbnbs on his historic airfield.

The Brit director angered local residents with his scheme to turn staff accommodation at Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset into holiday lets.

They have accused him of trying to build an “aviation theme park by stealth” and “by any means” with no consideration for he local environment.

They fear his ultimate goal is to have a hotel on the sensitive site which is in the Dorset National Landscape and part of the Cranborne Chase International Dark Sky Reserve.

The Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director has already opened a smokehouse restaurant and re-routed a 130-year-old public footpath since buying the airfield in 2022.

He puts on Spitfire flight experiences and has turned the airfield into a popular visitor destination with events held throughout the year.

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Now his plans for two holiday apartments – one two-bedroom and one four-bedroom – have been won planning permission.

They will allow guests to stay overnight while they enjoy flying experiences during the day.

The airfield has had permission for a flat for live-in staff since 2005.

Locals argued this was for a member of staff to live on site to provide “security and safety”.

But Dorset Council disagreed and said there was no planning reason to refuse it.

Planning officer Jamie Francis said: “The owner has been open that they are seeking to generate additional income streams for the airfield, which would have personal gain, this is also considered to bring economic benefits to the area.

“Overall, the re-use of the building for tourist accommodation in place of staff accommodation is considered acceptable.

“A condition has been applied to ensure that the accommodation is used for short term lets only and not for permanent residential accommodation.

“The conversion of one unit of staff accommodation and one office unit to two units of holiday accommodation is considered acceptable.

“In addition, two units of accommodation to two units of holiday accommodation are considered acceptable.

“Therefore, the Council see no reason to refuse the application on this basis.

“The impact of holiday accommodation is anticipated to have a negligible impact on neighbouring amenity, air pollution, and the overall business of the airfield and flight activities.”

The airfield is near Ritchie’s Ashcombe Estate on the Dorset/Wiltshire border.

He previously shared Ashcombe House with ex-wife Madonna and now he and wife Jacqui split their time between their London home and the country estate.

He has hosted celebrity pals there, including David Beckham and Robert Downey Jnr.

Neighbour Christopher Dymond said the regular flying events caused a nuisance and disturbance to neighbours and likened going into his garden to “walking onto a WW2 film set”.

Mr Dymond said: “Compton Abbas Airfield, until recently, was a polite small grass airfield run for local flying enthusiasts and was managed carefully to reflect the incredibly sensitive location and the proximity of local villages.

“The airfield now is run on a much more commercial basis and largely by stealth is morphing into an aviation theme park with numerous events, shows and visitor attractions.

“The nuisance and disturbance to local residents has increased significantly and many of the historic planning restrictions governing the airfield are not being adhered to.

“Often, on a summer weekend, entering your garden is like walking onto a WW2 film set with noisy historic aircraft constantly flying overhead.

“The current apartment was only allowed on the basis it was an absolute necessity for a member of staff to be on site for safety and security reasons.

“If this safety and security requirement is no longer a necessity there are provisions in the planning legal agreements for the use to cease, not for it to be opened up for paying visitors to stay on the site, without any staff presence.”

Philip Cayford, a neighbour and member of the Compton Abbas Airfield Monitoring Group, said: “It began as a small private strip capable of hosting up to six small aircraft.

“It has long since been accepted that the original permission was a planning mistake; councils since that time have accepted the need to curb the expansion pushed for by successive owners.

“The current application would appear to be a further attempt to increase the size and profitability of this site by any means with no regard whatever for environmental issues or the inconvenience to local residents.

“Approving this application would constitute one further step in the commercial development of one of the most beautiful and sensitive rural landscapes in southern England, and as such is quite inappropriate.”

The Sun has approached Ritchie’s reps for comment.